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

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Silica sinter

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 6th week of the year (February 5th to February 11th, 2024), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 3 news published by the media with eight reporting resources and developments of their projects, six announcing financing issues, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, four commenting on Mexican issues, two communicating production results, two informing on exploration results, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Analysts announced that Q4, 2023 reports will be disparate on the Stock Market.  President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has presented 20 proposals for constitutional reforms in Mexico. AMLO presented initiative to prohibit open pit mining. Orla Mining, First Majestic, Prismo Metals, and Prime Mining reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of February, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Prismo provided an exploration update on its Palos Verdes project.  In Durango, Silver Dollar acquired from Canasil a 100% interest in the Nora project, and provided a project update. ON MINING, Argonaut announced that it will report Q4 and year-end 2023 production and financial results of their Mexican operations on March 6, 2024. GoGold released Q1, 2024 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Capstone and Orion closed its previously announced CADS $431M bought deal offering (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas). Defiance announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M (San Acacio project, Zacatecas). Kootenay increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to $3.5M (Columba project, Chihuahua). Sonoro announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1M (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora).  Regency Silver extended the closing its private placement (Dios Padre project, Sonora).  Zacatecas Silver upsized and closed its previously announced private placement from $1.8M to $2.5M (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Luca Miningprovided an update progress at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. Avino presented the results of the Pre Feasibility (PFS) for its Oxide Tailings project at its Avino mine operation in Durango. Sierra Madre provided an update on La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. Heliostar announced that it is evaluating test mining scenarios for its Ana Paula project, Guerrero in 2024. Orla concluded its 2023 Camino Rojo Sulphides Infill program in Zacatecas with strong results.  Prime Mining released results from the 2023 drilling program at the Z-T Area within its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. First Majestic reported positive exploration results from their San Dimas property in Durango, and Santa Elena property in Sonora. Torex provided a Q4, 2023 update on its Media Luna project in Guerrero.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Capstone announced that it has commenced trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (Cozamin mine, Zacatecas). Colibri appointed Douglas Coleman to its Advisory Board (Evelyn project, Sonora).  Fabled Silver terminated its letter of intent with Kootenay with respect to the proposed acquisition the Mecatona Property, Chihuahua. Luca Mining appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Defiance clarified technical disclosures pertaining to its technical reports related to their Tepal project, Michoacan and San Acacio project, Zacatecas. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fortuna Silver announced its objectives, metrics, and targets to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Analysts predict that the fourth quarter of 2023 will be a mixed bag for Mexican mining companies due to pressures on costs and falling prices of industrial metals. While some companies may benefit from increasing prices of precious metals like gold and silver, others will also face higher costs. Grupo Mexico has already reported weak financial results due to decreased sales of copper, while the other companies are expected to face similar challenges in 2024 due to China’s economic slowdown. Only Minera Frisco has generated a positive return so far this year among the four mining companies. Autlán is expected to make some sequential improvements due to cost-cutting efforts, but the industry as a whole is predicted to face challenges in the coming year. All of last year, only the companies that are part of the S&P/BMV stock index IPC Grupo México (+37.66%) and Peñoles (+3.58%) had gains on the Stock Market. While the share of Fresnillo, a subsidiary of Peñoles listed on the London Stock Exchange, lost 34.08%, that of Autlán lost 26.43% and that of Frisco lost 9.01%.
  • President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has presented 20 proposals for constitutional reforms in Mexico. One of the proposals is to return the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) to its status as a public, strategic, and nationally important company.  AMLO also proposes to prohibit the extraction of hydrocarbons through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and to not grant concessions to private companies for open-pit mining activities. However, in the economic budget planned for 2024, the government has contemplated two projects with fracking for MXP $4.63M, according to data from the organization Mexican Alliance against Fracking (AMCF). Currently, of the almost 250 mines that operate in the country, 97 are open pit metal mines and 152 more are underground mines; However, until March 2022, 15,551 mining concessions were registered in the country with validity after 2050. It should be noted that since the arrival of AMLO to the presidency, not a single mining concession has been granted, which has led the sector to have a drop in investment that decreased its participation in the national GDP, from 2.50 in 2021 to 2.46 percent in 2022, while in industrial GDP from 8.78% to 8.63%. The proposed reforms also aim to eliminate “costly and elitist” dependencies and organizations that were supposedly autonomous but disconnected from the interests of the people. Some of the autonomous bodies that could be affected by these proposals include the Comisión Reguladora de Energía (CRE), Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos (CNH), and Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (COFECE). AMLO will submit these initiatives to the Chamber of Deputies for discussion in the current or next legislative session.
  • President Andrés Manuel López (AMLO) presented initiative to prohibit open pit mining. On February 5, on the anniversary of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, AMLO presented an Initiative with a Draft Decree to carry out various reforms, one of these being the prohibition of open pit mining. According to the initiative, addressed to Dip. Marcela Guerra Castillo, President of the Chamber of Deputies, in order to protect the environment and health, we seek to modify art. 27 constitutional to “prohibit both the granting of concessions and the activities of exploration, exploitation, benefit, use or exploitation of minerals, metals or metalloids in the open pit, with the addition that the people who carry out these activities will be sanctioned.” The AMLO project indicates that there are currently around 264 open pit mines in Mexico, and much emphasis is placed on the old vision of predatory mining, leaving aside that for a mine to operate in our country it must have more than a thousand rules and regulations, in addition to having comprehensive closure plans.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., First Majestic Silver Corp., Prismo Metals Inc., and Prime Mining Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of February, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an exploration update on its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa.  Following the completion of its third drill campaign with 2,923 meters drilled in 15 holes, and in preparation of the upcoming expanded drill program to be drilled from Vizsla Silver Corp, Prismo completed an alteration and geochemical study that confirmed a downward offset of the mineralized ore shoot defined by drilling to date and that a second blind mineralized shoot may exist to the northeastern portion of the Palos Verdes vein, based on a geochemical sampling which revealed high-grade silver, gold, zinc, and lead values in the vein system.  The best sample from this program assayed 930 g/t silver and 10.55 g/t gold with 15.4% zinc and 4.5% lead (2,605 g/t Ag/Eq) over 0.5m. The company plans to conduct deep drilling from Vizsla Silver’s ground to explore these concepts further.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., acquired from Canasil a 100% interest in the Nora project in Durango, and provided a project update. In connection with the acquisition of the Nora property, Silver Dollar encountered certain unresolved discrepancies in verifying the 2020 and 2021 drill results Canasil reported on the Nora property. For gold: of the 157 samples duplicated, Canasil reported 42 samples >1 g/t Au (1.23 – 43.7 g/t) including 18 samples >5 g/t (5.3 – 43.7 g/t), whereas Silver Dollar’s re-assaying yielded only three samples >1 g/t Au (1.04, 1.75, and 2.30 g/t). For silver: of the 157 samples duplicated, Canasil reported 44 samples >200 g/t Ag (133 -1,924 g/t) including 19 samples >500 g/t Ag (504 – 1,925 g/t), whereas Silver Dollar’s re-assaying yielded only three samples >100 g/t Ag (129, 158, and 448 g/t). “The QPs from both companies discussed the situation and recommended a further analytical program be carried out to provide some insight into what may have caused the assay discrepancies. However, Canasil did not have the financial resources to contribute to the recommended program and alternatively offered to waive certain of Silver Dollar’s consideration obligations under the Nora Option Agreement and transfer 100% ownership of the Nora property to Silver Dollar for the consideration that has been provided to date (as detailed below), subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty with Silver Dollar having the right to buy back 1% of the Royalty for $1M. As of the date hereof, Silver Dollar has incurred a total of approximately $134,779 in exploration expenditures on the Nora property, as full consideration for the acquisition thereof. Silver Dollar is not required to provide any further consideration to Canasil to complete the acquisition and the transfer of the Nora concessions to Silver Dollar has been initiated”.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., announced that it will report Q4 and year-end 2023 production and financial results of their Mexican operations on March 6, 2024.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released Q1, 2024 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. The company produced 109K Oz Ag, 1,848 Oz Au, and 212.8K Lb Cu (300,260 Oz AgEq). It also reported a revenue of USD $6.8M on the sale of 305,087 Oz AgEq, at a realized price of USD $22.28 per Oz Ag, and an adjusted cash cost and all in sustaining cost of USD $16.83 and USD $24.64 per Oz AgEq respectively ; a net income of USD $192K; and a cash of USD $88.8M.

ON FINANCING

  • Capstone Copper Corp., and Orion Fund JV Limited, Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP and Orion Mine Finance (Master) Fund I-A LP (collectively, Orion) closed its previously announced bought deal offering of common shares of Capstone by a syndicate of underwriters, which consisted of a total of 68,448,000 common shares at a price of CAD $6.30 per common share, which included the exercise in full of the Underwriters’ over-allotment option of 8,928,000 common shares from the company, for aggregate gross proceeds under the offering of CAD $431,222,400 (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M. The offering is priced at $0.10/unit. Each unit shall consist of one common share of the company and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Net proceeds will be used for exploration of the company’s projects and for general working capital purposes (San Acacio project, Zacatecas).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to $3.5M, at a price of $0.75 per unit. The net proceeds from the offering will be used for exploration activities, property commitments on the company’s projects, working capital and general corporate purposes (Columba project, Chihuahua).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement offering consisting of up to 22,222,222 units at a price of CAD $0.45 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1M. Net proceeds will be used to fund the ongoing development of the company’s Cerro Caliche gold project in Sonora, Mexico as well as working capital.
  • Regency Silver Corp., extended the closing its previously announced private placement dated January 17, 2024 (Dios Padre project, Sonora).
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., upsized and closed its previously announced private placement from $1.8M to $2.5M. The Company will now proceed to immediately close the financing, by way of receiving subscription agreements and funds and intends to close within the next week. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to satisfy ongoing costs associated with its properties as well as general working capital purposes (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Luca Mining Corp., provided an update progress at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. The project to increase throughput at the Tahuehueto mill to 1,000 tonnes per day is in the final commissioning stage. The testing of the second ball mill is well advanced and will provide a total installed grinding capacity of 1,250 tonnes per day. Once the second mill is commissioned, production will ramp up and progressively increase to 35,000-40,000 oz AuEq per year.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., presented the results of the Pre Feasibility (PFS) for its Oxide Tailings project at its Avino mine operation in Durango. Highlights include a NVP of USD $98M (pre-tax) and USD $61M (after-tax) at a 5% discount rate; an IRR of 35% (pre-tax) and 26% (after-tax); a payback period of 2.9 years (pre-tax) and  3.5 years (after-tax); an initial capital cost of USD $49.1M, including a contingency provision in the amount of USD $5.3M; the ongoing sustaining capital cost is USD $5.1M; On-site Operating Costs (OOC) and All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) of USD $9.71 and USD $10.23 per Oz AgEq respectively; proven and probable mineral reserves of 6.70M tonnes at a silver and gold grade of 55 g/t and 0.47 g/t respectively; metal recoveries: 77.2% Ag and 74.9% Au; Doré production: Total 9,073,000 Oz Ag and 76,000 Oz Au, life-of-project (averaging 1,008,000 Oz Ag and 8,445 Oz Au per year); and the project will generate USD $52.4M in tax contributions to the local economy and government.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., provided an update on La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. The company has retained TechSer Mining Consultants Ltd., to complete the Mine Restart Study (MRS), which include an estimation of underground mine material for the Guitarra, Coloso and Nazareno mines and the Los Angeles bulk tonnage deposit. The   MRS is expected to be completed in Q2 of this year. On the other hand, work has been ongoing to determine necessary steps for the potential re-start of production. In accordance with recommendations made by officials with the Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional, SEDENA, improvements to the underground powder magazines have been completed. Finally, all circuits in the processing plant are undergoing maintenance and rehabilitation work which would be required for the resumption of operations. In the grinding circuit, the three ball mills are being relined, all parts of the central drive shaft mechanisms overhauled, and the motors cleaned and tested. A fourth ball mill with limited capacity will not be rebuilt at this time.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., announced that it is evaluating test mining scenarios for its Ana Paula project, Guerrero in 2024. The company is exploring the potential to complete the existing underground decline at the Ana Paula deposit in Guerrero, to enable test mining of a bulk gold sample. This would help de-risk the underground plan for Ana Paula while creating a potential pathway to production from test mining in 12 months. The company has initiated a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for completion in H2, 2024, and will continue resource growth drilling. Heliostar is assessing non-equity funding options for this program and has held discussions with potential offtake partners. Multiple scenarios indicate the potential to recover more than 20K Oz Au from a bulk sample from stocks averaging 7-10 g/t Au.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., concluded its 2023 Camino Rojo Sulphides Infill program in Zacatecas with strong results. Drilling highlights of the remaining unreported 14 holes completed as part of the 52 drill holes, 35,070 m infill program are shown in the table below:

“A preliminary underground resource estimate on the Camino Rojo Sulphides is eagerly anticipated to be completed in the second half of 2024. Metallurgy evaluation on the recent phase of Camino Rojo sulphide infill drilling is expected to continue throughout 2024”.

  • Prime Mining Corp., released results from the 2023 drilling program at the Z-T Area within its Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling are shown in the table below:

“Ongoing drilling at Z-T aims to extend the high-grade shoots that remain open at depth, as well as following up on the newly discovered mineralization along strike”.

  • First Majestic Silver Corp., reported positive exploration results from their San Dimas property in Durango, and Santa Elena property in Sonora. At San Dimas, Durango, exploration drilling intersected significant gold and silver mineralization in multiple veins at Sinaloa North-Elia, Santa Teresa, Rosario and Perez Areas. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes ST23-014 with 7.03 g/t Au and 903 g/t Ag (1,466 g/t AgEq) over 0.78m, plus 3.95 g/t Au and 270 g/t Ag (586 g/t AgEq) over 1.86m, plus 2.07 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag (296 g/t AgEq) over 2.90m, plus 40.40 g/t Au and 2,092 g/t Ag (5,324 g/t AgEq) over 0.91m; hole SIN23-073 with 13.50 g/t Au and 1,007 g/t Ag (2,087 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, plus 11.83 g/t Au and 758 g/t Ag (1,681 g/t AgEq) over 2.97m: hole PE23-225 with 1.6 g/t Au and 243 g/t Ag (371 g/t AgEq) over 0.77m, plus 14.18 g/t Au and 2,439 g/t Ag (3,574 g/t AgEq) over 1.03m, plus 3.78 g/t Au and 4.21 g/t Ag (723 g/t AgEq) over 7.78m, plus 9.16 g/t Au and 242 g/t Ag (974 g/t AgEq) over 0.84m, plus 1.33 g/t Au and 293 g/t Ag (293 g/t AgEq) over 0.96m; and hole PE23-242 with 7.36 g/t Au and 1,238 g/t Ag (1,826 g/t AgEq) over 2.41m. At Santa Elena, Sonora, the drilling program designed to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves at the Ermitaño mine, cut multiple high-grade intersections of gold and silver mineralization. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes EWUG-23-012 with 7.02 g/t Au and 189 g/t Ag (750 g/t AgEq) over 10.05m, plus 20.95 g/t Au and 311 g/t Ag (1,987 g/t AgEq) over 4.88m, plus 7.99 g/t Au and 187 g/t Ag (826 g/t AgEq) over 2.38m; hole EWUG-23-007 with 4.51 g/t Au and 155 g/t Ag (516 g/t AgEq) over 8.18m, plus 4.33 g/t Au and 88 g/t Ag (434 g/t AgEq) over 3.93m, plus 18.50 g/t Au and 304 g/t Ag (1,784 g/t AgEq) over 1.71m, plus 7.44 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag (702 g/t AgEq) over 1.32m; and hole EWUG-23-15 with 9.38 g/t Au and 230 g/t Ag (980 g/t AgEq) over 5.23m, plus 3.43 g/t Au and 192 g/t Ag (466 g/t AgEq) over 1.63m.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., provided a Q4, 2023 update on its Media Luna project in Guerrero.  In Q4 2023, Torex Gold’s Media Luna Project made significant progress towards completion. During Q4 2023, USD $124M was invested in the project, the highest quarterly spend to date. Total spend in 2023 was USD $366.3M, in line with revised annual project guidance of USD $360 to USD $390M. USD $350 to USD $400M has been guided for project capital expenditures in 2024, with quarterly expenditures through Q3 2024 expected to be similar to the level experienced in Q4 2023, before declining as the project nears completion. The project was 60% complete, with detailed engineering at 84% and procurement at 63%. Underground development and construction advanced, with the Guajes Tunnel breakthrough achieved ahead of schedule. Operational readiness activities continued, and the project remained on track for first concentrate production in late 2024 and commercial production in early 2025. Funding has exceeded remaining capital expenditures, and the project execution plan remains unchanged, with only minor adjustments to interim activities.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Capstone Copper Corp., announced that it has commenced trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) (Cozamin mine, Zacatecas). Capstone was admitted to the official list of ASX on January 31, 2024, and will trade under the ticker symbol “CSC” (ASX: CSC).
  • Colibri Resource Corporation appointed Douglas Coleman to its Advisory Board (Evelyn project, Sonora).
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., terminated its letter of intent with Kootenay Silver Inc., with respect to the proposed acquisition the Mecatona Property, Chihuahua.
  • Luca Mining Corp., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Tahuehueto project, Durango).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., clarified technical disclosures pertaining to its technical reports entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Tepal Project, Michoacan” dated February 24, 2017 with an effective date of January 17, 2017, and its technical report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate, San Acacio Silver Deposit, Zacatecas, Mexico” dated September 26, 2014, with an effective date of April 1, 2014. The company understands it will need to amend the technical reports accordingly.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., announced its objectives, metrics, and targets to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15% in 2023 compared to the forecasted emissions in 2030 without intervention measures. The company is committed to supporting the global ambition of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. To achieve the 2030 GHG emissions reduction target, Fortuna plans to implement projects such as providing renewable energy to its operations, providing low-carbon electricity, and constructing and modernizing mine paste fill plants. Fortuna is committed to monitoring the GHG emissions of each of its mines on a monthly basis, reviewing progress against GHG emissions reduction target and its pathway, and assessing potential climate-related risks and opportunities.

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, silica sinter in a low-sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Durango. Photo by Miguel A Heredia

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

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Hydrothermal Breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 2nd week of the year (January 8th to January 14th, 2023), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with nine communicating production results, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, six reporting resources and developments, five announcing financing issues, five commenting on Mexican issues, and two informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, German Larrea, owner of Grupo Mexico, announced that it is in a group of several companies interested in acquiring a copper mine of First Quantum Minerals in southern Spain. Grupo Mexico reported that it advances in the construction of three copper mining projects, with a combined production of 246,000 tons per year. The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) announced that Mexico will begin operations of four new gold mines in 2024. President of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM) indicated that insecurity has affected the most important mining regions of Mexico such as Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Guerrero and the State of Mexico, where companies have had to allocate between 5 and 10% more to their security budget to combat high insecurity rates. Prime Mining reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri and JV partner Silver Spruce filed an application to drill 10,000m on the Diamante project. In Sinaloa, Centenario announced that it completed 700m in 5 holes from its maiden drilling program at its Eden project in Sinaloa.  ON MINING, Agnico reported Q3, 2023 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos Mine in Chihuahua and La India Mine in Sonora. Alamos Gold announced Q4, 2023 production results and guidance for 2024, 2025 and 2026 (Mulatos Mine, Sonora). Aura reported Q4, 2023 production results from its Aranzazu Mine in Zacatecas. GoGold announced Q4, 2023 production from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. Torex reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine complex in Guerrero. Gatos Silver provided Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. Guanajuato Silver announced Q4, 2023 production results from their Mexican operations. Endeavour reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively, and provided 2024 production and cost guidance.  ON FINANCING Fortuna paid down an additional USD $41M debt (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca). Guanajuato Silver announced that it has arranged a debt settlement of CAD $455K (El Cubo Mine, Guanajuato). Atacama closed the second tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $5.5M (Cristina and Yécora projects in Chihuahua and Sonora states respectively).  Orex closed one tranche of its non-brokered private placement for net proceeds of $183,750 (Sandra and Coneto projects, Durango). Centenario closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $50K (Eden project, Sinaloa). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining released expansion and generative drill results from its 2023 drilling program at Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Sonoran Desert completed sampling program at Cuatro Hermanos project, Sonora. Vizsla announced an update mineral resource estimate for its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Heliostar filed an updated mineral resource estimate for its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Silver Tiger provided a 2023 summary of activities and outlook for 2024 (El Tigre project, Sonora). Tocvan presented a 2023 summary of activities at their Picacho and Pilar projects in Sonora and plans for 2024.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Avino signed a long-term land-use agreement with a local community for the development of La Preciosa, Durango. Trident Royalties announced the acquisition of royalty assets from Avino on La Preciosa deposit in Durango by making a payment of USD $8.75M. CMC Metals entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire the mineral rights of the Gavilanes property in Durango.  Defiance announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Lucita property in Zacatecas and also reported that the terms of the San Acacio property agreement in Zacatecas were successfully renegotiated with the vendor. Impact announced that it has entered into a managed services contract with Bell International de Mexico / TTN Energia to provide  Tesla Battery Energy System with solar at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Monumental retained Senergy Communications Capital Inc., to provide digital media and capital markets communications services to the company (Jemi HREE project, Coahuila). Ridgestone reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Rebeico project, Sonora). Excellon provided a corporate update and outlook for 2024 (Platosa mine, Durango).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • German Larrea, owner of Grupo Mexico, announced that it is among several companies that are interested in acquiring a copper mine of First Quantum Minerals in southern Spain. First Quantum began a process to sell its Las Cruces mine in southern Spain in December after the sudden closure of the Panama copper mine left the company against financial uncertainty. The Las Cruces mine would give Grupo México, the conglomerate controlled by Mexican billionaire Germán Larrea, another opportunity to expand in Europe after he failed to acquire a different Spanish copper mining complex in 2021. Copper assets have attracted the interest of mining companies that expect demand to increase as a result of the energy transition, and the upward perspectives have already caused an increase in negotiations.
  • Grupo Mexico reported that it advances in the construction of three copper mining projects, with a combined production of 246,000 tons per year: a greenfield project located approximately 45Km from the Buenavista del Cobre mine containing estimated proven and probable reserves of 317M tonnes of 0.249% Cu, with an estimated production of 36K tonnes of Cu cathodes per year by 2024; El Pilar mine, and open pit with an annual production capacity of 36K tonnes of Cu cathodes, which is expected to begin production in 2024 with an expected useful life of 13 years; and El Arco, Baja California, a world-class deposit with mineral reserves of > 1,230M tonnes with an average grade of 0.4% and 141 M tonnes of leachable material with an ore grade of 0.27% Cu. El Arco includes an open pit mine with a estimated production of 190K tonnes of Cu and 105K Oz Au annually.
  • The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) announced that Mexico will begin operations of four new gold mines in 2024: Media Luna in Guerrero of Torex Gold Resource Inc.; Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas of Minera Alamos Inc., with an expected production within the first four years of 60K to 70K Oz Au and subsequent production of 58.4K Oz Au, a useful life of 8.2 years,  a scheduled investment of USD $150.5M, and a start of operations expected in the second half of 2024; Terronera in Jalisco of Endeavour Silver Corp., located in Jalisco, with an investment of USD $175M and a production estimated at 33K Oz Au; and Cerro Caliche in Sonora of Sonoro Gold with an investment of USD $26M for a production of around 45K Oz Au. These projects will together produce 323,400 Oz Au annually and total an investment of USD $1,146M.
  • President of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM) indicated that insecurity has affected the most important mining regions of Mexico such as Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Guerrero and the State of Mexico, where companies have had to allocate between 5 and 10% more to their security budget to combat high insecurity rates. Under this panorama, the Fraser Institute of Canada placed Mexico as the fourth most unsafe country in Latin America to carry out mining activity, only below Venezuela, Colombia and Nicaragua. Globally, the Institute placed Mexico in 73rd place out of 84 jurisdictions evaluated in terms of investment attraction.

Prime Mining Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation and JV partner Silver Spruce Resources Inc., filed at SEMARNAT (The Mexico Environment Authority), an application to drill 10,000m on the Diamante project. The company expects to receive the authorization within the next three weeks and anticipates that the drilling program will begin soon after the receipt of the permit.
  • Centenario Gold Corp., announced that it completed 700m in 5 holes from its maiden drilling program at its Eden project in Sinaloa. Results from the first 3 holes are expected to be released prior to the end of January. All holes on this initial phase of the program target the strike and downdip extensions of the central portion of the ‘Buenavista’ mineralized structure.  

ON MINING

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q3, 2023 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos Mine in Chihuahua and La India Mine in Sonora. At Pinos Altos Mine, Chihuahua, the company milled 450K tonnes of 1.84 g/t Au to produce 25,386 Oz Au, at a production costs per tonne of USD $89; minesite costs per tonne of USD $85; production costs of USD $1,581 per Oz Au produced; and total cash costs of USD $1,310 per Oz Au produced. At La India Mine, Sonora, the company milled 970K tonnes of 1.1 g/t Au to produce 22,269 Oz Au, at a production costs per tonne of USD $29; minesite costs per tonne of USD $27; production costs of USD $1,271 per Oz Au produced; and total cash costs of USD $1,156 per Oz Au produced.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., announced Q4, 2023 production results and guidance for the next three years 2024-2026. The company produced 48K Oz Au at Mulatos Mine, Sonora, and expects to produce in 2024 between 160K-170K Oz Au in 2024, at a total cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au of USD $825-875 and USD $1125-$1,175 respectively; to produce in 2025 between 120K-130K Oz Au at a total cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au of USD $700-800 and USD $1050-$1,150 respectively;  and between 120K-130K Oz Au in 2026, at a total cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au of USD $675-775 and USD $975-$1,075 respectively.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., reported Q4, 2023 production results from its Aranzazu Mine in Zacatecas. It produced 7,061 Oz Au, 130,370 Oz Ag, and 9.6K Lb Cu for a total of 26,532 Oz AuEq.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced Q4, 2023 production from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. The company produced 109,016 Oz Ag, 1,848 Oz Au, and 212.8K Lb Cu (300,260 Oz AgEq).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine complex in Guerrero. The company mined 19,404 tonnes per day in Q4, 2023 and 11,976 tonnes per day in the fiscal year 2023, with metallurgical recoveries of 89.5% and 88.6% respectively. Torex produced 137,993 Oz Au in Q4, 2023 for a total of 453,778 Oz Au in the full year of which sold 138,794 Oz Au in Q4, 2023 for a total of 444,750 Oz Au in the full year.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., provided Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. On a 100% basis, the company milled during Q4, 2023 over 277,318 tonnes of 318 g/t Ag, 3.9% Zn, 1.9% Pb, and 0.3 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 90.3%,61.8%, 89.8%, and 51.6% respectively, to produce  2.56M Oz Ag, 14.6M Lb Zn, 10.2M Lb Pb, and 1.4K Oz Au. During the full year 2023, the company  milled over 1,071,400 tonnes of 299 g/t Ag, 3.9% Zn, 1.8% Pb, and 0.29 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 89.4%,62.1%, 88.7%, and 52.4% respectively, to produce  9.21M Oz Ag, 57.3M Lb Zn, 38.9M Lb Pb, and 5.26K Oz Au.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced Q4, 2023 consolidated production results from their Mexican operations (El Cubo, Valenciana and san Ignacio mines in Guanajuato, and Topia mine in Durango).  The company mined 133,497 tonnes and milled 137,339 tonnes to produce 394,971 Oz Ag, 4,395 Oz Au, 837.2K Lb Pb, and 960.2K Lb Zn.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively, and provided 2024 production and cost guidance. During Q4, 2023, the company processed at Guanacevi mine, Durango over 110,781 tonnes of 419 g/t Ag and 1.2 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 85.2% and 87% respectively to produce 1.27M Oz Ag and 3,771 Oz Au. Through the full 2023 year, the company processed 433,409 tonnes of 417 g/t Ag and 1.19 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 88% and 90.5% respectively to produce 5.1M Oz Ag and 14.9K Oz Au.  During Q4, 2023, the company processed at Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato over 109,683 tonnes of 45 g/t Ag and 1.86 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 84.8% and 89.5% respectively to produce 134.7K Oz Ag and 5,887 Oz Au. Through the full 2023 year, the company processed 440,973 tonnes of 47 g/t Ag and 1.82 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 85.1% and 88.6% respectively to produce 567.5K Oz Ag and 22.9K Oz Au. Endeavour also provided 2024 production and cost guidance and expects to produce between 4.9-5.2M Oz Ag and 13-15K Oz Au at Guanacevi mine, Durango, while at Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato it expects to produce between 0.5-0.6M Oz Ag and 34-38K Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Fortuna Silver Inc., paid down an additional USD $41M debt of its revolving credit facility at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, using cash on hand (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced that it has arranged to settle an aggregate of CAD $455K in outstanding liabilities of the Company by the issuance of an aggregate of 1,780,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $0.25 per share. The debt settlement includes the issuance of shares to certain of the Company’s suppliers totaling approximately CAD $405K and to three members of senior management totaling approximately CAD $40K (El Cubo Mine, Guanajuato).
  • Atacama Copper Corporation closed the second tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement for 30,782,634 subscription receipts at a price of CAD $0.18 per subscription receipt for gross proceeds of CAD $5.5M. The net proceeds of the concurrent financing will be used to advance exploration programs across the combined portfolio, with particular focus on Cristina project in Chihuahua and Yécora project in Sonora, and for general corporate purposes.
  • Orex Minerals Inc., closed one tranche of its non-brokered private placement by issuing 1,225,000 units at a price of $$0.15 per unit for net proceeds of $183,750 (Sandra and Coneto projects, Durango).
  • Centenario Gold Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $50K through the issuance of 333,333 units at a price of $0.15 per unit.  Proceeds from this private placement will be used for exploration of the Eden project, Sinaloa and general working capital.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Prime Mining Corp., released expansion and generative drill results from its 2023 drilling program at Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (reported in true widths) include holes 23LP-18 collared at Las Primas Area with 11.60 g/t Au and 311 g/t Ag (15.63 g/t AuEq) over 4.50m, including 20.39 g/t Au and 551 g/t Ag (27.52 g/t AuEq) over 2.50m, including 41.90 g/t Au and 1,111 g/t Ag (56.28 g/t AuEq) over 1.05m; and hole 23GE-147 collared at Guadalupe East Area with 9.69 g/t Au and 639 g/t Ag (17.95 g/t AuEq) over 31.25m, including 29.41 g/t Au and 1,797 g/t Ag (52.67 g/t AuEq) over 6.45m, including 45.34 g/t Au and 2,723 g/t Ag (80.57 g/t AuEq) over 3.90m. “The incredibly high-grade intercepts at Guadalupe East are exciting from a resource expansion perspective. 23GE-147 lies almost entirely within the 2023 Economic Resource Pit”.
  • Sonoran Desert Copper Corporation completed sampling program at Cuatro Hermanos project, Sonora. A total of 82 rock samples were collected. At Noemi Zone, 10 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 37.7 ppm to 1,915 ppm with an average value of 336.5 ppm Cu; Mo from 2.57 ppm to 67 ppm with an average value of 18 ppm Mo; Ag values from 1 ppm to 173 ppm with an average value of 45 ppm; and Au values from 0.02 ppm to 5.21 ppm with an average value of 1 ppm. At South Conglomerate Zone, 20 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 102 ppm to 162,500 ppm with an average value of 17,363 ppm Cu; Mo values from 1.68 ppm to 49.8 ppm with an average value of 22.1 ppm Mo; Ag values from 0.21 ppm to 1.5 ppm with an average value of 0.9 ppm Ag. At Maine Zone, 6 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 93.1 ppm to 274 ppm with an average value of 196.6 ppm Cu; Mo values from 4.13 ppm to 215 ppm with an average value of 100.1 ppm Mo; and Ag values from 0.05 ppm to 6.45 ppm with an average value of 1.7 ppm Ag. At West Zone, 6 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 37.8 ppm to 2,750 ppm with an average value of 1,204.8 ppm Cu; Mo values from 17.25 ppm to 391 ppm with an average grade of 131.3 ppm Mo; and Ag values from 0.23 ppm to 3.6 ppm with an average value of 1.44 ppm Ag. At Cactus Zone, 3 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 1,840 ppm to 67,900 ppm with an average value of 35.980 ppm Cu, Mo values from 132 ppm to 336 ppm with an average value of 217.5 ppm Mo; and Ag values from 8.17 ppm to 13.9 ppm with an average value of 10.6 ppm Ag. At San Lorenzo Zone, 37 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 4 ppm to 22,500 ppm with an average value of 705 ppm Cu; Mo values from 0.14 ppm to 96.70 ppm with an average grade of 8.22 ppm; and Ag values from 0.01 ppm to 60 ppm with an average value of 2.46 ppm.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., announced an update mineral resource estimate for its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. “Indicated Mineral Resources are estimated at 9.5 M tonnes grading 289 g/t Ag, 2.41 g/t Au, 0.27% Pb, and 0.84% Zn (511 g/t AgEq). The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes indicated mineral resources of 88.2M Oz Ag, 736K Oz Au, 56.9M Lb Pb, and 178.9M Lb Zn (155.8M Oz AgEq). Highlights of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate include 48.7% increase in indicated mineral resources from 104.8 to 155.8M Oz AgEq; 48.7% increase in inferred mineral resources from 114.1 to 169.6Moz AgEq; 17% increase in average indicated mineral resource grade from 437 to 511 g/t AgEq; and new addition of La Luisa containing 4.0 M Oz AgEq indicated and 25.3M Oz AgEq of Inferred Resources. The Updated Mineral Resource represents less than 10% of the known vein strike of the newly consolidated district. 
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., filed an updated mineral resource estimate for its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Results were press released last November 27, 2023.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., provided a 2023 summary of activities and outlook for 2024 (El Tigre project, Sonora). 2023 highlights include the closing of a $18M bought deal financing with a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets; 30,000m of drilling completed at El Tigre project in Sonora; the delivery of an updated mineral resource estimate for El Tigre at September 18, 2023; and the delivery of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in November 2023 with an NPV of USD $287M. The company also plans in 2024 to complete 25,000m of drilling during H1, 2024 with the $20.1M it has in cash as of September 30,2023; to deliver a Prefeasibility Study and an updated Mineral Resource Estimate during Q2-2024; and to deliver a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the permitted underground resource during Q3-2024. 
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., presented a 2023 summary of activities at their Picacho and Pilar projects in Sonora and plans for 2024. At Picacho project, Sonora, the company made a discovery in first 1,000m, intercepting 0.6 g/t Au over 44.2m including 2 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over  12.2m, approximately 200m to the north where a hole intersected 0.5 g/t Au over 27.5m, including 1.1 g/t Au over 12.2m. At Pilar project, Sonora, Tocvan conducted a successful bulk sample of 1,400 tonnes with head grades of 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag with an initial recovery of 62% for gold. Agitated bottle roll test of the bulk sample material returned 80% recovery of gold and 94% recovery of silver after a rapid 24-hour retention time. Additional surface and core composites from across Pilar returned 95 to 99% recovery of gold and between 73 to 97% recovery of silver through combined gravity and agitated leach processing.  An initial doré bar was later poured from the bulk sample material totalling 1.487 kilograms, containing 18% gold and 69% silver. A second gold-rich doré bar is scheduled to be poured this month. The company also consolidated the project area covering 22 square-kilometers and reported a trench sample results highlighted by 1.9 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over 20m. Plans for 2024 include a Resource infill and expansion drilling; a Maiden Resource Estimate in Q4, 2023; a Mine planning and design; submit applications for a MIA or Environmental Impact Statement, and an EJT or technical justification study; continue metallurgical testing; continue mapping and sampling on new expansion areas; conduct trenching and channel sampling of new targets; run geophysical surveys, including magnetics; and perform discovery drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Limited signed a long-term land-use agreement with a local community for the development of La Preciosa in Durango, which is located approximately 19Km from the current Avino Mine production operation.
  • Trident Royalties Plc., announced the acquisition of royalty assets from Avino Silver & Gold Mines Limited, comprising1.25% NSR covering La Gloria and Abundancia Veins at La Preciosa deposit in Durango, and a 2% gross value return royalty covering all other areas of La Preciosa by making a payment of USD $8.75M within 12 months of first silver production at La Preciosa.
  • CMC Metals Ltd., entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Swordfish Silver Corp. , who, through Sailfish de Mexico S.A. de C.V., holds the mineral rights of the Gavilanes property in Durango.  The deal is subject to the TSX approval.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Lucita property, Zacatecas from Pan American Silver Corp., by completing payments for USD $1.5M and Pan American retaining a 2% NSR. It also reported that the terms of the San Acacio property agreement in Zacatecas were successfully renegotiated with the vendor. “The project vendor has agreed to extend the option agreement terms by one year from September 27, 2023 to September, 27, 2024. Defiance will now be making quarterly payments, over the year, to the property vendor totaling USD $539,721.51, with the final option payment of USD $2,300,000 due September27, 2024. In accordance with the original agreement, the vendor retains a 2.5% NSR which may be purchased for USD $2,500,000”.
  • Impact Silver Corp., announced that it has entered into a managed services contract with Bell International de Mexico / TTN Energia for the planning, design, construction, and operation of Tesla commercial battery with solar at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua.
  • Monumental Energy Corp., retained Senergy Communications Capital Inc., to provide digital media and capital markets communications services to the company by paying CAD$ 5K and up to maximum of CAD $30K towards direct expenses and costs for a 2-month period (Jemi HREE project, Coahuila).
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Rebeico project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., provided a corporate update and outlook for 2024 (Platosa mine, Durango).  The company eliminated the USD $22M litigation liability overhang, through the deconsolidation of San Pedro Resources, and completed the strategic review of prior Mexico operations to allow Excellon to focus energies on key assets. Excellon is pursuing acquisition opportunities where it can unlock further value for shareholders.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

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

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of June, 2023

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 24th week of the year (June 12th to June 18th, 2023), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news published by the media with nine disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, three commenting on Mexican issues, two informing on exploration results, two announcing financing issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, United States asked Mexico to review a claim at a Grupo México mine in the center of the country for an alleged denial of labor rights. Newmont Corporation suspended operations at its Peñasquito mine, in Zacatecas, after the workers’ union announced the strike. Gold Resource, GR Silver and Heliostar reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of June, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, Prismo provided an updated on its exploration programs at Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa and Los Pavitos in Sonora. In Oaxaca, Vortex provided a comprehensive overview of the exploration work completed to date at its Zaachila project. ON MINING, No relevant news.  ON FINANCING, Goldgroup announced proposed settlement of a loan obtained from Accendo Banco S.A (Cerro Prieto, Sonora). Silver Valley announced financing-early warrant exercise incentive program intended to encourage the early exercise of up to 12,897,114 outstanding warrants of the company (La Salada Salar, Zacatecas). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar reported results from four holes drilled within and above the High-Grade Panel at the core of its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Colibri and its JV partner Tocvan announced positive results from its ongoing bulk sample testing at the Pilar project in Sonora. GR Silver announced results of two additional step-out holes drilled at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa.  Heliostar issued a press release to clarify certain of its previous disclosure regarding its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Prime filed a technical report for its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Colibri announced that it has been informed by its JV partner Agnico Eagle that the Pitaya Gold project in Sonora has been sold to a third party. Silver Dollar reported that it has terminated the exclusivity period signed with Canasil due to general market conditions. Endeavour announced the appointment of its new Vice President, Operations (Guanacevi mine, Durango). Santacruz reported that it shares will resume trading on Friday June 16, 2023 on the TSX Venture Exchange (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo). Golden Minerals appointed its new Executive Vice President (Rodeo mine, Durango). SilverCrest reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Las Chispas Mine, Sonora). Kootenay declared that now it owns 100% of Columba property in Chihuahua after completing the final property payment. Gold Resource announced the resignation of one of its independent Directors of the Board of Directors (Don David Mine, Oaxaca). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SilverCrest released its inaugural 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report (Las Chispas mine, Sonora).

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • United States asked Mexico to review a claim at a Grupo México mine in the center of the country for an alleged denial of labor rights, within the framework of the North American trade agreement, T-MEC, the US Department of Labor. The San Martín mine in Zacatecas owned by Industrial Minera México SA de CV, a subsidiary of the Americas Mining Corp. branch of Grupo México, has a labor complaint issued by the United States government, for denying workers the right to syndical freedom. The petition alleges the violation of the United Steelworkers and the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Republic of Mexico (Los Mineros)’ rights as a holder of the collective bargaining agreement at the San Martín mine and the hiring of workers to replace striking workers in violation of the collective bargaining agreement and Mexican law. The US government investigation revealed evidence of violations of the Los Mineros’ collective bargaining rights that warranted a request for review under the USMCA.
  • Newmont Corporation suspended operations at its Peñasquito mine, in Zacatecas, after the workers’ union announced the strike. The reason for this conflict is a fight over a profit-sharing agreement, the miner said in a statement. Newmont added that at the end of May the company paid the workers the equivalent of 10 percent profits, in accordance with the Law. The Union notified the Company of a strike action demanding an increase in the uncapped profit sharing benefit provided for in the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) from 10 percent to 20 percent, representing a 100 percent increase. In response to the strike notice, Minera Peñasquito suspended operations in a safe and orderly manner. Essential activities related to safety, security and environmental monitoring and protection continue. This is the third labor dispute since Peñasquito was purchased by Newmont in 2019. Newmont remains willing to participate in conciliation meetings to reach a resolution in accordance with the CBA, and will continue to adhere to legal procedures, respecting the rights of all its employees, inviting the Union to engage in a constructive dialogue, and providing the authorities with all requested information.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, GR Silver Mining Ltd., and Heliostar Metals Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of June, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc., provided an updated on its exploration programs at Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa and Los Pavitos in Sonora. Highlights at Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa include an ongoing 2,500m drilling program; 5 holes have been completed for a total of 727m; samples from the three first holes have been submitted to the lab for analysis; and a rock chip sample from mapped veins returned an assay of 840 g/t AgEq (700 g/t Ag and1.68 g/t Au) over a sample width of 1m. Highlights at Los Pavitos project in Sonora include 295 meters of trenches constructed and sampled with assay results received for 96.7 meters; an interval of 0.44 g/t Au over 10m in trench ZSC9; high grade silver assays in surface sampling in northeast Santa Cruz area; and a 2,500m drill program to start by the end of June, 2023.
  • Vortex Metals Inc., provided a comprehensive overview of the exploration work completed to date at its Zaachila project in Oaxaca. “The company is advancing towards the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the Federal Environmental Office, The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), therefore fulfilling the Mexican government’s requirements for proposed drill targets.  The company believes the EIA will be completed and submitted within the next 3 to 4 months, encompassing a refined definition of the drill targets at Zaachila. Following its successful submission, Vortex will focus on obtaining the drill program approval from the Mexican government”.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Goldgroup Mining Inc., announced proposed settlement of a loan obtained from Accendo Banco S.A., Multiple Banking Institution in 2020.  In June 2020, the Company’s subsidiary, Minas de Oroco Resources, S.A. de C.V. completed a definitive loan facility agreement with Accendo in the amount of USD $3M at a rate of 12% per annum with a final repayment date of 36 months from the date of the first disbursement. “The company guaranteed the Accendo Loan on behalf of Minas de Oroco. The amount currently outstanding under the Accendo Loan is approximately USD $185M. The debt underlying the Accendo Loan has been acquired by Minera Cerro Esperanza S.A de C.V. (MER), a wholly owned subsidiary of Calu Opportunity Fund LP (Calu). Calu is a shareholder and investor in the Company having acquired 1,177,500 Common Shares and having loaned the Company USD $2.16M (the Calu Loan). The Company will be seeking shareholder approval for the conversion of the Calu Loan into Common Shares of the Company at the Shareholders Meeting, which approval shall exclude any votes cast by Calu. MER contacted the Company on April 26, 2023 seeking repayment of the Accendo Loan. As the assets of Minas de Oroco are currently the only operating assets of the Company, the seizure of these assets would effectively place the Company into insolvency unless another arrangement was made. Further to discussions with MER, the Company is proposing to enter into a Settlement Agreement and an Exploitation and Option to Purchase Agreement, subject to approval of minority shareholders at the Meeting, pursuant to which the Company will deliver the assets of Minas de Oroco to MER in full satisfaction of the Accendo Loan and the Company is provided the right to operate the assets of Minas de Oroco and to purchase the assets in the future” (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora).
  • Silver Valley Metals Corp., announced financing-early warrant exercise incentive program intended to encourage the early exercise of up to 12,897,114 outstanding warrants of the company. The Eligible Warrants were issued by the Company pursuant to a private placement financing completed on January 3, 2023.  The Eligible Warrants are exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.15 per share, with 9,297,114 Eligible Warrants expiring November 17, 2024 and 3,600,000 Eligible Warrants expiring January 3, 2025 (La Salada Salar, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., reported results from four holes drilled within and above the High-Grade Panel at the core of its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. “This is the area of the deposit that Heliostar believes has the potential to increase grade significantly. This drill program will evaluate Ana Paula’s ability to host a high-margin, underground gold mine development opportunity”. Hole AP-23-293 encountered 6 g/t Au over 129.2m, including 13.4 g/t Au over 46m; hole AP-23-294 intersected 2.1 g/t Au over 67.2m, including 6.4 g/t Au over 13.95m; hole AP-23-295 encountered 2.6 g/t Au over 41.5m, including 4.9 g/t Au over 5.5m, plus 3.7 g/t Au over 8m; and hole AP-23-296 with 1.9 g/t Au over 26m, including 13.6 g/t Au over 2m.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation and its JV partner Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced positive results from its ongoing bulk sample testing at the Pilar project in Sonora. Preliminary results from the leaching process ongoing confirm that the process is actively recovering gold and silver; gold and silver is reported in initial testing of carbon filters; and solution samples assayed at two separate certified labs confirm grade.  Regarding the fine fraction samples (to be used for Gravity Recovery and Agitated Leach Test), the new samples range between 1.2 and 4.9 g/t Au, weighted mean of 2.1 g/t Au; the silver values range between 5 and 29 g/t Ag, weighted mean of 14.8 g/t Ag; leach study returned 95-99% recovery of gold, 73-79% recovery of silver; and metallic screen results show 12.4 to 14.1% of the gold is coarse (+140 mesh).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced results of two additional step-out holes drilled at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. Hole SMS23-03 intersected 111 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 17.3m, including 640 g/t Ag, and 0.03 g/t Au over 1.7m, plus 132 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 6.3m, plus  134 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 35.3m. Hole SMS23-04 encountered 32 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 15m. “The wide silver intervals intersected in holes SMS23-03 and SMS23-04 continue to support the potential for extension of the wide mineralization geometry along strike. The drilling program, with two additional drill holes (for a total of six), aims to extend the footprint of the SE Area Discovery Zone for an additional 450 m along strike to the southeast, outside the Mineral Resource”.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., issued a press release to clarify certain of its previous disclosure regarding its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. The Company previously disclosed statements which could constitute an economic analysis of its intended re-scoping of the Ana Paula Project. The Company wishes to retract the Disclosure. The Company has not completed an economic analysis on the re-scoping of the Ana Paula Project and the Disclosure is not supported by a technical report in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Company advises readers not to rely on the Disclosure.
  • Prime Mining Corp., filed a technical report for its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, for the updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) reported on May 2, 2023.  The addition of 100,000m of Prime drilling has doubled the current MRE compared to the April 2020 resource.  The table below shows the updated open pit 2023 MRE:

The MRE has a high-grade open pit mill resource and a lower grade heap leach portion.  The MRE includes drilling completed before December 31, 2022 from only the three main zones at Los Reyes: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central. This MRE does not include positive results from: Mariposa, Las Primas and Fresnillo. With ongoing drilling success, the Company believes there is significant potential to expand the MRE.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced that it has been informed by its JV partner Agnico Eagle Mining that the Pitaya Gold project in Sonora has been sold to a third party. In 2019, Colibri signed an agreement with Agnico to sell its 23% interest to Agnico or another buyer for a minimum of USD $500K. In 2020, Colibri was advanced USD $300K from Agnico which was secured by Colibri´s ownership of the JV company. Colibri will receive USD $500K from the sale less the outstanding loan principal and interest owed.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported that it has terminated the exclusivity period signed with Canasil Resources Inc., due to general market conditions. “The purpose of the Exclusivity Agreement was to give Silver Dollar the opportunity to review Canasil’s assets and consider a corporate merger. Termination of the exclusivity period does not affect the separate Option Agreement between the parties, whereby Silver Dollar can earn a 100% interest in Canasil’s Nora silver-gold property”. Pursuant to the agreements, Canasil now has 60 days to repay the $200K non-interest-bearing loan Silver Dollar provided in return for the exclusivity period and the Nora Option.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., announced the appointment of its new Vice President, Operations, to oversee the Company´s underground mining operations in Mexico (Guanacevi mine, Durango; Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported that it shares will resume trading on Friday June 16, 2023 on the TSX Venture Exchange, following the cease trade order being lifted by the British Columbia Securities Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission on Friday June 9, 2023 (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).
  • Golden Minerals Company appointed its new Executive Vice President Pablo Castaños, who will be joining the company on July 1, 2023 (Rodeo mine, Durango).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders. The company also announced that independent consultants are continuing to advance the Updated Technical Report. This work is progressing well, with the results from this study now expected to be released in July 2023 (Las Chispas Mine, Sonora).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., declared that now it owns 100% of Columba property in Chihuahua after completing the final property payment. The final payment of USD $215K was made and paid in cash on May 12, 2023. The company has paid a total of USD $3.29M in staged payments (of which USD $215K was paid in common shares of the Company, commencing November 2018 to earn 100% ownership. The vendor retains a 2% royalty of which 1% can be purchased by the Company for USD $750K.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., released its inaugural 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. The Company’s principal focus is its Las Chispas Operation located in Sonora, Mexico. “This report reflects Silver Crest’s dedication to creating a strong sustainability framework and provides stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of the Company’s ESG performance and goals”.

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

On the picture above, phyllic alteration (quartz-sericite-pyrite) in an intrusive rock in a prospect in Tamaulipas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Porphyry copper mineralization

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 36th week of the year (September 05th to September 11th, 2022), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with seven informing on exploration results, seven communicating production and financial results, five reporting resources and developments of their properties, five commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Equinox informed that mining activities at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero have been temporarily suspended due to an illegal blockade. Rocío Nahle, Secretary of Energy announced that Lithium for Mexico (LitioMx) will hold the first meeting of its Board of Directors on September 20, 2002. The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) reported that three arrest warrants have been issued against the same number of people, for the events that occurred in the Coahuila mine ‘El Pinabete’, where 10 workers are trapped. Reyna Gold Corp., GoGold Resources Inc., GR Silver Mining Ltd., Endeavour Silver Corp., Prime Mining Corp., Kootenay Silver Inc., Silver Spruce Resources Inc., and Vizsla Silver Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of September, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec completed the first seven holes of phase 3 drilling program at its Cervantes project, Silver Spruce and its partner Colibri Resources Corp., drilled 19 RC holes for a total of 2,005m at its El Diamante project and reported initial results from the first holes, Reyna Gold announced results from 22 holes totaling 3,823m of its ongoing 10,000m regional exploration drill program at its la Gloria project, and Infinitum Copper reported completion of the first phase of the current program at its flagship La Adelita project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay released results from eleven holes collared at its Columba project.  In Zacatecas, Galore reported that completed 3 holes in the San Jose area at its Dos Santos project. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Barksdale announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2M (San Javier project, Sonora). Sierra Madre closed the first tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $10M (La Guitarra property, State of Mexico). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Bear Creek announced that it engaged Unison to design and Renoir to implement a 32-week performance improvement program at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Vizsla reported results from 14 new holes drilled within the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its flagship Panuco project, Sinaloa.  Endeavour reported results from its ongoing drilling program at its Parral project in Chihuahua. GoGold released results from seven new holes drilled at the El Favor East Deposit within its Los Ricos North property in Jalisco. GR Silver reported results from 3 holes drilled at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. Prime Mining announced additional phase 2 drill results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Regency Silver completed a 2,000m drilling program at its flagship Dios Padre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Aztec announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Cervantes project, Sonora). Vizsla announced that it has filed its 2022 annual report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (Panuco project, Sinaloa).  Riverside and BHP extended into a fourth year its Sonora Mexico exploration program. Galore reported results of its annual general meeting of shareholders and announced the grant of incentive stock options to directors and officers (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas). Gatos Silver provided bi-weekly status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders due to the delay in the filing of  annual reports which includes its audited consolidated financial statements, together with the management’s discussion and analysis, relating to the audited annual financial statements, and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certificates relating to its annual filings for the years 2021 and 2022 (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles and Fresnillo plc support the Heroic Fire Department and the Red Cross with supplies and training.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Equinox Gold Corp., informed that mining activities at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero have been temporarily suspended due to an illegal blockade by members of the nearby Mezcala community. The blockade is preventing delivery of certain supplies to the Los Filos Mine that are required to maintain operations. 
  • Rocío Nahle, Secretary of Energy announced that Lithium for Mexico (LitioMx) will hold the first meeting of its Board of Directors on September 20, 2002. The secretary added that the use of lithium is essential for the energy transition, since it allows the production of batteries. “Right now, it is in high demand around the world for its power to store electricity,” she stressed. She recalled that wind and solar plants are intermittent sources of energy, so “white gold” represents a great opportunity for the Mexican energy sector.
  • The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) reported that three arrest warrants have been issued against the same number of people, for the events that occurred in the Coahuila mine ‘El Pinabete’, where 10 workers are trapped. Since last August 5, the FGR began the investigation procedure for the events that occurred in the mine, owned by the mining company ‘El Pinabete’ S.A de C.V. The FGR reported that the arrest warrants are for the probable commission of the crime provided for and sanctioned in article 150 in relation to article 149 of the General Law of National Assets.
  • Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador does not rule out comprehensive mining law reform. A month after the collapse of a coal mine in Sabinas, Coahuila, where 10 miners remain trapped and rescue works do not seem to yield results, President López Obrador said he does not rule out a comprehensive reform to the Mining Law, aimed at preventing such incidents from happening again. The reform would also set stricter rules for extractive activities. López Obrador did not mention exactly when is he planning to propose his reform, but it seem to have the support from at least most of MORENAs senators and one of the most important Unions in Mexico.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., GoGold Resources Inc., GR Silver Mining Ltd., Endeavour Silver Corp., Prime Mining Corp., Kootenay Silver Inc., Silver Spruce Resources Inc., and Vizsla Silver Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of September, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., completed the first seven holes of phase 3 drilling program at its Cervantes project in Sonora to drill test three targets: California, California Norte and Jasper.  The company has drilled a total of 1,607m in seven holes from the 3,000m planned in eleven holes. Assay results are pending and are expected to arrive in the next coming weeks.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., and its partner Colibri Resources Corp., drilled 19 RC holes, being 10 holes at the La Prieta target and 9 holes at El Pillado target, for a total of 2,005m at its El Diamante project. Highlights of the drill intersections at El Pillado target include hole DIA22-01 with five intervals to 3m with two sections exceeding 1% Zn; hole DIA22-02 with six intervals to 3m with one section containing 3.9% Zn; hole DIA22-05 with five intervals with significant metal values, including 24-30m (high silver to 251 g/t Ag, Zn to 1.9 %), 33-36m (Ag to 397 g/t, Pb+Zn to combined 11.2.%), 43.5-51m (Ag to 257 g/t, Pb+Zn to 13.1.%), 78-81m (Ag to 36 g/t, Pb+Zn to 8.5.%); hole DIA22-06 with a zone of 3m (Ag to 60 g/t and Pb to 1.21%); and hole DIA22-08 with the highest gold of 0.934 g/t Au at a depth of 13.5m with low Ag and base metal values. Final geochemical assay results from drilling at the La Prieta target are currently being compiled and the results will be released soon.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from 22 holes totaling 3,823m of its ongoing 10,000m regional exploration drill program at its la Gloria project in Sonora, where the company has tested five target areas to date. Drilling highlights at La Republicana target include hole LG-22-30 with 1.45 g/t Au over 59m including 5.96 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 2.85m with a subinterval of 21.5 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over 0.8m; 2.29 g/t Au over 6.65m with a subinterval of 4.2 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over 3.50m; 6.41 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag over 2.8m, with a subinterval of 19.5 g/t Au, 141 g/t Ag, 0.3% P, and 0.2% Zn over 0.12m; and 5.79 g/t Au and 52 g/t Ag over 2.95m, with a subinterval of 19.5 g/t Au, 168 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 0.70m; and hole LG-22-028 with 935 g/t Ag over 5.50m, including 4,640 g/t Ag, 0.93% Cu, and 0.2% Zn over 1m, plus 0.22 g/t Au over 27.30m, including 2.13 g/t Au over 1m, plus 1.49 g/t Au over 0.4m. The company looks forward to additional drilling in La Republicana target.
  • Infinitum Copper Corp., reported completion of the first phase of the current program at its flagship La Adelita project in Sonora. The interpretation of the Magneto Telluric geophysical program is now completed and show good correlation with historic drilling. The strongest anomalies are still untested by drilling. The company also completed 12 holes on the trend of high-grade Cu-Au-Ag skarn mineralization at the Cerro Grande Zone with a total of 2,574m, including 1,848 samples that have been sent to the lab for analysis with results pending.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., released results from eleven holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Seven out of the eleven holes were collared at the D Vein and 4 at the B Vein. Drilling highlights at D Vein include hole CDH-22-125 with 158 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 1.83m, plus 540 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 1.6% Zn over 34.45m, including 1,746 g/t Ag, 0.88 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 5.2% Zn over 9.70m, including 2,498 g/t Ag, 1.28 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 7.5% Zn over 6.10m, including 5,840 g/t Ag, 3 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, and 17.2% Zn over 2.45m; hole CDH-22-127 with 788 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.3% Zn over 0.98m, plus 103 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 1m, plus 136 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 1m; hole CDH-22-128 with 136 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 20m, including 520 g/t Ag, 0.33 g/t Au, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 2m, plus 277 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn over 1m, plus 136 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.3% Zn over 2m; and hole CDH-22-131 with 150 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 16m, including 311 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 4.86m, including 603 g/t Ag, 0.02% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 0.59m. On the B Vein, the most significant drill intersect was encountered in hole CDH-22-134 with 109 g/t Ag and  0.1% Zn over 6.6m, including 251 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 1.5m, plus 279 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 0.5m. These drilling results extend known mineralization along strike and beneath existing drilling at both the D Vein and B Vein targets.
  • Galore Resources Inc., completed 3 holes in the San Jose area at its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas. The most significant mineralization was encountered in holes SJ20 with 2.26 g/t Au over 1.20m, plus 2.06 g/t Au over 0.85m; and hole SJ21 with three contiguous intervals of 3.69 g/t Au, 0.79 g/t Au, and 0.59 g/t Au over 1.80m, 0.70m, and 1.30m respectively.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Barksdale Resources Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to finance exploration activities   at its San Javier project, Sonora, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company also proposes to extend by a further four months, the expiry date of a total of 7,597,836 share purchase warrants, issued September 29, 2020 and 690,790 share purchase warrants issued October 1, 2020 in connection with a non-brokered private placement. These aggregate 8,288,826 2020 Warrants are exercisable into 8,288,826 common shares and remain at an exercise price of $0.55 per share.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., closed the first tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $10M. The company will use the gross proceeds for the development of it’s the La Guitarra property in the State of Mexico, advancement of engineering studies and general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced that it engaged Unison Mining Consulting Pte. Ltd., to design and Renoir Management Corporation to implement a 32-week performance improvement program at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. The planned improvements are to re-open closed mining areas to achieve production rates of over 70K Oz Au per year and reduce costs. This program will cost USD $2.15M.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., reported results from 14 new holes drilled within the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its flagship Panuco project, Sinaloa.  Drilling highlights include hole CS-22-182 with 1,935 g/t Ag and 15.47 g/t Au (2,913 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.46m; hole CS-22-128 with 299 g/t Ag and 2.08 g/t Au (427 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.50m, including 995 g/t Ag and 7.6 g/t Au (1,472 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.46m; hole CS-22-185A with 302 g/t Ag and 2.02 g/t Au (426 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m; and hole CS-22-196 with 278 g/t Ag and 2.33 g/t Au (426 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.16m. “The new drill results support a NW-plunging high-grade zone with an average vertical extent of 250 metres and approximate strike length of 500 metres”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported results from its ongoing drilling program at its Parral project in Chihuahua. High grade silver was encountered in several holes. Drilling highlights include hole CUV-78 with 199 g/t Ag, 4.7% Pb, and 2.6% Zn (428 g/t AgEq) over 3.48m, including 501 g/t Ag, 8% Pb, and 6.5% Zn (971 g/t AgEq) over 0.27m; hole CUV-80 with 322 g/t Ag, 5.2% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (528 g/t AgEq) over 1.67m, including 605 g/t Ag, 14.8% Pb, and 3.5% Zn (1,150 g/t AgEq) over 0.53m; hole VCU-90 with 664 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (747 g/t AgEq) over 5.56m, including 5,600 g/t Ag, 15.3% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (6.096 g/t AgEq) over 0.22m, plus 145 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (168 g/t AgEq) over 3.05m, including 247 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (325 g/t AgEq) over 0.55; and hole CUV-96 with 242 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (317 g/t AgEq) over 5.34m, including 711 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (806 g/t AgEq) over 0.52m. The company has drilled since April 2022 over 5,300m in 23 holes, totaling 8,100m year to date with the aim to define and extend mineralized zones. The high grade Ag results show the potential for resource expansion at depth and along strike in the El Verde and Sierra Plata Deep areas along the Veta Colorada structure.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released results from seven new holes drilled at the El Favor East Deposit within its Los Ricos North property in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGF-22-136 with 0.24 g/t Au and 84 g/t Ag (1.35 g/t AuEq or 101 g/t AgEq) over 4.9m, plus 0.52 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag (1.96 g/t AuEq or 147 g/t AgEq) over 47.6m, including 2.07 g/t Au and 319 g/t Ag (6.32 g/t AuEq or 474 g/t AgEq) over 10.7m, including 13.47 g/t Au and 615 g/t Ag (21.66 g/t AuEq or 1,625 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; and hole LRGF-22-124 with 0.31 g/t Au and 111 g/t Ag (1.79 g/t AuEq or 134 g/t AgEq) over 22m, including 1.65 g/t Au and 530 g/t Ag (8.72 g/t AuEq or 654 g/t AgEq) over 3.4m, including 5.05 g/t Au and 1,456 g/t Ag (24.46 g/t AuEq or 1,835 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m. These drill results show extension of the zone to the east and additional high grade infill.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from 3 holes drilled at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa, to follow-up on lateral and down dip, the  high grade encountered previously at the Southeast Area.  Hole SMS22-11 intersected 92 g/t Ag and 0.02 g/t Au over 75.7m, including 102 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 63.6m, including 1,253 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.4% Zn over 0.3m, plus 1,032 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.9% Zn over 0.4m. Hole SMS22-12 encountered 98 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 44.5m, including 1,059 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 0.2m, plus 537 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn over 1m. Hole SMSP22-022 intersected 426 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 3.2m, including 1,932 g/t Ag, 0.05% g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 0.5m. GR Silver informed that additional drilling is in progress aiming to continuously expand lateral and down dip continuity of the Ag mineralization.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced additional phase 2 drill results from 42 infill and step out drill holes collared at Guadalupe Corridor within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole 22GE-73 with 5.01 g/t Au and 328 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 1.9m; hole 22GE-72 with 1.65 g/t Au and 236 g/t Ag over a TW of 13.5m, plus 0.95 g/t Au and 124 g/t Ag over a TW of 6m, plus 2.52 g/t Au and 365 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.5m; hole 22GE-105 with 1.46 g/t Au and 56 g/t Ag over a TW of 14.4m, plus 1.01 g/t Au and 67 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.5m; hole 22GE-70 with 1.38 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.5m; hole 22GE-59 with 2.77 g/t Au and 440 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.1m; hole 22GE-563 with 0.97 g/t Au and 267 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.5m; hole 22GE-77 with 1.28 g/t Au and 45 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.6m; hole 22GE-80 with 1.55 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.7m, plus 1.72 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.8m; hole 22GE-85 with 16.1 g/t Au and 391 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.5m; and hole 22GE-76 with 10.41 g/t Au and 683 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.7m, plus 0.92 g/t Au and 945 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.1m, These drill results expand the Au-Ag mineralization potential at Guadalupe Corridor.
  • Regency Silver Corp., completed a 2,000m drilling program at its flagship Dios Padre project in Sonora. This program was designed to test a large IP anomaly only 550 metres to the north of the existing Dios Padre historical workings to determine whether it represents a significant continuation of the mineralization, as well as  to test for extensions to the existing Dios Padre mineral resource. Final assay results are expected in early October. The Company will release the results shortly thereafter.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., announced the appointment of a new member to its Board of Directors (Cervantes project, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., announced that it has filed its 2022 annual report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It includes its management discussion and analysis, annual information form, and audited financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2022.  (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., and BHP extended its Exploration Funding Agreement (EFA) into a fourth year for its Sonora Mexico exploration program. The plan is to move into the next exploration phase focusing on five copper projects in Sonora, Mexico with a currently approved USD $1.1M in exploration funding to work on the Llano de Nogal district and USD $0.5M in ongoing High Value Work programs in the Sonora Projects for a total so far allocated budget of USD $1.6M exploration work on the specified properties in the EFA.
  • Galore Resources Inc., reported results of its annual general meeting of shareholders and announced the grant of 7.1M incentive stock options to directors and officers, exercisable at a price of $0.10 for a period of 5 years from the date of grant (Dos Santos project, Zacatecas).
  • Gatos Silver Inc., provided bi-weekly status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders due to the delay in the filing of annual reports which includes its audited consolidated financial statements, together with the management’s discussion and analysis, relating to the audited annual financial statements, and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certificates relating to its annual filings for the years 2021 and 2022 (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Peñoles and Fresnillo plc have supported for more than two decades to the Heroic Fire Department and the Red Cross. The two companies have resolutely supported these institutions in the communities where they operate, by donating medical supplies to the Red Cross and training for firefighters.

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, Cu mineralization related to a porphyry copper system in a project in Sinaloa, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Banded calcite vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 32nd week of the year (August 08th to August 14th, 2022), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with twelve communicating production and financial results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, three reporting resources and developments of their properties, three informing on exploration results, two announcing financing issues, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Vizsla Silver, GR Silver, and Defiance Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of August, 2022. According to a report from the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security, in the last three years, 979 mine inspections have been carried out throughout the country, of which 387 have been carried out in the coal zone of Sabinas, Coahuila. The General Directorate of Mines of the Ministry of Economy provisionally suspended works on 10 mining concessions in Sabinas Coahuila. ON EXPLORATION, In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals announced results of a recently satellite multispectral interpretation covering its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. In Durango, Silver Wolf released 155 grab sample results collected during the ongoing surface sample program at its Ana Maria project which has returned some high-grade values up to 1,536 g/t Ag, 34% Pb, and 19.4% Zn. In Zacatecas, Defiance Silver provided an update on the 4,750m maiden drill program at its Lucita project, within its Zacatecas Silver property.  ON MINING, Argonaut reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Mexican mining operations. Aura provided a production guidance for 2022 on its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas where it expects to produce between 115-120K Oz AuEq at cash cost between USD $645-690 per Oz AuEq produced.  Avino reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Avino mine, Durango. Capstone reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cozamin mine, Zacatecas. Endeavour reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. Gatos Silver reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. GoGold reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua.  Golden reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine, Durango. Orla reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas. SilverCrest reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Las Chispas project, Sonora. Americas reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. ON FINANCING, Advance announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $200K (Sarape project, Sonora). Fabled informed about an extension of its non-brokered private placement (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua). Fortuna Silver reported Q2. 2022 from its San Jose mine, Oaxaca.  GoGold reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. Golden Minerals reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine, Durango. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver reported a new Ag discovery SE of its San Marcial Resource Area on its wholly-owned Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Pan American Silver reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2022 for their Mexican properties. Vizsla released results from 26 new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its 100%-owned flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Prismo announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Consolidated Zinc made several management changes (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua). Advance Lithium sold its royalty on three claims in Kenya to Orogen for USD $120K and the transfer of the 100% ownership of its Sarape property, Sonora. Kootenay amended the schedule on the final payment of its option agreement for 100% of the Columba high-grade silver project, Chihuahua.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, First Majestic released its 2021 Sustainability report. Peñoles and Fresnillo plc promote entrepreneurs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver, GR Silver and Defiance Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of August, 2022. Details are shown in the table below:
  • According to a report from the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security, in the last three years, 979 mine inspections have been carried out throughout the country, of which 387 have been carried out in the coal zone, which means that “39% of all the mining inspections that have been carried out in the coal zone of Sabinas (Sabinas, Nueva Rosita, Palau)”. In the coal region, in these three years, 27 mining operations have been closed; that is, 84% of all mine closures in the country, due to non-compliance with security measures; to date 15 remain in force. In addition, the Ministry of Economy has been informed of the existence of 12 concessions that presumably could have irregularities.
  • The General Directorate of Mines of the Ministry of Economy provisionally suspended the works on 10 mining concessions in Sabinas Coahuila, on August 11, until the employers or representatives of each of the work centers certify compliance with the measures dictated in each one of the respective files after the inspections carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (STPS). The then General Director of Mines did not proceed with the provisional suspension of the works, arguing that the STPS information on the 10 previously mentioned mining concessions did not coincide with the registry data held by the General Directorate of Mines. Considering this and other possible irregularities, the Directors of Mines and Obligations were dismissed last June with the purpose of investigating and, where appropriate, establishing the corresponding responsibilities.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced results of a recently satellite multispectral interpretation covering its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project in Coahuila. The interpretation highlighted discreet areas that may host eudialyte-bearing dykes, veins, and disseminations. Eudialyte is a Na, Ca, Fe/Mn, Zr silicate mineral that can contain up to 10% Rare Earth Elements, and 12% ZrO2. The Aster satellite spectral data also identified several areas prospective for Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag carbonate replacement deposits.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., released 155 grab sample results collected during the ongoing surface sample program at its Ana Maria project, Durango, which has returned some high-grade values of Ag, Pb, and Zn.  From the 155 samples collected by Silver Wolf, 30 returned values >100 g/t Ag, 73 returned > 0.5% Pb, and 59 returned > 0.5% Zn with peaks of 1,536 g/t Ag, 34% Pb, and 19.4% Zn.  These results combined with the anomalies generated in the geophysical and remote sensing surveys will provide a basis for prioritizing drill targets.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., provided an update on the 4,750m maiden drill program at its Lucita project, within its Zacatecas Silver property. Drilling has encountered multiple intercepts over 199 g/t Ag and individual high-grade silver intervals. Drilling highlights include hole DDLU-22-10 with 0.20 g/t Au and 264 g/t Ag over 3.05m, including 0.19 g/t Au and 668 g/t Ag over 0.77m, plus 0.37 g/t Au and 166 g/t Ag over 4.01m, including 0.57 g/t Au and 220 g/t Ag over 22.72m, including 1.13 g/t Au and 416 g/t Ag over 1.22m, plus 0.08 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag over 2.25m, including 0.19 g/t Au and 737 g/t Ag over 0.53m, plus 0.03 g/t Au and 189 g/t Ag over 0.75m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag over 0.88m; and hole  DDLU-22-13 with 0.04 g/t Au and 147 g/t Ag over 1.57m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 150 g/t Ag over 2m, including 0.2 g/t Au and 843 g/t Ag over 0.3m, plus 0.09 g/t Au and 109 g/t Ag over 1.15m. “The inaugural drill program at Lucita central (Palenque vein system) confirmed the presence of high-grade, Fresnillo-style, low to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal silver mineralization, consisting of mainly of pyrargyrite (high-level sulfosalt) and silver sulfides that potentially indicate the higher-level setting of a zoned epithermal system. Follow-up drilling is planned for later this year at the newly discovered zones of mineralization at Palenque and Tahures”.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production results from their Mexican mining operations. At El Castillo mine, Durango, Argonaut mined 1,471,000 tonnes of 0.30 g/t Au to produce 12,047 Oz Au and 10,407 Oz Ag (12,178 Gold Equivalent Ounces (GEOs)), and sold 11,463 Oz Au and 11,293 Oz Ag (11,603 GEOs) at a cash cost of  USD $1,513 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin mine, Durango, the company mined 2,954,000 tonnes of 0.29 g/t Au to produce 18,033 Oz Au and 88,160 Oz Ag (19,135 GEOs), and sold 18,656 Oz Au and 93,420 Oz Ag (19,824 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,009 per Oz Au sold. At La Colorada mine, Sonora, Argonaut mined 976,000 tonnes of 0.44 g/t Au to produce 12,950 Oz Au and 35,191 Oz Ag (13,390 GEOs), and sold 13,322 Oz Au and 38,194 Oz Ag (13,799 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,003 per Oz Au sold.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., provided a production guidance for 2022 on its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas where it expects to produce between 115-120K Oz AuEq at cash cost between USD $645-690 per Oz AuEq produced.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Avino mine, Durango. The company mined 118,224 tonnes to produce 225.5K Oz Ag, 1,350 Oz Au, and 1.64M Lb Cu (649.6K Oz AgEq), and sold 594.7K Oz AgEq at cash and AISC of USD $8.39 and USD $15.95 respectively per Oz AgEq sold. Avino reported revenues of USD $9.4M; operating income of USD $3.9M; non-cash depreciation and depletion of USD $4.4M; net income of USD $2.3M; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBIDTA) of USD $4.1M; adjusted earnings of USD $2.5M, operating cash flow (before working capital changes of USD $2.5M; and free cash flow of USD $1.5M. Cash balance reported at June 30, 2022 of USD $12.8M and working capital of USD $14.3M.
  • Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cozamin mine, Zacatecas. The company produced 14.33M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.25 per Lb Cu produced.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from their Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. At Guanacevi, Durango, Endeavour processed 94,017 tonnes to produce 1.19M payable Oz Ag and 3,680 payable Oz Au at cash cost of USD $10.35 per Oz Ag, total  production cost of USD $12.90 per Oz Ag, direct operating cost per tonne of USD $170.75, and direct cost per tonne of USD $201.84 . At Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato, the company processed 107,344 tonnes to produce 155.7K payable Oz Ag and 5,609 payable Oz Au at cash cost of USD $8.01 per Oz Ag, total production cost of USD $24.66 per Oz Ag, direct operating cost per tonne of USD $99.25, and  direct cost per tonne of USD $101.05. Consolidated results summarize 201.4K tonnes processed to produce 1.36M payable Oz Ag and 9.3K payable Oz Au (2.1M Oz AgEq) at cash cost of USD $10.18 per Oz Ag, AISC of USD $19.56 per Oz Ag, total production cost of USD $14.26 per Oz Ag, direct operating cost per tonne of USD $132.63, and direct cost per tonne of USD $148.11. The company reported revenues of USD $30.8M from 602.9K Oz Ag sold and 9.8K Oz Au sold at realized prices of USD $22.72 and USD $1,840 per Oz Ag and Oz Au respectively. It also reported a net earnings (loss) of USD $11.9M, adjusted earnings (loss) of USD $4.3M), mine operating earnings of USD $4.5M, mine operating cash flow before taxes of USD $8.8M, operating cash flow before working capital changes of USD $3.6M, and working capital of USD $149.7M.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q2. 2022 from its San Jose mine, Oaxaca. The company mined 251.9K tonnes of 187 g/t Ag and 1.13 g/t Au, both with metallurgical recoveries of 91% to produce 1.38 M Oz Ag and 8.3K Oz Au. Fortuna sold 1.42M Oz Ag and 8.6K Oz Au at realized prices of USD $22.56 and USD $1,873 per Oz Ag and Au respectively at a production cash cost per tonne of USD $83.57, production cash cost per Oz Ag Eq of USD $11 and AISC per Oz AgEq of USD $15.41.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. The company milled 211,350 tonnes of 374 g/t Ag, 0.38 g/t Au, 2.79% Pb, and 5.03% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.4%, 48.9%, 90.5%, and 66.4% respectively to produce 2.3M Oz Ag, 1.27K Oz Au, 11.8M Lb Pb, and 15.6M Lb Zn. Gatos Silver reported unaudited sales of USD $57.2M, cost of sales of USD $27.8M, royalties of USD $1M, G & A expenses of USD 3.6M, other expenses of USD $0.7M, capital expenditures of USD $20.5M, and cash balance of USD $40M as of June 30, 2022.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. The company produced 213.5K Oz Ag, 3,081 Oz Au, and 219.5K Lb Cu at a cash and AISC of USD $13.17 and USD $17.73 per Oz AgEq respectively. GoGold reported revenues of USD $10.4M from the sale of 512.7K Oz AgEq at a realized price of USD $20.26 per Oz AgEq. It also reported cost of sales including depreciation of USD $7.9M, operating income of USD $221K, net income of USD $1.1M, free cash before working capital changes of USD $3.7M, and cash of USD $73.8M.
  • Golden Minerals Company reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine, Durango. Golden produced 3,004 payable Oz Au and 12,768 payable Oz Ag (3,158 payable Oz AuEq) and sold 3,219 Oz AuEq at a realized price of USD $1,865 per Oz Au and USD $22.49 per Oz Ag. The total cash cost net of Ag byproduct credits was USD $1,426 per Oz AuEq. Golden reported revenues of USD $5.9M, net operating margin of USD $1.3M, cash and cash equivalent balance as of June 30, 2022 of USD $9.5M, and a net loss of 2.8M or USD $0.02 per share.
  • Orla Mining ltd., reported production and financial results from its Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas. The company produced 25,672 Oz Au and sold 25,431 Oz Au at an average price of USD $1,872 per Oz, and cash and AISC of USD $439 and USD $601 respectively. Orla reported revenues of USD $47.8M, cost of sales-operating cost of USD $10.8M, adjusted earnings of USD $11M, cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital of USD $20.7M, free cash flow of USD $28.7M, cash and cash equivalents as at June 30, 2022 of USD $66.7M, and a net debt of USD $100.3M.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported Q2, 2022 production and financial results from its Las Chispas project, Sonora. The company milled 12,700 tonnes of low-grade from historic stockpiles. At the end of June, 2022 it produced its first precious metal pour consisting of 312Kg of doré with approximately 2,200 Oz Ag and 100 Oz Au. SilverCrest reported cash and cash equivalents of USD $118.6M remaining under a USD $120M project financing facility, a value-added taxes (IVA) receivable in Mexico of USD $26.3M, an inventory of USD $19.4M, and mineral property, plant and equipment of USD $200M.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q2, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. It produced 128K Oz Ag, 3.9M Lb Pb, and 9.9M Lb Zn. Americas provided 2022 production guidance and expect to produce between 0.7-0.9M Oz Ag, 13-15M Lb Pb, and 36-40M Lb Zn.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Lithium Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $200K. Gross proceeds will be used to advance its Sarape project in Sonora and for general corporate purposes.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., informed about an extension of its non-brokered private placement by 30 days starting this August 8, 2022 (Santa Maria project, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported a new Ag discovery SE of its San Marcial Resource Area on its wholly-owned Plomosas project, Sinaloa. Hole SMS22-10 encountered 308 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 101.6m, including 7,139 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 1,6% Pb, and 1.3% Zn over 0.8m, plus 3,065 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 0.3m, plus 1,774 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Zn over 0.20m, plus 1,508 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn over 0.2m, plus 1,285 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 0.3m, plus 1,004 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 4.1m, plus 1,579 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, and 0.1% Zn over 0.4m, plus 1,017 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 0.3m, plus 414 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.9% Zn over 16.2m, including 1,405 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1.9% Zn over 1.3m. “The hole was drilled 250 m to the SE of the San Marcial Resource Area, where the Company has been exploring the extension of the target contact between upper and lower volcanic units, which typically hosts the San Marcial Breccia Ag mineralization, together with strong ground magnetic anomalies delineated in 2021. This new, wide, high-grade silver discovery coincides with an inflexion in the NW-SE trending contact where it intersects with two key NE-SW trending faults. This defines a highly prospective target for continued drilling, both along strike and down dip”.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., reported Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at June 30, 2022 for their Mexican properties. At La Colorada, Zacatecas the company reported proven reserves of 3.8M tonnes with average grades of 340 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au for a total of 41.5M Oz Ag and 27.5K Oz Au contained, and probable reserves of 6.2M tonnes with grades of 303 g/t Ag and 0.18 g/t Au for a total of 59.9M Oz Ag and 36K Oz Au contained. The company also reported measured resources of 1.9M tonnes with grades of 216 g/t Ag and 0.14 g/t Au for a total of 13M Oz Ag and 8.2K Oz Au, indicated resources of 3.4M tonnes with grades of 191 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au for a total of 20.8M Oz Ag and 18K Oz Au contained, and inferred resources of 14.9M tonnes with grades of 195 g/t Ag and 0.2 g/t Au for a total of 93.9M Oz Ag and 98.4K Oz Au contained. At Dolores, Chihuahua, probable reserves reported are 4.1M tonnes of 18 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au for a total of 2.4M Oz Ag and 77.7K Oz Au contained, while inferred resources are 2.5M tonnes with grades of 29 g/t Ag and 0.92 g/t Au for  a total of 2.4M Oz Ag and 74.4K Oz Au. At La Bolsa, Sonora, Pan American reported inferred resources of 13.7M tonnes with grades of 8 g/t Ag and 0.51 g/t Au for a total of 3.3M Oz Ag and 224.8K Oz Au contained. Reported mineral resources do not include amounts identified as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released results from 26 new drill holes targeting the Tajitos-Copala resource area at its 100%-owned flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole CS-22-191 with 133 g/t Ag and 0.48 g/t Au (158 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.39m, plus 706 g/t Ag and 4.93 g/t Au (1,011 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 12.52m, including 3,880 g/t Ag and 27.7 g/t Au (5,602 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.26m, plus 1,245 g/t Ag and 8.24 g/t Au (1,751 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.26m, plus 1,425 g/t Ag and 10.65 g/t Au (2,092 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m; hole CS-22-173 with 663 g/t Ag and 2.90 g/t Au (826 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 14.46m, including 1,375 g/t Ag and 7.19 g/t Au (1,796 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m, including 1,501 g/t Ag and 5.49 g/t Au (1,791 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.93m, plus 1,655 g/t Ag and 8.05 g/t Au (2,118 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.78m, plus 1,505 g/t Ag and 5.93 g/t Au (1,826 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.37m; hole CS-22-159 with 285 g/t Ag and 2.12 g/t Au (418 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.50m, including 493 g/t Ag and 18.3 g/t Au (1,775 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.56m, plus 1,025 g/t Ag and 4.61 g/t Au (1,285 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.71m; and hole CS-22-181 with 165 g/t Ag and 0.52 g/t Au (191 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.70m, plus 832 g/t Ag and 3.85 g/t Au (1,051 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.44m, including 1,725 g/t Ag and 11 g/t Au (2,396 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.68, plus 1,501 g/t Ag and 4.98 g/t Au (1,754 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.81m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Prismo Metals Inc., announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). It will simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of Prismo shares in the United States. The Company’s shares recently began trading on the OTCQB® Venture Market (“OTCQB”) under the ticker symbol PMOMF (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa).
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited made several management changes. The company announced the retirement and replacement of its non-executive Chairman, the appointment of a new member of its Board of Directors, and the appointment of its Exploration Manager. All Board changes are effective September 1, 2022 (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua).
  • Advance Lithium Corp., sold its royalty on three claims in Kenya to Orogen Royalties Inc., for USD $120K and the transfer of the 100% ownership of the Sarape property, Sonora. Orogen will retain a 1.5% royalty on the Sarape property.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., amended the schedule on the final payment of its option agreement for 100% of the Columba high-grade silver project, Chihuahua. The amended agreement splits the final November 2022 payment into a series of payments due in August, November, December 2022 and January, April, and May of 2023. Payments range from USD $215K (August 2022 and May 2023) to USD $480K (November 2022) and USD $430K (December 2022, January, and April 2023).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • First Majestic Silver Corp., released its 2021 Sustainability report summarizing the Company´s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. CEO of the company stated that their effort in 2021 demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and to improving lives and communities in our host regions while increasing shareholder value, as well as driving positive changes for society and delivering long-term benefits for all First majestic shareholders.
  •  Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., and Fresnillo plc promote entrepreneurs providing tools to micro and small entrepreneurs from the communities neighboring their operations through a training and advisory program for the strengthening and creation of proudly local and Mexican companies. Both Peñoles and Fresnillo plc have given nearly 249 workshops for entrepreneurs, with the support of the social organization ProEmpleo. In parallel, the companies and the organization work on the abilities and skills of the participants who seek the continuity of their projects and reinforce them with actions to make them competitive in their local environment. To date, more than 3,800 people have benefited and 203 new companies have been created, which in turn generated 534 direct jobs; 74% of the total number of companies created continue to operate.

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 banded calcite vein with Manganese Oxides 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 First Week of November, 2021. 

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Quartz hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 44th week of the year (November 1st to November 7th, 2021), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine reporting resources and developments, seven informing on exploration results, six communicating production and financial results, three announcing financial issues, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals and its JV Kootenay approved a 5,000m RC drill program at its Cervantes project,  Canuc added two new mining concessions to its San Javier project,  and Ranchero Gold provided an update on its Phase 1 drill program at its Santa Daniela project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay released results from three drill holes collared at its Columba project. In Durango, Silver Wolf engaged Terraquest to conduct a high resolution aeromagnetic, radiometric and matrix electro- magnetic geophysical survey on its Ana Maria property. In Zacatecas, Almadex completed a field program implemented to refine targets at its Las Lajas project. In Jalisco, Almadex reported that it has conducted IP geophysics at its San Pedro project. In Guerrero, Pantera Silver informed that it has completed all the reports and requirements needed to apply for a drill permit for its Nuevo Taxco project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver announced that its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa has been re-started and all workers have been re-called. First Majestic announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Golden Minerals presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Mexus announced revenue of $128K for the month of October from its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Minera Alamos reported that it has made an initial delivery of gold doré from its Santana mine in Sonora. Torex reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero, and provided full year 2021 production guidance. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals closed the first tranche of a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1M (Cervantes project, Sonora). One World Lithium closed a first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $765,221 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Southern Empire announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M (Pedro Gold project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Altaley announced that it has hired MGA Contratista Minera at its underground mining contractor for its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. Azucar Minerals reported that a mineral chemistry porphyry vectoring study has identified a new target area for a possible central porphyry system to its the El Cobre project, Veracruz. In Baja California, Comet released results from eight drill holes collared at its Santa Teresa project. Fabled reported results from one hole collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Mithril announced drill results from its Copalquin project in Durango. Silvertone commenced a 2,200m drilling program at its Peñasco Quemado project in Sonora. Tarachi reported positive metallurgical results from its Magistral Tailings project in Durango. Vizsla released results from its ongoing resource focused drilling program from its Panuco project in Sinaloa. GR Silver provided an update on its 2021 drilling program at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Candelaria Mining announced that it will commence trading on the OTCQX Best Market (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz). Kootenay Silver and Kootenay Resources announced completion of spin-out transaction (Columba project, Chihuahua). Monumental Gold received approval from TSX to acquire from Discovery Silver the Jemi rare earth elements project in Coahuila. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Discovery Silver produced its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report (Cordero project, Chihuahua).

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., and its JV Kootenay Silver Inc., approved a 5,000m RC drill program, consisting of 22 holes, at its Cervantes project in Sonora. This Phase 2 drill program is expected to commence in this month and plans to test the main four targets: California, California Norte, Jasper, and Purisima East. “The primary objectives of the two phase 2021 exploration program are 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 north and west extensions of the California mineralization at California North and Jasper, and assess the breccia potential of Purisima East”.
  • Canuc Resources Corporation added two new mining concessions to its San Javier project in Sonora. The new concessions acquired by staking are contiguous and cover extensions of one of the Company’s principal exploration targets.
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an update on its 13 holes, 3,000m Phase 1 drill program, at its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. The current drill program is planned to test three low-sulphidation epithermal targets: La Colmena, La Cascada, and X-Structure. To date, only 360m have been completed in two holes.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., released results from three drill holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes CDH-21-110 with 269 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn over 55m, including 453 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 1.4% Zn over 29.9m, including 650 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 2.3% Zn over 17.8m, and including multiple mineralized intervals varying from 100-1,915 g/t Ag, 0.1-5.4% Pb, and 0.1-9% Zn in widths from 0.3-2.5m; hole CDH-21-109 with  100 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 31m, including 193 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 14.56m, including 294 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 7.11m, and including multiple mineralized intervals varying from 167-592 g/t Ag, 0.1-0.2% Pb, and 0.1-1% Zn over widths of 0.7-2.31m; and hole CDH-21-108 with 57 g/t Ag, 0.02% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 166m, including 98 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 77m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 11m, including 504 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 5.9m, including 1,100 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 2% Zn over 1m, and including additional mineralized intervals varying from 124-331 g/t Ag, 0.1-0.2% Pb, and 0.2-0.6% Zn over widths of 0.5-1.5m.    
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., engaged Terraquest to conduct a high resolution aeromagnetic, radiometric and matrix electro- magnetic geophysical survey on its Ana Maria property, Durango. A total of 1,800 line kilometers will be flown over the entire property which consists of 9 mining concessions encompassing 2,549 hectares.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., completed a field program implemented to refine targets at its Las Lajas project in Zacatecas, prior to a first pass diamond drill program planned for later this year. Las Lajas consists of a banded epithermal vein system and was staked by the company during a regional exploration program.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd, reported that it conducted IP geophysics at its San Pedro project in Jalisco, and has identified high chargeability responses that were not tested by the past drilling efforts. A drill program is currently underway at this project. Almadex and previous operators carried out surface sampling, geophysics, and drilling at the project. Historical reports include results of 55 sample reconnaissance rock chip sampling program which returned gold values from below detection to 12.4 g/t Au (averaging 0.44 g/t Au) and 0.07 to 2,490 g/t Ag (averaging 71.0 g/t Ag), and one RC hole including 1.65 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag over a length of 6.08m.
  • Pantera Silver Corp., informed that it has completed all the reports and requirements needed to apply for a drill permit for its Nuevo Taxco project. The company filed a Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) and an Estudio Técnico Justificativo (ETJ) with SEMARNAT. The Company is completing final preparations for drilling in anticipation of receiving a drill permit before the end of November.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced that its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa has been re-started and all workers have been re-called. The milling rate is expected to ramp out in tandem with mine production with a goal of processing 1,800 tonnes per day. Cosalá has over 20K tonnes of ore ready to be processed and approximately 20 loads of existing concentrate were shipped in late October. “Initial production will be focused on the main Zone consisting of high-grade Zn areas fully developed before the illegal blockade to maximize near-term free cash flow”.
  • First Majestic Silver Corporation announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Figures by mine are shown in the table below:
 ·         Golden Minerals Company presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Golden produced 4,777 payable Oz Au and 12,196 payable Oz Ag (4,942 Oz AuEq), and sold 4,804 Oz AuEq in doré with 1,042 Oz AuEq in doré inventory at the end of the quarter. The company reported revenues of USD $8.5M, yielding a net operating margin of USD $4.2M; USD $8.8M cash and cash equivalents balance as of Sept 30, 2021, and a net income of USD $0.4M in Q3, 2021.
·         Mexus Gold US announced revenue of $128K for the month of October from its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. With the ongoing improvements to the heap leach pad and the addition of more activated carbon cells to collect value, the company expects November revenues to exceed $150K.
·         Minera Alamos Inc., reported that it has made an initial delivery of gold doré from early material stacked on its Santana heap leach pad in Sonora state. Approximately 400 Oz Au was contained in the doré poured were sent off for final refining and sale.  
·         Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero, and provided full year 2021 production guidance. Torex produced 111,229 Oz Au at cash and AISC of USD $727 and USD $900 respectively per Oz Au sold, and sold 118,989 Oz Au at an average realized price of USD $1,786 per Oz Au. It reported an EBIDTA of USD $ 119.3M and free cash of USD $294M. The company announced a net earning of USD $36.5M or USD $0.423 per share; and adjusted net earnings of USD $42.9M or USD $0.50 per share, on both a basis and diluted basis. Cash flow totalized USD $87.8M and USD $100.2M prior to changes in non-cash working capital, including taxes paid of USD $19.7M. Free cash generated was USD $29.4M which includes an outflow of USD $12.4M related to changes in non-cash working capital. Finally, Torex reported net cash of USD $217.8M including USD $221.6M in cash and USD $3.8M of lease obligations. The company also provided a full year 2021 production guidance and expects to produce 430K-470K Oz Au at a total cash and AISC cost of USD $680-720 and USD $920-970 per Oz Au respectively.

 ON FINANCING

·         Aztec Minerals Corp., closed the first tranche of a private placement equity financing for gross proceeds of CAD $1M.The company plans to use part of the net proceeds to conduct exploration work on its Cervantes project in Sonora.
·         One World Lithium Inc., closed a first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $765,221. Net proceeds will be used primary to fund the Salar Del Diablo exploration programs as well as for the initial start up for the Company’s separation technology testing and working capital.
·         Southern Empire Resources Corp., announced its intention to undertake a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M. Part of the net proceeds will be used for funding an exploration program at its Pedro Gold project in Durango, and for working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

·         Altaley Mining Corporation announced that it has hired MGA Contratista Minera S.A. de C.V. at its underground mining contractor for its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. MGA is now mobilizing its mining equipment to Tahuehueto Gold Mine to continue underground drift and stope development to advance the Tahuehueto Mine to production. “First production through the mill, which is at an advanced stage of construction, is anticipated near the end of 2021 when the first ball mill is to be commissioned and in Q1 2022 the second ball mill will be installed and brought online to thereafter, ramp up production to the mine’s anticipated 1,000 tonne per day capacity”.
·         Azucar Minerals Ltd., reported that a mineral chemistry porphyry vectoring study, using chlorite and epidote, has identified a new target area for a possible central porphyry system to its the El Cobre project, Veracruz. This vectoring study indicates that the El Cobre district likely contains a fertile medium to large sized porphyry system and the most prospective area is located in the centre of the project where there has been little previous exploration drilling. “Field work has already been initiated in this area in order to identify any surface alteration and mineralization evidence and to prepare for a future drilling campaign to test this large target area”.
·         Comet Resources Ltd. released results from a 2,250m drill program which consisted of eight drill holes collared at its Santa Teresa project in Baja California. Highlights include holes STDDH-21-006 with 63.2 g/t Au over 1.2m, and 27.5 g/t Au over 0.7m; hole STDDH-21-007 with 31 g/t Au over 1.6m; and hole STDDH-21-001 with 26.9 g/t Au over 1m. These results will be incorporated into resource modelling.
·         Fabled Silver Gold Corp., reported results from one hole collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Hole SM20-37 intercept the previously encountered dike and related breccia, and returned 0.56 g/t Au, 53 g/t Ag, 1.3% Pb, 3.3% Zn, and 0.14% Cu (82 g/t AgEq) over 8.8m, including 2.21 g/t Au, 112 g/t Ag, 3.3% Pb, 8.4% Zn, and 0.18% Cu (226 g/t AgEq) over 0.9, including 0.57 g/t Au, 38 g/t Ag, 1%Pb, 4.5% Zn, and 0.08% Cu (68 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m, including 0.28 g/t Au, 65 g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, 2.9% Zn, and 0.19% Cu (79 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m,including 0.69 g/t Au, 109 g/t Ag, 2.5% Pb, 3.8% Zn, and 0.38% Cu (144 g/t AgEq) over 0.69m.
·         Mithril Resources Inc., announced drill results from hole CDH-094 collared in El Refugio area at its Copalquin project in Durango. The hole intersected 1.88 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag (2.76 g/t AuEq) over 3m, plus 9.64 g/t Au and 279 g/t Ag (13.63 g/t AuEq) over 18.67m, including 17.9 g/t Au and 482 g/t Ag (24.8 g/t AuEq) over 9.3m. The company announced that a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate is on schedule for Q4, 2021; and that a metallurgical test work will commence at November, 2021.
·         Silvertone Metals Corp., commenced a 2,200m drilling program at its Peñasco Quemado project in Sonora. The drilling will test two priority target areas called La Fortuna and Peñasco Pit, located in separate areas of the property. In the Peñasco Pit area, the drilling program will test the interpreted along-strike extensions to this mineralized zone area that contains the drill defined historic resource estimate as identified by strong, southeast-trending geochemical anomalies (zinc, lead, barium and manganese in soils) which exceed three kilometers in length and have some coincidental geophysical anomalies. At La Fortuna, the drill program will test strong zinc, lead and copper soil anomalies with a coincidental “plug” like geophysical low resistivity anomaly that extends beyond 500 meters in depth. Company geologists interpret this geophysical anomaly as altered intrusive rocks which may be a potential source of mineralization.
·         Tarachi Gold Corp., reported positive metallurgical results from its Magistral Tailings project in Durango. Total gold recovery after 48 hours of leach time ranged from 81.7 to 86.9% on as-received, unground samples. “With the tailings assay grades previously announced averaging 2.04g/t Au and the strong gold recoveries released today; the data continues to support our goal of producing a minimum of 15K Oz Au per year at Magistral.”
·         Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from its ongoing resource focused drilling program from its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Ten new holes targeting the Napoleon Resource area and three new holes centered on the Tajitos Resource area were collared by Vizsla and encountered high-grade Ag-Au mineralization. At Napoleon area, significant mineralization was encountered in holes NP-21-173 with 99 g/t Ag, 6.8 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (774 g/t AgEq) over 3.7m, and 227 g/t Ag, 2.57 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 3.7% Zn (592 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.83m ; and hole NP-21-186, 200m step-out to the south with 58 g/t Ag, 0.93 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 5.5% Zn (280 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.74m. At Tajitos area, highlights include hole CS-21-71 with 901 g/t Ag and 3.25 g/t Au (1,150 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.4m; and hole  CS-21-60 with 201 g/t Ag and 1.4 g/t Au (319 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.82m. These results on Tajitos expanded the resource area by 200 metres along strike to the northeast. Drilling at Panuco project continue with two rigs expanding the Josephine Vein, with step-out holes underway testing both the southern and northern extents of the vein. The company expects to announce a maiden project resource estimate for Q1, 2022.
·         GR Silver Mining Ltd., provided an update on its 2021 drilling program at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. The drilling program has been focused primarily on new areas recognized as attractive sites for NW or NE trending, high-grade Au-Ag mineralized veins, such as Loma Dorada, San Marcial, El Trampolin, El Saltito, GAP area, and Plomosas South. Additionally, early-stage reconnaissance exploration at the Las Cuevas and El Ranchito areas provide additional prospects for future drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

·         Candelaria Mining Corp., announced that it will commence trading on the OTCQX Best Market remaining under the symbol “CDELF”. Previously, the Company’s U.S. share trading was on OTC Pink (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz).
·         Kootenay Silver Inc., and Kootenay Resources Inc., announced that the spin-out transaction whereby Kootenay Silver spun-out 80% of the common shares of Kootenay Resources to its shareholders has been completed. “The holders of common shares of Kootenay Silver, received one new common share of Kootenay Silver and 0.04 Kootenay Resources Shares for each Old Kootenay Silver Share previously held. The Old Kootenay Silver Shares were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange at the close of business on October28, 2021”  (Columba project, Chihuahua).
·         Monumental Gold Corp., received approval from TSX to acquire from Discovery Silver Corp., the Jemi rare earth elements project in Coahuila. Discovery has agreed to transfer and assign its rights and obligations of six mineral concessions comprising approximately 3,560 hectares that form the Jemi project located in the Ocampo municipality of Coahuila State to Monumental Gold. The original agreement transferred by Discovery to Monumental is an option agreement to acquire 100% of the property from vendors by completing USD $2M of exploration expenditures on the property by May 16, 2024, and paying to the vendors USD $500K in cash or common shares upon the exercise of the option. In connection with the approval by the TSX of the Assignment Agreement, the Company will change its name to “Monumental Minerals Corp., and the trading symbol will change to “MNRL”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

·         Discovery Silver Corp. produced its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, setting out the Company’s current practices and priorities going forward.  Highlights based on 2020 calendar year include over CAD $1.7M in goods and services purchased from local Mexican businesses; over CAD$1.3M in salaries and benefits paid to local employees; Total workforce of 124 includes 58 employees and 66 contractors, ( Employees: 89% Mexican nationals, 11% Canadian, and Contractors: 98% Mexican nationals, 2% Canadian); Total GHG emissions of 167 tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Total water withdrawal of 36,017 m3 and total water discharged of 36,007 m3; and Zero fatalities and only 5 first-aid incidents (Cordero project, 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 picture above, a quartz hydrothermal breccia containing malachite stains in an epithermal quartz vein system in a project in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Flow Banded Rhyolite Dome

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 26th week of the year (June 28th to July 04th, 2021), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 5 news published by the media, with nine disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven announcing financial rounds, three reporting on resources and developments, three informing on exploration results, three communicating production and financial results, three commenting on Mexican issues, and two discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) authorized the expansion of the El Boleo mine in Baja California. Guanajuato Silver announced that it will restart activities at its El Cubo mine in October 2021. Mexico was the world’s leading silver producer in 2020. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Spruce announced it has contracted regional ASTER and LANDSAT spectral analysis on their Mezquite, Jackie and Diamante mining properties. In Chihuahua, Reyna Silver announced that it has started a 10,000m drilling program at its Batopilas project, and reported that a second drill rig has been added to speed up the completion of the current drilling  program conducted at its Guigui project.  ON MINING, Consolidated Zinc provided an operation update of its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Magna Gold announced it has achieved full-scale commercial production at its San Francisco mine in Sonora. Mexus Gold announced that it has sold gold doré as a result of recent production at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  ON FINANCING, Altaley restructured a USD $$26,027,240 debt with Trafigura and Nyrstar (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero). Comet issued 5M of fully paid ordinary shares (Santa Teresa property, Baja California Norte).  Defiance Silver granted stock options to certain directors and officers (San Acacio property, Zacatecas). Orla subscribed a non-brokered prospectus financing for gross proceeds of USD $35M (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas). Silver Wolf received approval from OTC Markets Group Inc. to commence trading on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol “GYRRF” (Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties in Durango). Silver Bull closed a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $500K (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila). Vista Gold received a final payment for $1M from Prime Mining to complete the agreement on the Guadalupe de Los Reyes property in Sinaloa.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Chesapeake drilled five core drill holes at its Metates project in Durango to provide core for a comprehensive metallurgical testwork program and to confirm the higher-grade nature of the Metates intrusive hosted mineralization. Prime Mining reported new results from its ongoing drill program conducted at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program conducted at its El Tigre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Capstone published its 2020 sustainability report (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas). Discovery Silver presented results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Fortuna and Roxgold completed its previously announced business combination (San Jose mine, Oaxaca). GoGold presented its first sustainability report (Los Ricos project, Jalisco). Gold79 announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Taviche project, Oaxaca). GR Silver appointed its Chairman of the Board of Directors (Plomosas project, Sinaloa).  Maverix acquired royalty portfolio from Pan American Silver, including Hernandez property in Sonora.  Sonoro presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, The company Minera Media Luna (MML), a subsidiary of Torex Gold Resources, convened the second edition of the “Enchulemos Juntos Nuestra Comunidad” (let’s improve our community together) program in the town of Nuevo Balsas, Guerrero. The Secretary of Tourism, Eduardo Yarto delivered two S stamps to Fresnillo plc, after it concluded its processes of renewal of procedures within its facilities to implement good sustainable practices.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) approved on a conditional basis the expansion of the Environmental Impact Manifestation (MIA) requested by Minera y Metalúrgica del Boleo for the exploitation of copper, cobalt and zinc in 446 hectares for 16 years in the municipality of Mulegé, in Baja California. 2,481 participants representing 89% voted In favor of the expansion.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced that it will restart activities at its El Cubo mine, Guanajuato in October 2021, which is expected to employ more than 200 miners in the capital, with priority in hiring those who were fired in the closure two years ago.
  • Mexico was the world’s leading silver producer in 2020 maintained the leadership in silver production on a global scale in 2020, with 5,541M tonnes. The Mexican mining company Fresnillo plc owned by Grupo Bal and linked to the Baillères family, is the largest company primary silver producer in the world.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced it has contracted Strategic Consultants IGIS for a regional ASTER and LANDSAT spectral analysis on their Mezquite, Jackie and Diamante mining properties in Sonora. This study will help to understand the structural and lithological controls in a regional context and provide additional detail on the mineral by mineral distribution over each of the properties. It also will help to outline alteration pattern for enhanced target definition in each of the mining properties.
  • Reyna Silver Corp., announced that it has started a 10,000m drilling program at its Batopilas project in Chihuahua. The program is focused on testing targets identified in the spring of 2021 exploration campaign, which discovered multiple extensions to the 30 known veins in the district, of which two new veins returned high-grade values up to 42,302 g/t Ag and 210.4 g/t Au. The company also announced that a second drill rig has been added to its Guigui project in the Santa Eulalia mining district in Chihuahua to extend and speed up the completion of the ongoing drilling program. The company has completed 8,000m of the 12,000m planned and this second rig will allow to speed up the completion of the entire Phase 1 drilling by the end of July, 2021. Results of the Phase 1 drilling campaign will be released soon after.

ON MINING

  • Consolidated Zinc Limited provided an operation update of its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The company announced that it processed 3,958 tonnes of ore in May, 2021 for 719 tonnes of zinc concentrates and 184 tonnes of lead concentrates at its Plomosas and Aldama plants in Chihuahua. The company intends to continue processing through both plants until ore stockpiles are depleted and the Plomosas plant sustains the targeted 4,500tpm process rate.
  • Magna Gold Corp., announced it has achieved full-scale commercial production at its San Francisco mine in Sonora. Magna is on track to achieve its earlier stated 2021 guidance of 55K-65K Oz Au production, since it has completed the necessary pre-stripping and substantially lowered the mine strip ratio from ~8:1 to ~3:1. At San Francisco, the company anticipates a production run rate of ~6K Oz Au/month in Q3 and looks to exit the year at a run rate of ~7.5K Oz Au/month.
  • Mexus Gold US announced that it has sold gold doré as a result of recent production at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The sales netted the company $24K. “The company is in the process of shipping activated carbon to the U.S. for processing. It is believed that this material contains up to 75 OZ Au.  Mexus is also adding liner to the existing heap leach pad which will allow for increased production. Material currently being mined continues to test in the 5.66g/t Au range”.

ON FINANCING

  • Altaley Mining Corporation restructured a USD $26,027,240 debt with Trafigura Mexico S.A. de C.V., and Nyrstar Canada (Holdings) Ltd.  Terms of the total debt restructured was USD $14,720,840 on the Tahuehueto project in Durango for a term of 32 months, an London interbank offered interest rate (LIBOR) of 6% (1 year), and a grace period of 8 months; USD $4,024,678 on the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero for a term of 26 months, a LIBOR of 5% (3 months), and a grace period of 8 months; and USD $7,281,722 on the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero for a term of 26 months and a LIBOR of 10%.
  • Comet Resources Ltd., issued 5M of fully paid ordinary shares upon the exercise of unlisted options exercisable at $0.02 each on or before 30 June 2021.  (Santa Teresa property, Baja California Norte).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., granted stock options to certain directors and officers to purchase an aggregate of 1.425M of common shares at an exercise price of $0.90. The options are exercisable for a ten-year term expiring June 30, 2031 (San Acacio property, Zacatecas).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., subscribed a non-brokered prospectus financing for gross proceeds of USD $35M, consisting of 9,085,263 common shares priced at CAD $4.75 per common share. Part of the net proceeds will be used for development activities at its Camino Rojo Oxide Gold project in Zacatecas. The offering is expected to close on or about July 14, 2021.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., received approval from OTC Markets Group Inc. to commence trading on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol “GYRRF” (Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties in Durango).
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc., closed a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $500K. Net proceeds of the private placement will be used by Silver Bull for general working capital purposes   (Sierra Mojada project, Coahuila).
  • Vista Gold Corp., received a final payment for $1M from Prime Mining Corp. to complete the agreement on the Guadalupe de Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. With this $1.0M payment, Vista has no remaining right to be granted the royalties and back-in rights.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., drilled five core drill holes at its Metates project in Durango to provide core for a comprehensive metallurgical testwork program and to confirm the higher-grade nature of the Metates intrusive hosted mineralization. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole CKG21-086 with 1.15 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag (1.80 g/t AuEq or 135 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 432m, including 1.21 g(t Au and 417 g/t Ag (6.77 g/t AuEq or 508 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 9m, including 2.49 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag (2.78 g/t AuEq or 20+9 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 69m, and including 2.13 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (2.25 g/t AuEq or 170 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 57m; hole CKG21-085 with 1.13 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag (1.53 g/t AuEq or 114 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 282m, including 1.34 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag (1.76 g/t AuEq or 132 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 150m; and hole CKG21-084 with 1.06 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag (1.29 g/t AuEq or 97 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 135m, plus 0.86 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag (1.01 g/t AuEq or 75 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 90m.
  • Prime Mining Corp., reported new results from its ongoing drill program conducted at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. The most significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole 21Mina-02 with 4.44 g/t Au and 1,060 g/t Ag over an estimated true width (ETW) of 4.8m, including 6.62 g/t Au and 1,398 g/t Ag over an ETW of 2m, including 6.3 g/t Au and 1,881 g/t Ag over an ETW of 1.2m; hole 21Mina-05 with 3,243 g/t Ag over an ETW of 0.74m, plus 1.45 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag over an ETW of 1.85m; and hole 21Mina-06 with 1.72 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over an ETW of 3.20m.  These results are from six holes completed at Mina Area during phase I drilling. To date, 15,000m Phase I is complete and the 30,000m Phase 2 program has been started.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program conducted on the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlights include hole ET21-233 with 0.13 g/t Au, 491 g/t Ag, 0.08% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (510 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus  0.25 g/t Au, 2,041 g/t Ag, 0.65% Cu, 1.2% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (2,271 g/t AgEq), including 4,048 g/t Ag, 0.45 g/t Au, 1.31% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 7.3% Zn (4,461 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET21-230 with 0.15 g/t Au, 704 g/t Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.05% Zn (731 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus 0.12 g/t Au, 193 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.15 % Zn (217 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 0.2 g/t Au, 1,080 g/t Ag, 0.55% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.75% Zn (1,176 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus 0.28 g/t Au, 199 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (241 g/t AgEq) over 0.5, plus 0.41 g/t Au, 161 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.2% Pn, and 0.4% Zn (214 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole ET21-229 with 0.13 g/t Au, 63 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (165 g/t AgEq) over 13.5m, including 0.11 g/t Au, 83 g/t Ag, 0.27% Cu, 1% Pb, and 2% Zn (209 g/t AgEq) over 9.9m, including 0.21 g/t Au, 114 g/t Ag, 0.38% Cu, 3.7% Pb, and 8.7% Zn (542 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Capstone Mining Corp., published its 2020 sustainability report.  (Cozamine mine, Zacatecas)
  • Discovery Silver Corp. presented results of voting at its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., and Roxgold Inc., completed its previously announced business combination to create a global premier growth-oriented intermediate gold and silver producer (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented its first sustainability report that sets out the company’s priorities with respect to its environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices (Los Ricos project, Jalisco).
  • Gold79 Mines Ltd., announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Taviche project, Oaxaca).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., appointed its Chairman of the Board of Directors (Plomosas project, Sinaloa).
  • Maverix Metals Inc., acquired royalty portfolio from Pan American Silver, including Hernandez property in Sonora. The Hernandez property, currently on exploration, is owned by First Majestic and includes a 2.5% NSR.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., presented results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Cerro Caliche project, Sonora). 

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Media Luna (MML), a subsidiary of Torex Gold Resources, convened the second edition of the “Enchulemos Juntos Nuestra Comunidad” (let’s improve our community together) program in the town of Nuevo Balsas, Guerrero. During the cleaning day, about 300 people participated, including contractors, residents and collaborators of the mining company, remodeling four public spaces: the vehicular roundabout on Gerardo Reyes Norte Street, the camellones on that same street, the sports area in the southern part and the perimeter fencing of the downtown court. The investment of the work done amounted to MXP $1.3M. Members of the Public and Community Relations areas of MML, the collaborators of 11 contractor companies, members of the Participatory Community Development Committee (CODECOP) and residents of Nuevo Balsas cleaned and reforested green areas, painted fences and garrisons, and assisted in various activities that together aim to maintain the program to improve public spaces that the mining company began last year. The effort achieved the painting of 2,300 meters of trimmings, the planting of 90 trees, the collection of five tons of garbage, and the painting of 300 square meters of fences.
  • The Secretary of Tourism in Zacatecas, Eduardo Yarto delivered two S stamps to Fresnillo plc, after it concluded its processes of renewal of procedures within its facilities to implement good sustainable practices. The Secretary underlined the disposition of Fresnillo plc, with the renewal of the certification for the golf course and the ecological park Fresnillo PLC, to offer quality services to users.

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 flow banded rhyolite dome intruding a clay-altered rhyolitic ignimbrite sequence in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Rich-silver banded quartz vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 20th week of the year (May 17th to May 23th, 2021), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 7 news published by the media, with nine reporting on resources and development, six informing on exploration results, five disclosing deals and corporate issues, five commenting on Mexican issues, five announcing financial rounds, three communicating production results, and two discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) thanked the President of Mexico for his comments on the insecurity registered in Sonora. Maria Luisa Albores, Head of the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), travel to Santa Rosalia to meets with businessmen and workers from El Boleo mining company. Plenary of the Guerrero State Congress approved recently the creation of the Mining Commission. Maria Luisa Albores, Head of the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) made a series of unfortunate statements against the Mexican mining industry.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan received permit for trenching and drilling at its the El Pilar project, Silver Spruce, JV partner of Colibri Resources on Jackie project, discovered a new high-grade exploration target in the property, Ridgestone completed another phase of exploration at its Rebeico project, and Minaurum provided an exploration update on their Alamos and Aurifero projects. In Sinaloa, Vizsla presented results from ten holes drilled on Tajitos Vein at its Panuco project. In Oaxaca, Minaurum provided an update on their Santa Marta and Aurena projects.  ON MINING, Consolidated Zinc provided an update of its Plomosas plant in Chihuahua. Minera Alamos announced that it has successfully executed the first planned production blasts at its Santana project in Sonora. Mag Silver presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Canasil closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $790K (La Esperanza project, Zacatecas). Defiance announced a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $7.2M (San Acacio project, Zacatecas). Sonoro granted, under its share option plan, incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants to purchase an aggregate of 2M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora). Telson granted incentive stock options to newly appointed directors totaling 2M (Campo Morado, Guerrero). Southern Silver announced that its common shares have commenced to trade on the OTCQX (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silvertone announced the appointment of a mining contractor and commences to access underground workings at its La Frazada mining property in Nayarit. Azucar Minerals recommenced drilling at its El Cobre property in Veracruz. Capitan Mining released results from eight RC drill holes from its 2021 program on the Capitan gold zone in Durango. Endeavour announced drill results from its Bolañitos property in Guanajuato. GoGold presented results from eight drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Orex contracted SRK Consulting to conduct a resource estimation study on its Coneto property in Durango. Tarachi Gold completed a tailings drilling program at its Magistral project in Durango. Silver Tiger released drill results from its El Tigre project in Sonora.  Sailfish presented an updated mineral resource estimate on its Gavilanes property in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES; Fabled announced proposed spinout of its copper assets into Fabled Copper Corp (Santa Maria property, Chihuahua). Chesapeake announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Metates property, Durango). Comet Resources executed a binding agreement to acquire 100% interest in the La Sorpresa III tenement (Santa Teresa property, Baja California). Xali signed a new exploration and production agreement on El Dorado property in Nayarit. Riverside announced that it has recovered from Hochschild the Los Cuarentas project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera San Xavier (New Gold) and the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí, announced the reopening of the temple of San Pedro Apóstol in Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosi. The Mining Cluster of Sonora AC announced that it will promote a comprehensive safety and work-family balance in mining.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) thanked the President of Mexico for his comments on the insecurity registered in Sonora. Two years ago, Minera Penmont denounced before state authorities the commission of various crimes, including the invasion of their property, perpetrated by a criminal group that claims to be part of the ejido. This group has absolutely no legal arguments and intends to take over the private property of the company to carry out mining exploitation actions outside the law, without the concession required for it, nor the corresponding environmental permits, using dangerous and controlled materials, directly affecting the Mexican State, the environment, the company and maintaining its criminal acts in the region.
  • Maria Luisa Albores, Head of the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), traveled to Santa Rosalia to meets with businessmen and workers from El Boleo mining company.  She was entrusted with a consultation to find out the opinion of the population about the expansion of the environmental impact statement (MIA). Minera Boleo requested to expand the area of extraction, processing and shipment of copper minerals.
  • Plenary of the Guerrero State Congress approved recently the creation of the Mining Commission.  The president of the Political Coordination Board (Jucopo) of the local Congress, Alfredo Sánchez Esquivel pointed out that there is a real problem in the case of mining companies and the environment, for which the creation of this Commission was necessary. For his part, the state secretary of Promotion and Economic Development, Álvaro Burgos Barrera, considered the incorporation of a legislative commission to monitor the mining sector as highly relevant. He reported that in the current state administration headed by Héctor Astudillo Flores, governance allowed mining companies to invest approximately USD $2B in Guerrero.
  • Maria Luisa Albores, Head of the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) made a series of unfortunate statements against the Mexican mining industry. She assured that the country’s mining activity has caused strong environmental effects, monopolizing water and causing social inequality. Her statements are full of biased and wrong information and caused immediately the strong reaction of different actors of the mining sector. Specialists of the sector declared that the view of the federal government has on mining is wrong. CAMIMEX has indicated that of the total water consumption in Mexico, 77% is used by agriculture; 14% is for public use; 5% to generate energy and 4% for industrial use and of the latter only 0.9% corresponds to milling. CAMIMEX also stated that 74% of the water used by this industry is recycled and, of that amount, 55% is continuously reused. In addition, the mining sector has 70 sewage treatment plants in the communities where it operates. There are dams that capture rainwater, which is given to the municipality, piped and sent to homes, when it is necessary. A large percentage of companies carry out social and human rights proceedings. They generate social and environmental programs. In 2019, mining companies allocated MXP $7,450M to actions in favor of the environment and MXP $1,756M to community development, in addition to the MXP $3,496M that were paid to the Mining Fund. Many companies have the largest plant nurseries in the country and have large animal rescue zoos that are delivered to the State. Mining is one of the industries that produces and plants the most trees, 6.6M million trees produced in the nurseries of mining companies; 2.93 million trees planted reforesting an area of more than 3,000 hectares in 2019. The Mexican mining industry is over-regulated and has to comply with seven environmental permits in the stage of exploration and nineteen environmental permits throughout the life of a mine. For the reasons stated above, the mining sector rejects the indications that point to that its activity does not respect the norms of protection of the environment and that it does not generate social welfare for the neighboring communities. That is why the sector unlocks the doors to the authorities with an open invitation to visit the operations and verify for themselves these realities of the mining sector and reliably inform the population.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., received permit for additional seven trenches and forty four drill pads at its the El Pilar project in Sonora. The additional drill pads will be used during the current program and during a phase III program planned for the fall of 2021.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., JV partner of Colibri Resources Corp on Jackie project, discovered a new high-grade exploration target in the property. Silver Spruce discovered a high quality, broadly-zoned geochemical anomaly with multiple mineralized surface rock samples with >0.1 g/t Au and anomalous to highly anomalous base metal and pathfinders element values, ranging up to 9.65 g/t Au and 515 g/t Ag. The target is characterized by an extensive and intense oxide and silicate alteration, which consists of bleached and oxidized argillic zones with anomalous clay minerals and muscovite. Silver Spruce plans to conduct a grid sampling and mapping around this exploration target.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., completed another phase of exploration at its Rebeico project, which consisted of geologic mapping, prospecting and sampling around the past producing El Cobre mine. A total of 93 samples were collected and assays are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an exploration update on their Alamos and Aurifero projects in Sonora, and Santa Marta and Aurena projects in Oaxaca.  At Alamos project, the company is planning to resume the phase II of its drilling program shortly, has completed a total of 30,000 m of drilling and discovered 26 separate vein zones. Minaurum is focused on systematically expanding silver shoots discovered in Phase I as well as continuing with aggressive exploration drilling focusing on new discoveries at unmined veins. At Aurifero project, the company has completed compilation of historical exploration data at Aurifero and has re-logged some of the available drill core from the project.  Minaurum will design a drill program and apply for necessary permits in the second half of 2021.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., presented results from ten holes drilled on Tajitos Vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The most significant drill intersection was encountered in hole NP-21-29 with 1.56 g/t Au and 391 g/t Ag (513 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 7.76m, including 3.60 g/t Au and 1,157 g/t Ag (1,423 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.22m. Vizsla has drilled 32 holes at Tajitos Vein, showing an average weighted grade of 2.1 g/t Au and 329 g/t Ag (505 g/t AgEq) over an average vein TW of 3.08m. Mineralization extends over 575 metres in length, 250 metres deep and remains open to the northeast, southwest and at depth.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., provided an update on their Santa Marta and Aurena projects in Oaxaca. At Santa Marta project, the company has acquired regional mapping and sampling data indicate the likely presence of additional nearby VMS exploration targets that lie within Minaurum’s property holdings.  Minaurum has designed an initial drill program and submitted a drill permit for environmental approval. At Aurena project, it intends to continue holding and ultimately conducting a Phase II drill program, most efficiently in conjunction with an initial drill program at the nearby Santa Marta project.

ON MINING

  • Consolidated Zinc Limited provided an update of its Plomosas plant in Chihuahua. The Plomosas pant had its first continuous run performing at or better than designed operating capacity. The company also announced that the expansion of Plomosas plant from 100tpd to 200tpd is expected to be completed in Q4, 2021.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., announced that it has successfully executed the first planned production blasts at its Santana project in Sonora. After this, Minera Alamos has already begun on subsequent blasting as the Nicho Norte pit is opened up. This first material will be used to test the leaching circuit and commission the carbon plant prior to continuous loading of the heap leach pad as the Company takes a prudent approach to ramping up operations at Santana throughout the remainder of 2021 ahead of more steady state operation in 2022 and beyond.
  • Mag Silver Corp., presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. The company processed 36,395 tonnes through the Fresnillo plant with 458 g/t Ag to produce 431.2K Oz Ag, 631 Oz Au, 306.9K Lb Pb, and 445.8K Lb Zn. Mag reported net sales of USD $10.1M, gross profit of USD $8.2M, net income before tax of USD $6.75M, net income after tax of USD $1.44M, resulting in a MAG equity pick up (44%) of USD $632K. The company also reported a CAPEX of USD $440K, and a cash and cash equivalent of USD $92.8K.

ON FINANCING

  • Canasil Resources Inc., closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $790K. Gross proceeds will be used to fund continued drill programs on their projects in Durango and Zacatecas, and for working capital purposes (La Esperanza project, Zacatecas).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., announced a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $7.2M. Net proceeds will be used for exploration of their projects as well as for general working capital purposes (San Acacio project, Zacatecas).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., granted, under its share option plan, incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants to purchase an aggregate of 2M at a price of $0.3 per common share (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Telson Mining Corporation granted incentive stock options to newly appointed directors totaling 2M. The options will be exercisable at a price of $0.45 per share for a period of five years (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced that its common shares have commenced to trade on the OTCQX under the ticker symbol SSVFF (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silvertone Metals Corp., announced the appointment of a mining contractor and commences to access underground workings at its La Frazada mining property in Nayarit. Over 3km of underground workings has been identified as being potentially accessible, work has commenced to clean and making safe adits and drifts which will be geologically mapped and systematically channel sampled. “Gaining access to the underground working, will give valuable geological information and help to confirm historical measured & indicated resource of 4.7M Oz Ag and Inferred resource of 3.86M Oz Ag. The information gained from underground will also assist in targeting diamond drilling to test for extensions of the mineralization.”
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., recommenced drilling at its El Cobre property in Veracruz. The focus for the current drill program in 2021 will be in the Pedregal, Villa Rica, and Encinal Zones of the property. Initially one hole is planned for each area.
  • Capitan Mining Inc., released results from eight RC drill holes from its 2021 program on the Capitan gold zone in Durango. The most significant drill interception  was encountered in hole 21-CARC-24 which returned 0.34 g/t Au over 42.7m, including 0.56 g(/t Au over 10.7m. These last eight holes drilled at the property, completed the previously announced 6,000m drilling program, which consisted of 28 RC holes. All of the RC holes encountered dominantly oxide gold mineralization. “To date, the Capitan gold zone has been traced for over 1.2km long and up to 450m down-dip and remains open in all directions except to the north.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., announced drill results from its 2021 drilling program at its Bolañitos property in Guanajuato. The drilling program is focused on expanding the Melladito and Belen orebodies. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole BN-64 collared on the Melladito HW vein which returned 8.09 g/t Au and 1,044 g/t Ag (1,611 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1m, including 14.2 g/t Au and 1,974 g/t Ag (2,966 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.26m; and hole BL1.5S-4 collared on the Belen HW vein which returned 4.43 g/t Au and 148 g/t Ag (458 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.34m, including 13.22 g/t Au and 129 g/t Ag (1,054 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m. The company is currently producing from four orebodies at Bolañitos: Plateros, Lucero, San Miguel and Melladito.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented results from eight drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. The most significant drill intersections were encountered at El Orito area in holes LRGO-21-020 with 2.02 g/t Au, 168 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (331 g/t AgEq) over 11.8m, including 11.63 g/t Au, 832 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,729 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m; and hole LRGO-21-027 with 0.1 g/t Au, 57 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 2.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (145 g/t AgEq) over 53.4m, including 0.06g/t Au, 150 g/t Ag, 0.47% Cu, 7.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (376 g/t AgEq) over 4.2m, plus another deeper interval of  0.04 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (72 g/t AgEq). The holes that the company has drilled to date at El Orito have shown mineralization averaging 30m in width over 700m in strike length and 200m in vertical depth from surface, and is open in all directions.
  • Orex Minerals Inc., Gold contracted SRK Consulting to conduct a Resource Estimation Study on its Coneto property in Durango. The database for Coneto includes 106 diamond drill holes totaling 38,516 metres on 12 vein targets. In addition to this study, a separate Metallurgical Study will be performed on each of the mineralized lodes.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., completed 37 drill holes at depths ranging from 1.3 to 14.5m using an auger drill and 70cm-long Shelby sample capture tubes at its Magistral Tailings project in Durango. The drilling program was part of the resource estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) being prepared by Ausenco Engineering. The drill samples will be assayed and representative composites prepared as part of the metallurgical test work being overseen by Ausenco Engineering.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released drill results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. Hole ET-21-208A collared on the Benjamin Vein intersected 0.06 g/t Au, 382 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (463 g/t AgEq) over 14.8m, including 0.06 g/t Au, 615 g/t Ag, 0.27% Cu, 1.2% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (735 g/t AgEq) over 8.8m, including 0.13 g/t Au, 2,451 g/t Ag, 1.12% Cu, 4.4% Pb, and 9.5% Zn ( 3,000 g/t AgEq)  over 1.3m. Hole ET 21-221 collared on the Sooy Vein intersected 4.22 g/t Au, 466 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (799 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.35 g/t Au, 80 g/t Ag,  0.02% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (129 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, and plus 0.2 g/t Au, 197 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (222 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp., presented an updated mineral resource estimate on its Gavilanes property in Durango. The estimated underground inferred resources using a cutoff of 100 g/t AgEq,  are 2,883,000 tonnes of 207 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 0.4% Zn to contain 27.15M Lb Zn. 18.9M Oz Ag, 13.7K Oz Au, 7.77M Lb Cu, 37.9M Lb Pb, and 27.2M Lb Zn.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced proposed spinout of its copper assets into Fabled Copper Corp. Fabled will continue to focus on advancing its drill program on the Santa Maria silver property in Chihuahua.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Metates property, Durango).
  • Comet Resources Limited executed a binding agreement with American International Ventures Inc (AIVN) to acquire 100% interest in the La Sorpresa III tenement to extend its Santa Teresa project in Baja California. La Sorpresa is interpreted as the extension of the existence JORC resource at Santa Teresa. Comet has the right to acquire 51% through acquiring 51% of the shares of a newly established Mexican Company (NewCo) in consideration for Comet paying AIVN a total of AUD $600K to be satisfied by issuing AUD $400K in Comet shares and paying AUD $200K in cash at first completion. To obtain the remainder 49% interest, Comet will have to pay AUD $500K to be satisfied by issuing AUD $300K in Comet shares and paying AUD $200K in cash at second completion. In addition to the above, NewCo has to grant to AIVN a 1.5% NSR.
  • Xali Gold Corp., signed a new exploration and production agreement with Ingenieros Mineros, S.A. de C.V. (IMSA) on El Dorado property in Nayarit. Xali has the obligation to pay IMSA USD $30K per year until the commencement of commercial production, maximum of five years; USD $60K per year after five years or upon commencement of production. Once in production, Xali will pay a NSR of 3.5% until payments reach an aggregate amount of USD $350K of which USD $200K is payable in cash and USD $150K in Xali shares; 3% NSR to an aggregate of USD $600K; 2.5% NSR to an aggregate of USD $850K; and 1% NSR through the life of mine/operations. All annual payments are to be credited towards NSR payments.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., announced that it has recovered from Hochschild Mining the Los Cuarentas project in Sonora. Hochschild terminated the earn-in option after spending approximately USD $1.2M, including a 1,500m drilling program in nine holes. Riverside believes there are still untested seven targets with discovery potential.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera San Xavier (New Gold) and the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí, announced the reopening of the temple of san Pedro Apóstol in Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosi. The conservation of the cultural and historical heritage of the place is one of the priorities of the Comprehensive, Inclusive and Participatory Plan for the Closure of Mina, which is why, from the beginning of the extractive activity, implemented a periodic program of topographic measurements to monitor the structural behavior of the building. All the works were coordinated with the Cerro de San Pedro City Council, the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí and under the strict supervision of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
  • The Mining Cluster of Sonora AC announced that it will promote a comprehensive safety and work-family balance in mining. Mining is recognized for working with the highest safety standards and is even below the national average in accident rate according to data from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX). Mining is an industry that is always in constant training and promotes strategies to generate healthy work environments.

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, rich-silver banded quartz vein in an intermediate –sulphidation epithermal system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Quartz vein displaying boiling texture.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 18th week of the year (May 3th to May 9th, 2021), at least 39 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten communicating production results, ten disclosing deals and corporate issues, eight informing on exploration results, six reporting on resources and development, and five announcing financial rounds.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Benjamin Hill Mining released additional sampling results from its Benjamin Hill property, Tocvan and its partner Colibri reported results of preliminary metallurgical testing from the El Pilar project, Tarachi presented drilling results from three holes collared at its La Dura mine, and Silver Spruce engaged Eagle Mapping to run a LiDAR survey at its Diamante project . In Chihuahua, Kootenay presented results from six holes drilled at its Columba project.  In Sinaloa, Brigadier announced drilling and rock sampling results from its Picachos property. In Durango, Mithril reported that it continues intersecting high-grade mineralization at El Refugio zone, within its Copalquin project.  ON MINING, Argonaut reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. Equinox announced consolidated Q1, 2021 production and financial results from all their mine operations, including Los Filos and Mercedes mines in Guerrero and Sonora states respectively. Golden Minerals reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. First Majestic released Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. Gatos Silver announced Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Great Panther presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Topia and Guanajuato mines. McEwen reported the production of 1,300 Oz AuEq (GEOs) from residual leaching at El Gallo mine in Sinaloa during the first quarter of 2021. Mexus announced a successful blast at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora to produce approximately 10-15K tonnes of mineralized material. Santacruz reported consolidated 2020 full year production and financial results from its Mexican operations.  Sierra Metals announced Q1, 2021 production results from its Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Advance Gold granted stock options to its Directors, key employees, and consultants entitling them to purchase, in total, up to 1.8M options over a five year term (Tabasquena project, Zacatecas). Capitan Mining closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $3.2M (Peñoles property, Durango). GoGold closed a bought deal offering of 10M common shares for gross proceeds of CAD $25M (Los Ricos property, Jalisco). Heliostar closed a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $5.6M (Cumaro project, Sonora). Telson informed that it has received the initial USD $2M proceeds from the total USD $5M silver stream agreement with Empress Royalty (Tahuehueto project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Endeavour intersected high-grade silver-gold mineralization at the Guanacevi mine in Durango. Zacatecas Silver announced it will commence a 10,000m drilling program at its Panuco silver project in Zacatecas, once it received the final drill permit. Golden Tag identified mineralized skarn shoots 265m above the current Fernandez Zone resource envelope at its San Diego property in Durango. GR Silver reported results from its ongoing drilling program at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. VanGold provided initial results from its ongoing diamond drill program at its El Pinguico project in Guanajuato. Silver Viper released a maiden Au-Ag mineral resource estimate at its la Virginia project in Sonora.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Advance Gold appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas). Equinox announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Great Panther announced the nomination of two new directors for election to its Board of Directors at its annual general meeting to be held on June 9, 2021 (Topia mine, Durango).  One World Lithium announced the engagement of an European consultant that may include individual introduction and corporate presentations (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Colibri signed a definitive deal with Silver Spruce on Diamante Gold and Silver project in Sonora.   GR Silver made the final option payment to SSR Mining to close the acquisition of 100% interest of San Marcial Silver project in Sinaloa. Magna Gold announced that it has made the final payment for the acquisition of its San Francisco mine in Sonora. Oroco entered into an agreement to increase its interest on Santo Tomas property in Sinaloa. Orogen provided an update about the royalty on the Ermitaño property in Sonora. Chinas’ Ganfeng Lithium said it has offered to buy the shares it does not already own in Mexico-focused Bacanora Lithium for up to 190M pounds (USD $264.5M).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., released additional sampling results from its Benjamin Hill property, in Sonora state, which comprises Sonora Gold and Sonora Copper concessions. A total of 447 chip/channel samples were collected during March and April, 2021 returning encouraging results with multiple samples ranging from 4 to 8 g/t Au, with a peak of 31.4 g/t Au.  The company has extended the mineralized structure for over 500m to the north-west, increasing the length of the mineralized structure now to 2,400m. “Fifty-nine samples returned gold values over 2 g/t Au with eight samples ranging from 7.5 g/t Au to 31.4 g/t Au. Nine samples taken from the Caracahui vein returned copper values over 1.0% with three samples above 2% and the best sample returning an impressive 8.3% Cu”. Geologists were also able to identify a large area of disseminated gold ranging from 350m to 600m in width. The company is planning to commence a drill testing program. It has already applied for drill permits and expects to receive permits within the next several weeks.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its partner Colibri Resource Corporation reported results of preliminary metallurgical testing from the El Pilar project in Sonora, which includes Au recoveries of 91.6% and 90.6% at a retention time of 48 hours from two composite samples collected from drill hole JES-20-32.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., presented drilling results from three underground holes collared at its La Dura mine in Sonora. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole JAB-21-009 with 6.91 g/t Au over 63.4m, including 17.42 g/t Au over 9.3m, plus another interval with 17.37 g/t Au over 13.9m, including 33.66 g/t Au over 5.6m; and hole JAB-21-10 with 1.79 g/t Au over 42m. These drill results confirm the continuation of gold mineralization down-dip towards the east. “Based on the drilling and mapping done to date, gold is hosted in a 10-20m thick panel of heavily silicified rhyodacite striking roughly north-south, dipping to the east at an approximate angle of 30 and plunging to the south at 25°”.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., engaged Eagle Mapping to run a LiDAR survey at its Diamante project in Sonora. “The LiDAR mapping over the property will provide another value-added 3D element to complement the geological and structural mapping, and enhance the topographic control for the Phase 1 drilling program”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., presented results from six holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole CDH-21-90 with 503 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 1.2m, including 889 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 0.55m, and 185 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 3.94m, including 245 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 2.4m, including 365 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 0.6m; hole CDH-21-89 with 285 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.8% Zn over 6.9m, including 439 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.5% Zn over 0.27m, including 533 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn over 0.65m, and other interval of 233 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 4m, including 411 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.05% Zn over 1m; and hole CDH-21-87 with 200 g/t Ag over 4m, including 559 g/t Ag over 1.09m.
  • Brigadier Gold Limited, announced drilling and rock sampling results from its Picachos property located in Sinaloa. Hole DH-BGR-043 encountered 0.52 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag, and 0.07% Cu over 14.5m, including 7.63 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.26% Cu over 0.5m. Brigadier has completed 4,538m in 43 holes to date. On the other hand, Brigadier continues mapping and sampling prospects and workings in the entire property. Encouraging results were obtained from El Placer Norte with samples returning 12.79 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over 1m wide, and 38.88 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over 0.5m. At El Cobre area, located about 650m NW of El Placer Norte area, the rock sampling returned 57 g/t Ag, 2.12% Cu, and 0.12% Pb over a width of 1.7m from the El Cobre Vein; 108 g/t Ag, 3.2% Cu, and 0.5% Pb over a width of 0.5m from El Herrero Vein; and 148 g/t Ag, 0.33% Cu, and 0.26% Pb over a width of 0.7m from the Calzada Vein.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., reported that it continues intersecting high-grade mineralization at El Refugio zone, within its Copalquin project.  Highlights include hole CDH-63 with  5.32 g/t Au, 105 g/t Ag over 8m, including 29.9 g/t Au and 273 g/t Ag over 1.09m; hole CDH-62 with 4.12 g/t Au and 107 g/t Ag over 4.82m, including 7.94 g/t Au and 211 g/t Ag over 1.6m, plus 4.68 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over 2.1m, plus 0.48 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over 3.1m; and hole CDH-61 with 0.95 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag over 7.75m, plus 0.95 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 0.95m, plus 1.44 g/t Au and 76 g/t Ag over 15.77m. The drill results extended the high-grade mineralization 80m down dip and 180m further to the west and up to further 75m down dip. El Refugio continues to grow as a large high-grade Au-Ag target.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. At El Castillo Complex in Durango The company milled 5,274,000 tons of 0.28 g/t Au to produce 29,243 Oz Au and 164,226 Oz Ag (31,175 AuEq Oz (GEOs)). Argonaut reduced the cash cost per Oz Au sold to USD $916. At La Colorada in Sonora , Argonaut mined 1,227,000 tonnes of 0.54 g/t Au to produce 15,894 Oz Au and 52,912 Oz Ag (16,516 GEOs). It reduced the cash cost per Oz Au sold to USD $765. The company also announced the discovery of  high-grade gold veins below  the El Crestón open pit which returned 44.6 g/t Au and 275 g/t Ag over 21.3m, including 98.9 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over 12.2m.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced consolidated Q1, 2021 production and financial results from all their mine operations, including Los Filos and Mercedes mines in Guerrero and Sonora states respectively. The company produced 129,233 Oz Au and sold 128,555 Oz Au at cash and AISC of USD $1,141 and USD $1,482 per Oz Au respectively. The company reported revenues of USD $229.7M, net income of USD $50.3M, adjusted EBITDA of USD $60.5M, cash and cash equivalents of USD $317.5M, net debt of USD $2290.8M, and operating cash flow before changes in non-cash working capital of USD $62M. Equinox also provided a 2021 production guidance of 600K to 665K Oz Au, of which 170K-190K will be produced at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero and 30K to 35K Oz Au, will be produced at its Mercedes mine in Sonora.
  • Golden Minerals Company reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. It produced 1,559 Oz AuEq in doré and sold 1,054 Oz AuEq. Golden reported revenue of USD $1.8M, cost of metals sold of USD $1.5M, and net operating margin of USD $0.2M.The company also reported cash and cash equivalents balance of USD $ 8M as of March 31, 2021, and a net loss of USD $3.2M.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., released Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Mexican mine operations. The table below shows figures by mine:

First Majestic reported revenues of USD $100.5M, mine operating earnings of USD $28.1M, net earnings of USD $1.9M, and a strong working capital of USD $232.8M, including USD $65M of undrawn revolving credit facility.

  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. Gatos mined 209,832 tonnes to produce 6,312 tonnes of Pb concentrates with grades of 6,314 g/t Ag, 5.6 g/t Au, 54.8% Pb, and 12.9% Zn, and 7,036 tonnes of Zn concentrate of 757 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, and 55.2% Zn, to recover 1.5M Oz Ag, 1.1K Oz Au, 7.6M Lb Pb, and 8.6M Lb Zn, at an AISC cost, net of by-product credits of $19.76 per Oz Ag, which includes approximately $2.50 per Oz Ag related to non-recurring costs attributed to COVID-19 and lower produced ounces related to the power outage experienced earlier in the year. Gatos reported sales for $46.3M, operating expenses of $35.5M, other expenses of $3.9M, and net income of $6.9M.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Topia and Guanajuato mines. At Guanajuato mine complex, Guanajuato, it mined 40,321 tonnes and milled 39,665 tonnes of 124 g/t Ag and 1.53 g/t Au to produce 135,737 Oz Ag and 1,689 Oz Au (279,306 Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $22.57 and $33.42 per payable Oz Ag respectively. At Topia, Durango,  the company  mined 16,654 tonnes and milled 19,004 tonnes of 398 g/t Ag, 0.87 g/t Au, 2.93% Pb, and 3.6% Zn to produce 224,333 Oz Ag, 293 Oz Au, 1.18M Lb Pb, and 1.39M Lb Zn (363,318 Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of $15.88 and $18.71 per payable Oz Ag respectively.
  • McEwen Mining Inc., reported the production of 1,300 Oz AuEq (GEOs) from residual leaching at El Gallo mine in Sinaloa during the first quarter of 2021.  Operations were disrupted for three weeks by a blockade of the mine entrance by members of the local community, which has been resolved.
  • Mexus Gold US announced a successful blast in the Quartz 2 vein area at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora to produce approximately 10-15K tonnes of mineralized material. The company believes this material will show between 2 to 4 g/t Au average.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining ltd., reported consolidated 2020 full year production and financial results from its Mexican operations. The company processed 201,585 tonnes to produce 1M Oz AgEq at cash and AISC of $23.04 and $24.41 per Oz AgEq respectively. The company sold 662.5K Oz AgEq. The company recorded revenues of $33,097 and a net loss of $1,493.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q1, 2021 production results from its Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, the company processed 371,608 tonnes of 0.19 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, and 0.77% Cu to produce 1,591 Oz Au, 197K Oz Ag, and 5.2M Lb Cu 7.28M Lb CuEq), at a cash and AISC of USD $1.58 and USD $2.91 per Lb CuEq respectively. At Cusi mine, Sierra Metals processed 76,602 tonnes of 0.16 g/t Au, 157 g/t Ag, and 0.2% Pb to produce 155 Oz Au, 313K Oz Ag, and 268K Lb Pb (334K Oz AgEq), at cash and AISC of USD $18.72 and USD $30.28 per Oz AgEq respectively.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp., granted stock options to its Directors, key employees, and consultants entitling them to purchase, in total, up to 1.8M options over a five year term expiring May 2025 at an exercise price of $0.08 per share.  (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $3.2M. Gross proceeds will be used to advance exploration and corporate development activities at its Peñoles property in Durango.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., closed a bought deal offering of 10M common shares at a price of CAD $2.50 per common share for gross proceeds of CAD $25M. Underwriters of the offering exercised their overallotment option in full for an additional 1.5M common shares for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $3.75M.  The net proceeds of the offering will be used to support the continued advancement of the Company’s Los Ricos North and South projects in Jalisco and for general corporate purposes.
  • Heliostar Metals Limited closed a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $5.6M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to advance Cumaro, Lola and Oso Negro projects in Sonora, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. 
  • Telson Mining Corporation informed that it has received the initial USD $2M proceeds from the total USD $5M silver stream agreement with Empress Royalty for its Tahuehueto project in Durango. The stream is part of a USD $25M full financing solution being provided by Empress, Accendo Bank and Endeavour Financial.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., intersected high-grade silver-gold mineralization to expand the El Curso orebody at its Guanacevi mine in Durango. Significant drill interceptions were encountered in hole UCM-48 with 3.27 g/t Au and   2,753 g/t Ag (2,982 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.1m, including 0.6 g/t Au and 18,752 g/t Ag (18,794 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m; and hole UCM-50 with 4.29 g/t Au and 3,464 g/t Ag (3,764 g/t AgEq)  over a TW of 2.6m, including 25.7 g/t Au and 19,390 g/t Ag (21,189 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.3m. The Company is currently producing from three orebodies at Guanacevi: Milache, El Curso and SCS.  Exploration drilling is ongoing at El Curso and SCS.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., announced it will commence a 10,000m drilling program at its Panuco silver project in Zacatecas, once it received the final drill permit. The plan is to start drilling at its Panuco silver deposit and San Gill Breccia Zone by securing an access agreement with the Ejido “Panuco”. The Panuco Silver Deposit has an historic inferred mineral resource of 19,472,901 Oz AgEq (cut-off 100 g/t AgEq) from 3,954,729 tonnes at 153.2 g/t AgEq (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012% Pb, and 0.11% Zn). “San Gill Breccia Zone has a strike length of approximately 800m, is up to 40 m wide, and is most likely vertical.  The north-south orientation of the breccia is highly significant as gold-rich epithermal veins within the district are generally oriented north-south”.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., identified mineralized skarn shoots 265m above the current Fernandez Zone resource envelope at its San Diego property in Durango.   Significant drill assays were encountered in hole 21-54 with 0.09 g/t Au, 27 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (92 g/t AgEq) over 99.53m, including 0.25 g/t Au, 81 g/t Ag, 2.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (286 g/t AgEq) over 18.43m, and others mineralized intervals of  0.12 g/t Au, 109 g/t Ag, 2.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (287 g/t AgEq) over 1.64m and 0.5 g/t Au, 15 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (83 g/t AgEq) over 12.35m; and hole 21-55 with 0.08 g/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (85 g/t AgEq) over 25.55m, including 0.04 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (100 g/t AgEq) over 10.9m, including 0.14 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (94 g/t AgEq) over 9.10m. This hole also intersected 0.96 g/t Au, 59 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (183 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, 0.2 g/t Au, 50 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (125 g/t AgEq) over 0.79m, and 0.09 g/t Au, 83 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (130 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Drill results, in conjunction with results from previous drilling, have identified the existence of potential shoots of skarn mineralization commencing approximately 265 m above the Fernandez Zone, which could connect or be parallel to the western edge of Fernandez”.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from its ongoing drilling program at the San Juan Vein within its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole  SJS21-04 with 242 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (310 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 10.5m, including 954 g/t Ag, 1.29 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 1.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,177 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m, including 1,184 g/t Ag, 2.27 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (1,486 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m; hole LRD-52 with 311 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m, including 781 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.5% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (863 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m; and hole LRD-37 with 62 g/t Ag, 0.31 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (126 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 20.2m, including 154 g/t Ag, 0.96 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (308 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.7m. “The high-grade silver mineralization encountered in the San Juan Vein confirms continuity of the mineralization close to surface, 100m to the north along strike, and also correlates with previously identified high-grade mineralization at depth”.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., provided initial results from its ongoing diamond drill program at its El Pinguico project in Guanajuato.  Eight holes were drilled of which the two first holes were collared outside of the mine in the patio of the portal of adit 4. These holes were not intended as traditional exploration holes. Holes P21-01 and P21-02 were collared to test the purchased rig but encountered noticeable visible vein material, which the company now interprets to be extensions of the San Jose vein. A third hole, P21-03, was collared to test the area for further vein extensions, and intersected several intervals of significant gold and silver values, including 0.38 g/t Au and 88 g/t Ag (116 g/t AgEq) over 4.05m, including 1.5 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag (242 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus an additional higher-grade interval of  2.11 g/t Au and 505 g/t Ag (674 g/t AgEq) over 0.55m. The rig was moved into El Pinguico mine where the company drilled holes P21-05 to P21-08. Holes P21-05 and P21-06 intercepted   long sections of alteration crossing both San Jose and El Pinguico veins but only moderate widths of moderate Ag-Au values were encountered.  Hole P21-07 encountered quartz and carbonate material of an unknown vein and at the San Jose contact the hole intercepted broken, unconsolidated material (approximately 35% recovery) and a void causing to abandon the hole. Hole P21-08 encountered numerous intervals of good grade material, being the most significant one returning 8.81 g/t Au and 208 g/t Ag (913 g/t AgEq) over 0.75m. Four additional holes (P21-09 to P21-12) were drilled from San Jose Cross Cut #1 but assay results are pending.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., released a maiden Au-Ag mineral resource estimate at its la Virginia project in Sonora.   El Rubi Zone contains an indicated resource of 6,179,000 tonnes of 0.78 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag for 154.3K Oz Au and 6.93M Oz Ag, and inferred resources of 3,255,000 tonnes of 0.9 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag for 94.1K Oz Au and 3.75M Oz Ag in open pit category. Virginia, El Oriental, Las Huatas and Las Huatas South add and inferred resource of 6,622,000 tonnes of 0.71 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag for 152.2K Oz Au and 8.74M Oz Ag in open pit category, and 277K tonnes of 1.92 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag for an additional 14K Oz Au and 451.5K Oz Ag in the underground category. Gold and Silver Equivalents for Indicated resource equal 253,286 Oz AuEq or 17,730,000 Oz AgEq. Gold and Silver Equivalents for Inferred resource equal 445,176 Oz AuEq or 31,162,300 Oz AgEq.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Advance Gold Corp., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Great Panther Mining Limited announced the nomination of two new directors for election to its Board of Directors at its annual general meeting to be held on June 9, 2021 (Topia mine, Durango). 
  • One World Lithium Inc., announced the engagement of an European consultant that may include individual introduction and corporate presentations. The Agreement is for one year to May 04, 2022. The Consultant will be paid a monthly fee of 5,000 Euros   (CAD $7,400) and an option to purchase up to 800K common shares of the company at an exercise price of $0.11 per common share, being the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the Canadian Stock Exchange on May 4, 2021. The stock options are exercisable on or before May 04, 2023 and will be vested as to 200K options every two months from June 01 to December 01, 2021 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California).
  • Colibri Resources Corporation signed a definitive deal with Silver Spruce on Diamante Gold and Silver project in Sonora.  Silver Spruce will have an option to acquire up to 50% of the property. To acquire 25% of the property, Silver Spruce has to pay USD $75K in cash to Colibri. Yaque and Silver Spruce will each then hold a 25% interest and manage the project as equal partners. To earn its initial 50% of the Diamante project from the original vendor, Yaque (together with Silver Spruce)agree to jointly design, permit and drill a minimum of 2,000 metres on the property within 24 months from the Execution Date of Yaque’s final agreement with the original Vendor.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., made the final option payment to SSR Mining to close the acquisition of 100% interest of San Marcial Silver project in Sinaloa. GR paid CAD $2.5M and issued 1.5M common shares to SSR.
  • Magna Gold Corp., announced that it has made the final payment of USD $5M to Argonaut Gold Inc., for the acquisition of its San Francisco mine in Sonora, and provided a promissory note for the remaining balance of USD $2,675,000 to be paid in four monthly installments commencing July, 6, 2021 and ending October 6, 2021. The promissory note bears uncompounded interest at a rate of 5% per annum.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., entered into an agreement to increase its interest on Santo Tomas property in Sinaloa.  Oroco will acquire 25 shares of Xochipala Gold SA de CV for USD $1.5M.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., provided an update about the royalty on the Ermitaño property in Sonora, operated by its JV partner First Majestic Silver Corp. Orogen holds a 2% NSR of an indicated resources of 355K Oz Au and 5M Oz Ag, and inferred resources of 522K Oz Au and 11M Oz Ag.
  • Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd., said it has offered to buy the shares it does not already own in Mexico-focused Bacanora Lithium plc for up to 190M pounds (USD $264.5M). Ganfeng, which in February announced a plan to raise its stake in Bacanora from 17.41% to 28.88%, will acquire the remaining shares in the company for $67.5 pounds a share. The increase in Ganfeng’s stake to 28.88% is expected to complete shortly.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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On the picture above, a quartz vein with stibnite displaying boiling texture in a low-sulphidation epithermal system in a prospect in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.