Quartz Vein with Sulphides

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 16^thweek of the year (April 15^thto April 21^st, 2024), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with seven reporting resources and development of their properties, six announcing financing rounds, six informing on exploration results, six communicating production results, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fortuna Silver, Prime Mining, Silver Tiger, Goldgroup, and Impact Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of April, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvanhas discovered an expansive set of mineralized trends of veining and epithermal style alteration with elevated Au, Ag, As, Sb, Pb and Zn in its Greater Pilar gold-silver project, and Silver Spruce along with its JV partner Colibri announced the commencement of the 2024 drilling program at Diamante project. In Chihuahua, Kingsmen has reported high-grade samples from the Soledad II vein structure on the Las Coloradas project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla entered into an agreement to acquire two large claims comprising 10,667 hectares. In Durango, Silver Dollar reported surface sampling results from its Nora property. In Zacatecas, Defiance announced that it has delineated a high grade polymetallic and precious metal systems at its Lucita project. ON MINING, Bear Creek, Impact Silver, First Majestic, Avino, Gold Resource, and Sierra Metals reported production and/or financial results from their Mexican mine operations. ON FINANCING, Infinitum Copper announced completion of share consolidation and provided an update on private placement (La Adelita project, Sonora). Minaurum reported a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $6M (Alamos Silver project, Sonora). Reyna Silver announced a non-brokered Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (LIFE) for gross proceeds of CAD $1M (Guigui and Batopilas projects, Chihuahua). Vortex increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to $1.75M (Riqueza Marina and Zaachila projects, Oaxaca). Capitan Silver closed its private placement of common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $2M (Cruz de Plata project, Durango). Tocvan filed an amendment and restated offering document in connection with its previously announced non-brokered private placement (Pilar project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Fortuna Silver reported drill results on its Yessi exploration program at the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Minera Alamos provided an operations update on its Santana mine in Sonora. Prime Mining reported generative drilling results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Guanajuato Silver filed updated technical reports on SEDAR+ (Valenciana, San Ignacio, and El Cubo in Guanajuato and Topia in Durango). Silver Tiger provided an update on the pre-feasibility study drilling program on the Stockwork gold deposit on its El Tigre project in Sonora. Goldgroup reported drill results from its Cerro Prieto property, Sonora. Impact Silver reported results from its ongoing drilling program at the Tres Amigos Zone at its Plomosas mine, Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Quetzal Copper announced the acquisition of Las Cristinas project, Chihuahua. Xali signed a letter of intent to enter a purchase agreement with Kappes, Cassiday & Associates on the Mexican Mine Tailings Reprocessing Project at El Oro in Mexico State. Solaris Resources received approval to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (La Verde property, Michoacan). Silver Bull reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila). Endeavour announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Terronera, Jalisco). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

Fortuna Silver, Prime Mining, Silver Tiger Metals Inc., Goldgroup, and Impact Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of April, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

Tocvan Ventures Corp., has discovered an expansive set of mineralized trends and an area of 1,500m by 800m of veining and epithermal style alteration with elevated Au, Ag, As, Sb, Pb and Zn in its Greater Pilar gold-silver project in Sonora. The sampling has identified the source rocks for placer mining activity and expanded the known footprint of mineralization of the Greater Pilar system. Highlights from sampling include 7.3 g/t Au with 177 g/t Ag; 5.5 g/t Au with 80 g/t Ag; and 1.8 g/t Au with 389 g/t Ag. The area has seen no previous systematic exploration and remains open to the east and the north. The company plans to evaluate these areas and prepare a drilling plan to test the targets. The Pilar property is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulfidation epithermal system hosted in andesite rocks that has returned some of the region’s best drill results.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc., along with its JV partner Colibri Resource Corporation announced the commencement of the 2024 drilling program at Diamante project in Sonora. It will test the Pillado polymetallic target and will consist of 1,050m in ten core holes.
Kingsmen Resources Ltd., has reported high-grade samples from the Soledad II vein structure on the Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua, detecting both gold and silver mineralization. A total of 32 residual mineralization samples were tested, with four areas of “high-grade silver mineralization” detected on the main Soledad II structure and one on a NE-cross structure. Highlights include 9 samples with > 300 g/t AgEq; 4 > 200 g/t AgEq; 3 > 100 g/t AgEq; and 8 > 0.58 g/t Au. The mineralization is likely to extend below a water table at a depth of around 125 metres, and blind extensions to the existing mineralized structures and new structures could be probable at depth.
Vizsla Silver Corp., entered into an agreement to acquire El Richard and San Enrique (San Enrique prospect), two large claims comprising 10,667 hectares located south and partially adjacent to the company’s Panuco project in Sinaloa. The area shows promising geological features such as dome complexes, quartz veining, and breccias. With preliminary geophysical surveys completed, Vizsla Silver plans to conduct further exploration activities to aid in drill targeting. This acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy to expand its presence in the Sinaloa Silver Belt and enhance its exploration portfolio. The San Enrique prospect offers significant upside potential and complements Vizsla Silver’s existing projects in the region, positioning the company as a key player in silver exploration and development in Mexico. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, the company has agreed to issue an aggregate of USD $650K in common shares in the capital of the company, at the exchange rate and market price applicable on the effective date, plus any applicable value added tax to the seller.
Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported surface sampling results from its Nora property in Durango. Highlights include twenty one samples grading over > 100 g/t Ag; ten samples > 200 g/t Ag; four samples > 500 g/t Ag; and two samples > 1,000 g/t Ag. Sample R-053 returned 29.61 g/t Au over 0.35m, confirming the presence of high-grade gold in the Candy vein structure. Sample RM-1009 returned 2,215 g/t Ag over 0.8m, and sample RM-1013 retuned 1,212 g/t Ag over 1m, confirming the presence of high-grade silver in the Candy vein structure. Five samples returned grades > 1% Cu, with two > 3% Cu. Elevated levels of Zn (seven samples > 1% Zn) and Pb (twenty samples > 1% Pb) are also encouraging as they seem to be the best pathfinders for geochemistry.
Defiance Silver Corp., announced that it has delineated a high grade polymetallic and precious metal systems at its Lucita project in Zacatecas. Lucita North showcases polymetallic mineralization with high-grade silver and anomalous to high-grade lead, zinc, gold, and copper. The Gloria-Aurora-Plomosa system is a key target due to its significant surface geochemical anomalies. Individual surface sampling highlights include Gloria Zone sample 430012 with 331 g/t Ag, 0.15 Au, 6.9% Pb, 14.7% Zn, and 0.35% Cu; sample 430009 with 552 g/t Ag and 1.34% Pb; Aurora Zone sample 430179 with 298 g/t Ag, 3.15% Pb, and 0.1% Zn; sample 430027 with 795 g/t Ag; Plomosa Zone sample 430106 with 652 g/t Ag, 0.32 g/t Au, 6.5% Pb, 2.3% Zn, and 0.0% Cu; Lucero Vein sample 110785: 460 g/t Ag, 4.76 g/t Au, 6.3% Pb, 31.5 % Zn, and 0.87% Cu. Lucita South features low-sulfidation epithermal vein systems with high-grade silver and gold. Individual surface sampling highlights include Paty Vein sample 4208 with 2,350 g/t Ag and 0.27 Au; Lucita Vein sample 110895 with 497 g/t Ag and 1.28 g/t Au; and Palenque Vein sample 110834 with 712 g/t Ag and 0.26 g/t Au.

ON MINING

Bear Creek Mining Corporation reported Q1, 2024 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company mined 106,365 tonnes and processed 109,880 tonnes of 3.69 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 94% to produce 12,128 Oz Au and 44,040 Oz Ag.
Impact Silver Corp., reported year-end 2023 production and financial results from its Zacualpan mining district, Mexico State and Plomosas mine, Chihuahua. At Zacualpan mining district, the company milled 147,444 tonnes of 160 g/t Ag to produce 637,514 Oz Ag and sold 636,655 Oz Ag and 780 Oz Au. It reported revenue of $136.62 per tonne sold and direct costs of $130.58 per production tonne. At Plomosas, the company reported 3,744 tonnes of 13.8% Zn during Q4, 2024 after acquiring the mine and reported revenue of $141.51 per tonne milled. Impact also reported 2023 consolidated results reporting $20-8M in revenue; an operation loss of 0.6M; after investing exploration expenditures of $8.5M; and net loss of $7.6M. The company has no long-term debt.
First Majestic Silver Corp., announced Q1, 2024 production results from their Mexican mines. The table below shows mine by mine production:

The company is planning to release its first quarter 2024 unaudited financial results and announce details regarding its first quarter dividend payment on May 8, 2024.

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reported Q1, 2024 production results from its Avino mine, Durango. The company milled 169,595 tonnes of 52 g/t Ag, 0.47 g/t Au, and 0.43% Cu with metallurgical recoveries of 88%,70%, and 84% respectively, to produce 250.&K Oz Ag, 1,788 Oz Au, and 1.35M Lb Cu (629.3K Oz AgEq).
Gold Resource Corporation announced Q1, 2024 production results from its Arista mine, Oaxaca. The company milled 116,616 tonnes of 2.51 g/t Au, 109 g/t Ag, 0.45% Cu, 1.6% Pb, and 4.3% Zn to produce 7,676 Oz Au, 370,768 Oz Ag, 909,400 Lb Cu, 2,963,520 Lb Pb, and 9,403,520 Lb Zn and sold 3,557 Oz Au, 216,535 Oz Ag, 501,360 Lb Cu, 1,494,080 Lb Pb, and 3.767,680 Lb Zn at average metal prices realized of USD $2,094 per Oz Au, USD $23 per Oz Ag, USD $8,546 per tonne Cu, USD $1,977 per tonne Pb, and USD $2,482 per tonne Zn.
Sierra Metals Inc., reported Q1, 2024 production results from its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. The company processed 398,230 tonnes of 0.98% Cu, 20 g/t Ag, and 0.47 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 92.66%, 81.46%, and 66.54% respectively to produce 7.96M Lb Cu, 204K Oz Ag, and 4K Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

Infinitum Copper Corp., announced completion of share consolidation and provided an update on private placement. Infinitum Copper Corp. has successfully completed a share consolidation, with a ratio of two pre-consolidation common shares for one post-consolidation common share. This consolidation will reduce the total number of outstanding common shares from 74,563,040 to approximately 37,281,520. The move aims to enhance the company’s flexibility and attractiveness to a wider investor base. The company’s securities will trade under the symbol “INFI” on the TSX Venture Exchange, signifying increased market appeal. Additionally, the company will provide further updates on its private placement following the consolidation (La Adelita project, Sonora).
Minaurum Gold Inc., reported a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $6M from the sale of 24M units of the company at a price of CAD $0.25 per unit. Each unit will consist of one common share of the company and one half of one common share purchase warrant. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to complete a National Instrument 43-101 resource at the Alamos Silver project, to continue exploration drilling and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Reyna Silver Corp., announced a non-brokered Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (LIFE) for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1M from the sale of 6.25M units at a price of CAD $0.16 per unit. Each unit will consist of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant. Part of the gross proceeds will be used for the exploration of Guigui and Batopilas projects, Chihuahua.
Vortex Metals Inc., increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to $1.75M from the sale of 19,444,444 units at a price of $0.09 per unit. Each unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the company and one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (Riqueza Marina and Zaachila projects, Oaxaca).
Capitan Silver Corp., closed its private placement of common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $2,020,000 from the sale of 13,466,667 shares at a price of CAD $0.15 per share. Gross proceeds will be used to continue to advance the Cruz de Plata gold-silver project in Durango, evaluate potential acquisitions as well as to fund working capital and general corporate expenses.
Tocvan Ventures Corp, filed an amendment and restated offering document in connection with its previously announced non-brokered private placement pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106. The amended document was redated after the company addressed regulatory comments regarding available working capital. The company expects to close the offering within the upcoming days, subject to obtaining all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported drill results on its Yessi exploration program at the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Drilling highlights (true width reported) include holes SJO-1444 with 6.68 g/t Au and 793 g/t Ag (1,327 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 27.15 g/t Au and 2,963 g/t Ag (5,135 g/t AgEq) over 0.3m; hole SJO-1447 with 1.41 g/t Au and 182 g/t Ag (295 g/t AgEq) over 4.8m, including 1.62 g/t Au and 244 g/t Ag (374 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m, including 5.76 g/t Au and 880 g/t Ag (1,341 g/t AgEq) over 0.50m; hole SJO-1455A with 0.9 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag (179 g/t AgEq) over 17.5m, including 1.25 g/t Au and 135 g/t Ag (236 g/t AgEq) over 7.7m, plus 1.73 g/t Au and 196 g/t Ag (335 g/t AgEq) over 2m, including 2.89 g/t Au and 335 g/t Ag (366 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 1.22 g/t Au and 162 g/t Ag (260 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m, including 7.21 g/t Au and 417 g/t Ag (1,494 g/t AgEq) over 0.1m; hole SJO-1458 with 2.11 g/t Au and 284 g/t g (453 g/t AgEq) over 4.8m, including 2.61 g/t Au and 285 g/t Ag (494 g/t AgEq) over 0.4m, including 4.32 g/t Au and 644 g/t Ag (990 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, including 4.59 g/t Au and 508 g/t Ag (875 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, including 3.19 g/t Au and 478 /t Ag (733 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m; and hole SJO-1460 with 1.16 g/t Au and 98 g/t Ag (191 g/t AgEq) over 1,3m, plus 6.29 g/t Au and 533 g/t Ag (1,036 g/t AgEq) over 8.10m, including 3.67 g/t Au and 531 g/t Ag (825 g/t AgEq) over 1m, including 18.41 g/t Au and 1,437 g/t Ag (2,910 g/t AgEq) over 2.4m. “Drilling on the Yessi vein has continued with the dual objectives of firstly testing for the limits of the Yessi vein and secondly infilling the drill spacing to support initial resource estimation and mining studies”.
Minera Alamos Inc., provided an operations update on its Santana mine in Sonora. The company is progressing with the operational ramp-up at its Santana gold mine in Sonora, Mexico. The contractor has mobilized at the mine site, preparing for mining activity at the Nicho Main zone. Equipment maintenance and road preparation are underway to enhance operational flexibility. New sampling procedures and controls are being implemented to optimize conditions for the Nicho Main zone, with a focus on maximizing gold recoveries. The company is also testing a new dust suppressant system to improve air quality and reduce water consumption. Overall, the mining plans at the Nicho Main zone aim to increase mining and stacking activities, with initial benefits expected in Q3 of 2024.
Prime Mining Corp., reported drilling results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. These results are from 2024 drilling at the Las Primas generative target. Highlights include (true widths reported) holes 24LP-30 with 0.8 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (1.77 g/t AuEq) over 9.6m, including 1.73 g/t Au and 182 g/t Ag (4.08 g/t AuEq) over 2.8m, plus 1.09 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag (2.33 g/t AuEq) over 2.2m, including 1.49 g/t Au and 129 g/t Ag (3.16 g/t AuEq) over 1.3m, plus 1.26 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (2.23 g/t AuEq) over 5.7m, including 4.99 g/t Au and 278 g/t Ag (8.59 g/t AuEq) over 1.2m, plus 2.22 g/t Au and 187 g/t Ag (4.64 g/t AuEq) over 3m, plus 4.07 g/t Au and 598 g/t Ag (11.81 g/t AuEq) over 3m, including 6.77 g/t Au and 1,007 g/t Ag (19.8 g/t AuEq) over 1.7m; hole 24LP-33 with 0.58 g/t Au and 53 g/t Ag (1.27 g/t AuEq) over 7m, including 1.6 g/t Au and 201 g/t Ag (4.2 g/t AuEq) over 1.6m, plus 1.44 g/t Au and 153 g/t Ag (3.42 g/t AuEq) over 9.4m, including 1.94 g/t Au and 196 g/t Ag (4.48 g/t AuEq) over 5m, and including 1.57 g/t Au and 201 g/t Ag (4.17 g/t AuEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.92 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag (1.96 g/t AuEq) over 5.7m, including 2.63 g/t Au and 245 g/t Ag (5.8 g/t AuEq) over 1.6m, plus 0.68 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag (1.67 g/t AuEq) over 3.8m, including 1.31 g/t Au and 148 g/t Ag (3.23 g/t AuEq) over 1.5; hole 24LP-24 with 0.83 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag (1.75 g/t AuEq) over 3.7m; and hole 24LP-28 with 1.21 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag (1.75 g/t AuEq) over 3.8m, including 1.78 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (2.75 g/t AuEq) over 2.1m.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., filed updated National Instrument 43-101 technical reports on SEDAR+. The updated technical reports cover the Valenciana, San Ignacio, and El Cubo in Guanajuato, and Topia in Durango.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., provided an update on the pre-feasibility study drilling program on the Stockwork gold deposit on its El Tigre project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include holes ET-23-527 with 0.55 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag (0.78 g/t AuEq or 58 g/t AgEq) over 74m, including 0.90 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag (2.19 g/t AuEq or 164 g/t AgEq) over 9.2m, including 1.04 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (1.11 g/t AuEq or 83 g/t AgEq) over 25.2m; hole ET-23-529 with 0.91 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (0.99 g/t AuEq or 74 g/t AgEq) over 42.5m, including 1.09 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (1.18 g/t AuEq or 89 g/t AgEq) over 33m, including 1.57 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (1.58 g/t AuEq or 119 g/t AgEq) over 8m, including 1.27 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (1.42 g/t AuEq or 106 g/t AgEq) over 18m; hole ET-23-530 with 0.51 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.54 g/t AuEq or 41 g/t AgEq) over 10.9m, plus 0.68 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.73 g/t AuEq or 55 g/t AgEq) over 56.9m, including 0.86 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.92 g/t AuEq or 69 g/t AgEq) over 27.7m, including 0.93 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (1.01 g/t AuEq or 76 g/t AgEq) over 18.7m; and hole ET-23-18 with 0.69 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.76 g/t AuEq or 57 g/t AgEq) over 19m, plus 0.40 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.43 g/t AuEq or 32 g/t AgEq) over 35m, plus 0.07 g/t Au and 67 g/t Ag (0.96 g/t AuEq or 72 g/t AgEq) over 16.9m, including 0.2 g/t Au and 487 g/t Ag (6.7 g/t AuEq or 502 g/t AgEq) over 2m, and 0.08 g/t Au and 102 g/t Ag (1.44 g/t AuEq or 108 g/t AgEq) over 3m. Silver Tiger has completed 23,000m of a 25,000m drilling program focused on expanding the Mineral Resource, up-grading the classification, completing metallurgical test work and geotechnical studies as it progresses from an exploration to a development project. The pre-feasibility study progress is on schedule for publication in H2-2024.
Goldgroup Mining Inc., reported drill results from its Cerro Prieto property in Sonora. To date there are 17 core holes in Nueva Esperanza Zone, of which 8 core holes have no economic value. Drilling highlights are shown in the table below:

Impact Silver Corp., reported results from its ongoing drilling program at the Tres Amigos Zone at its Plomosas mine, Chihuahua. Drilling highlights include holes TASC-24-28 with 10.2% Zn, 0.5% Pb, and 8 g/t Ag over 8.6m, including 14.7% Zn, 0.7% Pb, and 11 g/t Ag over 5.5m, including 23.6% Zn, 0.8% Pb, and 15 g/t Ag over 2.6m, including 30.1% Zn, 0.9% Pb, and 14 g/t Ag over 1.1m; hole TASC-24-29 with 10.5% Zn, 5.5% Pb, and 32 g/t Ag over 1.85m, including 17.9% Zn, 10.2% Pb and 5 g/t Ag over 1.5m; and hole TASC-24-32 with 4.2% Zn, 2.4% Pb, and 13 g/t Ag over 11.7m, including 30.1% Zn, 18% Pb, and 84 g/t Ag over 0.8m. “The Tres Amigos Zone remains open for expansion and drilling is continuing. High priority targets have been identified for drilling elsewhere on the property”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Quetzal Copper Corp., announced the acquisition of Las Cristinas project, Chihuahua. The company entered into an agreement with Polaris Resources S.A. de C.V. (Property Vendors), to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Polaris and must make a USD $50K payment to Polaris by April 9, 2025. Quetzal will also assume the responsibility to make the underlying option payments on the Cristinas Project to the Property Vendors as follows: (i) cash payments of USD $100K on each of May 12, 2024, May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026, to the Vendors; (ii) the issuance of USD $500K worth of common shares of Quetzal on each of May 12, 2025, May 12, 2026, and May 12, 2027, to the Vendors; and (iii) complete USD $1M in exploration on the Cristinas Project on or before December 31, 2025.
Xali Gold Corp., signed a letter of intent (LOI) to enter a purchase agreement with Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) on the Mexican Mine Tailings Reprocessing Project at El Oro in Mexico State. In order to earn 100% interest in the El Oro Tailings Project, KCA has agreed to pay Xali Gold USD $25K on signing; an additional USD $25K three months after signing the LOI agreement; and USD $!00K six months after signing the LOI agreement. This agreement entails royalty payments, with KCA paying Xali Gold a gross royalty of 4% of sales income from gold and silver produced, with the option to buy a 1% royalty for USD $1M. KCA will also make minimum royalty payments until a total of USD $1M has been paid to Xali Gold. Additionally, KCA will pay the Municipality of El Oro an 8% Net Profits Interest on production. The project contains significant inferred resources of gold and silver. The agreement allows Xali Gold to pay outstanding mineral rights fees and fund exploration at the El Oro Project.
Solaris Resources Inc., received approval to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “SLSR”. Concurrent with the start of trading on the NYSE, the company’s common shares will cease trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (La Verde property, Michoacan).
Silver Bull Resources Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila).
Endeavour Silver Corp., announced the nomination of a new member to its Board of Directors (Terronera, Jalisco).

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, quartz vein in an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of April 2024

April 14, 2024 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 15^thweek of the year (April 8^th to April 14^th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 29 press releases. Two companies released exploration results in their properties, while eight companies released production results for Q1 2024. Seven companies announced financing rounds for a total of C$18.4 M, one granted stock options, one more made a significant draw on its debt facility and one more is listing in the FSE. Three companies released drilling results from their advanced properties, one on new technical reports needed for its properties, and one more on the incoming drilling program. One company announced the appointment of a director. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Northern Miner wrote that Mexico’s Supreme Court is likely to strike down the mining reforms by the current government. A federal court rejected the legal defense on the cancellation of the Sonora Lithium project concessions. ON EXPLORATION, Minaurum Gold reported metallurgical test results on Alamos; Silver Spruce obtained the drilling permit for the second round of drilling at Diamante. ON MINING, Fortuna Silver, Aura Minerals, Guanajuato Silver Company, Endeavour Silver, Orla Mining, GoGold Resources, Torex gold and Gatos Silver presented production results for Q1 2024. ON FINANCING, Kootenay Silver launched a “best efforts” public offering to raise up to C$5 M. Oroco Resource granted stock options. Silver Spruce announced a private placement to raise C$500 K. Silver Storm raised C$6.1 M. Endeavour Silver drew US$60 M from its US$120 M senior secured debt facility. Vortex Metals is to complete a non-brokered private placement to raise C$1.45 M. Prismo Metals listed its shares in the FSE. Tocvan Ventures is to raise C$2.25 M. Regency Silver upsized its non-brokered private placement to C$993.7 K. Silver Viper raised C$2.1 M on the closing of the first tranche of its financing round. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Pan American Silver presented drilling results from La Colorada Skarn infill drilling in Zacatecas. Prime Mining released drilling results from Los Reyes, in Sinaloa. Defiance Silver is to prepare new technical reports for Tepal and San Acacio projects, in Jalisco and Zacatecas respectively. Goldgroup presented the first update on its operations and drilling results at Cerro Prieto, in Sonora. Centenario Gold is preparing to drill Eden, in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver announced an appointment to the board. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Henry Lazenby on the Northern Miner wrote that Mexico’s Supreme Court could strike down the president’s mining reforms next week. Here is the link to read on the nightmarish situation in Mexico under the current government for the mining industry: https://www.northernminer.com/news/mexicos-supreme-court-could-strike-down-presidents-mining-reforms-next-week/1003866150/
The federal court rejected an amparo filed by Bacanora Lithium owned by the Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium to reverse the cancellation of its mining concessions in Sonora by the Ministry of Economy’s (SE) General Mining Directorate in September 2023.

ON EXPLORATION

Minaurum Gold Inc. reported preliminary metallurgical testing results from composite core samples taken at the Promontorio and Europa targets at its Alamos silver project in Sonora. “Six separate composites were prepared including 3 from core samples at the Europa vein zone and 3 from core samples at the Promontorio vein zone. For each vein zone, the 3 composites were comprised of 1/4 cores corresponding from sample intervals with silver assays in ranges 150-250 g/t silver (low grade), 250-450 g/t silver (medium grade), and >450 g/t silver (high grade)”. Reported Au recoveries ranged from 46% to 96.5%, averaging 77.4%; Ag recoveries ranged between 68.2% to 94.3%, averaging 85.4%; Pb recoveries ranged from 21.3% to 82.2%, averaging 63.7%; Cu recoveries ranged between 43.5% and 81.87%, averaging 61.2%. Samples were processed at the Tecnológico de Metalurgia in Hermosillo and the Servicio Geológico Mexicano (SGM) lab in Chihuahua.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. along with partner Colibri Resource Corp. announced the approval of its Informe Preventivo by SEMARNAT (Environmental authority) for the second drill program at the Diamante project in Sonora. “Colibri will manage the planned 1,000 metre diamond drilling program from a select group of the permitted drill targets”.

ON MINING

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported production for the first quarter of 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San Jose, in Oaxaca, 181.1 K tonnes were milled at an average rate of 2,182 tpd, grading 147 gpt Ag, 0.90 gpt Au, recovering 88.73% Ag, 86.76% Au, to produce 4,533 Oz Au, 759.1 K Oz Ag during the period. “The San Jose Mine has less operational flexibility in 2024 compared to 2023 due to the reduced and more dispersed Mineral Reserves associated with the Trinidad deposit. Production areas contain lower head grades and a higher presence of ferrous oxides in the upper levels, which impacted recoveries by approximately 2 percent in the quarter. The operation is experiencing cost pressures, mainly driven by a continued appreciation of the Mexican peso. The Company conducts regular assessments and trade-offs between maintaining operations and a care and maintenance option”.
Aura Minerals Inc. announced preliminary production results from its mines, including figures from Aranzazu, in Zacatecas. During the period Aranzazu produced 25,001 Oz AuEq. “Production was 5% lower compared to Q4 2023 and 5% above Q1 2023 at constant metal prices, due to mine sequencing…”
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced selected financial information and consolidated production results for 2023. During the year the company mined 600.3 K tonnes, milling 593.8 K tonnes to produce 1.76 M Oz Ag, 16,967 Oz Au, 3.55 M Lb Pb, 3.87 M Lb Zn, at cash cost $18.22 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $22.91. Guanajuato Silver produced 74% more Ag, 52% more Au, 164% more Pb and 100% more Zn than in 2022. At the end of the period the company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.96 M and negative working capital of $18.44 M (El Cubo, Valenciana Complex, San Ignacio in Guanajuato; Topia in Durango).
Endeavour Silver Corp. reported Q1 2024 production of 1.46 M Oz Ag, 10,133 Oz Au, or 2.3 M Oz AgEq. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 115 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,263 tpd, grading 402 gpt Ag, 1.25 gpt Au, recovering 89.9% Ag, 89.2% Au, to produce 1.33 M Oz Ag, 4,124 Oz Au. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 106.8 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,174 tpd, grading 42 gpt Ag, 1.94 gpt Au, recovering 86.2% Ag, 90.2% Au, to produce 124.3 K Oz Ag, 6,010 Oz Au.
Orla Mining Ltd. provided an interim operational update for Q1 2024. During the period 1.94 M tonnes of ore were mined and 872.6 K tonnes of waste moved at its Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas, with a strip ratio of 0.45, stacking 1.8 M tonnes at an average rate of 19,597 tpd, grading 0.82 gpt Au, to produce 33,223 Oz Au. At the end of the period Orla had a $118.1 M cash position, with a total debt of $88.4 M, resulting in a net cash position of $29.7 M.
GoGold Resources Inc. reported production for Q1 2024 of 138.7 K Oz Ag, 2,184 Oz Au, 93 tonnes Cu, 92 tonnes Zn, or 375.7 K Oz AgEq at its Parral tailings operations. “With the SART Zinc circuit commissioning completed, this marks the first quarter where Parral produced a saleable zinc product.”
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q1 2024 gold production of 115,494 Oz at its El Limón Guajes surface and underground operations in Guerrero. Average gold recovery at the processing plant was 90.7%, the highest to date. Throughput averaged 13,118 tpd.
Gatos Silver Inc. announced production results for Q1 2024 at its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. During the period 292.1 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 3,210 tpd, grading 284 gpt Ag, 3.99% Zn, 1.77% Pb, 0.28 gpt Au, recovering 88.8% Ag, 61.4% Zn, 89.2% Pb, 52% Au, to produce 2.37 M Oz Ag, 15.8 M Lb Zn, 10.1 M Lb Pb, 1,390 Oz Au (or 3.7 M Oz AgEq) in lead and zinc concentrates.

ON FINANCING

Kootenay Silver Inc. entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with a “best efforts” public offering for gross proceeds of up to C$5 M (Columba, Chihuahua).
Oroco Resource Corp. granted 6.23 M stock options to 33 directors, officers, employees and consultants at an exercise price of $0.75 per share (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. announced a private placement to gather gross proceeds of up to C$500 K (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua).
Silver Storm Mining Ltd. closed the second and final tranche of its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of C$4.63 M, including C$3 M investment from current significant shareholder Eric Sprott. In aggregate the total gross proceeds in the two tranches added to C$6.1 M (La Parrila, Durango).
Endeavour Silver Corp. announced the first drawdown of $60 M of the $120 M senior secured debt facility for the development of the Terronera mine in Jalisco. The key terms of the contracts include forward sales amounting to 68,000 Oz Au that have been executed at $2,325 per Oz, representing 55% of planned gold production on the first three years of operations, no silver hedge requirements and forward purchases of US$45 M equivalent Mexican peso over the remaining construction period at $16.56 per US dollar.
Vortex Metals Inc. intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of C$1.45 M (Riqueza Marina, Oaxaca).
Prismo Metals Inc. announced the listing of its shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE). Prismo Metals shares are also cross listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange and on the OTCQB in the United States (Los Pavitos, Sonora).
Tocvan Ventures Corp. arranged a non-brokered private placement with a lead order from an institutional investor for C$1.5 M. The company will complete a concurrent private placement for up to C$750 K to other eligible investors for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2.25 M (Pilar, Sonora).
Regency Silver Corp. announced that it has closed a further C$215.2 K of a previously announced non-brokered private placement of $C800 K, upsizing it to a total of C$993.7 K (Dios Padre, Sonora).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp. announced the closing of the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (LIFE) previously announced. Under the first tranche the company raised C$2.11 M in gross proceeds (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Pan American Silver Corp. released results from the ongoing infill and geotechnical drill program at its La Colorada Skarn project, in Zacatecas. The results from eight drill holes (8,101 m) returned some of the highest-grade intercepts in the project. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 26.85 m @ 127 gpt Ag, 7.2% Pb, 11.1% Zn; 77.85 m @ 568 gpt Ag, 12.4% Pb, 9.6% Zn; 22.50 m @ 1,435 gpt Ag, 31.9% Pb, 20.5% Zn; 372.10 m @ 77 gpt Ag, 3.9% Pb, 5.8% Zn (including 83.85 m @ 172 gpt Ag, 8.5% Pb, 10.5% Zn); 60.00 m @ 80 gpt Ag, 4.0% Pb, 7.0% Zn (including 29.00 m @ 136 gpt Ag, 7.5% Pb, 12.8% Zn); 91.20 m @ 31 gpt Ag, 2.6% Pb, 5.0% Zn; 87.25 m @ 32 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 3.9% Zn; 134.55 m @ 29 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 6.6% Zn; 23.15 m @ 57 gpt Ag, 3.3% Pb, 5.6% Zn.
Prime Mining Corp. reported expansion drilling results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals from 15 holes at the Tahonitas area comprise 7.7 m @ 5.83 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag (including 1.8 m @ 24.31 gpt Au, 555 gpt Ag; 16.9 m @ 1.21 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag (including 4.5 m @ 2.41 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag); 0.8 m @ 7.66 gpt Au, 1,260 gpt Ag. These intercepts may support pit expansion to the southeast near surface, and show that the Tahonitas structure mineralization continues for 350 m along strike from the southeast pit crest and enhances the potential to continue discovering high-grade ore shoots within the southeast strike extension and potential high-margin underground feed. Five drill rigs are currently active, and the company is targeting 40,000 m of drilling in 2024.
Defiance Silver Corp. announced that the amendment needed on the Tepal project technical report cannot be done, as some of the sections requiring amendments were prepared by persons who are no longer qualified persons. Defiance will be working to prepare a new technical report to replace the current Tepal report. “As for its San Acacio project, work on the preparation of the new technical report is progressing well but has been delayed, notably, due to the site visit availability. The Company now expects to file this new technical report by the mid-May 2024” (Tepal, Jalisco; San Acacio, Zacatecas).
Goldgroup Mining Inc. updated on its operations at its Cerro Prieto open pit, heap leach mine in Sonora. Goldgroup commenced mining operations at Cerro Prieto in 2013 with a resource of 8.22 M tonnes @ 0.81 gpt Au, 17.2 gpt Ag, 0.21% Pb, 0.54% Zn, which were mined by mid 2023. Additional mineralization has been mined during subsequent exploration, but not yet included in a published resource calculation. To date Cerro Prieto has produced 117,033 Oz Au, and production continues at a rate of 1,000 to 1,200 Oz Au per month. Mining was focused over a strike length of 1.6 Km in several pits, on a near vertical shear zone up to 65 m wide. Highlighted core length intercepts in 2023 include 19.70 m @ 1.03 gpt Au; 5.5 m @ 0.75 gpt Au; 20.98 m @ 1.02 gpt Au; 13.20 m @ 2.05 gpt Au; 4.50 m @ 1.16 gpt Au; 1.55 m @ 4.78 gpt Au; 24.96 m @ 0.69 gpt Au; 7.70 m @ 1.35 gpt Au; 17.97 m @ 1.13 gpt Au; 11.80 m @ 0.61 gpt Au; 4.25 m @ 1.07 gpt Au; 7.78 m @ 0.98 gpt Au; 11.67 m @ 1.16 gpt Au; 13.70 m @ 1.15 gpt Au; 13.70 m @ 1.15 gpt Au; 13.20 m @ 1.20 gpt Au; 43.89 m @ 0.43 gpt Au; 9.05 m @ 0.093 gpt Au. The company recently brought back into full service its 2,500 tpd crushing circuit, with an improvement in recoveries to 60% expected. Funding is being sought for a second full crushing circuit to double its current gold production.
Centenario Gold Corp. announced the next phase of exploration on the Eden property in Sinaloa. The geological team lead by Alain Charest and Hermilo Mendoza outlined several new targets to drill-test across the Eden property, including the northern extension, the upper and deeper portions of the Buenavista epithermal vein system and other sub-parallel mineralized structures, especially the La Proveedora prospect 1.5 Km east of Buenavista. “The upper 100 meter portion of the Buenavista structure extends directly down dip from where the high grade Au and Ag surface sample as high as 239.9 g/t Au and 1390 g/t Ag were obtained”. Quartz textures and alteration minerals at 250 m depth are interpreted as part of the upper level of the epithermal systema, enhancing the probability of further mineralized zones at depth.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Vizsla Silver Corp. announced the appointment of Ms. Suki Gill as an independent director of the company effective immediately (Panuco, Sinaloa).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No Relevant News.

On the image below: Quartz-barite-specularite vein on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of April, 2024

April 7, 2024 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Chalcedonic quartz in a hot spring system

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 14^thweek of the year (April 1^stto April 7^th, 2024), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine announcing financing rounds, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, five reporting resources and development of their projects, two communicating production results, one commenting on Mexican issues, and one informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of April, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kootenay announced that drilling is underway for its Q1/Q2 diamond drilling campaign at its Columba project. ON MINING, Alamos announced that it plans to release its Q1, 2024 financial results on Wednesday 24, 2024 (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Guanajuato Silver reported consolidated production results for Q1, 2024 from their Mexican mining operations. ON FINANCING, Alamos and Argonaut closed their previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds to Argonaut of CAD $50M. GR Silver has successfully closed a settlement agreement with Mako, receiving a total payment of USD $960K. Prismo has completed its debt settlement with certain creditors of the company by issuing an aggregate of 2,833,690 common shares at a price of $0.17 per common share (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Silver Viper announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $4M (La Virginia project, Sonora). Sonoro Gold closed the final tranche of its over-subscribed non-brokered private placement for additional gross proceeds of CAD $616,079 (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Orion has entered into a block trade agreement, selling 62,400,000 CHESS depository interests (CDIs) over the common shares of Capstone Copper Corp. at a price of A $9.50 per CDI, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately A$ 592,800,000. Silver Storm closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.47M, the same that later on was increased to up to $3M (La Parrilla mine, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver filed its NI 43-101 technical report & Feasibility Study on its Cordero Silver Project, Chihuahua. Tocvan and JV Colibri restarted drilling at Pilar project, Sonora. Silver Tiger provided an update on its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) mineral resource drilling program at its El Tigre Project in Sonora. First Majestic reported 2023 Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resource Estimate. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Almaden confirmed delisting from NYSE American Stock Exchange and listing on OTCBQ marketplace (Ixtaca project, Puebla). Alamos announced that it will hold its annual general and special meeting of shareholders on Thursday May 23, 2024 (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Equinox reported that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on Thursday, May 9, 2024 (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Infinitum Copper announced the details of a proposed consolidation of its common shares (Adelita project, Sonora). Luca Mining announced the appointment of its Vice President Finance (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). Pantera Silver announced that it closed the amended agreement with respect to its right to acquire 100% ownership of the Nuevo Taxco property in Guerrero. Sierra Metals notified its intention to list on the Lima Stock Exchange (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). Vizsla announced that it has granted 318,000 restricted share units to an officer of the company (Panuco project, Sinaloa). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of April, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

Kootenay Silver Inc. announced that drilling is underway for its Q1/Q2 diamond drilling campaign at its Columba project, Chihuahua. The proposed program includes 15-17 drillholes for a combined 5,000m and is designed to expand upon previous intercepts along the highly prospective D-Vein target. The current drilling program is designed to extend the D-Vein in preparation of a follow up program of likely 15,000 meters, aimed to delineate a maiden resource expected in late 2024 which is dependent on additional drilling beyond the 5000-meter program and the financing it requires. The first assay results are expected in 4 to 6 weeks time.

ON MINING

Alamos Gold Inc., announced that it plans to release its Q1, 2024 financial results on Wednesday 24, 2024 (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. reported consolidated production results for Q1, 2024 from their Mexican mining operations (El Cubo, Valenciana and san Ignacio mine in Guanajuato; Horcon mine in Jalisco; and Topia mine in Durango). The company mined 167,287 tonnes and milled 165,079 tonnes to produce 428,279 Oz Ag, 5,384 Oz Au, 879,242 Lb Pb, and 922,297 Lb Zn (987,312 Oz AgEq).

ON FINANCING

Alamos Gold Inc. and Argonaut Gold Inc. closed their previously announced non-brokered private placement pursuant to which Alamos subscribed for 174,825,175 common shares of Argonaut, representing approximately 13.8% of Argonaut’s total outstanding common shares after giving effect to the private placement. The acquired shares were acquired at a price of CAD $0.286 per share, for gross proceeds to Argonaut of CAD $50M.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. has successfully closed a settlement agreement with Mako Mining Corp., receiving a total payment of USD $960K. This amount was satisfied by cash payment of USD $500K and the issuance of 296,710 common shares of Mako at a deemed price of %2.1007 per share (USD $460K or CAD $623,300). The shares will be subject to a four-month regulatory hold period from the date of issuance.
Prismo Metals Inc. has completed its debt settlement with certain creditors of the company by issuing an aggregate of 2,833,690 common shares at a price of $0.17 per common share to the creditors in full and final settlement of accrued and outstanding indebtedness. The company has also completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for one subscription of 754,411 units of the company at a price of $0.17 per unit for total gross proceeds of CAD $128,250 (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $4M, at a price of $0.10 per unit. Each unit will consist of one common share of the corporation and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase an additional share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of thirty-six months from its date of issue. The company intends to use the minimum net proceeds of $2M from the offering for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes which includes legal and financing fees as part of this offering, and the final USD $200K option payment on its La Virginia Project due in June 2024. Any additional net proceeds from the Offering will be used to continue surface exploration including mapping and sampling as well as a drill campaign at the La Virginia Project, Sonora.
Sonoro Gold Corp. closed the final tranche of its over-subscribed non-brokered private placement for additional gross proceeds of CAD $616,079. Gross proceeds will be used to fund the ongoing development of the Company’s Cerro Caliche gold project in Sonora project.
Orion Fund JV Limited, Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP and Orion Mine Finance have entered into a block trade agreement, selling 62,400,000 CHESS depository interests (CDIs) over the common shares of Capstone Copper Corp. at a price of A $9.50 per CDI, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately A$ 592,800,000. The Secondary Offering is expected to close on or about April 9, 2024 (Pacific Time).
Silver Storm Mining Ltd. closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.47M, the same that later on was increased to up to $3M at a price of 0.11 per unit. The company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to advance drilling at its La Parrilla mine, to perform technical studies for a potential restart in 2025, and to fund ongoing operations.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Discovery Silver Corp., filed its NI 43-101 Technical Report & Feasibility Study dated February 16, 2024 on its Cordero Silver Project, Chihuahua.
Tocvan Ventures Corp. and JV Colibri Resource Corporation restarted drilling at Pilar project, Sonora. All past data has been reviewed in order to determine the most effective use of drill meters for the upcoming campaign. A plan to drill 7,000m has been designed, including 4,000m of infill drilling within known areas of mineralization and 3,000m of step-out and exploration drilling on drill areas with known mineralization and/or strong surface geochemistry suggesting highly prospective targets. “The outcome of the proposed drilling will go into the definition of a maiden resource estimate for the Pilar Main Zone, providing an important building block for the company”.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., provided an update on its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) mineral resource drilling program at its El Tigre Project in Sonora. Silver Tiger has completed 22,000m of the 25,000m drilling program with promising results, including the high grade Keel zone. The company aims to expand the Mineral Resource and enhance the classification of the Stockwork gold deposit, completing metallurgical testwork and geotechnical studies as it progresses from an exploration to a development project. The value-added PFS progress is on schedule for publication in H2-2024. The company also announced a new set of assay results from 40 drill holes. Drilling highlights are shown in the table below:

First Majestic Silver Corp. reported 2023 Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resource Estimate. Figures are shown in the tables below:

Mineral Resource Estimates are inclusive of the Mineral Reserve Estimates.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Almaden Minerals Ltd., confirmed delisting from NYSE American Stock Exchange and listing on OTCBQ Marketplace in the US under symbol “AAUAF” (Ixtaca project, Puebla).
Alamos Gold Inc., announced that it will hold its annual general and special meeting of shareholders on Thursday May 23, 2024 (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
Equinox Gold Corp., reported that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on Thursday, May 9, 2024 (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
Infinitum Copper Corp., announced the details of a proposed consolidation of its common shares. Infinitum Copper Corp. It proposed a 2:1 share consolidation, aiming to enhance future financing opportunities and streamline operations. The consolidation will reduce the total number of common shares from 74,563,040 to 37,281,520, with no fractional shares issued (Adelita project, Sonora).
Luca Mining Corp., announced the appointment of its Vice President Finance, starting April 1, 2024 (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero).
Pantera Silver Corp., announced that it closed the amended agreement with respect to its right to acquire 100% ownership of the Nuevo Taxco property in Guerrero. Under amended terms, Pantera will issue 1.5M common shares in lieu of making a $150K final cash payment. A final share payment of 2M common shares will be due October 30th, 2024. Under the amended terms, the vendor has the option to accept the 2M shares or $150K cash plus 500K common shares. In addition, under the amended terms, all work commitments in the first two years of the original agreement have been met and any short fall has been waived. The timeline for completing the final work commitment of $800K has been extended to be completed by October30th, 2025.
Sierra Metals Inc., notified its intention to list on the Lima Stock Exchange. The process is expected to take up to four months to complete (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
Vizsla Silver Corp., announced that it has granted 318,000 restricted share units (RSU) to an officer of the company. The RSUs will vest in three equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date (Panuco project, Sinaloa).

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, chalcedonic quartz in a hot spring system in a project in Queretaro, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of March 2024

March 31, 2024 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 13^thweek of the year (March 25^th to March 31^st, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 21 press releases. Five companies released results for the last quarter/full-year 2023. Two companies announced financing rounds for a total of C$9.8 M, while one more filed a short form base shelf prospectus to raise up to C$40 M. Two companies released updated reserve and resource estimates for its operations. Three companies announced appointments to their boards, one is informing on a royalty spinout, one company announced the agreement to acquire another company with two operating mines in Mexico and one more announced the acquisition of a significant property in Sinaloa. A company with three precious metal mines in Mexico is commissioning a mint in Nevada. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Prime Mining, Alamos Gold, Discovery Silver, Fortuna Silver, Gold Royalty Corp and Americas Gold and Silver presented results for Q4 and full year 2023. ON FINANCING, Americas Gold and Silver raised C$7.8 M, and Capitan Silver increased its offering to C$2 M. Kootenay Silver filed a short form base shelf prospectus to make offering for up to C$40 M in 25 months. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mag Silver and Torex Gold released new reserve and resource estimates for Juanicipio (in Zacatecas) and the Morelos Complex (in Guerrero) respectively. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver is arranging the distribution of Vizsla Silver Royalties shares to its shareholders. Orex Minerals, GoGold Resources and Fresnillo plc announced resignations and appointments to their boards. Alamos Gold is acquiring Argonaut Gold. Vizsla Silver is acquiring the large La Garra-San Dimas project in Sinaloa. First Majestic Silver commissioned a mint in Nevada. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

No Relevant News.

ON MINING

Prime Mining Corp. reported its operating and financial results for 2023. A federal judge has granted its applications for Federal protection (Amparos) to conduct its activities under the previous (1994) mining law. By the end of 2023 the company held $33.8 M in cash. Prime is to drill 40,000 m in 2024, focusing in resource development and discovery potential. Five drills are currently active at the site (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
Alamos Gold Inc. filed its annual information form and 2023 annual report, including its audited financial statements for 2023, with the SEC on EDGAR as well as on SEDAR+ (Mulatos, Sonora).
Discovery Silver Corp. announced financial results for 2023, and updated on work at its Cordero project in Chihuahua since Q4 2023. The release highlighted the feasibility study (FS) results on Cordero, which include a 19-year mine life producing 33 M Oz AgEq in concentrate per year over the life of mine (LOM), at an AISC of US$13.50 per Oz AgEq over the LOM, with a reserve base of 302 M Oz Ag, 840 K Oz Au, 3.0 B Lb Pb, 5.2 B Lb Zn, not including 240 M tonnes of resources outside the feasibility pit. The company had cash and cash equivalents of $58.9 M by the end of 2023.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. filed its fiscal 2023 annual report on Form 40-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (San José, Oaxaca).
Gold Royalty Corp. filed its operating and financial results for Q4 and full year 2023. During the year the company received $3.05 M in revenue, with an adjusted net earning loss of $3.9 M while receiving 2,703 Oz AuEq. For 2024 Gold Royalty, which owns 340 royalties, including five producing projects, expects to receive between 5 K and 5.6 K Oz AuEq, roughly US$10 to US$11.2 M (Royalty on Cozamin, Zacatecas).
Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported consolidated financial and operational results for 2023, including figures for its Mexican operations. At Cosalá, in Sinaloa, 1.1 M Oz Ag, 11.5 M Lb Pb and 34.1 M Lb Zn were produced at cash cost $8.47 per Oz Ag. “The Company is in the final stages of negotiation with a global metal trader to provide concentrate prepayment financing for the capital requirements at its 100%-owned El Cajón and Zone 120 silver-copper project (“EC120 Project”) at the Cosalá Operations. The Company expects to close this financing in Q2-2024 with the goal to be producing higher-grade silver-copper concentrates by the end of 2024”.

ON FINANCING

Americas Gold and Silver Corp. closed its offering for total aggregate gross proceeds of C$7.8 M (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
Capitan Silver Corp. increased its non-brokered private placement from C$1.5 M to C$2 M (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
Kootenay Silver Inc. obtained receipt for a final short form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulators in each province and territory of Canada. The filing allows Kootenay to make offerings for up to a maximum of C$40 M during the 25-month period over which the base shelf prospectus is effective (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Mag Silver Corp. filed on SEDAR the mineral resource and mineral reserves NI-43-101 compliant technical report for the Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas (44% MAG, 56% Fresnillo plc, mine operator). Juanicipio holds 17 M tonnes @1.86 gpt Au, 310 gpt Ag, 2.89% Pb, 5.32% Zn, containing 1.02 M Oz Au, 169.2 M Oz Ag, 492 K tonnes Pb, 904 K tonnes Zn in measured and indicated resources, and 14 M tonnes @ 1.06 gpt Au, 236 gpt Ag, 2.41% Pb, 6.12% Zn, containing 480 K Oz Au, 106.7 M Oz Ag, 339 K tonnes Pb, 860 K tonnes Zn in inferred resources. The Juanicipio plant achieved the designed 4,000 tpd throughput on September 2023.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported year-end 2023 mineral reserves and resources for the Morelos Complex in Guerrero. The complex includes the El Limón Guajes (ELG) mine open pits and underground, advanced development phase Media Luna deposit, pre-development phase EPO deposit and surface stockpiles. As can be seen on the table below, the total resources (measured and indicated resources plus inferred resources) add up to almost 10 M Oz AuEq. “Since releasing the March 2022 Technical Report, we have increased our Measured and Indicated resource 1 base by 1,979 koz AuEq (prior to mined depletion) over the last two years and strengthened the production profile by increasing our Proven and Probable reserves by 719 koz AuEq (prior to processed depletion) over the same period.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Vizsla Silver Corp. announced an arrangement agreement with Vizsla Silver Royalties Corp. under which Vizsla Silver shareholders will vote on a special meeting where the distribution of common shares and warrants from Vizsla Royalties are to be arranged on a 1/3 basis. Vizsla Silver also entered into an equity distribution agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. in respect of an at-the-market equity program, which allows the company to issue up to C$50 M of Vizsla Silver shares from treasury to the public. “The ATM Program is intended to provide the Company with additional financing flexibility should it be required in the future. The volume and timing of distributions under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined in the Company’s sole discretion” (Panuco, Sinaloa).
Orex Minerals Inc. announced the resignation of David Gunning from the board, and the appointment of Adam Cegielski as independent chair of the company’s board of directors (Valenciana, Zacatecas).
GoGold Resources Inc. announced the re-election of members of the board on the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on March 26, 2024 (Los Ricos South, Jalisco).
Alamos Gold Inc. entered into a definitive agreement on which Alamos is to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Argonaut Gold Inc. By this agreement Alamos is acquiring the Magino mine, located adjacent to its Island Gold mine in Ontario. Concurrently, Argonaut’s assets in USA and Mexico will be spun out to its existing shareholders as a newly created junior gold producer (“SpinCo”), which will own the Florida Canyon mine in USA, and the El Castillo Complex in Durango, La Colorada in Sonora, and Cerro del Gallo in Guanajuato. “Upon SpinCo going public, Alamos has agreed to subscribe for a further US$10 million to obtain a 19.9% interest in SpinCo”.
Vizsla Silver Corp. entered into an agreement to acquire the past-producing La Garra-Metates district in Sinaloa. The 16,962 Ha land package is between the San Dimas and Vizsla’s Panuco district, and exhibits low sufidation epithermal vein systems that have returned high grades over kilometers of strike. Vizsla entered into a share purchase agreement in March 27, 2024, with Exploradora Minera La Hacienda SA de CV and Manuel de Jesus Hernandez Tovar, with a cash payment of non-binding LOI of US$100 K, 258 K shares on signing; US$150 K cash and 476.2 K shares at three months; US$275 K cash, 535.7 K shares at six months; US$225 K, 595.2 K shares at nine months; US$350 K cash, 714.3 K shares at 12 months; US$300 K cash, 833.3 K shares at 15 months; US$375 K cash, 962.4 K shares at 18 months and US$1.3 M in cash, 1.19 M shares at 24 months. Vizsla is to pay back taxes on the concessions and the sellers will retain a 1% royalty that can be bought back for US$750 K at any time. “The finder’s fees is 2% NSR of the project payable to an arm’s length Mexican Company”.
Fresnillo plc. announced that Ms Bárbara Garza Lagüera and Mr Juan Bordes intend to stand down from the board at the next annual general meeting in May of 2024. “The Board has, therefore, invited Mr Charlie Jacobs to continue on the Board as a Non-Independent NonExecutive Director” (Fresnillo, Zacatecas).
First Majestic Silver Corp. completed the commissioning and commencement of bullion sales from its minting facility, First Mint LLC., located in Nevada. “The inaugural production run of bullion bars will be commemorated and sold as collectibles, complete with certificates of authenticity and exclusive packaging. These limited edition “First Strike” products will include 1,000 one-kilogram bars, 2,500 ten-ounce bars, and 5,000 five-ounce bars” (San Dimas, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz matrix breccia in a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Alamos Gold Announces Friendly Acquisition of Argonaut Gold

March 27, 2024 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

2024-03-27_alamos-gold-announces-friendly-acquisition-of-argonaut-gold Download

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of March, 2024

March 24, 2024 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Mn-Fe veinlets hosted in rhyolites

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 12^thweek of the year (March 18^thto March 24^th, 2024), at least 18 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with seven communicating production results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four announcing financing issues, two reporting resources and developments of their projects, and one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Vizsla reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of March, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Sierra Metals reported Q43 and year-end 2023 production results from its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua, and provided production and cost guidance for 2024. Starcore reported Q3 results ended January 31, 2024 from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Avino reported Q4 and full year 2023 production and financial results (Avino mine, Durango). Golden Minerals released consolidated financial results from Rodeo and Velardeña mines, both located in Durango State. Orla reported Q4 and full year 2023 production and financial results from its Camino Rojo mine in Zacatecas. Orogen announced preliminary 2023 full year financial results. MAG Silver reported 2023 annual production and financial results from its Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Bear Creek Mining has drawn down USD $750K for a total principal amount of USD $19,767,612.35 outstanding under the Sandstorm Promissory Note (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Americas Gold and Silver firstly announced a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $6.5M and later increased it to CAD $7.5M (Cosala mine, Sinaloa). Sailfish declared Q1, 2024 dividend. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Tocvan reported that it is advancing a significant gold-silver land package in Sonora, Mexico (Pilar project). Vizsla released results from 27 new infill and expansion drill holes targeting the Copala resource area at its flagship Panuco project, Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bear Creek granted 500K stock options to its CFO, exercisable at CAD $0.245 per share (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Atacama Copper retained Cascade Corporate Consulting for investor relations services (Las Cristinas project, Chihuahua). Colibri announced that it will retain 49% interest in Pilar project in Sonora and will enter into a JV. Sailfish announced termination of share purchase option agreement with CMC. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

Vizsla Silver Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of March, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

No relevant news.

ON MINING

Sierra Metals Inc., reported Q43 and year-end 2023 production results from its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua and provided production and cost guidance for 2024 (All currency amounts are expressed in US dollars). In Q4, 2023, the company processed 409,995 tonnes to produce 9,150,000 Lb CuEq at cash and all in sustaining costs of $1.90 and $3.47 per Lb CuEq payable respectively. Sierra Metals reported cost of sales of $23,243,000 and a total cash cost of $19,035,000. In the full year 2023, the company processed 1,477,889 tonnes to produce 34,579,000 Lb CuEq at cash and all in sustaining costs (AISC) of $1.87 and $3.29 per Lb CuEq payable respectively. Sierra Metals reported cost of sales of $82,188,000 and a total cash cost of $66,381,000. Sierra Metal provided production and cost guidance for 2024. It estimated to produce between 23,900,000-27,600,000 Lb CuEq, 650K-750K Oz Ag, and 8000-9,200 Oz Au at cash and AISC of $2.56-$272 and $3.28-$3.36 per Lb Cu Eq respectively.
Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q3 results ended January 31, 2024 from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company processed 52,700 tonnes of 1.58 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 89.1% and 50.3% respectively to produce 2.4K Oz Au and 12.4K Oz Ag (2.5K Oz AuEq) at mine operating cash and AISC of USD $1,674 and USD $2,156 per Oz AuEq respectively. Starcore reported revenue of CAD $6,784,000 and earnings of CAD $795,000.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reported Q4 and full year 2023 production and financial results from its Avino mine in Durango (all currency amounts are expressed in US dollars). In Q4, 2023 the company milled 143,738 tonnes to produce 224.7K Oz Ag, 1,452 Oz Au, and 1.32M Lb Cu (558.5K Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $15.04 and $21.67 per Oz AgEq payable respectively. Avino sold 548K Oz AgEq in this period. It also reported revenue of $12.53M; mine operating income of $2.6M; net income of $0.6M, EBITDA of $1.1M, and adjusted earnings of $2M. In the full year 2023, the company milled 615,373 tonnes to produce 928.6K Oz Ag, 7,335 Oz Au, and 5.3M Lb Cu (2.4M Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $15.61 and $21.87 per Oz AgEq payable respectively. Avino sold 2.1M Oz AgEq in this period. It also reported revenue of $43.9M; mine operating income of $7.8M; net income of $0.5M, EBITDA of $2.5M, and adjusted earnings of $4.6M.
Golden Minerals Company released consolidated financial results from Rodeo and Velardeña mines, both located in Durango State (all figures are expressed in US dollars). The company reported revenue of $12M; cost of metals sold of $12.4M; other operating income of $2.3M; net loss of $9.2M or $1.08 per share; cash and equivalents balance of $3.8M; debts was zero; cash inflows of $9.7M; and total expenditures of $9.9M. Rodeo mine concluded operations in June 2023 and finished processing stockpiled material in September 2023, while Velardeña began mining activities in December 2023 given newer favorable concentrate terms, positive results of testing activities and of recent metallurgical and economic analyses, but operations were subsequently shut down in late February 2024 after the initial performance of the mine and processing plant did not achieve expected results.
Orla Mining Ltd., reported Q4 and full year 2023 production and financial results from its Camino Rojo mine in Zacatecas (all amounts expressed in US dollars). In the period Q4, 2023, the company produced 34,484 Oz Au and sold 31,300 Oz Au at cash and AISC per Oz Au of $536 and $802 respectively, and at an average realized Au price of $1,974 per Oz Au. It also reported revenue of $629M; net income of ($58.4M); adjusted earnings of $15.7M; adjusted earnings per share of $0.05; cash flow from operating activities of $24.7M; free cash flow of ($8.2M); cash and cash equivalents of $96.6M; and net cash (debts) of $8.3M. In the full year 2023, the company produced 121,877 Oz Au and sold 118,993 Oz Au at cash and AISC per Oz Au of $506 and $736 respectively, and at an average realized Au price of $1,941 per Oz Au. It also reported revenue of $233.6; net income of ($27M); adjusted earnings of $47.8M; adjusted earnings per share of ($0.09); cash flow from operating activities of $68.9M; free cash flow of $23.6M; cash and cash equivalents of $96.3M; and net cash (debts) of ($49.5M).
Orogen Royalties Inc., announced preliminary Q4 and 2023 full year financial results (all figures are in Canadian dollars). The Company’s royalty portfolio includes the Ermitaño gold and silver Mine in Sonora, Mexico (2.0% NSR royalty) operated by First Majestic Silver Corp. For the period Q4, 2023, Orogen reported royalty revenue of $1.8M and for the full year 2023 of $5.9M. According to First Majestic, forecasted production guidance from the Santa Elena mine complex in 2024 is 81,000 to 90,000 ounces gold and 1.1 to 1.2 million ounces silver, with over 90% of the production from the Ermitaño mine. The Company estimates that this will result in royalty revenues between $4.5M and $5.0M based on gold price of USD $2,000 per Oz.
MAG Silver Corp., reported 2023 annual production and financial results on a 100% basis from its Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas (44% MAG/56% Fresnillo plc) (all amounts are reported in $000´s of US dollars). The company mined 1,097,289 tonnes and processed 1,268,757 tonnes of 472 g/t Ag, 1.27 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 2% Zn to produce 15.3M Oz Ag, 31.73K Oz Au, 25.9M Lb Pb, and 36.9M Lb >Zn at cash and AISC of $6.07 and $10.32 per Oz Ag sold respectively. The company also reported a net income of $48,659 ($0.47 per share) (equity accounted) of $65,099; and adjusted EBITDA of $97,480; operating cash flow and free cash flow of $145,064 and $60,814 respectively; cash balances of $42,913; and Interest and loan principal repayments returned to MAG during 2023 totalled $33,354.

ON FINANCING

Bear Creek Mining Corporation has drawn down USD $750K for a total principal amount of USD $19,767,612.35 outstanding under the Sandstorm Promissory Note. Sandstorm has provided additional credit of up to USD $375K per month until August 2024, with the option to convert the drawn amounts in common shares, and will be used for continuing exploration work at its Mercedes mine in Sonora and general working capital purposes.
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced a private placement of up to 21,667,000 units of the company at a price of CAD $0.30 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $6.5M, and later on it increased to 25,000,000 units of the company at a price of CAD $0.30 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $7.5M. Each unit will be comprised of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant of the company. Part of the gross proceeds will be used for working capital requirements at its Cosala mine, Sinaloa, and for general and administrative purposes.
Sailfish Royalty Corp., declared Q1, 2024 dividend and announced termination of share purchase option agreement with CMC. Its Board of Directors has declared the Company’s first quarterly cash dividend for 2024 in the amount of USD $0.0125 per common share that will be payable on April 15, 2024 to Sailfish shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2024.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Tocvan Ventures Corp., reported that it is advancing a significant gold-silver land package in Sonora, Mexico, particularly focusing on the Pilar Project spanning over 22 square kilometers. With extensive drilling and exploration efforts, the company aims to transition towards production by developing mine permits, conducting an extensive drill program, and evaluating new target areas. Positioned in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with quality assets and surrounded by operational mines, Tocvan is poised to become a key player in the region’s mining sector.
Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from 27 new infill and expansion drill holes targeting the Copala resource area at its flagship Panuco project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes CS-24-342 with 487 g/t Ag and 3.69 g/t Au (703 g/t AgEq) over 6m, plus 252 g/t Ag and 1.25 g/t Au (317 g/t AgEq) over 0.95m, plus 304 g/t Ag and 1.01 g/t Au (347 g/t AgEq) over 0.55m, and plus 1,435 g/t Ag and 3.83 g/t Au (1,576 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; hole COP-2023-001 with 240 g/t Ag and 1.61 g/t Au (332 g/t AgEq) over 13.6m, including 1,075 g/t Ag and 11.55 g/t Au (1,793 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m, plus 508 g/t Ag and 1.19 g/t Au (547 g/t AgEq) over 0.80m; hole COP-2023-004 with 318 g/t Ag and 5.23 g/t Au (658 g/t AgEq) over 5.1m, including 338 g/t Ag and 16 g/t Au (1,436 g/t AgEq) over 0.28m, including 1,270 g/t Ag and 13.45 g/t Au (0.96 g/t AgEq) over 0.96m; and hole CS-24-339 with 738 g/t Ag and 2.28 g/t Au (832 g/t AgEq) over 2.92m, plus 267 g/t Ag and 0.87 g/t Au (304 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m. “The reported drilling, designed to both infill and expand mineralization, successfully confirmed high-grade continuity throughout Copala and extended mineralization by ~100m down dip to the southeast”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Bear Creek Mining Corporation granted 500K stock options to its CFO, exercisable at CAD $0.245 per share, exercisable on or before March 19, 2034 (Mercedes mine, Sonora).
Atacama Copper Corporation retained Cascade Corporate Consulting Ltd for investor relations services to aid the company in building awareness in the financial community by maintaining relationships between the management of the company and investors (Las Cristinas project, Chihuahua).
Colibri Resource Corporation announced that it will retain 49% interest in Pilar project in Sonora and will enter into a JV on a 51% Tocvan / 49% Colibri basis to advance the project.
Sailfish Royalty Corp., announced the termination of the share purchase option agreement between the Company and CMC Metals Ltd pursuant to which the Company granted CMC the option to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Swordfish Silver Corp. which, through Sailfish de Mexico S.A. de C.V., holds the mineral rights in and to the silver exploration project located in the Municipality of San Dimas, State of Durango, Mexico, known as the Gavilanes property. CMC has purported to unilaterally terminate the Agreement. The Company has accepted the termination and has engaged experienced litigation counsel in British Columbia to review this matter and seek all available remedies including damages

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, Mn-Fe veinlets hosted in rhyolites in an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of March 2024

March 17, 2024 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 11^thweek of the year (March 11^th to March 17^th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 26 press releases. Three companies reported on exploration at its properties while three more released results for the last quarter/full-year. Four companies announced financing rounds for a total of C$7.8 M, one is delisting from one Stock Exchange and listing in another one, another is extending its warrants expiry date and one more is granting stock options. One company informed on work at its advanced property. One company obtained a hard-sought community authorization for exploration activities, while one other is stopping activities in Mexico. A company announced an appointment to the board and one more the optioning of a property. One company is to process third-party material at its mill, one is cancelling an option and its related financing round and one more is updating on its legal action against the Mexican government. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a couple of judicial resolutions set the application of the new mining law on hold. The anti-mining stance by the federal government is bearing fruit, pushing mining investment out of the country. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource updated on work at its EP project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver is to drill at Columba. In Durango, Silver Dollar is re-evaluating the Nora project. ON FINANCING, three companies informed on the opening or closing of financing rounds: Regency Silver (C$250 K), Reyna Silver (C$3.2 M), Defiance Silver (C$2.6 M) Guanajuato Silver granted options to directors, management and consultants. Pantera Silver is to extend the expiry date of warrants. Almaden Minerals is to change its listing stock exchange. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Atacama Copper started drilling at Cristina, in Chihuahua, focusing on high-grade resources. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, USAntimony is closing operations in Mexico. Vortex Metal obtained community exploration approbation. Sonoro Gold announced an appointment to the board. Riverside Resources and Fortuna Silver signed an option agreement on the Cecilia project, in Sonora. CMC Metals dropped the option on the Gavilanes project and the concurrent financing round on lack of exploration permit. Guanajuato Silver Company signed a new third-party processing agreement. Almaden Minerals and Almadex Minerals updated on its request for consultation under the CPTPP. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

According to the newspaper La Jornada a judge upheld a partial suspension on the reforms to the mining law, specifically on the article that disposes all mining concession applications not yet titled. First Majestic Silver promoted the appeal on grounds of unconstitutionality.
The Poder Judicial Federal suspended multiple parts of the reform to the Mining Law of last May 2023, as these are likely unconstitutional. By Mid-April the Supreme Court has to discuss if the reforms are invalidated because of violations to the legislative process, although the project on the Mining Law still has to be included on the minute. Some points addressed in the reform include the reduction from 50 to 30 years of duration of the concession, auctioning of mining concessions, community consultation and retribution and water use limitations among others.
The Mexican government mining policies are bearing fruit. The Mining Law changes of last year (likely to be soon rejected by the Supreme Court), the reluctance by the environmental agency (SEMARNAT) to reauthorize mining permits, the lack of permits for open pit mining, the unwillingness to end illegal blockades and the general anti-mining stance of the current federal government are working as expected, deterring mining investment and pushing the more disadvantaged players, junior foreign companies, out of the country. Just this week USAntimony is closing operations in Mexico, CMC Metals is bailing out of a deal to option a property because of SEMARNAT’s failure to extend an exploration permit and Almaden Minerals informed on the international proceedings regarding its Ixtaca project in Puebla. Those companies are adding to the likes of Fortune Silver, Argonaut Gold, Riverside Resources and Golden Minerals, among others, that have made public during this quarter their reassessment of continuing operations in Mexico or have current arbitration cases, like Silver Bull Resources on its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. How much this scenery is to change depends on when/if the Mining Law changes are repealed and the open pit mining ban scraped.

ON EXPLORATION

Silver Dollar Resources Inc. commenced its re-evaluation of the Nora property in Durango during last February, with the collection of 72 surface samples on the East, West and South anomalies, as well as from the main Candy structure. Rock samples on the Candy structure attempt to replicate the results from the previous operator, and will be reported when received.
Colibri Resource Corp. updated on exploration activities at its EP Gold project in Sonora. Work includes an airborne magnetic survey covering 1,385 ha at a height of 35 m and a 50 m spacing between flight lines. Similar equipment and survey parameters with previous surveys allowed for the combination of the datasets. Geological mapping completed on selected areas with 64 rock samples collected as well as 23 rocks for thin section petrography. Interpretation of geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys highlighted the importance of north-northeast trending structures, and the recognition of easterly trending ones. Colibri has identified 14 target areas, prioritizing four of these for drilling.
Kootenay Silver Inc. announced the initiation of the Q1 diamond drill program at Columba, in Chihuahua. The program envisages 15 to 17 holes for 5,000 m designed to expand upon previous intercepts along the D-Vein target. “The current drilling program is designed to extend the D-Vein in preparation of a follow up program of likely 15,000 meters, aimed to delineate a maiden resource expected in late 2024 which is dependent on additional drilling beyond the 5000 meter program and the financing it requires.”

ON MINING

Endeavour Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for Q4 and full-year 2023. During the year the company produced 5.7 M Oz Ag, 37,858 Oz Au, or 8.7 M Oz AgEq, for a total revenue of $205 M, $37 M in operating cash flow before working capital changes and net income of $6.1 M. Consolidated cash cost net of by-product credits was $13.49 per Oz Ag, and an AISC of $22.93 per Oz Ag, impacted by higher costs. During the year Bolañitos in Guanajuato processed 441 K tonnes to produce 537.5 K Oz Ag, while Guanaceví in Durango processed 433.4 K tonnes to produce 5.09 M Oz Ag. Construction of the Terronera mine in Jalisco continues on schedule. Cash position of $35.3 M and $42.5 M in working capital.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. released financial results for Q4 and year 2023. During the year Las Chispas mine in Sonora mined 300.9 K tonnes, processed 431.4 K tonnes at a rate of 877 tpd, with ore averaging 4.39 gpt Au, 423 gpt Ag (or 771 gpt AgEq), recovering 98.1% Au, 96.5% Ag, to produce 59,700 Oz Au, 5.65 M Oz Ag (or 10.4 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $7.73 per Oz AgEq. In 2023 the company completed 13.2 km of horizontal and vertical underground development. During the year SilverCrest generated $116.7 M in net earnings and free cash flow was $121.1 M, holding cash and cash equivalents of $86 M by the end of the year.
Gold Resource Corp. announced full-year operational results from its Don David Gold Mine in Oaxaca. During Q4 2023 the mine milled 111.2 K tonnes @ 1.44 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 1.39% Pb, 2.95% Zn to produce 4,077 Oz Au, 282.5 K Oz Ag, 341 Cu tonnes, 1,072 Pb tonnes, 2,884 Zn tonnes in the quarter, adding up to 18,534 Oz Au, 1.04 M Oz Ag (31,085 Oz AuEq). For 2024 the guidance is to produce 13,000 to 15,000 Oz Au, 1.25 to 1.4 M Oz Ag, (29,500 to 31,500 Oz AuEq) at cash cost $1,450 to $1,650 per Oz AuEq. Negotiations during Q4 2023 reduced royalties from 5% to 3% on the La Tehuana, El Aguila, and Mina El Aire mining concessions.

ON FINANCING

Regency Silver Corp. closed further $253 K of a previously announced non-brokered placement of $800 K. The company also granted stock options to acquire 1.7 M of common shares to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Dios Padre, Sonora).
Pantera Silvera Corp. applied to extend the expiry date of 11.8 M share purchase warrants to March 11, 2025 (Nuevo Taxco, Guerrero).
Reyna Silver Corp. increased the size of its non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption (“LIFE”) announced on Feb 14, 2024, and its previously announced concurrent non-brokered private placement. The amended LIFE offering is to raise up to $3.2 M (Guigui, Chihuahua).
Almaden Minerals Ltd. informed that because of the low price of its share (due to the dispute with the Mexican government. – See below) the company will voluntarily delist from the NYSE and parallelly seek a listing on the OTCQB Marketplace (Ixtaca, Puebla).
Defiance Silver Corp. closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2.6 M. Windermere Capital Fund SPC – Breakaway Strategic Resource SP, an insider of the company purchased C$1.2 M in shares, taking its ownership to a total of 41.5 M common shares and 3.05 M warrants. (Zacatecas, Zacatecas).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. granted stock options and restricted share units to select officers, directors, employees and consultants (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. upsized and closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing raising total gross proceeds of $1 M (La Guitarra, Estado de Mexico).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Atacama Copper Corp. started a 10,000 m diamond drilling campaign at its Cristina project in Chihuahua. “The Cristina project consists of multiple outcropping quartz veins that are frequently greater than 10 metre in width and extend for a currently known strike length of up to five kilometres. At least four parallel mineralized vein zones have been mapped and sampled to date”. Epithermal to mesothermal mineralization is known to occur over 1,100 m of vertical range, hosted by andesitic volcanic rocks of the Lower Volcanic Group and locally covered by Upper Volcanic Group rhyolitic rocks. Current open pit constrained resources are centered on the Guadalupe vein, comprising 752 K Oz AuEq in indicated resources and 777 K Oz AuEq in inferred resources. Atacama is trying to define an underground higher-grade resource.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

United States Antimony Corp. announced plans to discontinue all Latin America operational activities and close its US Antimony Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (USAMSA) subsidiary, terminating the majority of its employees on March 11, 2024, immediately. “The Company intends to possibly sell or lease its USAMSA entity, operations, or assets over the next year and has initiated an active search for buyers or leasing opportunities of its operations and/or existing assets.” United States Antimony will continue to hold its existing Los Juarez mining claims in Queretaro. The reasons stated to close include high operating costs, new stringent Mexican mining laws, safety concerns, and the inability to collect back taxes from the Mexican government.
Vortex Metals Inc. announced the authorization by the Santiago Astata Agrarian Community to Vortex to carry on mineral exploration activities, including drilling, at its Zaachila project in Oaxaca. “Furthermore, the company has committed to forming an environmental monitoring committee with active community participation to oversee the activities and ensure environmental protection throughout the exploration program”.
Sonoro Gold Corp. appointed Katherine Reagan to the board of directors, in addition to her position of vice president of corporate development and corporate secretary (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Riverside Resources Inc. signed an option agreement with Fortuna Silver on Riverside’s Cecilia project in Sonora. The option term agreement envisages 5 years to earn 51% by spending US3.75 M, delivery of $150 K in cash payments and at least $500 K spent on work in the first year. Fortuna paid Riverside the initial $25 K on signing, and is to pay $25 K on filing of the agreement in Mexico, and further $25 K per year, with Riverside acting as operator charging a 10% management fee on top of work spending. Upon earning 51%, Fortuna may earn 80% by spending an additional $2.25 M in work over 3 years. After earning 80%, Fortuna might elect within 120 days to pay Riverside $5 M cash and grant Riverside a 2% NSR where 1% NSR may be purchased for $3 M, with Fortuna earning 100% in the project. The low sulfidation Au-Ag epithermal mineralization is associated to at least two nested dome complexes in sedimentary rocks.
CMC Metals Ltd. announced the cancellation of the $1.2 M private placement previously announced due to the failure, of the property owner of the Ag-Au Gavilanes project in Durango, to achieve an extension of the exploration permit with SEMARNAT (Mexico’s environmental Agency). “CMC has subsequently served notice of its intent to terminate the agreement with Sailfish Royalty Corp. to acquire the Gavilanes project but remains interested in securing exclusivity rights until October 2024.” The company intends to focus on its flagship Silverknife property in British Columbia.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced the signing of a new third-party processing agreement with REM Marfil S.A. de C.V., a local Guanajuato based company. Under the agreement mineralized material from the past producing La Providencia mine is to be processed at the El Cubo and Cata processing facilities in Guanajuato. “The Agreement covers the processing of an initial 80,000 dry metric tonnes of mineralized material with a minimum head grade of 0.43 grams per tonne gold and 192 grams per tonne silver.”
Almaden Minerals Ltd. and Almadex Minerals Ltd. updated on its Request for Consultation delivered to the Mexican government in December 2023 according to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The Mexican government acknowledged receipt but never proposed dates for a consultation meeting. On March 14, 2024, Almaden delivered to Mexico written notice of its intention to submit a claim to arbitration under the CPTPP. “The damages relating to the Almaden and Almadex Claim will be for no less than US$200 million, in the aggregate. The Notice enables the Company to initiate arbitration should an amicable resolution of the dispute with the Mexican government not be reached.”

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz matrix breccia in a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of March, 2024

March 10, 2024 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Quartz-barite-specularite vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 10^thweek of the year (March 4^thto March 10^th, 2024), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, five communicating production results, four announcing financing issues, four informing on exploration results, and three reporting resources and developments of their projects. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan reported surface exploration results from areas located over 6km north of the El Pilar Main Zone at its Pilar project, and Aztec reported final results from the 2023 RC drilling from its Cervantes project. In Chihuahua, Radius secured funding to commence drilling at the Plata Verde project. In Durango, Centenario Gold announced results from the first drill program on its Eden project. ON MINING, SilverCrest announced that it will file its audited annual financial statement and management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 on March 11th, 2024 (Las Chispas mine, Sonora). Argonaut reported Q3 and year-end 2023 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Fortuna released Q3 and end-year production results from its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Luca Mining reported production results from its Tahuehueto, Durango and provided an update on its Campo Morado, Guerrero mine operation. MAG Silver reported a preliminary 2024 Juanicipio, Zacatecas guidance. ON FINANCING, Capitan Silver announced that it intends to rise CAD $1.5M by way of a non-brokered private placement (Cruz de Plata project, Durango). Infinitum Copper announced a private placement (amended later on) for gross proceeds of up to CAD $450K (Adelita project, Sonora). Reyna Silver increased the size of its non-brokered private placement and announced the second closing of the life offering and the first closing of the concurrent private placement (Guigui and Batopilas projects, Chihuahua). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Tocvan reported that a RC drilling is to commence at its Pilar project in Sonora. Kootenay filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report on its La Cigarra project, Chihuahua. GR Silver provided an operational update and announced the start of a small bulk sampling and test mining at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, US Antimony announced executive management changes. Golden Minerals announced that one member of its Board of Director has passed away (Velardeña property, Durango). Sierra Metals announced the appointment of its Vice President, Health, & Safety, effective March 1, 2024 (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). Pan American announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) accepted its intention to purchase up to 5% of Pan American´s issued and outstanding shares (La Colorada, Zacatecas-Durango). Goldgroup reported a contractor fatality at its Cerro Prieto mine in Sonora. Kootenay granted stock options to officers, directors, employees, and consultants (Columba project, Chihuahua). Defiance Silver confirmed ownership of the Tepal project in Michoacan. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

Tocvan Ventures Corp., reported surface exploration results from areas located over 6km north of Pilar´s Main Zone within its Pilar project in Sonora. Sampling returned very high-grade silver with gold values.. Two samples yielded 1,225 g/t Ag with 3.2 g/t Au and 744 g/t Ag with 0.2 g/t Au from sample material next to historical artisanal workings. One of the samples also show higher polymetallic association returning 0.42% Cu, 3.4% Zn, and over 20% Pb (assay over limit was reached).
Aztec Minerals Corp., reported final results from the 2023 RC drilling from its Cervantes project. The RC drilling program consisted of 1,646m in 13 holes testing the California porphyry gold target. All drill holes intersected oxidized Au mineralization; the California target continues to be open; the California target now has an area of 1,000m by 300m drill demonstrated; and the California target was found to continue on strike to the east at least another 400m. The multi-element ICP results show good, positive relationships between Au, Cu, Bi, Ag, As, W and K (potassic alteration), negative relationships with Mo, Sb and Ca. The multi-element grades support the potential for an Au-Cu porphyry deposit at depth.
Radius Gold Inc., secured funding to commence drilling at the Plata Verde project in Chihuahua, Mexico, through an option agreement with Minera San Julian and Geometales del Norte-Geonorte. The initial investment for mobilizing drilling and field teams is USD $250K, with additional funding to follow as approved by technical committee. The project has shown significant silver mineralization and historical production potential. Minera San Julian aims to spend a minimum of USD $4,762,000 over four years on exploration activities at Plata Verde and has the right to earn a 70% interest in the project.
Centenario Gold Corp., announced results from the first drill program on its Eden project in Durango. The company completed 1,506m in 11 core holes “testing the strike and downdip extensions of the mineralized structure along a section of the ‘Buenavista’ corridor”. All holes intersected the ‘Buenavista’ vein-breccia structure at depths ranging between 50 to 110 m. Assay results have been received on 9 of the 11 holes. Assays are pending for holes ED24-09 and ED24-11 and will be released when received.

ON MINING

SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced that it will file its audited annual financial statement and management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 on March 11th, 2024 (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).
Argonaut Gold Inc., reported Q3 and year-end 2023 production and financial results from their Mexican operations (all dollar amounts are expressed in USD). In Q3, 2023, the company sold at La Colorada, Sonora, 7,967 Oz Au; reported cost of sales for $13,998,000; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of $1,757; production costs of $10,353,000; a cash cost of $10,066,000; a cash cost per Oz Au sold of $1,263; and all in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,316. For the year-end, it sold 25,957 Oz Au; reported cost of sales for $48,556,000; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of $1,871; production costs of $39,057,000; a cash cost of $38,065,000; a cash cost per Oz Au sold of $1,466; and AISC of $1,532. At San Agustin, Durango, the company sold in Q3, 2023 9,556 Oz Au; reported cost of sales for $17,624,000; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of $1,844; production costs of $16,000,000; a cash cost of $15,249,000; a cash cost per Oz Au sold of $1,596; and AISC of $1,631. For the year-end, it sold 44,148 Oz Au; reported cost of sales for $81,324,000; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of $1,842; production costs of $71,263,000; a cash cost of $66,867,000; a cash cost per Oz Au sold of $1,515; and AISC of $1,552. At El Castillo, Durango, the company sold in Q3, 2023 4,353 Oz Au; reported cost of sales for $6,362,000; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of $1,462; production costs of $6,009,000; a cash cost of $5,972,000; a cash cost per Oz Au sold of $1,372; and AISC of $1,402. For the year-end, it sold 21,325 Oz Au; reported cost of sales for $36,005,000; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of $1,688; production costs of $32,252,000; a cash cost of $31,837,000; a cash cost per Oz Au sold of $1,493; and AISC of $1,518.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., released Q3 and end-year production results from its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. In Q3, 2023, the company milled 241,035 tonnes of 145 g/t Ag and 0.91 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 91% and 90% respectively, to produce 1,023,325 Oz Ag and 6,345 Oz Au of which sold 1,040,888 Oz Ag and 6,046 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $23.35 per Oz Ag and USD $1,983 per Oz Au. Fortuna reported a production cash and AISC of USD $17.57 and USD $21.98 per Oz AgEq respectively. In the full year 2023, the company milled 930,200 tonnes of 171 g/t Ag and 1.06 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 91% and 90% respectively, to produce 4,656,631 Oz Ag and 28,559 Oz Au of which sold 4,659,611 Oz Ag and 28,524 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $23.36 per Oz Ag and USD $1,942 per Oz Au. Fortuna reported a production cash and AISC of USD $14.40 and USD $19.40 per Oz AgEq respectively.
Luca Mining Corp. reported production results from its Tahuehueto, Durango and provided an update on its Campo Morado, Guerrero mine operation. At Tahuehueto, Durango, the mine achieved a new daily production record of 655 tonnes last week. The mine plan calls for the ramp-up to an approximate 1,000 tonne per day operation during 2H 2024 which is rapidly being achieved. At Campo Morado, Guerrero, “the optimization program has to date developed fundamental improvements in productivity, operational efficiency and cashflow. Key features of the program include effective mine-to-mill planning, new procedures for ore blending, increased metallurgical test work, optimized grinding and reagent dosing for improved recoveries, and phased equipment upgrades for mine and mill”.
MAG Silver Corp., reported a preliminary 2024 Juanicipio, Zacatecas guidance. MAG Silver reported preliminary guidance for the production potential of the high-grade Juanicipio Mine jointly owned by Fresnillo and MAG. The silver head grade is expected to range between 380 g/t and 420 g/t for 2024, with the plant anticipated to operate at nameplate capacity per operating day with an effective utilization of 91%. MAG remains on schedule to publish its updated technical report by the end of Q1 2024, providing more definitive guidance and solidifying the outlook for the Juanicipio Mine.

ON FINANCING

Capitan Silver Corp., announced that it intends to rise CAD $1.5M by way of a non-brokered private placement of 10M common shares at a price of CAD $0.15 per share. Gross proceeds will be used to advance Cruz de Plata project in Durango, to evaluate potential acquisitions, as well as to fund working capital and general corporate expenses.
Infinitum Copper Corp., announced a private placement (amended later on) for gross proceeds of up to CAD $450K through the issue of up to 22.5M units of the company at a price of CAD $0.02 per unit. Each unit will be comprised of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant. Net proceeds will be used for the establishment of mining operations at La Adelita project in Sonora, and for general corporate purposes.
Reyna Silver Corp., increased the size of its non-brokered private placement from $2.5M to $2.9M, and announced the second closing of the listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE) offering of 8,240,666 units for gross proceeds of approximately $988,880, and the first closing of the concurrent private placement of 12,401,610 units for gross proceeds of approximately 1,488,193. The company plans to use part of the net proceeds for the exploration of Guigui and Batopilas projects, Chihuahua.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Tocvan Ventures Corp., reported that a RC drilling is to commence at its Pilar project in Sonora for resource definition and expansion, as well as evaluation of new discoveries and targets. “The initial focus will be on infill and step-out targeting within and adjacent to the Pilar Main Zone including where previous drill campaigns successfully discovered the southern extension of the Main Zone, returning 108.6 meters of 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4 meters of 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag”.
Kootenay Silver Inc., filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report titled “Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the La Cigarra Ag-Pb-Zn Project, Chihuahua State, Mexico” with an effective date of November 29, 2023.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., provided an operational update and announced the start of a small bulk sampling and test mining at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. GR Silver Mining has entered commercial agreements with private local operators to explore opportunities related to the Plomosas Project. The company has started the Bulk Sampling Test Mining (BSTM) program for future use in engineering and metallurgical reports at the San Juan and La Colorada sites, which has the potential to unveil valuable geological information related to high-grade modeling & targeting, grade reconciliation, and mineral deposit modeling to define new drill targets in the vicinities of the existing historical mines. The BSTM program will allow low-cost preparation of sites for future drilling, aiming to continue resource expansion in the project.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

US Antimony Corporation announced executive management changes. Its previous CEO was appointed as President of the Company’s Antimony Division after relinquished his title as a CEO of US Antimony Corporation (Los Juarez project, Queretaro).
Golden Minerals Company announced that one member of its Board of Director has passed away (Velardeña property, Durango).
Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of its Vice President, Health, & Safety, effective March 1, 2024 (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
Pan American Silver Corp., has announced a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 5% of its issued and outstanding shares starting on March 6, 2024. The purchases will be made on the open market through various trading platforms. The company believes that its shares may not fully reflect its underlying value, making them an attractive investment. The bid will be funded from the company’s working capital, and purchases will be made at market prices. Pan American has established an automatic securities purchase plan to facilitate share repurchases. (La Colorada, Zacatecas-Durango).
Goldgroup Mining Inc., reported a contractor fatality at its Cerro Prieto mine in Sonora. Relevant regulatory authorities were notified and attended the site to investigate.
Kootenay Silver Inc., granted stock options to officers, directors, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,310,000 million shares and issued restricted share and deferred units totalling 905,000 common shares. The stock options have been granted at a price of $0.90 per common share for a period of five years.
Defiance Silver Corp., confirmed ownership of the Tepal project in Michoacan. The Mexican Court restored the Company’s rightful ownership to the mining concessions forming part of the Tepal project. As a result, the judgement is now fully enforceable, and Geologix Explorations Mexico, S.V de C.A, a subsidiary of the Company, is now confirmed as the legitimate and rightful owner of the concessions.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No relevant news.

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

On the picture above, a quartz-barite-specularite vein on a project of the Sonoran Desert. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of February 2024

March 3, 2024 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 9^thweek of the year (February 26^th to March 3^rd, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 23 news releases. One company reported on exploration at its property, one published its guidance for 2024, one released production results for the last quarter and one is stopping mining operations. Four companies announced financing rounds for a total of C$5.8 M, while one more announced a C$34 M financing. One company declared a dividend and one more the increase of its loan credit facility. One company informed on work at its advanced property and one more updated on ongoing development at a new property. One company is disposing of an interesting property, two announced director’s appointments and one more informed on its litigation process against the Mexican government. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the head of the Economy Secretariat announced the acquisition of the remaining 49% of the company producing salt from coastal flats in Baja California Sur. The first work pane under T-MEC was installed to review labor matters on a Zacatecas mine. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures is to commence drilling at Pilar. ON MINING, Argonaut Gold announced its production guidance for 2024. Starcore International Mines released production results for the quarter. Golden Minerals is stopping mining at Velardeña, in Durango, and evaluating its alternatives. ON FINANCING, five companies informed on the opening or closing of financing rounds: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver (C$1 M), CMC Metals (C$1.2 M), Reyna Silver (C$2.5 M + $500 K), Defiance Silver (C$1.09 M), Vizsla Silver (C$34 M). Alamos Gold declared a quarterly dividend. Guanajuato Silver Company announced the increase of its gold loan credit facility to US$13.3 M. Aztec Minerals granted options to directors, management and consultants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Torex Gold reported good drilling intercepts on brownfields and near mine exploration on several deposits at its Limón Guajes property in Guerrero. Avino Silver updated on development work at La Preciosa, in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Ranchero Gold is disposing of its Santa Daniela property in Sonora. Silver Bull updated on the arbitration process on its dispute with the Mexican government. US Antimony and Hecla Mining announced director’s appointments. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Raquel Buenrostro, head of the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) announced the nationalization of Exportadora de Sal, the company that produces salt from coastal plains in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, by buying the 49% stake of the Japanese Mitsubishi company (In the 1980’s, the Mexican government managed even businesses that sold bicycles, the actual administration seems adamant in getting back to those times).
The governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico installed the first work pane since the signature of the T-MEC, to resolve if there is or not a violation of workers’ rights at Grupo Mexico’s San Martín mine, in Zacatecas.

ON EXPLORATION

Tocvan Ventures Corp. is set to commence drilling at its Pilar project in Sonora. After a year of focusing on bulk sampling and land consolidation, the company is to begin systematic drilling for resource definition and additional targeting. “The initial focus will be on infill and step-out targeting within and adjacent to the Pilar Main Zone including where previous drill campaigns successfully discovered the southern extension of the Main Zone, returning 108.6 meters of 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4 meters of 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag.”

ON MINING

Argonaut Gold Inc. announced its 2024 guidance for production, cost per ounce and exploration expenditure forecast, including figures for its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Sonora, Argonaut Gold is aiming to produce 5 to 6 K Oz Au on residual operations, at $1,600 to $1,700 cash cost and an AISC of $1,600 to $1,700 per Oz AuEq. At San Agustín, in Durango, Argonaut intends to mine 6.8 to 7.1 M tonnes of ore grading 0.45 to 0.50 gpt Au, recovering 37% to 39% Au to produce 35K to 40 K Oz Au at cash cost $1,650 to $1,750 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,800 to $1,900 per Oz Au. Argonaut’s Mexican operations are expected to be cash flow breakeven. “A financial advisor has been appointed to assess strategic alternatives for the Mexican operations, including the sale of one or more of the assets”.
Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the Q3 ended January 2024, at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. During the period 52.7 K tonnes were milled, grading 1.58 gpt Au, 14.6 gpt Ag, recovering 89.1% Au, 50.3% Ag, to produce 2,514 Oz AuEq.
Golden Minerals Co. announced that it has elected to stop operations at its Velardeña properties in Durango. The company restarted mining operations in December 2023 with the goal of achieving positive cash flow during the first half of 2024. As the initial performance of the mine and processing plant has not achieved the results projected, the decision to cease mining operations was reached. Golden intends to “evaluate potential alternatives for the Velardeña Properties, which may include a sale of properties or winding up of certain of the Company’s Mexico operations.”

ON FINANCING

Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced a non-brokered private placement aiming to raise $1 M “with an existing long-term institutional shareholder”. Net proceeds are to be used to fund the care and maintenance on, and the mine restart plan at La Guitarra mine, in Estado de Mexico.
CMC Metals Ltd. is to carry a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1.2 M (Gavilanes, Durango).
Reyna Silver Corp. increased the size of its non-brokered private listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE) private placement previously announced due to investor demand, to go from $1.5 M to $2.5 M. The company is also completing a concurrent non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up $500 K to purchasers pursuant to other applicable exemptions under NI 45-106 (Guigui, Chihuahua).
Defiance Silver Corp. closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement, for aggregate proceeds of C$1.09 M. Defiance also extinguished a debt for shares in the amount of $46.6 K (Zacatecas, Zacatecas).
Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.025 per common share (Mulatos, Sonora).
Vizsla Silver Corp. completed its previously bought deal prospectus for aggregate gross proceeds of C$34 M, which includes the exercise in full of the underwriter’s over-allotment option for 3 M offered shares. The company paid to the underwriter a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering. (Panuco, Sinaloa).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced that the previously arranged US$7.5 M Gold Loan Credit Facility financing with Ocean Partners UK Ltd. has been increased to US$13.3 M. “The loan facility is for a term of 36 months from the date of the initial draw; it is repayable in equal fixed monthly installments of gold totalling approximately 338 troy ounces per month for a period of 30 months following a six-month grace period from the date of the initial draw.” The company also completed its shares-for-debt transaction totaling C$414.7 K by issuing shares, including those to three non-arms-length parties to settle for C$40 K (El Cubo mine complex, Valenciana mines complex, San Ignacio, in Guanajuato).
Aztec Minerals Corp. granted 3.27 M stock options to directors, management and consultants of the company (Cervantes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Torex Gold Resources Inc. released results from its 2023 drilling program at El Limón Guajes in Guerrero. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 22.91 m @ 10.94 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 0.41% Cu; 7.50 m @ 8.09 gpt Au, 119 gpt Ag, 2.12% Cu At El Limón Sur Trend, 37.08 m @ 14.04 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag, 0.38% Cu; 20.57 m @ 8.22 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag, 1.02% Cu at El Limón Deep Trend, 12.33 m @ 8.92 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag, 0.4% Cu; 4.66 m @ 2.13 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag, 2.05% Cu at the Sub-Sill Trend and 4.00 m @ 11.78 gpt Au, 140 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu; 3.55 m @ 10.07 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag, 0.87% Cu at El Limón West Trend. During 2023, 60,699 m were drilled in 248 holes at El Limón Guajes brownfield and near mine exploration. For 2024, $12 M have been allocated to infill and step-out 54,500 m of drilling, focusing on further exploring the northeast trending structural corridors.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. updated on ongoing development work at La Preciosa, in Durango. Current works and prep at the Avino mill include the rehabilitation of the office building, extensive sampling of historic surface mineralized stockpiles, haulage of such stockpiles to the Avino mill complex, reinforcement of walls at the mine entrance and previously developed underground areas and the rehabilitation of a thickener tank. “Once the rehabilitation work on the thickener is complete, production of a silver-gold concentrate from this stockpile material will commence which will be another milestone for the Company.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Ranchero Gold Corp. approved on a special meeting of shareholders the disposition by its subsidiary the interest in four mining concessions covering the Santa Daniela property in Sonora. The disposition is subject to TSX approval, and the remaining US$1.9 M near-term cash payment will only be paid when the concessions have been transferred to Alamos Gold Inc.
United States Antimony Corp. added Joseph A. Carrabba as an independent director to its board (Juarez, Queretaro).
Silver Bull Resources Inc. updated on progress with its international arbitration claim against the Mexican government. Advances include the appointment of a three-person arbitration panel by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, with a first session on February 13, 2024. A quantum expert was engaged by the company to assess its claims. Silver Bull is to file its Memorial in May 2024, with the Arbitration hearing slated for October 2025 (Sierra Mojada, Coahuila).
Hecla Mining Co. announced the appointment of Mark P. Board as a director, effective February 23, 2024 (San Sebastián, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No Relevant News.

On the image below: subcrop of granitic rocks on a project in the Sonora desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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