Slickensides related to a shear zone

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 19^th week of the year (May 5^th to may 11^th 2025), at least 39 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and one news published by the media, with twelve disclosing deals and corporate issues, eleven communicating production results, seven announcing financing rounds, five reporting resources and developments of their properties, three commenting on Mexican issues, and two informing on exploration results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Vizsla Silver announced that it has resumed all field work activities at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Carlos Pavón Campos, leader of the Miners’ Union “Frente”, asserted that the USD $55M belongs to the workers, confirmed by a recent ruling against the union led by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia. Fuerte Metals, Tocvan Ventures, Kootenay Silver, and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of May, 2025. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kingsmen reported the reported the construction of drill pads in preparation for a diamond drilling program, which will involve 14 proposed drill holes at its Las Coloradas project, and Kootenay released latest drill results from its Columba project. Sierra Metals presented Q1, 2025 consolidated financial results (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).  ON MINING, Impact Silver reported full year 2024 production and financial results from Zacualpan and Plomosas mines in Estado de Mexico and Chihuahua respectively. GoGold reported Q1, 2025 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings property in Chihuahua. Sierra Madre announced Q1, 2025 results (La Guitarra mine, Estado de Mexico). Pan American Silver reported Q1, 2025 unaudited operational results (La Colorada mine, Zacatecas-Durango). First Majestic announced Q1, 2025 operating and cost performance results for each of their four producing mines in Mexico. Torex reported Q1, 2025 production and financial results from its Morelos mine complex in Guerrero. Americas Gold and Silver announced Q1, 2025 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. Equinox reported Q1, 2025 consolidated operating results. United States Antimony presented Q1, 2025 production and financial results (Madero antimony smelter, Coahuila). MAG Silver released Q1, 2025 production and financial results from its Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas.  ON FINANCING, Aura declared and approved a payment of a dividend of USD $0.40 per common share (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas). Discovery Silver filed a final short form base shelf prospectus with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, replacing its previous prospectus from March 2023 (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Capstone increased its revolving credit facility from USD $700M to USD $1 B and extended the maturity to May 2029 (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas). GR Silver announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 12M units for gross proceeds of up to $1.56M (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Bear Creek announced the issuance of a secured promissory note to Sandstorm Gold for up to USD $6.5M, with monthly draws of up to USD $600K (Mercedes mine, Sonora). Goldgroup closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for CADS $15M (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Fuerte Metals reported results from the most recent five holes drilled at its Cristina project, Chihuahua. Osisko Development declared that San Antonio project in Sonora remains in care and maintenance and the Board of Directors has authorized a strategic review. Endeavour commenced wet commissioning at its Terronera property in Jalisco.  Guanajuato Silver provided an exploration update on El Cubo and San Ignacio mines in Guanajuato. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Apollo announced the appointment of its CEO and President (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua). Newmont notified that its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating officer has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas). Canuc and Macdonald Mines reported a delay in the previously announced transaction whereby Canuc will acquire all the shares of Macdonald Mines (San Javier project, Sonora). Silver Storm entered into a definitive arrangement agreement whereby Silver Storm will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Till Capital (La Parrilla mine, Durango). Sierra Metals provided and update regarding Alpayana S.A.C’s increased takeover bid of CAD $1.15 per share, citing extensive conditions and uncertainties attached to the offer that may never be satisfied (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). Santacruz made the second payment of USD $7.5M to Glencore (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).  Chesapeake announced the resignation of one of its Directors (Metates project, Durango). Riverside and Questcorp Mining executed a definitive option agreement for La Union project in Sonora. Osisko Development reported voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Antonio project, Sonora). Canuc acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Macdonald Mines (San Javier project, Sonora). Silver Viper announced an agreement to acquire the Cimarron project in Sinaloa.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.  

ON MEXICO ISSUES

• Vizsla Silver Corp., announced that it has resumed all field work activities at its Panuco project in Sinaloa due to improvement of the security conditions in the region. Ongoing programs include test mine development, geotechnical drilling, exploration drilling, mapping and geophysical surveys.
• Carlos Pavón Campos, leader of the Miners’ Union “Frente”, asserted that the USD $55M in question belongs to the workers, confirmed by a recent ruling against the union led by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia. Pavón who worked with Napoleón Gómez Urrutia point out that the judicial process has removed Grupo Mexico and Scotiabank from the trust, leaving the responsibility solely with the union. He highlighted that the ruling mandates the union to cover any payment discrepancies for workers who received between MXP $60-80K. He also mentioned that the three emblematic strikes, which have lasted almost 18 years, are no longer effective. In Cananea, workers have returned to work and many have already been paid. In San Martín, Zacatecas, most have also returned to work, and in Taxco, Guerrero, the company had requested the termination of the collective bargaining agreement due to the lack of mineral reserves. Pavón emphasizes that the workers still waiting to return are in a precarious situation, as the mine has no reserves and many of the original workers have aged or passed away.
• Fuerte Metals Corporation, Tocvan Ventures Corp., Kootenay Silver Inc., and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of May 2025. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

• Kingsmen Resources Ltd., reported the construction of drill pads in preparation for a diamond drilling program at Las Coloradas project, Chihuahua, which will involve 14 proposed drill holes targeting the Soledad and Soledad II structures. The drilling is expected to commence in May and continue through July 2025.
• Kootenay Silver Inc., released latest drill results from its Columba project. Drilling highlights are shown in the table below:

Compilation and validation of the completed database is underway in advance of work toward calculation of a maiden resource expected to primarily include F, D and B-Vein.

ON MINING

• Impact Silver Corp., reported full year 2024 production and financial results from Zacualpan and Plomosas mines in Estado de Mexico and Chihuahua respectively. At Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico, the company processed 136,280 tonnes of 161 g/t Ag to produce 595.3K Oz Ag and 135 Oz Au. Impact reported a total of 592.8 Oz Ag sold in 2024. At Plomosas mine, Chihuahua, the company mined 39,169 tonnes and processed 13,633 tonnes of 12.2% Zn, 7.3% Pb, and 47  g/t Ag to sell 6.1M Lb Zn, 1.3M Lb Pb, and 35K Oz Ag. Impact reported revenue of $31.9M and at the end of the year, the company had $7.1M in cash, $9.0M in working capital and no long-term debt.
• GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q1, 2025 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings mine in Chihuahua (all currency reported in US dollars). The company announced 377,516 tonnes stacked to produce 210.3K Oz Ag, 3,279 Oz Au, 347.2K Lb Cu, and 358.4K Lb Zn (555.5K Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $17.85 and $22.98 respectively. GoGold also reported revenue of $17.6M at an average realized price of $31.7 per Oz AgEq; cost of sales including depreciation of $11.1M; operating income of $3.8M; net income of $3.4M; cash flow from operations of $5.1M; and cash as of march 31, 2025 of $78.3M.
• Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced Q1, 2025 results from la Guitarra mine in Estado de Mexico (all amounts are expressed in US dollars).  The company milled 39,167 tonnes to produce 70.2K Oz Ag and 1K Oz Au (165K Oz AgEq). Sierra Madre also reported revenue of $4.8M; gross profit of $1.2M; cash generated from operations of $535K; and cash including current assets of $4.3M.
• Sierra Metals Inc., presented Q1, 2025 consolidated financial results (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). The company reported for its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua, cost of sales of $22.8M; a total cash cost of $17.3M; cash cost per tonne processed of $40.94; and cash and AISC of $2.51 and $3.16 per Lb CuEq respectively.
• Pan American Silver Corp., reported Q1, 2025 unaudited operational results for its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas-Durango and Dolores mine in Chihuahua.  At La Colorada mine, the company produced 1.39M Oz Ag and 1.2K Oz Au at AISC of USD $19.72 per Oz Ag produced. At Dolores mine, Pan American produced 349K Oz Ag and 14K Oz Au at AISC of $569 per Oz Au.
• First Majestic Silver Corp., announced Q1, 2025 operating and cost performance results for each of their four producing mines in Mexico (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). Figures are shown in the table below:

The company also presented consolidated financial results reporting revenue of $243.9M; mine operating earnings of $63.8M; cash flow from operations $110M; free cash flow of $43.5M; EBITDA of $98.8M; net earnings of 6.2M; cash and AISC of $13.68 and $19.24 respectively per Oz AgEq; working capital of $404.8M; and cash and restricted cash balance of $462.6M.

• Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q1, 2025 production and financial results from its Morelos mine complex in Guerrero (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). The company produced 558.3K Oz Au (59.6K Oz AuEq) and sold 60.6K Oz AuEq at a realized price of $2,793 per Oz. Torex reported revenue of $170M; AISC of $1,405 per Oz AuEq; cost of sales of $94.1M; net income of $39M; adjusted net earnings of $91.8M; EBITDA of $88.1M; and adjusted EBITDA of $91.8M.
• Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced Q1, 2025 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). The company produced 132K Oz Ag, 6,7M Lb Zn and 1.6M Lb Pb at cash and AISC of $17.86 and $27.29 respectively per Oz Ag produced. The company reported revenue of 2.3M and a cost of sales of $11M.
• Equinox Gold Corp., reported Q1, 2025 consolidated operating results. The company produced 145.3K Oz Au and sold 147.9K Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $2,858 per Oz Au. “Accordingly, the company announced on April 1, 2025 that operations at Los Filos mine in Guerrero are suspended indefinitely. The company has not included any production from Los Filos in its 2025 Guidance. Layoffs at Los Filos have been proceeding; however, the company will retain the staff required to maintain its environmental obligations and secure the company-owned infrastructure at the mine site. Commencing April 1, 2025, Los Filos is being reported as a development project.
• United Sates Antimony Corporation presented Q1, 2025 production and financial results (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). The company reported revenue of $7M, gross profit of $2.4M; operating expenses of $2M; antimony sales of $5.9M; and cash position of $18.7M (Madero antimony smelter, Coahuila).
• MAG Silver Corp., released Q1, 2025 production and financial results on a 100% basis from its Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas (all amounts are expressed in US dollars). MAG Silver holds 44% and Fresnillo plc 56%. The company mined 347,467 tonnes and processed 337,017 with average grades of 430 g/t Ag, 1.24 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 2.9% Zn (660 g/t AgEq) to produce 3.98M Oz Ag, 8.72K Oz Au, 9.52M Lb Pb, and 12.1M Lb Zn (5.48M Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $8.50 and $10.64 respectively per Oz Ag sold. MAG also reported cost of sales of $175.2M; gross profit of $121M; net income before taxes of $115.2M; net income of $76.9M; operating cash flow of $86.4M; and free cash flow of $77.4M. As at March 31, 2025, Juanicipio had working capital of $178.8M, including cash of $130.6M.

ON FINANCING

• Aura Minerals Inc., declared and approved a payment of a dividend of USD $0.40 per common share based on Q1, 2025 results (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas).
• Discovery Silver Corp., filed a final short form base shelf prospectus with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, replacing its previous prospectus from March 2023. This new prospectus allows the company to offer up to CAD $500M in various securities over a 25-month period, providing financial flexibility for future business developments. The company, which focuses on precious metals, has significant exposure to silver through its Cordero project in Chihuahua and has recently acquired the Porcupine Complex from Newmont Corporation, enhancing its position as a Canadian gold producer.
• Capstone Copper Corporation increased its revolving credit facility from USD $700M to USD $1 B, with a USD $200M accordion, and extended the maturity to May 2029. The company plans to refinance some project debt using proceeds from recent senior unsecured notes. This enhances the company’s financial flexibility and simplifies its debt maturity profile (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas).
• GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 12M units at a price of $0.13 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $1.56M. Gross proceeds will be used for exploration targeting resource expansion in the San Marcial Area of the Plomosas project in Sinaloa, and for general working capital.
• Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced the issuance of a secured promissory note to Sandstorm Gold Ltd., for up to USD $6.5M, with monthly draws of up to USD $600K. The note bears a 7% interest rate, matures in September 2028, and can potentially be converted into shares. The loan is secured by interests in Bear Creek’s Mercedes mine in Sonora and other assets, with approval from the TSX Venture Exchange pending. The company plans to use revenue from its Mercedes Mine to service the debt.
• Goldgroup Mining Inc., closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of 27,272,727 units at a price of CAD $0.55 per unit for CADS $15M. The company will use the net proceeds for near mine exploration at Cerro Prieto mine in  Sonora, mine capital equipment and production improvements, Pinos project PEA update in Zacatecas, debt reduction, ongoing assessment of acquisition opportunities and general corporate working capital purposes.
• Silver Storm Mining Ltd., announced that it is advancing its plans to restart the La Parrilla mine in Durango, by securing non-binding proposals for multi-year lead and zinc concentrate off-take agreements and associated prepayment or structured finance facilities ranging from USD $15M to USDS $17M, with a duration of 36-48 months. The company is progressing toward formalizing these agreements, which are essential for providing near-term funding and supporting the mine’s restart operations. The proposals are subject to customary conditions, including due diligence and contractual agreements

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

• Fuerte Metals Corporation reported results from the most recent five holes drilled at its Cristina project, Chihuahua. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes ACD-25-266 with 2.3 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, 0.02% Zn, 0.01% Pb, and 0% Cu (2.59 g/t AuEq) over 10.5m, including 9 g/t Au, 90 g/t Ag, 0.02% Zn, 0.02% Pb, and 0.01% Cu (10.33 g/t AuEq) over 2.4m, plus 0.8 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag, 0.3% Zn, 0.1% Pb, and 0.02% Cu (1.07 g/t AuEq) over 18m, including 6.9 g/t Au, 88 g/t Ag, 0.02% Zn, 0.01% Pb, and 0.03% Cu (8.19 g/t AuEq) over 0.9m; and hole ACD-25-269 with 0.4 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, 0.3% Zn, 0.1% Pb, and 0.04% Cu (0.71 g/t AuEq) over 95m, including 0.9 g/t Au, 91 g/t Ag, 7.6% Zn, 2% Pb, and 0.4% Cu (7.01 g/t AuEq) over 1.4m, and including 4.6 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, 1.3% Zn, 0.4% Pb, and 0.05% Cu (5.55 g/t AuEq) over 2.1m, and including 4.8 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn, 0.02% Pb, and 0.02% Cu (5.03 g/t AuEq) over 1.1m, and including 4.6 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, 1.3% Zn, 0.4% Pb, and 0.05% Cu (5.55 g/t AuEq) over 3.6m. Fuerte has now reported fifty holes totalling 13,754.7 metres of drilling from the current program.
• Osisko Development Corp., declared that San Antonio project in Sonora remains in care and maintenance and the Board of Directors has authorized a strategic review. “The approval process for mining permits appears to be gaining traction, specifically for open-pit mining in the country, and the Company intends to re-submit its two permit applications this year”.
• Endeavour Silver Corp., commenced wet commissioning at its Terronera project in Jalisco, making a significant milestone toward full-scale production. This phase involves testing plant performance with water and slurry to ensure equipment and systems operate correctly. The company continues to monitor performance closely, with plans to ramp up feed and production rates as the process progresses, reflecting its ongoing commitment to advancing the project efficiently and safely.
• Tocvan Ventures Corp., released significant initial results from its reverse circulation drilling program at the Gran Pilar project in Sonora. The latest drilling has identified a high-grade corridor, with drillhole JES-25-114 returning 0.34 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag over 129.63m, including 1.02 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 41.18m, including 5.43 g/t Au and 39 g/t Ag over 6.1m, including 15.85 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag over 1.53m, plus 0.84 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, plus 0.17 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 6.1m. This discovery is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand known mineralization in the area, which is characterized by a geophysical anomaly extending 250 meters vertically. The company is currently focused on a 100% controlled expansion area, with results pending for seven additional drill holes, including follow-ups on previously high-grade intersections.
• Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., provided an exploration update on El Cubo and San Ignacio mines in Guanajuato. At El Cubo, the company is conducting an underground diamond drilling campaign with the goal of confirming lateral and vertical continuity of reported drill results of the San Luis Vein orebody. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes SL-25-02 with 0.07 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (13 g/t AgEq) over 0.23m, plus 0.27 g/t Au and 78 g/t Ag (102 g/t AgEq) over 0.24m, plus 0.91 g/t Au and 319 g/t Ag (401 g/t AgEq) over 0.52m; hole SL-25-03A with 0.69 g/t Au and 143 g/t Ag (205 g/t AgEq) over 0.85,including 1.31 g/t Au and 298 g/t Ag (416 g/t AgEq) over 0.32m, plus 0.56 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag (146 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m, plus 0.69 g/t Au and 315 g/t Ag (377 g/t AgEq) over 0.21m; hole SL-25-04 with 1.27 g/t Au and 248 g/t Ag (362 g/t AgEq) over 0.72m; and hole SL-25-05 with 0.11 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (45 g/t AgEq) over 0.30m, plus 0.11 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag (55 g/t AgEq) over 0.24m, plus 0.87 g/t Au and 496 g/t Ag (574 g/t AgEq) over 0.08m. For 2025, Guanajuato Silver plans to drill a total of 6,500m in approximately 30 holes, targeting the San Luis Vein and other structures at El Cubo.  At San Ignacio, a geophysical study consisting of a combined Induced Polarization (IP) survey and a Controlled-Source-Audio-Frequency MagnetoTellurics (CSAMT) survey has been completed by Zonge to the west of the Santo Niño mining block, which will aid in further exploration activities, including drilling at this highly prospective area west of the Santo Nino vein mining block, which has demonstrated comparatively high gold content. The company expects to share results from the Zonge geophysical study soon.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

• Apollo Silver Corp., announced the appointment of Ross McElroy as its CEO and President, effectively immediate (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua).
• Newmont Corporation notified that its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating officer has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas).
• Canuc Resources Corporation and Macdonald Mines Exploration Inc., reported a delay in the previously announced transaction whereby Canuc will acquire all the shares of Macdonald Mines (San Javier project, Sonora).
• Silver Storm Mining Ltd., entered into a definitive arrangement agreement whereby Silver Storm will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Till Capital Corp. Transaction will provide Silver Storm with approximately CAD $6.2M in additional liquidity to support restarting its La Parrilla property in Durango. The deal has been unanimously approved by both companies’ boards and is expected to close shortly after the shareholder meeting in July 2025. This acquisition also gains Silver Storm a portfolio of mineral investments and royalties, including a significant interest in Silver Predator and various exploration assets and royalties.
• Sierra Metals Inc., provided and update regarding Alpayana S.A.C’s increased takeover bid of CAD $1.15 per share, citing extensive conditions and uncertainties attached to the offer that may never be satisfied. After an independent review and strategic analysis, the Sierra Metal´s Board considers the revised offer to be the best available alternative, but remains cautious due to the offer’s conditional nature. Shareholders are encouraged to review upcoming details carefully before the offer deadline on May 12, 2025 (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
• Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., made the second payment of USD $7.5M to Glencore to exercise its acceleration option and satisfy the base purchase price related to the Bolivian assets acquisition (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).
• Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced the resignation of one of its Directors, effective immediately, to pursue other opportunities (Metates project, Durango).
• Riverside Resources Inc., and Questcorp Mining Inc., executed a definitive option agreement whereby Questcorp will acquire 100% interest in La Union project in Sonora. Questcorp completed a NI 43-101 report and will work to reach the conditions to earn 100% ownership of the property.  Riverside will secure up to CAD $5.5M in exploration funding to advance the property.
• Osisko Development Corp., reported voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Antonio project, Sonora).
• Canuc Resources Corporation acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Macdonald Mines Exploration Ltd., Canuc issued an aggregate of 73,768,343 shares and shareholders of Macdonald Mines received 1.497 Canuc shares for each Macdonald Mines Share aggregate of 1,200,000 BMK warrants (San Javier project, Sonora).
• Silver Viper Minerals Corp., announced an agreement to acquire the Cimarron project in Sinaloa, from CSAC Holdings Inc. and its shareholders. This acquisition aligns with Silver Viper’s strategy to expand its portfolio of high-quality gold, silver, and copper assets in Mexico. Silver Viper has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of CSAC from the vendors in exchange for 9M common shares of Silver Viper.  The Cimarron Project is situated in a well-established mining area and has a history of extensive drilling, indicating potential for further exploration and development. Silver Viper plans to focus on three key areas within the project and believes trenching could help identify additional drill targets. The transaction is subject to various conditions, including regulatory approvals and due diligence, with closing expected to occur soon after these conditions are met.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• No relevant news.

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On the picture above, slickensides related to a shear zone in a prospect in Sonora, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.