Drilling

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

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Hydrothermal breccia cemented by MnOx.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 24thweek of the year (June 13th to June 19th, 2022), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 7 news were published by the media, with five informing on exploration results, four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four discussing social issues, three announcing financing issues, and three commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Arcelor Mittal announced that the strike broke out by the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic will affect the economy of Michoacan.  With the strike carried out by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia and his miners in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan to the company Arcelor Mittal Mexico, they managed to jump the “cap” in the payment of utilities. The first International Mining Women’s Day was commemorated. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec-Kootenay JV reported final results from 2021-2022 RC drilling program on its Cervantes project, Colibri announced that its Phase 1 RC drilling program has been completed at its Evelyn project, and Prismo completed a LiDAR survey at its Los Pavitos project. In Coahuila, Monumental released sampling results from its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. In Sinaloa, Prismo informed that it plans to drill a minimum of 2,000m at its Palos Verdes project. ON FINANCING, Prismo reached an agreement to exercise a total of up to 6,821,250 outstanding founder warrants for gross proceeds of $682,125 (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). Radius announced that it receives the final USD $700K option cash payment from Pan American Silver in order to earn its option for 65% of the Amalia property in Chihuahua. SilverCrest reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Silver Wolf closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $602,160 (Ana Maria project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino released results from Phase 2 of its 2021/2022 drilling program conducted at its Avino project, Durango. Silver Dollar reported initial results from the Phase II drilling ongoing program conducted at its La Joya project in Durango. Silver Tiger announced drilling results from the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Sonoro completed Phase IV drilling program at its Cerro Caliche project, Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Gatos silver announced the pass away of one of its Directors (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua). Sierra Metals announced the appointment of a new member as Chair of its Board of Directors (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). Silverton announced the appointment of its new CEO and Director (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles recognized the academic performance of sixteen young students of the Laguna del Rey Center for Technical Studies. Esperanza Silver de México, responsible for the Esperanza mining project, signed a collaboration agreement with the Zacatepec Technological Institute. Minera Cuzcatlán adopted a wastewater treatment plant in Ocotlán, Oaxaca. Industrias Peñoles announced the summer activities that will take place during June and July at the Community Center and in the Metals Museum.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Arcelor Mittal announced that the strike broke out by the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic will affect the economy of Michoacan and the metallurgical sector. The strike will have an impact and serious consequences in the short, medium and long term on labor and economic stability in the Lázaro Cárdenas region, in the state of Michoacán, in the production chain and in the country´s economy.
  • With strike, Napoleón Gómez Urrutia and his miners managed to jump the “cap” in the payment of utilities. With the work stoppage carried out by mining workers from section 271 in Lázaro Cárdenas Michoacán to the company Arcelor Mittal Mexico, on June 15, they managed to eliminate the “cap” on the payment of utilities that was included with the labor reform in April of 2021. This is not the first union organization to take action to pressure the company to grant a higher amount in the payment of utilities.
  • The first International Mining Women’s Day was commemorated. This June 15 marks the first World Mining Women’s Day as an initiative of the International Organization “Women in Mining”. Engaging the Women Mining Community, the International Day of Women in Mining will showcase the experiences, hopes and aspirations about the industry, and celebrate the personal achievements of women in the industry.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp – Kootenay Silver Inc. JV reported final results from 2021-2022 RC drilling program on its Cervantes project in Sonora. The program comprised 5,249 meters in 26 RC drill holes, testing 4 targets (Purisima East, California, Jasper, and California North). Hole CAL-22-018 drilled at California target intersected a high pyrite zone anomalous in copper, molybdenum, gold and silver that corresponds well with the top of large, strong IP chargeability anomaly. It encountered 0.22 g/t Au over 24.32m, plus 0.27 g/t Au over 10.64m, and 0.062% Cu over 68.4m, 1 g/t Ag over 28.88m, and 122 ppm Mo over 39.52m.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced that its Phase 1 RC drilling program has been completed at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The Phase 1 drill program consisted of 6,547m in 45 holes. Drill results from the first 22 holes were released previously and assays are pending for the remaining 23 holes.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., recently completed a LiDAR survey conducted over almost 40 square kilometers at its Los Pavitos project in Sonora. The company expects to receive the analysis of the LiDAR results in a few weeks to aid in the delineation of important structural trends and complete the work to identify drill targets this summer.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., released results from 21 samples collected at its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. Seven out of 21 samples returned values greater than 0.15% total rare earth oxide (TREO), including three samples that returned values greater than 0.25% TREO, and up to 0.54% TREO. “The assay results confirm that samples with the highest rare earth element content are those rocks that are classified as peralkaline (sodium plus potassium concentrations are greater than aluminum concentrations”. In addition, a single rock grab sample collected in the eastern claim area returned values of 13.5% Zn and 6.8% Pb and is classified as carbonate replacement-style mineralization.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., informed that it plans to drill a minimum of 2,000m at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa to test mineralization at depth under the high-grade intercepts from previous drilling campaigns.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Prismo Metals Inc., reached an agreement to exercise a total of up to 6,821,250 outstanding founder warrants for gross proceeds of $682,125. Gross proceeds will be primarily used to drill a minimum of 2,000m at its Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa. Prismo also expects to use some of the proceeds to finalize surface exploration work on its Los Pavitos project in Sonora.
  • Radius Gold Inc., announced that it receives the final USD $700K option cash payment from Pan American Silver Corp., in order to earn its option for 65% of the Amalia property in Chihuahua.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $602,160. Net proceeds will be used for financing the ongoing drill program at its Ana Maria project in Durango, and for general working capital requirements.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., released results from phase 2 of its 2021/2022 drilling program conducted at its Avino project, Durango. Six underground holes were completed below the current level 17 mining area to define the continuity of economic mineralization at depth in the central part of the vein. Selected high grade intercepts include hole ET-22-01 with 0.06 g/t Au, 34 g/t Ag, and 0.66% Cu (127 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.80m on HW BX, including 0.12 g/t Au, 199 g/t Ag, and 2.75% Cu (577 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.10m, and 0.14 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, and 0.54% Cu (104 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 23.10m on HW STW, including 0.66 g/t Au, 759 g/t Ag, and 2.90% Cu (1,202 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m, including 1.35 g/t Au, 98 g/t Ag, and 1.92% Cu (466 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.34m, including 0.46 g/t Au, 72 g/t Ag, and 2.42% Cu (434 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.29m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 77 g/t Ag, and 3.17% Cu (514 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.24m, and 0.20 g/t Au, 61 g/t Ag, and 0.96% Cu (206 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 41m on Avino Vein, including 0.31 g/t Au, 71 g/t Ag, and 2.42% Cu (421 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.56m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 482 g/t Ag, and 1.40% Cu (678 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75m, including 2.05 g/t Au, 99 g/t Ag, and 4.73% Cu (901 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.56m, including 2.75 g/t Au, 831 g/t Ag, and 3.82% Cu (1,568 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m, including 1.39 g/t Au, 246 g/t Ag, and 2.27% Cu (664 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75, including 4.37 g/t Au, 1,234 g/t Ag, and 21.90% Cu (4,527 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.19m; and hole ET 21-08 with 0.28 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.6% Cu (112 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.94m on HW BX and 0.53 g/t Au, 41 g/t Ag, and 1.06% Cu (226 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 30m on Avino Vein, including 5.58 g/t Au, 86 g/t Ag, and 0.56% Cu (617 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.65m. “The drilling results have confirmed the down dip continuity of widths and grades of the Avino vein extending significant potential to a depth of at least 290 metre down dip below current development”.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported initial results from 4 holes of the phase II drilling ongoing program at the unexplored La Noria portion of its La Joya project in Durango. Significant intersections were encountered in hole NOR-22-013 with 90 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 0.08% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn (198 g/t AgEq) over 43,12m, including 192 g/t Ag, 0.27 g/t Au, 0.06% Cu, 1% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (363 g/t AgEq) over 19.35m, including 451 g/t Ag, 0.62 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu, 2.3% Pb, and 4.6% Zn (815 g/t AgEq) over 5m; and hole NOR-22-015 with 23 g/t Ag, 0.26 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 5.6% Zn (319 g/t AgEq) over 23.2m. To date, a total of 1,899m over 10 holes have been drilled in Phase II. Assay results are pending for the remaining 6 holes.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., announced drilling results from the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Highlights drill intercepts include hole ET-21-300 with 0.06 g/t Au, 239 g/t Ag, 0.3% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (281 g/t AgEq) over 4.9m, including 0.24 g/t Au, 2,230 g/t Ag, 2.85% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (2,565 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole ET-21-289 with 0.12 g/t Au, 901 g/t Ag, 0.61% Cu, 3.1% Pb, 7.3% Zn (1,286 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m. The company also reported that over 370m of rehabilitation in Level 7 of the historic El Tigre mine have been completed. 
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., completed Phase IV drilling program at its Cerro Caliche project, Sonora, and reported results from the final seven holes. The company completed over 7,200m in 63 holes which returned multiple higher-grade gold intercepts and demonstrated the expansion of several known mineralized gold zones within the Cerro Caliche concession.  Highlights drill intercepts include hole SCR-321 with 1.34 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.38 g/t AuEq) over 15.24m, including 3.66 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag (3.73 g/t AuEq) over 4.57m, plus 1.1 g/t Au and 0.8 g/t Ag (1.11 g/t AuEq) over 1.52m; and hole SCR-322 with 0.78 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.81 g/t AuEq) over 18.29m, including 4.88 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag (4.97 g/t AuEq) over 1.52m. “Drilling results from the now completed Phase IV campaign will be included in an updated resource estimation scheduled to be announced in the fall of 2022. The economic impact of the updated resource on the proposed heap leach mining operation is also to be assessed and will be contemplated in a further technical report”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced the pass away of one of its independent non-executive Directors (Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of a new member as Chair of its Board of Directors (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).
  • Silverton Metals Corp., announced the appointment of its new CEO and Director (Peñasco Quemado project, Sonora).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Las Chispas project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Servicios Industriales Peñoles recognized the academic performance of sixteen young students of the Laguna del Rey Center for Technical Studies. The outstanding students are about to conclude their theoretical instruction as technical professionals, to then go on to put their knowledge into practice for an entire semester by joining the work teams of different mining units in different states of the Republic, with the possibility of in the end, they will be formally hired.
  • Esperanza Silver de México S.A. de C.V., responsible for the Esperanza mining project, signed a collaboration agreement with the Zacatepec Technological Institute, which will allow students from this important professional training institution in the state of Morelos, to carry out their professional residences at Minera Esperanza Silver.
  • Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.), adopted a wastewater treatment plant in Ocotlán, Oaxaca. The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP ) located in the municipality of Ocotlán de Morelos supplies 80% of the water it uses in its processes and the rest is obtained from rainwater harvested through a canal system
  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., announced the summer activities that will take place during June and July at the Community Center and in the Metals Museum. 

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

On the picture above, a hydrothermal breccia cemented by Mn Ox in an epithermal vein system, in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Hydrothermal Breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 20th week of the year (May 16th to May 22th, 2022), at least 15 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with six reporting resources and developments of their properties, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, three communicating production and financial results, and two announcing financing issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news.  ON MINING, Altaley announced that it has begun pre-production mining and mill commissioning operations at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. Excellon reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. Mag Silver reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, where it owns 44% interest. ON FINANCING, Alamos Gold entered into a share purchase plan (Mulatos, Sonora). Aztec Minerals announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M (Cervantes project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver reported results from nineteen holes from its phase 2 drill program collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. GoGold received positive metallurgical results of its Los Ricos South deposit, and updated pre-feasibility activities. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drill program at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Sonoro reported results from seven additional drill holes completed at its Cerro Caliche project, Sonora. Vizsla released results from ten new drill holes completed at its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Starcore announced that its Board of Directors approved a USD $2M exploration budget for its most prolific projects in Mexico. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Elemental Royalties announced that Bear Creek completed the acquisition of the Mercedes mine in Sonora. Fabled amended its option agreement with Golden Minerals with respect to the Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Prismo announced the appointment of its Director of Business Development (Los Pavitos project, Sonora). Riverside and Hochschild signed an option agreement for la Union project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No relevant news.

ON MINING

  • Altaley Mining Corporation announced that it has begun pre-production mining and mill commissioning operations at its Tahuehueto property in Durango. It has stockpiled over 29K tonnes of ore to be used in the commissioning process and pre-production phases of the 1st ball mill. The plan is to process up to 500 tonnes per day in the first ball mill to produce a separate precious metal rich lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate. It also will produce a copper concentrate later on. Altaley will install a second 500 tonnes ball mill to increase milling capacity to 1000 tonnes per day. It is expected to be completed in Q3, 2022.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 14,955 tonnes and milled 14, 585 tonnes of 504 g/t Ag, 5.3% Pb, and 6.7% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 88.5%, 72.1%, and 80% respectively, to produce 209.4K Oz Ag, 1.2M Lb Pb, and 1.7M Lb Zn (or 384K Oz AgEq), at cash and all included sustain cost (AISC) of USD $10.49 and USD $18.92 per Oz Ag produced respectively. Excellon sold 186.4M Oz Ag, 1.1M Lb Pb, and 1.55M Lb Zn (or 345LK Oz Ag).It reported revenues of USD $8.5M, gross profit of USD $583K, and cash flow from operations of USD $1.9M.
  • Mag Silver Corp., reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, where it owns 44% interest. The company announced that 145,484 tonnes of 597 g/t Ag were processed through the Fresnillo and Saucito plants, with 2.2M payable Oz Ag, 5.3K payable Oz, 2.4M Lb Pb and 3.24 M Lb Zn produced and sold. Mag Silver also reported that pre-commercial production sales (net of treatment and processing costs) totaled USD $64.9M for the quarter, less USD $18.7M in mining and transportation costs and depreciation and amortization, netting USD $46.2M in gross profit by Juanicipio in the quarter.

ON FINANCING

  • Alamos Gold Inc., entered into a share purchase plan. The company has purchased 1M shares at an average price of USD $7.415 at a cost of USDS $7.4M (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3M. The company announced that Alamos Gold Inc., has indicated that it intends to purchase securities under the offering to obtain a 9.9% interest in the company.  Part of the gross proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work at its Cervantes project in Sonora, as well as for general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Discovery Silver Corp., reported results from nineteen holes from its phase 2 drill program collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Results include resource upgrade drilling for the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), planned for Q4, 2022, and expansion drilling of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) open pit and the resource pit. Drilling highlights include hole C21-560 with 234 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 3.8% Pb, and 6.5% Zn (606 g/t AgEq) over 18.1m; hole C21-564 with 28 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Zn (85 g/t AgEq) over 51.2m, plus 91 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, and 3% Zn (266 g/t AgEq) over 11.2m, plus 29 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (75 g/t AgEq) over 80.2m, plus 95 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.9% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (337 g/t AgEq) over 33.9m; hole C21-544 with 45 g/t Ag, 0.07 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (122 g/t AgEq) over 60.4m, plus 23 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn (77 g/t AgEq) over 27.1m; and hole C21-574 with 272 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au, 4.1% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (483 g/t AgEq) over 13.4m, plus 38 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 2.2% Zn (146 g/t AgEq) over 12.3m, plus 46 g/t Ag, 0.07 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (122 g/t AgEq) over 27.5m. “The Company has now completed 71,000 m in 211 holes as part of its Phase 2 drill program. Phase 2 drilling will continue through the remainder of the year and will be focused on three key areas: (1) PFS drilling consisting of reserve definition and engineering drilling; (2) resource expansion in the northeast of the deposit and at depth; and (3) initial drill testing of five property-wide targets on the Company’s extensive land package”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., received positive metallurgical results of its Los Ricos South deposit, and updated pre-feasibility (PFS) activities. The optimized leach test work returned 82-88% and 92-97% for silver and gold recovery respectively; the optimized conditions encompassed a 96-hour leach period to maximize silver recovery, four hours of pre-aeration, 2 g/l of sodium cyanide and a nominal grind of 80% passing 75 microns; Merrill Crowe (zinc precipitation) testing determined that gold and silver was efficiently precipitated out of the pregnant solution under optimum conditions. GoGold also provided an update on the PFS. Highlights are: PFS testing complete with development of final process design criteria underway; major equipment sized and quotes received to finalize capital costs; and process flow diagrams completed.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drill program at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ET-21-329 with 0.13 g/t Au, 162 g/t Ag, 0.27% Cu, 6.4% Pb, and 2.8% Zn (442 g/t AgEq) over 28m, including 0.22 g/t Au, 429 g/t Ag, 0.22% Cu, 4.8% Pb, and 6.9% Zn (810 g/t AgEq) over 9.1m, including 0.32 g/t Au, 748 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 3.3% Pb, and 13.7% Zn (1,317 g/t AgEq) over 3.3m, including 0.28 g/t Au, 1,624 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 19.6% Zn (2,338 g/t AgEq) over 1m; and hole ET-21-364 with 0.14 g/t Au, 63 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (108 g/t AgEq) over 25.9m, including 0.14 g/t Au, 83 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (126 g/t AgEq) over 14.2m, including 0.19 g/t Au, 76 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 1.8% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (253 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m, including 0.2 g/t Au, 111 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 3.5% Pb, and 7.2% Zn (450 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., reported results from seven additional drill holes completed at its Cerro Caliche project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole SCR-305 with 0.54 g/t Au over 36.5m, including 3.59 g/t Au over 1.53m, and including 3.32 g/t Au over 1.53m; hole SCR-307 with 9.58 g/t Au over 9.14m, including 14.17 g/t Au over 6.09m, including 38.2 g/t Au over 1.53m; and hole SCR-309 with 1.37 g/t Au over 6.1m, including 3.97 g/t Au over 1.53m. “The drilling campaign at Cerro Caliche is now complete with final assays expected to be announced in June.  New geological data from over 7,200m and 63 drill holes will be included in a further updated resource estimate scheduled to be released in the fall of 2022”.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from ten new drill holes completed at the Tajitos-Copala resource area within its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole CS-22-161 with 2,461 g/t Ag and 13.16 g/t Au (3,513 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 2.65m, including 12,424 g/t Ag and 96.3 g/t Au (20,123 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.2m; hole CS-22-157 with 713 g/t Ag and 3.76 g/t Au (1,013 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 4.2m, including 861 g/t Ag and 6.83 g/t Au (1,407 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.6m, including 1,480 g/t Ag and 5.84 g/t Au (1,947 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.4m, and including 1,420 g/t Ag and 6.35 g/t Au (1,928 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.2m; hole CS-22-154 with 2,400 g/t Ag and 11.08 g/t Au (3,286 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.7m, including 4,230 g/t Ag and 20.1 g/t Au (5,837 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.7m; and hole CS-22-158 with 1,140 g/t Ag and 6.65 g/t Au (1,671 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.5m, including 2,610 g/t Ag and 15.3 g/t Au (3,833 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.6m.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced that its Board of Directors approved a USD $2M exploration budget for its most prolific projects in Mexico. For its El Creston project, Sonora, the company has budgeted USD $500K to confirm the presence of a copper porphyry at depth. The program will include surveys, geophysical studies of magnetometry, and the development of new geological models from existing drillhole data; For its San Martin Mine, Querétaro, Starcore has budgeted USD $1M to search for the extension of the San Martin Breccia in the southwest and eastern part of the mine, as well as to confirm the geological potential of the north part of the concessions in the areas of Cerro Azul; and for new opportunities the company has allocated USD $500K such as California Au-Ag project, Durango, where the company has been invited to participate under a JV agreement. California project comprises 3,211 hectares which is part of the mineralization trend of the San Dimas (Tayoltita) District in Durango.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Elemental Royalties Corp., announced that Bear Creek Mining Corporation completed the acquisition of the Mercedes mine in Sonora from Equinox Gold Corp. Elemental holds an uncapped 1% Net Smelter Return (NSR) Royalty on the Mercedes Mine, payable from July 2022.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., amended its option agreement with Golden Minerals Company with respect to the Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Fabled is now requested to make the final payment of USD $2M previously due on December 4, 2022 as follow: USD $1M on December 4, 2022; USD $25K on March 31, 2023; USD $25K on June 30, 2023; USD $25K on September 30, 2023; and USD $25K on December 31, 2023. As consideration of the amendment, Fabled will issue to Golden on December 4, 2022, a number of common shares of Fabled that are equal to a value of USD $75K, at a price per share equal to the closing trading price of the shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on the trading day immediately prior to the date that such payment is made. 
  • Prismo Metals Inc., announced the appointment of its Director of Business Development: The company granted him 500K incentive stock options exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share before May 20, 2027. (Los Pavitos project, Sonora).
  • Riverside Resources Inc., and Hochschild Mining plc signed an option agreement valued at over USD $31M for la Union project, Sonora. On the Phase1 earn-in option, Hochschild can earn an undivided 51% interest by incurring USD $8M in exploration expenditures over 5 years. Upon completion of Phase 1 obligations, Hochschild can elect to form a 51:49 Joint Venture. On the Phase 2 earn-in option, Hochschild can elect to earn an additional 24% interest by incurring a further USD $3M in exploration expenditures and delivering a completed Feasibility Study (FS) over 3 years. Upon Hochschild completing the Phase 2 earn-in, Riverside will have the option to sell its interest in the project to Hochschild for USD $2M, while retaining a 1% net smelting royalty (NSR).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

On the picture above, a hydrothermal breccia in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a prospect in Durango Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment
Phyllic alteration

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 18th week of the year (May 2nd to May 8th, 2022), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 6 news published by the media, with ten reporting resources and developments of their properties, six commenting on Mexican issues, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four informing on exploration results, three communicating production and financial results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Torex Gold announced the investment of USD $848M to develop its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Expo Minero Chihuahua 2022 closed its doors with the attendance of 15,610 people. Arcelor Mittal announced that it will invest USD $150M to boost the iron mining in Michoacán. According to Miner Deck, one company working in Mexico participated in the best eight gold intercepts of the week, and two in the best seven silver intercepts of the week. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals-Kootenay JV released results from California and Jasper targets within its Cervantes project, and Canuc provided an update on its exploration program at its San Javier project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay announced that it will commence a 15,000m drilling program at its Columba project. In Coahuila, Monumental announced the results of a geophysical survey recently completed at its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. ON MINING, Altaley reported Q4, and full year 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Coeur Mining reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Santacruz reported Q4 and full year 2021 consolidated production and financial results from their Mexican operation mines. ON FINANCING, no relevant news.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capitan Mining released results from 5 RC holes collared at its Jesus Maria Silver Zone at the Cruz de Plata project (former Peñoles project) in Durango. Zacatecas Silver received permits for 30 drill pads at El Cristo Vein System within its Zacatecas property. Sonoro Gold filed an Environmental Impact Statement or Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) for its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora.  Orex-Pan American Silver JV received a permit to drill 2,500-3,000m at its Sandra project in Durango. Southern Silver reported drilling results from its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Silver Dollar released the remaining assay results from the phase 1 drilling program completed at its la Joya project in Durango. Sierra Madre reported results of the last four holes collared at its Tepic project in Nayarit. Golden Tag announced results from 2 holes drilled at its San Diego project in Durango. Guanajuato Silver reported drill results from its ongoing exploration programs at its El Cubo mine and El Pinguico projects in Guanajuato. Prime Mining announced new results from 17 holes drilled at Zapote North and Mariposa areas within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Golden Minerals announced the appointment of its COO (Rodeo project, Durango). Vizsla announced the appointments of its COO and VP of Exploration (Panuco project, Sinaloa). Orogen and the Riverside-BHP JV signed an option agreement for the Llano de Nogal project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Esperanza Silver de México obtained the support of the Tetlama community in Morelos for the Esperanza project. Alamos Gold has generated 2,200 new jobs in the last two years for the construction of its La Yaqui Grande mine in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced the investment of USD $848M to develop its Media Luna project in Guerrero to bring it into commercial production by the end of 2024. The initial capital investment in the Media Luna Project includes USD $85M of underground mine development during the pre-commercial mining period, between Q4, 2023 and Q4, 2024. The initial capital required to develop the Media Luna Project excludes USD $124M of direct project expenses incurred before April 1, 2022, of which USD $37M are related to the Guajes Tunnel and USD $28M to the development of the Upper and Lower South Portal. Of the direct expenses of the project, the largest capital expenditures are related to the development of the underground mine (USD $173M), access to the deposit through the Guajes Tunnel (USD $76M), as well as the Upper and Lower South Portal (USD $40M), improvements to the process plant (USD $98M) and tailings/paste plant (USD $78M). Of indirect expenses, the largest components are contingency costs (USD $100M).
  • Expo Minero Chihuahua 2022 closed its doors with the attendance of 15,610 people. For four days, from April 28 to May 1, the attendees learned about the importance of the mining industry in the development of Mexico and its usefulness in everyday life.
  • Arcelor Mittal Mexico announced that it will invest USD $150M to boost the iron mining in Michoacán. The company also stated that it will increase the domestic rolled steel production from 2.5M to 5.3M tonnes.
  • According to Miner Deck, one company working in Mexico was in the best eight drill intercepts of the week.  Aztec Minerals-Kootenay JV was eight with 136.8m @ 1.486 g/t Au at Cervantes project in Sonora.
  • According to Miner Deck, two of the best silver drill intercepts of the week were drilled by companies working in Mexico. Golden Tag was first with 395m @ 35 g/t Ag at San Diego project in Durango, and Capitan Mining was seventh with 16.8m @ 291 g/t Ag at Cruz de Plata project in Durango.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp – Kootenay Silver Inc. JV released results from the California and Jasper targets within its Cervantes project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole JAS22-001 with 0.33 g/t Au over 9.1m, with 150m visible Cu oxides and secondary sulphides in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry intrusive, sediments and hydrothermal breccia; hole CAL22-017 with 0.31 g/t Au over 24.3m, and 1.65 g/t Au over 6.1m in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry intrusive, sediments and hydrothermal breccia; hole CAL22-016 with 0.47 g/t Au over 56.2m, and 0.35 g/t Au over 13.7m in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccia; and hole CAL22-015 with 0.42 g/t Au over 68.4m, and 2.25 g/t Au over 10.6m in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccia. These drill results extended the known mineralized zone at depth and over 350m to the north onto the California North target and also to the south on the eastern end of the California zone. The company reported that the phase 2 RC drilling program at the Cervantes property is completed and consisted of 26 holes totalling 4,649m.
  • Canuc Resources Corporation provided an update on its exploration program at its San Javier project in Sonora. On the Silver Mountain Zone, the 63-sample grid covered the central part of a NE-SW trending magnetic high in the north part of the San Javier project area. Within the soil grid, samples ranging from 5,123 to 36,671 ppb Ag (5 to 36 g/t) define a 50 to 100 m wide trend that extends for approximately 300 m across the grid. Only 7 of the 63 samples collected contained less that 1 g/t Ag and. The Ag anomaly is accompanied by a modest Au anomaly having values ranging from 38.6 to 87.5 ppb within a relatively high 2.0 to 32.5 background. Only 9 samples contained less than 5.0 ppb Au. On the Gold Zone, the company excavated 3,295m of trenches ranging from 65m to 638m in width. From these trenches, 1,829 channel samples have been collected and additional 46 samples have been collected from various locations within the trend. Results have been reported only on the first 3 trenches which returned elevated gold and copper values. Sampling results are still pending for the rest of the trenches. On the Copper-Gold Stockwork Zone, a total of 22 samples were collected from 3 locations on the north flank of a donut shaped magnetic high in the north–central part of the property. Average grade of the sampling is 0.38% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au, and 3.9 g/t Ag. Canuc plans to cover with soil samples the southwest extension of the strong Ag anomaly referred as Silver Anomaly target; to carry out a detailed mapping on at least 40 know mineralized zones within the property, as well as along the 11 trenches excavated across the Gold Zone, and in the area of the Stockwork Copper-Gold Zone, to provide necessary information in advance of drilling.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., announced that it will commence a 15,000m drilling program at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Initial focus of this program will be on deeper drill testing on the F Vein and expanding on the D and B Vein intercepts, as well as explore the JZ Zone located 700 meters east of the F Vein; and the East Block located 200 meters east form the JZ Zone.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced the results of a heli-borne magnetic, radiometric, and very-low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) geophysical survey recently completed at its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) project in Coahuila. The geophysical survey confirmed that a significantly larger area of the property is prospective for HREE (from approximately 1 km to 10 km of prospective strike length), and defined two parallel 8 km arcuate anomalies that occur along the south and west margin of the Sierra La Vasca intrusion complex. The company announced that the next step is to carry out a rapid evaluation and prioritization of targets for diamond drill testing.

ON MINING

  • Altaley Mining Corporation reported Q4, and full year 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. In Q4, 2021 the company processed 183,091 tonnes to produce 12,209 tonnes of Zn concentrate grading 46% Zn with metallurgical recovery of 71%, and 2,691 tonnes of Pb concentrate grading 22% Pb with metallurgical recovery of 30% respectively, at cash and all in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD $0.74 and USD $0.95 per Lb Zn respectively. Altaley reported gross revenues of CAD $29.7M, mine operating profit of CAD $10.1M, income for the period of CAD $20.6M, and cash of CAD $3.04M. In the full year 2021, the company processed 689,963 tonnes to produce 45,778 tonnes of Zn concentrate grading 46% Zn, 2.12 g/t Au, and 658 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recovery of 71% for Zn, and 9,936 tonnes of Pb concentrate grading 22%, 1.65% Cu, 6.08 g/t Au, and 776 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recovery of 29% for Pb, at cash and AISC of USD $0.60 and USD $0.83 per Lb Pb respectively. Altaley reported gross revenues of CAD $98.4M, mine operating profit of CAD $34.25M, income for the period of CAD $36.26M, and cash of CAD $3.04M.
  • Coeur Mining Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. The company milled 565,211 tonnes of 1.74 g/t Au and 120 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 90.6% and 83% respectively to produce 28.9K Oz Au and 1.8M Oz Ag. It sold 28.2K Oz Au and 1.79M Oz Ag during the Q1, 2022 period. Coeur reported metal sales of USD $83.1M; cost applicable to sales of USD $730 and USD $12.43 per Oz Au and Oz Ag respectively; cash flow from operating activities of USD $34.3M; sustaining capital expenditures of USD $13.6M; and free cash flow of USD $20.7M. The company announced that the full year 2022 production is expected to be 100K-110K Oz Au and 6M-7M Oz Ag, and the cost applicable to sales is expected to be USD $750-850 per Oz Au and USD $13.50-14.50 per Oz Ag.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported Q4 and full year 2021 consolidated production and financial results from their Mexican operation mines (Zimapan, Hidalgo and Rosario San Luis Potosi). In Q4,2021, the company milled 192,901 tonnes to produce 318.4K Oz Ag, 2.27M Lb Pb, 7.7M Lb Zn, and 1.1M Lb Cu (or 842K Oz AgEq with an average grade of 184 g/t AgEq). Santacruz reported for this period revenues of USD $13.8M, gross profit of USD $621K, a net loss of USD $10.45M and an adjusted EBIDTA loss of USD $4,47M. In the full year 2021, it milled 730,412 tonnes to produce 1.29M Oz Ag, 132Oz Au, 8.4M Lb Pb, 28M Lb Zn, and 4.07M Lb Cu (or 3.2M Oz Ag with an average grade of 185 g/t AgEq). The company reported for the full year 2021 revenues of USD $53.3M, gross profit of USD $10.3M, a net loss of USD $11.56M, and an adjusted EBIDTA loss of USD $713K.

ON FINANCING

  • No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Capitan Mining Inc., released results from 5 RC holes collared at its Jesus Maria Silver Zone at the Cruz de Plata project (former Peñoles project) in Durango. Drilling highlights include hole 21-JMRC-10 (at the Upper Zone) with 291 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.08% Pb, and 0.08% Zn (332 g/t AgEq) over 16.8m, including 478 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (539 g/t AgEq) over 9.1m, including 2,217 g/t Ag, 1.77 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (2,406 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; plus (at the Lower Zone) 71 g/t Ag, 0.4 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (186 g/t AgEq) over 13.7m, including 114 g/t Ag, 0.67 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.7% Zn (309 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m; hole 21-JMRC-06 (at the Upper Zone) with 100 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (146 g/t AgEq) over 13.7m, including 152 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 2.4% Zn (271 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 154 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (319 g/t AgEq), plus (at the Lower Zone) with 145 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn (189 g/t AgEq) over 4.6m, including 380 g/t Ag, 0.28 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (448 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; and hole 21-JMRC-08 with 44 g/t Ag, 0.36 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (149 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m, including 62 g/t Ag, 0.48 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (218 g/t AgEq) over 4.6m, and including 92 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 2.9% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (350 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., received permits for 30 drill pads at El Cristo Vein System within its Zacatecas property to drill test multiple veins within a zone of dilation that is almost 4 km long and up to 600m wide.  The cumulative strike length of all veins at El Cristo is at least 12km long. A total of 2,500m of diamond drilling has been designed in this initial phase of drilling at El Cristo Vein System.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., filed an Environmental Impact Statement or Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) for its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora. “Under Mexican law, mining construction and operation activities require an approved MIA, as well as a Change of Land Use permit, or Autorización en Cambio de Uso de Suelo (“ETJ”), from the Mexican federal permitting authority, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (“SEMARNAT”). The company is currently completing the required documentation for the Change of Land Use application and anticipates filing with SEMARNAT in the near future.
  • Orex Minerals Inc. – Pan American Silver Corp JV received a permit to drill its Sandra project in Durango. Phase-I of this new drilling program will consist of approximately 2,500 to 3,000m. Orex conducted a geological mapping and litho geochemical sampling program over the combined 6,970 hectares of the project, where multiple drill target areas have been identified.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported drilling results from the North Felsite and El Sol targets on its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Drilling highlights include hole 21CLM-185 with 185 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (358 g/t AgEq or 9.1% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.7m at the North Felsite HW zone, plus 101 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 0.8% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 3.3% Zn (1,321 g/t AgEq or 33.5% ZnEq) over a TW of 1.8m, including 1,785 g/t Ag, 0.5 g/t Au, 1.4% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 5.9% Zn (2,309 g/t AgEq or 56.6% ZnEq) over a TW of 1m at the North Felsite skarn area; hole 22CLM-184 with 7 g/t Ag, 1.1 g/t Au, 0% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (112 g/t AgEq or 2.8% ZnEq) over a TW of 11.7m at the North Felsite HW zone, including 19 g/t Ag, 5.6 g/t Au, 0% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (495 g/t AgEq or 12.5% ZnEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 121 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 6.5% Zn (460 g/t AgEq or 11.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.3m at North Felsite Skarn, plus 117 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 1.1% Pb, and 1% Zn (213 g/t AgEq or 5.4% ZnEq) over a TW of 6m, including 301 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.5% Cu, 1.1% Pb, and 10.7% Zn (830 g/t AgEq or 21% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.3m, plus 302 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.4% Cu, 2.9% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (485 g/t AgEq or 12.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.8m. “The North Felsite target is located on the eastern side of the Cerro Las Minitas, approximately 400m to the northwest of the La Bocona and Mina Piña shafts, in an area that was not included in the most recent NI43-101 Mineral Resource update on the property. New drilling tested the continuity of mineralization in both the main Ag-Pb-Zn Skarn as well as strongly Au-enriched hanging wall zone.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., released the remaining assay results from the phase 1 drilling program completed on the underexplored Noria portion at its la Joya project in Durango. This phase of drilling consisted of 11 core holes totaling 2,424m. Drilling highlights include hole NOR-22-008 with 41 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.05% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (90 g/t AgEq) over 125.3m, including 137 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (268 g/t AgEq) over 10.47m; and hole NOR-22-009 with 3 g/t Ag, 0.66 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 0% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (60 g/t AgEq) over 58.84m. “Phase II drilling is now in progress and targeting the wide intervals of mineralization intersected in the new Phase I discoveries”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., reported results of the last four holes collared at its Tepic project in Nayarit. Drilling highlights include hole TDH014 with 322 g/t Ag and 0.96 g/t Au (424 g/t AgEq) over 6.35m, including 544 g/t Ag and 1.5 g/t Au (656 g/t AgEq) over 3.85m, plus 332 g/t Ag and 1.85 g/t Au (470 g/t AgEq) over 6.05m, including 786 g/t Ag and 3.78 g/t Au (1,070 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m. Holes were designed to test areas adjacent to and outside of the areas that were volumetrically included in historic resource estimations. “The Tepic drill holes are being incorporated into the project’s 3-D database and model to plan the continuation of the Phase 2 drilling at Tepic. Drill pads have already been constructed on the Taunas targets to drill the first test holes within the newly discovered area on the eastern portion of the project”.
  •  Golden Tag Resources Ltd., announced results from 2 holes drilled at its San Diego project in Durango. Key highlights include hole 22-65A (Rata Zone) with 0.02 g/t Au, 1,350 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 3% Zn, and 0.35% Cu (1,556 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.03 g/t Au, 981 g/t Ag, 2.4% Pb, 2.5% Zn, and 0.35% Cu (1,194 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m, plus 0.11 g/t Au, 210 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.1% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (288 g/t AgEq) over 1.67m, and plus (at Cata Zone) with 0.12 g/t Au, 197 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (280 g/t AgEq) over 0.85m; and hole 22-65B (Rata Zone) with 0.08 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (312 g/t AgEq) over 1.20m, plus (at Cata Zone) with 0.27 g/t Au, 103 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (174 g/t AgEq) over 16.48m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 108 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (163 g/t AgEq) over 2.20m, plus 0.12 g/t Au, 460 g/t Ag, 3% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.19% Cu (690 g/t AgEq) over 2.50m, plus (at CS Play Zone) with 0.11 g/t Au, 135 g/t Ag, 2.9% Pb, 3% Zn, and 0.09% Cu (363 g/t AgEq) over 4.27m, plus (at Fernandez Zone) with 0.05 g/t Au, 35 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.11% Cu (93 g/t AgEq) over 395.1m, including 0.03 g/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn, and 0.14% Cu (109 g/t AgEq) over 185.90m. “Combining the results from hole 65B with the results from the previously reported hole 21-58, we can now anticipate that the potential extension of the Fernandez Zone could measure approximately 140 m x 70 m in the horizontal plane and 530 m in the vertical plane.  There are no drill holes to the west of hole 22-65B and thus the Fernandez Zone remains open to the west.” 
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported drill results from its ongoing exploration programs at its El Cubo mine and El Pinguico projects in Guanajuato. Key highlights include hole VP022-002 with 12.90 g/t Au and 1,956 g/t Ag (2,988 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.35m (Arroyo structure), plus 0.21 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (47 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 13.55m (Villalpando structure), including 0.76 g/t Au and 115 g/t Ag (176 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.15m, plus 0.44 g/t Au and 92 g/t Ag (127 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.39m (Villalpando FW structure); hole SC22-001 with 7.56 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag (647 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.30m (680 Vein); hole SC22-002 with 4.49 g/t Au and 276 g/t Ag (636 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.13m (Tuberos Vein), plus 2.60 g/t Au and 194 g/t Ag (402 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.30m (Poniente Vein); and hole P21-22 with 1.04 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag (203 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.56m (Arroyo structure), including 2.11 g/t Au and 227 g/t Ag (396 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.60m, plus 1.15 g/t Au and 193 g/t Ag (285 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.24m (Pinguico Vein). “These results serve to build confidence in our understanding of geological controls of high-grade mineralization within the various veins and different zones of our Guanajuato mine holdings. Further, drilling at the El Cubo mine continues to identify mineralization that the Company can quickly build into its near-term mining plans”.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced new results from 17 holes drilled at Zapote North and Mariposa areas within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. “This drilling is targeting the expansion of the Zapote North deposit northwards along the structure and confirming the continuity of mineralization of Mariposa to the south. These holes confirm that gold-silver mineralization extends from Zapote North to Mariposa”. Drilling highlights at Zapote North  include hole 22ZAP-56 with 4.81 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 1.7m; hole 22ZAP-66R with 2.42 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over a TW of 9.70m, including 4.72 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.2m; hole 22ZAP-67R with 3.83 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m; hole 22ZAP-59 with 1.4 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m, including 5.55 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m; hole 22ZAP-52R with 1.07 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over a TW of 19.9m, including  2.62 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.3m, including 3.32 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.3m, plus 0.77 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m; hole 22ZAP-68R with 0.68 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m, including 2.19 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.2m, plus 0.39 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m; and hole 22ZAP-69R with 0.47 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over a TW of 6.6m, plus 1.42 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 5m, including 2.42 g/t Au and 44  g/t Ag over a TW of 2.5m. Drilling highlights at Mariposa include hole 22MA-08 with 1.1 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.3m, including 3.38 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m, plus 0.99 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.4m, including 2.05 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.1m, plus 0.69 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.90m; and hole 22MA-09 with 1.55 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.9m, including 5.35 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.60m. “To date for Phase 1 and 2 combined, Prime has drilled 255 holes totalling 64,070 metres (122 in Phase 1 for 25,650 m and 133 holes so far in Phase 2 for 38,420 m)”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Golden Minerals Company announced the appointment of its COO, effective May 9, 2022 (Rodeo project, Durango).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., announced the appointments of its COO and VP of Exploration (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. and the Riverside Resources Inc-BHP Group JV signed an option agreement for the Llano de Nogal Copper-Gold porphyry project in Sonora. Riverside can earn a 100% interest by making cash payments of USD $2.48M and USD $5M in cumulative exploration expenditures (CEE) subject to the following schedule: USD $30K (closing of transaction); USD $50K (1st anniversary) and  USD $500K in CEE; USD $50K (2nd anniversary) and USD $1.3M in CEE; USD $100K (3rd anniversary) and $USD $2M (CEE); USD $200K (4th anniversary) and USD $3M (CEE); USD $300K (5th anniversary) and USD $4M (CEE); and USD $1.75M (6th anniversary) and USD $5M (CEE). “During the option period, Orogen and Riverside will jointly retain the right to exercise and retain any Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty buydown rights with respect to the Suanse claims (0.5% NSR royalty for CAD $1M) and the Coyotes claims (1.5% NSR royalty for USD $1.5M). Once Riverside has exercised its option on Llano de Nogal, Riverside will grant to Orogen a 1% Production Royalty, of which 0.5% can be purchased for USD $10M within 10 years of the exercise date”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Esperanza Silver de México obtained the support of the Tetlama community to the extent of accompanying the request for federal environmental permits for its operation for the Esperanza project in Morelos. The company determined to promote the project from the beginning hand in hand with the inhabitants since it is based on lands that belong to the community, and showing full respect for their human rights. Esperanza Silver will be delivering the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) report and the study to propose the change of land use in forest land to the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources of the federal government (SEMARNAT) by the end of this year. Currently, the Esperanza Project is in the evaluation stage of the technical studies carried out during 2021 in terms of water and geotechnics. This year will be dedicated to the design of the technical project that will allow establishing the model of the mine’s industrial plant. At this point, both the company and the community will submit the request for an Environmental Manifesto to SEMARNAT, which could occur in mid-2023.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., has generated 2,200 new jobs in the last two years, 700 of them for people hired directly and 1,500 more indirectly for the construction of its La Yaqui Grande mine in Sonora. La Yaqui Grande mine, is in its final stage of construction and will start commercial production during Q3, 2022. The Yaqui Grande mine is already being a development opportunity for communities in the Sierra de Sonora in the municipalities of Sahuaripa, Yécora and Arivechi, among others.

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

On the picture above, phyllic alteration in a porphyry copper prospect in Michoacán Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Quartz-pyrite-FeOx stockwork veining

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 16th week of the year (April 18th to April 24th, 2022), at least 13 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and three news published by the media, with four reporting resources and developments of their properties, three communicating production and financial results, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, three commenting on Mexican issues, two announcing financial issues, and one informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico Chamber of Deputies approved the initiative proposed by Andres Manuel López Obrador to reform the mining law on the nationalization of lithium. Fernando Alanís, Pro Secretary of the Confederation of the Industrial Chamber (CONCAMIN), declared that the project to reform the Mining Law to reserve the new concessions for the exploitation of lithium to the State is ambiguous and will add even more uncertainty and concern to investors. Armando Ortega, president of the Mining Task Force, of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham) in Mexico, stated that the proposed reform of the Mining Law on lithium would violate Mexico’s commitments in international treaties.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Reyna Gold announced results from eight holes drilled at its flagship La Gloria project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported Q1, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. First Majestic announced Q1, 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Sierra Metals reported Q1, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines located in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Magna Gold announced completion of its debt settlement with PEAL de Mexico SA de CV (San Francisco mine, Sonora). Tarachi Gold amended the option agreement terms with Minerals de Tarachi (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Magna Gold announced Maiden Resource Estimate for its Margarita project in Chihuahua. Bear Creek filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Mercedes mine in Sonora, which includes the Mineral Reserves and Resources as of December 31, 2021. Oroco released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Sonoro announced results from 15 holes drilled at the Colorado and Guadalupe zones within its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Benjamin Hill signed and investor relation agreement and granted incentive stock options to other contractors (Sonora Gold project, Sonora). Gatos Silver received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange as a result of its failure to timely file its annual report (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). Silver Wolf announced the appointment of a new member to its Technical Advisory Board (Ana Maria project, Durango).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Mexico Chamber of Deputies approved the initiative proposed by Andres Manuel López Obrador to reform the mining law on the nationalization of lithium, with 275 votes in favor, 24 against and 187 abstentions. The reform contemplates the authorization of mining concessions with the exception of lithium, which will be administered directly by the Mexican State. López Obrador reiterated that his government will not allow foreigners to exploit lithium even if they have previous concessions. Instead, there will be a State company “to exploit, explore, extract, process, industrialize and sell it”.
  • Fernando Alanís, Pro Secretary of the Confederation of the Industrial Chamber (CONCAMIN), declared that the project to reform the Mining Law to reserve the new concessions for the exploitation of lithium to the State is ambiguous and will add even more uncertainty and concern to investors. Despite the fact that Mexico is among the 10 largest producers worldwide of 17 minerals, being the first in silver and the eighth in gold, the mining industry has lost attractiveness for investment in recent years after the government suspension of mineral concessions, in addition to the high taxes paid by the sector in our country.
  • Armando Ortega, president of the Mining Task Force, of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham) in Mexico, stated that the proposed reform of the Mining Law on lithium would violate Mexico’s commitments in international treaties. He argued that minerals cannot be reserved, in this case, for the exclusive exploration and exploitation by the State, without having made the aforementioned reservation in the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC). From his point of view, reservations are areas of exclusion of obligations and commitments, and to do so without prior negotiation is arbitrary and prohibited. The CanCham argued that reserving lithium only for the exploration and exploitation of the Mexican State ex-post is in violation of both the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as those corresponding to all Free Trade Agreements (FTA). ) signed by Mexico.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Reyna Gold Corp., announced results from eight holes totalling 710m of its ongoing 10,000m drilling program conducted at its flagship La Gloria project, Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole LG-22-005 with 3.95 g/t Au over 7.85m, including 19.65 g/t Au over 1.3m; hole LG-22-001 with 0.51 g/t Au over 30.6m; hole LG-22-007 with 8.61g/t Au over 0.6m; and hole LG-22-008 with 4.13 g/t Au over 0.5m.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q1, 2022 production results from its Cosala mine in Sinaloa. The company produced 127K Oz Ag, 3.9M Lb Pb, and 9.6M Lb Zn. Americas expects to produce 0.7-0.9M Oz Ag, 36-40M Lb Pb, and 13-15M Lb Zn in the full year 2022.
  • First Majestic Silver Corporation announced Q1, 2022 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Figures by  mine are shown in the table below:
  • Sierra Metals Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines located in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, the company processed 187,556 tonnes of 0.58% Cu, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.16 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 85.12%,  88.44%, and 63.53% respectively, to produce 2M Lb Cu, 58K Oz Ag, and 592 Oz Au (2,6M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, Sierra metals processed 87,924 tonnes of 174 g/t Ag, 0.19 g/t Au, and 0.3% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 85.37%, 49.94%, and 76.96% respectively, to produce 420K Oz Ag, 274 Oz Au, and 388K Lb Pb (458K Oz AgEq).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., announced results from 15 holes drilled at the Colorado and Guadalupe zones within its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Goal of this drill program is to increase the size and grade of the project´s oxide gold mineralization. Drilling highlights include hole SCR-289 with 0.56 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 1.38 g/t Au over 1.52m; hole SCR-293 with 0.87 g/t Au over 12.19m, including 3.62 g/t Au over 1.52m, plus 0.92 g/t Au over 6.10m, including 2.22 g/t Au over 1.53m, plus 2.26 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 10.25 g/t Au over 1.53m; hole SCR-296 with 0.67 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 1.83 g/t Au over 1.53m, plus 0.42 g/t Au over 6.1m, including 1 g/t Au over 1.52m; hole SCR-299 with 9.02 g/t Au over 10.67m, including 15.56 g/t Au over 6.10m; and hole SCR-301 with 0.49 g/t Au over 10.67m, including 1.79 g/t Au over 1.53m.

ON FINANCING

  • Magna Gold Corp., announced completion of its debt settlement with PEAL de Mexico SA de CV. the company has issued an aggregate of 1,660,132 common shares in the capital of the company at a deemed price of $0.76 per Common Share to PEAL de Mexico S.A. de C.V., in settlement of outstanding debt in the aggregate amount of USD 1M (San Francisco mine, Sonora).
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., amended the option agreement terms with Minerales de Tarachi , resulting in a significant reduction in future cash obligations. A comparison of the original and amended option terms can be found in the table below:

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Magna Gold Corp., announced Maiden Resource Estimate for its Margarita project in Chihuahua. Indicated resources using a cut-off of 75 g/t Ag are 1.854M tonnes of 205 g/t Ag to contain 12.22M Oz Ag and inferred resources are 0.45M tonnes of 153 g/t Ag to contain 2.24M Oz Ag. The deposit includes a well defined high grade core of 0.78M tonnes of 332 g/t Ag for a total of 8.32M Oz Ag contained. Magna reported that mineralization at Margarita is open in all directions and at depth. It also informed that the drill program discovered and confirmed multiple parallel vein systems most notable of which were the Juliana and Caido veins. The company plans to conduct follow-up drilling to define additional resources in these parallel vein systems. The current resource estimate only includes mineralization in the main Margarita vein.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Mercedes mine in Sonora, which includes an independent audit of the Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2021. Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) are 2.98M tonnes of 4 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag to contain 384K Oz Au and 3.5M Oz Ag; and Inferred Resources of 884K tonnes of 4.5 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag to contain 128K Oz Au and 1.17M Oz Ag. Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves are 2.2M tonnes of 3.75 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag to contain 267K Oz Au and 2.1M Oz Ag.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., released results from its ongoing drilling program conducted on the North Zone within its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights include hole N010 with 0.36% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 0.03 g/t Au, and 2 g/t Ag (0.42% CuEq) over 311m; hole N011 with 0.39% Cu, 0.007% Mo, 0.04 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.45% CuEq); and hole N012 with 0.35% Cu, 0.015% Mo, 0.02 g/t Au, and 3 g/t Ag (0.41% CuEq) over 296.9m. “The 2021-2022 drill program in the North Zone has now spanned 900 m of strike length along the core of the mineral deposit”. Holes N013 to N016 in the North Zone and B001 to B004 in the Brasiles Zone are completed and constitute an additional 6,205 m of drilling from which assays have yet to be generated.  To date, the 20 drill holes that have been completed at Santo Tomas (16 in the North Zone) total 14,838 m of diamond drilling, mainly in HQ core size.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., signed and investor relation agreement with Pacificquest Communications Corp., for a term of one year. In connection with the agreement, the company granted 200K options exercisable at $0.50 per common share having a term of 3 years and subject to vesting of 25% of the options each calendar quarter over a one-year period.   The company also granted 100K incentive stock options to other contractors exercisable at $0.50 per common share having a term of 3 years and subject to vesting of 25% of the options each calendar quarter over a one-year period.   (Sonora Gold project, Sonora).
  • Gatos Silver Inc., received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as a result of its failure to timely file its annual report. “In accordance with Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, the NYSE will closely monitor the status of the Company’s late filing and related public disclosures for up to six months from the date of the filing delinquency”  (Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., announced the appointment of a new member to its Technical Advisory Board (Ana Maria project, Durango).

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, quartz-py-FeOx stockwork veining in an intrusive in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Flow banded rhyolite

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 14th week of the year (April 04th to April 10th, 2022), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and one news published by the media, with nine reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven informing on exploration results, five communicating production and financial results, one disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Spruce reported the approval of an Informe Preventivo for its second drilling permit at its Mezquite project, Ranchero Gold released results from its inaugural drilling program at its Santa Daniela project, and Starcore presented results from its drilling program conducted at its Opodepe project. In Chihuahua, Mammoth presented results from three holes drilled at its Tenoriba project, and Reyna Silver announced results from its 8,000m phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Guigui project. In Durango, Silver Wolf released results from 88 samples collected at its Ana Maria project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre commenced a maiden drilling program at its La Tigra project. ON MINING, Gatos Silver reported Q1, 2022 production results from its 70%-owned Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. GoGold announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings mine in Chihuahua. Mexus completed an open pit test heap leach Au recovery process that produced 278 Oz Au from 6 test pits at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  Minera Alamos announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Santana mine in Sonora. Orla presented Q1, 2022 production results from its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla reported that it filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) an independent technical report on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Azucar Minerals commenced to drill test a large lithocap target discussed previously at its El Cobre project, Veracruz. GR Silver reported results from three underground drill holes collared at its San Marcial project, Sinaloa. Avino published results from 110 holes drilled on the oxide tailings project at its Avino property in Durango. Golden Tag released results from hole 22-64 drilled at its San Diego mine, Durango. Silver Dollar announced that phase 2 exploration drilling program is underway at its la Joya project in Durango. Silver Viper conducted a TITAN-MT deep-penetrating geophysical survey centered on the El Rubi deposit, Paredones, and El Molino target areas at its La Virginia project in Chihuahua. Starcore provided an update on the diamond drilling program conducted at its San Martin mine in Querétaro. Zacatecas Silver announced results from its ongoing diamond drilling program on the Panuco North and Panuco Central Veins at its Zacatecas project in Zacatecas state.   ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sailfish provided an update on its previously announced Swordfish silver transaction (Gavilanes project, Durango).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Esperanza Silver has a Community Engagement Plan to meet the objectives proposed by the New Socially and Environmentally Responsible Mining Model.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., reported the approval of an Informe Preventivo by the Mexican government Environmental Authority (SEMARNAT) for its second drilling permit at its Mezquite project in Sonora. The second drilling program will consists of 1,500-2,500m of Reverse Circulation (RC), which include twenty-four new pads on the northern, northwestern and southeastern sections of the property.
  • Ranchero Gold Corp., released results from its 16 holes, Phase 1 inaugural drilling program at the Maíz Azul prospect within its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. All of the 16 holes intersected Au mineralization and were planned to drill test shallow-near surface mineralization. Highlights include hole MA22-10 with 4 g/t Au over 31.5m; hole MA21-14 with 1.2 g/t Au over 21.2m; hole MA22-25 with 1.2 g/t Au over 15.6m, and hole MA21-11 with 1.1 g/t Au over 21m. Mineralization remains completely open at depth since it was only tested at depths of 100-150m below surface. The company is currently designing a second phase of drilling. The plan of this drilling program is to expand La Colmena zone eastward, initiate drill testing of the X-structure target, initiate drilling of new targets identified by the on-going modelling, and start definition drilling. In addition, Ranchero Gold is also advancing its regional reconnaissance program on the entire property. The company has identified from a previous Aster study, nine high-priority targets that warrant follow-up field work. “Ranchero Gold will continue its field investigation in parallel with the work conducted at Maíz Azul with the objective of identifying new drill targets by year-end.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp., presented results from three holes drilled at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. The most significant mineralized interval was encountered in hole TEN-21-13 on the Moreno Zone with 0.98 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag (1.18 g/t AuEq) over 37.5m, including 1.13 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, and 0.55% Cu (2.34 g/t AuEq) over 18m.
  • Reyna Silver Corp., announced results from its 8,000m phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Guigui project in Chihuahua. Drilling highlights include hole GG21-31 with 130 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 2.62m, including 338 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 0.7m, including 1,040 g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 0.18m, plus 54 g/t Ag, 2.2% Pb, and 9.9% Zn over 3.15m, including 128 g/t Ag, 3.7% Pb, and 16% Zn over 1.85m; hole GG21-30 with 233 g/t Ag, 0.02% Pb, and 0.02% Zn over 2.11m; hole GG21-31 with 105 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 1.20m; and hole GG21-33 with 106 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 4.51m. The company reported that the mineralized skarn footprint now exceeds 0.5km2.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., released results from 88 grab samples collected at its Ana Maria project in Durango. Highlights include 246 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 4.5% Pb, and 1.7% Zn; 578 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 11.9% Pb, and 0.3% Zn; 442 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 11.4% Pb, and 1.5% Zn; 163 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 6.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn; 168 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 4.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn; 1,227 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 25.7% Pb, and 0.6% Zn; 309 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 2.3% Pb, and 4.8% Zn; 1,306 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 20.4% Pb, and 7.4% Zn; and 792 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 16.9% Pb, and 0.6% Zn. Silver Wolf is waiting for the final geophysical data interpretation to better define drill targets for later this year.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., commenced a maiden drilling program at its La Tigra project in Nayarit. This is the first ever drill program undertaken within the district and is focused primarily on areas defined by the ongoing trenching program. Trenching highlights include 1.22 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (1.3 g/t AuEq) over 11.6m, including 2.52 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (2.7 g/t AuEq) over 4.3m; 1.45 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.57 g/t AuEq) over 12.8m, including 3.22 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (3.69 g/t AuEq) over 5.3m; 1.59 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (1.63 g/t AuEq) over 24.2m, including 5.58 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (5.64 g/t AuEq) over 4.7m; and 1.78 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (1.85 g/t AuEq) over 22.9m, including 2.2 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (2.3 g/t AuEq) over 7.1m.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., presented results from its drilling program conducted at its Opodepe project in Sonora. The drill program consisted of 3,289.6 m in 25 short holes. Drilling highlights include hole OPDS-21-001 with 4.79 g/t AuEq over 6.73m; hole OPDS-21-018 with 2.3 g/t AuEq over 1.91m; and hole OPDS-21-021 with 1.96 g/t AuEq over 2.19m. The first stage of drilling was focused on the upper part of the veins and has been considered as recognition drilling. “However, in this year 2022, the drilling is focused on the zone of the veins which the geologists have considered as favorable zones to find economic reserves”.

ON MINING

  • Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production results from its 70%-owned Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. The company milled 234,985 tonnes of 353 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 2.2% Pb, and 4.1% Zn at metallurgical recoveries of 89.7%, 57.1% , 89.2%, and 64.3% respectively, to produce 2.39M Oz Ag, 1.3K Oz Au, 10.3M Lb Pb, and 13.8M Lb Zn. Gatos reported over USD $40M in cash as of March 31, 2022.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings mine in Chihuahua. The company produced 186,655 Oz Ag, 2,791 Oz Au, and 280K Lb Cu (455,991 Oz AgEq).
  • Mexus Gold US completed an open pit test heap leach Au recovery process that produced 278 Oz Au from 6 test pits at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  The company is looking for a mining company to joint venture with at its Santa Elena mine. Mexus believes that the property contains > 1M Oz Au. It stated that is open to also JV its Ures Au-Ag-Cu property in Sonora.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Santana mine in Sonora. It mined 600K tonnes to produce 3,390 Oz Au. Cumulative Au recovery from mineralization under leach for more that 30 days is now approximately 75% with additional recovery ongoing. The company reported that the total of Au inventory moved to leach pad to date is 14K Oz. In addition, the company announced that site preparation activities were initiated at the Nicho Main Zone with a goal to start mining activities at that deposit later in Q2-2022.
  • Orla Mining Ltd., presented Q1, 2022 production results from its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. The company mined 684,255 tonnes and processed 539,379 tonnes of 0.8 g/t Au to produce 23,031 Oz Au. Gold guidance for the full year 2022 is maintained by Orla at 90-100 Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Vizsla Silver Corp., reported that it filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), an independent technical report containing a maiden mineral resource estimate on its Panuco project in Sinaloa.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., commenced to drill test a large lithocap target discussed previously at its El Cobre project, Veracruz. The lithocap target was outlined by several exploration techniques, including geophysics, mineralogy, geochemistry and past drilling campaigns at the property.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from three underground drill holes collared at its San Marcial project, Sinaloa. The most significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes SM121-07 with 201 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a true width (TW) of 3.7m, including 1,413 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.3% Zn over a TW of 0.2m, plus 124 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over a TW of 8.5m, including, 223 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over a TW of 2.4m, including 553 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over a TW of 0.5m. Results confirmed a significant expansion of high-grade Ag mineralization approximately 300m down dip below the lower limit of the pit-constrained San Marcial mineral resource. A two phase 4,500m drilling program is planned for 2022 at San Marcial to support future resource expansion and an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., published results from 110 holes drilled on the oxide tailings project at its Avino property in Durango. The drilling program consisted of 3,645m. The drill density of the current program should be sufficient to upgrade most of the existing inferred mineral resources to the measured and indicated categories, and to potentially expand the resources. Selected highlights are shown below:
·        Golden Tag Resources Ltd., released results from hole 22-64 drilled at its San Diego mine, Durango. This hole is part of an exploration program targeting bulk-tonnage mineralization and encountered several mineralized intervals. Key highlights include 0.07 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (60 g/t AgEq) over 73.5m, including 0.45 g/t Au, 882 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.17% Cu (980 g/t AgEq) over 0.91m, 0.31 g/t Au, 371 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (441 g/t AgEq) over 2.80m, plus 0.24 g/t Au, 385 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (482 g/t AgEq) over 1.80m, plus  0.2 g/t Au, 475 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, 4.9% Zn, and 0.15% Cu (734 g/t AgEq) over 0.53m (all in the 57 target zone); plus 3.64 g/t Au, 18 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (317 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m (on the Montanez zone), plus 0.18 g/t Au, 212 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, 2.9% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (405 g/t AgEq) over 0.70m (on the Canta target area), plus 0.32 g/t Au, 355 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.08% Cu (422 g/t AgEq) over 0.63, and plus 0.08 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (331 g/t AgEq) over 1.04m (On the Rata target area). This result extends the open pit mineralization for over 290m vertical.
·        Silver Dollar Resources Inc., announced that phase 2 exploration drilling program is underway at its la Joya project in Durango. Phase 2 drilling will remain focused on the underexplored Noria portion of the Property and new targets that were identified in the results received to date from the Phase 1 drilling program, which consisted of 11 holes for a total of 2,424 m of drilling. Assays for the first seven holes were reported and results for the remaining holes are expected shortly.
·        Silver Viper Minerals Corp., conducted a TITAN-MT deep-penetrating geophysical survey centered on the El Rubi deposit, Paredones, and El Molino target areas at its La Virginia project in Chihuahua, to assist in targeting for deeper portions of the mineralized system. The TITAN Magnetotelluric (MT) survey is capable of acquiring information from depths in excess of 1,500m below surface. Geologist of the company have reviewed preliminary 2D imaging from the first of the MT survey lines and believe the method will be very effective at La Virginia property. Silver Viper expects to receive final deliverables in the coming weeks.
·        Starcore International Mines Ltd., provided an update on the diamond drilling program conducted at its San Martin mine in Querétaro. A total of 9,410m were drilled in 2021 until the end of March, 2022 which focused on two areas of the mine:  the first focusing on the northwest part of the operating mine, and the second searching for the extension of the orebodies of high – grade discovered during the 30 years of the mine’s life.  Highlights on the area 33 include hole DC3221-10 with 7.36 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over 3m; hole DC3221-11 with 2.21 g/t Au and 26 g/t Ag over 8m; hole DC3221-12 with 16.27 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 0.5m; and hole DC3221-15 with 12.2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 0.60m. Highlights on the area 28 include hole DC2820-214 with 2.14 g/t Au and 57 g/t Ag over 2.4m; hole DC2820-215 with 2.42 g7t Au and 21 g/t Ag over 2.95m; and hole DC2821-217 with 8.08 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 2.15m.
·        Zacatecas Silver Corp., announced results from its ongoing diamond drilling program on the Panuco North and Panuco Central Veins at its Zacatecas project in Zacatecas state. Drilling highlights include hole PAN2022-042 with 1,423 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au (1,440 g/t AgEq) over 1.25m; hole  PAN2022-044 with 353 g/t Ag and 0.29 g/t Au (379 g/t AgEq) over 4.35m; hole PAN2022-043 with 358 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au (379 g/t AgEq) over 1.55m; hole PAN2022-046 with 201 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au (222 g/t AgEq) over 1.05m; and hole PAN2022-045 with 115 g/t Ag and 0.85 g/t Au (179 g/t AgEq) over 5.96m. “Following the recent grant of 27 additional drill pads, Zacatecas Silver will be able to test the depth extension of mineralization at south-eastern Panuco North over a strike length of 600 m and to complete a maiden drill program along the central part of the Panuco North vein over a strike length of 1.4 km”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

·        Sailfish Royalty Corp., provided an update on its previously announced Swordfish silver transaction. The proposed transaction is expected to result in the transfer of the Company’s wholly owned Gavilanes silver property located in Durango, Mexico. Closing of the Gavilanes Acquisition is subject to, among other things, Swordfish acquiring the Commonwealth Silver-Gold Project in exchange for shares of Swordfish, a concurrent private placement financing for proceeds of USD $5M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

·        Esperanza Silver has a Community Engagement Plan to meet the objectives proposed by the New Socially and Environmentally Responsible Mining Model. It has the objective of developing a gold and silver mine in the lands of common use of the community of San Agustín Tetlamam, located in the municipality of Temixco in the state of Morelos. “This new way of developing mining, prioritizing social bonding and the use of techniques that allow avoiding, minimizing, mitigating and compensating for environmental impacts, is due to the genuine interest of Esperanza Silver de México and Alamos Gold Inc. in responding to the demands of a society interested in caring for the environment and the social environment.”

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, flow banded rhyolite in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Sheetd quartz veins

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 12th week of the year (March 21st to March 27th, 2022), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven informing on exploration results, four communicating production and financial results, and two announcing financial issues,   ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Infinitum Copper commenced a geophysical survey at its Adelita project, Tocvan completed 1,540m of its phase III drilling program at its Pilar project and provided an update on its Picachos project, the Aztec Minerals-Kootenay JV released results from the ongoing 2022 RC program on its Cervantes project, and Benjamin Hill announced results of the recently completed induce polarization survey and provided an update on the ongoing drill program at its Sonora project. In Chihuahua, Radius announced drill results from its ongoing drilling program at its Amalia project. In Coahuila, Monumental announced that it will be visiting its Jemi heavy rare earth element property during the month of May. ON MINING, Fortuna Silver reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its San Jose Mine in Oaxaca. Golden Minerals announced full year 2021 financial results and provided a 2022 forecast for its Rodeo production in Durango. Impact Silver reported full year 2021 production and financial results from its Zacualpan mining district in the State of México. SilverCrest presented full year 2021 financial results. ON FINANCING, Endeavour closed a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of USD $46M, including the exercise of the over-allotment option in full (Pitarrilla project, Durango). Zacatecas Silver announced the closing of a $19.15M offering of subscription receipts (Esperanza Gold project, Morelos) ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Zacatecas Silver received the approval from the Mexican Federal Environmental Permitting Agency (SEMARNAT) for 27 new drill pads at its Panuco project, Zacatecas. Silver Tiger reported results from its ongoing drill program from its El Tigre project in Sonora. Torex announced it will release an updated technical report for the Morelos Complex by March 31, 2022. Silver Dollar reported results from the drilling program recently completed at its La Joya project in Durango. Golden Minerals completed technical reports for their Rodeo and Velardeña properties in Durango, including updated mineral resources. Golden Tag released results from 2 holes drilled at its San Diego project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Guanajuato Silver announced the appointment of Ramón Dávila to the position of President (Cubo and Pinguico projects, Guanajuato). Avino closed the acquisition of La Preciosa project in Durango with Coeur Mining. Aztec Minerals informed that its common shares traded in USA under the symbol AZZTF are now Depository Trust Company (Cervantes project, Sonora). Gold Resource announced its 2022 annual meeting of shareholders (Don David Gold Mine, Oaxaca). Magna entered into an amending agreement with Peal de México on the acquisition of the San Francisco mine, Sonora. Tarachi announced the appointment of its VP of Operation, and signed a new land and water rights agreement with the local Magistral Ejido Community (Magistral Tailings project, Durango). Bear Creek provided an update on the acquisition of Mercedes mine in Sonora. GoGold reported results of six holes from its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Infinitum Copper Corp., commenced a magneto-telluric geophysical survey at its Adelita project in Sonora. It will consist of 10 lines totaling 14.8km and is expected to be completed in three weeks.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., completed nine holes for a total of 1,540m of its phase III drilling program at its Pilar project in Sonora, looking to expand the Main Zone. All samples have been submitted to lab and results will be released once they are available. At Picachos project, the company is doing site visits to determine the best use of exploration funds in the near term. Currently, Tocvan has already obtained drill and trenching fully permits for 15km and 2km respectively. Drilling will take place once assessment of key target areas by mapping, geochemistry and geophysics are complete.
  • The Aztec Minerals Corp –Kootenay Silver Inc JV released results from the ongoing 2022 RC program on its Cervantes project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole CAL22-008 with 0.88 g/t Au over 54.72m, including 1.96 g/t Au over 13.72m, plus 0.74 g/t Au over 7.6m; hole CAL22-009 with 0.5 g/t Au over 86.64m; and hole CAL22-010 with 0.53 g/t Au over 138.82m, including 1.62 g/t Au over 10.67m. The Aztec-Kootenay JV has now completed its Phase 2 RC program with 26 holes for a total of 4,649m drilled. “It covers an area now measuring approximately 900m long by 250 to 500m wide, with demonstrated, continuous mineralization up to 265 metres depth vertically. The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions”. 
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., announced results of the recently completed induce polarization (IP) survey and provided an update on the ongoing drill program at its Sonora project in Sonora. The IP survey consisted of eight lines for a total of 11,200m over known zones of mineralization. Multiple geophysical anomalies were detected including seven high chargeability and six medium chargeability anomalies, and three high priority resistivity anomalies, and one medium priority resistivity anomaly. “The affinity of the geophysical anomalies with positive surface sampling results has provided the geological team with prime drill targets in each exploration area”. On the other hand, the company has completed 13 of the planned 32 holes for a total of 3,310.85m out of the 8,500m planned. Assays are still pending.
  • Radius Gold Inc., announced drill results from its ongoing drilling program on El Cuervo target at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Drilling highlights include hole AMDD21-49 with 144 g/t Ag and 0.92 g/t Au over a true width (TW) of 15.3m, including 190 g/t Ag and 1.01 g/t Au over a TW of 9.1m, including 469 g/t Ag and 0.97 g/t Au over a TW of 0.9m, including 483 g/t Ag and 3.94 g/t Au over a TW of 1m; and hole AMDD21-48 with 116 g/t Ag and 1.39 g/t Au over a TW of 1.5m, plus 32 g/t Ag and 0.56 g/t Au over a TW of 1.3m, plus 77 g/t Ag and 0.61 g/t Au over a TW of 6.1m, including 125 g/t Ag and 0.68 g/t Au over a TW of 2.1m, and 54 g/t Ag and 0.34 g/t Au over a TW of 36.6m, including 84 g/t Ag and 0.75 g/t Au over a TW of 10.1m, including 139 g/t Ag and 4.02 g/t Au over a TW of 1.65m.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., announced that it will be visiting its Jemi heavy rare earth element property during the month of May to field review airborne radiometric and magnetic geophysical features that relate to peralkaline rocks and associated ore-grade concentrations of rare earth elements, with the aim of defining drill targets.

ON MINING

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its San Jose Mine in Oaxaca. In Q4, 2021 the company milled 262,282 tonnes of 219 g/t Ag and 1.27 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 93% and 92% respectively, to produce 1.72 M Oz Ag and 9.9K Oz Au. It sold 1.73M Oz Ag and 9,983 Oz Au at a realized price of USD $23.35 per Oz Ag and USD $1,797 per Oz Au. Fortuna reported a cash and all in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD $9.15 and USD $14.52 per Oz AgEq respectively, and a net smelting royalty (NSR) of USD $207.57 per tonne. For the full year 2021, the company reported that it milled 1,041,154 tonnes of 209 g/t Ag and 1.29 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 92% and 91% respectively, to produce 6.62M Oz Ag and 39.4K Oz Au. Fortuna sold 6.43M Oz Ag and 34.4K Oz Au at a realized price of USD $25.15 per Oz Ag and USD $1,798 per Oz Au. The company reported a cash and AISC of USD $9.30 and USD $14.38 per Oz AgEq respectively, and a NSR of USD $210.95 per tonne.
  • Golden Minerals Company announced full year 2021 production and financial results and provided a 2022 forecast for its Rodeo production in Durango. The company processed from Rodeo mine, Durango the amount of 149K tonnes of 4.1g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 75% and 90% respectively to produce 14.4K Oz Au and 59.9K Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $937 per payable Oz Au. In addition, Golden reported revenues of USD $25.6M, a net operating margin of USD $12.3M, a cost of metals sold of USD $13.3M, cash and equivalents balance of USD $12.2M and a cash inflow of USD $16.6M. The company also provided a 2022 forecast for its Rodeo mine. It expects to process between 175K-180K tonnes of 2.9g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recoveries of approximately 80% for both Au and Ag to produce between 12K-14K Oz Au and 42K-47K Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $1,100-USD$ 1,200 per Oz Au.
  • Impact Silver Corp., reported full year 2021 production and financial results from its Zacualpan mining district in the State of México. The company milled 145,458 tonnes of 172 g/t Ag to produce 617.7K Oz Ag. It sold 633.9K Oz Ag. Impact reported revenue of $17.7M, a mine operating earnings before amortization and depreciation of $4.7M,  earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $1.5M, cash flow from operations of $3M, cash position of $21.1M, and working capital of $21.5M.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., presented full year 2021 financial results. The company reported cash and cash equivalents for USD $176.5M and USD $30M remains under a USD $120M project financing facility. It also reported a cash inflow offset by USD $32.9M. During 2021, SilverCrest committed 7.2% (USD $103.6M) of the USD $137.7M feasibility study capital cost estimate. Of the remaining capital to be incurred in 2022, 20.7% (USD $8.9M) is related to the Ausenco fixed price engineering, procurement and construction contract for process plant construction and 14.7% (USD $6.3M) is unused contingency. 

ON FINANCING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., closed a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of USD $46M, including the exercise of the over-allotment option in full. Gross proceeds will be used by the company to pay the USD $35M cash consideration payable to SSR Mining Inc., for the acquisition of Pitarrilla project in Durango, as well as for general corporate purposes and working capital.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., announced the closing of a $19.15M offering of subscription receipts. Net proceeds will be used to pay the USD $5M cash consideration for the acquisition of the Esperanza Gold project to Alamos Gold, begin the advancing the Esperanza project towards production, fund the ongoing drill program at the company´s existing project and for general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., received the approval from the Mexican Federal Environmental Permitting Agency (SEMARNAT) for 27 new drill pads at its Panuco project, Zacatecas. The company is presently completing environmental studies at Muleros and San Manuel ahead of drill pad applications.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported results from its ongoing drill program from its El Tigre project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole ET-21-296 on Sooy Vein with 1.73 g/t Au, 687 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (822 g/t AgEq) over 25.9m, including 2.30 g/t Au, 921 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (1,101 g/t AgEq) over 19m, including 4.65 g/t Au, 1,877 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (2,239 g/t AgEq) over 9.2m, including 0.39 g/t Au, 2,450 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (2,489 g/t AgEq) over 2.9m; and hole ET-22-319 on Sooy Vein with 0.24 g/t Au, 160 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (186 g/t AgEq) over 17.3m, including 0.56 g/t Au, 362 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 0.02% Zn (420 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m, including 1.15 g/t Au, 690 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (804 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 1.44 g/t Au, 887 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 1% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (1,024 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced it will release an updated technical report for the Morelos Complex by March 31, 2022.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., reported results from the drilling program recently completed at its La Joya project in Durango. Drilling highlights include holes NOR-21-002 with 110 g/t Ag, 0.19 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (131 g/t AgEq) over 5.37m, including 141.3 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (161 g/t AgEq); and hole NOR-21-004 with 49 g/t Ag, 19.2 g/t Au, 0.48% Cu, and 0.03% Zn (1,590 g/t AgEq) over 3m, plus 17 g/t Ag, 4.3 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, and 0.01% Zn (363 g/t AgEq) over 8.37m, including 58 g/t Ag, 29 g/t Au, 0.15% Cu, and 0.01% Zn (2,369 g/t AgEq) over 1.01m. “Drilling focused on the underexplored Noria portion of the Property and was successful in identifying possible structural extensions of the known mineralized zones as well as the discovery of a new shallow high-grade gold zone. The next phase of drilling will focus on these new targets and is expected to commence before month-end”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported results of six holes drilled at the Mololoa deposit within its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Significant mineralization was encountered in hole LRGM-21-093 with 0.19 g/t Au and 111 g/t Ag (1.68 g/t AuEq or 126 g/t AgEq) over 1.7m, plus 0.16 g/t Au and 213 g/t Ag (3.01 g/t AuEq or 226 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m, including 0.59 g/t Au and 912 g/t Ag (12.75 g/t AuEq or 956 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus 0.28 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag (1.62 g/t AuEq or 122 g/t AgEq) over 31.9m, including 3.33 g/t Au and 827 g/t Ag (14.36 g/t AuEq or 1,077 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; and hole LRGM-21-104 with 1.09 g/t Au and 235 g/t Ag (4.22 g/t AuEq or 317 g/t AgEq) over 33.4m, including 3.56 g/t Au and 765 g/t Ag (13.76 g/t AuEq or 1,032 g/t AgEq) over 9.8m, including 8.48 g/t Au and 1,682 g/t Ag (30.9 g/t AuEq or 2,317 g/t AgEq) over 3.5m, including 17.15 g/t Au and 3,080 g/t Ag (58.22 g/t AuEq or 4,366 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m.
  • Golden Minerals Company completed technical reports for their Rodeo and Velardeña properties in Durango, including updated mineral resources. At Rodeo, Durango, Mineral Resources were calculated having an effective date of October 31, 2021, assuming prices of USD $1,800/ Oz Au and USD $25/Oz Ag.  For the low-grade material (stockpile), a cutoff of 1.0 g/t Au was considered to estimate measured resources of 208,500 tonnes grading 1.24 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag for a total of 8.3K Oz Au and 67.2K Oz Ag contained; indicated resources of 86,400 tonnes of 1.58 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag for a total of 2.1K Oz Au and 9.4K Oz Ag contained. Measured + Indicated resources are 264,900 tonnes of 1.23 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag for a total of 10.5K Oz Au and 76.6K Oz Ag contained. Inferred resources are 1,500 tonnes of 1.2 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag for a total of 58 Oz Au and 198 Oz Ag contained. For the high-grade material a cutoff of 1.6 g/t Au was considered to estimate measured resources of 10,700 tonnes grading 3.11 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag for a total of 31.1K Oz Au and 131K Oz Ag contained; indicated resources of 43,700 tonnes grading 3.17 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag for a total of 4.5K Oz Au and 15K Oz Ag contained. Measured + Indicated resources are 954,400 tonnes of 3.12 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag for a total of 35.6K Oz Au and 146K Oz Ag contained. The Life of Mine is 24 months of operation and assumes 12 months to perform closure and reclamation.  The company reported a pre-tax net present value (NPV) of USD $22.9M using a discount rate of 8%. At Velardeña, Durango, Mineral Resources were calculated having an effective date of February 28, 2022, assuming prices of USD $1,744/Oz Au, USD $23.70/Oz Ag, USD $0.97/Lb Pb, and USD $1.15/Lb Zn. Mineral resources are reported at a Net Smelting Royalty of USD $175. Measured resources estimated are 385K tonnes of 327 g/t Ag, 5.58 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 1.8% Zn for a total of 4M Oz Ag, 69K Oz Au, 13.75M Lb Pb, and 15.1M Lb Zn contained; Indicated resources estimated are 883.8K tonnes of 316 g/t Ag, 4.88 g/t Au, 1.5% Pb, and 1.8% Zn for a total of 8.98M Oz Ag, 138.5K Oz Au, 30.16M Lb Pb, and 34.34M Lb Zn contained. Measured + Indicated resources are 1,268,800 tonnes of 319 g/t Ag, 5.09 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 1.8% Zn for a total of 13.03M Oz Ag, 207.5K Oz Au, 43.9M Lb Pb, and 49.94M Lb Zn contained. Inferred resources estimated are 1,709,200 tonnes of 362 g/t Ag, 4.8 g/t Au, 1.7% Pb, and 1.9% Zn for a total of 19.89M Oz Ag, 263.8K Oz Au, 65.26M Lb Pb, and 70.2M Lb Zn. The Life of Mine is 11 years, with a pre-tax NVP of USD $119M using a discount rate of 8%.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., released results from 2 holes drilled at its San Diego project in Durango. Hole 21-62 intersected several structures. This hole encountered 0.04 g/t Au, 214 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn ,and 0.03% Cu (244 g/t AgEq) over 1.75m, plus 0.06 g/t Au, 107 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.08% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (122 g/t AgEq) over 0.50m (in the San Jose Zone), plus 1.29 g/t Au, 72 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, 0.07% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (182 g/t AgEq) over 2m (on the 57 NE A Zone), plus 0.1 g/t Au, 305 g/t Ag, 2% Pb,3% Zn, and 0.09% Cu (504 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m, plus 0.12 g/t Au, 137 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (187 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m (in the 57 NE B zone). Hole 21-63 also intersected several mineralized intervals. Highlights include 0.48 g/t Au, 142 g/t Ag, 1.3% Pb, 1.6% Zn, and 0.12% Cu (295 g/t AgEq) over 2.10m, plus 0.11 g/t Au, 147 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (211 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m (in the 57 NE B zone), plus 0.16 g/t Au, 284 g/t Ag, 4.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (491 g/t AgEq) over 0.50m (in the Montanez zone), plus 0.11 g/t Au, 76 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (166 g/t AgEq) over 10.15m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 229 g/t Ag, 2.2% Pb, 5.6% Zn, and 0.09% Cu (541 g/t AgEq) over 1.66m, plus 0.11 g/t Au, 146 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, 1.5% Zn, and 0.1% Cu (260 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 0.28 g/t Au, 730 g/t Ag, 4% Pb, 4.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (1,095 g/t AgEq) over 0.57m (in the Canta Zone).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., closed the acquisition of La Preciosa project in Durango with Coeur Mining Inc., by paying USD $15.3M in cash; a promissory note for USD $5M in favour of Coeur, payable without interest on or before March 21. 2023;  the issuance of 14M common shares of Avino to Coeur; the issuance of 7M share purchase warrants exercisable at USD $1.09 per share until September 21, 2023; an additional cash payment of USD $8.75M, to be paid no later than 12 months after initial production at La Preciosa; a 1.25% NSR on the La Gloria and Abundancia areas of La Preciosa and 2% gross value royalty on all of other areas of La Preciosa; and a payment of USD $0.25 per silver equivalent ounce of new mineral reserves discovered and declared outside of the current mineral resource area at La Preciosa, subject to a cap of USD $50M.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., informed that its common shares traded in USA under the symbol AZZTF are now Depository Trust Company. It will increase the visibility and accessibility of the Aztec common shares for current and potential shareholders in USA (Cervantes project, Sonora).
  • Gold Resource Corporation announced its 2022 annual meeting of shareholders (Don David Gold Mine, Oaxaca).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced the appointment of Ramón Dávila to the position of President (Cubo and Pinguico projects, Guanajuato).
  • Magna Gold Corp., entered into an amending agreement with Peal de México on the acquisition of the San Francisco mine, Sonora. Magna amended the agreement to settle outstanding amounts owing in exchange for the issuance of common shares of the company with a value of USD $1M, which reduced the company´s amount owing by USD $1M from USD $4,054,351 to USD $3,054,351.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., announced the appointment of its VP of Operation, and signed a new land and water rights agreement with the local Magistral Ejido Community. “The Land Lease Agreement is for a 30-year term, granting Tarachi and its Mexican subsidiary’s use of 63.9 hectares of land for mining, processing, and tailings disposal purposes. The Company will pay to the Ejido an amount of MXP $5K (approximately USD $250) per month to maintain the right to retrieve water from within the Ejido’s territory and use of the Ejido’s water related infrastructure. The company and the Ejido have also amended their existing exclusive agreement to purchase mine and process certain tailings materials belonging to the Ejido. The amendment will result in an increase of USD $0.25 per tonne in the purchase fee paid by the Company for Ejido tailings material when gold prices are above USD $1475/Oz, compared to the previous agreement terms.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation provided an update on the acquisition of the Mercedes mine in Sonora. The completion of the acquisition remains subject to anti-trust approval which the company expects to receive in April 2022. On March 24, 2022, the company and Equinox Gold agreed to extend the outside date for the completion of the Acquisition to April 30, 2022. “The Company has become aware that on March 23, 2022, TRR Offtakes LLC (“Trident”) – a subsidiary of Trident Royalties Plc which in January 2022 acquired a non-material offtake agreement with subsidiaries of Equinox Gold – brought an application for an order of an arbitrator restraining and enjoining the closing of the Acquisition (the “Application”). Bear Creek believes the Application is without merit. The Company intends to hold Trident fully responsible for all loss and damage Bear Creek may suffer as a consequence of Trident’s interfering conduct”.

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, sheeted quartz veins in an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.