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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of September 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 37th week of the year (September 11th to September 17th, 2023), 21 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Two companies reported exploration advances on their properties, and one company reported quarterly results. Six companies informed on the opening or closing of private placements, their assistance to investor conferences, the amendment of terms on subscriptions and information circulars.  Five companies presented drilling results from their properties, one presented an updated mineral resource for its property, another two presented updated PEAs and three more updated on exploration activities on their projects. One company intends to change name and one other informed on litigation advances against the federal government. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals updated on exploration work in Zaachila. In Zacatecas, Radius Gold commenced drilling at Tropico. ON MINING, Starcore International Mines reported results for its first quarter 2023. ON FINANCING, Colibri Resource informed on the closing of a financing round for US$687 K. Sailfish Royalty declared a quarterly dividend. Fortuna Silver and Regency Silver are to attend investor conferences. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver amended the terms of subscription receipts. Bear Creek Mining updated on the convertible promissory notes for the payment of US$25 M on the acquisition of the Mercedes mine in Sonora. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Prime Mining announced expansion drilling results from Los Reyes, in Sinaloa. Silver Tiger Metals presented an updated mineral resource estimate for its El Tigre project in Sonora. GoGold Resources released the updated PEA on Los Ricos Sur project in Jalisco. Gold Resource updated on expansion and infill drilling at its Don David mine in Oaxaca. Alamos Gold released excellent drilling results from two target areas on its Mulatos property in Sonora. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver updated on exploration at recently acquired La Guitarra property in Estado de Mexico. Avino Silver & Gold Mines released results from deep drilling at Avino, in Durango. Orex Minerals informed on hyperspectral alteration studies being carried out at Coneto, in Durango. Golden Minerals filed an updated PEA for Velardeña, in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Golden Tag Resources intends to change name to Silver Storm Mining. Almaden Minerals reported the Mexican Federal Administrative Court granted a provisional injunction to Almaden, on its fight to get their mining concessions back into good standing. Argonaut Gold reached an agreement with four ejidos to operate for three more years at El Castillo and San Agustín properties in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. commenced drilling at its Tropico project in Zacatecas. The company envisages a 2,000 m drill program on the hot spring type sinter and breccia pipe system, targeting a “Fresnillo-style” mineralized system at depth, and near-surface bulk mineable gold mineralization on a 450 m by 250 m breccia pipe.
  • Vortex Metals Inc. completed the phase I geologic field program for the environmental study at Zaachila, in Oaxaca. “A total of 13 trenches have been excavated … across exposures of weakly metamorphosed Upper Jurassic sedimentary, volcanic and intrusive rocks where historical surface sampling identified copper mineralization. A total of 387 meters of trench have been cut yielding a total of 271 chip samples” with results pending. Copper mineralization has been observed as malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite and bornite, associated to silica-rich exhalite beds, as quartz-carbonate veinlets cutting silicified and chloritized meta-sediments and volcanics (green schist facies) and as bedded units in the metasediments. “In a few of the less oxidized exposures, sericite was widely observed”.

ON MINING

  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. reported results for its first quarter ended July 31, 2023. At the San Martín Mine in Querétaro, 57.7 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.14 gpt Au, 14.4 gpt Ag, recovering 84.0% Au, 45.8% Ag, to produce 1,800 Oz Au, 12.3 K Oz Ag, at cash cost $2,158 per Oz AuEq. At the end of the period cash on hand was $5.7 M, and working capital $6.2 M. “Our quarterly production reflects our recent difficulties in reaching our higher-grade ore bodies or stopes….. We expect to achieve our targets over the remainder of the year as we are currently completing the development to the high-grade zones”.

ON FINANCING

  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. declared the company’s third quarterly dividend for 2023, in the amount of US$0.0125 per common share (Gavilanes, Durango).
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. announced it is going to be present at the Gold Forum Americas in Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA), from September 17 to September 20, 2023 (San Jose, Oaxaca).
  • Regency Silver Corp. announced its chairman is to be present at the 2023 Kinvestor Days Virtual Conference on September 19, 2023 (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. closed a second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of US$200 K, which combined with the first tranche proceeds total US$687 K (Evelyn, Sonora).
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. amended the terms of 5.12 M subscription receipts in order to extend the escrow release conditions and termination for an additional 30-day period (La Guitarra, Estado de México).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. updated on the convertible promissory note intended to be issued to defer a US$25 M current liability originally payable to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Equinox Gold Corp. and is issuing an amendment to its management information circular dated August 9, 2023. “The Company further announces that it has closed an unsecured and non-convertible demand loan (the “Loan”) from EquinoxGold in the amount of US$1.3 million, the proceeds of which will be used for working capital purposes and further optimization of the Mercedes Mine”. The amendment refers to an exemption of formal valuation requirement described on section 5.5(b) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from 13 new holes targeting the La Luisa vein on its Panuco project, in Sinaloa. Highlighted true-width intervals comprise 11.20 m @ 7.14 gpt Au, 229 gpt Ag 0.3% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 8.90 m @ 2.85 gpt Au, 61 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn (including 0.77 m @ 10.35 gpt Au, 98 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 15.8% Zn); 7.70 m @ 1.90 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.3% Zn (including 0.54 m @ 12.35 gpt Au, 250 gpt Ag, 5.6% Pb, 10.4% Zn and 1.08 m @ 1.48 gpt Au, 171 gpt Ag, 1.6% Pb, 11.2% Zn); 5.00 m @ 2.49 gpt Au. 155 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 4.5% Zn. 8.85 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 1.16 m @ 1.12 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 14.9% Zn. To date Vizsla Silver has reported 33 holes from La Luisa outlining a mineralized footprint 700 m long, 400 m down dip and 3.07 m in width, averaging 175 gpt Ag, 3.40 gpt Au, 0.28 % Pb, 1.33 % Zn (or 449 gpt AgEq).
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported expansion drill results from Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. “This drilling targeted areas extending materially beyond the mineral resource envelope at the Z-T, Guadalupe and Central Zones” which are the ones with defined resources. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 20.50 m @ 3.16 gpt Au, 55 gpt Ag (including 4.0 m @ 9.71 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag); 2.20 m @ 10.10 gpt Au, 264 gpt Ag (including 1.20 m @ 17.80 gpt Au, 437 gpt Ag); 0.95 m @ 18.20 gpt Au, 2,024 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 5.47 gpt Ag, 615 gpt Ag.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its El Tigre project in Sonora. “A total of 482 drill holes (124,851 metres) and 3,160 surface and adit channel samples (6,473 metres) were used in the Mineral Resource Estimate”, which includes the South Zone In Pit, South Zone Out-of-Pit, North Zone Out-of-Pit, Vein (S & N) Total, Low Grade Stockpile and Tailings Zones. Indicated Resources comprise 46.4 M tonnes @ 0.39 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb, 0.06% Zn, containing 575 K Oz Au, 37.2 M Oz Ag, 9.4 M Lb Cu, 35.5 M Lb Pb, 64.3 M Lb Zn. Inferred resources comprise 20.9 M tonnes @ 0.56 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.13% Pb, 0.22% Zn, containing 373 K Oz Au, 52.6 M Oz Ag, 18.1 M Lb Cu, 59.7 M Lb Pb, 103.4 M Lb Zn.
  • GoGold Resources Corp. released the updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and mineral resource estimate for its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. The report foresees commodity prices of $23.75 per Oz Ag and $1,850 per Oz Au, an After-Tax (5%) net present value of US$458 M, an After-Tax IRR of 37%, and an 11-year mine life (LOM) producing 88 M Oz AgEq (47 M Oz Ag, 493 K Oz Au, 14 M Lb Cu), with initial capital costs of $148 M, expansion capital of $69 M and sustaining capital of $72 M during LOM, producing 8 M Oz AgEq per year at cash cost $8.15 per Oz AgEq and all-in sustaining costs of $9.02 per Oz AgEq. The new resource estimate envisages 11.1 M tonnes averaging 1.43 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag, 0.11% Cu in the measured and indicated resources category and 1.4 M tonnes at 1.22 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu in the inferred category, containing 511 K Oz Au, 53.8 M Oz Ag, 27.3 M Lb Cu (1.26 Moz AuEq) and 54.1 K Oz Au, 5.3 M Oz Ag, 8.5 M Lb Cu (140.9 K Oz AuEq) respectively.
  • Gold Resource Corp. provided an update on expansion and infill diamond drilling on the Arista, Three sisters, Gloria and Switchback vein systems at its Don David mine in Oaxaca. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 5.63 m @ 1.87 gpt Au, 279 gpt Ag, 0.2% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 6.49 m @ 1.33 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 6.13 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 214 gpt Ag, 0.76% Cu, 4.3% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 4.87 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag, 0.47% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 7.2% Zn; 2.49 m @ 0.96 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag, 1.01% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 9.7% Zn; 3.46 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 198 gpt Ag, 0.74% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 4.9% Zn; 6.33 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag, 0.62% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 2.62 m @ 1.93 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag, 0.81% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 10.4% Zn; 6.56 m @ 1.06 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 6.49 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag, 0.64% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 2.9% Zn. “Five underground diamond drill rigs are currently operating … more than 100 drill holes and 25,000 meters of core has been drilled year-to date in 2023…. These drill results will be incorporated into a 2023 resource estimate update”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. released drilling results from the Puerto del Aire deposit and the Capulin target at its Mulatos property in Sonora. Puerto del Aire is a high-grade underground deposit adjacent to the Mulatos pit, not included in the mineral resources, and the Capulin target is four km east of the Mulatos pit. Highlighted true width core intervals comprise 7.05 m @ 41.46 gpt Au; 9.50 m @ 18.32 gpt Au; 9.45 m @ 13.62 gpt Au; 1.20 m @ 85.80 gpt Au; 17.60 m @ 5.58 gpt Au; 18.70 @3.30 gpt Au; 6.0 m @ 10.42 gpt Au; 15.10 m @ 3.86 gpt Au; 11.50 m @ 3.21 gpt Au; 9.45 m @ 3.84 gpt Au in Puerto del Aire, and core length intercepts of 120.85 m @ 2.73 gpt Au (including 29.05 m @ 9.31 gpt Au); 6.0 m @ 3.65 gpt Au; 8.80 m @ 0.99 gpt Au in the Capulin target. Three drill rigs are currently working on the Capulin target, two defining the limits of known mineralization and one testing along the 2 km long Capulin fault. The 2023 exploration budget has been increased to 24.5 M, including 50,000 m of drilling at Puerto del Aire and 24,000 m of drilling on several high priority targets including Refugio, Halcon West, Carricito, Bajios, and Cerro Pelon West.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. Updated on its exploration activities at the past producing La Guitarra mine in Estado de México. In February 2023 the company started a 2,000-scale geologic mapping program, delineating to date nearly 53 km of mineralized quartz veins, breccias and stockwork zones hosted in metasediments and andesites, with hundreds of old shafts, cross cuts, adits, and prospect pits having been located. “ The La Guitarra Mine is a permitted, past-producing underground mine which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018”.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released the results from four holes drilled on the deepest part of the Avino mine, in Durango. The known depth extent of the mineralization is of at least 750 m vertically, which is assessed as unusual for Mexican epithermal deposits. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 44.40 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.70% Cu (including 9.85 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag, 1.10% Cu); 27.15 m @ 0.07 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu; 13.20 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 59 gpt Ag, 0.47% Cu; 6.60 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag, 0.92% Cu. “Four holes totalling 2,040 meters, were drilled below Level 17 in this drill campaign … The persistence of silver and copper grade continuity from surface down a plunge distance of over 1,100 metres with increasing copper grades supports the possibility of a deeper mineralized system which may be linked to a porphyry centre”.
  • Orex Minerals Inc. announced that hyperspectral alteration studies are now underway on the Coneto project in Durango, by JV partner Fresnillo PLC. “Both direct Corescan of selected drill core from silver and gold mineralized zones, plus a SpecTIR Survey covering district scale mapping, will be conducted. These methods aid in mineral identification through Short-Wave Infra-Red (SWIR) and Visible Near Infra-Red (VNIR) analysis”. The 4,800 hectares project displays low to intermediate sulfidation Au-Ag epithermal mineralization, with 38,613 m of drilling in 106 diamond holes.
  • Golden Minerals Co. filed an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the Velardeña property in Durango.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. intends (subject to regulatory and shareholders approval) to change the company name from Golden Tag Resources Ltd. to Silver Storm Mining Inc. “(La Parrila, Durango).
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. reported that the Mexican Federal Administrative Court granted a provisional injunction to Almaden “relating to the submission issued by Mexico’s Ministry of the Economy (“Economia”) to the district court (the “District Court”) which is overseeing the implementation of the February 2022 decision of Mexico’s Supreme Court (“SCJN”) requiring indigenous consultations prior to the granting of mineral titles to the Ixtaca project ……. It is expected that the Court will decide on the grant of a permanent injunction within the coming weeks, which if received would continue in effect until the Court has ruled on the revocation of the Economia Submission” (Ixtaca, Puebla).
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. reached an agreement with four local Ejidos to operate for three more years in the El Castillo and San Agustín properties in Durango.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

On the image below: Silicified structure ridge on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of August 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 35th week of the year (August 27th to September 3rd, 2023), 21 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Five companies reported on quarterly or half year 2023 results. Five companies informed on the opening or closing of private placements, one on the payment of dividends and one more on the extension of a credit facility.  One company announced results of a PEA on its property and one other is working to process a tailings polymetallic resource. A company reported high-grade drilling results from its property and one other updated on exploration activities. One company informed on its intention to acquire a porphyry copper project in Sonora, while one other updated on projects in several countries and its plans for Mexico. One royalty company informed on the indirect acquisition of an NSR from a mine in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Xótchil Gálvez, pointed that the Mining Fund should return to mining communities. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Impact Silver, Bear Creek Mining and Minera Alamos reported financial results for Q2 2023, and Mundoro reported first half 2023 results. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals (C$911.6 K), Colibri Resource, Regency Silver (C$1.5 M), Sonoro Gold (C$259.2 K) and Commander Resources ($ 346 K) informed on the opening or closing of financing rounds. Orla Mining extended its credit facility to up to $200 M and four years. Alamos Gold declared a quarterly dividend. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced a positive PEA on Cerro Caliche, Sonora. Luca Mining informed on evaluation plans to reprocess tailings at Campo Morado, Guerrero. Bear Creek Mining provided underground drilling results from Mercedes, in Sonora. Discovery Silver submitted the environmental impact assessment (MIA) for Cordero, in Chihuahua. Mammoth Resources provided an update on exploration activities at Tenoriba, in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Southern Empire Resources entered into an agreement with Cuprum Mining, upon which Southern can acquire 100% interest in the Suaqui Verde porphyry copper project in Sonora. Excellon Resources provided an update on its projects in different countries, including Mexico. Gold Royalty completed the acquisition of a 1.0% NSR on portions of the Cozamin mine production in Zacatecas. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Xóchitl Gálvez, opposition senator and likely to turn into a strong presidential candidate, points that the Mining Fund should return to mining communities. The fund was created for mining to contribute to the development of the communities where the work is realized, but was funneled into a broader basket to source pensions and scholarships with electoral aims by the current president.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. announced financial results for the second quarter 2023, reporting revenue of $5.5 M. The average mill feed at Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico, was 163 gpt Ag, where 35.7 K tonnes were processed to produce 155.7 K Oz Ag. During the quarter Impact closed the acquisition of the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, where a major rehabilitation program was initiated. The company completed a $9.0 M non-brokered private placement, maintains a cash balance of $13.3 M and no long-term debt.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter of 2023, including some figures on its royalties from Mexican operations. The company holds a 2.0% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the production of First Majestic’s Ermitaño mine in Sonora. Orogen’s share of production on the quarter was $1.18 M consisting on 435 Oz AuEq, resulting from the process of 213.9 K tonnes @ 3.12 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, which produced 20,073 Oz Au, 142 K Oz Ag.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. reported its financial results for Q2 2023. During the period, 121.5 K tonnes were mined at its Mercedes mine in Sonora, 125.1 K tonnes were processed @ 2.42 gpt Au, recovering 94.53% Au to produce 9,212 Oz Au, 39,827 Oz Ag, or 10,132 Oz AuEq at cash cost $1,337 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,646 per Oz AuEq. “The Mercedes mine has been inconsistent in achieving the anticipated gold grades projected in the mine plans and geological models the Company inherited upon its acquisition of Mercedes in April 2022”. Mining costs have declined by 23% in recent months and are expected to continue to reduce in the coming months due to changes in mining methods. Higher grades are to be mined from areas close to current production.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. provided an operation update for Q2 2023 and some guidance on its operations on Q3. Strip ratios were maintained below 2:1 waste vs mineralized material during mining operations, with 25% of material averaging 1.06 gpt Au being crushed and 75% of material averaging 0.43 gpt Au being sent directly to the leach pads, for an average grade of 0.59 gpt Au in the leach pads. The company expects that the precipitation levels in 2023 will allow more normal mining and production plans. Overall pad capacity is to triple if constructive communications with SEMARNAT (Environmental regulator) are fruitful. A maiden resource estimate is expected in Q3, covering the primary mineralized zones surrounding the Nicho operations. Alamos had cash and cash equivalents of $8.27 M by the end of the period. Subsequent to quarter’s end, $2.57 M ($33.2 M pesos) of VAT were returned to the company by the Mexican revenue service (SAT).
  • Mundoro Capital Inc. reported financial results for the first half of 2023. In H1 2023 the company generated $1.46 M in fees and payments. At the end of the period Mundoro held $8.4 M in cash and cash equivalents (Camargo, Chihuahua).

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$911.6 K. “Due to investor interest in the private placement, Aztec intends to increase the financing from the original stated amount of up to CAD$1 million to up to CAD$1.2 million” (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Orla Mining Ltd. amended its existing US$150 M credit facility with the Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The facility stays at US$150 M, with the ability to increase to US$200 M, with a 4-year term (increasing it by two years) and an interest rate will be based on the term SOFR rate, plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.75% based on the company’s leverage ratio at the end of each fiscal quarter. “The Amended Credit Facility is payable in full at maturity and removes quarterly mandatory repayments required under the previous term facility” (Camino Rojo Oxides, Zacatecas).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced an extension to complete its previously announced non-brokered private placement by September 13, 2023. “The Company is offering up to 1,000 units, each unit being comprised of: (i) a US$1,000 principal amount of 10% unsecured convertible debenture (a “Debenture”) with a maturity date (“Maturity Date”) of 2 years from the date of issuance; and (ii) 5,416 common share purchase warrants of the Company …” (Evelyn, Sonora).
  • Regency Silver Corp. will be present at the 2023 Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Regency has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to CAD$1.5 M in gross proceeds (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.025 per common share (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Commander Resources Ltd. closed the non-brokered private placement announced on August 3, 2023, for total gross proceeds of $346 K (Pedro, Durango).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for additional gross proceeds of C$259.2 K, accruing a total of C$2.26 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sonoro Gold Corp. announced a positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. The scope is for nine years life of mine (LOM) 33,000 Oz AuEq per year operation to obtain 297,575 Oz AuEq on recoveries of 72% Au, 27% Ag, with a pre-Tax net present value (NPV) of US$71.4 M, a pre-Tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 59% and after-Tax NPV (at 5%) of US$47.7 M with an IRR of 45%. An initial CAPEX cost of US$15.5 M and sustaining capital of US$15.5 M are envisaged, to produce at cash cost US$1,295 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of US$1,395 per Oz AuEq with a payback period of 2.9 years.
  • Luca Mining Corp. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with EnviroGold Global Ltd. to process the tailings at Luca’s Campo Morado Mine in Guerrero. The scope of the project is to evaluate the reprocessing of 3.29 M tonnes @ 1.32% Zn, 0.3% Cu, 0.49% Pb, 1.57 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag, and produce a PEA for the project. On a 2021 initial testwork with EnviroGold’s, a gold recovery of 60% was achieved. The aim of the project is to increase this gold recovery rate to levels reached by EnviroGold on the Hellyer project in Australia (also a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, as Campo Morado), where it achieved recoveries of 90% Au, 90% Ag by leach, and 91% Cu and 82% Zn reported to a pregnant solution suitable for subsequent recovery.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. provided results from underground definition and delineation drilling at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. “The Company has focused drilling on the Marianas, Rey de Oro, Diluvio and Lupita deposits, all of which are associated with near-term production; however, the results also hold significant implications for exploration upside”. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 1.0 m @ 47.90 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag; 5.2 m @ 62.59 gpt Au, 93 gpt Ag; 4.3 m @ 7.55 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag; 4.4 m @ 3.53 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 18.41 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag in the Marianas zone, 1.4 m @ 21.00 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 4.9 m @ 3.52 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 29.30 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 4.2 m @ 4.56 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag in the Rey de Oro Zone, 0.8 m @ 22.4 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag in the Diluvio zone and 3.4 m @ 5.46 gpt Au, 95 gpt Ag in the Lupita zone. Highlighted core-length intervals from the Diluvio zone comprise 6.7 m @ 3.24 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 14.3 m @ 4.11 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 3.54 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 6.5 m @ 5.51 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag; 5.1 m @ 7.11 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag; 1.5 m @ 9.23 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. submitted for evaluation the environmental impact assessment (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) for its Cordero project in Chihuahua. “The MIA is one of the principal permits required for the development of Cordero and encapsulates extensive social and environmental work programs completed by the Company’s team in Mexico since 2020 in parallel with multiple reviews by third-party consultants.”
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. provided an update on ongoing exploration activities at its Tenoriba property in Chihuahua. The objective is to evaluate how to produce a resource estimation and define the processes through which the precious metals can be recovered. These activities include: (1) metallurgical testing of oxide material from the 1.5 km by 0.5 km Carneritos area. Preliminary metallurgical tests have already been performed on material from the Masuparia area; (2) analysis of all geological information, including drill data, by an independent mineral resource modelling expert aiming for the distribution of drill holes required to produce a maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource; and (3) defining future drill hole locations upon which to achieve this mineral resource.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Southern Empire Resources Corp. entered into an agreement with Cuprum Mining Corp. to acquire up to 100% in the share capital of Cuprum, and thereby on the Suaqui Verde copper project in Sonora. Southern can acquire 10% of Cuprum by paying C$500 K within 90 days and issuing 7.5 M shares of Southern to Cuprum shareholders. Another 10% can be acquired by paying C$250 K to Cuprum, issuing 7.5 M shares and incurring in C$750 K on exploration expenditures on or before 15 months of closing. An additional 10% can be acquired by paying $500 K and incurring in additional C$750 K in exploration on or before 30 months from closing. Additional 20% can be acquired by Southern by paying C$500 K and incurring additional C$750 K within 45 months of closing. Southern Empire can acquire an additional 50% in Cuprum by paying C$750 K and incurring in additional C$1 M (total of C$3.25 M) on or before 60 months of closing. A 2% NSR “may be payable” subsequent to commercial production. The project encompasses 1,952 hectares with oxide and secondarily enriched copper sulfide mineralization on a porphyry copper system. A resource defined with 106 historical RC and diamond holes contains 51.2 M tonnes @ 0.31% Cu in the indicated category.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. provided an update on its projects in USA, Germany and Mexico. “As the Platosa Mine was placed on care and maintenance in earlyQ4 2022, the Company is assessing its strategic options, including the potential sale of select properties or complete divestiture of the Mexico operations. The Company will provide further updates on the Mexico operations as necessary.” (Platosa, Durango).
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. announced the appointment of Francisco Albelais as Vice-President of Operations and Mr. Charles Spath as Vice-President of Technical Services. (El Tigre, Sonora).
  • Gold Royalty Corp. has completed the indirect acquisition of a 1.0% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on portions of the Cozamin Cu-Ag mine in Zacatecas, from Endeavour Silver Corp. Pursuant to the transaction, Gold Royalty indirectly acquired the royalty for US$7.5 M in cash consideration.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

On the image below: Silicified structure ridge on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of August, 2023

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Silica-Alunita in a hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia During the 34th week of the year (August 21st to August 27th, 2023), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with eleven reporting resources and development of their properties, five commenting on Mexican issues, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, one announcing financing issues, one communicating production and financial results, one informing on exploration results, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The United States government requested the installation of the first United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA or T-MEC) labor panel against Grupo Mexico. USMCA panel analyzes whether there was a violation in the case of the San Martin Mine, Zacatecas of Grupo Mexico. The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Francisco Cervantes pronounced on the request for a labor panel of the T-MEC in a mine of Grupo México. Grupo Mexico sees an impact beyond its San Martin Mine. GoGold, Sierra Metals, Vizsla and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of August, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, Prismo provided an update of its ongoing drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa.  ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver reported Q2, 2023 production and financial results from their mine operations in Mexico. ON FINANCING, Golden Minerals received New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) acceptance of plan to regain listing compliance (Rodeo project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Tocvan and its JV partner Colibri announced results from a bulk sample collected at Pilar project in Sonora.  GoGold released additional drilling results from the Main Area at Los Ricos South project, Jalisco. Golden Tag filed NI43-101 technical report on Mineral Resources for its La Parrilla Mine Complex, Durango. Vizsla reported results from 11 drillholes collared on the Napoleon Vein at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Golden Minerals completed an updated technical report as a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Velardeña properties in Durango. Guanajuato Silver provided drill results from its Topia Mine in Durango. Sierra Metals announced a mineral resource expansion at its Bolivar Mine in Chihuahua. Silver Tiger reported results from initial scoping-level metallurgical test from its high grade Ag-Au El Tigre project, Sonora. Impact Silver provided a construction update at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Pan American Silver announced mineral resource and mineral reserves as at June 30, 2023 at their Mexican mine operations and advanced mining projects. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, McEwen and Sierra Metals announced the appointment of new members to their Board of Directors. Discovery announced key appointments that strengthen the company’s Board of Directors, and also the permitting and technical teams (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Aloro announced that it has cancelled the option agreement with Cuesta del Cobre S de R.L. de C.V., to purchase the Quitovac Mine project in Sonora.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Orla Mining released its inaugural sustainability report (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The United States government requested the installation of the first United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA or T-MEC) labor panel under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (MLRR), for disagreeing with the Mexican government on the complaint against the San Martin Mine, of Grupo México, located in Zacatecas, who is accused of having impeded free unionization and authentic collective contracting. The Mexican government, for its part, responded that it would not review the case under the T-MEC mechanisms, arguing that the conflict dates back to 2007 (since the T-MEC entered into force in 2020) and that there is no evidence of that the mine exports to the United States, so it would not be a facility covered by the treaty. Grupo Mexico denounced that the union leader Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, presented the complaint that gave rise to this process with two objectives: “to have a new pretext to ignore the definitive award that condemns him to pay USD $55M plus accrued yields from 2005 to former mining workers and generate conflicts to press for a new political position that gives him jurisdiction / political privileges (“fuero politico”). After the lifting of the strike, in 2018, San Martin has received investments of more than USD $105M, has produced more than 1.25M tonnes of mineral each year and has generated about 1,300 jobs.
  • USMCA panel analyzes whether there was a violation in the case of the San Martin Mine, Zacatecas of Grupo Mexico. Given these facts, Grupo México indicated that it is essential for the San Martin Mine to put an end to a conflict that has harmed workers and their families for the last 15 years. Grupo México assured that the conflict in the San Martin Mine is not the product of the disagreement of the workers, but of the senator for Morena Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, who presented the complaint that gave rise to this process. “Urrutia sought to have a new pretext to ignore the final award that condemns him to pay USD $55M plus accrued income since 2005 to former mining workers, as well as generate conflicts to press for a new political position.
  • The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Francisco Cervantes pronounced on the request for a labor panel of the T-MEC in a mine of Grupo México. At the request of the United States government for the first panel of the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism under the Treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada at the San Martin mine of Grupo México, in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Francisco Cervantes Díaz, president of the CCE, commented that it is a panel that has already lost a labor part here, that is why they are entering the issue in the United States and the resolution must be waited for. The Ministry of Economy indicated that Mexico rejected the request because this conflict dates from July 2007, and the law is not retroactive, since the “T-MEC would not be applicable to the facts related to this controversy.”
  • Grupo Mexico sees an impact beyond its San Martin Mine. The Mexican government will have the burden of proof to demonstrate in the T-MEC instance that there were no violations of union freedom in the San Martin Mine. If the case is lost, the sanctions could affect other company exports, beyond those originating from the facility in conflict, envisions the Grupo Mexico´s lawyer. It is worth remembering that the United States filed a labor complaint with the Mexican government accusing that, in the San Martin Mine, belonging to Grupo México, the rights of workers were violated because a strike was terminated by establishing a collective contract with another union, which would mean a violation of workers’ rights. Mexico maintained that this fact was prior to the entry into force of the trade agreement with the United States and Canada, and refused to carry out the investigation to determine a possible Remediation Plan for the company.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., Sierra Metals Inc., Vizsla Silver Corporation, and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of August, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an update of its ongoing drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. The company has drilled 2,620m in the current program and completed thirteen holes with one hole in progress, PV-23-32. One additional hole is contemplated after completing hole PV-23-32 as part of the original drill program which began in May 2023. “This will be followed by the previously announced expansion of the drill program, with holes to be drilled from Vizsla Silver Corp. concessions adjacent to the Palos Verdes concession. These holes will target the Palos Verdes vein at depth. This follows a recommendation presented by the Panuco Joint Technical Committee to drill approximately 3,600 meters in ten holes to be completed in two phases”.

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported Q2, 2023 production and financial results from their mine operations in Mexico (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana in Guanajuato, and Topia in Durango) All amounts are expressed in US dollars. The company mined 166,671 tonnes and milled 163,793 tonnes with metallurgical recoveries of 84.9% Ag and 83.1% Au, to produce 477.6K Oz Ag, 4,719 Oz Au, 875.8K Lb Pb, and 897.2K Lb Zn (941.3K Oz AgEq). It sold 462.9K Oz Ag, 4,427 Oz Au, 830.6K Lb Pb, and 871.3K Lb Zn (901.5K Oz AgEq) at realized prices of $24.33/ Oz Ag, $1,988.05/Oz Au, $0.97/Lb Pb, and $1.14/Lb Zn. Guanajuato Silver reported revenue of $16.8M; cost of sales of $19.2M; mine operating loss of ($2.4M); mine operating cash flow before taxes of $394.3K; net loss of ($8.6M); EBIDTA of ($4.6M); adjusted EBIDTA of ($3.41M); and working capital of ($17.8M).

ON FINANCING

  • Golden Minerals Company received New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) acceptance of plan to regain listing compliance. The listing of the Company’s common stock will continue pursuant to an extension during the plan period, during which time the Company will be subject to periodic review to determine whether it is making progress consistent with the accepted plan (Rodeo project, Durango). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its JV partner Colibri Resource Corporation, announced results from a bulk sample collected at Pilar project in Sonora. Highlights of the recovery results for heap leaching match regional operating mine – head grade exceeds expectations include 62% recovery of gold achieved over 46-day leaching period; report confirms with increase in irrigation flowrate, higher recovery can be achieved; head grade calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag, extracted grade calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag; bulk sample only included coarse fraction of material (+3/4”to +1.8”); and fine fraction (-1/8”) indicated rapid recovery with agitated leach. Highlights of recap of fine fractions and gravity recovery results include 80%recovery of gold and 94% recovery of silver after rapid 24-hour retention time in agitated bottle roll test; and 95 to 99% recovery of gold and 73 to 97% recovery for silver in gravity recovery with agitated leach results of five composite samples. It includes the recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from drill core composite at 120m depth.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released additional drilling results from the Main Area at Los Ricos South project, Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGG-23-316 with 1.27 g/t Au and 396 g/t Ag (6.54 g/t AuEq or 491 g(/t AgEq) over 27.3m, including 4.43 g/t Au and 1,338 g/t Ag (22.26 g/t AuEq or 1.665 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m, including 11.80 g/t Au and 7,230 g/t Ag (108.20 g/t AuEq or 8,115 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m; hole LRGG-23-304 with 1.82 g/t Au and 181 g/t Ag (4.24 g/t AuEq or 318 g/t AgEq) over 10m, including 4.34 g/t Au and 633 g/t Ag (12.78 g/t AuEq or 958 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; hole LRGG-23-306 with 4.99 g/t Au and 605 g/t Ag (13.05 g/t AuEq or 979 g/t AgEq) over 11.7m, including 30.5 g/t Au and 3,550 g/t Ag (77.83 g/t AuEq or 5,837 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; hole LRGG-23-309 with 1.5 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag (2.69 g/t AuEq or 202 g/t AgEq) over 18.6m, including 12.05 g/t Au and 144 g/t Ag (13.97 g/t AuEq or 1.048 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; and hole LRGG-23-313 with 3.23 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag (6.36 g/t AuEq or 477 g/t AgEq) over 9.2m, including 4.64 g/t Au and 461 g/t Ag (10.79 g/t AuEq or 809 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m. The Main Area drilling campaign’s purposes is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., filed NI43-101 technical report on Mineral Resources for its La Parrilla Mine Complex, Durango, with an effective date of May 31, 2023.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., reported results from 11 drillholes collared on the Napoleon Vein at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true widths) include hole NP-23-380 with 111 g/t Ag, 0.64 g/t Au, 0.01% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (147 g/t AgEq) over 5.4m, plus 561 g/t Ag, 1.08 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (849 g/t AgEq) over 1.35m, plus 346 g/t Ag, 2.21 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 4.3% Zn (650 g/t AgEq) over 0.4m; hole NP-23-301 with 64 g/t Ag, 0.72 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (160 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 908 g/t Ag, 7.37 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 4.9% Zn (1,568 g/t AgEq) over 1.9m, including 1,500 g/t Ag, 8.96 g/t Au, 2% Pb, and 4% Zn (2,205 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m; hole NP-23-392 with 527 g/t Ag, 3.78 g/t Au, 2.1% Pb, and 5% Zn (989 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 1,500 g/t Ag, 9.97 g/t Au, 5.2% Pb, and 6.7% Zn (2,465 g/t AgEq) over 0.69m, plus 258 g/t Ag, 1.62 g/t Au, 1.9% Pb, and 15.5% Zn (967 g/t AgEq) over 0.95m, plus 40 g/t Ag, 1.96 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 11.4% Zn (602 g/t AgEq) over 1.55m. “The new drill results are centered on the western portion of the district and are part of Vizsla’s ongoing 90,000m resource infill and expansion/discovery-focused drill program. Infill and step-out (expansionary) drilling completed to date has led to an improved understanding of the mineralization controls along the Napoleon vein corridor”.
  • Golden Minerals Company completed an updated technical report as a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Velardeña properties in Durango. Mineral Resource Estimate (sulphides) as at June 1, 2023 considers measured + indicated resources of 665,900 tons with grades of 402 g/t Ag, 5.54 g/t Au, 1.7% Pb, and 2.1% Zn for a total of 8.6M Oz Ag, 118.5K Oz Au, 24.77M Lb Pb, and 30.48M Lb Zn contained, and inferred resources of 1,059,900 tonnes of 413 g/t Ag, 5.1 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, and 2.3% Zn for a total of 14.06M Oz Ag, 173.7K Oz Au, 42.3M Lb Pb, and 52.7M Lb Zn contained. Highlights of the economic analysis include a mine life of 10.5 years; Pre-Tax NPV (8%) of USD $136.7M and IRR of 1,320.2%; After-Tax NPV (8%) of USD $87.6M and IRR of 860.7%; and a payback of less than one year.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., provided drill results from its Topia Mine in Durango. Drilling highlights reported in true widths include hole UT23-468 (Argentina Vein) with 0.15 g/t Au, 202 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (317 g/t AgEq) over 0.36m; hole UT23-470  (Argentina Vein) with 0.09 g/t Au, 132 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (182 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; hole UT23-471 (Argentina Vein) with 0.1 g/t Au, 547 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (644 g/t AgEq) over 0.80m; hole UT23-474 (Santa Cruz Vein) with 0.06 g/t Au, 490 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (521 g/t AgEq) over 0.18m; and hole UT23-476 (san Gregorio Vein) with 0.16 g/t Au, 1,180 g/t Ag, 5.1% Pb, and 23.9% Zn (2,150 g/t AgEq) over 0.15m, plus 0.19 g/t Au, 161 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 10.6% Zn (551 g/t AgEq) over 1.91m, plus 0.33 g/t Au, 124 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 7.2% Zn (409 g/t AgEq) over 0.25m. “Drilling of the Argentina and Santa Cruz veins is being done from the new El Condor Tunnel with the objective of defining the trend of mineralization to the west of the current intercepts. The Rosario and San Gregorio veins, located in the southeastern part of the district, have been drilled from the Rosario ramp; these veins are separated by approximately 350 metres, and the objective there is to follow the trend of mineralization to the west”.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced a mineral resource expansion at its Bolivar Mine in Chihuahua. The company reported additional 15.5M Lb CuEq in measured and indicated mineral resources hosted by the Dulce structure at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua, Mexico. Mineral Resource at Dulce Zone as at June 30, 2023 include measured + indicated resources of 1,236,000 tonnes with grades of 0.83% Cu, 0.47 g/t Au, and 26 g/t Ag (1.24% CuEq) for a total of 22.7M Lb Cu, 18.7K Oz Au, and 1.03M Oz Ag (33.8M Lb CuEq) contained, and inferred resources of 431K tonnes with grades of 0.67% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, and 25 g/t Ag (1.12% CuEq) for a total of 6.4M Lb Cu, 7.9K Oz Au, and 345K Oz Ag (10.6M Lb CuEq) contained.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported results from initial scoping-level metallurgical test from its high grade Ag-Au El Tigre project, Sonora. Preliminary metallurgical work demonstrates excellent recoveries of silver, gold, copper, zinc and lead in the Sulphide and Black Shale Zones with silver equivalent recoveries of 95.7% and 98.1%, respectively. Preliminary rougher flotation tests of the Black Shale Zone recovered 91.1% copper, 98.2% lead, 98.8% zinc, 91.9% gold, and 98.4% silver (Overall Silver Equivalent Recovery – 98.1%);  preliminary rougher flotation tests of the Sulphide Zone recovered 94.2% copper, 95.3% lead, 97.6% zinc, 79.6% gold, and 96.0% silver (Overall Silver Equivalent Recovery – 95.7%);  surface Stockwork Zone column test extractions recovered – 83.1% Gold, 64.3% Silver at 3/8-in crush size with no requirement for agglomeration indicated in these tests (Overall Silver Equivalent Recovery – 78.1%; and also notable is the low cyanide consumption of 0.68 kg per tonne and lime consumption of 2.33 kg per tonne. “Previous drilling of the Surface Stockwork Zone has indicated a mineralized zone in excess of 100 meters true width. With high recoveries of 78.1% silver equivalency in column testing, simulating a heap leaching process, the Corporation sees the potential for an open pit low-cost heap leach process. This open pit heap leach process will be defined as part of the upcoming PEA”.
  • Impact Silver Corp., provided a construction update at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. “All necessary components of the mill have arrived on site or have been refurbished with assembly currently in the final stages. Testing and modification of the plant is expected to start in late summer, with ramp up to design capacity of nearly 200 tpd expected over the coming months. Construction is now approximately 85% complete. The Company has applied for the expansion of the current tailings pond which is expected to add at least an additional two years capacity. Meanwhile, an additional tailings pond is in the planning stages to accommodate years of future production and growth. Refurbishments to ventilation, electrical and lighting systems are ongoing as activity increases underground. Mining has begun and is expected to ramp up as the Company deploys additional equipment to the mine including scoop trams and underground trucks. Underground drilling to better define and expand resources has begun and drill permits for surface brownfield and green field exploration targets have been received. The exploration team has initiated its first phase of the 2023-2024 mine plan. This includes extraction of high-grade material in line with previous grades in excess of 13% Zn. There are currently 70 Company employees on site and another 25 contract workers. The Company is fortunate to have inherited a strong workforce after the acquisition closed and is adding positions in specific areas centred around engineering, exploration and day-to-day operations”.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., announced mineral resource and mineral reserves as at June 30, 2023 at their Mexican mine operations and advanced mining projects (Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves). At La Colorada, Zacatecas, the company reported measured resources of 0.7M with grades of 153 g/t Ag and 0.13 g/t Au for a total  of 3.6M Oz Ag and 3K Oz Au contained; indicated resources of 2.5M tonnes with grades of 182 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au for a total of 14.6M Oz Ag and 15K Oz Au contained; and inferred resources of 14.7M tonnes with grades of 174 g/t Ag and 0.2 g/t Au for a total of 82.2M Oz Ag and 43K Oz Au contained. At La Colorada Skarn, Zacatecas, it reported indicated resources of 95.9M tonnes with a grade of 31 g/t Ag for a total of 94.4M Oz Ag contained and inferred resources of 147.8M tonnes with a grade of 28 g/t Ag for a total of 132.9M Oz Ag contained. At Dolores, Chihuahua, Pan American reported measured resources of 5.5M with grades of 23 g/t Ag and 0.33 g/t Au for a total of 4M Oz Ag and 57.7K Oz Au contained; indicated resources of 0.7M tonnes with grades of 70 g/t Ag and 1.35 g/t Au for a total of 1.5M Oz Ag and 28.7K Oz Au contained; and inferred resources of 1.3M tonnes with grades of 40 g/t Ag and 1.18 g/t Au for a total of 1.7M Oz Ag and 50.3K Oz Au contained. At La Bolsa, Sonora, the company reported measured resources of 10.8M tonnes with grades of 10 g/t Ag and 0.7 g/t Au for a total of 3.5M Oz Ag and 242.8K Oz Au contained; indicated resources of 10.6M tonnes with grades of 8 g/t Ag and 0.54 g/t Au for a total of 2.7M Oz Ag and 184.3K Oz Au contained; and inferred resources of 13.7M tonnes with grades of 8 g/t Ag and 0.51 g/t Au for a total of 3.3M Oz Ag and 224.6K Oz Au contained. The company also reported mineral reserves as at June 30, 2023. At La Colorada, Zacatecas, it reported proven reserves of 5M tonnes with grades of 296 g/t Ag and 0.21 g/t Au for a total of 47.2M Oz Ag and 33.8K Oz Au contained; and probable reserves of 4.2M tonnes with grades of 292 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au for a total of 39.1M Oz Ag and 25.3K Oz Au contained. At Dolores, Chihuahua, Pan American reported proven reserves of 6.3M tonnes with grades of 17 g/t Ag and 0.53 g/t Au for a total of 3.4M Oz Ag and 108.6K Oz Au contained, and probable reserves of 1.3M tonnes with grades of 24 g/t Ag and 0.53 g/t Au for a total of 1M Oz Ag and 22.1K Oz Au contained.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • McEwen Mining Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (El Gallo mine complex, Sinaloa).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors as an independent non-executive Director (Bolivar Mine, Chihuahua).
  • Discovery Silver Corp., announced key appointments that strengthen the company’s Board of Directors, and also the permitting and technical teams. These include: an Independent Director, 2 Advisors to the Board, a Director, Corporate Affairs, Mexico, a Vice President Mineral Processing, and a Corporate Secretary & Manager Administrative Services (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Aloro Mining Corp., announced that it has cancelled the option agreement with Cuesta del Cobre S de R.L. de C.V., to purchase the Quitovac Mine project in Sonora. After conducting further due diligence and considering the newly proposed changes to the Mining Law by the current Government of Mexico and the difficulties in obtaining a surface use agreement from the Quitovac Comunidad, Aloro feels that it is not in the Company’s best interest to proceed.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Orla Mining Ltd., released its inaugural sustainability report. Highlights include that 25% Orla´s corporate goals were environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-linked, all of which were achieved; 100% of Orla executives and managerial-level employees were evaluated against ESG performance; achieved a respectable health and safety record, with a lost time injury frequency rate of 1.49 across their sites; generated USD $5.8M in community economic contributions at Camino Rojo, Zacatecas, including salaries, local procurement, land leases and investments in local  infrastructure; achieved an emissions level of 0.19 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per ounce of gold equivalent produced at Camino Rojo, establishing the operation as a global leader on this metric; achieved 0.15 m3/t of processed ore water intensity, with zero water discharge (100% of water reused and recycled), at Camino Rojo; developed the “Towards 2030 Sustainability Strategy” and set ESG targets to build a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive business, anchored around the goal of accelerating value creation and net-positive benefits for stakeholders.

Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.

On the picture above, silica + alunite in a hydrothermal breccia from an epithermal system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of August 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                            

During the 33rd week of the year (August 14th to August 20th, 2023), 18 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Two companies informed on exploration work at its properties, three reported second quarter 2023 results and one more of a fatality on an underground mine. One company informed on a private placement and one more on incentive option granting to directors, employees and consultants. Four companies informed on technical reports, updated mineral resources, drilling results and metallurgical testing on their projects. The closing on the transfer of a property in Durango was announced. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Camimex ask for the government intervention to reach an end to the Peñasquito mine strike, which begun in early June, and also for speedier action on environmental permitting. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource received the permit to drill at Evelyn. In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals updated on its drilling program at Jemi. ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver reported a fatality on one of its mines. Sierra Metals, Discovery Silver and Americas Gold and Silver released production results for Q2 2023. ON FINANCING, Barksdale granted options to directors, employees and consultants. Oroco Resource raised $1.75 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Tag updated the mineral resource estimate for La Parrilla, in Durango. GR Silver Mining released drilling results from the San Marcial deposit on its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver released drilling results from the Tepic project in Nayarit. Silver Tiger Metals released drilling results from El Tigre, in Sonora. Vizsla Silver announced positive metallurgical test results for the Copala resource area on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, First Majestic Silver and Golden Tag Resources closed the transaction on La Parrilla mine in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news. ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) asks relevant authorities to contribute in the solution to the Peñasquito strike in Zacatecas, and to act more speedily on the granting of environmental permits needed.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. received the necessary permit to drill up to 2,000 m on the Evelyn property in Sonora. The program is focusing on the Main Zone and West El Sahuaro areas.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp. provided an update on the current drill program at the Jemi project in Coahuila. To date 1,800 m have been drilled targeting rare earth mineralization, with 12 holes completed and a final one underway, with results expected in about three weeks. “Numerous intrusive peralkaline dykes, sills, and veins, with identifiable eudialyte … were intersected in the completed holes … These peralkaline dykes and sills tend to occur in structural zones that appear to be adjacent to larger bodies of syenitic intrusions and are associated with irregular skarn mineralization at the contacts with the host carbonate sedimentary rocks. These zones are as much as several tens of meters in width downhole. The syenite may be the feeders for the peralkaline features (parental rocks) and pegmatitic intrusive rocks. Light rare earth element (LREE) bearing minerals such as monazite and xenotime have also been identified by visual inspection.”

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Co. reported an employee fatality on August 12 due to an accident at the San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported results for the quarter, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 4,640 tonnes were milled per day for a total of 406 K tonnes in the period, to produce 10.7 M Lb CuEq at cash cost $1.62 and an AISC of $3.02 per Lb CuEq. The Cusi mine in Chihuahua (a non-core asset) operated at 596 tpd and processed 51.7 K tonnes during the period to produce 241 K Oz AgEq.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported consolidated financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cosalá, in Sinaloa, 335 K Oz Ag, 3.2 M Lb Pb, 9.6 M Lb Zn were produced at cash cost $4.51 and an AISC of $11.10 per Oz AgEq.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced its financial results for the second quarter 2023 and provided an update on the quarter and subsequent events. The 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report was released. A marketed public offering raised C$51.75 M, “Completion of the reserve expansion and definition component of our Feasibility Study program consisting of an additional 35,000 m of drilling in over 100 drill holes completed since the cut-off for the Pre-Feasibility Study”. As of June 30, 2023, Discovery had cash and cash equivalents of $68 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Barksdale Resources Inc. announced the granting of incentive stock options to its directors, employees and consultants for up 1.3 M shares at a price of $0.59 per share. (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement, raising $1.75 M (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. completed an updated mineral resource estimate for La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex in Durango. The resource includes 22 veins within the Rosarios, San Marcos and Quebradillas underground mines, currently on care and maintenance. Indicated resources are estimated at 615 K tonnes @ 176 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 1.55% Pb, 1.39% Zn (or 263 gpt AgEq), containing 3.48 M Oz Ag, 1,700 Oz Au, 9.6 K tonnes Pb, 8.5 tonnes Zn, or 5.19 M Oz AgEq. Inferred resources stand at 1.26 M tonnes @ 191 gpt Ag, 0.12 gpt Au, 0.99% Pb, 1.01% Zn (or 256 gpt AgEq), containing 7.73 M Oz Ag, 5,000 Oz Au, 12.4 K tonnes Pb, 12.7 K tonnes Zn, or 10.33 M Oz AgEq.
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. announced results from one step-out drill hole outside the mineral resource boundary in the San Marcial area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 20.2 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn (including 5.7 m @ 513 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, which includes 0.8 m @ 2,041 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.9% Zn). The hole “intersected a multistage quartz-calcite-sulfide zone composed of irregular veins and breccias crosscutting other hydrothermal breccias …”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced results from six additional diamond drill holes of the current program at its Tepic project in Nayarit. The holes targeted the Taunas and Veta Tomas structures, with highlighted intercepts comprising 2.50 m @ 296 gpt Ag, 1.15 gpt Au; 0.60 m @ 111 gpt Ag, 2.06 gpt Au; 4.85 m @ 84 gpt Ag, 0.24 gpt Au; 10.05 m @ 158 gpt Ag, 0.46 gpt Au; 4.35 @ 258 gpt Ag, 0.68 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 92 gpt Ag, 0.36 gpt Au. “The Tepic Project is a +2,600-hectare project where the previous operator completed 149 core holes totaling more than 31,000 meters. “
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released results from drilling at El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlighted core length results from the Sooy vein and Sulfide Zone comprise 1.0 m @ 0.01 gpt Au, 178 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 10.7 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 74 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 0.5% Zn (including 2.3 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 191 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn); 4.7 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 344 gpt Ag, 0.44% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 0.5 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 1,294 gpt Ag, 0.62% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 3.4 m @ 1.57 gpt Au, 592 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 10.5 m @ 1.98 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 2.9% Zn (including 5.3 m @ 3.87 gpt Au, 249 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 2.2% Pb, 4.4% Zn); 4.0 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 786 gpt Ag, 0.68% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 0.8 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 1,549 gpt Ag, 1.73% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced positive preliminary metallurgical test results for the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drill core was first crushed and the subject to simple bulk flotation. Flotation + regrind + Cyanide Leach on flotation concentrate, coupled with Cyanide Leach of Rougher Tails recovered 90.6% Au, 93.7% Ag. “Further test work of material from the Napoleon, Tajitos and Copala deposits is planned to better understand and optimise grind size, cyanide consumption, leach kinetics, residence times and recoveries.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • First Majestic Silver Corp. and Golden Tag Resources Ltd. closed the transaction on the La Parrilla past producing mine in Durango. First Majestic received 143.7 M shares of Golden Tag (US$20 M), and is to receive up to US$13.5 M in the form of three milestone payments either in cash or shares. The first repayment of US$2.7 M is due 18 months on the closing, the second US$7.75 M payment upon receipt of a resource estimate of 5 M Oz AgEq in reserves or 22 M Oz AgEq in measured and indicated resources and the third US$5.05 M payment upon receiving a resource estimate of 12.5 M Oz Ag Eq measured and indicated resources in a new zone on La Parrilla. In addition, First Majestic purchased 18 M shares of Golden Tag and 9 M warrants. Following the closing First Majestic owns 40.8% of Golden Tag shares, and if the warrants are exercised will own 42.2% on a partially diluted basis.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevan news.

On the image below: Silicified vein ridge on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of August 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 31st week of the year (July 31st to August 6th, 2023), 25 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Five companies informed on exploration work at its properties and seven more reported second quarter 2023 results. Two companies informed on private placements, while one declared a dividend payment. Five companies informed on technical reports, updated mineral resources, drilling results, mining plans and mine preparations on their projects. One company sold the royalties in some properties and one other is reviewing exploration opportunities in South America. ON MEXICO ISSUES, one company made clear commitment to get projects beyond Mexico, the country new mining policies showing its might. The Union – Grupo Mexico conflict in Sombrerete is to be solved in Mexico, not under the T-MEC, according to the federal government. Income tax returns from the mining industry fell by 35% on the first semester 2023. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Prismo Metals mobilized a drill rig to Los Pavitos; Silver Spruce Resources resumed work at Diamante. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver updated on work at Columba. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals updated on the drilling at Palos Verdes. ON MINING, Fresnillo PLC, Starcore International Mines, Capstone Copper, Equinox Gold, First Majestic Silver, Torex Gold and Orla Mining released production results for Q2 2023. ON FINANCING, Goldgroup Mining issued shares on a convertible loan. First Majestic Silver declared the payment of a dividend per share. Colibri closed the first tranche of a private placement. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, SilverCrest Metals released a new technical report with updated mineral resources and a new mine plan for Las Chispas in Sonora. Impact Silver updated on work to refurbish the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. GoGold Resources released drilling results from Los Ricos South in Jalisco. Discovery Silver released drilling results from the FS program at Cordero, in Chihuahua. Heliostar Metals reported on the re-scoping study at Ana Paula, in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Endeavour Silver entered into an agreement to sell its royalty on the Cozamin property. Xali Gold is to review exploration opportunities in South America. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news. ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Editor comments. One more company working exclusively in Mexico announced plans to look for projects in other countries. No one can say the policies imposed by the current administration are not producing the results sought, even if its full weight is to be felt in the years to come.
  •  The federal government directed that the labor conflict between Grupo Mexico and a Union (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos, Siderúrgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana) in the Sombrerete mine in Zacatecas, has to be solved in Mexican courts, out of the T-MEC rapid response labor mechanism.
  • Income tax returns fell 34.6% year on year on the first semester of 2023, the biggest drop in 20 years. On VAT (IVA) and special tax on products and services (IEPS), the mining sector had refunds for $134 M ($2,275 M pesos) and $6.5 M ($110 M pesos) respectively.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kootenay Silver Inc. informed two of three surface access agreements needed have been now signed, and the third one is in the final negotiation stage at its Columba project in Chihuahua.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. announced the mobilization of a drill rig for the planned 2,500 m program to its Los Pavitos project in Sonora. Assays for the last four trenches dug at the project were published. Highlighted intervals comprise 1.0 m @ 3.98 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 2.80 m @ 1.18 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag. 
  • Prismo Metals Inc. updated on the drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. Ten holes for a total of 2,035 m have been completed on the 2,500 m program, with the eleventh hole in progress and three holes remaining. On a second press release the company announced the expansion of the program by a joint committee by Prismo and Vizsla, to 3,600 m “in ten holes to be completed in two phases”.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. submitted a drilling permit application for the next phase of drilling at the Nora project in Durango. “The geological setting is a Tertiary-aged volcanic flow-dome complex. Gold-silver mineralization is hosted within two structurally controlled epithermal veins, Candy and Nora…. Only 500 m of the potential 3-km strike of the Candy vein structure has been drill tested, and only to a depth of 250 m below surface”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. and partner Silver Spruce Resources Inc. announced the resumption of field works at the Diamante project in Sonora. Stream sediment sampling, geological mapping and rock chip sampling are some of the planned activities.
  • Fresnillo PLC. provided its Q2-2023 production results. The Company produced over 14 M Oz Ag, 152,217 Oz Au, 13,994 tonnes Pb and 25,670 tonnes Zn from its operation in Fresnillo, Saucito and Juanicipio in Zacatecas, Cienega in Durango, Herradura and Nochebuena in Sonora, and San Julian in Chihuahua.
  •  Starcore International Mines Ltd. presented results for its fiscal year and quarter ending on April 30, 2023. During the quarter the company processed 56.8 K tonnes @ 1.45 gpt Au, 11.2 gpt Ag, recovering 86.1% Au, 48.3% Ag, to produce 2,300 Oz Au, 10 K Oz Ag at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. For the year, the company produced 10,000 Oz Au, 85.4 K Oz Ag. Mine operating cash cost was $1,611 and $1,535 per AuEq Oz respectively for the quarter and full year.
  • Capstone Copper Corp. reported financial results for the second quarter of 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 6.6 K tonnes Cu were produced at cash cost $1.63 per Lb Cu.
  • Equinox Gold Corp. announced its second quarter 2023 financial and operating results, without disclosing figures per project.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2023. During the period the company produced 2.63 M Oz Ag, 40,658 Oz Au, or 5.97 M Oz AgEq.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2023 and operational results. During the period, the company mined 11.77 M tonnes from the open pit (13,293 tpd), 174 K tonnes from underground (1,913 tpd) at the Limon Guajes mine in Guerrero, of which 1.21 M tonnes were processed to produce 107,507 Oz Au at cash cost $848 per Oz Au and an all-in sustaining cost of $1,308 per Oz Au. Torex maintains its 2023 guidance to produce 440 K to 470 K Oz Au. The quarter closed with net cash of $273.8 M.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. announced the results for the second quarter of 2023. At the Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas, 29,058 Oz Au were produced at an AISC of $696 per Oz Au. The pit development is being hindered by SEMARNAT lateness to authorize permits. Cash balance at the end of the period was $114.5 M.   

ON FINANCING

  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. announced the issuance of 29.05 M shares upon conversion of the company’s outstanding convertible loan with a face value of $2.16 M (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. declared a cash dividend of $0.0051 per common share for the second quarter of 2023 (San Dimas, Durango).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. closed the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement of “Units”, for gross proceeds of US$487 K. “Each Unit is comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 10% secured convertible debentures (the “Debentures”) issued by the Company with a maturity date (“Maturity Date”) of 2 years from the date of issuance; and (ii) 5,416 common share purchase warrants of the Company” (Diamante, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced results from an updated independent technical report for the Las Chispas operation in Sonora. The report describes a 1,200 tpd operation of ore averaging 4.02 gpt Au, 396.1 gpt Ag, recovering 98.0% Au, 97.0% Ag, to produce 57 K Oz Au, 5.5 M Oz Ag per year in an operation with a mine life (LOM) of 8 years, to generate a post-tax net present value of $549 M. Cash cost is estimated at $7.84 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $11.98 per Oz AgEq. “The Mineral Resource Estimate model was updated to reflect: narrower veins located over a larger area, thus requiring increased underground development, increased constraints on geologic, statistical, and geostatistical modelling parameters resulting in reductions in resources mainly in Babicanora Main and Babicanora Norte Main veins and increased resources in the Babi Vista Vein, including the Babi Vista Splay. Additionally, there is an increase in the number of Mineral Resource veins and the veins are more widely dispersed. The Updated Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate is reduced from the 2021 FS due to conversion to M&I Mineral Resources and application of the same stricter constraints as applied to M&I Mineral Resources”.
  • Impact Silver Corp. provided an update on the recently acquired Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The mill refurbishment is in the final stages, with testing and modification of the plant to start in late summer to ramp up production to the 200 tpd design capacity. The company has applied for an expansion of the current tailings pond while planning and permitting of the next one takes place. Refurbishment of ventilation, electrical and lighting systems are ongoing, and mine planning is being completed for 2023-2024. The current workforce is comprised by 70 company workers and 25 contract workers.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced drilling results from Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. The highlighted core length intercepts comprise 30.2 m @ 1.68 gpt Au, 278 gpt Ag (including 9.70 m @ 4.54 gpt Au, 769 gpt Ag); 34.8 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 132 gpt Ag (including 7.0 m @ 4.68 gpt Au, 440 gpt Ag); 32.70 m @ 1.19 gpt Au, 124 gpt Ag; 11.7 m @ 0.93 gpt Au, 387 gpt Ag (including 1.40 m @ 5.36 gpt Au, 2,780 gpt Ag); 23.10 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 28.10 m @ 0.71 gpt Au, 129 gpt Ag. “The Main area drilling campaign’s purposes is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining…… It is expected that these holes will be included in an updated Resource to be released by the end of the summer”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released results from feasibility study (FS) drilling at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals of the reserve and expansion drilling comprise 62.10 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 45.0 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 51.7 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 15.10 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 278 gpt Ag, 3.1% Pb, 2.9% Zn; 12.4 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 168 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 37.4 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 38.5 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 82.1 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.9% Zn. Discovery has now drilled 52,000 m in 164 holes as part of the FS drill program. Incoming “property-wide drilling will initially target large chargeability anomalies in the Sanson area (approximately 3.5 km to the northeast of Cordero) and skarn targets at depth in the northeast of the deposit. Currently, 9,000m of drilling is planned in 2023”.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported progress on re-scoping of the current pre-feasibility study (PFS) at the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. “The Company is evaluating three underground mining scenarios, with different cut-off grades and mining rates, that are being advanced for more detailed evaluation and comparison…… The Company will refine the options upon receipt of an updated resource model and metallurgical program results, both of which rely on drilling completed in 2023. Metallurgical results will be reported in October and an updated resource model is expected in November 2023”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES              

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Gold Royalty Corp. to sell all of its interest in a 1% Cozamin Royalty for a total consideration of US$7.5 M, payable in cash. “The Royalty applies to two concessions (Calicanto and Vicochea) on Capstone’s Cozamin copper-silver mine, located 3.6 kilometres north-northwest of Zacatecas City in state of Zacatecas, Mexico”.
  • Xali Gold Corp. has decided to review exploration opportunities in South America, including Peru. The company updated on its Mexican projects: Exploration at El Oro in Estado de Mexico has been put on hold, whilst Sun River Gold (who has an option in the El Oro mine tailings) has been advancing permitting and providing some cash flow through advances on the Net Profit Interest due once in production. “Negotiations are also underway with Mexican groups regarding both upgrades and financing commitments to make the San Dieguito de Arriba (“SDA”) Plant in Western Mexico fully operational. Xali Gold terminated the previously announced agreement (see January 18, 2023 News Release) with Minera Cinco Reales S.A. de C.V. (“MCR”) earlier this month due to MCR’s lack of progress”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Aura Minerals Inc. released its 2022 sustainability report, with a 62% reduction in frequency rates of accidents, 92% of water recycling and establishing a decarbonization plan with the goal of reducing GHG emissions by 5% from 2020 levels by 2023.

On the image below: Silicified vein ridges on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.