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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of May, 2024

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Quartz vein showing boiling texture

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 21st week of the year (May 20th to May 26th, 2024), at least 25 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 1 news published by the media, with twelve disclosing deals and corporate issues, six reporting resources and developments of their properties, three announcing financing rounds, two discussing social issues, two commenting on Mexican issues, and one informing on exploration results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, AMLO denied that the government has expropriated a mine owned by the American firm Vulcan, in Quintana Roo, where the company extracts limestone, although he clarified that the company´s facilities remain closed. Silver Tiger, Tocvan/Colibri, Vizsla, and Kootenay Silver reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of May, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Centenario Gold announced that it will host a webinar to provide investors with an update and the next phase exploration and drilling program on its Eden project.  ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Impact Silver closed its first tranche of the non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD $7.1M (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua). Centenario Gold announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M (Eden project, Sinaloa). Guanajuato Silver announced the complete repayment of the USD $5M concentrate pre-payment facility (Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato and Topia mine, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Tocvan and its JV partner Colibri released results from its 2024 RC drilling program from its Pilar project in Sonora. Silver Tiger presented results from its ongoing PFS drilling program at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Luca Mining confirmed new high-grade gold zone with significant mining widths at its Tahuehueto mine, Durango. Vizsla released results from 16 new drillholes from its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Kootenay announced results from the first six holes targeting the eastern extension of the D-Vein target at its Columba project, Chihuahua.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Monumental Energy announced the termination of its option agreement on the Jemi REE project, Coahuila. Goldgroup reported contractor fatality at its Cerro Prieto mine in Sonora. Mag Silver announced the planned retirement of Peter Megaw after 20 years of dedicated services to Mag. Avino reminded his shareholders to vote their shares in the 2024 upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders (Avino mine, Durango). Sierra Metals entered into a binding agreement with Silverco to sell its Cusi property in Chihuahua.  Vizsla Silver filed the management information circular in connection with special meeting to approve spinout of Vizsla Royalties. Alamos Gold reported results from its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (Mulatos mine, Sonora). First Majestic announced ticker symbol change on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver announced the appointment of the General Manager of its La Guitarra Mine and Mill Complex in Mexico State, as well as announced the issuance of stock options to La Guitarra employees, advisors and consultants of the company. Chesapeake announced agreement to acquire intellectual property rights to a leaching technology which are currently held under license from Hycroft by Alderley (Metates, Durango).  Mexus provided an update to shareholders for its Santa Elena mine (Caborca), Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, GoGold presented its 2023 sustainability report (Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua). Torex released its 2023 responsible gold mining report (El Limon-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero).

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • AMLO denied that the government has expropriated a mine owned by the American firm Vulcan, in Quintana Roo, where the company extracts limestone, although he clarified that the company´s facilities remain closed. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated before a Senate committee that the action of the Mexican authorities is not a good way to attract investment. Mexican authorities ordered a halt to limestone extraction in the coastal state of Quintana Roo in 2022, alleging environmental damage by the company, which described the measure as “unexpected” and “arbitrary”. Since the, Vulcan Minerals has been unable to export its production and is demanding more than USD $1,500M in compensation through the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Tensions increased in 2023, when the company announced that Mexican security forces took possession of its port terminal in southern Mexico. Last year, AMLO announced that he was offering USD $391M to buy the land where Vulcan Materials operates and resolve the dispute. “The site is closed and they will not be able to work”, he said Wednesday.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., Tocvan Ventures Corp/Colibri Resources Corporation, Vizsla Silver Corp., and Kootenay Silver Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of May, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Centenario Gold Corp., announced that it will host a webinar at 10:00 am PDT on Thursday May 30th, 2024, to provide investors with an update and the next phase exploration and drilling program on its Eden project in Sinaloa. 

ON MINING

  • No relevant news.

ON FINANCING

  • Impact Silver Corp., closed its first tranche of the non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD $7.1M from the issuance of 15,526,190 units at a price of CAD $0.27 per standard unit. Net proceeds will be used to accelerate exploration activity at its Plomosas high-grade zinc-lead-silver property located in Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as to develop its prolific silver assets at its legacy Royal Mines of Zacualpan district, in Mexico State.
  • Centenario Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M through the issuance of up to 20M units at a price of $0.05 per unit (Eden project, Sinaloa).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced the complete repayment of the USD $5M concentrate pre-payment facility owed to Ocean Partners UK Limited, , a metal off-take and trading firm (Cubo, San Ignacio, and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato and Topia mine, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., and its JV partner Colibri Resource Corporation released results from its 2024 RC drilling program from its Pilar project in Sonora. The best drill intercepts were encountered in hole JES-24-79 with 0.82 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag over 50.32m, including 0.96 g/t Au and 0.6 g/t Ag over 42.7m, including 10.9 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag over 3.05m, including 21.4 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag over 1.52m. “Like the Main Zone, the North Hill trend is exposed at surface along a rounded ridge top, allowing the potential for a low strip ratio during early development. The hole tested near-surface mineralization and was stopped at 125.1m, mineralization at North Hill remains open along trend and to the east. 
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., presented results from its ongoing PFS drilling program at its El Tigre project, Sonora. Hole ET-24-568 collared at the Keel Zone intercepted 6.21 g/t Au and 410 g/t Ag (11.67 g/t AuEq or 876 g/t AgEq) over 16m, including 90.9 g/t Au and 6,034 g/t Ag (171.35 g/t Au or 12,852 g/t Ag( over 1m. The hole passed through the El Tigre vein located some 15m beneath the floor of the PEA Open Pit and is referred to as the Keel Zone.  Other new intersections through the Stockwork deposit include holes ET-24-570 with 1.63 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag (1.92 g/t AuEq or 144 g/t AgEq) over 59.3m; hole ET-23-563 with 0.7 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (1.17 g/t AuEq or 88 g/t AgEq) over 45m, including 1.01 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag (2.2 g/t AuEq or 165 g/t AgEq) over 15m, including 1.43 g/t Au and 634 g/t Ag (9.89 g/t AuEq or 742 g/t AgEq) over 2m, plus 0.68 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (0.71 g/t AuEq or 53 g/t AgEq) over 6m; and hole ET-23-552 with 0.83 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (0.92 g/t AuEq or 69 g/t AgEq9 over 35.5m, including 2.1m mining void, plus 1.66 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag (1.68 g/t AuEq or 126 g/t AgEq) over 7m, plus 0.44 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag (0.45 g/t AgEq or 33 g/t AgEq9 over 19.5m. “The results may increase the updated MRE associated with the PFS-level study which we expect to deliver by September 2024, which will also further de-risk the project.”  Mr. Jessome (Silver Tiger CEO) continued, “We contemplate being able to make a build decision based on our upcoming PFS.”
  • Luca Mining Corp., confirmed new high-grade gold zone with significant mining widths at its Tahuehueto mine, Durango. New geological mapping and sampling at the Main Creston Vein at underground Level 23 confirmed the presence of breccia ore shoots up to 20m wide with some internally assayed channel samples returning greater than 20 g/t Au. These wide and higher-grade Au mineralization zones at depth confirm the enormous upside potential of the mine.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., released results from 16 new drillholes from its Panuco project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes NP-24-431 (Napoleon and HW 4 Structures) with 362 g/t Ag, 0.44 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (405 g/t AgEq) over 0.73m, plus 1,551 g/t Ag, 14.08 g/t Au, 1% Pb, and 3.8% Zn (2,561 g/t AgEq) over 2.40m, including 2,460 g/t Ag, 23.2 g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, and 6.1% Zn (4,121 g/t AgEq) over 1.24m, plus 62 g/t Ag, 1.18 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (165 g/t AgEq) over 0.75m, plus 132 g/t Ag, 1.1 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.9% Zn (236 g/t AgEq) over 0.70m; hole NAP-23-004 (Napoleon Structure) with 939 g/t Ag, 6.26 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (1,503 g/t AgEq) over 0.40m, plus 328 g/t Ag, 4.32 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (696 g/t AgEq) over 6.5m, including 505 g/t Ag, 6.33 g/t Au, 2.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (1,038 g/t AgEq) over 3.65m; hole NP-24-429 (Molino, Napoleon and HW Structures) with 105 g/t Au, 0.46 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (145 g/t AgEq) over 1.55m, plus 2,390 g/t Ag, 28.1 g/t Au, 2.2% Pb, and 9.6% Zn (4,533 g/t AgEq) over 1.30m, plus 144 g/t Ag, 1.06 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (217 g/t AgEq) over 0.75m, plus 2,508 g/t Ag, 26.04 g/t Au, 1.8% Pb, and 6.8% Zn (4,525 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m, including 2,380 g/t Ag, 35.1 g/t Au, 2% Pb, and 8.8% Zn (4,959 g/t AgEq) over 0.42m; and hole NP-24-435 (HW and Napoleon Structures) with 1,429 g/t Ag, 11.76 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (2,156 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m, plus 53 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 7.3% Zn (330 g/t AgEq9 over 0.40m. “New drilling along the central and southern portions of the Napoleon resource area has successfully expanded known zones of high-grade mineralization, proximal to potential development. Additionally, expansion drilling targeting the Hanging Wall 4 structure and the recently discovered El Molino Vein, returned significant gold and silver values outboard of the current resource boundary. We are very pleased with how Luisa, Napoleon and Copala are responding to tighter spaced drilling. This supports increased potential for resource conversion as we de-risk the project ahead of the preliminary economic assessment planned for early Q3.”
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., announced results from the first six holes targeting the eastern extension of the D-Vein target at its Columba project, Chihuahua. Drilling highlights (true widths reported) include holes CDH-24-153 with 183 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 12.95m, including 481 g/t Ag, 0.02% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 3.52m, including 920 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 3.3% Zn over 0.43m; and hole CDH-24-152 with 83 g/t Ag, 0.05% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 18m, including 240 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 5.40m, including 347 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 3.36m, including 492 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn over 1.59m, including 539 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 1.6% Zn over 0.60m. “The company has completed over 30,000m of diamond drilling in 153 holes at Columba since 2019 and intercepted numerous veins with high silver grades and widths indicating excellent resource potential. Prospective veins on the project are hosted within a volcanic caldera setting; the surface extent of mapped veins measuring roughly 4km by 3km. Management believes that Columba may be a newly recognized vein district that is nearly entirely preserved from erosion.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Monumental Energy Corp., announced the termination of its option agreement on the Jemi REE project, Coahuila. Following its assessment of exploration results, the company has elected to discontinue its activities under the Jemi Option Agreement in which they had the right to acquire a 100% interest in six mineral concessions comprising approximately 3,560 hectares located in the Ocampo municipality of Coahuila State.
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc., reported contractor fatality at its Cerro Prieto mine in Sonora. The contractor’s employee was fatally injured while working in the Esperanza pit when recently blasted rock dislodged striking the worker during inspection of the blasted area.
  • Mag Silver Corp., announced the planned retirement of Peter Megaw, Co-Founder and Chief Exploration Officer, after 20 years of dedicated services to Mag. Peter will continue as a consultant to the Company following his retirement from executive duties at Mag. “My admiration and deep respect to Peter for his brilliant work in the mining exploration in Mexico”.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., reminded his shareholders to vote their shares in the upcoming 2024 annual general meeting of shareholders, to be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM PT (Avino mine, Durango).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., entered into a binding agreement with Silverco Mining Corp., to sell its Cusi property in Chihuahua, and related assets including, among other things, land and land agreements, equipment and environmental permits. Terms of the agreement include a cash payment of USD $2.5M at closing, and a 2.0% net smelter royalty in respect of the Cusi Mine granted in favour of Sierra Metals. Silverco will have the right to purchase half of the royalty (being 1.0%) at any time in exchange for a cash payment to Sierra Metals of USD $5M.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., filed the management information circular in connection with special meeting to be held on June 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM (PST), to approve spinout of Vizsla Royalties Corp. “The purpose of the meeting is to seek approval of the previously announced spinout by way of a plan of arrangement between Vizsla Silver and Vizsla Royalties Corp. (Spinco), whereby the owners of common shares of Vizsla Silver are entitled to receive one-third of a common share of Spinco and one-third of a common share purchase warrant of Spinco for each Vizsla Silver share held immediately prior to the closing of the Arrangement. Each full Spinco warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Spinco share at an exercise price of $0.05 per share for a period expiring on the earlier of: (i) 120 days after the date the Spinco shares and Spinco warrants are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange; and (ii) December 31, 2025”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., reported results from its annual general and special meeting of shareholders virtually held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., announced ticker symbol change on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), effective as of market opens Monday, May 27, 2024. First Majestic symbol will change from “FR” to “AG”. As a result of this change, “AG” will now be the ticker symbol for First Majestic’s common shares listed in Canada on the TSX, and in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), allowing for enhanced, harmonized brand alignment within the Canadian and United States capital markets. The company’s ticker symbol on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange remains “FMV”. The company also announced voting results of its annual general meeting of shareholders held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., announced the appointment of the General Manager of its La Guitarra Mine and Mill Complex in Mexico State, as well as announced the issuance of stock options to La Guitarra employees, advisors and consultants of the company.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp., announced agreement to acquire intellectual property rights to a leaching technology which are currently held under license from Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation by Alderley Gold Corp. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, Chesapeake has agreed to pay CAD $2M in cash and to issue 1,026,518 common shares of the company for the Intellectual Property Rights. The common shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day (Metates, Durango).  
  • Mexus Gold US provided an update to shareholders for its Santa Elena mine (Caborca), Sonora. The company continues to negotiate for a favorable deal with multiple companies vying for the right to team with Mexus. There are currently two companies doing due diligence on 2 of the 3 properties Mexus has rights to in Sonora State, Mexico.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented its 2023 sustainability report, which sets out the company’s performance and achievements with respect to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Highlights of the reports include energy consumption decrease of 44% compared to prior year, including a 25% decrease at Parral; decreased carbon dioxide emissions by 38% compared to the previous year; 0.006 tCO2e per oz of silver equivalent produced at Parral; 0.006 tCO2e per tonne of ore processed; increase of over 8% in safety and professional development training to over 12,000 hours; awarded the ESR distinction (Empresa Socialmente Responsables – Corporate Social Responsibility); USD $17.2M spent in local purchases, including USD $422K in community investment; donation of 600 machine hours to nearby towns in order to help with local infrastructure; and social impacts in nearby communities include providing food packages to elderly, educational and sports supplies to local children and medical attention to residents.
  • Torex Gold Resources inc., released its 2023 responsible gold mining report, titled At the Heart of Who we Are, the Company’s ninth annual disclosure of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance (El Limon-Guajes mine complex, Guerrero). Highlights include “industry-leading safety performance, ending 2023 with a lost-time injury frequency of 0.31 per million hours worked for our employees and contractors; the company also achieved 10 million hours worked without a lost-time injury at El Limón Guajes (ELG) for the third time since 2020;  zero reportable environmental incidents or spills; continued implementation of our Community Development Agreements (CODECOPs) in partnership with 11 host communities, with $3.1M directly invested in community development and infrastructure projects;  released an Economic Impact Study demonstrating direct, indirect, and induced benefits in Mexico at the state and national levels, including a 3% annual contribution to Guerrero State’s annual gross domestic product;  66% water usage recycled; 63% non-mineral waste recycled;  108.5 hectares reforested, with 70,560 native trees planted from two on-site greenhouses;  99% employees from Mexico with ~69% from Guerrero State; 9% overall turnover rate in 2023 down from 14% in 2022;  90% of procurement spend in Mexico; $158M spent on procurement within Guerrero State, almost a 50% increase relative to 2022; continued progress on implementation of the requirements of the World Gold Council’s Responsible Gold Mining Principles, International Cyanide Management Code, and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management; continued improvement in scoring from key ESG ratings agencies including MSCI, Sustainalytics, and CDP”.

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

On the picture above, boiling texture in an epithermal vein system in a project in Sonora, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of January, 2024

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Hydrothermal Breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 2nd week of the year (January 8th to January 14th, 2023), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 4 news published by the media, with nine communicating production results, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, six reporting resources and developments, five announcing financing issues, five commenting on Mexican issues, and two informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, German Larrea, owner of Grupo Mexico, announced that it is in a group of several companies interested in acquiring a copper mine of First Quantum Minerals in southern Spain. Grupo Mexico reported that it advances in the construction of three copper mining projects, with a combined production of 246,000 tons per year. The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) announced that Mexico will begin operations of four new gold mines in 2024. President of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM) indicated that insecurity has affected the most important mining regions of Mexico such as Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Guerrero and the State of Mexico, where companies have had to allocate between 5 and 10% more to their security budget to combat high insecurity rates. Prime Mining reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Colibri and JV partner Silver Spruce filed an application to drill 10,000m on the Diamante project. In Sinaloa, Centenario announced that it completed 700m in 5 holes from its maiden drilling program at its Eden project in Sinaloa.  ON MINING, Agnico reported Q3, 2023 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos Mine in Chihuahua and La India Mine in Sonora. Alamos Gold announced Q4, 2023 production results and guidance for 2024, 2025 and 2026 (Mulatos Mine, Sonora). Aura reported Q4, 2023 production results from its Aranzazu Mine in Zacatecas. GoGold announced Q4, 2023 production from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. Torex reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine complex in Guerrero. Gatos Silver provided Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. Guanajuato Silver announced Q4, 2023 production results from their Mexican operations. Endeavour reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively, and provided 2024 production and cost guidance.  ON FINANCING Fortuna paid down an additional USD $41M debt (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca). Guanajuato Silver announced that it has arranged a debt settlement of CAD $455K (El Cubo Mine, Guanajuato). Atacama closed the second tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $5.5M (Cristina and Yécora projects in Chihuahua and Sonora states respectively).  Orex closed one tranche of its non-brokered private placement for net proceeds of $183,750 (Sandra and Coneto projects, Durango). Centenario closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $50K (Eden project, Sinaloa). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining released expansion and generative drill results from its 2023 drilling program at Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Sonoran Desert completed sampling program at Cuatro Hermanos project, Sonora. Vizsla announced an update mineral resource estimate for its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. Heliostar filed an updated mineral resource estimate for its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Silver Tiger provided a 2023 summary of activities and outlook for 2024 (El Tigre project, Sonora). Tocvan presented a 2023 summary of activities at their Picacho and Pilar projects in Sonora and plans for 2024.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Avino signed a long-term land-use agreement with a local community for the development of La Preciosa, Durango. Trident Royalties announced the acquisition of royalty assets from Avino on La Preciosa deposit in Durango by making a payment of USD $8.75M. CMC Metals entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire the mineral rights of the Gavilanes property in Durango.  Defiance announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Lucita property in Zacatecas and also reported that the terms of the San Acacio property agreement in Zacatecas were successfully renegotiated with the vendor. Impact announced that it has entered into a managed services contract with Bell International de Mexico / TTN Energia to provide  Tesla Battery Energy System with solar at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Monumental retained Senergy Communications Capital Inc., to provide digital media and capital markets communications services to the company (Jemi HREE project, Coahuila). Ridgestone reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Rebeico project, Sonora). Excellon provided a corporate update and outlook for 2024 (Platosa mine, Durango).  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

  • German Larrea, owner of Grupo Mexico, announced that it is among several companies that are interested in acquiring a copper mine of First Quantum Minerals in southern Spain. First Quantum began a process to sell its Las Cruces mine in southern Spain in December after the sudden closure of the Panama copper mine left the company against financial uncertainty. The Las Cruces mine would give Grupo México, the conglomerate controlled by Mexican billionaire Germán Larrea, another opportunity to expand in Europe after he failed to acquire a different Spanish copper mining complex in 2021. Copper assets have attracted the interest of mining companies that expect demand to increase as a result of the energy transition, and the upward perspectives have already caused an increase in negotiations.
  • Grupo Mexico reported that it advances in the construction of three copper mining projects, with a combined production of 246,000 tons per year: a greenfield project located approximately 45Km from the Buenavista del Cobre mine containing estimated proven and probable reserves of 317M tonnes of 0.249% Cu, with an estimated production of 36K tonnes of Cu cathodes per year by 2024; El Pilar mine, and open pit with an annual production capacity of 36K tonnes of Cu cathodes, which is expected to begin production in 2024 with an expected useful life of 13 years; and El Arco, Baja California, a world-class deposit with mineral reserves of > 1,230M tonnes with an average grade of 0.4% and 141 M tonnes of leachable material with an ore grade of 0.27% Cu. El Arco includes an open pit mine with a estimated production of 190K tonnes of Cu and 105K Oz Au annually.
  • The Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX) announced that Mexico will begin operations of four new gold mines in 2024: Media Luna in Guerrero of Torex Gold Resource Inc.; Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas of Minera Alamos Inc., with an expected production within the first four years of 60K to 70K Oz Au and subsequent production of 58.4K Oz Au, a useful life of 8.2 years,  a scheduled investment of USD $150.5M, and a start of operations expected in the second half of 2024; Terronera in Jalisco of Endeavour Silver Corp., located in Jalisco, with an investment of USD $175M and a production estimated at 33K Oz Au; and Cerro Caliche in Sonora of Sonoro Gold with an investment of USD $26M for a production of around 45K Oz Au. These projects will together produce 323,400 Oz Au annually and total an investment of USD $1,146M.
  • President of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM) indicated that insecurity has affected the most important mining regions of Mexico such as Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Guerrero and the State of Mexico, where companies have had to allocate between 5 and 10% more to their security budget to combat high insecurity rates. Under this panorama, the Fraser Institute of Canada placed Mexico as the fourth most unsafe country in Latin America to carry out mining activity, only below Venezuela, Colombia and Nicaragua. Globally, the Institute placed Mexico in 73rd place out of 84 jurisdictions evaluated in terms of investment attraction.

Prime Mining Corp., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the second week of January, 2024. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corporation and JV partner Silver Spruce Resources Inc., filed at SEMARNAT (The Mexico Environment Authority), an application to drill 10,000m on the Diamante project. The company expects to receive the authorization within the next three weeks and anticipates that the drilling program will begin soon after the receipt of the permit.
  • Centenario Gold Corp., announced that it completed 700m in 5 holes from its maiden drilling program at its Eden project in Sinaloa. Results from the first 3 holes are expected to be released prior to the end of January. All holes on this initial phase of the program target the strike and downdip extensions of the central portion of the ‘Buenavista’ mineralized structure.  

ON MINING

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reported Q3, 2023 production and financial results from their Pinos Altos Mine in Chihuahua and La India Mine in Sonora. At Pinos Altos Mine, Chihuahua, the company milled 450K tonnes of 1.84 g/t Au to produce 25,386 Oz Au, at a production costs per tonne of USD $89; minesite costs per tonne of USD $85; production costs of USD $1,581 per Oz Au produced; and total cash costs of USD $1,310 per Oz Au produced. At La India Mine, Sonora, the company milled 970K tonnes of 1.1 g/t Au to produce 22,269 Oz Au, at a production costs per tonne of USD $29; minesite costs per tonne of USD $27; production costs of USD $1,271 per Oz Au produced; and total cash costs of USD $1,156 per Oz Au produced.
  • Alamos Gold Inc., announced Q4, 2023 production results and guidance for the next three years 2024-2026. The company produced 48K Oz Au at Mulatos Mine, Sonora, and expects to produce in 2024 between 160K-170K Oz Au in 2024, at a total cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au of USD $825-875 and USD $1125-$1,175 respectively; to produce in 2025 between 120K-130K Oz Au at a total cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au of USD $700-800 and USD $1050-$1,150 respectively;  and between 120K-130K Oz Au in 2026, at a total cash and all in sustaining cost per Oz Au of USD $675-775 and USD $975-$1,075 respectively.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., reported Q4, 2023 production results from its Aranzazu Mine in Zacatecas. It produced 7,061 Oz Au, 130,370 Oz Ag, and 9.6K Lb Cu for a total of 26,532 Oz AuEq.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced Q4, 2023 production from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. The company produced 109,016 Oz Ag, 1,848 Oz Au, and 212.8K Lb Cu (300,260 Oz AgEq).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its El Limon-Guajes mine complex in Guerrero. The company mined 19,404 tonnes per day in Q4, 2023 and 11,976 tonnes per day in the fiscal year 2023, with metallurgical recoveries of 89.5% and 88.6% respectively. Torex produced 137,993 Oz Au in Q4, 2023 for a total of 453,778 Oz Au in the full year of which sold 138,794 Oz Au in Q4, 2023 for a total of 444,750 Oz Au in the full year.
  • Gatos Silver Inc., provided Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. On a 100% basis, the company milled during Q4, 2023 over 277,318 tonnes of 318 g/t Ag, 3.9% Zn, 1.9% Pb, and 0.3 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 90.3%,61.8%, 89.8%, and 51.6% respectively, to produce  2.56M Oz Ag, 14.6M Lb Zn, 10.2M Lb Pb, and 1.4K Oz Au. During the full year 2023, the company  milled over 1,071,400 tonnes of 299 g/t Ag, 3.9% Zn, 1.8% Pb, and 0.29 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 89.4%,62.1%, 88.7%, and 52.4% respectively, to produce  9.21M Oz Ag, 57.3M Lb Zn, 38.9M Lb Pb, and 5.26K Oz Au.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced Q4, 2023 consolidated production results from their Mexican operations (El Cubo, Valenciana and san Ignacio mines in Guanajuato, and Topia mine in Durango).  The company mined 133,497 tonnes and milled 137,339 tonnes to produce 394,971 Oz Ag, 4,395 Oz Au, 837.2K Lb Pb, and 960.2K Lb Zn.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q4 and full year 2023 production results from its Guanacevi and Bolañitos mines in Durango and Guanajuato respectively, and provided 2024 production and cost guidance. During Q4, 2023, the company processed at Guanacevi mine, Durango over 110,781 tonnes of 419 g/t Ag and 1.2 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 85.2% and 87% respectively to produce 1.27M Oz Ag and 3,771 Oz Au. Through the full 2023 year, the company processed 433,409 tonnes of 417 g/t Ag and 1.19 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 88% and 90.5% respectively to produce 5.1M Oz Ag and 14.9K Oz Au.  During Q4, 2023, the company processed at Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato over 109,683 tonnes of 45 g/t Ag and 1.86 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 84.8% and 89.5% respectively to produce 134.7K Oz Ag and 5,887 Oz Au. Through the full 2023 year, the company processed 440,973 tonnes of 47 g/t Ag and 1.82 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 85.1% and 88.6% respectively to produce 567.5K Oz Ag and 22.9K Oz Au. Endeavour also provided 2024 production and cost guidance and expects to produce between 4.9-5.2M Oz Ag and 13-15K Oz Au at Guanacevi mine, Durango, while at Bolañitos mine, Guanajuato it expects to produce between 0.5-0.6M Oz Ag and 34-38K Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Fortuna Silver Inc., paid down an additional USD $41M debt of its revolving credit facility at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, using cash on hand (San Jose Mine, Oaxaca).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., announced that it has arranged to settle an aggregate of CAD $455K in outstanding liabilities of the Company by the issuance of an aggregate of 1,780,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $0.25 per share. The debt settlement includes the issuance of shares to certain of the Company’s suppliers totaling approximately CAD $405K and to three members of senior management totaling approximately CAD $40K (El Cubo Mine, Guanajuato).
  • Atacama Copper Corporation closed the second tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement for 30,782,634 subscription receipts at a price of CAD $0.18 per subscription receipt for gross proceeds of CAD $5.5M. The net proceeds of the concurrent financing will be used to advance exploration programs across the combined portfolio, with particular focus on Cristina project in Chihuahua and Yécora project in Sonora, and for general corporate purposes.
  • Orex Minerals Inc., closed one tranche of its non-brokered private placement by issuing 1,225,000 units at a price of $$0.15 per unit for net proceeds of $183,750 (Sandra and Coneto projects, Durango).
  • Centenario Gold Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $50K through the issuance of 333,333 units at a price of $0.15 per unit.  Proceeds from this private placement will be used for exploration of the Eden project, Sinaloa and general working capital.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Prime Mining Corp., released expansion and generative drill results from its 2023 drilling program at Los Reyes project, Sinaloa. Drilling highlights (reported in true widths) include holes 23LP-18 collared at Las Primas Area with 11.60 g/t Au and 311 g/t Ag (15.63 g/t AuEq) over 4.50m, including 20.39 g/t Au and 551 g/t Ag (27.52 g/t AuEq) over 2.50m, including 41.90 g/t Au and 1,111 g/t Ag (56.28 g/t AuEq) over 1.05m; and hole 23GE-147 collared at Guadalupe East Area with 9.69 g/t Au and 639 g/t Ag (17.95 g/t AuEq) over 31.25m, including 29.41 g/t Au and 1,797 g/t Ag (52.67 g/t AuEq) over 6.45m, including 45.34 g/t Au and 2,723 g/t Ag (80.57 g/t AuEq) over 3.90m. “The incredibly high-grade intercepts at Guadalupe East are exciting from a resource expansion perspective. 23GE-147 lies almost entirely within the 2023 Economic Resource Pit”.
  • Sonoran Desert Copper Corporation completed sampling program at Cuatro Hermanos project, Sonora. A total of 82 rock samples were collected. At Noemi Zone, 10 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 37.7 ppm to 1,915 ppm with an average value of 336.5 ppm Cu; Mo from 2.57 ppm to 67 ppm with an average value of 18 ppm Mo; Ag values from 1 ppm to 173 ppm with an average value of 45 ppm; and Au values from 0.02 ppm to 5.21 ppm with an average value of 1 ppm. At South Conglomerate Zone, 20 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 102 ppm to 162,500 ppm with an average value of 17,363 ppm Cu; Mo values from 1.68 ppm to 49.8 ppm with an average value of 22.1 ppm Mo; Ag values from 0.21 ppm to 1.5 ppm with an average value of 0.9 ppm Ag. At Maine Zone, 6 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 93.1 ppm to 274 ppm with an average value of 196.6 ppm Cu; Mo values from 4.13 ppm to 215 ppm with an average value of 100.1 ppm Mo; and Ag values from 0.05 ppm to 6.45 ppm with an average value of 1.7 ppm Ag. At West Zone, 6 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 37.8 ppm to 2,750 ppm with an average value of 1,204.8 ppm Cu; Mo values from 17.25 ppm to 391 ppm with an average grade of 131.3 ppm Mo; and Ag values from 0.23 ppm to 3.6 ppm with an average value of 1.44 ppm Ag. At Cactus Zone, 3 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 1,840 ppm to 67,900 ppm with an average value of 35.980 ppm Cu, Mo values from 132 ppm to 336 ppm with an average value of 217.5 ppm Mo; and Ag values from 8.17 ppm to 13.9 ppm with an average value of 10.6 ppm Ag. At San Lorenzo Zone, 37 samples collected returned Cu values ranging from 4 ppm to 22,500 ppm with an average value of 705 ppm Cu; Mo values from 0.14 ppm to 96.70 ppm with an average grade of 8.22 ppm; and Ag values from 0.01 ppm to 60 ppm with an average value of 2.46 ppm.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., announced an update mineral resource estimate for its flagship Panuco project in Sinaloa. “Indicated Mineral Resources are estimated at 9.5 M tonnes grading 289 g/t Ag, 2.41 g/t Au, 0.27% Pb, and 0.84% Zn (511 g/t AgEq). The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes indicated mineral resources of 88.2M Oz Ag, 736K Oz Au, 56.9M Lb Pb, and 178.9M Lb Zn (155.8M Oz AgEq). Highlights of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate include 48.7% increase in indicated mineral resources from 104.8 to 155.8M Oz AgEq; 48.7% increase in inferred mineral resources from 114.1 to 169.6Moz AgEq; 17% increase in average indicated mineral resource grade from 437 to 511 g/t AgEq; and new addition of La Luisa containing 4.0 M Oz AgEq indicated and 25.3M Oz AgEq of Inferred Resources. The Updated Mineral Resource represents less than 10% of the known vein strike of the newly consolidated district. 
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd., filed an updated mineral resource estimate for its Ana Paula project in Guerrero. Results were press released last November 27, 2023.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., provided a 2023 summary of activities and outlook for 2024 (El Tigre project, Sonora). 2023 highlights include the closing of a $18M bought deal financing with a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets; 30,000m of drilling completed at El Tigre project in Sonora; the delivery of an updated mineral resource estimate for El Tigre at September 18, 2023; and the delivery of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in November 2023 with an NPV of USD $287M. The company also plans in 2024 to complete 25,000m of drilling during H1, 2024 with the $20.1M it has in cash as of September 30,2023; to deliver a Prefeasibility Study and an updated Mineral Resource Estimate during Q2-2024; and to deliver a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the permitted underground resource during Q3-2024. 
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp., presented a 2023 summary of activities at their Picacho and Pilar projects in Sonora and plans for 2024. At Picacho project, Sonora, the company made a discovery in first 1,000m, intercepting 0.6 g/t Au over 44.2m including 2 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over  12.2m, approximately 200m to the north where a hole intersected 0.5 g/t Au over 27.5m, including 1.1 g/t Au over 12.2m. At Pilar project, Sonora, Tocvan conducted a successful bulk sample of 1,400 tonnes with head grades of 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag with an initial recovery of 62% for gold. Agitated bottle roll test of the bulk sample material returned 80% recovery of gold and 94% recovery of silver after a rapid 24-hour retention time. Additional surface and core composites from across Pilar returned 95 to 99% recovery of gold and between 73 to 97% recovery of silver through combined gravity and agitated leach processing.  An initial doré bar was later poured from the bulk sample material totalling 1.487 kilograms, containing 18% gold and 69% silver. A second gold-rich doré bar is scheduled to be poured this month. The company also consolidated the project area covering 22 square-kilometers and reported a trench sample results highlighted by 1.9 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over 20m. Plans for 2024 include a Resource infill and expansion drilling; a Maiden Resource Estimate in Q4, 2023; a Mine planning and design; submit applications for a MIA or Environmental Impact Statement, and an EJT or technical justification study; continue metallurgical testing; continue mapping and sampling on new expansion areas; conduct trenching and channel sampling of new targets; run geophysical surveys, including magnetics; and perform discovery drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Limited signed a long-term land-use agreement with a local community for the development of La Preciosa in Durango, which is located approximately 19Km from the current Avino Mine production operation.
  • Trident Royalties Plc., announced the acquisition of royalty assets from Avino Silver & Gold Mines Limited, comprising1.25% NSR covering La Gloria and Abundancia Veins at La Preciosa deposit in Durango, and a 2% gross value return royalty covering all other areas of La Preciosa by making a payment of USD $8.75M within 12 months of first silver production at La Preciosa.
  • CMC Metals Ltd., entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Swordfish Silver Corp. , who, through Sailfish de Mexico S.A. de C.V., holds the mineral rights of the Gavilanes property in Durango.  The deal is subject to the TSX approval.
  • Defiance Silver Corp., announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Lucita property, Zacatecas from Pan American Silver Corp., by completing payments for USD $1.5M and Pan American retaining a 2% NSR. It also reported that the terms of the San Acacio property agreement in Zacatecas were successfully renegotiated with the vendor. “The project vendor has agreed to extend the option agreement terms by one year from September 27, 2023 to September, 27, 2024. Defiance will now be making quarterly payments, over the year, to the property vendor totaling USD $539,721.51, with the final option payment of USD $2,300,000 due September27, 2024. In accordance with the original agreement, the vendor retains a 2.5% NSR which may be purchased for USD $2,500,000”.
  • Impact Silver Corp., announced that it has entered into a managed services contract with Bell International de Mexico / TTN Energia for the planning, design, construction, and operation of Tesla commercial battery with solar at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua.
  • Monumental Energy Corp., retained Senergy Communications Capital Inc., to provide digital media and capital markets communications services to the company by paying CAD$ 5K and up to maximum of CAD $30K towards direct expenses and costs for a 2-month period (Jemi HREE project, Coahuila).
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., reported results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Rebeico project, Sonora).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., provided a corporate update and outlook for 2024 (Platosa mine, Durango).  The company eliminated the USD $22M litigation liability overhang, through the deconsolidation of San Pedro Resources, and completed the strategic review of prior Mexico operations to allow Excellon to focus energies on key assets. Excellon is pursuing acquisition opportunities where it can unlock further value for shareholders.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

México ha captado 2,737 millones de dólares de IED en minería este año

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

Por Roberto Morales

Miércoles 22 de Noviembre de 2023 – 22:28

Dicho monto es el doble (+110%) en comparación con el del mismo lapso de 2022 y 4.7% mayor frente al correspondiente en 2021, que era considerado una cifra récord.

México atrajo 2,737 millones de dólares de Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED) en la industria de la minería en los tres primeros trimestres de 2023, el máximo monto para un periodo igual en la última década, de acuerdo con datos de la Secretaría de Economía.

Ese monto es el doble (+110%) en comparación con el del mismo lapso del año previo y 4.7% mayor frente al correspondiente en 2021, cuando se registró el anterior pico desde 2014.

Pueden continuar leyendo el artículo en la fuente, El Economista: https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/empresas/Mexico-ha-captado-2737-millones-de-dolares-de-IED-en-mineria-este-ano-20231122-0125.html