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

September 8, 2024 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 36th week of the year (September 2nd to September 8th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 17 press releases. One company informed on exploration advances on its property, one company closed a financing tranche and one other its intentions to make a private placement. A company granted stock options, one other informed on the purchase of debentures and one more on the inclusion of its stock in another index. Two companies released drilling results from its advanced properties, one more of the inclusion of a satellite deposit on its mining plans and one other on the test mining and processing of an historical operation. A company informed on the agreement to acquire another enterprise with a mining operation and a good land package. One company appointed a director, one other informed on the sale of its Mexican assets, and one other on the optioning of an interesting property. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the USA’s House of Representatives sent a letter to its Commercial Representative urging to seek assurance from the Mexican outgoing and incoming government to not pass rules on the proposed constitutional reforms that infringe T-MEC’s rules. ON EXPLORATION, In Durango, Silver Wolf commenced drilling at Ana Maria. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver granted 330 K options. Argonaut Gold announced the total value of debentures to be purchased is US$58.2 M. Capstone announced its addition to another Stock Index. Colibri Resource closed a first tranche of private placement for $305 K. Luca Mining is seeking a “best efforts” private placement for C$8.5 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining reported expansion drilling results at Panuco, in Sinaloa. Alamos Gold reported surface drilling results for Cerro Pelon and Puerto del Aire, at the Mulatos district in Sonora, seeking to augment resources for underground mining. Torex Gold reported an updated mining plan to include the EPO deposit at the Morelos Complex in Guerrero, which is to allow mining at a 450 K Oz Au yearly rate up to at least 2030. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver updated on test mining and processing at its La Guitarra mine in Estado de Mexico. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Chesapeake Gold engaged automated market making services. Guanajuato Silver Company appointed a director. The note of the week was the announcement of the merger of Gatos Silver and/by First Majestic Silver. Riverside Resources optioned the Union property to Questcorp. Golden Minerals informed on the state of affairs of its Mexican assets. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver released its 2023 ESG report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

An influential group in the USA’s House of Representatives sent a letter to Katherine Thai, Commercial Representative of USA urging her involvement with the actual president of Mexico, the elected president Claudia Sheinbaum and the recently installed Congress, to assure the proposed reforms by the actual president do no go against obligations under the T-Mex (formerly NAFTA). “We recognize the sovereign right of each government to update its constitution and deeply value the strong partnership between the United States and Mexico. However, many of the proposed reforms appear to compromise US investors’ access to a stable, predictable and impartial regulatory framework”. Of the ten signatories, nine are members of the Ways & Means Committee, which plays a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of the USMCA in the House of Representatives.

ON EXPLORATION

Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. announced the commencement of drilling on the El Soldado claim at the Ana Maria project in Durango. The 2,500 m program envisages the drilling of 15 holes, targeting classic carbonate replacement deposits.

ON MINING

No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. granted stock options to purchase 300 K shares at $0.25 (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
Argonaut Gold Inc. announced that more than 90% of its outstanding 4.625% senior unsecured convertible debentures were tendered to the offer to purchase de debentures launched by the company on July 24, 2024, in connection with the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Argonaut by Alamos Gold Inc. The total value of the debentures to be purchased or redeemed is expected to be US$58.2 M (La Colorada, Sonora).
Capstone Copper Corp. announced that the CHESS Depositary Interests (CDI) of the company will be added to the Standard & Poors/ASX 300 Index by the S&P Dow Jones (Cozamin, Zacatecas).
Colibri Resource Corp. closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for aggregate proceeds of C$305 K. Certain insiders of the company acquired an aggregate of 550 K units of the offering for gross proceeds of C$27.5 K. Colibri also sold its RC drill rig to a private company in Hermosillo for a total consideration of C$395 K consisting in cash and drill credits. “A portion of the proceeds is expected to be applied to an upcoming drilling program at the EP Gold Project where the Company intends to complete its first drilling program at the high priority San Perfecto target”.
Luca Mining Corp. entered into an agreement with Stifel in connection with a “best efforts” private placement for aggregate proceeds of C$8.5 M, with the LIFE Units to be issued pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE). “The net proceeds from the Offering are expected be used for ongoing work on the Campo Morado Improvement Program, exploration drilling at both Campo Morado and Tahuehueto, commissioning of the Tahuehueto mill and for general corporate purposes”.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Prime Mining Corp. reported expansion drilling results from the Z-T Trend at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 10.5 m @ 2.63 gpt Au, 522 gpt Ag (including 8.0 m @ 2.89 gpt Au, 572 gpt Ag); 4.1 m @ 2.87 gpt Au, 130 gpt Ag (including 2.1 m @ 5.23 gpt Au, 218 gpt Ag); 4.6 m @ 2.92 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag (including 2.7 m @ 4.84 gpt Au, 57 gpt Ag); 4.1 m @ 2.88 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag (including 0.7 m @ 12.95 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag); 2.3 m @ 4.08 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag (including 0.6 m @ 13.40 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag). These intercepts highlight the potential to discover more high-grade shoots for underground development below and away from the planned pit.
Alamos Gold Inc. reported results from ongoing surface exploration drilling on Puerto del Aire (PDA) and Cerro Pelon, within the Mulatos District in Sonora. Drilling at Cerro Pelon is following up on wide high-grade underground oxide and sulphide intersections below the open pit. Also, surface drilling has extended high-grade mineralization across multiple zones within the PDA area. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 27.90 m @ 5.45 gpt Au; 6.46 m @ 12.47 gpt Au (including 1.09 m @ 58.10 gpt Au); 15.82 m @ 4.79 gpt Au; 15.40 m @ 4.46 gpt Au; 12.16 m @ 5.64 gpt Au; 9.81 m @ 5.77 gpt Au; 13.85 m @ 4.01 gpt Au at Cerro Pelon, 18.05 m @ 5.77 gpt Au at the GAP-Victor Zone, 28.40 m @ 3.03 gpt Au; 5.50 m @ 6.63 m at the PDA3 Zone and 0.90 m @ 36.20 gpt Au; 5.05 m @ 3.51 gpt Au; 4.20 m @ 4.16 gpt Au at the PDA Extension Zone. At Cerro Pelon high-grade Au-Ag mineralization is in pipe-like geometries at the intersection of hundred of meters long structures, 50 to 200 m below the pit bottom. “PDA is a higher-grade underground deposit located adjacent to the main Mulatos pit and is comprised of multiple mineralized zones including PDA, Gap, Victor, and Estrella … A development plan for PDA will be released … based on Mineral Reserves as of the end of 2023.”
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported “an updated life-of-mine plan for the Morelos Complex which incorporates the EPO underground deposit following completion of an internal pre-feasibility study on the deposit”. The production profile is now established at a minimum of 450 K Oz AuEq per year through 2030 on the mineral reserve case alone. EPO’s upfront capital expenditures are estimated at $81.5 M, by leveraging the investment made in infrastructure part of the Media Luna project. The EPO project hosts probable reserves of 5 M tonnes @ 2.27 gpt Au, 29.8 gpt Ag, 1.29% Cu (or 4.83 gpt AuEq), containing 367 K Oz Au, 4.8 M Oz Ag, 143 M Lb Cu (or 781 K Oz AuEq), indicated resources (inclusive of mineral reserves) of 7 M tonnes @ 2.66 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.27% Cu (or 5.14 gpt Au), containing 597 K Oz Au, 6.7 M Oz Ag, 195 M Lb Cu (or 1.15 M Oz AuEq) and inferred resources of 5 M tonnes @ 2.00 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag, 1.24 % Cu (or 4.52 gpt Au), containing 318 K Oz Au, 5.9 M Oz Ag, 136 M Lb Cu (or 721 K Oz Au). “Development of EPO is anticipated to commence in mid-2025 with first ore production expected in late 2026. EPO will be accessed via a 650 m ramp off the Guajes Tunnel with ore transported back to the ore handling system at Media Luna via a 1,000 m truck haulage tunnel”. For an interesting review on the geology of the EPO deposit, please take a look to the press release.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. updated on the progress of test mining and processing at the Guitarra mine complex in Estado de Mexico. A total of 20.4 K tonnes have been processed on the flotation plant since late June at a rate of 300 tpd, and 335 tonnes of dry concentrate have been shipped. Test mining began with development from the La Guitarra mine, transitioning to in situ material. Production of back fill material from stopes mined in the 1990’2 and 2000’s was increased as planned. Once emptied, these stopes will receive the tailings paste fill.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Chesapeake Gold Corp. engaged the services of ICP Securities Inc. to provide automated market making services (Metates, Durango).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. welcomed Juan Martin Peña to the role of VP operations in Mexico. The company also announced the retirement of the father and son team of Gerardo and Hernan Dorado to pursue new business interests (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
Golden Minerals Co. “the Company sold its wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary, Minera Labri S.A. de C.V. (“Minera Labri”), to a private Mexican company for approximately US$445,500. Minera Labri previously owned the Velardeña Properties’ Plant 1, which together with the Velardeña mines, was sold to another privately-held Mexican group earlier in 2024. Upon consummation of that transaction, Minera Labri held no assets but held net operating losses and inflation-adjusted capital contributions. Under Mexican law, the balance of Minera Labri’s capital contribution accounts (“CUCAs”) may be bought and sold. All funds related to the sale of the CUCAs have now been received and are expected to be deployed to reduce existing liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries.
First Majestic Silver Corp. and Gatos Silver Corp. entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which First Majestic will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gatos Silver. “The proposed Transaction implies a total equity value for Gatos of approximately US$970 million. Following completion of the Transaction, existing Gatos shareholders will own approximately 38% of First Majestic shares on a fully-diluted basis.” Consolidates the Santa Elena, San Dimas and Cerro Los Gatos districts under one banner, with a combined annual production of 30-32 M Oz AgEq including 15-16 M Oz Ag at an AISC of US$18.00-US$20.00 per Oz AgEq. The deal adds 103 K hectares of really prospective ground to the 245 K hectares First Majestic already holds in Mexico.
Riverside Resources Inc. and Questcorp Mining Inc. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) granting an option to Questcorp for the acquisition of 100% interest in the La Union project in Sonora. Riverside will receive C$100 K and 19.9% interest in the ownership of Questcorp upon investing C$5.5 M in the project. The envisaged deal includes payment of C$100 K in four years, 19.9% in shares and C$5.5 M on exploration expenditures. Riverside will retain a 2.5% NSR royalty on commercial production of the property. Union is a carbonate-hosted gold district with high grade gold-zinc in a 22 square km land package.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No Relevant News.

On the image below: Chloritized porphyritic diorite with variable grain size and oriented crystals, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

July 21, 2024 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Vuggy Quartz

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 29^thweek of the year (July 15^thto July 21^st 2024), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media, with ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, five announcing financing rounds, five communicating production and financial results, three commenting on Mexican issues, three reporting resources and development of their properties, two informing on exploration results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Rafael Rebollar, general director of Industrias Peñoles, declared that the mining industry in Mexico has been affected due it awaits response on environmental permits. The Government of Mexico is preparing a preliminary report with arguments to declare that Vulcan Materials’ Calica mine in Quintana Roo is located within a “protected natural area”, which represents a possible expropriation of its land. Tocvan /Colibri reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of July, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kingsmen announced that it has completed an evaluation and interpretation of the ground magnetic data covering the entire Las Coloradas project area. In Durango, Silver Wolf provided an update on its Ana Maria project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported Q2, 2024 production results at its Cosalá operation mine in Sinaloa.Avino Silver & Gold Mines released production results for the Q2, 2024 at their Avino and La Preciosa mines in Durango. First Majestic announced Q2, 2024 production results from their Mexican operations, and provided an updated guidance for H2 and full year 2024. Bear Creek reported Q2, 2024 production results at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals announced a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Cervantes project, Sonora). Garibaldi applied to the TSX Venture Exchange to extend warrant expiry dates (Tonichi project, Sonora). Regency Silver announced a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2.5M (Dios Padre project, Sonora). Sailfish reported that the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted a notice filed by the Company of its intention to make a Normal Course Issuer Bid to be transacted through the facilities of the Exchange (Gavilanes project, Durango). Vizsla Royalties entered into a debt settlement agreement dated July 3, 2024 with Vizsla Silver Corp to settle outstanding debt of CAD $1,609,312 owing from Vizsla Royalties to Vizsla Silver (Panuco project, Sinaloa). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Tocvan and its JV Colibri reported results of five RC drill holes from its El Pilar project in Sonora. Bendito Resources acquired a flotation plan and is finalizing economic studies for critical minerals production from its Oposura project, Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alamos Gold entered into a gold sale prepayment agreement for total consideration of USD $116 million in exchange for the delivery of 49,384 ounces in 2025 (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Golden Minerals announced that it has received payment in full of $2.5M plus VAT for the sale of its Velardeña Mine and associated facilities. Sierra Madre announced that it has secured a binding off-take agreement for 100% of concentrate sales from its La Guitarra mine, Mexico. US Antimony reported the appointment of its Vice President of the company´s Antimony Division (Los Juarez project, Queretaro). GR Silver closed the transaction to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd (Plomosas, Sinaloa). Florida Canyon entered into a binding agreement to sell its interests in the San Agustin mine, El Castillo mine, La Colorada mine, Cerro del Gallo project and San Antonio project (collectively the “Mexican Business Unit”) to Heliostar Metals Ltd. Florida Canyon advised the market that processes are underway to review strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value on the Mexican business unit (El Castillo mine, Durango). Florida Canyon announced it has commenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (El Castillo mine, Durango). Heliostar entered into a binding agreement with Florida Canyon Gold Inc (FCGI) to acquire a 100% interest in all of FCGI’s mining assets in Mexico for consideration of USD $5M. Sierra Metals announced the completion of the sale of the Cusi mine and surrounding mineral concessions located in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SilverCrest and Alamos Gold released their 2023 ESG report (Las Chispas mine, Sonora and Mulatos mine, Sonora respectively).

ON MEXICO ISSUE

Rafael Rebollar, general director of Industrias Peñoles, declared that the mining industry in Mexico has been affected due it awaits response on environmental permits that must be granted by the federal government for tailings deposits, a system that collects all the waste from the mining process, once the waste has been separated from minerals. Failure to grant it could lead to the suspension of operations of some mining units. For his part, Carlos Pavón Campos, general secretary of the Mining Metallurgical Union FRENTE, said that mines throughout the country face restrictions on tailings dams, which represents a risk. He cited the case of Fresnillo and Velardeña as an example. He commented that in Velardeña, there are around 600 unionized workers and that a fundamental part of the mines are the tailings dams.
The Government of Mexico is preparing a preliminary report with arguments to declare that Vulcan Materials’ Calica mine in Quintana Roo is located within a “protected natural area”, which represents a possible expropriation of its land. The report will be evaluated for 30 days by the governments of the state of Quintana Roo, as well as by social organizations, indigenous communities and universities, reported the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) in a statement sent on Thursday. Vulcan Materials said in May that it received an offer from the Government of Mexico that “substantially undervalues” its property. According to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Administration offered to buy the firm’s assets on the Caribbean coast for USD $2B. Last May, U.S. senators warned that Mexico’s expropriation of Vulcan land would force them to consider “all available resources” to prevent “the theft of this property,” according to a letter officials sent to the Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., and JV Colibri Resource Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of July, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

Kingsmen Resources Ltd., announced that it has completed an evaluation and interpretation of the ground magnetic data covering the entire Las Coloradas project area in Chihuahua. It has identified two prominent magnetic bodies within a halo of weaker magnetics, and are interpreted to be shallow and probably linked to intrusives. Very positively, the structural picture appears to define a cymoid loop, a feature that generates multiple dilation zones that may host mineralization in both NW- and NE-trending zones along strike and at depth. These will be targets for drill testing. The project is prospective for epithermal precious metal, skarn and porphyry mineralization.
Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., provided an update on its Ana Maria project in Durango. The company has been planning the upcoming drill program at the El Soldado Claim at the Ana Maria project. “Activities that have been completed to date include: preparing and fine tuning the drill targets, finalizing drilling and QA/QC procedures, selecting a drill contractor to conduct the drilling work, updating and revising the drill budget to reflect the change in Mexican Peso and inflationary costs, finalizing access agreements with the local communities for drilling activities, staffing the appropriate positions to conduct the program with contractors and employees”.

ON MINING

Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q2, 2024 production results at its Cosalá operation mine in Sinaloa. It focused on mining the Main Zone at the San Rafael Mine and produced approximately 170K Oz Ag, 8.9M Lb Zn, and 2.6M Lb Pb. Silver production from the Cosalá Operations is expected to increase quarter-over-quarter.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., released production results for the Q2, 2024 at their Avino and La Preciosa mines in Durango. At Avino, the company processed 130,983 tonnes of 71 g/t Ag, 0.49 g/t Au, and 0.51% Cu with metallurgical recoveries of 88%, 70%, and 88% respectively, to produce 262.9K Oz Ag, 1,456 Oz Au, and 1.3M Lb Cu. At La Preciosa, it processed 9.951 tonnes of 133 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 71% and 63% respectively, to produce 30.1K Oz Ag and 58 Oz Au.
First Majestic Silver Corp., announced Q2, 2024 production results from their Mexican operations. Table below shows mine by mine results:

The Company’s financial results for the second quarter of 2024 are scheduled to be released on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The company also provided an updated guidance for H2 and full year 2024. Tables below show mine by mine details:

Bear Creek Mining Corporation reported Q2, 2024 production results at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company processed 95,727 tonnes of 3.23 g/t Au, with a metallurgical recovery of 93% to produce 9,304 Oz Au and 40,893 Oz Ag.
Minera Alamos Inc., provided a brief operations update for its Santana gold mine in Sonora. The company initiated mining and stacking operations at the Nicho Main Zone of its Santana mine. As of the end of June, approximately 900 Oz Au have been stacked on the leach pad, with expectations to increase output to 1,300-1,500 ounces in the coming month. The company is improving access to the mineralization and plans to activate additional trucks to enhance operational efficiency. The average gold grade is around 0.9 g/t, and optimization efforts are underway to improve blasting and crushing processes. Overall, the operations are progressing well, with a focus on returning to a steady state of production as gold prices strengthen.

ON FINANCING

Aztec Minerals Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 8,333,334 units of the Company at a price of CAD $0.18 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to fund ongoing expenses at the Cervantes Project in Sonora, and for general working capital and corporate expenses.
Garibaldi Resources Corp., applied to the TSX Venture Exchange to extend warrant expiry dates. The original term of the Warrants was two years, of which 2,664,472 warrants (the “FT Warrants”) currently expire on July 22, 2024 and 181,250 warrants (the “NFT Warrants”) currently expire on September 16, 2024. The Company proposes to extend the expiry date for a one year period to July 22, 2025 for the FT Warrants and to September 16, 2025 for the NFT Warrants. None of the Warrants to be amended were issued to finders or agents. No other terms of the Warrants are to be amended and the exercise price remains at $0.55 (Tonichi project, Sonora).
Regency Silver Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2.5M, consisting of 16.6M units at a price of CAD $0.15 per unit. Gross proceeds will be used for the upcoming drill program on the company´s Dios Padre project in Sonora, and for general working capital.
Sailfish Royalty Corp., reported that the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted a notice filed by the Company of its intention to make a Normal Course Issuer Bid to be transacted through the facilities of the Exchange. The notice provides that the company may, during the 12-month period commencing July 22, 2024 and ending July 21, 2025, purchase up to 3,539,756 common shares of the company in total, being approximately 5% of the total number of shares outstanding as at July 16, 2024 (Gavilanes project, Durango).
Vizsla Royalties Corp., entered into a debt settlement agreement dated July 3, 2024 with Vizsla Silver Corp to settle outstanding debt of CAD $1,609,312 owing from Vizsla Royalties to Vizsla Silver by issuing 32,186,240 common shares of the company to Vizsla Silver at a deemed price of CAD $0.05 per common share (Panuco project, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its JV Colibri Resource Corp., reported results of five RC drill holes from its El Pilar project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole JES-24-95 with 0.15 g/t Au, 1 g/t Ag, and 0.4% Zn over 76.25m, including 0.19 g/t Au, 2 g/t Ag, and 1.49% Zn over 16.78m, including 0.16 g/t Au, 3 g/t Ag, and 2.78% Zn over 7.63m, plus 0.83 g/t Au, 1g/t Ag, and 0.12% Z over 5.09m, and hole JES-24-94 with 0.06 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 120.48m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 3 g/t Ag, and 0.15% Zn over 64.05m, including 0.17 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag, and 0.22% Zn over 24.04m, including 1.26 g(/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.55% Pb, and 1.16% Zn over 1.53m, plus 0.46 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag, 0.12% Pb, and 0.57% Zn over 1.52m, plus 0.37 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 3.05% Zn over 3.05m. Results for three drillholes are currently pending analysis.
Bendito Resources Inc., acquired a flotation plan and is finalizing economic studies for critical minerals production from its Oposura project, Sonora. The company also acquired stationary and mobile equipment, including laboratory equipment, primary and secondary mining equipment, blast hole and exploration drills, and other necessary support equipment typically used at mine sites. “The general arrangement of the mine site and related agency approvals are ongoing ahead of anticipated earth and civil works later this year. It is expected that the plant will be operational at the Oposura site in the second half of 2025”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Alamos Gold Inc., entered into a gold sale prepayment agreement for total consideration of USD $116 million in exchange for the delivery of 49,384 ounces in 2025. The proceeds of the gold prepayment were used to eliminate gold forward purchase contracts, previously entered into by Argonaut Gold, totalling 179,417 ounces in 2024 and 2025 with an average price of USD $1,838 per ounce. As part of the recently closed acquisition of Argonaut, Alamos inherited Argonaut’s hedge book which included gold forward purchase contracts totaling 329,417 ounces between 2024 and 2027. The average forward prices on the contracts ranged between USD $1,821 and USD $1,860 per ounce (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
Golden Minerals Company announced that it has received payment in full of $2.5M plus VAT for the sale of its Velardeña Mine and associated facilities and title has been transferred to a privately held Mexican company. Further and in connection with the Agreements, there has been a delay in the closing of the Minera William agreement entered into to sell the oxide processing plant and the water wells, located in Durango State, Mexico. To date, the Company has received partial payments in the amount of $373,000 for these assets. The remaining $2,627,000, plus VAT on the full sale price, was due on July 1.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced that it has secured a binding off-take agreement with Swiss-based global minerals trader MRI Trading AG for 100% of concentrate sales from its La Guitarra mine, Mexico.
US Antimony Corporation reported the appointment of its Vice President of the company´s Antimony Division (Los Juarez project, Queretaro).
GR Silver Mining Ltd., closed the transaction to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. Marlin is a private British Columbia company which owns, amongst other assets, Oro Gold de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a private Mexican company that owns 100% of nine concessions, including the past producing La Trinidad mine, located adjacent to the Company’s core Plomosas project, Sinaloa.
Florida Canyon Gold Inc., entered into a binding agreement to sell its interests in the San Agustin mine, El Castillo mine, La Colorada mine, Cerro del Gallo project and San Antonio project (collectively the “Mexican Business Unit”) to Heliostar Metals Ltd. At closing, Heliostar will pay cash consideration of USD $5M to the Corporation. In addition, the Corporation is entitled to cash generated by the Mexican Business Unit prior to July 11, 2024 and cash of USD $5M generated from operating cash flow after July 16, 2024, subject to a minimum of USD $2M of net working capital being left in the Mexican Business Unit on closing.
Florida Canyon Gold Inc., advised the market that processes are underway to review strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value on the Mexican business unit (El Castillo mine, Durango).
Florida Canyon Gold Inc., announced it has commenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. Common shares of the company will commence trading on the TSXV at the opening of the market on July 16, 2024, under the symbol “FCGV” (El Castillo mine, Durango).
Heliostar Metals Ltd., entered into a binding agreement with Florida Canyon Gold Inc (FCGI) to acquire a 100% interest in all of FCGI’s mining assets in Mexico for consideration of USD $5M. The projects being acquired were recently spun out from Argonaut Gold Inc. Pursuant to the transaction, Heliostar will acquire those FCGI subsidiaries which collectively own 100% of the following properties: La Colorada Mine, located in Sonora, producing gold from residual leaching of gold while on care and maintenance; San Agustin Mine (formerly the El Castillo Complex), an open pit heap leach gold mine, San Agustin, and a closed open pit heap leach gold mine, El Castillo, located in Durango; Cerro del Gallo, an advanced gold development project located in Guanajuato; and San Antonio, an advanced gold development project located in Baja California Sur. The transaction is expected to close in October 2024. “As a condition to closing of the transaction, Heliostar and FCGI will enter into an agreement eliminating (a) up to USD $20M in contingent payments, which become payable to FCGI pursuant to the agreement under which Heliostar acquired the Ana Paula Project, and (b) up to USD $150M in conditional option payments and the issuance of a 2% net smelter returns royalty on the San Antonio Project, which might have become payable pursuant to the agreement under which Heliostar acquired an option on the San Antonio Project”.
Sierra Metals Inc., announced the completion of the sale of the Cusi mine and surrounding mineral concessions located in Chihuahua to Minera San Bernabé, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Silverco Mining Corp. (SMC). The company sold the Cusi Mine for USD $2.5M in cash and a 2.0% net smelter royalty in respect of the Cusi Mine granted in favour of Sierra Metals. SMC has the right to purchase one-half of the royalty at any time in exchange for a cash payment to Sierra Metals of USD $5.0M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

SilverCrest Metals Inc., released its 2023 ESG report, which primarily focuses on its Las Chispas mine in Sonora, and also encompasses the surrounding communities in which it operates.
Alamos Gold Inc., released its 2023 ESG report, which outlines the company’s progress on its ESG performance in 2023 across its operations, projects and offices (Mulatos mine, Sonora).

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, vuggy silica in a high sulphidation epithermal system in a project in Jalisco, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

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

April 25, 2021April 25, 2021 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Mesothermal sheeted quartz veins

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 16^th week of the year (April 19^th to April 25^th, 2021), at least 33 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 5 news published by the media, with twelve informing on exploration results, nine disclosing deals and corporate issues, five commenting on Mexican issues, four announcing financial rounds, four reporting on resources and development, three communicating production results, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of Economy issued an informative note to correct what President López Obrador said about the expansion of the operations of the mining company El Boleo that operates in Baja California Sur. Fernando Alanís, president of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex), stated that the mining industry in Mexico paid MXP $30,374M in taxes during 2020. The Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) stressed that mining is a tractor industry that, in addition to boosting the regional economy, supports the development of other economic activities. The Mexican mining industry called on the environmental authorities to hold a dialogue to understand the reasons why the permits are being stopped. Representatives of the Mexican Mining industry asked the federal government to reactivate mineral concessions to increase investments in the sector. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California, One World Lithium commenced the DDH-3 drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Alamos Gold commenced an initial drilling program at Los Venados project, Silver Spruce and its partner received the approved environmental permit from SEMARNAT to drill its El Mezquite project, and Colibri released trenching sampling results from its flagship Evelyn project. In Chihuahua, Mammoth reported results from an additional 2km 3D modeling IP/Mag survey conducted at its Tenoriba project. In Sinaloa, Kootenay provided an update on the current drilling program conducted at its Copalito project. In Durango, Mithril informed on the exploration activities carried out during Q1, 2021 at its Copalquin project. In Zacatecas, Advance Gold announced drilling results from its Tabasquena project, and Zacatecas Silver reported that it has completed first pass geological and structural mapping, and sampling of the San Gil breccia Zone at its Zacatecas Silver project. In Jalisco, GoGold released results from eight diamond holes collared at its Los Ricos North project. ON MINING, Golden Minerals reported Q1, 2021 production results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Gold Resource announced Q1, 2021 preliminary production results from its Oaxaca Mining Unit in Oaxaca. McEwen reported the production of 1, 300 Oz AuEq (GEOs) from residual leaching at its El Gallo mine in Sinaloa during the first quarter of 2021. ON FINANCING, Colibri granted 1.9M incentive stock options to officers, directors, and consultants (Evelyn project, Sonora). Empress Royalty granted 8.9M stock options to directors, officers, consultants, and employees (Pinos project, Zacatecas). Pantera Silver applied to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. in New York (The Nuevo Taxco Silver project, Guerrero). Sonoro closed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,111.045 (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver presented results from 13 diamond holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Excellon reported underground expansion and exploration drilling results from its Platosa mine in Durango. Sierra Metals announced an investment of USD $28M for the construction of an iron ore processing plant to produce magnetite concentrate at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Silver Tiger released high-grade drilling results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Empress appointed a new member to its Board of Directors, and two members as Strategic and Technical Advisors (Pinos project, Zacatecas). Golden Goliath held its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Timoteo property, Chihuahua). Goldgroup provided a legal update on its dispute with DynaResource regards the San Jose de Gracia property in Sinaloa. Inomin announced the hiring of two members to lead its exploration program in Oaxaca, Mexico (La Gitana project, Oaxaca). Masivo Silver announced it is moving forward to sign a definitive agreement on several mineralized mining concessions comprising La Santa Madre project in Sinaloa. Ridgestone appointed Dante E Aguilar as its Mexican Country Manager (Rebeico project, Sonora). Santacruz announced that the acquisition of the Zimapan mine assets from Minera Cedros, S.A.de C.V. together with the USD $17.6M loan facility from Trafigura Mexico, S.A. de C.V., are now expected to close on or about April 23, 2021. Silver Bull presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila). Vizsla Silver announced the spinout of Vizsla Copper through a statutory plan of arrangement (Panuco project, Sinaloa). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Torex signed an agreement to build a solar plant at its Morelos property.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Ministry of Economy issued an informative note to correct what President López Obrador said about the expansion of the operations of the mining company El Boleo that operates in Baja California Sur. The mining and metallurgical company is seeking an expansion in the surface of its operations and not a new concession as stated by the president. In July 2019, El Boleo requested an expansion of its environmental impact statement, in which it requested an expansion of its mine by 446 hectares contiguous to its current operation. They indicated that this is because the life of the main mine is running out and its mineral reserves are in this adjoining land. The statement indicates that the mining project began construction in December 2010, with an investment of USD $1,717M, and began production in 2015. The company produces copper, cobalt, zinc and manganese. Currently, the mining company employs 1,282 direct jobs (836 unionized and 446 trusted).
Fernando Alanís, president of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex), stated that the mining industry in Mexico paid MXP $30,374M in taxes during 2020. He also highlighted that those that refer to the fact that the industry pays little are myths, as he highlighted that around 10.6% of the Gross Domestic Product generated by the industry is destined to the payment of taxes, higher than the 7.6% of the manufacturing industry, or the 6.1% of the electricity sector. Fernando Alanis detailed that of the total taxes paid, MXP $24,205M are for Income Tax (ISR), while there are MXP $2,576M in surface rights and MXP $3,593M in new rights.
The Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) stressed that mining is a tractor industry that, in addition to boosting the regional economy, supports the development of other economic activities. It drives construction with average annual investments of USD $5B a year. The same occurs with the transport of materials, by promoting the movement of 8.7M tons per year that travel 100.2million kilometers on the roads (78%) and railways (22%) of Mexico. It also boosts port activity, with the export and import of 474M tonnes of materials per year. In total, the transportation costs of mining companies in Mexico total USD $245M per year. Through the mining clusters (Zacatecas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Guerrero and Sinaloa) a local supply has been developed that amounts to 9,700 national supplier companies, 90% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For Mexico, the mining industry is an outstanding generator of income, contributing 8.3% to the industrial GDP and 2.5% to the national GDP. It is also a large generator of jobs, with more than 379,000 direct jobs and almost 2 million indirect jobs.
The Mexican mining industry called on the environmental authorities to hold a dialogue to understand the reasons why the permits are being stopped and to work together to unlock authorizations for Environmental Impact Manifestations (MIAs) that are being held at the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources which have stopped several mining projects in the country. Mining in Mexico has a robust environmental legislation that is permanently addressed, among which the General Law of Equilibrium and the Environmental Protection, as well as seven Official Mexican Standards and the general regulation that exists for activity in protected natural areas in Mexico, among others.
Representatives of the Mexican Mining industry asked the federal government to reactivate mineral concessions to increase investments in the sector. No new mining concessions have been granted in the country since 2019 and the effects of this were reflected in a lower Foreign Direct Investment in the sector.

ON EXPLORATION

One World Lithium Inc., commenced the DDH-3 drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California. DDH-3 is located 50Km south of DDH-2 and depending on results, the company may drill more diamond drill holes in the immediate area.
Alamos Gold Inc., and its partner Aloro Mining Corp., commenced an initial drilling program at Los Venados project at the Mulatos mining district in Sonora. The initial drilling program will be focused on testing high sulphidation gold mineralization near the Mulatos open pit as well as on low sulphidation gold mineralization to the north where some high grade veins have been identified.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc., and its partner Colibri Resource Corporation, received the approved environmental permit from SEMARNAT to drill its El Mezquite project in Sonora. The phase 1 will consists of 2,000m. The drill permit was granted for 14 drill pads over the targets in the northern area of the concession.
Colibri Resource Corporation released trenching sampling results from its flagship Evelyn project in Sonora. Highlights include four high grade samples from El Sahuaro target area with results of 44.9 g/t Au and 21 g/ Ag; 8.24 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, 23.3 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag; and 39.6 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag.
Mammoth Resources Corp., reported results from an additional 2km 3D modeling IP/Mag survey conducted at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. The geophysical survey defines a strong correlation between anomalous Au values found from soil, chips, and channel samples, as well as Au values found in numerous diamond holes, extending these coincident features over what now totals 2.4Km trend of a larger 6km trend of surface Au-Ag mineralization at Tenoriba project.
Kootenay Silver Inc., provided an update on the current drilling program conducted at its Copalito project in Sinaloa. It has completed 1,600m of the planned 3,500m over 19 shallow drill holes. Highlights include hole BDH-20-004 collared at 5 Senores Vein with 0.28 g/t Au and 1,297 g/t Ag (1,323 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m, including 0.14 g/t Au and 2,830 g/t Ag (2,843 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole BDH-20-15 collared at Pilar Vein with 0.48 g/t Au, 40 g/t Ag, and 1.2% Pb+Zn (111 g/t AgEq) over 7m, including 2.28 g/t Au, 51 g/t Ag, and 6.2% Pb+Zn (394 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m; hole BDH-20-33 collared at Pilar Vein with 0.7 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag, and 2.3% Pb+Zn (215 g/t AgEq) over 2.7m, including 7.05 g/t Au, 59 g/t Ag, and 13.5% Pb+Zn (1.210 g/t AgEq) over 0.2m; and hole BDH-20-040 collared at 5 Senores Vein with 6.65 g/t Au, 335 g/t Ag, and 2.6% Pb+Zn (933 g/t AgEq) over 2.25m, including 16.95 g/t Au, 369 g/t Ag, and 3.7% Pb+Zn (1,813 g/t AgEq) over 0.51m, and 2.09 g/t Au, 124 g/t Ag, and 0.8% Pb+Zn (311 g/t AgEq) over 9.05m. The Program has focused primarily on the 5 Senores vein, with drilling now stepping out to test the Agua and Chiva Veins.
Mithril Resources Inc., informed on the exploration activities carried out during Q1, 2021 at its Copalquin project in Durango. The company is focused on delivering maiden JORC Au-Ag resource for El Refugio target in H2, 2021, where hole CDH-050 intersected 62 g/t Au and 445 g/t Ag over 4.17m. The drill plan for the next quarter is to drill test deeper part of the target. At La Soledad target, hole CDH-054 encountered 10.36 g/t Au and 81 g/t Ag over 4.88m, extending the mineralization further to the west and down dip. The company also informed that it has completed the soil sampling program within El Cometa and Reyes project areas.
Advance Gold Corp., announced drilling results from its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas. Hole AGT-23 intersected two zones, one of 0.63 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, 3.5% Pb, and 8% Zn over 2m, and a second zone of 0.04 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, 0.18% Pb, and 1.1% Zn over 0.55m. Advance has drilled 23 holes to date and has outlined a 2,500m by 500m wide mineralized corridor and plans to carry out more mapping and geophysics to find the feeder system at depth responsible for this widespread mineralization.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., reported that it has completed first pass geological and structural mapping, and sampling of the San Gil breccia Zone, located 2km southwest of the Veta Grande vein within its Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas. The company outlined a north-south trending zone of ferruginous breccia averaging 20-40m wide, over a strike length of at least 800m with strong anomalous values of Ag, Au, Zn, and As, mainly in the northern segment. The company is planning a drilling program since over 600m of the northern segment of this breccia remains untested by previous drilling.
GoGold Resources Inc., released results from eight diamond holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Significant mineralized drill intervals were encountered at hole LRGCS-21-016 with 0.69 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag (2.55 g/t AuEq or 191 g/t AgEq) over 23.4m, including 4.94 g/t Au and 820 g/t Ag (15.87 g/t AuEq or 1,191 g/t AgEq) over 1m, and a second interval of 0.69 g/t Au and 151 g/t Ag (2.7 g/t AuEq or 155 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 3.7 g/t Au and 797 g/t Ag (14.33 g/t AuEq or 1,075 g/t AgEq) over 2.2m; hole LRGCS-21-022 with 0.32 g/t Au and 115 g/t Ag (1.86 g/t AuEq or 140 g/t AgEq) over 14.9m, including 1.4 g/t Au and 664 g/t Ag (10.24 g/t AuEq or 768 g/t AgEq) over 2m; LRGCS-21-024 with 0.44 g/t Au and 116 g/t Ag (2 g/t AuEq or 150 g/t AgEq) over 21m, including 0.77 g/t Au and 211 g/t Ag (3.58 g/t AuEq or 268 g/t AgEq) over 9.3m, including 1.66 g/t Au and 392 g/t Ag (6.88 g/t AuEq or 516 g/t AgEq) over 1.7m, and a second interval of 0.37 g/t Au and 115 g/t Ag (1.91 g/t AuEq or 143 g/t AgEq) over 12m, including 1.11 g/t Au and 355 g/t Ag (5.85 g/t AuEq or 439 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m; and hole LRGCS-21-025 with 1.4 g/t Au and 201 g/t Ag (4.08 g/t AuEq or 306 g/t AgEq) over 16.8m, including 8.28 g/t Au and 700 g/t Ag (17.6 g/t AuEq or 1,320 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m. These drill results extended mineralization at Casados deposit.

ON MINING

Golden Minerals Company reported Q1, 2021 production results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. The company processed 18,791 tonnes of 3 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 84.3% and 86.6% respectively to produce 1,390 Oz Au and 11,289 Oz Ag. It also announced its full year 2021 production guidance in which it expects to process between 125K-135K tonnes to produce 12K-14K Oz Au, and 25K-30K Oz Ag.
Gold Resource Corporation announced Q1, 2021 preliminary production results from its Oaxaca Mining Unit in Oaxaca. The company produced 5,019 Oz Au, 253,061 Oz Ag, 855.7K Lb Cu, 2.6M Lb Pb, and 7M Lb Zn.
McEwen Mining Inc., reported the production of 1,300 Oz AuEq (GEOs) from residual leaching at El Gallo mine in Sinaloa during the first quarter of 2021.

ON FINANCING

Colibri Resource Corporation granted 1.9M incentive stock options to officers, directors, and consultants. The options have a term of five years at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (Evelyn project, Sonora).
Empress Royalty Corp., granted 8.9M stock options to directors, officers, consultants, and employees. The options are exercisable for up to five years at a price of $0.5 per share and will be vested for a period of three years. (Pinos project, Zacatecas).
Pantera Silver Corp., applied to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. in New York. The Company’s shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “PNTR” (The Nuevo Taxco Silver project, Guerrero).
Sonoro Gold Corp., closed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,111.045. Net proceeds will be used to fund ongoing development plans at its Cerro Caliche project, including completion of a metallurgical testing, preparation of a NI 43-101 resource update and a PEA, as well as for property maintenance payments, and for corporate and general administrative expenses.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Discovery Silver Corp., presented results from 13 diamond holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Significant mineralized intercepts were encountered in hole C20-405 with 65 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (165 g/t AgEq) over 128.2m, including 109 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 2% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (263 g/t AgEq) over 26.1m; hole C21-414 with 37 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1% Zn (110 g/t AgEq) over 110m, including 65 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (184 g/t AgEq) over 51.8m; and hole C20-407 with 78 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (279 g/t AgEq) over 27.4m. The results from this program will be incorporated in a new resource estimate and revamped PEA in the second half of the year.
Excellon Resources Inc., reported underground expansion and exploration drilling results from the Guadalupe North, 623, NE-1 and NE-1S Mantos at its Platosa mine in Durango. Highlights include hole EX21UG525 with 618 g/t Ag, 10.1% Pb, and 12% Zn (1,293 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m; hole EX21UG564 with 688 g/t Ag, 14.5% Pb, and 14.9% Zn (1,571 g/t AgEq) over 4.6m; and hole EX20UG522A, with 359 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb, and 15.9% Zn (1,031 g/t AgEq) over 4.6m, including 573 g/t Ag, 8.6% Pb, and 21.5% Zn (1,531 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m. “Drilling continues to outline and expand mineralization within and around the Platosa deposit with new opportunities identified in the historically-mined Guadalupe North Manto”.
Sierra Metals Inc., announced an investment of USD $28M for the construction of an iron ore processing plant expected to produce approximately 500K tonnes per year of magnetite concentrate at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Engineering and test work of the final process is currently underway, and construction of the processing plant is expected to commence this June and will take approximately six months to complete.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released high-grade drilling results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. Significant high-grade mineralization was encountered in recent drilling of the Sooy vein in hole ET-21-219 with 0.29 g/t Au, 288 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (325 g/t AgEq) over 11.8m, including 0.49 g/t Au, 4,375 g/t Ag, 0.88% Cu, 2% Pb, and 3.5% Zn (4,668 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET-21-217 with 0.08 g/t Au, 210 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (221 g/t AgEq) over 7.3m, including 0.66 g/t Au, 2,595 g/t Ag, 0.41% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.05% Zn (2,694 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET-21-215 with 0.26 g/t Au, 167 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, and 0.4% Pb (211 g/t AgEq) over 10.1m, including 0.39 g/t Au, 961 g/t Ag, 0.78% Cu, and 1.8% Pb (1,111 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; and hole ET-21-216 with 0.08 g/t Au, 239 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 0.06% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (260 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 0.24 g/t Au, 1,608 g/t Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 2% Zn (1,721 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. Step out drilling to the south on the Sooy Vein continues to deliver consistent high grade silver results.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Empress Royalty Corp., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors, and two members as Strategic and Technical Advisors (Pinos project, Zacatecas).
Golden Goliath Resources Ltd., held its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Timoteo property, Chihuahua).
Goldgroup Mining Inc., provided a legal update on its dispute with DynaResource regards the San Jose de Gracia property in Sinaloa. Goldgroup announced that the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal lodged by Texas-based DynaResource Inc., to vacate the Arbitral Award, which had found that DynaUSA had improperly diluted the Company’s interest in the San Jose de Gracia Mexican mining project, which Goldgroup had earned into pursuant to an option agreement between the Company and DynaUSA. The Circuit Court’s opinion clarifies several misleading facts previously presented in various news releases issued by DynaUSA.
Inomin Mines Inc., announced the hiring of two key members for its Mexican exploration program: a community relationship representative and a senior exploration geologist (La Gitana project, Oaxaca).
Masivo Silver Corp., announced it is moving forward to sign a definitive agreement on several mineralized mining concessions comprising La Santa Madre project in Sinaloa. Mineralization identified by Masivo at La Santa Madre project consists of at least six parallel NE Cu-Au-Ag quartz epithermal veins varying from 3-7 m with lengths varying from 600-1,200m. Masivo has also signed a letter of interest to access 3,000 hectares of private land where part of these mining claims are located, with the right to progress to an agreement for 8,000 hectares of this private land.
Ridgestone Mining Inc., appointed Dante E Aguilar as its Mexican Country Manager (Rebeico project, Sonora).
Santacruz Silver Mining ltd., announced that the acquisition of the Zimapan mine assets from Minera Cedros, S.A.de C.V. together with the USD $17.6M loan facility from Trafigura Mexico, S.A. de C.V., are now expected to close on or about April 23, 2021.
Silver Bull Resources Inc., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila).
Vizsla Silver Corp., announced the spinout of Vizsla Copper Corp., through a statutory plan of arrangement. Vizsla Silver will continue to advance its Panuco Copala silver-gold project in Mexico while Vizsla Copper will focus on the assets in BC, Canada.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Torex Gold Resources Inc., signed an agreement to build a new 8.5 megawatt solar plant at its Morelos property, which include El Limon Guajes mine and Media Luna project in Guerrero state. The new plant is expected to reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by up to 8.6% using 2019 as the baseline year. In addition, it will bring benefits to the local communities since this new solar plant will create new job opportunities for daily operation and maintenance.

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, mesothermal sheeted quartz veins in an orogenic gold prospect in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

September 20, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 38^thweek of the year (September 14^th to September 20^th, 2020), at least 38 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, six companies posted exploration advances on their projects, fourteen companies posted news related to financing or share structure, and six on their projects development. Companies that raised funds include Southern Silver, Oroco Resource, Comet Resources, Consolidated Zinc, First Majestic, Defiance Silver, Argonaut Gold, GoGold Resources and Silver Dollar Resources. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fortuna Silver tries to avoid an illegal blockade from occurring at its San José mine in Oaxaca. Mexico loses positions in the 2019 Fraser Institute ranking on mining regions. Cancham points out the Mexican mining environment is facing multiple challenges. Guanajuato intends to form a Mining Cluster. Fernando Alanís, Camimmex president clearly explained how mining concessions function in Mexico. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Minaurum started the second phase drilling program at its Alamos Silver project. In Sinaloa, Brigadier Gold released surface sampling results from its Picachos property. In Zacatecas, Minera Alamos released results from historical drill holes at Cerro de Oro; Alien Metals released underground and surface sampling results from San Celso and Los Campos; Advance Gold informed on the drilling (providing no results) at Tabasqueña. In Guanajuato, VanGold Mining updated on exploration/development at El Pinguico. ON MINING, Mexus Gold is nearing the completion of a ball mill gravity gold recovery system at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Starcore International reported results for the last quarter. Excellon Resources provided production results for August 2020 from its Platosa mine in Durango. ON FINANCING, nine companies made announcements regarding the opening or closing of financing rounds: Southern Silver ($456 K), Oroco Resource ($7.26 M), Comet Resources (a streaming facility, up to $20 M), Consolidated Zinc (A$2 M), First Majestic (C$78 M), Defiance Silver (C$10 M), Argonaut Gold (C$10 M), GoGold Resources (C$30 M) and Silver Dollar Resources ($10.5 M). Silver Bull is going for a reverse stock split of 8 to 1. Canuc Resources and Solaris Resources are now trading at the OTCQB Venture Market. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Metals released results from drilling at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Almaden Minerals resumes exploration at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. GR Silver Mining released drilling results from its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Magna Gold completed a pre-feasibility report on its San Francisco project in Sonora. Excellon recommenced underground and surface drilling at its Platosa mine, Durango. SSR Mining is extending a decline to drill, from the underground, high-grade portions of the mineral resource at Pitarrilla, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sonora Metals is changing name to Sonoro Gold. Barksdale Resources informed on title issues that have promoted some changes on how the deal is structured with Tusk Resources on the San Javier project in Sonora. Southern Silver informed it has closed the transaction to acquire Electrum’s 60% interest on Cerro Las Mintas project, Durango. Odyssey Marine Exploration filed the First Memorial on a case against Mexico, related to the lack of issuance of an environmental permit to mine a large off-shore phosphate resource. Excellon Resources informed on the results of litigation relating to a land surface purchase near its Platosa mine in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Fresnillo PLC, Fortuna Silver and Frisco informed on sustainability, health, safety, environment, social and governance programs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Mines), called for the civil organizations promoting an illegal blockage of the San José mine in Oaxaca to reconsider its program. The blockage is being called to pressure the authorities on the delivery of resources, an issue completely unrelated to the mining company.
In 2019 Mexico fell nine positions, according to the Fraser’s Institute. Mexico’s shine to attract mining investment is getting dull with the lack of confidence and certitude derived of the president’s declarations on the review of mining concessions and the recent disappearance of the Mining Sub Secretary. The federal government has been clear, under his tenure no mining concessions are to be issued. The president has stated that up to 40% of the country ground has been under mining concessions, and that amount should suffice (for mining companies) for thousands of years.
Armando Ortega, president of the Mining Task Force of the Cámara de Comercio de Canadá en México (Cancham) stated that the mining environment in Mexico is not propitious because political signals of ideological nature are not favorable to investment, and some measures announced by the government are worrisome. Among the factors supporting its points are: initiatives to forbid open pit mining; initiatives to enlarge natural protected areas, encroaching to areas of active mining; the initiative to change the law on water use, changing its regime from concession to license; the stated fact by the president to not to grant a single mining concession during his tenure; the disappearance of the Mining Sub Secretary; the extortion by unions to companies, exemplified by the tricky wining by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia of the collective contract at is Cosalá mine complex in Sinaloa.
According to a Camimex post, projects that are coming into production include an expansion at Los Filos, Guerrero (Equinox Gold); Ixtaca, Puebla (Almaden Minerals); Camino Rojo, Zacatecas (Orla Mining); Las Chispas, Sonora (SilverCrest Metals); Santana in Sonora, La Fortuna in Durango and Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas (Minera Alamos).
Guanajuato announced its intention to conform a Mining Cluster.
Fernando Alanís, Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) president, explained some facts on how mining concessions function in Mexico. According to the constitution everything under the surface is property of the Nation, hence the permit needed to extract gas, oil, water or minerals by individuals or companies, permit that is precisely a concession. In mining the concession is a permit to explore and mine an ore deposit if found, it provides no rights for surface rights, reason for which an agreement has to be negotiated with the surface owner to access the land. He stressed that having a mining concession is no guarantee of finding an ore deposit. To keep a mining concession, the concessionaire has to pay every six months a due per hectare, due that increases with the age of the concession, to avoid speculative land grabs; and also the concessionaire has to comply with a minimum yearly investment that also increases with the age of the concession, again to avoid speculation. According to the DGM (Dirección General de Minas) 20.7 M hectares are concessioned in México, out of almost 200 M hectares in the country, meaning about 10.35% of the country is concessioned, of which only 1 M hectares include a project in exploitation. The government granting of mining concessions is the more efficient way to exploit the natural resources, letting others run the risks and expensive investments of exploration. The government receives the due payments, and in case of an ore body being found and a mine built, receive taxes for its operation. Mining is the economic activity that has the steepest rate of taxes and dues, which add up to 55% on the income of mining firms.

ON EXPLORATION

Brigadier Gold Ltd. released sampling results from two vein systems at its Picachos property in Sinaloa. Highlighted results comprise 7 m @ 160 gpt Ag, 0.6 gpt Au; 3 m @ 205 gpt Ag, 0.2 gpt Au; 0.5 m @ 356 gpt Ag, 6.6 gpt Au at the Garabato vein system, and 1.6 m @ 1.9 gpt Au, 98 gpt Ag, 0.6% Cu, 3.7% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 1.0 m @ 21.3 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag, 3.2% Pb, 0.8% Zn; 0.2 m @ 56.7 gpt Au, 288 gpt Ag, 1.9% Cu, 5.9% Pb, 1.3% Zn at El Pino. The Garabato veins are coincident with a 20 ha soil anomaly that returned up to 36 ppm Ag, 366 ppm Cu, 1,049 ppm Pb, 1,184 ppm Zn. Three basins draining the El Pino vein system show stream sediment anomalies of up to 1.72 ppm Au, 0.9 ppm Ag, 597 ppm Pb and 329 ppm Zn.
Minaurum Gold Inc. announced the start of a 20,000 metre Phase II drilling program at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora. The program will commence with one rig offsetting an intercept of 8.25 m @ 1,760 gpt Ag on the Europa-Guadalupe veins, while a second rig will test targets at Promontorio, where recently acquired historical data revealed intercepts of up to 12.2 m @ 710 gpt Ag (Note.- Take a look to the press release, it is worth it).
Minera Alamos Inc. released additional historic drill data on the Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. The reverse circulation holes were drilled by a private operator in 2017-2018, to refine the previous drilling by Noranda in the 1990’s. Some of the highlighted results comprise 48 m 0.70 gpt Au; 112 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 40 m @ 0.51 gpt Au; 64 m @ 0.38 gpt Au; 42 m @ 0.42 gpt Au; 100 m @ 0.42 gpt Au; 54 m @ 0.76 gpt Au; 102 m @ 0.38 gpt Au; 72 m @ 0.47 gpt Au; 56 m @ 0.47 gpt Au; 66 m @ 0.33 gpt Au; 96 m @ 1.10 gpt Au; 42 m @ 0.50 gpt Au.
Alien Metals Inc. informed on underground and surface sampling results from its San Celso and Los Campos projects in Zacatecas. At San Celso, underground sampling confirmed 2006 sample results, like 0.9 m @ 477 gpt Ag (0.5 m @ 422 gpt Ag on previous sample) and 1.4 m @ 225 gpt Ag (1.6 m @ 335 gpt Ag on previous sample). At Los Campos, dump sampling returned up to 0.3 gpt Au, 254 gpt Ag, 0.12% Pb, 0.07% Zn. The Nueva Andromeda claim, adjacent to San Celso, has been optioned.
VanGold Mining Corp. updated on exploration at its El Pinguico project in Guanajuato. Approximately 40 m have been sampled on a recently cleared section of the shaft, a 3D model is being generated, sampling for XRF sampling are being collected on #4 adit, and trenching of additional surface exposures and clearing of the #7 adit are being performed.
Advance Gold Corp. reported on the drilling done at its Tabasqueña project in Zacatecas. “Of the four holes drilled to date into the 3500-metre continuous IP chargeability anomaly, drill hole AGT-16 has encountered the best mineralization, including a 10.7 metre sulphide zone. Mineralization in this hole has zones of semi-massive pyrite, containing 15 to 30% pyrite, together with up to 3% sphalerite and some galena (core photos shown below and on company website). The first three holes intersected stacked lenses of disseminated sulphides and are around 3000 metres to the south of AGT-16”.

ON MINING

Mexus Gold US. is nearing the completion and test running of its high grade ball mill gravity gold recovery system at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). The company will mill material from a quartz vein with a 10 gpt Au cutoff, and recover the gold through the gravity system, while lower grade ore continues to be placed on the heap leach.
Starcore International Mines Ltd. Reported results of the first quarter ended July 31, 2020. Production during the period at its San Martin mine in Queretaro included the milling of 59.1 K tonnes @ 1.70 gpt Au, 29.2 gpt Ag, recovering 88.8% Au, 56.5% Ag, to produce 2.9 K Oz Au, 32.5 K Oz Ag.
Excellon Resources Inc. provided August 2020 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango. During the month 7.6 K tonnes were mined, 8.5 K tonnes processed @ 451 gpt Ag, 4.95% Pb, 6.76% Zn, recovering 86.8% Ag, 78.8% Pb, 78.9% Zn, to produce 106.7 K Oz Ag, 729.1 K Lb Pb, 997.2 K Lb Zn.

ON FINANCING

Silver Bull Resources. management approved a 1-for-8 reverse stock split of the of the company’s issued and outstanding common stock (Sierra Mojada, Coahuila).
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the recently announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $456 K (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
Oroco Resource Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $7.26 M (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).
Canuc Resources Corp. announced it is now trading its shares on the OTCQB Venture Market (San Javier, Sonora).
Comet Resources Ltd. executed a binding agreement with Raptor Capital International Ltd. “for the provision of a streaming facility to provide a minimum of US$6m and up to US$20m in funding for development of the Santa Teresa High Grade Gold Project in Baja California”.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. informed on private placements recently closed. A brokered offering for gross proceeds of C$10 M followed by a non-brokered offering for gross proceeds of C$4 M and a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $456 K (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. Intends to undertake “a fully underwritten non-renounceable pro rata entitlement offer on the basis of three (3) new fully paid ordinary shares (“New Shares”) for every eleven (11) Shares held on 24 September 2020”. The intention is to raise approximately A$2 M (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
First Majestic Silver Corp. closed its previously announced bought deal with Eric Sprott for gross proceeds of CDN$78 M (Santa Elena, Sonora; San Dimas, Durango).
Solaris Resources Inc. announced its common shares have been approved to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market, effective September 17, 2020 (La Verde, Michoacan).
Defiance Silver Corp. closed the previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds totaling C$10 M (Veta Grande, Zacatecas).
Argonaut Gold Inc. entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters with a bought deal private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of C$10 M (La Colorada, Sonora).
GoGold Resources Inc. closed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of C$30 M (Los Ricos South, Los Ricos North, Jalisco).
Silver Dollar Resources Inc. completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement to raise $10.5 M in gross proceeds (La Joya, Durango).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp. announced that it has elected to accelerate the expiry date of the common share purchase warrants issued on September 24, 2019, to the new date of October 8, 2020 (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Discovery Metals Corp. released results from four diamond drill holes targeting bulk-tonnage mineralization in the South Corridor at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted intercepts comprise 401.7 m @ 49 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 1.1% Zn ( including 30.3 m @ 57 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 112.3 m @ 96 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 2.0% Pb, 1.8% Zn; 44.2 m @ 84 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 1.8% Pb, 2.0% Zn); 5.1 m @ 231 gpt Ag, 0.21 gpt Au, 2.0% Pb, 2.6% Zn; 15.7 m @ 111 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 1.7% Pb, 0.2% Zn.
Almaden Minerals Ltd. announced its intention to resume exploration in the area of the Ixtaca project in Puebla. “This program is starting with a desktop review of exploration data previously gathered, which is expected to lead to further field work in the near-term which may include mapping, surface sampling, geochemical stream silt and soil sampling, and geophysics. These data will be used to design a future drill program”.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. Released results from its surface core drilling program at Plomosas, Sinaloa. The drilling completed to date has delineated a 700 m mineralized zone with multiple veins including a low angle Pb-Zn-Ag rich hydrothermal breccia and high angle low sulfidation vein and stockwork systems. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 6.0 m @ 85 gpt Ag, 0.4 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 2.5 m @ 172 gpt Ag, 0.9 gpt Au, 2.7% Pb, 1.4% Zn); 22.3 m @ 48 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn.
Magna Gold Corp. released the results of its recently completed pre-feasibility report on its San Francisco mine in Sonora. The report presents a base case at $1,450 per Oz Au with an NPV (Net present Value) of $80 M at 5% discount rate, producing 69 K Oz Au per year from 2021 to 2027 at an average all-in sustaining cost cash cost of $1,204 per Au Oz and no major capital required for resuming mining. Mineral reserves stand at 47.6 M tonnes @ 0.495 gpt Au, containing 758 K Oz Au and mineral resources (including mineral reserves) comprise 99.7 M tonnes @ 0.446 gpt Au, containing 1.43 M Oz Au. The inferred resources category includes 11.4 M tonnes @ 0.467 gpt Au, containing 171 K Oz Au.
Excellon Resources Inc. “has recommenced underground and surface drilling at the Platosa Mine and broader Platosa Property, respectively. Underground exploration is focused on expanding and further defining known mineralization. Surface exploration is focused on near mine targets around the Platosa deposit and the Jaboncillo and PDN targets north of the mine. Jaboncillo, 11 kilometres northwest of the Platosa Mine, is a Platosa-style target with a 4 x 4 kilometre alteration footprint, multiple times the size of the Platosa footprint, where the Company intersected near-surface gossans in 2019 drilling. PDN, two kilometres north of the Platosa Mine, is a skarn-style geophysical target that may be associated with the skarn discovery made in 2012 at Rincón del Caído”.
SSR Mining Inc. informed it is planning to spend $5 M in 2020 at Pitarrilla, Durango. The investment is part of a “program to extend an existing decline to provide drill access to the underground Mineral Resources. An improved geological model from work completed in 2019 indicates strong potential to better define known, high-grade mineralized veining associated with steeply dipping rhyolite dyke contacts. Extending the underground ramp provides access for tighter spaced drilling at better orientations to test the rhyolite dykes and veins for continuity. If infill drilling confirms the continuity of high-grade mineralized structures, there would be potential to enhance the grades of existing Mineral Resources“.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Sonoro Metals Corp. changes name to Sonoro Gold Corp. on September 9, 2020 (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Barksdale Resources Corp. informed that “Following a detailed due diligence campaign, the Company identified certain title issues with respect to three of the twelve mining concessions comprising approximately 307.46 hectares of the total lands covered under the option. Tusk Exploration Ltd (“Tusk”) is in the process of rectifying these title issues and expects the process to be completed in 2021. Until the title issues have been rectified, Barksdale and Tusk have agreed to defer 35% of the Year 1 and Year 2 option cash and share payments” (San Javier, Sonora).
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the transaction with Electrum Global Holdings L.P. to acquire Electrum’s 60% indirect working interest in the Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Southern Silver must pay Electrum US$15 M in a combination of cash and common shares, of which US$5 M and 2.34 M shares and a credit of C$1.35 M deposit have been paid. Remaining are US$2 M and shares equal to US$2 M to be paid on March of 2021 and US$2 M and shares equal to US$2 M to be paid on September of 2021.
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. filed “the First Memorial in the case brought against Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on its behalf and on behalf of subsidiary Exploraciones Oceánicas (ExO), alleging that Mexico wrongfully denied environmental approval of the ExO Phosphate project in breach of NAFTA ….. Odyssey seeks damages of more than $2.3 billion including interest from April 2016 to the date of the First Memorial’s submission”.
Excellon Resources Inc. informed an appeal on the acquisition of 295 hectares north of the Platosa mine (in Durango) was denied by an appeals court in Mexico. “The Company does not consider the land material to its mining operation or exploration activities. The decision does not impact Excellon’s mineral rights and the Company does not expect it to have any impact on its operations”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Fortuna Silver Mines (San José mine in Oaxaca) has added a new sustainability section on its website, where the company´s sustainability approach is expressed, as well as its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management and performance.
Great Panther Mining Ltd. announced the publication of its first sustainability report highlighting the progress, initiatives and commitments in the areas of health, safety, environmental, social, and governance management.
Fresnillo PLC, Minera San Xavier and Frisco informed on health and community programs on the areas of their respective projects.

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: Opaline silica layer in the vadose zone of a low sulfidation system in Queretaro. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

February 24, 2020February 24, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 8^th week of the year (February 17^th to February 23^rd, 2020), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Sonora Economy Secretariat remarked that several investments are to strengthen the mining industry in 2020. Camimex pointed that mining companies are to invest more than US$200 M in exploration during 2020. Grupo Mexico is to return to the government the mining concession on which the disaster struck Pasta de Conchos mine is located. Camimex is to pursue its “zero accidents” goal. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resources has received the permit to drill at the Evelyn project; Riverside Resources reported on field work and sampling at Los Cuarentas; Aloro received a new drilling permit for its Los Venados project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver commenced the phase II drilling program at its Columba project. In Durango, Commander Resources reported on a geophysical survey at Pedro’s project. In Zacatecas, Excellon Resources informed on the exploration status of its Evolución project. In Guanajuato, Vangold secured land access and land use permits on its El Pinguico project. In Jalisco, GoGold Resources launched a second exploration project at Los Ricos District in Jalisco: Monte El Favor. ON MINING, Starcore International, Americas Gold and Silver, Torex Gold, First Majestic Silver, Pan American Silver and Fortuna Silver reported Q4 and full year 2019 financial and/or production results. ON FINANCING, Hecla Mining is to redeem $475 M of 7.25% senior notes. Canuc Resources, San Marco Resources and Ridgestone Mining closed various stages of non-brokered private placements for $850 K, C$784.8 K and $715.2 K, respectively. Kootenay Silver is now on the 2020 TSX Venture 50^tm. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Minerals announced promising results from metallurgical test work on concentrates from its Velardeña property. Excellon informed on exploration results on its Platosa mine in Durango. SilverCrest Metals announced a new discovery of a high-grade zone on another vein of the Babicanora area of its Las Chispas property in Sonora. Coeur Mining and Alamos Gold reported mineral reserves and resources to the end of 2019, including figures from Palmarejo (Chihuahua) and the Mulatos District (Sonora), respectively. Goldplay Exploration provided an update on drilling at San Marcial, Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tamino Minerals filed a law suit against an individual, in Sonora. Telson informed on the resignation of its CEO, Jose Antonio Berlanga, and the appointment of Ralph Shearing as interim CEO. Sonoro financing discussions were interrupted by the Coronavirus outbreak in China. Mexican Gold and New Found Gold terminated their binding agreement for the acquisition of New Found Gold. GoGold entered into an agreement to acquire The Monte del Favor project in the Los Ricos District in Jalisco. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Fresnillo PLC supports three teams in a robotic regional fair. Grupo Mexico supports social and infrastructure projects in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, with over 300 activities that benefit 3,00 inhabitants. Fresnillo PLC and Frisco are among the companies that integrate the Environmental Protection Club in Zacatecas.).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Jorge Vidal, head of Sonora’s Secretaría de Economía (Economy Secretariat), stated that several investments are to strengthen the mining industry during 2020 in Sonora. He pointed that the investment by Bacanora minerals in the lithium project in Bacadehuachi is one of these, and another one is the investment of the Buenavista zinc project in Cananea, which is to generate 500 jobs with the investment of MXN$350 M pesos (US$18.8 M).
Mining companies are to invest more than US$200 M in exploration in 2020. Fresnillo is to reduce its exploration budget to US$135.1 M, from US$150 M on 2019, with about half of those funds to be used in the conversion of resources to reserves. Pan American Silver focuses on brownfield exploration with a budget of US$20 M for the year, on which La Colorada Skarn is to see a 44,000 m drilling program. First Majestic has an exploration budget of US$28.2 M, to be spent in San Dimas (Durango), Santa Elena (Sonora), La Encantada(Coahuila), La Parrilla (Durango) and Del Toro (Zacatecas). Torex Gold is to conduct an infill drilling program that will cost US$13 M on its Media Luna project (Guerrero). Agnico Eagle is to spend US$33.9 M in exploration during 2020, highlighting the funding of the Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora with US$10.4 M and a 42,000 m drilling program at its Pinos Altos mine in Chihuahua.
Grupo Mexico is to return to the government the mining concession on which the Pasta de Conchos mine is located. The move is in response to the presidential request to facilitate the retrieval of the remains of over 65 miners deceased in 2006 on the mine located in Coahuila.
The Cámara Minera de México (Camimex) vowed to pursue the “zero accidents” goal, pointing that in 2018 the associated companies reported an accident rate of 1.63, which is 3.7% lower than in 2017, and below the national average of 2.04 registered by the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).

ON EXPLORATION

Excellon Resources Inc. informed on exploration of its 45,000 hectares Evolución property in Zacatecas. Highlights include the expansion of the Lechuzas zone along strike and down dip, and broad intersections of Ag-Pb-Zn, like: 18.7 m @ 27 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 1.1% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au (103 gpt AgEq), including 2.0 m @ 105 gpt Ag, 3.5% Pb, 4.2% Zn, 0.3 gpt Au (416 gpt AgEq); 1.5 m @ 290 gpt Ag, 6.9% Pb, 5.9% Zn, 0.2 gpt Au (779 gpt AgEq); 4.5 m @ 51 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 2.9% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au (244 gpt AgEq); 3.3 m @ 55 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 1.9% Zn (172 gpt Ag). Excellon plans to incorporate all recent work into an updated mineral resource estimate for the project.
Kootenay Silver Inc. has commenced a 7,000 m phase II core drilling program at its Columba project in Chihuahua. The follow up drilling will focus on the results of last year’s 41-hole, 6,853 m program which targeted six different veins on the property. Highlighted results from that program comprise: 1.15 m @ 775 gpt Ag; 4.83 m @ 230 gpt Ag; 2.90 m @ 519 gpt Ag; 11.0 m @ 133 gpt Ag (including 5.0 m @ 245 gpt Ag); 2.1 m @ 699 gpt Ag; 1.75 m @ 755 gpt Ag, 1.16 gpt Au; 6.25 m @ 244 gpt Ag; 11.5 m @ 415 gpt Ag (including 4.0 m @ 721 gpt Ag); 4.63 m @ 301 gpt Ag; 39.9 m @ 159 gpt Ag (including 7.45 m @ 650 gpt Ag).
Colibri Resource Corp. informed it has received the required drilling permits for its Evelyn project in Sonora. Drill pad construction and other required infrastructure are to commence immediately, followed by drilling.
Commander Resources Ltd. reported results from a 70 line-km induced polarization survey (IP) at the Pedro’s project in Durango. The 1,750 ha project was acquired in 2006 from Bearing Resources Ltd. Hematite stained silica rich ridges of angular chalcedony fragments and silicified sedimentary rocks within an angular coarse breccia comprise the outcrops within the Ahuichila conglomerate, within a soil anomaly 4 Km by 1 km and rock chip samples of up to 2.3 gpt Au. Past drilling focused on a Carlin target intercepted up to 10.5 m @ 0.51 gpt Au in oxidized silicified conglomerate.
Vangold Mining Corp. has secured a surface land access agreement, and a surface land use agreement for its El Pinguico mine in Guanajuato. The 15-year land access agreement was signed with the Ejido Calderones, providing a short access route to the project, whereas the land use permit was signed with a local land owner for 89.6 hectares.
Riverside Resources Inc. reported on field work and sampling at its Los Cuarentas project in Sonora. Selective rock sampling from dumps, float, channel and rock chips returned five of sixteen samples with more than 5 gpt Au: 25.7 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 10.2 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 6.8 gpt Au, 65.1 gpt Ag, 6.27 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag; 5.3 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 5.1 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag. Three primary targets have been identified for a prospective drill program in 2020: Santa Rosalia, Santa Rosalia Sur and El Sombrero.
GoGold Resources Inc. launched a second exploration project located on the Los Ricos District, called Monte del Favor, in Jalisco. Gogold now owns 35 concessions covering 22,493 hectares in a 35 km trend. The new concessions come with a legacy database of 50 drill holes with highlighted intercepts of: 24.4 m @ 6.4 gpt Au, 1,629 gpt Ag; 28.3 m @ 3.1 gpt Au, 150 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 1.1 gpt Au, 201 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 2.8 gpt Au, 174 gpt Ag; 20.3 m @ 0.4 gpt Au, 225 gpt Ag.
Aloro Mining Corp. informed a new drilling permit has been granted by SEMARANT (The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) for its Los Venados project in Sonora. The permit granted the drilling of 15 holes and the construction of up to 3.38 Km of drill roads. Drilling is to focus in the south area of the project, where a hole cut 32 m of blind strong silicic alteration with brecciated vuggy silica an sulfides, with 7.6 m @ 1.13 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag.

ON MINING

Starcore International Mines Ltd. released production results for the quarter ending on January 31, 2020. In its San Martin mine in Queretaro, 58.3 K tonnes were milled @ 1.84 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, recovering 90.1% Au, 50.9% Ag, to produce 3,425 Oz AuEq.
Americas Gold and Silver Corp. presented production figures from 2019 and guidance for 2020 of its mining operations, including figures from its Cosalá property in Sinaloa. At Cosalá, 613.8 K tonnes were processed @ 50 gpt Ag, to produce 572 K Oz Ag, 43.3 M Lb Zn and 16.4 M Lb Pb, or 4.68 M Oz AgEq, at cash cost ($18.31) and AISC ($10.90) per Oz Ag produced. Improved access to the Upper Zone at the San Rafael mine will tap higher silver grades in 2020.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported fourth quarter and fill year 2019 financial and operating results. For the last quarter of 2019, Torex Gold produced 121,151 Oz Au at its El Limón-Guajes mine in Guerrero, at cash cost $617 per Oz and all-in sustaining cost of $767 per Oz, generating EBITDA of $102.2 M and repaying $82.5 M of debt during the period. For the year, Torex produced 454,811 Oz Au at cash cost of $619 per Oz and an AISC of $805 per Oz Au, generating EBITDA of $330.3 M and repaying $164.4 M of debt. Total debt now stands at $174.9 M, while cash at hand is $161.8 M. The Media Luna project resource estimate was updated to 2.24 M Oz AuEq at a grade of 5.5 gpt Au in the indicated category and 4.23 M Oz AuEq at 4.23 gpt Au in the inferred category.
First Majestic Silver Corp. announced financial results for the Q4 and year 2019. During the quarter 626.6 K tonnes were processed to produce 3.35 M Oz Ag, 33,176 Oz Au, 0.9 M Lb Pb, or 6.23 M Oz AgEq at cash cost $3.37 per Oz and an AISC of $12.25 per Oz. The production figures for the year are in the table below. The company ended 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of $169 M.
Pan American Silver Corp. reported financial results for the year 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada mine in Zacatecas 768.7 K tonnes were milled @ 361 gpt Ag, 3.10% Zn, 1.65% Pb to produce 8.2 M Oz Ag, 4.61 K Oz Au, 20.97 K tonnes Zn, 11.15 K tonnes Pb, at cash cost $4.30 and AISC of $5.00 (net of by-products). At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 6.78 M tonnes were place on the heaps @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.60 gpt Au, to produce 5.1 M Oz Ag, 117.6 K Oz Au at a cash cost of $3.09 and an AISC of $15.45.
Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. provided 2020 production, cost and capital expenditure guidance for 2020, including figures for its Mexican operations. At San Jose, in Oaxaca, the company aims to produce between 6.6 and 7.3 M Oz Ag, and between 41 and 45 K Oz Au, at a cash cost of US$65.6 to US$72.5 per tonne, and an AISC between US$9.6 to US$11,7 per Oz AgEq. The plan is to process 1.06 M tonnes @ 223 gpt Ag, 1.39 gpt Au, with a capital investment of US$17.1 M, including US$12.2 M for sustaining capital expenditures and US$4.9 M for brownfields exploration programs which include 17,600 m of drilling.

ON FINANCING

Hecla Mining Co. announced its agreement to sell $475 M aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes. The notes will mature in February 2028, with the company intending to use the net proceeds together with cash on hand to redeem all of its outstanding 6.875% senior notes due 2021. (San Sebastián, Durango).
Canuc Resources Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $850 K, with three officers of the company participating (San Javier, Sonora).
San Marco Resources Inc. closed its over-subscribed non-brokered placement, raising C$784.8 K (Espiritu, Sonora).
Ridgestone Mining Inc. closed the first tranche of the non-brokered private placement to raise $715.2 K on gross proceeds (Rebeico, Sonora).
Kootenay Silver Inc. has been recognized in the 2020 TSX Venture 50^tm as one of the top 50 performing companies on the TSX Venture Exchange (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Golden Minerals Co. announced promising results of metallurgical test work on pyrite-arsenopyrite flotation concentrates from its Velardeña properties in Durango. “Gold and silver recoveries of 91% and 92%, respectively, were obtained from cyanide leaching of the bio-oxidized concentrate samples. BIOX* achieved 93% oxidation on the concentrate sample in batch tests, which the Company believes should translate to a 5 to 6-day retention time in a commercial bio-oxidation plant”.
Excellon Resources Inc. informed on exploration results at its Platosa mine in Durango. Surface drilling of the NE-1S manto returned high-grade intersections, like 6.6 m @ 1,178 gpt Ag, 6.7% Pb, 8.4% Zn, 0.2 gpt Au. A large hydrothermal system was discovered 11 km from the Platosa mine at the Jaboncillo target, where drilling is aimed to start in the first half of 2020.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced a new discovery and additional drill results from the Babicanora Norte vein at its Las Chispas property in Sonora. The discovery drill hole intercepted 2.0 m (tw) @ 6,418 gpt AgEq on a faulted extension that received the name of Area 200, on the Babicanora Norte vein, which is now the highest-grade vein in the project. The initial high-grade footprint of this zone is 500 long by 125 m in height, on the vein that is now known for more than 2.0 km. The area 200 shows an average estimated true width (tw) of 1.5 m @ 16.11 gpt Au, 2,166 gpt Ag (3,375 gpt AgEq). Highlighted results for this press release comprise 1.4 m @ 90.22 gpt Au, 9,422 gpt Ag (16,189 gpt AgEq); 2.4 m @ 45.71 gpt Au, 5,577 gpt Ag (9,006 gpt AgEq); 1.6 m @ 75.78 gpt Au, 7,662 gpt Ag (13,345 gpt AgEq).
Coeur Mining Inc. reported 2019 mineral reserves and resources, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, infill drilling helped replace mining depletion. Proven and probable reserves stand at 11.67 M short tonnes (st) @ 1.83 gpt Au, 135 gpt Ag; measured and indicated resources stand at 8.76 M st @ 1.49 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag and inferred resources of 6.47 M st @ 1.77 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag. These amount to 693 K Oz Au, 5.6 M Oz Ag as reserves, 425 K Oz Au, 34.5 M Oz Ag as measured and indicated resources and 367 K Oz Au, 26.3 M Oz Ag as inferred resources.
Minera Peña Colorada informed that the Peña Colorada mine in Colima received the visit of PROFEPA (Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente) and SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales) personnel to review the compliance of the company on the different permits it has received.
Alamos Gold Inc. Reported mineral reserves and resources to year end 2019, including figures from its Mexican Operations. Mineral reserves at Mulatos decreased by 154 K Oz to 1.56 M Oz, with mining depletion partially offset by an 81 K Oz increase at La Yaqui Grande. The exploration budget was increased to $7 M with 14,000 m of drilling planned around near mine targets as well as at La Yaqui Grande and El Carricito. A number of regional exploration targets were identified with the aid of a VTEM survey carried out in 2018.
Goldplay Exploration Ltd. provided an update on exploration and drilling of its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. The last holes of 2019 returned 28.7 m @ 92 gpt Ag, including 13.75 m @ 154 gpt Ag in the Faisanes target. At the Guacamayo target 0.60 m @ 138 gpt Ag, 0.56 gpt Au, confirm mineralization 30 m east of the current resource area. Due diligence has commenced on the potential acquisitions of the Plomosas (First Majestic Silver Corp.) and La Trinidad (Mako Mining Corp.).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Tamino Minerals Inc. has filed a law suit against an individual in Sonora. (El Volcán, Sonora).
Newmont Corp. appointed Jim Cooper as General Manager of the Peñasquito unit in Zacatecas.
Telson Mining Corp. informed its Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, Jose Antonio Berlanga, has resigned due to personal reasons. Mr. Ralph Shearing has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer for the company (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
Sonoro Metals Corp. informed discussions regarding debt finance and engineering, procurement and construction contracts with China-based EPC companies has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Mexican Gold Mining Corp. announced, along New Found Gold Corp., that they have mutually terminated the binding agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of NFGC (Las Minas, Veracruz).
GoGold Resources Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire a second project located on the Los Ricos District, called Monte del Favor, in Jalisco. The agreement is to acquire 49% of 5 concessions in consideration for US$225 K, and an option to acquire the remaining 51% by paying US$210 K on the second anniversary. The seller will retain 1% NSR on the property, which the company may repurchase by paying US$1 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Fresnillo PLC supports science, technology and youthful innovation. As part of the regional robotic fair “FIRST” on the La Laguna region, Fresnillo is to support three teams. The sponsored teams are from Turuachi, Chihuahua, Ciénega de Nuestra Señora, Durango and Fresnillo, Zacatecas. One other team from Caborca, Sonora, is to participates in an international competition in Arizona.
Grupo Mexico supports social and infrastructure projects in Sombrerete, Zacatecas. Every year the company performs 300 activities that benefit 3,000 inhabitants. The social programs and productive activities take place in Sombrerete, San Martin, Villa Insurgentes, Ojo de Agua, Charco Blanco, Santa Rita and José de Félix communities. Also, a seed-capital program has financed 29 projects to benefit 20 schools.
Peñoles, Fresnillo PLC, and Grupo Frisco among the companies to integrate the Environment Protection Club in Zacatecas. More than 25 companies are to be members of this club, promoted by the State governor, and that will also have universities (Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas and Instituto Politécnico Nacional), the Secretaría de Agua y Medio Ambiente and federal authorities as its memebers.

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: The old train bridge between Nacozari and the Pilares mine, in Sonora, picture by Jorge Cirett

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

April 22, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 16^th week of the year (April 15^th to April 21^st, 2019), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a lower court in Puebla ruled Mexico’s mineral title system unconstitutional based on consultation not being required before issuing the title. Inhabitants of San Antonio, Baja California Sur, manifested in support for the construction of the San Antonio mine. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Gold delineated several new targets using geophysics at Cervantes; San Marcos disclosed explorations plans for its properties in the year. In Jalisco, GoGold released interesting results from drilling at Los Ricos. ON MINING, Avino Silver, Sierra Metals, First Majestic, Gold Resource and Hecla disclosed production results for Q1 2019.
Fresnillo PLC presented its annual report 2018. ON FINANCING, Ridgestone Mining, Oroco and Camrova raised $1.12 M; 800 K and 12 K respectively. Sonoro and Minaurum granted options to consultants and directors. Minaurum was named to the Venture 50^tm. Sierra Metals entered into an automatic purchase plan. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Goldplay reported channel sample results from a new zone at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. SilverCrest Metals released good metallurgical results from its Las Chispas property in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Newmont Goldcorp Corp. has been delivered. Consolidated Zinc presented notice of its annual general meeting. Aura completed the sale of 80% interest of its Taviche project to Minaurum.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Almaden Minerals Ltd. informed that “a lower court in Puebla State has ruled that Mexico’s mineral title system is unconstitutional because consultation is not required before the granting of mineral title………..This ruling can be appealed by both the Government of Mexico and Almaden. The Company believes that this lawsuit is part of a broad effort by special interest groups to change the mining law and there are other similar actions active across Mexico”. Almaden stated that no communities within the company’s current mining concessions on its Ixtaca project in Puebla are party to this lawsuit.
Fresnillo PLC. Presented its 2018 annual report. It is here recommended to all interested in the mining business in Mexico to take a look to the report (http://www.fresnilloplc.com/media/412015/fres-30452-annual-report-2018-web.pdf), especially on the section “Managing our risks”. In the said section, the risks of participating in the industry in Mexico are assessed, including those of metal prices, potential actions by the government, access to land, security, public perception against mining, safety, union relations, exploration, project performance, cyber security, environmental incidents and human resources. Although the report had in mind Fresnillo’s particular situation as one of the largest Mexican mining conglomerates, many parts of the evaluation concern risks that affect all mining enterprises in the country.
Some 500 inhabitants of San Antonio, in Baja California Sur, gathered in support of Argonaut Gold’s San Antonio mining project in their locality.

ON EXPLORATION

Aztec Minerals Corp. and Kootenay Silver Inc. informed that interpretation of a recent magnetic and radiometric survey produced multiple porphyry copper targets on the Cervantes property in Sonora. “Cervantes has multiple porphyry cells aligned along a northeast-southwest orientation, manifested as high-level alteration footprints related to intrusive bodies. There are also prominent northwest-southeast trending magnetic anomalies found to be associated with strong alteration, gold-copper mineralization, and intrusive rocks.”
GoGold Resources Inc. disclosed the results from the first two diamond holes on its Los Ricos property in Jalisco. The two diamond drill holes twinned previous RC perforations, replicating the mineralized zones, with 35.5 m @ 1.24 gpt Au, 285 gpt Ag and 27.6 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 159 gpt Ag. The holes are part of a 10,000 m diamond drill program focused on following the high grade ore shoot down dip below the historical RC drilling.
San Marco Resources Inc. plans for 2019 in Sonora include target delineation at Espiritu Santo and 1068 properties, follow-up of underexplored areas at the Chunibas project, extensive participation on lotteries of released ground by the government, evaluation of multiple property acquisitions and ongoing partnership discussions of existing assets.

ON MINING

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released production results from its Avino property in Durango for 2019’s first quarter. During the period production came from three sources: Avino mine, San Gonzalo mine and historic stockpiles. At Avino, 100.9 K tonnes were milled @ 41 g/t Ag, 0.48 gpt Au, 0.49% Cu, recovering 84% Ag, 71% Au, 87% Cu. At San Gonzalo (which is nearing the end of its mine life) 17.9 K tonnes were milled @ 188 gpt Ag, 0.54 gpt Au, recovering 65% Ag, 61% Au. From historic stockpiles 78.8 K tonnes were milled @ 61 gpt Ag, 0.40 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, recovering 55%, Ag, 52% Au, 29% Cu. Total production was 1,813 Oz Au, 268.4 K Oz Ag, 1.06 M Lb Cu, or 615 K Oz AgEq.
Sierra Metals Inc. reported first quarter 2019 results, including figures from its Mexican mines. The Bolivar mine in Chihuahua processed 263.2 K tonnes (~3,008 tpd, targeting 3,600 tpd for Q2 2019)) grading 0.81% Cu, 19.5 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, recovering 82.2% Cu, 79.1% Ag, 67.9% Au to produce 3.87 M Lb Cu, 130 K Oz Ag, 1,100 Oz Au (or 5.08 MLb CuEq). At the Cusi mine, also in Chihuahua, 71.3 K tonnes were processed @ 105 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn, recovering 79.5% Ag, 37.5% Au, 75.2% Pb to produce 192 K Oz Ag, 133 Au Oz, 349 K Lb Pb, no Zn.
Fresnillo PLC. Filed its annual report 2018. During the year Fresnillo produced 61.8 M Oz Ag, 922 K Oz Au, holding resources of 2.2 billion Oz Ag and 39.1 M Oz Au. At Fresnillo, in Zacatecas, 2.44 M tonnes were milled @ 214 gpt Ag to produce 15.1 M Oz Ag, 42,290 Oz Au, 19,619 tonnes Pb, 31,094 tonnes Zn. At Saucito, in Zacatecas, 2.79 M tonnes were milled @ 257 gpt Ag, 1.25 gpt Au to produce 19.78 M Oz Ag, 86,092 Oz Au, 22,662 tonnes Pb, 29,506 tonnes Zn, while the Pyrites Plant processed 131.8 K tonnes @ 393 gpt Ag, 2.8 gpt Au to produce 977 K Oz Ag, 3,556 Oz Au. At San Julian, in Chihuahua, 1.27 M tonnes were processed from the veins @144.1 gpt Ag, 2.0 gpt Au, to produce 5.43 M Oz Ag, 79,218 Oz Au. 2.22 M tonnes were processed from the disseminated orebody @ 154 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn, to produce 9.2 M Oz Ag, 3,125 Oz Au, 6,101 tonnes Pb, 22,027 tonnes Zn. At Cienega, in Durango, 1.32 M tonnes were milled @ 164 gpt Ag, 1.65 g/t Au to produce 6 M Oz Ag, 66,869 Oz Au, 4,799 tonnes Pb, 5,892 tonnes Zn. At Herradura, in Sonora, 22.15 M tonnes @ 0.76 gpt Au were deposited on the heaps to produce 474,168 Oz Au, 1.52 M Oz Ag, at cash cost $504 per Au Oz (total volume hauled, 124 M tonnes). At Nochebuena, in Sonora, 18.2 M tonnes were deposited on the heaps @ 0.52 gpt Au to produce 167.2 K Oz Au, 52 K Oz Ag, at cash cost $735.4 per Oz Au (total volume hauled, 80.3 M tonnes). The company had $580.7 M as cash and cash equivalents by the end of the year.

First Majestic Silver Corp. produced 6.3 AgEq Oz during the first quarter of 2019. During the period 831.2 K tonnes of ore were milled @ 150 gpt Ag, 1.26 gpt Au, with recoveries of 83% Ag, 96% Au, to produce 3.33 M Oz Ag, 32,037 Oz Au, 2.66 M Lb Pb, 1.26 M Lb Zn. The ore had averages and recoveries of 287 gpt Ag, 4.18 gpt Au (93% Ag, 96% Au) at San Dimas, Durango; 121 gpt Ag, 1.87 gpt Au (89% Ag, 95% Au) at Santa Elena, Sonora; 126 gpt Ag (66% Ag) at La Encantada, Coahuila; 187 gpt Ag, 0.58 gpt Au (89% Ag, 93% Au)at San Martin, Jalisco; 54 gpt Ag, 1.8% Pb, 1.6% Zn (75% Ag by flotation, 62% Ag by cyanidation, 69% Pb, 48% Zn) at La Parrilla, Durango; 114 gpt Ag, 2.1% Pb (74% Ag, 0.7 M Lb Pb)at Del Toro, Zacatecas.

Gold Resource Corp. reported preliminary production results for the first quarter 2019. The Oaxaca Mining Unit (El Aguila, Arista, Switchback) produced 6,538 Au Oz, 364.6 K Oz Ag, 433 tonnes Cu, 2,153 tonnes Pb, 5,838 tonnes Zn. “The Company maintains its 2019 Oaxaca Mining Unit Annual Outlook of 27,000 gold ounces and 1,700,000 silver ounces, plus or minus 10%”.
Hecla Mining Co. announced preliminary production results for the first quarter of 2019. At San Sebastian, in Durango, the mill operated at 494 tpd to produce 0.4 M Oz Ag, 3,530 Oz Au. “A review of sulfide ore continues, including a bulk sample to test the capabilities of the third-party plant and the suitability of long-hole stoping for the ore body, with results expected by the fourth quarter of 2019.”

ON FINANCING

Ridgestone Mining Inc. completed its previously announced private placement financing, for gross proceeds of $1.12 M. The company paid 6% ($43.2 K) cash and 309 K compensation warrants. Also, 72.2 K bonus shares were issued to a director of the company, under a loan agreement (Rebeico, Sonora).
Sierra Metals Inc. entered into an automatic purchase plan with its designated broker (Cusi and Bolivar, Chihuahua).
Sonoro Metals Corp. granted 100 K incentive options to a director of the company. These options vest immediately and are exercisable at a price of $0.18 per share (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Minaurum Gold Inc. has been named to the TSX Venture Exchange Venture 50^tm, the annual ranking of Canada’s top 50 emerging publicly traded companies across five industry sectors. Minaurum also granted 3.35 M common share stock options to directors, officers and consultants. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.45 for a period of 10 years from the issue date. The company also granted consultants 275 k options exercisable at a price of $0.45 for a period of five years. Ten percent vest immediately, and another 15% each semiannually (Alamos, Sonora).
Oroco Resources Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement financing, raising $800 K in gross proceeds. No finder’s fee was paid (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
Camrova Resources Inc. closed the second tranche of the previously announced private placement, for proceeds of $12 K, bringing the total combined proceeds to $66 K. The third and final tranche of the Private Placement is expected to close in early May (Boleo, Baja California Sur).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Goldplay Exploration Ltd. reported channel sample results from a new zone at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. The Nava zone, 500 long by 100 m wide, is extensively altered and hosts low sulphidation quartz veining and stockwork mineralization. Channel samples from the zone returned assays ranging from 1.04 gpt Au to up to 10.0 gpt Au.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced positive metallurgical results for Las Chispas project, in Sonora. “A total of 445 kg was selected from 51 core holes and nine underground samples to compile 15 different samples, based on geo-metallurgical domains which were combined into three master composites. These composites utilized 210 kilograms of mass representing a variety of grades (low, medium and high) of 500 to 2000 gpt AgEq expected during conceptual operation”. The new metallurgical tests show estimated recoveries of 98.4% to 98.9% Au and 91.4% to 94.8% Ag, using conventional methods comprised of gravity concentration and intensive leaching followed by gravity tails standard leaching.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Newmont Mining Corp. announced that it has extended the previously announced offers to exchange all outstanding notes issued by Goldcorp Inc. for up to two billion dollars aggregate principal amount of new notes to be issued by Newmont, as part of the proposed arrangement on which Newmont acquires all outstaning shares of Goldcorp (Peñasquito, Zacatecas).
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. presented its notice of annual general meeting for the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on 23 May 2019 (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
Aura Resources Inc. announced the completion of the sale of an 80% interest in its East Taviche project in Oaxaca, to Minaurum Gold Inc.. Minaurum issued 100 K common shares to Aura and paid 39.4 K on closing; additionally, Minaurum is to issue further 100 K shares on receipt of the pertinent drilling permits. The remaining 20% can be acquired by Minaurum paying CDN$1 M.
Newmont Goldcorp Corp. announced the successful conclusion of its transaction combining Newmont Mining Corp. and Goldcorp Inc. to form the world’s leading gold business. The company targets six to seven million ounces of steady gold production over a decades-long time horizon (Peñasquito, Zacatecas).

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, glory hole developed on Inguaran, Michoacan. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

April 1, 2019 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Rhyolite breccia cemented by Mn oxides

By Miguel A Heredia

During the eleven week of the year (March 25^th to March 3i^st, 2019), at least 33 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with fifteen disclosing deals and corporate issues, six informing on exploration results, four communicating financial and production results, three announcing financial rounds, three reporting on resources and development of their properties, and two discussing Mexican news. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mazatlan, Sinaloa will be the venue for the Discovery Mining Conference 2019 from April 2 to 4. Also, Sinaloa State government expects at least US$100M of mining investment during 2019. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri presented exploration results on its Evelyn and Mezquite projects. In Chihuahua, Kootenay released exploration results from its Columba Silver project and Silver Spruce identified additional drill targets at its Pino de Plata project. In Zacatecas, Advanced Gold started the third phase of drilling at its Tabasqueña project. In the State of Mexico, Impact announced drill results from the El Canelo Vein system within its Zacualpan district project. In Veracruz, Azucar Minerals presented drill results from its El Cobre project. ON MINING, Telson reported that process testing at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero shows increase in the production rate by 15%. Sierra Metals reported full year 2018 financial results. First Majestic reported 2018 production results from its Mexican operations. ON FINANCING McEwen closed a registered direct offering for aggregate gross proceeds of US$25M (Fenix project, Sinaloa). Vangold closed its first tranche of the previous announced private placement for gross proceeds of $335K and increased it to $700K (El Pinguino, Guanajuato). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mexus Gold announced positive progress towards Au production at its Santa Elena project in Sonora. Goldplay filed a mineral resource estimation and technical report for its san Marcial project in Sinaloa. First Majestic provided an update of its 2018 mineral reserve and resource estimates. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Odyssey provided an update of its Mexican phosphate project in Baja California Sur. In Jalisco, GoGold acquired and consolidated 29 mining concessions in a large exploration program called Los Ricos. Fortuna Silver reported that CONAGUA has completed its investigation and issued a resolution confirming that no remediation of the nearby Coyote Creek is required (San Jose mine, Oaxaca). The compnay also filed its fiscal 2018 annual report on form 40-F with the SEC. Minera Alamos filed its annual information form and 2018 annual report on Form 40-F. It also announced results of its annual meeting of shareholders (Mulatos mine, Sonora). GoGold announced results of their annual meeting of shareholders (Parral tailings project, Chihuahua). Consolidated Zinc provided an update regarding a land use agreement in place for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Levon announced the pass away of its CEO and appointed its VP Exploration as interim CEO (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Newmont received Mexican anti-trust approval for its pending acquisition of Goldcorp. Goldcorp, along with Institutional Shareholders Services Inc., continues to recommend that its shareholders vote in favour of the completion of the arrangement. Both companies also announced successful early tender period for exchange offers and consent solicitations. Goldcorp announced support for Newmont special dividend to its shareholders. Great Panther announced resignation of its Director (Topia mine, Durango).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Mazatlan, Sinaloa, will be the venue for the Discovery Mining Conference 2019 from April 2 to 4. Organizers expect the participation of 70 mining companies and the assistance of 1,000 national and foreigners’ people.
Sinaloa State, When announcing Mazatlan as the venue for the Discovery Mining Conference 2019, from April 2 to 4, the director of mining in the state, Alfredo Villegas Padilla, announced that this year at least US100M (MXP$1,937M) are expected in mining investment, both in new projects and in the continuity of some existing ones.

ON EXPLORATION

Colibri Resource Corporation, presented exploration results from its recently completed mapping and sampling programs on their Evelyn and Mesquite projects in Sonora. Highlights include two high grade assays of 43.9 g/t Au and 7.28 g/t Au, and several Au values varying from 0.13 to 0.57 g/t Au, from a shear zone containing orogenic type quartz veins at its Evelyn project. At El Mesquite project, the company geologists confirmed that the mineralization style is of the high sulphidation affinity and encountered Au values ranging from 17 ppb up to almost 1 g/t Au, and from 1 to 152 g/t Ag. Colibri plans to continue the mapping and sampling programs in both properties.
Kootenay Silver Inc., released exploration results from its ongoing mapping and surface sampling program conducted on its Columba Silver project in Chihuahua. Highlights of the recent field work include the discovery of five new veins, the high-grade values encountered in some of the veins, and the delineation of approximately 2km of strike length in new veins and veins extensions. Some of the significant sampling results are 692 g/t Ag over 0.8m, 426 g/t Ag over 0.70m, 360 g/t Ag over 1.8m, 330 g/t Ag over 2.0m, 275 g/t Ag over 3.5m, 215 g/t A over 3.0m, and 182 g/t Ag over 6.6m. The company is in the process of obtaining permits to conduct a drilling program in the first half of Q2, 2019.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc., identified additional drill targets at its Pino de Plata project in Chihuahua. Field examination conducted by geologists of the company identified a new zone of over 20 square kilometers of strongly altered rock located to the west of the El Terrero target. It appears to be associated with La Perla Vein and the historic El Terrero workings. Currently, the geological field crews are using a portable XRF (x-ray fluorescence) analyzer and a near-infrared spectrometer to obtain immediate indications of mineralization, pathfinder elements and associated alteration. Several sample lines will be tested on outcrops and soils with the handheld instruments as an orientation survey prior to detailed data collection on a grid pattern.
Advanced Gold Corp., announced that a phase 3 drilling program is ongoing at its Tabasqueña property in Zacatecas. ”Two targets are planned to be drilled during this program, one is a near surface target and the other deeper to test the boiling zone of the cluster of epithermal veins drilled in the two earlier phases of drilling”. Focus of the phase 3 drilling program is to drill deeper to target the boiling zone of the epithermal vein system
Impact Silver Corp., announced results of the initial six holes program drilled on the El Canelo Vein within its Zacualpan district project in the State of Mexico. Four of the six holes encountered encouraging mineralized intersections. Significant intercepts are in hole Z19-01 with 4.84 g/t Au, 24 g/t Ag, and 0.1% Cu (5.27 g/t AuEq) over 2.69m (TW); hole Z19-03 with 1.64 g/t Au, 39 g/t Ag, and 0.93% Cu (3.46 g/t AuEq) over 1.17m (TW), and hole Z19-04 with 1.01 g/t Au, 99 g/t Ag, and 0.97% Cu (3.61 g/t AuEq) over 0.35m (TW).
Azucar Minerals Ltd., presented drill results from El Porvenir and Suegro zones within its El Cobre project in Veracruz. El Suegro target is located 250m south of El Porvenir Zone, and the mineralization is associated with an altered intrusive displaying locally intense phyllic alteration overprinting potassic alteration. Significant drill intersections at El Porvenir Zone were encountered in hole EC-18-056 with 184m of 0.48 g/t Au and 0.16% Cu, including 72.50m of 0.99 g/t Au and 0.26% Cu, and 28.50m of 1.66 g/t Au and 0.33% Cu, and in hole EC-18-062 with 194.55m of 0.23 g/t Au and 0.16% Cu, including 47.25m of 0.44 g/t Au and 0.16% Cu, and 36m of 0.49 g/t Au and 0.17% Cu. At the Suegro Zone, significant drill intersections were encountered in hole EC-18-064 with 109.30m of 0.24 g/t Au and 0.13% Cu, including 3m of 0.93 g/t Au and 0.43% Cu, and in hole EC-18-06 with 130.50m of 0.16 g/t Au and 0.15% Cu, including 13m of 0.26 g/t Au and 0.17% Cu. “The newly discovered Suegro zone demonstrates the potential for multiple porphyry centers over a five kilometers strike”.

ON MINING

Telson Mining Corporation, reported that a significant increase in production at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero can be achieved by reducing the size of crushed mineral mill feed. With this, Telson plans to increase the SAG Mill throughput processing rate by at least 15%.
Sierra Metals Inc., presented full year 2018 financial results from its mining operations. The company had revenue of $232.4M and adjusted EBITDA of $89.8M on throughput of 2,325,288 tonnes and metal production of 2.72M Oz Ag, 33.9M Lb Cu, 27.7M Lb Pb, 76.8M Lb Zn, and 7,743 Oz Au or 18M Oz AgEq, 95.2M Lb CuEq, and 251 M Lb ZnEq for the year 2018.
First Majestic Silver Corp., announced 2018 production results of its Mexican operations. The next table shows figures by mine:

ON FINANCING

McEwen Mining Inc., closed a registered direct offering for aggregate gross proceeds of US$25M. Insiders of the company, including Rob McEwen subscribed for US$3M of the offering (Fenix project, Sinaloa).
Vangold Mining Corp., closed its first tranche of the previous announced private placement for gross proceeds of $335K. It also increased it private placement to $700K (El Pinguino, Guanajuato

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Goldplay Exploration Ltd., filed a mineral resource estimation and technical report for its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. “The report documents a maiden mineral resource estimate for the initial 500 m long x 100 m wide resource area, part of a 3.5 km mineralized exploration corridor at the San Marcial Project”. Indicated resources are 7.6M of tonnes at grades of 117 g/t Ag, 0.5% Zn, and 0.3% Ob (or 147 g/t AgEq) containing 29M Oz Ag, 86M Lb Zn, and 53M Lb Pb or 36M Oz AgEq. Inferred resources are 3.39M tonnes of 91 g/t Ag, 0.35% Zn, and 0.1%Pb (or 108 g/t AgEq) containing 10M Oz Ag, 26M Lb Zn, and 8M Lb Pb or 12M Oz AgEq.
Mexus Gold US, announced positive progress towards Au production at its Santa Elena project in Sonora. The company has already purchased a CAT front end loader and a Gardner Denver hydraulic track mounted blast drill. It also confirmed that the company has sufficient ore grades to begin a 3500 ton per week mining operation with expected grades of 4 grams Au per ton.
First Majestic Silver Corp., updated its mineral reserve and resource estimates as of December 31, 2018. Figures by mine are showed in the next tables:

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc., provided an update of its Mexican phosphate project in Baja California Sur. The company has advised that a legal step has been taken to defend shareholder interests and realize the full economic value in the development of the project due to the negative decision of the past administration of Mexico to authorize the development of its project. Odyssey has filed a claim against Mexico under Chapter eleven of NAFTA.
GoGold Resources Inc., signed an option agreement to acquire and consolidate 29 mining concessions in a large exploration program called Los Ricos in Jalisco. The consolidated area covers 22,000 ha and is located approximately 100km NW of Guadalajara City. As part of the option agreement to consolidate the concessions of this large-scale exploration property, the Company will make an upfront payment of $70K, monthly payments of $12K for the first 12 months, monthly payments of $20K for months 13 to 24, monthly payments of $30K for months 25 to 36, monthly payments of $31.5K for the months 37 to 60. It also includes a 2% NSR on five of the concessions. If the company elects to exercise the option, a lump sum payment not to exceed $11 million can be made at any time within the six year option period.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported that CONAGUA has completed its investigation and issued a resolution on the overflow of the contingency pond at the dry stack tailings facility at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. CONAGUA confirmed that no remediation of the nearby Coyote Creek is required but the company received a fine of approximately $US42K related to the incident. On the other hands, it also filed its fiscal 2018 annual report on form 40-F with the SEC.
Alamos Gold Inc., filed its annual information form and 2018 annual report on Form 40-F. It also announced results of its annual meeting of shareholders (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
GoGold Resources Inc., announced results of their annual meeting of shareholders (Parral tailings project, Chihuahua).
Consolidated Zinc Limited, announced that a local rancher with which the company has a land use agreement commenced legal proceedings against the Mexican subsidiary that owns the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, to terminate the agreement. Legal advises received by the company determined there was no basis for the proceedings.
Levon Resources Ltd., announced the pass away of its CDEO and appointed its VP Exploration as interim CEO (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
Newmont Mining Corporation, received the Mexican anti-trust approval for its pending acquisition of Goldcorp Inc. Goldcorp, along with Institutional Shareholders Services Inc., continues to recommend that its shareholders vote in favour of the completion of the arrangement. Both companies also announced successful early tender period for exchange offers and consent solicitations. Goldcorp announced support for Newmont Special Dividend to its shareholders. The dividend delivers value to existing Newmont shareholders with an immediate cash payment for a portion of the synergy potential arising from the Nevada joint venture announced with Barrick Gold Corporation.
Great Panther Mining Limited, announced resignation of its Director (Topia mine, Durango).

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 rhyolite breccia cemented by Mn oxides in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

January 21, 2019January 21, 2019 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Kaolin in a Hg prospect

By Miguel A Heredia

During the third week of the year (January 14^th to January 20^th, 2019), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with thirteen communicating production results, eight informing on exploration results, seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, one announcing financing rounds, one discussing Mexican issues, and one reporting a feasibility study for mine expansion on its property. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, mining leader and senator of the MORENA party, declared that is ready to go over the mining companies that do not pay enough taxes, pollute the environment and have too much ground in mining concessions. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, San Marco, Silver Viper, Mexus, Sonoro, and Ridgestone announced drilling results from their Chunibas, La Virginia, Santa Elena, Cerro Caliche, and Rebeico properties respectively. In Chihuahua, Mammoth posted a technical report on its 2017-2018 drilling program at its Tenoriba project, and VVC released drilling results from its Samalayuca project. In Sinaloa, Goldplay outlined 5 new exploration targets at its San Marcial project. ON MINING, Alamos Gold, Alio, Premier, Coeur, GoGold, McEwen, Excellon, Avino, Hecla, Goldcorp, Fortuna and First Majestic reported Q4 and full year 2018 production results from their Mexican operations. Mako Mining reported that are pumping water from its Taunus pit at La Trinidad mine in Sinaloa and expect to commence mining by month end. Great Panther provided 2019 production and cost guidance for their Mexican operations. ON FINANCING, Impact closed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement for $1.19M for a total raise of $1.7M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Leagold announced a feasibility study for the expansion of its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Goldplay announced the listing of its shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (San Marcial, Sinaloa). Mako reported that now holds a 100% interest in the La Trinidad mine in Sinaloa. SilverCrest announced executive appointments (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Oroco provided an update on its option to acquire an additional interest in its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Prize provided an update about an order on regulatory matters issued by the Alberta Securities Commission (Manto Negro project, Coahuila). Newmont and Goldcorp entered into a definitive agreement to create the world´s leading gold company. Minera Alamos launched new website (Santana project, Sonora).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, mining leader and senator of the MORENA party, declared that is ready to go over the mining companies that do not pay enough taxes, pollute the environment and have too ground in mineral concessions. The mining leader is reviewing mineral concessions and said that mining companies should contribute to the government with more revenues. He also said that the Mining Law of Mexico has to be regulated in accordance with the interests of the country. “We are looking at the cancellation terms for a concession and its extension, because 50, 100 years is too long,” he explained. The senator also mentioned not to have in mind any particular tax for companies.

ON EXPLORATION

San Marco Resources Inc., released phase 1 drilling results from its Chunibas project in Sonora, where, under a JV option agreement with a subsidiary of Antofagasta plc., the company is exploring several Cu-Ag rich mineralized targets mapped on surface. Drilling carried out at Chunibas project consisted of 1,640m in 7 shallow drill holes and tested 2km of the NW-SE striking mineralized corridor with 5 drill holes, and 400m of a NE-SW section perpendicular to the corridor with 2 drill holes. The drilling program has confirmed the existence of a typical Cu-Ag manto-type system. Highlights include hole CHD18-05 with 7.5m of 0.1% Cu and 2 g/t Ag and 22m of 0.05% Cu and 0.7 g/t Ag; hole CHD18-06 with 3m of 0.08% Cu and 0.6 g/t Ag; and hole CHD18-07 with 6m of 0.06% Cu and 0.3 g/t Ag.
Silver Viper Minerals Corp., reported second batch drilling results from its la Virginia project in Sonora. Significant results are at El Rubi Zone in hole LV18-201 with 13.3m (6m TW) with 3.16 g/t Au and 228 g/t Ag (6.42 g/t AuEq), including 4m (1.8m TW) of 3.75 g/t Au and 258 g/t Ag (7.43 g/t AuEq), and including 1m (0.45m TW) of 8.30 g/t Au and 782 g/t Ag (19.47 g/t AuEq); hole LV18-200 with 12m (9m TW) of 1.52 g/t Au and 133 g/t Ag (3.42 g/t AuEq), including 2m (1.5m TW) of 5.51 g/t Au and 537 g/t Ag (13.18 g/t AuEq); and hole LV18-203 with 10m (5m TW) of 1.1 g/t Au and 97 g/t Ag (2.48 g/t AuEq), and 12m (6m TW) of 1.37 g/t Au and 81 g/t Ag (2.53 g/t AuEq), including 1m (0. 5m TW) of 13.20 g/t Au and 780 g/t Ag (24.34 g/t AuEq). A third and final batch of results are pending and will be released once the assays are received.
Mexus Gold US, announced that the 1^st phase of drilling at its Santa Elena project in Sonora has been completed. Final results are expected to arrive in February 2019. Until now, “Hole 7 is the best evidence of high-grade gold at 9.89 g/t Au with an attractive width of 5.3 meters and an overall average of 3.12 g/t Au”.
Sonoro Metals Corp., completed 45 RC holes totaling 4,604m at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora, confirming a luster of eight northwest trending gold-dominant structures surrounded by parallel sheeted veinlets and stockwork veinlets. Significant drill intersections are Highlights from the final 14 holes include 12.19m of 11.2 g/t Au and 5.9 g/t Ag (11.3 g/t AuEq); 4.57m of 4.67 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (4.69 g/t AuEq); and 12.19m of 0.82 g/t Au and 8.5 g/t Ag (0.95 g/t AuEq).
Ridgestone Mining Inc., released final assay results from an initial drill program conducted at its Rebeico project in Sonora. Significant intersections are in hole 18REB6 with 3.25m of 8.31 g/t Au and 2.41% Cu, including 0.5m of 6.95 g/t Au and 1.31% Cu, and 1m of 17.7 g/t Au and 5.95% Cu, and 1m of 5.59 g/t Au and 0.83% Cu; and hole 18REB10 with 1.5m of 36.1 g/t Au and 1.22 g/t Ag, and 1.46 g/t Au and 0.07% Cu.
Mammoth Resources Corp., posted an internal technical report based on 13 holes totaling 2,700m drilled during its 2017-2018 drilling program conducted on its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. Some of the conclusions are: At El Moreno area, feldspar porphyry intrusive rocks were intersected displaying porphyry –style mineralization including disseminated sulphides and complex stockworks-sulphide rich veinlets. Hole TEN 17-02 intersected 80m of 0.17 g/t AuEq: Phyllic-pyrite alteration was also identified in drill core and consists of illite-tourmaline and dickite; K-feldspar flooding was observed at deeper intervals and the presence of 7.2m of 3.59% Cu in hole TEN 17-03. At the Carneritos area, mineralization identified is more typical of high sulphidation and consists of narrow pyrite rich veinlets in a stockwork texture associated with silica, dickite and local patchy vuggy silica alteration. Hole TEN 17-06 intersected 126.08m of 0.52 g/t AuEq, including 25m of 1.21 g/t AuEq.
VVC Exploration Corporation, announced the results for the last 11 drill holes from its Samalayuca project in Chihuahua. The most significant intersections are in hole SC18-056 with 19.65m of 0.32% Cu; hole SC18-057 with 28m of 0.79% Cu; and hole SC18-058 with 5m of 0.55% Cu. “The 2017/18 drilling program confirmed significant, near surface, copper mineralization over an approximate 5km strike length.”
Goldplay Exploration Ltd., outlined with soil and rock sampling five new exploration targets at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. Faisanes, Cabañas, Nava, Pedregal, and Chachalaca targets have been prioritized for follow up exploration and detailed geological mapping in H1, 2019. “The Cabañas and Faisanes targets demonstrate very similar geology to the historic resource, while the Nava and Pedregal targets indicate a NE-SW trending structural setting, superimposed on a volcanic package of rhyolites and andesites cut by dioritic dykes. The Chachalaca trend is interpreted as a NW-SE trending structural setting, with geology dominated by rhyolites and andesites”.

ON MINING

Alamos Gold Inc., reported its Q4 and annual 2018 production results from their Mulatos and El Chanate mines in Sonora. Production from Mulatos in Q4 was 35.6K Oz Au for a full year 2018 of 175.5K Oz Au. At El Chanate mine, Alamos produced 35.6K Oz Au in Q4 2018 for an annual 2018 production of 43.7K Oz Au. Alamos Gold expects to produce between 150K-160K Oz Au in 2019. Mining activities ceased at El Chanate mine in Q4 2018 and has transitioned to residual leaching which will result in a declining rate of production through 2019.
Alio Gold Inc., announced its Q4 and full year 2018 production results from its San Francisco Mine in Sonora. At its San Francisco mine the company achieved a Q4 production of 10.3K Oz Au for a full year 2018 production of 54K Oz Au. The company reported that “there are sufficient stockpiles to operate at full capacity throughout 2019 (as at July 1, 2018, the low-grade stockpile consisted of approximately 7.2 M tonnes of 0.26 g/t gold material (60.2K contained Oz Au). Gold production at San Francisco mine is expected to remain consistent with current production levels for at least the first half of 2019”.
Premier Gold Mines Limited, reported its Q4 and full year 2018 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. In Q4, the company produced 22.5K Oz Au and 119K Oz Ag for an annual 2018 production of 68.7K Oz Au and 309.2K Oz Ag.
Coeur Mining Inc., released its Q4 and full 2018 production results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. In Q4, Coeur milled 378,389 tonnes of 2.49 g/t Au and 185 g/t Ag to produce 31.2K Oz Au and 1.9M Oz Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 97.6% and 84% respectively. For the full year 2018, the company milled 1,382,471 tonnes of 3.1 g/t Au and 202 g/t Ag to produce 122.7K Oz Au and 7.5M Oz Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.9% and 83.8% respectively.
GoGold Resources Inc, announced its Q4 2018 production results from its Parral operation in Chihuahua. In Q4, GoGold produced 1,828 Oz Au and 168K Oz Ag for a total of 325K Oz AgEq.
Mc Ewen Mining Inc., presented its Q4 and annual 2018 production results from its El Gallo mine in Sinaloa. The company produced 5.6K Oz AuEq in Q4 for a total full 2018 production of 39.1K Oz AuEq. By the end of Q2 2018, mining and crushing activities ceased at El Gallo mine and were followed by residual heap leaching. Closure, reclamation, and residual heap leaching activities are ongoing and will continue for several years.
Excellon Resources Inc., announced its Q4 and annual 2018 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango. Excellon milled 16,570 tonnes of 556 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb and 6% Zn in Q4 to produce 274.3M Oz Ag, 1.5M Lb Pb, and 1.8M Lb Zn. In the full 2018 year, Excellon milled 57,475 tonnes of 488 g/t Ag, 4.8% Pb, and 6.9% Zn to produce 917.7M Oz Ag, 5.4M Lb Pb, and 7.9M Lb Zn.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., presented its Q4 and full year 2018 production results from their Avino, San Gonzalo and Above Ground Stockpiles in Durango. In Q4, the company milled 189,574 consolidated tonnes of 64 g/t Ag, 0.5 g/t Au, 0.44% Cu to produce 288.6K Oz Ag, 1,973 Oz Au, and 1.4M Lb Cu with metallurgical recoveries of 75%, 64% and 72% respectively. For the full 2018 year, Avino milled 708.7K tonnes of 73 g/t Ag, 0.53 g/t Au, and 0.43% Cu to produce 1.3M Oz Ag, 8K Oz Au, and 4.8M Lb Cu with metallurgical recoveries of 76%, 65%, and 72% respectively.
Hecla Mining Company, announced its Q4 and annual 2018 production results from its San Sebastian mine in Durango. Hecla produced 443.3K Oz Ag and 2,928 Oz Au in Q4 and 2M Oz Ag and 15K Oz Au in the full 2018 year. The mill operated at an average of 429tpd in 2018.
Goldcorp Inc., released its Q4 and annual 2018 production results from their operations. Goldcorp did not report results by mine but produced 630K Oz Au in Q4 and 2.3M Oz Au in the full 2018 year.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported its Q4 and annual 2018 production results from its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Fortuna milled 256,181 tonnes of 1.58 g/t Au and 230 g/t Ag in Q4 to produce 11.8K Oz Au and 1.7M Oz Ag. In the full 2018 year, Fortuna milled 534,773 tonnes of 1.75 g/t Au and 260 g/t Ag to produce 53.5K Oz Au and 8M Oz Ag.
First Majestic Silver Corp., presented its mine by mine Q4 2018 production results from their Mexican operations. The table below shows production details for each mine:

Mako Mining Corp., reported that are still in the process of dewatering the Taunus pit at its La Trinidad mine in Sinaloa and has already reached bench -56, where there are over 57M tonnes of blasted rock of 1.35 g/t Au. The company expects to commence mining by month end, at which time crushing and stacking on the leach pad can once again resume. There is an estimated of 30K Oz of recoverable Au left in the Taunus pit. The Company is still evaluating the safest and most effective mine plan to recover the remaining Oz Au.
Great Panther Silver Limited, provided 2019 production and cost guidance for their two Mexican operations: Topia in Durango and the Guanajuato mine complex which includes the San Ignacio and the Guanajuato mines. Great Panther expects to produce in 2019 over 3.7-4.0 M AgEq. The company also has taken the step of realigning their Mexican operations to reduce cost and maximize mine operating cash-flow, with a modest reduction in their production ounces.

ON FINANCING

Impact Silver Corp., closed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement for $1.19M for a total raise of $1.7M. Gross proceeds will be used to explore its Zacualpan project in State of Mexico for additional potential targets, to improve the efficiency at its Guadalupe production mill, and for general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Leagold Mining Corporation, announced a feasibility study for the expansion of its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. Highlights of the FS are: production of 3.3M Oz Au over a 10-year mine life (2019-2028) at an average AISC of $795; and proven and probable mineral reserves of 111.3M tonnes of 1.23 g/t Au containing a total of 4.5M Oz Au. Post expansion (2021 onwards) include an average annual production of 350K Oz Au at AISC of $759/Oz and an average annual production exceeding 400K Oz Au from 2012 to 2013.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Goldplay Exploration Ltd, announced the listing of its shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol GPE effective January 15, 2019 (San Marcial project, Sinaloa).
Mako Mining Corp., completed the acquisition of Golden Reign Resources Ltd., from Marlin Gold Mining Ltd., and now holds a 100% interest in the la Trinidad mine in Sinaloa.
SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the appointment of its VP Exploration and Technical Services and its Executive VP Business Development (Las Chispas project, Sonora).
Oroco Resource Corp., engaged an independent QP to prepare a technical report on its Santo Tomas property in Sinaloa. It allows Oroco to acquire an additional interest on the property.
Prize Mining Corporation, provided an update about the order issued by the Alberta Securities Commission on December 21, 2019, requiring that all trading in securities of Prize cease and that Prize must cease trading in all securities. Prize applied for a further adjournment and now the Alberta Securities Commission issued a variation order dated January 14, 2019 to adjourn the hearing to February 1, 2019.
Newmont Mining Corporation & Goldcorp Inc., entered into a definitive agreement to form Newmont Goldcorp and create the world´s leading gold company. Newmont will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Goldcorp in a stock-by-stock transaction valued in $10B. “Newmont Goldcorp’s Reserves and Resources will represent the largest in the gold sector and will be located in favorable mining jurisdictions in the Americas, Australia and Ghana, representing approximately 75 percent, 15 percent and 10 percent, respectively”. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction, which is expected to be closed in Q2, 2019.
Minera Alamos Inc., launched a new brand and improved website.

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, kaolin in a Hg prospect in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Highlights on the Second Week of October, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

October 15, 2018 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Sodic hydrothermal alteration

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 41^th week of the year (October 08^th to October 14^th, 2018), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eight reporting mining activities, seven informing on exploration results, four announcing financing issues, four communicating deals and corporate issues, two making donations to the local communities where they are working, and two reporting on resources and developments. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Alamos Gold donated an educational center while Fresnillo plc contributed with a community library. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Minera Alamos reported drilling results from its Santana project, Sonoro Metals announced the launching of a 10,000m RC drilling program at its Cerro Caliche project, and Mexus announced an upcoming drill program at its Santa Elena project. In Chihuahua, VVC released drill results from its Samalayuca project. In Coahuila, Prize Mining reported underground sampling results from its Manto Negro project. In Zacatecas, Advanced Gold presented drill results from its Tabasquena project. In Jalisco, Evrim received the environmental permit to drill its Cuale project. ON MINING, Capstone, Coeur, Endeavour, Fortuna, Great Panther, McEwen and Sierra Metals reported Q3 2018 results from their Mexican operations. Fortuna also reported overflow problems in the tailings facilities at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. ON FINANCING, Galore closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CDN$ 419.6 K. VVC increased its previous non-brokered private placement to CAD$ 2.5M. Sable raised an aggregate of $4.6M. Telson closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $6.8M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Americas Silver provided updated mineral reserve and resource estimates for its Cosala operation in Sinaloa. Goldplay announced sampling results of historical core from its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sonoro Metals acquired a 100% interest in the Cabeza Blanca concession (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Consolidated Zinc extended its share purchase plan until Monday 22 October, 2018 (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua). Leagold (Los Filos mine, Guerrero) appointed new COO and Plata Latina (El Naranjillo, Guanajuato) announced resignation of Director.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Alamos Gold Inc., donated an educational center to the communities of Matarachi and Mulatos in Sonora.
Fresnillo plc., contributed with a library for the community of the Ejido Rodeo in Durango.

ON EXPLORATION

Minera Alamos Inc., reported initial results of a phase 1 drill program from its Santana project in Sonora. Significant intersections are Hole S118-116 with 93.5m of 0.65 g/t Au, Hole S118-115 with 17.8m of 0.73 g/t Au, and Hole S118-114 with 15.5m of 0.27 g/t Au and 14.9m of 1.4 g/t Au. “The first three holes were drilled near or within the Nicho deposit and were intended to evaluate mineralized extensions of previous exploration programs”. Assay results are pending from the remaining seven holes drilled during this phase 1 program.
Sonoro Metals Corp., announced the launching of a 10,00m RC drill program at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. The company has been granted with a 2 years environmental permit to drill 87 RC-holes in two years equivalent to approximately 10,000m. The Cerro Caliche´s target is a 2 square km zone with a cumulative total of over 10 km of gold mineralized quartz veins with associated lower grade veinlet zones.
Mexus Gold US, announced an upcoming drill program at its Santa Elena project in Sonora. Initial drilling will occur on 300m of the 2.2km long Julio vein and associated shear zone to probe a 100K Oz Au target.
VVC Exploration Corporation., presented results of sixteen holes drilled at the Gloria Extension East Zone within its Samalayuca project in Chihuahua. Highlights results are in Hole SC18-033 with 8.2m of 0.66% Cu, Hole SC18-34 with 10.1m of 0.34% Cu, Hole SC18-38 with 9.55m of 0.34% Cu, Hole SC18-39 with 9.6m of 0.38 % Cu, Hole SC18-40 with 14.4m of 0.35% Cu, Hole SC18-41 with 13.45m of 0.39% Cu, Hole SC18-43 with 25m of 0.32% Cu, Hole SC18-45 with 8m of 0.43% Cu, Hole SC18-46 with 6m of 0.41% Cu, Hole SC18-48 with 9m of 0.30% Cu, and Hole SC18-49 with 7.5m and 6m with 0.33% Cu and 0.35% Cu respectively.
Prize Mining Corporation, reported underground channel sampling results from the El Granizo mine within its Manto Negro Copper project in Coahuila. Thirty two individual samples returned > 1% Cu with a peak of 9% Cu. The weighted average content of the underground channel sampling was 2.62% Cu over an average channel height of 1.7m. Eleven samples returned > 100 g/t Ag and up to 199 g/t Ag, and eight samples with > 1% Pb to a maximum of 2.78% Pb.
Advanced Gold Corp., presented drill results from its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas. Three holes were drilled below the near surface oxide zone of the Tabasquena vein, the two furthest apart being 125m along strike. Highlights include the increase of the amount of quartz as drilling deeper and the discovery of 5 new blind epithermal veins.
Evrim Resources Corp., received drill permit and mobilized drill crew to its Cuale high sulphidation project in Jalisco. The drill program will consist of at least 3,000m and comprises between 10-15 drill holes. “The first drill holes at Cuale are planned at La Gloria to test the depth extent of the high grade Au mineralization encountered in trenches 1 and 4, followed by other high priority drill targets throughout the trenched area. Drilling is also planned at four step-out areas to test geophysical targets within the anomalous gold in soil geochemical and rock chip halo, including the North Dome which extends up to 1,000m north of the trenched area.

ON MINING

Capstone Mining Corporation, reported Q3 2018 results from its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. Capstone milled 270,436 tonnes at a grade of 1.7% Cu, 1.1% Zn, 0.3% Pb and 49 g/t Ag to produce 9.7M Lb Cu, 4.6M Lb Pb, 983K Lb Pb, and 321K Oz Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 94.7%, 67.1%, 51.3% and 75.9% respectively.
Coeur Mining Inc., provided Q3 2018 results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Coeur processed 300, 116 tonnes of 195 g/t Ag and 0.12 g/t Au to produce 1.3M Oz Ag and 14.7K Oz Au.
Endeavour Silver Corp., released Q3 2018 results from their three Ag-Au Mexican operations: Guanaceví mine in Durango, and the Bolañitos and El Cubo mines in Guanajuato. Production table for the third quarter is as follow:

Production for mine	Tonnes produced	Tonnes per day	Grade Ag (g/t)	Grade Au (g/t)	Rec. Ag (%)	Rec. Au (%)	Ag Oz	Au Oz
Guanaceví	81,268	883	218	0.48	91.0	88.8	518,318	1,114
Bolañitos	109,728	1,193	84	1.67	79.7	82.0	236,197	4,832
El Cubo	126,825	1,379	188	2.00	88.0	86.1	674,313	7,022
Consolidated	317,821	3,455	160	1.50	87.5	84.8	1,428,828	12,968

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q3 2018 results from its San Jose Mine in Oaxaca. Fortuna milled 262,710 tonnes of 258 g/t Ag and 1.61 g/t Au to produce 2M Oz Ag and 12.4K Oz Au, with metallurgical recoveries of 91.47% and 91.24% respectively. The company also reported that the heavy seasonal rains caused an overflow in a contingency pod of the dry stack tailings facilities at its San Jose mine.
Great Panther Silver Limited, announced Q3 2018 production results from their Mexican operations. At the Guanajuato Mine Complex, Great Panther processed 74,303 tonnes with grades of 124 g/t Ag and 2.12 g/t Au to produce 260.8K Oz Ag and 4.4K Oz Au with metallurgical recoveries of 87.8% and 87.1% respectively. At the Topia mine, the company processed 18,617 tonnes with grades of 334 g/t Ag, 0.90 g/t Au to produce 188K Oz Ag, 323 Oz Au, 11.28M Lb Pb, and 1.4M Lb Zn, with metallurgical recoveries of 94.0% for Ag and 59.6% for Au.
McEwen Mining Inc., presented production results from its El Gallo project in Sinaloa. Residual heap leaching at El Gallo resulted in 10.5K GEOs (gold equivalent ounces) in Q3 2018.
Sierra Metals Inc., released Q3 2018 production results from their Mexican operations. At the Bolivar mine, Sierra Metals processed 227,690 tonnes of 0.99% Cu, 17 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au to produce 3.9M Lb Cu, 94K Oz Ag and 911 Oz Au with metallurgical recoveries of 78.30%, 74.27% and 68.59% respectively. At Cusi mine, the company processed 55,058 tonnes of 156 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.3% Zn to produce 231K Oz Ag, 84 Oz Au 243K Lb Pb, and none Zn, with metallurgical recoveries of 83.49%, 32.97%, 78.0%, and 0.0% respectively.

ON FINANCING

Galore Resources Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$ 419.6K (Dos Santos, Zacatecas).
VVC Exploration Corporation, increased its non-brokered equity private placement financing to CAD$1.2M from the previously announced CAD$ 1.2M (Samalayuca Copper project, Chihuahua).
Sable Resources Ltd., raised an aggregate of $4.6M and also closed its previously announced bought deal financing for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.5M (Margarita project, Chihuahua).
Telson Mining Corporation, closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $6.8M to finalize the construction of the Tahuehueto mine in Durango.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Americas Silver Corporation, provided update mineral reserve and resource estimates for its Cosala operation in Sinaloa, including Nuestra Señora, El Cajón, and San Rafel mines and the Zone 120 deposit. The estimate also includes San Felipe project in Sonora on which the company holds an option. Proven and probable mineral reserves at Cosala operation as June 30, 2018 are 2.9M tonnes of 110 g/t Ag, 1.7% Pb, and 4.0% Zn for a total content of 10.3 M Oz Ag, 107.7M Lb Pb, and 255.7M Lb Zn. Measured and Indicated mineral resources at Cosala (exclusive of mineral reserves) are 8.9M tonnes of 129 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1.2% Zn for a total content of 36.9M Oz Ag, 49M Lb Cu, 102.8M Lb Pb, and 231.2M Lb Zn, while inferred resources are 2.96M tonnes of 113 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 1.4% Zn for a total content of 10.8M Oz Ag, 14M Lb Cu, 59.1M Lb Pb, and 88.1M Lb Zn. At San Felipe project, measured and indicated mineral resources are 4.7M tonnes of 61 g/t Ag, 2.48% Pb, and 5.42% Zn for a total content of 9.1M Oz Ag, 256M Lb Pb and 559.7M Lb Zn, while inferred resources are 2M tonnes of 48 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, and 3.6 g/t Zn for a total content of 3.1M Oz Ag, 63.2M Lb Pb and 157.8M Lb Zn.
Goldplay Exploration Ltd., announced positive results from sampling of the historical core at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. Highlights results are in Hole SM-10-07 with 57.3m (TW 51.6m) of 122 g/t Ag Eq, including 14.3m (TW 12.9m) of 278 g/t Ag Eq, including 18.6m (TW 16.7m) of 117 g/T Ag Eq, and Hole SM-10-15 with 7m (TW 52.8m) of 104 g/t Ag Eq, including 12.5m (TW 11.2m) of 379 g/t Ag Eq. “The high-grade results support open pit potential of the initial 500 meter long deposit”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Sonoro Metals Corp., acquired a 100% interest in the 10 Has Cabeza Blanca concession paying to the vendor US$175K and 250K Sonoro common shares, this to be paid in five installments over 2 years. “The Cabeza Blanca agreement completes our acquisition of all the mineral concessions under consideration within the 14 km² Cerro Caliche group,” said Kenneth MacLeod, President and CEO of Sonoro. “Cabeza Blanca’s strategic location within Cerro Caliche, along with the positive results from our sampling program and similar results from earlier exploration programs, makes this concession a priority target for Sonoro to drill.”
Consolidated Zinc Limited, extended its share purchase plan until Monday 22 October, 2018 from the previous closing date of 15 October 2018.

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, sodic hydrothermal alteration in a Cu-Mo prospect in Coahuila, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Highlights on the Second Week of September, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

September 17, 2018 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Banded quartz epithermal vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 37^th week of the year (September 10^th to September 16^th, 2018), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten informing on exploration results, six reporting on resources and developments, four communicating deals and corporate issues, and two announcing production results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Riverside and Kootenay announced exploration results from its Cecilia and La Mina projects respectively. In Chihuahua, Harvest Gold began preparations to drill test its Cerro Cascaron project and Sable Resources released drilling results from its Margarita project. In Sinaloa, Auxico reported sampling results from its Zamora project In Durango, Gainey announced a 1^st phase of exploration at its Las Margaritas project, Orex commenced fieldwork exploration on its San Luis del Cordero project, and Prospero reported drilling results from its Buenavista project. In Zacatecas, Advance Gold started a phase 2 drilling program at its Tabasquena project. In Jalisco, Evrim announced trench and soil results from its Cuale project. ON MINING, Starcore reported Q1 2018 results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. US Antimony announced plans to increase its production of Sb, Au and Ag in Mexico. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, In Sonora, SilverCrest and Premier Gold released drilling results from its Las Chispas and Mercedes projects respectively. Aura provided an update at its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. Candelaria announced a PEA for its Pinos Gold project in Zacatecas. McEwen reported that hopes to add 12 years of mine life at its El Gallo Complex in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Evrim and First Majestic agreed to exercise the Ermitaño and Cumobabi option agreements in Sonora. New Gold announced the appointment of its new President and CEO (Cerro San Pedro mine, San Luis Potosi). Levon announced results from its annual general meeting (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Vangold withdrew its submission to acquire the San Carlos property in Guanajuato (El Pinguico mine, Guanajuato).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

Riverside Resources Inc., completed 11 N-S lines for soil sampling which returned strong multi-elements anomalies with Au, Pb, Cu, and other key elements. These results along with previous exploration work have outlined four new target areas on its Cecilia project in Sonora. Target 1 is a 4km long by 300m wide target where previous rock sampling has found up to 2 g/t Au in silicified conglomerates , but the soil anomaly is open in both directions beyond the 4 Km and more than 800m wide. Target 2 is a NE trending Ag, Pb, Au, Zn, Sb, Hg and Cu soil anomaly over 2km long and 600m wide in rock cracks with faults and host veining displaying a series of NW striking feeder dikes. Target 3 is a 1km long by 500m wide Au-Zn with minor Ag, Cu, Pb and Bi soil anomaly associated to a N-S trending fault system intersecting Paleozoic limestones. This target is also along the border edge of a magnetic high reported in a regional government geophysics survey likely associated with Pre Cambrian granitic basement. Target 4 contains “high-grade gold samples in soils and alteration with jasperoid, silicification, and carbonate veining of the Paleozoic limestone that gives a potential limestone hosted Au with anomalous soil assays of Zn, Pb, Ag and Mn”.
Kootenay Silver Inc., announced that its partner Capstone Mining Corp., has commenced an exploration program on its la Mina project in Sonora. The exploration program will consists of detailed mapping and rock chip / stream sediment sampling to generate potential drill targets.
Harvest Gold Corporation, reported that Evrim Resources, its JV partner and operator on its Cerro Cascaron project in Chihuahua, has mobilized an advance team to the site to start preparations to drill test the property. The drill program, expected to commence at the end of September, will consist of 3,000 m to test the Cascaron Gold targets and the Cascarita Silver targets.
Sable Resources, released drilling results from its Margarita project in Chihuahua. Significant intersections are from hole M-DDH-18-09 with 6.5m of 111 g/t Ag Eq, including 3.5m of 153 g/t Ag; hole M-DDH-18-11 with 11.3m of 252 g/t Ag Eq, including 1.3m of 889 g/t Ag Eq; hole M-DDH-18-12 with 12.7m of 98 g/t Ag Eq, including 1.8m of 244 g/t Ag Eq. Additionally, Sable identified a low-grade stockwork style of mineralization evident in numerous holes. The most significant results are hole M-DDH-18-03 with 44.13m of 50 g/t Ag Eq, including 6.95m of 142 g/t Ag Eq; hole M-DDH-18-07 with 7.6m of 54 g/t Ag Eq, and hole M-DDH-18-12 with 21.35m of 37 g/t Ag Eq. “With the first stage of drilling now complete we will evaluate our results and formulate a plan for stage 2 drilling targeting further extensions of Margarita and the other adjacent parallel veins”.
Auxico Resources Canada Inc., reported high-grade sampling results from its Zamora project in Sinaloa. Significant results are 0.80m of 4Kg Ag and 29.2 g/t Au at La Franca claim, 600m southwest of the Campanillas mine along a structure that can be followed by at least 600m along strike. Mineralization consists of breccia-stockwork veining containing galena, sphalerite and possible silver sulphosalts, malachite and chalcopyrite. Other significant results are from Aguamas area where some channel samples returned 0.65m of 6.38 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag; 0.70m of 14.7 g/t Au and 34 g/t Ag; 0.50m of 3.55 g/t Au and 108.7 g/t Ag; and 1.60m of 6.64 g/t Au and 220 g/t Ag.
Gainey Capital Corp., announced a phase 1 exploration program on its Las Margaritas project in Durango. Las Margaritas is a mineralized vein system that extends at least 1.5Km along strike and averages 1-2m in width. The 1^st phase exploration program will consists of detailed mapping and sampling with the objective to identify prospective areas to generate the best drill targets.
Orex Minerals Inc., commenced an exploration program on its San Luis del Cordero project in Durango, where the company has an option to acquire 100% interest in the property from Exploraciones del Altiplano S.A. de C.V. Mineralization at San Luis del Cordero is characterized by skarn and epithermal vein Ag-Cu-Zn as a result of Tertiary-quartz-feldspar-porphyry intrusions affecting Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones, calcareous sandstones and shales. The project has seen several phases of exploration from different mining companies, including 16,400m drilled in 62 holes in the period 2000-2016. The property contains indicated resources of 662.6K tonnes of 121 g/t Ag, 0.78 % Cu and 1.1 % Zn for a total of 5.1M Oz Ag Eq, and inferred resources of 2, 785,300 tonnes of 144 g/t Ag, 0.75 % Cu and 1.45 % Zn, for a total of 24.4 M Oz Ag Eq.
Prospero Silver Corp., reported core drilling results from eleven holes totaling 2, 811m drilled at its Buenavista project in Durango. Mineralization drilled-tested at Buenavista consists of structurally controlled epithermal veins centered on a rhyolite dome complex. “All holes cut anomalous silver mineralization, with a best interval of 1.6m @ 353g/t Ag from 185.6m downhole, within a broader interval of 49m @ 43g/t Ag in hole BVF-18-05”.
Advance Gold Corp., started a second phase drilling program at its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas to test the La Tabasquena epithermal vein at a depth of 1,800m. Phase 2 will test below the gold discovery hole of phase 1. It also will test some of the potential feeder type targets and all of the veins below the oxide zone which goes down to an estimated 175 metres below surface.
Evrim Resources Corp., announced new trench and soil results from its Cuale project in Jalisco. Highlight results include the trench 2 which was extended from 29.4m to 184.1m with an average grade of 0.85 g/t Au, including 59.1m of 1.79 g/t Au, and including 21.6m of 4.18 g/t Au; Trench 4 , extended from 106.2m to 156.2m with an average grade of 9.57 g/t Au, including 64.6m of 20.85 g/t Au, and including 7.5m of 163.31 g/t Au; and Trench 5 which contains 174m of 0.62 g/t Au, including 70m of 1.16 g/t Au, and including 40m of 1.45 g/t Au. A soil grid with 200 metre spacing outlined a Au anomaly over the entire La Gloria prospect with grades >0.01 g/t Au of 2,300m by 800m with a central corridor of 1,700m by 300m >0.1 g/t Au extending north of the trenched area. “The soil anomaly at higher elevation correlates with elevated silver, antimony, molybdenum, arsenic and low contents of manganese and zinc. At lower elevations gold correlates with elevated copper, tellurium, arsenic, bismuth and iron”. “The new trench results expand the La Gloria zone to the northwest and the east with consistent gold mineralization. Soil sampling indicates the La Gloria system footprint is measurably larger with the potential to host a significant deposit and/or additional mineralized centers within the La Gloria prospect”. “The soil survey has a distinctive high sulphidation signature centred on a large gold in soil anomaly that is approximately 2,300 metres by 800 metres. The results indicate a potential major system with significant upside for additional mineralized centers within the La Gloria prospect.”

ON MINING

Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q21 2018 results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Starcore milled 77,400 tonnes of 1.53 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag to produce 3.3K Oz Au and 72.7K Oz Ag, with an all-in sustaining cost of US$ 1,215 for Eq Oz. Metallurgical recoveries were 88.1% for Au and 59.6% for Ag.
US Antimony Corporation, produced 131,184 Lb Sb and 1,244 short tonnes of zeolites in August 2018 and announced plans to increase its production of Sb, Au and Ag in Mexico. At its Wadley mine in San Luis Potosi, the general level will be reactivated by cleaning up the waste to provide access and transportation of the lower grade for the mill. At Sierra Guadalupe in Zacatecas, the Santa Monica drift will be restarted. The ore is primarily sulphides and can be upgraded to 60-70% Sb flotation concentrate at its Puerto Blanco Mill to make antimony tri-sulphide. At the Soyatal district in Queretaro, a buying program will be started to purchase direct shipping ore for its Madero smelter. The construction of the cyanide leach plant for the Los Juarez Au-Ag-Sb should allow pilot testing to commence during Q4 2018. The company also closed an agreement purchase, dismantle and transport an antimony plant from Reynosa, Tamaulipas. When installed, the equipment from the Reynosa plant will increase the capacity of the Madero Smelter in Coahuila to approximately 30,000,000 Lb per year of antimony oxide.

ON FINANCING

No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

SilverCrest Metals Inc., released drilling results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora and expanded the high grade at Babicanora Norte vein. Drill holes have intersected additional high-grade Ag-Au mineralization at Babicanora Norte vein which is located about 300m NE of Babicanora vein and apparently is connected with the Granaditas area which contains multiple veins to the southeast. The most significant results are 1.8 m of 15.11 g/t Au and 1,718 g/t Ag or 2,851 g/t Ag Eq, 1.6 m of 8.96 g/t Au and 1,078 g/t Ag or 1,750 g/t Ag Eq and 1.5 m of 4.22 g/t Au and 687 g/t Ag or 1 Kg Ag Eq. The drilling results of Babicanora Norte vein will be part of the upcoming updated resource which will include 8 of the 30 identified veins in the district.
Premier Gold Mines Limited, reported drilling results from the Rey de Oro deposit at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Highlights results include hole UG-R018-013 which returned 12.64 g/t Au and 240.1 g/t Ag across 29.65 m (TW of 13.5 m), hole UG-R018-015 with 0.41 g/t Au and 3120.0 g/t Ag (91.0 oz/ton) across 1.52 m (TW of 1.06 m), and hole UG-R018-012 with 17.00 g/t Au and 321.0 g/t Ag across 1.1 m (TW of 0.8 m) and 4.47 g/t Au and 138.5 g/t Ag across 8.25 m (TW of 6.1 m). “Underground drilling at Rey de Oro consists of step-out and delineation drilling of this recently developed horizon. This drilling continues to intersect some of the widest vein intercepts on the property and demonstrate the potential to continue to extend the mine life at Mercedes”.
Aura Minerals Inc., provided an update at its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. Aura has obtained all the necessary permits and initiated the construction of the new tailings disposal system. “The Company expects the Aranzazu mine to achieve commercial production later this year and to achieve the average processing of 2,600 tonnes per day shortly thereafter”.
Candelaria Mining Corp., announced a PEA for its Pinos Gold project in Zacatecas. Highlight results from the PEA indicate an after tax net present value (NPV) of US$ 12M using a 5% discount rate, an after tax internal rate return (IRR) of 25%, and a 7 years life of mine with projected gold equivalent ounce (“GEO”) production of 89,000. The PEA includes a mineral resource estimate as of September 13, 2018. Measured resources (Dump) are 85,847 tonnes of 1.6 g/t Au and 83 g/t Ag for a total of 4,444 Oz Au and 229K Oz Ag. Indicated resources are 175,697 tonnes of 3.6 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag for a total of 20.6K Oz Au and 268K Oz Ag. Inferred resources are 529,267 tonnes of 3.6 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag for a total of 60.7K Oz Au and 811K Oz Ag. Average recovery for Au and Ag are 90 and 80% respectively. The company plans to have an annual production of 12,700 GEO with an overall average direct cash cost of %US 666 per GEO.
McEwen Mining Inc., reported that hopes to add 12 years of mine life at its El Gallo Complex in Sinaloa, combining mineralized sources from five locations that will be developed in two distinct process plant construction phases. McEwen plans to produce 47K Oz Au Eq per year.
Bacanora Lithium plc., announced plans to start the mine construction on its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora. $US 420M will be invested in the first phase and is expected to begin to operate in 2020.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Evrim Resources Corp., and First Majestic Silver Corp., agreed to exercise the Ermitaño and Cumobabi option agreements in Sonora. First Majestic has completed its 100% earn-in for both projects. First Majestic has paid $1.5M in cash to Evrim and has granted a 2% NSR in the case of Ermitaño project and 1.5% NSR in the case of Cumobabi project.
New Gold Inc., announced the appointment of its new President and CEO (Cerro San Pedro mine, San Luis Potosi).
Levon Resources Ltd., released results from its annual general meeting (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
Vangold Mining Corp., withdrew its submission to the TSX Venture Exchange to acquire the San Carlos property in Guanajuato.

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

On the picture above, a banded quartz vein in an intermediate sulphidation epithermal project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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