completion of the bought

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

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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 September, 2023

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Galena-sphalerite-Ag sulfosalts in a quartz vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 38th week of the year (September 18th to September 24th, 2023), at least 18 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, three announcing financing issues, two reporting resources and development of their properties, two informing on exploration results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, According to El Financiero, there has been a 69% increase in the number of suspended projects during the López Obrador administration. According to information from the US Geological Survey, there are 82 lithium deposits in 18 states of the Republic, which can represent 1.7 million tons. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Southern Empire received permitting from the Mexico´s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) for 30 drill hole sites at its Centauro project.  In Zacatecas, Radius provided an update on drilling at its Tropico project.  ON MINING, no relevant news.  ON FINANCING, Equinox announced and completed a bought deal offering of convertible senior notes (Mina Los Filos, Guerrero). Excellon announced debenture restructuring to reduce the outstanding principal amount to CAD $7.5M (La Negra Mine, Queretaro). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Tag announced the commencement of a 7,000m drilling campaign at its La Parrilla Mine Complex in Durango. Tocvan provided an update on the acquisition of Pilar project in Sonora and outlined target areas for the next phase of drilling. Silver Valley provided a corporate update on its MexiCan lithium-potassium projects located in Zacatecas-San Luis Potosi. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Luca Mining announced the appointment of its Director of Corporate Development (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Santacruz reported fatality at its Zimapan Mine, Hidalgo. GR Silver reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Sierra Metals placed Cusi Mine in Chihuahua on care and maintenance and initiated sale process. Radius announced that it proposes to issue 500K common shares of the company to Bruce Smith (Tropico project, Zacatecas). Angel Wing announced the consolidation of its common shares (La Reyna project, Nayarit). Bear Creek announced results from its special meeting of shareholders (Mercedes Mine, Sonora). Colibri announced the retirement of its President and CEO, and its replacement (Evelyn project, Sonora). Orex announced a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of ten pre-consolidation shares to one post-consolidation share (Coneto project, Sonora). Pan American announced that it will host a conference call to discuss the company´s environmental, social, and governance efforts and development (La Colorada, Zacatecas). Silver Viper announced that it will present a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on September 28th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET (La Virginia project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, MAG Silver published its second annual sustainability report (Juanicipio, Zacatecas).  Ternium completed the restoration of the Cerro Náhuatl Mine and Jala Station Closure Plan in Coquimatlán, Colima, which covers a period from 2012 to 2022 in which reforestation works and programs were implemented.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • According to El Financiero, the mining sector has experienced a series of obstacles set by the current administration. The number of suspended projects stood at 439 in 2018, while the current figure is 837, representing a 69% increase in the number of suspended projects during the López Obrador administration. Likewise, the Fraser Institute of Canada placed Mexico in 37th place out of 83 countries evaluated, a drop of three places compared to 2021 and 17 positions compared to 2010. The sector is worried that the USD $77.2M budget assigned to Mexican Geological Survey (SGM) for 2024 is 95.47% below the USD $1.7 B private companies invested just in exploration. “With this lack of budget for exploration, they are condemning the country and the mining sector, because mining will be halted for another six years. If the modifications to the Mining Law remain as they are, we will witness Mexico’s mining sector entering a clear decline,” said Alfredo Phillips, Vice President, Argonaut Gold, in an interview with El Financiero.  In an interview with Mexico Business News (MBN), Ramón Luna, Director General of Servicios y Proyectos Mineros de Mexico (SPM), acknowledged that SGM has talented geologists and manages the most comprehensive database in Mexico. However, the public body does not match the infrastructure of a private company. “(The reform) would either force the more than 100 exploration companies in the country to work with the SGM or make the latter the only operator. This is not feasible because it lacks the necessary infrastructure,” he added.  Similarly, Raúl García, President of College of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (CIMMGM), said that we could see the first impacts of lacking exploration by 2025 and a drop in production within the next five years, if SGM does not maintain the current levels of exploration. According to data from the Secretariat of Economy (SE), in 1Q23, the total foreign direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector amounted to USD $419M. In contrast, during the same period in 2013, this figure reached USD $2.036 B, reflecting a decline of 79.4%. During Enrique Peña Nieto’s initial five-year term, from 2012 to 2017, the country received mining FDI totaling USD $2.8 B and USD $1.9 B, respectively, representing a decrease of 32.1%. Meanwhile, during the first five years of López Obrador’s administration, covering the period from 2018 to 2023, FDI amounted to USD $1.9 B and USD $419M, marking a significant 78% decrease. However, it is important to note that data for 2023 is not fully available, which means that the percentages provided could vary.
  • According to information from the US Geological Survey, there are 82 lithium deposits in 18 states of the Republic, which can represent 1.7 million tons. A few days ago, Héctor Usla, Economist and Reporter of the El Financiero Newspaper, reported that the 2024 Expenditure Law project plans to allocate MXP $9.77M to Litio para México (LitioMx), the entity created in August 2022, for the exploration, exploitation, benefit and use of lithium found in national territory. This is an amount that allows the administrative operation of the decentralized organization, but that seems insufficient to reliably establish the total amount of probable lithium reserves and initiate exploration and production in the most promising deposits. (Note of the writer.- Are you serious?…Obviously, it would be vastly insufficient to have a budget like that reported above to carry out exploration, exploitation, etc.).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Southern Empire Resources Corp., received permitting from the Mexico´s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) for 30 drill hole sites at its Centauro project in Chihuahua. “The Centauro Gold Project exhibits significant potential to host “Carlin-style” and/or epithermal precious metal mineralization based on extensive brecciation, silicification and argillization of the Tertiary-age Ahuichila Formation conglomerate, a strongly coincident gold (“Au”), arsenic (“As”), antimony (“Sb”), mercury (“Hg”), thallium, silver, barium soil geochemical signature associated with a silicified mesa “cap” covering 2.5 km along the strike of the main zone, outcrops containing arsenopyrite, realgar, orpiment and stibnite, and low to non- anomalous base metal values”. 
  • Radius Gold Inc., provided an update on drilling at its Tropico project in Zacatecas. The initial hole TDD-001 plan for 300m to intersect the Tropico breccia pipe encountered difficult ground conditions and was abandoned at 56m. “The hole from 19m to 56m is intensely altered with clay, silicification, variable zones of hydrothermal breccias and repeated sets of banded silica veins with fine sulphides and stockwork veining. Banded veining had not previously been seen on the property”. “The drill rig has been stepped back from the target an additional 25m and a new hole drilled deeper under hole TDD-001, this time using large diameter PQ sized core and casing which is expected to alleviate the drilling difficulties”.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced that it has entered into an agreement to buy, on a bought deal basis, 4.75% unsecured convertible senior notes due 2028 in an aggregate principal amount of $150M.  The company has granted the initial purchasers up to an additional $22.5M aggregate principal amount of notes. The notes will be issued at par value.  Later on, the company announced that it had closed its previously announced bought deal offering of $172.5M aggregate principal amount of 4.75% unsecured convertible senior notes due 2028, which includes exercise of the full amount of the option to purchase an additional $22.5M aggregate principal amount of notes Net proceeds will be used for repayment of debt and for general corporate purposes (Mina Los Filos, Guerrero).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced debenture restructuring to reduce the outstanding principal amount to CAD $7.5M representing a reduction of CAD $10.4M (58% reduction), and to amend the terms of the remaining debentures to, among other things, further extend the maturity date to August 31, 2026. In exchange for CAD $10.4M aggregate principal amount of the debentures, Excellon to pay CAD $3.5M in equity, 25% interest in Silver City Project, plus additional non-dilutive contingency and royalty payments (La Negra Mine, Queretaro).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., announced the commencement of a 7,000m drilling campaign at its La Parrilla Mine Complex in Durango. The 7,000m phase 1 drilling program will  focus on infill and step-out drilling in proximity to underground mining infrastructure and existing development in three key areas: a) Rosarios and Cuerpo 340 Veins (3,000 m of drilling to test the east, west and central down-dip extensions; b) Quebradillas Underground (3,000 m of drilling to test the strike and down-dip extensions of three key zones including Cuerpo 460, Norte-Sur, and San Nicolas; and c) San Marcos (1,000 m of drilling to test the extension of San Marcos and Cuerpo 1100 at depth.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an update on the acquisition of the Pilar project in Sonora and outlined target areas for the next phase of drilling. The company has exercised notice to Colibri Resources Corp., to purchase the remaining 49%. It also is completing a due diligence expected to finalize in coming weeks to acquire over 21 square-kilometers of land surrounding the Pilar, which contain recent placer activity, historic workings, and prospective geology, indicative that the area is highly prospective for gold and silver. “Tocvan plans to restart field operations at the close of the expansion acquisition to advance new target areas already identified quickly towards drill targeting. Drilling at Pilar and within the new expansion area is planned to total 2,000-meters before year end”.
  • Silver Valley Metals provided a corporate update on its MexiCan lithium-potassium projects located in Zacatecas-San Luis Potosi. Highlights of this project include that significant grades of lithium, potassium sulphate, and boron are located on surface in unconsolidated sediments; the brine potential has not been tested to date; deep basin large aquifer brine potential defined by regional geophysics surveys, remains to be tested; he inferred resource has been tested from surface to an average 5 metres depth; the company anticipates the sediment basin could range from 40m to greater than 100m deep, so the prospect of expanding the sediment resource at depth is substantial; and 12.3M tonnes of Potassium Sulphate and 243K tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent defined thus far. The company declared that discussions are active and advancing with LitioMX and near-term plans are in place to come together to potentially finalize a partnership agreement.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Luca Mining Corp., announced the appointment of its Director of Corporate Development. The company also granted incentive stock options to its employees and consultants to purchase an aggregate 225K share in the capital stock of the company (Tahuehueto project, Durango).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported that an employee was fatality injured at its Zimapan Mine, Hidalgo. The fatality was the result of rockfall from a stope face.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders.  Incumbent director Laura Diaz chose not to stand for re-election and was not a nominee (Plomosas project, Sinaloa).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., placed Cusi Mine in Chihuahua on care and maintenance and initiated a process to sell the mine. Ernesto Balarezo Valdez, Sierra Metals’ CEO, stated that “Sierra Metals is transitioning to become a copper-focused mining company, and the planned divestiture of Cusi will allow us to focus on our two key mines, Yauricocha in Peru and Bolivar in Mexico, where we have significant potential to continue growing our copper production”.
  • Radius Gold Inc., announced that it proposes, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, to issue 500K common shares of the company to Bruce Smith. The common shares will be issued at a deemed price of $0.24 per share, for a total deemed value of $120K (good for you Bruce!) (Tropico project, Zacatecas).
  • Angel Wing Metals Inc., announced the consolidation of its common shares on the basis of one post- consolidation common share for every two pre-consolidation shares issued and outstanding as of the close of business on September 20, 2023. (La Reyna project, Nayarit).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced results from its special meeting of shareholders (Mercedes Mine, Sonora).
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced the retirement of its President and CEO, and its replacement (Evelyn project, Sonora).
  • Orex Minerals Inc., announced a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of ten pre-consolidation shares to one post-consolidation share. The reasons for the consolidation are to increase the company’s flexibility and competitiveness in the marketplace and to attract new equity investment in the company  (Coneto project, Sonora).
  • Pan American Silver Corp., announced that it will host a conference call to discuss the company ´s environmental, social, and governance efforts, and development on October 19, 2023 at 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) (La Colorada, Zacatecas).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced that it will present a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on September 28th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET (La Virginia project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • MAG Silver Corp., published its second annual sustainability report. , which provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) commitments, practices, and performance for the 2022 year. Highlights of the 2022 sustainability report include zero fatalities at the Juanicipio project, Zacatecas or at MAG´s exploration projects; a lost time injury frequency rate of 1.92; over 62,000 hours dedicated to safety training; zero significant environmental incidents at the Juanicipio and other projects; 66% of MAG Silver´s workforce is hired from local communities; over 13 community engagement initiatives across 4 different project streams at the Juanicipio project: health, education, capacity buildings, and microenterprise projects; 38% of Board directors are female, surpassing the 30% target established in MAG´s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy; and Code of Conduct and Social Responsibility Policy refreshed and updated to specifically articulate the importance of engaging with Indigenous communities through meaningful dialogue, cooperation, and deepening of the shared-value approach to local development activities to promote sustainable and lasting economic and social benefits.
  • Ternium completed the restoration of the Cerro Náhuatl Mine and Jala Station Closure Plan in Coquimatlán, Colima, which covers a period from 2012 to 2022 in which reforestation works and programs were implemented. With this project, the forest area was increased by 88 hectares and the area was repopulated with 180 species of native fauna. It is a component of the company’s commitment to sustainability in the communities where it operates, according to a statement.

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, galena, sphalerite, and silver sulfosalts in a quartz vein from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Sonora, Mexico Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 8th week of the year (February 20th to February 26th, 2023), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten reporting resources and developments of their properties, six communicating production and financial results, two informing on exploration results, two commenting on Mexican issues, one disclosing deals and corporate issues, one announcing financing issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Almaden regretted the decision of Mexico´s Ministry of Economy to deny the two mineral title applications which were first made by Almaden in 2002 and 2008, and which in turn led to the grant of mineral titles in 2003 and 2009, respectively. GoGold, Bear Creek, GR Silver, and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of February, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan released results from surface channel sampling of selected area for a bulk sample at its Pilar project.  In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals provided an update and defined drill targets at its Jemi Heavy Earth Rare Element project. ON MINING, Coeur reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Starcore announced Q3, 2023 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Equinox provided 2023 guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. Bear Creek announced 2023 production guidance for its Mercedes mine in Mexico. Gatos Silver released 2023 production and cost guidance for its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. First Majestic reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations. ON FINANCING, Silver Tiger closed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $18M (El Tigre project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Guanajuato Silver announced drill results from its San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato. Alamos Gold reported Mineral Reserves and Resources for the year-ended 2022 at its Mulatos project, Sonora. Bear Creek released results of recent drilling from its Marianas and Rey de Oro deposits at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Chesapeake announced updated Minera Resource Estimate for its world class Metates deposit in Durango.  Minera Alamos informed the commencement of drilling at its Santana project in Sonora. GR Silver reported underground drilling results from 35 holes drilled as part of the 2022 infill and exploratory drilling program conducted at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Silver Dollar identified five new mineralized target areas at its la Joya project in Durango. Regency Silver announced that two follow-up holes down-dip were completed at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Vizsla provided a year-end 2022 summary of its activities carried out at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Minera Alamos granted stock options to its management team, Board of Directors, and certain consultants (Santana project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden signed a cooperation agreement with the Ejido Santa Maria Zotoltepec, the ejido located closest to its Ixtaca project in Puebla.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., regretted the decision of Mexico´s Ministry of Economy to deny the two mineral title applications which were first made by Almaden in 2002 and 2008, and which in turn led to the grant of mineral titles in 2003 and 2009, respectively. These mineral titles underpin the Ixtaca deposit which was discovered by Almaden in 2010. As previously reported, these mineral titles were reduced to application status as a result of an early 2022 decision of Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN). Almaden believes that this action by the Secretariat of Economy is inconsistent with the Mexican Mining Law, the SCJN decision, and international law. The Company expects to submit arguments challenging the Secretariat of Economy’s submissions to the District Court within the next few days.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., Bear Creek Mining Corporation, GR Silver Mining Ltd, and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of February, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., released results from surface channel sampling of selected area from an up to 1,000 tonnes of oxide-gold bulk sample at its Pilar project in Sonora. Channel sampling was completed every 5m perpendicular to exposed mineralization and alteration at surface along the Main Zone and 4-T trends. Eight locations were sampled to test varying levels of exposed mineralization, all eight trench locations returned anomalous gold and silver values. Highlights include TR-2023-001 where seven samples over a 35m trend returned an average grade of 2.2 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, ranging from 8.3 g/t Au to 0.1 g/t Au; TR-2023-002 where five samples over a 20m trend returned  an average grade of 2.8 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag, ranging from 7.1 g/t Au to 0.7 g/t Au; and TR-23-007 where five samples along a 25m trend returned an average grade of 2.2 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag ranging from 7.3 g/t Au to 0.1 g/t Au. “Bulk Sample material will be extracted and prepared for processing by heap-leach method at a private mining operation less than 25km to the west of Pilar”.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update and defined drill targets at its Jemi heavy earth rare element project, located in Coahuila State. The exploration program carried out by the exploration team of the company consisted of detailed mapping and rock sampling, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and lithogeochemical sampling. The exploration effort has been focused on the Jemi dikes and Veladora Norte areas, which host peralkaline intrusion related REE mineralization. “Of the 188 samples with assay results, over one third (76 samples) returned values greater than 0.15% total rare earth oxide (TREO), including 5 samples that returned values greater than 1.0% TREO to a maximum value of 2.4% TREO. The average TREO for all samples is 0.21%, and a minimum value of 9 parts per million (ppm), which was returned in an iron-oxide/calcite vein”. This rock sampling has defined a series of high priority drill targets.

ON MINING

  • Coeur Mining Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. On Q4, 2022 the company milled 554,247 tonnes of 1.59 g/t Au and 98 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of  92.4% and 85% respectively to produce approximately 26K Oz Au and 1.49M Oz Ag. It sold 25.2K Oz Au and 1.49M Oz Ag at an average realized price of USD $1,519 per Oz Au and USD $21.10 per Oz Ag. Coeur reported metal sales of USD $69.5.4M; cost applicable to sales (CAS) of USD $47.1M; adjusted CAS per Oz Au of USD $1,027 and adjusted CAS per Oz Ag of USD $14.23; exploration expense of USD $1.5M; cash flow from operating activities of USD $18.9M; total capital expenditures of USD $8.1M; and free cash flow of USD $10.8M. On the full year 2022,  Coeur milled approximately 2.2M tonnes of 1.65 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 92.1% and 84.2% respectively to produce approximately 106.8K Oz Au and 6.71M Oz Ag. It sold 107.1K Oz Au and  6.7M Oz Ag at an average realized price of USD $1,471 per Oz Au and USD $21.78 per Oz Ag. Coeur reported metal sales of USD $303.4M; cost applicable to sales (CAS) of USD $1822.6M; adjusted CAS per Oz Au of USD $883 and adjusted CAS per Oz Ag of USD $13.05; exploration expense of USD $6.6M; cash flow from operating activities of USD $88.4M; total capital expenditures of USD $42.6M; and free cash flow of USD $45.8M.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced Q3, 2023 production results from its san martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 58,562 tonnes of 1.29 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 85.24% and 48.95% respectively to produce 2,182 Oz AuEq.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., provided 2023 guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. The company expects to produce between 160K-180K Oz Au at cash and all includes sustaining cost of USD $1,460-USD $1,620 and USD $1,680-USD $1,865 per Oz Au produced respectively; and a sustaining cost of USD $40M.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced 2023 production guidance for its Mercedes mine in Mexico. The company expects to produce 65K-75K Oz Au and 210K-243K Oz Ag during 2023 at an average cash cost per Oz Au in the range of  $830-$890 , and all in sustaining cost of $1,120-$1,290 per Oz Au.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., released 2023 production and cost guidance for its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. The company expects to produce between 7.4-8.2M Oz Ag, 57-63M Lb Zn in Zn concentrates, 36-40M Lb Pb in Pb concentrates, and 5.4-6.2K Oz Au in Pb concentrates (or 12.4-13.8M Oz AgEq). All in sustaining cost for silver production and silver equivalent production has been estimated in USD $11-13 and USD $15.50-17.50 per Oz payable respectively. Gatos Silver also estimated sustaining capital expenditures at USD $45M; and exploration and definition drilling expenditures at USD $13M, including drilling of the south-east deep zone and district exploration.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations. The tables below show figures by mine for the period Q4 and full year 2022:

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., closed its previously announced bought deal offering of 58.1M of common shares at a price of CADS $0.31 per share for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $18M. Gross proceeds will be used to continue advancement of its El Tigre mine in Sonora, and for general corporate purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-110 on the Eagle Deposits with 1.43 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag (2 g/t AuEq or 150 g/t AgEq) over 62.4m, including 4.57 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag (5.52 g/t AuEq or 414 g/t AgEq) over 16m, including 17.05 g/t Au and 189 g/t Ag (19.57 g/t AuEq or 1,468 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; hole LRGAG-22-113 on the Eagle Deposit with 3.29 g/t Au and 358 g/t Ag (8.06 g/t AuEq or 605 g/t AgEq), including 20.05 g/t Au and 2,000 g/t Ag (46.72 g/t AuEq or 3,504 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m, including 40 g/t Au and 3,490 g/t Ag (86.53 g/t AuEq or 6,490 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m, plus 2.32 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag (3.09 g/t AuEq or 232 g/t AgEq) over 29.5m, including 5.20 g/t Au and 72 g/t Ag (6.16 g/t AuEq or 462 g/t AgEq) over 12.3m, including 21.10 g/t Au and 170 g/t Ag (23.37 g/t AuEq or 1,752 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole LRGAG-22-115 on the Eagle Deposit with 1.44 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (2.45 g/t AuEq or 183 g/t AgEq) over 31.5m, including 3.38 g/t Au and 147 g/t Ag (5.34 g/t AuEq or 400 g/t AgEq) over 11m, including 12.85 g/t Au and 64 g/t Ag (13.70 g/t AuEq or 1,028 g/t AgEq) over 1; and hole LRGAG-22-227 on the Main Deposit with 1.28 g/t Au and 105 g/t Ag (2.68 g/t AuEq or 201 g/t AgEq) over 29m, including 4.84 g/t Au and 352 g/t Ag (9.54 g/t AuEq or 715 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 24 g/t Au and 335 g/t Ag (28.47 g/t AuEq or 2,135 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m. The Eagle Deposit adjoins the Main Deposit and represents a northern extension of the previously defined Mineral Resource Estimate in the Los Ricos South PEA.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced drill results from its San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato. Drilling highlights include hole UGSI22-005, the best drill hole the company has drilled at any of its mines acquired from Great Panther, with 5.11 g/t Au and 810 g/t Ag (1,219 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.92m, including 25.84 g/t Au and 4,914 g/t Ag (6,981 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m, including 28.23 g/t Au and 1,693 g/t Ag (3,951 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m. This significant drill result on the Melladito vein will be followed up with additional drill holes attempting to follow the down dip extension of the vein within the Company’s 2023 drill campaign. In addition, the company is in the midst of driving a 400m access ramp from Melladito to the analogous Purisima vein, which offers the potential for expanded production at San Ignacio mine. Guanajuato Silver also confirmed that it will provide an updated mineral resource estimate which is expected to be completed by Q3, 2023.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported Mineral Reserves and Resources for the year-ended 2022 at its Mulatos project, Sonora. The company reported Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves of 26,734,000 tons with an average grade of 1.95 g/t Au for a total of 1,679,000 Oz Au contained. Alamos Gold also announced Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) for 10,302,000 tonnes of 2.52 g/t Au for a total of 502K Oz Au contained, and Inferred Resources for 1,774,000 tonnes of 1.27 g/t Au for a total of 72K Oz Au contained. In addition, the company has budgeted a total of USD $17M for exploration in 2023. This budget comprises 16,000m of surface exploration drilling at Puerto del Aire, Gap Victor, and Estrella Zones, and 34,000m for regional exploration on high priority targets, including Halcon, Halcon West, Carricito, Bajios, and Jaspe.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation released results of recent underground drilling from its Marianas and Rey de Oro deposits at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Drilling highlights (reported in true widths) include hole UG-MR22-105 collared on Marianas Deposit with 5.68 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag over 2.8m, plus 12.43 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag over 2.8m; hole UG- MR22-106 on Mariana Deposit with 41 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over 0.8m; hole UG-MAR22-113 on Mariana Deposit with 8.47 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag over 3m, plus 5.02 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 3m; hole  UG-RDO23-075 collared on Rey de Oro Deposit with 10.23 g/t Au and 182 g/t Ag over 3.5m; hole UG-RDO22-077 on Rey de Oro Deposit with 15.35 g/t Au and 109 g/t Ag over 1.03m; and hole M22-934D on GAP Deposit with 6.47 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag over 2.2m. “The Marianas and GAP drilling represent step-outs from the existing underground mining operations along the main Mercedes vein zone.  The Rey de Oro drilling represents extensions downdip and along strike of the existing reserves and underground operations”.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced updated Minera Resource Estimate (MRE) for its world class Metates deposit in Durango. The updated MRE incorporates an additional 23 holes drilled by Chesapeake and has an effective date of January 28, 2023.  It include Measured + Indicated Resources for 921.2M tonnes with average grades of 0.57 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag for a total of 16.77M Oz Au and 423.2M Oz Ag contained, and Inferred Resources for 139.5M tonnes with average grades of 0.47 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag for a total of 2.13M Oz Au and 59 M Oz Ag contained. “This updated MRE together with on-going metallurgical work will form the basis of a new Pre-Feasibility Study”.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., informed the commencement of drilling at its Santana project in Sonora. The company plans to drill a number of gold bearing breccia pipes in the cluster that comprise the Santana project. Some of these priority targets such as Zata and Benjamin Hill have never been drilled before. Over 10,000m of drilling in up to 80 holes have been planned by the company`s exploration team to drill-test the targets.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported underground drilling results from 35 holes drilled as part of the 2022 infill and exploratory drilling program conducted at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights ( reported in true widths) include hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over 14.1m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (808 g/t AgEq) over 1.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,075 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; hole PLIP22-52 with 2 g/t Ag and 1.91 g/t Au (182 g/t AgEq) over 8.1m, including 33 g/t Ag and 64.5 g/t Au (6,033 g/t AgEq) over 0.2M; hole PLIP22-29 with 55 g/t Ag, 1.01 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 4.8% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (441 g/t AgEq) over 21.7m, including 299 g/t Ag, 5.42 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, 9.7% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,291 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m; hole PLIP22-35 with 20 g/t Ag, 1.8 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.5% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (221 g/t AgEq) over 14.2m, including 44 g/t Ag, 1.1 g/t Au, 10.4% Pb, 15.3% Pb, and 0.3% Cu (1,059 g/t AgEq) over 0.2m, including 46 g/t Ag, 6.09 g/t Au, 2.7% Pb, 8.4% Pb, and 0.8% Cu (1,105 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 30 g/t Ag, 0.76 g/t Au, 7.9% Pb, 7.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (669 g/t AgEq) over 8.3m, including 49 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 7.8% Pb, 10.9% Zn, and 1.1% Cu (846 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, including 50 g/t Ag, 1.97 g/t Au, 19.7 g/t Pb, 15.6% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (1,422 g/t AgEq) over 2.7m.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., identified five new mineralized target areas at its la Joya project in Durango. These areas are located in the unexplored portion of the property and were outlined during the last exploration campaign which consisted of geological mapping and sampling. The Verde and Hueco Areas were partially drilled by a previous operator, while Dyke North, Dyke South, and South-East Areas never have been drill tested before.
  • Regency Silver Corp., announced that two follow-up holes down-dip from REG-22-01 were completed at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Hole REG-22-01 intersected 6.84 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, and 0.88% Cu over 35.8m, including 13.97 g/t Au, 50 g/t Ag, and 1.11% Cu over 9.8m. Hole REG-23-14 encountered 32m of pyrite-specularite-chalcopyrite supported breccia from approximately 454-486m within a broader zone of disseminated and vein hosted mineralization approximately 25m down dip from REG-22-01, while hole REG-23-15 intersected 120m of specularite-pyrite-chalcopyrite supported breccia from approximately 400-520m within a broader zone of disseminated and vein hosted mineralization approximately 85m down-dip from REG-22-01 and about 62m down-dip from REG-23-14.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided a year-end 2022 summary of its activities carried out at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa, and outlined the goals for 2023. During Q1, 2022 the company announced its initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) centered on the western portion of the Panuco district.  In 2022, Vizsla completed over 121,000m of additional drilling to conclude in an updated MRE on January 2023, with a significant increase in gold and silver as well as in the overall grade. The company also discovered other near-surface, high-grade structures, demonstrating the growth potential outboard of the known resource boundaries. “For 2023, our focus is on incremental expansion and de-risking of the current resource base. With a fully funded +90,000m drill program utilizing seven drill rigs, we plan to update the current Panuco resource estimate in the second half of 2023, which will be followed in due course by an initial Preliminary Economic Assessment”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Minera Alamos Inc., granted stock options to its management team, Board of Directors, and certain consultants. The Board of Directors approved the issuance of a total of 2.25M options at an exercise price of $0.51, and 6.9M at an exercise price of $0.45. All the options will expire in 5 years and vest 50% on the first anniversary of their grant and 50% on the second anniversary (Santana project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., signed a cooperation agreement with the Ejido Santa Maria Zotoltepec, the ejido located closest to its Ixtaca project in Puebla, to support an agro-technological package aimed at sustainable plan nutrition and soil enrichment.

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, an outcrop of a flow banded rhyolite in a low-sulphidation epithermal veins prospect in Sonora Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of March, 2022

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 13th week of the year (March 28th to April 3rd, 2022), at least 32 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, five companies posted exploration advances on their properties, three released quarterly and full year 2021 reports, one informed on the end of a strike and one declared commercial production. One announced the granting of stock options, three updated on project work, three reported drill results on their advanced properties, two released new resource estimates. ON MEXICO ISSUES, three of the top eight silver intercepts on the fifth week of March were obtained by companies working in Mexico. For the quarter, four of the top ten silver intercepts were from projects in Mexico. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided drill results on the Pilar project; Infinitum Copper commenced drilling at Adelita; Silver Spruce had the preventive report approved for drilling at Jackie. In Zacatecas, Galore Resources informed on drilling at Dos Santos project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver released additional trenching results at La Tigra. ON MINING, SilverCrest Metals, Excellon Resources and Mag Silver released quarterly and full year 2021 reports. Excellon Resources informed the strike on its Platosa mine in Durango was terminated. Orla Mining initiated commercial production at Camino Rojo, in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Inomin Mines granted stock options to director and a contractor.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mexus Gold informed partner company Irmex is modelling the Mabel deposit in Sonora. Solaris Resources is preparing exploration work at La Verde, in Michoacan. Vizsla Silver reported drill results at Panuco, in Sinaloa. Prime Mining delivered drill results from Los Reyes, in Sinaloa. Discovery Silver released results from 17 holes at Cordero, Chihuahua. Torex Gold presented results of the updated technical report on the Morelos Complex in Guerrero. First Majestic Silver presented 2021 resource estimates for its properties. Silver Valley Metals updated on its potassium-lithium salars in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tamino Minerals is triggering a securities fraud probe. Huntington Exploration acquired the El Grande project in Nayarit. Xali Gold ratified the agreement on the tailings with El Oro Municipality in Estado de Mexico. Prime Meridian Resource updated on the purchase of La Verde project in Sonora.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Of the top eight silver intersects released on the fifth week of March, three were by companies working in Mexico, according to Miner Deck. Discovery Silver was first with 45.6 m @ 125 gpt Ag at Cordero in Chihuahua, Vizsla Silver was sixth 2.75 m @ 322 gpt Ag at Panuco, in Sinaloa, and Prime Mining was eighth with 42.7 m @ 43 gpt Ag at Los Reyes, in Sinaloa.
  • According to Miner Deck, of the top ten silver intersects released on Q1 2022, four were by companies working in Mexico. Pan American Silver was fourth with 322.9 m @ 64 gpt Ag at La Colorada Skarn in Zacatecas, GoGold Resources was fifth with 25.7 m @ 776 gpt Ag at Los Ricos, in Jalisco; Silver Tiger was eight with 25.9 m @ 687 gpt Ag at El Tigre, in Sonora and Radius Gold was tenth with 96 m @ 167 gpt Ag at Amalia, in Chihuahua.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced additional results from the ongoing trenching program at La Tigra, in Nayarit. Highlighted intervals comprise 6.1 m @ 0.98 gpt Au; 24.2 m @ 1.59 gpt Au (including 4.7 m @ 5.58 gpt Au); 22.9 m @ 1.78 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 6.6 m @ 3.42 gpt Au.
  • Galore Resources Inc. provided a drilling update of Los Gemelos, at its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas. Three holes have been finished on the San José area, showing recrystallized limestone, dikes and sills of intermediate composition with phyllic and argillic alteration, multiple bodies with hydroxides, hematite, calcite, and local sulfides and quartz, and hydrothermal breccia cemented by calcite and iron oxides. ”The mineralization is repetitive that is concentrated as veins, veins and stratabound bodies, hosted between the carbonate marine sedimentary sequence and the cupula of an unexhumed pluton….”.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. provided results for the three first holes of the phase III drilling campaign at Pilar, in Sonora. Highlighted drill-length intervals comprise 33.3 m @ 0.63 gpt Au (including 21.7 m @ 0.94 gpt Au) and 5.5 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag in core holes and 6.1 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag in a reverse circulation hole.
  • Infinitum Copper Corp. commenced diamond drilling at La Adelita project in Sonora and Sinaloa. The program envisages a total of 9,000 m of drilling in two phases, with phase I consisting of 3,000 m targeting areas within and adjacent to the existing mineralized zones, and some drilling on new zones like Cerro Grande footwall, Pericos and Las Trancas Sur. A magneto-telluric geophysical is underway, and is expected to aid in targeting.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. informed the approval by SEMARNAT (environmental agency) of the preventive report for the 1,130 hectares Jackie project in Sonora. “Exploration plans were submitted for a 500-1,000-metre trenching program followed by an initial 1,000-2,000-metre reverse circulation drill program”.

ON MINING

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. reported the financial results for the year 2021. At the end of the year construction progress at Las Chispas in Sonora was 86.2%, slightly ahead of schedule. Since 2019 over 17.5 km of underground development has been completed at Las Chispas, and during last year 114,143 m of drilling were completed, mostly as infill holes. At El Picacho, 40 km north of Las Chispas, 80,700 m of drilling were completed in 2021. At the end of the period the SilverCrest held cash and cash equivalents of $176.5 M, and $30 M remaining under a $120 M financing facility.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. posted financial results for Q4 and full year 2021. During the year, 85.5 K tonnes were mined, 86.0 K tonnes milled @ 494 gpt Ag, 5.01% Pb, 6.03% Zn, recovering 90.5% Ag, 78.5% Pb, 83.7% Zn, to produce 1.22 M Oz Ag, 7.61 M Lb Pb, 9.01 M Lb Zn (2.02 M Oz AgEq). Cash cost was $13.01 per Oz Ag and AISC $26.78 per Ag Oz. “current mining is entering an area of the deposit that steepens significantly, with fewer vertical-tonnes-per-metre than historically encountered…. the Company currently expects to wind down operations at Platosa during Q3 2022, subject to results from ongoing exploration programs” (Note by editor.- Although high-grade, Platosa seems to be at the end of its mine life due to a combination of deeper ores and high de-watering costs).
  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced on April 1, 2022 the resolution of the labor action initiated on March 7 by the Sindicato Nacional Minero Metalúrgico (Miner’s Union) at its Platosa mine in Durango.
  • Mag Silver Corp. presented its financial results for year 2021. The 4,000 tpd Juanicipio (56% Fresnillo PLC, 44% Mag Silver) plant was delivered to plant commissioning late in Q4, but due to regulatory approval commissioning was extended to Q2 2022. It is expected the plant to be working 85% to 90% of capacity by late 2022. Processing of mineralized headings from Juanicipio continues at the nearby Fresnillo plant and has begun to be processed at the Saucito facilities; Processing rates have increased from 38 K tonnes per month in Q4 to 45 K tonnes on the first two months of 2022. During 2021, 251.9 K tonnes from Juanicipio were processed, averaging 470 gpt Ag, to produce 2.97 M Oz Ag, 5,975 Oz Au, 1,065 tonnes Pb, 1,519 tonnes Zn. According to Juanicipio operator, Fresnillo PLC, the project construction is expected to be delivered on budget at $440 M. As of end of 2021 Mag held cash of $56.7 M.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. declared commercial production at the Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas. “The declaration of commercial production at Camino Rojo comes after a successful commissioning period which included the ramp up of mining and processing to sustained throughput levels in excess of 75% of designed nameplate capacity of 18,000 tonnes per day”.

ON FINANCING

  • Inomin Mines Inc. informed 350 K stock options were granted to director and a contractor of the company (La Gitana, Oaxaca).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mexus Gold US. informed that its partner at the Mabel project in Sonora, Irmex, “has been working on modelizing the Mexus data including the 611 core and RC holes previously carried out by Pacific Comox before acquisition by Mexus Gold”. To date Irmex has calculated a volume of 184.4 K tonnes @ 1.15 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag, but work continues to increase the resource. Signature of the definitive agreement is planned for late April 2022.
  • Solaris Resources Inc. is planning more exploration work to advance its La Verde project (60% Solaris, 40% Teck) in Michoacan. The work envisaged includes the possible extensions of higher-grade ore. A spin-off company, Solaris Exploration, probably will continue with the work on La Verde, while Solaris Resources focus in Ecuador.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from 53 holes on the Napoleon vein corridor at Panuco, in Sinaloa. The mineralized zone has been extended 350 m, which takes the total length of the corridor to 2,500 m. Highlighted true-width intervals comprise 4.00 m @ 55 gpt Ag, 20.38 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 3.0% Zn and 9.42 m @ 85 gpt Ag, 2.73 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 4.1% Zn (including 2.17 m @ 85 gpt Ag, 7.91 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 7.4% Zn) on the Napoleon vein, 2.7 m @ 746 gpt Ag, 6.27 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 2.9% Zn on the Napoleon hanging wall vein and 0.47 m @ 17 gpt Ag, 60.5 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn at the Josephine vein.
  • Prime Mining Corp. released results from the phase II drill program on El Zapote Sur, one of eight ore deposits, at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true-width intervals comprise 27.4 m @ 2.38 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag; 5.8 m @ 7.75 gpt Au, 57 gpt Ag; 3.9 m @ 2.68 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 5.6 m @ 2.91 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag; 4.3 m @ 2.73 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag; 8.8 m @ 1.49 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 2.3 m @ 7.10 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 5.3 m @ 1.92 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 18.2 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag. Currently nine rigs are operating at Los Reyes, having completed 30,000 m (in 106 holes) of the planned 50,000 m program. “Mineralization at Zapote South consists primarily of white to grey crystalline to chalcedonic quartz, quartz breccia and stockwork ….. fault structures within or along the margins of rhyolite dykes …… Quartz is massive to crustiform, locally displaying colliform to bladed replacement textures. Higher-grade intervals are marked by finely banded green adularia”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. informed on results from 17 holes from the phase 2 drilling program at Cordero, in Chihuahua. Highlighted core-length intervals comprise 45.6 m @ 125 gpt Ag, 0.54 gpt Au, 2.0% Pb, 2.7% Zn (328 gpt AgEq); 177.4 m @ 27 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 1.1% Zn (74 gpt AgEq); 44.5 m @ 20 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn (106 gpt AgEq) outside the current resource, 38.6 m @ 91 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.3% Zn (189 gpt AgEq) beneath the PEA pit and 32.3 m @ 70 gpt Ag, 0.12 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.0% Zn (142 gpt AgEq); 17.7 m @ 68 gpt Au, 0.03 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn on the margins of the PEA pit. “This current set of results was predominantly targeting the expansion of the open pit and the resource in the northeast of the deposit”.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. presented the results of the updated technical report on its Morelos Complex in Guerrero. The Morelos Complex has a baseline cumulative cash flow of $1,418 M and after-tax (NPV 5%) of $1,040 M, while the Media Luna (ML) projects presents an after-tax NPV(5%) of $458 M. Life of mine (LOM) estimated at 11.5 years, commencing in April 2022, with an annualized production of 374 K Oz AuEq at total cash cost $809 per Oz AuEq and AISC of $954 per Oz AuEq. Total mineral reserves of 5.123 M Oz AuEq @ 3.90 gpt AuEq.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced its 2021 mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the company’s properties, including figures from its operations in Mexico. In its three Mexican mines (San Dimas in Durango, Santa Elena/Ermitaño in Sonora and La Encantada in Coahuila), the company holds 63 M Oz Ag, 879 K Oz Au in the proven and probable categories (included in resources), as well as 111 M Oz Ag, 1.28 M Oz Au in the measured and indicated resource categories and 75 M Oz Ag, 829 K Oz Au in the inferred resource category.
  • Silver Valley Metals Corp. updated on its potassium-lithium salars in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. “it is in advanced discussions and under NDA’s with several well financed and highly technical groups ……… All options remain open for the Company, including a direct investment into the Company itself and the Company moving the project forward, to a joint venture, to a spin out of the asset, to a buy-out of the entire asset”. The inferred resource on the properties comprise 243 K tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent and 12.3 M tonnes of sulphate potash in 120 M tonnes @ 4.6% K, 380 ppm Li.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Tamino Minerals Inc. informed it is planning to trigger a Securities Fraud Probe against whomever results responsible of highly unusual “market activity witnessed during the last several months” (El Volcan, Sonora).
  • Huntington Exploration Inc. completed the acquisition of Lago de Oro S.A. de C.V. and its 550 square km El Grande gold project in Nayarit. A definitive agreement was reached to purchase all shares of the holding company for a cash payment of US$500 K, issuing 4 M shares of the company, a 2% NSR to the vendor and milestone payments on resources above 500 K Oz Au backed by NI-43-101 technical reports, capped at 20 M shares.
  • Xali Gold Corp. announced the ratification of the tailings and tourism agreements with the El Oro Municipality on El Oro tailings project in Estado de Mexico. “Renewing the Tailings Agreement is the final item required for Sun River Gold Corp (“Sun River”), who have the option to acquire 100% of the Tailings Project from Xali’s subsidiary…. The Tailings Agreement provides Xali Gold with the right to recover all available gold and silver from the tailings deposit and pay to the Municipality of El Oro an 8% Net Profits Interest”.
  • Prime Meridian Resources Corp. updated on the option to purchase La Verde project in Sonora. Prime Meridian (PMR) formed the Mexican subsidiary Sonoran Copper, S.A. de C.V. and reserved the new company’s new name Sonoran Desert Corporation. PMR has to make a US$200 K payment on Exchange approval, and a further US$200 K payment on late February 2023. Also, Cdn$3.75 M in shares of PMR prior to the first anniversary, and Cdn$2.5 M of PMR shares on the second anniversary. A 2% NSR on production from skarn mineralization will be retained by the vendor, and a 2% NSR on production from porphyry mineralization, with PMR having the right to buy 1% for US$1 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Epidote bearing porphyritic rock from a project in the Sonoran desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 37th week of the year (September 13th to September 19th, 2021), at least 19 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, four companies posted exploration advances on their properties, one posted on quarterly reports, three on mining issues, two on financing or shares and seven more on project development or resource definition and one more on a property acquisition. ON MEXICO ISSUES, silver mining investments boosted. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Benjamin Hill Mining filed a NI43-101 technical report on the Benjamin Hill property, and later in the week released gold-rich surface samples assays. In Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources commenced drilling at Tenoriba. In Durango, Canasil Resources presented results from drilling at Nora. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver started to recall its workforce at Cosalá in Sinaloa. Starcore International presented its quarterly report. Mexus Gold completed its first substantial gold sale. Tarachi Gold released metallurgical results for El Jabali, in Sonora. ON FINANCING, SilverCrest Metals was included on a top performer list of the TSX. Vizsla Silver completed the spin out of Vizsla Copper. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Argonaut Gold continues to find high-grade gold under El Creston pit at La Colorada in Sonora. Impact Silver bought another drill rig for Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico. Fabled Silver presented results from surface drill holes at Santa Maria, in Chihuahua. Hecla Mining updated on exploration at San Sebastian, in Durango. GoGold Resources released drilling results from El Favor deposit at its Los Ricos North project. Sonoro Gold presented a PEA on its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Golden Minerals released results from 20 RC holes at Rodeo, in Durango.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tocvan Ventures completed the acquisition of Millrock’s Picacho concessions in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peña Colorada informed on works to benefit inhabitants of three communities in Colima.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Silver mining investments in Mexico boosted by a production shortfall and ecological demand. Mining companies in Mexico are investing in growth on the outlook of silver demand surpassing production in the transition to the abandonment of fossil fuels. Silver use is augmenting in the construction of photovoltaic panels, and is also a key component in the construction of electric vehicles. Silver production has fallen from 899 M Oz in 2016 to 784 M Oz in 2020, although a rebound from the pandemic is estimated at 848 M Oz for 2021. Mexico was the largest silver producer in the world in 2020, with 180 M Oz.  
  • The AIMMG (Asociación de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México) 2021 conference is to be held in Acapulco, Guerrero, in October 19 to 22.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. filed a NI-43-101 technical report on the Benjamin Hill property in Sonora. There are six active areas of exploration in the 6,000 ha property: Caracahui (high grade Au-Ag-Cu epithermal veins), Caracahui North (specularite bearing veins), Sonora Copper (two wide structures up to 30 m wide, Au-Cu-Ag bearing), La Falsa (stockwork) and La Berrenda (historical mine and Au-Cu in stream sediments). Recommended further work includes completion of surface and underground mapping and sampling, petrography, dating of intrusive rocks, further prospecting and diamond drilling of the most prospective targets.
  • Monarca Minerals Inc. completed another three RC holes at its San Jose project in Chihuahua. “all of the drill hole intersected exoskarn and/or endoskarn mineralization with sulfide minerals ….. The sulfide minerals observed were dominantly pyrite, with very fine grained dark sulfide minerals, which appear to be sphalerite and galena in some cases. Chalcopyrite was locally observed”. Results are pending.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. commenced its diamond drilling program at Tenoriba in Chihuahua. Five target zones are to be tested along a 4 km east-west trend incorporating over 3,000 soil, chip and channel samples and 26 prior drill holes. Two rigs are on site to test the targets generated by the 3D modelling of surface and geophysical data.
  • Canasil Resources Inc. presented results from the fourth hole of the 2021 follow up drill campaign at Nora, in Durango. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 11.29 m @ 5.31 gpt Au, 336 gpt Ag, 0.17% Zn, including 1.35 m @ 9.00 gpt Au, 487 gpt Ag and 1.81 m @ 9.54 gpt Au, 729 gpt Ag and 1.81 m @ 9.43 gpt Au, 666 gpt Ag. “The high-grade mineralized bands in core drill holes NRC-21-09 ………. and NRC-21-12 are defining the highest-grade zone of the Candy vein structure, and point to increasing grades and widths to depth, and along strike to the north of the central panel tested to date”.
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. released high-grade assay results from the Caracahui and Caracahui North zones at its Benjamin Hill property in Sonora. Highlighted results include 31.4 gpt Au, 1.0% Cu, 31 gpt Ag; 16.2 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag; 15.9 gpt Au, 0.4% Cu, 3 gpt Ag; 15.1 gpt Au, 0.5% Cu, 139 gpt Ag; 8.5 gpt Au, 1.3% Cu, 18 gpt Ag; 7.5 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag; 4.8 gpt Au, 1.2% Cu, 109 gpt Ag from Caracahui North, and 31.4 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag; 15.1 gpt Au, 139 gpt Ag; 4.8 gpt Au, 109 gpt Ag, 4.1 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 3.3 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag; 2.8 gpt Au, 110 gpt Ag; 2.6 gpt Au, 110 gpt Ag, 0.7 gpt Au, >200 gpt Ag; 0.2 gpt Au, 172 gpt Ag; 0.5 gpt Au, 140 gpt Ag at the Caracahui zone.  

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. started to recall its workers to re-commence operations at its Cosalá operations in Sinaloa.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. reported results for the quarter ending July 31, 2021. During the period the San Martin mine in Queretaro milled 56.3 K tonnes @ 1.64 gpt Au, 20.9 gpt Ag, recovering 88.3% Au, 52.1% Ag to produce 2.6 K Oz Au, 19.8 K Oz Ag at cash cost 1,177 per Oz AuEq. Cash and short-term investments of $4.9 M at the end of July.
  • Mexus Gold US. completed the first substantial sale of gold produced at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora, with 76.5 Oz Au sold.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. released metallurgical test results on samples from its Jabali project in Sonora. Three samples from drill core responded well to cyanide leaching, with an average of 94.8% Au, 48.5% Ag recoveries. “Further metallurgical investigation on representative samples is recommended to better optimize process conditions and determine sample variability.

ON FINANCING

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced the company has been included in the Toronto Stock Exchange ‘s 2021 TSX30, a flagship program recognizing the 30 top performing TSX stocks s over a three-year period based on dividend-adjusted share price appreciation. In this period the shares of SilverCrest rose 286% (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced the effective date for the spin-out of its British Columbia copper asset to Vizsla Copper Corp. is September 20, 2021 (Panuco, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. continues to encounter high-grade gold mineralization in three distinct veins below El Crestón pit at La Colorada, in Sonora. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 38.1 m @ 9.10 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag (including 4.6 m @ 51.9 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag) in the South vein; 29.0 m @ 3.62 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag (including 4.6 m @ 17.4 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag) in the North vein; 22.9 m @ 6.7 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag (including 1.5 m @ 90.0 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag). “Drilling and mine operations have currently defined over 800 metres of strike length along the veins….” which remain open along strike and reach at least 250 m below the planned bottom of the pit. The company is evaluating the possibility of developing an underground mine at the site.

    • Impact Silver Corp. purchased a surface drill rig for exploration at its Royal Mines of Zacualpan project in Estado de Mexico. “This brings the total Company-owned drill fleet to two surface and two underground rigs”.  
    • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. presented results from three surface drill holes at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. All holes intercepted a series of sheeted veinlets and a diorite dike at depth that is thought to be the source of mineralization at depth. The first hole of this release intercepted up to 1.15 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag; the second hole up to 0.40 m @ 0.84 gpt Au, 21, gpt Ag, 0.15% Pb, 0.15% Zn; the third hole up to 0.90 m @ 1.57 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag, 3.7% Pb, 14.3% Zn, 0.14% Cu. Gold grades appear to increase with depth.
    • Hecla Mining Co. update on exploration at its projects, including San Sebastian in Durango. “Drilling completed in the El Bronco vein targeted gaps in the drill data. While we have had good vein widths and grades at the current level of drilling at El Bronco, continuity of grade has been challenging. Analysis of the geochemistry, vein phase stratigraphy, and vein textures all indicate that the current levels of drilling at both the El Bronco and El Tigre veins are high in the epithermal system”.
    • GoGold Resources Inc. released the results from eight drill holes from El Favor deposit at Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intercepts include: 16.3 m @ 0.05 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 233 gpt Ag; 68.7 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag (including 3.2 m @ 0.88 gpt Au, 431 gpt Ag); 108.0 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag (including 16.1 m @ 0.65 gpt Au, 153 gpt Ag); 73.7 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag (including 2.5 m @ 1.32 gpt Au, 515 gpt Ag); 8.6 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag; 58.8 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag (including 4.8 m @ 1.71 gpt Au, 423 gpt Ag); 48.1 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag (including 3.0 m @ 1.79 gpt Au, 219 gpt Ag); 43.7 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 56 gpt Ag.
    • Sonoro Gold Corp. presented the results of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) including an updated mineral resource estimate on Cerro Caliche in Sonora. The report envisages: An after-tax NPV (5%) of US$41.5 M with an IRR of 32.4% at US$1,750/Oz Au and US$22/Oz Ag; 7 years of Life of Mine (LOM) producing 325 K Oz AuEq, recovering 74% Au, 27% Ag with crushing to p80 of ½”; initial capex of US$32.2 M; All-In sustaining cost of US$1,462/Oz AuEq. The updated mineral resource estimate for the open pit operation is 26.7 M tonnes @ 0.41 gpt Au, 3.43 gpt Ag on measured and indicated resources and 5.4 M tonnes @ 0.40 gpt Au, 7.34 gpt Ag on inferred resources. The report also notes a range of potential mineralization of 19.2 to 34.4 M tonnes that could contain 204 to 365 K Oz Au, 1.7 to 3 M Oz Ag.
    • Golden Minerals Co. released assay results from 20 diamond drill holes and commenced a reverse circulation drill program for resource definition at its Rodeo mine in Durango.  Here some of the highlighted intervals: 78.7 m @ 1.06 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag (including 13.9 m @ 2.88 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag); 70.0 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag (including 14.2 m @ 1.07 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag); 64.4 m @ 0.85 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 26.0 m @ 0.82 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 16.8 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 29.1 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 47.0 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 27.5 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 31.6 m @ 0.39 gpt Au; 34.6 m @ 0.73 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag. “Drilling has intersected several wide zones of disseminated gold mineralization and has identified several additional high-grade zones that appear to be hosted in a series of silicified structures running parallel to the high-grade gold zones currently being mined”.

    ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

    • Tocvan Ventures Corp. completed their due diligence process and executed the final agreement to acquire Millrock’s Resources option to acquire up to 100% interest in the 2,414 ha Picacho mining concessions in Sonora. Tocvan must make payments of US$1.99 M to the underlying private concession owners over a five-year term to acquire 100% interest.

    ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

    • Peña Colorada informed on works to benefit inhabitants of three communities in Colima.

    On the image below:  Bladed calcite replacement form a project in northern Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

    The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of April, 2021

    / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

    By Jorge Cirett

    During the 17th week of the year (April 26th to May 2nd, 2021), at least 34 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, six companies posted exploration advances on their properties, six presented mining related news, four posted on financing or share options (including $11.5 M, and $28.7 M), seven more on project development or resource definition and five posted on corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news were published. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California, Comet Resources informed on mapping and sampling advances at Santa Teresa. In Sonora, Silver Spruce released results from due diligence work at El Diamante; Tarachi Gold updated on work at the Tarachi project; Riverside reported drilling results from Cecilia. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold released results from drilling at Amalia. In Zacatecas, Defiance Silver provided drilling results from San Acacio. ON MINING, Gold Resource, Mag Silver, Alamos Gold, Fresnillo PLC, Coeur Mining and Agnico Eagle released Q1 2021 production results. To note, Fresnillo produced over 12 M Oz Ag and 216 K Oz Au during the period. ON FINANCING, Telson Mining restructured US$3 M in debt. Tarachi granted options to directors, officers and consultants, GR Silver and Prime Mining completed their previously announced placements for $11.5 M and $28.7 M respectively. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Argonaut Gold released high-grade drilling results from below the pit plan at La Colorada. Telson Mining informed of accelerated construction at Tahuehueto. Sonora Gold released results from 25 RC holes at Cerro Caliche. Southern Silver reported extension of mineralization discovered by recent drilling. Ridgestone Mining is to prepare a new resource estimate on Guadalupe y Calvo. Fabled Silver reported drill results from Santa Maria. Golden Tag is reinterpreting geology at San Diego.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz Silver Mining completed the acquisition of the Zimapan mine. Telson Mining closed the Campo Morado variable purchase price royalty. Fortuna Silver entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Roxgold shares (Africa oriented). Silver Spruce signed the definitive agreement on the Diamante properties in Sonora. Empress Royalty has funded an initial $2 M on the silver stream agreement with Tahuehueto. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles donated tree saplings in Coahuila.

    ON MEXICO ISSUES

    • No Relevant News.

    ON EXPLORATION

    • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. released surface rock sample results from El Diamante concessions in Sonora. The assays range from 0.127 gpt Au to 1.195 gpt Au, with up to 837 gpt Ag, 1.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn for the five samples collected as part of the due diligence work in the properties under a LOI. “The Property exhibits geological features of epithermal low to intermediate sulphidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn), high sulphidation Au-Cu, and potential transition to porphyry style Au-Cu”.
    • Tarachi Gold Corp. informed past drilling at La Dura mine area at the Tarachi project in Sonora returned high-grade intercepts like 20.75 m @ at 5.05 gpt Au and 20.1 m @ 4.54 gpt Au. High grade intercepts seem to be related to sulfide rich zones by the side of breccia pipes.
    • Riverside Resources Inc. and Carlyle Commodities Corp. released further drill results from the Cecilia project in Sonora. Highlighted down hole intercepts comprise 5.65 m @ 0.39 gpt Au; 2.0 m @ 0.78 gpt Au; 1.5 m @ 0.60 gpt Au; 2.3 m @ 0.19 gpt Au; 3.15 m @ 0.31 gpt Au and true width intercepts (tw) of 3.3 m @ 3.70 gpt Au (including 1.3 m @ 8.82 gpt Au); 3.05 m @ 0.67 gpt Au, 1.5 m @ 1.18 gpt Au.
    • Radius Gold Inc. reported final results for phase 4 drilling at the Amalia project in SW Chihuahua. A total of 10,558 m in 31 holes have been completed, with 4,385 m in 10 holes in this phase. Highlighted true width intervals comprise: 14.5 m @ 6.8 gpt Au, 321 gpt Ag; 3.9 m @ 18.34 gpt Au, 813 gpt Ag; 6.5 m @ 0.59 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag; 13.25 m @ 0.9 gpt Au, 116 gpt Ag. The next targets comprise El Cuervo and California areas, with the first being 3 to 7 m wide and 1.5 km long, while the latter vein is up to 4 m in width, outcropping discontinuously for 3 km.
    • Comet Resources Ltd. informed field mapping and sampling has been completed at its Santa Teresa project in Baja California. Assay results from re-sampling of historical core are awaited and the environmental permit for drilling has been filed.
    • Defiance Silver Corp. provided results from drilling the Veta Grande vein system at San Acacio in Zacatecas. Highlighted intervals comprise 3.64 m @ 0.2 gpt Au, 191 gpt Ag (including 0.92 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 705 gpt Ag, 0.34% Pb, 0.70% Zn); 18.55 m @ 0.39 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag (including 1.57 m @ 2.27 gpt Au, 1,090 gpt Ag, 0.72% Pb, 2.33% Zn); 8.35 m @ 0.07 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag; 23.50 m @ 0.47 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag, 0.93% Pb, 1.36% Zn (including 4.73 m @ 1.31 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag, 2.8% Pb, 3.60% Zn); 5.87 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 125 gpt Ag, 0.22% Pb, 0.61% Zn; 2.65 m @ 0.05 gpt Au, 307 gpt Ag, 0.27% Zn; 8.22 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 262 gpt Ag, 0.36% Pb, 1.26% Zn.

    ON MINING

    • Gold Resource Corp. presented its Q1 2021 production report. During the period 6,097 Oz Au, 307.6 K Oz Ag (10,750 Oz AuEq) at cash cost of $408 per Oz at the Don David mine in Oaxaca.
    • MAG Silver Corp. reported first quarter 2021 production from the Juanicipio project (56% / 44% joint venture with Fresnillo Plc) in Zacatecas. During the period 36.4 K tonnes of development material were processed to produce 462.3 K Oz Ag, 697 Oz Au, of which 203.4 K Oz Ag, 307 Oz Au were attributable to MAG Silver.
    • Alamos Gold Inc. released its first quarter 2021 production report, with figures from its Mexican operations. At Mulatos, in Sonora, 910.9 K tonnes were mined, 2.46 M tonnes of waste moved, stacking 1.83 M tonnes of ore @ 0.93 gpt Au containing 54,723 Oz Au. During the period 35,600 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $915 per Oz Au and mine-site AISC of $1,039 per Oz Au. The nearby La Yaqui Grande project is being developed with independent heap leach and crushing circuits, with commercial production expected in Q3 2022. Production is expected to reach 123 K Oz Au per year at an AISC of $578 per Oz Au.
    • Fresnillo PLC. released its first quarter 2021 production report, which amounted to 12.63 M Oz Ag (including silver stream), 228,193 Oz Au, 15,340 tonnes Pb, 25,881 tonnes Zn.
    • Coeur Mining Inc. reported first quarter 2021 financial results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 484.4 K tonnes were milled @ 1.87 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag, recovering 95.7% Au, 81.3% Ag to produce 28,605 Oz Au, 1.6 M Oz Ag. A total of 16,525 m were drilled in the period, in which $3 M were spent in exploration.
    • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. disclosed Q1 2021 results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Pinos Altos, in Chihuahua, 493 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 5,478 tonnes per day and a grade of 1.91 gpt Au, to produce 29,175 Oz Au at cash cost $838 per Oz. At La India, in Sonora, 1.64 M tonnes were processes at a rate of 18.244 tpd and a grade of 0.43 gpt Au, to produce 17,033 Oz Au at cash cost $936. At Santa Gertrudis, exploration in the period included 8,970 m in 22 holes. Additional drilling and metallurgical testing are planned to continue

    ON FINANCING

    • Telson Mining Corp. has restructured debt owed to Estrategias Corporativas en Finanzas, S.A.P.I de C.V.. The MXP $64.7 M debt has been converted to USD$3.1 M at 10% interest on a 36 month term and 12 month grace period. “In consideration of the loan restructuring of this debt, the Company has agreed to issue to Escorfin, 500,000 bonus shares and 1,500,000 bonus warrants” (Tahuehueto, Durango).
    • Tarachi Gold Corp. granted 1.2 M options to directors, officers and consultants (Tarachi, Sonora).
    • GR Silver Mining Ltd. completed its previously announced bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of $11.53 M, which was oversubscribed (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
    • Prime Mining Corp. completed its previously announced bought deal private placement, for gross proceeds of $28.75 M (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).

    ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

    • Argonaut Gold Inc. announced the discovery of high grade gold veins below the El Crestón open pit at its La Colorada mine in Sonora. Selected true width (TW) drill results comprise 16.3 m @ 3.88 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag (including 5.8 m @ 9.28 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag); 29.3 m @ 3.71 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 16.5 m @ 44.59 gpt Au, 275 gpt Ag (including 2.4 m @ 283.10 gpt Au, 858 gpt Ag; 14.8 m @ 1.45 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 17.0 m @ 3.92 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 10.8 m @ 4.86 gpt Au, 188 gpt Ag (including 2.8 m @ 18.39 gpt Au, 686 gpt Ag); 16.1 m @ 5.45 gpt Au, 111 gpt Ag (including 2.8 m @ 31.09 gpt Au, 515 gpt Ag); 48.6 m @ 0.77 gpt Au 22 gpt Ag; 9.9 m @ 98.85 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag (including 2.5 m @ 383.00 gpt Au, 113 gpt Ag); 4.8 m @ 18.39 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag (including 1.2 m @ 60.20 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag); 40.2 m @ 5.22 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag. “The high-grade zones are deep extensions of the gold rich veins now being mined within the El Crestón open pit and display good lateral continuity along strike”.
    • Telson Mining Corp. informed construction work was accelerated at the Tahuehueto project in Durango, where a 1,000 tpd mining operation is being developed. Construction and commissioning is estimated at US$15.4 M, of which C$10.1 M were raised in March and in mid-April a silver stream agreement was signed with Empress that will provide US$5 M in two tranches. “The final US $12 million Accendo Banco loan facility is in the late stages of documentation and expected to close in the coming weeks along with the restructuring of Telson outstanding loans with Trafigura and Nyrstar“.
    • Sonoro Gold Corp. reported assay results from 25 RC holes drilled at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Highlighted drill-length intervals comprise 16.77 m @ 1.84 gpt Au (including 4.57 m @ 5.63 gpt Au); 7.62 m @ 2.42 gpt Au (including 1.52 m @ 10.6 gpt Au); 12.19 m @ 1.07 gpt Au, 25.91 m 0.58 gpt Au. El Colorado zone was expanded in three directions, the Cabeza Blanca vein zone was extended ant drilling at Buena Vista-Japoneses suggest potential coalescence with the Buena Suerte zone.
    • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. reported further drilling results that extend mineralization at its Cerro Las Minas project in Durango. At Mina La Bocona area, polymetallic sulfide true width intercepts comprise 7.5 m @ 262 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 7.0% Pb, 1.7% Zn (559 gpt AgEq); 4.0 m @ 161 gpt Ag, 0.2 gpt Au, 8.8% Pb, 2.4% Zn (293 gpt AgEq); 2.4 m @ 335 gpt Ag, 0.2 gpt Au, 0.3% Cu, 5.3% Pb, 2.4% Zn (638 gpt AgEq).   
    • Ridgestone Mining Inc. engaged an independent consultant to prepare a NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Guadalupe y Calvo project in Chihuahua.
    • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. reported drill results on the North Vein Structure at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Highlighting intercepts of 26.90 m @ 0.047 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag, 0.17% Zn (including 1.20 m @ 0.041 gpt Au, 108 gpt Ag, 0.27% Zn and 4.40 m @ 0.062 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag and 2.20 m @ 0.017 gpt Au, 118 gpt Ag).
    • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. initiated a geologic interpretation of the San Diego deposit in Durango. The lithology, alteration, structure and assay datasets will be reviewed and incorporated on a 3 D platform. The focus of the program is to evaluate the recently identified potential for near surface skarn mineralization.

    ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

    • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. completed the previously announced acquisition of the Zimapan mine assets from Grupo Peñoles, with the transaction facilitated by Trafigura with a US$17.6 M loan facility.
    • Telson Mining Corp. closed the purchase of the Nyrstar Campo Morado variable purchase price royalty by issuing 14.6 M shares to Nyrstar.
    • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. and Roxgold Inc. entered into a definitive agreement for Fortuna to acquire all Roxgold shares. “Upon completion of the Transaction, existing Fortuna and Roxgold shareholders will own approximately 64.3% and 35.7% of the pro forma company, respectively……. Roxgold owns and operates the high-grade Yaramoko Gold Mine located on the Houndé greenstone belt in Burkina Faso and is also advancing the development and exploration of the Séguéla Gold Project located in Côte d’Ivoire”.  
    • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. signed the definitive agreement with Colibri Resources on the Diamante 1 and Diamante 2 concessions in Sonora. Silver Spruce can acquire up to 50% interest on the 1,057 hectares spanning both projects. The deal involves a third Mexican private company.
    • Empress Royalty Corp. has funded the initial payment of $2 M of the $5 M silver stream agreement on the Tahuehueto project, Durango, owned by Telson Mining Corp.. The Stream is part of a US$25M full financing solution being provided to Telson by Empress and its partners, Accendo Banco and Endeavour Financial.  

    ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

    • Peñoles donated 5,000 tree saplings to San Pedro de Las Colonias, Coahuila.

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

    On the image below:  A breccia outcrop from a project in Sinaloa. Picture by Jorge Cirett.