During the 10th week of the year (March 6th to March 12nd, 2023), at least 9 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with five commenting on Mexican Issues, three informing on exploration results, two reporting resources and developments, two disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Peñoles and Fresnillo plc recognized the role of women in mining, commemorating his legacy from the beginning of his participation in this sector. In Mexico, women in mining have access to salaries up to 30% higher than the national average. According to figures from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), more than 66,000 women work in the mining-metallurgical industry, which is equivalent to 16.3% of the total workforce. Proposals to modify the Mining Law lack support, say experts, since the industry complies with at least 4,000 legal obligations, before starting operations of a mining unit. GoGold and Torex reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of March, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals reported that it has commenced the 2023 exploration program at its Cervantes project. In Sinaloa, Prismo announced that it has received authorization for drilling its Palos Verdes project. In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals provided an update on the environmental works it has conducted at its flagship Riqueza Marina project. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Torex released results from the drilling program conducted at its Media Luna project in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Guanajuato Silver announced that a new shareholder has acquired a significant equity position in the company (El Cubo, Valenciana, and San Ignacio Mines in Guanajuato). Bear Creek provided an update on the USD $25M payment to Equinox Gold for the Mercedes mine in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Endeavour published its inaugural climate strategic report (Guanacevi mine, Durango).
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Servicios Industriales Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., and Fresnillo plc recognized the role of women in mining, commemorating his legacy from the beginning of his participation in this sector. Both companies have maintained a strong gender agenda that offers equal opportunities to women and men, equal salaries that depend on the responsibilities of each employee, programs to prevent harassment and to reinforce female leadership.
In Mexico, women in mining have access to salaries up to 30% higher than the national average, with remunerations that exceed MXP $11K a month, above the MXP $5K and up to MXP $7K received by workers in the agricultural and construction sectors, textile employees, drivers and merchants, according to sector estimates. The mining industry has made progress on issues of diversity and inclusion, since in the last 13 years the participation of women has increased, going from 33,260 at the end of 2008 to 66,037 by 2022, according to data from Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX).
According to figures from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), more than 66,000 women work in the mining-metallurgical industry, which is equivalent to 16.3% of the total workforce. The number of women who are entering careers in mining engineering, metallurgy and geology is increasing and therefore their presence in the productive field and in the management of the operation of mining units is increasing. Of the total number of women who participate in the industry, 10% hold directive positions and 14% hold management positions.
Proposals to modify the Mining Law lack support, say experts, since the industry complies with at least 4,000 legal obligations, before starting operations of a mining unit. The reform initiatives to the Mining Law that have been presented in the Congress of the Union lack support in the real circumstances of this industry or refer to issues that should be the subject of other legal regulations, as uncertainty for this activity. The experts explained that issues such as creating or increasing taxes and/or rights must be ruled out in the legislative drafts, since mining entrepreneurs pay, like any other taxpayer, the Income Tax, the Special Tax on Production and Services, in addition to they also pay mining rights and some local contributions, such as payroll and property taxes, as well as some of the so-called ecological taxes. They added that it is estimated that the tax burden of mining in Mexico is high, compared to other countries with mining activity. Mining is an industry misunderstood and unknown by many, even by those who promote changes to its legislation, for which they trusted that the voice of those who know and participate directly in the industry will be heard.
GoGold Resources Inc., and Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of March, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., reported that it has commenced the 2023 exploration program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The plan of the company is to conduct a surface exploration program which will consist of road cut, reconnaissance outcrop, and soil sampling, Terraspec SWIR data collection, and geological mapping. It will comprise collecting over 1,300 geochemical samples, including 950 roads cut, 120 soils, and 250 outcrop chips.
Prismo Metals Inc., announced that it has received authorization for drilling its Palos Verdes project, located in the historic Panuco-Copala mining district in Sinaloa. The company plan is to complete a 2,500m drilling program to test the strike length of the Palos Verdes Vein that was not previously accessible until now.
Vortex Metals Inc., provided an update on the environmental works it has conducted at its flagship Riqueza Marina project in Oaxaca. Vortex has completed the environmental work activities and has interpreted and organized the information according to predetermined formats required for the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Additionally, the company is working closely with the community looking that a beneficial relationship is established and the general assembly confirms and seals the agreements.
ON MINING
No relevant news.
ON FINANCING
No relevant news.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
GoGold Resources Inc., reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-117 on Eagle Deposit with 1.09 g/t Au and 133 g/t Ag (2.87 g/t AuEq or 215 g/t AgEq) over25m, including 1.96 g/t Au and 307 g/t Ag (6.06 g/t AuEq or 454 g/t AgEq) over 9m, including 8.08 g/t Au and 1,460 g/t Ag (27.75 g/t AuEq or 2,066 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole LR-GAG-22-125 on Eagle Deposit with 2.14 g/t Au and 128 g/t Ag (3.84 g/t AuEq or 288 g/t AgEq) over 42.3m, including 9.66 g/t Au and 486 g/t Ag (16.13 g/t AuEq or 1,210 g/t AgEq) over 7.3m; including 15.35 g/t Au and 866 g/t Ag (26.89 g/t AuEq or 2,017 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m; and hole LRGG-22-232 on Main Deposit with 2.60 g/t Au and 61 g/t Ag (3.41 g/t AuEq or 256 g/t AgEq) over 10.2m, including 24.60 g/t Au and 238 g/t Ag (27.77 g/t AuEq or 2,083 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m. The Eagle Deposit adjoins the Main Deposit and represents a northern extension of the previously defined Mineral Resource Estimate in the Los Ricos South PEA.
Torex Gold Resources Inc., released results from the drilling program conducted at its Media Luna project in Guerrero. This program was focused on upgrading Indicated Resources to the Measured category and targeting spatial gaps in prior drilling to expand Inferred Mineral Resources. Drilling highlights include hole ML22-823D with 40.48 g/t Au, 87 g/t Ag, and 2.76% Cu (46.05 g/t AuEq) over 28.40m; hole ML22-804D with 10.79 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag, and 3.09% Cu (17.08 g/t AuEq) over 58.08m; hole ML22-768D with 13.98 g/t Au, 112 g/t Ag, and 3.69% Cu (21.39 g/t AuEq) over 26.39m; hole ML22-762A with 13.27 g/t Au, 17 g/t Ag, and 0.46% Cu (14.23 g/t AuEQ9 over 22.43m; hole ML22-835D with 6.72 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag, and 0.92% Cu (8.58 g/t AuEq) over 34.75m; hole ML22-767D with 4.57 g/t Au, 80 g/t Ag, and 2.50% Cu (9.63 g/t AuEq) over 26.15m; hole ML22-913 with 4.75 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag, and 1.76% Cu (8 g/t AuEq) over 25.43 g/t AuEq over 25.43m; hole ML22-910 with 1.06 g/t Au, 54 g/t Ag, and 1.25% Cu (3.78 g/t AuEq) over 48.05m; hole ML22-877A with 1.53 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, and 0.73% Cu (3.03 g/t AuEq) over 26.77m; and hole ML22-915 with 1.94 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, and 0.34% Cu (2.56 g/t AuEq) over 18.05m.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced that a leading US based institutional investor has acquired a significant equity position in the company through the purchase of 24M common shares representing the majority of the equity position previously held by Great Panther Mining Ltd. (El Cubo, Valenciana, and San Ignacio Mines in Guanajuato).
Bear Creek Mining Corporation provided an update on the USD $25M payment to Equinox Gold Corp., for the Mercedes mine in Sonora. Bear Creek has revised the terms of the heads of agreement with Equinox to amortize over a two-year period payment of the final USD $25M purchase price installment. “The Revised Terms provide for converting the Deferred Payment into a secured interest bearing promissory note (the “Note”). The Note bears a nominal rate of interest equal to 12.5% per annum plus the greater of (i) 90-day average Secured Overnight Financing Rate and (ii) 2.50% per annum, and matures after a term of two years on October 21, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”). Commencing March 3, 2023, the Note will amortize at a fixed rate of USD $700K per month during the first year until March 3, 2024 and thereafter at an amount per month equal to the greater of (i) USD $700K and (ii) 50% of the free cash flow generated from Mercedes”. In addition to the Note, the Company will issue to Equinox Gold 2,750,000 common shares of the Company.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Endeavour Silver Corp., published its inaugural climate strategic report in which provided specific information in four areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets (Guanacevi mine, Durango).
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, quartz-sericite-pyrite (phyllic alteration) in a porphyry copper project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 4th week of the year (January 23rd to January 29th, 2023), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and a couple of news published by the media. One company informed on project exploration work, four companies released Q4 2022 production reports, one company elaborated on its 2023 plans, one company announced a financing round, one other elaborated on its share consolidation process and one more cancelled a previously announced financing round. Seven companies reported on work at their advanced or operating properties, three organizations disclosed personnel appointments and one more on a deal about the sale of a tailings property. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fortuna Silver provided an update on its San Jose mine environmental impact authorization. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan and its JV partner Colibri begun the preparation for an initial bulk sample at its Pilar property. ON MINING, Mag Silver, Fresnillo PLC, Santacruz Mining and Guanajuato Silver reported Q4 and full year 2022 production results. Avino provided its outlook for 2023. ON FINANCING, Heliostar announced a non-brokered private placement of up to CAD $16.28M (Ana Paula project, Guerrero), Fabled Silver is to consolidate its shares on a 5 to 1 ratio, and Tarachi Gold cancelled its previously announced financing round. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger released results from drilling at its El Tigre project in Sonora. GoGold presented drilling results from the Eagle and Main Deposits within its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Bendito Resources is to prepare a technical report on its Oposura project in Sonora. Gatos Silver updated on extension and resource definition drilling at its Cerro Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Discovery Silver filed a PFS report on its Cordero project, in Chihuahua. Vizsla Silver updated the mineral resource estimate for its Panuco project in Sinaloa, with a significant increase. Endeavour Silver filed resource estimate updates on its Guanaceví and Bolañitos projects, in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Silver announced the appointment of its new CEO and the promotion of Román Solis to VP Mexico (Congratulations Román!). Altaley announced the appointment of its new CFO (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Tarachi Gold is selling its Magistral project in Durango to Compañía Minera de Atocha. Vizsla Silver appointed Charles Funk as Lead Technical Advisor, and Michael Pettingeli was promoted to Senior VP (Panuco, Sinaloa). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., provided an update on its San Jose Mine´s environmental impact authorization. It informed that the Mexican Federal Administrative Court has granted a provisional injunction to Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, Fortuna´s Mexican subsidiary, which allows the San Jose Mine to continue to operate under the terms of the 12-year environmental impact authorization (EIA). It is expected that the Court will decide on the grant of a permanent injunction, within the coming weeks, which would continue in effect until the Court has ruled on the revocation of the EIA.
ON EXPLORATION
Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its JV partner Colibri Resource Corp., begun the preparation for an initial bulk sample at its Pilar property in Sonora. Over 1,000 tonnes of oxide-gold material will be extracted from select areas exposed at surface. This bulk sample will be prepared in February for processing by heap-leach method at a private mining operation less than 25km to the west of Pilar. “Data generated from the bulk sample will provide an understanding of the expected head-grades and recovery percentages of gold and will help optimize future onsite production facilities”.
ON MINING
Mag Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2022 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas (56% / 44% Fresnillo PLC and Mag Silver Corp. respectively). The company processed 165,786 tonnes from underground and initial stopes at an average grade of 415 g/t Ag to produce 1.86M Oz Ag and 5,380 Oz Au, and 646,148 tonnes in the full year 2022 at an average grade of 520 g/t Ag to produce 9.25M Oz Ag and 22,252 Oz Au. “The associated lead and zinc production will be reported with MAG Silver’s year end filings”.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., provided its outlook for 2023, and presented a summary of the major milestone achieved in 2022. Avino plans to process 700K-750K tonnes in the full year from both Avino Mine and La Preciosa stockpiles to produce between 2.8M and 3.2M Oz AgEq. The company estimated a total capital budget of USD $9-$11.5M and a Corporate budget of USD $0.5M (USD $9.5-$12M consolidated), of which USD $5-$6M will be Grow Capital, USD $1-$1.5M for Exploration & Evaluation, and USD $3-$4M for Sustaining Capital & Mine Development. The company also reported that “its internal estimate for production was between 2.2-2.4M Oz AgEq and capital expenditures for 2022 were expected to total between USD$7M and USD $9M, excluding the acquisition of La Preciosa. In addition, it included a drill program targeting areas and veins on the property, including the recommended drilling on the Oxide Tailings Project, the construction of the dry-stack tailings facility, and metallurgical projects to help improve recovery rates”.
Fresnillo PLC. released Q4 2022 production results. During the period 12.5 M Oz Ag, 167,969 Oz Au, 12,756 tonnes Pb, 23,060 tonnes Zn were produced, taking the yearly total to 53.7 M Oz Ag (including Silverstream), 635,926 Oz Au, 52,950 tonnes Pb, 99,153 tonnes Zn. At the Fresnillo mine in Zacatecas, 624.1 K tonnes were processed averaging 197 gpt Ag, 0.58 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 2.4% Zn to produce 3.6 M Oz Ag, 8,314 Oz Au, 5,609 tonnes Pb, 11,097 tonnes Zn during the quarter. At Saucito, in Zacatecas, 508.4 K tonnes were processed @ 208 gpt Ag, 1.39 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 1.6% Zn, to produce 3.03 M Oz Ag, 18,076 Oz Au, 3,859 tonnes Pb, 5,868 tonnes Zn. At the Pyrites Plant in Zacatecas, 32.2 K tonnes were processed @ 145 gpt Ag, 1.19 gpt Au, to produce 111 K Oz Ag, 374 Oz Au. At Cienega, in Durango, 256.9 K tonnes were processed @ 1.20 gpt Au, 139 gpt Ag, 0.56% Pb, 0.94 % Zn, to produce 9,122 Oz Au, 0.98 M Oz Ag, 930 tonnes Pb, 1,372 tonnes Zn. At San Julián in Chihuahua, production during the quarter was 11,907 Oz Au, 3.11 M Oz Ag. At Herradura in Sonora 27.44 M tonnes were hauled, 7.08 M tonnes processed @ 0.71 gpt Au, 1.35 gpt Ag, to produce 103,826 Oz Au, 191 K Oz Ag. At Noche Buena in Sonora 7.3 M tonnes were hauled, 1.23 M tonnes processed averaging 0.51 gpt Au, 0.21 gpt Ag, to produce 13,331 Oz Au, 3 K Oz Ag. Attributable production (56% Fresnillo / 44% Mag Silver) from Juanicipio in Zacatecas was 1.04 M Oz Ag, 3,020 Oz Au during the quarter. The company aims to have a gold production ranging between 590 K and 640 K Oz Au in 2023.
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported Q4 and full year production, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Zimapan, in Hidalgo, 215 K tonnes averaging 71 gpt Ag, 2.19% Zn, 0.63% Pb, 0.40% Cu were processed, recovering 61.5% Ag, to produce 301.2 K Oz Ag, 3,098 tonnes Zn, 1,036 tonnes Pb, 569 tonnes Cu during the quarter. For the year, 822.1 K tonnes were processed @ 73 gpt Ag, 2.13% Zn, 0.65% Pb, 0.37% Cu, recovering 67.3% Ag to produce 1.29 M Oz Ag, 12,577 tonnes Zn, 4,450 tonnes Pb, 2,165 tonnes Cu. At Zimapan “Q4 has seen the purchase and installation of a replacement secondary crusher, commissioning of a zinc flotation column, and installation of additional concentrate filtration capacity. A Metallurgical testing program is underway to address new mineralized zones being mined, and to maximize recoveries”.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced consolidated production results for the fourth quarter 2022. The production, not disclosed by operations, comes from the El Cubo mines complex, Valenciana mines complex and San Ignacio mine, in Guanajuato, and from the Topia mine in Durango. During the period 131.5 K tonnes were mined, 131.3 K tonnes milled, recovering 86.8% Ag, 84.2% Au, to produce 401.2 K Oz Ag, 3,907 Oz Au, 811.5 K Lb Pb, 1.26 M Lb Zn (or 836.4 K Oz AgEq). “Consolidated silver equivalent production in Q4 was 19% higher than the previous quarter. This increase reflects the continuing ramp-up of operations at all of GSilver’s mining assets. Total production for 2022 was 2.15 million AgEq”.
ON FINANCING
Heliostar Metals Limited announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 74M units at a price of CAD $0.22 per unit for gross proceeds of up to approximately CAD $16.28M or USD $12.5M. Net proceeds will be used to advance the Ana Paula development stage in Guerrero, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp.,announced that it has received Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (TSXV) approval for the 5 to 1 consolidation of the common shares of the company. There will be no name change in conjunction with the consolidation. The post-consolidation common shares will continue to trade on the TSXV under the symbol “FCO”. (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua).
Tarachi Gold Corp. cancelled its previously announced private placement (Tarachi, Sonora).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ET-22-432 with 0.1 g/t Au, 39 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (48.5 g/t AgEq) over 9.4m on the HW Gold Zone, plus 0.16 g/t Au, 399 g/t Ag, 0.43% Cu, 2.8% Pb, and 5.2% Zn (691 g/t AgEq) over 10.4m on the Sooy Vein, including 0.24 g/t Au, 1,154 g/t Ag, 1.29% Cu, 9.8% Pb, and 17% Zn (2,085 g/t AgEq) over 2,1m, plus 0.13 g/t Au, 257 g/t Ag, 0.47% Cu, 1.2% Pb, and 2% Zn (407 g/t AgEq) over 34.8m on the Sulphide Zone, including 0.13 g/t Au, 957 g/t Ag, 1.69% Cu, 3.6% Pb, and 7% Zn (1,556 g/t AgEq) over 8.2m, including 0.17 g/t Au, 1,663 g/t Ag, 4.32% Cu, 6.3% Pb, and 11.5% Zn (2,622 g/t AgEq) over 2.1m;M hole ET-22-434 with 0.39 g/t Au, 97 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.08% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (130 g/t AgEq) over 8.5m on the HW Zone, including 2.04 g/t Au, 336 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.04% Zn (497 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.16 g/t Au, 172 g/t Ag, 0.36% Cu, 2.1% Pb, and 2.6% Zn (354 g/t AgEq) over 13m on the Sooy Vein, including 0.19 g/t Au, 326 g/t Ag, 0.84% Cu, 4.9% Pb, and 6% Zn (735 g/t AgEq) over 5.2m, including 0.24 g/t Au, 496 g/t Ag, 1.76% Cu, 7.2% Pb, and 8.6% Zn (1,139 g/t AgEq) over 2.1m, plus 0.11 g/t Au, 377 g/t Ag, 0.32% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (422 g/t AgEq) over 6.6m on the Sulphide Zone, including 0.2 g/t Au, 1,116 g/t Ag, 0.89% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (1,226 g/t AgEq) over 2m, including 0.25 g/t Au, 1,859 g/t Ag, 1.44% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (2,030 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 0.22 g/t Au, 606 g/t Ag, 1.13% Cu, 4% Pb, and 7.4% Zn (1,073 g/t AgEq) over 19.9m, including 0.2 g/t Au, 914 g/t Ag, 1.68% Cu, 5.9% Pb, and 12.4% Zn (1,642 g/t AgEq) over 10.5m; and hole ET-22-438 with 0.16 g/t Au, 19 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (31 g/t AgEq) over 43.5m on the HW Gold Zone, including 2.26 g/t Au, 566 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.,02% Zn (739 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.52 g/t Au, 300 g/tr Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (385 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m on the Sooy Vein, including 1.51 g/t Au, 773 g/t Ag, 0.48% Cu, 2.1% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (1,007 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, plus 0.27 g/t Au, 408 g/t Ag, 0.53% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (527 g/t AgEq) over 19.5m on the Sulphide Zone, including 0.24 g/t Au, 879 g/t Ag, 0.76% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (1,036 g/t AgEq) over 3.7m, including 0.62 g/t Au, 2,796 g/t Ag, 1.75% Cu, 1.8% Pb, and 4.2% Zn (3,193 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, including 0.51 g/t Au, 564 g/t Ag, 0.9% Cu., 1.7% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (772 g/t AgEq) over 8m, including 1.47 g/t Au, 1,148 g/t Ag, 1.4% Cu, 1.5% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (1,452 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m.
GoGold Resources Inc., presented additional results from its ongoing drilling program at Eagle and Main Deposits within its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-218, the best hole drilled to date in the Los Ricos District, with 7.8 g/t Au and 2,153 g/t Ag (36.51 g/t AuEq or 2,738 g/t AgEq) over 55m, including 16.07 g/t Au and 4,664 g/t Ag (78.26 g/t AuEq or 5,869 g/t AgEq) over 25m, including 26,74 g/t Au and 7,756 g/t Ag (130.15 g/t AuEq or 9,761 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 55.87 g/t Au and 16,525 g/t Ag (276.19 g/t Au or 20,714 g/t AgEq) over 7m, including 121.97 g/t Au and 36,953 g/t Ag (614.67 g/t AuEq or 46,100 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 145.25 g/t Au and 52,764 g/t Ag (848 g/t AuEq or 63,658 g/t AgEq) over 2m; hole LRGAG-22-221 with 0.85 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag (2.69 g/t AuEq or 202 g/t AgEq) over 29.4m, including 4.98 g/t Au and 749 g/t Ag (14.97 g/t AuEq or 1,122 g/t AgEq) over 4.4m, including 12.70 g/t Au and 2,370 g/t Ag (44.3 g/t Au Eq or 3,322 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m; and hole LRGAG-22-222 with 0.94 g/t Au and 105 g/t Ag (2.34 g/t AuEq or 176 g/t AgEq) over 8.7m, including 7.6 g/t Au and 592 g/t Ag (15.49 g/t AuEq or 1,162 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Drilling at the Eagle Deposit has returned the highest grade intercepts to date in the district. These wide high grade intercepts are consistent with geophysical targets on the new Eagle concession”.
Bendito Resources Inc., announced the preparation of a NI 43-101 Technical Report for its Oposura project in Sonora. Highlights of this technical report include the potential to support Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at Oposura, once appropriate data verification and modelling has been completed; Mineralization at Oposura consists of base and precious metal, massive sulphide manto-style of Zn, Pb-Ag; Additional drilling is needed to extend MRE and connect it to other already known zones; presence of undrilled targets with upside potential demonstrated by geophysics and surface mapping and sampling, including the Mina Blanca Target which consists of polymetallic veins; and potential for discovery of the porphyry source, the same that has been partially intercepted in some holes underneath the MRE.
Gatos Silver Inc. updated on extension and resource definition drilling results on its Cerro Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Highlighted true-width intercepts from the South-East Deeps zone comprise 5.7 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag, 0.42% Cu, 1.8% Zn, 5.3% Zn; 11.3 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 118 gpt Ag, 0.12% Cu, 1.9% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 2.0 m @ 771 gpt Ag, 0.16% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn, while those from the definition drilling comprise 3.2 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag, 0.58% Cu, 2.8% Pb, 9.5% Zn; 4.5 m @ 0.52 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb, 10.0% Zn; 5.3 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag, 0.40% Cu, 3.4% Pb, 5.9% Zn; 9.60 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag, 0.29% Cu, 2.6% Pb, 1.7% Zn. Drilling on the South-East Deeps has defined a zone of more than 950 m along strike, and extended the zone 85 m downdip, remaining open laterally and at depth. “Resource conversion and extension drilling at CLG in the North-West, Central and South-East zones has returned strong results with particularly high base metal values”. Over 45 targets have been identified on the 103,000 hectares land package.
Discovery Silver Corp.reported a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) on its Cordero project in Chihuahua. The base case scenario involves an after tax NPV5% of US$1.2 Billion and an IRR of 28%, an 18-year mine life (to mine only 42% of the mineral reserves) with an average of 33 Moz AgEq production per year, with an average AISC of $12.80 per Oz AgEq in the first 12 years as well as an initial development capex of $455 M with a NPV-to-capex ratio of 2.5x. Measured and indicated mineral resources comprise 716 M tonnes averaging 20 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.29% Pb, 0.38% Zn (or 49 gpt AgEq), containing 467 M Oz Ag, 1.26 M Oz Au, 4,544 M Lb Pb, 8,484 M Lb Zn. Inferred resources comprise 145 M tonnes @ 14 gpt Ag, 0.02 gpt Au, 0.23% Pb, 0.38% Zn (or 35 gpt AgEq), containing 67 M Oz Ag, 122 K Oz Au, 726 M Lb Pb, 1,215 M Lb Zn.
Vizsla Silver Corp. updated the mineral resource estimate at it Panuco project in Sinaloa. The report reveals 71% and 150% increments in indicated and inferred mineral resources, and an increase on the grade of 14% and 42% respectively. Indicated minerals resources stand at 7.5 M tonnes @ 243 gpt Ag, 2.12 gpt Au, 0.23% Pb, 0.71% Zn (or 437 gpt AgEq) containing 58.3 M Oz Ag, 508 K Oz Au, 17 K tonnes Pb, 53.3 K tonnes Zn. Inferred mineral resources host 7.2 M tonnes @ 304 gpt Ag, 2.14 gpt Au, 0.19% Pb, 0.54% Zn, hosting 70.7 M Oz Ag, 496 K Oz Au, 13.6 K tonnes Pb, 39.3 K tonnes Zn. The estimate encompasses 8 km of the 86 km of cumulative vein length in the district, including results from 202,709 m of drilling in 644 holes.
Endeavour Silver Corp. filed technical reports on the Guanaceví and the Bolañitos projects, disclosing updated mineral resources estimates. At Guanaceví, in Durango, mineral reserves comprise 1.26 M tonnes @ 476 gpt Ag, 1.14 gpt Au, containing 19.3 M Oz Ag, 46 K Oz Au (or 23 M Oz AgEq); measured and indicated mineral resources (exclusive of mineral reserves) are 714.4 K tonnes @ 467 gpt Ag, 1.2 gpt Au, containing 10.7 M Oz Ag, 27 K Oz Au (or 12.8 M Oz AgEq); inferred resources comprise 838.7 K tonnes @ 416 gpt Ag, 0.9 gpt Au, containing 11.2 M Oz Ag, 25 K Oz Au (or 13.1 M Oz AgEq). At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, mineral reserves comprise 534 K tonnes @ 101 gpt Ag, 2.8 gpt Au, containing 1.2 M Oz Ag, 42.6 K Oz Au; (or 4.6 M Oz AgEq); measured and indicated mineral resources (exclusive of mineral reserves) are 453.5 K tonnes @ 110 gpt Ag, 2.3 gpt Au, containing 1.6 M Oz Ag, 34 K Oz Au (or 4.1 M Oz AgEq); inferred resources comprise 1.66 M tonnes @ 141 gpt Ag, 2.5 gpt Au, containing 7.5 M Oz Ag, 132.2 K Oz Au (or 17.6 M Oz AgEq).
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Discovery Silver Corp., announced the appointment of its new CEO, effective immediately, and the promotion of Román Solis to VP Mexico (Cordero property, Chihuahua).
Altaley Mining Corporation announced the appointment of its new CFO, effective on February 1st, 2023 (Tahuehueto project, Durango).
Tarachi Gold Corp. signed a binding letter agreement with Compañía Minera de Atocha S.A. de C.V. for the sale of the Magistral project in Durango. At closing of the transaction Atocha will make a cash payment of US$4.05 M; further US$500 K when 50% of the tailings have been mined/sold or processed, or after the second calendar year of operation at the project; US$500 K when 100% of the tailings have been mined/sold or processed, or after the second calendar year of operation at the project, and the amount of value added tax (IVA) owed to the company by the government, estimated at US$650 K. “Tarachi will seek to settle all outstanding obligations owing to Manto Resources S.A. de C.V. (“Manto”) in relation the Company’s original acquisition of the Magistral Project from Manto in 2021 ….. Tarachi will pay to Manto 15% of all payments received from Atocha in the Transaction as those payments are received”. Tarachi expects to receive from the transaction, net of payments made to Manto, a total of US$4.84 M.
Vizsla Silver Corp. appointed Charles Funk as Lead Technical Advisor, and Michael Pettingeli was promoted to Senior Vice President, business development and strategy. (Panuco, Sinaloa).
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, a fault-plane displaying slickensides on a silicified breccia in a project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Abraham López.
During the 2nd week of the year (January 09th to January 15th, 2023), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with nine communicating production and financial results, seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, four announcing financing issues, and four commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) withdrew the permit to Fortuna Silver Mines, which operates the San José mine in Oaxaca through the company Minera Cuzcatlán. Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) responded to SEMARNAT that it is operating normally at its San José mine in Oaxaca under complete legality. Mining companies shine at the beginning of the year on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The governments of Mexico and Canada have agreed to strengthen resilience in the supply chain in which both countries participate, reported Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada. Prime Mining, Tocvan Ventures, Oroco, and Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals presented a summary of the results from its recently completed 2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project, Colibri completed additional drilling on its Evelyn project, Tocvan drill intersected a broad zone of gold at its El Picacho project, and Riverside provided a corporate outlook for 2023. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals released results from the remaining holes from its now completed 2022 drill program at its Palos Verdes project. ON MINING, Aura, Alamos Gold, Americas, Endeavour, Gatos Silver, GoGold, Golden Minerals, and Torex announced Q4 and full-year 2022 production from their Mexican operations, and Altaley reported pre-production results during mill commissioning at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. ON FINANCING, Canuc closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $680K (San Javier project, Sonora). Guanajuato Silver closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering totaling CAD $8.5M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato). Fabled announced that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Altaley entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms’ length mining contractor to settle CAD $1,176,297 which is owing to the contractor as a result of underground mine development work (Tahuehueto mine, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Regency Silver announced recommencement of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre property in Sonora, as well as the commencement of an IP survey. Discovery outlined its 2023 work program and budget for its Cordero property in Chihuahua. Oroco released further assay results from the North Zone drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Prime Mining presented results from 48 drill holes collared in the Z-T area at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Sailfish announced results from its recently drilling program conducted at its Gavilanes property in Durango. Silver Viper reported positive geophysical and geochemical survey results at its Virginia project, Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz announced the appointment of its new CFO (Zimapan property, Hidalgo). Excellon announced that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange (La Platosa mine, Durango). Fabled´s shareholders approved a share consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten for one basis (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Vizsla completed strategic investment in the acquisition of Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa from Prismo Metals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) withdrew the permit to Fortuna Silver Mines, which operates the San Jose mine in Oaxaca through the company Minera Cuzcatlán since, according to SEMARNAT, it incurred in several irregularities. Such permit had been previously granted by some servants of SEMARNAT. In 2022, SEMARNAT said that it had been a misspelling to have issued a permit for 12 more years for the operation of this company. SEMARNAT was even questioned for providing legal advice to the company in order to obtain the environmental impact authorization and the regularization of construction of works for which it did not have authorization. With the suspension of the permit, SEMARNAT said that the company can appeal and resort to its influence peddling as it has done since its settlement in Oaxaca. However, if the judges confirm the resolution, it must withdraw and return the land to its owners, in addition to repairing the damage caused by the excessive pollution it has generated in the area.
Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) responded to SEMARNAT that it is operating normally at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca under complete legality. Derived from the notification received by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) at the beginning of 2023, regarding the intention of evaluating the MIA (Environmental Impact Statement) granted legally and correctly in December 2021, it is notified that this new procedure does not affect the daily activities of the Company, thus confirming that the San José Mining Unit, located in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, is operating normally. Fortuna Silver Mines, communicated on January 5 of this year, that its San José Mining Unit, which operates through its subsidiary Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, fully complies with all current environmental laws, for which it has expressed its disagreement and is taking legal measures to protect its more than 1,200 employees, a value chain made up of more than 600 companies, 150 of them from the area, as well as an annual income of more than MXP $600M that benefits more than 30,000 people in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. “Likewise, the Company highlights that, in 11 years of operation, it has been inspected 15 times by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), in turn it has registered two inspections by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), who in none of their proceedings have ruled on facts and/or indications of contamination at the site or derived from the operation of the San José Mine. Finally, Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán reiterates its commitment to continue working together with neighboring communities to improve and expand the social benefits of its operation, through sustainable development initiatives”.
Mining companies shine at the beginning of the year on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The increase in the price of metals such as gold, silver and copper, supported the rebound in the price of the shares of companies in the Mexican market these days. Industrias Peñoles and Grupo México are framed as the first and third issuers in the S&P/BMV IPC index, which brings together the 36 largest firms in the Mexican stock market, which have accumulated the most performance in these first days of 2023. In the first case its shares maintain gains of 21.55%, at a price of 291.30 pesos per unit, in the first six business days of January. For the second, the return has been 18.35%, at 80.96 pesos.
The governments of Mexico and Canada have agreed to strengthen resilience in the supply chain in which both countries participate, reported Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada. Mexico, Canada, and the United States have agreed to joint actions to strengthen their supply chains both regionally and globally. In 2021, the Joe Biden Administration launched its Bailout for America, under the Bailout for America Act of 2021, signed into law in March.
Prime Mining Corp., Tocvan Ventures Corp., Oroco Resource Corp., and Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., presented a summary of the results from its recently completed RC and oriented core holes 2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. It consisted of 26 RC holes totalling 5,248.6m, and 11 oriented core holes totalling 2,588m. Combined 2022 drilling program totaled 37 holes and 7,836.6m on California, California Norte, Purisima East and Jasper targets. All the holes collared in 2022 at California and California Norte targets, except one, encountered near surface, oxidized gold mineralization with minor copper values. Now, California target has been expanded to approximately 900m long E-W by 730m wide N-S, and with continuous mineralization of up to 170m depth. “The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions with anomalous mineralization and alteration up to 265m depth vertically. The California and California Norte targets appear to be merging from drilling and surface exposures”. At Jasper target, step out 600m west of the California Zone, the drilling program intercepted broad alteration and strongly oxidized, argillically altered, and brecciated siltstone-quartzite sediments. “Strong copper oxide mineralization is found on outcrops and in the drilling. Sulfides have not yet been found in drilling to 209 m depth, suggesting the there is a possibility to encounter a secondary sulfide enrichment blanket”. “At the Purisima Este target drilling found anomalous Au and multi-element mineralization related to the edges of its diatreme-breccia pipe related to quartz feldspar intrusive and follow-up work is planned”. Drilling highlights of the 2022 program include hole CAL22-001 with 1.04 g/t Au over 94m, including 3.96 g/t Au over 55m, and 0.36% over 55m; hole CAL 22-004 with 1.0 g/t Au over 65m, including 4.25 g/t Au over 24.4m, and 0.065% Cu over 160m; hole CAL 22-005 with 1.49 g/t Au, including 3.42 g/t Au over 51.7m, and 0.091% Cu over 119m; hole CAL 22-006 with 0.75 g/t Au, including 3.08 g/t Au over 9.14m, and 0.1% Cu over 138m; hole 0.87 g/t Au over 152m, including 2.05 g/t Au over 33.5m, and 0.095% Cu over 123m; hole CAL 22-027 with 0.68 g/t Au over 120m, including 1.46 g/t Au over 27m; and hole CAL 22-031 with 0.56 g/t Au over 135m, including 2.29 g/t Au over 12m.
Colibri Resource Corporation completed additional drilling on its Evelyn project in Sonora, which included 3 diamond holes totaling 1,063m, 5 reverse circulation holes totaling 1,205m, and 130 short RC holes totaling 1,548 m to penetrate alluvium and sample the top of bedrock.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced results from 3 out of 10 holes drilled at its Picacho project in Sonora. The company reported that hole SRA-22-003 intersected a broad zone of gold, returning 0.3 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag over 48.8m, including 0.51 g/t Au and 0.8 g/t Ag over 27.5m, including 0.71 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 19.8m, including 1.14 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 12.2m, and including 4.73 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 1.5m. Results for the remaining seven drillholes are pending.
Riverside Resources Inc., provided a corporate outlook for 2023 of the company´s growth plans. Highlights include look for a new strategic alliance with a major base metal producer; to drill-test with partner funds at least one project in H1, 2023 (BHP); look for new partnership to advance its La Union property in Sonora after high-grade results in 2022; and farm-out its Cecilia project in Sonora, which has a proposed drilling program to be executed at the property.
Prismo Metals Inc., released results from the remaining holes from its now completed 2022 drill program at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa, which consisted of eight holes totalling 2,100m. The best drill intercept was encountered in hole PV-22-17 with 0.43 g/t Au, 115 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 0.47% Pb, and 0.81% Zn (200 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3m, including 1.18 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag, 0.56% Pb, 1.18% Pb, and 1.97% Zn (516 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.05m.
ON MINING
Aura Minerals Inc., reported that it produced 28,591 gold equivalent ounces during Q4, 2022 from its Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas.
Alamos Gold Inc., reported Q4 and annual 2022 production results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora, and provided updated three-year production and operating guidance. In Q4, 2022 the company produced 49,100 Oz Au at an average grade of 0.78 g/t Au. Alamos expects to produce over 175K-185K Oz Au at an average grade of 0.73 g/t Au in 2023 with a total cash cost in te range of USD $900-USD $950 per Oz Au; an all included sustaining cost of USD $950-1,000 per Oz Au; a sustaining capital of USD $10M; grow capital of USD $5-10M (a total sustaining and grow capital of USD $19-24M); capitalized exploration of USD $4M; an a total capital expenditures and capitalized exploration of USD $19-24M. Production for 2024 and 2025 is expected to be in the range of 140-150K Oz Au and 110-120K Oz Au respectively.
Altaley Mining Corporation reported pre-production results during mill commissioning at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. Tahuehueto is currently operating one ball mill in a commissioning phase, as part of the initial 500 tonnes per day project, producing precious metals-rich, commercial grade lead and zinc concentrates. The company produced in Q4, 2022 862 tonnes of Pb concentrate with grades of 26.31% Pb, 76.72 g/t Au, and 643 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 76.68%, 76.72%, and 68.115 respectively; and 878 tonnes of Zn concentrate with grades of 47.51% Zn, 7.5 g/t Au, and 145 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 54.31%, 13.23%, and 15.12% respectively.
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q4 and annual year 2022 production from its Cosala mine operation in Sinaloa. It produced 196K Oz Ag, 3.8M Lb Pb, and 10.4M Lb Zn during Q4, 2022, and 636K Oz Ag, 15.3M Lb Pb, and 39.3M Lb Zn in the full-year 2022.
Endeavour Silver Corp., released Q4 and full-year 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Consolidated figures for Q4 and annual 2022, compared to the year 2021 are shown in the table below:
Figures by mine for the period Q4, and full year 2022 are shown in the tables below:
Gatos Silver Inc., announced guidance and Q4 and full year 2022 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua. On te period Q4, 2022 (100% Basis), the company milled 261,929 tonnes of 387 g/t Ag, 3.7% Zn, 1.9% Pb, and 0.3 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 89.6%, 62.7%, 86.3%, and 53.9% respectively, to produce 2.9M Oz Ag, 13.5M Lb Zn, 9.7M Lb Pb, and 1.4K Oz Au. For the full-year 2022, the company reported production of 10.3M Oz Ag, 60.7M Lb Zn, 45.9M Lb Pb, and 5.3K Oz Au. 2022 guidance announced by Gatos Silver was 9.35-9.65M Oz Ag, 58-61M Lb Zn, 43-45M Lb Pb, and 5.0-5.3K Oz Au. Zinc, lead and gold production increased during 2022, with zinc and gold near the high end of guidance, and lead near the guidance midpoint. Compared with 2021, zinc production increased by 22%, lead production by 10%, and gold production by 2%. As of December 2022, the company reported a cash balance of $17M and outstanding balance of the company´s credit facility of $9M.
GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q4, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. The company produced 159,838 Oz Ag, 2,399 Oz Au, and 497.3K Lb Cu (441,217 Oz AgEq).
Golden Minerals Company announced Q4, and full-year 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo project, Durango. The company in Q4, 2022 mined 161,244 tonnes and processed 52,736 tonnes of 2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 73.3% and 82% respectively, to produce 2,398 payable Oz Au (in doré) and 13,560 payable Oz Ag (in doré) or 2,568 payable Oz AuEq (in doré). Golden sold 2,518 Oz Au and 14,217 Oz Ag (2,696 Oz AuEq), at realized prices, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,729.40 and USD $21.69 respectively. For the full year 2022, Golden mined 771,485 tonnes and processed 195,599 tonnes of 2.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.7% and 81.2% respectively, to produce 11,982 payable Oz Au (in doré) and 52,179 payable Oz Ag (in doré) or 12,616 payable Oz AuEq (in doré). Golden sold 12,451 Oz Au and 53,486 Oz Ag (13,101 Oz AuEq), at realized prices, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,805.34 and USD $21.93 respectively.
Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q4 and full-year 2022 production results from El Limón-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero. The company produced 116,196 Oz Au in Q4 to total 474,035 Oz Au in the full-year 2022. It surpassed the upper end of the guided range of 430K-470K Oz Au. Torex sold in Q4, 2022 121,913 Oz Au for a total of 473,122 Oz Au in the full-year 2022.
ON FINANCING
Canuc Resources Corporation issued 8.5M of common shares at a price of CAD $0.08 per common share to close a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $680K. Most of the gross proceeds will be used for exploration on the San Javier project, Sonora.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering. The company issued 4,080,486 common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $1,734,206.55 in the second tranche for a total offering of CAD $20,032,682 for gross proceeds of CAD $ 8,513,889.85. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to, among other things, ramp up production at the Company’s existing mines in and about Guanajuato, Mexico including El Cubo, San Ignacio and Valenciana, expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango, Mexico, increase brownfields’ exploration programs, and fund general and administrative expenses.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M at a price of CAD $0.10 per common share. Net proceeds will be used to make required property payments, to further explore the Santa Maria Property, and for general working capital.
Altaley Mining Corporation entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms’ length mining contractor to settle CAD $1,176,297 which is owing to the contractor as a result of underground mine development work. The Company and the contractor have agreed that the issuance to the contractor of 735,186 common shares of the company at a deemed price of CAD $1.60 per common share will extinguish and settle the debt.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Regency Silver Corp., announced recommencement of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre property in Sonora, as well as the commencement of an IP survey. The company plans to drill a minimum of 3,000m as an initial follow up to the successful drilling program completed in August, 2022. It also will commence an IP survey to provide 3D information to a depth of 800m. “The current drill and IP program is designed to determine more specifically what type of broad, mineralizing system is present at Dios Padre”.
Discovery Silver Corp., outlined its 2023 work program and budget for its Cordero property in Chihuahua. The goal is to complete the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) later this month and will be focused on optimization opportunities including improved mining and processing efficiencies, as well as complete a Feasibility Study (FS) in Q1, 2023.. Alongside this work, Cordero has allocated drill metres to the exploration potential on the large, highly-prospective land package owned by the company. “Construction permitting for Cordero will be undertaken in-parallel with the FS work, with the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) expected to be made to the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (SEMARNAT) in the first half of 2023. Assuming a 12 to 18 month permitting timeline, this would position the Company to make a construction decision in the second half of 2024. The 2023 work programs are budgeted at $26 million. The Company is well positioned to fund this work with a cash balance of over $45 million and no debt at the end of 2022.
Oroco Resource Corp., released further assay results from the North Zone drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Holes N039 to N043 totalled 2,668 m of drilling which demonstrated continuity of good grade mineralization. Highlights include hole NO39 with 0.14% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.01 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.15% CuEq) over 58m, plus 0.46% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.016 g/t Au, and 4 g/t Ag (0.49% CuEq) over 21.4m, plus 0.31% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.36% CuEq) over 265m; hole NO40 with 0.21% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.012 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.24% CuEq) over 41m, plus 0.29% Cu, 0.009% Mo, 0.013 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.33% CuEq) over 152.1m; hole N041 with 0.3% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.003 g/t Au, and 1 g/t Ag (0.35% CuEq) over 20.6m, plus 0.47% Cu, 0.006% Mo, 0.038 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.52% CuEq) over 96m; and hole N042 with 0.53% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.075 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.60% CuEq) over 135m.
Prime Mining Corp., presented results from 48 drill holes collared in the Z-T area at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include holes 22TA-51 with 2.5 g/t Au and 278 g/t Ag (6.1 g/t AuEq) over a true width (TW) of 3,1m, plus 10 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag (11.6g/t AuEq) over a TW of 3.1m, including 28.5 g/t Au and 310 g/t Ag (32.5 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.1m; hole 22ZAP-87 with 4.7 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag (6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 8.7m, including 39.6 g/t Au and 174 g/t Ag (41.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.7m, and 8.6 g/t Au and 163 g/t Ag (10.7g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.0m; hole 22TA-44 with 2.7 g/t Au and 451 g/t Ag (8.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 4.8m, including 4.8 g/t Au and 821 g/t Ag (15.4 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 2.3m; hole 22 ZAP-82 with 1.3 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag (1.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13m, including 13 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (13.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.8m, plus 3.6 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (3.8 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13.8m,including 22.2 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag (22.8 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.9m; hole 22TA-43 with 4.2 g/t Au and 59 g/t Ag (4.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 5.4m, including 23.6 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag (24.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.8m; and hole 22SMW-12 with 6.9 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag (7.3 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 14.8m, including 9.1 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (9.5 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 8.9m, including 21 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (21.7 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.5m.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ET-22-333with 0.46 g/t Au, 429 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.04% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (474 g/t AgEq) over 10.1m on Seitz Kelly Shale Zone, including 0.83 g/t Au, 3,639 g/t Ag, 0.61% Cu, 0.14% Pb, and 0.14% Zn (3,767 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m, including 0.22 g/t Au, 6,063 g/t Ag, 1% Cu, 0.14% Pb, and 0.09% Zn (6,182 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; hole ET-22-333 with 0.14 g/t Au, 307 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (337 g/t AgEq) over 2.4m on El Tigre Vein, including 0.32 g/t Au, 778 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (849 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, plus 0.25 g/t Au, 69 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn over 18.6m on the Seitz Kelly Shale Zone, including 0.25 g/t Au, 778 g/t Ag, 1.69% Cu, 7.1% Zn, and 15% Zn (1,633 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m on the Seitz Kelly Vein; and hole ET-22-335 with 0.15 g/t Au, 331 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (386 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m on Seitz Kelly Vein, including 0.15 g/t Au, 2,343 g/t Ag, 1.67% Cu, 1.36% Pb, and 3.32% Zn (2,658 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m.
Sailfish Royalty Corp., announced results from its recently exploration work conducted at its Gavilanes property in Durango. Gavilanes comprises multiple high-grade polymetallic silver veins located approximately 30 km away from First Majestic’s San Dimas mine operation. Sailfish has drilled 47 shallow diamond drill holes on three of these veins which host mineralization in veins and stockworks of an intermediate sulphidation epithermal system. Sailfish geologists have collected representative chip channel samples across veins or structures, which returned encourages high-grade values. Highlights include 12.80 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag over 2.5m and 0.87 g/t Au and 40 g/t Ag over 18m on Descubridora Vein; 30 g/t Au and 190 g/t Ag over 1m and 0.84 g/t Au and 754 g/t Ag over 2m on San Nicolas Vein; 0.02 g/t Au and 1,867 g/t Ag over 1m on San Nicolas-Veta del Pueblo; 10.12 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 2.2m on Forasteros Vein; and 0.51 g/t Au and 1,546 g/t Ag over 0.51m pon La Cruz Vein. Gavilanes currently has an inferred mineral resource of 2.833M tonnes at an average grade of 246 g/t AgEq (22.4M Oz AgEq). This inferred mineral resource is highlighted by having 18.9M Oz Ag at an average grade of 207 g/t Ag.
Silver Viper Minerals Corp., reported positive geophysical and geochemical survey results at its Virginia project, Sonora. Detailed mapping and geochemical sampling following a TITAN MT deep penetrating Geophysical survey conducted in Q2, 2022 identified new targets at El Molino, along the Macho trend. “Geological mapping and rock and chip-channel sampling has outlined new targets at Los Cantiles, El Oriental and the eastern and southern sectors of Macho Libre. The new prospecting area, Los Cantiles, garnered surface chip channel sample results up to 5.7 g/t Au and 148 g/t Ag. Dump samples up to 17.8 g/t Au and 1,001 g/t Ag, and chip-channel samples up to 4.2 g/t Au and 310 g/t Ag, have been located at the El Oriental Target. Hydrothermal silicified breccia with up to 2.36 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag has been outlined at the Macho Libre Target. At El Molino, several new structures have been outlined, containing breccias with quartz boiling type textures, with initial results up to 1.6 g/t Au and most analytical results pending. At El Molino, ongoing soil sampling reveals continuous gold and silver anomalies, with supportive infill results from north-west to south-east along the trend”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its new CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company effective January 9, 2023 (Zimapan property, Hidalgo).
Excellon Resources Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)and the deregistration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (La Platosa mine, Durango).
Fabled Silver Gold Corp´s shareholders approved a share consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten for one basis. The board of directors of the company has now determined to proceed with the consolidation on a five to one basis. As of today’s date, the company has 215,446,649 common shares issued and outstanding. Following the completion of the consolidation (but before giving effect to the offering), the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the company will be approximately 43,089,330. (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua).
Vizsla Silver Corp., completed strategic investment in the acquisition of Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa from Prismo Metals Inc. Vizsla acquired a right of first refusal to purchase the Palos Verdes project from Prismo, and 4M units of Prismo at a price of $0.50 per Prismo unit, for aggregate consideration of $2M. Each Prismo unit consist of one common share of Prismo and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each Prismo Warrant entitles Vizsla to purchase one additional Prismo Share for a period of two years from the closing date at a price of $0.75.The consideration for the Strategic Investment consisted of a cash payment of $500K and the issuance to Prismo of 1M common shares of Vizsla. The Consideration Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, and a voluntary escrow period of 24 months with 25% of the securities released every six months.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, a fault-plane displaying slickensides in a Mn-Fe hydrothermal breccia in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 52nd week of the year (December 26th to January 1st, 2022), at least 9 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news published by the media with three disclosing deals and corporate issues, two informing on exploration results, two reporting resources and developments of their properties, and two announcing financing issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining in Mexico closed 2022 with more expenses in exploration due to lack of mining concessions. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan provided an annual summary of the activities carried out in 2022 at its Pilar and Picacho properties. In Chihuahua, Mammoth provided a year-end update on activities developed at its Tenoriba project. Zacatecas Silver provided a summary of the 2022 exploration activities developed at its Zacatecas Silver and Esperanza projects located in Zacatecas and Morelos States respectively. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $6.8M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato). Regency completed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2,159,000 (Dios Padre Project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, MAG Silver reported that final testing of the downstream power distribution and control systems at its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas is now complete. Zacatecas Silver provided a summary of the 2022 exploration activities developed at its Zacatecas Silver and Esperanza projects located in Zacatecas and Morelos States respectively. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sierra Madre provided an update on its proposed acquisition of the La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. Gatos Silver provided a bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). Mammoth announced the issuance of 2,206,000 common share stock options to directors, officers, and contract employees, exercisable at a price of $0.05 per common share (Tenoriba project, Chihuahua). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Mining in Mexico closed 2022 with more expenses in exploration due to lack of mining concessions. The current administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has not approved new mining concessions, which has led mining companies to invest more in exploration, with a view of finding new deposits in previously granted ground. In 2018, the concessioned area for mining activities in Mexico was of 10.64%, a figure that by the end of this 2022 stands at 8.59%, according to data from the Ministry of Economy.
ON EXPLORATION
Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an annual summary of the activities carried out in 2022 at its Pilar and Picacho properties in Sonora. At Pilar project, the company executed the first core drilling program which was successful in intersecting broad gold mineralization across the Main Zone with one hole returning 1.2 g/t Au over 116.9m, including 12 g/t Au over 10.2m, an a second hole returning 0.8 g/t Au over 108.9m, including 7.6 g/t Au over 9.4m. “Infill and recognizing drilling at Pilar has confirmed that gold mineralization occurs in at least three parallel zones to the Main Zone across a 600m wide area and so far defined along 600m of strike, the same that based on surface indications and historic workings seems to continue for another 600m towards the southeast”. Column Leach studies from surface material at Pilar returned above regional average recovery for gold, reporting over 85% recovery from initial metallurgical testing. At El Picacho property, surface work outlined key target areas across the large 24 square-km project area. An initial drill program was completed at its San Ramon Prospect, but results are pending to be released.
Mammoth Resources Corp., provided a year-end update on activities developed at its Tenoriba project, Chihuahua. Highlights include the report of the final six drill holes of a 27-hole diamond drill program for a total of 3,244.25m. To date, Mammoth has drill-tested five targets zones within three project areas: El Moreno, Masuparia, and Carneritos, with 55 holes totalling 8,158.25m. “These project areas measure from hundreds of meters to over 1 km in strike length, along a 4km, east-west trend of gold-silver mineralization identified in 3-D modelling incorporating data from over 3,000 soil, chip and channel samples, 26 prior diamond drill holes, geological and structural mapping, and the potential continuity at depth of surface mineralization as indicated by an Induced Polarization/Magnetometer (IP/Mag) geophysical survey”. The company is currently conducting additional studies on the results of the 27 holes, including metallurgical testing, as well as the assessment by a third party resource modelling expert to recommend drill spacing to estimate a maiden mineral resource at the Tenoriba project. The company is also working on a technical report to communicate findings, conclusions, and recommendation for future work.
ON MINING
No relevant news.
ON FINANCING
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd.,issued a total of 15,952,196 units at a price of CAD $0.425 per unit to close the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $6.8M. Net proceeds will be used to ramp up production at the Company’s existing mines in and about Guanajuato, Mexico including El Cubo, San Ignacio and Valenciana, expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango, Mexico, increase brownfields’ exploration programs, and fund general and administrative expenses. The closing of a second tranche of the Offering is expected to occur on or about January 12, 2023.
Regency Silver Corp., completed a non-brokered private placement of 10,795,000 common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share for gross proceeds of CAD $2,159,000. The company paid a finder´s fee of CAD $16K in cash in connection with part of the closing of the private placement. Net proceeds will be used for work programs on the properties of Regency Silver including drilling and geophysics in early January 2023 on our flagship Dios Padre property, for property payments on other properties of the Company and for general working capital.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
MAG Silver Corp., received confirmation from Fresnillo plc that final testing of the downstream power distribution and control systems at its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas is now complete. The entire system has now been energized and Juanicipio has been connected to the national power grid.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., provided a summary of the 2022 exploration activities developed at its Zacatecas Silver project in Zacatecas State, and Esperanza project in Morelos State. At Zacatecas project, the company filed a NI 43-101 technical report to support its initial Mineral Resource Estimate on the Panuco Vein located within the Zacatecas Silver project. After filing the technical report, the company reported multiple high grade silver intercepts from drilling in an area north of the resource, named Panuco North and in an area of the property named El Cristo, which is an extension of the prolific Veta Grande Silver Vein on the Zacatecas Silver Property. At Esperanza project, the company completed an initial Mineral Resource Estimate outlining a high grade oxide gold deposit with significant exploration potential, and reported that a Pre-Feasibility Study is underway to support high margin, high grade, low capex, and low cost production. In addition, the company announced that multiple community programs continue to function and grow, including projects relating to health, education, and environment.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver ltd., entered an arm´s length definitive agreement with First Majestic on May 25, 2022 to acquire a 100% interest in the 39,714-hectare La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico and provided an update on its proposed acquisition. Earlier this month, shareholders voted in favour of a resolution to approve the proposed acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of La Guitarra Compañia Minera S.A. de C.V from Corporacion First Majestic, S.A. de C.V., in exchange for 69,063,076 common shares of the company at a deemed price of CAD $0.65 per Consideration Share, having an aggregate value of CAD $44,890,999 (USD $35M). The ordinary resolution with respect to the transaction was approved by 99.99% of the votes cast by shareholders. The transaction has been conditionally accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Gatos Silver Inc., provided a bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (MCTO). Pursuant to National Policy 12-203, the company must file bi-weekly status reports in the form of further news releases during the period from the Notice until the MCTO is revoked. “The company reports that since the Notice: (i) there have been no material changes regarding the information contained in the Notice that have not been disclosed in a bi-weekly default status report or in a news release referenced therein; (ii) there have been no failures by the company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203; and (iii) there has not been any specified default subsequent to the defaults announced in the Notice and the news releases dated May 13, 2022, August 5, 2022 and November 11, 2022”. (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
Mammoth Resources Corp., announced the issuance of 2,206,000 common share stock options to directors, officers, and contract employees, exercisable at a price of $0.05 per common share (Tenoriba project, Chihuahua).
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, ginguro texture in a banded quartz vein-breccia from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
According to IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) there are 421,833 mining industry direct employees in Mexico, same that in 2021 generated 2.5% of the GDP, or 34,782 million pesos (US$16.5 billion dollars). The country is within the ten top producers of fluorite, sodium sulfate, wollastonite, celestite, lead, molybdenum, barite, diatomite, magnesium sulfate, zinc, salt, gypsum, cadmium, gold, feldspar and copper, and the top silver producer during the last 13 years. Workers in the industry earn an average of 23,366 pesos per month.
Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) expects Mexico’s investment in mining to surpass US$5 billion (5,000 million pesos). Jaime Gutiérrez, president, pointed that it occurs under the contrast of high metal prices and national policy regulatory hurdles. Karen Flores, director, expressed that the risk in mining is major in exploration, diminishing as the project advances to the mining stage. Another obstacle is the discretionary granting of permits, highlighting the need of a clear and objective decision-making process. Stressed also was the need to have public policies that favor the investments in clean energies, as these are crucial for the competitiveness of the country.
Raquel Buenrostro, head of the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía or SE) indulged herself in a barrage of accusations to the mining industry, pointing that it pays nearly zero taxes in proportion to its earnings, and is one of the industries with more corruption related to the Secretaría de Economía. She indicated that this is one of the reasons why the government has not granted mining concessions for the last four years, further adding that mining companies are no innocent entities, having problems the World around. “After hydrocarbons, the strongest smuggling is that of mining” she stressed, “more than textiles, shoes and clothing”. According to her numbers, mining companies pay 0.002% of its total earnings, compared to 2.4% of major contributors or between 30 and 35% for employees. She also commented on the case of a foreign company that using a twisted argument decided not pay taxes for ten years, while the case if reviewed by the Supreme Court. “Concessions, concessions and concessions were granted, some without complying with the law, some granted more than once, and those who have concessions do not comply with the obligations that should be covered…. the problem of corruption is strong, and I believe that this is one of the areas with biggest corruption problems in the Secretaría de Economía (Note of editor. The points of view of Raquel Buenrostro mimic those of the president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which is strongly critical of all private industries, including mining. More than a decade ago, while bidding for the presidency, he had expressed that no mining concessions were to be issued under his term. He’s true to his word, at least in this respect).
Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) replied to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of Economy (See above) that the companies affiliated to the entity comply in time with its fiscal obligations, including special taxes that only miners pay. The mining industry conveys more resources for the federal coffers than other productive sectors, according to information from the Secretaría de Hacienda y Credito Público. Camimex argues that its enterprises generate more than 400 K direct jobs, and 2.6 M indirect jobs, with an average salary that is 37% higher than the national one. Also, studies by UNAM (Universidad Autónoma de México) show that the municipalities and localities with mining activity have greater levels of economic and human development than the national average. The letter ended “We miners are proud of our activities, the responsible and committed companies in Camimex will continue contributing to the economic development and social wellbeing in the country. We reiterate our commitment and absolute will and interest to establish the dialogue and collaboration with the authorities that are conducive to the strengthening of the sector and the country”.
ON EXPLORATION
Colibri Resource Corp. re-commenced phase-2 reverse circulation drilling at the Evelyn property in Sonora. Five holes are planned with 2,000 m of drilling to test induced polarization targets from the 2021 geophysical survey, a second objective is to explore under extensive alluvial cover drilling a number of short holes and sample the top of the bedrock. A soil sampling program has been recently completed, and samples sent for “Gas Soil Hydrocarbon” testing.
Almadex Minerals Ltd. released drilling results from its first hole at the San Pedro project in Jalisco. The highlighted core length interval is 4.51 m @ 657 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au (including 2.0 m @ 1,090 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au). Almadex describes a breccia with silicified fragments in sericitic alteration, with galena and sphalerite occurring in the matrix and in fragments. These characteristics point to an intermediate sulfidation epithermal system, although other options have not been ruled out at this stage. “The San Pedro project covers a large area of acid sulphate alteration, including zones previous described as vuggy silica. Recent Terraspec analysis indicates sericitisation superposed on propylitic alteration in the mineralised zones with acid sulphate alteration occurring at the north”.
ON MINING
No Relevant News.
ON FINANCING
Prismo Metals Inc. announced that the private placement for up to $3 M has been fully allocated. (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. signed a new concentrate and pre-payment facility with Ocean Partners Ltd., to provide a US$5 M revolving credit facility for operating and working capital purposes. GSilver also completed its previously announced shares-for-debt transaction to settle C$1.13 M (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the first tranche of its $2 M private placement announced in November, for aggregate gross proceeds of $334.6 K (La Virginia, Sonora).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported assays results from step-out and infill drilling at El Limón Sur, targeting underground mineralization as well as open pit mill feed at its El Limón Guajes mine complex in Guerrero. Highlighted core length results comprise 15.96 m @ 87.60 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 0.15% Cu (including 4.46 m @ 163.51 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag and 3.82 m @ 166.94 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag, 0.20% Cu); 22.81 m @ 25.31 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag, 3.45% Cu (including 3.00 m @107.63 gpt Au, 259 gpt Ag, 6.18% Cu); 20.52 m @ 9.49 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu; 18.72 m @8.10 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.95% Cu; 9.90 m @ 15.19 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 0.56% Cu; 17.85 m @ 13.39 gpt Au (including 2.25 m @ 90.05 gpt Au); 7.70 m @ 22.99 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu; 3.99 m @ 43.24 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag. These strong results add the El Limón Sur Deep to the previously identified potential mining front at Sub-Sill South. “The style of mineralization at El Limón Sur Deep is like Sub-Sill and ELD, and is characterized by gold, with locally high silver and copper grades. Gold occurs in variably sulfidized, pyrrhotite-rich skarn, while silver and copper mineralization is controlled primarily by the degree of sulfidation of the host skarn. Mineralization is mainly associated with retrograde alteration characterized by the occurrence of phlogopite, amphibole, chlorite, calcite and lesser amounts of quartz and epidote, and local magnetite”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. filed a NI-43-101 technical report with a resource estimate for the recently acquired (July 2022) La Pitarrilla project in Durango. Total indicated resources, open pit and underground, oxide and sulfide, stand at 158.6 M tonnes @ 96.4 gpt Ag, 0.31% Pb, 0.74% Zn, containing 491.6 M Oz Ag, 1.1 billion Lb Pb, 2.6 billion Lb Zn or 693.9 M Oz AgEq. Inferred resources, open pit and underground, oxide and sulfide, comprise 35.4 M tonnes @ 87.2 gpt Ag, 0.36% Pb, 0.85% Zn, containing 99.4 M Oz Ag, 281 M Lb Pb, 662 M Lb Zn or 151.2 M Oz AgEq.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Argonaut Gold Inc. entered into a binding purchase agreement with Heliostar Metals Ltd. for the sale of the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. The deal involves a cash payment of US$10 M at closing, US$5 M in Heliostar shares when either an extension to the current mining permit or a new underground mining permit is granted, US$2 M on the completion of a feasibility study (FS), US$3 M in cash and US$2 M in shares on construction announcement and US$5 M in cash and US$3 M in Heliostar shares on announcement of commercial production.
Argonaut Gold Inc. entered into an option agreement with Heliostar Metals Ltd. for the sale of the San Antonio project in Baja California Sur. Heliostar is to pay Argonaut US$80 M if the gold price is below $1,800 per ounce for the six months preceding the exercise of the option, US$120 M if the price is in the US$1,800 to US$2,000 per ounce range in the same period, or US$150 M if the gold price is above US$2,000 per ounce in the said period. A 2.0% NSR is to be paid to Argonaut if the option is exercised. The term of the option is for three years, that can be extended for 18 months if Heliostar is able to acquire an environmental permit from SEMARNAT, the environmental regulator (Note of editor. – which is unlikely to occur on this presidential term, ending in 2024).
Prime Meridian Resources Corp. executed two letters of intent for the option to purchase up to 100% interest in the 3,792-hectare El Chuin copper project in Sonora. The project encompasses an interpreted porphyry copper target, with small scale mine workings developed in veins, disseminations and replacement style mineralization. The main target areas are Samaniego, La Gloria and Nogales. The option envisages the payment of US$30 K on year one, US$50 K and 250 K shares on year two, US$50 K and 500 K shares on year three, US$50 K and 1 M shares on year four and US$50 K and 1.5 M shares on year five, for a total of US230 K and 3.25 M shares, plus US$2.22 M of investment on the property. The current property owner retains a 1% NSR that can be bought for US$1.5 M. A second purchase option requires the payment prior to the 5th year anniversary of US$250 K for the La Gloria concession, US$250 K for La Gloria II concession and US$1 M for the Nino Luis concessions. “The El Chuin concessions are currently not in good standing and PMR will be obliged to bring the concessions to good standing. No payments to the vendors will be made prior to obtaining good standing for the concessions”.
Capitan Mining Inc. executed an option agreement with Fresnillo PLC to acquire 100% interest in mineral rights to a key property at the Cruz de Plata project in Durango. The high-grade silver trend owned by Capitan is now 2.5 km in length, including extensions and targets on the Jesus Maria, San Rafael, El Tubo, El Refugio and Teresa veins. The optioned land holds 2,000 m of historic drilling in five holes with highlighted core length intervals of 1.0 m @ 233 gpt Ag, 0.1%Pb; 5.2 m @ 185 gpt Ag, 0.29 gpt Au, 0.90% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 29.0 m @ 55 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 1.3 m @ 284 gpt Ag, 0.43 gpt Au, 1.6% Pb, 5.5% Zn); 6.3 m @ 94 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 4.7 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 1.2 m @ 157 gpt Ag, 0.12 gpt Au, 1.1% Pb, 3.3% Zn. The deal involves a 3-year exploration agreement for the “Casco U” mining concessions, for a total of US$1.0 M over the period and 1% NSR which can be bought for US$1 M.
Golden Tag Resources Ltd. entered into a definitive agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp. to acquire 100% interest on La Parrilla project in Durango. The property covers 69,478 hectares, with five underground mines, an open pit and a processing plant comprising parallel 1,000 tpd flotation and 1,000 tpd cyanidation leach circuits where oxide and sulfide ores can be processed. There are 9.5 M Oz AgEq in measured and indicated historical resources and 12.5 M Oz AgEq in inferred resources. In consideration for the purchase Golden Tag will issue First Majestic US$20 M in Golden Tag shares, and US$2.7 M in the first 18 months, US$5.75 M (cash or shares) when either 5 M Oz AgEq of reserves or 22 M Oz AgEq of measured and indicated resources are declared. And US$5.05 M (cash or shares) when a new zone with a NI-43-101 report holding more than 12.5 M Oz AgEq is announced. After closing First Majestic will have the right to maintain its pro-rata interest in Golden Tag, up to 19.9% of shares.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Hecla Mining Co. received the 2022 Environmental and Sustainability Excellence Award for its San Sebatian mine in Durango. The award by the American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) is in recognition by the company’s strong commitment to the highest environmental and sustainability standards.
On the image below puzzling boudin like siliceous bands in limestone on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
During the 48th week of the year (November 28th to December 04th, 2022), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 7 news published by the media with seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven commenting on Mexican issues, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, three communicating production and financial results, three announcing financing issues, one informing on exploration results, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Altos Hornos de Mexico assured that the power outage at its plants is an act of bad faith derived from charging millions of dollars to Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) for illegal cancellation of coal supply. The Secretariat of Economy identified 159 mining companies with foreign capital operating in 26 states of Mexico (mostly juniors and exploration) in 2021. According to the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), Newmont, Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo operated the main zinc mines in Mexico in 2021. Maria Luisa Albores, the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) informed deputies, in a very unfortunate statement, that the federal government will not grant more authorizations for open-pit mining due to the negative impacts on the environment and human health. Grupo Mexico maintained its position as the largest copper producer in Mexico, adding a total of 1.25 B Lb Cu in 2021. Prime Mining, Aztec Minerals, GoGold, Vizsla, and Oroco reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of December, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals reported results for the last three holes from the recently completed phase 3 drill program at its Cervantes project. ON MINING, Bear Creek reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Guanajuato Silver reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Orogen reported Q3 operating and financial results. ON FINANCING, SilverCrest announced that it has refinanced its USD $120M secured project financing facility (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Prime Mining announced a CAD $16.5M bought deal private placement financing, the same that later on was upsized to CAD $18.3M (Los Reyes project, Sinaloa). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Barksdale reported an initial Resource Estimate at Cerro Verde within its San Javier project, Sonora. GoGold presented results from its ongoing drilling program at its Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Oroco released results from seven holes collared in the North Zone at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Prime Mining announced results from seven holes from its recently completed phase 2 drill program at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. SilverCrest announced the completion and final permanent connection to power line for its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. Starcore released its Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 compliant technical report for its El Creston project in Sonora. Vizsla announced results from seven drill holes targeting the southern extension of the Napoleon Vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Canuc signed a comprehensive agreement with the Ejido of San Javier, located in the Municipality of San Javier, Sonora. First Majestic announced the proposed sale of its royalty portfolio to Metalla Royalty for a total consideration of USD $20M. Kootenay announced the appointment of Dale Brittliffe as its new VP Exploration (Columba project, Chihuahua). Riverside received USD $2.5M in cash and 2% royalty from Fresnillo plc for the sale of the Tajitos project, Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Ricardo Sierra Oteiza, spokesman for the mining company Esperanza Silver de Mexico, stated that gold and silver mining is an activity that has the capacity to accelerate economic processes at the local level, generating employment, encouraging local supply networks, contributing tax revenue to the treasury and contributing to the social and economic development of the communities hosting mining projects, among other benefits.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Altos Hornos de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. (AHMSA), assured that the power outage at its plants is an act of bad faith derived from charging millions of dollars to Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) for illegal cancellation of coal supply. AHMSA is owned by Mexican businessman Alonso Ancira, who assured that CFE’s actions are unjustifiable because they represented the loss of 4,000 direct jobs and more than 8,000 indirect ones, in addition to having generated disorder in the general coal industry. “These aggressive actions began after the Judiciary accepted a claim for damages for USD $700M for the unilateral and illegal cancellation of the supply of coal for the two generating plants located in Nava, Coahuila,” accused the company. “AHMSA stated that the actions taken by the management of the CFE show that it does not care about harming Coahuila and the people of Coahuila, since our plants located in that entity represent a direct source of livelihood for 17,000 Coahuila families.
Karen Flores, General Director of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX), declared that the Federal Government stops additionally collecting up to MXP $25 B after the suspension of mining concessions and the paralysis of new permits. She explained that the policy of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has halted more than 800 mining projects that only await federal authorization to start operations. “If the projects that are stopped were to start up, we would be talking about MXP $20 to 25 B per year to the federal treasury,” she said. She maintained that only in terms of taxes, the industry entered the public coffers in 2021 more than MXP $60 B and in seven years, MXP $240 B, an amount that could be higher if there were no obstacles in the current legislation.
The Secretariat of Economy identified 159 mining companies with foreign capital operating in 26 states of Mexico (mostly juniors and exploration) in 2021. These companies operate 1,209 projects, of which 822 were halted and nine operations reported closing at the end of last year. The mining GDP in Mexico was MXP $865.2 B in 2021, a growth of 1.6% year-on-year, in real terms (based on GDP calculated in constant MXP $ with purchasing power as of December 31, 2013). For their part, mining-metallurgical exports amounted to USD $23,579M in 2021, a figure that meant an increase of 28.1% compared to the previous year. The significant increase in exports allowed that, despite the increase that was also reported in imports, an increase in the positive balance of the mining-metallurgical trade balance of 29.6% was registered and reached a value of USD $11,904M. The positive results in foreign trade in minerals consolidated the mining-metallurgical industry as the fifth source of foreign exchange, surpassing tourism and the agricultural sector, and only behind the automotive industry, the electrical and electronic equipment and machinery industry, remittances and oil exports. The mining sector presented an increase in the contribution to the National GDP, going from 2.3% in 2020 to 2.5% in 2021, and in the Industrial GDP the record went from 8.3% to 8.6% in the study period, according to data from the Mining Chamber of Mexico. Gold remained the main product of the national mining-metallurgical industry in 2021, with a share of 28.4% in the total value of production, followed by copper with 27.7% and silver with 20.4%.
According to the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), Newmont, Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo operated the main zinc mines in Mexico in 2021. Peñasquito, owned by Newmont and located in the state of Zacatecas, leads the ranking, with 245.84K tonnes Zn, then follow two mines of Industrias Peñoles: Velardeña, Durango with 909.68K tonnes Zn, and Tizapa State of Mexico with 40.13K tonnes Zn. The table below shows the Zn production by mine for the year 2021:
The Buenavista Zinc project, in Sonora, is located within the Buenavista facilities and includes the development of a new concentrator to produce approximately 100K tonnes Zn and 20K tonnes Cu per year.
While the project has all the necessary permits, the project budget is USD $413M and is expected to start operations in 2023. As of December 31, 2021, Grupo México had invested USD $217M in this project. When completed, Grupo México anticipates that this new facility will double the company’s zinc production capacity and provide 490 direct and 1,470 indirect jobs. Other notable companies are: Gatos Silver, Minera Frisco and Gold Resource.
Maria Luisa Albores, the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) informed deputies, in a very unfortunate statement, that the federal government will not grant more authorizations for open-pit mining due to the negative impacts on the environment and human health. When appearing before the joint commissions for the Environment and Natural Resources, and Climate Change and Sustainability of the Chamber of Deputies, the federal official also announced that mining concessions were detected in 68 Protected Natural Areas, “which contravenes the conservation and protection of the territory and its natural resources”. Opposition legislators such as the PAN members questioned the programs of this administration such as “Sembrando Vida”, pointing out that they do not have operating rules that allow their transparency and the energy transition has been aborted, in addition, environmental deforestation is not punished.
Grupo Mexico maintained its position as the largest copper producer in Mexico, adding a total of 559.83K tonnes Cu in 2021. The company maintains copper production operations in Sonora, Chihuahua, San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas. With this, the company registered a coverage of 76.3% of the national copper production in 2021. The table below shows the Cu production by mine during 2021:
Prime Mining Corp., Aztec Minerals Corp., GoGold Resources Inc., Vizsla Silver Corp., and Oroco Resources Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of December, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., reported results for the last three holes from the recently completed phase 3 drill program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole CAL22-031, which was collared in the California Zone with 0.87 g/t Au over 28.5m, plus 0.58 g/t Au over 85.5m, including 2.3 g/t Au over 12m. “This drill hole confirms the footwall of the main California Zone mineralization at depth and fills a large gap in the drilling pattern”.
ON MINING
Bear Creek Mining Corporation reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company mined 126,420 tonnes of 2.92 g/t Au and processed 148,211 tonnes of 2.45 g/t Au with a metallurgical recovery of 95.53% to produce 11,170 Oz Au. Bear Creek sold 14,445 Oz Au at a cash and all-in-sustaining cost per Oz Au sold of USD $995 and USD $1,364 respectively at a realized price of USD $1,729 per Oz Au. The company reported revenues of USD $26.54M from the sale of gold and silver; a net loss of USD $7.7M; cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as September 30, 2022 for USD $9.6M. Bear Creek plans to mine approximately 600K tonnes of 3.7 g/t Au to produce between 60K and 73K Oz Au in 2023.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported consolidated Q3, 2022 production and financial results from their Mexican operations (El Cubo and San Ignacio mines in Guanajuato, and Topia mine in Durango). The company mined 107,379 tonnes and milled 107,009 tonnes to produce 329.3K Oz Ag, 3,226 Oz Au, 537.6K Lb Pb, and 677.1 Lb Zn (700.3K Oz AgEq) at cash and all-in-sustaining cost of USD $13.86 and USD $19.53 per Oz AgEq respectively. It sold 311.7K Oz Ag, 2,997 Oz Au, 504.4K Lb Pb, and 273.3K Lb Zn (628.3K Oz AgEq). Guanajuato Silver reported revenue of USD $8.87M; cost of sales of USD $12.2M; mine operating loss of USD $3.34M; net loss of USD $8.4M; and cash on hand of USD $6.36M.
Orogen Royalties Inc., reported Q3 operating and financial results. The company reported a net gain from operations of CAD $123.4K or CAD $0.001 per share; revenue of CAD $1.16M from the Ermitaño royalty with 478 attributable Oz AuEq sold at average price of USD $1,728 per Oz Au; net income of CAD $203K from prospect generation activities and recognized an impairment of CAD $262.1K for projects that have been dropped during the period; general and administrative expenses of CAD $802.1K and a loss of CAD $468K on fair value adjustments of marketable securities due to capital markets volatility. It also reported cash flow from operating activities of CAD $188.5K; cash flow from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital of CAD $10.7M including CAD $3.3M in cash and cash equivalents, and CAD $5.2M in short term investments and no long-term debt.
ON FINANCING
SilverCrest Metal Inc., announced that it has refinanced its USD $120M secured project financing facility, of which only USD $90M was drawn with a new USD $120M senior secured credit facility through a syndicate of lenders comprised of The Bank of Nova Scotia and Bank of Montreal (Las Chispas project, Sonora).
Prime Mining Corp., announced a CAD $16.5M bought deal private placement financing consisting of 11M units at a price of CAD $1.5 per unit, the same that later on was upsized to CAD $18.3M for the sale of 12.2M units at a price of CAD $1.5 per unit. Gross proceeds will be used to develop and explore its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa and for general corporate purposes.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Barksdale Resources Corporation reported an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at Cerro Verde within its San Javier project, Sonora. The Resource is pit-constrained and considered a base case of USD $4/Lb copper. The table below shows the MRE effective as of October 31, 2022:
Cerro Verde remains open for expansion in most directions and the Mesa Grande and La Trinidad prospects both have historic drilling that indicates the presence of copper mineralization. Barksdale plans to initiate a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at Cerro Verde that envisions a low-strip copper heap operation to produce cathode copper on site.
GoGold Resources Inc., presented results from its ongoing drilling program at its Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGG-22-218 with 3.98 g/t Au and 529 g/t Ag (11.04 g/t AuEq or 828 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 12.43 g/t Au and 1,626 g/t Ag (34.1 g/t AuEq or 2,558 g/t AgEq) over 4.8m, including 20.32 g/t Au and 2,774 g/t Ag (57.31 g/t AuEq or 4,298 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m, including 37.90 g/t Au and 4,250 g/t Ag (94.57 g/t AuEq or 7,093 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m. Drilling results continue to confirm high grade wide intercepts in the Main deposit on Los Ricos South property.
Oroco Resource Corp., released results from seven holes collared in the North Zone at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole NO32 with 0.34% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.021 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.37% CuEq) over 88.7m; hole NO34 with 0.34% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 0.029 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.40% CuEq) over 267m; hole NO35 with 0.37% Cu, 0.006% Mo, 0.042 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.42% CuEq) over 220.5m; and hole NO36 with 0.43% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.092 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.51% CuEq) over 139.6m. “The company has now completed 43 drill holes (28,119 m of drilling) in its 2021-2022 North Zone drilling confirming good grade mineralization along 1,700 m of strike, demonstrating a westward dipping panel with consistent grades down-dip to about 400-500 m depth below the ridge, bottoming about sea level. The program is nearing completion with the remainder of the program focused on expanding the shallow seated mineralized zone on the hanging wall along the south-west side of the Gradeshell with the continued goal of increasing the resource in this newly identified zone”.
Prime Mining Corp., announced results from seven holes from its recently completed phase 2 drill program at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole 22GE-118 with 3 g/t Au and 215 g/t Ag over a true width (TW)of 5.5m, including 6.8 g/t Au and 469 g/t Ag over a TW of 1m, plus 6.8 g/t Au and 166 g/t Ag over a TW of 18.3m, including 11.6 g/t Au and 262 g/t Ag over a TW of 9.1m, plus 4.8 g/t Au and 144 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.8m, plus 2.9 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag over a TW of 7.2m, including 9.9 g/t Au and 231 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m, including 2.9 g/t Au and 101 g/t Ag over a TW of 7.2m, including 7 g/t Au and 327 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m, plus 2 g/t Au and 72 g/t Ag over a TW of 7.4m, including 2.8 g/t Au and 90 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.4m: hole 22GE-121 with 12.8 g/t Au and 646 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.1m, plus 4.2 g/t Au and 212 g/t Ag over a TW of 12.7m, including 10.2 g/t Au and 547 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.5m, plus 10.9 g/t Au and 765 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.4m, plus 21 g/t Au and 413 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.3m; hole 22GE-122 with 2.2 g/t Au and 54 g/t Ag over a TW of 13.8m, including 9.1 g/t Au and 141 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.1m, plus 8.8 g/t Au and 289 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.6m, including 33.2 g/t Au and 1,072 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m; and hole 22GE-120 with 6.8 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over a TW of 6.8m, including 12.2 g/t Au and 337 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.5m, plus 23 g/t Au and 495 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m, plus 3.5 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag over 6.7m, including 11.3 g/t Au and 245 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.8m, plus 9.9 g/t Au and 149 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.8m.
SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the completion and final permanent connection of its 33 kilovolt electrical power line for its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. The company also released its inaugural Task Force for Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) report and a corresponding Water Stewardship report based on conclusions from the TCFD report.
Starcore International Mines Ltd., released its pit-constraint Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 compliant technical report for its El Creston project in Sonora. Measured resources as of September 30, 2022 are 56.3M tonnes of 0.076% Mo and 0.04% Cu for a total of 94.3M Lb Mo and 49.7M Lb Cu and Indicated resources of 142.2M tonnes of 0.067% Mo and 0.08% Cu for a total of 210M Lb Mo and 250.8M Lb Cu. Measured + Indicated resources are 198.5M tonnes of 0.069% Mo and 0.07% Cu for a total of 304.4M Lb Mo and 300.5M Lb Cu.
Vizsla Silver Corp., announced results from seven drill holes targeting the southern extension of the Napoleon Vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole NP-22-320 with 279 g/t Au, 24.01 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, and 7.6% Zn (2,305 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.55m, including 267 g/t Ag, 29.1 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 7.2% Zn (2,631 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.18m, plus 113 g/t Ag, 0.69 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (390 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.8m, plus 143 g/t Ag, 0.87 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 3.7% Zn (344 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.45m; hole NP-22-329 with 886 g/t Ag, 7.44 g/t Au, 2.2% Pb, and 6.8% Zn (1,660 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.88m, plus 222 g/t Ag, 2.64 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (446 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.70m, including 668 g/t Ag, 2.22 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (875 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m, including 159 g/t Ag, 9.14 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (815 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m; and hole NP-22-333 with 54 g/t Ag, 1.22 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (203 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.1m, plus 378 g/t Ag, 2.53 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 4.3% Zn (696 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.50m.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Canuc Resources Corporation signed a comprehensive agreement for a period of 10 years with rights for renewal for a further 10 year period thereafter, with the Ejido of San Javier, located in the Municipality of San Javier, Sonora. The Agreement covers the Company’s 27 currently held claims and is contemplated to cover any further claims the Company may acquire in the San Javier area. The Ejido leadership at San Javier requested assistance from Canuc to implement controls against disruptive artisanal mining activities taking place locally by artisanal miners who have come to San Javier, but who are not from the area.
First Majestic Silver Corp., announced the proposed sale of its royalty portfolio to Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd for a total consideration of USD $20M in common shares of Metalla. Total consideration consists of 4,168,056 Metalla shares at a deemed price of USD $4.7984 per share based on a 25-day volume-weighted average price on the NYSE American Exchange having an aggregate value of approximately USD $20.0M. The consideration will be paid upon Closing of the Transaction.
Kootenay Silver Inc., announced the appointment of Dale Brittliffe as its new VP Exploration (Columba project, Chihuahua).
Riverside Resources Inc., received USD $2.5M in cash and 2% NSR royalty from Fresnillo plc for the sale of the Tajitos project in Sonora. Fresnillo will have, for a four-year term, the option to buy back half of the 2.0% NSR for a payment of USD $1.5M. If enacted, then Fresnillo would have an additional three years to buy back the remaining 1% NSR for another USD $1.5M. If Fresnillo does not exercise its first buy back option during the first four-year term, the Royalty will no longer be subject to any buy back provisions. The NSR covers the entire Riverside land package and a full NSR Agreement has been agreed upon and included in the signed contract between the companies. If Fresnillo wishes to reduce mineral claims, then the Company has the first right to retain those mineral tenures before they are dropped.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Ricardo Sierra Oteiza, spokesman for the mining company Esperanza Silver de México, stated that gold and silver mining is an activity that has the capacity to accelerate economic processes at the local level, generating employment, encouraging local supply networks, contributing tax revenue to the treasury and contributing to the social and economic development of the communities hosting mining projects, among other benefits. In the case of the state of Morelos, in the community of San Agustín Tetlama in the municipality of Temixco, the company Esperanza Silver de México carries out scientific and technical prospecting and exploration studies to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement in search of the due authorizations from the federal government, so that, where appropriate, start the construction phase. If this mining project is consolidated, the Morelos community of San Agustín Tetlama would be expected to become a pole of economic and social development that joins the economic reactivation actions promoted by the government of the state of Morelos and the federal government.
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, drill core displaying ginguro texture in a banded quartz vein from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 46th week of the year (November 14th to November 20th, 2022), at least 15 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 3 news published by the media with five reporting resources and developments of their properties, four communicating production and financial results, three informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, one disclosing deals and corporate issues, one discussing social issues, and one announcing financing issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The mining industry is one of the industries that consumes the least vital liquid and, at the same time, the one that acquires it at the highest cost, refuting the myth about water consumption in mining. Alamos Gold, GoGold, Aztec Minerals, Silver Tiger, and Minaurum Gold reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of November, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals reported results for five drill holes from the recently completed phase 3 drill program at its Cervantes project, Tocvan announced that initial drilling is ongoing at its El Picacho project, and Minaurum provided an update on the underground rehabilitation work at the historical Promontorio mine within its Alamos Silver project. ON MINING, Starcore reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. MAG Silver announced Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. US Antimony reported September-October production results. SilverCrest reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Vizsla closed its previously announced bought deal financing for gross proceeds of $CAD 34.5M (Panuco project, Sinaloa). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger released results from its on-going drilling program at its El Tigre project in Sonora, and provided an update on the underground rehabilitation of the El Tigre Mine. Gatos Silver announced that it has filed a NI 43-101 technical report to disclose a Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve update for its Los Gatos project, Chihuahua. Alamos Gold extended high-grade mineralization at its Puerto del Aire Deposit within Mulatos district, Sonora. GoGold released strong results from the new drilling program at its Los Ricos South Main Area and at the newly acquired Eagle concession in Jalisco. Zacatecas Silver announced its initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at its Esperanza Gold project in Morelos. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Zacatecas Silver entered into an agreement with Gold Standard Media and with Future Monet Trends to raise awareness of the company`s shares among investors (Esperanza Gold project, Morelos). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fundación Grupo México in alliance with the Government of Jalisco, promoted the forest recovery in the Municipalities of Sayula, Encarnación de Díaz and Ocotlán through the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (SEMADET) in coordination with the Intermunicipal Boards of the Environment (JIMA) and the Jalisco Solidarity Volunteers.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
The mining industry is one of the industries that consumes the least vital liquid and, at the same time, the one that acquires it at the highest cost, while agricultural use, which represents 77% of national water consumption, does not contribute any payment for it to the public treasury. Despite the fact that it only consumes 1.4% of the country`s water, the authorization of concessions for the use of this resource for mining constitutes the main source of income for this concept of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). According to data from the Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX), around 50% of government incomes from payment of rights for the use of water in the country are those contributed by mining companies. The Mexican territory is divided in four availability zones and, depending on the zone in which it operates, is the amount that concessionaires must pay for each cubic meter. Mexican mining pays up to MXP $26 for each cubic meter of water, while the average for the different industries is MXP $14. Municipalities pay only MXP $0.58. Meanwhile, the agricultural and livestock sectors, which are the main consumers in the country, do not pay rights for concessions for the use of water and despite this, these users tend to blame mining for the shortage. In Mexico, there are two types of concessions for the use of water: groundwater (located in subsoil aquifers) and surface water (found in rivers and lakes). According to CONAGUA, the main uses of this water resource are agricultural and livestock, which together consume approximately 76.7%; It is followed by urban public use, which is equivalent to 14.1%; the use for electricity generation with 5.1% and industries, whose consumption amounts to 4.1%. Of this amount, 0.9% corresponds to the mining sector. It refutes the myth about water consumption in mining.
Alamos Gold Inc, GoGold Inc, Aztec Minerals Corp, Silver Tiger Metals Inc, and Minaurum Gold Inc reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of November, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., reported results for five drill holes from the recently completed phase 3 drill program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. Highlights of the drilling include hole CAL22-027 in the West-Central area of the California Zone with 0.68 g/t Au over 120m; and hole CAL22-029, a step out extending the California Zone to the North, with 0.77 g/t Au over 57m. These results have expanded the footprint of the known extents of the mineralized and altered California quartz feldspar intrusive complex to the North. “The area currently being drilled measures approximately 900 meters long E – W by 730 meters wide, with demonstrated, continuous mineralization of up to 170 meters in depth. The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions”.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced that initial drilling is ongoing at its El Picacho project in Sonora. The drilling program is focused on two primary areas within the San Ramon prospect: Las Guijas where underground chip samples range from 0.5 to 8.2 g/t Au, with an average of 3.6 g/t Au, and San Ramon where underground samples range from 0.3 to 22 g/t Au, with an average of 5 g/t Au. The property is currently permitted for 14 drill pads. El Picacho is host to several other target areas permitted for drilling that span across the 24 km2 project area.
Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an update on the underground rehabilitation work at the historical Promontorio mine within its Alamos Silver project. It informed that has successfully accessed and is dewatering the main haulage level along with clearing crosscuts in the El Tirito area of the mine, which lies approximately 300m from the Promontorio adit entrance. Approximately 200 tonnes of ballast and 50 tonnes of backfill have been removed from the first 300 m of the haulage level and stockpiled outside the mine entrance. Three of the five service holes that were drilled to provide air, water, and electricity to facilitate underground rehabilitation efforts intercepted the Promontorio Vein. The most significant drill intercept encountered 98 g/t Ag, 3.6% Pb, and 7.9% Zn over 5.8m. In addition, sampling and mapping of dumps at Promontorio revealed a boulder of massive sulfide vein assaying 3,320 g/t Ag, 54.7 g/t Au, 25% Cu, 6.5% Pb, and 1.1% Zn. “The boulder, measuring roughly a meter across, is an indication of the type of grades exploited by early miners at Promontorio”.
ON MINING
Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 57,165 tonnes of 1.46 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 87.14% and 47.86% respectively, to produce 2,452 Oz AuEq.
MAG Silver Corp., announced Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, where it owns 44% of the property and Fresnillo plc owns the remainder 56%. The company reported on a 100% basis, that 180,808 tonnes of 513 g/t Ag were processed through the Fresnillo and Saucito plants to produce 2.42M Oz Ag, 4,901 Oz Au, 3M Lb Pb, and 4.56M Lb Zn. MAG reported a net income of USD $8.23M and cash of $USD 39.5M (Juanicipio had cash on hands of $USD 18.2M). Pre-commercial production sales totaled USD $49.7M, less USD $18.1 in mining and transportation costs and USD $6.4M in depreciation and amortization charges, netting USD $25.2M in gross profit by Juanicipio. The company also reported a cash balance at the end of the quarter of USD $18.2M down from USD $37.5M at the end of Q2, 2022.
US Antimony Corporation reported September-October production results. The company milled 1,116 tonnes of 0.87 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag from its Los Juarez Mine in Querétaro. In addition, the company announced that assay results from the previously announced soil sampling and rock chip programs on the 1km x 3 km grid at Los Juarez have been received with analysis values for Sb, Au, Ag, and trace elements. These results are being tabulated and assessed. Geologist and Geophysicist in Mexico have just completed the Geophysical Survey and are in the process of interpreting the results and generating a report. This report may be available prior to Q4 but most likely will be published early in Q1 of 2023.
SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora. The company produced 4,121 Oz Au and 373.5K Oz Ag (731.6K Oz AgEq) and had its first metal sales of 140.3K Oz Ag at an average price of USD $19.38 per Oz Ag, generating USD $2.7M in revenue. As of September 30, 2022 the company remains well-funded with cash and cash equivalents of USD $88.6M, and a debt balance of USD $90M.
ON FINANCING
Vizsla Silver Corp., closed its previously announced bought deal financing of 23.8M units of the company at a price of CAD $1.45 per unit for gross proceeds of $CAD 34.5M. Net proceeds will be used to advance the exploration and development of its Panuco project in Sinaloa, including the delivery of an updated mineral resource estimate in Q4, 2022, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its on-going drilling program at its El Tigre project in Sonora, and provided an update on the underground rehabilitation of the El Tigre Mine. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole ET-22-378 with 0.12 g/t Au, 469 g/t Ag, 0.66% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (525 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m, including 0.25 g/t Au, 1,002 g/t Ag, 0.39% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (1,096 g/t AgEq) over 1m at the Benjamin Vein Zone, plus 0.15 g/t Au, 212 g/t Ag, 0.12% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 6.9% Zn (524 g/t AgEq) over 6.9m, including 0.28 g/t Au, 940 g/t Ag, 0.6% Cu, 6.9% Pb, and 16.2% Zn (1,720 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m at the Shale Zone. The company also reported that the underground rehabilitation of the historic El Tigre mine is progressing well. Silver Tiger reported that to date it has rehabilitated over 450m in level 7, which was the main portal to the mine. “Silver Tiger is still on schedule to reach the Sooy Vein and then begin underground drilling of this new discovery under the Northern end of the unmined portion of the Historic El Tigre Mine”.
Gatos Silver Inc., announced that it has filed a NI 43-101 technical report to disclose a Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve update for its Los Gatos project, Chihuahua.
Alamos Gold Inc. reported new results from its ongoing drilling program and extended high-grade mineralization at its Puerto del Aire Deposit within Mulatos district, Sonora. Puerto Del Aire is a higher-grade underground deposit, adjacent to the main Mulatos pit, and is comprised of five zones including PDA1, PDA2, Gap, Victor and Estrella. Highlights of the drilling at PDA1 Zone include hole 21MUL051 with 32.24 g/t Au uncut ( 20.78 g/t Au cut) over a true width (TW) of 5.30m; hole 21MUL019 with 4.26 g/t Au over a TW of 2.25m, plus 26.28 g/t Au uncut (20.44 g/t Au cut) over a TW of 4.60m; hole 21MUL014 with 4.43 g/t Au over a TW of 4.50m, plus 18.01 g/t Au uncut (15.27 g/t Au cut) over a TW of 6.15m; hole 21MUL016 with 3.64 g/t Au over a TW of 6m, plus 3.02 g/t Au over a TW of 1.50m, plus 3.12 g/t Au over a TW of 11.50m, plus 3.63 g/t Au over a TW of 26.05m; hole MUL21021 with 10.66 g/t Au over a TW of 5.90m, plus 4.20 g/t Au over a TW of 12.25m, plus 14.57 g/t Au over a TW of 2.75m, plus 10.86 g/t Au over a TW of 8.35m; and hole 21MUL015 with 4.90 g/t Au over a TW of 1.15m, plus 6.78 g/t Au over a TW of 10.50m, plus 4.99 g/t Au over a TW of 1.40m. Highlights of the drilling at PDA2 Zone include hole 22MUL039 with 4.06 g/t Au over a TW of 0.85m, plus 13.89 g/t Au uncut (9.26 g/t Au cut) over a TW of 10.35m; hole 22MUL053 with 8.75 g/t Au over a TW of 13.15m, plus 7.7 g/t Au over a TW of 6m, plus 8.90 g/t Au over a TW of 3m, plus 4.20 g/t Au over a TW of 12.95m; hole 22MUL058 with 7.62 g/t Au over a TW of 14.65m; hole 22MUL052 with 3.07 g/t Au over a TW of 1.50m, plus 32.60 g/t Au over a TW of 2.35m, plus 10.90 g/t Au over a TW of 1.50m, plus 11.40 g/t Au over a TW of 1.50m; and hole 22MUL046 with 4.01 g/t Au over 1.70m, plus 13.22 g/t Au over 4.50m. Highlights of the drilling at Victor-Gap Zone include hole 21MUL011 with 31.97 g/t Au uncut (11.80 g/t Au cut) over a TW of 12.90m. “Drilling to date has demonstrated the significant potential to further expand high-grade mineralization at Puerto Del Aire with the deposit open in multiple directions”.
GoGold Resources Inc., released strong results from the new drilling program at its Los Ricos South Main Area and at the newly acquired Eagle concession in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGG-22-209 collared at Los Ricos South Main Area with 3.15 g/t Au and 276 g/t Ag (6.84 g/t AuEq or 513 g/t AgEq) over 33.2m, including 30.19 g/t Au and 2,588 g/t Ag (64.69 g/t AuEq or 4,852 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 73.10 g/t Au and 5,620 g/t Ag (148.03 g/t AuEq or 11,103 g/t AgEq) over 1m; and hole LRGG-22-043 collared at the Eagle Concession with 0.67 g/t Au and 78 g/t Ag (1.72 g/t AuEq or 129 g/t AgEq) over 8.2m, plus 1.32 g/t Au and 216 g/t Ag (4.20 g/t AuEq or 315 g/t AgEq) over 20.7m, including 2.73 g/t Au and 428 g/t Ag (8.44 g/t AuEq or 633 g/t AgEq) over 9.3m, including 7.89 g/t Au and 999 g/t Ag (21.21 g/t AuEq or 1,591 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 17.20 g/t Au and 2,130 g/t Ag (45.80 g/t AuEq or 3,420 g/t AgEq) over 0.70m. The purpose of the program is to better define the very high grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining. “The Company exploration team has been completing detailed mapping and sampling at Jamaica over the last year and sees the same structure that was drilled in the main zone at Los Ricos South extending for several kilometers over the Jamaica concessions. This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle”.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., announced its initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at its Esperanza Gold project in Morelos. A summary of the MRE is shown in the table below:
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Zacatecas Silver Corp., entered into an agreement with Gold Standard Media and with Future Money Trends LLC to raise awareness of the Company’s shares among investors. The engagement is for 12 months of services, with amounts payable as follows: USD $100K on acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, USD $100K within 3 months, USD $100K within 6 months and USD $100K within 9 months. Subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance, the activities will commence late November, 2022 and are for a period of one year.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Fundación Grupo México in alliance with the Government of Jalisco, promoted the forest recovery in the Municipalities of Sayula, Encarnación de Díaz and Ocotlán through the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (SEMADET) in coordination with the Intermunicipal Boards of the Environment (JIMA) and the Jalisco Solidarity Volunteers.
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, quartz stockwork veining from a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 44th week of the year (October 31st to November 06th, 2022), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one communicating production and financial issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier. GoGold, GR Silver, Pan American Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ranchero Gold provided an exploration update on its Daniela project, and Reyna Gold announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property. In Sinaloa, Prismo signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido and commenced drill permitting for its Los Pavitos project. In Jalisco, Almadex mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project. In Coahuila, Monumental provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project. ON MINING, Capstone reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Kootenay increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit (Columba project, Chihuahua). Xali Gold received advance net profits interest payment from Sun River Gold for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced that it has engaged SRK to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. GoGold reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. GR Silver released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Osisko provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. Pan American release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Southern Silver announced results from its final 4 drill holes at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silverton Metals announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). Ranchero Gold appointed its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Pan American and Agnico delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana. Sierra Madre entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. Sierra Metals received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa for a proposed business combination. Xali Gold increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, expressed this position to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of the Economy of Mexico. Minister Ng reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advance in the implementation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) and to continue with the work carried out within the framework of initiatives such as the Economic Dialogue of Canada-Mexico High Level to deepen bilateral business, trade and investment ties and support inclusive and resilient economic growth. Two-way merchandise trade between the two countries was USD $41.7 billion in 2021. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest merchandise trading partner in a single country (after the United States and China).
The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier, but will be resumed.
GoGold Resources Inc., , GR Silver Mining Ltd., Pan American Silver Corp., and Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an exploration update on its Daniela project in Sonora. The company reported that it has completed the follow-up work of the nine priority targets previously identified at the property. Ranchero Gold stated that the San Francisco, Carboneras Sur, Carboneras Este, Rincón, and Moritas Este targets have shown evidence of gold mineralization, related alteration and lithologies known to host significant gold deposits in the district. “Subsequent field efforts currently underway will include detailed mapping, systematic sampling and drone-based magnetic surveys designed to identify potential mineralized host rocks below surface”.
Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property in Sonora. The company identified multiple mineralized zones with high grade gold, silver, and copper that align with major geophysical anomalies, silica alterations, and structural controls on the property. Highlights of the 8 rock sampling collected at La Republicana Zone returned values from 4.03 g/t Au up to 56.90 g/t Au; 7 samples ranging from 13 g/t Ag up to 47 g/t Ag; and 2 samples with 0.2% Pb and 0.5% Pb, with a single assay of 2.41% Cu. At Las Carmelitas zone, 7 rock samples returned 3 values of 0.11 g/t Au, 0.33 g/t Au, and 10.52 g/t Au; 5 samples ranging from 67 g/t Ag up to 116 g/t Ag; and 6 samples ranging from 1.53% up to 2.25% Cu. At Western Zone, 7 rock samples returned values from 2.51 g/t Au up to 16.60 g/t Au; 2 samples with values of 21g/t Ag and 249 g/t Ag; and a single sample with 1.15% Cu, 3.4% Zn, 1.3% Pb, 0.1 g/t Au, and 27 g/t Ag. At El Sombrero Zone, 7 samples returned gold values ranging from 1.1 g/t Au up to 23.6 g/t Au; 4 samples ranging from 149 g/t Ag up to 733 g/t Ag; 4 samples ranging from 0.68% up to 3.60% Cu; 4 samples ranging from 0.2% Pb up to 1.4% Pb, and 4 samples ranging from 0.1%Zn to 0.2% Zn. The company is presently conducting an IP survey at four target zones: La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas, and Main Zone. After completion of the IP geophysical survey, drilling will recommence in this area focused on La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas and Main Zone targets.
Prismo Metals Inc., signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido, the surface owners over the Los Pavitos project in Sinaloa. This agreement is for two years and allows Prismo to carry out exploration work including drilling. The company has commenced drill permitting planned to begin in early 2023. Meanwhile, Prismo will continue with the geological mapping and sampling program to cover the remaining area to identify drill targets.
Almadex Minerals Ltd., mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The drill program will target a recently identified structural trend associated with float rock of vein material, soil anomalies and old mining workings, where channel sampling has encountered 0.02 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag over an interval of 6.8m, and 3.7 g/t Au and 168 g/t Ag over an interval of 4.2m. A total of 14 grab and chip samples collected on this trend averaged 0.6 g/t Au and 180 g/t Ag.
Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project in Coahuila, which consists of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and litho geochemistry. To date, the stream sediment sampling program, consisting of 47 samples has been completed. It returned 5 samples with values greater than 7.8 ppm dysprosium (Dy), 65.3 ppm neodymium (Nd); and up to 14.1 ppm Dy and 160 ppm Nd, defining four general areas of interest along the west and south portions of the company’s concessions, of which two are associated with known HREE mineralized (eudialyte bearing) peralkaline rock (Jemi Dyke Area and Veladora North). The remaining two areas with anomalous Dy and Nd concentrations were previously unrecognized as being prospective (Zone 2 and Zone 4). Follow-up exploration work to identify the source of the high REEs at these two areas will be undertaken during the current field program for quick delineation.
ON MINING
Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 3,829 tonnes per day with an average grade of 1.86% and metallurgical recovery of 96.8%, to produce 36.74 M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.20 per Lb produced.
ON FINANCING
Kootenay Silver Inc., increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit. If the offer for sale from Red Cloud is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds to the company will be $5M (Columba project, Chihuahua).
Xali Gold Corp., received advance net profits interest (NPI) payment from Sun River Gold, LLC for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. Sun River has started making advance NPI payments of USD $15K per month to Xali Gold as part of the second extension agreement on the El Oro Tailings project, in El Oro, State of Mexico. Advanced NPI payments of USD $50K per month will be paid by Sun River once commercial production is reached (or first concentrate is produced or dore gold is poured) and during the first year of operation, after which normal 5% NPI payments are to be made.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Sonoro Gold Corp., announced that it has engaged SRK Consulting Inc., to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. This updated Mineral Resource Estimate is to include an additional 7,200m of drilling completed in May 2022 which returned multiple higher grade gold intercepts and expanded several known mineralized gold zones within the concession.
GoGold Resources Inc., reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGAG-22-035 with 1.64 g/t Au and 265 g/t Ag (5.17 g/t AuEq or 387 g/t AgEq) over 110.6m, including 11.31 g/t Au and 2,198 g/t Ag (40.62 g/t AuEq or 3,047 g/t AgEq) over 11.5m, including 30.24 g/t Au and 6,392 g/t Ag (115.48 g/t AuEq or 8,661 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 63.24 g/t Au and 12,729 g/t Ag (232.96 g/t AuEq or 17,472 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, including 104.50 g/t Au and 13,742 g/t Ag (287.73 g/t AuEq or 21,580 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m; and hole LRGAG-22-032 with 1.36 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag (2.79 g/t AuEq or 210 g/t AgEq) over 65.8m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 217 g/t Ag (5.85 g/t AuEq or 439 g/t AgEq) over 28.1m, including 7.17 g/t Au and 1,013 g/t Ag (20.68 g/t AuEq or 1,551 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m, including 25 g/t Au and 3,020 g/t Ag (65.27 g/t AuEq or 4,895 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Mapping and geophysics indicate the Eagle structure extending in excess of 2.5km to the northwest, at which point it continues onto the Company’s previously owned Jamaica concessions”. “The Eagle concession connects the Company’s concessions held in the southern portion of its Los Ricos South project, including the Main area where the Initial Resource was released, to its northern concessions in Los Ricos South, which includes the Jamaica exploration target. As a result, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous”. This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLI22-38 with 301 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (471 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 15.9m, including 856 g/t Ag, 0.70 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (1,052 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m; hole PL!22-23 with 268 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 2.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 36.5m, including 626 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 1% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (684 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, plus 1028 g/t Ag, 5.11g/t Au, 8.3% Pb, 7% Zn, and 0.9% Cu (2,101 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.9m, including 2,667 g/t Ag, 1.27 g/t Au, 12.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (3,431 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.2m; hole PLI22-24 with 1,159 g/t Ag, 0.53 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, 1% Zn, and 0.8% Cu (1,354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m, plus 135 g/t Ag, 0.39 g/t Au, 4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.1m, including 292 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 1.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m; hole PLI22-25 with 629 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 9.2% Pb, 4% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,146 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 11.4m, including 1,791 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,917 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m; hole LP122-27 with 109 g/t Ag, 0.91 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.2m, including 212 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 10.9% Pb, 4.1% Zn, and 0.22 % Cu (961 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.1; hole PLI22-30 with 344 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (370 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 2,251 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (2,365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m, plus 1,697 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,792 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.1m, plus 134 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (273 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 5% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (576 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.9m; hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% b, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.8m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (809 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m, plus 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,074 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 40 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 10.5% Pb, 9.8% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (852 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.5m. “GR Silver Mining’s infill drilling program is continuing in the Plomosas Mine Area, and to date has added 105 holes (7,330 m) of new drilling inside the historic Plomosas Mine since completion of the Company’s 2021 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimation”.
Osisko Development Corp., provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. The company reported that 1.1M tonnes of 0.58 g/t Au and 0.25 g/t Ag have been placed on the heap leach pad for an estimated total of 20,090 oz of Au and 8,818 oz of Ag. Osisko also reported that 10,149 Oz Au and 3,516 Oz Ag at recoveries to the end of the third quarter of 2022 of 50.5% for gold and 39.9% for silver total production have been produced from the heap leach pad as of October 27, 2022, of which 7,350 Oz Au were sold.
Pan American Silver Corp., release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Highlights of the drilling are shown in the table below:
With the inclusion of these new drill holes, this area has been expanded to measure approximately 200 metres in diameter and up to 250 metres vertically.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced results from its final 4 drill holes on the North Felsite-North Skarn targets at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. Highlights of the drilling include hole 22CLM-194 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.01% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (212 g/t AgEq or 5.2% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.3m, plus 386 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu, 6% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (827 g/t AgEq or 20.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.7m, plus 336 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.16% Cu, 6.5% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (780 g/t AgEq or 18.9% ZnEq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 746 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 17.1% Pb, and 13.2% Zn (1,904 g/t AgEq or 46.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.6m; and hole 22CLM-193 with 124 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (195 g/t AgEq or 4.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 5.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (333 g/t AgEq or 8.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 3m. “Drilling on these targets, which started in September 2021, has now tested a 400 metre strike-length of mineralization which wraps around the eastern and northern perimeter of the Central Intrusion and links previously identified mineralization in the Mina La Bocona and Skarn Front deposits. Twenty-five holes totaling 11,275 metres were completed in the two target areas to depths of up to 450 metres below surface”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Silverton Metals Corp., announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp., to better reflects the company’s focus on exploration and development of lithium and silver projects (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
Ranchero Gold Corp., made the appointments of its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
Pan American Silver Corp. and Agnico Eagle Limited delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana Gold Inc. Pan American would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana, and Yamana would sell certain subsidiaries and partnerships which hold Yamana´s interest in its Canadian assets to Agnico Eagle, including the Canadian Malartic mine. “The consideration consists of 153,539,579 common shares in the capital of Pan American (“Pan American Shares”); USD$1.0 billion in cash contributed by Agnico Eagle; and 36,089,907 common shares in the capital of Agnico Eagle (“Agnico Eagle Shares”). Under the Binding Offer, each Yamana Share would be exchanged for approximately USD$1.04 in cash, 0.1598 Pan American Shares and 0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an aggregate value of USD$5.02 per Yamana Share based on the closing price of each Pan American Share and Agnico Eagle Share on November 3, 2022. The Binding Offer is not subject to any financing condition or additional due diligence”.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. The amendment states that (a) the 2% net smelter return royalty on La Guitarra will now be granted by Compañía Minera La Guitarra S.A. de C.V., to First Majestic prior to closing of the transaction, rather than rather than concurrently with closing as previously anticipated; and (b) certain governmental approvals will be required prior to closing of the transaction. All other material terms of the transaction remain unchanged. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2022.
Sierra Metals Inc., received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa S.A. for a proposed business combination. A Special Committee of the independent members of Sierra Metals´ Board of Directors is exploring, reviewing and considering financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interest of Sierra Metals.
Xali Gold Corp., increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. The company also informed that has received interest from third parties desiring to enter into JV in the SDA plant and near-surface high grade mineralization near the plant.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, a fault plane from an intermediate-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 43rd week of the year (October 24th to October 30th, 2022), 17 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. Three companies posted exploration advances on their projects, three companies released Q3 2022 results, one company closed the first tranche of a private placement, one is newly trading at another Stock Exchange and one more expanded on the deferment of payment on the acquisition of a mine. Three companies presented Q3 2022 results. Six companies presented drilling results on their advanced properties. One Company is acquiring a large adjoining land package adjacent to its project and one more expanded on a legal suit regarding the illegal transfer of several of its mining concessions. ON MEXICO ISSUES, mining companies at the BMV are taking a pounding due to reduced production, inflation and lower metal prices. The AIMMGM is asking the government for increase security and raised the danger of explosives theft. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Minerals released drilling results from its Cervantes project; Colibri Resource resumed exploration at Evelyn. In Nayarit, Angel Wing Metals updated on exploration at El Grande. ON MINING, Mag Silver, Agnico Eagle Mines and Alamos Gold released Q3 2022 production results. ON FINANCING, Capitan Mining closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for $2.6 M gross proceeds. Guanajuato Silver Company is now on the Apex segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange. Bear Creek Mining reached an agreement to defer the payment of the Mercedes mine in Sonora for two years. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining released drilling results from Los Reyes in Sinaloa. Oroco Resources presented assays from drilling at Sant Tomás, in Sinaloa. Silver Tiger presented results from drilling El Tigre and Sooy veins at El Tigre, in Sonora. Vizsla Silver reported results from 12 holes on La Luisa vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Defiance Silver updated on the drill program at the Veta Grande vein system of the Zacatecas Silver project in Zacatecas. Silver Dollar reported the last assays from drilling of La Noria zone at La Joya project in Durango . ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Angel Wing Metals entered into a binding agreement to acquire a large land package adjacent to its El Grande project in Nayarit. Defiance Silver initiated a case “against the illegally and fraudulently transferred mineral concessions concerning its Tepal Project” in Michoacan. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Agnico Eagle and Alamos Gold presented information on their social responsibility work and achievements at the corporate and community levels.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
Mining companies in the BMV (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores) had a negative Q3 2022 due to inflation and lower metal prices. Grupo México reported a 34.7% year to year fall in Q3 2022 of EBITDA and a 24.4% decline in share price to a 6.6% reduction in copper production and a 18.6% drop in the red metal price. Total copper production was 256.3 K tonnes in the period. Industrias Peñoles EBITDA is 18.5% lower in the same period, as well as a 10.9% drop in the share price.
The AIMMGM (Asociación de Mineros, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México) asked for government intervention to increase security on their operations. States with the strongest mining tradition like Chihuahua, Estado de México, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Sonora and Zacatecas are among those with greater insecurity perception ratings. Companies in some states spend up to 2% of their total budget in security, and some companies have reported to the government their compliance with racketeering schemes to be able to operate. The risk posed by the increase in the theft of explosives was also raised.
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp. completed the phase 3 core drilling program at the Cervantes project in Sonora. Eleven core hole totaled 2,515.5 m of drilling at the California, California North and Jasper targets. Highlighted core length results comprise 9.0 m @ 1.72 gpt Au; 16.5 m @ 0.34 gpt Au; 26.7 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 7.5 m @0.43 gpt Au; 46.5 m @ 0.44 gpt Au; 5.65 m @0.25 gpt Au. “… the gold mineralization appears to be widely distributed in disseminations, fractures and veinlets at high levels within in a Quartz-feldspar porphyry intrusive complex and related hydrothermal breccias”.
Angel Wing Metals Inc. updated on the exploration program at El Grande project after the acquisition of the adjoining La Reyna land package in Nayarit (See Deals and Corporate Issues below). “The first phase of greenfield exploration has focused on the near surface low sulphidation exploration potential, starting with regional geological mapping and prospecting, structural and alteration mapping, outcrop chip and channel sampling rock sampling, and environmental baseline studies. Detailed mapping and sampling of selected targets are prioritised for grid soil and outcrop sampling programs and drilling…. An airborne geophysical survey is proposed with follow-up ground geophysics on selected targets pending receipt of permits. The results from this work will be used to design a Phase One 3,000 metre diamond drill program to commence in late Q4 2022 or Q1 2023, once updated drill permits including the newly acquired claims are received.
Colibri Resource Corp. has resumed exploration at its Evelyn property in Sonora. Soil samples are currently being collected by geologists on site, and an application for drilling and trenching was submitted to SEMARNAT. One program of reverse circulation (RC) drilling comprises 2,000 m in five holes to test a chargeability and resistivity anomalies and a second program is to explore under alluvial cover, comprising several short, closely spaced holes to penetrate the alluvium and sample the top of the bedrock
ON MINING
Mag Silver Corp. reported third quarter 2022 production from the Juanicipio project (56% Fresnillo PLC, 44% Mag Silver) in Zacatecas. On a 100% basis, 180.8 K tonnes of underground development and initial stopes were processed during the period, to produce 2.62 M Oz Ag, 5,422 Oz Au (Mag’s attributable 44% interest: 1.15 M OZ Ag, 2,386 Oz Au). “Mineralized material from Juanicipio continues to be processed through the nearby Saucito (70%) and Fresnillo beneficiation plants (30%) which are owned by Fresnillo PLC.
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. released third quarter results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Pinos altos, in Chihuahua, 378 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 4,109 tonnes per day (TPD), grading 1.98 gpt Au to produce 23,041 Oz Au at a production cost of $1,498 per OZ Au and total cash cost of $1,295 per Oz Au. Exploration drilling confirmed the existence of a high-grade block 100 m below the lowest production level at Pinos Altos, with a reported drill intercept of 11.6 m @ 3.1 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag. At the Cubiro deposit under development, 9.2 m @ 3.3 gpt Au were intercepted in the western limits of the main Cubiro Corridor. At La India, in Sonora, 1.04 M tonnes were processed at a rate of 11,359 TPD, grading 0.72 gpt Au at a production cost of $1,246 per Oz Au and a total cash cost of $1,196 per Oz Au. “In the third quarter of 2022, the Main Zone pit was depleted and ore production transitioned to the La India and El Realito pits, resulting in higher gold grades and a higher stripping ratio”.
Alamos Gold Inc. reported its financial results for the Q3 2022, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Mulatos, in Sonora, 42,700 Oz Au were produced at total cash cost $1,781 per Oz Au and mine site AISC of $1,137 per Oz Au, with a capital expenditure of $6.9 M. At the Mulatos mine 759.3 K tonnes were mined and 1.57 M tonnes of waste moved (2.07 waste to ore ratio), with 1.27 M tonnes stacked @ 0.75 gpt Au (30,916 Oz Au stacked, 56% Au recovery rate) and 14 K tonnes crushed per day. At La Yaqui Grande 739 K tonnes were mined, 5.3 M tonnes of waste moved, 794 .1 K tonnes @ 1.23 gpt Au were stacked (31,362 Oz Au stacked, 81% Au recovery) and 8.7 K tonnes crushed per day. “La Yaqui Grande is an open pit mine with an independent leach pad located approximately seven kilometres from the existing Mulatos operation…. La Yaqui Grande performed well in its first full quarter of operation, producing 25,300 ounces of gold”.
ON FINANCING
Capitan Mining Inc. closed the first tranche of the previously announced $3.2 M non-brokered private placement for total proceeds of $2.6 M. The second tranche for total proceeds of $600 K is expected to close on or before the end of October (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. completed its admission to the Apex segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange, whilst continuing to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (El Cubo and Valenciana, Guanajuato).
Bear Creek Mining Corp. reached a “heads of agreement” with Equinox Gold Corp. to amortize over a two-year period the payment of the final $25 M purchase price installment for the Mercedes mine in Sonora. The payment that was to be made on October 2022 has been converted in a promissory note maturing on October 2024, with monthly principal and interest payments commencing in February 2023, with an interest rate of 12.5% plus the greater of 2.5% or the 90-day average SOFR and monthly payments of US$500 K or 50% of free cash flow (Mercedes, Sonora).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Prime Mining Corp. announced further phase 2 drill results from the Guadalupe area of the Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width (TW) intercepts comprise 11.8m @ 2.7 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag (including 2.2 m @ 27.9 gpt Au, 509 gpt Ag); 17.0 m @ 1.7 gpt Au, 59 gpt Ag (including 5.8 m @ 4.9 gpt Au, 176 gpt Ag); 12.2 m @ 1.7 gpt Au, 140 gpt Ag; 3.5 m @ 4.9 gpt Au, 614 gpt Ag (including 0.6 m @ 23.2 gpt Au, 2,550 gpt Ag); 1.9 m @ 6.08 gpt Au, 913 gpt Ag. “Reported intercepts are up to 100 m to the west, 240 m to the east, and 100 m below the 2020 pit-constrained resource”.
Oroco Resource Corp. released assay results from an additional 2,668 m of drilling in the North zone and 1,456 m in the Brasiles zone of its Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 195.2 m @ 0.41% Cu; 117.8 m @ 0.22% Cu; 132.0 m @0.40% Cu; 36.0 m @ 0.20% Cu; 106.1 m @ 0.31% Cu; 211.6 m @ 0.41% Cu; 133.0 m q 0.17% Cu; 159.6 m @ 0.32% Cu; 228.0 m @ 0.31% Cu. “The 2021-2022 North Zone drill program is continuing to confirm and expand the 2009 Gradeshell model of Cu >0.30%” in the 2019 technical report, with a total of 38 holes now completed on the North zone spanning 1,400 of strike length.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc. presented results from drilling the El Tigre and Sooy veins at El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 0.5 m @ 1.46 gpt Au, 1,320 gpt Ag; 5.4 m @ 220 gpt Ag; 10.7 m @ 120 gpt Ag (including 1.1 m @550 gpt Ag); 20.5 m @42 gpt Ag; 1.6 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 528 gpt Ag; 0.5 m @ 991 gpt Ag; 5.9 m @ 0.10 gpt Au, 678 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @0.37 gpt Au, 2,754 gpt Ag; 36.4 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 3.1 m @211 gpt Ag; 9.4 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 641 gpt Ag; “These next three wide consistently mineralized high grade holes confirm the new discovery in the El Tigre Vein we first reported in September 2022. Drilling continues on this exploration target under the unmined portion of the Historic El Tigre Mine as we follow this wide high grade along strike to the North.”
Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from 12 holes targeting the La Luisa vein, close to the Napoleon vein, at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 6.13 m @ 133 gpt Ag, 3.68 gpt Aum 0.2% Pb, 0.3% ZN (including 0.68 m @ 595 gpt Ag, 27.50 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 0.6% Zn); 2.59 m @ 197 gpt Ag, 4.60 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn (including 0.57 m @ 596 gpt Ag, 18.50 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 0.9% Zn); 1.00 m @ 49 gpt Ag, 2.90 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 3.44 m @ 77 gpt Ag, 1.11 gpt Au; La Luisa vein structure has been mapped for almost 1 Km hosted in rhyolite tuffs and “bears vein-textures indicative of being at higher-levels in the epithermal profile …… there exists the potential for increased grades and widths along strike and down plunge to the south”.
Defiance Silver Corp. updated on the drill program at the Veta Grande vein system of the Zacatecas Silver project in Zacatecas. Highlighted core length results comprise 10.16 m @ 0.70 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 2.9% Zn (or 339 gpt AgEq, including 3.38 m @ 1.96 gpt Au, 345 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 8.0% Zn, which includes 0.9 m @ 4.18 gpt Au, 868 gpt Ag, 4.6% Pb, 17.0% Zn); 2.0 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 4.8% Zn; 1.94 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 2.19 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn. These results confirm the continuity of mineralization below the 2014 mineral resource. “The highest-grade silver mineralization at the San Acacio project is typically associated with honey-coloured sphalerite, argentiferous galena, variable silver sulfides and sulfosalts, and spatially correlated with amethyst”.
Silver Dollar Resources Inc. reported final assays from phase II drilling at the Noria portion of the La Joya project in Durango. Highlighted core length results comprise 25.44 m @ 21 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.17% Cu, 0.2% Zn; 3.86 m @ 72 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.09% Cu, 0.5% Zn; 1.29 m @ 304 gpt Ag, 0.68 gpt Au, 1.8% Pb, 5.3% Zn; 2.88 m @ 52 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 0.5% Zn; 3.0 m @ 2.3% Zn; 1.50 m @ 20.60% Zn; 0.66 m @ 43 gpt Ag, 2.1% Pb, 5.8% Zn; 6.67 m @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 0.18% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 1.0% Zn.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Angel Wing Metals Inc. entered into a binding agreement with a private entity to acquire 100% interest in the 102.87 square Km La Reyna property land package in six titled concessions adjoining the El Grande project, and cover the Aguila de Oro (Golden Eagle) mining district in Nayarit. Angel Wing Metals Is to make a total payment of US$700 K, of which US$150 K have been paid upon signing, US$150 K have been paid upon filing of the agreement at the Public Registry of Mining in Mexico (Registro Público de Minería), and US$400 K to be paid upon positive resolution on the agreement by the Public Registry of Mining. A further payment of US$50 K will be due upon the identification of each 1.0 M OZ Au in the measured and indicated categories of a mineral resource on a NI43-101 technical report, and a 1.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty with Angel Wing Metals retaining the right of first refusal to purchase the royalty for US$2.0 M.
Defiance Silver Corp. announced “that the case initiated against the illegally and fraudulently transferred mineral concessions concerning its Tepal Project” in Michoacán, has been admitted for trial by a District Court in Michoacán. The mineral concessions have to “stay” until the trial concludes and a final judgement is rendered. The Mexican Mining Public Registry has been informed. “Defiance has a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. Mexican Law, Mexican Precedents, and Mexican Courts are consistent in declaring null and void illegal transfers made fraudulently”.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Agnico Eagle Mexico was awarded 17th place among the Top 100 of the best companies to work for in Mexico by Great Place to Work®. La India mine in Sonora received the “Distinction of Socially Responsible Company” distinction “granted by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (Centro Mexicano para la Filantropía) and the Foundation for Sustainability and Equity (Alianza por la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en México) to recognize companies for their commitment to ensuring the well-being of employees, operating with superior business ethics, community outreach and environmental care and preservation”.
Alamos Gold Inc. held information sessions on the company’s cyanide management practices with the communities of Yécora, El Trigo and Matarachi, Sonora, within the framework of the International Cyanide Management Code. An ambulance was donated to the Sahuaripa municipality, an online high school was established at Matarachi through an agreement with the Tec de Monterrey. Two freshwater pumping stations were set at Matarachi. New scholarship committees established in Matarachi, Sahuaripa and Yécora as part of the Company’s continued support for local students.
On the image below Late milky white quartz veinlets cross cutting previous quartz-specularite veining in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
During the 42nd week of the year (October 17th to October 23th, 2022), at least 15 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with six communicating production and financial issues, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, one discussing social issues, one discussing deals and corporate issues, and one informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Hermosillo, the capital city of the Sonora State, hosted the 14th International Mining Congress in October 18-21, 2022 with the participation of over 5,000 people. The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) warned that thefts of output and goods like explosives in the mining industry continue to increase despite the support provided by the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). According to data from the Ministry of Economy, the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) and experts, there is a mining collapse in Mexico since 822 mining projects were postponed, 180 foreign capital firms have left the country and there are 25 concessions stopped. GoGold and GR Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of October, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Prismo provided an update on its ongoing drill program conducted at its Palos Verdes project located in the historic Panuco-Copala mining district. ON MINING, Avino, Santacruz, Golden Minerals, American Gold and Silver, and First Majestic reported Q3, 2022 production results from their Mexican mining operations, while Guanajuato Silver announced that it has recommenced mining at its Valenciana Mines Complex in Guanajuato, and provided a 6-month production estimate. ON FINANCING, Sierra Metals announced that it has commenced a process to evaluate and consider the company´s current financial and liquidity position, operational challenges and possible financing and restructuring alternatives that may be available to the company. Barksdale closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $264K, and completed an extension of financial instruments (San Javier project in Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino announced that the installation and commissioning of the dry-stack tailings at its Avino mine in Durango has been completed. GoGold reported the acquisition of the 1,107 Ha Eagle concession covering the northern strike of the Main Deposit on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Equinox released an updated feasibility study (FS) for its Los Filos mine expansion located in Guerrero State. GR Silver presented drilling results and announced the extension of the SE Area Silver Discovery at its Plomosas deposit in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Avinois conducting community agreements in the nearby towns adjacent to its la Preciosa property in Durango as it is committed to moving this project forward as part of the company´s 5-year growth strategy. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo plc mining companies reiterated their commitment in saving and energy efficiency to continue implementing actions that contribute to the fight against global warming in order to build the mining of the 21st century.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
Hermosillo, the capital city of the Sonora State, hosted the 14th International Mining Congress during October 18-21, 2022, with the participation of over 5,000 people.
The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) warned that thefts of output and goods like explosives in the mining industry continue to increase despite the support provided by the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). The General Director of CAMIMEX, Karen Flores, said that thefts remain a recurrent issue in the sector and highlighted that these crimes are probably perpetrated by organized crime.
According to data from the Ministry of Economy, the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) and experts, there is a mining collapse in Mexico since 822 mining projects were postponed, 180 foreign capital firms have left the country and there are 25 concessions stopped. If the policy were to change, 30% more jobs would be created and the contribution to Mexico’s GDP would increase by 0.5%, according to estimates. Mining and metallurgical activity exceeded tourism by 19% in foreign exchange generation. The president of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM), indicated that the uncertainty generated by this administration in the sector has caused a slowdown, which has left investments far from the more than USD $8 billion that were reached in previous years. GoGold Resources Inc., and GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of October, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Prismo Metals Inc., provided an update on its ongoing drill program conducted at its Palos Verdes project located in the historic Panuco-Copala mining district in the state of Sinaloa. A total of 1,203m in 4 holes have been drilled to date out of a planned minimum of 2,000m. Drilling has intersected wide structural zones at depth where the Palos Verdes vein is branching into several strands measuring from about 0.5m to 9m in width in andesitic rocks. Core sampling is being completed on the entire structural zone including wall rock with veinlets. Assay results are expected to arrive in early November, 2022.
ON MINING
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reported Q3, 2022 production results from its Avino mine in Durango. The company milled 162.1K tonnes of 59 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, and 0.66% Cu with metallurgical recoveries of 92%, 74%, and 89% respectively to produce 285.4K Oz Ag, 1.2K Oz Au and 2.1M Lb Cu (778K Oz AgEq).
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced Q3, 2022 production results from its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. It milled 215,765 tonnes of 79 g/t Ag, 2% Zn, 0.7% Pb, and 0.39% Cu to produce 368.6K Oz Ag, 6.8M Lb Zn, 2.6M Lb Pb, and 1.4M Lb Cu (988.6K Oz AgEq).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., has recommenced mining at its Valenciana Mines Complex (VMC) in Guanajuato. Cut & fill mining of high-grade epithermal veins at Valenciana is currently focused on the Los Pozos mine area where several mineralized blocks had been previously defined. Mineralized material from Valenciana is currently being transported to El Cubo for processing. The company expects to mine 5,000 tonnes per month at Valenciana throughout the remainder of 2022. “The Cata processing facility is centrally located within the Valenciana Mines Complex and has a production capacity of 36,000 tonnes per month. In November 2021 Cata was placed on care & maintenance by its previous owner. Guanajuato Silver had initially anticipated restarting the Cata mill in 2023, but with the rapid recommencement of mining at San Ignacio and the VMC, the company now expects to restart mineral processing at Cata before the end of 2022. The company also provided a 6-month production estimate. Guanajuato Silver expects to mine 125K-140K tonnes in Q4, 2022 to produce over 760K-985K and over 140K-160K tonnes in Q1, 2023 to produce over 910K-1.15M Oz AgEq.
Golden Minerals Company announced Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. The company mined 192,545 tonnes and reported that 23,618 tonnes were placed in stockpiles awaiting processing and 121,202 tonnes were placed in low grade stockpiles. Golden processed 47,947 tonnes of 2.6 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.6% and 77.6% respectively., to produce 2,972 payable Oz Au in Dore and 11,907 payable Oz Ag in Dore (3,103 payable Oz AuEq in Dore). The company sold 3,108 Oz Au and 11,609 Oz Ag (3,145 Oz AuEq) at an average realized price before refining and selling costs of USD $1,703.10 per Oz Au and USD $18.72 per Oz Ag.
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q3, 2022 production results from its Cosalá operations in Sinaloa. It produced 186K Oz Ag, 3.8M Lb Pb, and 9.4M Lb Zn and announced that silver production from the Cosalá operations for the full year 2022 is expected to be at the lower end of the projected range of 0.7-0.9M Oz Ag, while zinc and lead production are expected to be towards the upper end of the projected ranges of 36 to 40M Lb Zn and 13 to 15M Lb Pb.
First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production results from their Mexican Mining operations (San Dimas in Durango, Santa Elena in Sonora, and La Encantada in Coahuila). Figures by mine are shown in the table below:
ON FINANCING
Sierra Metals Inc., announced that it has commenced a process to evaluate and consider the company´s current financial and liquidity position, operational challenges and possible financing and restructuring alternatives that may be available to the company. “The company faces liquidity challenges as a result of the recent previously announced suspension of operations at the Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and operating losses and negative cash flows that have accumulated, primarily from the Bolivar and Cusi operations in Mexico”.
Barksdale Resources Corp., closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement with Teck Resources Limited for gross proceeds of $264K. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. Barksdale also completed an extension of the maturity date of the secured convertible debentures administered by Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc. by one year until December31, 2023. The debentures have a remaining principal amount of $1.5M and all other terms of the debentures remain unchanged except for the conversion price, which has increased to $0.55 per share from $0.45 per share (San Javier project in Sonora).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., announced that the installation and commissioning of the dry-stack tailings at its Avino mine in Durango has been completed. The company chose dry-stack tailings for its environmental, safety and economic advantages, as well as because it reduces the need to extract water from local sources by recycling the water removed from tailings.
GoGold Resources Inc., reported the acquisition of the 1,107 Ha Eagle concession covering the northern strike of the Main Deposit on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco by USD $2.1M to be paid over 4 years. As a result of this acquisition, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous. “This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle”.
Equinox Gold Corp., released an updated feasibility study (FS) for its Los Filos mine expansion located in Guerrero State. Highlights of the FS include an after-tax NVP at 5% discount rate of USD $625M at base case of USD $1,675 per Oz Au; after-tax IRR of 26% at USD $1,675 per Oz Au; 5.4M Oz Au of Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves with grades of 0.65 g/t Au for open pit ore material and 3.94 g/t Au for underground ore material (average grade of 0.86 g/t Au); 7.9M Oz Au of Measured and Indicated Resources (exclusive of Reserves) with grades of 0.71 g/t Au for open pit ore material and 3.65 g/t Au for underground ore material (average grade of 0.75 g/t Au); 3.97M Oz life-of-mine (LOM) Au production, with 360K Oz peak average annual gold production (2025-2030), 280K Oz average annual gold production LOM (2023-2036), 1.22M Oz Au produced from the heap leach with average recovery of 55%, 2.75M Oz Au produced from the CIL plant with average recovery of 88%; 11.83M Oz LOM silver production; USD $993M after-tax LOM cumulative net cash flow; USD $981/ Oz average LOM cash cost; USD $1,081/Oz average LOM AISC; USD $318M initial capital cost to build the CIL plant and associated infrastructure; and 14.5-year mine life with extension potential from Mineral Resources conversion and exploitation success.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., presented drilling results and announced the extension of the SE Area Silver Discovery at its Plomosas deposit in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole SMS22-16 which identified a wide hydrothermal breccia and stockwork system with multiple high grade Ag intervals such as 112 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 123.1m, including 289 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 13.1m, including 4,680 g/t Ag, 0.57 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 0.4m, and 250 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 27.3m, including 1,351 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 0.3m, and 635 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 6.4m, including 2,203 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1.4% Zn over 0.5m, and 102 g/t Ag and 2.6 g/t Au over 1.5m; and hole SMS22-14 with 23 g/t Au and 0.06 g/t Au over 10.5m, and 118 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 3.5m, including 1,790 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, and 2.9% Zn over 0.2m, and 22 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au over 10.9m. The drilling program continues at the SE Area to define the geometry and lateral extents of the mineralization. “The occurrence of Ag anomalous zones on surface along the 1.5km target contact, further SE from the SE Area, provides new targets for the company to continue drilling, aimed at expanding the footprint of mineralization and potentially for incorporation into the planned resource estimation update in Q1, 2023”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd is conducting community agreements in the nearby towns adjacent to its la Preciosa property in Durango as it is committed to moving this project forward as part of the company´s 5-year growth strategy.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V. and Fresnillo plc mining companies reiterated their commitment in saving and energy efficiency to continue implementing actions that contribute to the fight against global warming in order to build the mining of the 21st century. In accordance with their sustainable development policies, both companies have programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from transportation, for which they implemented a strategy to save energy and use clean sources. Peñoles and Fresnillo plc are committed to caring for the environment and seek to achieve, in the near future, the objective of zero significant environmental impacts.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, cockade texture from a low-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag vein system in a project in Sinaloa, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
