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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of May 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 20th week of the year (May 12th to May 18th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 33 press releases. For a second week in a row, not a single company informed on exploration work in early-stage projects. Nine companies reported quarterly operational/financial results. Two companies informed on financing rounds, one on the receipt of shares from a spin-off company, one another reported an agreement on services, one more declared a dividend, and a further one granted stock options. Two companies released drilling results of ongoing drilling at their operating properties. Two companies announced successful takeover bids for smaller companies. One company announced an appointment to the board. Another company announced the completion of the acquisition of 100% interest on a property, and the divestment of one more. Accordingly, one other company increased its ownership on a project and sold its stake on another one. Two companies provided updates on their MTCO’s. One more company is increasing its land position by acquiring one more adjacent project. One company’s shareholders are being advised to vote for a compensation plan. A company is launching three major initiatives. A large company is selling its interest on a company being taken over by another company. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Orla Mining, Gold Resource, Prime Mining, Empress Royalty, Endeavour Silver, Starcore International, Altius Minerals, Avino Silver and Discovery Silver reported their quarterly/yearly results. ON FINANCING, two companies informed on financing rounds: Aztec Minerals (C$3.6 M) and GR Silver (C$1.85 M). Riverside Resources announced its shareholders are to receive shares from a spin-out company. Minaurum Gold announced services agreements. Sailfish Royalty declared a quarterly dividend and Osisko Development granted stock options and deferred shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Luca Mining released drill results from underground drilling at Campo Morado, in Guerrero. Heliostar Metals presented results from drilling on the Creston pit, at its La Colorada mine in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Pan American Silver is acquiring all common shares on Mag Silver. Alpayana announced the successful take-over bid on Sierra Metals. Sonoran Desert announced an appointment to the board. Silver Spruce acquired the remaining 50% interest in the Jackie property in Sonora, from Colibri Resource. Colibri Resource is increasing its stake on the Diamante project to 60%. Santacruz Mining and Centenario Gold provided updates on their respective MTCO’s. First Majestic Silver is to have its AGM. Vizsla Silver is to acquire the Santa Fe property in Sinaloa, Sandstorm Gold informed on a positive recommendation to shareholders on the voting of a compensation plan. Oroco Resources announced three significant initiatives to impact on the Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Fresnillo plc sold most of its shares in Mag Silver. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • Orla Mining Ltd. announced results for the first quarter of 2025, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Camino Rojo, in Zacatecas, the company stacked 1.7 M tonnes on the heaps, grading 0.78 gpt Au to produce 29,973 Oz Au at consolidated (in Mexico and USA) cash cost of $597 per Oz Au and an AISC of $845 per Oz Au. The company obtained US$140.7 M in revenue and held US184.2 M in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period, with US$265.8 M in debt.
  • Gold Resource Corp. presented operational results for Q1 2025. At the Don David mine in Oaxaca, the company milled 56.9 K tonnes averaging 0.7 gpt Au, 169 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.72% Pb, 1.68% Zn, to produce 903 Oz Au, 257.3 K Oz Ag, 54 tonnes Cu, 272 tonnes Pb, 699 tonnes Zn (or 3,394 Oz AuEq) at a total AISC of $3,252 per AuEq. Underground definition and grade control drilling progressed at the Three Sisters vein system, and some definition drilling was completed on the Marean, Santa Helena and Viridiana veins within the Arista system. The company had US$6.2 M dollars in working capital and US$4.9 M in cash at the end of the period.
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported operating and financial results for Q1 2025. The company made a review of the drilling highlights released during the period on the Z-T, Central and Fresnillo trends at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Drilling was halted at the end of January, but six rigs remain in the property to resume drilling as soon as security improves. During the period the company spent C$3.6 M. Total cash at the end of the period was C$19.2 M and total liabilities amounted to C$1.4 M.
  • Empress Royalty Corp. announced financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2025. The company had royalty and stream revenue of US$2.74 M, for a total revenue of US$1.85 M. The positive cash flow of US$1.75 M, adjusted EBITDA of US$1.39 M and a net income of US$0.44 M (Royalty on Tahuehueto, Durango).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. presented its financial and operating results for Q1 2025. During the period the company produced 1.2 M Oz Ag, 8,338 Oz Au (or 1.9 M Oz AgEq), at cash cost $15.89 per Oz Ag and an ASIC of $24.48 per Oz AgEq. Revenue was US$63.5 M, with mine operating cash flow of US$8.3 M. Cash position by the end of the period was $64.7 M, with a working capital of US$14.8 M.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the fourth quarter ended in April 2025. At the San Martin mine in Queretaro, 53.4 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.57 gpt Au, 15.8 gpt Ag, recovering 81.72% Au, 56.63% Ag, to produce 2,342 Oz AuEq.
  • Altius Minerals Corp. reported first quarter 2025 revenue of C$12.6 M (Royalty on Cuale, Jalisco).
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. reported consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2025. At Avino, in Durango, the company milled 167.9 K tonnes to produce 265.7 K Oz Ag, 2,225 Oz Au, 1.6 M Lb Cu (or 678.5 K Oz AgEq) at cash cost $12.62 and an AISC of $20.08. Revenue amounted to US$18.8 M, mine operating income to US$10.6 M, net income was US$5.6 M, and EBITDA US$9.7 M. By the end of the period the company had US$26.6 M, and a working capital of US$31.3 M. As previously informed, underground development work commenced at La Preciosa, in Durango.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced financial results for the first quarter of 2025. The report focused on the recent acquisition by Discovery of the Porcupine mine complex in Ontario, which resulted in a share price increase of 250%. As a result of the transaction with Newmont Corp. the number of shares of the company passed from 402 M at the end of March to 801 M on May 13, 2025. In Mexico, the company submitted the environmental impact assessment (Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) in August 2023. “The Company has yet to receive a ruling on the technical review of the MIA. Based on favourable developments in Mexico since President Claudia Sheinbaum assumed office on October 1, 2024, including public comments acknowledging the importance foreign investment projects and the mining industry to the country’s economy, the Company remains confident that Cordero will receive MIA approval”.

ON FINANCING

  • Riverside Resources Inc. announced that on May 22, 2025, shareholders of Riverside will be entitled to receive one new common share of Riverside and one common share of Blue Jay Gold Corp. (Riverside’s spin-out subsidiary) for every five common shares of Riverside (“Riverside Shares”) held at the Effective Time (Cecilia, Sonora).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. entered into agreements with Capital Analytica and National Inflation Association to provide marketing and communications services (Alamos Silver, Sonora).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$3.6 M (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. declared the second quarterly cash dividend for 2025 in the amount of US$0.0125 per common share, payable on July 15, 2025, to Sailfish shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 30, 2025 (Gavilanes, Durango).
  • Osisko Development Corp. granted an aggregate 1.27 M stock options of the company to certain senior officers and non-executive employees of the company, and 229.6 K deferred shares to its independent directors (San Antonio, Sonora).
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. increased its non-brokered private placement to aggregate gross proceeds of C$1.85 M (Plomosas, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Luca Mining Corp. announced drill results from seven underground diamond holes of the 5,000 m exploration program at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Highlighted core length (>90% true width) results comprise 4.1 m @ 0.57 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag, 1.63% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 7.8 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 59 gpt Ag, 0.70% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 2.6 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 101 gpt Ag, 2.25% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 5.5 m @ 0.71 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag, 0.85% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 3.3 m @ 2.14 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag, 0.77% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 15.80 m @ 2.21 gpt Au, 109 gpt Ag, 0.29% Cu, 0.8% Pb, 2.4% Zn (including 6.6 m @ 3.31 gpt Au, 178 gpt Ag, 0.50% Cu, 1.3% Pb, 4.1% Zn); 4.60 m @ 0.22 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag, 1.26% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 1.2% Zn. Surface drilling is underway, including at Reforma and El Rey, with the first exploration at these deposits since 2010.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced additional results from an expanded 16,211 m drilling program at La Colorada, in Sonora. La Colorada restarted production in January 2025, “and the current drill program is intended to expand the mineral reserves ahead of an updated technical report and expansion decision planned for mid-2025”. The 25 holes in this release targeted mostly veins within the Creston pit. Highlighted results comprise 19.95 m @ 2.51 gpt Au, 98 gpt Ag; 56.60 m @ 2.88 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 31.25 m @ 0.65 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag; 20.90 m @ 3.63 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag (including 4.05 m @ 17.80 gpt Au, 100 gpt Ag); 29.80 m @ 2.22 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag (including 8.70 m @ 6.68 gpt Au); 29.30 m @ 1.08 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 18.85 m @ 3.54 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 23.20 m @ 14.40 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag (including 0.85 m @ 381 gpt Au, 167 gpt Ag); 6.10 m @ 7.94 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 10.70 m @ 0.77 gpt Au, 123 gpt Ag; 85.25 m @ 1.14 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag. Results from the current drill program are being incorporated into a resource model. Historic stockpiles are to be drilled aiming to produce from these low-cost alternatives, as in the currently producing Junkyard stockpile. Later on the year the focus will shift to stepping out on the high-grade vein intercepts beneath and along strike from the open pits  

ON DEALS AND COPRORATE ISSUES

  • Pan American Silver Corp. and Mag Silver Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding common shares of Mag Silver, owner of 44% interest on the Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas (the remaining 55% is owned by Fresnillo plc.).  Mag shareholders will receive a total consideration of US$2.1 billion. “Consideration will be comprised of a mix of cash totaling $500 million and 0.755 Pan American shares per MAG share, subject to proration as detailed below. The consideration represents premiums of approximately 21% and 27%, respectively…” (Pan American Silver owns La Colorada, Zacatecas).
  • Alpayana S.A.C. announced the successful take-over bid to acquire control of Sierra Metals Inc. by paying C$1.15 in cash for share of the company. “Alpayana has satisfied the statutory minimum tender condition and will take immediately take-up and acquire 70.74% of the issued and standing shares of Sierra” (Bolivar, Chihuahua).
  • Sonoran Desert Corp. appointed Mr. Stephen Burega as president of the company.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. informed on the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Jackie project in Sonora from partner Colibri Resource Corp., and the relinquishment of its 25% interest in the Diamante project in Sonora.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. is increasing its ownership on the Diamante project to 60%, and selling its 50% interest on the Jackie project, both in Sonora.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. provides a bi-weekly update on the status of the temporary management cease trade order granted on May 1, 2025 by the British Columbia Securities Commission under National Policy 12-203. “The Company reports that (i) other than as described herein, there are no changes to the information contained in the MCTO Announcement that would reasonably be expected to be material to an investor” (Zimapan, Hidalgo).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. reminds its shareholders about the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Santa Elena, Sonora; San Dimas, Sinaloa; La Encantada, Coahuila).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. entered into an agreement to acquire the 12,229 ha Santa Fe project in Sinaloa, located south of its Panuco project. The property comprises production and exploration concessions, including an operating 350 tpd flotation plant, and it’s fully covered with LIDAR and high-resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys, as well as detailed IP geophysics on the mine area. “Previous drilling campaigns completed by Aurico Gold and Fortuna Mining in 2014 and 2020, respectively, outlined the high-grade shoot currently being mined but also reported anomalous silver intercepts in four other target areas”. Vizsla has the option to acquire production concessions in the property from several individuals and local companies in five years by spending US$4 M on exploration and making staged payments that aggregate to US$1.5 M and 1.37 M common shares in total. Exploration concessions can be purchased by making a US$1.43 M payment and a further 2.75 M shares to an individual on the effective date of the agreement. The individual will receive also the Cocos plant, and Vizsla is to pay 50% of mining duties due on the exploration concessions, which amounts to US$395 K.
  • Centenario Gold Corp. provided a default status report on its management cease trade order. The company confirmed “that there have been no material changes to the information contained in the Default Announcement or any other changes required to be disclosed under NP 12-203” (El Eden, Sinaloa).
  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. informed that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. updated its voting recommendations on the proposed amendments to the share-based compensation program to be voted at the company’s AGM on May 30, 2025. “ISS’ updated report now recommends shareholders vote FOR all management proposals to be voted on at the Meeting, including those proposals ISS previously recommended voting against” (royalties on Cosala, Sinaloa).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. announced three major initiatives: First, an application to expand the scope of the Santo Tomas mine plan, including the lateral shifting of the river adjacent to the North Zone of the project. Second, the engagement of environmental law firm Pontones & Ledezma. Third, the application to list its securities on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
  • Fresnillo plc. announced its position regarding the recent announced acquisition of Mag Silver Corp. by Pan American Silver Corp.: “Fresnillo originally acquired its stake in MAG Silver as a strategic investment in a single-asset company to support the strong partnership at Juanicipio, one of the world’s premier silver mines where Fresnillo is the operator and majority owner. Under the terms of the Agreement, subject to approval of the transaction, Fresnillo’s shareholding of over 9% of MAG Silver would convert into a shareholding of less than 1% of Pan American, a diversified, multiasset precious metals mining company. This conversion of shares does not align with Fresnillo’s strategic investment objectives nor with the interests of its shareholders and therefore Fresnillo has sold the majority of its MAG Silver shares” (Fresnillo, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Brecciated-silicified dike in Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 13th week of the year (March 25th to March 31st, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 21 press releases. Five companies released results for the last quarter/full-year 2023. Two companies announced financing rounds for a total of C$9.8 M, while one more filed a short form base shelf prospectus to raise up to C$40 M. Two companies released updated reserve and resource estimates for its operations. Three companies announced appointments to their boards, one is informing on a royalty spinout, one company announced the agreement to acquire another company with two operating mines in Mexico and one more announced the acquisition of a significant property in Sinaloa. A company with three precious metal mines in Mexico is commissioning a mint in Nevada. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Prime Mining, Alamos Gold, Discovery Silver, Fortuna Silver, Gold Royalty Corp and Americas Gold and Silver presented results for Q4 and full year 2023. ON FINANCING, Americas Gold and Silver raised C$7.8 M, and Capitan Silver increased its offering to C$2 M. Kootenay Silver filed a short form base shelf prospectus to make offering for up to C$40 M in 25 months. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mag Silver and Torex Gold released new reserve and resource estimates for Juanicipio (in Zacatecas) and the Morelos Complex (in Guerrero) respectively. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver is arranging the distribution of Vizsla Silver Royalties shares to its shareholders. Orex Minerals, GoGold Resources and Fresnillo plc announced resignations and appointments to their boards. Alamos Gold is acquiring Argonaut Gold. Vizsla Silver is acquiring the large La Garra-San Dimas project in Sinaloa. First Majestic Silver commissioned a mint in Nevada. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • Prime Mining Corp. reported its operating and financial results for 2023. A federal judge has granted its applications for Federal protection (Amparos) to conduct its activities under the previous (1994) mining law. By the end of 2023 the company held $33.8 M in cash. Prime is to drill 40,000 m in 2024, focusing in resource development and discovery potential. Five drills are currently active at the site (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. filed its annual information form and 2023 annual report, including its audited financial statements for 2023, with the SEC on EDGAR as well as on SEDAR+ (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced financial results for 2023, and updated on work at its Cordero project in Chihuahua since Q4 2023. The release highlighted the feasibility study (FS) results on Cordero, which include a 19-year mine life producing 33 M Oz AgEq in concentrate per year over the life of mine (LOM), at an AISC of US$13.50 per Oz AgEq over the LOM, with a reserve base of 302 M Oz Ag, 840 K Oz Au, 3.0 B Lb Pb, 5.2 B Lb Zn, not including 240 M tonnes of resources outside the feasibility pit. The company had cash and cash equivalents of $58.9 M by the end of 2023.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. filed its fiscal 2023 annual report on Form 40-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (San José, Oaxaca).
  • Gold Royalty Corp. filed its operating and financial results for Q4 and full year 2023. During the year the company received $3.05 M in revenue, with an adjusted net earning loss of $3.9 M while receiving 2,703 Oz AuEq. For 2024 Gold Royalty, which owns 340 royalties, including five producing projects, expects to receive between 5 K and 5.6 K Oz AuEq, roughly US$10 to US$11.2 M (Royalty on Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported consolidated financial and operational results for 2023, including figures for its Mexican operations. At Cosalá, in Sinaloa, 1.1 M Oz Ag, 11.5 M Lb Pb and 34.1 M Lb Zn were produced at cash cost $8.47 per Oz Ag. “The Company is in the final stages of negotiation with a global metal trader to provide concentrate prepayment financing for the capital requirements at its 100%-owned El Cajón and Zone 120 silver-copper project (“EC120 Project”) at the Cosalá Operations.  The Company expects to close this financing in Q2-2024 with the goal to be producing higher-grade silver-copper concentrates by the end of 2024”.

ON FINANCING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. closed its offering for total aggregate gross proceeds of C$7.8 M (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. increased its non-brokered private placement from C$1.5 M to C$2 M (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. obtained receipt for a final short form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulators in each province and territory of Canada. The filing allows Kootenay to make offerings for up to a maximum of C$40 M during the 25-month period over which the base shelf prospectus is effective (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mag Silver Corp. filed on SEDAR the mineral resource and mineral reserves NI-43-101 compliant technical report for the Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas (44% MAG, 56% Fresnillo plc, mine operator). Juanicipio holds 17 M tonnes @1.86 gpt Au, 310 gpt Ag, 2.89% Pb, 5.32% Zn, containing 1.02 M Oz Au, 169.2 M Oz Ag, 492 K tonnes Pb, 904 K tonnes Zn in measured and indicated resources, and 14 M tonnes @ 1.06 gpt Au, 236 gpt Ag, 2.41% Pb, 6.12% Zn, containing 480 K Oz Au, 106.7 M Oz Ag, 339 K tonnes Pb, 860 K tonnes Zn in inferred resources. The Juanicipio plant achieved the designed 4,000 tpd throughput on September 2023.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported year-end 2023 mineral reserves and resources for the Morelos Complex in Guerrero. The complex includes the El Limón Guajes (ELG) mine open pits and underground, advanced development phase Media Luna deposit, pre-development phase EPO deposit and surface stockpiles. As can be seen on the table below, the total resources (measured and indicated resources plus inferred resources) add up to almost 10 M Oz AuEq. “Since releasing the March 2022 Technical Report, we have increased our Measured and Indicated resource 1 base by 1,979 koz AuEq (prior to mined depletion) over the last two years and strengthened the production profile by increasing our Proven and Probable reserves by 719 koz AuEq (prior to processed depletion) over the same period.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced an arrangement agreement with Vizsla Silver Royalties Corp. under which Vizsla Silver shareholders will vote on a special meeting where the distribution of common shares and warrants from Vizsla Royalties are to be arranged on a 1/3 basis. Vizsla Silver also entered into an equity distribution agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. in respect of an at-the-market equity program, which allows the company to issue up to C$50 M of Vizsla Silver shares from treasury to the public. “The ATM Program is intended to provide the Company with additional financing flexibility should it be required in the future. The volume and timing of distributions under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined in the Company’s sole discretion” (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Orex Minerals Inc. announced the resignation of David Gunning from the board, and the appointment of Adam Cegielski as independent chair of the company’s board of directors (Valenciana, Zacatecas).
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced the re-election of members of the board on the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on March 26, 2024 (Los Ricos South, Jalisco).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. entered into a definitive agreement on which Alamos is to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Argonaut Gold Inc. By this agreement Alamos is acquiring the Magino mine, located adjacent to its Island Gold mine in Ontario. Concurrently, Argonaut’s assets in USA and Mexico will be spun out to its existing shareholders as a newly created junior gold producer (“SpinCo”), which will own the Florida Canyon mine in USA, and the El Castillo Complex in Durango, La Colorada in Sonora, and Cerro del Gallo in Guanajuato. “Upon SpinCo going public, Alamos has agreed to subscribe for a further US$10 million to obtain a 19.9% interest in SpinCo”.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. entered into an agreement to acquire the past-producing La Garra-Metates district in Sinaloa. The 16,962 Ha land package is between the San Dimas and Vizsla’s Panuco district, and exhibits low sufidation epithermal vein systems that have returned high grades over kilometers of strike. Vizsla entered into a share purchase agreement in March 27, 2024, with Exploradora Minera La Hacienda SA de CV and Manuel de Jesus Hernandez Tovar, with a cash payment of non-binding LOI of US$100 K, 258 K shares on signing; US$150 K cash and 476.2 K shares at three months; US$275 K cash, 535.7 K shares at six months; US$225 K, 595.2 K shares at nine months; US$350 K cash, 714.3 K shares at 12 months; US$300 K cash, 833.3 K shares at 15 months; US$375 K cash, 962.4 K shares at 18 months and US$1.3 M in cash, 1.19 M shares at 24 months. Vizsla is to pay back taxes on the concessions and the sellers will retain a 1% royalty that can be bought back for US$750 K at any time. “The finder’s fees is 2% NSR of the project payable to an arm’s length Mexican Company”.
  • Fresnillo plc. announced that Ms Bárbara Garza Lagüera and Mr Juan Bordes intend to stand down from the board at the next annual general meeting in May of 2024. “The Board has, therefore, invited Mr Charlie Jacobs to continue on the Board as a Non-Independent NonExecutive Director” (Fresnillo, Zacatecas).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. completed the commissioning and commencement of bullion sales from its minting facility, First Mint LLC., located in Nevada. “The inaugural production run of bullion bars will be commemorated and sold as collectibles, complete with certificates of authenticity and exclusive packaging. These limited edition “First Strike” products will include 1,000 one-kilogram bars, 2,500 ten-ounce bars, and 5,000 five-ounce bars” (San Dimas, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz matrix breccia in a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of November, 2021. 

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Quartz hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 46th week of the year (November 15th to November 21st, 2021), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with twelve reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven announcing financial issues, seven communicating production and financial results, four informing on exploration results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four commenting on Mexican issues, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fortuna Silver announced that it is trying to avoid the closure of its San Jose silver mine in Oaxaca after the expiration of its environmental permit last month. The company stated that it is fighting for the stability of 1,200 active workers of its San Jose mine. Mexico´s Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) announced that it will carry out an indigenous consultation to define the future of the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan announced exploration plan for its El Picacho project, and Ridgestone received permit for drill program on the El Cobre target at its Rebeico project.  In Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources reported initial drill results from its diamond drilling program conducted on Carneritos area at its Tenoriba project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre presented trenching sampling results from its la Tigra project. ON MINING, Argonaut announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Excellon presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. Elemental Royalties reported the production of 9,722 Oz Au from its Mercedes mine in Sonora during the period Q3, 2021. Americas Gold and Silver announced that its Cosalá operations are expected to ramp-out to full production of approximately 1,800 tonnes per day next month. SilverCrest reported unaudited financial results for the period Q3, 2021. Starcore announced Q2, 2021 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. DynaResource reported year to date 2021 production and financial results at September 30, 2021 from its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa.  ON FINANCING, Advance increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to $475K (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas). Aloro reported that the final CAD 60K + VAT payment of the option agreement for the Los Venados claim, Sonora with Almadex has been made by Alamos Gold. Guanajuato Silver arranged an early payment of USD $2.5M to Endeavour Silver for the acquisition of the El Cubo mine in Guanajuato. Mag Silver signed a binding commitment letter with the Bank of Montreal for a fully underwritten USD $40M revolving credit facility. Aztec closed the final tranche of its oversubscribed CAD $1.6M private placement for total proceeds of CAD $575K (Cervantes project, Sonora). Guanajuato Silver arranged a non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of CAD $8.25M (El Cubo mine, Guanajuato). Silver Wolf announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Ana Maria project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Fabled released results from hole SM20-40 collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. GoGold presented results from the last nine holes collared at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco, prior to upcoming mineral resource estimate. Orex filed a NI 43-101 technical report for a mineral resource estimate on its Coneto project in Durango. Orla provided a construction update of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Oroco commenced a diamond drilling program on Brasiles Zone at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa.  Prime Mining commenced a Phase 2 drilling program on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, which will consist of 250 holes for a total of 50,000m. Silver Dollar began an initial 3,000m drilling program at its la Joya property in Durango. SilverCrest provided an update on the construction of its Las Chispas mine in Sonora.  Southern Silver released drill results from its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Capitan Mining presented results from five RC holes collared on El Capitan deposit at its Peñoles project, Durango. Mithril released its maiden JORC mineral resource estimate for the first target area at its Copalquin project, Durango. Silver Tiger presented drill results from ten holes collared on the Protectora and Caleigh veins at its El Tigre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Fabled received an approval from the court to spin-out its copper exploration assets in Fabled Copper Corp. Rockland signed an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Elektra clay lithium project in Sonora. Starcore reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro). Goldgroup announced the appointment of its new CEO (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc applies development and scientific research, consolidating the concept of what they call “sustainable mining”.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., announced that it is trying to avoid the closure of its San Jose silver mine in Oaxaca after the expiration of its environmental permit last month. Although the San Jose mine has been in operation since 2011, its main environmental authorization expired on October 23, despite the company’s efforts since May to request an extension of the permit. A recent court order allows the mine to continue operating, but only temporarily. Maria Luisa Albores, the Environment Secretariat issued a statement saying it would work to organize a consultation with indigenous communities close to the project as part of the environmental authorization. It did not provide details on the timing of the consultation, nor did it say whether the mine could continue to operate in the meantime. The company stated that it is fighting for the stability of 1,200 active workers of its San Jose mine.
  • Mexico’s Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) announced that it will carry out an indigenous consultation to define the future of the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. A dozen of Zapotecas communities will decide whether the San José mine, owned by Minera Cuzcatlán, will continue operating in the Valles Centrales region of Oaxaca, through a consultation carried out by the Ministry of SEMARNAT. It should be noted that the San José mine has four environmental impact authorizations in force, however there is another one that expired on October 23, and although the company requested its extension in due time and form, SEMARNAT has not issued a ruling.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., provided an update on the appeal to the denial of the extension of the environmental impact authorization (EIA) at its San Jose mine, Oaxaca. “The appeal will be brought by Minera Cuzcatlán in the Mexican court. The grounds for the appeal are that Minera Cuzcatlán is in full compliance with all material environmental laws, and therefore Minera Cuzcatlán has the right to an extension of the EIA under applicable law”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced exploration plan for its El Picacho project in Sonora, where five primary targets have been identified to date combining for over 6km of prospective trend. The company plans to carry out surface sampling and detailed target mapping, trenching and channel sampling of priority targets, and drill targeting. The project is fully permitted for 1,995m of trenching, 60 drill holes (up to 15,000m), and 2.2km of access roads.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., received permit for drill program on the El Cobre target at its Rebeico project in Sonora. This maiden drill program will consists of 14 RC holes for a total of approximately 2,700m, and will be conducted along the main El Cobre structure, where recent grab and rock-chip sampling of the surface stockpile of mined material from the El Cobre structure returned up to 3.5% Cu, 53 g/t Ag and 0.52 % Mo over widths of up to 5.0m.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp., reported initial drill results from its diamond drilling program conducted on Carneritos area at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. Four diamond holes have been completed for a total of 426m. Highlights include hole TEN21-01 with 0.31 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag (0.53 g/t AuEq) over 37.5m, including 0.47 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (1.7 g/t AuEq) over 4.5m; hole TEN21-03 with 0.54 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.59 g/t AuEq) over 43.5m, including 0.69 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (0.73 g/t AuEq) over 6m, including 0.67 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.73 g/t AuEq) over 4.5m; and hole TEN21-04 with 0.53 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (0.63 g/t AuEq) over 19.5m.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., presented trenching sampling results from its la Tigra project in Nayarit. Trench LTZ01 returned 1.44 g/t Au and 10 /t Ag (1.58 g/t AuEq) over a length of 8.6m;  trench LTZ02 returned 0.46 g/t Au and 56 g7t Ag over a length of 19.7m; trench LTZ03 returned 1.22 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (1.3 g/t AuEq) over a length of 11.6m, including 2.52 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (2.7 g/t AuEq) over a length of 4.25m; and trench LTZ04 returned 1.45 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.57 g/t AuEq) over a length of 12.8m, including 3.22 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (3.69 g/t AuEq) over a length of 5.3m.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At El Castillo mine, Durango, Argonaut mined 2,143,000 tonnes of 0.28 g/t Au to produce 11,123 Oz Au and 10,448 Oz Ag or 11,246 Gold Equivalents Ounces (GEOs). It sold 10,473 Oz Au and 11,875 Oz Ag (10,612 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,173 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin Mine, Durango, the company mined 2,598,000 tones of 0.30 g/t Au to produce 16,258 Oz Au and 116,309 Oz Ag (17,626 GEOs). Argonaut sold 17,611 Oz Au and 121,993 Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $1,011 per Oz Au sold. At La Colorada mine, Sonora, the company mined 1,224,000 tonnes of 0.67 g/t Au to produce 15,360 Oz Au and 37590 Oz Ag (15,802 GEOs). It sold 15,332 Oz Au and 35408 Oz Ag (15,749 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $696 per Oz Au sold.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 21,592 tonnes and milled 21,302 tonnes of 526 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb, and 5.4 % Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.9%, 81.2%, and 78.3% respectively. Excellon produced 326.7K Oz Ag, 1.87M Lb Pb, and 1.98M Lb Zn (521.2K Oz AgEq) at total and AISC of USD$11.02 and USD$21.52 per Oz Ag payable respectively. The company reported revenues of USD $9.2M; gross profit of USD $1.8M, and cash and marketable securities of USD $5M at September 30, 2021.
  • Elemental Royalties Corp., reported the production of 9,722 Oz Au from its Mercedes mine in Sonora during the period Q3, 2021.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced that its Cosalá operations are expected to ramp-out to full production of approximately 1,800 tonnes per day next month. Concentrate shipment have resumed. A return to revenue and cash flow generation is expected later in Q4, 2021.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported unaudited financial results for the period Q3, 2021. The Company recorded USD $42.1M as development expenditures under mineral property, plant and equipment, for the Las Chispas Project, which primarily consisted of decline construction and underground working of USD $17.2M; drilling costs of USD $9.7M; field and administrative costs of USD $6.3M; and salaries and remuneration of USD $3.3M. The Company also recorded additions, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, of USD $60M related to the Las Chispas Project as mineral property, plant and equipment for various items which was primarily construction in progress.  At September 30, 2021, SilverCrest had cash and cash equivalents of USD $199M. At September 30, 2021, the Company had value-added taxes (“IVA”) receivable in Mexico of USD $17.9M. The Company has financed its operations to date through the issuance of common shares and debt. The Company currently has no operations from which to derive revenues.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced Q2, 2021 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 56,061 tonnes of 1.56 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 87.81% and 54.83% respectively, to produce 2,782 Oz AuEq.
  • DynaResource Inc., reported year to date 2021 production and financial results at September 30, 2021 from its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa. The company mined and milled 66,695 tonnes of 9.48 g/t Au with a metallurgical recovery of 89.45%, to produce 18,141 Oz Au, from which 16,036 Oz Au were sold. The company reported revenue of $25.9M, net operating income of $11.3M, and earnings per share of $0.64.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp., increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to $475K (Tabasquena project, Zacatecas).
  • Aloro Mining Corp., reported that the final CAD 60K + VAT payment of the option agreement for the Los Venados claim, Sonora with Almadex Minerals Limited has been made by Alamos Gold Inc.  Aloro also reported that by mutual agreement with Alamos, the second year work commitment was reduced from USD $1.5M to USD $750K, while the third year work commitment was increased from USD $3M to USD$3.75M, to total USD $M to earn 70% interest in the Los Venados project.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., arranged an early payment of USD $2.5M promissory note to Endeavour Silver Corp., for the acquisition of the El Cubo mine in Guanajuato. In consideration, Endeavour has agreed to reduce the principal amount of the note by USD $25K and settle the Mexican VAT for common shares of the company. It will issue 901,224 common shares to Endeavour at a deemed price of CAD $0.55 per share to settle VAT totalling USD $396K.
  • Mag Silver Corp., signed a binding commitment letter with the Bank of Montreal for a fully underwritten USD $40M revolving credit facility. The facility will be used to develop its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes (Mag Silver only controls 44% of the project).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., closed the final tranche of its oversubscribed CAD $1.6M private placement for total proceeds of CAD $575K. Part of the proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work on its Cervantes project in Sonora, as well as for general working capital purposes.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., arranged a non-brokered private placement offering of 15M units at a price of CAD $0.55 for gross proceeds of CAD $8.25M. 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, both located near the city of Guanajuato, Mexico; and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement financing for up to 6M units at a price of CAD $0.25 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M. Net proceeds will be used for financing the initial drill program at its Ana Maria project in Durango, and for general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from hole SM20-40 collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. The drill hole encountered seven gold bearing zones as shown in the figure below:
“Hole SM20-40 was successful and continues to add to the mineral inventory as the down plunge of the gold domain system discovered in holes SM20 – 20, 22 remains open at depth. Hole SM20-41 will further explore the down dip potential of this zone. Further drilling maybe required in this area”.
·         GoGold Resources Inc., presented results from the last nine holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco, prior to upcoming mineral resource estimate. The most significant mineralized intervals were encountered in holes LRGF-21-095 collared at El Favor Este with 0.35 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag (1.85 g/t AuEq or 139 g/t AgEq) over 13.3m, including 3.81 g/t Au and 1,237 g/t Ag (20.3 g/ AuEq or 1,523 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, and 0.56 g/t Au and 156 g/t Ag (2.65 g/t AuEq or 199 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m; and hole LRGF-21-084 with 0.17 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag (0.94 g/t AuEq or 70 g/t AgEq) over 66.1m, including 0.37 g/t Au and 111 g/t Ag (1.85 g/t AuEq or 138 g/t AgEq) over 13.5m, including 1.03 g/t Au and 167 g/t Ag (3.26 g/t AuEq and 245 g/t AgEq) over 3m, plus 0.31 g/t Au and 154 g/t Ag (2.36 g/t AuEq or 177 g/t AgEq) over 5.5m.
·         Orex Minerals Inc., filed a NI 43-101 technical report for a mineral resource estimate on its Coneto project in Durango. Orex reported inferred resources for 5,325,000 tonnes of 1.67 g/t Au and 112 g/t Ag (3.15 g/t AuEq) to contain 286K Oz Au and 19.1M Oz Ag (538K Oz AuEq) as at August 30, 2021.
·         Orla Mining Ltd., informed that up to October 2021, the mine construction of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas shows a progress of 96% and that it remains on budget.  The company reported capital expenditures of USD $24.3M in Q3, 2021 and totalled USD $106.3M as Sept 30, 2021, out of a total of USD $134.1M. “The main activities completed during the quarter included ramp up of mining activities, mechanical completion of the crushing system, conveying system, reclaim tunnel, overland conveyor, and grasshopper conveyors, commencement of wet commissioning with introduction of ore into the crushing circuit, and completion of the camp facilities. Overliner ore material was placed on the heap leach pad and ore stacking began in early October in preparation for cyanide leaching which is expected to begin in mid-November”.
·         Oroco Resource Corp., commenced a diamond drilling program on Brasiles Zone at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Brasiles is the northern extension of the mineralization in the Santo Tomas North Zone, and consists of two very broad, sub-parallel exploration targets. The first hole underway will test a NE striking, chargeability-high resistivity low response, while the second hole will test a blind chargeability-high feature located west of and sub-parallel to the Brasiles target.
·         Prime Mining Corp., commenced a Phase 2 drilling program on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, which will consist of 250 holes for a total of 50,000m. Goal of the Phase 2 drilling program is to expand resources along the three main corridors of known open-pit mineralization: Guadalupe Structure, Zapote-Tahonitas, and Central Zone Structure. In addition, Prime will test several high potential new target generated in the previous exploration campaign   which are located within approximately 5km radius of the main mineralized corridors at Los Reyes such as Mina 20/21, Mariposa, Las Primas, Fresnillo, El Tule and others on the two parallel El Orito trends.
·         Silver Dollar Resources Inc., began an initial 3,000m drilling program at its la Joya property in Durango.  Objective of the drilling program is to test the possible structural extension of known mineralized zones identified in historical drilling on the Noria portion of the La Joya property.
·         SilverCrest Metals Inc., informed that the construction progress at its Las Chispas mine in Sonora was 54% complete compared to an overall scheduled completion of 48%. Construction continued to progress well in the quarter with the main access road, plant detailed engineering, and concrete work now complete, bridge construction 88% complete, plant construction 49% complete, power line 47% complete, and underground infrastructure ongoing. With underground development ahead of schedule at the end of the H1, 2021, development rates continued to progress well in Q3, 2021 for a total of 15.7 km completed since underground development began in Q1, 2019.
·         Southern Silver Exploration Corp., released drill results from the North Felsite chimney at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Highlights include hole 21CLM-175 with 599 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 16.9% Pb, and 10.2% Zn (1,530 g/t AgEq or 38.8% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.9m, including 760 g/t Ag,0.07 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 23.2% Pb, and 17.4% Zn (2,169 g/t AgEq or 55% ZnEq); and hole 21CLM-172 with 313 g/t Ag, 0.25 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu, 7% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (610 g/t AgEq or 15.5% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.4m, plus 180 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.36% Cu, 3.7% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (361 g/t AgEq or 9.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.5m. Mineralization remains open along strike and at depths below 250m.
·         Capitan Mining Inc., presented results from five RC holes collared on El Capitan deposit at its Peñoles project, Durango. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole 21-CARC-40 with 0.30 g/t Au over 15.2m, including 1.44 g/t Au over 1.5m in the hanging wall zone, plus 0.32 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (0.40 g/t AuEq) over 76.2m, including 0.59 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (0.70 g/t AuEq) over 18.3m, including 1.2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (1.33 g/t AuEq) over 1.5m in the Capitan Main zone.
·         Mithril Resources Ltd., released its maiden JORC mineral resource estimate for the first target area at its Copalquin project, Durango. The company reported for El Refugio-La Soledad target indicated resources for 691,000 tonnes of 5.43 g/t Au and 114 g/t Ag (7.06 g/t AuEq) to contain 121K Oz Au and 2.54M Oz Ag (157K Oz AuEq) and inferred resources for 1,725,000 of 4.55 g/t Au and 152g/t Ag (6.72 g/t AuEq) to contain 252K Oz Au and 8.4M Oz Ag (372K Oz AuEq). Total Indicated + Inferred resources are 2,416,000 tonnes of 4.8 g/t Au and 141 g/t Ag (6.81 g/t AuEq) to contain 373K Oz Au and 10.95M Oz Ag (529K Oz AuEq).
·         Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented drill results from ten holes collared on the Protectora and Caleigh veins at its El Tigre project in Sonora. The most significant mineralized intervals were encountered in holes ET-20-163 collared on the Protectora Vein with 0.74 g/t Au and 335 g/t Ag (5.21 g/t AuEq or 391 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m, including 3.56 g/t Au and 1,782 g/t Ag (27.32 g/t AuEq or 2,049 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus 0.48 g/t Au and 727 g/t Ag (10.17 g/t AuEq or 763 g/t AgEq) over 1m, including 0.89 g/t Au and 1,374 g/t Ag (19.21 g/t AuEq or 1,441 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET-20-164 on the Protectora Vein with 4.59 g/t Au and 370 g/t Ag (9.52 g/t AuEq or 714 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m, including 10.5 g/t Au and 805 g/t Ag (21.23 g/t AuEq or 1,592 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET-20-158 on Caleigh Vein with 4.09 g/t Au and 815 g/t Ag (14.96 g/t AuEq or 1,122 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; and hole ET-20-156 collared on Caleigh Vein with 7.09 g/t Au and 752 g/t Ag (17.12 g/t AuEq or 1,284 g/t AgEq) over 0.3m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
·         Fabled Silver Gold Corp., received an approval from the court to spin-out its copper exploration assets in Fabled Copper Corp.
·         Rockland Resources Ltd., signed an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Elektra clay lithium project in Sonora. The Elektra project is contiguous to the advanced Sonora Lithium project owned by Bacanora Lithium plc. The company can earn a 100% interest (less NSR) in the Elektra project through cumulative option payments of 10M common shares in the company and USD $1.5M over a 48 month period. A 2% NSR will be granted to the vendors and the company will have an option to purchase 50% of the NSR for USD $1M at any time.
·         Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro).
·         Goldgroup Mining Inc., announced the appointment of its new CEO effectively immediately. The previous interim CEO will continue as the company´s CFO (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
·         Fresnillo plc informed that it applies development and scientific research, consolidating the concept of what they call “sustainable mining”. The company implemented a “life vest” for monitoring the health of its workers, coupled with the use of artificial intelligence in data analysis systems such as Big Data, biometric readers and new generation extraction.

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 hydrothermal breccia cemented by silica and fine disseminated sulphides in an epithermal quartz vein system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of August, 2020.

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Phyllic alteration

By Miguel A Heredia

During the thirty three week of the year (August 10th to August 16th, 2020), at least 43 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with twelve disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven announcing financial rounds, six communicating production and financial results, six informing on exploration results, five reporting on resources and development of their mine operations, four discussing social issues, and three commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining drives the economy of the municipalities of Santa Barbara and San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua. The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga and the Major of Progreso, Coahuila, Federico Quintanilla started up the modern “La Esperanza” locomotive at the Santa Barbara mine, with the purpose of promoting a fair and safe reactivation of coal orders that will be transformed into jobs for this municipality. Mexican Au production will suffer declines due to COVID-19 pandemic.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri Resource began a high resolution mag survey at its Evelyn project, its JV partner Silver Spruce commenced a mapping and sampling program at its El Mezquite, and Silver Tiger reported underground channel sampling results from its El Tigre project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay presented drill results from 4 holes collared at its Columba project. In Sinaloa, GR Silver released drill results from 14 holes drilled by previous companies at its Plomosas project but not previously released, and Vizsla reported a second discovery drilling at its Panuco project.  ON MINING, Argonaut, Equinox, GoGold, MAG Silver, and Santacruz Silver presented Q2, 2020 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations; Starcore presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro.  ON FINANCING, Canuc closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $225K (San Javier project, Sonora). Discovery Metals closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $35M, including CAD $15M investment from Eric Sprott (Cordero project, Chihuahua).  Orex Minerals announced a non-brokered private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5.5M (Sandra and Coneto projects, Durango). One World Lithium closed a portion of its previously announced non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds for CAD $336K (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Silver Spruce announced a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $1.6M (El Mezquite project, Sonora).  Sonoro Metals closed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $8M including the fully subscribed overallotment option (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Sable Resources entered    into an agreement with Sprott Capital for a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $5M (Margarita project, Chihuahua). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, SilverCrest released drill results from its Las Chispas project. Golden Minerals announced results from 9 diamond holes of its in-fill resource definition drill program at its Rodeo project in Durango. Coeur provided mid-year 2020 exploration update on its Palmarejo project in Chihuahua. SilverCrest provided an update of the activities carried out at its Las Chispas project in Sonora during the period H1, 2020. Orla Mining received from the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (“SEMARNAT”), the environmental permit required for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Brigadier signed a definitive agreement to acquire Picachos property in Sinaloa, including the past producing San Agustin mine, and made the appointment of a new member to its board of directors.  Magna Gold entered into a definitive option agreement with a private party to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Los Muertos property in Sonora. Silver Dollar signed a definitive agreement with First Majestic to acquire up to a 100% interest in the La Joya property in Durango. Alien appointed IBK Capital Corp to assists it with the project level funding and JV process for its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Avino has granted the exclusive right to Gray Rock Resources to acquire a 100% interest in the Ana Maria and Laberinto properties in Durango. Evrim reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and approved the merger with Renaissance Gold (Ermitaño project, Sonora).  Excellon announced results from its 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders (La Platosa mine, Durango). Riverside completed the spin-out of shares of Capitan Mining Inc. (Peñoles mining district, Durango). Monarca closed the sale of the El Sol project in Durango to Southern Silver and appointed a new member to its board of directors (Tejamen project, Durango). Minera Alamos granted stock options to an officer of the company (Santana project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold), inaugurated a waste water treatment system at Cocula municipality of Guerrero. Grupo Mexico Foundation donated seven assisted breathing ventilators, as well as personal protection equipment for ambulances from the Ministry of Health of Coahuila. Personnel of Fresnillo plc will carry out rapid tests of COVID-19 in the communities and neighborhoods near the area of operation of the mines in the Fresnillo district.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mining drives the economy of the municipalities of Santa Barbara and San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua. The main source of employment in Santa Barbara and San Francisco del Oro is mining. If not, these two towns could become “ghost” cities. Currently these two areas of the south of the state have prospered thanks to the establishment of mining companies that have taken advantage of the resources from their respective foundations, which were precisely constituted by the discovery of mines at the time of the Viceroyalty and until now they continue operating.
  • The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga and the Major of Progreso, Coahuila, Federico Quintanilla started up the modern “La Esperanza” locomotive at the Santa Barbara mine, with the purpose of promoting a fair and safe reactivation of coal orders that will be transformed into jobs for this municipality. In meeting with the Undersecretary of Mining, the mayor explained the need to request coal orders from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to ensure investment and, above all, return employment to hundreds of families who depend on this activity in the municipality of Progress, Coahuila.
  • Mexican Au production, will suffer a decrease of more than 300K Oz in Au production this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure represents 9.3% of the 3.46M Oz Au of the production originally projected for 2020, according to BNamericas’ forecast and estimates for 20 companies in March, 2020. Mexico produced 126,607 Oz Au in May, 37.5% less than the same month last year, according to the national Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation, began a high resolution mag survey at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The planned airborne magnetic survey will consist of 150 km in 59 N-S lines at 50m line spacing and 5 E-W tie-lines at 500m separation using a DRONE equipped with a Mag magnetometer. Results from this mag survey along with surface chip and channel samples, property wide soil sampling and previous drill results will be analyzed to plan drill targets for a fall 2020 drill program.
  • Silver Spruce Resources, has mobilized a crew to its El Mezquite property in Sonora to conduct geology mapping of the entire property and collect additional rock samples for analysis as well as for an study of alteration intensity and style using a Terraspec hyperspectral tool.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented underground channel sampling results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. This sampling program is intended to generate drill targets. In the Fundadora Vein, highlights include 4.44 g/t Au and 3,064 g/t Ag (3,397 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.5m; 8.6 g/t Au and 2,500 g/t Ag (3,145 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m; and 22.3 g/t Au and 606 g/t Ag (2,278 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m. At Protectora Vein, highlights include 32.99 g/t Au and 2,283 g/t Ag (2,474 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m. At Caleigh Vein, highlights include 26.65 g/t Au and 1,679 g/t Ag (1,999 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m. At the Aquilas Norte area, sampling returned significant results such as 4.71 g/t Au and 1,709 g/t A (2,062 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m; and 1.37 g/t Au and 1,843 g/t Ag (1,946 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., presented drill results from additional four holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua in the J and Z Veins. Highlights include hole CDH-20-060 with 132 g/t Ag over a width of 64m, including two notable intervals: 1,025 g/t Ag over 1m within 226 g/t Ag over 9m, and 361 g/t Ag over 11m, including 608 g/t Ag over 5m, and 1,160 g/t Ag over 1m, all within 229 g/t Ag over 22m; and hole CDH-19-030 with 200 g/t Ag over 25.85m, including 415 g/t Ag over 11.15m, including 982 g/t Ag over 1.9m within 721 g/t Ag over 4.07m. The Ag mineralization in the J and Z Vein system is related to silicified breccias and thin quartz vein stockworks following classic banded quartz vein structures more characteristic of the F-Vein.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced drill results from 14 holes drilled by previous companies but not previously released from its Plomosas project in Sinaloa, revealing the presence of wide zones of Au mineralization in addition to attractive near surface Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization. Significant drill intercepts were encountered at hole PLSS18-02 with 0.2 g/t Au, 350 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (383 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2m, including 0.5 g/t Au, 1,559 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (1,687 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m; hole 219 with 1.9 g/t Au, 191 g7t Ag, 7.1% Pb, and 3.4% Zn (716 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.4m, and hole 235 with 2.3 g/t Au, 134 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 2.4% Zn (437 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.8m; and hole 244 with 1.7 g/t Au, 17 g/t Ag and 0.7% Zn (209 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 12.6m. These drill results define a mineralized strike length of up to 700m, with field evidence and underground mapping indicating further continuity along strike and down dip.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., reported a second discovery drilling at the San Carlos mine on the Animas Vein corridor within its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlights include hole AM-20-15 with 0.61 g/t Au and 93 g/t Ag (144.9 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; and hole AM-20-16 with 1.14 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag (229 g/t AgEq) over 16.25m, including 2.19 g/t Au and 231 g/t Ag (421 g/t AgEq) over 6.75m, including 5.08 g/t Au and 821 g/t Ag (1,245 g/t AgEq) over 1.50m. The San Carlos Mine is over 6 km east of the recent discovery at the Napoleon vein corridor.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., announced Q2, 2020 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At El Castillo mine in Durango, Argonaut processed 902K tonnes of 0.43 g/t Au to produce 9,151 Oz Au and 19,547 Oz Ag or 9,394 GEOs (Oz AuEq), at a cash cost of $862 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin mine in Durango, the company processed 1.18M tonnes of 0.33 g/t Au to produce 13,403 Oz Au and 69,242 Oz Ag (14,288 GEOs) at a cash cost of $76 per Oz Au sold. The El Castillo complex (Castillo + San Agustin mines) produced 23,662 GEOs at a cash cost of $802 per Oz Au sold during Q2, 2020. At La Colorada mine in Sonora, Argonaut processed 506K tonnes of 0.42 g/t Au to produce 7,537 Oz Au and 26,554 Oz Ag (7,869 GEOs) at a cash cost of $1,169 per Oz Au sold.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., did not report production results by single operation but presented a consolidated production of 127K Oz Au from their mine operations and sold 125.8K Oz, having earnings of USD $85.1M, a net loss of USD $58.7M, and an adjusted net income of USD $26.6M. For Los Filos mine in Guerrero, most of the period Q2, 2020, the mine was on suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the company provided a H2, 2020 guidance and expects to produce 90K-100K Oz Au at an AISC of USD $850-950 per Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua for the period Q2, 2020. GoGold stacked 282.7K tonnes at a cash and AISC cost of USD $12.13 and USD $14.93 per Oz AgEq respectively. The company sold 469.5K Oz AgEq with revenue of USD $7.9M and a free cash of flow of USD $2.2M.
  • MAG Silver Corp., announced that underground production at its Juanicipio project in a JV with Fresnillo plc in Zacatecas is expected to commence soon. An anticipated processing of 16K tonnes per month from which 8,850 tonnes were successfully at the Fresnillo pant on a test basis while the Juanicipio plant is commissioned. The capex expended from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020 is approximately USD $172,695 leaving an estimated USD $267,305 of remaining initial capital (MAG’s 44% estimated remaining share is USD $117,614 as at June 30, 2020). This funding requirement would be reduced by both: existing cash held in Minera Juanicipio as at June 30, 2020 (USD$35,337); and, expected cash flows generated from mineralized rock sold and processed through the Fresnillo processing plant referenced above.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining ltd., reported Q2, 2020 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. Consolidated production results of Santacruz for the period Q2, 2020 resulted in 116,799 tonnes processed to produce 216K Oz Ag, 57 Oz Au, 679K Lb Cu, 1.68M Lb Pb, and 4.85M Lb Zn. At Zimapan mine in Hidalgo, the company processed 106,725 tonnes of 75 g/t Ag, 0.42% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 2.5% Zn to produce 181.8K Oz Ag, 679K Lb Cu, 1.5M Lb Pb, and 4.45M Lb Zn. At Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi, Santacruz processed 10,074 tonnes of 0.25 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 2% Zn to produce 57 Oz Au, 34.2K Oz Ag, 154K Lb Pb, and 392.4K Lb Zn.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., presented production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro for the period Q1, 2021. Starcore processed 59.1K tonnes of 1.7 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag at metallurgical recoveries of 88.77% and 56.53% respectively to produce 3,250 Oz AuEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Canuc Resources Corporation, closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $275K. Net proceeds will be used for exploration at its San Javier project in Sonora.
  • Discovery Metals Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $35M, including CAD $15M investment from Eric Sprott. After this investment. Mr. Sprott will own approximately 26.4% interest in Discovery Metals on a non-diluted basis or 29.9% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of warrants held by Mr. Sprott. Net proceeds will be used to fund Discovery´s continuing exploration programs at its Cordero project in Chihuahua and its other projects in Coahuila.
  • Orex Minerals Inc., announced a non-brokered private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5.5M (Sandra project. Durango). Mr. Eric Sprott intends to subscribe for the entirety of the offering. Net proceeds will be used for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (Sandra and Coneto properties in Durango).
  • One World Lithium Inc., closed a portion of its previously announced non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds for CAD $336K. Net proceeds will be used primarily for funding part of its Salar del Diablo drilling program in Baja California and for working capital.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced a private placement financing for gross proceeds of $1.6M. The proceeds will be used for exploration of the El Mezquite and Pino de Plata projects in Sonora and Chihuahua states respectively.
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $8M including the fully subscribed overallotment option. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the offering to launch Phase One of the 2020-21 Core Drilling Program to test its Cerro Caliche epithermal system’s potential to host high-grade gold mineralization at depth as discussed previously.
  • Sable Resources Ltd., entered into an agreement with Sprott Capital Partners LP as lead agent for a private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to CAD $5M. The offering is expected to close on or about September 10, 2020. Gross proceeds will be used for exploration and general corporate and working capital purposes (Margarita project, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., released drill results from the Babi Vista Vein within its Las Chispas project in Sonora. This program is designed to expand and in-fill high grade mineralization to be included in the updated resource for the ongoing FS. The expanded high-grade footprint for Babi Vista is estimated at 800m along strike by an average 150m in height. The most significant results were encountered at hole BV20-60 with 635 g/t Au and 26,004 g/t Ag (73,595 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.3m; hole BV20-53 with 19.87 g/t Au and 2,996 g/t Ag (4,486 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.4m; and hole BV20-94 with 85.4 g/t Au and 4,716 g/t Ag (11,121 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.7m.
  • Golden Minerals Company, announced results from nine diamond holes of its in-fill resource definition drill program at its Rodeo project in Durango. Each of the first nine diamond drill holes intersected wide zones of near-surface gold mineralization, with significant drill intercepts encountered at hole RDO-20-001-M with 1.85 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 45m, including 2.59 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over 29.44m, including 4.04 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 13.23m; hole RDO-20-002 with 2.18 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 35m, including 4.21 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 9.9m, including 2.44 g/t Au and 2.44 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over 10.39m; hole RDO-20-003-M with 3.23 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 40m, including 6.86 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 12.95m, including 2.62 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 10.85m; hole RD-20-004 with 1.27 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over 50m, including 3.33 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 9.18m; hole RDO-20-005-M with 3.78 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over 40m, including 5.96 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 23.4m; hole RDO-20-006 with 3.06 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over 30m, including 5.21 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 15.5m, including 7.55 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 8.11m; hole RDO-20-007 with 0.76 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 50m, including 3.36 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 7.2m; hole RDO-20-008 with 2.95 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 40m, including 5.13 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 20.5m, including 7.23 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over 9.6m; and hole RDO-20-009 with 1.51 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag over 45m, including 2.67 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 20.25m, including 3.32 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 13.25m. Drill holes 001M, 003M and 005M were drilled with PQ drill-core to collect samples for metallurgical test work. Remaining drill holes were drilled with HQ drill-core.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., provided H1, 2020 exploration update on its Palmarejo project in Chihuahua. Exploration has been focused primarily on resource conversion and expansion drilling around the Guadalupe mine complex, and secondly on the Independencia mine complex. The company has drilled 29, 496m at a total investment of approximately $4.1M. At North Independencia, key drill results were encountered at hole VIDH-140 with 5.4 g/t Au and 236 g/t Ag over 5.3m and 21.4 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over 1.6m; at Northwest Independencia, hole VIDH-136 cut multiple intercepts: 4 g/t Au and 439 g/t Ag over 5.3m; 2.1 g/t Au and 293 g/t Ag over 6.6m; 1.8 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag over 6.3m; 0.7 g/t Au and 282 g/t Ag over 3.6m; 2.9 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2.4m; and 4.8 g/t Au and 638 g/t Ag over 0.6m. At East Independencia, hole BVDH-047 intersected 1.4 g/t Au and 248 g/t Ag over 7.6m. Coeur has expanded the overall footprint in the district by mapping and sampling exposures of new veins SW and NE of the two underground mining complexes as well as new veins W and E of legacy open pit mine. It plans to continue aggressively drilling resource expansion targets in several areas during the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., provided an update on the activities developed at its Las Chispas project in Sonora in H1, 2020. The company completed 97,700m of in-fill and expansion drilling and completed approximately 2.1km of underground decline and lateral development, and stockpiled an additional 12K tonnes of mineralized material for a total stockpile of an estimated 41K tonnes at estimated diluted grade of 1Kg AgEq. SilverCrest expects to release a FS by the end of 2020.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., received from the Mexican Federal Environmental Department (“SEMARNAT”) the environmental permit required for the development of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Orla now has the two principal permits necessary for commencement of construction activities at Camino Rojo.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Brigadier Gold Ltd., signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the 3,954 ha Picachos property in Sinaloa, including the past producing San Agustin high grade Au mine. Picachos is along a large trend that host several precious metals epithermal vein systems and recently, a large porphyry copper target has been identified. To acquire 100% interest in the property, Brigadier has to make staged payments to the vendors totalling USD $275K over a 5-year period, issuance of 4M common shares of Brigadier, and cumulative exploration expenditures of USD $3,850,000. Brigadier will also make payments to the vendor for Picachos development milestones as to 1M common shares upon delineating a mineral resource estimate containing a minimum of 350K Oz Au in the inferred category, USD $725K and 1M common shares upon completion of a FS recommending the construction of a mine on the property, and USD $2M upon commencement of commercial production. In addition, Brigadier may, at its option, issue common shares, at the then current market price, subject to a minimum of $0.30 per share, in lieu of one half of the cash payments to be made pursuant to each of, and a 2% NSR will be retained by the vendor who is arm´s length to Brigadier. The company also announced the appointment of a new member to its board of directors.
  • Magna Gold Corp., entered into a definitive option agreement with a private party to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Los Muertos property in Sonora. Los Muertos is characterized by extreme silicification, hematization, and argillic alteration, suggesting the potential for both extensive Ag-Au vein systems, and coincident, pervasive disseminated   Magna can earn a 100% undivided interest by paying an aggregate amount of USD $425K plus VAT in five annual installments commencing on the effective date of the agreement, August 3rd, 2020.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., signed a definitive agreement with First Majestic to acquire up to a 100% interest in the La Joya property in Durango. The company may acquire an initial 80% interest by making staged payment totalling $1.3M over a 5-year period plus annual holding costs for the property, incurring exploration expenditures on the property of not less than $1M within 3 years, and issuing such number of common shares of the company as is equal to 19.9% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Silver Dollar. . If Silver Dollar incurs at least $1,000,000 of exploration expenditures on the Property within three years of the date of the Definitive Agreement, First Majestic will waive the third- and fourth-anniversary cash option payments described above totalling $600,000. First Majestic will reserve a 2% NSR in all minerals produced from the property. Within 30 days after exercising its first option, Silver Dollar may exercise its second option and acquire the remaining 20% interest in the subsidiary that owns the La Joya Silver Project by delivering notice and issuing to First Majestic the number of shares as is equal to 5% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Silver Dollar.
  • Alien Metals ltd., appointed IBK Capital Corp to assists it with the project level funding and JV process for its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Its services include private placements of equity and debt instruments, with significant experience in the mining sector.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., has granted the exclusive right to Gray Rock Resources Ltd., to acquire a 100% interest in the Ana Maria and Laberinto properties in Durango. In order to exercise the option, Gray Rock has to issue to Avino a total of $600k in cash or common shares: $50K in cash or shares within 30 days of the approval date; $50K in cash or common shares on or before the first anniversary of the approval date; $100K in cash or common shares on or before the second anniversary of the approval date; $200K in cash or common shares on or before the third anniversary of the approval date; $200K in cash or common shares on or before the fourth anniversary of the approval date; incur a total of $750K in exploration expenditures ($50K on or before the first anniversary of the approval date; 100K on or before the second anniversary of the approval date; and 600K on or before the fourth anniversary of the approval date). Gray Rock also granted Avino a right of first refusal on 60 days’ notice to Avino to purchase and process any ore or concentrate extracted from the properties under a custom milling contract at Avino’s mine facilities.
  • Evrim Resources Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders, and approved the previously announced merger transaction with Renaissance Gold Inc Under the terms of the arrangement, each outstanding RenGold common share will be exchanged for 1.2448 Evrim common shares, which will result in RenGold shareholders immediately prior to the arrangement holding 50% of the issued and outstanding shares Evrim shares immediately following the arrangement.. Once the arrangement is completed, the company will change its name to Orogen Royalties Inc. (Ermitaño project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced results of its 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders, as well as the election of directors (La Platosa mine, Durango).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., completed the spin-out of shares of Capitan Mining Inc. Capitan and its shareholders will now hold 100% interest of the Au-Ag resource at the Peñoles project. Pursuant to the arrangement, holders of common shares of Riverside on August 13, 2020 will receive one new common share of Riverside and 0.2594 of a Capitan share for each common share held. The existing common shares of Riverside were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) on August 13, 2020. Riverside shares commenced trading on the TSXV at the market opening on August 14, 2020.
  • Monarca Minerals Inc., closed the sale of the El Sol project in Durango to Southern Silver and appointed a new member to its board of directors. El Sol is a small mining concession of 63 ha adjacent to Southern Silver´s Cerro Minas project. The agreement is for USD $300K payable in three equal instalments on execution of a definitive agreement, twelve months and eighteen months together with retention by the Company of 2% NSR on production from the claim with a right in Southern Silver to purchase the royalty at any time for USD $1M. El Sol is a non-core asset for Monarca and net proceeds from the sell will be used to advance the company’s San Jose project in Chihuahua, Mexico and for general working capital.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., granted 600K options exercisable at a price of $0.67 to an officer of the company (Santana project, Sonora). The options will expire in five years.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold), inaugurated a waste water treatment system at Cocula municipality of Guerrero. This system had an investment of MXP $6.3M and is part of the infrastructure endowment that the subsidiary mine of Torex Gold Resource planned for the relocation of said town in which 360 inhabitants live in 103 homes.
  • Grupo Mexico Foundation, donated seven assisted breathing ventilators, as well as personal protection equipment for ambulances from the Ministry of Health of Coahuila. In this way, the Ministry of Health of the Government of Coahuila guarantees high-quality advanced care, which can be offered from the place of the incident or report, to the transfer to the hospital for more personalized attention for COVID-19.
  • Personnel of Fresnillo plc, will carried out rapid tests of COVID-19 in the communities and neighborhoods near the area of operation of the mines in the Fresnillo district.

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, phyllic alteration in a porphyry Cu system in a prospect in Puebla, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Marble breccia cemented by FeOx

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 31st week of the year (July 30th to August 05th, 2018), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with six informing on exploration results, five announcing production results, five communicating deals and corporate issues, two reporting on resources and developments, and two  announcing financing issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Silver Spruce received approval to drill its Pino de Plata project, Radius Gold-Pan American Silver announced a JV agreement to explore and drill the Amalia project, and VVC reported drilling results from its Samalayuca property. In Sinaloa, Goldplay reported drilling results from its El Habal project. In Durango, First Mining signed an agreement to option its Las Margaritas gold project to Gainey.  ON MINING, Several companies reported Q2, 2018 results on its Mexican operations. In Sonora, Alamos Gold announced Q2, 2018 results from their Mulatos and Chanate mines. In Sinaloa, McEwen provided Q2, 2018 results from its El Gallo mine. In Durango, Excellon announced Q2, 2018 results from its La Platosa mine. Great Panther reported Q2, 2018 results from their mining operations in Mexico and Peru. In Guerrero, Telson presented Q2, 2018 results from its Campo Morado mine. ON FINANCING, VVC announced a non-brokered private placement for $CA 1.5M. Colibri Resource negotiated an agreement to provide debt financing in an amount up to CAD $400K.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Premier Gold provided an exploration update on its Mercedes mine in Sonora.  Sierra Metals filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Cusi mine in Chihuahua.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Goldplay secured eligibility for its shares and appointed its VP Corporate Development and Exploration. SilverCrest announced the resignation of one of its Directors. Equinox Gold announced court approval of the arrangement for the Solaris Copper spinout. VVC announced that its Annual General meeting for shareholders will be held on August 21. Radius Gold and Pan American silver entered in an agreement to explore the Amalia project in Chihuahua.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., received approval for drilling its Pino de Plata project in Chihuahua. The company plans to perform a first phase of 1,500m of diamond drilling to test high grade targets identified with surface sampling, with a follow-up phase 2 where results warrant. The first drill target is El Terrero, an area of 2 square km area showing disseminated epithermal mineralization in intrusive rocks, where surface sampling returned up to 557 g/t Ag along with anomalous Au, Cu, Pb and Zn values. Six holes are planned with targeted depths to 100m. A second target is the Teodora Vein, where surface sampling reported up to 553 g/t Ag with anomalous values of Au, Cu, Pb and Zn. Three holes are proposed with planned depths to 100m. The third target is the Santa Elena Gossan, an area of 20 square km where surface rock sampling on carbonate replacement mineralization in limestone/marble and sandstone/hornfels assayed up to 349 g/t Ag with anomalous base metal values. Three to five holes are proposed in this target area with planned depths to 100m.
  • Radius Gold Inc., and Pan American Silver Corp., entered in a JV agreement to explore the Amalia project in Chihuahua. This option agreement is to explore a corridor of 3.5km of strike length and 600m of vertical interval, where 3 high grade targets showing epithermal Ag-Au mineralization in veins, vein breccias, and disseminated have been identified following the trace of a large regional fault zone. The Campamento target is a 500m by 70m zone of intense silicification and brecciation with massive and stockwork veining. A chip channel sampling returned 62m of 0.43 g/t Au and 98 g/t Ag. High grade has been also identified in this target with the most significant result returning 4.5m of 10.3 g/t Au and 202 g/t Ag. Radius and Pan American plan to drill test 100m to 250m below surface. The Guadalupe target is a high grade andesite structurally controlled breccia zone located 450m south along strike from the Campamento target and 250m lower in the geological section. A continuous chip sampling on the Guadalupe target returned 7m of 3.62 g/t Au and 1,048 g/t Ag, and 4m of 3.92 g/t Au and 888 g/t Ag. The Dulces target is a vein located 800m NE of Campamento target at the same elevation and occurs within an extensive argillic-altered andesite and related gold in soil anomaly. Sampling has returned 1m of 34 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag, and 1.5m of 114.5 g/t Au and 57 g/t Ag.
  • VVC Exploration Corporation, reported drill results from its Samalayuca project in Chihuahua. The phase 3 was planned to drill 3,000m and begun in May 2018 with 8 holes completed to date. Results of the three first holes were 30m of 0.34% Cu and 6 g/t Ag, including 14m of 0.54% Cu and 10 g/t Ag; 7m of 0.39% Cu and 7 g/t Ag; and 25m of 0.43% Cu and 7 g/t Ag. These results extend the copper mineralization at La Gloria zone previously drilled in 2017.
  • Goldplay Explorations Ltd., announced initial results of four drill holes from its El Habal project in Sinaloa. The most significant results are 77.5m of 0.43 g/t Au, including 9.45m of 2.05 g/t Au, and 15.4m of 1.35 g/t Au. The mineralization intersected consisted of a series of mineralized breccias, structures/zone faults present in a 6km long mineralized corridor which represent a high-level gold system hosted by a volcanic sequence with intrusives and related hydrothermal fluids.
  • First Mining Gold Corp., and Gainey Capital Corp., signed an option agreement in which Gainey can acquires 100% of the Las Margaritas Gold project in Durango. Under the terms of the four year option agreement, Gainey can elect to make either annual share or cash payments to First Mining in the following amounts:

 

 

 

 

  1. Upon completion, Gainey will obtain 100% ownership of the Las Margaritas project and First Mining will retain a 2% net smelter returns (“NSR”) royalty, with Gainey having the right to buy back 1% of the NSR royalty for USD$1,000,000 up until the first anniversary of the commencement of commercial production at the project.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc., presented Q2 2018 results from their Mulatos and El Chanate mines in Sonora. At Mulatos, the company produced 50.6K Oz Au at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) per ounce of gold sold of $854. At El Chanate, Alamos produced 10.1K Oz Au at an AISC per ounce of gold sold of $1,442.
  • McEwen Mining Inc., reported Q2 2018 results from its El Gallo Fenix mine in Sinaloa. The compnay produced 10.8K GEOs (Silver and gold production are presented as GEOs). Total cash costs and AISC per GEO were $783 and $816 respectively.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced Q2 2018 results from its La Platosa mine in Durango. In Q2, 2018, the company milled 16.1K tonnes of 507 g/t Ag, 5.7% Pb, and 8.4% Zn to produce 277.7K Oz Ag, 1.8M Lb Pb, and 2.8M Lb Zn. Metallurgical recoveries for Ag, Pb, and Zn were 89.6%, 80.2%, and 82.2% respectively.
  • Great Panther Silver Limited, reported results from their mining operations in Mexico and Peru for the Q2, 2018 period. The company did not release detail information from its Mexican operations (Topia mine in Durango and Guanajuato Mine Complex in Guanajuato).
  • Telson Mining Corporation, presented Q2, 2018 results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. The company processed 162.5K tonnes to produce 19.3M Lb Zn, and 1.3M Lb Pb, with metallurgical recoveries of 73.3% and 31.2% respectively.

ON FINANCING

  • VVC Exploration Corporation, announced a non-brokered private placement for $CA 1.5M. VVC has raised to date $CA 1.15M and expects to complete the rest $CA 350K in August.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation, negotiated an agreement with two shareholders to provide debt financing in an amount of up to CAD$400K.

 ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, provided an exploration update on its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The company announced the extension of a high grade vein system on its El Rey de Oro deposit. Significant underground drilling results are 16.55m of 6.21 g/t Au and 102 g/t Ag, 21.95m of 36.65 g/t Au and 171 g/t Ag, 20.5m of 8.1 g/t Au and 121 g/t Ag, and 9.2m of 8.33 g/t Au and 67.7 g/t Ag. Additionally, the company is conducting an underground drilling program to define the high grade Aida target located to the west of the main Mercedes vein where previous drilling has intersected a broad zone of low-grade mineralization with assays of up to 0.64 g/t Au and 0.79 g/t Ag across 31.5 metres. Premier also has the plan to drill test the Marianas vein once the drift has been established in H2 2018, and will go on with the definition and step-out drilling at Diluvio and Lupita areas that were recently brought into production.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Cusi mine in Chihuahua. The company released results of the PEA study. Results from the PEA include an after-tax net present value (NPV) of US$92.2 Million at an 8% discount rate, an after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 75%, a plant processing rate of currently 650 tonnes per day (TPD) growing to 1,200 TPD by Q1 2019 and 2,700 TPD by mid-2021, and a mine life of 9 years based on existing Mineral Resource Estimate.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd., appointed its VP Corporate Development and Exploration and secured eligibility by the Depositary Trusts Company for its shares on the OTC marketplace where the company trades under the symbol “GLYXF” (El Habal, Sinaloa).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the resignation of one of its Directors. (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced final court approval of the arrangement for the Solaris Copper spinout (La Verde, Michoacan).
  • VVC Exploration Corporation, announced that its Annual General meeting of shareholders will be held on August 21 (Samalayuca, Chihuahua).
  • Radius Gold Inc., and Pan American Silver Corp., entered in a JV agreement to explore the Amalia project in Chihuahua. Pan American can earn an initial 65% of the property by making cash payments to Radius totaling $US 1.5M (of which $US 100K has been already paid), and expending $US 2M on exploration over four years, and can acquires an additional 10% by advancing the property to a FS.

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 marble breccia cemented by FeOx in an Iron Mine in Coahuila, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 25th week of the year (June 18th to June 24th, 2018), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eight informing on exploration results, eight communicating deals and corporate issues, five  announcing financing rounds, one reporting on resources and development, and one running leaching tests.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.   ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Millrock reported trench results from its La Navidad project. In Chihuahua, Ethos Gold filed a draft NI 43-101 technical report for its la Purisima project. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals reported sampling results from its Puerto Rico project. In Sinaloa, Chesapeake released exploration results from its Yarely project and Riverside reported exploration results from its La Silla project. In Zacatecas, Excellon commenced a drill program at its Miguel Auza project while Defiance defined a significant anomaly at its San Acacio project.  ON MINING, Mexus Gold provided and update on progress from its 8 Brothers/370 gold project in Sonora.  ON FINANCING, Aura Silver announced the extension of 3.5M warrants. Harvest Gold closed a second tranche of a non-brokered private placement for CDN$149,600. Maverix entered in a revolving credit agreement to borrow up to US$50M. Prize amended terms of a non-brokered private placement to raise money for $6.5M. Starcore completed a private placement for CDN$3M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sierra Metals announced PEA results for its Cusi Mine in Chihuahua. Minera Alamos provided an update on its Guadalupe de Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Coeur signed a definitive agreement with Evrim to option the Sarape property in Sonora.  Avino and Consolidated Zinc announced management changes, and Colibri and Torex reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders. Marlin, Gold Reign, and Sailfish entered in a definite arrangement agreement regarding a combination business. Equinox announced a spin-out of its copper assets to create Solaris Copper. Valterra entered into an option agreement to acquire the Los Reyes Cu-Au project in Chihuahua.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Millrock Resources Inc., reported trench results from its La Navidad project in Sonora. Significant results are 7m of 0.64 g/t Au; 8m of 0.5 g/t Au, 16m of 0.59 g/t Au; 4.5m of 1.63 g/t Au; 2m of 6.5 g/t Au, 1.3m of 5.26 g/t Au; and 1.5m of 4.5 g/t Au. Its partner Centerra Gold is funding the exploration program at La Navidad and has authorized an extension of the drilling program from 1,650m in 7 holes to 2,900m in 17 holes.
  • Ethos Gold Corp., filed a draft NI 43-101 technical report for its la Purisima project in Chihuahua. The mineralization target consists of low sulphidation epithermal veins which have been traced for over a N-S strike length of over 1.5km in length. The company signed a property access agreement to commence mapping and sampling work with 389 samples collected to date of which 189 have been already submitted to the lab for assays.
  • Discovery Metals Corp., reported sampling results from its Puerto Rico project in Coahuila. 293 channel samples were collected at the Zaragoza mine, of which 83 were from manto mineralization and returned an average grade of 129 g/t Ag, 4.3% Pb, 7.6% Zn, and 0.12% Cu.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., presented geochemical results of 52 samples collected at its La Silla project in Sinaloa. Significant results from the rock chip and channel samples are 1m of 2.1 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag; 1m of 9.4 g/t Au and 196 g/t Ag; and 1m of 19.9 g/t Au and 200 g/t Ag.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., released exploration results, including phase 1 drilling from its Yarely project in Sinaloa. At Loretos prospect, the drill target is a blind skarn-porphyry system indicated by a significant chargeability anomaly. Significant results are 213m of 0.11% Cu, including 64m of 0.17% Cu. At the Central prospect, one of the two holes drilled intersected several 3 to 6m wide structures returning silver values ranging from 11 to 30 g/t. At Lucy prospect, two holes tested skarn/carbonate replacement manto mineralization. Drilling results returned 22m of 0.33 g/t Au and 1.5 % Zn; and 25m of 0.6 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, and 1.6% Zn. At Sundae prospect, the company has identified a 3km long high level-low sulphidation epithermal system that runs for over 3km along strike, with individual structures varying from 1-5m in width. A preliminary geophysical survey showed a continuity of the vein host structures to over 500m depth. At Los Mimbres prospect, skarn and hornfels boulders with Cu and Pb sulphide mineralization were recently discovered adding a new target within the Yarely project. Mineralization identified at Los Mimbres is similar to that encountered at Metates. Stream sediment, soil, rock geochemistry and geological mapping are underway to advance this target to the drill stage.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., commenced a 3,000m drill program at its Miguel Auza project in Zacatecas to test targets generated from surface mapping, IP surveying, and structural work conducted since mid-2017 at El Cobre, Abejas, Carmen-Lechuzas, and Lomo de Las Minas prospects. Highlights from the surface sampling are 2.3 g/t Au and 667 g/t Ag at Lomo de Las Minas. Results up to 2.9 g/t Au and 300 g/t Ag were sampled at Carmen and El Cobre confirming mineralization in veins at both targets. Mineralization at Miguel Auza is hosted in epithermal quartz veins similar to those found at Fresnillo mining district.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., defined a significant geophysical anomaly at its San Acacio project in Zacatecas employing Atomic Energy Resonance Imaging (AERI) technology. The AERI identified a pipe shaped anomaly which measures 400m in width, 300m in length, and is open at depth. The AERI anomaly is coincident with a recently delineated IP target, and will be drill tested in the near future.

ON MINING

  • Mexus Gold US., provided and update on progress from its 8 Brothers /370 gold project in Sonora. The company has completed the crushing and loading of ore into the VAT leaching tank to run tests and expects to commence the leaching when tests are completed in the next days.

ON FINANCING

  • Aura Silver Resources, announced its intentions to extend the expiration date of 3.5M warrants from July 9, 2018 to July 9, 2020. The exercise price remains unchanged at $0.05 (Taviche, Oaxaca)
  • Harvest Gold Corporation, closed a second tranche for CDN$149,600 for a total of CAD$479,600 gross proceeds raised in the non-brokered private placement. Gross proceeds will be used to explore its Cerro Cascaron project in Chihuahua.
  • Maverix Metals Inc., entered into a 3 years revolving credit agreement with two bank institutions to borrow up to US$50M. The credit can be extendable through mutual agreement between the involved parties (La Colorada, Zacatecas)
  • Prize Mining Corporation, amended terms of a non-brokered private placement to raise money for $6.5M (Manto Negro, Coahuila).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., completed a private placement of secured bonds for CAD$3M (San Martin, Queretaro)

 ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced PEA results for its Cusi Mine in Chihuahua. Highlights include an after-tax NPV of $92.2M USD at an 8% discount rate, a 9 years mine life based on existing mineral resource estimate, and a life of mine silver production of 30 M Oz. The company also reported Mineral Resource Estimate as at February 12, 2018. Total measured mineral resources are 362K tonnes @ 225g/t Ag, 0.55% Pb, 0.68% Zn, and 0.13g/t Au. Total indicated resources are 4.2M tonnes @ 217g/t Ag, 0.64% Pb, 0.66% Zn, and 0.21 g/t Au. Total inferred resources are 1.63M tonnes @ 158 g/t Ag, 0.54% Pb, 0.84% Zn, and 0.16 g/t Au.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., provided an update on its Guadalupe de los Reyes project in Sinaloa. The company commenced the mapping of the Mariposa- Zapote structure to evaluate extensions that have not been drilled and could be target areas to expand the resource. The company also collected metallurgical samples and are being prepared for Au leaching studies. It also commenced engineering studies to establish locations and preliminary designs for Au heap leaching facilities.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Coeur Mining Inc., signed a definitive agreement with Evrim Resources Corp., to option the Sarape property in Sonora. Coeur will have the exclusive right to acquire up to an 80% interest in the property by spending up to $16M USD on exploration, making staged cash payments of up to $2.5M USD, and completing a NI 43-101 compliant FS on a minimum measured and indicated resource estimate of 1M Oz AuEq, all within a ten-year period.
  • Marlin Gold Mining Ltd., Golden Reign Resources Ltd., and Sailfish Royalty Corp., have extended the previously announced LOI to June 29, 2018 to enter in a definitive arrangement agreement regarding a business combination of the Golden´s San Albino-Murra property in Nicaragua and Marlin´s La Trinidad property, México.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced plans to transfer all of its copper assets into a newly incorporated company named Solaris Copper Inc. (La Verde, Michoacan).
  • Valterra Resource Corporation, entered into an agreement to acquire the Los Reyes Cu-Au project in Chihuahua. Valterra may acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 2% royalty to a third party, by making staged payments totaling US$4M over a period of 5 years. Target consists of a +800m long Cu-Au rich skarn developed in the contact between a Tertiary-age granodiorite intrusive and Cretaceous-age limestones and shales.

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, phyllic alteration in a porphyry copper system in Jalisco, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Equinox Gold Announces Spin-out of Copper Assets to Create Solaris Copper

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equinox announces spin-out of copper assets to create solaris copper

June21,2018–Vancouver, BC–Equinox Gold Corp.(TSX-V:EQX, OTC:EQXGF) (“Equinox Gold”or the“Company”) today announces plans to transfer all of its copper assets into a newly incorporated company named Solaris Copper Inc. (“Solaris Copper”).Equinox Gold will continue to focus on advancing theAurizona Gold Mine and the Castle Mountain Gold Mine to production while Solaris Copper explores and develops the copper projects tounlock the value of the copper portfolio.

Solaris Copper will hold a 100% interest in the resource-bearing Warintza copper-molybdenum project in Ecuador, a 60% interest in the La Verde preliminary economic assessment stage copper-silver-gold project in Mexico, a 100% interest in the Ricardo early-stage copper property in Chile, has negotiated earn-in agreements for two early-stage copper prospects in Peru, and is continuing to evaluate additional properties that fit the portfolio. Collectively, the projects host 3.7 billion pounds of copper in the measured and indicated category with an additional 4.6 billion pounds of copper in the inferred category, with significant exploration potential at all of the projects.

Highlights on the Third Week of December, 2017. Mineral Exploration in Mexico

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During the 51st week of the year (December 18th to December 24th, 2017), at least 17 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES: The illegal blockade promoted by the Los Mineros Union since November 3, 2017 is showing how far the government is willing to go, or not, to establish the rule of law. ON EXPLORATION: two press releases from companies working in Mexico informed on exploration efforts during the week: In Chihuahua Radius Gold released good rock chip results from its Amalia project. In Sinaloa Gainey Capital is exploring the La Minita porphyry copper style property.  ON MINING: Great Panther announced government authorization for the construction of a second tailings storage facility at its Topia mine in Durango. Mexus Gold produced gold with a Merrill Crowe system installed at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Americas Silver announced the San Rafael mine at its Cosala complex is now on commercial production. ON FINANCING: Telson Resources entered into a US$15 M loan with Trafigura. SilverCrest completed a bought deal private placement for $10 M. Primero Mining agreed on an extension to its revolving credit facility. Torex Gold received a waiver to lower the threshold in the credit agreement from $50 M to $30 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT: In Sonora, Oceanus Resources presented an update on the drilling of its El Tigre property. In Chihuahua, Consolidated Zinc announced the interception of massive sulfides on the Tres Amigos zone of its Plomosas property. In Puebla, Almaden released new results from follow-up  drilling at its Tuligtic property.  In Guerrero, Alio Gold provided the final results of the confirmation drilling at its Ana Paula project. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Torex Gold suspended its workforce employment contracts on the basis of the illegal blockade that has halted all operations since November 3rd at its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. The company has made a call to the relevant authorities to remove the illegal blockade (which seems to have fallen on deaf ears). Orex Minerals, Canasil Resources and Pan American Silver signed an agreement to advance the Sandra Escobar project in Durango, same that includes provisions for Pan American participation on the discovery. Gainey Capital signed a LOI to acquire the La Minita property in Sinaloa. Marlin Gold can now spin-off its subsidiary Sailfish Royalty. Vangold is acquiring the San Carlos claim in Guanajuato, adjacent to its Pinguico property. Americas Silver agreed with Hochschild to amend the payment schedule on the acquisition of the San Felipe project in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • On the Torex Gold El Limon – Guajes mine illegal blockade in Guerrero (Editor’s comment). The illegal blockade promoted by the Los Mineros Union since November 3, 2017 is showing how far the government is willing to go, or not, to establish the rule of law. The Los Mineros Union is clearly trying to extortionate Torex with an illegal blockade to obtain the Union contract at the site, and delaying the date for a formal voting process that the company has vowed to respect.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. released rock sampling results from its Amalia project in Chihuahua. A new discovery in the San Pedro area returned 13 m @ 2.51 g/t Au, 164 g/t Ag in a continuous chip sample (10 individual samples), while new sampling 50 m above and along strike the Guadalupe zone returned 8 m @ 0.21 g/t Au, 264 g/t Ag. At the Campamento zone a 500×700 m zone of intense silicification and brecciation with massive and stockwork veining is interpreted as high level mineralization. On lower parts of the property sulfide rich fault breccias are hosted in andesites, where mineralization is narrower and higher grade. Epithermal Au-Ag mineralization occurs along 3.5 Km on strike and 600 m of vertical interval. Drill permitting documentation has been submitted.
  • Gainey Capital Corp. signed a LOI to acquire the 9,200 hectares La Minita Cu-Au-Ag property in Sinaloa. A series of NW trending shears host porphyry mineralization associated with intermediate and felsic dikes, which are more than 300 m in length and up to 10 m in width. Fine grained sericitic alteration, silicification, quartz stockworks and copper sulfides (bornite, chalcopyrite) as disseminations and veins occur in prospect pits by gambusinos.

ON MINING

  • Great Panther Silver Ltd. announced that SEMARNAT granted all permits for construction and operation of the new phase II tailings storage facility at its Topia mine in Durango.
  • Mexus Gold US informed that it has produced gold with the installed Merrill Crowe system at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). The Merrill Crowe system will continue to be tested until the end of the year, as mine site security is upgraded before full production begins.
  • Americas Silver Corp. announced that the San Rafael mine at the company’s Cosalá operations in Sinaloa is now in commercial production, as of December 19, 2017. Mine production is currently averaging 1,200 tonnes per day (tpd) and increasing.

ON FINANCING

  • Telson Resources Inc. entered into a loan facility and offtake agreement with Trafigura Mexico, S.A. de C.V., to sell 100% of the Pb-Zn concentrate produced at the Tahuehueto mine from January 2018 to December 2022. Trafigura provided Telson with with a US$15 M credit facility deliverable on three tranches: First tranche of US$7.5 M already received; Second tranche of US$5 M, 4 – 6 Months from signing; Third tranche US$2.5 M, 6 – 9 months of signing.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. completed the bought deal private placement previously announced, for gross proceeds of $10 M. The company paid a cash commission of $568 K on the proceeds of the offering.
  • Primero Mining Corp. agreed with its lenders to an extension of its revolving credit facility and guarantee provided by Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. to January 11, 2018. Primero is considering the divestiture of its San Dimas mine in Durango.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. has received a waiver by BNP Paribas on behalf of the lenders to lower the covenant threshold in the credit agreement from $50 M to $30 M until January 31, 2018.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Alio Gold Inc. provided the final results from the 2,000 m drill program to twin previous drill holes within the pre-feasibility pit for metallurgical test at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Highlighted intervals comprise: 112.0 m @ 3.85 g/t Au; 33.1 m @ 7.07 g/t Au; 54.6 m @ 7.19 g/t Au. Alio is now to test the extension of the breccia zone below the proposed pit, with a 4,000 m program, commencing in January.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. provided assay results from a follow-up drilling in an upper portion of the pre-feasibility pit on its Tuligtic property in Puebla. Highlighted drill intercepts comprise: 46.0 m @ 0.74 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag; 24.0 m @ 0.62 g/t Au, 15 g/t Ag; 16.5 m @ 0.56 g/t Au, 10 g/t Ag; 50.5 m @ 0.73 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag (including 10.5 m @ 2.45 g/t Au, 24 g/t Ag); 13.15 m @ 0.70 g/t Au, 8 g/t Ag; 32.0 m 0.82 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag; 14.7 m @ 0.91 g/t Au, 27 g/t Ag; 10.25 m @ 1.16 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. announced that drilling on the Tres Amigos North zone intersected 5.60 m and 4.35 m respectively of massive sulfides. “Assays are pending but visual analysis shows mineralisation comprises banded textured massive sulphides with very fine to fine-grained pyrite overprinted by coarse-grained yellow to reddish sphalerite and minor galena associated with carbonates”. Results are pending.
  • Oceanus Resources Corp. completed the fall 2017 drill program which comprised 600 m of diamond drilling to define the strike and dip of the high-grade Caleigh vein and the low-grade alteration zone in the hanging wall. Assays for the last six holes are pending, and expected to be released in January 2018. Work during Q1 2018 is to focus in locating and defining other high-grade vein systems in the property, and begin to look for mineralization on the favorable El Tigre formation over a distance of 5 km.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. informed it has suspended the employment contracts of its workforce in Mexico, a direct result of an illegal blockade at its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. The blockade by the Los Mineros Union, “an outside union that wants to take over representation of the employees who already have a union. Since the blockade began, on November 3, 2017, the Company has continued to pay its workforce, except for the minority that have participated in the illegal blockade”. Torex has made a call to the relevant authorities to remove the illegal blockade, as they have committed to do, and restore the rule of law. The company is willing to work with the Union the employees select, but it is essential the illegal blockade is lifted to resume work after Christmas. The company stresses that “The risk of violent confrontation continues to escalate and we urge the authorities to restore law and order and diffuse the tensions, so that employees of the Company, contractors, and suppliers, can go back to work and provide for their families.”
  • Orex Minerals Inc. signed a non-binding agreement with Canasil Resources Inc. and Pan American Silver Corp. to advance exploration in the Sandra Escobar mining camp in Durango. Under the terms of the LOI (Letter of Intention) the Orex (55%)-Canasil (45%) JV is to grant Pan American a 10% interest in the Sandra property, with the opportunity for Pan American in the next four years to earn-in an additional 41% in the Sandra property by contributing US$5 M toward the operations of both properties, with US$2 M required during the first two years. If Pan American elects not to continue during the earn-in period, the initial 10% will revert back to the Orex-Cansil JV. If Pan American chooses to further advance the properties by completing a pre-feasibility study, it will retain a 60% interest and the Orex-Canasil JV 40%.
  • Gainey Capital Corp. signed a LOI with Asteria Mining Services S.A.P.I. de C.V. to acquire 100% of the 9,200 hectares La Minita Cu-Au-Ag property in Sinaloa.
  • Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. obtained a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia to implement the company’s previously announced plan of arrangement to reorganize its business, including the spin-off of its subsidiary Sailfish Royalty Corp.
  • Vangold Mining Corp. entered into an acquisition agreement for a 100% interest on the San Carlos claim, in Guanajuato. The aggregate purchase price of $CDN425 K is to be paid through the issuance of CDN$350 K in Vangold shares and the remaining CDN$75 K will be paid in cash. The San Carlos property is close to Vangold’s El Pinguico and Patito I & II mineral claims.
  • Americas Silver Corp. agreed with Minera Hochschild to amend the timing of payment under its option agreement on the San Felipe project in Sonora. The total consideration for a 100% interest in the property is US$15 M in cash (plus VAT), of which US$7 M were paid in March, US$500 K are to be paid on January 2018, US$500 K on April 2018, US$1 M on July 2018 and US$6 M on December 2018.

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 below, Fault slickensides on quartzite, Durango. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

DCP00749

Canasil Shareholders Approve Proposed Spin-off of B.C. Properties to Canmine Minerals Inc. At Special Meeting of Shareholders held on December 12, 2017

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canasil_dec 14, 2017

Vancouver, December 14, 2017 – Canasil Resources Inc. (TSX-V: CLZ, DB Frankfurt: 3CC, “Canasil” or the “Company”) announces that the Company’s shareholders have approved the Plan of Arrangement to segregate its British Columbia properties into a separate company, Canmine Minerals Inc. (“Canmine”), at the Special Meeting of Shareholders held on December 12, 2017. The details of votes cast at the Special Meeting are summarized in the table below:

Resolution Votes Shares Voted % Voted % of O/S Shares
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT For
Against		 43,184,652
50,422		 99.88
0.12		 42.38
0.05
CANMINE STOCK OPTION PLAN For
Against		 43,106,652
128,422		 99.70
0.30		 42.30
0.13

The Company will now apply for the Final Court Order to approve the arrangement, following which the Directors of Canasil and Canmine will proceed with the arrangements for meeting the initial listing requirements for the listing of Canmine on the TSX Venture Exchange (“the “Exchange”). Assuming that the Court Order is granted, the Directors of Canasil and Canmine will determine the timing for the remaining steps for the completion of the Arrangement.