Mexico’s Supreme Court could strike down president’s mining reforms next week

POSTED BY: HENRY LAZENBY APRIL 10, 2024

Once a popular destination for Canadian explorers, Mexico’s recent mining reforms are driving away investment — even as a looming Supreme Court decision is likely to toss out the new law, deemed by industry sources as unworkable.

The reforms introduced last May by President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador (known by his initials as AMLO) require pre-consultation with communities before exploration, impact studies and cash bonds in case of damage that junior explorers may find difficult to raise. Authorities can cancel exploration concessions after two years if no work is completed and critics say water allowances have become…..

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

Diatreme breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 40th week of the year (October 02nd to October 08th, 2023), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 6 news published by the media, with nine commenting on Mexican issues, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four informing on exploration results, two announcing financing issues, and two reporting production results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Pan American suspended temporarily operations at its Colorada Mine in Zacatecas due to security concern. Grupo México declared that the Sonora River was successfully remedied, while the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) presented a document stating that the presence of contaminating elements persists in the Sonora River basin after the Grupo Mexico spill in August 2014. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, that in about 15 days he hopes to have a proposal for action on the notorious case of a chemical spill from a mine owned by the giant Grupo México into a river in the north of the country in 2014. Mine Workers Union of Peñasquito Mine in Zacatecas, the Mexico´s largest gold mine, accepted operator Newmont Corp´s proposal to end a 4 month stop on Thursday night, October 5, 2023. Gold and silver mining companies listed in the United States and Canada stock markets suffered the decline in precious metals in the international market, due to the strength of the dollar, among other reasons. Chesapeake and Defiance Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of October, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Coahuila, Monumental reported final results of its maiden drilling program at its Jemi heavy rare earth element project. In Sinaloa, Chesapeake reported a new gold discovery at its Lucy project. In Zacatecas, Radius provided an update of its drilling program at its Tropico project. In Oaxaca, Vortex excavated manually six trenches, totalling 188m and collected 117 samples at its Riqueza Minera project.  ON MINING, Fortuna reported Q3, 2023 production results from its San Jose Mine, Oaxaca. Guanajuato Silver provided an operations update of their four silver producing mines (El Cubo, Valenciana, and San Ignacio Mines in Guanajuato, and Topia Mine in Durango). ON FINANCING, Excellon completed the extension of the maturity date of its 5.75% secured convertible debentures from July 30, 2023 to July 31, 2024 (La Negra Mine, Queretaro).  Bear Creek closed its previously announced bought deal financing for gross proceeds of CAD $9.5M (Mercedes Mine, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Defiance announced that new sampling of historical drill holes has identified high grade mineralization in wide widths in previously unrecognized zones at the San Acacio project area in Zacatecas. Heliostar reported 80.4% average gold recovery from seven composites representative of the High Grade Panel at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Minera Alamos reported maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for its Santana project, Sonora. Tocvan identified several target areas through its due diligence field work completes at its Pilar project in Sonora.    ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Impact Silver announced that its shares are now trading in the USA on the OTCQB market (Zacualpan project, State of Mexico). Sierra Madre reported that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company (DTC) in the United States (La Guitarra Mine, State of Mexico). Goldgroup announced the appointment of its new CEO (Cerro Prieto Mine, Sonora). Orex signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire 100% of the Valenciana property in Zacatecas. Radius completed the issuance of 500K common shares to Bruce Smith (Tropico project, Zacatecas).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Pan American Silver Corp., suspended temporarily operations at its Colorada Mine in Zacatecas due to security concern. The company experienced an armed robbery of two trailers of concentrate. Fortunately, there were no physical injuries to the personnel. Pan American decided to suspend operations, project work, and exploration at La Colorada to protect the safety and security of the personnel.
  • Grupo México S.A.B. de C.V., declared that the Sonora River was successfully remedied, while the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) presented a document stating that the presence of contaminating elements persists in the Sonora River basin after the Grupo Mexico spill in August 2014. In a statement, Grupo México pointed out that “The supposed findings of the sampling presented last week lack any causal link with the event that occurred in 2014. They fail to point out other current sources of contamination such as illegal mining, the discharge of untreated blackberries and the prolonged accumulation of residues of agricultural fertilizers and insecticides. The results released in recent days contradict those that CONAGUA and COFEPRIS have made public over time, which are supported by laboratories accredited by the Mexican Accreditation Entity (EMA) and endorsed by various institutions.” Grupo México argues that for five years after the accident, water monitoring was carried out in 35 sampling stations and 33 wells, in addition to bio-monitoring that included analyzes of exposure to metals, plant toxicity, genetics in invertebrates and flora. The document presented by the mining company states that “scientific evidence supports that the remediation of the Sonora River is recognized as successful and fully in accordance with the law,” and that the Sonora River region has been affected by continuous disinformation campaigns, arising with Political purposes.
  • President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, that in about 15 days he hopes to have a proposal for action on the notorious case of a chemical spill from a mine owned by the giant Grupo México into a river in the north of the country in 2014. Last week, the environmental authority presented an opinion in which it concluded that the firm’s remediation efforts had not been sufficient and that the Sonora River continued to show the presence of contaminants nine years after the incident. On Wednesday, however, tycoon Germán Larrea’s company said the remediation was “successful.” At the time, the company was fined and had to create a trust to repair the damages. The president added that it seemed that the resources had not only been insufficient but also that their use had not been transparent.
  • Mine Workers Union of Peñasquito Mine in Zacatecas, the Mexico´s largest gold mine, accepted operator Newmont Corp´s proposal to end a 4 month stop on Thursday night, October 5, 2023. Mine Workers Union stated in a statement that as part of the agreement, workers at the Peñasquito mine will receive 8% more pay for each shift, and the increase will be retroactive to August 1, 2023. Each of the around 2,000 unionized workers will also receive an equal share of a total of MXN $152M (USD $8.3 M). The dispute over profit sharing related to 2022 will be decided by Mexico’s tax agency, while workers will receive 10% of profits for 2023 as long as the company makes a net profit in its income, according to the statement.
  • Gold and silver mining companies listed in the United States and Canada stock markets suffered the decline in precious metals in the international market, due to the strength of the dollar, among other reasons. The shares of the Mexican mining company Industrias Peñoles fell almost 5% this Monday, losing MXP $3,975M in capitalization on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV). In fact, the session hit a one-year low. Peñoles shares fell 4.87%, to MXP $195.45 each, making it the second station that lost the most in the session on the BMV. Its Fresnillo subsidiary listed on the London Stock Exchange lost 2.94%, to 5.35 pounds per share. Earlier in the day, Peñoles’ stock on the BMV reached a minimum of MXP $190.40, its lowest level since September 30, 2022. The American companies Newmont and Royal Gold fell 3.82 and 3.25%, in that order, on Wall Street, while the Canadian companies Wheaton Precious Metals and Pan American Silver fell 3.92 and 5.25%, respectively, on the Toronto Stock Exchange. In Mexico, the other three mining companies listed on the Stock Exchange (Grupo México, Compañía Minera Autlán and Frisco) did not present losses in their shares, because their income depends to a lesser extent on precious metals.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., and Defiance Silver Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of October, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION Monumental Minerals Corp., reported final results of its maiden drilling program at its Jemi heavy rare earth element (REE) project in Coahuila, which commenced on the Veladora North and South prospect areas. “Of the 2000 m drilled, 186 m of core (124 samples) returned anomalous REE concentrations. These samples contained total rare earth oxides (TREO1) results greater than 500 parts per million (ppm), with a maximum of 2018 ppm, and a mean and standard deviation of 717 and 282 ppm (respectively). Heavy rare earth oxides (HREO2) are also highest in these samples with a maximum of 517 ppm, and a mean and standard deviation of 164 ppm and 98 ppm (respectively). Anomalous TREO1 and HREO2 values were observed in every drill hole except JV-23-08 and JV-23-10”. Table below shows La Veladora significant assay results:

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., reported a new gold discovery at its Lucy project, Sinaloa. The company completed 14 holes in the 2023 campaign for a total of approximately 1,710 m drilled. Drilling highlights include hole LU23-06 with 6.11 g/t Au over 24m; hole LU23-09 with 2.57 g/t Au over 30m, including 3.12 g/t Au over 24m; hole LU23-10 with 1.95 g/t Au over 21m, including 3.3 g/t Au over 9m; and hole LU23-13 with 3.95 g/t Au over 24m, including 5.44 g/t Au over 12m.
  • Radius Gold Inc., provided an update of its drilling program at its Tropico project, Zacatecas. As previously reported, hole TDD-001 planned for 300m to intercept Tropico target, encountered difficult ground conditions at 56m in a large brecciated fault zone. “This hole intercepted from 19m to 56m, intense altered clay, silicification, variable zones of hydrothermal breccia and sets of stockwork veinlets with banded silica veins.  Assay results from 18 samples returned 29m at 0.34 g/t gold from 24m downhole with the final sample returning 0.6 g/t Au. Diamond drill hole TDD-002 was collared 25m west of TDD-001 and drilled at -55° directly under TDD- 001 using larger diameter PQ core. The hole is still in progress. Below 25m of soil cover the hole intersected a 45m zone of epithermal alteration (similar to TDD-001) with clay, variable silicification, brecciation and zones of veinlets with occasional banded vein textures”. “Diamond drill hole TDD-003 was collared on the west of the Tropico breccia and drilled east at -65° to scissor holes 1 and 2 at depth. TDD-003 was collared in silicified crackle breccia and has to date intersected 80m of variably clay altered, silicified, and brecciated sediment. Significantly at 69m depth the hole intersected a 13m zone of white banded massive epithermal veining and breccia. The hole is still in progress”.
  • Vortex Metals Inc., reported that it is focused on the Rhyolite Dome area at its Riqueza Minera project in Oaxaca, and has moved westward toward the copper-bearing gossans of the Laminas zone, which may represent a Cu-rich stringer zone in the footwall of a VMS deposit. The company has excavated manually six trenches, totalling 188m, in which has identified broad exposures of iron- and manganese-rich exhalite horizons, silicified rhyolite flows and altered metasediments. Vortex has collected 117 samples and sampling results are anticipated to arrive in October.

ON MINING

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q3, 2023 production results from its San Jose Mine in Oaxaca. The company milled 247,542 tonnes of 189 g/t Ag and 1.14 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 91.31% and 90.71% respectively, to produce 8,205 Oz Au and 1.37M Oz Ag. The San Jose Mine plans to deliver annual silver production within the guidance range of between 5.3 to 5.8M Oz Ag.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., provided an operations update of their four silver producing mines: El Cubo, Valenciana, and San Ignacio Mines in Guanajuato, and Topia Mine in Durango. “Since commercial restart at Valenciana Mine Complex in January 2023, steady production improvements, aided by the refurbishment of both the Cata shaft and a new underground locomotive system, have enabled the company to achieve production at the Cata Mill averaging over 20,000 tonnes per month from material sourced from Valenciana and San Ignacio”. “El Cubo operation is now milling at the rate of approximately 22,000 tonnes per month; this rate represents approximately half of the total capacity at the mill”. “The Company, in conjunction with the Secretaría Del Trabajo (the Federal Ministry of Labour), have been working to improve safety and security conditions at the mine in response to the unfortunate fatality that occurred in August 2023”. “The mineralized systems currently being mined at Topia are extraordinarily high grade yet are associated with higher extraction costs because of the narrow nature of the vein structures. With the goal of improving profitability at Topia, the Company intends to dramatically transform its operations through the exclusive use of local mine contactors”. The Company now anticipates that full year AgEq 2023 production will range from 3.4M to 3.6M Oz.

ON FINANCING

  • Excellon Resources Inc., completed the extension of the maturity date of its 5.75% secured convertible debentures from July 30, 2023 to July 31, 2024. In consideration for the extension, the company has issued 6,888,458 common shares of the company priced at CAD $0.156 per common share to the holders of the debentures in satisfaction of an extension fee in an amount equal to 6% of the aggregate principal amount of the debentures at the time of announcement (La Negra Mine, Queretaro).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation closed its previously announced bought deal financing. The company issued a total of 27.2M units at a price of CAD $0.35 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $9.5M. Each unit is comprised of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant of the company. Each warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of CAD $0.42 per warrant share until October 5, 2028. Net proceeds will be used to support additional development work at its Mercedes Mine in Sonora, to expand on recent positive underground drill results, and for general working capital purposes, including CADS $3M intended to be used to reduce Mercedes ´trade payables to a normalized level over the next two quarters.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Defiance Silver Corp., announced that new sampling of historical drill holes has identified high grade mineralization in wide widths in previously unrecognized zones at the San Acacio project area in Zacatecas. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes SAD-15-05 with 98 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.01% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (107 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 91 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.08% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (114 g/t AgEq) over 4.65m, including 308 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.05% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (319 g/t AgEq) over 0.85m, plus 153 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.05% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (161 g/t AgEq) over 2.72m; hole SAD-15-07 with 235 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 0.07% Pb, and 0.16% Zn (267 g/t AgEq) over 1.12m, 89 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au, 0.13% Pb, and 0.51% Zn (123 g/t AgEq) over 3.77m, including 283 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 0.12% Pb, and 0.52% Zn (324 g/t AgEq) over 0.84m; hole SAD-17-14 with 129 g/t Ag, 0.25 g/t Au, 0.06% Pb, and 0.18% Zn (157 g/t AgEq) over 6.83m, including 319 g/t Ag, 0.59 g/t Au, 0.08% Pb, and 0.22% Zn (376 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m, including 1,180 g/t Ag, 2.23 g/t Au, 0.07% Pb, and 0.18% Zn (1,369 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; hole SAD-17-15 with 155 g/t Ag, 0.02g/t Au, 0.06% Pb, and 0.14% Zn (162 g/t AgEq) over 36.7m, including 200 g/t Ag, 0.02g/t Au, 0.07% Pb, and 0.19% Zn (210 g/t AgEq) over 16.85m, including 279 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.12% Pb, and 0.32% Zn (296 g/t AgEq) over 6.81m, including 595 g/t Ag, 0.07g/t Au, 0.27% Pb, and 0.65% Zn (629 g/t AgEq) over 2.82m; including 854 g/t Ag, 0.06g/t Au, 0.28% Pb, and 0.27% Zn (876 g/t AgEq) over 1.38m, including 285 g/t Ag, 0.02g/t Au, 0.05% Pb, and 0.17% Zn (294 g/t AgEq) over 3.18m, including 138 g/t Ag, 0.02g/t Au, 0.07% Pb, and 0.11% Zn (145 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 228 g/t Ag, 0.03g/t Au, 0.14% Pb, and 0.19% Zn (241 g/t AgEq) over 6.59m, including 435 g/t Ag, 0.06g/t Au, 0.28% Pb, and 0.37% Zn (460 g/t AgEq) over 3m; and hole SAD-17-16 with 192 g/t Ag, 0.1g/t Au, 0.02% Pb, and 0.05% Zn (202 g/t AgEq) over 2.31m, including  810 g/t Ag, 0.44 g/t Au, 0.07% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (851 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., reported 80.4% average gold recovery from seven composites representative of the High Grade Panel at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Metallurgical process is based on a conventional 75 micron grind size and Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) flowsheet. Highlights of the metallurgical testwork include that gold recoveries range from 74.6 – 88.1% for these samples; gravity testwork suggests that greater than 31% of the gold may be gravity recoverable; and it confirms the company’s interpretation that recoveries from high-grade gold mineralization can utilize simpler, lower cost, conventional milling processes.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., reported maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Santana project, Sonora. The table below shows the MRE by zone for the Santana project:
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., identified several high priority target areas with historic workings and silicified breccias through its due diligence field work completes at its Pilar project in Sonora. Surface samples collected during due diligence of the area have been sent to the lab and assays are pending.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Impact Silver Corp., announced that its shares are now trading in the USA on the OTCQB market under the symbol “ISVLF”. The Company’s shares also continue to trade in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “IPT” (Zacualpan project, State of Mexico).
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., reported that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company (DTC) in the United States. Sierra Madre’s shares started trading on the OTCQX® Best Market this summer (La Guitarra Mine, State of Mexico).
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc., announced the appointment of its new CEO, effective October 1, 2023. The previous Interim CEO, will continue as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.  (Cerro Prieto Mine, Sonora).
  • Orex Minerals Inc., signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Exploraciones El Cairo S.R.L. de C.V., to acquire 100% of the Valenciana property in Zacatecas. Since the LOI is non-binding, the negotiation of a definitive agreement is underway at this time, and such definitive agreement is expected to include a four months due diligence period, scaled option payments, and an area of influence and a 2% NSR on the original concessions, plus a 0.5% NSR on adjacent properties obtained from third party concession holders within the area of influence. “The Valenciana Property hosts high-grade epithermal gold and silver veins, with base metals of lead and zinc, in Cretaceous sedimentary units and Tertiary rhyolitic and monzonitic intrusive rocks. It is located on the Mesa Central within the prolific “Silver Trend” of Mexico”.
  • Radius Gold Inc., completed the issuance of 500K common shares at a deemed price of $0.24 per share, for a total deemed value of $120K to Bruce Smith, in part for his ongoing leadership as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (Tropico project, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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, diatreme breccia related to a flow banded rhyolite dome in a locality in Durango, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of January, 2023.

fault-plane displaying slickensides

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 2nd week of the year (January 09th to January 15th, 2023), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with nine communicating production and financial results, seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, four announcing financing issues, and four commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) withdrew the permit to Fortuna Silver Mines, which operates the San José mine in Oaxaca through the company Minera Cuzcatlán.  Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) responded to SEMARNAT that it is operating normally at its San José mine in Oaxaca under complete legality. Mining companies shine at the beginning of the year on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The governments of Mexico and Canada have agreed to strengthen resilience in the supply chain in which both countries participate, reported Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada. Prime Mining, Tocvan Ventures, Oroco, and Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2023.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals presented a summary of the results from its recently completed 2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project,  Colibri completed additional drilling on its Evelyn project, Tocvan drill intersected a broad zone of gold at its El Picacho project, and Riverside provided a corporate outlook for 2023. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals released results from the remaining holes from its now completed 2022 drill program at its Palos Verdes project.  ON MINING, Aura, Alamos Gold, Americas, Endeavour, Gatos Silver, GoGold, Golden Minerals, and Torex announced Q4 and full-year 2022 production from their Mexican operations, and Altaley reported pre-production results during mill commissioning at its Tahuehueto property in Durango.  ON FINANCING, Canuc closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $680K (San Javier project, Sonora). Guanajuato Silver closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering totaling CAD $8.5M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato). Fabled announced that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Altaley entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms’ length mining contractor to settle CAD $1,176,297 which is owing to the contractor as a result of underground mine development work (Tahuehueto mine, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Regency Silver announced recommencement of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre property in Sonora, as well as the commencement of an IP survey. Discovery outlined its 2023 work program and budget for its Cordero property in Chihuahua. Oroco released further assay results from the North Zone drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Prime Mining presented results from 48 drill holes collared in the Z-T area at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Sailfish announced results from its recently drilling program conducted at its Gavilanes property in Durango. Silver Viper reported positive geophysical and geochemical survey results at its Virginia project, Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz announced the appointment of its new CFO (Zimapan property, Hidalgo). Excellon announced that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange (La Platosa mine, Durango). Fabled´s shareholders approved a share consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten for one basis (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Vizsla completed strategic investment in the acquisition of Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa from Prismo Metals.   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) withdrew the permit to Fortuna Silver Mines, which operates the San Jose mine in Oaxaca through the company Minera Cuzcatlán since, according to SEMARNAT, it incurred in several irregularities. Such permit had been previously granted by some servants of SEMARNAT. In 2022, SEMARNAT said that it had been a misspelling to have issued a permit for 12 more years for the operation of this company. SEMARNAT was even questioned for providing legal advice to the company in order to obtain the environmental impact authorization and the regularization of construction of works for which it did not have authorization. With the suspension of the permit, SEMARNAT said that the company can appeal and resort to its influence peddling as it has done since its settlement in Oaxaca. However, if the judges confirm the resolution, it must withdraw and return the land to its owners, in addition to repairing the damage caused by the excessive pollution it has generated in the area.
  • Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) responded to SEMARNAT that it is operating normally at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca under complete legality. Derived from the notification received by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) at the beginning of 2023, regarding the intention of evaluating the MIA (Environmental Impact Statement) granted legally and correctly in December 2021, it is notified that this new procedure does not affect the daily activities of the Company, thus confirming that the San José Mining Unit, located in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, is operating normally. Fortuna Silver Mines, communicated on January 5 of this year, that its San José Mining Unit, which operates through its subsidiary Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, fully complies with all current environmental laws, for which it has expressed its disagreement and is taking legal measures to protect its more than 1,200 employees, a value chain made up of more than 600 companies, 150 of them from the area, as well as an annual income of more than MXP $600M that benefits more than 30,000 people in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca.  “Likewise, the Company highlights that, in 11 years of operation, it has been inspected 15 times by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), in turn it has registered two inspections by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), who in none of their proceedings have ruled on facts and/or indications of contamination at the site or derived from the operation of the San José Mine. Finally, Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán reiterates its commitment to continue working together with neighboring communities to improve and expand the social benefits of its operation, through sustainable development initiatives”.
  • Mining companies shine at the beginning of the year on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The increase in the price of metals such as gold, silver and copper, supported the rebound in the price of the shares of companies in the Mexican market these days. Industrias Peñoles and Grupo México are framed as the first and third issuers in the S&P/BMV IPC index, which brings together the 36 largest firms in the Mexican stock market, which have accumulated the most performance in these first days of 2023. In the first case its shares maintain gains of 21.55%, at a price of 291.30 pesos per unit, in the first six business days of January. For the second, the return has been 18.35%, at 80.96 pesos.
  • The governments of Mexico and Canada have agreed to strengthen resilience in the supply chain in which both countries participate, reported Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada. Mexico, Canada, and the United States have agreed to joint actions to strengthen their supply chains both regionally and globally. In 2021, the Joe Biden Administration launched its Bailout for America, under the Bailout for America Act of 2021, signed into law in March.
  • Prime Mining Corp., Tocvan Ventures Corp., Oroco Resource Corp., and Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., presented a summary of the results from its recently completed RC and oriented core holes 2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. It consisted of 26 RC holes totalling 5,248.6m, and 11 oriented core holes totalling 2,588m. Combined 2022 drilling program totaled 37 holes and 7,836.6m on California, California Norte, Purisima East and Jasper targets. All the holes collared in 2022 at California and California Norte targets, except one, encountered near surface, oxidized gold mineralization with minor copper values. Now, California target has been expanded to approximately 900m long E-W by 730m wide N-S, and with continuous mineralization of up to 170m depth. “The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions with anomalous mineralization and alteration up to 265m depth vertically.  The California and California Norte targets appear to be merging from drilling and surface exposures”. At Jasper target, step out 600m west of the California Zone, the drilling program intercepted broad alteration and strongly oxidized, argillically altered, and brecciated siltstone-quartzite sediments. “Strong copper oxide mineralization is found on outcrops and in the drilling.  Sulfides have not yet been found in drilling to 209 m depth, suggesting the there is a possibility to encounter a secondary sulfide enrichment blanket”. “At the Purisima Este target drilling found anomalous Au and multi-element mineralization related to the edges of its diatreme-breccia pipe related to quartz feldspar intrusive and follow-up work is planned”. Drilling highlights of the 2022 program include hole CAL22-001 with 1.04 g/t Au over 94m, including 3.96 g/t Au over 55m, and 0.36% over 55m; hole CAL 22-004 with 1.0 g/t Au over 65m, including 4.25 g/t Au over 24.4m, and 0.065% Cu over 160m; hole CAL 22-005 with 1.49 g/t Au, including 3.42 g/t Au over 51.7m, and 0.091% Cu over 119m; hole CAL 22-006 with 0.75 g/t Au, including 3.08 g/t Au over 9.14m, and 0.1% Cu over 138m; hole 0.87 g/t Au over 152m, including 2.05 g/t Au over 33.5m, and 0.095% Cu over 123m; hole CAL 22-027 with 0.68 g/t Au over 120m, including 1.46 g/t Au over 27m; and hole CAL 22-031 with 0.56 g/t Au over 135m, including 2.29 g/t Au over 12m.  
  • Colibri Resource Corporation completed additional drilling on its Evelyn project in Sonora, which included 3 diamond holes totaling 1,063m, 5 reverse circulation holes totaling 1,205m, and 130 short RC holes totaling 1,548 m to penetrate alluvium and sample the top of bedrock.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced results from 3 out of 10 holes drilled at its Picacho project in Sonora. The company reported that hole SRA-22-003 intersected a broad zone of gold, returning 0.3 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag over 48.8m, including 0.51 g/t Au and 0.8 g/t Ag over 27.5m, including 0.71 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 19.8m, including 1.14 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 12.2m, and including 4.73 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 1.5m. Results for the remaining seven drillholes are pending.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., provided a corporate outlook for 2023 of the company´s growth plans. Highlights include look for a new strategic alliance with a major base metal producer; to drill-test with partner funds at least one project in H1, 2023 (BHP); look for new partnership to advance its La Union property in Sonora after high-grade results in 2022; and farm-out its Cecilia project in Sonora, which has a proposed drilling program to be executed at the property.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., released results from the remaining holes from its now completed 2022 drill program at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa, which consisted of eight holes totalling 2,100m. The best drill intercept was encountered in hole PV-22-17 with 0.43 g/t Au, 115 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 0.47% Pb, and 0.81% Zn (200 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3m, including 1.18 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag, 0.56% Pb, 1.18% Pb, and 1.97% Zn (516 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.05m.

ON MINING

  • Aura Minerals Inc., reported that it produced 28,591 gold equivalent ounces during Q4, 2022 from its Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported Q4 and annual 2022 production results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora, and provided updated three-year production and operating guidance. In Q4, 2022 the company produced 49,100 Oz Au at an average grade of 0.78 g/t Au. Alamos expects to produce over 175K-185K Oz Au at an average grade of  0.73 g/t Au in 2023 with a total cash cost in te range of USD $900-USD $950 per Oz Au; an all included sustaining cost of USD $950-1,000 per Oz Au; a sustaining capital of USD $10M; grow capital of USD $5-10M (a total sustaining and grow capital of USD $19-24M); capitalized exploration of USD $4M; an a total capital expenditures and capitalized exploration of USD $19-24M. Production for 2024 and 2025 is expected to be in the range of 140-150K Oz Au and 110-120K Oz Au respectively.
  • Altaley Mining Corporation reported pre-production results during mill commissioning at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. Tahuehueto is currently operating one ball mill in a commissioning phase, as part of the initial 500 tonnes per day project, producing precious metals-rich, commercial grade lead and zinc concentrates. The company produced in Q4, 2022 862 tonnes of Pb concentrate with grades of 26.31% Pb, 76.72 g/t Au, and 643 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 76.68%, 76.72%, and 68.115 respectively; and 878 tonnes of Zn concentrate with grades of 47.51% Zn, 7.5 g/t Au, and 145 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 54.31%, 13.23%, and 15.12% respectively.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q4 and annual year 2022 production from its Cosala mine operation in Sinaloa. It produced 196K Oz Ag, 3.8M Lb Pb, and 10.4M Lb Zn during Q4, 2022, and 636K Oz Ag, 15.3M Lb Pb, and 39.3M Lb Zn in the full-year 2022.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., released Q4 and full-year 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Consolidated figures for Q4 and annual 2022, compared to the year 2021 are shown in the table below:

Figures by mine for the period Q4, and full year 2022 are shown in the tables below:

  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced guidance and Q4 and full year 2022 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua. On te period Q4, 2022 (100% Basis), the company milled 261,929 tonnes of 387 g/t Ag, 3.7% Zn, 1.9% Pb, and 0.3 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 89.6%, 62.7%, 86.3%, and 53.9% respectively, to produce 2.9M Oz Ag, 13.5M Lb Zn, 9.7M Lb Pb, and 1.4K Oz Au. For the full-year 2022, the company reported production of 10.3M Oz Ag, 60.7M Lb Zn, 45.9M Lb Pb, and 5.3K Oz Au. 2022 guidance announced by Gatos Silver was 9.35-9.65M Oz Ag, 58-61M Lb Zn, 43-45M Lb Pb, and 5.0-5.3K Oz Au. Zinc, lead and gold production increased during 2022, with zinc and gold near the high end of guidance, and lead near the guidance midpoint. Compared with 2021, zinc production increased by 22%, lead production by 10%, and gold production by 2%. As of December 2022, the company reported a cash balance of $17M and outstanding balance of the company´s credit facility of $9M.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q4, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. The company produced 159,838 Oz Ag, 2,399 Oz Au, and 497.3K Lb Cu (441,217 Oz AgEq).
  • Golden Minerals Company announced Q4, and full-year 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo project, Durango. The company in Q4, 2022 mined 161,244 tonnes and processed 52,736 tonnes of 2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 73.3% and 82% respectively, to produce 2,398 payable Oz Au (in doré) and 13,560 payable Oz Ag (in doré) or 2,568 payable Oz AuEq (in doré). Golden sold 2,518 Oz Au and 14,217 Oz Ag (2,696 Oz AuEq), at realized prices, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,729.40 and USD $21.69 respectively. For the full year 2022, Golden mined 771,485 tonnes and processed   195,599 tonnes of 2.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.7% and 81.2% respectively, to produce 11,982 payable Oz Au (in doré) and 52,179 payable Oz Ag (in doré) or 12,616 payable Oz AuEq (in doré). Golden sold 12,451 Oz Au and 53,486 Oz Ag (13,101 Oz AuEq), at realized prices, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,805.34 and USD $21.93 respectively.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q4 and full-year 2022 production results from El Limón-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero. The company produced 116,196 Oz Au in Q4 to total 474,035 Oz Au in the full-year 2022. It surpassed the upper end of the guided range of 430K-470K Oz Au. Torex sold in Q4, 2022 121,913 Oz Au for a total of 473,122 Oz Au in the full-year 2022.

ON FINANCING

  • Canuc Resources Corporation issued 8.5M of common shares at a price of CAD $0.08 per common share to close a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $680K. Most of the gross proceeds will be used for exploration on the San Javier project, Sonora. 
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering. The company issued 4,080,486 common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $1,734,206.55 in the second tranche for a total offering of CAD $20,032,682 for gross proceeds of CAD $ 8,513,889.85. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to, among other things, ramp up production at the Company’s existing mines in and about Guanajuato, Mexico including El Cubo, San Ignacio and Valenciana, expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango, Mexico, increase brownfields’ exploration programs, and fund general and administrative expenses.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M at a price of CAD $0.10 per common share. Net proceeds will be used to make required property payments, to further explore the Santa Maria Property, and for general working capital. 
  • Altaley Mining Corporation entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms’ length mining contractor to settle CAD $1,176,297 which is owing to the contractor as a result of underground mine development work. The Company and the contractor have agreed that the issuance to the contractor of 735,186 common shares of the company at a deemed price of CAD $1.60 per common share will extinguish and settle the debt.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Regency Silver Corp., announced recommencement of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre property in Sonora, as well as the commencement of an IP survey. The company plans to drill a minimum of 3,000m as an initial follow up to the successful drilling program completed in August, 2022. It also will commence an IP survey to provide 3D information to a depth of 800m. “The current drill and IP program is designed to determine more specifically what type of broad, mineralizing system is present at Dios Padre”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp., outlined its 2023 work program and budget for its Cordero property in Chihuahua. The goal is to complete the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) later this month and will be focused on optimization opportunities including improved mining and processing efficiencies, as well as complete a Feasibility Study (FS) in Q1, 2023.. Alongside this work, Cordero has allocated drill metres to the exploration potential on the large, highly-prospective land package owned by the company.  “Construction permitting for Cordero will be undertaken in-parallel with the FS work, with the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) expected to be made to the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (SEMARNAT) in the first half of 2023. Assuming a 12 to 18 month permitting timeline, this would position the Company to make a construction decision in the second half of 2024.  The 2023 work programs are budgeted at $26 million. The Company is well positioned to fund this work with a cash balance of over $45 million and no debt at the end of 2022. 
  • Oroco Resource Corp., released further assay results from the North Zone drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Holes N039 to N043 totalled 2,668 m of drilling which demonstrated continuity of good grade mineralization. Highlights include hole NO39 with 0.14% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.01 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.15% CuEq) over 58m, plus 0.46% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.016 g/t Au, and 4 g/t Ag (0.49% CuEq) over 21.4m, plus 0.31% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.36% CuEq) over 265m; hole NO40 with 0.21% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.012 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.24% CuEq) over 41m, plus 0.29% Cu, 0.009% Mo, 0.013 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.33% CuEq) over 152.1m; hole N041 with 0.3% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.003 g/t Au, and 1 g/t Ag (0.35% CuEq) over 20.6m, plus 0.47% Cu, 0.006% Mo, 0.038 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.52% CuEq) over 96m; and hole N042 with 0.53% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.075 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.60% CuEq) over 135m.
  • Prime Mining Corp., presented results from 48 drill holes collared in the Z-T area at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include holes 22TA-51 with 2.5 g/t Au and 278 g/t Ag (6.1 g/t AuEq) over a true width (TW) of 3,1m, plus 10 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag (11.6g/t AuEq) over a TW of  3.1m, including 28.5 g/t Au and 310 g/t Ag (32.5 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.1m; hole 22ZAP-87 with 4.7 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag (6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 8.7m, including 39.6 g/t Au and 174 g/t Ag (41.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.7m, and 8.6 g/t Au and 163 g/t Ag (10.7g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.0m; hole 22TA-44 with 2.7 g/t Au and 451 g/t Ag (8.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 4.8m, including 4.8 g/t Au and 821 g/t Ag (15.4 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 2.3m; hole 22 ZAP-82 with 1.3 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag (1.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13m, including 13 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (13.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.8m, plus 3.6 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (3.8 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13.8m,including 22.2 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag (22.8 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.9m; hole 22TA-43 with 4.2 g/t Au and 59 g/t Ag (4.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 5.4m, including 23.6 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag (24.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.8m; and hole 22SMW-12 with 6.9 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag (7.3 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 14.8m, including 9.1 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (9.5 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 8.9m, including 21 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (21.7 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.5m.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ET-22-333with 0.46 g/t Au, 429 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.04% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (474 g/t AgEq) over 10.1m on Seitz Kelly Shale Zone, including 0.83 g/t Au, 3,639 g/t Ag, 0.61% Cu, 0.14% Pb, and 0.14% Zn (3,767 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m, including  0.22 g/t Au, 6,063 g/t Ag, 1% Cu, 0.14% Pb, and 0.09% Zn (6,182 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; hole ET-22-333 with 0.14 g/t Au, 307 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (337 g/t AgEq) over 2.4m on El Tigre Vein, including 0.32 g/t Au, 778 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (849 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, plus 0.25 g/t Au, 69 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn over 18.6m on the Seitz Kelly Shale Zone, including 0.25 g/t Au, 778 g/t Ag, 1.69% Cu, 7.1% Zn, and 15% Zn (1,633 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m on the Seitz Kelly Vein; and hole ET-22-335 with 0.15 g/t Au, 331 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (386 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m on Seitz Kelly Vein, including 0.15 g/t Au, 2,343 g/t Ag, 1.67% Cu, 1.36% Pb, and 3.32% Zn (2,658 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp., announced results from its recently exploration work conducted at its Gavilanes property in Durango. Gavilanes comprises multiple high-grade polymetallic silver veins located approximately 30 km away from First Majestic’s San Dimas mine operation. Sailfish has drilled 47 shallow diamond drill holes on three of these veins which host mineralization in veins and stockworks of an intermediate sulphidation epithermal system. Sailfish geologists have collected representative chip channel samples across veins or structures, which returned encourages high-grade values. Highlights include 12.80 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag over 2.5m and 0.87 g/t Au and 40 g/t Ag over 18m on Descubridora Vein; 30 g/t Au and 190 g/t Ag over 1m and 0.84 g/t Au and 754 g/t Ag over  2m on San Nicolas Vein; 0.02 g/t Au and 1,867 g/t Ag over 1m on San Nicolas-Veta del Pueblo; 10.12 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 2.2m on Forasteros Vein; and 0.51 g/t Au and 1,546 g/t Ag over 0.51m pon La Cruz Vein. Gavilanes currently has an inferred mineral resource of 2.833M tonnes at an average grade of 246 g/t AgEq (22.4M Oz AgEq). This inferred mineral resource is highlighted by having 18.9M Oz Ag at an average grade of 207 g/t Ag.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., reported positive geophysical and geochemical survey results at its Virginia project, Sonora. Detailed mapping and geochemical sampling following a TITAN MT deep penetrating Geophysical survey conducted in Q2, 2022 identified new targets at El Molino, along the Macho trend. “Geological mapping and rock and chip-channel sampling has outlined new targets at Los Cantiles, El Oriental and the eastern and southern sectors of Macho Libre. The new prospecting area, Los Cantiles, garnered surface chip channel sample results up to 5.7 g/t Au and 148 g/t Ag. Dump samples up to 17.8 g/t Au and 1,001 g/t Ag, and chip-channel samples up to 4.2 g/t Au and 310 g/t Ag, have been located at the El Oriental Target. Hydrothermal silicified breccia with up to 2.36 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag has been outlined at the Macho Libre Target. At El Molino, several new structures have been outlined, containing breccias with quartz boiling type textures, with initial results up to 1.6 g/t Au and most analytical results pending. At El Molino, ongoing soil sampling reveals continuous gold and silver anomalies, with supportive infill results from north-west to south-east along the trend”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its new CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company effective January 9, 2023 (Zimapan property, Hidalgo).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)and the deregistration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (La Platosa mine, Durango).
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp´s shareholders approved a share consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten for one basis. The board of directors of the company has now determined to proceed with the consolidation on a five to one basis.  As of today’s date, the company has 215,446,649 common shares issued and outstanding. Following the completion of the consolidation (but before giving effect to the offering), the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the company will be approximately 43,089,330. (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., completed strategic investment in the acquisition of Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa from Prismo Metals Inc. Vizsla acquired a right of first refusal to purchase the Palos Verdes project from Prismo, and 4M units of Prismo at a price of $0.50 per Prismo unit, for aggregate consideration of $2M. Each Prismo unit consist of one common share of Prismo and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each Prismo Warrant entitles Vizsla to purchase one additional Prismo Share for a period of two years from the closing date at a price of $0.75.The consideration for the Strategic Investment consisted of a cash payment of $500K and the issuance to Prismo of 1M common shares of Vizsla. The Consideration Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, and a voluntary escrow period of 24 months with 25% of the securities released every six months.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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, a fault-plane displaying slickensides in a Mn-Fe hydrothermal breccia in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of November, 2022.

Fault Plane showing slickensides

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 44th week of the year (October 31st to November 06th, 2022), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one communicating production and financial issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier. GoGold, GR Silver, Pan American Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ranchero Gold provided an exploration update on its Daniela project, and Reyna Gold announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property. In Sinaloa, Prismo signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido and commenced drill permitting for its Los Pavitos project. In Jalisco, Almadex mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project. In Coahuila, Monumental provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project. ON MINING, Capstone reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Kootenay increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit (Columba project, Chihuahua). Xali Gold received advance net profits interest payment from Sun River Gold for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced that it has engaged SRK to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. GoGold reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. GR Silver released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Osisko provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. Pan American release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Southern Silver announced results from its final 4 drill holes at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silverton Metals announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). Ranchero Gold appointed its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Pan American and Agnico delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana. Sierra Madre entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico.  Sierra Metals received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa for a proposed business combination. Xali Gold increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, expressed this position to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of the Economy of Mexico. Minister Ng reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advance in the implementation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) and to continue with the work carried out within the framework of initiatives such as the Economic Dialogue of Canada-Mexico High Level to deepen bilateral business, trade and investment ties and support inclusive and resilient economic growth. Two-way merchandise trade between the two countries was USD $41.7 billion in 2021. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest merchandise trading partner in a single country (after the United States and China).
  • The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier, but will be resumed.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., , GR Silver Mining Ltd.,  Pan American Silver Corp.,  and Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an exploration update on its Daniela project in Sonora. The company reported that it has completed the follow-up work of the nine priority targets previously identified at the property. Ranchero Gold stated that the San Francisco, Carboneras Sur, Carboneras Este, Rincón, and Moritas Este targets have shown evidence of gold mineralization, related alteration and lithologies known to host significant gold deposits in the district. “Subsequent field efforts currently underway will include detailed mapping, systematic sampling and drone-based magnetic surveys designed to identify potential mineralized host rocks below surface”.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property in Sonora. The company identified multiple mineralized zones with high grade gold, silver, and copper that align with major geophysical anomalies, silica alterations, and structural controls on the property. Highlights of the 8 rock sampling collected at La Republicana Zone returned values from 4.03 g/t Au up to 56.90 g/t Au; 7 samples ranging from 13 g/t Ag up to 47 g/t Ag; and 2 samples with 0.2% Pb and 0.5% Pb, with a single assay of 2.41% Cu. At Las Carmelitas zone, 7 rock samples returned 3 values of 0.11 g/t Au, 0.33 g/t Au, and 10.52 g/t Au; 5 samples ranging from 67 g/t Ag up to 116 g/t Ag; and 6 samples ranging from 1.53% up to 2.25% Cu. At Western Zone, 7 rock samples returned values from 2.51 g/t Au up to 16.60 g/t Au; 2 samples with values of 21g/t Ag and 249 g/t Ag; and a single sample with 1.15% Cu, 3.4% Zn, 1.3% Pb, 0.1 g/t Au, and 27 g/t Ag. At El Sombrero Zone, 7 samples returned gold values ranging from 1.1 g/t Au up to 23.6 g/t Au; 4 samples ranging from 149 g/t Ag up to 733 g/t Ag; 4 samples ranging from 0.68% up to 3.60% Cu; 4 samples ranging from 0.2% Pb up to 1.4% Pb, and 4 samples ranging from 0.1%Zn to 0.2% Zn. The company is presently conducting an IP survey at four target zones: La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas, and Main Zone. After completion of the IP geophysical survey, drilling will recommence in this area focused on La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas and Main Zone targets.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido, the surface owners over the Los Pavitos project in Sinaloa. This agreement is for two years and allows Prismo to carry out exploration work including drilling. The company has commenced drill permitting planned to begin in early 2023. Meanwhile, Prismo will continue with the geological mapping and sampling program to cover the remaining area to identify drill targets.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The drill program will target a recently identified structural trend associated with float rock of vein material, soil anomalies and old mining workings, where channel sampling has encountered 0.02 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag over an interval of 6.8m, and 3.7 g/t Au and 168 g/t Ag over an interval of 4.2m. A total of 14 grab and chip samples collected on this trend averaged 0.6 g/t Au and 180 g/t Ag.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project in Coahuila, which consists of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and litho geochemistry. To date, the stream sediment sampling program, consisting of 47 samples has been completed. It returned 5 samples with values greater than 7.8 ppm dysprosium (Dy), 65.3 ppm neodymium (Nd); and up to 14.1 ppm Dy and 160 ppm Nd, defining four general areas of interest along the west and south portions of the company’s concessions, of which two are associated with known HREE mineralized (eudialyte bearing) peralkaline rock (Jemi Dyke Area and Veladora North). The remaining two areas with anomalous Dy and Nd concentrations were previously unrecognized as being prospective (Zone 2 and Zone 4). Follow-up exploration work to identify the source of the high REEs at these two areas will be undertaken during the current field program for quick delineation.

ON MINING

  • Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 3,829 tonnes per day with an average grade of 1.86% and metallurgical recovery of 96.8%, to produce 36.74 M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.20 per Lb produced.

ON FINANCING

  • Kootenay Silver Inc., increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit. If the offer for sale from Red Cloud is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds to the company will be $5M (Columba project, Chihuahua).
  • Xali Gold Corp., received advance net profits interest (NPI) payment from Sun River Gold, LLC for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. Sun River has started making advance NPI payments of USD $15K per month to Xali Gold as part of the second extension agreement on the El Oro Tailings project, in El Oro, State of Mexico. Advanced NPI payments of USD $50K per month will be paid by Sun River once commercial production is reached (or first concentrate is produced or dore gold is poured) and during the first year of operation, after which normal 5% NPI payments are to be made.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced that it has engaged SRK Consulting Inc., to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. This updated Mineral Resource Estimate is to include an additional 7,200m of drilling completed in May 2022 which returned multiple higher grade gold intercepts and expanded several known mineralized gold zones within the concession.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGAG-22-035 with 1.64 g/t Au and 265 g/t Ag (5.17 g/t AuEq or 387 g/t AgEq) over 110.6m, including 11.31 g/t Au and 2,198 g/t Ag (40.62 g/t AuEq or 3,047 g/t AgEq) over 11.5m, including 30.24 g/t Au and 6,392 g/t Ag (115.48 g/t AuEq or 8,661 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 63.24 g/t Au and 12,729 g/t Ag (232.96 g/t AuEq or 17,472 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, including 104.50 g/t Au and 13,742 g/t Ag (287.73 g/t AuEq or 21,580 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m; and hole LRGAG-22-032 with 1.36 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag (2.79 g/t AuEq or 210 g/t AgEq) over 65.8m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 217 g/t Ag (5.85 g/t AuEq or 439 g/t AgEq) over 28.1m, including 7.17 g/t Au and 1,013 g/t Ag (20.68 g/t AuEq or 1,551 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m, including 25 g/t Au and 3,020 g/t Ag (65.27 g/t AuEq or 4,895 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Mapping and geophysics indicate the Eagle structure extending in excess of 2.5km to the northwest, at which point it continues onto the Company’s previously owned Jamaica concessions”. “The Eagle concession connects the Company’s concessions held in the southern portion of its Los Ricos South project, including the Main area where the Initial Resource was released, to its northern concessions in Los Ricos South, which includes the Jamaica exploration target.  As a result, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous”. This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLI22-38 with 301 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (471 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 15.9m, including 856 g/t Ag, 0.70 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (1,052 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m; hole PL!22-23 with 268 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 2.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 36.5m, including 626 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 1% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (684 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, plus 1028 g/t Ag, 5.11g/t Au, 8.3% Pb, 7% Zn, and 0.9% Cu (2,101 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.9m, including 2,667 g/t Ag, 1.27 g/t Au, 12.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (3,431 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.2m; hole PLI22-24 with 1,159 g/t Ag, 0.53 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, 1% Zn, and 0.8% Cu (1,354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m, plus 135 g/t Ag, 0.39 g/t Au, 4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.1m, including 292 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 1.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m; hole PLI22-25 with 629 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 9.2% Pb, 4% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,146 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 11.4m, including 1,791 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,917 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m; hole LP122-27 with 109 g/t Ag, 0.91 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.2m, including 212 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 10.9% Pb, 4.1% Zn, and 0.22 % Cu (961 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.1; hole PLI22-30 with 344 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (370 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 2,251 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (2,365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m, plus 1,697 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,792 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.1m, plus 134 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (273 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 5% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (576 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.9m; hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% b, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.8m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (809 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m, plus 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,074 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 40 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 10.5% Pb, 9.8% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (852 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.5m. “GR Silver Mining’s infill drilling program is continuing in the Plomosas Mine Area, and to date has added 105 holes (7,330 m) of new drilling inside the historic Plomosas Mine since completion of the Company’s 2021 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimation”.
  • Osisko Development Corp., provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. The company reported that 1.1M tonnes of 0.58 g/t Au and 0.25 g/t Ag have been placed on the heap leach pad for an estimated total of 20,090 oz of Au and 8,818 oz of Ag. Osisko also reported that 10,149 Oz Au and 3,516 Oz Ag at recoveries to the end of the third quarter of 2022 of 50.5% for gold and 39.9% for silver total production have been produced from the heap leach pad as of October 27, 2022, of which 7,350 Oz Au were sold.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Highlights of the drilling are shown in the table below:

With the inclusion of these new drill holes, this area has been expanded to measure approximately 200 metres in diameter and up to 250 metres vertically.

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced results from its final 4 drill holes on the North Felsite-North Skarn targets at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. Highlights of the drilling include hole 22CLM-194 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.01% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (212 g/t AgEq or 5.2% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.3m, plus 386 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu, 6% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (827 g/t AgEq or 20.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.7m, plus 336 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.16% Cu, 6.5% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (780 g/t AgEq or 18.9% ZnEq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 746 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 17.1% Pb, and 13.2% Zn (1,904 g/t AgEq or 46.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.6m; and hole 22CLM-193 with 124 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (195 g/t AgEq or 4.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 5.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (333 g/t AgEq or 8.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 3m. “Drilling on these targets, which started in September 2021, has now tested a 400 metre strike-length of mineralization which wraps around the eastern and northern perimeter of the Central Intrusion and links previously identified mineralization in the Mina La Bocona and Skarn Front deposits. Twenty-five holes totaling 11,275 metres were completed in the two target areas to depths of up to 450 metres below surface”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silverton Metals Corp., announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp., to better reflects the company’s focus on exploration and development of lithium and silver projects (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., made the appointments of its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
  • Pan American Silver Corp. and Agnico Eagle Limited delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana Gold Inc. Pan American would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana, and Yamana would sell certain subsidiaries and partnerships which hold Yamana´s interest in its Canadian assets to Agnico Eagle, including the Canadian Malartic mine. “The consideration consists of 153,539,579 common shares in the capital of Pan American (“Pan American Shares”); USD$1.0 billion in cash contributed by Agnico Eagle; and 36,089,907 common shares in the capital of Agnico Eagle (“Agnico Eagle Shares”). Under the Binding Offer, each Yamana Share would be exchanged for approximately USD$1.04 in cash, 0.1598 Pan American Shares and 0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an aggregate value of USD$5.02 per Yamana Share based on the closing price of each Pan American Share and Agnico Eagle Share on November 3, 2022. The Binding Offer is not subject to any financing condition or additional due diligence”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. The amendment states that (a) the 2% net smelter return royalty on La Guitarra will now be granted by Compañía Minera La Guitarra S.A. de C.V., to First Majestic prior to closing of the transaction, rather than rather than concurrently with closing as previously anticipated; and (b) certain governmental approvals will be required prior to closing of the transaction. All other material terms of the transaction remain unchanged. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2022.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa S.A. for a proposed business combination. A Special Committee of the independent members of Sierra Metals´ Board of Directors is exploring, reviewing and considering financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interest of Sierra Metals.
  • Xali Gold Corp., increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. The company also informed that has received interest from third parties desiring to enter into JV in the SDA plant and near-surface high grade mineralization near the plant.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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, a fault plane from an intermediate-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of August, 2021

By Jorge Cirett

During the 33rd week of the year (August 16th to August 22nd, 2021), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, four companies posted exploration advances on their properties, four posted on mining/quarterly reports, two on mining issues, four on financing or shares  and five more on project development or resource definition and one more on a property acquisition. ON MEXICO ISSUES, No relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aloro Mining informed on continuation of drilling at Los Venados. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold announced one more drilling campaign at Amalia. In Sinaloa, Vizsla Silver updated on exploration at Panuco. In Nayarit, Xali Gold submitted drilling applications for El Dorado.    ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver, Prime Mining, First Majestic Silver, and Impact Silver presented second quarter 2021 reports. Mexus Gold shipped its first activated carbon. Gold Resource halted activities due to increase in COVID cases among its workforce. ON FINANCING, Candelaria Mining will not complete the proposed private placement. Galore Resources is to extend the expiry date of some warrants. Kootenay Silver is to spin-out its Canadian assets into another company. Magna Gold closed the previously announced private placement for C$10 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sierra Metals announced a 10,000 tpd PEA for its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Fabled Silver Gold released more results from drilling at Santa Maria. Excellon Resources released high grade Ag-Pb-Zn drilling results from Platosa. GoGold Resources informed on results of drilling at the Casados deposit at Los Ricos project. Sonoro Gold reported results of metallurgical tests at Cerro Caliche.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Starcore International Mines acquired the Tecouitla claims in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Xali Gold Corp. informed exploration permit applications have been submitted for El Dorado project in Nayarit. The plus 2,000 m program envisaged will test potential lateral extensions to high-grade zones to better define plunging mineralization shoots, and collection of a bulk sample from El Hundido mine.
  • Radius Gold Inc. announced that the phase five drilling campaign has commenced at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Pan American Silver Corp., the project operator plans to deploy a second rig to test El Cuervo target.
  • Aloro Mining Corp. informed that Alamos Gold Inc. is to resume the reconnaissance drill program on the Los Venados claims in Sonora. Alamos has already exceeded its first year exploration commitment; the current program is focused on outcropping low sulfidation epithermal mineralization.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. provided an update on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Due to the current rise in Covid cases in Sinaloa, Vizsla will keep the current pause in activities at the property until the end of the month, and then gradually increase activities through September. Resource drilling is being done at Napoleon (950 x 350 m area) and Tajitos (550 m x 300 m area), exploration drilling is testing the Napoleon, Cinco Señores, Cordon de Oro and Animas Corridors. Preliminary metallurgical testing is being done on Napoleon vein material, and geotechnical and hydrogeological studies are being conducted. Drilling programmed for the remainder of 2021 comprises 35,000 m.  

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported second quarter 2021 consolidated financial and operational results. For Mexico, the company reported that it “signed an agreement with the Mexican Ministries of Economy, Interior and Labour along with union representatives committing to a re‐opening at the Cosalá Operations.    The agreement contemplates immediate right to possession of the property with joint inspections coordinated by the Ministry of Labor, so that the mine and mill can re‐start operations in a safe and sustainable manner”. (Note from writer. – The mine was paralyzed by a dispute between two unions over a year ago, with strong political connotations).
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported its operational and financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, end in April 2021. During April the company completed a private placement for gross proceeds of CAN$28.75 M. Also in the period, drilling at Los Reyes in Sinaloa intersected up to 20.1 m @ 3.25 gpt Au, 389 gpt Ag, 3.8 m @ 3.69 gpt Au, 305 gpt Ag, 4.5 m @ 8.95 gpt Au, 74 gpt Ag; 18.7 m @ 1.96 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 39.0 m @ 0.7 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag. Cash at the end of the period stood at Can$32 M.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced the consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2021. During the period the company processed 826.2 K tonnes, to produce 3.27 M Oz Ag, or 6.43 Oz AgEq at $13.89 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $19.42 per Oz AgEq. In Mexico, the production came from San Dimas, in Durango, La Encantada, in Coahuila, and Santa Elena, in Sonora.
  • Mexus Gold US. confirmed the first shipment of activated carbon from its Santa Elena mining operation in Sonora (Not to mistake with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora).
  • Gold Resource Corp. informed that as result of a steep climb in COVID-19 infections, the company is reducing its activities at the Don David mine in Oaxaca. The measure is to last for at least ten days. “The operations will continue with those employees and contractors who have agreed to stay in the camp for periods longer than the usual rotation to create a bubble”.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and operational results for the second quarter 2021. The cash balance at the end of the quarter was $22.4 M. The mill processed 37.8 K tonnes @ 147 gpt Ag to produce 150.3 K Oz Ag. Some results of its ongoing 10,000 m drilling campaign include 9.8 m @ 211 gpt Ag and 13.85 m @ 186 gpt Ag.

ON FINANCING

  • Candelaria Mining Corp. informed that the company will not be proceeding with the proposed brokered private placement previously announced (Pinos, Zacatecas, Guerrero).
  • Galore Resources Inc. proposed to extend the expiry date of 5.6 M share purchase warrants from September 2021 to September 2024 (Dos Santos, Zacatecas).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. board approved a spin-out of 80% of its Canadian exploration assets. Once the arrangement becomes effective, Kootenay shareholders will own shares in two public companies, one focusing in Mexico and the other in Canada (Columba, Chihuahua).
  • Magna Gold Corp. closed the previously announced private placement of C$10 M convertible debentures (San Francisco, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sierra Metals Inc. announced a 10 K tonnes per day positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) to include iron ore production at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. The report envisages an updated after-tax net present value (NPV) of US$361 M at an 8% discount rate, an IRR of 27.9%, net after-tax cash flow of US$650 M with a life of mine (LOM) copper grade of 0.72% and iron ore at 13.5%, an operating cost of US$25.62/tonne and US$1.50 per Lb CuEq, to produce 55 M Lb Cu in 14 years. Current indicated resources stand at 19.4 M tonnes @ 0.77% Cu, 15.1 gpt Ag, 0.21 gpt Au, 13.8% Fe, containing 149.1 K tonnes Cu, 9.4 M Oz Ag, 127.8 K Oz Au, and inferred resources at 21.4 M tonnes @ 0.78% Cu, 14.2 gpt Ag, 0.21 gpt Au, containing 167.1 K tonnes Cu, 9.8 M Oz Ag, 145.6 K Oz Au.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. announced more results from surface drilling at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 0.85 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 0.80 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 20.10 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn, 0.09% Cu (including 5.90 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag, 3.3% Pb, 1.5% Zn, 0.25% Cu).
  • Excellon Resources Inc. released results from underground drilling at Platosa, in Durango. Some of the highlighted core length intervals: 3.0 m @ 227 gpt Ag, 2.3% Pb, 2.0% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au; 1.3 m @ 360 gpt Ag, 10.1% Pb, 10.2% Zn; 1.3 m @ 692 gpt Ag, 9.3% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 1.2 m @ 544 gpt Ag, 5.9% Pb, 3.9% Zn; 1.6 m @ 1,647 gpt Ag, 12.3% Pb, 11.6% Zn, 0.1gpt Au; 5.2 m @ 1,051 gpt Ag, 12.1% Pb, 13.1% Zn, 0.2 gpt Au (including 2.3 m @ 1,985 gpt Ag, 22.8% Pb, 17.2% Zn); 2.5 m @ 784 gpt Ag, 7.7% Pb, 13.9% Zn, 0.3 gpt Au; 3.1 m @ 581 gpt Ag, 5.7% Pb, 11.4% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au; 1.4 m @ 1,050 gpt Ag, 3.4 % Pb, 2.0% Zn; 3.1 m @ 289 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn. “Drilling from underground continues to define and expand known mineralization ahead of production at the 623, NE-1 and NE-1S Mantos. Most significantly, drilling into the 623 and NE-1 Mantos continues to improve understanding and confidence, and extend mineralization in these areas”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. informed on results from seven drill holes at the Casados deposit at the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intervals: 19.0 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 131 gpt Ag (including 1.3 m @ 5.16 gpt Au, 1,319 gpt Ag); 9.5 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 233 gpt Ag; 41.6 m @ 1.25 gpt Au, 218 gpt Ag (including 8.9 m @ 4.71 gpt Au, 698 gpt Ag); 19.2 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 185 gpt Ag (including 8.5 m @ 1.14 gpt Au, 594 gpt Ag); 8.2 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 82 gpt Ag. “The Casados Veins strike nearly E-W, dips 45o to the north and is hosted in andesitic tuffs and is exposed on surface for about 400 metres along strike…… A zone of silicification up to 50 metres wide envelopes the vein and this resistant outcrop forms a steep ridge along the strike of the vein, particularly on the north or hanging wall side”.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. reported results from metallurgical tests on mineralized material from Cerro Caliche in Sonora. The column metallurgical test returned an average of 74% recovery of gold for the 80% minus 12.5 mm feed material. The 4.7 tonnes sample was obtained from ten PQ (8.5 cm diameter) holes totaling 428 lineal meters. Little to no sulfur and organic carbon were observed on the testing. “There were no obvious variations in gold recovery related to ore zone or material type (vein breccia vs. stock work)”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. informed on the acquisition of the 3,088 hectares Tecoutila claims from Minera Tecouitla, S.A. de C.V.. Previous exploration in the property reported nine veins with lengths of up to 2.1 Km, widths of 0.5 to 1.1 m and grades of up to 10.30 gpt Au, 241 gpt Ag.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

On the image below:  Workings and vein trace on a project in northern Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of June, 2021

By Jorge Cirett

During the 25th week of the year (June 21st to June 28th, 2021), at least 34 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, seven companies posted exploration advances on their properties, six posted on financing, warrants extension, options distribution or option payments received, eight more on project development or resource definition and four posted on deals or corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, there is a new illegal blockade at Los Filos in Guerrero. Canadian Mining companies are suffering the results of the asylum provided by Canada to Mexican union leader Napoleon Gómez Urrutia. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Riverside is receiving funding for exploration of five properties; Ridgestone released surface sample results from Rebeico; Colibri completed an IP survey on Evelyn. In Chihuahua, Kootenay is to rehabilitate underground workings at Columba. In Sinaloa, GR Silver initiated a drilling campaign in the Rosario district. In Durango, Mithril intersected bonanza grade mineralization in drill holes at Copalquin. In Jalisco, Xali Gold identified targets at its Tepic project. ON MINING, Mexus Gold produced some gold at Santa Elena in Sonora. Fresnillo paid US$176.2 M in taxes to the Mexican government in 2020. Santacruz Silver reported a fatality at is Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi. ON FINANCING, Reyna Silver, Wealth Minerals and Southern Silver reported on financing rounds for C$6.06 M, $675 K and $3 M respectively. Vizsla Silver granted options, Radius Gold received $400 K as payment from Pan American Silver related to an earn-in agreement on the Amalia project. Advance Gold extended the expiry date of some warrants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Guanajuato Silver informed on advance at getting the El Cubo and Pinguico mines back to production. Minera Alamos informed construction has been completed at Santana, in Sonora. Fabled Silver Gold released drilling results from Santa Maria, in Chihuahua. Discovery Silver released results from drilling targeting bulk mining mineralization at Cordero, in Chihuahua. Vizsla Silver released interesting drilling results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Silver Dollar signed a surface access agreement at La Joya, in Durango. Oroco Resources received the environmental permit to drill at Santo Tomas, in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver is to spin a Canadian copper asset, forming Vizsla Copper. Fortuna Silver and Roxgold received a recommendation for their business combination. David Jones is on Benjamin Hill as a technical advisor. Orogen Royalties is to trade on the OTCQX ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles, Fresnillo PLC, the Chihuahua Mining cluster and Minera Peñasquito informed on actions the companies realize to help communities and the environment. Great Panther published its sustainability report. Newmont launched its Climate Strategy Report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Equinox Gold Corp. informed an illegal blockade has temporarily suspended mining activities at Los Filos, Guerrero. the illegal blockades are led by “a group of unionized employees and members of the Xochipala community, both of whom are demanding payments in excess of their contractual agreements.
  • Americas Gold & Silver continues its fight against Napoleón Gómez Urrutia union. The company has had its San Rafael mine in Cosalá, Sinaloa, under siege for 18 months by the section 333 of the Sindicato de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos, Siderurgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana (the union led by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia). The company asked the Canadian government for help on what they see as an illegal blockade disguised as a dispute for the Union to control the company’s personnel collective contract (speaking of retribution, Canadian Mining companies are paying for the asylum Canada provided to the Union leader, and are set to pay dearly if do not fight back).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc. informed BHP is funding exploration in five projects in Sonora, acquired under the BHP-Riverside Exploration Funding Agreement. A total of US$1.3 M over two years was allocated for generative funding, with an additional US$1 M in specific work programs. Riverside anticipates two projects will see a maiden drill campaign on 2021, of five under evaluation. The Chuin and Palofierro projects are the most advanced, while Sinoquipe, Penitas and Montosa projects are to follow suite. Magneto-teluric (MT) and gravity geophysics, green-mineral, whole rock and prospecting are being used for vectoring and district evaluations.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. initiated a 14,000 m exploration drill program in the Rosario district in Sinaloa.  Seven drill rigs are being mobilized to dill vein systems covering a combined 75 km strike length of the Plomosas, San Marcial and La Trinidad project areas. Some of the targets include the GAP area, Loma Dorada structure.
  • Xali Gold Corp. identified drill targets that can extend known mineralization at its Cocula project in Jalisco. These drill targets were identified on a 3D model, and are designed to test potential extensions to previously defined zones. The project displays two styles of mineralization, gold-silver as dissemination in oxidized breccias near surface and higher-grade gold silver and base metals in structures containing stockwork quartz veining.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc. released assay results from sampling on recent mapping at its Rebeico project in Sonora. Sampling at El Cobre mine returned up to 1.0 m @ 3.5% Cu, 0.32 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag, 0.136% Mo on the main structure. Regional mapping returned up to 1.2 m @ 1.06% Cu, 2.40 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag in a quartz vein and 1.5 m @ 0.08% Cu, 3.45 gpt Au in a breccia. “The El Cobre mine was put into production by Asarco during the sixties and was developed on two levels, with the upper level having over 230 metres of drift development and the lower level having over 100 metres long of drift development at a depth of 180 metres below surface. The main structure, with widths varying from 1 to 5 metres, has been emplaced within a granodiorite intrusive and remains open along strike and at Depth”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced the signing of a contract with Tlasa Obras Mineras S. de R.L. de C.V. to rehabilitate the historic underground workings of the F vein at the Coulmba project in Chihuahua. Work is expected to take four months.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. reported the completion of the previously announced IP survey at Evelyn, in Sonora. The IP survey consisted of 38-line km of 3D-IP covering the eastern half of the Evelyn project. “…the highest chargeability response is spatially associated with the Main Zone within the Cerro Rojo target area…. the Company has decided to extend the IP survey to the western boundary thus completing 3D IP coverage over most of the property”.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd. released drill results from its Copalquin project in Durango. Highlighted core length results comprise: 6.8 m @ 74 gpt Au, 841 gpt Ag (including 2.1 m @ 235 gpt Au, 2,554 gpt Ag); 4.61 m @ 1.87 gpt Au, 89 gpt Ag; 7.60 m @ 2.34 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 2.64 gpt Au, 167 gpt Ag; 6.0 m @ 1.41 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag; 1.80 m @ 2.38 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag; 1.05 m @ 2.36 gpt Au, 95 gpt Ag; 0.50 m @ 28.9 gpt Au, 471 gpt Ag; 1.66 m @ 2.41 gpt Au, 153 gpt Ag. Drilling continues along El Refugio structure, and soil sampling is in progress to define the structure a further 1.3 km to the west.

ON MINING

  • Mexus Gold US. informed its Santa Elena mine in Sonora produced 20 Oz Au last week and confirmed the presence of 30 ounces more on the activated carbon cells.
  • Fresnillo PLC. presented a report on the payments to the governments of Mexico, Chile and Peru. In Mexico, Fresnillo paid US$ 139.3 M in taxes, US$1.48 M in royalties and US$35.4 M in concession fees, for a total of US$176.2 M.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported a fatality at its Rosario project in San Luis Potosi. ”The accident took place at the Membrillo mine as a result of a rock fall”.

ON FINANCING

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. granted 4.15 M options to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. has over-sold the offering and completed a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$6.06 M (GuiGui, Chihuahua).
  • Radius Gold Inc. reported that Pan American Silver, its joint venture partner in at the Amalia project in Chihuahua, has paid a scheduled US$400 K property payment to Radius, and plans further drilling at the project. “Exploration completed at Amalia includes 31 holes for 10,588m of diamond core drilling, primarily at the San Pedro zone on the Amalia structure. The next targets to be drill tested are El Cuervo…. and at California”.
  • Wealth Minerals Ltd. closed the second tranche of the placement, for gross proceeds of $675 K (Coronado, Chihuahua).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $3 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Advance Gold Corp.  applied to the TSX Venture Exchange to extend the expiry date on 3.08 M share purchase warrants issued pursuant to the private placement financing in July 2019, by one year, to July 9, 2022 (Tabasqueña, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. informed on staffing mill and mine refurbishment at El Cubo, Guanajuato. Also the company is doing metallurgical studies on El Cubo and Pinguico deposits.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. informed all construction has now been completed at Santana, in Sonora. “All construction has now been completed with the full leach pad now lined and available for stacking….. First loading of mined material from the Nicho Norte pit commenced earlier this month …in preparation for the commissioning of leach operations around the end of the June”.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. released drilling results from its ongoing campaign at Santa Maria, Chihuahua. Highlighted core length results comprise 10.50 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 1.0% Zn Cu (including 1.20 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 4.2% Zn); 27.50 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag (including 1.20 m @ 0.52 gpt Au, 163 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.0% Zn); 19.65 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 7.90 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.2% Zn); 1.00 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 322 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released results from 12 drill holes targeting bulk-mining mineralization at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted results comprise 65.9 m @ 69 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 3.7% Zn; 143 m @ 39 gpt Ag, 0.13 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 59.5 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 86.0 m @ 33 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 82.3 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 59.4 m @ 48 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 48.9 m @ 85 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 1.1% Zn.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. provided results for fourteen holes from the Napoleon prospect at the Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width results comprise 3.73 m @ 2.85 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 2.62 m @ 5.51 gpt Au, 476 gpt Ag, 1.5% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 8.36 m @ 5.58 gpt Au, 372 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.9% Zn (including 2.31 m @ 18.88 gpt Au, 1,306 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 3.21 m @ 0.94 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 3.45 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 11.34 m @ 3.11 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 4.87 m @ 3.70 gpt Au, 112 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.5% Zn.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. informed on results from seven drill holes from El Favor deposit at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length results comprise: 15.0 m @ 0.41 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag (including 6.4 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 258 gpt Ag); 20.6 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 10.6 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag; 6.5 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag; 63.7 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag (including 9.1 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 186 gpt Ag); 61.3 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 243 gpt Ag (including 9.3 m @ 2.06 gpt Au, 973 gpt Ag); 9.4 m @ 0.10 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag; 6.8 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag; 4.8 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag; 14.4 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag; 35.2 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag. “Three of the four major veins (Salomon, Guitarrillas and Los Chivos) appear to converge into a 100m wide zone at the western end of the El Favor deposit in the vicinity of the Hundido Pit….”.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. entered into a formal surface access agreement with the ejido Noria de Pilares, at its La Joya project in Durango.
  • Oroco Resources Corp. received approval by SEMARNAT to conduct a drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The permit allows for 46 drill locations to test the Brasiles gossan zone and the Western blind target, both supported by a 3D IP survey, and nine drill locations on the North zone for confirmation and expansion drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. informed on the approval of the proposed plan of arrangement on which Vizsla Silver is to spin-out its British Columbia exploration assets to Vizsla Copper Corp. (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. and Roxgold Inc. informed two leading proxy advisory firms have recommended that both Fortuna and Roxgold shareholders vote for the proposed business combination (San Jose, Oaxaca).
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. announced the appointment of David M. Jones, M.Sc., as technical advisor to the company (Sonora Gold, Sonora).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. announced its shares have been qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market (Ermitaño, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Peñasquito informed its water purification plant in Cedros has increased its capacity to 400 cubic meters per day. The community, which doubled its population since the development of the mine, receives the water at no cost. There are two other water purification plants run by the company at the Mesas and Charcos communities.
  • Greath Panther Mining published its 2020 sustainability report, describing its safety performance, Covid prevention, zero sanctions, decrease in water consumption, community engagement, gender opportunities and diversity policy.
  • The Chihuahua Mining Cluster is aiding in the community effort to extinguish forest fires in the Sierra Madre.
  • Newmont Corp. launched its first Climate Strategy Report, which outlines the Company’s climate-related risks and opportunities, strategic planning, and pathways to achieving climate targets.
  • Industrias Peñoles informed on the reforestation effort with native species in La Laguna region (Coahuila-Durango).
  • Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC are to support micro business and auto-development economic proyects in Caborca, Sonora.

On the image below:  Sheeted quartz veining in granodioritic intrusive rocks in Sinaloa. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of May, 2021

By Jorge Cirett

During the 21st week of the year (May 24th to May 30th, 2021), at least 33 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, seven companies posted exploration advances on their properties, three presented mining related news, seven posted on financing (C$6M, $60 M, C$5 M, C$10 M, $2.6 M, $C$11.5 M) and one on share distribution, six more on project development or resource definition and two posted on corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, CanCham complained on the lack of clear policies and opacity on the rule of law that are affecting Canadian investments in Mexico.  The push from the Mexican government to create an institution to manage the lithium industry from the optics of sovereignty sees opposition from the mining industry, and reality. Camimex released a list of mining investments to be realized in the next few years, amounting to several billion dollars. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Ridgestone Mining applied for drilling permits at Rebeico. Tocvan Ventures released results from drilling at Pilar. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver released high-grade results from drilling at Columba. In Durango, Mithril Resources, updated on drilling at Copalquin. In Sinaloa, Riverside Resources released surface sample results; Vizsla Silver informed on geophysical results supported by drilling, and more surveys to come; Brigadier Gold discovered bulk tonnage copper mineralization in trenching of soil anomalies. ON MINING, Impact Silver and Telson Mining presented Q1 2021 results. Magna Gold informed it has exceeded 3 M man-hours of work without lost-time incidents. ON FINANCING, Silver Bull Resources is to distribute 34.2 M shares of Arras Minerals among its shareholders. Six companies informed on financing rounds: Silver Viper Minerals (C$6 M), Vizsla Silver ($60 M), Reyna Silver (C$5 M), Sable Resources (C$10M, Defiance Silver (C$11.5 M) and Mammoth Resources ($2.58 M). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining released drilling results from Los Reyes. GR Silver Mining reported near surface drill results from Plomosas. GoGold Resources released drilling results from the Casados deposit at Los Ricos North. Discovery Silver released results from 12 drill holes targeting high-grade vein trends at Cordero. Sailfish Royalty filed a technical report with a new resource estimate for Gavilanes. Discovery Silver updated on exploration at Cordero, with 75,000 m of drilling completed on 178 holes, and four drills continuing the phase 2 program. Golden Tag announced the discovery of a shallow zone of epithermal mineralization at San Diego.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mexus Gold informed Fresnillo PLC is reviewing its Santa Elena mine. Riverside Resources announced BHP is funding a third year of generative work in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC informed on their policies and programs to aid in education on a wide range of communities. Minera San Xavier informed Cerro San Pedro in San Luis Potosi has been declared as “Cyanide Free Site” by the International Cyanide Management Institute.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • CanCham (Cámara de Comercio de Canadá en México) pointed out that the lack of clear policies and the opacity on rule of law is affecting Canadian investments, which show an 18% decrement in the last year, holding the investment of thousands of millions (Mexican number notation) of dollars in the energy, mining, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. These remarks were expressed by Enrique Zorrilla, Cancham’s president, in the meeting between the Commerce ministers of Mexico, Canada and the United States.
  • Mexico is preparing its strategy to develop the lithium market. The federal government intends to become a lithium producer by controlling several deposits, Bolivia’s advice and a commerce treatise to facilitate establishing an electric battery factory. The current government senate fraction is preparing a proposal to create the Instituto Nacional del Litio. (Lithium National Institute) and to declare lithium as Nation’s exclusive property (Note. – This federal initiative push misses the point that so far there is not a single lithium mine in Mexico, that its lithium in brines potential is limited at best, and that the economics of lithium extraction from clays -like in the Bacanora Lithium’s deposit in Sonora- is not yet clear).
  • Fernando Alanís, president of Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) informed that lithium deposits in Mexico have a very low grade, and lack the technology for its extraction, reason for which the country is far from becoming a world power in lithium production. Lithium presents in three kind of deposits: hard rock (pegmatites), brines (from salt lakes) and clays. Rock and brine lithium extraction accounts for 100% of the world production, whereas the extraction of lithium from clays is very energy intensive and expensive, not having a single producing mine in the entire planet.
  • Camimex released a table with the Mexican Mining Developments programmed for the next few years, same that reach US$7,820 Million in investment (Mexican number notation, equivalent to US$7.8 billion).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Mithril Resources Ltd. provided an update on drilling at its Copalquin project in Durango. The current program main focus is to extend the Refugio ore shoot down dip (presently 600 m along strike, 200 m down dip, 5 m in width), maiden drilling at Los Pinos target, extend three holes and deep exploration drilling at La Soledad and extend near-surface intercepts at El Cometa.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc. commenced permitting for drill programs at Guadalupe y Calvo, Chihuahua, and Rebeico, Sonora.
  • Riverside Resources Inc. reported surface sample results from its La Silla project in Sinaloa. The highlighted samples from the El Ciruelo and El Roble targets returned 6.1 gpt Au, 80 gpt Ag; 5.6 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag; 4.4 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag; 3.5 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag; 3.3 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 2.6 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag, on quartz veining, gossanous breccia and strongly oxidized andesite. El Ciruelo target extends for at least 1 km with a 1-5 m wide chalcedonic vein zone. El Roble vein extends for at least 300 m, reaching up to 2 m in width, with mineralization occurring also in the host rock.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. provided an update on the recently completed geophysical survey completed at Panuco, in Sinaloa. A fixed loop electromagnetics (FLEM, or EM) was trialed and detected massive sulfide mineralization on the Napoleon and Josephine veins, proved with three massive sulfide intercepts in the latter. The Josephine vein has no known surface expression and runs parallel to the west of the main Napoleon trend. Mineralization at Tajitos is not related to massive sulfides and was not detected with EM. Vizsla is planning a property wide airborne EM-magnetic survey at Panuco.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced high-grade results from the 5,000 m core drill program currently underway at Columba, Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals in the Hanging-Wall, F, and Footwall veins comprise 1.55 m @ 189 gpt Ag, 0.1%Pb, 0.2% Zn; 1.0 m @ 104 gpt Ag, 0.1% Zn; 2.44 m @ 217 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 2.94 m @ 321 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 1.94 m @ 428 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn); 8.0 m @ 130 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn (including 2.9 m @ 265 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.5% Zn); 1.95 m @ 104 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 9.0 m @ 354 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn (including 2.63 m @ 809 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn); 30.0 m @ 86 gpt Ag (including 2.37 m @ 425 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn).
  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. announced the discovery of bulk tonnage type copper mineralization at its Picachos project in Sinaloa. Fifty meters on trenching of historic copper anomalies has returned XRF copper values ranging from 0.05 to 1.34% Cu and 20 to 284 ppm Ag. Brigadier has also completed mapping and sampling of the historic La Gloria mine, where a drill hole intercepted 1.0 m @ 6.26 gpt Au.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. released results for the first three holes of its phase-II drill program at Pilar, in Sonora. The drill program consists of 2,900 m of reverse circulation drilling in 17 holes, of which 14 are pending results. Highlighted down-hole intercepts comprise 29 m @ 0.71 gpt Au (including 6.1 m @ 1.9 gpt Au); 24.4 m @ 0.56 gpt Au (including 9.2 m @ 1.3 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag); 6.1 m @ 0.48 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 4.6 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. presented its financial and operating results of Q1 2021. During the period 36.4 K tonnes were processed @ 162 gpt Ag to produce 156.9 K Oz Ag. “continued exploration on the north and south extensions of the Veta Negra Mine, trenching on the bulk tonnage gold target at Manto America in the central part of the district and exploration on the northwest (Pachuqueno) extensions of the Guadalupe Mine”.
  • Magna Gold Corp. has exceeded 3 M man-hours of work without lost-time incidents within all its operations, including contractors and suppliers. The last lost-time incident was in 2018, and the mine has not had a fatal accident in its 11 years history.
  • Telson Mining Corp. presented its first quarter 2021 financial and operating results. At Campo Morado in Guerrero, 174.4 K tonnes were processed to produce 11,013 tonnes Zn (74% Zn recovery), 1,908 tonnes Pb at cash cost $0.70 per Lb Zn and AISC of $0.90 per Lb Zn. During the period gross revenue was $21.2 M (Q1 2020: $19.0 M) and mine operating profit $5.25 M (Q1 2020: $0.26 M loss).

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. announced its intent to distribute 34.2 M shares of Arras Minerals Corp. to Silver Bull shareholders. Silver Bull transferred mineral properties in Kazakhstan and received 36 M shares of Arras in return, making Arras an approximately 88%-owned subsidiary of Silver Bull (Sierra Mojada, Coahuila).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. intends to undertake a non-brokered private placement financing to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$6 M (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters to buy units of the company for gross proceeds of $60 M (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Eight Capital and Red Cloud Securities Inc. in connection with a private placement intended to raise up to C$5 M (Guigui and Batopilas, Chihuahua).
  • Sable Resources Ltd. entered into an agreement with Sprott Capital Partners LP and Eight Capital in connection with a bought deal private placement financing to raise up to C$10 M (Vinata, Chihuahua).
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. Announced a non-brokered private placement financing aiming to raise up to $2 M, same that by the next day had been increased to $2.58 M (Tenoriba, Chihuahua).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. has increased the size of its previously announced private placement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. for gross proceeds of up to C$11.5 M (Bolañitos and Pinguico, Guanajuato).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Prime Mining Corp. released additional results from its ongoing 15,000 m drill program at Los Reyes, Sinaloa. The Highlighted true width intercepts are from the Guadalupe East, Zapote South and the Estaca vein: 11.6 m @ 8.12 gpt Au, 725 gpt Ag; 5.6 m @ 11.95 gpt Au, 1,221 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 21.63 gpt Au, 1,960 gpt Ag; 2.0 m @ 11.17 gpt Au, 909 gpt Ag; 2.4 m @ 2.00 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag; 1.4 m @ 10.50 gpt Au, 300 gpt Ag; 3.9 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag; 0.6 m @ 93.80 gpt Au, 829 gpt Ag.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported near surface drill results from the Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 11.9 m @ 84 gpt Ag, 2.3% Pb, 2.7% Zn, 0.1% Cu; 16.7 m @ 7 gpt Ag, 0.22 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 10.8 m @ 3 gpt Ag, 0.20 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 4.2 m @ 10 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 0.1%Pb, 0.6% Zn, 0.1% Cu; 2.1 m @ 350 gpt Ag, 1.0% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 1.9 m @ 348 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 1.3 m @ 26 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 3.3% Pb, 3.3% Zn; 1.0 m @ 128 gpt Ag, 1.00 gpt Au, 9.0% Pb, 9.7% Zn, 0.2% Cu; 2.6 m @ 45 gpt Ag, 0.60 gpt Au, 3.0% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 4.7 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 0.18 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 1.2% Zn, 0.1% Cu; 2.0 m @ 277 gpt Ag, 0.22 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 1.9 m @ 283 gpt Ag, 0.82 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.0% Zn, 0.1% Cu.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results of nine holes on the Casados deposit at the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intersects comprise 29.9 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag; 15.5 m @ 0.27 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag; 34.4 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag; 5.3 m @ 0.65 gpt Au, 305 gpt Ag; 9.2 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 109 gpt Ag (including 1.9 m @ 0.61 gpt Au, 442 gpt Ag); 60.5 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 0.57 gpt Au, 322 gpt Ag; 54.1 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag; 28.5 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 100 gpt Ag (including 1.8 m @ 2.09 gpt Au, 418 gpt Ag); 14.0 m @ 0.46 gpt Au, 134 gpt Ag (including 5.3 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 304 gpt Ag); 2.6 m @ 2.93 gpt Au, 610 gpt Ag.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released results from 12 diamond drill holes testing the Josefina and Todos Santos high-grade vein trends at the Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted intercepts on the Josefina vein trend comprise 41.5 m @ 97 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 2.5% Zn (including 4.1 m @ 520 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 3.0% Pb, 9.8% Zn and 3.3 m @ 182 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 3.4% Pb, 7.1% Zn); 13.1 m @ 112 gpt Ag, 0.13 gpt Au, 1.3% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 36.4 m @ 66 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 87.4 m @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 3.6 m @ 343 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 1.7% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 19.3 m @ 40 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.4% Zn); 22.4 m @ 156 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 1.7% Pb, 2.3% Zn (including 3.7 m @ 299 gpt Ag, 0.16 gpt Au, 3.9% Pb, 5.7% Zn). The Josefina vein trend includes two subparallel veins that run for 1.5 km, and has been tested to 370 m depth and remains open. The Todos Santos vein trend consists of two closely spaced veins, extends for at least 1.5 km along strike and 400 m of depth in old workings and drill holes. Highlighted intercepts comprise 62.0 m @ 19 gpt Ag, 0.28 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 21.4 m @ 46 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 1.9 m @ 113 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 2.4% Pb, 3.2% Zn; 3.7 m @ 96 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 1.8% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 2.1 m @ 160 gpt Ag, 0.27 gpt Au, 3.3% Pb, 3.6% Zn.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. filed a NI-43-101 technical report and estimate of mineral resources for the Gavilanes project in Durango.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. updated on its Cordero project in Chihuahua and informed that by the end of the first quarter 2021 had cash and cash equivalents for $94.7 M. At Cordero 75,000 m of drilling were completed in 178 holes in phase 1 drilling, providing information to be used in the bulk-tonnage preliminary economic assessment (PEA) underway. Phase 2 drilling continues with four rigs, focused on reserve definition, resource expansion and high-grade vein delineation. Bulk tonnage targeted drilling has returned up to 128.2 m @ 65 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 131.6 m @ 48 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.1% Zn (including 37.1 m @ 119 gpt Ag, 0.22 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 1.2% Zn); 110.0 m @ 37 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 85.6 m @ 53 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 1.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn. Drilling on high-grade veins has returned up to 4.1 m @ 520 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 3.0% Pb, 9.8% Zn in the Josefina vein; 4.0 m @ 377 gpt Ag, 0.28 gpt Au, 7.1% Pb, 3.4% Zn in the Todos Santos vein and 4.4 m @ 246 gpt Ag, 0.39 gpt Au, 6.5% Pb, 0.4% Zn on the Parcionera vein.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. discovered a new zone of epithermal mineralization at the San Diego project in Durango. The new drill hole intercepted 10.0 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 628 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 3.6% Zn, 0.12% Cu, in a zone where previous drilling had returned 2.0 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 161 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.2% Zn, 0.04% Cu; 3.75 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 125 gpt Ag, 1.5% Pb, 4.0% Zn, 0.12% Cu. “The hole intersected a series of epithermal breccias and quartz-carbonate veins within the Central Diorite intrusion from 73.0 to 92.70 m which are characterized by cavity filling banded quartz and carbonate veins with fluorite and associated sulfides comprised primarily of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, boulangerite, and arsenopyrite”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Mexus Gold US. informed personnel from Fresnillo PLC is reviewing its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The geologists are checking the potential for a disseminated deposit, as well as the quartz vein currently worked by Mexus.
  • Riverside Resources Inc. announced BHP and Riverside “have agreed on moving forward with a third year of generative funding for copper exploration in Sonora. The new budget is US$1.3 M for generative exploration work.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC informed on their policies and programs to aid on education in a widespread communities.
  • Minera San Xavier has been declared as “Cyanide Free Site” by the International Cyanide Management Institute. Cerro San Pedro is the first mine in the world that has realized the dismantling process of the 110 m high heap that covers 102 hectares (1 square kilometer).

Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group. On the image below:  Quartz-tourmaline breccia from a project in Sinaloa. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of March, 2021

By Jorge Cirett

During the 9th week of the year (March 1st to March 7th, 2021), there were at least 34 press releases by companies working in Mexico. To note, ten companies posted exploration advances on their properties, three presented quarterly results, five posted on financing or share options (for C$2.25 M, C$23 M and C$12 M), three more on project development and six on corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Zacatecas government is promoting talks between Canadian mining companies and mining concession owners. Mining companies raise US$280 million for Mexican projects. First Majestic initiated and arbitration process under NAFTA against the Mexican government. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Silver Viper presented the highest gold results in drilling to date at La Virginia; Heliostar Metals commenced drilling at La Lola and started exploration at Cumaro and Oso Negro; Tocvan Ventures informed on detailed mapping and sampling at Pilar. Tarachi Gold started the second phase underground drilling campaign at La Dura mine at its Tarachi project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver initiated the second phase drilling at Columba; Mammoth Resources began an IP survey at Tenoriba. Monarca Minerals is seeking a key surface access permit at San Jose. In Sinaloa, Oroco Resource conducted a helicopter magnetic survey at Santo Tomas. In Zacatecas, Zacatecas Silver is to explore the Zacatecas Silver project; Alien Metals commenced drilling at Donovan 2. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver, Fresnillo PLC and Great Panther Mining released quarterly and/or full year 2020 reports. ON FINANCING, One World Lithium, Silver Tiger Metals and Santacruz Silver Mining released news on their financing rounds for C$2.25 M, C$23 M and C$12 M respectively. Zacatecas Silver started trading on the TSX. Candelaria Mining granted options for 1 M shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold released metallurgical tests results from Cerro Caliche. GR Silver released results from one drill hole at Plomosas. Galore Resources released results from five holes drilled in 2019.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Empress Royalty is acquiring a silver stream on production from Telson’s Tahuehueto mine in Durango. Orex Minerals is in a 40-60 joint venture with Pan American Silver to explore the Sandra Escobar project in Durango. Ganfeng´s increased interest (to 50%) in Bacanora Lithium has been authorized by China. First Majestic Silver requested an arbitration procedure under NAFTA regarding a tax dispute with the Mexican government. Silver One Resources completed the sale of three properties to Silverton Metals, which in turn completed its qualifying transaction. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles, Fresnillo PLC and First Majestic Silver informed on actions and awards received by the companies relating to social responsibilities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Zacatecas government is promoting talks between Canadian mining companies and mining concession owners. 
  • Mining companies raise US$480 million for Latin America projects. Gold and silver projects obtained US$194 million and US$121 million respectively. Most of that amount is directed to Mexico (US$280 M), Argentina (US$88.6 M), Brasil (US$42.8 M) and Chile (US$26.7 M). Specific projects financed include Las Chispas (Sonora), San Antonio (Sonora), Tahuehueto (Durango) and Cordero (Chihuahua).
  • First Majestic initiated and arbitration request under NAFTA against the government of Mexico. The request comes after failed attempts by the company to engage in negotiations with the government.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. reported good drilling results from its La Virginia project in Sonora. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 80.08 m @ 18 gpt Ag, 0.69 gpt Au; 11.89 m @ 363 gpt Ag, 21.2 gpt Au (including 0.3 m @ 738 gpt Au, 10,681 gpt Ag, 6.74% Pb, 7.11% Zn); 28.95 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.77 gpt Au; 10.16 m @ 42 gpt Ag, 1.06 gpt Au; 0.92 m @ 231 gpt Ag, 11.80 gpt Au; 2.59 m @ 52 gpt Ag, 0.94 gpt Au; 1.52 m @ 78 gpt Ag, 1.07 gpt Au. “The upper portions of hole LV21-289 (azimuth 090, dip -450 ) encountered mineralized stringer intervals thought to represent the southern projection of the Western Zone. More consistent mineralization was encountered starting at 280 metres down hole, returning a down hole length measuring 130 metres core length with an average grade of 18 g/t silver and 0.69 g/t gold. Beneath this interval, a well mineralized breccia zone was encountered, starting at 424.85 metres down hole for 19.30 metres core length averaging 363 g/t silver and 21.2 g/t gold, and thought to represent the projection of El Rubi structure”.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. described its Zacatecas Silver Project in Zacatecas. The 7,826 ha Zacatecas Silver property in the Zacatecas district, includes the Panuco deposit and the Muleros, El Cristo and San Manuel-San Gill prospects.  Panuco has an historic resource of 19.47 M Oz Ag in 3.95 M tonnes @ 153 gpt AgEq (136 gpt Ag, 0.01% Pb, 0.11% Zn). At Muleros three veins can be traced for 3 km; El Cristo is the NW extension of the Veta Grande system, same that is reported to have produced over 200 M Oz Ag; San Manuel-San Gill is a relatively unexplored vein system and an 800 m long hematitic breccia is also present.
  • Alien Metals Ltd. announced the commencement of its drilling program at the Donovan 2 copper gold project in Zacatecas. The 2,500 m of drilling is to test targets defined by an IP geophysical survey conducted late in 2020. “Pursuant to the terms of the Earn-in Agreement, Capstone can acquire a 65% interest in Donovan 2 through committed expenditure and cash payments totalling ~US$3.9million. Capstone can move to an 80% interest in the Project through free-carrying Alien to completion of a prefeasibility study”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. initiated a 5,000 meters core drilling program at Columba, Chihuahua. “The program will focus on step out and infill drilling on impressive results to date in the high-grade F vein and its associated hanging wall vein, a new discovery blind to surface. Focus will then shift to expanding on numerous other high-grade results such as found in holes CDH 20-030 (415 gpt silver over 11.15 meters including 721 gpt silver over 4.07 meters) in the JZ area and CDH 20-082 (1,186 gpt silver over 4.6 meters) in the B Vein”.
  • Oroco Resource Corp. completed the airborne component of a helicopter magnetics survey over the Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The survey comprised 2,231 line-kilometers with tie-line separations of 50 m and 500 m in east-west and north-south orientations respectively; processed results are to be received within two months. Meanwhile, 3D IP surveys continue on the Brasiles zone. Oroco holds a 61.4% interest that can be increased to 81.0% in the core 1,173 ha of the Santo Tomas project, and a 77.5% interest in 7,808 ha surrounding and adjacent to the core concession.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. has begun induced polarization/magnetometer surveys to infill most of the 60% of the 6-kilometer trend not covered by the previous geophysical survey at Tenoriba, Chihuahua. A total of approximately 70 line-kilometers are to be completed. 
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. commenced exploration of its projects in Sonora. An initial 1,500 m drilling program has begun at La Lola, focusing in the up to 40 meters wide La Barra vein and its potential to depth. At Cumaro, will map and sample extensions to veins that have ore grade intercepts on the neighboring SilverCrest’s Picacho property. “Exploration at the Oso Negro project will focus on mapping and sampling outcropping veins that yielded samples up to 2,680 grams per tonne (g/t) silver and 100.5 g/t gold. These veins have never been drilled”.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. informed detailed mapping and sampling of key targets areas have taken place at its Pilar project in Sonora. The aim of the work is to advance these targets to drill ready status, for a phase II drill program. The Main Zone Extension comprises 800 m southeast of the Main Zone, with highly anomalous gold in soils and rock grab samples and an historic hole with a 13.5 m @ 5.6 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag intercept. The 4-Trench zone is a 600 m trend with highly anomalous gold in soils and rock grab samples and an historic hole intercept of 7.5 m @ 3.3 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag. The project has over 17,700 meters of historic core and RC drilling, with intercepts of up to 61 m @ 0.8 gpt Au; 16.5 m @ 53.5 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag; 13 m @ 9.6 gpt Au; 9 m @ 10.2 gpt Au, 46 gpt Ag.
  • Monarca Minerals Inc. continues to advance the permitting process for drilling of the San Jose project in Chihuahua (near the USA border). Currently the company is in negotiations with the authorities of communal lands for their permit to proceed with drilling activities in their land.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. started the second phase of underground drilling at the historic La Dura mine at its Tarachi project in Sonora. “In addition to the underground drilling at La Dura, a surface RC drill rig will be mobilized to the Jabali mineral concession in mid-March to test the 400m-long area between the La Dura mine and the artisanal workings at Zaragoza…”.

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. released its financial results for the Q4 and 2020 full-year. The company operates three mines in Mexico: Guanaceví in Durango, Bolañitos in Guanajuato and El Compas in Zacatecas. The company produced 3.5 M Oz Ag, 37,139 Oz Au (7.1 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $5.55 per Oz Ag and at an all-in sustaining cost of $17.59 per Oz Ag, both net of gold credits. The year-end balance sheet was $61.1 M, with working capital at $70.4 M and a long term debt of $6.1 M.
  • Fresnillo PLC. Presented its financial results for 2020, a year during which it produced 53 M Oz Ag and 769.6 K Oz Au. At Fresnillo, cash cost stands at $5.9 and AISC at $12.92 per silver ounce; At Saucito, cash cost stands at $0.8 and AISC at $6.94 per silver ounce. At San Julián Veins (Chihuahua), cash cost stands at ($6.0) and AISC at $5.04 per silver ounce; At San Julián DOB (Chihuahua), cash cost stands at $7.0 and AISC at $8.85 per silver ounce; At Ciénega (Durango), cash cost stands at ($276.2) and AISC at $618.32 per gold ounce; At Herradura (Sonora), cash cost stands at $727.9 and AISC at $881.92 per gold ounce; Finally, at Noche Buena (Sonora), cash cost stands at $1,158.5 and AISC at $1,502.92 per gold ounce. Exploration expenses for the year were $107.3 M. Shafts at Fresnillo and Juanicipio are being bored to 1,000 meters of depth; commissioning of Juanicipio is expected for Q4 2021, with a forecasted yearly production of 11.7 M Oz Ag, 43.5 K Oz Au. “the longer-term prospects for gold are good, supported by the potential new mines at Rodeo and Orisyvo”. Cash position at the end of the year was US$1,070 M.
  • Great Panther Mining Ltd. reported consolidated financial results for 2020, including figures from its Topia (Durango) and Guanajuato Mine Complex operations in Mexico. During the period 50,868 tonnes were mined in Mexico, milling 49,498 tonnes @ 270 gpt AgEq. 

ON FINANCING

  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced its common shares have begun trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (Zacatecas Silver, Zacatecas).
  • One World Lithium Inc. closed its previously announced C$1.5 M non-brokered private placement with an oversubscription that brought the total in gross proceeds to C$2.25 M. The company granted incentive stock options to certain of its directors, officers, management and consultants (Salar del Diablo, Baja California).
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. closed it previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of C$23 M. The underwriters were paid a 6% commission on the gross proceeds (El Tigre, Sonora).
  • Candelaria Mining Corp. granted incentive stock options to employees, directors and officers of the company for 1.02 M shares (Pinos, Guanajuato; Caballo Blanco, Veracruz).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. announced a non-brokered private placement intended to raise up to C$12 M (Zimapan, Hidalgo).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sonoro Gold Corp. reported on metallurgical studies realized at Cerro Caliche Sonora. Bottle roll tests were realized on sample materials from the Japoneses, Cuervos, El Colorado/Cabeza Blanca and Buena Suerte zones, resulting in 80.3% recoveries for gold and 27.2% for silver.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported high-grade results from one drill hole in the San Juan area at Plomosas, Sinaloa. The highlighted core-length intercept is 5.7 m @ 611 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.7& Zn, 0.1% Cu (685 gpt AgEq), including 1.7 m @ 1,762 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 1.3% Pb, 4.9% Zn, 0.2% Cu and 0.7 m @ 3,755 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au, 2.5% Pb, 9.7% Zn, 0.5% Cu.  
  • Galore Resources Inc. announced the return of field work and the recent receipt of additional assays from five holes of the drill program executed at El Alamo during 2019. A loan from the CEO, Mike McMillan provided the necessary funds for logging and assaying of the 2019 core. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 21.20 m @ 0.69 gpt Au, including 1.20 m @ 8.89 gpt Au; 4 m @ 0.54 gpt Au; 10.21 m @ 1.14 gpt Au, including 1.10 m @ 4.70 gpt Au; 59.85 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, including 3.2 m @ 1.07 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Empress Royalty Corp. is in advanced discussions to acquire a US$5 M silver stream on production from Telson Mining Corp.’s Tahuehueto project in Durango. “The Stream is expected to be on 100% of the payable silver production from Tahuehueto for the first 1,250,000 payable ounces; thereafter, the percentage will step-down to 20% of the payable silver production”.
  • Orex Minerals Inc. entered into an agreement with Pan American Silver Corp. to further explore and develop the Sandra-Escobar Project, in Durango. “The Project is a consolidation of two groups of claims, each controlled by the two Joint Venture participants. Orex and Pan American own a 40% and 60% interest, respectively, in Empresa Minera Sandra-Escobar, S.A. de C.V. (the “Joint Venture Company”), the new joint venture company formed to hold the Project. Orex will be the initial operator of the Project”.
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC. informed the receipt of all relevant approvals and consents from the authorities in the People’s Republic of China and receipt of funds by Sonora Lithium Ltd.. These were conditions for the completion of the increased investment in Sonora Lithium by Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., resulting in Ganfeng owning 50% of the share capital of Sonora Lithium (Sonora Lithium, Sonora).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. submitted a request for arbitration to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes based on Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trades Agreement (NAFTA). The government of Mexico has refused to engage in negotiations to resolve the dispute. “The Company believes that the Government’s actions are contrary to the terms of the Advance Pricing Agreement, which established the methodology for determining PEM’s revenues and taxes for the 2010 to 2014 fiscal years, and which, according to the Company’s Mexican counsel remains valid in accordance with the Mexican Federal Tax Code unless and until it is nullified by a final instance Court. In addition, the Government of Mexico has refused to participate in the Mutual Agreement Procedures under three international double-taxation treaties signed by Mexico” (San Dimas, Durango).  
  • Silver One Resources Inc. completed the sale of its Mexican silver exploration projects to Silverton Metals Corp.. for $6 M as follows: $1.25 M in cash on closing, issue 4.37 M shares, $750 K in cash at 18 months, $500 K in cash at 24 months and a 1.5% NSR, of which 1% can be bought back by Silverton with a payment of US$500 K for each of the properties (see below).
  • Silverton Metals Corp. (formerly Plymouth Realty Capital Corp.) and Silver One Resources Inc. announced that Silverton has completed its previously announced qualifying transaction with the acquisition of Silver One’s Peñasco Quemado (Sonora), La Frazada (Nayarit) and Pluton (Durango) projects.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC informed on actions on biodiversity conservation activities at each of its operations in Mexico.
  • The Ethisphere Institute released a list of 135 companies that have ethics as one of its key directives in the world, which includes two Mexican companies: Grupo Bimbo and Fresnillo, with the latter being one of only three companies from the mining industry.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. received the 2021 Socially Responsible Business Distinction Award (Reconocimiento de Empresa Socialmente Responsable) granted by the Mexican Centre for Philantropy and the Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility. The awards were for its three operating mines: San Dimas (Durango), Santa Elena (Sonora) and La Encantada (Coahuila).

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

On the image below:  Ricardo Ramonett checking epithermal low sulfidation quartz veining on andesitic tuffs in Sinaloa. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of October, 2020

By Jorge Cirett

During the 40th week of the year (September 28th to October 4th, 2020), at least 40 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, five companies posted exploration advances on their projects, ten companies posted news related to financing or share structure, and seven on their projects development. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mining Fund is gone. A new special force was created to aid protect mining companies from criminal gangs activities. Only nine percent of Mexico is under a current mining concession. The CTM asks for the continuation of the Mining Fund. Some 150 junior exploration companies have left Mexico. The Mining-Metallurgic production index grew by 6.2% in July. Sixteen municipalities in Hidalgo are to receive $48 M pesos from the Mining Fund. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resources completed a mag survey on Evelyn. Tocvan Ventures identified a pipe like structure at its Pilar project. In Sinaloa, Brigadier Gold commenced drilling at Picachos. In Durango, Mithril Resources released drilling results from Copalquin. In Oaxaca, Megastar Development team is back in the field at Yautepec and Magdalena.  ON MINING, No relevant news. ON FINANCING, One World Lithium ($1.5 M), Plymouth Realty Capital ($10 M), Barksdale ($6.325 M), Santacruz Silver (CDN$9.5 M), Prismo Metals ($575 K), Endeavour Silver (US$60 M) released news regarding financing rounds. Candelaria Mining settled a $1.087 M debt with shares. Silver One granted options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Silver Dollar started trading at the OTCQB. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver released underground channel sampling results. Consolidated Zinc presented the latest resource estimate at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, and announced the refurbishment of the processing plant at the site. Capitan Mining commenced resource expansion drilling at El Capitan, Durango. Azucar Minerals presented the initial resource estimate for the El Norte Zone of its El Cobre project in Veracruz. GoGold Resources released drilling results from its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Bacanora Minerals is focusing in engineering while the financing package is complete for its Sonora Lithium project. Golden Minerals released final results of its resource definition drilling program at the Rodeo project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Candente Gold signed the definitive agreement on the acquisition of the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit. Silver One is selling its Mexican properties to Plymouth Realty Capital. Dyna Resources is trying to enforce in USA a favorable Mexican court ruling. Silver Spruce has recurred to force majeure clause for lack of access to its Pino de Plata property in Chihuahua. Reyna Silver entered into an option agreement to acquire the Reyna project in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Fresnillo PLC, Minera Autlan, Minera Saucito and Industrias Peñoles informed on sustainability, health, safety, environment, social and governance programs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mining Fund is gone for good from the purpose it was created for: aiding the development of mining communities. Mining States and municipalities wonder what the destiny of more than $1,500 M pesos actually in the Fund. The actual federal government re-directed the use of the Mining Fund, with 85% going to the Education Secretariat, 5% to the Economy Secretary and 10% to federal government infrastructure programs.
  • A new special force for overseeing mining operations was formed by the federal government. The first 118 guards graduated from a special training course, and will be equipped with assault weapons. Heists by organized crime have plagued the industry in the last few years, with robberies of bullion in mining operations across several states.
  • The Economy Secretariat informed mining concessions cover only 9% of Mexico. Graciela Marquez, Secretary of Economy noted that 24 thousand current mining concessions cover 17 M hectares. The Director de Minas (reporting to Gabriela Marquez) pointed that they are following the president view of not granting more mining concessions, which is problem that will catch up in 10 years’ time with fewer new deposits to mine due to the lack of exploration.
  • The Confederacion de Trabajadores de Mexico (one of the largest union organizations in Mexico, best known as “CTM”) asked the federal government and the Deputies Chamber for the no disappearance of the Mining Fund.
  • Fernando Alanís Ortega from Camimex pointed out some 150 junior exploration companies have left Mexico due to the complex operative environment. Several companies have diversified their operations this year, with acquisitions in Canada and USA. The last company to divest its Mexican portfolio is Silver One, to focus on a project in Nevada.
  • The Mexican index of Mining-Metallurgic production increased by 6.2% in July, compared with the same month of 2019 and by 5.1% from July 2020 to the previous month.
  • Sixteen Municipalities in Hidalgo are to receive $48 M pesos from the Fund for Development of Mining Production Zones.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. commenced its maiden drill program at the 3,954 ha Picachos property in Sinaloa. The drilling of 5,000 m in 40 holes will test the San Agustín mine (underground rock chip sample of 1.2 m @ 73.4 gpt Au), and the the Mochomos (underground rock chip sample of 0.5 m @ 18.5 gpt Au, 570 gpt Ag), Tejones (underground rock chip sample of 1.0 m @ 28.6 gpt Au, 114 gpt Ag) and Fermin (underground rock chip sample of 1.0 m @ 0.3 gpt Au, 268 gpt Ag) veins. “the Cocolmeca Vein system is comprised of several sub-parallel veins over a 1.5 kilometre (km) wide zone ……  San Agustín is the best understood of these veins, mainly because it has been historically exposed underground by approximately 670 line-metres of tunnels, stopes and shafts”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. received results from a high-resolution magnetic survey at its Evelyin property in Sonora. The interpretation of the magnetic data allowed the identification of three families of lineaments that are to aid in the definition and prioritization of targets.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. informed on new interpretations on all the information gathered on its Pilar project in Sonora. With the aid of geophysical, geochemical and structural specialists a conclusion was reached that a sub-vertical pipe-like feature may represent a breccia feeder pipe related to epithermal mineralization. The pipe is close to 100 m in diameter, oval shaped and dipping 70 degrees to the SSW.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd. Released results from nine more holes at La Soledad in the Copalquin project, Durango. Drilling confirmed the bonanza grades of the La Soledad vein and intercepted additional veins at depth and along strike. Highlighted results comprise 3.8 m @ 2.58 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 0.5 m @ 6.78 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, an open working for 2.5 m and then 1.5 m @ 6.65 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 2.82 m @ 2.37 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 7.5 m @ 6.74 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag.
  • Megastar Development Corp. reported its exploration team is back at the Yautepec and Magdalena projects in Oaxaca. So far, they have found “highly prospective ferruginous (iron-rich) carbonate sinters and fault-controlled quartz veining and breccias in discontinuous erosional windows under post-mineral volcanic rocks over areas of several hundreds of meters”. These findings correlate well with the envisaged uppermost levels of an epithermal system, the concept exploration model used at the site.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • One World Lithium Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.5 M (Salar del Diablo, Baja California).
  •  Candelaria Mining Corp. closed the previously announced shares for debt transaction in settlement of $1.087 M of indebtedness (Pinos, Zacatecas).
  • Plymouth Realty Capital Corp. will complete a $10 M private placement funding (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora; La Frazada, Nayarit; Pluton, Durango).
  • Silver One Resources Inc. granted 2.575 M stock options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora).
  • Fresnillo PLC. Is extended the expiration time on its tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding US$800,000,000 principal amount of 5.5% Notes due 2023, to September 29. 2020 (La Herradura, Sonora).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. started trading on September 30, 2020, in the United States on the OTCQB Venture Market (La Joya, Durango).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. closed the final tranche of the company’s non-brokered private placement that raised $6.325 M (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering to CDN$9.5 M (Rosario, San Luis Potosi).
  • Prismo Metals Inc. completed its initial public offering (IPO) for gross proceeds of $575 K (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. entered into a sales agreement with BMO Capital Markets as the lead agent upon which the company can sell a number of common shares than can amount up to US$60 M (El Compas, Zacatecas; Terronera, Jalisco).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd.  announced favorable results from underground channel sampling on the lower level of the Plomosas mine in Sinaloa. Disseminated and massive mineralization is constituted by veins, stockworks and sulfide stringers that include chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena in a brecciated tuff. Highlighted channel intervals comprise 2.6 m @ 504 gpt Ag, 14.6 gpt Au, 8.9% Pb, 6.6% Zn, 0.3% Cu; 15.7 m @ 90 gpt Ag, 2.5 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.3% Zn, 0.8% Cu: 5.4 m @ 147 gpt Ag, 10.0 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 3.3% Zn, 1.2% Cu; 7.8 m @ 50 gpt Ag, 2.9 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 7.3% Zn, 0.2% Cu; 6.0 m @ 66 gpt Ag, 6.2 gpt Au, 1.4% Pb, 3.9% Zn, 0.9% Cu.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. presented a mineral resource estimate for the month of April 2020 for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The indicated and inferred mineral resources comprise 964 K tonnes @ 13.2% Zn, 3.5% Pb, 20.6 gpt Ag that contain 127 K tonnes of zinc, 34 K tonnes of lead and 639 K Oz silver. The company is refurbishing the Plomosas beneficiation plant to process the ore at the site, for an estimated cost of US$1.35 M. The plant will start processing 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd), with the possibility of an expansion to 6,000 tpd.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. has commenced drilling at the Capitan project in Durango. The first phase comprises 6,000 m of reverse circulation drilling focused on step-out holes for resource expansion.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. completed its initial resource estimate for the Norte zone at El cobre project in Veracruz. “Copper and gold mineralization at the Norte Zone is associated with a multiphase variably potassic-phyllic altered porphyritic diorite intrusive complex that is cut by late mafic and intermediate dykes and post mineral feldspar porphyry. The Norte Zone is approximately 0.6 km x 0.4 km along an E-W strike. Sulphide mineralization, which extends up to 900 metres depth, consists of disseminated and vein-hosted chalcopyrite and trace bornite (Cu mineralization) exposed in surface outcrops and intersected in drill core”. The base case scenario considers indicated resources of 47.2 M tonnes @ 0.49 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, 1.4 gpt Ag containing 1.17 M Oz AuEq and inferred resources of 26.9 M tonnes @ 0.42 gpt Au, 0.18% Cu, 1.3 gpt Ag, containing 1.35 M Oz AuEq.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released drilling results from the La Trini deposit on the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Some of the highlighted results from 12 holes released comprise 22.5 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 44.5 m @ 0.84 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 38.4 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 29.6 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag; 27 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 7.9 m @ 0.86 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag; 19.5 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 21.8 m @ 2.73 gpt Au, 130 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 9.40 gpt Au, 365 gpt Ag).
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC. Informed the company has a strong cash balance of US$44.4 M as of June 30, 2020, and retains a senior debt facility of US$150 M. At the Sonora Lithium project in Sonora, work is focused on finalizing engineering so that construction may commence after the financing package is completed.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released final assays from its resource definition program at the Rodeo project in Durango. Some of the true width (tw) highlighted intercepts comprise 15.8 m @ 2.05 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag; 15.3 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 25.5 m @ 2.49 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 25.8 m @ 1.22 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 15.6 m @ 0.78 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 15.0 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 7.7 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 34 m @ 1.63 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 49.5 m @ 1.77 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 9.6 m @ 0.97 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 25.8 m @ 3.10 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 24.5 m @ 1.32 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 28.0 m @ 1.96 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 17.5 m @ 1.36 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag. The resource the company is trying to improve was defined in 2017 at 0.4 M tonnes @ 3.3 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag, containing 46 K Oz Au, 200 K Oz Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Candente Gold Corp. signed the definitive agreement with Magellan Acquisition Corp. to earn up to 100% interest in the San Dieguito de Arriba beneficiation plant and the rights on the El Dorado property, both in Nayarit.
  • Silver One Resources Inc. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Plymouth Realty Capital Corp. to sell all its Mexican silver properties. In consideration for the properties Plymouth is to pay $1 M in cash and $5 M in shares. Plymouth Realty Capital will also change its name to Silverton Metals Corp. (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora; La Frazada, Nayarit; Pluton, Durango).
  • Dyna Resource Inc. announced the filing on August 28, 2020 in Dallas county, Texas, a petition for recognition of the USD$48 M foreign judgement against Goldgroup Resources Inc. in order to recognize in USA the judgment obtained in Mexico against Goldgroup Resources Inc. (the judgment relates to a legal challenge for the ownership of the San José de Gracia project in Sinaloa).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has “retained Mexico-based legal counsel to lead the discussions with representatives of the surface landowners of Pino de Plata in order to re-negotiate access rights to the ranch that covers the Pino de Plata project area”. The company’s purchase rights contract is now under a force majeure clause until access rights are granted by surface owners to continue exploration.
  • Reyna Silver Corp. announced the acquisition of the 300 ha La Reyna project in Chihuahua. The property is in the Cusihuiriachi (Cusi) silver district of low sulfidation epithermal mineralization. “La Reyna proper is a nearly north-south trending structure traceable as vein and altered outcrops for 4 km across the property. Two historic (1890s) shafts (La Reyna and Princesa) that extend to 133-150m depths exploited high-grade silver-rich mineralized shoots 2-5 m wide in the late 1800s”. The deal involves US$1.3 M in staged cash payments over four years and a 2.5% NSR. The payment on singing was US$30K that is to be followed by US$45 K in 6 months, US$75 K in 12 months, US$75 K in 18 months, US$120 K in 24 months, US$120 K in 30 months, US$150 K in 36 months and US$685 K in 48 months.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fortuna Silver Mines (San José mine in Oaxaca) signed an agreement with the Oaxaca Health Secretary and the San José del Progreso Municipality to help the community with the pandemic health emergency.
  • Minera Autlán donated 4,000 tree saplings to the Teziutlan Municipality in Puebla.
  • Minera Saucito informed on actions related to the fight against the pandemic in the Fresnillo Municipality in Zacatecas.
  • Industrias Peñoles celebrated 13 years of the inauguration of the Museum of Metals.
  • Industrias Peñoles informed in measures the company implements to reduce the use of water, and its treatment afterwards.
  • Fresnillo PLC is to distribute 20,000 face masks in Zacatecas city.

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

On the image below: The mineralized porphyry from Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosí. Picture by Jorge Cirett.