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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of February, 2026

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Near-surface oxidized copper mineralization

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 7th week of the year (February 9th to February 15th 2026), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news publish by the media, with eight announcing financial rounds, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five commenting on Mexican issues, four informing on exploration results, and three communicating production results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Vizsla provided an update on the unfortunate situation in Concordia, Sinaloa. Marcelo Ebrard, Secretariat of Economy, announced that the Mexican government has recovered over 1,100 mining concessions that were not in compliance with the law or were being used for speculation. Pacifica Silver, Capitan Silver, Mithril, Southern Silver, and Minaurum reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of February, 2026. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Mercado Minerals received drill permit for its Copalito project. In Durango, Capitan Silver reported the arrival of a second drill rig at its Cruz de Plata project, and Pacifica Silver released assay results from eleven additional drill holes completed at its Claudia project. ON MINING, Teck announced that it will release its Q4, 2025 results on February 19, 2026 (San Nicolas project, Zacatecas). GoGold reported Q4, 2025 production and financial results (Parral tailings project, Chihuahua). Agnico Eagle reported Q4 and full-year 2025 production results for its Pinos Altos operation in Chihuahua; provided production guidance for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028; and informed on the status of its San Nicolas project in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Kingsmen closed a bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $13M (Las Coloradas and Almoloya projects, Chihuahua). Algo Grande announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $5M (Adelita project, Sonora). Colibri closed its debenture offering units for gross proceeds of USD $115K (EP project, Sonora). Questcorp announced an upsize of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to CAD $3M (La Union project, Sonora). Kootenay closed its previously announced bough deal private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $18M (Columba and La Cigarra projects, Chihuahua). Avino filed a final base shelf prospectus, enabling the company to raise capital by issuing various securities such as shares, warrants, receipts, units, or debt over the next 37 months (Avino mine, Durango). Axo Copper announced that it filed a final short form prospectus in connection with its bought deal public offering of units for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $35M (San Antonio Gold project, Son). Silver Tiger filed a final short form prospectus to raise over CAD $50M through a bought deal public offering of common shares (El Tigre project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Southern Silver reported additional assay results from the ongoing drilling program at Puro Corazon claim in its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Minaurum announced results from the first holes of its Phase II, 50,000m resource-expansion drill program at its Alamo project, Sonora. Mithril reported significant progress at its Copalquin project in Durango. Agnico Eagle provided an update on year-end 2025 mineral reserves and mineral resources at their Mexican mine sites and advanced projects. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Canasil informed that it met the requirements to be listed as a TSX Venture Tier 2 company (Nora project, Durango).  Discovery Silver announced that it will hold an investor day on March 02, 2026 (Cordero project, Chihuahua). Vortex announced that it has engaged the services of Global One Media Limited to provide services for investor marketing (Zaachila and Riqueza Marina projects, Oaxaca).  Defiance Silver signed a five-year surface access agreement at its Green Earth project in Sonora, and granted incentive stock options. Apollo announced that Tom Peregoodoff has been nominated for election to the company´s Board of Directors (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua). Canuc informed that it intends to consolidate its common shares (San Javier Silver-Gold project, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided an update on the unfortunate situation in Concordia, Sinaloa, focusing on security, operations, and support for affected families and colleagues. The company informed that five of the colleagues who were taken from the company´s project site in Concordia, have been found deceased, and five remain unaccounted for, acknowledging the ongoing uncertainty and difficulty this causes for their families, employees, and the broader community. Vizsla informed that it is actively supporting affected families with practical and financial assistance, including access to appropriate support services. Company representatives are working closely with families to address their evolving needs. The company is also providing grief counseling and flexible work arrangements for its Mexico and Canada-based teams. Vizsla also declared that work on its Panuco project is ongoing, although site operations remain suspended. Much of the near-term advancement is engineering-based and can be conducted remotely, allowing the project to progress towards key milestones. The company remains committed to responsibly developing the Panuco district over the long term and maintaining its investment in the Concordia community. Note of editor.- There have been widespread expressions of outrage and dismay from people across the country over the tragic events in Concordia, reflecting deep frustration with the escalating wave of insecurity affecting the nation. Peaceful marches are being organized in several Mexican cities to protest the growing crime, insecurity, and impunity.
  • Marcelo Ebrard, Secretariat of Economy, announced that the Mexican government has recovered over 1,100 mining concessions that were not in compliance with the law due to non-payment or were being used for speculation. This action is part of the policy implemented by President Claudia Sheinbaum to review and regulate the use of these national assets. During a joint presentation with José Fernando Aboitiz, head of the Coordination Unit for Extractive Activities at the Ministry of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard explained that the concessions, representing approximately 800,000 hectares, have been canceled. For his part, Aboitiz specified that the updated number of recovered concessions amounts to 1,126, which together cover 809,150 hectares, an area comparable to the territorial extension of the state of Querétaro. He also highlighted that within this process, nearly 20,000 hectares located in Protected Natural Areas have been recovered. Regarding the geographic distribution, the canceled concessions are concentrated mainly in states with a long mining tradition, such as Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora, Zacatecas, Durango, and Jalisco. On the other hand, the official specified that approximately 90% of the cancellations were made by individuals, not large companies.
  • Pacifica Silver Corp., Capitan Silver Corp., Mithril Silver & Gold Limited, Sothern Silver Exploration Corp., and Minaurum Silver Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of February, 2026. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Mercado Minerals Ltd., received exploration drill permit for its Copalito project in Sinaloa. The company is focused on preparing its inaugural 3,000m diamond drill program, which is expected to commence in Q1, 2026.
  • Capitan Silver Corp., reported the arrival of a second drill rig at its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. “The second rig is one of three core rigs that are planned to arrive at the property and will be used to test high-priority targets with the goal of extending advanced high-grade mineralized zones along the Jesus Maria Silver Trend, which also includes the Gully Fault and Peñoles Fault targets”.
  • Pacifica Silver Corp., released assay results from eleven additional drill holes completed at its Claudia project in Durango and also reported that it received new permits authorizing exploration drilling. Drilling highlights include hole 25CLAU059D on Justina vein and hanging wall stockwork with 3.53 g/t Au and 460 g/t Ag (764 g/t AgEq) over 2.1m, including 9.01 g/t Au and 1,175 g/t Ag (1,950 g/t AgEq) over 0.80m; hole 25CLAU064D on Aguilareña vein and foot wall stockwork with 1.51 g/t Au and 68 g/t Ag (198 g/t AgEq) over 6m, including 3.34 g/t Au and 211 g/t Ag (498 g/t AgEq) over 1.65m; and hole 25CLAU047D on Aguilareña vein with 1.09 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag (118 g/t AgEq) over 4.85m, including 3.64 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag (387 g/t AgEq) over 0.85m. “The Phase I drill program was completed at the end of December 2025 with a total of 30 holes drilled, and assay results from the first 10 holes were announced on December 15, 2025. Assays from the final nine holes are expected to be reported in the coming weeks”. The company also informed that it has received new permits authorizing exploration drilling at up to 153 additional drill sites. It will allow Pacifica to drill test several high-priority targets identified at Claudia property.

ON MINING

  • Teck Resources Limited announced that it will release its Q4, 2025 results on February 19, 2026 (San Nicolas project, Zacatecas).
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q4, 2025 production and financial results (currency expressed in US dollars). The company produced 456,179 Oz AgEq consisting of 205,104 Oz Ag, 2,914 Oz Au, 215K Lb Cu, and 336K Lb Zn at cash and AISC of $21.45 and $ 28.45 per Oz Ag Eq respectively. GoGold reported revenue of $31.1M on the sale of 486,928 Oz AgEq sold at an average realized price per Oz of $63.88; cost of sale of $11.7M; operating income of $16.16M; net income of $13.3M; cash flow provided by operations of $9.7M, including free cash flow of $18.1M; and cash of $245.6M.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q4 and full-year 2025 production results for its Pinos Altos operation in Chihuahua; provided production guidance for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028; and informed on the status of its San Nicolas project in Zacatecas (all currency expressed in US dollars).  At Pinos Altos, Chihuahua, the company milled during the period Q4, 2025, a total of 467K tonnes of 1.55 g/t Au to produce 22,195 Oz Au at cash cost and  production cost of $1,927 and $2,572 respectively, and sold 20,604 Oz Au. During 2025, it milled 1.72M tonnes of 1.55 g/t Au to produce 81,734 Oz Au at cash cost and production cost of $2,006 and $2,518 respectively, and sold 80,177 Oz Au. Agnico also provide production guidance for the years 2026 to 2028. It informed that in 2026, 2027, and 2028, the company expects to produce between 70K-80K Oz Au, 70K-80K Oz Au, and 85K-95K Oz Au respectively. At San Nicolas project, Zacatecas (50/50 joint venture with Teck Resources), Agnico continued progressing through its feasibility study and engineering phases.  The project is awaiting permit resolutions, with actions for permits (Environmental Impact Assessment, and Land Use Change) completed and a regulatory decision expected in the first half of 2026. Engineering work is over 30% complete, aiming for about 50% by mid-2026. The company continues to advance drilling and geological evaluation activities near the projected mine area, supporting the development plan. Overall, the project is moving forward with a focus on securing permits and completing engineering to enable potential development soon.

ON FINANCING

  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd., closed a bought deal private placement of 5,777,778 units at a price of CAD $2.25 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $13M. Gross proceeds will be used for te exploration and advancement of the Las Coloradas and Almoloya projects in Chihuahua, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • Algo Grande Copper Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 7,692,308 common shares at a price of CAD $0.65 per share for gross proceeds of CAD $5M. The company plans to use the gross proceeds to fund exploration activities at the Adelita project in Sonora, including a Phase II drill program and for general working capital purposes.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation closed its debenture offering units for gross proceeds of USD $115K. Each debenture unit consists of USD $1,000 principal amount 10% unsecured convertible debenture, and 5,200 common shares purchase warrants, at a rate of CAD $0.25 per common share (EP project, Sonora).
  • Questcorp Mining Inc., announced an upsize of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to 15,000,000 units at a price of CAD $0.20 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used for exploration work at La Union project in Sonora, as well as general working capital purposes.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., closed its previously announced bough deal private placement of 8,000,001 units at a price of CAD $2.25 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $18M. Net proceeds will be used for the advancement of its Columba and La Cigarra projects in Chihuahua, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., filed a final base shelf prospectus, dated February 12, 2026, enabling the company to raise capital by issuing various securities such as shares, warrants, receipts, units, or debt over the next 37 months, and is expected to become effective on or about February 19, 2026. This filing aligns with Canadian and US regulations, providing flexibility for future offerings, including public sales or strategic investments. The move aims to support Avino’s ongoing growth and development projects while maintaining compliance with securities laws (Avino mine, Durango).
  • Axo Copper Corp., announced that, dated January 28, 2026, it filed a final short form prospectus in connection with its bought deal public offering of units at a price of CAD $0.70 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $35M. If this option is exercised in full, an additional CAD $5.25M in gross proceeds will be raised pursuant to the Offering and the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering will be CAD $40.25M (San Antonio Gold project, Son).
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., filed a final short form prospectus to raise over CAD $50M through a bought deal public offering of common shares at CAD $1.17 each one. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, additional gross proceeds of CAD $7.5 M will be raised pursuant to the offering and the aggregate gross proceeds of the offering will be CAD $57.5M (El Tigre project, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported additional assay results from the ongoing drilling program at Puro Corazon claim in its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Drilling highlights are shown in the table below:
  • Minaurum Silver Inc., announced results from the first holes of its Phase II, 50,000m resource-expansion drill program at its Alamo project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole AL25-163 on Europa Sur vein with 318 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.35% Cu, 1.6% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (408 g/t AgEq) over 12.35m, including 523 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.44% Cu, 2.8% Pb, and 1.4% Zn (659 g/t AgEq) over 7m, including 1.032 g/t Ag, 0.27 g/t Au, 0.69% Cu, 5.5% Pb, and 2.4% Zn (1,277 g/t AgEq) over 3.20m; and hole AL25-153 on Europa vein with 240 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 1.8% Pb, and 1.5% Zn (374 g/t AgEq) over 2.35m, including 487 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au,  0.95% Cu, 4.2% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (714 g/t AgEq) over 0.55m.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Limited reported significant progress at its Copalquin project in Durango, confirming a large, high-grade silver-gold mineralized zone at Target 5, which extends over approximately 1.5 km and remains open in multiple directions. The company has also begun maiden drilling at Target 3 and continues resource expansion at Target 1. Hole AP25-017 encountered the most significant drill intercept with 0.07 g/t Au and 165 g/t Ag (170 g/t AgEq) over 3.05m, including 0.11 g/t Au and 229 g/t Ag (237 g/t AgEq) over 0.85m, including 0.09 g/t Au and 265 g/t Ag (271 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m. An aerial magnetic survey is underway to aid target identification and drill planning across the district. Overall, these efforts demonstrate the potential for substantial mineral resources and rapid district-scale growth.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited provided an update on year-end 2025 mineral reserves and mineral resources at their Mexican mine sites and advanced projects. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at December 31, 2025 are set out in the table below:

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Canasil Resources Inc., informed that it met the requirements to be listed as a TSX Venture Tier 2 company, effective February 9, 2026. The Company’s listing will transfer from NEX to TSX Venture, the Company’s Tier classification will change from NEX to Tier 2, and the Filing and Service Office will change from NEX to Vancouver. The trading symbol for the Company will change from CLZ.H to CLZ. The Company is classified as a ‘Mining’ company (Nora project, Durango).
  • Discovery Silver Corp., announced that it will hold an investor day on March 02, 2026 (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Vortex Metals Inc., announced that it has engaged the services of Global One Media Limited to provide services for investor marketing (Zaachila and Riqueza Marina projects, Oaxaca). 
  • Defiance Silver Corp., signed a five-year surface access agreement to conduct surface exploration, drilling, and engineering studies at its Green Earth project in Sonora. The company also granted 2,720,000 incentive stock options to certain employees, directors, and consultants, to purchase common shares of Defiance at an exercise price of CAD $0.35. It also granted 289,000 deferred share units to certain directors, 458,000 performance share units to certain employees, and 314,000 restricted share units to certain employees.
  • Apollo Silver Corp., announced that Tom Peregoodoff has been nominated for election to the company´s Board of Directors, and if elected, the Board intends to appoint Mr. Peregoodoff as Executive Chair (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua).
  • Canuc Resources Corporation informed that it intends to consolidate its common shares on the basis of ten pre-consolidation common shares for one post-consolidation common share. The Company currently has 284,531,484 common shares issued and outstanding. Upon completion of the Consolidation, the Company will have approximately 28,453,148 common shares issued and outstanding (San Javier Silver-Gold project, Sonora).

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 below, near-surface oxidized copper mineralization (malachite) in an IOCG system in Sonora, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico; Highlights on the Second Week of December 2025

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 50th week of the year (December 8th to December 14th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 28 press releases.  One company informed about exploration advances on its early-stage property. One company reported results for its fiscal year. Seven companies presented news on financing rounds, and one each on consolidation of shares, dividends and new market listings. Six companies presented updates on advanced properties/mines. Four companies informed on deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the backlog in permitting is being reduced, not as fast as the industry requires, but it is a signal by the government that more investment is wanted. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource commenced an RC drilling campaign at the EP project. ON MINING, GoGold Resources announced financial results for its fiscal year. ON FINANCING, six companies informed on financing rounds: Capitan Silver (C$20 M), Gold Royalty (US$103.5 M), First Majestic Silver (US$350 M), Minera Alamos (C$3.5 M), Minaurum Gold (25 M), Regency Silver (C$3 M). Santacruz Silver Mining consolidated its shares on a 4:1 basis. Vizsla Royalties graduated to the OTCQX. Sailfish Royalties declared a quarterly dividend. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Regency Silver informed on the drilling at Dios Padre, in Sonora. Vizsla Silver filed the FS on the Panuco project, in Sinaloa. Silverco Mining presented an updated MRE for its Cusi project, Chihuahua. Impact Silver released results from underground drilling at its Plomosas mine, in Chihuahua. Heliostar Metals completed a PFS on Cerro del Gallo project , in Guanajuato. Coeur Mining provided an update on 68,000 m of drilling at Palmarejo, in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Teck Resources shareholders voted FOR in the merger with Anglo American, same that received the needed government approval on the week. Pinnacle Gold and Silver received conditional approval by the TSX to pay all finders fees associated with the El Potrero option agreement in Durango. Defiance Silver had its AGM. Kingsmen Resources contracted promotional services. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fortune Bay announced its formal Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Policy (Poma Rosa, Chiapas).

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Fernando Aboitiz, head of the Extractive Activities Coordinating Unit from the Economy Secretariat, pointed that nearly 65% of the backlog on permitting for mining activities has been cleared, and that mid 2026 it could be normalized. At the beginning of this presidential term 176 projects were paused, to date 110 have been authorized and 66 are pending. States like Zacatecas, Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango are to be among the most benefited by the issuing of permits. 

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. has commenced a reverse circulation drilling campaign at its 4,766 ha EP project in Sonora.

ON MINING

  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced financial results for the year ending September 30, 2025. During the period, 416.6 K tonnes were stacked at its Parral operations, selling 2.14 M Oz Ag, produced at cash cost $18.35 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $23.72 per Oz AgEq. The company had revenue of US$72.5 M, an operating income of US$17.1 M, and net income of US$17.3 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Capitan Silver Corp. entered into deal with a syndicate of underwriters led by Stifel Canada in connection with a “bought deal” private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of C$20 M. A cash commission of 6% of the gross proceeds shall be paid to the underwriters  (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • Gold Royalty Corp. entered into an agreement with National Bank Capital Markets, BMO Capital Markets, and RBC Capital Markets as joint bookrunners, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters that are to purchase on a bought deal basis, common shares of the company for aggregate gross proceeds of US$70 M (royalty on Coazamin, Zacatecas).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. announced the consolidation of its shares on a four to 1 (4:1) basis on December 10, 2025, subject to final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange  (Zimapán, Hidalgo).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced the closing of its previously announced US$300 M offering of unsecured convertible senior notes due in 2031, and the concurrent closing of an additional US$50 M aggregate principal amount of notes pursuant to the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the initial purchasers of the notes (San Dimas, Durango).
  • Gold Royalty Corp. increased the size of its previously announced bought deal financing for aggregate gross proceeds of US$90 M. The company granted the underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the common shares issued on the offering, for additional gross proceeds of up to US$103.5 M (royalty on Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Minera Alamos Inc. closed its previously announced private placement offering for gross profits of C$3.5 M (Santana, Sonora).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. completed its previously announced “best efforts” private placement, for C$25 M in gross proceeds, which included the exercise in full of the agents’ option. Cormark Securities Inc. acted as lead agent, on behalf of itself and a syndicate of agents including Beacon Securities Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. The company paid the agents a C$1.4 M cash commission and issued 3.95 M purchase warrants. In addition, a cash fee of C$11.2 K was paid and issued 31.3 K broker warrants to an arm’s length finder (Alamos Silver, Sonora).
  • Regency Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Centurion One Capital Corp. as lead agent and sole bookrunner with a brokered private placement to raise up to C$2 M. Later on the week the offering was upsized to C$3 M in gross profits (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp. graduated to trade on the OTCQX Best Market (royalty on Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Sailfish Royalties Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.0125 per share, to be payable on July 15, 2026 (royalty on Gavilanes, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Regency Silver Corp. informed a new drill hole intersected 23.7 m of sulfide-specularite breccia similar to the breccia hosting high-grade Au-Cu-Ag mineralization 35 m updip and along strike from a previous hole at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Four holes totalling 2,476 m have been completed since early October 2025. ”… the mineralized shingle breccia typically hosting mineralization is found on both sides of a new intersection of Quartz-Feldspar porphyry … ”.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. filed the feasibility study (FS) on the Panuco project, in Sinaloa, “which highlights 17.4 M Oz AgEq of annual production over an initial 9.4-year mine life, an after-tax NPV(5%) of US$1.8B, 111% IRR and a 7-month payback at US$35.50/oz Ag and US$3,100/oz Au”.
  • Silverco Mining Ltd. presented an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its Cusi project in Chihuahua. The study notes 4.89 M tonnes grading 206 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.73% Pb, 0.86% Zn (262 gpt AgEq), containing 32.4 M Oz Ag, 24 K Oz Au, 78.3 M Lb Pb, 92.8 M Lb Zn (41.2 M Oz AgEq) in measured and indicated resources and 4.07 M tonnes grading 172 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, 0.89% Pb, 1.20% Zn (243 gpt AgEq), containing 22.5 M Oz Ag, 22.2 K Oz Au, 79.5 M Lb Pb, 107.5 M Lb Zn (31.7 M Oz AgEq). 
  • Impact Silver Corp. released further results from its underground drill program in the Santo Domingo zone at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 0.84 m @ 35 gpt Ag, 6.5% Pb, 26.3% Zn; 2.07 m @ 24 gpt Ag, 9.4% Pb, 10.6% Zn; 4.95 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 7.4% Pb, 13.8% Zn (including 1.33 m @ 29 gpt Ag, 11.3% Pb, 18.2% Zn); 0.58 m @ 45 gpt Ag, 18.3% Pb; 20.3% Zn; 3.15 m @ 9 gpt Ag, 5.1% Pb, 5.0% Zn. “All these Santo Domingo drill intersections lie outside the JORC mineral resource blocks published by the previous operator”.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. completed an updated prefeasibility study (PFS) for its Cerro del Gallo project in Guanajuato. The current mineral reserve base is 2.27 M Oz AuEq, with the study outlining a 15.3  year mine life producing 85,700 Oz AuEq per year at cash cost $1,252 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,390 per Oz AuEq and a CAPEX of US$195.3 M to bring it into production. “At the base case gold price of $2,300 per ounce, this results in an after-tax NPV of $424M, an IRR of 33.1% and a payback period of 2.3 years”. The study envisages a 6 M tonne per year open pit mining operation with ore crushed and stacked with cyanide leaching. “Copper and silver dissolved in solution will be recovered through a sulphidization, acidification, recycling, and thickening”.  
  • Coeur Mining Inc. provided an update on the 2025 exploration campaign at its Palmarejo complex in Chihuahua. Approximately 68,000 m of drilling have been completed by eleven rigs on the 30,000 ha property. The program identified numerous resource growth opportunities through a balance of near-mine and district-scale exploration. The Hidalgo Libertad, San Juan veins have been extended along strike by 500 m, 300 m and 150 m respectively, continuity confirmed between the Independencia Norte and Independencia South zones and drilling confirmed mineralization along 900 m of strike along the 4 km Camuchin-Escondida trend. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 10.4 m @ 4.10 gpt Au, 1,517 gpt Ag (including 1.50 m @ 15.40 gpt Au, 4,957 gpt Ag); 17.9 m @ 4.20 gpt Au, 1,870 gpt Ag (including 9.1 m @ 7.10 gpt Au. 3,610 gpt Ag); 10.5 m @ 4.10 gpt Au, 1,928 gpt Ag; 5.2 m @ 14.70 gpt Au, 4,527 gpt Ag; 3.7 m @ 18.60 gpt Au, 778 gpt Ag; 22.2 m @ 6.70 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag (including 4.80 m @ 14 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Teck Resources Ltd. informed its shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve the special resolution involving the merger with Anglo American plc. Later on the week Teck  obtained a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia approving the previously-announced plan of arrangement under section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, authorizing the merger of equals of Anglo American and Teck  (50% San Nicolas, Zacatecas).
  • Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. received conditional TSX Venture Exchange approval for all finders fee shares associated with the staged option of the El Potrero project in Durango. “a Finder’s Fee of 4% of the measurable benefit of each installment payment will be paid to Juan Jose Camacho, who is arm’s length to the issuer and the vendor”. Payments include 71.6 K shares on February 2025, 40 K shares and US$8,000 on November 2025, 40 K shares and US$30 K on February 2026, US$40 K when the plant is sufficiently upgraded and all permits received to commence production, or 4 years from signing, US$60 K one year after commencing production, or 5 years from signing, US$120 K two years after commencing production or 7 years from signing. And a contingent payment of  US$40 K and 40 K shares upon the establishment of a NI-43-101 350 K Oz AuEq in the inferred category or better.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. announced shareholders approved all matters presented at its annual general and special meeting (Zacatecas Silver, Zacatecas).
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. entered into a service agreement with Resource Stock Digest of Round Rock, Texas, to provide certain promotional services (Las Coloradas, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fortune Bay Corp. announced the adoption of its formal Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Policy, highlighting a community-centered approach, responsible environmental practices, transparency and straight talk, governance and ethical conduct and local economic participation (Poma Rosa, Chiapas). 

On the image below: Specularite veining on volcanic sedimentary rocks, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 8th week of the year (February 17th to February 23rd, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 28 press releases. Two companies informed on exploration on their properties and nine companies presented quarterly and full year 2024 reports. Two companies informed on financing rounds and two more about its inclusion on the list of top performing TSX companies. One company released the 2024 MRE for several deposits, while one more filed a previously released MRE. Three companies released drilling results from their advanced companies and one more elaborated on its plans for 2025. Two companies announced senior board position changes. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources completed a review on the geochemistry of surface samples. In Durango, Silver Wolf Exploration released results from drilling at Ana Maria. ON MINING, Sandstorm Gold, Pan American Silver, Alamos Gold, Coeur Mining, Torex Gold, Capstone Copper, Starcore International, First Majestic Silver and Newmont presented Q4 and full year 2024 reports. ON FINANCING, Quetzal Copper and Tocvan Ventures informed on the closing of financing tranches for C$487.5 K and C$1.05 M respectively. Luca Mining and Heliostar Metals informed on its inclusion on the list of top performing companies in the TSX. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Alamos Gold presented the MRE for five properties within the Mulatos district in Sonora. Prime Mining disclosed its 2025 program for Los Reyes, in Sinaloa. Endeavour Silver reported drilling results from La Luz area at its Bolañitos producing property in Guanajuato. Vizsla Silver filed the MRE report on Panuco, in Sinaloa. Luca Mining released results from drilling at Tahuehueto, in Durango. Heliostar Metals reported results from the drilling program at Ana Paula, in Guerrero.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Centenario Gold and US Antimony announced movements on their boards of directors. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Guanajuato Silver Co. informed on diverse initiatives it is taking on the communities nearby to its operations in Durango and Guanajuato.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. announced results of the drill program on El Soldado claim at the Ana Maria project in Durango. A total of 17 holes and 2,560 m were drilled, testing the continuity of the carbonate replacement deposits and breccia structures observed. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 1.0 m @ 1.91% Zn; 6.05 m @ 0.25% Pb, 0.45% Zn (including 0.85 m @ 52 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 2.2% Zn). The “inaugural drill program was successful in identifying significant subvertical breccias (“Chimney” bodies) with extensive hydrothermal mineralization and dolomitization underlying the historical Silver, Lead, and Zinc (Ag-PbZn) workings at El Soldado”. The Ana Maria project is adjacent to the significant past producer Ojuela mine.
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. completed a review of the geochemistry of samples collected from the Soledad and Soledad II vein systems at its Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. The variations of pathfinder elements with silver are interpreted to indicate different pulses of mineralization. The potential for intrusion-related and skarn mineralization has not been explored to date.

ON MINING

  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. released its financial results for the quarter and year ended in December 2024. Without disclosing by operation, the company had a total yearly revenue of US$176.3 M, or 72,810 Oz Au (holds royalties on Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Pan American Silver Corp. provided fourth quarter and yearly 2024 results and its outlook production for 2025. The company generated US$196.2 M in cash flow in Q4 and US$445.1 M in 2024, producing 21.1 M Oz Ag, 892.5 K Oz Au in the year at $14.30 per Oz Ag and $1,203 per Oz Au in the year. At the end of the period Pan American had a working capital of US$1,033.4 M, inclusive of cash and short-term investments of US$887.3 M, and a total debt of US$803 M. For 2025 the company forecasts production of 5.5 – 5.8 M Oz Ag at La Colorada in Zacatecas and 0.9 – 1.0 M Oz Ag, 28 – 31 K Oz Au at Dolores, in Chihuahua.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. reported Q4 and full year 2024 results. The company produced 567 K Oz Au in 2024, at total cash cost of $927 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,281 per Oz Au. At Mulatos, in Sonora, 205 K Oz Au were produced in the year. Cash and cash equivalents of US$327.2 M at the end of 2024.
  • Coeur Mining Inc. announced Q4 2024 and full year financial results. During the year the company produced 341,852 Oz Au, 11.4 M Oz Ag at cash cost $1,203 per Oz Au and $16.55 per Oz Ag. Coeur generated US$1.1 B in revenue in 2024. Closed on February 14, 2025, the 1.58 B acquisition of SilverCrest Metals (Las Chispas, Sonora). Guidance of 16.7-20.3 M Oz Ag, 380,000-440,000 Oz Au for 2025. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 1.76 M tonnes were milled in 2024, averaging 2.18 gpt Au, 141 gpt Ag, recovering 93% Au, 85% Ag, to produce 108,666 Oz Au, 6.78 M Oz Ag, at cash cost $892 per Oz Au, $14.28 per Oz Ag, generated US$138.1 M in cash flow, while investing US$13.2 M in exploration. “Seven rigs were active during the quarter, with three rigs focused on step-out drilling along the western extension of the Hidalgo corridor. A new mineralized structure discovered in 2024 called the Libertad Footwall has demonstrated splays and breccias similar to those contained at Guadalupe and Independencia. Exploration drilling successfully traced these Libertad structures over 750 meters along strike. In addition, the 2024 drill program at Hidalgo and Libertad was a significant contributor to inferred resource growth. Successful exploration also led to a maiden resource at the San Juan target and an extension of the Guadalupe zone”.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q4 and full year 2024 financial and operational results. Annual production was 452,523 Oz Au (or 461,420 Oz AuEq), with a gold recovery of 90.6%, total cash cost of $940 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,156 per Oz Au.  Achieved a mining rate of 2,092 tonnes per day from ELG (El Limon-Guajes) underground. Net income of US$134.6 M, adjusted net earnings of US$224.3 M and readjusted EBITDA of US$541.1 M, with net cash generated from operating activities of US$449 M. Negative free cash flow of US$122.9 M as a direct result of US$449.0 M invested in the Media Luna project, which stood at 94% completion at the end of the period. Closed the year with US$331.5 M, including US$110.2 M in cash and US$221 available on credit facilities (Morelos Complex, Guerrero).
  • Capstone Copper Corp. informed on financial results for Q4 and full year 2024. The company had a net income in 2024 of US$82.9 M, an adjusted EBITDA of US$496 M, operating cash flow of US$414.8 M, net debt of US$742.0 M, availability of US$506.4 M comprising US$132.4 M in cash and US$374 M on a credit facility. The consolidated copper production in 2024 was 184,460 tonnes of Cu at cash cost $2.56 per Lb Cu. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 24,907 tonnes of copper were produced during the period, at cash cost $1.75 per Lb Cu (the lowest for Capstone operations).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the third quarter 2025, ended January 2025. At San Martin, in Querétaro, 46.7 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.74 gpt Au, 11.08 gpt Ag, recovering 82.44% Au, 49.1% Ag, to produce 2,268 Oz AuEq.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced consolidated financial results for Q4 and full year 2024. The company produced 8.4 M Oz Ag, 156,542 Oz Ag (or 21.7 M Oz AgEq), realized US$138.6 M in free cash flow, with revenues of US$560.6 M, EBITDA of US$127.1 and ended the year with 2,595 Oz Au, 539.2 K Oz Ag valued at US$22.4 M. On January 16, 2025 the company completed the acquisition of Gatos Silver Inc. for a consideration of US$1.07 M in shares.
  • Newmont Corp. reported fourth quarter and full year 2024. The company reported US$3.4 B of net income in 2024, generated US$6.4 B of cash from operating activities, reported US$2.9 B in free cash flow, produced 5.7 M Oz Au and 1.9 M Oz AuEq (Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn) for a total of 6.8 M attributable Oz Au. During the year Peñasquito (in Zacatecas) produced 390 K Oz Au, 28 M Oz Ag, 90 K tonnes Pb, 236 K tonnes Zn. Cash cost was $930 per Oz Au, $11.50 per Oz Ag, $1,080 per Lb Pb, $1,430 per Lb Zn. The AISC was $1,210 per Oz Au, $15.0 per Oz Ag, $1,290 per Lb Pb, $1,890 per Lb Zn. The cash cost and the AISC are expected to increase during 2025. “Peñasquito gold production is expected to increase in 2025, as mining is expected to be from the higher gold content Peñasco pit for the first half of 2025.Gold production in 2025 is expected to be approximately 60 percent weighted to the first half of the year… co-product production of silver, lead and zinc is expected to decline from 2024 levels due to reduced mining in the Chile Colorado pit as this polymetallic mine progresses through its planned sequence”.

ON FINANCING

  • Quetzal Copper Corp. closed the third tranche of a previously announced non-brokered flow-through and non-flow-through private placement, for gross proceeds of C$487.5 K. In total the company raised gross proceeds of C$2.44 M (Las Cristinas, Chihuahua).
  • Quetzal Copper Corp. announced the extension to complete its previously announced non-flow-through portion of its non-brokered private placement, until February 28, 2025 (Las Cristinas, Chihuahua).
  • Luca Mining Corp. informed on its inclusion in the 2025 TSX Venture 50TM list of top performing companies (Tahuehueto, Durango; Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$1.05 M (Pilar and Gran Pilar, Sonora).
  • Teck Resources Ltd. has declared “an eligible dividend of $0.125 per share on its outstanding Class A common shares and Class B subordinate voting shares, to be paid on March 31, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2025” (San Nicolás, Zacatecas).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced it has been included in the 2024 TSX Venture 50TM list of top performing companies (Ana Paula, Guerrero; La Colorada, Sonora).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. reported mineral reserves and resources to the end of 2024. Of a total of 13.95 M Oz Au in reserves by the company, 1.39 M stand in the Mulatos district in Sonora. The total amount of reserves and resources at Mulatos is 2.13 M Oz Au, distributed in the Mulatos mine, Puerto del Aire, La Yaqui Grande, Cerro Pelon and Carricito deposits, as can be seen below. The project is heading to more underground operations with the Puerto del Aire and Cerro Pelon higher grade sulfides. A total of US$19 M is budgeted for exploration in 2025, including 15,000 m of drilling at the GAP-Victor area and PDA extension, and 20,000 m planned at Cerro Pelon.
  • Prime Mining Corp. disclosed its 2025 outlook for its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. An initial 40,000 m of drilling is planned to identify extensions to know structures and further discovery areas, working toward a preliminary economic assessment (PEA), “refining the metallurgical, geotechnical, mine planning and development parameters for project development, including process and underground mining optimization, infrastructure assessment and permitting requirements”.  Drilling halted in late January due to safety issues on large areas of Sinaloa, but due to resume as soon as these concerns ease, with the drill rigs are still on-site. In October of last year Prime filed a mineral resource estimate with 2.19 M Oz AuEq in indicated resources and 817 K AuEq in inferred resources.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported drill results from its exploration program at the Bolañitos mine in Guanajuato. The program was focused on the La Luz vein, with intersections that provide opportunities to extend mine-life. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 1.02 m @ 1.17 gpt Au, 449 gpt Ag; 1.67 m @ 0.41 gpt Au, 183 gpt Ag; 0.95 m @ 2.03 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag; 1.62 m @ 2.43 gpt Au, 1,063 gpt Ag (including 0.34 m @ 9.61 gpt Au, 4,070 gpt Ag); 2.49 m @ 3.15 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag. “… eight drill holes totaling 2,000 metres has outlined high-grade mineralization over 100 metres in length to a depth of 200 metres. The area remains open to the south and to depth. Drilling will continue in the area for the first half of 2025”.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. filed an independent technical report containing an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) on the Panuco project in Sinaloa.
  • Luca Mining Corp. released results from the first four underground diamond drill holes on the ongoing 5,000 m exploration drill program at its Tahuehueto mine in Durango. The objective of the campaign is to define vertical and lateral extents of known mineralization within the Creston and Perdido vein systems. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 1.8 m @ 0.95 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag, 1.11% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 22.3 m @ 1.47 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag, 0.44% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 2.3% Zn (Including 7.9 m @ 2.59 gpt Au, 68 gpt Ag, 0.68% Cu, 2.3% Pb, 2.7% Zn); 0.9 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 4.0% Zn; 2.3 m @ 2.37 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 7.2 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 1.7 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag, 0.29% Cu, 2.1% Pb, 2.0% Zn.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced results from drilling at its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. The drilling program focus was on expanding the High Grade Panel and test step-out targets at depth beneath this zone. Highlighted core-length results comprise 161.0 m @ 4.26 gpt Au (including 30.0 m @ 10.1 gpt Au); 23.0 m @ 4.15 gpt Au (including 3.0 m @ 21.4 gpt Au); 4.6 m @ 7.91 gpt Au; 68.5 m @ 1.44 gpt Au; 24.0 m @ 5.10 gpt Au (including 3.0 m @ 10.9 gpt Au and 5.15 m @ 14.0 gpt Au); 3.80 m @ 2.43 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 4.99 gpt Au; 66.85 m @ 3.12 gpt Au (including 15.7 @ 10.4 gpt Au); 13.0 m @ 3.50 gpt Au. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Centenario Gold Corp. announced the resignation of Alain Charest as CEO of the company. “Alain will continue to represent the Company as both a board member, VP Exploration and an active adviser to the Company”. Doug Fulcher, current president of the company has been appointed CEO (Eden, Sinaloa).
  • United States Antimony Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Rodney Blakestead as Vice President of the Mining Division and Leo Jackson as Vice President of the Mexican Antimony Division (Los Juarez, Querétaro).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. informed it is sponsoring a clinic in Topia, Durango, has treated 350 patients, and the Cata clinic in Guanajuato a further 700 persons. Furthermore “Water at the mines is largely recycled, while essential water services are often provided to rural communities. With priority placed on schools, kindergartens, and community spaces…”. Among other initiatives, the company is also committed to generating zero biodiversity loss from operations. 

On the image below: Sometimes following structures from a distance is not that difficult. Drone picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of January 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 4th week of the year (January 20th to January 26th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 26 press releases. Two companies informed on exploration on their properties, three companies presented quarterly reports and one updated on the refurbishment of an antimony smelter. Nine companies informed on financing rounds and two granted stock options. Two companies reported drilling results from producing mines and one more from an advanced property. A company resumed operations at its advanced property after a fatal accident. Two companies informed on senior staff changes. One company informed on another’s company acquisition process and one more informed on the TSX stand in relation to a take-over bid. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures reported surface exploration results at its Gran Pilar project. In Nayarit, Angel Wing commenced drilling at La Reyna project. ON MINING, Capstone Gold, Avino Silver and Dyna Resource presented Q4 2024 results. US Antimony provided an operational update on its Madero smelter. ON FINANCING, companies that commenced or closed financing rounds include Defiance Silver (C$732 K), Colibri Resource (C$250 K), Zacatecas Silver (C$1.5 M), Capitan Silver (C$4.2 M), Goldgroup Mining (C$3.5 M), Gold Resource Corp. (US$2.5 M). Southern Silver Exploration (C$2.5 M), Silver Storm Mining (C$3.5 M), Mexican Gold (C$160 K). Sonoro Gold and Angel Wing Metals granted options to officers and directors. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla Silver resumed limited operations after a fatal accident on Panuco, in Sinaloa. Sierra Metals reported drilling results from Bolivar, in Chihuahua. Mithril Silver and Gold presented drilling results from Copalquin, in Durango. First Majestic Silver released drilling results from San Dimas, in Durango.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Zacatecas Silver and Infinitum Copper announced movements on their boards. Agnico Eagle acquired 94% of O3 Mining shares. Sierra Metals was notified by the TSX on relation to a take-over bid. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Angel Wing Metals Inc. commenced a 1,500 m diamond drill program at La Reyna project in Nayarit. “The first phase of the program will include 10-12 holes aimed at confirming historical surface sampling grades, on strike continuity, orientation and depth of known mineralization, and artisanal mine workings”. Drilling is to focus on the Dolorosa, Zorrillo, San Ramon and El Polo targets.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. reported on surface exploration results from its 100% owned Gran Pilar project in Sonora. A total of 188 rock samples and 9 infill soil samples were analyzed from the Southern Block, with four new target areas within a 1.8 km long by 1.0 km wide zone. Another zone 2.1 km by 2.4 km remains to be sampled. Highlighted rock sample results comprise: 3.11 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 2.74 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb; 2.71 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 2.29 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb; 2.13 gpt Au, 0.1% Cu, 0.1% Zn; 1.45 gpt Au, 0.2% Zn; 1.12 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb; 1.09 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, 0.4% Cu; 0.88 gpt Au; 0.19 gpt Au, 0.7% Cu; 0.17 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb. High pathfinder numbers on rock sampling comprise up to 0.5% As, 312 ppm Mo and 98 ppm Sb. Nine infill soil samples returned up to 0.45 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag, 110 ppm Cu, 671 ppm Pb, 147 ppm Zn, 463 ppm As, 3 ppm Mo. Diamond drilling continues on the Pilar project (JV with Colibri Resource Corp.) with core sample preparation ongoing of the 408 m already completed on four holes.

ON MINING

  • Capstone Copper Corp. announced consolidated production for 2024, including information from its operations in Mexico. During Q4 2024 the company produced 6,724 tonnes Cu at Cozamin, in Zacatecas, for a total yearly production of 24,906 tonnes Cu, out of a total of 141,698 tonnes Cu produced by their sulfide business. For 2025, guidance for Cozamin is similar to 2024, with 23 – 26 K tonnes Cu at cash cost $1.60 – $1.80.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. presented Q4 and full year 2024 production results. At Avino, in Durango, 181.7 K tonnes were processed during the quarter, grading 56 gpt Ag, 0.59 gpt Au, 0.52% Cu, recovering 87% Ag, 74% Au, 86 % Cu, to produce 283.8 K Oz Ag, 2,560 Oz Au, 1.77 M Lb Cu (or 735 K Oz AgEq). For the year 648.8 K tonnes were processed, grading 61 gpt Ag, 0.51 gpt Au, 0.51% Cu, recovering 88% Ag, 71% Au, 87% Cu, to produce 1.1 M Oz Ag, 7,477 Oz Au, 6.2 M Lb Cu (or 2.65 M Oz AgEq). “Avino had approximately $26 million in cash at the end of 2024 and remains debt-free, excluding operating equipment leases”.
  • Fortuna Mining Corp. reported production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At San José, in Oaxaca, Fortuna milled 190 K tonnes during the quarter, at a rate of 2,437 tpd, grading 118 gpt Ag, 0.85 gpt Au, recovering 82.7% Ag, 82% Ag, to produce 594.4 K Oz Ag, 4,239 Oz Au. For the year, 735.6 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 2,138 tonnes per day, grading 125 gpt Ag, 0.89 gpt Au, recovering 86.1% Ag, 84.8% Au, to produce 2.55 M Oz Ag, 17,811 Oz Au. Last week the company announced the sale of the San José mine.
  • Dyna Resource Inc. announced its preliminary 2024 operating results and 2025 guidance. During the quarter Dyna mined 67.7 K tonnes, grading 4.12 gpt Au, recovering 76% Au to produce 6,775 Oz Au. For the year, 257.7 K tonnes were mined, averaging 4.07 gpt Au, recovering 76% Au to produce 25,677 Oz Au. For 2025 Dyna expects to produce 27,000 to 30,000 Oz Au, at an AISC of $1,850 to $2,050 per Oz Au, with US$2.5 to US$3 M in exploration expenditures.
  • United States Antimony Corp. provided an operational update on its Madero smelter in Coahuila. “Initial plans are for the Madero Smelter to process antimony ore in an amount approximating 100 tons per month”, starting next March. The company will repair and refurbish six of the seventeen furnaces at the smelter over the next month. The less than US$1 M capital expenditure program is also geared to more streamline antimony feedstock in a faster, more mechanical and less human interaction manner, allowing for increased throughput in the future.

ON FINANCING

  • Defiance Silver Corp. closed a first tranche of a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$732K (Zacatecas project, Zacatecas).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. intends to conduct a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds for up to C$250 K (Diamante, Sonora).
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. arranged a non-brokered private placement for total proceeds of C$1.5 M (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas; Esperanza, Morelos).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. intends to raise up to C$4.2 M through a non-brokered private placement. “The Offering is expected be led by a strategic investment from the Jupiter Gold & Silver Fund” (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. closed the non-brokered private placement previously announced. The company raised C$3.5 M in gross proceeds (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • Gold Resource Corp. closed the registered offering for US$2.5 M in gross proceeds (Don David).
  • Angel Wing Metals Inc. granted 1.7 M stock options to directors of the company (La Reyna, Nayarit).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. revised the terms of the previously announced non-brokered private placement, which is now to comprise gross proceeds of up to C$2.5 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of up to C$3.5 M. First Majestic Silver (a significant shareholder) subscribed C$1.5 M in shares, which is considered a related party transaction (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • Mexican Gold Mining Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$160 K (Las Minas, Veracruz).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. granted options to certain directors, officers and consultants of the company (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. resumed limited operations after the recent fatal accident at Panuco, in Sinaloa, to work in a test mine and advance towards a feasibility study.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported drill results for the 2024 drill program in the Marian Zone at the Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width core intervals comprise 26.0 m @ 1.29% Cu, 0.34 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 20.0 m @ 1.37% Cu, 0.31 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn; 9.5 m @ 0.85% Cu, 0.14 gpt Au, 24 gpt Au, 3.0% Zn; 10.0 m @ 1.26% Cu, 0.26 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag, 8.3% Zn; 7.0 m @ 2.45% Cu, 0.42 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag; 6.7 m @ 0.93% Cu, 0.22 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag. Marian is a chalcopyrite, lesser bornite and pyrite mineralized body, interpreted as a feeder zone, cutting carbonate rocks previously affected by calc-silicate metasomatism. Mineralization is 9.0 to 26.4 m wide, with the current results having the potential to extend the ore body 300 m along strike and 600 m downdip.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. continues drilling the Target 1 resource area at its Copalquin project in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise: 7.37 m @ 4.16 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag; 0.75 m @ 2.53 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag; 7.65 m @ 0.23 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 2.00 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 61 gpt Ag; 5.00 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag; 13.90 m @ 0.71 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag (including 1.00 m @ 4.15 gpt Au, 195 gpt Ag). The company is to complete a resource estimate for the Target 1 by end of Q1 2025, and drilling is to commence with a second drill rig at the Target 2 area by April 2025.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. released results from the 2024 drilling program at its San Dimas mine in Durango. Resource conversion and exploration drilling was performed on El Oro, Perez, Sinaloa, Santa Teresa, Rosario, Intermedia, Santa Regina, Santa Jessica and Nochebuena veins. Highlighted true length results comprise: 3.26 m @ 10.03 gpt Au, 1,996 gpt Ag; 2.30 m @ 6.28 gpt Au, 1,001 gpt Ag; 3.14 m @ 3.66 gpt Au, 485 gpt Ag; 5.06 m @ 2.00 gpt Au, 309 gpt Ag; 2.31 m @ 23.33 gpt Au, 1,045 gpt Ag; 2.97 m @ 6.61 gpt Au, 501 gpt Ag; 1.69 m @ 10.91 gpt Au, 796 gpt Ag; 1.64 m @ 8.31 gpt Au, 507 gpt Ag; 3.41 m @ 10.02 gpt Au, 359 gpt Ag; 5.86 m @ 3.11 gpt Au, 166 gpt Ag; 1.69 m @ 13.53 gpt Au, 211 gpt Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced the appointment of Mr. Eric Vanderleeuw as chief executive officer and director and Mr. Mario Vetro as advisor (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas; Esperanza, Morelos).
  • Infinitum Copper Corp. announced the resignation of Steve Robertson as chairman and as a director and Garrick Mendham as director of the company (La Adelita, Sonora).
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. and O3 Mining Inc. provided O3 Mining share Holders with a final reminder to tender to Agnico Eagle’s friendly all cash offer to acquire 100% of the common shares of O3 Mining at $1.67 per share, which expires on January 23, 2025 (Pinos Altos, Chihuahua).
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. announced the acquisition of 94.1% of the outstanding common shares of O3 Mining Inc., with expiry of the buy offer extended to February 3, 2025 (Pinos Altos, Chihuahua).
  • Sierra Metals Inc. was notified by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) “that the TSX will defer its consideration of the acceptance of the Company’s shareholder rights plan dated December 30, 2024”. This is in relation to the un-solicited take-over bid by Alpayana S.A.C. for all of the common shares of Sierra Metals (Bolivar, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant news.

On the image below: Old mine working in the Sonoran Desert. Drone picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of September 2024

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 38th week of the year (September 16th to September 22nd, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 15 press releases. Three companies informed on exploration advances on its properties, one company reported quarterly results, three companies notified on financing rounds, two companies granted stock options, one paid a loan facility, one commenced a drilling program on an advanced property, another announced appointments to the board and one more notified of its AGM results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Supreme Court is to review the case on the US$55 M fund paid by Grupo Mexico to unionized miners on the sale of the Cananea mine. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Minaurum Gold released drilling results from its Alamos project. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold reported drilling results from Plata Verde. In Durango, Mithril Silver and Gold published results from drilling at Coplaquin. ON MINING, Starcore International Mines reported quarterly results. ON FINANCING, Vizsla Silver completed a bought deal public offering for C$65 M. Heliostar Metals granted stock options. GR Silver is increasing it private placement offering to $2.4 M. Orex Minerals granted incentive options. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver closed a private placement for US$500 K. Guanajuato Silver repaid a US$7.5 M loan facility to OCIM Metals & Minerals. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar Metals commenced a 5,000 m drilling program at Ana Paula. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Orex Minerals announced board changes. Santacruz Mining reported on its AGM. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Alamos Gold contributed to a health program and Mithril Gold and Silver on community support work.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Supreme Court is to review on October 9th, 2024 the demand by workers of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos, Siderúrgicos y Similares de la República Méxicana (a miners Union) on the return of a US$55 M fund created in 2005 on the sale of the Cananea mine to Grupo Mexico. If successful, the Union and its leader Napoleón Gómez Urrutia would have to source the amount to the workers. At the time, the Union leader informed that the money was owned by the Union, and was not to be distributed among the workers.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. released the results of the first five holes of the 2024 program intended to establish an initial mineral resource at its Alamos silver project in Sonora. These holes totaled 1,286 m on two fences across the Promontorio vein zone, which includes the Veta Grande, Veta del 100 and Veta Las Guijas veins. “The West Promontorio vein zone is an underexplored vein zone located 100 m west of the Veta del 100 that was intersected in the 2024 drill program. The Promontorio Sur is the faulted-off, down-dropped, and underexplored southern extension of the Las Guijas vein”. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 1.25 m @ 151 gpt Ag, 0.03 gpt Au, 0.91% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 0.6% Zn (or 309 gpt AgEq); 0.70 m @ 2,431 gpt Ag, 0.26 gpt Au, 1.29% Cu, 7.4% Pb, 6.1% Zn (or 2,976 gpt AgEq); 1.05 m @ 196 gpt Ag, 0.37 gpt Au, 0.47% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 1.9% Zn (or 342 gpt AgEq); 5.60 m @ 200 gpt Ag, 0.48 gpt Au, 0.35% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 1.6% Zn (or 368 gpt AgEq); 2.55 m @ 350 gpt Ag, 0.78 gpt Au, 0.52% Cu, 3.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn (or 621 gpt AgEq); 8.45 m @ 78 gpt Ag, 0.37 gpt Au, 0.24% Cu, 2.6% Pb, 4.1% Zn (including 1.75 m @ 211 gpt Ag, 0.61 gpt Au, 0.53% Cu, 7.4% Pb, 10.9% Zn).
  • Radius Gold Inc. reported final drill results by its partner Fresnillo plc for the Plata Verde silver project in Chihuahua. The drill program comprised 13 holes for a total of 2,400 m, intersecting several zones of low-grade Ag mineralization, but no zones of significant mineralization.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. announced results from drilling at its Copalquin District project in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 33.00 m @ 31.8 gtp Au, 274 gpt Ag (including 7.00 m @ 144 gpt Au, 1,162 gpt Ag, which includes 2.00 m @ 495 gpt Au, 3,765 gpt Ag); 1.00 m @ 12.65 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag; 2.45 m @ 0.87 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag; 9.60 m @ 0.23 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag. The company also completed a 70 square Km LIDAR survey covering the project area, identifying a number of previously unknown mine workings.

ON MINING

  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. reported results for Q1, ended July 31, 2024. At San Martin, in Queretaro, Starcore milled 49.5 K tonnes grading 1.92 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag, recovering 85.2% Au, 56.9% Ag, to produce 2,600 Oz Au, 18.3 K Oz Ag (or 2.8 K Oz AuEq) at cash cost US$1,608 per Oz AuEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. completed the previously announced bought deal public offering for aggregate gross proceeds of C$65 M. The offering was led by Canaccord Genuity as sole bookrunner on behalf of itself and a syndicate of underwriters, including CIBC Capital Markets, Ventum Financial Corp., Raymond James Ltd., Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., and BMO Capital Market (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. granted 4.67 M stock options and 1.18 M restricted share units to directors, officers, employees and consultants. Heliostar also entered into two advisory agreements with TSCG Capital Group and 3L Capital Inc. for financial advisory services (Ana Paula, Guerrero).
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. is increasing its private placement offering to $2.4 M in gross proceeds (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Orex Minerals Inc.  granted 909 K incentive stock options to directors and officers. (Coneto, Durango).
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of US$500 K (La Guitarra, Estado de Mexico).
  • Guanajuato Silver Corp. announced the complete repayment of its US$7.5 M Ag and Au pre-payment facility to Swiss-based OCIM Metals & Mining S.A., leaving the gold loan credit facility with Ocean Partners UK Ltd. as the only loan outstanding. This “facility is repayable in equal fixed monthly installments of gold totalling approximately 338 troy ounces per month for a period of 30 months which commenced in June 2024. Notably, Guanajuato Silver averaged monthly production of over 1600 ounces of gold and over 137,000 ounces of silver during the first half of 2024” (El Cubo, Guanajuato).   

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. commenced a 5,000 m diamond drill program at Ana Paula, in Guerrero. The 2,600 m seven holes Phase 1 program focus on extending the High Grade Panel and Parallel Panel to the west, testing also the downdip extension of the High Grade Panel. Phase 2 consists of eight holes totaling 2,400 m, targeting the eastern and western extensions of the High Grade Panel.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Orex Minerals Inc. announced the resignation of Ben Whiting as President, CEO and Director of the company, and of Art Freeze as director. Later during the week Orex announced the appointment of John Eren as CEO and member of the board, and the appointment of Chris Beltgens as a member of the board (Coneto, Durango).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported that all matters were approved at the company’s AGM held on September 16, 2024 (Zimapan, Hidalgo).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Alamos Gold Inc. announced a significant contribution to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation to create the new Alamos Gold Chair in Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology.
  • Mithril Gold and Silver Ltd. stated that part of its ESG commitment includes “the municipal access road, connecting to the township of El Durazno 12 km east of the Copalquin District, with support for the municipal upgrade works scheduled for commencement in Q3 2024.

On the image below: Chloritized porphyritic diorite, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 5th week of the year (January 29th to February 4th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 19 news releases. Two companies reported exploration advances on their properties and two companies released quarterly production results. Five companies announced financing rounds, one posted on recent trading activity and one more has been added to a silver special listing. Two companies informed on work at their advanced properties and one more on commencement of mining. Two companies informed on the appointment and resignation of senior officers, one on 2023 performance and its royalty guidance for 2024 and one more on the refurbishment of a mill by a partner. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Gold production fell in Mexico during 2023, but four new projects are poised to start production in 2024. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Silver informed on RC drilling results from its Cervantes project. In Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources updated on work at Las Coloradas. ON MINING, Gold Resource Corp. and Sierra Metals reported production results for Q4 and full-year 2023. ON FINANCING, Mexus Gold is to raise $250 K, Zacatecas Silver C$1.8 M, Atacama Copper C$12.9 M (to invest in Chile), Capstone Copper C$375 M (to invest in Chile) and Kootenay Silver C$2.5 M. Chesapeake Gold was added to the “Nasdaq Metal Focus Silver Miners Index”. Kootenay Silver informed on recent trading activity.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Storm released drilling results from La Parrilla in Durango. CMC Metals updated on work at Gavilanes, in Durango. Bendito Resources is to commence mining base metals at Oposura, in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Orogen Royalties provided an update of 2023 figures and the guidance for 2024 royalties from the Ermitaño deposit in Sonora. Goldgroup Mining and Vizsla Silver informed on resignation/incorporation of senior officers. Xali Gold reported its mill in Nayarit is now operational, and is assessing a JV. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Raúl García Reimbert, president of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México, stated that four new projects in Mexico are set to start producing gold in 2024, bringing to the market 323,400 Oz Au per year. In 2022 the gold production in Mexico reached 4.77 M Oz, which fell to 2.27 M Oz in 2023, in part by the long Union strike at Peñasquito. The projects to start producing gold are Media Luna by Torex Gold, in Guerrero, Cerro de Oro by Minera Alamos in Zacatecas, Cerro Caliche by Sonoro Gold in Sonora and Terronera by Endeavour Silver in Jalisco.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. announced additional reverse circulation drill results from its Cervantes project in Sonora. Drilling has extended the California zone of gold mineralization for 1 km in the East-West direction, and added the quartzite unit as a favorable gold host. Highlighted drill length intercepts comprise 47.12 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 57.76 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 59.44 m @ 0.28 gpt Au; 25.84 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 109.44 m @ 0.20 gpt Au. “In 2024 it is planned for further technical studies, reconnaissance work on other targets, metallurgical testing and the Cervantes phase 3B RC drilling program of approximately 20 drillholes comprising 2,850 meters including California North and Jasper”.
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. updated on work being carried out at Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. “Portions of the Soledad structure were mined by ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), the U.S. based subsidiary of Grupo Mexico in the period 1944 to 1952….. Average mining diluted grades are reported to have been in the order of 0.6 to 0.8 g/t gold, 300 to 518 g/t silver, 6.2 to 10.9 % lead and 6.5 to 10.3 % zinc, from four different veins, called La Soledad, Santo Niño, Eva and Rosario.” Kingsmen’s sampling in the old workings confirmed the presence of high-grade silver, and significant silver on La Soledad and La Soledad II vein systems, which are 1.7 and 1.0 Km long respectively

ON MINING

  • Gold Resource Corp. provided preliminary fourth quarter results for 2023. During the quarter the Don David property in Oaxaca milled 111.2 K tonnes @ 1.44 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 2.9% Zn, to produce 4,077 Oz Au, 282,5 K Oz Ag, 341 tonnes Cu. For the year, Gold Resource sold 30,119 Oz Au, 1.06 M Oz Ag (or 42,757 Oz AuEq), 1,348 tonnes Cu, 5,391 tonnes Pb, 14,157 tonnes Zn.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported Q4 2023 production, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, during the fourth quarter 410 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 4,686 tonnes grading 0.84% Cu, 16.6 gpt Ag, 0.42 gpt Au, recovering 92.6% Cu, 82.4% Ag, 68.4% Au, to produce 7.06 M Lb Cu, 179 K Oz Ag, 3,757 Oz Au. For the year 1.48 M tonnes were processed, grading 0.85% Cu, 17.3 gpt Ag, 0.41 gpt Au, recovering 92.9% Cu, 82.0% Ag, 68.3% Au, to produce 25.77 M Lb Cu, 674 K Oz Ag, 13,347 Oz Au (or 36.6 M Lb CuEq). “… plans are underway to enhance the capacity of the tailings dam which will enable the plant to increase production levels”. For 2024 production guidance for Bolivar is 23.9 to 27.6 M Lb Cu, 650 to 750 K Oz Ag, 8,000 to 9,200 Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Mexus Gold US. Announced its intent to raise $250 K “the estimated amount to pay for its currently outstanding but completed audits bringing Mexus back into compliance with the OTCQB exchange, paying for outstanding claim taxes, and general and administration purposes” (Santa Elena-Don Julio, Sonora).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. confirms that its board and management are not aware of any corporate development “or undisclosed material change relating to the Company or its operations that would account for the recent trading activity and decrease in its share price” (Columba, Chihuahua).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. has been added to the Nasdaq Metal Focus Silver Miners Index, “and believe that our selection to this index is further recognition of our progress and achievements” (Metates, Durango).
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced a non-brokered placement financing for totals proceeds of C$1.8 M (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas).
  • Atacama Copper Corp. closed the third and final tranche of the previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$300 K and aggregate gross proceeds of C$12.9 M raised in connection with the proposed transaction (Yecora, Sonora).
  • Capstone Copper Corp. and Orion Fund JV Ltd, Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP and Orion Mine Finance (Master) Fund I-A LP jointly announce that they have entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets, as Lead Bookrunner and including National Bank Financial and Scotiabank as Joint Bookrunners pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, shares for aggregate gross proceeds of C$375 M. The funds are to be used on projects in Chile (Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement offering aimed to raise up to C$2.5 M in gross proceeds. (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. released results from seven diamond holes from its phase 1 drilling program at La Parrilla, in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals from the San Nicolas Zone comprise 9.39 m @ 676 gpt Ag, 0.12% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.1% Zn (including 5.25 m @ 988 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.1% Zn); 2.20 m @ 1,186 gpt Ag, 0.32% Cu, 0.2% Pb; 1.75 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 1,479 gpt Ag, 0.25% Cu, 1.2% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 0.50 m @ 5.90 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag; 4.09 m @ 172 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 7.50 m @ 325 gpt Ag, 3.7% Pb, 3.8% Zn (including 3.45 m @ 600 gpt Ag, 6.1% Pb, 6.9% Zn); 2.45 m @ 150 gpt Ag, 2.6% Pb, 3.0% Zn. “Prior to placing La Parrilla on care and maintenance First Majestic had commenced mining over 5 established levels and 80 vertical metres at San Nicolas. We have now been able to expand and trace the high-grade mineralization 370 metres down from surface, with continuity.”
  • CMC Metals Ltd. provided an update on its Gavilanes project in Durango. The management team of the company participated on the annual assembly of the Ejido Los Gavilanes, where they agreed to enter into a letter of intent (LOI) to advance an exploration agreement. CMC is also working in the financing of the project, with its recent participation on the VRIC conference in Vancouver. The company is active working to obtain financing for phase 1 of the project, which is to include funding for up to 4,500 m of drilling. The current inferred resource is 1.76 M tonnes @ 320 gpt AgEq, containing 18.2 M Oz AgEq.
  • Bendito Resources Inc. finalized logistics for the commencement of phase 1 mining of high-grade Zn-Pb ore at Oposura, in Sonora. Ocean partners has provided a US$2 M revolving pre-financing facility, bearing interest at 11.5% and repayable 120 days from the date advanced. The transaction stipulates a minimum size of 5K tonnes per lot, grading greater than 20% Zn+Pb. The historical mineral resource estimation contains 70-100 K tonnes of this high-grade ore.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Orogen Royalties Inc. provided a 2023 update and forecast for 2024, including figures from its Mexican plays. The company holds a 2% NSR royalty on the production by First Majestic Silver on the Ermitaño project in Sonora, where 28,056 Oz Au, 582.5 K Oz Ag were produced during Q4 2023. As of the end of 2022 the Ermitaño mine had 369,000 Oz Au, 5.8 M Oz Ag in measured and indicated resources, and 269,00 Oz Au, 7.7 M Oz Ag in inferred resources. For 2024, First Majestic’s production guidance is between 81,000 to 90,000 Oz Au, and 1.1 to 1.2 M Oz Ag, “with over 90% of the production from the Ermitaño mine”.
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. announced the resignation of Javier Reyes from the board of directors of the company (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. informed Simon Cmrlec, a highly experienced senior engineer is joining Vizsla as chief operating officer (COO) and will be tasked with advancing the Panuco project in Sinaloa towards production. He will commence the role on April 1, 2024.
  • Xali Gold Corp. informed that Grupo Minero WIYA has made the required repairs to get operational Xali Gold’s San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) Plant in Nayarit. Under the current agreement WIYA has to pay US$150 K per month for 10 months and upon completion of paying a total of US$1.5 M, WIYA would have the right to own the SDA Plant, “however discussions are now ongoing to change these terms into a Joint Venture and operate the plant together for shared profits. Currently, Magellan Acquisition Corp. (“Magellan”), and the Company each own 50% of the SDA plant”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz breccia vein on a project of the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 3rd week of the year (January 15th to January 21st, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 25 news releases. Three companies reported exploration advances on their properties, eight companies released production results and one more announced it is now processing material from a third party at its installations. Two companies announced financing rounds, one paid back a fair amount of debt and made the final installment of a layback agreement. One company is arranging convertible debt financing and one other closed a debt settlement with shares and informed on debt restructuring. Three companies updated on work at its advanced properties. One company updated on 2023 work and plans for 2024, another announced a favorable resolution of issues relating to its mining claims and one more on the intention to spin its royalty company to its shareholders. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the president of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México informed on the detrimental aspects brought by the new mining law. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Silver informed on RC drilling results from its Cervantes project. Colibri contracted an air mag survey for El Plomo in Sonora. In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals updated on work in 2023 and plans for 2024 at its Zaachila and Riqueza Marina projects. ON MINING, Orla Mining, First Majestic Silver, Bear Creek Mining, Avino Silver, Torex Gold, Pan American Silver, Argonaut Gold and Fortuna Silver reported production results for Q4 and full-year 2023. Guanajuato Silver Company is to process material from a Mexican company at its El Cubo mill. ON FINANCING, Orla Mining repaid $25 M of debt and the final $22.8 M installment of the Layback agreement to Fresnillo plc. GoldGroup Mining is to arrange a convertible debt financing for US$400 K. GR Silver is to undertake a private placement for up to $1.5 M. Regency Silver completed the first tranche of a private placement expected to raise $800 K. Luca Mining informed on the restructuring of debts with service providers and clients.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Defiance Silver released results from drilling at San Acacio, in Zacatecas. Impact Silver informed on drill intercepts from its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Orla Mining confirmed gold oxide mineralization on the Fresnillo plc property and on structures channelling deep oxidation beneath the planned pit at Camino Rojo in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Riverside Resources updated on 2023 work and plans for 2024 on three properties in Sonora. Silver Valley announced a favorable resolution with the government on its Mexi-Can Sulphate of Potash and Lithium project in Zacatecas. Prime Mining announced a new CEO appointment. Vizsla Silver is to spin out the shares of Vizsla Silver Royalties to its shareholders.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Raúl García Reimbert, president of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México, stated that according to INEGI (Mexican bureau of statistics), the services related to mining fell by 26.2% in November 2023. Mineral exploration for new projects is practically paralyzed after five years of a no-concessions policy by the actual presidential administration and last year’s mining reforms. The reform poised the SGM as the only entity to explore for new projects that later are to be auctioned, but no budget was allocated for the deed. He also added that “there is no work, staff is laid off, sales of services related to drill bits, exploration supplies, lab technicians, geologists, surveyors, etc.”   

ON EXPLORATION

  • Vortex Metals Inc. provided a summary of 2023 achievements and unveiled its strategy for 2024. In 2023 Vortex completed environmental assessments on its Zaachila and Riqueza Marina projects in Oaxaca, which will be the basis for the reports to be submitted to SEMERNAT (Mexican environmental bureau). “At Riqueza Marina, Vortex completed extensive geological work at the Rhyolite Dome area and, on the copper-rich gossans to the east and west. A total of six trenches measuring 188 meters and yielding 117 rock chip samples were completed”. In 2024 Vortex will continue to engage with the local communities to develop a strong social license that will enable the advance in exploration and potential discovery of a new Cu-Au volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) belt in Oaxaca.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. released initial gold results from three reverse circulation drill holes at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The RC drill program was designed to expand the California gold mineralization in multiple directions. Highlighted drill length intervals comprise 7.6 m @ 0.274 gpt Au; 13.68 m @ 0.338 gpt Au; 30.4 m @ 1.035 gpt Au (including 1.52 m @ 13.8 gpt Au). “Aztec plans to carry out reconnaissance and channel sampling and geologic mapping of the new drill roads at California, and other targets”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. contracted Geo Digital Imaging de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. to complete a 1,373-hectare HD magnetic survey covering the main targets at El Plomo claims on its EP project in Sonora. The drone aerial survey comprises 312 line-km on 81 lines at 50-m separation and 8 tie-lines at 500-m separation. The survey characteristics are the same that were applied on the adjacent Evelyn target, therefore the blending of the two surveys is expected to be seamless.

ON MINING

  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an operational update for the fourth quarter of 2023. During the period the company mined 1.86 M tonnes of ore and 802.8 tonnes of waste, for a strip rate of 0.43, stacking 1.75 M tonnes at a rate of 18,998 tpd grading 0.73 gpt Au to produce 34,484 Oz Au. For the full year Camino Rojo produced 121,877 Oz Au. For 2024 the guidance is 110 to 120 K Oz Au production from the Camino Rojo Oxide operation, at cash cost of $625 to $725 per Oz Au and an AISC of $875 to $975 per Oz Au. Nearly half of the $23M Exploration budget in Mexico is to continue exploration activities “on the new discovery below the Camino Rojo sulphide deposit”.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced a total production from its mines in Mexico of 6.6 M AgEq Oz Ag for the fourth quarter of 2023. During the period the company produced 2.61 M Oz Ag, 46,585 Oz Au that add up to 10.25 M Oz Ag, 198,921 Oz Au in the year, or 26.9 M Oz AgEq. Also, during the quarter twelve rigs worked at San Dimas (Durango) and four in Santa Elena (Sonora). At La Encantada, efforts are being made to find more water sources for the plant, as an extended drought is pressing production. For 2024 First Majestic production guidance contemplates 150-167 K Oz Au, 8.6-9.6 M Oz Ag, or 21.1-23.5 M Oz AgEq. At cash cost $13.69-$14.46 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $19.32-20.68 per Oz AgEq. The company is planning 188,500 m of drilling, with 95,000 m at San Dimas, 59,000 m at Santa Elena and 9,500 m at La Encantada (the rest out of Mexico).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. released production figures for the fourth quarter of 2023. At Mercedes, in Sonora, 135,918 tonnes were processed in the period, grading 3.30 gpt Au, recovering 93.6% Au, to produce 13,478 Oz Au, 52.1 K Oz Ag, adding up to 43,860 Oz Au, 167 K Oz Ag in 2023. This quarterly production represents a 47% increase on the previous period and reflects the higher grades mined and increased working faces. Reduction of gold and silver streams of 78% were reached/obtained in the period, improving cash flow.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results. For the full year the company produced 2.41 M Oz AgEq at its Avino mine in Durango. During the fourth quarter 143.8 K tonnes @ 56 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, 0.49% Cu were processed, recovering 87% Ag, 70% Au, 84% Ag, to produce 224.7 K Oz Ag, 1,452 Oz Au, 1.32 M Lb Cu, or 558.5 K Oz AgEq. Also, in the quarter a long-term land use agreement was signed on the neighboring La Preciosa project, the prefeasibility study (PFS) on the Oxide Tailings Project in Avino is nearing completion and the dry stacking facility has been fully operational for a year.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. provided 2024 operational guidance and a five-year production outlook for the Morelos Complex in Guerrero, which includes the ELG Mine Complex and Media Luna project. For 2024 the company set a guidance of 410 to 460 K Oz AuEq with total cash cost of $900 to $950 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,130 to $1,190 per Oz AuEq. “The mine plan for 2024 includes a full year of production scheduled from ELG, with the open pits starting to wind down mid-year and ELG Underground maintaining consistent levels of production throughout the year. Ore production from Media Luna starts inQ2 and continues to ramp up thereafter”. The five-year production outlook envisages 410 to 460 K Oz AuEq (2024), 425 to 475 K Oz AuEq (2025), 425 to 475 K Oz AuEq (2026), 450 to 500 K Oz AuEq (2027) and 350 to 400 K Oz AuEq (2028). The drilling budget include $15 M for the Media Luna Cluster, $12 M for ELG Underground and $3 M for the Morelos district. Torex has hedged 158 K Oz Au for the year at an average price of $1,972 per Oz.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. commenced a relationship with a Mexican mining company “to process a portion of its surface inventory of mineralized material” at Guanajuato Silver’s El Cubo mines complex in Guanajuato. This agreement will utilize excess capacity of El Cubo mill with material that has demonstrated compatible with the processing circuit through comprehensive metallurgical testing.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported preliminary production results for Q4 and full-year 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 806 K Oz Ag, 400 Oz Au were produced in Q4 2023, completing 4.4 M Oz Ag, 2,300 Oz Au in the year. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 477 K Oz Ag, 25,400 Oz Au were produced in Q4 to complete 2.2 M Oz Ag, 107,100 Oz Au in the year. For 2024 the production forecast is of 5.3 to 5.7 M Oz Ag, 2,000 Oz Au at La Colorada, at cash cost $11.70 to $14.10 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $16.00 to $18.50 per Oz AgEq. For Dolores the guidance is of 1.9 to 2.2 M Oz Ag, 65,000 to 75,000 Oz Au at $1,165 to $1,260 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,475 to 1,575 Oz AuEq. Dolores. At La Colorada a 30% improvement in production is expected upon completion of a new ventilation system by mid 2024. At Dolores mining and staking on the heap are expected to conclude on Q3 2024, and then enter into the reclamation phase, with residual leaching for a few years.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc . announced fourth quarter and full year 2023 production results, including figures from its Mexican operations. The company has three mining units: La Colorada in Sonora, and El Castillo and San Agustín in Durango, where 90,247 Oz Au were produced in the year.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.  reported production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At the San José mine in Oaxaca, 241 K tonnes were milled at an average rate of 2,678 tpd, averaging 145 gpt Ag, 0.91 gpt Au, recovering 90.8% Ag, 89.6% Au, to produce 1.02 M Oz Ag, 6,345 Oz Au during the Q4. For the full year, San José produced 4.66 M Oz Ag, 28,559 Oz Au. For 2024 the guidance is to produce 3.1 to 3.6 M Oz Ag, 19 to 23 K Oz Au at cash cost $20.3 to $22.3 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $22.8 to $24.0 per Oz AgEq. Driven by high costs and declining grade, the company is scheduled to exhaust mineral reserves by the end of 2024 and “to review and update a multiyear progressive mine closure and monitoring plan” with a current budget of $27 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Orla Mining Ltd. repaid $25 M towards its revolving credit facility, reducing the balance to $88.4 M. Orla also paid the final $22.8 M installment to Fresnillo plc as part of the layback agreement. At December 31, 2023 Orla had a cash position of $96.6 M and a total debt position of $88.4 M, resulting in a net cash position of $8.2 M (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. is to make a presentation at the 2024 Vancouver Resource Investor Conference on January 21, 2024 (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • GoldGroup Mining Inc. is in the process of arranging convertible debt financing of up to US$400 K of which US$100 K have already been received. “The Convertible Debts will be unsecured, bear interest at 12% per annum, will be repayable 18 (eighteen) months post-closing and will be convertible into common shares of the Company at CAD $0.10 per share at a fixed FX rate of 0.76 USD to CAD at the election of the lender(s)” (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. proposes to undertake a non-brokered private placement of up to $1.5 M (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Regency Silver Corp. completed the first tranche of $622 K on a previously announced non-brokered private placement of $800 K. “The balance of the private placement is expected to close shortly” (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp. received a conditional TSX Venture Exchange approval and closed a debt restructuring and debt transaction previously announced. The company closed its debt settlement with Latapi Consultores S.A. de C.V., issuing 17.75 M shares to settle an outstanding debt of CAD$11 M. Luca Mining also completed its debt restructuring with Trafigura Mexico S.A. de C.V. and its affiliate Union Holdings Ltd., converting a US$5.8 M outstanding loan into a non-interest three-year term convertible debenture. Trafigura has also advanced an additional US$2.5 M loan to assist the company in completing the mine optimization program to deliver separate clean copper, zinc and lead concentrates to Trafigura with higher grades and recoveries (Campo Morado, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Defiance Silver Corp. released results from the 2023 drilling campaign at its San Acacio property in Zacatecas. The drilling demonstrated in-situ vein material remains in place at shallow levels of the mine. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 12.82 m @ 0.36 gpt Au, 223 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 32.32 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn (including 18.91 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 166 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.5% Zn and 6.39 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 1.7% Pb, 4.6% Zn); 33.76 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag, 0.07% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.8% Zn (including 15.02 m @ 0.60 gpt Au, 162 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 2.1% Pb, 2.5% Zn, which includes 4.47 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 265 gpt Ag, 0.31% Cu, 5.1% Pb, 3.3% Zn). According to Defiance, the increasing copper grades and the presence of semi-massive to massive sulfide mineralization near surface is encouraging, as Capstone Mining is operating the Cozamin copper mine approximately 3 km away.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced results from drilling at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Initial drill results from the Tres Amigos section of the mine confirmed high-grade mineralization in the Juarez horizon, near accessible mine workings. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 1.29 m @ 18.2% Zn; 5.70 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 5.3% Pb, 7.9% Zn; 1.50 m @ 64 gpt Ag, 3.1% Pb, 11.9% Zn; 3.77 m @ 19 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 5.0% Zn; 2.40 m @ 17 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 6.0% Zn; 1.50 m @ 12 gpt Ag, 12.4% Pb, 3.3% Zn; 9.24 m @ 6 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 4.0% Zn (including 1.98 m @ 13 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 9.1% Zn, and 1.85m @ 13 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 8.7% Zn); 2.70 m @ 35 gpt Ag, 9.2% Pb, 11.1% Zn; 6.90 m @ 28 gpt Ag, 5.4% Pb, 10.2% Zn; 3.60 m @ 50 gpt Ag, 2.1% Pb, 10.9% Zn.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. completed 6,500 m of diamond drilling at its Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas. This near-pit exploration included 2,500 m to confirm oxide mineralization on the Fresnillo plc property (Layback area) north of the pit and 4,000 m of drilling targeting structures controlling deeper levels of oxidation beyond the currently designed pit. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 76 m @ 0.85 gpt Au (including 28 m @ 1.28 gpt Au and 10.27 m @ 1.27 gpt Au); 67 m @ 0.48 gpt Au; 73.5 m @ 0.37 gpt Au; 21 m @ 1.09 gpt Au; 18.7 m @ 1.06 gpt Au (including 4 m @ 4.06 gpt Au); 22.5 m @ 0.92 gpt Au; 67.1 m @ 1.16 gpt Au; 65.1 m @ 0.86 gpt Au; 63 m @ 0.63 gpt Au; 41 m @ 0.49 gpt Au; 21 m @ 0.87 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Riverside Resources Inc. updated on 2023 work and its outlook for 2024. In Mexico the company is preparing drilling permits to maintain good standing of the properties located in Sonora. On the Ariel porphyry copper property, consolidation of land and proper titling are positioning the company for potential JV’s. At the Union mine, assays of up to 1 Oz Au and 30% of Zn highlight the potential for further expansion. At Cecilia, a large dome complex has already yielded significant intercepts on previous drilling.
  • Silver Valley Metals Corp. announced a favorable resolution of issues relating to its Mexi-Can sulphate of potash and lithium project in Zacatecas. The company reported a favorable ruling regarding two amparos (constitutional appeals) on the effect of the New Mining Law. Also, the government operator of lithium mining, Litio Mx, declined to participate on the development of the Mexi-Can project and Silver Valley is poised to recommence exploration activities.
  • Prime Mining Corp. announced that CEO Daniel Kunz is retiring and Mr. Scott Hicks, EVP, will succeed him (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. intends to spin out the shares of Vizsla Silver Royalties Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vizsla Silver, to the company’s shareholders. The royalty consists of a 2.0% net smelter return (NSR) on certain unencumbered concessions on the Panuco project in Sinaloa, and a 0.5% NSR on certain encumbered concessions on the same project which have a pre-existing 3.0% NSR. “Pursuant to the Spinout, common shares of Vizsla Royalties would be distributed to shareholders of Vizsla Silver. Vizsla Silver is expected to hold approximately a 49% ownership interest in Vizsla Royalties, with the remaining shares of Vizsla Royalties being distributed to shareholders of Vizsla Silver on a pro-rata basis at a time to be determined by the board of directors of Vizsla Silver”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. is to release fourth quarter and full-year 2023 results after February 21, 2024 (Mulatos, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz breccia vein on a project of the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of November 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 45th week of the year (November 6th to November 12th, 2023), companies working in Mexico posted 29 news releases. Two companies reported exploration advances on their properties and twelve companies released Q3 2023 reports. Two companies informed on financing rounds, one on the granting of share options and one more on its share consolidation process. One company amended the terms on a property acquisition, one is reviewing its strategic options forward, one more is waiting for mining permits and two announced director’s appointments. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Ganfeng Lithium Company is trying to negotiate with the Mexican government the recent cancellation of its mining concessions in Sonora. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources presented metallurgical results from Tenoriba. In Zacatecas, Radius Gold presented drilling results from Tropico. ON MINING, Capstone Copper, Endeavour Silver, Gold Resource, Pan American Silver, Aura Minerals, Gatos Silver, Fortuna Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Coeur Mining, Avino Silver, Golden Minerals and MAG Silver presented Q3 2023 production results. ON FINANCING, Tocvan Ventures is to close a CAD$500 K financing round. Golden Minerals closed a US$4.2 M public offering. Minaurum Gold granted stock options to directors, officers and consultants. Kootenay Silver announced the consolidation of its shares.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar Metals reported drilling results from its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Prime Mining reported on drilling at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Pantera Silver amended the terms on the acquisition of the Nuevo Taxco project in Guerrero. Bear Creek Mining announced the appointment of directors of the company. Gold Resource is reviewing its strategic alternatives, including the potential sale of the company. Minaurum Gold announced the appointment of Rubén Padilla to the board of directors. Osisko Development is waiting for mining permits at San Antonio, in Sonora.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Argonaut Gold, SilverCrest Metals and Avino Silver presented information on their impact on communities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Ganfeng Lithium Company is trying to negotiate with the Mexican government the recent cancellation of its mining concessions in Sonora.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. provided an update of drilling at its Tropico project in Zacatecas. The company completed an initial 1,300 m diamond drill program in eight holes, with assays received for the first seven holes. Drilling is planned to resume upon the receipt of remaining assays. Highlighted core length results comprise 29.18 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 30.10 m @ 0.35 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 44.20 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 28.52 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 36.25 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag (including 7.52 m @ 1.40 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag); 12.30 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag. “The expected hydrothermal breccia pipe was not found vertically below the sinter as predicted by the geophysics, instead is rather un-expectedly dipping at 45o east and has now been defined under soil cover 200m to the east of the outcropping target”.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. announced results from bottle roll tests performed on three composite samples of assay reject sample material of drill holes from the Carneritos area of its Tenoriba property in Chihuahua. Results from oxide material reached 92% and 88% dissolution Au and 55% Ag in 12 hours and 94% and 91% Au, 59% Ag after 96 hours. Results for the oxidized-sulfide transition material reached 72% Au, 61% Ag in 12 hours and 75% Au, 64% Ag in 96 hours. “Based on the success from these initial bottle roll tests, Mammoth has commenced testing a coarser fraction of the oxidized and mixed oxidized-sulfide zone material and preliminary tests of a sulfide sample and looks forward to reporting on these results in the near future”.   

ON MINING

  • Capstone Copper Corp. reported financial results for Q3 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. Of a consolidated production of 40.3 K tonnes Cu during the quarter, 5.9 K tonnes were produced at Cozamin, in Zacatecas, at $1.85 cash cost per Lb Cu. “Q3 2023 infill drilling at the Mala Noche Main Vein West Target was on hold while the development of the lower elevation mine cross-cut was completed. Infill drilling will recommence in early Q4 2023 to support an updated mineral resource estimate in 2024”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for Q3 2023. Consolidated production at the Bolañitos (Guanajuato) and Guanaceví (Durango) mines during the quarter of 1.46 M Oz Ag, 9,089 Oz Au (1.87 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $17.94 per Oz Ag and ASIC of $24.10 per Oz Ag. “Cost metrics were significantly impacted by lower production at the Guanaceví mine and increased operating development resulting from mine sequencing changes required to focus on improved access and ventilation as well as plant maintenance required during the last week of September”. Cash position of $41 M and working capital of $75.9 M by the end of the period. During the quarter $23.4 M were raised, primarily to fund the Terronera mine construction.
  • Gold Resource Corp. presented operational results for the year to date from its Don David mine in Oaxaca. A total of 14,777 Oz Au, 778 K Oz Ag, 8,772 tonnes Zn, 904 tonnes Cu, 3,681 tonnes Pb were produced on the year to date at total cash cost after co-product credits of $1,389 per Oz AuEq on the last quarter. At the quarters end the company had a cash balance of $6.7 M with no debt and working capital of $13.8 M.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported results for the third quarter 2023, without disclosing production figures by project. The company produced 5.7 M Oz Ag, 244.2 K Oz Au, with a silver segment cash cost of $13.13 and an AISC of $18.19, to end the period with $832.1 M, inclusive of cash and investments of $386 M, a $750 M revolving line of credit and $809 M of total debt primarily related to the acquisition of Yamana. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, “the Company invested $14.0 million of project capital in Q3 2023 to advance the La Colorada Skarn project, largely for exploration and the preliminary economic study underway, as well as advancing the excavation of the concrete-lined ventilation shaft”. The preliminary economic study for the project is to be released by year-end 2023.
  • Aura Minerals Inc. filed consolidated financial statements for the period ended on September 30th 2023. Consolidated production from all its mines reached 64,875 Oz AuEq, of which 27,933 Oz AuEq were produced at Aranzazu, in Zacatecas. The AISC of consolidated production was $1,437 per Oz Au. Aura Minerals ended the quarter with a cash balance of $179 M and a net debt of $112.1 M.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced third quarter 2023 financial and operating results. The company has a 70% interest in the Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua, which processed 268.3 K tonnes at a rate of 2,916 tpd, averaging 0.30 gpt Au, 285 gpt Ag, 1.84% Pb, 3.82% Zn, to produce 1.28 K Oz Au, 2.22 M Oz Ag, 9.5 M Lb Pb, 13.8 M Lb Zn, or 3.46 M Oz AgEq at co-product cash cost of $14.42 and a co-product AISC of $17.64 per Oz AgEq. As of October 31, 2023, the company had $57.7 M in cash, no debt and a $50 M revolving credit facility available.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported financial and operating results for the third quarter 2023. The company consolidated production from its operations in several countries was 94,821 Oz Au, 1.68 M Oz Ag. At the San Jose mine in Oaxaca, 247.5 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 2,845 tpd, grading 189 gpt Ag, 1.14 gpt Au, recovering 91% Ag, 91% Au, to produce 1.37 M Oz Ag, 8,205 Oz Au, at a cash cost of $13.84 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $18.04 per Oz AgEq. Infill drilling led to the discovery of the Yessi vein, a blind structure 200 m horizontally from existing underground infrastructure, with highlighted true width intercepts of 9.9 m @ 1,299 gpt AgEq and 5 m @ 621 gpt AgEq.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. released its financial results for the third quarter of 2023 and expanded on October 2023 operational results from Las Chispas mine, in Sonora. During the period the company mined 83,800 tonnes, processing 114,500 tonnes at a daily rate of 1,245 tpd, averaging 4.35 gpt Au, 413 gpt Ag, recovering 98.3% Au, 98.1% Ag to produce 15,700 Oz Au, 1.49 M Oz Ag at cash cost $6.53 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $12.23 per Oz AgEq. During the quarter 14,183 m of exploration drilling was completed, 83% in resource conversion and the rest in new vein targets, at a cost of $2.8 M. By the end of the Period SilverCrest held 70.0 M in cash and 11.7 M in bullion.
  • Coeur Mining Inc. reported third quarter 2023 financial results including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 501.7 K tonnes were milled, averaging 1.71 gpt Au, 114.1 gpt Ag, recovering 97.6% Au, 86.9% Ag to produce 26,870 Oz Au, 1.60 M Oz Ag at CAS of $917 per Oz Au and CAS of $15.56 per Oz Ag. “The focus of exploration has transitioned from primarily mapping and sampling to more intensive drilling from four rigs during the quarter compared to one rig in the previous quarter…. focused on finding the intersection of structures where there is potential for a higher-grade shoot”. During the period Palmarejo apported 34% of the gold and 69% of the silver produced by Coeur, at the lowest costs per ounce. Full-year production is expected be 100 to 112.5 K Oz Au, 6.5 to 7.5 M Oz Ag at Palmarejo. Coeur ended the quarter with $53 M in cash and $220 M available capacity under its $390 M revolving credit facility and $7 M of marketable securities.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released consolidated financial results for the third quarter 2023. At the Avino mine in Durango, 154.5 K tonnes were milled to produce 237 K Oz Ag, 2,077 Oz Au, 1.14 M Lb Cu, or 591.2 K Oz AgEq at cash cost $16.90 per Oz AgEq. Recent deep drilling indicates that “The vein system continues to be open along strike and at depth”.  At the end of the period Avino had $1.85 M in cash and $7.44 M in working capital.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released financial results and business summary for the quarter ending on September 30, 2023. The company is working on “permitting, equipment readiness, arrangements with union staff, contract miners, plant operators and support personnel. The Velardeña mines last operated in November 2015”. Also during the period a PEA report for the Velardeña properties in Durango was filed. Mining activities were concluded at Rodeo, in Durango in June 2023, and continued processing stockpiled material until August, with the pouring of the last doré in September. At the end of the period Golden Minerals held $1.6 M in cash and no debt.
  • MAG Silver Corp. announced unaudited financial results for Q3 2023. At Juanicipio (Fresnillo PLC 56% / MAG Silver 44%) in Zacatecas, 313.1 K tonnes were mined, 322.2 K tonnes processed @ 523 gpt Ag, 1.32 gpt Au, 1.33% Pb, 2.25% Zn, to produce 4.29 M Oz Ag, 7.76 K Oz Au, 7.69 M Lb Pb, 9.59 M Lb Zn at cash cost $4.68 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $9.19 per Oz Ag. The Juanicipio processing facility has achieved nameplate capacity, with Ag recovery above 88%. By the end of the period MAG held working capital of $55.1 M, including cash of $58.5 M and no long-term debt.

ON FINANCING

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced the incoming closing a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD$500 K (Pilar, Sonora).
  • Golden Minerals Co. announced and closed during the week a public offering, raising US$4.2 M (Velardeña, Durango).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. granted 1.75 M common share stock options to directors, officers and consultants (Alamos Silver, Sonora).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced that the 10 to 1 consolidation of the outstanding common shares of the company will be made effective on November 14, 2023 (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported results from two diamond drill holes at the Parallel Panel target at the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. This target is 50 m north of the High Grade Panel, and was identified over the last few months. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 14.75 m @ 5.06 gpt Au (including 5.3 m @ 11.7 gpt Au); 18.1 m @ 2.3 gpt Au; 147.05 m @ 4.13 gpt Au (including 16 m @ 11.2 gpt Au and 7.0 m @ 14.5 gpt Au and 8.6 m @ 8.70 gpt Au). “The new holes demonstrate good continuity of width and grade within the Parallel Panel”.
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported expansion drilling results from Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 20.10 m @ 2.11 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag (including 6.30 m @ 5.74 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag); 5.50 m @ 1.06 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag (including 1.80 m @ 2.57 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag); 4.45 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag (including 1.00 m @ 3.26 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag). “Today’s results, along with previously released holes in this area, have extended mineralization approximately 250m down-dip from the May 2023 resource pits”. There are now six rigs operating at Los Reyes, extending the high-grade Z-T area shoots at depth and along strike, expanding the two other resource areas and exploring new generative targets. “Prime has completed over 48,000 m of its planned 60,000 m 2023 drill program”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Pantera Silver Corp. amended the terms of the Nuevo Taxco option agreement to acquire the 1,100-ha project in Guerrero. Under the new terms Pantera is to issue 1.5 M shares in lieu of making a final cash $150 K payment. A final 2 M shares payment will be due on October 30th, 2024 and under the amended terms the vendor has the option to accept the 2 M shares or $150 K cash plus 500 K shares. The final $800 K work commitment has been extended to be competed before the end of 2025.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced the appointment of Ms. Sandra Daycock Ms. Susan Toews as directors of the company, and Mr. Brian Peer to the position of Chief Operating Officer (Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Gold Resource Corp. presented a review of strategic alternatives. “Notwithstanding the technical successes …… in light of the continued challenges facing the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors has decided to initiate a formal review process, with the assistance of outside financial and legal advisors, to evaluate strategic alternatives for the Company. The comprehensive process will begin immediately and will evaluate a broad range of options to maximize shareholder value, including a potential sale of the Company”.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. announced the appointment of Dr. Ruben Padilla, PhD to the board of directors (Alamos Silver, Sonora).
  • Osisko Development Corp. presented its third quarter 2023 report, with a few lines on the San Antonio project in Sonora. The company produced 13,591 Oz Au from the San Antonio heap leach since commencing processing of stockpiled inventory in Q1 2022. During Q3 production from the remaining stockpile inventory was completed, with no further production envisaged. “The Company awaits next steps from the government of Mexico with respect to the permitting process”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. released its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report and ESG strategy. For the first time released detailed energy and climate, water management, and biodiversity, with a water recycling rate of 91% on all its mines. Company-wide the Lost Time Injury Rate was lowered from 0.32 in 2021 to 0.07 in 2022. Zero operational disruptions due to labor or community issues.
  • Silver Crest Metals Inc. signed “a collaboration agreement with Comisión Estatal del Agua (CEA) and the municipality of Arizpe to work on agriculture infrastructure, sewage system and water concessions for agricultural use for the local communities”.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. currently holds “448 direct jobs at the mine, which has increased substantially since the restart of operations in 2021, which typically translates to 3 times the number of indirect jobs for services, consultants and suppliers in the surrounding communities and the Durango area”.  

On the image below: Geologist Julio Carcamo in a Sonoran Desert project. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Fault Plane showing slickensides

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 44th week of the year (October 31st to November 06th, 2022), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five informing on exploration results, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financing issues, and one communicating production and financial issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier. GoGold, GR Silver, Pan American Silver, and Southern Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November, 2022. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ranchero Gold provided an exploration update on its Daniela project, and Reyna Gold announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property. In Sinaloa, Prismo signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido and commenced drill permitting for its Los Pavitos project. In Jalisco, Almadex mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project. In Coahuila, Monumental provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project. ON MINING, Capstone reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Kootenay increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit (Columba project, Chihuahua). Xali Gold received advance net profits interest payment from Sun River Gold for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced that it has engaged SRK to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. GoGold reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. GR Silver released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Osisko provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. Pan American release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Southern Silver announced results from its final 4 drill holes at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silverton Metals announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). Ranchero Gold appointed its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora). Pan American and Agnico delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana. Sierra Madre entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico.  Sierra Metals received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa for a proposed business combination. Xali Gold increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • The Canadian government has told its Mexican counterpart that it is concerned about the investment climate in Mexico’s energy and mining sectors. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, expressed this position to Raquel Buenrostro, Secretary of the Economy of Mexico. Minister Ng reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advance in the implementation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) and to continue with the work carried out within the framework of initiatives such as the Economic Dialogue of Canada-Mexico High Level to deepen bilateral business, trade and investment ties and support inclusive and resilient economic growth. Two-way merchandise trade between the two countries was USD $41.7 billion in 2021. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest merchandise trading partner in a single country (after the United States and China).
  • The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel López Obrador stated that the rescue efforts of the bodies of 10 miners who were trapped in the El Pinabete mine, in Sabinas, Coahuila, were suspended due to a change of supplier, but will be resumed.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., , GR Silver Mining Ltd.,  Pan American Silver Corp.,  and Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the first week of November. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Ranchero Gold Corp., provided an exploration update on its Daniela project in Sonora. The company reported that it has completed the follow-up work of the nine priority targets previously identified at the property. Ranchero Gold stated that the San Francisco, Carboneras Sur, Carboneras Este, Rincón, and Moritas Este targets have shown evidence of gold mineralization, related alteration and lithologies known to host significant gold deposits in the district. “Subsequent field efforts currently underway will include detailed mapping, systematic sampling and drone-based magnetic surveys designed to identify potential mineralized host rocks below surface”.
  • Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from its on-going, district-scale exploration program at its La Gloria property in Sonora. The company identified multiple mineralized zones with high grade gold, silver, and copper that align with major geophysical anomalies, silica alterations, and structural controls on the property. Highlights of the 8 rock sampling collected at La Republicana Zone returned values from 4.03 g/t Au up to 56.90 g/t Au; 7 samples ranging from 13 g/t Ag up to 47 g/t Ag; and 2 samples with 0.2% Pb and 0.5% Pb, with a single assay of 2.41% Cu. At Las Carmelitas zone, 7 rock samples returned 3 values of 0.11 g/t Au, 0.33 g/t Au, and 10.52 g/t Au; 5 samples ranging from 67 g/t Ag up to 116 g/t Ag; and 6 samples ranging from 1.53% up to 2.25% Cu. At Western Zone, 7 rock samples returned values from 2.51 g/t Au up to 16.60 g/t Au; 2 samples with values of 21g/t Ag and 249 g/t Ag; and a single sample with 1.15% Cu, 3.4% Zn, 1.3% Pb, 0.1 g/t Au, and 27 g/t Ag. At El Sombrero Zone, 7 samples returned gold values ranging from 1.1 g/t Au up to 23.6 g/t Au; 4 samples ranging from 149 g/t Ag up to 733 g/t Ag; 4 samples ranging from 0.68% up to 3.60% Cu; 4 samples ranging from 0.2% Pb up to 1.4% Pb, and 4 samples ranging from 0.1%Zn to 0.2% Zn. The company is presently conducting an IP survey at four target zones: La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas, and Main Zone. After completion of the IP geophysical survey, drilling will recommence in this area focused on La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas and Main Zone targets.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., signed a definitive surface agreement with the Francisco Villa Ejido, the surface owners over the Los Pavitos project in Sinaloa. This agreement is for two years and allows Prismo to carry out exploration work including drilling. The company has commenced drill permitting planned to begin in early 2023. Meanwhile, Prismo will continue with the geological mapping and sampling program to cover the remaining area to identify drill targets.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., mobilised an exploration team to commence a follow-up drill program at its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The drill program will target a recently identified structural trend associated with float rock of vein material, soil anomalies and old mining workings, where channel sampling has encountered 0.02 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag over an interval of 6.8m, and 3.7 g/t Au and 168 g/t Ag over an interval of 4.2m. A total of 14 grab and chip samples collected on this trend averaged 0.6 g/t Au and 180 g/t Ag.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update of its currently on-going exploration program at its Jemi project in Coahuila, which consists of detailed geological mapping, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and litho geochemistry. To date, the stream sediment sampling program, consisting of 47 samples has been completed. It returned 5 samples with values greater than 7.8 ppm dysprosium (Dy), 65.3 ppm neodymium (Nd); and up to 14.1 ppm Dy and 160 ppm Nd, defining four general areas of interest along the west and south portions of the company’s concessions, of which two are associated with known HREE mineralized (eudialyte bearing) peralkaline rock (Jemi Dyke Area and Veladora North). The remaining two areas with anomalous Dy and Nd concentrations were previously unrecognized as being prospective (Zone 2 and Zone 4). Follow-up exploration work to identify the source of the high REEs at these two areas will be undertaken during the current field program for quick delineation.

ON MINING

  • Capstone Copper Corp., reported Q3, 2022 production and financial results from its Cozamine mine in Zacatecas. The company mined 3,829 tonnes per day with an average grade of 1.86% and metallurgical recovery of 96.8%, to produce 36.74 M Lb Cu at a cash cost of USD $1.20 per Lb produced.

ON FINANCING

  • Kootenay Silver Inc., increased its previously announced private placement from $4M to $4.35M, and granted an option to Red Cloud Securities Inc, to offer for sale an additional 15% of the number of units of the company at a price of $0.09 per unit. If the offer for sale from Red Cloud is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds to the company will be $5M (Columba project, Chihuahua).
  • Xali Gold Corp., received advance net profits interest (NPI) payment from Sun River Gold, LLC for the El Orito Tailings project in the State of Mexico. Sun River has started making advance NPI payments of USD $15K per month to Xali Gold as part of the second extension agreement on the El Oro Tailings project, in El Oro, State of Mexico. Advanced NPI payments of USD $50K per month will be paid by Sun River once commercial production is reached (or first concentrate is produced or dore gold is poured) and during the first year of operation, after which normal 5% NPI payments are to be made.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced that it has engaged SRK Consulting Inc., to prepare an NI43-101 compliant updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. This updated Mineral Resource Estimate is to include an additional 7,200m of drilling completed in May 2022 which returned multiple higher grade gold intercepts and expanded several known mineralized gold zones within the concession.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported results from the second set of drill holes collared at the newly acquired Eagle concession on the Los Ricos South property in Jalisco. Highlights of the drilling include hole LRGAG-22-035 with 1.64 g/t Au and 265 g/t Ag (5.17 g/t AuEq or 387 g/t AgEq) over 110.6m, including 11.31 g/t Au and 2,198 g/t Ag (40.62 g/t AuEq or 3,047 g/t AgEq) over 11.5m, including 30.24 g/t Au and 6,392 g/t Ag (115.48 g/t AuEq or 8,661 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 63.24 g/t Au and 12,729 g/t Ag (232.96 g/t AuEq or 17,472 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, including 104.50 g/t Au and 13,742 g/t Ag (287.73 g/t AuEq or 21,580 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m; and hole LRGAG-22-032 with 1.36 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag (2.79 g/t AuEq or 210 g/t AgEq) over 65.8m, including 2.96 g/t Au and 217 g/t Ag (5.85 g/t AuEq or 439 g/t AgEq) over 28.1m, including 7.17 g/t Au and 1,013 g/t Ag (20.68 g/t AuEq or 1,551 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m, including 25 g/t Au and 3,020 g/t Ag (65.27 g/t AuEq or 4,895 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. “Mapping and geophysics indicate the Eagle structure extending in excess of 2.5km to the northwest, at which point it continues onto the Company’s previously owned Jamaica concessions”. “The Eagle concession connects the Company’s concessions held in the southern portion of its Los Ricos South project, including the Main area where the Initial Resource was released, to its northern concessions in Los Ricos South, which includes the Jamaica exploration target.  As a result, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous”. This offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South, with continuity from the Main Area and Eagle.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., released results from 38 infill drill holes in the resource update program underway at its Plomosas mine area in Sinaloa. Highlights of the drilling include hole PLI22-38 with 301 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (471 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 15.9m, including 856 g/t Ag, 0.70 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (1,052 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.9m; hole PL!22-23 with 268 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Au, 2.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (518 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 36.5m, including 626 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 1% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (684 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.9m, plus 1028 g/t Ag, 5.11g/t Au, 8.3% Pb, 7% Zn, and 0.9% Cu (2,101 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 5.9m, including 2,667 g/t Ag, 1.27 g/t Au, 12.2% Pb, 6.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (3,431 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.2m; hole PLI22-24 with 1,159 g/t Ag, 0.53 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, 1% Zn, and 0.8% Cu (1,354 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.20m, plus 135 g/t Ag, 0.39 g/t Au, 4% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.1m, including 292 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 1.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m; hole PLI22-25 with 629 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 9.2% Pb, 4% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,146 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 11.4m, including 1,791 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (1,917 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m; hole LP122-27 with 109 g/t Ag, 0.91 g/t Au, 3.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (371 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 7.2m, including 212 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 10.9% Pb, 4.1% Zn, and 0.22 % Cu (961 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.1; hole PLI22-30 with 344 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (370 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 2,251 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (2,365 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m, plus 1,697 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,792 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.1m, plus 134 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (273 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3m, including 328 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, 5% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (576 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.9m; hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% b, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 10.8m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (809 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m, plus 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,074 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.5m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 40 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 10.5% Pb, 9.8% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (852 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 6.5m. “GR Silver Mining’s infill drilling program is continuing in the Plomosas Mine Area, and to date has added 105 holes (7,330 m) of new drilling inside the historic Plomosas Mine since completion of the Company’s 2021 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimation”.
  • Osisko Development Corp., provided an operational update on its San Antonio Gold project in Sonora. The company reported that 1.1M tonnes of 0.58 g/t Au and 0.25 g/t Ag have been placed on the heap leach pad for an estimated total of 20,090 oz of Au and 8,818 oz of Ag. Osisko also reported that 10,149 Oz Au and 3,516 Oz Ag at recoveries to the end of the third quarter of 2022 of 50.5% for gold and 39.9% for silver total production have been produced from the heap leach pad as of October 27, 2022, of which 7,350 Oz Au were sold.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., release results from 45 new infill and exploration drill holes collared at its La Colorada Skarn project in Zacatecas. Highlights of the drilling are shown in the table below:

With the inclusion of these new drill holes, this area has been expanded to measure approximately 200 metres in diameter and up to 250 metres vertically.

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced results from its final 4 drill holes on the North Felsite-North Skarn targets at its Cerro Las Minitas, Durango. Highlights of the drilling include hole 22CLM-194 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.01% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (212 g/t AgEq or 5.2% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.3m, plus 386 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu, 6% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (827 g/t AgEq or 20.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.7m, plus 336 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.16% Cu, 6.5% Pb, and 4.7% Zn (780 g/t AgEq or 18.9% ZnEq) over a TW of 2.6m, including 746 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 17.1% Pb, and 13.2% Zn (1,904 g/t AgEq or 46.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.6m; and hole 22CLM-193 with 124 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (195 g/t AgEq or 4.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 5.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 2.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (333 g/t AgEq or 8.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 3m. “Drilling on these targets, which started in September 2021, has now tested a 400 metre strike-length of mineralization which wraps around the eastern and northern perimeter of the Central Intrusion and links previously identified mineralization in the Mina La Bocona and Skarn Front deposits. Twenty-five holes totaling 11,275 metres were completed in the two target areas to depths of up to 450 metres below surface”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silverton Metals Corp., announced that its Board of Directors approved a change of the company’s name to Lodestar Battery Metals Corp., to better reflects the company’s focus on exploration and development of lithium and silver projects (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., made the appointments of its interim CEO and CFO (Santa Daniela project, Sonora).
  • Pan American Silver Corp. and Agnico Eagle Limited delivered definitive binding offer to acquire Yamana Gold Inc. Pan American would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana, and Yamana would sell certain subsidiaries and partnerships which hold Yamana´s interest in its Canadian assets to Agnico Eagle, including the Canadian Malartic mine. “The consideration consists of 153,539,579 common shares in the capital of Pan American (“Pan American Shares”); USD$1.0 billion in cash contributed by Agnico Eagle; and 36,089,907 common shares in the capital of Agnico Eagle (“Agnico Eagle Shares”). Under the Binding Offer, each Yamana Share would be exchanged for approximately USD$1.04 in cash, 0.1598 Pan American Shares and 0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an aggregate value of USD$5.02 per Yamana Share based on the closing price of each Pan American Share and Agnico Eagle Share on November 3, 2022. The Binding Offer is not subject to any financing condition or additional due diligence”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., entered into an amendment and restated the share purchase agreement with First Majestic Silver Corp., in respect of the previously announced acquisition of La Guitarra mine in the State of Mexico. The amendment states that (a) the 2% net smelter return royalty on La Guitarra will now be granted by Compañía Minera La Guitarra S.A. de C.V., to First Majestic prior to closing of the transaction, rather than rather than concurrently with closing as previously anticipated; and (b) certain governmental approvals will be required prior to closing of the transaction. All other material terms of the transaction remain unchanged. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2022.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., received letter of intent from Compañía Minera Kolpa S.A. for a proposed business combination. A Special Committee of the independent members of Sierra Metals´ Board of Directors is exploring, reviewing and considering financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interest of Sierra Metals.
  • Xali Gold Corp., increased its ownership in the San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) plant in Nayarit from 30% to 50% by issuing 4,125,758 shares at a price of $0.066 to Magellan. The company also informed that has received interest from third parties desiring to enter into JV in the SDA plant and near-surface high grade mineralization near the plant.

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 fault plane from an intermediate-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein system in a project in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.