Chalcedonic quartz vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the twenty one week of the year (June 3^rd to June 9^th, 2019), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with sixteen disclosing deals and corporate issues, five reporting on resources and development of their projects, five informing on exploration results, four announcing financial rounds, two communicating production results, and one discussing Mexican news.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mining Undersecretary of the Secretary of Economy, Francisco Quiroga, said that mining companies from Canada, USA, Peru, Colombia and Australia showed their interest to invest up to USD$ 8M in Mexico mining projects.  ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California Norte, One World Lithium released drilling results from its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Colibri reported assays results from sub-outcrops on its Evelyn project.  In Chihuahua, Monarca identified a skarn and potential CRD/porphyry deposit after running a geophysical survey at its San Jose project.  In Zacatecas, Galore announced it has commenced drilling of 2,500m core drilling program at its Dos Santos property to test the El Alamo target. In Jalisco, GoGold released drilling results from its Los Ricos project.  ON MINING, Mexus Gold announced that over 5,700 tonnes of high-grade ore will be broken on site and hauled to the crushing and leaching site at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. US Antimony produced 159,142 Lb Sb and 1,292 tonnes of zeolites during May 2019. ON FINANCING, VVC announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2M (Samalayuca project, Chihuahua). Galore received a USD $100K loan from an officer of the company to fund its current 2,500m diamond core drilling program at its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas.  One World Lithium closed its third and final tranche of a previous announced non-brokered private placement for CAD $298,700 and announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to CAD $2M (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).  Azure secured A$ 2M financing via a convertible note.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Azure announced that its board of directors has approved the commencement of trial mining and processing of high-grade mineralization from its Oposura project in Sonora. Sonoro Metals initiated metallurgical testing at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora.  Endeavour released underground drilling results from its Guanacevi mine in Durango. Oroco announced the reception of a draft technical report for its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. US Antimony reported expansion of its Madero, Coahuila smelter capacity, and reported that its Puerto Blanco leach plant in Guanajuato is in the testing phase for the production of Au and Ag from its Los Juarez mine in Queretaro.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Aura Resources, Almadex, and Azucar Minerals granted stock options to directors, officers and consultants.  Riverside appointed Alberto Orozco as its VP Corporate Development (La Cecilia project, Sonora). Monarca signed an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the San Jose project in Chihuahua and appointed new director. Inomin signed a non-binding letter agreement to acquire 100% interest in the La Gitana project in Oaxaca from Gunpoint, and appointed new director and adviser. Candente announced management changes with the retirement of its chair and director and the appointment of new director (El Oro tailings project, State of Mexico). Goldgroup and VVC announced their annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on July 31, 2019 and August 19, 2019 respectively. SilverCrest reported results of its annual general meeting of shareholders and appointed a new director to the Board (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Kootenay reported that its partner Pan American Silver has relinquished its right to earn 75% interest in the Promontorio Mineral Belt in Sonora. Magna Gold closed its previous qualifying transaction on two mining concessions at its Mercedes property in Sonora. Sierra Metals repurchased a royalty on its Cusi mine in Chihuahua from Minera Cusi S.A. de C.V. in US$ 4M.

 ON MEXICO ISSUES

• Mexican mining projects raised interest for up to USD$ 8M of investment by companies from Canada, USA, Peru, Colombia, and Australia. According to the head of mining in the country, before realizing the investments, it will be necessary to carry out the work of convincing the surrounding populations. He said: “The type of mining we want is to pay taxes, be socially responsible and achieve economic benefits so that it reaches society and the settlement is public.” He insisted that the presidential mandate is that mining concessions will not be canceled and that the commitments acquired in the past will be honored. Among the areas with the greatest potential are in the south-southeast of Mexico, specifically the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Morelos, among others, with products such as Ag, Au, and Cu. The Ministry of Economy reported that the mining-metallurgical sector in Mexico contributes 4% of the national Gross Domestic Product. While in the world our country is the largest producer of Ag; it is among the top 10 producers of 16 different minerals: silver, bismuth, fluorite, celestite, wollastonite, cadmium, molybdenum, lead, zinc, diatomite, salt, barite, graphite, gypsum, gold and copper.

ON EXPLORATION

• One World Lithium Inc., released drilling results from its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California Norte. The company has completed the first three holes of a twelve drill program, and reported that two holes located 14km apart have intersected aquifers with water samples containing pH values indicative of brines. Drilling to date has demonstrated that there are multiple aquifers in the northern part of the Salar which indicates that the entire Salar could be very prospective.
• Colibri Resource Corporation, reported additional grab samples results from abundant quartz with local iron-oxide staining in sub-outcrops found on areas not previously mapped or sampled at its Evelyn project in Sonora. Grab samples results include values of 4.81 g/t Au and 4.19 g/t Au. This new area is located approximately 1km north-northeast of the Main Zone which consists of a moderately to steeply dipping Au-bearing quartz vein which has been the subject of historical mining. Colibri is planning a property wide, high density, airborne magnetic survey to determine the structural framework and the setting of known Au mineralization.
• Monarca Minerals Inc., identified a skarn and potential CRD/porphyry deposit in its San José project in Chihuahua, after conducting an IP-resistivity and magnetic survey which returned very strong IP/magnetic anomalies over 2.8km strike length resulting in numerous drill targets. Based on the geophysical results and previous encouraging chip sampling on the property, Monarca is planning to perform an 18-hole RC drilling program to test for potential precious and base metals at depth.
• Galore Resources Inc., announced it has commenced drilling of 2,500m core drilling at its Dos Santos property in Zacatecas to test Au mineralization associated with iron-oxides jasperoid and karst breccias exposed along the east-west trending El Alamo target.
• GoGold Resources Inc., reported encouraging drilling results from an additional five diamond drill holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Significant results were encountered in hole LRGG-19-011, drilled 75m down dip below the deepest intersection to date on the property, with 1.2 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag (3.07 g/t AuEq) over 18.5m, including 2.16 g/t Au and 228 g/t Ag (5.19 g/t AuEq) over 8.4m; in hole LRGG-19-13 with 0.78 g/t Au and 195 g/t Ag (3.38 g/t AuEq) over 15.6m, including 1.3 g/t Au and 297 g/t Ag (5.25 g/t AuEq) over 8.8m; and in hole LRGG-19-14 with 1.1 g/t Au and 127 g/t Ag (2.79 g/t AuEq) over 14.2m, including 1.94 g/t Au and 209 g/t Ag (4.73 g/t AuEq) over 7.7m. These positive results confirm that the deposit is still open at depth.

ON MINING

• Mexus Gold US, announced that over 5,700 tonnes of high-grade ore ranging from 5 to 10 g/t Au and 9 to 12 g/t Ag will be broken on site and hauled to the crushing and leaching site at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. “The leaching process has started and will continue on a permanent basis as fresh ore will be added to the heap leach pad. Moving forward, Mexus will increase the scale and capacity of the system to maximize returns” added the CEO of the company.
• US Antimony Corporation, produced 159,142 Lb Sb and 1,292 tonnes of zeolites during May, 2019. It also reported that the inventories of Mexican antimony mine ore continue to grow.

ON FINANCING

• VVC Exploration Corporation, announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to CAD $2M. Gross proceeds will be used for exploration and development of its Samalayuca project in Chihuahua.
• Galore Resources Inc., received a USD $100K loan from an officer of the company to fund its current 2,500m diamond core drilling at El Alamo target within its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas.
• One World Lithium Inc., closed its third and final tranche of a previous announced non-brokered private placement for CAD $298,700. The aggregate gross proceeds of this offering under the first, second and final tranche totalled CAD $2,073,250. It also announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2M. Net proceeds will be used at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California Norte as follow: Salar del Diablo project drilling program CAD $500K; analysis and further testing of drill results CAD $400K; southern region pre-drilling program CAD$400K; and balance for working capital.
• Azure Minerals Limited, secured A$ 2M financing via a convertible note by entering into a binding commitment with the company´s major shareholder Deutsche Balaton. “This funding will enable the Company to meet start-up costs and working capital requirements with operations to commence in the September quarter of 2019”.

 ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

• Azure Minerals Limited, announced that its board of directors has approved the commencement of trial mining and processing of high grade mineralization from its 100% owned Oposura property in Sonora. Initial mine production and processing will range between 1,500 to 3,000 tonnes per month of mineralized material grading approximately 15% combined Zn and Pb. The ore material will be processed on a toll treatment basis through a nearby sulphide flotation processing facility.
• Sonoro Metals Corp., initiated ore characterization and bottle roll and leach column test at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. The tests are expected to be completed in 8 weeks. If the results are positive, they will be incorporated in the sensitivity analysis in order to define the characteristics of the heap leaching pilot operation preliminary design, which would be then updated to a NI 43-101 level.
• Endeavour Silver Corp., released underground drilling results from seventeen holes drilled at its Guanacevi mine in Durango. Seven holes intersected high-grade over mineable widths to extend. Highlights include 0.93 g/t Au and 251 g/t Ag (325 g/t AgEq) over 3m true width in hole UG-61, and two intersections in parallel veins in hole UG-75 with 2.93 g/t Au and 2,175 g/t Ag (2,409 g/t AgEq) over 1m true width, and 0.78 g/t Au and 579 g/t Ag (642 g/t AgEq) over 3.9m. “Recent drilling has extended high grade Ag-Au mineralization to depth at all three of our original orebodies, which should help to increase resources at Guanacevi.”
• Oroco Resources Corp., announced the reception of a draft technical report for its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The technical report presents the key findings of historical technical reports, including a 1994 PFS study by Bateman Engineering (supported by metallurgical work by Mountain States R&D International, Inc., a resource estimate by Mintec, Inc., and mining and plant estimates by Minetek S.A. de C.V.).
• US Antimony Corporation, reported expansion of its Madero, Coahuila smelter capacity, which the installation of long rotary furnace (LRF) number 3. The company has an additional 3 LRFs in inventory. Furnace recovery is in the 96%-98% range and the additional capacity is expected to handle production increases from the Company’s Wadley and Sierra Guadalupe Mines in San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas respectively. It also reported that its Puerto Blanco leach plant in Guanajuato is in the testing phase for the production of Au and Ag from its Los Juarez mine in Queretaro.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

• Aura Resources Inc., granted stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the company to purchase an aggregate 1.2M common shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share which expire on June 4, 2019 (Taviche project, Oaxaca).
• Almadex Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to certain directors and officers of the company to purchase an aggregate 628K common shares at an exercise price of $0.32 per share which expire on June 4, 2019 (Ixtaca project, Puebla).
• Azucar Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants of the company to purchase an aggregate of 573K common shares at an exercise price of $0.29 per share which expire on June 4, 2019 (El Cobre project, Veracruz).
• Riverside Resources Inc., announced the appointment of Alberto Orozco as its VP Corporate Development (La Cecilia project, Sonora).
• Monarca Minerals Inc., signed an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the San Jose project in Chihuahua, where the company identified a skarn and potential CRD/porphyry copper deposit. To acquire the property, Monarca will pay USD $150K in staged cash payments as follow: USD $40K on the option signing date (already paid), USD $50K twelve months after signing of the option agreement, and USD $60K twenty four months after signing of the option agreement. The agreement includes a 2% NSR upon reaching commercial production and Monarca keeps a right to purchase 1% NSR by a single payment of USD $100K. The company also appointed a new director to its Board.
• Inomin Mines Inc., signed a non-binding letter agreement to acquire 100% interest in the La Gitana property in Oaxaca from Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. La Gitana comprises a 494 hectares that hosts a low-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag deposits in Tertiary-aged volcanic rocks. In order to acquire 100% of the property Inomin has to make staged payments for $300K and issue 2M of common shares of the company as follow: $10K (paid) on signing agreement; $25K and 150K shares following execution of definitive agreement; $50K and 250K shares on first anniversary; $65K and 450K shares on second anniversary; $75K and 500K shares on third anniversary; and $75K and 650K shares on fourth anniversary. Inomin will have the right to accelerate payments at the company´s discretion, and is also subject to a NSR the terms of which have yet to be finalized.  The company also announced the resignation of one of its directors and the appointment of its replacement. It also appointed an adviser of the company.
• Candente Gold Corp., reported the retirement of its chair and director and the appointment of its new director (El Oro tailings project, State of Mexico).
• Goldgroup Mining Inc., announced that its annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on July 31, 2019 (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora)
• VVC Exploration Corporation, announced that its annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on August 19, 2019 (Samalayuca project, Chihuahua).
• SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported results of its annual general meeting of shareholders and appointed a new director to the Board (Las Chispas project, Sonora).
• Kootenay Silver Inc., announced that its JV partner Pan American Silver Corp., has relinquished to its right to earn 75% interest on the Promontorio Mineral Belt in Sonora, which include the Promontorio Resource and La Negra high-grade Ag discovery. Kootenay will be conducting a review of the work performed by Pan American in order to plan the next steps for advancing these assets.
• Magna Gold Corp., closed its previous qualifying transaction on two mining concessions at its Mercedes property in Sonora. In consideration of the grant of the option, Magna will: (i) pay to the Seller an aggregate of US$1.34M plus VAT of 16%, paid in installments commencing on the 6th month from the effective date of the agreement (the “Effective Date”) and ending on the 48th month from the Effective Date; (ii) issue to the seller a 3% NSR, capped at US$3.5M and subject to the right of the corporation to acquire all 3 percentage points of the NSR at a price of US$500Kper percentage point, within the first three years of commercial production of the Mercedes Property; and (iii) conditional on the completion of a going public transaction within six months of the Effective Date, issue 2,442,105common shares of the corporation to the seller.
• Sierra Metals Inc., repurchased a royalty on its Cusi Mine from Minera Cusi S.A. de C.V. for US$ $M. The royalty agreement required the company to pay a 3% royalty on the net revenues generated by the mine, less transportation costs, for the life of the mine. The company has already paid US$2.5 million upon signing the repurchase contract on May 10, 2019 and is required to pay a further US$1.5 million on May 10, 2021. With this repurchase, Sierra Metals will no longer have any royalties on any of its properties or mines.

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, chalcedonic quartz vein in a low sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.