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

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By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUE

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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

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

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

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fault-plane displaying slickensides

By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUE

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

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

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

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

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

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Fault Plane showing slickensides

By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUE

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

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

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

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

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

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Cockade texture

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 42nd week of the year (October 17th to October 23th, 2022), at least 15 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with six communicating production and financial issues, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, one discussing social issues, one discussing deals and corporate issues, and one informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Hermosillo, the capital city of the Sonora State, hosted the 14th International Mining Congress in October 18-21, 2022 with the participation of over 5,000 people. The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) warned that thefts of output and goods like explosives in the mining industry continue to increase despite the support provided by the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). According to data from the Ministry of Economy, the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) and experts, there is a mining collapse in Mexico since 822 mining projects were postponed, 180 foreign capital firms have left the country and there are 25 concessions stopped. GoGold and GR Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of October, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Prismo provided an update on its ongoing drill program conducted at its Palos Verdes project located in the historic Panuco-Copala mining district.  ON MINING, Avino, Santacruz, Golden Minerals, American Gold and Silver, and First Majestic reported Q3, 2022 production results from their Mexican mining operations, while Guanajuato Silver announced that it has recommenced mining at its Valenciana Mines Complex in Guanajuato, and provided a 6-month production estimate. ON FINANCING, Sierra Metals announced that it has commenced a process to evaluate and consider the company´s current financial and liquidity position, operational challenges and possible financing and restructuring alternatives that may be available to the company. Barksdale closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $264K, and completed an extension of financial instruments (San Javier project in Sonora).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino announced that the installation and commissioning of the dry-stack tailings at its Avino mine in Durango has been completed. GoGold reported the acquisition of the 1,107 Ha Eagle concession covering the northern strike of the Main Deposit on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Equinox released an updated feasibility study (FS) for its Los Filos mine expansion located in Guerrero State. GR Silver presented drilling results and announced the extension of the SE Area Silver Discovery at its Plomosas deposit in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Avinois conducting community agreements in the nearby towns adjacent to its la Preciosa property in Durango as it is committed to moving this project forward as part of the company´s 5-year growth strategy. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo plc mining companies reiterated their commitment in saving and energy efficiency to continue implementing actions that contribute to the fight against global warming in order to build the mining of the 21st century.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Hermosillo, the capital city of the Sonora State, hosted the 14th International Mining Congress during October 18-21, 2022, with the participation of over 5,000 people.
  • The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) warned that thefts of output and goods like explosives in the mining industry continue to increase despite the support provided by the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). The General Director of CAMIMEX, Karen Flores, said that thefts remain a recurrent issue in the sector and highlighted that these crimes are probably perpetrated by organized crime.
  • According to data from the Ministry of Economy, the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) and experts, there is a mining collapse in Mexico since 822 mining projects were postponed, 180 foreign capital firms have left the country and there are 25 concessions stopped. If the policy were to change, 30% more jobs would be created and the contribution to Mexico’s GDP would increase by 0.5%, according to estimates. Mining and metallurgical activity exceeded tourism by 19% in foreign exchange generation. The president of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM), indicated that the uncertainty generated by this administration in the sector has caused a slowdown, which has left investments far from the more than USD $8 billion that were reached in previous years. GoGold Resources Inc., and GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of October, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an update on its ongoing drill program conducted at its Palos Verdes project located in the historic Panuco-Copala mining district in the state of Sinaloa. A total of 1,203m in 4 holes have been drilled to date out of a planned minimum of 2,000m. Drilling has intersected wide structural zones at depth where the Palos Verdes vein is branching into several strands measuring from about 0.5m to 9m in width in andesitic rocks. Core sampling is being completed on the entire structural zone including wall rock with veinlets. Assay results are expected to arrive in early November, 2022.

ON MINING

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reported Q3, 2022 production results from its Avino mine in Durango. The company milled 162.1K tonnes of 59 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, and 0.66% Cu with metallurgical recoveries of 92%, 74%, and 89% respectively to produce 285.4K Oz Ag, 1.2K Oz Au and 2.1M Lb Cu (778K Oz AgEq).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced Q3, 2022 production results from its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. It milled 215,765 tonnes of 79 g/t Ag, 2% Zn, 0.7% Pb, and 0.39% Cu to produce 368.6K Oz Ag, 6.8M Lb Zn, 2.6M Lb Pb, and 1.4M Lb Cu (988.6K Oz AgEq).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., has recommenced mining at its Valenciana Mines Complex (VMC) in Guanajuato. Cut & fill mining of high-grade epithermal veins at Valenciana is currently focused on the Los Pozos mine area where several mineralized blocks had been previously defined. Mineralized material from Valenciana is currently being transported to El Cubo for processing. The company expects to mine 5,000 tonnes per month at Valenciana throughout the remainder of 2022. “The Cata processing facility is centrally located within the Valenciana Mines Complex and has a production capacity of 36,000 tonnes per month. In November 2021 Cata was placed on care & maintenance by its previous owner. Guanajuato Silver had initially anticipated restarting the Cata mill in 2023, but with the rapid recommencement of mining at San Ignacio and the VMC, the company now expects to restart mineral processing at Cata before the end of 2022. The company also provided a 6-month production estimate. Guanajuato Silver expects to mine 125K-140K tonnes in Q4, 2022 to produce over 760K-985K and over 140K-160K tonnes in Q1, 2023 to produce over 910K-1.15M Oz AgEq.
  • Golden Minerals Company announced Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. The company mined 192,545 tonnes and reported that 23,618 tonnes were placed in stockpiles awaiting processing and 121,202 tonnes were placed in low grade stockpiles. Golden processed  47,947 tonnes of 2.6 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.6% and 77.6% respectively., to produce 2,972 payable Oz Au in Dore and 11,907 payable Oz Ag in Dore (3,103 payable Oz AuEq in Dore). The company sold 3,108 Oz Au and 11,609 Oz Ag (3,145 Oz AuEq) at an average realized price before refining and selling costs of USD $1,703.10 per Oz Au and USD $18.72 per Oz Ag.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q3, 2022 production results from its Cosalá operations in Sinaloa. It produced 186K Oz Ag, 3.8M Lb Pb, and 9.4M Lb Zn and announced that silver production from the Cosalá operations for the full year 2022 is expected to be at the lower end of the projected range of 0.7-0.9M Oz Ag, while zinc and lead production are expected to be towards the upper end of the projected ranges of 36 to 40M Lb Zn and 13 to 15M Lb Pb.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production results from their Mexican Mining operations (San Dimas in Durango, Santa Elena in Sonora, and La Encantada in Coahuila). Figures by mine are shown in the table below:

ON FINANCING

  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced that it has commenced a process to evaluate and consider the company´s current financial and liquidity position, operational challenges and possible financing and restructuring alternatives that may be available to the company. “The company faces liquidity challenges as a result of the recent previously announced suspension of operations at the Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and operating losses and negative cash flows that have accumulated, primarily from the Bolivar and Cusi operations in Mexico”. 
  • Barksdale Resources Corp., closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement with Teck Resources Limited for gross proceeds of $264K. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. Barksdale also completed an extension of the maturity date of the secured convertible debentures administered by Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc. by one year until December31, 2023. The debentures have a remaining principal amount of $1.5M and all other terms of the debentures remain unchanged except for the conversion price, which has increased to $0.55 per share from $0.45 per share (San Javier project in Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., announced that the installation and commissioning of the dry-stack tailings at its Avino mine in Durango has been completed. The company chose dry-stack tailings for its environmental, safety and economic advantages, as well as because it reduces the need to extract water from local sources by recycling the water removed from tailings.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported the acquisition of the 1,107 Ha Eagle concession covering the northern strike of the Main Deposit on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco by USD $2.1M to be paid over 4 years. As a result of this acquisition, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous. “This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle”.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., released an updated feasibility study (FS) for its Los Filos mine expansion located in Guerrero State. Highlights of the FS include an after-tax NVP at  5% discount rate of USD $625M at base case of USD $1,675 per Oz Au; after-tax IRR of 26% at USD $1,675 per Oz Au; 5.4M Oz Au of Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves with grades of 0.65 g/t Au for open pit ore material and 3.94 g/t Au for underground ore material (average grade of 0.86 g/t Au); 7.9M Oz Au of Measured and Indicated Resources (exclusive of Reserves) with grades of 0.71 g/t Au for open pit ore material and 3.65 g/t Au for underground ore material (average grade of 0.75 g/t Au); 3.97M Oz life-of-mine (LOM) Au production, with  360K Oz peak average annual gold production (2025-2030), 280K Oz average annual gold production LOM (2023-2036), 1.22M Oz Au produced from the heap leach with average recovery of 55%, 2.75M Oz Au produced from the CIL plant with average recovery of 88%; 11.83M Oz LOM silver production; USD $993M after-tax LOM cumulative net cash flow; USD $981/ Oz average LOM cash cost; USD $1,081/Oz average LOM AISC; USD $318M initial capital cost to build the CIL plant and associated infrastructure; and 14.5-year mine life with extension potential from Mineral Resources conversion and exploitation success.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., presented drilling results and announced the extension of the SE Area Silver Discovery at its Plomosas deposit in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole SMS22-16 which identified a wide hydrothermal breccia and stockwork system with multiple high grade Ag intervals such as 112 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 123.1m, including 289 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 13.1m, including 4,680 g/t Ag, 0.57 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 0.4m, and 250 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 27.3m, including 1,351 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 0.3m, and 635 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 6.4m, including 2,203 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1.4% Zn over 0.5m, and 102 g/t Ag and 2.6 g/t Au over 1.5m; and hole SMS22-14 with 23 g/t Au and 0.06 g/t Au over 10.5m, and 118 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 3.5m, including 1,790 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, and 2.9% Zn over 0.2m, and 22 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au over 10.9m. The drilling program continues at the SE Area to define the geometry and lateral extents of the mineralization. “The occurrence of Ag anomalous zones on surface along the 1.5km target contact, further SE from the SE Area, provides new targets for the company to continue drilling, aimed at expanding the footprint of mineralization and potentially for incorporation into the planned resource estimation update in Q1, 2023”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd is conducting community agreements in the nearby towns adjacent to its la Preciosa property in Durango as it is committed to moving this project forward as part of the company´s 5-year growth strategy.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V. and Fresnillo plc mining companies reiterated their commitment in saving and energy efficiency to continue implementing actions that contribute to the fight against global warming in order to build the mining of the 21st century. In accordance with their sustainable development policies, both companies have programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from transportation, for which they implemented a strategy to save energy and use clean sources. Peñoles and Fresnillo plc are committed to caring for the environment and seek to achieve, in the near future, the objective of zero significant environmental impacts.

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, cockade texture from a low-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag vein system in a project in Sinaloa, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Banded Quartz

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 40th week of the year (October 03rd to October 09th, 2022), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, four announcing financing issues, four discussing social issues, three informing on exploration results, two communicating production and financial results, two commenting on Mexican issues, and two discussing deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Discoveries Mining Conference 2022 was held in Hermosillo, Sonora on October 4-6, 2022. The Governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado announced the reinstatement of the State Mining Council and confirmed that Acapulco will host the 35th edition of the Mining Convention in 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Canuc reported that recent work at its San Javier project has identified eight targets within four distinct mineralized zones.  In Durango, Orex announced the completion of the Phase-1 reconnaissance exploration drilling program on its Sandra project.  In Oaxaca, Vortex provided an update of the exploration work completed to date at its Riqueza Marina project.  ON MINING, Bear Creek presented Q3, 2022 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Guanajuato Silver provided an update highlighting the impact of additional production from the Topia and San Ignacio mines in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. ON FINANCING, Advance Lithium closed a previously announced private placement financing for gross proceeds of $75K (Sarape project, Sonora). Capitan Mining announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M (Cruz de Plata project, Durango). Guanajuato Silver has arranged to issue 2,468,750 common shares of the company in settlement of outstanding accounts payable and accrued liabilities to various parties totaling approximately CAD $987K (Pinguico mine, Guanajuato).  Barksdale announced that Teck Resources has elected to exercise its pro-rata equity participation rights for gross proceeds of $264K (San Javier project, Sonora).   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Azucar Minerals completed second hole into the large porphyry lithocap target at its El Cobre project in Veracruz. Gatos Silver provided updates on its Cerro Los Gatos Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves, and Life of Mine. Minera Alamos announced positive results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. Oroco announced that, based on drill results, expanded the North Zone mineralization, and confirmed higher grade at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa.  Tarachi Gold received final metallurgy results for its Magistral Mill and Tailings project in Durango. Torex received key environmental permit for its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Prime Meridian provided an update on its La Verde project in Michoacan. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Starcore announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro). Riverside regained 100% control of the La Union project in Sonora after Hochschild announced its decision to not to proceed with the option. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles and Fresnillo Plc work together for an appropriate and healthy habitat. Peñoles and Fresnillo Plc were awarded with a distinction in Ethics and Values ​​of the Industry 2022. GoGold presented its second annual sustainability report that sets out the company´s performance and achievements with respect to its environmental, social, and governance practices. MAG Silver announced the publication of its inaugural Sustainability Report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Discoveries Mining Conference 2022 was held in Hermosillo, Sonora on October 4-6, 2022, and included more than 50 talks covering topics ranging from the latest geological discoveries, new technologies applied to mining and exploration, social, legal and political issues affecting the industry, and the challenges and obstacles confronted and overcome on the way to production.
  • The Governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado announced the reinstatement of the State Mining Council and confirmed that Acapulco will host the 35th edition of the Mining Convention in 2023. She also recognized this industry, which each year leaves an approximate spill of MXP $3,400M. The Governor pointed out that the mining sector is one of the main economic activities in Guerrero, which has a presence in 29 municipalities in the Central, Tierra Caliente and North regions of the state, with an important gold production that places the entity in the first places. She stressed that the mining industry in Guerrero generates more than 4,500 direct jobs and more than 22,000 indirect jobs, with an economic benefit of more than MXP $3,400M, which translates into development and well-being, for which she urged that the Mining Council in Guerrero, be a space for dialogue and consensus that allows the construction of shared strategies and programs hand in hand with the various sectors with a comprehensive perspective seeking the development of Guerrero. In addition, she declared that Guerrero is the state of the country with the largest investment announced for this year for more than USD $1,327M for new mining projects, estimating growth with a favorable environment.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Canuc Resources Corporation reported that recent work at its San Javier project in Sonora has identified eight targets within four distinct mineralized zones, which now merit-follow-up work. At the Silver Zone, about additional 100 soils samples were collected to better define a strong Ag and Au anomaly. Now, the Ag soils anomaly is 750m in strike length with values up to 21 g/t Ag and 1.65 g/t Au, and remains open in both the southwest and northeast direction. Recent prospecting and rock sampling (10 samples) on the northeast end of this zone, approximately 400m of the soil survey has returned Ag values from 38 g/t Ag to 1,533 g/t Ag associated to magnetite veins which daylight near the margins of a magnetic high. Additionally, seven samples were collected near old artisanal workings and assayed from 27g/t Ag to 604 g/t Ag and from 0.1 g/t Au to 1.2 g/t Au. More sampling is planned throughout this area. At the Gold Zone South and Gold Zone Central, the company collected 1,829 channel samples from 11 bulldozed trenches. All the trenches contain elevated Au values ranging from 0.2 g/t Au to 40 g/t Au. At the South Gold Zone, two targets measuring 300m to 400m in diameter have been outlined. Sampling on one of those called La Cascada returned 0.16 g/t Au and 0.48% Cu over a width of 13m, while the other called Loma Pelona assayed 0.59 g/t Au and 0.47% Cu over a width of 10.5m. The Central Gold Zone contains 3 distinct targets measuring 300 to 400m in diameter. La Mesa target includes elevated Au values ranging from trace to 1.42 g/t Au. One section returned 0.28 g/t Au over 16m. At La Curva target the trenching sampling returned 0.45 g/t Au over 6m; 0.48 g/t Au over 4m; and 0.45 g/t Au over 4m. At La Quebrada target, trenching sampling returned 0.68 g/t Au over a width of 14m. Six channel samples collected over a an area of 100mlong by 50m wide, located approximately 80m southeast of the trench area, returned an average grade of 3.09 g/t Au, ranging from 0.018 g/t Au to 11.4 g/t Au. At the North Zone, a target called Chapoteados was prospected and sampled on an area of  600m long by 200m wide. Twenty two samples were taken and contained an average grade of 0.38% Cu, 0.3 g/t Au, and 4 g/t Ag. A second target called Arroyo Hondo, located 800m northeast of the Chapoteados target also was sampled. Twenty five samples collected on an area of 300m by 100m averaged 15 g/t Ag, (ranging from trace to 145 g/t Ag), 0.14 g/t Au, (ranging from  0.01 g/t Au to 1.19 g/t Au), and 220 ppm Cu, (ranging from 20 ppm to 0.38% Cu).
  • Orex Minerals Inc., announced the completion of the Phase-1 reconnaissance exploration drilling program on its Sandra project in northwest Durango. Sandra project is a JV agreement between Pan American Silver Corp., (60%) and Orex Minerals (40%). Phase-1 consisted of 2,665.30m in 8 diamond drill holes.  Four holes were drilled on targets in the Central Corridor aand four holes were drilled in the Eastern Corridor. Drilling highlights include hole SA-22-066 collared in the Central Corridor with 1.04 g/t Au over a true width (TW) of 1.53m; and hole SA-22-.073 collared in the Eastern Corridor with 39 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over a TW of 14.5m, including 51 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.,2% Zn  over a TW of 5.1m.
  • Vortex Metals Inc., provided an update of the exploration work completed to date at its Riqueza Marina Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide project in Oaxaca. The company completed a gravity and magnetic survey at the Rhyolite Dome target that produced extensive geophysical anomalies coincident with geochemical anomalies, including the West and East Gossan Areas.   Rock sampling  returned 12 samples with more than 1% Cu, up to 20.2% Cu and an additional 34 samples contain more than 1,000 ppm Cu. Vortex plans to drill this target once the drill permits are secured.

ON MINING

  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation, presented Q3, 2022 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company mined 128,698 tonnes and processed 148,211 tonnes of 2.45 g/t Au with metallurgical recovery of 95.53% to produce 11,169 Oz Au. Bear Creek sold 12,310 Oz Au. It also reported a gold stream of 2,759 Oz Au.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., provided an update highlighting the impact of additional production from the recently acquired Topia and San Ignacio mines in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. Guanajuato Silver increased 85% its production from July to August 2022. The company reported that in August, 2022 it mined from the El Cubo & San Ignacio mines in Guanajuato, and Topia mine in Durango 41,372 tonnes and milled 36,948 tonnes to produce 128,780 Oz Ag, 1,091 Oz Au, 348,137 Lb Zn, and 266,881 Lb Pb (267,525 Oz AgEq) with metallurgical recoveries of 88.9%, 85.6%, 81.8%, and 89.5% respectively, at a cash cost of $15.09 per Oz AgEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Lithium Corp., closed a previously announced private placement financing for gross proceeds of $75K. Proceeds will be used to advance the Lithium and Sarape projects, and for general corporate purposes (Sarape project, Sonora).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M. It will consists of 15M of common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share. Net proceeds will be used to advance drilling and work program at the Cruz de Plata project in Durango, as well as for working capital and general corporate expenses.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., has arranged to issue 2,468,750 common shares of the company at a deemed price of CAD $0.40 per share in settlement of outstanding accounts payable and accrued liabilities to various parties totaling approximately CAD $987K (Pinguico mine, Guanajuato). 
  • Barksdale Resources Corp., announced that Teck Resources Limited has elected to exercise its pro-rata equity participation rights for gross proceeds of $264K. Teck will hold approximately 9.9% of Barksdale’s equity on a partially diluted basis. Net proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the Company’s mineral projects and for general corporate and working capital purposes (San Javier project, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., completed second hole into the large porphyry lithocap target at its El Cobre project in Veracruz. “This hole passed trough typical clay dominant lithocap alteration into phyllic alteration. Large intervals of brecciated rock were intersected possibly reflecting a diatreme like body that may have disrupted any earlier porphyry alteration zonation in this area. Alteration data has been collected from the core using a Terraspec infrared spectrometer along with samples for assay and fluid inclusion analysis. Any future drilling in this area will be guided by the results and interpretation of these analyses from both holes”.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., provided updates on Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves, and Life of Mine for its Cerro Los Gatos and Esther mines in Chihuahua. Figures are shown in the tables below:

Cerro Los Gatos – Mineral Reserves as at July 1, 2022.

Cerro Los Gatos – Mineral Resources as at July 1, 2022.

Esther – Mineral Resources as at July 1, 2022.

*Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves.

As for the Cerro Los Gatos Life of Mine plan using only the 2022 Mineral Reserves, the company reported that the current reserve mine life continues to 2028; the average annual production of 7.8M Oz Ag will generate an average annual cash flow of USD $79M (after tax) through 2028 at USD $22 per Oz Ag price; an all in sustaining cost (AISC) of  USD $7.06 per Oz of payable Ag, net of by-product credits; an average cost of USD $89.76 per tonne milled ; and a net present value (NVP) at a discount rate of USD $491M(USD $337M after tax).

  • Minera Alamos Inc., announced positive results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. Highlights of the PEA include an average annual gold production approaching 60K Oz (approx. 60K-to 70K Oz in years 1 through 4); a 8.2 mine life based on initial mineable total of 59M tonnes of 0.37 g/t Au, heap leached at an average rate of  approximately 20K tonnes per day of over 0.4 g/t Au in years 1 through 4; 477K Oz Au produced in loaded carbon/doré; a  life of mine (LOM) strip ratio of 0.3:1(waste: mineralization); a LOM all included sustaining cost (AISC) of USD $873 per Oz Au , averaging USD $763 per Oz Au in years 1 through 4; an after tax NPV at 5% discount rate of USD $150.5M and an internal rate return (IRR) of USD $111%; a pre-production capital cost of USD $28.1M (includes 30% contingency); a payback period of 11 months; and used crushing plant already purchased to reduce up-front capital requirements. The company also reported an updated mineral resource estimate containing 67M tonnes of 0.37 g/t Au(790K Oz Au contained) based on an upward revision of the base case resource metal price to USD $1,700 per Oz.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced that, based on drill results, expanded the North Zone mineralization, and confirmed higher grade at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Extension drilling highlights include hole NO19 with 0.26% and 0.006% Mo over 127.8M, plus 0.21% Cu and 0.008% Mo over 126m; hole   NO21 with 0.34% Cu and 0.008% Mo over 81.4m, plus 0.41% Cu and 0.018% Mo over 32.9M, and hole NO24 with 0.30% Cu and 0.016% Mo over 86.6m, plus 0.22% Cu and 0.007% Mo over 90.1m. High grade drilling highlights include hole NO22 with 0.37% Cu and 0.009% Mo over 152.1m, plus 0.21% Cu and 0.005% Mo over 102m; hole NO23 with 0.31% Cu and 0.005% Mo over 139m, including 0.55% Cu and 0.006% Mo over 56.7m; hole NO25 with 0.40% Cu and 0.004% Mo over 286m; and hole NO26 with 0.6% Cu and 0.01% Mo over 92.2m, plus 0.25% Cu and 0.009% Mo over 69.8m. A total of 35 holes (22,769m of drilling) have now been completed in the North Zone, spanning approximately 1,300m of strike length, with intersections of good grade mineralization returned in all holes for which the company has received assays.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., received final metallurgy results for its Magistral Mill and Tailings project in Durango. Highlights include up to 99% of Cu in solution precipitated into high-grade in sulphidation, acidification, recycling and thickening (SART) concentrate; more gold expected to report to Merrill-Crowe circuit for greater metal value payability compared to assumptions used in Preliminary Economic Assessment; and lower mercury CN-solubility than previously assumed and potential for 2-stage SART process to remove mercury from concentrate.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., received approval from Mexico’s Secretariat of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) on the key, culminating environmental permit for its Media Luna project in Guerrero. The approval (MIA Integral) allows for operations to begin at Media Luna and builds on the receipt of the MIA Modification received last year, which allowed for the execution of development activities on the south side of the Balsas River. The Company has also received approval to increase the power draw at site to 45 megawatts.
  • Prime Meridian Resources Corporation provided an update on its La Verde project in Michoacan. The company and the vendor have elected to modify the La Verde project purchase agreement by changing the requirement for two USD $200K option payments due under the current agreement to USD $20K minimum monthly payments. With this modification, the work program expenditures for the next six months are projected as follow: USD $165,600 for monthly options payment; USD $22,434 for La Verde project-mining duties; and USD $262,200 for La Verde project-Phase 1 work program. The Phase 1   program will consist of Structural Mapping / Magnetometer Study; Prospecting / Geochemical Sampling; and 1,200m of Definition Drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., regained 100% control of the La Union project in Sonora after Hochschild Mining Corporation announced its decision to not to proceed with the option. Riverside was reimbursed for past taxes and fees with more than USD $500K of new mineral exploration and consolidation work completed to-date as per the option agreement with Hochschild. “Exploration work completed to-date includes extensive field mapping, sampling, and geochemistry. The newly mapped and sampled areas show alteration features typical of CRD targets and particularly the gossan oxidation of potential sulfide bodies at shallow depths (<100m) that remain wide open for relatively low-risk, high-potential exploration”. Riverside will integrate all of the data and evaluate new partnership opportunities in the near future.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de and Fresnillo plc., work together for an appropriate and healthy habitat. Both companies have the purpose of contributing to the well-being of the population through sustainable mining practices. Therefore, they recognize the shared responsibility to create, maintain and develop an appropriate habitat for the life of all species, including people. Octavio Alvídrez, CEO of Fresnillo plc., stated that “promoting the urban development of the communities in which we operate, as well as preserving and restoring the biodiversity of the areas surrounding our facilities, is a priority in our management and a constant throughout the life cycle of each of our mining units”.
  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de and Fresnillo plc., were awarded with a distinction in Ethics and Values ​​of the Industry 2022 in recognition of their corporate responsibility practices. Both Peñoles and Fresnillo plc have a social impact strategy through various outreach programs and thereby contribute to the well-being of families in the communities where they operate, in addition to promoting values ​​and self-development among their neighbors.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented its second annual sustainability report that sets out the company´s performance and achievements with respect to its environmental, social, and governance practices (ESG). Highlights of this report include 0.006 tCO2 per Oz AgEq produced; 0.004 tCO2e per tonne of ore processed; 9,500 hours of safety and professional development training; awarded the ESR distinction (Empresa Socialmente Responsables – Corporate Social Responsibility); USD $17.1M spent in local purchases, including USD $422K in community investment; and adoption of new policies related to Environment, Human Rights, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Climate Change, and Water Resources.
  • MAG Silver Corp., announced the publication of its inaugural 2021 Sustainability Report. Highlights of this report include zero fatalities at the Juanicipio project and MAG Silver´s exploration projects; a Juanicipio project(one million hours) lost time injury frequency rate  of 10.8 (employees and mine contractors; excluding construction contractors; over 51,000 hours dedicated to safety training in 2021 at the Juanicipio project; risk management system reviewed and updated in 2021 and 2022; a freshwater use ratio of 4% and a renewable power ratio of 84% at the Juanicipio Project while in the construction phase; in 2021, MAG Silver benchmarked current Climate-related risk and opportunities performance with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures; MAG’s 2021 commitment to increase Board and senior management diversity means that currently 38% of MAG’s Board and 40% of MAG’s employees are female; and MAG’s Human Rights Policy and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy were updated and approved, complementing and enhancing pre-existing commitments.

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, banded quartz from an intermediate sulphidation vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Grossular garnet exo skarn.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 38th week of the year (September 19th to September 25th, 2022), at least 12 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 3 news published by the media with four informing on exploration results, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Enrique Zorrilla, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico stated that Canada has its eyes fixed on Mexico as an investment destination for its mining companies, mainly in exploration expenses to find new gold deposits. According to a recent report by the Ministry of Finance, Mexico values ​​its lithium deposits in Sonora at USD $602,000M. In Mexico, only 33% of mines have access to a computer with an Internet connection to reduce accidents. On a striking difference with last week news releases, only Vizsla Silver Corp., posted drilling results in Mexico on the fourth week of September, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan and its JV partner Colibri announced the next steps to be conducted at both the Pilar and the El Picacho projects. In Sinaloa, Prismo provided an update of its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its Palos Verdes project. In Durango, Regency entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the El Tablon claims.  ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Tocvan announced that it has filed to extend the expiration date of 1,244,668 common share purchase warrants by six months (The Pilar project, Sonora). Barksdale closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2M and issued a total of 4,622,917 units at a price of $0.48 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2.22 (San Javier project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Oroco announced the commencement of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa.  Galore provided an update on the exploitation activities carried out at its Duraznillo mine in Zacatecas. Golden Tag reported positive metallurgical results from the Fernandez Zone at its San Diego project, Durango. Vizsla reported results from 13 new drill holes targeting the Cruz Negra Vein located in the western portion of its Panuco project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden signed new and expanded cooperation agreements with the two communities closest to its Ixtaca project, Puebla.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Enrique Zorrilla, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico stated that Canada has its eyes fixed on Mexico as an investment destination for its mining companies, mainly in exploration expenses to find new gold deposits. He declared that 35% of the capital invested by that country goes to the mining sector.
  • According to a recent report by the Ministry of Finance, Mexico values ​​its lithium deposits in Sonora at USD $602,000M. Although Mexico does not currently produce the metal, the finance ministry estimated that Sonora’s reserves could add about 0.3% to potential GDP in the medium term. While the ultra light white metal is usually extracted from rock or brine deposits, lithium in Sonora is mostly trapped in clays, from which it has not yet been extracted on a commercial scale.
  • In Mexico, only 33% of mines have access to a computer with an Internet connection to reduce accidents. Ericsson revealed that the use of tools such as telemetry, satellite geolocation, wireless sensors and remote operation help improve mining operations, because with them and with the speed of the 5G network, information can be obtained practically in real time.
  • On a striking difference with last week news releases, only Vizsla Silver Corp., posted drilling results in Mexico on the fourth week of September, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its JV partner Colibri Resources Corporation announced the next step to be conducted at both the Pilar and the El Picacho projects in Sonora. At the El Picacho, Tocvan plans to initiate a maiden drill program targeting the San Ramon prospect. The plan for the Pilar is to commence bulk sampling of trench material to be processed in a local heap leach facility; to complete 2,000m of infill drilling and 3,000m of step-out and exploration drilling; to proceed with the permitting and development requirements for establishing a bulk test mine on-site; and to update the technical report.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an update of its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa. The Company has drilled approximately 560m in two core holes of a planned minimum of 2,000m drill program, with the second hole currently in progress. Both holes have intersected several vein structures. Palos Verdes project is contiguous to the Panuco silver-gold project of Vizsla Silver Corp.
  • Regency Silver Corp., entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the El Tablon claims located only 26km from the historical Tayoltita mining district in the state of Durango. The property covers a total of 7,200 hectares and contains numerous artisanal workings and tunnels, which explored many of the veins and veinlets that exist within the concession area. In order to exercise the option, Regency Silver must pay USD $50K on receipt of exchange acceptance, issue a total of 1M common shares and pay back taxes and mining filings on or before March 31, 2024. Regency Silver must also pay a USD $1M bonus upon a NI 43-101 resource being published, which estimates the El Tablon Claims contain a minimum of 70M Oz AgEq or M Oz Au in the measured or indicated categories.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced that it has filed to extend the expiration date of 1,244,668 common share purchase warrants by six months. The Warrants are exercisable into common shares of the Company at a price of $0.75 per common share. The Warrants were issued pursuant to a non-brokered private placement of 1,244,668 units at a price of $0.60 on March 30, 2021. The Warrants were set to expire September 30, 2022 and will have an amended expiry date of March 31, 2023. All other terms and conditions of the Warrants, including the exercise price, remain the same (The Pilar project, Sonora).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2M and issued a total of 4,622,917 units at a price of $0.48 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,219,000. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to advance the company’s mineral projects and for general corporate and working capital purposes (San Javier project, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced the commencement of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the North and South Zones of its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Additionally, the company mobilized two rigs more to the project, bringing to six the total number of drills conducting infill and step-out drilling in the North Zone and South Zone.
  • Galore Resources Inc., provided an update on the exploitation activities carried out at its Duraznillo mine in Zacatecas. “Immediately following the execution of the Exploitation Agreement with Oztoc Metals Corporation and the successful removal of the former tenant, Oztoc’s team has been evaluating and remediating the Duraznillo mine site. After conducting several processing trials, Oztoc determined that in order to achieve better production levels, a new and much improved processing system needed to be installed. Oztoc has purchased this equipment and is awaiting its arrival to begin operations, which should take place within the next two to three months”.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., reported positive metallurgical results from the Fernandez Zone at its San Diego project, Durango. According to the metallurgical results, the endoskarn mineralization found at the Fernandez Zone is amenable to conventional flotation techniques; 76% of the Ag and 84% of the Pb were recovered to a bulk concentrate containing 51% Pb, 4700 g/t Ag, 3.11% Zn, 5.27% Cu, and 2.23 g/t Au; Cu and Au recoveries within the bulk concentrate had significant improvements over previous test work; and 84% of the zinc was recovered to a concentrate grading 47% zinc.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., reported results from 13 new drill holes targeting the Cruz Negra Vein located in the western portion of its Panuco project in Sinaloa.  Drilling highlights include hole NP-22-274 with 413 g/t Ag, 1.99 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (541 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.09m, including 2,490 g/t Ag, 2.85 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (3,287 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.26m, plus 258 g/t Ag, 1.54 g/t Au, 0.01% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (357 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.88m;  hole NP-22-262 with 289 g/t Ag, 2.38 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (486 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.65m, including 741 g/t Ag, 5.88 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (1,165 g/t AgEq) over a  TW of 0.20m, plus 168 g/t Ag, 16.42 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 3.3% Zn (1,476 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.65m, including 181 g/t Ag, 19.70 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 3.8% Zn (1,748 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.46m; hole NP-22-290 with 76 g/t Ag, 2.6 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (491 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.85m; hole NP-22-293 with 481 g/t Ag, 1.2 g/t Au, 0.02% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (535 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.76m; and hole NP-22-298 with 297 g/t Ag, 1.78 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (456 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.60m. Vizsla also reported that it acquired a new claim that connect the northwest and southeast extents of Cruz Negra which are situated on pre-existing Vizsla claims and represent approximately 400m of new potentially mineralized vein strike to explore.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., signed new and expanded cooperation agreements with the communities of Zacatepec and Santa Maria Zotoltepec, the two communities closest to its Ixtaca project, Puebla. “These agreements set out the terms of the Company’s continued support of local communities’ human right to water through the immediate improvement of local water infrastructure, and establish a basis for longer term cooperation, once the Ixtaca project is permitted. In Zacatepec, the Company has reaffirmed its agreement with the “Irrigation Group of Small Producers from Zacatepec A.C.” to construct an agricultural water reservoir and related pumping and drip irrigation system to support local farming. In Santa María Zotoltepec, the Company has signed an agreement with the “United Ejidatarios for the Sustainable Development of Santa María Zotoltepec, A.C.” in which the Company will make an immediate contribution in order to support the construction of a similar agricultural reservoir and pumping and drip irrigation system with similar characteristics to the one built at Zacatepec, and ongoing contributions to support an agro-technological package aimed at sustainable plant nutrition and soil enrichment”.

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

On the picture above, a grossular garnet exo skarn in a prospect in Tamaulipas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Banded calcite vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 32nd week of the year (August 08th to August 14th, 2022), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with twelve communicating production and financial results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, three reporting resources and developments of their properties, three informing on exploration results, two announcing financing issues, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Vizsla Silver, GR Silver, and Defiance Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of August, 2022. According to a report from the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security, in the last three years, 979 mine inspections have been carried out throughout the country, of which 387 have been carried out in the coal zone of Sabinas, Coahuila. The General Directorate of Mines of the Ministry of Economy provisionally suspended works on 10 mining concessions in Sabinas Coahuila. ON EXPLORATION, In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals announced results of a recently satellite multispectral interpretation covering its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. In Durango, Silver Wolf released 155 grab sample results collected during the ongoing surface sample program at its Ana Maria project which has returned some high-grade values up to 1,536 g/t Ag, 34% Pb, and 19.4% Zn. In Zacatecas, Defiance Silver provided an update on the 4,750m maiden drill program at its Lucita project, within its Zacatecas Silver property.  ON MINING, Argonaut reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Mexican mining operations. Aura provided a production guidance for 2022 on its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas where it expects to produce between 115-120K Oz AuEq at cash cost between USD $645-690 per Oz AuEq produced.  Avino reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Avino mine, Durango. Capstone reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cozamin mine, Zacatecas. Endeavour reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. Gatos Silver reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. GoGold reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua.  Golden reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine, Durango. Orla reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas. SilverCrest reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Las Chispas project, Sonora. Americas reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. ON FINANCING, Advance announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $200K (Sarape project, Sonora). Fabled informed about an extension of its non-brokered private placement (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua). Fortuna Silver reported Q2. 2022 from its San Jose mine, Oaxaca.  GoGold reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. Golden Minerals reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine, Durango. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver reported a new Ag discovery SE of its San Marcial Resource Area on its wholly-owned Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Pan American Silver reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2022 for their Mexican properties. Vizsla released results from 26 new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its 100%-owned flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Prismo announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Consolidated Zinc made several management changes (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua). Advance Lithium sold its royalty on three claims in Kenya to Orogen for USD $120K and the transfer of the 100% ownership of its Sarape property, Sonora. Kootenay amended the schedule on the final payment of its option agreement for 100% of the Columba high-grade silver project, Chihuahua.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, First Majestic released its 2021 Sustainability report. Peñoles and Fresnillo plc promote entrepreneurs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver, GR Silver and Defiance Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of August, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
  • According to a report from the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security, in the last three years, 979 mine inspections have been carried out throughout the country, of which 387 have been carried out in the coal zone, which means that “39% of all the mining inspections that have been carried out in the coal zone of Sabinas (Sabinas, Nueva Rosita, Palau)”. In the coal region, in these three years, 27 mining operations have been closed; that is, 84% of all mine closures in the country, due to non-compliance with security measures; to date 15 remain in force. In addition, the Ministry of Economy has been informed of the existence of 12 concessions that presumably could have irregularities.
  • The General Directorate of Mines of the Ministry of Economy provisionally suspended the works on 10 mining concessions in Sabinas Coahuila, on August 11, until the employers or representatives of each of the work centers certify compliance with the measures dictated in each one of the respective files after the inspections carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (STPS). The then General Director of Mines did not proceed with the provisional suspension of the works, arguing that the STPS information on the 10 previously mentioned mining concessions did not coincide with the registry data held by the General Directorate of Mines. Considering this and other possible irregularities, the Directors of Mines and Obligations were dismissed last June with the purpose of investigating and, where appropriate, establishing the corresponding responsibilities.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced results of a recently satellite multispectral interpretation covering its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project in Coahuila. The interpretation highlighted discreet areas that may host eudialyte-bearing dykes, veins, and disseminations. Eudialyte is a Na, Ca, Fe/Mn, Zr silicate mineral that can contain up to 10% Rare Earth Elements, and 12% ZrO2. The Aster satellite spectral data also identified several areas prospective for Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag carbonate replacement deposits.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., released 155 grab sample results collected during the ongoing surface sample program at its Ana Maria project, Durango, which has returned some high-grade values of Ag, Pb, and Zn.  From the 155 samples collected by Silver Wolf, 30 returned values >100 g/t Ag, 73 returned > 0.5% Pb, and 59 returned > 0.5% Zn with peaks of 1,536 g/t Ag, 34% Pb, and 19.4% Zn.  These results combined with the anomalies generated in the geophysical and remote sensing surveys will provide a basis for prioritizing drill targets.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., provided an update on the 4,750m maiden drill program at its Lucita project, within its Zacatecas Silver property. Drilling has encountered multiple intercepts over 199 g/t Ag and individual high-grade silver intervals. Drilling highlights include hole DDLU-22-10 with 0.20 g/t Au and 264 g/t Ag over 3.05m, including 0.19 g/t Au and 668 g/t Ag over 0.77m, plus 0.37 g/t Au and 166 g/t Ag over 4.01m, including 0.57 g/t Au and 220 g/t Ag over 22.72m, including 1.13 g/t Au and 416 g/t Ag over 1.22m, plus 0.08 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag over 2.25m, including 0.19 g/t Au and 737 g/t Ag over 0.53m, plus 0.03 g/t Au and 189 g/t Ag over 0.75m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag over 0.88m; and hole  DDLU-22-13 with 0.04 g/t Au and 147 g/t Ag over 1.57m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 150 g/t Ag over 2m, including 0.2 g/t Au and 843 g/t Ag over 0.3m, plus 0.09 g/t Au and 109 g/t Ag over 1.15m. “The inaugural drill program at Lucita central (Palenque vein system) confirmed the presence of high-grade, Fresnillo-style, low to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal silver mineralization, consisting of mainly of pyrargyrite (high-level sulfosalt) and silver sulfides that potentially indicate the higher-level setting of a zoned epithermal system. Follow-up drilling is planned for later this year at the newly discovered zones of mineralization at Palenque and Tahures”.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Mexican mining operations. At El Castillo mine, Durango, Argonaut mined 1,471,000 tonnes of 0.30 g/t Au to produce 12,047 Oz Au and 10,407 Oz Ag (12,178 Gold Equivalent Ounces (GEOs)), and sold 11,463 Oz Au and 11,293 Oz Ag (11,603 GEOs) at a cash cost of  USD $1,513 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin mine, Durango, the company mined 2,954,000 tonnes of 0.29 g/t Au to produce 18,033 Oz Au and 88,160 Oz Ag (19,135 GEOs), and sold 18,656 Oz Au and 93,420 Oz Ag (19,824 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,009 per Oz Au sold. At La Colorada mine, Sonora, Argonaut mined 976,000 tonnes of 0.44 g/t Au to produce 12,950 Oz Au and 35,191 Oz Ag (13,390 GEOs), and sold 13,322 Oz Au and 38,194 Oz Ag (13,799 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,003 per Oz Au sold.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., provided a production guidance for 2022 on its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas where it expects to produce between 115-120K Oz AuEq at cash cost between USD $645-690 per Oz AuEq produced.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Avino mine, Durango. The company mined 118,224 tonnes to produce 225.5K Oz Ag, 1,350 Oz Au, and 1.64M Lb Cu (649.6K Oz AgEq), and sold 594.7K Oz AgEq at cash and AISC of USD $8.39 and USD $15.95 respectively per Oz AgEq sold. Avino reported revenues of USD $9.4M; operating income of USD $3.9M; non-cash depreciation and depletion of USD $4.4M; net income of USD $2.3M; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBIDTA) of USD $4.1M; adjusted earnings of USD $2.5M, operating cash flow (before working capital changes of USD $2.5M; and free cash flow of USD $1.5M. Cash balance reported at June 30, 2022 of USD $12.8M and working capital of USD $14.3M.
  • Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cozamin mine, Zacatecas. The company produced 14.33M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.25 per Lb Cu produced.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. At Guanacevi, Durango, Endeavour processed 94,017 tonnes to produce 1.19M payable Oz Ag and 3,680 payable Oz Au at cash cost of USD $10.35 per Oz Ag, total  production cost of USD $12.90 per Oz Ag, direct operating cost per tonne of USD $170.75, and direct cost per tonne of USD $201.84 . At Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato, the company processed 107,344 tonnes to produce 155.7K payable Oz Ag and 5,609 payable Oz Au at cash cost of USD $8.01 per Oz Ag, total production cost of USD $24.66 per Oz Ag, direct operating cost per tonne of USD $99.25, and  direct cost per tonne of USD $101.05. Consolidated results summarize 201.4K tonnes processed to produce 1.36M payable Oz Ag and 9.3K payable Oz Au (2.1M Oz AgEq) at cash cost of USD $10.18 per Oz Ag, AISC of USD $19.56 per Oz Ag, total production cost of USD $14.26 per Oz Ag, direct operating cost per tonne of USD $132.63, and direct cost per tonne of USD $148.11. The company reported revenues of USD $30.8M from 602.9K Oz Ag sold and 9.8K Oz Au sold at realized prices of USD $22.72 and USD $1,840 per Oz Ag and Oz Au respectively. It also reported a net earnings (loss) of USD $11.9M, adjusted earnings (loss) of USD $4.3M), mine operating earnings of USD $4.5M, mine operating cash flow before taxes of USD $8.8M, operating cash flow before working capital changes of USD $3.6M, and working capital of USD $149.7M.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q2. 2022 from its San Jose mine, Oaxaca. The company mined 251.9K tonnes of 187 g/t Ag and 1.13 g/t Au, both with metallurgical recoveries of 91% to produce 1.38 M Oz Ag and 8.3K Oz Au. Fortuna sold 1.42M Oz Ag and 8.6K Oz Au at realized prices of USD $22.56 and USD $1,873 per Oz Ag and Au respectively at a production cash cost per tonne of USD $83.57, production cash cost per Oz Ag Eq of USD $11 and AISC per Oz AgEq of USD $15.41.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. The company milled 211,350 tonnes of 374 g/t Ag, 0.38 g/t Au, 2.79% Pb, and 5.03% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.4%, 48.9%, 90.5%, and 66.4% respectively to produce 2.3M Oz Ag, 1.27K Oz Au, 11.8M Lb Pb, and 15.6M Lb Zn. Gatos Silver reported unaudited sales of USD $57.2M, cost of sales of USD $27.8M, royalties of USD $1M, G & A expenses of USD 3.6M, other expenses of USD $0.7M, capital expenditures of USD $20.5M, and cash balance of USD $40M as of June 30, 2022.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. The company produced 213.5K Oz Ag, 3,081 Oz Au, and 219.5K Lb Cu at a cash and AISC of USD $13.17 and USD $17.73 per Oz AgEq respectively. GoGold reported revenues of USD $10.4M from the sale of 512.7K Oz AgEq at a realized price of USD $20.26 per Oz AgEq. It also reported cost of sales including depreciation of USD $7.9M, operating income of USD $221K, net income of USD $1.1M, free cash before working capital changes of USD $3.7M, and cash of USD $73.8M.
  • Golden Minerals Company reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine, Durango. Golden produced 3,004 payable Oz Au and 12,768 payable Oz Ag (3,158 payable Oz AuEq) and sold 3,219 Oz AuEq at a realized price of USD $1,865 per Oz Au and USD $22.49 per Oz Ag. The total cash cost net of Ag byproduct credits was USD $1,426 per Oz AuEq. Golden reported revenues of USD $5.9M, net operating margin of USD $1.3M, cash and cash equivalent balance as of June 30, 2022 of USD $9.5M, and a net loss of 2.8M or USD $0.02 per share.
  • Orla Mining ltd., reported production and financial results from its Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas. The company produced 25,672 Oz Au and sold 25,431 Oz Au at an average price of USD $1,872 per Oz, and cash and AISC of USD $439 and USD $601 respectively. Orla reported revenues of USD $47.8M, cost of sales-operating cost of USD $10.8M, adjusted earnings of USD $11M, cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital of USD $20.7M, free cash flow of USD $28.7M, cash and cash equivalents as at June 30, 2022 of USD $66.7M, and a net debt of USD $100.3M.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Las Chispas project, Sonora. The company milled 12,700 tonnes of low-grade from historic stockpiles. At the end of June, 2022 it produced its first precious metal pour consisting of 312Kg of doré with approximately 2,200 Oz Ag and 100 Oz Au. SilverCrest reported cash and cash equivalents of USD $118.6M remaining under a USD $120M project financing facility, a value-added taxes (IVA) receivable in Mexico of USD $26.3M, an inventory of USD $19.4M, and mineral property, plant and equipment of USD $200M.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. It produced 128K Oz Ag, 3.9M Lb Pb, and 9.9M Lb Zn. Americas provided 2022 production guidance and expect to produce between 0.7-0.9M Oz Ag, 13-15M Lb Pb, and 36-40M Lb Zn.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Lithium Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $200K. Gross proceeds will be used to advance its Sarape project in Sonora and for general corporate purposes.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., informed about an extension of its non-brokered private placement by 30 days starting this August 8, 2022 (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported a new Ag discovery SE of its San Marcial Resource Area on its wholly-owned Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Hole SMS22-10 encountered 308 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 101.6m, including 7,139 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 1,6% Pb, and 1.3% Zn over 0.8m, plus 3,065 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 0.3m, plus 1,774 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Zn over 0.20m, plus 1,508 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn over 0.2m, plus 1,285 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 0.3m, plus 1,004 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 4.1m, plus 1,579 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 0.4m, plus 1,017 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 0.3m, plus 414 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.9% Zn over 16.2m, including 1,405 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1.9% Zn over 1.3m. “The hole was drilled 250 m to the SE of the San Marcial Resource Area, where the Company has been exploring the extension of the target contact between upper and lower volcanic units, which typically hosts the San Marcial Breccia Ag mineralization, together with strong ground magnetic anomalies delineated in 2021. This new, wide, high-grade silver discovery coincides with an inflexion in the NW-SE trending contact where it intersects with two key NE-SW trending faults. This defines a highly prospective target for continued drilling, both along strike and down dip”.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2022 for their Mexican properties. At La Colorada, Zacatecas the company reported proven reserves of 3.8M tonnes with average grades of 340 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au for a total of 41.5M Oz Ag and 27.5K Oz Au contained, and probable reserves of 6.2M tonnes with grades of 303 g/t Ag and 0.18 g/t Au for a total of 59.9M Oz Ag and 36K Oz Au contained. The company also reported measured resources of 1.9M tonnes with grades of 216 g/t Ag and 0.14 g/t Au for a total of 13M Oz Ag and 8.2K Oz Au, indicated resources of 3.4M tonnes with grades of 191 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au for a total of 20.8M Oz Ag and 18K Oz Au contained, and inferred resources of 14.9M tonnes with grades of 195 g/t Ag and 0.2 g/t Au for a total of 93.9M Oz Ag and 98.4K Oz Au contained. At Dolores, Chihuahua, probable reserves reported are 4.1M tonnes of 18 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au for a total of 2.4M Oz Ag and 77.7K Oz Au contained, while inferred resources are 2.5M tonnes with grades of 29 g/t Ag and 0.92 g/t Au for  a total of 2.4M Oz Ag and 74.4K Oz Au. At La Bolsa, Sonora, Pan American reported inferred resources of 13.7M tonnes with grades of 8 g/t Ag and 0.51 g/t Au for a total of 3.3M Oz Ag and 224.8K Oz Au contained. Reported mineral resources do not include amounts identified as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released results from 26 new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its 100%-owned flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole CS-22-191 with 133 g/t Ag and 0.48 g/t Au (158 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.39m, plus 706 g/t Ag and 4.93 g/t Au (1,011 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 12.52m, including 3,880 g/t Ag and 27.7 g/t Au (5,602 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.26m, plus 1,245 g/t Ag and 8.24 g/t Au (1,751 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.26m, plus 1,425 g/t Ag and 10.65 g/t Au (2,092 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m; hole CS-22-173 with 663 g/t Ag and 2.90 g/t Au (826 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 14.46m, including 1,375 g/t Ag and 7.19 g/t Au (1,796 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m, including 1,501 g/t Ag and 5.49 g/t Au (1,791 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.93m, plus 1,655 g/t Ag and 8.05 g/t Au (2,118 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m, plus 1,505 g/t Ag and 5.93 g/t Au (1,826 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.37m; hole CS-22-159 with 285 g/t Ag and 2.12 g/t Au (418 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.50m, including 493 g/t Ag and 18.3 g/t Au (1,775 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.56m, plus 1,025 g/t Ag and 4.61 g/t Au (1,285 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.71m; and hole CS-22-181 with 165 g/t Ag and 0.52 g/t Au (191 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.70m, plus 832 g/t Ag and 3.85 g/t Au (1,051 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.44m, including 1,725 g/t Ag and 11 g/t Au (2,396 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.68, plus 1,501 g/t Ag and 4.98 g/t Au (1,754 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.81m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Prismo Metals Inc., announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). It will simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of Prismo shares in the United States. The Company’s shares recently began trading on the OTCQB® Venture Market (“OTCQB”) under the ticker symbol PMOMF (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa).
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited made several management changes. The company announced the retirement and replacement of its non-executive Chairman, the appointment of a new member of its Board of Directors, and the appointment of its Exploration Manager. All Board changes are effective September 1, 2022 (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua).
  • Advance Lithium Corp., sold its royalty on three claims in Kenya to Orogen Royalties Inc., for USD $120K and the transfer of the 100% ownership of the Sarape property, Sonora. Orogen will retain a 1.5% royalty on the Sarape property.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., amended the schedule on the final payment of its option agreement for 100% of the Columba high-grade silver project, Chihuahua. The amended agreement splits the final November 2022 payment into a series of payments due in August, November, December 2022 and January, April, and May of 2023. Payments range from USD $215K (August 2022 and May 2023) to USD $480K (November 2022) and USD $430K (December 2022, January, and April 2023).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • First Majestic Silver Corp., released its 2021 Sustainability report summarizing the Company´s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. CEO of the company stated that their effort in 2021 demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and to improving lives and communities in our host regions while increasing shareholder value, as well as driving positive changes for society and delivering long-term benefits for all First majestic shareholders.
  •  Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., and Fresnillo plc promote entrepreneurs providing tools to micro and small entrepreneurs from the communities neighboring their operations through a training and advisory program for the strengthening and creation of proudly local and Mexican companies. Both Peñoles and Fresnillo plc have given nearly 249 workshops for entrepreneurs, with the support of the social organization ProEmpleo. In parallel, the companies and the organization work on the abilities and skills of the participants who seek the continuity of their projects and reinforce them with actions to make them competitive in their local environment. To date, more than 3,800 people have benefited and 203 new companies have been created, which in turn generated 534 direct jobs; 74% of the total number of companies created continue to operate.

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 banded calcite vein with Manganese Oxides from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Hydrothermal Brecia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 30th week of the year (July 25th to July 31st, 2022), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 8 news published by the media with ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, six communicating production and financial results, six commenting on Mexican issues, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, three announcing financing issues, two informing on exploration results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mithril Resources, Vizsla Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of July, 2022. The biggest Mexican mining companies suffered a decrease in metal production between April and June of this year. Minera El Boleo´s representatives did not attend, for the second time, the meeting called by the General Directorate for Conciliation of Collective Affairs.  The mining sector in Mexico: factor of economic growth and social development. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals commenced a 3,000m core drilling program as a follow-up of its recent Phase 2 RC drilling program at its Cervantes project. In Sinaloa, Prismo received an extension to its environmental permit to drill its Palos Verdes project.  ON MINING, Alamos Gold reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora.  Agnico reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua and La India mine, Sonora. Starcore reported year end 2022 production and financial results for its San Martin mine, Queretaro. Mag Silver-Fresnillo plc JV reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Juanicipio project, Zacatecas. Sierra Metals reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua.  ON FINANCING, Silver Spruce announced the first closing of a private placement for gross proceed of up to $117,250 (El Mezquite project, Sonora). Bear Creek entered into a USD $5M loan facility with Auramet (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Elemental Royalties announced that its 1% Net Smelting Return (NSR) royalty on the Mercedes mine, Sonora is now payable.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Osisko Development filed a technical report to present and support the results of the Mineral Resource Estimate for its San Antonio Gold project, Sonora. Southern Silver released results from the ongoing drilling program at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Vizsla released results from nine holes targeting the southern extension of the Napoleon Vein at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Mithril released results from its ongoing drill program on the western end of its El Refugio resource area at its Copalquin project, Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Monumental announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (DTC) (Jemi project, Coahuila). Orogen acquired royalties in the Sarape property in Sonora by paying USD $120K to Advance Lithium Corp. Aura Minerals announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas). Aztec Minerals became 100% owner of the Cervantes project in Sonora.  Azure completed the sale of its Mexican assets to Bendito Resources. Sierra Madre announced the appointment of its new CFO (La Tigra project, Nayarit).  Prismo began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol PMOMF (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Colibri announced that it has filed audited and unaudited financial statements, management discussions and analyses, and officer certifications on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) (Evelyn project, Sonora). Excellon announced the appointment of its Chief Legal Officer & VP, Corporate Affairs (La Platosa mine, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc donated two garbage trucks to the Municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Grupo Mexico announced an investment of MXP $38,000M (about USD $1.9 B) to expand its mining operations that will generate 11,000 jobs in the next five years in Sonora state.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Mithril Resources, Vizsla Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of July, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
  • The biggest Mexican mining companies suffered a decrease in metal production between April and June of this year, so their results were under pressure in the second quarter of the year, so their results were under pressure in the second quarter of the year. The Grupo México consortium reported that its net profit fell 45.9%, due to lower copper production, the reduction in the price of said metal, as well as higher costs due to inflation. After the results were announced, the shares of the mining company fell 0.67% on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV), closing at 75.32 each.  Fresnillo plc reported that its gold production fell 20.6% in a year-on-year comparison, totaling 158,960 Oz Au from April to June against 200,163 Oz in 2021. In addition, it produced 13.66M Oz Ag in the quarter, a 3% annual reduction compared to 14.09M Oz in the same period of 2021.
  • Minera El Boleo´s representatives did not attend, for the second time, the meeting called by the General Directorate for Conciliation of Collective Affairs. The Delegate in Baja California Sur of the Mining Union described as a lack of respect and a company neglect of the federal government, and announced that the parties are summoned by the Federal Labor Court on Monday, August 1 at 1:00 p.m., to a meeting where the union will expose some modifications to the demands for which the strike broke out and continues. The strike has left more than a thousand basic employees without work and has caused a collapse in the economy of Santa Rosalía, with effects on the rest of the municipality where hundreds of micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs depend directly or indirectly on the economic income produced by this company with Korean capital, which is dedicated to the exploitation of copper and other minerals.
  • The mining sector in Mexico: factor of economic growth and social development. The Ministry of Economy of the federal government reports that in 2021, the mining sector in Mexico registered an increase of 16% in the investment received compared to 2020, amounting to USD $4,246M, a situation that confirms that this sector continues to remain one of the productive branches that attracts the most investment to the country. In 2021, mining contributed 3.06% to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 9.62% to the Industrial GDP.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., commenced a 3,000m core drilling program as a follow-up of its successful recent phase 2 RC drilling program conducted at its Cervantes project, Sonora. The follow-up drill program will test California, California Norte and Jasper targets “to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry gold oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for northern extensions of the California mineralization at California North and northwestern extensions of the Jasper mineralization”.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., received an extension to its environmental permit to drill its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. This extension allows Prismo to drill on existing roads. The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) is also reviewing an additional application for a permit for new road construction. The company plans to commence the drilling program in the first week of June.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora. The company produced 20,200 Oz Au and sold 18,705 Oz Au, reporting total cash cost and an all included sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,566 and $1,636 respectively per Oz Au sold. Alamos reported operating revenues of $$35.1M, and capital expenditure of $21.3M. It also provided 2022 guidance and expects to produce between 130K-145K Oz Au at cash and AISC of $1,225-$1,275 and $1,325-1,375 respectively per Oz Au sold.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua and La India mine, Sonora. At Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua, Agnico processed 366K tonnes of 2.02 g/t Au to produce 23K Oz Au, at a production cost of USD $109 per tonne; a production cost of USD $1,732 per Oz Au produced; and a total cash cost of USD $1,383 per Oz Au produced. At La India mine, Sonora, the company processed 1,358,000 tonnes of 0.52 g/t Au to produce 20K Oz Au at a production cost of USD $13 per tonne; a production cost of USD $872 per Oz Au produced; and a total cash cost of USD $936 per Oz Au produced.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported year end 2022 production and financial results for its San Martin mine, Queretaro. The company milled 55,400 tons of 1.58 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.2% and 51.4% respectively, to produce 10K Oz Au and 85.4K Oz Ag (11.2K Oz AuEq) at a mine operating cash cost of USD $62 per tonne milled, and  mine operating cash cost of USD $1,239 per Oz AuEq. Starcore reported cash on hands of USD $8.8M; working capital of USD $9.1M; Au and Ag sales of USD $25.7M; earning from mining operations of USD $5.3M; net income of USD $2.4M; and EBITDA of USD $4.8M.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its La Platosa mine, Durango. The company mined 21,481 tonnes and processed 23,550 tonnes of 449 g/t Ag, 4.2% Pb, and 4.7% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.4%, 75.5%, and 86% respectively, to produce 307.5K Oz Ag, 1.65M Lb Pb, and 2.1M Lb Zn, and a total of 260.7K Oz Ag payable, 1.4M Lb Pb payable, and 1.62M Lb Zn payable.   Excellon reported revenue of USD $7.8M; a production cost of USD 244 per tonne; a total cash cost net of by-products of USD $13.81 per Oz Ag payable; All in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD $19.24 per Oz Ag payable; and a net working capital of USD $0.1M with a cash marketable securities of USD $2.9M.
  • Mag Silver Corp., -Fresnillo plc JV reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Juanicipio project, Zacatecas. On Q2, 2022, a total of 154,069 tonnes were processed with grades of 567 g/t Ag  to produce 2.37M Oz Ag and 5,5K Oz Au of which 1.04M Oz Ag and 2.5K Oz Au are attributable to Mag due to its 44% ownership on the Juanicipio project.
  • Sierra Metals Inc reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, Chihuahua, the company processed 256,372 tonnes of 0.63% Cu, 12 g/t Ag, and 0.24 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 90.61%, 80.99%, and 65.93% respectively, to produce 3.2M Lb Cu, 83K Oz Ag and 1,283 Oz Au (4.2M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, Chihuahua, Sierra Metals processed 66,772 tonnes of 146 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, and 0.23% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 82.07%, 43.64%, and 80.78% respectively, to produce 258K Oz Ag, 160 Oz Au, and 273K Lb Pb (283K Oz AgEq).

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced the first closing of a private placement for gross proceed of up to $117,250. The company plans to complete second a final closing of the private placement by August 18, 2022 (El Mezquite project, Sonora).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation entered into a USD $5M loan facility with Auramet (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Part of the proceeds will be used to fast-track production improvements at its recently acquired Mercedes mine in Sonora.
  • Elemental Royalties Corp., announced that its 1% Net Smelting Return (NSR) royalty on the Mercedes mine, Sonora is now payable. Elemental acquired a 1% NSR royalty on the Mercedes gold-silver mine in July 2018, payable from the earlier of either a production threshold or July 28, 2022.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Osisko Development Corp., filed a technical report to present and support the results of the Mineral Resource Estimate at June 30, 2022 for its San Antonio Gold project, Sonora. The company reported indicated resources of 14.9M tonnes with grades of 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag for 576K Oz Au and 1.37M Oz Ag contained, and inferred resources of 16.6M Oz Au with grades of 1.02 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag for 544K Oz Au and 1.76M Oz Ag contained.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., released results from the ongoing drilling program at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Drilling highlights include hole 21CLM-191 with 123 g/t Ag, 0.8% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (251 g/t AgEq or 6.4% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.7m, including 848 g/t Ag, 5.6% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 2.6% Zn (1,596 g/t AgEq or 40.5% Zn Eq) over a TW of 0.4m, and 77 g/t Ag, 4.4% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (617 g/t AgEq or 15.6% Zn Eq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 165 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 11.5% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (1,463 g/t AgEq or 37.1% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1m; hole 22CLM-188 with 307 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 0.5% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (481 g/t AgEq or 12.2% Zn Eq) over a TW of 0.3m, and 128 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 1,1% Zn (202 g/t AgEq or 5.1% Zn Eq) over a TW of 12.7m, including 352 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (500 g/t AgEq or 12.7% Zn Eq) over a TW of 4.8m, including 675 g/t Ag, 0.3% Cu, 5.5% Pb, and 3.4% Zn (1,008 g/t AgEq or 25.6% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1.3m; and hole 22CLM-187 with 98 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (145 g/t AgEq or 3.7% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1.7m, plus 162 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 0.3% Cu, 1.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (314 g/t AgEq or 8% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1.9m, including 499 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.4% Cu, 4.6% Pb, and 1.5% Zn (759 g/t AgEq or 19.2% Zn Eq) over a TW of 0.6m, and 9 g/t Ag, 1.2 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 0.1% Zn (134 g/t AgEq or 3.4% Zn Eq) over a TW of 2m. These results continue to extend the silver-polymetallic mineralization laterally to the east and west in the North Felsite target on the Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from nine holes targeting the southern extension of the Napoleon Vein at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole NP-22-300 with 913 g/t Ag, 5.28 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,241 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3.90m, including 1,385 g/t Ag, 6.62 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (1,772 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.83m, including 1,750 g/t Ag, 13.75 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (2,641 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; hole NP-22-295 with 682 g/t Ag, 3.62 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (990 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.7m, and 493 g/t Ag, 3.15 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 3% Zn (813 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.41m; and hole NP-22-291 with 283 g/t Ag, 1.08 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (517 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.48m, and 484 g/t Ag, 0.46 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.18m. These results demonstrate the continuity of high-grade silver and gold mineralization along the southern extent of the main Napoleon Vein.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., released results from its ongoing drill program on the western end of its El Refugio resource area at its Copalquin project, Durango. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes CDH-140 with 15.73 g/t Au and 474 g/t Ag (22.5 g/t AuEq) over 5.83m, including 45.5 g/t Au and 1,387 g/t Ag (66.73 g/t AuEq) over 1.81m; and hole CDH-141 with 1.35 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (2.03 g/t AuEq) over 4m, and 2.54 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag (2.88 g/t AuEq) over 5.49m, and 1.67 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (2.45 g/t AuEq) over 1.8m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (DTC). The Company’s shares will now trade under the symbol “MNMRF” (Jemi project, Coahuila).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., acquired royalties in the Sarape property in Sonora by paying USD $120K to Advance Lithium Corp. Orogen will retain 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the Sarape project.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., became 100% owner of the Cervantes project in Sonora by acquiring Kootenay Silver Corp´s 35% interest in the JV company that holds the Cervantes property. As consideration for the acquisition, Aztec will issue to Kootenay 10M common shares in the capital of Aztec, at a price of CAD $0.25 per share, and Kootenay  will retain a 0.5% Net Smelter Return Royalty.
  • Azure Minerals Limited completed the sale of its Mexican assets to Bendito Resources Inc, for a combination of cash and shares valued at A $20M.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced the appointment of its new CFO (La Tigra project, Nayarit).
  • Prismo Metals Inc., announced that its common shares have been approved for listing on the OTCQB. It will begin trading under the symbol PMOMF (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa).
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced that it has filed audited financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2021; unaudited quarterly financial statements for the three months period ending March 31, 2022;  management discussions and analyses for each period; , and officer certifications on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Although the required filings have been made, trading in the Company’s common shares will not resume until: a cease trade order originally issued on May 11, 2022 by the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of News Brunswick has been revoked; and the TSX Venture Exchange has approved the reinstatement of the trading of the Company’s common shares (Evelyn project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced the appointment of its Chief Legal Officer & VP, Corporate Affairs (La Platosa mine, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc donated two garbage trucks with a capacity of 15 tonnes to the Municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Each donated truck can collect waste from 15,000 families daily. With this delivery, Fresnillo plc promotes and endorses its commitment to the people of Fresnillo.
  • Grupo Mexico announced an investment of MXP $38,000M (about USD $1.9 B) to expand its mining operations that will generate 11,000 jobs in the next five years in Sonora state. The governor of the state, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, and the executive vice president of Grupo México, Xavier García de Quevedo, announced this series of projects that are currently 47% complete and will be extended until 2027. García de Quevedo explained that the more than 11,000 jobs will be divided into 5,700 direct and indirect jobs in the construction stage and 5,660 permanent jobs in the operation. On the other hand, Irma Potes González, director of Community Development of Grupo México, explained that repair and rehabilitation works are currently being carried out on the drinking water distribution system,  in the municipalities of Nacozari and Cananea to improve the supply of water to the population.

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 hydrothermal breccia from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment
Hydrothermal breccia cemented by MnOx.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 24thweek of the year (June 13th to June 19th, 2022), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 7 news were published by the media, with five informing on exploration results, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four discussing social issues, three announcing financing issues, and three commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Arcelor Mittal announced that the strike broke out by the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic will affect the economy of Michoacan.  With the strike carried out by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia and his miners in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan to the company Arcelor Mittal Mexico, they managed to jump the “cap” in the payment of utilities. The first International Mining Women’s Day was commemorated. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec-Kootenay JV reported final results from 2021-2022 RC drilling program on its Cervantes project, Colibri announced that its Phase 1 RC drilling program has been completed at its Evelyn project, and Prismo completed a LiDAR survey at its Los Pavitos project. In Coahuila, Monumental released sampling results from its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. In Sinaloa, Prismo informed that it plans to drill a minimum of 2,000m at its Palos Verdes project. ON FINANCING, Prismo reached an agreement to exercise a total of up to 6,821,250 outstanding founder warrants for gross proceeds of $682,125 (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Radius announced that it receives the final USD $700K option cash payment from Pan American Silver in order to earn its option for 65% of the Amalia property in Chihuahua. SilverCrest reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Silver Wolf closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $602,160 (Ana Maria project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino released results from Phase 2 of its 2021/2022 drilling program conducted at its Avino project, Durango. Silver Dollar reported initial results from the Phase II drilling ongoing program conducted at its La Joya project in Durango. Silver Tiger announced drilling results from the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Sonoro completed Phase IV drilling program at its Cerro Caliche project, Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Gatos silver announced the pass away of one of its Directors (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua). Sierra Metals announced the appointment of a new member as Chair of its Board of Directors (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). Silverton announced the appointment of its new CEO and Director (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles recognized the academic performance of sixteen young students of the Laguna del Rey Center for Technical Studies. Esperanza Silver de México, responsible for the Esperanza mining project, signed a collaboration agreement with the Zacatepec Technological Institute. Minera Cuzcatlán adopted a wastewater treatment plant in Ocotlán, Oaxaca. Industrias Peñoles announced the summer activities that will take place during June and July at the Community Center and in the Metals Museum.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Arcelor Mittal announced that the strike broke out by the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic will affect the economy of Michoacan and the metallurgical sector. The strike will have an impact and serious consequences in the short, medium and long term on labor and economic stability in the Lázaro Cárdenas region, in the state of Michoacán, in the production chain and in the country´s economy.
  • With strike, Napoleón Gómez Urrutia and his miners managed to jump the “cap” in the payment of utilities. With the work stoppage carried out by mining workers from section 271 in Lázaro Cárdenas Michoacán to the company Arcelor Mittal Mexico, on June 15, they managed to eliminate the “cap” on the payment of utilities that was included with the labor reform in April of 2021. This is not the first union organization to take action to pressure the company to grant a higher amount in the payment of utilities.
  • The first International Mining Women’s Day was commemorated. This June 15 marks the first World Mining Women’s Day as an initiative of the International Organization “Women in Mining”. Engaging the Women Mining Community, the International Day of Women in Mining will showcase the experiences, hopes and aspirations about the industry, and celebrate the personal achievements of women in the industry.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp – Kootenay Silver Inc. JV reported final results from 2021-2022 RC drilling program on its Cervantes project in Sonora. The program comprised 5,249 meters in 26 RC drill holes, testing 4 targets (Purisima East, California, Jasper, and California North). Hole CAL-22-018 drilled at California target intersected a high pyrite zone anomalous in copper, molybdenum, gold and silver that corresponds well with the top of large, strong IP chargeability anomaly. It encountered 0.22 g/t Au over 24.32m, plus 0.27 g/t Au over 10.64m, and 0.062% Cu over 68.4m, 1 g/t Ag over 28.88m, and 122 ppm Mo over 39.52m.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced that its Phase 1 RC drilling program has been completed at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The Phase 1 drill program consisted of 6,547m in 45 holes. Drill results from the first 22 holes were released previously and assays are pending for the remaining 23 holes.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., recently completed a LiDAR survey conducted over almost 40 square kilometers at its Los Pavitos project in Sonora. The company expects to receive the analysis of the LiDAR results in a few weeks to aid in the delineation of important structural trends and complete the work to identify drill targets this summer.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., released results from 21 samples collected at its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. Seven out of 21 samples returned values greater than 0.15% total rare earth oxide (TREO), including three samples that returned values greater than 0.25% TREO, and up to 0.54% TREO. “The assay results confirm that samples with the highest rare earth element content are those rocks that are classified as peralkaline (sodium plus potassium concentrations are greater than aluminum concentrations”. In addition, a single rock grab sample collected in the eastern claim area returned values of 13.5% Zn and 6.8% Pb and is classified as carbonate replacement-style mineralization.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., informed that it plans to drill a minimum of 2,000m at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa to test mineralization at depth under the high-grade intercepts from previous drilling campaigns.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Prismo Metals Inc., reached an agreement to exercise a total of up to 6,821,250 outstanding founder warrants for gross proceeds of $682,125. Gross proceeds will be primarily used to drill a minimum of 2,000m at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa. Prismo also expects to use some of the proceeds to finalize surface exploration work on its Los Pavitos project in Sonora.
  • Radius Gold Inc., announced that it receives the final USD $700K option cash payment from Pan American Silver Corp., in order to earn its option for 65% of the Amalia property in Chihuahua.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $602,160. Net proceeds will be used for financing the ongoing drill program at its Ana Maria project in Durango, and for general working capital requirements.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., released results from phase 2 of its 2021/2022 drilling program conducted at its Avino project, Durango. Six underground holes were completed below the current level 17 mining area to define the continuity of economic mineralization at depth in the central part of the vein. Selected high grade intercepts include hole ET-22-01 with 0.06 g/t Au, 34 g/t Ag, and 0.66% Cu (127 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.80m on HW BX, including 0.12 g/t Au, 199 g/t Ag, and 2.75% Cu (577 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.10m, and 0.14 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, and 0.54% Cu (104 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 23.10m on HW STW, including 0.66 g/t Au, 759 g/t Ag, and 2.90% Cu (1,202 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m, including 1.35 g/t Au, 98 g/t Ag, and 1.92% Cu (466 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.34m, including 0.46 g/t Au, 72 g/t Ag, and 2.42% Cu (434 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.29m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 77 g/t Ag, and 3.17% Cu (514 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.24m, and 0.20 g/t Au, 61 g/t Ag, and 0.96% Cu (206 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 41m on Avino Vein, including 0.31 g/t Au, 71 g/t Ag, and 2.42% Cu (421 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.56m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 482 g/t Ag, and 1.40% Cu (678 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75m, including 2.05 g/t Au, 99 g/t Ag, and 4.73% Cu (901 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.56m, including 2.75 g/t Au, 831 g/t Ag, and 3.82% Cu (1,568 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m, including 1.39 g/t Au, 246 g/t Ag, and 2.27% Cu (664 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75, including 4.37 g/t Au, 1,234 g/t Ag, and 21.90% Cu (4,527 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m; and hole ET 21-08 with 0.28 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.6% Cu (112 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.94m on HW BX and 0.53 g/t Au, 41 g/t Ag, and 1.06% Cu (226 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 30m on Avino Vein, including 5.58 g/t Au, 86 g/t Ag, and 0.56% Cu (617 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.65m. “The drilling results have confirmed the down dip continuity of widths and grades of the Avino vein extending significant potential to a depth of at least 290 metre down dip below current development”.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported initial results from 4 holes of the phase II drilling ongoing program at the unexplored La Noria portion of its La Joya project in Durango. Significant intersections were encountered in hole NOR-22-013 with 90 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 0.08% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn (198 g/t AgEq) over 43,12m, including 192 g/t Ag, 0.27 g/t Au, 0.06% Cu, 1% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (363 g/t AgEq) over 19.35m, including 451 g/t Ag, 0.62 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu, 2.3% Pb, and 4.6% Zn (815 g/t AgEq) over 5m; and hole NOR-22-015 with 23 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 5.6% Zn (319 g/t AgEq) over 23.2m. To date, a total of 1,899m over 10 holes have been drilled in Phase II. Assay results are pending for the remaining 6 holes.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., announced drilling results from the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Highlights drill intercepts include hole ET-21-300 with 0.06 g/t Au, 239 g/t Ag, 0.3% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (281 g/t AgEq) over 4.9m, including 0.24 g/t Au, 2,230 g/t Ag, 2.85% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (2,565 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole ET-21-289 with 0.12 g/t Au, 901 g/t Ag, 0.61% Cu, 3.1% Pb, 7.3% Zn (1,286 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. The company also reported that over 370m of rehabilitation in Level 7 of the historic El Tigre mine have been completed. 
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., completed Phase IV drilling program at its Cerro Caliche project, Sonora, and reported results from the final seven holes. The company completed over 7,200m in 63 holes which returned multiple higher-grade gold intercepts and demonstrated the expansion of several known mineralized gold zones within the Cerro Caliche concession.  Highlights drill intercepts include hole SCR-321 with 1.34 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.38 g/t AuEq) over 15.24m, including 3.66 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag (3.73 g/t AuEq) over 4.57m, plus 1.1 g/t Au and 0.8 g/t Ag (1.11 g/t AuEq) over 1.52m; and hole SCR-322 with 0.78 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.81 g/t AuEq) over 18.29m, including 4.88 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (4.97 g/t AuEq) over 1.52m. “Drilling results from the now completed Phase IV campaign will be included in an updated resource estimation scheduled to be announced in the fall of 2022. The economic impact of the updated resource on the proposed heap leach mining operation is also to be assessed and will be contemplated in a further technical report”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced the pass away of one of its independent non-executive Directors (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member as Chair of its Board of Directors (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
  • Silverton Metals Corp., announced the appointment of its new CEO and Director (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Las Chispas project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Servicios Industriales Peñoles recognized the academic performance of sixteen young students of the Laguna del Rey Center for Technical Studies. The outstanding students are about to conclude their theoretical instruction as technical professionals, to then go on to put their knowledge into practice for an entire semester by joining the work teams of different mining units in different states of the Republic, with the possibility of in the end, they will be formally hired.
  • Esperanza Silver de México S.A. de C.V., responsible for the Esperanza mining project, signed a collaboration agreement with the Zacatepec Technological Institute, which will allow students from this important professional training institution in the state of Morelos, to carry out their professional residences at Minera Esperanza Silver.
  • Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.), adopted a wastewater treatment plant in Ocotlán, Oaxaca. The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP ) located in the municipality of Ocotlán de Morelos supplies 80% of the water it uses in its processes and the rest is obtained from rainwater harvested through a canal system
  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., announced the summer activities that will take place during June and July at the Community Center and in the Metals Museum. 

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 hydrothermal breccia cemented by Mn Ox in an epithermal vein system, in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Quartz-pyrite-FeOx stockwork veining

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 16th week of the year (April 18th to April 24th, 2022), at least 13 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and three news published by the media, with four reporting resources and developments of their properties, three communicating production and financial results, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financial issues, and one informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico Chamber of Deputies approved the initiative proposed by Andres Manuel López Obrador to reform the mining law on the nationalization of lithium. Fernando Alanís, Pro Secretary of the Confederation of the Industrial Chamber (CONCAMIN), declared that the project to reform the Mining Law to reserve the new concessions for the exploitation of lithium to the State is ambiguous and will add even more uncertainty and concern to investors. Armando Ortega, president of the Mining Task Force, of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham) in Mexico, stated that the proposed reform of the Mining Law on lithium would violate Mexico’s commitments in international treaties.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Reyna Gold announced results from eight holes drilled at its flagship La Gloria project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported Q1, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. First Majestic announced Q1, 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Sierra Metals reported Q1, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines located in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Magna Gold announced completion of its debt settlement with PEAL de Mexico SA de CV (San Francisco mine, Sonora). Tarachi Gold amended the option agreement terms with Minerals de Tarachi (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Magna Gold announced Maiden Resource Estimate for its Margarita project in Chihuahua. Bear Creek filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Mercedes mine in Sonora, which includes the Mineral Reserves and Resources as of December 31, 2021. Oroco released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Sonoro announced results from 15 holes drilled at the Colorado and Guadalupe zones within its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Benjamin Hill signed and investor relation agreement and granted incentive stock options to other contractors (Sonora Gold project, Sonora). Gatos Silver received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange as a result of its failure to timely file its annual report (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). Silver Wolf announced the appointment of a new member to its Technical Advisory Board (Ana Maria project, Durango).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Mexico Chamber of Deputies approved the initiative proposed by Andres Manuel López Obrador to reform the mining law on the nationalization of lithium, with 275 votes in favor, 24 against and 187 abstentions. The reform contemplates the authorization of mining concessions with the exception of lithium, which will be administered directly by the Mexican State. López Obrador reiterated that his government will not allow foreigners to exploit lithium even if they have previous concessions. Instead, there will be a State company “to exploit, explore, extract, process, industrialize and sell it”.
  • Fernando Alanís, Pro Secretary of the Confederation of the Industrial Chamber (CONCAMIN), declared that the project to reform the Mining Law to reserve the new concessions for the exploitation of lithium to the State is ambiguous and will add even more uncertainty and concern to investors. Despite the fact that Mexico is among the 10 largest producers worldwide of 17 minerals, being the first in silver and the eighth in gold, the mining industry has lost attractiveness for investment in recent years after the government suspension of mineral concessions, in addition to the high taxes paid by the sector in our country.
  • Armando Ortega, president of the Mining Task Force, of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham) in Mexico, stated that the proposed reform of the Mining Law on lithium would violate Mexico’s commitments in international treaties. He argued that minerals cannot be reserved, in this case, for the exclusive exploration and exploitation by the State, without having made the aforementioned reservation in the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC). From his point of view, reservations are areas of exclusion of obligations and commitments, and to do so without prior negotiation is arbitrary and prohibited. The CanCham argued that reserving lithium only for the exploration and exploitation of the Mexican State ex-post is in violation of both the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as those corresponding to all Free Trade Agreements (FTA). ) signed by Mexico.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from eight holes totalling 710m of its ongoing 10,000m drilling program conducted at its flagship La Gloria project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole LG-22-005 with 3.95 g/t Au over 7.85m, including 19.65 g/t Au over 1.3m; hole LG-22-001 with 0.51 g/t Au over 30.6m; hole LG-22-007 with 8.61g/t Au over 0.6m; and hole LG-22-008 with 4.13 g/t Au over 0.5m.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q1, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. The company produced 127K Oz Ag, 3.9M Lb Pb, and 9.6M Lb Zn. Americas expects to produce 0.7-0.9M Oz Ag, 36-40M Lb Pb, and 13-15M Lb Zn in the full year 2022.
  • First Majestic Silver Corporation announced Q1, 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Figures by  mine are shown in the table below:
  • Sierra Metals Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines located in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, the company processed 187,556 tonnes of 0.58% Cu, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.16 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 85.12%,  88.44%, and 63.53% respectively, to produce 2M Lb Cu, 58K Oz Ag, and 592 Oz Au (2,6M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, Sierra metals processed 87,924 tonnes of 174 g/t Ag, 0.19 g/t Au, and 0.3% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 85.37%, 49.94%, and 76.96% respectively, to produce 420K Oz Ag, 274 Oz Au, and 388K Lb Pb (458K Oz AgEq).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced results from 15 holes drilled at the Colorado and Guadalupe zones within its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Goal of this drill program is to increase the size and grade of the project´s oxide gold mineralization. Drilling highlights include hole SCR-289 with 0.56 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 1.38 g/t Au over 1.52m; hole SCR-293 with 0.87 g/t Au over 12.19m, including 3.62 g/t Au over 1.52m, plus 0.92 g/t Au over 6.10m, including 2.22 g/t Au over 1.53m, plus 2.26 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 10.25 g/t Au over 1.53m; hole SCR-296 with 0.67 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 1.83 g/t Au over 1.53m, plus 0.42 g/t Au over 6.1m, including 1 g/t Au over 1.52m; hole SCR-299 with 9.02 g/t Au over 10.67m, including 15.56 g/t Au over 6.10m; and hole SCR-301 with 0.49 g/t Au over 10.67m, including 1.79 g/t Au over 1.53m.

ON FINANCING

  • Magna Gold Corp., announced completion of its debt settlement with PEAL de Mexico SA de CV. the company has issued an aggregate of 1,660,132 common shares in the capital of the company at a deemed price of $0.76 per Common Share to PEAL de Mexico S.A. de C.V., in settlement of outstanding debt in the aggregate amount of USD 1M (San Francisco mine, Sonora).
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., amended the option agreement terms with Minerales de Tarachi , resulting in a significant reduction in future cash obligations. A comparison of the original and amended option terms can be found in the table below:

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Magna Gold Corp., announced Maiden Resource Estimate for its Margarita project in Chihuahua. Indicated resources using a cut-off of 75 g/t Ag are 1.854M tonnes of 205 g/t Ag to contain 12.22M Oz Ag and inferred resources are 0.45M tonnes of 153 g/t Ag to contain 2.24M Oz Ag. The deposit includes a well defined high grade core of 0.78M tonnes of 332 g/t Ag for a total of 8.32M Oz Ag contained. Magna reported that mineralization at Margarita is open in all directions and at depth. It also informed that the drill program discovered and confirmed multiple parallel vein systems most notable of which were the Juliana and Caido veins. The company plans to conduct follow-up drilling to define additional resources in these parallel vein systems. The current resource estimate only includes mineralization in the main Margarita vein.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Mercedes mine in Sonora, which includes an independent audit of the Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2021. Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) are 2.98M tonnes of 4 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag to contain 384K Oz Au and 3.5M Oz Ag; and Inferred Resources of 884K tonnes of 4.5 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag to contain 128K Oz Au and 1.17M Oz Ag. Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves are 2.2M tonnes of 3.75 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag to contain 267K Oz Au and 2.1M Oz Ag.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., released results from its ongoing drilling program conducted on the North Zone within its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole N010 with 0.36% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 0.03 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.42% CuEq) over 311m; hole N011 with 0.39% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.04 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.45% CuEq); and hole N012 with 0.35% Cu, 0.015% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.41% CuEq) over 296.9m. “The 2021-2022 drill program in the North Zone has now spanned 900 m of strike length along the core of the mineral deposit”. Holes N013 to N016 in the North Zone and B001 to B004 in the Brasiles Zone are completed and constitute an additional 6,205 m of drilling from which assays have yet to be generated.  To date, the 20 drill holes that have been completed at Santo Tomas (16 in the North Zone) total 14,838 m of diamond drilling, mainly in HQ core size.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., signed and investor relation agreement with Pacificquest Communications Corp., for a term of one year. In connection with the agreement, the company granted 200K options exercisable at $0.50 per common share having a term of 3 years and subject to vesting of 25% of the options each calendar quarter over a one-year period.   The company also granted 100K incentive stock options to other contractors exercisable at $0.50 per common share having a term of 3 years and subject to vesting of 25% of the options each calendar quarter over a one-year period.   (Sonora Gold project, Sonora).
  • Gatos Silver Inc., received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as a result of its failure to timely file its annual report. “In accordance with Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, the NYSE will closely monitor the status of the Company’s late filing and related public disclosures for up to six months from the date of the filing delinquency”  (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., announced the appointment of a new member to its Technical Advisory Board (Ana Maria project, Durango).

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-py-FeOx stockwork veining in an intrusive in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.