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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of December 2022

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 49th week of the year (December 5th to December 11th, 2022), 15 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. Two companies posted exploration updates on their properties, two more companies informed on private placements, while one signed a concentrate pre-payment facility and two companies updated on work at its advanced properties. On a busy week for deals, four companies announced agreements on the purchase of five properties.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, a tit for tat of declarations between the Secretaría de Economía and Camimex reflected the state of affairs between the government and the mining industry for the last four years. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource recommenced drilling at Evelyn. In Jalisco, Almadex Minerals released drilling results at San Pedro. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Prismo Metals and Silver Viper informed on their private placements for $3 M and $335 K respectively. Guanajuato Silver Company informed on a new $5 M concentrate pre-payment facility. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Torex Gold released drilling results from El Limón Sur Deep drilling, including the highest grade-m interval for Mexico so far in the year. Endeavour Silver released a new resource estimate for its La Pitarrilla project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Argonaut Gold and Heliostar Metals signed agreements for the purchase of the Ana Paula and San Antonio projects, in Guerrero and Baja California Sur respectively. Prime Meridian Resources optioned the Chuin project in Sonora from private vendors. Capitan Mining optioned from Fresnillo PLC a mining concession adjacent and in projection of mineralization at its Cruz de Piedra project in Durango. Golden Tag Resources is to acquire First Majestic Silver’s La Parrilla project in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, one company informed on the receipt of an award in environmental and sustainability compliance.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • According to IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) there are 421,833 mining industry direct employees in Mexico, same that in 2021 generated 2.5% of the GDP, or 34,782 million pesos (US$16.5 billion dollars). The country is within the ten top producers of fluorite, sodium sulfate, wollastonite, celestite, lead, molybdenum, barite, diatomite, magnesium sulfate, zinc, salt, gypsum, cadmium, gold, feldspar and copper, and the top silver producer during the last 13 years. Workers in the industry earn an average of 23,366 pesos per month.     
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) expects Mexico’s investment in mining to surpass US$5 billion (5,000 million pesos). Jaime Gutiérrez, president, pointed that it occurs under the contrast of high metal prices and national policy regulatory hurdles. Karen Flores, director, expressed that the risk in mining is major in exploration, diminishing as the project advances to the mining stage. Another obstacle is the discretionary granting of permits, highlighting the need of a clear and objective decision-making process. Stressed also was the need to have public policies that favor the investments in clean energies, as these are crucial for the competitiveness of the country.
  • Raquel Buenrostro, head of the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía or SE) indulged herself in a barrage of accusations to the mining industry, pointing that it pays nearly zero taxes in proportion to its earnings, and is one of the industries with more corruption related to the Secretaría de Economía. She indicated that this is one of the reasons why the government has not granted mining concessions for the last four years, further adding that mining companies are no innocent entities, having problems the World around. “After hydrocarbons, the strongest smuggling is that of mining” she stressed, “more than textiles, shoes and clothing”. According to her numbers, mining companies pay 0.002% of its total earnings, compared to 2.4% of major contributors or between 30 and 35% for employees. She also commented on the case of a foreign company that using a twisted argument decided not pay taxes for ten years, while the case if reviewed by the Supreme Court. “Concessions, concessions and concessions were granted, some without complying with the law, some granted more than once, and those who have concessions do not comply with the obligations that should be covered…. the problem of corruption is strong, and I believe that this is one of the areas with biggest corruption problems in the Secretaría de Economía (Note of editor. The points of view of Raquel Buenrostro mimic those of the president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which is strongly critical of all private industries, including mining. More than a decade ago, while bidding for the presidency, he had expressed that no mining concessions were to be issued under his term. He’s true to his word, at least in this respect).
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) replied to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of Economy (See above) that the companies affiliated to the entity comply in time with its fiscal obligations, including special taxes that only miners pay. The mining industry conveys more resources for the federal coffers than other productive sectors, according to information from the Secretaría de Hacienda y Credito Público. Camimex argues that its enterprises generate more than 400 K direct jobs, and 2.6 M indirect jobs, with an average salary that is 37% higher than the national one. Also, studies by UNAM (Universidad Autónoma de México) show that the municipalities and localities with mining activity have greater levels of economic and human development than the national average. The letter ended “We miners are proud of our activities, the responsible and committed companies in Camimex will continue contributing to the economic development and social wellbeing in the country. We reiterate our commitment and absolute will and interest to establish the dialogue and collaboration with the authorities that are conducive to the strengthening of the sector and the country”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. re-commenced phase-2 reverse circulation drilling at the Evelyn property in Sonora. Five holes are planned with 2,000 m of drilling to test induced polarization targets from the 2021 geophysical survey, a second objective is to explore under extensive alluvial cover drilling a number of short holes and sample the top of the bedrock. A soil sampling program has been recently completed, and samples sent for “Gas Soil Hydrocarbon” testing.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd. released drilling results from its first hole at the San Pedro project in Jalisco. The highlighted core length interval is 4.51 m @ 657 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au (including 2.0 m @ 1,090 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au). Almadex describes a breccia with silicified fragments in sericitic alteration, with galena and sphalerite occurring in the matrix and in fragments. These characteristics point to an intermediate sulfidation epithermal system, although other options have not been ruled out at this stage. “The San Pedro project covers a large area of acid sulphate alteration, including zones previous described as vuggy silica. Recent Terraspec analysis indicates sericitisation superposed on propylitic alteration in the mineralised zones with acid sulphate alteration occurring at the north”.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • Prismo Metals Inc. announced that the private placement for up to $3 M has been fully allocated.  (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. signed a new concentrate and pre-payment facility with Ocean Partners Ltd., to provide a US$5 M revolving credit facility for operating and working capital purposes. GSilver also completed its previously announced shares-for-debt transaction to settle C$1.13 M (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the first tranche of its $2 M private placement announced in November, for aggregate gross proceeds of $334.6 K (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported assays results from step-out and infill drilling at El Limón Sur, targeting underground mineralization as well as open pit mill feed at its El Limón Guajes mine complex in Guerrero. Highlighted core length results comprise 15.96 m @ 87.60 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 0.15% Cu (including 4.46 m @ 163.51 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag and 3.82 m @ 166.94 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag, 0.20% Cu); 22.81 m @ 25.31 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag, 3.45% Cu (including 3.00 m @107.63 gpt Au, 259 gpt Ag, 6.18% Cu); 20.52 m @ 9.49 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu; 18.72 m @8.10 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.95% Cu; 9.90 m @ 15.19 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 0.56% Cu; 17.85 m @ 13.39 gpt Au (including 2.25 m @ 90.05 gpt Au); 7.70 m @ 22.99 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu; 3.99 m @ 43.24 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag. These strong results add the El Limón Sur Deep to the previously identified potential mining front at Sub-Sill South. “The style of mineralization at El Limón Sur Deep is like Sub-Sill and ELD, and is characterized by gold, with locally high silver and copper grades. Gold occurs in variably sulfidized, pyrrhotite-rich skarn, while silver and copper mineralization is controlled primarily by the degree of sulfidation of the host skarn. Mineralization is mainly associated with retrograde alteration characterized by the occurrence of phlogopite, amphibole, chlorite, calcite and lesser amounts of quartz and epidote, and local magnetite”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. filed a NI-43-101 technical report with a resource estimate for the recently acquired (July 2022) La Pitarrilla project in Durango. Total indicated resources, open pit and underground, oxide and sulfide, stand at 158.6 M tonnes @ 96.4 gpt Ag, 0.31% Pb, 0.74% Zn, containing 491.6 M Oz Ag, 1.1 billion Lb Pb, 2.6 billion Lb Zn or 693.9 M Oz AgEq. Inferred resources, open pit and underground, oxide and sulfide, comprise 35.4 M tonnes @ 87.2 gpt Ag, 0.36% Pb, 0.85% Zn, containing 99.4 M Oz Ag, 281 M Lb Pb, 662 M Lb Zn or 151.2 M Oz AgEq.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. entered into a binding purchase agreement with Heliostar Metals Ltd. for the sale of the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. The deal involves a cash payment of US$10 M at closing, US$5 M in Heliostar shares when either an extension to the current mining permit or a new underground mining permit is granted, US$2 M on the completion of a feasibility study (FS), US$3 M in cash and US$2 M in shares on construction announcement and US$5 M in cash and US$3 M in Heliostar shares on announcement of commercial production.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. entered into an option agreement with Heliostar Metals Ltd. for the sale of the San Antonio project in Baja California Sur. Heliostar is to pay Argonaut US$80 M if the gold price is below $1,800 per ounce for the six months preceding the exercise of the option, US$120 M if the price is in the US$1,800 to US$2,000 per ounce range in the same period, or US$150 M if the gold price is above US$2,000 per ounce in the said period. A 2.0% NSR is to be paid to Argonaut if the option is exercised. The term of the option is for three years, that can be extended for 18 months if Heliostar is able to acquire an environmental permit from SEMARNAT, the environmental regulator (Note of editor. – which is unlikely to occur on this presidential term, ending in 2024).
  • Prime Meridian Resources Corp. executed two letters of intent for the option to purchase up to 100% interest in the 3,792-hectare El Chuin copper project in Sonora. The project encompasses an interpreted porphyry copper target, with small scale mine workings developed in veins, disseminations and replacement style mineralization. The main target areas are Samaniego, La Gloria and Nogales. The option envisages the payment of US$30 K on year one, US$50 K and 250 K shares on year two, US$50 K and 500 K shares on year three, US$50 K and 1 M shares on year four and US$50 K and 1.5 M shares on year five, for a total of US230 K and 3.25 M shares, plus US$2.22 M of investment on the property. The current property owner retains a 1% NSR that can be bought for US$1.5 M. A second purchase option requires the payment prior to the 5th year anniversary of US$250 K for the La Gloria concession, US$250 K for La Gloria II concession and US$1 M for the Nino Luis concessions. “The El Chuin concessions are currently not in good standing and PMR will be obliged to bring the concessions to good standing. No payments to the vendors will be made prior to obtaining good standing for the concessions”.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. executed an option agreement with Fresnillo PLC to acquire 100% interest in mineral rights to a key property at the Cruz de Plata project in Durango. The high-grade silver trend owned by Capitan is now 2.5 km in length, including extensions and targets on the Jesus Maria, San Rafael, El Tubo, El Refugio and Teresa veins. The optioned land holds 2,000 m of historic drilling in five holes with highlighted core length intervals of 1.0 m @ 233 gpt Ag, 0.1%Pb; 5.2 m @ 185 gpt Ag, 0.29 gpt Au, 0.90% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 29.0 m @ 55 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 1.3 m @ 284 gpt Ag, 0.43 gpt Au, 1.6% Pb, 5.5% Zn); 6.3 m @ 94 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 4.7 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 1.2 m @ 157 gpt Ag, 0.12 gpt Au, 1.1% Pb, 3.3% Zn. The deal involves a 3-year exploration agreement for the “Casco U” mining concessions, for a total of US$1.0 M over the period and 1% NSR which can be bought for US$1 M.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. entered into a definitive agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp. to acquire 100% interest on La Parrilla project in Durango. The property covers 69,478 hectares, with five underground mines, an open pit and a processing plant comprising parallel 1,000 tpd flotation and 1,000 tpd cyanidation leach circuits where oxide and sulfide ores can be processed. There are 9.5 M Oz AgEq in measured and indicated historical resources and 12.5 M Oz AgEq in inferred resources. In consideration for the purchase Golden Tag will issue First Majestic US$20 M in Golden Tag shares, and US$2.7 M in the first 18 months, US$5.75 M (cash or shares) when either 5 M Oz AgEq of reserves or 22 M Oz AgEq of measured and indicated resources are declared. And US$5.05 M (cash or shares) when a new zone with a NI-43-101 report holding more than 12.5 M Oz AgEq is announced. After closing First Majestic will have the right to maintain its pro-rata interest in Golden Tag, up to 19.9% of shares.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Hecla Mining Co. received the 2022 Environmental and Sustainability Excellence Award for its San Sebatian mine in Durango. The award by the American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) is in recognition by the company’s strong commitment to the highest environmental and sustainability standards.

On the image below puzzling boudin like siliceous bands in limestone on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of November 2022

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 47th week of the year (November 21st to November 27th, 2022), 14 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. One company declared share dividends, one more the partial repayment of two loan facilities and one more the intention to settle a debt with shares. Four companies updated on work at its advanced properties. One company announced the agreement to pursue an option in another company’s property.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, the AIMMGM pointed that Mexico is a mining country, but that it has neglected to inform of the goods of the trade. Arcelor Mittal announced a significant investment at the Las Truchas iron mine in Michoacan. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Radius Gold informed on work at Maricela. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold updated in work at Amalia and Plata Verde projects, with JV’s partners Pan American Silver and Fresnillo respectively. ON MINING, Discovery Silver, Impact Silver and Guanajuato Silver Company released Q3 2022 production and/or financial results. ON FINANCING, Alamos Gold declared a quarterly dividend per share. Guanajuato Silver Company announced the partial repayment of two loan facilities. Defiance Silver is to settle a $41.9 K debt through the issuance of shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver released results from drilling at Cordero, in Chihuahua. GR Silver Mining informed on results from drilling at the SE zone of the San Marcial project in Sinaloa, with an impressive silver intercept of 185.5 m @ 111 gpt Ag. Defiance Silver resumed drilling at the Veta Grande vein system in Zacatecas. Azucar Minerals received results from drilling on the Lithocap target at the El Cobre project in Veracruz. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver entered into a LOI with Prismo Metals for a strategic investment and right of first refusal for the purchase of Prismo’s Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Andrés Robles Osollo, Vicepresident of government relations of the AIMMGM (Asociación de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México) pointed that México is a mining country, but that the industry has neglected the promotion of the craft and the importance of México on the World production of minerals. México is the leader in silver production, and is within the first ten producers of gold, copper, lead and zinc.
  • Arcelor Mittal announced the investment of 3,000 million pesos at Las Truchas mine in Michoacan, to increase the production rate from 1 M tonnes/year to 2.3 M tonnes/year. The company complained on the illegal blockage of the railroad line for three months in 2021 by a teachers Union, and said that they are working closely with the Michoacan government to keep the rails free of blockades.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. provided an update on the company’s exploration activities at the 10,250 ha Amalia project, in Chihuahua. The JV with Pan American Silver Corp. has completed 23,059 m of drilling in 67 holes on the California, Amalia and El Cuervo vein systems. Recent mapping and sampling extended the target for 1.5 km at California, and several parallel structures were identified. Pan American “has completed its right to earn an initial 65% interest in the Amalia Project by making cash payments to Radius totalling US$1.5 million (paid) and expending US$2 million on exploration over four years (completed). Pan American may earn an additional 10% by advancing the property to preliminary feasibility”.
  • Radius Gold Inc. informed on work at the Plata Verde project in Chihuahua. Fresnillo PLC has an agreement since mid-2022 to negotiate an option agreement to earn 70% interest in the project. Since then, Fresnillo has funded US$100 K on the signature of the agreement, paid US$65 in underlying property option payments, paid US$103 K in back taxes and invested US$35 K in the project. Fresnillo has to spend over a four-year period US$5 M in exploration and make option payments to Radius of US$3.1 M which includes US$1.1 M to cover underlying property payments. “Should either Party’s interest fall below 10% interest in NewCo that interest would convert to a 2% NSR”.
  • Radius Gold Inc. notified on exploration at its Maricela project in Sonora. The project is 20 km south from the Cananea copper mine, and only a few kilometers from the Loma de Plata silver deposit discovered a few years ago by Azure Minerals. Radius has “mapped and sampled an epithermal silver and gold mineralized vein system extending approximately 1.5km long by 300m wide, within which occurs multiple veins, stockworks and breccias. Vein intersections have exposed widths of up to 25 metres”. Highlighted chip sampling results comprise 3 m @ 4.46 gpt Au, 1,335 gpt Ag; 6 m @ 1.03 gpt Au, 418 gpt Ag; 25.3 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag. Radius is awaiting final registration of the option agreement, as already counts with the drilling permit.

ON MINING

  • Discovery Silver Corp. released financial results for the third quarter 2022. Results from the PFS metallurgical testwork program at Cordero in Chihuahua highlighted recoveries in the 90-95% range for Ag, Pb and Zn. The phase II drilling program of close to 80,000 m of drilling in over 250 holes was completed during the quarter. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments stood at $55.5 M at the end of the period.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced its financing and operating results for the Q3 2022. During the quarter 39.8 K tonnes were processed at the mill at an average grade of 165 gpt. In response to higher operational costs and lower metal prices, Impact initiated a first round of lay-offs and reduced its exploration spending. “The cash position remains strong at $16.5 million with working capital of $17.6 million”.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. provided consolidated production results for the Q3 2022. The consolidated production from the El Cubo Mines Complex in Guanajuato, San Ignacio in Guanajuato and Topia in Durango during the quarter comprised 107.4 K tonnes mined, 107 K tonnes milled at a rate of 1,274 tonnes per day, recovering 88.5% Ag, 86.3% Au, to produce 329.3 K Oz Ag, 3,226 Oz Au, 537.6 K Lb Pb, 677.1 K Lb Zn (700.3 K Oz AgEq).

ON FINANCING

  • Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.025 per common share. “The Company has paid dividends for 13 consecutive years during which time $285 million has been returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, including $48 million thus far in 2022” (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced the partial repayment of the two loan/pre-payment facilities with Swiss-based precious metal trading firm OICM Precious Metals S A. “Guanajuato Silver has delivered an aggregate of 96,518 ounces of silver and 846 ounces of gold representing five months’ deliveries of silver and gold ounces to OCIM thereby reducing the total number of monthly delivery payments remaining to OCIM under both facilities to ten” (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. intends to settle $41.9 K of debt through the issuance of common shares of the company (San Acacio, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced results from 15 drill holes of upgrade and expansion drilling of the proposed open pit, subsequent to the cut-off date for the pre-feasibility study (PFS) on its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 77 m @ 46 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 22 m @ 83 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 1.8% Pb, 3.2% Zn; 96 m @ 33 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.8% Zn (including 36 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 3.1% Zn); 43 m @ 62 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 1.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 52 m @49 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.7% Zn. “The Company has now completed approximately 17,000 m (52 holes) as part of its Feasibility Study drill program”. Total meters drilled in the project now is over 293,000 m in 735 holes.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. released surface drilling results from four holes on the Southeast Area of the San Marcial project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length results comprise 14.1 m @ 186 gpt Ag (including 0.2 m @ 6,405 gpt Ag, 10.1% Pb, 17.9% Zn); 73.5 m @ 72 gpt Ag (including 1.1 m @ 905 gpt Ag and 0.8 m @ 1,039 gpt Ag); 185.5 m @ 111 gpt Ag (including 83.2 m @ 215 gpt Ag); 1.0 m @ 31.3 gpt Au. “The Company expects to complete three more drill holes in the SE Area prior to the December cut-off date for data to be incorporated into the 3D geological model, with the updated resource estimation expected to be released in Q1|2023”.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. resumed drilling at the Veta Grande vein system at the Zacatecas project in Zacatecas. “The approximate 4000m program is an extension of the previous phases of drilling, all of which returned high grades down plunge and outside of the current resource estimate”. Drilling is to focus on the recently discovered deep historic working to the East, down plunge of high-grade results below the current resource estimate, the footwall vein north of the main Veta Grande structure and the cross structures and vein splays with mineralization potential.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. received and compiled results from two holes completed at the Lithocap target at its El Cobre project in Veracruz. “Large intervals of brecciated rock were intersected possibly reflecting a diatreme like body that may have disrupted any earlier porphyry alteration zonation in this area”. No significant intervals of porphyry mineralization were intersected, with the most relevant result being a late sulfide vein which returned 0.7 m @ 0.95% Cu, 0.42 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Prismo Metals Inc. to make a strategic investment with right for first refusal to Purchase the Palos Verdes property, adjacent to Vizsla’s Panuco project in Sinaloa, and 4 M shares of Prismo for C$2 M. “The consideration for the Strategic Investment will consist of a cash payment of C$500,000 at closing and 1,000,000 common shares of Vizsla”. After completion of the deal VIZSLA will own 12% of Prismo shares on a basic basis and 17% on a partially diluted basis.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. exceeded one million consecutive work hours without a lost time incident at its Panuco project in Sinaloa.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released its environmental, social and governance report (ESG) “and subsequent to quarter end received its official ESR Distinction, which is issued by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy to organizations that have demonstrated they operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, and its Great Place to Work Certification, which recognizes companies that create an outstanding employee experience through building a workplace culture of trust, credibility, respect, pride and collaboration” (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. released its inaugural Climate Change Report with emphasis in carbon emission reduction, and confirmed having received the permitting from SEMARNAT (Environmental regulator) for construction of an 8.7 megawatt solar plant on its mining concessions and the awarding of a contract for battery electric vehicle scoop fleet at its Media Luna project in Guerrero.

On the image below puzzling boudin like siliceous bands in limestone on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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Fault Plane showing slickensides

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 44th week of the year (October 31st to November 06th, 2022), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one communicating production and financial issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier. GoGold, GR Silver, Pan American Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ranchero Gold provided an exploration update on its Daniela project, and Reyna Gold announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property. In Sinaloa, Prismo signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido and commenced drill permitting for its Los Pavitos project. In Jalisco, Almadex mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project. In Coahuila, Monumental provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project. ON MINING, Capstone reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Kootenay increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit (Columba project, Chihuahua). Xali Gold received advance net profits interest payment from Sun River Gold for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced that it has engaged SRK to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. GoGold reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. GR Silver released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Osisko provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. Pan American release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Southern Silver announced results from its final 4 drill holes at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silverton Metals announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). Ranchero Gold appointed its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Pan American and Agnico delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana. Sierra Madre entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico.  Sierra Metals received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa for a proposed business combination. Xali Gold increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, expressed this position to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of the Economy of Mexico. Minister Ng reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advance in the implementation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) and to continue with the work carried out within the framework of initiatives such as the Economic Dialogue of Canada-Mexico High Level to deepen bilateral business, trade and investment ties and support inclusive and resilient economic growth. Two-way merchandise trade between the two countries was USD $41.7 billion in 2021. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest merchandise trading partner in a single country (after the United States and China).
  • The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier, but will be resumed.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., , GR Silver Mining Ltd.,  Pan American Silver Corp.,  and Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an exploration update on its Daniela project in Sonora. The company reported that it has completed the follow-up work of the nine priority targets previously identified at the property. Ranchero Gold stated that the San Francisco, Carboneras Sur, Carboneras Este, Rincón, and Moritas Este targets have shown evidence of gold mineralization, related alteration and lithologies known to host significant gold deposits in the district. “Subsequent field efforts currently underway will include detailed mapping, systematic sampling and drone-based magnetic surveys designed to identify potential mineralized host rocks below surface”.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property in Sonora. The company identified multiple mineralized zones with high grade gold, silver, and copper that align with major geophysical anomalies, silica alterations, and structural controls on the property. Highlights of the 8 rock sampling collected at La Republicana Zone returned values from 4.03 g/t Au up to 56.90 g/t Au; 7 samples ranging from 13 g/t Ag up to 47 g/t Ag; and 2 samples with 0.2% Pb and 0.5% Pb, with a single assay of 2.41% Cu. At Las Carmelitas zone, 7 rock samples returned 3 values of 0.11 g/t Au, 0.33 g/t Au, and 10.52 g/t Au; 5 samples ranging from 67 g/t Ag up to 116 g/t Ag; and 6 samples ranging from 1.53% up to 2.25% Cu. At Western Zone, 7 rock samples returned values from 2.51 g/t Au up to 16.60 g/t Au; 2 samples with values of 21g/t Ag and 249 g/t Ag; and a single sample with 1.15% Cu, 3.4% Zn, 1.3% Pb, 0.1 g/t Au, and 27 g/t Ag. At El Sombrero Zone, 7 samples returned gold values ranging from 1.1 g/t Au up to 23.6 g/t Au; 4 samples ranging from 149 g/t Ag up to 733 g/t Ag; 4 samples ranging from 0.68% up to 3.60% Cu; 4 samples ranging from 0.2% Pb up to 1.4% Pb, and 4 samples ranging from 0.1%Zn to 0.2% Zn. The company is presently conducting an IP survey at four target zones: La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas, and Main Zone. After completion of the IP geophysical survey, drilling will recommence in this area focused on La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas and Main Zone targets.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido, the surface owners over the Los Pavitos project in Sinaloa. This agreement is for two years and allows Prismo to carry out exploration work including drilling. The company has commenced drill permitting planned to begin in early 2023. Meanwhile, Prismo will continue with the geological mapping and sampling program to cover the remaining area to identify drill targets.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The drill program will target a recently identified structural trend associated with float rock of vein material, soil anomalies and old mining workings, where channel sampling has encountered 0.02 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag over an interval of 6.8m, and 3.7 g/t Au and 168 g/t Ag over an interval of 4.2m. A total of 14 grab and chip samples collected on this trend averaged 0.6 g/t Au and 180 g/t Ag.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project in Coahuila, which consists of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and litho geochemistry. To date, the stream sediment sampling program, consisting of 47 samples has been completed. It returned 5 samples with values greater than 7.8 ppm dysprosium (Dy), 65.3 ppm neodymium (Nd); and up to 14.1 ppm Dy and 160 ppm Nd, defining four general areas of interest along the west and south portions of the company’s concessions, of which two are associated with known HREE mineralized (eudialyte bearing) peralkaline rock (Jemi Dyke Area and Veladora North). The remaining two areas with anomalous Dy and Nd concentrations were previously unrecognized as being prospective (Zone 2 and Zone 4). Follow-up exploration work to identify the source of the high REEs at these two areas will be undertaken during the current field program for quick delineation.

ON MINING

  • Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 3,829 tonnes per day with an average grade of 1.86% and metallurgical recovery of 96.8%, to produce 36.74 M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.20 per Lb produced.

ON FINANCING

  • Kootenay Silver Inc., increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit. If the offer for sale from Red Cloud is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds to the company will be $5M (Columba project, Chihuahua).
  • Xali Gold Corp., received advance net profits interest (NPI) payment from Sun River Gold, LLC for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. Sun River has started making advance NPI payments of USD $15K per month to Xali Gold as part of the second extension agreement on the El Oro Tailings project, in El Oro, State of Mexico. Advanced NPI payments of USD $50K per month will be paid by Sun River once commercial production is reached (or first concentrate is produced or dore gold is poured) and during the first year of operation, after which normal 5% NPI payments are to be made.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced that it has engaged SRK Consulting Inc., to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. This updated Mineral Resource Estimate is to include an additional 7,200m of drilling completed in May 2022 which returned multiple higher grade gold intercepts and expanded several known mineralized gold zones within the concession.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGAG-22-035 with 1.64 g/t Au and 265 g/t Ag (5.17 g/t AuEq or 387 g/t AgEq) over 110.6m, including 11.31 g/t Au and 2,198 g/t Ag (40.62 g/t AuEq or 3,047 g/t AgEq) over 11.5m, including 30.24 g/t Au and 6,392 g/t Ag (115.48 g/t AuEq or 8,661 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 63.24 g/t Au and 12,729 g/t Ag (232.96 g/t AuEq or 17,472 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, including 104.50 g/t Au and 13,742 g/t Ag (287.73 g/t AuEq or 21,580 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m; and hole LRGAG-22-032 with 1.36 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag (2.79 g/t AuEq or 210 g/t AgEq) over 65.8m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 217 g/t Ag (5.85 g/t AuEq or 439 g/t AgEq) over 28.1m, including 7.17 g/t Au and 1,013 g/t Ag (20.68 g/t AuEq or 1,551 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m, including 25 g/t Au and 3,020 g/t Ag (65.27 g/t AuEq or 4,895 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Mapping and geophysics indicate the Eagle structure extending in excess of 2.5km to the northwest, at which point it continues onto the Company’s previously owned Jamaica concessions”. “The Eagle concession connects the Company’s concessions held in the southern portion of its Los Ricos South project, including the Main area where the Initial Resource was released, to its northern concessions in Los Ricos South, which includes the Jamaica exploration target.  As a result, 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.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLI22-38 with 301 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (471 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 15.9m, including 856 g/t Ag, 0.70 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (1,052 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m; hole PL!22-23 with 268 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 2.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 36.5m, including 626 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 1% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (684 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, plus 1028 g/t Ag, 5.11g/t Au, 8.3% Pb, 7% Zn, and 0.9% Cu (2,101 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.9m, including 2,667 g/t Ag, 1.27 g/t Au, 12.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (3,431 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.2m; hole PLI22-24 with 1,159 g/t Ag, 0.53 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, 1% Zn, and 0.8% Cu (1,354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m, plus 135 g/t Ag, 0.39 g/t Au, 4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.1m, including 292 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 1.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m; hole PLI22-25 with 629 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 9.2% Pb, 4% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,146 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 11.4m, including 1,791 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,917 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m; hole LP122-27 with 109 g/t Ag, 0.91 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.2m, including 212 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 10.9% Pb, 4.1% Zn, and 0.22 % Cu (961 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.1; hole PLI22-30 with 344 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (370 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 2,251 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (2,365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m, plus 1,697 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,792 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.1m, plus 134 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (273 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 5% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (576 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.9m; hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% b, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.8m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (809 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m, plus 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,074 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 40 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 10.5% Pb, 9.8% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (852 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.5m. “GR Silver Mining’s infill drilling program is continuing in the Plomosas Mine Area, and to date has added 105 holes (7,330 m) of new drilling inside the historic Plomosas Mine since completion of the Company’s 2021 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimation”.
  • Osisko Development Corp., provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. The company reported that 1.1M tonnes of 0.58 g/t Au and 0.25 g/t Ag have been placed on the heap leach pad for an estimated total of 20,090 oz of Au and 8,818 oz of Ag. Osisko also reported that 10,149 Oz Au and 3,516 Oz Ag at recoveries to the end of the third quarter of 2022 of 50.5% for gold and 39.9% for silver total production have been produced from the heap leach pad as of October 27, 2022, of which 7,350 Oz Au were sold.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Highlights of the drilling are shown in the table below:

With the inclusion of these new drill holes, this area has been expanded to measure approximately 200 metres in diameter and up to 250 metres vertically.

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced results from its final 4 drill holes on the North Felsite-North Skarn targets at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. Highlights of the drilling include hole 22CLM-194 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.01% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (212 g/t AgEq or 5.2% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.3m, plus 386 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu, 6% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (827 g/t AgEq or 20.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.7m, plus 336 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.16% Cu, 6.5% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (780 g/t AgEq or 18.9% ZnEq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 746 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 17.1% Pb, and 13.2% Zn (1,904 g/t AgEq or 46.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.6m; and hole 22CLM-193 with 124 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (195 g/t AgEq or 4.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 5.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (333 g/t AgEq or 8.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 3m. “Drilling on these targets, which started in September 2021, has now tested a 400 metre strike-length of mineralization which wraps around the eastern and northern perimeter of the Central Intrusion and links previously identified mineralization in the Mina La Bocona and Skarn Front deposits. Twenty-five holes totaling 11,275 metres were completed in the two target areas to depths of up to 450 metres below surface”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silverton Metals Corp., announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp., to better reflects the company’s focus on exploration and development of lithium and silver projects (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., made the appointments of its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
  • Pan American Silver Corp. and Agnico Eagle Limited delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana Gold Inc. Pan American would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana, and Yamana would sell certain subsidiaries and partnerships which hold Yamana´s interest in its Canadian assets to Agnico Eagle, including the Canadian Malartic mine. “The consideration consists of 153,539,579 common shares in the capital of Pan American (“Pan American Shares”); USD$1.0 billion in cash contributed by Agnico Eagle; and 36,089,907 common shares in the capital of Agnico Eagle (“Agnico Eagle Shares”). Under the Binding Offer, each Yamana Share would be exchanged for approximately USD$1.04 in cash, 0.1598 Pan American Shares and 0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an aggregate value of USD$5.02 per Yamana Share based on the closing price of each Pan American Share and Agnico Eagle Share on November 3, 2022. The Binding Offer is not subject to any financing condition or additional due diligence”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. The amendment states that (a) the 2% net smelter return royalty on La Guitarra will now be granted by Compañía Minera La Guitarra S.A. de C.V., to First Majestic prior to closing of the transaction, rather than rather than concurrently with closing as previously anticipated; and (b) certain governmental approvals will be required prior to closing of the transaction. All other material terms of the transaction remain unchanged. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2022.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa S.A. for a proposed business combination. A Special Committee of the independent members of Sierra Metals´ Board of Directors is exploring, reviewing and considering financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interest of Sierra Metals.
  • Xali Gold Corp., increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. The company also informed that has received interest from third parties desiring to enter into JV in the SDA plant and near-surface high grade mineralization near the plant.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

On the picture above, a fault plane from an intermediate-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of June, 2022

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 25th week of the year (June 20th to June 26th, 2022), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, four companies posted exploration advances on their properties, there were no relevant news in the mining section, four companies reported on the opening or closing f financing rounds for a total of US$6.4 M and C$5 M, five companies posted on work at its advanced properties. One company announced a LOI on a property, another is on a legal fight for its mining concessions and one more is suing the Mexican government on the cancellation of a project.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Congress released the reform on nationalization of lithium extraction. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Silver Spruce collared the first hole at Diamante; Tocvan Ventures recommenced drilling at Pilar. In Zacatecas, Minera Alamos updated on regional exploration at Melchor Ocampo. In Veracruz, Azucar Minerals commenced a second hole on a new target at El Cobre. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Sonoro Gold increased its financing round to $2.4 M; Fabled Silver it to raise up to $1 M; Heliostar Metals is carrying a financing round to raise $3 M; Reyna Silver closed its non-brokered placement raising C$5 M.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Alamos Gold poured first bullion from La Yaqui Grande, in the Mulatos district, Sonora. Minera Alamos obtained surface access to Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas. Vizsla Resources reported drill results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Guanajuato Silver reported high-grade tailings drilling results at El Cubo, in Guanajuato. GR Silver released drill results from Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Orex Minerals resumed drilling at Sandra, in Durango, within a JV with Pan American Silver. Oroco Resources released drilling results from the north part of the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) is the government entity that is to run the Lithium State company.  The reform sealed by Congress nationalized the extraction of the metal, and mandates the government has 90 days to create the organization.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resources Corp. announced that its partner in the Diamante project in Sonora, Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has collared the first holes of a 2,000 m reverse circulation drilling program, starting on the Pillado zone and to continue at La Prieta.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. recommenced drilling at its Pilar project in Sonora. Drilling will focus on priority exploration targets as well as parallel trends and extensions.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. has commenced a second hole at the lithocap target at El Cobre, Veracruz. “the first hole passed through typical clay dominant lithocap alteration into phyllic alteration which transitioned to propylitic and at depth intense biotitic potassic alteration and is interpreted to have intersected a peripheral part of a porphyry system beneath the lithocap”. The target has been shown as likely to contain a medium to large sized porphyry systems based on mineral vectoring studies with chlorite and epidote.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. updated on regional exploration activities in the Melchor Ocampo area of Zacatecas. The company owns 6,405 ha of mining concessions in the area around its Cerro de Oro project, in development. A new mineralized trend has been identified 4.5 km southwest of the Cerro de Oro area, with 22 out of 40 samples running over 0.5 gpt Au “in a sedimentary sequence of interbedded siltstone, sandstones and limestones that have been intruded by granitic dikes and sills”. An internal historic report by Echo Bay calculated 2.8 M tonnes @ 0.75 gpt Au, and also pointed to the possibility of large tonnage Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • Sonoro Gold Corp. is increasing its previously announced non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $2.4 M. (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1 M (Santa Maria, Chihuahua).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. is carrying a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $3 M (Cumaro, Oso Negro and La Lola, in Sonora).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. closed its previously announced “best efforts” private placement, for gross proceeds of C$5 M. The offering was upsized from its originally aimed C$3 M (Guigui, Chihuahua).  

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Alamos Gold Inc. announced initial gold production from the La Yaqui Grande mine in Sonora. Construction was completed ahead of schedule this month. A total of 991 Oz was poured, with production expected to reach 3,000 Oz Au in June. This large-scale construction project will extend the life of the Mulatos Complex for at least five years. “La Yaqui Grande was completed ahead of schedule generating more than 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and will continue to sustain 450 direct jobs”.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. presented executed surface rights agreements for its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. These permits, which cover 816 ha in the Melchor Ocampo Municipality and 160 ha in the Ejido San Pedro de Ocampo, with allow the company to pursue the permit application for the project. Additional activities for 2022 include metallurgical test work, in-fill and local resource expansion drilling, ongoing regional exploration, equipment procurement, mine contractor discussions and project financing discussions.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp. reported results from 24 drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The results are from the Copala structure, extending it to 600 meters along strike and 400 m downdip. Highlighted true width results comprise 20.45 m @ 780 gpt Ag, 4.23 gpt Au; 14.50 m @ 667 gpt Ag, 3.89 gpt Au; 9.35 m @ 1,010 gpt Ag, 5.44 gpt Au (including 1.30 m @ 3,548 gpt Ag, 17.78 gpt Au); 4.40 m @ 802 gpt Ag, 6.89 gpt Au; 3.40 m @ 1,642 gpt Ag, 6.67 gpt Au. “The Copala Vein is a shallow dipping structure …. on the hangingwall side of the Tajitos structure. Copala is marked by high precious metals grades …. hosted within a broader envelope of vein-breccia up to 82 metres thick…”.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. reported the discovery of high-grade material in an historical tailings area of El Cubo Mine Complex in Guanajuato. The Mastranto tailings facility has material from El Cubo Santa Cecilia area, mined between 1986 and 2003, covering an area of 4.35 ha. with approximately 1.5 m of tailings material. Some of the highlighted hole length results comprise 1.3 m @ 4.14 gpt Au, 328 gpt Ag; 1.6 m @ 3.07 gpt Au, 169 gpt Ag; 0.8 m @ 3.42 gpt Au, 446 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 3.18 gpt Au, 405 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.17 gpt Au, 427 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 3.54 gpt Au, 405 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.65 gpt Au, 435 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 3.42 gpt Au, 437 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.03 gpt Au, 419 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 3.46 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 3.32 gpt Au, 316 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 4.02 gpt Au, 220 gpt Ag. “the Company plans to extract the gold and silver content from Mastrantos IV using a gravity extraction circuit”.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. released results from drilling at the San Juan and Plomosas mine areas of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width results comprise 4.3 m @ 4.52 gpt Au, 56 gpt Ag (including 1.1 m @ 10.17 gpt Au, 340 gpt Ag); 0.5 m @ 30.09 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 459 gpt Ag. Channel sampling at Las Teresas returned 3.4 m @ 1.21 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag (including 0.4 m @ 9.44 gpt Au, 394 gpt Ag).
  • Orex Minerals Inc. resumed diamond drilling on the Sandra project in Durango. This is a joint venture between Pan American Silver Corp. (60%) and Orex (40%) that aims to drill 2,500 to 3,000 meters in this new Phase-I program. “The Project covers almost 70 square kilometres of contiguous mineral concessions and includes multiple mineralized epithermal quartz veins, disseminated horizons and breccia structures”. The Sandra project has an inferred resource of 9.8 M tonnes @ 106 gpt hosting 33.3 M Oz Ag in the Boleras deposit.
  • Oroco Resources Corp. released results from the Brasiles area of the Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Core length highlighted results comprise 166 m @ 0.36 % Cu (including 59.0 m @ 0.46% Cu and 17.4 m @ 0.44% Cu); 33.5 m @ 0.14% Cu in one hole; 24.0 m @ 0.33% Cu; 14.0 m @ 0.17% Cu; 16.0 m @ 0.14% Cu in a second hole; 213.5 m @ 0.28% Cu (including 37.5 m @ 0.50% Cu) in a third hole. “Brasiles West Zone has strong geological similarities to the North Zone, if somewhat attenuated. Like the North Zone, monzonite dikes cutting the Cretaceous limestone (marble) are accompanied by skarn development and minor base metal mineralization”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • QNB Metals Inc. announced the execution of a binding letter of intent (LOI) with Analog Gold Inc. on the proposed acquisition of the Tres Oro property in Sinaloa. “The LOI provides for a business combination of QNB Metals and Analog, which would be implemented by way of a “Reverse Takeover” of QNB Metals by Analog”. The deal envisages consolidation of QNB Metals shares on a 2 to 1 basis, completion of a financing round, the payment of $38.3 M through the issuance of shares. The Tres Oros property is an active pilot mine exploiting a polymetallic structure open on strike and at depth, with access to a 600 tpd flotation plant.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. has “become aware that certain mineral concessions concerning its Tepal Project have been illegally and fraudulently transferred to a third-party individual without the Company’s knowledge or consent. These concessions are the property of Defiance and have consistently been kept in good standing by the Company, with all obligations and filings under applicable laws being systematically completed”. Defiance is pursuing all legal avenues to restore its rightful claim to the concessions (Tepal. Michoacan).
  • Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. has gathered US$15 M to pursue legal actions against environmental authorities in Mexico, under the arbitration provided by NAFTA. The complaint asks for US$2 billion in damages on the cancellation of the offshore phosphate mining project.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Locally foliated intrusive rock, with minor quartz and specularite veining in the Sonora Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 49th week of the year (December 6th to December 12th, 2021), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, four companies posted exploration advances on their properties, there were no mining related news, two released financing news, one more settled a debt with shares and one more qualified to trade on the OTCQB; two companies released resource estimates, one posted on drilling results from an advanced property and one more provided an update on ramping up mining activities. One company changed its name and one more is to create a spin-off company for its remaining exploration projects. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Sonora, Guerrero and Oaxaca can become poles of mining activity. Camimex asked the president to ease the grip on the issuance of mining concessions, as it is to strangle the industry. The Zacatecas Mining Cluster inaugurated Quantum City. The national employment service increased the jobs offered in the mining industry. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Heliostar Metals commenced drilling at Cumaro; Tocvan Ventures is trenching at Pilar. In Sinaloa, Vizsla Silver released drilling results from the Napoleon deposit at Panuco. In Guerrero, Pantera Silver received a drill permit for Nuevo Taxco. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver and Prismo Metals announced or closed financing rounds for C$9.52 M and $2 M respectively. Aloro Mining is to settle a $211 K debt with shares. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver qualified for trading at the OTCQB in the USA. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver filed the technical report with updated mineral resources at Cordero. Fabled Silver released drill results at Santa Maria. GoGold presented the initial mineral resource estimate on four deposits at Los Ricos North project, and current resources at Los Ricos Sur and the Parral tailings projects. Minera Alamos updated on ramping up of mining at Santana. Oroco Resources released its first drilling results from drilling the Santo Tomás deposit in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Advance Gold changed its name to Advance Lithium Corp., and Solaris Resources intends to transfer its non-core assets to a subsidiary company. Prime Meridian Resources optioned the La Verde Grande project in Sonora, for which is to forward US400 K in cash and US$8 M in shares in staged payments. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • According to a note by Mexico Business News, Sonora, Guerrero and Oaxaca are to be poles of mining exploration in the coming years.
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) asked the AMLO presidency to grant new mining concessions, as the lack of issuance of titles is to result in a shortage of mines in the future due to the lack of exploration. Mexico has seen its standing on the Fraser Institute report to fall from the 29 to the 42 position from 2018 to 2020.
  • The Zacatecas Mining Cluster inaugurated its Mining Center in Quantum City, to forward research, innovation and technological development in the State’s mining industry.
  • The Servicio Nacional de Empleo (National Employment Service) increased its jobs offer in the mining industry.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released results from twenty one drill holes targeting the Napoleon vein resource area, at Panuco, Sinaloa. The Napoleon vein measures approximately 1,000 m by 3.86 m in width, to a depth of 400 m, averaging 148 gpt Ag, 2.90 gpt Au, 0.46% Pb, 1.44% Zn (453 gpt AgEq), while the greater Napoleon vein resource area (including the previous one) measures 1,820 m by an average of 3.36 m in width to a depth of 300 m, averaging 142 gpt Ag, 2.62 gpt Au, 0.46% Pb, 1.39% Zn (421 gpt AgEq). Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 5.76 m @ 0.81 gpt Au, 56 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 1.21 m @ 2.25 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag; 10.69 m @ 1.21 gpt Au, 220 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn; 1.74 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 206 gpt Ag; 1.63 m @ 2.69 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 2.52 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 156 gpt Ag; 1.14 m @ 4.75 gpt Au, 128 gpt Ag, 1.2% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 2.90 m @ 0.76 gpt Au, 210 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 1.8% Zn.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. commenced a drill program at its Cumaro project in Sonora. The drill program will focus on the Verde, Basaitegui and Palmita vein corridors. The Verde target comprises three veins with 530 m strike length 0.5 to 5.0 m in width, where previous surface sampling has returned 5.0 m @ 10.3 gpt Au, 168 gpt Ag; 5.9 m @ 2.65 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag; 3.0 m @ 4.68 gpt Au, 61 gpt Ag; 1.75 m @ 11.5 gpt Au, 125 gpt Ag. At the Basaitegui target vein textures indicate a shallower part of the system is exposed and the vein at depth is to be tested. At the 1.7 km long Palmita target the mineralization system is also interpreted as shallow and the aim is to intercept the vein at depth.
  • Pantera Silver Corp. received a drill permit from the government for its Nuevo Taxco project in Guerrero. The maiden drill program is focused on priority targets within 135 ha area historically prepared for drilling by Impact Silver. This area hosts over 21 veins with “substantial width” and mapped lengths of 150 to 350 m, remaining open along strike and depth.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. updated on the trenching program at the Pilar project in Sonora. “Trenching is currently underway with four trenches completed to date at 4-Trench, North Hill and Main Zone targets”. At the Main zone the plan is to test an area where surface sampling has returned 10 m @ 2.5 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering, for gross proceeds of C$9.52 M (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Prismo Metals Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement intended to raise gross proceeds of up to $2 M (Los Pavitos, Sonora).
  • Aloro Mining Corp. intends to settle a debt for $211.2 K to various insiders of the company with 3.84 M shares (Los Venados, Sonora).
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced it has qualified for trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. (Tepic and La Tigra projects, Nayarit).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Discovery Silver Corp. filed the technical report with the update of mineral resources for the Cordero project in Chihuahua. The NI-43-101 report for the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for Cordero will be filed within 45 days of November 30, 2021.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp. released results from one more hole at Santa Maria in Chihuahua. Nine core length intervals 1.5 to 3.0 m in width returned up to 0.16 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released its initial mineral resource estimate for the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco, and updated the mineral reserve at the Parral tailings operation. Oxide indicated mineral from the El Favor, Casados, La Trini and Mololoa deposits adds up to 14.5 M tonnes @ 0.37 gpt Au, 100 gpt Ag, and inferred mineral resources of 15.0 m tonnes @ 0.28 gpt Au, 95 gpt Ag, containing 171 K Oz Au, 46.5 M Oz Ag and 136 K Oz Au, 44.1 M Oz Ag respectively. At El Orito sulfide zone there are 7.8 M tonnes @ 0.06 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 0.11% Cu, 0.88% Pb, 1.33% Zn as indicated resources, and 5.5 M tonnes @ 0.06 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 0.12% Cu, 0.74% Pb, 1.20% Zn as inferred resources, containing 15 K Oz Au, 7 M Oz Ag, 19 M Lb Cu, 151 M Lb, Pb, 229 M Lb Zn and 11 K Oz Au, 4.9 M Oz Ag, 15 M Lb Cu, 90 M Lb Pb, 146 M Lb Zn respectively, for a grand total of 334 K Oz Au, 93.5 M Oz Ag, 34 M Lb Cu, 241 M Lb Pb, 375 M Lb Zn. At the neighboring Los Ricos Sur project, the company holds 385 K Oz Au, 49.9 M Oz Ag in measured, indicated and inferred resources. At the Parral tailing project proven and probable mineral reserves are 12.8 M tonnes @ 0.35 gpt Au, 32.6 gpt Ag, containing 144 K Oz Au, 13.4 M Oz Ag.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. provided an update on the ramping-up of mining at Santana, in Sonora. Over 7,300 Oz Au have been placed on the leach pad, while cumulative gold recovery from ore under leach for more than 30 days his approaching 70%. “Mining and crushing activities at the project site continue to progress as operating experience is gained and the available Nicho Norte starter pit operating areas increase”.
  • Oroco Resources Corp. released results from drilling at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The eight holes completed so far in the North zone and drilling continues, whilst results for the first three holes have been received. Copper grades are comparable to historical grades and confirm the 2009 gradeshell model of Cu > 0.3%, with chalcopyrite and bornite disseminations and veinlets with sparse pyrite. “Sulphide mineralization in the main intersections on the North Zone are hosted in strongly potassic-altered volcanic and intrusive rocks with an overprint of phyllic alteration”. Highlighted core-length intervals comprise 255.0 m @ 0.39% Cu, 100 ppm Mo, 45 ppb Au; 280.1 m @ 0.38% Cu, 120 ppm Mo, 25 ppb Au; 25.5 m @ 0.29% Cu, 150 ppm Mo, 20 ppb Au; 14.3 m @ 0.50 % Cu, 80 ppm Mo, 26 ppb Au; 207.7 m @ 0.39% Cu, 140 ppm Mo, 19 ppb Au; 76.2 m @ 0.18% Cu, 20 ppm Mo, 7 ppb Au.
  • Prime Mining Corp. updated on exploration at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Exploration results during the Q3 2021 include the discovery of Au-Ag mineralization in San Miguel East pit-constrained resource, in addition to near surface mineralization at Las Primas, additional high-grade results at Guadalupe East and strike and depth potential of the Zapote-Tahonitas mineralized structure. The planned phase two drilling program is to comprise 250 new holes and a minimum of 50,000 m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Advance Gold Corp. changed its name to Advance Lithium Corp. (Tabasqueña, Zacatecas).
  • Solaris Resources Inc. intends to transfer its non-core assets in Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Mexico, into a newly incorporated subsidiary named Solaris Exploration Inc., while Solaris Resources focuses on the Warintza project in Ecuador (La Verde (60%), Michoacan).
  • Prime Meridian Resources Corp. executed a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase up to 100% interest in La Verde Grande 2,493 ha project in Sonora. “The Company’s plan is to fast-track the exploration and development of the seven currently known Cu-Zn-Ag-Au skarn zones, while evaluating in parallel, the significant opportunity for the discovery of copper porphyry mineralization proximal to those skarn zones”. PMR will make cash payments of US$400 K and payments in shares of US$8 M to acquire up to 100% indirect ownership of the La Verde project, subject to a 2% royalty. Upon completing the US$400 K payment, PMR will have earned 5% indirect ownership of the La Verde project, and further 45% indirect ownership upon issuance of 25 M shares @ CA$0.15 per share. PMR will acquire further 25% indirect interest by issuing an additional US$3 M in shares before the first anniversary. A final 25% indirect interest will be earned by issuing US$2 M in shares before the second anniversary. Of the 2% royalty, 1% can be bought by US$1.0 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

On the image below: X marks the spot. Mafic dike on granitic intrusive rock in Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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Phyllic alteration and Cu mineralization

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 40th week of the year (October 04th to October 10th, 2021), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 3 news published by the media, with nine reporting resources and developments, six communicating production and financial results, four informing on exploration results, four announcing financial topics, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, two commenting on Mexican issues and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Members of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua met with federal deputies of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) to let them know of the importance of mining not only in the state but in the entire country.  President AMLO announced a proposal that would put end the current system of lithium concessions and leave exploration and production in the hands of the State. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja, One World Lithium provided an update of its current drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Benjamin Hill provided an update of details on the recently released NI 43-101 report on its Benjamin Hill project.  In Chihuahua, Kootenay reported results from the last six holes collared at its Columba project. In Jalisco, Almadex announced Q4, 2021 plans for its San Pedro project. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver reported Q3, 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Gatos Silver announced Q3, 2021 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. GoGold presented quarterly and year ending September 2021 production results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. Great Panther announced Q3, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex mines in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. McEwen reported Q3, 2021 production results from its El Gallo property in Sinaloa. Torex Gold announced Q3, 2021 production results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals announced the arrangement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1.05M (Cervantes project, Sonora). Heliostar announced the commencement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $2M that later on increased it to a maximum of $4M (Cumaro, Oso Negro and la Lola project in Sonora). Tarachi Gold announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $500K (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almaden announced that it has resumed drilling activities at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. Excellon released results from its underground drilling program conducted at its the Platosa mine in Durango. Fabled reported results from its underground drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua.  Golden Tag received approval from the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SEMARNAT) to build additional 41 drill pads at its San Diego property in Durango. GR Silver completed a 3D resistivity, IP and ground magnetic survey at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Impact Silver released results from its underground drilling program at Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Minera Alamos provided an update on the ongoing pit optimization drilling program at its Santana property in Sonora. Silver Dollar received drilling permit for its la Joya project in Durango. Tarachi Gold reported results from the tailings drilling program at its Magistral Mill and Tailings project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz Mining informed that it is suspending operations at the Rosario Project in San Luis Potosi, and placing it on care and maintenance. Riverside reported on mining claims consolidation and expansion of its the La Union polymetallic project in Sonora. Sailfish entered into a binding letter of intent with 1287398 B.C. Ltd., to create a silver focused exploration and development company (Gavilanes property, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc and its subsidiary Minera Penmont delivered an ambulance to representatives of the Red Cross in Caborca, Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Members of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua met with federal deputies of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) to let them know of the importance of mining not only in the state but in the entire country. Deductions of the mining exploration expenses as well as the electricity reform were some of the issues addressed to the deputies. According to the mining sector, if the electricity reform is approved, it will affect the competitiveness of mining. The Mining Cluster, in communion with government authorities, seeks to generate the development of local supply, as well as attracting greater mining investment in the state.
  • President AMLO announced a proposal that would put end the current system of lithium concessions and leave exploration and production in the hands of the State. However, the owner of the USD $420M project Bacanora Lithium stated that the Mexican government’s plans to bring lithium resources under state control will not affect progress in Sonora, since the new reforms will not affect lithium licenses already granted to private companies, as long as exploration work has already started and all licensing requirements have been met.

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., provided an update of its current drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja. The company announced that hole DDH-4 reached a depth of 381m on October 2, 2021 with an expected total depth of 600m. If the results of DDH-4 warrant it, other boreholes will be drilled in the area.
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., provided an update of details on the recently released NI 43-101 report on its Benjamin Hill project in Sonora. “Detailed mapping at 1:1,000 scale has indicated the presence of a large magmatic-hydrothermal system, including mineralized structures, stockworks, sheeted veins, alteration halos, all of which are hosted in granitoids, an eroded skarn system, a volcaniclastic sequence, and volcanic rocks, as well local orogenic quartz veins. This large hydrothermal system could be co-genetic with a bimodal dike swarm mapped on the property and related to a buried fertile plutonic system, suggesting that geological structures and mineralization seen at surface are indicative of a Cu-Au porphyry system at depth”. Recommended activities to be conducted at the property over the next 2-3 months are completing the mapping and sampling on the areas of Caracahui, la Salada, Caracahui Norte and the Sonora Copper; mapping and channel sampling of the Cascabel and Guadalupe adits; dating studies of the plutonic rocks, prospection of the new areas generated by geochemistry (La Falsa, San Felix, and La Berrenda); and channel sampling on the Sonora Copper adit.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd announced Q4, 2021 plans for its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The company reported that the property is fully permitted and is currently mobilizing a team and rig to site to conduct a drill testing prior to year-end.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., reported results from the last six holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua. The company announced the best drill intercept to date in hole CDH-21-103 with 333 g/t Ag over 44m, including 805 g/t Ag over 17m, including 1,201 g/t Ag over 11m, including 2,035 g/t Ag over 6m, and a high of 9,840 g/t Ag over 0.92m.

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q3, 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. The next table shows the production for the third quarter 2021 by mine:
  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced Q3, 2021 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. The company mined 242,899 tonnes and milled 234,054 tonnes of 256 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 2.35% Pb, and 4.1% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 89%, 63%, 91%, and 74% respectively, to produce 1.7M Oz Ag, 1.3K Oz Au, 10.8M Lb Pb, and 13.5M Lb Zn.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented quarterly and year ending September 2021 production results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. GoGold produced 221.2K Oz Ag, 3,437 Oz Au and 309.1K Lb Cu (526,044 Oz AgEq) in the quarter period for a total of 1.14 M Oz Ag, 13.45K Oz Au, and 1.05M Lb Cu (2.27M Oz AgEq) in the full year ending in September 2021.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited announced Q3, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex mines in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. At Topia, Durango, the company processed 14, 433 tonnes of 373 g/t Ag, and 0.64 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 93.7% and 72.2% respectively, to produce 162.2K Oz Ag, 215 Oz Au, 600.3K Lb Pb, and 777.3K Lb Zn (242K Oz AgEq or 2,847 Oz AuEq). At Guanajuato Mine Complex, Guanajuato, Great Panther processed 41,343 tonnes of 102 g/t Ag, and 1.64 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 87.1% and 86.4% respectively, to produce 118K Oz Ag and 1,883 Oz Au (278K Oz AgEq or 3,271 Oz AuEq). “The Company has not yet been granted a permit from the Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) to expand the TSF at the Guanajuato Mill Complex, which only has sufficient capacity to continue milling operations until December 2021. While the Company continues to proactively engage CONAGUA to expedite the permitting process, the operating assumption is that a permit will not be forthcoming and numerous longer-term solutions are currently being assessed, including processing ore at third-party facilities”.
  • McEwen Mining Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production results from its El Gallo property in Sinaloa. In Q3, El Gallo produced 560 Gold Equivalents Ounces (GEOs) from residual leaching of the heap leach pad.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced Q3, 2021 production results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero. The company reported a gold production of 111,220 Oz. The company sold this production at an average realized gold price of USD $1,785 per Oz.

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., announced the arrangement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1.05M. Part of the net proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work at its Cervantes porphyry Au-Cu project in Sonora.
  • Heliostar Metals Limited announced the commencement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $2M that later on was increased to a maximum of $4M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work at the Cumaro, Oso Negro and la Lola project in Sonora.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $500K. Proceeds of the private placement will be used for general working capital. (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced that it has resumed drilling activities at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. The company also informed that all fieldwork has been conducted in compliance with the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS) since the Company’s Covid-19 protocols detected several COVID-19 cases amongst members of the Company’s local staff. All these individuals were immediately quarantined and supported by the company and one was hospitalized, who unfortunately passed away despite all best efforts. The company has established a COVID Committee that meets weekly to assess the COVID- 19 situation, ensure commitment to company protocols, and discuss opportunities for improvement in the protocols.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., released results from its underground drilling program conducted at its the Platosa mine in Durango. Highlights include hole EX21UG90 with 1,570 g/t Ag, 10.4% Pb, 29.6% Zn, and 0.1 g/t Au (2,860 g/t AgEq) over 7.5m, including 2,424 g/t Ag, 14% Pb, and 35% Zn (3,987 g/t AgEq) over 3.4m, plus 479 g/t Ag, 4.6% Pb, and 2% Zn (667 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 1,758 g/t Ag, 16.5% Pb, and 7.5% Zn (2,441 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole EX21UG687 with 1,214 g/t Ag, 8.3% Pb, and 16.9% Zn (2,009 g/t AgEq) over 3.1m, including 2,530 g/t Ag, 16.7% Pb, and 19.3% Zn (3,623 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m. “Drilling from underground continues to define and expand known mineralization ahead of production at the 623 and NE-1S mantos. Drilling at Platosa will continue to target areas ahead of production and test the extent of mineralization around mine workings”. 
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., reported results from its 1,200m underground drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Hole SMUG21-16 intersected 0.21 g/t Au,  120 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (131 g/t AgEq) over 5.1m, including 0.6 g/t Au, 387 g/t Ag, 0.35% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (418 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m. Hole SMUG21-17 drilled from the same setup but with different dip angle intersected 1.07 g/t Au, 106 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (161 g/t AgEq) over 3.95m, including 6.46 g/t Au, 490 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.45% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (822 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., received approval from the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SEMARNAT) to build additional 41 drill pads at its San Diego property in Durango, increasing the total number of permissible pads to 55. The new permit is valid for a period of 4 years.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., completed a 3D resistivity, IP and ground magnetic survey at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. This geophysical survey links San Marcial resource with the recent GAP area discovery and the San Juan resource. Elevated chargeability has been identified in the vicinities of San Marcial resource area; the magnetic survey shows several oriented magnetic features; and the resistivity data shows that important parts of the Plomosas project are separated into structural blocks controlled by NW-trending faults and mineralized structures. Early-stage field assessment of Ag-Au targets is underway and several of these are currently in the drill planning stage.
  • Impact Silver Corp., released results from its underground drilling program in the Lipton area of its Guadalupe Mine at Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole MPZ-UG-001-21 with 327 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over a true width (TW) of 2.5m; hole MPZ-UG-002-21 with 691 g/t Ag, 0.3%, and 0.7% over a TW of 1.29m; hole MPZ-UG-006-21 with 443 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a TW of 1.90m; and hole MPZ-UG-014-21 with 472 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over a TW of 1.69m. The drill holes covered the vein systems over a strike length of 430m and a vertical distance of 200m.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., provided an update on the ongoing pit optimization drilling program at its Santana property in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole S20-147D with 0.69 g/t Au over 248.8m from surface and ending in mineralization; hole S20-149D with 0.77 g/t Au over 152.7m from surface, including 1.39 g/t Au over 56.2m; and hole S21-160D with 0.51 g/t Au over 242.7m from 41.9 down hole.   
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., received permit for the next phase of drilling at its la Joya project in Durango. The company is cashed-up and eager to restart exploration drilling for the first time in over seven years.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., reported results from the tailings drilling program at its Magistral Mill and Tailings project in Durango. A total of 37 vertical auger holes were completed to depths ranging from 1.3 to 14.5m with an average depth of 6.6m. The 171 gold tailings samples ranged in grade from 0.89 to 4.12g/t with an average of 2.04g/t Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., informed that it is suspending operations at the Rosario Project in San Luis Potosi, and placing it on care and maintenance. This decision was made following an extensive review by management of the Rosario project operations and strategic options available including the potential sale of the operation.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., reported on mining claims consolidation and expansion of its the La Union polymetallic project. The acquisition of the La Famosa and Plomito small internal claims provided Riverside access to high-grade small scale mine properties increases its property total area to over 2,604 hectares. Riverside optioned these properties over 4 years term staged cash payments without any NSR.  At La Famosa, Riverside can earn 100% of interest in the property by making a total cash payment of USD $175K in staged cash payments starting with USD $10K in the first year anniversary, $USD 15K in the second year, USD $25 in the third year, USD $50K in the fourth year, and a final cash payment of USD $75,000. At Plomito, Riverside can earn 100% interest in the property by making a total cash payment of USD $165K in staged cash payments, starting with USD $10K in the first year anniversary, $USD 15K in the second year, USD $25 in the third year, USD $40K in the fourth year, and a final cash payment of USD $75,000.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp., entered into a binding letter of intent with 1287398 B.C. Ltd., to create a focused exploration and development company (Pubco or Sailfish Silver as the proposed transaction). The plan is to transfer the Gavilanes Silver Project to Pubco in exchange for shares of Pubco.  

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc and its subsidiary Minera Penmont delivered an ambulance to representatives of the Red Cross in Caborca, Sonora. With this action, the Mexican company strengthens the vehicle fleet of the health institution that is responsible for protecting the health of the people of Caborca.

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 phyllic alteration with Cu mineralization in a prospect in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 23rd week of the year (June 7th to June 13th, 2021), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, six companies posted exploration advances on their properties, three posted on financing ($2.6M, $1.43 M, C$11.5 M) and one on a debt settlement with shares, six more on project development or resource definition and three posted on deals or corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The bodies of seven miners killed on a coal mine collapse in Coahuila have been recovered. ON EXPLORATION, in Baja, Comet Resources commenced a drill program at Santa Teresa. In Sonora, Minaurum is re-commencing drilling at its Alamos Silver project; Silver Spruce commenced phase II ground exploration at Jackie; Tarachi Gold released RC drilling results from La Dura mine at its Tarachi project. Radius gold released ground exploration results from Maricela. In Sinaloa, Kootenay Silver released good drilling results at Copalito.  ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Santacruz Silver settled a C$4.5 M debt by issuing shares to debtors. Three companies informed on financing rounds: Silver Viper Minerals ($1.4 M, aggregate $6 M), Mammoth Resources ($2.6 M) and Defiance Silver (C$11.5 M). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver Mining reported drill results from Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Endeavour Silver released high-grade intercepts at Terronera, Jalisco. Advance Gold released (low) lithium drilling results from the Saldivar Salar in San Luis Potosi. GoGold Resources reported drilling results from Los Ricos North in Jalisco. Golden Tag Resources released drilling results from a bulk tonnage target at San Diego, Durango. Golden Minerals reported assay results from expansion drilling at Rodeo, Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Millrock Resources and Tocvan Ventures signed a letter of commitment in relation to El Picacho project in Sonora. Telson Mining completed its change name to Altaley Mining. VanGold Mining announced its name change to Guanajuato Mining. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC informed on actions the companies realize to help the environment. Mazapil inhabitants evaluated the water quality they receive with Minera Peñasquito support.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The bodies of six of seven miners have been recovered after the collapse of a coal mine in Coahuila.
  • Luisa María Alcalde, head of the Secretariat of Work and Social Prevision informed the mine collapse in Coahuila that caused several fatalities was due to strong rains in the region.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kootenay Silver Inc. released results from five holes at its Copalito project in Sinaloa. The holes are from the 5 Señores vein, which has now been tested on 600 m of its 1 km known extension. Highlighted core length results comprise 35 m @ 75 gpt Ag, 0.6 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb+Zn (126 gpt AgEq) which include 1.70 m @ 43 gpt Ag, 2.56 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb+Zn (218 gpt Ag) and 1.31 m @ 264 gpt Ag, 0.23 gpt Au, 2.3% Pb+Zn (326 gpt AgEq); 19.43 m @ 218 gpt Ag, 0.83 gpt Au, 1.5% Pb+Zn (306 gpt AgEq) including 7.97 m @ 330 gpt Ag, 1.23 gpt Au, 2.0% Pb+Zn (456 gpt AgEq); 15.0 m @ 61 gpt Ag, 0.75 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb+Zn (119 gpt Ag) including 2.0 m @ 220 gpt Ag, 3.79 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb+Zn (475 gpt AgEq); 12.0 m @ 66 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb+Zn (96 gpt AgEq) including 2.20 m @ 241 gpt Ag, 0.42 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb+Zn (289 gpt AgEq); 10.0 m @ 65 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb+Zn (79 gpt AgEq) including 1.68 m @ 210 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb+Zn (248 gpt AgEq).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. informed on rig mobilization to its Alamos silver property in Sonora. “Drilling will focus on defining emerging silver shoots in previously explored veins as well as discovering new shoots in underexplored veins. Drill targets will be 100- to 150-metre step-outs of, up- and down-dip, and along-strike of mineralized vein zones, with allowances made for plunging shoots. Minaurum is also continuing reconnaissance work to the south and west in the Alamos project to develop new target veins for later drilling”. Some of the zones to be tested include the Europa-Guadalupe, San José, Minas Nuevas, Alessandra, Ana, Promontorio, Púlpito and Cotera.
  • Comet Resources Ltd. Commenced a 2,000 m diamond drilling program at Santa Teresa, in Baja California. This is the first drilling program since Premier Gold tested the property in 2008.
  • Radius Gold Inc. defined high grade and bulk tonnage targets at its Maricela project in Sonora. Rock chip sampling returned up to 3 m @ 4.46 gpt Au, 1,335 gpt Ag; 22.0 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag; 4 m @ 1.23 gpt Au, 111 gpt Ag at Baby Gloria, 25.3 m @0.31 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag; 10 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 142 gpt Ag at Virgen de Plata, 4 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 98 gpt Ag; 10.5 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag at EL Arco; 6 m @ 1.03 gpt Au, 417 gpt Ag at Central. “The project hosts an epithermal silver & gold mineralized vein system extending approximately 1.5km long by 300m wide, within which occurs multiple veins, stockworks and breccias which at intersections have exposed widths +25 meters. Recent mapping and sampling (273 rock chips) identified 6 major veins with combined strike approximately of 5km”.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. commenced phase II ground exploration at the 1,130 ha Jackie property in Sonora. “The work will be performed on a 100-hectare section of the Property with grid-controlled detailed geological mapping and rock sampling focused on a 25-hectare central block covering the core of the gold and silver discovery area with additional wider spaced grid mapping of the surrounding area”.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. released results from surface reverse circulation holes drilled on La Dura mine within the Jabali concession at the Tarachi project in Sonora. Highlighted hole-length intervals comprise 3.0 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 9.0 m @ 0.22 gpt Au, 3.0 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 3.0 m @ 2.35 gpt Au; 1.50 m @ 1.56 GPT Au; 12.0 m @ 7.26 gpt Au (including 6.0 m @ 12.2 gpt Au); 3.0 m @ 1.68 gpt Au, 12.0 m @ 0.23 gpt Au. “The drill program tested the down-dip and potential southern plunge in areas of known gold bearing structures”. 

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. announced the settling of a debt of C$4.47 M by issuing 10.3 M shares to Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A. and Minas Guilloyna S.A. de C.V. (Zimapan, Hidalgo).
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. closed its previously announced oversubscribed non-brokered private placement financing to raise up to $2.6 M in gross proceeds (Tenoriba, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for aggregate proceeds of $1.43 M. Aggregate profits under the offering were $6 M (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. closed the previously announced brokered private placement for Gross proceeds of C$11.5 M (San Acacio, Zacatecas; Tepal, Michoacan).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported drill results from the Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width (TW) intercepts on the northern portion of the Plomosas mine area of polymetallic hydrothermal breccia comprise 16.2 m @ 75 gpt Ag, 0.25 Au, 0.7% Pb, 0.8% Zn, 0.1% Cu (including 5.8 m @ 171 gpt Ag, 0.41 gpt Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn, 0.2% Cu); 7.6 m @ 227 gpt Ag, 0.27 gpt Au, 1.7% Pb, 1.4% Zn, 0.1% Cu; 10.7 m @ 12 gpt Ag, 2.48 gpt Au, 1.1% Pb, 1.5% Zn (including 1.5 m @ 17 gpt Ag, 15.81 gpt Au, 1.1% Pb, 3.9% Zn); 3.6 m @ 100 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 1.1% Zn, 0.5% Cu; 21.0 m @ 25 gpt Ag, 0.67 gpt Au, 1.6% Pb, 2.4% Zn, 0.1% Cu).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. announced high-grade intercepts in a number of structures near the Terronera vein at Terronera, Jalisco. True width intercepts comprise 1.12 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 170 gpt Ag; 2.14 m @ 3.97 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag; 5.59 m @ 2.17 gpt Au, 177 gpt Ag; 1.35 m @ 9.78 gpt Au, 214 gpt Ag at San Simón, 1.41 m @ 2.20 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag; 2.88 m @ 6.05 gpt Au, 1,056 gpt Ag; 1.98 m @ 3.38 gpt Au, 347 gpt Ag; 1.39 m @ 2.04 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag at Fresno, 1.08 m @ 2.63 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag at Lindero, 1.08 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 445 gpt Ag at Pendencia, and 1.95 m @ 9.52 gpt Au, 148 gpt Ag; 1.07 m @ 2.81 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag at Los Cuates.
  • Advance Gold Corp. announced results from four core holes at its Saldivar Salar in San Luis Potosí. One hole averaged 84 m @ 136 ppm Li (232 ppm peak value), 225 ppm B, 1.3 % K; a second hole averaged 77 m @ 142 ppm Li (229 ppm peak value), 213 ppm B, 1.3% K; a third hole averaged 53 m @ 130 ppm Li (214 ppm peak value), 230 ppm B, 1.2% K; a fourth hole returned 50 m @ 137 ppm Li (231 ppm peak value), 226 ppm B, 1.4% K. 
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results from drilling on El Orito prospect at it Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intersections comprise 9.5 m @ 20 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au, 0.10% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 12.4 m @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.23% Cu, 2.1% Pb, 3.8% Zn (including 2.6 m @ 93 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 0.61% Cu, 5.3% Pb, 9.9% Zn); 3.0 m @ 222 gpt Ag, 1.93 gpt Au, 0.29% Cu, 2.7% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 44.3 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.08% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 1.2% Zn (including 4.9 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.16 gpt Au, 0.16% Cu, 2.5% Pb, 3.5% Zn); 26.6 m @ 14 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.07% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 1.3% Zn (including 5.1 m @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, 0.20% Cu, 4.5% Pb, 1.9% Zn); 29.4 m @ 36 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.23% Cu, 2.2% Pb, 4.1% Zn; (including 6.3 m @ 90 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 0.65% Cu, 5.2% Pb, 9.5% Zn); 23.0 m @ 61 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.40% Cu, 2.4% Pb, 4.9% Zn; 58.0 m @ 31 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.19% Cu, 1.2% Pb, 2.6% Zn. “mineralization averaging approximately 30m in width for more than 700m in strike length and up to approximately 300m in vertical depth from surface and is open in all directions….. The known strike length of the El Orito – El Favor structure is now approaching 2,500 meters and is still open in both directions”.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. released results from a diamond hole at the Trovador zone of its San Diego project in Durango. Highlighted results comprise 8.40 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn, 0.09% Cu; 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, 0.05% Cu (including 14.47 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 2.2% Zn, 0.12% Cu); 116.45 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 2.71 m @ 0.05 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 3.1% Zn, 0.35% Cu.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released initial results from its expansion drill program at its Rodeo open pit mine in Durango. Highlighted results comprise 14.65 m @ 3.94 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 9.30 m @ 5.38 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 3.70 m @ 7.02 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag (including 0.90 m @ 21.09 gpt Au, 50 gpt Ag); 13.75 m @ 2.64 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, 6.35 m @ 1.41 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag; 3.80 m @ 2.69 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported drill results from high-grade epithermal veining from La Colorada and San Juan veins at Plomosas, Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 9.0 m @ 710 gpt Ag, 1.82 gpt Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn, 0.1% Cu (including 0.7 m @ 8,519 gpt Ag, 18.77 gpt Au, 8.9% Pb, 0.7% Zn, 0.2% Cu); 33.0 m @ 20 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 11.1 m @ 139 gpt Ag, 0.69 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 7.0 m @ 341 gpt Ag, 1.00 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, p.6% Zn; 2.1 m @ 480 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn. “The La Colorada vein is a hydrothermal breccia that contains Au-Ag-Pb-Zn values in a mineralized quartz and hematite matrix. It is hosted in andesite and ignimbrite country rock. Sphalerite, galena and acanthite (Ag-bearing mineral) are found in the quartz veins.”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Millrock Resources Inc. signed a letter of commitment with Tocvan Ventures Corp. in relation to 2,414 ha El Picacho gold project in Sonora, west of the San Francisco mine. Tocvan must make make cash payments of US$2 M to the underlying concession owners over a five-year term to acquire 100% interest in the project, pay back taxes and Millrock is to retain a 2% NSR, of Which Tocvan may purchase back 1% for US$1 M.
  • Telson Mining Corp. is completing its name change to Altaley Mining Corp. on June 11, 2021 (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • VanGold Mining Corp. announced the name change to Guanajuato Mining Corp. to be effective from June 10, 2021 (El Cubo and El Pinguico, Guanajuato).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC informed on actions the companies realize to help the environment.
  • Mesas Mazapil inhabitants informed on the supervision they do on the water source delivered by Minera Peñasquito.

On the image below:  Felsic volcanic rocks autobreccia with hematite rich matrix in Sinaloa. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the fourth week of the year (February 22th to February 28th, 2021), at least 39 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 7 news published by the media, with eleven announcing financial rounds, nine reporting  on resources and development of their mine operations, seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, six commenting on Mexican issues, five informing on exploration results, five discussing social issues, and three communicating production and financial results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining and Steel companies resumed activities after power outage. Mining is on alert for the possibility that the Mexican Congress approves the initiative of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to modify the Electricity Industry Law and favor Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Los Gatos Silver announced restoration of full grid power at its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. According to the Fraser Institute, Chile, Peru, and Mexico have lost global appeal for mining investment. According to Fresnillo plc, half of the electricity used by the La Herradura mine in Sonora comes from clean energy. The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has remained firm in his decision not to grant new mining concessions, a measure that has been described as one of the main challenges for the sector.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals and its JV partner Kootenay commenced 2021 exploration program at its Cervantes project, and SilverCrest released drill results from its Picacho project. In Nayarit, Xali delineated new drill targets at its El Dorado project. In Jalisco, GoGold released drill results from 12 holes collared at its Los Ricos North project.  ON MINING, Capstone informed that it is on track for ramp-up to 3,780 tonnes per day at its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas by end of Q1, 2021, and reported Q4 and full-year 2020 production and financial results. Gold Resource reported full year 2020 production and financial results from its Don David mine in Oaxaca. Torex announced Q4, 2020 and full year 2020 production and financial results from its Limon-Los Guajes mine complex in Guerrero.  ON FINANCING, Carlyle granted stock options to directors and consultants (Cecilia project, Sonora). Coeur announced its intention to offer USD $350M of senior notes due 2029 (Palmarejo mine, Chihuahua). Capstone closed a USD $150M silver stream agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas). Discovery Metals announced that an aggregate of 31,140,000 common share purchase warrants were exercised (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Fabled announced an exercise of warrants for gross proceeds of $4,150,000 (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Orla completed layback agreement with Fresnillo on its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Santacruz, through its subsidiary Carrizal Mining, entered into a definitive agreement with Minera Cedros, a subsidiary of Industrias Peñoles, to acquire the Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. SilverCrest completed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of USD $138,069,000 (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Telson executed a LOI with Accendo Banco to provide financing up to USD $25M to complete the construction of its Tahuehueto mine in Durango, and also granted stock options to certain directors, officers, and insiders.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Alamos Gold reported minerals reserves and resources for the year-ended 2020 (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Aloro informed that Alamos Gold has initiated its field exploration program on its Los Venados project in Sonora. Chesapeake presented its 2021 work program at its Metates project in Durango. Excellon released results from underground expansion and exploration drilling from its Platosa property in Durango. Fabled released results from the third drill hole collared at its Santa Maria property in Chihuahua. GR Silver announced that it is conducting a ground geophysics program at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa, incorporating magnetometry and 3D IP. Orogen provided an update on its Ermitaño property in Sonora. Prime announced that a fifth core drill rig has been added at Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Xtierra released drill results from two holes collared at the Victor Vein at its Bilbao deposit in Zacatecas.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Barksdale announced the appointment of its Corporate Secretary as well as the grant of stock options to directors, employees and consultants. Colibri signed an option agreement with Bimsa to acquire 100% interest in the Diamante gold project in Sonora. Equinox announced that shareholders and optionholders of Premier approved the acquisition (Mercedes mine, Sonora). GR Silver announced the appointment of its VP Corporate Comminications (Plomosas property, Sinaloa). Autlan announced the appointment of its CEO (Molango mine, Hidalgo). US Antimony announced that trading of its common shares at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been halted. VanGold announced the appointment of Ramón Dávila to join to its Advisory Board (Pinguico property, Guanajuato).   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc through its San Julian mine reinforced sanitary measures with campaign in Guadalupe and Calvo, Chihuahua. Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) and the Universidad de Guerrero signed an environmental monitoring agreement (Limon-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero). Minera Peñasquito (Newmont) donated ventilators to the Medical Specialties Unit (UNEME) in Zacatecas. Mina Santa Elena (First Majestic) donated rapid COVID 19 antigen tests and face masks to municipalities of Baviácora, Aconchi, San Felipe de Jesús, Huépac, Banámichi, and Arizpe in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mining and Steel companies operating in Mexico resumed activities after power outage. The companies normalized their operations after the energy deficit caused by the polar wave in Texas affected their operations. Local operations in the silver, gold, coal and iron mines were suspended or restricted after the US state halting natural gas exports amid a historic winter storm. The interruption of natural gas shipments has generated calls for Mexico to invest in gas storage and diversify its energy matrix.
  • Mining is on alert for the possibility that the Mexican Congress approves the initiative of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) to modify the Electricity Industry Law and favor Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). AMLO said that he will seek to get his proposal approved without changing a single comma. The government last week began a campaign to emphasize the alleged damage that the actions of the IP have brought to the company headed by Manuel Bartlett. Mining is one of the industries that will be affected. Simply the companies that invested in self-supply projects managed to lower the cost of the fluid from 12 or 13 cents of a kilowatt (kw) / hour to 6.5 cents. Those that depend on CFE pay between 8 and 9 cents per kw / hour, far from the level of their competitors in Peru or Chile, which are at 6 cents, let alone those in the US at 4 cents and Canada 2 cents.
  • Los Gatos Silver Inc., announced restoration of full grid power at its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. Given the expedited restoration of full grid power, the outage has had minimal impact on the Company’s mining and processing activities.
  • According to the Fraser Institute, Chile, Peru, and Mexico have lost global appeal for mining investment. In Mexico, concerns about the policies of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador explain the reason for his fall from 4 positions in attractiveness to invest, to place 42. In perception of its policies, it was located in a weak 61st place after descending 10 notches. “The Federal Government is hostile towards the mining industry and is not issuing new permits,” said a company president, echoing concerns the industry has recently expressed.
  • According to Fresnillo plc, half of the electricity used by the La Herradura mine in Sonora comes from clean energy such as wind and solar, with which, through its strategy of sustainability reiterates its commitment to caring for the environment. It has allowed the saving of 4,051 Mhw, which represents an estimated reduction of 2 thousand 358 tons of CO2e. The company reports that for a decade it has invested in the use of renewable energy sources in order to make its processes cleaner and, with it, to be able, in the medium term, to achieve that 75% of its electricity consumption comes from of wind energy.
  • The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), has remained firm in his decision not to grant new mining concessions, a measure that has been described as one of the main challenges for the sector.  AMLO has repeatedly said that his administration will not award new concessions, as his predecessors would have given parts of the country to mining companies too easily. While it may be difficult to obtain new concessions, mining companies can still acquire properties in the secondary market, since there are concession holders who are willing to sell if necessary.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp.,  and its JV partner Kootenay Silver Inc., commenced their 2021 exploration program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The plan is to conduct a +500 soil samples to cover 518 hectares with 100m by 100m spaced samples aimed at extending previous soils grid and covering the Estrella and California North targets to the western, northern, and eastern limits of the property. Detailed lithologic, alteration, structural mapping and rock chip sampling will proceed along with the soil sampling program.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., released drill results from its Picacho project in Sonora. The best intercepts from initial drilling include hole PI-20-006 with 40.49 g/t Au, and 260 g/t Ag (3,297 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 7.25m; and hole PI-20-001 with 8.5 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag (689 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 16.4m. To date, 42 drill holes have been collared at the Picachos property, with 21 intercepting an average of 4.1m with grades of 8.14 g/t Au and 50 g/t Ag (660 g/t AgEq).
  • Xali Gold Corp., delineated new drill targets at its El Dorado project in Nayarit, through the development of a new 3D geological model. The 3D model visualized high grade mineralization occurring in multiple parallel veins. Drill permits are in progress and are expected to take 3-4 months to get them approved.  Drilling is planned to test potential lateral extensions to the high grade zone.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released drill results from 12 holes collared at its Los Ricos North project. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole LRGF-20-025 (Salomon area) with 0.26 g/t Au, 95 g/t Ag, (1.53 g/t AuEq or 115 g/t AgEq) over 70.5m, including 0.59 g/t Au and 251 g/t Ag (3.94 g/t AuEq or 295 g/t AgEq) over 20.1m, including 0.99 g/t Au and 404 g/t Ag (6.37 g/t AuEq or 478 g/t AgEq) over 10.1m, hole  LRGF-20-025 (Guitarrillas area) with 0.35 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag (1.77 g/t AuEq or 133 g/t AgEq) over 18.3m, including 2.17 g/t Au and 566 g/t Ag (9.71 g/t AuEq or 728 g/t AgEq) over 2m; hole LRGF-21-033 (Salomon area) with 0.59 g/t Au and 116 g/t Ag (2.14 g/t AuEq or 160 g/t AgEq) over 33.9m, including 1.25 g/t Au and 433 g/t Ag (7.02 g/t AuEq or 527 g/t AgEq) over 3m; hole LRGF-21-033 (Guitarrillas area) with 1.94 g/t Au and 275 g/t Ag (5.6 g/t AuEq or 420 g/t AgEq) over 5.8m, including 4.14 g/t Au and 544 g/t Ag (11.39 g/t AuEq or 854 g/t AgEq) over 2.1m; and hole LRGF-21-033 (Los Chivos area) with 2 g/t Au and 486 g/t Ag (8.48 g/t AuEq or 636 g/t AgEq) over 8.8m, including 7.36 g/t Au and 1,693 g/t Ag (29.94 g/t AuEq or 2,245 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m.

ON MINING

  • Capstone Mining Corp., informed that it is on track for ramp-up to 3,780 tonnes per day at its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas by end of Q1, 2021.  During the period Q4, 2020, Capstone produced 10.3M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $0.63 per Lb Cu produced, and a total of 37.9M Lb in 2020 at a cash cost of USD $0.69 per Lb Cu produced.
  • Gold Resource Corporation reported full year 2020 production and financial results from its Don David mine in Oaxaca.  The company produced 20,473 Oz Au, 1.19M Oz Ag, 3.57M Lb Cu, 17.3M Lb Pb, and 44.12M Lb Zn in 2020, at a cash and AISC of USD $784 and USD $1,365 respectively per Oz AuEq, for a net income of USD $4.4M with revenue of USD $90.7M and mine gross profit of USD $12.5M.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced Q4, 2020 and full year 2020 production and financial results from its Limon-Los Guajes mine complex in Guerrero.  Torex produced in Q4, 2020, a total of 130,649 Oz Au at a cash and AISC of USD$579 and USD $886 per Oz Au produced, and sold 133,063 Oz Au for a net income USD $91.9M an adjusted EBITDA of USD $158.5M, cash flow from operations of USD $137.1M, and a free cash flow of USD $70.3M.  For the full year 2020, Torex reported a production of 430,484 Oz Au, at a cash an AISC of USD $672 and USD $924 per OZ Au produced respectively, with a sale of 437,310 Oz Au at a realized Au price of USD $1,771 per Oz, for revenue of USD $789M, a net income of USD $109M, an adjusted EBITDA of USD $431M, and an operating cash flow of USD $342M. Net cash for the year 2020 was USD $161.6M.

ON FINANCING

  • Carlyle Commodities Corp., granted stock options to directors and consultants for the purchase of 2.79M shares. The options are exercisable for a period of 5 years at an exercise price of $0.14 per share (Cecilia project, Sonora).
  • Coeur Mining Inc., announced its intention to offer USD $350M of senior notes due 2029. Net proceeds from the Offering will be used to pay the purchase price and tender premium for up to all USD $230M aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% senior notes due 2024, to pay the redemption price to redeem any of the 2024 notes that are not so tendered in the concurrent tender offer and to pay the fees and expenses in connection with the offering, the concurrent tender offer and any redemption of the 2024 notes. To the extent that the company has excess proceeds from the offering, the company intends to use such excess amounts for general corporate purposes (Palmarejo mine, Chihuahua). 
  • Capstone Mining Corp., closed a USD $150M silver stream agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals.  “All conditions to complete the Stream Agreement have been fulfilled and Capstone has received USD $150M from Wheaton for 50% of the silver productions until 10M Oz Ag have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 33% of silver production, for the life of mine from the Company’s Cozamin Mine in Zacatecas, Mexico. Wheaton will make ongoing payments equal to 10% of the spot silver price at the time of delivery for each ounce delivered to them”. 
  • Discovery Metals Corp., announced that an aggregate of 31,140,000 common share purchase warrants were exercised at a price of CAD $1.0 for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $31M. The company´s current cash balance has increased to approximately CAD $98M (Cordero project, Chihuahua)
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced an exercise of warrants for gross proceeds of $4,150,000. Following the exercise of the warrants, Fabled continues to have a total of 50,500,000 share purchase warrants outstanding that were previously issued under the financing. The Company has 185,251,903 total shares issued and outstanding as at February 19, 2021 (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua).   
  • Orla Mining Ltd., completed layback agreement with Fresnillo on its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Orla will pay Fresnillo a total cash consideration of USD $62.8M through staged payments. The first payment of USD $25M was due to Fresnillo on closing of the transaction.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., through its subsidiary Carrizal Mining SA de CV,   entered into a definitive agreement with Minera Cedros, a subsidiary of Industrias Peñoles SAB de CV, to acquire the Zimapan mine in Hidalgo and related assets, for a total consideration of USD $20M plus a VAT of USD $3.2M.  Assets to be acquired include a processing facility with a capacity of 75K dry tonnes per month, and Zn, Pb, Cu circuits; surface and underground infrastructure required for day to date operations; and 34 mining concessions totalling 5,139 hectares. Santacruz also entered into a loan facility with Trafigura México SA de CV in the amount of USD $17.6M from which USD $15M will be advanced to Peñoles on behalf of Carrizal on closing of the acquisition. The remains balance, USD $8.2M, is being financed by Minera Cedros. The USD $2.6M balance of the Trafigura loan represents the refinancing of existing debt owing to Trafigura by Carrizal and an affiliate.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., completed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of USD $138,069,000. Gross proceeds will be used to expand the Las Chispas resources and reserves, through further drilling, to optimize the mine and processing plant design, to explore regional targets, and for general working capital purposes.  
  • Telson Mining Corporation executed a LOI with Accendo Banco SA de CV to provide financing up to USD $25M to complete the construction of its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. Telson also granted stock options to certain directors, officers and insiders of up to an aggregate 4.7M shares in the capital stock of the Company.  The options are exercisable on or before February 25, 2026 at a price of $0.30 per share, and the Company has also re-priced 1,873,333 stock options originally granted as to; 1,423,333 exercisable at $0.71 till November 10, 2022, 400,000 exercisable at $0.72 till April 16, 2023 and 50,000 exercisable at $0.71 till April 23, 2023.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported minerals reserves and resources for the year-ended 2020. Proven and probable reserves at Mulatos mine in Sonora are 33,935,000 tons of 1.24 g/t Au for a total of 1.35M Oz Au. Measured + indicated resources are 74,193.000 tonnes of 1.09 g/t Au for a total of 2.6M Oz Au, and Inferred resources are 9,291,000 tonnes of 0.91 g/t Au for a total of 271K Oz Au. Mineral reserves are exclusive of mineral resources.
  • Aloro Mining Corp., informed that Alamos Gold has initiated its field exploration program on its Los Venados project in Sonora. Focus of the program is the south portion of the property, adjacent to the Mulatos open pit.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., informed over its 2021 work program at its Metates project in Durango. This program will consists of approximately 2,500m drilling to recover 10 tonnes of PQ size material to conduct on 40 test columns metallurgical testwork focused on a new heap leach option, to determine the impacts of size, regent strengths, and ore types to determine the optimum oxidation and precious metal leaching parameters. In parallel, Chesapeake will update the previous PSF and add a scoping study for the sulphide heap leach to demonstrate the potential upside of this option.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., released results from underground expansion and exploration drilling from its Platosa property in Durango. Significant drill intercepts were encountered at the Rodilla, NE-1S, and Pierna Mantos with diamond drilling from underground in hole EX20UG491 at the Rodilla Area with 1,023 g/t Ag, 9.3% Pb, 4.5% Zn, and 0.1 g/t Au (1,422 g/t AgEq) over 8.9m, including 3,499 g/t Ag, 29.7% Pb, 10.3% Zn, and 0.1 g/t Au (4,623 g/t AgEq) over 2.2m; hole EX20UG493 at NE-1S Area with 673 g/t Ag, 6.7% Pb, and 7.1% Zn (1,092 g/t AgEq) over 2.4m;  hole EX20UG506 at 623 Area with 1,258 g/t Ag, 7.5% Pb, 2.4% Zn, and 0.1 g/t Au (1,258 g/t AgEq) over 1.6m; and hole EX21UG515 at Gap Area with 721 g/t Ag, 4.1% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (984 g/t AgEq) over 4m. Drilling continues to define and discover new mineralization in the gap Area with 300m of potential mineralized strike to be explored.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from the third drill hole collared at its Santa Maria property in Chihuahua. This third hole is part of an ongoing 8,000m drill program and intersected 85 g/t Ag and 0.49 g/t Au over 12.5m, including 214 g/t Ag and 1.08 g/t Au over 1.8m. “The 12.50 meter intersection has clearly defined a footwall and hanging wall structure with corresponding elevated silver values up to over 7 ounces of silver and remains open at depth. More importantly, the structure is very conformable and intersected exactly where predicted, which bodes very well for the expansion of Santa Maria and increasing the present NI 43-101 resources on the property with only 3 drill holes drilled to date.”
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced that it is conducting a ground geophysics program at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa, incorporating magnetometry and 3D IP. The survey will initially focus on the resource area to characterize the known Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization therein, which hosts the NI 43-101 resource.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., provided an update on its Ermitaño property in Sonora, currently under control of First Majestic Silver Corp., where Orogen holds a 2% NSR. Last January, First majestic announced a USD $42.1M investment for the development of Ermitaño project to support the construction of an underground mine infrastructure that began last year. First majestic plans to release a PEA by the end of March, and is currently conducting hydrological studies and geotechnical drilling for an upcoming PFS that is expected to be released in H2, 2021.  In addition, the company also plans to extract 30K to 60K tonnes of material for metallurgical testwork.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced that a fifth core drill rig has been added at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Prime commenced a 15,000m drill program in December 2020 and only ten has been completed to date. The plan is to complete the phase 1 drilling before onset of the rainy season in mid-August, complete a new geological resource model during the rainy season hiatus and then initiate an aggressive Phase 2 drilling program in Q4 2021.
  • Xtierra Inc., released results from two holes collared at the Victor Vein, located adjacent to and west of its Bilbao deposit in Zacatecas. Hole X6B intersected 108 g/t Ag, 0.31% Pb, 0.08% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (120 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.148m, and hole X7B intersected 61 g/t Ag, 5.5% Pb, 4.41% Zn, and 0.08% Cu (336 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 9.37m, including 82 g/t Ag, 6.8% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.29% Cu over a TW of 0.61m, including 63 g/t Ag, 6% Pb, 6.4% Zn, and 0.08% Cu (412 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.36m, including 119 g/t Ag, 13.6% Pb, 11.4% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (795 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.70m, and including 107 g/t Ag, 8.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.54% Cu (566 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.50m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Barksdale Resources Corp., announced the appointment of its Corporate Secretary as well as the grant of stock options to directors, employees and consultants (San Javier project, Sonora).
  • Colibri Resources Corporation signed an option agreement with Bimsa Minera SA de CV to acquire 100% interest in the Diamante gold project in Sonora.   The Diamante property comprises two 1,057 hectares in two properties that borders El Mezquite project immediately to the west, and about 1.6km northwest of Colibri’s 1,130-ha Jackie project. To earn an initial 50%, Colibri has to pay USD $100K and incur the expense of completing 2,000m of drilling over the course up to two years, and also will be responsible for all exploration cost while preparing for such drilling program. In addition, Colibri will pay ½ of the property tax and security costs during this period.  Upon completion of its 50% earn-in, Colibri will become equal joint venture partners with Bimsa Minera and then Colibri will have an exclusive period of six months to purchase the remaining 50% of the joint venture by paying Bimsa Minera either of: i) USD $2.1M or ii) USD $1.4M and the grant of a 2% net smelter royalty (NSR) on the project.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced that shareholders and optionholders of Premier Gold Mines Limited approved the acquisition by Equinox Gold. “On closing of the Transaction, Premier shareholders will receive 0.1967 of an Equinox Gold share for each Premier share held, such that existing Equinox Gold and Premier shareholders will own approximately 84% and 16% of Equinox Gold, respectively, on an issued share basis. The Transaction is expected to close in March subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions”.  By approving the Transaction, Premier securityholders also approved the spin-out to Equinox Gold and Premier shareholders shares of a newly created US-focused gold production and development company to be called i-80 Gold Corp. (Mercedes mine, Sonora).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its VP Corporate Comminications (Plomosas property, Sinaloa).   
  • Compañía Minera Autlan SAB de CV announced the appointment of its CEO (Molango mine, Hidalgo).   
  • US Antimony Corporation announced that trading of its common shares at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been halted since before the opening of trading on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 as a consequence of selling common shares in a manner that violated Sections 301 and 713 of the Company Guide. “The violations relate to two non-underwritten transactions involving the sale of an aggregate of26,290,000 shares of common stock at a discount to the market price at the time of each transaction, with the first transaction, which closed on February 3, 2021, involving the sale of 15,300,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $0.70 per share, and with the second transaction, which closed on February 16, 2021, involving the sale of 10,990,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $1.30 per share”. The Company has been advised by NYSE Regulation that the Company’s common stock will resume trading on the NYSE American following the issuance of this press release and the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the receipt of the Letter, which the Company anticipates will be prior to the open of trading on Friday, February 19, 2021.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., announced the appointment of Ramón Dávila to join to its Advisory Board (Pinguico property, Guanajuato).  

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc reinforced sanitary measures with campaign in Guadalupe and Calvo, Chihuahua.  Personnel from the San Julian mine delivered five thousand washable face masks through a caravan of more than 25 volunteers. The municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo has received different donations of face masks from the mining company that operates San Julian mine, adding more than 30 thousand items delivered. These surgical cloth mouth covers were manufactured by the “Yerbitas” community sewing workshop.
  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) and the Universidad de Guerrero signed an environmental monitoring agreement  to encourages the inhabitants of Nuevo Balsas, Atzcala and Mezcala, communities located around the El Caracol dam and the Balsas rivers and San Juan de Cocula, to get involved in the Participatory Environmental Audit. “During the protocol ceremony, it was reported that 42 residents of Nuevo Balsas have participated in the taking of water and sediment samples, another 260 fishermen from the same town, Atzcala and Mezcala were surveyed for the evaluation of the fishing effort”. (Limon-Guajes mine complex. Guerrero).
  • Minera Peñasquito (Newmont) donated ventilators to the Medical Specialties Unit (UNEME) in Zacatecas. This UNEME has been converted into a COVID-19 Hospital for services of health, which receives people affected by SARS -Cov 2 from the State of Zacatecas, who require hospitalization and who are not beneficiaries of other social security systems. With this donation, Newmont reaffirms its commitment to Zacatecas in support of the most vulnerable population in the state and joins the efforts of health authorities in their fight against this pandemic. Newmont has delivered in Zacatecas more than MXP $28M, in hospital supplies and food packages.
  • Mina Santa Elena (First Majestic) donated rapid COVID 19 antigen tests and face masks to municipalities of Baviácora, Aconchi, San Felipe de Jesús, Huépac, Banámichi, and Arizpe in Sonora, with the aim of detecting suspicious cases and mitigating risks of contagion.

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 displaying cockade texture and a quartz vein displaying boiling texture in an intermediate sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia., Mexico.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 42nd week of the year (October 12th to October 18th, 2020), at least 32 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, seven companies posted their quarterly reports, five on project development and three companies posted news on deals. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Centro de Minería Compatible is being built in Zacatecas. What remains of the Mining Fund will source $2 M for infrastructure projects in Colima. The federal government generates uncertainty for the mining industry thorough its actions. Mergers and acquisitions boom in the Mexican mining industry. The lithium nationalization fears are played down by the Economy Secretariat. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Minaurum Gold released high grade drilling results from its Alamos Silver project. Canuc released high-grade surface sample results from its San Javier silver play. Tocvan Ventures announced the interpretation of a second suspected breccia pipe at Pilar. In Chihuahua, Global Li-Ion Graphite is to realize a due diligence review on the MVZ project.  ON MINING, First Majestic, Premier Gold, Sierra Metals, Fortuna Silver, Excellon Resources, Telson Mining and McEwen Mining presented third quarter 2020 production reports. ON FINANCING, Telson Mining settled a $659.8 K debt with shares. Silver Bull Resources intends to raise up to US$1.85 M. Consolidated Zinc closed a $2.04 M placement. Santacruz Silver Mining closed the last financing round for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.36 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Comet Resources released an initial inferred resource of 88.6 K Oz Au for its Santa Teresa project in Baja California. Prime Mining is to commence drilling at Los Reyes, Sinaloa, in November. Discovery Metals released high-grade results from the Todos Santos vein trend at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. GoGold Resources informed on results of drilling the La Trini deposit at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Golden Tag is to commence drilling on its San Diego project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Spruce signed a LOI with Colibri Resource to acquire the Jackie Gold project in Sonora. Tarachi Gold signed a LOI with Manto Resources on the Magistral del Oro tailings project in Durango. Silver Bull informed on the status of the illegal blockade at its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Industrias Peñoles, Minera Media Luna, Pan American Silver and Minera Penmont informed on sustainability, health, safety, environment and social and governance programs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Centro de Minería Compatible is being built by the Zacatecas Mining Cluster. The facilities are under construction at the Parque Científico y Tecnológico Quantum in Zacatecas, a Complex that hosts enterprises and institutions focused in research and innovation.
  • The Mining Fund is to provide MX$41.96 M pesos (US$2 M) for 10 infrastructure projects in Minatitlan, Colima.
  • Government actions in Mexico generate uncertainty for mining enterprises. The elimination of the Mining Sub-Secretariat and the informal ban on the granting of mining concessions are the two more acute actions that send the wrong message to the mining industry. Another issue is constituted by the disputes between companies and the fiscal authority on taxation.
  • The mining sector has been at the forefront of mergers and acquisitions in Mexico, in the period of January to September, with 22 operations, according to Seale&Associates.
  • Mujeres WIM Mexico celebrated a virtual forum, entitled “Agenda and challenges for inclusion of women in the mining industry”.
  • Graciela Marquez, Economy Secretary played down the high expectations for lithium production in Mexico. She pointed out that Mexico does not produce any lithium at all in the present, and that the strongly hyped Bacanora Lithium’s project in Sonora hosts a large deposit in clays, which makes its extraction expensive. Her comments were a response to the voices claiming for the nationalization of the lithium industry by a leftist congressional group.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. released drill results from the Promontorio vein zone at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora. “The holes were targeted below the historical Promontorio mine and demonstrate that high-grade silver mineralization continues at least 100 m below the deepest known workings”. Highlighted intervals comprise 1.75 m @ 144 gpt Ag, 0.51 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, 4.1% Pb, 9.1% Zn; 7.60 m @ 266 gpt Ag, 0.27 gpt Au, 0.57% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 3.2% Zn (including 0.9 m @ 1,675 gpt Ag, 1.37 gpt Au, 4.15% Cu, 8.5% Pb, 11.3% Zn; 0.65 m @ 502 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 1.82% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 5.10 m @ 769 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.76% Cu.
  • Canuc Resources Corp. released results from surface rock chip sampling at its San Javier project in Sonora. The results are strongly anomalous in silver (up to 1,222 gpt Ag), Au (up to 14.4 gpt Au) and copper (up to 0.95% Cu). The copper anomalous samples are from a breccia zone with magnetite matrix.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced the interpretation of a circular feature through geochemistry at its Pilar property in Sonora, same that might represent a breccia feeder pipe related to epithermal mineralization.
  • Global Li-Ion Graphite Corp. is to conduct a field due diligence on the property MVZ in Chihuahua, owned by Grupo Minero Diflor S.A. de C.V.. The 1,750 hectares property hosts 3 past producing silver-gold deposits, El Moro, La Virginia and La Zorra, within the larger El Pajarito property, also owned by Diflor.

ON MINING

  • First Majestic Silver Corp. released its third quarter 2020 production report, for a total of 5.2 M Oz AgEq. The production by mine can be seen in the following table.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. presented production results for the third quarter 2020, including some figure from its Mexican operations. At the Mercedes mine in Sonora, 12,183 Oz Au and 49,985 Oz Ag were produced during the period.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported third quarter 2020 production results, including figures from its two mines in Mexico. At Bolívar, in Chihuahua, 410.5 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 4,691 tonnes (tpd) and a grade of 0.86% Cu, 18.2 gpt Ag, 0.32 gpt Au, recovering 86.1% Copper, 82.9% Ag, 64.2% Au to produce 6.73 M Lb Cu, 199 K Oz Ag, 2,740 Oz Au. At Cusi, in Chihuahua, 69.83 K tonnes were processed at 1,074 tpd and a grade of 168.6 gpt Ag, 0.18 gpt Au, 0.25% Pb, recovering 80.4% Ag, 43.6% Au, 79.3% Pb.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported production results for the third quarter 2020, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At the San José mine in Oaxaca 255.2 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 2,934 tpd, grading 254 gpt Ag, 1.52 gpt Au, recovering 91.9% Ag, 91.7% Au to produce 1.92 M Oz Ag, 11,425 Oz Au.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. released production results for the third quarter 2020 from its Platosa mine in Durango. During the period 21,877 tonnes were mined, with 22,612 tonnes processed @ 483 gpt Ag, 5.26% Pb, 6.81% Zn, recovering 93.0% Ag, 85.0% Pb, 80.9% Zn, to produce 326.9 K Oz Ag, 2.23 M Lb Pb, 2.75 M Lb Zn.
  • Telson Mining Corp. provided preliminary production results for the third quarter 2020. At the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero, 127.4 K tonnes were milled @ 1.07 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag, 0.98% Pb, 4.07% Zn, 0.40% Cu, recovering 9% Au, 36% Ag, 27% Pb, 69% Zn, to produce a zinc concentrate with 46.3% Zn, 506 gpt Ag and a lead concentrate with 21.2% Pb, 558 gpt Ag, 2.87 gpt Au.
  • McEwen Mining Inc. reported production for the third quarter of 2020, including figures from its Mexican operations. During the period, El Gallo, located in Sinaloa and undergoing residual leaching, produced 1,900 Oz AuEq. “An updated feasibility study for the Fenix Project is being finalized, and we expect to release the results in Q4”.

ON FINANCING

  • Telson Mining Corp. informed “the Company has closed its debt settlement with Accendo Banco, S.A. Institucion de Banco Multiple (“Accendo”). Accendo has funded the payout of $659,758 of debt related to Tahuehueto mining project’s suppliers and accordingly, the Company has issued to Accendo 7,330,651 shares at a deemed price of $0.09 per share” (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. intends to complete a private placement to raise up to US$1.85 M (Sierra Mojada, Coahuila).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. informed the closing of the fully underwritten pro-rata non-renounceable entitlements offer to raise $2.04 M (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. closed the second an d final tranche of its non-brokered private placement, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.36 M (Zimapan, Hidalgo)

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Comet Resources Ltd.  released the results of the initial JORC compliant mineral resource estimate for its Santa Teresa project in Baja California. The inferred resource comprises 369 K tonnes @ 7.47 gpt Au, containing 88.6 K Oz Au. “Gold mineralisation at Santa Teresa is within parallel …… mesothermal lode-gold quartz vein systems. The veins range in width from a few cm to about three metres in width, and up to several hundred metres of known strike length. In general, the quartz veins are narrow, averaging less than 0.3 m in width, occupying parallel fractures with sheared walls ….. A second generation of veining followed a fracturing episode and was accompanied by epidote, hornblende and sparse mineralisation of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, specularite, and native gold”.
  • Prime Mining Corp. informed drilling is expected to commence in November at the Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. The company efforts are directed to upgrade 7.1 M tonnes of current inferred resource to the measured and indicated category, and adding more ounces to the resources.
  • Discovery Metals Corp. released results from four drill holes at the Todos Santos vein trend of its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted results comprise 25 m @ 92 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 1.6% Pb, 3.1% Zn (including 3.4 m @ 421 gpt Au, 0.42 gpt Au, 8.0% Pb, 10.0% Zn); 49.7 m @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 1.9% Zn (including 2.0 m @ 532 gpt Ag, 0.38 gpt Au, 8.8% Pb, 8.1% Zn); 21.0 m @ 59 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 2.0% Zn (including 3.3 m @ 152 gpt Ag, 0.71 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn); 6.9 m @ 133 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 2.9% Pb, 5.4% Zn. “The Todos Santos vein trend, consisting of the Main Vein and Footwall Vein, has an interpreted southwest strike extent of at least 1.5 km based on historic underground workings and drilling, with veins dipping steeply to the northwest. The drill-confirmed portion of the Main Vein along the Todos Santos trend has a strike extent of 800 m and a down-dip extent of 300 m and is open along strike in both directions and at depth”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results from drilling at the La Trini deposit in the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Some of the highlighted results comprise 6.3 m @ 1.42 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag; 18.8 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 24.0 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag (including 6.0 m @ 2.78 gpt Au, 103 gpt Ag; 23.5 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag; 31.0 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 95 gpt Ag (including 11.2 m @ 3.67 gpt Au, 165 gpt Ag); 34.5 m @ 0.79 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 3.08 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag; 25.7 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag; 24.0 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. plans to commence a 4,500 m drilling program at its San Diego project within the Velardeña district, in Durango. The exploration is to focus in the expansion of the known resource of 31.6 M Oz Ag in indicated resources and 83.8 M Oz Ag in inferred resources (TR 2013). The drilling is to cover the Trovador, 1849 target, Fernandez and Arroyo zones.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. signed a letter of intent with Colibri Resource Corp. to acquire 50% interest in the Jackie Gold project in Sonora. Silver Spruce agreed to pay US$25 K and CAD$25 K in shares as the first property payment, and $US25 K and CAD$25 K in shares on the first year. Silver Spruce also concurs in paying 50% of due taxes and property rights agreements at the completion of the agreement. “Upon completion of these terms, Silver Spruce will hold a 50% interest in the Property and a Joint Venture will be formed to direct all exploration and drilling expenses and thereafter will be shared 50% by Silver Spruce and 50% by Colibri”.
  •  Tarachi Gold Corp. entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Manto Resources S.A. de C.V. to acquire certain assets related to the Magistral del Oro tailing processing plant in Durango. The plant is a permitted 1,000 tpd tailings processing plant, with tailing resource estimates of 1.29 M tonnes @ 2.06 gpt Au. The deal involves 4 M shares of Tarachi, granting Manto a 15% NSR and reimburse Manto up to US$500 K for cash outlays, and Tarachi will satisfy “certain obligations” of Manto by paying US$1,65 M plus VAT and issuing a total of 1,685,916 Common Shares over a period of six months. Furthermore, on commencement of commercial production Tarachi will issue Manto 4 M shares; six months after continuous commercial production; 4 M shares, twelve months after commercial production 4 M shares and US$500 K. Upon Tarachi earning US$15 M in revenue, the company will pay Manto US$1 M.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. informed that “The Sierra Mojada Project remains under an option with South32 International Investment Holdings Pty Ltd and is currently under a force majeure due to the illegal blockade. As soon as we are able access the project, we expect to recommence the drilling program that was halted“.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Media Luna (Guerrero) informed on actions for betterment of the communities around the mining operations.
  • Pan American Silver informed on actions taken and support against the COVID-19 pandemic in the mining communities near its operations.
  • Industrias Peñoles received the sanitary safety award by the IMSS, on grounds of its actions fighting the COVID pandemic.
  • Minera Penmont is protecting the biodiversity in the Caborca region, in Sonora.
  • Industrias Peñoles donated five thousandtree saplings to the municipality of Gomez Palacio, Durango.

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

On the image below: The Cerro San Pedro open pit in 2010, San Luis Potosí. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 40th week of the year (September 28th to October 4th, 2020), at least 40 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, five companies posted exploration advances on their projects, ten companies posted news related to financing or share structure, and seven on their projects development. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mining Fund is gone. A new special force was created to aid protect mining companies from criminal gangs activities. Only nine percent of Mexico is under a current mining concession. The CTM asks for the continuation of the Mining Fund. Some 150 junior exploration companies have left Mexico. The Mining-Metallurgic production index grew by 6.2% in July. Sixteen municipalities in Hidalgo are to receive $48 M pesos from the Mining Fund. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resources completed a mag survey on Evelyn. Tocvan Ventures identified a pipe like structure at its Pilar project. In Sinaloa, Brigadier Gold commenced drilling at Picachos. In Durango, Mithril Resources released drilling results from Copalquin. In Oaxaca, Megastar Development team is back in the field at Yautepec and Magdalena.  ON MINING, No relevant news. ON FINANCING, One World Lithium ($1.5 M), Plymouth Realty Capital ($10 M), Barksdale ($6.325 M), Santacruz Silver (CDN$9.5 M), Prismo Metals ($575 K), Endeavour Silver (US$60 M) released news regarding financing rounds. Candelaria Mining settled a $1.087 M debt with shares. Silver One granted options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Silver Dollar started trading at the OTCQB. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver released underground channel sampling results. Consolidated Zinc presented the latest resource estimate at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, and announced the refurbishment of the processing plant at the site. Capitan Mining commenced resource expansion drilling at El Capitan, Durango. Azucar Minerals presented the initial resource estimate for the El Norte Zone of its El Cobre project in Veracruz. GoGold Resources released drilling results from its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Bacanora Minerals is focusing in engineering while the financing package is complete for its Sonora Lithium project. Golden Minerals released final results of its resource definition drilling program at the Rodeo project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Candente Gold signed the definitive agreement on the acquisition of the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit. Silver One is selling its Mexican properties to Plymouth Realty Capital. Dyna Resources is trying to enforce in USA a favorable Mexican court ruling. Silver Spruce has recurred to force majeure clause for lack of access to its Pino de Plata property in Chihuahua. Reyna Silver entered into an option agreement to acquire the Reyna project in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Fresnillo PLC, Minera Autlan, Minera Saucito and Industrias Peñoles informed on sustainability, health, safety, environment, social and governance programs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mining Fund is gone for good from the purpose it was created for: aiding the development of mining communities. Mining States and municipalities wonder what the destiny of more than $1,500 M pesos actually in the Fund. The actual federal government re-directed the use of the Mining Fund, with 85% going to the Education Secretariat, 5% to the Economy Secretary and 10% to federal government infrastructure programs.
  • A new special force for overseeing mining operations was formed by the federal government. The first 118 guards graduated from a special training course, and will be equipped with assault weapons. Heists by organized crime have plagued the industry in the last few years, with robberies of bullion in mining operations across several states.
  • The Economy Secretariat informed mining concessions cover only 9% of Mexico. Graciela Marquez, Secretary of Economy noted that 24 thousand current mining concessions cover 17 M hectares. The Director de Minas (reporting to Gabriela Marquez) pointed that they are following the president view of not granting more mining concessions, which is problem that will catch up in 10 years’ time with fewer new deposits to mine due to the lack of exploration.
  • The Confederacion de Trabajadores de Mexico (one of the largest union organizations in Mexico, best known as “CTM”) asked the federal government and the Deputies Chamber for the no disappearance of the Mining Fund.
  • Fernando Alanís Ortega from Camimex pointed out some 150 junior exploration companies have left Mexico due to the complex operative environment. Several companies have diversified their operations this year, with acquisitions in Canada and USA. The last company to divest its Mexican portfolio is Silver One, to focus on a project in Nevada.
  • The Mexican index of Mining-Metallurgic production increased by 6.2% in July, compared with the same month of 2019 and by 5.1% from July 2020 to the previous month.
  • Sixteen Municipalities in Hidalgo are to receive $48 M pesos from the Fund for Development of Mining Production Zones.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. commenced its maiden drill program at the 3,954 ha Picachos property in Sinaloa. The drilling of 5,000 m in 40 holes will test the San Agustín mine (underground rock chip sample of 1.2 m @ 73.4 gpt Au), and the the Mochomos (underground rock chip sample of 0.5 m @ 18.5 gpt Au, 570 gpt Ag), Tejones (underground rock chip sample of 1.0 m @ 28.6 gpt Au, 114 gpt Ag) and Fermin (underground rock chip sample of 1.0 m @ 0.3 gpt Au, 268 gpt Ag) veins. “the Cocolmeca Vein system is comprised of several sub-parallel veins over a 1.5 kilometre (km) wide zone ……  San Agustín is the best understood of these veins, mainly because it has been historically exposed underground by approximately 670 line-metres of tunnels, stopes and shafts”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. received results from a high-resolution magnetic survey at its Evelyin property in Sonora. The interpretation of the magnetic data allowed the identification of three families of lineaments that are to aid in the definition and prioritization of targets.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. informed on new interpretations on all the information gathered on its Pilar project in Sonora. With the aid of geophysical, geochemical and structural specialists a conclusion was reached that a sub-vertical pipe-like feature may represent a breccia feeder pipe related to epithermal mineralization. The pipe is close to 100 m in diameter, oval shaped and dipping 70 degrees to the SSW.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd. Released results from nine more holes at La Soledad in the Copalquin project, Durango. Drilling confirmed the bonanza grades of the La Soledad vein and intercepted additional veins at depth and along strike. Highlighted results comprise 3.8 m @ 2.58 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 0.5 m @ 6.78 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, an open working for 2.5 m and then 1.5 m @ 6.65 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 2.82 m @ 2.37 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 7.5 m @ 6.74 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag.
  • Megastar Development Corp. reported its exploration team is back at the Yautepec and Magdalena projects in Oaxaca. So far, they have found “highly prospective ferruginous (iron-rich) carbonate sinters and fault-controlled quartz veining and breccias in discontinuous erosional windows under post-mineral volcanic rocks over areas of several hundreds of meters”. These findings correlate well with the envisaged uppermost levels of an epithermal system, the concept exploration model used at the site.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • One World Lithium Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.5 M (Salar del Diablo, Baja California).
  •  Candelaria Mining Corp. closed the previously announced shares for debt transaction in settlement of $1.087 M of indebtedness (Pinos, Zacatecas).
  • Plymouth Realty Capital Corp. will complete a $10 M private placement funding (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora; La Frazada, Nayarit; Pluton, Durango).
  • Silver One Resources Inc. granted 2.575 M stock options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora).
  • Fresnillo PLC. Is extended the expiration time on its tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding US$800,000,000 principal amount of 5.5% Notes due 2023, to September 29. 2020 (La Herradura, Sonora).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. started trading on September 30, 2020, in the United States on the OTCQB Venture Market (La Joya, Durango).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. closed the final tranche of the company’s non-brokered private placement that raised $6.325 M (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering to CDN$9.5 M (Rosario, San Luis Potosi).
  • Prismo Metals Inc. completed its initial public offering (IPO) for gross proceeds of $575 K (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. entered into a sales agreement with BMO Capital Markets as the lead agent upon which the company can sell a number of common shares than can amount up to US$60 M (El Compas, Zacatecas; Terronera, Jalisco).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd.  announced favorable results from underground channel sampling on the lower level of the Plomosas mine in Sinaloa. Disseminated and massive mineralization is constituted by veins, stockworks and sulfide stringers that include chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena in a brecciated tuff. Highlighted channel intervals comprise 2.6 m @ 504 gpt Ag, 14.6 gpt Au, 8.9% Pb, 6.6% Zn, 0.3% Cu; 15.7 m @ 90 gpt Ag, 2.5 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.3% Zn, 0.8% Cu: 5.4 m @ 147 gpt Ag, 10.0 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 3.3% Zn, 1.2% Cu; 7.8 m @ 50 gpt Ag, 2.9 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 7.3% Zn, 0.2% Cu; 6.0 m @ 66 gpt Ag, 6.2 gpt Au, 1.4% Pb, 3.9% Zn, 0.9% Cu.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. presented a mineral resource estimate for the month of April 2020 for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The indicated and inferred mineral resources comprise 964 K tonnes @ 13.2% Zn, 3.5% Pb, 20.6 gpt Ag that contain 127 K tonnes of zinc, 34 K tonnes of lead and 639 K Oz silver. The company is refurbishing the Plomosas beneficiation plant to process the ore at the site, for an estimated cost of US$1.35 M. The plant will start processing 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd), with the possibility of an expansion to 6,000 tpd.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. has commenced drilling at the Capitan project in Durango. The first phase comprises 6,000 m of reverse circulation drilling focused on step-out holes for resource expansion.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. completed its initial resource estimate for the Norte zone at El cobre project in Veracruz. “Copper and gold mineralization at the Norte Zone is associated with a multiphase variably potassic-phyllic altered porphyritic diorite intrusive complex that is cut by late mafic and intermediate dykes and post mineral feldspar porphyry. The Norte Zone is approximately 0.6 km x 0.4 km along an E-W strike. Sulphide mineralization, which extends up to 900 metres depth, consists of disseminated and vein-hosted chalcopyrite and trace bornite (Cu mineralization) exposed in surface outcrops and intersected in drill core”. The base case scenario considers indicated resources of 47.2 M tonnes @ 0.49 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, 1.4 gpt Ag containing 1.17 M Oz AuEq and inferred resources of 26.9 M tonnes @ 0.42 gpt Au, 0.18% Cu, 1.3 gpt Ag, containing 1.35 M Oz AuEq.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released drilling results from the La Trini deposit on the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Some of the highlighted results from 12 holes released comprise 22.5 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 44.5 m @ 0.84 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 38.4 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 29.6 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag; 27 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 7.9 m @ 0.86 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag; 19.5 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 21.8 m @ 2.73 gpt Au, 130 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 9.40 gpt Au, 365 gpt Ag).
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC. Informed the company has a strong cash balance of US$44.4 M as of June 30, 2020, and retains a senior debt facility of US$150 M. At the Sonora Lithium project in Sonora, work is focused on finalizing engineering so that construction may commence after the financing package is completed.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released final assays from its resource definition program at the Rodeo project in Durango. Some of the true width (tw) highlighted intercepts comprise 15.8 m @ 2.05 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag; 15.3 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 25.5 m @ 2.49 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 25.8 m @ 1.22 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 15.6 m @ 0.78 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 15.0 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 7.7 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 34 m @ 1.63 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 49.5 m @ 1.77 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 9.6 m @ 0.97 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 25.8 m @ 3.10 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 24.5 m @ 1.32 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 28.0 m @ 1.96 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 17.5 m @ 1.36 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag. The resource the company is trying to improve was defined in 2017 at 0.4 M tonnes @ 3.3 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag, containing 46 K Oz Au, 200 K Oz Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Candente Gold Corp. signed the definitive agreement with Magellan Acquisition Corp. to earn up to 100% interest in the San Dieguito de Arriba beneficiation plant and the rights on the El Dorado property, both in Nayarit.
  • Silver One Resources Inc. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Plymouth Realty Capital Corp. to sell all its Mexican silver properties. In consideration for the properties Plymouth is to pay $1 M in cash and $5 M in shares. Plymouth Realty Capital will also change its name to Silverton Metals Corp. (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora; La Frazada, Nayarit; Pluton, Durango).
  • Dyna Resource Inc. announced the filing on August 28, 2020 in Dallas county, Texas, a petition for recognition of the USD$48 M foreign judgement against Goldgroup Resources Inc. in order to recognize in USA the judgment obtained in Mexico against Goldgroup Resources Inc. (the judgment relates to a legal challenge for the ownership of the San José de Gracia project in Sinaloa).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has “retained Mexico-based legal counsel to lead the discussions with representatives of the surface landowners of Pino de Plata in order to re-negotiate access rights to the ranch that covers the Pino de Plata project area”. The company’s purchase rights contract is now under a force majeure clause until access rights are granted by surface owners to continue exploration.
  • Reyna Silver Corp. announced the acquisition of the 300 ha La Reyna project in Chihuahua. The property is in the Cusihuiriachi (Cusi) silver district of low sulfidation epithermal mineralization. “La Reyna proper is a nearly north-south trending structure traceable as vein and altered outcrops for 4 km across the property. Two historic (1890s) shafts (La Reyna and Princesa) that extend to 133-150m depths exploited high-grade silver-rich mineralized shoots 2-5 m wide in the late 1800s”. The deal involves US$1.3 M in staged cash payments over four years and a 2.5% NSR. The payment on singing was US$30K that is to be followed by US$45 K in 6 months, US$75 K in 12 months, US$75 K in 18 months, US$120 K in 24 months, US$120 K in 30 months, US$150 K in 36 months and US$685 K in 48 months.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fortuna Silver Mines (San José mine in Oaxaca) signed an agreement with the Oaxaca Health Secretary and the San José del Progreso Municipality to help the community with the pandemic health emergency.
  • Minera Autlán donated 4,000 tree saplings to the Teziutlan Municipality in Puebla.
  • Minera Saucito informed on actions related to the fight against the pandemic in the Fresnillo Municipality in Zacatecas.
  • Industrias Peñoles celebrated 13 years of the inauguration of the Museum of Metals.
  • Industrias Peñoles informed in measures the company implements to reduce the use of water, and its treatment afterwards.
  • Fresnillo PLC is to distribute 20,000 face masks in Zacatecas city.

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

On the image below: The mineralized porphyry from Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosí. Picture by Jorge Cirett.