By Jorge Cirett

During the 48^th week of the year (November 25^th to December 1^st, 2019), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Fourth Forum on Community Relations was held in Hermosillo. Steel production in Mexico decreased 3.6% during October, compared with October of last year; Steel production is 7.8% down for the first 10 months of 2019. The Sombrerete mine in Zacatecas might have to halt work, as a court provided a judicial restriction (“amparo”) under which the strike (commanded by Napoleon Gomez Urrutia) that paralyzed operations for more than ten years, is still valid. Mining and Metallurgical production in Mexico fell 4.2% in September. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Silver Viper has commenced a 5,000 m drill program at its La Virginia project; Magna Gold provided an update on exploration at its Mercedes project near Yecora. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals released rock channel results from the Minerva, Monclova and Puerto Rico properties. In Zacatecas, Advance Gold has started drilling a large chargeability anomaly at its Tabaqueña property. ON MINING, Impact Silver and Discovery Metals released financial results for the third quarter 2019. ON FINANCING, Vangold Mining is to close the third tranche of financing for $707.5 K, while delisting from the TSX. San Marco completed a financing round for $448.6 K. McEwen Mining closed its offering for gross proceeds of US$50 M. VVC Exploration paid CA$200.9 K of debts with shares. Goldplay granted 1.37 M stock options to directors, officers and consultants. Vizsla Resources closed the first tranche of financing for gross proceeds of $3.6 M.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Candelaria Mining released results from 20 in-fill holes at Pinos, Zacatecas. Orla Mining expects to initiate open pit operations at Camino Rojo, in Zacatecas, in mid 2021. Peñoles is discussing possibilities to re-open the famous Naica mine, in Chihuahua. Peña Colorada commissioned a new, more sustainable, plant in Minatitlan, Colima. Discovery Metals began re-logging 132,000 m of historic drilling at Cordero, in Chihuahua, along with an airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey, aiming to produce higher grade zones within the resource and new exploration targets outside it.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Azure Minerals overturned the cancellation of a key mineral concession on its gold-cobalt-copper skarn Sara Alicia project in Sonora. Tocvan Ventures agreed with Colibri Resource the acquisition of the Pilar project in Sonora. Tamino Minerals signed a LOI on the Ofelia project, in Sonora. Discovery Metals released results for the third quarter 2019, period during which the company acquired all shares from Levon, and thus the Cordero project in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. The Mining Baseball League was created, and the first game between the Nacozari and Caborca teams was held in Nacozari, Sonora. The fifth Caborca Health Fair sponsored by Penmont and the UNAM foundation was held in El Coyote Ejido, providing more than 3,600 specialized services. The Peña Colorada mine commissioned one km of cobble stone road to connect two communities in Jalisco. Orla Mining is working alongside three communities in Zacatecas, aiding in education related programs and water supply. Grupo Mexico has an exhibition at its Casa Grande in Nacozari. Ternium and the IMSS held a Health Fair in Colima. Peñoles had a Health Journey in Teleolapan, Guerrero. The spread of renewable energy production is changing the environmental impacts of mining project worldwide.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

• The fourth Foro Minero de Relaciones Comunitarias (Community Relations Mining Forum) was held in Hermosillo on November 22, organized by the Sonora Mining Cluster, with the presence of the State governor, Claudia Pavlovich. Among the personalities present were Francisco Quiroga (Mining Subsecretary), Fernando Alanís (Camimex), Alberto Orozco and Gildardo Montenegro (Sonora Mining Cluster), Elia Tello (USA Consul), Manuel Barbera (from the Australian Embassy) and Alfonso Reyna (Construplan). The event had the presence of 360 attendees, almost twice the expected attendance.
• On the Fourth “Foro Minero de Relaciones Comunitarias” (Community Relations Mining Forum), Fernando Alanís Ortega, Camimex President, elaborated on how the mining business model has evolved towards co-responsibility, and the advances the mining sector has provided for social development in Mexico. He spoke on behalf of Peñoles and the Camimenx, citing the numerous contributions by the company that generates 32,950 direct jobs and 34,598 indirect jobs, with $29,544 M pesos in salaries in 2018. Among the industry numbers presented are: Total investment on social development in 2018, $253.5 M pesos (US$13.2 M), 176 K beneficiaries, 55.5 K medical consults, $51,871.4 M pesos in salaries, over 500 alliances with ONG’s and governments, Environment investment of $803 M pesos, almost 580 K trees planted, 1,360 scholarships and 55 community centers in 40 localities.
• Steel production in Mexico saw a decrement of 3.6% in October, accumulating a loss of 7.8% on production in the first 10 months of the year 2019. Worldwide, the reduction reached 2.8%, compared with the production of a year ago. In Mexico, the decrease has been due to poor numbers in construction and the automobile industry, as a result of the current economic stagnation.
• An “amparo” or judicial restriction was granted to the Sindicatio Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos, Siderúrgicos y similares de la República Mexicana, headed by the Morena senator Napleón Gómez Urrutia. Under the resolution Grupo México should respect the strike on the San Martín de Sombrerete mine in Zacatecas, which was declared in 2007 (Note by GPM.- The mine has been in operation by another union since August of 2018, and this ruling probably means all work is to be halted. Bad news for Sombrerete).
• The mining and metallurgic production in Mexico fell by 4.2% in September. Among the losers, gold production decreased 22.3%, sulphur 13.2%, 12.7% fluorite, 12% lead, 11.2% gold, 2.2% silver and 1.2% copper. On the other hand, coal production increased by 7.2%, zinc by 2.0% and gypsum by 1.3%

ON EXPLORATION

• Goldplay Exploration Ltd. Released results on its maiden drill program at the Nava target, within its San Marcial property in Sinaloa. Highlighted results from the first four drill holes comprise 1.00 m @ 354 gpt Ag (including 0.15 m @ 1,377 gpt Ag) in one hole; 0.45 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 196 gpt Ag; 4.10 m @ 0.38 gpt Au; 0.95 m @ 2.35 gpt Au; 3.75 m @ 0.50 gpt Au; 2.30 m @ 0.42 gpt Au (including 0.10 m @ 8.94 gpt Au); 1.00 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, in other hole, and 0.95 m @ 1.22 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag in another hole.
• Silver Viper Minerals Corp. has commenced drilling at its La Virginia project in Sonora. The program envisages 5,000 m of drilling in approximately 20 holes, starting on El Rubi zone, where previous drilling intersected 13.30 m (6.0 m true width) @ 3.16 gpt Au, 228 gpt Ag. The last campaign encountered mineralization over 100 m of strike length, and phase II of drilling is designed to test for the extension on strike and at depth on 50 m sections. The program will continue to probe prospective targets.
• Advance Gold Corp. has started drilling to test the chargeability anomaly identified on a recent 3D induced polarization survey on its Tabasqueña property in Zacatecas. The chargeability anomaly is 1,000 m long by 500 m in width, remaining open to the north, south and to depth.
• Magna Gold Corp. provided an update of work on four areas of the Mercedes project in Sonora. Drilling at La Lamosa confirmed oxide mineralization and a follow-up program is being contemplated to test the southeast dip and the extent to the North. At Mina de Oro gold occurs in a silicified dacite intrusive rock on a 330 m by 150 m belt that is still open. Historic workings have returned samples of up to 1.2 m @ 63.2 gpt Au; 1.2 m @ 8.6 gpt Au; 0.3 m @ 11.1 gpt Au. A drill program is planned for 2020 on this target. At Salto Colorado a matrix supported breccia is 300 m long and 60 to 150 m in width, developed in intrusive rocks at the contact with a volcanic rock package. Eight samples in this target are over 1 gpt Au, peaking at 8.52 gpt Au, 460 gpt Ag, 4.0% Pb, 4.2% Cu in a sample from a small working. At La Cueva/Nochebuena a matrix supported breccia 120 m by 80 m has returned up to 0.76 gpt Au, 80 gpt Ag and >1% Cu. The La Cueva breccia is 300 m by 10 to 50 m in width with one sample of 13 above 1 gpt Au.
• Discovery Metals Corp. released results from channel sampling at Minerva, in Coahuila, where 52 of 78 samples returned values >500 gpt AgEq, averaging 0.6 m @ 710 gpt Ag, 13.1% Zn, 8.8% Pb, 0.2% Cu. At Monclova, in Coahuila, a maiden drill program is being planned along 1.5 km of a contact zone between an intrusive and limestone. At Puerto Rico, in Coahuila, the company is having the land re-designated, and once the process is completed, will submit the drill permit application.

ON MINING

• Impact Silver Corp. announced financial results for the third quarter 2019. Throughput at the mill in its Minas de Zacualpan unit was 34.95 K tonnes @ 165 gpt Ag to produce 179.5 K Oz Ag, with the greater share of production coming from the Guadalupe mine. EBITDA was $0.3 M and net loss for the quarter $0.2 M, with a cash position of $4.4 M by the end of the period (with a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $4.95 M).

ON FINANCING

• Vangold Mining Corp. informed the first tranche of its private placement was closed in March with gross proceeds of $335 K and a finder’s fee of $9.45 K. The second tranche was closed on May, for gross proceeds of $248 K, paying a finder’s fee of $14.25 K and 285 K warrants. Vangold expects to close the third and final tranche of the private placement, for gross proceeds of $707.5 K, with no finder’s fee payable. The company has also entered into debt settlements agreements with two creditors to settle $20.2 K, including $10 K in management fees with an executive officer. Vangold is also to apply for a listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and delist from the TSXV (Pinguico, Guanajuato).
• San Marco Resources Inc. completed a financing round for gross proceeds of $448.6 K, paying a 6% finder’s fee in cash ($12.1 K) and 6% finder warrants (Chunibas, Sonora).
• McEwen Mining Inc. closed its previously announced offering, for gross proceeds of US$50 M (El Gallo, Sinaloa).
• Discovery Metals Corp. released financial and operating results for the third quarter 2019. During the period the company acquired all shares from Levon (Cordero, Chihuahua) and completed a non-brokered private placement for $9 M. On November 5, Discovery completed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $19 M. On November 18, the company commenced trading on the OTCQX Best Market in the US. By the end of the period the company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.97 M
• VVC Exploration Corp. announced that an aggregate of CA$200.9 K of indebtedness was converted into shares and warrants, with two insiders of the company participating in the debt conversion. On October 25 the company closed a private placement for CA$2 M (US$1.5 M) for development of the Kaity property in Chihuahua.
• Goldplay Exploration Ltd. has granted 1.37 M stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the company, for a term of five years (San Marcial, Sinaloa).
• Vizsla Resources Corp. closed the first tranche of $3.6 M of the previously announced $4 M private placement. The balance of the offering is expected to closed by December 5, 2019. The company expects to close the previously announced $2 M non-brokered private placement on December 6, 2019. (Panuco-Copala, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

• Candelaria Mining Corp. announced in-fill drill results from 20 holes on the Cinco Estrellas vein at the Pinos project in Zacatecas. Highlighted true width (tw) intervals comprise: 2.0 m @ 4.2 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 2.1 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 2.3 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 3.7 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag; 2.9 m @ 3.4 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 6.0 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag (including 0.4 m @ 12 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag); 0.7 m @ 3.0 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 3.3 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag; 1.3 m @ 6.7 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag (including 0.5 m @ 15.5 gpt Au, 110 gpt Ag); 0.9 m @ 3.1 gpt Au, 91 gpt Ag; 1.1 m @ 4.3 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag. The weighted true width average is 1.5 m.
• Orla Mining Ltd. is to initiate open pit operations in June of 2021 on its Camino Rojo property in Zacatecas, according from Camimex sources. The company has already started to work with three local communities inhabited by more than 1,200 persons.
• Industrias Mineras Peñoles, along with communal farmers (Ejido), the Naica Community in Chihuahua, the municipality authorities and the Subsecretary of Mining are in talks for the reactivation of the Naica mine. Along the agreements is the investment of US$8 M on exploration, and the support of the Subsecretary of Mining for the authorization of the use of the mine waters for agricultural use, and the evaluation of subsidies for the conditioning of irrigation channels. The company offered to provide the equipment and its maintenance, with the ejido taking care of the electricity bills.
• Peña Colorada commissioned the “Planta de Pastas” on the Centro Industrial Paticajo, in Minatitlan, Colima. The more than 850 M pesos investment (~US$45 M) plant is technologically innovative and conductive to sustainable production.
• Discovery Metals Corp. begun re-logging of the geology of the 132,000 m of historic drill core at Cordero, Chihuahua, with an actual advance of 50% to date. In September a rig was mobilized, and second one early in November, completing 3,600 m in 11 holes, of the 30,000 to 35,000 m to be completed before the end of 2021. A 5,100 line—km airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey began in early November, to cover the 35,000 ha property, to define new targets based on the signature of the current resource area.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

• Alio Gold Inc. informed a settlement agreement has been signed with Maverix Metals Inc. regarding disputed royalty payments at the company’s Florida Canyon mine (San Francisco, Sonora).
• Azure Minerals Ltd. overturned an historical cancellation of the Sara Alicia II mining concession that adjoins its Sara Alicia property in Sonora, completing the acquisition of the property. This event increases the area held by the company in the area from 9 to 49 hectares. The acquisition was closed with the payment of $80 K to the owners of the concession. The mineralization previously intersected by Azure is related to strong magnetic high, same that continues for more than 300 m into the Sara Alicia II concession.
• Tocvan Ventures Corp. signed the agreement to acquire the Pilar project in Sonora, from Colibri Resource Corp.. Tocvan has advanced the first year’s cash payment of $125 K and issued 2 M shares. Tocvan must complete a $2 M of exploration in the property over five years and pay Colibri $275 K over five years in installments of $50 K, $75 K, $75 K, and $75 K on the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the signing, to obtain 51% of interest in the property. To acquire the remaining 49% interest, an additional payment of $2 M must be done to Colibri within 6 months of the fifth anniversary.
• Tamino Minerals Inc. signed a letter of intention (LOI) on the potential acquisition of the Ofelia project in Sonora. The 19 hectares claim has rock chip samples returning over 1 Oz Au per ton.
• Discovery Metals Corp. released financial and operating results for the third quarter 2019. During the period the company acquired all shares from Levon (Cordero, Chihuahua)

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• The sub-secretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga threw the first ball on the Mining Baseball League (recently created to strengthen ties in the mining industry) in the game between the Nacozari (Grupo Mexico) and Caborca (Fresnillo) teams. Grupo Mexico has 16 teams in nine States within the Mining League.
• The 5^th Caborca Health Fair, sponsored by Penmont and the UNAM Foundation, was held on the nearby El Coyote Ejido (community). More than 3,600 specialized services like medical treatments and revisions, with the majority having dental checks and 600 sight checks. The Universidad de Sonora realized 297 blood tests, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) applied 500 influenza shots and the Secretaría de Salud provided more than five thousand services in 12 service modules, among which were general consultations, reproductive health, prostate, breast and cervical cancer detection.
• The Peña Colorada mine delivered to the authorities in Cuautitlan de García Barragán in Jalisco, one kilometer of cobble stone road between the Ayotitlan and Las Marías communities, as well as a vehicle to the Municipality DIF (Integral Family Development System). The company is also to provide funds for the development of a water well to service the Cerro Prieto, La Astilla and Las Pesadas communities.
• Orla Mining Ltd. is working with three communities in the state of Zacatecas, well ahead of its intended start of production on its Camino Rojo property. Among the social responsibility practices by the company is the construction of a building for children of pre-school age, support on water well equipment, and educative programs linked with the “Instituto Zacatecano de Educación para los Adultos” and Summer courses.
• Casa Grande, in Nacozari, Sonora, is the venue for the “Minerals, the skin our Earth” exhibition sponsored by Grupo Mexico. The company has 16 “Casa Grande” community centers in 11 States, where workshops take place, along with artistic and cultural activities.
• Ternium’s Health Fair was held in Colima, providing pediatric, geriatric and gynecology medical and optometry services to the population, in coordination with the Health Secretariat of Colima and the local Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).
• Industrias Mineras Peñoles. is conducting, in alliance with Fundación UNAM, a Health Journey (Jornada de Salud) in Teleolapan, at the Centro de Salud of Tehuixtla, in Guerrero, near its Capela project.
• Renewable Energy has a positive influence in the Mining Sector. According to Fitch Solutions, mining companies are aware of the decrement of production costs in renewable energy. Some of the most common energy technologies applied by the sector include wind, solar, bio-diesel, geotermic, hydroelectricity and hydrogen. Currently, 1 GW of renewable energy is generated at mine sites worldwide, and another 1 GW is under construction.

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

On the image below: K-Feldspar alteration in metamorphic rocks, from a project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.