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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of October 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 42nd week of the year (October 13th to October 19th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 28 press releases.  Two companies presented exploration advances on early-stage properties. Five companies provided operational figures for the quarter and one announced commercial production on a mine. Three companies presented news on financing rounds. Four companies presented drilling results on advanced properties/mines. Nine companies informed on deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Minaurum Gold released results from definition drilling at Alamos Silver; Questcorp Mining informed on their drilling program at La Union. ON MINING, Orla Mining, Avino Silver, GoGold Resources, Royal Gold and Altius Minerals presented third quarter 2025 reports; Endeavour Silver achieved commercial production at Terronera, in Jalisco. ON FINANCING, three companies informed on financing rounds: Aztec Minerals (C$10.0 M), Sonoro Gold (C$4 M), Colibri Resources (C$1.25 M + C$0.5 M + US$0.25 M). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capitan Silver released RC drilling results from Cruz de Piedra, in Durango. GR Silver Mining reported results from bulk sampling at Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Mithril Silver and Gold reported drilling results from Copalquin, in Durango. Guanajuato Silver Company presented assay results from drilling at El Cubo mine, in Guanajuato. Heliostar Metals presented the results of a technical report at La Colorada, in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Golden Minerals completed the sale of its Velardeña oxide processing plant and water well, in Durango. Starcore International Mines finalized a ten-year agreement on the Tortilla project in Queretaro. Sandstorm Gold announced the granting of the final order for its merger with Royal Gold. Silver Dollar Resources entered into a marketing agreement. GR Silver Mining announced changes to the board. Prime Mining received from COFECE the needed clearance for its acquisition by Torex Gold. Silver Bull Resources updated on its litigation with Mexico. Galore Resources is to have its AGM. Zacatecas Silver entered into an investor relation agreement. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Capstone Copper published its 2024 sustainability report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. released results from its resource definition drilling program testing the Promontorio, Europa and Travesia zones at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora. Highlighted core length results comprise 5.85 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 380 gpt Ag, 0.60% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.9% Zn (including 1.80 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 1,093 gpt Ag, 1.69% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 2.0% Zn); 1.20 m @ 26.00 gpt Au, 96 gpt Ag, 0.60% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 21.45 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag, 0.12% Cu, 1.3% Pb, 3.3% Zn (including 1.20 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 440 gpt Ag, 0.86% Cu, 9.1% Pb, 18.8% Zn); 1.75 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 495 gpt Ag, 0.47% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 2.40 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 380 gpt Ag, 0.54% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.7% Zn.
  • Questcorp Mining Inc. and Riverside Resources Inc. informed that the maiden drilling program at La Union, in Sonora, is now two-thirds complete with initial and second holes now completed at four of the five main targets. Seven holes have been completed and there are plans for another three to five. The Union mine, Famosa, North Union and El Cobre targets have been tested, and one hole is planned for El Creston target.

ON MINING

  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an operational update for the third quarter of 2025. During the quarter over 0.7 M tonnes of ore and 2.4 M tonnes of waste were moved at an strip ratio of 3.34, at the Camino Rojo mine in Zacatecas., with 2.8 M tonnes of ore stacked on the heaps averaging 0.40 gpt Au, to produce 22,059 Oz Au. During July Camino Rojo experienced a pit failure with no injuries, equipment damage or environmental impacts. A 50-80 m pushback of the pit is in the making, but due to the changed mining schedule guidance for 2025 was revised to 95-105 K Oz Au, down from 110-120 K Oz Au. The company has one other mining operation outside Mexico.
  • Royal Gold Inc. sold 38,600 Oz Au, 594.5 K Oz Ag and 1,200 tonnes of Cu related to its streaming agreements during the third quarter of 2025 (Royalty on Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Altius Minerals Corp. expects to report Q3 2025 attributable royalty revenue of C$21.2 M (Royalty on Cuale, Jalisco).
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. presented third quarter 2025 production results. At Avino, in Durango, the company milled 188.8 K tonnes averaging 0.43 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, recovering 74% Au, 84% Ag, 81% Cu, to produce 1,935 Oz Au, 263.2 K Oz Ag, 1.31 M Lb Cu (or 580.8 K Oz AgEq). At the end of the quarter the company had US$55 M in cash. At La Preciosa, the Gloria and Abundancia veins have been intercepted on the San Fernando ramp  while progressing up to level 4. Over, 6.7 K tonnes have been stockpiled and trucking to the Avino mine facilities is now underway. Exploration drilling is underway both at Avino and La Preciosa.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported production figures for the year ending on September 30, 2025, at its Parral tailings property in Chihuahua. During the period the company produced 0.85 M Oz Ag, 12,289 Oz Au, 479 tonnes Cu, 609 tonnes Zn. For the third quarter of 2025, the company produced 212.8 K Oz Ag, 2,697 Oz Au, 110 tonnes Cu, 150 tonnes Zn.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. achieved commercial production at the Terronera mine in Jalisco. “The Company forecasts throughput of approximately 360,000 tonnes over the next six months, with average grades estimated at 122 g/t silver and 2.52 g/t gold. Higher grade zones are scheduled to be accessed by mid-2026, which is expected to further enhance production”.

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. closed its previously announced “bought deal” private placement offering, for aggregate gross proceeds of C$10 M. The company paid the underwriter a cash commission of C$700 K (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. is increasing its non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of C$4 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. is increasing the size of the offering that comprises a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$1.25 M, a debt conversion of C$520 K and a non-brokered private placement of convertible debenture units for gross proceeds of up to US$250 K (EP, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Capitan Silver Corp. released assay results from twelve holes on its 15,000 m reverse circulation drilling program at Cruz de Piedra project in Durango. Highlighted drill length results comprise 18.30 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 200 gpt Ag (including 1.50 m @ 1,599 gpt Ag); 38.10 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 93 gpt Ag, (including 3.0 m @ 0.57 gpt Au, 372 gpt Ag); 3.00 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 82 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 10.70 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 117 gpt Ag, 1.5% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 44.20 m @ 0.52 gpt Au, 65 gpt Ag (including 13.50 m @ 1.12 gpt Au, 142 gpt Ag); 22.90 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.7% Zn.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported the results of phase II of the bulk sample test mining program at the Plomosas mine in Sinaloa. Highlighted initial underground channel sampling results comprise 6.7 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 903 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 1.2 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 2,264 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 4.2 m @ 5.12 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag, 6.9% Pb, 5.0% Zn (including 0.5 m @ 35.7 gpt Au, 102 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb, 14.2% Zn. A detailed laser survey of the historic mine across 7.4 km of underground development has been completed.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. provided exploration results for its Copalquin project in Durango. Target 1 resource expansion drilling extended the east-west structure 300 m, for a total strike length of 1,300 m. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 2.85 m @ 1.12 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag; 1.35 m @ 1.26 gpt Au, 72 gpt Ag; 0.5 m @ 3.21 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 7.20 m @ 2.78 gpt Au, 148 gpt Ag (including 2.05 m @ 7.41 gpt Au, 419 gpt Ag); 2.80 m @ 3.97 gpt Au, 209 gpt Ag; 8.03 m @ 7.19 gpt Au, 260 gpt Ag. Assays are pending for 11 holes on Target 5. The company intends to complete 45,000 m of drilling over the next 12-14 months.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. informed on development drilling at its El Cubo mines complex in Guanajuato. The drilling focused on the San Luis, Maria, Dolores, Packman, Villalpando and Raquel veins. Highlihgted true width intervals comprise 0.52 m @ 1.12 gpt Au, 330 gpt Ag: 0.72 m @ 1.27 gpt Au, 248 gpt Ag; 0.18 m @ 13.02 gpt Au, 970 gpt Au; 0.42 m @ 26.70 gpt Au, 321 gpt Ag; 2.77 m @ 3.30 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag.
  • Luca Mining Corp. reported analytical results from four surface and two underground drillholes at Campo Morado, in Guerrero. Four surface holes tested the Reforma deposit and two underground holes the Campo Morado mine. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 12.70 m @ 0.97 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag, 0.77% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 21.20 m @ 3.53 gpt Au, 161 gpt Ag, 0.55% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 2.3% Zn (including 13.00 m @ 4.96 gpt Au, 237 gpt Ag, 0.66% Cu, 1.3% Pb, 3.0% Zn); 7.90 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 189 gpt Ag; 24.60 m @ 2.25 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 0.86% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 2.4% Zn. The drill program focus is to confirm and expand resources at the Reforma and El Rey deposits, and close to the actual mine operation, as well as to test exploration targets. The surface and underground drill programs are set now to complete 5,000 m and 7,500 m respectively in 2025.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. presented the results of an updated technical report on La Colorada property in Sonora. The new mineral resource comprises 17.1 M tonnes @ 0.68 gpt Au, 9.2 gpt Ag containing 376.2 K Oz Au, 5.05 M Oz Ag (or 385.4 K Oz AuEq) in probable reserves, 20.2 M tonnes @ 0.79 gpt Au, 10.4 gpt Ag, containing 513 K Oz Au, 6.8 M Oz Ag of measured and indicated resources, and 1.1 M tonnes @ 0.45 gpt Au, 35.1 gpt Ag, containing 17 K Oz Au, 1.3 M Oz Ag. The study encompasses a mine life of 6.1 years at an 8,200 tonnes per day rate with an annual production of 46.1 K Oz AuEq at an average AISC of $1,626 per Oz AuEq. An IRR of 24.4% is expected on a base price of $2,300 per Oz Au, with an NPV of US$66.2 M and a payback of 3.4 years. With a gold price on $3,500 per Oz, the IRR is US$168.4M and the NPV is US$243.3 M with a 2 year payback. A capital cost of US$44.5 M is estimated.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Golden Minerals Co. completed the previously announced sale of its Velardeña oxide processing plant and water well, in Durango. The total purchase price was US$3.0 M plus VAT. “The Velardeña Buyer had previously acquired the Velardeña and Chicago mines, related mining equipment, and the sulfide processing plant under separate agreements”.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. finalized a ten-year lease agreement on six mining concessions at the San Juan Nepomuceno project (or Tortilla project) in Queretaro. The project is 40 km from Starcore’s San Martin mine, and 5 km from La Negra mine. The deal involves the payment of US$107.5 K on signature (paid) and six monthly payments of US$27 K starting on November 2025, and a 2% NSR afterwards. “During the term of the ten-year lease and for two years thereafter, the lessor has the option to sell all of the claims and concessions to Starcore at a purchase price of US$5,000.000. The 2% NSR can also be acquired by Starcore at a purchase price of US$2 million”.
  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. announced that the Supreme Court of British Columbia has granted the final order on the plan of arrangement Royal Gold Inc., whereby Royal Gold will indirectly acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Sandstorm (Royalty on Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. entered into an advertising and investor awareness marketing agreement with Dig Media Inc., dba Investing News Network, with a six month term commencing on October 15th, 2025, at a cost of C$204 K (La Joya, Durango).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the resignation of Mr. Alejandro Cano, vice president, operations. Mr. Robert Payment, current CFO, has assumed the additional role of corporate secretary. Mr. Payment succeeds Mr. Blaine Bailey, who is retiring from the position (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Prime Mining Corp. announced the receipt of the clearance decision from the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (COFECE) with respect to the plan of arrangement with Torex Gold Resources Inc., whereby Torex will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Prime Mining (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. reported that the 5-day hearing for its arbitration case against Mexico was completed on October 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. “Upon completion of the hearing, the Arbitration Tribunal directed the Company and Mexico (the “Parties”) to provide their Post-Hearing Briefs by November 21, 2025. The Parties are then directed to file their submissions on costs by December 5, 2025. Upon completion of these submissions, the Tribunal will close the proceedings and render its final award as soon as practicable”. Silver Bull is challenging Mexico with respect to the illegal blockade of Silver Bull’s Sierra Mojada Project in Coahuila, which commenced in September 2019 and remains ongoing
  • Galore Resources Inc. is to have its annual general meeting on October 23, 2025 (Dos Santos, Zacatecas).
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. entered into an investor relation agreement with Capital Gain Media Inc. for content development and digital marketing services for four months commencing on October 16, 2025. As a consideration for the services the company agreed to pay an aggregate upfront cash fee of C$250 K (Zacatecas Silver, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Capstone Copper Corp. published its 2024 sustainability report which highlights its key initiatives on environmental, social and governance matters (Cozamin, Zacatecas).

On the image below: Specularite-Pyrite-quartz vein, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of October 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 40th week of the year (September 28th to October 5th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 36 press releases.  No companies presented exploration advances on early-stage properties or production figures. Nine companies presented news on financing rounds and share-related issues. Two companies updated on their advanced properties. Two companies commenced drilling on advanced projectsOne company announced mining developments. Nineteen companies informed on deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the government is cancelling a large number of mining concessions that overlap protected areas.  ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, six companies informed on financing rounds: Zacatecas Silver (C$3.75 M), Vortex Metals (C$700 K), Guanajuato Silver (C$30 M), Apollo Silver (C$20.9 M), Silver Tiger (C$25 M) and Sonoro Gold (C$3 M). Guanajuato Silver Company and GR Silver Mining granted stock options. Aura Minerals announced the conversion of receipts into shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Regency Silver is to commence drilling at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Capitan Silver updated on its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver announced that development has started at La Guitarra mine, in Estado de Mexico. Sonoro Gold provided an update on the Cerro Caliche and San Marcial projects in Sonora. Silver Viper Minerals commenced a drilling campaign at La Virginia, in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Royal Gold received government regulatory approvals for the acquisition of Sandstorm Gold. Prime Mining’s security holders approved its acquisition by Torex Gold. Fuerte Metals, GR Silver, Empress Royalty, Almaden Minerals and Altius Minerals announced appointments to the board. Empress Royalty announced senior appointments. Mexican Gold is to acquire the Tatatila project in Veracruz from Chesapeake Gold. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver engaged marketing services. Sonoro Gold is considering to spinout the San Marcial project in Sonora. Silver Bull reported dates for the hearings on its arbitration case against Mexico. Prismo Metals and Vizsla Silver held their AGM’s. Canasil is to review opportunities in its Mexican portfolio. Silver Storm Mining contracted investor relations services. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Vizsla Silver released its third sustainability report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía) started the procedure to cancel 805 mining concessions that overlap protected natural areas (Áreas Naturales Protegidas, or ANP’s), on the base that these are not complying on certain obligations, like the payment of annual mining duties.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced the closing of its non-brokered private placement financing for total gross proceeds of C$3.75 M (Zacatecas Silver, Zacatecas).
  • Vortex Metals Inc. increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to C$700 K. “Vortex intends to allocate the gross proceeds raised from the sale of the Units as follows: approximately 40% to pay for mining concession fees, approximately 40% to pay for exploration fees and remaining 20% for general working capital purposes” (Riqueza Marina, Oaxaca).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. entered into an agreement with Cannacord Genuity Corp. and Red Cloud Securities Inc. as co-lead underwriters and joint bookrunners to purchase on a “bought deal” basis units of the company for gross proceeds of C$30 M (El Cubo and Valenciana, Guanajuato).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. granted incentive stock options to certain eligible persons to purchase up to an aggregate of 600 K common shares (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Apollo Silver Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$20.88 M (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Aura Minerals Inc. “Announces to the holders of the Company’s Brazilian Depositary Receipts (“BDRs”) the launch of the Incentive Program for the conversion of BDRs into common shares (“Incentive Program”), under which holders may request the conversion of their BDRs (“AURA33”) into the underlying common shares (“AUGO”) listed on Nasdaq (“common shares”), at a ratio of three to one, without being required to pay the applicable fees charged by Banco Bradesco. The Incentive Program will be available for a fixed period of 32 days, from October 6, 2025, to November 6, 2025” (Aranzazu, Zacatecas).
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. filed a short form prospectus with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, in connection with its bought deal public offering of common shares for aggregate gross proceeds of C$25 M (El Tigre, Sonora).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. announced a fully subscribed non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of C$3 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Prismo Metals Inc. granted 850 K stock options to certain directors and officers of the company, and 100 K options to a consultant of the company. Also, 725 K restricted share units were issued to certain directors and officers of the company (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Capitan Silver Corp. provided an update on its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. Since 2020 the company has consolidated its position in the district, more recently with the acquisition of 2,171 ha from Fresnillo plc. Capitan Silver has elaborated a geological model that includes annular structures to an elliptical intrusive body with silver mineralization in sedimentary rocks and gold mineralization in the contact of these rocks with overlying volcanic rocks. Six main targets are comprised by Casco Norte, Jesús María Northwest, Jesús María East, San Rafael, La Providencia, La Purísima, Jesús María North and El Tubo Hill. The 2025 drilling program is being expanded from 10,000 m to 15,000 m. Just over 8,000 m of drilling have been completed to date, with assays pending for 38 holes. A property-wide 385 line-km regional airborne magnetic and magnetotelluric survey has been contracted. The press release includes a table with grab and chip sample results of up to 62 gpt Au, 991 gpt Ag, 0.76% Cu, 6.25% Pb, 7% Zn.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced that development has started at the Nazareno mine in the La Guitarra complex in Estado de México. Over 700 tonnes of ore have been delivered to the La Guitarra processing plant, material that was not included in the mineral resource estimate. The company also announced the purchase of a new rig capable of drilling up to 150 m of NWL size and 250 m of BWL size core. The rig is capable of underground and surface drilling.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. provided an update on the Cerro Caliche and San Marcial projects in Sonora. The company intends to commission an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on Cerro Caliche by the first quarter of 2026. The current PEA contemplates a 9-year mining operation at a 12,000 tpd rate based on a gold price of US$1,800 per Oz Au. The updated PEA will include 55,360 m of drilling, trenching and the changes in the environmental report that covers the property. The project counts with a surface agreement access for the property.
  • Regency Silver Corp. commenced drilling at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. The company plans to drill approximately 4,500 m in 6 to 8 holes, focused on targeting along-strike extensions of high-grade Au-Cu-Ag mineralization previously intercepted.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. commenced a 5,000 m diamond drill program at its advanced stage La Virgina project in Sonora, with the program being carried out by Globexplore Drilling Corp. Drilling will begin with 8-9 reconnaissance holes at El Molino area, the first drill testing of this area with high priority geophysical anomalies. The program will continue at El Rubi, aiming to expand mineralization along strike and at shallow depths.  

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. announced that Royal Gold Inc. has received all government regulatory approvals required for the previously announced acquisition of Sandstorm” (Royalty on Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Prime Mining Corp. announced that the company’s security holders have approved the plan of arrangement with Torex Gold Resources Inc., whereby Torex will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Prime (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Fuerte Metals Corp. announced that CFO Martin Rip is retiring at the end of September 2025. “Mr. John Teo, Fuerte’s Vice President of Finance, has been appointed Interim CFO” (Cristina, Chihuahua).
  • Altius Minerals Corp. announced the retirement of Ben Lewis, chief financial officer (CFO) and Chad Wells, vice president corporate development. Stephanie Hussey, current vice president finance, has been appointed chief financial officer (Llano del Nogal royalty, Sonora).
  • Royal Gold Inc. received all governmental regulatory approvals required for the company’s previously announced acquisitions of Sandstorm Gold Ltd. and Horizon Copper Corp. (Sandstorm Gold holds a royalty on Cuale, Jalisco and Llano del Nogal, Sonora).
  • Empress Royalty Corp. announced the appointment of Brad Breetzke as business development advisor, Africa and Christian Agarnaz as busines development analysts (Royalty on Tahuehueto, Durango).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the nomination of Daniel Schieber as vice president of corporate development and corporate relations (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. entered into a definitive agreement sell its Tatalila project in Veracruz to Mexican Gold Mining Corp. “in exchange for such number of common shares of Mexican Gold representing 14.99% of the outstanding common shares of Mexican Gold at closing” and a 1.5% net smelter royalty. Mexican Gold may repurchase 0.5% of the royalty  for US$500 K within ten years from the date of the agreement. “Tatatila is a gold-copper skarn district located in Veracruz State that Chesapeake identified in 2007. Tatatila surrounds Mexican Gold’s Las Minas Project, which has a reported NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment. Several skarn prospects were discovered on Tatatila by Chesapeake, including possible extensions of the Las Minas existing resource.”
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. engaged “Triomphe Holdings Ltd., doing business as Capital Analytica, an arm’s length service provider, to provide certain marketing and social media services to the company” (La Guitarra, Estado de México).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. is considering a spinout of its San Marcial project into its subsidiary Oronos Gold Corp. The property is in Santa Ana, Sonora, covering the historic San Marcial and Soledad mines that were subject to drilling programs in the last two decades of the past century.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. reported that the hearing for its arbitration case against Mexico  will commence on October 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and will conclude no later than October 11, 2025. The international arbitration proceedings under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) arised from Mexico’s refusal to take action with respect to the illegal blockade of Silver Bull’s Sierra Mojada Project in Coahuila, which commenced in September 2019 and remains ongoing.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. acknowledges the current postal strike across Canada, which has created significant challenges in ensuring timely delivery of shareholder communications and proxy materials. The company took a number of measures to overcome these challenges, that can be seen on the press release at the company’s website (San Martin, Querétaro).
  • Mexican Gold Mining Corp. entered into a mining concession assignment agreement with Chesapeake Gold Corp. to acquire 100% interest on the 3,824 hectares Tatatila project in Veracruz. Mexican gold shall issue Chesapeake 4.45 M common shares of the company (a $222.6 K value), representing 14.99% of the total issues and outstanding common shares of the company. As further consideration for the interest, Mexican Gold shall grant to Chesapeake a 1.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty, of which the company might purchase 0.5% of the royalty for US$500 K within 10 years of the execution of the agreement.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. held its annual general meeting (AGM) on October 2, 2025. A board of directors was elected, comprising Alain Lambert, Louis Doyle, Craig Gibson and Martin Dupuis, with DeVisser Gray LLP re-appointed as auditor. A new long-term incentive plan was approved. Finally, a possible new corporate name as determined by the directors of the company was reviewed (Palos Verde, Sinaloa).
  • Canasil Resources Inc. is to review opportunities in its portfolio in Durango and Zacatecas. “Of Canasil’s seven Mexican silver-gold projects, the Company’s interest in the Sandra and Nora projects have been sold to Pan American Silver and Silver Dollar Resources respectively. The Company retains a 2% NSR on its claims in each project with a 1% buyout for US$ 4 million on the Sandra NSR, and 1% buyout for $1 million on the Nora NSR. Canasil holds 100% interest in all the remaining projects. La Esperanza, Salamandra, and Colibri have had successful past drill programs which have returned high-grade silver-gold intercepts”. The company sees an improved positive environment for advancing mining projects under the current federal administration.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on October 2, 2025. Shareholders approved all motions put forth including its change of auditor from MNP LLP to Deloitte LLP (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. announced the appointment of Douglas McDonald as president and CEO. Morgan Poliquin has been appointed vice chair of the company (Ixtaca, Puebla).
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. announced the resignation of Douglas McDonald from all his roles in the company, including as director and executive vice president, but will continue in an advisory role to support related succession initiatives and ongoing business activities El Cobre, Veracruz).
  • Silver Storm Mining Inc. retained the services of Renmark to provide investor relations services to the company for an initial term of twelve months, subject to monthly renewal and a consideration of C$9 K per month (La Parrilla, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released its third annual sustainability report which highlights its key initiatives on environmental, social and governance matters (Panuco, Sinaloa).

On the image below: Late specularite seams on quartz vein, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of August, 2025

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Phreatic Breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 35th week of the year (August 25th to August 31st2025), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine announcing financial rounds, seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, five communicating production results, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, two informing on exploration results, an one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Heliostar, Mithril, and Luca Mining reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of August, 2025. ON EXPLORATION, Minaurum announced that it is ramping up its exploration efforts at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora by adding more drill rigs to speed up their 10,000m infill drilling program. Kingsmen provided an update of the drilling progress on its Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. ON MINING, Impact Silver reported Q2, 2025 financial results from their Mexican mine operations (Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico and Plomosas, Chihuahua). Orogen presented Q2, 2025 financial results from El Ermitaño mine in Sonora where it holds a 2% net smelter royalty. Luca Mining announced Q2 and H1, 2025 consolidated operating and financial results from their Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines in Guerrero and Durango respectively. DynaResource reported Q2, 2025 results from its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa. Guanajuato Silver reported Q2, 2025 consolidated operating and financial results.  ON FINANCING, Regency Silver due to strong investor demand upsized its previously announced brokered private placement offering to gross proceeds of CAD $3.58M (Dios Padre project, Sonora). Starcore announced a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $5M (Tortilla project, Queretaro). Goldgroup revised twice its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $4M (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora).  Sonoro Gold increased, in response to investors demand, its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering to 10,000,000 units for gross proceeds of CAD $1.5M (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Pacifica Silver closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD $450K (Claudia project, Durango).  United States Antimony announced a purchase agreement for a registered direct offering of common shares for gross proceeds of USD $18M (Madero smelter operation, Coahuila). Masivo closed the first tranche for gross proceeds of CAD $845K (Cerro Colorado project, Sonora).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar released its first results from the current 15,000m drill program at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Luca Mining announced results from 6 surface drill holes and five underground drill holes from the Reforma Deposit in its Campo Morado project in Guerrero. Mithril provided an update regarding the ongoing activities at its Copalquin project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, MAG Silver and Pan American Silver received approval from the Mexican Federal Economic Competition (COFECE) for Pan American to acquire all the shares of MAG Silver. Avino purchased and extinguished all of the outstanding royalties and contingent payment obligations to acquire 100% ownership of its La Preciosa project in Durango. Alamos Gold declared a quarter dividend of USD $0.025 per common share (Mulatos mine, Sonora). MAG Silver announced preliminary results regarding shareholder election for the form of consideration in the Pan American acquisition (Juanicipio mine, Zacatecas). Luca Mining acquired from Fresnillo plc a 100% interest in the Humaya 3 mining concession at its Tahuehueto property in Durango for USD $400K. DynaResource entered into an updated agreement with Ocean Partners UK for a credit line facility expansion and offtake extension (San Jose de Gracia mine, Sinaloa). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Alamos Gold released its 2024 annual ESG report (Mulatos mine, Sonora).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., Mithril Silver and Gold Limited, and Luca Mining Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of August, 2025. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc., announced that it is ramping up its exploration efforts at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora by adding more drill rigs to speed up their 10,000m infill drilling program. The company has already drilled over 3,000m testing important veins like Promontorio, Europa-Guadalupe, and Travesia. Minaurum is aiming to deliver their first resource estimate soon.
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd., provided an update of the drilling campaign progress at its Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. The company has completed to date a maiden drill program of 3,227.2m in 12 core holes, testing short segments of the historic Soledad and Soledad vein systems and a geophysical target defined by induced polarization and magnetic surveys. Significant untested lengths remain, including the Saddle, Silvia and La Plata targets. Drill results to date have confirmed that mineralization extends along strike and beneath the water table, validating the geological model and suggesting a potential discovery, with assay results still pending.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2025 financial results from their Mexican mine operations. At Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico, Impact processed 69,185 tonnes with an average grade of 158 g/t Ag to produce 295.1K Oz Ag and 237 Oz Au. At Plomosas mine, Chihuahua, the company processed 27,747 tonnes of 8.4% Zn, 4.6% Pb, and 30 g/t Ag to produce 3.91M Lb Zn, 889.3K Lb Pb, and 17.67K Oz Ag. Impact also presented consolidated financial results (all currency reported in Canadian dollars) reporting revenue of $9.8M; mine operating income before amortization and depletion of $1.6M; loss of $0.5M in deferred taxes; $1.1M in exploration, $0.6M in amortization; and $2M in depletion. The company also reported cash of $10.3M and $13.3M in working capital.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., presented Q2, 2025 financial results from El Ermitaño mine in Sonora where it holds a 2% net smelter royalty (all amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated). 269,830 tonnes of 55 g/t Ag and 2.54 h/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 64% and 94% respectively were processed to produce 467 Oz AuEq. The company reported $2.1M royalty revenue from the sale of the 467 Oz AuEq produced at an average realized price of USD $3,280 per Oz Au; exploration expenses of $3.9M ; net income before taxes of $0.6M; net comprehensive loss of $0.2M; G&A expenses of $1.7M; cash flow of $1.8M; and working capital of $27.8M as of June 30, 2025.
  • Luca Mining Corp., announced Q2 and H1, 2025 consolidated operating and financial results from their Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines in Guerrero and Durango respectively All amounts are in US dollars). In Q2, 2025 Luca Mining mined 250,879 tonnes and processed 253,717 tonnes (181,320 tonnes at Campo Morado and 72,397 tonnes at Tahuehueto) to produce 6,622 Oz Au, 279.8K Oz Ag, 2.2M Lb Pb, 11.96M Lb Zn, and 2.6M Lb Cu (17.86K Oz AuEq) and sold 5,445 Oz Au, 209.4K Oz Ag, 825K Lb Pb, 8.97M Lb Zn, and 1.81M Lb Cu at cash and AISC of $2,2775 and $3,310 per Oz AuEq sold respectively. In H1, 2025, the company mined 510,385 tonnes and processed 499,999 to produce 145,298 Oz Au, 630.5K Oz Ag, 4.6M Lb Pb, 23.5M Lb Zn, and 5.1M Lb Cu (39.15K Oz AuEq) and sold 12,165 Oz Au, 482.6K Oz Ag, 1.8M Lb Pb, 17.36M Lb Zn, and 3.64M Lb Cu at cash and AISC of $2,073 and $2,732 per Oz AuEq sold respectively. Luca also announced financial results for the period Q2, 2025 reporting revenues of $36.8M; mine operating cash flow of $9.1M; mine operating cash flow before taxes of $12.05M; negative net earnings of $3.23M; negative net free cash flow before working capital of $4.5M; EBITDA of $1.2M; and adjusted EBITDA of $5.8M. For the period H1, 2025, the company reported revenues of $75.4M; mine operating cash flow of $22.4M; mine operating cash flow before taxes of $27.8M; net earnings of $1.3M; net free cash flow before working capital of $4.9M; EBITDA of $8.7M; and adjusted EBITDA of $18.2M.
  • DynaResource Inc., reported Q2, 2025 results from its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa (all amounts are in US dollars). The company mined 74,002 tonnes and milled 66,834 tonnes of 3.63 g/t Au with a metallurgical recovery of 74.64% to produce 5,701 Oz Au. DynaResource reported revenue of $15.9M; total operating expenses of $13.14M; net operating income of $2.7M; net income of $0.5M; operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital items of $2.85M; and cash flow used in operating activities of $1.14M.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd reported Q2, 2025 consolidated operating and financial results from their min operations in Guanajuato (El Cubo mines complex, Valenciana mines complex and San Ignacio mine), and Durango (Topia mine). Consolidated results are shown in the table below (all currency is expressed in US dollars):

ON FINANCING

  • Regency Silver Corp., due to strong investor demand upsized its previously announced brokered private placement offering to 35,847,250 units at a unit price of CAD $0.10 per unit on a post consolidation basis for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3.584,725M. The consolidation of the company’s common shares on a 1 new for 2 old basis is scheduled to be effective on or about August 26, 2025. Later on, the company announced four upsize of its previously announced brokered private placement financing to 40,000,000 units at a price of CAD $0.10 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $4M. The purpose of the financing is to use the gross proceeds for drilling the Dios Padre project in Sonora, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement financing of 20,000,000 units at a price of CAD $0.25 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $5M. Gross proceeds will be used primarily towards bulk sampling and the development of the recently announced Tortilla project in Queretaro.
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc., revised its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering will still consists of up to 5,000,000 units at a price of CAD $0.80 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $4M. Later on, Goldgroup revised the term again and now the offering will consists of up to 4,848,485 units at a price of CAD $0.825 per unit for CADS $4M in opposed to the 5,000,000 units at a price of CAD $0.80 previously disclosed. The proceeds will primarily fund the company’s efforts to optimize its Cerro Prieto mine in Sonora and pursue strategic acquisitions in the mining sector.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., increased, in response to investors demand, its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering to 10,000,000 units for gross proceeds of CAD $1.5M. The offering price remains at CAD $0.15 per unit. Net proceeds will be used to fund the ongoing development of its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora, as well as for working capital.
  • Pacifica Silver Corp., closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing of 900,000 units at a price of CAD $0.50 for gross proceeds of CAD $450K. Together with the first tranche, Pacifica has raised a total of CAD $10M. Pacifica plans to use the gross proceeds for the upcoming exploration and drill work at its Claudia project in Durango, as well as general working capital.
  • United States Antimony Corporation announced a purchase agreement for a registered direct offering of common shares priced at USD $4.5 per share for gross proceeds of USD $18M from a single institutional investor. Nets proceeds will be used to buy more antimony, boosting their smelter´s production at Madero, Coahuila, working capital and potential acquisitions of other critical mineral companies or specific properties currently under review by management. The offering is expected to close around August 28, 2025, subject to customary conditions.
  • Masivo Silver Corp., closed partially the first tranche of a financial round for gross proceeds of CAD $845K but expects to raise up to CAD $1M.  The private placement at CAD $0.06 with a half warrant at CAD $0.10 for a 12-month term will close on August 29, 2025. Masivo still has a CADS $75K drill credit in Mexico and expects to start drilling the Cerro Colorado project in Sonora in Q4, 2025.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., released its first results from the current 15,000m drill program at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Drilling highlights include holes AP-25-325 with 2.1 g/t Au over 13.1m, plus 3.31 g/t Au over 65.2m, including 6.29 g/t Au over 30.2m, plus 12.6 g/t Au over 4.5m, 2.25 g/t Au over 6m, and plus 6.43 g/t Au over 2.3m; hole AP-24-322 with 3.77 g/t Au over 21.2m, plus 6.67 g/t Au over 20.95m, plus 13.6 g/t Au over 14.75m, including 45.81 g/t Au over 3.85m, plus 2.14 g/t Au over 10.55m; and hole AP-24-323 with 7.81 g/t Au over 4m, plus 2.26 g/t Au over 11m, plus 8.72 g/t Au over 12.2m, including 24.4 g/t Au over 3.7m. Heliostar has completed 5,556m in 18 holes to date. “The program has the primary goal of converting inferred ounces to higher confidence classifications as well as supporting the ongoing Feasibility Study and testing the next exploration targets around the Ana Paula deposit”.
  • Luca Mining Corp., announced results from 6 surface drill holes and five underground drill holes from the Reforma Deposit in its Campo Morado project in Guerrero. Drilling highlights are shown in the table below:
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Limited provided an update regarding the ongoing activities at its Copalquin project in Durango. The company is conducting a fully funded 45,000m drilling program targeting multiple areas, including Target 1, Target 5, and target 3, with plans to add a third drill rig in early 2026. At target 1, the company has drilled La Soledad East intercepting in hole MTHLS25-35 high grade including 9.95 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag (10.59 g/t AuEq) over 1.1m and hole MTH-LS25-36 with 3.21 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag (3.41 g/t AuEq) over 0.5m, plus 8.63 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag (9.21 g/t AuEq) over 3.3m, including 48.85 g/t Au and 92 g/t Ag (50.16 g/t AuEq9 over 0.5m; while at Zaragoza South it confirmed high-grade mineralization, in hole MTH-ZG25-037 including 6.4 g/t Au and 4,400 g/t Ag (4,848 g/t AgEq) over 0.57m, plus 3.49 g/t Au and 127 g/t Ag (371 g/t AgEq) over 0.66m; and Refugio West where step out drilling is targeting extensions towards El Gallo.  At Target 3 Mithril is currently carrying out systematic mapping and sampling to define targets for a maiden drill program. At Target 5 (Apomal historic mine) drilling has commenced  with three holes completed in a 5,000m program focused on testing veins along strike and a depth. Mithril aims to expand the resource footprint, conduct additional drilling and complete an aeromagnetic survey in Q4, 2025.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • MAG Silver Corp., and Pan American Silver Corp., received approval from the Mexican Federal Economic Competition (COFECE) for Pan American to acquire all the shares of MAG Silver. The deal is expected to be closed by around September 4, 2025. MAG shareholders need to decide no later than 2:00 PM (Vancouver time) on August 27 whether they want to receive either USD $20.54 in cash for each MAG share held; or the default election of USD $0.0001 in cash and USD $0.755 of a common share of Pan American for each MAG share held.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., purchased and extinguished all of the outstanding royalties and contingent payment obligations to acquire 100% ownership of its La Preciosa project in Durango. The company acquired the La Preciosa obligations from Deterra Royalties Limited for a total consideration of USD $22M, consisting of USD $13.25M upfront payment and an $8.75M deferred payment due within a year after initial production, and a payment of USD $0.25 per Oz AgEq of new mineral reserves discovered and declared outside of the current mineral resource area, subject to a cap of USD $50M.. It also acquired royalty obligations, which include a 1.25% net smelter returns royalty on the Gloria and Abundancia veins, and a 2% gross value returns royalty on the remainder of the La Preciosa resource. This acquisition allows Avino to eliminate these royalty burdens prior to commencing production.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., declared a quarter dividend of USD $0.025 per common share payable on September 25, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 11, 2025. The company has paid dividends for 16 consecutive years, including returning USD $32 million thus far in 2025 (Mulatos mine, Sonora
  • MAG Silver Corp., announced preliminary results regarding shareholder election for the form of consideration in the Pan American Silver Corp acquisition. Shareholders could elect to receive, either USD $20.54 cash or USD $0.001 cash plus 0.755 of a Pan American share per MAG share, subject to proration. The preliminary results show that approximately 1.71% of MAG shareholders elected to receive cash, about 30.55% chose shares of Pan American, and approximately 67.74% did not make a valid election and are deemed to have opted for shares. The final outcome will be determined after the final election results are certified. The transaction has received all necessary approvals and is expected to close around September 4, 2025. Due to proration, some shareholders may receive a combination of cash and shares regardless of their election choice. Following the arrangement, MAG Silver shares are expected to be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange American LLC, and application has been made to cease being a reporting issuer (Juanicipio mine, Zacatecas).
  • Luca Mining Corp., acquired from Fresnillo plc a 100% interest in the Humaya 3 mining concession for USD $400K. It comprises 2,507 hectares and directly surrounds to the Tahuehueto mine in Durango and is not subject to any underlying NSR royalties. The acquisition expands Luca´s land position by over 25% reaching approximately 10,000 hectares, providing new exploration prospects, especially since mineral veins hosting current mineral resources extend into the acquired mineral concession, supporting their growth strategy.
  • DynaResource Inc., entered into an updated agreement with Ocean Partners UK Limited for a credit line facility expansion and offtake extension (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). The concentrate credit line facility replaces the previous one and increase funding from $12.5M to $15M, includes a 6-months grace period on principal repayments, and features competitive interest rates. The offtake agreement for gold concentrate production from San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa has been extended to December 31, 2030, with improved gold payability terms. These agreements aim to enhance working capital, support mine development, and optimize operations for long-term growth.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Alamos Gold Inc., released its 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report. Highlights include USD $1.5M invested in local community initiatives; zero significant environmental incidents; over 100,000 hours of employee training; 9% reduction in total scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions; 98% of procurement expense with in-country suppliers; and five consecutive years of compliance with the World Gold Council´s Responsible Gold Mining Principles (Mulatos mine, Sonora).

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 below, phreatic breccia in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Guanajuato, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of February 2025

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 6th week of the year (February 3rd to February 9th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 27 press releases. Two companies informed on exploration on their properties, one company presented its quarterly report and one updated on 2024 achievements and 2025 plans. Six companies informed on financing rounds, one informed on the exercise of warrants and one more on the granting of stock options. A company reported drilling results from a satellite deposit, two companies informed on construction advance on their properties. Four companies informed on acquisitions and one more on the resignation of its CEO. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Riverside Resources announced Fortuna Mining continues with the earn-in option on Cecilia. In Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources reported surface sampling results for its Las Coloradas project. ON MINING, Heliostar Metals announced Q4 2024 production results, Avino Silver shared 2024 achievements and its 2025 outlook. ON FINANCING, eight companies informed on financing rounds, including Discovery Silver (C$247.5 M), Silver Storm Mining (C$3.45 M), Reyna Silver (C$1.04 M), Oroco Resource (C$1.5 M), Goldgroup Mining (US$1.87 M), Capitan Silver (C$5.3 M) and Southern Silver Exploration (C$3 M). Minera Alamos granted stock options. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, First Majestic reported H2 2024 drilling results from the Navidad deposit, satellite to the Ermitaño mine within its Santa Elena property in Sonora. Torex Gold presented the development advance on the Media Luna mine construction within its Morelos property in Guerrero. Endeavour Silver provided the construction progress advance on its Terronera mine in Jalisco.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, SilverCrest Metals received clearance from the authorities for its acquisition by Coeur Mining to proceed. Barksdale Resources announced the resignation of Rick Trotman as CEO. Minera Alamos closed the acquisition of a company with a property in USA. Southern Silver Exploration entered into a letter of agreement to acquire the Nazas property in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc. announced Fortuna Mining Corp. continues to advance its earn-in option on the Cecilia project, in Sonora. The announcement comes after the completion of the Q4 2024 five-hole diamond drill program to test four different area to assess the size and the strength of the hydrothermal system. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 4.00 m @ 3.41 gpt Au; 5.25 m @ 0.39 gpt Au in the San Jose vein system, 1.75 m @ 0.38 gpt Au in the East Target and 2.00 m @ 0.21 gpt Au on the Mayra vein. “The drilling positively demonstrated scale and alterations consistent with a mineralized system worthy of more advanced drilling in addition to continued target testing”.
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. reported results from surface sampling at its Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. The company has identified a new target area for drilling: DBD; This is in addition to the Mine, Aguilar and Leona targets. Highlighted surface rock samples comprise: 1.0 m @ 202 gpt Ag, 0.20 gpt Au, 1.7% Pb, 10.7% Zn; 0.8 m @ 82 gpt Ag, 2.0% Zn; 0.6 m @ 81 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 0.7 m @ 268 gpt Ag, 0.36 gpt Au, 4.1% Pb, 10.1% Zn; 1.1 m @ 243 gpt Ag, 4.4% Pb, 4.8% Zn; 1.1 m @ 94 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 3.4% Zn; 0.9 m @ 308 gpt Ag, 0.24 gpt Au, 4.5% Pb, 21.0% Zn; 0.8 m @ 198 gpt Ag, 0.33 gpt Au, 5.0% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 0.9 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 0.73 gpt Au, 3.9% Pb, 6.6% Zn; 0.8 m @ 396 gpt Ag, 0.46 gpt Au, 4.6% Pb, 3.5% Zn; 0.5 m @ 335 gpt Ag, 0.27 gpt Au, 3.3% Pb, 10.6 % Zn; 0.8 m @ 169 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, 3.1% Pb, 1.6% Zn.

ON MINING

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced Q4 2024 production results, adding to 20,795 Oz AuEq for the year. During the last quarter 3,052 Oz Au, 9.8 K Oz Ag (or 3,167 Oz AuEq) were sold from production at La Colorada mine in Sonora, and 7,104 Oz Au, 10.2 K Oz Ag (or 7,224 Oz AuEq) were sold from production at San Agustin, in Durango. La Colorada and San Agustin ceased mining operations in September 2023 and September 2024 respectively, and have been producing metals from re-leaching activities. For 2025 Heliostar aims to produce 17,000 to 23,300 Oz Au, 42.5 K to 51.5 K Oz Ag at La Colorada and 13,000 to 16,700 Oz Au, 34 K to 43 K Oz Ag at San Agustin in 2025 at a cash cost of $1,800 to $1,950 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,950 to $2,100 per Oz AuEq. Mining operations restarted at La Colorada in January 2025 and are planned to continue through the year. At San Agustin a permit application has been submitted to expand the open pit that would allow mining operations to recommence in 2025. A feasibility study (FS) is to be completed on Ana Paula during 2025, aiming to a construction decision soon after.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. shared 2024 achievements and the outlook for 2025. The company posted record revenues in Q2 and Q3 2024, with mill throughput increasing by 26% compared to Q4 2023, gold production increased 76% with improved grade feed and produced 2.65 M Oz AgEq during the year. A long-term use agreement was signed with a local community at La Preciosa (adjacent property to Avino), completed office and outbuildings, with critical stability reinforcements made at the mine entrance. For 2025 the company plans to process 700 to 750 K tonnes from both Avino and La Preciosa, expecting to produce 2.5 to 2.8 M Oz AgEq. Avino had US$26 M in cash at the end of 2024 and remains debt-free. Total exploration budget is between US$1 and US$2M to drill on the Avino and Guadalupe veins.

ON FINANCING

  • Discovery Silver Corp.  closed the bought deal public offering for gross proceeds of C$247.5 M, which includes 25 M subscription receipts issued pursuant to the exercise, in full, of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters (Porcupine Complex, Canada; Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. closed an additional tranche of the non-brokered private placement offering previously announced. Under this tranche of the offering share units were issued for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2.16 M, including a C$1.5 M investment from current significant shareholder First Majestic Silver Corp. In total gross proceeds of C$3.45 M were raised (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. announced the first closing of the previously announced private placement offering, for gross proceeds of C$1.12 M. Certain insiders of the company subscribed for a total consideration of C$1.04 M (Guigui, Chihuahua).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. amended the terms of a non-brokered private placement to up to C$1.5 M in gross proceeds (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. announced that all shareholders holding share purchase warrants issued on September 2024 have exercised all the outstanding warrants, for gross proceeds of US$1.87 M (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. intends to increase the size of its previously announced private placement to up to C$5.3 M (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • Minera Alamos Inc. granted 6.2 M incentive options to new and existing employees, management, directors and consultants (Santana, Sonora).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. announced the increase of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to C$3 M in gross proceeds (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • First Majestic Silver Corp. reported drilling results from the Navidad zone of the Santa Elena property in Sonora. The results from the second half of 2024 drilling program with 20,809 m in 17 holes are from the Navidad and Winter veins. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 4.30 m @ 5.12 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag; 1.22 m @ 9.22 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 4.83 m @ 8.60 gpt Au, 77 gpt Ag; 6.06 m @ 5.64 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag; 3.30 m @ 7.09 gpt Au, 1,253 gpt Ag; 3.07 m @ 4.27 gpt Au, 57 gpt Ag; 2.66 m @ 13.93 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag; 1.38 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 1,064 gpt Ag; 1.26 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 462 gpt Ag; 1.59 m @ 6.40 gpt Au, 110 gpt Ag; 5.62 m @ 2.89 gpt Au, 50 gpt Ag in the Winter vein, 3.24 m @ 13.06 gpt Au, 205 gpt Ag; 2.32 m @ 7.09 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag; 1.27 m @ 2.08 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag; 2.58 m @ 1.44 gpt Au, 139 gpt Ag; 1.35 m @ 2.90 gpt Au, 354 gpt Ag; 4.78 m @ 1.36 gpt Au, 115 gpt Ag in the Navidad vein. Significant mineralization has been recognized for 600 m along strike and 350 on dip, with 0.65 m to 6.6 m in thickness on the Winter vein, and 1,000 m along strike and 300 downdip on the Navidad vein, which is 0.5 to 5.0 m in thickness. Exploration is being conducted in favorable host rocks concealed under extensive overlying volcanic rocks.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. provided an update on development of its Media Luna project to the end of 2024. Media Luna is part of the company’s Morelos property in Guerrero. The project was at 94% completion, with procurement 99% complete, underground and surface development/construction at 90% and 85% respectively. The start of the four-week tie-in of the copper and iron sulphide flotation circuits is scheduled for late February, with first concentrate production expected by the end of Q1 and commercial production shortly thereafter. “At the end of 2024, 83% of the total planned workforce at Media Luna was in place, which involved the recruitment of 136 people and transfer of 197 employees over the course of the year”.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. announced the expansion of the Navidad target within the Ermitaño mine concession (on which Orogen has a 2% NSR) on First Majestic’s Santa Elena property in Sonora (see above for details).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. provided a Q4 2024 construction progress update for its Terronera project in Jalisco. Project progress reached 89.4% completion, with US$302 M spent of the US$332 M budget. During Q4 1,700 m of underground development were completed, much of the upper plant platform site was finished, whereas the lower platform facilities and tailings storage facility – lower platform area was 42% complete, the laboratory building was complete and the plant maintenance building presented 80% advance. “At the end of Q4, the Terronera workforce included 297 Endeavour Silver employees and 821 contract workers”. The 2024 budget has been revised for 2025 from US$271 M to US$332 M. Full system commissioning is anticipated for early Q2 2025.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. received the clearance decision from the from COFECE (Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica) with respect to the company’s plan of arrangement with Coeur Mining Inc., whereby Coeur will indirectly acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of SilverCrest (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. and O3 Mining Inc. announced that Agnico owns now 96.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of O3 Mining (Pinos Altos, Chihuahua).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. announced the resignation of Rick Trotman from his position as president and CEO of the company. William Wulftange, a current member of the board of directors, will assume in an interim basis all related duties (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Minera Alamos Inc. and Sabre Gold Mines Corp. announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition by Minera Alamos of Sabre and its Copperstone gold project in Arizona (Santana, Sonora).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced that the company’s securityholders have approved the plan of arrangement with Coeur Mining, Inc., whereby Coeur will acquire all of the issued and outstanding SilverCrest shares (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. entered into a letter agreement with La Cuesta International, S.A. de C.V. to acquire the Nazas project in Durango. Southern Silver can earn 100% interest in Nazas by “making pre-production cash payments totalling US$130,000 over a 36 month period with a preproduction payment of US$25,000 payable every 6 months thereafter; and (ii) completing a minimum aggregate 8,000 metres of drilling on the project over a 4 year period. The Company will also pay US$25,000 in reimbursement of concession rights taxes”. The project is subject to a 2% NSR on the current claims, 1% NSR on any new claims and 0.5% NSR on third party owned lands acquired. The property comprises five claims covering 2,189 ha and has a comprehensive database that includes several thousand rock and soil samples, channel samples clay alteration studies, magnetic, gravimetric and magneto telluric surveys over selected areas and results of 18 holes totaling over 4,000 m (12 RC and 6 DDH).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. appointed Ms. Vitalina Lyssoun as chief financial officer (Ana Paula, Guerrero).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant news.

On the image below: Silicifed ridge on a project in the Sonora Desert. Drone picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                              During the 29th week of the year (July 17th to July 23rd, 2023), 21 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Two companies informed on exploration work at its properties and five more reported second quarter 2023 results. One company informed on the closing of a private placement, while six companies reported on work at their advanced properties and six more informed on acquisitions, company’s plans and issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, mining companies are reflecting the changes in the business environment by making strategic moves, including diversification of the countries they operate in. The coal mine in Coahuila that registered two fatalities during the week had suspension orders since 2022.  Mining organization and experts question LitioMx ability to operate, and its almost non-existent budget. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Regency Silver informed on drilling at Dios Padre; Prismo Metals reported on the trenching program at Los Pavitos. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals informed on drilling at Palos Verdes. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver, Bear Creek Mining, First Majestic Silver, Golden Minerals and Avino Silver released production results for Q2 2023. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver announced a bought deal private placement with a sole underwriter. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Aura Minerals provided an exploration update for Aranzazu, in Zacatecas. First Majestic Silver reported exploration results from San Dimas, in Durango, and from Santa Elena, in Sonora. Heliostar Metals released drilling results from Ana Paula, in Guerrero, including the strongest gold intercept for Mexico in the year. GoGold Resources released drilling results from the Main Area of the Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Gatos Silver updated on resource definition drilling at its Cerro Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Endeavour Silver provided a construction update for its Terronera project in Jalisco. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Riverside Resources provided an outlook of its ongoing activities, including a strengthening of its diversification out from Mexico. Radius Gold informed on the extension of the exclusivity agreement with Fresnillo PLC on the Plata Verde project, in Chihuahua. Newmont included several references to the suspension of activities at Peñasquito, in Zacatecas, on its Q2 2023 report. Golden Tag Resources updated on the La Parrilla (Durango) acquisition from First Majestic. Excellon Resources announced the sudden termination of the acquisition process of La Negra project in Queretaro by the vendor. Sierra Metals informed the conclusion of the “Special Committee” formed last year to tackle the challenging circumstances the company is addressing. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news. ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Editor comments. The hostile stance at the mining industry since the instauration of the present federal administration in Mexico, which culminated with the passing of a mining law that is to practically stop any new exploration plays and make current operations riskier, is rendering results, with companies consolidating plans in their search for greener pastures. Riverside Resources is one of the few companies explicitly making public their diversification plans out from Mexico, but they are certainly not alone. Great Panther Silver is a company that bailed out before the president made the legal move to reflect its personal stance in the industry. Other companies are understandably doing the same, although the widespread anti-mining position in many countries generates second thoughts on the issue.
  • The Secretaría de Trabajo y Previsión Social (STPS-Work Bureau) pointed that the las visit to the Minera Fuga, in Coahuila, was in August 2022. During the review dangerous conditions were detected. Two workers died last week on the mine after falling 10 meters when the hoist winch failed. STPS ruled access restrictions and limitation of operations, which are still in force, “any operation of the mine is out of the law”.
  • Mining organizations and experts raise doubts on LitioMx ability to operate. Only US$2 M have been budgeted for exploration and evaluation of lithium deposits in 2023 and 2024. Just Bacanora Lithium has invested more than US$450 M in the definition of resources in its lithium-clay deposit in Sonora, as an example of the unreasonable amounts directed to the search for lithium. This is a large deposit with a questionable economic viability, as lithium is associated to clays, and an economic process to extract the lithium still has to be proved. In the World, 85% of lithium is mined from brines in dry lakes, and the rest from hard-rock pegmatites.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Regency Silver Corp. announced the completion of the phase 1 of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Nine holes were drilled as follow up to the one that intercepted 35.8 m @ 6.84 gpt Au, 0.88% Cu, 22 gpt Ag and 9.8 m @ 13.97 gpt Au, 1.1% Cu, 50 gpt Ag on the 2022 program. Eight of nine holes intersected the target breccia zone down-dip and along strike, with the breccia appearing to widen with depth. A megacrystic quartz-feldspar porphyry appears to be the primary control for copper mineralization, with the high-grade sulfide breccia on the footwall of the porphyry. “The shallower intersections are more pyrite dominant with deeper intersections containing more specularite. Chalcopyrite appears to be highest in abundance where the breccia is proximal to the lower contact of the quartz-feldspar porphyry”. Final results will be released after reception and evaluation.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. reported that the trenching program at Los Pavitos property in Sonora has been completed. Results for 303 of the 347 samples collected from trenches have been received. “The trenching was generally focused on areas with little outcrop along strike from areas with quartz veining and high-grade surface assays”. Highlighted results comprise 6.4 m @ 0.1 gpt Au; 19.0 m @ 2.2 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag (including 4.0 m @ 10.3 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag) at Auras, 18.5 m @ 0.2 gpt Au; 2.1 m @ 1.7 gpt Au; 8.0 m @ 0.5 gpt Au; 7.8 m @ 2.3 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 0.9 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag; 17.70 m @ 0.13 gpt Au at Santa Cruz and 1.40 m @ 0.74 gpt Au at Española.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. is in the process of completing a 2,500 m drill program on its Palos Verdes project, in Sinaloa. The program was designed to test areas without previous drill access. Eight holes have been completed for a total of 1,500 m and assays have been received for the first seven holes. Results are expected to be announced next week.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. provided Q2-2023 production results. The Cosalá operations in Sinaloa produced 335 K Oz Ag, 3.9 M Lb Pb, 9.9 M Lb Zn, benefitting from higher grade Ag areas in the upper zone of the San Rafael mine.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced production results for the second quarter of 2023. At the Mercedes mine in Sonora, 9,199 Oz Au, 39.8 K Oz Ag were produced by mining 121.5 K tonnes, processing 125.1 K tonnes grading 2.41 gpt Au, with a recovery of 94.54% Au during the period. Cut and fill mining was revised to room and pillar mining at San Martin and sub-level caving and sub-level stoping at Marianas. “Tonnes mined from the San Martin deposit are expected to double from 400 to 800 tonnes per day during Q3 2023 as the available working faces increase. The San Martin deposit contains 289k tonnes in Measured and Indicated Resources at an average grade of 6.6 g/t gold and is projected to account for roughly 50% of Mercedes’ gold production in the second half of the year”.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. released Q2 2023 production results. In Mexico, the company produced 2.63 M Oz Ag, 40,858 Oz Au (5.97 M Oz AgEq) from its operations at San Dimas in Durango, Santa Elena in Sonora and La Encantada in Coahuila. During the period 16 drill rigs were active in Mexico, eight at San Dimas (16,588 m of drilling), six at Santa Elena (16,373 m of drilling) and two (1,950 m of drilling) at La Encantada. For the year First Majestic aims to produce between 10.5 and 11.2 M Oz Ag and between 169 to 180 K Oz Au at cash cost between $12.33 and $12.71 and an AISC between $17.23 and $17.66.
  • Golden Minerals Co. reported production figures for Q2 2023. At Rodeo, in Durango, 154.4 K tonnes were mined, 54.3 K tonnes processed at a rate of 603 tonnes per day, averaging 1.6 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag, recovering 72.6% Au, 75.5% Ag, to produce 2,081 Oz Au, 11.5 K Oz Ag. The company also sold 656 tonnes of Au-rich pyrite concentrate, 118 tonnes of Ag-rich lead concentrate and 63 tonnes of Zn concentrate, produced from mineralized material from the Velardeña properties (also in Durango), material that was mined and stockpiled during 2022 as part of the test-mining program.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. announced production results for Q2 2023. At the Avino mine in Durango, 157.4 K tonnes were milled averaging 53 gpt Ag, 0.44 gpt Au, 0.49% Cu, recovering 87% Ag, 68% Au, 84% Cu, to produce 232.4 K Oz Ag, 1,520 Oz Au, 1.44 M Lb Cu, or 587.3 K Oz AgEq. Recent news includes the best drill intercept in the long history of the mine, and drilling results that probe the continuity of mineralization 1.1 km downdip from the surface outcrop. Metallurgical testing at the Oxide Tailings project has been completed, taking the resource to 5.7 M tonnes containing 17.4 M Oz AgEq. The Dry-Stack tailing facility is complete and operational.

ON FINANCING

  • Guanajuato Silver Co. announced a bought deal private placement with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada as the sole underwriter, for gross proceeds of C$8 M. “The Corporation shall pay to the Underwriter a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and 6.0% broker warrants based on the number of Units sold in the Offering” (El Cubo and Valenciana, Guanajuato).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Aura Minerals Inc. provided an exploration update from its properties, including from its operations at Aranzazu, in Zacatecas. Aura Silver controls 11,000 ha in the project area, and only 5% of the mineral claims have been drilled. Exploration efforts have focused on extending the life of mine (LOM) and building the basis for an increase in production capacity. Currently Aura has a LOM of seven years based on mineral reserves only. Several early stages targets have been identified, including “new copper-gold skarns, manto type polymetallic mineralization, and high-grade gold/silver veins”. For 2023, 29,400 m of drilling are intended to be completed, focusing on testing the continuity of the GH and Cabrestante areas, with drilling also planned for the El Cobre and Aranzazu extensions.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. reported exploration results from San Dimas in Durango and Santa Elena (Ermitaño Zone) in Sonora. At San Dimas, true width drilling intercepts from the Sinaloa North-Elia vein, the Santa Teresa vein and the Perez vein include 3.88 m @ 8.38 gpt Au, 763 gpt Ag; 0.98 m @ 5.84 gpt Au, 396 gpt Ag; 4.12 m @ 14.98 gpt Au, 89 gpt Ag; 5.69 m @ 5.41 gpt Au, 883 gpt Ag; 3.05 m @ 4.58 gpt Au, 740 gpt Ag; At Santa Elena, resource conversion holes, in addition to intercepts in the Ermitaño vein, multiple holes intersected mineralization in secondary veins located in the hanging and footwall of the Ermitaño vein, returning true width intercepts of 15.55 m @ 5.98 gpt Au, 222 gpt Ag; 13.3 m @ 4.27 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag; 6.42 m @ 13.73 gpt Au, 150 gpt Ag; 1.96 m @ 3.39 gpt Au, 56 gpt Ag.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported drill results from two additional holes at the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. “The current drill program continues to demonstrate higher overall grades over broad widths relative to the current mineral resource” in Heliostar’s quest to evaluate the possible development of an underground mine. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 241.95 m @ 9.06 gpt Au (including 31.5 m @ 21.5 gpt Au; 35.2 m @ 23.6 gpt Au and 9.9 m @ 42.4 gpt Au); 104.1 m @ 6.14 gpt Au (including 19.5 m @ 15.1 gpt Au). These holes were drilled within the resource model with increases in grade to the expected intercept of 33% and 38%.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released drilling results from the Main Area of the Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 14.0 m @ 1.77 gpt Au, 574 gpt Ag (including 2.3 m @ 10.30 gpt Au, 3,308 gpt Ag); 6.3 m @ 0.59 gpt Au, 86 gpt Ag; 16.2 m @ 0.70 gpt Au, 72 gpt Ag; 14.0 m @ 2.90 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag; 17.5 m @ 0.60 gpt Au, 93 gpt Ag; 9.9 m @ 0.95 gpt Au, 334 gpt Ag; 11.9 m @ 1.28 gpt Au, 183 gpt Ag; 9.5 m @ 1.08 gpt Au, 186 gpt Ag; 5.4 m @ 1.97 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag; 11.6 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 165 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 1.20 gpt Au, 124 gpt Ag; 5.8 m @ 2.27 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 24.9 m @ 1.01 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag; 7.1 m @ 1.25 gpt Au, 417 gpt Ag; 16.5 m @ 1.32 gpt Au, 153 gpt Ag; 17.3 m @ 2.53 gpt Au, 160 gpt Ag; 13.7 m @ 1.48 gpt Au, 213 gpt Ag. It is expected these holes will be included in an updated resource to be released by the end of the summer.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. provided an update on the definition and exploration drilling at its Cerro Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width intercepts from resource definition drilling comprise 25.7 m @ 78 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.53% Cu, 2.1% Pb, 5.0% Zn; 9.5 m @ 87 gpt Ag, 0.18 gpt Au, 0.44% Cu, 1.9% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 2.7 m @ 192 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, 0.20% Cu, 8.0% Pb, 9.0% Zn; 3.8 m @ 181 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.28% Cu; 1.7% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 4.1 m @ 39 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 0.45% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 4.5% Zn; 2.7 m @ 91 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.61% Cu, 4.7% Pb, 11.4% Zn; 12.2 m @ 129 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.54% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 2.3% Zn; 10.0 m @ 146 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.45% Cu, 2.2% Pb, 3.2% Zn. The company’s exploration land package covers 103,000 ha, with over 50 targets identified to date. Mamba, Portigueño, Lince, Santa Ana and San Luis are some of the areas where current work is defining drilling targets through mapping, re-logging and re-interpretation, Lidar surveys and geophysics.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. provided a construction update for its Terronera project in Jalisco. More than $70 M have been spent since Q1 2022 (of a $144 M budget), with construction progress currently at 30%. Detail mill and surface facilities engineering is over 70% complete, the access road improvements are almost finished and the permanent camp facilities are at 90% completion. Nearly 600 m of underground development have been completed and the mill site earthworks have finalized. The workforce has increased to 83 employees and 390 contract workers. Upcoming work includes advancing the mill area concrete work, awarding the mill construction contract, receiving major mill components in Q3 and advancing Portal 2 and Portal 4 development for initial ore access in Q1 2024.  

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Riverside Resources Inc. provided an outlook of its ongoing activities on the first half of the year, and its plans for the reminder of 2023. The company is diversifying its activities out from Mexico, strengthening objectives in Canada. Riverside consolidated the Union project in Sonora, with assays of up to 1 Oz per ton Au in the now controlled mine area. Another development is the royalty in the Tajitos asset (Sonora), with funds having been received from Fresnillo PLC, who is advancing the property.
  • Radius Gold Inc. informed the extension of the exclusivity agreement with Fresnillo PLC for the Plata Verde project in Chihuahua. “The amended Agreement provides Minera San Julian a 6-month extension to its Exclusivity Period from July 7, 2023 to January 7, 2024 to negotiate a Definitive Agreement that would include an option agreement to earn a 70% interest in the Plata Verde project. The amended Agreement also provides for interim funding by Minera San Julian of US$206,000 … as well as an additional advance of US$500,000 to fund initial drill testing”.  
  • Newmont Corp. announced second quarter 2023 results, including some information from its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. In June, Newmont suspended operations at Peñasquito to focus on finding an appropriate and sustainable resolution to the dispute with the leadership of the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of the Mexican Republic. “Peñasquito incurred $23 million of operating costs and $15 million of depreciation and amortization due to the suspension of operations”.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. updated on the proposed acquisition of the La Parrila silver mine complex (in Durango) from First Majestic Silver Corp pursuant to the agreement announced in December 2022. The transaction is expected to close in August, its completion remains subject to the approval by Golden Tag shareholders and receipt of all regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. The company has already received approval from Mexico’s antitrust agency, the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (COFECE) for the acquisition of La Parrilla. “Golden Tag has closed on two tranches of its non-brokered private placement financing of subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $6.9 million. The Company has received further subscription commitments, which when combined with the first two tranches, total in excess of $7.2 million”.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced the unexpectedly reception of a notice of termination of the previously announced acquisition of the La Negra project from the seller, Dalu S.ar.l., an entity owned by an investment fund managed by Orion Resource Partners. Consequently, the company is also announcing the termination of its previously announced subscription receipts offering, which was intended to finance the acquisition. Excellon is in advanced discussions with holders of more than 66-2/3% of the principal of its outstanding convertible debentures maturing on July 30, 2023 in the principal amount of C$17.9 M with a view to extending the maturity date and more broadly restructure the Debentures. “the Company continues to actively assess various interim financing options as well as other corporate development and strategic opportunities to complement the Company’s go-forward strategy, which may include divestitures, mergers or spin-offs of the Company’s assets to provide additional near term liquidity”.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. informed that in October 2022 a Special Committee integrated by the company’s independent directors “initiated a process to explore, review and consider options to optimize the operations of the Company as well as financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interests of the Company”. The process has made progress towards stabilizing and optimizing operations, pumping and ventilation infrastructure implementation at the Bolivar mine in Chihuahua, increased throughput, appointment of officers and refinancing of secured debt repayment obligations that were due in 2023. As such, the “Special Committee” has been concluded. Some recommendations to follow include near term equity financing to provide working capital and flexibility, funding for longer term capital expansions and minimizing investment in non-core assets.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

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

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Flow banded rhyolite

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 22nd week of the year (May 30th to June 5st, 2023), at least 11 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with three reporting resources and developments of their properties, two communicating production and financial results, two disclosing deals and corporate issues, two informing on exploration results, one announcing financing issues, and one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, GoGold and Vizsla reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of June, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Prismo commenced a trenching program at its Los Pavitos project. In Oaxaca, Vortex completed the field work for the environmental baseline study, and advanced surface geological investigations at its Zaachila project. ON MINING, Bear Creek reported Q1, 2023 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Minera Alamos reported Q1, 2023 selected financial results.  ON FINANCING, Minera Alamos announced a USD $25M construction financing package termsheet executed for its Cerro de Oro Gold Project, Zacatecas. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold announced additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle Deposit in Jalisco. Vizsla reported results from five holes drilled on the recently discovered La Luisa Vein at its Panuco property in Sinaloa. Zacatecas Silver increased its Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate at the Panuco South and North Deposits within its Zacatecas property in Zacatecas State.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Chesapeake granted stock options to its former Vice President Investor Relations & Corporate Development (Metates project, Durango). Golden Tag received approval from Mexico´s antitrust agency, the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (COFECE) on May 25, 2023, for the previously announced acquisition of the La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex in Durango.   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • GoGold Resources Inc., and Vizsla Silver Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of June, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., commenced a trenching program at its Los Pavitos project in Sonora to better define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign. Samples collected will be sent to the lab for analysis and results will be released by the middle of June, 2023.
  • Vortex Metals Inc., completed the field work for the environmental baseline study, and advanced surface geological investigations at its Zaachila project in Oaxaca. The field work commenced on May 16th and included biological studies and surface geological work. “This information is foundational in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement that SEMARNAT requires for the evaluation and approval of exploration drilling”. The results of this study will be an integral part of the Environmental Impact Assessment that Vortex Metals will submit in the coming weeks, bringing us one step closer to advancing the Zaachila copper project for mineral exploration of the previously identified significant anomalous copper mineralization.”

ON MINING

  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation reported Q1, 2023 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company mined 133,621 tonnes with an average grade of 2.93 g/t Au and processed 134,487 tonnes with an average grade of 2.91 g/t Au and metallurgical recovery of 95.96% to produce 12,038 Oz Au. The company also reported 9,304 Oz Au sold and 3,182 Oz Au streamed. Cash and AISC per Oz Au sold and streamed were USD $1,386 and USD $ 1,670 respectively. Bear Creek recorded revenue of USD $24.3M from the sale of gold and silver; cost of goods sold of USD $14.4M; depletion and amortization of USD $11.2M; and gross loss of USD $1.3M.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., reported Q1, 2023 selected financial results. It reported revenues of CAD $6.78M; cost of goods sold of CAD $2.25M; net income of CAD $1.48M; cash and cash equivalents of CAD $10.2M; and working capital of CAD $19.89M.

ON FINANCING

  • Minera Alamos Inc., announced a USD $25M construction financing package termsheet executed for its Cerro de Oro Gold Project, Zacatecas. The Company has signed a termsheet for a USD $15M Loan Facility and USD $10M Royalty that is expected to close on or around July 14th upon signing of definitive documentation as well as board and regulatory approvals.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle Deposit in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-164 with 3.21 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag (3.64 g/t AuEq or 273 g/t AgEq) over 22.1m, including 20.21 g/t Au and 87 g/t Ag (21.37 g/t AuEq or 1,603 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m; hole LRGAG-22-165 with 4.61 g/t Au and 780 g/t Ag (15.01 g/t AuEq or 1,126 g/t AgEq) over 50m, including 22.9 g/t Au and 4,617 g/t Ag (84.45 g/t AuEq or 6,334 g/t AgEq) over 7.8m, including 59.98 g/t Au and 11,858 g/t Ag (218 g/t AuEq or 16,357 g/t AgEq) over 2.9m, including 201 g/t Au and 31,747 g/t Ag (624.29 g/t AuEq or 46,822 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m; hole LRGAG-22-172 with 3.27 g/t Au and 124 g/t Ag (4.92 g/t AuEq or 369 g/t AgEq) over 53.8m, including 8.09 g/t Au and 193 g/t Ag (10.67 g/t AuEq or 800 g/t AgEq) over 19.4m, including 13.72 g/t Au and 289 g/t Ag (17.57 g/t AuEq or 1,318 g/t AgEq) over 5.2m; hole LRGAG-22-173 with 3.67 g/t Au and 282 g/t Ag (7.43 g/t AuEq or 557 g/t AgEq) over 40.5m, including 5.35 g/t Au and 1,267 g/t Ag (22.24 g/t AuEq or 1,668 g/t AgEq) over 4.1m, including 8.9 g/t Au and 1,879 g/t Ag (33.95 g/t AuEq or 2,546 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m, including 11.8 g/t Au and 1,430 g/t Ag (30.87 g/t AuEq or 2,315 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole LRGAG-22-176 with 2.54 g/t Au and 120 g/t Ag (4.14 g/t AuEq or 310 g/t AgEq) over 15.9m, including 9.03 g/t Au and 627 g/t Ag (17.4 g/t AuEq or 1,305 g/t AgEq) over 1.6m; and hole LRGAG-22-177 with 1.21 g/t Au and 145 g/t Ag (3.15 g/t AuEq or 236 g/t AgEq) over 31.7m, including 3.03 g/t Au and 393 g/t Ag (8.27 g/t AuEq or 620 g/t AgEq) over 9.8m, including 10.15 g/t Au and 1,357 g/t Ag (28.25 g/t AuEq or 2,118 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m. “The Eagle Deposit adjoins the Main Deposit and represents a northern extension of the previously defined Mineral Resource Estimate in the Los Ricos South Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).”
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., reported results from five holes drilled on the recently discovered La Luisa Vein at its Panuco property in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true widths reported)  include hole NP-23-362 with 50 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 2% Zn (163 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m, plus 372 g/t Ag, 5.82 g/t Au, 2.1% Pb, and 3.1% Zn (916 g/t AgEq) over 3.05m, including 1,418 g/t Ag, 21.54 g/t Au, 5.3% Pb, and 6.4% Zn (3,162 g/t AgEq) over 0.59m, plus 93 g/t Ag, 2.91 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, and 2.4% Zn (410 g/t AgEq) over 5.2m, including 283 g/t Ag, 7.4 g/t Au, 5% Pb, and 3.9% Zn (1,054 g/t AgEq) over 0.76m; hole  NP-23-373 with 69 g/t Ag, 3.62 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 2.7% Zn (426 g/t AgEq) over 4.30m, including 210 g/t Ag, 8.09 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, and 7% Zn (1,032 g/t AgEq) over 0.77m; and hole NP-22-375 with 593 g/t Ag, 0.78 g/t Au, 2% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (734 /t AgEq) over 1.4m. “The new drill results expand the high-grade footprint at La Luisa to 350m long by 450m down dip. Additionally, surface mapping and sampling has identified a near surface exploration target located ~600m along strike to the northwest”.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., increased by 25% its Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate at the Panuco South and North Deposits within its Zacatecas property in Zacatecas State. Updated silver Inferred Mineral Resource now consists of 0.37M tonnes of 236 g/t Ag and 0.24 g/t Au (255 g/t AgEq) for a total of 2.8M Oz Ag and 2.7K Oz Au (3M Oz AgEq) at Panuco North, and 3.04M tonnes of 166 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au (179 g/t AgEq) for a total of 16.2M Oz Ag and 16.4K Oz Au (17.5M Oz AgEq) at Panuco South. Inferred Mineral Resource in both deposits are 3.41M tonnes of 173 g/t Ag and 0.18 g/t Au (187 g/t AgEq) for a total of 19M Oz Ag and 19.2K Oz Au (20.5M Oz AgEq).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., granted stock options to its former Vice President Investor Relations & Corporate Development, to purchase an aggregate of 100K common shares of the company at an exercise price of CAD $1.70 per share for a five-year term expiring May 29, 2028. The options will vest and be exercisable on the basis of 25% annually, commencing May 29, 2024, the first anniversary of the date of the grant (Metates project, Durango).
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., received approval from Mexico´s antitrust agency, the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (COFECE) on May 25, 2023, for the previously announced acquisition of the La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex in Durango. Golden Tag and First Majestic Silver Corp. have amended the Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 7, 2022 to reduce Golden Tag’s minimum required financing to $7.2M from $9M.

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, flow banded rhyolite in a prospect in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 10th week of the year (March 2nd to March 8th, 2020), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, several companies are interested exploring for lithium in Zacatecas-San Luis Potosí. Grupo Mexico plans to invest 78% more in 2020. Several mining companies are to invest more than $200 M in exploration in Mexico. The year 2019 was not good for the mining industry in the country, with an overall decrease in production. Durango’s governor announced mining investments for $100 M. The Peñasquito mine is expected to produce 1.6 M Oz AuEq per year for the next five years. The Industria Nacional de Autopartes (INA) is promoting the installation of a lithium battery plant. The Future of the Mexican Mining Industry seminar was held during the PDAC convention in Toronto, Canada.  Peñoles is to switch to LP gas its diesel truck fleet at one of its mines in Sonora (Milpillas?). ON EXPLORATION, in Durango, Chesapeake Gold optioned the Duraznito project, near the San Dimas mine. In Veracruz, Azucar Minerals released more drill results from its El Cobre project.  ON MINING, US Antimony reported the successful startup of the Los Juarez production facilities in Queretaro and Guanajuato. Mexus Gold announced small scale heap leach gold production at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Bacanora Lithium presented financial results for the last six months of 2019. Gold Resource presented production figures for 2019. Fresnillo PLC and Premier Gold Mines released financial results for 2019. ON FINANCING, One World Lithium announced the amendment of the terms on a number of  purchase warrants previously issued by the company. Consolidated Zinc entered into unsecured loan facilities with CZL major shareholders. Premier Gold closed its public offering, for gross proceeds of $38 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mag Silver released results from last year’s 28-hole program with over 33,000 m of drilling, including some exciting intercepts. Gold Resource Corp. updated annual reserve estimates for the Oaxaca Mining Unit. Aura Minerals provided mineral reserve and resource estimates to the end of 2019 for the Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. SilverCrest released metallurgical test results for its Las Chispas project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mithril Resources is acquiring the company that controls the Copalquin project in Durango. Oroco Resource closed the acquisition of Altamura Copper, furthering its interest on the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. Magna Gold is acquiring Alio Gold’s San Francisco mine in Sonora. Sable Resources appointed Ruben Padilla as CEO. Equinox Gold and Leagold Mining received approval for its merger. GR Silver Mining and First Majestic signed a binding agreement on the sale to GR of the Plomosas property in Sinaloa. Prime mining signed a long-term surface agreement on its Guadalupe de Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Cheaspeake gold optioned the El Duraznito project in Durango. Fortuna Silver is involved in legal proceeding regarding a royalty on one of its mining concessions. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Peñasquito  received two awards by Infonavit for its excellent compliance on payments.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Claudia Pavlovich, Sonora’s governor, praised the work women realize in the State, while on a trip visiting mining communities, like Turicachi, Nacozari de García and Cumpas, where she realized various activities.
  • Gustavo Puentes, Secretary of Economic Development, announced several companies are interested in investing in lithium exploration in the border between San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas.
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) supports women collaborators that unite on the movement #UnDíaSinNosotras (One day without us) that is trying to eradicate genre violence.
  • The inauguration of Mexican Stand on the Prospectors and Developers of Canada Convention (PDAC) in Toronto counted with the participation of Graeme Clark, Canada’s ambassador in Mexico, Juan José Gómez Camacho, Mexico’s ambassador in Canada, Francisco Quiroga, subsecretary of Mining, José rosas Aispuro, Durngo’s governor and Salvador García, president of the Asociación de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México (AIMMGM). The Mexico stand was possible due to the support of the AIMMGM, Peñoles, Minera Media Luna, Newmont, Alamos Gold, Endeaavour Silver, Asociación de Mineros de Sonora, Construplan, Detector Exploraciones, SSR Mining Pitarrilla, Santacruz Silver Mining, Starcore, International Mines, MacClean, Diesel Cargo, Accendo Banco, ROD General Contractor and Ecodrill, as the Mexican government no longer supports international promotion.
  • Grupo Mexico plans to invest 78% more in 2020. On mining the budget is US$1,217 M to produce 1.12 M tonnes Cu, further US$367 M to invest in transport and US$412 M in the infrastructure division.
  • Mining industry companies are to invest more than US$200 M in exploration in Mexico during 2020. Torex Gold plans to invest US$13 M in the Media Luna project; Fresnillo will invest over US$135 M in exploration in Chile, Peru and Mexico; First Majestic Silver will invest US$28 M in San Dimas, Durango and Santa Elena, Sonora; Pan American Silver is to invest more than US$37 M at Dolores in Chihuahua and La Colorada in Zacatecas.
  • Mining did not have a good year in Mexico in 2019. Mining is ongoing in 25 States, produces 8.1% of the industrial GNP and had a 5.1% contraction as result of the policies of the actual Federal Government. Since December of 2018 no new mineral concession titles have been granted, and the environmental regulator, SEMARNAT has delivered just one Environmental Impact Report (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA). In Puebla, a local court maintains a suspension of work on El Gorrión mine (Ixtaca) based on a legal complaint by a communal group (ejido) on a mineral concession the company no longer has. The Cosalá mine in Sinaloa is paralyzed by a conflict between unions masterminded by Morena’s senator Napoleon Gómez Urrutia, reminiscent of the conflict suffered by Torex Gold a few months ago under the same terms. The projected investments for US$5,343 M were not achieved, with the projected real figure likely to be around 60%, and exploration at 36% of the expected. Coming interactions of the industry with the Environmental regulator the sub secretary of mining, Francisco Quiroga and Alfonso Romo are to try to better the condition of the industry.
  • The governor of Durango, José Rosas Aispuro announced at the PDAC convention in Toronto, the investment of US$100 M in the mining sector during 2020 in the State.
  • The Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas is the biggest gold mine in Mexico, the second largest for silver and one of the biggest producers of zinc and lead. The mine is expected to produce 1.6 M Oz AuEq per year during the next five years. The company is striving to reduce costs and optimize the operation.
  • The Industria Nacional de Autopartes (INA) promotes the installation of a battery plant based on lithium, to take advantage of the natural resources and the industrial prowess of the country. Bacanora Lithium plans to invest US$420 M on the installation of a processing plant in Bacadehuachi, Sonora, in order to produce 17 K tonnes a year. About 85% of the lithium producers are in Asia, and USA produces 20% of the batteries. The nearness to the USA and sea ports are other advantages for project owned by Bacanora Lithium.
  • During December 2019 mining grew by 0.9% thanks to the push given by a raise of 19.1% in lead production. For the year, mining decreased 1.5%, while lead production grew 13.3%. Los Gatos, in Chihuahua; Minera Capela in Guerrero; San Martin and Peñasquito in Zacatecas and production by Fresnillo aided in the growth seen by the bluish gray metal. Production rates from other metals show increments and decrements to the following tenor During December: Gypsum +14.4%, zinc +8.8%, silver +7.8%, sulphur +5.2%, coke -25.8%, iron pellets -7.3%, coal -5.2%, gold -2.2%, copper -0-8%. For the year: Overall -1.5%, gold -10.2%, silver +1.1%, copper +4.8%, zinc +7.0%, lead +13.3%, iron pellets -0.5%, coke -16.0%, Sulphur -14.7%, fluorite -5.0%, coal -2.0%, gypsum -0.6%. The trend reflects years of decreasing investment in mining, although some new developments might increase the production on lead, zinc, silver and copper.
  • The Future of the Mexican Mining Industry seminar was held during the PDAC convention in Toronto, Canada. Four environmentally focused conferences opened the seminar in which a dialogue table was set with the Mining Sub Secretary Francisco Quiroga, several governors, union leaders, mining company executives, financial analysts and congressmen.
  • Lithium exploration projects in Mexico: There are more than 20 lithium exploration projects in the country, most within Sonora, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Baja California and Coahuila. The most advanced is Bacanora Lithium’s Sonora project in Bacadehuachi, but other interesting properties are comprised by OrganiMax’s Salar La Salada in Zacatecas, and Salar Santa Clara and Salar Caliguey in San Luis Potosí; Litio Infinito’s project in Sonora, adjacent to the ground held by Bacanora Lithium and One World Lithium’s Salar del Diablo project in Baja California.
  • Industrias Peñoles intends to change the fuel used by its mining trucks fleet in a mine in Sonora. The change involves modifying the trucks to run on LP gas instead of diesel (Milpillas mine?).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. announced it has an option to acquire El Duraznito project in Durango, which is 18 Km East of First Majestic’s San Dimas mine. Mineralization is represented by quartz veins and quartz bearing breccias along 1,500 m of longitude and 300 m vertically. Those structures are parallel to the San Dimas veins, and appear to be also of epithermal low sulfidation character. A series of rock chip samples on sub-parallel quartz bearing breccias have returned 45 m @ 1.6 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag; 30 m @ 3.9 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 23 m @ 1.8 gpt Au, 58 gpt Ag; 15 m @ 3.1 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag. Channel samples on quartz veins returned 10 m @ 4.8 gpt Au, 464 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 3.9 gpt Au, 756 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 9.7 gpt Au, 343 gpt Ag; 3.0 m @ 2.8 gpt Au, 113 gpt Ag.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. released results from its ongoing program at El Cobre project in Veracruz. Core length intercepts released include: 158.0 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 0.26% Cu (including 19.6 m @ 0.83 gpt Au, 0.28% Cu); 71.7 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 0.12% Cu (including 17.7 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 0.38% Cu); 179.5 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 0.22% Cu (including 39.95 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 0.63% Cu and 17.55 m @ 0.48 gpt Au, 0.32% Cu); 112.2 m @ 0.36 gpt Au, 0.26% Cu; 442.2 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 0.23% Cu (including 158.0 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 0.26% Cu); 197.5 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 0.24% Cu (including 16 .0 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 0.81% Cu); 193.5 m @ 0.27 gpt Au, 0.14% Cu.

ON MINING

  • United States Antimony Corp. reported the successful start up of the Los Juarez Au and Ag production at Los Juarez, Queretaro. Detailed mapping delineated jasperoid silica-rich mineralized pipes over an E-W strike length of three kilometres, and a maximum width of one kilometre. Highlighted individual 1.0-1.5 m assays on drill holes range from trace to 25 gpt Au, 13 to 451 gpt Ag and 0.08 to 1.19% Sb. With a mean grade of 1.09 gpt Au, 102 gpt Ag, 0.65% Sb, and recovery rates of 90% Au, 85% Ag, 70% Sb. The ore is being treated by flotation mill, flotation mill and caustic leach and flotation mill tailings and cyanide leach.
  • Mexus Gold US. Announced it is now producing gold daily at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). Mexus plans to produce 5 to 7 Oz Au daily, and then increase to 10 Oz Au per day by the end of the month.
  • Bacanora Lithium Plc. provided financial results for the second half of 2019. During the period Bacanora concluded an investment and offtake agreement with Ganfeng Lithium Co, Ltd., raised UK$14.4 M and retained a US$150 M conditional senior debt facility. Engineering work has continued, while full development capital for construction is being pursued.
  • Gold Resource Corp. presented production figures for last year, including figures from its Oaxaca mining unit. During the year, 29,435 Oz Au, 1.72 M Oz Ag, 1,859 tonnes Cu, 2,286 tonnes Pb, 5,734 tonnes Zn were produced. Apporting to that production, 629 .9 K tonnes were milled @ 1.73 gpt Au, 82 gpt Ag, 0.38%Cu, 1.88% Pb, 4.64% Zn at the Arista mine, part of the Oaxaca Mining Unit.
  • Fresnillo Plc. announced financial results for the year 2019. Silver and gold production diminished 11.6% and 5.1% respectively during the period. Total silver production was 47.4 M Oz, with most of such production coming from Saucito (15.9 M Oz Ag), Fresnillo (24.8 M Oz Ag), San Julián DOB (7.4 M Oz Ag), Ciénega (5.3 M Oz Ag) and San Julián veins (4.2 M Oz Ag). A total of 848 K Oz Au were produced, mostly from Herradura (496 K Oz Au), Noche Buena (105 K Oz Au), Saucito (72 K Oz Au), San Julián veins (62 K Oz Au), Ciénega (62 K Oz Au), Fresnillo (46 K Oz Au). The company also produced 49 K tonnes of lead, from Saucito (19.7 K tonnes Pb), Fresnillo (19.5 K tonnes Pb), Ciénega (4.4 K tonnes Pb ), San Julián (5.4 K tonnes Pb), and 78.6 K tonnes of zinc from Fresnillo (26.3 K tonnes Zn), Saucito (25.6 K tonnes Zn), San Julián (19 K tonnes Zn), Ciénega (7.6 K tonnes Zn). Cash cost per silver ounce varied between ($0.2) and $7 per Oz Ag on the different mining units, and gold between $818.6 and $847.8 per Oz Au.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. released operating results for the quarter ending on December of 2019 and full year 2019 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At the Mercedes mine in Sonora, 667.7 K tonnes were mined @ 2.91 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, recovering 95.8% Au, 34.0% Ag, to produce 59,901 Oz Au, 191.3 K Oz Ag. Co-product cash cost was $1,034 per Oz, and co-product AISC $1,263 per Oz Au. For the full year total capital expenditures were $18.8 M, focusing on underground mine infrastructure and development, as well as exploration and replacement of old mining equipment.

ON FINANCING

  • One World Lithium Inc. announced the amendment of the terms of 14.5 M outstanding common share purchase warrants, previously issued by the company (Salar del Diablo, Baja California).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. entered into unsecured loan facilities with CZL major shareholders, the Copulos and Retzos Groups. The loan facilities are for A$400 K at an interest rate of 10% per annum, repayable by the end of June 2021 (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.015 per common share and introduced a dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. closed its previously announced public offering for gross proceeds of $38 M, paying a 5% cash commission, with a reduced 2.5% cash commission on the Orion purchase (check note for further details) (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mag Silver Corp. announced results from the 2019 28-hole program with 33,864 m of drilling on the Juanicipio JV property in Zacatecas. The latest exploration results confirm and expand the wide, high-grade mineralization in the Valdecañas Deep zone and the Anticipada vein, as well as confirming and expanding the Venada vein, and the discovery of the NE trending Valentina and Venadas II veins through drilling and development. Exceptional true width intercepts comprise: 5.7 m @ 3,884 gpt Ag, 8.4 gpt Au, 6.5% Pb, 9.7% Zn, 0.3% Cu; 21.1 m @ 129 gpt Ag, 1.7 gpt Au, 3.5% Pb, 7.8% Zn, 0.2% Cu; 21.2 m @ 147 gpt Ag, 1.2 gpt Au, 3.9% Pb, 8.8% Zn, 0.3% Cu; 1.0 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 10.6 gpt Au, 1.3% Pb, 4.4% Zn; 2.5 M @ 918 gpt Ag, 1.8 gpt Au; 1.2 m @ 279 gpt Ag, 0.7 gpt Au; 0.7 m 1,216 gpt Ag, 3.6 gpt Au.

Gold Resource Corp. updated annual reserve estimates, including figures for its Mexican operations. At the Oaxaca Mining Unit that comprises the Arista and the Mirador mine, 2.83 M tonnes @ 1.97 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag contain 179,300 Oz Au and 11.1 M Oz Ag in proven and probable reserves.Gold Resource Reserve table 20192Gold Resource Corp Resource table 20191

  • Aura Minerals Inc. provided mineral reserves and resources estimates to the end of 2019, including figures for its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas.Aranzazu Reserves 20191
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. released metallurgical test results with increased precious metals recoveries at Las Chispas property in Sonora. After nine months of intensive metallurgical tests involving all veins, the results show an increase on recoveries to 96.1% Au and 93.9% Ag. The design criteria envisages a single stage crushing, a sag mill single stage, gravity recovery of 40% to 50% precious metals, leach recovery for gravity concentrate on a 96 hours leach circuit and leach recovery for gravity tails on 96 hours leach circuit.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Mithril Resources Ltd. presented the 2019 end of year report. The most significant event is the ongoing acquisition of Sun Minerals Pty Ltd., which holds an option on the Copalquin project in Durango. The said acquisition is expected to be completed during the present quarter, with field work and drilling to be undertaken shortly after, as the statutory permits have already been obtained.
  • Oroco Resource Corp. closed the acquisition of the balance of the ownership of Altamura Copper Corp., giving the company 100% control of the Santo Tomás porphyry copper project in Sinaloa. The Company holds a 56.7% interest in 1,172.9 ha core concessions of the project, and may increase the interest up to an 81% interest with an investment of up to CAD$30 M. Oroco also holds a 77.5% interest in 7,807.9 ha of mineral concessions surrounding and adjacent to the core concessions.
  • Alio Gold Inc. entered into a definitive share purchase agreement to sell Molimentales del Noroeste S.A. de C.V., which owns 100% interest on the San Francisco mine in Sonora, with Magna Gold Corp.. Under the agreement Alio Gold will receive 9.74 M shares of Magna and an additional $5M in cash a year from the closing.
  • Sable Resources Ltd. announced the appointment of Dr Ruben Padilla to the position of company president & CEO (Margarita, Chihuahua).
  • Equinox Gold Corp. and Leagold Mining Corp. received the clearance decision “from the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (“COFECE”) with respect to the pending merger between Equinox Gold and Leagold. COFECE approval was the final government agency approval required before completing the merger, which is anticipated to occur in the second week of March” (Los Filos, Guerrero).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the signing of the definitive binding share purchase agreement to acquire all the shares of Minera La Rastra S.A. de C.V. from First Majestic Silver Corp., and the ownership of the Plomosas Silver project in Sinaloa. The 8,515 ha project includes the old Plomosas mine, four targets at the drill/resource stage and 16 exploration targets and and exploration database with more than 500 historical drill holes.
  • Prime Mining Corp. signed a long-term surface access agreement on its Guadalupe de Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. The agreement signed with the Ejido Tasajera, envisions an initial 15-year term that can be extended for another 15 years. Under the terms of the agreement US$38.3 K were paid on signature, with a following payment of US$20K on year four and US$30 K on year five. If construction begins prior to the fifth year, the annual payment increases to US$30 K, and the payment under commercial production to US$200 K.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. announced it has an option to acquire El Duraznito project in Durango, which is 18 Km East of First Majestic’s San Dimas mine. Chesapeake is to pay US$228 K in instalments to two concession owners for three years to gain a 60% participation at El Duraznito, and US$500 K to obtain an additional 20%. At the start of commercial production Chesapeake is to make a final payment of US$550 K to the vendors.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. Provided an update on the status of the legal proceedings related to a disputed royalty on one of its extracting mining concessions at the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Fortuna initiated legal proceedings against the Dirección General de Minas (DGM) to contest the procedure taken by the DGM to cancel one of its mining concessions if the disputed royalty plus VAT is not paid before March 15, 2020. A permanent stay of execution (amparo) was granted, but the final ruling might take months and the company might be required to pay the disputed royalty.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • INFONAVIT executives from the Zacatecas Direction provided the Peñasquito mine with two awards for its excellent compliance with the payments of dues to the housing fund of its workers.

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

On the image below: Hydrothermal breccia sealed by silica in a thermal spring in Baja California, picture by Jorge Cirett.

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LEAGOLD REPORTS MEXICAN ANTI-TRUST APPROVAL FOR ACQUISITION OF BRIO GOLD

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Leagold_nr_20180516

Vancouver, May 16, 2018 – Leagold Mining Corporation (TSX:LMC; OTCQX:LMCNF) (“Leagold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the receipt of the clearance decision from the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (“COFECE”) with respect to Leagold’s acquisition of Brio Gold Inc. (“Brio”). COFECE approval was the final government agency approval required before completing the acquisition, which is anticipated to occur on or around May 24, 2018.