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

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Banded calcite vein

By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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

On the picture above, a banded calcite vein with Manganese Oxides from an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Hydrothermal Brecia

By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUE

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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

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

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

/ gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment
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 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 Fourth Week of January, 2022. 

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Quartz breccia cemented by tourmaline

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 4th week of the year (January 24th to January 30th, 2022), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 6 news published by the media, with ten informing on exploration results, nine reporting resources and developments of their properties, five communicating production results, four discussing social issues, two commenting on Mexican issues, and one disclosing deals and corporate issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Americas Gold hosted an official opening ceremony at its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa. Pablo Méndez Alvídrez, president of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua stated that this sector is a mainstay of economic development since it represents 4% of the State gross domestic public (GDP). ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Spruce announced that it has initiated an environmental report for a drill permit at its Diamante project and reported high grade results from historical sampling, Aztec–Kootenay JV completed first 14 holes totaling 2,810.6m of the current 5,000m, 22-hole Phase 2 RC drill program at the Cervantes property, Ranchero Gold released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Daniela project, Orogen provided an update of the drilling exploration program funded by Hochschild on its Sarape project, and announced the termination of the option agreement by Hochschild, Tarachi Gold provided an overview of the exploration activities carried out in 2021 at its Jabali and San Javier mining concessions, and Colibri announced it has resumed the drilling program at its flagship Evelyn project. In Chihuahua, Golden Minerals released results from 5 holes drilled at its Yoquivo project.  In Durango, Southern Empire started a drill program at its San Pedro project, Silverton announced that it completed a geophysical 3D modeling of airborne electromagnetic data and the commencement of a seismic survey at its Pluton project, and Canasil announced results of three holes drilled at its Nora project. ON MINING, Altaley reported Q4 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Equinox Gold provided 2022 production and cost guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. Sierra Metals announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. MAG Silver reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. Magna Gold announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its San Francisco Mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capitan Mining reported results from its RC drilling program as well as from chip sampling on the Jesus Maria Silver deposit at its Peñoles project in Durango. Silver Tiger released results from its ongoing drilling program on the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. SilverCrest provided an update on the construction of its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. GoGold released high grade results from nine holes collared at Mololoa-Tamara area within its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Southern Silver announced a new high grade mineral discovery on the El Sol concession at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Gatos Silver provided an update on the resource and reserve estimation process following recent reconciliation work at its Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua, and provided 2022 production and cost guidance. Vizsla provided a 2021 year end summary of its activities at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Tarachi Gold made significant progress in developing its Magistral tailing project in Durango towards a production decision. Mithril provided a Q4, 2021 on activities at its Copalquin project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bear Creek provided an update of the acquisition from Equinox of Mercedes mine, Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) carried out in collaboration with the Urban Development and Ecology area of ​​the Caborca ​​City Council, the first Reforestation Day 2022.  Four educational institutions that Grupo México supports in the Mexican Republic have obtained results above the national average in the most recent evaluations carried out by the Ministry of Public Education. Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) invested over MXP $7M in seven public works in four communities. Minera San Xavier S.A de C.V. informed that, as of January 2022, it has made significant progress in the execution of its biophysical and social Closure Plan, which has been Responsible, Inclusive and Participatory.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation hosted an official opening ceremony at its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa with the participation of the Mexican Minister of Economy, the Governor of Sinaloa State, The Cosala Major, and the CEO of the company. All of them pointed the importance of the mine to the local community, the Sinaloa State and the country. All three government representatives thanked to the company for its perseverance during the illegal blockade and the commitment of capital to re-open the mine.
  • Pablo Méndez Alvídrez, president of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua stated that this sector is a mainstay of economic development since it represents 4% of the State gross domestic public and has generated more than 20,000 direct jobs and more than 102,000 indirect jobs, which is a great contribution to the state.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced that it has initiated an environmental report for a drill permit on its Diamante project and reported high grade results from historical sampling. The environmental report will be filed to SEMARNAT once it is completed and is expected within four to six weeks of submission. The company identified historical reports with maps, field sections and assays for 77 previously unreleased samples with precious and base metal values reporting up to 25.69 g/t Au, 1,360 g/t Ag, 18 % Pb, 33 % Zn and 1.47% Cu.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp.-Kootenay Silver Inc. JV completed first 14 holes totaling 2,810.6m of the current 5,000m, 22-hole Phase 2 RC drill program at the Cervantes property in Sonora. Samples have been submitted to the lab for analysis and results are expected to arrive in the next several weeks. Meanwhile, the company will continue the surface sampling and mapping on the property to continue the 2021 Phase 1 surface program.
  • Ranchero Gold Corp. released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. Hole MA-21-013 intersected 1.11 g/t Au over 13.15m, and hole MA-21-14 intersected 1.18 g/t Au over 21.15m on La Colmena target. The company announced that further sampling was required both above and below the interval sampled in both holes, and results will be released shortly.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc., provided an update of the drilling exploration program funded by Hochschild Mining Plc., on its Sarape project in Sonora. Hochschild funded a 3,163 m drill program with eight holes testing the quartz-carbonate Sarape Vein. All holes intercepted weakly anomalous gold and silver, except hole SAR-21-12 which intersected 3.76 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 2.4m, including 9.5 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag over 0.7m. Hochschild terminated the option agreement and Orogen is seeking a new exploration partner for the project.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., provided an overview of the exploration activities carried out in 2021 at its Jabali and San Javier mining concessions. At the Jabali concession, a Phase 2 underground drilling program at the La Dura mine returned the company´s best drill intersections to date in hole JAB-219-009 with 6.91 g/t Au over 63.4m, including 17.42 g/t Au over 9.3m and 17.37 g/t Au over 13.9m; and hole JAB-21-010 with 1.7 g/t Au over 42m, including 8 g/t Au over 3.4m. In addition, the company completed a short RC surface drilling program with hole JAB-21-14 returning 7.26 g/t Au over 12m. At the San Javier concession, a surface diamond drilling program encountered a mineralized breccia system in several holes. Hole SJA-20-005 intersected 11.9 g/t Au over 2m; hole SJA-20-006 encountered 5.39 g/t Au over 5.6m; and hole SJA-21-014 intersected 0.45 g/t Au over 52m, including 4.11 g/t Au over 1.5m.  Tarachi also informed that “plans are underway to conduct field work in 2022 on some of the other concessions in Sonora including La Texana. The goal of the field program will be to identify potential drill targets for later in the year”.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation announced it has resumed the drilling program at its flagship Evelyn project in Sonora. The company will continue with its 10,000m RC drill program of which 3,122m have been completed in 22 holes before pausing for the holiday season on December 18, 2021. “The Company is planning on completing the 10,000 metres of RC drilling on the Evelyn property in two phases. Phase 1 which is now resuming is aimed at evaluating areas of anomalous and higher-grade Au assay results from surface and trench exposures coincident with magnetic gradients and lineaments and with structures identified through geological mapping. Phase 2 drilling will be planned to follow up positive results from Phase 1 as well as test numerous targets including chargeability anomalies derived from the Induced Polarization (“IP”) survey completed in 2021, targets derived from interpretation of the drone-borne magnetic survey completed in 2020, and targets derived from the on-going property wide geological/structural interpretation”.
  • Golden Minerals Company released results from 5 holes drilled of a 21 holes second phase drill program recently completed on the Pertenencia Vein at its Yoquivo project in Chihuahua. Highlights include hole YQ-021-002 with 0.51 g/t Au and 706 g/t Ag over 2.4m, plus 0.16 g/t Au, and 91 g/t Ag over 8.5m, including 0.18 g/t Au and 116 g/t Ag over 2.4m, including 0.67 g/t Au and 309 g/t Ag over 0.4m; hole YQ-021-004 with 4.02 g/t Au and 1,473 g/t Ag over 1.5m, plus 0.33 g/t Au and 110 g/t Ag over 1.6m, including 0.92 g/t Au and 313 g/t Ag over 0.3m, plus 0.49 g/t Au and 158 g/t Ag over 3.5m, including 1.67 g/t Au and 578 g/t Ag over 0.3m, plus 1.03 g/t Au and 267 g/t Ag over 2.4m, including 5.15 g/t Au and 1,320 g/t Ag over 0.4m, plus 0.04 g/t Au and 179 g/t Ag over .5m, including 0.11 g/t Au and 904 g/t Ag over 0.5m. The company is currently awaiting additional assay results that it expects to report in the coming months.
  • Southern Empire Resources Corp., started its first core drilling program at its San Pedro project in Durango. The drilling program will test the West Zone where sampling on a NW linear trending heterolithic breccia up to 300m in length returned Au values between 0.33 g/t Au and 2.2 g/t Au. This breccia is coincident with IP chargeability and resistivity geophysical anomalies. The drilling program will consist of 2,000 in 6 to 9 holes.
  • Silverton Metals Corp., completed a 3D modelling of airborne electromagnetic data (ZTEM) and the commencement of a seismic survey at its Pluton project in Durango. The company announced that the ZTEM processing and 3D modelling was successful in identifying significant anomalies potentially related to mineralization. These are coincident to six targets previously identified. In addition, “to supplement the ZTEM, the company has commenced work on a seismic line survey to better understand the sedimentary units and identify the contact between the overlying clastic rocks and the limestones which have the potential to host manto and chimney Carbonate Replacement Deposits”.
  • Canasil Resources Inc., announced results of three holes drilled on the Candy vein at its Nora project in Durango. Hole NRC-21-13 intersected 2.96 g/t Au, 241 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (489 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 3.46m, including 5.49 g/t Au, 432 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu, 0.01% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (876 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.69m, including 9.69 g/t Au, 530 g/t Ag, 0.33% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,323 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.32m, plus 8,83 g/t Au, 706 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.02% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (1,411 g/t AgEq) over a TW of  0.55m, and plus 2.12 g/t Au, 199 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.01% Zn (363 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.91m; hole NRC-21-14 intersected 2.13 g/t Au, 164 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (340 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.43m, including 2.14 g/t Au, 207 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.04% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (381 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.85m, plus 1.4 g/t Au, 181 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (290 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.67m; and hole NCR-21-15 encountered 2.21 g/t Au, 211 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (390 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.54m, including 2.34 g/t Au, 213 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (394 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.75m, plus 2.73 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (296 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.45m.” The Candy vein structure remains open in both directions along strike and to depth for continued drill testing, and the low base metal values in these drill intercepts suggest drilling to date is still in the higher levels of the system”.

ON MINING

  • Altaley Mining Corporation reported Q4 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine, Guerrero. The company milled 183.1K tonnes of 1 g/t Au, 118 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 4.3% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 21%, 47%, 30%, and 71% respectively, to produce 12.2K tonnes of Zn concentrate and 2.7K tonnes of lead concentrate, at cash and AISC of $0.88 and USD $1.06 per Lb Zn respectively. The company reported revenue of CAD $17.07M from Zn concentrate and CAD $2.9M from Pb concentrate for total revenue of CAD $19.98M.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., provided 2022 production and cost guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. The production for 2022 is estimated at 160K-180K Oz Au at cash of USD $1,400 to 1,475 per Oz Au, with AISC of USD $1,625 to 1,750 per Oz Au. Equinox will invest USD $38M of sustaining capital and USD $62M of non-sustaining capital.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, during Q4, 2021, the company processed 227, 722 tonnes of 0.55% Cu, 9 g/t Ag and 0.11 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 80.79%, 82.34%, and 78.32% respectively to produce 2.23M Lb Cu, 57K Oz Ag, and 634 Oz Au (2.8M Lb CuEq). For the full year 2021, the company processed 1,349,602 tonnes of 0.72% Cu, 15 g/t Ag, and 0.16 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 79.28%, 81.95%, and 68.88% respectively, to produce 24.5M Lb Cu, 551K Oz Ag, and 4,751 Oz Au (35.8M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, during Q4, 2021, Sierra Metals processed 84,804 tonnes of 179 g/t Ag, 0.21 g/t Au and 0.4% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 85.52%, 47.29%, and 80.69% respectively to produce 417K Oz Ag, 272 Oz Au and 581K Lb Pb (465K Oz AgEq).  For the full year 2021, the company processed 295,771 tonnes of 160 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au and 0.3% Pb with metallurgical recoveries of 82.98%, 45.05%, and 81.78% respectively to produce 1.26M Oz Ag, 762 Oz Au and 1.7M Lb Pb (1.38M Oz AgEq).
  • MAG Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. This project is a JV between Fresnillo plc and MAG Silver and reported that during Q4, 2021, 113,950 tonnes of mineralized material were processed to produce 1.6M Oz Ag and 9,385 Oz Au, of which 44% are attributable to MAG Silver (718K Oz Ag and 1,754 Oz Au). For the full year 2021, 251,907 tonnes were processed to produce 3.2M Oz Ag and 6,577 Oz Au, of which 44% are attributable to MAG Silver (1.4M Oz Ag and 2,894 Oz Au).
  • Magna Gold Corp., announced Q4 and full year 2021 production results from its San Francisco Mine in Sonora. During Q4, the company mined 1,456,000 tonnes of 0.44 g/t Au and processed 1,688,000 tonnes of 0.41 g/t Au, to produce 15.5K Oz Au and 5,712 Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $1,123 per Oz Au. The company sold 16,305 Oz Au and 6,177 Oz Ag. The company reported that 57K Oz Au were produced in the full year 2021 at a cash cost of USD $1,299 per Oz Au. Magna Gold also provided a 2022 production guidance and estimates to produce 65K-71K Oz Au at a cash cost of USD $1250-USD $1,350 per Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Capitan Mining Inc., reported results from its RC drilling program on its Capitan project, as well as from chip sampling on the Jesus Maria Silver deposit at its Peñoles project in Durango. Hole 21-CARC-29 encountered a broad mineralized intersection on Capitan structure of 0.34 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.34 g/t AuEq) over 195.1m, including 0.35 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag (0.37 g/t AuEq) over 149.4m, including 0.61 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.63 g/t AuEq) over 38.1m, including 0.92 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.95 g/t AuEq) over 100.7m, plus a 3m wide intersection of the Jesus Maria Vein which returned 0.26 g/t Au and 103 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.49% Zn.  The mineralized intersection of Jesus Maria vein is significant as it represents a 350m step out down-dip, and to the south of the previous drill-defined extent of the Jesus Maria Silver Deposit. Capitan Mining also reported results from chip sampling conducted on outcrops north of the Jesus Maria Silver Deposit with values up to 410 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 1.7% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 0.6m. Trenching along the new Gully Fault target, between the Capitan Gold Deposit and the Jesus Maria Silver Deposit, has identified a wide zone of mineralization up to 54m wide with 0.14 g/t Au.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., released results from its ongoing drilling program on the Sooy Vein at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Significant mineral intersections were encountered in hole ET-21-287 with 0.74 g/t Au, 60 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (117 g/t AgEq) over 12.4m, including 5.99 g/t Au, 174 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, and 0.06% Pb (625 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m, plus 0.06 g/t Au, 273 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 1% Zn ( g/t AgEq) over 6.6m, including 0.03 g/t Au, 2,393 g/t Ag, 1.81% Cu, 7.5% Pb, and 10% Zn (3,083 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole ET-21-263 with 0.09 g/t Au, 247 g/t Ag, 0.12% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 1% Zn (314 g/t AgEq) over 3.1m, including 0.15 g/t Au, 421 g/t Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 2.9% Zn (567 g/t AgEq) over 1m, plus 0.21 g/t Au, 180 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (242 g/t AgEq) over 22.6m, including 1.05 g/t Au, 702g/t Ag, 0.54% Cu, 1.8% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (940 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 0.06 g/t Au, 740 g/t Ag, 0.56% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (826 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., provided an update on the construction of its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. Construction progress was 86.2% complete. During 2021, the company committed 75.2% ($103.6M) of the $137.7M Feasibility Study (FS) capital cost estimate.  Construction of the power line is expected to be complete in Q2, 2022. The company has completed a total of 17.5km of underground development since 2019. Approximately 1.8km of additional development occurred in 2021, beyond the FS life of mine. As at Dec 31, 2021, SilverCrest has cash and cash equivalents of $176.5M and $30M project remaining available under a $120M project financing facility.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released high grade results from nine holes collared at Mololoa-Tamara area within its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. The highest grades were encountered in hole LRGM-21-088 with 2.58 g/t Au and 684 g/t Ag (11.70 g/t AuEq or 877 g/t AgEq) over 14.6m, including 9.73 g/t Au and 2,577 g/t Ag (44.1 g/t AuEq or 3,307 g/t AgEq) over 3.8m; and hole LRGM-21-090, with 3.84 g/t Au and 999 g/t Ag (17.15 g/t AuEq or 1,286 g/t AgEq) over 5.3m, including 23.50 g/t Au and 6,310 g/t Ag (107.63 g/t AuEq or 8,072 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.49 g/t Au and 129 g/t Ag (2.22 g/t AuEq or 106 g/t AgEq) over 5.7m, including 3 g/t Au and 876 g/t Ag (14.68 g/t AuEq or 1,101 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, plus 0.27 g/t Au and 85 g/t Ag (1.40 g/t AuEq or 105 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m.  
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., announced drill results and reported a new high grade mineral discovery on the El Sol concession at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Hole 21SOL-003 intersected 549 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 8.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (982 g/t AgEq or 24.9% ZnEq) over 3.5m, including 1,760 g/t Ag, 0.9 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 23.6% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (2,622 g/t AgEq or 66.5% ZnEq) over 0.8m, plus 129 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 3.9% Pb, and 6.2% Zn (547 g/t AgEq or 13.9% ZnEq) over 0.4m. Drill crews have mobilized back to the El Sol concession to complete an additional three core holes.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., provided an update on the resource and reserve estimation process following recent reconciliation work at its Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua, and provided 2022 production and cost guidance. “The company concluded that there were errors in the technical report entitled “Los Gatos Project, Chihuahua, Mexico” with an effective date of July 1, 2020, as well as indications that there is an overestimation in the existing resource model. On a preliminary basis, the company estimates a potential reduction of the metal content of Cero Los Gatos mineral reserve ranging from 30% to 50% of the metal content remaining after depletion. The company is working with independent engineering consultants to better understand the magnitude of the overestimation, including conducting a detailed reconciliation of production to previous models and reserve calculation estimates, as well as creating a new Life of Mine (“LOM”) plan. The Company is working expeditiously to complete this reconciliation”. Los Gatos produced in 2021 over 7.6M Oz Ag, 50 M Lb Zn, 40M Lb Pb and 5K Oz Au. It also provided a 2022 production and cost guidance. It estimates to produce 8.5-9M Oz Ag, 49-54M Lb Zn, -M Lb Pb, and 4-4.5K Oz Au at AISC of USD $16.50-18.50/Oz (co-product basis) and USD $13-15/Oz (by product basis).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided a 2021 year end summary of its activities at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. In 2021, the company drilled 99,783m in 319 holes at Panuco, focused on the western portion of the district at both Napoleon and Tajitos targets.  Now, the company has drilled 127,756 m in 449 holes on the property. The most relevant results are at the Napoleon target where drilling has delineated a 1,920m by 300m resource area defined by 148 holes, suggesting an estimated weighted average true width of 3.36m at an average grade of 421 g/t AgEq. High grade remains open along strike and down dip to the south. Vizsla also contracted  ALS Canada to conduct preliminary metallurgical testing on representative composited material sourced from the Napoleon vein, and has initiated data capture of standard geotechnical parameters on all resource/exploration drilling. Vizsla has contracted SRK Consulting to design and lead the preliminary data collection program, with most of the work being carried out by Vizsla geologists.  “Focus for 2022 is exploration and growth. With +120,000 meter fully funded drill program designed to 1) further expand the Project’s maiden resource base on the western portion of the property and 2) test high priority targets on the central and eastern portions of the district, Vizsla aims to identify new centers of mineralization from which to delineate additional resources while simultaneously investigating accelerated development opportunities”.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., made significant progress in developing its Magistral tailing project in Durango towards a production decision, including an auger drill program to provide assay data for a resource estimate and bulk material for metallurgical testing, which demonstrated that >80% Au recoveries without the need for re-grinding the feed. The company completed a PEA study, including a resource estimate of 1.26 M tonnes of 1.93 g/t Au with approximately 87% of the resource in the measured category, outlining a potentially high-margin, low capex gold mining scenario. Highlights of the PEA include an average annual production of 16K Oz Au plus Cu concentrate by-product, AISC of $705/OZ net of Ag and Cu credits, and after-tax IRR of 85%.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., provided a Q4, 2021 on activities at its Copalquin project, Durango. Highlights include the delivery of its high-grade maiden JORC indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate of El Refugio-La Soledad in the Copalquin district in Durango, with 2,416,000 tonnes of 4.8 g/t Au and  141 g/t Ag (6.81 g/t AuEq), for a total of 373K Oz Au and 10.95M Oz Ag (529K Oz Au) contained using a cut-off of 2 g/t Au; commencement of a metallurgical and mining study work for El Refugio resource; expansion of targets for  the district scale Copalquin  for 2022 exploration program; and progress on the acquisition of the Copalquin mining district mining concessions via its purchase option agreement to 25% by completing USD $4M direct expenditure. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation provided an update of the acquisition from Equinox Gold Corp., of the Mercedes mine, located in Sonora. TSX has approved the acquisition as well as of for (i) the company´s gold purchase agreement with Sandstorm Gold Ltd. “Sandstorm will provide the company with USD$37.5M and in exchange Bear Creek will sell to Sandstorm 600 ounces of refined gold per month for 42 months (a total of 25,200 ounces) at a price equal to 7.5% of the spot gold price at the time of delivery and thereafter the company will sell to Sandstorm 4.4% of gold produced by Mercedes at a price equal to 25% of the spot price at the time of delivery; and (ii) the private placement by the Company to Sandstorm of a 6%, three-year Convertible Debentures having a principal amount of USD $22.5M. Proceeds from the Gold Purchase Agreement and the Convertible Debentures will be applied to partially fund the purchase price of the acquisition”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Penmont (Fresnillo plc) carried out in collaboration with the Urban Development and Ecology area of ​​the Caborca ​​City Council, the first Reforestation Day 2022. During the day, 400 regional trees of the Mezquite and Neem species, as well as a hose and accessories for their installation, were delivered to representatives of 13 schools in Pitiquito and Caborca to inform about the importance of reforestation and of having an environmental culture for the benefit of all the inhabitants.
  • Four educational institutions that Grupo México supports in the Mexican Republic have obtained results above the national average in the most recent evaluations carried out by the Ministry of Public Education. In addition, education also focuses on the teaching of English as a second language
  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) invested over MXP $7M in seven public works in four communities. These works in the towns of Atzcala, Real del Limón, La Fundición and Nuevo Balsas are part of the Minera Media Luna program as a Socially Responsible Company, whose objective is to take advantage of the money in infrastructure works that allow social development.
  • Minera San Xavier S.A de C.V. (Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosi), informed that, as of January 2022, it has made significant progress in the execution of its biophysical and social Closure Plan, which has been Responsible, Inclusive and Participatory.

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

On the picture above, a quartz breccia cemented by tourmaline from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

Happy New Year to all of our readers! I want to wish you all the very best in this coming 2022, especially good health, prosperity and a lot of fun!

With deep regret I knew early this week about the sensitive and unexpectedly passing of David Jones at his home in Tucson, Arizona. David was a well-respected geologist who worked for many years in Mexico making many friends. David will be remembered for being responsible of multiple discoveries in Mexico such as Los Filos in the Guerrero Gold Belt, and Switchback vein system at the El Aguila project in Oaxaca among others. “Descansa en paz amigo!”

During the 52nd and last week of the year (December 27th, 2021 to January 2nd, 2022), at least 13 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 2 news published by the media, with four reporting resources and developments of their properties, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, three informing on exploration results, three announcing financial issues, one commenting on Mexican issues, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mexico will lose potential investments if it does not increase its level of certainty in the mining industry, warned Jody Kuzenko, CEO of the Canadian company Torex Gold Resources. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Spruce announced that it is proceeding with the preparation of an Informe Preventivo for trenching and drilling its Jackie property. In Durango, Southern Empire received preliminary results from a geophysical survey conducted at its Pedro Gold project. In Guerrero, Pantera Silver commenced a drilling program at its Nuevo Taxco Silver project.  ON MINING, no relevant news.  ON FINANCING, Altaley executed a loan agreement with Sail Natural for USD $5M (Tahuehueto project, Durango). Prismo completed the first closing of a non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $1M (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). SilverCrest completed the third drawdown of USD $30M on its previously announced USD $120M Project Financing Facility (Las Chispas, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Fabled released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. Fresnillo and its JV partner Mag Silver provided a commissioning update on its Juanicipio project in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. GoGold provided an outlook and deliverables for 2022 (Los Ricos North and South projects, Jalisco). Silver Tiger provided a review of its 2021 activities at its El Tigre project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Gold79 retained Dig Media to provide investor relation services for the company (Taviche project, Oaxaca). Great Panther announced board changes (Topia mine, Durango). Minaurum announced the passing of David Jones. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) reported that its operation does not generate a negative impact on the water resource located in communities surrounding its San Jose mine in Oaxaca.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Mexico will lose potential investments if it does not increase its level of certainty in the mining industry, warned Jody Kuzenko, CEO of the Canadian company Torex Gold Resources. Mexico’s mining industry has slowed because the current administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has suspended the issuance of new mining concessions; likewise, companies in the sector are increasingly forced to deal with crime by hiring private security companies. Recently, the federal government proposed a constitutional reform initiative for the Mexican electricity industry in which it seeks for the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to regain a leading role in the sector, establishing that the company will generate at least 54% of consumption national electric. Torex Gold is the third largest gold producing company in Mexico, with 430,480 Oz Au in 2020; its operations are carried out in Guerrero, where Limón-Guajes is the second most important mining unit in the country in terms of gold production. In that same entity, the company plans to invest more than USD $500M to start operations at its Media Luna mining unit in 2024, with a production of 179K Oz Au, 21K tonnes of Cu and 1.5M Oz Ag, although these estimates will be updated with a new feasibility study. Since Torex Gold is growing in Guerrero, it will need more electrical power. “Reliability is required, that the power is not interrupted while you are working; the price must be competitive, and investors are looking for a wide margin in our process of decarbonization and reducing greenhouse gases”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., announced that it is proceeding with the preparation of an Informe Preventivo to be filed at the Mexican Government Environmental Authority (SEMARNAT) for conducting trenching and drilling at its Jackie property in Sonora. The environmental permit will include 13 trenches and 36 drill pads. The SEMARNAT permit for the Informe Preventivo is expected within four to six weeks of submission.”
  • Southern Empire Resources Corp., received preliminary high-resolution, airborne magnetic and radiometric geophysical data covering its Pedro Gold Project in Durango. In December 2021, Terraquest Ltd. of Markham, Ontario, collected 393.2 line-kilometers of airborne geophysical data on flight lines that were flown at azimuth 060 / 240 with 50m spacings. This data has been delivered to Condor Consulting, Inc. of Lakewood, Colorado; experts in geophysical processing, analysis and inversion modeling. “The results of our preliminary airborne magnetic data provide some strong clues about the structural setting and underlying ‘plumbing system’ of the HP Breccia gold zone. Together with the regional government magnetics, we see evidence for a deeper intrusive body that could be linked to the hydrothermal fluids and related potential for epithermal vein systems that are the target of Southern Empire’s upcoming drill campaign”. The company has mobilized a diamond drill rig to the Pedro Property and is scheduled to start a 2,000m, nine-hole core drill program in January of 2022.
  • Pantera Silver Corp., commenced a drilling program at its Nuevo Taxco Silver project in Guerrero. The first phase of this maiden exploration drill program will consists of up to 2,000m with holes of approximately 50-150m in depth.

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Altaley Mining Corporation executed a loan agreement with Sail Natural Resources LP for USD $5M. Net proceeds will be used to fund the final costs of construction and working capital at its Tahuehueto project in Durango. The loan agreement is for four years with an interest of 13.5% where Altaley shall make four quarterly payments of interest only on the outstanding amount of the loan commencing on March 10, 2022, and ending on December 10, 2022.
  • Prismo Metals Inc., completed the first closing of a non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $1M (Palos Verdes project, Sinaloa). The company expects to complete a second closing for $1M in the first half of January, 2022. “The Company will use expected $2M gross proceeds from the Units to complete a 4,000m drilling campaign on its Palos Verdes property (estimated at $1M), conduct exploration on its Los Pavitos property, Sonora with a view of identifying drilling targets (estimated at $400K), the costs of the offering (estimated at $125K which includes payment of finder’s fees) and for general working capital”.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., completed the third drawdown of USD $30M on its previously announced USD $120M Project Financing Facility with an affiliate of RK Mine Finance. Funds will be used towards the continued construction of the Company’s Las Chispas Project located in Sonora, with a targeted completion in Q2, 2022. 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from its ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. The most significant drill intercept was obtained in hole SM20-45, which encountered a mined-out void zone at the target depth, but before reaching the target depth it intersected the Santa Maria footwall zone with 0.16 g/t Au 34 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.04% Zn (42.5 g/t AgEq) over 6.40m, including 0.23 g/t Au, 38 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (50 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m, and including 0.19 g/t Au, 55 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.04% Zn (68 g/t AgEq) over 1.7m.
  • Fresnillo plc and its JV partner Mag Silver Corp., provided a commissioning update on its Juanicipio project in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Although the Juanicipio project team delivered the project for plan commissioning on schedule, the “Comisión Federal de Electricidad” (CFE), the state-owned electrical company, notified Fresnillo plc, the Juanicipio Project operator, that approval to complete the tie-in to the national power grid cannot yet be granted and the mill commissioning timeline will therefore be extended by approximately six months. Stoping and mineralized mine development at Juanicipio will continue and will make available any unused plant capacity at its Minera Fresnillo and Minera Saucito operations to process mineralized material produced at Juanicipio, and if possible matching commissioning and ramp up tonnages that were previously expected. The effect on cashflow generation from Juanicipio therefore will also be mitigated while CFE approvals are pending.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., provided an outlook and deliverables for 2022. At Los Ricos North, the company plans to conduct an aggressive drilling and exploration campaign on El Favor East and Gran Cabrera areas to increase the mineral resource estimate at the property. At Los Ricos South, GoGold will initiate a drilling program on the Jamaica structure since this mineralized zone offers the potential for an additional bulk tonnage target in Los Ricos South. The company also plans to initiate a PFS anticipated to be completed prior to the end of 2022.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., provided a review of its 2021 activities at its El Tigre project in Sonora. The company reported wide high grade silver intercepts in quartz veins within a black shale horizon on the Sooy, Benjamin and Seitz Kelly Veins. Highlights include hole ET-20-202 in the Sooy Vein with 382 g/t AgEq over 22.2m, including 668 g/t AgEq over 11.75m; hole ET-21-204 in the Benjamin Vein with 519 g/t AgEq over 14.2m, including 1,010 g/t AgEq over 5.6m; and hole ET-21-264 in the Seitz Kelly Vein with 2,608 g/t AgEq over 17.5m, including 82,873 g/t AgEq over 0.5m. It also completed a $23M bought deal institutional financing, and disclosed 2021 Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) strategy roadmap.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Gold79 Mines Ltd., retained Dig Media Inc. dba Investing News Network, to provide investor relation services for the company. Under the terms of the contract for this advertising and investor awareness campaign, Dig Media will provide various digital media advertising and related services to increase public awareness of the company. (Taviche project, Oaxaca).
  • Great Panther Mining Limited announced the resignation of its Director and Chair of the Board of Directors, and the appointment of one of its independent Directors as the new Chair of the company (Topia mine, Durango).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., announced the sensitive and unexpectedly passing of David Jones early this week at its home in Tucson, Arizona. “Descansa en paz amigo”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.) reported that its operation does not generate a negative impact on the water resource located in communities surrounding its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. The company monitors quarterly the water quality in surface and underground bodies. It also stated that since the beginning of its operation, it does not compete for this resource with neighboring communities, nor does it use the water that was monitored for its mining activities. The water samples are required every six months by environmental regulations, but to generate greater certainty and confidence among the population, the company proactively performs them every three months. The foregoing, through the hiring of external and certified laboratories, whose procedures are endorsed by both the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), as well as by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) and whose results comply with the NOM-OO1 of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).

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 from a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Quartz hydrothermal breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 46th week of the year (November 15th to November 21st, 2021), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media with twelve reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven announcing financial issues, seven communicating production and financial results, four informing on exploration results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four commenting on Mexican issues, and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Fortuna Silver announced that it is trying to avoid the closure of its San Jose silver mine in Oaxaca after the expiration of its environmental permit last month. The company stated that it is fighting for the stability of 1,200 active workers of its San Jose mine. Mexico´s Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) announced that it will carry out an indigenous consultation to define the future of the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan announced exploration plan for its El Picacho project, and Ridgestone received permit for drill program on the El Cobre target at its Rebeico project.  In Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources reported initial drill results from its diamond drilling program conducted on Carneritos area at its Tenoriba project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre presented trenching sampling results from its la Tigra project. ON MINING, Argonaut announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Excellon presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. Elemental Royalties reported the production of 9,722 Oz Au from its Mercedes mine in Sonora during the period Q3, 2021. Americas Gold and Silver announced that its Cosalá operations are expected to ramp-out to full production of approximately 1,800 tonnes per day next month. SilverCrest reported unaudited financial results for the period Q3, 2021. Starcore announced Q2, 2021 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. DynaResource reported year to date 2021 production and financial results at September 30, 2021 from its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa.  ON FINANCING, Advance increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to $475K (Tabasquena property, Zacatecas). Aloro reported that the final CAD 60K + VAT payment of the option agreement for the Los Venados claim, Sonora with Almadex has been made by Alamos Gold. Guanajuato Silver arranged an early payment of USD $2.5M to Endeavour Silver for the acquisition of the El Cubo mine in Guanajuato. Mag Silver signed a binding commitment letter with the Bank of Montreal for a fully underwritten USD $40M revolving credit facility. Aztec closed the final tranche of its oversubscribed CAD $1.6M private placement for total proceeds of CAD $575K (Cervantes project, Sonora). Guanajuato Silver arranged a non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of CAD $8.25M (El Cubo mine, Guanajuato). Silver Wolf announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M (Ana Maria project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Fabled released results from hole SM20-40 collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. GoGold presented results from the last nine holes collared at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco, prior to upcoming mineral resource estimate. Orex filed a NI 43-101 technical report for a mineral resource estimate on its Coneto project in Durango. Orla provided a construction update of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Oroco commenced a diamond drilling program on Brasiles Zone at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa.  Prime Mining commenced a Phase 2 drilling program on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, which will consist of 250 holes for a total of 50,000m. Silver Dollar began an initial 3,000m drilling program at its la Joya property in Durango. SilverCrest provided an update on the construction of its Las Chispas mine in Sonora.  Southern Silver released drill results from its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Capitan Mining presented results from five RC holes collared on El Capitan deposit at its Peñoles project, Durango. Mithril released its maiden JORC mineral resource estimate for the first target area at its Copalquin project, Durango. Silver Tiger presented drill results from ten holes collared on the Protectora and Caleigh veins at its El Tigre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Fabled received an approval from the court to spin-out its copper exploration assets in Fabled Copper Corp. Rockland signed an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Elektra clay lithium project in Sonora. Starcore reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro). Goldgroup announced the appointment of its new CEO (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc applies development and scientific research, consolidating the concept of what they call “sustainable mining”.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., announced that it is trying to avoid the closure of its San Jose silver mine in Oaxaca after the expiration of its environmental permit last month. Although the San Jose mine has been in operation since 2011, its main environmental authorization expired on October 23, despite the company’s efforts since May to request an extension of the permit. A recent court order allows the mine to continue operating, but only temporarily. Maria Luisa Albores, the Environment Secretariat issued a statement saying it would work to organize a consultation with indigenous communities close to the project as part of the environmental authorization. It did not provide details on the timing of the consultation, nor did it say whether the mine could continue to operate in the meantime. The company stated that it is fighting for the stability of 1,200 active workers of its San Jose mine.
  • Mexico’s Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) announced that it will carry out an indigenous consultation to define the future of the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. A dozen of Zapotecas communities will decide whether the San José mine, owned by Minera Cuzcatlán, will continue operating in the Valles Centrales region of Oaxaca, through a consultation carried out by the Ministry of SEMARNAT. It should be noted that the San José mine has four environmental impact authorizations in force, however there is another one that expired on October 23, and although the company requested its extension in due time and form, SEMARNAT has not issued a ruling.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., provided an update on the appeal to the denial of the extension of the environmental impact authorization (EIA) at its San Jose mine, Oaxaca. “The appeal will be brought by Minera Cuzcatlán in the Mexican court. The grounds for the appeal are that Minera Cuzcatlán is in full compliance with all material environmental laws, and therefore Minera Cuzcatlán has the right to an extension of the EIA under applicable law”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., announced exploration plan for its El Picacho project in Sonora, where five primary targets have been identified to date combining for over 6km of prospective trend. The company plans to carry out surface sampling and detailed target mapping, trenching and channel sampling of priority targets, and drill targeting. The project is fully permitted for 1,995m of trenching, 60 drill holes (up to 15,000m), and 2.2km of access roads.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., received permit for drill program on the El Cobre target at its Rebeico project in Sonora. This maiden drill program will consists of 14 RC holes for a total of approximately 2,700m, and will be conducted along the main El Cobre structure, where recent grab and rock-chip sampling of the surface stockpile of mined material from the El Cobre structure returned up to 3.5% Cu, 53 g/t Ag and 0.52 % Mo over widths of up to 5.0m.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp., reported initial drill results from its diamond drilling program conducted on Carneritos area at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. Four diamond holes have been completed for a total of 426m. Highlights include hole TEN21-01 with 0.31 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag (0.53 g/t AuEq) over 37.5m, including 0.47 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (1.7 g/t AuEq) over 4.5m; hole TEN21-03 with 0.54 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (0.59 g/t AuEq) over 43.5m, including 0.69 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (0.73 g/t AuEq) over 6m, including 0.67 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag (0.73 g/t AuEq) over 4.5m; and hole TEN21-04 with 0.53 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (0.63 g/t AuEq) over 19.5m.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., presented trenching sampling results from its la Tigra project in Nayarit. Trench LTZ01 returned 1.44 g/t Au and 10 /t Ag (1.58 g/t AuEq) over a length of 8.6m;  trench LTZ02 returned 0.46 g/t Au and 56 g7t Ag over a length of 19.7m; trench LTZ03 returned 1.22 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (1.3 g/t AuEq) over a length of 11.6m, including 2.52 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (2.7 g/t AuEq) over a length of 4.25m; and trench LTZ04 returned 1.45 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.57 g/t AuEq) over a length of 12.8m, including 3.22 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (3.69 g/t AuEq) over a length of 5.3m.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., announced Q3, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At El Castillo mine, Durango, Argonaut mined 2,143,000 tonnes of 0.28 g/t Au to produce 11,123 Oz Au and 10,448 Oz Ag or 11,246 Gold Equivalents Ounces (GEOs). It sold 10,473 Oz Au and 11,875 Oz Ag (10,612 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,173 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin Mine, Durango, the company mined 2,598,000 tones of 0.30 g/t Au to produce 16,258 Oz Au and 116,309 Oz Ag (17,626 GEOs). Argonaut sold 17,611 Oz Au and 121,993 Oz Ag at a cash cost of USD $1,011 per Oz Au sold. At La Colorada mine, Sonora, the company mined 1,224,000 tonnes of 0.67 g/t Au to produce 15,360 Oz Au and 37590 Oz Ag (15,802 GEOs). It sold 15,332 Oz Au and 35408 Oz Ag (15,749 GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $696 per Oz Au sold.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., presented Q3, 2021 production and financial results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 21,592 tonnes and milled 21,302 tonnes of 526 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb, and 5.4 % Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.9%, 81.2%, and 78.3% respectively. Excellon produced 326.7K Oz Ag, 1.87M Lb Pb, and 1.98M Lb Zn (521.2K Oz AgEq) at total and AISC of USD$11.02 and USD$21.52 per Oz Ag payable respectively. The company reported revenues of USD $9.2M; gross profit of USD $1.8M, and cash and marketable securities of USD $5M at September 30, 2021.
  • Elemental Royalties Corp., reported the production of 9,722 Oz Au from its Mercedes mine in Sonora during the period Q3, 2021.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation announced that its Cosalá operations are expected to ramp-out to full production of approximately 1,800 tonnes per day next month. Concentrate shipment have resumed. A return to revenue and cash flow generation is expected later in Q4, 2021.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported unaudited financial results for the period Q3, 2021. The Company recorded USD $42.1M as development expenditures under mineral property, plant and equipment, for the Las Chispas Project, which primarily consisted of decline construction and underground working of USD $17.2M; drilling costs of USD $9.7M; field and administrative costs of USD $6.3M; and salaries and remuneration of USD $3.3M. The Company also recorded additions, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, of USD $60M related to the Las Chispas Project as mineral property, plant and equipment for various items which was primarily construction in progress.  At September 30, 2021, SilverCrest had cash and cash equivalents of USD $199M. At September 30, 2021, the Company had value-added taxes (“IVA”) receivable in Mexico of USD $17.9M. The Company has financed its operations to date through the issuance of common shares and debt. The Company currently has no operations from which to derive revenues.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced Q2, 2021 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 56,061 tonnes of 1.56 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 87.81% and 54.83% respectively, to produce 2,782 Oz AuEq.
  • DynaResource Inc., reported year to date 2021 production and financial results at September 30, 2021 from its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa. The company mined and milled 66,695 tonnes of 9.48 g/t Au with a metallurgical recovery of 89.45%, to produce 18,141 Oz Au, from which 16,036 Oz Au were sold. The company reported revenue of $25.9M, net operating income of $11.3M, and earnings per share of $0.64.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp., increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to $475K (Tabasquena project, Zacatecas).
  • Aloro Mining Corp., reported that the final CAD 60K + VAT payment of the option agreement for the Los Venados claim, Sonora with Almadex Minerals Limited has been made by Alamos Gold Inc.  Aloro also reported that by mutual agreement with Alamos, the second year work commitment was reduced from USD $1.5M to USD $750K, while the third year work commitment was increased from USD $3M to USD$3.75M, to total USD $M to earn 70% interest in the Los Venados project.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., arranged an early payment of USD $2.5M promissory note to Endeavour Silver Corp., for the acquisition of the El Cubo mine in Guanajuato. In consideration, Endeavour has agreed to reduce the principal amount of the note by USD $25K and settle the Mexican VAT for common shares of the company. It will issue 901,224 common shares to Endeavour at a deemed price of CAD $0.55 per share to settle VAT totalling USD $396K.
  • Mag Silver Corp., signed a binding commitment letter with the Bank of Montreal for a fully underwritten USD $40M revolving credit facility. The facility will be used to develop its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes (Mag Silver only controls 44% of the project).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., closed the final tranche of its oversubscribed CAD $1.6M private placement for total proceeds of CAD $575K. Part of the proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work on its Cervantes project in Sonora, as well as for general working capital purposes.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., arranged a non-brokered private placement offering of 15M units at a price of CAD $0.55 for gross proceeds of CAD $8.25M. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to fund the ongoing exploration, development, and expansion of the Company’s El Cubo mine and mill complex and El Pinguico silver and gold project, both located near the city of Guanajuato, Mexico; and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration ltd., announced a non-brokered private placement financing for up to 6M units at a price of CAD $0.25 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CAD $1.5M. Net proceeds will be used for financing the initial drill program at its Ana Maria project in Durango, and for general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from hole SM20-40 collared at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. The drill hole encountered seven gold bearing zones as shown in the figure below:
“Hole SM20-40 was successful and continues to add to the mineral inventory as the down plunge of the gold domain system discovered in holes SM20 – 20, 22 remains open at depth. Hole SM20-41 will further explore the down dip potential of this zone. Further drilling maybe required in this area”.
·         GoGold Resources Inc., presented results from the last nine holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco, prior to upcoming mineral resource estimate. The most significant mineralized intervals were encountered in holes LRGF-21-095 collared at El Favor Este with 0.35 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag (1.85 g/t AuEq or 139 g/t AgEq) over 13.3m, including 3.81 g/t Au and 1,237 g/t Ag (20.3 g/ AuEq or 1,523 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m, and 0.56 g/t Au and 156 g/t Ag (2.65 g/t AuEq or 199 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m; and hole LRGF-21-084 with 0.17 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag (0.94 g/t AuEq or 70 g/t AgEq) over 66.1m, including 0.37 g/t Au and 111 g/t Ag (1.85 g/t AuEq or 138 g/t AgEq) over 13.5m, including 1.03 g/t Au and 167 g/t Ag (3.26 g/t AuEq and 245 g/t AgEq) over 3m, plus 0.31 g/t Au and 154 g/t Ag (2.36 g/t AuEq or 177 g/t AgEq) over 5.5m.
·         Orex Minerals Inc., filed a NI 43-101 technical report for a mineral resource estimate on its Coneto project in Durango. Orex reported inferred resources for 5,325,000 tonnes of 1.67 g/t Au and 112 g/t Ag (3.15 g/t AuEq) to contain 286K Oz Au and 19.1M Oz Ag (538K Oz AuEq) as at August 30, 2021.
·         Orla Mining Ltd., informed that up to October 2021, the mine construction of its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas shows a progress of 96% and that it remains on budget.  The company reported capital expenditures of USD $24.3M in Q3, 2021 and totalled USD $106.3M as Sept 30, 2021, out of a total of USD $134.1M. “The main activities completed during the quarter included ramp up of mining activities, mechanical completion of the crushing system, conveying system, reclaim tunnel, overland conveyor, and grasshopper conveyors, commencement of wet commissioning with introduction of ore into the crushing circuit, and completion of the camp facilities. Overliner ore material was placed on the heap leach pad and ore stacking began in early October in preparation for cyanide leaching which is expected to begin in mid-November”.
·         Oroco Resource Corp., commenced a diamond drilling program on Brasiles Zone at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Brasiles is the northern extension of the mineralization in the Santo Tomas North Zone, and consists of two very broad, sub-parallel exploration targets. The first hole underway will test a NE striking, chargeability-high resistivity low response, while the second hole will test a blind chargeability-high feature located west of and sub-parallel to the Brasiles target.
·         Prime Mining Corp., commenced a Phase 2 drilling program on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, which will consist of 250 holes for a total of 50,000m. Goal of the Phase 2 drilling program is to expand resources along the three main corridors of known open-pit mineralization: Guadalupe Structure, Zapote-Tahonitas, and Central Zone Structure. In addition, Prime will test several high potential new target generated in the previous exploration campaign   which are located within approximately 5km radius of the main mineralized corridors at Los Reyes such as Mina 20/21, Mariposa, Las Primas, Fresnillo, El Tule and others on the two parallel El Orito trends.
·         Silver Dollar Resources Inc., began an initial 3,000m drilling program at its la Joya property in Durango.  Objective of the drilling program is to test the possible structural extension of known mineralized zones identified in historical drilling on the Noria portion of the La Joya property.
·         SilverCrest Metals Inc., informed that the construction progress at its Las Chispas mine in Sonora was 54% complete compared to an overall scheduled completion of 48%. Construction continued to progress well in the quarter with the main access road, plant detailed engineering, and concrete work now complete, bridge construction 88% complete, plant construction 49% complete, power line 47% complete, and underground infrastructure ongoing. With underground development ahead of schedule at the end of the H1, 2021, development rates continued to progress well in Q3, 2021 for a total of 15.7 km completed since underground development began in Q1, 2019.
·         Southern Silver Exploration Corp., released drill results from the North Felsite chimney at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Highlights include hole 21CLM-175 with 599 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 16.9% Pb, and 10.2% Zn (1,530 g/t AgEq or 38.8% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.9m, including 760 g/t Ag,0.07 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 23.2% Pb, and 17.4% Zn (2,169 g/t AgEq or 55% ZnEq); and hole 21CLM-172 with 313 g/t Ag, 0.25 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu, 7% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (610 g/t AgEq or 15.5% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.4m, plus 180 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.36% Cu, 3.7% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (361 g/t AgEq or 9.1% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.5m. Mineralization remains open along strike and at depths below 250m.
·         Capitan Mining Inc., presented results from five RC holes collared on El Capitan deposit at its Peñoles project, Durango. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole 21-CARC-40 with 0.30 g/t Au over 15.2m, including 1.44 g/t Au over 1.5m in the hanging wall zone, plus 0.32 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (0.40 g/t AuEq) over 76.2m, including 0.59 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (0.70 g/t AuEq) over 18.3m, including 1.2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (1.33 g/t AuEq) over 1.5m in the Capitan Main zone.
·         Mithril Resources Ltd., released its maiden JORC mineral resource estimate for the first target area at its Copalquin project, Durango. The company reported for El Refugio-La Soledad target indicated resources for 691,000 tonnes of 5.43 g/t Au and 114 g/t Ag (7.06 g/t AuEq) to contain 121K Oz Au and 2.54M Oz Ag (157K Oz AuEq) and inferred resources for 1,725,000 of 4.55 g/t Au and 152g/t Ag (6.72 g/t AuEq) to contain 252K Oz Au and 8.4M Oz Ag (372K Oz AuEq). Total Indicated + Inferred resources are 2,416,000 tonnes of 4.8 g/t Au and 141 g/t Ag (6.81 g/t AuEq) to contain 373K Oz Au and 10.95M Oz Ag (529K Oz AuEq).
·         Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented drill results from ten holes collared on the Protectora and Caleigh veins at its El Tigre project in Sonora. The most significant mineralized intervals were encountered in holes ET-20-163 collared on the Protectora Vein with 0.74 g/t Au and 335 g/t Ag (5.21 g/t AuEq or 391 g/t AgEq) over 3.2m, including 3.56 g/t Au and 1,782 g/t Ag (27.32 g/t AuEq or 2,049 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus 0.48 g/t Au and 727 g/t Ag (10.17 g/t AuEq or 763 g/t AgEq) over 1m, including 0.89 g/t Au and 1,374 g/t Ag (19.21 g/t AuEq or 1,441 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET-20-164 on the Protectora Vein with 4.59 g/t Au and 370 g/t Ag (9.52 g/t AuEq or 714 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m, including 10.5 g/t Au and 805 g/t Ag (21.23 g/t AuEq or 1,592 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; hole ET-20-158 on Caleigh Vein with 4.09 g/t Au and 815 g/t Ag (14.96 g/t AuEq or 1,122 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m; and hole ET-20-156 collared on Caleigh Vein with 7.09 g/t Au and 752 g/t Ag (17.12 g/t AuEq or 1,284 g/t AgEq) over 0.3m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES
·         Fabled Silver Gold Corp., received an approval from the court to spin-out its copper exploration assets in Fabled Copper Corp.
·         Rockland Resources Ltd., signed an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Elektra clay lithium project in Sonora. The Elektra project is contiguous to the advanced Sonora Lithium project owned by Bacanora Lithium plc. The company can earn a 100% interest (less NSR) in the Elektra project through cumulative option payments of 10M common shares in the company and USD $1.5M over a 48 month period. A 2% NSR will be granted to the vendors and the company will have an option to purchase 50% of the NSR for USD $1M at any time.
·         Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (San Martin mine, Queretaro).
·         Goldgroup Mining Inc., announced the appointment of its new CEO effectively immediately. The previous interim CEO will continue as the company´s CFO (Cerro Prieto mine, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
·         Fresnillo plc informed that it applies development and scientific research, consolidating the concept of what they call “sustainable mining”. The company implemented a “life vest” for monitoring the health of its workers, coupled with the use of artificial intelligence in data analysis systems such as Big Data, biometric readers and new generation extraction.

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 hydrothermal breccia cemented by silica and fine disseminated sulphides in an epithermal quartz vein system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Boiling texture in a quartz vein.

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 42nd week of the year (October 18th to October 24th, 2021), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 14 news published by the media, with nine commenting on Mexican issues, six reporting resources and developments, six announcing financial issues, four communicating production and financial results, four informing on exploration results, four discussing social issues, and two disclosing deals and corporate issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Governors of Guerrero, Chihuahua, and Durango showed their support for the mining industry during the inauguration of the XXXIV International Mining Convention in Acapulco. Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, president of The Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX) stated that the uncertainty will affect investments in the mining sector in Mexico. Tonatiuh Herrera Gutiérrez, Undersecretary of Promotion and Environmental Regulations of the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), warned that the agency will keep consultations on land use for the mining activity. Miguel Ángel Riquelme Solís, governor of Coahuila State and Grupo Mexico signed an agreement to regularize properties in the Carboniferous Region of Coahuila. The Mining Commission of the State Congress was installed in Sonora. Octavio Alvídrez, CEO of the Mexican precious metals Fresnillo plc stated that mining in Mexico currently has an “unfavorable” environment due to recent government policies. The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) will invest MXP $55.2M between this year and the next in the exploration of lithium. Karen Flores, director of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX) stressed that due to lack of mineral concessions the mining industry in Mexico loses USD $25B. Sergio Almazán, president of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM), highlighted the relevance of the mining industry for the country’s economy in the inauguration of the XXXIV International Mining Convention in Acapulco. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California, One World Lithium announced that drill hole # 4 collared at its Salar del Diablo project, reached a total depth of 518m. In Sonora, Benjamin Hill reported that it has completed the location of 15 drill holes for the upcoming inaugural drill program at its Benjamin Hill project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre released results of the first 11 trenches at its Tepic project. In Jalisco, Stroud provided an update of its 2021 Phase I drilling program conducted at its Santo Domingo project.  ON MINING, Excellon reported Q3, 2021 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango.  Mexus Gold announced a revenues increase at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Santacruz Silver announced Q3, 2021 production results from their Zimapan and Rosario mines located in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. Sierra Metals reported Q3, 2021 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, Azucar Minerals granted stock options to a director to purchase 400K common shares at a price of $0.09 per share (El Cobre project, Veracruz). Barksdale provided an update regarding the secured loans that the company holds in Regal Resources (San Javier, Sonora). Canasil announced an initial non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $500K and later on it increased to $650K with additional $150K via flow-through shares (Nora project, Durango). Heliostar closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of $1,300,225.50 (Cumaro project, Sonora). Xali announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $500K (El Oro project, State of Mexico). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Chesapeake announced that a 16 holes infill drill program will commence in November at its Metates project in Durango.  Discovery Silver reported an updated Mineral Resource Estimate on its flagship Cordero project in Chihuahua State. Fabled released results from three holes collared at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua.  Golden Minerals presented results from 25 recently completed RC holes at its Rodeo property in Durango. Impact Silver released results from and underground development drilling program of its Guadalupe mine in the Zacualpan mining district in the State of Mexico. Silver Tiger announced high grade results from its ongoing drilling program conducted at its El Tigre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Minera Gorrión S.A. de C.V. , a subsidiary company of Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced the completion of a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) for the Ixtaca mine development project in Puebla. One World Lithium announced the engagements of two new consultants (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, José Rosas Aispuro, Governor of Durango, highlighted that mining is synonymous with respect for human rights and has to be synonymous with respect for the environment. New Zealand Ambassador proposes to the Mexico mining industry to work with social inclusion and sustainability. The VP in Mexico of Torex Gold reiterated that its subsidiary Minera Media Luna is committed to the economic and social progress of the communities at the Guerrero mining corridor. Mulatos Mine of Alamos Gold, announced that it has reduced its lighting consumption by 70%, 10% in diesel and 25% in CO2 emissions.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Governors of Guerrero, Chihuahua, and Durango showed their support for the mining industry during the inauguration of the XXXIV International Mining Convention in Acapulco because it represents a lever for the economic development of the country. They promised to respect the rule of law to promote the investment in the sector that generates jobs and benefits to the communities where it operates.
  • Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, president of The Mining Chamber of Mexico Camimex stated that the suspension of new mining concessions as well as the effects of the possible approval of the electricity reform and the heavy tax burden is generating strong uncertainty in the mining sector in Mexico.
  • Tonatiuh Herrera Gutiérrez, Undersecretary of Promotion and Environmental Regulations of the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), warned that the agency will keep consultations on land use for mining activity. Jaime Gutierrez Núñez, president of CAMIMEX responded that the companies affiliated to said organization do not oppose to the consultations on land use for mining activity, but emphasized that times should be established for conducting such consultations. Likewise, the Director of CAMIMEX, Karen Flores Arredondo stressed that “the rules of the game” must be clear and based on the General Consultation Law.
  • Miguel Ángel Riquelme Solís, governor of Coahuila State and Grupo Mexico signed an agreement to regularize properties in the Carboniferous Region of Coahuila. This regulation agreement represents legal certainty for more than 400 families in the Carboniferous Region.
  • The Mining Commission of the State Congress was installed, chaired by the deputy for Morena, Próspero Valenzuela Muñer to meet the demands and open a space for dialogue with the mining sector in Sonora. In that sense, he mentioned that it is important that said commission lays the foundations for the detonation of economic development and well-being in Sonora, taking advantage of the fact that this entity constitutes one of the main mining states in the country.
  • Octavio Alvídrez, CEO of the Mexican precious metals Fresnillo plc stated that mining in Mexico currently has an “unfavorable” environment due to recent government policies. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been criticized by the mining industry for his policy of not granting new concessions, as well as for what he has described as unprecedented regulatory delays. The president further fueled industry concerns by recently proposing to Congress a controversial energy constitutional reform that rejects concessions for Lithium.
  • The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) will invest MXP $55.2M between this year and the next in the exploration of lithium  with a view to finding an economically viable deposit, informed its director, Flor de María Harp. Exploration work will be carried out in 52 areas during 2021 and in another 30 in 2022. She explained that the country needs hard data so that we are not talking about what we believe, imagine or assume, but about data that have a technical basis. The official insisted that in Mexico expectations have been generated around lithium that is not real, because there is still no hard data on the potential of the mineral.
  • Karen Flores, director of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX) stressed that due to lack of mineral concessions the mining industry in Mexico loses USD $25B with the consequent absence of jobs generation and the fiscal contribution. So far in this six-year term, no new concessions have been granted, in addition to the fact that there are procedures stopped that have also impacted on the continuity of some mining projects.
  • Sergio Almazán, president of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM), highlighted the relevance of the mining industry for the country’s economy in the inauguration of the XXXIV International Mining Convention in Acapulco. CAMIMEX, in its 2020 report stated that the industry currently generates around 408,000 direct jobs, plus almost 2 million indirect jobs. It means that many Mexican families literally live from mining. Mining activity stands out as the fifth earner of foreign currency to the country. He also highlighted that Mexican mining is a formal, modern, sustainable, safe, fiscally responsible industry, with competitive salaries and high quality standards.

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., announced that drill hole # 4 collared at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, reached a total depth of 518m and that sampling has been completed between 331 to 338m and a second zone between 460 to 518m. Samples have been submitted to the lab and results will be released once are received.
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., announced that it has completed the location of 15 drill holes for the upcoming inaugural drill program at its Benjamin Hill project in Sonora. The goal of the drill program is to better understand the behavior of the mineralization at depth and drill-test the continuity of high-grade mineralization structures that are thought to be open down dip and on strike. 
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., released results of the first 11 trenches at its Tepic project. Highlights include TZ005 with 68 g/t Ag and 0.3 g/t Au (91 g/t AgEq) over 10.5m; TZ011 with 39 g/t Ag and 1.06 g/t Au (119 g/t AgEq) over 10.1m,; and TZ 011A with 54 g/t Ag and 6.52 g/t Au (43 g/t AgEq) over 9.2m.
  • Stroud Resources Ltd., provided an update of its 2021 Phase I drilling program conducted at its Santo Domingo project in Jalisco. Stroud has completed 14 diamond holes for a total of 5,725m with the aim to explore the extent of known vein-hosted silver mineralization that run parallel to the existing La Raya and Guadalupe vein systems. Sampling and assaying of the drill core has begun and results will be released once they become available.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 21,592 tonnes and milled 21,302 tonnes of 526 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb, and 5.4% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 90.9%, 81.2%, and 78.3% respectively to produce 326.7K Oz Ag, 1.87M Lb Pb, and 1.98M Lb Zn (521.2K Oz AgEq).
  • Mexus Gold US announced a revenues increase at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. “Mineralized material run through the crushing circuit and placed on the heap leach pad is currently assaying at an average of 4.6 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag. The company will begun a new round of blast hole drilling on October 18th. These efforts will produce 15,000 tons of high-grade gold material for processing through the crushing/leaching circuit”. These efforts indicate a potential 1.5M Oz Au resource on the property.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced Q3, 2021 production results from their Zimapan and Rosario mines located in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. At Zimapan mine, Hidalgo, the company milled and processed 186,642 tonnes of 73 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 2.53% Zn, and 0.35% Cu to produce 313.5K Oz Ag, 2.26M Lb Pb, 8.39M Lb Zn, and 1.1M Lb Cu (867.2K Oz AgEq). At Rosario mine, San Luis Potosi, the company milled and processed 2,306 tonnes of 41 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 1.2% Zn to produce 2,548 Oz Ag, 8,960 Lb Pb, and 53.8K Lb Zn (5,698 Oz AgEq).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, Chihuahua, the company processed 364,941 tonnes of 0.61% Cu, 11 g/t Ag, and 0.1 g/t Au at metallurgical recoveries of 73.06%, 71.97%, and 73.23% respectively to produce 3.6M Lb Cu, 95K Oz Ag, and 899 Oz Au (796K Oz AgEq or 4.53M Lb CuEq). At Cusi mine, Chihuahua, Sierra Metals processed 61,071 tonnes of 161 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au and 0.6% Pb at metallurgical recoveries of 82.63%, 55.89%, and 82.64% respectively to produce 261K Oz Ag, 193 Oz Au and 695K Lb Pb (306K Oz AgEq).

ON FINANCING

  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to a director to purchase 400K common shares at a price of $0.09 per share, which expire on February 28, 2024 (El Cobre project, Veracruz).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp., provided an update regarding the secured loans that the company holds in Regal Resources Inc. Regal owes approximately $1.8M to Barksdale. Regal has until October 24, 2021 to file a cash-flow forecast that needs to be reviewed and signed by its proposal trustee.  If Regal is unable to repay its creditors or fails to put forward a proposal that is accepted by the creditors, it will enter bankruptcy (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Canasil Resources Inc., announced an initial non-brokered private placement of up to 4M units at a price of $0.125 for total gross proceeds of up to $500K. In addition to the non-brokered private placement the company will include up to 1M flow-through shares at $0.15 per flow-through share for a total of $150K. Canasil will use the gross proceeds from the non-brokered private placement to fund drill programs of their projects in Durango and Zacatecas (Nora and La Esperanza projects, Durango-Zacatecas).
  • Heliostar Metals Limited, closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 5,714,285 units at a price of $0.70 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,300,225.50. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to advance their Mexican projects, focusing primarily on the proposed Cumaro drill program in Q4, 2021, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.
  • Xali Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $500K. “Approximately CAD $250K of the gross proceeds will be used to further our permitting and targeting for drilling programs on our gold-silver projects and approximately CAD $250K will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes”  (El Oro project, State of Mexico).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced that a 16 holes infill drill program will commence in November at its Metates project in Durango. This infill program will consists of 6,700m with holes ranging from 250 to 650m depth, and will be drilled with the same orientation to maintain consistency with earlier drilling. “The infill drill program will further define the geological structural controls, expand drill density, and provide additional composite metallurgical samples for variability testing”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp., reported an updated Mineral Resource Estimate on its flagship Cordero project in Chihuahua State. The company reported Measured + Indicated Resources for 541M tonnes with grades of  20 g/t Ag,  0.6 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (48 g/t AgEq), for a total of 344M Oz Ag, 1.04M Oz Au, 3,424M Lb Pb, and 6,132M Lb Zn (837M Oz AgEq), and Inferred Resources for  108M tonnes of 14 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (34 g/t AgEq) for a total of 49M Oz Ag, 99K Oz Au, 451M Lb Pb, and 909M Lb Zn (119M Oz AgEq). The Resource is pit-constrained with an estimated waste-to-ore ratio of 1.1 and is supported by 224,000m of drilling in 517 drill holes and reinterpreted structural and geological models of the deposit. 87% of the contained metal is in the Measured and Indicated category.
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., released results from three holes collared at its Santa Maria project, Chihuahua. The most interesting drill interval was encountered in hole SM20-35 with 18.80m of 0.25 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag (22 g/t AgEq), 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn, including 0.50m of 1.1 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag (73 g/t AgEq), 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn, plus 1.65m of 1.93 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag (131 g/t AgEq), 0.8% Pb, and 2% Zn. With these three holes concluded the Phase 1 exploration drill program and the plan now is to be focused on definition drilling to outline the previously discovered zones or trends. The company mentioned that Au is related to the northwest trending mineralized diorite dike encountered in present drilling. “The previous first modeled diorite dike was over 440 meters and now has been extended to a minimum of 1,000 meters in strike length and 400 meters at depth, open in all directions”.
  • Golden Minerals Company presented results from 25 recently completed RC holes at its Rodeo property in Durango. The company has drilled 47 RC holes totaling 3,187m, focusing on resource expansion and exploration of several targets located adjacent to the open pit. Highlights from the RC drill program include hole RRC_021_018 with 1 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 54m, including 2.3g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 18m; RRC_021_020 with 1.7g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag over 26m, including 2.4 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 8m, hole RRC_021_021 with 1.3 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over 56m, including 2.2 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over 24m: hole RRC_021_022 with 1g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag over 56m, including 3.9 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag over 8m; and hole RRC_021_025 with 1.3 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag over 52m, including 2.9 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over 18m.
  • Impact Silver Corp., released results from an underground development drilling program of its Guadalupe mine in the Zacualpan mining district in the State of Mexico. High grade drill intercepts were encountered in holes MPZ-UG-023-21 with 464 g/t Ag, 0.3%Pb, and 0.8% Pb over a true width (TW) of 6.04m at Carolina Vein and 300 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb and 1.2% Zn over a TW of 3.44m at Dolores Bajo Vein; hole MPZ-UG-024-21 with 2,186 g/t Ag, 1.7% Pb, and 3.4% Zn over a TW of 3.38m at Carolina Vein; hole MPZ-UG-025-21 with 425 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn over a TW of 3.47m at Carolina Vein and 527 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 1.9% Zn over a TW of 1.63m at Dolores Bajo Vein; hole MPZ-UG-028-21 with 486 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.2% Zn over a TW of 1.57m at La Rata Vein and 232 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn over a TW of 5.94m at Kena Vein; and hole MPZ-UG-029-21 with 161 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a TW of 2.12m at Carolina Vein, 269 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over a TW of 3.57m at Carolina Bajo Vein, and 427 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over a TW of 3.12m at Dolores Vein.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., announced high grade results from its ongoing drilling program conducted at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlights include hole ET 21-244 collared in the Sooy Vein with 0.16 g/t Au, 455 g/t Ag, 0.12 % Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (491 g/t AgEq) over 7.5m, including 0.33 g/t Au, 1,073 g/t Ag,  0.3% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (1,156 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 1.3 g/t Au, 3,531 g/t Ag, 1.06 % Cu, 3.6% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (3,856 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, plus an interval in the FW zone of 0.13 g/t Au, 593 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (624 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m, including 0.4 g/t Au, 2,030 g/t Ag, 0.46% Cu, 1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (2,133 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole ET 21-243 collared in the Benjamin Vein with 0.02 g/t Au, 92 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (107 g/t AgEq) over 6.8m, including 0.02 g/t Au, 138 g/t Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (155 g/t AgEq) over 4.3m, including 0.05 g/t Au, 864 g/t Ag, 0.54% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn (965 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Minera Gorrión S.A. de C.V. , a subsidiary company of Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced the completion of a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) for the Ixtaca mine development project in Puebla. The HRIA is one of the most innovative, comprehensive and proven effective tools worldwide to estimate the potential impacts and corresponding mitigation measures in favor of the human rights of the communities located within the area of ​​influence of this productive project. Minera Gorrión reiterates its commitment to the exercise of modern and avant-garde mining, absolutely committed to respecting Human Rights, caring for the environment and creation of opportunities for the communities of Ixtacamaxtitlán always with cultural relevance.
  • One World Lithium Inc., announced the engagements of Rayleigh Capital and J&L Strategic Solutions LLC,  that offer different consulting services that are mutually beneficial to increase global market awareness and different financing opportunities that are less reliant on equity offerings.  Both consultants are very familiar with green technologies  (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • José Rosas Aispuro, Governor of Durango, highlighted that mining is synonymous with respect for human rights and has to be synonymous with respect for the environment.
  • Sara Meymand, New Zealand Ambassador proposed to the Mexico mining industry to work with social inclusion and sustainability. She assured during the XXIV edition of the Acapulco Mining Convention that working in inclusion development and sustainability put up the mining activity internationally, focused on the preservation of the environment, dialogue with communities, gender perspective, use of new technologies, job creation and economic growth. She also stressed the importance of promoting a social license in the mining industry, which will allow companies to act with responsibility, commitment and subject to the care of the environment.
  • The vice president in Mexico of Torex Gold Resourcers Inc., Faysal Rodríguez Valenzuela reiterated that Minera Media Luna (MML) maintains its commitment to the social and economic development of the 11 communities that make up the Guerrero mining corridor, located between the municipalities of Cocula and Eduardo Neri. He also pointed out that the social investment of each year is intended to help improve people’s quality of life and work towards the fulfillment of the sustainable development objectives.
  • Mulatos Mine of Alamos Gold, reduced its power consumption on lighting by 70%, 10% in diesel and 25% in CO2 emissions. Alamos Gold seeks to contribute to the care of the environment reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

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, boiling texture in an epithermal quartz vein system in a project in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Phyllic alteration and Cu mineralization

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 40th week of the year (October 04th to October 10th, 2021), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 3 news published by the media, with nine reporting resources and developments, six communicating production and financial results, four informing on exploration results, four announcing financial topics, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, two commenting on Mexican issues and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Members of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua met with federal deputies of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) to let them know of the importance of mining not only in the state but in the entire country.  President AMLO announced a proposal that would put end the current system of lithium concessions and leave exploration and production in the hands of the State. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja, One World Lithium provided an update of its current drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Benjamin Hill provided an update of details on the recently released NI 43-101 report on its Benjamin Hill project.  In Chihuahua, Kootenay reported results from the last six holes collared at its Columba project. In Jalisco, Almadex announced Q4, 2021 plans for its San Pedro project. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver reported Q3, 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Gatos Silver announced Q3, 2021 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. GoGold presented quarterly and year ending September 2021 production results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. Great Panther announced Q3, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex mines in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. McEwen reported Q3, 2021 production results from its El Gallo property in Sinaloa. Torex Gold announced Q3, 2021 production results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals announced the arrangement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1.05M (Cervantes project, Sonora). Heliostar announced the commencement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $2M that later on increased it to a maximum of $4M (Cumaro, Oso Negro and la Lola project in Sonora). Tarachi Gold announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $500K (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almaden announced that it has resumed drilling activities at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. Excellon released results from its underground drilling program conducted at its the Platosa mine in Durango. Fabled reported results from its underground drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua.  Golden Tag received approval from the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SEMARNAT) to build additional 41 drill pads at its San Diego property in Durango. GR Silver completed a 3D resistivity, IP and ground magnetic survey at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Impact Silver released results from its underground drilling program at Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Minera Alamos provided an update on the ongoing pit optimization drilling program at its Santana property in Sonora. Silver Dollar received drilling permit for its la Joya project in Durango. Tarachi Gold reported results from the tailings drilling program at its Magistral Mill and Tailings project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz Mining informed that it is suspending operations at the Rosario Project in San Luis Potosi, and placing it on care and maintenance. Riverside reported on mining claims consolidation and expansion of its the La Union polymetallic project in Sonora. Sailfish entered into a binding letter of intent with 1287398 B.C. Ltd., to create a silver focused exploration and development company (Gavilanes property, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Fresnillo plc and its subsidiary Minera Penmont delivered an ambulance to representatives of the Red Cross in Caborca, Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Members of the Mining Cluster of Chihuahua met with federal deputies of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) to let them know of the importance of mining not only in the state but in the entire country. Deductions of the mining exploration expenses as well as the electricity reform were some of the issues addressed to the deputies. According to the mining sector, if the electricity reform is approved, it will affect the competitiveness of mining. The Mining Cluster, in communion with government authorities, seeks to generate the development of local supply, as well as attracting greater mining investment in the state.
  • President AMLO announced a proposal that would put end the current system of lithium concessions and leave exploration and production in the hands of the State. However, the owner of the USD $420M project Bacanora Lithium stated that the Mexican government’s plans to bring lithium resources under state control will not affect progress in Sonora, since the new reforms will not affect lithium licenses already granted to private companies, as long as exploration work has already started and all licensing requirements have been met.

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., provided an update of its current drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja. The company announced that hole DDH-4 reached a depth of 381m on October 2, 2021 with an expected total depth of 600m. If the results of DDH-4 warrant it, other boreholes will be drilled in the area.
  • Benjamin Hill Mining Corp., provided an update of details on the recently released NI 43-101 report on its Benjamin Hill project in Sonora. “Detailed mapping at 1:1,000 scale has indicated the presence of a large magmatic-hydrothermal system, including mineralized structures, stockworks, sheeted veins, alteration halos, all of which are hosted in granitoids, an eroded skarn system, a volcaniclastic sequence, and volcanic rocks, as well local orogenic quartz veins. This large hydrothermal system could be co-genetic with a bimodal dike swarm mapped on the property and related to a buried fertile plutonic system, suggesting that geological structures and mineralization seen at surface are indicative of a Cu-Au porphyry system at depth”. Recommended activities to be conducted at the property over the next 2-3 months are completing the mapping and sampling on the areas of Caracahui, la Salada, Caracahui Norte and the Sonora Copper; mapping and channel sampling of the Cascabel and Guadalupe adits; dating studies of the plutonic rocks, prospection of the new areas generated by geochemistry (La Falsa, San Felix, and La Berrenda); and channel sampling on the Sonora Copper adit.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd announced Q4, 2021 plans for its San Pedro project in Jalisco. The company reported that the property is fully permitted and is currently mobilizing a team and rig to site to conduct a drill testing prior to year-end.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., reported results from the last six holes collared at its Columba project in Chihuahua. The company announced the best drill intercept to date in hole CDH-21-103 with 333 g/t Ag over 44m, including 805 g/t Ag over 17m, including 1,201 g/t Ag over 11m, including 2,035 g/t Ag over 6m, and a high of 9,840 g/t Ag over 0.92m.

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q3, 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. The next table shows the production for the third quarter 2021 by mine:
  • Gatos Silver Inc., announced Q3, 2021 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. The company mined 242,899 tonnes and milled 234,054 tonnes of 256 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 2.35% Pb, and 4.1% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 89%, 63%, 91%, and 74% respectively, to produce 1.7M Oz Ag, 1.3K Oz Au, 10.8M Lb Pb, and 13.5M Lb Zn.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented quarterly and year ending September 2021 production results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. GoGold produced 221.2K Oz Ag, 3,437 Oz Au and 309.1K Lb Cu (526,044 Oz AgEq) in the quarter period for a total of 1.14 M Oz Ag, 13.45K Oz Au, and 1.05M Lb Cu (2.27M Oz AgEq) in the full year ending in September 2021.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited announced Q3, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex mines in Durango and Guanajuato states respectively. At Topia, Durango, the company processed 14, 433 tonnes of 373 g/t Ag, and 0.64 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 93.7% and 72.2% respectively, to produce 162.2K Oz Ag, 215 Oz Au, 600.3K Lb Pb, and 777.3K Lb Zn (242K Oz AgEq or 2,847 Oz AuEq). At Guanajuato Mine Complex, Guanajuato, Great Panther processed 41,343 tonnes of 102 g/t Ag, and 1.64 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 87.1% and 86.4% respectively, to produce 118K Oz Ag and 1,883 Oz Au (278K Oz AgEq or 3,271 Oz AuEq). “The Company has not yet been granted a permit from the Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) to expand the TSF at the Guanajuato Mill Complex, which only has sufficient capacity to continue milling operations until December 2021. While the Company continues to proactively engage CONAGUA to expedite the permitting process, the operating assumption is that a permit will not be forthcoming and numerous longer-term solutions are currently being assessed, including processing ore at third-party facilities”.
  • McEwen Mining Inc., reported Q3, 2021 production results from its El Gallo property in Sinaloa. In Q3, El Gallo produced 560 Gold Equivalents Ounces (GEOs) from residual leaching of the heap leach pad.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced Q3, 2021 production results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero. The company reported a gold production of 111,220 Oz. The company sold this production at an average realized gold price of USD $1,785 per Oz.

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp., announced the arrangement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1.05M. Part of the net proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work at its Cervantes porphyry Au-Cu project in Sonora.
  • Heliostar Metals Limited announced the commencement of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $2M that later on was increased to a maximum of $4M. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work at the Cumaro, Oso Negro and la Lola project in Sonora.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $500K. Proceeds of the private placement will be used for general working capital. (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced that it has resumed drilling activities at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. The company also informed that all fieldwork has been conducted in compliance with the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS) since the Company’s Covid-19 protocols detected several COVID-19 cases amongst members of the Company’s local staff. All these individuals were immediately quarantined and supported by the company and one was hospitalized, who unfortunately passed away despite all best efforts. The company has established a COVID Committee that meets weekly to assess the COVID- 19 situation, ensure commitment to company protocols, and discuss opportunities for improvement in the protocols.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., released results from its underground drilling program conducted at its the Platosa mine in Durango. Highlights include hole EX21UG90 with 1,570 g/t Ag, 10.4% Pb, 29.6% Zn, and 0.1 g/t Au (2,860 g/t AgEq) over 7.5m, including 2,424 g/t Ag, 14% Pb, and 35% Zn (3,987 g/t AgEq) over 3.4m, plus 479 g/t Ag, 4.6% Pb, and 2% Zn (667 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 1,758 g/t Ag, 16.5% Pb, and 7.5% Zn (2,441 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m; and hole EX21UG687 with 1,214 g/t Ag, 8.3% Pb, and 16.9% Zn (2,009 g/t AgEq) over 3.1m, including 2,530 g/t Ag, 16.7% Pb, and 19.3% Zn (3,623 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m. “Drilling from underground continues to define and expand known mineralization ahead of production at the 623 and NE-1S mantos. Drilling at Platosa will continue to target areas ahead of production and test the extent of mineralization around mine workings”. 
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., reported results from its 1,200m underground drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Hole SMUG21-16 intersected 0.21 g/t Au,  120 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (131 g/t AgEq) over 5.1m, including 0.6 g/t Au, 387 g/t Ag, 0.35% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (418 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m. Hole SMUG21-17 drilled from the same setup but with different dip angle intersected 1.07 g/t Au, 106 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (161 g/t AgEq) over 3.95m, including 6.46 g/t Au, 490 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.45% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (822 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m.
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd., received approval from the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SEMARNAT) to build additional 41 drill pads at its San Diego property in Durango, increasing the total number of permissible pads to 55. The new permit is valid for a period of 4 years.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., completed a 3D resistivity, IP and ground magnetic survey at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. This geophysical survey links San Marcial resource with the recent GAP area discovery and the San Juan resource. Elevated chargeability has been identified in the vicinities of San Marcial resource area; the magnetic survey shows several oriented magnetic features; and the resistivity data shows that important parts of the Plomosas project are separated into structural blocks controlled by NW-trending faults and mineralized structures. Early-stage field assessment of Ag-Au targets is underway and several of these are currently in the drill planning stage.
  • Impact Silver Corp., released results from its underground drilling program in the Lipton area of its Guadalupe Mine at Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Significant drill intercepts were encountered in hole MPZ-UG-001-21 with 327 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over a true width (TW) of 2.5m; hole MPZ-UG-002-21 with 691 g/t Ag, 0.3%, and 0.7% over a TW of 1.29m; hole MPZ-UG-006-21 with 443 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a TW of 1.90m; and hole MPZ-UG-014-21 with 472 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over a TW of 1.69m. The drill holes covered the vein systems over a strike length of 430m and a vertical distance of 200m.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., provided an update on the ongoing pit optimization drilling program at its Santana property in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole S20-147D with 0.69 g/t Au over 248.8m from surface and ending in mineralization; hole S20-149D with 0.77 g/t Au over 152.7m from surface, including 1.39 g/t Au over 56.2m; and hole S21-160D with 0.51 g/t Au over 242.7m from 41.9 down hole.   
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., received permit for the next phase of drilling at its la Joya project in Durango. The company is cashed-up and eager to restart exploration drilling for the first time in over seven years.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., reported results from the tailings drilling program at its Magistral Mill and Tailings project in Durango. A total of 37 vertical auger holes were completed to depths ranging from 1.3 to 14.5m with an average depth of 6.6m. The 171 gold tailings samples ranged in grade from 0.89 to 4.12g/t with an average of 2.04g/t Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., informed that it is suspending operations at the Rosario Project in San Luis Potosi, and placing it on care and maintenance. This decision was made following an extensive review by management of the Rosario project operations and strategic options available including the potential sale of the operation.
  • Riverside Resources Inc., reported on mining claims consolidation and expansion of its the La Union polymetallic project. The acquisition of the La Famosa and Plomito small internal claims provided Riverside access to high-grade small scale mine properties increases its property total area to over 2,604 hectares. Riverside optioned these properties over 4 years term staged cash payments without any NSR.  At La Famosa, Riverside can earn 100% of interest in the property by making a total cash payment of USD $175K in staged cash payments starting with USD $10K in the first year anniversary, $USD 15K in the second year, USD $25 in the third year, USD $50K in the fourth year, and a final cash payment of USD $75,000. At Plomito, Riverside can earn 100% interest in the property by making a total cash payment of USD $165K in staged cash payments, starting with USD $10K in the first year anniversary, $USD 15K in the second year, USD $25 in the third year, USD $40K in the fourth year, and a final cash payment of USD $75,000.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp., entered into a binding letter of intent with 1287398 B.C. Ltd., to create a focused exploration and development company (Pubco or Sailfish Silver as the proposed transaction). The plan is to transfer the Gavilanes Silver Project to Pubco in exchange for shares of Pubco.  

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fresnillo plc and its subsidiary Minera Penmont delivered an ambulance to representatives of the Red Cross in Caborca, Sonora. With this action, the Mexican company strengthens the vehicle fleet of the health institution that is responsible for protecting the health of the people of Caborca.

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 phyllic alteration with Cu mineralization in a prospect in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 32nd week of the year (August 9th to August 15th, 2021), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 2 news published by the media, with eight reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven communicating production and financial results, four informing on exploration results, two announcing financial topics,, one disclosing deal and corporate issues, one commenting on Mexican issues and one discussing social issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, According to World Bank Data, Mexico continued to dominate world silver production last year, despite a 9.5% drop on the previous year.  ON EXPLORATION, In Durango, Canasil released results from the first drill hole of its 2020 follow up drill program collared at its Nora project, and Mithril presented drilling results, extending the El Refugio high-grade “clavo” zone 80m further east. In Zacatecas, Zacatecas Silver announced it has received drilling permits for their El Panuco and San Gil projects. In the State of Mexico, Xali has identified new drill targets at its El Oro-Tlalpujahua mining district.  ON MINING, Gatos Silver reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. Argonaut announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. Endeavour presented Q2, 2021 consolidated financial results from their Mexican operations. GoGold reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua.  Guanajuato Silver announced that it began stockpiling mineralized material from its El Cubo mine in Guanajuato. Pan American reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their La Colorada and Dolores mines in Zacatecas and Chihuahua respectively. Sierra Metals announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua.  ON FINANCING, Magna provided an update to its previously announced non-brokered private placement of CAD $10M convertible debentures (San Francisco mine, Sonora). Southern Silver provided exercise instructions for warrants dated September 11, 2020 (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Barksdale commenced a 5,000m Phase 1 drilling program at its San Javier project in Sonora. Azucar Minerals provided an update for its El Cobre project in Veracruz. Gatos Silver reported drilling results from its definitional drilling at its Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua. Gold Resource confirmed the up-dip extension of the Switchback Vein system and has also intersected additional mineralization outside of the current mining area (Don David Gold mine, Oaxaca). Osisko provided an update of the activities carried out in 2021 at its San Antonio project, Sonora.  Pan American reported its estimated mineral reserves and resources as of June 30, 2021 at their La Colorada, Dolores, and La Bolsa deposits in Zacatecas, Chihuahua, and Sonora respectively. SilverCrest provided an update on its Las Chispas mine construction in Sonora.  Southern Silver released assay results from its ongoing drilling program at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Excellon provided an update on litigation in respect of the La Antigua mineral concession (Evolution property, Zacatecas). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Alamos Gold has allocated MXP $400M in environmental investment at its la Yaqui Grande mining project in Sonora.  

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • According to World Bank Data, Mexico continued to dominate world silver production last year, despite a 9.5% drop on the previous year. Mexico produced 5,541 tonnes of silver, followed by China with 3,443 tonnes, and by Peru with 2,991 tonnes. Global production of silver totaled 25,516 tonnes last year, a 3.7% decrease compared to 2019, largely due to COVID-19 restrictions which required several major silver producers to temporarily halt production. “Mexico´s Fresnillo plc, the world´s largest silver producing company, said mine extraction of the metal has shown a steady decline since 2015”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Canasil Resources Inc., released results from the first drill hole of its 2020 follow up drill program collared at its Nora project. Highlights of the hole NRC-21-09 drilled on the Candy Vein include 20.59 g/t Au and 1,290 g/t Ag (2,783 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.53m, including 43.7 g/t Au and 1,290 g/t Ag (4,458 g7t AgEq) over a TW of 0.63m; plus 6.44 g/t Au and 884 g/t Ag (1,355 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3.29m on the Candy hanging wall structure, including 8.45 g/t Au and 1,021 g/t Ag (1,634 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.84m, including 15.6g/t Au and 561 g/t Ag (1,692 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.50m; plus 2.76 g/t Au and 250 g/t Ag (450 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.71m on the Candy foot wall structure, including 6.19 g/t Au and 319 g/t Ag (768 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.90m. The high gold and silver grades and relatively low base metal values suggest the upper levels of the system which is open to depth.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., presented drilling results, extending the El Refugio high-grade “clavo” zone 80m further east. High-grade was intercepted in hole CDH-079 with 7.60 g/t Au and 332 g/t Ag over 12.4m, including 18.1 g/t Au and 810 g/t Ag over 4.19m; and hole CDH-80 with 5.08 g/t Au and 197 g/t Ag over 6.11m, including 9.47 g/t Au and 399 g/t Ag over 2.3m.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., announced it has received drilling permits from SEMARNAT for the execution of 10,000m of drilling at their El Panuco and San Gil projects in Zacatecas. The company also completed environmental studies at San Manuel and El Cristo projects and has submitted drill permit applications to SEMARNAT which expect to be received in approximately four weeks.
  • Xali Gold Corp., has identified in a 3D Leapfrog model, new drill targets at its El Oro-Tlalpujahua mining district in the State of Mexico. These targets are designed to test potential extensions to the mineralized veins where they are intersected by cross-cutting mineralized structures. These structures have been incorporated into the 3D model in order to optimize drill angles and azimuths.

ON MINING

  • Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from the Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. The company mined 240,047 tonnes and milled 230,656 tonnes of 322 g/t Ag, 0.35 g/t Au, 2.5% Pb, and 4.4% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 89%, 63%, 90%, and 75% respectively to produce 2.1M Oz Ag, 1.5K Oz Au, 11.2M Lb Pb, and 14.5M Lb Zn. Co-product cash cost and Co-product AISC were $11.5 and $17.65 per Oz AgEq respectively, while by-product cash cost and by-product AISC were $2.87 and $12.63 per Oz AgEq respectively. Gatos Silver reported operating expenses for $5.1M, a net income of $13.5M, and a cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2021 for $29.6M.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican operations. At El Castillo mine in Durango, the company mined 2,496,000 tonnes and processed 2,468,000 tonnes on leach pads with a grade of 0.25 g/t Au to produce 12.7K Oz Au and 17.4K Oz Ag or 12,929 Gold Equivalent Ounces (GEOs) at a cash cost of USD $1,109 per Oz Au sold. At San Agustin mine in Durango, Argonaut mined 2,718,000 tonnes and processed 2,962,000 tonnes on leach pads with a grade of 0.32 g/t Au to produce 18.1K Oz Au and 138.5K Oz Ag or 19,734 GEOs, at a cash cost of USD $801 per Oz Au sold. Consolidated results for El Castillo Complex (El Castillo + San Agustin mines) were 5,214,000 tonnes mined and 5,450,000 tonnes processed with a grade of 0.29 g/t Au to produce 30.8K Oz Au and 155.9K Oz Ag or 31.4K GEOs at a cash cost of USD $924 per Oz Au sold. At La Colorada mine in Sonora, it mined 1,150,000 tonnes and processed 1,247,000 tonnes on leach pads with a grade of 0.76 g/t Au to produce 16.7K Oz Au and 48.1K Oz Ag or 17,288 GEOs, at a cash cost of USD $608 per Oz Au sold. Argonaut also reported the discovery of high-grade gold veins below the El Creston open pit, including 98.9 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over 12.2m, and 44.6 g/t Au and 275 g/t Ag over 21.3m.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., presented Q2, 2021 consolidated financial results from their Mexican operations. The company produced 1.07M Oz Ag and 11.1K Oz Au (2MOz AgEq) at cash and AISC of USD $13.03 and USD $25.39 per Oz Ag payable respectively. It reported net revenue of USD $47.7M from the sale of 1.12M Oz Ag and 9.8K Oz Au; cash flow of USD $8.7M before working capital changes; earning of USD $6.7M; adjusted earning of USD $0.8M; cash position of USD $125.2M; and working capital of USD $146.8M. Endeavour also announced the suspension of operations at its El Compas mine in Zacatecas. 
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. The company produced 315.6K Oz Ag, 3,170 Oz Au, and 268.8K Lb Cu (563.4K Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of USD $13.31 and USD $16.98 per Oz AgEq. GoGold reported revenues for USD $15M on the sale of 563.4K Oz AgEq; free cash of USD $7.5M; cash flow from operations before working capital of USD $6M, and USD $2.7M after working capital; adjusted net income of USD $3.9M; and cash of USD 73.5M. The company plans to use the free cash flow generated from its Parral Tailings project to fund the current exploration program conducted at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced that mining, mucking, and stockpiling of mineralized material has begun at its El Cubo mine in Guanajuato in anticipation of the recommencement of operations at the El Cubo mill.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their La Colorada and Dolores mines in Zacatecas and Chihuahua respectively. At La Colorada, Zacatecas, the company produced 1.01M Oz Ag and 700 Oz Au at cash and AISC of USD $4.52 and USD $12.42 per Oz Ag respectively. At Dolores, Chihuahua, Pan American produced 612K Oz Ag and 43.3K Oz Au at cash and AISC of USD $602 and USD $716 per Oz Au respectively.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, Chihuahua, the company processed 385,331 tonnes of 0.86% Cu, 19 g/t Ag, and 0.21 g/t Au to produce 5.8M Lb Cu, 202K Oz Ag, and 1,627 Oz Au (7.75M Lb CuEq) at cash and AISC of USD $1.17 and USD $3.27 per Lb CuEq respectively. At Cusi mine, Chihuahua, Sierra Metals processed 73,294 tonnes of 139 g/t Ag, 0.16 g/t Au and 0.1% Pb to produce 269K Oz Ag, 142 Oz Au and 129K Lb Pb (283K Oz AgEq) at cash and AISC of USD $21.67 and USD $35.73 per Oz AgEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Magna Gold Corp., provided an update to its previously announced non-brokered private placement of CAD $10M convertible debentures. The principal amount of the debentures is convertible, at the election of Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc., into common shares of the company at a conversion price of CAD $1.25 per common share.  The Company will pay Delbrook a 1.25% arrangement fee on closing of the private placement (San Francisco mine, Sonora).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., provided exercise instructions for warrants dated September 11, 2020 in connection with a CAD $10M brokered private placement of subscription receipts and a CAD $4M non-brokered private placement of subscription receipts which both closed on August 14, 2020 (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Barksdale Resources Corp., commenced a 5,000m Phase 1 drilling program at its San Javier project in Sonora. Goals of this Phase 1 drilling program is to test the controls of the Cu mineralization at the Cerro Verde deposit in San Javier project, to step out of from known areas of previously drilled mineralization, and provide metallurgical samples for a column test work. Results from this drilling phase will be used to update a 3D model that will form the base for a new resource estimate.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., provided an update for its El Cobre project in Veracruz. It has drilled a couple of holes: one at El Pedregal target and a second one at the Raya Tembrillo target within the Villa Rica Zone at its El Cobre property. A hole planned for the large area of alteration and mineralization of the Encinal Zone will be deferred until more detailed geologic work and review is complete. Assays of the two holes already drilled will be released when they are received and processed. It is also reviewing past acquired data to plan additional drilling for future programs.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., reported drilling results from its 27,000m definitional drilling at its Cerro Los Gatos, Chihuahua. Highlights include hole GA404 collared at SE Zone of Esther deposit with 211 g/t Ag, 0.28 g/t Au, 5.5% Pb, and 8.3% Zn over 12.5m, and hole GA392 collared at NW Zone of Esther deposit with 27 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 4.5% Zn over 30m. “Drilling has identified three separate veins in SE Block #4: an upper vein, a middle vein with more characteristic thickness and grade of the main Cerro Los Gatos system, and a deeper footwall vein which was first identified in this campaign of drilling. The upper vein now has a demonstrated strike length of 400 meters which is open to the southeast and at depth. The middle vein has a demonstrated strike length of 520 meters which remains open to the northwest and at depth. The third vein has a demonstrated strike length of 800 meters and remains open to the southeast and at depth. These drill results extended 800m from the existing resource reserve blocks and remains open to the SE”.
  • Gold Resource Corporation confirmed the up-dip extension of the Switchback Vein system and has also intersected additional mineralization at Sandi Vein system outside of the current mining area with upside potential to develop a new mineralized zone.  Drilling highlight on Switchback Vein include hole # 521013 with 1.51 g/t Au, 95 g/t Ag, 0.21% Cu, 1.2% Pb, and 1.8% Zn over 5.37m, including 2.61 g/t Au, 155 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 2.1% Pb, and 3% Zn over 2.9m; hole # 521014 with 0.82 g/t Au, 640 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.8% Zn over 0.78m, hole # 521015 with 0.01 g/t Au,  2,610 g/t Ag, and 0.31% Cu over 1.55m; and hole # 521018 with 4.45 g/t Au, 4,460 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 1% Pb, and 2.4% Zn over 0.36m. Drilling highlights at Sandy Vein system include hole # 521021 with 1.61 g/t Au, 33 g/t Ag, 0.5% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 2.1% Zn over 8.67m, including 4.88 g/t Au, 75 g/t Ag, 0.93% Cu, 6.4% Pb, and 4% Zn over 2.77m; and hole # 521022 with 2.32 g/t Au, 19 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 1.4% Pb, and 6.8% Zn over 1.18m. “The Sandy 1 vein is open on dip and along strike to the northwest, whilst southeastern potential, including linkage to the Switchback system, is being evaluated”.
  • Osisko Development Corp., provided an update of the activities carried out in 2021 at its San Antonio project, Sonora. The company completed 9,900m of infill drilling of a planned two phase 45,000m drilling campaign. It also continues preparations to commence processing of the large stockpile on site, and announced that the heap leaching permitting is on schedule and anticipates granting of the permit by the end of the year.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., reported its estimated mineral reserves and resources as of June 30, 2021 at their La Colorada, Dolores, and La Bolsa deposits in Zacatecas, Chihuahua, and Sonora respectively. Mineral resources are exclusive of mineral reserves. At La Colorada mine, Zacatecas, the company reported proven reserves of 3.9M tonnes of 350 g/t Ag and 0.25 g/t Au for a total of 43.5M Oz Ag and 30.6K Oz Au contained and probable reserves of 6.2M tonnes of 289 g/t Ag and 0.19 g/t Au for a total of 57.3M Oz Ag and 38.2K Oz Au contained. It also reported measured resources of 1.3M tonnes of 185 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au for a total of 7.6M Oz Ag and 6K Oz Au contained, indicated resources of 1.9M tonnes of 175 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au, for a total of 10.6M Oz Ag and 9K Oz Au contained, and inferred resources of 8.4M tonnes of 190 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au for a total of 51.1M Oz Ag and 40.9K Oz Au. In addition La Colorada Skarn has inferred resources of 100.4M tonnes of 44 g/t Ag to contain a total of 141M Oz Ag. At Dolores mine, Chihuahua, Pan American reported proven reserves of 20.8M tonnes of 22 g/t Ag and 0.74 g/t Au for a total of 14.9M Oz Ag and 495.3K Oz Au contained and probable reserves of 6.2M tonnes of 28 g/t Ag and 0.78 g/t Au for a total of 5.6M Oz Ag and 155.1K Oz Au contained. The company also reported measured resources of 2.82M tonnes of 16 g/t Ag and 0.3 g/t Au for a total of 1.5M Oz Ag and 27.2K Oz Au, indicated resources of 0.82M tonnes of 22 g/t Ag and 0.62 g/t Au for a total of 0.6M Oz Ag and 16.3K Oz Au contained, and 2.7M tonnes of 46 g/t Ag and 1.25 g/t Au for a total of 4M Oz Ag and 108.5K Oz Au contained. At La Bolsa deposit, Sonora, the company reported measured resources of 10.8M tonnes of 10 g/t Ag and 0.7 g/t Au for a total of 3.5M Oz Ag and 242.8K Oz Au contained, indicated resources of 10.6M Oz tonnes of 8 g/t Ag and 0.54 g/t Au for a total of 2.7M Oz Ag and 154.3K Oz Au contained, and inferred resources of 13.7M tonnes of 8 g/t Ag, and 0.51 g/t Au for a total of 3.3M Oz Ag and 224.6K Oz Au contained.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., provided an update on its Las Chispas mine construction in Sonora. The company reported that at the end of HI, 2021 Las Chispas progress was 33% completed; camp facility and earthworks completed; concrete foundation work 74% complete; plant tank, power line, road and bridge commenced; and 4.6Km of underground development completed. SilverCrest reported that as at July 31, 2021, the company remains well funded with cash and cash equivalents of USD $188M and USD $90M available under a USD $120M project financing facility. “Las Chispas could generate after-tax project free cash flow of approximately USD $160M in 2023 and an estimated average of USD $110M per year from 2023 to 2029”.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp., released assay results from its ongoing drilling program at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango. Drilling highlights from Mina La Bocona Area include hole 21CLM-164 with 102 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (234 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 16.3m, including 383 g/t Ag, 7.9% Pb, and 10.2% Zn (1,051 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.4m; 21CLM-167 with 263 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 6% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (513 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.7m, including 543 g/t Ag, 0.4 g/t Au, 12.7% Pb, and 1% Zn (1,011 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.7m; and hole 21CLM-170 with 7 g/t Ag, 0.4% Cu, and 10.6% Zn (443 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.5m, including 14 g/t Ag, 0.4% Cu, and 21% Zn (844 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.7m. The current drill program has now completed 56 core holes totaling 22,360 metres since drilling recommenced in September 2020. Assay results from five drill holes are pending and are anticipated over the coming weeks. “Southern Silver has now tested over 850m of strike length along the east side of the Cerro to depths of up to 500m, primarily in the South Skarn and Mina La Bocona target areas. Three bonanza grade mineralized zones have been identified as well as shallow intercepts of high-grade mineralization to the northwest of the Bocona target, results of which will be incorporated into an upcoming mineral resource update on the project”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Excellon Resources Inc., provided an update on litigation involving the Company’s subsidiary, San Pedro Resources SA de CV (San Pedro) in respect of the La Antigua mineral concession (Evolution property, Zacatecas). Excellon received an initial electronic notice last July that San Pedro’s appeal to the federal courts of Mexico in respect of the litigation was dismissed, despite the lack of evidence, facts or law to support this outcome. The Company has now received the formal written decision on the appeal which, based on initial legal review, appears to uphold the judgment granting the plaintiff an award of approximately USD $23M and is not subject to further legal appeal in Mexico.  Brendan Cahill, President and CEO of Excellon, stated that “The value ascribed in the judgment is impossible based on evidence, facts or law. Simply put, the maximum value realizable by the plaintiff from the agreement on La Antigua was USD $500K in the best-case scenario, yet the Miguel Auza Mine was shut down in 2008 almost immediately after operations commenced.”

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Alamos Gold Inc., has allocated MXP $400M in environmental investment at its la Yaqui Grande mining project in Sonora. The foregoing consists of environmental remediation works that will be carried out as areas of the mine are vacated, a different model from the traditional work that waits until the end of the useful life of a mine to carry out reclamation and closure activities. In La Yaqui Grande, it is contemplated to have constant reclamation of areas, placing the vegetal roof covering in layers and stages, which implied a special design and engineering to make it possible throughout the seven years of operation. The company will also acquire a treatment plant that will allow the water used in the operation to be recirculated, reducing its consumption. The design of “tepetateras or dumps” is different from the traditional ones and there is already a nursery for the reproduction of native plants of the region, which will supply the demand for the development of this environmental project.

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 volcanic-hosted quartz vein with oxidized pyrite in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.