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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 4th week of the year (January 22nd to January 28th, 2018), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with two reporting their Q4 and full year 2017 results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Minaurum released drill results from its Alamos silver project, including one high-grade intercept over 8 m with grades as those mined in the past; Aztec Minerals is awaiting results from five drill holes at its Cervantes property; Silvercrest Metals presented an annual review on work done at its Las Chispas project. In Chihuahua, Sable Resources announced its intention to drill the Margarita project; Mammoth Resources released good gold results from its first two holes on the Tenoriba project. In Hidalgo,  Prospero Silver and Fortuna Silver are to drill the Pachuca SE project. ON MINING, Two companies, Excellon and Gold Resource presented Q4 and annual production results for 2017. Endeavour issued production and cost guidance for 2018. ON FINANCING, Torex Gold filed a short form base shelf prospectus with the Securities Commissions to make offerings of up to $500 M of shares, debt securities, subscription receipts and units. First Majestic announced the offering of US$150 M of unsecured convertible senior notes due 2023. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mexican Gold released drill results that increase mineralization extent on the dike zone at its Las Minas project in Veracruz. Kootenay Silver released drill results on La Cigarra project in Chihuahua, with favorable results on La Borracha zone. Santacruz Silver initiated drilling at Veta Grande in Zacatecas. Bacanora Minerals filed the FS on its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Leagold (Los Filos, Guerrero) intends to acquire Briogold, with operations In Brazil. Sonoro Metals optioned the Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Orex Minerals optioned the San Luis del Cordero project in Durango, from Exploraciones del Altiplano.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. released results from its on-going drill program at its Alamos silver project in Sonora. The first hole ever drilled in the Europa-Guadalupe vein system intersected 8.25 m (core length) @ 1,760 g/t Ag (57 opt), 1.6% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 2.6% Zn. Other results comprise 16.75 m @ 0.13% Cu; 0.5 m @ 0.92% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 0.18% Zn; 1.2 m @ 541 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu, 0.44% Pb, 0.88% Zn; 3.05 m @ 0.19% Cu; 0.35 m @ 185 g/t Ag, 1.05% Cu, 2.37% Pb, 1.44% Zn; 9.60 m @ 88 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.37% Pb, 0.33% Zn (including 2.65 m @ 147 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 0.21% Pb, 0.28% Zn).
  • Sable Resources Ltd. announced its intention to conduct a two-phase drill program on the 1.7 km long structure at its Margarita project in Chihuahua. Twenty nine out of forty four surface samples collected returned over 100 g/t Ag, peaking at 909 g/t Ag, with high anomalies in gold, lead, zinc, arsenic and antimony. The 125 has property is surrounded by Sunshine’s Los Gatos project, same that hosts a 178 M AgEq Oz resource (which is under development). The initial drill program will consist of a two-phase, 11 diamond drill hole program totaling 4,025 m to test the vein structures at depths between 200 and 400 m. Considering the silica textures on the veins, the company believes they are at the upper levels of an epithermal system.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. announced it expects to receive the assays for the first five holes drilled at the Cervantes Au-Cu porphyry property in Sonora. These five holes were drilled in December, and part of the 3,000 m, 14 to 17 holes, phase 1 drill program that is currently underway.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. released results from the first two holes drilled by the company at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. The El Moreno area is 1.4 km west from previously drilled holes, with two drill holes completed of three planned. Results comprise (core length intervals) 30.0 m @ 0.77 g/t Au (including 5.9 m @ 3.41 g/t Au); 80.0 m @ 0.17 g/t Au (including (9.0 m @ 0.51 g/t Au; 15.5 m @ 0.35 g/t Au). The presence of a feldspar porphyry moderately to weakly silicified and argillitized, which is locally strongly silicified and bearing a strong pyrite (up to 15%) and tourmaline (up to 10%) content in one hole is regarded as an indication of a good high sulfidation system, as well as the identification of dickite, kaolinite and illite in the other hole.
  • Prospero Silver Corp. has begun drilling at its Pachuca SE project in Hidalgo. The drilling is to be conducted under the terms of a strategic investment with Fortuna Silver Mines Ltd. A three to four drill hole, 1,800 m program is planned to test two targets in the 7,250 has land package. Epithermal style argillic alteration is associated with anomalous Au-Ag-Zn geochemistry into an andesitic and felsic volcanic pile. The first hole is to test an actively mined clay pit on a structurally controlled illite alteration zone.
  • Silvercrest Metals Inc. presented a summary of 2017 exploration results at its Las Chispas property in Sonora. During 2017 the company drilled 32,822 m in 125 holes, bringing the total to 41,418 m in 157 holes. To date nine of nineteen epithermal veins have been drilled. The most remarkable is the Babicanora vein, with an estimated width of 3.0 to 3.5 m, a high grade footprint of over 1.0 km and a precious metal zone of 125 to 175 m high, with the vein remaining open along strike and to depth. The best hole in this vein intersected 3.1 m @ 40.4 g/t Au, 5,375 g/t Ag. Other veins with high grade intercepts include the Babicanora Footwall, La Blanquita, Las Chispas, Granaditas, Amethyst and Tajo Chico. Initial metallurgical test have indicated recoveries of 98.9% Au and 86.6% Ag. Securing land access has included the purchase of a 2,500 has. ranch and 20 year lease contracts. For 2018 the company is planning to release a maiden resource estimate on the first quarter, with ore from the Babicanora, Babicanora FW, Giovanni, Las Chispas and William Tell veins, and from the old dumps. Further drilling will continue to focus on the 3.2 km long Babicanora vein, extending to the SE and to depth; other areas of drilling will include the Amethyst, Babi Sur, La Victoria and Las Chispas vein extensions. During the first half of 2018 Silvercrest plans to drill an additional 10,000 to 15,000 m, focusing on a planned updated resource and completed PEA in the second half of the year.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced fourth quarter and annual 2017 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango. During the quarter 16,114 tonnes were mined and 17,978 tonnes were milled @ 424 g/t Ag, 3.81% Pb, 5.81% Zn, recovering 90.3% Ag, 80.0% Pb, 82.2% Zn to produce 223.3 K Oz Ag, 1.2 M Lb Pb, 1.9 M Lb Zn. During the year 57,165 tonnes were mined and 63,742 tonnes were milled @ 393 g/t Ag, 3.75% Pb, 5.3% Zn, recovering 89.3% Ag, 80.9% Pb, 81.4% Zn to produce 718.5 K Oz Ag, 4.24 M Lb Pb, 6.06 M Lb Zn. The company has removed a major bottleneck by improving dry-mine conditions and is now working to achieve a 300 tonnes per day (tpd) production rate. A second tailings management facility has been commissioned in Miguel Auza, Zacatecas, with 19 years of capacity at the planned 300 tpd rate.
  • Gold Resource Corp. released Q4 and annual 2017 results for its Oaxaca mining unit (El Aguila, Arista mines). During the fourth quarter 9,209 Oz Au and 555.5 K Oz Ag were produced, while on a yearly basis 28,117 Oz Au, 1.77 M Oz Ag, 1,141 tonnes Cu, 5,365 tonnes Pb, 16,301 tonnes Zn. The company expects to begin first stoping operations on the Switchback mine (500 m from the Arista mine) on the first quarter of 2018.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. issued the 2018 production and cost guidance for its three mines in Mexico. Cash cost net of Au by-product credits are expected to be $6.00-$7.00 per Oz Ag, while consolidated cash costs on a co-product basis are anticipated to be $10.00 – $11.00 per Oz Ag and $750-$800 per Oz Au. All-in sustaining costs (AISC) net of gold by-product credits is estimated to be $15.00-$16.00 per Ag Oz. Endeavour plans to invest $48.4 M on capital projects, including $7.3 M in the construction of the El Compas mine in Zacatecas. The company plans to drill 44,000 m and spend $11.1 M on brownfield and greenfield exploration.Endeavour production guidance 20181

ON FINANCING

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. announced the filing of a final short form base shelf prospectus with the Securities Commissions (except Québec). The base shelf prospectus will allow Torex to make offerings of up to $500 M of shares, debt securities, subscription receipts and units. The company filed this base shelf prospectus to maintain financial flexibility but has no immediate intentions to undertake an offering.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced the offering of US$150 M aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible senior notes due 2023 pursuant to private placement exemptions. First Majestic “intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund certain costs and expenses associated with the recently announced acquisition of Primero Mining Corp. and ….. The notes will bear cash interest semi-annually at a rate of 1.875% per annum. The initial conversion rate for the Notes will be 104.3297 common shares (“shares”) per U$1,000 principal amount of Notes…”

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mexican Gold Corp. announced positive drill results extending the dike mineralized zone at its Las Minas property in Veracruz. Drilling to date has outlined mineralization (locally high-grade) along strike for 360 m on the west contact and for 140 m on the east contact, remaining open along strike. Significant core length results comprise 32.3 m @ 0.91 g/t Au, 0.85% Cu (including 4.3 m @ 3.55 g/t Au, 3.74% Cu); 10.0 m @ 0.60 g/t Au, 0.66% Cu (including 4.0 m @ 1.18 g/t Au, 1.3% Cu); 6.0 m @ 0.44 g/t Au, 0.71% Cu; 10.2 m @ 1.90 g/t Au, 1.61% Cu; 18.0 m @ 3.91 g/t Au, 2.36% Cu; 36.0 m @ 2.86 g/t Au, 1.16% Cu; 18.0 m @ 1.57 g/t Au, 0.32% Cu; 10.0 m @ 2.68 g/t Au, 0.79% Cu (including 4.0 m @ 5.87 g/t Au, 1.21% Cu); 10 m @ 0.83 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu; 4.0 m @ 3.48 g/t Au, 0.05% Cu.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. released the results of the remaining nine core holes of the 2017 drill program at La Cigarra, in Chihuahua. Holes at La Navidad and Las Venadas intersected wide low grade intercepts, as 46 m @ 12 g/t Ag (including 16 m @ 20 g/t Ag); 73 m @ 14 g/t Ag (including 18.5 m @ 21 g/t Ag); 29 m @ 18 g/t Ag. At La Borracha higher grade intercept’s comprise 15 m @ 42 g/t Ag; 31 m @ 46 g/t Ag (including 8 m @ 107 g/t Ag). La Borracha zone has seen limited amounts of drilling is about 500 m from the current resource and can be traced for at least 1,100 m.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported that Carrizal Mining S.A. de C.V. has initiated a 6,000 m drilling campaign at the Veta Grande project in Zacatecas. The 15 hole campaign is to focus on the Veta Grande vein at depth below the current level being mined, expecting to intersect the parallel La Flor, San Jose and Armados veins.
  • Bacanora Minerals Ltd. filed on SEDAR the feasibility study (FS) for the Sonora lithium project in Sonora. The study confirms the positive economics of a 35,000 tonnes per annum battery grade Li2CO3 (lithium carbonate) operation, estimating a pre-tax net present value (NPV) of US$1.253 billion at an 8% discount rate and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 26.1%, and life of mine (LOM) of 19 years at operating costs of US$3,910/t of lithium carbonate, estimated on a flat US$11,000/t price over LOM. Measured resources amount to 103 Mt @ 3,480 ppm Li, indicated resources to 188 Mt @ 3,120 ppm Li and 268 Mt @ 2,650 ppm Li as indicated resources.
  • Great Panther Silver Ltd. updated its mineral resource estimate for the Guanajuato mine Complex in Guanajuato. The new estimate covers the operating San Ignacio and Guanajuato mines, comprising 1.21 M tonnes @ 156 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au as measured and indicated resources hosting 6.16 M Oz Ag, 107,070 Oz Au; and 732.3 K tonnes @ 131 g/t Ag, 2.35 g/t Au as inferred resources hosting 3.09 M Oz Ag, 55,343 Oz Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Leagold Mining Corp. announced its intention to make an offer to acquire all shares of Brio Gold Inc. on or before February 28, 2018. “The all-stock offer results in Brio shareholders owning approximately 42% of the combined company. The combined operations are expected to produce approximately 450,000 ounces in 2018”. This combination reduces overall business risk for Leagold by having four operating mines in Mexico and Brazil (Los Filos-Bermejal, Guerrero).
  • Sonoro Metals Corp. entered into an option agreement with a resident of Hermosillo to acquire 100% interest in the Cerro Caliche group of properties in Sonora. Cerro Caliche consists of ten concessions over 900 has, and has 10,118 m in 101 holes of previous drilling by Cambior Gold Corp. and Corex Gold Corp. Total consideration for the property is US$2.98 M payable in escalating cash installments over 72 months, with the initial first year installment of US$127 K having been completed. In addition Sonoro has paid US$23 K of outstanding mining duties. The vendor is to retain a 2% NSR, with Sonoro having an option to purchase the NSR at any time for US$1 M for each percent point.
  • Orex Minerals Inc. entered into an option agreement with Exploraciones del Altiplano S.A. de C.V. to acquire a 100% interest in the San Luis del Cordero project in Durango. Orex is required to make the following annual cash and share payments to Altiplano. On signing, issue 100 K Orex shares and pay US$100 K; on the first anniversary, issue 200 K shares and pay US$150 K; on the second anniversary, issue 300 K shares and pay US$200 K; on the third anniversary, issue 400 K shares and pay US$550 K; on the fourth anniversary, pay $US1.5 M (of which 30% can be issued in Orex shares). Orex also will have to satisfy work commitments of US$400 K and US$600 K in years 1 and 2. The property extends over 2,825 has, where old mine workings and mineralized showings wrap around a quartz-feldspar porphyry intrusive. Approximately 16,400 m were drilled in 62 holes from year 2000 to year 2016.

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, banded epithermal quartz vein from the famous El Oro mining district in Estado de Mexico. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

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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

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

During the 23rd week of the year (May 5th to June 11th, 2017), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mexican government owes more than US$360 M on tax returns to Canadian mining companies. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora Riverside released assays from recent sampling at Cecilia; Colibri received drill results from its partner at the Pitaya property; and Millrock is to explore the Picacho project. In Chihuahua Sierra Metals released high-grade drilling results from a new structure at its Cusi property; Golden Goliath is to start a field program at San Timoteo and Harvest Gold is to begin a field program at the recently optioned Cerro Cascaron property. In Sinaloa Santana commenced an RC drill program at its Cuitaboca project. Defiance released results from the first hole of the season at the San Acacio property. In Jalisco Plata Latina announced an incoming drill program at Vaquerias.  ON MINING, Pan American Silver continues the expansion at La Colorada and Dolores mines in Zacatecas and Chihuahua. ON FINANCING, New Gold announced the redemption of $200 M in senior notes, and Agnico Eagle made a $9.76 M strategic investment in Candelaria. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, US Antimony started pilot production at Los Juarez pit in Queretaro, and Oceanus disclosed high grade intercepts from a step-out hole in El Tigre, Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Endeavour Silver bought the Calicanto and Veta Grande properties from Arian Silver and Impact Silver respectively. Candelaria issued 4.6 M shares to Minera Apolo as partial payment for 65 concessions in Zacatecas, Durango and San Luis Potosi. Mexican Gold made a definitive agreement to acquire three important concessions within its Las Minas project in Veracruz. Millrock optioned El Picacho project in Sonora, and the property has now become a “designated project” under its alliance with Centerra.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mexican government plays deaf on tax returns to Canadian companies. The SAT (IRS equivalent) holds more than US$360 M on tax returns to six Canadian mining companies, including US$230 M to Goldcorp, which declined to comment. Other affected companies include Torex Gold (US$66.5 M), Alamos Gold (US$26 M), Agnico Eagle (US$18 M) Endeavour Silver (US$15.6 M) and McEwen Mining (US$6.2 M). The issue was raised by the mining companies with Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Jim Carr, who contacted the Secretaria de Economia regarding the VAT tax returns. The matter is to be “investigated”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Sierra Metals Inc. completed the first phase of systematic drill campaign on the Santa Rosa de Lima structure at its Cusi mine in Chihuahua. The drilling encompassed 36 holes in an approximate grid covering an area 1,000 m long by 400 m depth, with average true width and grade of 4.1 m @ 371 g/t AgEq. Intercepts include 12.0 m @ 757 g/t Ag; 1.8 m @ 709 g/t Ag; 2.0 m @ 1,152 g/t Ag; 3.5 m @ 414 g/t Ag; 3.2 m @ 1,034 g/t Ag; 4.3 m @ 690 g/t Ag; 11.0 m @ 575 g/t Ag. A 24 hole, 13,200 m definition drilling program is to be completed during June. The 12 km long Santa Rosa de Lima structure presents no hydrothermal alteration on the surface, and presents a NW-SE orientation that contrasts with the NE-SW orientation of the structures currently being mined in the district.
  • Santana Minerals Ltd. has commenced a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Cuitaboca property in Sinaloa. The 16 hole, ~2,500 m RC program is to test the vertical and horizontal continuity of mineralisation across the Las Animas and Evangelina zones of the Mojardino prospect.
  • Riverside Resources Inc. released assay results from the first phase exploration program at its Cecilia project in Sonora. The company is targeting epithermal Au-Ag mineralization hosted by a felsic flow-dome complex. The sampling to date has concentrated at the North Breccia and Central zones, where 36% of the samples assayed more than 0.5 g/t Au. Rock sample results are up to 113.7 g/t Au, 288 g/t Ag; 58 g/t Au, 207 g/t Ag; 8.42 g/t Au, 88 g/t Ag. More than 20% of the samples assayed more than 200 g/t Ag, with the highest one returning 310 g/t Ag.
  • Golden Goliath Resources Ltd. is about to start the 2017 field program at its San Timoteo project in Chihuahua, which is deemed to expand “the Terraspec coverage and acquire and incorporate geological, geochemical and structural data from other workings to select specific drill targets in areas further away from the San Martin mine targets”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced drill results received from its JV partner Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. from its Pitaya property in Sonora, on which Agnico currently holds a 66% interest. Drill results cover 1,543 m in six holes, with drilling on going and further 4,700 m of drilling to be completed. Results include 5.4 m @ 0.5% Cu; 3.6 m @ 0.81 g/t Au; 1.1 m @ 2.2 g/t Au; 3.3 m @ 0.48 g/t Au; 6.4 m @ 0.32 g/t Au; 2.2 m @ 21 g/t Au, 57 g/t Ag; 1.0 m @ 0.48 g/t Au, 34 g/t Ag, 3.1% Cu; 7.0 m @ 0.5 g/t Au; 1 m @ 2.4 g/t Au; 7 m @ 0.36 g/t Au; 4 m @ 0.94 g/t Au.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. released results from the first hole of the ongoing drill program at the San Acacio project in Zacatecas. The drill hole targeted the Esperanza zone and intersected high grade silver, with 27 .03 m of hydrothermal breccia and veins assaying 203 g/t AgEq. The 27.03 m intercept @ 148 g/t Ag, 0.29 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn includes 7.58 m @ 213 g/t Ag, 0.3% Zn; 5.00 m @ 231 g/t Ag, 0.51 g/t Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn and 6.05 m @ 122 g/t Ag, 0.74 g/t Au, 1% Zn.
  • Millrock Resources Inc. is to explore the El Picacho project as a designated project on its strategic alliance with Centerra Gold Inc. in Sonora. The project is an orogenic gold target, where Jurassic rocks are juxtaposed in a thrust fault relationship with much older Precambrian age rocks, being located 18 km W-SW from Alio Gold’s San Francisco mine.
  • Harvest Gold Corp. is to start a first phase two-month field program on the recently optioned Cerro Cascaron project with a budget of $225 K, including the opening of two historic adits, detailed mapping, sampling and prospecting of the main vein field, La Cascarita, and the eastern extension across a river valley.
  • Plata Latina Minerals Corp. announced that Fresnillo PLC has initiated drilling at the Naranjillo property in Guanajuato, which it optioned from Plata Latina. The focus of the company is now the Vaquerias project, where previous drilling intersected up to 727 g/t Ag, 0.24 g/t Au over 0.55 m. Drilling is to re-initiate at Vaquerias, Jalisco, in late summer of 2017.

ON MINING

  • Pan American Silver Corp. is continuing with the expansion at its La Colorada and Dolores mines. At La Colorada (Zacatecas) the goal is to rise mine production to 1,800 tonnes per day (tpd) and 7.7 M Oz Ag and significant Pb and Zn. At Dolores (Chihuahua), the goal is to load 17.6 – 18 K tpd on the heap leach pads to obtain 4 – 4.5 M Oz Ag and 109.1 – 115 K Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • New Gold Inc. completed the previously announced redemption of its outstanding $300 M 7.0% senior notes due 2010. “The redemption was funded from the net proceeds of its recent issue of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due in 2025 and cash on hand.” (San Pedro, San Luis Potosi).
  • Candelaria Mining Corp. announced that Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. is making a strategic investment of $9.76 M in Candelaria. “Upon completion of the Private Placement, Agnico will own approximately 9.95% of the common shares of Candelaria.”

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • United States Antimony Corp. started pilot production from the Los Juarez pit at it Los Juarez property in Queretaro. Approximately 400 metric tons were trucked to the Puerto Blanco mill in Guanajuato. “The permit for a cyanide leach circuit for the Puerto Blanco mill tailings has been reviewed by SEMARNAT (Mexican equivalent of EPA), and USAC is changing the location and design of the tailings pond to comply with their request.”
  • Oceanus Resources Corp. reported a high grade drill intercept from a step-out hole at its El Tigre property in Sonora. The hole in the Protectora vein intersected 3.15 m @ 10.1 g/t Au, 1,991 g/t Ag, including 0.85 m @ 37.2 g/t Au, 7,339 g/t Ag, and a deeper intercept of 1.5 m @ 1,107 g/t Ag. “The mineralized zone consists of several vuggy quartz veins and veinlets carrying galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stromeyerite and pyrite.” This hole is collared some 800 m North of the El Tigre mine, from where the unmined Protectora vein extends for 1,500 m to the North.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. has acquired 100% interest in the Calicanto and Veta Grande properties in Zacatecas. Calicanto was bought from Arian Silver Corp. for US$400 K, is subject to a 3% royalty and covers five >1 km long veins, 1-3 m thick and grades of 100-300 g/t Ag, 1-3 g/t Au, 1-3% Pb+Zn. The Veta Grande property (10 concessions, 152 hectares) was bought from Impact Silver Corp. for US$500 K in shares, covering six Ag-Au-Pb-Zn veins and 14 hectares of surface land on which an idle 200 tpd processing plant is located.
  • Candelaria Mining Corp. announced that it issued 4.6 M shares to Minera Apolo S.A. de C.V., meeting the obligations required to complete the acquisition of 60% of the shares of Minera Apolo. Candelaria holds a right of first refusal to purchase the remaining 40% of the shares of Minera Apolo, which are currently held by four individuals resident in Mexico. Minera Apolo holds 65 claims over 20,475 has in the states of Zacatecas, Durango and San Luis Potosi, including properties in the Pinos district, Lucifer, Km66, Guadalcazar, Cascabel, El Gato and the Noria tailings.
  • Mexican Gold Corp. entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Pepe, Pepe Tres and San Jose concessions at its Las Minas project. The concessions form the core of the Las Minas property, encompassing six strongly mineralized zones. The agreement states a $433 K payment (plus VAT) upon execution, six monthly equal payments of $22 K (plus VAT) commencing on December 2017 and a final payment of $867 K (plus VAT) on December 2018. The vendors retain a 1.5% NSR, of which one third can be bought by US$500 K, with Mexican Gold having the right of first refusal on the rest.
  • Millrock Resources Inc. entered an option agreement to purchase the El Picacho project in Sonora. The project was identified to Centerra Gold Inc. by Millrock, and it is now to become a “designated project” under the strategic alliance between the companies. An initial payment of US$21,375 has been made on the US$1.723 M option payments due over a four year period. “Seven equal option payments of US$21,375 will be due at six-month intervals. A final option payment of US$1,552,000 would be made to complete the purchase of the mineral rights.”
  • Evrim Resources Corp. optioned its Cerro Cascaron project in Chihuahua to Harvest Gold Corp., which will have the right to earn up to 80% interest. Under the agreement Harvest can earn 70% by investing $6 M in the property, making a 900 K payment and issuing 2 M shares to Evrim over a four year period. Harvest can earn an additional 10% by paying $200 K (or 200 K shares, Evrim’s election), fund a 43-101 compliant feasibility study (FS) and make further $2 M expenditures.

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

Winding dirt road in the Sierra Madre, at Cañada del Güerachi, Chihuahua. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

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