It said the faction included a small minority of the company's unionised workers.

"The company has already filed the legal motions with the government of Mexico at the state and federal levels but remains receptive to having good-faith discussions with the proper representatives of the certified union," it said.

"Americas firmly believes that worker and community interests are best served by lifting the protest and not through an illegal and unproductive blockade that is damaging to all stakeholders."

Local media reported the group's requests for job improvements had been rejected and there would be no negotiation until president and CEO Darren Blasutti was present.

The company had reported a strong September quarter at Cosalá, which produced 128,779 ounces of silver and 1 million ounces silver-equivalent for the period at all-in sustaining costs of negative US$1.49/oz silver.
 
It also operates the Galena complex in Idaho and expected the first gold pour at its recently-acquired Relief Canyon mine in Nevada to be imminent, Blasutti told Mining Journal in January.
 
Americas Gold and Silver is backed by two prominent resource sector figures, Eric Sprott and Pierre Lassonde.

Its shares rose from C$1.97 in April 2019 to $5.20 in August.

They lost 2% yesterday to $3.83, capitalising the company at $316.4 million (US$238 million).