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

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Magnetite-rich Fe skarn manto

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 14th week of the year (April 05th to April 11th, 2021), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 4 news published by the media, with nine informing on exploration results, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven announcing financial issues, six reporting on resources and development, six communicating production and financial results, two discussing social issues, and one commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) declared that it pays taxes and reiterated its attachment to the government mechanisms that drive Mexico’s socio-economic development (San Jose mine, Oaxaca). ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California, One World Lithium announced that a drill crew will be mobilizing to its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, to drill a third diamond drill hole. In Sonora, Colibri informed that it will commence a 3D IP survey at its Evelyn project, Heliostar released first pass sampling and mapping results from its Cumaro project, Ridgestone announced encouraging results from geophysical surveys and follow-up work on its Rebeico project, and Silver Tiger reported drill results in the Benjamin vein zone at its El Tigre project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla provided results from eighteen holes collared along the Napoleon Vein corridor at its Panuco project. In Zacatecas, Alien reported sampling results from dumps/floats at its San Celso property, and Zacatecas Silver completed geological and structural mapping at its El Cristo project.  In San Luis Potosi, Advance Gold started a drilling program at its Saldivar lithium salar project. ON MINING, Endeavor reported Q1, 2021 production results from its Mexican mine operations. GoGold presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. Magna Gold reported year end 2020 financial results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora, and provided production guidance for 2021. Mexus Gold announced its plans to blast at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Telson reported Q1, 2021 production results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Torex presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero.  ON  FINANCING, Aura Minerals announced a clarification of its payments of dividends (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas). Canuc granted 6M incentive stock options to officers, directors, employees, and consultants (San Javier project, Sonora). Capitan Mining announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $3.2M (Peñoles property, Durango). GR Silver entered into a bought deal private placement financing agreement for gross proceeds of $ 8M (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Santacruz announced a private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $14.1M (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo). Silver Spruce granted 759K stock options to its CEO (El Mezquite project, Sonora).  Tarachi Gold commenced to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol “TRGGF” (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almadex announced its intention to drill at least three of its Mexican mining properties in 2021, and discussed plans for El Cobre and Ixtaca properties located in Veracruz and Puebla respectively. Consolidated Zinc reported that mill and flotation circuits commissioning commenced over Easter at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Prime released drill results from el Zapote South, Noche Buena, and San Miguel East deposits at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Sonoro reported results from 12 RC holes drilled at its flagship property Cerro Caliche in Sonora. VanGold filed a PEA for combined El Pinguico-El Cubo projects in Guanajuato. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals announced name change to Discovery Silver (Cordero project, Chihuahua).  Equinox completed the acquisition of Premier Gold and the spin out of i-80 Gold Corp. (Los Filos mine, Guerrero and Mercedes mine, Sonora). Gatos Silver appointed Rodrigo Monroy as General Counsel effective April 1st, 2021 (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). Minaurum engaged Digital Marketing Firm and granted 3,825,000 common share stock options to Directors, Officers and Consultants (Alamo Silver project, Sonora). Minera Autlán announced the appointment of Pedro Rivero González as its General Management of the company as of April 5, 2021 (Molango mine, Hidalgo). Santacruz announced that the acquisition of the Zimapan assets is now expected to close on or before April 16, 2021. Tarachi Gold appointed a new member to its Board of Directors and announced the change of Auditor (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango). Torex announced that it received a key environmental permit for its Media Luna project in Guerrero.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Arcelor Mittal delivered a donation of MXP $140K to the Red Cross Delegation of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacan. Fresnillo plc., supported workshop members of the El Obligado Community in Fresnillo, Zacatecas who make face masks for the population of nearby communities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.) declared that it has complied in due time and form with more than MXP $600M for the total federal taxes caused, corresponding to the 2020 annual fiscal year. The payment from an effective tax rate to the mining sector of 45%is one more sample strict adherence to legality and government mechanisms that promote the socio-economic development of the country (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., announced that a drill crew will be mobilizing to its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, to drill a third diamond drill hole. DDH-3 will be located approximately 50Km to the south of DDH-2.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation, informed that it will commence a 3D IP survey at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The 3D IP survey will be focused on the Sahuaro and Cerro Rojo targets and will cover an area of approximately 6 square km. The Company is planning a drill program to test currently defined mineralized trends and structures, to evaluate the emerging geological and structural model for the property, and to test results of the IP survey.
  • Heliostar Metals Limited released first pass sampling and mapping results from its Cumaro project in northern Sonora. Heliostar identified a silicified structure with pyrite and returned 1m channel sample grading 390 g/t Ag, and remains open to expand. Additionally, eleven channel and rock samples returned values >1 g/t Ag in a coherent anomaly that cover an area of 500m by 600m, being this area the extension of the Dos Amigos vein into the eastern block. This mineralization indicates a robust silver endowment and shows the potential for high grades in the eastern block of the El Picacho district.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., announced encouraging results from geophysical surveys and follow-up work on its Rebeico project. The IP survey outlined a strong IP high chargeability anomaly of 1,400m north-south and 800m east-west at the south portion of the Alaska vein, at depths of 250 to 300 metres below surface, progressively increasing in width and intensity toward the south.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported drill results in the Benjamin vein zone at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Significant drill intersects were encountered in hole ET-21-204 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 0.08% Cu, 3% Pb, and 8.5% Zn (519 g/t AgEq) over 14.2m, including 273 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au. 0.18% Cu, 5.5% Pb, and 17 % Zn (1,013 g/t AgEq) over 5.6m; hole ET-21-206 with 181 g/t Ag, 0.07 g/t Au, 0.05% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (267 g/t AgEq) over 12.3m, including 1,034 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au, 0.29% Cu, 2.7% Pb, and 8.8% Zn (1,443 g/t AgEq) over 2m; and hole ET-20-199 with 222 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.09% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (305 g/t AgEq) over 7.7m, including 699 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 2% Pb, and 7% Zn (1,016 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided results from eighteen holed collared along the Napoleon Vein corridor at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The company estimated from 54 drill holes, an average vein true width of 4m, a weighted average grade of 155 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (441 g/t AgEq), and mineralization extends over 300m in length, 300m  deep, and remains open north, south, and at depth. The best drill intercept was encountered in hole NP-21-80 with 469 g/t Ag, 5.84 g7t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (1, 027 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.61m, including 1, 321 g/t Ag, 15.1 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.6% Zn (2, 740 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.51m.
  • Alien Metals ltd., reported encouraging dump/floats sampling results from its New Andromeda concession adjacent to its San Celso property in Zacatecas. Highlights include 734 g/t Ag, 0.44 g/t Au and 0.6% Zn; 163 g/t Ag, 0.42 g/t Au and 1.9% Zn; 488 g/t Ag; 270 g/t Ag; and 180 g/t Ag and 0.13% Zn. “The samples are all composed of quartz and carbonate dominant vein material with varying amounts of sulphides, hence they are very similar to the mineralization seen in the San Celso vein systems to the north”.  
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., completed geological and structural mapping at its El Cristo project located immediately to the northwest of the Veta Grande deposit. The Veta Grande vein has reported historical production of over 200 M Oz Ag in the region. The geological and structural mapping identified at least eight veins to date which are associated with a sigmoidal zone of extension that is at least 800 m wide, over a strike length of at least 4 km extending the previous reported strike length of 2.5 to 3.0km. Zacatecas Silver has commenced an extensive soil sampling program to assist with location of veins beneath cover of thin soils. “The cumulative strike length of all veins at El Cristo is at least 12 km long. El Cristo an extremely prospective system with numerous high value targets at vein intersections, splays and flexures. Veins display multiphase and brecciated textures, indicative of multiple mineralizing events. Zacatecas Silver is planning an aggressive rock-chip and channel sampling program to better define the silver-base metal grade distribution of the outcropping veins, to ensure that the highest value targets are drill tested”.
  • Advance Gold Corp., started a drilling program at its Saldivar lithium salar project in San Luis Potosi to test near surface lithium grade distribution of the salar for bulk sampling preparation. The drilling program will be carried out on a grid basis using 100m spacing with holes drilled down to 50m. The company also plans to drill deeper in one of the holes to test the depth to bedrock.

ON MINING

  • Endeavor Silver Corp., reported production results from its Mexican mine operations. The table below shows figures for Q1, 2021 by mine:
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. GoGold produced 302.9K Oz Ag, 3,208 Oz Au, and 192.6K Lb Cu (551.2K Oz AgEq), generating free cash flows exceeding USD $5.5Mthis quarter.
  • Magna Gold Corp., reported year end 2020 financial results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora. The company sold 20,235 Oz Au and 9,188 Oz Ag. Magna reported metal revenues of USD $37M, net cash flow provided by operating activities of USD $9.4M, net cash provided by financial activities of USD $9.4M, and income from mining operations of USD $1.9M. “The Company is setting guidance expectations for gold production during 2021 of between 55K to 65K Oz Au. The Company expects to have the San Francisco Mine fully commissioned before the end of Q2 2021”.
  • Mexus Gold US announced its plans to blast at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The blasts will produce 10K tonnes of 2.2 g/t Au, and Mexus expects to be producing gold from this material within 30 days of the blast.
  • Telson Mining Corporation reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Telson milled 174.4 K tonnes of 1.1 g/t Au, 116 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 3.9% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 21%, 41%, 27%, and 74% respectively. To produce 11 tons of Zn concentrate and 1.9 tonnes of Pb concentrate. The company reported revenues of $10.04M from Zn concentrates and $1.9M from Pb concentrate for total revenues of $11.9M.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., presented Q1, 2021 production results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero.  The company produced 129K Oz Au from an average underground ore mined of 1, 360 tonnes per day and an average open pit ore mined of 15,090 tonnes per day, and an average plant throughput of 12,340 tonnes per day. Torex provided full year production guidance for 2021 of 430K to 470K Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Aura Minerals Inc., announced a clarification with respect to its payments of a dividend of USD $0.38 per common share, as previously announced by the company on March 15, 2021 (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas).
  • Canuc Resource Corporation, granted 6M incentive stock options to officers, directors, employees, and consultants. 3.5 M of these options will vest immediately. The remaining 2.5 M options will vest 12 months from April 2nd, 2022. The stock options have an exercise price of $0.35 and a three-year term, expiring on April 2nd, 2024 (San Javier project, Sonora).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., announced a non-brokered private placement for net proceeds of CAD $3.2M from 16M common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share. Capitan Mining plans to use the net proceeds to advance drilling and work programs at Peñoles property in Durango, as well as for working capital and general corporate expenses.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., entered into a bought deal private placement financing agreement for gross proceeds of $ 8M at a price of $0.59 per unit. Net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). 
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced a private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $14.1M (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., granted 750K stock options to its CEO at an exercise price of $0.05 per share and an expiry date of April1, 2026. The stock options will vest 1/3 on the date of the grant, 1/3 on the first anniversary of the grant and the final 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant (El Mezquite project, Sonora).   
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., commenced to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol “TRGGF” (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., announced its intention to drill at least three of its Mexican mining properties in 2021, and discussed plans for El Cobre and Ixtaca properties located in Veracruz and Puebla respectively. At El Cobre, Veracruz, Almadex previously reported  an indicated resource containing 748K Oz Au and 221M Lb Cu (47.2 M tonnes grading 0.49 g/t Au, 0.21% Cu and 1.4  g/t Ag) and an inferred resource containing 860K Oz Au and 254 M Lb Cu (64.2M tonnes grading 0.42 g/t Au, 0.18% Cu and 1.3 g/t Ag).  Almadex looks forward to further developments at this high potential project. At Ixtaca, Puebla, a FS reported a proven and probable reserve containing 1.38M Oz Au and 85.1M Oz Ag (73.1M tonnes grading 0.59 g/t Au and 36.3 g/t Ag). The Ixtaca project is currently in the mine permitting phase, which has taken longer than expected. Almaden has recently noted the exploration potential remaining at the Ixtaca project and the Company looks forward to the results of the Ixtaca exploration programs over the course of 2021.
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, reported that mill and flotation circuits commissioning commenced over Easter at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. It also announced that the tailings dam earthworks is completed, laying of the impervious liner is 70% complete, and the power supply installed, commissioned, and operated.  
  • Prime Mining Corp., released drill results from el Zapote South, Noche Buena, and San Miguel East deposits from its ongoing 15,000m phase 1 drill program at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. At El Zapote South deposit, significant mineralized drill intercepts have been encountered at hole 21ZAP-04 with 8.95 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag over 4.5m; hole 21ZAP-03 with 0.76 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag over 13m, including 1.66 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag over 4.6m; and hole 21ZAP-08 with 1.96 g/t Au and 63 g/t Ag over 18.7m, including 2.44 g/t Au and 85 g/t Ag over 7.2m. At Noche Buena deposit, hole 21NB-02 encountered 3.17 g/t Au and 141 g/t Ag over 2.9m within a broader zone of 39m with 0.7 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag; and hole 21NB-03 with 1.12 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over 6m. At San Miguel deposit, hole 2SME-01 intersected 1 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag over 4.5m. Zapote-South, Noche Buena and San Miguel East deposits are three of eight known deposits that comprise the current mineral resource at Los Reyes property.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., reported results from 12 RC holes drilled at its flagship property Cerro Caliche in Sonora. Highlights include hole SCR-223 in the north western extension of Buena Suerte zone with 0.6 g/t Au over 74.67m, including three intervals of 1.52m with 3.67 g/t Au; hole SCR-222 in the Buena Vista northwest extension of Japoneses zone with 2.04 g/t Au over 15.24m, including 3.15 g/t Au over 6.1m; hole SCR-227 in the northern extension of Japoneses zone with 1.74 g/t Au over 3.05m, including 2.54 g/t Au over 1.53m; and hole SCR-225 at El Colorado zone with 1.16 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 2.31 g/t Au over 3.05m.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., filed a PEA for combined El Pinguico-El Cubo projects in Guanajuato. Results of the PEA analysis were previously announced in the Company’s news release dated February 16, 2021. The company also announced that it obtained permits for El Pinguico road expansion. New route will lessen impact on the Calderones Community. “This road will become El Pinguico’s major thoroughfare for production, exploration, administration, and for safely purposes. The Company anticipates it will reduce driving time between the destinations from 40 minutes to 10 minutes, significantly reducing costs and wear on vehicles”. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Discovery Metals Corp., announced name change to Discovery Silver Corp. The company´s common shares will commence trading under the TSX Venture Exchange under its current ticker symbol “DSV” and on the OTCQX where its ticker symbol will change from “DSVMF” to “DSVSF” from April 14, 2021, pending final regulatory approvals from the TSXV and FINRA (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., completed the acquisition of Premier Gold Mines Limited and the spin out of i-80 Gold Corp. (Los Filos mine, Guerrero and Mercedes mine, Sonora).
  • Gatos Silver Inc., appointed Rodrigo Monroy as General Counsel effective April 1st, 2021, and strengthens its executive management team (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., engaged Digital Marketing Firm to assist with online communication to the company, with the goal of increasing market awareness. Minaurum will pay to the Digital Marketing Firm a fee of CAD $64K for six months. The company also granted 3,825,000 common share stock options to Directors, Officers and Consultants. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.52 from a period of ten years from issue date (Alamo Silver project, Sonora).
  • Compañía Minera Autlán, S.A.B. de C.V., reported that, with the prior favorable opinion of the Corporate Practices Committee and approval of its Board of Directors, in a session of February 24, 2021, it was resolved that Pedro Rivero González will assume the General Management of the company as of April 5, 2021 (Molango mine, Hidalgo).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced that the acquisition of the Zimapan assets, together with the USD $17.6 M loan facility from Trafigura Mexico, S.A. de C.V., are now expected to close on or before April 16, 2021.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors and announced the change of Auditor (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced that it received from Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (“SEMARNAT”) the MIA, a key environmental permit for its Media Luna project in Guerrero. The MIA allows Torex to execute construction activities to access its Media Luna deposit in Guerrero.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Arcelor Mittal México SA de CV, delivered a donation of MXP $140K in the framework of its 2021 annual collection to the Red Cross Delegation of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacán. ”Arcelor Mittal has made annual donations without interruption. since 2008 to the delegational Red Cross, in addition to collaborating with the worthy institution in different ways: through donations in its annual collections, in kind when necessary, such as the provision of equipment and various supplies, the delivery of an ambulance in 2016 and the repair of three ambulances last year, in addition to the support with facilities for their training”.
  • Fresnillo plc., supported workshop members of the El Obligado Community in Fresnillo, Zacatecas who make face masks for the population of nearby communities. The workshop workers are also suppliers of face masks for the Directorate of Engineering and Construction Department of Industrias Peñoles (DIC). To date, they have sold around 3,000 masks, the same that meet the specifications dictated by the World Health Organization.

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 magnetite-rich Fe skarn manto in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of March, 2021.

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Orogenic Gold Vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the twelfth week of the year (March 22th to March 28th, 2021), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 4 news published by the media, with seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven reporting on resources and development, five announcing financial rounds, five informing on exploration resources, three commenting on Mexican issues, two discussing social issues, and one communicating production and financial results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Americas Gold and Silver announced that its Cosala mine in Sinaloa continue on care and maintenance after a group of individuals blocked illegally their operation since last February 2020. The head of the Tax Administration Service (SAT), Raquel Buenrostro, declared that Mining companies pay only 0.0002% of their income in taxes, however, Fernando Alanís, president of the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex), stated that mining in Mexico has higher taxes than those of its direct competitors. Mexico’s rich mining industry has been the basis for the success of the automotive industry for more than 500 years. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Tiger reported results from two holes collared at its El Tigre project. In Chihuahua, Radius completed the phase four drilling at its Amalia project.  In Sinaloa, Kootenay commenced a 3,500m core drilling program at its Copalito project, and Brigadier reported that it has rehabilitated, mapped and sampled over 29 newly discovered historic mine workings in the central part of its Picachos project. In Durango, Mithril provided an update on the exploration activities carried out at its Copalquin property. ON MINING, Impact Silver reported the 2020 full year production and financial results from its Zacualpan mine in the State of Mexico. ON  FINANCING, Empress closed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of CAD $15.75M, and also closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $650K (Pinos project, Zacatecas). Fabled commenced to trade on the OTCQB Venture Marketplace under the symbol “FBSGF” (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Gold Resource declared March 2021 monthly dividend (Arista mine, Oaxaca). Silver Spruce granted 250K stock options to a consultant of the company with an exercise price of $0.06 per share (El Mezquite project, Sonora). VanGold granted stock options to officers and directors of the company (El Pinguico property, Guanajuato).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Fabled release assay results of hole SM 20-06 from its ongoing 8,000m drilling program on its Santa Maria project at Chihuahua. Golden Minerals announced expansion drilling at its Rodeo project in Durango. GR Silver released assay results from the current core drilling program from its Plomosas property in Sinaloa. Orla provided an update on the construction of its Camino Rojo mine operation in Zacatecas. Sonoro reported results from 20 RC holes drilled at its flagship property Cerro Caliche in Sonora. Torex announced results from the 2020 infill drilling program at its Media Luna property in Guerrero. Zacatecas Silver reported results from the re-sampling of drill core from its Panuco property in Zacatecas.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Agnico announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Pinos Alton mine, Chihuahua). Chesapeake announced the resignation of its Director (Metates property, Durango). GoGold presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Ricos project, Jalisco). Inomin completed the 100% acquisition of the La Gitana and the Peña Blanca properties in Oaxaca from Gunpoint. Orogen appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (El Ermitaño, Sonora). Telson engaged RB Milestone Group LLC to provide corporate communications advisory, non-deal roadshow advisory, market intelligence advisory, and business referrals to the management team of the company (Tahuehueto project, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AIMMGM Sonora District Ladies Committee recycles to help children with cancer. Peñasquito mine (Newmont) awarded scholarships to students of the Ignacio López Rayón elementary school.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced that its Cosala mine in Sinaloa continue on care and maintenance after a group of individuals including a small minority of the company´s hourly workforce blocked illegally the operation since last February 2020. Americas has participated in a number of meetings and discussions with senior members of the Mexican federal government to regain access to the operations but the last comments made by the Mexican President on March 17, 2020 related to a possible cancelation of the mining concessions are concerning. The company is confident that there is no basis in the fact or in the law that would diminish the company´s property rights.”The company looks forward to continuing to work with the Canadian government, the Mexican Minister of Economy and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in providing the facts, providing solutions and resolving the issues to avoid an arbitration issue between Canada and Mexico. The company looks with optimism to getting our employees back on the job as soon as possible”.
  • The head of the Tax Administration Service (SAT), Raquel Buenrostro, declared that Mining companies pay only 0.0002% of their income in taxes, however, Fernando Alanís, president of the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex), stated that mining in Mexico has higher taxes than those of its direct competitors. “Surely the SAT will have its figures, but what the figures tell us is that mining pays taxes and that it has a higher tax rate than any other economic activity in the country and that if a higher tax burden continues to be imposed, mining it will not be attractive in Mexico”. Raquel Buenrostro assured that in order not to raise taxes, the institution that she heads would review the form of payment in the mining sector. In this same theme, figures contained in a study by Price Waterhouse Coopers assure that in Mexico the tax burden for the mining sector is 51.3% of fiscal profit, which places it well above countries such as Canada, Chile, Peru and the United States, which have tax rates of 30 to 39%. In addition, as of this year, the possibility of deducting 50% of the payment of rights on concessions was removed, so the tax rate rose to 52.6%.
  • Mexico’s rich mining industry has been the basis for the success of the automotive industry for more than 500 years. It was stated by Sergio Almazán, president of the Association of Engineers of Mines, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM). For Francisco Quiroga, former Undersecretary of Mining of the Ministry of Economy, mining has allowed Mexico to extract iron to produce, along with carbon, steel, a key product for automotive manufacturing. Karen Flores, general director of the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex), agreed, highlighting that the mining sector contributes 8.3% to the industrial GDP and 2.5% to the national GDP. Mexican auto exports totaled USD $40,495M in 2020.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported results from two holes collared at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Hole ET-21-211 collared in the Sooy Vein encountered 0.11 g/t Au, 131 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, and 0.44% Pb (156 g/t AgEq) over 14m, including 0.24 g/t Au, 325 g/t Ag, 0.14% Cu, and 1.21% Pb (385 g/t AgEq) over 4.9m, including 0.67 g/t Au,  1,149 g/t Ag, 0.47% Cu, and 4.3% Pb (1,347 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m, while hole ET-21-213 intercepted 0.02 g/t Au, 246 g/t Ag, 0.29% Cu, 0.05% Pb, and 0.05% Zn (279 g/t AgEq) over 8.4m in the Sooy Vein, including 0.05 g/t Au, 1,260 g/t Ag, 1.41% Cu, 0.04% Pb, and 0.25% Zn (1,355 g/t AgEq), and encountered 0.22 g/t Au, 266 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.21% Pb, and 0.14% Zn (304 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m in the Sooy Footwall Zone, including  0.12 g/t Au, 808 g/t Ag, 0.35% Cu, 0.45% Pb, and 0.26 % Zn (871 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m, including 0.17 g/t Au, 3,046 g/t Ag, 1.35 % Cu, 1.54% Pb, and 0.86% Zn (3,254 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m.
  • Radius Gold Inc., drilled 4,386m in ten holes to complete the phase four drilling at its Amalia project in Chihuahua, through its JV partner Pan American Silver Corp. Results for holes AMDD20-22 to AMDD21-25 have been previously reported, with results for holes AMDD21-26 to 31 pending. “Geological teams are now conducting detailed mapping and sampling of the El Cuervo extensions and California vein system. New environmental permits have been submitted for drilling of these targets later this year”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., commenced a 3,500m core drilling program at its Copalito project in Sinaloa, to test continuity and size in zones already identified in a previous drilling campaign, as well as to test other undrilled target areas in the property.
  • Brigadier Gold Limited reported that it has rehabilitated, mapped and sampled over 29 newly discovered historic mine workings in the central part of its Picachos project in Sinaloa, near the intersection of the ENE trending Cocolmeca Vein system and northwesterly trending El Placer system. The underground workings are concentrated in two areas named El Cobre and El Placer Norte. Sampling results are pending.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., provided an update on the exploration activities carried out at its Copalquin property, Durango. Hole CDH-054, collared at La Soledad target returned 10.36 g/t Au and 81 g/t Ag over 4.88m, extending the high-grade mineralization further to the west and down dip. The company also reported that a total of 697 soil samples collected at Los Pinos/El Indio, Los Reyes, Refugio and Zaragoza target areas were analyzed with the XRF analyzer identified strong silver anomalies in the district, with values ranging from less than detection (approximately 2 ppm) to 154 ppm Ag. Samples were considered anomalous at or above 5 ppm Ag. Anomalous silver was identified in all targets. Silver is considered to be a good indicator for hidden veins or portions of known veins that are better mineralized. The soil samples were shipped to the lab for Au assays. Results are pending.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp., reported the 2020 full year production and financial results from its Zacualpan mine in the State of Mexico. The company milled 140,069 tonnes of 172 g/t Ag to produced 646.5K Oz Ag, at a production cost of $80.82 per tonne produced. Impact reported a net income of $2.3M on $15.6 M in revenue and EBITDA of $2.5 M, and mine operating earnings before amortization and depletion of $3.3M. Cash position at December 31, 2020 was $20.4M and working capital of $20.3M.

ON FINANCING

  • Empress Royalty Corp., closed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of CAD $15.75M. In addition to the offering, the company closed a non-brokered private placement by the issue of an additional 1.3M units of the company for gross proceeds of CAD $650K (Pinos project, Zacatecas).
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., commenced to trade on the OTCQB Venture Marketplace under the symbol “FBSGF” (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua).
  • Gold Resource Corporation declared March 2021 monthly dividend. The company will paid on April 23, 2021, one-third of a cent for common share to shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca).     
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., granted 250K stock options to a consultant of the company with an exercise price of $0.06 per share and an expiry date of March 23, 2026. The stock options will vest 1/3 on the date of the grant, 1/3 on the first anniversary of the grant and the final 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant (El Mezquite project, Sonora).
  • VanGold Mining Corp., granted 6.45M stock options, including 3.45M options to officers and directors of the company. The options, which shall vest over a two-year period, are exercisable up to five years from the grant date and have a strike price of $0.51 (El Pinguico property, Guanajuato). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., release assay results of hole SM 20-06 from its ongoing 8,000m drilling program on its Santa Maria project at Chihuahua. Hole 6 intersected six silver bearing structures including five new mineralized north-south trending structures. It encountered 0.06 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag (53 g/t AgEq) over 0.4m; 0.15 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag (53 g/t AgEq) over 5.4m; 0.15 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag (48 g/t AgEq) over 5.3m; and 0.15 g/t Au and 37 g/t Ag (45 g/t AgEq) over 14.7m, including 0.19 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (65 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 0.2 g/t Au and 79 g/t Ag (89 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m. Fabled has completed drill holes SM 20-07 – 09 for a total of 2,134 meters of the ongoing 8,000 meter drilled program completed to date. Holes SM20-07 – 09 have been sampled and submitted to lab for analysis.  Hole SM 20-10 is in progress. 
  • Golden Minerals Company announced expansion drilling at its Rodeo project in Durango. The drill program will consist of 2,000m to test targets adjacent to the current pit with the aim to extend the life of the Rodeo mine well beyond the currently estimated life around 2.5 years.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., released assay results from the current core drilling program from its Plomosas property in Sinaloa.  The most significant drill interception was encountered in hole PL121-107 with a shallower intercept of 63 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (73 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 12.9m, including 126 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn (132 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.8m, and a deeper intercept of 377 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, and 1.5% Zn (466 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 13.5m, including 633 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.5% Zn (726 g7t AgEq) over a TW of 4.5m, including 1,987 g/t Ag, 0.58 g/t Au, 1.9% Pb, and 4% Zn (2,218 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., provided an update on the construction of its Camino Rojo mine operation in Zacatecas. Orla reported that 94% of the detailed engineering is competed and 93% of the project purchase orders have been made. “Current construction activities include earthworks, installation of the camp and offices, drilling of back-up water wells and site fence erection. Process pond and reclaim tunnel areas are being excavated and foundations are being prepared for the Merrill Crowe plant, crusher, camp, as well as ancillary buildings. The 33-kV power line to site was approved by the Mexican federal electricity commission in 2020 and construction is currently 73% complete. Fabrication of crushing, conveying, and stacking equipment and the Merrill Crowe plant remain on schedule. Process plant equipment began arriving on site in the fourth quarter of 2020. Deliveries thus far include crushing, stacking, conveying equipment and the Merrill Crowe plant as well as heap leach and solution ponds piping and liners”.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., reported results from 20 RC holes totalling 1,792m drilled at Buena Suerte and Japoneses zones within its flagship property Cerro Caliche in Sonora. Highlights from Buena Suerte area include hole SCR-201 with 0.74 g/t Au over 14m, including 2.09 g/t Au over 1.52m; hole SCR-203 with 0.71 g/t Au over 9m, including 2.04 g/t Au over 1.53m; hole SCR-205 with 0.59 g/t Au over 14m, including 1.53 g/t Au over 1.53m: hole SCR-207 with 0.62 g/t Au over 5m, including 1.3 g/t Au over 1.52m; hole SCR-209 with 0.77 g/t Au over 57m, including 1.79 g/t Au over 1.53m; hole SCR-211 with 4.77 g/t Au over 5m; and hole SCR-219 with 1.43 g/t Au over 16.76m, including 6.47 g/t Au over 1.52m. Highlights from Japoneses area include hole SCR-204 with 1.35 g/t Au over 10.67m, including 6.33 g/t Au over 1.53m; hole SCR-214 with 0.58 g/t Au over 18.29m, including 1.97 g/t Au over 1.52m;  hole SCR-215 with 0.52 g/t Au over 12.2m, hole SCR-218 with 0.5 g/t Au over 22.86m, including 1.95 g/t Au over 1.52m; and hole SCR-220 with 0.53 g/t Au over 22.86m, including 1.84 g/t Au over 1.53m. “Spacing between the Buena Suerte and Japoneses zones has been reduced to approximately 100 meters in the northern extensions indicating the zones may merge with further infill drilling”.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced results from the 2020 infill drilling program at its Media Luna property in Guerrero. Aim of the infill drilling program is to upgrade the inferred mineral resources to the indicated category. Highlights include hole ML20-407D with 6.16 g/t Au, 79 g/t Ag, and 3.58% Cu (12.73 g/t AuEq) over a true width (TW) of 13.66m; hole ML20-417D with 11.25 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, and 0.64% Cu (12.4 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 11.92M; hole ML20-418D with 5.45 g/t Au, 43 g/t Ag, and 2.48% Cu (9.84 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 22.47m; hole ML20-433D with 9.37 g/t Au, 190 g/t Ag, and 6.6% Cu (22.05 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 14.59m; hole ML20-443D with 9.88 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, and 1.72% Cu (13.11 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13.68m; hole ML20-454D with 9.16 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag, and 0.85% Cu (10.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 16.57m; hole ML20-458D with 5.9 g/t Au, 8.7 g/t Ag, and 0.7% Cu (7.11 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 25.47m; and hole ML20-492DA with 25.46 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag, and 0.83% Cu (27.21 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 22.95m. The infill drilling conducted to date has increased drill density in specific areas of the resource model to an approximate 30-metre spacing (from an approximate 100-metre spacing). The final, upgraded Mineral resource estimate for Media Luna, due for completion in Q1 2022, is expected to provide for a more robust mine plan in the upcoming Feasibility Study.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., reported results from the re-sampling of drill core from its Panuco property in Zacatecas being undertake with regards to the resource confirmation process.  A 57 kg sample composite of historic Panuco drill core from one of the higher grade shoots has assayed higher than the grade described in the historic resource, with the sample returning assays of 198 g/t AgEq. (146 g/t Ag, 0.30 g/t Au, 0.13% Zn, and 0.42 % Pb). In addition, a 100Kg composite sample of drill core used in the Panuco resource estimation was sent to the lab for benchmark metallurgical work. Panuco has an historic inferred mineral resource of 19,472,901 Oz AgEq (cut-off 100 g/t AgEq.) from 3,954,729 tonnes at 153 g/t AgEq (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012% Pb, 0.11% Zn).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced the resignation of its Director (Metates property, Durango).
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Ricos project, Jalisco).
  • Inomin Mines Inc., completed the 100% acquisition of the La Gitana and the Peña Blanca properties in Oaxaca from Gunpoint Exploration Ltd, by exchanging 1M common shares of the Company, $25K cash, and the grant of a 1.5% NSR payable to Gunpoint on the Pena Blanca property (with an option for Inomin to purchase 0.5% of the NSR at any time for $1M). La Gitana is subject to an existing 3% NSR to a third-party which will be assumed by Inomin.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (El Ermitaño, Sonora).
  • Telson Mining Corporation engaged RB Milestone Group LLC for twelve months to provide corporate communications advisory, non-deal roadshow advisory, market intelligence advisory, and business referrals to the management team of the company (Tahuehueto project, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • AIMMGM Sonora District Ladies Committee sent 790 kilos of plastic caps to the association “Banco de Tapitas”, so that the material is recycled and the proceeds are donated to minors suffering from cancer. Banco de Tapitas A.C. operates throughout Mexico on a non-profit basis, collecting plastic caps to recycle them and generate resources to fund treatments, transfers, medicine and comprehensive support mainly for children with cancer, although it extends its help to people up to 21 years of age.
  • Peñasquito mine (Newmont) awarded scholarships to students of the Ignacio López Rayón elementary school. One of the most important achievements for this school, which has 23 students in the Regular Education Support Unit (three of them with a motor disability), is the construction of two functional ramps for those with this type of disability. One was installed at the entrance of the school and one more within the facilities, so that these students can move freely in their place of study and have autonomy in this space.

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

On the picture above, an outcropping Orogenic Au vein in a project in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 7th week of the year (February 15th to February 21st, 2021), there were at least 42 press releases by companies working in Mexico. To note, nine companies posted exploration advances on their properties (with GoGold’s Casados discovery deemed the most significant), six presenting quarterly results, two informing on power cuts, six posting on financing or share options, nine on project development and two on corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mexican mining sector is dealing with several (government induced) challenges and great opportunities. The Nuevo Leon State government intends to push its mining sector. Camimex points out the goal of the energy bill should be to promote the reduction of the electricity cost. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tarachi Gold released drilling results from the San Javier concession; Tocvan Ventures initiated the next exploration campaign at Pilar. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold released drilling results from the Amalia project; Silver Spruce is to carry a LidDar survey at Pino de Plata; Mammoth Resources released observations by independent consultants on its Tenoriba property. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals presented drilling results on Palos Verdes; Vizsla Silver informed seven rigs are now churning at Panuco; Brigadier Gold released drilling results from its Picachos project. In Jalisco, Stroud Resources informed on the approval of its drilling permit for Santo Domingo, Hostotipaquillo. ON MINING, Starcore International, Pan American Silver, Golden Minerals, Hecla Mining, Newmont, and First Majestic released quarterly and full year 2020 reports. Excellon and Gatos Silver informed on work affected by the power cuts in the north of the country. ON FINANCING, SGold79 Mines and Vizsla Silver granted options to directors, officers and employees; Consolidated Zinc, Orogen Royalties, Van Gold Mining and Brigadier Gold informed on their financing rounds. Heliostar Metals qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver will drill 12,000 m on the Avino property. Sonoro Gold released results from 24 holes at Cerro Caliche. VanGold released positive results from the PEA on El Cubo and El Pinguico in Zacatecas. McEwen Mining filed the FS on the Fenix project. GoGold Resources made a discovery at Los Ricos North. Coeur Mining released the 2020 resource estimate for Palmarejo. Capitan Mining released drilling results from the Peñoles project. Golden Tag released results from drilling at San Diego, Velardeña. GR Silver Mining reported drilling results from Plomosas.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Azure Minerals is divesting its Mexican portfolio. Premier Gold shareholders had to vote in February 19 on the arrangement with Equinox Gold. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Media Luna is to make a large investment during the next three years at the Media Luna project in Guerrero, with a significant impact in the communities of the area.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mexican Mining Sector is dealing with several challenges and great opportunities, according to mining companies executives. The outright denial to grant mining concessions, the lack of a medium term regulatory view, security issues, the blockage by SEMARNAT of several projects, the lack of clarity and rules and lagging paperwork have to be weighed against the great mineral potential of the country, and its qualified workforce.  
  • The Nuevo Leon State government seeks to foster the mining activity on the southern part of the state. Nuevo Leon has significant deposits of barite, clays, limestone, dolostone, gypsum, phosphorite and talc, among other minerals.
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) pointed out that the goal of an energy bill should be to promote the reduction of the electricity cost, not to favor any given company. With the introduction of the auto supply figure a few years ago mining companies saw the electricity cost go down from US$0.12-$0.13 Kw/hr to US$0.065 Kw/hr, while those that rely on the government supplied electricity pay US$0.08 and $0.09 Kw/hr. Miners in Perú and Chile pay US$0.06 Kw/hr and those in USA and Canada US$0.04 Kw/hr and US$0.02 Kw/hr respectively.
  • Newmont’s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas produced 520 K ounces of gold and 934 K gold equivalent ounces in 2020. Production for 2021 is estimated at 660 K ounces of gold and 1.12 M gold equivalent ounces.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. reported results from its phase four drilling program operated by Pan American Silver Corp. at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width results comprise 6.5 m @ 0.59 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag; 0.60 m @ 1.48 gpt Au, 475 gpt Ag; 5.0 m @ 1.73 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag; 5.5 m @ 0.93 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag. The high-grade San Pedro ore shoot has been defined for 410 meters down-dip.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. released assay results from the first nine diamond holes completed on the San Javier concession, at its Tarachi project in Sonora. Highlighted core-length intervals comprise 3.0 m @ 1.58 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 1.80 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 6.08 gpt Au, 14.4 m @ 0.21 gpt Au; 9.0 m @ 0.61 gpt Au; 4.0 m @ 0.86 gpt Au, 2.6 m @ 1.52 gpt Au, 2.0 m @ 11.90 gpt Au (including 1.0 m @ 21.10 gpt Au); 12.0 m @ 0.63 gpt Au; 5.6 m @ 5.39 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 15.70 gpt Au; 17.0 m @ 0.62 gpt Au; 10.6 m @ 1.6 gpt Au. “the gold mineralization is situated along open brittle structures containing over 20 percent sulphides, mainly pyrite with minor quartz veining/veinlets”.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. presented results from its initial five-hole 573 m diamond drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. The program was designed to test for mineralization continuity to depth and along strike to previous reconnaissance drilling. Highlighted true width results comprise 3.2 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 69 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 2.5 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 1.3 m @ 0.73 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 3.9% Zn; 0.9 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, nil Pb, 1.4% Zn.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has contracted Eagle Mapping Ltd. to carry out a LiDar survey on the Pino de Plata property in Chihuahua. The survey is to produce an orthorectified color aerial photography and an accurate digital elevation model (DEM).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced the arrival of two drill rigs to its Panuco property in Sinaloa. With these, a total of seven rigs is now operating in Panuco. The company completed over 28,000 m of drilling last year and plans to complete more than 40,000 m in the first half of 2021.
  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. provided results from its diamond drill and underground sampling programs at Picachos, Sinaloa. Drill core length highlighted true width (TW) intervals comprise 30 m @ 1.27 gpt Au, 212 gpt Ag; 3.5 m @ 1.07 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 0.15% Zn; 6.4 m @ 0.15% Zn; 10.8 m @ 0.22% Zn; 1.6 m @ 5.08 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag, 1.90% Cu, 0.22% Zn; 183.5 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag, 0.19% Pb, 0.37% Zn (including 0.9 m @ 10.65 gpt Au and 1.0 m @ 6.26 gpt Au, 0.54% Pb, 0.28% Zn). Highlighted trench TW intervals comprise 0.4 m @ 49.60 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.34% Pb, 0.37% Zn; 0.8 m @ 9.70 gpt Au, 0.52% Pb, 0.32% Zn; 2.6 m @ 2.32 gpt Au, 0.14% Zn; 1.0 m @ 20.14 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.74% Pb, 2.51% Zn; 2.0 m @ 11.55 gpt Au, 0.12% Cu, 0.23% Pb, 0.47% Zn; 0.7 m @ 7.95 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 3.26% Cu, 0.22% Pb; 0.5 m @ 109.14 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 2.56 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.64% Pb, 0.86% Zn; 1.2 m @ 23.45 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag, 0.19% Pb, 0.12% Zn “Of the 28 holes drilled to date, fourteen (1704 metres) were drilled to test the San Agustín Vein, 10 holes (1029 metres) tested surface exploration targets defined by trenching, 2 holes (168 metres) tested under the historic San Antonio Mine and one hole tested under the historic La Gloria Mine”. A second drill rig is being added for the commencement of the phase two drilling campaign.
  • Stroud Resources Ltd. informed the drill permit application has been approved for its Santo Domingo property in Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco. The first phase consists of 12 drill holes, and a second phase comprises 38 holes to expand the mineral resources. “Stroud’s exploration of the two main mineralized zones has drilled through many of the workings. These zones; La Rayas and Guadalupe, are a series of banded to breccia style epithermal quartz carbonate vein systems represented with miargyrite, galena, sphalerite, argentite and native silver and gold. La Rayas is 30 to 35 metres wide and Guadalupe is 15 to 30 metres wide. Both are parallel structures with greater than a 700-metre strike length and about 300 metre depth”.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. released observations by independent consultants on its Tenoriba property in Chihuahua. According to them the mineralization in the area is of epithermal high sulfidation type and occurring near the angular unconformity between the Lower and Upper Volcanic Groups. A thorough 2-year exploration program was recommended to evaluate the main prospect areas and to address areas that have to date seen little or no work.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced the start of the next phase of exploration at El Pilar in Sonora. The planned work is to include mapping and sampling of key target areas across the project. The property is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulfidation epithermal system in andesitic and rhyolitic volcanic rocks.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc. informed it is looking for alternative energy sources for its Platosa mine in Durango. The energy utilised by the company is generated with natural gas, and it has seen its price multiplied up to a hundred times due to the intense cold wave in Texas. The price increase is expected to be a short-term event.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2021. At its San Martin mine in Queretaro, 57.3 K tonnes were milled @ 1.66 gpt Au, 22.9 gpt Ag, recovering 88.8% and 57.1% respectively to produce 3,063 Oz AuEq. A 6,000 m drill program has been implemented on the northwestern and eastern parts of the mine, matched with a development program of approximately 1,200 meters to cover both zones under exploration.
  • Mexus Gold US. continues mining at its Santa Elena project in Sonora. After a slowdown due to a Covid outbreak, operations are now gaining pace.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported audited financial results for 2020 and the Q4 of the same year, including some figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 1.19 M Oz Ag, 800 Oz Au were produced in Q4 and 5.02 M Oz Ag, 3,500 Oz Au during the year. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 0.76 M Oz Ag, 30,500 Oz Au were produced in Q4 and 5.02 M Oz Ag, 98,000 Oz Au during the year. Cash cost and AISC per Ag Oz for the year stood at $6.99 and $10.80 for La Colorada and ($2.48) and $6.17 for Dolores.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released financial results for 2020. During the year the Rodeo open pit in Durango was started, with ore to be processed at the Velardeña oxide mill and an expected production between 12 K and 14 K Oz Au for 2021. In Yoquivo, Chihuahua, several new veins were discovered. The lease of the Velardeña mill to Hecla was terminated in November 2020, gathering $5.6 M in revenue. The Santa María property was farmed out for $4 M, whilst the Velardeña mine and sulfide mill might restart late in 2021. Cash and cash equivalents of $9.7 M by the end of the period.
  • Hecla Mining Co. presented 2020 results, including some figures from its Mexican operations. At San Sebastian, in Durango, 1.0 M Oz Ag, 7,223 Oz Au were produced in the year (0.2 M Oz Ag, 1,159 Oz Au in Q4), with the mill operating at 474 tpd when in production. Also in San Sebastian, El Tigre and El Bronco veins that were discovered under thick soil cover in 2020, can be up to 8.5 m in width and extend for more than 1.6 km. The best true width intercepts are 2.90 m @ 1,384 gpt Ag, 6.84 gpt Au for El Bronco vein and 1.07 m @ 504 gpt Ag, 2.80 gpt Au for El Tigre vein.
  • Newmont Corp. announced Q4 and full year 2020 results, including figures from its Peñasquito operations in Zacatecas. During the quarter 201 K Oz Au and 246 K Oz AuEq were sold at an AISC of $746 and $795 per Oz respectively. For the year, 512 K Oz Au were produced and 934 K Oz AuEq at an AISC of $806 and $828 per Oz respectively. For 2021 production from Peñasquito is expected to reach 660 K Oz Au and 1,120 K Oz AuEq.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. released its financial results for the fourth quarter and year 2020. For the year, 2.21 M tonnes were processed to produce 11.6 M Oz Ag, 20.38 M Oz AgEq at a cash cost of $5.09 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $13.92 per Oz AgE.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. reported electricity from Mexico’s national power grid supplying its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua has been restricted, due to recent severe winter storms in Texas. The project facilities have power generators capable of sustaining the mine and field camp operations, but not the processing plant; underground mining will continue at a reduced rate and a planned shutdown for the processing plant will be completed during this temporary power restriction.

ON FINANCING

  • SGold79 Mines Ltd. granted 500 K common shares to Mr. Paul Carrelo, the newly appointed independent director (Higo Blanco, Oaxaca).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. informed there are firm commitments to raise A$2.55 M in gross proceeds. The funds are required to relieve short term cashflow pressure due to operational issues at third-party processing facilities since November 2020. (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. cancelled the previously announced private placement (royalties in Ermitaño, Sonora).
  • VanGold Mining Corp. has further expanded its non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $16.95 M (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced it has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market, upgrading from the OTCQB Venture Market (La Lola, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. granted 2.14 M options to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. announced a non-brokered private placement financing to raise up to $1 M.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd. has a 12,000 meters drilling program for its 1,104 hectares Avino property in Durango. Of these, 2,000 meters are planned on El Trompo vein, 3,000 meters on the Santiago vein, 2,500 meters on the Avino ET area and 4,500 meters on the Avino West area. Other areas that area to see investment include a dry stack tailings and improvements on circuit 4. Capital expenditures are expected to be between $6 to $8 M.
  • Vangold Mining Corp. announced positive results from the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the combined El Cubo and El Pinguico project in Guanajuato. There are 718.6 K tonnes @ 160 gpt Ag, 1.90 gpt Au containing 7.2 M Oz AgEq as indicated resources and 1.45 M tonnes @ 214 gpt Ag, 2.78 gpt Au containing 20.4 M Oz AgEq as inferred resources. “On an after-tax basis, the Combined Project generates a Base Case NPV (5%) of $32.9 M and an IRR of 105%, excluding El Cubo acquisition costs. Using commodity prices of $22.41/oz Ag and $1756/oz Au, which are +15% above the Base Case (yet still lower than current spot prices), the after-tax NPV(5%) is $79.0 M and the IRR is 344%”.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. released assay results from 24 holes at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Some of the highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.10 m @ 0.73 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 7.62 m @ 3.09 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 4.57 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 6.10 m @ 0.78 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 3.04 m @ 1.15 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 3.05 m @ 2.32 gpt Au 2 gpt Ag. The Buena Suerte zone strike length is now 900 m long, and continuous mineralization has been confirmed along 2 kilometers of the El Rincón-Veta de Oro-Abejas vein and stockwork. A new zone, Bellotoso, has been identified, with a 2 kilometers strike length.   
  • McEwen Mining Inc. filed the feasibility study (FS) on the Fenix project, Sinaloa. The report envisions a 9.5-year mine life with after-tax IRR of 28% using $1,500/Oz gold and $17/Oz silver. Average annual production is projected at 26 K Oz Au in Phase 1 and 4.5 M Oz AgEq in Phase 2.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results of nine diamond drill holes from the Casados deposit in the Los Ricos North project. Limited historical mining averaged 1.5 m in width at the Casados vein, but the present drilling intercepted mineralized widths over 20 m, and a second vein, also greater than 20 m in width. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.4 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 6.9 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 56.5 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag (including 4.9 m @ 1.05 gpt Au, 307 gpt Ag); 27.5 m @ 0.48 gpt Au, 214 gpt Ag (including 1.3 m @ 4.67 gpt Au, 2,390 gpt Ag); 59.9 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag; 20.3 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag; 53.3 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag; 21.4 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag; 21.3 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag; 19.3 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 135 gpt Ag.
  • Coeur Mining Inc. reported its 2020 mineral reserves and resources, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Palmarejo in Chihuahua, 68,850 m were drilled in 180 holes across 11 targets. Highlighted results include 6.9 m @ 4.3 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag; 5.2 m @ 6.4 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag at the La Patria zone; 3.4 m @ 2.8 gpt Au, 525 gpt Ag at the Bavisa zone and 6.8 m @ 9.7 gpt Au, 640 gpt Ag; 11.2 m @ 6.1 gpt Au, 430 gpt Ag; 6.0 m @ 9.1 gpt Au, 568 gpt Ag on the Hidalgo zone.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. reported results from the last two holes of its 2020 drill campaign at Peñoles, in Durango.  Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 64 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag (including 13.7 m @ 0.93 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag); 21.3 m @ 0.25 gpt Au; 15.2 m @ 0.25 gpt Au; 42.7 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 35.1 m @ 0.31 gpt Au; 35.1 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag. The Hanging Wall zone has been confirmed and delineated for over 600 m.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. released results from its ongoing 4,500 m drilling program at the San Diego property in Durango. The infill sampling of historic holes highlighted core intercept results comprising 9.36 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.26% Pb, 0.23% Zn; 50.52 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.24% Pb, 0.29% Zn; 175.30 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.64% Pb, 0.55% Zn (including 48.41 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag, 0.69% Pb, 0.80% Zn and 27.30 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 58 gpt Ag, 1.30% Pb, 0.76% Zn) in one hole; 50.05 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 0.43% Pb, 0.41% Zn; 9.90 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 19 gpt Ag, 0.51% Pb, 0.37% Zn; 298 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.67% Pb, 0.70% Zn.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported results from the current drilling program in the San Juan area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 2.5 m @ 2,195 gpt Ag, 1.12 gpt Au, 0.3% Cu; 8.8 m @ 87 gpt Ag, 0.31 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 1.1 m @ 244 gpt Ag, 0.53 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 2.1% Zn, 0.4% Cu; 22 m @ 70 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 15.0 m @ 42 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 3.4 m @ 578 gpt Ag, 0.20 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 8.7 m @ 0.4% Zn; 18.3 m @ 2 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn. These drilling results continue to define high-grade epithermal mineralization in the San Juan area and towards the nearby San Francisco vein.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Azure Minerals Ltd. announced it is looking to divest its Mexican properties portfolio. The company “has commenced a strategic review of its precious metals and base metals projects in Mexico, including the 100%-owned Alacrán silver-gold-copper and Oposura zinc-lead-silver projects”.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. reminded its shareholders of the meeting that was to be held on February 19th to vote on the arrangement between Premier Gold and Equinox Gold Corp. regarding the acquisition of the company (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Media Luna announced an investment of 12 billion pesos (12 thousand million pesos, or US$600 M) in the next three years at its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Currently, at its Limon-Guajes mine 70% of the 900 employees and 1,300 contractors are from the state. It was also stated that about 40% of its workforce is composed by women.

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

On the image below:  Quartz vein on the old Mazatlán-Durango road, geologist Guillermo Contreras for scale. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of December, 2020.

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Hydrothermal Breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the fifty three week of the year (December 28th to January 03rd, 2021), at least 9 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 2 news published by the media, with three announcing financial rounds, two disclosing deals and corporate issues, two reporting on resources and development of their mine operations, two commenting Mexican issues, one informing on exploration results, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, The economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has left in the country has not affected mining companies they grew 50% their market value in the Mexican Stock Exchange. Four mining projects will start operations in Zacatecas in 2021.  ON EXPLORATION, In Zacatecas, Advance Gold released drill results from three holes collared at its Tabasquena project. ON MINING, no relevant information. ON FINANCING, Gold Resource declared December 2020 monthly dividend (Arista mine, Oaxaca). Mexican Gold announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.4M (Las Minas project, Veracruz). Silver Dollar closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $560K (La Joya project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, McEwen presented results of a positive Feasibility Study (FS) for its 100% owned Fenix project in Sinaloa. GoGold provided an outlook for 2021 (Los Ricos project, Jalisco). ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Megastar announced results of its 2020 annual general meeting for shareholders (Yautepec property, Oaxaca). GR Silver and Mako amended an agreement in which the first would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd from Mako.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Gold Resource reported a fatality at its Arista mine in Oaxaca.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has left in the country, has not affected mining companies since they grew 50% their market value in the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV).  For comparison purposes, at the beginning of the year, the stock market value of the four largest mining companies in the country (Grupo Mexico, Industrias Peñoles, Minera Frisco and Autlan) on the BMV was MXP $524.5 billion and currently stands at around MXP $796.5 billion, according to the stock market data. The foregoing contrasts with the general mining panorama, since according to the Mexican Mining Chamber, it is estimated that investment in exploration will register an annual decrease of approximately 25%, thus reaching its worst level in 14 years. The foregoing, according to the agency, is the result of the pandemic, but also of the lack of certainty on the part of the government, higher tax burdens and delays or denial of permits, since 84 mining projects were postponed last year.
  • Four mining projects will start operations in Zacatecas in 2021:  Camino Rojo, from Orla Mining; Distrito Pinos, from Candelaria Mining, San Nicolás from Teck Resources Limited, and Juanicipio, from Grupo Peñoles.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Advance Gold Corp., released drill results from three holes collared at its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas. Significant drill intersects were encountered in hole AGT-18 with 139 g/t Ag over 4.5m, including 240 g/t Ag over 2.3m; hole AGT-19 with 172 g/t Ag over 1.45m, including 383 g(t Ag over 0.8m, and hole AGT-20 with 40 g/t Ag over 1.2m. The drill program will continue to test a 3,500m long continuous high chargeability induced polarization anomaly.

ON MINING

  • No relevant information.

ON FINANCING

  • Gold Resource Corporation, declared December 2020 monthly dividend and paid one-third of a cent per common share to shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca).
  • Mexican Gold Mining Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.4M (Las Minas project, Veracruz).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $560K. First Majestic Silver Corp., subscribed for 200,000 shares or $280,000 of the Offering Net proceeds will be used to fund exploration and development work on its projects (La Joya project, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • McEwen Mining Inc., announced positive results of a Feasibility Study (FS) of its 100% owned Fenix project in Sinaloa. The FS envisions a 9.5 year mine life, and involves two sceneries. Scenery 1 with an after tax IRR of 28% using $1,500/ Oz Au and $17/ Oz Ag; an after tax NPV (8% discount) of $32M; an after tax payback period of 3.2 years, and an average after tax cash flow per year of full production of $12M. Scenery 2 with an after tax IRR of $55% using $1,900/Oz Au and $25/ Oz Ag; an after tax NPV (8% discount) of $98M; an after tax payback period of 2.8 years and an average after tax cash flow per year of production of $25M. The Fenix FS development involves two phases: Phase 1 (years 1-6) with an average annual gold production of 26K Oz Au, $42M initial capex, and cash and AISC costs of $1,035 and $1,042 per Oz Au produced respectively; and phase 2 (years 7-9.5) with an average annual silver production of 4.2M Oz AgEq, $24M incremental capex in year 6, and cash and AISC costs of $14.20 and $14.28 per Oz AgEq produced respectively. Measured and indicated (M+I) resources for the Fenix project are 10M tonnes of 1.6 g/t Ag and 0.59 g/t Au for a total of 518K Oz Ag and 190K Oz Au, and Inferred resources of 0.1M tonnes of 1.64 g/t Ag and 0.66 g/t Au for a total of 7K Oz Ag and 3K Oz Au. For El Gallo Silver, M+I resources are 4.5M tonnes of 133 g/t Ag and 0.12 g/t Au for a total of 19M Oz Ag and 18K Oz Au, and Inferred resources of 0.1M tonnes of 129 g/t Ag and 0.14 g/t Au for a total of 286K Oz Ag and 0.3K Oz Au. M+I combined resources are 14.5M tonnes of 42 g/t Ag and 0.45 g/t Au for a total of 19.5M Oz Ag and 208K Oz Au and Inferred resources of 0.2M tonnes of 46 g/t Ag and 0.48 g/t Au for a total of 293K Oz Ag and 3K Oz Au. The company also reported proven + probable reserves of 10.1M tonnes for the Fenix project with grades of 1.g g/t Ag and 0.58 g/t Au for a total of 517K Oz Ag and 190K Oz Au; proven + probable reserves of 4.4M tonnes for the El Gallo Silver project with grades of 133 g/t Ag and 0.12 g/t Au for a total of 18.7M Oz Ag and 17K Oz Ag. Proven + probable combined reserves are 14.5M tonnes of 41 g/t Ag and 0.44 g/t Au for a total of 19.2M Oz Ag and 207K Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., provided an outlook for 2021 and plans to deliver a PEA at Los Ricos South in January; to conduct an aggressive 10,000m drill program at Los Ricos North to test 10 of the more than 100 targets identified to date; and deliver an initial mineral resource at Los Ricos North in the summer of 2021.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Megastar Development Corp., announced results of its 2020 annual general meeting for shareholders (Yautepec property, Oaxaca).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., and Mako Mining Corp., amended an agreement in which the first would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd., and to enter into a definitive agreement on or before December 31, 2020.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Gold Resource Corporation reported a fatality at its Arista mine in Oaxaca. The incident involved a light vehicle in an unauthorized and inactive area of the Arista underground mine. The Company is working with authorities in an ongoing investigation to establish the exact cause of the accident. 

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

On the picture above, a hydrothermal breccia in a prospect in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of November, 2020.

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Barite crystals

By Miguel A Heredia

During the forty eight week of the year (November 16th to November 22th, 2020), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 1 news published by the media, with eight reporting on resources and development of their mine operations, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, six informing on exploration results, four commenting on Mexican issues, three  communicating production and financial results, two announcing financial rounds, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Equinox announced that the community blockade at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero has been lifted and access to the mine has been restored. First Majestic announced its intention to appeal the Circuit Court decision to nullify the Advance Pricing Agreement concluded in 2012 between Primero Empresa Minera and the Mexican tax authority, Servicio de Administracion Tributaria (SAT). Deputies of the mining commission of the State Congress and the State Secretariat of Economy of Sonora will join forces to request to the Federal Government that the Mining Fund returns to the Municipalities of the State.   Great Panther has temporarily suspended the operations at its Topia mine in Durango due to the detection of COVID-19 among the workforce.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Canuc started a drone supported, high frequency, magnetic survey over its newly acquired claims at its San Javier project, Silver Tiger reported drill results from its El Tigre project, Colibri released results from the trenching sampling carried out at its Evelyn project, and Riverside and its JV partner Carlyle reported channel sampling results from its Cecilia project. In Jalisco, GoGold released drilling results from El favor target at its los Ricos North project. In the State of Mexico, Impact has commenced a trenching sampling at its Manto America gold target.  ON MINING, Excellon reported Q3, 2020 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango.  Santacruz reported October 2020 production results from its Zimapan and Rosario mines in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. Starcore reported Q2, 2020/2021 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro.  ON FINANCING, Magna Gold closed the acquisition of the Margarita Silver project in Chihuahua. Telson executed a Trust Agreement with Trafigura Mexico (Tahuehueto project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Azucar resumed drilling at its El Cobre property in Veracruz.  Endeavour expanded its land position at its Terronera property in Jalisco. Elemental Royalties presented Q3, 2020 results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Mexus provided an update on its new heap leach pad at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Golden Minerals received the final environmental permit for its Rodeo property in Durango. Minera Alamos announced an independent NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate of 630K Oz Au at its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. Sierra Metals announced a significant increase of its mineral resource estimate at its Cusi mine in Chihuahua. SilverCrest announced new high-grade discovery at the Babi Vista Splay Vein within its Las Chispas project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Aura announced a new and improved offtake agreement with Trafigura starting in 2022 (Aranzazu property, Zacatecas). Barksdale appointed its company Senior VP Project Development (San Javier project, Sonora).  Comet changed its provider for shareholder registry services from Advanced Share Registry Services to Automic Pty Ltd (Santa Teresa property, Baja California).  SilverCrest announced the appointment of a new member for its Board of Directors (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Starcore presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro).  Silver Dollar announced it has hired a Country Manager for its la Joya Silver project in Durango.   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Torex achieved 10M hours work without a lost time injury (El Limon-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced that the community blockade at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero has been lifted and access to the mine has been restored. Los Filos has commenced a staged restart and workers will resume their duties only after testing negative for COVID-19.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., announced its intention to appeal the Circuit Court decision to nullify the Advance Pricing Agreement concluded in 2012 between Primero Empresa Minera SA de CV (PEM) and the Mexican tax authority, Servicio de Administracion Tributaria (SAT).   “The Federal Court’s decision directs SAT to re-examine the evidence and basis for the issuance of the APA with retroactive effect, for the following key reasons: (i) SAT’s errors in analyzing PEM’s request for the APA and the evidence provided in support of the request; and (ii) SAT’s failure to request from PEM certain additional information before issuing the APA. The Company’s legal advisors having now reviewed the written reasons continue to be of the view that the Federal Court’s decision is flawed both due to procedural irregularities and failure to address the relevant evidence and legal authorities. The Company intends to appeal the decision to the Circuit Courts by the December 1, 2020 deadline”.
  • Deputies of the mining commission of the State Congress and the State Secretariat of Economy will join forces to request to the Federal Government that the Mining Fund returns to the Municipalities of the Sonora State. The commission reported that the Federal Government has pending the contribution of MXP $1,500M corresponding to fiscal year 2019 to be exercised in fiscal year 2020 in works of high social impact in municipalities with mining activities. One of the deputies stated that the resources of the Mining Fund originated in the State of Sonora, must remain here, because it is a resource of Sonora and must be applied, definitely, to the needs of the State. Sonora ranks first in the country in the extraction of copper, gold, molybdenum, wollastonite, and graphite and second in silver, substances that are exploited by national and foreign companies with investments around the world.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited has temporarily suspended the operations at its Topia mine in Durango due to the detection of COVID-19 among the workforce.   A reduced workforce will remain on site to maintain essential activities for the duration of the voluntary suspension. The health and safety of employees, contractors, and host communities remains a priority.  The company will continue working closely with the local government and regional health authorities to ensure a safe restart of normal operations.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Canuc Resources Corporation, started a drone supported, high frequency, magnetic survey over the 800m in length and 80 m in width silver-bearing magnetite swarms that have been identified within, and proximal to the large silver-bearing breccia structures uncovered in July and August of this year and first reported in a press release dated September 22nd.   
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported drill results from its El Tigre project in Sonora, where the company is currently exploring with core drilling the Caleigh and Protectora Veins. The company has drilled ten holes and highlights include hole 163 on Protectora Vein with 1,782 g/t Ag and 3.56 g/t Au (2,049 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, and a second intercept of 1,374 g/t Ag and 0.89 g/t Au (1,441 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole 164 on Protectora Vein with 805 g/t Ag and 10.5 g/t Au (1,593 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole 158 on Caleigh Vein with 815 g/t Ag and 4.09 g/t Au (1,122 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; and hole 156 on Caleigh Vein with 752 g/t Ag and 7.09 g/t Au (1,284 g/t AgEq) over 0.3m.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation, released results from the trenching sampling carried out at its Evelyn project in Sonora.  Fifty six chip samples from 0.30 to 2.00m in length were taken from trenches at The Cerro Rojo, El Sahuaro, and the West Evelyn targets. Nine samples returned values greater than 1 g/t Au and a total of 16 samples returned values greater than 0.1 g/t Au, with a peak of 23.2 g/t Au at the Cerro Rojo target area. The trenching has defined a northwest-southeast mineralized trend over an approximate strike length of 35 metres with samples ranging from 0.304 g/t Au to 27.5 g/t Au.
  • Riverside Resources Inc and its JV partner Carlyle Commodities Corp., reported channel sampling results from its Cecilia project. Thirty six channel samples were collected from underground working as well as at surface over the San Jose target from brecciated and silicified rhyolite. Over 43% of the samples returned more than 0.2 g/t Au with a peak of 48.3 g/t Au over a width of 0.75m. Other significant results were 0.86 g/t Au over 1.7m; 0.78 g/t Au over  0.85m; 0.66 g/t Au over 1.6m; 0.66 g/t Au over 0.8m; and 0.56 g/t Au over 1.25m.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released drilling results from El Favor target at its los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole LRGF-20-005 with 0.11 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag (1.10 g/t AuEq or 83 g/t AgEq) over 21m, including 0.23 g/t Au and 150 g/t Ag (2.23 g/t AuEq or 167 g/t AgEq) over 9.0m; hole LRGF-20-006 with 2 intercepts, one of 0.2 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag (1.48 g/t AuEq or 111 g/t AgEq) over 12m, including 0.53 g/t Au and 271 g/t Ag (4.15 g/t AuEq or 311 g/t AgEq) over  3.4m, and 0.97 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag (2.47 g/t AuEq or 186 g/t AgEq) over 27m, including 3.35 g/t Au and 350 g/t Ag (8.01 g/t AuEq or 601 g/t AgEq); hole LRGF-20-007 with 0.28 g/t Au and 160 g/t Ag (2.4 g/t AuEq or 180 g/t AgEq) over 11m, including 0.53 g/t Au and 291 g/t Ag (4.41 g/t AuEq or 331 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m; hole LRGF-20-008 with 0.69 g/t Au and 255 g/t Ag (4.08 g/t AuEq or 306 g/t AgEq) over 52.1m, including 0.93 g/t Au and 343 g/t Ag (5.51 g/t AuEq or 413 g/t AgEq) over 37.1m, including 5.62 g/t Au and 2,052 g/t Ag (32.98 g/t AuEq or 2,473 g/t AgEq) over 5m, including 8.47 g/t Au and 3,039 g/t Ag (49 g/t AuEq or 3,675 g/t AgEq) over 3.3m; and hole LRGF-20-009 with 2 intercepts, one of 0.43 g/t Au and 148 g/t Ag (2.41 g/t AuEq or 180 g/t AgEq) over 11.6m, including 1.22 g/t Au and 324 g/t Ag (5.55 g/t AuEq or 416 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, and 0.32 g/t Au and 63 g/t Ag (1.15 g/t AuEq and 87 g/t AgEq) over 32.5m, including 0.64 g/t Au and 171 g/t Ag (2.93 g/t AuEq or 220 g/t AgEq) over 7m. The drilling program at El Favor target has tested 1,000m along strike of the historic El Favor vein and workings. These first nine drill holes have confirmed the wide zones of mineralization mapped and sampled on surface continue down dip for close to 600m. The company stated that the mineralization is open along strike in both directions and down dip and will aggressively advance this zone towards a mineral resource estimate.
  • Impact Silver Corp., has commenced a trenching sampling at its Manto America gold target in the State of Mexico. Thirty three rock chip samples returning more than 2 g/t Au have been collected on this target, with a peak of 19.5 g/t Au over a true width of 1.2m. Additionally, 67 soil samples taken on a 50m by 25m grid have returned an average of 250 ppb Au. The 900m trenching sampling plans to test an area of 450m by 300m over the strongest Au-in soil anomalies. Previous operators of this target excavated two trenches, the same that were sampled by Impact, returning 0.51 g/t Au over 5.6m in width  and  a length of 23.5m, and 0.3 g/t Au over 5.5m in width and a length of 17.2m.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q3 2020 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 21,877 tonnes and processed 22,612 tonnes of 483 g/t Ag, 5.3% Pb, and 6.8% Zn, with metallurgical recoveries of 93%, 85% and 80.9% respectively. Excellon produced 326.9K Oz Ag, 2.23M Lb Pb, and 2.75M Lb Zn (or 524.3K Oz AgEq), and sold 310.3K Oz Ag, 2.18M Lb Pb, and 2.28M Lb Zn (or 485.8K Oz AgEq) at  a cash and AISC of USD $12.60 and USD $18.92 respectively per Oz Ag sold. The company reported revenues of USD $9.7M, gross profit of USD $2.5M, net working capital of USD $10.5M, and cash and marketable securities of USD $10.1M as at September 30, 2020.
  •  Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported October 2020 production results from its Zimapan and Rosario mines in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. At Zimapan mine in  Hidalgo, the company milled 62,543 tonnes of 81 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, 2.6% Zn, and 0.32% Cu to produce 114K Oz Ag, 983.3K Lb Pb, 2.45M Lb Zn, and 315.3K Lb Cu (or 363.7K Oz AgEq). At Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi, Santacruz milled 6,319 tonnes of 85 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 1.5% Zn to produce 15.1K Oz Ag, 26 Oz Au, 52.9K Lb Pb, and 169.7K Lb Zn. 
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q2, 2020/2021 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Starcore milled 56,731 tonnes of 1.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.5% and 56.99% respectively to produce 2,867 Oz AuEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Magna Gold Corp., closed the acquisition of the Margarita Silver project in Chihuahua from Sable Resources Ltd and Exploraciones Sable S de RL de CV. Magna acquired the property by paying CAD $1.5M in cash plus an additional CAD $800K in cash representing Mexican VAT, and CAD $3.5M in common shares in the capital of Magna, being 3,219,278 Magna shares at a deemed price of CAD $1.0872 per Magna Share. Immediately following the acquisition, the Purchaser exercised the option to acquire the property by payment to the titleholders of the property of CAD $500K in cash, plus an additional $368K in cash representing Mexican VAT; and CAD $1.8M in Magna Shares, being 1,655,629 Magna Shares at the Issue Price. In addition, Magna will pay Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd  a 2% NSR on all products mined and produced from the Property.
  • Telson Mining Corporation executed a Trust Agreement with Trafigura Mexico. Under the terms, Trafigura waived all defaults plus deferred all principal and interest payments until June30, 2021, under certain terms and conditions, related to certain loan agreements entered into between the parties in late 2017.  Additionally, Telson agreed to place its assets into the Trust to guarantee full repayment of all outstanding financial obligations under the loan agreements with Trafigura. Telson has advanced its Tahuehueto construction plans and currently calculates a construction budget at approximately USD $13M, including a 15% contingency. Telson is contemplating to enter into a USD $12M medium term loan facility with Accendo Banco S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple,  the possibility of a small silver stream metal purchase funding or conducting a private placement financing to supplement the Accendo loan for Tahuehueto construction, and to provide working capital.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., resumed drilling at its El Cobre property in Veracruz. The company is  first deepening hole EC-20-108, which is located at the Primo Zone, in an effort to further delineate resource potential at the project beyond that contained in the initial Norte Zone mineral resource estimate. The Primo Target was discovered in 2019 based on the hole EC-19-086 which intersected 0.4 g/t Au and 0.24% Cu over 200m, including 0.94 g/t Au and 0.56% Cu over 55.6m.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., expanded its land position at its Terronera property in Jalisco to 20,128 hectares by acquiring two adjacent groups of mineral concessions called La Sanguijuela and Cerro Gordo. La Sanguijuela, which covers the possible NW extension of the Terronera Vein and the possible west extension of the Los Reyes Vein, comprises 2,759 hectares and Endeavour has an option to purchase it by USD $550K in a four years staged payments. The Los Cuates Vein is the main structure at la Sanguijuela and has been traced for over a length of 1.5km with thickness of 2 to 6m with values of 0.5 – 5 g/t Au and 50-300 g/t Ag. Cerro Gordo, which covers the possible southeast extension of four Terronera footwall veins (Pena Gorda-Canoas, Los Venados-La Carbonera, Pena Blanca-El Alacran and El Mirador-Los Tablones) as well as three other veins (El Maguey-El Madrono, Monte Obscuro-Musgos and La Muda-Monte Grande), was acquired by staking 2,200 hectares. The El Maguey-El Madrono vein has been observed over a length of 1.6 km with a thickness of 2 to 4 m, carrying values of 0.6 to 2 g/t Au and 10-30 g/t Ag.  The Pena Gorda-Canoas vein outcrops over a length of 1.7 km with a thickness of 2 to 5 m, returning values up to 0.5 g/t Au and 40 g/t Ag. Vein systems in these two properties have never been drilled and Endeavour plans to test some portion during Q4, 2020.
  • Elemental Royalties Corp., presented Q3, 2020 results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company announced that Mercedes mine was placed on care and maintenance following a decree from the Mexican Federal Government on March 30. 2020 in which listed mining operations as non-essential industry, and restarted activities on July, 2020 following a two-month suspension. Mining activities were focused with a reduce staff on higher grades and are concentrated on the Diluvio-Lupita-San Martin system while also implementing continued exploration, underground development and mill maintenance programs with the intention of returning to full production in due course.
  • Mexus Gold US provided an update on its new heap leach pad at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. It has completed phase 1 of its new 250K tonnes pad which is expandable to 1M tonnes, and will have crush mineralized material averaging 2.7 g/t Au. Mexus is looking for a return of 0.6 g/t Au in solution. In addition, Mexus is scheduled to begin blasthole drilling to expand its open pit 2 by approximately 1,741 Oz Au at a grade of 2.7 g/t Au.
  • Golden Minerals Company received the final environmental permit for its Rodeo gold-silver property in Durango, which is scheduled to begin gold production in January 2021, delivering mineralized material at its Velardeña mill to process it immediately.   “The Velardeña plant is a typical agitated leach plant rated to handle up to 450 tonnes per day of throughput from Rodeo. It is equipped with a Merrill Crowe circuit and a modern doré refinery, and the attached tailings facility was recently expanded and is expected to be sufficient for the tailings produced from Rodeo’s operations”.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., announced an independent NI43-101 compliant inferred mineral resource estimate of 630K Oz Au at its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. The inferred mineral resource was prepared using an economic pit shell at a gold price of USD $1,450 per Oz and contains 630K Oz of oxide gold mineralization from 48M tonnes of 0.41 g/t Au.  Minera Alamos has also identified a number of high priority targets with potential to expand resources at Cerro de Oro, as well as a limited number of diamond drill holes which have demonstrated the potential for sulphide mineralization to extend to depth below the current estimate area.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced a significant increase of its mineral resource estimate at its Cusi mine in Chihuahua. The company increased 18% the measured and indicated resources from 4,557,000 tonnes to 5,356,000 tonnes, and 200% the inferred resources from 1,633,000 tonnes to 4,893,000 tonnes. The updated mineral resource estimate include measured + indicated resources of  5,356,000 tonnes of 182 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (215 g/t AgEq) for a total of 31.26M Oz Ag, 20.22K Oz Au, 58.26M Lb Pb, and 67.99M Lb Zn (37M Oz AgEq), and Inferred resources of 4,893,000 tonnes of 146 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au, 0.43% Pb, and 0.69% Zn (183 g/t AgEq) for a total of 23M Oz Ag, 27.7K Oz Au, 46M Lb Pb, and 74.81M Lb Zn (28.82M Oz AgEq).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced new high-grade discovery at the Babi Vista Splay Vein within its Las Chispas project in Sonora as a result of an in-fill drilling program at the northwestern extension of the Babi Vista Vein. Twenty four holes have been collared at this target with a high grade footprint of approximately 300m along strike and average height of 175m. Weighted average results are 74.27 g/t Au and 3,437 g/t Ag (9,071 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.6m. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole BV20-201 with 555.36 g/t Au and 19,453 g/t Ag (61,105 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 2.4m. This discovery at Babi Vista Splay Vein will be included as inferred resources for the upcoming resource estimation in the ongoing PFS study.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Aura Minerals Inc., announced a new and improved offtake agreement with Trafigura Mexico S.A. de C.V., starting in 2022. The new agreement, in which Trafigura has agreed to purchase 100% of the copper and gold concentrate produced at Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas,  is effective as of the beginning of 2022 and continues until the end of 2024.
  • Barksdale Resources Corp., appointed its company Senior VP of project Development. Its role will be overseeing the advancement of the Company’s project portfolio, including the San Javier copper-gold project in Sonora, Mexico. In connection with this appointment, Barksdale has granted a stock option to purchase 250K common shares, exercisable at $0.68 per share over a three-year period. 
  • Comet Resources Limited, changed its provider for shareholder registry services from Advanced Share Registry Services to Automic Pty Ltd (Santa Teresa property, Baja California).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member for its board of directors (Las Chispas project, Sonora).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro).  
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., announced it has hired a Country Manager to work alongside the company at its la Joya Silver project in Durango.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., achieved 10M hours work without a lost time injury (El Limon-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero).

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, barite crystals from a low-intermediate sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of September, 2020.

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Stibnite in a fine grained quartz vein.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the thirty seven week of the year (September 7th to September 13th, 2020), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 13 news published by the media, with ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven discussing social issues, six commenting on Mexican issues, five informing on exploration results, five announcing financial rounds, two reporting on resources and developments of their mine operations, and two communicating production and financial results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Deputy Mario Delgado from MORENA party presented a reform to eliminate trust funds, including the Mining Fund. Mexico intends to lead lithium production. Federal Deputy Monica Almeida of the PRD party stated that the disappearance of the undersecretary of Mining must be re-considered. Mining companies operating in Mexico have cut their capital investment budgets by 20% on average in 2020 due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. The company Roca Fosforica Mexicana (Rofomex) seeks to expand its mining area in Baja California Sur.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri received an exploration permit to begin a trench program at its Evelyn project, and Silver Tiger provided an exploration update for its El Tigre project. In Sinaloa, Brigadier provided an exploration update on its Picachos project, and Oroco initiated a 3D IP survey at its Santo Tomas project. In Durango, Canasil released results from 2 drill holes collared recently at its Nora project. ON MINING, Excellon provided an operation update on its La Platosa mine in Durango. Consolidated Zinc reported H1, 2020 production and financial results from its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua.  ON FINANCING, Mag Silver completed its previously announced at the market equity program for gross proceeds of USD $50M (Juanicipio property, Zacatecas). Comet Resources announced that it will be conducting a placement to raise gross proceeds of $2M (Santa Teresa project, Baja California). Excellon completed its share consolidation (La Platosa mine, Durango). Monarca completed its previously announced shares for debt transaction to settle an aggregate of $301,324 owing to certain officers, directors and services providers of the company. Sable closed its previously announced private placement for total gross proceeds of approximately $9.9M (Margarita and Vinata project, Chihuahua). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Bacanora provided an operational update of its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora. Capstone provided updated proven and probable mineral reserves and positive results of an updated technical report for its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas.    ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Excellon announced that it has applied to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) American (La Platosa mine, Durango).  Mithril announced that its CEO was appointed as Managing Director (Copalquin project, Durango). Sonoro announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders and changed its name from Sonoro Metals Corp. to Sonoro Gold Corp (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Alien entered into an exclusivity agreement with Capstone in respect of the potential farm out of an interest in its Donovan 2 Copper-Gold project in Zacatecas. Almaden announced the decision of the Second District Court in Puebla in respect of its environmental permit application for its Ixtaca project in Puebla.  Argonaut entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its Ana Paula property in Guerrero.  Consolidated Zinc secured an agreement with Industrias Peñoles to sale the 100% of the Zn concentrate produced by the company in 2021. Newmont appointed Susan N Story to its board of directors and achieves gender parity for non-executive directors (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas).  Southern Silver presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, First Majestic invested USD $3.8M in local communities where it operates.  Fresnillo plc, continued donating personal equipment to prevent infections by COVID-19 in Caborca, Sonora. The Municipal President of Fresnillo, Zacatecas delivered the first stage of the rainwater collector with an investment of MXP $6M from the Mining Fund. The Municipal President of Cuencame, Durango announced that MXP $16.6M from the Mining Fund were invested in the construction of domes and paved streets, installation of electrical network, potable water and drainage in several communities in Cuencame, Durango. Grupo Mexico offered more than 130 weekly workshops via social networks generating content for the community. Minera Media Luna (Torex) improved public spaces in the Atzcala community in Guerrero. The Peñoles nursery garden continues donating trees to people seeking to expand the green folder in their home, plaza or a larger space for the population, and continue supporting the community with other social activities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Deputy Mario Delgado from MORENA party presented a reform to eliminate trust funds, including the Mining Fund. A period is proposed for the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit and the Welfare Bank (Banco del Bienestar, created by MORENA) to proceed to the extinction of the Public Administration and Payment Trust called “Fund for the Development of Mining Production Zones” (Mining Fund), in accordance with provided for in the Federal Budget and Fiscal Responsibility Law. Obviously, this is not the reason and the goal the Mining Fund was created for.
  • Mexico intends to lead lithium production since lithium is required to make rechargeable batteries, and the demand for this mineral has multiplied in the last decade, with the rise of laptops and smartphones. Annual sales of batteries made from lithium-ion batteries are projected to reach a value of $100B in 2029 and about $116B in 2030, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. While Mexico’s reserves are not yet certified, the size of the deposit found in Sonora (Sonora Lithium project owned by Bacanora)- which, according to Mining Technology, is the largest deposit under development in the world – placed the country on the radar of global lithium investors. The project will be the first to produce significant volumes of lithium in Mexico. Initially, production is estimated to approach 17,500 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate, which will double to 35,000 tonnes starting in 2026, after a projected expansion in its investment of USD $380M.
  • Monica Almeida, Federal Deputy of the PRD party, stated that the disappearance of the undersecretary of Mining must be re-considered and warned that neither the economic adjustments nor the so-called “republican austerity” should be a pretext for the disappearance of an undersecretary that served a sector of utmost importance for Mexico, since at the world is within the top 10 in the production of 19 minerals. This measure was not shared by the members of the country’s mining sector, among which are the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM), the Mining Task Force of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico (CANCHAM), the Mining Clusters of Chihuahua, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Sonora and Zacatecas, the College of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (CIMMGM) and the organization Mujeres en la Mineria – WIM Mexico; who have openly expressed their disagreement with the measure. It should be remembered that the mining-metallurgical sector in Mexico contributes 2.4% of GDP. Also this year, our country ranks first in silver production worldwide, generating 379 thousand direct jobs and 2.4 million indirect ones.
  • Mining companies operating in Mexico have cut their capital investment budgets by 20% on average in 2020 due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Updated estimates from nine of the country’s largest gold, silver and copper producers show total spending of USD $1.95B, down USD $488M from the projected amount of USD $2.44B before the pandemic.
  • The company Roca Fosforica Mexicana (Rofomex) seeks to expand its mining area in San Juan de la Costa north of La Paz Baja California Sur. Rofomex filed an environmental permit to explore outside the boundaries of the mining project. The exploration plan established an area where the project will be carried out. It is more than 1,203 ha and contemplates the completion of works for the drilling of 7 holes.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation received an exploration permit to begin a trench program at its Evelyn project. The company plans to dig up to 2.2km of trenches in up to 13 separate areas on Evelyn project in order to extend mineralization at selected occurrences and to provide exposure for geological and structural mapping of veins and structures.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., provided an update on ongoing exploration at its wholly-owned El Tigre Silver project in Sonora. The company is currently conducting a drill program with two rigs focused on the Caleigh, the Protectora and the Fundadora veins, all of which outcrop on surface and are exposed in exploration drifts in the 3km north of the historic El Tigre mine.
  • Brigadier Gold Limited provided an exploration update on its Picachos project in Sinaloa. The company is preparing a fully financed 5,000m drilling program in approximately 40 holes targeting four high grade Au-Ag veins found within the Colomeca vein system, comprised of several sub-parallel veins over a 1.5km wide zone. In addition, Brigadier is also planning approximately 3 line-km of trenching across several historic sample sites to follow-up anomalies identified by the historic work to define drill targets. “Brigadier intends to have drills turning by the third week of September and look forward to providing updates as results become available.”
  • Oroco Resource Corp., initiated a 3D resistivity and IP survey at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The survey is targeted to cover an area of approximately 10 km of the property which will encompass the mineralized South Zone, North Zone and the Brasiles Zone at Santo Tomas. The survey comprises a dipole – pole – dipole arrangement and targets the layout of some 26 Rx (receiver) lines spaced at 200m.
  • Canasil Resources Inc., released results from 2 initial drill holes collared at its Nora project in Durango. Hole NCR-20-01tested the Candy vein and intersected 1.6 g/t Au, 440 g/t Ag, 2.51% Cu, 2.1% Pb, and 0.61% Zn over 0.29m, while hole NCR-20-02 encountered 0.72 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 4.8m, including 1.81 g/t Au, 62 g/t Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.61% Zn over 0.38m. Drill hole NRC-20-03, targeted below NRC-20-02 has been completed to a depth of 302 metres, and NRC-20-04 is in progress, targeted below NRC-20-01 as planned.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc., provided an operation update on its La Platosa mine in Durango. The company achieved a strong production after resuming mining and milling activities in mid-June, 2020. In July, 2020 the company mined and processed 7,044 and 7,408 tonnes respectively with grades of 528 g/t Ag, 5.8% Pb, and 7.7% Zn at metallurgical recoveries of 92.4%, 85.7%, and 77.6% respectively, to produce 116.3K Oz Ag, 972K Lb Pb, and 7K Lb Zn (198.5K Oz AgEq).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd., reported H1, 2020 production and financial results from its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The company mined in H1, 2020, over 12,332 tonnes of 16.4% Zn and 8.6% Pb to produce 2.25M Lb of payable Zn, 546.7K Lb of payable Pb, and 455 Oz of payable Ag sold in Zn and Pb concentrates. Consolidated Zinc reported a net loss after income tax of USD $2.19M, a profit of USD $0.56M, total assets of USD $4.14M, and total liabilities of USD $3.79M. Total cash reported was USD $0.77M and borrowings were USD $0.98M.

ON FINANCING

  • Mag Silver Corp., completed its previously announced at the market equity program for gross and net proceeds of USD $50M and USD $48.62M respectively. Net proceeds will be used to fund the completion of construction of the Juanicipio project, with any reminder to fund further exploration of Juanicipio and other projects, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • Comet Resources Limited announced that it will be conducting a placement for gross proceeds of $2M. The offer under the plan will raise a maximum of $500K on the terms and conditions contained in this letter. In conjunction with the placement, this will provide the company with additional funds of up to $2.5M. Part of the funds raised will be used for ongoing exploration at Santa Teresa project in Baja California as well as for the payment of costs associated with the plan and placement and general working capital.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., completed its share consolidation in connection with its plan to trade on the NYSE American LLC, which is now effective. Excellon’s shares are expected to commence trading on the NYSE American by the end of September under the ticker symbol “EXN” (La Platosa mine, Durango).
  • Monarca Minerals Inc., completed its previously announced shares for debt transaction to settle an aggregate of $301,324 owing to certain officers, directors and services providers of the company. The amount settled includes $194K out of $342K of accrued directors, management, and consulting fees (Tejamen property, Durango).
  • Sable Resources Ltd., closed its previously announced private placement for total gross proceeds of approximately $9.9M. Net proceeds will be used for exploration and general corporate and working capital purposes (Margarita and Vinata project, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Bacanora Lithium plc., provided an operational update of its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora. The pilot plant has completed the bulk sampling required for the Sonora plant, the same that were submitted to relevant partners in China and USA for optimization of the final design. GR Engineer completed its concentrator design work and will integrate this into the overall project scope, and its JV partner Ganfeng Lithium completed its flow sheet design testwork for the production of battery grade lithium from the samples provided by the pilot plant.  Bacanora therefore remains on schedule to commence initial site works at Sonora in H1 2021, subject to completion of financing, which would enable commencement of production at the plant in 2023.
  • Capstone Mining Corp., provided updated proven and probable mineral reserves and positive results of an updated technical report for its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. Proven and probable reserves as of April 30, 2020 are 10,178,000 tones of 1.79% Cu, 41 g/t Ag , o.36% Zn and 0.05% Pb for a total of 2M Lb Cu, 13.5M Oz Ag, 79.4M Lb Zn, and 11M Lb Pb. Capstone updated life of mine plan with annual average Cu and Ag production increased by 70% to 61.4M Lb Cu and 43% to 1.75M Oz Ag respectively. Average annual C1 costs (net of by-products) are expected to move 23% lower to $0.67 per payable Lb Cu. It also announced that ramp-up to 1.35 million tonnes milled per annum (“tpa”) by Q2 2021 is on time and budget, that tailings management transformation activities are progressing on schedule, and that a PFS of an underground paste backfill system is underway. Finally, it also reported that a new step-out hole drill program totalling 80 holes targeting the down dip extension to the southeast of both Vein 10 and Vein 20 is underway. Hole S499 and S503 intersected high grade polymetallic copper, zinc, lead and silver in a 650-meter step-out from the current mineral resource. A 1 km exploration drift is being considered to provide a drilling platform to target this new area.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced that it has applied to list its issued and outstanding common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) American, LLC., under the ticker symbol “EXN” (La Platosa mine, Durango).
  • Mithril Resources Limited announced that its CEO was appointed as Managing Director (Copalquin project, Durango).
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders and announced it has changed its name from Sonoro Metals Corp., to Sonoro Gold Corp., and will commence to trade with the new ticker symbol “SGO” (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora).
  • Alien Metals Ltd., entered into an exclusivity agreement with Capstone Mining Corp., in respect of the potential farm out of an interest in its Donovan 2 Copper-Gold project in Zacatecas. The agreement provides for a 45-day period for Capstone to undertake due diligence to their satisfaction. If the parties decide to move into a definitive agreement, then Capstone could earn-in to the Donovan 2 property through a combination of carried expenditures and cash payments.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced the decision of the Second District Court in Puebla in respect of its environmental permit application for its Ixtaca project in Puebla. “The company challenged an October, 2019 decision by Mexico’s environmental authority (“SEMARNAT”) to suspend its review of the Ixtaca project’s environmental permit application (“MIA”) until resolution of legal proceedings (the “Amparo”) regarding certain of the Company’s mineral concessions which encompass the area of the Ixtaca project. In its recent decision, the Court dismissed the “incident” principally on the basis that SEMARNAT is not a party to the Amparo. Furthermore, in a related communication with SEMARNAT, the Court also confirmed that the existence of the Amparo does not prevent SEMARNAT from resolving the MIA permit application and that SEMARNAT is free to act within its jurisdiction and authority in respect of the MIA review. The Ministry of the Economy, the Mining Authorities, the Congress, Senate, and the Office of the Presidency all made submissions to the Court as part of this decision. The Company awaits a response from SEMARNAT to the Court decision”.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its Ana Paula property in Guerrero. Total consideration to Argonaut includes USD $30M on closing, CAD $10M upon the announcement of commencement of construction, a 1% NSR, and 9.9% of the outstanding common shares of the acquiring company, which will be formed by a business combination of 1252201 BC Ltd (“AP Mining”) and Pinehurst Capital II Inc. (“Pinehurst”), creating a new publicly traded gold development company (the “Resulting Issuer”).
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited secured an agreement with Industrias Peñoles to sale under favorable terms the 100% of the Zn concentrate produced by the company in 2021 at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua.
  • Newmont Corporation appointed Susan N Story to its board of directors and achieves gender parity for non-executive directors (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders. In this meeting shareholders re-elected directors and approved the purchase of Electrum Global Holdings L.P.’s 60% ownership interest in Southern Silver Holdings Limited and indirect 60% interest in the Cerro Las Minitas property in Durango.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • First Majestic Silver Corp., invested during 2019, USD $3.8M in local communities where it operates, destined to health programs, infrastructure, access to water, and youth projects. In 2019, First Majestic planted 105,730 native plants through reforestation initiatives, and also recycled more than 80% of the water used in its operations. At the end of 2019, First Majestic employed a total of 4,681 people: 3,305 employees and 1,376 contractors, distributed in the six operating mines of the company: San Dimas, and La Parrilla, in Durango; La Encantada, in Coahuila; Santa Elena, in Sonora; Del Toro, in Zacatecas, and San Martín, in Jalisco.
  • Fresnillo plc, continued donating personal equipment to prevent infections by COVID-19 in Caborca, Sonora. The company delivered 8,000 face masks as part of a social program to raise awareness among the population about the importance of health care to avoid the spread of the virus.
  • The Municipal President of Fresnillo, Zacatecas delivered the first stage of the rainwater collector with an investment of MXP $6M from the Mining Fund. This work has 180 linear meters and has favored the inhabitants of the El Vergel subdivision and neighboring colonies since it is channeled to rainwater and prevents floods.
  • The Municipal President of Cuencame, Durango announced that MXP $16.6M were invested in the construction of domes and paved street, installation of electrical networks, potable water and drainage in several communities in Cuencame, Durango. In addition, she also reported that more than two thousand direct and indirect jobs were generated.
  • Grupo Mexico S.A.B de C.V., offered more than 130 weekly workshops via social networks generating content for the community with a focus on prevention, healthy distance and stay at home, as well as implementation of workshops in the areas of education and culture, health and safety, environment and sports.
  • The Peñoles nursery garden continues donating trees to people seeking to expand the green folder in their home, plaza or a larger space for the community. Goal of the program is to reforest public spaces in order to maintain an ecological balance. The company also is carrying out cleaning and disinfection of classrooms, furniture and teaching materials at a Federal Middle School #2.
  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold Resource) improved public spaces in the Atzcala community in Guerrero. Among the activities carried out were the pruning of trees, painting of sidewalks and fences, construction of concrete tops, cleaning of planters, reforestation, cleaning in the elementary school and kindergarten, placement of fencing in the field, replacement of lights and other activities.

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, stibnite in a fine grained quartz vein from an epithermal vein system in a prospect in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia

 

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of August, 2020.

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Phyllic alteration

By Miguel A Heredia

During the thirty three week of the year (August 10th to August 16th, 2020), at least 43 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with twelve disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven announcing financial rounds, six communicating production and financial results, six informing on exploration results, five reporting on resources and development of their mine operations, four discussing social issues, and three commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining drives the economy of the municipalities of Santa Barbara and San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua. The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga and the Major of Progreso, Coahuila, Federico Quintanilla started up the modern “La Esperanza” locomotive at the Santa Barbara mine, with the purpose of promoting a fair and safe reactivation of coal orders that will be transformed into jobs for this municipality. Mexican Au production will suffer declines due to COVID-19 pandemic.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri Resource began a high resolution mag survey at its Evelyn project, its JV partner Silver Spruce commenced a mapping and sampling program at its El Mezquite, and Silver Tiger reported underground channel sampling results from its El Tigre project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay presented drill results from 4 holes collared at its Columba project. In Sinaloa, GR Silver released drill results from 14 holes drilled by previous companies at its Plomosas project but not previously released, and Vizsla reported a second discovery drilling at its Panuco project.  ON MINING, Argonaut, Equinox, GoGold, MAG Silver, and Santacruz Silver presented Q2, 2020 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations; Starcore presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro.  ON FINANCING, Canuc closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $225K (San Javier project, Sonora). Discovery Metals closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $35M, including CAD $15M investment from Eric Sprott (Cordero project, Chihuahua).  Orex Minerals announced a non-brokered private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5.5M (Sandra and Coneto projects, Durango). One World Lithium closed a portion of its previously announced non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds for CAD $336K (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Silver Spruce announced a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $1.6M (El Mezquite project, Sonora).  Sonoro Metals closed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $8M including the fully subscribed overallotment option (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Sable Resources entered    into an agreement with Sprott Capital for a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $5M (Margarita project, Chihuahua). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, SilverCrest released drill results from its Las Chispas project. Golden Minerals announced results from 9 diamond holes of its in-fill resource definition drill program at its Rodeo project in Durango. Coeur provided mid-year 2020 exploration update on its Palmarejo project in Chihuahua. SilverCrest provided an update of the activities carried out at its Las Chispas project in Sonora during the period H1, 2020. Orla Mining received from the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (“SEMARNAT”), the environmental permit required for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Brigadier signed a definitive agreement to acquire Picachos property in Sinaloa, including the past producing San Agustin mine, and made the appointment of a new member to its board of directors.  Magna Gold entered into a definitive option agreement with a private party to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Los Muertos property in Sonora. Silver Dollar signed a definitive agreement with First Majestic to acquire up to a 100% interest in the La Joya property in Durango. Alien appointed IBK Capital Corp to assists it with the project level funding and JV process for its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Avino has granted the exclusive right to Gray Rock Resources to acquire a 100% interest in the Ana Maria and Laberinto properties in Durango. Evrim reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and approved the merger with Renaissance Gold (Ermitaño project, Sonora).  Excellon announced results from its 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders (La Platosa mine, Durango). Riverside completed the spin-out of shares of Capitan Mining Inc. (Peñoles mining district, Durango). Monarca closed the sale of the El Sol project in Durango to Southern Silver and appointed a new member to its board of directors (Tejamen project, Durango). Minera Alamos granted stock options to an officer of the company (Santana project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold), inaugurated a waste water treatment system at Cocula municipality of Guerrero. Grupo Mexico Foundation donated seven assisted breathing ventilators, as well as personal protection equipment for ambulances from the Ministry of Health of Coahuila. Personnel of Fresnillo plc will carry out rapid tests of COVID-19 in the communities and neighborhoods near the area of operation of the mines in the Fresnillo district.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mining drives the economy of the municipalities of Santa Barbara and San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua. The main source of employment in Santa Barbara and San Francisco del Oro is mining. If not, these two towns could become “ghost” cities. Currently these two areas of the south of the state have prospered thanks to the establishment of mining companies that have taken advantage of the resources from their respective foundations, which were precisely constituted by the discovery of mines at the time of the Viceroyalty and until now they continue operating.
  • The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga and the Major of Progreso, Coahuila, Federico Quintanilla started up the modern “La Esperanza” locomotive at the Santa Barbara mine, with the purpose of promoting a fair and safe reactivation of coal orders that will be transformed into jobs for this municipality. In meeting with the Undersecretary of Mining, the mayor explained the need to request coal orders from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to ensure investment and, above all, return employment to hundreds of families who depend on this activity in the municipality of Progress, Coahuila.
  • Mexican Au production, will suffer a decrease of more than 300K Oz in Au production this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure represents 9.3% of the 3.46M Oz Au of the production originally projected for 2020, according to BNamericas’ forecast and estimates for 20 companies in March, 2020. Mexico produced 126,607 Oz Au in May, 37.5% less than the same month last year, according to the national Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation, began a high resolution mag survey at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The planned airborne magnetic survey will consist of 150 km in 59 N-S lines at 50m line spacing and 5 E-W tie-lines at 500m separation using a DRONE equipped with a Mag magnetometer. Results from this mag survey along with surface chip and channel samples, property wide soil sampling and previous drill results will be analyzed to plan drill targets for a fall 2020 drill program.
  • Silver Spruce Resources, has mobilized a crew to its El Mezquite property in Sonora to conduct geology mapping of the entire property and collect additional rock samples for analysis as well as for an study of alteration intensity and style using a Terraspec hyperspectral tool.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented underground channel sampling results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. This sampling program is intended to generate drill targets. In the Fundadora Vein, highlights include 4.44 g/t Au and 3,064 g/t Ag (3,397 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.5m; 8.6 g/t Au and 2,500 g/t Ag (3,145 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m; and 22.3 g/t Au and 606 g/t Ag (2,278 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m. At Protectora Vein, highlights include 32.99 g/t Au and 2,283 g/t Ag (2,474 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m. At Caleigh Vein, highlights include 26.65 g/t Au and 1,679 g/t Ag (1,999 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m. At the Aquilas Norte area, sampling returned significant results such as 4.71 g/t Au and 1,709 g/t A (2,062 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m; and 1.37 g/t Au and 1,843 g/t Ag (1,946 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., presented drill results from additional four holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua in the J and Z Veins. Highlights include hole CDH-20-060 with 132 g/t Ag over a width of 64m, including two notable intervals: 1,025 g/t Ag over 1m within 226 g/t Ag over 9m, and 361 g/t Ag over 11m, including 608 g/t Ag over 5m, and 1,160 g/t Ag over 1m, all within 229 g/t Ag over 22m; and hole CDH-19-030 with 200 g/t Ag over 25.85m, including 415 g/t Ag over 11.15m, including 982 g/t Ag over 1.9m within 721 g/t Ag over 4.07m. The Ag mineralization in the J and Z Vein system is related to silicified breccias and thin quartz vein stockworks following classic banded quartz vein structures more characteristic of the F-Vein.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced drill results from 14 holes drilled by previous companies but not previously released from its Plomosas project in Sinaloa, revealing the presence of wide zones of Au mineralization in addition to attractive near surface Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization. Significant drill intercepts were encountered at hole PLSS18-02 with 0.2 g/t Au, 350 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (383 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2m, including 0.5 g/t Au, 1,559 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (1,687 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m; hole 219 with 1.9 g/t Au, 191 g7t Ag, 7.1% Pb, and 3.4% Zn (716 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.4m, and hole 235 with 2.3 g/t Au, 134 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 2.4% Zn (437 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.8m; and hole 244 with 1.7 g/t Au, 17 g/t Ag and 0.7% Zn (209 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 12.6m. These drill results define a mineralized strike length of up to 700m, with field evidence and underground mapping indicating further continuity along strike and down dip.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., reported a second discovery drilling at the San Carlos mine on the Animas Vein corridor within its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlights include hole AM-20-15 with 0.61 g/t Au and 93 g/t Ag (144.9 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; and hole AM-20-16 with 1.14 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag (229 g/t AgEq) over 16.25m, including 2.19 g/t Au and 231 g/t Ag (421 g/t AgEq) over 6.75m, including 5.08 g/t Au and 821 g/t Ag (1,245 g/t AgEq) over 1.50m. The San Carlos Mine is over 6 km east of the recent discovery at the Napoleon vein corridor.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., announced Q2, 2020 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At El Castillo mine in Durango, Argonaut processed 902K tonnes of 0.43 g/t Au to produce 9,151 Oz Au and 19,547 Oz Ag or 9,394 GEOs (Oz AuEq), at a cash cost of $862 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin mine in Durango, the company processed 1.18M tonnes of 0.33 g/t Au to produce 13,403 Oz Au and 69,242 Oz Ag (14,288 GEOs) at a cash cost of $76 per Oz Au sold. The El Castillo complex (Castillo + San Agustin mines) produced 23,662 GEOs at a cash cost of $802 per Oz Au sold during Q2, 2020. At La Colorada mine in Sonora, Argonaut processed 506K tonnes of 0.42 g/t Au to produce 7,537 Oz Au and 26,554 Oz Ag (7,869 GEOs) at a cash cost of $1,169 per Oz Au sold.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., did not report production results by single operation but presented a consolidated production of 127K Oz Au from their mine operations and sold 125.8K Oz, having earnings of USD $85.1M, a net loss of USD $58.7M, and an adjusted net income of USD $26.6M. For Los Filos mine in Guerrero, most of the period Q2, 2020, the mine was on suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the company provided a H2, 2020 guidance and expects to produce 90K-100K Oz Au at an AISC of USD $850-950 per Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua for the period Q2, 2020. GoGold stacked 282.7K tonnes at a cash and AISC cost of USD $12.13 and USD $14.93 per Oz AgEq respectively. The company sold 469.5K Oz AgEq with revenue of USD $7.9M and a free cash of flow of USD $2.2M.
  • MAG Silver Corp., announced that underground production at its Juanicipio project in a JV with Fresnillo plc in Zacatecas is expected to commence soon. An anticipated processing of 16K tonnes per month from which 8,850 tonnes were successfully at the Fresnillo pant on a test basis while the Juanicipio plant is commissioned. The capex expended from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020 is approximately USD $172,695 leaving an estimated USD $267,305 of remaining initial capital (MAG’s 44% estimated remaining share is USD $117,614 as at June 30, 2020). This funding requirement would be reduced by both: existing cash held in Minera Juanicipio as at June 30, 2020 (USD$35,337); and, expected cash flows generated from mineralized rock sold and processed through the Fresnillo processing plant referenced above.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining ltd., reported Q2, 2020 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. Consolidated production results of Santacruz for the period Q2, 2020 resulted in 116,799 tonnes processed to produce 216K Oz Ag, 57 Oz Au, 679K Lb Cu, 1.68M Lb Pb, and 4.85M Lb Zn. At Zimapan mine in Hidalgo, the company processed 106,725 tonnes of 75 g/t Ag, 0.42% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 2.5% Zn to produce 181.8K Oz Ag, 679K Lb Cu, 1.5M Lb Pb, and 4.45M Lb Zn. At Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi, Santacruz processed 10,074 tonnes of 0.25 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 2% Zn to produce 57 Oz Au, 34.2K Oz Ag, 154K Lb Pb, and 392.4K Lb Zn.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., presented production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro for the period Q1, 2021. Starcore processed 59.1K tonnes of 1.7 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag at metallurgical recoveries of 88.77% and 56.53% respectively to produce 3,250 Oz AuEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Canuc Resources Corporation, closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $275K. Net proceeds will be used for exploration at its San Javier project in Sonora.
  • Discovery Metals Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $35M, including CAD $15M investment from Eric Sprott. After this investment. Mr. Sprott will own approximately 26.4% interest in Discovery Metals on a non-diluted basis or 29.9% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of warrants held by Mr. Sprott. Net proceeds will be used to fund Discovery´s continuing exploration programs at its Cordero project in Chihuahua and its other projects in Coahuila.
  • Orex Minerals Inc., announced a non-brokered private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5.5M (Sandra project. Durango). Mr. Eric Sprott intends to subscribe for the entirety of the offering. Net proceeds will be used for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (Sandra and Coneto properties in Durango).
  • One World Lithium Inc., closed a portion of its previously announced non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds for CAD $336K. Net proceeds will be used primarily for funding part of its Salar del Diablo drilling program in Baja California and for working capital.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced a private placement financing for gross proceeds of $1.6M. The proceeds will be used for exploration of the El Mezquite and Pino de Plata projects in Sonora and Chihuahua states respectively.
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $8M including the fully subscribed overallotment option. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the offering to launch Phase One of the 2020-21 Core Drilling Program to test its Cerro Caliche epithermal system’s potential to host high-grade gold mineralization at depth as discussed previously.
  • Sable Resources Ltd., entered into an agreement with Sprott Capital Partners LP as lead agent for a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $5M. The offering is expected to close on or about September 10, 2020. Gross proceeds will be used for exploration and general corporate and working capital purposes (Margarita project, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., released drill results from the Babi Vista Vein within its Las Chispas project in Sonora. This program is designed to expand and in-fill high grade mineralization to be included in the updated resource for the ongoing FS. The expanded high-grade footprint for Babi Vista is estimated at 800m along strike by an average 150m in height. The most significant results were encountered at hole BV20-60 with 635 g/t Au and 26,004 g/t Ag (73,595 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.3m; hole BV20-53 with 19.87 g/t Au and 2,996 g/t Ag (4,486 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.4m; and hole BV20-94 with 85.4 g/t Au and 4,716 g/t Ag (11,121 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.7m.
  • Golden Minerals Company, announced results from nine diamond holes of its in-fill resource definition drill program at its Rodeo project in Durango. Each of the first nine diamond drill holes intersected wide zones of near-surface gold mineralization, with significant drill intercepts encountered at hole RDO-20-001-M with 1.85 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 45m, including 2.59 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over 29.44m, including 4.04 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 13.23m; hole RDO-20-002 with 2.18 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 35m, including 4.21 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 9.9m, including 2.44 g/t Au and 2.44 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over 10.39m; hole RDO-20-003-M with 3.23 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 40m, including 6.86 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 12.95m, including 2.62 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 10.85m; hole RD-20-004 with 1.27 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over 50m, including 3.33 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 9.18m; hole RDO-20-005-M with 3.78 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over 40m, including 5.96 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 23.4m; hole RDO-20-006 with 3.06 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over 30m, including 5.21 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 15.5m, including 7.55 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 8.11m; hole RDO-20-007 with 0.76 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 50m, including 3.36 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 7.2m; hole RDO-20-008 with 2.95 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 40m, including 5.13 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 20.5m, including 7.23 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over 9.6m; and hole RDO-20-009 with 1.51 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag over 45m, including 2.67 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 20.25m, including 3.32 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 13.25m. Drill holes 001M, 003M and 005M were drilled with PQ drill-core to collect samples for metallurgical test work. Remaining drill holes were drilled with HQ drill-core.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., provided H1, 2020 exploration update on its Palmarejo project in Chihuahua. Exploration has been focused primarily on resource conversion and expansion drilling around the Guadalupe mine complex, and secondly on the Independencia mine complex. The company has drilled 29, 496m at a total investment of approximately $4.1M. At North Independencia, key drill results were encountered at hole VIDH-140 with 5.4 g/t Au and 236 g/t Ag over 5.3m and 21.4 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over 1.6m; at Northwest Independencia, hole VIDH-136 cut multiple intercepts: 4 g/t Au and 439 g/t Ag over 5.3m; 2.1 g/t Au and 293 g/t Ag over 6.6m; 1.8 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag over 6.3m; 0.7 g/t Au and 282 g/t Ag over 3.6m; 2.9 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2.4m; and 4.8 g/t Au and 638 g/t Ag over 0.6m. At East Independencia, hole BVDH-047 intersected 1.4 g/t Au and 248 g/t Ag over 7.6m. Coeur has expanded the overall footprint in the district by mapping and sampling exposures of new veins SW and NE of the two underground mining complexes as well as new veins W and E of legacy open pit mine. It plans to continue aggressively drilling resource expansion targets in several areas during the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., provided an update on the activities developed at its Las Chispas project in Sonora in H1, 2020. The company completed 97,700m of in-fill and expansion drilling and completed approximately 2.1km of underground decline and lateral development, and stockpiled an additional 12K tonnes of mineralized material for a total stockpile of an estimated 41K tonnes at estimated diluted grade of 1Kg AgEq. SilverCrest expects to release a FS by the end of 2020.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., received from the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (“SEMARNAT”) the environmental permit required for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Orla now has the two principal permits necessary for commencement of construction activities at Camino Rojo.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Brigadier Gold Ltd., signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the 3,954 ha Picachos property in Sinaloa, including the past producing San Agustin high grade Au mine. Picachos is along a large trend that host several precious metals epithermal vein systems and recently, a large porphyry copper target has been identified. To acquire 100% interest in the property, Brigadier has to make staged payments to the vendors totalling USD $275K over a 5-year period, issuance of 4M common shares of Brigadier, and cumulative exploration expenditures of USD $3,850,000. Brigadier will also make payments to the vendor for Picachos development milestones as to 1M common shares upon delineating a mineral resource estimate containing a minimum of 350K Oz Au in the inferred category, USD $725K and 1M common shares upon completion of a FS recommending the construction of a mine on the property, and USD $2M upon commencement of commercial production. In addition, Brigadier may, at its option, issue common shares, at the then current market price, subject to a minimum of $0.30 per share, in lieu of one half of the cash payments to be made pursuant to each of, and a 2% NSR will be retained by the vendor who is arm´s length to Brigadier. The company also announced the appointment of a new member to its board of directors.
  • Magna Gold Corp., entered into a definitive option agreement with a private party to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Los Muertos property in Sonora. Los Muertos is characterized by extreme silicification, hematization, and argillic alteration, suggesting the potential for both extensive Ag-Au vein systems, and coincident, pervasive disseminated   Magna can earn a 100% undivided interest by paying an aggregate amount of USD $425K plus VAT in five annual installments commencing on the effective date of the agreement, August 3rd, 2020.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., signed a definitive agreement with First Majestic to acquire up to a 100% interest in the La Joya property in Durango. The company may acquire an initial 80% interest by making staged payment totalling $1.3M over a 5-year period plus annual holding costs for the property, incurring exploration expenditures on the property of not less than $1M within 3 years, and issuing such number of common shares of the company as is equal to 19.9% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Silver Dollar. . If Silver Dollar incurs at least $1,000,000 of exploration expenditures on the Property within three years of the date of the Definitive Agreement, First Majestic will waive the third- and fourth-anniversary cash option payments described above totalling $600,000. First Majestic will reserve a 2% NSR in all minerals produced from the property. Within 30 days after exercising its first option, Silver Dollar may exercise its second option and acquire the remaining 20% interest in the subsidiary that owns the La Joya Silver Project by delivering notice and issuing to First Majestic the number of shares as is equal to 5% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Silver Dollar.
  • Alien Metals ltd., appointed IBK Capital Corp to assists it with the project level funding and JV process for its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Its services include private placements of equity and debt instruments, with significant experience in the mining sector.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., has granted the exclusive right to Gray Rock Resources Ltd., to acquire a 100% interest in the Ana Maria and Laberinto properties in Durango. In order to exercise the option, Gray Rock has to issue to Avino a total of $600k in cash or common shares: $50K in cash or shares within 30 days of the approval date; $50K in cash or common shares on or before the first anniversary of the approval date; $100K in cash or common shares on or before the second anniversary of the approval date; $200K in cash or common shares on or before the third anniversary of the approval date; $200K in cash or common shares on or before the fourth anniversary of the approval date; incur a total of $750K in exploration expenditures ($50K on or before the first anniversary of the approval date; 100K on or before the second anniversary of the approval date; and 600K on or before the fourth anniversary of the approval date). Gray Rock also granted Avino a right of first refusal on 60 days’ notice to Avino to purchase and process any ore or concentrate extracted from the properties under a custom milling contract at Avino’s mine facilities.
  • Evrim Resources Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and approved the previously announced merger transaction with Renaissance Gold Inc Under the terms of the arrangement, each outstanding RenGold common share will be exchanged for 1.2448 Evrim common shares, which will result in RenGold shareholders immediately prior to the arrangement holding 50% of the issued and outstanding shares Evrim shares immediately following the arrangement.. Once the arrangement is completed, the company will change its name to Orogen Royalties Inc. (Ermitaño project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced results of its 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders, as well as the election of directors (La Platosa mine, Durango).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., completed the spin-out of shares of Capitan Mining Inc. Capitan and its shareholders will now hold 100% interest of the Au-Ag resource at the Peñoles project. Pursuant to the arrangement, holders of common shares of Riverside on August 13, 2020 will receive one new common share of Riverside and 0.2594 of a Capitan share for each common share held. The existing common shares of Riverside were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) on August 13, 2020. Riverside shares commenced trading on the TSXV at the market opening on August 14, 2020.
  • Monarca Minerals Inc., closed the sale of the El Sol project in Durango to Southern Silver and appointed a new member to its board of directors. El Sol is a small mining concession of 63 ha adjacent to Southern Silver´s Cerro Minas project. The agreement is for USD $300K payable in three equal instalments on execution of a definitive agreement, twelve months and eighteen months together with retention by the Company of 2% NSR on production from the claim with a right in Southern Silver to purchase the royalty at any time for USD $1M. El Sol is a non-core asset for Monarca and net proceeds from the sell will be used to advance the company’s San Jose project in Chihuahua, Mexico and for general working capital.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., granted 600K options exercisable at a price of $0.67 to an officer of the company (Santana project, Sonora). The options will expire in five years.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold), inaugurated a waste water treatment system at Cocula municipality of Guerrero. This system had an investment of MXP $6.3M and is part of the infrastructure endowment that the subsidiary mine of Torex Gold Resource planned for the relocation of said town in which 360 inhabitants live in 103 homes.
  • Grupo Mexico Foundation, donated seven assisted breathing ventilators, as well as personal protection equipment for ambulances from the Ministry of Health of Coahuila. In this way, the Ministry of Health of the Government of Coahuila guarantees high-quality advanced care, which can be offered from the place of the incident or report, to the transfer to the hospital for more personalized attention for COVID-19.
  • Personnel of Fresnillo plc, will carried out rapid tests of COVID-19 in the communities and neighborhoods near the area of operation of the mines in the Fresnillo district.

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, phyllic alteration in a porphyry Cu system in a prospect in Puebla, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of July, 2020.

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Quartz veins hosted in volcanic rocks

By Miguel A Heredia

During the thirty one week of the year (July 27th to August 2nd, 2020), at least 50 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with thirteen announcing financial rounds, eight communicating production and financial results, seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, six commenting on Mexican issues, six discussing social issues, five informing on exploration results, and five reporting on resources and developments. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Xavier Garcia de Quevedo, VP of Grupo Mexico, stated that the investment in the Mexican mining industry has decreased 36% between 2018 and 2019 and 68% in the last seven years. The research firm Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) stated that sustainability initiatives will boost financing for the mining sector. The dispute between the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the Canadian mining company First Majestic is rapidly escalating to other levels. According to the Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico is the 9th world gold producer. Gold price exceeded USD $ 1,981.27 per Oz last Tuesday 28, 2020, reaching an all-time high. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Canuc recommenced exploration at its San Javier project, and Silver Spruce announced that its Phase 1 ground exploration program on the El Mezquite Au Project will be activated during the first week of August 2020.  In Sinaloa, Vizsla added a fourth drill rig at its Panuco project. In Durango, Mithril commenced a 5,000m drilling program at its Copalquin project.  ON MINING, Capstone, Coeur, Consolidated Zinc, Fresnillo, Newmont, and Starcore reported production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Sierra Metals announced restart of production at its Cusi mine in Chihuahua.  ON FINANCING, Advance Gold closed its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of $720K (Tabasquena project, in Zacatecas).  Aztec Minerals closed the final tranche of its private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $955K (Cervantes project in Sonora). Golden Tag announced a non-brokered private placement financing led by Eric Sprott for aggregate proceeds of $5.6M (San Diego property in Durango). Impact Silver pronounced a brokered private placement financing for CAD $6M (Zacualpan Mining District in Mexico State). Kootenay announced a private placement financing for $5M (Columba project in Chihuahua). Silver Tiger closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $11M (El Tigre project in Sonora). Southern Silver reported a brokered offering of subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $10M, and announced an additional CAD $4M equity raise (Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango). Stroud completed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $3M (Santo Domingo property in Jalisco).  Sonoro Metals announced that it increased its non-brokered private placement financing for up to $5M with the potential to add up to $3M of additional proceeds under the overallotment option. Gold Resource declared July monthly dividend to their shareholders (Arista mine in Oaxaca). Mag Silver signed an at the market offering sales agreement of common shares for gross proceed of up to USD $50M (Juanicipio project in Zacatecas). Candente applied to TSX for approval to extend the exercise period of 5M outstanding share purchase warrants issued pursuant to the private placement completed on August 12, 2016. (El Oro property in Mexico State). Monarca Minerals announced that it is proposing to settle an aggregate of approximately $380.6K owing to certain officers and directors and services providers through the issuance of an aggregate of approximately 7,612,000 common shares at an issue price of CAD $0.05 (Tejamen project in Durango).   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Alamos Gold reported results of a positive internal economic study and announced construction decision on its fully permitted La Yaqui Grande project located in the Mulatos mining district. GoGold announced initial mineral resource estimate at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco, and updated the mineral reserve at the Parral Tailings operation, and the mineral resource estimate at its Esmeralda Tailings project located near Parral, Chihuahua. Consolidated Zinc advised that the environmental authority of Mexico has granted their approval for refurbishment of its Plomosas plant and construction and operation of the tailings storage facility. Ridgestone entered into a toll milling agreement to process bulk samples from historic dumps of the Alaska vein at its Rebeico project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Brigadier announced the appointment of its new special adviser (Picachos project in Sinaloa). Santacruz signed an option agreement with Grupo Peñoles to acquire the Zimapan property and related assets located in Zimapan, Hidalgo for a total consideration of USD $20M. Minera Alamos hired new VP project development and appointed new COO (Santana project in Sonora). Consolidated Zinc presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and advised that a new constitution was approved and adopted by shareholders (Plomosas mine in Chihuahua). Candente launched the “CEO Verified” Discussion Forum on AGORACOM (El Oro property in Mexico State). Telson provided an update on filing annual 2019 audited and Q1, 2020 financial statements (Tahuehueto project in Durango).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, The Municipal Water and Sanitation Board of Chihuahua (JMAS) is extracting water from the Esmeralda and Arbolito mines to feed a dam in Parral Chihuahua. Minera Peñasquito supplies water to 5 thousand people of the communities of Cedros, Mesas, Charcos, Nuevo Peñasco and Palmas. Minera Saucito, a subsidiary of Fresnillo plc, received international certification for its commitment to the health and safety of its collaborators. Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc), implemented a health model for the safety of its workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic (La Herradura mine in Sonora). Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) dissociated itself from the alleged environmental incident and reiterated its commitment to the communities in which it operates (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Xavier Garcia de Quevedo, VP of Grupo Mexico, stated that the investment in the Mexican mining industry has decreased 36% between 2018 and 2019 and 68% in the last seven years, leading the country to fall in the international ranking of investment destination from position 5 to 29.
  • The research firm Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), concluded that sustainability initiatives will boost financing for the mining sector. This would represent an opportunity to transform the industry and create new business models in a more economic capital cycle.
  • The dispute between the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the Canadian mining company First Majestic is rapidly escalating to other levels. The Attorney General’s Office, Carlos Romero Aranda, warned the taxpayer that it failed to accumulate the real income derived from the sale of silver to its related party Silver Trading Barbados Limited. First Majestic draws disputes with the SAT since the last administration because it is questioned what it paid as a result of the purchase of Primero Mining, owner of the San Dimas silver mine, in Durango. The mining company filed a lawsuit against Mexico in May under the Free Trade Agreement, prompting Andrés Manuel López Obrador to ask the Canadian government to enter into conciliation. But what is unheard of is that while the President asks his counterpart Justin Trudeau to sensitize First Majestic to pay about $ 180 million, there is already a tax lawsuit.
  • According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico is the 9th world gold producer. In 2019 the country produced 2.4M Oz Au with a value of approximately USD $2.87B.
  • Gold price exceeded USD $ 1,981.27 per Oz last Tuesday 28, 2020, reaching an all-time high. Investors bet on the precious metal, considered as a safe value amid uncertainty by the tensions between the United States and China and the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic. This move is common among investors to protect themselves from risk when markets fall.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Canuc Resources Corporation, recommenced exploration at its San Javier project in Sonora. The company announced that it has initiated a geological mapping and systematic sampling program along the 3Km structural corridor of the San Javier Ag-Au project. Focus of the program is to locate and evaluate large scale breccia zones, particularly those that occur at the intersection of known veins and crosscutting fault structures.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced that its Phase 1 ground exploration program on the El Mezquite Au Project will be activated during the first week of August 2020. Silver Spruce plans to conduct geological mapping on the entire property and additional rock sampling. It also will use the Terraspec hyperspectral tool for definition of alteration intensity of silicate, carbonate and hydrous oxide species. The mapping also will document any structural data which may be correlated with the known geophysical trends, and applied to the interpretation of the property-wide mapping. In addition, the company also will initiate scheduling for the requisite environmental permitting for drilling access and pads.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., added a fourth drill rig at its Panuco project in Sinaloa, to test new targets on the Napoleon, Cordon del Oro and Animas vein corridors.
  • Mithril Resources Limited commenced a fully funded 5,000m drilling program at its Copalquin project which is expected to run until the end of 2020. This program has already started at the high-grade Au-Ag La Soledad-Refugio-Cometa targets, and will move to other targets such as Los Pinos, Los Reyes, and San Manuel-La Constancia.

ON MINING

  • Capstone Mining Corp., reported production results from its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas for the period Q2, 2020. The company produced 8.3M Lb Cu at a cash cost of $0.98 per Lb.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., released Q2, 2020 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. The company processed 269,641 tonnes of 2.18 g/t Au and 139 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recoveries of 86% and 72.2% respectively, to produce 15.2K Oz Au and 867K Oz Ag. Costs applicable to sales were USD $686 and $8.13 per Oz Au and Ag respectively.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd., mined 2,575 tonnes of 16.6% Zn, 9.5% Pb, and 66 g/t Ag and processed 2,201 tons of 16.6% Zn, 9.2% Pb, and 64 g/t Ag to produce 515.9K Lb Zn, 185.2K Lb Pb, and 30 Oz Ag, at a cash cost of $0.84 per Lb Zn. The company sold in this quarter 541 tonnes of Zn concentrate and 201 tonnes of Pb concentrate.
  • Fresnillo plc., announced production results from their Mexican operations for the period Hi, 2020. At Fresnillo mine, Zacatecas, the company processed 1,194,905 tonnes of 0.72 g/t Au, 196 g/t Ag, 1.14% Pb, and 2.12% Zn to produce 19.7K Oz Au, 6.8M Oz Ag, 25.3M Lb Pb, and 39.1M Lb Zn. At Saucito mine in Zacatecas, it processed 1,385,385 tonnes of 1.21 g/t Au, 210 g/t Ag, 1.02% Pb, and 1.84% Zn to produce 41.6K Oz Au, 8.14M Oz, 26.4M Lb Pb, and 39.12M Lb Zn. At Pyrites Plant in Zacatecas, the company processed 80,502 tonnes of 2.11 g/t Au and 252 g/t Ag to produce 1,795 Oz Au and 505K Oz Ag. At Cienega in Durango, it processed 657,893 tonnes of 1.65 g/t Au, 163 g/t Ag, 0.75% Pb, and 1.24% Zn to produce 32.4K Oz Au, 2.97M Oz Ag, 7.14M Lb Pb, and 10.8M Lb Zn. At San Julian Veins in Chihuahua-Durango border, the company processed 621,973 tonnes of 1.58 g/t Au and 115g/t Ag to produce 30.2K Oz Au and 2.1M Oz Ag while at San Julian Disseminated Ore Body, it processed 1,101,489 tonnes of 0.08 g/t Au, 137 g/t Ag, 0.39% Pb, and 1.1% Zn to produce 1,293 Oz Au, 4.15M Oz Ag, 7.5M Lb Pb, and 19.8M Lb Zn. At Herradura mine in Sonora. 8,130,282 tonnes of 0.82 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag were processed to produce 205.7K Oz Au and 824K Oz Ag. At Noche Buena mine in Sonora, the company processed 3,330,054 tonnes of 0.54 g/t Au and 0.4 g/t Ag to produce 48.7K Oz Au and 19K Oz Ag. Consolidated results of the company were 383.3K Oz Au, 26.8M Oz Ag (including 1.3M Oz silverstream), 66.3M Lb Pb, and 108.9M Lb Zn. Total revenues of USD $ 1,054.2M, adjusted revenues of USD $1,125.1M, cost of sales of USD $733M, exploration expenses of USD $50.7M, and EBIDTA of USD $469.9M, and a profit for the period of USD $56.5M.
  • Newmont Corporation reported that 510K Oz Au, 28M Oz Ag, 190M Lb Pb, and 360M Lb Zn (880 Oz AuEq) were produced at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas during Q2, 2020, at cash cost and AISC of $565 and $770 per Oz Au produced respectively.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., released year end 2020 results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company processed 229,800 tonnes of 1.82 g/t Au and 30.5 g/t Ag with metallurgical grades of 87.7% and 54.4% respectively, to produce 11.8K Oz Au and 121.8K Oz Ag (13-1K Oz AuEq) at cash and AISC of USD $66 and USD $1,149 per tonne milled respectively.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced restart of production at its Cusi mine in Chihuahua since it had remained in care and maintenance since April 1, 2020, due to the government-mandated shutdown to contain the advancement of COVID-19.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp closed its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of $720K. Net proceed will be used for drilling its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas, as well as for general corporate purposes.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., closed the final tranche of its private placement equity financing for gross proceeds of CAD $955K. Part of the net proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work on its Cervantes project in Sonora, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement financing led by Eric Sprott for aggregate proceeds of $5.6M. The offering is subject to an over-allotment option allowing Golden Tag to increase it to $7M, if fully exercised. Net proceeds will be used to fund advancement of its San Diego project in Durango, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • Impact Silver Corp., pronounced a brokered private placement financing for CAD $6M (Zacualpan Mining District, Mexico State). Net proceeds will be used for exploration, development and general corporate purposes.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., announced a private placement financing for gross proceeds of $5M. Net proceeds will be used for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (Columba and Copalito projects in Chihuahua and Sinaloa states respectively).
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $11M, including $4M from Eric Sprott. Net proceeds will be used to continue exploration work on its El Tigre project in Sonora, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported a brokered offering of subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $10M, and announced an additional CAD $4M equity raise. Net proceeds will be used to acquire an additional 60% indirect working interest (for a 100% indirect ownership) in the company’s flagship Cerro Las Minitas in Durango, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Stroud Resources Ltd., completed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $3M. Net proceeds will be used to advance the company´s exploration properties located in Mexico and for general working capital purposes (Santo Domingo project in Jalisco).
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., announced that it increased its non-brokered private placement financing for up to $5M with the potential to add up to $3M of additional proceeds under the overallotment option. Net proceeds will be used principally to fund company´s previously announced exploration and development plans at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora and project property maintenance payments, and secondarily for corporate and general administrative expenses.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, declared July monthly dividend of one third of a cent per common share to their shareholders (Arista mine in Oaxaca).
  • Mag Silver Corp., signed an at the market offering sales agreement of common shares for gross proceed of up to USD $50M (Juanicipio project in Zacatecas). Net proceeds will be primarily used to fund the completion of construction at its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, with any remainder to fund further exploration at Juanicipio and other projects, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • Candente Gold Corp., applied to TSX for approval to extend the exercise period of 5M outstanding share purchase warrants issued pursuant to the private placement completed on August 2016. The amended expiry date was August 12th, 2020 and if the extension is approved, the new expiration date will be August 12th, 2021. (El Oro property in Mexico State).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported results of the positive internal economic study completed on its fully permitted La Yaqui Grande project located in the Mulatos mining district and announced that it will begin the development of the project. The Mineral Reserves as of December 2019 of La Yaqui Grande deposit are 19.2M tonnes of 1.17 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag, containing 724K Oz Au and 9.8M Oz Ag. Additionally, Measured and Indicated Resources are 1.3M tonnes of 1.01 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, containing 43K Oz Au and 340K Oz Ag. Highlights of the economic study include an average Au production of 123K Oz Au per year; AISC of $578 per Oz Au; NPV of $165M at a 5% discount rate and an after tax IRR of 41% using a base case Au cost of $1,450 per Oz or  a NPV of  $260M at a 5% discount rate and an after tax IRR of 58% using a base case Au cost of $1,750 per Oz; mine life of five years; and an initial capital of $137M to be spent over a two year period starting in H2, 2020. From the total investment, between USD $15-$20M will be spent during 2020 and the rest during 2021 and the first semester of 2022. Part of the resources will be used to build a heap leach pad, waste dump, water treatment plant, as well as the installation of a crushing circuit.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced initial mineral resource estimate at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco, and updated the mineral reserve at the Parral Tailings operation, and the mineral resource estimate at its Esmeralda Tailings project located near Parral, Chihuahua. At Los Ricos South, measured & indicated resource are 10M tonnes of 0.91 g/t Au and 119 g/t Ag (2.27 g/t AuEq or 199 g/t AgEq) for a total of 293K Oz Au and 38.05 M Oz Ag (728K Oz AuEq or 63.7M Oz AgEq), and inferred resources of 3.3M tonnes of 0.88 g/t Au and 112 g/t Ag (2.17 g/t AuEq or 190 g/t AgEq) for a total of 93K Oz Au and 11.78 M Oz Ag (227K Oz AuEq or 19.9M Oz AgEq). Los Ricos South mineral resource is amenable to open pit and bulk underground mining methods, and will form the base of a PEA expected to be completed by the end of 2020. At Parral Tailings, proven + probable reserves are 15.4M tonnes of 0.34 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag (0.72 g/t AuEq or 64 g/t AgEq) for a total of 171K Oz Au and 16.6M Oz Ag (358K Oz AuEq or 31.6M Oz AgEq). At La Esmeralda Tailings, measured and indicated resources are 5.72M tonnes of 0.26 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag (72 g/t AgEq) for a total of 48.4K Oz Au and 9.1M Oz Ag (13.3M Oz AgEq).
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited advised that the environmental authority of Mexico has granted their approval for refurbishment of its Plomosas plant in Chihuahua, and construction and operation of the tailings storage facility (TSF). The company is finalizing the costing for the plant refit and TSF build and expect to advise the findings of the study this quarter.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., entered into a toll milling agreement to process bulk samples from historic dumps of the Alaska vein at its Rebeico project in Sonora. Highlights include a fixed-price toll mining agreement with nearby Real Viejo flotation mill for up to 300 tonnes per day, and bulk samples planned to process historical surface dump material grading up to 16.85 g/t Au and 2.70% Cu. In addition, Ridgestone has also received bids from mining contractors to rehabilitate historical underground workings along the Alaska vein to facilitate underground and bulk sampling of zones where drill-hole intervals assayed 36.1g/t Au and 1.22% Cu over 1.5m, and 8.31gT Au and 2.41% Cu over 3.25m in 2018.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Brigadier Gold Ltd., announced the appointment of its new special adviser (Picachos project in Sinaloa).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., signed an option agreement with Grupo Peñoles to acquire the Zimapan property and related assets located in Zimapan, Hidalgo for a total consideration of USD $20M. Assets to be acquired pursuant to the Transaction include: The Zimapan mill facility which is a 75,000 dry metric tonnes (DMT) per month facility with zinc, lead and copper circuits; surface and underground infrastructure including electrical and other necessary infrastructure to carry on day to day operations; and 34 mining concessions covering an area of 5,139 hectares. To date, 14 mineral zones have been identified that are characterized as polymetallic replacement mineralization of Pliocene age. Within the mineral zones, Ag, Pb, Zn, and Cu minerals have preferentially replaced the carbonate host rocks and pre-existing skarn bodies to produce disseminated, semi-massive sulphide and massive sulphide bodies that occur in proximity to monzonitic intrusions and quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., hired new VP project development and appointed new COO (Santana project in Sonora).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders and advised that a new constitution was approved and adopted by shareholders (Plomosas mine in Chihuahua).
  • Candente Gold Corp., launched the “CEO Verified” Discussion Forum on AGORACOM. The forum will serve as the company’s primary social media platform to interact with both shareholders and the broader investment community in a fully moderated environment  (El Oro property in Mexico State).
  • Monarca Minerals Inc., announced that it is proposing to settle an aggregate of approximately $380.6K owing to certain officers and directors and services providers through the issuance of an aggregate of approximately 7,612,000 common shares at an issue price of CAD $0.05. The amount to be settled includes approximately $202K out of $350K in accrued directors’ fees and management and consulting fees owing to the company’s directors and officers, as the case maybe. (Tejamen project in Durango).
  • Telson Mining Corporation, provided an update on filing annual 2019 audited and Q1, 2020 financial statements. Telson expects to file the required annual and Q1, 2020 financials an MD & A by the July 30, 2020 deadline. (Tahuehueto project in Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • The Municipal Water and Sanitation Board of Chihuahua (JMAS) is extracting water from the Esmeralda and Arbolito mines to feed a dam in Parral Chihuahua. The dam is currently at 13% of its capacity and in order not to cause ecological damage, it cannot be left dry. Water extracted from the mines also guarantees supply to a sector of the city.
  • Minera Peñasquito supplies water to 5 thousand people of the communities of Cedros, Mesas, Charcos, Nuevo Peñasco and Palmas. Regarding make water safe to drink, the company has four treatment plants, one inside the Peñasquito mine and three more outside, in the Cedros, Mesas and Charcos communities, from which potable water is distributed to the aforementioned localities.
  • Minera Saucito, a subsidiary of Fresnillo plc, received international certification for its commitment to the health and safety of its collaborators. The ISO 45001 Certificate: “Occupational health and safety management systems at work” was obtained from the international company BSI Group, based in the United Kingdom, whose services are: evaluating, certifying and training operating processes of different industries such as: mining, pharmaceutical, aerospace, entertainment, among others. The model stands out for its objective of reducing risks and injuries to collaborators derived from the processes associated with the exploration and exploitation of minerals. Minera Saucito is the first Fresnillo plc Unit to achieve this certification.
  • Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc), implemented a health model for the safety of its workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has taken a series of multidisciplinary medical and health activities aimed at promoting a culture of disease prevention and control, and the elimination of risk factors at work. The effectiveness and implementation of this type of model is recognized by the World Health Organization and allows comprehensive care within the mine that is committed to the well-being and safety of the workforce.
  • Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver), dissociated itself from the alleged environmental incident and reiterated its commitment to the communities in which it operates, following up on the community’s concern about physical changes in the water of two recently built grazing ponds in the Ocotillo area, in the municipality of Magdalena Ocotlán. Later on, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) announced that it carried out an inspection of the built grazing ponds in the Ocotillo area and demarcated mining company from any responsibility for the damages in the water pools in Ocotlán (San Jose mine in Oaxaca).

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 veins in a low sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Visible Gold in a high sulphidation epithermal system

By Miguel A Heredia

During the twenty seven week of the year (June 29th to July 5tt, 2020), at least 41 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eleven disclosing deals and corporate issues, nine announcing financial rounds, eight commenting on Mexican issues, six discussing on social issues, three informing on exploration results, two reporting on resources and developments, and two communicating production and financial results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Miguel Angel Lucero Olivas, Senator of the Labour Party (PT), submitted for the consideration of the plenary, a proposal with Point of Agreement at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation in regards to the 34 constitutional controversies promoted by the Government of the state of Chihuahua and various municipalities of Chihuahua, Sonora, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí, regarding the mining Fund. Gerardo Duran Alarcon, Director of the Chihuahua Mining Cluster estimated that the mining industry projects a drop between 17-20% in production and 10% in exports during the current year compared to 2019.  Francisco Quiroga Fernandez reported that authorities of the Undersecretariat of Mines of the Ministry of Economy (SE), have been carrying out verification tours to corroborate compliance with health protocols. Alfredo Tijerina Guajardo, Director of the Mining Development Trust Fund (Fideicomiso de Fomento Minero) (FIFOMI) announced that it is granting resources to support exploitation work of small and medium sized mining firms. Javier Villarreal Gamez, Undersecretary of Labor of the National Committee of the Confederation of Workers of Mexico (CTM) stated that the government must give security to investment in mining. Francisco Quiroga Fernandez, Undersecretary of Mining stated that the Mining Industry in Mexico has made a great effort to maintain jobs and wages during the pandemic. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), mining and metallurgical production fell 25.1% in April 2020 compared to April 2019.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Sonoro Metals announced plans for a 6,000m 2020 Phase 1 drill program at its Cerro Caliche project. In Chihuahua, Radius reported high-grade surface sampling results from its Amalia project. In Durango, Canasil announced the commencement of an initial core drill program to test Ag-Au targets at its Nora project.  ON MINING, Consolidated Zinc advised that it has returned to pre-COVID-19 production rates at its Plomosas mine and Aldama processing plant in Chihuahua. Gold Resource announced the milestones of a decade of production, generating over $1 billion in revenue and distributing over $114M in shareholder dividends from its Oaxaca Mining Unit in Mexico. ON FINANCING, Golden Goliath announced a private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $2.5M (San Timoteo project, Chihuahua). Mag Silver entered into a sell agreement for gross proceeds of up to USD $50M (Juanicipio project, Zacatecas).  San Marco increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to $3.5M (Chunibas project, Sonora). Oroco closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.65M (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa). Radius received from Pan American a payment of USD $150K in partial fulfillment of the Amalia JV agreement. Telson increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to $1.4M (Tahuehueto project, Durango). VanGold concluded its warrant acceleration bonus program in which 7,159,500 warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of $1,715,950 (Pinguico project, Guanajuato). Excellon signed a binding term sheet for a fully subscribed financing of CAD $8M through the private placement of secured convertible debentures of the company. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining released surface and underground sampling results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Endeavour reported drill results from the El Curso property at its Guanacevi mine in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Magna Gold granted stock options to certain officers, directors and consultants of the company (San Francisco Mine, Sonora). One World Lithium provided a default status report to approve a temporary management cease trade order (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte). Silver Dollar appointed Mr. Perry Durning and Mr. Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer as technical advisors to the Company (La Joya property, Durango). Silver One announced the initiation of trading on the OTCQX (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). Argonaut and Alio completed merger to create a North American, diversified precious metals producing company (El Castillo mine, Durango).  Brigadier announced the appointment of Oscar Mendoza as special advisor Cuatro Ciénegas project, Coahuila). Canuc reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders and appointed a new member to its board of directors (San Javier project, Sonora). Mammoth reminded shareholders of the granting of a Management Cease Trade Order (Tenoriba project, Chihuahua).  Sierra Metals reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cusi mine, Chihuahua). Defiance confirmed that the Company’s management is unaware of any material change in the Company’s operations that would account for the recent increase in market activity (San Acacio project, Zacatecas). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Agnico Eagle launched its policy “Stay Safe Stay Watchful”, as countries where the company is operating are now cautiously emerging from the global blockade. Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) meets extraction regulations with new technology and innovative tools (La Herradura mine, Sonora). Minera Peña Colorada delivered the Medical Care Unit to the General Hospital of Manzanillo in Colima state. The Grupo Mexico Foundation donated over 45,000 medical supplies to the Zacatecas Health Secretariat, and three pressure ventilators to the regional hospital of Nueva Rosita, Coahuila. Minera san Julian (Fresnillo plc), delivered additional 4,000 face mask to the Municipal Council of Guadalupe y Calvo, Chihuahua.

 ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Miguel Angel Lucero Olivas, Senator of the Labour Party (PT), submitted for the consideration of the plenary, a proposal with Point of Agreement at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation in regards to the 34 constitutional controversies promoted by the Government of the state of Chihuahua and various municipalities of Chihuahua, Sonora, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí, regarding the Mining Fund. The formal name of the well-known “Mining Fund” is the Fund for the Development of Mining Production Areas and is administered through of a financial instrument established by the 2019 Income Law, article 25 section IX. The total amount collected is MXP $4,320M.  The distribution will be made as follows:  80% (Fund for the Development of Mining Production Zones), that is to say approximately MXP $3,500M; 10% for the Ministry of the Economy (SE) and 10% for the Federal Government. (Note:  The SE has given its 10% to the Federal Government since last year.) The Ministry of Economy will distribute the 2018 Mining Fund resource directly or in coordination through an agreement with states, municipalities and other dependencies, and according to the guidelines.
  • Gerardo Duran Alarcon, Director of the Chihuahua Mining Cluster estimated that the mining industry projects a drop between 17-20% in production and around 10% in exports during the current year compared to 2019. He noted that expectations are given by the cessation of activities that the industry had due to the contingency, as well as by the exercise of a fiscal framework that does not favor investment, as well as for political, economic and insecurity issues. The fiscal framework is not new, since it arose from the 2013 tax reform in which it was decided to cancel the deductibility of investment in exploration. Virtually since then, investment started to slow down and this year it has practically stopped. The director said that exploration work involves a high amount of investment in dollars and if it does not obtain the expected results, it practically loses one hundred percent and that makes it unattractive to bet on the search for more deposits.
  • Francisco Quiroga Fernandez reported that authorities of the Undersecretariat of Mines of the Ministry of Economy (SE), have been carrying out verification tours in mining companies to corroborate compliance with health protocols in order to ensure that the restart of economic activity does not undermine the effort made by the authorities of different levels of government and society, as a whole, to face the challenge of COVID-19. He stated that verification tours have allowed corroborating that many companies are showing a great sense of co-responsibility. They are working together with health authorities, municipal presidents and workers’ representatives to reinforce the capacity for medical attention.
  • Alfredo Tijerina Guajardo, Director of the Mining Development Trust Fund (Fideicomiso de Fomento Minero) (FIFOMI) announced that it is granting resources to support exploitation work of small and medium sized mining firms. FIFOMI is focused mainly on providing low-interest rate loans to companies in the sector, basically those considered small, with annual turnover of up to MXP $200M, and medians with income of up to MXP $900M. He added that in mining there are three major phases to which financing is provided: exploration, development and exploitation, and that FIFOMI concentrates on the latter, since it is considered that the first two phases require so-called risk capital.
  • Javier Villarreal Gamez, Undersecretary of Labor of the National Committee of the Confederation of Workers of Mexico (CTM) stated that the government must give security to investment in mining. It is necessary that the Federal Government encourages, promotes and gives security to private investment in mining, through reforms, especially in fiscal matters, if necessary, because it would generate certainty, contrary to the prevailing situation at the moment. He stressed that mining is essential for national development, since it represents 3 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and constitutes 8% of industrial GDP. He considered it difficult to forecast the pace of mining recovery in the remainder of 2020 and the prospects for 2021, but assured that the bet of all the sectors involved should be in favor of this industry remaining active. Noting that mining generates 370 thousand direct jobs and 2.3 million indirect jobs, which generates a production chain of 2.6 million total jobs, he commented that this sector is the source of raw materials for practically all industries in the country, from that of medications up to aerospace, just to name a few. He stressed that the jobs generated by mining are well paid, between 80 and 100% higher than in the rest of the industries, with contributions of profits that also far exceed the average of companies in other areas. Javier Villarreal, also general Secretary of the National Union of Workers of the Mining-Metallurgical Industry of the CTM, explained that the authorities must take actions to keep that sector growing.
  • Francisco Quiroga Fernandez, Undersecretary of Mining stated that, one month after the Mining Industry in Mexico has reactivated its activities, the mining sector has made a great effort to stay afloat in the face of adversity. He highlighted the effort that the sector has made to maintain the jobs and full wages of its workers. He also pointed out that only 75% of the workers have returned to the mines, while 25% more remain working from their homes, under the strict implementation of safe work and coordinated work with local authorities.
  • According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), mining and metallurgical production fell 25.1% in April 2020 compared to April 2019, this caused by the suspension of operations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This index that considers the activities of extraction, processing, smelting and refining of metallic and non-metallic minerals, decreased by 24.4% based on seasonally adjusted figures in the fourth month of 2020 compared to March. The INEGI reported that the production of non-coking coal decreased by 85.4% in an annual variation, while the production of lead decreased 53.3%, zinc 49%, gold 40.9%, coke 36.1%, pellets of iron 22.5%, silver 21.1% silver, fluorite 14.4%, gypsum and copper 10.8%. In contrast, sulfur was increased by 1.2%.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Sonoro Metals Corp., announced plans for a 6,000m 2020 Phase 1 drill program to test 20 targets at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. This program is part of the 50,000m of core and RC drilling announced previously by the company. The aim of the Phase 1 drill program is to test previously drilled, shallow, Au-bearing epithermal mineralization for the presence of deeper high-grade Au mineralization at elevations of 200-300m below surface. The Phase 1 drilling is expected to take up to five months.
  • Radius Gold Inc., reported high grade surface sampling results from its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Surface sampling from the untested California target have returned grades of up to 1.5 m @ 27 g/t Au. Radius has resumed the processing of the permits for stage 4 drilling at its Amalia project and expects to obtain them within the next six weeks.
  • Canasil Resources Inc., announced the commencement of an initial core drill program to test Ag-Au targets at its Nora project, which consists of structurally-controlled epithermal veins. The program will be focused on the undrilled Candy vein and Canasil plans to drill four sections, spaced over a strike length of 500m, all below high-grade Ag-Au samples from vein outcrops and rock dumps from earlier underground workings.

ON MINING

  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, advised that it has returned to pre-COVID-19 production rates at its Plomosas mine and Aldama processing plant in Chihuahua. Based on June production figures, the company anticipated the third quarter will be a better operational quarter than it has seen this year.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, the milestones of a decade of production, generating over $1 billion in revenue and distributing over $114 million in shareholder dividends from its Oaxaca Mining Unit in Mexico. “The Company announced commercial production from its Oaxaca Mining Unit (OMU) on July 1, 2010 estimating the Arista Mine’s life of mine at a minimum of nine years while only having three to four years of internally delineated resource at that time. Today, July 1, 2020, marks the milestone of one full decade of production from the OMU exceeding the Company’s then nine-year 2010 mine life estimate. With approximately four years of current proven and probable reserves, there is a strong possibility of a second decade of production ahead for the OMU”.

ON FINANCING

  • Golden Goliath Resources Ltd., announced a private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $2.5M. The financing will consists of a combination of flow-through units priced at $0.20 with a half warrant priced at $0.30 and non flow-through units priced at $0.15 with a full warrant priced at $0.30 (San Timoteo project, Chihuahua).
  • Mag Silver Corp., entered into a sales agreement to raise gross proceeds of up to USD $50M.The sale of common shares will be made through “at the market distributions”. The company plans to use the net proceeds to fund the completion of construction of its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • San Marco Resources Inc., increased its previously announced flow-through non-brokered private placement from $2M to up to $3.5M, due to strong investor demand (Chunibas project, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corporation, closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.65M. Net proceeds will be used to advance its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa, including site preparation for an exploration drill program, the acquisition of surface rights and permits, a 3D IP geophysical survey, and general corporate purposes.
  • Radius Gold Inc., received from Pan American Silver Corp., a payment of USD $150K in partial fulfillment of the Amalia project JV agreement.
  • Telson Mining Corporation, increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement and now intends to rise $1.4M. Net proceeds will be used to advance the construction of its Tahuehueto mine in Durango and for general working capital.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., concluded its warrant acceleration bonus program announced May 27, 2020 and June 12, 2020 for share purchase warrants ranted in connection with the Company’s 2019 non-brokered private placement financing. In total, 17,159,500 warrants were exercised under the bonus program for 17,159,500 common shares at a price of $0.10 per share for gross proceeds of $1,715,950 (Pinguico project, Guanajuato).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., signed a binding term sheet for a fully subscribed financing of CAD $8M through the private placement of secured convertible debentures of the company. The proceeds will be used to repay the USD $6M bridge loan with Sprott Private Resource Lending II (La Platosa mine, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Prime Mining Corp., released surface and underground sampling results from the Tahonitas deposit within its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Significant results were obtained at TR-1 with 3.24 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag over 10.5m, including 8.37 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag over 3m; TR-2 with 0.72 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over 30m, including 1.86 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over 7.5M; and TR-3b with 1.78 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag over 63m, including 11.68 g/t Au and 334 g/t Ag over 4.5m and 5.7 g/t Au and 292 g/t Ag over 6m. The current Tahonitas deposit is modeled as part of a conceptual open pit that includes the Zapote South deposit.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported drill results from the El Curso property at its Guanacevi mine in Durango. A total of 18 drill holes were collared on the Santa Cruz vein, of which 12 hit high grades over mineable widths. Drilling highlights include the following intersections: hole UCM-27 with 3.25 g/t Au and 1,085 g/t Ag (1,410 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 10m, including 14.88 g/t Au and 5,500 g/t Ag (6,988 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; hole UCM-26 with 1.87 g/t Au and 762 g/t Ag (948 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.1m, including 3.5 g/t Au and 2,026 g/t Ag (2,376 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.6m; and UCM-25 with 1.43 g/t Au and 986 g/t Ag (1,129 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.8m, including 7.3 g/t Au and 7,451 g/t Ag (8,181 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Discovery Metals Corp., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Magna Gold Corp., granted a total of 2, 250,000 incentive stock options to purchase common shares of the company to certain officers, directors and consultants of the company. Such options are exercisable at a price of $0.98 for a period of five years (San Francisco mine, Sonora).
  • One World Lithium Inc., provided a default status report to approve a temporary management cease trade order on the basis that it would be unable to file its annual consolidated financial statements, accompanying management’s discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications, for the year ended December 31, 2019 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., appointed Mr. Perry Durning and Mr. Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer as technical advisors to the Company. Perry and Bud formed La Cuesta International Inc. in 1993 and are recognized for their outstanding record of grassroots discoveries, particularly the San Sebastian, San Agustin, and Pitarrilla deposits in Durango, Camino Rojo in Zacatecas, and Los Gatos in Chihuahua.
  • Silver One Resources Inc., announced the initiation of trading on the OTCQX. The OTCQX Best Market provides value and convenience to U.S. investors, brokers and institutions seeking to trade Silver One shares under the ticker symbol SLVRF (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., and Alio Gold Inc., completed the business combination to create a North American, diversified precious metals producing company with a strong portfolio of growth assets. Argonaut common shares will continue trading on the TSX, and Alio shares are expected to cease trading on the NYSE American on July 1, 2020 and be de-listed from the TSX after close of business on July 3, 2020 (El Castillo mine, Durango).
  • Brigadier Gold Limited, announced the appointment of Oscar Mendoza as special advisor to review and generate opportunities in Mexico that align with Brigadier’s plan for growth. (Cuatro Ciénegas project, Coahuila).
  • Canuc Resources Corporation, reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders and appointed a new member of its board of directors (San Javier project, Sonora).
  • Mammoth Resources Inc., reminded shareholders of the granting of a Management Cease Trade Order (Tenoriba project, Chihuahua). “The company found it prudent to employ this Exemption, Instrument 51-502 which enables Mammoth excemptive relief to delay the filing of its audited annual financial statements, the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis, as well as the associated CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended January 31, 2019, due June 1, 2020 and that these filings are expected to be completed within the 45 day period, July 15, 2020”.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cusi mine, Chihuahua).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., confirmed that the Company’s management is unaware of any material change in the Company’s operations that would account for the recent increase in market activity (San Acacio project, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, launched its policy “Stay Safe Stay Watchful”, as countries where the company operates are cautiously emerging from the global blockade. The company is helping communities and employees to stay safe as they embrace the “new normal.” In order to minimize the spread of this virus. At its Pinos Altos and la India mines in Sonora, Mexico, the decision was made to have the mine’s doctors work at the health centers in the surrounding communities, so they can examine local patients and make home visits to ensure that vulnerable members of the community receive adequate medical care.
  • Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc), announced that it meets extraction regulations with new technology and innovative tools that allow the protection of the environment, the safety of employees in production plants and the protection of communities and their environment. Minera Penmont has the cyanide management permit from its creation and the origin of its mining activity, which was granted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). In addition, it has the authorization of COFEPRIS and all the permits requested by the General Law of Ecological Balance and Protection of the Environment (LGEEPA). In addition to the previous legislation, Fresnillo plc joined, since 2011, the Cyanide Code, an international voluntary program developed by the International Institute of Cyanide Management (ICMI). This Code was established in 2002 and aims to reduce the potential exposure of workers and communities to harmful concentrations of cyanide; In addition, ICMI conducts audits of processes to recertify Minera Penmont’s credentials every three years; meanwhile, the company exclusively purchases cyanide from manufacturers certified by the Institute. Based on this program, the company works under the following criteria: protect communities and the environment during cyanide transport; protect workers’ health and safety from exposure by this substance and train workers and emergency response personnel in its handling.
  • Consorcio Minero Peña Colorada S.A. de C.V., delivered the Medical Care Unit to the General Hospital of Manzanillo in Colima state. With an investment of MXP $ 4.6M the company carried out the transformation of this 1,200 m2 space, which consisted of conditioning and equipping 3 completely separate and independent medical care modules: general and specialty medical consultation, hospitalization area for men and women, and a dedicated space for major emergencies and observation. This facility has the capacity to serve up to 108 patients a day, originating from Manzanillo, Minatitlán and neighboring municipalities of Jalisco.
  • The Grupo Mexico Foundation, donated approximately 45,000 medical supplies to the Zacatecas Health Secretariat, and three pressure ventilators to the regional hospital of Nueva Rosita, Coahuila. The material received in Zacatecas was: 4,500 masks and 4,337 protective glasses, 4,000 aprons, 6,400 mouth guards, 32 goggles and 25,200 monitor electrodes. Also, nitrile gloves, antiseptic soap and intubation cannulas. All this will help the health authorities to face the current health contingency. In Coahuila, three pressure ventilators were delivered for the care of patients with COVID-19, although the medical director of the hospital pointed out that at the moment there has been no need to use these mechanical ventilators.
  • Minera San Julian (Fresnillo plc), delivered a third package with additional 4,000 face mask to the Municipal Council of Guadalupe y Calvo, Chihuahua, which are made by a sewing workshop in the town of Yerbitas. This personal protective equipment will be distributed to the population of the different towns of the municipality, with the objective of carrying out preventive work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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, visible gold (VG) in a high sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.