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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of May 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 21st week of the year (May 22nd to May 28th, 2023), 15 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Four companies informed on exploration on their properties, two companies informed on Q1 2023 or full-year 2023 production/financial results. One company announced the granting of share options to directors, officers and consultants. Five companies released drilling results on their advanced properties in Durango, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Guerrero. Two more companies informed on the acquisition/sale of projects. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Minerals completed a surface exploration program at Cervantes; Infinitum copper started drilling at La Adelita. In Durango, Silver Dollar is organizing the database of the Nora project. In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals initiated surface geological work at Riqueza Marina. ON MINING, Impact Silver and Guanajuato Silver released Q1 2023 production reports. ON FINANCING, Silver Viper granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver released results from drilling at the Avino mine in Durango. Heliostar Metals reported drilling results from the high-grade portion of the Ana Paula deposit in Guerrero. Capitan Mining provided an exploration update on the Cruz de Piedra project in Durango. Prime Mining reported drilling results from Los Reyes in Sinaloa. Discovery Silver released results from the feasibility study drilling at Cordero, in Chihuahua. GR Silver Mining released results from step-our holes at San Marcial, which is part of the Plomosas project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tarachi Gold closed the sale of the Magistral tailings project in Durango. Silver Dollar completed the acquisition of the La Joya project in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Torex Gold released its 2022 ESG performance report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. received sampling results and completed its phase 1 surface exploration program at Cervantes, in Sonora. Detailed geological mapping and continued chip channel sampling of exposed road cuts were carried out. The “surface road cut sampling and detailed geologic mapping has verified the strong relationships found between the quartz feldspar porphyritic intrusive, phyllic alteration and gold mineralization… Quartz veinlet intensity mapping shows strong correlation to the drill hole gold grade-thickness”. The phase 2 exploration program comprises a reverse circulation drilling campaign to expand the California target in all directions. To date Aztec has competed over 10,500 m of drilling on 54 holes at the Cervantes project.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. provided a progress report on the Nora project in Durango. Silver Dollar received all historical technical information from Canasil and is “organizing it into a database to analyze, interpret and then plan the next phase”. There are 13 diamond holes from Canasil’s 2020-2021 drilling campaign with a total of 3,296 m testing 500 m of the Candy structure, returning up to 3.29 m @ 6.44 gpt Au, 884 gpt Ag and 1.53 m @ 20.59 gpt Au, 1,290 gpt Ag.
  • Infinitum Copper Corp. commenced drilling at its 6,450 ha La Adelita property in Sonora. The 2,500 m diamond drilling program with 15 holes is designed to expand the high-grade mineralized area at the Cerro Grande zone and to test for mineralization at depth at Las Trancas zone. Drilling is aimed to extend the north-south extent of mineralization to 500 m and step out up to 700 m west of the known mineralization. At Las Trancas, 5 Km from Cerro Grande, the Sangre de Toro feature is to be tested with the first drilling in the area for the presence of a large mineralized structure.
  • Vortex Metals Inc. initiated surface geological work at its 12,041 ha Riqueza Marina project in Oaxaca. As the Santa Cruz Tagolaba community granted approval, Vortex can now commence work, including trenching, over an area including the Rhyolite Dome target, where substantial size and coincident gravity and magnetic anomalies along with anomalous copper values are interpreted to reflect a concealed sulfide deposit.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and operating results for Q1 2023. At its Royal Mines of Zacualpan mine operations, in Estado de Mexico, 38.7 K tonnes were milled during the period, averaging 162 gpt Ag, to produce 167 K Oz Ag. Reported revenue was $5.1 M, mine operating earning $0.6 M and the net loss $0.6 M, with a working capital of $15.7 M and a cash position of $14.3 M by the end of the period.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced financial and operating results for Q1 2023. During the period the company produced 458.8 K Oz Ag, 4,413 Oz Au, 0.91 M Lb Pb, 1.15 M Lb Zn (or 938 K Oz AgEq) at El Cubo Mines Complex, Valenciana Mines Complex and San Ignacio mine, in Guanajuato, and Topia mine, in Durango. Revenue was US$17.1 M, with a net loss of US$8.7 M. The All-in sustaining cost (AISC) was $21.83 per AgEq. Infrastructure upgrades to deliver improvement in 2023 include Falcon concentrators at El Cubo and Valenciana, the rehabilitation of the Cata Shaft already completed and the implementation of hydraulic backfilling of tailings at Valenciana.

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. granted 5.15 M incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants to purchase up to 5.15 M common shares in the capital of Silver Viper. (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released the results of ten drill holes from below Level 17, the current deepest workings of the Avino mine in Durango. The Avino vein has been drilled to a depth of 1,100 m downdip from the surface outcrop. A total of ten holes in this campaign totalled 3,414 m. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 2.61 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 2.58% Cu; 19.90 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.29% Cu; 3.00 m @ 0.99 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu; 35.73 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 0.65% Cu; 48.40 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag, 0.55% Cu; 36.00 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag, 0.81% Cu; 1.30 m @ 0.05 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag, 2.28% Cu. “The changing tenor of the mineralization could be reflecting a transition from epithermal to porphyry-style mineralization”.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported its first drill results from the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. The first two holes drilled by Heliostar targeted the “High Grade Panel” at the core of Ana Paula. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 118.55 m @ 5.44 gpt Au (including 44.5 m @ 11.0 gpt Au, which include 4.0 m @ 48.5 gpt Au); 101.12 m @ 8.35 gpt Au (including 53.2 m @ 11.0 gpt Au). “the High Grade Panel is approximately 250 metres long by 100 metres high by 60 metres thick… hosted primarily in a polymictic breccia unit, although it extends outward into the surrounding granodiorite and limestone. Gold mineralization is directly associated with the proportion of sulphide minerals in the rock”. Heliostar is re-evaluating the project as a high-grade underground mine.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. provided an exploration update on its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. New interpretation points to the Jesus Maria vein to have a potential strike length of 2.8 km, the Santa Teresa vein of 1.8 km and the San Rafael North vein of 1.3 km before going under cover. The Capitan East gold target has a potential strike of at least 500 m. Seven targets have been recently defined by mapping and prospecting.
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported results from core drilling at the Z-T area on Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 11.6 m @ 3.33 gpt Au, 221 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 24.0 gpt Au, 1,385 gpt Ag); 9.8 m @ 1.52 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag (including 1.5 m @ 7.94 gpt Au, 61 gpt Ag); 4.5 m @ 1.03 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag in the Tahonitas zone and 13.8 m @ 0.96 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag; 8.5 m @ 0.84 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 15.9 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag; 8.5 m @ 1.01 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag at the Zapote South zone. The results are from step out holes to expand mineralization at depth below the Z-T resource pit shell. Prime Mining recently announced a mineral resource estimate containing 1.47 M indicated Oz AuEq averaging 1.68 gpt and 0.73 M inferred Oz AuEq averaging 1.26 gpt.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released results from feasibility study drill holes on its Cordero project in Chihuahua. The reserve expansion drilling highlighted core length intercepts comprise 41 m @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 8 m @ 195 gpt Ag, 0.23 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 4.1% Zn; 37 m @ 58 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 104 m @ 37 gpt Ag; 0.04 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 51 m @ 51 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 0.9% Zn. The results are from 23 drill holes focused on reserve upgrade and expansion in the South Corridor and reserve expansion drilling on the margins of the Pozo de Plata zone in the North Corridor. To date 49,700 m of drilling in 156 holes have been completed as part of the feasibility study. A 9,000 m property wide drilling program is planned for the second half of the year.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. released results from two step-out holes outside of the mineral resource boundary at San Marcial, within the Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length results comprise 18.8 m @ 145 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn (including 4.2 m @ 466 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn); 11.3 m @ 584 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6 % Zn (including 5.5 m @ 1,084 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 1.0% Zn). These holes targeted the extension of the SE Area discovery, 250 m to the southeast.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Tarachi Gold Corp. closed the transaction with Compañía Minera de Atocha S.A. de C.V. for the sale of the Magistral project in Durango. Tarachi expects to receive cash payments totalling US$5.7 M from Atocha, of which US$3.05 M have already been received. The balance is to be paid as follows: US$500 K when Atocha concludes negotiations with land owner Ejido Magistral, or after 12 months; US$500 K on November 2023; US$500 K when 50% of the tailings have been mined, sold or processed, or after the first calendar year of operation at the project; US$500 K when 100% of the Magistral tailings have been mined, sold or processed, or after the second calendar year of operation and “The amount of value-added tax currently owing as that tax benefit is realized by Atocha during operations and product sales from the Magistral Project will be paid to Tarachi”, estimated at US$650 K.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. completed the exercise of its option and now hold 100% interest in the 4,646 ha La Joya project, located in Durango. For gaining 80% interest the company paid First Majestic Silver a total of $700 K plus annual holding costs, incurred in $1 M exploration expenditures and issued First Majestic 19.9% (5.15 M shares) of the then issued and outstanding shares of the company. To obtain the remaining 20% Silver Dollar issued 2 M shares, 5% of the then issued and outstanding shares of the company, to First Majestic, which now owns 18.2% of the outstanding shares of the company.    

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. released its 2022 Responsible Gold Mining Report, the annual disclosure of its environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. Among other accomplishments, the company achieved 10 M hours worked without a lost-time injury, ending 2022 with a lost-time injury frequency of 0.28 per million hours worked by its employees and contractors. Almost 60% of the water usage is recycled, 44% less cyanide has been consumed than in 2021. Mexican employees are 99% of the work force, and 60% from Guerrero, where the operations are carried out.

On the image below: Mine dumps in a copper project of the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of May, 2023.

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Quartz blade texture in a low-sulphidation epithermal vein

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 20th week of the year (May 17th to May 21st, 2023), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with four reporting resources and developments of their properties, four communicating production and financial results, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, two announcing financing issues, two informing on exploration results, and one commenting on Mexican issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Alamos Gold and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of May, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri reported a strong soil gas hydrocarbon gold anomaly at its Evelyn-Plomo project. In Oaxaca, Vortex initiated environmental and surface geological studies at its Zaachila project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results. Sierra Metals announced Q1, 2023 production and financial results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. Starcore reported Q4, 2023 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Excellon announced Q1, 2023 financial results.  ON FINANCING, Fabled announced that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K (Mecatona project, Chihuahua). Excellon announced a private placement financing for up to CAD $10M of subscription receipts (La Negra mine, Queretaro). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Guanajuato Silver released drill results from their San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato and Topia mine in Durango. Alamos Gold reported results from its ongoing drilling program at Puerto del Aire deposit and Capulin target within its Mulatos mine in Sonora. GoGold announced results of its initial Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Tocvan provided an update and sampling results from a bulk sample completed at its Pilar project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla granted stock options to Directors, Officers, Employees, and Consultants (Panuco project, Sinaloa).  Fabled provided an update on the agreement with Kootenay to acquire the Mecatona property in Chihuahua. Excellon provided corporate highlights for the three month ended March 31, 2023.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Alamos Gold Inc., and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the third week of May, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation reported a strong soil gas hydrocarbon gold anomaly (SGH) south of the main Zone at its Evelyn-Plomo project in Sonora. To define this anomaly, a total of 110 soils samples were collected at 25m stations along 100m spaced lines. “Collectively, these interpreted features indicate a robust SGH response with a high degree of confidence that it is indicative of blind mineralization underlying the southern SGH gold anomaly”. Colibri plans to drill test this target with the hopes of expanding the Main Zone, as well as to continue evaluating the SGH method as a tool for future exploration on the Evelyn-Plomo project.
  • Vortex Metals Inc., initiated environmental and surface geological studies at its Zaachila project in Oaxaca. It will allow protecting the local environment and deepening the understanding of the project´s potential to advance its pursuit of multiple high-grade copper targets.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation reported Q1, 2023 production and financial results from its Cosala operation in Sinaloa. The company produced approximately 265K Oz Ag, 2.7M Lb Pb, and 7.2M Lb Zn. Cash cost and AISC were USD $4.61 per Oz Ag and USD $9.52 per Oz Ag respectively. Production for 2023 is expected to be between 1.2-1.4M Oz Ag,11-13M Lb Pb, and 33-37M Lb Zn, benefiting from more production from the higher-grade silver areas in the Upper Zone of the San Rafael mine.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced Q1, 2023 production and financial results from their Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, the company processed 299K tonnes at a cash and AISC of USD $1.85 and USD $3.1 per CuEq payable pound. It reported cost of sales of USD $14.93M; a total cash cost of USD $13.16M; and a cash cost of USD $43.99 per ton processed. At Cusi mine, the company processed 59.1K tonnes at a cash and AISC of USD $23.02 and USD $29.8 per Oz AgEq payable. It reported cost of sales of USD $5.8M; a total cash cost of USD $5.23M; and a cash cost of USD $88.43 per ton processed.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., reported Q4, 2023 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 56,821 tonnes of 1.46 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 86.12% and 48.72% respectively to produce 2,409 Oz AuEq.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced Q1, 2023 financial results. Excellon reported a reversal of the USD $22M litigation liability relating to the previously disclosed judgment against one of the company’s subsidiaries in Mexico; a gain on the deconsolidation of San Pedro of USD $24.25M; other income of USD $1.58M; and a net income of USD $15.9M. The company announced in its 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) a post-tax NPV (using a discount rate of 5%) of USD $132.4M and estimated restart capital of USD $20.9M, based on the PEA.

ON FINANCING

  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $500K at a price of CAD $0.05 per unit. Gross proceeds will be used to complete a phase 1 exploration program at the Mecatona project in Chihuahua, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced a private placement financing for up to CAD $10M of subscription receipts at an offer price of CADS $0.35 per subscription receipt (La Negra mine, Queretaro).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., released drill results from their San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato and Topia mine in Durango. At San Ignacio mine, drilling highlights reported in true widths include hole UGSI23-008 with 1.95 g/t Au and 501 g/t Ag (657 g/t AgEq) over 1.90m, including 3.42 g/t Au and 744 g/t Ag (1,018 g/t AgEq) over 0.70m, plus 2.01 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (163 g/t AgEq) over 0.22m, plus 0.23 g/t Au and 94 g/t Ag (113 g/t AgEq) over 0.35m; hole UGSI23-009 with 1.26 g/t Au and 415 g/t Ag (516 g/t AgEq) over 1.93m, including 4.14 g/t Au and 2,020 g/t Ag (2,351 g/t AgEq) over 0.22m, plus 0.25 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag (133 g/t AgEq) over 0.77m, including 0.46 g/t Au and 215 g/t Ag (252 g/t AgEq) over 0.40m; and hole UGSI23-010 with 1.78 g/t Au and 557 g/t Ag (699 g/t AgEq) over 0.45m, plus 1.68 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag (142 g/t AgEq) over 1.68m, including 2.57 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (215 g/t AgEq) over 0.64m, plus 1.72 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag (260 g/t AgEq) over 1.72m, including 2.94 g/t Au and 151 g/t Ag (386 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m, plus 0.32 g/t Au and 334 g/t Ag (359 g/t AgEq) over 4.89m, including 1.25 g/t Au and 1,947 g/t Ag (2,047 g/t AgEq) over 0.37m. At Topia mine, drilling highlights reported in true widths include hole UT23-458 with 4.39 g/t Au, 660 g/t Ag, 3.2% Pb, and 8.5% Zn (1,435 g/t AgEq) over 0.45m, plus 13.89 g/t Au, 152 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 5.6% Zn (1,551 g/t AgEq) over 0.10m; hole UT23-459 with 2.02 g/t Au, 938 g/t Ag, 24.6% Pb, and 9.8% Zn (2,150 g/t AgEq) over 0.42m; hole UT23-460 with 8.16 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag, 2.1% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (923 g/t AgEq) over 0.45m; hole UT23-461 with 3.53 g/t Au, 905 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 7.8% Zn (1,525 g/t AgEq) over 0.10m; hole UT23-463 with 6.55 g/t Au, 1,424 g/t Ag, 4.8% Pb, and 13.8% Zn (2,674 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m; and hole UT23-465 with 0.0 g/t Au, 731 g/t Ag, 4% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (851 g/t AgEq) over 0.15m.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported results from its ongoing drilling program at Puerto del Aire deposit and Capulin target within its Mulatos mine in Sonora. At Puerto del Aire deposit, drilling highlights reported in true widths and values > 40 g/t Au capped include hole 23MUL117 with 20.95 g/t Au (11.14 g/t Au cut) over 14.15m; hole 23MUL119 3.52 g/t Au over 17.05m, plus 8.33 g/t Au over 18m; hole 23MUL112 with 14.81 g/t Au (12.34 g/t Au cut) over 9.1m; hole 23MUL108 with 16.19 g/t Au (7.63 g/t Au cut) over 7.75m; hole 23MUL98 with 10.8 g/t Au over 3m, plus 33.14 g/t Au over 3.05m: and hole 23MUL115 with 15.49 g/t Au (13.89 g/t Au cut) over 6m. These results extend high-grade gold mineralization outside of Mineral Reserves and Resources at Puerto Del Aire. At Capulin target, drilling highlights include hole 23REF012 with 2.01 g/t Au over 82.45m, including 4.81 g/t Au over 16.40m, including 5.38 g/t Au over 12.35m. Capulin target is located 2km east of the former San Carlos open pit.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced results of its initial Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlights of the PEA include an after-tax NPV (using a discount rate of 5%) of USD $413M, with an after-tax IRR of USD $29%; a 13-year mine life producing a total of 110.3M payable Oz AgEq, consisting of 68M Oz Ag, 221.7K Oz Au, 22.8M Lb Cu, 144.1M Lb Pb, and 242.2M Lb Zn; an initial capital costs of USD $221M, including USD $29M in contingency costs, over an expected 18 month build, additional expansion capital of USD $137M, and sustaining capital costs of USD $6M over the life of mine (LOM); an average LOM operating cash costs of USD $9.50 per Oz AgEq, and all in sustaining costs (AISC) of USD $9.68 per Oz AgEq; an average annual production of 8.8M Oz AgEq in years one through twelve; and approximately 3/4 of LOM production is from four open pits containing oxide mineralization and approximately 1/4 is from a separate open pit which contains only sulphide mineralization.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., provided an update and sampling results from a bulk sample completed at its Pilar project in Sonora. Tocvan reported bulk sample material averaging grades of 1.9 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag from 148 samples ranging from 0.8 to 3.4 g/t Au and from 5 to 26 g/t Ag.  Additionally, 32 fine fraction samples excluded from heap leach process returned Au values from 1.2 to 2.8 g/t Au, with a weighted mean of 2.02 g/t Au, and Ag values from 9 to 25 g/t Ag, with a weighted mean of 16 g/t Ag. The fine fraction along with additional bulk sample material will be used in testing gravity recovery methods. “The heap leach process is currently underway for the Bulk Sample. Over 800 tonnes of Bulk Sample material have been prepared for heap leach processing, an additional 350 tonnes of crushed material and 250 tonnes of raw-bulk sample are available for gravity recovery and later agitated leach testing”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Vizsla Silver Corporation granted 3.85M stock options at an exercise price of $1.60 to Directors, Officers, Employees, and Consultants. The options are exercisable for a period of five years and will vest over the next two years (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
  • Fabled Silver Gold Corp., provided an update on the agreement with Kootenay to acquire the Mecatona property in Chihuahua. “The company has been in the process of preparing required documentation in respect of the Proposed Transaction including a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Mecatona Property. The Company is continuing to correspond with the TSX Venture Exchange regarding the Proposed Transaction and will provide further updates in due course”.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., provided corporate highlights for the three month ended March 31, 2023. The company announced the acquisition of the post-producing La Negra mine in Queretaro. La Negra is a fully permitted mine with Indicated Mineral Resources of approximately 15.1M Oz AgEq at 191 g/t AgEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of approximately 41.8M Oz AgEq at 202 g/t AgEq.

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 blade texture in a low-sulphidation epithermal vein system in a prospect in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Mexico’s Best Drilling Intercepts, Third Week of May 2023

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Two companies reported drilling results from two different projects/targets each during the week. Alamos Gold released assays from drilling at Puerto del Aire and Capulin, targets within the large land package of its Mulatos property, in Sonora. Puerto del Aire “is a higher-grade underground deposit located adjacent to the main Mulatos pit”, comprising the PDA, Gap, Victor, and Estrella zones. Reserves of 728 K Oz Au grading 4.84 gpt have been defined in Puerto del Aire. The Capulin area is two Km from the San Carlos pit, and has seen limited historical exploration. The recent intercept of oxide and sulfide mineralization is in a breccia unit of the Capulin Fault Zone. Mulatos is one of the largest examples of high sulfidation gold mineralization in Mexico.

Guanajuato Silver drilling results from San Ignacio, in Guanajuato, are part of a program focusing in extending mineralization on the Melladito and Purisima veins. The veins in San Ignacio form part of a low sulfidation epithermal system. At Topia, in Durango, recent drilling has been focused on the Prieta, Dos Amigos, Rosario and U.D. Pueblo veins. Mineralization in the district known for its narrow metal-rich veins is of intermediate sulfidation epithermal affinity.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of April 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 17th week of the year (April 24th to April 30th, 2023), 17 companies working in Mexico released news on their work. Five companies informed on exploration on their properties, six companies informed on Q1 2023 or full-year 2023 production/financial results. Two companies announced the closing and opening of financing rounds. A company corrected assay information on a previously issued drill intercept; one other provided an update on its intention to sue the Mexican government under a NAFTA legacy claim regarding the lack of action to terminate an illegal blockade. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Canada’s ministry of International Commerce, Mary Ng, expressed the preoccupation of foreign investors on the incoming changes to the Mining Law. The Mining Law was passed on Saturday morning by the Senate, and is set to return discretionary powers to the State on mining concessions. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Prismo Metals released assays from surface sampling at its Los Pavitos property; Regency Silver released good results from deep drilling at its Dios Padre project; Colibri Resource released results from drilling at Evelyn project. In Zacatecas, Radius Gold updated on exploration work at the Tropico property. ON MINING, Sierra Metals, Mag Silver, Santacruz Silver, Alamos Gold, Pan American Silver and Agnico Eagle released Q1 2023 production reports. ON FINANCING, Silver Viper closed a private placement for $3.3 M; Radius Gold is to raise $1.75 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Oroco Resource corrected assay results from one hole, previously issued last week, from its Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Guanajuato Silver informed on managerial changes. Silver Bull is to sue the Mexican government if a deal is not reached on an incoming meeting regarding the lack of action by the government to terminate an illegal blockade on its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Prismo Metals and Vizsla Silver formalized the joint technical committee to oversee exploration of the Panuco district in Sinaloa, with Peter Megaw, Craig Gibson and Jesus Velador as members. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The ministry of International Commerce of Canada, Mary Ng, expressed to Raquel Buenrostro, head of the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) the preoccupation of foreign investors on the changes to the Mining Law, and the negative implications on North America supply chains.
  • The Senate Commission on Regional Development and Legislative Studies approved without changes, by the ruling party coalition senators of Morena, PT, PVEM and PES parties, the reforms to the Mining Law, National Waters Law, Ecologic Equilibrium Law, Environment Law, and the General Law for prevention and Comprehensive Treatment of Tailings in Matter of Mining and Water Concessions. Among the changes is the reduction of mining concessions validity from 100 to 80 years (under certain conditions), the instauration of an auction system by the government for mining concessions, establishing that the concession title is to be issued AFTER the environmental, labor, energy, social and any other federal permit needed have been received (Note by Editor. – Speaking of putting the cart before the horse).
  • On the changes to the Mining Law. (Note by editor) The reform to the Mining Law is directed to regain quasi absolute control of mining concessions by the government, establishing rules under which the concessions can be revoked on grounds of indigenous population, community issues, environmental issues and water scarcity, all on which the government plays the role of judge and party. This is part of a broader drive by the president to concentrate power in himself and his government coalition before the 2024 presidential elections.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc. released assays results from 354 surface samples on its 5,289 hectare Los Pavitos project in Sonora. Results from Las Auras are up to 0.5 m @ 14.35 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 12.25 gpt Au, while at Santa Cruz assays are up to 0.5 m @ 5.48 gpt Au, 269 gpt Ag; 1.5 m @ 1.0 gpt Au, 543 gpt Ag. “Las Auras is characterized by northwest trending veins and shears hosted in intrusions, while Santa Cruz is dominated by northeast trending veins that follow sedimentary bedding”. Drilling is expected to begin in Q2 2023.
  • Regency Silver Corp. released results from two follow-up holes from the last drilling round discovery at the Dios Padre project in Sonora. Seven holes have been completed for a total of 4,251 m, of which six have intersected the targeted “pyrite +/- specularite +/- chalcopyrite supported breccia zone that hosts Au-Cu mineralization”. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 18.15 m @ 0.24 gpt Au; 8.3 m @ 0.62 gpt Au; 19.25 m @ 0.19 gpt Au; 16.2 m @ 0.39 gpt Au; 20.65 m @ 0.51 gpt Au (including 9.2 m @ 1.06 gpt Au); 35.9 m @ 5.51 gpt Au; 128.35 m @ 0.84 gpt Au (including 21.3 m @ 0.54 gpt Au and 57.95 m @ 1.49 gpt Au), and 95.5 m @ 0.2% Cu; 34.35 m @ 0.42% Cu (including 12.05 m @ 0.98% Cu); 25.4 m @ 0.43% Cu; 23.9 m @ 0.19% Cu; and 15.1 m @ 19.2 gpt Ag. “Geophysical Induced-Polarity (IP) survey confirms robust anomaly connecting near surface response from Dios Padre silver mine down-dip to current Au-Cu mineralization being targeted in ongoing drill program, outlining a ~1000m long by ~900 m wide zone of strongly chargeable rock”.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. signed a contract for a 2,500 m drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in the Panuco District in Sinaloa. “The drill program is designed to test the 65% of the strike length of the Palos Verdes vein that has not yet been drilled. It is believed that potential for a large ore shoot is present similar to the drilling accomplished by Vizsla Silver on their adjacent land package is present on Prismo’s concession. Previous drilling has intersected high grade mineralization with the best intercept of 2,336 g/t Ag and 8.42 g/t Au over a true width estimated at 0.8 meters within a larger mineralized interval with 1,098 g/t Ag and 3.75 g/t Au over a true width of 2.3 meters”.
  • Radius Gold Inc. provided an update on the Tropico target in Zacatecas. “Radius geologists identified an elliptical zone of intensely silicified hydrothermal breccias approximately 450 m x 250 m. Several of the outcrops and float blocks are composed of chalcedonic and opaline sinter. The Tropico breccia is hosted within finely bedded siltstones and dirty limestones …”. Radius has an access agreement with the local community and land owners, has completed the geological mapping, contracted CSAMAT and IP geophysical surveys and is preparing for drilling upon receipt of the permits.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. provided assays results from 1,062 m of core drilling in three holes and 1,205 m of reverse circulation drilling in five holes at its Evelyn project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 34.70 m @ 0.28 gpt Au (including 5.65 m @ 1.00 gpt Au); 4.50 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 4.05 m @ 1.52 gpt Au (including 0.75 m @ 7.54 gpt Au). Highlighted RC intervals comprise 29.00 m @ 0.47 gpt Au (including 2.00 m @ 3.35 gpt Au and 6.00 m @ 0.97 gpt Au); 15.00 m @ 0.18 gpt Au; 20.00 m @ 0.11 gpt Au; 2.00 m @ 1.85 gpt Au; 10.00 m @ 0.47 gpt Au (including 2.0 m @ 1.10 gpt Au and 2.0 m @ 1.04 gpt Au). Colibri also released results from a “short hole” drilling program designed to explore under extensive alluvial cover, completing 1,548 m in 130 vertical holes at 25 m centers. Of the 954 samples (1 m width) recovered, 20% returned greater than 0.05 gpt Au, 11% greater than 0.1 gpt Au and 4 samples returned more than 0.7 gpt Au, peaking at 3.31 gpt Au.

ON MINING

  • Sierra Metals Inc. announced first quarter 2023 production results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 299 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 3,417 tonnes per day (tpd), grading 0.87% Cu, 17.4 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, recovering 94.2% Cu, 84% Ag, 69.5% Au, to produce 5.39 M Lb Cu, 140 K Oz Ag, 3,037 Oz Au (7.6 M Lb CuEq). At Cusi (a non-core asset), in Chihuahua, 59.1 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 676 tpd, grading 141.8 gpt Ag, 0.13 gpt Au, 0.24% Pb, recovering 86.3% Ag, 46.6% Au, 88.7% Pb, to produce 343 K Oz Ag, 119 Oz Au, 282 K Lb Pb.
  • Mag Silver Corp. reported production from the Juanicipio project (56% Fresnillo PLC– 44% Mag Silver) for Q1 2023. During the period 222 K tonnes grading 363 gpt Ag were processed to produce 2.25 M Oz Ag, 6,047 Oz Au. About 30% of that ore was processed at the Juanicipio beneficiation plant and the focus now is to attain the 4,000 tpd nameplate capacity on a sustained basis and achieve commercial production.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported full year 2022 production, with figures on its Mexican operations. At Zimapan, in Hidalgo, 215 K tonnes were milled averaging 71 gpt Ag, 2.19% Zn, 0.63% Pb, 0.40% Cu, recovering 61.5% Ag to produce 301.2 K Oz Ag, 3,098 tonnes Cu, 1,036 tonnes Pb, 569 tonnes Cu (903.1 K Oz AgEq). The company had a consolidated production of 4.77 Moz AgEq. “Mine development was focused on opening higher grade stoping areas in Carrizal mine along with high productivity areas in Monte mine. Exploration efforts have been refocused to expand current mine resources”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. reported its financial results for Q1 2023, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At the Mulatos district in Sonora 50,500 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $839 per Oz Au and mine-site all-in sustaining cost of $914 per Oz Au. At La Yaqui Grande mine, 1.0 M tonnes of ore were mined, 5.83 M tonnes of waste moved (waste to ore ratio of 5.64), with 1.02 M tonnes stacked averaging 1.55 gpt Au, containing 50,992 Oz Au, crushed at 11,329 tpd, with a recovery of 75% Au. At the Mulatos mine, 1.0 M tonnes of ore were mined, 0.61 M tonnes of waste moved (waste to ore ratio of 0.61), with 1.23 M tonnes stacked averaging 0.92 gpt Au, containing 36,541 Oz Au, crushed at 13,700 tpd, with a recovery of 33%. For 2023 the company expects to produce between 175-185 K Oz Au at cash cost $900 – $950 per Oz Au.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. provided its guidance for year 2023 production and costs, including figures for its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, the company expects to produce 5.5 – 5.9 M Oz Ag, 3,000 Oz Au. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, production is estimated at 2.2 – 2.5 M Oz Ag, 98,000 – 107,000 Oz Au.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. reported first quarter 2023 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Pinos Altos, in Chihuahua, 364 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 4,044 tonnes, averaging 2.16 gpt Au, to produce 24,134 Oz Au at cash cost 1,364 per Oz Au and total cash cost of $1,116 per Oz Au. At La India, in Sonora, 660 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 7,333 tonnes, averaging 0.68 gpt Au, to produce 16,321 Oz Au at production cost of $1,231 per Oz Au and total cash costs of $1,308 per Oz Au. At San Nicolás, in Zacatecas, the 50/50 joint venture with Teck Resources Ltd. was completed, and the completion of a feasibility study is planned for 2024.

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the final tranche of its non brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.92 M. In total the company raised $3.3 M. Silver Viper is to pay $123.8 K in finder’s fees in connection with this offering, in addition to $40 K paid as finder’s fee on previous tranches. (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Radius Gold Inc. is to proceed with a non-brokered private placement aiming to rise a minimum of $1.75 M (Amalia, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Oroco Resources Corp. announced a correction to the assay results from one drillhole released last week from its Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. The corrected results from hole N044 went from 352.5 m grading 0.83% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 0.072 gpt Au, 6.26 gpt Ag (0.93% CuEq), to 352.5 m grading 0.42% Cu, 0.006% Mo, 0.036 gpt Au, 3.13 gpt Ag (0.46% CuEq), roughly half the previously reported values.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced Hernan Dorado Smith will take the position of Chief Strategy Officer and Mario Valdez has been promoted to Co-Chief Operating Officer, sharing the position of COO with Ramon Davila (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. provided an update regarding its legacy North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) claim against Mexico. The company seeks to recover economic damages resulting from the illegal blockade of its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila since September 2019. The illegal blockade has been allowed by the government to continue, despite numerous demands and requests by the company. Silver Bull will be seeking to recover no less than US178 M in damages suffered as a result of Mexico’s breach of NAFTA obligations. A meeting with government officials is scheduled on May 30, 2023 to reach, if possible, an amicable solution. If a settlement is not reached, a request for arbitration will be filed on June 2, 2023 with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. and Vizsla Silver Corp. formalized the establishment of a joint technical committee which will allow for the pursuit of district-scale exploration of the Panuco district in Sinaloa. The committee is to be comprised by Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO of Prismo, Jesus Velador, Vice President Exploration of Vizsla and Dr. Peter Megaw, Chief Operating Officer of Mag Silver Corp.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Sheeted quartz veining on a coarse-grained intrusive rock in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of April 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 15th week of the year (April 10th to April 16th, 2023), 16 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. One company informed on exploration at one of its properties, eight companies informed on Q1 2023 production results. One company closed a financing placement while a company opened another one. A company informed on the advance to take a property into production, one other reported drilling results at its main project. One company is exercising its option to acquire a property, while one other is extending the option on an exclusivity agreement. ON MEXICO ISSUES, calls for dialog with Congress are being made with urgency on the merits and negative implications of the proposed changes to the Mining Law. The federal government qualified Vulcan Minerals compensatory demand as unfounded. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided results from a leach test at its Pilar property. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver, Guanajuato Silver Company, Fortuna Silver, Torex Gold, Gold Resource, Gatos Silver, Orla Mining and Bear Creek Mining released Q1 2023 production reports. ON FINANCING, Monumental Minerals and Excellon Resources announced the closing ($2.2 M) and opening (up to C$10 M) of financing rounds, respectively. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Minera Alamos advances on the permitting process for mining at Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas. Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from its Panuco property in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Dollar is exercising its option to acquire 100% interest on La Joya property in Durango. Radius Gold extended the exclusivity agreement term with Fresnillo PLC on its Plata Verde Project in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • On the proposed changes to the Mining Law. For the last two weeks there have been many declarations by mining industry members and representatives against many of the proposed changes. There is a widespread movement calling for open discussions of the many elements on this proposal that are to pose a grave threat to foreign and local investment on the industry, affecting a large population base and increased deleterious effects in the economy on the long run. The AIMMGM (Asociación de Ingenieros Mineros, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México) is asking Congress to organize an open parliament on the subject to discuss the merits and negative implications of the proposed changes.
  • The Mexican federal government qualified Vulcan Minerals $1.9 billion compensatory demand as unfounded on its reply to Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias Relativas a Inversiones courtroom. Vulcan has been quarrying limestone in Quintana Roo for more than 30 years, and has been pointed by the government as the culprit of an ecological disaster.
  • Mexico’s Best Drilling intercepts on Q1 2023

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. provided the results from a leach study from its Pilar property in Sonora. According to the results, 95 to 99% Au, 73 to 97% Ag can be recovered using “gravity concentration followed by agitated cyanide leach of the gravity tails”.

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported first quarter 2023 production of 1.62 M Oz Ag 9,342 Oz Au (or 9,342 Oz AgEq. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 102.4 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,138 tonnes per day (tpd), averaging 511 gpt Ag, 1.42 gpt Au, recovering 85.6% Ag, 89.6% Au, to produce 1.44 M Oz Ag, 4,188 Oz Au. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 109.7 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,208 tpd, averaging 61 gpt Ag, 1.70 gpt Au, recovering 86.1% Ag, 86.8% Au, to produce 183.6 K Oz Ag, 5,154 Oz Au.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced consolidated production results for the year 2022. Production from El Cubo mines complex, Valenciana mines complex and San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato involved 410.3 K tonnes mined, 418.8 tonnes milled, recovering 86.0% Ag, 84.5% Au, 88.7% Pb, 84.5% Zn, to produce 1 M Oz Ag, 11,174 Oz Au, 1.3 M Lb Pb, 1.9 M Lb Zn, or 2.13 M Oz AgEq, at cash cost $15.84 per Oz AgEq and AISC of $21.55 per Oz AgEq. At the end of 2022 the company had cash and cash equivalents of $8.8 M and $1.7 M of working capital.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported production results for the first quarter of 2023, including figures from its operations in Mexico. During the period the San Jose mine in Oaxaca produced 1.3 M Oz Ag, 8,231 Oz Au.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q1 2023 production from its El Limon-Guajes operations in Guerrero. During the period 10.2 K tonnes of ore per day (tpd) were mined from open pits, 93.7 K tpd of waste moved (waste to ore strip ratio of 9.2) and 1,738 tpd of ore were mined from underground for a total of 13,703 tpd processed at a grade of 3.50 gpt Au, recovering 87.8% Au to produce 122,918 Oz Au. “… the Company made over $75 million in tax payments including the annual payment of the 7.5% mining tax, corporate tax instalments, and true-up of taxes outstanding at the end of 2022”.
  • Gold Resource Corp. released production results from its Don David mine in Oaxaca in Q1 2023. During the period 117.8 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,420 tonnes per day, averaging 2.33 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag, 0.37% Cu, 1.7% Pb, 3.9% Zn, to produce 7,171 Oz Au, 322.7 K Oz Ag, 336 tonnes Cu, 1,559 tonnes Pb, 3,837 tonnes Zn.   
  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced production results for first quarter 2023 at its Cerro Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. During the period 260.4 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 2,894 tpd, averaging 329 gpt Ag, 3.93% Zn, 1.86% Pb, 0.30 gpt Au, recovering 88.3% Ag, 62.2% Zn, 88.6% Pb, 55.3% Au, to produce 2.43 M Oz Ag, 14.0 M Lb Zn, 9.5 M Lb Pb, 1,380 Oz Au. “… silver production is expected to be higher in the first half of 2023 than in the second half of 2023 based on sequencing of the mine plan. Zinc and lead production are expected to be higher in the second half of the year than in the first half.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an interim operation update for Q1 2023. At the Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas, during the period the company mined 3.13 M tonnes (waste to ore ratio 0.61) of which 1.18 M was moved waste, 1.65 M tonnes ore averaging 0.72 gpt Au and 0.30 M tonnes of low-grade ore averaging 0.29 gpt Au for stockpiling. Ore stacked was 1.77 M tonnes @ 0.80 gpt Au, to produce 25,910 Oz Au.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced production results for the first quarter of 2023. During the period 133.6 K tonnes were mined at its Mercedes mine in Sonora, 134.5 K tonnes milled, at a grade of 2.91 gpt Au, recovering 95.56% Au, to produce 12,025 Oz Au, 40.1 K Oz Ag. “Mercedes mine planning and development began the shift toward higher-grade deposits that utilize cut and fill mining methods during Q1 2023…”.  

ON FINANCING

  • Monumental Minerals Corp. closed a non brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2.2 M. The company paid aggregate finder’s fees of $110.3 K plus warrants (Jemi, Coahuila).
  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10 M. “… the net proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used to advance development of La Negra, fund exploration at La Negra and for general corporate purposes “(La Negra, Hidalgo).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Minera Alamos Inc. completed the necessary documentation to proceed with its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas permitting process. The company expects to conclude negotiations on a lending package for construction once the permits are received.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from six holes at the southern extension of the Napoleon vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 4.00 m[JC1]  @ 590 gpt Ag, 5.15 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb , 4.4% Zn (including 0.98 m @ 2,025 gpt Ag, 15.74 gpt Au,, 1.7% Pb, 5.2% Zn); 6.10 m @ 156 gpt Ag, 3.63 gpt Au, 7.9% Pb, 6.6% Zn; 5[JC2] .00 m @ 99 gpt Ag, 1.44 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 1.70 m @ 268 gpt Ag, 1.41 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 3.05 m @ 157 gpt Ag, 2.55 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 1.00 m @ 532 gpt Ag, 8.96 gpt Au, 1.5% Pb, 7.1% Zn; 10.65 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.93 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.8% Zn.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. delivered a notice to First Majestic Silver Corp. exercising its option to acquire a 100% interest in La Joya property in Durango.
  • Radius Gold Inc. extend the term of the exclusivity agreement with Fresnillo PLC on its Plata Verde project in Chihuahua. The term of the agreement has been extended three months, implying Fresnillo is to cover US$157 K in payments to the underlying concession owners and landowners, while maintaining the commencement of drilling before 7 July 2023.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Quartz veined coarse grain intrusive rock in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

 [JC1]

 [JC2]

Mexico’s Best Silver Drilling Intercepts on Q1 2023

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Several companies reported really good silver intercepts from their properties in Mexico, with GoGold’s topping the chart with a whopping 55.0 m averaging 2,153 gpt Ag (69 Oz Ag per tonne), or 118,399 gpt*m, including 2.0 m @ 52,765 gpt Ag (1,695 Oz Ag per tonne, or 5.28% Ag) from its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Other companies commonly posting results over 5,000 gpt*m silver (160 Oz Ag per tonne) include Silver Tiger results fro El Tigre in Sonora (up to 22,564 gpt*m Ag), Vizsla’s results from Panuco in Sinaloa (up to 17,130 gpt*m Ag), GR Silver’s results from San Marcial in Sinaloa (up to 10,007 gpt*m Ag) and GoGold’s results from Los Ricos North in Jalisco (up to 7,801 gpt *m Ag).

With the exception of Media Luna, which is a skarn system, and Cordero, a complex intrusive/skarn/intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposit, the silver mineralization is set in structurally controlled intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal systems.

Mexico’s Best Drilling Intercepts on Q1 2023

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Drilling results released during the quarter show that there are a few projects in Mexico that report spectacular gold intercepts. The best intercept by far was by Torex Gold with 28.40 m @ 40.48 gpt Au (or 1,150 gpt*m Au) on definition drilling at Media Luna in Guerrero. Other companies to report several intercepts of more than 100 gpt *m Au include Alamos Gold in Mulatos, GoGold Resources at Los Ricos South in Jalisco and Orla Mining on Camino Rojo Sulfide in Zacatecas. The variety of mineralization styles on the highest grade intercepts is striking: Media Luna is a skarn, Mulatos a high sulfidation epithermal system, Los Ricos South a structurally controlled intermediate sulfidation epithermal system and Camino Rojo a complex intrusion/skarn/intermediate sulfidation epithermal system.

The deposits that returned between 20 and 100 gpt *m Au report from mostly structurally controlled low or intermediate epithermal mineralization, like Vizsla’s Panuco project in Sinaloa, Prime Mining’s Los Reyes in Sinaloa, Bear Creek’s Mercedes in Sonora, GR Silver’s Plomosas in Sinaloa, Gold Resource’s Don Diego in Oaxaca, Guanajuato Silver’s San Ignacio in Guanajuato, Almadex’s San Pedro in Jalisco and GoGold’s Los Ricos North in Jalisco. The deposits styles returning between 10 and 20 gpt*m Au include intermediate sulfidation epithermal (El Tigre, San Marcial), orogenic gold (El Picacho), porphyry copper (Santo Tomás) and complex intrusive/skarn/intermediate sulfidation mineralization (Cordero).

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of March 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 13th week of the year (March 27th to April 2nd, 2023), 18 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. Two companies informed on exploration on their properties, three companies informed on Q4 and year 2022 financial and operational results. Two companies closed partial or complete share placements. Two companies filed technical reports on their properties, two more released drilling results on their advanced properties and two more updated mineral resource estimates for their properties. Two companies announced the completion of the acquisition process on mining projects. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mexican president sent an initiative to change the Mining Law that is likely to strongly impact the mineral exploration industry. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided an update on bulk sampling at its Pilar property; Reyna Gold is to drill its La Gloria project. ON MINING, Mag Silver, Sierra Metals and Avino Silver released Q4 2022 financial reports. ON FINANCING, Silver Spruce closed a private placement for $1.13 M, Golden Tag closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Alamos Gold and Sonoro Gold filed NI-43-101 technical reports on the Mulatos and Cerro Caliche properties respectively, both in Sonora. GoGold Resources released drilling results from Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Oroco Resource informed on drilling at the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. Argonaut Gold updated on mineral resources at five of its properties in Mexico. Aura Minerals reported on mineral reserves and resources at Aranzazu, in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Argonaut Gold completed the sale of the Ana Paula project in Guerrero to Heliostar Metals. Sierra Metals completed the acquisition of La Guitarra project, in Estado de Mexico, from First Majestic Silver. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The president of México, Andrés M. López Obrador sent to Congress an initiative to reform the Mining Law, National Water Law, Ecological Equilibrium Law and Environmental Protection and the General Law for Prevention and Integral Management of Residues relating to Mining and Water Concessions. The initiative displays a heavy ideological charge on the exposition of motifs, full of propaganda epithets against the “neoliberal” current state of affairs on these matters. Any good specific proposal within the initiative is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new rules designed for the State to have a firm grip on the industry, many of which involve granting the government power to decide when to take away a concession on flimsy grounds, raising the uncertainty level for mining investment in Mexico. Some takeaway points that drastically change how the mining industry is operating in Mexico include: The government is to perform auctions for mining concessions (no more staking). Mining activities are no longer considered to have priority over other land uses. No land expropriation on mining grounds. Social impact studies to be conducted before any exploration takes place. Public consultations with “towns”, indigenous (which by the way are auto ascribed) and afro-Mexican communities. Reduction of mining concessions rights from 50 to 15 years, that could be renewed only once (more than a few operations in Mexico have been continuous for far longer periods). Mining concessions are conditioned to water “availability” (yes, the government decides, unconstrained, when there is available water, anytime). No private transmission of mining concessions without government consent (again, absolute power to the government). Added cancellation causes include lack of report in possible harm or risks to ecological equilibrium, lack of permits, concessions or authorizations from other authorities and lack of closing programs or management of residues. The only way to obtain a concession is to be by government auction (Concurso). Limits mining concessions coverage to only one element (you have to wonder on the genius that came with this proposal). The list continues, but in a first pass reading those above come as the most likely to cause an exodus of investment in mining exploration in Mexico. Mines are to continue operating, and advanced properties are likely to continue to development, but the Mexican exploration industry is about to halt when this initiative is approved, as the government has the required number of votes secured in Congress. Dialogue between industry entities and the government should take place before this initiative is voted, because better alternatives should be sought in order to achieve a better operating mining industry. Alternative options agreed upon should both improve the effect of mining operations in communities and the environment while promoting investment, thus helping Mexico’s development as a whole.         

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. provided a progress update on the first bulk sample at the Pilar project in Sonora. Over 1,200 tonnes of material have been stockpiled with the first shipments completed. Four head-grade samples averaged 6.2, 7.6, 1.3 and 7.6 gpt Au. “Diagnostic leach tests are ongoing and were collected from four trench areas and one select drill core coarse reject sample. Preliminary results from the study suggest free gold is present in the samples and has been confirmed visually by testing sieved…. Up to 1,000 tonnes of oxide-gold material will be extracted from select areas….. The information provided from the sample will be used for planning in coordination for permitting of full-scale mine and process facilities on-site at Pilar”.
  • Reyna Gold Corp. announced the mobilization to recommence a minimum of 5,500 m of diamond drilling at its 24,215 ha La Gloria property in Sonora. The program is focused on four targets: La Republicana, Western, Las Carmelitas and Main Zone. At La Republicana drilling “will test extensions to the La Republicana Main Vein, which produced 59.00m of 1.45 g/t Gold in Phase 1 drilling”, on the 1 km long vein with significant anomalies delineated by an induced polarization survey. At Western, abundant quartz veining with Au-Te high-grades are to be tested. At Las Carmelitas high Cu, Ag, Sb assays have been obtained in a large conglomerate/agglomerate system. At the Main Zone, follow-up is to test on phase-1 drilling that returned 5.5 m @ 935 gpt Ag; 7.85 m @ 3.94 gpt Au; 30.60 m @ 0.51 gpt Au.

ON MINING

  • Mag Silver Corp. announced consolidated financial results for 2022. Commissioning of the Juanicipio plant in Zacatecas commenced in early January 2023, after the entire system was connected to the national power grid in late December 2022. During the year 646.1 K tonnes were processed thorough the Fresnillo and Saucito plants, producing 8.7 M Oz Ag, 20,268 Oz Au, 4,487 tonnes Pb, 6,758 tonnes Zn, netting $132.8 M in gross profit by Juanicipio (56% Fresnillo PLC, 44% Mag Silver).  At the end of 2022 Mag Silver had 29.2 M of working capital, with no long-term debt. The company closed a $42.6 M bought deal public offering on February 2023.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. presented Q4 and year-end 2022 consolidated financial results. The company has operations in Chihuahua and Peru, but no production details by unit were presented. Sierra Metals obtained $46.2 M in revenue during the year, with an adjusted EBITDA of $13 M, a net loss of $88.3 M. The company had cash and cash equivalents of $5.1 M and negative working capital of $84.4 M. For 2023 the production guidance at Bolivar, in Chihuahua, envisions a production of 34.5 – 39.5 M Lb CuEq at cash cost $2.99 per Lb CuEq and an AISC of $5.07 per Lb CuEq. At Cusi, in Chihuahua, an undisclosed amount of silver ounces was produced at cash cost $16.77 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $23.17 per Oz AgEq.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released consolidated financial results for Q4 and year-end 2022. During the year, the Avino mine in Durango milled 541.8 K tonnes to produce 985 K Oz Ag, 5,778 Oz Au, 6.5 M Lb Cu (or 2.65 M Oz AgEq), at cash cost $10.34 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $17.91 per Oz AgEq. In the year the company had revenue of $44.2 M, ending the period with a $11.2 M cash balance and $8.8 M in working capital.

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. closed a private placement for $1.13 M in proceeds (Diamante, Sonora).
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. closed the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement, aiming to raise $5.7 M in aggregate gross proceeds (Don Diego and La Parrilla, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Alamos Gold Inc. announced the filing of a NI43-101 compliant technical report for its Mulatos property in Sonora.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. reported the filing of a NI-43-101 compliant technical report on the mineral resource estimate at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. The report includes indicated resources of 19.9 M tonnes @ 0.44 gpt Au, 3.5 gpt Ag, containing 280 K Oz Au, 2.2 M Oz Ag, and inferred resources of 10.5 M tonnes @ 0.42 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag, containing 140 K Oz Au, 1.3 M Oz Ag. The resources are amenable to a combination of open pit and heap leach extraction.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced drilling results from the Eagle and Main deposits at its Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 23.3 m @ 7.07 gpt Au, 86 gpt Ag (including 2.7 m @ 45.01 gpt Au, 106 gpt Ag); 39.9 m @ 1.28 gpt Au, 87 gpt Ag; 16.3 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag; 18.2 m @ 1.72 gpt Au, 118 gpt Ag; 13.9 m @ 3.63 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag. “The purpose of the program is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining. The Company is carrying out a trade-off study to better define what portion of the deposit could be mined in a lower strip ratio pit and what portion would best be mined in more selective bulk underground mining”.
  • Oroco Resource Corp. released results from drilling at the South Zone of the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals estimated to be within 10% of true width comprise 221.7 m @ 0.023 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag, 0.37% Cu; 145.0 m @ 0.008 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag, 0.25% Cu; 89.0 m @ 0.011 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag, 0.31% Cu (including 25.0 m @ 0.020 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag, 0.74% Cu); 81.0 m @ 0.011 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag, 0.20% Cu. “Historical drilling, surface geological mapping, and the Dias Geo 3D Induced Polarization survey have defined near-surface mineralization projected to 400 m below the surface along 2,000 m of strike length in the South Zone”.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. updated its mineral resources to the end of 2022, including figures from its Mexican properties. The following table shows the resources on its Mexican properties, which at the end of 2022 comprised proven and probable reserves of 2.3 M Oz Au, 51.7 M Oz Ag, 86 K tonnes Cu, 5.6 M Oz Au, 94.9 Oz Ag, 187 K tonnes Cu in measures and indicated resources and 603 K Oz Au, 17.1 M Oz Ag, 5 K tonnes Cu in inferred resources.
  • Aura Minerals Inc. reported updated mineral reserves and resources for its operating mines, including from its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas, to the end of 2022. Proven and probable mineral reserves stand at 9.6 M tonnes @ 0.81 gpt Au, 17.61 gpt Ag, 1.23% Cu, containing 249 K Oz Au, 5 M Oz Ag, 259 M Lb Cu. Measured and indicated resources comprise 15.1 M tonnes @ 0.97 gpt Au, 21.15 gpt Ag, 1.44% Cu, containing 471 K Oz Au, 10.4 M Oz Ag, 477.3 M Lb Cu. Inferred resources stood at 4.3 M tonnes @ 0.55 gpt Au, 16.37 gpt Ag, 1.04% Cu, containing 76 K Oz Au, 2.3 M Oz Ag, 99 M Lb Cu.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. announced the completion of the sale of the Ana Paula project in Guerrero to Heliostar Metals Ltd. The deal involved US$10 M in cash upon closing and US$20 M in deferred cash and share considerations. The project has 1 M Oz Au @ 2.36 gpt Au in proven and probable mineral reserves, is permitted for an open pit and potential for underground mining, with 142,000 m of drilling in 333 holes.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced the completion of the acquisition of the La Guitarra property in Estado de Mexico. Sierra Madre issued to First Majestic Silver Corp. 69 M shares for it to maintain a 19.9% interest on Sierra Madre, shares that are to be released by an escrow on four equal installments between September 2023 and March 2025. The company opened a brokered private placement on September 2022, intending to raise up to $10 M. The common shares are halted from trading, and are expected to resume trading following the closing of the common share offering.  

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines received for the first time in 2022 the ESR (Empresa socialmente responsible) award “granted by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (El Centro Mexicano para la Filantropia or Cemefi, and the Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility (Alianza por la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial or (AliaRSE))”.

On the image below: Porphyritic felsic dike on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of March 2023

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 9th week of the year (February 27th to March 5th, 2023), 11 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. One company provided an update on 2022 work on its properties, and plans for 2023, while one more company informed on underground rehabilitation progress at an historic mine within its exploration play. Three companies informed on Q4 2022 production and financial situation. No financing rounds this week announced by companies working in the country. Four companies released drilling results on their advanced properties, and one more from its currently producing operation. A company announced an option on the acquisition of a valuable inner claim. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Minaurum Gold informed on rehabilitation work of underground workings at Alamos. In Jalisco, Almadex Minerals provided an update on Pedro. In Puebla, Almadex Minerals updated on 2022 work at Victoria, and plans for 2023. ON MINING, Argonaut Gold, Aura Minerals and Endeavour Silver released Q4 2022 production or/and financial production reports. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Tiger Metals released drilling results from the sulfide zone at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Prime Mining announced results from drilling at targets outside of the mineral resource limits at Los Reyes in Sinaloa. Gold Resource released results from drilling at the Don David mine in Oaxaca. GR Silver Mining informed on results from drilling at the Plomosas mine area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver reported drill results from infill drilling from the Copala structure at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Riverside Resources signed an option agreement to acquire an important inner claim within its La Union project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd. provided an update on its exploration plays and plans for 2023, including information on its Mexican properties. At the San Pedro project in Jalisco, a high-sulfidation acid sulphate lithocap alteration and sulfide bearing breccia zones with elevated base and precious metals were tested with four holes. The bests intervals comprise 4.51 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 657 gpt Ag; 1.3 m @ 846 gpt Ag; 2.9 m @ 7.45 gpt Au. Mapping and sampling of the Victoria project in Puebla on epithermal silver rich veins was conducted for a planned 2023 drill program. In March the company will conduct a surface mapping program on the Yago project, located in Nayarit.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. provided an update in underground rehabilitation work at the Promontorio mine on its Alamos project in Sonora. “Our underground rehabilitation has now accessed 600 metres of an estimated 1.2 kilometres of workings …. The workings continue to be in good and stable condition. Backfill material continues to be removed and stockpiled outside the mine entrance for future processing”. Assays from 37 backfill material returned seven samples over 1 gpt Au (5.74 gpt peak), ten samples over 150 gpt Ag (308 gpt Ag peak), eleven samples above 0.5% Cu (1.57% peak), 20 samples over 1.0% Pb (3.91% peak) and 26 samples over 1.0% Zn (8.19% peak).

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. released operating and financing results for Q4 2022, without disclosing figures on its Mexican operations. At the end of the period the company held $73.3 M in cash and cash equivalents. Its Mexican operations include the San Agustin mine in Durango and the La Colorada mine in Sonora, and the Cerro del Gallo project in Guanajuato.
  • Aura Minerals Inc. filed its audited financial statements and management discussion for the year 2022, without disclosing the figures by project. For 2023 the company expects to produce between 101 K to 116 K Oz AuEq at cash cost $685 to $788 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $898 to 1,033 per Oz AuEq at the Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. “Exploration is expected to focus on the geological potential of new mineralized zones, such as Cabrestante, El Cobre and Limestone Bridge with 20,000 m of drilling planned to 2023. All targets are near mine, some of which have been drilled in the past and indicated skarn mineralization but requiring follow up drilling”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for year 2022. The company that operates the Guanceví mine in Durango and the Bolañitos mine in Guanajuato produced 5.96 M Oz Ag, 37,548 Oz Au (or 9.0 M Oz AgEq) at cash cost $10.65 and an AISC of $19.97 per Oz Ag. By the end of the period the company had $83.4 M in cash and $93.6 M in working capital. Development activities continue at Terronera, in Jalisco, and an initial mineral resource estimate was published for the Pitarrila project in Durango. 

ON FINANCING

  • No Relevant News.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released drilling results from its El Tigre project in Sonora. The results are from the recently discovered Sulfide zone at depth. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 57.2 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 231 gpt Ag, 0.41% Cu, 0.7% Pb, 1.0% Zn (including 2.8 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 1,986 gpt Ag, 4.0% Cu, 3.9% Pb, 5.6% Zn); 20.0 m @ 0.35 gpt Au, 369 gpt Ag, 0.85% Cu, 4.1% Pb, 8.1% Zn; 1.0 m @ 0.01 gpt Au, 453 gpt Ag, 0.56% Cu; 22.1 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 222 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn (including 1.2 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 2,614 gpt Ag, 2.67% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 1.4% Zn); 4.7 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 420 gpt Ag, 0.45% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 37.8 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 172 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 3.7% Zn. The sulfide zone has been traced now for 200 m, at depth in the Tertiary Nodular Fm just above the contact with a Precambrian granite.
  • Prime Mining Corp. announced assay results on the Fresnillo, Orito, Mariposa, Las Primas and Mine 20/21 areas at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. The results are from drilling outside of the current resource area. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 15.80 m @ 1.40 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 2.90 m @ 4.70 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 5.50 m @ 1.30 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag; 34.70 m @ 4.90 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 3.75 m @ 1.60 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag.
  • Gold Resource Corp. released recent drilling results from the Don Diego mine in Oaxaca. The released data is from the Three Sisters, Marena, Soledad and Sagrario vein systems. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 1.67 m @ 2.20 gpt Au, 874 gpt Ag, 0.65% Cu, 1.8% Pb, 3.0% Zn; 3.19 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 3.6% Zn; 7.13 m @ 1.54 gpt Au, 175 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 5.09 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 117 gpt Ag, 3.0% Pb, 8.8% Zn; 3.52 m @ 177 gpt Ag, 3.0% Pb, 9.1% Zn; 3.22 m @ 37 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 5.8% Zn; 4.21 m @ 7.93 gpt Au, 111 gpt Ag, 1.25% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 15.2% Zn; 1.80 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag, 1.09% Cu, 5.5% Pb, 12.3% Zn; 4.21 m @ 2.10 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag, 0.43% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 7.2% Zn. “Our 2023 exploration objectives are to identify and define mineral resources from the Three Sisters, South Soledad and Sagrario and Marena vein systems”.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the final batch of underground drilling results from the Plomosas mine area at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals from 28 underground drill holes comprise 2.90 m @ 251 gpt Ag, 2.2%Pb, 2.4% Zn; 8.50 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 1.90 m @ 2.31 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 3.8% Zn; 12.20 m @ 0.70 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 4.70 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 277 gpt Ag, 0.2% Cu, 7.5% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 4.30 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 6.0% Zn; 4.70 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 325 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 3.1% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 11.30 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 161 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 19.70 m @ 158 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.9% Pb, 1.8% Zn. “The drilling results continue to reveal attractive wide high-grade silver-polymetallic mineralization in unmined areas at the upper levels of the historic underground mine”.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported drill results from 14 infill holes on the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 15.00 m @ 7.20 gpt Au, 1,142 gpt Ag (including 3.07 m @ 17.72 gpt Au, 2,878 gpt Ag; 20.60 m @ 2.80 gpt Au, 643 gpt Ag, 18.00 m, @ 2.53 gpt Au, 602 gpt Ag (including 2.27 m @ 14.51 3,421 gpt Ag); 4.30 m @ 8.62 gpt Ag, 758 gpt Ag; 2.10 m @ 10.91 gpt Au, 1,920 gpt Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Riverside Resources Inc. announced the signing an option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Union mine, within the Union District in Sonora. Riverside paid $170 K and can earn-in the 100% interest by making a second payment of $100 K anytime within 60 months of signing the agreement, after which a 1.25% NSR is retained the underlying owner, same that can be bought in 0.25% increments of NSR for $250 K each at any time. “. The Union Mine historically produced ~50,000 ounces of gold (“Au”) from the upper oxide zones of manto and chimney bodies according to past reports. The potential for further expansion through a focused exploration is wide open along strike and at depth for both oxide and into sulfide ore targets”.  

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Silicified structure scarp on the foreground of a copper project in Sonora, San Francisco gold mine dumps visible on the other side of the valley. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of February, 2023.

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 8th week of the year (February 20th to February 26th, 2023), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten reporting resources and developments of their properties, six communicating production and financial results, two informing on exploration results, two commenting on Mexican issues, one disclosing deals and corporate issues, one announcing financing issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Almaden regretted the decision of Mexico´s Ministry of Economy to deny the two mineral title applications which were first made by Almaden in 2002 and 2008, and which in turn led to the grant of mineral titles in 2003 and 2009, respectively. GoGold, Bear Creek, GR Silver, and Guanajuato Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of February, 2023. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan released results from surface channel sampling of selected area for a bulk sample at its Pilar project.  In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals provided an update and defined drill targets at its Jemi Heavy Earth Rare Element project. ON MINING, Coeur reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Starcore announced Q3, 2023 production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro. Equinox provided 2023 guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. Bear Creek announced 2023 production guidance for its Mercedes mine in Mexico. Gatos Silver released 2023 production and cost guidance for its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. First Majestic reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations. ON FINANCING, Silver Tiger closed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $18M (El Tigre project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Guanajuato Silver announced drill results from its San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato. Alamos Gold reported Mineral Reserves and Resources for the year-ended 2022 at its Mulatos project, Sonora. Bear Creek released results of recent drilling from its Marianas and Rey de Oro deposits at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Chesapeake announced updated Minera Resource Estimate for its world class Metates deposit in Durango.  Minera Alamos informed the commencement of drilling at its Santana project in Sonora. GR Silver reported underground drilling results from 35 holes drilled as part of the 2022 infill and exploratory drilling program conducted at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Silver Dollar identified five new mineralized target areas at its la Joya project in Durango. Regency Silver announced that two follow-up holes down-dip were completed at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Vizsla provided a year-end 2022 summary of its activities carried out at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Minera Alamos granted stock options to its management team, Board of Directors, and certain consultants (Santana project, Sonora).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden signed a cooperation agreement with the Ejido Santa Maria Zotoltepec, the ejido located closest to its Ixtaca project in Puebla.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., regretted the decision of Mexico´s Ministry of Economy to deny the two mineral title applications which were first made by Almaden in 2002 and 2008, and which in turn led to the grant of mineral titles in 2003 and 2009, respectively. These mineral titles underpin the Ixtaca deposit which was discovered by Almaden in 2010. As previously reported, these mineral titles were reduced to application status as a result of an early 2022 decision of Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN). Almaden believes that this action by the Secretariat of Economy is inconsistent with the Mexican Mining Law, the SCJN decision, and international law. The Company expects to submit arguments challenging the Secretariat of Economy’s submissions to the District Court within the next few days.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., Bear Creek Mining Corporation, GR Silver Mining Ltd, and Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of February, 2023. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., released results from surface channel sampling of selected area from an up to 1,000 tonnes of oxide-gold bulk sample at its Pilar project in Sonora. Channel sampling was completed every 5m perpendicular to exposed mineralization and alteration at surface along the Main Zone and 4-T trends. Eight locations were sampled to test varying levels of exposed mineralization, all eight trench locations returned anomalous gold and silver values. Highlights include TR-2023-001 where seven samples over a 35m trend returned an average grade of 2.2 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, ranging from 8.3 g/t Au to 0.1 g/t Au; TR-2023-002 where five samples over a 20m trend returned  an average grade of 2.8 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag, ranging from 7.1 g/t Au to 0.7 g/t Au; and TR-23-007 where five samples along a 25m trend returned an average grade of 2.2 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag ranging from 7.3 g/t Au to 0.1 g/t Au. “Bulk Sample material will be extracted and prepared for processing by heap-leach method at a private mining operation less than 25km to the west of Pilar”.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp., provided an update and defined drill targets at its Jemi heavy earth rare element project, located in Coahuila State. The exploration program carried out by the exploration team of the company consisted of detailed mapping and rock sampling, regional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric geophysical surveys, and lithogeochemical sampling. The exploration effort has been focused on the Jemi dikes and Veladora Norte areas, which host peralkaline intrusion related REE mineralization. “Of the 188 samples with assay results, over one third (76 samples) returned values greater than 0.15% total rare earth oxide (TREO), including 5 samples that returned values greater than 1.0% TREO to a maximum value of 2.4% TREO. The average TREO for all samples is 0.21%, and a minimum value of 9 parts per million (ppm), which was returned in an iron-oxide/calcite vein”. This rock sampling has defined a series of high priority drill targets.

ON MINING

  • Coeur Mining Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. On Q4, 2022 the company milled 554,247 tonnes of 1.59 g/t Au and 98 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of  92.4% and 85% respectively to produce approximately 26K Oz Au and 1.49M Oz Ag. It sold 25.2K Oz Au and 1.49M Oz Ag at an average realized price of USD $1,519 per Oz Au and USD $21.10 per Oz Ag. Coeur reported metal sales of USD $69.5.4M; cost applicable to sales (CAS) of USD $47.1M; adjusted CAS per Oz Au of USD $1,027 and adjusted CAS per Oz Ag of USD $14.23; exploration expense of USD $1.5M; cash flow from operating activities of USD $18.9M; total capital expenditures of USD $8.1M; and free cash flow of USD $10.8M. On the full year 2022,  Coeur milled approximately 2.2M tonnes of 1.65 g/t Au and 113 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 92.1% and 84.2% respectively to produce approximately 106.8K Oz Au and 6.71M Oz Ag. It sold 107.1K Oz Au and  6.7M Oz Ag at an average realized price of USD $1,471 per Oz Au and USD $21.78 per Oz Ag. Coeur reported metal sales of USD $303.4M; cost applicable to sales (CAS) of USD $1822.6M; adjusted CAS per Oz Au of USD $883 and adjusted CAS per Oz Ag of USD $13.05; exploration expense of USD $6.6M; cash flow from operating activities of USD $88.4M; total capital expenditures of USD $42.6M; and free cash flow of USD $45.8M.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., announced Q3, 2023 production results from its san martin mine in Queretaro. The company milled 58,562 tonnes of 1.29 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 85.24% and 48.95% respectively to produce 2,182 Oz AuEq.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., provided 2023 guidance for its Los Filos mine in Guerrero. The company expects to produce between 160K-180K Oz Au at cash and all includes sustaining cost of USD $1,460-USD $1,620 and USD $1,680-USD $1,865 per Oz Au produced respectively; and a sustaining cost of USD $40M.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation announced 2023 production guidance for its Mercedes mine in Mexico. The company expects to produce 65K-75K Oz Au and 210K-243K Oz Ag during 2023 at an average cash cost per Oz Au in the range of  $830-$890 , and all in sustaining cost of $1,120-$1,290 per Oz Au.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., released 2023 production and cost guidance for its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. The company expects to produce between 7.4-8.2M Oz Ag, 57-63M Lb Zn in Zn concentrates, 36-40M Lb Pb in Pb concentrates, and 5.4-6.2K Oz Au in Pb concentrates (or 12.4-13.8M Oz AgEq). All in sustaining cost for silver production and silver equivalent production has been estimated in USD $11-13 and USD $15.50-17.50 per Oz payable respectively. Gatos Silver also estimated sustaining capital expenditures at USD $45M; and exploration and definition drilling expenditures at USD $13M, including drilling of the south-east deep zone and district exploration.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2022 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations. The tables below show figures by mine for the period Q4 and full year 2022:

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., closed its previously announced bought deal offering of 58.1M of common shares at a price of CADS $0.31 per share for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $18M. Gross proceeds will be used to continue advancement of its El Tigre mine in Sonora, and for general corporate purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGAG-22-110 on the Eagle Deposits with 1.43 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag (2 g/t AuEq or 150 g/t AgEq) over 62.4m, including 4.57 g/t Au and 71 g/t Ag (5.52 g/t AuEq or 414 g/t AgEq) over 16m, including 17.05 g/t Au and 189 g/t Ag (19.57 g/t AuEq or 1,468 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; hole LRGAG-22-113 on the Eagle Deposit with 3.29 g/t Au and 358 g/t Ag (8.06 g/t AuEq or 605 g/t AgEq), including 20.05 g/t Au and 2,000 g/t Ag (46.72 g/t AuEq or 3,504 g/t AgEq) over 1.8m, including 40 g/t Au and 3,490 g/t Ag (86.53 g/t AuEq or 6,490 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m, plus 2.32 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag (3.09 g/t AuEq or 232 g/t AgEq) over 29.5m, including 5.20 g/t Au and 72 g/t Ag (6.16 g/t AuEq or 462 g/t AgEq) over 12.3m, including 21.10 g/t Au and 170 g/t Ag (23.37 g/t AuEq or 1,752 g/t AgEq) over 1m; hole LRGAG-22-115 on the Eagle Deposit with 1.44 g/t Au and 75 g/t Ag (2.45 g/t AuEq or 183 g/t AgEq) over 31.5m, including 3.38 g/t Au and 147 g/t Ag (5.34 g/t AuEq or 400 g/t AgEq) over 11m, including 12.85 g/t Au and 64 g/t Ag (13.70 g/t AuEq or 1,028 g/t AgEq) over 1; and hole LRGAG-22-227 on the Main Deposit with 1.28 g/t Au and 105 g/t Ag (2.68 g/t AuEq or 201 g/t AgEq) over 29m, including 4.84 g/t Au and 352 g/t Ag (9.54 g/t AuEq or 715 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 24 g/t Au and 335 g/t Ag (28.47 g/t AuEq or 2,135 g/t AgEq) over 0.7m. The Eagle Deposit adjoins the Main Deposit and represents a northern extension of the previously defined Mineral Resource Estimate in the Los Ricos South PEA.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced drill results from its San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato. Drilling highlights include hole UGSI22-005, the best drill hole the company has drilled at any of its mines acquired from Great Panther, with 5.11 g/t Au and 810 g/t Ag (1,219 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.92m, including 25.84 g/t Au and 4,914 g/t Ag (6,981 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m, including 28.23 g/t Au and 1,693 g/t Ag (3,951 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.42m. This significant drill result on the Melladito vein will be followed up with additional drill holes attempting to follow the down dip extension of the vein within the Company’s 2023 drill campaign. In addition, the company is in the midst of driving a 400m access ramp from Melladito to the analogous Purisima vein, which offers the potential for expanded production at San Ignacio mine. Guanajuato Silver also confirmed that it will provide an updated mineral resource estimate which is expected to be completed by Q3, 2023.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported Mineral Reserves and Resources for the year-ended 2022 at its Mulatos project, Sonora. The company reported Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves of 26,734,000 tons with an average grade of 1.95 g/t Au for a total of 1,679,000 Oz Au contained. Alamos Gold also announced Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) for 10,302,000 tonnes of 2.52 g/t Au for a total of 502K Oz Au contained, and Inferred Resources for 1,774,000 tonnes of 1.27 g/t Au for a total of 72K Oz Au contained. In addition, the company has budgeted a total of USD $17M for exploration in 2023. This budget comprises 16,000m of surface exploration drilling at Puerto del Aire, Gap Victor, and Estrella Zones, and 34,000m for regional exploration on high priority targets, including Halcon, Halcon West, Carricito, Bajios, and Jaspe.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corporation released results of recent underground drilling from its Marianas and Rey de Oro deposits at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Drilling highlights (reported in true widths) include hole UG-MR22-105 collared on Marianas Deposit with 5.68 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag over 2.8m, plus 12.43 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag over 2.8m; hole UG- MR22-106 on Mariana Deposit with 41 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over 0.8m; hole UG-MAR22-113 on Mariana Deposit with 8.47 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag over 3m, plus 5.02 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 3m; hole  UG-RDO23-075 collared on Rey de Oro Deposit with 10.23 g/t Au and 182 g/t Ag over 3.5m; hole UG-RDO22-077 on Rey de Oro Deposit with 15.35 g/t Au and 109 g/t Ag over 1.03m; and hole M22-934D on GAP Deposit with 6.47 g/t Au and 58 g/t Ag over 2.2m. “The Marianas and GAP drilling represent step-outs from the existing underground mining operations along the main Mercedes vein zone.  The Rey de Oro drilling represents extensions downdip and along strike of the existing reserves and underground operations”.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced updated Minera Resource Estimate (MRE) for its world class Metates deposit in Durango. The updated MRE incorporates an additional 23 holes drilled by Chesapeake and has an effective date of January 28, 2023.  It include Measured + Indicated Resources for 921.2M tonnes with average grades of 0.57 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag for a total of 16.77M Oz Au and 423.2M Oz Ag contained, and Inferred Resources for 139.5M tonnes with average grades of 0.47 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag for a total of 2.13M Oz Au and 59 M Oz Ag contained. “This updated MRE together with on-going metallurgical work will form the basis of a new Pre-Feasibility Study”.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., informed the commencement of drilling at its Santana project in Sonora. The company plans to drill a number of gold bearing breccia pipes in the cluster that comprise the Santana project. Some of these priority targets such as Zata and Benjamin Hill have never been drilled before. Over 10,000m of drilling in up to 80 holes have been planned by the company`s exploration team to drill-test the targets.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported underground drilling results from 35 holes drilled as part of the 2022 infill and exploratory drilling program conducted at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Drilling highlights ( reported in true widths) include hole PLIP22-30 with 69 g/t Ag, 2.67 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (353 g/t AgEq) over 14.1m, including 227 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.4% Cu (808 g/t AgEq) over 1.6m, including 219 g/t Ag, 40.18 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 1% Cu (4,075 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; hole PLIP22-52 with 2 g/t Ag and 1.91 g/t Au (182 g/t AgEq) over 8.1m, including 33 g/t Ag and 64.5 g/t Au (6,033 g/t AgEq) over 0.2M; hole PLIP22-29 with 55 g/t Ag, 1.01 g/t Au, 3.1% Pb, 4.8% Zn, and 0.2% Cu (441 g/t AgEq) over 21.7m, including 299 g/t Ag, 5.42 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, 9.7% Zn, and 0.6% Cu (1,291 g/t AgEq) over 2.8m; hole PLIP22-35 with 20 g/t Ag, 1.8 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.5% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (221 g/t AgEq) over 14.2m, including 44 g/t Ag, 1.1 g/t Au, 10.4% Pb, 15.3% Pb, and 0.3% Cu (1,059 g/t AgEq) over 0.2m, including 46 g/t Ag, 6.09 g/t Au, 2.7% Pb, 8.4% Pb, and 0.8% Cu (1,105 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m; and hole PLIP22-42 with 30 g/t Ag, 0.76 g/t Au, 7.9% Pb, 7.9% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (669 g/t AgEq) over 8.3m, including 49 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 7.8% Pb, 10.9% Zn, and 1.1% Cu (846 g/t AgEq) over 0.9m, including 50 g/t Ag, 1.97 g/t Au, 19.7 g/t Pb, 15.6% Zn, and 0.3% Cu (1,422 g/t AgEq) over 2.7m.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc., identified five new mineralized target areas at its la Joya project in Durango. These areas are located in the unexplored portion of the property and were outlined during the last exploration campaign which consisted of geological mapping and sampling. The Verde and Hueco Areas were partially drilled by a previous operator, while Dyke North, Dyke South, and South-East Areas never have been drill tested before.
  • Regency Silver Corp., announced that two follow-up holes down-dip from REG-22-01 were completed at its Dios Padre project in Sonora. Hole REG-22-01 intersected 6.84 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, and 0.88% Cu over 35.8m, including 13.97 g/t Au, 50 g/t Ag, and 1.11% Cu over 9.8m. Hole REG-23-14 encountered 32m of pyrite-specularite-chalcopyrite supported breccia from approximately 454-486m within a broader zone of disseminated and vein hosted mineralization approximately 25m down dip from REG-22-01, while hole REG-23-15 intersected 120m of specularite-pyrite-chalcopyrite supported breccia from approximately 400-520m within a broader zone of disseminated and vein hosted mineralization approximately 85m down-dip from REG-22-01 and about 62m down-dip from REG-23-14.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided a year-end 2022 summary of its activities carried out at its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa, and outlined the goals for 2023. During Q1, 2022 the company announced its initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) centered on the western portion of the Panuco district.  In 2022, Vizsla completed over 121,000m of additional drilling to conclude in an updated MRE on January 2023, with a significant increase in gold and silver as well as in the overall grade. The company also discovered other near-surface, high-grade structures, demonstrating the growth potential outboard of the known resource boundaries. “For 2023, our focus is on incremental expansion and de-risking of the current resource base. With a fully funded +90,000m drill program utilizing seven drill rigs, we plan to update the current Panuco resource estimate in the second half of 2023, which will be followed in due course by an initial Preliminary Economic Assessment”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Minera Alamos Inc., granted stock options to its management team, Board of Directors, and certain consultants. The Board of Directors approved the issuance of a total of 2.25M options at an exercise price of $0.51, and 6.9M at an exercise price of $0.45. All the options will expire in 5 years and vest 50% on the first anniversary of their grant and 50% on the second anniversary (Santana project, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., signed a cooperation agreement with the Ejido Santa Maria Zotoltepec, the ejido located closest to its Ixtaca project in Puebla, to support an agro-technological package aimed at sustainable plan nutrition and soil enrichment.

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, an outcrop of a flow banded rhyolite in a low-sulphidation epithermal veins prospect in Sonora Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.