Near-surface oxidized copper mineralization

By Miguel A Heredia

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

• Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported additional assay results from the ongoing drilling program at Puro Corazon claim in its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Drilling highlights are shown in the table below:

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• No relevant news.

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

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