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

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Panning gold in a cow´s horn

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 50th week of the year (December 12th to December 18th, 2022), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico with six informing on exploration results, five  reporting resources and developments of their properties, five announcing financing issues, two commenting on Mexican issues, and two disclosing deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Trafigura announced that along with eFactor Network and a number of financing institutions are piloting a Sustainable Supply Chain Finance Program for mining companies in Mexico.  GR Silver, Vizsla, Mammoth, GoGold, and Almadex   reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of December, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec released final results from its 2021-2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project, and Minaurum provided an update on its optioned Adelita project. In Chihuahua, Mammoth presented results from six holes from its 27 holes diamond drilling program at its Tenoriba project, and Southern Empire has initiated the field exploration program work on its recently optioned Centauro property.  In Coahuila, Monumental completed reconnaissance exploration program and defined drill targets at its Jemi Rare Earth Element project.  In Jalisco, Almadex released results from the second hole drilled in 2022 at its San Pedro project. Minaurum provided and update on its optioned Taviche mining property.  ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver announced a non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $7.5M, subject to a minimum offering for gross proceeds of CAD $3M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato).  Prismo Metals closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,016,000 (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Tarachi announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango). Fortuna announced that it has amendment its existing senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the maximum facility amount by USD $50M to USD $250M (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca). Regency Silver announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2M (Dios Padre Project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold presented results of nine holes from its ongoing drilling program at its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. GR Silver announced additional results from its 2022 underground infill drilling program at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from nineteen new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Tocvan announced plan to collect a bulk sample from its El Pilar project in Sonora. Silver Dollar reported progress on its new underexplored Noria target at its La Joya project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Osisko Development strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director, effective December 14, 2022 (San Antonio Gold project, Sonora).  Sierra Metals completed voluntary delisting from the Lima Stock Exchange (Cusi and Bolivar mines, Chihuahua). Southern Empire entered into an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Centauro property in Chihuahua.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Trafigura Pte Ltd., announced that along with eFactor Network and a number of financial institutions are piloting a Sustainable Supply Chain Finance Program for mining companies in Mexico.  The Program, the first of its type and providing a model that can be scaled across the region, is structured to improve mining companies’ working capital whilst driving responsible sourcing practices along the metals value chain.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., Vizsla Silver Corp., Mammoth Resources Corp., GoGold Resources Inc., and Almadex Minerals Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of December, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., released final results from its 2021-2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project. The 2022-2022 drilling program consisted of 27 RC totaling 5,249m, and 11 oriented core totaling 2,558.5m for a total combined amount drilled of 7,837.5m in 37 drill holes on the California Zone, California Norte, Jasper, and Purisima Este targets. It was successful in intercepting strong mineralization, as well as in expanding the targets.  “The multi-element ICP values support the exploration model of the California zone being at the highest portion of a porphyry system, where an overlying high sulfidation zone has been eroded away”. Results of this drilling program are currently being analyzed in order to refine future targeting.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an updated on its Adelita project in Sonora, which is under an option agreement with Infinitum Copper Corp. Infinitum has identified five main target areas of which Cerro Grande is being drilled and plans to drill Las Trancas target soon. Significant mineralization has been intersected at Cerro Grande target in hole AD-22-0018 with 1.91% Cu, 2 g/t Au, and 41 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 20.6m; and hole AD-22-0019 with 1.01% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au, and 40 g/t Ag over a TW of 32.25m, including 1.68% Cu, 0.83 g/t Au, and 59 g/t Ag over a TW of 17.05m. Cerro Grand Target is a mineralized zone of up to 36m thick, over 250m deep and has a strike 200m.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp., presented results from six holes for a total of 620.7m from its 27 holes diamond drilling program at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. Highlights of the drilling include hole TEN21-22 collared on Carneritos Zone with 0.98 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (1.12 g/t AuEq) over 3m, and 0.57 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (0.68 g/t AuEq) over 10.5m; and hole TEN21 -24 with 1.14 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (1.13 g/t AuEq) over 39m, including 5.28 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag (5.45 g/t AuEq) over 3m, including 1.45 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (1.60 g/t AuEq) over 9m, plus 0.46 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.48 g/t AuEq) over 42m, including 1.21 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (1.28 g/t AuEq) over 12m.  These six holes bring the total meters drilled in the recent phase to 3,244.25m in twenty seven holes.
  • Southern Empire Resources Corp., has initiated the field exploration program work on its recently optioned Centauro property. The company contracted PhotoSat Information Ltd  to provide maps of alteration mineral suites typically associated with epithermal precious metal deposits, using their proprietary processing methods for16 band WorldView-3 and high-resolution ASTER satellite optical spectral data. Results of the PhotoSat studies show significant trends highlighting argillic, sericite, and chlorite alteration. Southern also collected 396 soil samples  at 50m spacing along E-W lines, spaced 100-200m apart to cover a zone of prospective alteration and mineralization over 4km strike length. Assays are pending.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., completed reconnaissance exploration program, which consisted of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and lithogeochemical sampling to delineate discreet drill targets at its Jemi Rare Earth Element project. To date, 37 whole-rock analytic results from rocks collected at the Jemi project of which 11 have returned values greater than 0.15% total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), including six samples that returned values greater than 0.23% TREO and up to 0.43% TREO. Results for 269 samples are still pending to arrive. Heavy rare earth oxide (HREO) values (include dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb)), ranged between 1614 ppm and 39 ppm in peralkaline pegmatites, averaging 447 ppm. Six samples exceeded 680 ppm, including three that exceeded 830 ppm. Light rare earth oxides (LREO) values including neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr), returned values up to 0.26% and 0.23%, with values in trend with HREO concentrations suggesting similar REE-hosting phases in the peralkaline rock samples. “Geological mapping has confirmed that samples with the highest TREO and HREO values are from pegmatitic bodies. Three-dimensional airborne magnetics modeling show that surface pegmatite bodies are spatially associated with a numerous larger magnetic anomalies at depth that may represent potential source intrusions. Specific drill locations will target these pegmatites”.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., released results from the second hole drilled in 2022 at its San Pedro project in Jalisco.  Hole SP-22-004 intersected 846 /t Au over 1.3m. The current drilling program intends to better understand the orientation and distribution of the breccia zone so that further, more focused drilling can eventually be carried out.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an updated on its Taviche project in Oaxaca, which is under an option agreement with Fortuna Silver Corp. Fortuna is currently focused on the re-negotiation of surface rights to be followed by drill permits. “Review of historic data and field mapping over the last year identified the possible continuation of the Mezcal Fault for 3km to the northwest.  Drill targeting is in progress along the Mezcal Fault to test for both Mezcal-style gold mineralization and silver bonanza style mineralization associated with jasperoid-related mantos”.  Another goal is to develop additional concepts to test the potential at depth at the Cerro La  Mina Zone where a drill hole encountered 235 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au over 46.3m.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced a non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption private placement of up to 17,647,059 units at CAD $0.425 for gross proceeds of CADS $7.5M, subject to a minimum offering of 7,058,824 units for gross proceeds of CAD $3M. Gross proceeds will be used to ramp up production at El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato; expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango; increase brownfield exploration programs across all company´s projects; and fund general working capital expenses and strengthen Guanajuato Silver’s balance sheet.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,016,000. The gross proceeds will be used to continue drilling at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa, and to continue the mapping and sampling at its Pavitos project in Sonora, as well as to conduct an initial diamond drilling program.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 10M units at a price of CAD $0.05 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K. The gross proceeds will be used for exploration, working capital purposes, and for the ongoing development of the Company’s Magistral project in Mexico including, but not limited to, metallurgical test work, final design and permitting.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., announced that it has amendment its existing senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the maximum facility amount by USD $50M to USD $250M (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca).
  • Regency Silver Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of 10M common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share for gross proceeds of CAD $2M. Net proceeds will be used for work programs including drilling and geophysics in its flagship Dios Padre project, Sonora, as well as for general working capital.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented results of nine holes from its ongoing drilling program collared at El Favor East deposit within its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGF-22-140 with 1.39 g/t Au and 139 g/t Ag (3.24 g/t AuEq or 243 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, plus 0.48 g/t Au and 257 g/t Ag (3.92 g/t AuEq or 294 g/t AgEq) over 13.9m, including 1.84 g/t Au and 960 g/t Ag (14.65 g/t AuEq or 1,099 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 2,307 g/t Ag (33.72 g/t AuEq or 2,529 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; and hole LRGF-22-137 with 0.29 g/t Au and 143 g/t Ag (2.2 g/t AuEq or 165 g/t AgEq) over 61.5m, including 0.66 g/t Au and 300 g/t Ag (4.66 g/t AuEq or 350 g/t AgEq) over 24.3m, including 1.71 g/t Au and 881 g/t Ag (13.46 g/t AuEq or 1,009 g/t AuEq) over 0.7m.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced additional results from its 2022 underground infill drilling program at its Plomosas Mine Area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLIP22-28 with 55 g/t Ag, 8.66 g/t Au, 2.7% Pb, 6.6% Zn, and 0.5% Cu (1,242 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 6.9m; hole PLI17-26 with 3 g/t Ag, 2.64 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (257 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.7m; hole PLI22-42 with 43 g/t Ag, 1.96 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 2.1% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (369 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 20.9m, including 61 g/t Ag, 4.52 g/t Au, 2.9% Pb, 5.5% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (802 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.5m, plus 28 g/t Ag, 3.6 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.3% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (489 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.6m, including 46 g/t Ag, 11.5 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,263 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m, plus 87 g/t Ag, 7.13 g/t Au, 4.4% Pb, 8.3% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (1,184 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.8m, plus 42 g/t Ag, 3.90 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (479 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.7m, plus 28 g/t Ag, 6.05 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.9% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (695 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.5m; hole PLI22-47 with 281 g/t Ag, 2.15 g/t Au, 8.9% Pb, and 6% Zn (970 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.4m; and hole PLI22-46 with 44 g/t Ag, 1.9 g/t Au, 11.2% Pb, 10% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (940 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, including 64 g/t Ag, 4.02 g/t Au, 19.5% Pb, 17% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,659 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.9m. “The infill drilling program at the Plomosas Mine Area continues to provide information for the Company to enhance the geological model and confirm the presence of high-grade structures on the hanging wall and footwall of the main mineralized breccia. Gold mineralized zones exceeding 20 m down hole width have been drilled in the current program in both the hanging wall and footwall”.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from nineteen new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole CS-22-205 with 2,101 g/t Ag and 9.54 g/t Au (2,640 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 5.30m, including 3,080 g/t Ag and 23.60 g/t Au (4,563 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.58m, plus 85 g/t Ag and 0.24 g/t Au (96 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.16m; hole CS-22-210 with 425 g/t Ag and 2.31 g/t Au (561 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 15.50m, including 2,710 g/t Ag and 22.30 g/t Au (4,125 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.41m, including 1,285 g/t Ag and 7.24 g/t Au (1,716 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.54m, including 1,800 g/t Ag and 9.69 g/t Au (2,371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.41m, including 1,630 g/t Ag and 7.34 g/t Au (2,044 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.01m; hole CS-22-216 with 626 g/t Ag and 4.48 g/t Au (905 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 8.09m, including 1,250 g/t Ag and 14 g/t Au (2,170 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.81m, including 2,230 g/t Ag and 18.1 g/t Au (3,376 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.57m, including 1,170 g/t Ag and 7.54 g/t Au (1,631 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75m; hole CS-22-201 with 237 g/t Ag and 1.74 g/t Au (346 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.18m, including 427 g/t Ag and 3.22 g/t Au (629 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.11m, plus 2,536 g/t Ag and 13.65 g/t Au (3,340 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.86m, including 7,740 g/t Ag and 57.6 g/t Au (11,343 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m, including 6,220 g/t Ag and 27.20 g/t Au (7,742 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.43m; and hole CS-22-217 with 1,496 g/t Ag and 6.56 g/t Au (1,862 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.71m, including 1,295 g/t Ag and 4.59 g/t Au (1,535 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.64m, including 13,118 g/t Ag and 63.7 g/t Au (16,783 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m. “The infill results support grade continuity in the south-central portion of Copala structure, while resource expansion drilling to the north and southeast continue to highlight mineralization remains open”.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., entered into an agreement with a neighboring private mining company for the completion of its first bulk sampling for processing by heap-leach method from its El Pilar project in Sonora. The plan is to process up to 1,000 tonnes of material at a private mining operation less than 25km to the west of Pilar with the aim of providing a more detail account of expected head-grade and recovery percentage of gold. Processing and analysis of this bulk sample is expected to span three to four months. Other goals to accomplish are to continue drilling, update reporting and maiden resource estimate, and permitting for full-scale on-site mine facilities and processing.  
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported progress on its new underexplored Noria target at its La Joya project, Durango. The company recently completed a ground magnetic survey on the Coloradito area within the Noria portion of the property, which consisted of 14 lines spaced 50-100m and ranging over 1.3km in length for a total of approximately 19.8km of magnetic data.   The geophysics contractor identified 3 relatively well-contrasted and thin magnetic beds striking N150°/N330°, which may underscore, sulphide and ferromagnesian horizons hosted along shear zones.  In addition, a total of 125 rock samples have been collected and submitted to the lab of which 79 samples have been received to date. In one of the targets sample assays returned values up to 291 g/t Ag, 0.8 g/t Au, and 1.2% Zn, while in another one 7 samples returned elevated Zn and Pb, ranging from 0.3-1% and 1.4-6.2% respectively. Further follow-up work is being conducted in the areas where both geophysical and geochemical anomalies have been identified to develop new drill targets.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Osisko Development Corporation strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director, effective December 14, 2022 (San Antonio Gold project, Sonora).  
  • Sierra Metals Inc., completed voluntary delisting from the Lima Stock Exchange, effective December 15, 2022. Sierra Metals’ common shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Cusi and Bolivar mines, Chihuahua).
  • Southern Empire Resources Corp., entered into an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Centauro property in Chihuahua. Southern can earn 100% interest by making cash payments totalling USD $750K, issuing 1.5M common shares of Southern Empire and completing work commitment of USD $800K over a five years period. The option agreement include a 3% Net Smelter Return (NSR) and Southern Empire has the right to buy 2% of the NSR for USD $2M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

On the picture above, panning gold in a cow´s horn in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system project in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Cockade texture

By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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

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

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 51st week of the year (December 20th to December 26th, 2021), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, three companies posted exploration advances on their properties, one obtained an environmental permit to keep operating, three released financing/shares/stock exchange related news, while five companies posted on project development or resource definition and one more on a property sale. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the environmental permit needed to keep Fortuna Silver’s San José mine in operation was finally granted by SEMARNAT. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri Resources completed a 3,122 m RC drilling campaign at Evelyn; Silver Spruce is preparing to submit the environmental permit for El Mezquite. Southern Empire Resources initiated an air-borne magnetic and radiometric geophysical survey. ON MINING, Fortuna Silver Mines was granted the environmental permit to continue its operations at the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. The company had to sue SEMARNAT because the organism was not granting the permit although complaining with all regulations. In the end, not-public negotiations and technical reviews resulted in the permit being granted. ON FINANCING, Alamos Gold is to repurchase up to 30 M of its public shares. Prime Mining was added to the MVIS Global Junior Miners Index. Sonoro Gold closed its non-brokered placement for $3 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almaden Minerals updated on its 2022 plans at Ixtaca; The environmental permit is being prepared for re-submittal as well as the human rights impact assessment (HRIA) report; A favorable outcome on a Supreme Court lawsuit is expected for H2 2022. Guanajuato Silver Co. provided drilling results for El Cubo and Pinguico in Guanajuato. Avino Silver & Gold Mines filed the mineral resource estimate for La Preciosa, in Durango. Silver Dollar Resources informed on the drilling of 1,134 m at its La Joya project in Durango. Azucar Minerals defined a large lithocap at a new target zone on its El Cobre project, Veracruz. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, GR Silver Mining sold El Salto and El Salto Sur mining concessions (covering 56,910 ha) to Grupo Minero Venturex, for past taxes and a 0.5% NSR. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SilverCrest Metals, Peña Colorada and Industrias Peñoles informed on social measures for the betterment of communities near its operations.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mexican environmental regulator (SEMARNAT) finally approved the environmental permit needed to keep Fortuna Silver’s San José mine (in Oaxaca) in operation. Thousands of workers and inhabitants of communities near the mine to be affected by the impending closure appreciate the outcome.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. completed 3,122 m of reverse circulation (RC) drilling in 22 holes at its Evelyin project in Sonora. The drill program, geological mapping and outcrop sampling were paused for the holidays.  “The Company will resume Phase I drilling at the El Sahuaro and Cerro Rojo targets, as well as other prioritized targets on the property in January, upon receipt and interpretation drill assay results”.
  • Southern Empire Resources Corp. initiated a high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric geophysical surveys at its Pedro project in Durango. The geophysical program comprises 384 line-km in 96 flight lines at 50 m spacing. In addition, a nine-hole 2,000 m drill core program is expected to start in January of 2022 in the 1,750 hectares mineral concession.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. informed it is in the reviewing process for submission of the environmental report (Informe Preventivo) on its El Mezquite project in Sonora. The company intends to carry an additional phase of reverse circulation drilling with up to fourteen holes comprising 1,500 to 2,500 m in the 180 hectares project.

ON MINING

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. informed the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMERNAT) granted a 12 year extension of the environmental impact authorization (abbreviated as MIA, in Spanish) at the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. SEMERNAT had previously denied the extension application and Fortuna had to appeal the decision. “After continued dialogue and technical evaluation, SEMARNAT confirmed operations at the San Jose Mine are conducted in accordance with all environmental obligations” and granted the extension on the existing MIA.

ON FINANCING

  • Alamos Gold Inc. filed for a normal course issuer bid permitting Alamos to purchase for cancellation up to 30 M class A common shares, representing 10% of the company’s public float of the common shares to date. “The price for any repurchased Common Shares will be the prevailing market price at the time of the purchase. All Common Shares purchased by Alamos will be cancelled“ (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Prime Mining Corp. has been added to the MVIS Global Junior Miners Index as of December 17, 2021 (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. announced the closing of its previously announced non-brokered placement for aggregate proceeds of $3 M. In total the company paid $47.4 K in finder’s fees and 263.4 K in non-transferable Finder’s warrants.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. presented its plans for 2022. The company is preparing the resubmittal of the environmental permit for the Ixtaca project in Puebla, documenting well beyond the legal and regulatory framework in Mexico for filing in H1 2022, as well as the human rights impact assessment (HRIA) report. Almaden expects a lawsuit at the Supreme Court of Justice of Mexico being used to dispute the constitutionality of the Mexican mineral title regime to be solved favorably, optimistically in H2 2022. Since the last press release in October 2021, three more drill holes have been completed in the South East Alteration zone target near Ixtaca, and “The geologic observations and complete assay data will be analysed and additional mineral studies will be conducted on the core in order to identify any geochemical or mineral vectors in order to plan follow-up work in this area”.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. provided drilling results from the El Cubo and Pinguico in Guanajuato. At the Cebolletas and 1850 Stope true width (TW) highlighted intervals comprise 2.00 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag; 0.45 m @ 4.33 gpt Au, 192 gpt Ag; 3.87 m @ 1.38 gpt Au, 124 gpt Ag; 1.40 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag in drilling by GR Silver and 1.62 m @ 2.85 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag; 2.60 m @ 1.12 gpt Au, 131 gpt Ag; 1.71 m @ 0.46 gpt Au, 152 gpt Ag in drilling by Endeavour Silver. At El Cubo Villapando highlighted TW intervals comprise 6.35 m @ 0.69 gpt Au, 65 gpt Ag; 1.57 m @ 0.88 gpt Au, 98 gpt Ag. At El Pinguico, highlighted TW intervals comprise 4.05 m @ 0.68 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag; 1.00 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag; 0.55 m @ 2.11 gpt Au, 505 gpt Ag; 1.65 m @ 2.45 gpt Au, 125 gpt Ag; 7.95 m @ 1.35 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag; 0.75 m @ 8.81 gpt Au, 208 gpt Ag; 8.10 m @ 1.00 gpt Au, 93 gpt Ag; 0.55 m @ 1.91 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. filed the mineral resource estimate report on the La Preciosa project in Durango, which the company is proposing to acquire. The indicated mineral resource estimate comprises 17.4 M tonnes @ 176 gpt Ag, 0.34 gpt Au (202 gpt AgEq), containing 99 M Oz Ag, 189 K Oz Au (113 M Oz AgEq), whereas the inferred mineral resource includes 4.4 M tonnes @ 151 gpt Ag, 0.25 gpt Au (170 gpt AgEq), containing 21 M Oz Ag, 35 K Oz Au (24 M Oz AgEq).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. informed 1,134 m of drilling have been completed in five holes at its La Joya project in Durango. “The initial drilling program is focused on target development on the Noria portion of the La Joya property with an emphasis on testing for possible structural extensions of known mineralized zones”.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. defined a large area of lithocap alteration in a newly outlined target at El Cobre project in Veracruz.” The new spectral mineral mapping in this area ….. has further defined a strong alteration signature with clear zoning including a central diaspore-pyrophyllite-shallow alunite/dickite and concentric halos of paragonitic and muscovitic white mica and inner propylitic epidote halo”. A soil sampling program is being completed for spectral and geochemical analysis intending to identify vectors to focus a drill program.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the sale of El Salto and El Salto Sur non-core concessions, acquired from Mako Mining Corp. on March 2021, to the private Mexican company Grupo Minero Venturex S.A. de C.V.. The company received US$1 K, retaining a 0.5% NSR, and leaving Venturex responsible to pay all outstanding concession fees and related fines (Note by editor.- holding large titled mining concessions in Mexico is very expensive). In June GR Silver applied for the reduction of the surface of the 56,910 ha claims, but still has to receive the approval from the Dirección General de Minas (DGM).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • SilverCrest Metals inaugurated the Tetuachi bridge across the Sonora River in Arizpe, Sonora.
  • Peña Colorada donated material and equipment to the Biosfera Sierra de Manantlán.
  • Industrias Peñoles invested seven million pesos in the park Bosque Venustiano Carranza in Torreon, Coahuila.

On the image below: epidote filled fractures with calc-sodic halo and late quartz veinlet in a copper project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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Quartz hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 44th week of the year (November 1st to November 7th, 2021), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine reporting resources and developments, seven informing on exploration results, six communicating production and financial results, three announcing financial issues, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals and its JV Kootenay approved a 5,000m RC drill program at its Cervantes project,  Canuc added two new mining concessions to its San Javier project,  and Ranchero Gold provided an update on its Phase 1 drill program at its Santa Daniela project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay released results from three drill holes collared at its Columba project. In Durango, Silver Wolf engaged Terraquest to conduct a high resolution aeromagnetic, radiometric and matrix electro- magnetic geophysical survey on its Ana Maria property. In Zacatecas, Almadex completed a field program implemented to refine targets at its Las Lajas project. In Jalisco, Almadex reported that it has conducted IP geophysics at its San Pedro project. In Guerrero, Pantera Silver informed that it has completed all the reports and requirements needed to apply for a drill permit for its Nuevo Taxco project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver announced that its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa has been re-started and all workers have been re-called. First Majestic announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Golden Minerals presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Mexus announced revenue of $128K for the month of October from its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Minera Alamos reported that it has made an initial delivery of gold doré from its Santana mine in Sonora. Torex reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero, and provided full year 2021 production guidance. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals closed the first tranche of a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1M (Cervantes project, Sonora). One World Lithium closed a first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $765,221 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Southern Empire announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M (Pedro Gold project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Altaley announced that it has hired MGA Contratista Minera at its underground mining contractor for its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. Azucar Minerals reported that a mineral chemistry porphyry vectoring study has identified a new target area for a possible central porphyry system to its the El Cobre project, Veracruz. In Baja California, Comet released results from eight drill holes collared at its Santa Teresa project. Fabled reported results from one hole collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Mithril announced drill results from its Copalquin project in Durango. Silvertone commenced a 2,200m drilling program at its Peñasco Quemado project in Sonora. Tarachi reported positive metallurgical results from its Magistral Tailings project in Durango. Vizsla released results from its ongoing resource focused drilling program from its Panuco project in Sinaloa. GR Silver provided an update on its 2021 drilling program at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Candelaria Mining announced that it will commence trading on the OTCQX Best Market (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz). Kootenay Silver and Kootenay Resources announced completion of spin-out transaction (Columba project, Chihuahua). Monumental Gold received approval from TSX to acquire from Discovery Silver the Jemi rare earth elements project in Coahuila. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver produced its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report (Cordero project, Chihuahua).

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., and its JV Kootenay Silver Inc., approved a 5,000m RC drill program, consisting of 22 holes, at its Cervantes project in Sonora. This Phase 2 drill program is expected to commence in this month and plans to test the main four targets: California, California Norte, Jasper, and Purisima East. “The primary objectives of the two phase 2021 exploration program are to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry gold oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for north and west extensions of the California mineralization at California North and Jasper, and assess the breccia potential of Purisima East”.
  • Canuc Resources Corporation added two new mining concessions to its San Javier project in Sonora. The new concessions acquired by staking are contiguous and cover extensions of one of the Company’s principal exploration targets.
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an update on its 13 holes, 3,000m Phase 1 drill program, at its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. The current drill program is planned to test three low-sulphidation epithermal targets: La Colmena, La Cascada, and X-Structure. To date, only 360m have been completed in two holes.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., released results from three drill holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes CDH-21-110 with 269 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn over 55m, including 453 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.4% Zn over 29.9m, including 650 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 2.3% Zn over 17.8m, and including multiple mineralized intervals varying from 100-1,915 g/t Ag, 0.1-5.4% Pb, and 0.1-9% Zn in widths from 0.3-2.5m; hole CDH-21-109 with  100 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 31m, including 193 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 14.56m, including 294 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 7.11m, and including multiple mineralized intervals varying from 167-592 g/t Ag, 0.1-0.2% Pb, and 0.1-1% Zn over widths of 0.7-2.31m; and hole CDH-21-108 with 57 g/t Ag, 0.02% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 166m, including 98 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 77m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 11m, including 504 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 5.9m, including 1,100 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 2% Zn over 1m, and including additional mineralized intervals varying from 124-331 g/t Ag, 0.1-0.2% Pb, and 0.2-0.6% Zn over widths of 0.5-1.5m.    
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., engaged Terraquest to conduct a high resolution aeromagnetic, radiometric and matrix electro- magnetic geophysical survey on its Ana Maria property, Durango. A total of 1,800 line kilometers will be flown over the entire property which consists of 9 mining concessions encompassing 2,549 hectares.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., completed a field program implemented to refine targets at its Las Lajas project in Zacatecas, prior to a first pass diamond drill program planned for later this year. Las Lajas consists of a banded epithermal vein system and was staked by the company during a regional exploration program.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd, reported that it conducted IP geophysics at its San Pedro project in Jalisco, and has identified high chargeability responses that were not tested by the past drilling efforts. A drill program is currently underway at this project. Almadex and previous operators carried out surface sampling, geophysics, and drilling at the project. Historical reports include results of 55 sample reconnaissance rock chip sampling program which returned gold values from below detection to 12.4 g/t Au (averaging 0.44 g/t Au) and 0.07 to 2,490 g/t Ag (averaging 71.0 g/t Ag), and one RC hole including 1.65 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag over a length of 6.08m.
  • Pantera Silver Corp., informed that it has completed all the reports and requirements needed to apply for a drill permit for its Nuevo Taxco project. The company filed a Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) and an Estudio Técnico Justificativo (ETJ) with SEMARNAT. The Company is completing final preparations for drilling in anticipation of receiving a drill permit before the end of November.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced that its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa has been re-started and all workers have been re-called. The milling rate is expected to ramp out in tandem with mine production with a goal of processing 1,800 tonnes per day. Cosalá has over 20K tonnes of ore ready to be processed and approximately 20 loads of existing concentrate were shipped in late October. “Initial production will be focused on the main Zone consisting of high-grade Zn areas fully developed before the illegal blockade to maximize near-term free cash flow”.
  • First Majestic Silver Corporation announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Figures by mine are shown in the table below:
 ·         Golden Minerals Company presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Golden produced 4,777 payable Oz Au and 12,196 payable Oz Ag (4,942 Oz AuEq), and sold 4,804 Oz AuEq in doré with 1,042 Oz AuEq in doré inventory at the end of the quarter. The company reported revenues of USD $8.5M, yielding a net operating margin of USD $4.2M; USD $8.8M cash and cash equivalents balance as of Sept 30, 2021, and a net income of USD $0.4M in Q3, 2021.
·         Mexus Gold US announced revenue of $128K for the month of October from its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. With the ongoing improvements to the heap leach pad and the addition of more activated carbon cells to collect value, the company expects November revenues to exceed $150K.
·         Minera Alamos Inc., reported that it has made an initial delivery of gold doré from early material stacked on its Santana heap leach pad in Sonora state. Approximately 400 Oz Au was contained in the doré poured were sent off for final refining and sale.  
·         Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero, and provided full year 2021 production guidance. Torex produced 111,229 Oz Au at cash and AISC of USD $727 and USD $900 respectively per Oz Au sold, and sold 118,989 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $1,786 per Oz Au. It reported an EBIDTA of USD $ 119.3M and free cash of USD $294M. The company announced a net earning of USD $36.5M or USD $0.423 per share; and adjusted net earnings of USD $42.9M or USD $0.50 per share, on both a basis and diluted basis. Cash flow totalized USD $87.8M and USD $100.2M prior to changes in non-cash working capital, including taxes paid of USD $19.7M. Free cash generated was USD $29.4M which includes an outflow of USD $12.4M related to changes in non-cash working capital. Finally, Torex reported net cash of USD $217.8M including USD $221.6M in cash and USD $3.8M of lease obligations. The company also provided a full year 2021 production guidance and expects to produce 430K-470K Oz Au at a total cash and AISC cost of USD $680-720 and USD $920-970 per Oz Au respectively.

 ON FINANCING

·         Aztec Minerals Corp., closed the first tranche of a private placement equity financing for gross proceeds of CAD $1M.The company plans to use part of the net proceeds to conduct exploration work on its Cervantes project in Sonora.
·         One World Lithium Inc., closed a first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $765,221. Net proceeds will be used primary to fund the Salar Del Diablo exploration programs as well as for the initial start up for the Company’s separation technology testing and working capital.
·         Southern Empire Resources Corp., announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M. Part of the net proceeds will be used for funding an exploration program at its Pedro Gold project in Durango, and for working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

·         Altaley Mining Corporation announced that it has hired MGA Contratista Minera S.A. de C.V. at its underground mining contractor for its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. MGA is now mobilizing its mining equipment to Tahuehueto Gold Mine to continue underground drift and stope development to advance the Tahuehueto Mine to production. “First production through the mill, which is at an advanced stage of construction, is anticipated near the end of 2021 when the first ball mill is to be commissioned and in Q1 2022 the second ball mill will be installed and brought online to thereafter, ramp up production to the mine’s anticipated 1,000 tonne per day capacity”.
·         Azucar Minerals Ltd., reported that a mineral chemistry porphyry vectoring study, using chlorite and epidote, has identified a new target area for a possible central porphyry system to its the El Cobre project, Veracruz. This vectoring study indicates that the El Cobre district likely contains a fertile medium to large sized porphyry system and the most prospective area is located in the centre of the project where there has been little previous exploration drilling. “Field work has already been initiated in this area in order to identify any surface alteration and mineralization evidence and to prepare for a future drilling campaign to test this large target area”.
·         Comet Resources Ltd. released results from a 2,250m drill program which consisted of eight drill holes collared at its Santa Teresa project in Baja California. Highlights include holes STDDH-21-006 with 63.2 g/t Au over 1.2m, and 27.5 g/t Au over 0.7m; hole STDDH-21-007 with 31 g/t Au over 1.6m; and hole STDDH-21-001 with 26.9 g/t Au over 1m. These results will be incorporated into resource modelling.
·         Fabled Silver Gold Corp., reported results from one hole collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Hole SM20-37 intercept the previously encountered dike and related breccia, and returned 0.56 g/t Au, 53 g/t Ag, 1.3% Pb, 3.3% Zn, and 0.14% Cu (82 g/t AgEq) over 8.8m, including 2.21 g/t Au, 112 g/t Ag, 3.3% Pb, 8.4% Zn, and 0.18% Cu (226 g/t AgEq) over 0.9, including 0.57 g/t Au, 38 g/t Ag, 1%Pb, 4.5% Zn, and 0.08% Cu (68 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m, including 0.28 g/t Au, 65 g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, 2.9% Zn, and 0.19% Cu (79 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m,including 0.69 g/t Au, 109 g/t Ag, 2.5% Pb, 3.8% Zn, and 0.38% Cu (144 g/t AgEq) over 0.69m.
·         Mithril Resources Inc., announced drill results from hole CDH-094 collared in El Refugio area at its Copalquin project in Durango. The hole intersected 1.88 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag (2.76 g/t AuEq) over 3m, plus 9.64 g/t Au and 279 g/t Ag (13.63 g/t AuEq) over 18.67m, including 17.9 g/t Au and 482 g/t Ag (24.8 g/t AuEq) over 9.3m. The company announced that a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate is on schedule for Q4, 2021; and that a metallurgical test work will commence at November, 2021.
·         Silvertone Metals Corp., commenced a 2,200m drilling program at its Peñasco Quemado project in Sonora. The drilling will test two priority target areas called La Fortuna and Peñasco Pit, located in separate areas of the property. In the Peñasco Pit area, the drilling program will test the interpreted along-strike extensions to this mineralized zone area that contains the drill defined historic resource estimate as identified by strong, southeast-trending geochemical anomalies (zinc, lead, barium and manganese in soils) which exceed three kilometers in length and have some coincidental geophysical anomalies. At La Fortuna, the drill program will test strong zinc, lead and copper soil anomalies with a coincidental “plug” like geophysical low resistivity anomaly that extends beyond 500 meters in depth. Company geologists interpret this geophysical anomaly as altered intrusive rocks which may be a potential source of mineralization.
·         Tarachi Gold Corp., reported positive metallurgical results from its Magistral Tailings project in Durango. Total gold recovery after 48 hours of leach time ranged from 81.7 to 86.9% on as-received, unground samples. “With the tailings assay grades previously announced averaging 2.04g/t Au and the strong gold recoveries released today; the data continues to support our goal of producing a minimum of 15K Oz Au per year at Magistral.”
·         Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from its ongoing resource focused drilling program from its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Ten new holes targeting the Napoleon Resource area and three new holes centered on the Tajitos Resource area were collared by Vizsla and encountered high-grade Ag-Au mineralization. At Napoleon area, significant mineralization was encountered in holes NP-21-173 with 99 g/t Ag, 6.8 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (774 g/t AgEq) over 3.7m, and 227 g/t Ag, 2.57 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 3.7% Zn (592 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.83m ; and hole NP-21-186, 200m step-out to the south with 58 g/t Ag, 0.93 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 5.5% Zn (280 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.74m. At Tajitos area, highlights include hole CS-21-71 with 901 g/t Ag and 3.25 g/t Au (1,150 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.4m; and hole  CS-21-60 with 201 g/t Ag and 1.4 g/t Au (319 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.82m. These results on Tajitos expanded the resource area by 200 metres along strike to the northeast. Drilling at Panuco project continue with two rigs expanding the Josephine Vein, with step-out holes underway testing both the southern and northern extents of the vein. The company expects to announce a maiden project resource estimate for Q1, 2022.
·         GR Silver Mining Ltd., provided an update on its 2021 drilling program at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. The drilling program has been focused primarily on new areas recognized as attractive sites for NW or NE trending, high-grade Au-Ag mineralized veins, such as Loma Dorada, San Marcial, El Trampolin, El Saltito, GAP area, and Plomosas South. Additionally, early-stage reconnaissance exploration at the Las Cuevas and El Ranchito areas provide additional prospects for future drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

·         Candelaria Mining Corp., announced that it will commence trading on the OTCQX Best Market remaining under the symbol “CDELF”. Previously, the Company’s U.S. share trading was on OTC Pink (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz).
·         Kootenay Silver Inc., and Kootenay Resources Inc., announced that the spin-out transaction whereby Kootenay Silver spun-out 80% of the common shares of Kootenay Resources to its shareholders has been completed. “The holders of common shares of Kootenay Silver, received one new common share of Kootenay Silver and 0.04 Kootenay Resources Shares for each Old Kootenay Silver Share previously held. The Old Kootenay Silver Shares were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange at the close of business on October28, 2021”  (Columba project, Chihuahua).
·         Monumental Gold Corp., received approval from TSX to acquire from Discovery Silver Corp., the Jemi rare earth elements project in Coahuila. Discovery has agreed to transfer and assign its rights and obligations of six mineral concessions comprising approximately 3,560 hectares that form the Jemi project located in the Ocampo municipality of Coahuila State to Monumental Gold. The original agreement transferred by Discovery to Monumental is an option agreement to acquire 100% of the property from vendors by completing USD $2M of exploration expenditures on the property by May 16, 2024, and paying to the vendors USD $500K in cash or common shares upon the exercise of the option. In connection with the approval by the TSX of the Assignment Agreement, the Company will change its name to “Monumental Minerals Corp., and the trading symbol will change to “MNRL”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

·         Discovery Silver Corp. produced its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, setting out the Company’s current practices and priorities going forward.  Highlights based on 2020 calendar year include over CAD $1.7M in goods and services purchased from local Mexican businesses; over CAD$1.3M in salaries and benefits paid to local employees; Total workforce of 124 includes 58 employees and 66 contractors, ( Employees: 89% Mexican nationals, 11% Canadian, and Contractors: 98% Mexican nationals, 2% Canadian); Total GHG emissions of 167 tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Total water withdrawal of 36,017 m3 and total water discharged of 36,007 m3; and Zero fatalities and only 5 first-aid incidents (Cordero project, Chihuahua).

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

On the picture above, a quartz hydrothermal breccia containing malachite stains in an epithermal quartz vein system in a project in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 41st week of the year (October 11th to October 17th, 2021), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, six companies posted exploration advances on their properties, six released Q3 reports and one on commencement of mining, two on financing and eight more on project development or resource definition and one more on mining concessions acquisitions. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico’s president presented a proposal to change the law in the energy industry, but also restricting lithium exploration and production to the government. Several other elements could be included in the bill, referred to as “strategic minerals”, without elaborating, although a government party senator named cobalt, niquel, rare earths and even copper. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Benjamin Hill Mining released results from geophysical processing and from fluid inclusion studies that support a buried intrusive source for the mineralization at the Benjamin Hill property; Canuc Resources updated on its deep drilling program at San Javier; Colibri Resources received the permit to drill Evelyn. In Chihuahua, Kootenay silver increased land holdings at its Columba project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla Silver presented drilling results from the Tajitos zone at its Panuco project.   ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver commenced mining at El Cubo, in Guanajuato. First Majestic Silver, Golden Minerals, Gold Resource, Magna Gold, Aura Minerals and Avino Silver & Gold Mines presented its Q3 2021 reports. ON FINANCING, Candelaria Mining informed one of its lenders, Accendo Banco, had its operating permit revoked by Mexican authorities. Xali Gold announced Sun River Gold arranged a financing for US$6.5 M for the tailings project at El Oro, Estado de Mexico. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver Mining filed a NI-43-101 technical report on the Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Orla Mining provided an update on the construction of the Camino Rojo Oxide project. Prime Mining released further drilling results from Los Reyes, Sinaloa. Fabled Silver Gold released underground drilling results for Santa Maria, in Chihuahua. GoGold Resources reported results from drilling at El Favor, on its Los Ricos North project located in Jalisco. Golden Tag resources is adding 4,500 m to its 2021 drilling program at San Diego, Durango. Capitan Mining reported results from drilling at El Capitan, in Durango. Zacatecas Silver is drilling the Panuco and Las Cruces areas, at its Zacatecas project, results pending.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Argonaut Gold acquired from Fresnillo PLC 4,791 ha in key concessions surrounding its San Agustin mine in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Media Luna, Peñols, Newmont Peñasquito and Pan American Silver informed on community programs in education and health.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mexico is far from being a powerhouse in lithium production according to the Statistical Review of World Energy 2021 by BP. Australia, Chile and China hold 81.2% of reserves and 86.5% of lithium production, whereas Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, the United States and Zimbabwe account for 20.5% of reserves and 12.8% of the production. Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) points that the constitutional reform presented by the Mexican president lacks technical support, as even if there are several lithium projects in Mexico, none has proven economic viability. The most visible of these projects, in Sonora, is said to be the largest lithium prospect in the Globe, but its economic viability has still to be proven, as to date there is not a single mine of lithium in clays in the World.
  • Mexico will not grant lithium concessions, said the Mexican president. He stated that even if his electricity reform is not approved by congress, his government has the power to reject any request for a concession to mine lithium. “We will deny any request for a concession to mine lithium and we have the power to do so. We want this to be established in the constitution, lithium belongs to the state”.
  • Nationalistic views with control on “strategic minerals” have been voiced by Morena, the party in power in Mexico. Besides the explicit aim by the President to save all lithium extracting and processing activities for the government, his recent proposal also refers, without elaborating, to be applied in other “strategic minerals”. A senator form Morena mentioned these other minerals could include cobalt, nickel, rare earths and copper, although a spokeswoman from the Economy Secretariat mentioned that the list of strategic minerals was to be provided by the Mexican Geological Survey at a later date.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Canuc Resources Corp. updated on the exploration program at its San Javier project in Sonora. Three holes have been completed and a fourth one is in progress, currently at 922 m of depth and ongoing. Chalcopyrite has been encountered from 302 m and is still visible at 922 m of depth. “The drill hole has intersected a broad zone of variably stockworked and brecciated Barranca sediments with minor andesitic dykes. The Barranca sediments show contact metamorphism from about 461 m and downward, variable amounts of magnetite bearing veinlets, stringers and breccia matrix throughout”. The first two holes intercepted Barranca Formation sedimentary rocks with magnetite veinlets and best intercepts of 2.35 m @ 126 gpt Ag and 2.0 m @ 243 gpt Ag. The third hole was drilled on the Tarahumara Formation volcanic rocks for 500.5 m before being terminated due to drilling problems, intercepting several volcanic lithologies, chalcocite from 38 m of depth and sulfides including chalcopyrite from 332 m. Scattered gold and copper values on short intervals were intercepted, of up to 1.19 gpt Au and 0.41% Cu. Results for the current hole are still pending.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. received the needed permit to drill up to 56 holes at the Evelyn project in Sonora. “The fully funded drill program of up to 10,000 metres is expected to be conducted in two phases”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. increased its land holdings at its Columba project in Chihuahua. The company applied for a 10,825 hectare concession, supporting the decision to do so on the high-grade silver intercepts on drilling of the property.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. presented the results from 23 new drill holes from the Tajitos vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 1.38 m @ 1.16 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag; 1.34 m @ 7.94 gpt Au, 960 gpt Ag; 0.70 m @ 4.16 gpt Au, 2,082 gpt Ag; 2.15 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 188 gpt Ag; 1.38 m @ 2.83 gpt Au, 527 gpt Ag; 8.7 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag; 1.99 m @ 2.46 gpt Au, 615 gpt Ag; 0.86 m @ 3.37 gpt Au, 315 gpt Ag; 1.39 m @ 3.26 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag; 1.3 m @ 2.47 gpt Au, 600 gpt Ag; 1.50 m @ 9.90 gpt Au, 2,607 gpt Ag; 0.7 m @ 5.73 gpt Au, 1,115 gpt Ag; 4.38 m @ 1.62 gpt Au, 216 gpt Ag. The footprint of the Tajitos zone has been recognized for 800 m along strike and 300 m of depth.
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. informed the seven kilometer long trend of epithermal mineralization at its Benjamin Hill project in Sonora is related to a well-defined magnetic anomaly. A magnetic high more than 12 kilometers long and 4 km wide lies beneath the surface, crossing the property in a N-NE orientation, with the Au-Cu mineralization parallel to the crest of the magnetic high.  “Our hypothesis explains that the magnetic anomaly corresponds to a partially exhumed fertile pluton. We suggest the mineralization seen at surface was driven by the heat engine of a buried pluton providing hydrothermal fluids that formed mineralized tabular bodies enriched with Au, Ag, and Cu (i.e. veins and breccias), as well as fluids that caused hydrothermal alteration halos (phyllic, epidote-magnetite and argillic alteration)…”.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. updated on drilling at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. The company informed heavy rainfall during August and September is subduing by now, and that they expect an increase in the drilling rate that produced only 420 m of core in 8 weeks. “Mammoth intends to initially drill 2 – 4 holes within each target zone then move to another target zone to drill a similar number of holes”. Results on the first holes are pending.
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. informed on results of fluid inclusion studies at its Benjamin Hill property in Sonora. The salinity and homogenization temperatures point to an epithermal system with an overprinting magmatic influence, and exhumation depths  between 150 m and 750 m in the mineralized structures. “This observation combined with recent geophysical data, supports the hypothesis of the existence of a mineralized plutonic source with a high possibility for Au-Cu metallic enrichment and porphyry potential”.

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. commenced to process silver-gold ore at its El Cubo mine and mill in Guanajuato. Prior to the start of mill operations, 20 K tonnes of material from El Cubo were mined and stockpiled, to be processed at 750 tonnes per day (tpd) in the plant with a capacity for 1,500 tpd, or over 500 K tonnes per year.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. presented production results for the third quarte 2021, including figures from its three Mexican operations. At San Dimas, Durango, 214.2 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 2,328 tpd and a grade of 289 gpt Ag, 3.14 gpt Au, recovering 95% Ag, 96% Au to produce 20,767 Oz Au, 1.89 M Oz Ag. At Santa Elena in Sonora 234.9 K tonnes were processed grading 74 gpt Ag, 1.04 gpt Au, recovering 91% Ag, 96% Au to produce 508.6 K Oz Ag, 7,498 Oz Au. At La Encantada in Coahuila, 263.6 K tonnes were processed grading 134 gpt Ag, 0.02 gpt Au, recovering 80% Ag, 90% Au to produce 905 K Oz Ag, 114 Oz Au.
  • Golden Minerals Co. reported third quarter 2021 production from its Rodeo mine in Durango. The mill processed an average of 532 tpd at a grade of 4.0 gpt Au, recovering 76.5% Au to produce 4,777 Oz Au, 12,196 Oz Ag. Golden’s guidance for 2021 continues between 12 K – 14 K Oz Au and 25 K – 30 K Oz Ag.
  • Gold Resource Corp. presented preliminary third quarter 2021 production results. At its Arista mine in Oaxaca 98 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,353 tpd, grading 2.68 gpt Au, 91 gpt Ag, 0.37% Cu, 2.3% Pb, 4.8% Zn, to produce 6,933 Oz Au, 265.8 K Oz Ag, 1,808 tonnes Pb, 3,920 tonnes Zn. The cash cost per AuEq Oz was between $250-$290 and the AISC per AuEq Oz between $250-$290.
  • Magna Gold Corp. reported Q3 2021 production results. At San Francisco, in Sonora, 1.72 M tonnes were mined @ 0.46 gpt Au, and 4.52 M tonnes of waste moved (2.62 strip ratio), 1.76 M tonnes were processed @ 0.45 gpt Au, with 25,663 Oz Au placed in the pads to produce 19,102 Oz Au, 7,115 Oz Ag. The guidance for the year remains at 55-65 K Oz Au.
  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced preliminary production results for the third quarter of 2021, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Aranzazu, in Zacatecas, Aura produced 6,404 Oz Au, 106.1 K Oz Ag, 8.15 M Lb Cu, or 26,745 Oz AuEq.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released its production report for the third quarter 2021. The Avino mine in Durango successfully recommenced operations at a 1,000 to 1,500 tpd rate (with a 2,500 tpd plant capacity) with 58.2 K tonnes produced, 61,8 K tonnes processed (with aid of some stock piled material) grading 48 gpt Ag, 0.83 gpt Au, 0.58% Cu, recovering 86% Ag, 75% Au, 85% Cu to produce 77.9 K Oz Ag, 1,183 Oz Au, 685.5 K tonnes Cu.

ON FINANCING

  • Candelaria mining Corp. informed one of its lenders, Accendo Banco S.A. had its authorization to operate as a banking institution revoked by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission. “The Company has a US$9.0 million loan facility in place with Accendo and to date has drawn US$1.5 million under the loan facility. The Company anticipates that its ability to draw any further funds from its loan facility with Accendo may be impaired by these developments.” (Pinos, Zacatecas).
  • Xali Gold Corp. announced that Sun River Gold has arranged a financing of US$6.5 M to build an put in operation the tailings reprocessing operation at El Oro, Estado de México. “Sun River has the option to acquire 100% of the Tailings Project from Minera CCM by making staged payments totalling US$500,000 (paid), bring the tailings into commercial production by October 31, 2021 (extended to March 31, 2022 due to COVID), and grant to the Company a 5% NPI, Life of Mine royalty (the “Candente Royalty”) as well as the Municipality’s 8% NPI on production from the properties” (El dorado, Nayarit).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. filed a technical report on the Plomosas project, in Sinaloa. The report envisages 3.4 M Oz Ag, 53 K Oz Au, 73 M Lb Zn, 48 M Lb Pb (10.3 M Oz AgEq) in indicated resources and 8.6 M Oz Ag, 85 K Oz Au, 149 M Lb Zn, 116 M Lb Pb (21.0 M Oz AgEq) in inferred resources. The report includes information from over 100,000 meters of drilling in 476 historic and 80 new drill holes. A 14,000 meters drilling program with seven rigs is in progress.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided a construction update for the Camino Rojo Oxide project in Zacatecas. To date Camino Rojo is 89% complete with the ramp up of mining operations according to plan, and the crushing and conveying system, reclaim tunnel, overland conveyor and grasshopper conveyors completed. The Merrill-Crowe plant and refinery are 98% complete. In the year 757.1 K tonnes have been mined at a grade of 0.86 gpt Au, of which 511.2 K tonnes have been crushed and 220.2 K tonnes stacked.
  • Prime Mining Corp. informed on further drilling results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width (TW) intercepts comprise 11.8 m @ 6.12 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag, (including 5.5 m @ 12.02 gpt Au, 61 gpt Ag); 13.1 m @ 3.36 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 13.2 m @ 2.18 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag; 8.4 m @ 2.85 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag; 1.4 m @ 3.89 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag in the Zapote South step out holes, and 3.8 m @ 14.51 gpt Au, 82 gpt Ag; 2.2 m @ 3.96 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 5.55 gpt Au, 164 gpt Ag; 2.90 m @ 2.07 gpt Au, 248 gpt Ag; 3.9 m @ 1.90 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 3.86 gpt Au, 448 gpt Ag; 4.0 m @ 1.55 gpt Au, 230 gpt Ag in the Tahonitas step out drilling. The boiling level at Zapote, with its corresponding higher grades, has been identified 50 m below previous reports, expanding the exploration targets.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. released further assay results from its Santa Maria property in Chihuahua. The underground drilling was successful in intersecting a geochemically anomalous intrusive rock with a 54.6 m interval grading 0.02 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag (including three intervals 1.5, 1.5 and 1.2 m in width grading 20, 21 and 23 gpt Ag respectively) and another hole returning 4.5 m @ 13 gpt Ag.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported results of 10 new holes from El Favor east zone, extending the mineralized strike by over 450 meters at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Some of the core-length intervals intercepted comprise 27.0 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag; 3.0 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 86 gpt Ag; 22.3 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 118 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 3.96 gpt Au, 944 gpt Ag); 7.7 m @ 0.46 gpt Au, 147 gpt Ag; 24.2 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag (including 2.0 m @ 4.16 gpt Au, 794 gpt Ag); 6.1 m @ 1.32 gpt Au, 328 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag; 11.4 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag (including 6.0 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag); 20.1 m @ 0.22 gpt Au, 68 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 2.59 gpt Au, 563 gpt Ag); 18.3 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 98 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 0.90 gpt Au, 255 gpt Ag). El Favor East mineralization is now known for 900 m, of which 600 m have been drilled.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. announced the addition of 4,500 meters of diamond drilling to its exploration program for 2021 at its San Diego project in Durango. That meterage is in addition to the 4,716 meters already sunk and reported in 2021.   The program discovered epithermal mineralization near the surface, the following are some selected core-length intervals: 273.65 m @ 0.10 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn (76 gpt AgEq); 50.17 m @ 0.05 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 99.53 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 25.55 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 86.64 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 169.83 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.8% Zn; 116.45 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 134.37 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 191.57 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 0.8% Zn.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. reported results form five reverse circulation (RC) drill holes at El Capitan, in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.1 m @ 0.15 gpt Au; 13.7 m @ 0.32 gpt Au; 44.2 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 10.7 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 27.4 m @ 0.23 gpt Au; 62.5 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 35.1 m @ 0.14 gpt Au; 21.3 m @ 0.19 gpt Au; 18.3 m @ 0.15 gpt Au; 6.1 m @ 0.29 gpt Au; 13.7 m @ 0.39 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 85.3 m @ 0.16 gpt Au; 19.8 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. provided an update on the drilling program at Panuco, within its Zacatecas property in Zacatecas. Four drill holes were completed for a total of 1,088m at Panuco, while two more were completed at Las Cruces vein system and one more is ongoing. Results are pending.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. has acquired key mineral concessions from Fresnillo PLC for a cash consideration of US$5.75 M. The acquired package comprises a 4,791-ha concession and four key small concessions totalling 27 ha, which will allow Argonaut to expand the pit, increase mineral reserves and extend mine life.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Media Luna informed on educational programs presented at communities in Guerrero.
  • Peñoles presented its company-wide water saving strategy on all its activities.
  • Newmont Peñasquito updated on activities with positive results in near-by communities.
  • Panamerican Silver informed on community health programs near its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas.

On the image below: Galena bearing milky quartz vein on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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Calcite veinlets in an oxidized siltstone-sandstone sequence

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

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 35th week of the year (September 6th to September 12th, 2021), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 6 news published by the media, with fourteen reporting resources and developments of their properties, eight informing on exploration results, five commenting on Mexican issues, one  communicating production and financial results, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) signed a collaboration agreement to promote research, scientific-technical advice and the training of human resources related to the mining sector. Mining companies in Mexico increased their consumption of clean energy from 14 to 31% from 2019 to 2020. Silver production in Mexico was led by the companies Fresnillo plc, Newmont and Grupo México in 2020, reported CAMIMEX. The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) has detected 14 points to explore for lithium carbonate in Sonora. The head of CAMIMEX stated that Mexican mining companies face “major delays” with environmental and water permits. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Benjamin Hill released assay results at its Benjamin Hill property, Colibri completed an IP survey and applied for a drill permit on its Evelyn project, and along with its partner Silver Spruce informed on exploration results at their Mezquite, Jackie and Diamante properties. In Chihuahua, Reyna Silver presented results from the first seven holes collared at its Batopilas property. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre announced results from its confirmation drilling program at its Tepic project. In Zacatecas, Defiance Silver released drill results from its ongoing drilling program at its San Acacio project.  ON MINING, Minera Alamos provided an update on the ongoing ramp up of mining operations at its Santana project in Sonora.  ON FINANCING, no relevant news.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almaden provided an update on its current drilling program at the Ixtaca project in Puebla. Coeur provided an update of its ongoing infill and expansion drilling program at its Palmarejo property in Chihuahua.  Discovery Silver reported positive results from metallurgical test work at its Cordero property in Chihuahua. Endeavour completed a Feasibility Study (FS) on its Terronera property in Jalisco. Fabled announced additional results from its 1,200m drilling program conducted at its Santa Maria property in Chihuahua. GoGold released results from five holes drilled at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco.  Gold Resource confirmed down-dip extension of the Switchback Vein System at its Arista mine, and commenced process of ramping up activities at its Don David mine in Oaxaca. Golden Tag released results from its drilling program conducted at its San Diego property in Durango. GR Silver presented results from the exploration program conducted on the GAP area located between the San Juan and San Marcial areas in Sinaloa. Prime Mining released results from its phase 1 drilling program conducted at its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa.  SilverCrest announced infill and expansion drill results at its Las Chispas property in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc, through Minera Juanicipio promotes the economy of the communities of Carrillo and Nuevo Mexico in Fresnillo, Zacatecas.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) signed a collaboration agreement to promote research, scientific-technical advice and the training of human resources related to the mining sector. The agreement will allow addressing specific problems in this strategic sector for the country, such as the management of polluting waste and the new technologies applicable in mining processes to reduce the environmental impact and the impact on local communities.
  • Mining companies in Mexico increased their consumption of clean energy from 14 to 31% from 2019 to 2020, according to the Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX). The results correspond to the member companies of CAMIMEX, which account for about 90% of the value of the country´s mining-metallurgical production.
  • Silver production in Mexico was led by the companies Fresnillo plc, Newmont and Grupo México in 2020, reported the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX). Silver mining production was 180.2 M Oz in 2020, 4% less than the corresponding year. Of that total, Fresnillo plc, the world’s largest producer company, recorded a production of 27.7%. This was followed by Newmont (15.4%) and Grupo México (8.8%). By federal entity, Zacatecas retains the first position, with a participation of 38.9%.The largest silver mines in the country are located in this state: “Peñasquito”, “Saucito” and “Fresnillo”.
  • The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) has detected 14 points to explore for lithium carbonate in Sonora. Lithium is used to create batteries, technological tools, mobile devices and electric cars that is revolutionizing the automotive industry.
  • The head of CAMIMEX, Fernando Alanis, stated that Mexican mining companies face “major delays” with environmental and water permits. “According to CAMIMEX, 18 specific mining project permits are pending before SEMARNAT, corresponding to projects that represent investment of nearly USD $2,800M. The metals sector seeks to boost operations in the one of the country’s biggest industries.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., released assay results from its Benjamin Hill property in Sonora with values as high as up to 20.0 g/t of Au at the eastern part of the area and values that ascend to 6.1, 4.4 and 3.6 g/t of Au to the south and silver values that exceed 200 g/t. These results confirm a N-S mineralized trend that runs at least by 3m long and 3 km wide. The company considers it is a new target area worthy to be drill tested.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation completed an IP survey and applied for a drill permit on its Evelyn project. At Evelyn property, the company completed an IP survey and reported that at 100m vertical depth, two broad areas of higher chargeability were identified underlying the northeast and central-east regions of the property; at 100m vertical depth, a sharp north-northwest showing more resistive domain to the northeast and a less resistive domain to the southwest was identified and has been interpreted as a moderately westerly dipping fault zone; and at 200m vertical depth, a strong chargeability was identified underlying the chargeability anomaly at 100m depth being interpreted as due to a stronger chargeability response below the zone of oxidation. Colibri also informed that it filed a drill permit with the Mexican Environmental Authority (SEMARNAT) to drill up to 56 holes at Evelyn property. This drilling program is based on data compilation and interpretation including the IP survey.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation, along with its partner Silver Spruce Resources Inc., informed on exploration results at their Mezquite, Jacky and Diamante properties. At El Mezquite property, the companies released drill results for the first 10 holes of its phase 1 drilling program and reported that 9 out of 10 returned assays or assay intercepts greater that 0.1 g/t Au with a highlight of 0.83 g/t Au over 3.05 metres in hole MEZ-21-005. These 10 holes are part of the 20 holes completed on July from eight pads for a total of 2,485m. Results of the remaining 10 holes are pending. The company also received a comprehensive interpretation of regional ASTER and LANDSAT 8 Hyperspectral and Image Analysis at their Jackie, El Diamante, and Mezquite properties. Alteration zonesassociated with NW trending lineaments (partially targeted by phase 1 drilling) were identified at Mezquite property. At Jackie, there are andesites displaying intense oxidation, silicification and argillization in areas free of vegetation. At Diamante property, there are many areas of alteration that require field verification as part of the first drill target definition.
  • Reyna Silver Corp., presented results from the first seven holes totaling 1,095m collared at its Batopilas property in Chihuahua. This is part of a 10,000m stage 1 drilling program. Significant mineralization was encountered in hole BA21-30 with 3.03 g/t Au and 703 g/t Ag over 3.2m, including 10,565 g/t Ag over 0.2m, and 8.74 g/t Au over 0.85m; and hole BA21-34 with 4.88 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag  over 1.5m, including 28.7 g/t Au and 59 g/t Ag over 0.25m. “Reyna Silver’s exploration program in the district is focused on tracing the known and projected native- silver bearing veins into the less explored and exploited parts of the district using surface mapping, trenching and satellite imagery”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold & Silver Ltd., announced results from its recently completed confirmation drilling program at its Tepic project. This program comprised 21 RC holes totalling 2,136m. Drilling highlights include hole TRC012 with 2.23 g/t Au and 263 g/t Ag (419 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m and hole TRC013 with 1.47 g/t Au and 119 g/t Ag (222 g/t AgEq) over 22.9m. Sierra Madre is advancing the property to a NI 43-101resource estimation.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., released drill results from its ongoing drilling program out of the existing resource area at the San Acacio project. Drilling highlights include holes DDSA-21-48 with 0.11 g/t Au, 144 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (179 g/t AgEq) over 20.97m, including 0.23 g/t Au, 597 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (665 g/t AgEq) over 1.63m, including 0.4 g/t Au, 1,460 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (1,574 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.36 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb and 1.3% Zn (109 g/t AgEq) over 5.16m; hole DDSA-21-47 with 0.5 g/t Au, 274 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (362 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 0.47 g/t Au, 474 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (564 g/t AgEq) over 1.80, and further down this hole encountered historical working with poor recovery core that returned 0.4 g/t Au, 183 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (289 g/t AgEq) over 12m; and hole DDSA-21-46 with 0.25 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, and 4.3% Zn (212 g/t AgEq) over 3.15m.  These results confirm up-dip and down-dip continuity of the main Veta Grande vein-structure outside of the current resource estimate.

ON MINING

  • Minera Alamos Inc. provided an updated on the ongoing ramp up of mining operations at its Santana project in Sonora. The company continued to expand blasting and mining activities aimed at removing the upper portion of the Nicho Norte mineralized “pipe”. The company has mined out over 147K tonnes from June to August, the same that were placed on the leach pad. The average grade of the blasthole assays in the mineralized zone was 0.86 g/t Au.

ON FINANCING

  • No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., provided an update on its current drilling program at the Ixtaca project in Puebla. The company has identified an increase in the number of COVID 19 cases in the  municipality of Ixtacamaxtitlan and has decided to pause drilling for two weeks out. To date, Almaden has drilled only one hole at the Southeast Alteration Zone to a depth of 78m. Core samples have been already dispatched to lab for assay.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., provided an update of its ongoing infill and expansion drilling program at its Palmarejo property in Chihuahua. Drilling highlights of the infill program conducted at the Independence deposit include hole HGDH_050 with 3.8 g/t Au and 271 g/t Ag over 3.5m; hole HGDH_069 with 4.8 g/t Au and 531 g/t Ag over 16.8m; hole HGDH_072 with 23.7 g/t Au and 819 g/t Ag over 3.9m, and VIDH_161 with 9.3 g/t Au and 538 g/t Ag over 3.4m. At the Patria deposit, highlights include hole LPDH with 6.2 g/ Au and 130 g/t Ag over 13m. Expansion drilling is also being conducted at Elmira and Johnson areas and highlights include hole EL21-0850-192-X30 with 36.3 g/t Au over 4.5m, hole EL21-0850-192-X23 with 16.5 g/t Au over 6m; and hole EL21-0850-156-X11 with 27.8 g/t Au over 3.2m, 220 g/t Au over 0.2m; and 53.7 g/ Au over 0.4m. “Coeur plans to transition its focus on various resource expansion targets in the remainder of 2021, while also continuing the infill program at the Independencia North, Hidalgo and La Patria zones”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp., reported positive results from metallurgical test work at its Cordero property in Chihuahua. Sulphide flotation test work returned silver recoveries of 80-89%, lead recoveries of 83-91%, and zinc recoveries of 81-90% from locked cycle tests, while oxide & transition cyanidation test work returned silver recoveries of 54-80%, and gold recoveries of 61-75% at coarse crush / grind sizes from coarse bottle roll testing.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., completed a Feasibility Study (FS) on its Terronera property in Jalisco. Highlights of the FS at Base Case (using USD $24 silver and USD $1,800 gold ) are an after-tax NPV (5%) of USD $174M, after-tax IRR of 21.3%, a payback period of 3.6 years, a pre-tax cumulative undiscounted free cash flow of USD $476M, and after-tax cumulative undiscounted free cash flow of USD $311M. These figures are for an underground mine operation that will process 7.4M tonnes of ore at 1,700 tons per day over the 12-year mine life.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced additional results from its 1,200m drilling program conducted at its Santa Maria property in Chihuahua. Hole SMUG-21-14 intersected 0.23 g/t Au, 81 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (93 g/t AgEq) over 7.2m, including 0.5 g/t Au, 143 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (143 g/t AgEq) over 4m, plus 0.33 g/t Au, 177 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (177 g/t AgEq) over 6.75m, including 0.53 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (286 g/t AgEq) over 3.85m, including 1.08 g/t Au, 634 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.9% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (690 g/t AgEq) over 1.35m. “Holes SMUG21- 16, 17 and 18 have been completed and submitted for assay. Hole SMUG21- 18 is the last hole drilled for the underground drill campaign”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released results from five holes drilled at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. The most significant drill intersection was encountered in hole LRGF-21-060 collared at El Favor deposit with 0.36 g/t Au and 238 g/t Ag (3.54 g/t AuEq or 265 g/t AgEq) over 82.9m, including 0.62 g/t Au and 408 g/t Ag (6.05 g/t AuEq or 454 g/t AgEq) over 44.4m, including 1.09 g/t Au and 700 g/t Ag (10.43 g/t AuEq or 782 g/t AgEq) over 13.8 m, including 1.56 g/t Au and 1,009 g/t Ag (15.02 g/t AuEq or 1,126 g/t AgEq) over 8.1m, including 5.66 g/t Au and 2,163 g/t Ag (34.49 g/t AuEq or 2,587 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m.
  • Gold Resource Corporation confirmed down-dip extension of the Switchback Vein System at its Arista mine in Oaxaca, with interceptions of precious and base metal mineralization approximately 80m below existing workings. “The results of drilling completed during the second and third quarters of 2021 have confirmed the potential for adding precious metal bearing mineralization that is amenable to mining in the short term. Geologists continue to focus on exploring new areas and identifying additional mineralization along strike as well as up- and down-dip of the current mine workings.” At its Don David mine, the company commenced the process of ramping up activities after bringing employees back to the mine site, and provided an updated 2021 production guidance. Gold Resource expects to produce 21K-23K Oz Au and 1.1-1.3M Oz Ag, at cash and AISC of USD $250- 290 and USD $800-900 per Oz AuEq.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., released results from its drilling program conducted at its San Diego property in Durango. Hole 21-57 intersected directly over top of the NW contact of the Fernandez Zone 0.1 g/t Au, 43 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb,  0.3% Zn, and 0.02% Cu ( 76 g/t AgEq) over 273.65m, including 0.55 g/t Au, 628 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, 3.61 g/t Zn, and 0.12% Cu (892 g/t AgEq) over 10m. Other significant intersections included in this long interval are 0.11 g/t Au, 362 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, 2.8% Zn, and 0.26% Cu (570 g/t AgEq) over 1.07m, 0.1 g/t Au, 221 g/t Ag, 3.8% Pb, 2.5% Zn, and 0.12% Cu (492 g/t AgEq) over 1.23m, and 0.08 g/t Au, 43 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (115 g/t AgEq) over 17m, plus a deeper intersection (1849 target area) of 0.13 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.7% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (92 g/t AgEq) over 134.37m, including 0.22 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.9% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (117 g/t AgEq) over 66.04m. “This new discovery sits directly over top of the NW contact of the Fernandez Zone and contains a broad interval of silver mineralization that will be tested for continuity and the potential for additional open pit style of mineralization. The second discovery was made within the 1849 Target area, which now becomes the 1849 Zone, located only 120 m NW of the Fernandez Zone.”
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., presented results from the exploration program conducted on the GAP area located between the San Juan and San Marcial areas in Sinaloa. Channel sampling highlights include 10.72 g/t Au and 251 g/t Ag over, 0.3m; 0.81 g/t Au and 1,450 g/t Ag over 0.35m; and 2.77 g/t Au and 363 g/t Ag over 0.3m. Rock chip sampling highlights include 0.54 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, and 11.8% Zn; 1.6 g/t Au and 440 g/t Ag. The company controls 7km of structural trend between San Marcial and San Juan areas, which hosts the new GAP Area discovery.
  • Prime Mining Corp., released results from its phase 1 drilling program conducted at its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole 21GE-20 with 35.37 g/t Au and 1.626 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 6m, including 62.6 g/t Au and 2,574 g/t Ag over a TW of 3m; hole 21GE-18 with 15.58 g/t Au and 270 g/t Ag over a TW of 9.4m; and hole 21GE-19 with 2.66 g/t Au and 118 g/t Ag over a TW of 30.7m. These drill results expands the open-pit potential at Guadalupe East Vein System. 
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Tigre property in Sonora. The most significant drill intersection was encountered in hole 21-236  on Soy Vein with 0.34 g/t Au, 324 g/t Ag, 0.47% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (428 g/t AgEq) including 0.27 g/t Au, 894 g/t Ag, 0.9% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (1,039 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced infill and expansion drilling results in the Babicanora Area at its Las Chispas property in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole BV21-307 with 17.13 g/t Au and 1,830 g/t Ag (3,319 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.96m, including 42.3 g/t Au and 4,490 g/t Ag (8,166 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.21m; hole BV21-308 with 15.83 g/t Au and 1,440 g/t Ag (2,815 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.55m, including 93.6 g/t Au and 7,750 g/t Ag (15,884 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.55m, including 93.6 g/t Au and 7,750 g/t Ag (7,249 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m; and hole BV21-340 with 34.4 g/t Au and 4,260 g/t Ag (7,249 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.41m. This drilling is targeting conversion of an estimated 15.4M Oz AgEq grading 9.97 g/t Au and 708 g/t Ag, or 1,574 g/t AgEq.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc, through Minera Juanicipio promotes the economy of the communities of Carrillo and Mexico Nuevo in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. The company carried out the programs “Family Gardens” and “Backyard Birds” in the communities of Carrillo and Mexico Nuevo, in order to stimulate the local economy and benefit 50 families from Fresnillo, Zacatecas. This activity has the support of local authorities.

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, calcite veinlets hosted in an oxidized siltstone-sandstone sequence in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Quartz vein displaying boiling texture

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 30th week of the year (July 26th to August 1st, 2021), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 3 news published by the media, with eight communicating production and financial results, eight informing on exploration results, five disclosing deal and corporate issues, four reporting on resources and developments of their properties, two announcing financial topics, two commenting on Mexican issues and two discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Equinox announced that the illegal blockade at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero has been lifted. According to information from the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), mining companies working in Mexico have a sustainable commitment with the environment.   ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan and its partner Colibri reported results from its ongoing drilling program at the Pilar project, and Riverside announced results from the first hole testing the Santa Rosalia target at its the Cuarentas project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla released new results from its ongoing 100,000m drilling program at its Panuco project. In Durango, Canasil informed that it has completed three holes at its Nora project and Mithril provided a report of the exploration activities carried out at its Copalquin project during the period Q2, 2021.  In Puebla, Almaden commenced prospect drilling at its Ixtaca property. ON MINING, Mexus announced that mining continues at the Vein 2 Area within its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Santacruz reported Q2, 2021 production results from their Zimapan and Rosario mines in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. Alamos Gold presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora.  Capstone announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. Agnico Eagle reported Q2, 2021 from their Mexican operations in Chihuahua and Sonora. Coeur presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Gold Resource announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Arista mine in Oaxaca. Mag Silver and its JV partner Fresnillo plc reported Q2, 2021 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Gold Resource declared quarterly dividends of $0.01 per common share to shareholders for the period Q2, 2021 (Arista mine, Oaxaca). Guanajuato Silver announced it has drawn down USD $7.5M from its loan facility (El Cubo mine, Guanajuato). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Chesapeake released results of its PEA for the Phase 1 mine plan of its Metates project, Durango. Fabled reported drill results and expanded to 14,200m its ongoing drilling program at the Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. GoGold continued releasing drill results from the ongoing drilling campaign at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco.   Golden Tag filed a drill permit to quadruple the number of drill pads at its San Diego project, Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Commander optioned the Pedro project, Durango to Southern Empire. Vizsla announced the appointment of its VP of Business Development and Strategy (Panuco project, Sinaloa). SilverCrest announced the appointment of its VP of Technical Services (Las Chispas, Sonora). Altaley launched its new corporate website (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Grupo Mexico delivered 9,000 trees for forestry programs to the Municipality of San Francisco del Rincón, Aguascalientes. Fresnillo plc and Industrias Peñoles have implemented strategies for the care and management of water for their operational processes in all their mines and plants.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced that the illegal blockade at its Los Filos mine, Guerrero has been lifted, access to the mine has been restored and Los Filos mine has resumed operations.  There are some members of Xochipala community still camped near the Guadalupe and Bermejal open pits but Equinox´s representatives are in talks with government and Xochipala representatives to achieve resolution.
  • According to information from the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), mining companies working in Mexico have a sustainable commitment. In 2020 more than MXP $7,450M was invested in the country to take care of the environment such as efficient water management, reforestation, and conservation of the flora and fauna species as part of its sustainability policies and in compliance with Mexican legislation.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. and its partner Colibri Resources Corporation reported results from its 20-holes, 2500 m Phase 2 RC program at the Pilar project in Sonora. Significant drill results were encountered in holes JES-21-53 with 1.09 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (1.11 g/t AuEq) over 15.25m, including 2.42 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (2.45 g/t AuEq) over 4.58m, including 4.57 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (4.65 g/t AuEq) over 1.53m; hole JES-21-52 with 0.63 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag (1.13 g/t AuEq) over 3.05m, plus 0.49 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (0.81 g/t AuEq) over 3.06m; hole JES-21-55 with 0.43 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.47 g/t AuEq) over 10.67m, including 1.16 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (1.24 g/t AuEq) over 1.52m, plus 1.2 g/t Au over 1.53m; and hole JES-21-50 with 0.96 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.99 g/t AuEq) over 39.65m, including 3.04 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (3.1 g/t AuEq) over 12.2m, including 14.55 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (14.67 g/t AuEq) over 1.53m. “The drilling appears to be defining a footprint of mineralization approximately 500m X 500m with expansion potential to the southeast”.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., announced results from the first drill hole testing the Santa Rosalia target at its the Cuarentas project. Hole LC20-010 intersected 0.36 g/t Au over 3.15m, including 0.88 g/t Au over 0.7m, plus 0.58 g/t Au over 1.55m, including 1.05 g/t Au over 0.65m. “The Cuarentas epithermal vein drilled mineralized area intersected at surface and appears to be the upper part of a copper-gold porphyry system that is potentially responsible for the extensive >6km area including sericite and pyrophyllite alteration”. Riverside is highlighting the possibility of a feeder system of intermediate sulphidation along the Testerazo fault corridor.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., released new results from its ongoing 100,000m drilling program at its Panuco project. These new results are from ten holes completed at Cordon del Oro area, on which nine out of the ten holes intersected a new east-west trending vein within the San Antonio Vein corridor. The most significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes CO-21-44 with 6.64 g/t Au and 705 g/t Ag (1,283 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.07m, including 14.65 g/t Au and 1,365 g/t Ag (2,649 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m; and hole CO-21-50 with 2.59 g/t Au and 747 g/t AgEq (943 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.17m, including 4.23 g/t Au and 1,230 g/t Ag (1,551 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.18m.  Drilling results have delineated near-surface mineralization zone of 200m along strike and 100m down dip, and remain open in all directions. Next step is to expand this new zone both at depth and laterally.
  • Canasil Resources Inc., informed that it has completed three holes and a fourth is on progress at its Nora project in Durango. All holes were collared below and between high-grade gold and silver intercepts from the 2020 drill holes NRC-20-04 and NRC-20-06 on the Candy vein structure. A total of 790 metres of core drilling has been completed since the start of the program in early July 2021. 110 core samples from holes NRC-21-09 y NRC-21-10 have been already shipped to the lab for assays.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., provided a report of the exploration activities carried out at its Copalquin project during the period Q2, 2021. Highlights include a) drilling at El Refugio target has extended the known mineralization to 700m X 350m; the discovery of the “77 Clavo” with bonanzas grades  such as those encountered in hole CDH-077 with 80.3 g/t Au and 705 g/t Ag over a length of 8.26m, including 106 g/t Au and 913 g/t Ag over a length of 6.26m, including 837 g/t Au and 6,680 g/t Ag over a lengths of 0.77m; b) Continue expansion of the El Refugio Clavo with multiple high-grade intercepts including hole CDH-075 with 13.8 g/t Au and 83 g/t Ag over a length of 2.70m, plus 10.9 g/t Au and 364 g/t Ag over a length of 4.25m; hole CDH-063 with 5.32 g/t Au and 105 g7t Ag over a length of 83; hole CDH-062 with 4.12 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag over a length of 4.82m; and hole 2.34 g/t Au and 144 g/t Ag over a length of 7.60m; c) Confirmation of the El Cometa bonanza grades with twin of historic drill hole CDH-072 which intersected 74 g/t Au and 841 g/t Ag over a length of 6.8m, including 235 g/t Au and 2,554 g/t Ag over a length of 2.1m; d) Results from 240 soil samples collected at El Refugio Zone have extended the target zone for drilling a full 1.3Km west from the currently westernmost drill holes; and e) the company is preparing a maiden JORC resource estimate for El Refugio/El Cometa Zones and is expected to be completed by H2, 2021.
  • Almaden Minerals ltd., commenced prospect drilling at its Ixtaca property in Puebla. Focus of the drilling program is the Southeast Alteration Zone (SE Alteration Zone) located approximately 1km from the Ixtaca deposit. The SE Alteration Zone measures about 1.5Km x 1km and comprises clay-altered volcanic rocks with clusters of anomalies identified from a hyperspectral survey, including kaolinite, alunite, and buddingtonite.  Work exploration of this area has also included geophysics and geological mapping.

ON MINING

  • Mexus Gold US announced that mining continues at the Vein 2 Area within its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  “Mining is currently being developed at the quartz vein with 1 to 1.5 meter with some wider pocket zones. Mexus has found 10 g/t gold zones randomly with notable oxide coloring due to former sulphides. Thrust fault shear mineral is being worked around it and only high grade quartz vein is loaded and hauled”. Pregnant solution from the heap leach pad is ranging from 0.3 to 1.7 g/t Au and is treated by Carbon absorption. One ton of loaded carbon is en route to Chicago for processing for final sale which will allow Mexus to increase production on a weekly basis.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported Q2, 2021 production results from their Zimapan and Rosario mines in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. At Zimapan, Hidalgo, the company processed 155,047 tonnes of 84 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 2.5% Zn, and 0.38% Cu (202 g/t AgEq) to produce 310.9K Oz Ag, 0.67M Lb Pb, 6.38M Lb Zn, and 1.08M Lb Cu  (757.9K Oz AgEq). At Rosario mine, San Luis Potosi, Santacruz processed 16,917 tonnes of 45 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (104 g/t AgEq) to produce 18.49K Oz Ag, 53 Oz Au, 69.4K Lb Pb, and 394.2K Lb Zn (41.1K Oz AgEq).
  • Alamos Gold Inc., presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora. It produced 35.9K Oz Au and sold 28.67K Oz Au at a cost of USD $1,395 and USD $893 per Oz Au produced respectively, and an AISC of USD $1,144 per Oz Au sold. Alamos also provided a 2021 guidance and expects to produce between 150K-160K Oz Au at total and AISC of USD $840-890 and USD $1,060-1,110 per Oz Au respectively.
  • Capstone Mining Corp., announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 332K tonnes and milled 348K tonnes of 1.86% Cu, 0.5% Zn, and 40 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 96.3%, 46.7%, and 82.1% respectively, to produce 13.8M Lb Cu, 1.88M Lb Zn, and 364K Oz Ag. Cash cost was USD $1/lb Cu produced. Cozamine reported revenues for USD $68.6M and an adjusted EBIDTA of USD $50M.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q2, 2021 from their Mexican operations in Chihuahua and Sonora. At Pinos Altos, Chihuahua, Agnico processed 521K tonnes of 2.07 g/t Au to produce 32.6K Oz Au and 331K Oz Ag at a production and total cash costs of USD $1,106 and USD $849 per Oz Au produced respectively. At Creston-Mascota, Chihuahua, the company produced 3.23K Oz Au and 41K Oz Ag at production and total cash costs of USD $608 and USD $341 per Oz Au produced respectively from residual leaching . At La India, Sonora, it processed 1.745M tonnes of 0.46 g/t Au to produce 4.7K Oz Au and 7K Oz Ag at costs of USD $1,390 and USD $1,350 per Oz Au produced respectively.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. The company milled 517,373 tonnes of 1.8 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 92.4% and 81.9% respectively to produce 27.6K Oz Au and 1.67M Oz Ag. Coeur sold 30.5K Oz Au and 1.64M Oz Ag at an adjusted cost of USD $662 and USD $13.34 per Oz Au sold and Oz Ag sold respectively. The company reported a cash flow of USD $33.4M and a free cash flow of USD $23.6M.
  • Gold Resource Corporation announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Arista mine in Oaxaca. The company milled 129.6K tonnes of 1.93 g/t Au, 77 g/t Ag, 0.4% Cu, 1.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn at total cash and AISC of USD $713 and USD $1,280 respectively to produce 5,697 Oz Au, 270.3K Oz Ag, 817.6K Lb Cu, 2.72M Lb Pb, and 7.15M Lb Zn (9,685 Oz AuEq). Gold Resource reported an EBIDTA of USD $7.4M and an operating cash flow of USD $9.3M.
  • Mag Silver Corp., and its JV partner Fresnillo plc reported Q2, 2021 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. Mag Silver (44%) and Fresnillo plc (56%) processed 44,435 tonnes of underground development material to produce 434.9K Oz Ag and 787 Oz Au of which 191.35K Oz Ag and 346 Oz Au are attributable to Mag Silver. The associated lead and zinc production will be reported with MAG’s second quarter filings.

ON FINANCING

  • Gold Resource Corporation declared quarterly dividends of $0.01 per common share to shareholders for the period Q2, 2021 payable on September 30, 2021 (Arista mine, Oaxaca).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced it has drawn down USD $7.5M from its loan facility with trading firm OCIM Group. This financing will be used to restarts its El Cubo mine and mill complex in Guanajuato.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., released results of its PEA for the Phase 1 mine plan of its Metates project, Durango. The PEA demonstrates robust project economics such as Pre-Tax NPV of USD $1.14B and 35% IRR at USD $1,600 per Oz Au and USD $22 per Oz Ag at a 5% discount rate, over a 31-year mine life. The PEA includes a revised mineral resource estimate for the Metates Project and replaces the mineral reserve estimate contained in the Company’s updated preliminary feasibility study dated April 29, 2016. The measured and indicated mineral resource is 1.3 billion tonnes at 0.47 g/t gold and 12.9 g/t silver for 19.8M Oz Au and 542M Oz Ag. Inferred mineral resource is an additional 62.2M tonnes at 0.32g/t gold and 9.0 g/t silver for 640K Oz Au and 18M Oz Ag. The PEA reports an average annual production of over 110K Oz Au and 2.5M Oz Ag during the first 15 years at AISC of USD $748 per Oz Au produced.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., reported drill results and announced expansion of its ongoing drilling program at the Santa Maria project, Chihuahua to 14,200m. Hole SM20-21 intersected 0.16 g/t Au, 7 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (15 g/t Ag) over 18.9m, including 0.62 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (63 g/t AgEq) over 2.10m; and hole SM20-22 intersected 4.95 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (268 g/t AgEq) over 14.4m, including 7.17 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (385 g/t AgEq) over 9.5m, plus 0.94 g/t Au, 59 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (107 g/t AgEq) over 3.1m, including 1.05 g/t Au, 66 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 0.04% Cu (120 g/t AgEq) over 1m, including 1.56 g/t Au, 78 g/t Ag, and 0.07% Cu (158 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m. The company expanded the present drilling by 5,000m to a total of 14,200m to properly evaluate the mineralization at the Santa Maria property.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., continued released results from five holes drilled at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. The best drill intercept was encountered in hole LRGF-21.052 with 0.31 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag (1.82 g/t AuEq or 136 g/t AgEq) over a length of 51.3m, including 0.96 g/t Au, 235 g/t Ag (4.1 g/t AuEq or 307 g/t AgEq) over a length of 11.4m, including 2.78 g/t Au and 1,367 g/t Ag (21.01 g/t AuEq or 1,576 g/t AgEq) over a length of 0.9m, including  2.65 g/t Au and 336 g/t Ag (7.13 g/t AuEq or 535 g/t AgEq) over a length of 3m, including 9.63 g/t Au and 655 g/t Ag (18.35 g/t AuEq or 1,376 g/t AgEq) over a length of 0.7m, plus 0.18 g/t Au and 169 g/t Ag (2.44 g/t AuEq or 183 g/t AgEq) over a length of 1.5m. Another significant drill intercept was encountered in hole LRGF-21-054 with 0.20 g/t Au and 77 g/t Ag (1.24 g/t AuEq or 93 g/t AgEq) over a length of 63.6m, including 1.1 g/t Au and 401 g/t Ag (6.46 g/t AuEq or 484 g/t AgEq) over a length of 5.6m, including 1.52 g/t Au and 539 g/t Ag (8.71 g/t AuEq or 653 g/t AgEq) over a length of 4m, including 1.96 g/t Au and 784 g/t Ag (12.41 g/t AuEq or 931 g/t AgEq) over a length of 1m.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., filed with SEMARNAT a drill permit to quadruple the number of drill pads from 14 to 58 at its San Diego project, Durango. The drill permit is expected to be obtained during Q3, 2021.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Commander Resources Ltd., granted an option to Southern Empire Resources Corp. to acquire a 100% interest in the Pedro project, Durango. Pedro is an epithermal gold project with potential for both bulk mineable and bonanza-grade vein deposit and comprises 1,750 Ha in three mineral claims. Total consideration for the option is CDN $700K as follow: CDN $25K and 100K shares on completion of a definitive agreement, CDN $125K on the first agreement anniversary, CDN $250K on the second anniversary, and CDN $300K on the third anniversary.  Southern Empire also must to complete CDN $1.5M in exploration expenditures, including CDN $400K within the first year of the agreement. Commander will retain a 2% NSR royalty with no buydown provision.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., announced the appointment of its VP of Business Development and Strategy (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the appointment of its VP of Technical Services (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Altaley Mining Corporation launched its completely renewed corporate website with modern design to facilitate the access to its information (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Grupo Mexico delivered 9,000 trees for forestry program to the Municipality of San Francisco del Rincón, Aguascalientes. This program called “Mexicanos Sembrando” is one of the initiatives that have been generated to take care of the environment.
  • Fresnillo plc and Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., have implemented strategies for the care and management of water for their operational processes in all their mines and plants. Both Peñoles and Fresnillo plc collaborate with the communities with campaigns to raise awareness about the use and conservation of the resource.  Likewise, they support the human right to access to water in nearby towns through the service of pipes and support the population with rainwater collectors. In the same way, Peñoles participates in community projects such as the creation of water wells in different localities of Guerrero, Durango, Sonora and Chihuahua.

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

On the picture above, a quartz vein displaying boiling texture in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system from a prospect in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Vein-Bx hosted in volcanic rocks

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 28th week of the year (July 12th to July 18th, 2021), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 4 news published by the media, with nine communicating production and financial results, nine reporting on resources and developments of their properties, seven announcing financial rounds, four informing on exploration results, two commenting on Mexican issues and two discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of Economy of Mexico alerted the public about false information that is being disseminated on behalf of the “Undersecretariat of Mining” and recalled that it no longer exists. The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) and the Government of Hidalgo signed an agreement to join efforts on research and science to integrate a knowledge-creating system. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Vizsla presented results from the first four holes collared at the Josephine Vein within its Panuco project. In Durango, Mithril released drilling result from its Copalquin property. In Zacatecas, Alien provided an update on the review and planning for the next phase of exploration on its Donovan 2 project. In Oaxaca, Inomin filed a NI43-101 technical report for its la Gitana project. ON MINING, Aura reported Q2, 2021 production from its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. First Majestic reported Q2, 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Altaley presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Golden Minerals reported Q2, 2021 production results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Gold Resource released Q2, 2021 production results from its Arista mine in Oaxaca. Magna Gold presented Q2, 2021 production results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora. McEwen reported Q2, 2021 production results from its El Gallo project, Sinaloa. Mexus announced that the company will be shipping approximately 1 tonne of activated carbon to USA for processing.  ON FINANCING, Almadex and Azucar Minerals granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants. Gatos Silver signed a definitive agreement to retire its portion of the Los Gatos JV term loan and announced a public offering to sell shares of its common stock (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). One World Lithium announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2,025,000 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Riverside informed that it is to receive USD $5.4M in exploration funding from BHP to advance four copper projects in Sonora. Orla Mining closed a non-broker prospectus financing for gross proceeds of USD $35M (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver released results from 13 drill holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Fabled announced results from its ongoing drilling program at Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Avino presented results from Phase 1 of the drill campaign conducted at its Avino mine in Durango. GoGold released results from eleven drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Golden Tag presented results from a drill hole collared at the Fernandez Zone within its San Diego property in Durango. Great Panther announced Q2, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex located in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. IMPACT informed that it has completed phase 1 of the Veta Negra drilling program in the Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Kootenay hired Blue Coast Research to conduct metallurgical testing on its la Negra property in Sonora. Prime Mining released drill results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa.  Silver Tiger announced that it continue intersecting high grade mineralization at its El Tigre project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Grupo México donated 8,000 native trees to Hermosillo, Sonora. The Government of Zacatecas along with representatives of the mining companies Fresnillo plc and Capstone Gold began with the Tree Donation Program.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Ministry of Economy of Mexico alerted the public about false information that is being disseminated on behalf of the “Undersecretariat of Mining” and recalled that it no longer exists. Through a press release, the agency indicated that it has no relationship with the “Commission National Mining Reactivation and Sustainable Production Mexico 2021”, nor with the “Project for Reactivation and Sustainable Production”, nor with the “Guide to Good Operating Practices”, which is supposedly being prepared by the “Undersecretary of Mining of the Government of Mexico”. According to Article 243 of the Federal Criminal Code, the crime of falsifying public documents will be punishable by imprisonment from four to eight years.
  • The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) and the Government of Hidalgo signed an agreement to join efforts on research and scienceto integrate a knowledge-creating system, for the benefit of future generations. Objectives are established to work together on two projects: Comarca Minera Geopark and LABChico: Mineral del Chico Underground Laboratory.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Vizsla Silver Corp., presented results from the first four holes collared at the Josephine Vein within its Panuco project. Highlights include hole NP-21-132 with 2.16 g/t Au, 599 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn (797 g/t AgEq)  over 2.5m, including 12.4 g/t Au, 3,320 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, and 4.9% Zn (4,431 g/t AgEq) over 0.3m; and hole NP-21-139 with 3.4 g/t Au, 426 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 5.5% Zn (869 g/t AgEq) over 1.45m, including 3.91 g/t Au, 502 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, and 6.8% Zn (1,020 g/t AgEq) over 1.15m. “Drilling intersected veining of 90m strike, 190m depth where it remains open.  Ground Electromagnetic (EM) has mapped the vein over 1.7 km”.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., released drilling result from its Copalquin property in Durango. Bonanza grade was intersected in hole CDH-077 collared at El Refugio Area with 80.3 g/t Au and 705 g/t Ag over 8.26m, including 106 g/t Au and 913 g/t Ag over 6.26m, including 837 g/t Au and 6,680 g/t Ag over 0.77m. Other high grade intercepts were encountered in hole CDH-075 with 13.8 g/t Au and 83 g/t Ag over 2.7m, plus 10.9 g/t Au and 364 g/t Ag over 4.25m, including 16.3 g/t Au and 414 g/t Ag over 2.65m, plus 1.02 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over 2m, plus 0.84 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag over 4.5m; and hole CDH-076 with 0.93 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 2.4m, plus 2.06 g/t Au and 95 g/t Ag over 5m, plus 0.86 g/t Au and 39 g/t Ag over 1m. Drilling results continue expanding the El Refugio structure down dip with high-grade and bonanza grade gold-silver intercepts.
  • Alien Metals Ltd., provided an update on the review and planning for the next phase of exploration on its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Alien has received this property back from Capstone after ceasing their agreement. After reviewing all the exploration work carried out at Donovan 2, Alien concluded that the original high-priority targets identified by Alien prior to Capstone’s involvement remain untested. In the eastern area of Donovan 2 property, a north-south grid to collect 55 Metal Mobile Ion (MMI) surface geochemical samples has been designed and work has commenced. “The Company is finalizing an initial 4-to-6 hole program for about 800m to target the Los Alamos and Cerro de la Cruz targets once a review of the current drilling permit status is completed, the MMI results are received and reprocessing of the geophysics are completed to ensure the Company has used every available piece of data to maximize confidence in the drilling program”. 
  • Inomin Mines Inc., filed a NI43-101 technical report for its la Gitana project located in Oaxaca. La Gitana is an advance property where a substantial near-surface, low-sulphidation, epithermal gold-silver mineral system has been outlined. “Previous drilling programs at La Gitana in 2004 – 2006 by Chesapeake Gold Corp., intersected gold-silver mineralization in a core zone 400 to 500m long, 50 to 150m wide and 50 to 300m depth, with grades ranging from 0.25 to 27.8 g/t gold and 5 to 2,330 g/t silver”.  The gold-silver mineralization is open to expansion to the southeast and at depth from drill-tested areas.  Inomine plans to conduct a phase 2 drilling campaign and complete a preliminary resource estimation.

ON MINING

  • Aura Minerals inc., reported Q2, 2021 production from its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. It produced 5,120 Oz Au, 84,263 Oz Ag, and 6.78M Lb Cu for a total of 22,590 GEO (Oz AuEq).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations. The table below, shows mine by mine figures:
MineOre ProcessedTonnes per DayAg Grade (g/t)Au Grade (g/t)Ag RecoveryAu RecoveryAg Oz ProducedAu Oz ProducedAgEq Oz produced
San Dimas202,3822,2243013.0795%96%1,868,03119,2273,176,725
Santa Elena234,3812,576811.1793%96%565,4538,4531,140,398
La Encantada242,8392,6691380.0278%90%840,541102847,502
TOTAL679,6027,4691671.3289%94%3,27,402527,7825,164,625
  • Altaley Mining Corporation presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. The company milled 164.1K tonnes of 1.2 g/t Au, 129 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 4.5% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 22%, 46%, 31%, and 74% respectively to produce 11.9K tonnes of Zn concentrate and 2.7K tonnes of Pb concentrate. Altaley reported revenues of USD $13.9M from the sale of Zn concentrates and USD $2.27M for the Pb concentrates for total revenue of USD $16.2M.
  • Golden Minerals Company reported Q2, 2021 production results from its Rodeo mine in Durango.  The company mined 164,954 tonnes from which it processed 49,552 tonnes of 3.6 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 78% and 83.9% respectively to produce 3,452 Oz Au and 11,225 Oz Ag (3,230 Oz AuEq).
  • Great Panther Mining Limited announced Q2, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex located in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. At Topia, Durango, the company processed 15,520 tonnes of 432 g/t Ag, 1.07 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 93.5% and 60.3% respectively, to produce 201,339 Oz Ag, 321 Oz Au, 799.7K Lb Pb, and 1.07M Lb Zn (3123K Oz AgEq or 3,674 Oz AuEq. At the Guanajuato Mine Complex, the company processed 40,477 tonnes of 118 g/t Ag and 1.58 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 87.4% and 87.6% respectively, to produce 133K Oz Ag and 1,786 Oz Au (284.9K Oz AgEq or 3,352 Oz AuEq).
  • Gold Resource Corporation released Q2, 2021 production results from its Arista mine in Oaxaca. The company milled 129,590 tonnes from Arista and El Aguila mines with grades of 1.91 g/t Au, 79 g/t Ag, 0.36% Cu, 1.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn at Arista mine and 2.58 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag at El Aguila to produced 5.7K Oz Au, 270.3K Oz Ag, 817.6K Lb Cu, 2.7M Lb Pb, and 7.15M Lb Zn.
  • Magna Gold Corp., presented Q2, 2021 production results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora. It mined 1.23M tonnes  of 0.43 g/t Au and processed 1.35M tonnes (all sources) of 0.49 g/t Au to produce 11.7K Oz Au and 8.4K Oz Ag. The company sold 11.8K Oz Au and 8.4K Oz Ag.
  • McEwen Mining Inc., reported that it produced 1,300 Gold Equivalent Oz (GEOs) during Q2, 2021 at its El Gallo project, Sinaloa from residual leaching of the heap leach pad.
  • Mexus Gold US announced that the company will be shipping approximately 1 tonne of activated carbon to USA for processing which is believed to contain 4K grams of Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants to purchase 757,800 common shares at an exercise price of $0.30 per share which expire on July 8, 2023 (El Chato project, Puebla).
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants to purchase 793,800 common shares at an exercise price of $0.11 per share which expire on July 8, 2023 (El Cobre project, Veracruz).
  • Gatos Silver Inc., signed a definitive agreement to retire its attributable portion of the los Gatos JV term loan which is approximately $154.8M, and announced a public offering to sell shares of its common stock to raise funds to achieve a more cost-efficient capital structure, including the potential extinguishment of the Los Gatos Joint Venture’s term loan, and to create additional liquidity in Gatos Silver’s common stock. The company plans to offer 6,500,000 shares of common stock and for certain selling stockholders to offer 1.82M shares of common stock. In addition, Gatos Silver and the selling stockholders intend to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 975K and 273K additional shares of common stock, respectively, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
  • One World Lithium announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2,025,000. It will allocate the net proceeds as follows: Salar del Diablo Lithium property southern and possible middle portion of the property drilling program CAD $750K; initial lab tests, design of and completing engineer design work for a pilot plant for the company’s critical fluid separation technology CAD $750K and CAD $525K for working capital.  
  • Riverside Resources Inc., informed that it is to receive USD $5.4M in exploration funding from BHP to advance four copper projects as part of the expanding copper exploration program with BHP in Sonora.  The properties to advance are Chuin, Palofierro, Sinoquipe, and Peñitas. Chuin and Palofierro are drill-ready properties, and drilling permits are underway, while Sinoquipe and Peñitas will be subject to Magneto-Telluric surveys which are expected to commence after contractors are secured.  This new funding of at least USD 5.4M is in addition to the USD $1.3M allocated for the next generative phase of exploration work, which began two months ago.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., closed a non-broker prospectus financing for gross proceeds of USD $35M consisting of 9,085,263 common shares priced at CAD $4.75 per common share. Part of the net proceeds will be used for development activities and at its Camino Rojo Oxide Gold Project in Zacatecas, and for general corporate purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Discovery Silver Corp., released results from 13 drill holes collared at its flagship Cordero project in Chihuahua. These results are part of the recently completed phase 1 drill program and are going to be incorporated in a new resource estimate in Q3, 2021 and PEA in Q4, 2021. Highlights include hole C21-457 with 1,570 g/t Ag, 16.25 g/t Au, 7% Pb, and 19% Zn (3,934 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; hole C21-435 with 122 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (245 g/t AgEq) over 28.5m, including 1,960 g/t Ag, 0.32 g/t Au, 15.4% Pb, and 21.6% Zn (3,424 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; hole C21-437 with 87 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (157 g/t AgEq) over 58.8m, including 1,480 g/t Ag, 0.22 g/t Au, 13.1% Pb, and 20% Zn (2,789 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m; hole C21-436 with 1,385 g/t Ag, 0.49 g/t Ag, 7.5% Pb, and 10.9% Zn (2,139 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; hole C21-435 with 385 g/t Ag, 1.15 g/t Au, 5.9% Pb, and 11.9% Zn (1,179 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m; and hole C21-459 with 420 g/t Ag, 0.32 g/t Au, 8.8% Pb, and 14.9% Zn (1,374 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m. In addition, “the company has completed 17,200 m (47 holes) as part of its Phase 2 drill program which will be ongoing through the remainder of the year. Phase 2 drilling will be focused on three key areas: (1) upgrading inferred resources for inclusion in a prefeasibility study; (2) resource expansion of bulk-tonnage mineralization; and (3) testing of the width, grade and continuity of the extensive high-grade vein systems that transect the deposit. There are currently four drill rigs operating on site”.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced results from the current ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole SM20-20 with 2.5 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (161 g/t AgEq) over 30.7m, including 3.33 g/t Au, 41 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (213 g/t AgEq) over 22.70m, including 5.61 g/t Au, 64 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 0.9% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (353 g7t AgEq) over 11.60m, including 7.24 g/t Au, 80 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, 1.1% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over 7.24m. “The Company has now completed drill holes SM20-01 to SM20-24 for a total of approximately 6,500 meters of the increased 9,200 meter drill program drilled to date. Hole SM20-25 is currently in progress”.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., presented results from Phase 1 of the drill campaign, which is looking to add measured and indicated resources to its Avino mine in Durango. The most significant drill intersects on El Trompo Vein were encountered in holes  TR-21-01 with 0.56 g/t Au, 177 g/t Ag,  0.5% Pb, and .7% Zn (577 g/t AgEq) over 0.95m; and hole TR-21-03 with 0.42 g/t Au, 276 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (322 g/t AgEq) over 2.75m. On the Santiago Vein, the most significant drill intercepts was encountered in hole ST-21-04 with 2.62 g/t Au, 643 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (865 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m. On the La Malinche Vein, the best drill intersects were encountered in hole LM-21-04 with 1.68 g/t Au, 252 g/t Ag, 1.17% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 10.3% Zn (820 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; and hole LM-21-06 with 1.56 g/t Au, 364 g/t Ag, 2.9% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (786 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released results from eleven drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGCS-21-047 collared at Casados Area with 0.76 g/t Au and 145 g/t Ag (2.71 g/t AuEq or 203 g/t AgEq) over 22.6m, including 4.31 g/t Au and 864 g/t Ag (15.84 g/t AuEq or 1,188 g/t AgEq) over 2m; and hole LRGCS-21-056 also collared at Casados Area with 0.96 g/t Au and 187 g/t Ag (3.45 g/t AuEq or 259 g/t AgEq) over 45.9m, including 6.17 g/t Au and 1,050 g/t Ag (20.17 g/t AuEq or 1,513 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m, including 13.01 g/t Au and 2,034 g/t Ag (40.12 g/t AuEq or 3,009 g/t AgEq) over 2m, including  19.87 g/t Au and 2,877 g/t Ag (58.23 g/t AuEq or 4,367 g/t AgEq).
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., presented results from hole 21-58 drilled at a steep angle toward the southwest to test the top of the Fernandez Zone resource envelope within its San Diego property in Durango. This hole intersected 0.13 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn and 0.12% Cu (306 g/t AgEq) over a length of 6.55m, plus 0.14 g/t Au, 96 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, 1.6% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (258 g/t AgEq) over 16.34 g/t AgEq, plus 0.04 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (111 g/t AgEq) over 191.57m. Future drilling will be designed to determine if the grade improvement can be extended to the west and at depth below hole 21-58.
  • IMPACT Silver Corp., informed that it has completed phase 1 of the Veta Negra drilling program in the Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole Z21-05 with 187 g/t Ag0.98 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, and 2.5% Zn over 13.85m. “The Veta Negra vein system was mined historically as both an open pit and from underground. Two north-northwest trending parallel veins enclosed by stockwork mineralized host rock are currently being mined by IMPACT over widths averaging 14 metres in the open pit”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., hired Blue Coast Research to conduct metallurgical testing on its la Negra property in Sonora with the aim to further investigate the best recovery process for La Negra along the path towards an initial mineral resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
  • Prime Mining Corp., released drill results from the Noche Buena deposit within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlights include hole 21NB-06 with 1.29 g/t Au and 61 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 28.9m , including5.74 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.6m; hole 21NB-09 with 2.89 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.4m, including 18 g/t Au and 209 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.2m; hole 21NB-08 with 1.23 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.9m, including 6.08 g/t Au and 91 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m; hole 21NB-10 with 0.7 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 15.6m, including 3.73 g/t Au and 109 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m; hole 21NB-05 with 0.77 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.9m, including 2.67 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.4m; hole 21NB-11 with 1 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.2m;and hole 21NB-07 with 0.65 g/t Au and 21 g/t Ag over 10.4m. “The Noche Buena deposit remains open at depth and further along strike”.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., announced that it continue intersecting high grade mineralization at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlights from the ongoing drilling program include hole ET-21-231, collared at the Sooy Vein with 303 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (369 g/t AgEq) over 10.8m, including 801 g/t Ag, 0.35 g/t Au, 0.71% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 2.8% Zn (2,063 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, and 125 g/t Ag,  0.17 g/t Au, 0.06% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (180 g/t AgEq) over 21.9m, including 534 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 4% Zn (749 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; and hole ET-21-235 collared at the Benjamin Vein with 89 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (161 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 391 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 0.56% Cu, 3.6% Pb, and 4.4% Zn (686 g/t AgEq) over 1m.

 ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Grupo México donated 8,000 native trees to Hermosillo, Sonora. The procedures to request the specimens began six months ago through the civil association Actions for a Better World by Karina López Ivich, who is the director and also climate leader of Climate Reality.
  • The Government of Zacatecas along with representatives of the mining companies Fresnillo plc and Capstone Gold began with the Tree Donation Program. Mining companies settled in the entity, has set a goal of delivering 10 thousand trees with the commitment to plant them in suitable places, carry out the necessary care and maintenance and guarantee their survival.

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 volcanic-hosted epithermal vein-breccia from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Quartz vein displaying boiling texture.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 18th week of the year (May 3th to May 9th, 2021), at least 39 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten communicating production results, ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, eight informing on exploration results, six reporting on resources and development, and five announcing financial rounds.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Benjamin Hill Mining released additional sampling results from its Benjamin Hill property, Tocvan and its partner Colibri reported results of preliminary metallurgical testing from the El Pilar project, Tarachi presented drilling results from three holes collared at its La Dura mine, and Silver Spruce engaged Eagle Mapping to run a LiDAR survey at its Diamante project . In Chihuahua, Kootenay presented results from six holes drilled at its Columba project.  In Sinaloa, Brigadier announced drilling and rock sampling results from its Picachos property. In Durango, Mithril reported that it continues intersecting high-grade mineralization at El Refugio zone, within its Copalquin project.  ON MINING, Argonaut reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. Equinox announced consolidated Q1, 2021 production and financial results from all their mine operations, including Los Filos and Mercedes mines in Guerrero and Sonora states respectively. Golden Minerals reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. First Majestic released Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. Gatos Silver announced Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Great Panther presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Topia and Guanajuato mines. McEwen reported the production of 1,300 Oz AuEq (GEOs) from residual leaching at El Gallo mine in Sinaloa during the first quarter of 2021. Mexus announced a successful blast at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora to produce approximately 10-15K tonnes of mineralized material. Santacruz reported consolidated 2020 full year production and financial results from its Mexican operations.  Sierra Metals announced Q1, 2021 production results from its Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Advance Gold granted stock options to its Directors, key employees, and consultants entitling them to purchase, in total, up to 1.8M options over a five year term (Tabasquena project, Zacatecas). Capitan Mining closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $3.2M (Peñoles property, Durango). GoGold closed a bought deal offering of 10M common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $25M (Los Ricos property, Jalisco). Heliostar closed a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $5.6M (Cumaro project, Sonora). Telson informed that it has received the initial USD $2M proceeds from the total USD $5M silver stream agreement with Empress Royalty (Tahuehueto project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Endeavour intersected high-grade silver-gold mineralization at the Guanacevi mine in Durango. Zacatecas Silver announced it will commence a 10,000m drilling program at its Panuco silver project in Zacatecas, once it received the final drill permit. Golden Tag identified mineralized skarn shoots 265m above the current Fernandez Zone resource envelope at its San Diego property in Durango. GR Silver reported results from its ongoing drilling program at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. VanGold provided initial results from its ongoing diamond drill program at its El Pinguico project in Guanajuato. Silver Viper released a maiden Au-Ag mineral resource estimate at its la Virginia project in Sonora.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Advance Gold appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas). Equinox announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Great Panther announced the nomination of two new directors for election to its Board of Directors at its annual general meeting to be held on June 9, 2021 (Topia mine, Durango).  One World Lithium announced the engagement of an European consultant that may include individual introduction and corporate presentations (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Colibri signed a definitive deal with Silver Spruce on Diamante Gold and Silver project in Sonora.   GR Silver made the final option payment to SSR Mining to close the acquisition of 100% interest of San Marcial Silver project in Sinaloa. Magna Gold announced that it has made the final payment for the acquisition of its San Francisco mine in Sonora. Oroco entered into an agreement to increase its interest on Santo Tomas property in Sinaloa. Orogen provided an update about the royalty on the Ermitaño property in Sonora. Chinas’ Ganfeng Lithium said it has offered to buy the shares it does not already own in Mexico-focused Bacanora Lithium for up to 190M pounds (USD $264.5M).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., released additional sampling results from its Benjamin Hill property, in Sonora state, which comprises Sonora Gold and Sonora Copper concessions. A total of 447 chip/channel samples were collected during March and April, 2021 returning encouraging results with multiple samples ranging from 4 to 8 g/t Au, with a peak of 31.4 g/t Au.  The company has extended the mineralized structure for over 500m to the north-west, increasing the length of the mineralized structure now to 2,400m. “Fifty-nine samples returned gold values over 2 g/t Au with eight samples ranging from 7.5 g/t Au to 31.4 g/t Au. Nine samples taken from the Caracahui vein returned copper values over 1.0% with three samples above 2% and the best sample returning an impressive 8.3% Cu”. Geologists were also able to identify a large area of disseminated gold ranging from 350m to 600m in width. The company is planning to commence a drill testing program. It has already applied for drill permits and expects to receive permits within the next several weeks.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its partner Colibri Resource Corporation reported results of preliminary metallurgical testing from the El Pilar project in Sonora, which includes Au recoveries of 91.6% and 90.6% at a retention time of 48 hours from two composite samples collected from drill hole JES-20-32.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., presented drilling results from three underground holes collared at its La Dura mine in Sonora. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole JAB-21-009 with 6.91 g/t Au over 63.4m, including 17.42 g/t Au over 9.3m, plus another interval with 17.37 g/t Au over 13.9m, including 33.66 g/t Au over 5.6m; and hole JAB-21-10 with 1.79 g/t Au over 42m. These drill results confirm the continuation of gold mineralization down-dip towards the east. “Based on the drilling and mapping done to date, gold is hosted in a 10-20m thick panel of heavily silicified rhyodacite striking roughly north-south, dipping to the east at an approximate angle of 30 and plunging to the south at 25°”.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., engaged Eagle Mapping to run a LiDAR survey at its Diamante project in Sonora. “The LiDAR mapping over the property will provide another value-added 3D element to complement the geological and structural mapping, and enhance the topographic control for the Phase 1 drilling program”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., presented results from six holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole CDH-21-90 with 503 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 1.2m, including 889 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 0.55m, and 185 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 3.94m, including 245 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 2.4m, including 365 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 0.6m; hole CDH-21-89 with 285 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.8% Zn over 6.9m, including 439 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.5% Zn over 0.27m, including 533 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn over 0.65m, and other interval of 233 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 4m, including 411 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.05% Zn over 1m; and hole CDH-21-87 with 200 g/t Ag over 4m, including 559 g/t Ag over 1.09m.
  • Brigadier Gold Limited, announced drilling and rock sampling results from its Picachos property located in Sinaloa. Hole DH-BGR-043 encountered 0.52 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag, and 0.07% Cu over 14.5m, including 7.63 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.26% Cu over 0.5m. Brigadier has completed 4,538m in 43 holes to date. On the other hand, Brigadier continues mapping and sampling prospects and workings in the entire property. Encouraging results were obtained from El Placer Norte with samples returning 12.79 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over 1m wide, and 38.88 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over 0.5m. At El Cobre area, located about 650m NW of El Placer Norte area, the rock sampling returned 57 g/t Ag, 2.12% Cu, and 0.12% Pb over a width of 1.7m from the El Cobre Vein; 108 g/t Ag, 3.2% Cu, and 0.5% Pb over a width of 0.5m from El Herrero Vein; and 148 g/t Ag, 0.33% Cu, and 0.26% Pb over a width of 0.7m from the Calzada Vein.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., reported that it continues intersecting high-grade mineralization at El Refugio zone, within its Copalquin project.  Highlights include hole CDH-63 with  5.32 g/t Au, 105 g/t Ag over 8m, including 29.9 g/t Au and 273 g/t Ag over 1.09m; hole CDH-62 with 4.12 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag over 4.82m, including 7.94 g/t Au and 211 g/t Ag over 1.6m, plus 4.68 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over 2.1m, plus 0.48 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over 3.1m; and hole CDH-61 with 0.95 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag over 7.75m, plus 0.95 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 0.95m, plus 1.44 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag over 15.77m. The drill results extended the high-grade mineralization 80m down dip and 180m further to the west and up to further 75m down dip. El Refugio continues to grow as a large high-grade Au-Ag target.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. At El Castillo Complex in Durango The company milled 5,274,000 tons of 0.28 g/t Au to produce 29,243 Oz Au and 164,226 Oz Ag (31,175 AuEq Oz (GEOs)). Argonaut reduced the cash cost per Oz Au sold to USD $916. At La Colorada in Sonora , Argonaut mined 1,227,000 tonnes of 0.54 g/t Au to produce 15,894 Oz Au and 52,912 Oz Ag (16,516 GEOs). It reduced the cash cost per Oz Au sold to USD $765. The company also announced the discovery of  high-grade gold veins below  the El Crestón open pit which returned 44.6 g/t Au and 275 g/t Ag over 21.3m, including 98.9 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over 12.2m.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced consolidated Q1, 2021 production and financial results from all their mine operations, including Los Filos and Mercedes mines in Guerrero and Sonora states respectively. The company produced 129,233 Oz Au and sold 128,555 Oz Au at cash and AISC of USD $1,141 and USD $1,482 per Oz Au respectively. The company reported revenues of USD $229.7M, net income of USD $50.3M, adjusted EBITDA of USD $60.5M, cash and cash equivalents of USD $317.5M, net debt of USD $2290.8M, and operating cash flow before changes in non-cash working capital of USD $62M. Equinox also provided a 2021 production guidance of 600K to 665K Oz Au, of which 170K-190K will be produced at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero and 30K to 35K Oz Au, will be produced at its Mercedes mine in Sonora.
  • Golden Minerals Company reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. It produced 1,559 Oz AuEq in doré and sold 1,054 Oz AuEq. Golden reported revenue of USD $1.8M, cost of metals sold of USD $1.5M, and net operating margin of USD $0.2M.The company also reported cash and cash equivalents balance of USD $ 8M as of March 31, 2021, and a net loss of USD $3.2M.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., released Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. The table below shows figures by mine:

First Majestic reported revenues of USD $100.5M, mine operating earnings of USD $28.1M, net earnings of USD $1.9M, and a strong working capital of USD $232.8M, including USD $65M of undrawn revolving credit facility.

  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Gatos mined 209,832 tonnes to produce 6,312 tonnes of Pb concentrates with grades of 6,314 g/t Ag, 5.6 g/t Au, 54.8% Pb, and 12.9% Zn, and 7,036 tonnes of Zn concentrate of 757 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, and 55.2% Zn, to recover 1.5M Oz Ag, 1.1K Oz Au, 7.6M Lb Pb, and 8.6M Lb Zn, at an AISC cost, net of by-product credits of $19.76 per Oz Ag, which includes approximately $2.50 per Oz Ag related to non-recurring costs attributed to COVID-19 and lower produced ounces related to the power outage experienced earlier in the year. Gatos reported sales for $46.3M, operating expenses of $35.5M, other expenses of $3.9M, and net income of $6.9M.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Topia and Guanajuato mines. At Guanajuato mine complex, Guanajuato, it mined 40,321 tonnes and milled 39,665 tonnes of 124 g/t Ag and 1.53 g/t Au to produce 135,737 Oz Ag and 1,689 Oz Au (279,306 Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $22.57 and $33.42 per payable Oz Ag respectively. At Topia, Durango,  the company  mined 16,654 tonnes and milled 19,004 tonnes of 398 g/t Ag, 0.87 g/t Au, 2.93% Pb, and 3.6% Zn to produce 224,333 Oz Ag, 293 Oz Au, 1.18M Lb Pb, and 1.39M Lb Zn (363,318 Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $15.88 and $18.71 per payable Oz Ag respectively.
  • 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.  Operations were disrupted for three weeks by a blockade of the mine entrance by members of the local community, which has been resolved.
  • Mexus Gold US announced a successful blast in the Quartz 2 vein area at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora to produce approximately 10-15K tonnes of mineralized material. The company believes this material will show between 2 to 4 g/t Au average.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining ltd., reported consolidated 2020 full year production and financial results from its Mexican operations. The company processed 201,585 tonnes to produce 1M Oz AgEq at cash and AISC of $23.04 and $24.41 per Oz AgEq respectively. The company sold 662.5K Oz AgEq. The company recorded revenues of $33,097 and a net loss of $1,493.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q1, 2021 production results from its Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, the company processed 371,608 tonnes of 0.19 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, and 0.77% Cu to produce 1,591 Oz Au, 197K Oz Ag, and 5.2M Lb Cu 7.28M Lb CuEq), at a cash and AISC of USD $1.58 and USD $2.91 per Lb CuEq respectively. At Cusi mine, Sierra Metals processed 76,602 tonnes of 0.16 g/t Au, 157 g/t Ag, and 0.2% Pb to produce 155 Oz Au, 313K Oz Ag, and 268K Lb Pb (334K Oz AgEq), at cash and AISC of USD $18.72 and USD $30.28 per Oz AgEq respectively.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp., granted stock options to its Directors, key employees, and consultants entitling them to purchase, in total, up to 1.8M options over a five year term expiring May 2025 at an exercise price of $0.08 per share.  (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $3.2M. Gross proceeds will be used to advance exploration and corporate development activities at its Peñoles property in Durango.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., closed a bought deal offering of 10M common shares at a price of CAD $2.50 per common share for gross proceeds of CAD $25M. Underwriters of the offering exercised their overallotment option in full for an additional 1.5M common shares for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $3.75M.  The net proceeds of the offering will be used to support the continued advancement of the Company’s Los Ricos North and South projects in Jalisco and for general corporate purposes.
  • Heliostar Metals Limited closed a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $5.6M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to advance Cumaro, Lola and Oso Negro projects in Sonora, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. 
  • Telson Mining Corporation informed that it has received the initial USD $2M proceeds from the total USD $5M silver stream agreement with Empress Royalty for its Tahuehueto project in Durango. The stream is part of a USD $25M full financing solution being provided by Empress, Accendo Bank and Endeavour Financial.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., intersected high-grade silver-gold mineralization to expand the El Curso orebody at its Guanacevi mine in Durango. Significant drill interceptions were encountered in hole UCM-48 with 3.27 g/t Au and   2,753 g/t Ag (2,982 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.1m, including 0.6 g/t Au and 18,752 g/t Ag (18,794 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m; and hole UCM-50 with 4.29 g/t Au and 3,464 g/t Ag (3,764 g/t AgEq)  over a TW of 2.6m, including 25.7 g/t Au and 19,390 g/t Ag (21,189 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m. The Company is currently producing from three orebodies at Guanacevi: Milache, El Curso and SCS.  Exploration drilling is ongoing at El Curso and SCS.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., announced it will commence a 10,000m drilling program at its Panuco silver project in Zacatecas, once it received the final drill permit. The plan is to start drilling at its Panuco silver deposit and San Gill Breccia Zone by securing an access agreement with the Ejido “Panuco”. The Panuco Silver Deposit has an historic inferred mineral resource of 19,472,901 Oz AgEq (cut-off 100 g/t AgEq) from 3,954,729 tonnes at 153.2 g/t AgEq (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012% Pb, and 0.11% Zn). “San Gill Breccia Zone has a strike length of approximately 800m, is up to 40 m wide, and is most likely vertical.  The north-south orientation of the breccia is highly significant as gold-rich epithermal veins within the district are generally oriented north-south”.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., identified mineralized skarn shoots 265m above the current Fernandez Zone resource envelope at its San Diego property in Durango.   Significant drill assays were encountered in hole 21-54 with 0.09 g/t Au, 27 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (92 g/t AgEq) over 99.53m, including 0.25 g/t Au, 81 g/t Ag, 2.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (286 g/t AgEq) over 18.43m, and others mineralized intervals of  0.12 g/t Au, 109 g/t Ag, 2.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (287 g/t AgEq) over 1.64m and 0.5 g/t Au, 15 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (83 g/t AgEq) over 12.35m; and hole 21-55 with 0.08 g/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (85 g/t AgEq) over 25.55m, including 0.04 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (100 g/t AgEq) over 10.9m, including 0.14 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (94 g/t AgEq) over 9.10m. This hole also intersected 0.96 g/t Au, 59 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (183 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, 0.2 g/t Au, 50 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (125 g/t AgEq) over 0.79m, and 0.09 g/t Au, 83 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (130 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Drill results, in conjunction with results from previous drilling, have identified the existence of potential shoots of skarn mineralization commencing approximately 265 m above the Fernandez Zone, which could connect or be parallel to the western edge of Fernandez”.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from its ongoing drilling program at the San Juan Vein within its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole  SJS21-04 with 242 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (310 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 10.5m, including 954 g/t Ag, 1.29 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 1.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,177 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m, including 1,184 g/t Ag, 2.27 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (1,486 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m; hole LRD-52 with 311 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m, including 781 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.5% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (863 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m; and hole LRD-37 with 62 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (126 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 20.2m, including 154 g/t Ag, 0.96 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (308 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.7m. “The high-grade silver mineralization encountered in the San Juan Vein confirms continuity of the mineralization close to surface, 100m to the north along strike, and also correlates with previously identified high-grade mineralization at depth”.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., provided initial results from its ongoing diamond drill program at its El Pinguico project in Guanajuato.  Eight holes were drilled of which the two first holes were collared outside of the mine in the patio of the portal of adit 4. These holes were not intended as traditional exploration holes. Holes P21-01 and P21-02 were collared to test the purchased rig but encountered noticeable visible vein material, which the company now interprets to be extensions of the San Jose vein. A third hole, P21-03, was collared to test the area for further vein extensions, and intersected several intervals of significant gold and silver values, including 0.38 g/t Au and 88 g/t Ag (116 g/t AgEq) over 4.05m, including 1.5 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag (242 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus an additional higher-grade interval of  2.11 g/t Au and 505 g/t Ag (674 g/t AgEq) over 0.55m. The rig was moved into El Pinguico mine where the company drilled holes P21-05 to P21-08. Holes P21-05 and P21-06 intercepted   long sections of alteration crossing both San Jose and El Pinguico veins but only moderate widths of moderate Ag-Au values were encountered.  Hole P21-07 encountered quartz and carbonate material of an unknown vein and at the San Jose contact the hole intercepted broken, unconsolidated material (approximately 35% recovery) and a void causing to abandon the hole. Hole P21-08 encountered numerous intervals of good grade material, being the most significant one returning 8.81 g/t Au and 208 g/t Ag (913 g/t AgEq) over 0.75m. Four additional holes (P21-09 to P21-12) were drilled from San Jose Cross Cut #1 but assay results are pending.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., released a maiden Au-Ag mineral resource estimate at its la Virginia project in Sonora.   El Rubi Zone contains an indicated resource of 6,179,000 tonnes of 0.78 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag for 154.3K Oz Au and 6.93M Oz Ag, and inferred resources of 3,255,000 tonnes of 0.9 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag for 94.1K Oz Au and 3.75M Oz Ag in open pit category. Virginia, El Oriental, Las Huatas and Las Huatas South add and inferred resource of 6,622,000 tonnes of 0.71 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag for 152.2K Oz Au and 8.74M Oz Ag in open pit category, and 277K tonnes of 1.92 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag for an additional 14K Oz Au and 451.5K Oz Ag in the underground category. Gold and Silver Equivalents for Indicated resource equal 253,286 Oz AuEq or 17,730,000 Oz AgEq. Gold and Silver Equivalents for Inferred resource equal 445,176 Oz AuEq or 31,162,300 Oz AgEq.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Advance Gold Corp., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Great Panther Mining Limited announced the nomination of two new directors for election to its Board of Directors at its annual general meeting to be held on June 9, 2021 (Topia mine, Durango). 
  • One World Lithium Inc., announced the engagement of an European consultant that may include individual introduction and corporate presentations. The Agreement is for one year to May 04, 2022. The Consultant will be paid a monthly fee of 5,000 Euros   (CAD $7,400) and an option to purchase up to 800K common shares of the company at an exercise price of $0.11 per common share, being the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the Canadian Stock Exchange on May 4, 2021. The stock options are exercisable on or before May 04, 2023 and will be vested as to 200K options every two months from June 01 to December 01, 2021 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California).
  • Colibri Resources Corporation signed a definitive deal with Silver Spruce on Diamante Gold and Silver project in Sonora.  Silver Spruce will have an option to acquire up to 50% of the property. To acquire 25% of the property, Silver Spruce has to pay USD $75K in cash to Colibri. Yaque and Silver Spruce will each then hold a 25% interest and manage the project as equal partners. To earn its initial 50% of the Diamante project from the original vendor, Yaque (together with Silver Spruce)agree to jointly design, permit and drill a minimum of 2,000 metres on the property within 24 months from the Execution Date of Yaque’s final agreement with the original Vendor.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., made the final option payment to SSR Mining to close the acquisition of 100% interest of San Marcial Silver project in Sinaloa. GR paid CAD $2.5M and issued 1.5M common shares to SSR.
  • Magna Gold Corp., announced that it has made the final payment of USD $5M to Argonaut Gold Inc., for the acquisition of its San Francisco mine in Sonora, and provided a promissory note for the remaining balance of USD $2,675,000 to be paid in four monthly installments commencing July, 6, 2021 and ending October 6, 2021. The promissory note bears uncompounded interest at a rate of 5% per annum.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., entered into an agreement to increase its interest on Santo Tomas property in Sinaloa.  Oroco will acquire 25 shares of Xochipala Gold SA de CV for USD $1.5M.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., provided an update about the royalty on the Ermitaño property in Sonora, operated by its JV partner First Majestic Silver Corp. Orogen holds a 2% NSR of an indicated resources of 355K Oz Au and 5M Oz Ag, and inferred resources of 522K Oz Au and 11M Oz Ag.
  • Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd., said it has offered to buy the shares it does not already own in Mexico-focused Bacanora Lithium plc for up to 190M pounds (USD $264.5M). Ganfeng, which in February announced a plan to raise its stake in Bacanora from 17.41% to 28.88%, will acquire the remaining shares in the company for $67.5 pounds a share. The increase in Ganfeng’s stake to 28.88% is expected to complete shortly.

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On the picture above, a quartz vein with stibnite displaying boiling texture in a low-sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.