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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of December, 2019

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 50th week of the year (December 9th to December 15th, 2019), at least 18 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Bacanora Minerals lithium deposit in Sonora is considered the biggest resource of the metal in the world, according to Francisco Quiroga, Mining sub-secretary. Camimex calls to maintain the competitivity of the mining sector, as it is being threatened by a environmental tax proposal. Newmonts Goldcorp´s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas is to lift Mexican gold production in 2020, according to BNamericas. Camimex invited the secretary of the environmental agency (SEMARNAT), Victor Manuel Toledo to visit one of the mining units, for him to review what sustainable mining is. He will also be visiting Hermosillo and Ures, meeting with authorities of the municipalities affected by a toxic leak on 2014. ON EXPLORATION, in Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources updated on exploration efforts by partner Centerra at its Tenoriba project; Kootenay Silver released good drilling results on its Columba property. ON MINING, Alamos Gold and Golden Minerals released results for the third quarter 2019. GoGold released results on the year ending in September 2019. ON FINANCING, Advance Gold closed the second tranche of its private placement for gross proceeds of $42 K. Azure Minerals announced the receipt of A$467 K of VAT back taxes (dating to 2016) from the government. Tamino Minerals is planning to become “Pink Current” very soon on the OTC. Odyssey Marine Exploration obtained commitments for up to $4.2 M.   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Candelaria Mining released results on 15 new holes from the Mirador mine at the Altagracia project in Oaxaca. Pan American Silver announced an initial resource estimate, on the polymetallic  skarn deposit at La Colorada, of 72.5 M tonnes @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 2.02% Pb, 4.40% Zn, remaining open in most directions, and containing over 100 M Oz Ag. Defiance Silver updated on exploration efforts at its San Acacio project in Zacatecas and at its Tepal project in Michoacán. Prime Mining released surface road cut and trench assays from its Guadalupe de los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tamino Minerals has signed a LOI on the Ofelia property, in Sonora. Discovery Metals informed Eric Sprott now owns 21% interest in the company. Newmont Goldcorp announced a deal with the Cedros community on water resources. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. A mining gathering was held in Banamichi, Sonora. The Asociación de Mineros de Sonora celebrated its 40th anniversary. The first “Comité de Desarrollo Regional para las Zonas Mineras” was created in Sonora, to recommend the use of the Mining Fund in certain infrastructure projects in mining areas. Dr. Vagón, Grupo Mexico’s health itinerant clinic was at La Junta, and soon to be moved to the nearby Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, both in Chihuahua. The Consorcio Minero Benito Juárez and the Fundación Bécalos Televisa delivered 120 scholarships to excellency students. A fair was held in Tayoltita, Durango, to bring awareness of the mining work and environment to inhabitants and family members of mine workers. Minera Media Luna is showing a strong support for education in Guerrero, with shcolarships, internships and support to local schools. The Sonora miners association (AMSAC) signed an agreement with the Consejo Regulador del Bacanora, to source agave saplings on its greenhouses to the agave growers. The Mexican gray wolf has left the list of extinct species in the wild, moving to the category of species on extinction risk.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The lithium deposit in Sonora is the major project of its type in the World, according to Francisco Quiroga, Sub-Secretary of Mining, on an interview by a journalist known country wide. He cautioned on not hurrying up to celebrate, as the lithium still has to be extracted, and be metallurgically separated of the other minerals present in the ore (In this project, unlike other, lithium is contained in a clay). This project is assumed to have 243 M tonnes of lithium, surpassing the Thacker Pass deposit in Nevada, the second lithium deposit, with reserves of 179 M tonnes of lithium. The deposit is co-owned by the English company (not Canadian, as stated in the note) Bacanora Lithium and the Chinese Ganfeng Lithium, and located in the Bacadehuachi municipality (tens of kilometers from the Campo Verde Protected Natural Area and the Chihuahua border).
  • Camimex calls for maintaining the competitivity of the Mining Sector in Sonora. The call was made by Karen Flores, Camimex head, on the first Universitary Mining Gathering held in Banamichi, Sonora. She called for a proposal to tax mining operations on environmental grounds to be repelled. Such tax would transform Sonora in one of the more expensive places to mine, in an industry that is already heavily regulated and taxed. According to the authorities, mining in 2018 provided more than 46 billion pesos (US$2.36 billion) in taxes, 9,000 billion pesos (US$461 M) in rights and more than 4,500 billion pesos (US$230 M) in resources for the Mining Fund.
  • Newmont Goldcorp’s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas is to lift Mexican gold production in 2020, when production by other big players is to decline. The combined production by the three biggest producers in Mexico, Fresnillo, Newmont Goldcorp, and Alamos Gold should reach 1.59 M Oz Au, above the 1.22 M Oz Au mines in 2019. This is a 30% increment year on year, achievable if the companies reach their mid-point guidelines. According to BNamericas this figure is more than half the 3.15 M Oz Au to be produced by more than 20 companies in Mexico. Fresnillo’s production reached 923 K Oz Au in 2018, expects to produce 885 K Oz in 2019, 785 K Oz in 2021 and 665 K Oz in 2022; the decline motivated by the end of production at the Noche Buena mine and less production at Herradura. Meanwhile, Peñasquito expects to produce 575 K Oz Au in 2020 , and a little bit more in 2021, before production starts to decline due to lower grades. Alamos Gold expects to produce 150 – 160 K Oz Au during 2019 in Mulatos, while the Chanate mine is to produce only 5 K Oz. Minera Frisco and Agnico Eagle have seen their gold production dwindle in 2019, while Torex Gold reached 138 K Oz Au produced during the third quarter, and the company expects to sell 430 K Oz Au this year. Leagold also is to increase production at Los Filos, expecting to double on the 200 K Oz Au forecasted for this year.
  • Camimex invited Victor Manuel Toledo, secretary of the environment and natural resources (SEMARNAT) to visit one of the mining units, for him to review what sustainable mining is. Earlier in the day, in the morning presidential conference, Toledo stated that Semarnat is not against mining: “For Semarnat there is not good or bad mining, revisions have to be on a case by case basis, and confirm through inspection its adherence to norms”.
  • Victor Manuel Toledo, secretary of the environment and natural resources (SEMARNAT) is to be in Hermosillo in December 18th for the presentation of a book on the toxic leakage of 2014, and in Ures to meet with affected parties and authorities of municipalities within the Rio Sonora basin.
  • Alberto Orozco, president of the Sonora Mining Cluster, praised the visit that Victor Manuel Toledo (Environmental Secretary) is to make next week to a mining unit in Sonora. Orozco stressed the presence in Sonora of companies highly involved in the social and economic development of the producing regions in a sustainable manner. He also pointed that the Sonoran mining production is 36% of the national production, contributing with 18% of the State gross domestic product.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Mammoth Resources Corp. updated on exploration efforts at its Tenoriba project, funded by partner Centerrea Gold Inc.. Field logistics have been set, all historical geologic data compiled for Centerra’s review and interpretation and a 3D model is under preparation; all un-assayed core was sent for analysis, and the previous drill program permit is being closed, and a new one is to be prepared. Strong argillic, argillic and minor vuggy silica is present on volcanic rocks on a 4 to 6 Km long belt, with geophysics re-processing pointing to a larger target than previously envisaged, and a new 30 line-Km survey is being planned. A large soil anomaly highlights the eastern part of the corridor. Mammoth is working on community consultation processes with the two ejidos (communal lands) involved.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. released results from six holes drilled at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Highlighted intervals comprise: 25.85 m @ 200 gpt Ag (including 11.5 m @ 415 gpt Ag, which includes 4.0 m @ 721 gpt Ag, which includes 1.9 m @ 982 gpt Ag) in silicified breccias in proximity to a lithological contact; 6.25 m @ 67 gpt Ag (including 2.09 m @ 172 gpt Ag); 3.0 m @ 314 gpt Ag (including 0.63 m @ 776 gpt Ag); 59.8 m @ 48 gpt Ag (including 9.57 m @ 146 gpt Ag); 6.63 m @ 103 gpt Ag and 1.0 m @ 124 gpt Ag. Several of the intercepts are in quartz veins in rhyolite, as quartz stockworks and as quartz-barite veins.

ON MINING

  • Alamos Gold Inc. released some production figures for 2019, including data on its Mexican production. At Mulatos, in Sonora, during the first nine months of this year 20 K tonnes per day were stacked @ 0.92 gpt Au, with a recovery of 67%, to produce 108 K Oz Au at cash cost $772 and a mine-site AISC of $861. Production from the Mulatos district is expected to total 150-160 K Oz Au in 2020, with ore mined from the Mulatos, El Victor and San Carlos open pits, as well as new production from Cerro Pelon. “A total of $7 million has been budgeted at Mulatos for exploration in 2020 which includes 14,000 m of drilling focused in the Mulatos near-mine, Carricito and La Yaqui Grande areas. A number of regional exploration targets have been identified in 2019 from the property-wide VTEM geophysical survey that was completed in late-2018. A focus of the 2020 regional exploration program will be to further evaluate these targets through systematic mapping, sampling, and ground geophysics”.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released results for the third quarter 2019. During the period Golden reported revenue of $1.9 M related to the lease of Velardeña’s oxide mill and costs of $0.6 M related to the services provided under the terms of the lease, for a net operating margin of $1.3 M. Exploration expenses were $0.9 M, Velardeña care and maintenance $0.4 M, administrative expenses $0.7 M for a total loss of $1.8 M for the quarter. Last October Golden entered into an agreement with Magellan Gold Corp. to sell the company’s option to earn a 100% interest in the Santa Maria and Las Marias exploration properties in Chihuahua. Cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 M by the end of the period.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced financial results for the year ending 2019. During the last quarter period the company acquired the Los Ricos project in Jalisco, for share consideration of $5.4 M and cash $4.5 M, of which $3.9 M is payable over three years. During the period the company sold 1 M Oz Ag and 8,752 Oz Ag, produced 1.78 M Oz AgEq, had income of $8.1 M at an AISC of $14.82 per Oz AgEq and cash cost $11.80 per OZ AgEq, a gain of $11.8 M on the sale of the Santa Gertrudis project royalty and has a net working capital of $13.1 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Advance Gold Corp. closed the second and final tranche of the private placement previously announced, for gross proceeds of $42 K (Tabasqueña, Zacatecas).
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. announced that the Mexican tax office has paid this week the amount of MX$6.19 M, approximately A$467 K. This is the interest component from a previous payment, bringing the total received by Azure to A$1.23 M. The payments are the result of the successful resolution of the company’s legal action for the recovery of IVA (the equivalent to GST, or VAT) dating to the 2016 financial year. A fee of 15% is payable to the legal and tax advisors involved (Alacrán, Sonora).
  • Tamino Minerals Inc. is planning to become Pink Current very soon on OTC markets, abiding to OTC disclosure lines. As of the end of September 2019, the company has 370.6 M shares, of which Pedro Villagran holds 138.8 M and Joseph Berry 33 M.
  • Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. obtained commitments for up to $4.2 M in funding in two separate arrangements. A group of existing shareholders is to provide up to $2 M in funding ($539 K already submitted) as advance against a portion of multi-million dollar payment Odyssey expects to receive within the next six months, related to a previously completed ship-wreck project. In addition, “a term sheet has been executed and definitive agreements are being drafted with the group that has already committed up to $6.5 million in non-recourse legal funding for the NAFTA action for up to an additional $2.2 million” (Bay of Ulloa, Baja California Sur).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Gold Resource Corp. released drill results from 15 holes from the Mirador mine area in the Altagracia project in Oaxaca. The Mirador mine is 16 Km NW from the Company’s Aguila project and processing facilities. Highlighted results comprise: 9.21 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 260 gpt Ag (including 0.73 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 1,085 gpt Au); 1.38 m @ 4.39 gpt Au, 1,455 gpt Ag; 1.08 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 2,190 gpt Ag; 5.99 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 206 gpt Ag (including 1.54 m @ 2.02 gpt Au, 590 gpt Ag); 3.72 m @ 1.44 gpt Au, 910 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 2.84 gpt Au, 2,610 gpt Ag); 2.67 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 354 gpt Ag.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. announced an initial mineral resource estimate for the large polymetallic deposit discovered in 2018 at La Colorada mine in Zacatecas. The inferred mineral resource is 72.5 M tonnes @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 2.02% Pb, 4.40% Zn, remaining open in most directions and containing 102 M Oz Ag, 3.2 M tonnes of Zn, 1.5 M tonnes of Pb, and 121 K tonnes of Cu. Most of this mineralization is contained within a larger mineralized skarn 500 m x 600 m, between 600 and 1,700 m of depth. To make the geologic interpretation and resource estimation, 65 drill holes totalling 54,000 m of drilling were utilized.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. updated on exploration efforts to be made at its San Acacio project in Zacatecas. Targeted core re-logging and selective re-assay is on-going and will continue through 2020, while field exploration involves surface geochemistry outside the resource area, systematic underground mapping and sampling and regional targeting are carried out.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. announced OreQuest has been planning an exploration program at Tepal, in Michoacan. The aim is to follow up on high-grade drill results as the 1.42 m @ 25 gpt Au, 565 gpt Ag of last year campaign, which is coincidental with highly anomalous surface geochemistry and an untested chargeability anomaly.
  • Prime Mining Corp. released results from surface exploration at it Los Reyes property in Sinaloa. The trenching program has an advance of 25% with highlighted results of 5 m @ 1.0 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 10.5 m @ 2.0 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 16.5 m @ 2.5 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag; 36.0 m @ 1.84 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag; 34.5 m @ 4.2 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag; 13.5 m @ 1.54 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag in rod cuts, and 9 m @ 0.92 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 2.66 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 13.5 m @ 1.42 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag; 13.5 m @ 1.59 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag; 7.5 m @ 1.84 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag; 16.5 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag; 15.0 m @ 5.58 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag in trenches. The company is working with the database of 493 historic drill holes to establish a new 43-101 compliant resource (currently holding 380 K and 155 K Oz Au in the indicated and inferred categories respectively).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Tamino Minerals Inc. informed it has singed a letter of intent (LOI) on the Ofelia property in Sonora. The LOI terms state four years of staged payments totalling US$1 M plus a 2% NSR, and provides a 90-day term for due-diligence work.
  • Discovery Metals Corp. announced that with the conversion of 3.3 M subscription receipts to shares, Mr. Eric Sprott owns now approximately 21% interest in the company (Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Newmont Goldcorp. announced that the Peñasquito mine and the nearby San Juan Cedros community (one of 25 neighbouring communities) in Zacatecas, agreed to an infrastructure solution for sustainable water availability for the community. The 30-year water agreement includes additional water wells to supplement the 600 K liters per-day reverse osmosis drinking water plant the company built in 2018.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • A Mining Gathering was held in Banamichi, Sonora, with more than 600 attendees, mostly students, with the purpose of letting them know the opportunities for internships and employment in mining units. Among the attendees were also governors of mining states, the ambassadors of mining countries, Congress representatives, Union leaders, 14 majors and representatives for mining companies, mining associations and mining communities.
  • The Asociación de Mineros de Sonora (Sonora’s Miners Association, or AMSAC) celebrated its 40th The celebration included a series of presentations and a formal dinner. Among the speakers were Francisco Quiroga (Mining Sub-secretary), Karen Flores (Camimex), Ernesto [Ríos (Americas Mining) and Lourdes McPherson (Argonaut Gold).
  • The first “Comité de Desarrollo Regional para las Zona Mineras (Mining Zones Development  Committee) was created in Hermosillo, Sonora. The finality of such committees is to assess and approve investment projects derived from the Mining Fund, incorporating all interest groups. The committee is integrated by:Comite Fondo Minero11The fist session is to be held in February 28, 2020, and the second on August 28, 2020.
  • Dr. Vagón is to be at La Junta, Chihuahua. From the 12 to the 16 of December, 2019. Among the services to be provided are: general consult, dermatology, pediatric care, geriatric care, odontology, chiropractic, physic rehabilitation, optometry, audiometry, mastography, colposcopy, family planning, lab test, diabetics clinic, psychology and nutrition. This itinerant train-mounted clinic has the capacity to Attend 550 persons daily.
  • The Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility Fair San Dimas 2019, was held on December 6 in Tayoltita, Durango. The different departments of the First Majestic mine displayed details on their work on the mining process, in a didactic and entertaining way, to workers, suppliers, municipality and State authorities, as well as their families and local inhabitants. Radio Plata (Silver Radio) was commissioned, the first radio station to be located in the vicinity, is part of the company’s Centro Cultural, where educative, social and cultural activities are to take place.
  • Minera Media Luna is showing a strong support for education in Guerrero. With support from local authorities in Cocula, the Instituto Tecnológico de Iguala, the Universidad Tecnológica Autónoma del Norte de Iguala, the State government, the Instituto Estatal para la Educación de Jóvenes y Adultos de Guerrero and the general population in Cocula, the company has: installed programs for diminishing the educative lag in primary and secondary education; taken 36 students in internships from local universities; supported 86 students through scholarships; invested $500 K pesos along with the Cocula municipality for the hiring of primary education personnel; participated in the Fourth Week of Mining on the Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero…. And several other programs in education not posted here for lack of space.
  • AMSAC, the Sonora Miners Association, signed an agreement with the Consejo Regulador del Bacanora (Regulatory Council for Bacanora, a spirits drink). Under this agreement , several mining companies are to grow the needed agave saplings for the production of Bacanora in their green houses, to be transplanted in the field by the agave growers.
  • Minera Peña Colorada presented the “Ilustred Guide to Wildlife in the Minatitlan Microbasin”, at the Feria Internacional del Libro 2019, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. This work was accomplished with the support of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the Benemérita Universidad de Puebla.
  • The Mexican gray wolf has left the list of extinct species on the wild, moving to the category of species on extinction risk. This is the result of an international effort among the USA and Mexican governments, with the participation of Grupo Mexico. The declaration comes after 12 liberations and the documentation of 9 successful litters with some 30 puppies on the wild. Grupo Mexico, as well as other mining companies, has an UMA (Environmental Management Unit) that take care and reproduce threatened species.
  • Dr Vagón, Grupo Mexico’s health train, is to be on Ciudad Cuahutémoc, Chihuahua, from December 18 to December 22. The 17 train carriages itinerant clinic has the capacity to attend 600 persons per day, providing for a wide array of services, like diagnostics, ailment prevention, dermatology, odontology, physical rehabilitation, optometry, audiometry, psychology, nutrition, diabetes and chiropractic treatments.

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: Sheeted quartz veinlets from an orogenic gold project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

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

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Stibiconite-Cervantite crystals

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 43th week of the year (October 22th to October 28th, 2018), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with seven communicating mining activities, seven reporting on resources and developments, five disclosing deals and corporate issues,  five announcing financing issues, and four informing on exploration results. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the 13th International Mining Congress Sonora 2018 was held in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora on October 23-26. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Minera Alamos and Minaurum reported exploration results from theirs Santana and Alamos Silver projects respectively. In Chihuahua, Harvest Gold provided an update of the drilling program on its Cerro Cascaron project. In Zacatecas, Santacruz provided drill results from its Veta Grande project. ON MINING, Agnico, Excellon, Fresnillo, GoGold, Goldcorp, Hecla and New Gold reported Q3 2018 results from their Mexican operations. ON FINANCING, Consolidated Zinc raised $1.3M from its share purchase plan, and proposed to raise further $220K. Auxico announced that its common shares are already trading on the NEX Exchange Growth Market. Mexican Gold announced its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to $3M.  Oroco Resource increased its previous private placement to rise now up to $750K. Gold Resource declared monthly dividend to shareholders. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almaden reported infill drilling results within the PFS pit from its Ixtaca project in Puebla. Goldcorp announced proven and probable mineral reserves for its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Mexican Gold announced plans to update resources for its Las Minas project in Veracruz. Premier Gold commenced an underground drilling program at its Marianas/Mercedes mine in Sonora.  Pan American Silver discovered wide mineralized zones at its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas. Torex reported infill drilling results for its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Azure released drill results from its Oposura project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Canasil signed a letter of intent providing for Pan American Silver to acquire Canasil´s interest in the Sandra-Escobar project in Durango. Prize Mining retained Link Media to provide communications and market awareness services (Manto Negro, Coahuila). Metalla provided an update on the royalty acquisition of the Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora from GoGold. New Gold announced management changes (Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosi). Odyssey provided an update on legal filing for its Don Diego phosphate project in Baja California Sur.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The 13th International Mining Congress Sonora 2018, was held in Hermosillo, Sonora on October 23-26. Sonora is the top state for mining in all Mexico.

 ON EXPLORATION

  • Minera Alamos Inc., reported drill results of a new broad zone of Au-Ag mineralization from its Santana project in Sonora. Hole S18-121 intersected 95.7m of 0.85 g/t Au, 10 g/t Ag, and 0.33% Cu (1.47 g/t Au Eq), including 70m of 1.1 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, and 0.56% Cu (1.88 g/t Au Eq). “The hole is the first drilled deep enough to intersect this new style of polymetallic mineralization that is associated with an andesite porphyry unit related to disseminated pyrite and intrusive breccias. Based on surface exposures and known geology the mineralized system appears to be open to expansion in all directions”.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., released sampling results from the newly discovered Europa Sur Vein extension at its Alamo Silver project in Sonora. Significant results are 0.33 g/t Au, 1,205 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 3.2 % Cu; 0.8m of 479 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 3.19% Cu, and 2m of 0.15 g/t Au, 179 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, 1.3% Zn, and 2.51% Cu. “With this newly discovered extension, the Europa-Guadalupe vein now measures 2.5 km in strike length and further expands the scope of Minaurum’s exploration program to find extensions of all other currently identified veins”.
  • Harvest Gold Corporation, provided an update of the ongoing drilling program on its Cerro Cascaron Au-Ag project in Chihuahua. At Cascarita Silver target the drilling program is ongoing and currently focused on completing 600m in three holes. Once this target is drill tested, the crew will move to the Cascaron Vein Gold Field to drill three holes to test 900m of strike along the Serpiente Dorada and Julieta structures, and one hole to test beneath a high-grade Au-Ag surface samples across the Carabina vein.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced drilling results from its Veta Grande project in Zacatecas and expanded the high-grade footprint. Highlights results are in Hole NA 18-006 with 2.15m (TW 1.95m) of 0.17 g/t Au, 669 g/t Ag, and 0.12% Cu, including 0.9m (TW 0.82m) of 29 g/t Au, 1,220 g/t Ag, and 0.12% Cu;

ON MINING

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., released Q3 2018 production results from its Mexican Operations. At Pinos Altos, Chihuahua, Agnico processed 508,000 tonnes of 2.96 g/t Au to produce 46.4K Oz Au. At Creston Mascota, Chihuahua, the company processed 309,000 tonnes of 0.84 g/t Au to produce 8K Oz Au. At La India, Sonora, Agnico processed 1,426,000 tonnes of 0.79 g/t Au to produce 27K Oz Au.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., reported Q3 2018 production results from its La Platosa mine in Durango. In this period, Excellon milled 17,907 tonnes of 416 g/t Ag, 3.5% Pb, and 4.3% Zn to produce 171.2K Oz Ag, 0.8M Lb Pb, and 1M Lb Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 89.9%, 74.2%, and 78.2% respectively.
  • Fresnillo plc., announced Q3 2018 production results from their Mexican operations. At Fresnillo mine, Zacatecas, the company processed 613,794 tonnes of 0.68% Au, 211 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 1.8% Zn to produce 10.5K Oz Au, 3.7M Oz Ag, 11M Lb Pb, and 18.1M Lb Zn. At Saucito mine, Zacatecas, 713,441 tonnes were processed at grades of 1.34 g/t Au, 250 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 1.6% Zn to produce 23.6K Oz Au, 4.9M Oz Ag, 12.9M Lb Pb, and 17.7M Lb Zn. At the Pyrites Plant, Fresnillo processed 63,336 tonnes of 2.9g /t Au and 423 g/t Ag to produce 1.4K Oz Au and 423K Oz Ag. At La Cienega mine, Durango, the company processed 332,493 tonnes of 1.79 g/t Au, 169 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, and 0.9% Zn to produce 18.2K Oz Au, 1.54M Oz Ag, 2.47M Lb Pb, and 4.2M Lb Zn. At San Julian mine, Chihuahua, 332,836 tonnes were processed from the vein system with grades of 1.84 g/t Au and 137 g/t Ag to produce 18.5K Oz Au and 1.35M Oz Ag while 561,808 tonnes were processed from San Julian JM disseminated ore body with grades of 0.11 g/t Au, 156 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1.3% Zn to produce 9994 Oz Au, 2.3M Oz Ag, 2.8M Lb Pb, and 11.3M Lb Zn. At Herradura mine, Sonora, 5,859,579 tonnes were processed with grades of 0.76 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag to produce 109.6 Oz Au and 492K Oz Ag. At Noche Buena mine, Sonora, Fresnillo processed 4,834,512 tonnes of 0.52 g/t Au to produce 42.5K Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented Q3 2018 production results from its Parral tailings operation in Chihuahua. GoGold produced 105.6K Oz Ag and 1,665 Oz Au.
  • Goldcorp Inc., produced a total of 503K Oz Au during Q3 2018 from their mine operations. Goldcorp did not present separate production results by mines.
  • Hecla Mining Company, produced in Q3 2018 over 3.7K Oz Au and 0.5M Oz Ag from its San Sebastian mine in Durango.
  • New Gold Inc., reported Q3 2018 production results from its Cerro San Pedro operation in San Luis Potosi. New Gold produced 2K Oz Au and 0.1M Oz Ag from residual leaching.

ON FINANCING

  •  Consolidated Zinc Limited, closed its share purchase plan on October 22, 2018, raising a total of $1.3M. The company also proposed to conduct a placement to raise a further $220K (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua).
  • Auxico Resources Canada Inc., announced that its common shares are already trading on the NEX Exchange Growth Market in London. (Zamora Mining District, Sinaloa).
  • Mexican Gold Corp., notified its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to $3M, the same that could be increased by up to 25% for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3.75M. (Las Minas, Veracruz).
  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced that it has increased its previous private placement to raise net gross proceeds of up to $750K (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
  • Gold Resource Corporation, declared monthly dividend of 1/6 of a cent for common share to shareholders (El Aguila mine, Oaxaca).

 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., reported infill drilling results from its Ixtaca project in Puebla. The results are part of the PFS filed work program within the resource and mine plan area. Significant intersections are in Hole TU-18-543 with 127.40m of 1.15 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag, including 34.50m of 2.08 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag; Hole TU-18-544 with 145.50m of 1.83 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, including 40m of 4 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag, including 5.10m of 11.6 g/t Au and 87 g/t Ag; Hole TU-18-548 with 139.08m of 1.58 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag, including 60.58m of 2.75 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag, including 28.50m of 4.33 g/t Au and 34 g/t Ag; and Hole TU-18-550 with 131.50m of 1.51 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag, including 21m of 7.5 g/t Au and 57 g/t Ag, including 9.70m of 15.18 g/t Au and 104 g/t Ag, and including 11.50m of 1.07 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag.
  • Goldcorp Inc., presented reserves and resource estimates as of June 30, 2018 for its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Proven reserves are 376.43 M tonnes of 0.58 g/t Au, 35 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.8% Zn for a total of 6.97M Oz Au, 418.3M Oz Ag, 2,804M Lb Pb, and 6,314M Lb Zn. Probable reserves are 143.99M tonnes of 0.46 g/t Au, 24 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.5% Zn for a total of 2.15M Oz Au, 109.3M Oz Ag, 809.6M Lb Pb, and 1,680.3M Lb Zn. Proven + Probable reserves are 520.41M tonnes of 0.55 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.7% Zn for a total of 9.1M Oz Au, 527.6M Oz Ag, 3,613.2M Lb Pb, and 7,994.5M Lb Zn. Measured resources are 94.03M tonnes of 0.25 g/t Au, 28 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.6% Zn for a total of 0.76M Oz Au, 85.6M Oz Ag, 579.6M Lb Pb, and 1,161.2M Lb Zn. Indicated resources are 104.77M tonnes of 0.24 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.5% Zn for a total of 0.81M Oz Au, 76.7M Oz Ag, 610M Lb Pb, and 1,044.2M Lb Zn. Measured + Indicated resources are 198.8M tonnes of 0.25 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.5% Zn for a total content of 1.57M Oz Au, 162.3M Oz Ag, 1,189.6M Lb Pb, and 2,205.4M Lb Zn. In addition, inferred resources are 14.88m tonnes of 0.3 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn for a total of 0.14M Oz Au, 6.4M Oz Ag, 54.1M Lb Pb, and 206.6M Lb Zn (Mineral resources are exclusive of mineral reserves).
  • Mexican Gold Corp., announced plans to update mineral resources for its Las Minas project in Veracruz. It also announced plans to conduct 3,000m of drilling to update and expand its open pit modeled mineral resource at the El Dorado/Juan Bran and Santa Cruz zones.
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, commenced an underground drilling program at its Marianas/Mercedes mine in Sonora, where previous drill results suggest to have the potential to contain economic mineralization of higher than the current reserve grades. The goal is to convert the Marianas mineral resources to mineral reserves. If the results are positive, mining at Marianas could begin in H2 2019.
  • Pan American Silver Corp, discovered wide mineralized zones in limestone replacement mantos and thick intercepts of skarn below the current production levels at its la Colorada mine in Zacatecas. Drill highlights are in Hole U-39-18 with 223m of 69 g/t Ag, 1.9%Pb, and 3.4% Zn, including 32m of 227 g/t Ag; Hole U-30-18 with 71.6m of 54 g/t Ag, 2% Pb, and 5% Zn; Hole U-28-18 with 60.3m of 76 g/t Ag, 4.3% Pb, and 3.7% Zn; Hole U-32-18 with 46.3m of 54 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 4.4% Zn; Hole U-26-18 with 42.6m of 42 g/t Ag, 2.8% Pb, and 7% Zn, and other interval of 42m of 52 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, and 3.9% Zn; and Hole U-29-18 with 7.4m of 80 g/t Ag, 5.3% Pb, and 13.6% Zn, and other interval of 23.4m of 54 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 8.2% Zn. “These are extraordinary exploration results for our La Colorada mine, indicating the potential to substantially expand mineral resources, mine life and ultimately production capacity,”
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported infill drilling results for its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Highlights intercepts include Hole ML 18-222A with 39.15m of 5.24 g/t Au, 93 g/t Ag, and 2.27% Cu (10.54 g/t Au Eq); Hole ML 18-215 with 49.63m of 4.8 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag, and 0.97% Cu (7.0 g/t Au Eq); Hole ML 18-219W with 45.9m of 3.44 g/t Au, 59 g/t Ag, and 1.64% Cu (7.1 g/t Au Eq); and Hole ML 18-208W with 22.62m of 3.33 g/t Au, 87 g/t Ag, and 2.12% Cu (8.27 g/t Au Eq) (Intersections are reported as true thickness).
  • Azure Minerals Limited, released drill results from its Oposura project in Sonora. Significant intersections in the middle of the Central Zone are in Hole OPDH-173 with 12.05m of 23 g/t Ag, 1.7% Pb and 6% Zn, including 4.1m of 43 g/t Ag, 2% Pb and 10.5% Zn; and Hole OPDH-178 with 9.50m of 22 g/t Ag, 3.7% Pb, and 15.1 % Zn, including 6.15m of 31 g/t Ag, 4.7% Pb, and 22% Zn. Significant intersections in the East Zone into the Central Zone are in Hole OPDH-159 with 5m of 14 g/t Ag, 4% Pb, and 5.2% Zn and 6.15m of 97 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 13.4% Zn; Hole OPDH-171 with 4.4m of 294 g/t Ag, 5.6% Pb, and 14.8% Zn, including 3.6m of 353 g/t Ag, 6.6% Pb, and 17.7% Zn; and Hole OPDH-177 with 4.55m of 138 g/t Ag, 6.1% Pb, and 30.8% Zn, including 3.4m of 177 g/t Ag, 8% Pb, and 40.1% Zn. “These latest, high-grade, massive sulphide drill intersections from the sparsely drilled Central Zone confirm that this area has the potential to significantly increase Oposura’s resource base”. “They continue to build on the very positive results from the Oposura Scoping Study and confirm potential to extend the mine life and further improve the already impressive project economics.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Canasil Resources Inc., signed a letter of intent providing for Pan American Silver to acquire Canasil´s interest in the Sandra-Escobar project in Durango. The non-binding LOI is to enter in a definitive agreement for a payment of CAD $2.0M and 2% NSR. The NSR royalty can be reduced by Pan American Silver to 1% at any time by paying CAD $4.0M.
  • Prize Mining Corporation, retained Link Media to provide communications and market awareness services (Manto Negro, Coahuila).
  • Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd., announced that it is proceeding to close the acquisition of the 2% NSR on the Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora from GoGold Resources Inc.
  • New Gold Inc., announced management changes (Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosi).
  • Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc., filed an action before the Superior Section of the Mexican Federal Administrative Court due to the SEMARNAT´s recent refusal to issue the environmental permit for its San Diego phosphate project in Baja California Sur.

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, stibiconite-cervantite crystals in an epithermal system in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

Highlights on the Third Week of July, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

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By Miguel A Heredia

During the 29th week of the year (July 16th to July 22th, 2018), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with twelve informing on exploration results, nine announcing production results, four reporting on resources and developments, three communicating deals and corporate issues, and two  announcing financing issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California Norte, One World Lithium presented geophysical results from its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Colibri reported drill results from its El Pilar project, Minaurum reported exploration results from its Promontorio-Quintera project, San Marco announced exploration results from its Chunibas exploration program, and Millrock and Azure provided an exploration update on their Mexican properties. In Chihuahua, Mammoth Resources announced drill results from its Tenoriba project. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals reported exploration results from its Puerto Rico project. In Sinaloa, Kootenay presented exploration results from its Copalito project. In Durango, Southern Silver announced an expansion of the exploration program at its Cerro Las Minitas project. In Zacatecas, Advance Gold reported drill results from its Tabasquena project.  In the Estado de México, Impact discovered new zones at its San Ramon mine.  ON MINING, Several companies reported Q2, 2018 results on its Mexican operations. In Sonora, Mexus provided an update on its 370-8 Brothers property in Sonora. In Chihuahua, Sierra Metals announced Q2 results from its Bolivar and Cusi mines while GoGold reported results from its Parral property. In Sinaloa, Americas Silver presented Q2 results from its Cosala operation. In Durango, Avino reported Q2 results from its Avino mine. In Oaxaca, Fortuna Silver announced Q2 2018 results from its San Jose mine. First Majestic presented Q2 2018 results from its Mexican operations in Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, Jalisco and Estado de Mexico. In Puebla, Almaden announced an increase of the average mill feed grades for its Ixtaca property.  ON FINANCING, Bacanora Minerals dropped a $100M placing for its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora. Candente announced the approval to extend the purchase of 5M of share warrants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Aranzazu filed a NI 43-101 FS for the restart of operations at its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas and updated the resource estimate. Starcore filed updated 43-101 technical report on its San Martin mine. Capstone filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. Gold Resource announced an expansion of its Arista Mine in Oaxaca. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Evrim announced results of its annual and special general meeting of shareholders.  Silver Spruce executed an offtake agreement for potential future production from its Pino de Plata project in Chihuahua.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

 ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., presented results from a geophysical survey conducted on its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California Norte. Three very large and highly conductive zones were identified by a Volterra TEM in loop survey. Zone 1 is > 100m thick and covers six square km. Zone 2 surrounds Zone 1 and is < 100m thick and covers 24 square km. Zone 3 is estimated to be approximately 200m thick and covers > 30 square km.
  • Colibri Resources Corporation, reported RC drilling results from its Pilar project in Sonora. Significant results are 61m of 0.75 g/t Au, including 1.5m of 17.3 g/t Au; 6m of 0.68 g/t Au; 3m of 5.40 g/t Au; and 34.5m of 0.32 g/t Au. The drill results extend the Main Zone´s mineralized envelope to the northwest and southeast by upwards of a total of 145m. It represents an increase of 52% in the length of the Main Zone. Potential is open in both directions of the mineralized zone.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., discovered the extension of the Promontorio-Quintera and Nueva Europa veins at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora. The Promontorio-Quintera vein was mapped and extends for 1km and is cut-off and down-dropped by a northwest trending fault while the Nueva Europa vein was mapped for over 600m. The extensions have the potential to host virgin mineralization at depth. Surface sampling on Promontorio South vein returned 1.1m of 181 g/t Ag and 1.06% Cu, while at Nueva Europa South vein, a 0.8m long chip rock sample returned 52 g/t Ag and 0.54% Cu, and a dump sample returned 91 g/t Ag and 1% Cu.
  • San Marco Resources Inc., identified many new significant Cu-Ag occurrences at its Chunibas property in Sonora; conducted a portable X-ray fluorescence rock analysis on an area of 300m by 1,400m, indicating anomalous to significant copper values, and received assays from ninety six rock chip samples ranging from 0.1% to 1.34% Cu. The company also carried out a saw-cut continuous channel sampling returning 30m of 0.16% Cu and 3 g/t Ag, and 22m of 0.17% Cu and 2 g/t Ag. Now, the mineralized NW-SE corridor is 1.7Km long by 300m wide, and remains open along strike and down dip. San Marco has begun preparations to perform a drill program at its Chunibas property.
  • Millrock Resources Inc., provided and exploration update on their Mexican properties in Sonora and San Luis Potosi. In Sonora, at La Navidad project, a 2,900m drilling program has been recently completed to test the El Cobre and the Crossover targets. Complete results are anticipated in early August. At El Picacho project (Orogenic gold), drill targets are emerging from the exploration work conducted in the first half of 2018. The company has authorized a drill program to begin later in the summer. At Batamote, good geological signs of a porphyry copper deposit have been identified and a major company is currently evaluating the property. At Los Cuarenta project (low-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag), Millrock has acquired an option to purchase a key internal claim called Santa Rosalia. Drilling targets have been developed and drilling permit is in place. In San Luis Potosi, the Guadalcazar project hosts a high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn skarn with good drill intersections and historic mine workings, with potential to expand the known deposit. Millrock has received an offer to form an option agreement.
  • Azure Minerals Limited., provided an exploration update on its Sara Alicia and El Alacran properties in Sonora. At the Sara Alicia project, the stage 2 drilling campaign confirmed near-surface, high-grade Au-Co mineralization with maximum grade returning 53.8 g/t Au over 0.90m and 2.82% Co over 0.80m. The best Au interception was 19.6m of 8.6 g/t Au, including 15.3m of 10.6 g/t Au, while the best Co interception was 3.65m of 1.19% Co, including 1.5m of 2.66% Co. At the El Alacran project, the drilling campaign indicated the southern expansion of Loma Bonita epithermal Au-Ag system based on the presence of silicified zones covered by fresh-rock and high-resistivity geophysical anomalies extending to depth. At Cerro Colorado the company geologists identified the presence of porphyry-type alteration and veining with trace copper and molybdenum mineralization, warranting follow-up work. Teck will continue exploring the property with drilling planned to restart in Q3 2018.
  • Mammoth Resources Inc., announced drill results from its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. Results are from the Masuparia area, in the central portion of the 6 km long trend of gold mineralization on the property. Significant results are 3m of 0.19 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag in hole TEN 17-09 and multiple intersections in hole TEN 17-10 such as 4.5m of 0.42 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag; 4.5m of 0.45 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag, 22.5m of 0.35 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag, 3m of 1.31 g/t Au and 50 g/t Ag, 3m of 0.65 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag, and 24m of 0.31 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag.
  • Discovery Metals Inc., reported underground channel sample results from the San Jose mine within its Puerto Rico project in Coahuila. Assay results represent 140m of workings and were collected at 3-5m intervals along both sides of the entire length of the developed workings. Mineralization is related to mantos, chimneys and faults. Mantos range from 0.5m to 1.5m in width (restricted by dimensions of workings) and are open in all directions laterally along strike and dip. Fourteen samples from mantos returned an average of 229 g/t Ag, 9.3% Pb, 17.6% Zn, and 0.3% Cu. Chimney widths range from 1m to 6m, with the main part of the chimney having a width of 5-6m, while the mineralized faults widths range from 0.4m to 1.4m, and are open along strike and at depth. Thirty three samples from chimneys and faults returned an average grade of 50 g/t Ag, 3.5% Pb, 4% Zn, and 0.8% Cu. The company is currently carrying out a detail structural study on the entire property to identify controls on mineralization. Additionally, it is planning to conduct a magnetic survey in preparation for drilling later in 2H 2018.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., presented sampling results from its Copalito project in Sinaloa. Copalito is a low-sulphidation epithermal vein system. At least 4 main veins and numerous smaller veins have been identified, with individual veins found to be up to 15m wide and at least 2km long along strike. Eleven samples (5 chips and 6 grabs) on Cobriza vein returned grades from 47 to 2.5 kg/t Ag and 0.03 to 2.7 g/t Au, while twenty two samples on El Pilar vein returned grades from 2 to 166 g/t Ag and 0.04 to 1.05 g/t Au. Mapping and sampling on the La Chiva and Cinco Señores veins in the southern area of Copalito is ongoing. All the results will be used to determine grade distribution along the veins for drill targeting.
  • Sothern Silver Exploration Corp., announced an expansion of the exploration program at its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango, with the mobilization of a second drill rig. The objective is to drill 2,000m of core to test multiple Ag-Au quartz veins within the recently acquired CLM West claim. Drill targets were identified by mapping and ground geophysics, and a sampling program of over 6000 float and rock chip samples throughout a >10km by 5km N-S corridor underlying the 207 square km CLM West claim package.
  • Advance Gold Corp., reported phase 1 drill results from its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas. Significant results are 10.5m of Au-Ag mineralization including 1.7m of 9.46 g/t Au and 37 g/t Ag, 0.55m of 12.65 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag, and 0.55m of 6.31 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag. The company is planning a second phase drill program to test the recently discovered veins and explore for new ones, as well as to follow-up on the high-grade gold intersections.
  • Impact Silver Corp., discovered new zones at its San Ramon mine through an underground drill program. Significant results with intersections 100m south of the current levels of the San Ramon mine are 2.04m of 0.23 g/t Au, 661 g/t Ag, 1.28% Pb, and 3.28% Zn; 4.97m of 0.12 g/t Au, 354 g/t Ag, 0.57% Pb and 1.48% Zn; and 1.25m of 0.1 g/t Au, 259 g/t Ag, 0.34% Pb and 1.14% Zn. The zone remains open for further extension vertically above for nearly 300m and to the south.

ON MINING

  • Mexus Gold US, provided and update on its 370-8 Brothers property in Sonora. VAT leaching test of oxidized sulphide ore reported that 50% of the sulphides remain as encapsulated Au and Ag bearing mineralization, with As, Pb and Zn, making difficult its extraction by simple gravity and/or cyanide leaching, unless they are pretreated via roasting to eliminate the sulphur. “About 80 tons of this oxidized ore was crushed to < 3 inches and put in a steel tank and leached for a period of 25 days.  Eight head assay samples were taken averaging 1g/t Au and 50 g/t Ag with one sample showing 30 g/t Au and another sample with 800 g/t Ag.  Solution was assayed daily for a week showing recoveries of 1.25% in gold and 13% in silver with a slow increase after a week and large cyanide consumption.  The solution was assayed after 3 weeks and turned out to have minimum increase up to 26% in silver and gold remaining the same”.
  • Sierra Metals Inc., reported Q2 results from its Bolivar and Cusi mines in Chihuahua. At Bolivar mine, a total of 272K tonnes were processed at grades of 0.15 g/t Au, 17 g/t Ag, and 0.97% Cu to produce 911 OZ Au, 110K Oz Ag, and 4.7M Lb Cu, with metallurgical recoveries of 71.81%, 75.53% and 81.33% respectively. At Cusi mine, a total of 46.4K tonnes were processed at grades of 0.16 g/t Au, 156 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.3% Zn, to produce 96 Oz Au, 190K Oz Ag, and 287K Lb Pb, with metallurgical recoveries of 39.8% Au, 81.66% Ag, 77.22% Pb and 0% Zn.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented Q2 2018 results from its Parral operation in Chihuahua. GoGold processed 447K tonnes of tailings material to produce 164K Oz Ag and 1,630 Oz Au.
  • Americas Silver Corporation, announced results from its Cosala operation in Sinaloa. On Q2, 2018, the company milled 139K tonnes of 42 g/t Ag to produce 94K Oz Ag, 2.9M Lb Pb, and 8.7M Lb Zn
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., presented Q2 2018 results from its Avino mine in Durango. The company processed 184.7K tonnes of 0.42 g/t Au, 70 g/t Ag, and 0.45% Cu to produce 1,734 Oz Au, 323 Oz Ag, and 1.48M Lb Cu, with metallurgical recoveries of 75%, 81% and 90% respectively.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q2 2018 results from its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Fortuna milled 134K tonnes of 1. 86 g/t Au and 268 g/t Ag to produce 14.4K Oz Au and 2M Oz Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 91.54% and 91.67% respectively.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., announced Q2, 2018 production results from its Mexican operations. At Santa Elena mine in Sonora, a total of 228K tonnes of 2.3 g/t Au and 120 g/t Ag were milled to produce 11K Oz Au and 535K Oz Ag. At San Dimas mine in Sinaloa, a total of 85.7K tonnes of 4.3 g/t Au and 307 g/t Ag were processed to produce 11.3K Oz Au and 809K Oz Ag. At La Encantada mine in Chihuahua, a total of 238K tonnes of 83 g/t Ag were processed to produce 23 Oz Au and 325K Oz Ag. At La Parrilla mine in Durango, a total of 123.6K tonnes of 131 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb and 1.5% Zn were milled to produce 235 Oz Au and 361K Oz Ag, 1.6M Lb Pb, and 1.4M Lb Zn. At Del Toro mine in Zacatecas, a total of 65.8K tonnes of 117 g/t Ag and 2.7% Pb were processed to produce 73 Oz Au, 167.6K Oz Ag, and 2.3M Lb Pb. At San Martin mine in Jalisco, a total of 74.4K tonnes of 0.6 g/t Au and 203 g/t Ag were milled to produce 1,331 Oz Au and 138.4K Oz Ag. At La Guitarra mine in Estado de Mexico, a total of 35.7K tonnes of 1.5 g/t Au and 154 g/t Ag were milled to produce 1400 Oz Au and 138.4K Oz Ag. Unfortunately, First Majestic announced the temporary suspension of work at its la Guitarra mine scheduled to start on August 1st. It is until economic conditions improve or the property is sold.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced an increase of the average feed mill grades of 39% for Au and 47% for Ag from bulk ore sort test for its Ixtaca project in Puebla. Applying the ore sort process, the metallurgical recovery is 88% for Au and 93% for Ag and reduces the environmental footprint over the life of mine by reducing process tailings, water usage and energy requirements and CO2 “The detailed impact of the ore sorting results on the Ixtaca project will be evaluated as part of the ongoing Feasibility Study, which is anticipated to be completed in 2018”.

ON FINANCING

  • Bacanora Lithium plc., dropped a $100M placing for its Sonora Lithium project in Sonora, citing “difficult market conditions”.
  • Candente Gold Corp., announced the approval to extend the exercise period of 5M of share purchase warrants from August 12, 2018 to August 12, 2020.

 ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Aura Minerals Inc., filed a NI 43-101 FS for the restart of operations at its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. The company also updated the mineral resource and reserve estimates. Measured + indicated resources are 12.5M tonnes of 1.08 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, and 1.61% Cu for a total of 435K Oz Au, 8M Oz Ag and 444.4M Lb Cu. Proven and probable reserves are 4.6M tonnes of 1.17 g/t Au, 19 g/t Ag, and 1.72% Cu, for a total of 174K Oz Au, 2.8M Oz Ag, and 176.4M Lb Cu. (Mineral reserves are inclusive of mineral resources). The orebody consists of seven mineralized domains and has a strike length of 1.5km, width up to 250m and 600m depth. The mineral resource estimate is based on 1,336 holes for a total of 219,586m.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd., filed an updated 43-101 technical report for its San Martin mine in Queretaro in which reported mineral resources and reserves as of April 30, 2018. Total proven + probable reserves are 1.65M tonnes of 2.11 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag for a total of 154.4K Oz Au Eq. Total indicated + inferred resources are 1.5M tonnes of 1.94 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag for a total of 113K Oz Au Eq. The total mineral reserves and resources are 3.1M tonnes of 2.03 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag for a total of 267.3K Oz Au Eq.
  • Capstone Mining Corp., filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. In this TR, Capstone reported a mineral resource estimate which was announced on the past June 05, 2018.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, announced significant drill interceptions of 23.39m @ 2 g/t Au, 200 g/t Ag, 0.58% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 9% Zn, including 1.66m of 8.92g/t Au, 1.3Kg/t Ag, 0.93% Cu, 6.3% Pb and 8.8%Zn, and 9.94m @ 2.16 g/t Au, 95 g/t Ag, 0.82% Cu, 4.1% Pb and 12% Zn, including 3.1m @ 3.99 g/t Au, 177 g/t Ag, 1.01% Cu, 7% Pb, and 14.5% Zn to expands the Switchback´s strike length by approximately 100m, and discovered a new structure in the Arista vein system intercepting 2.08m @ 1.98 g/t Au, 1.6Kg Ag/ton, 0.25% Cu, 1% Pb, and 2.2% Zn, including 0.9m of 3.31 g/t Au, 2.7Kg/t Ag, 0.45% Cu, 2% Pb, and 4.1% Zn.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Evrim Resources Corp., announced results of its annual and special general meeting of shareholders. (Cuale project, Jalisco).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., executed an offtake agreement with IBB International Holdings Limited for potential future production from its Pino de Plata project in Chihuahua. “The Company has agreed to deliver any and all future production from the Pino de Plata project for a period of at least ten years, commencing with the first delivery. The ten-year term of the agreement will automatically extend by successive one-year terms, unless either party expresses written desire o terminate the agreement. The purchase price of the delivered production will be at a three percent (3%) discount to the London Metals Exchange metals pricing on the dates of delivery to the buyer”.

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, a diatreme breccia in a prospect in Durango, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

 

 

 

U. S. ANTIMONY REPORTS PRODUCTION OF ANTIMONY TRI SULFIDE

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http://www.usantimony.com/2017_newsroom.htm#U._S._ANTIMONY_REPORTS_PRODUCTION_OF _ANTIMONY_TRI_SULFIDE

September 11, 2017. Thompson Falls, Montana. United States Antimony Corporation (“USAC”, NYSE American “UAMY”) reported the successful production of antimony tri-sulfide per military MIL-A-159D specification. The product is used in all center-fire cartridges for military and commercial production. Initial production was on a small scale, but additional equipment is being installed to enter the market. The product contains 70.5% antimony. At a Rotterdam price for metal at $3.833 per pound, the antimony in the tri-sulfide would be worth approximately $10.75 per pound. Additional markets include the friction brake industry.

 

SEMARNAT (Mexican equivalent of the EPA) is expected to approve the cyanide circuit at the Puerto Blanco mill for the Los Juarez gold/silver/antimony property within 30 days.

Levon Resources provides Year End Update

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http://www.levon.com/s/news-releases.asp?ReportID=772724

Levon Resources Ltd. (“Levon” or “the Company”) (TSX Symbol: LVN; OTCQX: LVNVF) would like to thank all of our supporters who have stayed the course with us through this challenging market. 2016 has been a difficult year for the mining sector globally, with falling metal prices and punitive governmental actions that range from taxation, to permitting decrees against operations; exploration companies have been hit the hardest, depressing share prices to ridiculously low levels.

On a brighter note, the price of zinc has been skyrocketing and we are working with our engineers to see how this will impact the project economics. We have an indicated resource of approximately 9 billion pounds of zinc, currently trading in the $1.20 range.

Through the acquisition of the Aida claim as well as exercising the option to purchase the privately held claims over the Cordero resource, your Company has been able to strategically capitalize on the current market conditions by consolidating 100% of the claim ownership covering the Cordero district.

Our earlier exploration illustrated that the Aida claim was at the center of the expanding Cordero resource, and that with additional drilling to focus on the higher grade mineralization that is evident in the dome, and potentially expand the resource, we could optimize the modeled open pit and improve our economic modeling for a mining operation. Our exploration team has just returned from Cordero and has spotted 28 holes for higher grade mineralization potential. The Company intends to pursue this exploration next year, once we see the price of silver move up in a sustained and positive way.

Highlights on the Fourth Week of November 2016, Mineral Exploration in Mexico

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The fourth week of November marks the first anniversary of this post being published.

A year ago, the lack of a comprehensive and widely available abstract of Mexican mining and exploration news was noted. Giving that news releases from companies working in Mexico range from 10 to 40 in number on any given week, it is difficult for all industry professionals to keep track of all that is going on (imagine finding and reading 25 press releases every week for a year). We, at Gambusino Prospector de Mexico, decided to fill this gap, and this week marks the first anniversary. November of last year clearly was not the best of times in mining; if we speak in terms of cycles, 2015 was clearly in the low part of the graph, we just didn’t know if the bottom was nearby. The clear signs of a more optimistic market were seen in March and April of 2016, but we noted that in the third week of November, $35 M had been raised by six companies working in Mexico, that fact constituted a preliminary post, followed by the first “Highlights” on the fourth week of November, with $26.7 M in financing by three more companies. In hindsight, those were probably the signs of investors looking again into commodities for the first time in several years. A year later the outlook is now optimistic, even if not yet a boom, with metal prices recovering, and some mining companies having announced increases in their exploration budget in the mid part of the year. Two silver discoveries in Mexico reinforce the point; Mesa de Plata in Sonora (Azure Mining) and Sandra Escobar in Durango (Orex Gold-Canasil). We look forward to see this trend continuing to give shape to the next boom.

The fourth week of November marks the first anniversary of this post being published. During this week at least eleven press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, including one third quarter report. ON MEXICO ISSUES, two large Mexican corporations protested against new proposed regulations in Zacatecas. ON EXPLORATION, drilling is focused on brown field high grade silver-gold targets in a property in Mexico State; results from drilling point to the discovery of a new orebody in a Chihuahua silver property, whereas in Sinaloa good results from RC drilling strengthen the case for a silver project. ON MINING, a company in Sonora decided to use a Merryl Crowe system in its project, one more reported third quarter results, and another one added new equipment to its plant in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, one company completed a bought deal for US$10 M, while one more closed a convertible debenture financing of $1 M. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, A company entered into an agreement to extend an option on three mining concessions in Veracruz.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Peñoles and Fresnillo, two of the biggest Mexican mining companies, expressed their disagreement on a proposed new tax to enterprises that produce contamination in Zacatecas.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Impact Silver Corp. is focusing underground drilling on larger and higher grade targets at Guadalupe South and San Ramon extensions, on its Zacualpan mine in Mexico State. From surface, drilling is to test extensions of the Mirasol silver mine and San Patricio. San Patricio was discovered and partially drilled in 2007-2008, with results including 4.6 m @ 242 g/t Ag and 1.9 m @ 346 g/t Ag.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. provided results from the first 11 holes on the RAM structure, on its La Cigarra project in Chihuahua. The Ram structure is 700 m to the west and south of the La Cigarra silver deposit, the drill program tested a 400 m strike length of the 3,800 m long structure. Most of the drill intercepts are shallow, and include: 18 m @ 89.9 g/t Ag, 6 m @ 166.5 g/t Ag, 16.5 m @ 58.8 g/t Ag, 31.1 m @ 27.6 g/t Ag and 14.7 m @ 56.4 g/t Ag.
  • Santana Minerals Ltd. announced RC drill results from the Mojardina Loop area of the Cuitaboca project in Sinaloa. Results include 35 m @ 221 g/t Ag, from surface, including 14 m @ 453 g/t Ag; 10 m @ 56 g/t Ag, 31 m @ 32 g/t Ag; 16 m @ 58 g/t Ag; 17 m @ 50 g/t Ag; 11 m @ 45 g/t Ag, 45 m @ 45 g/t Ag; 24 m @ 47 g/t Ag. The drill program continues now at the Jesus Maria breccia, and then to Mojardina South.

ON MINING

  • Mexus Gold US. and JV partner Ma Mar announced its intention to use a Merryl Crowe system to recover gold at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora).
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and production results for the third quarter, 2016. Production on its Zacualpan property in Mexico State was 229 K Oz Ag, primarily from the Oscar Cuchara (42%), San Ramon Deeps (40%) and the Mirasol mines (18%). Cash position was $8.2 M at the end of the period.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining LTD. installed a 4 K tonnes/day lead thickener and filter press to its Veta Grande Mill in Zacatecas. Metal recoveries are now 70% and 88% for silver and lead respectively.

ON FINANCING

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. entered into an underwriting bought deal agreement, for gross proceeds of approximately US$10 M.
  • VVC Exploration Corp. announced the closing of a convertible debenture financing of approximately CA$1.38 M or US$1.04 M.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Source Exploration Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to extend the option contract on three concessions on its Las Minas project in Veracruz. The term of the option agreement has been extended for one year for consideration of $180 K.

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

On the picture below, chalcedonic quartz veinlet in argillitized felsic tuff, interpreted as part of the upper levels of an epithermal system in Zacatecas.

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