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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of October 2024

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By Jorge Cirett
During the 44th week of the year (October 28th to November 3rd, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 23 press releases. Not a single company informed on exploration advances on its properties, two companies presented quarterly results and one other actualized its production forecast for 2024. Two companies released drilling results from their advanced properties while one also provided channel sample results and one more informed on the advance of mine construction. Two companies disclosed the status of their merger process, one the acquisition of a company with a past producing mine, one the sale of a project and one other on the optioning of a property. Two companies presented the results of their AGMs, one the appointment of a well-known industry leader, one the optioning of several adjacent mining concessions to their property and one more on the final approval for transferring assets. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a Supreme Court minister commented on the Judiciary Reform. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Agnico Eagle and Capstone Copper released Q3 production results. Torex Gold increased its forecast on production for 2024. ON FINANCING, Mithril Gold and Silver is to raise A$12.5 M. Pinnacle Silver and Gold intends to make a private placement for US$800 K. Americas Gold and Silver completed a bought deal private placement for C$50 M. Guanajuato Silver closed a private placement for C$8.7 M and settled a US$1.8 M debt with shares. Defiance Silver paid a minor debt with shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar Metals reported drilling results from Ana Paula, in Guerrero. Mithril Gold and Silver presented drilling results and channel sample results from Copalquin, in Durango. Torex Gold informed on the construction status at Media Luna project, in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Minera Alamos entered into an agreement to acquire Sabre Gold Mines, which owns the past producing Copperstone mine in Arizona. Reyna Silver completed the acquisition of Reyna Gold. Golden Minerals is selling its Yoquivo project in Chihuahua to Advance Metals. Pinnacle Silver and Gold signed a LOI to acquire a mining property in Durango. Florida Canyon Gold received final approval on the sale of its Mexican assets to Heliostar Metals. Defiance Silver acquired six mining concessions adjacent to its Tepal project in Michoacan. Silver Spruce Royalties and Orogen Royalties informed on their AGMs. Capitan Silver informed on the appointment of Fernando Alanís to its board. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Vizsla Silver received the Socially Responsible Company Distinction (ESR) for the third year since 2022.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Juan Luis González Alcántar Carrancá, a Supreme Court minister, stated that México is to be left without a Supreme Court if the federal government (the Ejecutive branch) does not abide by the Supreme Court ruling on the invalidation of the recent Judiciary Power Reform, adding that the sudden changes on the appointment of judges and ministers can impact on economic matters.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. reported third quarter 2024 results, including information on its Mexican operations. At San Nicolás (50% AEM, 50% Teck), in Zacatecas, “Progress continues on the feasibility study work and execution strategy development, with plans to begin detailed engineering in the first half of 2025. Project approval is expected to follow, subject to receipt of permits and the results of the feasibility study”. At Pinos altos, in Chihuahua, 446 K tonnes were milled at a 4,848 tpd rate, grading 1.58 gpt Au, to produce 21,371 Oz Au at $2,174 per Oz Au production cost and total cash cost of $1,532 per Oz Au. At La India, in Sonora, residual leaching produced 4,259 Oz Au with a production cost of $2,300 per Oz Au and a total cash cost of $2,872 per Oz Au.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. increased the forecast production for 2024 from 400 K – 450 K to 450 K – 470 K Oz Au at its Morelos Complex in Guerrero. The total cash cost estimate remains at $860 – $910 per Oz Au and the AISC at $1,100 to $1,160 per Oz Au (El Limón-Guajes, Guerrero).
  • Capstone Copper Corp. reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The company produced a total of 47,460 tonnes Cu at cash cost $2.83 per Lb Cu. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 6 K tonnes were produced, driven by a milling rate of 3,609 tpd and having a cash cost of $1.82 per Lb Cu. The company has a total debt of $750.7 M, presenting $138.6 M in cash and short-term investments by the end of the period, as well as $377 M of undrawn amounts on the corporate revolving credit facility.

ON FINANCING

  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. informed firm commitments for an oversubscribed capital raising of A$12.5 M, with Jupiter Gold and Silver Fund confirming Mithril shareholding at 16% and 1832 Fund (Bank of Nova Scotia) maintaining 8% post placement. The proceeds are to be used to complete the current 9,000 m drill program to expand the JORC resource, the upgrade of the access road and prepare targets Las Brujas-El Peru and Constancia-Jabali for drilling in 2025 (Copalquin, Durango).
  • Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. will be arranging a private placement to raise up to US$800 K in gross proceeds (El Potrero, Durango).
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. completed its previously announced “bought deal” private placement raising C$50 M in gross proceeds, which included 12.5 M subscription receipts issued pursuant to the exercise, in full, of the underwriter’s option agreement granted to the underwriters in connection with the private placement (Cosala, Sinaloa).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. closed the previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of C$8.72 M. “The Private Placement includes an anchor order of C$3,000,000 by a corporation beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Eric Sprott”. Additionally, the company has settled a US$1 M contingent payment upon the production of 3 M Oz AgEq at El Cubo mine, entirely with shares. Also, Guanajuato Silver settled US$1.8 M in outstanding liabilities to Ocean Partners UK Ltd. by issuing shares, and C$77.5 K in outstanding liabilities to three arm’s length third party entities (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with a non-arm’s length administrative services agreement for services provided by an officer of the company for $7,980 (Zacatecas Silver, Zacatecas; Tepal, Michoacan).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported results from the 2024 drill program at Ana Paula, in Guerrero. The focus of the program is to extend the High Grade and Parallel panels to the west, testing the down-dip extension of the High Grade Panel while infilling the Parallel Panel target. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 6.05 m @ 8.24 gpt Au; 5.00 m @ 2.10 gpt Au; 16.0 m @ 1.74 gpt Au, 16.0 m @ 16.7 gpt Au; 2.5 m @ 3.57 gpt Au. “Drilling is ongoing, with five holes completed to date for a total of 1994.8 meters”.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. on October 18, 2024, released further results from resource expansion drilling at El Refugio mine target at its Copalquin project in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 4.60 m @ 5.51 gpt Au, 182 gpt Ag (including 0.60 m @ 28.0 gpt Au, 997 gpt Ag); 9.00 m @ 2.06 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag (including 1.00 m @ 2.14 gpt Au, 259 gpt Ag); 1.60 m @ 5.09 gpt Au, 299 gpt Ag (including 0.50 m @ 12.15 gpt Au, 758 gpt Ag). Drilling the second half of the 9,000 m program is to recommence late in October. The 2021 MRE stands at 691 K tonnes @ 5.43 gpt Au, 114 gpt Ag, containing 121 K Oz Au, 2.5 M Oz Ag as indicated resources and 1.7 M tonnes @ 4.55 gpt Au, 152 gpt Ag, containing 252 K Oz Au, 8.4 M Oz Ag.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. provided results from channel sampling from remnant wall rock of historic workings on the El Refugio area of its Copalquin project in Durango. At La Soledad, reported results comprise 1.75 m @ 9.19 gpt Au, 653 gpt Ag; 1.50 m @ 13.6 gpt Au, 545 gpt Ag at Lumbrera vein, 2.00 m @ 8.99 gpt Au, 736 gpt Ag; 0.90 m @ 9.57 gpt Au, 361 gpt Ag; 0.80 m @ 6.87 gpt Au, 267 gpt Ag; 1.50 m @ 1.72 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag at Soledad Level 1, 0.94 m @ 8.81 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag; 0.80 m @ 5.36 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 1.80 m @ 4.58 gpt Au, 193 gpt Ag; 3.40 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 101 gpt Ag; 2.00 m @ 4.23 gpt Au, 481 gpt Ag; 2.80 m @ 1.62 gpt Au, 106 gpt Ag at Soledad Level 2, 1.90 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag; 1.80 m @ 0.83 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 2.70 m @ 1.21 gpt Au, 56 gpt Ag at Soledad Level 3, 0.70 m @ 6.00 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag at Leon vein and 2.00 m @ 2.10 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag; 3.50 m @ 2.89 gpt Au, 180 gpt Ag; 2.00 m @ 0.94 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 4.00 m @ 2.28 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag at El Cometa underground workings.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. informed development and construction at Media Luna in Guerrero now stands at 87%. Detailed engineering is now complete “and procurement is nearing completion at 97%. Underground development/construction and surface construction are advancing, with completion levels at 77% and 70%, respectively.” First copper concentrate it scheduled to be produced on Q1 2025.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Minera Alamos Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Sabre Gold Mines Corp., which owns the past producing Copperstone gold mine in Arizona. (Santana, Sonora).
  • Reyna Gold Corp. and Reyna Silver Corp. announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Reyna Gold by Reyna Silver (La Gloria, Sonora; Guigui, Chihuahua).
  • Golden Minerals Co. signed a binding agreement to sell to Advance Metals Ltd. its Yoquivo project in Chihuahua. The agreement involves the payment of US$20 K on October 24, 2024, US$275 K on November 1, 2024 and US$275 K on November 21, 2024, for a total consideration of US$570 K plus VAT.
  • Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. singed a letter of intent (LOI) on a staged option to acquire the 1,074 ha El Potrero project in Durango. The property lies within 35 km of four operating mines, including Fresnillo plc’s La Cienega, Luca Mining’s Tahuehueto and Guanajuato Silver’s Topia. The property is said to host a low sulfidation epithermal breccia system in andesitic rocks of the Lower Volcanic Group, with an historic resource of 45.6 K tonnes @ 8 gpt Au, 186 gpt Ag. The property has never been explored by modern methods and a 100 tpd plant on site can be rehabilitated. The deal comprises US$50 K on signature, 500 K shares and the payment of US$160 K back taxes on the property; US$200 K and 1 M shares at eight months from signature; US$750 K in cash and 1 M in shares on the first anniversary; US$ 1 M and 1 M shares at 2.5 years from signature, or when a 350 K Oz Au inferred resource is established; US$ 1 M in cash at the fourth anniversary, or when the plant is ready and permitted to start production, with Pinnacle obtaining 50% of the property; US$ 1.5 M in cash on the fifth anniversary, or one year after commencing production, receiving a further 20% of the property; US$3 M after the seventh anniversary or two years after starting production, with Pinncale receiving a further 20% interest, to a total of 90%; The vendor has the option to convert the remaining 10% interest to a 2% NSR royalty. The total is US$7.5 M, US$160 K in back taxes and 3.5 M shares for a 100% interest subject to a 2% NSR royalty.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. informed that its annual general meeting has been adjourned to the new date of November 5, 2024, as the 10% requisite quorum was not achieved on the October 29 meeting (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. held its annual general meeting (AGM) on October 29, 2024, with all matters approved (Ermitaño, Sonora).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. announced the appointment of Fernando Alanís Ortega to its board of directors. Fernando Alanís is a past CEO of Industrias Peñoles, one of Mexico’s most emblematic mining companies, and is also past president of the Mexican Mining Chamber known as CAMIMEX (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. extended the San Acacio project (in Zacatecas) option agreement and acquired six additional mining concessions at its Tepal project in Michoacan. At San Acacio, the scheduled payment to be made in September 24, 2024, has now been changed to December 31, 2024.
  • Florida Canyon Gold Inc. received the final order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice with respect to the pending arrangement transaction with Integra Resources Corp., the final substantive approval required prior to closing the arrangement, anticipated to occur in November and which includes the sale of Florida Canyon Mexican assets to Heliostar Metals Ltd. (La Colorada, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. received the Socially Responsible Company Distinction (ESR) for the third year since 2022. The distinction is awarded jointly by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) and the Foundation for Sustainability and Equity (ALIARSE).

On the image below: Drilling under the scarp in Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of October 2024

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 40th week of the year (September 30th to October 6th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 12 press releases. One company informed on exploration advances on its property, one other company updated on mining operations, one company notified on the extension of a financing round, two companies granted stock options/deferred-share-units, two companies announced share consolidation programs, two companies reported drilling results on its advanced property/mine, another reported AGM results, one informed on appointments to the board and two more on their merger. ON MEXICO ISSUES, an illegal mining operation was terminated in Sonora. Vulcan Materials warned on the intensification of its legal dispute with the Mexican government. ON EXPLORATION, in Nayarit, Angel Wings Metals provided an exploration update on La Reyna project. ON MINING, Luca Mining updated on planned activities at its Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines, in Guerrero and Durango respectively. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Gatos Silver released drilling results from two areas of the Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver presented results of its AGM. Apollo Silver made directors appointments. Coeur Mining and SilverCrest Metals announced their merger. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • An illegal gold mining operation was closed down in Sonora. The mining operation was being conducted without permits on La Cienega area in the Sonoran Desert, which is an historically active dry placer mining area. Eight persons were detained and diverse equipment sequestered.
  • Vulcan Materials warned that it is to intensify its legal dispute with the government of Mexico, under which the company demands the payment of US$1.5 billion.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Angel Wing Metals Inc. provided an exploration update on La Reyna project, in Nayarit. The exploration focus is on the El Polo-Dolorosa target area, where historic trench results include 21 m grading 5.01 gpt Au, 12.7 m grading 1.21 gpt Au and 15.52 m grading 0.92 gpt Au. “Principal prospects include the former El Polo open pit mine, and the Dolorosa, San Ramon, La Feña, and El Zorillo shallow workings. The Company intends on commencing a diamond drill program in Q4 of this year”. Exploration is focused on bulk tonnage size potential in altered and brecciated volcanic rocks with stockwork quartz veining. The first 2,500 m drill phase is to test five widely spaced prospects from near surface depths to 175 m.

ON MINING

  • Luca Mining Corp. updated on planned activities at its two mines in Mexico. At Campo Morado, in Guerrero, a mining contractor was hired to increase performance and exceed 2,000 tpd rates, improvements to metallurgy processes have been made and the first drilling program in over a decade is commencing. At Tahuehueto, in Durango, construction has been completed and commercial production is expected to be declared during Q4. A significant drilling campaign is to commence during the quarter. “Luca will commence repayments of its debt owed to Trafigura, from cashflow, in October 2024 under the terms of the restructured debt agreement”.

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. granted 1.57 M stock options to directors, management, and consultants of the company (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. granted 97.5 K deferred share units (DSU) to non-executive directors for director’s fees to Q3 2024. eligible persons in accordance with the Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. “Once vested, each DSU entitles the holder thereof to receive either one common share of the Company, the cash equivalent of one common share or a combination of cash and common shares, as determined by the Company, net of applicable withholdings” (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. proposed to consolidate its common shares on a 1:15 basis on its annual and special meeting on October 29, 2024 (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua).
  • Apollo Silver Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10 M. Following the closing of the offering, the company intends to consolidated its issued and outstanding shares on a five to one basis. (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced the extension of its non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$450 K, to close on or before November 3, 2024 (EP project, Sonora)

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from 11 holes targeting the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 2.88 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag; 1.46 m @ 15.47 gpt Au, 1,935 gpt Ag; 0.55 m @ 6.26 gpt Au, 437 gpt Ag; 2.30 m @ 37.30 gpt Au, 2,851 gpt Ag; (including 1.05 m @ 73.10 gpt Au, 5,410 gpt Ag); 1.70 m @ 1.35 gpt Au, 238 gpt Ag; 5.80 m @ 14.85 gpt Au, 2,551, gpt Ag (including 0.46 m @ 146.50 gpt Au, 21,953 gpt Ag); 2.30 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag; 4.15 m @ 3.29 gpt Au, 732 gpt Ag (including 1.37 m @ 7.56 gpt Au, 1,634 gpt Ag); 5.65 m @ 26.06 gpt Au, 3,007 gpt Ag (including 1.48 m @ 96.11 gpt Au, 10,869 gpt Ag); 0.65 m @ 1.99 gpt Au, 384 gpt Ag; 7.50 m @ 1.23 gpt Au, 222 gpt Ag; 4.90 m @ 1.06 gpt Au, 145 gpt Ag; 1.00 m @ 5.39 gpt Au, 874 gpt Ag; 0.90 m @ 12.05 gpt Au, 1,830 gpt Ag; 4.35 m @ 3.00 gpt Au, 781 gpt Ag (including 0.73 m @ 12.45 gpt Au, 2,990 gpt Ag). “Exploration and resource focused drilling at Copala has traced mineralization along ~1,770 metres of strike length and ~400 metres down dip”.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. updated on the drilling exploration programs in the 70%-owned Los Gatos district in Chihuahua. Positive results have been obtained on the Central Deeps target and the South-East Deeps zone at the Cerro Los Gatos mine, as well as key developments on the regional exploration program. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 7.5 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 101 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 5.5% Pb, 11.1% Zn; 3.3 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 153 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 6.6% Pb, 17.5% Zn; 2.8 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 1.3 m @ 0.57 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag, 0.09% Cu, 3.0% Pb, 3.8% Zn; 6.5 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 2.4% Zn; 4.5 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag, 0.52% Cu,1.8% Pb, 3.2% Zn; 7.8 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 4.9% Pb, 5.8% Zn; 4.4 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 55 gpt Ag, 0.37% Cu, 3.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn, 2.8 m @ 0.07 gpt Au,122 gpt Ag, 0.56% Cu, 3.4% Pb, 9.5% Zn; 5.0 m 0.14 gpt Au, @ 126 gpt Ag, 0.35% Cu, 5.5% Pb, 15.8% Zn; 1.1 m @ 2.03 gpt Au. Drilling below the Central Zone has intercepted a new zone of mineralization, and the “latest results in the South-East Deeps zone show further extension potential to the south-east of the current mineral reserves in this area. Moreover, we continue to pursue the longer term potential across the broader Los Gatos district”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. held its annual general meeting, fixing the number of directors at seven persons, elected the directors for the ensuing year, re-appointed the auditor of the company and approved the company’s omnibus equity incentive compensation plan. (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Apollo Silver Corp. announced the appointment of Alex Tsakumis to its board of directors and of Amandip Singh as vice president, corporate development (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Coeur Mining Inc. and SilverCrest Metals Inc. entered into a definitive agreement in which Coeur is to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of SilverCrest. All SilverCrest shareholders will receive 1.6022 Coeur common shares. The exchange ratio implies $11.34 per SilverCrest shares, representing an 18% premium and a total equity value of $1.7 billion based on SilverCrest’s shares outstanding. “Upon completion of the Transaction, existing Coeur stockholders and SilverCrest shareholders will own approximately 63% and 37% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company, respectively” (Palmarjo, Chihuahua; Las Chispas, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Drilling under the scarp in Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of August 2024

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

By Jorge Cirett                                              During the 34th week of the year (August 19th to August 25th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 20 press releases. Three companies informed on exploration advances on their properties, three companies provided operational/financial results for the quarter, one informed on a major mill repair and one more on a mandated suspension of activities. One company granted stock options, one drew a final loan, one informed on its TSX listing and one more on a short base prospectus. One company released a revised PEA on its property and one more informed on district wide exploration and regional exploration plays. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the ambassadors of USA and Canada made clear their opposition to the judicial reform proposed by the sitting Mexican president. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri Resource reported on exploration at its El Plomo property in Sonora. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold informed on drilling results at Plata Verde. In Guerrero, Pantera Silver is evaluating options to restart exploration at its Nuevo Taxco project. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver informed on the repair of a mill and temporary measures to keep production ongoing at Guanaceví, in Durango. Starcore International, Sailfish Royalty and Impact Silver informed on quarterly production/financial details. Starcore International suspend mining operations at San Martin in Queretaro on safety grounds after a government inspection. ON FINANCING, Barksdale Resources granted stock options. Bear Creek Mining drew a final US$750 K from a promissory note. Vizsla Royalties is now listing in the TSX. Guanajuato Silver Company filed a final short base prospectus to offer up to US$65 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Oroco Resources released a revised PEA on Santo Tomás, in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver provided an update on its exploration plans at its Panuco project and two more regional plays in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Barksdale Resources appointed Dr. Quinton Hennigh to its board. Ranchero Gold signed a LOI on the sale of the Santa Daniela project in Sonora. Atacama Copper is changing its name to Fuerte Metals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver released its 2023 ESG report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Ken Salazar, USA ambassador in Mexico released a letter on which criticizes the Mexican president’s proposal for reform of the Judicial system. The ambassador pointed out the problems that will arise if the proposal is passed as is, bringing a major risk to democracy in Mexico and threaten the historic trade relationships with USA. (Note by editor. – The proposal envisages the selection system for federal judges and magistrates changing from one based on professional examinations to one based on the popular vote, among other bizarre directives aimed to control the judiciary system by the executive branch).
  • Graeme Clark, Canada ambassador in Mexico stated that Canadian investors are at crossroads before the probable passing in Congress of the Judicial Reform proposed by the sitting president AMLO. According to CanCham (Cámara de Comercio de Canadá en México) 40% of Canada’s investments in Mexico are on the mining sector.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Pantera Silver Corp. is currently evaluating options to restart exploration at the Nuevo Taxco project in Guerrero. “…work will likely focus on initial sampling and mapping in the “Southwest Zone” of the Nuevo Taxco concession”. Pantera Silver is pursuing potential acquisitions, aiming to build a portfolio of 2-3 high-quality projects, focused on silver.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. reported results of geological mapping and outcrop sampling on 4,766 ha El Plomo property at the EP project, located 25 km east of Fresnillo plc´s La Herradura mine. At the San Perfecto target mineralization is hosted by a silicified and sericitized moderately to strongly foliated diorite with quartz micro-veinlets in higher-grade samples. Of 29 rock samples recently collected, 14 returned more than 0.1 gpt Au, 9 greater than 0.5 gpt Au and 6 with more than 1.0 gpt Au. More than 616 historical samples yielded results with over 50% above 0.1 gpt Au and 15% with more than 1 gpt Au, peaking at 58.9 gpt Au. “The footprint of mineralization at San Perfecto is now approximately 1,250 m by 700m”. At La Culebra target 34 grab samples were collected, with 14 returning more than 0.1 gpt Au and five more than 1.0 gpt Au peaking at 4.64 gpt Au. “Mineralization is hosted by rusty zones which were mapped over a 650 m strike length in a northeast direction and coincident with an andesite-rhyolite contact”.
  • Radius Gold Inc. announced initial results on the exploration program at Plata Verde, in Chihuahua. The first four holes cut several zones of low-grade Ag mineralization “and indicate limited potential for an economic discovery in the eastern extension of silver mantos”. Assays are pending on four holes in the western side of the valley, with thicker favorable basaltic rock and improved visual mineralization. The most recent hole located further northwest “intersected visually improved results, cutting through greater width of basaltic host and encountering visibly the most attractive mineralization seen so far in this drilling program”. The JV partnership is extending the planned program, adding three additional drill holes.  

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. informed processing resumed at the Guanacevi mine in Durango, after the primary ball mill trunnion failure. Temporary modifications re-purposed one of the re-grind mills as the primary ball mill, which is running at 400 tpd (name plate capacity 1,200 tpd) during this temporary phase. “Contract mining activities and local third-party material purchases will cease until the process plant operations have returned to full capacity”. Initial quotes obtained point to a 16-weeks fabrication and installation period. During this period Guanacevi production is estimated to decrease by 0.9 M to 1.1 M Oz Ag and by 2,000 to 3,000 Oz Au.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the first fiscal quarter ended July 2024. At San Martin, in Zacatecas, 49.5 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.92 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, recovering 85.2% Au, 56.9% Ag, to produce 2,841 Oz AuEq. Starcore expects to start industrial testing of carbonaceous ore in September.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2024. The company’s revenue in the quarter was C$7.7 M, also during the period a non-brokered “LIFE” and a private placement of C$8.6 M were completed, holding C$9.9 M in cash by the end of the quarter. At Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico, 35.1 K tonnes averaging 161 gpt Ag were processed to produce 152.2 K Oz Ag. Over the last six months 5,243 m of drilling have been completed at Zacualpan. At Plomosas, in Chihuahua, 9.26 K tonnes were milled during the period, and the company expects to end the third quarter with a production rate in the 150-170 tpd range. Over the first half of the year the average grade has been 14% Zn, 8.7% Pb, 43.7 gpt Ag; during the same period 14,377 m of drilling have been completed.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. announced its operating and financial results for the second quarter 2024, from its operations outside Mexico (Gavilanes, Durango).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. suspended temporarily mining operations at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. “An unscheduled inspection at the mine conducted by the Mexican Labor Department identified safety standards that need to be met before resuming operations. The inspection followed a recent singular fatality at the mine, the first one in 18-1/2 years of Starcore’s record of zero fatalities in its mining operations at San Martin”.

ON FINANCING

  • Barksdale Resources Corp. granted stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the company to acquire 5 M common shares (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced the drawn down of US$750 K in funds related to the promissory note issued to the company to Sandstorm Gold Ltd., and under which Sandstorm can elect convert the amounts drawn into common shares of Bear Creek. An aggregate of US$2.62 M has been drawn down under the additional credit for a total principal amount of US$21.64 M (Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp. is now listing on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 2 issuer and its shares are expected to commence trading on August 26, 2024 (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. filed and received a receipt for a final short base prospectus that allows the company to offer up to US$65 M of common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, share purchase contracts and units during the 25-months period that the prospectus is effective (El Cubo, Guananjuato).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Oroco Resources Corp. announced a revised preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and updated mineral resource estimate for the North and South zones of its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The study envisages a NPV (8%) of US$2.64 B pre-tax and US$1.48 B post-tax, an internal rate of return of 30.3% pre-tax, and 22.2% post-tax, total LOM (life on mine) production of 4.8 B Lb Cu, a pre-tax payback of 2.9 years, post-tax payback of 3.8 years from first concentrate production. Estimated initial capital costs of US$1.1 B and sustaining and expansion capital costs at US$1.73 B. producing at cash cost US$1.54 per Lb Cu on by-product basis, with average CuEq grade of 0.51% on the first 7 years of production. The Santo Tomas deposit has 540.6 M tonnes @ 0.33% Cu, 0.008% Mo, 0.028 gpt Au, 2.1 gpt Ag as indicated resources containing 3.98 B Lb Cu, 95.4 M Lb Mo, 483.4 K Oz Au, 36.5 M Oz Ag and 530.8 M tonnes @ 0.31% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.023 gpt Au, 1.9 gpt Ag as inferred resources, containing 3.67 B Lb Cu, 84.4 M Lb Mo, 387.1 K Oz au, 33.2 M Oz Ag.
  • Vyzsla Silver Corp. provided an update on resource potential expansion potential and outline its exploration plans at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The key exploration objectives for 2024 include 10,000 m of exploration drilling in the central-east area of the district, completing +5,000 m of resource expansion drilling in Copala Central, complete VTEM, airborne mag and radiometric surveys on 950 line-km, advance mapping coverage to 70% of the district and finish an updated resource estimate in Q4 2024. Exploration in the district central and east areas already has a handful of targets with outcropping silver mineralized veins. Two greenfields projects to explored include La Garra-Metates district, covering 16,962 ha, located 32 km NW from Panuco and San Enrique, adjacent to the south of Panuco and covering 10,667 ha. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Barksdale Resources Corp. appointed Dr. Quinton Hennigh to its board of directors (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Ranchero Gold Corp. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to sell its Mexican subsidiary Minera y Metalurgica Paika, S.A. de C.V. to an arm’s length party purchaser for nil consideration. The sale includes water rights and four mining concessions covering 16,876 ha on the Santa Daniela project, in Sonora, and a conditional payment of US$2.5 M that will offset liabilities in Paika of $3.55 M of land fee payments and accrued interest due, along with a potential finder’s fee related to the conditional payment.
  • Atacama Copper Corp. has changed its name to Fuerte Metals Corp., with its shares expected to commence trading under the new name on August 26, 2024 (Cristina, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Discovery Silver Corp. released its 2023 environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighting purchases for $19.2 M in goods and services from Mexican businesses, $5.0 M paid in salaries and benefits to 69 local employees, of which 85% are local; $195 K of direct community investments and 21.1 GJ of renewable solar energy (Cordero, Chihuahua).

On the image below: Strong chlorite-epidote alteration in intrusive rock with two parallel quartz veinlets, one bearing molybdenite, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of August 2024

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 32nd week of the year (August 5th to August 11th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 25 press releases. One company informed on exploration advances on a mining property, eleven companies provided operational/financial results for Q2 2024 and one hired a contractor for mining activities. One company closed the final tranche of its private placement. Four companies announced board appointments, one signed a LOI to acquire an AI company, another company received a cease trade order, two companies announced their merger and one more the amendment of an option on a property.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Riverside Resources completed an aeromagnetic drone survey on Cecilia. ON MINING, Aura Minerals, Gold Resource, Fortuna Mining, Torex Gold, Pan American Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Coeur Mining, GoGold Resources, Equinox Gold, US Antimony and Sierra Metals presented second quarter 2024 reports. Luca Mining engaged a contractor to carry out core mining operations at Campo Morado. ON FINANCING, Heliostar Metals closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, no relevant news. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Golden Minerals, Aura Minerals, GR Silver and US Antimony announced board appointments. Tarachi Gold signed a LOI on the acquisition of AI company Prospector Portal Inc. Xali Gold received a cease trade order. Reyna Silver is to acquire all shares of Reyna Gold. Sonoran Desert Copper amended the option on Cuatro Hermanos project. Galore Resources announced a status report on its cease trade order. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc. completed with Fortuna Mining Inc. the acquisition and interpretation of an aeromagnetic drone survey at its Cecilia project in Sonora. The UAV magnetic data covers the entire 60 Km2 property, aiding to interpret and refine previous targets identified by Riverside.

ON MINING

  • Aura Minerals Inc. filed financial statements for Q2 2024, including guidance figures for its Mexican operations. At Aranzazu, in Zacatecas, 24,692 Oz Au Eq were produced during the period. Guidance at Aranzazu for the full year is 94 K to 108 K Oz AuEq at a cash cost between $826 and $1,009 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of 1,089 to $1,331 per Oz AuEq.
  • Luca Mining Corp. engaged Cominvi S.A. de C.V. to carry out core mining operations at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Luca Mining intends to increase mill throughput from the current 1,400-1,600 tpd to 2,000 tpd by year end, ultimately aiming to reach 2,400 tpd mill rate in 2025.
  • Gold Resource Corp. announced second quarter operational results from its Don David Gold mine in Oaxaca. During the period 93,687 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.27 gpt Au, 102 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 1.0 % Pb, 2.59% Zn, to produce 2,947 Oz Au, 263 K Oz Ag, 181 tonnes Cu, 616 tonnes Pb, 2,020 tonnes Zn (or 5,625 Oz AuEq).
  • Fortuna Mining Corp. reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2024, including figures from its operations in Mexico. The company’s consolidated production was 92,716 Oz Au, 990.6 K Oz Ag in the period. At San José, in Oaxaca, 176.2 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,980 tpd, averaging 140 gpt Ag, 1.09 gpt Au, recovering 87% Ag, 85% Au, to produce 684.2 K Oz Ag, 5,269 Oz Au, at a cash cost of $24.91 and an AISC of $27.55 per Oz Ag. “The San Jose Mine has less operational flexibility in 2024 compared to 2023, due to the reduced and more dispersed Mineral Reserves associated with the Trinidad deposit, which also increased mine costs. Ore processed decreased by 10% due to lower tonnes mined”.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported its financial and operational results for Q2 2024. At its Morelos mine complex in Guerrero, the company produced 113,822 Oz Au (recovering 90.5% Au) at cash cost $1,014 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,239 per Oz Au. The company ended the quarter with $108.7 M in cash and $237.1 M available on credit facilities. The Media Luna project is 78% complete, with commissioning expected late in 2024.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. announced results for Q2 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 835 K Oz Ag, 500 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $15.30 and an AISC of $17.09. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 440 Oz Au, 18,100 Oz Ag were produced at cash cost $1,113 per Oz Au and an AISC of $2,496 per Oz Au. “At La Colorada, Pan American invested $9.8 million on project capital in Q2 2024, largely for exploration and engineering on the Skarn project, and to complete the new ventilation infrastructure for the operating mine”. The company expects to end the year with a 2,000 tpd production rate at La Colorada.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. released its financial results for Q2 2024. At Las Chispas, in Sonora, 100 K tonnes were mined, 110.6 K tonnes milled at an average rate of 1,216 tpd, averaging 4.36 gpt Au, 418 gpt Ag, recovering 98.6% Au, 98.3% Ag, to produce 15,303 K Oz Au, 1.46 M Oz Ag at cash cost $8.87 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $16.88. At the end of the period the company had $98.3 M in cash and $24 M in bullion.
  • Coeur Mining Inc. reported second quarter results for the second quarter 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 429.6 K tonnes were milled during the period, averaging 2.05 gpt Au, 139.7 gpt Ag, recovering 89.9% Au, 82.8% Ag, to produce 25,467 Oz Au, 1.6 M Oz Ag, at CAS $1,006 per Oz Au and CAS $15.24 per Oz Ag. During the quarter Coeur bought adjacent Fresnillo plc mining concessions, increasing the area of the project to over 16,100 hectares. Full-year 2024 production is expected to be 95,000 – 103,000 Oz Au, 5.9 – 6.7 M Oz Ag.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced financial results for the quarter ending on June 30, 2024. During the period GoGold produced 138.7 K Oz Ag, 2,436 Oa Au, 148 tonnes Cu, 125 tonnes Zn (or 400.2 K Oz AgEq) at cash cost $18.54 per Oz AgEq and AISC of $24.59 per Oz AgEq. The company had US$76.4 M in cash by the end of the quarter.
  • Equinox Gold Corp. announced its second quarter 2024 summary financial and operating results, without specifying figures by operation. The company produced 122,221 Oz Au during the period. For 2024 guidance calls for 665 – 750 K Oz Au, at cash cost $1,305 – $1,405 per Oz Au, and an AISC of $1,635 to $1,735 per Oz Au. At Los Filos in Guerrero, 2024 guidance is 155 -175 K Oz Au, at cash cost $1,785 – $1,855 per Oz Au and AISC of $2,090 – $2,190 per OZ Au. “The Los Filos team is in a dialogue process with the three communities where the mine is located, with the goal of reaching new land access agreements with each of them in a collaborative and transparent way. These new agreements are necessary to help ensure the long-term economic and investment viability of the mine, including the addition of a new CIL processing plant. If the Company is unable to satisfactorily complete these agreements, the Company will re-evaluate the current operation and may elect to cease operations”.
  • United States Antimony Corp. reported its second quarter 2024 financial and operational results. During the quarter the company completely shut down its operational activities in Mexico. “The historical cash drain of these operations on the Company ceased with this decision”. At the end of the period US Antimony had $12.4 M in cash (Los Juarez, Queretaro).
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported consolidated financial results to the end of June 2024. During the quarter the sale of the Cusi mine in Chihuahua was completed, for $2.5 M in cash and a 2% NSR. On the period cash cost at Bolivar, in Chihuahua, was $2.76 per Lb CuEq, and AISC $3.53 per Lb CuEq. The company will continue the construction of the new tailings dam at Bolivar, which will allow the increase of production to 7,500 tpd. Guidance at Bolivar in 2024 is 23.9 M to 27.6 M Lb Cu, 650 K to 750 K Oz Ag, 8,000 to 9,200 Oz Au. Sierra Metals had cash and cash equivalents of $22.5 M at the end of June.

ON FINANCING

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $500 K and a total aggregate of gross proceeds of $4.98 M (Ana Paula, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • No Relevant News.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Golden Minerals Co. announced the retirement of Julie Wiedman, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and the appointment of Joe Dwyer as chief financial officer (CFO) (Yoquivo, Chihuahua).
  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced organizational changes, including some that affect its operations in Mexico. Enrique Rangel, current director of operations at the Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas, takes on the role of director of technical services in corporate, serving all units. Wilton Muricy, current director of operations at Minosa, takes on the role of director of operations at Aranzazu. Francisco do Carmo, current technical services manager at Aranzazu, assumes the role of director of operations at Minosa.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the appointment to its board of directors of Mr. Brent McFarlane and Ms. Jessica van den Akker (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. signed a non-binding agreement letter of intent (LOI) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Prospector Portal Inc. in a transaction that would transform Tarachi into an artificial intelligence-focused mining services company. “The LOI contemplates a post-Transaction ownership of Tarachi (“New Tarachi”) that would be approximately 85% held by current Prospector shareholders and 15% held by current Tarachi shareholder” (Tarachi, Sonora).
  • Xali Gold Corp. was advised by the British Columbia Securities Commission of a cease trade order as a result of Xali Gold’s delay in “filing its audited annual financial statements, accompanying management discussion and analysis, and CEO and CFO certifications for the financial year ended March 31, 2024” (El Oro, Estado de Mexico).
  • United States Antimony Corp. announced the appointment of Fred L. “Pete” Bunger as technical advisory director to the board (Juarez, Queretaro).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Reyna Gold Corp. on which Reyna Silver is to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Reyna Gold (Guigui, Chihuahua; La Gloria, Sonora).
  • Sonoran Desert Copper Corp. amended the option to purchase the Cuatro-Hermanos project in Sonora. Under the revised option a large claim was terminated, with option payments reduced by $200 K and mining concession taxes by $238.6 K in 2024 and $603.6 K in 2025. The property holds NI-43-101 indicated and inferred resources for 643 M tonnes @ 0.19% Cu, 0.02% Mo (Cuatro Hermanos, Sonora).
  • Galore Resources Inc. “announces a status report with regards to the Company’s news release dated July 31, 2024 disclosing the Company’s application for a Management Cease Trade Order (“MCTO”), which was issued by the BC Securities Commission on July 30, 2023” No material change has occurred in the information contained in the default of a financial statement filing requirement. Galore expects to file its yearly financial statements, management discussion and analysis on September 27, 2024 (Dos Santos, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Strong chlorite-epidote alteration in intrusive rock in a Sonoran Desert project, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of July 2024

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 30th week of the year (July 22nd to July 28th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 24 press releases. Two companies informed on exploration advances on their properties and four companies provided operational/financial results for Q2 2024. Three companies closed financing tranches and one filed a preliminary base shelf prospectus. A company commenced test mining and processing, another completed construction of a mine while one more updated on the construction advances at its property. Two companies presented PEA’s on their advanced properties and one more provided a drilling results update. One company completed the acquisition of key claims, and another one entered into a small-scale mining agreement on its property. ON MEXICO ISSUES, ArcelorMittal steelworks strike in Michoacan ended after 55 days. Tax on revenue from mining companies fell in the country by 24.5% on Q1 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Minaurum Gold commenced a drilling program; Tocvan Ventures released results from drilling at Pilar. ON MINING, Gold Royalty, Mag Silver, Santacruz Mining and Grupo Mexico presented Q2 2024results. ON FINANCING, Southern Silver Exploration closed the first tranche of financing (C$2.09), Guanajuato Silver company filed a short base shelf prospectus to offer up to US$65 M, Aztec Silver closed its non-brokered private placement (C$2.57 M), Barksdale Resources closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for a total of C$6.3 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver commenced test mining and processing at the Guitarra mine in Estado de Mexico. Gatos Silver provided drilling results from the Cerro Los Gatos mine and brownfields exploration in Chihuahua. Vizsla Silver presented a PEA on Panuco, in Sinaloa. Southern Silver Exploration released a PEA study on Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. Endeavour Silver provided a Q2 2024 construction update for Terronera, in Jalisco. Luca Mining announced the completion of the Tahuehueto mine in Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Viper Minerals announced the completion of the purchase of three mining concessions at its Virgina project in Sonora. Xali Gold signed a LOI granting rights for small scale mining on five of its claims at El Oro, Estado de Mexico. US Antimony, Solaris Resources and DYNR-Dyna Resources made board appointments. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • ArcelorMittal steelworks strike in Michoacán ends after 55 days. Nearly 3,000 workers resumed work at the company’s steel plant in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán. The agreement reached mandates an 8% wage increase, grocery vouchers worth 17,000 pesos (US$949 dollars) and full compensation for lost wages. Additionally, an external audit of the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years will be conducted to ensure the accuracy of PTU payments.
  • Tax on revenue from mining companies fell in Mexico 24.54% on Q1 2024 year on year, more than five times the national average of 4.83%. During the period mining companies paid $13,416 M pesos or 1.87% of the total income tax received by the government.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. commenced an 8,000 m drill program designed to establish an inferred mineral resource at its Alamos silver project in Sonora. Drilling will focus initially on three of the 19 vein zones that have already returned high-grade silver results: The Europa vein, the historic Promontorio vein zone, and the Promontorio Sur vein zone. “Minaurum has drilled 42,317 m in 106 core holes on 19 of the 26 vein zones discovered at the Alamos silver project from 2017 – 2023”. Highlighted previously released core length intercepts comprise 8.25 m @ 1,760 gpt Ag, 1.6% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 2.6% Zn; 3.50 m @ 404 gpt Ag, 0.54% Cu,  1.3% Pb, 1.8% Zn; 3.85 m @ 342 gpt Ag, 0.76% Cu, 1.0% Zn at the Europa vein zone, and 20.2 m @ 154 gpt Ag, 0.5% Cu, 2.3% Pb, 6.8% Zn; 3.8 m @ 415 gpt Ag, 2.68 gpt Au, 1.37% Cu, 6.2% Pb, 9.2% Zn; 7.6 m @ 266 gpt Ag, 0.27 gpt Au, 0.57% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 3.2% Zn at the Promontorio and Promontorio Sur vein zones.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced results from the 2024 reverse circulation (RC) 3,700 m drill program at its Pilar property in Sonora. To date, 3,268 m across 26 holes have been drilled from such program. Highlighted drill length intercepts from three holes comprise 15.25 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag (including 7.63 m @ 0.45 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag, 0.1% Zn); 1.53 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 46 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 3.05 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 3.05 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag; 22.88 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn (including 1.53 m @ 0.49 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag, 1.9% Zn and 1.53 m @ 0.62 gpt Au and 1.53 m @ 0.68 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag). “The North Hill and Main Zone Trends now extend over 900-meters defined by drilling, while the 4-T Trend extends over 700- meters….”  

ON MINING

  • Gold Royalty Corp. announced second quarter 2024 revenue and total revenue, land agreement proceeds and interests of $2.2 M, of which a minor part comes from its Mexican operations (Coazamin, Zacatecas).
  • Mag Silver Corp. reported production from Juanicipio (56%/44% Fresnillo plc, Mag Silver) in Zacatecas. During the quarter 336.6 K tonnes were processed at the Juanicipio plant, averaging 1.2 gpt Au, 498 gpt Ag, 1.56% Pb, 2.99% Zn, to produce 9,259 Oz Au, 5.0 M Oz Ag, 9.9 M Lb Pb, 18.9 M Lb Zn. Also in the period commenced commercial production of pyrite concentrate, delivering incremental Ag and Au recovery.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported Q2 production results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Zimapan, in Hidalgo, the company processed 209.7 K tonnes averaging 80 gpt Ag, 0.30% Cu, 0.73% Pb, 2.46% Zn, recovering 76% Ag, 45% Cu, 86% Pb, 80% Zn, to produce 409.3 K Oz Ag, 284 tonnes Cu, 1,312 tonnes Pb, 4,127 tonnes Zn (or 1.09 M Oz AgEq).
  • Grupo México SAB de CV. presented its Q2 2024 results. The company has operations in several countries and did not specify production by mining unit. During the period Grupo México produced 270,747 tonnes Cu, 8,201 Oz Au, 2.95 M Oz Ag, 7,655 tonnes Mo, 29,419 tonnes Zn, 615.8 K tonnes H2SO4, with a cash cost of US$1.03 per Lb Cu after by products.

ON FINANCING

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2.09 M. “In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finders’ fees totalling $101,745.31 and issued an aggregate 457,029 non-transferable finder warrants, with each finder warrant exercisable to purchase one common share for a period of 3 years.”  (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. filed a preliminary short base shelf form prospectus in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. Upon issuance of a receipt for the final short form base shelf prospectus the company will be permitted to offer up US$65 M of common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscriptions receipts, share purchase warrants and units during the 25-month that the prospectus is effective (El Cubo, Valenciana, Guanajuato).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. closed the previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$2.57 M (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of $4.1 M, which together with the proceeds from the first tranche add up to $6.3 M (San Javier, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. commenced test mining and processing at the Guitarra mine complex in Estado de Mexico. The flotation plant has processed 5.7 K tonnes of mineralized material from the Guitarra mine and is currently processing 259 tpd in the path to full commercial production of 500 tpd.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. provided an update on drilling at the South-East Deeps zone and the recently initiated regional exploration program at its Los Gatos property (70% owned) in Chihuahua. “Resource definition drilling in the SE Deeps zone of CLG intercepted additional mineralization along strike and down-plunge, continuing to extend the known mineralized zone.” Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 2.9 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 214 gpt Ag, 0.25% Cu, 12.2% Pb, 19.0% Zn; 2.7 m @ 0.81 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu, 3.9% Pb, 9.9% Zn; 1.6 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 181 gpt Ag, 0.42% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 1.6 m @ 0.79 gpt Au, 108 gpt Ag, 0.44% Cu, 3.2% Pb, 5.6% Zn; 6.5 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 4.5% Zn at SE Deeps and 0.6 m @ 3.11 gpt Au; 1.2 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 0.02% Cu, 0.23% Mo, 0.3% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 1.9 m @ 2.59 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.8% Pb, 1.6% Zn at Portigueño and 8.9 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag; 4.2 m @ 0.07 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 5.6% Zn at San Luis.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released the results of the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The study envisions a 3,300 tpd production rate expanding to 4,000 tpd in year 4, with an initial mine life (LOM) of 10.6  years. The 5.3 M tonnes deposit averaging 316 gpt Ag, 1.97 gpt Au would produce 15.2 M Oz AgEq (9.3 M Oz Ag, 78 K Oz Au) per year at cash cost US$7.98 per Oz AgEq and a LOM AISC of US$9.40 per Oz AgEq. The initial cash expenditures are estimated at US$224 M with an After-tax NPV (5%) of US$1,137 M and 85.7% IRR at US$26 per Oz Ag and US$1,975 per Oz Au, and an After-tax payback period of 9 months. Two adjacent underground mines, Copala and Napoleon, with on-site treatment with a three-stage grinding circuit, a leach and Merril Crowe circuit to produce doré bars. “The mines will be contractor operated utilizing ramp-access and a combination of long-hole stoping and drift-and-fill mining methods.”
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. provided Q2 2024 construction progress update for its Terronera project in Jalisco. Concrete and structural steel work are nearing completion on the upper plant platform for areas including crushing, coarse-ore storage, grinding, flotation, and thickening, with overall mine development and surface construction reaching 64.5% advance. More than US$204 M have been spent to date of the total project commitment of US$260 M, with mine development totaling nearly 4,500 m. The project remains on track for commissioning in Q4 2024.
  • Luca Mining Corp. completed construction of its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. The mine was constructed within budget, has a nameplate 1,000 tpd processing capacity and has been on pre-production for several months. Commercial levels of 800 tpd or 25 K tonnes per month are expected to be achieved by the end of September. “Tahuehueto is a large property (121 square kilometres) that hosts an extensive epithermal gold vein system with less than 10% of the prospective ground explored so far….. Resource drilling from underground is expected to commence in the coming weeks.”
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. filed on SEDAR a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) 43-101 technical report on its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Highlights from the study include after-tax NPV5% of US$501 M, an IRR of 21.2% with a 48-month payback on a large-scale underground mining operation with a 17-year mine life (LOM) with an anual average plant feed of 14.3 M Oz AgEq (inc. 5.8 M Oz Ag) and total sales of 194.3 M Oz AgEq at an AISC of $13.23 per Oz AgEq. The project envisages gross revenues totalling US$4.47 B, with Au and Ag representing 45% of revenue and zinc 35%. Updated PEA increases production by 5 M tonnes, production rate to 5,300 tpd, extends the LOM by 2.6 years and the total revenue by US$765 M. “The company plans to initiate a core drilling program of up to 6000m in 11 holes to test shallow targets along the north side of the Cerro between the North Felsite and Skarn Front deposits. Drilling will start in early September. The work is the first stage of a larger 25,000 metre exploration program on the property with the goal of adding an additional 4 million to 8 million tonnes of mineralization to the resource base.” 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. announced the completion of the purchase of the three mineral claims covering 2,102 hectares at the La Virgina project in Sonora. The company made the last cash payment of US$200 K. “Silver Viper has completed a total of 141 drill holes at La Virginia for a combined 44,687 metres. Exploration drilling has paused awaiting the processing of the geophysical survey data along with the interpretation of mapping and sampling data.”
  • Xali Gold Corp. signed a legally binding letter of intent (LOI) with Rio Verde Resources on portions of five mining concessions at El Oro project in Estado de Mexico. Rio Verde has been granted the exclusive right to explore and extract minerals above the 2,400 m level in the historic workings, in exchange for a 3% net smelter return (NSR) royalty. Rio Verde has advised that their production will initially focus on the target identified by LuisMin-Hillsborough, in which they estimated a potential of 762 K Oz Au and 9.8 M Oz Ag (6.89 M tonnes @ 3.44 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag, Not NI-43-101 compliant) after studying mine level plans with grades, sections and eight new drill holes.
  • United States Antimony Corp. announced the appointment of Jonathan Miller as vice president of investor relations and global sales director (Juarez, Queretaro).
  • Solaris Resources Inc. appointed Mr. Arun Lamba as vice president, corporate development (La Verde, Michoacán).
  • DYNR-Dyna Resource Inc. appointed Mr. Alonso Sotomayor as chief financial officer (San José de Gracia, Sinaloa).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Chloritized biotite (?) lining a quartz veinlet in a Sonoran Desert project, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of July 2024

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 28th week of the year (July 8th to July 14th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 25 press releases. One company informed on exploration advances on its property and nine companies provided operational results for Q2 2024. One company increased the size of a previous offering, one more was notified of its lack of compliance by the NYSE and one more established an at the market equity distribution program. Four companies released drilling results from their advanced properties, and one more completed a drilling program. Three companies announced management appointments, two the authorization for their merger and one provided information on payments to governments. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico fell spectacularly on the Fraser’s ranking of mining competitiveness. Camimex pointed that exploration by the SGM just won’t work. Arcelor Mittal’s workers continue their illegal strike. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Chesapeake Gold released drilling results on Lucy. ON MINING, Fortuna Mining, Endeavour Silver, Aura Minerals, Torex Gold, Gatos Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Orla Mining, GoGold Resources and Sierra Metals reported production results for Q2 2024. ON FINANCING, Golden Minerals announced it’s been notified by the NYSE American of its lack of compliance on three listing standards. Southern Silver Exploration increased its private placement to C$4.5 M. Kootenay Silver established an equity distribution program. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Atacama Copper reported drilling results from Cristina. Silver Tiger Metals released results from PFS drilling at El Tigre. Vizsla Silver reported results from holes on the Copala resource area at its Panuco project. GoGold Resources updated on the FS for Los Ricos South. Xali Gold announced the completion of a drill program at El Oro Tailings. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bear Creek Mining, Luca Mining and Barksdale Resources announced appointments to the board. Argonaut Gold and Alamos Gold received clearance from authorities to complete their proposed arrangement. Fresnillo plc paid US$297.5 M dollars to Mexico during 2023 in taxes, royalties and concessions fees. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mexico fell 37 positions on the Fraser Institute index of mining competitiveness from 2022 to 2023, reflecting the difficulty to do business imposed in the new Mining Law.
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) indicated that mining exploration by the government as stated by the new mining law is just not viable. According to the new mining law, the only player able to do exploration before an auction of mining concessions is the SGM (Servicio Geológico Mexicano), and that in 2022 the SGM had a budget of just US$2.4 million dollars, compared with the annual average in the last 12 years of US$633 million dollars invested by private mining companies.
  • Workers of Arcelor Mittal rejected a proposal by the company to end the more than a month and a half old illegal strike. The proposed agreement included more than US2,000 dollars per worker and 75% of the salaries not received during the strike, as well as an audit on the profits of the company for 2022 and 2023, to assess the correct application of the profit-sharing scheme in the law.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. released results from the phase 2 drill program at Lucy, in Sinaloa. In total 939 m were drilled in 12 holes along the known mineralized corridor, 101 additional surface soil and rock samples were collected along the projection of the trend and 63 line-km of ground magnetics covering the entire property completed. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 24 m @ 1.43 gpt Au (including 9 m @ 2.29 gpt Au); 6 m @ 1.95 gpt Au; 6 m @ 5.21 gpt Au; 6 m @ 1.90 gpt Au; 20.5 m @ 1.75 gpt Au (including 12 m @ 2.82 gpt Au. The gold mineralized zone has been extended from 500 to 700 m of length, and the corridor remains open on strike and at depth. “… this expanded corridor continues to display retrograde quartz-calcite, iron oxides, sulphide veinlets and stockwork hosted within garnet and pyroxene skarn and hornfels with zones altered to actinolite and other silicates.”

ON MINING

  • Fortuna Mining Corp. reported production results for the second quarter of 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San Jose, in Oaxaca, 176.2 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,980 tpd, grading 140 gpt Ag, 1.09 gpt Au, recovering 85.6% Ag, 85.5% Au, to produce 684.2 K Oz Ag, 5,269 Oz Au. “Management is currently evaluating its options of maintaining operations at the mine or putting the mine on care and maintenance, as Mineral Reserves are scheduled to be exhausted by year end.”
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported second quarter 2024 production of 1.31 M Oz Ag, 10,549 Oz Au (or 2.2 M Oz AgEq).  At Guanaceví in Durango, 112.9 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,241 tpd, grading 364 gpt Ag, 1.29 gpt Au, recovering 90.4% Ag, 90.4% Au, to produce 1.19 M Oz Ag, 4,243 Oz Au. At Bolañitos in Guanajuato, 106.1 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,166 tpd, grading 41 gpt Ag, 2.06 gpt Au, recovering 83.4% Ag, 89.6% Au, to recover 116.9 K Oz Ag, 6,306 Oz Au. “Local third-party feed continued to supplement Guanaceví mine production, totaling 15% of quarterly throughput. With current prices, management expects local third-party feed to remain above 10% of throughput going forward.”
  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced preliminary production results for Q2 2024, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Aranzazu, in Zacatecas, production was 6,175 Oz Au, 120.4 K Oz Ag, 8.93 M Lb Cu (or 24,692 Oz AuEq).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2024 production at its Limón-Guajes mine in Guerrero. A total of 17.8 K tpd of ore were mined from open pits, 77.4 K tpd of waste were moved at a strip ratio of 4.3 and 2,145 tpd were mined from underground. Total plant throughput was 13,214 tpd, averaging 3.34 gpt Au, with a recovery of 90.5% Au, to produce 113,822 Oz Au in the period. “… the level of waste mined is expected to decline further through the balance of the year as the pits reach the end of their mine life mid-2025….”
  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced production results for the second quarter 2024. During the period 294.9 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 3,240 tpd, grading 0.29 gpt Au, 273 gpt Ag, 2.06% Pb, 4.55% Zn, recovering 48.8% Au, 88.9% Ag, 89.5% Pb, 64.6% Zn to produce 1,360 Oz Au, 2.30 M Oz Ag, 12.0 M Lb Pb, 19.1 M Lb Zn.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. provided interim operational results for the second quarter of 2024. During the period 100 K tonnes were mined, 110.6 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,216 tpd, averaging 4.36 gpt Au, 418 gpt Ag (or 765 gpt AgEq), recovering 98.6% Au, 98.3% Ag, to produce 15,303 Oz Au, 1.46 M Oz Ag (or 2.68 M Oz AgEq).
  • Orla Mining Ltd. released an interim operational update for the second quarter 2024. At the Camino Rojo Oxide mine 1.9 M tonnes were mined, 2.05 M tonnes of waste moved with a strip ratio of 1.08 and 1.93 M tonnes were stacked averaging 0.87 gpt Au to produce 33,206 Oz Au. At the end of the period Orla had cash of US$154.3 M and total debt of US$78.4 M, resulting in a net cash position of US$75.9 M.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported production for the quarter. At the Parral Tailing project, 2,436 Oz Au, 138.7 K Oz Ag, 148 tonnes Cu, 125 tonnes Zn were produced during the period ending June 30, 2024.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported second quarter 2024 production results. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 378.9 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 4,273 tpd, grading 0.38 gpt Au, 19.5 gpt Ag, 0.83% Cu, recovering 65.4% Au, 80.6% Ag, 89.8% Cu, to produce 3,005 Oz Au, 190 K Oz Ag, 6.15 M Lb Cu.

ON FINANCING

  • Golden Minerals Co. announced that the company has been notified by the NYSE American LLC that it was not in compliance with three of the continued listing standards. “The notification from the NYSE American has no immediate effect on the Company’s common stock or its business operations. The Company’s common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “AUMN” while it regains compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide, subject to the Company’s compliance with other continued listing requirements” (Yoquivo, Chihuahua).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. announced the increase of the previously announced $3.3 M private placement to $4.5 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. established an “at the market” equity distribution program, which will allow Kootenay to issue and sell to the public from time to time, at its discretion, common shares in the capital of Kootenay on the amount of up to C$5 M (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Atacama Copper Corp. reported results from five holes of a 10,000 m drilling program at Cristina, in Chihuahua. Fifteen holes totalling 4,467 m of drilling of a 40-to-50-hole program have been reported. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 20.50 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn (including 1.20 m @ 22.30 gpt Au, 184 gpt Ag, 1.42% Cu, 0.8% Pb, 0.9% Zn); 14.00 m @ 0.96 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn (including 2.90 m @ 2.78 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 0.98% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 0.3% Zn); 20.00 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb; 0.6% Zn; 9.00 m @ 0.70 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 5.80 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn. The goal of the program is to increase the size and the grade of the resource and demonstrate the underground potential at Cristina.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released results from the pre-feasibility study drilling program on El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 18.20 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 5.80 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 328 gpt Ag (including 1.80 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 1,041 gpt Ag); 56.80 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 55 gpt Ag; 11.00 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 128 gpt Ag; 72.00 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 59.00 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 11.00 m @ 1.18 gpt Au, 87 gpt Ag; 45.00 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag. Silver Tiger aims to release a new mineral resource estimate by September 2024. This drilling program has extended mineralization “by 10 to 15%, to the footwall and hanging wall zones, as well as the higher-grade ‘Keel’ at PEA pit bottom associated with the El Tigre and SK Veins”, and converted a significant portion of inferred resources to the indicated category.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from six holes targeting the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. “The reported drilling, designed to infill near-surface Indicated Mineral Resources, continues to confirm high-grade continuity throughout Copala including new high-grade intercepts on the Copala 3 hanging-wall vein splay.” Highlighted true width intervals comprise 7.80 m @ 4.40 gpt Au, 788 gpt Ag (including 0.86 m @ 25.30 gpt Au, 5,010 gpt Ag); 5.25 m @ 6.58 gpt Au, 547 gpt Ag; 3.50 m @ 7.83 gpt Au, 1,617 gpt Ag; 2.68 m @ 7.47 gpt Au, 1,831 gpt Ag; 7.00 m @ 9.51 gpt Au, 1,898 gpt Ag (including 1.29 m @ 18.95 gpt Au, 3,430 gpt Ag).
  • GoGold Resources Inc. is advancing the definitive feasibility study at Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. The study to be released in September focus “… towards a larger underground mine with a much smaller open pit. We have applied for an underground permit as in our view this will be more likely to be obtained on a timely basis. We see the project having more than 10 years of underground mine life, followed by a smaller open pit than originally planned in our preliminary economic assessment. The need for an open pit permit at Los Ricos South has been effectively pushed into the future more than a decade from now.”
  • Xali Gold Corp. announced that the drilling program for metallurgical test work on the T Tailings project at El Oro, in Estado de Mexico, has been completed. The program was expanded from the 20 holes planned to 34 holes, averaging 20 m in depth. In a technical report from 2014, the tailings have an inferred resource of 1.27 M tonnes averaging 2.94 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, containing 119,900 Oz Au, 3.06 M Oz Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Donald Mc Iver as Vice President Exploration and Geology. The company drew US$1.12 M from the Sandstorm Gold Ltd. Promissory Note. “As of the date of this news release, an aggregate of US$1,875,000 has been drawn down under the Additional Credit for a total principal amount of US$20,892,612.35 outstanding under the Sandstorm Promissory Note. A remaining amount of US$750,000 may be drawn down under the Additional Credit in monthly installments of up to US$375,000 until August 2024” (Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Dan Barnholden as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15, 2024. “Ramon Perez, who has served as interim CEO for the past 4 months, will return to his role as President and will work closely with Dan to optimize operations at Campo Morado and achieve commercial production at Tahuehueto.” (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. received the clearance decision from COFECE (Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica) and the final order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on the pending arrangement transaction between Argonaut and Alamos Gold Inc.  Under the arrangement Alamos will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Argonaut (La Colorada, Sonora).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Alan Roberts as VicePresident Exploration (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Fresnillo plc. provided an overview of the payments to governments made by Fresnillo plc in 2023. In Mexico the company paid US$255.6 M in taxes, US$0.62 M in royalties and US$41.3 M in licenses and concessions fees (Fresnillo, Saucito and Juanicipio, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced the 4th annual sustainability report with its achievements in advancing safety, responsibility, sustainability and innovation.

On the image below: Oxidized shear zone on intrusive rocks in a Sonoran Desert project, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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Quartz vein hosted in volcanic rocks

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 25th week of the year (June 17th to June 23th, 2024), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media, with eleven disclosing deals and corporate issues, six announcing financing rounds, six commenting on Mexican issues, and five reporting resources and development of their properties.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Almadex and Almaden confirmed that they have commenced international arbitration proceedings against Mexico (Ixtaca project, Puebla). Silver Bull provided an update on its international arbitration claim against Mexico (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila). Arcelor Mittal declared that it has immobilized 300K tones of steel to be processed since last May 25, when the mining workers went on strike.  José Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, president of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex), denounced that insecurity continues to be one of the main problems affecting mining. Pan American Silver and Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of June, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news.  ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Prismo closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1,147,500 (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Vizsla closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $5.46M (Copala project, Sinaloa). Southern Silver announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,510,000 (Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango). Guanajuato Silver settled $805K in outstanding liabilities by the issuance of 2,683,333 common shares at a price of $0.30 per share (Cubo, Valenciana, San Ignacio Mine Complexes, Guanajuato).  Heliostar closed the initial tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of approximately $4,479,715 (Ana Paula project, Guerrero). Silver Storm entered into a debt settlement agreement letter to settle the company´s outstanding debt for past services in the amount of $286,760.95 (La Parrilla mine, Durango).   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger presented results from its ongoing drilling program at El Tigre property, Sonora. Tocvan provided a progress update from its 2024 RC drilling program at its Pilar project, Sonora. Pan American Silver released drill results from its la Colorada property in Zacatecas. Starcore along with Xali Gold and Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) have commenced drilling at El Oro Mine Tailings project in Mexico as well as an environmental rehabilitation project to    clean up tailings from the Municipality of El Oro in Mexico. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla shareholders approved the plan of arrangement with Vizsla Royalties Corp at the special meeting of shareholders (Copala project, Sinaloa). Mag Silver announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Juanicipio project, Zacatecas). Riverside announced the acquisition of the Maria Luisa Copper property, immediately north of its Ariel property in Sonora. Candelaria announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz). Ranchero Gold announced it has closed the sale of its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. Prime announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Reyes project, Sinaloa). Vizsla Silver revealed that the Supreme Court of British Columbia has issued its final order approving the plan of arrangement with Vizsla Royalties (Panuco project, Sinaloa). Aura announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas). Orla reported voting results for the election of its Board of Directors which took place at its annual general meeting of shareholders (Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas). Fortuna Silver announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders, including the change of the company´s name to Fortuna Mining Corp (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., and Almaden Minerals Ltd., confirmed hat that they have commenced international arbitration proceedings against Mexico under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Almadex alleges that Mexico has breached its obligations under the CPTPP through actions which blocked the development of the Ixtaca project and ultimately retroactively terminated the Ixtaca project mineral concessions, causing the loss of the Company’s investment in Mexico. Almadex is pursuing this arbitration together with Almaden Minerals Ltd., on behalf of themselves and their Mexican subsidiaries, and based on a preliminary estimate will be seeking damages of no less than USD $200M, in the aggregate. Almadex would be entitled to damages relating to its 2.0% NSR royalty on the Ixtaca project in Puebla, if such damages were to be awarded.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc., provided an update on its international arbitration claim against Mexico, setting out a damage claim of USD $408M under the agreement between the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada (the “USMCA”) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”). The arbitration arises from Mexico’s unlawful expropriation and other unlawful treatment of Silver Bull by the Mexican Government resulting in a total loss of its investment due to an illegal blockade of Silver Bull’s Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila that began in September 2019 and continues to this day. 
  • Arcelor Mittal declared that it has immobilized 300K tones of steel to be processed since last May 25, when the mining workers went on strike. After 20 days of strike at the facilities of the largest steel producer in Michoacán, Mexico, Arcelor Mittal, the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) demanded that the federal and local governments intervene to find “a prompt solution to the labor conflict with the union, since it has a strong impact on the entire North American value chain. The miners’ petition demands payment of 10% of profits, given Arcelor Mittal’s refusal to present the production sheet for the year 2023. Arcelor Mittal is the largest steel company in the country, headquartered in Lázaro Cardenas, Michoacán, with 3.98M tonnes of steel at the end of 2023, concentrating the largest production of rod, wire rod, billet, slab and steel rolls, for national consumption as export. The governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, hoped that this week there will be a reparation agreement that will end the strike of section 271 of the Mining Union at the Arcelor Mittal plant.
  • José Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, president of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex), denounced that insecurity continues to be one of the main problems affecting mining. He pointed out that robberies, kidnapping, extortion and the collection of land rights are situations that the industry that operates in the country faces daily. According to the Fraser Institute of Canada, Mexico is the fourth most unsafe country in Latin America to carry out mining activity, only below Venezuela, Colombia and Nicaragua. Globally, the Institute placed Mexico in 73rd place out of 84 jurisdictions evaluated in terms of investment attraction. The president of the Mining Chamber of Mexico assured that although they had already presented this panorama to the head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, it has not been possible to put a stop to the insecurity situation that faces the mining industry.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., and Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of June, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • No relevant news.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Prismo Metals Inc., closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1,147,500 through the issuance of 6,750,000 units. Gross proceeds will be used to fund drilling at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $5.46M through the issuance of 9,379,088 units of the company at a price of CADS $0.11 per Unit and 36,923,800 flow-through units of the company, and together with the units at a price of CAD $0.12 per flow-through unit. The company plans to use the gross proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes (Copala project, Sinaloa).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3,510,000, consisting of 13,000,000 units at a price of $0.27 per unit. Net proceeds will be used for the continued development of its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango, as well as for working capital.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., settled $805K in outstanding liabilities by the issuance of 2,683,333 common shares at a price of $0.30 per share (Cubo, Valenciana, San Ignacio Mine Complexes, Guanajuato).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., closed the initial tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering. Pursuant to the offering, Heliostar issued 16,904,585 common shares at a price of $0.265, for gross proceeds of approximately $4,479,715. The company expects to close a final tranche of the offering upon receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the creation of a new insider of the company.  Assuming such approval is obtained, the final tranche is expected to close on or around June 28, 2024, for gross proceeds of approximately $499,790. Gross proceeds will be used for the commencement of drilling at Ana Paula project, Guerrero, and general working capital.
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd., entered into a debt settlement agreement letter with a legal service provider (creditor) to the company to settle the company´s outstanding debt for past services performed by the creditor in the amount of $286,760.95 by issuing 972,200 common shares at a price of $0.18 per share, in addition to the payment to the creditor of $111,760.95 (La Parrilla mine, Durango). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented results from its ongoing drilling program at El Tigre property, Sonora. Drilling highlights at the Stockwork Zone include holes ET-24-583 with 0.97 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag (1.13 g/t AuEq or 85 g/t AgEq) over 79.5m, including 1.79 g/t Au and 21 g/t Ag (2.07 g/t AuEq or 155 g/t AgEq) over 35.4m, plus 0.67 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.72 g/t AuEq or 54 g/t AgEq) over 26m; hole ET-24-571 with 0.49 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag (1 g/t AuEq or 75 g/t AgEq) over 44.2m, including 0.89 g/t Au and 84 g/t Ag (2.01 g/T AuEq or 151 g/t AgEq) over 12.7m, plus 0.31 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.32 g/t AuEq or 24 g/t AgEq9 over 57m, plus 1.55 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag (2.37 g/t AuEq or 178 g/t AgEq)over 4.5m; hole ET-24-576 with 0.43 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag (0.44 g/t AuEq or 83 g/t AgEq) over 7.5m, plus 0.92 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.03 g/t AuEq or 78 g/t AgEq) over 41.1m, including 1.52 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (1.62 g/t AuEq or 122 g/t AgEq) over 14.2m; and hole ET-24-580 with 0.68 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.74 g/t AuEq or 56 g/t AgEq) over 27.1m, plus 1.6 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag (1.75 g/t AuEq or 131 g/t AgEq) over 9m. These new results are highlighting the expansion of the mineralization along the Footwall of the PEA “Starter Pit”. “The results may increase the updated MRE associated with the PFS-level study, as well as further de-risk the project.”
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided a progress update from its 2024 RC drilling program at its Pilar project, Sonora. During the current year, the company has completed 3,268m in 26 drill holes of which 11 holes are still pending of results. “Drilling at Pilar has been paused to allow for the review of results and assess the summer weather conditions. A second drilling rig for core is being contemplated for later this year to expedite the build out of a robust geological model and accompany the remaining infill and step out drill holes for resource estimation.” The company plans to complete a grid soils sampling along with mapping and rock chip sampling across the area to better define the extents of the mineralization. In addition, Tocvan will also evaluate a UAV based magnetics survey to further assist in the definition of fault structures and alteration.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., released drill results from its la Colorada property in Zacatecas, where the company discovered an entirely new set of vein structures with high silver grades to the east and southeast of the main NC2 Vein. A total of 75 holes for 15,705m of infill drilling was completed, focusing on the vein targets NC2, Mariana, Intermedia, Veta 3, SE system, and Liz, from both surface and underground. 15 surface exploration holes successfully extended the NC2 Vein to the east and intercepted two new structures (Mariana and Intermedia). Drilling highlights include holes S-102-23 with 1,131 g/t Ag, 3% Pb, and 5.5% Zn over 1.42m (NC2 Vein) and 760 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 0.9% Zn over 0.95m (Mariana Vein); hole S-27-24 with 5,991 g/t Ag, 4.1% Pb, and 8.7% Zn over 1.04m (NC2 Vein), 2,291 g/t Ag, 3.3% Pb, and 6.1 % Zn over 0.59m (Intermediate East), and 426 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, and 3.6% Zn over 2.51m (Mariana Vein); hole S-05-24 at Colorada Skarn Zone with 825 g/t Ag, 4.5% Pb, and 9.3% Zn over 1.41m (San Geronimo Vein), a splay vein with 1,755 g/t Ag, 2.7% Pb, and 5.8% Zn over 1.95m, and a second structure with 1,190 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, and 2.2% Zn over 2.16m; hole S-20-24 with 614 g/t Ag, 2.1% Pb, and 5.9% Zn over 5.67m (Cristina Vein), a new splay veins with 2,336 g/t Ag, 2.2% Pb, and 4.5% Zn over 0.36m, and 1,212 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 2.6% Zn over 1.12m, and 1,551 g/t Ag, 5.3% Pb, and 7.9% Zn over 0.65m; and hole S-71-24 with 3,342 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 4.6% Zn over 1.89m (Cristina Vein), and a second vein with 128 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 5.8% Zn over 29.5m.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., along with Xali Gold Corporation and Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) have commenced a 20 hole sonic drilling program at El Oro Mine Tailings project in Mexico with the purpose of taking a representative sample, which will be used in metallurgical test work to confirm the process flowsheet. Additionally, Starcore and KCA will also commence an environmental rehabilitation project to clean up tailings from the Municipality of El Oro in Mexico.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp., shareholders approved the plan of arrangement with Vizsla Royalties Corp. at the special meeting of shareholders. Under the arrangement, the owners of common shares of Vizsla Silver are entitled to receive one-third of a common share of Spinco and one-third of a common share purchase warrant of Spinco for each Vizsla share held immediately prior to the closing of the arrangement. Following the arrangement, Spinco will no longer be a wholly owned subsidiary of Vizsla Silver (Copala project, Sinaloa).
  • Mag Silver Corp., announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Juanicipio project, Zacatecas).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., announced the acquisition of the Maria Luisa Copper property, immediately north of its Ariel property in Sonora. Riverside resolved outstanding tax issues for the previously private owner, completed required filings and then reimbursed the property owner minus those costs with a total payment of USD $200K with no royalty or retained interest, giving Riverside100% control. All concessions are now in good standing with data available.
  • Candelaria Mining Corporation announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz).
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Minera y Metalurgia Paikas SA de CV, has closed the sale of its Santa Daniela project in Sonora to Minas de Oro Nacional SA de CV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alamos Gold Inc. Ranchero Gold received a total of USD $2, 550,000 of which USD $658,000 was paid on signing a letter of intent, and a further USD $1,892,000 on closing, following official transfer of the licenses to Minas de Oro.  Additionally, in the event that Minas de Oro declares a Mineral Reserve of, or mines, greater than 500K Oz Au within the Licenses, a further payment of USD $2,500,000 will be due to Paika from Minas de Oro.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Reyes project, Sinaloa).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., revealed that the Supreme Court of British Columbia has issued its final order approving the plan of arrangement with Vizsla Royalties Corp. The closing of the arrangement was approved by TSX and will occur on 12:01 a.m. on June 24, 2024, being the effective Date (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
  • Aura Minerals Inc., announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., reported voting results for the election of its Board of Directors which took place at its annual general meeting of shareholders (Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas).

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On the picture above, quartz veins hosted in volcanic rocks in an epithermal vein system in a project in Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.