The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of May, 2020

May 31, 2020May 31, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 22^nd week of the year (May 24^th to May 31^st, 2020), at least 36 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Francisco Quiroga, subsecretary of mining had a very active week by reviewing personally the health protocols put in place by mining companies in several states, as well as being present on the installation of regional mining committees in a handful of states, before the full re-start of mining operations allowed by the government. BNamericas presented a list of 24 mining projects going ahead in Mexico from 2020 to 2026, with a capital investment of US$7,450 M. Mining companies scrambled on the restart of operations permitted by the government with the inclusion of the industry in the category of essential activities that can operate during the Coronavirus emergency. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Ridgestone Mining resumed activities at its Rebeico project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver released results from drilling at its Columba project; Mammoth Resources announced Centerra is returning for exploration work at its Tenoriba project. In Nayarit, Candente Gold is to rehabilitate underground workings to advance its El Dorado project. In Zacatecas, Defiance Silver delineated several targets at the San Acacio property. ON MINING, Sierra Metals, Impact Silver, Mexus Gold, Fortuna Silver, Gold Resource, Endeavour Silver and Aura Minerals announced the recommencement of activities, following the government easing of restrictions on mining. Impact Silver and Discovery Metals reported first quarter 2020 results. GR Silver Mining is postponing the filing of first quarter 2020 results, under the blanket relief granted by the regulatory authorities in Canada. ON FINANCING, in a pretty busy week, 16 companies made announcements related to their financing. Canasil Resources granted 1.75 M options. Orex Minerals intends to raise up $2 M. Silver Tiger Metals is now trading on the OTCQB quotation system in the US. Vangold Mining accelerated a warrant bonus program in connection with its 2019 private placement. Equinox Gold saw warrants exercised for $145 M. Southern Silver Exploration extended the expiry date of some warrants for two years. Ridgestone Mining is now listed in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Aztec Mining engaged a Swiss investor relations firm for European exposure. Vizsla Resources is pursuing a financing round for C$4 M. DynaResources closed a financing agreement for $3.9 M. Minaurum Gold closed its private placement grossing $5 M. Telson closed the second tranche of its private placement for $196.6 K. Golden Tag Announced a non-brokered private placement for up to $1.12 M. Solaris Resources raised C$20 M. Mammoth Resources announced a private placement for up to $131 K. Consolidated Zn intends to raise up to $1.73 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mexican Gold Mining is working on the PEA for its Las Minas project in Veracruz. Golden Minerals filed the PEA on Rodeo, Durango. Bacanora Lithium updated on activities to further advance its Sonora Lithium project. Discovery Metals has completed 15,000 m of its 30,000 m phase 1 drill program at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mithril completed the acquisition of Sun Minerals, obtaining thus the Copalquin project in Durango. Candente Gold amended the memorandum of understanding to acquire the El Dorado property and the SDA mill in Nayarit. Sonora Metals published and filed a new version of the Cerro Caliche development report, as requested by the British Columbia Securities Commission. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Minera Peña Colorada, Grupo Mexico, Fresnillo PLC, Minera Real Bonanza and the mining industry in Sonora informed on donations and work realized to aid communities, mainly on subjects related to the Coronavirus emergency, like medical supplies and equipment, comprising also a large array of investments and measures that benefit the mining communities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Francisco Quiroga, subsecretary of Mining, personally verified the application of safety protocols to re-start operations in mines. Quiroga visited Agnico Eagle’s Pinos Altos, Grupo Mexico’s Santa Barbara and Frisco’s Concheño mines in Chihuahua. He will also review protocols in Durango, Zacatecas and Coahuila.
The fourth virtual personnel hiring session was held by La Cantera Desarrollos Mineros in Zacatecas.
The silver price has seen its strongest monthly growth in almost seven years. Prices have reached up to $17.69 per ounce.
The Regional Committee for the Development of Mining Zones was constituted in Durango.
Mining Companies are to re-start operations on June 1, 2020. Dozens of mining companies prepare to re-commence mining and processing activities, reviewing its health and work protocols.
The Regional Committee for the Development of Mining Zones was installed in Zacatecas. The governor Alejandro Tello, the Camimex president, Fernando Alanís and the Mining subsecretary Francisco Quiroga were in the event that also saw the presence of representatives of Fresnillo PLC, Industrias Peñoles, Minera Frsico, Capstone Gold, Excellon Resources, Newmont, Aura Minerals, Arian Silver, Grupo Mexico, Impulsora Minera Santacruz, First Majestic, Grupo Minera Candelaria, Minera Camino Rojo, and Minas de San Nicolás.
The subsecretary of Mining Francisco Quiroga reviewed the sanitary procedures of Minera El Roble.
Peñasquito restarted operations in Zacatecas, after the review of the health protocol by Francisco Quiroga, subsecretary of mining.
Bnamericas presented a list of mining projects going forward in 2020-2026 with a capital investment of US$7,450 M, notwithstanding the pandemic induced stoppages. A total of 24 projects would increase the annual production by 1.5 M Oz Au, 33 M Oz Ag and 247 K tonnes Cu to 2026.

ON EXPLORATION

Kootenay Silver Inc. released results from four more drill holes at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals comprise: 1.06 m @ 259 gpt Ag; 7.0 m @ 124 gpt Ag (including 3.6 m @ 197 gpt Ag); 2.8 m @ 762 gpt Ag (including, 1.0 m @ 2,010 gpt Ag); 10.2 m @ 68 gpt Ag (including 0.65 m @ 368 gpt Ag); 4.4 m @ 209 gpt Ag (including 1.4 m @ 484 gpt Ag); 38 m @ 50 gpt Ag (including 0.45 m @ 486 gpt Ag); 6.0 m @ 317 gpt Ag (including 2.0 m @ 865 gpt Ag); 36 m @ 72 gpt Ag (including 1.1 m @ 769 gpt Ag and 4.36 m @ 317 gpt Ag). Drill results show continuity and high grades along nearly 600 meters of strike on the F Vein at depths from 15 to 200 meters.
Ridgestone Mining Inc. has resumed activities at its Rebeico project in Sonora. “Core samples from the first three drill holes at the New Year Zone, which encountered abundant sulphides, have been sent to ALS Chemex in Hermosillo for assaying”.
Mammoth Resources Corp. announced the return of Centerra Gold Inc. personnel to Mammoth’s Tenoriba project in Chihuahua.
Candente Gold Corp. is planning underground work on the El Dorado project in Las Minitas, Nayarit. Rehabilitation of underground workings is to aid in the construction of a 3-D model of unmined blocks and vein structure, to guide potential mining/extraction operations. Drill data from the 2010-2011 campaign would be also incorporated.
Defiance Silver Corp. announced the delineation of multiple targets at is San Acacio project in Zacatecas, which include a 1.3 Km by 300 m corridor where a hanging wall mineralizing event has been identified, deep targets along the Veta Grande strike to the SE, and the El Mirador part of the multi-km long La Veta Morada fault. Re-logging and sampling of historical drill holes is to continue, with a 5,000 m drilling program planned on existing targets. Defiance is preparing additional drill permit applications that will test some of the targets that lie outside of the current drill permit.

ON MINING

Sierra Metals Inc. informed the Mexican government issued a communication stating “that the effective date for Mining to be deemed an essential service was June 1, 2020. The Company is currently recalling employees from the Bolivar Mine (Chihuahua) to begin a COVID-19 screening process, including a quarantine period, allowing the Company to be ready to commence mining activities on June 1, 2020. The Cusi Mine (Chihuahua), as previously discussed in the May 13, 2020 press release, remains in care and maintenance”.
Aura Minerals Inc. announced that the Company filed its interim financial statements for the first quarter of 2020 (Aranzazu, Zacatecas).
Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter of 2020. Silver production was 179 K Oz Ag, with mill feeds from the Guadalupe, San Ramon, Cuchara and Veta Negra mines. At the end of the period the company cash and working capital stood at $3.9 M and $3.4 M respectively. Mining is to resume on June 1^st, 2020, following government directions (Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico).
Mexus Gold US. Resumed full operational production after the Coronavirus emergency slowdown at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to be mistaken with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora).
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. resumed production activities at its San José mine in Oaxaca.
Gold Resource Corp. received written government approval to restart its Oaxaca Mining Unit in Oaxaca. “After reviewing Gold Resource Corporation’s safety protocol documentation, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMMS) approved in writing the restart of the Company’s OMU operations on May 25, 2020”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. has restarted operations at its three underground mines in Mexico. “The Company filed its mine operating and health plans with, and received approvals from, the Secretariat of Health in Mexico to recommence mining operations”. Guanaceví in Durango, Bolanitos in Durango and El Compa in Zacatecas are ramping up activities to achieve normal operations.
Discovery Metals Corp. announced its operating and financial results for the first quarter 2020. By the end of the period Discovery had cash and cash equivalents of $20 M (Cordero, Chihuahua).
Minera Capela (Industrias Peñoles) reported a rock-fall that resulted in two deaths and three more casualties in Tehuixtla, Teloloapan, Guerrero.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. Informed that due to international logistics and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is relying on the blanket relief granted by the securities regulatory authorities in Canada to postpone the filing of its Q1 2020 reports. (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
Aura Minerals Inc. expects it will be able to gradually and safely resume activities at Aranzazu, Zacatecas, over the next few weeks.

ON FINANCING

Canasil Resources Inc. granted 1.75 M incentive stock options to directors, officers, consultants and employees. David Terry has agreed to act as an advisor to Canasil’s board of directors (La Esperanza, Zacatecas).
Orex Minerals Inc. intends to undertake a private placement financing to raise gross proceeds of up to $2 M. “Orex intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to maintain its 40% share of the Sandra-Escobar Project in good standing and fund its 40% share of the upcoming work program, and for general corporate and working capital purposes”.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (formerly Oceanus Resources) announced it is now trading on the OTCQB, a US interdealer quotation system. Silver Tiger’s common shares also trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under its trading symbol SLVR (El Tigre, Sonora).
VanGold Mining Corp. adopted a warrant acceleration bonus program for its outstanding share purchase warrants granted in connection with the company’s 2019 private placement financing (El Pinguico, Zacatecas).
Equinox Gold Corp. reports that from April 1 to May 25, 2020, warrants s held by various security holders have been exercised for net proceeds of approximately $145 M. “As at May 26, 2020, the Company’s cash balance is more than $480 million” (Los Filos, Guerrero).
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. announced that the TSX Venture Exchange has approved the extension of the expiry date of certain of the company’s outstanding common share purchase warrants for an additional two years, with the expiration date now from June 2022 to September 2022 (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
Ridgestone Mining Inc. common shares are now listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, broadening the corporation’s shareholders base in Europe (Rebeico, Sonora).
Aztec Minerals Corp. has engaged “Commodity-TV and Rohstoff-TV for an initial three month period to assist with Aztec’s investor relations activities. Pursuant to an agreement dated May 20, 2020, Aztec will pay C&R-TV €9000 plus expenses. C&R-TV is based in Switzerland and will introduce Aztec to its European investor network” (Cerro Cervantes, Sonora).
Vizsla Resources Corp. entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. for a bought deal purchase of shares for C$4 M in gross profits (Panuco, Sinaloa).
DynaResources Inc. closed a financing agreement with Golden Post Rail, LLC. and with certain individual shareholders of DynaUSA. Golden Post acquired a convertible promissory note of $2.5 M, bearing interest at 10% and maturing two years from the execution date. The other purchaser acquired convertible security notes in the amount of $1.4 M, bearing interest at 10% and maturing two years from the date of issuance (San Jose de Gracia, Sinaloa).
Minaurum Gold Inc. closed its previously announced brokered private placement offering, for aggregate gross proceeds of $5 M (Alamos Silver, Sonora).
Telson Mining Corp. closed a second and final tranche of the non-brokered private placement announced on December 27, 2019, for gross proceeds of $196.6 K (Tahuehueto, Durango).
Golden Tag Resources Ltd. Announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.12 M. “Subsequent to closing of the Financing, the Company will have cash balances of approximately $2.1 million, and no debt” (San Diego, Durango).
Solaris Resources Inc. completed a non-brokered private placement financing raising gross proceeds of C$20 M (La Verde, Michoacan).
Mammoth Resources Corp. announced a non brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $131 K (Tenoriba, Chihuahua).
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. announced that the fully underwritten pro-rata non-renounceable entitlements offer to raise $1.73 M on the basis on 1 new share for every 3 shares held at the record date has closed (Plomosas, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Mexican Gold Mining Corp. announced the company will resume activities at Las Minas, Veracruz, in July of 2020, with the goal of having all the necessary inputs for a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) study completed by the end of the year. A 3,000 m drilling program has been designed to expand and upgrade the current resource at El Dorado and continue exploration at the Cinco Señores and Changarro areas. A comprehensive metallurgical study is to be elaborated, as well as an airborne LIDAR on 50 square Km to map the ground surface to 10 Cm resolution.
Golden Minerals Co. announced the filing on SEDAR of a preliminary Economic assessment (PEA) for its Rodeo property in Durango.
Bacanora Lithium PLC. updated on activities at its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora. The pilot plant in Hermosillo is to remain closed until authorities lift the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Completion of the flow sheet engineering will provide an engineering, procurement and construction style engineering proposal to produce downstream battery grade lithium products, is now scheduled for end of Q4, 2020. from Sonora.
Discovery Metals Corp. informed that to date the company has completed 17,500 m (48 holes) of its planned 30,000 to 35,000 phase 1 drill program, demonstrating near-surface higher-grade potential over a strike length of 1,250 m, intercepting multiple sulfide veins with grades over 1 kilogram silver per tonne at its Cordero project, Chihuahua.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Mithril Resources Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Sun Minerals Pty Ltd., which holds and exclusive option to acquire the high-grade Copalquin project in Durango. The company issued 673.85 M ordinary shares for the acquisition of all the issued capital of Sun Minerals. Mithril also issued 10 M ordinary shares and paid US$200 K to Compañía Minera Copalquin, S.A. de C.V., and issued 225 M performance rights.
Candente Gold Corp. informed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) the company signed with Magellan Acquisition Corp. giving Candente the right to earn up to a 100% interest in both the SDA plant and the El Dorado property, in Nayarit, has been amended such that a payment of US$5 K is being paid upon signing the revised MOU and the payment of shares upon completion of due diligence and a definitive agreement to earn 10% interest has been increased from 4 M shares to 5 M shares, all other terms remain the same. The MOU is subject to TSX Venture approval as well as due diligence and execution of a definitive agreement.
Sonoro Metals Corp. has published a revised version of its Cerro Caliche project development report dated May 22, 2020. As a result of a review by the British Columbia Securities Commission, Sonoro withdrew an April 28, 2020 version of this project development report as it contained certain technical disclosures that did not comply with National Instrument 43-101 standards of disclosure for mineral projects. The revised report is not a technical report as defined by NI 43-101 and has been updated to address those disclosure issues and is now available on the Cerro Caliche project page of the Company’s website.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Minera Peña Colorada donated 1000 sets of groceries to aid the most needed families in Cuatitlán de García Barragán, Jalisco.
Grupo Mexico donated 23 respiratory ventilators to the State of Sonora, to be distributed mainly in the capital hospitals.
Fresnillo PLC donated personal medical protection equipment in Caborca, Sonora.
Minera Real Bonanza supports the fight against the Covid-19 menace through the Hacienda Santa Ana museum in Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi.
Grupo Mexico Foundation and Fechac delivered health protection kits to hospitals in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.
Fresnillo PLC donated a respiratory ventilator to health authorities in Durango.
Fresnillo PLC donated medical protection equipment to a hospital in Fresnillo, Zacatecas.
The mining industry in Sonora has contributed with sanitizing kits, grocery kits, medical protection sets, hospital equipment, office equipment and public spaces sanitizing. These have benefited 125,813 people with an investment of $64.6 M pesos during April and May 2020, in communities like Cananea, Caborca, La Colorada, Nacozari, Cumpas, Fronteras, Magdalena, San Javier and Esqueda.

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

On the image below: White, granular quartz-graphite vein, Hermosillo District, Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

February 24, 2020February 24, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 8^th week of the year (February 17^th to February 23^rd, 2020), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Sonora Economy Secretariat remarked that several investments are to strengthen the mining industry in 2020. Camimex pointed that mining companies are to invest more than US$200 M in exploration during 2020. Grupo Mexico is to return to the government the mining concession on which the disaster struck Pasta de Conchos mine is located. Camimex is to pursue its “zero accidents” goal. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resources has received the permit to drill at the Evelyn project; Riverside Resources reported on field work and sampling at Los Cuarentas; Aloro received a new drilling permit for its Los Venados project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver commenced the phase II drilling program at its Columba project. In Durango, Commander Resources reported on a geophysical survey at Pedro’s project. In Zacatecas, Excellon Resources informed on the exploration status of its Evolución project. In Guanajuato, Vangold secured land access and land use permits on its El Pinguico project. In Jalisco, GoGold Resources launched a second exploration project at Los Ricos District in Jalisco: Monte El Favor. ON MINING, Starcore International, Americas Gold and Silver, Torex Gold, First Majestic Silver, Pan American Silver and Fortuna Silver reported Q4 and full year 2019 financial and/or production results. ON FINANCING, Hecla Mining is to redeem $475 M of 7.25% senior notes. Canuc Resources, San Marco Resources and Ridgestone Mining closed various stages of non-brokered private placements for $850 K, C$784.8 K and $715.2 K, respectively. Kootenay Silver is now on the 2020 TSX Venture 50^tm. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Minerals announced promising results from metallurgical test work on concentrates from its Velardeña property. Excellon informed on exploration results on its Platosa mine in Durango. SilverCrest Metals announced a new discovery of a high-grade zone on another vein of the Babicanora area of its Las Chispas property in Sonora. Coeur Mining and Alamos Gold reported mineral reserves and resources to the end of 2019, including figures from Palmarejo (Chihuahua) and the Mulatos District (Sonora), respectively. Goldplay Exploration provided an update on drilling at San Marcial, Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tamino Minerals filed a law suit against an individual, in Sonora. Telson informed on the resignation of its CEO, Jose Antonio Berlanga, and the appointment of Ralph Shearing as interim CEO. Sonoro financing discussions were interrupted by the Coronavirus outbreak in China. Mexican Gold and New Found Gold terminated their binding agreement for the acquisition of New Found Gold. GoGold entered into an agreement to acquire The Monte del Favor project in the Los Ricos District in Jalisco. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Fresnillo PLC supports three teams in a robotic regional fair. Grupo Mexico supports social and infrastructure projects in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, with over 300 activities that benefit 3,00 inhabitants. Fresnillo PLC and Frisco are among the companies that integrate the Environmental Protection Club in Zacatecas.).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Jorge Vidal, head of Sonora’s Secretaría de Economía (Economy Secretariat), stated that several investments are to strengthen the mining industry during 2020 in Sonora. He pointed that the investment by Bacanora minerals in the lithium project in Bacadehuachi is one of these, and another one is the investment of the Buenavista zinc project in Cananea, which is to generate 500 jobs with the investment of MXN$350 M pesos (US$18.8 M).
Mining companies are to invest more than US$200 M in exploration in 2020. Fresnillo is to reduce its exploration budget to US$135.1 M, from US$150 M on 2019, with about half of those funds to be used in the conversion of resources to reserves. Pan American Silver focuses on brownfield exploration with a budget of US$20 M for the year, on which La Colorada Skarn is to see a 44,000 m drilling program. First Majestic has an exploration budget of US$28.2 M, to be spent in San Dimas (Durango), Santa Elena (Sonora), La Encantada(Coahuila), La Parrilla (Durango) and Del Toro (Zacatecas). Torex Gold is to conduct an infill drilling program that will cost US$13 M on its Media Luna project (Guerrero). Agnico Eagle is to spend US$33.9 M in exploration during 2020, highlighting the funding of the Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora with US$10.4 M and a 42,000 m drilling program at its Pinos Altos mine in Chihuahua.
Grupo Mexico is to return to the government the mining concession on which the Pasta de Conchos mine is located. The move is in response to the presidential request to facilitate the retrieval of the remains of over 65 miners deceased in 2006 on the mine located in Coahuila.
The Cámara Minera de México (Camimex) vowed to pursue the “zero accidents” goal, pointing that in 2018 the associated companies reported an accident rate of 1.63, which is 3.7% lower than in 2017, and below the national average of 2.04 registered by the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).

ON EXPLORATION

Excellon Resources Inc. informed on exploration of its 45,000 hectares Evolución property in Zacatecas. Highlights include the expansion of the Lechuzas zone along strike and down dip, and broad intersections of Ag-Pb-Zn, like: 18.7 m @ 27 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 1.1% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au (103 gpt AgEq), including 2.0 m @ 105 gpt Ag, 3.5% Pb, 4.2% Zn, 0.3 gpt Au (416 gpt AgEq); 1.5 m @ 290 gpt Ag, 6.9% Pb, 5.9% Zn, 0.2 gpt Au (779 gpt AgEq); 4.5 m @ 51 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 2.9% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au (244 gpt AgEq); 3.3 m @ 55 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 1.9% Zn (172 gpt Ag). Excellon plans to incorporate all recent work into an updated mineral resource estimate for the project.
Kootenay Silver Inc. has commenced a 7,000 m phase II core drilling program at its Columba project in Chihuahua. The follow up drilling will focus on the results of last year’s 41-hole, 6,853 m program which targeted six different veins on the property. Highlighted results from that program comprise: 1.15 m @ 775 gpt Ag; 4.83 m @ 230 gpt Ag; 2.90 m @ 519 gpt Ag; 11.0 m @ 133 gpt Ag (including 5.0 m @ 245 gpt Ag); 2.1 m @ 699 gpt Ag; 1.75 m @ 755 gpt Ag, 1.16 gpt Au; 6.25 m @ 244 gpt Ag; 11.5 m @ 415 gpt Ag (including 4.0 m @ 721 gpt Ag); 4.63 m @ 301 gpt Ag; 39.9 m @ 159 gpt Ag (including 7.45 m @ 650 gpt Ag).
Colibri Resource Corp. informed it has received the required drilling permits for its Evelyn project in Sonora. Drill pad construction and other required infrastructure are to commence immediately, followed by drilling.
Commander Resources Ltd. reported results from a 70 line-km induced polarization survey (IP) at the Pedro’s project in Durango. The 1,750 ha project was acquired in 2006 from Bearing Resources Ltd. Hematite stained silica rich ridges of angular chalcedony fragments and silicified sedimentary rocks within an angular coarse breccia comprise the outcrops within the Ahuichila conglomerate, within a soil anomaly 4 Km by 1 km and rock chip samples of up to 2.3 gpt Au. Past drilling focused on a Carlin target intercepted up to 10.5 m @ 0.51 gpt Au in oxidized silicified conglomerate.
Vangold Mining Corp. has secured a surface land access agreement, and a surface land use agreement for its El Pinguico mine in Guanajuato. The 15-year land access agreement was signed with the Ejido Calderones, providing a short access route to the project, whereas the land use permit was signed with a local land owner for 89.6 hectares.
Riverside Resources Inc. reported on field work and sampling at its Los Cuarentas project in Sonora. Selective rock sampling from dumps, float, channel and rock chips returned five of sixteen samples with more than 5 gpt Au: 25.7 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 10.2 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 6.8 gpt Au, 65.1 gpt Ag, 6.27 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag; 5.3 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 5.1 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag. Three primary targets have been identified for a prospective drill program in 2020: Santa Rosalia, Santa Rosalia Sur and El Sombrero.
GoGold Resources Inc. launched a second exploration project located on the Los Ricos District, called Monte del Favor, in Jalisco. Gogold now owns 35 concessions covering 22,493 hectares in a 35 km trend. The new concessions come with a legacy database of 50 drill holes with highlighted intercepts of: 24.4 m @ 6.4 gpt Au, 1,629 gpt Ag; 28.3 m @ 3.1 gpt Au, 150 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 1.1 gpt Au, 201 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 2.8 gpt Au, 174 gpt Ag; 20.3 m @ 0.4 gpt Au, 225 gpt Ag.
Aloro Mining Corp. informed a new drilling permit has been granted by SEMARANT (The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) for its Los Venados project in Sonora. The permit granted the drilling of 15 holes and the construction of up to 3.38 Km of drill roads. Drilling is to focus in the south area of the project, where a hole cut 32 m of blind strong silicic alteration with brecciated vuggy silica an sulfides, with 7.6 m @ 1.13 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag.

ON MINING

Starcore International Mines Ltd. released production results for the quarter ending on January 31, 2020. In its San Martin mine in Queretaro, 58.3 K tonnes were milled @ 1.84 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, recovering 90.1% Au, 50.9% Ag, to produce 3,425 Oz AuEq.
Americas Gold and Silver Corp. presented production figures from 2019 and guidance for 2020 of its mining operations, including figures from its Cosalá property in Sinaloa. At Cosalá, 613.8 K tonnes were processed @ 50 gpt Ag, to produce 572 K Oz Ag, 43.3 M Lb Zn and 16.4 M Lb Pb, or 4.68 M Oz AgEq, at cash cost ($18.31) and AISC ($10.90) per Oz Ag produced. Improved access to the Upper Zone at the San Rafael mine will tap higher silver grades in 2020.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported fourth quarter and fill year 2019 financial and operating results. For the last quarter of 2019, Torex Gold produced 121,151 Oz Au at its El Limón-Guajes mine in Guerrero, at cash cost $617 per Oz and all-in sustaining cost of $767 per Oz, generating EBITDA of $102.2 M and repaying $82.5 M of debt during the period. For the year, Torex produced 454,811 Oz Au at cash cost of $619 per Oz and an AISC of $805 per Oz Au, generating EBITDA of $330.3 M and repaying $164.4 M of debt. Total debt now stands at $174.9 M, while cash at hand is $161.8 M. The Media Luna project resource estimate was updated to 2.24 M Oz AuEq at a grade of 5.5 gpt Au in the indicated category and 4.23 M Oz AuEq at 4.23 gpt Au in the inferred category.
First Majestic Silver Corp. announced financial results for the Q4 and year 2019. During the quarter 626.6 K tonnes were processed to produce 3.35 M Oz Ag, 33,176 Oz Au, 0.9 M Lb Pb, or 6.23 M Oz AgEq at cash cost $3.37 per Oz and an AISC of $12.25 per Oz. The production figures for the year are in the table below. The company ended 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of $169 M.
Pan American Silver Corp. reported financial results for the year 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada mine in Zacatecas 768.7 K tonnes were milled @ 361 gpt Ag, 3.10% Zn, 1.65% Pb to produce 8.2 M Oz Ag, 4.61 K Oz Au, 20.97 K tonnes Zn, 11.15 K tonnes Pb, at cash cost $4.30 and AISC of $5.00 (net of by-products). At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 6.78 M tonnes were place on the heaps @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.60 gpt Au, to produce 5.1 M Oz Ag, 117.6 K Oz Au at a cash cost of $3.09 and an AISC of $15.45.
Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. provided 2020 production, cost and capital expenditure guidance for 2020, including figures for its Mexican operations. At San Jose, in Oaxaca, the company aims to produce between 6.6 and 7.3 M Oz Ag, and between 41 and 45 K Oz Au, at a cash cost of US$65.6 to US$72.5 per tonne, and an AISC between US$9.6 to US$11,7 per Oz AgEq. The plan is to process 1.06 M tonnes @ 223 gpt Ag, 1.39 gpt Au, with a capital investment of US$17.1 M, including US$12.2 M for sustaining capital expenditures and US$4.9 M for brownfields exploration programs which include 17,600 m of drilling.

ON FINANCING

Hecla Mining Co. announced its agreement to sell $475 M aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes. The notes will mature in February 2028, with the company intending to use the net proceeds together with cash on hand to redeem all of its outstanding 6.875% senior notes due 2021. (San Sebastián, Durango).
Canuc Resources Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $850 K, with three officers of the company participating (San Javier, Sonora).
San Marco Resources Inc. closed its over-subscribed non-brokered placement, raising C$784.8 K (Espiritu, Sonora).
Ridgestone Mining Inc. closed the first tranche of the non-brokered private placement to raise $715.2 K on gross proceeds (Rebeico, Sonora).
Kootenay Silver Inc. has been recognized in the 2020 TSX Venture 50^tm as one of the top 50 performing companies on the TSX Venture Exchange (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Golden Minerals Co. announced promising results of metallurgical test work on pyrite-arsenopyrite flotation concentrates from its Velardeña properties in Durango. “Gold and silver recoveries of 91% and 92%, respectively, were obtained from cyanide leaching of the bio-oxidized concentrate samples. BIOX* achieved 93% oxidation on the concentrate sample in batch tests, which the Company believes should translate to a 5 to 6-day retention time in a commercial bio-oxidation plant”.
Excellon Resources Inc. informed on exploration results at its Platosa mine in Durango. Surface drilling of the NE-1S manto returned high-grade intersections, like 6.6 m @ 1,178 gpt Ag, 6.7% Pb, 8.4% Zn, 0.2 gpt Au. A large hydrothermal system was discovered 11 km from the Platosa mine at the Jaboncillo target, where drilling is aimed to start in the first half of 2020.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced a new discovery and additional drill results from the Babicanora Norte vein at its Las Chispas property in Sonora. The discovery drill hole intercepted 2.0 m (tw) @ 6,418 gpt AgEq on a faulted extension that received the name of Area 200, on the Babicanora Norte vein, which is now the highest-grade vein in the project. The initial high-grade footprint of this zone is 500 long by 125 m in height, on the vein that is now known for more than 2.0 km. The area 200 shows an average estimated true width (tw) of 1.5 m @ 16.11 gpt Au, 2,166 gpt Ag (3,375 gpt AgEq). Highlighted results for this press release comprise 1.4 m @ 90.22 gpt Au, 9,422 gpt Ag (16,189 gpt AgEq); 2.4 m @ 45.71 gpt Au, 5,577 gpt Ag (9,006 gpt AgEq); 1.6 m @ 75.78 gpt Au, 7,662 gpt Ag (13,345 gpt AgEq).
Coeur Mining Inc. reported 2019 mineral reserves and resources, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, infill drilling helped replace mining depletion. Proven and probable reserves stand at 11.67 M short tonnes (st) @ 1.83 gpt Au, 135 gpt Ag; measured and indicated resources stand at 8.76 M st @ 1.49 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag and inferred resources of 6.47 M st @ 1.77 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag. These amount to 693 K Oz Au, 5.6 M Oz Ag as reserves, 425 K Oz Au, 34.5 M Oz Ag as measured and indicated resources and 367 K Oz Au, 26.3 M Oz Ag as inferred resources.
Minera Peña Colorada informed that the Peña Colorada mine in Colima received the visit of PROFEPA (Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente) and SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales) personnel to review the compliance of the company on the different permits it has received.
Alamos Gold Inc. Reported mineral reserves and resources to year end 2019, including figures from its Mexican Operations. Mineral reserves at Mulatos decreased by 154 K Oz to 1.56 M Oz, with mining depletion partially offset by an 81 K Oz increase at La Yaqui Grande. The exploration budget was increased to $7 M with 14,000 m of drilling planned around near mine targets as well as at La Yaqui Grande and El Carricito. A number of regional exploration targets were identified with the aid of a VTEM survey carried out in 2018.
Goldplay Exploration Ltd. provided an update on exploration and drilling of its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. The last holes of 2019 returned 28.7 m @ 92 gpt Ag, including 13.75 m @ 154 gpt Ag in the Faisanes target. At the Guacamayo target 0.60 m @ 138 gpt Ag, 0.56 gpt Au, confirm mineralization 30 m east of the current resource area. Due diligence has commenced on the potential acquisitions of the Plomosas (First Majestic Silver Corp.) and La Trinidad (Mako Mining Corp.).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Tamino Minerals Inc. has filed a law suit against an individual in Sonora. (El Volcán, Sonora).
Newmont Corp. appointed Jim Cooper as General Manager of the Peñasquito unit in Zacatecas.
Telson Mining Corp. informed its Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, Jose Antonio Berlanga, has resigned due to personal reasons. Mr. Ralph Shearing has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer for the company (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
Sonoro Metals Corp. informed discussions regarding debt finance and engineering, procurement and construction contracts with China-based EPC companies has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Mexican Gold Mining Corp. announced, along New Found Gold Corp., that they have mutually terminated the binding agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of NFGC (Las Minas, Veracruz).
GoGold Resources Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire a second project located on the Los Ricos District, called Monte del Favor, in Jalisco. The agreement is to acquire 49% of 5 concessions in consideration for US$225 K, and an option to acquire the remaining 51% by paying US$210 K on the second anniversary. The seller will retain 1% NSR on the property, which the company may repurchase by paying US$1 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Fresnillo PLC supports science, technology and youthful innovation. As part of the regional robotic fair “FIRST” on the La Laguna region, Fresnillo is to support three teams. The sponsored teams are from Turuachi, Chihuahua, Ciénega de Nuestra Señora, Durango and Fresnillo, Zacatecas. One other team from Caborca, Sonora, is to participates in an international competition in Arizona.
Grupo Mexico supports social and infrastructure projects in Sombrerete, Zacatecas. Every year the company performs 300 activities that benefit 3,000 inhabitants. The social programs and productive activities take place in Sombrerete, San Martin, Villa Insurgentes, Ojo de Agua, Charco Blanco, Santa Rita and José de Félix communities. Also, a seed-capital program has financed 29 projects to benefit 20 schools.
Peñoles, Fresnillo PLC, and Grupo Frisco among the companies to integrate the Environment Protection Club in Zacatecas. More than 25 companies are to be members of this club, promoted by the State governor, and that will also have universities (Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas and Instituto Politécnico Nacional), the Secretaría de Agua y Medio Ambiente and federal authorities as its memebers.

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

On the image below: The old train bridge between Nacozari and the Pilares mine, in Sonora, picture by Jorge Cirett

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of October, 2019

November 4, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 44^th week of the year (October 28^th to November 3^rd, 2019), at least 33 press releases were forwarde by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Morena party reassigned the Mining Fund, taking it away from its intended purpose of helping and developing mining communities. All big organizations related to mining in Mexico presented a petition to the president to rebuke the channelling of the Mining Fund away from its intended goal of helping mining communities. The governors of Sonora, Durango, Zacatecas and Guerrero sent a letter to the president of Mexico asking not to affect the communities by withdrawing the Mining Fund. On other matters, the AIMMGM informed mining companies expect to invest more than US$26 billion in six years. The illegal blockade on the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas was lifted, with negotiations to continue shortly. The El Castillo mine access in Durango was illegally blocked for a few days, and then released, while negotiations proceed with community involved. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Magna Gold informed it has two projects in the state, Mercedes near Yecora and San Judas, near Trincheras. In Chihuahua, Wealth Minerals negotiated surface access to its Valsequillo project. In Durango, Gainey Capital halted drilling activities while discussions with the local indigenous groups proceed. ON MINING, Gold Resource, Consolidated Zinc, McEwen Mining, Santacruz Silver, Premier Gold, Torex Gold, Americas Silver and sierra Metals released third quarter 2019 production results. Telson Mining is to re-commence mining at Campo Morado in Guerrero. ON FINANCING, Goldplay Exploration filed an amended and restated condensed interim consolidated financial statement. Oroco Resource informed the exercising of warrants for $720 K. Starcore Interantional has resumed trading on the OTC Pink market. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Pan American Silver released impressive results from 14,300 m of drilling at its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas. Mexican Gold Corp updated on its current drilling program at Las Minas, Veracruz. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Telson Mining is to re-start mining at Campo Morado, in Guerrero, under a notice of default and demand for payment by Nyrstar. Prime Mining signed a public relations contract with Brisco Capital Partners. Oceanus is using now a service for virtual tours on remote locations. Santacruz and Peñoles extended a lease agreement on the Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. Almaden Minerals was informed by SEMARNAT that the permitting process for its Ixtaca mine in Puebla is suspended until a judicial resolution is reached (the head of the institution is openly against open pit mining). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Alamos Gold reunited all the students under its scholarship program in three venues, Matarachi, Sahuaripa and Hermosillo.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Last week the Morena party majority reassigned the Mining Fund (Fondo para el Desarrollo Regional Sustentable de Estados y Municipios Mineros) to education spending. The fund is gathered on a 7% (increased to 7.5% in gold and silver) royalties on extracted minerals implemented in 2014 to aid with the infrastructure, health, education and sustainability of mining communities.
The Asociación de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México (AIMMGM) informed that mining companies expect to invest more than US$26 billion in six years. If such investments come to be realized, 50 thousand direct jobs and 274 thousand indirect jobs could be generated, and mining companies would pay an additional 23,500 million in taxes. Just last year the industry paid 46,159 million pesos on income tax (Impuesto sobre la renta, ISR).
On October 26^th, the Zacatecas governor Alejandro Tello informed that security forces are inviting the group that (illegally) blocks the entrance to the Peñasquito mine to leave the site. The governor also informed that a number of the blockers might be pursued judicially, some by the state and some by the federal government. He stated that he’s is been in contact with the sub secretary of the interior (Subsecretario de Gobernación), with whom also the company executives, communal farmers (ejidatarios) and the state government have been in dialogue rounds.
The Cámara Minera de México (CAMIMEX), the Grupo de Minería de la Cámara de Comercio de Canadá, the Asociación de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geológos de México, the organization in mining Mujeres WIM de México and the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México received with great worry de Senate decision to approve an unjust redistribution of the Mining Fund (Fondo Minero), braking the spirit on which the fund was created to benefit mining communities. The priority for the sector is that the resources reach the communities and municipalities where they were generated, contributing with independent actions by mining companies to the social welfare and community development in areas away from urban centers, aiding to reach greater life quality, development and wellbeing. Miners are appalled by the Congress decision, same that dismissed petitions by state governors, municipality presidents, from the industry and mining communities to guarantee the return of funds to these localities. A strong and respectful call is made to the authorities to reconsider the distribution methodology for the resources and operational rules of the fund, where it should be clearly established that these funds are to be funnelled exclusively to mining communities, municipalities and states. The mining industry refresh its compromise to continue to be an agent of change, a block that forwards sustainability practices and is and active player that contributes to a greater well-being for thousands of miner families and millions of Mexicans. We consider ourselves as the best federal government ally to achieve the more valuable social objectives sought by new government project. The Camara Minera de Mexico is the first camera of industries formed in the country, representing the interests of the mining-metallurgical industry in the country.
Argonaut Gold Inc. informed on an illegal blockade at its El Castillo mine in Durango. The Company has a legal and binding agreement in place with Atotonilco ejido that was signed and recognized by both the Atotonilco ejido and the Mexican government in 2012 and runs through 2022. The blockade lifting was announced on October 30, with an agreement with the ejido pending to be ratified on November 11.
Newmont Goldcorp confirmed that free access to its Peñasquito installations in Zacatecas is complete as of last Sunday (Oct. 27). Access to the mine had been blocked by a small group of communal agriculture workers (ejidatarios) and truckdrivers. The company is to restart the social investment programmes in the next few days, and expects to initiate on November 19 the new program “Juntos Dejamos Legado”, which aims to support schools and sport activities in 25 nearby communities. The ending of the blockade was achieved with government executives having dialog with the blockers, with the presence of the national guard (Guardia Nacional) and the state police (Policía Estatal Preventiva), stressing that further negotiations were to proceed only without the blockade in place.
The governors of Sonora, Claudia Pavlovich; Zacatecas, Alejandro Tello; Durango, José Rosas, and Guerrero, Héctor Astudillo, sent a letter to the president of México asking not to affect the communities by withdrawing the mining fund.

ON EXPLORATION

Gainey Capital Corp. temporarily halted all drilling activities at its Las Margaritas property in Durango, following discussions with the local indigenous groups (Las Margaritas, Durango).
Magna Gold Corp. informed it has two projects in Sonora. The flagship 1,239 ha Mercedes project in Yecora, and the recently acquired San Judas project in Trincheras.
Wealth Minerals Ltd. successfully negotiated surface access rights to its Valsequillo property in Chihuahua. The company has an option to acquire 100% interest in the 2,840 ha property. Past artisanal mining activity concentrated on a number of epithermal, Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag veins, stockworks and silicified zones concentrated within two NW trending corridors. Rock sample results of up to 2.68 gpt Au, 629 gpt Ag, 9.5% Cu, 16.5% Pb, 6.4% Zn have been obtained.

ON MINING

Telson Mining Corp. announced the recommence of mining operations at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. This is the result of improved relations with the local community and a better zinc price. The company anticipates initiating full mining activities and processing operations near the beginning of December 2019.
Argonaut Gold Inc. informed on an illegal blockade at its El Castillo mine in Durango. The Company has a legal and binding agreement in place with Atotonilco ejido that was signed and recognized by both the Atotonilco ejido and the Mexican government in 2012 and runs through 2022.
Gold Resource Corp. reported gold production for the third quarter of 2019, including figures from its Oaxaca Mining Unit. The Arista mine milled 163.3 K tonnes @ 1.76 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 1.9% Pb, 4.7% Zn; the Aguila open pit mine milled 3.6 K tonnes @ 1.49 gpt Au, 58 gpt Ag; the Mirador mine milled 11.7 K tonnes @ 0.76 gpt Au, 197 gpt Ag. In total, 178.6 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 2,007 tonnes per day, to produce 7,462 Oz Au, 473.8 K Oz Ag, 492 tonnes Cu, 2,459 tonnes Pb, 6,057 tonnes Zn. Total cash cost after by-product credits was $197 per AuEq ounce and total all-in sustaining cost was $520 per AuEq ounce for the period.
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. released its third quarter 2019 activities report. The acquisition of the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua was completed, getting the remaining 10% ownership in exchange for a 1% NSR royalty. During the quarter 7,511 tonnes were mined @ 13.5% Zn, 8.2% Pb, and 9,120 tonnes were processed @ 12.5% Zn, 7.9% Pb.
McEwen Mining Inc. presented its third quarter 2019 report, including activities at its El Gallo mine in Mexico. During the third quarter the mine produced 3,057 Oz AuEq from residual leaching, at cash cost $1,153 and $1,177 AISC per Oz AuEq. Work on the Fenix Project feasibility study and permitting is progressing.
Pan American Silver Corp. released results from 14,300 m of drilling during the third quarter 2019 on its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas (see Resources and Development section) .
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported its third quarter 2019 production. Consolidated production was 956.5 K Oz AgEq. At Zimapan, in Hidalgo, 82.2 K tonnes were processed @ 75 gpt Ag, 0.59% Pb, 2.28% Zn, 0.48% Cu to produce 151.5 K Oz Ag (75% recovery), 463 tonnes Pb, 1,492 tonnes Zn, 316 tonnes Cu. At Veta Grande, in Zacatecas, 44 K tonnes were processed @ 99 gpt Ag, 0.24 gpt Au, 1.45% Pb, 2.11% Zn to produce 62.4 K Oz Ag (45% recovery), 139 Oz Au, 370 tonnes Pb, 519 tonnes Zn. At Rosario, in San Luis Potosi, 22 K tonnes were processed @ 65 gpt Ag, 0.25 gpt Au, 0.40% Pb, 2.04% Zn to produce 43 K Oz Ag (93% recovery).
Premier Gold Mines Ltd. announced Q3 2019 production results, including 14,481 Oz Au and 37.5 K Oz Ag from its Mexican operations at Mercedes, in Sonora.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported third quarter 2019 results. At its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero, the company produced 138,145 Oz Au, mine production averaged 144,989 tonnes per day (tpd), mine ore production averaged 15,391 tpd @ 3.19 gpt Au, with a plant throughput of 12,380 tpd @ 4.11 gpt Au, recovering 89% Au at cash cost $561 and AISC of $675.
Americas Gold and Silver Corp. released third quarter 2019 production results, including figures from its Cosalá operations in Sinaloa. At the site 151.2 K tonnes were milled to produce 128.8 K Oz Ag, 10.1 M Lb Zn, 3.7 M Lb Pb (or 1 M Oz AgEq), at cash cost -$10.82 per Oz Ag, and an AISC of -$1.49 per Oz Ag after sub-product credits.
Sierra Metals Inc. reported its Q3-2019 financial results, not including figures from its operations in Mexico. The company had $29.0 M of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period (Bolivar, Chihuahua).

ON FINANCING

Goldplay Exploration Ltd. filed an amended and restated condensed interim consolidated financial statement and management discussion and analysis for the six months ended June 30, 2019, adding the following disclosure “in Note 11 – Related Party Transactions; The Company issued 480,000 common shares valued at $60,000 as debt settlement with officers and a director of the Company and in Note 12 – Share Capital and Reserves; the Company issued 600,000 common shares valued at $75,000 as debt settlement including $60,000 to related parties” (San Marcial, Sinaloa).
Oroco Resource Corp. informed that warrant holders from a unit offering completed on April 2018 have fully exercised the purchase warrants providing the company $720 K (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).
Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced it has resumed trading on the OTC Pink markets in USA under the symbol “SHVLF” (San Martin, Queretaro).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Pan American Silver Corp. released results (impressive) from 14,300 m of drilling during the third quarter on the La Colorada skarn discovery in Zacatecas. Drill highlights comprise 250.9 m @ 40 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 2.6% Pb, 3.4% Zn (including 78.9 m @ 60 gpt Ag, 0.09% Cu, 3.9% Pb, 4.8% Zn); 72.3 m @ 37 gpt Ag, 0.16% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.3% Zn and 56.6 m @ 39 gpt Ag, 0.10% Cu, 3.3% Pb, 6.6% Zn; 124.8 m @ 42 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 2.4% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 252.9 m @ 67 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.6% Zn (including 27.3 m @ 108 gpt Ag, 0.20% Cu, 8.1% Pb, 13.7% Zn and 148.6 m @ 81 gpt Ag, 0.23% Cu, 4.4% Pb, 7.7% Zn); 132.5 m @ 56 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.3% Zn and 139.2 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 5.9% Zn; 379.0 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.50% Cu, 2.0% Pb, 3.7% Zn (including 66.7 m @ 154 gpt Ag, 2.07% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.6% Zn).
Mexican Gold Corp. updated on its current drill program at its Las Minas project in Veracruz. To date 655 m have been drilled on five holes, with three holes testing El Dorado zone, another 261 m hole tested an electromagnetic anomaly, while the hole currently being drilled is also testing a 350 m extension of the same anomaly.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Telson Mining Corp. informed that as a result of suspending operations at Campo Morado in August 2019 under force majeur conditions, Telson has been without cash flows resulting in non-payment under the loan agreement with Nyrstar Holdings Ltd. This has resulted in Nyrstar issuing a notice of default and demand for payment. Telson’s outstanding debt under this loan agreement including principal and interest is approximately US$6 M. Telson expects to be able to recommence outstanding payments to Nyrstar while exploring other financing alternatives.
Prime Mining Corp. entered into contractual agreements for marketing, advertising, shareholder engagement and social media communications with Brisco Capital Partners Corp. for a monthly retainer for a minimum of a CDN$10 K and a maximum of CDN$50 K (Guadalupe de Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
Oceanus Resources Corp. announced that is now live on VRIFY, a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations (El Tigre, Sonora).
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. and Peñoles, each by mean of a subsidiary, extended the Zimapan mine lease agreement from December 31,2019 to December 31, 2020. Santacruz must make monthly payments to Peñoles based on a 4% NSR, subject to a minimum US$45 K and a maximum of US$60 K per month. The extension provides more time for the negotiation of terms of a potential acquisition of the Zimapan mine in Hidalgo.
Almaden Minerals Ltd. was notified by SEMARNAT (Mexico’s environmental authority) that the permitting process for the Ixtaca project in Puebla has been suspended pending resolution of a mineral title lawsuit previously reported. “Under the Lawsuit, certain organisations have supported legal challenges against the Government of Mexico and the Mexican mineral title regime using the Company’s mineral claims as a basis for their challenges. The Lawsuit contends that the issuance of Almaden’s original mineral titles violated human rights and did not respect Mexico’s commitment to indigenous consultation under United Nations Instrument ILO 169…… o. In April, 2019, a Lower Court in Puebla State ruled that the Mexican mineral title system is unconstitutional and as a result these original mineral claims should be held exclusively for Almaden until such time as consultation can be completed. This Lower Court decision has now been appealed by the Mexican Congress, Senate, Secretary of Economy and Mining authorities, as well as Almaden as an affected party. The Lawsuit remains before the Courts”. SEMARNAT was informed on October 24 that the company completed the necessary steps to abandon its mineral claims in the area of the complaint in 2017.
Bacanora Lithium is using Veolia Water Technologies Division with its HPD evaporation and crystallisation technologies to validate Bacanora Lithium’s product purity requirements at the Sonor lithium project, while removing potassium and converting it into a sub-product. Veolia engineered and designed the production process that recovers lithium carbonate and sulphate of potash from clay deposits.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Minas de Oro Nacional (Alamos Gold) reunited in Matarachi, Sahuaripa and Hermosillo (Sonora) all the 185 students currently receiving scholarships to study in Matarachi, Sahuaripa, Arivechi, Chihuahua, Cuahutémoc and San Luis Rio Colorado. The ceremony in Hermosillo was held with company and state executives, including the state governor, the Mining Director, the director of DIF, the director of the Sonora Mining Cluster, the director of the Miners Association of Sonora and the SEC sub-secretary of Basic Education.

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

On the image below: Gneiss hosted quartz veinlet from a project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of September, 2019

September 8, 2019September 8, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 36^th week of the year (September 2^nd to September 8^th, 2019), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Karen Flores Arredondo was appointed General Director of CAMIMEX. VVC Exploration is searching for financing to start operations at Samalayuca. ON EXPLORATION, in Baja California, One World Lithium is to conduct a field visit to its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Minera Alamos announced the discovery of a new target, Gold Ridge. In Chihuahua, Ethos Gold released results on 16 RC holes at the Purisima project. In Coahuila, Prize Mining released assay results of several targets on a 20 km long trend. In Zacatecas, Galore received assays for the first two holes at El Alamo target of its Dos Santos project; Advance Gold completed an IP survey at the Tabasqueña project; Alien Metals released exploration results at San Celso, Los Campos and Donovan 2. ON MINING, Argonaut Gold completed a fourth water well, and now has the capacity to sustain production at 30 K tonnes a day at San Agustin, Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Mexican Gold granted 650 K stock options. Defiant Silver seeks to extend the expiry date of some warrants. SilverCrest Metals granted options for 975 K shares. Telson Mining received conditional approval for a US$12 M loan. Southern Silver Corp. closed the final tranche of financing for gross proceeds of $1.1 M. Silver Viper intends to raise up to $3.0 M through a private placement financing round. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold released results for four more holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Pan American Silver reported all-inclusive reserves and resources of 203.3 M Oz Ag, 2.16 M Oz Au on its La Colorada, Dolores and La Bolsa properties. Minera Alamos received one more permit to start construction at its Santana project in Sonora. Goldplay Exploration released underground channel sampling results from San Marcial, Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mexican Gold Corp. appointed new directors and announced an incoming new resource estimate for Las Minas, Veracruz. Consolidated Zinc acquired the remaining 10% of the Plomosas mine rights to gain a 100% interest. The company also announced a favourable court ruling on a land use agreement for the Plomosas mine. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The sectional president from Samalayuca, Chihuahua, Javier Melendez Cardona, was interviewed on the coming mining investment on La Gloria by VVC Exploration Corp. He explained the project is in the financing stage of a process that is to greatly benefit the local communities.
Karen Flores Arredondo is appointed CAMIMEX’s (Cámara Minera de México) General Director as of September 15, 2019. Flores Arredondo has recently worked for Agnico Eagle in Mexico, and has held posts with other private enterprises and government agencies related to the Mining Industry.

ON EXPLORATION

Prize Mining Corp. released assay results from surface sampling at its Manto Negro project in Coahuila. The sampling on the Apache, San Jose and Las Curvas concessions returned up to 1.3 m @ 3.86% Cu, 44 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 2.62% Cu, 58 gpt Ag; 1.8 m @ 2.31% Cu, 28 gpt Ag and six chip samples running 7.7% to 29.3% Cu and 190 to 759 gpt Ag. At San Jose a best sample interval of 1.8 m @ 2.3% Cu, 28 gpt Ag and up to 17.1% Cu and 1,689 gpt Ag from dumps. At Las Curvas the best mineralised interval was 2 m @ 2.5% Cu, 33 gpt Ag and up to 23% Cu, 710 gpt Ag from dumps. Prize is pursuing a mineralised horizon over 20 km in length in the Formation San Marcos red-bed sandstone below the Cupido Formation limestone.
Ethos Gold Corp. released results of the completed 16 reverse circulation (RC) drill campaign at its Purisima project in Chihuahua. At the site Ethos targeted shallow gold mineralisation in epithermal banded quartz veining and associated silicification and stockworks. Highlighted results include 3.05 m @ 0.76 gpt Au; 7.62 m @ 0.52 gpt Au; 9.14 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 6.10 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 15.24 m @ 0.50 gpt Au; 6.10 m @ 0.50 gpt Au. Ethos decided to terminate the Purisima option agreements.
Galore Resources Inc. received assays for the first two core holes at El Alamo target, part of its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas. Highlighted results comprise 3.40 m @ 3.46 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag (including 1.20 m @ 8.89 gpt Au); 10.90 m @ 14 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 88 gpt Ag); 9.15 m @ 2.02 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag. The results also define intervals tens of meters in width with anomalous silver in the 1-10 ppm range. Galore informs these results, along with some other tracer elements, support the view that this is the upper part of an epithermal system.
Minera Alamos Inc. announced the identification of Gold Ridge, a new mineralised zone on its Santana property in Sonora. One third of 147 rock samples collected exhibit grades >0.10 gpt Au, ranging from 0.1 gpt to 3.6 gpt Au and 5 gpt Ag to 669 gpt Ag, with the mineralised surface covering an area of 1,000 m x 200 m located 2-3 km from the currently planned heap leach operations at Santana.
Advance Gold Corp. completed a 3D induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey on its Tabaqueña project in Zacatecas. The 9.6 line kilometre survey highlighted a 250 wide by 800 m long continuous chargeability anomaly.
One World Lithium Inc. announced the visit of Mike Rosko of Montgomery & Associates to the Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, along with the president and director of OWL. The visit is to include previous and proposed drill site locations as well as surface geological features.
Alien Metals Ltd. released results from recent exploration at its San Celso, Los Campos and Donovan 2 projects in Zacatecas. At San Celso, further assays include 18 anomalous samples averaging 272 gpt Ag, with a high of 1,275 gpt Ag. At Los Campos, 14 anomalous samples averaged 185 gpt Ag, with a peak of 547 gpt Ag. At Donovan 2, a sample returned 2.68 gpt Au.

ON MINING

Argonaut Gold Inc. completed the fourth water well at its San Agustin operation in Durango. The new well demonstrated sufficient water capacity to meet the needs of the operation to run at 30 K tonnes per day of ore, which is planned for the fourth quarter of 2019.

ON FINANCING

Mexican Gold Corp. granted 650 K stock options to an officer and an employee of the company (Las Minas, Veracruz).
Defiant Silver Corp. intends to seek TSX Venture Exchange approval to extend the expiry date of 6.19 M warrants, previously issued, by one year (San Acacio, Zacatecas).
SilverCrest Metals Inc. granted stock options for 975 K shares to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the company (Las Chispas, Sonora).
Telson Mining Corp. received conditional approval for a US$12 M medium term loan from an international investment bank to finalize construction at Tahuehueto, Durango.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the final tranche of the previously announced private placement, for gross proceeds of $1.1 M. In total the company closed two tranches for gross proceeds of $4.2 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp. intends to overtake a private placement financing to raise gross proceeds of up to $3.0 M (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

GoGold Resources Inc. released results for three more diamond drill holes at Los Ricos main area and the first hole drilled at the San Juan target of its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Highlighted drill core intervals comprise 6.2 m @ 1.17 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag; 15.5 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag (including 2.7 m @ 2.04 gpt Au, 217 gpt Ag); 17.1 m @ 1.59 gpt Au, 364 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 3.81 gpt Au, 818 gpt Ag) at Los Ricos and 16.9 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 68 gpt Ag (including 5.0 m @ 1.46 gpt Au, 148 gpt Ag) at the San Juan target.
Pan American Silver Corp. reported mineral reserves of 557 M Oz Ag, 5.1 M Oz Au, of which 141.6 M Oz Ag and 1.58 M Oz Au are in its three properties in Mexico: La Colorada, Dolores and La Bolsa. Reserves and resources all inclusive comprise 148.3 M Oz Ag, 129.8 K Oz Au at La Colorada in Zacatecas, 45.4 M Oz Ag, 1,383.5 K Oz Au at Dolores in Chihuahua and 9.6 M Oz Ag, 651.7 K Oz Au at La Bolsa in Sonora.
Minera Alamos Inc. received the ETJ (Estudio Tecnico Justificativo) for the Santana Gold project in Sonora. Combined with the previously approved MIA (Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental) the company holds all the necessary rights to initiate construction of commercial scale operations at Santana.
Goldplay Exploration Ltd. released results from underground channel sampling in a re-opened old adit at the Faisanes target of its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. A zone of 11 m @ 155 gpt includes 6 m @ 232 gpt Ag, ending in mineralisation at the deepest sampled point within the tunnel. “The Company is reviewing plans to extend the tunnel beyond this high-grade Interval”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Mexican Gold Corp. announced the appointment of Matt Liard as Vice President Exploration, Sonny Bernales as Senior Geologist and Michael Kanevsky as CFO. The company outsourced an updated 43-101 resource estimate with an underground cut-off grade, that should be released in October 2019 (Las Minas, Veracruz).
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. entered into a binding agreement with Retec Guaru S.A. de C.V. under which CZC is to acquire the remaining 10% interest in the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. “The purchase consideration for the acquisition of the Retec interest in MLAZ is a 1% Net Smelter Return Royalty (the “Royalty”) from the sale of zinc and lead concentrates produced from Plomosas”. Completion of the agreement is expected by 30 September 2019.
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. announced that the Appeals Court of Chihuahua ruled in favour of the company’s subsidiary regarding a dispute over a land use agreement with a local rancher in place for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua.

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

On the image below: Quartz veinlet on an orogenic gold project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of August, 2019

August 12, 2019August 12, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 32^nd week of the year (August 5^th to August 11^th, 2019), at least 36 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The president of Mexico announced in a political rally that no more mining concessions are to be granted during his term in office. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kootenay has mobilized a drill rig to its Columba property. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals released high-grade results from underground sampling at Minerva. In Zacatecas, Alien Metals carried out surface sampling at Los Campos, Donovan and San Celso projects; Advance Gold started an IP survey at Tabasqueña. ON MINING, Gold Resource, Premier Gold, Hecla Mining, Golden Minerals, First Majestic, Coeur Mining, Argonaut Gold, Pan American Silver, Avino Silver, Endeavour Silver, Alio Gold, Torex Gold, Fortuna Silver and GoGold reported second quarter production and/or financial results for the second quarter. Mexus Gold poured first gold at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Excellon Resources entered into an agreement with a sole bookrunner for gross proceeds of $10 M. Santacruz Silver granted options to its directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors. Oroco closed a first tranche for $900 K. Impact Silver completed the first series of a round of financing for $2.4 M in gross proceeds. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, US Antimony continues mining at Los Juarez, Queretaro. Hecla presented drill results from San Sebastian, Durango. Orla Mining filed the FS on Camino Rojo Oxide project. VVC Exploration approved the construction of a pilot plant on its Northern Mexico Copper project. Minera Alamos received the needed environmental approval for mine construction at Santana, Sonora. Goldplay Exploration compiled all the exploration information on a 6 km trend outside the known resource in San Marcial, Sinaloa ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals filed an early warning report in respect to its holdings in Levon Resources. Tamino Minerals is working to remove the stop sign to become current on the OTC. Minera Alamos reported the retirement from the Board of Directors of Mr. Chester Millar, (a long time player in the Mexican Mining scene). Mako Mining informed the near completion of production from La Trinidad mine in Sinaloa. Chesapeake Gold re-purchased a 1% NSR from Wheaton Precious Metals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Argonaut Gold engaged in multiple community projects during the second quarter on its operations at San Agustin (Durango), El Castillo (Durango), La Colorada (Sonora) and La Paz (Baja California Sur).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

No more mining concessions in my term: AMLO. The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, announced this Sunday (August 11^th, 2019) in a political rally in Concepcion del Oro, Zacatecas, that under his term no more mining concessions are to be granted. “To give concessions of the mining regions to national and foreign companies was a policy forwarded since the time of (Carlos) Salinas de Gortari, and up to 80 million hectares were delivered for mining exploitation. To grasp it: let’s think in our territory. Mexico has 200 million hectares, and 80 million hectares, about 40 percent of the national territory. Never in History so much of our sovereign soil had been transferred”, he said. He also reiterated that current concessions are to continue, but no new ones are to be delivered. “We are not to cancel (the concessions), but we are not to continue delivering new concessions for mining exploitation. Because it was too much what was delivered. If we analyze it, we are going to conclude that it wasn’t delivered to produce, but to speculate financially ………. With what has been delivered they have to produce. That’s the main purpose and not speculation. What we ask the mining companies is, first, take care of the environment, that no territory is destroyed, not to act as it is done in other countries”. He asked for Mexican miners to be paid as in the United States, or Canada, and that the same environmental rules be applied, also making a call for the salaries of workers to be raised, with the same benefits. (Editor’s note.- All the president arguments can be easily refuted to show that granting mining concessions is, and has been, very helpful for the country and countless of Mexicans. But there is no valid argument to present to the president that on the one hand is calling for more investment, while in the other hand is closing the door to it.)

ON EXPLORATION

Kootenay Silver Inc. has mobilized a drill rig to commence a 3,000 m core drill program at its Columba project in Chihuahua. “The first 12 holes of the drill program will be designed to test the F vein where underground development work extended to 200 meter depth and the historic mining occurred”.
Alien Metals Ltd. carried out some surface rock sampling at its Donovan, Los Campos and San Celso projects in Zacatecas, results pending.
Advance Gold Corp. started a 800 x 500 m 3D induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey on its Tabaqueña project, Zacatecas. The goal of the survey is to assess the depth potential below the near surface mineralized zone that was encountered in the andesites, with the graphitic phyllites below still open at depth.
Discovery Metals Corp. released assay results for 112 underground samples from its drill permitted Minerva Ag-Zn-Pb project in Coahuila. Highlighted results from the Minerva mine include 0.4 m @ 8,880 gpt Ag, 8.7% Zn, 43.2% Zn, 2.30% Cu, 0.3 m @ 1,200 gpt Ag, 24.8% Zn, 18.2% Pb, 0.15% Cu; 0.2 m @ 1,340 gpt Ag, 20.8% Zn, 19.6% Pb, 0.11% Cu; 0.9 m @ 517 gpt Ag, 5.7% Zn, 3.3% Pb, 0.07% Cu in veins, 0.3 m @ 1,485 gpt Ag, 8.6% Zn, 32.1% Pb, 0.10% Cu; 0.3 m @ 1,145 gpt Ag, 10.8% Zn, 34.8% Pb, 0.10% Cu; 0.5 m @ 220 gpt Ag, 34.6% Zn, 13.2% Pb, 0.05% Cu; 0.4 m @ 1,050 gpt Ag, 5.8% Zn, 26.4% Pb; 1.4 m @ 131 gpt Ag, 22.2% Zn, 2.7% Pb, 0.04% Cu in mantos. Underground samples from the Concordia area returned 0.7 m @ 848 gpt Ag, 2.7% Zn, 12.5% Pb, 0.24% Cu; 0.8 m @ 320 gpt Ag, nil Zn, 13% Pb, 0.06% Cu; 1.1 m @ 267 gpt Ag, 0.4% Zn, 6.3% Pb, 0.06% Cu in vein and limestone. At Tercia area, samples from a small working in diorite returned 0.5 m @ 226 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn, 15.5% Pb; 0.5 m @ 181 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn, 10.0% Pb; 1.3 m @ 124 gpt Ag, 3.2% Zn, 6.1% Pb in breccias (fault zones?).

ON MINING

Mexus Gold US. has poured gold at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). The company recovered gold from its first heap leach pad using its Merrill Crowe gold recovery system. Mexus continues to mine and crush ore for the 2^nd lift on heap leach pad #1.
Gold Resource Corp. presented production results for the second quarter 2019. At the Oaxaca’s Mining Unit 7,881 Oz Au, 466.5 K Oz Ag, 482 tonnes Cu, 2,304 tonnes Pb, 6,054 tonnes Zn were produced. At the Arista mine 115.8 K tonnes were milled @ 1.87 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag, 0.40% Cu, 1.96% Pb, 4.77% Zn. At the Aguila open pit mine 8,872 tonnes were milled @ 1.39 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag. At the Mirador mine 6,737 tonnes were milled @ 1.10 gpt Au, 201 gpt Ag. The company had $7.93 M of cash and cash equivalents by the end of the period.
Premier Gold Mines Ltd. reported operating results for the second quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Mercedes, in Sonora, 167.6 K tonnes were milled @ 3.0 gpt Au, 27.2 gpt Ag, recovering 95.9% Au, 35.0% Ag to produce 15,532 Oz Au, 51,354 Oz Ag. Co-product cash cost was $1,053 per Oz Au, and the co-product all-in-sustaining cost was $1,254 per Oz Au. On by-product basis, cash cost was 1,044 per Oz Au and AISC $1,252 per OZ Au. A total of 11,281 m of drilling targeted the Diluvio, Marianas and Barrancas veins “to replace reserves support mine production, test extensions of the main mine trends and to test new geological targets.”
Hecla Mining Co. presented second quarter 2019 results, including figure from its operations in Mexico. At San Sebastian, Durango, 463.7 K Oz Ag, 3,547 Oz Au were produced at by-product cash cost $9.22 per Oz Ag and by-product AISC$15.50.
Golden Minerals Co. released financial results for the second quarter 2019. An important point on the report is the still to be completed $22 M sale of the Velardeña, Santa Maria and Rodeo properties, as well as the Velardeña mill, to Grupo Autlan. Golden had a net loss of $2.5 M , ending the period with $1.8 M in cash and cash equivalents.
First Majestic Silver Corp. announced financial results for the second quarter 2019. During the period 3.2 M Oz Ag, 6.4 M OZ AgEq were produced at cash cost $6.84 per Oz Ag, and AISC $ 14.76 per Oz Ag on a consolidated basis from its San Dimas (Durango), Santa Elena (Sonora), La Encantada (Coahuila), San Martin (Jalisco), La Parrilla (Durango), Del Toro (Zacatecas). At the end of the period the company had $94.5 M in cash and cash equivalents.
Coeur Mining Inc. reported second quarter 2019 financial results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 447.7 K tonnes were milled @ 2.18 gpt Au, 147 gpt Ag, recovering 87.7% Au, 81.8% Ag, to produce 28,246 Oz Au, 1.73 M Oz Ag at adjusted CAS $741 per Oz Au and adjusted CAS $9.17 per Oz Ag. Production started and is to be ramped up 400 tonnes per day (tpd) at La Nacion deposit.
Argonaut Gold Inc. announced its operating and financial results for the second qurter of 2019. At Cerro del Gallo in Guanajuato, Argonaut is advancing on the pre-feasibility study, whereas at San Antonio in Baja California participated in a public information meeting regarding the environmental impact assessment process, while advancing in environmental permitting. At El Castillo, Durango, 2.3 M tonnes of ore @ 0.39 gpt Au, 3.49 M tonnes of waste were moved at a rate of 64 K tonnes per day (tpd) to produce 14,361 Oz Au, 29,791 Oz Ag at cash cost $976 per gold equivalent ounce. At San Agustin (Durango), 1.96 M tonnes of ore @ 0.39 gpt Au, 1.41 M tonnes waste were moved at 37 K tpd to produce 12,684 Oz Au, 43,097 Oz Ag at cash cost $910 per gold equivalent ounce. At La Colorada (Sonora) 1.19 M tonnes of ore @ 0.46 gpt Au, 5.9 M tonnes of waste were moved at 78 K tpd to produce 11,723 Oz Au, 35,485 Oz Ag at cash cost $894 per gold equivalent ounce.
Pan American Silver Corp. reported unaudited results for the second quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 2.04 M Oz Ag, 1.1 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $2.82 per Oz Ag and AISC $5.07 per Oz Ag. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 1.23 M Oz Ag, 28.5 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $6.87 per Oz Ag and AISC $22.30 per Oz Ag. “Drilling at the La Colorada mine has further defined the skarn mineralization, indicating a high concentration of base metal and silver mineralization over large widths”. By the end of the period the company had cash and shorth-term investments for $138.8 M, and working capital of $793.1 M.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2019. During the period 200.9 K tonnes were milled to produce 426.1 K Oz Ag, 1,609 Oz Au, 1.14 M Lb Cu, or 599.5 K Oz AgEq, with consolidated cash cost per AgEq ounce of $10.89, and AISC $13.10 per AgEq ounce. At the end of the quarter Avino held $3.4 M of cash, and a working capital of $8.7 M.
Endeavour Silver Corp. released its financial results for the second quarter 2019. Consolidated production from its Guanacevi (Durango), Bolañitos (Guanajuato), El Cubo (Guanajuato) and El Compas (Zacatecas) mines was 1.06 M Oz Ag, 9,558 Oz Au, or 1.8 M Oz AgEq at an all-in-sustaining cost of $20.90 per Oz Ag net of gold credits. During the period received the final tailings permit for its Terronera project in Jalisco, and reported positive drill results from Bolañitos and Guanacevi.
Alio Gold Inc. reported second quarter 2019 results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At San Francisco, in Sonora, produced 10,230 Oz Au, 5,112 Oz Ag, with a by-product cost of $1,077 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,079 per Oz Au. In January 2019 Alio stopped active mining in the San Francisco pit and focused on processing the low grade stockpile, which is to continue until the end of the year, after which only residual leaching is to go on.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. announced financial and operating results for the second quarter 2019. At El Limon-Guajes in Guerrero, 145.7 K tonnes per day (tpd) were moved, including 19,890 tpd of ore @ 2.91 gpt Au, with a recovery of 88% Au to produce 113,645 Oz Au at cash cost $605 and AISC $760. The Muckahi mining system is said to be on the way to demonstrate its efficacy by year end. Torex released a maiden underground mineral resource estimate for El Limon Deep of 797 K tonnes @ 5.52 gpt Au, containing 171 K Oz Au as an indicated mineral resource. The company had a cash balance of $131 M by the end of June.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. presented consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San Jose, Oaxaca, 271 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 3,045 tpd, grading 273 gpt Ag, 1.78 gpt Au, with a recovery of 91% Ag, 90% Au to produce 2.16 M Oz Ag, 13,204 Oz Au at cash cost $6.20 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $9.3 per Ag Oz. By the end of the period Fortuna held $77.2 M in cash and cash equivalents.
GoGold Resources Inc. reported second quarter results 2019. During the period GoGold produced 451 K Oz Ag from the Parral tailings. By the end of June the company had $9.0 M in cash and marketable securities and no debt.

ON FINANCING

Excellon Resources Inc. entered into an agreement with Cormark Securities Inc. as sole bookrunner and lead underwriter to buy units of the company for gross proceeds of approximately $10 M (Platosa, Durango).
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. granted 8.5 M stock options options to its directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors (Veta Grande, Zacatecas; Rosario, San Luis Potosi).
Oroco Resource Corp. closed the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $900 K (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
Impact Silver Corp. completed the first series of the third tranche of the non-brokered private placement previously announced and updated, receiving aggregate gross proceeds of $2.44 M. The company intends to complete a second series of the third tranche for gross proceeds of $554.2 K. Impact has paid $56 K to Infor Financial Inc. and $50 K to Canaccord Genuity Corp. as finders fee (Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

United States Antimony Corp. continues mining in two open pits at Los Juarez mine in Queretaro. At the Puerto Blanco mill in Guanajuato maintenance and improvements are being made to support increased production. At the Puerto Blanco leach circuit the plastic liner and fire assay equipment have been purchased. At the Madero smelter in Coahuila, The caustic leach plant has been tested and is operational to produce gold, silver, and antimony.
Hecla Mining Co. added new mineralization by drilling on the Middle and El Toro veins, potentially adding oxide mine life to San Sebastian, in Durango. Near-surface mineralisation has been defined by drilling for over 1,200 m along strike and 160 m of depth. Recent intercepts include 2.40 m @ 874 gpt Ag, 11.5 gpt Au; 1.50 m @ 398 gpt Ag, 1.86 gpt Au; 3.41 m @ 236 gpt Ag, 3.42 gpt Au. “Preliminary engineering studies have begun to evaluate the potential of both open pit and underground mining options at El Toro and drilling in this area is planned to continue through the third quarter.”
Orla Mining Ltd. filed a technical report on its Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas. The company previously released the results of the feasibility study (FS) for the oxide part of the mineralized body, which envisages the movement of 44 M tonnes @ 0.73 gpt Au, 14.2 gpt Ag to leach pads, and a recovery of 64% Au, 17% Ag.
VVC Exploration Corp. board of directors approved the start of a pilot mine on the Gloria Zones of its Northern Mexico Copper Project (Samalayuca) in Chihuahua. The plan envisions open pit mining and heap leach extraction by electrowinning (SX-EW) starting at 2 K tonnes per day (tpd) of mineralized material, scalable to 4 K tpd.
Minera Alamos Inc. received the approval of the environmental impact statement (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) by SEMARNAT, the regulatory federal environmental agency, rendering the company with the key approvals for the construction of commercial scale mining facilities at its Santana project in Sonora.
Goldplay Exploration Ltd. compiled all the exploration information supporting that its San Marcial project in Sinaloa has a strong precious metal potential, beyond the already defined resource. Five known areas over a 6 km trend include: Nava, with trench sampling of up to 24 m @ 2.1 gpt Au; Chachalaca Micuines, where several rock chip samples returned 1m @ 1.0 – 5.0 gpt Au, and up to 0.9 m @ 13.3 gpt Au; Guacamayo, with a trench interval returning 24 m @ 219 gpt Ag, 0.25 gpt Au; Resource area, on which recent assays of drill holes identified new gold mineralisation outside the resource, with true width intervals (tw) of 1.0 m @ 2.5 gpt Au, 8.4 m @ 0.7 gpt Au, 12 m @ 0.2 gpt Au; Faisanes, where recently a drill hole interval of tw 0.9 m @ 204.6 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Discovery Metals Corp. filed an early warning report in respect of its holdings in Levon Resources Ltd., now beneficially owns or controls 117.1 M Levon Shares, representing all of the issued and outstanding Levon Shares. Discovery did not own or control, directly or indirectly, any shares in Levon prior to the Arrangement. (Puerto Rico, Coahuila; Cordero, Chihuahua).
Tamino Minerals Inc. informed that “The company is not planning to complete a REVERSE SPLIT at this moment and is not in the company’s plans to do this.” Furthermore stating that “no dilution is guaranted” as its latest DTCC Share Position Report shows that the company has 149.8 M common shares in the float. The company is also working on preparing financial statements in order to remove the stop sign to become current on the OTC Markets (El Volcan, Sonora).
Minera Alamos Inc. reported the retirement from the Board of Directors of Mr. Chester Millar. Mr Millar (born 1927) was involved in multiple heap leach mining projects in Mexico for several decades, and is included in the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame since 2008 (Note by editor.- our sincere thanks and respect to Chester Millar for his contributions to the mining industry in Mexico).
Mako Mining Corp. informed gold production from the Trinidad mine in Sinaloa is nearing completion. Mining operations ceased at the end of March, and most of the crushing plant has been moved to another project in Nicaragua. The company has been unsuccessful in receiving any proceeds from the claim due to the damages sustained at La Trinidad from Hurricane Willa in October 2018, and legal actions have commenced against the insurer provider and their reinsurers. “Discussions are underway with the mining contractor for La Trinidad and the Mexican government regarding significant payables still outstanding at our Mexican subsidiary that holds La Trinidad”. Mako believes that the company has properly structured its Mexican subsidiary in a way that these liabilities do not extend outside of Mexico, whereby any proceeds from the sale of the equipment, or success in the insurance litigation, will be for the benefit of Mako. Discussions are proceeding with the mining contractor with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable settlement. Finally, all other assets held in Mexico are to be sold or liquidated on due course (Note of editor.- From the outside, and with no further information other than what’s on the press release, the remarks on the isolation of the parent company from any litigation while leaving the country with debts outstanding are the kind of practices that make foreign companies easy targets for interest groups on any country. In short, please do not do that).
Chesapeake Gold Corp. has exercised an option to re-purchase a one percent (1.0%) net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on its Metates Au-Ag-Zn project, Durango. The NSR was purchased from Wheaton Precious Metals Co., a subsidiary of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. for US$9.0 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Argonaut Gold Inc. engaged in multiple community projects during the second quarter of 2019. Received the nationally awarded Environmental Socially Responsible Company recognition at the El Castillo Complex for the seventh consecutive year, and held an opening ceremony of a new plant nursery at San Agustin (also in Durango). At La Colorada (Sonora), San Juan del Rio (Durango) and San Antonio (Baja California Sur) hosted a Children’s Day celebration. At La Colorada (Sonora) assisted, in collaboration with the State of Sonora Secretariat of Education and Culture, with the rehabilitation of educational facilities and donated computers, as well as hosted a women’s community workshop in La Colorada. Finally, hosted a health and wellness community workshop in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

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

On the image below: quartz veinlets and quartz filed breccia in metamorphic rocks of a project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of March, 2019

March 10, 2019March 10, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 10^th week of the year (March 4^th to March 10^th, 2019), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The cancellation of the Los Cardones project in Baja California Sur was announced by the president of Mexico. According to the Fraser Institute, Mexico climbed several positions on its ranking, although security and taxation remain dragging down its overall ranking. On PDAC’s Mexico Mining Day, the participation of Francisco Quiroga, Pedro Haces and the governors of Durango and Sinaloa left a bittersweet message, as an invitation for investment was mixed with the government impulse for community consultations, the reviewing of mining concessions, labor issues and environmental revisions. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Sonoro Metals commenced a second phase of RC drilling at its Cerro Caliche property. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold informed is working on a revised geological model of the previous drilling campaign as it prepares for the next at the Amalia project. In Durango and Veracruz. Chesapeake Gold is to focus its 2019 exploration program in properties near its flagship Metates project, and in the Tatatila project in Veracruz. ON MINING, Americas Silver, Avino Silver and Premier gold reported operating and/or financial results for the Q4 and full year 2018. ON FINANCING, Minera Alamos corrected a previous financing press release, Kootenay Silver increased the size of its placement to $7 M. McEwen Mining suspended distribution of its dividend. Mako Mining raised CAD$4.5 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mag Silver reported on 46,000 m of drilling and the discovery of a new vein trend at Juanicipio, in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Oroco informed on the status of legal actions regarding its intention to acquire the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. Alio Gold changed CEO and Great Panther Silver Ltd. changed its name to Great Panther Mining Ltd. as it diversifies into gold mining.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Durango and Sinaloa governors, Jose Rosas Aispuro and Quirino Ordaz, respectively, attended the PDAC convention in Toronto, looking to strengthen the ties with Canadian companies and promote investment in the local mining sector.
The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, announced the cancellation of the Los Cardones open pit mining project in Baja California Sur (on the bright side, the cancellation could be the result of negotiations with the project owner, which has multiple government contracts in other industries. On the other hand, the president said he took the decision because he has the authority to do so).
The Fraser institute released its annual survey on mining jurisdictions of the World, Mexico climbed several positions to reach the 29^th on the ranking, from the 44^th on the previous year. Our Latin American competitors on the foreign investment race, Chile and Peru, also raised to the 6^th (from the 8^th) and 14^th (from the 91^th) position respectively. The categories on which Mexico can improve significantly are: “Disputed Land Claims” (58^th position), “Socioeconomic Agreements/Community Development” (59^th position), “Labor Regulations” (58^th position), Security (80^th position, regrettably) and “Taxation Regime” (71^st position, just 13^th places from the bottom). To download the report: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/annual-survey-of-mining-companies-2018.pdf.
In PDAC, Francisco Quiroga, undersecretary of Mining on the Secretaría de Economía (Ministry of Economy) asked Canadian mining companies to accept public consultations to avoid harmful effects on society and the environment. He also solicited fiscal observance, environmental protection and human rights respect by the companies to avoid the closure of mines. He offered an administrative simplification to miners by the implementation of a sole attention desk to reduce paperwork.
Also in PDAC, and during the Mexico Mining Day, Pedro Haces Barba (Morena senator) stated that Canada is a strategic partner on the mining sector. He expressed the Congress and Senate support to stimulate the development of the industry, giving form to a legal framework in the leading edge, with the participation of experts, producers, environmentalists, workers and all other involved. Haces also stressed the compromise to impulse significant changes to the mining law to benefit from the sustainable exploitation of natural resources in pace with the regional dynamics and global challenges.

ON EXPLORATION

Radius Gold Inc. informed on the review and re-logging of five holes drilled to test the Campamento structural corridor (now called San Pedro) at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Only the deepest hole intercepted the structure within the lower volcanic group andesitic rocks, returning 26 m @7.1 gpt Au, 517 gpt Ag, including 5 m @ 14.7 gpt Au, 517 gpt Ag. Access agreements with landowners have been secured, and a new environmental permit has been applied for the second drill stage. Pan American Silver is funding the project with Radius as the operator.
Sonoro Metals Corp. commenced the phase two drilling campaign at its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora. This 4-month program is to consist of approximately 5,000 m of reverse circulation drilling. The goal is to enlarge the gold mineralization inventory, test deeper zones and extend the high-grade gold intercept at El Colorado zone, which returned 12.2 m @ 11.21 gpt Au. If results support it, a phase 3 drilling campaign of approximately 7,000 m of infill drilling will follow. “The Company anticipates that it will commission and publish an NI 43-101 technical report, including an initial resource estimate, within two months”.
Chesapeake Gold Corp. informed this year its exploration programs will focus on the under-explored region of its Metates project in Durango. At Crisy, close to Metates, a quartz breccia and stockwork that runs for over 2 km hosted in shales, produced 24 m @ 1.5 gpt Au; 13 m @ 1.1 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 4 m @ 2.5 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag, in channel samples. At Cerro Pelon, Durango, a 3 km long, 750 m wide zone of epithermal veins and stockworks returned 40 m @ 42 gpt, 0.2 gpt Au; 25 m @ 57 gpt Ag; 15 m @ 1.0 gpt Au in surface sampling. At San Javier, Durango, “Silver mineralization is hosted within clay altered sandstone, mudstone and local intrusive dikes and has been traced continuously on surface for over 500 meters. Previous samples returned 60 meters of 71 g/t silver and 0.6% lead. In January, a trench channel sample collected 200 meters further along strike returned 25 meters of 46 g/t silver and 0.5% lead”. At Yarely, Sinaloa, A channel sample returned 30 m @ 1.6 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag, on quartz breccias and stockworks associated to a rhyolite flow-dome complex. At Tatatila, in Veracruz, skarn bodies developed along the contact of intrusive dikes and sills and older limestones returned 2 m @ 28.9 gpt Au, 0.5% Zn; 6 m @ 0.4 gpt Au, 5.6% Zn; 2 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 65 gpt Ag, 2.3% Pb, 3.1% Zn.

ON MINING

Americas Silver Corp. reported consolidated financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full year 2018. The company had a revenue of $68.4 M from its operations in Mexico and the USA, without entering in details by unit (Cosalá Complex, Sinaloa).
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. announced consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year 2018. During the year revenues were $34.1 M from 708.8 K tonnes milled to produce 1.28 M Oz Ag, 8,092 Oz Au, 4.81 M Lb Cu or 2.86 M Oz AgEq, at cash cost $9.63 and AISC $10.67 (Avino, San Gonzalo mines, Durango).
Premier Gold Mines Ltd. released operating results for Q4 and full year 2018, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Mercedes, in Sonora, during the last three months of the year 183.1 K tonnes were milled @ 3.96 gpt Au, 44.8 gpt Ag, recovering 96.3% Au and 45.2% Ag, to produce 22,465 Oz Au, 119 K Oz Ag. For the year, 665.5 K tonnes were milled @ 3.34 gpt Au, 35.3 gpt Ag, recovering 96% Au, 40.9% Ag to produce 68,719 Oz Au, 309.2 K Oz Ag. By product cash cost and AISC were $609 and $795 per Au Oz, respectively. “Exploration drilling continued during the fourth quarter with 1,972 meters completed for a total drilling of 40,721 meters for the year”.

ON FINANCING

Minera Alamos Inc. issued a correction to its previous press release, where it stated $4.93 M of gross proceeds on a non-brokered placement. In fact, Minera Alamos raised aggregate proceeds of $4.99 M, paying $280 K in commissions (La Fortuna, Durango; Santana, Sonora).
Kootenay Silver Inc. increased the size of its non-brokered private placement, originally for gross proceeds of $2.5 M, to $7 M (La Negra, Sonora; La Cigarra, Chihuahua).
McEwen Mining Inc. suspended the distribution of its dividend, stating lower revenues from operating issues at a couple of mines as the cause (El Gallo, Sinaloa).
Mako Mining Corp. closed its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$4.5 M (Trinidad, Sinaloa)

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Mag Silver Corp. reported on results from a 48-hole diamond drilling program with a total of 46,060 m completed in late 2018 at the Juanicipio JV property (Fresnillo PLC 56% / Mag Silver 44%), designed to expand and infill the wide high-grade deep zone mineral resource. The program confirmed continuity to depth of high-grade mineralization in the East and West Valdecañas vein deep zones and in the Anticipada vein, discovering the new Pre-Anticipada vein in the hangingwall above the system. Highlighted intercepts include 11.6 m @ 783 gpt Ag, 2.57 gpt Au, 6.5% Pb, 9.5% Zn, 0.32% Cu at the deep west zone; 6.3 m @ 246 gpt Ag, 1.78 gpt Au, 7.2% Pb, 11.6% Zn, 0.40% Cu at the deep zone east; 6.2 m @ 275 gpt Ag, 4.02 gpt Au, 7.3% Pb, 9.2% Zn at the Anticipada vein; 3.2 m @ 472 gpt Ag, 0.31 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 0.4% Zn, 0.03% Cu at the Pre-Anticipada vein.
Mag Silver Corp. announced the discovery of the northeast trending Venadas vein at the Juanicipio property in Zacatecas. The vein was inferred from the alignment of fifteen previously unconnected intercepts before being cut in an underground development working as a 1.1 m vein @ 116 gpt Ag, 3.16 gpt Au. The first hole designed to test the Venadas vein cut 3.0 m (core length) @ 392 gpt Ag, 5.54 gpt Au. “Venadas is the first ever mineralized vein in the overall Fresnillo District oriented at a high angle to the historically mined NW oriented veins. Notably, other much larger NE structures with intense surface alteration are known farther afield within the Juanicipio property and are now priority exploration targets. None have ever been directly drilled.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Oroco Resource Corp. informed on the legal actions being taken to acquire interest in the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. “At present, the following initiatives, amongst others, are expected to validate and maintain the status quo of the titles and eventually remove any unwarranted ownership claims to the Santo Tomas Concessions as are currently being made by Aztec Copper Inc., an Arizona company, and its Mexican subsidiary, Prime Aztec Mexicana S.A de C.V.” (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
Alio Gold Inc. informed its chief executive officer, Greg McCunn is resigning to pursue other opportunities. The board of directors appointed Mark Backens as CEO, position which he has served previously on an interim basis (San Francisco, Sonora).
Great Panther Silver Ltd. completed the acquisition of Beadell Resources Ltd., owner of the Tucano mine in Brazil, with 1.3 M Oz Au in reserves. As part of the evolution in strategy, the company name has been changed to Great Panther Mining Ltd (Topia, Durango).

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

On the image above, weathered intrusive rock with oxidized quartz-sulphide veinlets in a Michoacán project. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Highlights on the Third Week of October, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

October 21, 2018October 21, 2018 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 42^nd week of the year (October 15^th to October 21^st, 2018), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. San Marco and Odyssey released advances in exploration. Galore Resources and Aura Minerals released news on mining, while Avino Silver, First Majestic, Premier Gold and Gold Resource reported Q3 production results. Sonoro Metals, First Majestic, Azucar Minerals and Plata Latina reported news related to financing. Telson, Azure, Candelaria and Goldplay reported on advances on its properties. Santacruz, Prize Mining, Azucar Minerals, Alio Gold, Canuc Resources, Minera Alamos and Excellon presented information on deals or corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, CAMIMEX stated there are 19 ongoing projects to augment gold production in Mexico. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California Sur, Odyssey informed on SEMARNAT’s refusal for permitting the Don Diego project. In Sonora, San Marco is to start mapping and sampling the Espiritu project. In Coahuila, Prize Mining continues drilling at its Manto Negro project. ON MINING, Avino Silver, First Majestic, Premier Gold, and Gold Resource reported on Q3 2018 production. Galore begun mining at Los Gemelos, Zacatecas. Aura Minerals completed the first copper concentrate shipment from Aranzazu, also in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Sonoro is undertaking a private placement to raise up to $500 K. First Majestic filed a shelf prospectus that enables the raising of up to US$300 M in 25 months. Newcrest is exercising its top up rights to maintain 19.9% ownership of Azucar Minerals. Plata Latina settled C$231 K of indebtedness by share issuing. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Telson released high grade results from development sampling at Tahuehueto, Durango. Azure Minerals announced a positive scoping study on its Oposura project in Sonora. Candelaria Mining filed a NI-43-101 report on its Pinos project in Zacatecas. Goldplay was approved the drilling permit by SEMARNAT for drilling at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. Azure Minerals released a positive scoping study on its Oposura project in Sonora, for an open pit/underground operation. Newcrest is to maintain its 19.9% ownership of Azucar Minerals (see above). Minera Alamos reported second round drill results on its Santana property in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz Silver made the final payment to acquire a considerable land package in the Zacatecas district. Newcrest is to maintain its participation in Azucar Minerals. Canuc received conditional approval for its acquisition of Circle Energy. Alio Gold is disposing of some assets in Nevada and reducing its debt levels. Excellon is to sell the Beschefer project in Canada.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

According to CAMIMEX (Cámara Minera de México) there are 19 investment projects to be developed during the 2018-2019 period, five in Durango (Camino Rojo, Piritas in Peñasquito, El Compás, Fresnillo’s Piritas project and Juanicipio), four in Guerrero (Ana Paula, Bermejal underground, Media Luna, and Rey de Plata), four in Durango (Tahuehueto, Pitarrilla, Metates and San Agustin), Two in Sonora (Santa Gertrudis and a second leach plant at La Herradura), one in Puebla (Ixtaca) and one in Chihuahua (San Julian). Gold production in 2017 was 4,080,000 ounces, decreasing by 4% on the prior year, but considerably larger than the 848,000 ounces produced in year 2000.

ON EXPLORATION

San Marco Resources Inc. is to start exploration at its Espiritu porphyry copper project in Sonora. Work in the property will consist of geological mapping, surface rock sampling and assessment of past drill hole and surface data. San Marco’s first pass review suggest the system is open in most directions. Past drill hole intercepts include 48.0 m @ 0.19 g/t Au, 0.10 % Cu and 220.5 m @ 0.14 g/t Au, 0.15% Cu.
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. received notification that SEMARNAT repeated their refusal to issue an environmental permit for the phosphate deposit, “in direct contravention of the Order of the Federal Administrative Court”. SEMARNAT did not inform of any new environmental information used as a basis their decision, as was required in the Court’s Order. Odyssey “expects its legal team to file a new action before the Superior Section of the Federal Administrative Court demonstrating that SEMARNAT is in contempt of the Court’s Order with a request for sanctions and notification to Mexico’s Internal Control Unit” (Don Diego, Baja California Sur).
Prize Mining Corp. continues with the 30-hole 3,000 m drill program at its Manto Negro project in Coahuila. “Core is being logged and sampled and sent out for assay, with first results expected in November”.

ON MINING

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. announced its third quarter production results for 2018. In the Avino mine. during the period 81.5 K dry tonnes were milled @ 58 g/t Ag, 0.52 g/t Au, 0.54% Cu; with 84% Ag, 67% Au, 88% Cu recoveries to produce 112.6 K Oz Ag, 882 Oz Au, 865 K Lb Cu (or 3,935 Kg Ag, 28.31 Kg Au, 392.36 Tonnes Cu). In the San Gonzalo mine (which is nearing the end of its mine life) 19.7 K dry tonnes were milled @ 226 g/t Ag, 1.15 g/t Au; with 78% Ag, 75% Au to produce 107.8 K Oz Ag, 532 Oz Au (or 3,461 Kg Ag, 17,086 g Au). From the above ground stockpile 88.7 K tonnes were milled @ 62 g/t Ag, 0.45 g/t Au, 0.15% Cu; with 57% Ag, 52% Au, 37% Cu recoveries, to produce 97.4 K Oz Ag, 652 Oz Au, 112.8 K Lb Cu (or 3,127 Kg Ag, 20,931 g Au). An additional 8,212 Oz Ag were produced by a test program to recover precious metals and zinc from the San Gonzalo mine tailings. To counter significantly lower metal prices, Avino is reducing costs by postponing exploration, as well as reducing general and administrative costs in Mexico and British Columbia.
First Majestic Silver Corp. announced production results for Q3 2018. Consolidated results include the milling of 864 K tonnes of ore to produce 3.5 M Oz Ag, 35,260 Oz Au, 4.44 M Lb Pb, 1.23 M Lb Zn (or 6.74 M Oz AgEq). A 20% cost reduction program across all areas is being implemented to deal with the prolonged low silver prices. AgEq year on year production grew by 69%, mainly by the addition of the San Dimas operations. The mine by mine production table is below.

Galore Resources Inc. Has begun mining at Los Gemelos, in Zacatecas. Mining has begun without a feasibility study at Galore’s owned Duraznillo ranch, which includes the Los Gemelos and Duende 7 claims, within the Concepción del Oro district. The mining contractor has installed a gold processing plant with initial capacity of 90 tons per week. The proceeds, net of costs, are to be allocated with 40% to Galore and 60% to the contractor, URBYASA.
Aura Minerals Inc. completed the first shipment of copper concentrate since the reopening of its Aranzau mine in Zacatecas. Aura “continues to further progress on the underground mine development and operational improvements to the plant. Construction of the new tailings disposal system (TD5) is expected to be completed this year”.
Premier Gold Mines Ltd. released Q3 2018 production results, including figures from its Mercedes mine in Sonora, where 17,465 Oz Au; 88,390 Oz Ag were produced. “The Mercedes Mine remains focused on cost reduction and the development of new deposits to increase flexibility and productivity……. construction to expand tailings capacity began. Additionally, development continued on a drift from the Lagunas mine to access the higher-grade Marianas deposit located along the main Mercedes mine trend”.
Gold Resource Corp. reported preliminary production results for the third quarter 2018. During the period production totaled 434 tonnes Cu, 2,119 tonnes Pb, 4,970 tonnes Zn, and no details were disclosed on precious metals. For the first three quarters of 2018, 18,864 Oz Au, 1.34 M Oz Ag, 1,206 tonnes Cu, 5,274 tonnes Pb, 14,236 tonnes Zn were produced.

ON FINANCING

Sonoro Metals Corp. proposes to undertake a non-brokered private placement, aiming to raise up to $500K (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
First Majestic Silver Corp. filed a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus that will allow First Majestic to raise up to US$300 M during the next 25 months (Six producing mines in Mexico).
Azucar Minerals Ltd. announced Newcrest Canada Holdings Inc. exercised its top-up rights pursuant to the May 2018 investor rights agreement with Azucar, acquiring additional shares for a total of $124.4 K, and maintaining its 19.9% ownership.
Plata Latina Minerals Corp. has agreed to settle indebtedness of C$201 K owing to its directors and indebtedness of C$30 K owing to its former CEO, by issuing common shares.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Telson Mining Corp. reported assay results from veins exposed during underground development at its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. Highlighted results comprise 3.25 m @ 7.10 g/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.22% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 5.4% Zn; 6.10 m @ 5.04 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag, 0.16% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 3.9% Zn; 8.05 m @ 2.52 g/t Au, 28 g/t Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.8% Pb, 2.9% Zn; 4.20 m @ 8.02 g/t Au, 96 g/t Ag, 2.93% Cu, 5.0% Pb, 8.2% Zn; 4.40 m @ 2.62 g/t Au, 19 g/t Ag, 1.3% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 3.7% Zn.
Candelaria Mining Corp. filed a NI-43-01 preliminary feasibility assessment (PEA) report on its Pinos project, Zacatecas. The resources stand at: 85,847 tonnes @1.6 g/t Au, 83 g/t Ag measured; 175.7 K tonnes @ 3.6 g/t Au, 47 g/t Ag indicated; 529.6 K tonnes @ 3.6 g/t Au, 48 g/t Ag as inferred. The measured resources are in dumps, whereas the indicated and inferred resources are contained in veins 1.3 to 2.1 m in average widths. Production costs were evaluated for a range of 200 to 400 tonnes per day (tpd) operation. The capital cost is estimated at $13.5 M and the sustaining capital at $9.15 M.
Goldplay Exploration Ltd. received approval from SEMARNAT (Mexican environmental agency) for its upcoming drill programs at San Marcial, Sinaloa. Up to 69 drill holes can be completed within a two year window. A NI-43-101 resource estimate is to be completed before the end of 2018., and a PEA is expected to be undertaken in 2019.
Azure Minerals Ltd. announced a positive scoping study (SS) completed at its Oposura project in Sonora. “The Study delivers a Life of Mine (LOM) EBITDA of A$237 million, NPV_(8%) (pre-tax) of A$112 million and an IRR (pre-tax) of 76%….. ”. The study calls for mining by open pit and underground methods 2.5 M tonnes @ 4.6% Zn, 2.6% Pb, 15.9 g/t Ag. The initial mine life is 5.3 years, with average annual production of 19 Kt Zn, 10 Kt Pb, 145 K Oz Ag. The total capital expenditure needed to achieve production is A$ 69.9 M (US$ 52.4 M).
Minera Alamos Inc. reported results on the second round of its phase 1 drilling program at its Santana property in Sonora. Highlighted results comprise 80.4 m @ 1.05 g/t Au; and 8.0 m @ 1.0 g/t Au and 24.5 m @ 0.81 g/t Au on a second hole. “Planning of the Phase 2 drill program will begin once the remaining drilling results have been received and interpreted”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. has made the final option payment to acquire 149 concessions covering 7,800 ha in the Zacatecas district. Santacruz now controls 8,900 ha in the district.
Azucar Minerals Ltd. informed Newcrest Canada Holdings Inc. has confirmed its intention to exercise its top-up rights on their last May signed agreement. Under the scheme, Newcrest is to maintain its 19.9% ownership of Azucar (El Cobre, Veracruz).
Alio Gold Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Lincoln Hill, Wilco and Gold Ridge projects in Nevada to Coeur Mining Inc.. Alio is to receive $19 M upon the closing of the transaction. Recently, Alio has also reduced its outstanding debt with Macquarie Bank Ltd. from $15 million in past June, to $5 million now. The Company expects to fully extinguish the MBL debt during the fourth quarter. Alio also settled a $5 M contingent liability that the Company acquired with its acquisition of Rye Patch Gold Corp. and the Florida Canyon Mine earlier this year. The Company has also updated its surety bond for the Florida Canyon Mine in Nevada, releasing an additional $5.1 million in cash (San Francisco, Sonora).
Canuc Resources Corp. received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for the previously announced acquisition of Circle Energy Ltd., a company with six oil prospective sections in Saskatchewan (San Javier, Sonora).
Excellon Resources Inc. entered into an option agreement with Wallbridge Mining Co. to sell the Beschefer project in Canada (Platosa, Durango).

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

On the image above, epidote veinlet with feld-K halo in andesitic volcanic rocks in a porphyry-Cu prospect in Jalisco. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Highlights on the Fourth Week of August, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

August 26, 2018 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 34^th week of the year (August 20^th to August 26^th, 2018), at least 17 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. Aztec Minerals, Discovery Metals, and SilverCrest Metals released advances in exploration. Grupo Mexico and Santacruz Silver Mining released its Q2 2018 results. SilverCrest Metals, Silver Bull, Avino Silver and Prize Mining reported news on financing. Azure Minerals reported advances on the PEA and new drilling of one of its projects. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Mexican Core Shack now counts with displays from three properties in Chihuahua, two in Durango and two in Estado de Mexico. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals released results from surface sampling along drill roads on its Cervantes project. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals released results from underground sampling at its Puerto Rico project. ON MINING Grupo Mexico and Santacruz Silver released its Q2 2018 reports. Grupo Mexico is to re-open its San Martin mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Silver Bull and Prize Mining closed final tranches of financing for gross proceeds of US$3.79 M and $7.62 M respectively. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Azure Minerals is advancing the PEA on its Oposura property in Sonora, and announcing a new drilling campaign. SilverCrest released more drilling results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alio Gold announced several changes in senior management, as well as at its corporate head office in Vancouver, related to the recent focus on its operating mines.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Mexican Core Shack added images of drill core from SGM’s Las Granadas project in Estado de Mexico, at https://gambusinoprospector.com/mexican-core-shack/estado-de-mexico/las-granadas/. The Mexican Core Shack now displays three properties in Chihuahua, two in Durango and two in Estado de Mexico.

ON EXPLORATION

Aztec Minerals Corp. released surface sampling results from the California prospect within its Cervantes project in Sonora. The rock chip channel samples were collected along drill roads, returning 75 m @ 0.11 g/t Au; 222 m @ 0.47 g/t Au; 84 m @ 0.40 g/t Au; 183 m @ 0.32 g/t Au; 81 m @ 0.53 g/t Au; 33 m @ 0.26 g/t Au; 111 m @ 0.02 g/t Au. Aztec’s CAD$182 K phase 2 exploration program “of geological mapping, rock, soil and sediment sampling and airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys is focused on better defining additional drill targets” on the 3,649 hectares property. Soil surveys highlight strong gold anomalies at the California north, Purisima East, Purisima West and Jacob soil grids, with individual samples returning up to 3.3 g/t Au. The Cervantes property is held under an option to purchase agreement with Kootenay Silver Inc.
Discovery Metals Corp. reported the second batch of underground channel sampling results from the San Jose mine at its Puerto Rico project in Coahuila. “San Jose contains approximately 630m of underground drifts and stopes over four levels (from bottom to top: the Chuyon, Haulage, Rope and Upper levels) that span an approximate vertical extent of 50m and cover a horizontal extent of approximately 80m by 80m. All four levels host strongly mineralized mantos, chimneys and faults. Channel samples were collected at 3-5m intervals along both sides of the entire length of the developed workings”. Individual samples are as high as 1.2 m @ 10 g/t Ag, 46.2% Zn, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Cu; 0.7 m @ 154 g/t Ag, 38.2% Zn, 0.6% Pb, 0.1% Cu; 1.0 m @ 18 g/t Ag, 30.2% Zn, 0.1% Pb, 2.6% Cu; 1.0 m @ 445 g/t Ag, 3.5% Zn, 26.3% Pb, 0.6% Cu.

ON MINING

Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported operating results from the Veta Grande project in Zacatecas and the Rosario project in San Luis Potosi, for the second quarter 2018. At Veta Grande, 52 K tonnes @ 70 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 1.14% Zn, 0.41% Pb (161 g/t AgEq) were processed, with a 45% Ag recovery, to produce 36.7 K Oz Ag, 59 Oz Au, 111 tonnes Pb, 164 tonnes Zn. At Rosario, 15.4 K tonnes @ 44 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 2.54% Zn, 0.23% Pb (212 g/t AgEq) were processed, with 89% Ag recovery, to produce 19.4 K Oz Ag, 84 Oz Au, 31 tonnes Pb, 344 tonnes Zn.
Grupo México is to re–open its San Martin mine in Zacatecas, with an investment of US$77 M. The mine was closed eleven years ago due to a labor dispute with the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, led by Napoleon Gomez Urrutia. The mine workers have now changed to the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Exploración, Explotación y Beneficio en Minas de la República Mexicana, ending the closure by strike of the mine. The mine is to have a 32 years life span, creating directly 600 jobs and indirectly 3,000 more.
Grupo México reported its second quarter 2018 results. During the period sales increased 19%, while the EBITDA rose to US$1,316 M, and capital investments rose to US$434 M.

ON FINANCING

SilverCrest Metals Inc. has been approved to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (Las Chispas, Sonora).
Silver Bull Resources Inc. completed the second and final tranche of its previously announced private placement, for aggregate gross proceeds of USD$957.5 K. Under the first tranche of the private placement Silver Bull accrued USD$2.831 M (Sierra Mojada, Coahuila).
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd- filed a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that is to allow the company to raise up to US$25 M (Avino, Durango).
Prize Mining Corp. closed the third and final tranche of the recently announced non-brokered private placement, raising $500 K and taking the total aggregate of gross proceeds to $7.62 M (Manto Negro, Coahuila).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Azure Minerals Ltd. announced that the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on its Oposura project in Sonora remains on track to be reported in the third quarter of 2018. The study envisions open pit and room and pillar underground extraction. The resource includes 2.1 Mt (tonnes) @5.3% Zn, 2.9% Pb, 17.2 g/t Ag in the indicated category and 0.8 Mt @ 4.3% Zn, 2.5% Pb, 16.5 g/t Ag in the inferred category.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced new drill results from the Granaditas vein and the new Granaditas Dos vein at its Las Chispas property in Sonora. These veins are approximately 40 m apart and may intersect to the southeast. Highlighted true width (TW) intercepts include 1.2 m @ 5.6 g/t Au, 15 g/t Ag; 1.3 m @ 4.2 g/t Au, 229 g/t Ag; 1.2 m @ 3.10 g/t Au, 4.0 g/t Ag in the Granaditas vein, 0.5 m @ 1.8 g/t Au, 149 g/t Ag; 0.4 m @ 2.4 g/t Au, 421 g/t Ag; 2.9 m @ 294 g/t Ag; 1.2 m @ 1.2 g/t Au, 162 g/t Ag in the Granaditas Dos vein and 0.9 m @ 1.0 g/t Au, 82 g/t Ag; 1.4 m @ 2.5 g/t Au, 799 g/t Ag in an unnamed vein. The high-grade footprint in the Granaditas Vein currently measures approximately 200 m long by 200 m high and is open in most directions. The high-grade footprint in the Granaditas Dos (2) Vein currently measures approximately 100 m long by 100 m high and is open in most directions.
Azure Minerals Ltd. recommenced drilling at its Oposura project in Sonora. This campaign is focused on infill drilling and more widely spaced resource extensional drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Alio Gold Inc. announced changes related to the recent focus on its operating mines San Francisco in Sonora and Florida Canyon in Nevada, which include the previously announced temporary suspension of exploration and development at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero, and the here stated termination of the Vice-president of project development Project Manager and the Chief Executive Officer. “The Company has also taken steps to reduce costs at the Ana Paula project site in Mexico while maintaining a level of local employment and community engagement…..the Company has also implemented a number of changes at its corporate office in Vancouver which in total are expected to reduce the corporate overhead by approximately $1.2 million over the next 12 months.“
Defiance Silver Corp. renegotiated and extended the terms of its San Acacio Project option agreement. “The project vendor has agreed to postpone a substantial amount of the payments due in 2018 to September 27, 2020. As a result, Defiance will be making four quarterly payments of US$226,900 totaling US$907,600 in year one and four quarterly payments of US$250,000 totaling US$1,000,000 in year two with the final option payment due September 2020.”

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, the silicified and alunite bearing ridge beyond the farming fields is interpreted as the water table interface in a shallow epithermal system, in Guanajuato. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Highlights on the Second Week of July, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

July 16, 2018 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 28^th week of the year (July 9^th to July 15^th, 2018), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. Three companies updated on exploration advances. one company announced a financing round while another tries to extend the period for exercise of warrants. Seven companies released Q2 production results and two others a PEA on its properties. Seven companies released advances on the development or exploration of their resource base, and finally one company announced the appointment of its Vice-president Exploration and one other company the optioning of a property to a third party, and returning another to the underlying owner. ON MEXICO ISSUES, No relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ridgestone Mining completed an IP survey on its Rebeico property. In Chihuahua Golden Goliath resumed exploration on its San Timoteo project, and in Veracruz Mexican Gold released rock chip sampling results from its Las Minas project. ON MINING Torex Gold, Endeavour Silver, Great Panther, Capstone, Excellon, Premier Gold and Hecla released second quarter results on production. Sierra Metals released a PEA on a projected production increment at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Prize Mining closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement. Candente Gold applied to extend the expiration period of warrants issued on a previous financing. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Santacruz Silver, SilverCrest, Avino Silver, Kootenay Silver and Golden Minerals released drilling or exploration results on their properties with resources. Orla Mining released a PEA on its Camino Rojo Property in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals announced the appointment of Gernot Wober as VP Exploration. Riverside Resources optioned its La Silla property (in Sinaloa) to Sinaloa Resources, and returned the Glor property (in Sonora) to underlying owner Argonaut Gold, after two unsuccessful drill campaigns by Centerra Gold.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

Golden Goliath Resources Ltd. reported the commencement of its summer exploration program at its San Timoteo property in the Uruachic district of Chihuahua. San Timoteo hosts the longest mining tunnel in the district, with mapping and sampling having defined three ore shoots and a manto horizon within it. No exploration has been carried below the level of the tunnel, and the workings are interpreted to be above the boiling zone of an epithermal system, hence the possibility of potential bonanza grades down dip.
Mexican Gold Corp. released high grade sampling results from the Pueblo Nuevo area of its Las Minas projects in Veracruz. Multiple new vein occurrences have been discovered in the Pueblo Nuevo Valley structural corridor. The veins “show characteristics of mesothermal quartz veins”, generally 20 to cm in width, sub-vertical dips and no post mineral deformation. The dioritic host rock displays argillic alteration and sulfides up to one meter on each side of the veins. Chip sampling results include 0.43 m @ 7.87 g/t Au, 74 g/t Ag, 3.5% Zn; 0.30 m @ 6.14 g/t Au, 60 g/t Ag, 5.3% Zn; 0.50 m @ 19.18 g/t Au, 229 g/t Ag, 2.25% Zn; 0.3 m @ 4.33 g/t Au, 30 g/t Ag, 1.1% Zn; 0.15 m @ 16.17 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag, 0.6% Cu, 14.6% Zn; 0.60 m @ 3.18 g/t Au, 17 g/t Ag, 3.5% Zn; 0.40 m @ 4.11 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag; 0.45 m @ 19.41 g/t Au, 148 g/t Ag, 1.5% Cu, 0.8% Zn; 0.60 m @ 19.26 g/t Au, 70 g/t Ag, 2.3% Zn; 0.75 m @ 10.12 g/t Au, 30 g/t Ag.
Ridgestone Mining Inc. completed an induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey at its Rebeico Au-Cu project in Sonora. The survey comprised nine lines of IP, each 2 km long, for a total of 18 line kilometers spaced 200 m apart, covering an area of 1.6 by 2.0 km. Ridgestone has an option to acquire 100% interest in the project (subject to a 2% NSR) from YQ Gold de Mexico S. de R.L. (a Mexican corporation). The property covers 167 hectares, and includes the Alaska mine, which has old workings of up to 70 m of depth.

ON MINING

Torex Gold Resources Inc. released second quarter production results for 2018, period during which 80 K Oz Au were produced at its Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. Production has been ramping up, with 9 K tones per day (tpd) on April, 11 K tpd on May and 13 K tpd on June. The SART plant produced its first copper precipitate, with the operations team now taking the plant to full production. The updated technical report on El Limon-Guajes and Media Luna project is to be completed in late July/early August.
Sierra Metals Inc. announced the results of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua, with the report being filed within 45 days. The PEA includes a net present value (NPV) of US$214 M at 8% discount rate, a return on investment (ROI) of 550%, on 3-4 years payback period and a net after-tax cash flow of US$303 M. The plant is to process 5 K tpd at recovery rate of 85% Cu to produce 252.5 M Lb Cu on 11 years of mine life on the existing mineral resource estimate. The longhole stoping method is to be used for mining.
Endeavour Silver Corp. reported production results for the second quarter 2018. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 71.3 K tonnes were produced @ 225 g/t Ag, 0.67 g/t Au, recovering 90.2% Ag, 92.7% Au to obtain 464.9 K Oz Ag, 1,423 Oz Au. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 108.5 K tonnes were milled @ 91 g/t Ag, 1.82 g/t Au, recovering 78.3% Ag, 82.3% Au, to obtain 248.6 K Oz Ag, 5,222 Oz Au. At El Cubo, in Guanajuato, 134.5 K tonnes were milled @ 171 g/t Ag, 1.92 g/t Au, recovering 86.8% Ag, 84.6% Au, to obtain 642.4 K Oz Ag, 7,029 Oz Au. Consolidated production was 1,355.9 K Oz Ag, 13,674 Oz Au. The El Compas mine in Zacatecas is on track to commence commercial production by the end of July at the target capacity of 250 tpd.
Great Panther Silver Mines Ltd. reported production results for the second quarter 2018. At the Guanajuato Mine Complex, in Guanajuato, 77 K tonnes were processed @ 127 g/t Ag, 2.40 g/t Au, recovering 87.7% Ag, 88.2% Au to obtain 276.6 K Oz Ag, 5,240 Oz Au. At Topia, in Durango, 18.1 K tonnes were milled @ 371 g/t Ag, 0.69 g/t Au, recovering 93.9% Ag, 63.1% Au, to obtain 203.1 K Oz Ag, 253 Oz Au. Consolidated production of 95.2 K tonnes milled produced 479.8 K Oz Ag, 5,492 Oz Au, 480 tonnes Pb, 528 tonnes Zn.
Capstone Mining Corp. released production results for the second quarter of 2018, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 227.6 K tonnes were mined, 224.2 K tonnes milled (4,464 tpd) @ 1.66 % Cu, 1.04% Zn, 0.29% Pb, 45.3 g/t Ag. Recovery was 94.6% Cu, 66.4% Zn, 48.1% Pb, 77.5% Ag, to produce 13,581 tonnes of copper concentrate @ 25.9% Cu, 517 g/t Ag; 3,529 tonnes of zinc concentrate @ 47.5% Zn and 494 tonnes of lead concentrate @ 62.3% Pb, 1,717 g/t Ag.
Excellon Resources Inc. announced second quarter 2018 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango. Silver equivalent (AgEq) production increased 120% to 637.2 K Oz AgEq on Q2 2017 figures. 16.1 K tonnes were mined, 22.9 K tonnes milled @ 415 g/t Ag, 4.6% Pb, 6.7% Zn with recoveries of 89.6% Ag, 80.2% Pb, 82.2% Zn to produce 277.7 K Oz Ag, 1.85 M Lb Pb, 2.81 M Lb Zn, or 637.2 K Oz AgEq. Low-grade historical stockpiles and sump material with minimal associated mining cost continued to be processed. An AISC of less than $10 per Ag Oz was achieved.
Premier Gold Mines Ltd. released second quarter 2018 production results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Mercedes, in Sonora, 13,780 Oz Au, 44,366 Oz Ag were produced during the period. Production was impacted through the first half of the year owing to delays in the development of the Diluvio and Rey de Oro deposits. “Reinterpretation of the Diluvio ore shapes required changes to the stope designs. Mining in Rey de Oro was delayed by permitting requirements for the ventilation system”.
Hecla Mining Co. released preliminary results for the second quarter of 2018, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San Sebastian in Durango, 0.6 M Oz Ag, 3,872 Oz Au were produced in the period. The mill operated at an average of 415 tpd.

ON FINANCING

Prize Mining Corp. closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $6.5 M. No finder’s fees were paid as part of this transaction. (Mercedes, Sonora).
Candente Gold Corp. has applied to extend the exercise period of 5 M outstanding share purchase warrants issued at a private placement in August 2016. “The original expiry date was August 12, 2018 and if the extension is approved, the new expiration date will be August 12, 2020”.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Sierra Metals Inc. released a new mineral reserve estimate on the new PEA on its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. The Cu-Zn skarn (with Ag and Au credits). “Mineralization exhibits strong stratigraphic control and two stratigraphic horizons host the bulk of the mineralization: an upper calcic horizon, which predominantly hosts Zn-rich mineralization, and a lower dolomitic horizon, which predominantly hosts Cu-rich mineralization”. The indicated resources display 13.26 Mt @ 22.5 g/t Ag, 0.29 g/t Au, 1.04% Cu containing 9.6 M Oz Ag, 124 K Oz Au, 137.5 K tonnes Cu, and the inferred resources 8 M tonnes @ 22.4 g/t Ag, 0.42 g/t Au, 0.96% Cu containing 5.8 M Oz Ag, 109 Oz Au, 76.8 K tonnes Cu.
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Reported initial phase I drill results from the Garcia and Armado veins on its Veta Grande project in Zacatecas. Ten drill holes totaling 3,323 m of core drilling have been completed, having received results on the first six holes. Some highlighted true width intervals: 1.0 m @ 0.05 g/t Au, 209 g/t Ag; 0.32 m @ 0.37 g/t Au, 312 g/t Ag; 4 m @ 0.06 g/t Au, 168 g/t Ag; 0.95 m @ 1.36 g/t Au, 235 g/t Ag, 7.5% Pb, 8.7% Zn, 0.2% Cu; 0.65 m @ 292 g/t Ag; 0.88 m @ 1.73 g/t Au, 34 g/t Ag.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. released further phase III drill results for the Las Chispas property in Sonora. Highlighted intervals on the Babicanora vein: 2.0 m @ 0.87 g/t Au, 269 g/t Ag; 2.5 m @ 6.04 g/t Au, 369 g/t Ag (including (0.8 m @ 14.95 g/t Au, 742 g/t Ag); 0.6 m @ 2.19 g/t Au, 63 g/t Ag. Highlighted intervals on the Babicanora footwall vein include: 5 m @ 54.59 g7t Au 6,535 g/t Ag (including 0.5 m @ 183.50 g/t Au, 21,858 g/t Ag); 2.3 m @ 4.07 g/t Au, 436 g/t Ag; 0.9 m @ 1.15 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag. The sub parallel Babicanora FW vein high-grade footprint has now been traced for 250 m on strike.
Avino Silver Gold Mines Ltd. released drill results from the Chirumbo and Guadalupe areas of the Avino property in Durango. Avino vein highlighted core length intersects include 15.4 m @ 0.20 g/t Au, 129 g/t Ag, 0.64% Cu; 42.75 m @ 0.45 g/t Au, 46 g/t Ag, 0.44% Cu; 15.85 m @ 4.13 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu; 7.35 m @ 0.36 g/t Au, 47 g/t Ag, 0.33% Cu; 6.0 m @ 0.09 g/t Au, 202 g/t Ag, 0.64% Cu. Highlighted Guadalupe vein results include 0.60 m @ 1.38 g/t Au, 90 g/t Ag, 0.76% Cu; 1.50 m @ 4.79 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu; 3.75 m @ 0.32 g/t Au, 171 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu; 1.60 m @ 0.23 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu; 5.20 m @ 0.07 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag, 0.34% Cu; 3.90 m @ 0.33 g/t Au, 129 g/t Ag, 0.75% Cu. The Guadalupe vein has shown to extend along 800 m and to a depth of 250 m. Avino is planning a new drill program targeting the Aguila Mexicana vein system, which is one of the strongest and widest structures on the property.
Kootenay Silver Inc. released the results of eight core holes from its La Cigarra property in Chihuahua. The holes tested parts of the Las Carolinas, La Borracha and La Nogalera zones, returning medium to high grade silver intercepts in all areas. Highlighted results include: At La Borracha 12.37 m @ 33 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn; At La Nogalera 1.78 m @ 48 g/t Ag, 0.72 g/t Au; 4.0 m @ 736 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.1% Zn; At Las Carolinas 14.0 m @ 79 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au (including 6.79 m @ 144 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au; 41.38 m @ 45 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au.
Golden Minerals Co. disclosed that surface mapping and sampling identified the eastern extension to the Santa Maria vein at the Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Several other veins were also discovered in the adjacent Cervantes concessions in an exploration exercise on which 542 rock chip samples were collected. The Santa Maria vein occurs as a series of quartz-calcite veins up to 4.5 m in width, returning assays as high as 0.6 g/t Au, 347 g/t Ag, 1.2% Zn. The Cervantes quartz-calcite vein system occurs 800 m east of the current resource area, for 700 m of strike length, returning up to 1.6 g/t Au, 207 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 5.6% Pb, 19.5% Zn over widths of up to 1.3 m. Golden estimates completing the PEA during the third quarter of 2018.
Orla Mining Ltd. filed a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on its Camino Rojo property, Zacatecas. The PEA visualizes a technically simple open pit mine and heap-leach operation with low capital and operating costs, “rapid payback and strong financial performance”. The project envisages a 3.3 payback period, working at a 18 K tpd rate that would place 42.5 M tonnes of material on the heaps @ 0.71 g/t Au, 13.6 g/t Ag (966 K Oz Au, 18.5 M Oz Ag), with a recovery rate of 67% Au and 15% Ag, producing 97,500 Oz/year at an All-in sustaining cost of $555 Oz/Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Discovery Metals Corp. announced the appointment of Gernot Wober as its Vice-President Exploration (Puerto Rico, Coahuila).
Riverside Resources Inc. and Sinaloa Resources Inc. signed a letter of intent (LOI) whereby Sinaloa Resources can earn up to 100% interest in Riverside’s La Silla project in Sinaloa. The initial option to earn 70% lies on Sinaloa issuing shares for $1 M, $60K in cash payments and exploration work commitments of $3 M over 36 months. To earn an additional 30% Sinaloa must spend a further $1 M in exploration and issue Riverside $500 K in shares. Riverside is to retain a 2.5% NSR if Riverside’s interest reduces to less than 10%. Previous work in the 2,071 hectares project includes 6 drill holes on the El Roble system, with intersects of up to 15 m @ 6.9 g/t Au.
Riverside Resources Inc. announced that drilling assays from two campaigns funded by Centerra Gold Inc. returned insufficient mineralized thickness and continuity to justify further exploration on the Glor project in Sonora. Riverside believes it has tested the best targets on the property and has terminated the underlying option earn-in agreement with Argonaut Gold.

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, structure in fine grained sedimentary rocks with iron oxides and minor quartz veining, greenish clays on the walls. From a shallow epithermal system in Guanajuato. Picture by Jorge Cirett

Torex Provides Corporate Update: 241,000 Ounces Of Gold Poured In 2017

January 8, 2018 / lauragpm / Leave a comment

Torex Gold Resources Inc

TORONTO, Ontario, January 8, 2018 – Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the “Company” or “Torex”) (TSX:TXG) announces that 241,000 ounces of gold were poured and 244,800 ounces of gold were sold in the 10 months of operations in 2017, the second ramp-up year at its El Limon-Guajes Mine located in southwest Mexico. The Company also provides a corporate update, including progress towards the re-start of operations at its mine site and a senior leadership change.

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