Quartz blade texture in a low-sulphidation epithermal vein
By Miguel A Heredia
During the 20th week of the year (May 17th to May 21st, 2023), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four communicating production and financial results, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, two announcing financing issues, two informing on exploration results, and one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Alamos Gold and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of May, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri reported a strong soil gas hydrocarbon gold anomaly at its Evelyn-Plomo project. In Oaxaca, Vortex initiated environmental and surface geological studies at its Zaachila project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results. Sierra Metals announced Q1, 2023 production and financial results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. Starcore reported Q4, 2023 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Excellon announced Q1, 2023 financial results. ON FINANCING, Fabled announced that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K (Mecatona project, Chihuahua). Excellon announced a private placement financing for up to CAD $10M of subscription receipts (La Negra mine, Queretaro). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Guanajuato Silver released drill results from their San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato and Topia mine in Durango. Alamos Gold reported results from its ongoing drilling program at Puerto del Aire deposit and Capulin target within its Mulatos mine in Sonora. GoGold announced results of its initial Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Tocvan provided an update and sampling results from a bulk sample completed at its Pilar project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla granted stock options to Directors, Officers, Employees, and Consultants (Panuco project, Sinaloa). Fabled provided an update on the agreement with Kootenay to acquire the Mecatona property in Chihuahua. Excellon provided corporate highlights for the three month ended March 31, 2023. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Alamos Gold Inc., and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of May, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Colibri Resource Corporation reported a strong soil gas hydrocarbon gold anomaly (SGH) south of the main Zone at its Evelyn-Plomo project in Sonora. To define this anomaly, a total of 110 soils samples were collected at 25m stations along 100m spaced lines. “Collectively, these interpreted features indicate a robust SGH response with a high degree of confidence that it is indicative of blind mineralization underlying the southern SGH gold anomaly”. Colibri plans to drill test this target with the hopes of expanding the Main Zone, as well as to continue evaluating the SGH method as a tool for future exploration on the Evelyn-Plomo project.
Vortex Metals Inc., initiated environmental and surface geological studies at its Zaachila project in Oaxaca. It will allow protecting the local environment and deepening the understanding of the project´s potential to advance its pursuit of multiple high-grade copper targets.
ON MINING
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results from its Cosala operation in Sinaloa. The company produced approximately 265K Oz Ag, 2.7M Lb Pb, and 7.2M Lb Zn. Cash cost and AISC were USD $4.61 per Oz Ag and USD $9.52 per Oz Ag respectively. Production for 2023 is expected to be between 1.2-1.4M Oz Ag,11-13M Lb Pb, and 33-37M Lb Zn, benefiting from more production from the higher-grade silver areas in the Upper Zone of the San Rafael mine.
Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q1, 2023 production and financial results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, the company processed 299K tonnes at a cash and AISC of USD $1.85 and USD $3.1 per CuEq payable pound. It reported cost of sales of USD $14.93M; a total cash cost of USD $13.16M; and a cash cost of USD $43.99 per ton processed. At Cusi mine, the company processed 59.1K tonnes at a cash and AISC of USD $23.02 and USD $29.8 per Oz AgEq payable. It reported cost of sales of USD $5.8M; a total cash cost of USD $5.23M; and a cash cost of USD $88.43 per ton processed.
Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q4, 2023 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 56,821 tonnes of 1.46 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 86.12% and 48.72% respectively to produce 2,409 Oz AuEq.
Excellon Resources Inc., announced Q1, 2023 financial results. Excellon reported a reversal of the USD $22M litigation liability relating to the previously disclosed judgment against one of the company’s subsidiaries in Mexico; a gain on the deconsolidation of San Pedro of USD $24.25M; other income of USD $1.58M; and a net income of USD $15.9M. The company announced in its 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) a post-tax NPV (using a discount rate of 5%) of USD $132.4M and estimated restart capital of USD $20.9M, based on the PEA.
ON FINANCING
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K at a price of CAD $0.05 per unit. Gross proceeds will be used to complete a phase 1 exploration program at the Mecatona project in Chihuahua, and for general working capital purposes.
Excellon Resources Inc., announced a private placement financing for up to CAD $10M of subscription receipts at an offer price of CADS $0.35 per subscription receipt (La Negra mine, Queretaro).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., released drill results from their San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato and Topia mine in Durango. At San Ignacio mine, drilling highlights reported in true widths include hole UGSI23-008 with 1.95 g/t Au and 501 g/t Ag (657 g/t AgEq) over 1.90m, including 3.42 g/t Au and 744 g/t Ag (1,018 g/t AgEq) over 0.70m, plus 2.01 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (163 g/t AgEq) over 0.22m, plus 0.23 g/t Au and 94 g/t Ag (113 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; hole UGSI23-009 with 1.26 g/t Au and 415 g/t Ag (516 g/t AgEq) over 1.93m, including 4.14 g/t Au and 2,020 g/t Ag (2,351 g/t AgEq) over 0.22m, plus 0.25 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag (133 g/t AgEq) over 0.77m, including 0.46 g/t Au and 215 g/t Ag (252 g/t AgEq) over 0.40m; and hole UGSI23-010 with 1.78 g/t Au and 557 g/t Ag (699 g/t AgEq) over 0.45m, plus 1.68 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (142 g/t AgEq) over 1.68m, including 2.57 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (215 g/t AgEq) over 0.64m, plus 1.72 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag (260 g/t AgEq) over 1.72m, including 2.94 g/t Au and 151 g/t Ag (386 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m, plus 0.32 g/t Au and 334 g/t Ag (359 g/t AgEq) over 4.89m, including 1.25 g/t Au and 1,947 g/t Ag (2,047 g/t AgEq) over 0.37m. At Topia mine, drilling highlights reported in true widths include hole UT23-458 with 4.39 g/t Au, 660 g/t Ag, 3.2% Pb, and 8.5% Zn (1,435 g/t AgEq) over 0.45m, plus 13.89 g/t Au, 152 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 5.6% Zn (1,551 g/t AgEq) over 0.10m; hole UT23-459 with 2.02 g/t Au, 938 g/t Ag, 24.6% Pb, and 9.8% Zn (2,150 g/t AgEq) over 0.42m; hole UT23-460 with 8.16 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag, 2.1% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (923 g/t AgEq) over 0.45m; hole UT23-461 with 3.53 g/t Au, 905 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 7.8% Zn (1,525 g/t AgEq) over 0.10m; hole UT23-463 with 6.55 g/t Au, 1,424 g/t Ag, 4.8% Pb, and 13.8% Zn (2,674 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m; and hole UT23-465 with 0.0 g/t Au, 731 g/t Ag, 4% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (851 g/t AgEq) over 0.15m.
Alamos Gold Inc., reported results from its ongoing drilling program at Puerto del Aire deposit and Capulin target within its Mulatos mine in Sonora. At Puerto del Aire deposit, drilling highlights reported in true widths and values > 40 g/t Au capped include hole 23MUL117 with 20.95 g/t Au (11.14 g/t Au cut) over 14.15m; hole 23MUL119 3.52 g/t Au over 17.05m, plus 8.33 g/t Au over 18m; hole 23MUL112 with 14.81 g/t Au (12.34 g/t Au cut) over 9.1m; hole 23MUL108 with 16.19 g/t Au (7.63 g/t Au cut) over 7.75m; hole 23MUL98 with 10.8 g/t Au over 3m, plus 33.14 g/t Au over 3.05m: and hole 23MUL115 with 15.49 g/t Au (13.89 g/t Au cut) over 6m. These results extend high-grade gold mineralization outside of Mineral Reserves and Resources at Puerto Del Aire. At Capulin target, drilling highlights include hole 23REF012 with 2.01 g/t Au over 82.45m, including 4.81 g/t Au over 16.40m, including 5.38 g/t Au over 12.35m. Capulin target is located 2km east of the former San Carlos open pit.
GoGold Resources Inc., announced results of its initial Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlights of the PEA include an after-tax NPV (using a discount rate of 5%) of USD $413M, with an after-tax IRR of USD $29%; a 13-year mine life producing a total of 110.3M payable Oz AgEq, consisting of 68M Oz Ag, 221.7K Oz Au, 22.8M Lb Cu, 144.1M Lb Pb, and 242.2M Lb Zn; an initial capital costs of USD $221M, including USD $29M in contingency costs, over an expected 18 month build, additional expansion capital of USD $137M, and sustaining capital costs of USD $6M over the life of mine (LOM); an average LOM operating cash costs of USD $9.50 per Oz AgEq, and all in sustaining costs (AISC) of USD $9.68 per Oz AgEq; an average annual production of 8.8M Oz AgEq in years one through twelve; and approximately 3/4 of LOM production is from four open pits containing oxide mineralization and approximately 1/4 is from a separate open pit which contains only sulphide mineralization.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an update and sampling results from a bulk sample completed at its Pilar project in Sonora. Tocvan reported bulk sample material averaging grades of 1.9 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag from 148 samples ranging from 0.8 to 3.4 g/t Au and from 5 to 26 g/t Ag. Additionally, 32 fine fraction samples excluded from heap leach process returned Au values from 1.2 to 2.8 g/t Au, with a weighted mean of 2.02 g/t Au, and Ag values from 9 to 25 g/t Ag, with a weighted mean of 16 g/t Ag. The fine fraction along with additional bulk sample material will be used in testing gravity recovery methods. “The heap leach process is currently underway for the Bulk Sample. Over 800 tonnes of Bulk Sample material have been prepared for heap leach processing, an additional 350 tonnes of crushed material and 250 tonnes of raw-bulk sample are available for gravity recovery and later agitated leach testing”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Vizsla Silver Corporation granted 3.85M stock options at an exercise price of $1.60 to Directors, Officers, Employees, and Consultants. The options are exercisable for a period of five years and will vest over the next two years (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., provided an update on the agreement with Kootenay to acquire the Mecatona property in Chihuahua. “The company has been in the process of preparing required documentation in respect of the Proposed Transaction including a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Mecatona Property. The Company is continuing to correspond with the TSX Venture Exchange regarding the Proposed Transaction and will provide further updates in due course”.
Excellon Resources Inc., provided corporate highlights for the three month ended March 31, 2023. The company announced the acquisition of the post-producing La Negra mine in Queretaro. La Negra is a fully permitted mine with Indicated Mineral Resources of approximately 15.1M Oz AgEq at 191 g/t AgEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of approximately 41.8M Oz AgEq at 202 g/t AgEq.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, quartz blade texture in a low-sulphidation epithermal vein system in a prospect in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
Quartz veining hosted in a hydrothermaly-altered intrusive
By Miguel A Heredia
During the 18th week of the year (May 1st to May 7th, 2023), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media, with eleven reporting resources and developments of their properties, six commenting on Mexican issues, four communicating production and financial results, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, three announcing financing issues, two informing on exploration results, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fortuna Silver reported an illegal blockade at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. At least 40 companies from Canada and the United States that operate in Mexico expressed their intention to protect themselves after the approval of the reforms to the Mining Law. Chesapeake has initiated legal proceedings against the Dirección General de Minas of Mexico (DGM) with the Federal Court of Administrative Justice in the state of Durango, Mexico in response to the DGM’s cancellation of the San Vicente 3 mineral concession. Radius filed a legal demand with a Federal Mexican Court to obtain title to the Amelia 4 mining concession at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. The Senate of Mexico approved the mining reform that reduces and facilitates the cancellation of concessions. Bendito Resources, Infinitum Copper, Pan American Silver, and Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of May, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Infinitum Copper reported results from 6 of 12 drill holes collared at its Adelita project. In Chihuahua, Reyna Silver provided an update on their Batopilas and Guigui projects. ON MINING, Capstone, Argonaut, and First Majestic reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results for their Mexican operations. Minera Alamos reported full year 2022 production and financial results from its Santana property in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Sonoro Gold announced it plans to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Kootenay announced a private placement for gross proceeds of $4M (Columba project, Chihuahua). First Majestic announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend payment in the amount of $0.0057 per common share for Q1, 2023. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Xali received the change in soil use permit for its El Oro Tailings project in Mexico State. Bendito Resources presented results from the last 9 of 18 RC holes drilled at its El Alacran project in Sonora. Silver Tiger announced results from its ongoing drill program at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Capstone reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources for its Cozamin property in Zacatecas as at January 1, 2023. GR Silver filed a NI 43-101 technical report to provide an updated resource estimate for its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. GoGold released additional results from its ongoing drilling campaign at its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Oroco presented a Mineral Resource Estimate as of April 21, 2013 for its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Prime announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Pan American Silver released results of eighth holes drilled at La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Minera Alamos announced positive results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. Torex provided the second quarterly update on its Media Luna project in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bear Creek announced its CEO succession (Mercedes mine, Sonora). GR Silver announced the retirement of its CFO and the appointment of its replacement (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Tarachi signed a definitive agreement for the sale of Magistral Tailings project in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden completed a social impact assessment relating to its Ixtaca project in Puebla, and underlying mineral claim area.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported an illegal blockade at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca due to a group of workers did not agree with the estimated amount the Company is to distribute among the workforce as part of the worker´s profit sharing entitlement. Profit sharing is a transparent calculation and is payable in accordance with Mexican legislation. As a consequence, operations at the mine have been temporarily halted.
At least 40 companies from Canada and the United States that operate in Mexico expressed their intention to protect themselves after the approval of the reforms to the Mining Law by the government because they consider that they are violating their rights and that they are being changing the rules of the game. The law firm Von Wobeser y Sierra, anticipated that they will also consider the international arbitration considered as a mechanism to resolve disputes within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) and the Trans-Pacific Economic Cooperation Agreement (TPP). The elimination of the concepts of Free Land and First Applicant are the elements that most concern companies because with them the government could “legalize” the non-granting of concessions to private parties, by giving the exploration monopoly to the Mexican Geological Service (SGM). ), warned the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex). Until now, the Canadian mining company Silver Bull Resources presented in March to the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) its intention to claim economic damages for at least USD $178M for the blockade of its Sierra Mojada Project since September 2019. The American Vulcan Materials presented to ICSID a claim for an estimated damage of at least USD 1.9 B against Mexico for the closure and occupation of the Sac-Tun mine (formerly Calica) and the Punta Venado pier in Playa del Carmen. A resolution on this issue is pending since May 2022.
Chesapeake Gold Corporation has initiated legal proceedings against the Dirección General de Minas of Mexico (DGM) with the Federal Court of Administrative Justice in the state of Durango, Mexico in response to the DGM’s cancellation of the San Vicente 3 mineral concession, on the basis that the Company did not provide adequate evidence to support the Company’s performance of the exploration work required to maintain the concession. The Company’s legal position, approved by external Mexican legal counsel, is that the work required to maintain the concession was conducted on the property and appropriate evidence was submitted to the DGM to substantiate the work. The San Vicente 3 mineral concession is one of 12 mineral concessions comprising the Metates property, representing 700 hectares of the 4,260 hectares in the Metates project, and encompasses a portion of the Metates mineral resource. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position with respect to the San Vicente 3 mineral concession.
Radius Gold Inc., filed a legal demand with a Federal Mexican Court to obtain title to the Amelia 4 mining concession at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. “Radius and project JV partner Pan American Silver Corp. have completed all the requirements, fee payments and surveys for the Amalia 4 application. The mining authority of Chihuahua has processed and approved the submission without fault and passed the license to the Mexico Mining Directorate proposing title issuance. The regulated time for the mining authority to comment and request revision has passed and granting of title is a legal requirement under the mining law. Radius has filed a legal demand to enforce the granting of title. Radius legal counsel believes the Company has clear legal right to the application and title. Legal counsel has been successful in obtaining granted concessions in similar situations recently”.
The Senate of Mexico approved the mining reform that reduces and facilitates the cancellation of concessions. The legal changes were approved despite Canada’s claim and in an express session in which twenty laws and reforms were endorsed in just five hours. The senators approved modifications to the Mining, National Water, General Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection laws, and the General for the Prevention and Integral Management of Waste. The reform will allow the government to only grant mining concessions through a public tender and with prior consultation with indigenous peoples, in addition to facilitating the revocation of the license for environmental damage. The reform could generate tensions with the partners of the T-MEC, in particular with Canada, which has already complained in recent days. The Canadian Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng, revealed last Wednesday that she spoke with the Secretary of the Economy of Mexico, Raquel Buenrostro, to express the “concern” of the Canadian government with the then proposed reform of the country’s mining sector, in the that Canadian companies constitute the largest foreign investor.
GoGold Resources Inc., Bendito Resources Inc., Infinitum Copper Corp., Pan American Silver Corp., and Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of May, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Infinitum Copper Corp., reported results from 6 of 12 drill holes collared at its Adelita project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ADD-22-0021 with 0.51% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag, and 0.6% Zn (1% CuEq) over a true width (TW) of 19.85m, including 0.83% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag and 0.8% Zn (1.51% CuEq) over a TW of 7.98m, including 0.41% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag, and 0.5% Zn (0.83% CuEq) over a TW of 8.69m; and hole AD-22-0028 with 0.8% Cu, 0.35 g/t Au, and 19 g/t Ag (1.22% CuEq) over a TW of 48.7m, including 0.85% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, and 29 g/t Ag (1.34% CuEq) over a TW of 20.38m, including 1.03% Cu, 0.51 g/t Au, and 16 g/t Ag (1.54% CuEq) over a TW of 20.76m. “AD-22-0028 is the only drill hole which has intersected the large and distinct magneto-telluric anomaly on the eastern flank of the Cerro Grande anticline”. The intersection of hole AD-22- 0028 is open to the north, east and west.
Reyna Silver Corp., provided an update on their Batopilas and Guigui projects in Chihuahua. At Batopilas, Chihuahua, the company has carried out detailed sampling and structural programs, as well as conducted a detailed AMT geophysics study to outline major structures and features that may control vein control and location of mineralization, as well as to understand the historic ore shots geometry and mineralization surface expressions , including the newly identified gold-bearing structures. The company plans to drill again in the property a minimum of 3,000m once the final combining of the historical data, drill results, and detailed follow-up work is complete. At Guigui project, Chihuahua, the previous Phase 1 and 2 of drilling revealed critical components of an important CRD system. These drill programs identified a 0.5 square km skarn footprint that remains open in all directions. The company recently executed a Natural Source Audio MagnetoTellurics (NSAMT) survey and is waiting for the final interpretation to integrate into the developing drill-target model for the Phase 2 drilling program this year.
ON MINING
Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results from its Cozamin property in Zacatecas. The company produced 11.65M Lb Cu at a cash cost of 1.72 per Lb Cu produced. Realized copper price was USD $4.17 per Lb.
Argonaut Gold Inc., reported production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At La Colorada, Sonora, the company reported that it sold 5,086 Oz Au; a cost of sales of USD $12.7M; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of USD $2,505; a production cost of USD $8M; a cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au sold of USD $2,229 and USD $2,333 respectively. At San Agustin, Durango, it reported that 11,491 Oz Au were sold; a cost of sales of USD $22.7M; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of USD $1,980; a production cost of USD $17.4M; a cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au sold of USD $1,558 and USD $1,627 respectively. At El Castillo, Durango, the company reported that it sold 7,358 Oz Au; a cost of sales of USD $14.5M; a cost of sales per Oz Au sold of USD $1,976; a production cost of USD $8.3M; a cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au sold of USD $1,675 in both cases.
First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Figures by mine operation is shown in the table below:
Minera Alamos Inc., reported full year 2022 production and financial results from its Santana property in Sonora. The company recovered and sold 11.67K Oz Au and reported revenue s of $21.7M; costs of goods sold of $13.5M for gross profits of $8.18M; net income of $5.6M; cash and cash equivalents of $13.15M; and working capital as of December 31, 2022 of $18.3M.
ON FINANCING
Sonoro Gold Corp., announced it plans to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M. The company will use the net proceeds to fund the ongoing development of a proposed heap leach mining operation at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora.
Kootenay Silver Inc., announced a private placement for gross proceeds of $4M. Gross proceeds will be used for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (Columba project, Chihuahua).
First Majestic Silver Corp., announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend payment in the amount of USD $0.0057 per common share for Q1, 2023. The first quarter cash dividend will be paid to holders of record of First Majestic’s common shares as of the close of business on May 18, 2023, and will be distributed on or about June 9, 2023.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Xali Gold Corp., and its partner Sun River Gold Corp., received the change in soil use permit for its El Oro Tailings project in Mexico State. This is the main permit required for the El Oro Tailings project that allows moving out the tailings from the historical deposition site which is within the town of El Oro and to the industrial processing site outside of the town.
Bendito Resources Inc., presented results from the last 9 of 18 RC holes totaling 2,031m drilled at its El Alacran project in Sonora as part of the 2023 Phase 1 exploration program focused on demonstrating the southeastward extension of mineralization from the historical resources established at Loma Bonita and Mesa de Plata. Drilling highlights include hole BSS-23-011 with 0.13 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (0.24 g/t AuEq) over 33m, including 0.26 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (0.5 g/t AuEq) over 3m, plus 0.89 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag (1,15 g/t AuEq) over 27m, including 1.89 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag (2.27 g/t AuEq) over 6m, plus 1.32 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag (1.74 g/t AuEq) over 3m; hole BSS-23-015 with 0.45 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.48 g/t AuEq) over 24m, including 2.37 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (2.39 g/t AuEq) over 3m, plus 0.27 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag (0.44 g/t AuEq) over 63m, including 0.49 g/t Au and 39 g/t Ag (0.94 g/t AuEq) over 15m, plus 0.11 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag (0.31 g/t AuEq) over 52.5m, including 0.21 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag (0.71 g/t AuEq) over 7.5m; hole BSS-23-016 with 0.31 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (0.45 g/t AuEq) over 66m, including 2.26 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (2.3 g/t AuEq) over 7.5m, 8.06 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (8.07 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.15 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.2 g/t AuEq) over 19.5m, plus 0.16 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.19 g/t AuEq) over 12m; and hole BSS-23-018 with 0.16 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.21 g/t AuEq) over 9m, plus 0.08 g/t Au and 39 g/t Ag (0.53 g/t AuEq) over 93m, including 0.08 g/t Au and 84 g/t Ag (1.07 g/t AuEq) over 7.5m, plus 0.09 g/t Au and 59 g/t Ag (0.79 g/t AuEq) over 15m.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., announced results from its ongoing drill program at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlights of the ongoing drilling program include hole ET-23-457 in the Sulphide Zone with 0.11 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (439 g/t AgEq) over 38.7m, including 0.17 g/t Au, 693 g/t Ag, 0.6% Cu, 3% Pb, and 4.6% Zn (987 g/t AgEq) over 15.8m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 1,100 g/t Ag, 0.87% Cu, 5.1% Pb, and 8% Zn (1,581 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 0.13 g/t Au, 1,246 g/t Ag, 1% Cu, 6.4% Pb, and 13.4% Zn (1,949 g/t AgEq) over 3.4m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 1,943 g/t Ag, 1.58% Cu, 7.3% Pb, and 10.9% Zn (2,642 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “This hole added an additional 100 metres of down dip extent to east from Hole 428 to 457 and what it was thought was a thin zone of a little over a meter went to almost 39 meters of high grade mineralization. Step out drilling now continues south”.
Capstone Copper Corp., reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources for its Cozamin property in Zacatecas as at January 1, 2023. The company announced Probable Mineral Reserves of 10.2M tonnes with grades of 1.6% Cu, 43 g/t Ag, 0.5% Zn, and 0.3% Pb. It also presented Measured + Indicated Resources of 19.7M tonnes with grades of 1.58% Cu, 47 g/t Ag, 1.1% Zn, and 0.4% Pb, and Inferred Resources of 12.3M tonnes with grades of 0.72% Cu, 38 g/t Ag, 2% Zn, and 0.8% Pb. (Mineral Reserve is reported inclusive of Mineral Resource).
GR Silver Mining Ltd., filed a NI 43-101 technical report to provide an updated resource estimate for its Plomosas project in Sinaloa as of March 15, 2023. The company reported Indicated Resources of 15M tonnes with grades of 117 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (179 g/t AgEq) for a total of 55M Oz Ag, 84.5K Oz Au, 143.4M Lb Pb, 201-6M Lb Zn, and 8.96M Lb Cu (85M Oz AgEq) and Inferred Resources of 9M tonnes with grades of 78 g/t Ag, 0.38 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, 1% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (171 g/T AgEq) for a total of 22M Oz Ag, 108.2K Oz Au, 143.4M Lb Pb, 203.8M Lb Zn, and 6.7M Lb Cu (49M Oz AgEq).
GoGold Resources Inc., released additional results from its ongoing drilling campaign at Eagle Area within its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-162 with 6.07 g/t Au and 1,064 g/t Ag (20.26 g/t AuEq or 1,519 g/t AgEq) over 31m, including 19.38 g/t Au and 3,922 g/t Ag (71.67 g/t AuEq or 5,375 g/t AgEq) over 8.1m, including 144 g/t Au and 36,319 g/t Ag (628.25 g/t AuEq or 47,119 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; hole LRGAG-22-147 with 1.06 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag (1.63 g/t AuEq or 122 g/t AgEq) over 46.6m, including 3.24 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag (4.25 g/t AuEq or 319 g/t AgEq) over 13.4m, including 24.3 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag (24.9 g/t AuEq or 1,867 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m; hole LRGAG-22-150 with 6.96 g/t Au and 65 g/t Ag (7.83 g/t AuEq or 587 g/t AgEq) over 11.3m, including 12.02 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag (13.36 g/t AuEq or 1,002 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 32.1 g/t Au and 157 g/t Ag (34.19 g/t AuEq or 2,564 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; hole LRGAG-22-158 with 2.19 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag (4.03 g/t AuEq or 302 g/t AgEq) over 24.6m, including 3.87 g/t Au and 340 g/t Ag (8.41 g/t AuEq or 631 g/t AgQ) over 8.8m, including 13.06 g/t Au and 2,660 g/t Ag (48.52 g/t AuEq or 3,639 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m; and hole LRGAG-22-161 with 2.51 g/t Au and 339 g/t Ag (7.03 g/t AuEq or 527 g/t AgEq) over 33m, including 5.16 g/t Au and 945 g/t Ag (17.76 g/t AuEq or 1,332 g/t AgEq) over 9.6m, including 19.58 g/t Au and 3,665 g/t Ag (68.46 g/t AuEq or 5,134 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m. GoGold continues to work toward an upcoming updated Los Ricos South Mineral Resource and Preliminary Economic Assessment, which is expected to be completed by the end of June, 2023.
Oroco Resource Corp., presented a Mineral Resource Estimate as of April 21, 2023 for its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The company reported Indicated Resources of 487.3M tonnes with grades of 0.32% Cu, 0.009% Mo, 0.03 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.36% CuEq) for a total of 3.4 B Lb Cu, 91.9M Lb Mo, 392.8K Oz Au, and 32.7M Oz Ag (3.86 B Lb CuEq), and Inferred Resources of 599.9M tonnes with grades of 0.32% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.03 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.36% CuEq) for a total of 4.17 B Lb Cu, 95.6M Lb Mo, 500.6K Oz Au, and 38.5M Oz Ag (4.69 B Lb CuEq). Oroco believes Santo Tomas has a substantial resource that is exposed at or near surface and has robust potential to support a large, low-cost open-pit mining operation. “The MRE confirms the high potential of the project, which remains open to the north and south, with clear potential for further expansion of the resource and further conversion of MRE Inferred resources to an Indicated resource classification”.
Prime Mining Corp., announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. The company reported in the Mill Category a total of 16.6M tonnes of Indicated Resources with grades of 1.66 g/t Au and 60 g/t Ag (2.44 g/t AuEq) for a total of 888K Oz Au and 32.18M Oz Ag (1.3M Oz AuEq) contained, and Inferred Resources of 10.8M tonnes of 1.18 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag (1.79 g(/t AuEq) for a total of 411K Oz Au and 16.39M Oz Ag (623K Oz AuEq) contained. In the Heap Leach Category Prime reported a total of 10.5M tonnes of Inferred Resources with grades of 0.37 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (0.49 g/t AuEq) for a total of 125K Oz Au and 3.08M Oz Ag (165K Oz AuEq), and Inferred Resources of 7.3M tones of 0.37 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (0.47 g/t AuEq) for a total of 86K Oz Au and 1.9M Oz Ag (111K Oz AuEq). Indicated Resources (Mill + Heap Leach) are 27.2M tonnes of 1.16 g/t Au and 40 g/t Ag (1.68 g/t AuEq) for a total of 1.01M Oz Au and 35.5M Oz Ag (1.47M Oz AuEq) and Inferred Resources (Mill + Heap Leach) of 18.1M tonnes of 0.85 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (1.26 g/t AuEq) for a total of 497K Oz Au and 18.3M Oz Ag (734K Oz AuEq).
Pan American Silver Corp., released results of eighth holes drilled at La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Drilling highlights include hole D-96-10-22 with 391 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 10.8% Pb, and 8.5% Zn over 64.3m, including 914 g/t Ag, 0.19% Cu, 25.2% Pb, and 16.7% Zn over 23.25m, plus 154 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 2.2% Pb, and 0.9% Zn over 22.75m, plus 27 g/t Ag, 0.23% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 5% Zn over 13.3m, plus 37 g(/t Ag, 0.14% Cu, 1.1% Pb, and 6.4% Zn over 135.7m; hole D-96-12-23 with 233 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 6.6% Pb, and 7.3% Zn over 109.55m, including 487 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 15.5% Pb, and 10.1% Zn over 44.7m, plus 54 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 1.3% Pb, and 2.6% Zn over 18m; hole D-96-09-22 with 106 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 1.3% Pb, and 2.6% Zn over 5m, plus 123 g/t Ag, 0.11% Cu, 3.5%Pb, and 8.6% Zn over 21.2m, plus 162 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 3.5% Pb, and 3.5% Zn over 26.95m, plus 98 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 4% Zn over 72.6m; hole D-98-11-22 with 165 g/t Ag, 0.12% Cu, 4.4% Pb, and 9.3% Zn over 17.05m, plus 134 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 5.3% Pb, and 6.9% Zn over 6.4m, plus 56 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 1.6% Pb, and 4.2% Zn over 9.90m, plus 152 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 2.8% Zn over 20.5m, plus 79 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 1.9% Zn over 14.55m; hole U-138-22 with 122 g/t Ag, 0.08% Cu, 2.7% Pb, and 5.3% Zn over 4.05m, plus 193 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 10.8% Pb, and 9.3% Zn over 71.35m, including 231 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 13-1% Pb, and 11% Zn over 57.95m, plus 49 g/t Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 1.1% Zn over 40.3m; hole U-112-22 with 80 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 1.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn over 15.25m, plus 141 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 5.8% Pb, and 5.5% Zn over 53.15m, including 243 g/t Ag, 0.08% Cu, 11.3% Pb, and 8.3% Zn over 15.15m, plus 66 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 3.5% Zn over 14.7m, plus 25 g/t Ag, 0.08% Cu, 1.7% Pb, and 3.8% Zn over 32.95m; and hole D-93-06-23 with 304 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 4.7% Pb, and 2.5% Zn over 21.45m, plus 17 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 1.7% Pb, and 3.8% Zn over 5.05m, plus 40 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 2.7% Pb, and 3.5% Zn over 31.2m, plus 27g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.9% Pb, and 4.7% Zn over 143.3m, plus 22 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 3.7% Pb, and 5.9% Zn over 5.1m, plus 49 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 1.5% Pb, and 4.4% Zn over 74.2m.
Minera Alamos Inc., announced positive results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. In April, 2023 it also completed the documentation necessary to formally proceed with the Cerro de Oro permitting process. “Discussions continue with a number of interested lending partners to provide the modest capital funding requirements for the development of the Cerro de Oro mine”.
Torex Gold Resources Inc., provided the second quarterly update on its Media Luna project in Guerrero. The Media Luna project continues to track overall schedule and budget. “At quarter-end, the project was 24% complete across engineering, procurement, underground development, and surface construction. With no major changes to the project execution plan, first concentrate production remains on track for late 2024, with commercial production still anticipated in early 2025. At quarter end, 34% of upfront project expenditures had been committed, including 22% incurred. The level of spending on the project is expected to increase throughout the remainder of the year, with total project expenditures of USD $390M to USD $440M guided in 2023.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced its CEO succession after the previous one decided to retire from such position. This appointment will be effective on June 5, 2023 (Mercedes mine, Sonora).
GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced the retirement of its CFO and the appointment of its replacement effective immediately (Plomosas project, Sinaloa).
Tarachi Gold Corp., signed a definitive agreement dated May 2, 2023 with Compañía Minera de Atocha S.A. de C.V., for the sale of Magistral Tailings project in Durango. The company expects to receive USD $5.7M as follow: USD $2.5M on or before closing; USD $0.5 of the USD $1M currently held in Canadian escrow account will be released to Tarachi on or before closing; The remaining USD $500K in the escrow account will be released to Tarachi when Atocha concludes negotiations with the Ejido Magistral, or after 12 months, whichever occurs first; USD $500K will be paid to Tarachi six months from closing, less any contingency costs, if any, that arise after closing that were incurred by Tarachi but not identified during due diligence. US$500K will be paid to Tarachi when 50% of the tailings located on the Magistral Project have been mined, sold and/or processed or after the first complete calendar year of operation at the Magistral Project, whichever occurs first; USD $500K will be paid to Tarachi when 100% of the Magistral Tailings have been mined, sold and/or processed or after the second complete calendar year of operation at the Magistral Project, whichever occurs first; the amount of value-added tax currently owing as that tax benefit is realized by Atocha during operations and product sales from the Magistral Project will be paid to Tarachi, estimated to total approximately USD $650K. Tarachi anticipates the tax benefit will be realized by Atocha and paid to Tarachi within the first year of commercial operations at the Magistral Project.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Almaden Minerals Ltd., completed a social impact assessment (SIA) relating to its Ixtaca project in Puebla, and underlying mineral claim area, and the completion of a human rights impact assessment (HRIA) that examines the potential impacts that could be caused if the Ixtaca project is developed in a manner consistent with the Ixtaca Feasibility Study. “The SIA concluded that there were no elements identified that would justify the cancellation of the concessions so long as the necessary social management measures were in place to avoid, mitigate or compensate for the potential negative impacts and amplify the positive ones. The HRIA represents a much more significant and holistic study than the SIA, as it aims to predict, identify, characterize, and assess the potential positive and negative impacts that the Ixtaca project could have during its lifespan on the human rights of both indigenous and non-indigenous communities located within its areas of influence and on other identified project stakeholders. In the event potential impacts are identified, the HRIA proposes strategies to amplify the positive and mitigate or compensate for the negative”.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, quartz veining hosted in a hydrothermally-altered intrusive in a project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 10th week of the year (March 6th to March 12nd, 2023), at least 9 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with five commenting on Mexican Issues, three informing on exploration results, two reporting resources and developments, two disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Peñoles and Fresnillo plc recognized the role of women in mining, commemorating his legacy from the beginning of his participation in this sector. In Mexico, women in mining have access to salaries up to 30% higher than the national average. According to figures from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), more than 66,000 women work in the mining-metallurgical industry, which is equivalent to 16.3% of the total workforce. Proposals to modify the Mining Law lack support, say experts, since the industry complies with at least 4,000 legal obligations, before starting operations of a mining unit. GoGold and Torex reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of March, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals reported that it has commenced the 2023 exploration program at its Cervantes project. In Sinaloa, Prismo announced that it has received authorization for drilling its Palos Verdes project. In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals provided an update on the environmental works it has conducted at its flagship Riqueza Marina project. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Torex released results from the drilling program conducted at its Media Luna project in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Guanajuato Silver announced that a new shareholder has acquired a significant equity position in the company (El Cubo, Valenciana, and San Ignacio Mines in Guanajuato). Bear Creek provided an update on the USD $25M payment to Equinox Gold for the Mercedes mine in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Endeavour published its inaugural climate strategic report (Guanacevi mine, Durango).
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Servicios Industriales Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., and Fresnillo plc recognized the role of women in mining, commemorating his legacy from the beginning of his participation in this sector. Both companies have maintained a strong gender agenda that offers equal opportunities to women and men, equal salaries that depend on the responsibilities of each employee, programs to prevent harassment and to reinforce female leadership.
In Mexico, women in mining have access to salaries up to 30% higher than the national average, with remunerations that exceed MXP $11K a month, above the MXP $5K and up to MXP $7K received by workers in the agricultural and construction sectors, textile employees, drivers and merchants, according to sector estimates. The mining industry has made progress on issues of diversity and inclusion, since in the last 13 years the participation of women has increased, going from 33,260 at the end of 2008 to 66,037 by 2022, according to data from Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX).
According to figures from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), more than 66,000 women work in the mining-metallurgical industry, which is equivalent to 16.3% of the total workforce. The number of women who are entering careers in mining engineering, metallurgy and geology is increasing and therefore their presence in the productive field and in the management of the operation of mining units is increasing. Of the total number of women who participate in the industry, 10% hold directive positions and 14% hold management positions.
Proposals to modify the Mining Law lack support, say experts, since the industry complies with at least 4,000 legal obligations, before starting operations of a mining unit. The reform initiatives to the Mining Law that have been presented in the Congress of the Union lack support in the real circumstances of this industry or refer to issues that should be the subject of other legal regulations, as uncertainty for this activity. The experts explained that issues such as creating or increasing taxes and/or rights must be ruled out in the legislative drafts, since mining entrepreneurs pay, like any other taxpayer, the Income Tax, the Special Tax on Production and Services, in addition to they also pay mining rights and some local contributions, such as payroll and property taxes, as well as some of the so-called ecological taxes. They added that it is estimated that the tax burden of mining in Mexico is high, compared to other countries with mining activity. Mining is an industry misunderstood and unknown by many, even by those who promote changes to its legislation, for which they trusted that the voice of those who know and participate directly in the industry will be heard.
GoGold Resources Inc., and Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of March, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., reported that it has commenced the 2023 exploration program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The plan of the company is to conduct a surface exploration program which will consist of road cut, reconnaissance outcrop, and soil sampling, Terraspec SWIR data collection, and geological mapping. It will comprise collecting over 1,300 geochemical samples, including 950 roads cut, 120 soils, and 250 outcrop chips.
Prismo Metals Inc., announced that it has received authorization for drilling its Palos Verdes project, located in the historic Panuco-Copala mining district in Sinaloa. The company plan is to complete a 2,500m drilling program to test the strike length of the Palos Verdes Vein that was not previously accessible until now.
Vortex Metals Inc., provided an update on the environmental works it has conducted at its flagship Riqueza Marina project in Oaxaca. Vortex has completed the environmental work activities and has interpreted and organized the information according to predetermined formats required for the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Additionally, the company is working closely with the community looking that a beneficial relationship is established and the general assembly confirms and seals the agreements.
ON MINING
No relevant news.
ON FINANCING
No relevant news.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
GoGold Resources Inc., reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-117 on Eagle Deposit with 1.09 g/t Au and 133 g/t Ag (2.87 g/t AuEq or 215 g/t AgEq) over25m, including 1.96 g/t Au and 307 g/t Ag (6.06 g/t AuEq or 454 g/t AgEq) over 9m, including 8.08 g/t Au and 1,460 g/t Ag (27.75 g/t AuEq or 2,066 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole LR-GAG-22-125 on Eagle Deposit with 2.14 g/t Au and 128 g/t Ag (3.84 g/t AuEq or 288 g/t AgEq) over 42.3m, including 9.66 g/t Au and 486 g/t Ag (16.13 g/t AuEq or 1,210 g/t AgEq) over 7.3m; including 15.35 g/t Au and 866 g/t Ag (26.89 g/t AuEq or 2,017 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m; and hole LRGG-22-232 on Main Deposit with 2.60 g/t Au and 61 g/t Ag (3.41 g/t AuEq or 256 g/t AgEq) over 10.2m, including 24.60 g/t Au and 238 g/t Ag (27.77 g/t AuEq or 2,083 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m. The Eagle Deposit adjoins the Main Deposit and represents a northern extension of the previously defined Mineral Resource Estimate in the Los Ricos South PEA.
Torex Gold Resources Inc., released results from the drilling program conducted at its Media Luna project in Guerrero. This program was focused on upgrading Indicated Resources to the Measured category and targeting spatial gaps in prior drilling to expand Inferred Mineral Resources. Drilling highlights include hole ML22-823D with 40.48 g/t Au, 87 g/t Ag, and 2.76% Cu (46.05 g/t AuEq) over 28.40m; hole ML22-804D with 10.79 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag, and 3.09% Cu (17.08 g/t AuEq) over 58.08m; hole ML22-768D with 13.98 g/t Au, 112 g/t Ag, and 3.69% Cu (21.39 g/t AuEq) over 26.39m; hole ML22-762A with 13.27 g/t Au, 17 g/t Ag, and 0.46% Cu (14.23 g/t AuEQ9 over 22.43m; hole ML22-835D with 6.72 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag, and 0.92% Cu (8.58 g/t AuEq) over 34.75m; hole ML22-767D with 4.57 g/t Au, 80 g/t Ag, and 2.50% Cu (9.63 g/t AuEq) over 26.15m; hole ML22-913 with 4.75 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag, and 1.76% Cu (8 g/t AuEq) over 25.43 g/t AuEq over 25.43m; hole ML22-910 with 1.06 g/t Au, 54 g/t Ag, and 1.25% Cu (3.78 g/t AuEq) over 48.05m; hole ML22-877A with 1.53 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, and 0.73% Cu (3.03 g/t AuEq) over 26.77m; and hole ML22-915 with 1.94 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, and 0.34% Cu (2.56 g/t AuEq) over 18.05m.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced that a leading US based institutional investor has acquired a significant equity position in the company through the purchase of 24M common shares representing the majority of the equity position previously held by Great Panther Mining Ltd. (El Cubo, Valenciana, and San Ignacio Mines in Guanajuato).
Bear Creek Mining Corporation provided an update on the USD $25M payment to Equinox Gold Corp., for the Mercedes mine in Sonora. Bear Creek has revised the terms of the heads of agreement with Equinox to amortize over a two-year period payment of the final USD $25M purchase price installment. “The Revised Terms provide for converting the Deferred Payment into a secured interest bearing promissory note (the “Note”). The Note bears a nominal rate of interest equal to 12.5% per annum plus the greater of (i) 90-day average Secured Overnight Financing Rate and (ii) 2.50% per annum, and matures after a term of two years on October 21, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”). Commencing March 3, 2023, the Note will amortize at a fixed rate of USD $700K per month during the first year until March 3, 2024 and thereafter at an amount per month equal to the greater of (i) USD $700K and (ii) 50% of the free cash flow generated from Mercedes”. In addition to the Note, the Company will issue to Equinox Gold 2,750,000 common shares of the Company.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Endeavour Silver Corp., published its inaugural climate strategic report in which provided specific information in four areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets (Guanacevi mine, Durango).
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, quartz-sericite-pyrite (phyllic alteration) in a porphyry copper project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 2nd week of the year (January 09th to January 15th, 2023), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with nine communicating production and financial results, seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, four announcing financing issues, and four commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) withdrew the permit to Fortuna Silver Mines, which operates the San José mine in Oaxaca through the company Minera Cuzcatlán. Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) responded to SEMARNAT that it is operating normally at its San José mine in Oaxaca under complete legality. Mining companies shine at the beginning of the year on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The governments of Mexico and Canada have agreed to strengthen resilience in the supply chain in which both countries participate, reported Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada. Prime Mining, Tocvan Ventures, Oroco, and Silver Tiger reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals presented a summary of the results from its recently completed 2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project, Colibri completed additional drilling on its Evelyn project, Tocvan drill intersected a broad zone of gold at its El Picacho project, and Riverside provided a corporate outlook for 2023. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals released results from the remaining holes from its now completed 2022 drill program at its Palos Verdes project. ON MINING, Aura, Alamos Gold, Americas, Endeavour, Gatos Silver, GoGold, Golden Minerals, and Torex announced Q4 and full-year 2022 production from their Mexican operations, and Altaley reported pre-production results during mill commissioning at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. ON FINANCING, Canuc closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $680K (San Javier project, Sonora). Guanajuato Silver closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering totaling CAD $8.5M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato). Fabled announced that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Altaley entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms’ length mining contractor to settle CAD $1,176,297 which is owing to the contractor as a result of underground mine development work (Tahuehueto mine, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Regency Silver announced recommencement of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre property in Sonora, as well as the commencement of an IP survey. Discovery outlined its 2023 work program and budget for its Cordero property in Chihuahua. Oroco released further assay results from the North Zone drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Prime Mining presented results from 48 drill holes collared in the Z-T area at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Sailfish announced results from its recently drilling program conducted at its Gavilanes property in Durango. Silver Viper reported positive geophysical and geochemical survey results at its Virginia project, Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz announced the appointment of its new CFO (Zimapan property, Hidalgo). Excellon announced that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange (La Platosa mine, Durango). Fabled´s shareholders approved a share consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten for one basis (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Vizsla completed strategic investment in the acquisition of Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa from Prismo Metals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) withdrew the permit to Fortuna Silver Mines, which operates the San Jose mine in Oaxaca through the company Minera Cuzcatlán since, according to SEMARNAT, it incurred in several irregularities. Such permit had been previously granted by some servants of SEMARNAT. In 2022, SEMARNAT said that it had been a misspelling to have issued a permit for 12 more years for the operation of this company. SEMARNAT was even questioned for providing legal advice to the company in order to obtain the environmental impact authorization and the regularization of construction of works for which it did not have authorization. With the suspension of the permit, SEMARNAT said that the company can appeal and resort to its influence peddling as it has done since its settlement in Oaxaca. However, if the judges confirm the resolution, it must withdraw and return the land to its owners, in addition to repairing the damage caused by the excessive pollution it has generated in the area.
Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) responded to SEMARNAT that it is operating normally at its San Jose mine in Oaxaca under complete legality. Derived from the notification received by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) at the beginning of 2023, regarding the intention of evaluating the MIA (Environmental Impact Statement) granted legally and correctly in December 2021, it is notified that this new procedure does not affect the daily activities of the Company, thus confirming that the San José Mining Unit, located in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, is operating normally. Fortuna Silver Mines, communicated on January 5 of this year, that its San José Mining Unit, which operates through its subsidiary Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, fully complies with all current environmental laws, for which it has expressed its disagreement and is taking legal measures to protect its more than 1,200 employees, a value chain made up of more than 600 companies, 150 of them from the area, as well as an annual income of more than MXP $600M that benefits more than 30,000 people in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. “Likewise, the Company highlights that, in 11 years of operation, it has been inspected 15 times by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), in turn it has registered two inspections by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), who in none of their proceedings have ruled on facts and/or indications of contamination at the site or derived from the operation of the San José Mine. Finally, Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán reiterates its commitment to continue working together with neighboring communities to improve and expand the social benefits of its operation, through sustainable development initiatives”.
Mining companies shine at the beginning of the year on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The increase in the price of metals such as gold, silver and copper, supported the rebound in the price of the shares of companies in the Mexican market these days. Industrias Peñoles and Grupo México are framed as the first and third issuers in the S&P/BMV IPC index, which brings together the 36 largest firms in the Mexican stock market, which have accumulated the most performance in these first days of 2023. In the first case its shares maintain gains of 21.55%, at a price of 291.30 pesos per unit, in the first six business days of January. For the second, the return has been 18.35%, at 80.96 pesos.
The governments of Mexico and Canada have agreed to strengthen resilience in the supply chain in which both countries participate, reported Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada. Mexico, Canada, and the United States have agreed to joint actions to strengthen their supply chains both regionally and globally. In 2021, the Joe Biden Administration launched its Bailout for America, under the Bailout for America Act of 2021, signed into law in March.
Prime Mining Corp., Tocvan Ventures Corp., Oroco Resource Corp., and Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., presented a summary of the results from its recently completed RC and oriented core holes 2022 drilling program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. It consisted of 26 RC holes totalling 5,248.6m, and 11 oriented core holes totalling 2,588m. Combined 2022 drilling program totaled 37 holes and 7,836.6m on California, California Norte, Purisima East and Jasper targets. All the holes collared in 2022 at California and California Norte targets, except one, encountered near surface, oxidized gold mineralization with minor copper values. Now, California target has been expanded to approximately 900m long E-W by 730m wide N-S, and with continuous mineralization of up to 170m depth. “The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions with anomalous mineralization and alteration up to 265m depth vertically. The California and California Norte targets appear to be merging from drilling and surface exposures”. At Jasper target, step out 600m west of the California Zone, the drilling program intercepted broad alteration and strongly oxidized, argillically altered, and brecciated siltstone-quartzite sediments. “Strong copper oxide mineralization is found on outcrops and in the drilling. Sulfides have not yet been found in drilling to 209 m depth, suggesting the there is a possibility to encounter a secondary sulfide enrichment blanket”. “At the Purisima Este target drilling found anomalous Au and multi-element mineralization related to the edges of its diatreme-breccia pipe related to quartz feldspar intrusive and follow-up work is planned”. Drilling highlights of the 2022 program include hole CAL22-001 with 1.04 g/t Au over 94m, including 3.96 g/t Au over 55m, and 0.36% over 55m; hole CAL 22-004 with 1.0 g/t Au over 65m, including 4.25 g/t Au over 24.4m, and 0.065% Cu over 160m; hole CAL 22-005 with 1.49 g/t Au, including 3.42 g/t Au over 51.7m, and 0.091% Cu over 119m; hole CAL 22-006 with 0.75 g/t Au, including 3.08 g/t Au over 9.14m, and 0.1% Cu over 138m; hole 0.87 g/t Au over 152m, including 2.05 g/t Au over 33.5m, and 0.095% Cu over 123m; hole CAL 22-027 with 0.68 g/t Au over 120m, including 1.46 g/t Au over 27m; and hole CAL 22-031 with 0.56 g/t Au over 135m, including 2.29 g/t Au over 12m.
Colibri Resource Corporation completed additional drilling on its Evelyn project in Sonora, which included 3 diamond holes totaling 1,063m, 5 reverse circulation holes totaling 1,205m, and 130 short RC holes totaling 1,548 m to penetrate alluvium and sample the top of bedrock.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced results from 3 out of 10 holes drilled at its Picacho project in Sonora. The company reported that hole SRA-22-003 intersected a broad zone of gold, returning 0.3 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag over 48.8m, including 0.51 g/t Au and 0.8 g/t Ag over 27.5m, including 0.71 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 19.8m, including 1.14 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 12.2m, and including 4.73 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 1.5m. Results for the remaining seven drillholes are pending.
Riverside Resources Inc., provided a corporate outlook for 2023 of the company´s growth plans. Highlights include look for a new strategic alliance with a major base metal producer; to drill-test with partner funds at least one project in H1, 2023 (BHP); look for new partnership to advance its La Union property in Sonora after high-grade results in 2022; and farm-out its Cecilia project in Sonora, which has a proposed drilling program to be executed at the property.
Prismo Metals Inc., released results from the remaining holes from its now completed 2022 drill program at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa, which consisted of eight holes totalling 2,100m. The best drill intercept was encountered in hole PV-22-17 with 0.43 g/t Au, 115 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 0.47% Pb, and 0.81% Zn (200 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3m, including 1.18 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag, 0.56% Pb, 1.18% Pb, and 1.97% Zn (516 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.05m.
ON MINING
Aura Minerals Inc., reported that it produced 28,591 gold equivalent ounces during Q4, 2022 from its Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas.
Alamos Gold Inc., reported Q4 and annual 2022 production results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora, and provided updated three-year production and operating guidance. In Q4, 2022 the company produced 49,100 Oz Au at an average grade of 0.78 g/t Au. Alamos expects to produce over 175K-185K Oz Au at an average grade of 0.73 g/t Au in 2023 with a total cash cost in te range of USD $900-USD $950 per Oz Au; an all included sustaining cost of USD $950-1,000 per Oz Au; a sustaining capital of USD $10M; grow capital of USD $5-10M (a total sustaining and grow capital of USD $19-24M); capitalized exploration of USD $4M; an a total capital expenditures and capitalized exploration of USD $19-24M. Production for 2024 and 2025 is expected to be in the range of 140-150K Oz Au and 110-120K Oz Au respectively.
Altaley Mining Corporation reported pre-production results during mill commissioning at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. Tahuehueto is currently operating one ball mill in a commissioning phase, as part of the initial 500 tonnes per day project, producing precious metals-rich, commercial grade lead and zinc concentrates. The company produced in Q4, 2022 862 tonnes of Pb concentrate with grades of 26.31% Pb, 76.72 g/t Au, and 643 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 76.68%, 76.72%, and 68.115 respectively; and 878 tonnes of Zn concentrate with grades of 47.51% Zn, 7.5 g/t Au, and 145 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 54.31%, 13.23%, and 15.12% respectively.
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q4 and annual year 2022 production from its Cosala mine operation in Sinaloa. It produced 196K Oz Ag, 3.8M Lb Pb, and 10.4M Lb Zn during Q4, 2022, and 636K Oz Ag, 15.3M Lb Pb, and 39.3M Lb Zn in the full-year 2022.
Endeavour Silver Corp., released Q4 and full-year 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Consolidated figures for Q4 and annual 2022, compared to the year 2021 are shown in the table below:
Figures by mine for the period Q4, and full year 2022 are shown in the tables below:
Gatos Silver Inc., announced guidance and Q4 and full year 2022 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua. On te period Q4, 2022 (100% Basis), the company milled 261,929 tonnes of 387 g/t Ag, 3.7% Zn, 1.9% Pb, and 0.3 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 89.6%, 62.7%, 86.3%, and 53.9% respectively, to produce 2.9M Oz Ag, 13.5M Lb Zn, 9.7M Lb Pb, and 1.4K Oz Au. For the full-year 2022, the company reported production of 10.3M Oz Ag, 60.7M Lb Zn, 45.9M Lb Pb, and 5.3K Oz Au. 2022 guidance announced by Gatos Silver was 9.35-9.65M Oz Ag, 58-61M Lb Zn, 43-45M Lb Pb, and 5.0-5.3K Oz Au. Zinc, lead and gold production increased during 2022, with zinc and gold near the high end of guidance, and lead near the guidance midpoint. Compared with 2021, zinc production increased by 22%, lead production by 10%, and gold production by 2%. As of December 2022, the company reported a cash balance of $17M and outstanding balance of the company´s credit facility of $9M.
GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q4, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. The company produced 159,838 Oz Ag, 2,399 Oz Au, and 497.3K Lb Cu (441,217 Oz AgEq).
Golden Minerals Company announced Q4, and full-year 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo project, Durango. The company in Q4, 2022 mined 161,244 tonnes and processed 52,736 tonnes of 2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 73.3% and 82% respectively, to produce 2,398 payable Oz Au (in doré) and 13,560 payable Oz Ag (in doré) or 2,568 payable Oz AuEq (in doré). Golden sold 2,518 Oz Au and 14,217 Oz Ag (2,696 Oz AuEq), at realized prices, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,729.40 and USD $21.69 respectively. For the full year 2022, Golden mined 771,485 tonnes and processed 195,599 tonnes of 2.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.7% and 81.2% respectively, to produce 11,982 payable Oz Au (in doré) and 52,179 payable Oz Ag (in doré) or 12,616 payable Oz AuEq (in doré). Golden sold 12,451 Oz Au and 53,486 Oz Ag (13,101 Oz AuEq), at realized prices, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,805.34 and USD $21.93 respectively.
Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q4 and full-year 2022 production results from El Limón-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero. The company produced 116,196 Oz Au in Q4 to total 474,035 Oz Au in the full-year 2022. It surpassed the upper end of the guided range of 430K-470K Oz Au. Torex sold in Q4, 2022 121,913 Oz Au for a total of 473,122 Oz Au in the full-year 2022.
ON FINANCING
Canuc Resources Corporation issued 8.5M of common shares at a price of CAD $0.08 per common share to close a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $680K. Most of the gross proceeds will be used for exploration on the San Javier project, Sonora.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering. The company issued 4,080,486 common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $1,734,206.55 in the second tranche for a total offering of CAD $20,032,682 for gross proceeds of CAD $ 8,513,889.85. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to, among other things, ramp up production at the Company’s existing mines in and about Guanajuato, Mexico including El Cubo, San Ignacio and Valenciana, expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango, Mexico, increase brownfields’ exploration programs, and fund general and administrative expenses.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M at a price of CAD $0.10 per common share. Net proceeds will be used to make required property payments, to further explore the Santa Maria Property, and for general working capital.
Altaley Mining Corporation entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms’ length mining contractor to settle CAD $1,176,297 which is owing to the contractor as a result of underground mine development work. The Company and the contractor have agreed that the issuance to the contractor of 735,186 common shares of the company at a deemed price of CAD $1.60 per common share will extinguish and settle the debt.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Regency Silver Corp., announced recommencement of the 2023 drilling program at its Dios Padre property in Sonora, as well as the commencement of an IP survey. The company plans to drill a minimum of 3,000m as an initial follow up to the successful drilling program completed in August, 2022. It also will commence an IP survey to provide 3D information to a depth of 800m. “The current drill and IP program is designed to determine more specifically what type of broad, mineralizing system is present at Dios Padre”.
Discovery Silver Corp., outlined its 2023 work program and budget for its Cordero property in Chihuahua. The goal is to complete the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) later this month and will be focused on optimization opportunities including improved mining and processing efficiencies, as well as complete a Feasibility Study (FS) in Q1, 2023.. Alongside this work, Cordero has allocated drill metres to the exploration potential on the large, highly-prospective land package owned by the company. “Construction permitting for Cordero will be undertaken in-parallel with the FS work, with the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) expected to be made to the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (SEMARNAT) in the first half of 2023. Assuming a 12 to 18 month permitting timeline, this would position the Company to make a construction decision in the second half of 2024. The 2023 work programs are budgeted at $26 million. The Company is well positioned to fund this work with a cash balance of over $45 million and no debt at the end of 2022.
Oroco Resource Corp., released further assay results from the North Zone drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Holes N039 to N043 totalled 2,668 m of drilling which demonstrated continuity of good grade mineralization. Highlights include hole NO39 with 0.14% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.01 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.15% CuEq) over 58m, plus 0.46% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.016 g/t Au, and 4 g/t Ag (0.49% CuEq) over 21.4m, plus 0.31% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.36% CuEq) over 265m; hole NO40 with 0.21% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.012 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.24% CuEq) over 41m, plus 0.29% Cu, 0.009% Mo, 0.013 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.33% CuEq) over 152.1m; hole N041 with 0.3% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.003 g/t Au, and 1 g/t Ag (0.35% CuEq) over 20.6m, plus 0.47% Cu, 0.006% Mo, 0.038 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.52% CuEq) over 96m; and hole N042 with 0.53% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.075 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.60% CuEq) over 135m.
Prime Mining Corp., presented results from 48 drill holes collared in the Z-T area at its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include holes 22TA-51 with 2.5 g/t Au and 278 g/t Ag (6.1 g/t AuEq) over a true width (TW) of 3,1m, plus 10 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag (11.6g/t AuEq) over a TW of 3.1m, including 28.5 g/t Au and 310 g/t Ag (32.5 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.1m; hole 22ZAP-87 with 4.7 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag (6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 8.7m, including 39.6 g/t Au and 174 g/t Ag (41.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.7m, and 8.6 g/t Au and 163 g/t Ag (10.7g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.0m; hole 22TA-44 with 2.7 g/t Au and 451 g/t Ag (8.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 4.8m, including 4.8 g/t Au and 821 g/t Ag (15.4 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 2.3m; hole 22 ZAP-82 with 1.3 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag (1.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13m, including 13 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (13.6 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.8m, plus 3.6 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (3.8 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 13.8m,including 22.2 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag (22.8 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.9m; hole 22TA-43 with 4.2 g/t Au and 59 g/t Ag (4.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 5.4m, including 23.6 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag (24.9 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 0.8m; and hole 22SMW-12 with 6.9 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag (7.3 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 14.8m, including 9.1 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (9.5 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 8.9m, including 21 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (21.7 g/t AuEq) over a TW of 1.5m.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program being conducted at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ET-22-333with 0.46 g/t Au, 429 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.04% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (474 g/t AgEq) over 10.1m on Seitz Kelly Shale Zone, including 0.83 g/t Au, 3,639 g/t Ag, 0.61% Cu, 0.14% Pb, and 0.14% Zn (3,767 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m, including 0.22 g/t Au, 6,063 g/t Ag, 1% Cu, 0.14% Pb, and 0.09% Zn (6,182 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; hole ET-22-333 with 0.14 g/t Au, 307 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (337 g/t AgEq) over 2.4m on El Tigre Vein, including 0.32 g/t Au, 778 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (849 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, plus 0.25 g/t Au, 69 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn over 18.6m on the Seitz Kelly Shale Zone, including 0.25 g/t Au, 778 g/t Ag, 1.69% Cu, 7.1% Zn, and 15% Zn (1,633 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m on the Seitz Kelly Vein; and hole ET-22-335 with 0.15 g/t Au, 331 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (386 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m on Seitz Kelly Vein, including 0.15 g/t Au, 2,343 g/t Ag, 1.67% Cu, 1.36% Pb, and 3.32% Zn (2,658 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m.
Sailfish Royalty Corp., announced results from its recently exploration work conducted at its Gavilanes property in Durango. Gavilanes comprises multiple high-grade polymetallic silver veins located approximately 30 km away from First Majestic’s San Dimas mine operation. Sailfish has drilled 47 shallow diamond drill holes on three of these veins which host mineralization in veins and stockworks of an intermediate sulphidation epithermal system. Sailfish geologists have collected representative chip channel samples across veins or structures, which returned encourages high-grade values. Highlights include 12.80 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag over 2.5m and 0.87 g/t Au and 40 g/t Ag over 18m on Descubridora Vein; 30 g/t Au and 190 g/t Ag over 1m and 0.84 g/t Au and 754 g/t Ag over 2m on San Nicolas Vein; 0.02 g/t Au and 1,867 g/t Ag over 1m on San Nicolas-Veta del Pueblo; 10.12 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 2.2m on Forasteros Vein; and 0.51 g/t Au and 1,546 g/t Ag over 0.51m pon La Cruz Vein. Gavilanes currently has an inferred mineral resource of 2.833M tonnes at an average grade of 246 g/t AgEq (22.4M Oz AgEq). This inferred mineral resource is highlighted by having 18.9M Oz Ag at an average grade of 207 g/t Ag.
Silver Viper Minerals Corp., reported positive geophysical and geochemical survey results at its Virginia project, Sonora. Detailed mapping and geochemical sampling following a TITAN MT deep penetrating Geophysical survey conducted in Q2, 2022 identified new targets at El Molino, along the Macho trend. “Geological mapping and rock and chip-channel sampling has outlined new targets at Los Cantiles, El Oriental and the eastern and southern sectors of Macho Libre. The new prospecting area, Los Cantiles, garnered surface chip channel sample results up to 5.7 g/t Au and 148 g/t Ag. Dump samples up to 17.8 g/t Au and 1,001 g/t Ag, and chip-channel samples up to 4.2 g/t Au and 310 g/t Ag, have been located at the El Oriental Target. Hydrothermal silicified breccia with up to 2.36 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag has been outlined at the Macho Libre Target. At El Molino, several new structures have been outlined, containing breccias with quartz boiling type textures, with initial results up to 1.6 g/t Au and most analytical results pending. At El Molino, ongoing soil sampling reveals continuous gold and silver anomalies, with supportive infill results from north-west to south-east along the trend”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its new CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company effective January 9, 2023 (Zimapan property, Hidalgo).
Excellon Resources Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)and the deregistration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (La Platosa mine, Durango).
Fabled Silver Gold Corp´s shareholders approved a share consolidation of the outstanding securities of the Company on an up to ten for one basis. The board of directors of the company has now determined to proceed with the consolidation on a five to one basis. As of today’s date, the company has 215,446,649 common shares issued and outstanding. Following the completion of the consolidation (but before giving effect to the offering), the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the company will be approximately 43,089,330. (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua).
Vizsla Silver Corp., completed strategic investment in the acquisition of Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa from Prismo Metals Inc. Vizsla acquired a right of first refusal to purchase the Palos Verdes project from Prismo, and 4M units of Prismo at a price of $0.50 per Prismo unit, for aggregate consideration of $2M. Each Prismo unit consist of one common share of Prismo and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each Prismo Warrant entitles Vizsla to purchase one additional Prismo Share for a period of two years from the closing date at a price of $0.75.The consideration for the Strategic Investment consisted of a cash payment of $500K and the issuance to Prismo of 1M common shares of Vizsla. The Consideration Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, and a voluntary escrow period of 24 months with 25% of the securities released every six months.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, a fault-plane displaying slickensides in a Mn-Fe hydrothermal breccia in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 52nd week of the year (December 26th to January 1st, 2022), at least 9 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news published by the media with three disclosing deals and corporate issues, two informing on exploration results, two reporting resources and developments of their properties, and two announcing financing issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining in Mexico closed 2022 with more expenses in exploration due to lack of mining concessions. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan provided an annual summary of the activities carried out in 2022 at its Pilar and Picacho properties. In Chihuahua, Mammoth provided a year-end update on activities developed at its Tenoriba project. Zacatecas Silver provided a summary of the 2022 exploration activities developed at its Zacatecas Silver and Esperanza projects located in Zacatecas and Morelos States respectively. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $6.8M (El Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines, Guanajuato). Regency completed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2,159,000 (Dios Padre Project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, MAG Silver reported that final testing of the downstream power distribution and control systems at its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas is now complete. Zacatecas Silver provided a summary of the 2022 exploration activities developed at its Zacatecas Silver and Esperanza projects located in Zacatecas and Morelos States respectively. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sierra Madre provided an update on its proposed acquisition of the La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. Gatos Silver provided a bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). Mammoth announced the issuance of 2,206,000 common share stock options to directors, officers, and contract employees, exercisable at a price of $0.05 per common share (Tenoriba project, Chihuahua). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Mining in Mexico closed 2022 with more expenses in exploration due to lack of mining concessions. The current administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has not approved new mining concessions, which has led mining companies to invest more in exploration, with a view of finding new deposits in previously granted ground. In 2018, the concessioned area for mining activities in Mexico was of 10.64%, a figure that by the end of this 2022 stands at 8.59%, according to data from the Ministry of Economy.
ON EXPLORATION
Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an annual summary of the activities carried out in 2022 at its Pilar and Picacho properties in Sonora. At Pilar project, the company executed the first core drilling program which was successful in intersecting broad gold mineralization across the Main Zone with one hole returning 1.2 g/t Au over 116.9m, including 12 g/t Au over 10.2m, an a second hole returning 0.8 g/t Au over 108.9m, including 7.6 g/t Au over 9.4m. “Infill and recognizing drilling at Pilar has confirmed that gold mineralization occurs in at least three parallel zones to the Main Zone across a 600m wide area and so far defined along 600m of strike, the same that based on surface indications and historic workings seems to continue for another 600m towards the southeast”. Column Leach studies from surface material at Pilar returned above regional average recovery for gold, reporting over 85% recovery from initial metallurgical testing. At El Picacho property, surface work outlined key target areas across the large 24 square-km project area. An initial drill program was completed at its San Ramon Prospect, but results are pending to be released.
Mammoth Resources Corp., provided a year-end update on activities developed at its Tenoriba project, Chihuahua. Highlights include the report of the final six drill holes of a 27-hole diamond drill program for a total of 3,244.25m. To date, Mammoth has drill-tested five targets zones within three project areas: El Moreno, Masuparia, and Carneritos, with 55 holes totalling 8,158.25m. “These project areas measure from hundreds of meters to over 1 km in strike length, along a 4km, east-west trend of gold-silver mineralization identified in 3-D modelling incorporating data from over 3,000 soil, chip and channel samples, 26 prior diamond drill holes, geological and structural mapping, and the potential continuity at depth of surface mineralization as indicated by an Induced Polarization/Magnetometer (IP/Mag) geophysical survey”. The company is currently conducting additional studies on the results of the 27 holes, including metallurgical testing, as well as the assessment by a third party resource modelling expert to recommend drill spacing to estimate a maiden mineral resource at the Tenoriba project. The company is also working on a technical report to communicate findings, conclusions, and recommendation for future work.
ON MINING
No relevant news.
ON FINANCING
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd.,issued a total of 15,952,196 units at a price of CAD $0.425 per unit to close the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $6.8M. Net proceeds will be used to ramp up production at the Company’s existing mines in and about Guanajuato, Mexico including El Cubo, San Ignacio and Valenciana, expand and modernize the processing facilities at the Topia mine in Durango, Mexico, increase brownfields’ exploration programs, and fund general and administrative expenses. The closing of a second tranche of the Offering is expected to occur on or about January 12, 2023.
Regency Silver Corp., completed a non-brokered private placement of 10,795,000 common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share for gross proceeds of CAD $2,159,000. The company paid a finder´s fee of CAD $16K in cash in connection with part of the closing of the private placement. Net proceeds will be used for work programs on the properties of Regency Silver including drilling and geophysics in early January 2023 on our flagship Dios Padre property, for property payments on other properties of the Company and for general working capital.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
MAG Silver Corp., received confirmation from Fresnillo plc that final testing of the downstream power distribution and control systems at its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas is now complete. The entire system has now been energized and Juanicipio has been connected to the national power grid.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., provided a summary of the 2022 exploration activities developed at its Zacatecas Silver project in Zacatecas State, and Esperanza project in Morelos State. At Zacatecas project, the company filed a NI 43-101 technical report to support its initial Mineral Resource Estimate on the Panuco Vein located within the Zacatecas Silver project. After filing the technical report, the company reported multiple high grade silver intercepts from drilling in an area north of the resource, named Panuco North and in an area of the property named El Cristo, which is an extension of the prolific Veta Grande Silver Vein on the Zacatecas Silver Property. At Esperanza project, the company completed an initial Mineral Resource Estimate outlining a high grade oxide gold deposit with significant exploration potential, and reported that a Pre-Feasibility Study is underway to support high margin, high grade, low capex, and low cost production. In addition, the company announced that multiple community programs continue to function and grow, including projects relating to health, education, and environment.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver ltd., entered an arm´s length definitive agreement with First Majestic on May 25, 2022 to acquire a 100% interest in the 39,714-hectare La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico and provided an update on its proposed acquisition. Earlier this month, shareholders voted in favour of a resolution to approve the proposed acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of La Guitarra Compañia Minera S.A. de C.V from Corporacion First Majestic, S.A. de C.V., in exchange for 69,063,076 common shares of the company at a deemed price of CAD $0.65 per Consideration Share, having an aggregate value of CAD $44,890,999 (USD $35M). The ordinary resolution with respect to the transaction was approved by 99.99% of the votes cast by shareholders. The transaction has been conditionally accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Gatos Silver Inc., provided a bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (MCTO). Pursuant to National Policy 12-203, the company must file bi-weekly status reports in the form of further news releases during the period from the Notice until the MCTO is revoked. “The company reports that since the Notice: (i) there have been no material changes regarding the information contained in the Notice that have not been disclosed in a bi-weekly default status report or in a news release referenced therein; (ii) there have been no failures by the company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203; and (iii) there has not been any specified default subsequent to the defaults announced in the Notice and the news releases dated May 13, 2022, August 5, 2022 and November 11, 2022”. (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
Mammoth Resources Corp., announced the issuance of 2,206,000 common share stock options to directors, officers, and contract employees, exercisable at a price of $0.05 per common share (Tenoriba project, Chihuahua).
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, ginguro texture in a banded quartz vein-breccia from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 44th week of the year (October 31st to November 06th, 2022), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one communicating production and financial issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier. GoGold, GR Silver, Pan American Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ranchero Gold provided an exploration update on its Daniela project, and Reyna Gold announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property. In Sinaloa, Prismo signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido and commenced drill permitting for its Los Pavitos project. In Jalisco, Almadex mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project. In Coahuila, Monumental provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project. ON MINING, Capstone reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Kootenay increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit (Columba project, Chihuahua). Xali Gold received advance net profits interest payment from Sun River Gold for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced that it has engaged SRK to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. GoGold reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. GR Silver released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Osisko provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. Pan American release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Southern Silver announced results from its final 4 drill holes at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silverton Metals announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). Ranchero Gold appointed its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Pan American and Agnico delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana. Sierra Madre entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. Sierra Metals received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa for a proposed business combination. Xali Gold increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, expressed this position to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of the Economy of Mexico. Minister Ng reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advance in the implementation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) and to continue with the work carried out within the framework of initiatives such as the Economic Dialogue of Canada-Mexico High Level to deepen bilateral business, trade and investment ties and support inclusive and resilient economic growth. Two-way merchandise trade between the two countries was USD $41.7 billion in 2021. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest merchandise trading partner in a single country (after the United States and China).
The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier, but will be resumed.
GoGold Resources Inc., , GR Silver Mining Ltd., Pan American Silver Corp., and Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November. Details are shown in the table below:
ON EXPLORATION
Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an exploration update on its Daniela project in Sonora. The company reported that it has completed the follow-up work of the nine priority targets previously identified at the property. Ranchero Gold stated that the San Francisco, Carboneras Sur, Carboneras Este, Rincón, and Moritas Este targets have shown evidence of gold mineralization, related alteration and lithologies known to host significant gold deposits in the district. “Subsequent field efforts currently underway will include detailed mapping, systematic sampling and drone-based magnetic surveys designed to identify potential mineralized host rocks below surface”.
Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property in Sonora. The company identified multiple mineralized zones with high grade gold, silver, and copper that align with major geophysical anomalies, silica alterations, and structural controls on the property. Highlights of the 8 rock sampling collected at La Republicana Zone returned values from 4.03 g/t Au up to 56.90 g/t Au; 7 samples ranging from 13 g/t Ag up to 47 g/t Ag; and 2 samples with 0.2% Pb and 0.5% Pb, with a single assay of 2.41% Cu. At Las Carmelitas zone, 7 rock samples returned 3 values of 0.11 g/t Au, 0.33 g/t Au, and 10.52 g/t Au; 5 samples ranging from 67 g/t Ag up to 116 g/t Ag; and 6 samples ranging from 1.53% up to 2.25% Cu. At Western Zone, 7 rock samples returned values from 2.51 g/t Au up to 16.60 g/t Au; 2 samples with values of 21g/t Ag and 249 g/t Ag; and a single sample with 1.15% Cu, 3.4% Zn, 1.3% Pb, 0.1 g/t Au, and 27 g/t Ag. At El Sombrero Zone, 7 samples returned gold values ranging from 1.1 g/t Au up to 23.6 g/t Au; 4 samples ranging from 149 g/t Ag up to 733 g/t Ag; 4 samples ranging from 0.68% up to 3.60% Cu; 4 samples ranging from 0.2% Pb up to 1.4% Pb, and 4 samples ranging from 0.1%Zn to 0.2% Zn. The company is presently conducting an IP survey at four target zones: La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas, and Main Zone. After completion of the IP geophysical survey, drilling will recommence in this area focused on La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas and Main Zone targets.
Prismo Metals Inc., signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido, the surface owners over the Los Pavitos project in Sinaloa. This agreement is for two years and allows Prismo to carry out exploration work including drilling. The company has commenced drill permitting planned to begin in early 2023. Meanwhile, Prismo will continue with the geological mapping and sampling program to cover the remaining area to identify drill targets.
Almadex Minerals Ltd., mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The drill program will target a recently identified structural trend associated with float rock of vein material, soil anomalies and old mining workings, where channel sampling has encountered 0.02 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag over an interval of 6.8m, and 3.7 g/t Au and 168 g/t Ag over an interval of 4.2m. A total of 14 grab and chip samples collected on this trend averaged 0.6 g/t Au and 180 g/t Ag.
Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project in Coahuila, which consists of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and litho geochemistry. To date, the stream sediment sampling program, consisting of 47 samples has been completed. It returned 5 samples with values greater than 7.8 ppm dysprosium (Dy), 65.3 ppm neodymium (Nd); and up to 14.1 ppm Dy and 160 ppm Nd, defining four general areas of interest along the west and south portions of the company’s concessions, of which two are associated with known HREE mineralized (eudialyte bearing) peralkaline rock (Jemi Dyke Area and Veladora North). The remaining two areas with anomalous Dy and Nd concentrations were previously unrecognized as being prospective (Zone 2 and Zone 4). Follow-up exploration work to identify the source of the high REEs at these two areas will be undertaken during the current field program for quick delineation.
ON MINING
Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 3,829 tonnes per day with an average grade of 1.86% and metallurgical recovery of 96.8%, to produce 36.74 M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.20 per Lb produced.
ON FINANCING
Kootenay Silver Inc., increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit. If the offer for sale from Red Cloud is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds to the company will be $5M (Columba project, Chihuahua).
Xali Gold Corp., received advance net profits interest (NPI) payment from Sun River Gold, LLC for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. Sun River has started making advance NPI payments of USD $15K per month to Xali Gold as part of the second extension agreement on the El Oro Tailings project, in El Oro, State of Mexico. Advanced NPI payments of USD $50K per month will be paid by Sun River once commercial production is reached (or first concentrate is produced or dore gold is poured) and during the first year of operation, after which normal 5% NPI payments are to be made.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Sonoro Gold Corp., announced that it has engaged SRK Consulting Inc., to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. This updated Mineral Resource Estimate is to include an additional 7,200m of drilling completed in May 2022 which returned multiple higher grade gold intercepts and expanded several known mineralized gold zones within the concession.
GoGold Resources Inc., reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGAG-22-035 with 1.64 g/t Au and 265 g/t Ag (5.17 g/t AuEq or 387 g/t AgEq) over 110.6m, including 11.31 g/t Au and 2,198 g/t Ag (40.62 g/t AuEq or 3,047 g/t AgEq) over 11.5m, including 30.24 g/t Au and 6,392 g/t Ag (115.48 g/t AuEq or 8,661 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 63.24 g/t Au and 12,729 g/t Ag (232.96 g/t AuEq or 17,472 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, including 104.50 g/t Au and 13,742 g/t Ag (287.73 g/t AuEq or 21,580 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m; and hole LRGAG-22-032 with 1.36 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag (2.79 g/t AuEq or 210 g/t AgEq) over 65.8m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 217 g/t Ag (5.85 g/t AuEq or 439 g/t AgEq) over 28.1m, including 7.17 g/t Au and 1,013 g/t Ag (20.68 g/t AuEq or 1,551 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m, including 25 g/t Au and 3,020 g/t Ag (65.27 g/t AuEq or 4,895 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Mapping and geophysics indicate the Eagle structure extending in excess of 2.5km to the northwest, at which point it continues onto the Company’s previously owned Jamaica concessions”. “The Eagle concession connects the Company’s concessions held in the southern portion of its Los Ricos South project, including the Main area where the Initial Resource was released, to its northern concessions in Los Ricos South, which includes the Jamaica exploration target. As a result, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous”. This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLI22-38 with 301 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (471 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 15.9m, including 856 g/t Ag, 0.70 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (1,052 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m; hole PL!22-23 with 268 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 2.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 36.5m, including 626 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 1% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (684 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, plus 1028 g/t Ag, 5.11g/t Au, 8.3% Pb, 7% Zn, and 0.9% Cu (2,101 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.9m, including 2,667 g/t Ag, 1.27 g/t Au, 12.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (3,431 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.2m; hole PLI22-24 with 1,159 g/t Ag, 0.53 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, 1% Zn, and 0.8% Cu (1,354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m, plus 135 g/t Ag, 0.39 g/t Au, 4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.1m, including 292 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 1.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m; hole PLI22-25 with 629 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 9.2% Pb, 4% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,146 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 11.4m, including 1,791 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,917 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m; hole LP122-27 with 109 g/t Ag, 0.91 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.2m, including 212 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 10.9% Pb, 4.1% Zn, and 0.22 % Cu (961 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.1; hole PLI22-30 with 344 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (370 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 2,251 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (2,365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m, plus 1,697 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,792 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.1m, plus 134 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (273 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 5% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (576 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.9m; hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% b, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.8m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (809 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m, plus 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,074 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 40 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 10.5% Pb, 9.8% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (852 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.5m. “GR Silver Mining’s infill drilling program is continuing in the Plomosas Mine Area, and to date has added 105 holes (7,330 m) of new drilling inside the historic Plomosas Mine since completion of the Company’s 2021 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimation”.
Osisko Development Corp., provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. The company reported that 1.1M tonnes of 0.58 g/t Au and 0.25 g/t Ag have been placed on the heap leach pad for an estimated total of 20,090 oz of Au and 8,818 oz of Ag. Osisko also reported that 10,149 Oz Au and 3,516 Oz Ag at recoveries to the end of the third quarter of 2022 of 50.5% for gold and 39.9% for silver total production have been produced from the heap leach pad as of October 27, 2022, of which 7,350 Oz Au were sold.
Pan American Silver Corp., release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Highlights of the drilling are shown in the table below:
With the inclusion of these new drill holes, this area has been expanded to measure approximately 200 metres in diameter and up to 250 metres vertically.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced results from its final 4 drill holes on the North Felsite-North Skarn targets at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. Highlights of the drilling include hole 22CLM-194 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.01% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (212 g/t AgEq or 5.2% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.3m, plus 386 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu, 6% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (827 g/t AgEq or 20.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.7m, plus 336 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.16% Cu, 6.5% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (780 g/t AgEq or 18.9% ZnEq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 746 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 17.1% Pb, and 13.2% Zn (1,904 g/t AgEq or 46.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.6m; and hole 22CLM-193 with 124 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (195 g/t AgEq or 4.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 5.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (333 g/t AgEq or 8.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 3m. “Drilling on these targets, which started in September 2021, has now tested a 400 metre strike-length of mineralization which wraps around the eastern and northern perimeter of the Central Intrusion and links previously identified mineralization in the Mina La Bocona and Skarn Front deposits. Twenty-five holes totaling 11,275 metres were completed in the two target areas to depths of up to 450 metres below surface”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Silverton Metals Corp., announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp., to better reflects the company’s focus on exploration and development of lithium and silver projects (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
Ranchero Gold Corp., made the appointments of its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
Pan American Silver Corp. and Agnico Eagle Limited delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana Gold Inc. Pan American would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana, and Yamana would sell certain subsidiaries and partnerships which hold Yamana´s interest in its Canadian assets to Agnico Eagle, including the Canadian Malartic mine. “The consideration consists of 153,539,579 common shares in the capital of Pan American (“Pan American Shares”); USD$1.0 billion in cash contributed by Agnico Eagle; and 36,089,907 common shares in the capital of Agnico Eagle (“Agnico Eagle Shares”). Under the Binding Offer, each Yamana Share would be exchanged for approximately USD$1.04 in cash, 0.1598 Pan American Shares and 0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an aggregate value of USD$5.02 per Yamana Share based on the closing price of each Pan American Share and Agnico Eagle Share on November 3, 2022. The Binding Offer is not subject to any financing condition or additional due diligence”.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. The amendment states that (a) the 2% net smelter return royalty on La Guitarra will now be granted by Compañía Minera La Guitarra S.A. de C.V., to First Majestic prior to closing of the transaction, rather than rather than concurrently with closing as previously anticipated; and (b) certain governmental approvals will be required prior to closing of the transaction. All other material terms of the transaction remain unchanged. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2022.
Sierra Metals Inc., received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa S.A. for a proposed business combination. A Special Committee of the independent members of Sierra Metals´ Board of Directors is exploring, reviewing and considering financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interest of Sierra Metals.
Xali Gold Corp., increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. The company also informed that has received interest from third parties desiring to enter into JV in the SDA plant and near-surface high grade mineralization near the plant.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, a fault plane from an intermediate-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 4th week of the year (January 24th to January 30th, 2022), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 6 news published by the media, with ten informing on exploration results, nine reporting resources and developments of their properties, five communicating production results, four discussing social issues, two commenting on Mexican issues, and one disclosing deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Americas Gold hosted an official opening ceremony at its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa. Pablo Méndez Alvídrez, president of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua stated that this sector is a mainstay of economic development since it represents 4% of the State gross domestic public (GDP). ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Spruce announced that it has initiated an environmental report for a drill permit at its Diamante project and reported high grade results from historical sampling, Aztec–Kootenay JV completed first 14 holes totaling 2,810.6m of the current 5,000m, 22-hole Phase 2 RC drill program at the Cervantes property, Ranchero Gold released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Daniela project, Orogen provided an update of the drilling exploration program funded by Hochschild on its Sarape project, and announced the termination of the option agreement by Hochschild, Tarachi Gold provided an overview of the exploration activities carried out in 2021 at its Jabali and San Javier mining concessions, and Colibri announced it has resumed the drilling program at its flagship Evelyn project. In Chihuahua, Golden Minerals released results from 5 holes drilled at its Yoquivo project. In Durango, Southern Empire started a drill program at its San Pedro project, Silverton announced that it completed a geophysical 3D modeling of airborne electromagnetic data and the commencement of a seismic survey at its Pluton project, and Canasil announced results of three holes drilled at its Nora project. ON MINING, Altaley reported Q4 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Equinox Gold provided 2022 production and cost guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. Sierra Metals announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. MAG Silver reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. Magna Gold announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its San Francisco Mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capitan Mining reported results from its RC drilling program as well as from chip sampling on the Jesus Maria Silver deposit at its Peñoles project in Durango. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program on the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. SilverCrest provided an update on the construction of its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. GoGold released high grade results from nine holes collared at Mololoa-Tamara area within its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Southern Silver announced a new high grade mineral discovery on the El Sol concession at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Gatos Silver provided an update on the resource and reserve estimation process following recent reconciliation work at its Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua, and provided 2022 production and cost guidance. Vizsla provided a 2021 year end summary of its activities at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Tarachi Gold made significant progress in developing its Magistral tailing project in Durango towards a production decision. Mithril provided a Q4, 2021 on activities at its Copalquin project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bear Creek provided an update of the acquisition from Equinox of Mercedes mine, Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) carried out in collaboration with the Urban Development and Ecology area of the Caborca City Council, the first Reforestation Day 2022. Four educational institutions that Grupo México supports in the Mexican Republic have obtained results above the national average in the most recent evaluations carried out by the Ministry of Public Education. Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) invested over MXP $7M in seven public works in four communities. Minera San Xavier S.A de C.V. informed that, as of January 2022, it has made significant progress in the execution of its biophysical and social Closure Plan, which has been Responsible, Inclusive and Participatory.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation hosted an official opening ceremony at its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa with the participation of the Mexican Minister of Economy, the Governor of Sinaloa State, The Cosala Major, and the CEO of the company. All of them pointed the importance of the mine to the local community, the Sinaloa State and the country. All three government representatives thanked to the company for its perseverance during the illegal blockade and the commitment of capital to re-open the mine.
Pablo Méndez Alvídrez, president of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua stated that this sector is a mainstay of economic development since it represents 4% of the State gross domestic public and has generated more than 20,000 direct jobs and more than 102,000 indirect jobs, which is a great contribution to the state.
ON EXPLORATION
Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced that it has initiated an environmental report for a drill permit on its Diamante project and reported high grade results from historical sampling. The environmental report will be filed to SEMARNAT once it is completed and is expected within four to six weeks of submission. The company identified historical reports with maps, field sections and assays for 77 previously unreleased samples with precious and base metal values reporting up to 25.69 g/t Au, 1,360 g/t Ag, 18 % Pb, 33 % Zn and 1.47% Cu.
Aztec Minerals Corp.-Kootenay Silver Inc. JV completed first 14 holes totaling 2,810.6m of the current 5,000m, 22-hole Phase 2 RC drill program at the Cervantes property in Sonora. Samples have been submitted to the lab for analysis and results are expected to arrive in the next several weeks. Meanwhile, the company will continue the surface sampling and mapping on the property to continue the 2021 Phase 1 surface program.
Ranchero Gold Corp. released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. Hole MA-21-013 intersected 1.11 g/t Au over 13.15m, and hole MA-21-14 intersected 1.18 g/t Au over 21.15m on La Colmena target. The company announced that further sampling was required both above and below the interval sampled in both holes, and results will be released shortly.
Orogen Royalties Inc., provided an update of the drilling exploration program funded by Hochschild Mining Plc., on its Sarape project in Sonora. Hochschild funded a 3,163 m drill program with eight holes testing the quartz-carbonate Sarape Vein. All holes intercepted weakly anomalous gold and silver, except hole SAR-21-12 which intersected 3.76 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 2.4m, including 9.5 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag over 0.7m. Hochschild terminated the option agreement and Orogen is seeking a new exploration partner for the project.
Tarachi Gold Corp., provided an overview of the exploration activities carried out in 2021 at its Jabali and San Javier mining concessions. At the Jabali concession, a Phase 2 underground drilling program at the La Dura mine returned the company´s best drill intersections to date in hole JAB-219-009 with 6.91 g/t Au over 63.4m, including 17.42 g/t Au over 9.3m and 17.37 g/t Au over 13.9m; and hole JAB-21-010 with 1.7 g/t Au over 42m, including 8 g/t Au over 3.4m. In addition, the company completed a short RC surface drilling program with hole JAB-21-14 returning 7.26 g/t Au over 12m. At the San Javier concession, a surface diamond drilling program encountered a mineralized breccia system in several holes. Hole SJA-20-005 intersected 11.9 g/t Au over 2m; hole SJA-20-006 encountered 5.39 g/t Au over 5.6m; and hole SJA-21-014 intersected 0.45 g/t Au over 52m, including 4.11 g/t Au over 1.5m. Tarachi also informed that “plans are underway to conduct field work in 2022 on some of the other concessions in Sonora including La Texana. The goal of the field program will be to identify potential drill targets for later in the year”.
Colibri Resource Corporation announced it has resumed the drilling program at its flagship Evelyn project in Sonora. The company will continue with its 10,000m RC drill program of which 3,122m have been completed in 22 holes before pausing for the holiday season on December 18, 2021. “The Company is planning on completing the 10,000 metres of RC drilling on the Evelyn property in two phases. Phase 1 which is now resuming is aimed at evaluating areas of anomalous and higher-grade Au assay results from surface and trench exposures coincident with magnetic gradients and lineaments and with structures identified through geological mapping. Phase 2 drilling will be planned to follow up positive results from Phase 1 as well as test numerous targets including chargeability anomalies derived from the Induced Polarization (“IP”) survey completed in 2021, targets derived from interpretation of the drone-borne magnetic survey completed in 2020, and targets derived from the on-going property wide geological/structural interpretation”.
Golden Minerals Company released results from 5 holes drilled of a 21 holes second phase drill program recently completed on the Pertenencia Vein at its Yoquivo project in Chihuahua. Highlights include hole YQ-021-002 with 0.51 g/t Au and 706 g/t Ag over 2.4m, plus 0.16 g/t Au, and 91 g/t Ag over 8.5m, including 0.18 g/t Au and 116 g/t Ag over 2.4m, including 0.67 g/t Au and 309 g/t Ag over 0.4m; hole YQ-021-004 with 4.02 g/t Au and 1,473 g/t Ag over 1.5m, plus 0.33 g/t Au and 110 g/t Ag over 1.6m, including 0.92 g/t Au and 313 g/t Ag over 0.3m, plus 0.49 g/t Au and 158 g/t Ag over 3.5m, including 1.67 g/t Au and 578 g/t Ag over 0.3m, plus 1.03 g/t Au and 267 g/t Ag over 2.4m, including 5.15 g/t Au and 1,320 g/t Ag over 0.4m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 179 g/t Ag over .5m, including 0.11 g/t Au and 904 g/t Ag over 0.5m. The company is currently awaiting additional assay results that it expects to report in the coming months.
Southern Empire Resources Corp., started its first core drilling program at its San Pedro project in Durango. The drilling program will test the West Zone where sampling on a NW linear trending heterolithic breccia up to 300m in length returned Au values between 0.33 g/t Au and 2.2 g/t Au. This breccia is coincident with IP chargeability and resistivity geophysical anomalies. The drilling program will consist of 2,000 in 6 to 9 holes.
Silverton Metals Corp., completed a 3D modelling of airborne electromagnetic data (ZTEM) and the commencement of a seismic survey at its Pluton project in Durango. The company announced that the ZTEM processing and 3D modelling was successful in identifying significant anomalies potentially related to mineralization. These are coincident to six targets previously identified. In addition, “to supplement the ZTEM, the company has commenced work on a seismic line survey to better understand the sedimentary units and identify the contact between the overlying clastic rocks and the limestones which have the potential to host manto and chimney Carbonate Replacement Deposits”.
Canasil Resources Inc., announced results of three holes drilled on the Candy vein at its Nora project in Durango. Hole NRC-21-13 intersected 2.96 g/t Au, 241 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (489 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3.46m, including 5.49 g/t Au, 432 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 0.01% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (876 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.69m, including 9.69 g/t Au, 530 g/t Ag, 0.33% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,323 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.32m, plus 8,83 g/t Au, 706 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,411 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.55m, and plus 2.12 g/t Au, 199 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (363 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.91m; hole NRC-21-14 intersected 2.13 g/t Au, 164 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (340 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.43m, including 2.14 g/t Au, 207 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.04% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (381 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.85m, plus 1.4 g/t Au, 181 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (290 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.67m; and hole NCR-21-15 encountered 2.21 g/t Au, 211 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (390 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.54m, including 2.34 g/t Au, 213 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (394 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75m, plus 2.73 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (296 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.45m.” The Candy vein structure remains open in both directions along strike and to depth for continued drill testing, and the low base metal values in these drill intercepts suggest drilling to date is still in the higher levels of the system”.
ON MINING
Altaley Mining Corporation reported Q4 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine, Guerrero. The company milled 183.1K tonnes of 1 g/t Au, 118 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 4.3% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 21%, 47%, 30%, and 71% respectively, to produce 12.2K tonnes of Zn concentrate and 2.7K tonnes of lead concentrate, at cash and AISC of $0.88 and USD $1.06 per Lb Zn respectively. The company reported revenue of CAD $17.07M from Zn concentrate and CAD $2.9M from Pb concentrate for total revenue of CAD $19.98M.
Equinox Gold Corp., provided 2022 production and cost guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. The production for 2022 is estimated at 160K-180K Oz Au at cash of USD $1,400 to 1,475 per Oz Au, with AISC of USD $1,625 to 1,750 per Oz Au. Equinox will invest USD $38M of sustaining capital and USD $62M of non-sustaining capital.
Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, during Q4, 2021, the company processed 227, 722 tonnes of 0.55% Cu, 9 g/t Ag and 0.11 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 80.79%, 82.34%, and 78.32% respectively to produce 2.23M Lb Cu, 57K Oz Ag, and 634 Oz Au (2.8M Lb CuEq). For the full year 2021, the company processed 1,349,602 tonnes of 0.72% Cu, 15 g/t Ag, and 0.16 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 79.28%, 81.95%, and 68.88% respectively, to produce 24.5M Lb Cu, 551K Oz Ag, and 4,751 Oz Au (35.8M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, during Q4, 2021, Sierra Metals processed 84,804 tonnes of 179 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au and 0.4% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 85.52%, 47.29%, and 80.69% respectively to produce 417K Oz Ag, 272 Oz Au and 581K Lb Pb (465K Oz AgEq). For the full year 2021, the company processed 295,771 tonnes of 160 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au and 0.3% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 82.98%, 45.05%, and 81.78% respectively to produce 1.26M Oz Ag, 762 Oz Au and 1.7M Lb Pb (1.38M Oz AgEq).
MAG Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. This project is a JV between Fresnillo plc and MAG Silver and reported that during Q4, 2021, 113,950 tonnes of mineralized material were processed to produce 1.6M Oz Ag and 9,385 Oz Au, of which 44% are attributable to MAG Silver (718K Oz Ag and 1,754 Oz Au). For the full year 2021, 251,907 tonnes were processed to produce 3.2M Oz Ag and 6,577 Oz Au, of which 44% are attributable to MAG Silver (1.4M Oz Ag and 2,894 Oz Au).
Magna Gold Corp., announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its San Francisco Mine in Sonora. During Q4, the company mined 1,456,000 tonnes of 0.44 g/t Au and processed 1,688,000 tonnes of 0.41 g/t Au, to produce 15.5K Oz Au and 5,712 Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $1,123 per Oz Au. The company sold 16,305 Oz Au and 6,177 Oz Ag. The company reported that 57K Oz Au were produced in the full year 2021 at a cash cost of USD $1,299 per Oz Au. Magna Gold also provided a 2022 production guidance and estimates to produce 65K-71K Oz Au at a cash cost of USD $1250-USD $1,350 per Oz Au.
ON FINANCING
No relevant news.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Capitan Mining Inc., reported results from its RC drilling program on its Capitan project, as well as from chip sampling on the Jesus Maria Silver deposit at its Peñoles project in Durango. Hole 21-CARC-29 encountered a broad mineralized intersection on Capitan structure of 0.34 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.34 g/t AuEq) over 195.1m, including 0.35 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.37 g/t AuEq) over 149.4m, including 0.61 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.63 g/t AuEq) over 38.1m, including 0.92 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.95 g/t AuEq) over 100.7m, plus a 3m wide intersection of the Jesus Maria Vein which returned 0.26 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.49% Zn. The mineralized intersection of Jesus Maria vein is significant as it represents a 350m step out down-dip, and to the south of the previous drill-defined extent of the Jesus Maria Silver Deposit. Capitan Mining also reported results from chip sampling conducted on outcrops north of the Jesus Maria Silver Deposit with values up to 410 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 1.7% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 0.6m. Trenching along the new Gully Fault target, between the Capitan Gold Deposit and the Jesus Maria Silver Deposit, has identified a wide zone of mineralization up to 54m wide with 0.14 g/t Au.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program on the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Significant mineral intersections were encountered in hole ET-21-287 with 0.74 g/t Au, 60 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (117 g/t AgEq) over 12.4m, including 5.99 g/t Au, 174 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, and 0.06% Pb (625 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.06 g/t Au, 273 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 1% Zn ( g/t AgEq) over 6.6m, including 0.03 g/t Au, 2,393 g/t Ag, 1.81% Cu, 7.5% Pb, and 10% Zn (3,083 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole ET-21-263 with 0.09 g/t Au, 247 g/t Ag, 0.12% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 1% Zn (314 g/t AgEq) over 3.1m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 421 g/t Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 2.9% Zn (567 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 0.21 g/t Au, 180 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (242 g/t AgEq) over 22.6m, including 1.05 g/t Au, 702g/t Ag, 0.54% Cu, 1.8% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (940 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 0.06 g/t Au, 740 g/t Ag, 0.56% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (826 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m.
SilverCrest Metals Inc., provided an update on the construction of its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. Construction progress was 86.2% complete. During 2021, the company committed 75.2% ($103.6M) of the $137.7M Feasibility Study (FS) capital cost estimate. Construction of the power line is expected to be complete in Q2, 2022. The company has completed a total of 17.5km of underground development since 2019. Approximately 1.8km of additional development occurred in 2021, beyond the FS life of mine. As at Dec 31, 2021, SilverCrest has cash and cash equivalents of $176.5M and $30M project remaining available under a $120M project financing facility.
GoGold Resources Inc., released high grade results from nine holes collared at Mololoa-Tamara area within its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. The highest grades were encountered in hole LRGM-21-088 with 2.58 g/t Au and 684 g/t Ag (11.70 g/t AuEq or 877 g/t AgEq) over 14.6m, including 9.73 g/t Au and 2,577 g/t Ag (44.1 g/t AuEq or 3,307 g/t AgEq) over 3.8m; and hole LRGM-21-090, with 3.84 g/t Au and 999 g/t Ag (17.15 g/t AuEq or 1,286 g/t AgEq) over 5.3m, including 23.50 g/t Au and 6,310 g/t Ag (107.63 g/t AuEq or 8,072 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.49 g/t Au and 129 g/t Ag (2.22 g/t AuEq or 106 g/t AgEq) over 5.7m, including 3 g/t Au and 876 g/t Ag (14.68 g/t AuEq or 1,101 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, plus 0.27 g/t Au and 85 g/t Ag (1.40 g/t AuEq or 105 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced drill results and reported a new high grade mineral discovery on the El Sol concession at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Hole 21SOL-003 intersected 549 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 8.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (982 g/t AgEq or 24.9% ZnEq) over 3.5m, including 1,760 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 23.6% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (2,622 g/t AgEq or 66.5% ZnEq) over 0.8m, plus 129 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 3.9% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (547 g/t AgEq or 13.9% ZnEq) over 0.4m. Drill crews have mobilized back to the El Sol concession to complete an additional three core holes.
Gatos Silver Inc., provided an update on the resource and reserve estimation process following recent reconciliation work at its Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua, and provided 2022 production and cost guidance. “The company concluded that there were errors in the technical report entitled “Los Gatos Project, Chihuahua, Mexico” with an effective date of July 1, 2020, as well as indications that there is an overestimation in the existing resource model. On a preliminary basis, the company estimates a potential reduction of the metal content of Cero Los Gatos mineral reserve ranging from 30% to 50% of the metal content remaining after depletion. The company is working with independent engineering consultants to better understand the magnitude of the overestimation, including conducting a detailed reconciliation of production to previous models and reserve calculation estimates, as well as creating a new Life of Mine (“LOM”) plan. The Company is working expeditiously to complete this reconciliation”. Los Gatos produced in 2021 over 7.6M Oz Ag, 50 M Lb Zn, 40M Lb Pb and 5K Oz Au. It also provided a 2022 production and cost guidance. It estimates to produce 8.5-9M Oz Ag, 49-54M Lb Zn, -M Lb Pb, and 4-4.5K Oz Au at AISC of USD $16.50-18.50/Oz (co-product basis) and USD $13-15/Oz (by product basis).
Vizsla Silver Corp., provided a 2021 year end summary of its activities at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. In 2021, the company drilled 99,783m in 319 holes at Panuco, focused on the western portion of the district at both Napoleon and Tajitos targets. Now, the company has drilled 127,756 m in 449 holes on the property. The most relevant results are at the Napoleon target where drilling has delineated a 1,920m by 300m resource area defined by 148 holes, suggesting an estimated weighted average true width of 3.36m at an average grade of 421 g/t AgEq. High grade remains open along strike and down dip to the south. Vizsla also contracted ALS Canada to conduct preliminary metallurgical testing on representative composited material sourced from the Napoleon vein, and has initiated data capture of standard geotechnical parameters on all resource/exploration drilling. Vizsla has contracted SRK Consulting to design and lead the preliminary data collection program, with most of the work being carried out by Vizsla geologists. “Focus for 2022 is exploration and growth. With +120,000 meter fully funded drill program designed to 1) further expand the Project’s maiden resource base on the western portion of the property and 2) test high priority targets on the central and eastern portions of the district, Vizsla aims to identify new centers of mineralization from which to delineate additional resources while simultaneously investigating accelerated development opportunities”.
Tarachi Gold Corp., made significant progress in developing its Magistral tailing project in Durango towards a production decision, including an auger drill program to provide assay data for a resource estimate and bulk material for metallurgical testing, which demonstrated that >80% Au recoveries without the need for re-grinding the feed. The company completed a PEA study, including a resource estimate of 1.26 M tonnes of 1.93 g/t Au with approximately 87% of the resource in the measured category, outlining a potentially high-margin, low capex gold mining scenario. Highlights of the PEA include an average annual production of 16K Oz Au plus Cu concentrate by-product, AISC of $705/OZ net of Ag and Cu credits, and after-tax IRR of 85%.
Mithril Resources Ltd., provided a Q4, 2021 on activities at its Copalquin project, Durango. Highlights include the delivery of its high-grade maiden JORC indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate of El Refugio-La Soledad in the Copalquin district in Durango, with 2,416,000 tonnes of 4.8 g/t Au and 141 g/t Ag (6.81 g/t AuEq), for a total of 373K Oz Au and 10.95M Oz Ag (529K Oz Au) contained using a cut-off of 2 g/t Au; commencement of a metallurgical and mining study work for El Refugio resource; expansion of targets for the district scale Copalquin for 2022 exploration program; and progress on the acquisition of the Copalquin mining district mining concessions via its purchase option agreement to 25% by completing USD $4M direct expenditure.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Bear Creek Mining Corporation provided an update of the acquisition from Equinox Gold Corp., of the Mercedes mine, located in Sonora. TSX has approved the acquisition as well as of for (i) the company´s gold purchase agreement with Sandstorm Gold Ltd. “Sandstorm will provide the company with USD$37.5M and in exchange Bear Creek will sell to Sandstorm 600 ounces of refined gold per month for 42 months (a total of 25,200 ounces) at a price equal to 7.5% of the spot gold price at the time of delivery and thereafter the company will sell to Sandstorm 4.4% of gold produced by Mercedes at a price equal to 25% of the spot price at the time of delivery; and (ii) the private placement by the Company to Sandstorm of a 6%, three-year Convertible Debentures having a principal amount of USD $22.5M. Proceeds from the Gold Purchase Agreement and the Convertible Debentures will be applied to partially fund the purchase price of the acquisition”.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) carried out in collaboration with the Urban Development and Ecology area of the Caborca City Council, the first Reforestation Day 2022. During the day, 400 regional trees of the Mezquite and Neem species, as well as a hose and accessories for their installation, were delivered to representatives of 13 schools in Pitiquito and Caborca to inform about the importance of reforestation and of having an environmental culture for the benefit of all the inhabitants.
Four educational institutions that Grupo México supports in the Mexican Republic have obtained results above the national average in the most recent evaluations carried out by the Ministry of Public Education. In addition, education also focuses on the teaching of English as a second language
Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) invested over MXP $7M in seven public works in four communities. These works in the towns of Atzcala, Real del Limón, La Fundición and Nuevo Balsas are part of the Minera Media Luna program as a Socially Responsible Company, whose objective is to take advantage of the money in infrastructure works that allow social development.
Minera San Xavier S.A de C.V. (Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosi), informed that, as of January 2022, it has made significant progress in the execution of its biophysical and social Closure Plan, which has been Responsible, Inclusive and Participatory.
Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group.
On the picture above, a quartz breccia cemented by tourmaline from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 2nd week of the year (January 10th to January 16th, 2022), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with eleven reporting resources and developments of their properties, six communicating production results, six informing on exploration results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, President of the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) stated that political risk causes a reduction in the mining investment in Mexico. Alfonso Durazo, governor of Sonora State declared that the Mining Fund program will be back in the state after it was frozen for a little more than three years. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Reyna Gold reported surface and trench sampling results from its La Gloria project, Colibri announced it has purchased a RC drilling rig to reduce drilling expenses, and Heliostar informed that its 5,000m drill program at its Cumaro project has recommenced after the Christmas break. In Chihuahua, Mammoth added additional drill contractor to its ongoing drill program at its Tenoriba project. Radius Gold and Riverside provided a review of 2021 and an update of their Mexican properties. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported December 2021 production results from its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa. Torex announced production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero for the full year 2021. Endeavour reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Golden Minerals reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Rodeo project, Durango. Equinox announced Q4, 2021 production from their Mexican operations and provided production guidance for the year 2022. Gatos Silver reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Prime announced results from 13 new holes drilled at the Noche Buena deposit within its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Avino provided results from its Phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Avino property in Durango. Capitan Mining reported results from six RC holes collared at its Peñoles project in Durango. Excellon released results from its underground drilling program conducted at the Platosa property in Durango. Fabled released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. Zacatecas Silver received permits for 13 new drill pads and applied for permits on additional 27 drill pads at its Panuco deposit in Zacatecas. Silver Dollar announced that exploration drilling has recommenced at its La Joya project, Durango. Oroco Resource reported results from eight drill holes collared at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Osisko released drill results on its San Antonio project in Sonora. GoGold release results from 13 drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Ranchero Gold announced the appointment of its President effective immediately (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Starcore announced the appointment of its new President and Director (San Martin mine, Queretaro). Capitan Mining entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a portfolio of royalties including a 2% royalty on the Capitan Gold oxide deposit in Durango. Endeavour entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Pitarrilla project in Durango State from SSR Mining. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) along with local municipal authorities delivered toys to more than 20,000 girls and boys from Oaxaca.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, President of the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) stated that political risk causes a reduction in the mining investment in Mexico. The lack of legal certainty and a complex environment for obtaining licenses and concessions are holding back investment in the Mexico’s mining sector, despite the rise in metal prices. Actual spending was USD $4.25B, 15.6% below the original estimates, according to CAMIMEX. The figure is lower than the USD $4.67B in 2019 and is well below the high of USD $8.42B in 2012. Due to the lack of mining concessions, investment opportunities of USD $25B are lost in the country. Currently, there are 29 applications detained in the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and 34 at the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). With an adequate legal framework and adequate incentives, mining activity could generate 50 thousand additional direct jobs and more than MXP $25B a year in addition to those already paid by mining. “The statements of the President (against mining), not granting mining concessions, denying access to information, making procedures increasingly slow, although the terms are established in the law, and the lack of personnel in the Mining Directorate General have impeded the advancement of mining projects in the country”.
Alfonso Durazo, governor of Sonora State, declared that the Mining Fund program could be back in the state after it was frozen for a little more than three years by the Federal government. If the Mining Fund is back, the injection of resources into the entity in this 2022 will be greater than MXP $1,000M, same that will benefit the mining towns and incidentally will give a good respite to state public finances.
ON EXPLORATION
Reyna Gold Corp., reported surface and trench sampling results from its La Gloria project. To date, 1,252 sample results have been received from the Main Zone area where drilling will commence this coming February. A total of 555 samples out of 713 returned greater than 0.1 g/t Au, including 23 with greater than 5 g/t Au at Big Pit area. High grade values were encountered at Big Pit and Pique Viejo areas including values of 93.9 g/t Au, 36.2 g/t Au, 46.1 g/t Au, 24.4 g/t Au, 20.1 g/t Au. Other areas such as Las Quintas, Las Quintas West, San Pedro, and Alamo Muerto returned values of 20.1 g/t Au, 15.9 g/t Au, 13.3 g/t Au, 11.1 g/t Au, 13.6 g/t Au, and 9.3 g/t Au. Reyna Gold has already the drill permits to commence a drilling program at Big Pit and Pique Viejo areas in February, 2022. Sampling and mapping will continue in other target areas of the property.
Colibri Resource Corporation announced it has purchased a RC drilling rig and peripheral equipment to reduce drilling expenses and advance its exploration work at their Mexican properties.
Heliostar Metals limited informed that its 5,000m drill program at its Cumaro project has recommenced after the Christmas break. Heliostar reported that four holes totalling 428m were completed in December 2021. Results are pending and will be released in late February.
Mammoth Resources Corp., added additional drill contractor to its ongoing drill program at its Tenoriba project. The company reported that 4 holes collared at the Central-Masuparia area were completed prior to the Christmas break. Samples were cut and submitted to the lab. Results are pending. Last December, 2021, Mammoth announced the granting of an additional permit to cover an additional 183 drill hole locations, expanding the total number of permitted drill hole locations to 321 over the entire approximately 6-km trend of surface gold-silver mineralization at Tenoriba property, Chihuahua.
Radius Gold Inc., provided a review of 2021 and an update of their Mexican properties. At Amalia project. Chihuahua, 45 drill holes totalling 14,402m have been completed of which 10,588m in 31 holes were drilled in the Amalia Vein System and 3,814m in 14 holes were drilled in the California Vein System. Drilling has re-commenced at El Cuervo target with 3,500m of core drilling expected in the coming months. There are still several targets remaining to drill test including Oro Viejo, La Caverna, California SE, El Pozo and Palmillas. At Maricela project, Sonora, the company mapped and sampled the Au-Ag Epithermal Vein system, extending 1.5km long by 300m wide, within which occurs multiple veins, stockworks, and breccias. 576 samples have been collected with highlights including intervals of 4.46 g/t Au and 1,335 g/t Ag over 3m at la Baby Gloria Vein; 1.03 g/t Au and 418 g/t Ag over 63 at Silver Central Vein; and 0.31 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag over 25.3m at intersecting veins. At Plata Verde project, Chihuahua, Radius completed a geophysical survey. NP/Resistivity sections show significant structural zones extending to depth directly below the known large scale historic silver mines. Two priority targets for drilling have been generated. In addition, the company completed detail underground mapping and sampling of the historic Mina Real y Mina Mojonera. Radius is evaluating options to fund drilling later this year.
Riverside Resources inc., provided an outlook on the upcoming 2022 and informed on some of the achievements and milestones in 2021. Riverside plans to advance their exploration projects in Sonora. It plans to advance its La Union project in Sonora, where sampling results have returned up to 84 g/t Au and >1,500 g/t Ag in rock chip samples. On the exploration alliance with BHP, the company is progressing on 3 funded programs with spending of over USD $3M in the first 6 months of 2022, doing exploration on selected and defined projects, finalizing third party acquisitions, and advance work toward drilling. At Cecilia project, Sonora, along with its partner Carlyle, the objective is to complete further drilling which could define a possible mineralized body at depth around the Cerro Magallanes main dome. At Los Cuarentas project in Sonora, the plan is to advance it with further drilling and test the porphyry copper center. It also wants to complete further farm out option deals from the Riverside portfolio such as Suaqui Grande and Suaqui Verde projects in Sonora, among others. Finally, it plans to work with partners to test porphyry copper targets at its Ariel project, Sonora.
ON MINING
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported that it milled approximately 47K tonnes at a rate of 1,695 tonnes per operating day during, December 2021, with grades of 54 g/t Ag, 4% Zn, and 1.8% Pb to produce 46K Oz Ag, 3.2M Lb Zn, and 1.3M Lb Pb from its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa.
Torex Gold Resources inc., announced production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero for Q4 and the full year 2021. The company mined in Q4, 2021, an average of 1,030 tonnes per day from underground and 9,390 tonnes per day from open pit to produce 109,410 Oz Au. Torex mined an average of 1,260 tonnes per day from underground and 13,040 tonnes per day from open pit in the full year 2021 to produce 468,200 Oz Au. The company sold 468,820 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $1,790/Oz Au, including 109,390 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $1,795/Oz Au.
Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. During the period Q4, 2021, the company processed from Guanacevi mine, Durango 108.3K tonnes of 1.21 g/t Au and 417 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 92.2% and 89.6% respectively to produce 3,885 Oz Au and 1.3M Oz Ag, and from Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato, 105.2K tonnes of 1.83 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.9% and 87% respectively to produce 5,502 Oz Au and 141.2K Oz Ag. Endeavour also reported full year production results from their Mexican mines. It processed 414.3K tonnes from Guanacevi mine, Durango at grades of 1.09 g/t Au and 370 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 91.7% and 87.9% respectively to produce 13,317 Oz Au and 4.33M Oz Ag; from Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato itprocessed 418.5K tonnes of 2.02 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag wit metallurgical recoveries of 90.7% and 87% respectively to produce 24,652 Oz Au and 491.4K Oz Ag; and from El Compas mine, Zacatecas it processed 54.5K tonnes of 3.05 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 80.2% and 72.5% respectively to produce 4,293 Oz Au and 45.8K Oz Ag. Consolidated results for the period Q4, 2021 were 213.5K tonnes of 1.52 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 90.8% and 89.4% respectively to produce 9,446 Oz Au and 1.44M Oz Ag, while for the full year 2021 were 887.4K tonnes of 1.65 g/t Au and 195 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 89.8% and 87.6% respectively to produce 42,262 Oz Au and 4.87M Oz Ag.
Golden Minerals Company reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Rodeo project, Durango. In Q4, 2021, Golden mined 145,205 tonnes and processed 42,827 tonnes of 4.6 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 76.5% and 82.6% respectively to produce 4,831 Oz Au and 15,250 Oz Ag (5,028 Oz AuEq). The company sold 5,164 Oz Au and 15,552 Oz Ag (5,366 Oz AuEq) at realized price, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,784 per Oz Au and USD $23.08 per Oz Ag. In the full year 2021, Golden mined 661,102 tonnes and processed 149,411 tonnes of 4.1 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 74.9% and 89.9% respectively to produce 14,449 Oz Au and 51,058 Oz Ag (15,256 Oz AuEq). The company sold 13,732 Oz Au and 48,970 Oz Ag (14,454 Oz AuEq) at realized price, before refining and selling costs of USD $1,793 per Oz Au and USD $24.83 per Oz Ag.
Equinox Gold Corporation announced full year 2021 production from their Mexican operations and provided production guidance for the year 2022. At Los Filos mine, Guerrero, the company produced 144.1K Oz Au and expects to produce 120K-140K Oz Au in the year 2022. At Mercedes mine, Sonora, the company produced 31.8K Oz Au and expects to produce 30K-45K Oz Au in the year 2022.
Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. In Q4, 2021 the company milled 241,397 tonnes of 331 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 2.2% Pb, and 3.9% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90%, 63%, 91%, and 93% respectively, to produce 2.3M Oz Ag, 1,300 Oz Au, 10.2M Lb Pb, and 12.9M Lb Zn. In the full year 2021, Gatos Silver milled 909,586 tonnes of 295 g/t Ag, 0.32% Au, 2.3% Pb, and 3.9% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 86%, 61%, 86%, and 73% respectively, to produce 7.6M Oz Ag, 5,200 Oz Au, 39.8M Lb Pb, and 49.6M Lb Zn.
Oroco Resource Corp., reported results from eight drill holes collared in the North Zone within its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole N001 with 0.18% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 27m, plus 0.39% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.045 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 255m, plus 0.17% Cu, 0.003% Mo, 0.008 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 49m; hole N002 with 0.38% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.025 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag over 281.1m; hole N003 with 0.31% Cu, 0.009% Mo, 0.014 g/t Au and 3g/t Ag over 11.8m, plus 0.33% Cu, 0.018% Mo, 0.017 g/t Au, and 1g/t Ag over 17.7m, plus 0.29% Cu, 0.025% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 25.5m, plus 0.5% Cu, 0.008% Mo, 0.026 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 14.3m, plus 0.39% Cu, 0.014% Mo, 0.019 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 207.7m, plus 0.18% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.007 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 76.2m, hole N004 with 0.38% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.017 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 63.7m; hole N006 with 0.39% Cu, 0.004% Mo, 0.051 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 188.5m, plus 0.17% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.011 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag over 53.7m, hole N007 with 0.32% Cu, 0.005% Mo, 0.029 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag over 191.3m, plus 0.32% Cu, 0.012% Mo, 0.018 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 109.9m; and hole N008 with 0.38% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.038 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 328.3m. “Drilling confirms that the North Zone is comprised of intensely fractured, potassic- and phyllic-altered andesite volcanics and Laramide-age porphyritic intrusive dikes. Elevated Mo, Au and Ag accompany copper assays along the central axis of the North Zone”.
Osisko Gold Royalties Inc., announced that a total of 27,000m were completed on exploration and infill drilling on the Sapuchi, California and Golfo de Oro deposits at its San Antonio project in Sonora. These three deposits comprise 900m of a 3km long Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) trend that ends at the past producing Luz del Cobre copper deposit. The highlights of the drilling campaign to date include 2.14 g/t Au over 21.65m, and 1.03 g/t Au over 39.9m to extend the known mineralization. Osisko also announced that the historic gold stockpile is being stacked onto a new heap leach pad with production commencing in early 2022 along with an updated resource estimation for the three deposits being drilled.
ON FINANCING
No relevant news.
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program at its El Tigre project, Sonora, including a high grade intercept in a structure located between the Tiger Vein and the Seitz Kelly Vein. Hole ET-21-274 encountered 0.84 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (65 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 1.42 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (108 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m, plus 0.4 g/t Au, 8 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (41 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 0.71 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Pb (73 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m on Seitz Kelly Vein; and hole ET-21-278 encountered in a new structure 3.99 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.09% Pb, and 0.17% Zn (343 g/t AgEq) over 16.1m, including 12.24 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.11% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (1,029 g/t AgEq) over 5.1m, including 102.1 g/t Au, 120 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (7,808 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.01 g/t Au, 78 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.06% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (88 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, plus 0.04 g/t Au, 86 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (108 g/t AgEq) over 1m on Seitz Kelley Vein.
Prime Mining Corp., announced results from 13 new holes drilled at the Noche Buena deposit within its Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. Highlights include hole 21NB-22 with 16 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 2.7m, plus 0.91 g/t Au and 44 g/t Ag over a TW of 24.3m, including 3.49 g/t Au and 82 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m; hole 21NB-23 with 75 g/t Au and 110 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.8m, plus 1.89 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag over a TW of 19.7m, including 4.83 g/t Au and 250 g/t Ag over a TW of 3m; hole 21NB-21 with 92 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over a TW of 12.8m, plus 1.09 g/t Au and 66 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.3m; and hole 21NB-17 with 1.27 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over a TW of 12m, including 38 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.2m. These drilling results have extended the size of the Noche Buena deposit. “The Noche Buena portion of the Central Structure has now been tested and mineralization identified along approximately 600 m of its known 1,000 m strike length. The structure remains open along strike and at depth both to the northwest and the southeast. Phase 2 drilling is planned to test extensions to the northwest towards San Miguel, where there is strong potential to join the two deposits, and to the southeast where the structure has been traced in surface mapping”.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., provided results from its Phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Avino property in Durango. The company informed that over 15,500m were drilled in 2021 testing several targets including Brecha de Bajo Vein, where the company made the discovery of a new vein splay called Bart Vein which appears to be mineralized. Highlights results from Brecha de Bajo and Bart Veins include hole NBX-21-02 with 0.06 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag, 0.37% Cu, 0.06% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (211 g/t AgEq) over 1.20m, plus 0.08 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, 0.55% Cu, and 0.2% Zn (103 g/t AgEq) over 7.8m, and plus 0.06 g/t Au, 48 g/t Ag, 0.76% Cu, and 00.3% Zn (159 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m; hole NBX-21-03 with 0.14 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.32% Cu, and 0.2% Zn (147 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.27 g/t Au, 72 g/t Ag, 0.26% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (141 g/t AgEq) over 15.4m, including 0.3 g/t Au, 380 g/t Ag, 1.19% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (547 g/t AgEq) over 1.05m, plus 0.84 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, and 0.2% Pb (151 g/t AgEq) over 32.2m, including 1.58 g/t Au, 120 g/t Ag, 0.11% Cu, and 0.1% Pb (267 g/t AgEq) over 1.95m.
Capitan Mining Inc., reported results from six RC holes collared at its Peñoles project in Durango. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole CARC 21-48 with 0.39 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (0.42 g/t AuEq) over 35.1m, including 1.08 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (1.1 g/t AuEq) over 4.6m, including 0.7 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.72 g/t AuEq) over 4.6m. This drill result extends mineralization 170m down-dip from hole 21-CARC-25. Capitan Mining informed that assays for 11 drill holes are pending. The drilling program will be resumed in late January.
Excellon Resources Inc., released results from its underground drilling program conducted at the Platosa property in Durango. Follow-up drilling on the 817 Zone below Manto 623 defined a zone of high-grade silver mineralization. Highlights include hole EX21UG76 with 4,035 g/t Ag, 25.2% Pb, and 11.8% Zn (5,089 g/t AgEq) over 0.4m, plus 1,430 g/t Ag, 12% Pb, and 21.7% Zn (3,905 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; hole EX21UG60 with 2,398 g/t Ag, 14.2% Pb, and 33.2% Zn (3,905 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; hole EX21UG812 with 1,267 g/t Ag, 7.5% Pb, and 19% Zn (2,124 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m; hole EX21UG769 with 4,060 g/t Ag, 29.7% Pb, and 3.3% Zn (4,939 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m; and hole EX21UG770 with 2,956 g/t Ag, 6.1% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (3,158 g/t AgEq) over 1m. The company also informed that underground drilling will continue testing below historical-mined areas for potential vertical zones.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. Hole SM20-48 encountered 0.04 g/t Au, 58 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (60 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.4 g/t Au, 90 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (111 g/t AgEq) over 24.5m, including 0.49 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (139 g/t AgEq) over 17.1m, including 0.6 g/t Au, 129 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (160 g/t AgEq) over 7.5m, including 0.83 g/t Au, 210 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (253 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 1.25 g/t Au, 315 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (379 g/t AgEq) over 1.50m.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., received permits for 13 new drill pads and applied for permits on additional 27 drill pads at its Panuco deposit in Zacatecas. The Company is currently drilling shallow angled holes in the northeast of the Panuco North Vein to test the near surface down-dip extension of vein outcrops and shallow historical workings. It also expects to receive soon the approval of an application for permits to drill El Cristo vein system, which was submitted to SEMARNAT in December 2021.
Silver Dollar Resources Inc., announced that exploration drilling has recommenced at its La Joya project, Durango. The company completed 5 holes on the Noria portion of the property for a total of 1,134m before the Christmas break with the aim of testing possible structural extensions of known mineralized zones identified in historical drilling. Sample results from these holes will be reported once they are available.
GoGold Resources Inc., release results from 13 drill holes collared at Mololoa Area within its Los Ricos North project, Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGM-21-066 with 1.21 g/t Au and 242g/t Ag (4.44 g/t AuEq or 333 g/t AgEq) over 11.3m, including 5.2 g/t Au and 1,143 g/t Ag (20.44 g/t AuEq or 1,533 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; hole LRGM-21-068 with 0.6 g/t Au and 155 g/t Ag (2.68 g/t AuEq or 201 g/t AgEq) over 12.9m, including 3.56 g/t Au and 872 g/t Ag (15.19 g/t AuEq or 1,139 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; hole LRGM-21-077 with 1.51 g/t Au and 376 g/t Ag (6.52 g/t AuEq or 489 g/t AgEq) over 36.3m, including 6.94 g/t Au and 1,683 g/t Ag (29.78 g/t AuEq or 2,204 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m, including 21.8 g/t Au and 5,040 g/t Ag (89 g/t AuEq or 6,675 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 5.02 g/t Au and 1,385 g/t Ag (2,349 g/t AuEq or 1,762 g/t AgEq) over 1.6m; and hole LRGM-21-089 with 0.81 g/t Au and 151 g/t Ag (2.82 g/t AuEq or 212 g/t AgEq) over 24.1m, including 2.87 g/t Au and 426 g/t Ag (8.56 g/t AuEq or 641 g/t AgEq) over 4.2m, including 4.18 g/t Au and 748 g/t Ag (14.15 g/t AuEq or 1,061 g/t AgEq). The company is pleased with the drilling results on Mololoa Area and will continue its aggressive resource expansion drilling program at Los Ricos North deposit. GoGold also will commence drilling at the Cabrera zone, which is the newest target for Los Ricos North deposit.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Ranchero Gold Corp., announced the appointment of its President effective immediately (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced the appointment of its new President and Director. This appointment follows the resignation of Robert Eadie as President of the Company. Mr. Eadie remains as Chairman, CEO and a director of the Company. (San Martin mine, Queretaro).
Capitan Mining Inc., entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a portfolio of royalties including a 2% royalty on the Capitan Gold oxide deposit in Durango from Exploraciones Altiplano. Total purchase price of royalty portfolio is USD $1M over two years, payable in cash and shares. “Any shares issued to Altiplano are subject to right of first refusal (ROFR) allowing Capitan to market and place shares with investors if Altiplano elects to sell. This transaction with Altiplano in combination with Capitan’s contractual option to retire Riverside Resources 1% royalty for CAD $250K will leave the Peñoles project royalty free and will enhance overall project economics for investors.
Endeavour Silver Corp., entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Pitarrilla project in Durango State from SSR Mining Inc., for total consideration of USD $70M and a 1.25% NSR. The USD $70M will consists of USD $35M in Endeavour shares and a further USD $35M in cash or in Endeavour shares at the election of SSR Mining. The number of Endeavour shares to be issued will be based on a deemed price of USD $4.085 per share.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Compañia Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.), along with local municipal authorities from the Valles Centrales de Oaxaca and Cuenca de Papaloapan Regions delivered toys to more than 20,000 girls and boys from Oaxaca. The delivery of toys is an example of the coordinated work that Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán carries out permanently with different communities, as part of its commitment to generate shared development and well-being in Oaxaca.
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On the picture above, secondary copper staining on an IOCG project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 50th week of the year (December 13th to December 19th, 2021), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news published by the media, with nine reporting resources and developments of their properties, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven informing on exploration results, three communicating production and financial results, one announcing financial issues, and one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Great Panther announced that it has begun the closure process at its Guanajuato facility due to not having the respective permit to expand tailings storage in the Jolula Dam. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals and its JV partner Kootenay commenced a 5,000m RC drilling program at the Cervantes project, Barksdale announced the completion of the Phase I, 5,000m drilling program at the Cerro Verde Zone within its San Javier project, Canuc provided an update on the ongoing exploration program conducted at its San Javier project, and Tocvan commenced a 5,000-8,000m drilling program at its Pilar project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay released results from the last three holes collared at its Columba project, Monarca Minerals reported results from the last eight holes from its Phase 1 San Jose project exploration program, and Radius released drill results from the California target at its Amalia project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver announced that its Los Braceros plant has returned to nameplate production at its Cosala mine operation in Sinaloa. GoGold reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings property in Chihuahua. Orla announced that three bars with a total weight of 1,278 Oz containing approximately 770 Oz Au and 510 Oz Ag were poured at its Camino Rojo property in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Barksdale announced a non-brokered private placement of $1,750,000 secured convertible debentures (San Javier project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Chesapeake provided an update of its Metates property in Durango, and announced technical plans for 2022. Endeavour released drill results from its Parral project, Chihuahua. Fabled released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Impact announced the discovery of the New San Ramon Zone within its Zacualpan mining district in the Sate of Mexico, with high Au-Ag grades intersections. SilverCrest announced remaining results from its 2021 infill and expansion drilling program at its Las Chispas project in Sonora. Tarachi Gold announced positive results of the PEA conducted on its Magistral Mill and Tailing project in Durango. Torex reported results from the 2021 drilling program at its El Limon Guajes underground mine in Guerrero, including zones referred to as Sub-Sill and El Limon Deep. Vizsla released results from three new drill holes targeting the Napoleon Vein resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Zacatecas Silver reported Initial Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for its Panuco deposit in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Advance Lithium announced that its stock symbol changed from TSXV: AAX to TSXV: AALI (Tabasqueña project, Zacatecas). Bear Creek entered into a definite agreement with Equinox to acquire a 100% interest in the Mercedes mine in Sonora. Consolidated Zinc entered into an offtake agreement with Metco Trading for the sale of 100% of the Plomosas lead concentrates produced from Plomosas for calendar year 2022. Defiance announced results from its annual and special general meeting of shareholders (San Acacio project, Zacatecas). Golden Minerals appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Rodeo project, Durango). Mexican Gold announced favourable resolution of the claims dispute at its Las Minas project, Veracruz. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
Great Panther Mining Limited announced that it has begun the closure process at its Guanajuato facility. Great Panther issued a statement announcing the gradual closure of activities, due to not having the respective permit to expand tailings storage in the Jolula Dam, which is part of the mining complex. According to Great Panther, the permit was requested to the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) but so far it has not been authorized. For that reason the company cannot continue operating; but the operations will return, once they receive said authorization. The activities will continue solely for the care and maintenance of facilities. The mines that will be shut down are San Ignacio, the Guanajuato Complex and the Jolulaprocessing plant, located in the former Hacienda de Bustos, also known as ‘Cata’. Mine workers have expressed concern about the situation because when the activities stop in the mines in which they work they will lose their economic income. The precise data on how many employees will be affected by the situation is not yet available.
ON EXPLORATION
Aztec Minerals Corp., and its JV partner Kootenay Silver Inc., commenced a 5,000m RC drilling program to test four main targets at the Cervantes project in Sonora. “The primary objectives of the drilling program are to better define the near surface, oxide gold potential of the porphyry gold oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for north and west extensions of the California mineralization at California North and Jasper, and assess the breccia potential of Purisima East”.
Barksdale Resources Corp., announced the completion of the Phase I, 5,000m drilling program conducted at the Cerro Verde Zone within its San Javier project. All of the 36 holes collared at Cerro Verde encountering Cu mineralization. Significant drill results were encountered in hole SJ21-09 with 0.74% Cu over 18m, including 1.75% Cu over 15m; hole SJ21-07 with 1.47% Cu over 15m, plus 0.54% Cu over 12m; hole SJ21-15 with 0.49% Cu over 66m; hole SJ21-08 with 0.64% Cu over 18m, plus 0.54% Cu over 12m; and hole SJ-21-18 with 0.45% Cu over 12m. Although there are still 15 drill holes at the lab pending for results, the drilling has confirmed and expanded the footprint of the Cerro Verde Zone and indicates that Cu mineralization remains open particularly to the south, west, and northeast. The company has logged and sampled all the 36 drill holes collared during the 5,000m, Phase I drill program. It is currently working on completing an updated geological model in early Q1, 2022. Barksdale plans to conduct an initial resource estimate for the Cerro Verde Zone once assays are delivered by the lab.
Canuc Resources Corporation provided an update on the ongoing exploration program at its San Javier project in Sonora. Approximately 11.2 km of drill and trench access roads were completed during the year. One of these roads encountered bedrock consisting of stockwork quartz veining and hydrothermal breccia. A strong northwest trending structure containing gold mineralization was identified along a strike length of more than 3 km. A total of 672 samples were collected from these trenches and road cuts, returning values ranging from <0.005 to 3.18 g/t Au; 00.3 to 169 g/t Ag, and 5ppm to 2.85% Cu. Highlights include 0.47 g/t Au and 0.37% Cu over 14.5m; 0.3 g/t Au over 56m; 0.21 g/t Au over 26m; 0.19 g/t Au over 10m; and 0.16 g/t Au and 0.48% Cu over 13m. Canuc also announced that 27 samples averaging 0.70m wide were collected from known magnetite bearing prospects in the northern part of the property returning up to 1.67 g/t Au, 1,877 g/t Ag and 6,823 ppm Cu, with a weighted average of 0.09 g/t Au, 295 g/t Ag, and 1,784 ppm Cu. In addition, seven channel samples averaging 0.8m wide collected from old mine workings found on recently acquired claims returned notable values in Au (up to 1.67 g/t), Ag (up to 511 g/t) and Cu (up to 1,854 ppm), with a weighted average of 0.15 g/t Au, 282 g/t Ag, and 604 ppm Cu. A drone-supported magnetic survey was completed late in the year and was accompanied by reconnaissance scale geological mapping. Several large magnetic anomalies were identified and targeted for drill testing. The San Javier area has become increasingly recognized as being highly prospective for IOCG, porphyry and other Intrusion-related Au, Ag and Cu-Au mineralization.
Tocvan Ventures Corp., commenced a 5,000-8,000m drilling program at its Pilar project. “Drilling will focus on continued step-out drilling along the Main Zone Trend and new 4-Trench Trend. Exploration drilling will continue to evaluate target areas along the Triple Vein Zone. Surface exploration work is currently underway on key target areas and channel samples from the recent trench program have been submitted for analysis”.
Kootenay Silver Inc., released results from the last three holes of the 2021 Phase 3 drilling program performed on the B Vein within its Columba project in Chihuahua. Hole CDH-21-111 encountered 105 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, and 0.06% Zn over 5.29m, including 190 g/t Ag, 0.07% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 2.15m, including 387 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb and 0.1% Zn over 0.65m; hole CDH-21-112 intersected 125 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 0.7m, plus 174 g/t Ag, 0.07% Pb, and 0.15% Zn over 0.65m, plus 219 g/t Ag, 0.06% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 29.50m, including 434 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 13.05m, including 667 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3 Zn over 7.05m, including 1,050 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 2m, including 781 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 1m; and hole CDH-21-13 with 156 g/t Ag, 0.06% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 3.5m, including 574 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 0.6m, plus 47 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.06% Zn over 54.90m, including 114 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 3m, including 393 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 2.05m, including 628 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 1.10m. The company is focused on designing a drill program for the coming year to test the promising high-grade zones at Columba, including the B Vein.
Monarca Minerals Inc., reported results from the last eight holes from its Phase 1 San Jose project exploration program. Highlights include hole SJ-05 with 0.3 g/t Au, 2 g/t Ag, and 0.94% Cu over 4.6m, including 0.42g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag, and 0.21% Cu over 1.5m, and hole SJ-8 with 0.04 g/t Au, 79 g/t Ag, 0.34% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 1.5% Zn over 1.5m, plus 0.36 g/t Au, 3 g/t Ag, 1% Cu, tr Pb, and 0.02% Zn over 6.1m, plus 0.84 g/t Au, <0.5 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, tr Pb, and tr Zn over 1.5m, plus 3.11 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.08% Pb, and 0.06% Zn over 3m, including 4.29 g/t Au, 53 g/t Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.04% Zn over 1.5m. “Mineralization has been intersected in exoskarn and endoskarn and silicified intrusives, which are locally potassically altered with shreddy biotite and potassium feldspar. The area to the west of the completed drilling, where there is potential for skarn mineralization at the contact between mineralized intrusives and overlying dolomitized limestone is the site of the largest IP anomaly in the project area, which remains un-drilled from above where the dolomitized limestone outcrops”.
Radius Gold Inc., released drill results from the California target at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Significant drill interceptions were encountered in holes AMDD21-45 with 60 g/t Ag over 87.25m, including 104 g/t Ag over 10.95m, plus 165 g/t Ag over 3.1m, and plus 187 g/t Ag over 3.3m; hole AMDD21-034 with 87 g/t Ag and 2.15 g/t Au over 3.95m; hole AMDD21-038 with 379 g/t Ag and 1.26 g/t Au over 11.20m; hole AMDD21-039 with 353 g/t Ag and 2.59 g/t Au over 12.75m; and hole AMDD21-044 with 346 g/t Ag and 0.63 g/t Au over 19.05m. “The system remains open to expansion along strike and to depth and so far has only been drilled on 200m centers. With the San Pedro zone drill defined and infill drilling planned for next year at California, we will be in a position to define a significant resource at the Amalia Property. With drilling on-going at the El Cuervo target and many targets remaining to drill test (Oro Viejo, La Caverna, and California SE), 2022 will be an exciting year for Radius”.
ON MINING
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced that its Los Braceros plant has returned to nameplate production at its Cosala mine operation in Sinaloa. The company now is milling over 1,600 tonnes of ore per day grading 55 g/t Ag, 4.5 % Zn, and 1.9% Pb. Starting January, 2022 the company expects to increase the throughput to an average of 1,800 tonnes per operating day.
GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings property in Chihuahua. The company produced 475,734 Oz AgEq at a cash and AISC of USD $14.25 and USD $19.29 per Oz AgEq. GoGold reported revenue of USD $10.95M; cost of sales, including depreciation of USD $8.4M; operating income of USD $178K; and cash flow from operations of USD $538K. Year to date September 30, 2021, GoGold has produced 1.14M Oz Ag, 13,447 Oz Au, and 1.05.M Lb Cu (or 2.27M Oz AgEq). The company reported revenue of USD $53.2M; cash of USD $66.8M, free cash of USD $24.8M, company cash flow from operations before working capital of USD $18.9M, and USD $12.4 M after working capital; and adjusted net income of USD $11M.
Orla Mining Ltd., announced that three bars with a total weight of 1,278 Oz containing approximately 770 Oz Au and 510 Oz Ag were poured at its Camino Rojo property in Zacatecas. During the month of November, the Company mined a total of 466,215 ore tonnes at an average grade of 0.65 g/t Au and crushed and stacked a total of 374,976 tonnes on the heap leach pad. Year to date November 30, 2021, the Company mined a total of 1,589,994 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 0.72 g/t Au and crushed and stacked a total of 750,564 tonnes.
ON FINANCING
Barksdale Resources Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of $1,750,000 secured convertible debentures arranged through Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc., an existing shareholder of the company. The net proceeds from the private placement will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes (San Javier project, Sonora).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Chesapeake Gold Corp., provided an update of its Metates property in Durango, and announced technical plans for 2022. Management members and technical team of the company have been focused on improving the Metates ´project economics as a low cost, scalable mine, and the PEA showed positive results demonstrating an alternative mine plan with an approximately 90% decrease in development capital compared to an autoclave process flow sheet. The company plans to advance the metallurgical and technical work on Metates. In addition, the five-hole PQ diameter core drill program completed for metallurgical test work returned on average, a 19% increase in grade over the block model predicted grades. An overall increase in grade could have a significant impact on the PEA geological model and further improve project economics. Two diamond drill rigs commenced a 16-hole infill program that will drill both up and down dip as well as along strike between the June 2021 holes. The Company expects to release results in early 2022 once assays have been received. Once the assays are received, an updated block model inputting all 21 holes will be the basis for a revised resource estimate, mine planning and future technical studies. On the other hand, Chesapeake plans to carry out follow-up work on four of their regional projects: Nicole, Durango, Lucy, Sinaloa, Sundae, Sinaloa, and Tatatila, Veracruz.
Endeavour Silver Corp., released drill results from its Parral project, Chihuahua. In this year, the company has drilled over 14,000m in 59 holes targeting several areas along the La Colorada vein with the goal of expanding the current mineral resources. Highlights from recent drill results include hole VCS-10 on Veta Colorada with 0.01 g/t Au, 2,846 g/t Ag, 0.65% Cu, and 0.01% Zn (2,914 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.89m, including 0.01 g/t Au, 3,380 g/t Ag, and 0.77% Cu (3,461 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.79m; hole VCU-38 on the hangingwall of Veta Colorada with 0.05 g/t Au, 204 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (278 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.75m, including 0.08 g/t Au, 541 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (667 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.33m, plus 0.11 g/t Au, 840 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 9.1% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (1,288 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.77m on Veta Colorada, including 0.26 g/t Au, 1,585 g/t Ag, 0.55% Cu, 34.9% Pb, and 4.4% Zn (2,755 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.36m; and hole VCU-50 collared on Veta Colorada with 0.55 g/t Au, 708 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 10.9% Pb, and 12.4% Zn (1,504 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.23m, including 0.91 g/t Au, 1,130 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 18.9% Pb, and 18.7% Zn (2,406 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.69m.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Hole SM20-44 encountered 1.1 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (86 g/t AgEq) over 7.95m, including 1.42 g/t Au, 31 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (104 g/t AgEq) over 5.80m, including 1.68 g/t Au, 40 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (129 g/t AgEq) over 4.05m, including 5 g/t Au, 42 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (229 g/t AgEq) over 1.10m.
Impact Silver Corp., announced the discovery of high grade at the New San Ramon Zone located 50m to the south and 150m up dip from previous underground mining and drilling at the San Ramon Mine, within its Zacualpan mining district in Sate of Mexico. A total of 3,726m of drilling in 14 holes has been completed and highlights include hole Z21-15 with 1,443 g/t Au, 0.07% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over a true width (TW) of 1.93m; hole Z21-16 with 897 g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, and 7.9% Zn over a TW of 1.93m; hole Z21-17 with 453 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a TW of 2.1m; hole Z21-22 with 410 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a TW of 1.81m; hole Z21-24 with 568 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1% Zn over a TW of 3.65m; and hole Z21-28 with 480 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over a TW of 2.25m. “Known mineralization over the total San Ramon workings has a down dip length of 430m and a strike length of 500m. It remains open for expansion and additional drilling is in progress”.
SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced remaining results from its 2021 infill and expansion drilling program at its Las Chispas project in Sonora. The company reported that the 2021 infill and expansion drilling program consisted of 109,590m in 301 drill holes that include a total of 102,560m in 281 holes in the Babi Vista, Babi Vista Splay, Babi Vista FWZ, Babi Norte HG, Granaditas and El Muerto Veins. On Babi Vista Vein, 15 new infill drill holes returned an average grade of 10.82 g/t Au and 863 g/t Ag (1,804 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.90m. 2021 infill drilling results reported an average grade of 9.05 g/t Au and 782 g/t Ag (1,569 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.8m. On Babi Vista FWZ, 10 new infill drill holes returned an average grade of 14.13 g/t Au and 1,057 g/t Ag (2,285 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m. 2021 infill drilling results reported an average grade of 12.58 g/t Au and 2,404 g/t Ag (3,498 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.7m. On Babi Norte HW Vein, infill drill holes returned an average grade of 9.87 g/t Au and 98 g/t Ag (1,506 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m. 2021 infill drilling program reported an average grade of 6.27 g/t Au and 628 g/t Ag (1,167 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m. On El Muerto Zone and Hanging Wall Vein, the 2021 infill drilling program returned an average grade of 3.97 g/t Au and 274 g/t Ag (619 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m. On Babi Vista Splay Vein, the infill drilling of 41 holes in 2021 reported an average grade of 15.74 g/t Au and 1,316 g/t Ag (2,684 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m. On Granaditas Vein, drilling of 40 holes returned an average grade of 11.65 g/t Au and 2,806 g/t Ag (3,819 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m. “In H1, 2022, underground drill rigs will be working on tighter spaced definition drilling at Babicanora Main, Babi Vista and Babicanora Norte veins in support of underground production planning, a required part of the mining cycle. The surface rig will be working on expansion drilling on the northwest extension of the Babi Vista Vein and further infilling of the El Muerto veins”.
Tarachi Gold Corp., announced positive results of the PEA conducted on its Magistral Mill and Tailing project in Durango. Highlights of the PEA includes an initial capital cost of USD $11.1M and after-tax payback in 1 year; development timeline of 12 months; cash and AISC of USD $648 and USD $705 per Oz Au respectively, net of Ag and Cu credits; pre-tax IRR of 120% and after-tax IRR of 85% at base case price of USD $1,600 Oz Au, USD $22 Oz Ag, and USD $3.40 Lb Cu; pre-tax annual free cash flow of $15.3M and post-tax cash flow of USD $11.3M during years of full-rate production; and Life of Mine of 3.4 years with total production of 53,900 Oz Au, 75,800 Oz Ag, and 1.9M Lb Cu.
Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported results from the 2021 drilling program at its El Limon Guajes underground mine in Guerrero, including zones referred to as Sub-Sill and El Limon Deep. Highlights include holes LDUG-49 with 15.04 g/t Au, 15 g/t Ag, and 0.66% Cu over 34m; hole LDUG-152 with 21.52 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag and 0.53% Cu over 22.5m; hole LDUG-148 with 9.65 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag, and 0.18% Cu over 43.5m; hole LDUG-164 with 13.53 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag, and 0.86% Cu over 28.9m; hole LDUG-166 with 8.92 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag, and 0.21% Cu over 41m; hole LDUG-139 with 9.21 g/t Au, 19 g/t Ag, and 0.4% Cu over 25.1m; hole LDUG-165 with 6.95 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, and 0.27% Cu over 28.7m; hole LDUG-126 with 56.25 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag, and 0.18% Cu over 3.5m: hole LDUG-146 with 7.02 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag, and 0.16% Cu over 26.4m; hole LDUG-159 with 10.1 g/t Au, 2 g/t Ag, and 0.12% Cu over 17.8m; hole LDUG-153 with 19.79 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag, and 0.52% Cu over 7.7m; hole SST-244 with 5.72 g/t Au, 2 g/t Ag, and 0.16% Cu over 24.8m; hole SST-216 with 30.02 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 4m; hole SST-232 with 10.21 g/t Au, 156 g/t Ag, and 1.52% Cu over 11.3m; and hole SST-226 with 10.71 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.44% Cu over 7.8m. To date, Torex has drilled and received assays for 69 drill holes representing approximately 14,200m of drilling. Approximately 5,800m (43 holes) have been drilled at El Limon Deep with an additional 8,400m (26 holes) drilled at Sub-Sill Zone. Torex is expected to complete 25,000m drill program in 2021. There are currently 8 rigs actively drilling off the El Limon Guajes underground, including 3 rigs from surface and 5 rigs underground.
Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from three new drill holes targeting the Napoleon Vein resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Significant mineralization was intersected in holes NP-21-190 with 9.12 g/t Au, 1,058 g/t Ag, 4.7% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (1,902 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.33m, plus 5.14 g/t Au, 161 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 1% Zn (665 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.53M; and hole NP-21-197 with 1.12 g/t Au, 55 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (177 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.27M, including 3.27 g/t Au, 73 g/t Ag, 0.08% Pb, and 3.3% Zn (452 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.99m.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., reported Initial Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for its Panuco deposit in Zacatecas. The company estimated 2.73M tonnes of 171 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au (187 g/t AgEq) for a total of 15.03M Oz Ag and 15K Oz Au (16.4M Oz AgEq), including a zone of 5.1M Oz AgEq at 235 g/t AgEq. The database for the Mineral Resource Estimate consisted of 75 drill holes totalling 23,444 m, and 183 trenches totalling 4,540 m, of which a total of 66 drill holes totalling 19,826 m and 135 trenches totalling 3,545 m intersected the mineralization wireframes used for the Mineral Resource Estimate.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Advance Lithium Corp., announced that its stock symbol changed from TSXV: AAX to TSXV: AALI (Tabasqueña project, Zacatecas).
Bear Creek Mining Corporation entered into a definite agreement with Equinox Gold Corp., to acquire a 100% interest in the Mercedes mine in Sonora: Terms of the agreement are a cash payment of USD $75M and issuance of 24,730,000 Bear Creek common shares on the closing of the acquisition; a deferred cash payment of USD $25M due within six months of the closing date; and a 2% NSR payable on metal production from the Mercedes mining concessions. The USD $75M cash payment on the closing date will be funded by USD $15M from the company´s treasury, and USD $60M from Sandstorm Gold Ltd. Bear Creek and Sandstorm entered into a gold purchase agreement and a debt financing agreement, both subject to customary closing conditions. In exchange for USD $37.5M, Sandstorm will receive 25,200 ounces of gold over 3.5 years, followed by 4.4% of the gold production from Mercedes for the remainder of the life-of-mine, and Sandstorm will pay Bear Creek USD $22.5M to subscribe for a 6%, three-year convertible debenture. Sandstorm has the right to convert the principal amount of the debenture into common shares of Bear Creek, at any time prior to the maturity date, at a 35% premium, or as approved by the TSX-V, to Bear Creek’s share price on closing of the transaction.
Consolidated Zinc Limited entered into a offtake agreement with Metco Trading S.A. de C.V. for the sale of 100% of the Plomosas lead concentrates produced from Plomosas for calendar year 2022. Key terms of this agreement include purchase of 100% of lead sulphide concentrates produced from Plomosas; purchase of 100% of lead oxide concentrates, a new lead concentrate product from Plomosas planned to commence production during the 1st quarter of 2022; and fixed treatment charges for 2022, include the new lead oxide concentrates.
Defiance Silver Corp., announced results from its annual and special general meeting of shareholders (San Acacio project, Zacatecas).
Golden Minerals Company appointed a new member to its Board of Directors, effective December 9, 2021 (Rodeo project, Durango).
Mexican Gold Mining Corp., announced favourable resolution of the claims dispute concerning certain lands that overlap a portion of the Company’s Pepe mineral concessions at its Las Minas project, Veracruz. The General Director of Mines in Mexico has ruled in favour of Mexican Gold, thereby nullifying the portion of the overlapping Santa Fe Claims and reducing it such that it is positioned outside of the Company’s mineral claim boundaries as well as the NI 43-101 resource base.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
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On the picture above, scorodite in a quartz vein displaying boiling texture from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Durango, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
During the 48th week of the year (November 29th to December 5th, 2021), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 3 news published by the media, with seven announcing financial issues, five reporting resources and developments of their properties, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, four informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, and three communicating production and financial results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, AMLO reaffirmed this week his foolish and unfortunate policy of not granting more mining concessions in Mexico. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offered to meet the request of residents of San José del Progreso and collaborators of Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, who asked him to avoid the closure of the San José mining unit, located in that Oaxacan municipality. The current government has stopped the issuance of mining concessions and investment in Mexico. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ranchero Gold provided an update of its ongoing drilling program conducted at its Maíz Azul project. In Chihuahua, Mammoth received from SEMARNAT a permit to expand its drilling program at its Tenoriba project. In Sinaloa, Kootenay announced drill results from its Copalito project. In Durango, Silverton signed a surface agreement for its Pluton Silver-Zinc project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver announced the re-opening of its Cosalá mine operation in Sinaloa. Santacruz reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Zimapan and Rosario mines in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. Guanajuato Silver provided a production update on its El Cubo mine, Guanajuato. ON FINANCING, Guanajuato Silver closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering of up to 16M units at a price of CAD $0.55 per unit (El Cubo mine, Guanajuato). Fabled renewed its agreement with Agora Internet to provide online advertising, marketing, and branding services and wishes to issue 519,007 common shares in respect of the settlement, and engaged Hybrid Financial to provide marketing services (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua). First Majestic announced that it will issue USD $200M aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes or USD $230M aggregate principal amount if the over-allotment option is exercised in full (San Dimas mine, Durango). Guanajuato Silver received USD $750K from the sale of 90 tonnes of bulk Ag-Au concentrate from El Cubo mine in Guanajuato, and anticipates receiving a payment of approximately USD $1.3M for the sale of approximately 175 tonnes of additional Ag-Au concentrate on or about December 3, 2021. Orogen announced initial production at the Ermitaño deposit in Sonora where the company holds a 2% net smelter return. VVC announced an arrangement with Stockhouse Publishing to assists VVC with general market outreach and investor awareness (Gloria Copper project, Chihuahua). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery reported a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on its Cordero project, Chihuahua. Endeavour released high grade results from its ongoing drilling program at their Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. Silver Tiger reported a wide high grade drill intersection on the Benjamin Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Fabled released results from hole SM0-42 collared at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. GR Silver announced the discovery of a gold-silver rich mineralized zone during the initial reconnaissance drilling at Loma Dorada target within its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Almadex announced the appointment of two members to its Board of Directors and the retirement of one Director after many years of valued service (El Chato project, Puebla). Capstone and Mantos Copper entered into a definitive agreement to combine business to create Capstone Copper (Cozamin mine, Zacatecas). Heliostar announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Cumaro project, Sonora). Monumental Minerals announced the appointment of an advisory board to assist the company with the exploration and drill target definition of its Jemi rare earth elements project in Coahuila. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.
ON MEXICO ISSUE
AMLO reaffirmed this week his foolish and unfortunate policy of not granting more mining concessions in Mexico. He declared that mining companies were speculating in the financial market. López Obrador asserted that the existing mining concessions will be respected; however, his government will no longer give more, as many companies “cheated” and have not carried out exploitation tasks.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offered to meet the request of residents of San José del Progreso and collaborators of Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán, who asked him to avoid the closure of the San José mining unit, located in that Oaxacan municipality. The president was asked to avoid the loss of more than 1,200 direct jobs and around 8,000 indirect ones.
The current government has stopped the issuance of mining concessions and investment in Mexico. Parallel to the policy of null concessions, the president has presented a bill that intends to reserve strategic minerals such as lithium only for the State, denying any concession for their exploration, production or commercialization. Both their decisions not to grant a single concession in three years of government “and the promise not to do so in the entire six-year term”and to reserve strategic minerals for the State have been strongly criticized by specialists and representatives of the mining industry, to the point of warning that the future of the country is being“mortgaged.
ON EXPLORATION
Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an update of its ongoing drilling program conducted at its Maíz Azul project, located 3.5km east of Alamos Gold´s Mulatos mine in Sonora. To date, eight holes have been drilled totalling 1,245m, which represents 42% of the Phase 1 drill program which plans to test the La Colmena, La Cascada, and X-structure targets. 175 samples have been submitted to lab and results are expected to arrive in Q1, 2022.
Mammoth Resources Corp., received from SEMARNAT a permit to expand its drilling program at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. SEMARNAT approved the company´s application for up to 182 additional drill sites and covers the entire 6 km Au-Ag mineralization at the Tenoriba project.
Kootenay Silver Inc., announced drill results from Agua, 5 Señores, and Chiva Veins within its Copalito project in Sinaloa. Highlights at Agua Vein include hole BDH-20-055 with 2 g/t Au, 125 g/t Ag and 0.9% combined Pb+Zn (276 g/t AgEq) over 23m, including 9.26 g/t Au, 28 g/t Ag, and 0.6% combined Pb+Zn (643 g/t AgEq) over 5m, including 21.1 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag, and 0.3% combined Pb+Zn (1,409 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m, plus 0.82 g/t Au, 587 g/t Ag, and 1.6% combined Pb+Zn (676 g/t AgEq) over 3m; hole BDH-21-056 with 0.22 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag, and 0.9% combined Pb+Zn (135 g/t AgEq) over 21m, including 0.28 g/t Au, 163 g/t Ag, and 0.8% combined Pb+Zn (199 g/t AgEq) over 7m, including 0.48 g/t Au, 440 g/t Ag and 0.9% combined Pb+Zn (492 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; and hole CDH-21-80 with 0.42 g/t Au, 63 g/t Ag, and 4.8% combined Pb+Zn (199 g/t AgEq) over 1.84m, including 0.69 g/t Au, 133 g/t Ag, and 11% combined Pb+Zn (423 g/t AgEq) over 0.43m. Highlights at 5 Señores Vein include hole BDH-20-51 with 2.95 g/t Au, 98 g/t Ag, and 0.3% combined Pb+Zn (290 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; and hole BDH-20-052 with 0.23 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag, and 0.6% combined Pb+Zn (34 g/t AgEq) over 3.3m, including 1.28 g/t Au, 61 g/t Ag, and 3.3% combined Pb+Zn (174 g/t AgEq) over 0.48m. Highlight on Chiva Vein include hole BDH-21-057 with 0.06 g/t Au, 106 g/t Ag, and 0.3% combined Pb+Zn (118 g/t AgEq) over 6.33m, including 0.23 g/t Au, 513 g/t Ag, and 0.8% combined Pb+Zn (546 g/t AgEq) over 0.82m; hole BDH-21-058 with 0.07 g/t Au, 41 g/t Ag, and 0.1% combined Pb+Zn (48 g/t AgEq) over 12m, including 0.5 g/t Au, 300 g/t Ag, and 1.4% combined Pb+Zn (1,364 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; and hole BDH-21-063 with 0.92 g/t Au, 86 g/t Ag, and 5.5% combined Pb+Zn (269 g/t AgEq) over 1.82m, including 4.49 g/t Au, 453 g/t Ag, and 2.7% combined Pb+Zn (1,344 g/t AgEq) over 0.32m.
Silverton Metals Corp., signed a surface agreement for three years for its Pluton Silver-Zinc project with the Comisariado Ejidal of Ejido Mapimi in Durango State. The agreement provides access to the land for surface exploration work, including diamond drilling and use of a core storage facility.
ON MINING
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation, announced the re-opening of its Cosalá mine operation in Sinaloa. The Los Braceros plant has returned to nameplate production with a steady source of feed from a combination of existing stockpiled ore and new production from the San Rafael mine.
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Zimapan and Rosario mines in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. At Zimapan mine, Hidalgo, the company milled 186,642 tonnes to produce 867.2K Oz AgEq, and sold 829.2K Oz AgEq. Cash costs per ton and per Oz AgEq produced were USD $53.88 and USD $17.72 respectively. AISC was USD $22.81 per Oz Ag Eq. The company reported revenue of USD $14.4M and a gross profit of USD $3.93M. At Rosario mine, San Luis Potosi, the company milled 2,306 tonnes to produce 5,698 Oz AgEq and sold 10,765 Oz AgEq. Cash costs per ton and per Oz AgEq produced were USD $173.04 and USD $42.81 respectively. AISC was USD $22.47 per Oz AgEq produced. The company reported revenue for USD $182K and gross profit of (272K).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., provided a production update on its El Cubo mine, Guanajuato. The company has mined since October 15, 2021 450 tonnes of ore per day from El Cubo mine and is processing an average of 1,000 tonnes per day. It expects the plant to operate for 22 to 24 days for an average monthly operating rate of 22,500 tonnes for the next 6 months.
ON FINANCING
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering of up to 16M units at a price of CAD $0.55 per unit. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to fund the ongoing exploration, development, and expansion of the Company’s El Cubo mine and mill complex and El Pinguico silver and gold project, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., renewed its agreement with Agora Internet Relations to provide online advertising, marketing, and branding services and wishes to issue 519,007 common shares in respect of the settlement. It also engaged Hybrid Financial Ltd., to provide marketing services. Hybrid has been engaged for an initial period of 6 months, starting on December 1, 2021 and will be paid a monthly fee of $22,500 plus payable taxes (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua).
First Majestic Silver Corp., announced that it will issue USD $200M aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes or USD $230M aggregate principal amount if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The company intends to use approximately USD $164.9M of the net proceeds of the offering to repurchase, in separate privately negotiated transactions, approximately USD $125.2M aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 1.875% convertible senior notes. The company intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including strategic opportunities (San Dimas mine, Durango).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., received USD $750K from the sale of 90 tonnes of bulk Ag-Au concentrate grading approximately 220 Oz Ag per tonne and 2.2 Oz Au per tonne from El Cubo mine in Guanajuato, and anticipates receiving a payment of approximately USD $1.3M for the sale of approximately 175 tonnes of additional Ag-Au concentrate at similar grades on or about December 3, 2021.
Orogen Royalties Inc., announced initial production at the Ermitaño deposit in Sonora where the company holds a 2% net smelter return. The first doré gold-silver pour occurred November 11, 2021 and commercial production is expected in Q1 2022.
VVC Exploration Corporation announced an arrangement with Stockhouse Publishing to assists VVC with general market outreach and investor awareness. At the time, the company issued to Stockhouse 157,900 common shares of VVC and a $60K Note to be converted into shares in four tranches over a year. With the approval of TSX Venture Exchange, one quarter of the note ($15K) will now converted, as part of the second tranche, to 136,365 shares at a price of $0.11 per share, being yesterday´s market price discounted by 25%. The next share issuance will occur in three months (Gloria Copper project, Chihuahua).
ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Discovery Silver Corp., reported a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on its Cordero project, Chihuahua. The reports indicates that the ultimate pit contains 719M tonnes consisting of 228M tonnes of mill feed and 491M tonnes of waste for an average strip ratio of 2.2:1 Highlights include a Base Case after-tax NPV 5% of USD $1,160M and IRR of 38% assuming prices of USD $22 / Oz Ag, USD $1,600/ Oz Au, USD 1/Lb Pb, and USD $1.0/ Lb Zn; and a Upside Case after-tax NPV 5% of USD $1,889M and IRR of 55%, assuming prices of USD $27.5/Oz Ag, USD $1,880/Oz Au, USD $1.1/Lb Pb, and USD $1.45/Lb Zn; 16-year mine life with an average annual production of 26M Oz AgEq at an AISC of USD $12.35 / Oz AgEq; initial development CAPEX of USD $368M post-tax payback of 2 years for Base Case and 1.4 years for Upside Case; 99% of tonnes processed in the PEA mine are in the Measured + Indicated category; and Ag represents > 60% of the net smelter return in the first five years of the mine life and >50% of the net smelter return over the life of mine.
Endeavour Silver Corp., released high grade results from its ongoing drilling program at their Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. At Guanacevi mine, highlights include hole UCM-67 with 1.97 g/t Au and 1,254 g/t Ag (1,412 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3.22m, including 3.6 g/t Au and 2,690 g/t Ag (2,978 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.2m, extending the El Curso orebody along strike; and hole SCSU-11 with 4.36 g/t Au, 1,450 g/t Ag (1,798 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.18m, including 7.97 g/t Au and 4,568 g/t Ag (5,206 g/t AgEq) over 0.31m, extending the Santa Cruz South orebody to depth. At Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato, highlights include hole BS-04 with 8.08 g/t Au and 151 g/t Ag (797 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.67m, including 89.6 g/t Au and 88 g/t Ag (8,046 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.08m on a new discovery, the Tepetateras vein, south of the current workings; and hole BS-03 with 1.26 g/t Au and 241 g/t Ag (342 g/t AgEq) over 0.96m, on the Lulu vein, south of the current workings.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported a wide high grade drill intersection on the Benjamin Vein at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Hole ET-21-272 encountered 0.35 g/t Au, 388 g/t Ag, 0.14% Cu, 2.9% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (701 g/t AgEq) over 23.1m, including 0.5 g/t Au, 587 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, 4.3% Pb, and 9.2% Zn (1,051 g/t AgEq) over 15.1m, including 0.52 g/t Au, 1,642 g/t Ag, 0.58% Cu, 11.9% Pb, and 25.2% Zn (2,855 g/t AgEq) over 5.1m, including 0.37 g/t Au, 2,877 g/t Ag, 1.05% Cu, 14.6% Pb, and 30.8% Zn (4,375 g/t AgEq) over 2.6m.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from hole SM0-42 collared at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. This hole was designed to fill in a drill poor gap just to the west of the current resources. The hole intersected six gold bearing zones. Highlights are 0.49 g/t Au, 117 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, 0.1% Zn (143 g/t AgEq) over 3.70m, including 0.91 g/t Au, 211 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (258 g/t AgEq) over 1.20m, plus 0.43 g/t Au, 227 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn and 0.01% Cu (249 g/t AgEq) over 1.71m.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced the discovery of a gold-silver rich mineralized zone during the initial reconnaissance drilling at Loma Dorada target within its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Hole LDSP21-007 encountered 5.23 g/t Au and 166 g/t Ag over 1m. “The Loma Dorada target is currently the subject of reconnaissance drilling, testing a new geological model of NW trending, Au-Ag rich veining – a possible extension 1.2 km along strike from La Colorada”.
ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
Almadex Minerals Ltd., announced the appointment of two members to its Board of Directors and the retirement of one Director after many years of valued service. The company also granted stock options to officers, employees and directors to purchase an aggregate of 1,075,000 common shares at a price of $0.31 per share which expires on December 5, 2023 (El Chato project, Puebla).
Capstone Mining Corp. and Mantos Copper Limited entered into a definitive agreement to combine business to create Capstone Copper Corp., a premier copper producer with transformational near-term growth. Upon completion of the transaction, former Capstone and Mantos shareholders will collectively own 60.75% and 39.25% of Capstone Copper, respectively, on a fully-diluted share basis. (Cozamin mine, Zacatecas).
Heliostar Metals Limited announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Cumaro project, Sonora).
Monumental Minerals Corp., announced the appointment of an advisory board to assist the company with the exploration and drill target definition of its Jemi rare earth elements project in Coahuila. Monumental also appointed a new Director to its Board. The Company also granted 275,000 incentive stock options to advisors at a price of $0.50 per common share for a period of five years.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
No relevant news.
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On the picture above, a piece of core showing a quartz vein with massive chalcopyrite from an epithermal quartz vein system in a current producing mine in Zacatecas, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.
