Vice President

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico; Highlights on the Second Week of January 2026

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 2nd week of the year (January 05th to January 11th, 2026), companies working in Mexico released 31 press releases. Three companies informed on early-stage properties work and three more presented quarterly reports. Four companies presented news on financing rounds, one on consolidation of shares, one on the repurchase of shares and, a sign of the current buoyant times, six on the granting of stock options. Five companies presented updates on advanced properties, while six companies informed on deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora Aztec Minerals provided an update on Cervantes; Algo Grande generated tens of targets at Adelita. In Durango, Pinnacle Silver and Gold completed a LIDAR survey at El Potrero. ON MINING, Heliostar Metals, Endeavour Silver and Torex Gold presented quarterly reports. ON FINANCING, four companies informed on financing rounds: Capitan Silver (C$6 M), Kootenay Silver (406 K), Bear Creek Mining (C$18 M) and Oroco Resource (C$15 M). Chesapeake Gold, Santacruz Silver Mining, J2 Metals, Barksdale Resources, Canasil Resources, and Elemental Royalties granted incentive stock options. Minera Alamos consolidated its shares on a 10:1 basis. Fortuna Mining repurchased 1.7 M common shares of its stock. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silverco Mining provided an update on the restart of mining at Cusi, in Chihuahua. Southern Silver Exploration reported drilling results from Cerro Las Minitas in Durango. Regency Silver informed on breccia characteristics intercepted by drilling at Dios Padre, in Sonora. Kootenay Silver released results from drilling at Columba, in Chihuahua. Kingsmen Resources reported assay results from one hole at Las Coloradas, in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Viper Minerals contracted marketing campaigns and announced appointments to the board. Centenario Gold signed a LOI with Vector Factor to option Los Reyes project, in Chihuahua. Zacatecas Silver updated on work at Esperanza and Zacatecas Silver projects in Morelos and Zacatecas, respectively. Algo Grande announced an appointment to the board. Highlander Silver and Bear Creek Mining amended the agreement on which Highlander is acquiring all Bear Creek shares. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News. 

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. provided an update on work at its Cervantes property in Sonora. During 2025 conducted a surface exploration program that expanded the known extent of the California Au-Cu porphyry system another 0.5 km to the east.. During the first half of 2026 surface exploration is to continue in preparation for potential continued step out and exploration drilling.
  • Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. informed the airborne LIDAR survey recently flown over the 1,100 ha El Potrero project in Durango “has confirmed known structural trends, outlined previously unknown structures, and identified a total of 64 adits, 6 shafts and 51 prospecting pits on the two claim blocks comprising the project”.
  • Algo Grande Copper Corp. completed reprocessing and reinterpretation of historical geophysical and geochemical datasets at its Adelita project in Sonora, confirming a district-scale structurally controlled porphyry-skarn system. The work identified 32 Cu-Au-Ag targets, including 14 generated by machine-learning techniques. A high-definition ground magnetic survey has commenced over the Cerro Grande skarn zone.

ON MINING

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. produced 8,459 Oz AuEq during Q4 2025, for a total of 34,098 Oz AuEq during the year, well within the 2025 guidance. At La Colorada, in Sonora, 17,793 Oz Au, 57.5 K Oz Ag (or 18,467 Oz AuEq) were produced in 2025, whereas at San Agustin, in Durango, 14,883 Oz Au, 22.5 K Oz Ag (or 15,139 Oz AuEq) were produced in the same period while the reminder was produced at the now closed El Castillo operations. 
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported a full 2025 year production of 6.5 M Oz Ag, 37,164 Oz Au which, in combination with base metal production, equals 11.2 M AgEq. In Mexico, the company produced 7.85 M Oz AgEq from its operation. At Terronera, in Jalisco, 154.2 K tonnes were processed averaging 86 gpt Ag, 2.27 gpt Au, recovering 82.6% Ag, 72.5% Au, to produce 352 K Oz Ag, 8,148 Oz Au. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 403 K tonnes were processed averaging 334 gpt Ag, 1.16 gpt Au, recovering 90.3% Ag, 91.5% Au, to produce 3.9 M Oz Ag, 13,747 Oz Au. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 393.9 K tonnes were processed averaging 57 gpt Ag, 1.37 gpt Au, recovering 84.0% Ag, 87.9% Au, to produce 608.4 K Oz Ag, 15,270 Oz Au. Terronera was declared commercial production on October 1, 2025, and a definitive agreement to sell the Bolañitos operation was signed in November 2025.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported 115,066 Oz AuEq of payable production during the fourth quarter of 2025. The company mined 3,175 tpd at ELG Underground and 7,052 tpd at Media Luna Underground, for a total of 10,705 tpd processed at its Moelos Complex in Guerrero. Ore graded 3.40 gpt, 19.08 gpt Ag, 0.65% Cu, with recoveries of 90.3% Au, 83.1% Ag, 91.9% Cu, to produce 94,878 Oz Au, 498.2 K Oz Ag, 13 M Lb Cu. For the full year 2025, payable production totalled 376,586 Oz AuEq. “During 2025, the Company repurchased 825,769 shares at an average price of C$57 per share and paid an inaugural quarterly dividend of C$0.15 per share”.     

ON FINANCING

  • Minera Alamos Inc. announced its common shares have been consolidated at a ratio of ten to one. The company now has 108 million common shares issued and outstanding   (Santana, Sonora).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. granted 100 K stock options to Mr. Rajesh Vyas  in relation to his appointment as chief financial officer (Metates, Durango).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. granted 39 K restricted share units to a director of the company. (Zimapán, Hidalgo).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. announced that the company has completed its investment from Schroder Investment Management Limited acting as agent on behalf of one of its UCITS funds, for gross proceeds of C$6 M (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • J2 Metals Inc. granted 195 K stock options to certain directors and consultants of the company (Sierra Plata, Guerrero).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. omnibus share incentive plan has been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis units of the company for  C$15 M (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).
  • Fortuna Mining Corp. reported the company repurchased 1.7 M common shares on the open market of the New York Stock Exchange for a total gross consideration of US$17 M (undisclosed projects, Mexico).
  • Canasil Resources Inc. applied to the TSX Venture Exchange for approval to grant 5.15 M incentive stock options to directors, officers, advisors and employees (Nora, Durango).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. informed that during the third quarter of 2025 the company issued common shares under the ATM program for C$142.6 K in gross proceeds, paying C$3.6 K in aggregate commissions. During the fourth quarter of 2025 the company issued C$263.3 K in common shares with aggregate commissions of C$6.6 K (Columba, Chihuahua).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing to raise gross proceeds of C$18 M (Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Elemental Royalty Corp. granted 663.3 K incentive stock options and 155.1 K restricted share units to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the company, and 14.9 K cash-settled DSUs to independent directors, redeemable upon the retirement, resignation or replacement of a director (royalty in Mercedes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silverco Mining Ltd. provided an update on the restart of operations at its Cusi project, in Chihuahua. Underground workings at the Promontorio area have been dewatered, a project manager has been hired in-country, rehabilitation has commenced with ramp scaling and ground support installation. JDS Energy & Mining Inc. has been engaged to produce a restart study utilizing the updated mineral resource estimate (MRE). Metallurgical optimization test work by Forte Analytical is nearing completion. The remainder of the 2025 drill program results are expected in early Q1 2026 and the recently flown LIDAR survey data is being integrated.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. reported assays from four holes testing the recently acquired Puro Corazon claim within its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 5.3 m @ 73 gpt Ag, 2.8% Pb, 3.4% Zn; 0.8 m @ 405 gpt Ag, 11.1% Pb, 9.1% Zn; 0.7 m @ 566 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 29.2% Pb, 8.0% Zn; 17.9 m @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 4.0 m @ 120 gpt Ag, 0.2% Cu, 3.5% Pb, 4.5% Zn; 7.3 m @ 102 gpt Ag, 0.5% Cu, 3.6% Pb, 3.7% Zn (including 4.0 m @ 131 gpt Ag, 0.8% Cu, 6.4% Pb, 5.4% Zn); 3.0 m @ 171 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn (including 0.4 m @ 0.1 gpt Au, 724 gpt Ag, 0.5% Cu, 6.8% Pb, 21.6% Zn). Sixteen of the proposed twenty-one holes have been completed for a total of 6,820 m of the planned 12,000 m of drilling to test the Puro Corazon claim.
  • Regency Silver Corp. announced the latest hole at its Dios Padre project in Sonora has intercepted sulfide-specularite supported breccia in multiple zones across a non-continuous 240 m interval. The breccias are controlled by a series of quartz-feldspar porphyries 5 to 50 m in width and are similar in nature to the breccia hosting Au-Cu-Ag mineralization in previous holes. “The intersection is ~150m down-dip below the historic Dios Padre silver mine workings and ~225m up dip …. ” from a previous hole that intercepted 38 m @ 7.36 gpt Au. Five holes totaling 3,723m have been completed since drilling resumed in October 2025. 
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced assay results from nine drill holes completed as part of its 50,000 m drill program at Columba, in Chihuahua. Drilling is focused on the expansion of the known resource, the same that remains open in all directions. The current mineral resource estimate totals 5.92 M tonnes grading 284 gpt Ag, containing 54.1 M Oz Ag. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 9.78 m @ 11 gpt Ag, 1.0% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 50.7 m @ 49 gpt Ag, 0.1% Zn; 2.85 m @ 315 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.5% Zn (including 0.43 m @ 1,295 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn); 60.3 m @ 56 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 4.56 m @ 299 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.0% Zn (including 0.27 m @ 1,830 gpt Ag, 5.0% Pb, 6.2% Zn); 2.72 m @ 390 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 4.97 m @ 186 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 3.8% Zn (including 0.71 m @ 1,040 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 21.0% Zn); 51.52 m @ 35 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn).
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. reported assay results from three diamond drill holes at its Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length results comprise 4.8 m @ 52 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 1.22% Zn (including 1.3 m @ 0.72 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag, 2.5% Pb, 3.4% Zn); 0.25 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 157 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.9% Zn. Mineralization has now been confirmed on three structures -Soledad, Soledad II and No.8- spanning 1.5 km.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. entered into an agreement to support ongoing digital marketing efforts with Nordcore Media LLC. “The engagement covers the creation and management of advertising campaigns, remarketing, and related digital strategy activities”. The total cost for the six-month term is US$300 K in cash. In a second press release Silver Viper announced the appointment of Jeff Couch to its board of directors (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Centenario Gold Corp. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Vector Factor S.A. de C.V. to acquire 100% interest in the Los Reyes project in Chihuahua. The 45 ha property  is “located along a northwest-trending structure … that hosts numerous high-grade current and past operating mines…”. The option can be entered into by making US$15 K payment before the end of 2025, initiate a greater than 1,000 m drill program within 6 months of signing the LOI, a final purchase option agreement signed not later than 45 days after receiving drilling assays with US$45 K on signing, US$50 K on year 1, US$80 K on year 2, US$100 K on year 3, US$110 K on year 4, US$120 K on year 5, and a 2% NSR. Centenario is to pay the mining rights of the two mining concessions involved during the LOI validity term. 
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Andreas L’Abbé as financial advisor and Mr. Gernot Wober as technical advisor (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. provided a corporate update outlining key operational progress across its portfolio. At the Zacatecas Silver project in Zacatecas the upcoming 4,000 m drill program has been contracted and surface access agreements signed. At Esperanza, in Morelos, the company is well positioned to benefit from recent improvements in Mexico’s permitting landscape, which includes open pit permits. 
  • Algo Grande Copper Corp. appointed João Rocha as vice president of exploration (Adelita, Sonora).
  • Highlander Silver Corp. and Bear Creek Mining Corp. entered into an amended and restated arrangement agreement dated January 9, 2026, amending and restating the arrangement agreement dated December 18, 2025 pursuant to which Highlander Silver will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Bear Creek Mining (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News. 

On the image below: Quartz veinlets in chloritized porphyritic diorite, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 46th week of the year (November 11th to November 17th,2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 24 press releases. Two companies informed on exploration advances at their properties, ten companies presented quarterly results and one other actualized its production forecast for the second half of 2024. Two companies released drilling results from their advanced properties, with one also providing channel sample results. One company announced a private placement probably to be used on properties in Mexico, two more companies with properties in Mexico announced financing rounds to be applied outside from Mexico and a royalties company signed a lending agreement. Two companies updated on exploration and drill results from their advanced properties, and one more company informed on its evaluation on the keeping or disinvestment on an advanced property. One company updated on legal proceedings on the cancellation of a key concession, one more held its AGM and other two informed on operating issues impacting a silverstream. ON MEXICO ISSUES most of the concentrate end-dump trailers hijacked from the Peñasquito mine were recovered empty. Two miners are dead, five unaccounted for in a mine cave-in in Sinaloa. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided exploration results from Pilar (Gran Pilar?). In Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources announced a drilling program at Las Coloradas. ON MINING, Gatos Silver, Mag Silver, Orla Mining, SilverCrest Metals, Discovery Silver, Avino Silver, Prime Mining, Sailfish Royalty, Dyna Resource and US Antimony, released Q3 production results and Heliostar Metals released its forecast on production for H2 2024. ON FINANCING, Apollo Silver and Osisko Development closed private placements for C$13.5 M and US$57.5 M respectively. Orex Minerals completed a warrants exercise program, Elemental Altus Royalties amended a credit facility. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Osisko Development is awaiting on a permit to operate its San Antonio project in Sonora, and evaluating the sale of the asset. Endeavour Silver updated on exploration and development at Pitarrilla, in Durango. Torex Gold released results from resource upgrading drilling at EPO, in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Chesapeake Gold updated on legal proceedings on the cancellation of a key mining concession at its Metates project in Durango. GR Silver held its AGM. Fresnillo plc and Industrias Peñoles are resolving issues arising from operational challenges that affect a silverstream.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver released its 2023 ESG report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Nine of the eleven hijacked end-dump trailers carrying concentrate from the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas were recovered empty on a dirt road in Durango. No detentions were made (How on this Earth can you disappear 240 tonnes of concentrate that can only be processed in a few sites in the country, and the export ports being controlled by the Navy? Yes, it is a rhetoric question).
  • Five miners were trapped by a cave-in at a mine in Badiraguato, Sinaloa.  Two persons are presumed dead and the fate of another three to five is unclear.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. announced a diamond drill program for its 850 ha Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. The company selected three principal target areas, the Mine, Aguilar and Leona on the Soledad structure. “The Mine target includes the old Las Coloradas mine on the SE end of the Soledad structure/vein system, and adjacent mineralized structures. The Leona target covers an area of old high grade workings approximately 530 meters long on the NW end of the Soledad II structure. The Aguilar target covers an area of old high grade workings approximately 250 meters long on the NW end of the Soledad structure/vein system”.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. provided exploration results from its Gran Pilar project in Sonora , adjacent to its Pilar project). A total of 541 soil samples have been collected in the project, returning up to 21.2 gpt Au, >2,000 gpt Ag, 0.62% Cu, 12.7% Pb, 2,3% Zn. “ …. zones of significant and consistently high values of gold have been identified showing several kilometers of prospective trend that remains open to the east for further expansion”.

ON MINING

  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced third quarter 2024 financial and operating results. At Cerro Los Gatos (70% Gatos Silver, 30% Dowa Metals and Mining Co.), in Chihuahua, 298.6 K tonnes were milled in the period at a rate of 3,246 tpd, averaging 285 gpt Ag, 4.0% Zn, 2.0% Pb, 0.30 gpt Au, to produce 2.42 M Oz Ag, 1,450 Oz Au, 11.4 M Lb Pb, 16.5 M Lb Zn (3.84 M Oz AgEq). By-product cash cost was $3.69 per Oz Ag and the by-product AISC $9.61 per Oz Ag. During the quarter Gatos Silver and First Majestic Silver Corp. entered into a definitive merger agreement.
  • Mag Silver Corp. announced unaudited consolidated financial results for Q3 2024. A total of 332.3 K tonnes of ore grading 481 gpt AgEq was processed at Juanicipio, in Zacatecas, producing 4.9 M Oz Ag, 7.1 M Oz AgEq, at negative cash cost of $0.12 per Oz Ag ($8.38 per Oz AgEq) and an AISC of $3.28 per Oz Ag ($10.83 per Oz AgEq), generating US$109.9 M in operating cash flow and US$96.9 M in free cash flow (Mag’s share on the Juanicipio JV is 44%). During the period Mag Silver entered into an earn-in and option exploration agreement in which Apollo Silver Corp. can acquire the Cinco de Mayo property in Chihuahua.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. announced results for the third quarter of 2024. Production at Camino Rojo in Zacatecas was 43,788 Oz Au during the period at cash cost $482 per Oz Au and an AISC of $720 per Oz Au. Average mining rate was 52 K tpd, with 18.4 K tonnes of ore stacked averaging 0.93 gpt Au. A 30,000 m drilling program is underway to test and expand mineralization beneath existing resources. “….. results confirm the presence of flat-lying (mantos) and steep sulphide replacement-style mineralization, along with skarn-type alteration, extending at least 500 meters down plunge from the existing resource”. Net income was US$21.1 M and cash flow from operating activities US$52.0 M. In October the outstanding balance of US$58.4 M was repaid on its revolving credit facility of US$283.4 M. The company elevated the 2024 production guidance to 130,000 to 140,000 Oz Au. At the end of the period net cash was US$122.5 M.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. released financial results for Q3 2024. At Las Chispas, in Sonora, 4.4 km of development were completed, 124.2 K tonnes were mined at a rate of 1,350 tpd, 121.8 K tonnes milled, averaging 3.87 gpt Au, 366 gpt Ag (or 674 gpt AgEq), recovering 98.5% Au, 98.3% Ag to produce 14,928 Oz Au, 1.41 M Oz Ag (or 2.66 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $8.85 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $13.72 per Oz AgEq. Revenue in the period was US$80.4 M, an operating cash flow of US$44.2 M and free cash flow of US$36.2 M. SilverCrest had US$158.2 M by the end of September. In October the acquisition of Silver Crest Metals by Coeur Mining Inc. was announced.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced financial results for Q3 2024. At the end of the period the company had a net loss of C$5.3 M, 397.7 M shares outstanding, cash and cash equivalents of C$33.4 M, total assets of C$125.1 M, liabilities for C$6.2 M and a working capital of C$30.9 M (Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter of 2024. During the period the company processed 156.5 K tonnes of ore to produce 281.8 K Oz Ag, 1,625 Oz Au, 1.77 M Lb Cu (or 670.9 K Oz AgEq) at its Avino mine in Durango. Revenues were US$14.6 M, mining operating income of US$5.7 M, net income of US$1.2 M, EBITDA of US$3.8 M, cash flow from operations of US$4.1 M and a mine operating cash flow before taxes of US$6.7 M. At the end of the period the company had US$7.8 M in cash and working capital of US$15.9 M. Guidance remains on track to produce 2.5 M to 2.8 M Oz AgEq in 2024. Avino continued to process historical stockpiles from the nearby La Preciosa project: “as part of a sampling program to better prepare for fresh mill feed. Initial recoveries from the lower-grade material were better than expected and provide for potential upside as the project moves forward”. The operations team is in the final stages for approval to move forward with underground development at La Preciosa.
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported its operating and financial results for Q3 2024. During the period the company announced the update of an open pit constrained resource at Los Reyes, in Sinaloa, of 49 M tonnes @ 0.95 gpt Au, 34.2 gpt Ag, containing 1.49 M Oz Au, 54 M Oz Ag (or 2.19 M Oz AuEq) in indicated resources and 17.2 M tonnes @ 0.97 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, containing 0.54 M Oz Au, 21.6 M Oz Ag (or 0.82 M Oz AuEq) in inferred resources. Prime Mining reported Loss and comprehensive loss of C$16.2 M, total assets of C$35.2 M, liabilities of C$0.9 M and total liabilities of C$1.7 M, with cash at the end of the quarter of C$21.2 M. Four drilling rigs are currently active at Los Reyes.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. announced operating and financial results for the third quarter 2024. Sailfish has no operations in Mexico, but holds 100% in the Gavilanes project in Durango.
  • Dyna Resource Inc. reported results for its third quarter 2024. During the period 61 K tonnes were mined at a rate of 663 tpd at its San Jose de Gracia project in Sinaloa, milling 61.9 K tonnes at a rate of 663 tpd, grading 3.78 gpt Au, recovering 75.4% Au to produce 5,676 Oz Au. “The Company intends to prioritize drilling high grade underground targets that can readily be brought into the mine plan as well as the continued regional program to better understand the potential of the significant land package at SJG”. Revenue was US$ 11.2 M during the period. Management believes it will achieve its production rate target of 25.5 K tonnes per month in Q4 2024. The company is working to improve plant recoveries.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. provided gold production guidance for the recently acquired San Agustin mine, in Durango, and the La Colorada mine, in Sonora. For the July-December 2024 period production expected for La Colorada is 4,700-4,800 Oz Au, 13.3 K-14.4 K Oz Ag (or 4,800-4,900 Oz AuEq) at cash cost $1,350-$1,450 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,500-$1,600 per Oz Au. At San Agustin 14,650-14,950 Oz Au, 25,400-25,500 Oz Ag (or 15,200-15,300 Oz AuEq), at cash cost $1,500-$1,600 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,650-1,750 per Oz Au. La Colorada continues to produce Au from leach pads, but mining was paused by the previous operator on September 2023. Heliostar is to determine the economic viability of restarting operations and to complete a pre-feasibility study in early Q1 2025. At San Agustin mining operations ceased due to permitting constraints and is producing Au from existing leach pads. “The Company has submitted a permit application to expand the open pit that would allow mining at San Agustin to recommence in 2025. Without approval, the San Agustin Mine will transition to care and maintenance upon completion of leaching operations.”
  • United States Antimony Corp. reported third quarter 2024 financial and operational results. The company has no operations in Mexico, but holds the Los Juarez gold project in Queretaro.

ON FINANCING

  • Apollo Silver Corp. closed a fully subscribed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$13.5 M (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Osisko Development Corp. closed its previously announced private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of US$57.5 M (San Antonio, Sonora).
  • Orex Minerals Inc. completed the company’s warrant exercise incentive program raising approximately $1.2 M (Coneto, Durango).
  • Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. signed an amendment to its credit facility, exercising the US$10 M accordion feature, with the borrowing limit increased to US$50 M and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as a new lender in the facility, joining National Bank of Canada (NBC) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Osisko Development Corp. reported financial and operating results for Q3, 2024, including some information on its Mexican operations. At San Antonio, in Sonora, the company has kept the project in care and maintenance since Q3 2023, awaiting the next steps from the government of Mexico with respect to the permitting process and the status of open pit mining in the country. The company is “exploring the potential for a financial or strategic partner in the asset or for a full or partial sale of the asset”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported an update on the exploration and evaluation of its Pitarrilla property in Durango. Endeavour has re-logged the historic drill core, focusing on defining high-grade feeder structures of the Ag-Pb-Zn sulfide mineralization. The company has refurbished the ramp and extended it over 1.3 km to provide access to underground drilling. This work has confirmed the presence of at least four structures that extend through the manto (Palmito, Danna, Victoria and Casas Blancas veins), additional mineralized structures include the Norma and Danna hanging wall veins and the Peña dike. It is estimated that the first four veins are typically 3 m in width and have a vertical extent of 600 to 800 m and strike lengths of 700 m; these veins appear open to depth. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 82.92 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 87 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 2.4% Zn; 25.94 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 241 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 1.9% Zn (including 0.90 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 2,020 gpt Ag, 1.6% Cu, 5.7% Pb, 4.0% Zn); 13.62 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 183 gpt Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 1.8% Zn; 22.23 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 112 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 3.6% Zn (including 0.92 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 1,145 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 4.5% Zn). Highlighted Peña dike channel samples on the ramp comprise 4.20 m @ 0.07 gpt Au, 562 gpt Ag, 0.78% Cu, 5.3% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 5.35 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 424 gpt Ag, 0.24% Cu, 4.9% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 3.85 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 511 gpt Ag, 1.71% Cu, 3.0% Pb, 4.5% Zn.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. released assay results from the ongoing drill program at EPO, on its Morelos Complex, in Guerrero. Drilling has shown the potential to upgrade inferred resources to indicated resources in the NE portion of the EPO deposit. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 36.6 m @ 9.57 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, 0.51% Cu (including 7.55 m @ 43.33 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag, 0.51% Cu); 19.16 m @ 4.01 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag, 0.30% Cu; 18.75 m @ 2.83 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 1.26% Cu; 18.91 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag, 2.62% Cu on resource conversion and 5.10 m @ 3.70 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.37% Cu; 3.00 m @ 4.90 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu; 3.18 m @ 3.56 gpt Ag; 39 gpt Ag, 0.95% Cu; 8.33 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag, 1.44% Cu; 2.37 m @ 0.46 gpt Au, 149 gpt Ag, 3.24% Cu; 3.59 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 69 gpt Ag, 2.23% Cu, in advanced exploration beyond the resource boundary to the north of EPO. The EPO geology described in the press release highlights its complexity, with skarn, CRD and intermediate sulfidation epithermal mineralization events.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. updated on legal proceedings related to its 700 ha San Vicente 3 mineral concession. The proceedings against the Dirección General de Minas (DGM) are the company’s response to the cancellation of one of 12 concessions within its 4,260 ha  Metates project in Durango (the largest undeveloped gold deposit in Mexico). “Chesapeake began nullity proceedings to have the cancellation of San Vicente 3 declared as null and void by the North Center III and Auxiliary Regional Chamber of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice (the “Chamber”) based on certain procedural arguments. The Chamber dismissed the Company’s lawsuit in a 2-1 split decision, with the dissenting judge finding the Company’s arguments to be well-founded. The Company plans to appeal before the Collegiate Court and to pursue all legal remedies available”. The concession covers part of the mineral resource, and its cancellation would hinder the ability to develop the Metates project as outlined on the PEA.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. held its annual general meeting (AGM) with all matters brought before the meeting approved (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Fresnillo plc. has secured notice over operational issues at Industrias Peñoles Sabinas mine in Zacatecas, affecting silver output. There is a silverstream contract comprising a series of 12 agreements between Fresnillo and Peñoles, following which the London-listed miner has the right to receive all proceeds from the payable silver. “The operational challenges at the mine have prompted immediate discussions between the two companies to evaluate the situation and its implications for the agreement”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Discovery Silver Corp. released its 2023 ESG (environmental social and governance) report, highlighting the reception of the Quality Environmental Certification, the Socially Responsible Enterprise (ESR) Distinction and the Great Place to Work Certification (Cordero, Chihuahua).

On the image below: Clear vein scarps in a copper project in Sonora. Drone picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

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

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of July, 2022. 

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Hydrothermal Brecia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 30th week of the year (July 25th to July 31st, 2022), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 8 news published by the media with ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, six communicating production and financial results, six commenting on Mexican issues, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, three announcing financing issues, two informing on exploration results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mithril Resources, Vizsla Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of July, 2022. The biggest Mexican mining companies suffered a decrease in metal production between April and June of this year. Minera El Boleo´s representatives did not attend, for the second time, the meeting called by the General Directorate for Conciliation of Collective Affairs.  The mining sector in Mexico: factor of economic growth and social development. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals commenced a 3,000m core drilling program as a follow-up of its recent Phase 2 RC drilling program at its Cervantes project. In Sinaloa, Prismo received an extension to its environmental permit to drill its Palos Verdes project.  ON MINING, Alamos Gold reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora.  Agnico reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua and La India mine, Sonora. Starcore reported year end 2022 production and financial results for its San Martin mine, Queretaro. Mag Silver-Fresnillo plc JV reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Juanicipio project, Zacatecas. Sierra Metals reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua.  ON FINANCING, Silver Spruce announced the first closing of a private placement for gross proceed of up to $117,250 (El Mezquite project, Sonora). Bear Creek entered into a USD $5M loan facility with Auramet (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Elemental Royalties announced that its 1% Net Smelting Return (NSR) royalty on the Mercedes mine, Sonora is now payable.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Osisko Development filed a technical report to present and support the results of the Mineral Resource Estimate for its San Antonio Gold project, Sonora. Southern Silver released results from the ongoing drilling program at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Vizsla released results from nine holes targeting the southern extension of the Napoleon Vein at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Mithril released results from its ongoing drill program on the western end of its El Refugio resource area at its Copalquin project, Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Monumental announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (DTC) (Jemi project, Coahuila). Orogen acquired royalties in the Sarape property in Sonora by paying USD $120K to Advance Lithium Corp. Aura Minerals announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas). Aztec Minerals became 100% owner of the Cervantes project in Sonora.  Azure completed the sale of its Mexican assets to Bendito Resources. Sierra Madre announced the appointment of its new CFO (La Tigra project, Nayarit).  Prismo began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol PMOMF (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Colibri announced that it has filed audited and unaudited financial statements, management discussions and analyses, and officer certifications on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) (Evelyn project, Sonora). Excellon announced the appointment of its Chief Legal Officer & VP, Corporate Affairs (La Platosa mine, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc donated two garbage trucks to the Municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Grupo Mexico announced an investment of MXP $38,000M (about USD $1.9 B) to expand its mining operations that will generate 11,000 jobs in the next five years in Sonora state.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Mithril Resources, Vizsla Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of July, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
  • The biggest Mexican mining companies suffered a decrease in metal production between April and June of this year, so their results were under pressure in the second quarter of the year, so their results were under pressure in the second quarter of the year. The Grupo México consortium reported that its net profit fell 45.9%, due to lower copper production, the reduction in the price of said metal, as well as higher costs due to inflation. After the results were announced, the shares of the mining company fell 0.67% on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV), closing at 75.32 each.  Fresnillo plc reported that its gold production fell 20.6% in a year-on-year comparison, totaling 158,960 Oz Au from April to June against 200,163 Oz in 2021. In addition, it produced 13.66M Oz Ag in the quarter, a 3% annual reduction compared to 14.09M Oz in the same period of 2021.
  • Minera El Boleo´s representatives did not attend, for the second time, the meeting called by the General Directorate for Conciliation of Collective Affairs. The Delegate in Baja California Sur of the Mining Union described as a lack of respect and a company neglect of the federal government, and announced that the parties are summoned by the Federal Labor Court on Monday, August 1 at 1:00 p.m., to a meeting where the union will expose some modifications to the demands for which the strike broke out and continues. The strike has left more than a thousand basic employees without work and has caused a collapse in the economy of Santa Rosalía, with effects on the rest of the municipality where hundreds of micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs depend directly or indirectly on the economic income produced by this company with Korean capital, which is dedicated to the exploitation of copper and other minerals.
  • The mining sector in Mexico: factor of economic growth and social development. The Ministry of Economy of the federal government reports that in 2021, the mining sector in Mexico registered an increase of 16% in the investment received compared to 2020, amounting to USD $4,246M, a situation that confirms that this sector continues to remain one of the productive branches that attracts the most investment to the country. In 2021, mining contributed 3.06% to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 9.62% to the Industrial GDP.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., commenced a 3,000m core drilling program as a follow-up of its successful recent phase 2 RC drilling program conducted at its Cervantes project, Sonora. The follow-up drill program will test California, California Norte and Jasper targets “to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry gold oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for northern extensions of the California mineralization at California North and northwestern extensions of the Jasper mineralization”.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., received an extension to its environmental permit to drill its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. This extension allows Prismo to drill on existing roads. The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) is also reviewing an additional application for a permit for new road construction. The company plans to commence the drilling program in the first week of June.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Mulatos mine in Sonora. The company produced 20,200 Oz Au and sold 18,705 Oz Au, reporting total cash cost and an all included sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,566 and $1,636 respectively per Oz Au sold. Alamos reported operating revenues of $$35.1M, and capital expenditure of $21.3M. It also provided 2022 guidance and expects to produce between 130K-145K Oz Au at cash and AISC of $1,225-$1,275 and $1,325-1,375 respectively per Oz Au sold.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua and La India mine, Sonora. At Pinos Altos mine, Chihuahua, Agnico processed 366K tonnes of 2.02 g/t Au to produce 23K Oz Au, at a production cost of USD $109 per tonne; a production cost of USD $1,732 per Oz Au produced; and a total cash cost of USD $1,383 per Oz Au produced. At La India mine, Sonora, the company processed 1,358,000 tonnes of 0.52 g/t Au to produce 20K Oz Au at a production cost of USD $13 per tonne; a production cost of USD $872 per Oz Au produced; and a total cash cost of USD $936 per Oz Au produced.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported year end 2022 production and financial results for its San Martin mine, Queretaro. The company milled 55,400 tons of 1.58 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 88.2% and 51.4% respectively, to produce 10K Oz Au and 85.4K Oz Ag (11.2K Oz AuEq) at a mine operating cash cost of USD $62 per tonne milled, and  mine operating cash cost of USD $1,239 per Oz AuEq. Starcore reported cash on hands of USD $8.8M; working capital of USD $9.1M; Au and Ag sales of USD $25.7M; earning from mining operations of USD $5.3M; net income of USD $2.4M; and EBITDA of USD $4.8M.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its La Platosa mine, Durango. The company mined 21,481 tonnes and processed 23,550 tonnes of 449 g/t Ag, 4.2% Pb, and 4.7% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.4%, 75.5%, and 86% respectively, to produce 307.5K Oz Ag, 1.65M Lb Pb, and 2.1M Lb Zn, and a total of 260.7K Oz Ag payable, 1.4M Lb Pb payable, and 1.62M Lb Zn payable.   Excellon reported revenue of USD $7.8M; a production cost of USD 244 per tonne; a total cash cost net of by-products of USD $13.81 per Oz Ag payable; All in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD $19.24 per Oz Ag payable; and a net working capital of USD $0.1M with a cash marketable securities of USD $2.9M.
  • Mag Silver Corp., -Fresnillo plc JV reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Juanicipio project, Zacatecas. On Q2, 2022, a total of 154,069 tonnes were processed with grades of 567 g/t Ag  to produce 2.37M Oz Ag and 5,5K Oz Au of which 1.04M Oz Ag and 2.5K Oz Au are attributable to Mag due to its 44% ownership on the Juanicipio project.
  • Sierra Metals Inc reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, Chihuahua, the company processed 256,372 tonnes of 0.63% Cu, 12 g/t Ag, and 0.24 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 90.61%, 80.99%, and 65.93% respectively, to produce 3.2M Lb Cu, 83K Oz Ag and 1,283 Oz Au (4.2M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, Chihuahua, Sierra Metals processed 66,772 tonnes of 146 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, and 0.23% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 82.07%, 43.64%, and 80.78% respectively, to produce 258K Oz Ag, 160 Oz Au, and 273K Lb Pb (283K Oz AgEq).

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced the first closing of a private placement for gross proceed of up to $117,250. The company plans to complete second a final closing of the private placement by August 18, 2022 (El Mezquite project, Sonora).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation entered into a USD $5M loan facility with Auramet (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Part of the proceeds will be used to fast-track production improvements at its recently acquired Mercedes mine in Sonora.
  • Elemental Royalties Corp., announced that its 1% Net Smelting Return (NSR) royalty on the Mercedes mine, Sonora is now payable. Elemental acquired a 1% NSR royalty on the Mercedes gold-silver mine in July 2018, payable from the earlier of either a production threshold or July 28, 2022.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Osisko Development Corp., filed a technical report to present and support the results of the Mineral Resource Estimate at June 30, 2022 for its San Antonio Gold project, Sonora. The company reported indicated resources of 14.9M tonnes with grades of 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag for 576K Oz Au and 1.37M Oz Ag contained, and inferred resources of 16.6M Oz Au with grades of 1.02 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag for 544K Oz Au and 1.76M Oz Ag contained.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., released results from the ongoing drilling program at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Drilling highlights include hole 21CLM-191 with 123 g/t Ag, 0.8% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (251 g/t AgEq or 6.4% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.7m, including 848 g/t Ag, 5.6% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 2.6% Zn (1,596 g/t AgEq or 40.5% Zn Eq) over a TW of 0.4m, and 77 g/t Ag, 4.4% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (617 g/t AgEq or 15.6% Zn Eq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 165 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 11.5% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (1,463 g/t AgEq or 37.1% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1m; hole 22CLM-188 with 307 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 0.5% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (481 g/t AgEq or 12.2% Zn Eq) over a TW of 0.3m, and 128 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 1,1% Zn (202 g/t AgEq or 5.1% Zn Eq) over a TW of 12.7m, including 352 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (500 g/t AgEq or 12.7% Zn Eq) over a TW of 4.8m, including 675 g/t Ag, 0.3% Cu, 5.5% Pb, and 3.4% Zn (1,008 g/t AgEq or 25.6% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1.3m; and hole 22CLM-187 with 98 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (145 g/t AgEq or 3.7% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1.7m, plus 162 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 0.3% Cu, 1.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (314 g/t AgEq or 8% Zn Eq) over a TW of 1.9m, including 499 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.4% Cu, 4.6% Pb, and 1.5% Zn (759 g/t AgEq or 19.2% Zn Eq) over a TW of 0.6m, and 9 g/t Ag, 1.2 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 0.1% Zn (134 g/t AgEq or 3.4% Zn Eq) over a TW of 2m. These results continue to extend the silver-polymetallic mineralization laterally to the east and west in the North Felsite target on the Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from nine holes targeting the southern extension of the Napoleon Vein at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole NP-22-300 with 913 g/t Ag, 5.28 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,241 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3.90m, including 1,385 g/t Ag, 6.62 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (1,772 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.83m, including 1,750 g/t Ag, 13.75 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (2,641 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; hole NP-22-295 with 682 g/t Ag, 3.62 g/t Au, 0.7% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (990 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.7m, and 493 g/t Ag, 3.15 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 3% Zn (813 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.41m; and hole NP-22-291 with 283 g/t Ag, 1.08 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (517 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.48m, and 484 g/t Ag, 0.46 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.18m. These results demonstrate the continuity of high-grade silver and gold mineralization along the southern extent of the main Napoleon Vein.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., released results from its ongoing drill program on the western end of its El Refugio resource area at its Copalquin project, Durango. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes CDH-140 with 15.73 g/t Au and 474 g/t Ag (22.5 g/t AuEq) over 5.83m, including 45.5 g/t Au and 1,387 g/t Ag (66.73 g/t AuEq) over 1.81m; and hole CDH-141 with 1.35 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (2.03 g/t AuEq) over 4m, and 2.54 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag (2.88 g/t AuEq) over 5.49m, and 1.67 g/t Au and 55 g/t Ag (2.45 g/t AuEq) over 1.8m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (DTC). The Company’s shares will now trade under the symbol “MNMRF” (Jemi project, Coahuila).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., acquired royalties in the Sarape property in Sonora by paying USD $120K to Advance Lithium Corp. Orogen will retain 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the Sarape project.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., became 100% owner of the Cervantes project in Sonora by acquiring Kootenay Silver Corp´s 35% interest in the JV company that holds the Cervantes property. As consideration for the acquisition, Aztec will issue to Kootenay 10M common shares in the capital of Aztec, at a price of CAD $0.25 per share, and Kootenay  will retain a 0.5% Net Smelter Return Royalty.
  • Azure Minerals Limited completed the sale of its Mexican assets to Bendito Resources Inc, for a combination of cash and shares valued at A $20M.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced the appointment of its new CFO (La Tigra project, Nayarit).
  • Prismo Metals Inc., announced that its common shares have been approved for listing on the OTCQB. It will begin trading under the symbol PMOMF (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa).
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced that it has filed audited financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2021; unaudited quarterly financial statements for the three months period ending March 31, 2022;  management discussions and analyses for each period; , and officer certifications on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Although the required filings have been made, trading in the Company’s common shares will not resume until: a cease trade order originally issued on May 11, 2022 by the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of News Brunswick has been revoked; and the TSX Venture Exchange has approved the reinstatement of the trading of the Company’s common shares (Evelyn project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced the appointment of its Chief Legal Officer & VP, Corporate Affairs (La Platosa mine, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc donated two garbage trucks with a capacity of 15 tonnes to the Municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Each donated truck can collect waste from 15,000 families daily. With this delivery, Fresnillo plc promotes and endorses its commitment to the people of Fresnillo.
  • Grupo Mexico announced an investment of MXP $38,000M (about USD $1.9 B) to expand its mining operations that will generate 11,000 jobs in the next five years in Sonora state. The governor of the state, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, and the executive vice president of Grupo México, Xavier García de Quevedo, announced this series of projects that are currently 47% complete and will be extended until 2027. García de Quevedo explained that the more than 11,000 jobs will be divided into 5,700 direct and indirect jobs in the construction stage and 5,660 permanent jobs in the operation. On the other hand, Irma Potes González, director of Community Development of Grupo México, explained that repair and rehabilitation works are currently being carried out on the drinking water distribution system,  in the municipalities of Nacozari and Cananea to improve the supply of water to the population.

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

On the picture above, a quartz hydrothermal breccia from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the thirty three week of the year (August 24th to August 30th, 2020), at least 39 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eleven commenting on Mexican issues, ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, six informing on exploration results, five announcing financial rounds, four reporting on resources and developments of their mine operations, two communicating production and financial results, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, AMLO stated in one of its morning press conferences that the Mining Fund will be re-activated and re-organized. The Undersecretary of Mining, The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) demanded that the Mining Fund go back to communities. Francisco Quiroga spoke about the role that the mining industry plays in Mexico. Mexico Mining sector captures USD $873M of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Fernando Alanis, President of the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), declared that the investment in mining exploration in Mexico could fall to its lowest level in 14 years. The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga, informed that in Mexico, mining is promoted without environmental disasters or social conflicts. Coeur Mining Inc, a US mining company, claimed MXP $1,000M (over USD $46M) to the government of Mexico.  Jorge Mátar Vargas, a businessman from Morelos, said that the investment of the Esperanza Silver mining project would reactivate the economy of Morelos, given the crisis it faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, senator and leader of one of the Mexican mining union tweeted that he won a labor lawsuit against Grupo Peñoles. Sergio Almazán is the new President of the Association of Metallurgical, Mining and Geologist Engineers of Mexico A.C (AIMMGM). Francisco Quiroga, Undersecretary of Mining of Mexico, declared that the recovery of the prices of the main minerals produced in Mexico will reinforce mining investment projects in the country. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan released results from the structural analysis carried out at its El Pilar project, Silver Viper reported results from ten drill holes collared at its El Rubi project, and Tarachi announced the beginning of a 5,000m drilling program at its Tarachi Gold project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla released drill results from its Panuco project. In Durango, Mithril released drilling results from its Copalquin project. ON MINING, Impact reported Q2, 2020 production and financial results from its Zacualpan mining district in the State of Mexico. Santacruz reported the filing of a NI43-101 technical report for its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo.  ON FINANCING, Redstar completed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $7M (Heliodor properties, Mexico). Kootenay closed its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of $7M (Columba project, Chihuahua). Capitan Mining closed a private placement for gross proceeds of $3,840,855 (Peñoles project, Durango). VVC announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $3.3M (Kaity Copper project, Chihuahua).  Gold Resource declared its August monthly dividend to shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mexus provided an update on progress at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  Silver Dollar reported phase 3 drilling results not previously reported by SilverCrest from its la Joya project in Durango. GoGold announced the filing of a NI43-101 technical report on the initial mineral resource estimate for their Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Santacruz reported the filing of a NI43-101 technical report for its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. Golden Minerals released results from its resource definition drill program at its Rodeo project in Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Redstar announced the acquisition of Heliodor Metals Limited and appointed its new CEO. Orla appointed its Senior VP Exploration (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas). Sonoro announced that its board of directors approved the change of the company´s name to Sonoro Gold Corp (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Azure presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Mesa de Plata project, Sonora).   Newmont announced the replacement of the General Manager of the Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas.  Silver Spruce granted stock options to its CFO (El Mezquite project, Sonora). SilverCrest acquired El Picacho property near its Chispas project in Sonora. Orogen (former Evrim) optioned the Sarape Au property in Sonora to Minera Hochschild SA de CV, a subsidiary of Hochschild Mining PLC. Comet executed a share purchase a JV agreement with El Alamo Resource to acquire 100% interest in the Santa Teresa project in Baja California. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc trains its staff on COVID-19.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), President of Mexico, stated in one of its morning press conferences held in Zacatecas that the Mining Fund will be re-activated and re-organized. He cited that, in the case of the Mining Fund, the resources reached the governments municipalities, but not to the communities.
  • The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), demanded that the Mining Fund go back to communities. Mexico imposed a 7.5% royalty in 2014, plus a special mining tax of 0.5% on gold and silver operations. Most of the proceeds go to social infrastructure projects in mining communities, distributed through the Mining Fund. However, under a reorganization announced by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the funds were redirected to a federal budget for schools. Although AMLO has said that the previous system recorded corruption cases and sometimes the cash for projects did not arrive, some industry experts consider that the Mining Fund is a critical tool for mines and projects to win and maintain support of the communities.
  • The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga, spoke about the role that the mining industry plays in Mexico. He said that mining, which is carried out generally in remote locations with difficult access, is a great generator of foreign exchange, as it is mainly an exporter in the case of Mexico, where it contributes more than 4% of GDP. He also emphasized that only small and medium-sized mines require investments of between USD $350-500M, and that medium-scale mines generate 1,000 to 2,000 direct jobs and around 5,000 – 10,000 indirect jobs.
  • Mexico Mining sector, captures USD $873M of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first half of 2020, a year-on-year decline of 18.6%, according to statistics from the Ministry of the Economy. About 25% of the Mexican territory has been explored in detail, so there is a great opportunity for the development of new projects. Mexico places 12 to 19 minerals year after year within the top 10 production places globally. Development risk in mining is concentrated in the exploration stages and decreases as the operation stage progresses.
  • Fernando Alanis, President of the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX), declared that the investment in mining exploration in Mexico could fall to its lowest level in 14 years, although the drop would be even greater given that it does not consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that in recent years exploration activities in the country have suffered a strong fall due to the uncertainty of investors. “Mexico has lost attractiveness as a mining investment destination… that is a fact”. “We have seen a very important reduction of more than 150 exploration companies that are no longer in Mexico and that is worrying.”
  • The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga, informed that in Mexico, the mining sector has to do it environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, with zero fatalities, no environmental disasters or generating social conflicts. He also informed that active mining concessions represent only four million hectares, that is, a little more than 2% of the national territory and after conducting a review, total concessions decreased from 25 thousand to 21 thousand, which represented a reduction from 21 million to 16 million hectares.
  • Coeur Mining Inc , a US mining company, claimed MXP $1,000M (over USD $46M) to the government of Mexico. Coeur, the fifth silver producer in Mexico, seeks to obtain this compensation from the federal government because the Mexican Tax Administration (SAT) did not refund the VAT. This is the second case that is presented so far in 2020. The first was the notice of the Canadian company First Majestic Silver Corp to the Mexican government, also due to an action by the SAT. On May 13, in its notification, it communicated that the claim amounts to USD $500M, in addition to the interest generated, expenses and costs applicable in the arbitration procedure.
  • Jorge Mátar Vargas, a businessman from Morelos, said that the investment of the Esperanza Silver mining project would reactivate the economy of Morelos, given the crisis it faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also argued that with the Esperanza Silver mining project, state economic activity would be detonated. It would help reduce the deficit of jobs in the state and rescue small entrepreneurs. This project represents a millionaire private investment for the entity, with the capacity to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and is a potential to strengthen the local economy.
  • Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, senator and leader of one of the Mexican mining union tweeted (by the way, a very strange tweet), that he won a labor lawsuit against Grupo Peñoles for unjustified dismissal, for which the company must pay him MXP $1M of lost wages and benefits for 12 years and 8 months that he worked for Minera Mexicana La Ciénega.
  • Sergio Almazán is the new President of the Association of Metallurgical, Mining and Geologist Engineers of Mexico A.C (AIMMGM) for the biennium 2020-2022.
  • Francisco Quiroga, Undersecretary of Mining of Mexico, declared that the recovery of the prices of the main minerals produced in Mexico will reinforce mining investment projects in the country and will allow mining to be part of the competitive advantage for other industries in the country such as manufacturing.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., JV partner of Colibri Resource Corporation, released results from the structural analysis carried out at its El Pilar project in Sonora. “The initial overview of the 3D inversion of magnetic susceptibility data has revealed stand-out significant major structures that are universally associated with “plumbing” systems for gold-silver fluid flow and deposition. Structures appear as shear zones, faults, brecciated rock, rotational gashes within shear zones and other such dilation structures”. The main identified structure is a 1,000m by 250m large NW-SE trending structure bounded by additional N-S trending structures with approximate lengths of 300m. The NW-SE structure as been interpreted as a structural corridor holding a shear zone with rotational features that suggest excellent means of plumbing for metal-mineral-rich fluids to flow through and deposit.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., reported results from ten drill holes collared its La Virginia project in Sonora. Of the ten holes, six were drilled at El Rubi and four at Macho Libre. At El Rubi area, a broad zone of mineralization was encountered in hole LV20-245#1 with 0.76 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 55.2m, including 1.79 g/t Au and 92 g/t Ag over a TW of 3m; and 2.49 g/t Au and 152 g/t Ag over a TW of 1m; and 7.98 g/t Au and 353 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.5m, including 20.7 g/t Au and 854 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.5m; hole LV20-245#2 with 0.6 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over a TW of 11.2m, including 1.43 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.5m; and hole LV20-245#3 with 0.56 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over a TW of 7.5m, including 3.26 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.5m, and an interval of 0.93 g/t Au and 124 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.2m. At Macho Libre, the most significant drill intercept was encountered at hole LV20-240M with 0.5 g(t Au and 7 g(t Ag over a TW of 0.6m.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., announced the beginning of a 5,000m drilling program at its Tarachi Gold project in Sonora. The company plans to start the drill program at La Dura mine where channel sampling returned 6.34 g/t Au over 62.55m.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., released the first step-out drill results along the Napoleon Vein corridor at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Hole NP-20-18, located 1km north from the original discovery at Napoleon encountered 3.76 g/t Au, 689 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn (1,019 g/t AgEq) over a width of 2.5m, including 7.96 g/t Au, 1,515 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (2,206 g/t AgEq) over a width of 1m. Assays are pending for holes NP-20-19 and NP-20-21 separated each other for a distance of 90m.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd, announced results from the two first drill holes collared at its Copalquin project in Durango. Hole CDH-001 encountered 34.72 g/t Au and 3,129 g/t Ag over 3m, including 88.4 g/t Au and 6,750 g/t Ag over 1m; and hole CDH-002 with 5.64 g/t Au and 325 g/t Ag over 4.55m, including 9.82 g/t Au and 574 g/t Ag over 1.5m, plus 9.27 g/t Au and 825 g/t Ag over 0.5m. The two first holes are part of a 5,000m (35 holes) drilling program and intercepted the Soledad vein, confirming historically bonanza grades.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2020 production and financial results from its Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Despite losing nearly half the quarter (April to June) due to mandatory shutdown, Impact milled 25,602 tonnes with an average mill feed grade of Ag of 187 g/t to produced 129,570 Oz Ag. Q2, 2020 production at the Guadalupe mill came from the Guadalupe mine (37%), the San Ramon mine (23%), the Cuchara mine (23%), and the Veta Negra mine (17%). Impact reported revenues for $2.84M and an adjusted EBIDTA of $0.48M. At June 30, 2020, cash position was at $6.3M with working capital at $5.3M.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported the filing of a NI43-101 technical report for its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. Zimapan consists of 34 mining concessions totalling 5,138.76 ha and has had an extensive mining history dating back to the 1660´s. There are fourteen known mineral zones that are hosted in Lower Cretaceous limestone and calcareous shales. The zones contain targets that range from 3-10 m in width that have been traced 40-1000 m along strike and 40-590 m down dip. The property has been in production since January 1, 2010 and as of December 31, 2019 Carrizal Mining mined approximately 5.88M tonnes of mineralized material, including 3.43M tonnes at head grades ranging from 73-101 g/t Ag, 0.4-0.5% Pb, 1.8-2.8% Zn, and 0.49-0.67 % Cu from the Monte mine, and  45 MT at head grades ranging from 82-124 g/t Ag, 0.6-1.2 % Pb, 2.-4.4 % Zn, and 0.28-0.48 % Cu from the Carrizal mine.

ON FINANCING

  • Redstar Gold Corp., completed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $7M. The company plans to use the net proceeds for exploration drilling and resource delineation, updating the resource and general working capital (Heliodor properties, Mexico).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., closed its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of $7M. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for exploration and development activities, working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (Columba project, Chihuahua).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., closed its private placement for gross proceeds of $3,840,885.00 instead of the 10,000,000 shares ($2,000,000) originally contemplated. Net proceeds will be used to fund a focused drill program at the Peñoles project in Durango, additional project acquisitions and general corporate purposes.
  • VVC Exploration Corporation, announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $3.3M. Gross proceeds will be used for development of its Kaity project, Chihuahua, including costs associated with various permits, metallurgical bench testing, and investigation, evaluation and implementation of the Gloria pilot mining; option payments in Mexico; current accounts payable; general administrative expenses; and working capital.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, declared its August monthly dividend to shareholders. It will consists of one-third of a cent per common share for August 2020 payable on September 23, 2020 to shareholders of record as of September 11, 2020. (Arista mine, Oaxaca).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mexus Gold US, provided an update on progress at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The company improved the crushing circuit to maximize efficiencies, hired two new equipment operators and a lab technician, and acquired a 330 excavator a 40 ton haul truck and repaired existing equipment. The company expects to show an increase in production during the Q2 of its fiscal year (July through September).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported phase 3 drilling results not previously reported by SilverCrest from its la Joya project in Durango. This in-fill drilling program consisted of 17 drill holes targeted to advance towards an updated resource model in H1, 2015. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole LJDD14-109 with 0.73 g/t Au, 33 g/t Ag and 0.36% Cu (119 g/t AgEq) over a width of 21.92m, including 3.45 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag and 0.1% Cu (231 g/t AgEq) over a width of 4.4m; LJDD14-114 with 0.09 g/t Au, 193 g/t Ag and 2.58% Cu (501 g/t AgEq) over a width of 1.2m and 0.38 g/t Au, 43 g/t Ag, and 0.27% Cu (98 g/t AgEq) over a width of 66.4m. including 1.26 g/t Au, 219 g/t Ag, and 1.48% Cu (468 g/t AgEq) over a width of 3.15m; hole LJDD20-115 with 0.06 g/t Au, 234 g/t Ag, and 1.24% Cu (382 g/t AgEq) over a width of 6.1m, including 0.17 g/t Au, 734 g/t Ag, and 3.75% Cu (1,182 g/t AgEq) over a width of 1m; hole LJDD20-116 with 0.06 g/t Au, 76 g/t Ag, and 0.55% Cu (144 g/t AgEq) over a width of 25.1m, including 0.04 g/t Au, 185 g/t Ag, and 1.37% Cu (348 g/t AgEq) over a width of 9.1m, and 0.11 g/t Au, 602 g/t Ag, and 4.64% Cu (1,151 g/t AgEq) over a width of 1.8m, and 0.29 g/t Au, 106 g/t Ag, and 1.2% Cu (234 g/t AgEq) over a width of 23.1m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 723 g/t Ag, and 8.97% Cu (1,778 g/t AgEq) over a width of 2m.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced the filing of a NI43-101 technical report on the initial mineral resource estimate for their Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Measured and indicated mineral resource are 10M tonnes of 199 g/t AgEq to contain 63.7M Oz AgEq, and Inferred resources are 3.3M tonnes of 190 g/t AgEq to contain 19.9M Oz AgEq. Los Ricos South mineral resource is potentially amenable to both open pit and bulk underground mining methods. The company also expanded the surface rights agreement. On August 9,2020 the Ejido Cinco Minas, which owns the surface rights over the majority of the Los Ricos South concessions including all of those within the mineral resource estimate, signed an agreement with the company for a period of 12 years with an additional 12 year renewal period.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported the filing of a NI43-101 technical report for its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo. Zimapan consists of 34 mining concessions totalling 5,138.76 ha and has had an extensive mining history dating back to the 1660´s. There are fourteen known mineral zones that are hosted in Lower Cretaceous limestone and calcareous shales. The zones contain targets that range from 3-10 m in width that have been traced 40-1000 m along strike and 40-590 m down dip. The property has been in production since January 1, 2010 and as of December 31, 2019 Carrizal Mining mined approximately 5.88M tonnes of mineralized material, including 3.43M tonnes at head grades ranging from 73-101 g/t Ag, 0.4-0.5% Pb, 1.8-2.8% Zn, and 0.49-0.67 % Cu from the Monte mine, and  45 MT at head grades ranging from 82-124 g/t Ag, 0.6-1.2 % Pb, 2.-4.4 % Zn, and 0.28-0.48 % Cu from the Carrizal mine.
  • Golden Minerals Company, released results from its resource definition drill program at its Rodeo project in Durango. Golden reported results from 11 drill holes with significant intercepts showing wide zones of high-grade near-surface Au mineralization. Highlights include hole RDO_20_012 with 6.66 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over 24.5m, including 9.3 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 8.6m; hole RDO_20_014 with 5.87 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag over 23.5m, including 8.83 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag over 12.9m; and hole RDO_20_017 with 2.85 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 21.4m, including 5.1 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 6m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Redstar Gold Corp., announced the acquisition of Heliodor Metals Limited., and appointed its new CEO and board of directors. To acquire Heliodor, Redstar issued an aggregate of 86,621,003 shares to the former Heliodor shareholders in exchange for all the issued and outstanding Heliodor securities.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its Senior VP Exploration (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas).
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., announced that its board of directors approved the change of the company´s name to Sonoro Gold Corp (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora).
  • Azure Minerals Limited, presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Mesa de Plata project, Sonora).
  • Newmont Corporation, announced the replacement of the General Manager of the Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas. The former General Manager was ceased for violations of Newmont´s Code of Conduct.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., granted 300K stock options to its CFO (El Mezquite project, Sonora).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced the acquisition of El Picacho property, near its Las Chispas project in Sonora, from American Metal Mining. The purchase price paid by SilverCrest was for the amount of USD $1.6M and is for a 100% ownership in 11 mining concessions totalling approximately 7,060 hectares. The company also paid all the mining taxes to bring these concessions to good standing. The Property was a historic gold and silver producer, with the first noted production in late 1800s with grades greater than 15 g/t Au. “There are seven (7) low-sulphidation epithermal main veins on the concessions, with numerous near parallel hanging and footwall veins. The main veins have a known cumulative strike length of over 10km with widths ranging from 0.5 to 15m”.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., (former Evrim) optioned the Sarape Au property in Sonora to Minera Hochschild SA de CV, a subsidiary of Hochschild Mining PLC.  Hochschild can earn a 100% interest in the Sarape project by making cash payments of USD $5.35M and completing expenditures of USD$5M over a five-year period. Upon exercise of the option, Hochschild will grant to Orogen a 3% NSR of which 1% can be purchased for USD $2M.
  • Comet Resources Ltd., executed a share purchase and JV agreement with El Alamo Resources Limited to acquire 100% interest in the Santa Teresa project in Baja California. The acquisition will be completed on a staged basis, with Comet acquiring an initial 50% interest by making a refundable $100K cash payment. The remaining 50% interest will be acquired upon a decision to mine being made in respect of the Project within a two year period. Comet is now 50% owner of the Santa Teresa property and has the option to increase its ownership to 100% within two years. Historical production in the surrounding El Alamo district has been estimated in between 100K-200K Oz Au. The Santa Teresa project is comprised of two mineral claims totalling 202 hectares. Previous operator drilled 32 holes with significant results such as 32.4 g/t Au over 2m ; 958.4 g/t Au over 1m; 38 g/t Au over 2.5m; 39 g/t Au over 3.9m; 19.9 g/t Au over 3m; 125.9 g/t Au over 1m; 14.4 g/t Au over 3.1m; and 16 g/t Au over 3.1m. The company plans are to re-assay historic drill core to prepare a JORC compliant mineral resource estimate and then to test the upside potential at under explored areas.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc, seeks to promote knowledge about COVID-19 among its employees and train them to carry out all the actions and measures necessary to prevent the spread of the virus in their homes, community and in the company.

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 hydrothermal breccia related to an epithermal system in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Phreatic breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the seventh week of the year (February 10th to February 16th, 2020), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with seven commenting on Mexican issues, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, five announcing financial rounds, four informing on exploration results, three discussing issues on social responsibility, three reporting on resources and development of their mining projects, and two communicating production results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Americas Gold and Silver announced that a group of individuals has illegally blockaded the access to the facilities at its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. Javier Corral, Governor of Chihuahua and Francisco Quiroja, Undersecretary of Mining, installed the Regional Development Committee for Mining Zones in the State of Chihuahua 2020.  Luiz Camargo, Director of Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) stated that the main challenge of mining is to break the paradigms of old and rudimentary industry, showing that modern mining generates shared growth and benefits in the communities.  Fernando Alanis, President of the Mining Chamber of México declared that the mining industry is lever of social and economic development.  Francisco Quiroga, Undersecretary of Mining, reported that the Mexican Federal Government applied for four Li mining concessions. The Directorate of the Mining Fund, attached to the Ministry of Economy, has organized a workshop in Mexico City to train the presentation of infrastructure projects for mining states and municipalities. BNamericas analyzes the most important studies that will move the threads of key mining projects in Mexico. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California Norte, One World Lithium applied for a drilling permit to continue the exploration of its Salar del Diablo project.  In Sonora, Silver Viper released drilling results from its El Rubi project, and Tamino Minerals provided an overview on acquisitions and its 2020-2021 exploration expenditure guidance (Amalia project, Sonora).In Zacatecas, Alien commissioned TMC (geophysical company) to carry out a ground IP survey at its Donovan 2 Cu-Au project. ON MINING, Avino reported annual 2019 production results from its Avino mine in Durango and provided an outlook for 2020. Capstone reported Q4, 2019 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Hecla announced its intention to offer $475M aggregate of its senior notes due 2028. (San Sebastian mine, Durango). Millrock closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.5M (Batamote project, Sonora). Premier Gold announced its intention to increase its previously announced offer for gross proceeds of up to $38M (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Santacruz revealed its intention to conduct a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M (Veta Grande mine, Zacatecas). Telson closed a first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.94M (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Metals reported drill results from its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Pan American announced step-out drilling results from its La Colorada project in Zacatecas. Newmont Corporation reported mineral reserves and resources as of December 31, 2019 for its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mexican Gold announced completion of continuance and name change (Las Minas, Veracruz). Mithril reported results of its general meeting of shareholders (Copalquin project, Durango). Oroco announced its option agreement with Altamura Copper Corp., and the Altamura shareholders (Santo Tomás project, Sinaloa). One World Lithium announced the appointment of its VP, Corporate Development. The company granted to its VP, Corporate Development and a consultant, incentive stock option to acquire up to 500K and 200K common shares respectively at a price of $0.10 per share (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte). Endeavour Silver announced the appointment of its Director and Project Development to oversee the development of its Terronera, Jalisco and Parral, Chihuahua mine projects. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Peñasquito and the Cedros community, in Zacatecas, reached an agreement to ensure the water supply for the entire community for a period of 30 years. Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) and the Metallurgical Mining Trade Union “FRENTE” inaugurated the sports facilities in Caborca, Sonora. The Institute for Training for Work (Icatson) will train workers in the mining sector in Sonora to raise the productivity of the mining companies in the state.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • American Gold and Silver Corporation, announced that a group of individuals, including a small minority of the Company’s unionized workers have illegally blockaded the access to the facilities at its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. After weeks of interruptions of the mining activities, the company is evaluating the total and indefinite closure of the mine and its processing plant.
  • Javier Corral, Governor of Chihuahua, and the Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga, installed the Regional Development Committee for Mining Zones in the State of Chihuahua 2020. Javier Corral indicated that with the new federal administration the operation of the Mining Fund changed, however, the Committee was installed because there are pending projects of 2017 and 2018, even with resources payable to municipalities. He also informed that from the proceeds of the Mining Fund from 2014 to 2017, MXP $1,281M was allocated to Chihuahua, but he still has not received another MXP $49M.
  • Luiz Camargo, Director of Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver), stated that the main challenge of mining is to break the paradigms of old and rudimentary industry, showing that modern mining generates shared growth and benefits in the communities. He considered that mining should be understood as a sector with various actors, such as government, community and company, with common objectives.
  • Fernando Alanis, President of the Mining Chamber of Mexico, declared that the mining industry is lever of social and economic development.
  • Francisco Quiroga, Undersecretary of Mining, reported that the Mexican Federal Government applied for four Li mining concessions for the Geological Survey of Mexico (SGM). Two of the concessions are in Sonora, one in Jalisco and one in Puebla.
  • The Directorate of the Mining Fund, attached to the Ministry of Economy, has organized a workshop in Mexico City to train the presentation of infrastructure projects for mining states and municipalities. The aims of the workshop are to support federal entities and mining municipalities, sharing with state government officials the experience and lessons learned from the Mining Fund’s work team, in order to expedite the process of integrating files and required documentation to present the projects to the regional committees for approval and then submit the requests of ministers to the technical committee of the Mining Fund trust.
  • BNamericas, analyzes the most important PFS studies that will move the threads of key mining projects in Mexico, whose combined capital expenditure will be around USD $1.3B. It reviews the PFS studies of Media Luna, Guerrero (Torex Gold); the Sonora Li project (Bacanora Lithium-Ganfeng Li); the San Nicolas project, Zacatecas (Teck  Resources); the Las Chispas, Sonora (SilverCrest); and the Terroneras, Jalisco (Endeavour).

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., applied for a drilling permit to continue the exploration of its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California Norte. The company expects to receive the approval in the next days and move a skid mounted 4X4 all-terrain rig to drill a third hole 50Km south of the DDH-2. One World Lithium is working with a technology development company to test a new process to extract Li from a brine stream at near zero greenhouse gasses emission.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced drilling results from four holes collared at its El Rubi project, and expanded the mineralized structure 250m along strike. Drilling results indicate the presence of adjacent parallel mineralized structures. The El Rubi target is open to the north, south, and at depth. Significant interceptions were encountered in hole LV19-212 with 0.68 g/ton Au and 40.3 g/t Ag (1.25 g/t AuEq) over 4m of true width, and 1.85 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag (2.14 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 3.6m, including 7.03 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag (7.67 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 0.8m, and a final interval of 3.47 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (3.54 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 0.8m; hole LV20-213 with 0.84 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag (1.37 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 8.6m, including 2.52 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag (3.53 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 0.6m; hole LV20-214 with 1.8 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag (3.34 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 3m, including 3.9 g/t Au and 187 g/t Ag (6.57 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 0.8m; and hole LV20-215 with 2.18 g/t Au and 147 g/t Ag (4.27 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 1.8m, and 14.4 g/t Au and 86 g/t Ag (15.6 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 6.3m, including 196.3 g/t Au and 984 g/t Ag (210.4 g/t AuEq) over a true width of 0.45m.
  • Tamino Minerals Inc., provided an overview on acquisitions and 2020-2021 exploration expenditure guidance. Its strategy is to identify and acquire high-quality, advanced-stage exploration projects and discover early-stage opportunities that can be strategically tested and quickly progressed to key decision points. Tamino plans to spend in exploration $5M in the period 2020-2021: $2M in the Amalia project, Sonora, $1.2M in El Volcan project, Sonora, and $1.8M on acquisitions and small exploration projects.
  • Alien Metals Ltd., commissioned TMC  Exploración S de RL de CV de México to carry out a ground IP survey at its Donovan 2 Cu-Au project in Zacatecas. Aim of this IP survey is to generate high-priority drill targets.

ON MINING

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., announced annual 2019 production results from its Avino mine in Durango and provided an outlook for 2020. It produced 958.8K Oz Ag, 6,912 Oz Au, and 4.97M Lb Cu (2.39M Oz AgEq) from its Avino mine, San Gonzalo mine, and the Historic Above Ground Stockpiles. The company also provided an outlook for 2020 and expects to spend a total of USD $7-8M. It plans to drill 11,500m at its Avino mine to explore Avino, Avino West, the Santiago Vein, and La Potosina targets, and make some plant improvements.
  • Capstone Mining Corp., reported Q4, 2019 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. It milled 294,000 tonnes of 1.53% Cu, 1.52% Zn, and 48 g/t Ag, recovering 94.6%, 70.2%, and 78.7% respectively to produce 9.4M Lb Cu, 4.5M Lb Zn, and 365K Oz Ag, at a cash cost of USD $0.91 per Lb of payable Cu produced. Capstone reported USD $29.5M of revenues and an EBIDTA of USDS $11M. Annual 2019 production was 1,146,000 tonnes of 1.50% Cu, 1.07% Zn, and 47 g/t Ag, recovering 94.4%, 68.2%, and 77.7% respectively, to produce 35.8M Lb Cu, 18.5M Lb Zn, and 1.34M Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $0.90 per Lb of payable Cu produced. Capstone reported USD $118.4M of revenues and an EBIDTA of USD $52M for the full year 2019.

ON FINANCING

  • Hecla Mining Company, announced its intention to offer $475M aggregate of its senior notes due 2028. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem all of its outstanding 6.875% senior notes due 2021 and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the offering and the redemption (San Sebastian mine, Durango).
  • Millrock Resources Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.5M. Net proceeds will be used to advance exploration of its projects, for generation of new projects, for marketing of its projects, and for general corporate purposes (Batamote project, Sonora).
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, announced its plan to increase the size of its previously announced offer to raise gross proceeds of up to $38M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used for the development, expansion, and working capital requirements of its Mercedes mine in Sonora.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., revealed its intention to conduct, in one or more tranches, a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M.Net proceeds will be used for general working capital and corporate purposes (Veta Grande mine, Zacatecas).
  • Telson Mining Corporation, closed a first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.94M

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  •  Discovery Metals Corp., reported drilling results from its Cordero project in Chihuahua. These results are part of the phase 1 of 30,000-35,000m programmed to define and delineate areas of higher grade mineralization within the existing mineral resource estimate. Significant results were encountered in hole C19-304 with 0.38 g/t Au, 74 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (188 g/t AgEq) over 105.90m, including 0.41 g/t Au, 104 g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (250 g/t AgEq) over 26m; including 0.42 g/t Au, 78 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 0.9% Zn over 30.6m; and including 0.52 g/t Au, 110 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, and 2.1% Zn over 21.1m; hole C19-305 with 0.05 g/t Au, 74 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (113 g/t AgEq) over 65.0m, including 0.12 g/t Au, 122 g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, and 1.5% Zn (249 g/t AgEq) over 16m; and hole C19-297 with 0.21 g/t Au, 522 g/t Ag, 6.6% Pb, and 18.3% Zn (1,533 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m and 0.09 g/t Au, 931 g/t Ag, 6.0% Pb, and 10.1% Zn (1,569 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. To date, 23 holes totaling 8,214m have been collared at Cordero project, with pending results of 15 holes yet.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., announced results from 14 step-out drilling holes collared at its la Colorada Skarn deposit in Zacatecas. Drill highlights include hole U-88-19 with 60 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 2.7% Pb, and 4.5% Zn over 270.9m, including 85 g/t Ag, 0.18% Cu, 3.9% Pb, and 6.4% Zn; hole U-105-19 with 30 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 3.5% Zn over 192.5m, including 29 g/t Ag, 0.14% Cu, 3% Pb, and 4.5% Zn over 105.6m; hole D-30-03-19 with 35 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 2% Pb, and 3.3% Zn over 76.1m; hole D-30-05-19 with 51 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 1.8% Pb, and 4.6% Zn over 62.5m; hole D-81-01-19 with 54 g/t Ag, 1.15% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 2.5% Zn over 32.9m, and 78 g/t Ag, 0.5% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 3.8% Zn over 75.9m, and 133 g/t Ag, 0.88% Cu, 0.25% Pb, and 3.4% Zn over 19.2m; hole U-87-19 with 33 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 2.1% Pb, and 4.95% Zn over 47.2m; and hole S-81-19 with 54 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 2% Pb, and 10.3% Zn over 24.5m, including 43 g/t Ag, 0.16% Cu, 1% Pb, and 3.5% Zn over 28.8m. Since the discovery of the La Colorada Skarn Deposit in 2018, Pan American has drilled approximately 60,000m. In 2020, the company plans to invest USD $16-18M on 44,000m of infill and expansion drilling of the current resource estimate and early stage engineering and metallurgical testing.
  • Newmont Corporation, reported mineral reserves and resources as of December 31, 2019 for its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Proven reserves are 109.7M of tonnes of 0.63 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag for a total of 2.22M Oz Au and 134.4M Oz Ag contained. Probable reserves are 331.8M tonnes of 0.56 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag for a total of 5.86M Oz Au and 337M Oz Ag contained. Proven + Probable reserves are 441.5M tonnes of 0.57 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag for a total of 8.08M Oz Au and 471.36M Oz Ag contained. Newmont also reported measured resources of 37.3M tonnes of 0.25 g/t Ag and 27 g/t Ag for a total of 300K Oz Au and 32M Oz Ag contained. Indicated resources are 304M tonnes of 0.25 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag for a total of 2.44M Oz Au and 240.17M Oz Ag contained. Measured + Indicated resources are 341.3M tonnes of 0.25 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag for a total of 2.74M Oz Au and 272.17M Oz Ag contained. Inferred resources are 193.6M tonnes of 0.34 g/t Au and 26 g/t Ag for a total of 2.09M Oz Au and 161.6M Oz Ag contained. For base metals, Newmont reported proven reserves of 108.1M tonnes of 0.93% Zn and 0.39% Pb for a total of 2.24B Lb Zn and 896M Lb Pb contained. Probable reserves are 330.5M tonnes of 0.71% Zn and 0.32% Pb for a total of 5.29B Lb Zn and 2.17B Lb Pb contained. Proven + probable reserves are 438.6M tonnes of 0.77% Zn and 0.34% Pb for a total of 7.53B Lb Zn and 3.07B Lb Pb contained. It also reported measured resources of 36M tonnes of 0.64% Zn and 0.28% Pb for a total of 515.2M Lb Zn and 224M Lb Pb contained. Indicated resources are 293.1M tonnes of 0.55% Zn and 0.24% Pb for a total of 3.63B Lb Zn and 1.57B Lb Pb. Measured + Indicated resources are 438.1M tonnes of 0.77% Zn and 0.34% Pb for a total of 7.53B Lb Zn and 3.07B Lb Pb. Inferred resources are 188.6M tonnes of 0.5% Zn and 0.27% Pb for a total of 2.13B Lb Zn and 1.14B Lb Pb. (Resources are reported exclusive of reserves.)

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Mexican Gold Corp., reported that it has completed its announced continuation of its incorporation from Ontario to British Columbia and its name change to Mexican Gold Mining Corporation (Las Minas project, Veracruz).
  • Mithril Resources Limited, reported results of its general meeting of shareholders. All resolutions were put to vote and were passed (Copalquin project, Durango).
  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced its option agreement with Altamura Copper Corp., and Altamura shareholders. The exercise of this option will give Oroco a controlling interest in the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. Oroco is moving to the next phase of its development plan to progress the property to a NI 43-101 resource.
  • Bacanora Lithium plc, announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Bacanora project, Sonora).
  • One World Lithium, announced the appointment of its VP, Corporate Development. The company granted to its VP, Corporate Development and a consultant, incentive stock option to acquire up to 500K and 200K common shares respectively at a price of $0.10 per share (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).
  • Endeavour Silver , announced the appointment of its Director and Project Development to oversee the development of its Terronera, Jalisco and Parral, Chihuahua mine projects. It also announced the resignation of its VP New Projects.

 ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Peñasquito and the Cedros community in Zacatecas, reached an agreement to ensure the water supply for the entire community for a period of 30 years. The plan includes wells, drinking water and the commitment by the municipality to the operation, since both the public system and the infrastructure and distribution networks belong to it. The plan had been recognized by the authority, accepted and valued as a contribution to sustainable development for the benefit of the community.
  • Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) and the Metallurgical Mining Trade Union “FRENTE” inaugurated the sports facilities in Caborca, Sonora, which will benefit more than 2,000 people, because they provide spaces for family life and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
  • The Institute for Training for Work (Ictason), will train workers in the mining sector and their families to raise the productivity of the mining companies in the state.

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 phreatic breccia in an epithermal hot spring prospect in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of July, 2019

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

IMG_2618 - copia

By Jorge Cirett

During the 30th week of the year (July 22nd to July 28th, 2019), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Chihuahua government announced the Los Gatos mine is about to start production in the municipality of Satevó, and stated that the mining industry is of uttermost importance in the State, with 44 companies (80% Canadian) providing 12,300 well-paid jobs. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Evrim released drill results from its Sarape project. ON MINING, Excellon, Mexus Gold and Great Panther presented production or financial results. Azure commenced open-pit mining at its Oposura project in Sonora. ON FINANCING, In a great week for the resource companies sector, Impact Silver, Golden Minerals, Americas Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Mako Mining, Southern Silver, Avino Silver, Discovery Metals and Oroco announced financing rounds for combined tens of millions of dollars, with several of those placements having been increased after the opening. Silver One Resources granted options to its personnel and consultants. Defiance Silver entered into a $200 K loan with one of its officers. Mexus Gold US paid a $105 K loan. Capstone Mining extended and amended its US$300 million corporate revolving credit facility.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver released results from holes previously drilled testing the Avino system stockwork hanging-wall. GoGold released results from four more holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Prize Mining intends to change its name to Boundary Gold and Copper Mining. One World Lithium issued a technical clarification on its previous press release on drilling at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California. Discovery Metals received conditional approval for the plan of arrangement with Levon Resources for the combination of its businesses, and Levon shareholders approved the said plan of arrangement.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Secretariat on Innovation and economic Development of Chihuahua announced that a new mining project is about to start operations in the state: Los Gatos, in San Jose del Sitio, Satevó, with a US$316 M investment by Sunshine Silver and Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd. from Japan, that is to create more than 350 jobs. Other mining operations in the state include Pan American Silver’s Dolores mine in Madera, where 850 persons work, and Coeur’s Palmarejo mine with 800 workers. Chihuahua has 14 big mining operations, with 44 companies exploring in the state (80% Canadian companies) that generate 12,300 direct jobs with salaries that are 190% above the State average.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Evrim Resources Corp. released drill results from the 2019 maiden drill program at the Sarape project in Sonora. The 2,390 m ten hole program covered a 380 m strike length along the Sarape (6 km long), La Nune and Chiltepin veins. Highlighted results include 0.25 m @ 1.48 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 8.47 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 7.55 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 24.68 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag (including 1.4 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag); 1.47 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag; 1.46 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag; 3.15 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 11.57 m @ 0.22 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced second quarter 2019 production results from its Platosa mine, Durango. At the site 18,717 tonnes were mined, 19,964 tonnes processed @ 514 gpt Ag, 4.97% Pb, 7.40% Zn, recovering 90.6% Ag, 83.6% Pb, 79.6% Zn to produce 276.8 K Oz Ag, 1.76 M Lb Pb, 2.5 M Lb Zn. “.. the operation accessed multiple ore faces in the Rodilla, Pierna, 623 and Guadalupe South mantos. Operational efficiencies implemented in previous quarters continued to deliver results with lower dilution, higher grades and steady production rates”.
  • Mexus Gold US. informed that leaching from its 2,500 ton leach pad is returning solution to the holding pond at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). “It is expected to accumulate 5 to 7 oz. the first week with leaching continuing until the return solution stabilizes. Mexus will be adding new ore to the pad with the Merrill Crow gold recovery system running weekly to keep up with production.”
  • Great Panther Mining Ltd. reported financial results for the second quarter 2019. Most of the report is focused on the operation of the company’s recently acquired Tucano mine in Brazil, and not much is disclosed about its Mexican operations, other than the production of 10,023 Oz AuEq. At the end of the period cash and short-term deposits were $9.9 M (Topia, Durango).
  • Capstone Mining Corp. extended and amended its US$300 million corporate revolving credit facility with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CBIC) and Bank of Nova Scotia. “In the quarter ending June 30, 2019, Capstone paid an additional $20 million towards long-term debt , bringing the total deleveraging payments to $129 million over the last ten fiscal quarters, and the total long-term debt balance to $199.9 million” (Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. commenced mining at its Oposura project in Sonora. Ore grading 10-15% Pb-Zn is being open-pit mined at a rate of 1,500-3,000 tonnes per month on the East-Zone, where all material being mined is classified as indicated mineral resources. “Processing of this ore is expected to commence in September under a toll treatment agreement with a third-party sulphide flotation processing plant”.

ON FINANCING

  • Silver One Resources Inc. granted 2.43 M stock options to its directors, officers, consultants and advisors (La Frazada, Nayarit).
  • Impact Silver Corp. amended the terms of its ongoing non-brokered private placement financing due to strong interest. Under the actual terms, Impact has closed a first tranche for gross proceeds of $1.235 M and expects to close a second tranche for additional $714 K. Under the modified terms a third tranche has been added seeking to raise additional $3 M (Zacualpan District, Estado de Mexico).
  • Impact Silver Corp. completed the second tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement, receiving aggregate gross proceeds of $714.3 K (Zacualpan District, Estado de Mexico).
  • Golden Minerals Co. closed the direct offering previously announced, for gross proceeds $2.25 M (Rodeo, Durango).
  • Americas Silver Corp. announced that Eric Sprott purchased shares of the company for a total of US$10 M in a non-brokered private placement, increasing its ownership to above 8% (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters for the purchase of shares with gross proceeds of C$22.0 M, with the company paying the underwriters a cash commission of up to 5% of the gross proceeds. SSR Mining elected to exercise its right to maintain its pro rata ownership of up to 9.9% (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. “entered into a loan agreement with an entity controlled by one of its officers and directors which allows Defiance to borrow up to $200,000. The Loan is unsecured and will bear interest at the rate of 1% per month, accrued daily. It will mature on July 22, 2020”(San Acacio, Zacatecas).
  • Mako Mining Corp. announced the completion of the previously announced rights offering, raising total aggregate gross proceeds of $27 M.
  • Mexus Gold US. informed that the company has satisfied a $105 K loan commitment on time (Santa Elena, Sonora).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. announced its previously announced $2M non-brokered private placement has been increased to $3 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. entered into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corp. as sole underwriter to the purchase of common shares of the company for gross proceeds of $4M and additional flow-through common shares for additional gross proceeds of $2 M (Avino, Durango).
  • Discovery Metals Corp. closed its non-brokered private placement, raising $ 9.0 M. Mr Eric Sprott acquired 17.56 M shares, and as a result he’s now the owner of 19.9% of Discovery’s issued and outstanding common shares. Finders’ fees of $17,500 were paid (Puerto Rico, Coahuila; Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement to raise $1.35 M (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
  • Americas Silver Corp. closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement with Mr. Eric Sprott, raising gross proceeds of US$10 M.
  • Capstone Mining Corp. extended and amended its US$300 million corporate revolving credit facility with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CBIC) and Bank of Nova Scotia. “In the quarter ending June 30, 2019, Capstone paid an additional $20 million towards long-term debt , bringing the total deleveraging payments to $129 million over the last ten fiscal quarters, and the total long-term debt balance to $199.9 million” (Cozamin, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released results from a sampling campaign comprising 52 recent and historic holes that were previously drilled on the hanging-wall of the Avino stockwork system of its Avino property in Durango. Some of the results released: 3.05 m @ 1.31 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.02% Cu; 4.30 m @ 1.47 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag, 0.49% Cu; 2.20 m @ 5.00 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag, 0.13% Cu; 16.00 m @ 2.06 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag, 0.69% Cu; 2.95 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.47% Cu; 1.25 m @ 3.27 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, 0.11% Cu; 2.00 m @ 15.60 gpt Au, 146 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu; 4.10 m @ 3.82 gpt Au, 103 gpt Ag, 0.23% Cu; 5.45 m @ 1.26 gpt Au, 133 gpt Ag, 0.07% Cu; 9.50 m @ 1.82 gpt Au, 119 gpt Ag, 0.50% Cu; 5.95 m @ 2.29 gpt Au, 232 gpt Ag, 0.30% Cu; 4.90 m @ 5.36 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, 0.07% Cu; 8.43 m @ 2.16 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. delivered assays results from four more holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Highlighted intervals comprise: 21.4 m @ 0.81 gpt Au, 170 gpt Ag (including 12.9 m @ 1.24 gpt Au, 262 gpt Ag which includes 7.5 m @ 1.78 gpt Au, 342 gpt Ag) in one hole; 4.5 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 197 gpt Ag, then stope, then 13.8 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 86 gpt Ag) in another hole; 14.9 m @ 1.78 gpt Au, 106 gpt Ag in a third one and 7.5 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, then 2.2 m of open stope, then 15.6 m @ 1.15 gpt Au, 113 gpt Ag (including 6.5 m @ 2.38 gpt Au, 236 gpt Ag. The first hole of this release is the deepest so far to intersect the Los Ricos vein.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Prize Mining Corp. announced its shareholders will be asked in August 22 to approve the continuation of the company into the jurisdiction of Britsh Columbia, the consolidation of its shares on a 5 to one basis and the name change of the company to Boundary Gold and Copper Mining Ltd. (Manto Negro, Coahuila).
  • Discovery Metals Inc. has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to complete the transaction with Levon Resources Ltd. for the combination of their businesses (Puerto Rico, Coahuila; Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • One World Lithium Inc. issued a technical clarification as a result of a review by the British Columbia Securities Commission about a previous news release on drilling results at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California. The company had three distinct target levels at several zones, but drilling encountered harsh conditions due to the natural variability of the unconsolidated basin sediments. “Dense mudstones were interlayered with unconsolidated, water- and brinebearing sands. Drill bits and related equipment were commonly plugged by the mudstones, requiring multiple trips out of the hole to clean and unplug the drill bits. Unconsolidated sands poured or sloughed into the drill bore, requiring substantial time to stabilize the drill hole before drilling to additional depths. Some measure of control was established by drilling and setting casing at deeper levels, but high amounts of water impeded the progress of the drill…..”
  •  Discovery Metals Inc. announced a majority of Levon Resource Ltd’s shareholders approved the plan of arrangement for the combination of businesses (Puerto Rico, Coahuila, Cordero, Chihuahua).

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

On the image below: sheeted quartz veinlets and minor stockwork development in metamorphic rocks of a project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

IMG_2618 - copia

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of June, 2019.

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

 

Quartz blade texture

By Miguel A Heredia

During the twenty three week of the year (June 17th to June 23th, 2019), at least 33 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with sixteen disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven announcing financial rounds, six reporting on resources and development of their projects, and three informing on exploration results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California Norte, One World Lithium reported completion of holes 2019-01 and 2019-03 at its Salar del Diablo project, and reported results from the ongoing drilling program. In Durango, Gainey announced its plan to conduct a drilling program at its Las Margaritas project, with an initial phase of 16 drill holes for a total of approximately 2,190m.  ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Prize closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $195K (Manto Negro project, Coahuila). Sonoro proposed to undertake a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $750K (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). Advanced Gold proposed to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of a minimum of $150K (Tabasquena project, Zacatecas). Goldplay announced that it will be undertaken a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.1M, and increase it to $1,376,250 (San Marcial project, Sinaloa). Impact Silver announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M (Zacualpan mine, State of Mexico). Discovery Metals announced it has applied to the TSX to extend the term of 31,237,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants (Puerto Rico project, Coahuila). Azure secured financing for A$ 2M via a convertible note (Oposura project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Endeavour received final tailings permit for its Terronera mine in Jalisco. GoGold announced that it is moving forward with the installation of a sulfidation acidification, re-neutralization, and thickening (SART) plant at its Parral tailings re-processing facility in Chihuahua.  Azure provided an update of the mining and processing operation planned for its Oposura project in Sonora.  Torex announced maiden mineral reserves for its El Limón Deep Zone at its El Limón-Guajes Mining Complex in Guerrero. Telson released significant channel samples results from underground development at its Tahuehueto mine in Durango.  Silver Bull announced the extension at depth of its Sierra Mojada deposit in Coahuila. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Newmont Goldcorp announced that it is ramping up operations at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Evrim and Harvest Gold extended their JV agreement on Cerro Cascaron project in Chihuahua. Sierra Metals and Fortuna Silver announced results from their annual general meeting of shareholders (Cusi mine, Chihuahua, and San Jose mine, Oaxaca respectively). Premier Gold and Azure announced that their annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on July 25 and on June 19, 2019 respectively.  Excellon, GoGold, Mexican Gold, and Minaurum announced management changes. Oroco engaged San Diego Torrey Hills to provide market awareness and investor relations services to the company (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa). Telson announced that it will provide a company update in a conference to be held in New Jersey (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Santacruz reached an agreement to amend the repayment terms of a short-term loan that it has borrowed from a private mining company (Veta Grande project, Zacatecas).

 ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., announced the completion of holes 2019-01 and 2019-03 on its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California Norte, and sent all the samples from holes 2019-01, 03, 06, 09, and 11 to the lab for assays. The lab reported that 4 of the drill holes intersected aquifers that contain brines. A fifth hole intersected an aquifer that likely contains brine as the pH test was 8.6 which can be a good indicator of brines. “The presence of multiple aquifers containing brine indicates a potentially prospective area of over 20,000 hectares or 77 square miles on the northern third of the Salar del Diablo property”. One World also has staked an additional 28,030 hectares claim block bringing the company´s total claim block to 103,430 hectares or 399 square miles.
  • Gainey Capital Corp., announced its plans to conduct a drilling program at its Las Margaritas project in Durango. Gainey has been approved by SEMARNAT to drill up to 32 drill holes but will commence with an initial phase of 16 holes for a total of approximately 2,190m. Las Margaritas project consists of an undrilled low-sulphidation epithermal system in which surface sampling has returned up to 73.7 g/t Au.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Prize Mining Corporation, closed the second a final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $195K. The total combined proceeds from the first and final tranches of the offering were $825K (Manto Negro project, Coahuila).
  • Sonoro Metals Corp., proposed to undertake a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $750K. The gross proceeds will be used to complete the Phase 2 drilling program and fund the launch of a Phase 3 drilling program at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Funding will also be allocated for the commissioning of preliminary studies required to produce a NI 43-101 compliant study to assess the viability of the development of a heap leach operation at its Cerro Caliche project.
  • Advanced Gold Corp., proposed to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of a minimum of $150K. The gross proceeds will be used to fund a geophysical program and further drilling at its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas.
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd, proposed to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.1M and increase it to $1,376,250. The gross proceeds of the offering will be used for exploration of its San Marcial project in Sinaloa, and for general and administration costs for its operations in Mexico and Canada.
  • Impact Silver , announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M. The gross proceeds will be used to further explore its Zacualpan land package for high-potential Au-Cu targets such as Santa Teresa and manto America, Dense Media Separation engineering studies on the Capire VMS resource mill and production center, and ongoing efficiency improvements at the Guadalupe production mill. The Company reserves the right to increase the size of the private placement by up to 20%.
  • Discovery Metals Corp., announced it has applied to TSX to extend the term of 31,237,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants. “The Company is proposing to extend the expiry date of the warrants by an additional 18 months, such that each warrant will expire on February 17, 2021. The exercise price of all warrants will remain unchanged, at the current exercise price of $1.00 per common share”.
  • Azure Minerals Limited, secured financing for A$ 2M via a convertible note. This funding will enable Azure to meet start-up costs and working capital requirements at its Oposura project in Sonora.

 ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., received final tailings permit for its Terronera mine in Jalisco. The authorization to change soil use on forest land was issued by SEMARNAT and gives the right to store tailings from the proposed Terronera high grade, underground Ag-Au mine in a secure, filtered dry stack tailings facility adjacent to the proposed plant site. “Now that the Terronera mine project is fully permitted, Endeavour Silver plans to complete a final improved pre-feasibility study in the 3rd quarter and arrange appropriate financing to build Endeavour’s next core asset. The mine is expected to produce more than 5M Oz AgEq (at an 80:1 Ag: Au ratio) over a minimum 12 year mine life”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced that it is moving forward with the installation of a sulfidation acidification, re-neutralization, and thickening (SART) plant at its Parral tailings re-processing facility in Chihuahua. “The construction is planned to be completed before the end of 2019 at a cost of approximately $2.6 million USD and commissioning will begin immediately following practical completion”.
  • Azure Minerals Limited., provided an update of the mining and processing operation planned for its Oposura project in Sonora. High-grade mining is expected to start in the September quarter, at an anticipated production rate of 1,500 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes grading approximately 15% combined Zn + Pb. All mineralization to be mined has been classified under the indicated mineral resource category.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced maiden mineral reserves for its El Limón Deep Zone at its El Limón-Guajes Mining Complex in Guerrero. Probable mineral reserves as of April 2019 are 487,000 tonnes of 5.5 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag to contain 86K Oz Au and 101K Oz Ag. Measured mineral resources are 797,000 tonnes of 5.52 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag to contain 141K Oz Au and 170K Oz Ag, while inferred mineral resources are 1,090,000 tonnes of 5.2 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag to contain 182K Oz Au and 243K Oz Ag. The mineral reserve is a subset of the mineral resource. The mineral resource is the downdip extension of mineralization in the El Limón open pit. It is located approximately 400 meters north-northwest of the Sub-Sill deposit and is open in three directions.
  • Telson Mining Corporation, released significant channel samples results from underground development at its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. Significant results are  87 g/t Au, 76 g/t Ag, 0.55% Cu, 3.7% Pb, and 12.1% Zn over 2.70m; 7.28 g/t Au, 83 g/t Ag, 0.56% Cu, 5.8% Pb, and 14% Zn over 3.45m; 8.25 g/t Au, 61 g/t Ag, 0.36% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 6.8%Zn over 2.60m; 9.34 g/t Au, 69 g/t Ag, 0.73% Cu, 2% Pb, and 5.5% Zn over 3.07m; 6.98 g/t Au, 80 g/t Ag, 0.45% Cu, 4.3% Pb, and 5.7% Zn over 2.49m; and 12.55 g/t Au, 248 g/t Ag, 0.75% Cu, 6%Pb, and 8.6%Zn over 1.74m.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc., announced that drilling results at its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila have extended at depth the strike length of the deposit by 950m. Highlights include 5% Zn, 8.2% Pb, and 586 g/t Ag over 1.35m and 12.2% Zn, 1.4% Pb, and 53 g/t Ag over 1.8m in hole B19001; and 7.8% Zn, 1.5% Pb, and 36 g/t Ag over 2.05m in hole B19002, both holes in mixed oxide/sulphide mineralization. The company, along with its JV partner South 32 is conducting an initial 8,000m surface drill program targeting a series of possible sulphide extensions at depth to the main deposit, as well as a series of never before tested targets within the wider area.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Newmont Goldcorp Corporation, announced that it is ramping up operations at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, following the lifting of an illegal blockade and the establishment of a dialogue process sponsored by the national government.
  • Evrim Resources Corp., & Harvest Gold Corp., extended their JV agreement on the Cerro Cascaron property in Chihuahua for a period of six months. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will attempt to renegotiate the Cerro Cascaron deal and search for a new Au project in Mexico. Harvest has agreed to pay $55K to Evrim to maintain property payments at Cerro Cascaron while both parties renegotiate the Cerro Cascaron agreement. Once the Cerro Cascaron agreement has been renegotiated, Harvest Gold plans to complete a second target drill program on the property. Evrim also announced the appointment of its new VP of Exploration.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cusi mine, Chihuahua).
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, announced its annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on July 25, 2019 (Mercedes mine, Sonora).
  • Azure Minerals Limited, announced its annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on June 19, 2019 (Oposura project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., appointed its new CFO and VP Corporate Development (La Platosa mine, Durango).
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced management changes on its Board of Directors appointing a new Director, the same who will also serve as Chairman of the Board (Los Ricos project, Jalisco).
  • Mexican Gold Corp., announced the resignation of its President and Director and appointed its new CEO, the same that will serve as the new President and Director of the company. It also appointed its new CFO who will remain as a Director of the company (Las Minas project, Veracruz).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., appointed a new Director to its Board. It also announced that Mr. David J Baker will be stepping down as a Director of the company (Alamo Silver project, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced that it has engaged San Diego Torrey Hills Capital Inc., to provide market awareness and investor relations services to the company (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa).
  • Telson Mining Corporation , announced that it will provide a company update at the John Tumazos Very Independent Research Metals Conference in Holmdel, New Jersey, including the discussion of the Q1 2019 financial results, and the progress being made in the construction of its on-site 1,000 tonnes per day mineral processing plant at its Tahuehueto project in Durango.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reached an agreement to amend the repayment terms of the US$ 2.3M short-term loan that it has borrowed from a private Bolivian mining company. The $US 2.3M payment is now to be repaid by January 30, 2010 (Veta Grande project, Zacatecas).

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

On the picture above, quartz blade texture in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a prospect in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Alberto Orozco Joins Riverside As VP Corporate Development

/ lauragpm / Leave a comment

Riverside Resources_05062019

June 5, 2019 – Vancouver, BC: Riverside Resources Inc. (“Riverside” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: R99), is pleased to announce the hiring of Alberto Orozco, who has taken a VP Corporate Development position with the Company. Mr. Orozco is based in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico with Riverside’s Mexico headquarters where he is able to lead the Riverside Mexico mineral exploration team with a focus on the Company’s on-going work and new developments to accelerate the Company’s corporate growth plans. Alberto will also lend his support towards the new exploration funding agreement with BHP announced in mid-May 2019 (see press release, May 16, 2019).