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Highlights on the Fourth Week of March, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

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On the picture above, take geologists to a mining museum, and this is what you get. Geologists Ruben Padilla, Barry Quiroz and Miguel Heredia at El Oro Museum in Estado de Mexico. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

By Jorge Cirett

During the 12th week of the year (March 19th to March 25th, 2018), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a gold nugget weighing 850 grams was found in northern Sonora. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri has begun drilling at El Pilar project; while Azure updated work on its Oposura project releasing new high grade drill results. Kootenay has drilled six of seven holes on one target of its La Cigarra project, other targets to follow. ON MINING, three companies, Primero Mining, Excellon and Sierra Metals presented financial and or production results for the fourth quarter and/or full year 2017. Santacruz Silver completed expansion of milling capacity at Veta Grande in Zacatecas.  ON FINANCING, Evrim received $3 M from the exercise of warrants.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Americas Silver presented an updated resource on its San Felipe property in Sonora. Almaden provided an update on work being done on the feasibility study at the Ixtaca project in Puebla. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alio Gold is to acquire all shares outstanding of Rye Patch, a company with several properties in USA. Bacanora Minerals extended the timetable for re-domiciling by a few days. Sonoro executed an option agreement on a group of properties adjoining its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • A gold nugget weighing 850 grams was found in La Cienega area, south of Pitiquito in Sonora. The nugget was discovered using a metal detector by a local gambusino. Northwest Sonora is known by the presence of orogenic gold style deposits, like La Herradura, Nochebuena, La Choya, San Francisco and El Chanate. This type of ore deposits has produced large gold nuggets, of up to 12 kg in weight, with the most famous specimens coming from the El Boludo, La Cienega and Tajitos gold placers.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. has begun phase 1 of its 2018 drilling program on its Pilar property in Sonora. The program envisages up to 30 holes to be drilled focusing on modelling and extending the known mineralization of the Main Zone to the northwest and southwest along trend. “To date, Colibri has defined an in-house resource of 700 K tonnes @ 1.9 g/t Au”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. informed on advances on the current drill program at its La Cigarra property in Chihuahua. Six holes have been completed, and one more is in progress at La Borracha zone, which is the extension of the structure that hosts La Cigarra resource, and drilling has now tested 1,000 m of strike length beyond the resource. Results will be disclosed once all assays have been received. The next drill target is the newly identified Nogalera gold zone, with 8 holes planned on anomalous mineralization over more than 1,000 m of length. Once Nogalera has been drilled, the 104-Vein on the southern part of La Cigarra resource is to be drill tested.
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. updated on work being done at its Oposura project in Sonora. Drilling along strike of an outcrop carrying up to 59.6% Pb+Zn on the West Zone intersected high grade mineralization over an area of 400 x 400 m. Some of the best combined Pb + Zn intercepts returned 2.4 m @ 15.5%. 7.4 m @ 15.9%, 2.8 m @ 19.0%, 3.7 m @ 15.6%, 3.5 m @ 13.2%, 4.6 m @ 15.0%. To date drilling in the West Zone has comprised 64 holes for 4,936 m, with assay results received for 26 drill holes.

ON MINING

  • Primero Mining Corp. reported financial and operating results for 4Q and full year 2017. Primero commenced a strategic review process that resulted in the sale of the Cerro del Gallo project (Guanajuato) in November 2017, and the entering into an arrangement agreement whereby First Majestic will acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of Primero. At San Dimas in Durango, 21,076 Oz Au and 1.32 M Oz Ag were produced during the fourth quarter. For full year 2017, San Dimas produced 111,376 Oz Au, 3.96 M Oz Ag. A strike at San Dimas in early 2017 stopped work for more than two months, significantly impacting yearly production levels.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017. During the fourth quarter the Platosa mine in Durango produced 16.1 K tonnes, processing 18 K tonnes @ 424 g/t Ag, 3.8% Pb, 5.8% Zn, with recoveries of 90.3% Ag, 80.0% Pb, 82.2% Zn, to produce 206.4 K Oz Ag, 1.17 M Lb Pb, 1.67 M Lb Zn. For the year 57.2 K tonnes were produced, while milling 55.6 K tonnes @ 456 g/t Ag, 4.4% Pb, 5.7% Zn, with recoveries of 90.5% Ag, 82.1% Pb, 80.1% Zn, producing 668 K Oz Ag, 4.09 M Lb Pb, 4.60 M Lb Zn. During 2017 the optimization plan was completed at the Platosa mine, resulting in dry mining conditions that increased production and lowered the costs. Total cash cost per Ag Oz decreased to $10.38, with an AISC of $21.89. All in sustaining cost was $15.84 per Ag Oz for the fourth quarter and $21.89 per Ag Oz for the year.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. informed that expansion of milling capacity at its Veta Grande project to 750 tpd (tonnes per day) has been completed. The mill is currently operating at 450 tpd, and full capacity operations are expected to be achieved early in the second quarter 2018. Santacruz now will focus in the consolidation of underground operations.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported fourth quarter and year end 2017 financial results, without separating figures for its operations in Mexico. Production at Bolivar is expected to reach 3,000 tpd in Q1 2018 and 3,500 tpd in the second half of 2018. An update in resources is expected in the coming months. At Cusi production is being ramped up to the 650 tpd Mal Paso mill capacity by Q2 2018. The installation of another mill is expected to take production to 1,200 tpd by 2019. At the end of the period the company had 23.9 M in cash and cash equivalents.

ON FINANCING

  • Evrim Resources Corp. received $3.06 M from the exercise of common share purchase warrants, representing 98% of the warrants issue dated December 16, 2015. As a result, Evrim’s current cash position approximates $5.5 M (Cerro Cascaron, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Americas Silver Corp. provided an update on the mineral resource estimate at the San Felipe project in Sonora (optioned from Hochschild in early 2017). Of 342 holed drilled by four companies since 1998, 294 are within La Ventana, San Felipe, Transversales and Las Lamas deposits which host the current resource. The new resource contains 4,685 K tonnes @ 5.4% Zn, 2.5% Pb, 61 g/t Ag in the indicated category and 2,008 K tonnes @ 3.6% Zn, 1.4% Pb, 48 g/t Ag in the inferred category. These resources host 560 M Lb Zn, 256 M Lb Pb, 9.1 M Oz Ag; 158 M Lb Zn, 63 M Lb Pb, 3.1 M Oz Ag respectively.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. updated on work related to the feasibility study (FS) at the Ixtaca project in Puebla. Work underway includes a resource model update, metallurgy testwork, engineering design, optimization studies, work to move the Rock Creek processing plant to Ixtaca, construction planning, geotechnical site investigation and water management studies. Almaden is also preparing an environmental impact assessment study (Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) for Ixtaca.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Alio Gold Inc. and Rye Patch Corp. entered on an arrangement under which Alio Gold (San Francisco, Sonora; Ana Paula, Guerrero) is to acquire all the outstanding shares of Rye Patch (Florida Canyon, Nevada; Lincoln Hill, Nevada). The offer values Rye Patch outstanding equity at C$128 M. The transaction is expected to close on or about May 25, 2018.
  • Bacanora Minerals Ltd. announced that the proposed timetable for the proposed Re-domicile has been changed to 26 March 2018.
  • Sonoro Metals Corp. executed a formal option agreement with a Tucson, Arizona resident to acquire a 100% interest in the 403.5 ha Rosario group of concessions, adjacent to its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora, thus increasing the land holdings of the project to 1,455 ha. The option agreement entails a total consideration to the vendor of US$1.6 M, payable in escalating cash installments over 72 months, and a 2% NSR which can be bought for US$1 M for each percentage point. The initial US$60 K was paid on execution. Total drilling in the two properties before 2008 is 10,118 m in 101 holes.

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

 

 

Highlights on the Fourth Week of August, 2017. Mineral Exploration in Mexico

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During the 34th week of the year (August 20th to August 26th, 2017), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, including two quarterly reports. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Azure is soon to release drilling results from the Oposura project, while Colibri is planning to drill the Pilar property near Suaqui. In Hidalgo Prospero intends to drill the El Petate property. In Zacatecas Arian Silver completed the drilling of three lithium salars. ON MINING, Impact Silver and Santacruz Silver reported second quarter production results for 2017. ON FINANCING, no relevant news for the first time in the year.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Monarca is trying to secure surface rights at its Tejamen property in Durango. Mexican Gold is to realize a geophysical survey at Las Minas in Veracruz. Telson Resources has received permits for tailings facilities in Durango. Silver Bull identified a new zone of sulfide mineralization at Sierra Mojada, Coahuila. Almaden released drilling results from inside the planned pit at Tuligtic, Puebla. Consolidated Zinc released high-grade drilling intercepts at Plomosas, Chihuahua. Bacanora Minerals provided an update on the FS of the Sonora Lithium project. Americas Silver released drilling results from the Cosalá mine complex in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sonora Metals started trading on the OTCQB Venture Market.  Azure Minerals acquired the gold-cobalt Sara Alicia property in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Azure Minerals Ltd. is advancing on the planning and approval process of an upcoming drilling campaign at its newly-acquired Oposura Zn-Pb-Ag project in Sonora. The previous owner drilled 994 m in 16 diamond drill holes, assay results for which are expected shortly. “Significant sulphide mineralisation, including massive, banded and disseminated, was observed in most holes.”
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. acquired the Sara Alicia property in Sonora (see note below). The 9 hectares concession covers all the historical mine workings and observed Au-Co and Cu-Zn-Ag manto mineralization exposures related to the intrusion of a granodiorite porphyry into a thick limestone sequence. Sampling on the Au-Co zone returned 2.5 m @ 39.0 g/t Au, 6.1% Co; 2.5 m @ 12.5 g/t Au, 6.9% Co; 3.0 m @ 5.7 g/t Au, 2.4% Co; 2.1 g/t Au, 3.2% Co; while sampling at the Cu-Zn-Ag zone returned 2.4 m @ 2.2% Cu, 2.4% Zn, 84 g/t Ag; 1.0 m @ 3.4% Cu, 3.1% Zn, 124 g/t Ag; 3.5 m @ 2.1% Cu, 4.2% Zn, 54 g/t Ag; 2.5 m @ 5.2% Cu, 2.5% Zn, 170 g/t Ag; 1.5 m @ 2.1%Cu, 3.2% Zn, 133 g/t Ag.
  • Prospero Silver Corp. intends to begin drilling in September at the El Petate project in Hidalgo, funded by strategic partner Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. High level epithermal alteration is exposed over a 5×4 km area, showing a robust mineralized system with additional potential to host a carbonate replacement deposit at depth. Surface sampling returned a continuous channel sample of 67.5 m @ 0.93 g/t Au. A total of 2,800 m on 29 holes has been proposed to Fortuna.
  • Colibri Resources Corp. is planning three tranches of RC drilling (10,000 m) at its recently acquired Pilar gold project in Sonora. The surface rights agreement has been signed on friendly terms.
  • Arian Silver Corp. completed the first phase of auger drilling on its three lithium projects in Zacatecas. The drilling of 28 holes resulted in 214 samples that have been sent for assay at ALS Global. The results are expected in about three or four weeks.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. released its financial and production results for the second quarter of 2017. Most of the production was from the San Ramon Deeps, Cuchara, Mirasol and San Patricio mines at its Zacualpan property in Mexico State. The average silver feed to the mill was 173 g/t Ag, to produce 227.5 K ounces of silver. Exploration work is focused on larger and higher-grade targets at Alacran and Alacran North. The cash position at the end of the period was $6.8 M, with net working capital of $8.6 M.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported second quarter 2017 production results. At the Rosario project in San Luis Potosi 28 k tonnes were milled @ 42 g/t Ag (172 g/t AgEq), recovering 87% Ag, to produce 33.2 K Oz Ag, 298 Oz Au, 40 tonnes Pb, 408 tonnes Zn (124.7 K Oz AgEq). At Veta Grande in Zacatecas 29.7 k tonnes were milled @ 102 g/t Ag (218 g/t AgEq), recovering 64% Ag, to produce 56.1 K Oz Ag, 174 Oz Au, 198 tonnes Pb, 317 tonnes Zn (145.9 K Oz AgEq). At Rosario the focus has been on increasing the input from the Membrillo vein and the Cinco Estrellas property. At Veta Grande the focus is in through-put maximization and grade control.

ON FINANCING

  • No Relevant News.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Monarca Minerals Inc. is trying to secure the surface rights at Tejamen, Durango. To date Monarca has met with senior government officials at the Federal, State and Municipal level, earning full support for the project, and contact with the leaders of the community has been initiated aiming to become a responsible Community partner. A new deeper drilling program is being planned to follow high grade feeder veins and test the base of the volcanic rocks over sedimentary rocks where manto and carbonate replacement mineralization might occur; initial work is to involve re-logging all drilling samples of the previous campaigns.
  • Mexican Gold Corp. has commenced field work preparation for ground magnetic and time domain electromagnetic surveys at its Las Minas project in Veracruz. The surveys aim to identify targets for the upcoming 3,000 m diamond drill program by contractor K.D.L. Mexico S.A. de C.V. at the Cinco Señores, Las Minillas and El Dorado/Juan Bran zones.
  • Telson Resources Inc. has received permits from Semarnat for reactivation of the existing tailings disposal facility and for the construction of a new larger tailings facility for the Tahuehueto project in Durango. The permitted capacity of over 13 M cubic meters can accommodate more than 30 years of production at the planned 1,000 tonnes per day mining rate.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. identified a new massive sulfide zone at its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. This zone lies within a 1.4 km long chargeability anomaly within which other two zones of sulfide mineralization that present high grade Zn-Pb-Cu. Approximately 280 m of previously non-accessible workings were opened and 19 samples collected with results like: 2.34 m @ 1,315 g/t Ag, 9.0% Cu; 2.32 m @ 392 g/t Ag, 0.4% Zn, 1.8% Cu; 1.4 m @ 329 g/t Ag, 42% Zn, 3.2% Cu; 1.52 m @ 713 g/t Ag, 3.4% Zn, 0.1% Pb, 1.1% Cu; 1.13 m @ 1,130 g/t Ag, 22.2% Zn, 3.3% Pb, 12.9% Cu; 2.00 m @ 495 g/t Ag, 7.1% Zn, 2.7% Pb, 1.1% Cu; 2.00 m @ 33 g/t Ag, 8.1% Zn, 3.4% Pb, 0.1% Cu; 2.0 m @ 42 g/t Ag, 1.5% Zn, 2.4% Pb, 0.2% Cu; 2.0 m @ 73 g/t Ag, 19.2% Zn, 4.8% Pb, 0.3% Cu: 2.0 m @ 491 g/t Ag, 24.7% Zn, 0.4% Pb, 1.6% Cu; 2.0 m @ 277 g/t Ag, 19.6% Zn, 18.3% Pb, 0.7% Cu.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. released high-grade drilling results from a previously undrilled area inside the planned pit at its Tuligtic project in Puebla. The hole reported intersected 74.5 m @ 0.66 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag; 64.30 m @ 0.79 g/t Au, 74 g/t Ag; 46.85 m @ 0.49 g/t Au, 68 g/t Ag.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. reported new high-grade results from underground sampling from the Las Espadas West stope area. Significant assays include 1.0 m @ 22.2% Zn, 3.5% Pb, 20 g/t Ag; 1.5 m @ 28.8% Zn, 13.2% Pb, 41 g/t Ag; 1.2 m @ 36.3% Zn, 12.8% Pb, 50 g/t Ag; 1.5 m @ 37.9% Zn, 12.3% Pb, 36 g/t Ag; 1.0 m @ 33.2% Zn, 6.9% Pb, 32 g/t Ag; 1.0 m @ 20.4% Zn, 10.8% Pb, 25 g/t Ag. Mineralization is coarse grained massive sulfides, comprising low iron sphalerite and galena at a ratio of around 2 to 3:1.
  • Bacanora Minerals Ltd. provided an update on the feasibility study (FS) for a 35,000 tonnes per year lithium carbonate operation that is to be completed in late 2017. A sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) roast has been developed over the more expensive gypsum (Ca2SO4) roast previously contemplated. “Ausenco Engineers is currently undertaking final plant layout, capital equipment tenders and flow sheet optimization work.” Mechanical and metallurgical optimization of the Hermosillo plant is underway, while the mine plan optimization continues. On the energy supply side five independent proposals have been received, including gas and electrical sources. Long term debt funding is being sought for the construction phase, which should take 18 months.
  • Americas Silver Corp. released results from drilling at the Zone 120 deposit, adjacent to the San Rafael development project, part of the Cosalá property in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width (TW) recent intercepts include 61.4 m @ 306 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 0.8% Cu (including 9.4 m @ 932 g/t Ag, 0.82 g/t Au, 1.9% Cu and 9.4 m @ 479 g/t Ag, 0.29 g/t Au, 1.1% Cu); 39.6 m @ 205 g/t Ag, 0.28 g/t Au, 0.5% Cu; 22.8 m @ 138 g/t Ag, 0.22 g/t Au, 0.37% Cu; 18.1 m @ 113 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Sonora Metals Corp. has started trading on the OTCQB Venture Market. The company owns the over 1,000 ha San Marcial property in Sonora, which contains the old Soledad and San Marcial mines.
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. has acquired the Sara-Alicia gold-cobalt project in southern Sonora. The property saw limited underground mining of gold and cobalt in the 1930’s. To get hold of the property the company successfully obtained the revocation of the recently cancelled mining concession, and a further payment of US$125,000 will be made to the family once commercial production is achieved, no NSR to be paid. The company is to wait for the liberation of a recently expired surrounding 22,000 has tenement to apply for further terrain.

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

On the picture below, artisanal rock mill, or “tauna”, in the Sierra Madre of Chihuahua. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

DSCN5249 - copia

Highlights on the Second Week of August, 2017. Mineral Exploration in Mexico

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During the 32nd week of the year (August 7th to August 13th, 2017), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, including eight second quarter reports. ON MEXICO ISSUES, two companies reported the receipt of VAT recovery from the government for $1.3 M and $2.4 M respectively. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Oceanus reported results from underground sampling at El Tigre, while Millrock presented an update on properties under its alliance with Centerra. In Zacatecas, Alset presented drilling results from its lithium property, La Salada. In Guanajuato, Golden Minerals informed on drilling by Electrum of its Celaya property.  ON MINING, Golden Minerals, Torex Gold, Premier Gold, Alio Gold, Pan American Silver, Americas Silver, Primero Mining and Argonaut Gold presented production and/or financial results for the second quarter of 2017. US Antimony reported cost reductions on its operations and Telson resources reported the first concentrates shipment from Tahehueto in Durango. ON FINANCING, no relevant news for the first time in the year.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Minerals informed on the acquisition of three more claims and the incoming drilling campaign on its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Santacruz Silver completed the sale of the Gavilanes project in Durango to Marlin Gold. Colibri completed the acquisition of Canadian Gold, along with its properties in Sonora. McEwen Mining reported on the next semi-annual return of capital instalment.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • On VAT recovery. The first company to announce a sizeable VAT recovery in years was Alio Gold, which received $1.3 M in cash before the end of the second quarter. Primero Mining received $2.4 M after the end of the second quarter.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Golden Minerals Co. announced that Electrum Global Holdings L.P. received results of drilling on Golden’s Celaya property in Guanajuato. Results from 5,600 m drilled in seven holes (800 m per hole?) show intercepts of epithermal quartz vein mineralization with Au, Ag, Zn grades that warrant further testing.
  • Alset Minerals Corp. reported partial results from phase one drilling at La Salada salar in Zacatecas, the first of 13 salars to be tested. At La Salada, one deep hole (51.35 m) and 40 auger holes (4.5 – 26.0 m in depth, average 14 m) were completed, both near surface brine samples and extensive lake sediment samples were recovered in the 1,800 m by 900 m salar. Results from five of the holes (the rest are pending) average 14.4 m @ 3.6% K, 975 ppm Li (up to,1860 pm) and 535 ppm B. Water samples average 1.3% K, 1.6% SO4, 258 ppm B, 9 ppm Li, 57 ppm Ca, 36 ppm Mg.
  • Oceanus Resources Corp. presented assay results from sampling at old underground exploration tunnels from the unmined Protectora, Aguilas, Fundadora and Caleigh veins on its El Tigre project in Sonora. The rock chip samples are said to be at least 0.5 m in width (no average width disclosed), and collected every 3-5 m along strike in 13 exploration tunnels. Average results include 3 samples on the Caleigh vein @ 19.9 g/t Au, 2,247 g/t Ag; On the Protectora vein: 20 samples @ 0.2 g/t Au, 437 g/t Ag; 18 samples @ 1.3 g/t Au, 290 g/t Ag; 4 samples @ 2.8 g/t Au, 337 g/t Ag; 16 samples @ 2.2 g/t Au, 473 g/t Ag; 5 samples @ 2.8 g/t Au, 680 g/t Ag; 19 samples @ 0.6 g/t Au, 480 g/t Ag. On the Fundadora vein: 5 samples @ 6.1 g/t Au, 307 g/t Ag; 12 samples @ 1.2 g/t Au, 254 g/t Ag.
  • Millrock Resources Inc. presented an update in exploration, including information on its three properties in Sonora. The La Navidad project was optioned on June, and immediately entered into a JV with Centerra Gold Inc. Presently underway are soil sampling, geological mapping, induced polarization and magnetic surveys. Also in June El Picacho project was optioned and made a “designated project” on the alliance between Centerra and Millrock. Soil sampling, geological mapping, induced polarization and mag surveys are currently being performed. Los Chinos and Los Cuarenta projects options were terminated by Centerra.

ON MINING

  • United States Antimony Corp. reported major cost reductions at its Mexican antimony smelter, as a result of metallurgical changes while increasing production rates. Production at Wadley, San Luis Potosi, is growing with more miners. USAC intends to use its Los Juarez explosives license at Soyatal, Queretaro, which will save money and time. Guadalupe is undergoing road work to re-establish the production of high-grade concentrates. The application for the cyanide permit for the Los Juarez project was resubmitted to SEMARNAT (EPA equivalent) at the end of July, after one item change requested by the agency.
  • Telson Resources Inc. announced that the first shipment of lead and zinc concentrates processed at the Atocha mill has been delivered to Mercuria Commodities Trading, S.A. de C.V.. As of August 1, 2017, the Company has processed approximately 1600 tonnes of ore through the Atocha toll mill producing approximately 66.1 dry tonnes of lead concentrate and 94.5 dry tonnes of zinc concentrate which have been delivered to Mercuria.
  • Golden Minerals Co. presented financial results for Q2 2017. Approximately $1.7 M revenue was received from the oxide plant lease to Hecla, and costs of $0.5 M to the services provided under the lease, for a net operating margin of $1.1 M. The company spent $0.5 M in exploration related primarily to work at the Santa Maria (Chihuahua), Rodeo (Durango) and other properties, as well as holding costs. Cash and cash equivalents balance of $2.7 M at the end of the period.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported financial and operational results. At El Limón Guajes mine in Guerrero 74,487 Oz Au were produced, as ramp-up continues, with design throughput achieved in June. Plant throughput was 1.2 M tonnes, or 13,063 tonnes per day (tpd), while mine production was 8.4 M tonnes, or 92,044 tpd. The gold recovery rate was 86% on a 2.37 g/t Au average grade, at cash cost $709 per Oz Au and AISC $991. Cash balance of $77.2 M including restricted cash of $15.7 M at the end of the period.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. announced its operational and financial results for the second quarter of 2017. At Mercedes in Sonora 177.9 K tones were milled (1,954 tpd) @ 4.03 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag; with recoveries at 94.9% Au, 43% Ag, to produce 21,893 Oz Au, 89.5 K Oz Ag. By-product cash cost per Oz Au was CAD$550 and by-product AISC per Oz Au of CAD$688. Quarter end cash balance of $156.8 M (US$120.9 M).
  • Alio Gold Inc. reported second quarter 2017 results. Production at the San Francisco gold mine was 22,011 ounces during the period, at AISC $954 per Oz Au. The San Francisco mine revitalization plan was initiated and the definitive feasibility study (DFS) after the positive pre-feasibility study (PFS) was released and a CAD$50.4 M bought deal financing was completed. The pre-stripping campaign envisions moving 22 M tonnes of waste from the Main and La Chicharra pits over the next 20 months. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were $35.9 M.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. announced Q2 2017 results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Dolores in Chihuahua the construction of the agglomeration plant was completed and development for underground mining advanced, with initial stope ore mining expected to initiate before the end of 2017. At La Colorada mine in Zacatecas production achieved 1,800 tpd rates during the last month of the quarter. At La Colorada 1.73 M Oz Ag, 0.94 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $3.38 per Ag Oz. At Dolores 1.04 M Oz Ag, 22.44 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $0.12 and at Alamo Dorado in Sonora 0.26 M Oz Ag, 0.69 K Oz Au were produced at cash cost $11.18. Cash and short-term investments of $198.2 M at the end of the period.
  • Americas Silver Corp. disclosed consolidated financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2017. The figures of its operations in Mexico were informed in a previous release. San Rafael in Sinaloa remains on budget and on time to start production by the end of Q3, 2017. Cash balance at the end of the period was $12.8 M.
  • Primero Mining Corp. reported operating and financial results for the second quarter, 2017, including figures form its Mexican operations. At San Dimas 11,903 Oz Au, 0.97 Oz Ag were produced at cash cost $1,144 per AuEq Oz, and AISC $1,650 per AuEq Oz, with operations being impacted by bad relations with unionized employees. “…the Company believes that labour disruptions may continue to adversely affect the Company’s ability to profitably operate the San Dimas…” and “Primero highlights the significant liquidity risk imposed by the pending RFC maturity date of November 23, 2017, and notes that it may not be able to fully repay its debt obligations…”. Cash stood at $12.1 M and $10.0 M available under its existing revolving credit facility (RFC) at the end of the period, with a $33.5 in VAT and $22.8 M income taxes receivable outstanding.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. announced its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2017. The consolidated production was 29,730 AuEq Oz at cash cost $785 and AISC $906 per AuEq ounce. At El Castillo in Durango 2.0 M tonnes of ore @ 0.39 g/t Au and 2.65 M tonnes of waste were moved (51 K tpd) to produce 16,927 Oz Au at cash cost $893 per ounce. At La Colorada in Sonora 1.22 M tonnes of ore @ 0.64 g/t Au and 4.77 M tonnes of waste were moved (66 K tpd) to produce 12,098 Oz Au and 38.2 K Oz Ag at cash cost $590 per AuEq ounce. At San Agustin (10 km from El Castillo) mining commenced during the quarter, leach pad and pond construction was completed and the crushers installed, with ore beginning to be staked on the pad in late June. Construction was 75% complete by the end of July. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $53.8 M at the end of the quarter.

ON FINANCING

  • No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Minerals Co. entered into an agreement to acquire three additional claims at the Santa Maria project in Chihuahua for $0.7 M over four years, with an initial payment of $50 K and $30 K in six months. The targets in these claims are to be tested in an upcoming 2,000 m drill program in the third quarter of 2017, while the environmental study to obtain the permit to perform the 200 tpd underground mining envisaged on the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) has been completed.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. entered into a definitive agreement to sell 100% interest in the Gavilanes property in Durango to Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. Santacruz is to settle the outstanding balance on some of the claims by making a $500 k payment and issuing 1.25 M Santacruz shares to the property vendor. Gavilanes is a low sulphidation epithermal deposit in the San Dimas mining district with NI-43-101 compliant 6.1 M AgEq indicated ounces (953 K tonnes @ 200 g/t AgEq), and 28.2 M AgEq inferred ounces (5.4 M tonnes @ 163 g/t AgEq).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. settled the outstanding balance owing on certain of the claims included in the Gavilanes project (in Sinaloa) by making a cash payment of US$500 K and 1.25 M Santacruz shares.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. completed the acquisition of Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. Colibri acquired all outstanding shares of Canadian Gold for $4 M, paid by way of issuance of 24.2 M shares to the vendor. Colibri now owns 100% interest in Minera Bestep S.A. de C.V., a private Mexican company that holds 100% (no NSR’s) of the Pilar and the Sun properties near Suaqui, in Sonora.
  • McEwen Mining Inc. reported a revised record date for the next semi-annual return of capital instalment of a ½ cent per share which will be distributed to shareholders of record on August 14, 2017. The distribution will be paid on August 17, 2017.

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

On the picture below, vuggy silica fragment within a felsic tuff in Chihuahua. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

Vuggy quartz at Moreno