Feasibility Study

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of January, 2025

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Quartz Vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 5th week of the year (January 27th to February 2nd 2025), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine disclosing deals and corporate issues, eight reporting resources and development of their properties, three announcing financing rounds, three communicating production results, and one commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Prime Mining and Heliostar reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fifth week of January, 2025. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Altius Minerals reported Q4 and full year 2024 attributable royalty revenue (Cuale project, Jalisco). Bear Creek announced Q4 and 2024 full year production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Mag Silver presented Q4 and 2024 full year production results from its Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas, and provided 2025 production guidance. ON FINANCING, Oroco announces non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa). Vortex reported the extension of its non-brokered private placement. Colibri provided supplemental disclosure in respect of its previously announced proposed private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $250K (Pilar project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Colibri reported that six holes were completed at its Pilar project, Sonora, totalling 672.2m. Vizsla provided a 2024 year-end summary and 2025 outlook (Panuco property, Sinaloa). Alamos Gold received an environmental permit amendment from Mexico´s Secretariat of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), allowing construction to begin on the Puerto del Aire project in the Mulatos mining district in Sonora. Prime reported expansion drilling results from its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Mithril presented its quarterly report for the period ended December 31, 2024 (Copalquin project, Durango). Guanajuato Silver filed a new NI 43-101 technical report on its El Cubo and El Pinguico mine complex in Guanajuato. Heliostar reported strong drilling results from its La Colorada mine in Sonora. Defiance Silver filed an amended technical report for its Tepal project, Michoacan. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Infinitum Copper announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (La Adelita project, Sonora). Discovery Silver announced the acquisition of Newmont´s Porcupine Complex. SilverCrest received a positive recommendation from Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., urging shareholders to vote in favor of the proposed arrangement with Coeur Mining (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).  Silver Viper announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (La Virginia project, Sonora). Riverside Resources announced a spin-out of its Ontario Gold Projects into a new company called Blue Jay Gold Corp. Sailfish reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and granted stock options to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the company (Gavilanes project, Durango). Xali Gold entered into a definitive agreement with Remedioambiente to commence underground work at El Oro, State of Mexico. Apolo reported voting results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua). SilverCrest reminded to their securityholders of the voting deadline for a special meeting to approve the plan of arrangement with Coeur (Las Chispas mine, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,  no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Prime Mining Corp., and Heliostar Metals Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fifth week of January, 2025. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • No relevant news.

ON MINING

  • Altius Minerals Corporation reported Q4 2024 attributable royalty revenue of CAD $13.6M and full year 2024 attributable royalty revenue of CAD $65.7M (Cuale project, Jalisco).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced Q4 and 2024 full year production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. In the period Q4, 2024, the company mined 95,204 tonnes and processed 93,170 tonnes of 2.79 g/t Au with a metallurgical recovery of 95% to produce 7,937 Oz Au and 55.8K Oz Ag. For the 2024 full year the company reported that it mined 398,552 tonnes and processed 400,771 tonnes of 3.3 g/t Au with a metallurgical recovery of 95% to produce 40,220 Oz Au and 217.7K Oz Ag.
  • Mag Silver Corp., presented Q4 and 2024 full year production results from its Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas, and provided 2025 production guidance. In Q4 period, the company milled 333,612 tonnes of 417 g/t Ag, 1.15 g/t Au, 1.5% Pb, and 2.8% Zn to produce 4.26M Oz Ag, 9K Oz Au, 9.8M Lb Pb, and 15.6M Lb Zn. Mag Silver milled in the 2024 full year 1,328,178 tonnes of 468 g/t Ag, 1.25 g/t Au, 1.5% Pb, and 2.8% Zn to produce 18.6M Oz Ag, 39K Oz Au, 39.2M Lb Pb, and 65.9M Lb Zn. The company also forecasted a 2025 production to range between 14.7-16.7M Oz Ag, with head grades ranges of 380-430 g/t Ag and 1.2-1.4 g/t Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Oroco Resource Corp., announces non-brokered private placement of up to 5M units of the company at a price of CAD $0.30 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M. Gross proceeds will be used to advance its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes.
  • Vortex Metals Inc., reported that the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) granted an extension to complete the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units at a price of $0.08. Vortex has until February 2025 to complete the second tranche. The company plans to use the gross proceeds for exploration activities at its Illapel project in Chile as well as for general working capital purposes.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation provided supplemental disclosure in respect of its previously announced proposed private placement of up to 10M units at a price of CAD $0.025 per units for gross proceeds of up to CAD $250K (Pilar project, Sonora). Colibri reported that 20% of the bet proceeds will be used for upcoming exploration expenses at Pilar and EP projects in Sonora, 65% for arm´s length creditors including payment of interest expenses on outstanding loans, and up to 15% to non-arm´s length parties as reimbursement for expenses paid on behalf of the company to non-arm´s.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Colibri Resource Corporation reported that six holes were completed at its Pilar project, Sonora, totalling 672.2m, and a seven hole is underway. Samples are being prepared to be sent to the lab for geochemical analysis.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided a year-end summary for 2024 and an outlook for 2025, highlighting significant progress at its Panuco silver-gold property in Sinaloa, Mexico. The company transitioned from early-stage exploration to early-stage development, marked by an updated resource estimate and the publication of its first Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in July 2024. Drilling throughout the year totaled 37,662m, centered on converting resources within the upper levels of the Copala and Napoleon areas to higher confidence categories. This led to an updated mineral resource estimate published in early January 2025 highlighting an estimated in-situ combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 222.4M Oz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 138.7M Oz AgEq. The PEA indicated strong economic potential with an annual production of 15.2M Oz AgEq over a 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV of USD $1.1 B, and an 86% internal rate of return. In 2025, Vizsla Silver aims to advance the development of its Copala test mine, complete a feasibility study, and continue extensive drilling programs to expand resources. The company plans to drill over 37,000m and conduct geophysical surveys to explore new areas. With a strong financial position of over USD $92M in cash and no debt, Vizsla Silver is well-positioned to achieve its operational goals, targeting first silver production by 2027.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., received an environmental permit amendment from Mexico´s Secretariat of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), enabling construction to begin on the Puerto del Aire (PDA) project in the Mulatos mining district in Sonora. PDA is a higher-grade underground deposit located adjacent to the main Mulatos pit. Construction activities on PDA are expected to begin ramping up toward the middle of 2025. The PDA project, expected to extend the mine life significantly, has an initial capital estimate of USD $165M, with USD $37 to $40M allocated for 2025. PDA is anticipated to produce an average of 127K Oz Au annually over the first four years, with mine-site all-in sustaining costs averaging USD $1,003 per payable ounce. The project has a strong economic outlook, and anticipates an after-tax NPV of USD $269M at a gold price of USD $1,950 per ounce, and USD $492M at USD $2,500 per ounce, with an IRR of 46% and 73% respectively. Construction is set to ramp up in mid-2025, with first production expected by mid-2027. The company emphasized the exploration potential of PDA and the Cerro Pelon area, which may provide additional resources for the PDA mill.
  • Prime Mining Corp., reported results from 14 expansion drill holes from its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes 24NB-78 with 3.12 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag (3.48 g/t AuEq) over 7.6m, including 7.8 g/t Au and 65 g/t Ag (8.64 g/t AuEq) over 2.8m, including 15 g/t Au and 94 g/t Ag (16.22 g/t AuEq) over 1.4m, plus 1.08 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag (1.83 g/t AuEq) over 3.9m, including 1.57 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag (2.72 g/t AuEq) over 2.2m; hole 24NB-67 with 1.67 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag (1.88 g/t AuEq) over 1.8m, plus 1.75 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag (2.16 g/t AuEq) over 11.3m, including 7.42 g/t Au and 95 g/t Ag (8.65 g/t AuEq) over 2.3m; and hole 24NB-77 with 1.03 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (1.65 g/t AuEq) over 11.2m, including 3.33 g/t Au and 11 g/T Ag (3.47 g/t AuEq) over 0.6m, plus 1.28 g/t Au and 87 g/t Ag (2.41 g/t AuEq) over 1.2m, plus 2.40 g/t Au and 142 g/t Ag (4.24 g/t AuEq) over 1.8m. These results are from 2024 drilling at the Central Trend and are not included in the Company’s October 15, 2024, Mineral Resource Estimate.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Limited presented its quarterly report for the period ended December 31, 2024, highlighting ongoing drilling at the Copalquin gold-silver district in Durango. Significant drill results include 5.51 g/t Au and 182.4 g/t Ag over 4.60m from hole CDH-162, and 2.06 g/t Au and 90.26 g/t Ag over 9m from hole CDH-161. The second stage of a 9,000m drill program commenced, with a notable intercept of 31.8 g/t Au and 274 g/t Ag over 33m from hole CDH-159. The company is on track for a maiden resource update by Q1 2025, supported by a completed A $12.5M placement and a cash balance of A $15.74M. Exploration activities have totaled 7,138m since June 2024, with plans for 35,000m of additional drilling in 2025. The report also includes channel sampling results and a mineral resource estimate for El Refugio and La Soledad, indicating substantial gold and silver potential. Mithril has an exclusive option to purchase 100% interest in the Copalquin mining concessions, with an extended payment date to August 2028.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., filed a new NI 43-101 technical report on its El Cubo and El Pinguico mine complex in Guanajuato. This technical report presents a new mineral resource estimate with inferred mineral resources increased 85% over previous resource estimate to 35.6M Oz AgEq and indicated mineral resources of 3.9M Oz AgEq, indicating a decrease of 23% over previous resource estimate after 3 years of substantial mining activity. The company declared that exploration expansion potential remains high and that the drilling to convert inferred resources to indicated resources commenced in January 2025.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., reported strong drilling results from its La Colorada mine in Sonora as part of a 12,500m drilling program aimed at expanding mineral reserves ahead of a Feasibility Study and potential production increase to 50K-100K Oz Au annually by mid-2025. The drilling has focused on areas previously considered waste, revealing potential for higher-grade mineralization and underground mining options beyond the current open pit. The results include significant gold intercepts, with grades of 9.69 g/t Au over 5m; 9.87 g/t Au over 4.3m; 2.54 g/t Au over 10.5m: 1.86 g/t Au over 11.65m; 1.76 g/t Au over 11.6m; and 0.77 g/t Au over 21.6m. Heliostar will incorporate these results into a resource model to support a reserve update. Further drilling results are expected in the first half of 2025.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., filed an amended technical report of a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) associated with the potential development of its Tepal project in Michoacan. The MRE includes inferred mineral resources that cannot be categorized as mineral reserves.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Infinitum Copper Corp., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors and the resignation of one of its Directors (La Adelita project, Sonora).
  • Discovery Silver Corp., announced the acquisition of Newmont´s Porcupine Complex in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, for total consideration of USD $425M. This acquisition allows Discovery to establishes a diversified portfolio with the strength of the Porcupine Complex to support the financing, and ultimate development and operation, of the Company’s Cordero silver project in Chihuahua, Mexico.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., received a positive recommendation from Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., urging shareholders to vote in favor of the proposed arrangement with Coeur Mining Inc.  The Board of Directors of SilverCrest unanimously supports this recommendation, highlighting the strategic benefits of the deal, including premium valuation and potential for growth through a combined company. The Special Meeting for securityholders is scheduled for February 6, 2025, with a proxy voting deadline on February 4, 2025 (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (La Virginia project, Sonora).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., announced a spin-out of its Ontario Gold Projects into a new company called Blue Jay Gold Corp. This move will allow Riverside’s shareholders to receive shares in both Riverside and Blue Jay, with each existing Riverside share being exchanged for a new Riverside share and 1/5th of a Blue Jay share. The spin-out aims to enhance shareholder value by allowing the market to independently value the Ontario Gold Projects. The arrangement requires approval from Riverside’s shareholders and the Supreme Court of British Columbia, with a meeting scheduled for March 31, 2025. Blue Jay will focus on developing the Ontario Gold Projects, while Riverside continues to manage its diverse portfolio in Canada, Mexico, and its royalty interests. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, and Blue Jay has already completed a seed financing round raising $527K.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp., reported voting results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and granted an aggregate total of 2,075,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the company. These options will be exercisable at a price of $1.50 per common share and will expire on January 29, 2030. (Gavilanes project, Durango).
  • Xali Gold Corp., entered into a definitive agreement with Remedioambiente S.A. de C.V, to commence underground work at El Oro property, State of Mexico. The initial focus will be on identifying effective recovery methods for gold and silver and establishing underground access. Xali Gold will receive a Net Smelter Return of approximately 3% on all gold and silver recovered from above the 2400-meter level. The agreement has an initial term of five years, extendable for another five years if Remedioambiente invests a minimum of USD $1M annually. Xali Gold retains exclusive ownership of mineral bodies discovered below the 2400-meter level. In addition, Remedioambiente shall maintain the concessions in good standing, by paying the semi-annual concession fees, by incurring the minimum investments and the corresponding filings with the Mexican Mines Bureau, by filing statistical reports and by paying the Governmental Royalties. 
  • Apolo Silver Corp., reported voting results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reminded to their securityholders of the voting deadline for a special meeting to approve the plan of arrangement with Coeur (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

On the picture above, a quartz vein from a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Actinolite

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 3rd week of the year (January 13th to January 19th 2025), at least 36 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with thirteen disclosing deals and corporate issues, eight announcing financing rounds, eight reporting resources and development of their properties, six communicating production results, and one commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Prime Mining, Kootenay Silver, and Impact Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of January, 2025. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Alamos Gold announced that it plans to release its Q4 and year-end 2024 financial results on February 19, 2025 (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Pan American Silver reported Q4, 2024 production results from their Mexican mining operations (La Colorada, Zacatecas and Dolores, Chihuahua). Sierra Metals announced Q4, and end-year 2024 production results from its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. SilverCrest reported Q4 and end-year 2024 production results from its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. Endeavour provided 2025 production and cost guidance for Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines located in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. Alamos reported Q4 and annual 2024 production results for its Mulatos mine, Sonora, and provided three years operating guidance. Torex Gold provided operational guidance and updated five-year production outlook (Morelos Complex, Guerrero). ON FINANCING, Goldgroup announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $3.5M (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora). Barksdale reported that it is seeking approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to amend its secured convertible debentures held by Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc (San Javier project, Sonora). Silver Viper announced share consolidation (La Virginia project, Sonora). Quetzal Copper reported an extension to its non-brokered private placement (Cristinas project, Chihuahua).  Royalties Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $180K (Bilbao project, Zacatecas). Minera Alamos announced Auramet loan extension (Santana mine, Sonora). Goldgroup completed the acquisition of a loan facility to acquire all shares of Minera Apolo (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora). Silver Storm closed the third tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD $784,500 (La Parrilla mine, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Luca Mining commenced a 5,000m underground diamond drilling program at Campo Morado mine, Guerrero. Avino commenced underground development at its La Preciosa mine in Durango. GoGold announced results of Los Ricos project, Jalisco Feasibility Study. Heliostar Metals filed technical reports on the La Colorada operations in Sonora, San Agustin operations in Durango, and San Antonio project in Baja California Sur. Prime Mining reported expansion drilling results from its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Kootenay released results of seven holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Impact Silver reported results from its ongoing drill program in the Juarez mine area of its Plomosas mine, Chihuahua.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Infinitum Copper announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (La Adelita project, Sonora). Luca Mining declared that it has been invited to participate in a 2025 Mining Conference presented by Maxim Group LLC (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Capstone announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas). SilverCrest mailed and filed meeting material for its special meeting of shareholders (Las Chispas mine, Sonora). Fortuna Mining entered into a binding letter agreement to sell its non-core San Jose mine, Oaxaca to Minas del Balsas Luca Mining announced it has been named to the 2025 OTCQX® Best 50 (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). Sierra Metals rejected a hostile takeover bid from Alpayana S.A.C. (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). SilverCrest announced the appointments of their Senior Vice President Operations and Senior Vice President Corporate Development (Las Chispas mine, Sonora). Luca Mining granted stock options to its Chief Technology Officer (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). MAG Silver announced the retirement of a member of its Investor Relations team (Juanicipio mine, Zacatecas). First Majestic completed the acquisition of Gatos Silver. Inomin commenced initial discussions with companies interested in partnering or acquiring its la Gitana project in Oaxaca. Agnico Eagle offered O3 Mining shareholders $1.67 per share in cash, representing a 58% premium over O3’s closing price on December 11, 2024 (Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,  no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Prime Mining Corp., Kootenay Silver Inc., and Impact Silver Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of January, 2025. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • No relevant news.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc., announced that it plans to release its Q4 and year-end 2024 financial results on February 19, 2025 (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
  • Pan American Silver Corp., reported Q4, 2024 production results from their Mexican mining operations. The company produced in Q4, 2024 a total of 1.6M Oz Ag and 0.7K Oz Au at La Colorada mine, Zacatecas for an end-year 2024 of 4.88M Oz Ag while at Dolores mine, Chihuahua, it produced 424K Oz Ag in Q4, 2024 and 17.9K Oz Au for an end-year 2024 of 1.7M Oz Ag and 72.3K Oz Au.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q4, and end-year 2024 production results from its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. In the period Q4, 2024, Sierra Metals processed 452,613 tonnes of 0.77% Cu, 16 g/t Ag and 0.32 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 91.2%, 84.32%, and 66.67% respectively to produce 7M Lb Cu, 196K Oz Ag, and 3K Oz Au. In the full fiscal year 2024, the company processed 1,626,440 tonnes of 0.84% Cu, 19 g/t Ag, and 0.38 g/t Au, with metallurgical recoveries of 91.36%, 83.03%, and 67.01% respectively, to produce 27.45M Lb Cu, 812K Oz Ag, and 13.4K Oz Au. Sierra metals also provided its 2025 production guidance and expect to produce between 25.1-27.4M Lb Cu, 680-740K Oz Ag, and 8.1-13.4K Oz Au, at cash and AISC of $2.64-$2.77 and $3.45-$3.62 per Lb CuEq respectively.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported Q4 and end-year 2024 production results from its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. During Q4, 2024 it mined 127,278 tonnes and milled 113,594 tonnes with a grade of 3.89 g/t Au and 385 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 98.4% both to produce 13.9K Oz Au and 1.38M Oz Ag. The company sold 15.1K Oz Au and 1.45M Oz Ag at averages prices of USD $2,647 per Oz Au and USD $31.26 per Oz Ag. In Oz AgEq it processed an average grade of 694 g/t AgEq to produce 2.5M Oz AgEq and sold 2.65M Oz AgEq. In the end-year 2024, SilverCrest mined 437,263 tonnes and milled 439,387 tonnes with a grade of 4.28 g/t Au and 410 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 98.5% and 98.2% respectively, to produce 58.9K Oz Au and 5.66M Oz Ag. The company sold 59.8K Oz Au and 5.75M Oz Ag at averages prices of USD $2,356 per Oz Au and USD $28.03 per Oz Ag. In Oz AgEq it processed an average grade of 745 g/t AgEq to produce 10.35M Oz AgEq and sold 10.5M Oz AgEq.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., provided 2025 production and cost guidance for Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines located in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. At Guanacevi, Durango, the company expects to process between 1,000-1,100 tonnes per day to produce 3.9-4.4M Oz Ag and 11-13.5K Oz Au (4.8-5.5M Oz AgEq).  At Bolañitos, Guanajuato, Endeavour expects to process 1,100-1,200 tonnes per day, to produce between 0.6-0.8M Oz Ag and 19.5-20.5K Oz Au (2.2-2.4M Oz AgEq). Consolidated cash costs and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) for Guanaceví and Bolañitos in 2025 are estimated to be USD $16.00- USD $17.00 per oz silver and USD $25.00-USD $26.00 per oz silver, respectively, net of gold by-product credits.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported Q4 and annual 2024 production results for its Mulatos mine, Sonora, and provided three years operating guidance (currency is expressed in US dollars). In Q4, 2024, the company produced 38.9K Oz Au from Mulatos mine, for a total production in the full year 2024 of 205K Oz Au. 2025 guidance for Mulatos mine is expected to be in the range of 130-140K Oz Au, at cash and AISC of $925-$975 and $1,025-$1,075 per Oz Au produced respectively. 2026 and 2027 guidance for Mulatos mine is expected to be in the range of 120-130K Oz Au, and 125-135K respectively.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., provided its 2025 operational guidance and updated five-year production outlook for its Morelos Complex in Guerrero (currency expressed in US dollars). 2025 payable production is expected to be between 400-450K Oz AuEq, down from 460-480K Oz AuEq in 2024, primarily due to scheduled four-week processing plant shutdown. Total CAPEX are projected at $175-195M, with sustaining capital at $85-95M and non-sustaining capital at $90-100M. The company plans to drill 124,500m to improve resource definition, particularly in the Media Luna area. The company plans to maintain annual AuEq production at least 450K Oz from 2025 through 2030, supported by the Media Luna project and the anticipated start-up of the EPO project in late 2026.   

ON FINANCING

  • Goldgroup Mining Inc., announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 35,000,000 units of the company at a price of $0.10 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $3.5M. Each unit will consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant, with each full warrant being exercisable to purchase one common share at a price of $0.15 for 24 months from the date of issuance. Gross proceeds will be used to advance its Cerro Prieto project in Sonora, for general working purposes and debt reduction.
  • Barksdale Resources Corp., reported that it is seeking approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (TSXV) to amend its secured convertible debentures held by Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc. The proposed amendments include extending the maturity date to December 31, 2025 and reducing the conversion price from $0.55 to $0.18 per share. Additionally, Barksdale plans to issue 8,000,000 new detachable common share purchase warrants to Delbrook, as the previous warrants expired unexercised on December 31, 2024. The company is also pursuing a securities-for-debt settlement to address accrued interest on the debentures, totaling 151,643.84, by issuing 1,045,819 units at a deemed price of $0.145 per unit. Any subsequent interest accrued under the Debentures after December 31, 2024 shall be payable until January 17, 2025 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Debentures and the policies of the TSXV. These actions aim to strengthen Barksdale’s financial position and facilitate ongoing projects in base metal exploration (San Javier project, Sonora).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced share consolidation announced a share consolidation, converting ten pre-consolidation common shares into one post-consolidation common share, effective January 15, 2025. Registered shareholders will receive letters of transmittal with instructions for exchanging their shares, while those holding shares via direct registration system will not need to take any action. Prior to the consolidation, the company had 194,771,623 common shares outstanding, which will reduce to approximately 19,477,163 shares post-consolidation (La Virginia project, Sonora).
  • Quetzal Copper Corp., reported an extension to its non-brokered private placement offering, now set to close by February 17, 2025. The company plans to sell up to 6,666,666 units at CAD $0.15 each, aiming for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1M, and up to 11,764,705 flow-through units at CAD $0.17 each for up to CAD $2M. Each unit includes one common share and a half warrant, allowing the purchase of additional shares at CAD $0.25 for 24 months. The proceeds will be used for exploration and development activities related to their projects in British Columbia and Mexico (Cristinas project, Chihuahua).
  • Royalties Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement of 6M shares at a price of $0.03 per share for gross proceeds of $180K to cover overhead in Canada and property taxes and litigation expenses in Mexico in 2025 (Bilbao project, Zacatecas).
  • Minera Alamos Inc., received conditional approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (TSXV) settle the amount of USD $400K due to Auramet International, Inc. and Auramet Capital Partners, L.P. to extend the date by which certain conditions of the original loan agreement dated October 27, 2023 need to be satisfied from November 29th, 2024 to May 29th, 2025. For full consideration of the USD $400K extension fee payment, the TSXV has conditionally accepted the company’s proposal to issue 1,901,648 common shares at a deemed price of CAD $0.2949 per share (Santana mine, Sonora).
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc., completed the acquisition of a loan facility to acquire all shares of Minera Apolo S.A. de C.V. Minera Apolo is s the 100% owner of the fully permitted for construction Pinos property in Zacatecas. In consideration for the acquisition of the loan facility, the company proposes to issue 50M common shares paid pro rata to the members of the Creditor Group, the payment of cash consideration of USD $0.5M within 18 months of the closing date of the agreement entered in connection with the acquisition of the loan facility, and a payment of USD $1.5M in contingent consideration which is only due upon the completion of certain criteria, including a positive pre-feasibility study at the Pinos project, the advancement of the project into commercial production, publishing an updated 43-101 with greater than 200K Oz of contained gold equivalent ounces for the Pinos project, or the Company’s owned interest in the Pinos project falling to less than 51%. The completion of this transaction is subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd., closed the third tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD $784,500. The third tranche included a CAD $500K investment from current significant shareholder Eric Sprott. To date under the Offering, the Company has raised total gross proceeds of CAD $1,290,420. Net proceeds will be used to complete its upcoming NI43-101 resource statement and for general corporate and working capital purposes (La Parrilla mine, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Luca Mining Corp., commenced a 5,000m underground diamond drilling program consisting in 25 holes to target the addition of mineral resources from under-drilled zones proximal to existing underground production areas as well as the identification of mineralization within previously untested areas with high potential for the discovery of new mineral resources to the near and medium term mine plan at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. It is the first drilling campaign in Campo Morado in over a decade.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., commenced underground development at its La Preciosa mine in Durango, following receipt of all required permits for mining operations. The development of a 350m mine access and haulage decline is designed to intercept the high grade La Gloria and Abundancia veins. Development for the first phase at La Preciosa is expected to be under $5M and will be funded from cash reserves.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced results of Los Ricos project, Jalisco Feasibility Study (all currency expressed in US dollars). Highlights include an after tax net present value, using a discount rate of 5%  of $355M, with an after-tax IRR of 28%; a NPV, using a discount rate of 5%  of $ 469 at approximate spot metal silver price of $30 per Oz and gold price of $2,608 per Oz; 15-year mine life producing a total of 80M Oz payable AgEq, consisting of 41M Oz Ag, 424K Oz Au, and 11M Lb Cu; Initial capital costs of $227M, including $21M in contingency costs, over an expected two year build, and sustaining capital costs of $100M over the life of mine; average operating cash costs of $9.94/Oz AgEq, and all in sustaining costs (AISC) of $11.19/Oz AgEq over first 5 years of production, with average AISC of $12.32/Oz AgEq over the underground mine life; average annual production of 7.3M Oz AgEq oz over first 5 years; successful conversion of Mineral Resources to Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves totalling 10.2M tonnes grading 276 g/t AgEq containing 91M Oz AgEq, including 7.5M underground tonnes grading 326 g/t AgEq; and average underground mining width of 11m using bulk mining method of longitudinal sub-level long-hole mining.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., filed technical reports on the La Colorada operations in Sonora, San Agustin operations in Durango, and San Antonio project in Baja California Sur. La Colorada, Sonora shows a NPV of USD $25.9M using a discount rate of 5%; an IRR of USD $11.9M; a CAPEX of USD $53.9M; and 287K total ounces produced at a USD $2,000/Oz gold price. El Crestón expansion at La Colorada is expected to produce over 50K Oz Au per year. Current drill program (five drill rigs) is targeting lower CAPEX and increased production for updated technical report planned for mid-2025. San Agustin, Durango shows a NPV of USD $12.7M using a discount rate of 5%; an IRR of USD $156.1M; a CAPEX of USD $4.2M; and 45K total ounces produced at a USD $2,100/Oz gold price. Upon receipt of permit, expected in 2025, the company will undertake drilling to potentially extend the mine life from oxide gold production and is reviewing the projects sulphide potential. San Antonio, Baja California Sur PEA shows a NPV of USD $398.7M using a discount rate of 5%; an IRR of USD $40.7M; a CAPEX of USD $131.3M; and 1.1M total ounces produced at a USD $1,900/Oz gold price. Mineral resource of 1.6M Oz Au at San Antonio project creates attractive optionality with high grade, low CAPEX, sub-USD $1,100/Oz AISC and long mine life.
  • Prime Mining Corp., reported expansion drilling results from Tahonitas within its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true width reported) include holes 24TA-149 with 2.23 g/t Au and 266 g/t Ag (5.67 g/t AuEq) over 4.2m, including 3.94 g/t Au and 429 g/t Ag (9.49 g/t AuEq) over 2.1m; hole TA24-144 with 1.36 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (1.62 g/t AuEq) over 15.2m, including 1.17 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag (1.54 g/t AuEq) over 0.8m, and including 4.22 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (4.94 g/t AuEq) over 3.7m; and hole 24TA-153 with 2.55 g/t Au and 184 g/t Ag (4.93 g/t AuEq) over 3.3m, including 7.09 g/t Au and 541 g/t Ag (14.09 /t AuEq) over 1.1m, plus 0.72 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag (0.92 g/t AuEq) over 19.2m, including 2.23 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag (2.82 g/t AuEq) over 2.4m.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., released results of seven holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes CDH-24-183 on F-Vein with 210 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 14.7m, including 1,440 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 2.5% Zn over 0.36m, and 468 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1.1% Zn over 3.05m, including 811 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.8% Zn over 0.46, and 1,050 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 2.9% Zn over 0.46m, plus some intercepts on FW to F-Vein with 82 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 7.36m, including 905 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 0.17m; and hole CDH-24-177 on D-Vein with 130 g/t Ag, 0.06% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 7.6m, including 222 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 3.50m. The results are a continuation of ongoing drill testing of those three trends.
  • Impact Silver Corp., reported results from its ongoing underground drill program in the Juarez mine area of its Plomosas mine, Chihuahua. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes UGMJ-2420 with 14.1% Zn, 1.6% Pb, and 12 g/t Ag over 2.2m, including 26.1% Zn, 3% Pb, and 23 g/t Ag over 0.9m; hole UGMJ-2415 with 30.1 % Zn, 2.7% Pb, and 19 g/t Ag over 1.2m, plus 18.91% Zn, 0.1% Pb, and 13 g/t Ag over 0.4m, plus 10.2% Zn, 5.4% Pb, and 26 g/t Ag over 1.2m; and hole UGMJ-2422 with 30.1% Zn, 10.1% Pb, and 40 g/t Ag over 1.1m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Infinitum Copper Corp., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors and the resignation of one of its Directors (La Adelita project, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp., declared that it has been invited to participate in the 2025 Mining and Supplying Critical Minerals & Precious Metals Conference presented by Maxim Group LLC (Tahuehueto project, Durango).
  • Capstone Copper Corp., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., mailed and filed meeting material for its special meeting of shareholders, where securityholders will be asked to pass a special resolution approving an arrangement with Coeur Mining Inc, whereby SilverCrest shareholders will receive 1.6022 shares of Coeur common stock for each SilverCrest share (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).
  • Fortuna Mining Corp., entered into a binding letter agreement to sell its 100% interest in Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán S.A. de C.V., to Minas del Balsas S.A. de C.V. Compañia Minera Cuzcatlan is the owner of San Jose mine, Oaxaca and Minas del Balsas will acquire 100% interest by paying USD $2M on closing of the transaction; a further USD $2M payable on the first anniversary of closing the transaction; a final USD $2M on the second anniversary of closing the transaction; and the right to receive up to approximately USD $11M upon the completion of certain conditions. Additionally, Fortuna will retain a 1% NSR on production from the San Jose mine concession, for a 5-year term as of the start of production.
  • Luca Mining Corp., announced it has been named to the 2025 OTCQX® Best 50, a ranking of top performing companies traded on the OTCQX Best Market last year  (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., rejected a hostile takeover bid from Alpayana S.A.C., stating that the offered price of CAD $0.85 per share undervalues the company. The Board of Directors, supported by over 50% of shareholders, believes the bid does not reflect Sierra’s growth potential, particularly in light of increasing copper demand and the company’s operational successes. They recommend that shareholders take no action to reject the bid and emphasize the company’s strong prospects for future value creation. The Board is also exploring other strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the appointments of their Senior Vice President Operations and Senior Vice President Corporate Development (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp., granted 500K stock options exercisable at a price of $0.58 to its Chief Technology Officer and expires five years from the date of their issuance. A second tranche of 100K options, exercisable at $0.58 has been granted to one other eligible person in accordance with Luca’s omnibus equity incentive plan. These options are exercisable over a period of two years (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero).
  • MAG Silver Corp., announced the retirement of a member of its Investor Relations team (Juanicipio mine, Zacatecas).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., completed the acquisition of Gatos Silver Inc., pursuant to the agreement and plan of merger previously announced. Both companies announced that they received all necessary shareholder approvals at the respective special meetings of each company’s shareholders. With the transaction now complete, the Gatos Silver shares will cease trading and will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
  • Inomin Mines Inc., commenced initial discussions with companies interested in partnering or acquiring its la Gitana project in Oaxaca. Drilling at La Gitana has outlined a significant gold-silver deposit open to expansion.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited offered O3 Mining Inc., shareholders $1.67 per share in cash, representing a 58% premium over O3’s closing price on December 11, 2024. The offer expires on January 23, 2025, and has been unanimously recommended by O3 Mining’s Board and Special Committee. Approximately 39% of O3’s outstanding shares are already committed through Lock-up Agreements. Shareholders are encouraged to tender their shares promptly to ensure timely processing.

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, actinolite from an IOCG project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 46th week of the year (November 11th to November 17th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 24 press releases. Two companies informed on exploration advances at their properties, ten companies presented quarterly results and one other actualized its production forecast for the second half of 2024. Two companies released drilling results from their advanced properties, with one also providing channel sample results. One company announced a private placement probably to be used on properties in Mexico, two more companies with properties in Mexico announced financing rounds to be applied outside from Mexico and a royalties company signed a lending agreement. Two companies updated on exploration and drill results from their advanced properties, and one more company informed on its evaluation on the keeping or disinvestment on an advanced property. One company updated on legal proceedings on the cancellation of a key concession, one more held its AGM and other two informed on operating issues impacting a silverstream. ON MEXICO ISSUES most of the concentrate end-dump trailers hijacked from the Peñasquito mine were recovered empty. Two miners are dead, five unaccounted for in a mine cave-in in Sinaloa. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided exploration results from Pilar (Gran Pilar?). In Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources announced a drilling program at Las Coloradas. ON MINING, Gatos Silver, Mag Silver, Orla Mining, SilverCrest Metals, Discovery Silver, Avino Silver, Prime Mining, Sailfish Royalty, Dyna Resource and US Antimony, released Q3 production results and Heliostar Metals released its forecast on production for H2 2024. ON FINANCING, Apollo Silver and Osisko Development closed private placements for C$13.5 M and US$57.5 M respectively. Orex Minerals completed a warrants exercise program, Elemental Altus Royalties amended a credit facility. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Osisko Development is awaiting on a permit to operate its San Antonio project in Sonora, and evaluating the sale of the asset. Endeavour Silver updated on exploration and development at Pitarrilla, in Durango. Torex Gold released results from resource upgrading drilling at EPO, in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Chesapeake Gold updated on legal proceedings on the cancellation of a key mining concession at its Metates project in Durango. GR Silver held its AGM. Fresnillo plc and Industrias Peñoles are resolving issues arising from operational challenges that affect a silverstream.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver released its 2023 ESG report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Nine of the eleven hijacked end-dump trailers carrying concentrate from the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas were recovered empty on a dirt road in Durango. No detentions were made (How on this Earth can you disappear 240 tonnes of concentrate that can only be processed in a few sites in the country, and the export ports being controlled by the Navy? Yes, it is a rhetoric question).
  • Five miners were trapped by a cave-in at a mine in Badiraguato, Sinaloa.  Two persons are presumed dead and the fate of another three to five is unclear.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. announced a diamond drill program for its 850 ha Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. The company selected three principal target areas, the Mine, Aguilar and Leona on the Soledad structure. “The Mine target includes the old Las Coloradas mine on the SE end of the Soledad structure/vein system, and adjacent mineralized structures. The Leona target covers an area of old high grade workings approximately 530 meters long on the NW end of the Soledad II structure. The Aguilar target covers an area of old high grade workings approximately 250 meters long on the NW end of the Soledad structure/vein system”.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. provided exploration results from its Gran Pilar project in Sonora , adjacent to its Pilar project). A total of 541 soil samples have been collected in the project, returning up to 21.2 gpt Au, >2,000 gpt Ag, 0.62% Cu, 12.7% Pb, 2,3% Zn. “ …. zones of significant and consistently high values of gold have been identified showing several kilometers of prospective trend that remains open to the east for further expansion”.

ON MINING

  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced third quarter 2024 financial and operating results. At Cerro Los Gatos (70% Gatos Silver, 30% Dowa Metals and Mining Co.), in Chihuahua, 298.6 K tonnes were milled in the period at a rate of 3,246 tpd, averaging 285 gpt Ag, 4.0% Zn, 2.0% Pb, 0.30 gpt Au, to produce 2.42 M Oz Ag, 1,450 Oz Au, 11.4 M Lb Pb, 16.5 M Lb Zn (3.84 M Oz AgEq). By-product cash cost was $3.69 per Oz Ag and the by-product AISC $9.61 per Oz Ag. During the quarter Gatos Silver and First Majestic Silver Corp. entered into a definitive merger agreement.
  • Mag Silver Corp. announced unaudited consolidated financial results for Q3 2024. A total of 332.3 K tonnes of ore grading 481 gpt AgEq was processed at Juanicipio, in Zacatecas, producing 4.9 M Oz Ag, 7.1 M Oz AgEq, at negative cash cost of $0.12 per Oz Ag ($8.38 per Oz AgEq) and an AISC of $3.28 per Oz Ag ($10.83 per Oz AgEq), generating US$109.9 M in operating cash flow and US$96.9 M in free cash flow (Mag’s share on the Juanicipio JV is 44%). During the period Mag Silver entered into an earn-in and option exploration agreement in which Apollo Silver Corp. can acquire the Cinco de Mayo property in Chihuahua.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. announced results for the third quarter of 2024. Production at Camino Rojo in Zacatecas was 43,788 Oz Au during the period at cash cost $482 per Oz Au and an AISC of $720 per Oz Au. Average mining rate was 52 K tpd, with 18.4 K tonnes of ore stacked averaging 0.93 gpt Au. A 30,000 m drilling program is underway to test and expand mineralization beneath existing resources. “….. results confirm the presence of flat-lying (mantos) and steep sulphide replacement-style mineralization, along with skarn-type alteration, extending at least 500 meters down plunge from the existing resource”. Net income was US$21.1 M and cash flow from operating activities US$52.0 M. In October the outstanding balance of US$58.4 M was repaid on its revolving credit facility of US$283.4 M. The company elevated the 2024 production guidance to 130,000 to 140,000 Oz Au. At the end of the period net cash was US$122.5 M.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. released financial results for Q3 2024. At Las Chispas, in Sonora, 4.4 km of development were completed, 124.2 K tonnes were mined at a rate of 1,350 tpd, 121.8 K tonnes milled, averaging 3.87 gpt Au, 366 gpt Ag (or 674 gpt AgEq), recovering 98.5% Au, 98.3% Ag to produce 14,928 Oz Au, 1.41 M Oz Ag (or 2.66 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $8.85 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $13.72 per Oz AgEq. Revenue in the period was US$80.4 M, an operating cash flow of US$44.2 M and free cash flow of US$36.2 M. SilverCrest had US$158.2 M by the end of September. In October the acquisition of Silver Crest Metals by Coeur Mining Inc. was announced.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced financial results for Q3 2024. At the end of the period the company had a net loss of C$5.3 M, 397.7 M shares outstanding, cash and cash equivalents of C$33.4 M, total assets of C$125.1 M, liabilities for C$6.2 M and a working capital of C$30.9 M (Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter of 2024. During the period the company processed 156.5 K tonnes of ore to produce 281.8 K Oz Ag, 1,625 Oz Au, 1.77 M Lb Cu (or 670.9 K Oz AgEq) at its Avino mine in Durango. Revenues were US$14.6 M, mining operating income of US$5.7 M, net income of US$1.2 M, EBITDA of US$3.8 M, cash flow from operations of US$4.1 M and a mine operating cash flow before taxes of US$6.7 M. At the end of the period the company had US$7.8 M in cash and working capital of US$15.9 M. Guidance remains on track to produce 2.5 M to 2.8 M Oz AgEq in 2024. Avino continued to process historical stockpiles from the nearby La Preciosa project: “as part of a sampling program to better prepare for fresh mill feed. Initial recoveries from the lower-grade material were better than expected and provide for potential upside as the project moves forward”. The operations team is in the final stages for approval to move forward with underground development at La Preciosa.
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported its operating and financial results for Q3 2024. During the period the company announced the update of an open pit constrained resource at Los Reyes, in Sinaloa, of 49 M tonnes @ 0.95 gpt Au, 34.2 gpt Ag, containing 1.49 M Oz Au, 54 M Oz Ag (or 2.19 M Oz AuEq) in indicated resources and 17.2 M tonnes @ 0.97 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, containing 0.54 M Oz Au, 21.6 M Oz Ag (or 0.82 M Oz AuEq) in inferred resources. Prime Mining reported Loss and comprehensive loss of C$16.2 M, total assets of C$35.2 M, liabilities of C$0.9 M and total liabilities of C$1.7 M, with cash at the end of the quarter of C$21.2 M. Four drilling rigs are currently active at Los Reyes.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. announced operating and financial results for the third quarter 2024. Sailfish has no operations in Mexico, but holds 100% in the Gavilanes project in Durango.
  • Dyna Resource Inc. reported results for its third quarter 2024. During the period 61 K tonnes were mined at a rate of 663 tpd at its San Jose de Gracia project in Sinaloa, milling 61.9 K tonnes at a rate of 663 tpd, grading 3.78 gpt Au, recovering 75.4% Au to produce 5,676 Oz Au. “The Company intends to prioritize drilling high grade underground targets that can readily be brought into the mine plan as well as the continued regional program to better understand the potential of the significant land package at SJG”. Revenue was US$ 11.2 M during the period. Management believes it will achieve its production rate target of 25.5 K tonnes per month in Q4 2024. The company is working to improve plant recoveries.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. provided gold production guidance for the recently acquired San Agustin mine, in Durango, and the La Colorada mine, in Sonora. For the July-December 2024 period production expected for La Colorada is 4,700-4,800 Oz Au, 13.3 K-14.4 K Oz Ag (or 4,800-4,900 Oz AuEq) at cash cost $1,350-$1,450 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,500-$1,600 per Oz Au. At San Agustin 14,650-14,950 Oz Au, 25,400-25,500 Oz Ag (or 15,200-15,300 Oz AuEq), at cash cost $1,500-$1,600 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,650-1,750 per Oz Au. La Colorada continues to produce Au from leach pads, but mining was paused by the previous operator on September 2023. Heliostar is to determine the economic viability of restarting operations and to complete a pre-feasibility study in early Q1 2025. At San Agustin mining operations ceased due to permitting constraints and is producing Au from existing leach pads. “The Company has submitted a permit application to expand the open pit that would allow mining at San Agustin to recommence in 2025. Without approval, the San Agustin Mine will transition to care and maintenance upon completion of leaching operations.”
  • United States Antimony Corp. reported third quarter 2024 financial and operational results. The company has no operations in Mexico, but holds the Los Juarez gold project in Queretaro.

ON FINANCING

  • Apollo Silver Corp. closed a fully subscribed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$13.5 M (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Osisko Development Corp. closed its previously announced private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of US$57.5 M (San Antonio, Sonora).
  • Orex Minerals Inc. completed the company’s warrant exercise incentive program raising approximately $1.2 M (Coneto, Durango).
  • Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. signed an amendment to its credit facility, exercising the US$10 M accordion feature, with the borrowing limit increased to US$50 M and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as a new lender in the facility, joining National Bank of Canada (NBC) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Osisko Development Corp. reported financial and operating results for Q3, 2024, including some information on its Mexican operations. At San Antonio, in Sonora, the company has kept the project in care and maintenance since Q3 2023, awaiting the next steps from the government of Mexico with respect to the permitting process and the status of open pit mining in the country. The company is “exploring the potential for a financial or strategic partner in the asset or for a full or partial sale of the asset”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported an update on the exploration and evaluation of its Pitarrilla property in Durango. Endeavour has re-logged the historic drill core, focusing on defining high-grade feeder structures of the Ag-Pb-Zn sulfide mineralization. The company has refurbished the ramp and extended it over 1.3 km to provide access to underground drilling. This work has confirmed the presence of at least four structures that extend through the manto (Palmito, Danna, Victoria and Casas Blancas veins), additional mineralized structures include the Norma and Danna hanging wall veins and the Peña dike. It is estimated that the first four veins are typically 3 m in width and have a vertical extent of 600 to 800 m and strike lengths of 700 m; these veins appear open to depth. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 82.92 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 87 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 2.4% Zn; 25.94 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 241 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 1.9% Zn (including 0.90 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 2,020 gpt Ag, 1.6% Cu, 5.7% Pb, 4.0% Zn); 13.62 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 183 gpt Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 1.8% Zn; 22.23 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 112 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 3.6% Zn (including 0.92 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 1,145 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 4.5% Zn). Highlighted Peña dike channel samples on the ramp comprise 4.20 m @ 0.07 gpt Au, 562 gpt Ag, 0.78% Cu, 5.3% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 5.35 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 424 gpt Ag, 0.24% Cu, 4.9% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 3.85 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 511 gpt Ag, 1.71% Cu, 3.0% Pb, 4.5% Zn.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. released assay results from the ongoing drill program at EPO, on its Morelos Complex, in Guerrero. Drilling has shown the potential to upgrade inferred resources to indicated resources in the NE portion of the EPO deposit. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 36.6 m @ 9.57 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, 0.51% Cu (including 7.55 m @ 43.33 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag, 0.51% Cu); 19.16 m @ 4.01 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag, 0.30% Cu; 18.75 m @ 2.83 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 1.26% Cu; 18.91 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag, 2.62% Cu on resource conversion and 5.10 m @ 3.70 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.37% Cu; 3.00 m @ 4.90 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu; 3.18 m @ 3.56 gpt Ag; 39 gpt Ag, 0.95% Cu; 8.33 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag, 1.44% Cu; 2.37 m @ 0.46 gpt Au, 149 gpt Ag, 3.24% Cu; 3.59 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 69 gpt Ag, 2.23% Cu, in advanced exploration beyond the resource boundary to the north of EPO. The EPO geology described in the press release highlights its complexity, with skarn, CRD and intermediate sulfidation epithermal mineralization events.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. updated on legal proceedings related to its 700 ha San Vicente 3 mineral concession. The proceedings against the Dirección General de Minas (DGM) are the company’s response to the cancellation of one of 12 concessions within its 4,260 ha  Metates project in Durango (the largest undeveloped gold deposit in Mexico). “Chesapeake began nullity proceedings to have the cancellation of San Vicente 3 declared as null and void by the North Center III and Auxiliary Regional Chamber of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice (the “Chamber”) based on certain procedural arguments. The Chamber dismissed the Company’s lawsuit in a 2-1 split decision, with the dissenting judge finding the Company’s arguments to be well-founded. The Company plans to appeal before the Collegiate Court and to pursue all legal remedies available”. The concession covers part of the mineral resource, and its cancellation would hinder the ability to develop the Metates project as outlined on the PEA.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. held its annual general meeting (AGM) with all matters brought before the meeting approved (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Fresnillo plc. has secured notice over operational issues at Industrias Peñoles Sabinas mine in Zacatecas, affecting silver output. There is a silverstream contract comprising a series of 12 agreements between Fresnillo and Peñoles, following which the London-listed miner has the right to receive all proceeds from the payable silver. “The operational challenges at the mine have prompted immediate discussions between the two companies to evaluate the situation and its implications for the agreement”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Discovery Silver Corp. released its 2023 ESG (environmental social and governance) report, highlighting the reception of the Quality Environmental Certification, the Socially Responsible Enterprise (ESR) Distinction and the Great Place to Work Certification (Cordero, Chihuahua).

On the image below: Clear vein scarps in a copper project in Sonora. Drone picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 40th week of the year (September 30th to October 6th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 12 press releases. One company informed on exploration advances on its property, one other company updated on mining operations, one company notified on the extension of a financing round, two companies granted stock options/deferred-share-units, two companies announced share consolidation programs, two companies reported drilling results on its advanced property/mine, another reported AGM results, one informed on appointments to the board and two more on their merger. ON MEXICO ISSUES, an illegal mining operation was terminated in Sonora. Vulcan Materials warned on the intensification of its legal dispute with the Mexican government. ON EXPLORATION, in Nayarit, Angel Wings Metals provided an exploration update on La Reyna project. ON MINING, Luca Mining updated on planned activities at its Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines, in Guerrero and Durango respectively. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Gatos Silver released drilling results from two areas of the Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver presented results of its AGM. Apollo Silver made directors appointments. Coeur Mining and SilverCrest Metals announced their merger. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • An illegal gold mining operation was closed down in Sonora. The mining operation was being conducted without permits on La Cienega area in the Sonoran Desert, which is an historically active dry placer mining area. Eight persons were detained and diverse equipment sequestered.
  • Vulcan Materials warned that it is to intensify its legal dispute with the government of Mexico, under which the company demands the payment of US$1.5 billion.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Angel Wing Metals Inc. provided an exploration update on La Reyna project, in Nayarit. The exploration focus is on the El Polo-Dolorosa target area, where historic trench results include 21 m grading 5.01 gpt Au, 12.7 m grading 1.21 gpt Au and 15.52 m grading 0.92 gpt Au. “Principal prospects include the former El Polo open pit mine, and the Dolorosa, San Ramon, La Feña, and El Zorillo shallow workings. The Company intends on commencing a diamond drill program in Q4 of this year”. Exploration is focused on bulk tonnage size potential in altered and brecciated volcanic rocks with stockwork quartz veining. The first 2,500 m drill phase is to test five widely spaced prospects from near surface depths to 175 m.

ON MINING

  • Luca Mining Corp. updated on planned activities at its two mines in Mexico. At Campo Morado, in Guerrero, a mining contractor was hired to increase performance and exceed 2,000 tpd rates, improvements to metallurgy processes have been made and the first drilling program in over a decade is commencing. At Tahuehueto, in Durango, construction has been completed and commercial production is expected to be declared during Q4. A significant drilling campaign is to commence during the quarter. “Luca will commence repayments of its debt owed to Trafigura, from cashflow, in October 2024 under the terms of the restructured debt agreement”.

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. granted 1.57 M stock options to directors, management, and consultants of the company (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. granted 97.5 K deferred share units (DSU) to non-executive directors for director’s fees to Q3 2024. eligible persons in accordance with the Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. “Once vested, each DSU entitles the holder thereof to receive either one common share of the Company, the cash equivalent of one common share or a combination of cash and common shares, as determined by the Company, net of applicable withholdings” (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. proposed to consolidate its common shares on a 1:15 basis on its annual and special meeting on October 29, 2024 (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua).
  • Apollo Silver Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10 M. Following the closing of the offering, the company intends to consolidated its issued and outstanding shares on a five to one basis. (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced the extension of its non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$450 K, to close on or before November 3, 2024 (EP project, Sonora)

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from 11 holes targeting the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 2.88 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag; 1.46 m @ 15.47 gpt Au, 1,935 gpt Ag; 0.55 m @ 6.26 gpt Au, 437 gpt Ag; 2.30 m @ 37.30 gpt Au, 2,851 gpt Ag; (including 1.05 m @ 73.10 gpt Au, 5,410 gpt Ag); 1.70 m @ 1.35 gpt Au, 238 gpt Ag; 5.80 m @ 14.85 gpt Au, 2,551, gpt Ag (including 0.46 m @ 146.50 gpt Au, 21,953 gpt Ag); 2.30 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag; 4.15 m @ 3.29 gpt Au, 732 gpt Ag (including 1.37 m @ 7.56 gpt Au, 1,634 gpt Ag); 5.65 m @ 26.06 gpt Au, 3,007 gpt Ag (including 1.48 m @ 96.11 gpt Au, 10,869 gpt Ag); 0.65 m @ 1.99 gpt Au, 384 gpt Ag; 7.50 m @ 1.23 gpt Au, 222 gpt Ag; 4.90 m @ 1.06 gpt Au, 145 gpt Ag; 1.00 m @ 5.39 gpt Au, 874 gpt Ag; 0.90 m @ 12.05 gpt Au, 1,830 gpt Ag; 4.35 m @ 3.00 gpt Au, 781 gpt Ag (including 0.73 m @ 12.45 gpt Au, 2,990 gpt Ag). “Exploration and resource focused drilling at Copala has traced mineralization along ~1,770 metres of strike length and ~400 metres down dip”.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. updated on the drilling exploration programs in the 70%-owned Los Gatos district in Chihuahua. Positive results have been obtained on the Central Deeps target and the South-East Deeps zone at the Cerro Los Gatos mine, as well as key developments on the regional exploration program. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 7.5 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 101 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 5.5% Pb, 11.1% Zn; 3.3 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 153 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 6.6% Pb, 17.5% Zn; 2.8 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 1.3 m @ 0.57 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag, 0.09% Cu, 3.0% Pb, 3.8% Zn; 6.5 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 2.4% Zn; 4.5 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag, 0.52% Cu,1.8% Pb, 3.2% Zn; 7.8 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 4.9% Pb, 5.8% Zn; 4.4 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 55 gpt Ag, 0.37% Cu, 3.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn, 2.8 m @ 0.07 gpt Au,122 gpt Ag, 0.56% Cu, 3.4% Pb, 9.5% Zn; 5.0 m 0.14 gpt Au, @ 126 gpt Ag, 0.35% Cu, 5.5% Pb, 15.8% Zn; 1.1 m @ 2.03 gpt Au. Drilling below the Central Zone has intercepted a new zone of mineralization, and the “latest results in the South-East Deeps zone show further extension potential to the south-east of the current mineral reserves in this area. Moreover, we continue to pursue the longer term potential across the broader Los Gatos district”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. held its annual general meeting, fixing the number of directors at seven persons, elected the directors for the ensuing year, re-appointed the auditor of the company and approved the company’s omnibus equity incentive compensation plan. (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Apollo Silver Corp. announced the appointment of Alex Tsakumis to its board of directors and of Amandip Singh as vice president, corporate development (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Coeur Mining Inc. and SilverCrest Metals Inc. entered into a definitive agreement in which Coeur is to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of SilverCrest. All SilverCrest shareholders will receive 1.6022 Coeur common shares. The exchange ratio implies $11.34 per SilverCrest shares, representing an 18% premium and a total equity value of $1.7 billion based on SilverCrest’s shares outstanding. “Upon completion of the Transaction, existing Coeur stockholders and SilverCrest shareholders will own approximately 63% and 37% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company, respectively” (Palmarjo, Chihuahua; Las Chispas, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Drilling under the scarp in Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 37th week of the year (September 9th to September 15th 2024), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, eight announcing financing rounds, five reporting resources and development of their properties, two communicating production and financial results, one commenting on Mexican issues, and one informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fuerte Metals reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of September, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Riverside and its JV partner Fortuna Mining commenced a drill program at the Cecilia project. ON MINING, Alamos Gold provided updated three-year production and operating guidance for its Mulatos mine in Sonora. Starcore announced that it has received approval from the General Deputy for Environmental Control, to extend its dry stack tailings at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. ON FINANCING, GR Silver announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.76M (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Sonoro Gold announced a fully committed, non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $700K (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). First Majestic gave notice of a Share Repurchase Program, approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange, allowing the company to buy back up to 10M common shares over a 12-month period starting September 12, 2024 (San Dimas mine, Durango). Heliostar Metals has arranged two debt facilities for aggregate gross proceeds of up to USD $10M to support the acquisition of production assets (Ana Paula project, Guerrero). Luca Mining announced fully subscribed life offering and concurrent non-brokered private placement of up to CAD $1.45M for combined proceeds of CAD $10M (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). GR Silver declared that it is increasing its previously announced private placement offering from 11M units to 12.5M units for gross proceeds of $2M (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Sierra Madre announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $0.5M (La Guitarra mine, State of Mexico). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold provided an update on the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North projects in Jalisco. Mammoth Resources received a competitive quote for its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua indicating a cost of approximately USD $1.50 per Oz AuEq for an exploration target of 1.8M Oz Au. Fuerte Metals (former Atacama Copper Corporation) reported results from five holes of a diamond drill program at its Cristina project in Chihuahua. Pan American Silver reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2024 for their mines and advanced projects in Mexico.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alamos Gold announced the appointments of two new members to its Board: its new Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, and Investor Relations and its new Vice President, Business Development, and Investor Relations (Mulatos mine, Sonora).  Prismo Metals granted incentive stock options to certain Directors, Officers, and Consultants of the company (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Sailfish Royalty declared Q3, 2024 dividend (Gavilanes property, Durango). Ranchero Gold announced that it has closed the sale of its Mexican subsidiary. Alamos Gold declared that it has been recognized as a top performer by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) with inclusion in the TSX30 (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Silver Storm provided an update on the status of its management cease trade order issued by the British Columbia Security Commission on July 30, 2024 (La Parrilla mine, Durango). Galore Resources announced a status report with regards a management cease trade order issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on July 30, 2023 regarding the postponement in filing of its annual financial statements (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas). Altius Mineral reported that its approximately 58% owned subsidiary Altius Renewable Royalties Corporation (ARR) entered into a definitive arrangement agreement  with an affiliate of Northampton Capital Partners, LLC to acquire to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of ARR (Cuale project, Jalisco). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,  no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Fuerte Metals Corporation, reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of September, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc., and its JV partner Fortuna Mining Corp., commenced a 2,500ml drill program consisting in 8 holes to initially test three targets: Cerro Magallanes Breccia, East target, and Mesa target, at its the Cecilia project in Sonora. A budget of USD $800K has been estimated for this phase of drilling.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc., provided updated three-year production and operating guidance for its Mulatos mine in Sonora (All amounts are in USD dollars). The company estimates to produce over 185K-195K Oz Au in 2024, at cash and AISC of $925-$975 and $1,000-$1,050 per Oz Au respectively; and over 120K-130K Oz Au in 2025 and 2026. 
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced that it has received approval from the General Deputy for Environmental Control, to extend for ten years of life expectancy the handling of its dry stack tailings at its San Martin mine in Queretaro.

ON FINANCING

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement of up to 11M units at a price of $0.16 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $1.76M. Net proceeds will be used for exploration targeting resource expansion in the San Marcial area of the Plomosas project in Sinaloa.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced a fully committed, non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $700K, consisting of 14M units at a price of CAD $0.05 per unit. Net funds will be used to fund the ongoing development of its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora as well as working capital. 
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., gave notice of a Share Repurchase Program, approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange, allowing the company to buy back up to 10M common shares over a 12-month period starting September 12, 2024. This represents approximately 3.32% of its outstanding shares. The repurchases will be conducted at prevailing market prices, with a daily maximum limit based on average trading volume. The company believes this program will enhance shareholder value by increasing their equity interest in the company (San Dimas mine, Durango).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., has arranged two debt facilities for aggregates gross proceeds of up to USD $10M to support the acquisition of production assets. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the working capital facility for general working capital requirements and to fund the advancement of its development projects. The financing includes a working capital facility of up to USD $5M with Ocean Partners, available immediately at an interest rate of 3-months Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) + 4%, maturing on December 31, 2025. Additionally, there is a transaction closing facility of up to USD $5M with Deans Knight, intended for a closing payment to acquire a Mexican asset portfolio from the former Argonaut Gold, with a 15% interest rate and maturing on November 30, 2026. This financing structure aims to minimize equity dilution to less than 1% and will be repaid from operating cash flow.
  • Luca Mining Corp., announced fully subscribed life offering of CAD $8.55M consisting of 19M units at a price of CAD $0.45 per unit and concurrent  non-brokered private placement of up to CAD $1.45M consisting of 3,222,222 units at a price of CAD $0.45 per unit for combined proceeds of CAD $10M. Net proceeds will be used for ongoing work on the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero, commissioning of Tahuehueto mill in Durango, and for general corporate purposes.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., declared that it is increasing its previously announced private placement offering from 11M units at a purchase price of $0.16 for gross proceeds of up to $1.76M to 12.5M units at a price of $0.16 for gross proceeds of $2M. Net proceeds will be used for exploration targeting resource expansion in the San Marcial area of the Plomosas project in Sinaloa.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $0.5M, consisting of up to 1.25M common shares at a price of $0.40 per share. Net proceeds will be used for future marketing activities and general working capital (La Guitarra mine, State of Mexico).
  • Aura Minerals Inc., reported that its subsidiary Aura Almas Mineração SA, held an extraordinary shareholders´ general meeting where they approved the issuance of 500K non-convertible debentures, totaling BRL $500M. These debentures, with a nominal unit value of BRL $1,000 each, will be distributed publicly under automatic registration and will accrue interest based on the interbank deposit rate plus a spread, with a term of six years. The funds raised will be used for cash reinforcement and ordinary management of Almas’s business.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources inc., provided an update on the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North in Jalisco, nearing completion of a definitive feasibility study for Los Ricos South. The definitive feasibility study reworks the mine plan to focus on a 12-year underground mining operation, utilizing a 2,000 tonne per day capacity and the longitudinal sub-level long-hole mining method. This approach minimizes surface disturbance and avoids open pit permit issues. The geological team is also remodeling Los Ricos North for underground mining. An extensive metallurgical test program at SGS Lakefield supports the feasibility study, confirming a conventional whole ore leaching process to produce silver-gold doré bars and copper precipitate. The company is finalizing a power supply agreement with Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) and has secured land rights for the processing mill. Mill design is 90% complete, featuring conventional crushing, grinding, cyanide leaching, and a SART circuit. GoGold is also re-logging drill holes at Los Ricos North to convert the 2023 PEA mine plan into an underground model, with a revised PEA/PFS expected in 2025.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp., received a competitive quote for its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua indicating a cost of approximately USD $1.50 per Oz AuEq for an exploration target of 1.8M Oz Au. Based on the most competitive of the quotes received, an all inclusive cost of USD $272/m drilled. The company plans to focus on defining a shallow Oxide-Mixed resource, with initial drilling phases aimed at confirming the potential of the site. The first phase of drilling in the Carneritos area, consisting of 60 drill holes to depths of approximately 50 m for a total of 3,000 m drilling, would cost as little as USD $816K with a target of 530,688 Oz AuEq, or a cost of USD $1.54 per Oz AuEq, while the second phase of drilling in the Carneritos, Masuparia, and Moreno targets consisting of 102 drill holes for a total of 5,100m, would cost approximately USD $1,387,200, with a target of 380,322 Oz AuEq, or a cost of USD $3.65 per Oz AuEq. This cost-effective drilling strategy positions Mammoth favorably in the precious metals market, highlighting the potential for significant resource definition at a low cost.
  • Fuerte Metals Corporation (former Atacama Copper Corporation) reported results from five holes of a diamond drill program at its Cristina project in Chihuahua (true widths reported). Drilling highlights include holes ACD24-238 with 2.1 g(/t Au, 24 g/t Ag,0.2% Zn, 0.1% Pb, and 0.06% Cu (2.7 g/t AuEq) over 12.5m, including 7 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag,0.1% Zn, 0.05% Pb, and 0.04% Cu (7.3 g/t AuEq) over 2.5m; hole ACD24-240 with 1.6 g/t Au, 118 g/t Ag, 0.6% Zn, 0.3% Pb, and 0.07% Cu (3.8 g/t AuEq) over 4.2m, including 2 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag, 1.7% Zn, 0.5% Pb, and 0.16% Cu (7.5 g/t AuEq) over 1.5m, plus 1 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag, 0.4% Zn, 0.2% Pb, and 0.13% Cu (2 g/t AuEq) over 12m; and hole ACD24-239 with 1.1 g/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.3% Zn, 0.1% Pb, and 0.06% Cu (1.9 g/t AuEq) over 10m, including 5.4 g/t Au, 167 g/t Ag, 1.9% Zn, 0.8% Pb, and 0.12% Cu (9.2 g/t AuEq) over 0.9m. The company has now reported twenty holes totalling 5,411.5m of drilling as part of a 40–50 hole, 21,000m drill program. Assuming positive results, the company intends to commence a Preliminary Economic Assessment of an underground mine at Cristina project.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an update on its Pilar project in Sonora. The company is advancing Pilar project with ongoing surface exploration and preparations for upcoming drilling phases. The company plans to conduct between 1,200m to 2,000m of core drilling and 1,700m to 2,500m of RC drilling by the end of the year, focusing on resource definition in the Main Zone and surrounding areas. A renewed drilling contract has been established for 3,000m to 5,000m of core drilling, complementing a previous 10,000m RC drilling contract. Additionally, planning for a pilot plant to evaluate 50,000 tonnes of material is underway, with permitting expected to be completed by Q4 2024. The company is optimistic about the resource potential at Pilar, supported by extensive surface sampling and positive preliminary results from exploration activities.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2024 for their mines and advanced projects in Mexico. At La Colorada Skarn, Zacatecas, the company reported 265.4M tonnes of 2.8% Zn, 1.4% Pb, and 36 g/t Ag in Indicated Resources for a total of 308.7 M Oz Ag, and 61.7M tonnes of 2.6% Zn, 0.9% Pb, and 30 g/t Ag in Inferred Resources for a total of 58.6M Oz Ag. At La Colorada, Zacatecas, Pan American reported 3.2M tonnes of 305 g/t Ag and 0.2 g/t Au in Proven Reserves for a total of 31.4M Oz Ag and 0.2K Oz Au, and 5.8M tonnes of 296 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au in Probable Reserves for a total of 55.2M Oz Ag and  35.3K Oz Au. It also reported 0.4M tonnes of 231 g/t Ag and 0.11 g/t Au in Measured Resources for a total of 2.7M Oz Ag and 1.2K Oz Au, 2.1M tonnes of 181 g/t Ag and 0.27 g/t Au in Indicated Resources for a total of 12.2M Oz Ag and 18.4K Oz Au, and 12.4M tonnes of 235 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/tAu in Inferred Resources for a total of 93.8M Oz Ag and 74.4K Oz Au. At Dolores, Chihuahua, the company reported 1.2M tonnes of 16 g/t Ag and 0.35 g/t Au in Proven Reserves for a total of 0.6M Oz Ag and 13.3K Oz Au. It also reported 3M tonnes of 30 g/t Ag and 0.41 g/t Au in Measured Resources for a total of 2.9M Oz Ag and 39.4K Oz Au,  0.6M tonnes of 73 g/t Ag and 1.4 g/t Au in Indicated Resources for a total of 1.5M Oz Ag and 28.8K Oz Au, and 0.9M tonnes of 56 g/t Ag and 1.65 g/t Au in Inferred Resources for a total of 1.6M Oz Ag and 45.8K Oz Au. At La Bolsa, Sonora the company reported 10.8M tonnes of 10 g/t Ag and 0.7 g/t Au in Measured Resources for a total of 3.5M Oz Ag and 242.8K Oz Au, 10.6M tonnes of 8 g/t Ag and 0.54 g/t Au in Indicated Resources for a total of 2.7M Oz Ag and 184.3K Oz Au, and 13.7M tonnes of 8 g/t Ag and 0.51 g/t Au in Inferred Resources for a total of 3.3M Oz Ag and 224.6K Oz Au..

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Alamos Gold Inc., announced the appointments of two new members to its Board: its new Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, and Investor Relations and its new Vice President, Business Development, and Investor Relations (Mulatos mine, Sonora). 
  • Prismo Metals Inc., granted a total of 1,275,000 stock options to certain Directors, Officers of the company, and 200,000 stock options to certain Consultants of the company, at an exercise price of $0.025 for a period of 5 years. The company also issued an aggregate of 525,000 restricted share units as well as 275,000 stock appreciation rights to certain Director and Officers (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa).
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp., declared Q3, 2024 dividend in the amount of USD $0.0125 per common share that will be payable on October 15, 2024 to Sailfish shareholders as of the close of business on September 30, 2024 (Gavilanes property, Durango).
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., announced that it has closed the sale of its wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary Minera y Metalurgia Paika, S.A. de C.V. , to an arm’s length party purchaser.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., declared that it has been recognized as a top performer by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) with inclusion in the TSX30. The annual ranking recognizes the 30 top performing stocks based on their dividend-adjusted share price performance over a three-year period. Alamos’ share price increased 134% over the trailing three-year period. (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd., provided an update on the status of its management cease trade order issued by the British Columbia Security Commission on July 30, 2024, due to delays in filing annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2024. The company anticipates completing the required filings by September 27, 2024, and expects interim filings to follow within five business days (La Parrilla mine, Durango).
  • Galore Resources Inc., announced a status report with regards a management cease trade order issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on July 30, 2023. The company announced  delays in filing its annual and first-quarter financial statements due to the time required by new auditors to complete the audit. The company expects to file the year-end financial statements by September 27, 2024, and the first-quarter financial statements by October 2, 2024. There have been no material changes or further anticipated defaults in financial statement filing requirements, and all relevant information has been disclosed (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas).
  • Altius Mineral Corporation reported that its approximately 58% owned subsidiary Altius Renewable Royalties Corporation (ARR) entered into a definitive arrangement agreement  with an affiliate of Northampton Capital Partners, LLC, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of ARR other than those indirectly owned by Altius by way of a statutory plan of arrangement for cash consideration of CAD $12 per share for total consideration of approximately CAD $162M (Cuale project, Jalisco).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

On the picture above, quartz vein in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Hydrothermal Quartz Breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 31st week of the year (July 29th to August 04th 2024), at least 32 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten communicating production and financial results, nine disclosing deals and corporate issues, five announcing financing rounds, five reporting resources and development of their properties, two informing on exploration results, and one commenting on Mexican issues.   ON MEXICO ISSUES, First Majestic and Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of August, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Reyna Gold released the final drill results from its La Gloria project.  In Sinaloa, Prismo announced that a man-portable drill is mobilizing for the upcoming drilling program at its Palos Verdes project.  ON MINING, Gold Resourceannounced that it will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 7 2024 to report Q2, 2024 results (Don David Gold mine, Oaxaca).Capstone announcedQ2, 2024 production results (Cozamin mine, Zacatecas).  First Majestic reported Q2, 2024 consolidated financial results from their Mexican operations. Sierra Madre announced the first silver-gold concentrate shipment from its La Guitarra mine, Mexico. Starcore reported Q3 and year end 2024 results for its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Gatos Silver announced that it will release its Q2, 2024 financial and operating on August 6, 2024 results (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua). Agnico Eagle reported Q2, 2024 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos mine in Chihuahua and La India mine in Sonora.  Alamos Gold presented Q2, 2024 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora. Endeavour reported Q2, 2024 operational and financial results from their Mexican operations. MAG Silver released (on a 100% basis), Q2, 2024 production and final results from its Juanicipio min in Zacatecas.  ON FINANCING, Defiance Silver closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $608,715 (Zacatecas project, Zacatecas). Vizsla closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $4,967,498 (Panuco property, Sinaloa). Southern Silver extended closing of the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $4.5M for a period of 30 days (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango). Vizsla Royalties closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $225K (Panuco project, Sinaloa). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger reported results from its Pre-Feasibility Study drilling program at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Infinitum provided an update on progress at its Adelita project in Sonora. Orogen Royalties and operator First Majestic announced a new significant gold-silver discovery on the Ermitaño mine concession in Sonora, where Orogen holds a 2% net smelter return royalty. Torex provided an update on the development of its Media Luna project in Guerrero.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Candelaria announced changes to its Board of Directors (Pinos project, Zacatecas).  Florida Canyon announced incentive plan grants to certain employees, executive officers, directors, and consultants (El Castillo mine, Durango).  Plata Latina presented voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Naranjillo project, Guanajuato).  Galore Resources announced that the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a management cease trade order that prohibits all trading by the CEO and CFO (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas).  Silver Storm reported that it delayed the filing of its annual financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and related officer certifications for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 (La Parrilla mine, Durango).  Sonoro Gold corrected disclosures related to its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Bear Creek announces that its Board of Directors authorized and approved a grant of 200K to its VP Exploration and Geology (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Santacruz granted stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).  Vizsla Royalties completed a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares (Panuco project, Sinaloa). Golden Minerals declared that the company does not have sufficient resources to meet its expected cash needs over the next twelve months (Velardeña project, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • First Majestic Silver Corp., and Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of August, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., announced that a man-portable drill is mobilizing for the upcoming drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. Drilling is planned to commence on August 5, 2024 and the goal is “trace the down dip extension of the mineralized shoot defined by previous drilling on the southwest portion of the vein, Seek continuation of the vein on the northeast extension of the vein across a cross-fault believed to have offset the vein downward, and test the extreme northeasterly extension of the Palos Verdes vein system near the concession limit adjacent to the historical Jesusita mine”.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., released the final drill results from its La Gloria project in Sonora. Drilling highlights in The Western Target include holes LG-23-58 with 0.29 g/t Au over 39.1m, including 0.99 g/t Au over 4.85m, including 7.16 g/t Au over 0.55m; hole LG-23-59 with 0.26 g/t Au over 14.2m, including 1.82 g/t Au over 0.4m and 1.06 g/t Au over 0.95m; hole LG-23-60 with 0.23 g/t Au over 12.7m, including 1.95 g/t Au over 0.65m, and 1.10 g/t Au over 0.50m, plus 0.92 g/t Au over 3.30m, including 5.16 g/t Au over 0.55m. Drilling highlights in the La Republica Target include holes LG-23-49 with 0.19 g/t Au over 13.7m, including 3.6 g/t Au over 0.5m, plus 0.23 g/t Au over 35.2m, including 0.65 g/t Au over 0.55m, 2.09 g/t Au over 0.50, 1.2 g/t Au over and 2.19 g/t Au over 1m; and hole LG-23-42 with 0.23 g/t Au over 25.35m, including 2.77 g/t Au over 0.60m, and 3.91 g/t Au over 0.5m, plus 72 g/t  Ag, 0.5% Cu and 0.55% Pb over 1.60m

ON MINING

  • Gold Resource Corporation announced that it will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 7 2024 to report Q2, 2024 results (Don David Gold mine, Oaxaca).
  • Capstone Copper Corp., announcedQ2, 2024 production results (Cozamin mine, Zacatecas). The company produced 13.78M Lb Cu at cash cost of USDS $1.74 per Lb Cu produced.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2024 consolidated financial results from their Mexican operations (all numbers expressed in US dollars). The company announced a revenue of $136.2M; a mine operating earnings of $15.5M; operating cash flows before movements in working capital and taxes of $23.8M; consolidated cash cost and AISC of $15.29 and $21.64 per Oz AgEq respectively; and cash and restricted cash balance of $269.7M consisting of $152.2M cash and cash equivalents and $117.5M of restricted cash- First Majestic declared a cash dividend of $0.0046 per common share (Santa Elena mine in Sonora, San Dimas mine in Durango, and  La Encantada mine in Coahuila).
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced the first silver-gold concentrate shipment from its La Guitarra mine, Mexico. The company shipped 90.68 dry metric tonnes (DMT) which contained approximately 3,000 grams of silver and 30 grams gold per DMT. The company has approximately 90 dry metric tonnes of additional concentrate that is expected to ship later this week.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q3 and year end 2024 results for its San Martin mine in Queretaro. In Q3, the company milled 55.9K tonnes of 1.91 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.6% and 56.9% respectively to produce 3K Oz Au and 19.7K Oz Ag (3.2K Oz AuEq) at a operating cash cost of USD $1,411 per Oz AuEq.It also reported revenue of 9.3M; income from mining operations of $2.2M; total assets of $51.98M; and cash in hands of $5.7M. In the full year 2024, Starcore milled 224.3K tonnes of 1.50 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 87% and 50.9% respectively to produce 9.4K Oz Au and 58K Oz Ag (10.1K Oz AuEq) at a operating cash cost of USD $1,686 per Oz AuEq. It also reported revenue of 28.3M; income from mining operations of $2.4M; total assets of $51.98M; and cash in hands of $5.3M.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced that it will release its Q2, 2024 financial and operating on August 6, 2024 results via conference call and webcast (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua).
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q2, 2024 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos mine in Chihuahua and La India mine in Sonora (currency is expressed in US dollars). At Pinos Altos, Chihuahua the company milled 454K tonnes of 1.7 g/t Au to produce 23,754 Oz Au at production cost of $1,815 per Oz Au and total cash cost of $1,414 per Oz Au. Agnico also reported a sustaining capital expenditure of $6.1M; development capital expenditures of $806K; net income of $67.8M; payable metal sold of 25,510 Oz Au; total cash cost co-product of $1,793 per Oz Au, and total cash cost by-product of $1,414 per Oz Au. At La India, Sonora (residual leaching to continue through year-end 2024), the company produced 6,079 Oz Au at production cost of $2,146 per Oz Au and total cash cost of $2,171 per Oz Au. Agnico also reported net income of $16.55M; payable metal sold of 7,020 Oz Au; total cash cost co-product of $2,230 per Oz Au, and total cash cost by-product of $2,172 per Oz Au.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., presented Q2, 2024 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora (currency is expressed in US dollars). The company produced 53,400 Oz Au and sold 56,100 Oz Au to generate cost of sales for $75.2M, at a cost of sale per Oz Au (includes amortization) of $1,340. Total cash cost and mine-site all in sustaining cost per Oz Au sold were $907 and $963 respectively. Alamos Gold also reported revenue of $133.4M; earnings from operations of $54.3M; cash provided by operations activities of $77.7M; and mine-site free cash flow of $69.9M.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2024 operational and financial results from their Guanacevi mine in Durango and Bolañitos mine in Guanajuato (currency expressed in US dollars). At Guanacevi, Durango it mined 112,898 tonnes to produce 1.2M Oz Ag (1.5M Oz AgEq) at cash cost and all in sustaining cost of $17.17 and $24.53 per Oz Ag respectively. At Bolañitos, Guanajuato the company mined 106,092 tonnes to produce 111.3K Oz Ag (621.2M Oz AgEq) at cash cost and all in sustaining cost of $26.67 and $8.15 per Oz Ag respectively. Endeavour also presented consolidated financial results, reporting strong revenue of $ $58.3M from the sale of 1,217,569 Oz Ag and 9,887 Oz Au at average realized prices of $28.94 per Oz Ag and $2,374 per Oz Au; mine operating cash flow before taxes of $18.9M; a loss of $1M; and cash position of $68.1M, and working capital of $64.5M.
  • MAG Silver Corp., released (on a 100% basis), Q2, 2024 production and final results from its Juanicipio min in Zacatecas (currency is expressed in US dollars). The company mined 349,460 tonnes and processed 336,592 tonnes of 498 g/t Ag, 1.2 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 3% Zn (746 g/t AgEq) to produce 4.27M Oz Ag, 7.2K Oz Au, 9.2M Lb Pb, and 15.2M Lb Zn at cash and all in sustaining costs of $8.86 and $11.31 per Oz AgEq sold respectively. MAG reported net income of $21.6M ($0.21 per share); adjusted EBITDA of $50.3M; strong operating cash flow of $92.8M and free cash flow of $88.6M.Juanicipio returned a total of $29.8M in interest and loan principal repayments to MAG further augmenting MAG’s liquidity position to $97.3M million at the end of the quarter.

ON FINANCING

  • Defiance Silver Corp., closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $608,715, with the issuance of 3,043,575 units at a price of CAD $0.20 per unit. The aggregate gross proceeds of the first tranche and final tranche total CAD $3,222,615 representing 16,113,075 Units. The net proceeds of the offering will be used by the company for exploration and general working capital purposes (Zacatecas project, Zacatecas).
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp., closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $4,967,498 by the issuance of 82,791,636 units at a price of CAD $0.06 per share. Net proceeds from the offering are expected to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes (Panuco property, Sinaloa).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. extended closing of the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $4.5M for a period of 30 days. Net proceeds from the private placement will be used for the continued development of the Cerro Las Minitas property, Durango, Mexico and for working capital. “Specifically, the company plans to initiate a program of resource expansion of up to 6000m of drilling in 11 holes to test shallow targets along the north side of the Cerro between the North Felsite and Skarn Front deposits. Drilling will start in early September. Work continues to de-risk the project through the initiation of base-line studies and continued social engagement”.
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp., closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $225K by the issuance of a further 3,750,000 shares at a price of CAD $0.06 per share. The total gross proceeds raised for the offering was CAD $5,192,498, issuing 86,541,636 common shares of the company at CAD $0.06 per share.  Net proceeds from the offering are expected to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes (Panuco project, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported results from its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) drilling program at its El Tigre project in Sonora. The most significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole ET-24-609 with 0.76 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.77 g/t AuEq or 58 g/t AgEq) over 24.2m (Stockwork Zone), plus 0.56 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (0.6 g/t AuEq or 45 g/t AgEq) over 53.8m (stockwork Zone), plus 0.09 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag (1.08 g/t AuEq or 81 g/t AgEq) over 40m (El Tigre Vein Keel), including 0.12 g/t Au and 135 g/t Ag (1.92 g/t AuEq or 144 g/t AgEq) over 17.3m, plus 0.17 g/t Au and 142 g/t Ag (2.07 g/t AuEq or 155 g/t AgEq) over 50.7m (Seitz Kelly Vein Keel), including 0.2 g/t Au and 319 g/t Ag (4.46 g/t AuEq or 334 g/t AgEq) over 14.3m. To date, 138 holes for the PFS have been drilled at El Tigre and results are highlighting the expansion of stockwork mineralization in the Keel Zone, now projecting mineralization 100 metres below the PEA designed pit. “On May 20th, Silver Tiger has completed PFS Drilling, totalling 24,550 metres focused on expanding the Mineral Resource, upgrading the classification, completing metallurgical test work and geotechnical studies as it progresses from an exploration to a development project. The value-added PFS progress is on schedule for publication in H2-2024”.
  • Infinitum Copper Corp., provided an update on progress at its Adelita project in Sonora. The company mobilized equipment to provide access to the Cerro Grande adit to drive a 100m long, 3m wide x 3 m access tunnel to the mineralized body.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., and operator First Majestic Silver Corp., announced a new significant gold-silver discovery (Navidad Vein) on the Ermitaño mine concessions in Sonora, where Orogen holds a 2% net smelter return royalty. Highlight drill holes include holes EW-24-364 with 8.15 g/t Au and 427 g/t Ag over 4.78m; hole EW-24-370 with 10.13 g/t Au and 86 g/t Ag over 4.42m and 5.65 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag over 5.75m in the hanging wall vein; and hole EW-24-368 with 54.93 g/t Au and 399 g/t Ag over 1.82m.  “The Navidad vein system, that includes a hanging wall vein, has an apparent strike continuity of 750m and dip continuity of 250m. Vein thickness for both areas range from 1.5m to 6.0m. The zone is open in all directions”.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., provided an update on the development of its Media Luna project in Guerrero.  As of June 30, 2024, the Media Luna Project by Torex Gold is 78% complete and on schedule, with first copper concentrate production expected by the end of 2024 and commercial production anticipated in Q1, 2025. Remaining expenditures of the project’s budget have been reviewed and finalized at USD $950M, reflecting a USD $75M increase due to the stronger Mexican peso. Given the project capital increase, the Media Luna capital expenditures guidance for 2024 will be adjusted and the range narrowed to $430 – $450M, from $350 – $400M.Key construction activities include the installation of a mine-wide pumping system, progress in surface construction, and ongoing recruitment and training for operational readiness. Overall, the project is advancing steadily towards its goals.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Candelaria Mining Corp., announced changes to its Board of Directors (Pinos project, Zacatecas).
  • Florida Canyon Gold Inc., announced incentive plan grants to certain employees, executive officers, directors, and consultants. The company granted an aggregate of 1,980,833 restricted share units and 498,659 deferred share units (El Castillo mine, Durango).
  • Plata Latina Minerals Corporation presented voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Naranjillo project, Guanajuato).
  • Galore Resources Inc., announced that the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a management cease trade order (MCTO) that prohibits, effective immediately, all trading of the securities of the company by the CEO and CFO. The MCTO is being issued with respect to the Company’s delay in meeting the deadline for filing its annual financial statements, Management Discussion and Analysis and related CEO / CFO certifications due July 29, 2024 (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd., reported that it delayed the filing of its annual financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and related officer certifications for the financial year ended March 31, 2024. The Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (La Parrilla mine, Durango).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., corrected disclosures contained in corporate presentations posted on the Company’s website and emails distributed to an investor relations contact list, related to its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announces that its Board of Directors authorized and approved a grant of 200K to its VP Exploration and Geology at the strike price of CAD $0.325 per share (Mercedes mine, Sonora).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., granted 675K deferred share units, 850K restricted share units, 2.5M performance share units and 2.47M stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp., completed a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of one new common share for every existing ten common shares. The consolidation was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on July 31, 2024 (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
  • Golden Minerals Company declared that the company does not have sufficient resources to meet its expected cash needs over the next twelve months. The company is facing financial challenges, with approximately USD $1.4M in cash and USD $4.8M in liabilities as of June 30, 2024. The company has ceased mining operations at the Velardeña mine and is exploring options to secure funding, including the sale of assets, such as the Velardeña and Yoquivo properties in Mexico, and the El Quevar project in Argentina. Golden Minerals has entered into agreements to sell certain assets for USD $5.5M but are experiencing delays in receiving full payments. Without additional cash inflows, the company anticipates exhausting its resources by September 2024, which could lead to a cessation of operations and potential liquidation.

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 hydrothermal quartz breccia in an epithermal vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 28th week of the year (July 8th to July 14th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 25 press releases. One company informed on exploration advances on its property and nine companies provided operational results for Q2 2024. One company increased the size of a previous offering, one more was notified of its lack of compliance by the NYSE and one more established an at the market equity distribution program. Four companies released drilling results from their advanced properties, and one more completed a drilling program. Three companies announced management appointments, two the authorization for their merger and one provided information on payments to governments. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico fell spectacularly on the Fraser’s ranking of mining competitiveness. Camimex pointed that exploration by the SGM just won’t work. Arcelor Mittal’s workers continue their illegal strike. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Chesapeake Gold released drilling results on Lucy. ON MINING, Fortuna Mining, Endeavour Silver, Aura Minerals, Torex Gold, Gatos Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Orla Mining, GoGold Resources and Sierra Metals reported production results for Q2 2024. ON FINANCING, Golden Minerals announced it’s been notified by the NYSE American of its lack of compliance on three listing standards. Southern Silver Exploration increased its private placement to C$4.5 M. Kootenay Silver established an equity distribution program. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Atacama Copper reported drilling results from Cristina. Silver Tiger Metals released results from PFS drilling at El Tigre. Vizsla Silver reported results from holes on the Copala resource area at its Panuco project. GoGold Resources updated on the FS for Los Ricos South. Xali Gold announced the completion of a drill program at El Oro Tailings. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bear Creek Mining, Luca Mining and Barksdale Resources announced appointments to the board. Argonaut Gold and Alamos Gold received clearance from authorities to complete their proposed arrangement. Fresnillo plc paid US$297.5 M dollars to Mexico during 2023 in taxes, royalties and concessions fees. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mexico fell 37 positions on the Fraser Institute index of mining competitiveness from 2022 to 2023, reflecting the difficulty to do business imposed in the new Mining Law.
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) indicated that mining exploration by the government as stated by the new mining law is just not viable. According to the new mining law, the only player able to do exploration before an auction of mining concessions is the SGM (Servicio Geológico Mexicano), and that in 2022 the SGM had a budget of just US$2.4 million dollars, compared with the annual average in the last 12 years of US$633 million dollars invested by private mining companies.
  • Workers of Arcelor Mittal rejected a proposal by the company to end the more than a month and a half old illegal strike. The proposed agreement included more than US2,000 dollars per worker and 75% of the salaries not received during the strike, as well as an audit on the profits of the company for 2022 and 2023, to assess the correct application of the profit-sharing scheme in the law.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. released results from the phase 2 drill program at Lucy, in Sinaloa. In total 939 m were drilled in 12 holes along the known mineralized corridor, 101 additional surface soil and rock samples were collected along the projection of the trend and 63 line-km of ground magnetics covering the entire property completed. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 24 m @ 1.43 gpt Au (including 9 m @ 2.29 gpt Au); 6 m @ 1.95 gpt Au; 6 m @ 5.21 gpt Au; 6 m @ 1.90 gpt Au; 20.5 m @ 1.75 gpt Au (including 12 m @ 2.82 gpt Au. The gold mineralized zone has been extended from 500 to 700 m of length, and the corridor remains open on strike and at depth. “… this expanded corridor continues to display retrograde quartz-calcite, iron oxides, sulphide veinlets and stockwork hosted within garnet and pyroxene skarn and hornfels with zones altered to actinolite and other silicates.”

ON MINING

  • Fortuna Mining Corp. reported production results for the second quarter of 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San Jose, in Oaxaca, 176.2 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,980 tpd, grading 140 gpt Ag, 1.09 gpt Au, recovering 85.6% Ag, 85.5% Au, to produce 684.2 K Oz Ag, 5,269 Oz Au. “Management is currently evaluating its options of maintaining operations at the mine or putting the mine on care and maintenance, as Mineral Reserves are scheduled to be exhausted by year end.”
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported second quarter 2024 production of 1.31 M Oz Ag, 10,549 Oz Au (or 2.2 M Oz AgEq).  At Guanaceví in Durango, 112.9 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,241 tpd, grading 364 gpt Ag, 1.29 gpt Au, recovering 90.4% Ag, 90.4% Au, to produce 1.19 M Oz Ag, 4,243 Oz Au. At Bolañitos in Guanajuato, 106.1 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,166 tpd, grading 41 gpt Ag, 2.06 gpt Au, recovering 83.4% Ag, 89.6% Au, to recover 116.9 K Oz Ag, 6,306 Oz Au. “Local third-party feed continued to supplement Guanaceví mine production, totaling 15% of quarterly throughput. With current prices, management expects local third-party feed to remain above 10% of throughput going forward.”
  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced preliminary production results for Q2 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Aranzazu, in Zacatecas, production was 6,175 Oz Au, 120.4 K Oz Ag, 8.93 M Lb Cu (or 24,692 Oz AuEq).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2024 production at its Limón-Guajes mine in Guerrero. A total of 17.8 K tpd of ore were mined from open pits, 77.4 K tpd of waste were moved at a strip ratio of 4.3 and 2,145 tpd were mined from underground. Total plant throughput was 13,214 tpd, averaging 3.34 gpt Au, with a recovery of 90.5% Au, to produce 113,822 Oz Au in the period. “… the level of waste mined is expected to decline further through the balance of the year as the pits reach the end of their mine life mid-2025….”
  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced production results for the second quarter 2024. During the period 294.9 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 3,240 tpd, grading 0.29 gpt Au, 273 gpt Ag, 2.06% Pb, 4.55% Zn, recovering 48.8% Au, 88.9% Ag, 89.5% Pb, 64.6% Zn to produce 1,360 Oz Au, 2.30 M Oz Ag, 12.0 M Lb Pb, 19.1 M Lb Zn.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. provided interim operational results for the second quarter of 2024. During the period 100 K tonnes were mined, 110.6 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,216 tpd, averaging 4.36 gpt Au, 418 gpt Ag (or 765 gpt AgEq), recovering 98.6% Au, 98.3% Ag, to produce 15,303 Oz Au, 1.46 M Oz Ag (or 2.68 M Oz AgEq).
  • Orla Mining Ltd. released an interim operational update for the second quarter 2024. At the Camino Rojo Oxide mine 1.9 M tonnes were mined, 2.05 M tonnes of waste moved with a strip ratio of 1.08 and 1.93 M tonnes were stacked averaging 0.87 gpt Au to produce 33,206 Oz Au. At the end of the period Orla had cash of US$154.3 M and total debt of US$78.4 M, resulting in a net cash position of US$75.9 M.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported production for the quarter. At the Parral Tailing project, 2,436 Oz Au, 138.7 K Oz Ag, 148 tonnes Cu, 125 tonnes Zn were produced during the period ending June 30, 2024.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported second quarter 2024 production results. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 378.9 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 4,273 tpd, grading 0.38 gpt Au, 19.5 gpt Ag, 0.83% Cu, recovering 65.4% Au, 80.6% Ag, 89.8% Cu, to produce 3,005 Oz Au, 190 K Oz Ag, 6.15 M Lb Cu.

ON FINANCING

  • Golden Minerals Co. announced that the company has been notified by the NYSE American LLC that it was not in compliance with three of the continued listing standards. “The notification from the NYSE American has no immediate effect on the Company’s common stock or its business operations. The Company’s common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “AUMN” while it regains compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide, subject to the Company’s compliance with other continued listing requirements” (Yoquivo, Chihuahua).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. announced the increase of the previously announced $3.3 M private placement to $4.5 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. established an “at the market” equity distribution program, which will allow Kootenay to issue and sell to the public from time to time, at its discretion, common shares in the capital of Kootenay on the amount of up to C$5 M (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Atacama Copper Corp. reported results from five holes of a 10,000 m drilling program at Cristina, in Chihuahua. Fifteen holes totalling 4,467 m of drilling of a 40-to-50-hole program have been reported. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 20.50 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn (including 1.20 m @ 22.30 gpt Au, 184 gpt Ag, 1.42% Cu, 0.8% Pb, 0.9% Zn); 14.00 m @ 0.96 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn (including 2.90 m @ 2.78 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 0.98% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 0.3% Zn); 20.00 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb; 0.6% Zn; 9.00 m @ 0.70 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 5.80 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn. The goal of the program is to increase the size and the grade of the resource and demonstrate the underground potential at Cristina.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released results from the pre-feasibility study drilling program on El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 18.20 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 5.80 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 328 gpt Ag (including 1.80 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 1,041 gpt Ag); 56.80 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 55 gpt Ag; 11.00 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 128 gpt Ag; 72.00 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 59.00 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 11.00 m @ 1.18 gpt Au, 87 gpt Ag; 45.00 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag. Silver Tiger aims to release a new mineral resource estimate by September 2024. This drilling program has extended mineralization “by 10 to 15%, to the footwall and hanging wall zones, as well as the higher-grade ‘Keel’ at PEA pit bottom associated with the El Tigre and SK Veins”, and converted a significant portion of inferred resources to the indicated category.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from six holes targeting the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. “The reported drilling, designed to infill near-surface Indicated Mineral Resources, continues to confirm high-grade continuity throughout Copala including new high-grade intercepts on the Copala 3 hanging-wall vein splay.” Highlighted true width intervals comprise 7.80 m @ 4.40 gpt Au, 788 gpt Ag (including 0.86 m @ 25.30 gpt Au, 5,010 gpt Ag); 5.25 m @ 6.58 gpt Au, 547 gpt Ag; 3.50 m @ 7.83 gpt Au, 1,617 gpt Ag; 2.68 m @ 7.47 gpt Au, 1,831 gpt Ag; 7.00 m @ 9.51 gpt Au, 1,898 gpt Ag (including 1.29 m @ 18.95 gpt Au, 3,430 gpt Ag).
  • GoGold Resources Inc. is advancing the definitive feasibility study at Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. The study to be released in September focus “… towards a larger underground mine with a much smaller open pit. We have applied for an underground permit as in our view this will be more likely to be obtained on a timely basis. We see the project having more than 10 years of underground mine life, followed by a smaller open pit than originally planned in our preliminary economic assessment. The need for an open pit permit at Los Ricos South has been effectively pushed into the future more than a decade from now.”
  • Xali Gold Corp. announced that the drilling program for metallurgical test work on the T Tailings project at El Oro, in Estado de Mexico, has been completed. The program was expanded from the 20 holes planned to 34 holes, averaging 20 m in depth. In a technical report from 2014, the tailings have an inferred resource of 1.27 M tonnes averaging 2.94 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, containing 119,900 Oz Au, 3.06 M Oz Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Donald Mc Iver as Vice President Exploration and Geology. The company drew US$1.12 M from the Sandstorm Gold Ltd. Promissory Note. “As of the date of this news release, an aggregate of US$1,875,000 has been drawn down under the Additional Credit for a total principal amount of US$20,892,612.35 outstanding under the Sandstorm Promissory Note. A remaining amount of US$750,000 may be drawn down under the Additional Credit in monthly installments of up to US$375,000 until August 2024” (Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Dan Barnholden as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15, 2024. “Ramon Perez, who has served as interim CEO for the past 4 months, will return to his role as President and will work closely with Dan to optimize operations at Campo Morado and achieve commercial production at Tahuehueto.” (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. received the clearance decision from COFECE (Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica) and the final order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on the pending arrangement transaction between Argonaut and Alamos Gold Inc.  Under the arrangement Alamos will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Argonaut (La Colorada, Sonora).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Alan Roberts as VicePresident Exploration (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Fresnillo plc. provided an overview of the payments to governments made by Fresnillo plc in 2023. In Mexico the company paid US$255.6 M in taxes, US$0.62 M in royalties and US$41.3 M in licenses and concessions fees (Fresnillo, Saucito and Juanicipio, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced the 4th annual sustainability report with its achievements in advancing safety, responsibility, sustainability and innovation.

On the image below: Oxidized shear zone on intrusive rocks in a Sonoran Desert project, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.