New President

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 3rd week of the year (January 15th to January 21st, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 25 news releases. Three companies reported exploration advances on their properties, eight companies released production results and one more announced it is now processing material from a third party at its installations. Two companies announced financing rounds, one paid back a fair amount of debt and made the final installment of a layback agreement. One company is arranging convertible debt financing and one other closed a debt settlement with shares and informed on debt restructuring. Three companies updated on work at its advanced properties. One company updated on 2023 work and plans for 2024, another announced a favorable resolution of issues relating to its mining claims and one more on the intention to spin its royalty company to its shareholders. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the president of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México informed on the detrimental aspects brought by the new mining law. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Silver informed on RC drilling results from its Cervantes project. Colibri contracted an air mag survey for El Plomo in Sonora. In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals updated on work in 2023 and plans for 2024 at its Zaachila and Riqueza Marina projects. ON MINING, Orla Mining, First Majestic Silver, Bear Creek Mining, Avino Silver, Torex Gold, Pan American Silver, Argonaut Gold and Fortuna Silver reported production results for Q4 and full-year 2023. Guanajuato Silver Company is to process material from a Mexican company at its El Cubo mill. ON FINANCING, Orla Mining repaid $25 M of debt and the final $22.8 M installment of the Layback agreement to Fresnillo plc. GoldGroup Mining is to arrange a convertible debt financing for US$400 K. GR Silver is to undertake a private placement for up to $1.5 M. Regency Silver completed the first tranche of a private placement expected to raise $800 K. Luca Mining informed on the restructuring of debts with service providers and clients.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Defiance Silver released results from drilling at San Acacio, in Zacatecas. Impact Silver informed on drill intercepts from its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Orla Mining confirmed gold oxide mineralization on the Fresnillo plc property and on structures channelling deep oxidation beneath the planned pit at Camino Rojo in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Riverside Resources updated on 2023 work and plans for 2024 on three properties in Sonora. Silver Valley announced a favorable resolution with the government on its Mexi-Can Sulphate of Potash and Lithium project in Zacatecas. Prime Mining announced a new CEO appointment. Vizsla Silver is to spin out the shares of Vizsla Silver Royalties to its shareholders.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Raúl García Reimbert, president of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México, stated that according to INEGI (Mexican bureau of statistics), the services related to mining fell by 26.2% in November 2023. Mineral exploration for new projects is practically paralyzed after five years of a no-concessions policy by the actual presidential administration and last year’s mining reforms. The reform poised the SGM as the only entity to explore for new projects that later are to be auctioned, but no budget was allocated for the deed. He also added that “there is no work, staff is laid off, sales of services related to drill bits, exploration supplies, lab technicians, geologists, surveyors, etc.”   

ON EXPLORATION

  • Vortex Metals Inc. provided a summary of 2023 achievements and unveiled its strategy for 2024. In 2023 Vortex completed environmental assessments on its Zaachila and Riqueza Marina projects in Oaxaca, which will be the basis for the reports to be submitted to SEMERNAT (Mexican environmental bureau). “At Riqueza Marina, Vortex completed extensive geological work at the Rhyolite Dome area and, on the copper-rich gossans to the east and west. A total of six trenches measuring 188 meters and yielding 117 rock chip samples were completed”. In 2024 Vortex will continue to engage with the local communities to develop a strong social license that will enable the advance in exploration and potential discovery of a new Cu-Au volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) belt in Oaxaca.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. released initial gold results from three reverse circulation drill holes at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The RC drill program was designed to expand the California gold mineralization in multiple directions. Highlighted drill length intervals comprise 7.6 m @ 0.274 gpt Au; 13.68 m @ 0.338 gpt Au; 30.4 m @ 1.035 gpt Au (including 1.52 m @ 13.8 gpt Au). “Aztec plans to carry out reconnaissance and channel sampling and geologic mapping of the new drill roads at California, and other targets”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. contracted Geo Digital Imaging de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. to complete a 1,373-hectare HD magnetic survey covering the main targets at El Plomo claims on its EP project in Sonora. The drone aerial survey comprises 312 line-km on 81 lines at 50-m separation and 8 tie-lines at 500-m separation. The survey characteristics are the same that were applied on the adjacent Evelyn target, therefore the blending of the two surveys is expected to be seamless.

ON MINING

  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an operational update for the fourth quarter of 2023. During the period the company mined 1.86 M tonnes of ore and 802.8 tonnes of waste, for a strip rate of 0.43, stacking 1.75 M tonnes at a rate of 18,998 tpd grading 0.73 gpt Au to produce 34,484 Oz Au. For the full year Camino Rojo produced 121,877 Oz Au. For 2024 the guidance is 110 to 120 K Oz Au production from the Camino Rojo Oxide operation, at cash cost of $625 to $725 per Oz Au and an AISC of $875 to $975 per Oz Au. Nearly half of the $23M Exploration budget in Mexico is to continue exploration activities “on the new discovery below the Camino Rojo sulphide deposit”.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced a total production from its mines in Mexico of 6.6 M AgEq Oz Ag for the fourth quarter of 2023. During the period the company produced 2.61 M Oz Ag, 46,585 Oz Au that add up to 10.25 M Oz Ag, 198,921 Oz Au in the year, or 26.9 M Oz AgEq. Also, during the quarter twelve rigs worked at San Dimas (Durango) and four in Santa Elena (Sonora). At La Encantada, efforts are being made to find more water sources for the plant, as an extended drought is pressing production. For 2024 First Majestic production guidance contemplates 150-167 K Oz Au, 8.6-9.6 M Oz Ag, or 21.1-23.5 M Oz AgEq. At cash cost $13.69-$14.46 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $19.32-20.68 per Oz AgEq. The company is planning 188,500 m of drilling, with 95,000 m at San Dimas, 59,000 m at Santa Elena and 9,500 m at La Encantada (the rest out of Mexico).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. released production figures for the fourth quarter of 2023. At Mercedes, in Sonora, 135,918 tonnes were processed in the period, grading 3.30 gpt Au, recovering 93.6% Au, to produce 13,478 Oz Au, 52.1 K Oz Ag, adding up to 43,860 Oz Au, 167 K Oz Ag in 2023. This quarterly production represents a 47% increase on the previous period and reflects the higher grades mined and increased working faces. Reduction of gold and silver streams of 78% were reached/obtained in the period, improving cash flow.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results. For the full year the company produced 2.41 M Oz AgEq at its Avino mine in Durango. During the fourth quarter 143.8 K tonnes @ 56 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, 0.49% Cu were processed, recovering 87% Ag, 70% Au, 84% Ag, to produce 224.7 K Oz Ag, 1,452 Oz Au, 1.32 M Lb Cu, or 558.5 K Oz AgEq. Also, in the quarter a long-term land use agreement was signed on the neighboring La Preciosa project, the prefeasibility study (PFS) on the Oxide Tailings Project in Avino is nearing completion and the dry stacking facility has been fully operational for a year.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. provided 2024 operational guidance and a five-year production outlook for the Morelos Complex in Guerrero, which includes the ELG Mine Complex and Media Luna project. For 2024 the company set a guidance of 410 to 460 K Oz AuEq with total cash cost of $900 to $950 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,130 to $1,190 per Oz AuEq. “The mine plan for 2024 includes a full year of production scheduled from ELG, with the open pits starting to wind down mid-year and ELG Underground maintaining consistent levels of production throughout the year. Ore production from Media Luna starts inQ2 and continues to ramp up thereafter”. The five-year production outlook envisages 410 to 460 K Oz AuEq (2024), 425 to 475 K Oz AuEq (2025), 425 to 475 K Oz AuEq (2026), 450 to 500 K Oz AuEq (2027) and 350 to 400 K Oz AuEq (2028). The drilling budget include $15 M for the Media Luna Cluster, $12 M for ELG Underground and $3 M for the Morelos district. Torex has hedged 158 K Oz Au for the year at an average price of $1,972 per Oz.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. commenced a relationship with a Mexican mining company “to process a portion of its surface inventory of mineralized material” at Guanajuato Silver’s El Cubo mines complex in Guanajuato. This agreement will utilize excess capacity of El Cubo mill with material that has demonstrated compatible with the processing circuit through comprehensive metallurgical testing.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported preliminary production results for Q4 and full-year 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 806 K Oz Ag, 400 Oz Au were produced in Q4 2023, completing 4.4 M Oz Ag, 2,300 Oz Au in the year. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 477 K Oz Ag, 25,400 Oz Au were produced in Q4 to complete 2.2 M Oz Ag, 107,100 Oz Au in the year. For 2024 the production forecast is of 5.3 to 5.7 M Oz Ag, 2,000 Oz Au at La Colorada, at cash cost $11.70 to $14.10 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $16.00 to $18.50 per Oz AgEq. For Dolores the guidance is of 1.9 to 2.2 M Oz Ag, 65,000 to 75,000 Oz Au at $1,165 to $1,260 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,475 to 1,575 Oz AuEq. Dolores. At La Colorada a 30% improvement in production is expected upon completion of a new ventilation system by mid 2024. At Dolores mining and staking on the heap are expected to conclude on Q3 2024, and then enter into the reclamation phase, with residual leaching for a few years.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc . announced fourth quarter and full year 2023 production results, including figures from its Mexican operations. The company has three mining units: La Colorada in Sonora, and El Castillo and San Agustín in Durango, where 90,247 Oz Au were produced in the year.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.  reported production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At the San José mine in Oaxaca, 241 K tonnes were milled at an average rate of 2,678 tpd, averaging 145 gpt Ag, 0.91 gpt Au, recovering 90.8% Ag, 89.6% Au, to produce 1.02 M Oz Ag, 6,345 Oz Au during the Q4. For the full year, San José produced 4.66 M Oz Ag, 28,559 Oz Au. For 2024 the guidance is to produce 3.1 to 3.6 M Oz Ag, 19 to 23 K Oz Au at cash cost $20.3 to $22.3 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $22.8 to $24.0 per Oz AgEq. Driven by high costs and declining grade, the company is scheduled to exhaust mineral reserves by the end of 2024 and “to review and update a multiyear progressive mine closure and monitoring plan” with a current budget of $27 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Orla Mining Ltd. repaid $25 M towards its revolving credit facility, reducing the balance to $88.4 M. Orla also paid the final $22.8 M installment to Fresnillo plc as part of the layback agreement. At December 31, 2023 Orla had a cash position of $96.6 M and a total debt position of $88.4 M, resulting in a net cash position of $8.2 M (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. is to make a presentation at the 2024 Vancouver Resource Investor Conference on January 21, 2024 (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • GoldGroup Mining Inc. is in the process of arranging convertible debt financing of up to US$400 K of which US$100 K have already been received. “The Convertible Debts will be unsecured, bear interest at 12% per annum, will be repayable 18 (eighteen) months post-closing and will be convertible into common shares of the Company at CAD $0.10 per share at a fixed FX rate of 0.76 USD to CAD at the election of the lender(s)” (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. proposes to undertake a non-brokered private placement of up to $1.5 M (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Regency Silver Corp. completed the first tranche of $622 K on a previously announced non-brokered private placement of $800 K. “The balance of the private placement is expected to close shortly” (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp. received a conditional TSX Venture Exchange approval and closed a debt restructuring and debt transaction previously announced. The company closed its debt settlement with Latapi Consultores S.A. de C.V., issuing 17.75 M shares to settle an outstanding debt of CAD$11 M. Luca Mining also completed its debt restructuring with Trafigura Mexico S.A. de C.V. and its affiliate Union Holdings Ltd., converting a US$5.8 M outstanding loan into a non-interest three-year term convertible debenture. Trafigura has also advanced an additional US$2.5 M loan to assist the company in completing the mine optimization program to deliver separate clean copper, zinc and lead concentrates to Trafigura with higher grades and recoveries (Campo Morado, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Defiance Silver Corp. released results from the 2023 drilling campaign at its San Acacio property in Zacatecas. The drilling demonstrated in-situ vein material remains in place at shallow levels of the mine. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 12.82 m @ 0.36 gpt Au, 223 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 32.32 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn (including 18.91 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 166 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.5% Zn and 6.39 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 1.7% Pb, 4.6% Zn); 33.76 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag, 0.07% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.8% Zn (including 15.02 m @ 0.60 gpt Au, 162 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 2.1% Pb, 2.5% Zn, which includes 4.47 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 265 gpt Ag, 0.31% Cu, 5.1% Pb, 3.3% Zn). According to Defiance, the increasing copper grades and the presence of semi-massive to massive sulfide mineralization near surface is encouraging, as Capstone Mining is operating the Cozamin copper mine approximately 3 km away.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced results from drilling at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Initial drill results from the Tres Amigos section of the mine confirmed high-grade mineralization in the Juarez horizon, near accessible mine workings. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 1.29 m @ 18.2% Zn; 5.70 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 5.3% Pb, 7.9% Zn; 1.50 m @ 64 gpt Ag, 3.1% Pb, 11.9% Zn; 3.77 m @ 19 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 5.0% Zn; 2.40 m @ 17 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 6.0% Zn; 1.50 m @ 12 gpt Ag, 12.4% Pb, 3.3% Zn; 9.24 m @ 6 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 4.0% Zn (including 1.98 m @ 13 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 9.1% Zn, and 1.85m @ 13 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 8.7% Zn); 2.70 m @ 35 gpt Ag, 9.2% Pb, 11.1% Zn; 6.90 m @ 28 gpt Ag, 5.4% Pb, 10.2% Zn; 3.60 m @ 50 gpt Ag, 2.1% Pb, 10.9% Zn.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. completed 6,500 m of diamond drilling at its Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas. This near-pit exploration included 2,500 m to confirm oxide mineralization on the Fresnillo plc property (Layback area) north of the pit and 4,000 m of drilling targeting structures controlling deeper levels of oxidation beyond the currently designed pit. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 76 m @ 0.85 gpt Au (including 28 m @ 1.28 gpt Au and 10.27 m @ 1.27 gpt Au); 67 m @ 0.48 gpt Au; 73.5 m @ 0.37 gpt Au; 21 m @ 1.09 gpt Au; 18.7 m @ 1.06 gpt Au (including 4 m @ 4.06 gpt Au); 22.5 m @ 0.92 gpt Au; 67.1 m @ 1.16 gpt Au; 65.1 m @ 0.86 gpt Au; 63 m @ 0.63 gpt Au; 41 m @ 0.49 gpt Au; 21 m @ 0.87 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Riverside Resources Inc. updated on 2023 work and its outlook for 2024. In Mexico the company is preparing drilling permits to maintain good standing of the properties located in Sonora. On the Ariel porphyry copper property, consolidation of land and proper titling are positioning the company for potential JV’s. At the Union mine, assays of up to 1 Oz Au and 30% of Zn highlight the potential for further expansion. At Cecilia, a large dome complex has already yielded significant intercepts on previous drilling.
  • Silver Valley Metals Corp. announced a favorable resolution of issues relating to its Mexi-Can sulphate of potash and lithium project in Zacatecas. The company reported a favorable ruling regarding two amparos (constitutional appeals) on the effect of the New Mining Law. Also, the government operator of lithium mining, Litio Mx, declined to participate on the development of the Mexi-Can project and Silver Valley is poised to recommence exploration activities.
  • Prime Mining Corp. announced that CEO Daniel Kunz is retiring and Mr. Scott Hicks, EVP, will succeed him (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. intends to spin out the shares of Vizsla Silver Royalties Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vizsla Silver, to the company’s shareholders. The royalty consists of a 2.0% net smelter return (NSR) on certain unencumbered concessions on the Panuco project in Sinaloa, and a 0.5% NSR on certain encumbered concessions on the same project which have a pre-existing 3.0% NSR. “Pursuant to the Spinout, common shares of Vizsla Royalties would be distributed to shareholders of Vizsla Silver. Vizsla Silver is expected to hold approximately a 49% ownership interest in Vizsla Royalties, with the remaining shares of Vizsla Royalties being distributed to shareholders of Vizsla Silver on a pro-rata basis at a time to be determined by the board of directors of Vizsla Silver”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. is to release fourth quarter and full-year 2023 results after February 21, 2024 (Mulatos, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz breccia vein on a project of the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of September, 2023

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Galena-sphalerite-Ag sulfosalts in a quartz vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 38th week of the year (September 18th to September 24th, 2023), at least 18 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, three announcing financing issues, two reporting resources and development of their properties, two informing on exploration results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, According to El Financiero, there has been a 69% increase in the number of suspended projects during the López Obrador administration. According to information from the US Geological Survey, there are 82 lithium deposits in 18 states of the Republic, which can represent 1.7 million tons. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Southern Empire received permitting from the Mexico´s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) for 30 drill hole sites at its Centauro project.  In Zacatecas, Radius provided an update on drilling at its Tropico project.  ON MINING, no relevant news.  ON FINANCING, Equinox announced and completed a bought deal offering of convertible senior notes (Mina Los Filos, Guerrero). Excellon announced debenture restructuring to reduce the outstanding principal amount to CAD $7.5M (La Negra Mine, Queretaro). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Tag announced the commencement of a 7,000m drilling campaign at its La Parrilla Mine Complex in Durango. Tocvan provided an update on the acquisition of Pilar project in Sonora and outlined target areas for the next phase of drilling. Silver Valley provided a corporate update on its MexiCan lithium-potassium projects located in Zacatecas-San Luis Potosi. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Luca Mining announced the appointment of its Director of Corporate Development (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Santacruz reported fatality at its Zimapan Mine, Hidalgo. GR Silver reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Sierra Metals placed Cusi Mine in Chihuahua on care and maintenance and initiated sale process. Radius announced that it proposes to issue 500K common shares of the company to Bruce Smith (Tropico project, Zacatecas). Angel Wing announced the consolidation of its common shares (La Reyna project, Nayarit). Bear Creek announced results from its special meeting of shareholders (Mercedes Mine, Sonora). Colibri announced the retirement of its President and CEO, and its replacement (Evelyn project, Sonora). Orex announced a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of ten pre-consolidation shares to one post-consolidation share (Coneto project, Sonora). Pan American announced that it will host a conference call to discuss the company´s environmental, social, and governance efforts and development (La Colorada, Zacatecas). Silver Viper announced that it will present a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on September 28th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET (La Virginia project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, MAG Silver published its second annual sustainability report (Juanicipio, Zacatecas).  Ternium completed the restoration of the Cerro Náhuatl Mine and Jala Station Closure Plan in Coquimatlán, Colima, which covers a period from 2012 to 2022 in which reforestation works and programs were implemented.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • According to El Financiero, the mining sector has experienced a series of obstacles set by the current administration. The number of suspended projects stood at 439 in 2018, while the current figure is 837, representing a 69% increase in the number of suspended projects during the López Obrador administration. Likewise, the Fraser Institute of Canada placed Mexico in 37th place out of 83 countries evaluated, a drop of three places compared to 2021 and 17 positions compared to 2010. The sector is worried that the USD $77.2M budget assigned to Mexican Geological Survey (SGM) for 2024 is 95.47% below the USD $1.7 B private companies invested just in exploration. “With this lack of budget for exploration, they are condemning the country and the mining sector, because mining will be halted for another six years. If the modifications to the Mining Law remain as they are, we will witness Mexico’s mining sector entering a clear decline,” said Alfredo Phillips, Vice President, Argonaut Gold, in an interview with El Financiero.  In an interview with Mexico Business News (MBN), Ramón Luna, Director General of Servicios y Proyectos Mineros de Mexico (SPM), acknowledged that SGM has talented geologists and manages the most comprehensive database in Mexico. However, the public body does not match the infrastructure of a private company. “(The reform) would either force the more than 100 exploration companies in the country to work with the SGM or make the latter the only operator. This is not feasible because it lacks the necessary infrastructure,” he added.  Similarly, Raúl García, President of College of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (CIMMGM), said that we could see the first impacts of lacking exploration by 2025 and a drop in production within the next five years, if SGM does not maintain the current levels of exploration. According to data from the Secretariat of Economy (SE), in 1Q23, the total foreign direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector amounted to USD $419M. In contrast, during the same period in 2013, this figure reached USD $2.036 B, reflecting a decline of 79.4%. During Enrique Peña Nieto’s initial five-year term, from 2012 to 2017, the country received mining FDI totaling USD $2.8 B and USD $1.9 B, respectively, representing a decrease of 32.1%. Meanwhile, during the first five years of López Obrador’s administration, covering the period from 2018 to 2023, FDI amounted to USD $1.9 B and USD $419M, marking a significant 78% decrease. However, it is important to note that data for 2023 is not fully available, which means that the percentages provided could vary.
  • According to information from the US Geological Survey, there are 82 lithium deposits in 18 states of the Republic, which can represent 1.7 million tons. A few days ago, Héctor Usla, Economist and Reporter of the El Financiero Newspaper, reported that the 2024 Expenditure Law project plans to allocate MXP $9.77M to Litio para México (LitioMx), the entity created in August 2022, for the exploration, exploitation, benefit and use of lithium found in national territory. This is an amount that allows the administrative operation of the decentralized organization, but that seems insufficient to reliably establish the total amount of probable lithium reserves and initiate exploration and production in the most promising deposits. (Note of the writer.- Are you serious?…Obviously, it would be vastly insufficient to have a budget like that reported above to carry out exploration, exploitation, etc.).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Southern Empire Resources Corp., received permitting from the Mexico´s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) for 30 drill hole sites at its Centauro project in Chihuahua. “The Centauro Gold Project exhibits significant potential to host “Carlin-style” and/or epithermal precious metal mineralization based on extensive brecciation, silicification and argillization of the Tertiary-age Ahuichila Formation conglomerate, a strongly coincident gold (“Au”), arsenic (“As”), antimony (“Sb”), mercury (“Hg”), thallium, silver, barium soil geochemical signature associated with a silicified mesa “cap” covering 2.5 km along the strike of the main zone, outcrops containing arsenopyrite, realgar, orpiment and stibnite, and low to non- anomalous base metal values”. 
  • Radius Gold Inc., provided an update on drilling at its Tropico project in Zacatecas. The initial hole TDD-001 plan for 300m to intersect the Tropico breccia pipe encountered difficult ground conditions and was abandoned at 56m. “The hole from 19m to 56m is intensely altered with clay, silicification, variable zones of hydrothermal breccias and repeated sets of banded silica veins with fine sulphides and stockwork veining. Banded veining had not previously been seen on the property”. “The drill rig has been stepped back from the target an additional 25m and a new hole drilled deeper under hole TDD-001, this time using large diameter PQ sized core and casing which is expected to alleviate the drilling difficulties”.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced that it has entered into an agreement to buy, on a bought deal basis, 4.75% unsecured convertible senior notes due 2028 in an aggregate principal amount of $150M.  The company has granted the initial purchasers up to an additional $22.5M aggregate principal amount of notes. The notes will be issued at par value.  Later on, the company announced that it had closed its previously announced bought deal offering of $172.5M aggregate principal amount of 4.75% unsecured convertible senior notes due 2028, which includes exercise of the full amount of the option to purchase an additional $22.5M aggregate principal amount of notes Net proceeds will be used for repayment of debt and for general corporate purposes (Mina Los Filos, Guerrero).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced debenture restructuring to reduce the outstanding principal amount to CAD $7.5M representing a reduction of CAD $10.4M (58% reduction), and to amend the terms of the remaining debentures to, among other things, further extend the maturity date to August 31, 2026. In exchange for CAD $10.4M aggregate principal amount of the debentures, Excellon to pay CAD $3.5M in equity, 25% interest in Silver City Project, plus additional non-dilutive contingency and royalty payments (La Negra Mine, Queretaro).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., announced the commencement of a 7,000m drilling campaign at its La Parrilla Mine Complex in Durango. The 7,000m phase 1 drilling program will  focus on infill and step-out drilling in proximity to underground mining infrastructure and existing development in three key areas: a) Rosarios and Cuerpo 340 Veins (3,000 m of drilling to test the east, west and central down-dip extensions; b) Quebradillas Underground (3,000 m of drilling to test the strike and down-dip extensions of three key zones including Cuerpo 460, Norte-Sur, and San Nicolas; and c) San Marcos (1,000 m of drilling to test the extension of San Marcos and Cuerpo 1100 at depth.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an update on the acquisition of the Pilar project in Sonora and outlined target areas for the next phase of drilling. The company has exercised notice to Colibri Resources Corp., to purchase the remaining 49%. It also is completing a due diligence expected to finalize in coming weeks to acquire over 21 square-kilometers of land surrounding the Pilar, which contain recent placer activity, historic workings, and prospective geology, indicative that the area is highly prospective for gold and silver. “Tocvan plans to restart field operations at the close of the expansion acquisition to advance new target areas already identified quickly towards drill targeting. Drilling at Pilar and within the new expansion area is planned to total 2,000-meters before year end”.
  • Silver Valley Metals provided a corporate update on its MexiCan lithium-potassium projects located in Zacatecas-San Luis Potosi. Highlights of this project include that significant grades of lithium, potassium sulphate, and boron are located on surface in unconsolidated sediments; the brine potential has not been tested to date; deep basin large aquifer brine potential defined by regional geophysics surveys, remains to be tested; he inferred resource has been tested from surface to an average 5 metres depth; the company anticipates the sediment basin could range from 40m to greater than 100m deep, so the prospect of expanding the sediment resource at depth is substantial; and 12.3M tonnes of Potassium Sulphate and 243K tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent defined thus far. The company declared that discussions are active and advancing with LitioMX and near-term plans are in place to come together to potentially finalize a partnership agreement.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Luca Mining Corp., announced the appointment of its Director of Corporate Development. The company also granted incentive stock options to its employees and consultants to purchase an aggregate 225K share in the capital stock of the company (Tahuehueto project, Durango).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported that an employee was fatality injured at its Zimapan Mine, Hidalgo. The fatality was the result of rockfall from a stope face.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders.  Incumbent director Laura Diaz chose not to stand for re-election and was not a nominee (Plomosas project, Sinaloa).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., placed Cusi Mine in Chihuahua on care and maintenance and initiated a process to sell the mine. Ernesto Balarezo Valdez, Sierra Metals’ CEO, stated that “Sierra Metals is transitioning to become a copper-focused mining company, and the planned divestiture of Cusi will allow us to focus on our two key mines, Yauricocha in Peru and Bolivar in Mexico, where we have significant potential to continue growing our copper production”.
  • Radius Gold Inc., announced that it proposes, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, to issue 500K common shares of the company to Bruce Smith. The common shares will be issued at a deemed price of $0.24 per share, for a total deemed value of $120K (good for you Bruce!) (Tropico project, Zacatecas).
  • Angel Wing Metals Inc., announced the consolidation of its common shares on the basis of one post- consolidation common share for every two pre-consolidation shares issued and outstanding as of the close of business on September 20, 2023. (La Reyna project, Nayarit).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced results from its special meeting of shareholders (Mercedes Mine, Sonora).
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced the retirement of its President and CEO, and its replacement (Evelyn project, Sonora).
  • Orex Minerals Inc., announced a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of ten pre-consolidation shares to one post-consolidation share. The reasons for the consolidation are to increase the company’s flexibility and competitiveness in the marketplace and to attract new equity investment in the company  (Coneto project, Sonora).
  • Pan American Silver Corp., announced that it will host a conference call to discuss the company ´s environmental, social, and governance efforts, and development on October 19, 2023 at 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) (La Colorada, Zacatecas).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced that it will present a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on September 28th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET (La Virginia project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • MAG Silver Corp., published its second annual sustainability report. , which provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) commitments, practices, and performance for the 2022 year. Highlights of the 2022 sustainability report include zero fatalities at the Juanicipio project, Zacatecas or at MAG´s exploration projects; a lost time injury frequency rate of 1.92; over 62,000 hours dedicated to safety training; zero significant environmental incidents at the Juanicipio and other projects; 66% of MAG Silver´s workforce is hired from local communities; over 13 community engagement initiatives across 4 different project streams at the Juanicipio project: health, education, capacity buildings, and microenterprise projects; 38% of Board directors are female, surpassing the 30% target established in MAG´s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy; and Code of Conduct and Social Responsibility Policy refreshed and updated to specifically articulate the importance of engaging with Indigenous communities through meaningful dialogue, cooperation, and deepening of the shared-value approach to local development activities to promote sustainable and lasting economic and social benefits.
  • Ternium completed the restoration of the Cerro Náhuatl Mine and Jala Station Closure Plan in Coquimatlán, Colima, which covers a period from 2012 to 2022 in which reforestation works and programs were implemented. With this project, the forest area was increased by 88 hectares and the area was repopulated with 180 species of native fauna. It is a component of the company’s commitment to sustainability in the communities where it operates, according to a statement.

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, galena, sphalerite, and silver sulfosalts in a quartz vein from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Sonora, Mexico Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of August, 2023

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Silica-Alunita in a hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia During the 34th week of the year (August 21st to August 27th, 2023), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with eleven reporting resources and development of their properties, five commenting on Mexican issues, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, one announcing financing issues, one communicating production and financial results, one informing on exploration results, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The United States government requested the installation of the first United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA or T-MEC) labor panel against Grupo Mexico. USMCA panel analyzes whether there was a violation in the case of the San Martin Mine, Zacatecas of Grupo Mexico. The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Francisco Cervantes pronounced on the request for a labor panel of the T-MEC in a mine of Grupo México. Grupo Mexico sees an impact beyond its San Martin Mine. GoGold, Sierra Metals, Vizsla and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of August, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, Prismo provided an update of its ongoing drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa.  ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver reported Q2, 2023 production and financial results from their mine operations in Mexico. ON FINANCING, Golden Minerals received New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) acceptance of plan to regain listing compliance (Rodeo project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Tocvan and its JV partner Colibri announced results from a bulk sample collected at Pilar project in Sonora.  GoGold released additional drilling results from the Main Area at Los Ricos South project, Jalisco. Golden Tag filed NI43-101 technical report on Mineral Resources for its La Parrilla Mine Complex, Durango. Vizsla reported results from 11 drillholes collared on the Napoleon Vein at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Golden Minerals completed an updated technical report as a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Velardeña properties in Durango. Guanajuato Silver provided drill results from its Topia Mine in Durango. Sierra Metals announced a mineral resource expansion at its Bolivar Mine in Chihuahua. Silver Tiger reported results from initial scoping-level metallurgical test from its high grade Ag-Au El Tigre project, Sonora. Impact Silver provided a construction update at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Pan American Silver announced mineral resource and mineral reserves as at June 30, 2023 at their Mexican mine operations and advanced mining projects. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, McEwen and Sierra Metals announced the appointment of new members to their Board of Directors. Discovery announced key appointments that strengthen the company’s Board of Directors, and also the permitting and technical teams (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Aloro announced that it has cancelled the option agreement with Cuesta del Cobre S de R.L. de C.V., to purchase the Quitovac Mine project in Sonora.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Orla Mining released its inaugural sustainability report (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The United States government requested the installation of the first United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA or T-MEC) labor panel under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (MLRR), for disagreeing with the Mexican government on the complaint against the San Martin Mine, of Grupo México, located in Zacatecas, who is accused of having impeded free unionization and authentic collective contracting. The Mexican government, for its part, responded that it would not review the case under the T-MEC mechanisms, arguing that the conflict dates back to 2007 (since the T-MEC entered into force in 2020) and that there is no evidence of that the mine exports to the United States, so it would not be a facility covered by the treaty. Grupo Mexico denounced that the union leader Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, presented the complaint that gave rise to this process with two objectives: “to have a new pretext to ignore the definitive award that condemns him to pay USD $55M plus accrued yields from 2005 to former mining workers and generate conflicts to press for a new political position that gives him jurisdiction / political privileges (“fuero politico”). After the lifting of the strike, in 2018, San Martin has received investments of more than USD $105M, has produced more than 1.25M tonnes of mineral each year and has generated about 1,300 jobs.
  • USMCA panel analyzes whether there was a violation in the case of the San Martin Mine, Zacatecas of Grupo Mexico. Given these facts, Grupo México indicated that it is essential for the San Martin Mine to put an end to a conflict that has harmed workers and their families for the last 15 years. Grupo México assured that the conflict in the San Martin Mine is not the product of the disagreement of the workers, but of the senator for Morena Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, who presented the complaint that gave rise to this process. “Urrutia sought to have a new pretext to ignore the final award that condemns him to pay USD $55M plus accrued income since 2005 to former mining workers, as well as generate conflicts to press for a new political position.
  • The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Francisco Cervantes pronounced on the request for a labor panel of the T-MEC in a mine of Grupo México. At the request of the United States government for the first panel of the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism under the Treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada at the San Martin mine of Grupo México, in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Francisco Cervantes Díaz, president of the CCE, commented that it is a panel that has already lost a labor part here, that is why they are entering the issue in the United States and the resolution must be waited for. The Ministry of Economy indicated that Mexico rejected the request because this conflict dates from July 2007, and the law is not retroactive, since the “T-MEC would not be applicable to the facts related to this controversy.”
  • Grupo Mexico sees an impact beyond its San Martin Mine. The Mexican government will have the burden of proof to demonstrate in the T-MEC instance that there were no violations of union freedom in the San Martin Mine. If the case is lost, the sanctions could affect other company exports, beyond those originating from the facility in conflict, envisions the Grupo Mexico´s lawyer. It is worth remembering that the United States filed a labor complaint with the Mexican government accusing that, in the San Martin Mine, belonging to Grupo México, the rights of workers were violated because a strike was terminated by establishing a collective contract with another union, which would mean a violation of workers’ rights. Mexico maintained that this fact was prior to the entry into force of the trade agreement with the United States and Canada, and refused to carry out the investigation to determine a possible Remediation Plan for the company.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., Sierra Metals Inc., Vizsla Silver Corporation, and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of August, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an update of its ongoing drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. The company has drilled 2,620m in the current program and completed thirteen holes with one hole in progress, PV-23-32. One additional hole is contemplated after completing hole PV-23-32 as part of the original drill program which began in May 2023. “This will be followed by the previously announced expansion of the drill program, with holes to be drilled from Vizsla Silver Corp. concessions adjacent to the Palos Verdes concession. These holes will target the Palos Verdes vein at depth. This follows a recommendation presented by the Panuco Joint Technical Committee to drill approximately 3,600 meters in ten holes to be completed in two phases”.

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported Q2, 2023 production and financial results from their mine operations in Mexico (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana in Guanajuato, and Topia in Durango) All amounts are expressed in US dollars. The company mined 166,671 tonnes and milled 163,793 tonnes with metallurgical recoveries of 84.9% Ag and 83.1% Au, to produce 477.6K Oz Ag, 4,719 Oz Au, 875.8K Lb Pb, and 897.2K Lb Zn (941.3K Oz AgEq). It sold 462.9K Oz Ag, 4,427 Oz Au, 830.6K Lb Pb, and 871.3K Lb Zn (901.5K Oz AgEq) at realized prices of $24.33/ Oz Ag, $1,988.05/Oz Au, $0.97/Lb Pb, and $1.14/Lb Zn. Guanajuato Silver reported revenue of $16.8M; cost of sales of $19.2M; mine operating loss of ($2.4M); mine operating cash flow before taxes of $394.3K; net loss of ($8.6M); EBIDTA of ($4.6M); adjusted EBIDTA of ($3.41M); and working capital of ($17.8M).

ON FINANCING

  • Golden Minerals Company received New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) acceptance of plan to regain listing compliance. The listing of the Company’s common stock will continue pursuant to an extension during the plan period, during which time the Company will be subject to periodic review to determine whether it is making progress consistent with the accepted plan (Rodeo project, Durango). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its JV partner Colibri Resource Corporation, announced results from a bulk sample collected at Pilar project in Sonora. Highlights of the recovery results for heap leaching match regional operating mine – head grade exceeds expectations include 62% recovery of gold achieved over 46-day leaching period; report confirms with increase in irrigation flowrate, higher recovery can be achieved; head grade calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag, extracted grade calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag; bulk sample only included coarse fraction of material (+3/4”to +1.8”); and fine fraction (-1/8”) indicated rapid recovery with agitated leach. Highlights of recap of fine fractions and gravity recovery results include 80%recovery of gold and 94% recovery of silver after rapid 24-hour retention time in agitated bottle roll test; and 95 to 99% recovery of gold and 73 to 97% recovery for silver in gravity recovery with agitated leach results of five composite samples. It includes the recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from drill core composite at 120m depth.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released additional drilling results from the Main Area at Los Ricos South project, Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGG-23-316 with 1.27 g/t Au and 396 g/t Ag (6.54 g/t AuEq or 491 g(/t AgEq) over 27.3m, including 4.43 g/t Au and 1,338 g/t Ag (22.26 g/t AuEq or 1.665 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m, including 11.80 g/t Au and 7,230 g/t Ag (108.20 g/t AuEq or 8,115 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m; hole LRGG-23-304 with 1.82 g/t Au and 181 g/t Ag (4.24 g/t AuEq or 318 g/t AgEq) over 10m, including 4.34 g/t Au and 633 g/t Ag (12.78 g/t AuEq or 958 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; hole LRGG-23-306 with 4.99 g/t Au and 605 g/t Ag (13.05 g/t AuEq or 979 g/t AgEq) over 11.7m, including 30.5 g/t Au and 3,550 g/t Ag (77.83 g/t AuEq or 5,837 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; hole LRGG-23-309 with 1.5 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag (2.69 g/t AuEq or 202 g/t AgEq) over 18.6m, including 12.05 g/t Au and 144 g/t Ag (13.97 g/t AuEq or 1.048 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; and hole LRGG-23-313 with 3.23 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag (6.36 g/t AuEq or 477 g/t AgEq) over 9.2m, including 4.64 g/t Au and 461 g/t Ag (10.79 g/t AuEq or 809 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m. The Main Area drilling campaign’s purposes is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., filed NI43-101 technical report on Mineral Resources for its La Parrilla Mine Complex, Durango, with an effective date of May 31, 2023.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., reported results from 11 drillholes collared on the Napoleon Vein at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true widths) include hole NP-23-380 with 111 g/t Ag, 0.64 g/t Au, 0.01% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (147 g/t AgEq) over 5.4m, plus 561 g/t Ag, 1.08 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (849 g/t AgEq) over 1.35m, plus 346 g/t Ag, 2.21 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 4.3% Zn (650 g/t AgEq) over 0.4m; hole NP-23-301 with 64 g/t Ag, 0.72 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (160 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 908 g/t Ag, 7.37 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 4.9% Zn (1,568 g/t AgEq) over 1.9m, including 1,500 g/t Ag, 8.96 g/t Au, 2% Pb, and 4% Zn (2,205 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m; hole NP-23-392 with 527 g/t Ag, 3.78 g/t Au, 2.1% Pb, and 5% Zn (989 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 1,500 g/t Ag, 9.97 g/t Au, 5.2% Pb, and 6.7% Zn (2,465 g/t AgEq) over 0.69m, plus 258 g/t Ag, 1.62 g/t Au, 1.9% Pb, and 15.5% Zn (967 g/t AgEq) over 0.95m, plus 40 g/t Ag, 1.96 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 11.4% Zn (602 g/t AgEq) over 1.55m. “The new drill results are centered on the western portion of the district and are part of Vizsla’s ongoing 90,000m resource infill and expansion/discovery-focused drill program. Infill and step-out (expansionary) drilling completed to date has led to an improved understanding of the mineralization controls along the Napoleon vein corridor”.
  • Golden Minerals Company completed an updated technical report as a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Velardeña properties in Durango. Mineral Resource Estimate (sulphides) as at June 1, 2023 considers measured + indicated resources of 665,900 tons with grades of 402 g/t Ag, 5.54 g/t Au, 1.7% Pb, and 2.1% Zn for a total of 8.6M Oz Ag, 118.5K Oz Au, 24.77M Lb Pb, and 30.48M Lb Zn contained, and inferred resources of 1,059,900 tonnes of 413 g/t Ag, 5.1 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, and 2.3% Zn for a total of 14.06M Oz Ag, 173.7K Oz Au, 42.3M Lb Pb, and 52.7M Lb Zn contained. Highlights of the economic analysis include a mine life of 10.5 years; Pre-Tax NPV (8%) of USD $136.7M and IRR of 1,320.2%; After-Tax NPV (8%) of USD $87.6M and IRR of 860.7%; and a payback of less than one year.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., provided drill results from its Topia Mine in Durango. Drilling highlights reported in true widths include hole UT23-468 (Argentina Vein) with 0.15 g/t Au, 202 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (317 g/t AgEq) over 0.36m; hole UT23-470  (Argentina Vein) with 0.09 g/t Au, 132 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (182 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; hole UT23-471 (Argentina Vein) with 0.1 g/t Au, 547 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (644 g/t AgEq) over 0.80m; hole UT23-474 (Santa Cruz Vein) with 0.06 g/t Au, 490 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (521 g/t AgEq) over 0.18m; and hole UT23-476 (san Gregorio Vein) with 0.16 g/t Au, 1,180 g/t Ag, 5.1% Pb, and 23.9% Zn (2,150 g/t AgEq) over 0.15m, plus 0.19 g/t Au, 161 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 10.6% Zn (551 g/t AgEq) over 1.91m, plus 0.33 g/t Au, 124 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 7.2% Zn (409 g/t AgEq) over 0.25m. “Drilling of the Argentina and Santa Cruz veins is being done from the new El Condor Tunnel with the objective of defining the trend of mineralization to the west of the current intercepts. The Rosario and San Gregorio veins, located in the southeastern part of the district, have been drilled from the Rosario ramp; these veins are separated by approximately 350 metres, and the objective there is to follow the trend of mineralization to the west”.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced a mineral resource expansion at its Bolivar Mine in Chihuahua. The company reported additional 15.5M Lb CuEq in measured and indicated mineral resources hosted by the Dulce structure at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua, Mexico. Mineral Resource at Dulce Zone as at June 30, 2023 include measured + indicated resources of 1,236,000 tonnes with grades of 0.83% Cu, 0.47 g/t Au, and 26 g/t Ag (1.24% CuEq) for a total of 22.7M Lb Cu, 18.7K Oz Au, and 1.03M Oz Ag (33.8M Lb CuEq) contained, and inferred resources of 431K tonnes with grades of 0.67% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, and 25 g/t Ag (1.12% CuEq) for a total of 6.4M Lb Cu, 7.9K Oz Au, and 345K Oz Ag (10.6M Lb CuEq) contained.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported results from initial scoping-level metallurgical test from its high grade Ag-Au El Tigre project, Sonora. Preliminary metallurgical work demonstrates excellent recoveries of silver, gold, copper, zinc and lead in the Sulphide and Black Shale Zones with silver equivalent recoveries of 95.7% and 98.1%, respectively. Preliminary rougher flotation tests of the Black Shale Zone recovered 91.1% copper, 98.2% lead, 98.8% zinc, 91.9% gold, and 98.4% silver (Overall Silver Equivalent Recovery – 98.1%);  preliminary rougher flotation tests of the Sulphide Zone recovered 94.2% copper, 95.3% lead, 97.6% zinc, 79.6% gold, and 96.0% silver (Overall Silver Equivalent Recovery – 95.7%);  surface Stockwork Zone column test extractions recovered – 83.1% Gold, 64.3% Silver at 3/8-in crush size with no requirement for agglomeration indicated in these tests (Overall Silver Equivalent Recovery – 78.1%; and also notable is the low cyanide consumption of 0.68 kg per tonne and lime consumption of 2.33 kg per tonne. “Previous drilling of the Surface Stockwork Zone has indicated a mineralized zone in excess of 100 meters true width. With high recoveries of 78.1% silver equivalency in column testing, simulating a heap leaching process, the Corporation sees the potential for an open pit low-cost heap leach process. This open pit heap leach process will be defined as part of the upcoming PEA”.
  • Impact Silver Corp., provided a construction update at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. “All necessary components of the mill have arrived on site or have been refurbished with assembly currently in the final stages. Testing and modification of the plant is expected to start in late summer, with ramp up to design capacity of nearly 200 tpd expected over the coming months. Construction is now approximately 85% complete. The Company has applied for the expansion of the current tailings pond which is expected to add at least an additional two years capacity. Meanwhile, an additional tailings pond is in the planning stages to accommodate years of future production and growth. Refurbishments to ventilation, electrical and lighting systems are ongoing as activity increases underground. Mining has begun and is expected to ramp up as the Company deploys additional equipment to the mine including scoop trams and underground trucks. Underground drilling to better define and expand resources has begun and drill permits for surface brownfield and green field exploration targets have been received. The exploration team has initiated its first phase of the 2023-2024 mine plan. This includes extraction of high-grade material in line with previous grades in excess of 13% Zn. There are currently 70 Company employees on site and another 25 contract workers. The Company is fortunate to have inherited a strong workforce after the acquisition closed and is adding positions in specific areas centred around engineering, exploration and day-to-day operations”.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., announced mineral resource and mineral reserves as at June 30, 2023 at their Mexican mine operations and advanced mining projects (Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves). At La Colorada, Zacatecas, the company reported measured resources of 0.7M with grades of 153 g/t Ag and 0.13 g/t Au for a total  of 3.6M Oz Ag and 3K Oz Au contained; indicated resources of 2.5M tonnes with grades of 182 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au for a total of 14.6M Oz Ag and 15K Oz Au contained; and inferred resources of 14.7M tonnes with grades of 174 g/t Ag and 0.2 g/t Au for a total of 82.2M Oz Ag and 43K Oz Au contained. At La Colorada Skarn, Zacatecas, it reported indicated resources of 95.9M tonnes with a grade of 31 g/t Ag for a total of 94.4M Oz Ag contained and inferred resources of 147.8M tonnes with a grade of 28 g/t Ag for a total of 132.9M Oz Ag contained. At Dolores, Chihuahua, Pan American reported measured resources of 5.5M with grades of 23 g/t Ag and 0.33 g/t Au for a total of 4M Oz Ag and 57.7K Oz Au contained; indicated resources of 0.7M tonnes with grades of 70 g/t Ag and 1.35 g/t Au for a total of 1.5M Oz Ag and 28.7K Oz Au contained; and inferred resources of 1.3M tonnes with grades of 40 g/t Ag and 1.18 g/t Au for a total of 1.7M Oz Ag and 50.3K Oz Au contained. At La Bolsa, Sonora, the company reported measured resources of 10.8M tonnes with grades of 10 g/t Ag and 0.7 g/t Au for a total of 3.5M Oz Ag and 242.8K Oz Au contained; indicated resources of 10.6M tonnes with grades of 8 g/t Ag and 0.54 g/t Au for a total of 2.7M Oz Ag and 184.3K Oz Au contained; and inferred resources of 13.7M tonnes with grades of 8 g/t Ag and 0.51 g/t Au for a total of 3.3M Oz Ag and 224.6K Oz Au contained. The company also reported mineral reserves as at June 30, 2023. At La Colorada, Zacatecas, it reported proven reserves of 5M tonnes with grades of 296 g/t Ag and 0.21 g/t Au for a total of 47.2M Oz Ag and 33.8K Oz Au contained; and probable reserves of 4.2M tonnes with grades of 292 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au for a total of 39.1M Oz Ag and 25.3K Oz Au contained. At Dolores, Chihuahua, Pan American reported proven reserves of 6.3M tonnes with grades of 17 g/t Ag and 0.53 g/t Au for a total of 3.4M Oz Ag and 108.6K Oz Au contained, and probable reserves of 1.3M tonnes with grades of 24 g/t Ag and 0.53 g/t Au for a total of 1M Oz Ag and 22.1K Oz Au contained.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • McEwen Mining Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (El Gallo mine complex, Sinaloa).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors as an independent non-executive Director (Bolivar Mine, Chihuahua).
  • Discovery Silver Corp., announced key appointments that strengthen the company’s Board of Directors, and also the permitting and technical teams. These include: an Independent Director, 2 Advisors to the Board, a Director, Corporate Affairs, Mexico, a Vice President Mineral Processing, and a Corporate Secretary & Manager Administrative Services (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Aloro Mining Corp., announced that it has cancelled the option agreement with Cuesta del Cobre S de R.L. de C.V., to purchase the Quitovac Mine project in Sonora. After conducting further due diligence and considering the newly proposed changes to the Mining Law by the current Government of Mexico and the difficulties in obtaining a surface use agreement from the Quitovac Comunidad, Aloro feels that it is not in the Company’s best interest to proceed.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Orla Mining Ltd., released its inaugural sustainability report. Highlights include that 25% Orla´s corporate goals were environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-linked, all of which were achieved; 100% of Orla executives and managerial-level employees were evaluated against ESG performance; achieved a respectable health and safety record, with a lost time injury frequency rate of 1.49 across their sites; generated USD $5.8M in community economic contributions at Camino Rojo, Zacatecas, including salaries, local procurement, land leases and investments in local  infrastructure; achieved an emissions level of 0.19 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per ounce of gold equivalent produced at Camino Rojo, establishing the operation as a global leader on this metric; achieved 0.15 m3/t of processed ore water intensity, with zero water discharge (100% of water reused and recycled), at Camino Rojo; developed the “Towards 2030 Sustainability Strategy” and set ESG targets to build a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive business, anchored around the goal of accelerating value creation and net-positive benefits for stakeholders.

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, silica + alunite in a hydrothermal breccia from an epithermal system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of July, 2023

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

REDOX front in a Red-Bed Copper prospect

By Miguel A Heredia During the 28th week of the year (July 10th to July 16th, 2023), at least 32 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news published by the media with ten communicating production and financial results, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, five reporting resources and development of their properties, three announcing financing issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Almadex dropped several of its legacy projects in Mexico (Yago and Las Lajas projects in Nayarit and San Luis Potosi States respectively). Galore announced that due to some recent changes in the mining laws enacted by the Mexican Government, Galore employed the services of a Law firm in Mexico to file an Amparo (injunction). In 2022, the production of zinc, one of the six main metals that Mexico produces for its internal use and for export, was reduced because the federal authorities decided to reduce the operations of the mines. Torex Gold, Sierra Madre, Vizsla, and Prime Mining reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of July, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Canuc acquired an additional 96.5051 hectares claim contiguous with the company´s existing claims at its San Javier project, and Colibri submitted an application for additional drilling at its Evelyn project. In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals commenced a drilling program at its Jemi Rare Earth Element project. In Sinaloa, Prismo provided an update of the current drilling program at its Palos Verdes project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre presented results from four additional holes drilled at its la Tigra project. ON MINING, Aura Minerals, Endeavour, Fortuna Silver, GoGold, and Orla reported Q2, 2023 production results from their Mexican mine operations.  Capstone and Argonaut commented that they will release their Q2, 2023 production results on August 2 and August 11 respectively. Guanajuato Silver commenced a high-grade pillars exploitation program at its la Valenciana Mine Complex in Guanajuato. Gold Resource reported Q2 and H1, 2023 production results from Don David Gold Mine in Oaxaca. Guanajuato Silver announced Q2, 2023 consolidated production results from their Mexican mine operations. ON FINANCING, GR Silver announced a non-brokered private placement to raise total gross proceeds of up to $1M (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Bear Creek communicated that it plans to conduct a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $8.2M (Mercedes Mine, Sonora). Heliostar closed its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of approximately $7M (Ana Paula project, Guerrero). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold reported on the proposed SART Zn Circuit for its Parral Tailings Project in Chihuahua. Prime Mining released results from 9 holes drilled at its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Sonoro identified oxide mineralized target for resource expansion at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Vizsla announced results from 20 expansion drill holes targeting the Copala Resource Area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Torex presented assay results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Limon-Guajes underground mine in Guerrero.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Almaden granted stock options to directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Company (Ixtaca project, Puebla). Azucar granted stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company (El Cobre, Veracruz). GR Silver announced Board and Management changes (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Monumental Minerals reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Jemi Rare Earth Element project, Coahuila). Colibri reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Pilar project, Sonora). Regency Silver announced that it has engaged Kin Communications to assist with its investor relations activities (Dios Padre project, Sonora). (ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Industrias Peñoles confirmed that it promotes a culture of environmental care in communities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., dropped several of its legacy projects in Mexico (Yago and Las Lajas projects in Nayarit and San Luis Potosi States respectively), “where exploration progress is challenged by numerous impediments to timely progress”.  
  • Galore Resources Inc., announced that due to some recent changes in the mining laws, enacted by the Mexican Government, Galore employed the services of a Law firm in Mexico to file an Amparo (injunction). “An Amparo is a constitutional remedy that protects individuals and entities against violations of their constitutional rights, in which this Amparo is the only legal remedy to challenge the constitutionality of the new mining laws.  In the case of the Mining Concessionaires, it is important to exercise this right and obtain a resolution to make sure the authority will respect rights of previous concessions”.
  • In 2022, the production of zinc, one of the six main metals that Mexico produces for its internal use and for export, was reduced because the federal authorities decided to reduce the operations of the mines. According to the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), the 2022 national mining production registered 744,324 tons, showing a decrease because in Zacatecas Newmont’s Peñasquito project reduced its tonnage to 34,473, while Fresnillo plc’s El Saucito project also limited its production to 9,054 tons less. In addition, the mines La Platosa owned by Excellon Resources, La Cienega owned by Fresnillo plc and Velardeña owned by Industrias Peñoles decreased their volumes by 40.6%, 15.5% and 4.6%, respectively. Chihuahua is another state whose production decreased with Grupo Mexico’s Santa Barbara project, which registered 20,696 tons, 11.5% lower than the previous year; and San Francisco del Oro from Minera Frisco with 17,923 tons, 4.3% less compared to 2021. Other states in which their mines decreased their production were: San Luis Potosí, with Charcas from Grupo Mexico, with an annual decrease of 16.4%; in Aguascalientes, Asientos of Minera Frisco, with 11.3%; in the State of Mexico, Tizapa with 5.9%, and in Guerrero with Capela, with 5.4%, both from Industrias Peñoles. Also, located in Guerrero, Luca Mining’s Campo Morado reduced its production by 23.2%. Zacatecas continued to be the most important, since its participation represented 48.4% of the national total and meant an increase of 1% compared to 2021. Durango was in second place in zinc mining production, but reduced its production by 2.2% in 2022 compared to 2021, due to lower production in Santiago Papasquiaro of 16.3%. While Chihuahua was positioned in third place, where production remained unchanged compared to 2021; the largest reduction in state tonnage was due to the municipality of San Francisco del Oro. “By company, Newmont was the largest national zinc producer in 2022, with a 23% share. The four most important companies of national origin that participate in the extraction of this metal are: Industrias Peñoles, Fresnillo plc, Grupo Mexico and Minera Frisco, which represented 50% of the total last year”, the document reiterates. CAMIMEX assured that there are projects that will boost the growth of zinc production in Mexico in the next five years and that, if they are taken advantage of, they could place Mexico among the top five producers worldwide. The foregoing would also mean a recovery of the industry after the impact of the pandemic and the impact on mineral prices. Among the main projects with this metal content in Mexico, Grupo Mexico’s Buenavista Zinc in Sonora stands out, as well as the San Nicolas development of Agnico Eagle-Teck in Zacatecas.

 

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., Vizsla Silver Corp., and Prime Mining Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of July, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION  

  • Canuc Resources Corporation acquired an additional 96.5051 hectares claim contiguous with the company´s existing claims at its San Javier project in Sonora. This claim covers prospective ground and the acquisition of this additional claim brings the company´s total contiguous claim position to 1,052.9 hectares comprised in 28 claims.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation submitted an application to the Mexican environmental agency (SEMARNAT) to drill up to 2,000 additional meters of RC in the Main Zone and West El Sahuaro at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The plan is to drill 1,200m at the Main Zone and 800m at the West Sahuaro Zone.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., commenced a drilling program at its Jemi Rare Earth Element (REE) project in Coahuila. The program begun on the first drill target on the Veladora North prospect with the goal of testing areas with high concentrations of REE-mineralized dykes and sills at the surface. Monumental is planning to test a total of 6 drill targets to approximately 300 m each during this maiden campaign.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an update of the current drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. The Company has completed 1,239m of drilling in seven holes, with the 8th hole in progress. The company expects to release assay results from the first seven holes during the week of July 17.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., presented results from four additional holes drilled at its la Tigra project in Nayarit. Drilling highlights include hole LTDH005 with 2.49 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (2.60 g/t AuEq) over 20m, including 4.26 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag (4.45 g/t AuEq) over 10.7m; and hole LTDH-006 with 7.11 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (7.25 g/t AuEq) over 5.95m, including 24.35 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (24.49 g/t AuEq) over 1.6m.

 ON MINING

  • Aura Minerals Inc., reported Q2, 2023 production results from its Aranzazu Mine in Zacatecas. The company produced 25,192 Oz AuEq, a 4% lower compared to Q2, 2022 due to metal prices.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2023 consolidated and mine-by-mine production results from their Mexican mine operations. The tables below  show consolidated and mine-by-mine figures for the period Q2, 2023 and a comparative to Q2, 2022:
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q2, 2023 production results from its San Jose Mine in Oaxaca. The company milled 194,887 tonnes of 168 g/t Ag and 1.02 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 90.83% and 90.24% respectively to produce 957.3K Oz Ag and 5,778 Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q2, 2023 production results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. The company produced 203.9K Oz Ag, 1,512 Oz Au, and 302.4K Lb Cu (375.1K Oz AgEq).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., reported Q2, 2023 production results from its Camino Rojo Mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 1,787,125 tonnes of 0.76 g/t Au and processed 1,729,374 tonnes of 0.77 g/t Au to produce 29,058 Oz Au. The company sold 29,773 Oz Au. As at June 30, 2023, Orla had a cash position of $114.5M.
  • Capstone Copper Corp., and Argonaut Gold Inc., commented that they will release their Q2, 2023 production results from their Mexican mine operations on August 2 and August 11 respectively.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., commenced a high-grade pillars exploitation program at its la Valenciana Mine Complex in Guanajuato.  The Valenciana Mines Complex has hundreds of small and large mining pillars located throughout an underground mine network that extends over 4km in strike length and 700m in vertical extent The Company estimates that that there are a minimum of 50 high-grade pillars that have the potential to be extracted as part of this program. Pillars are evaluated for their extraction suitability and mineral potential using the polygon method that calculates the volume, grade and tonnage for each pillar structure.
  • Gold Resource Corporation reported Q2 and H1, 2023 production results from Don David Gold Mine in Oaxaca. Figures are shown in the table below:

Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced Q2, 2023 consolidated production results from their Mexican mine operations. Production results are generated from the Company’s wholly owned El Cubo Mines Complex, Valenciana Mines Complex, and San Ignacio Mine in Guanajuato, Mexico, and the Topia Mine in Durango, Mexico. Figures are shown in the table below:

ON FINANCING

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement of units to raise total gross proceeds of up to $1M. Each unit will consist of one common share of the company and one-half (½) of one common share purchase warrant.  Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the company at a price of $0.12 at any time on or before that date which is 24 months after the closing date of the offering. Gross proceeds will be used for advancement of studies on the company’s Plomosas Project and for general working capital.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation communicated that it plans to conduct a non-brokered private placement of 16,725,000 common shares at a price of CAD $0.49 per share for gross proceeds of up to CAD $8.2M. Gross proceeds will be used for exploration and production improvements at its Mercedes gold mine Sonora, and for general corporate purposes.  
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., closed its previously announced private placement of 9,990,200 units of the company at a price of $0.37 per unit for gross proceeds of approximately $7M. Gross proceeds will be used to continue the exploration and development work on its Ana Paula project in Guerrero, as well as for general corporate working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported on the proposed SART Zn Circuit for its Parral Tailings Project in Chihuahua. Highlights include  a saleable Zn precipitate to be added to the revenue stream; regeneration of approximately 750 tons of cyanide per quarter; anticipated to generate net increased cash flows of $1.5M per quarter; Zn Circuit capital expenditure estimated at $2M over 6 month construction period; project payback expected within 6 months after construction; construction of the Zn Circuit is independent of current SART operations, therefore no interruption to current operations is expected; Parral up to end of its mine life will be a producer of Ag, Au, Cu, and Zn.
  • Prime Mining Corp., released results from 9 holes drilled at the Noche Buena  Zone located in the southeastern most end of the Central Area at its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (estimated true widths reported) include hole 23NB-46 with 4.11 g/t Au and 68 g/t Ag (4.99 g/t AuEq) over 9.1m, including 31.40 g/t Au and 470 g/t Ag (37.48 g/t AuEq) over 1.1m; hole 23NB-39 with 1.23 g/t Au and 21 g/t Ag (1.50 g/t AuEq) over 14m, including 4.19 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag (5.17 g/t AuEq) over 2m, and hole 23NB-40 with 1.86 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag (2.25 g/t AuEq) over 5.7m, including 4.75 g/t Au and 68 g/t Ag (5.62 g/t AuEq) over 1.4m.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., identified oxide mineralized target for resource expansion at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. “Surface sampling and detailed geologic mapping completed in the northwest region of the property demonstrate three linear structural corridor repetitions with anomalous gold, silver and base metal mineralization, as well as a fourth visually inferred corridor”. Geological mapping and sampling conducted on these areas suggest the potential expansion of the project’s oxide gold mineralized zones and resource.  
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., announced results from 20 expansion drill holes targeting the Copala Resource Area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true width reported) include hole CS-23-297 with 310 g/t Ag and 2.32 g/t Au (445 g/t AgEq) over 18.5m; hole CS-23-290 with 565 g/t Ag and 3.48 g/t Au (760 g/t AgEq) over 5.05m, including 2,838 g/t Ag and 12.29 g/t Au (3,469 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole CS-23-286 with 417 g/t Ag and 3.74 g/t Au (640 g/t AgEq) over 4.8m, including 1,585 g/t Ag and 16.2 g/t Au (2,568 g/t AgEq) over 0.68m; and hole CS-23-294 with 6,880 g/t Ag and 16.5 g/t Au (7,512 g/t AgEq) over 1m. These results expand the Copala mineralized footprint laterally by ~370m to the southeast and ~50m to the north.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., presented assay results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Limon-Guajes underground mine in Guerrero, including zones referred as El Limon Deep, Sub-Sill, Sub-Sill South, El Limon Sur Deep, and El Limon West (collectively El Limon-Guajes Underground). The best drill intercepts were encountered in hole LS-220 with 88.61 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, and 0.04% Cu (88.92 g/t AuEq) over 14.46m, including 75.53 g/t Au, 30 g/t Ag, and 0.04% Cu (75.97 g/t AuEq) over 2m, including 757.86 g/t Au, 126 g/t Ag, and 0.04% Cu (759.47 g/t AuEq) over 1.29m; hole LS-221 with 9.86 g/t Au, 42 g/t Ag, and 0.52% Cu (11.2 g/t AuEq) over 29.38m, including 25.21 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu (26.06 g/t AuEq) over4.55m, including 25.61 g/t Au, 108 g/t Ag, and 1.27% Cu (28.98 g/t AuEq) over 3.38m, plus 11.84 g/t Au, 74 g/t Ag, and 3.93% Cu (19.03 g/t AuEq) over 13.31m, including 21.18 g/t Au, 94 g/t Ag, and 3.72% Cu (28.29 g/t AuEq) over 5.5m. “These drill results, which include several higher-grade sub-intervals in addition to other impressive intersects, validate the high grade potential associated with the area that runs from El Limón Sur Deep to the La Flaca fault (600 m), known as the El Limón Sur Trend, with potential to extend deeper”. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Company to purchase an aggregate 1,110,800 common shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.28 per share expiring on July 10, 2028.  (Ixtaca project, Puebla).  
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company to purchase 1,060,800 common shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 per share which expire on July 10, 2028. (El Cobre, Veracruz).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced Board and Management changes aiming to position the company for continued growth under current market conditions. The company announced the resignations of one of its Directors and the CFO, and announced the appointment of two new Directors to its Board of Directors, and the return to the company of Mr. Blaine Bailey as interim CFO (former CFO retired in May 2023) (Plomosas project, Sinaloa).
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Jemi Rare Earth Element project, Coahuila).
  • Colibri Resources Corporation reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Pilar project, Sonora).
  • Regency Silver Corp., announced that it has engaged Kin Communications Inc., to assist with its investor relations activities, “including communicating with, and marketing to, potential investors, shareholders, and media contacts for a period of 12 months. In consideration for the services, the Company has agreed to pay Kin CAD $15K per month plus GST for the initial 12-month period. In addition, the Company has granted Kin stock options entitling it to purchase 500K of the Company’s common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share with a five-year term (Dios Padre project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., confirmed that it promotes a culture of environmental care in communities, for which the company periodically implements a series of activities with its collaborators and with the communities in which it operates. More than five thousand people from 42 communities close to the mine operations attended the activities, including: training for personnel and contractors; talks in educational centers of basic and upper secondary level; sports activities; reforestation of community properties; donation of endemic tree species from each region; cleaning days in the communities; and eco-fairs and recreational activities.

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

On the picture above, a REDOX front in a Red-Bed Cu prospect in Tamaulipas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment
Quartz Vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 8th week of the year (February 21st to February 27th, 2022), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 6 news published by the media, with eight reporting resources and developments of their properties, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, four informing on exploration results, three discussing social issues, three communicating production results, three announcing financial issues, and three commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Magna Gold announced that after several inspections at its San Francisco mine in Sonora, the suspension of the crushing and laboratory areas has been lifted. Mexico was the largest silver producer country in 2021. Marisol Barragán swore in as President of the Mexico City District of Mujeres WIM Mexico.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec-Kootenay JV released results from the ongoing RC drilling program conducted at the Cervantes project, and Ranchero Gold released the final results from its recently completed phase 1 drill program at its Maíz Azul prospect within its Santa Daniela project.  In Chihuahua, Radius announced results from its ongoing drill program at its Amalia project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre informed that it received the drilling permit from the Mexican Federal Environmental Permitting Agency (SEMARNAT) and entered into formal surface rights exploration agreement with the surface owners for its La Tigra project.  ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver provided silver production guidance for 2022 for its Cosala Operations in Sinaloa. Orla provided a 2022 production, operating costs, capital costs, and exploration spending guidance for the full year 2022 for its Camino Rojo property, Zacatecas. Equinox Gold reported Q4 and full year 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. ON FINANCING, Golden Tag increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement by up to 5M unit for aggregate proceeds of up to 1.25M (San Diego project, Durango). Pan American Silver declared dividend to shareholders of $0.12 per common share (La Colorada mine, Zacatecas). Gold Resource declared Q1, 2022 dividend to shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Dollar announced that it completed a 2,424 m drill program in 11 holes at its La Joya project in Durango. Silver Tiger informed that it will commence the rehabilitation of the historic El Tigre mine. Alamos Gold updated mineral reserves and resources as of December 31, 2021 (Mulatos Mine, Sonora). Pan American Silver released results for 20 new infill and exploration holes drilled at its la Colorada mine in Zacatecas. Prime Mining announced results from its first drill program at the Guadalupe West deposit within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Stroud commenced its phase 2 diamond drilling program at its Santo Domingo project in Jalisco. Mithril reported positive results from the metallurgical testwork conducted at its Copalquin project in Durango. Newmont reported mineral reserves and resources for their Peñasquito and Noche Buena properties in Zacatecas.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Benjamin Hill granted options to directors, officers and a consultant (Sonora Gold project, Sonora). Monumental announced the appointment of its CEO (Jemi project, Coahuila). Orla Mining announced the appointment of its Chief Sustainability Officer (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas). SSR informed that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Pitarrilla silver project in Durango to Endeavour. Riverside signed an agreement with Agnico Eagle for the sale of the Pima property located in Sonora. Sierra Metals announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). Great Panther announced senior management changes (Topia mine, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Esperanza Silver supported the first generation of the education program in Morelos. Grupo México offered employment to 100 women in Santa Bárbara, Chihuahua. Minera Peñasquito delivered the remodeling and rehabilitation of a plaza to the community of Nuevo Peñasco, Mazapil in Zacatecas.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Magna Gold Corp., announced that after several inspections at its San Francisco mine in Sonora, the suspension of the crushing and laboratory areas has been lifted.
  • Mexico was the largest silver producer country in 2021 with 5,600 tonnes, followed by China with 3,400 tonnes and by Peru with 3,000 tonnes.
  • Marisol Barragán swore in as President of the Mexico City District of Mujeres WIM Mexico, with the primary purpose of boosting initiatives that promote equal opportunities and working conditions for women in the mining industry in Mexico,

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp – Kootenay Silver Inc JV released results from the ongoing RC drilling program conducted at the Cervantes project. Drilling highlights include hole CAL22-004 with 1 g/t Au over 167.2m, including 4.25 g/t Au over 24.4m; hole CAL22-002 with 0.37 g/t Au over 99.1m; and hole CAL22-003 with 0.45 g/t Au over 45.7m, including 0.87 g/t Au over 13.7m. Gold appears to be widely distributed in disseminations, fractures and veinlets within quartz-feldspars porphyry, feldspar porphyry stocks, and related hydrothermal breccias.
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., released the final results from its recently completed phase 1 drill program at its Maíz Azul prospect within its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. The drill program consisted of 3,122m in 16 holes. Hole MA22-25 intersected 1.2 g/t Au over 15.6m at the La Colmena target. The company will update its geological mapping to further identify new structures that control mineralization. It also will plan the phase II drill program with the goal of expanding the newly discovered gold mineralization as well as testing additional targets including the X-structure. 
  • Radius Gold Inc., announced results from its ongoing drill program at El Cuervo area within its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Drill highlights include hole AMDD21-47 with 167 g/t Ag and 0.54 g/t Au over 96m, including 232 g/t Ag and 0.65 g/t Au over 61.20m, including 290 g/t Ag and 0.8 g/t Au over 45.20m, including 302 g/t Ag and 1.13 g/t Au over 17.35m, including 592 g/t Ag and 0.65 g/t Au over 7.35m, including 438 g/t Ag and 1.12 g/t Au over 7.85m; and hole AMDD21-46 with 44 g/t Ag and 0.13 g/t Au over 31m, including 158 g/t Ag and 0.49 g/t Au over 3.7m, including 233 g/t Ag and 0.31 g/t Au over 1.7m, and 203 g/t Ag and 0.53 g/t Au over 3.50m, including 381 g/t Ag and 1.31 g/t Au over 1.1m.  “The initial drilling at El Cuervo has confirmed a significant mineralized system and drilling is ongoing to define the size potential”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., informed that it received the drilling permit from the Mexican Federal Environmental Permitting Agency (SEMARNAT) authorizing the use of 30 drill pads within its La Tigra project in Nayarit. The company also informed that it entered into formal surface rights exploration agreement with the ejido Santa Maria Picachos, the surface owners at La Tigra project that allows for the commencement of the drilling program.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation provided silver production guidance for 2022 for its Cosala Operations in Sinaloa. Silver production from the Cosala Operations in 2022 is forecast to be between 0.7 to 0.9M Oz Ag, 13-15M Lb Pb, and 36 to 40M Lb Zn. “
  • Orla Mining Ltd., provided a 2022 production, operating costs, capital costs, and exploration spending guidance for the full year 2022 for its Camino Rojo property, Zacatecas. The company expects to produce from Camino Rojo over 90-100K Oz Au for the full year 2022 with an AISC of USD $600-700 per Oz Au sold. Total sustaining cost and exploration spending are expected to total USD $5M and USD $10M respectively.
  • Equinox Gold Corporation reported Q4 and full year 2021 production and financial results from their Los Filos and Mercedes mines located in Guerrero and Sonora respectively. At Los Filos mine, Guerrero, Equinox mined 3.4M tonnes of 0.77 g/t Au (open pit) and 162K tonnes of 3.11 g/t Au (underground) to produce 54.7K Oz Au. It sold 55,144 Oz Au during Q4, 2021 and reported revenue of USD $98.8M, and cash and AISC of USD $1,311 and USD $1,433 per Oz Au sold respectively. For the full year, the company mined 7.09M tonnes of 0.71 g/t Au (open pit) and 519K tonnes of 3.23 g/t Au to produce 144.1K Oz Au. It sold 143.8K Oz Au during the full year 2021, and reported revenue of USD $257.2M, and cash and AISC of USD $1,575 and USD $1,753 per Oz Au sold. Equinox provided production and guidance cost for 2022. It expects to produce between 160-180KOz Au at cash and AISC of USD $1400-1600 and USD $1,625-1,700 per Oz Au sold respectively. At Mercedes mine, Sonora, the company mined 125K tonnes and processed 161K tonnes of 2.30 g/t Au during Q4, 2021 to produce 11,35K Oz Au. It sold 10.3K Oz Au and reported revenue of USD $18.9M and cash and AISC of USD $1,091 and USD $1,584 respectively. For the full year, the company mined 348K tonnes and processed 398K tonnes of 2.59 g/t Au to produce 31.8K Oz Au, It sold 30.9K Oz Au, and reported revenue of USD $56.9M , and cash and AISC of USD $966 and USD $1,357 per Oz Au respectively. On Dec 16, 2021, Equinox entered into an agreement to sell Mercedes mine to Bear Creek.

ON FINANCING

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement by up to 5M unit for aggregate proceeds of up to $1.25M. The company plans to use the gross proceeds to fund advancement of its San Diego project in Durango.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., declared dividend of $0.12 per common share under new dividend policy. The cash dividend of $0.12 per common share, or approximately $25.3M in aggregate cash dividends, is payable on or about March 21, 2022 (La Colorada mine, Zacatecas).
  • Gold Resource Corporation declared its quarterly dividend of $0.01 per common share for Q1, 2022 to shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., announced that it completed a 2,424 m drill program in 11 holes on the Noria portion at its La Joya project in Durango. Aim of the drill program was target development and testing for possible structural extensions of known mineralized zones identified in historical drilling. Assays are pending and drilling is on standby until the company receives assay results and gets an interpretation.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., informed that it has contracted Cominvi, an underground mine contractor, to commence the rehabilitation of the historic El Tigre mine. “Initial rehabilitation will begin on the Level 7 main entry to the Historic El Tigre Mine to allow access to the Sooy Vein, El Tigre Vein and the Seitz Kelly Vein in contemplation of underground channel sampling, drilling and bulk sampling on those veins and the black shale horizon”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., updated mineral reserves and resources as of December 31, 2021. The company increased its mineral reserves at Mulatos mine 14% to 1.5M Oz Au (29.4M tonnes of 1.64 g/t Au) with a 32% increase in grades reflecting the addition of higher-grade underground mineral reserves at Puerto del Aire, which is adjacent to the main Mulatos pit. The company reported proven + probable reserves for 29.36M tonnes of 1.64 g/t Au for a total of 1.54M Oz Au contained. It also reported Measured + Indicated resources for 8.2M tonnes of 1.34 g/t Au for a total of 353K Oz Au and Inferred resources for 1.72M tonnes of 1.06 g/t Au for a total of 59K Oz Au contained. The remaining mineral reserve mine of life of the Mulatos district is approximately six years as of December 31, 2021 (excluding the underground mineral reserves of Puerto del Aire Deposit.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., released results for 20 new infill and exploration holes drilled at its la Colorada mine in Zacatecas. Drill highlights include hole U-83-21 with 64 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 3.8% Zn over 322.85m, including 178 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 4.3% Pb, and 6.3% Zn over 64.90m; hole S-73-21 with 76 g/t Ag, 0.36% Cu, 4.2% Pb, and 9.5% Zn over 78.55m, including 91 g/t Ag, 0.46% Cu, 5.2% Pb, and 11.4% Zn over 58.1m; hole D-73-01-21 with 79 g/t Ag, 0.29% Cu, 2.2% Pb, and 5.7% Zn over 159 m, including 112 g/t Ag, 0.45% Cu, 3.2% Pb, and 8.1% Zn over 99.2m; hole D-71-01-21 with 48 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 3% Pb, and 5.8% Zn over 44.65m, including 100 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 7.3% Pb, and 7.1% Zn over 15.95m; hole D71-03-21 with 60 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 2.1% Pb, and 3.2% Zn over 22.1m, and 42 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 1.2% Pb, and 3.9% Zn over 55.60m, and 91 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 4.8% Pb, and 8% Zn over 191.85m; and hole D-21-02-21 with 59 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 1.2% Pb, and 3.8% Zn over 219.90m, including 51 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 2% Pb, and 6.1% Zn over 91.3m.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced results from its first drill program at the Guadalupe West deposit within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Twelve new holes, of which seven were diamond holes and 5 were RC holes are reported and drill highlights include hole 21GW-12R with 1.68 g/t Au and 26 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 19.8m; hole 21GW-07 with 1.6 g/t Au and 50 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.6m, and 1.92 g/t Au and 34 g/t Ag over a TW of 17.7m; hole 21GW-02 with 1.82 g/t Au and 52 g/t Ag over 4.8m, and 0.53 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over a TW of 27.6m; hole 21GW-01 with 1.08 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.6m; and hole 21GW-11R with 0.9 g/t Au and 63 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.3m.
  • Stroud Resources Ltd., commenced its phase 2 diamond drilling program, which will consist of 3,500m targeting the newly discovered Zopilotes Vein, the Guadalupe Vein, and the La Raya Vein, within its Santo Domingo project in Jalisco. “The company’s current drilling permit covers 13 drill pads (drill setups) located across the property. A second drilling permit will be submitted seeking additional drill pad locations to facilitate further delineation of the three known mineralized vein systems and other exploration targets”. 
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., reported positive results from the metallurgical testwork conducted at its Copalquin project in Durango. The company reported that the final overall recoveries after leaching of the flotation products were 96.5% for gold and 96.1% for silver.
  • Newmont Corporation reported mineral reserves and resources for their Peñasquito and Noche Buena properties in Zacatecas as of December 31, 2021. At Peñasquito, Zacatecas, Newmont reported Proven Reserves of 115M tonnes of 0.61 g/t Au, 38 g/t Ag, 0.9% Zn, and 0.4% Pb for a total of 2.25M Oz Au, 141.5M Oz Ag, 2.38 B Lb Zn, and 940M Lb Pb and Probable Reserves of 247M tonnes of 0.51 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.7% Zn, and 0.3% Pb for a total of 4.08M Oz Au, 252.4M Oz Ag, 3.87 B Lb Zn, and 1.64 B Lb Pb. Proven + Probable Reserves are 362M tonnes of 0.54 g/t Au, 34 g/t Ag, 0.8% Zn, and 0.3% Pb for a total of 6.33M Oz Au, 393.9M Oz Ag, 6.25 B Lb Zn, and 2.58 B Lb Pb. Measured Resources are 31.4M tonnes of 0.27 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag, 0.7% Zn, and 0.3% Pb for a total of 280K Oz Au, 26M Oz Ag, 460M Lb Zn, and 200M Lb Pb, and Indicated Resources of 176.6M tonnes of 0.27 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag, 0.6% Zn, and 0.3% Pb for a total of 1.5M Oz Au, 149.6M Oz Ag, 2.2 B Lb Zn, and 1.02 B Lb Pb. Measured + Indicated Resources are  208M tonnes of 0.27g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag, 0.6%Zn, and 0.3% Pb for a total of 1.78M Oz Au, 175.6M Oz Ag, 2.69 B Lb Zn, and 1.23 B Lb Pb. Inferred Resources are 89.8M tonnes of 89.8M tonnes of 0.4 g/t Au, 28 g/t Ag, 0.5% Zn, and 0.2% Pb for a total of 1.16M Oz Au, 80.84M Oz Ag, 1.07 B Lb Zn, and 480M Lb Pb. At Noche Buena, Zacatecas (50% attributable to Newmont), it reported Indicated Resources of 21M tonnes of 0.37 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag for a total of 250K Oz Au and 9.4M Oz Ag, and Inferred Resources of 1.6M tonnes of 1.07 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag for a total of 230K Oz Au and 570K Oz Ag. Resources are reported exclusive of Reserves.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., granted 1.4.M options exercisable at $0.44 per common share of which 980K options granted to directors/officers shall have a term of 5 years, and 500K options granted to a consultant shall have a term of 2 years (Sonora Gold project, Sonora).
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced the appointment of its CEO (Jemi project, Coahuila).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its Chief Sustainability Officer, effective march 1, 2022 (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).
  • SSR Mining Inc., informed that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Pitarrilla silver project in Durango to Endeavour Silver Corp., for a total consideration of up to USD $127M. This consideration includes USD $35M in cash, USD $35M in Endeavour shares, and a 1.25% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty on the Pitarrilla property.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., signed an agreement with Agnico Eagle for the sale of the Pima property located in Sonora. Riverside will receive cash and completes the pass through royalty transfer with Millrock Resources Inc. 
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
  • Great Panther Mining Limited informed about the resignation of its President and CEO and announced the appointment of his replacement on an interim basis (Topia mine, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Esperanza Silver, supported the first generation of 14 people between women and men who accredited the upper secondary level as a results of an alliance in favor of the education integrated for inhabitants of the community of San Agustin Tetlama and Esperanza Silver.
  • Grupo México offered employment to 100 women in Santa Bárbara, Chihuahua. Andrés Torres, general secretary of the Section 11 Miners’ Union reported that by 2022 there is a goal of employing a hundred women in the different areas of the companies.
  • Minera Peñasquito (Newmont) delivered the inhabitants of the community of Nuevo Peñasco, belonging to Ejido Cedros, in Mazapil, the remodeling and rehabilitation of their plaza, as part of Newmont Peñasquito’s commitment to creating shared value in the communities in its area of influence. Additionally, the company provided 27 trees of different species, the same that were planted throughout the square.

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

On the picture above, a quartz vein from a low sulphidation epithermal vein project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment
Banded quartz vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 6th week of the year (February 7th to February 13th, 2022), at least 18 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 3 news published by the media, with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, six informing on exploration results, four discussing social issues, three communicating production results, one disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one announcing financial issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri reported assays received from its ongoing RC drill program at its Evelyn project, and La Reyna commenced a 10,000m drill program at its La Gloria project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre announced the commencement of its Phase II drill program at its Tepic project.  In Zacatecas, Alien Metals informed that it has been granted with all the necessary statutory and local permits to be legally able to commence drilling on its Donovan 2, Los Campos and San Celso permits.  In Jalisco, Stroud presented drill results from its Santo Domingo project. ON MINING, GoGold announced Q1, 2022, for the three months ended December 31, 2021 (Parral tailings project, Chihuahua). Avino provided its outlook for 2022. Minera Alamos provided a 2021 year-end summary of the ramp-up of mining activities at its Santana mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Kootenay entered into a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $4M (Columba project, Chihuahua). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Impact Silver completed Phase 2 of the Veta Negra drill program in its Zacualpan mining district in Mexico State. Silver Tiger presented results from its ongoing drill program on the Seitz Kelly Vein at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Zacatecas Silver provided an update on its ongoing drilling activities at the Panuco deposit and San Gil Breccia within its Zacatecas property. Fabled provided a summary of the exploration work carried out at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. Discovery Silver released results from 23 holes from its Phase 2 drill program at its Cordero project, Chihuahua. GR Silver presented channel and drill results from the Loma Dorada – La Colorada Vein System, within its Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Great Panther updated mineral resource estimates for their Topia and Guanajuato mines.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Monarca Minerals announced management changes (San Jose project, Chihuahua).   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Grupo México continues to firmly support Cananea against COVID-19. Fundación Grupo México launched a contest to present high-impact projects for the solution of social and/or environmental problems. Peñoles and Fresnillo plc promote the participation of girls and women in science.  Minera Cuzcatlán achieved 91% recycling and use of urban solid waste and special handling in 2021.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation reported assays received from its ongoing RC drill program at its Evelyn project in Sonora.- The best drill intercepts were encountered in holes EVE21-027 with 2.82 g/t Au over 14m, including 4.82 g/t Au over 8m, including 12.19 g/t Au over 3m, including 30 g/t Au over 1m; and hole EVE21-019 with 2.36 g/t Au over 15m, including 33.7 g/t Au over 1m. Colibri is in the process of executing a fully funded 10,000 metre RC drill program on the Evelyn Gold Project.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., commenced a Phase 1, 10,000m drill program at its La Gloria project in Sonora. The aim of the initial drilling will be to explore for extensions of known mineralization from the Main Zone and El Sombrero targets.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced the commencement of its Phase II drill program at its Tepic project in Nayarit. The company increased its permitted drill pads from 47 to 182 drill pads with the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SEMARNAT). This will allow Sierra Madre to potentially drill in excess of 300 holes, utilizing the same drill pads with offset drilling. The company has already secured exploration agreements with all surface owners in the areas to be drilled.
  • Alien Metals Ltd., informed that it has been granted with all the necessary permissions to commence drilling on its Los Campos and San Celso Silver Projects and the Donovan 2 Copper-Gold Project in Zacatecas.
  • Stroud Resources Ltd., presented drill results from its Santo Domingo project in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole SD-21-49 on Guadalupe Vein with 0.32 g/t Au and 70 g/t Ag (94 g/t AgEq) over 2.15m, plus 0.01 g/t Au and 624 g/t Ag (625 g/t AgEq) over 1.55m, and plus 0.13 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag /52 g/t AgEq) over 2.70m; hole SD-21-52 on La Raya Vein with 1.11 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag (196 g/t AgEq) over 15.10m, including 1.36 g/t Au and 137 g/t Ag (240 g/t AgEq) over 10.5m, including 3.07 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag (360 g/t AgEq) over 2.70m; and hole SD-21-57 on Guadalupe Vein with 0.5 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag (176 g/t AgEq) over 4.55m, plus 0.18 g/t Au and 50 g/t Ag (64 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m, plus 1.05 g/t Au and 197 g/t Ag (276 g/t AgEq) over 6.10m, including 2.02 g/t Au and 362 g/t Ag (513 g/t AgEq) over 3.05m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 65 g/t Ag (68 g/t AgEq) over 1.05m, plus 0.31 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (59 g/t AgEq) over 7.9m, including 0.63 g/t Au and 61 g/t Ag (108 g/t AgEq) over 2.9m, plus 0.82 g/t Au and 67 g/t Ag (137 g/t AgEq) over 3.40m, including 1.72 g/t Au and 102 g/t Ag (231 g/t AgEq) over a.a5m, plus 0.07 g/t Au and 53 g/t Ag (59 g/t AgEq) over 10m, including 0.08 g/t Au and 57 g/t Ag (63 g/t AgEq) over 8m, plus .6 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag (65 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m. “The company is currently updating its planned Phase 2 drilling program and will refine the program as the balance of assay results is received. Remaining assays from the 2021 drilling program will be reported as they continue to be released from the laboratory. Phase 2 drilling is expected to start soon, with initial assay results expected by the end of Q1 2022”.

ON MINING

  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced Q1, 2022, for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The company reported revenues of USD $8.9M from the sale of 195.7K Oz Ag and 2,558 Oz Au (401,214 Oz AgEq) from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua.  Cash and AISC were USD $13.51 and USD $18.58 per Oz AgEq respectively.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., provided its outlook for 2022. The company will continue with the completion of the Dry Stack Tailing Storage Facility which will represent a cost of approximately $1M. The existing Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) will be used as the framework for an updated study, either at the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) level or at the Feasibility Study (FS) level. For 2022, Avino expects to process 600K tonnes to produce between 2.2-2.6M Oz AgEq. In exploration and evaluation, the company plans to drill approximately 15,000m on the Avino property and will target the areas below the current mining area at Avino (ET Area), the Bart vein located very close to the Avino workings as well as La Potosina. Additional holes may also be drilled on the Oxide Tailings Resource to determine if additional tonnage could be added to the existing 3.12M tonnes. 
  • Minera Alamos Inc., provided a 2021 year-end summary of the ramp-up of mining activities at its Santana mine in Sonora. The company reported that approximately 9,100 Oz Au were mined and stacked on the leach pad during the first phase of the project mining activities. Cumulative Au recovery from mineralization under leach for more than 30 days exceeds 70% with additional recovery ongoing. “Mining rates have approached the initial monthly targets of 100,000 tonnes of mineralized material from the Nicho Norte starter pit prior to the next phase of operations where production will ultimately expand to also include material from the main Nicho deposit”.

ON FINANCING

  • Kootenay Silver Inc., entered into a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $4M. Net proceeds will be used for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (Columba project, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Impact Silver Corp., completed Phase 2 of the Veta Negra drill program in its Zacualpan mining district in Mexico State. It consisted of eight holes for a total of 1,221m to test the mineralization below and to the south of the operating open pit. Drilling highlights include hole Z21-38 (Socorro Vein) with 428 g/t Ag, 0.25 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 1.5% Zn over a true width (TW) of 6.88m; hole Z21-39 (Veta Negra Vein) with 487 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over a TW of 12.97m; hole Z21-41 (Veta Negra) with 258 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a TW of 19.85m; and hole Z21-46 (El Socorro splay) with 457 g/t Ag, 0.63 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, and 3.8% Zn over a TW of2.29m.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented results from its ongoing drill program on the Seitz Kelly Vein at its El Tigre project in Sonora. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole ET-21-293 on the Seitz Kelly Hangingwall Vein with 0.03 g/t Au, 149 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (175 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 1,664 g/t Ag, 0.63% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,758 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus 0.05 g/t Au, 290 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (314 g/t AgEq) over 7.4m on Seitz Kelly Vein, including 0.17 g/t Au, 1,582 g/t Ag, 0.52% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (1,708 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., provided an update on its ongoing drilling activities at the Panuco deposit and San Gil Breccia within its Zacatecas property. The company has completed 29 angled holes at Panuco North, of which 15 are still with assays pending. Assays are also pending for 4 holes completed at northern splay of Panuco Central Vein. Zacatecas Silver also informed that at San Gil Breccia, 36 diamond drill pads were approved while at Panuco North, the approval for an additional 29 drill pads is expected within the next few weeks.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., provided a summary of the 2021 exploration work carried out at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. The company completed 50 surface diamond drill holes for a total of 13,693m, of which 36 were exploration holes and 14 were definition holes, and 21 underground diamond drill holes for a total of 2,091m. In summary, it has drilled 71 diamond drill holes (surface + underground) totalling 15,784m.  Fabled have taken 5,944 surface drill hole samples, 846, underground drill hole samples, and 120 surface exploration samples for a total of 6,900 samples collected. “Moving forwards the company will compile all the results from drilling, surface mapping and sampling, plus geophysical anomalies in preparation for the design and selection for a Phase 2 drill program. Phase 2 will not only seek to grow the mineralization as seen above but to also explore the eastern sector of the property which has yet to be drilled”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp., released results from 23 holes from its Phase 2 drill program at its Cordero project, Chihuahua. Highlights intercepts include hole C21-533 (NE Extension) with 24 g/t Ag, 0.24 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (91 g/t AgEq) over 16.4m, plus 99 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 1.9% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (247 g/t AgEq) over 49.9m, including 185 g/t Ag, 0.46 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, and 3.2% Zn (446 g/t AgEq) over 21.4m; hole C21-556 (South Corridor) with 37 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (114 g/t AgEq) over 43.6m, plus 61 g/t Ag, 0.07 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, and 4.8% Zn (288 g/t AgEq) over 46.8m, including 271 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 5.5% Pb, and 35.5% Zn (1,777 g/t AgEq) over 5.2m; hole C21-555 (South Corridor) with 28 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (101 g/t AgEq) over 113.6m, including 46 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 2.9% Zn (173 g/t AgEq) over 45.8m; and hole C21-545 (South Corridor) with 33 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, and  0.9% Zn (92 g/t AgEq) over 165m, plus 45 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1% Pb, and 1% Zn (119 g/t AgEq) over 25.7m, including 58 g/t Ag, 0.07 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (141 g/t AgEq) over 31.3m. “The Company has now completed 47,600 m (86 holes) as part of its Phase 2 drill program. Phase 2 drilling will continue through the remainder of the year and will be focused on three key areas: (1) Pre-Feasibility Study drilling consisting of reserve definition and engineering drilling; (2) resource expansion in the northeast of the deposit and at depth; and (3) initial drill testing of five property-wide targets on the Company’s extensive land package”.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., presented channel and drill results from the Loma Dorada – La Colorada Vein System, within its Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Highlights include hole LDS21-CH-014 with 244 g/t Ag and 16.45 g/t Au over 2.3m, including 358 g/t Ag and 6.71 g/t Au over a 1.2m; hole LDS21-CH-015 with 64 g/t Ag and 4.55 g/t Au over 1.9m, including 120 g/t Ag and 8.68 g/t Au over 0.6m; hole LDS21-01A with 25 g/t Ag and 0.36 g/t Au over 12.9m, including 82 g/t Ag and 1.78 g/t Au over 2.1m; and hole LDS21-06 with 9 g/t Ag and 0.21 g/t Au over 23.7m, including 60 g/t Ag and 1.35 g/t Au over 2m. “Drill results from the 2021 drilling program have extended several NNW-SSE trending Au-Ag veins over 600m strike length, and possibly connecting the Loma Dorada and La Colorada vein systems”. Surface channel sampling in the furthest NW portion of La Colorada returned  244 g/t Ag and 16.45 g/t Au over 2.3m  demonstrating attractive high-grade Au-Ag mineralization within the NW-SE trending vein system.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited updated mineral resource estimates for their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex (GMC), located in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. Mineral Resources Estimates for each mine are shown in the tables below:

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Monarca Minerals Inc., announced the resignation of its current President and CEO effective March 4, 2022, and the appointment of the replacement. Both members will remain as Directors of the company (San Jose project, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Grupo México continues to firmly support Cananea against COVID-19. The company donated more than 900 personal protection items to government institutions, civil society organizations and the City Hall of Cananea.
  • Fundación Grupo México launched a contest to present high-impact projects for the solution of social and/or environmental problems. Through the Foundation’s Institutional Support area, it seeks to implement this type of initiative with the aim of adding to the transformation of the cycle of traditional philanthropy, offering a procurement model that provides training, accompaniment, alliances and a novel funding source; thus contributing to creating a new vision of Corporate Social Responsibility and philanthropy.
  • Peñoles and Fresnillo plc promote the participation of girls and women in science. Peñoles and Fresnillo plc have sponsored teams throughout the country, whose members show an unparalleled passion for the challenge of developing robotics projects that represent an opportunity for social, economic and environmental improvement in their communities.
  • Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.) informed that the 460 tons  generated by the company of urban solid waste and special handling in 2021 were subjected to recycling and use processes, fulfilling the objective of caring for the environment, taking advantage of resources and protecting the health of the people, collaborators, and surrounding communities.

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

On the picture above, a banded quartz vein from a low sulphidation epithermal vein project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Secondary copper staining

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 2nd week of the year (January 10th to January 16th, 2022), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with eleven reporting resources and developments of their properties, six communicating production results, six informing on exploration results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, President of the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) stated that political risk causes a reduction in the mining investment in Mexico. Alfonso Durazo, governor of Sonora State declared that the Mining Fund program will be back in the state after it was frozen for a little more than three years. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Reyna Gold reported surface and trench sampling results from its La Gloria project, Colibri announced it has purchased a RC drilling rig to reduce drilling expenses, and Heliostar informed that its 5,000m drill program at its Cumaro project has recommenced after the Christmas break. In Chihuahua, Mammoth added additional drill contractor to its ongoing drill program at its Tenoriba project. Radius Gold and Riverside provided a review of 2021 and an update of their Mexican properties.  ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported December 2021 production results from its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa. Torex announced production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero for the full year 2021. Endeavour reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Golden Minerals reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Rodeo project, Durango. Equinox announced Q4, 2021 production from their Mexican operations and provided production guidance for the year 2022. Gatos Silver reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Prime announced results from 13 new holes drilled at the Noche Buena deposit within its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Avino provided results from its Phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Avino property in Durango. Capitan Mining reported results from six RC holes collared at its Peñoles project in Durango. Excellon released results from its underground drilling program conducted at the Platosa property in Durango.  Fabled released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. Zacatecas Silver received permits for 13 new drill pads and applied for permits on additional 27 drill pads at its Panuco deposit in Zacatecas.  Silver Dollar announced that exploration drilling has recommenced at its La Joya project, Durango. Oroco Resource reported results from eight drill holes collared at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Osisko released drill results on its San Antonio project in Sonora. GoGold release results from 13 drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Ranchero Gold announced the appointment of its President effective immediately (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Starcore announced the appointment of its new President and Director (San Martin mine, Queretaro). Capitan Mining entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a portfolio of royalties including a 2% royalty on the Capitan Gold oxide deposit in Durango. Endeavour entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Pitarrilla project in Durango State from SSR Mining. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) along with local municipal authorities delivered toys to more than 20,000 girls and boys from Oaxaca.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, President of the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) stated that political risk causes a reduction in the mining investment in Mexico.  The lack of legal certainty and a complex environment for obtaining licenses and concessions are holding back investment in the Mexico’s mining sector, despite the rise in metal prices. Actual spending was USD $4.25B, 15.6% below the original estimates, according to CAMIMEX. The figure is lower than the USD $4.67B in 2019 and is well below the high of USD $8.42B in 2012.  Due to the lack of mining concessions, investment opportunities of USD $25B are lost in the country. Currently, there are 29 applications detained in the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and 34 at the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). With an adequate legal framework and adequate incentives, mining activity could generate 50 thousand additional direct jobs and more than MXP $25B a year in addition to those already paid by mining. “The statements of the President (against mining), not granting mining concessions, denying access to information, making procedures increasingly slow, although the terms are established in the law, and the lack of personnel in the Mining Directorate General  have impeded the advancement of mining projects in the country”.
  • Alfonso Durazo, governor of Sonora State, declared that the Mining Fund program could be back in the state after it was frozen for a little more than three years by the Federal government. If the Mining Fund is back, the injection of resources into the entity in this 2022 will be greater than MXP $1,000M, same that will benefit the mining towns and incidentally will give a good respite to state public finances.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Reyna Gold Corp., reported surface and trench sampling results from its La Gloria project. To date, 1,252 sample results have been received from the Main Zone area where drilling will commence this coming February. A total of 555 samples out of 713 returned greater than 0.1 g/t Au, including 23 with greater than 5 g/t Au at Big Pit area. High grade values were encountered at Big Pit and Pique Viejo areas including values of 93.9 g/t Au, 36.2 g/t Au, 46.1 g/t Au, 24.4 g/t Au, 20.1 g/t Au. Other areas such as Las Quintas, Las Quintas West, San Pedro, and Alamo Muerto returned values of 20.1 g/t Au, 15.9 g/t Au, 13.3 g/t Au, 11.1 g/t Au, 13.6 g/t Au, and 9.3 g/t Au. Reyna Gold has already the drill permits to commence a drilling program at Big Pit and Pique Viejo areas in February, 2022. Sampling and mapping will continue in other target areas of the property.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced it has purchased a RC drilling rig and peripheral equipment to reduce drilling expenses and advance its exploration work at their Mexican properties.
  • Heliostar Metals limited informed that its 5,000m drill program at its Cumaro project has recommenced after the Christmas break. Heliostar reported that four holes totalling 428m were completed in December 2021. Results are pending and will be released in late February.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp., added additional drill contractor to its ongoing drill program at its Tenoriba project. The company reported that 4 holes collared at the Central-Masuparia area were completed prior to the Christmas break. Samples were cut and submitted to the lab. Results are pending. Last December, 2021, Mammoth announced the granting of an additional permit to cover an additional 183 drill hole locations, expanding the total number of permitted drill hole locations to 321 over the entire approximately 6-km trend of surface gold-silver mineralization at Tenoriba property, Chihuahua.
  • Radius Gold Inc., provided a review of 2021 and an update of their Mexican properties. At Amalia project. Chihuahua, 45 drill holes totalling 14,402m have been completed of which 10,588m in 31 holes were drilled in the Amalia Vein System and 3,814m in 14 holes were drilled in the California Vein System. Drilling has re-commenced at El Cuervo target with 3,500m of core drilling expected in the coming months. There are still several targets remaining to drill test including Oro Viejo, La Caverna, California SE, El Pozo and Palmillas. At Maricela project, Sonora, the company mapped and sampled the Au-Ag Epithermal Vein system, extending 1.5km long by 300m wide, within which occurs multiple veins, stockworks, and breccias. 576 samples have been collected with highlights including intervals of 4.46 g/t Au and 1,335 g/t Ag over 3m at la Baby Gloria Vein;  1.03 g/t Au and 418 g/t Ag over 63 at Silver Central Vein; and 0.31 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag over 25.3m at intersecting veins. At Plata Verde project, Chihuahua, Radius completed a geophysical survey. NP/Resistivity sections show significant structural zones extending to depth directly below the known large scale historic silver mines. Two priority targets for drilling have been generated. In addition, the company completed detail underground mapping and sampling of the historic Mina Real y Mina Mojonera. Radius is evaluating options to fund drilling later this year.
  • Riverside Resources inc., provided an outlook on the upcoming 2022 and informed on some of the achievements and milestones in 2021. Riverside plans to advance their exploration projects in Sonora. It plans to advance its La Union project in Sonora, where sampling results have returned up to  84 g/t Au and >1,500 g/t Ag in rock chip samples. On the exploration alliance with BHP, the company is progressing on 3 funded programs with spending of over USD $3M in the first 6 months of 2022, doing exploration on selected and defined projects, finalizing third party acquisitions, and advance work toward drilling. At Cecilia project, Sonora, along with its partner Carlyle, the objective is to complete further drilling which could define a possible mineralized body at depth around the Cerro Magallanes main dome. At Los Cuarentas project in Sonora, the plan is to advance it with further drilling and test the porphyry copper center. It also wants to complete further farm out option deals from the Riverside portfolio such as Suaqui Grande and Suaqui Verde projects in Sonora, among others. Finally, it plans to work with partners to test porphyry copper targets at its Ariel project, Sonora.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported that it milled approximately 47K tonnes at a rate of 1,695 tonnes per operating day during, December 2021, with grades of 54 g/t Ag, 4% Zn, and 1.8% Pb to produce 46K Oz Ag, 3.2M Lb Zn, and 1.3M Lb Pb from its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa.
  • Torex Gold Resources inc., announced production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero for Q4 and the full year 2021. The company mined in Q4, 2021, an average of 1,030 tonnes per day from underground and 9,390 tonnes per day from open pit to produce 109,410 Oz Au. Torex mined an average of 1,260 tonnes per day from underground and 13,040 tonnes per day from open pit in the full year 2021 to produce 468,200 Oz Au. The company sold 468,820 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $1,790/Oz Au, including 109,390 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $1,795/Oz Au.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. During the period Q4, 2021, the company processed from Guanacevi mine, Durango 108.3K tonnes of 1.21 g/t Au and 417 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 92.2% and 89.6% respectively to produce 3,885 Oz Au and 1.3M Oz Ag, and from Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato, 105.2K tonnes of 1.83 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.9% and 87% respectively to produce 5,502 Oz Au and 141.2K Oz Ag. Endeavour also reported full year production results from their Mexican mines. It processed 414.3K tonnes from Guanacevi mine, Durango at grades of 1.09 g/t Au and 370 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 91.7% and 87.9% respectively to produce  13,317 Oz Au and 4.33M Oz Ag; from Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato itprocessed 418.5K tonnes of 2.02 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag wit metallurgical recoveries of 90.7% and 87% respectively to produce 24,652 Oz Au and 491.4K Oz Ag; and from El Compas mine, Zacatecas it processed  54.5K tonnes of 3.05 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 80.2% and 72.5% respectively to produce 4,293 Oz Au and 45.8K Oz Ag. Consolidated results for the period Q4, 2021 were 213.5K tonnes of 1.52 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 90.8% and 89.4% respectively to produce 9,446 Oz Au and 1.44M Oz Ag, while for the full year 2021 were 887.4K tonnes of 1.65 g/t Au and 195 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 89.8% and 87.6% respectively to produce 42,262 Oz Au and 4.87M Oz Ag.
  • Golden Minerals Company reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Rodeo project, Durango. In Q4, 2021, Golden mined 145,205 tonnes and processed 42,827 tonnes of 4.6 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 76.5% and 82.6% respectively to produce 4,831 Oz Au and 15,250 Oz Ag (5,028 Oz AuEq). The company sold 5,164 Oz Au and 15,552 Oz Ag (5,366 Oz AuEq) at realized price, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,784 per Oz Au and USD $23.08 per Oz Ag. In the full year 2021, Golden mined 661,102 tonnes and processed 149,411 tonnes of 4.1 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.9% and 89.9% respectively to produce 14,449 Oz Au and 51,058 Oz Ag (15,256 Oz AuEq). The company sold 13,732 Oz Au and 48,970 Oz Ag (14,454 Oz AuEq) at realized price, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,793 per Oz Au and USD $24.83 per Oz Ag.
  • Equinox Gold Corporation announced full year 2021 production from their Mexican operations and provided production guidance for the year 2022. At Los Filos mine, Guerrero, the company produced 144.1K Oz Au and expects to produce 120K-140K Oz Au in the year 2022. At Mercedes mine, Sonora, the company produced 31.8K Oz Au and expects to produce 30K-45K Oz Au in the year 2022.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. In Q4, 2021 the company milled 241,397 tonnes of 331 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 2.2% Pb, and 3.9% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90%, 63%, 91%, and 93% respectively, to produce 2.3M Oz Ag, 1,300 Oz Au, 10.2M Lb Pb, and 12.9M Lb Zn. In the full year 2021, Gatos Silver milled 909,586 tonnes of 295 g/t Ag, 0.32% Au, 2.3% Pb, and 3.9% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 86%, 61%, 86%, and 73% respectively, to produce 7.6M Oz Ag, 5,200 Oz Au, 39.8M Lb Pb, and 49.6M Lb Zn.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., reported results from eight drill holes collared in the North Zone within its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole N001 with 0.18% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 27m, plus 0.39% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.045 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 255m, plus 0.17% Cu, 0.003% Mo, 0.008 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 49m; hole N002 with 0.38% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.025 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag over 281.1m; hole N003 with 0.31% Cu, 0.009% Mo, 0.014 g/t Au and 3g/t Ag over 11.8m, plus 0.33% Cu, 0.018% Mo, 0.017 g/t Au, and 1g/t Ag over 17.7m, plus 0.29% Cu, 0.025% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 25.5m, plus 0.5% Cu, 0.008% Mo, 0.026 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 14.3m, plus 0.39% Cu, 0.014% Mo, 0.019 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 207.7m, plus 0.18% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.007 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 76.2m, hole N004 with 0.38% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.017 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 63.7m; hole N006 with 0.39% Cu, 0.004% Mo, 0.051 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 188.5m, plus 0.17% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.011 g/t Au and  1 g/t Ag over 53.7m, hole N007 with 0.32% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.029 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag over 191.3m, plus 0.32% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.018 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 109.9m; and hole N008 with 0.38% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.038 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 328.3m. “Drilling confirms that the North Zone is comprised of intensely fractured, potassic- and phyllic-altered andesite volcanics and Laramide-age porphyritic intrusive dikes. Elevated Mo, Au and Ag accompany copper assays along the central axis of the North Zone”.
  • Osisko Gold Royalties Inc., announced that a total of 27,000m were completed on exploration and infill drilling on the Sapuchi, California and Golfo de Oro deposits at its San Antonio project in Sonora. These three deposits comprise 900m of a 3km long Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) trend that ends at the past producing Luz del Cobre copper deposit. The highlights of the drilling campaign to date include 2.14 g/t Au over 21.65m, and 1.03 g/t Au over 39.9m to extend the known mineralization. Osisko also announced that the historic gold stockpile is being stacked onto a new heap leach pad with production commencing in early 2022 along with an updated resource estimation for the three deposits being drilled.

ON FINANCING

  • No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Tigre project, Sonora, including a high grade intercept in a structure located between the Tiger Vein and the Seitz Kelly Vein. Hole ET-21-274 encountered 0.84 g/t Au and  1 g/t Ag (65 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 1.42 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (108 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m, plus 0.4 g/t Au, 8 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (41 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 0.71 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Pb (73 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m on Seitz Kelly Vein; and hole ET-21-278 encountered in a new structure 3.99 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.09% Pb, and 0.17% Zn (343 g/t AgEq) over 16.1m, including 12.24 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.11% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (1,029 g/t AgEq) over 5.1m, including 102.1 g/t Au, 120 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (7,808 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.01 g/t Au, 78 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.06% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (88 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, plus 0.04 g/t Au, 86 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (108 g/t AgEq) over 1m on Seitz Kelley Vein.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced results from 13 new holes drilled at the Noche Buena deposit within its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Highlights include hole 21NB-22 with 16 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 2.7m, plus 0.91 g/t Au and 44 g/t Ag over a TW of 24.3m, including 3.49 g/t Au and 82 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m; hole 21NB-23 with 75 g/t Au and 110 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.8m, plus 1.89 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag over a TW of 19.7m, including 4.83 g/t Au and 250 g/t Ag over a TW of 3m; hole 21NB-21 with 92 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over a TW of 12.8m, plus 1.09 g/t Au and 66 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.3m; and hole 21NB-17 with 1.27 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over a TW of 12m, including 38 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.2m. These drilling results have extended the size of the Noche Buena deposit. “The Noche Buena portion of the Central Structure has now been tested and mineralization identified along approximately 600 m of its known 1,000 m strike length.  The structure remains open along strike and at depth both to the northwest and the southeast. Phase 2 drilling is planned to test extensions to the northwest towards San Miguel, where there is strong potential to join the two deposits, and to the southeast where the structure has been traced in surface mapping”.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., provided results from its Phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Avino property in Durango. The company informed that over 15,500m were drilled in 2021 testing several targets including Brecha de Bajo Vein, where the company made the discovery of a new vein splay called Bart Vein which appears to be mineralized. Highlights results from Brecha de Bajo and Bart Veins include hole NBX-21-02 with 0.06 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag, 0.37% Cu, 0.06% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (211 g/t AgEq) over 1.20m, plus 0.08 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, 0.55% Cu, and 0.2% Zn (103 g/t AgEq) over 7.8m, and plus 0.06 g/t Au, 48 g/t Ag, 0.76% Cu, and 00.3% Zn (159 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m; hole NBX-21-03 with 0.14 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.32% Cu, and 0.2% Zn (147 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.27 g/t Au, 72 g/t Ag, 0.26% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (141 g/t AgEq) over 15.4m, including 0.3 g/t Au, 380 g/t Ag, 1.19% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (547 g/t AgEq) over 1.05m, plus 0.84 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, and 0.2% Pb (151 g/t AgEq) over 32.2m, including 1.58 g/t Au, 120 g/t Ag, 0.11% Cu, and 0.1% Pb (267 g/t AgEq) over 1.95m.
  • Capitan Mining Inc., reported results from six RC holes collared at its Peñoles project in Durango. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole CARC 21-48 with 0.39 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (0.42 g/t AuEq)  over 35.1m, including 1.08 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (1.1 g/t AuEq) over 4.6m, including 0.7 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.72 g/t AuEq) over 4.6m. This drill result extends mineralization 170m down-dip from hole 21-CARC-25. Capitan Mining informed that assays for 11 drill holes are pending. The drilling program will be resumed in late January.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., released results from its underground drilling program conducted at the Platosa property in Durango. Follow-up drilling on the 817 Zone below Manto 623 defined a zone of high-grade silver mineralization. Highlights include hole EX21UG76 with 4,035 g/t Ag, 25.2% Pb, and 11.8% Zn (5,089 g/t AgEq) over 0.4m, plus 1,430 g/t Ag, 12% Pb, and 21.7% Zn (3,905 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; hole EX21UG60 with 2,398 g/t Ag, 14.2% Pb, and 33.2% Zn (3,905 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; hole EX21UG812 with 1,267 g/t Ag, 7.5% Pb, and 19% Zn (2,124 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m; hole EX21UG769 with 4,060 g/t Ag, 29.7% Pb, and 3.3% Zn (4,939 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m; and hole EX21UG770 with 2,956 g/t Ag, 6.1% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (3,158 g/t AgEq) over 1m. The company also informed that underground drilling will continue testing below historical-mined areas for potential vertical zones.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. Hole SM20-48 encountered 0.04 g/t Au, 58 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (60 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.4 g/t Au, 90 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (111 g/t AgEq) over 24.5m, including 0.49 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (139 g/t AgEq) over 17.1m, including 0.6 g/t Au, 129 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (160 g/t AgEq) over 7.5m, including 0.83 g/t Au, 210 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (253 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 1.25 g/t Au, 315 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (379 g/t AgEq) over 1.50m.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., received permits for 13 new drill pads and applied for permits on additional 27 drill pads at its Panuco deposit in Zacatecas. The Company is currently drilling shallow angled holes in the northeast of the Panuco North Vein to test the near surface down-dip extension of vein outcrops and shallow historical workings. It also expects to receive soon the approval of an application for permits to drill El Cristo vein system, which was submitted to SEMARNAT in December 2021.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., announced that exploration drilling has recommenced at its La Joya project, Durango. The company completed 5 holes on the Noria portion of the property for a total of 1,134m before the Christmas break with the aim of testing possible structural extensions of known mineralized zones identified in historical drilling. Sample results from these holes will be reported once they are available.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., release results from 13 drill holes collared at Mololoa Area within its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGM-21-066 with 1.21 g/t Au and 242g/t Ag (4.44 g/t AuEq or 333 g/t AgEq) over 11.3m, including 5.2 g/t Au and 1,143 g/t Ag (20.44 g/t AuEq or 1,533 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; hole LRGM-21-068 with 0.6 g/t Au and 155 g/t Ag (2.68 g/t AuEq or 201 g/t AgEq) over 12.9m, including 3.56 g/t Au and 872 g/t Ag (15.19 g/t AuEq or 1,139 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; hole LRGM-21-077 with 1.51 g/t Au and 376 g/t Ag (6.52 g/t AuEq or 489 g/t AgEq) over 36.3m, including 6.94 g/t Au and 1,683 g/t Ag (29.78 g/t AuEq or 2,204 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m, including 21.8 g/t Au and 5,040 g/t Ag (89 g/t AuEq or 6,675 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 5.02 g/t Au and 1,385 g/t Ag (2,349 g/t AuEq or 1,762 g/t AgEq) over 1.6m; and hole LRGM-21-089 with 0.81 g/t Au and 151 g/t Ag (2.82 g/t AuEq or 212 g/t AgEq) over 24.1m, including 2.87 g/t Au and 426 g/t Ag (8.56 g/t AuEq or 641 g/t AgEq) over 4.2m, including 4.18 g/t Au and 748 g/t Ag (14.15 g/t AuEq or 1,061 g/t AgEq). The company is pleased with the drilling results on Mololoa Area and will continue its aggressive resource expansion drilling program at Los Ricos North deposit. GoGold also will commence drilling at the Cabrera zone, which is the newest target for Los Ricos North deposit.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Ranchero Gold Corp., announced the appointment of its President effective immediately (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced the appointment of its new President and Director. This appointment follows the resignation of Robert Eadie as President of the Company.   Mr. Eadie remains as Chairman, CEO and a director of the Company.  (San Martin mine, Queretaro).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a portfolio of royalties including a 2% royalty on the Capitan Gold oxide deposit in Durango from Exploraciones Altiplano. Total purchase price of royalty portfolio is USD $1M over two years, payable in cash and shares. “Any shares issued to Altiplano are subject to right of first refusal (ROFR) allowing Capitan to market and place shares with investors if Altiplano elects to sell. This transaction with Altiplano in combination with Capitan’s contractual option to retire Riverside Resources 1% royalty for CAD $250K will leave the Peñoles project royalty free and will enhance overall project economics for investors.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Pitarrilla project in Durango State from SSR Mining Inc., for total consideration of USD $70M and a 1.25% NSR. The USD $70M will consists of USD $35M in Endeavour shares and a further USD $35M in cash or in Endeavour shares at the election of SSR Mining. The number of Endeavour shares to be issued will be based on a deemed price of USD $4.085 per share.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.), along with local municipal authorities from the Valles Centrales de Oaxaca and Cuenca de Papaloapan Regions delivered toys to more than 20,000 girls and boys from Oaxaca. The delivery of toys is an example of the coordinated work that Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán carries out permanently with different communities, as part of its commitment to generate shared development and well-being in Oaxaca.

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

On the picture above, secondary copper staining on an IOCG project in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.