During the 9th week of the year (February 27th to March 5th, 2023), 11 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. One company provided an update on 2022 work on its properties, and plans for 2023, while one more company informed on underground rehabilitation progress at an historic mine within its exploration play. Three companies informed on Q4 2022 production and financial situation. No financing rounds this week announced by companies working in the country. Four companies released drilling results on their advanced properties, and one more from its currently producing operation. A company announced an option on the acquisition of a valuable inner claim. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Minaurum Gold informed on rehabilitation work of underground workings at Alamos. In Jalisco, Almadex Minerals provided an update on Pedro. In Puebla, Almadex Minerals updated on 2022 work at Victoria, and plans for 2023. ON MINING, Argonaut Gold, Aura Minerals and Endeavour Silver released Q4 2022 production or/and financial production reports. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger Metals released drilling results from the sulfide zone at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Prime Mining announced results from drilling at targets outside of the mineral resource limits at Los Reyes in Sinaloa. Gold Resource released results from drilling at the Don David mine in Oaxaca. GR Silver Mining informed on results from drilling at the Plomosas mine area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver reported drill results from infill drilling from the Copala structure at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Riverside Resources signed an option agreement to acquire an important inner claim within its La Union project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
No Relevant News.
ON EXPLORATION
Almadex Minerals Ltd. provided an update on its exploration plays and plans for 2023, including information on its Mexican properties. At the San Pedro project in Jalisco, a high-sulfidation acid sulphate lithocap alteration and sulfide bearing breccia zones with elevated base and precious metals were tested with four holes. The bests intervals comprise 4.51 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 657 gpt Ag; 1.3 m @ 846 gpt Ag; 2.9 m @ 7.45 gpt Au. Mapping and sampling of the Victoria project in Puebla on epithermal silver rich veins was conducted for a planned 2023 drill program. In March the company will conduct a surface mapping program on the Yago project, located in Nayarit.
Minaurum Gold Inc. provided an update in underground rehabilitation work at the Promontorio mine on its Alamos project in Sonora. “Our underground rehabilitation has now accessed 600 metres of an estimated 1.2 kilometres of workings …. The workings continue to be in good and stable condition. Backfill material continues to be removed and stockpiled outside the mine entrance for future processing”. Assays from 37 backfill material returned seven samples over 1 gpt Au (5.74 gpt peak), ten samples over 150 gpt Ag (308 gpt Ag peak), eleven samples above 0.5% Cu (1.57% peak), 20 samples over 1.0% Pb (3.91% peak) and 26 samples over 1.0% Zn (8.19% peak).
ON MINING
Argonaut Gold Inc. released operating and financing results for Q4 2022, without disclosing figures on its Mexican operations. At the end of the period the company held $73.3 M in cash and cash equivalents. Its Mexican operations include the San Agustin mine in Durango and the La Colorada mine in Sonora, and the Cerro del Gallo project in Guanajuato.
Aura Minerals Inc. filed its audited financial statements and management discussion for the year 2022, without disclosing the figures by project. For 2023 the company expects to produce between 101 K to 116 K Oz AuEq at cash cost $685 to $788 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $898 to 1,033 per Oz AuEq at the Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. “Exploration is expected to focus on the geological potential of new mineralized zones, such as Cabrestante, El Cobre and Limestone Bridge with 20,000 m of drilling planned to 2023. All targets are near mine, some of which have been drilled in the past and indicated skarn mineralization but requiring follow up drilling”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for year 2022. The company that operates the Guanceví mine in Durango and the Bolañitos mine in Guanajuato produced 5.96 M Oz Ag, 37,548 Oz Au (or 9.0 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $10.65 and an AISC of $19.97 per Oz Ag. By the end of the period the company had $83.4 M in cash and $93.6 M in working capital. Development activities continue at Terronera, in Jalisco, and an initial mineral resource estimate was published for the Pitarrila project in Durango.
ON FINANCING
No Relevant News.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released drilling results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. The results are from the recently discovered Sulfide zone at depth. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 57.2 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 231 gpt Ag, 0.41% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 1.0% Zn (including 2.8 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 1,986 gpt Ag, 4.0% Cu, 3.9% Pb, 5.6% Zn); 20.0 m @ 0.35 gpt Au, 369 gpt Ag, 0.85% Cu, 4.1% Pb, 8.1% Zn; 1.0 m @ 0.01 gpt Au, 453 gpt Ag, 0.56% Cu; 22.1 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 222 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn (including 1.2 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 2,614 gpt Ag, 2.67% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 1.4% Zn); 4.7 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 420 gpt Ag, 0.45% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 37.8 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 172 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 3.7% Zn. The sulfide zone has been traced now for 200 m, at depth in the Tertiary Nodular Fm just above the contact with a Precambrian granite.
Prime Mining Corp. announced assay results on the Fresnillo, Orito, Mariposa, Las Primas and Mine 20/21 areas at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. The results are from drilling outside of the current resource area. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 15.80 m @ 1.40 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 2.90 m @ 4.70 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 5.50 m @ 1.30 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag; 34.70 m @ 4.90 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 3.75 m @ 1.60 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag.
Gold Resource Corp. released recent drilling results from the Don Diego mine in Oaxaca. The released data is from the Three Sisters, Marena, Soledad and Sagrario vein systems. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 1.67 m @ 2.20 gpt Au, 874 gpt Ag, 0.65% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 3.19 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 3.6% Zn; 7.13 m @ 1.54 gpt Au, 175 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 5.09 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 117 gpt Ag, 3.0% Pb, 8.8% Zn; 3.52 m @ 177 gpt Ag, 3.0% Pb, 9.1% Zn; 3.22 m @ 37 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 5.8% Zn; 4.21 m @ 7.93 gpt Au, 111 gpt Ag, 1.25% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 15.2% Zn; 1.80 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag, 1.09% Cu, 5.5% Pb, 12.3% Zn; 4.21 m @ 2.10 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag, 0.43% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 7.2% Zn. “Our 2023 exploration objectives are to identify and define mineral resources from the Three Sisters, South Soledad and Sagrario and Marena vein systems”.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the final batch of underground drilling results from the Plomosas mine area at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals from 28 underground drill holes comprise 2.90 m @ 251 gpt Ag, 2.2%Pb, 2.4% Zn; 8.50 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 1.90 m @ 2.31 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 3.8% Zn; 12.20 m @ 0.70 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 4.70 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 277 gpt Ag, 0.2% Cu, 7.5% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 4.30 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 6.0% Zn; 4.70 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 325 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 3.1% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 11.30 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 161 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 19.70 m @ 158 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.9% Pb, 1.8% Zn. “The drilling results continue to reveal attractive wide high-grade silver-polymetallic mineralization in unmined areas at the upper levels of the historic underground mine”.
Vizsla Silver Corp. reported drill results from 14 infill holes on the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 15.00 m @ 7.20 gpt Au, 1,142 gpt Ag (including 3.07 m @ 17.72 gpt Au, 2,878 gpt Ag; 20.60 m @ 2.80 gpt Au, 643 gpt Ag, 18.00 m, @ 2.53 gpt Au, 602 gpt Ag (including 2.27 m @ 14.51 3,421 gpt Ag); 4.30 m @ 8.62 gpt Ag, 758 gpt Ag; 2.10 m @ 10.91 gpt Au, 1,920 gpt Ag.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Riverside Resources Inc. announced the signing an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Union mine, within the Union District in Sonora. Riverside paid $170 K and can earn-in the 100% interest by making a second payment of $100 K anytime within 60 months of signing the agreement, after which a 1.25% NSR is retained the underlying owner, same that can be bought in 0.25% increments of NSR for $250 K each at any time. “. The Union Mine historically produced ~50,000 ounces of gold (“Au”) from the upper oxide zones of manto and chimney bodies according to past reports. The potential for further expansion through a focused exploration is wide open along strike and at depth for both oxide and into sulfide ore targets”.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No Relevant News.
On the image below: Silicified structure scarp on the foreground of a copper project in Sonora, San Francisco gold mine dumps visible on the other side of the valley. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
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 50th week of the year (December 12th to December 18th, 2022), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico with six informing on exploration results, five reporting resources and developments of their properties, five announcing financing issues, two commenting on Mexican issues, and two disclosing deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Trafigura announced that along with eFactor Network and a number of financing institutions are piloting a Sustainable Supply Chain Finance Program for mining companies in Mexico. GR Silver, Vizsla, Mammoth, GoGold, and Almadex reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of December, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec released final results from its 2021-2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project, and Minaurum provided an update on its optioned Adelita project. In Chihuahua, Mammoth presented results from six holes from its 27 holes diamond drilling program at its Tenoriba project, and Southern Empire has initiated the field exploration program work on its recently optioned Centauro property. In Coahuila, Monumental completed reconnaissance exploration program and defined drill targets at its Jemi Rare Earth Element project. In Jalisco, Almadex released results from the second hole drilled in 2022 at its San Pedro project. Minaurum provided and update on its optioned Taviche mining property. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver announced a non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $7.5M, subject to a minimum offering for gross proceeds of CAD $3M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato). Prismo Metals closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,016,000 (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Tarachi announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango). Fortuna announced that it has amendment its existing senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the maximum facility amount by USD $50M to USD $250M (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca). Regency Silver announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2M (Dios Padre Project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold presented results of nine holes from its ongoing drilling program at its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. GR Silver announced additional results from its 2022 underground infill drilling program at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from nineteen new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Tocvan announced plan to collect a bulk sample from its El Pilar project in Sonora. Silver Dollar reported progress on its new underexplored Noria target at its La Joya project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Osisko Development strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director, effective December 14, 2022 (San Antonio Gold project, Sonora). Sierra Metals completed voluntary delisting from the Lima Stock Exchange (Cusi and Bolivar mines, Chihuahua). Southern Empire entered into an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Centauro property in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Trafigura Pte Ltd., announced that along with eFactor Network and a number of financial institutions are piloting a Sustainable Supply Chain Finance Program for mining companies in Mexico. The Program, the first of its type and providing a model that can be scaled across the region, is structured to improve mining companies’ working capital whilst driving responsible sourcing practices along the metals value chain.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., Vizsla Silver Corp., Mammoth Resources Corp., GoGold Resources Inc., and Almadex Minerals Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of December, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., released final results from its 2021-2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project. The 2022-2022 drilling program consisted of 27 RC totaling 5,249m, and 11 oriented core totaling 2,558.5m for a total combined amount drilled of 7,837.5m in 37 drill holes on the California Zone, California Norte, Jasper, and Purisima Este targets. It was successful in intercepting strong mineralization, as well as in expanding the targets. “The multi-element ICP values support the exploration model of the California zone being at the highest portion of a porphyry system, where an overlying high sulfidation zone has been eroded away”. Results of this drilling program are currently being analyzed in order to refine future targeting.
Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an updated on its Adelita project in Sonora, which is under an option agreement with Infinitum Copper Corp. Infinitum has identified five main target areas of which Cerro Grande is being drilled and plans to drill Las Trancas target soon. Significant mineralization has been intersected at Cerro Grande target in hole AD-22-0018 with 1.91% Cu, 2 g/t Au, and 41 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 20.6m; and hole AD-22-0019 with 1.01% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au, and 40 g/t Ag over a TW of 32.25m, including 1.68% Cu, 0.83 g/t Au, and 59 g/t Ag over a TW of 17.05m. Cerro Grand Target is a mineralized zone of up to 36m thick, over 250m deep and has a strike 200m.
Mammoth Resources Corp., presented results from six holes for a total of 620.7m from its 27 holes diamond drilling program at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. Highlights of the drilling include hole TEN21-22 collared on Carneritos Zone with 0.98 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (1.12 g/t AuEq) over 3m, and 0.57 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (0.68 g/t AuEq) over 10.5m; and hole TEN21 -24 with 1.14 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (1.13 g/t AuEq) over 39m, including 5.28 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag (5.45 g/t AuEq) over 3m, including 1.45 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (1.60 g/t AuEq) over 9m, plus 0.46 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.48 g/t AuEq) over 42m, including 1.21 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (1.28 g/t AuEq) over 12m. These six holes bring the total meters drilled in the recent phase to 3,244.25m in twenty seven holes.
Southern Empire Resources Corp., has initiated the field exploration program work on its recently optioned Centauro property. The company contracted PhotoSat Information Ltd to provide maps of alteration mineral suites typically associated with epithermal precious metal deposits, using their proprietary processing methods for16 band WorldView-3 and high-resolution ASTER satellite optical spectral data. Results of the PhotoSat studies show significant trends highlighting argillic, sericite, and chlorite alteration. Southern also collected 396 soil samples at 50m spacing along E-W lines, spaced 100-200m apart to cover a zone of prospective alteration and mineralization over 4km strike length. Assays are pending.
Monumental Minerals Corp., completed reconnaissance exploration program, which consisted of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and lithogeochemical sampling to delineate discreet drill targets at its Jemi Rare Earth Element project. To date, 37 whole-rock analytic results from rocks collected at the Jemi project of which 11 have returned values greater than 0.15% total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), including six samples that returned values greater than 0.23% TREO and up to 0.43% TREO. Results for 269 samples are still pending to arrive. Heavy rare earth oxide (HREO) values (include dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb)), ranged between 1614 ppm and 39 ppm in peralkaline pegmatites, averaging 447 ppm. Six samples exceeded 680 ppm, including three that exceeded 830 ppm. Light rare earth oxides (LREO) values including neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr), returned values up to 0.26% and 0.23%, with values in trend with HREO concentrations suggesting similar REE-hosting phases in the peralkaline rock samples. “Geological mapping has confirmed that samples with the highest TREO and HREO values are from pegmatitic bodies. Three-dimensional airborne magnetics modeling show that surface pegmatite bodies are spatially associated with a numerous larger magnetic anomalies at depth that may represent potential source intrusions. Specific drill locations will target these pegmatites”.
Almadex Minerals Ltd., released results from the second hole drilled in 2022 at its San Pedro project in Jalisco. Hole SP-22-004 intersected 846 /t Au over 1.3m. The current drilling program intends to better understand the orientation and distribution of the breccia zone so that further, more focused drilling can eventually be carried out.
Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an updated on its Taviche project in Oaxaca, which is under an option agreement with Fortuna Silver Corp. Fortuna is currently focused on the re-negotiation of surface rights to be followed by drill permits. “Review of historic data and field mapping over the last year identified the possible continuation of the Mezcal Fault for 3km to the northwest. Drill targeting is in progress along the Mezcal Fault to test for both Mezcal-style gold mineralization and silver bonanza style mineralization associated with jasperoid-related mantos”. Another goal is to develop additional concepts to test the potential at depth at the Cerro La Mina Zone where a drill hole encountered 235 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au over 46.3m.
ON MINING
No relevant news.
ON FINANCING
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced a non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption private placement of up to 17,647,059 units at CAD $0.425 for gross proceeds of CADS $7.5M, subject to a minimum offering of 7,058,824 units for gross proceeds of CAD $3M. Gross proceeds will be used to ramp up production at El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato; expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango; increase brownfield exploration programs across all company´s projects; and fund general working capital expenses and strengthen Guanajuato Silver’s balance sheet.
Prismo Metals Inc., closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,016,000. The gross proceeds will be used to continue drilling at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa, and to continue the mapping and sampling at its Pavitos project in Sonora, as well as to conduct an initial diamond drilling program.
Tarachi Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 10M units at a price of CAD $0.05 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K. The gross proceeds will be used for exploration, working capital purposes, and for the ongoing development of the Company’s Magistral project in Mexico including, but not limited to, metallurgical test work, final design and permitting.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., announced that it has amendment its existing senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the maximum facility amount by USD $50M to USD $250M (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca).
Regency Silver Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of 10M common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share for gross proceeds of CAD $2M. Net proceeds will be used for work programs including drilling and geophysics in its flagship Dios Padre project, Sonora, as well as for general working capital.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
GoGold Resources Inc., presented results of nine holes from its ongoing drilling program collared at El Favor East deposit within its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGF-22-140 with 1.39 g/t Au and 139 g/t Ag (3.24 g/t AuEq or 243 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, plus 0.48 g/t Au and 257 g/t Ag (3.92 g/t AuEq or 294 g/t AgEq) over 13.9m, including 1.84 g/t Au and 960 g/t Ag (14.65 g/t AuEq or 1,099 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 2,307 g/t Ag (33.72 g/t AuEq or 2,529 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; and hole LRGF-22-137 with 0.29 g/t Au and 143 g/t Ag (2.2 g/t AuEq or 165 g/t AgEq) over 61.5m, including 0.66 g/t Au and 300 g/t Ag (4.66 g/t AuEq or 350 g/t AgEq) over 24.3m, including 1.71 g/t Au and 881 g/t Ag (13.46 g/t AuEq or 1,009 g/t AuEq) over 0.7m.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced additional results from its 2022 underground infill drilling program at its Plomosas Mine Area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLIP22-28 with 55 g/t Ag, 8.66 g/t Au, 2.7% Pb, 6.6% Zn, and 0.5% Cu (1,242 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 6.9m; hole PLI17-26 with 3 g/t Ag, 2.64 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (257 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.7m; hole PLI22-42 with 43 g/t Ag, 1.96 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 2.1% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (369 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 20.9m, including 61 g/t Ag, 4.52 g/t Au, 2.9% Pb, 5.5% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (802 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.5m, plus 28 g/t Ag, 3.6 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.3% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (489 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.6m, including 46 g/t Ag, 11.5 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,263 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m, plus 87 g/t Ag, 7.13 g/t Au, 4.4% Pb, 8.3% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (1,184 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.8m, plus 42 g/t Ag, 3.90 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (479 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.7m, plus 28 g/t Ag, 6.05 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.9% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (695 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.5m; hole PLI22-47 with 281 g/t Ag, 2.15 g/t Au, 8.9% Pb, and 6% Zn (970 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.4m; and hole PLI22-46 with 44 g/t Ag, 1.9 g/t Au, 11.2% Pb, 10% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (940 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, including 64 g/t Ag, 4.02 g/t Au, 19.5% Pb, 17% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,659 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.9m. “The infill drilling program at the Plomosas Mine Area continues to provide information for the Company to enhance the geological model and confirm the presence of high-grade structures on the hanging wall and footwall of the main mineralized breccia. Gold mineralized zones exceeding 20 m down hole width have been drilled in the current program in both the hanging wall and footwall”.
Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from nineteen new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole CS-22-205 with 2,101 g/t Ag and 9.54 g/t Au (2,640 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 5.30m, including 3,080 g/t Ag and 23.60 g/t Au (4,563 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.58m, plus 85 g/t Ag and 0.24 g/t Au (96 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.16m; hole CS-22-210 with 425 g/t Ag and 2.31 g/t Au (561 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 15.50m, including 2,710 g/t Ag and 22.30 g/t Au (4,125 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.41m, including 1,285 g/t Ag and 7.24 g/t Au (1,716 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.54m, including 1,800 g/t Ag and 9.69 g/t Au (2,371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.41m, including 1,630 g/t Ag and 7.34 g/t Au (2,044 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.01m; hole CS-22-216 with 626 g/t Ag and 4.48 g/t Au (905 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 8.09m, including 1,250 g/t Ag and 14 g/t Au (2,170 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.81m, including 2,230 g/t Ag and 18.1 g/t Au (3,376 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.57m, including 1,170 g/t Ag and 7.54 g/t Au (1,631 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75m; hole CS-22-201 with 237 g/t Ag and 1.74 g/t Au (346 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.18m, including 427 g/t Ag and 3.22 g/t Au (629 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.11m, plus 2,536 g/t Ag and 13.65 g/t Au (3,340 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.86m, including 7,740 g/t Ag and 57.6 g/t Au (11,343 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m, including 6,220 g/t Ag and 27.20 g/t Au (7,742 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.43m; and hole CS-22-217 with 1,496 g/t Ag and 6.56 g/t Au (1,862 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.71m, including 1,295 g/t Ag and 4.59 g/t Au (1,535 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.64m, including 13,118 g/t Ag and 63.7 g/t Au (16,783 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m. “The infill results support grade continuity in the south-central portion of Copala structure, while resource expansion drilling to the north and southeast continue to highlight mineralization remains open”.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., entered into an agreement with a neighboring private mining company for the completion of its first bulk sampling for processing by heap-leach method from its El Pilar project in Sonora. The plan is to process up to 1,000 tonnes of material at a private mining operation less than 25km to the west of Pilar with the aim of providing a more detail account of expected head-grade and recovery percentage of gold. Processing and analysis of this bulk sample is expected to span three to four months. Other goals to accomplish are to continue drilling, update reporting and maiden resource estimate, and permitting for full-scale on-site mine facilities and processing.
Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported progress on its new underexplored Noria target at its La Joya project, Durango. The company recently completed a ground magnetic survey on the Coloradito area within the Noria portion of the property, which consisted of 14 lines spaced 50-100m and ranging over 1.3km in length for a total of approximately 19.8km of magnetic data. The geophysics contractor identified 3 relatively well-contrasted and thin magnetic beds striking N150°/N330°, which may underscore, sulphide and ferromagnesian horizons hosted along shear zones. In addition, a total of 125 rock samples have been collected and submitted to the lab of which 79 samples have been received to date. In one of the targets sample assays returned values up to 291 g/t Ag, 0.8 g/t Au, and 1.2% Zn, while in another one 7 samples returned elevated Zn and Pb, ranging from 0.3-1% and 1.4-6.2% respectively. Further follow-up work is being conducted in the areas where both geophysical and geochemical anomalies have been identified to develop new drill targets.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Osisko Development Corporation strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director, effective December 14, 2022 (San Antonio Gold project, Sonora).
Sierra Metals Inc., completed voluntary delisting from the Lima Stock Exchange, effective December 15, 2022. Sierra Metals’ common shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Cusi and Bolivar mines, Chihuahua).
Southern Empire Resources Corp., entered into an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Centauro property in Chihuahua. Southern can earn 100% interest by making cash payments totalling USD $750K, issuing 1.5M common shares of Southern Empire and completing work commitment of USD $800K over a five years period. The option agreement include a 3% Net Smelter Return (NSR) and Southern Empire has the right to buy 2% of the NSR for USD $2M.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, panning gold in a cow´s horn in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
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 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.
During the 27th week of the year (June 4th to July 10th, 2022), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, three companies posted exploration advances on their properties, one company poured its first gold and silver, one presented production results for the second quarter. Four companies reported on the opening or closing of financing rounds for a total of US$4.5 M and C$13.3 M, one company reported on a relevant investor share purchase. Five companies posted on work at its advanced properties, one company is to produce a PFS report and one other presented a NI 43-101 compliant report on reserves and resources of its recently acquired mine. One company informed on details of government resolutions on its mining concessions and an incoming indigenous consult. One more company agreed with the Union representing its workforce on a profit-sharing scheme. The completion of the acquisition of a large silver property was announced. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining companies on the BMV are resenting the lower prices on metals. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures released surface sample results from El Picacho. In Chihuahua, Golden Minerals reported drilling results from nine holes at Yoquivo. In Zacatecas, Zacatecas Silver released drilling results at the El Cristo project, within its Zacatecas Silver concessions. ON MINING, SilverCrest Metals reported the first pour of gold and silver on its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. Endeavour Silver presented Q2 production results. ON FINANCING, Sonoro Gold closed its oversubscribed financing for $3 M. Silver Viper Minerals closed the final tranche of the private placement raising $306 K. Guanajuato Silver increased its private placement to C$13.3 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Zacatecas Silver is to prepare a PFS on its Esperanza project in Morelos. Bear Creek Mining filed a NI 43-101 compliant report on reserves and resources for its Mercedes mine in Sonora. GoGold Resources released results from drilling at El Favor deposit on its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from the San Antonio vein at the Panuco project in Sinaloa. Torex Gold released results from resource expansion and exploratory drilling in the broader Media Luna area in Guerrero. Mithril Resources released drilling results from El Refugio at its Copalquin project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Almaden Minerals has been notified its Ixtaca mining concessions in Puebla are “ineffective”, but the filing of applications made in conformity with the law. Newmont Corp. reached a profit-sharing agreement with the Union representing the workforce of its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Endeavour Silver completed the acquisition of the Pitarrilla project in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden Resources will participate on a pilot program conducted by United Nations Expert Group Resource Management and the Economy Secretariat on sustainable development. Grupo Mexico continues to work on cultural development of mining communities.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
Mining companies on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) impacted by lower metal prices. From the start of the year to now, Industrias Peñoles shares have fallen 21.7%, Fresnillo 23.2%, Frisco 16.9% and Grupo Mexico 8.9%. During the year the year gold has depreciated 5.2%, silver 18.2% and copper 21.6%.
ON EXPLORATION
Tocvan Ventures Corp. released surface rock sample results from its El Picacho project in Sonora. A total of 65 samples were collected at the Murcielago prospect, of which 14 returned values over 0.1 gpt Au. Selected results from the sampling program comprise 7.19 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb; 4.52 gpt Au, 197 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu; 4.8% Pb, 7.1% Zn; 3.25 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag, 1.6% Pb; 2.71 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 1.9% Zn; 2.71 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 1.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 2.18 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 1.50 gpt Au, 176 gpt Ag, 1.2% Zn. The samples are from a brecciated dolomitic limestone unit along a 450 m long trend with historic artisanal workings showing significant lead and zinc mineralization with gold and silver, in Jurassic sedimentary rocks.
Golden Minerals Co. reported results from the first nine holes on the third drill program at its Yoquivo project in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width results comprise 80.1 m @ 0.89 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag (including 8.2 m @ 3.93 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag; which includes 2.2 m @ 10.21 gpt Au, 139 gpt Ag); 0.4 m @ 30.80 gpt Au, 5,260 gpt Ag; 4.2 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 229 gpt Ag; 1.7 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 355 gpt Ag. “This most recent drilling has focused on testing the Pertenencia vein system to extend the known mineralized strike length into previously untested areas. The Pertenencia vein has continued to return strong gold-silver grades, and the vein remains open to depth and to the north”.
Zacatecas Silver Corp. released results from drilling at El Cristo project, on its Zacatecas Silver property in Zacatecas. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 9.53 m @ 167 gpt Ag; 1.45 m @ 11 gpt Ag, 0.18 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 0.8 m @ 94 gpt Ag; 1.08 m @ 90 gpt Ag; 0.65 m @ 1.2 gpt Au, 565 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 1.2 m @ 134 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.2% Zn; 4.36 m @ 48 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 1.5% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 0.5 m @ 20 gpt Ag, 0.23 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 17.5% Zn. The epithermal intermediate sulfidation system at El Cristo crops out within a dilational zone that is at least 4 km long and up to 600 m wide.
ON MINING
SilverCrest Metals Inc. reported the first pour of silver and gold at Las Chispas mine, in Sonora. The plant commissioning is on track to reach its 1,250 tonnes per day capacity. “The plant started in late May 2022 and milled an estimated 12,700 tonnes of low-grade ore during June 2022”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. presented second quarter production results of 1.36 M Oz Ag, 9,289 Oz Au, or 2.1 M Oz AgEq. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 94 K tonnes were processed at 1,045 tonnes per day (tpd), grading 465 gpt Ag, 1.37 gpt Au, recovering 85.0% Ag, 88.9% Au, to produce 1.19 M Oz Ag, 3,680 Oz Ag. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 107.3 K tonnes were processed at 1,193 tpd, averaging 54 gpt Ag, 1.77 gpt Au, recovering 88.6% Ag, 91.8% Au, to produce 165 K Oz Ag, 5,609 Oz Au. On other developments: Recent drilling has intercepted high-grade gold and silver at Guanceví; Drilling continued to intersect high-grade mineralization on the La Colorada structure at Parral, in Chihuahua; In the coming months the company expects to make a formal construction decision on La Terronera, in Jalisco.
ON FINANCING
Sonoro Gold Corp. closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $3 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Starcore International Mines Ltd. approved a non-brokered private placement in July 4, 2022, to raise up to $1.2 M in gross proceeds. On the next day Starcore reported the closing of the placement confirming $1.2 M in gross proceeds (El Creston, Sonora; San Martin, Queretaro).
Sonoro Gold Corp. informed that R. Stuart Angus reported the acquisition in June of $485 K in shares of Sonoro Gold, operation after which he owns 9.95 M shares and 8.35 M warrants of the corporation, representing 7.1% of the outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis and 12.4% on a partially diluted basis (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $306 K (La Virginia, Sonora).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. expanded the size of its previously announced brokered private placement to C$13.3 M with the option to increase the financing an additional 15%. (Topia, Durango; El Cubo, Guanajuato).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced the engagement of Palaris Ltd. to lead a pre-feasibility study (PFS) on the Esperanza project in Morelos.
Oroco Resource Corp. resumed drilling at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Operations started at the end of federal military operations in the area. “Core logging and assaying have continued during the period of drill stoppage, with an improvement in methods of handling and analysis, thereby better preparing the geological team for an increase in the rate of core processing”.
Bear Creek Mining Corp. filed a NI 43-100 compliant technical report on its Mercedes mine, in Sonora. The report provides a mineral reserves and resources estimate to December 31, 2021.
GoGold Resources Inc. released results from six holes from El Favor East deposit at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 18.8 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 156 gpt Ag (including 7.4 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 344 gpt Ag); 11.4 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 0.27 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 2.8 m @ 0.36 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 2.0 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag; 1.8 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 138 gpt Ag; 2.2 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 227 gpt Ag; 9.3 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 155 gpt Ag (including 0.7 m @ 5.23 gpt Au, 1,196 gpt Ag); 0.7 m @ 4.34 gpt Au, 1,295 gpt Ag.
Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from seven holes on the San Antonio vein of the Cordon de Oro corridor at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 6.40 m @ 5.76 gpt Au, 621 gpt Ag (including 0.57 m @ 34.2 gpt Au, 2,940 gpt Ag); 6.0 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 124 gpt Ag; 4.89 m @ 0.60 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag; 7.50 m @ 1.15 gpt Au, 213 gpt Ag; 3.15 m @ 2.29 gpt Au, 549 gpt Ag; 4.20 m @ 1.19 gpt Au, 202 gpt Ag; 2.0 m @ 4.75 gpt Au, 355 gpt Ag; 2.01 m @ 1.29 gpt Au, 226 gpt Ag.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. released results from resource expansion and exploratory drilling completed in the broader Media Luna area in Guerrero. The work extends mineralization to the south and west of the EPO deposit and identified a potential new zone of mineralization between the Media Luna deposit and the Media Luna West target. Highlighted true width results comprise 9.73 m @ 8.51 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag, 1.57% Cu; 17.25 m @ 4.18 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag 1.74% Cu; 35.63 m @ 2.05 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.05% Cu; 16.48 m @ 8.70 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag, 0.54% Cu; 6.31 m @ 4.00 gpt Au, 19 gpt Ag, 0.78% Cu; 5.10 m @ 2.79 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag, 0.27% Cu. Infill, step-out, exploration, ore control and definition drilling budgeted includes $19 M at Media Luna, $6 M at ELG Underground, $9 M in near mine and regional and $5 M in definition and grade control in the ELG open pit and underground. “The Media Luna deposit is hosted within the Mesozoic carbonate-rich Morelos Platform, which has been intruded by Paleocene stocks, sills, and dykes of granodioritic to tonalitic composition. Skarn-hosted gold-silver-copper mineralization is developed within the sedimentary rocks along the contacts of intrusive rocks as well as within altered dykes of the skarn envelope….Mineralization at Media Luna is hosted in skarn that developed at the contact of the intrusive granodiorite and overlying sedimentary rocks. The skarn is characterized by a mineral assemblage of pyroxene, garnet, and magnetite. Metal deposition and sulfidation occurred during retrograde alteration and is associated with a mineral assemblage comprising amphibole, phlogopite, chlorite, and calcite ± quartz ± epidote as well as variable amounts of magnetite and sulfides, primarily pyrrhotite. Additional mineralization is associated with skarn developed within and along dykes and sills above the main granodiorite intrusion”.
Mithril Resources Ltd. released drilling results from deep drilling at El Refugio, at its Copalquin project in Durango. Highlighted core length results comprise 5.67 m @ 4.37 gpt Au, 174 gpt Ag (including 1.67 m @ 9.64 gpt Au, 399 gpt Ag); 1.0 m @ 1.68 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 1.27 gpt Au, 46 gpt Ag; 0.50 m @ 2.13 gpt Au, 118 gpt Ag; 0.90 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Almaden Minerals Ltd. informed the Ministry of Economy has officially notified Almaden that the company’s mining concessions titles relating to the Ixtaca project in Puebla are “ineffective”, but that the title applications were filed in conformity with the law. This is understood to mean that “the mineral title has reverted to application status, and that these applications preserve the mineral rights for Almaden but do not allow the Company to engage in exploration, until such time as Economia completes its court-ordered indigenous consultation in the area covered by the mineral title applications”. Almaden also announced that the environmental permit application will be submitted once the Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) and the indigenous consultation process are finalized.
Newmont Corp. announced it has reached a profit-sharing agreement with the Union at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Newmont will pay its unionized workforce an uncapped profit-sharing bonus up to 10%, “with an immediate cost equivalent of $70 million, which is representative of the payments related to 2021 results”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. announced the completion of its acquisition of the Pitarrilla project in Durango. The deal involved the bought of $70 M in shares from Silver Standard Ventures Inc. subsidiary (SSR Durango S.A. de C.V.) and a further 1.25% NSR on Pitarrilla. Endeavour plans to invest $1.8 M for drilling and exploration to verify the historical data and define a current resource in 2022.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Almaden Minerals Ltd. reported the Ixtaca project in Puebla was selected to be included in a pilot project conducted by the United Nations Expert Group Resource Management (UNRMS) in coordination with Mexico’s Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía). The UNRMS “considers a range of socio-economic, technological, and knowledge factors that are important for the sustainable development of each project”.
Grupo Mexico continues with its support for cultural development of the mining communities. This week the Orchestras and Choruses from Buenavista and La Caridad made a presentation in Hermosillo, Sonora, along with other cultural institutions and organizations, under the event “El Cobre Hecho Arte”.
On the image below: Weathered monzonite porphyry on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
During the 25th week of the year (June 20th to June 26th, 2022), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, four companies posted exploration advances on their properties, there were no relevant news in the mining section, four companies reported on the opening or closing f financing rounds for a total of US$6.4 M and C$5 M, five companies posted on work at its advanced properties. One company announced a LOI on a property, another is on a legal fight for its mining concessions and one more is suing the Mexican government on the cancellation of a project. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Congress released the reform on nationalization of lithium extraction. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Silver Spruce collared the first hole at Diamante; Tocvan Ventures recommenced drilling at Pilar. In Zacatecas, Minera Alamos updated on regional exploration at Melchor Ocampo. In Veracruz, Azucar Minerals commenced a second hole on a new target at El Cobre. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Sonoro Gold increased its financing round to $2.4 M; Fabled Silver it to raise up to $1 M; Heliostar Metals is carrying a financing round to raise $3 M; Reyna Silver closed its non-brokered placement raising C$5 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Alamos Gold poured first bullion from La Yaqui Grande, in the Mulatos district, Sonora. Minera Alamos obtained surface access to Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas. Vizsla Resources reported drill results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Guanajuato Silver reported high-grade tailings drilling results at El Cubo, in Guanajuato. GR Silver released drill results from Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Orex Minerals resumed drilling at Sandra, in Durango, within a JV with Pan American Silver. Oroco Resources released drilling results from the north part of the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
The Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) is the government entity that is to run the Lithium State company. The reform sealed by Congress nationalized the extraction of the metal, and mandates the government has 90 days to create the organization.
ON EXPLORATION
Colibri Resources Corp. announced that its partner in the Diamante project in Sonora, Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has collared the first holes of a 2,000 m reverse circulation drilling program, starting on the Pillado zone and to continue at La Prieta.
Tocvan Ventures Corp. recommenced drilling at its Pilar project in Sonora. Drilling will focus on priority exploration targets as well as parallel trends and extensions.
Azucar Minerals Ltd. has commenced a second hole at the lithocap target at El Cobre, Veracruz. “the first hole passed through typical clay dominant lithocap alteration into phyllic alteration which transitioned to propylitic and at depth intense biotitic potassic alteration and is interpreted to have intersected a peripheral part of a porphyry system beneath the lithocap”. The target has been shown as likely to contain a medium to large sized porphyry systems based on mineral vectoring studies with chlorite and epidote.
Minera Alamos Inc. updated on regional exploration activities in the Melchor Ocampo area of Zacatecas. The company owns 6,405 ha of mining concessions in the area around its Cerro de Oro project, in development. A new mineralized trend has been identified 4.5 km southwest of the Cerro de Oro area, with 22 out of 40 samples running over 0.5 gpt Au “in a sedimentary sequence of interbedded siltstone, sandstones and limestones that have been intruded by granitic dikes and sills”. An internal historic report by Echo Bay calculated 2.8 M tonnes @ 0.75 gpt Au, and also pointed to the possibility of large tonnage Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization.
ON MINING
No Relevant News.
ON FINANCING
Sonoro Gold Corp. is increasing its previously announced non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $2.4 M. (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Fabled Silver Gold Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1 M (Santa Maria, Chihuahua).
Heliostar Metals Ltd. is carrying a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $3 M (Cumaro, Oso Negro and La Lola, in Sonora).
Reyna Silver Corp. closed its previously announced “best efforts” private placement, for gross proceeds of C$5 M. The offering was upsized from its originally aimed C$3 M (Guigui, Chihuahua).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Alamos Gold Inc. announced initial gold production from the La Yaqui Grande mine in Sonora. Construction was completed ahead of schedule this month. A total of 991 Oz was poured, with production expected to reach 3,000 Oz Au in June. This large-scale construction project will extend the life of the Mulatos Complex for at least five years. “La Yaqui Grande was completed ahead of schedule generating more than 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and will continue to sustain 450 direct jobs”.
Minera Alamos Inc. presented executed surface rights agreements for its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. These permits, which cover 816 ha in the Melchor Ocampo Municipality and 160 ha in the Ejido San Pedro de Ocampo, with allow the company to pursue the permit application for the project. Additional activities for 2022 include metallurgical test work, in-fill and local resource expansion drilling, ongoing regional exploration, equipment procurement, mine contractor discussions and project financing discussions.
Vizsla Resources Corp. reported results from 24 drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The results are from the Copala structure, extending it to 600 meters along strike and 400 m downdip. Highlighted true width results comprise 20.45 m @ 780 gpt Ag, 4.23 gpt Au; 14.50 m @ 667 gpt Ag, 3.89 gpt Au; 9.35 m @ 1,010 gpt Ag, 5.44 gpt Au (including 1.30 m @ 3,548 gpt Ag, 17.78 gpt Au); 4.40 m @ 802 gpt Ag, 6.89 gpt Au; 3.40 m @ 1,642 gpt Ag, 6.67 gpt Au. “The Copala Vein is a shallow dipping structure …. on the hangingwall side of the Tajitos structure. Copala is marked by high precious metals grades …. hosted within a broader envelope of vein-breccia up to 82 metres thick…”.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. reported the discovery of high-grade material in an historical tailings area of El Cubo Mine Complex in Guanajuato. The Mastranto tailings facility has material from El Cubo Santa Cecilia area, mined between 1986 and 2003, covering an area of 4.35 ha. with approximately 1.5 m of tailings material. Some of the highlighted hole length results comprise 1.3 m @ 4.14 gpt Au, 328 gpt Ag; 1.6 m @ 3.07 gpt Au, 169 gpt Ag; 0.8 m @ 3.42 gpt Au, 446 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 3.18 gpt Au, 405 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.17 gpt Au, 427 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 3.54 gpt Au, 405 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.65 gpt Au, 435 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 3.42 gpt Au, 437 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.03 gpt Au, 419 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 3.46 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 3.32 gpt Au, 316 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 4.02 gpt Au, 220 gpt Ag. “the Company plans to extract the gold and silver content from Mastrantos IV using a gravity extraction circuit”.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. released results from drilling at the San Juan and Plomosas mine areas of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width results comprise 4.3 m @ 4.52 gpt Au, 56 gpt Ag (including 1.1 m @ 10.17 gpt Au, 340 gpt Ag); 0.5 m @ 30.09 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 459 gpt Ag. Channel sampling at Las Teresas returned 3.4 m @ 1.21 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag (including 0.4 m @ 9.44 gpt Au, 394 gpt Ag).
Orex Minerals Inc. resumed diamond drilling on the Sandra project in Durango. This is a joint venture between Pan American Silver Corp. (60%) and Orex (40%) that aims to drill 2,500 to 3,000 meters in this new Phase-I program. “The Project covers almost 70 square kilometres of contiguous mineral concessions and includes multiple mineralized epithermal quartz veins, disseminated horizons and breccia structures”. The Sandra project has an inferred resource of 9.8 M tonnes @ 106 gpt hosting 33.3 M Oz Ag in the Boleras deposit.
Oroco Resources Corp. released results from the Brasiles area of the Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Core length highlighted results comprise 166 m @ 0.36 % Cu (including 59.0 m @ 0.46% Cu and 17.4 m @ 0.44% Cu); 33.5 m @ 0.14% Cu in one hole; 24.0 m @ 0.33% Cu; 14.0 m @ 0.17% Cu; 16.0 m @ 0.14% Cu in a second hole; 213.5 m @ 0.28% Cu (including 37.5 m @ 0.50% Cu) in a third hole. “Brasiles West Zone has strong geological similarities to the North Zone, if somewhat attenuated. Like the North Zone, monzonite dikes cutting the Cretaceous limestone (marble) are accompanied by skarn development and minor base metal mineralization”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
QNB Metals Inc. announced the execution of a binding letter of intent (LOI) with Analog Gold Inc. on the proposed acquisition of the Tres Oro property in Sinaloa. “The LOI provides for a business combination of QNB Metals and Analog, which would be implemented by way of a “Reverse Takeover” of QNB Metals by Analog”. The deal envisages consolidation of QNB Metals shares on a 2 to 1 basis, completion of a financing round, the payment of $38.3 M through the issuance of shares. The Tres Oros property is an active pilot mine exploiting a polymetallic structure open on strike and at depth, with access to a 600 tpd flotation plant.
Defiance Silver Corp. has “become aware that certain mineral concessions concerning its Tepal Project have been illegally and fraudulently transferred to a third-party individual without the Company’s knowledge or consent. These concessions are the property of Defiance and have consistently been kept in good standing by the Company, with all obligations and filings under applicable laws being systematically completed”. Defiance is pursuing all legal avenues to restore its rightful claim to the concessions (Tepal. Michoacan).
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. has gathered US$15 M to pursue legal actions against environmental authorities in Mexico, under the arbitration provided by NAFTA. The complaint asks for US$2 billion in damages on the cancellation of the offshore phosphate mining project.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No Relevant News.
On the image below: Locally foliated intrusive rock, with minor quartz and specularite veining in the Sonora Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
During the 21st week of the year (May 23rd to May 29th, 2022), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, six companies posted exploration advances on their properties, one released first quarter 2022 reports, one announced the commissioning commencement on its project, one updated on a merger, one on the significant ownership by one investor, one on the compliance to issue by-weekly reports until its management cease trade order is lifted, three released drilling results from their advanced projects and one commissioned a company to prepare a resource estimate for its property. ON MEXICO ISSUES, SEMARNAT, the Mexican environmental agency, voiced its support for anti-mining organizations in Morelos. A miner’s Union has taken legal steps to get back to previous profit-sharing schemes by mining companies. The president of Mexico expressed the likelihood of its government going to court to stop a company from mining limestone in Quintana Roo. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Benjamin Hill Mining released results from drilling at its Sonora Gold property; Ranchero Gold updated on exploration at Santa Daniela; Silver Spruce Resources is preparing ground for drilling at Diamante; Tocavan Ventures released drill results from Pilar. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver released results from drilling at La Tigra. In Veracruz, Azucar Minerals completed the first hole near the center of a large target at El Cobre. ON MINING, SilverCrest Metals announced the completion of construction of the processing plant at Las Chispas, in Sonora. Magna Gold presented its Q1 2022 operating and financial report. ON FINANCING, Sailfish Royalty received a lead order commitment in its path to create a silver exploration company starting with the Gavilanes project in Durango. Eric Sprott owns 26.2% of outstanding shares of Discovery Silver. Gatos Silver is providing a by-weekly default status report. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver & Gold Mines released drill results from the Oxide Tailings project at Avino, Durango. GR Silver released results from underground drilling at Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Sonoro Gold reported results from drilling at Cerro Caliche, in Sonora. Barksdale Resources engaged a company for the elaboration of the resource estimate at San Javier, in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver signed an agreement with First Majestic to acquire La Guitarra, in Estado de Mexico. Bear Creek Mining has been placed on the default list by the British Columbia Securities Commission, on concerns regarding the credentials of consultants that signed a technical report on the Mercedes mine, in Sonora. Discovery Silver updated on activities at Cordero, in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
SEMARNAT, the Mexican environmental agency, pointed that it backs those against mining projects in Morelos. This statement was done regarding Alamos Gold’s Esperanza project near Temixco, in the process of acquisition by Zacatecas Silver Corp.. The agency stressed that the Mexican government maintains its commitment to not authorize any new open pit development in the country, based on ideological ideas (No mention was done whatsoever about the project complying or not with the law).
The Union “Sindicato Nacional Minero Metalúrgico FRENTE” informed on legal procedures taken by the organization to fight for the 10% of profits that previously were distributed among the workforce of mining companies in Mexico, same that were recently capped at three months of salary per worker.
The president of Mexico, Andrés M. López Obrador, stated that Mexico will take Vulcan Materials, a company mining limestone in Quintana Roo, to court if necessary. The company has stated in the past that it has all the needed permits for its operations.
ON EXPLORATION
Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. released results from diamond drilling at its Sonora Gold project in Sonora. A total of 34 holes were completed covering 5,800 m on seven targets in the 6,400 hectares property. Assays have been received for the first 20 holes. Highlighted intervals from the Sonora Copper area comprise 28.2 m @ 0.42% Cu (interval that includes 16 m @ 0.3 gpt Au; 3.5 m @ 26 gpt Ag; 1.44 m @ 2.99% Cu, 0.664 gpt Au, 103 gpt Ag) and 9.21 m @ 0.92% Cu (including 5.36 m @ 1.7% Cu, 1.95 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag) in one hole; and 20.55 m @ 0.55% Cu (including 2 m @ 1.05% Cu, 0.379 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 3.96 m @ 1.12%) in a second hole. Highlighted intervals from other areas comprise 1.2 m @ 0.43% Cu, 1.52 gpt Au; 0.90 m @ 0.14% Cu, 1.73 gpt Au; 0.60 m @ >10% Cu, 2.11 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag).
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced results from the three first holes of its drilling program at La Tigra project, Nayarit. Highlighted core length intervals (interpreted as 90% of the core interval) comprise 9.0 m @ 0.46 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 6.60 m @ 0.49 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 5.10 m @ 2.21 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag; 32.0 m @ 1.00 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag (including 4.0 m @ 3.03 gpt Au and 4.45 m @ 2.72 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag). An application was filed for a new 1,653 ha claim to the west of La Tigra, named Sabra.
Ranchero Gold Corp. provided an update on exploration at its Santa Daniela concessions in Sonora. Machine-learning technology has been applied in the 2,220 hectares land package to identify 47 exploration targets, of which nine are high priority. Follow-up field visits are ongoing to Rincon, San Francisco and Yaqui Sur.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is preparing access trails and pads for its incoming 2,000 m reverse circulation drilling campaign at its 1,057 hectares Diamante project in Sonora. The drilling company it to mobilize to site next week.
Azucar Minerals Ltd. announced the completion of the first hole (1,280 m of depth) in a large lithocap target at El Cobre, in Veracurz. This area has been targeted for drilling based on a mineral vectoring study utilizing chlorite and epidote that indicates a fertile medium to large sized porphyry system, a coinciding deep IP geophysical anomaly, surface pyrophyllite, spectral mineral mapping and high crystallinity illite over the entire target. Drill hole results are pending. “The closest hole to this deep core IP anomaly, which did not test the anomaly, intersected intense quartz pyrite sericite (QSP) phyllic alteration which provides further support to this new target representing a possible porphyry centre”.
Tocvan Ventures Corp. released diamond drill results from its Pilar property in Sonora. An infill hole in the Main zone intercepted a core-length interval of 108.6 m @ 0.8 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag (including 31.9 m @ 2.4 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag and 9.4 m @ 7.6 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag). As part of the Phase III program, nine drill holes totaling 1,562 m have been completed.
ON MINING
SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced that Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. has completed the construction of the processing plant at Las Chispas in Sonora. The processing plant commissioning is now underway, and expected to reach commercial production in Q4, 2022.
Magna Gold Corp. released operating and financial results for the first quarter of 2022. At San Francisco, in Sonora, 7.3 M tonnes were mined with a strip ratio of 6.7:1, processing 1.4 M tonnes to produce 11,874 Oz Au at cash cost $1,675 per Oz Au and AISC at $2,467 per Oz Au. The San Francisco deposit has measured and indicated resources of 99.7 M tonnes @ 0.446 gpt Au, containing 1,430 K OZ Au and inferred resources of 11.4 M tonnes @ 0.446 gpt Au, containing 171 K Oz Au.
ON FINANCING
Sailfish Royalty Corp. has received a lead order commitment from Barnwell Investments LLC. in connection to the private placement contemplated as part of a combination transaction with Swordfish Silver. The proposed transaction includes a private placement of Swordfish shares for US$5 M. The goal of the proposed transaction is to create a silver focused exploration and development company, resulting in the transfer of Sailfish’s Gavilanes property in Durango.
Ontario Ltd., a company Eric Sprott owns, announced the exercise of warrants on Discovery Silver Corp. for an aggregate consideration of $7 M. As a result of the warrant exercise Mr. Sprott owns 26.2% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 27.3% on a partially diluted basis.
Gatos Silver Inc. is providing a by-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders. “The Company believes that it will be able to file its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 in the second half of 2022. The Company is also evaluating the material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting related to the mineral reserve reporting errors”.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released results from 17 short holes drilled on its Oxide Tailings project at Avino, in Durango. “The 2022 drill program included 17 drill holes for a total of 209 metres of drilling”. The average of 90 m drilled on the sulphide zone of the tailings returned 0.34 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, whereas those from the oxide zone averaged 0.49 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag on a total of 90 m.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced results from underground infill drilling at the Plomosas Project in Sinaloa. Highlighted apparent width intervals comprise 2.9 m @ 190 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 14.0 m @ 146 gpt Ag; 6.5 m @ 1,458 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn.
Sonoro Gold Corp. reported results from 10 holes completed at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. The highlighted core length results from the El Colorado and Buena Suerte zones comprise 21.34 m @ 0.557 gpt Au (including 3.04 m @ 1.52 gpt Au); 1.52 m @ 2.19 gpt Au; 7.62 m @ 0.72 gpt Au; 10.67 m @ 1.183 gpt Au; 4.57 m @ 1.09 gpt Au; 1.52 m @ 9.57 gpt Au; 28.95 m @ 1.021 gpt Au (including 3.05 m @ 2.706 gpt Au). Results from further seven drill holes at Las Abejas are pending.
Barksdale Resources Corp. engaged Independent Mining Consultants Inc. (IMC) to prepare a resource estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Cerro Verde copper zone on the San Javier project in Sonora. Approximately 30,000 m of drilling data will be utilized in the process to create the report. The resource estimate is expected to be delivered to Barksdale within the next 30 days.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. signed an arm’s length definitive agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp. to acquire the 39,714 hectare La Guitarra property in Estado de Mexico. La Guitarra is a past-producing underground mine with an on-site process facility that operated until 2018. Historical measured and indicated resources in the property amount to 7.45 M Oz AgEq and inferred resources to 10 M Oz AgEq. Sierra Madre will issue to First Majestic 69.06 M of its common shares, for an aggregate value of $35 M. Upon completion of the transaction First Majestic will become the largest shareholder of Sierra Madre.
Bear Creek Mining Corp. has been placed on the default list by the British Columbia Securities Commission. This as a result of the BCSC’s concerns regarding the credentials of certain independent third-party consultants to act as qualified persons under National Instrument 43-101 in respect of certain chapters of the Aprill 22 technical report on the Mercede mine, in Sonora. “Bear Creek estimates that the Amended Mercedes Report will be filed within approximately 30 days”.
Discovery Silver Corp.released its financial results for the first quarter 2022 and an update on activities. The Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) work for the Cordero project in Chihuahua is to be delivered on the fourth quarter 2022, the metallurgical test work on sulfides is 60% complete, the reserve definition drilling is now complete, and the first of three open pit geotechnical drill holes is underway. More than 30,000 m of drilling are planned this year on resource expansion targets and the first ever drilling of five targets within 10 km of Cordero. Cash and cash equivalents by the end of the period was at $61.2 M
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No Relevant News.
On the image below: Sampling of quartz-barite vein in the Sonora Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
During the 17th week of the year (April 25th to May 1st, 2022), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, five companies posted exploration advances on their properties, four released first quarter 2022 reports, one reported a temporary suspension of mining, one on a financing round, another one on an updated credit facility, eight reported either drill results or updated on work in their advanced properties. ON MEXICO ISSUES, according to Miner Deck, one company working in Mexico had the best gold intercept of the week, and five companies in Mexico participated in the best eight silver intercepts. The SGM stated that Ixtlilco el Grande in Tepalcingo, Morelos, is one of several sites favorable for lithium mineralization. Several institutions pointed out that Mexico can be involved in international litigations if proceeds to nullify mining concessions under the reform to the mining law recently approved. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided drill results on the Pilar project; Silver Spruce received results from Diamante. In Durango, Commander Resources informed on drilling by Southern Empire Resources at Pedro. In Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources provide drilling results from Tenoriba. ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver reported 2021 production, Mag Silver, Alamos Gold and Agnico Eagle reported Q1 2022 production results. Gatos Silver temporarily suspended mining operations at Cerro Los Gatos in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Sonoro Gold is to raise up to C$3 M. Orla Mining informed on a project finance facility for US$150 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Barksdale Resources released the last results from its drilling campaign at San Javier, in Sonora. Endeavour Silver reported drilling results from its Parral project in Chihuahua. Altaley Mining filed an updated technical report on Tahuehueto, Durango. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver announced results from drilling at the Tepic project, in Nayarit. Chesapeake Gold released results from metallurgical infill holes at Metates, in Durango. SilverCrest Metals updated on construction work at Las Chispas, in Sonora. Discovery Silver updated on work at Cordero, in Chihuahua, GR Silver Mining released high-grade results from drilling at Plomosas, in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUES
According to Miner Deck, one company working in Mexico, Chesapeake Gold, drilled the best gold drilling intercept of the week, with 405 m @ 0.90 gpt Au at Metates, in Durango.
According to Miner Deck, five of the top eight silver intervals were drilled by companies working in Mexico. Gr Silver Mining was first with 24.2 m @ 1,094 gpt Ag at Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Chesapeake Gold was third with 357 m @ 31.6 gpt Ag, at Metates, in Durango. Radius Gold was fifth, with 11.8 m @ 450 gpt Ag at Amalia, in Chihuahua. Endeavour Silver was sixth, with 5.7 m @ 392 gpt Ag at Guanaceví, in Durango. Sierra Madre was eighth, with 3.05 m 625 gpt Ag at Tepic, in Nayarit.
The Servicio Geológico Mexicano (SGM), stated that Ixtlilco el Grande in Tepalcingo, Morelos, is one of several sites favorable for lithium mineralization.
The Cámara de Comercio Internacional argued that if the Mexican government nullifies mining concessions as results of the recently approved reform to the mining law, will be obligated to indemnify investors. This as a result of modifying the regulatory framework, as also pointed the Comisión de Comercio y Políticas de Inversión y el Comité de Arbitraje de Inversión de la International Chamber of Commerce.
ON EXPLORATION
Radius Gold Inc. reported drilling results from El Cuervo target at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 14.60 m @ 117 gpt Ag, 0.92 gpt Au (including 0.9 m @ 1,185 gpt Ag, 6.93 gpt Au); 17.35 m @ 253 gpt Ag, 1.11 gpt Au (Including 7.60 m @ 414 gpt Ag, 2.10 gpt Au); 11.80 m @ 450 gpt Ag, 1.31 gpt Au (including 2.10 m @ 1,577 gpt Ag, 2.27 gpt Au). These holes were drilled from two platforms testing 350 m of strike and 300 m of depth.
Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced results from one more drill hole at its Pilar project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 108.6 m @ 0.8 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag (including 31.9 m @ 2.4 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag, which includes 9.4 m @ 7.6 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag). The drill hole intersected a silicified andesite, including the 9.4 m high-grade breccia zone.
Commander Resources Ltd. informed on work by partner Southern Empire Resources at the Pedro project in Durango. Southern Empire completed six core holes for a total of 856 m. Highlighted core length results comprise 9.26 m @ 0.087 gpt Au; 5.28 m @ 0.151 gpt Au; 19.82 m @ 0.311 gpt Au; 5.26 m @ 0.115 gpt Au; 15.23 m @ 0.577 gpt Au; 5.88 m @ 0.098 gpt Au; 14.75 m @ 0.230 gpt Au. “The Au-As-Sb-Hg-Tl-Te geochemical suite associated with strong orpiment (As S ) and realgar (AsS) mineralization observed in the Pedro drill core is, in part, indicative of Carlin-style gold deposits”.
Mammoth Resources Corp. provided results from three additional diamond drill holes at Tenoriba, in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.0 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 15.0 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 6.0 m @ 0.59 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag in one hole on the Moreno zone; 46.5 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag in another hole on the Carneritos zone and 37.5 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag (including 18.0 m @ 1.13 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.55% Cu) and 12.0 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 0.45% Cu in one other hole on the Moreno zone. To date, results for 1,914 m have been released from 13 holes on the current drilling program of 27 holes with 3,240 m drilled. The program has been halted for lack of water for drilling.
ON MINING
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. reported selected financial and production results for 2021. Production at El Cubo mine in Guanajuato commenced in October 2021. A total of 89.1 K tonnes were mined from El Cubo and existing stockpiles from El Pinguico, with 77.5 K tonnes milled, recovering 82.6% Ag, 78.8% Au to produce 124,7 K Oz Ag, 1,440 Oz Au at cash cost $20.36 per Oz AgEq mined. By the end of the period the company had $8.23 M in cash and an additional $1.6 M in bullion.
MAG Silver Corp. reported first quarter 2022 production of underground development and stope material at Juanicipio (56% Fresnillo/44% Mag Silver), in Zacatecas. On a 100% basis, 145.5 K tonnes were processed @ 597 gpt Ag, producing 2.4 M Oz Ag, 5,837 Oz Au. MAG Silver attributable production is 1.06 M Oz Ag, 2,568 Oz Au; the associated Pb and Zn production is to be reported with MAG’s first quarter filings.
Gatos Silver Inc. suspended temporarily mine operations at Cerro Los Gatos in Chihuahua. “The Mexican Ministry of Defense (“SEDENA”), who regulates all explosives permits in Mexico, temporarily suspended CLG’s explosive and blasting permit on April 21, 2022, following a blasting incident during underground development activities where two blasts were detonated prematurely”. No personnel were injured and no significant damage to equipment occurred. The company expects the resumption of mining activities next week.
Alamos Gold Inc. reported Q1 2022 financial results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Mulatos in Sonora, 613.8 K tonnes of ore were mined, 1.97 M tonnes of waste moved, stacking 1.74 M tonnes @ 0.73 gpt Au, for 40,852 Oz Au stacked. During the period 22,500 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $1,570 per Oz Au, and an AISC of $1,782 per Oz Au. “Mulatos produced 22,500 ounces in the first quarter, lower than the prior year period though consistent with first half 2022 guidance of between 45,000 and 50,000 ounces. Initial production from La Yaqui Grande in the third quarter and higher grades from El Salto are expected drive production substantially higher in the second half of the year to between 85,000 and 95,000 ounces”.
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. released first quarter 2022 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Pinos Altos, in Chihuahua, 384 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 4,267 tonnes per day (tpd), averaging 2.14 gpt Au, to produce 25,170 Oz Au at cash cost $1,078 per Oz Au. At Creston Mascota, residual recovery from the heap leach pad continued, producing 1,006 Oz Au at cash cost $407 per Oz Au with residual leaching to continue throughout the second quarter of 2022. At La India, in Sonora, 1.56 M tonnes were processed at a rate of 17.4 K tpd, averaging 0.57 gpt Au, to produce 21,702 Oz Au at cash cost $820 per Oz Au.
ON FINANCING
Sonoro Gold Corp. is to undertake a non-brokered private placement offering to raise up to C$3 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Orla Mining Ltd. announced the refinancing of its US$125 M project finance facility with a new US$150 M secured credit facility which includes a US$100 M term facility and a US$50 M revolving facility through the Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Barksdale Resources Corp. announced additional drill results from its 5,000 m phase I drilling program at the Cerro Verde zone of the San Javier project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals in three holes comprise 21 m @ 0.14% Cu, 0.47 gpt Au; 21 m @ 0.61% Cu, 0.28 gpt Au; 6 m @ 0.04% Cu, 1.90 gpt Au; 6 m @ 0.19% Cu, 0.49 gpt Au; 15 m @ 1.48% Cu (including 9 m @ 2.22% Cu); 6 m @ 0.10% Cu, 0.49 gpt Au in one hole; 27 m @ 0.31% Cu; 18 m @ 0.36% Cu; 6 m @ 0.25% Cu; 12 m @ 0.80% Cu; 6 m @ 1.19% Cu; 66 m @ 0.33% Cu in a second hole, 33 m @ 0.29% Cu; 6 m @ 0.25% Cu in the third hole and 15 m @ 0.23% Cu; 3 m @ 0.10% Cu, 0.45 gpt Au; 3 m @ 0.17% Cu, 0.37 gpt Au; 6 m @ 0.29% Cu. “Two additional holes on the western flank of Cerro Verde have intercepted broad zones of mineralization further to the west, while hole SJ21-32 has confirmed copper mineralization in addition to further extending oxide gold”. Next in line is the completion of an initial resource estimate at Cerro Verde and planning of the next exploration phase, which is likely to include targets at La Trinidad and Mesa Grande prospects.
Endeavour Silver Corp. reported results from drilling at its Parral project in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 0.98 m @ 169 gpt Ag, 3.9% Pb, 2.3% Zn; 3.24 m @ 194 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 5.91 m @ 218 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 2.31 m @ 314 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 1.92 m @ 203 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb; 1.13 m @ 439 gpt Ag, 0.23% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 3.27 m @ 392 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 2.1% Zn at Veta Colorada Sierra Plata Deep vein; 1.96 m @ 513 gpt Ag, 0.11% Cu, 2.0% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 4.23 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 331 gpt Ag, 2.8% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 1.84 m @ 178 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 1.25 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 310 gpt Ag, 1.8% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 3.49 m @ 395 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 2.8% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 1.17 m @ 289 gpt Ag, 0.12% Cu, 3.0% Pb, 2.6% Zn; 1.18 m @ 191 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 2.48 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 532 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu, 3.1% Pb, 3.1% Zn at the Veta Colorada El Verde vein zone, and 2.09 m @ 0.61 gpt Au, 55 gpt Ag, 0.13% Cu, 3.0% Pb, 3.5% Zn; 0.48 m @ 0.49 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 5.8% Pb, 4.7% Zn, at the Veta Colorada-San Joaquín vein. “Veta Colorada (including the Sierra Plata and El Verde mines) was a past producing mining operation owned by Grupo Mexico that closed in 1991 due to low silver prices. Mineralization, which occurs in a major silver vein structure that ranges from 1 to 30 metres thick, was mined seven levels down to 300-metre depths below surface in places and was traced for seven kilometres”.
Altaley Mining Corp. filed an updated technical report, including a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for its Tahuehueto project in Durango. The previous report released in March 2021 “contained errors related to net smelter return calculations that under-estimated the PFS economics”, the updated disclosure increases “approximately 30% to the overall economics of the project”. The project envisages 1 K tpd operation with a mine life (LOM) of 10.9 years, to process a total of 3.55 M tonnes of ore @ 2.58 gpt Au, 50.5 gpt Ag, 0.3% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 1.9% Zn, with planned recovery of 87% Au, 85% Ag, 85% Cu, 85% Pb, 68% Zn to have a total net smelter return (NSR) of $645.4 M, LOM total capital cost of $56.9 M, an AISC of $855 per Oz AuEq, an EBITDA LOM of 357.7 M and an IRR of 65.5 with a payback period of 2 years. The project estimate of resources stands at 6.26 M tonnes @ 47 gpt Ag, 2.11 gpt Au, 0.27% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 1.98% Zn containing 9.45 M Oz Ag, 425 K Oz Au, 36.6 M Lb Cu, 123.9 M Lb Pb, 273.3 M Lb Zn in measures and indicated resources and 0.92 M tonnes @ 28.5 gpt Ag, 1.02 gpt Au, 0.15% Cu, 1.16% Pb, 1.96% Zn, containing 0.84 M Oz Ag, 30 K Oz Au, 3.K M Lb Cu, 23.6 M Lb Pb, 39.7 M Lb Zn.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced results from additional drill holes from the phase 2 program at its Tepic project in Nayarit. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.65 m @ 210 gpt Ag, 1.06 gpt Au (including 1.5 m @ 524 gpt Ag, 2.47 gpt Au); 4.5 m @ 264 gpt Ag, 1.85 gpt Au (including 1.5 m @ 740 gpt Ag, 2.37 gpt Au); 3.05 m @ 625 gpt Ag, 1.60 gpt Au; 1.5 m @ 185 gpt Ag, 0.26 gpt Au; 1.5 m @ 110 gpt Ag, 0.23 gpt Au. “Ten of the twelve holes were designed to test up dip or strike extensions of known structures outside of the volumes used in the historical resource estimations”.
Chesapeake Gold Corp. released results for the last 13 PQ size infill core drill holes at its Metates project in Durango. The 2021-2022 infill drill campaign totaled 7,485 m, returning 22% higher grades within intrusive hosted mineralization. Highlighted core-length intervals comprise 357 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 20.5 gpt Ag; 357 m @ 1.00 gpt Au, 31.6 gpt Ag; 39 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 30.9 gpt Ag; 118 m @ 1.24 gpt Au, 14.4 gpt Ag; 350 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 23.2 gpt Ag (including 43 m @ 1.17 gpt Au, 8.6 gpt Ag); 69 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 16.3 gpt Ag; 45 m @ 1.01 gpt Au, 11.5 gpt Ag; 226 m @ 0.95 gpt Au, 16.2 gpt Ag; 9 m @ 2.20 gpt Au, 6.8 gpt Ag; 405 m @ 0.90 gpt Au, 27.6 gpt Ag; 172 m @ 0.41 gpt Au, 25.4 gpt Ag; 45 m @ 0.82 gpt Au, 56.8 gpt Ag; 63 m @ 0.59 gpt Au, 10.6 gpt Ag; 138 m @ 1.38 gpt Au, 11.1 gpt Ag. “The infill drill holes targeted the intrusive-hosted mineralization and are spaced at approximately 50 metre intervals”.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. updated on construction at Las Chispas project in Sonora. At the end of Q1 construction at Las Chispas was 95.7%, with plant start-up on track for Q2 2022. Capital costs remain on budget, the power line is to be completed in Q2 and energized in Q3 while rental power generators were commissioned and are operational. A total of 19 .5 Km of underground development have been completed, 2.0 km in the last quarter. “The H1, 2022 exploration focus at Las Chispas is to map and sample unexplored areas and generate new drill targets”. At the end of Q1 2022 SilverCrest had cash and cash equivalents of $152 M, and $30 M available on a $120 M financing facility.
Discovery Silver Corp. updated on work at Cordero, in Chihuahua, to the Q4 2021. During the period a PEA on Cordero was completed, outlining a 16-year mine life producing 26 M Oz AgEq per year at an AISC of $12.35 per Oz AgEq. Work for this 2022 includes the pre-feasibility study (PFS), resource expansion and initial drill testing of five targets within the extensive land package owned by Discovery.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced results from its surface infill drill program at Plomosas, in Sinaloa. The results are part of the phase 1 program in the Plomosas mine area. Some of the highlighted true width results comprise 0.9 m @ 435 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 0.9 m @ 805 gpt Ag, 4.2% Pb, 5.6% Zn; 4.5 m @ 257 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 9.0 m @ 96 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 2.8 m @ 176 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 8.5 m @ 410 gpt Ag, 0.30 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 6.9 m @ 1,521 gpt Ag, 1.2% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 30.5 m @ 12 gpt Ag, 0.28 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 0.8% Zn; 16.0 m @ 289 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 15.7 m @ 238 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 9.5 m @ 372 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
No Relevant News.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No Relevant News.
On the image below: Quartz-barite-FeOx vein in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.
