En el México actual, el del segundo piso de la 4T, el 80% de las minas paga una extorsión al crimen organizado y nunca este índice había sido tan alto, de hecho, a partir del 2019 la extorsión a la minería en el país se disparó y es posible pensar que ya todas, en algún momento, han sido extorsionadas, algunas veces directamente, otras por interpósita persona y algunas más con cobros extraordinarios en temas como la movilización de tierra o incluso con producto que luego es revendido en el mercado negro.
El caso que saca a colación todos estos números y modus operandi es el homicidio de los 10 mineros de Vizla Silver que fueron secuestrados el 23 de enero en la Concordia, Sinaloa; por un comando del crimen organizado. Uno a uno se han encontrado los cuerpos y lo que las familias dicen es….
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By Jorge Cirett During the 34th week of the year (August 19th to August 25th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 20 press releases. Three companies informed on exploration advances on their properties, three companies provided operational/financial results for the quarter, one informed on a major mill repair and one more on a mandated suspension of activities. One company granted stock options, one drew a final loan, one informed on its TSX listing and one more on a short base prospectus. One company released a revised PEA on its property and one more informed on district wide exploration and regional exploration plays. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the ambassadors of USA and Canada made clear their opposition to the judicial reform proposed by the sitting Mexican president. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri Resource reported on exploration at its El Plomo property in Sonora. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold informed on drilling results at Plata Verde. In Guerrero, Pantera Silver is evaluating options to restart exploration at its Nuevo Taxco project.ON MINING, Endeavour Silver informed on the repair of a mill and temporary measures to keep production ongoing at Guanaceví, in Durango. Starcore International, Sailfish Royalty and Impact Silver informed on quarterly production/financial details. Starcore International suspend mining operations at San Martin in Queretaro on safety grounds after a government inspection. ON FINANCING, Barksdale Resources granted stock options. Bear Creek Mining drew a final US$750 K from a promissory note. Vizsla Royalties is now listing in the TSX. Guanajuato Silver Company filed a final short base prospectus to offer up to US$65 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Oroco Resources released a revised PEA on Santo Tomás, in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver provided an update on its exploration plans at its Panuco project and two more regional plays in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Barksdale Resources appointed Dr. Quinton Hennigh to its board. Ranchero Gold signed a LOI on the sale of the Santa Daniela project in Sonora. Atacama Copper is changing its name to Fuerte Metals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver released its 2023 ESG report.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
Ken Salazar, USA ambassador in Mexico released a letter on which criticizes the Mexican president’s proposal for reform of the Judicial system. The ambassador pointed out the problems that will arise if the proposal is passed as is, bringing a major risk to democracy in Mexico and threaten the historic trade relationships with USA. (Note by editor. – The proposal envisages the selection system for federal judges and magistrates changing from one based on professional examinations to one based on the popular vote, among other bizarre directives aimed to control the judiciary system by the executive branch).
Graeme Clark, Canada ambassador in Mexico stated that Canadian investors are at crossroads before the probable passing in Congress of the Judicial Reform proposed by the sitting president AMLO. According to CanCham (Cámara de Comercio de Canadá en México) 40% of Canada’s investments in Mexico are on the mining sector.
ON EXPLORATION
Pantera Silver Corp. is currently evaluating options to restart exploration at the Nuevo Taxco project in Guerrero. “…work will likely focus on initial sampling and mapping in the “Southwest Zone” of the Nuevo Taxco concession”. Pantera Silver is pursuing potential acquisitions, aiming to build a portfolio of 2-3 high-quality projects, focused on silver.
Colibri Resource Corp. reported results of geological mapping and outcrop sampling on 4,766 ha El Plomo property at the EP project, located 25 km east of Fresnillo plc´s La Herradura mine. At the San Perfecto target mineralization is hosted by a silicified and sericitized moderately to strongly foliated diorite with quartz micro-veinlets in higher-grade samples. Of 29 rock samples recently collected, 14 returned more than 0.1 gpt Au, 9 greater than 0.5 gpt Au and 6 with more than 1.0 gpt Au. More than 616 historical samples yielded results with over 50% above 0.1 gpt Au and 15% with more than 1 gpt Au, peaking at 58.9 gpt Au. “The footprint of mineralization at San Perfecto is now approximately 1,250 m by 700m”. At La Culebra target 34 grab samples were collected, with 14 returning more than 0.1 gpt Au and five more than 1.0 gpt Au peaking at 4.64 gpt Au. “Mineralization is hosted by rusty zones which were mapped over a 650 m strike length in a northeast direction and coincident with an andesite-rhyolite contact”.
Radius Gold Inc. announced initial results on the exploration program at Plata Verde, in Chihuahua. The first four holes cut several zones of low-grade Ag mineralization “and indicate limited potential for an economic discovery in the eastern extension of silver mantos”. Assays are pending on four holes in the western side of the valley, with thicker favorable basaltic rock and improved visual mineralization. The most recent hole located further northwest “intersected visually improved results, cutting through greater width of basaltic host and encountering visibly the most attractive mineralization seen so far in this drilling program”. The JV partnership is extending the planned program, adding three additional drill holes.
ON MINING
Endeavour Silver Corp. informed processing resumed at the Guanacevi mine in Durango, after the primary ball mill trunnion failure. Temporary modifications re-purposed one of the re-grind mills as the primary ball mill, which is running at 400 tpd (name plate capacity 1,200 tpd) during this temporary phase. “Contract mining activities and local third-party material purchases will cease until the process plant operations have returned to full capacity”. Initial quotes obtained point to a 16-weeks fabrication and installation period. During this period Guanacevi production is estimated to decrease by 0.9 M to 1.1 M Oz Ag and by 2,000 to 3,000 Oz Au.
Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the first fiscal quarter ended July 2024. At San Martin, in Zacatecas, 49.5 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.92 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, recovering 85.2% Au, 56.9% Ag, to produce 2,841 Oz AuEq. Starcore expects to start industrial testing of carbonaceous ore in September.
Impact Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2024. The company’s revenue in the quarter was C$7.7 M, also during the period a non-brokered “LIFE” and a private placement of C$8.6 M were completed, holding C$9.9 M in cash by the end of the quarter. At Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico, 35.1 K tonnes averaging 161 gpt Ag were processed to produce 152.2 K Oz Ag. Over the last six months 5,243 m of drilling have been completed at Zacualpan. At Plomosas, in Chihuahua, 9.26 K tonnes were milled during the period, and the company expects to end the third quarter with a production rate in the 150-170 tpd range. Over the first half of the year the average grade has been 14% Zn, 8.7% Pb, 43.7 gpt Ag; during the same period 14,377 m of drilling have been completed.
Sailfish Royalty Corp. announced its operating and financial results for the second quarter 2024, from its operations outside Mexico (Gavilanes, Durango).
Starcore International Mines Ltd. suspended temporarily mining operations at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. “An unscheduled inspection at the mine conducted by the Mexican Labor Department identified safety standards that need to be met before resuming operations. The inspection followed a recent singular fatality at the mine, the first one in 18-1/2 years of Starcore’s record of zero fatalities in its mining operations at San Martin”.
ON FINANCING
Barksdale Resources Corp. granted stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the company to acquire 5 M common shares (San Javier, Sonora).
Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced the drawn down of US$750 K in funds related to the promissory note issued to the company to Sandstorm Gold Ltd., and under which Sandstorm can elect convert the amounts drawn into common shares of Bear Creek. An aggregate of US$2.62 M has been drawn down under the additional credit for a total principal amount of US$21.64 M (Mercedes, Sonora).
Vizsla Royalties Corp. is now listing on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 2 issuer and its shares are expected to commence trading on August 26, 2024 (Panuco, Sinaloa).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. filed and received a receipt for a final short base prospectus that allows the company to offer up to US$65 M of common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, share purchase contracts and units during the 25-months period that the prospectus is effective (El Cubo, Guananjuato).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Oroco Resources Corp. announced a revised preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and updated mineral resource estimate for the North and South zones of its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The study envisages a NPV (8%) of US$2.64 B pre-tax and US$1.48 B post-tax, an internal rate of return of 30.3% pre-tax, and 22.2% post-tax, total LOM (life on mine) production of 4.8 B Lb Cu, a pre-tax payback of 2.9 years, post-tax payback of 3.8 years from first concentrate production. Estimated initial capital costs of US$1.1 B and sustaining and expansion capital costs at US$1.73 B. producing at cash cost US$1.54 per Lb Cu on by-product basis, with average CuEq grade of 0.51% on the first 7 years of production. The Santo Tomas deposit has 540.6 M tonnes @ 0.33% Cu, 0.008% Mo, 0.028 gpt Au, 2.1 gpt Ag as indicated resources containing 3.98 B Lb Cu, 95.4 M Lb Mo, 483.4 K Oz Au, 36.5 M Oz Ag and 530.8 M tonnes @ 0.31% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.023 gpt Au, 1.9 gpt Ag as inferred resources, containing 3.67 B Lb Cu, 84.4 M Lb Mo, 387.1 K Oz au, 33.2 M Oz Ag.
Vyzsla Silver Corp. provided an update on resource potential expansion potential and outline its exploration plans at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The key exploration objectives for 2024 include 10,000 m of exploration drilling in the central-east area of the district, completing +5,000 m of resource expansion drilling in Copala Central, complete VTEM, airborne mag and radiometric surveys on 950 line-km, advance mapping coverage to 70% of the district and finish an updated resource estimate in Q4 2024. Exploration in the district central and east areas already has a handful of targets with outcropping silver mineralized veins. Two greenfields projects to explored include La Garra-Metates district, covering 16,962 ha, located 32 km NW from Panuco and San Enrique, adjacent to the south of Panuco and covering 10,667 ha.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Barksdale Resources Corp. appointed Dr. Quinton Hennigh to its board of directors (San Javier, Sonora).
Ranchero Gold Corp. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to sell its Mexican subsidiary Minera y Metalurgica Paika, S.A. de C.V. to an arm’s length party purchaser for nil consideration. The sale includes water rights and four mining concessions covering 16,876 ha on the Santa Daniela project, in Sonora, and a conditional payment of US$2.5 M that will offset liabilities in Paika of $3.55 M of land fee payments and accrued interest due, along with a potential finder’s fee related to the conditional payment.
Atacama Copper Corp. has changed its name to Fuerte Metals Corp., with its shares expected to commence trading under the new name on August 26, 2024 (Cristina, Chihuahua).
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Discovery Silver Corp. released its 2023 environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighting purchases for $19.2 M in goods and services from Mexican businesses, $5.0 M paid in salaries and benefits to 69 local employees, of which 85% are local; $195 K of direct community investments and 21.1 GJ of renewable solar energy (Cordero, Chihuahua).
On the image below: Strong chlorite-epidote alteration in intrusive rock with two parallel quartz veinlets, one bearing molybdenite, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
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…..
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 Obradorsaid 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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
