General Meeting

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of December, 2019.

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Phyllic alteration

By Miguel A Heredia

During the fifty-one week of the year (December 16th to December 22th, 2019), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine announcing financial rounds, seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, five discussing social issues, four reporting on resources and developments of their properties, two communicating production and financial results, and one commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico mining production showed signs of recovery. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Starcore presented production and financial results for the second quarter ended October31, 2019 from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Premier provided a year end operations update (Mercedes mine, Sonora).  ON FINANCING, Defiance extended its loan until December 21, 2020 for a balance of $1.2 M (San Acacio project, Zacatecas). Alamos Gold announced renewal of a normal course issuer bid, and an increase of a credit facility from USD $400M to USD $500M (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Orla finalized a credit agreement for USD $125M for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. First Mining closed a non-brokered flow-through equity financing for $2M (San Ricardo project, Sonora).  SilverCrest closed a CAD $92M bought deal financing, including CAD $12M over allotment option exercised in full (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Golden Minerals sold two non-strategies Mexican exploration properties to Industrias Peñoles for $3M. Mexus paid off two loan agreements which were coming due (Santa Elena mine, Sonora). Mithril announced its plan to raise up to A$4.9M by way of an entitlement issue to shareholders (Copalquin project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Argonaut presented a positive PFS for its Cerro Del Gallo project in Guanajuato, and increased company´s mineral reserves by 48%. Coeur provided an update on its exploration program at Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Azure commenced a 7,000m RC resource expansion drilling at its Loma Bonita deposit in Sonora. Industrias Peñoles commenced extraction and grinding tests at its Capela mine (former Rey de Plata mine) in Teloloapan, Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals announced the appointment of its new VP of Corporate Development and Investor Relations (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Equinox Gold and Leagold entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an at-market merge (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Goldplay entered into a letter of intent agreement with Mako Mining Corp., to acquire 100% of the shares of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. (San Marcial project, Sinaloa). Oroco presented results from its special annual general meeting for shareholders (Santo Tomás project, Sinaloa). Prize Mining announced the resignation of its CEO and the appointment of its replacement (Manto Negro project, Coahuila).   Mithril entered into an exclusive option agreement to acquire all the issued share capital of Sun Minerals Pty Ltd., which holds an exclusive option to earn up to 100% interest in the high grade Copalquin Au & Ag project in Durango.    ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Zacatecas Mining Cluster held its second Talent Meeting with participation greater than the 30 people who previously registered to participate in the event. Ladies Committee of the AIMMGM and Outlet Minero promoted the environmental education in Zacatecas. Grupo Mexico participated in the conference of preventive culture in San Luis Potosi. Minera Peñasquito held Christmas celebration in Mazapil, Zacatecas. It also informed about the progress of the social programs that the mining company performs in the 25 communities of direct influence.

 ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mexico mining production, showed signs of recovery, at a time when companies move forward with their efforts to face the problems that hinder operations in a series of large mines. General production increased 1.0% in October compared to the same month last year, led by increases in Pb, Zn, and Ag, according to the INEGI statistics agency. The October increase was largely due to the improvement experienced by three metals. Pb production increased 22.7% to 26.1M Lb, Zn production rose to 12.2% to 78.5M Lb, and Ag production rose to 11.6% to 10.3M Oz. The hike occurs despite a major disruption during October at the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, one of Mexico’s largest producers of Au, Ag, Pb, and Zn.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No relevant news.

ON MINING

  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., presented production and financial results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2019 from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. It milled 54,100 tonnes of 1.78 g/t Au and 34 g/t Ag to produce 2,700 Oz Au and 31.1K Oz Ag (3,100 Oz AuEq), at a cash cost of USD $71 per tonne milled or USD $1,259 per Oz AuEq, and AISC of USD $1,527 per Oz AuEq Starcore had Au & Ag sales of CAD $ 5.8M, a loss of CAD $1.1M, or CAD $0.02 per share, and an EBITDA of (CAD $342) for the six months period ended October 31, 2019.
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, provided a year-end operations update. The company reported that the successful 2019 drill campaign resulted in the discovery of higher-grade zones located near existing mine workings, and plans are emplaced to benefit from them. Also, it plans to enter in identified near-mine areas in the Lupita extension and Marianas in order to multiple the numbers of headings and stopes, allowing for more flexibility and increased production. At the end of Q3, 2019, year-to-date mine production totaled 47.6K Oz Au and 146.5K Oz Ag, with total co-product cash costs of $973 per Oz Au and co-product AISC of $1,226 per Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Defiance Silver Corp, announced that it has extended the loan for an additional year until December 21, 2020, with a reduction of $500K. The balance on extension is $1.2M at a rate of 10% per year (San Acacio project, Zacatecas).
  • Alamos Gold Inc., announced its intention to make a normal course issuer bid permitting Alamos to purchase for cancellation up to 28.7M class A common shares, representing 10% of the company´s public float of the common shares as of December 11, 2019, being 287.3M common shares issued and outstanding. The price for any repurchased common shares will be the prevailing market price at the time of the purchase. All common shares purchased by Alamos will be cancelled. In addition, the company increased the size of a credit facility from USD $400M to USD $500M on more favourable terms. “The increase in our facility on more attractive terms is a reflection of the increased scale of Alamos as well as our strong operating and financial outlook. Combined with our existing cash, this further strengthens our financial flexibility with no debt and nearly US$700 million of available liquidity,” said Jamie Porter, Chief Financial Officer (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., finalized a credit agreement for USD $125M for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. The credit comprises three tranches: an initial tranche for USD $25 M once the agreement is closed and two subsequent tranches for USD $50M each available once Orla satisfies certain conditions, including the receipt of key permits required for the development of Camino Rojo. After the closing of the credit facility, the board of directors has approved the start of construction spending at Camino Rojo, allowing the continuation of detailed engineering and the ordering of long lead items, such as the crushing system. Commencement of project construction has also been approved, subject to receipt of all required permits. By the way, SEMARNAT has granted to Orla the approval of the change of land use permit, one of the two key permits required for the development of its project.
  • First Mining Gold Corp., closed a non-brokered flow-through equity financing for $2M. Gross proceeds will be used to fund exploration programs of their mining properties (San Ricardo project, Sonora).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., closed a CAD $92M bought deal financing, including CAD $12M over allotment option exercised in full. Gross proceeds will be used to continue the exploration and development of its Las Chispas project in Sonora.
  • Golden Minerals Company, sold two non-strategies Mexican exploration properties to Industrias Peñoles for $3M. The Mogotes and Pistachon properties are located near the Velardeña mine in Durango. None of the claims contain any identified mineral resources. The cash received will be used to advance key exploration projects in Mexico and Nevada.
  • Mexus Gold US, paid off two loan agreement which were coming due. The company does not have the funds to hire additional crew to run all aspects of the mine continuously, so it is seeking the necessary funds by selling a portion of its non-producing properties, selling equipment not needed at the mine site, and/or funding from its shareholder base. It also is considering selling a small royal interest in its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., announced its plan to raise up to A$4.9M by way of an entitlement issue to shareholders. Net proceeds will be used to complete a drilling program at Copalquin project, Durango, and to continue work on the company´s existing projects.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., presented a positive PFS for its Cerro Del Gallo project in Guanajuato. It increased company´s mineral reserves by 48%, and measured and indicated Au mineral resources by 36%. The project has 91,754,000 tonnes of 0.56 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, and 0.09% Cu to contain a total of 1.64M Oz Au, 39.1M Oz Ag, and 192.15M Lb Cu. Metallurgical recoveries are 60%, 53%, and 43% respectively. Cerro Del Gallo is a low-cost asset, with estimated cash cost of $597 per Oz Au sold and AISC of $677 per Oz Au sold. The project has an after-tax internal rate of return of $20% and a NPV at a 5% discount rate of $175M, assuming metal prices of $1,350 for Oz Au and $16.75 for Oz Ag. Argonaut plans to produce as an average 64K Oz Au, 1.3M Oz Ag, and 5.4M Lb Cu per year, and has estimated a life of mine of 15.5 years.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., provided an update on its exploration program carried out at its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua, which has been focused on resource expansion drilling. Highlights from the 2019 drilling campaign at Palmarejo includes positive infill results at the western and southern portions of the Guadalupe mine complex, including hole DC3-ZPA-0010 with 12.8 g/t Au and 1,047 g/t Ag over 5.7m; new resource expansion intercepts from the northern portion of the Independencia mine complex, including hole VIDH-120, with 1.5 g/t Au and 179 g/t Ag over 9.3m; and new resource expansion intercepts from the northeastern most portion of the Independencia mine complex, with hole BVDH-039 with 1.1 g/t Au and 165 g(/t Ag over 5m. “Coeur’s geologic team also expanded its footprint in the district by mapping and sampling exposures of new veins southwest and northeast of the two underground mining complexes as well as new veins west and east of the legacy open pit mine. Coeur expects to seek drill permits for several new areas in 2020 based on positive surface trace-element geochemistry and alteration results”.
  • Azure Minerals Limited, commenced a 7,000m RC resource expansion drilling program at its Loma Bonita deposit in Sonora, where a channel sampling in a road returned 3.6 g/t Au over 35.5m. Alacran project includes Mesa de Plata and Loma Bonita deposits. Initial focus is on growing the Alacran Au & Ag resource of 32.2M Oz Ag and 150K Oz Au. Loma Bonita deposit is open for expansion in most directions with good drill intersections of Au including hole MDPC-131 with 2.8 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag over 47m; hole MDPC-096 with 1.6 g/t Au and 21 g/t Ag over 67m; and hole MDPC-102 with 1.1 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag over 44m. In addition, Azure is continuing to undertake reconnaissance and follow-up work throughout the Alacran project where first pass surface sampling of historical dumps returned high grades of Au-Ag and base metals with maximum values of 24.1 g/t Au, 3,675 g/t Ag, 33.5% Pb, 21% Zn, and 2.3% Cu.
  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B.de C.V., commenced extraction and grinding tests at its Capela mine (former Rey de Plata mine) in Teloloapan, Guerrero. Capela mine is expected to begin operations in 2020 with a daily production of 4,500 tonnes per day. According to the general director of Industrias Peñoles, Fernando Alanís Ortega, the mine located in Teloloapan required an investment of USD $340M.

 ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Discovery Metals Corp., announced the appointment of its new VP of Corporate Development and Investor Relations (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., and Leagold Mining Corporation, entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an at-market merge, creating one of the top Au producing companies operating entirely in the Americas. The combined entity will continue as Equinox Gold. “Pursuant to the Transaction, Leagold shareholders will receive 0.331 of an Equinox Gold share for each Leagold share held (the “Exchange Ratio”). This implies at-market consideration of C$2.70 per Leagold common share, using closing prices for both Equinox Gold and Leagold common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 13, 2019. At closing, existing Equinox Gold and Leagold shareholders will own approximately 55% and 45% of the merged company, respectively, on an issued share basis”. (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd., entered into a letter of intent (LOI) agreement with Mako Mining Corp. to acquire 100% of the shares of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. (San Marcial project, Sinaloa). Marlin owns, amongst other assets, Oro Gold de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. , a Mexican company that owns the La Trinidad mine facilities, currently being decommissioned. Oro Gold also controls 100% of nine concessions totaling 104,094.5 ha located adjacent to Goldplay’s existing portfolio in the historic Rosario gold-silver Mining District, Sinaloa, Mexico. “Under the LOI, upon payment of $50K by Goldplay to Mako the parties have agreed to a binding exclusivity and non-solicitation period from the signing of the LOI until December 31, 2020, or such later date as the parties may agree, which is binding on the parties. Exclusivity will otherwise terminate on the early of the completion of the proposed acquisition or earlier termination of the LOI or the definitive agreement, as the case may be”. The terms of the transaction are subject to negotiation and will include a nominal cash payment to Mako and the issuance of a small NSR royalty to Mako on the concessions currently owned by Oro Gold. Goldplay will assume all remaining tax liabilities of Oro Gold.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., presented results from its special annual general meeting of shareholders (Santo Tomás project, Sinaloa).
  • Prize Mining Corporation, announced the resignation of its former CEO and the appointment of the new CEO (Manto Negro project, Coahuila).
  • Mithril Resources Limited, entered into an exclusive option agreement to acquire all the issued share capital of Sun Minerals Pty Ltd., which holds an exclusive option to earn up to 100% interest in the high grade Copalquin Au & Ag project in Durango. Copalquin contains 32 known historic Au and Ag underground mines including the La Soledad and El Refugio mines. Historic drilling highlights project’s exploration potential with multiple high-grade drill intercepts including hole UC-03 at el Cometa mine with 45.16 g/t Au and 118 g/t Ag over 17.77m; hole UC-024 at El Refugio mine with 6.54 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag over 7.9m; and hole MP-07-101 with 28.99 g/t Au and 2,350 g/t Ag over 4.53m.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • The Zacatecas Mining Cluster (CLUSMING), held its second Talent Meeting with participation greater than the 30 people who previously registered to participate in the event. The goal of the Talent Meeting is to identify personnel with the skills and attitudes necessary for certain companies in the mining industry (mines and suppliers or contractors), and be part of a talent group that can be subsequently hired by companies, according to their profiles.
  • The Ladies Committee of AIMMGM and Outlet Minero, promoted the environmental education in Zacatecas. Attendees gave a brief talk to the groups about culture for sustainable development, highlighting the importance of carrying out actions such as recycling and reusing objects to make new creations at school and at home. Likewise, about the importance of mining and its presence in objects such as pencils, benches, blackboards, among others, that makes everyday life possible. In this context, the Outlet Minero team organized a Christmas tree contest made with recycling and reused material.
  • Grupo Mexico, promoted preventive measures against hydro metereologic phenomena in San Luis Potosi during the conference of preventive culture. Some emergency brigade collaborated in the event with five members, who gave prevention talks with the community of San Luis Potosí and made a demonstration with a fire truck and own safety equipment. SEMARNAT, Civil Protection, and San Luis Potosi Fire Department participated in this conference of preventive measures.
  • Minera Peñasquito, held Christmas celebration in Mazapil, Zacatecas, where the company distributed thousand of toys in 25 communities belonging to the mine´s area of influence. “Minera Peñasquito is not just about removing the ore, about removing the Au. The responsible mining that we want to do cannot work without working with the community. For us being part of the community is a priority, throughout the year, with social investment, entrepreneurship or infrastructure works. It’s fundamental, “said Nelson Núñez, sustainability manager at Newmont-Goldcorp”.
  • Minera Peñasquito, informed to the community leaders about the progress of the social programs that the mining company performs in the 25 communities of direct influence. Among the programs to be reported, the rehabilitation of houses in Nuevo Peñasco was highlighted in infrastructure, which benefited 22 people from that community, as well as maintenance of roads in Santa Rosa, Cuitláhuac, La Mejorada, Charcos, Cedros y Mesas, as well as the maintenance and operation of wells for human consumption in El Vergel and plants and wells in Mesas, Cedros y Charcos. Regarding social responsibility, the company informed about the project “Together We Left a Legacy” that improves the conditions of educational, social infrastructure and promotes sports. This year furniture was delivered to 17 schools to benefit 1,137 students, as well as Ejidos to benefit 310 people. There was talk of Peñasquito Open Doors, a program that offers guided tours so that members of neighboring communities know about the mining operation. 71 sports academies were also held, supporting 70 teams, with 1,224 beneficiaries where 830 uniforms were delivered. Another important item is the educational scholarships, which grant economic incentives to students from primary to university. There are two types of scholarships: by agreement, which in 2019 allowed the delivery of 411 supports, and scholarships of excellence, which is open call and that this year, benefited 192 students. For the entrepreneurs there is the “Ideas con Valor program”, for the creation and strengthening of micro businesses, which supported 120 families with the participation of 300 people. Through the ‘Local Employment Program”, 765 people from the communities surrounding the operation have been hired, who through specific training were able to develop the capabilities required for the mining operation.

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 an IOCG project in Jalisco, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Oroco Announces Special General Meeting Results

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Oroco Announces Special General Meeting Results

VANCOUVER, Dec. 20, 2019 /CNW/ – Oroco Resource Corp. (TSX-V: OCO) (“Oroco” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the results of its Special General Meeting and its Annual General Meeting held on December 19, 2019, at which the shareholders approved all items on the agenda. In particular, 100% percent of the voting disinterested shareholders approved the Company’s option to acquire Altamura Copper Corp. (“Altamura”) and advance working loans to Altamura as described in the Company’s news release of October 9, 2018.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of December, 2019

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IMG_0833

By Jorge Cirett

During the 50th week of the year (December 9th to December 15th, 2019), at least 18 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Bacanora Minerals lithium deposit in Sonora is considered the biggest resource of the metal in the world, according to Francisco Quiroga, Mining sub-secretary. Camimex calls to maintain the competitivity of the mining sector, as it is being threatened by a environmental tax proposal. Newmonts Goldcorp´s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas is to lift Mexican gold production in 2020, according to BNamericas. Camimex invited the secretary of the environmental agency (SEMARNAT), Victor Manuel Toledo to visit one of the mining units, for him to review what sustainable mining is. He will also be visiting Hermosillo and Ures, meeting with authorities of the municipalities affected by a toxic leak on 2014. ON EXPLORATION, in Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources updated on exploration efforts by partner Centerra at its Tenoriba project; Kootenay Silver released good drilling results on its Columba property. ON MINING, Alamos Gold and Golden Minerals released results for the third quarter 2019. GoGold released results on the year ending in September 2019. ON FINANCING, Advance Gold closed the second tranche of its private placement for gross proceeds of $42 K. Azure Minerals announced the receipt of A$467 K of VAT back taxes (dating to 2016) from the government. Tamino Minerals is planning to become “Pink Current” very soon on the OTC. Odyssey Marine Exploration obtained commitments for up to $4.2 M.   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Candelaria Mining released results on 15 new holes from the Mirador mine at the Altagracia project in Oaxaca. Pan American Silver announced an initial resource estimate, on the polymetallic  skarn deposit at La Colorada, of 72.5 M tonnes @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 2.02% Pb, 4.40% Zn, remaining open in most directions, and containing over 100 M Oz Ag. Defiance Silver updated on exploration efforts at its San Acacio project in Zacatecas and at its Tepal project in Michoacán. Prime Mining released surface road cut and trench assays from its Guadalupe de los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tamino Minerals has signed a LOI on the Ofelia property, in Sonora. Discovery Metals informed Eric Sprott now owns 21% interest in the company. Newmont Goldcorp announced a deal with the Cedros community on water resources. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. A mining gathering was held in Banamichi, Sonora. The Asociación de Mineros de Sonora celebrated its 40th anniversary. The first “Comité de Desarrollo Regional para las Zonas Mineras” was created in Sonora, to recommend the use of the Mining Fund in certain infrastructure projects in mining areas. Dr. Vagón, Grupo Mexico’s health itinerant clinic was at La Junta, and soon to be moved to the nearby Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, both in Chihuahua. The Consorcio Minero Benito Juárez and the Fundación Bécalos Televisa delivered 120 scholarships to excellency students. A fair was held in Tayoltita, Durango, to bring awareness of the mining work and environment to inhabitants and family members of mine workers. Minera Media Luna is showing a strong support for education in Guerrero, with shcolarships, internships and support to local schools. The Sonora miners association (AMSAC) signed an agreement with the Consejo Regulador del Bacanora, to source agave saplings on its greenhouses to the agave growers. The Mexican gray wolf has left the list of extinct species in the wild, moving to the category of species on extinction risk.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The lithium deposit in Sonora is the major project of its type in the World, according to Francisco Quiroga, Sub-Secretary of Mining, on an interview by a journalist known country wide. He cautioned on not hurrying up to celebrate, as the lithium still has to be extracted, and be metallurgically separated of the other minerals present in the ore (In this project, unlike other, lithium is contained in a clay). This project is assumed to have 243 M tonnes of lithium, surpassing the Thacker Pass deposit in Nevada, the second lithium deposit, with reserves of 179 M tonnes of lithium. The deposit is co-owned by the English company (not Canadian, as stated in the note) Bacanora Lithium and the Chinese Ganfeng Lithium, and located in the Bacadehuachi municipality (tens of kilometers from the Campo Verde Protected Natural Area and the Chihuahua border).
  • Camimex calls for maintaining the competitivity of the Mining Sector in Sonora. The call was made by Karen Flores, Camimex head, on the first Universitary Mining Gathering held in Banamichi, Sonora. She called for a proposal to tax mining operations on environmental grounds to be repelled. Such tax would transform Sonora in one of the more expensive places to mine, in an industry that is already heavily regulated and taxed. According to the authorities, mining in 2018 provided more than 46 billion pesos (US$2.36 billion) in taxes, 9,000 billion pesos (US$461 M) in rights and more than 4,500 billion pesos (US$230 M) in resources for the Mining Fund.
  • Newmont Goldcorp’s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas is to lift Mexican gold production in 2020, when production by other big players is to decline. The combined production by the three biggest producers in Mexico, Fresnillo, Newmont Goldcorp, and Alamos Gold should reach 1.59 M Oz Au, above the 1.22 M Oz Au mines in 2019. This is a 30% increment year on year, achievable if the companies reach their mid-point guidelines. According to BNamericas this figure is more than half the 3.15 M Oz Au to be produced by more than 20 companies in Mexico. Fresnillo’s production reached 923 K Oz Au in 2018, expects to produce 885 K Oz in 2019, 785 K Oz in 2021 and 665 K Oz in 2022; the decline motivated by the end of production at the Noche Buena mine and less production at Herradura. Meanwhile, Peñasquito expects to produce 575 K Oz Au in 2020 , and a little bit more in 2021, before production starts to decline due to lower grades. Alamos Gold expects to produce 150 – 160 K Oz Au during 2019 in Mulatos, while the Chanate mine is to produce only 5 K Oz. Minera Frisco and Agnico Eagle have seen their gold production dwindle in 2019, while Torex Gold reached 138 K Oz Au produced during the third quarter, and the company expects to sell 430 K Oz Au this year. Leagold also is to increase production at Los Filos, expecting to double on the 200 K Oz Au forecasted for this year.
  • Camimex invited Victor Manuel Toledo, secretary of the environment and natural resources (SEMARNAT) to visit one of the mining units, for him to review what sustainable mining is. Earlier in the day, in the morning presidential conference, Toledo stated that Semarnat is not against mining: “For Semarnat there is not good or bad mining, revisions have to be on a case by case basis, and confirm through inspection its adherence to norms”.
  • Victor Manuel Toledo, secretary of the environment and natural resources (SEMARNAT) is to be in Hermosillo in December 18th for the presentation of a book on the toxic leakage of 2014, and in Ures to meet with affected parties and authorities of municipalities within the Rio Sonora basin.
  • Alberto Orozco, president of the Sonora Mining Cluster, praised the visit that Victor Manuel Toledo (Environmental Secretary) is to make next week to a mining unit in Sonora. Orozco stressed the presence in Sonora of companies highly involved in the social and economic development of the producing regions in a sustainable manner. He also pointed that the Sonoran mining production is 36% of the national production, contributing with 18% of the State gross domestic product.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Mammoth Resources Corp. updated on exploration efforts at its Tenoriba project, funded by partner Centerrea Gold Inc.. Field logistics have been set, all historical geologic data compiled for Centerra’s review and interpretation and a 3D model is under preparation; all un-assayed core was sent for analysis, and the previous drill program permit is being closed, and a new one is to be prepared. Strong argillic, argillic and minor vuggy silica is present on volcanic rocks on a 4 to 6 Km long belt, with geophysics re-processing pointing to a larger target than previously envisaged, and a new 30 line-Km survey is being planned. A large soil anomaly highlights the eastern part of the corridor. Mammoth is working on community consultation processes with the two ejidos (communal lands) involved.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. released results from six holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Highlighted intervals comprise: 25.85 m @ 200 gpt Ag (including 11.5 m @ 415 gpt Ag, which includes 4.0 m @ 721 gpt Ag, which includes 1.9 m @ 982 gpt Ag) in silicified breccias in proximity to a lithological contact; 6.25 m @ 67 gpt Ag (including 2.09 m @ 172 gpt Ag); 3.0 m @ 314 gpt Ag (including 0.63 m @ 776 gpt Ag); 59.8 m @ 48 gpt Ag (including 9.57 m @ 146 gpt Ag); 6.63 m @ 103 gpt Ag and 1.0 m @ 124 gpt Ag. Several of the intercepts are in quartz veins in rhyolite, as quartz stockworks and as quartz-barite veins.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc. released some production figures for 2019, including data on its Mexican production. At Mulatos, in Sonora, during the first nine months of this year 20 K tonnes per day were stacked @ 0.92 gpt Au, with a recovery of 67%, to produce 108 K Oz Au at cash cost $772 and a mine-site AISC of $861. Production from the Mulatos district is expected to total 150-160 K Oz Au in 2020, with ore mined from the Mulatos, El Victor and San Carlos open pits, as well as new production from Cerro Pelon. “A total of $7 million has been budgeted at Mulatos for exploration in 2020 which includes 14,000 m of drilling focused in the Mulatos near-mine, Carricito and La Yaqui Grande areas. A number of regional exploration targets have been identified in 2019 from the property-wide VTEM geophysical survey that was completed in late-2018. A focus of the 2020 regional exploration program will be to further evaluate these targets through systematic mapping, sampling, and ground geophysics”.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released results for the third quarter 2019. During the period Golden reported revenue of $1.9 M related to the lease of Velardeña’s oxide mill and costs of $0.6 M related to the services provided under the terms of the lease, for a net operating margin of $1.3 M. Exploration expenses were $0.9 M, Velardeña care and maintenance $0.4 M, administrative expenses $0.7 M for a total loss of $1.8 M for the quarter. Last October Golden entered into an agreement with Magellan Gold Corp. to sell the company’s option to earn a 100% interest in the Santa Maria and Las Marias exploration properties in Chihuahua. Cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 M by the end of the period.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced financial results for the year ending 2019. During the last quarter period the company acquired the Los Ricos project in Jalisco, for share consideration of $5.4 M and cash $4.5 M, of which $3.9 M is payable over three years. During the period the company sold 1 M Oz Ag and 8,752 Oz Ag, produced 1.78 M Oz AgEq, had income of $8.1 M at an AISC of $14.82 per Oz AgEq and cash cost $11.80 per OZ AgEq, a gain of $11.8 M on the sale of the Santa Gertrudis project royalty and has a net working capital of $13.1 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp. closed the second and final tranche of the private placement previously announced, for gross proceeds of $42 K (Tabasqueña, Zacatecas).
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. announced that the Mexican tax office has paid this week the amount of MX$6.19 M, approximately A$467 K. This is the interest component from a previous payment, bringing the total received by Azure to A$1.23 M. The payments are the result of the successful resolution of the company’s legal action for the recovery of IVA (the equivalent to GST, or VAT) dating to the 2016 financial year. A fee of 15% is payable to the legal and tax advisors involved (Alacrán, Sonora).
  • Tamino Minerals Inc. is planning to become Pink Current very soon on OTC markets, abiding to OTC disclosure lines. As of the end of September 2019, the company has 370.6 M shares, of which Pedro Villagran holds 138.8 M and Joseph Berry 33 M.
  • Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. obtained commitments for up to $4.2 M in funding in two separate arrangements. A group of existing shareholders is to provide up to $2 M in funding ($539 K already submitted) as advance against a portion of multi-million dollar payment Odyssey expects to receive within the next six months, related to a previously completed ship-wreck project. In addition, “a term sheet has been executed and definitive agreements are being drafted with the group that has already committed up to $6.5 million in non-recourse legal funding for the NAFTA action for up to an additional $2.2 million” (Bay of Ulloa, Baja California Sur).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Gold Resource Corp. released drill results from 15 holes from the Mirador mine area in the Altagracia project in Oaxaca. The Mirador mine is 16 Km NW from the Company’s Aguila project and processing facilities. Highlighted results comprise: 9.21 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 260 gpt Ag (including 0.73 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 1,085 gpt Au); 1.38 m @ 4.39 gpt Au, 1,455 gpt Ag; 1.08 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 2,190 gpt Ag; 5.99 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 206 gpt Ag (including 1.54 m @ 2.02 gpt Au, 590 gpt Ag); 3.72 m @ 1.44 gpt Au, 910 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 2.84 gpt Au, 2,610 gpt Ag); 2.67 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 354 gpt Ag.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. announced an initial mineral resource estimate for the large polymetallic deposit discovered in 2018 at La Colorada mine in Zacatecas. The inferred mineral resource is 72.5 M tonnes @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 2.02% Pb, 4.40% Zn, remaining open in most directions and containing 102 M Oz Ag, 3.2 M tonnes of Zn, 1.5 M tonnes of Pb, and 121 K tonnes of Cu. Most of this mineralization is contained within a larger mineralized skarn 500 m x 600 m, between 600 and 1,700 m of depth. To make the geologic interpretation and resource estimation, 65 drill holes totalling 54,000 m of drilling were utilized.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. updated on exploration efforts to be made at its San Acacio project in Zacatecas. Targeted core re-logging and selective re-assay is on-going and will continue through 2020, while field exploration involves surface geochemistry outside the resource area, systematic underground mapping and sampling and regional targeting are carried out.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. announced OreQuest has been planning an exploration program at Tepal, in Michoacan. The aim is to follow up on high-grade drill results as the 1.42 m @ 25 gpt Au, 565 gpt Ag of last year campaign, which is coincidental with highly anomalous surface geochemistry and an untested chargeability anomaly.
  • Prime Mining Corp. released results from surface exploration at it Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. The trenching program has an advance of 25% with highlighted results of 5 m @ 1.0 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 10.5 m @ 2.0 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 16.5 m @ 2.5 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag; 36.0 m @ 1.84 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag; 34.5 m @ 4.2 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag; 13.5 m @ 1.54 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag in rod cuts, and 9 m @ 0.92 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 2.66 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 13.5 m @ 1.42 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag; 13.5 m @ 1.59 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag; 7.5 m @ 1.84 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag; 16.5 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag; 15.0 m @ 5.58 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag in trenches. The company is working with the database of 493 historic drill holes to establish a new 43-101 compliant resource (currently holding 380 K and 155 K Oz Au in the indicated and inferred categories respectively).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Tamino Minerals Inc. informed it has singed a letter of intent (LOI) on the Ofelia property in Sonora. The LOI terms state four years of staged payments totalling US$1 M plus a 2% NSR, and provides a 90-day term for due-diligence work.
  • Discovery Metals Corp. announced that with the conversion of 3.3 M subscription receipts to shares, Mr. Eric Sprott owns now approximately 21% interest in the company (Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Newmont Goldcorp. announced that the Peñasquito mine and the nearby San Juan Cedros community (one of 25 neighbouring communities) in Zacatecas, agreed to an infrastructure solution for sustainable water availability for the community. The 30-year water agreement includes additional water wells to supplement the 600 K liters per-day reverse osmosis drinking water plant the company built in 2018.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • A Mining Gathering was held in Banamichi, Sonora, with more than 600 attendees, mostly students, with the purpose of letting them know the opportunities for internships and employment in mining units. Among the attendees were also governors of mining states, the ambassadors of mining countries, Congress representatives, Union leaders, 14 majors and representatives for mining companies, mining associations and mining communities.
  • The Asociación de Mineros de Sonora (Sonora’s Miners Association, or AMSAC) celebrated its 40th The celebration included a series of presentations and a formal dinner. Among the speakers were Francisco Quiroga (Mining Sub-secretary), Karen Flores (Camimex), Ernesto [Ríos (Americas Mining) and Lourdes McPherson (Argonaut Gold).
  • The first “Comité de Desarrollo Regional para las Zona Mineras (Mining Zones Development  Committee) was created in Hermosillo, Sonora. The finality of such committees is to assess and approve investment projects derived from the Mining Fund, incorporating all interest groups. The committee is integrated by:Comite Fondo Minero11The fist session is to be held in February 28, 2020, and the second on August 28, 2020.
  • Dr. Vagón is to be at La Junta, Chihuahua. From the 12 to the 16 of December, 2019. Among the services to be provided are: general consult, dermatology, pediatric care, geriatric care, odontology, chiropractic, physic rehabilitation, optometry, audiometry, mastography, colposcopy, family planning, lab test, diabetics clinic, psychology and nutrition. This itinerant train-mounted clinic has the capacity to Attend 550 persons daily.
  • The Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility Fair San Dimas 2019, was held on December 6 in Tayoltita, Durango. The different departments of the First Majestic mine displayed details on their work on the mining process, in a didactic and entertaining way, to workers, suppliers, municipality and State authorities, as well as their families and local inhabitants. Radio Plata (Silver Radio) was commissioned, the first radio station to be located in the vicinity, is part of the company’s Centro Cultural, where educative, social and cultural activities are to take place.
  • Minera Media Luna is showing a strong support for education in Guerrero. With support from local authorities in Cocula, the Instituto Tecnológico de Iguala, the Universidad Tecnológica Autónoma del Norte de Iguala, the State government, the Instituto Estatal para la Educación de Jóvenes y Adultos de Guerrero and the general population in Cocula, the company has: installed programs for diminishing the educative lag in primary and secondary education; taken 36 students in internships from local universities; supported 86 students through scholarships; invested $500 K pesos along with the Cocula municipality for the hiring of primary education personnel; participated in the Fourth Week of Mining on the Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero…. And several other programs in education not posted here for lack of space.
  • AMSAC, the Sonora Miners Association, signed an agreement with the Consejo Regulador del Bacanora (Regulatory Council for Bacanora, a spirits drink). Under this agreement , several mining companies are to grow the needed agave saplings for the production of Bacanora in their green houses, to be transplanted in the field by the agave growers.
  • Minera Peña Colorada presented the “Ilustred Guide to Wildlife in the Minatitlan Microbasin”, at the Feria Internacional del Libro 2019, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. This work was accomplished with the support of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the Benemérita Universidad de Puebla.
  • The Mexican gray wolf has left the list of extinct species on the wild, moving to the category of species on extinction risk. This is the result of an international effort among the USA and Mexican governments, with the participation of Grupo Mexico. The declaration comes after 12 liberations and the documentation of 9 successful litters with some 30 puppies on the wild. Grupo Mexico, as well as other mining companies, has an UMA (Environmental Management Unit) that take care and reproduce threatened species.
  • Dr Vagón, Grupo Mexico’s health train, is to be on Ciudad Cuahutémoc, Chihuahua, from December 18 to December 22. The 17 train carriages itinerant clinic has the capacity to attend 600 persons per day, providing for a wide array of services, like diagnostics, ailment prevention, dermatology, odontology, physical rehabilitation, optometry, audiometry, psychology, nutrition, diabetes and chiropractic treatments.

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: Sheeted quartz veinlets from an orogenic gold project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

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Discovery Metals Announces Result of Special Meeting of Shareholders

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Toronto, Ontario – Discovery Metals Corp. (“Discovery” or “the Company”) (TSXV: DSV, OTCQX: DSVMF) is pleased to announce that at a special meeting of the Company’s shareholders on December 11, 2019, Discovery’s shareholders passed a resolution approving 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned by Mr. Eric Sprott, to become a “Control Person” as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (including ownership of greater than 20% of the voting securities outstanding) of Discovery. As a result, 3,311,111 subscription receipts of Discovery (“Subscription Receipts”) issued in connection with the Company’s non-brokered private placement previously announced on November 5, 2019 (the “Private Placement”), were automatically converted into 3,311,111 Common Shares of Discovery, for no additional consideration.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of November, 2019.

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the forty-five week of the year (November 4th to November 10th, 2019), at least 37 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine communicating production and financial results, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, six announcing financial rounds, five informing on exploration results, four reporting on resources and development of their projects, three commenting on Mexican issues, and two discussing issues on social responsibility.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, according to the Director of Mines of Zacatecas, there are five new mine projects in the state to be developed in 2020. Newmont-Goldcorp restated the dialogue process with the Cedros community on its Peñasquito mines in Zacatecas. Local communities and small local merchants expressed their support for the continuity of the Peñasquito mine. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Viper mobilized an exploration crew to its Virginia project to commence a drilling program at the El Rubi target area, and Oceanus reported underground and surface sampling results from its El Tigre project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla reported underground sampling from its Panuco-Copala project.  In Zacatecas, Advance Gold outlined a km long by 400-500m wide chargeability anomaly at its Tabasqueña project. In Jalisco, GoGold released drill results from 4 holes collared at its Los Ricos project.  ON MINING, Alio Gold, Argonaut, Coeur, Endeavour, Excellon, First Majestic, Hecla, Leagold, and Pan American presented Q3 2019 production and financial results from its Mexican operations.  ON FINANCING, Discovery Metals closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $19M (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Goldplay closed a brokered private placement for $3M (San Marcial project, Sinaloa).Solaris Copper announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to  CAD $5.5M (La Verde, Michoacan). Advance Gold closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $113K (Tabasqueña project, Zacatecas). Orex announced that intends to undertake a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $1M (Sandra-Escobar project, Durango). San Marco revised its previously announced non-brokered private placement and now intends to rise gross proceeds for up to CAD $376.6K. It also closed subscription books for unit and flow through shares private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $40K (Chunibas project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capstone announced high grade Cu-Ag results from 103 infill and step-out drill holes at its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. Vizsla closed its option agreement to acquire 100% interest of Panuco-Copala project in Sinaloa. Torex extended mineralization 150m below current reserves at its El Limon Deep deposit in Guerrero. Mexus announced that its Merrill Crowe Au recover plant is complete and operational at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Mag Silver informed about the activities carried out at its Juanicipio project mine development in Zacatecas during Q3, 2019. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Colibri received TSX approval for its acquisition of Yaque Minerals (Mezquite and Jackie projects, Sonora). Vizsla closed its option agreement to acquire 100% interest in Panuco-Copala property in Sinaloa. Great Panther announced the appointment of its VP Exploration and VP People & Culture (Topia mine, Durango). Solaris Copper announced management changes of its team (La Verde project, Michoacan). Starcore presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro). Mako Mining provided a corporate update and status of its Mexican operation. Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, a subsidiary of Fortuna Silver Mines revealed that it is analyzing to invest in a new plant in Mexico (San Jose mine, Oaxaca). Minera Autlán announced its intention to raise its commitment to gold (Lluvia de Oro-La Jojoba, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Agnico Eagle participated in the reconstruction of the drinking water system at Yepachi, Chihuahua, with a total investment of MXP $4M. Argonaut participated in multiple social programs related to their Mexican operations.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Secretariat of Economy in Zacatecas, through its Director of Mines, revealed that new five mines will be developed in the state in 2020, standing out Juanicipio in Fresnillo, Camino Rojo in Mazapil , and San Nicolas in Villa Garcia municipalities. Zacatecas is one of the most prolific areas for mining in the country; however, he is aware of the social problems faced by some of the mining companies which operate in the state. He informed that the local government seeks to generate the conditions for mining companies to invest safely in new projects.
  • Newmont-Goldcorp Corporation, restated the dialogue process with the community of Cedros, municipality of Mazapil on Peñasquito mine. A new agreement was signed for the community delegates, with a strong commitment of both parties, by the community not to block again the mine and from the company to attend on time the concerns and proposal from the Ejido.
  • Local communities and small local merchants, expressed their support for the continuity of Peñasquito mine. The communities of Cedros, El Rosario, La Pardita, Sábana Grande, Tanquecillos, Tecolotes, Mazapil and El Trigo said they are in favor of the Peñasquito Mine, stating that it has provided benefits to their families. At a press conference, representatives of the aforementioned communities reported that thanks to the company they have work, so they asked the state government to support them and that, through the dialogue avoids a new block. They affirmed that they are against the blockades and the definitive closure of the mine, since this one supports around 25 communities. They said the mining company has provided a source of work to the people of the communities and do not want it to disappear.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., mobilized an exploration crew to its Virginia project in Sonora to commence a phase II drilling program at El Rubi target area, where previous drilling carried out in 2018 intersected 3.18 g/t Au and 228 g/t Ag (6.42 g/t AuEq) over 6m of true width. Phase II will test the extension of this structure along trend and at depth on 50m sections with the aim of generating enough information for maiden resource estimation at El Rubi.
  • Oceanus Resources Corporation, presented underground and surface sampling results from the Caleigh, Canon Combination and Protectora Veins at its El Tigre project in Sonora. In the Caleigh Vein, underground channel sample ETU-1007 returned 1,896 g/t Ag and 6.4 g/t Au (2,376 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.50m, and ETU-1006 returned 1,971 g/t Ag and 4.64 g/t Au (2,318 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.50m. In the Canon Combination Vein, underground channel sample ETU-1012 returned 1,794 g/t Ag and 0.25 g/t Au (1,813 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.50m. In the Protectora Vein, underground channel sample returned 378 g/t Ag and 2.01 g/t Au (529 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.50m. Surface samples collected on this vein reported 374 g/t Ag and 3.32 g/t Au over 0.7m wide; 192 g/t Ag and 0.57 g/t Au (235 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m wide; and 169 g/t Ag and 1.0 g/t Au (244 g/t AgEq) over 0.50m wide. “The results from the mapping and sampling of the underground workings and at surface present a series of high priority drill targets over a 2 kilometer strike length north of the old El Tigre Mine, which we intend to drill.”
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., reported encouraging underground sampling results from its Panuco-Copala project in Sinaloa. Highlights results from the underground sampling at the San Carlos mine are 5.65 g/t Au and 612 g/t Ag (1,120 g/t AgEq) over  6m on development level 4, including 10.5 g/t Au and 1,120 g/t Ag (1,960 g/t AgEq) over 3m; 2.55 g/t Au and 517 g/t Ag (721 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m on development level 5, including 3.51 g/t Au and 721 g/t Ag (1.002 g/t AgEq) over 3m; and 2.12 g/t Au and 298 g/t Ag (468 g/t AgEq) over 5.5m on development level 4, including 3.76 g/t Au and 591 g/t Ag (892 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m. These results are part of a mapping and sampling program to better understand mineralization at Panuco project.
  • Advance Gold Corp., completed a second phase of a 3D-IP survey and has outlined a N-S trending chargeability anomaly of 1km long by 400-500m wide on its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas. It remains open in both directions as well as at depth. A number of boreholes are now planned to intersect this anomaly.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released drill results from 4 new holes collared at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Three of the 4 holes were drilled at El Troce area and significant intersections were encountered in hole LRGG-19-059 with 0.94 g/t Au and 134 g/t Ag (2.72 g/t AuEq) over 11m, including 1.95 g/t Au and 277 g/t Ag (5.65 g/t AuEq) over 3.5m; and hole LRGG-19-60 with 0.32 g/t Au and 66 g/t Ag (1.19 g/t AuEq) over 16m, including 83 g/t Au and 162 g/t Ag (2.98 g/t AuEq) over 3m. Hole LRGG-19-57 was drilled at the Main area and intersected 0.91 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag (2.65 g/t AuEq) over 14.1m, including 2.14 g/t Au and 253 g/t Ag (5.50 g/t AuEq) over 5.3m. GoGold completed in Mid-October 2019, a phase 1 drilling program which consisted of 10,000m, and has already started a second phase of drilling, adding a third rig  machine to the program.

ON MINING

  • Alio Gold Inc., continued with processing of low grade stock pile at its san Francisco mine in Sonora, resulting in the placement of 12.8K Oz Au on the pad. The company announced that the low grade stock pile will be exhausted in Q4, 2019, after which crushing will cease, and operations will solely focus on recovery of the residual inventory ounces.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., presented Q3, 2019 production and financial results from its Mexican operations. The company produced 44.7K Oz AuEq at a cash cost of USD $901 per Oz Au produced and sold 45.6K Oz Au at an AISC of USD $1,134 per Oz Au sold. It also reported revenue for USD $66.8, cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating working capital of USD $17.2M, net income of USD $4.9M, adjusted net income of USD $6.5M, and a net cash increase of USD $11.7M. Argonaut also reported mine by mine production results for the period Q3, 2019. At El Castillo Complex in Durango, it milled 4.8M tonnes of 0.35 g/t Au to produced 30.3K Oz AuEq. At El Castillo, 2.4M tonnes of 0.39 g/t Au were milled to produce 14.3K Oz Au and 23.3K Oz Ag. This mine sold 14.6K Oz Au and 16.3K Oz Ag in this quarterly period, at a cash cost of $1,038 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin, 2.4M tonnes were milled with a grade of 0.32 g/t Au to produce 15.2K Oz Au and 36.9K Oz Ag. This mine sold 15.7K Oz Au and 15K Oz Ag in this quarterly period, at a cash cost of $848 per Oz Au sold. At La Colorada, Sonora, the company milled 1.45M tonnes of 0.6 g/t Au, to produced 14K Oz Au and 33.6K Oz Ag. La Colorada sold 13.8K Oz Au and 34K Oz Ag at a cash cost of $800 per Oz Au sold.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., announced Q3, 2019 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. It milled 442,464 tons of 2.8 g/t Au and 152 g/t Ag to, with a metallurgical recoveries of 81.7% and 79.6% respectively, to produce 31.8K Oz Au and 1.72M Oz Ag. Adjusted costs applicable to sales were USD $660 per Oz Au and USD $8.95 per Oz Ag. Coeur reported cash flow from operating activities of USD $36.3M and total capital expenditures of USD $7.8M for a total free cash flow of USD $28.5M.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported consolidated Q3, 2019 financial and production results from its four Mexican operations: Guanacevi mine in Durango, Bolañitos and El Cubo in Guanajuato, and El Compas in Zacatecas. The company processed 234, 196 tonnes to produce 948.5K Oz Ag and 9.7K Oz Au (1.72M Oz AgEq), at a cash cost of $11.51 per Oz Ag produced and AISC of $21.53.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q3, 2019 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 18,167 tonnes and processed 17,235 tonnes with grades of 512 g/t Ag, 4.4% Pb, and 6% Zn, to produce 257.5K Oz Ag, 1.3M Lb Pb, and 1.65M Lb Zn (427.1K Oz AgEq), at a cash cost per Oz Ag payable of $18.18 and AISC net of by-products per Oz Ag payable of $28.46. Metallurgical recoveries were 87.2%, 77.7%, and 76.5% for Ag, Pb, and Zn respectively. Excellon reported revenues for $5.9M, a net loss of $2.9M, and a net working capital of $$9.0M.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., presented Q3 production results from its Mexican operations. The company reported revenues for $97M, a net loss of $8.6M, operating cash flow before movements in working capital and taxes of $34.6M, cash and cash equivalent of $118.6M, and a working capital of $149.2M. The below table shows the mine by mine production results:

  • Hecla Mining Company, announced Q3 production and financial results from its San Sebastian mine in Durango. It produced 541.6K Oz Ag and 3.7K Oz Au at an AISC of $$7.21 per Oz Ag.
  • Leagold Mining Corporation, produced from its Los Filos mine in Guerrero, 40,922 Oz Au at an AISC of $1,001 per Oz Au produced, and sold 41,343 Oz Au during Q3, 2019, with associated revenue of $58.6M.
  • Pan America Silver Corp., reported Q3, 2019 production and financial results from its la Colorada, Zacatecas and Dolores, Chihuahua mines. At La Colorada, the company produced 2.1M Oz Ag and 1,200 Oz Au, at a cash cost of $2.82 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $4.03 per Oz Ag. At Dolores, it produced 1.5M Oz Ag and 33.1K Oz Au, at an AISC of $7.45 per Oz.

ON FINANCING

  • Discovery Metals Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $19M, including $5M investment from Eric Sprott, which represents 19.9% of the interest of Discovery on a non-diluted basis. Proceeds will be used to continue the exploration programs at its exploration properties (Cordero project, Chihuahua, Puerto Rico project, Coahuila).
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd., closed a brokered private placement financing of $3M. Gross proceeds will be used to continue resource expansion drilling including underground and surface exploration on its san Marcial project in Sinaloa.
  • Solaris Copper Inc., announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $5.5M. Gross proceeds will be used to advance permitting, exploration, and drilling activities at their projects. (La Verde project, Michoacan).
  • Advance Gold Corp., closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $113K. The company will use the gross proceeds to advance its Tabasqueña project in Zacatecas.
  • Orex Minerals Inc., announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $1M. Orex will use the net proceeds to maintain its 40% share of the Sandra Escobar project in Durango and fund its 40% share of the upcoming work program, and to make the necessary payments under its option to acquire 100% of the San Luis del Cordero project, Durango, and for general corporate and capital purposes.
  • San Marco Resources Inc., revised its previously announced non-brokered private placement and now intends to rise gross proceeds for up to CAD $376.6K. It also closed subscription books for unit and flow through shares private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $40K (Chunibas project, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  •  Capstone Mining Corp., announced high grade Cu-Ag results from 103 infill and step-out drill holes from 200 hole program at its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. Aim of this program is more than double the current reserve base. Significant drill intersection were encountered in hole CG-19-U498 with 5.02% Cu, 0.4% Zn, and 72 g/t Ag over a true width of 12.3m, including 9.02% Cu, 0.7% Zn, and 127 g/t Ag; in hole CG-18-S381 with 7.27% Cu, 0.3% Zn, and 220 g/t Ag over a true width of 5.1m; in hole CG-18-S372 with 5.53% Cu, 0.2% Zn, and 117 g/t Ag over a true width of 20.1m, including 11.32% Cu, 0.3% Zn, and 242 g/t Ag over a true width of 6.4m.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported drilling results from its 2019 exploration program at its El Limon-Guajes complex deposit in Guerrero. The drilling program has been successful in extending mineralization 150m below current reserves at its El Limon Deep deposit. Significant mineralization was encountered in hole LDUG-039 with 15.6 g/t Au over 38m; in hole LDUG-049 with 20.9 g/t Au over 12m, and in hole LDUG-056 with 15.7 g/t Au over 16.8m. El Limon Deep deposit remains open down dip and along strike.
  • Mexus Gold US, announced that its Merrill Crowe Au recovery plant at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora is complete and operational. “The plant is capable of handling Mexus’3000 ton a week mining operation and will allow for future expansion as well”.
  • Mag Silver Corp., informed about the activities carried out at its Juanicipio project mine development in Zacatecas during Q3, 2019. The company reported that “earthmoving and foundation preparation commenced for the construction of the 4,000 tpd beneficiation plant. Mill fabrication is progressing on schedule, and both the SAG and ball mills are expected to be shipped to site early 2020. Flotation cells, processing tanks and minor process equipment pieces are starting to arrive on site. Thickener tanks and drive and rakes fabrication are well advanced. Underground development has now reached 23Km of development and continues. According to the operator, Fresnillo plc, permitting for the tailings impoundments should be completed in the fourth quarter of this year and mill construction is on track for commissioning by late 2020”.

 ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Colibri Resources Corporation, received TSX approval for its acquisition of Yaque Minerals by a CAD$ 1M payment by way of a 5-years convertible debenture bearing 2.5% annual interest and carries a $0.20 per share conversion privilege. The Yaque´s acquisition includes two projects in Sonora: El Mezquite and Jackie, located less than 10Km east of the Nicho deposit owned by Minera Alamos, which is expected to start production in 2020, with initial production of 25K-30K Oz Au per year, with a mine life of more than 6 years. El Mezquite is a 2km by 1km N-S trending hydrothermal alteration zone on silicified feldspar porphyry, with a potential Au target area of at least 600m by 300m. A 3D-IP survey was carried out on this anomalous area which resulted in the identification of chargeability and resistivity anomalies underlying the surface area of potential. 321 grab samples have been collected of which 13% returned Au values oscillating from 0.1 to 3.41 g/t Au. Jackie is located 2km south of the El Mezquite but it has seen very little exploration work to date. Some prospecting work is planned for 2020.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., closed its previously announced option agreement on November 5, to acquire 100% interest in Panuco-Copala property in Sinaloa. Vizsla confirmed that it has previously loaned USD $700K to Canam in order to satisfy the initial payment due under the terms of the options.
  • Great Panther Mines Limited, announced the appointment of its VP Exploration and VP People & Culture (Topia mine, Durango).
  • Solaris Copper Inc., announced management changes of its team, appointed its CEO, CFO, VP Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary, and a new member to its Board of Directors (La Verde project, Michoacan).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro).
  • Mako Mining Corp., provided a corporate update and status of its Mexican operation. At its la Trinidad mine in Sinaloa, Au production is nearing conclusion, with Au sales being used to fund ongoing reclamation and severance costs. Mining and process plant equipment has been moved to USA and the lab equipment will be moved to Nicaragua soon. Mako has reported that has not been successful in receiving any insurance for damages caused by Hurricane Willa at its Trinidad mine in October, 2018. It has filed a lawsuit for over USD $7M against the Insurance Company. Mako also announced that it has reached an agreement with the primary mining contractor on the debt of approximately USD $11.3M. “Despite being ring-fenced from the rest of Mako’s corporate structure, the Company chose to settle with the contractor by making a USD $4M upfront payment and agreeing to make two additional USD $1M payments 12 months and 24 months from signing of the settlement agreement.  As this liability was being accounted for at approximately USD$11.3M, a substantial accounting gain is expected in the next quarterly report.
  • Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán , a subsidiary of Fortuna Silver Mines, analyzes to invest in a new mining plant located 40km from its San Jose mine, Oaxaca. The company asked government support to mediate between the company and the communities, since the new plant will require between USD $200-300M. The decision has to be taken next year, so they need the support of the authorities to reach a social agreement with the communities.
  • Compañía Minera Autlán, A.B .de C.V., announced its intention to raise its commitment to gold. The intention of that business and the integration towards gold was always to reach 20 to 25% of the top line and about 30 to 35% of the operating cash flow (EBITDA). In addition, the company estimates they will close this year with and investment of USD $35M to support other areas of its business, to add USD $45 M in an integrated way (Lluvia de Oro-La Jojoba, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, participated, along with the municipal presidency of Yepachi, Chihuahua, in the reconstruction of the drinking water system for this community. Yepachi is the second largest community in this area and has years of lag in terms of the supply and quality of drinking water. A total of MXP $4M will be invested, an amount that will be contributed by 50% by the municipal presidency and the other part will be borne by Agnico Eagle, which operates within the territory of the Yepachi Ejido.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., has participated in several programs with the communities where the company operates. At La Colorada, Sonora, Argonaut signed a health collaborative agreement with the Centro de Rehabilitación Integral Teletón and hosted a cultural event with the Cultural Institute of Sonora. In Durango, participated in collaboration with the local government in an interactive learning pavilion where local attendees and families could know about the company´s mining activities and projects. It also sponsored an international forum on geological and mining heritage organized by the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, to discuss possible historical tourism and ecotourism in mining communities. Finally, Argonaut hosted students’ interactive workshops in the municipality of Dolores, Hidalgo in the village of san Anton in Guanajuato, Mexico, and hosted a soprano singer and the Latin American quartet at the Mining Cultural Centre of the Mexican chamber of commerce in Mexico City.

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 Mn oxides-calcite fault vein-bx structure from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of October, 2019.

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barite crystals

By Miguel A Heredia

During the forty-three week of the year (October 21st to October 27th, 2019), at least 42 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eleven disclosing deals and corporate issues, ten announcing financial rounds, seven commenting on Mexican issues, six informing on exploration results, three communicating production results, three reporting on resources and developments of their projects, and one discussing issues on social responsibility.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, a mining union leader and senator for the Morena party proposed to increase the taxes to mining concessions to levels of 20-30%.  Fernando Alanís, president of the Cámara Minera de México (CAMIMEX), reported that 244 Canadian companies stopped investing in Mexico. At the AIMMGM Mining convention in Acapulco, the CONAGO (Conferencia Nacional de Gobernadores) and the federal government were at disagreement on the use of the Mining Fund. Camimex expects the “Mesa de Minería” (Mining Forum) is installed before year’s end. Newmont-Goldcorp re-started up production at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California Norte, One World Lithium announced the continuation and progress of the phase 3 drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project.   In Sonora, Aloro mobilized crews to sample high grade Au veins on the northwest side of its Los Venados project, and Agnico Eagle provided an exploration update of its Santa Gertrudis project. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold and Pan American Silver commenced the phase 3 drilling program at its Amalia project. In Zacatecas, Galore reported the completion of 1,667.20m of core drilling at its Dos Santos project.  In Jalisco, GoGold reported drill results from six new holes from its Los Ricos project. ON MINING, Agnico Eagle, Fresnillo, and Excellon reported Q3, 2019 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. ON FINANCING, Galore closed a first tranche of a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $187K and implemented a shares for services agreement on its drill contract (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas). One World Lithium reported that its previously announced non-brokered private placement (Sept 05, 2019), will be replaced by a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1M (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).  VVC closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2M (Kaity project in Samalayuca, Chihuahua). Silver Viper closed a private placement financing to raise gross proceeds for $4M (La Virginia project, Sonora). Orla entered into a commitment letter for up to USD $125M project finance facility (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas). Vista Gold received the third option payment from Prime Mining for the Guadalupe de Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Newmont-Goldcorp declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share of common stock (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas). Gold Resource increased 100% its instituted annual dividend from $0.02 to $0.04 per common share (Arista mine, Oaxaca). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Minerals outlined progress at its Velardeña and Rodeo properties in Durango. Minera Peñoles informed that is to start operations at its Capela mine in Guerrero. Endeavour reported infill drill results from its Parral project in Chihuahua.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alien Metals appointed Novum Securities Ltd as its joint corporate broker with immediate effect (San Celso project, Zacatecas). Defiance Silver appointed a couple of OreQuest consultants as technical advisors to work on its San Acacio project in Zacatecas. Impact granted stock options to directors, officers, and employees (Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico).   Oroco announced special general meeting of its shareholders to be held on December 19, 2019 (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa). Vangold announced changes on its board of Directors and appointed its corporate secretary (El Pinguino mine, Guanajuato). Tamino Minerals was invited to list on the Mexican Stock Exchange (El Volcan project, Sonora). Torex responded a recent letter to its shareholders and stakeholders (Limon-Guajes, Guerrero). Sonoro advanced discussions with China-based companies to develop and finance its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Magellan entered into an option agreement with Golden Minerals to acquire 100% interest in Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Santacruz Silver appointed a new director to its Board (Veta Grande, Zacatecas). Ternium received from PROFEPA, the certification as a clean industry (Tecomán plant in Colima).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, In Aconchi, Sonora, the Orquesta La Caridad from Grupo Mexico offered a concert to 250 attendees by 110 children and young people, the first on its Rio Sonora tour. Doctor Vagón, the Health Train of Fundación Grupo México, arrived in San Pedro, Coahuila from October 23 to 26 to give medical attention to the residents of the municipality.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, a mining union lider and senator by Morena proposed to increase the taxes to mining concessions to levels of 20 to 30%, sustaining that countries like Peru, Bolivia or Chile are at those levels. That declaration was done while he was defending the federal government intention to use the Mining Fund to other means that what it was imposed for: helping develop mining communities. The leader of the Morena senators is to present an integral initiative for the mining sector. Why don’t we raise the taxes to mining, to the rights on mineral exploitation, to the mining concessions taxes?, asked Gómez Urrutia. Ricardo Monreal, a presidential hopeful considered the proposal to be correct, and asked for its formalization.
  • Fernando Alanís, Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) president said that 244 Canadian companies stopped investing in Mexico. Camimex is fighting for the 100% deductibility of exploration expenses, as it is a strong deterrent on exploration investment, where the most risk of the industry is concentrated.
  • At the AIMMGM Mining convention in Acapulco, the CONAGO (Conferencia Nacional de Gobernadores) and the federal government were at disagreement on the use of the Mining Fund. While the governors fight for the said funds to remain on the states and municipalities, the federal government proposed that 85% of the resources are directed to the Secretaria de Educación Pública (SEP), by reforming the Ley Federal de Derechos (Federal Law on Duties) starting on 2020. The federal proposal allows full discretionally use of the where the funds are used, even in areas where no mining is conducted. In 2018 alone, $3,840 M pesos (about US$202 M) were accrued on the Mining Fund.
  • Camimex expects the “Mesa de Minería” (Mining Forum) is installed before year’s end, and can start to work with the federal government, so the mining sector is heard and doubts and misunderstandings can be cleared. Subjects to address include the social, the environment, regulation of the investment compromise, and the fiscal issues. Camimex stressed the mining in Mexico pays about 46 percent in taxes.
  • Newmont-Goldcorp, re-started up production at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, following the lifting of the illegal blockade on October 8, 2019. “With the support of the State and Federal governments, including an ongoing police presence, the Company has commenced an approximately 10-dayprocess of bringing back the operation to full production”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., announced the continuation of the phase 3 drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California Norte. Four boreholes are planned for a total of 2,400 meters (about 8,000 feet) of exploration drilling. The company reported that the first borehole reached a depth of 220m. Target depths of up to 600 meters are expected to be achieved.
  • Aloro Mining Corp., is to sample high-grade gold veins on the northwest of the Los Venados property in Sonora. In this area lies a 3.5 km vein system up to 400 m in width that has been partially mapped. Results from early sampling have results of up to 32 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, provided an update of the exploration program carried out at its Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora. Drilling at Santa Gertrudis has extended the Amelia deposit in the Trinidad zone to 800m strike length, with highlight intercepts of 6.4 g/t Au over 7m and 9.6 g/t Au over 6m.
  • Radius Gold Inc., and Pan American Silver Corp., commenced the phase 3 drilling program at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Pan American is now operating the project and expects to drill a minimum 2,500m of core drilling.
  • Galore Resources Inc., reported the completion of 1.667.20m of core drilling at its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas. Drilling results are still pending to be released.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported results from six new diamond drill holes including four from the San Juan zone, the first step out hole testing the El Troce area, and one from the Main area at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. At San Juan, hole LRGG-19-050 intersected 0.39 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag (1.41 g/t AuEq) over 45.3m, including 1.01 g/t Au and 242 g/t Ag (4.23 g/t AuEq) over 6.2m,and hole LRGG-19-051 intersected 0.4 g/t Au and 86 g/t Ag (1.55 g/t AuEq) over 24m. At El Troce, hole LRGG-19-053 intersected 1.53 g/t Au and 164 g/t Ag (3.72 g/t AuEq) over 10.1m, including 5.22 g/t Au and 489 g/t Ag (11.75 g/t AuEq) over 2.8m. At the Main area, hole LRGG-19-055 intersected 0.58 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (1.59 g/t AuEq) over 14.4m.

ON MINING

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, reported Q3, 2019 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua, it processed 519K tonnes of 2.22 g/t Au to produce 34.8K Oz Au at a total cash cost of USD $745 per Oz Au produced. At Creston Mascota mine in Chihuahua, the company processed 284K tonnes of 0.78 g/t Au to produce 9,596 Oz Au at a total cash cost of USD $668 per Oz Au produced. At La India mine, Sonora, Agnico processed 1.1M tonnes of 0.77 g/t Au to produce 18.4K Oz Au at a total cash cost of USD $872 per Oz Au produced.
  • Fresnillo plc, presented Q3 2019 production results from their Mexican operations. Consolidated production results for the Q3, 2019 reached 13.3M Oz Ag (including Silverstream for 659K Oz Ag), 209.7K Oz Au, 34.9M Lb Pb, and 56.8M Lb Zn. At Fresnillo mine, Zacatecas, the company processed 648,646 tonnes of 183 g/t Ag, 0.99 g/t Au, 1.24% Pb, and 2.14% Zn, to produce 3.4M Oz Ag, 15.6K Oz Au, 15.8M Lb Pb, and 22.9M Lb Zn. At Saucito mine, Zacatecas, it processed 703K tonnes of 207 g/t Ag, 1.22 g/t Au, 0.84% Pb, and 1.38% Zn, to produce 4M Oz Ag, 21K Oz Au, 11M Lb Pb, and 14.9M Lb Zn. At Pyrites Plant, Fresnillo processed 38,572 tonnes of 314 g/t Ag and 2.44 g/t Au, to produce 285K Oz Ag and 954 Oz Au. At Cienega mine, Durango, it processed 335,493 tonnes of 1.78 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag, 0.81% Pb, and 1.35% Zn, to produce 17.8K Oz Au, 1.4M Oz Ag, 4.1M Lb Pb, and 6.2M Lb Zn. At San Julian mine in Chihuahua-Durango border, the company processed 321,798 tonnes of 1.39 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag, to produce 13,711 Oz Au and 1M Oz Ag from veins, and 559,693 tonnes of 0.07 g/t Au, 130 g/t Ag, 0.41% Pb, and 1.35% Zn, to produce 523 Oz Au, 2M Oz Ag, 4M Lb Pb, and 12.8M LB Zn from the disseminated ore body. At the Herradura mine, Sonora, Fresnillo processed 5,591,746 tonnes of 0.71 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag, to produce 102,439 Oz Au and 412K Oz Ag. At the Noche Buena mine, Sonora, it processed 3,215,167 tonnes for a total volume hauled of 11,447,273 tonnes with grades of 0.58 g/t Au and 0.25 g/t Ag to produce 37,570 Oz Au and 14K Oz Ag.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced Q3, 2019 production results from its Platosas mine, Durango. Excellon milled and processed 17,235 tonnes of 512 g/t Ag, 4.4% Pb, and 6% Zn to produce 257.5K Oz Ag, 1.3M Lb Pb, and 1.65M Lb Zn, with metallurgical recoveries of 87.2%, 77.7%, and 76.5% respectively.

ON FINANCING

  • Galore Resources Inc., closed a first tranche of a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $187K.The company also implemented a cash + shares for services agreement with COMEFIN S DE RL DE CV, to conduct the diamond core drilling programs at Galore’s 100% owned El Alamo and Los Gemelos projects (Dos Santo project, Zacatecas).
  • One World Lithium Inc., reported that its previously announced non-brokered private placement (Sept 05, 2019), will be replaced by a non-brokered private placement of unsecured convertible notes for gross proceeds of $1M (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).
  • VVC Exploration Corporation, closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2M. The proceeds of the Financing will be used for exploration and development on the Kaity Property in Mexico, including diamond drilling, land use permits and associated costs, metallurgical bench testing of the copper mineralization, and investigation, evaluation and implementation of the Gloria Pilot Mining Project (Kaity project in Samalayuca, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., closed a private placement financing to raise gross proceeds for $4M. Net proceeds will be used to continue exploration and development of its La Virginia Au-Ag in Sonora and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., entered into a commitment letter with Trinity Capital Partners Corporation, with respect to a secured project finance facility of USD $125M for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas.
  • Vista GoldCorp., received the third $1.5M option payment from Prime Mining Corporation for the Guadalupe de Los Reyes project in Sinaloa.
  • Newmont-Goldcorp, declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share of common stock, payable on December 27, 2019 to holders of record at the close of business on December 5, 2019.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, announced it has increased 100% its instituted annual dividend from $0.02 to $0.04 per common share. This increases the monthly dividend to one-third of a cent per common share for October 2019 payable on November 25, 2019 to shareholders of record as of November 12, 2019 (Arista mine, Oaxaca).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Minerals Co. informed it is working on a new PEA on its Velardeña properties in Durango, to reflect better metal prices and new metallurgical processes. At Rodeo, also in Durango, Golden plans to initiate a small drilling program to provide better definition on its 46 K Oz Au resource. At Yoquivo, in Chihuahua, Golden has the permits to initiate a drill program to test several epithermal veins early in 2020.
  • Minera Peñoles informed that is to start operations at its Capela mine in Guerrero. The Capela mine is a US$340 M investment that is to generate 1,000 direct jobs and at least 1,400 indirect ones. Mining generates more than 10 thousand direct jobs and 50 thousand indirect jobs, making it the second most relevant economic activity in the state.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported infill drill results from 10 underground holes collared on the Veta Colorada vein at its Parral project in Chihuahua. Every hole intersected strong Ag mineralization below the lowest mine level. Recent drilling highlights include 308 g/t Ag over 11.6 m true width n hole VCU-16. “Several drill holes intersected two mineralized zones, the Veta Colorada and the HW Veta Colorada in the hanging wall, with a total true width of mineralization up to 16.5 m in hole VCU-17, with 226 g/t Ag over 7.6m true width, including 593 g/t Ag over 0.5m true width, and 254 g/t Ag over 8.9m true width, including 1,355 g/t Ag over 0.5m true width”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Alien Metals Ltd., appointed Novum Securities Ltd as its joint corporate broker with immediate effect (San Celso project, Zacatecas).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., appointed a couple of OreQuest consultants as technical advisors to execute the ongoing exploration program at its san Acacio project in Zacatecas.
  • Impact Silver Corp., granted stock options to directors, officers, and employees for the purchase of 2M shares in its capital at the above market price of $0.36 per share (Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico).
  • Oroco Resources Corp., announced that its special general meeting for shareholders will be held on December 19, 2019 to consider and vote on a resolution to approve the Company’s option to acquire Altamura Copper Corp.(Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa).
  • Vangold Mining Gold, informed about changes on its Board of Directors and expanded the role in the company of its CFO to become in its corporate secretary (El Pinguico mine, Guanajuato).
  • Tamino Minerals, has been invited to list on the Mexican Stock Exchange. If Tamino can achieve the listing, it may have a solution to combat its shortage of investment capital and advance their exploration projects (El Volcan, Sonora).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc, responded a recent letter to its shareholders and stakeholders to confirm its long-term strategy to develop a sustainable, multi-asset, mining business by executing operationally to generate strong free cash flow from its Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero, de-risking and bringing Media Luna project, Guerrero into production, and delivering the full potential of its innovative Muckahi Mining System to the benefit of all Torex shareholders.
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., continued advancing its discussions with China-based engineering, procurement and construction companies regarding plans to develop and finance a proposed heap leach pilot operation for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora.
  • Magellan Gold Corp., entered into an option agreement with Golden Minerals Company to acquire 100% interest in the Santa Maria project in Chihuahua by making a cash payment of USD $1M to Golden at closing, and pay Golden a 6.5% NSR based royalty from all production until a total of USD $3M has been paid under the royalty agreement, the royalty is then reduced to a 3.0% NSR based royalty for the balance of the property life.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., appointed a new director to its Board (Veta Grande, Zacatecas).
  • Ternium, received from PROFEPA, a certification as a clean industry for the 6th consecutive year, established by the Mexican Standard, NMX-AA-162-SCFI 2012, Regulation of the General Law of Ecological Balance and the Protection of the Environment in matters of Self-Regulation and Environmental Audits. The certification was granted to the Alzada pelletizing plant and Tecomán station, both located in Colima.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • In Aconchi, Sonora, the Orquesta La Caridad from Grupo Mexico offered a concert to 250 attendees by 110 children and young people from Nacozari, the first on its Rio Sonora tour.
  • Doctor Vagón, the Health Train of Fundación Grupo México, arrived in San Pedro, Coahuila from October 23 to 26 to give medical attention to the residents of the municipality. The Health Train will offer general consultations, dermatology, pediatrics, dentistry, chiropractic and physical rehabilitation, Comprehensive service for women (mastography, colposcopy), comprehensive diabetic patient clinic, comprehensive service for women, nutrition, psychology, optometry, family planning, geriatrics, audiometry, laboratory tests and cabinet studies, all for free.

 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 in a rhyolite tuff from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Alamos Gold Provides Notice of Third Quarter 2019 Results and Conference Call

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20191004-Alamos-Q319-Conference-Call_FINAL

TORONTO, Oct. 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX:AGI; NYSE:AGI) (“Alamos” or the “Company”) plans to release its third quarter 2019 financial results after market close on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. Senior management will host a conference call on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 11:00 am ET to discuss the results.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of August, 2019.

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Flow -banded rhyolite

By Miguel A Heredia

During the thirty-five week of the year (July 26th to September 1st, 2019), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, six announcing financial rounds, four communicating production results, three reporting on resources and development of their projects, and two informing on exploration results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kootenay reported drilling results from four holes drilled at its Columba project. In Jalisco, GoGold reported drilling results from ten new holes drilled at its Los Ricos project. ON MINING, Argonaut extended El Castillo mine life with zero-cost collar gold price protection program. Mexus Gold commenced leaching of 5K tonnes of mineralized material at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  Telson processed 2,166 tonnes of concentrates from its Tahuehueto project in Durango and announced significant metallurgical recoveries. Santacruz reported Q2, 2019 production and financial results from their Mexican operations.  ON FINANCING, Excellon completed an $11.5M bought deal financing (La Platosa mine, Durango). First Mexican Gold announced consolidation and private placement for gross proceeds of $0.5M (Guadalupe property, Sonora). Sable announced a strategic investment with Osisko Gold Royalty for potential proceeds of $12.58M (Margarita project, Chihuahua). Silver Spruce closed a private placement for gross proceeds of $261,250 (Pino de Plata project, Chihuahua). New Gold closed a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of CDN $150M (Cerro San Pedro mine, San Luis Potosi).  Gold Resource declared monthly dividend to shareholders (Arista deposit, Oaxaca). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Santacruz updated mineral resource estimate at its Veta Grande project in Zacatecas. Impact Silver reported results of the successful dense media separation (DMS) study at its Capire project in Mexico State. SilverCrest released in-fill drilling results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Prize Mining reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Manto Negro project, Coahuila). SilverCrest announced that the company will begin trading on TSX (Las Chispas project, Sonora).  Golden Minerals received continued listing standard notice from New York Stock Exchange (Santa María project, Chihuahua). Azure revealed that it has regained 100% of the Alacran Au-Ag project from Teck. Consolidated Zinc announced that the Federal Court of Mexico has ruled in its favour on the land use agreement dispute with the landowner. Minera Alamos announced the closing of the Guadalupe de los Reyes option and the acquisition of common shares of Prime Mining. Newmont Goldcorp announced successful completion of consent solicitation for its 5.875% notes due 2035 (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

 ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kootenay Silver Inc., released drilling results from four new holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole CDH-19-009 with 516 g/t Ag and 0.2% Zn over 2.90m, including 1,070 g/t Ag and 0.4% Zn over 0.90m; hole CDH-19-008 with 112 g/t Ag over 33.5m, including 408 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, and 1.1% Zn over 4.85m; and hole CDH-19-007 with 417 g/t Ag and 0.1% Zn over 1.68m and other interval of 693 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1.13% Zn over 1.55m. The ongoing drilling program has showed that the F vein has returned high grades over good widths, the known veins have excellent continuity along strike and to depth, and the newly discovered veins in the hanging wall also contain high grades. Kootenay has drilled 16 holes to date of a planned first phase 25-30 holes program.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced drilling results from ten new holes drilled at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco: three at the Los Ricos main area and seven on the Cerro Colorado target located 1.5Km to the south of the main area. The most significant drill intersections were encountered in hole LRGG-19-028 located at the Los Ricos main area, with 1.21 g/t Au and 133 g/t Ag (2.99 g/t AuEq) over 27.5m, including 2.93 g/t Au and 294 g/t Ag (6.85 g/t AuEq) over 11m, and on the Cerro Colorado target in hole LRGC-19-004 with 1.28 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag (2.71 g/t AuEq) over 11.5m. The drilling program has now been expanded for additional testing along 3.2Km of the Los Ricos mineralized zone while at the Cerro Colorado target it has showed that the quartz vein system has good grades over a strike length of at least 500m.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., extended El Castillo mine life as it entered into a series of zero-cost collar option contracts. The contracts cover 145K Oz Au through mid-2022. The floor price of the monthly gold collars has been set at $1,450/Oz with the ceiling price of the collars ranging from $1,630/Oz in Q4, 2019 to $1,760/Oz for H1, 2022.
  • Mexus Gold US, commenced leaching of 5K tonnes of ore material at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora, and expects to recover from 5 to 8 Oz Au per day. The ore material has been tested and is returning values as high as 54.74 g/t Au.
  • Telson Mining Corporation, processed 2,166 tonnes of concentrate with average grades of 5.32 g/t Au, 38 g/t Ag, 1.7% Pb, 3.2% Zn, and 0.24% Cu from its Tahuehueto project in Durango, to produce 82.9 tonnes of Au rich Pb concentrate grading 101 g/t Au, 702 g/t Ag, 38.8% Pb, and 5.29%Cu, and 130.8 tonnes of Zn concentrate grading 40.8% Zn, 12.02 g/t Au, and 94 g/t Ag. Telson has achieved the highest recoveries to date at 86% Au, 85% Ag, 86% Pb, 77% Zn, and 84% Cu.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported Q2, 2019 production and financial results from their Mexican operation in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. Consolidated mining operations generated a gross profit of $251, including gross profit from Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi of $54, and gross loss from Veta Grande mine in Zacatecas of $691 plus mine services gross profit of $888. Net loss after taxes was $1,137, cash cost per Oz AgEq of $16.07 and an AISC of $18.37. Santacruz processed 37,156 tonnes at Veta Grande to produce 240.2K Oz AgEq, at a cash cost of $17.68 per Oz AgEq produced and an AISC of $19.70 per Oz AgEq. At El Rosario, it processed 20.789 tonnes to produce 133.1K Oz AgEq at a cash cost of $14.23 per Oz AgEq produced and an AISC of $16.81 per Oz AgEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Excellon Resources Inc., completed its previously announced bought deal offering for $11.5M. Gross proceeds will be used to fund exploration and capital expenditures at its Platosa project in Durango, and its Evolution project in Zacatecas. In connection with the offering, insiders purchased an aggregate of 1,015,000 units for a total consideration of $1M.
  • First Mexican Gold Corp., announced consolidation of its common shares on a ten for one basis, and proposes to close a private placement for gross proceeds of $0.5M. The closing of the offering is anticipated to take place on or about September 30, 2019, or such other later date as the Company may agree (Guadalupe project, Sonora).
  • Sable Resources Ltd., announced a strategic investment with Osisko Gold Royalty for potential proceeds of $12.58M. This financing will provide Sable with the funding to progress its exploration objectives over its entire portfolio for the next 4 years. In connection with the financing, Osisko will have a right of first refusal over any royalty, stream or similar right in Sable properties, equity participation right to maintain pro-rata ownership interest so long as Osisko owns more than 5% of the outstanding common shares of Sable, and the right to nominate one person to Sable´s board of directors so long as Osisko owns more than 5% of the outstanding common shares of Sable. Additionally, Sable granted Osisko the right to acquire 1% NSR on properties controlled by Sable´s wholly subsidiaries in Mexico for $5M. The NSR will extend to any additional properties acquired by Sable within a period of 4 years from the closing of the NSR agreement. Sable also has granted Osisko the right to acquire an additional 1% NSR for $5.5M on all minerals produced from initial and future properties control by Sable until the expiration of the NSR agreement (Margarita and Vinata projects, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., closed a private placement for net proceeds of $261,250. Funds will be used to conduct due diligences and exploration activities (Pino de Plata project, Chihuahua).
  • New Gold Inc., closed a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of CAD $150M (Cerro San Pedro mine, San Luis Potosi).
  • Gold Resource Corporation, declared its August dividend of 1/6 of a cent per common share payable on September 23, 2019 to shareholders (Arista deposit, Oaxaca).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., updated mineral resource estimate at its Veta Grande project in Zacatecas. Considering a cut-off of 100 g/t Ag, the inferred resources is 3,954,729 tonnes of 136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, and 0.11% combined Pb+Zn (153 g/t AgEq) to contain 47M Oz AgEq.
  • Impact Silver Corp., reported results of the successful Dense Media Separation (DMS) study at its Capire open pit VMS deposit located within the Zacualpan mining district in Mexico State. “These preliminary tests indicate that it may be possible to pre-concentrate crushed run of mine material using a low cost Dense Medium Separation (DMS) plant prior to milling and mineral processing, thereby reducing the overall cost of processing at Capire and potentially bringing it back into economic production”. An initial test showed that 25% of the sample retained over 99% of Ag, Pb, and Zn minerals, and over 97% of Cu and Au in a heavy liquid separation (HLS) concentrate. A second test showed that over 42% of the sample retained 93% of Ag and Pb minerals and 79% to 92% of Cu, Au, and Zn in an HLS concentrate. “These results suggest that the addition of a DMS pre-concentration plant to the Capire process flow sheet could unlock some significant operating cost improvements that would subsequently allow a lowering of cut off grade and access to otherwise uneconomic areas of the Capire deposit”.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., released in-fill drilling results of 33 holes from the Babi Sur vein within its Las Chispas project in Sonora. The in-fill drilling has increased the confidence of resources and high-grade continuity in the vein. The most significant drill intersections were encountered in hole BAS19-63 with 8.51 g/t Au and 717 g/t Ag (1,355 g/t AgEq) over 3.1m of true width; hole BAS19-57 with 3.1 g/t Au and 305 g/t Ag (536 g/t AgEq) over 8.8m; and hole BAS19-49 with 5.32 g/t Au and 374 g/t Ag (773 g/t AgEq) over 3.8m. “The Babi Sur Vein and Babi Sur HW Vein are still open to depth and down plunge to the southeast. Unnamed veins are under review for possible continuity and announcement(s) of additional vein discoveries. Approximately 25 to 35 additional in-fill and expansion holes, for a minimum of 7,000 metres, are planned for the Babi Sur veins in H2, 2019”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Prize Mining Corporation, reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders. It also plans to change the name of the company to Boundary Gold and Copper Mining Ltd, and a consolidation of its common shares on a five for one basis. Change name is subject to the approval of the TSX (Manto Negro project, Coahuila).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced that it will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) following its graduation from the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (TSXV) (Las Chispas project, Sonora).
  • Golden Minerals Company, received continued listing standard notice from the New York Stock Exchange. Specifically, the company is not in compliance with section 1003 (a) (iii) since it reported stockholder´s equity of less than $6M as of June 30, 2019 and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years. In order to maintain its listing on the NYSE, Golden was asked to submit a plan of compliance no later than September 18, 2019 advising how the company intends to regain compliance with section 1003 (a) (iii) of the company guide by February 19, 2021 (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua).
  • Azure Minerals Limited, revealed that it has regained 100% of the Alacran Au-Ag project in Sonora from Teck. Alacran project host global resources of 32.2M Oz Ag and 150K Oz Au, being 27.4M Oz Ag at Loma de Plata deposit and 4.8M Oz Ag and 150K Oz Au at Loma Bonita deposit. “Azure accepted a first offer proposal to lock-in all Teck’s rights and interest in the project by issuing Teck more than 27.5 million shares – effectively bumping Teck’s stake in Azure to 19.9%”. Teck also will retain a 0.5% NSR over Alacran project.
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, announced that the Federal Court of Mexico has ruled in its favour on the land use agreement dispute with the local ranch owner, cancelling the prior appeal Court of Chihuahua which had ruled in favour of the landowner. The company continues to operate freely at its Plomosas mine and in accordance with the agreement.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., announced the closing of the Guadalupe de Los Reyes option in Sinaloa, and the acquisition of 9.45M of common shares of Prime Mining Corp. It represents 16.1% of the outstanding common shares of Prime. Following the transaction, Minera Alamos also acquired warrants to purchase up to 3.35M additional common shares of Prime with the closing date being December 28th, 2019.
  • Newmont Goldcorp Corporation, announced successful completion of consent solicitation for its 5.875% notes due 2035. “Holders of approximately $575,330,000 (95.89%) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes had validly delivered (and not validly revoked) their consent to the amendments. The company will pay, a cash payment equal to $33.33 per $1,000 aggregate principal amount of the notes for which holders had validly delivered (and not validly revoked) their consent to the amendments on or prior to the expiration date (August 23, 2019). The company intends to pay the consent fee on August 28, 2019”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news

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

On the picture above, flow-banded rhyolite in a prospect in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

 

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of August, 2019

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 32nd week of the year (August 5th to August 11th, 2019), at least 36 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The president of Mexico announced in a political rally that no more mining concessions are to be granted during his term in office. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kootenay has mobilized a drill rig to its Columba property. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals released high-grade results from underground sampling at Minerva. In Zacatecas, Alien Metals carried out surface sampling at Los Campos, Donovan and San Celso projects; Advance Gold started an IP survey at Tabasqueña. ON MINING, Gold Resource, Premier Gold, Hecla Mining, Golden Minerals, First Majestic, Coeur Mining, Argonaut Gold, Pan American Silver, Avino Silver, Endeavour Silver, Alio Gold, Torex Gold, Fortuna Silver and GoGold reported second quarter production and/or financial results for the second quarter. Mexus Gold poured first gold at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Excellon Resources entered into an agreement with a sole bookrunner for gross proceeds of $10 M. Santacruz Silver granted options to its directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors. Oroco closed a first tranche for $900 K. Impact Silver completed the first series of a round of financing for $2.4 M in gross proceeds.   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, US Antimony continues mining at Los Juarez, Queretaro. Hecla presented drill results from San Sebastian, Durango. Orla Mining filed the FS on Camino Rojo Oxide project. VVC Exploration approved the construction of a pilot plant on its Northern Mexico Copper project. Minera Alamos received the needed environmental approval for mine construction at Santana, Sonora. Goldplay Exploration compiled all the exploration information on a 6 km trend outside the known resource in San Marcial, Sinaloa ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals filed an early warning report in respect to its holdings in Levon Resources. Tamino Minerals is working to remove the stop sign to become current on the OTC. Minera Alamos reported the retirement from the Board of Directors of Mr. Chester Millar, (a long time player in the Mexican Mining scene). Mako Mining informed the near completion of production from La Trinidad mine in Sinaloa. Chesapeake Gold re-purchased a 1% NSR from Wheaton Precious Metals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Argonaut Gold engaged in multiple community projects during the second quarter on its operations at San Agustin (Durango), El Castillo (Durango), La Colorada (Sonora) and La Paz (Baja California Sur).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No more mining concessions in my term: AMLO. The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, announced this Sunday (August 11th, 2019) in a political rally in Concepcion del Oro, Zacatecas, that under his term no more mining concessions are to be granted. “To give concessions of the mining regions to national and foreign companies was a policy forwarded since the time of (Carlos) Salinas de Gortari, and up to 80 million hectares were delivered for mining exploitation. To grasp it: let’s think in our territory. Mexico has 200 million hectares, and 80 million hectares, about 40 percent of the national territory. Never in History so much of our sovereign soil had been transferred”, he said. He also reiterated that current concessions are to continue, but no new ones are to be delivered. “We are not to cancel (the concessions), but we are not to continue delivering new concessions for mining exploitation. Because it was too much what was delivered. If we analyze it, we are going to conclude that it wasn’t delivered to produce, but to speculate financially ………. With what has been delivered they have to produce. That’s the main purpose and not speculation. What we ask the mining companies is, first, take care of the environment, that no territory is destroyed, not to act as it is done in other countries”. He asked for Mexican miners to be paid as in the United States, or Canada, and that the same environmental rules be applied, also making a call for the salaries of workers to be raised, with the same benefits. (Editor’s note.- All the president arguments can be easily refuted to show that granting mining concessions is, and has been, very helpful for the country and countless of Mexicans. But there is no valid argument to present to the president that on the one hand is calling for more investment, while in the other hand is closing the door to it.)

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kootenay Silver Inc. has mobilized a drill rig to commence a 3,000 m core drill program at its Columba project in Chihuahua. “The first 12 holes of the drill program will be designed to test the F vein where underground development work extended to 200 meter depth and the historic mining occurred”.
  • Alien Metals Ltd. carried out some surface rock sampling at its Donovan, Los Campos and San Celso projects in Zacatecas, results pending.
  • Advance Gold Corp. started a 800 x 500 m 3D induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey on its Tabaqueña project, Zacatecas. The goal of the survey is to assess the depth potential below the near surface mineralized zone that was encountered in the andesites, with the graphitic phyllites below still open at depth.
  • Discovery Metals Corp. released assay results for 112 underground samples from its drill permitted Minerva Ag-Zn-Pb project in Coahuila. Highlighted results from the Minerva mine include 0.4 m @ 8,880 gpt Ag, 8.7% Zn, 43.2% Zn, 2.30% Cu, 0.3 m @ 1,200 gpt Ag, 24.8% Zn, 18.2% Pb, 0.15% Cu; 0.2 m @ 1,340 gpt Ag, 20.8% Zn, 19.6% Pb, 0.11% Cu; 0.9 m @ 517 gpt Ag, 5.7% Zn, 3.3% Pb, 0.07% Cu in veins, 0.3 m @ 1,485 gpt Ag, 8.6% Zn, 32.1% Pb, 0.10% Cu; 0.3 m @ 1,145 gpt Ag, 10.8% Zn, 34.8% Pb, 0.10% Cu; 0.5 m @ 220 gpt Ag, 34.6% Zn, 13.2% Pb, 0.05% Cu; 0.4 m @ 1,050 gpt Ag, 5.8% Zn, 26.4% Pb; 1.4 m @ 131 gpt Ag, 22.2% Zn, 2.7% Pb, 0.04% Cu in mantos. Underground samples from the Concordia area returned 0.7 m @ 848 gpt Ag, 2.7% Zn, 12.5% Pb, 0.24% Cu; 0.8 m @ 320 gpt Ag, nil Zn, 13% Pb, 0.06% Cu; 1.1 m @ 267 gpt Ag, 0.4% Zn, 6.3% Pb, 0.06% Cu in vein and limestone. At Tercia area, samples from a small working in diorite returned 0.5 m @ 226 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn, 15.5% Pb; 0.5 m @ 181 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn, 10.0% Pb; 1.3 m @ 124 gpt Ag, 3.2% Zn, 6.1% Pb in breccias (fault zones?).

ON MINING

  • Mexus Gold US. has poured gold at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). The company recovered gold from its first heap leach pad using its Merrill Crowe gold recovery system. Mexus continues to mine and crush ore for the 2nd lift on heap leach pad #1.
  • Gold Resource Corp. presented production results for the second quarter 2019. At the Oaxaca’s Mining Unit 7,881 Oz Au, 466.5 K Oz Ag, 482 tonnes Cu, 2,304 tonnes Pb, 6,054 tonnes Zn were produced. At the Arista mine 115.8 K tonnes were milled @ 1.87 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag, 0.40% Cu, 1.96% Pb, 4.77% Zn. At the Aguila open pit mine 8,872 tonnes were milled @ 1.39 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag. At the Mirador mine 6,737 tonnes were milled @ 1.10 gpt Au, 201 gpt Ag. The company had $7.93 M of cash and cash equivalents by the end of the period.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. reported operating results for the second quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Mercedes, in Sonora, 167.6 K tonnes were milled @ 3.0 gpt Au, 27.2 gpt Ag, recovering 95.9% Au, 35.0% Ag to produce 15,532 Oz Au, 51,354 Oz Ag. Co-product cash cost was $1,053 per Oz Au, and the co-product all-in-sustaining cost was $1,254 per Oz Au. On by-product basis, cash cost was 1,044 per Oz Au and AISC $1,252 per OZ Au. A total of 11,281 m of drilling targeted the Diluvio, Marianas and Barrancas veins “to replace reserves support mine production, test extensions of the main mine trends and to test new geological targets.”
  • Hecla Mining Co. presented second quarter 2019 results, including figure from its operations in Mexico. At San Sebastian, Durango, 463.7 K Oz Ag, 3,547 Oz Au were produced at by-product cash cost $9.22 per Oz Ag and by-product AISC$15.50.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released financial results for the second quarter 2019. An important point on the report is the still to be completed $22 M sale of the Velardeña, Santa Maria and Rodeo properties, as well as the Velardeña mill, to Grupo Autlan. Golden had a net loss of $2.5 M , ending the period with $1.8 M in cash and cash equivalents.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced financial results for the second quarter 2019. During the period 3.2 M Oz Ag, 6.4 M OZ AgEq were produced at cash cost $6.84 per Oz Ag, and AISC $ 14.76 per Oz Ag on a consolidated basis from its San Dimas (Durango), Santa Elena (Sonora), La Encantada (Coahuila), San Martin (Jalisco), La Parrilla (Durango), Del Toro (Zacatecas). At the end of the period the company had $94.5 M in cash and cash equivalents.First Majestic production table1
  • Coeur Mining Inc. reported second quarter 2019 financial results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 447.7 K tonnes were milled @ 2.18 gpt Au, 147 gpt Ag, recovering 87.7% Au, 81.8% Ag, to produce 28,246 Oz Au, 1.73 M Oz Ag at adjusted CAS $741 per Oz Au and adjusted CAS $9.17 per Oz Ag. Production started and is to be ramped up 400 tonnes per day (tpd) at La Nacion deposit.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. announced its operating and financial results for the second qurter of 2019. At Cerro del Gallo in Guanajuato, Argonaut is advancing on the pre-feasibility study, whereas at San Antonio in Baja California participated in a public information meeting regarding the environmental impact assessment process, while advancing in environmental permitting. At El Castillo, Durango, 2.3 M tonnes of ore @ 0.39 gpt Au, 3.49 M tonnes of waste were moved at a rate of 64 K tonnes per day (tpd) to produce 14,361 Oz Au, 29,791 Oz Ag at cash cost $976 per gold equivalent ounce. At San Agustin (Durango), 1.96 M tonnes of ore @ 0.39 gpt Au, 1.41 M tonnes waste were moved at 37 K tpd to produce 12,684 Oz Au, 43,097 Oz Ag at cash cost $910 per gold equivalent ounce. At La Colorada (Sonora) 1.19 M tonnes of ore @ 0.46 gpt Au, 5.9 M tonnes of waste were moved at 78 K tpd to produce 11,723 Oz Au, 35,485 Oz Ag at cash cost $894 per gold equivalent ounce.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported unaudited results for the second quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 2.04 M Oz Ag, 1.1 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $2.82 per Oz Ag and AISC $5.07 per Oz Ag. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 1.23 M Oz Ag, 28.5 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $6.87 per Oz Ag and AISC $22.30 per Oz Ag. “Drilling at the La Colorada mine has further defined the skarn mineralization, indicating a high concentration of base metal and silver mineralization over large widths”. By the end of the period the company had cash and shorth-term investments for $138.8 M, and working capital of $793.1 M.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2019. During the period 200.9 K tonnes were milled to produce 426.1 K Oz Ag, 1,609 Oz Au, 1.14 M Lb Cu, or 599.5 K Oz AgEq, with consolidated cash cost per AgEq ounce of $10.89, and AISC $13.10 per AgEq ounce. At the end of the quarter Avino held $3.4 M of cash, and a working capital of $8.7 M.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. released its financial results for the second quarter 2019. Consolidated production from its Guanacevi (Durango), Bolañitos (Guanajuato), El Cubo (Guanajuato) and El Compas (Zacatecas) mines was 1.06 M Oz Ag, 9,558 Oz Au, or 1.8 M Oz AgEq at an all-in-sustaining cost of $20.90 per Oz Ag net of gold credits. During the period received the final tailings permit for its Terronera project in Jalisco, and reported positive drill results from Bolañitos and Guanacevi.
  • Alio Gold Inc. reported second quarter 2019 results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At San Francisco, in Sonora, produced 10,230 Oz Au, 5,112 Oz Ag, with a by-product cost of $1,077 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,079 per Oz Au. In January 2019 Alio stopped active mining in the San Francisco pit and focused on processing the low grade stockpile, which is to continue until the end of the year, after which only residual leaching is to go on.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. announced financial and operating results for the second quarter 2019. At El Limon-Guajes in Guerrero, 145.7 K tonnes per day (tpd) were moved, including 19,890 tpd of ore @ 2.91 gpt Au, with a recovery of 88% Au to produce 113,645 Oz Au at cash cost $605 and AISC $760. The Muckahi mining system is said to be on the way to demonstrate its efficacy by year end. Torex released a maiden underground mineral resource estimate for El Limon Deep of 797 K tonnes @ 5.52 gpt Au, containing 171 K Oz Au as an indicated mineral resource. The company had a cash balance of $131 M by the end of June.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. presented consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San Jose, Oaxaca, 271 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 3,045 tpd, grading 273 gpt Ag, 1.78 gpt Au, with a recovery of 91% Ag, 90% Au to produce 2.16 M Oz Ag, 13,204 Oz Au at cash cost $6.20 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $9.3 per Ag Oz. By the end of the period Fortuna held $77.2 M in cash and cash equivalents.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported second quarter results 2019. During the period GoGold produced 451 K Oz Ag from the Parral tailings. By the end of June the company had $9.0 M in cash and marketable securities and no debt.

ON FINANCING

  • Excellon Resources Inc. entered into an agreement with Cormark Securities Inc. as sole bookrunner and lead underwriter to buy units of the company for gross proceeds of approximately $10 M (Platosa, Durango).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. granted 8.5 M stock options options to its directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors (Veta Grande, Zacatecas; Rosario, San Luis Potosi).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. closed the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $900 K (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
  • Impact Silver Corp. completed the first series of the third tranche of the non-brokered private placement previously announced and updated, receiving aggregate gross proceeds of $2.44 M. The company intends to complete a second series of the third tranche for gross proceeds of $554.2 K. Impact has paid $56 K to Infor Financial Inc. and $50 K to Canaccord Genuity Corp. as finders fee (Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • United States Antimony Corp. continues mining in two open pits at Los Juarez mine in Queretaro. At the Puerto Blanco mill in Guanajuato maintenance and improvements are being made to support increased production. At the Puerto Blanco leach circuit the plastic liner and fire assay equipment have been purchased. At the Madero smelter in Coahuila, The caustic leach plant has been tested and is operational to produce gold, silver, and antimony.
  • Hecla Mining Co. added new mineralization by drilling on the Middle and El Toro veins, potentially adding oxide mine life to San Sebastian, in Durango. Near-surface mineralisation has been defined by drilling for over 1,200 m along strike and 160 m of depth. Recent intercepts include 2.40 m @ 874 gpt Ag, 11.5 gpt Au; 1.50 m @ 398 gpt Ag, 1.86 gpt Au; 3.41 m @ 236 gpt Ag, 3.42 gpt Au. “Preliminary engineering studies have begun to evaluate the potential of both open pit and underground mining options at El Toro and drilling in this area is planned to continue through the third quarter.”
  • Orla Mining Ltd. filed a technical report on its Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas. The company previously released the results of the feasibility study (FS) for the oxide part of the mineralized body, which envisages the movement of 44 M tonnes @ 0.73 gpt Au, 14.2 gpt Ag to leach pads, and a recovery of 64% Au, 17% Ag.
  • VVC Exploration Corp. board of directors approved the start of a pilot mine on the Gloria Zones of its Northern Mexico Copper Project (Samalayuca) in Chihuahua. The plan envisions open pit mining and heap leach extraction by electrowinning (SX-EW) starting at 2 K tonnes per day (tpd) of mineralized material, scalable to 4 K tpd.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. received the approval of the environmental impact statement (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) by SEMARNAT, the regulatory federal environmental agency, rendering the company with the key approvals for the construction of  commercial scale mining facilities at its Santana project in Sonora.
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd. compiled all the exploration information supporting that its San Marcial project in Sinaloa has a strong precious metal potential, beyond the already defined resource. Five known areas over a 6 km trend include: Nava, with trench sampling of up to 24 m @ 2.1 gpt Au; Chachalaca Micuines, where several rock chip samples returned 1m @ 1.0 – 5.0 gpt Au, and up to 0.9 m @ 13.3 gpt Au; Guacamayo, with a trench interval returning 24 m @ 219 gpt Ag, 0.25 gpt Au; Resource area, on which recent assays of drill holes identified new gold mineralisation outside the resource, with true width intervals (tw) of 1.0 m @ 2.5 gpt Au, 8.4 m @ 0.7 gpt Au, 12 m @ 0.2 gpt Au; Faisanes, where recently a drill hole interval of tw 0.9 m @ 204.6 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Discovery Metals Corp. filed an early warning report in respect of its holdings in Levon Resources Ltd., now beneficially owns or controls 117.1 M Levon Shares, representing all of the issued and outstanding Levon Shares. Discovery did not own or control, directly or indirectly, any shares in Levon prior to the Arrangement. (Puerto Rico, Coahuila; Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Tamino Minerals Inc. informed that “The company is not planning to complete a REVERSE SPLIT at this moment and is not in the company’s plans to do this.” Furthermore stating that “no dilution is guaranted” as its latest DTCC Share Position Report shows that the company has 149.8 M common shares in the float. The company is also working on preparing financial statements in order to remove the stop sign to become current on the OTC Markets (El Volcan, Sonora).
  • Minera Alamos Inc. reported the retirement from the Board of Directors of Mr. Chester Millar. Mr Millar (born 1927) was involved in multiple heap leach mining projects in Mexico for several decades, and is included in the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame since 2008 (Note by editor.- our sincere thanks and respect to Chester Millar for his contributions to the mining industry in Mexico).
  • Mako Mining Corp. informed gold production from the Trinidad mine in Sinaloa is nearing completion. Mining operations ceased at the end of March, and most of the crushing plant has been moved to another project in Nicaragua. The company has been unsuccessful in receiving any proceeds from the claim due to the damages sustained at La Trinidad from Hurricane Willa in October 2018, and legal actions have commenced against the insurer provider and their reinsurers. “Discussions are underway with the mining contractor for La Trinidad and the Mexican government regarding significant payables still outstanding at our Mexican subsidiary that holds La Trinidad”. Mako believes that the company has properly structured its Mexican subsidiary in a way that these liabilities do not extend outside of Mexico, whereby any proceeds from the sale of the equipment, or success in the insurance litigation, will be for the benefit of Mako. Discussions are proceeding with the mining contractor with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable settlement. Finally, all other assets held in Mexico are to be sold or liquidated on due course (Note of editor.- From the outside, and with no further information other than what’s on the press release, the remarks on the isolation of the parent company from any litigation while leaving the country with debts outstanding are the kind of practices that make foreign companies easy targets for interest groups on any country. In short, please do not do that).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. has exercised an option to re-purchase a one percent (1.0%) net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on its Metates Au-Ag-Zn project, Durango. The NSR was purchased from Wheaton Precious Metals Co., a subsidiary of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. for US$9.0 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. engaged in multiple community projects during the second quarter of 2019. Received the nationally awarded Environmental Socially Responsible Company recognition at the El Castillo Complex for the seventh consecutive year, and held an opening ceremony of a new plant nursery at San Agustin (also in Durango). At La Colorada (Sonora), San Juan del Rio (Durango) and San Antonio (Baja California Sur) hosted a Children’s Day celebration. At La Colorada (Sonora) assisted, in collaboration with the State of Sonora Secretariat of Education and Culture, with the rehabilitation of educational facilities and donated computers, as well as hosted a women’s community workshop in La Colorada. Finally, hosted a health and wellness community workshop in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

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 veinlets and quartz filed breccia in metamorphic rocks of a project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

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