Mexico Issues

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of June 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

By Jorge Cirett
During the 26th week of the year (June 23rd to June 29th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 37 press releases. Four companies presented news on early-stage properties. No company presented operational updates. Eight companies reported on financial rounds; another company amended a significant loan facility; one more set the price on its securities; one closed on a significant loan facility, and two more started trading on another stock exchange, while one more granted options, another executed a loan agreement and another declared a dividend. One company presented drilling results from historical waste dumps and one more disclosed exploration results near its operating mine. A large operating gold company is acquiring an exploration company with silver plays in Mexico and USA, another company announced appointments to the board, two more contracted services, another five informed on their AGM’s and one more clarified on a proposed acquisition. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mexican president pointed that no new mining concessions are to be issued, while reassuring the mining industry that some mining permits are to be granted and confirming that the open pit ban proposal has been retired. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Questcorp Mining commenced work at La Union; Tocvan Ventures released RC drilling results from Gran Pilar; Masivo Silver advances on the due diligence at Cerro Colorado. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, eight companies informed on financing rounds: Minaurum Gold (C$8 M), Silver Storm Mining (C$4 M), Vizsla Silver (US$100-$115 M), Reyna Silver (C$1.1 M), Endeavour Silver (US$135 M), Silver Viper (C$3.5 M), Kootenay Silver (C$20 M) and Masivo Silver (C$1 M). Endeavour Silver amended a credit facility, increasing its amount to up to US$115 M. Reyna Silver set the price of its securities related to the deal with Torex Gold. Vizsla Royalties and Santacruz Silver started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the OTCQX Best Market respectively. Santacruz Mining granted incentive securities. Gold Resource executed a loan agreement for US$6.3 M. Sandstorm Gold declared a dividend. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar Metals informed on its plan to process waste stockpiles while restarting open pit mining at La Colorada. DynaResource has two near-mine exploration plays at San Jose de Gracia. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Torex Gold Resources is to acquire all shares of Reyna Silver. Chesapeake Gold appointed new members to the board. Vizsla Royalties hired a contractor for a digital marketing campaign. Orla Mining, Americas Gold and Silver, Discovery Silver, Almaden Minerals and Orogen Royalties informed on their AGM´s. Vortex Metals engaged a firm for environmental services for its Oaxaca projects. Roberto Resources clarified the acquisition terms of the Claudia project. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Claudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico, spoke on one of its daily conferences about the tight squeeze on mining permits by its government, pointing that some of these will be authorized once its environmental impact has been reviewed and reduced (no time line offered). She also stated that the ban on open pit mining proposal was retired because of its impracticality but reiterated that no new mining concessions are to be granted.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Questcorp. Mining Inc. commenced the first phase work program at its La Union project in Sonora. Questcorp is earning a 100% interest from Riverside Resources Inc. in the 2,520 ha property. The initial stage includes marking lines for an IP survey, sampling of limestone and dolomite host rocks for fluorescence study for vectoring, geological mapping of selected drill sites and sections on the IP lines and rock and soil sampling to identify additional targets. The project hosts carbonate replacement deposit style (CRD) mineralization hosted by “Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks (limestones, dolomites, and siliciclastic sediments) overlying crystalline Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Caborca Terrane….. Mineralization occurs as polymetallic veins, replacement zones (mantos, chimneys), and shear zones with high-grade metal content, as shown in highlight grades of 59.4 grams per metric tonne (g/t) gold, 833 g/t silver, 11% zinc, 5.5% lead, 2.2% copper, along with significant hematite and manganese oxides…”
  • Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. provided an update on the Potrero project in Durango. The importance of a quartz feldspar porphyry dike is being recognized as it follows the same structure that hosts the mineralized quartz breccia vein system with some underground workings entirely within it. Additional channel sampling is now conducted in areas where access was previously restricted. “A program of combined underground and surface diamond drilling is being devised in order to systematically test the Dos de Mayo vein system”. A plant consultant reviewed the processing installations and will produce a report in the following weeks. “A permit consultant was taken to the project to initiate a site review for the purpose of permitting near term diamond drilling, mid-term mine development and site preparation, and future production”.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced reverse circulation (RC) drill results from the latest drill program at its Gran Pilar project in Sonora. Highlighted drill length results comprise 22.88 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag (including 7.63 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag); 42.70 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag (including 10.68 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 137 gpt Ag); 6.10 m @ 0.16 gpt Au; 12.20 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag (including 4.58 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag).
  • Masivo Silver Corp. is advancing on the due diligence to acquire the Cerro Colorado project in Sonora. Reported historic results from two 2015 drill holes by Minera Gold Zone. The two shallow holes targeted the southwestern margin of the Cerro Colorado system. Highlighted core length results comprise 29.65 m 0.062 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 5.05 m @ 0.262 gpt Au, 254 gpt Ag, 0.27% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn; 2.95 m @ 0.395 gpt Au, 384 gpt Ag, 0.40% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 2.45 m @ 0.432 gpt Au, 430 gpt Ag, 0.59% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn); 35.80 m @ 23 gpt Ag, 0.4% Zn (including 3.15 m @ 0.188 gpt Au, 159 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.5% Zn and 0.60 m @ 0.705 gpt Au, 577 gpt Ag, 0.52% Cu, 0.8% Pb, 0.9% Zn). According to Masivo, “Cerro Colorado hosts a sub-epithermal polymetallic system, potentially related to breccia structures on the flank of a deeper porphyry system”.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. entered into an agreement with Comark Securities Inc. pursuant to which Comark is to act as lead agent in connection with a “best efforts” private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$5 M (Alamos, Sonora).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$2.6 M (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity on behalf of itself and syndicate of underwriters, pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis common shares for gross proceeds of US$100 M. The underwriters were granted an option for 30 days to buy an over-allotment for up to 15% of the offering. If the over allotment option is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds of the offering will be US$115 M (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. announced a financing concurrent with the definitive agreement on its acquisition by Torex Gold Resources Inc., under which Torex Gold has agreed to purchase C$1.1 M units in a non-brokered private placement. The proceeds of the private placement are to be used to make certain payments relating to its option agreements in Nevada (Batopilas, Chihuahua).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. increased the size of the previously announced “best efforts” private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$8.0 M (Alamos, Sonora)
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. amended and restated the previously announced senior secured debt facility with ING Capital LLC and Societe Generale acting as joint lead arrangers. The credit facility was amended and restated to increase the principal amount of up to US$120 M by an additional US$15 M, bringing the aggregate principal amount up to US$135 M (Terronera, Jalisco).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. has set the price of the securities offered in connection with the non-brokered private placement previously announced, in connection with the agreement on which Torex Gold Resources Inc. is to acquire all shares of Reyna Silver. “The price of each Unit to be issued under the Private Placement has now been set at $0.095, and, as previously announced, each Unit will be comprised of one Share and one common share purchase warrant …exercisable … price of $0.13 per Purchaser Warrant ….” (GuiGui, Chihuahua).
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. closed its previously announced US$100 M senior secured debt facility provided by funds affiliated with SAF Group to fund spending at the Galena project in the US (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp. started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Royalty on Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market, upgrading from the OTCQB Venture Market (Zimapán, Hidalgo).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. granted 3.45 M stock options, deferred share units, 0.96 M restricted share units and 0.5 M performance share units to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants (Zimapán, Hidalgo).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed its C$3.5 M non-brokered private placement (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Gold Resource Corp. announced the execution of a loan agreement with Francisco Javier Reyes de la Campa and Jaluca Ltd. in the amount of US$6.3 M. In connection with the agreement the company also issued a common stock purchase warrant to an affiliate of Mr. Reyes de la Campa for up to 1.5 M shares at an exercise price of $0.65 (Don David, Oaxaca).
  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. declared the second quarterly cash dividend for 2025 in the amount of C$0.02 per common share (Royalty on Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. completed its previously announced and upsized bought deal public offering for gross proceeds of C$20 M (Columba, Chihuahua).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. increased the previously announced non-brokered private placement from C$2.6 M to C$4 M. Proceeds are to be used at La Parrilla in Durango, for the procurement of mine processing flotation cells; to commence rehabilitation work of the processing facility including equipment purchase and refurbishment, labor and supplies; to order long lead items including deposits on mining equipment and ventilation fans; to fund ongoing operations for the next 12 months and for general corporate and working capital purposes (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • Masivo Silver Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement of up to C$1 M to fund exploration at one property in Mexico and another in the USA (Cerro Colorado, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. released results from drilling the Truckshop stockpile at its La Colorada mine in Sonora. La Colorada was operated by El Dorado Gold Corp. in the 1990s, with the Truckshop stockpile deposited as a waste dump 400 m from the mine’s crushing circuit. Highlighted drill intercepts from 26 holes in the waste dump comprise 10.7 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 19.80 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 13.7 m @ 0.61 gpt Ag, 10 gpt Ag; 9.1 m @ 0.39 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 7.6 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 19.8 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag; 9.1 m @ 0.86 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 10.7 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 35.1 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 13.7 m @ 0.36 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 10.7 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 19.8 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 13.7 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 19.8 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag. “the Company will now change the focus of drilling to test the larger El Dorado stockpile … If that drilling is successful, it may provide additional resources and cash flow similar to that currently being generated from the producing Junkyard reserve. The intention is to produce from these low-cost stockpiles to maximize cashflow ahead of primary mining from the open pit pushbacks”.
  • DynaResource Inc. updated on exploration activities at its San Jose de Gracia mine in Sinaloa. Two potential high-grade mineralized zones have been identified and are under evaluation for exploration and development potential. The Victoria vein was discovered on the hanging wall of the Tres Amigos vein system, is 1.5 m wide and has been followed along 110 m by drifting, grading between 7 to 8 gpt Au and currently is envisioned to potentially host around 25 K Oz Au in sulfide rich, chalcopyrite-sphalerite-galena bearing material. The Palos Chinos vein system has a conceptual exploration target of 90 K tonnes grading 5 to 6 gpt Au, with a potential to host 15 K Oz Au. Exploration drifts have encountered minor disseminated mineralization within the footwall of the Palos Chinos structure, with results of up to 7.6 m @ 7.4 gpt Au in channel sampling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Reyna Silver Corp. for an all-cash consideration of US$26 M (C$36 M) (Morelos Complex, Guerrero).
  • Reyna Silver Corp. entered into a definitive agreement with Torex Gold Resources Inc. pursuant to which Torex Gold has agreed to acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of Reyna Silver. Concurrently with the transaction, Torex Gold is participating in non-brokered private placement with Reyna Silver -see above in Financing- (GuiGui, Chihuahua).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. announced the election of Mr. Paul West-Sells to the board of directors together with the returning incumbent directors P. Randy Reifel, Randy Buffington, Doug Flegg, Lian Li, and John Perston. Mr. Jeff Stieber was also appointed to the board, while director Chris Falck is retiring and continuing as an advisor (Metates, Durango).
  • Vizsla Royalties Corp. entered into an agreement with Machai Capital Inc. for a digital marketing campaign “… including branding and content creation, data optimization services, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, e-mail marketing and brand marketing” (Royalty on Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Orla Mining Ltd. reported the voting results from its AGM with all nominees elected as directors (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. announced that all nominees listed in the management proxy circular were elected on its AGM, along with the passing of several other ordinary resolutions (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Vortex Metals Inc. engaged “Pontones & Ledesma” based in Mexico City o to lead the company’s efforts in preparing environmental impact studies (EIA) at its projects Zaachila and Riqueza Marina in Oaxaca.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced results of its annual general meeting (AGM), electing all director nominees (Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Roberto Resources Inc. clarified its disclosure on the proposed acquisition from Durango Gold Corp. of the Claudia project in Durango, as requested by the British Columbia Securities Commission. The company entered into an extension agreement for the due diligence period, until June 30, 2025. The company is to pay US$25 K and 10 M common shares at the closing, assume up to US$500 K in current accounts payables which includes mineral concession payments for US$465 K. Bonus payments to previous owner Silverstone Resources S.A. de C.V. as follows: if a measured and indicated resource is disclosed ranging from 1 to 500 K Oz AuEq, payment of US$7.0 M; 500 K to 1 M Oz AuEq, additional US$ 10.0 M; and 1 M to 1.5 M Oz AuEq, an additional US$2.0 M. Those gold discovery payments can be paid 50% in shares and 50% in cash. If no measures or indicated resources are published by the end of 2029, the project must be returned to Silverstone.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. informed all matters submitted to the shareholders were approved at their annual general meeting (Ixtaca, Puebla).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. announced the plan of arrangement between the company and Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. was approved on its annual general meeting (AGM), along with the election of all nominees to the board (Royalty on Ermitaño, Sonora). 

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Tectonic breccia within a fault zone in HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of January 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 2nd week of the year (January 6th to January 12th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 28 press releases. Two companies informed on drilling at their JV property, one royalty company updated on yearly results, seven companies presented quarterly releases. Two companies informed on financing rounds, one other granted deferred share units, one more repurchased a convertible debenture and another is to accelerate the expiry of warrants. One company updated the mineral resource estimate for its advanced project, another presented two press releases on the drilling of its property. One more provided an update on its mine development. Two companies updated on 2024 activities, two on appointments to the board, and one more on the engagement of a contractor. One company informed on a contractor’s employee fatality at its advanced project. ON MEXICO ISSUES, David A. Giles, former exploration head of Fresnillo plc deceased on January 10th, 2024. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures and Colibri Resource informed on the drilling of their Pilar JV property. ON MINING, Sandstorm Gold presented Q4 2024 results, First Majestic Silver, GoGold Resources, Equinox Gold, Endeavour Silver, Gatos Silver and Aura Minerals presented Q4 2024 production results. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver announced commercial production at the Guitarra mine, in Estado de Mexico. ON FINANCING, GR Silver Mining granted deferred share units to non-executive directors. Gold Resource and Southern Silver Exploration informed on financing rounds. Luca Mining is repurchasing a convertible debenture, reducing its debt by US$5.8 M. Goldgroup Mining is accelerating the expiry of warrants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla Silver updated the MRE on Panuco, in Sinaloa. Silver Storm Mining presented two press releases with drilling results from La Parrilla, in Durango. Endeavour Silver updated on development at its Terronera project in Jalisco.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Aztec Minerals provided an update on activities at Cervantes, in Sonora. Impact Silver updated on activites at Plomosas, in Chihuahua, and at Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico. Alamos Gold and Osisko Development announced appointments to the board. Mithril Silver and Gold engaged a key contractor. Vizsla Silver informed on the fatality involving a contractor’s employee at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • David A. Giles, former exploration head of Fresnillo plc, deceased on January 10, 2024. He spent most of his career in Mexico and was key on the development of core properties aiding the company to become an international significant player.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced the commencement of diamond drilling at its Gran Pilar project in Sonora. “An initial nine core drill holes are budgeted and pre-paid through an existing credit with partial joint venture partner, Colibri Resources Corp. (Colibri). Tocvan and Colibri share 51/49 percent interest in the 105-hectare area that contains Pilar’s Main Zone, core drilling will be focused on the JV area across the Main Zone to build out a robust geological model needed for resource estimation”. Four RC drill holes were completed prior to the holiday break, totaling 776.2 m.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced that the company and its partner Tocvan Ventures Corp. commenced a diamond drill program of up to 1,250 m focused on the Main Zone target at the Pilar project in Sonora (See post above).

ON MINING

  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. sold 72,800 attributable Oz AuEq in 2024, realizing a preliminary revenue of US$176.3 M. During Q4 2024 the company sold 17,700 attributable AuEq Oz, realizing a preliminary revenue of US47.4 M (Cerro Prieto, San Francisco, Santa Elena and Mercedes, Sonora; Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. produced 2.4 M Oz Ag, 39,506 Oz Au (or 5.7 M Oz AgEq) during Q4 2024. For the full year total production was 8.4 M Oz Ag, 156,542 Oz Au (or 21.7 M Oz AgEq). At Santa Elena, in Sonora, 10 drill rigs (eight surface, two underground) completed 18,04 m of drilling, whereas at San Dimas, in Durango, 12 rigs (three surface, nine underground) completed 29,954 m and at La Encantada, in Coahuila, three rigs (two surface, one underground) completed 3,044 m.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. produced on the last quarter of 2024, 226.3 K Oz Ag, 3,213 Oz Au, 121 tonnes Cu, 161 tonnes Zn (or 551.3 K Oz AgEq) at its Parral Tailings project. “Parral’s SART Zinc circuit, which was completed in 2024, has exceeded expectations on both base metal production and has increased the leachability of gold and silver in the heap as well, which is driving the 36% increase in production which we saw this quarter”. For 2025 the company expects to release Los Ricos South definitive feasibility study (DFS), receive the underground mining permits for Los Ricos South, make Los Ricos South construction decision after receiving permits and financing in place, and upgrade Los Ricos North project with more drilling, advancing engineering and technical reports.
  • Equinox Gold Corp. reported the production of 213,960 Oz Au in Q4 2024, without disclosing the amount by mine. At Los Filos, in Guerrero, 170,370 Oz Au were produced during 2024. Equinox Gold ended the year with US240 M and US$105 M available to draw on its revolving credit facility, plus another US$100 M undrawn accordion feature. During the quarter the company reduced its debt by US$180 M.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported the production of 4.47 M Oz Ag, 39,047 Oz Au (or 7.6 M Oz AgEq) on 2024. For the quarter 824.5 K Oz Ag, 9,075 Oz Au (or 1.6 M Oz AgEq) were produced. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 58.8 K tonnes were processed in the quarter at a rate of 639 tpd, grading 440 gpt Ag, 1.53 gpt Au, recovering 86.4% Ag, 90.7% Au to recover 718.8 K Oz Ag, 2,622 Oz Au. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 106.8 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 1,161 tpd, grading 36 gpt Ag, 1.95 gpt Au, recovering 85.5% Ag, 96.4% Au. Production resumed full capacity at Guanaceví, after the mill  trunnion failure in August.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced full commercial production at its Guitarra Mine Complex in Estado de Mexico. “The processing plant, underground mine, and all aspects of the operation have now been running at the current capacity of 500 wet metric tonnes per day for the past 90 days”. During the test mining 1,292.5 tonnes of concentrate averaging 2,594.2 gpt Ag, 34.93 gpt Au were shipped, with 94.6 tonnes remaining in inventory.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced production results for Q4 and year 2024 at its 70% owned Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua. The company milled 305.8 K tonnes at a rate of 3,324 tpd during the quarter, grading 294 gpt Ag, 0.26 gpt Au, 2.17% Pb, 4.28% Zn, recovering 89.4% Ag, 51.2% Au, 88.0% Pb, 63.3% Zn, to produce 2.58 M Oz Ag, 1,330 Oz Au, 12.9 M Lb Pb, 18.3 M Lb Zn. For the full year, 1.19 M tonnes were milled at a rate of 3,255 tpd, grading 284 gpt Ag, 0.29 gpt Au, 2.00% Pb, 4.22% Zn, recovering 88.9% Ag, 50.4% Au, 88.6% Pb, 63.0% Zn, to produce 9.68 M Oz Ag, 5,553 Oz Au, 46.4 M Lb Pb, 69.7 M Lb Zn.
  • Aura Minerals Inc. announced preliminary production results for Q4 2024, including information from its operation in Mexico. During the quarter the Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas produced 6,987 Oz Au, 146.7 K Oz Ag, 9.4 M Lb Cu (23,379 Oz Au). For full year 2024, 26,578 Oz Au, 539.5 K Oz Ag, 37 M Lb Cu (97,558 Oz AuEq) were produced at the site.

ON FINANCING

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. granted a total of 145,452 deferred share units to the company’s non-executive directors for director’s fees relating to the quarter ended on December 2024 (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Gold Resource Corp.is pursuing a registered direct offering to raise up to US$2.5 M (Don David, Oaxaca).
  • Luca Mining Corp. along with an arm’s-length third-party corporation, Jaluca Ltd. reached an agreement with Urion Holdings (Malta) Ltd. (Trafigura Mexico Subsidiary) to repurchase 100% of Luca’s US$5.8 M convertible debenture held by Urion. “Luca and Jaluca are purchasing 43% and 57% of the Debenture, respectively, for a total purchase price of US$7.2 million or at an as if converted basis of CAD$0.4338 per share, a discount of over 25% to Luca’s closing share price on the TSX-V on January 3, 2025 of $0.58“. Correspondingly, US$5.8 M in debt will be removed from Luca’s balance sheet, and Luca will have 221.4 M shares outstanding after completion. As a result, Luca will be US$11.1 M in debt, with US$6.75 M in cash, aiming to be debt free by the end of 2025 (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. extended the closing of the previously announced non-brokered private placement for up to C$2.2 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. elected to accelerate the expiry of outstanding common share purchase warrants originally issued under financings completed in September and November of 2024 (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Vizsla Silver Corp. updated the mineral resource estimate for its Panuco project in Sinaloa. In the new report measured and indicated resources are increased by 43%, with 91% of the value in precious metals. Measured and indicated resources comprise 13 M tonnes grading 307 gpt Ag, 2.49 gpt Au, 0.27% Pb, 0.85% Zn (534 gpt AgEq or 6.23 gpt AuEq), containing 127.8 M Oz Ag, 1.04 M Oz Au, 34.9 K tonnes Pb, 110.2 K tonnes Zn (222.4 M Oz AgEq or 2.74 M Oz AuEq). Inferred resources comprise 10.5 M tonnes averaging 219 gpt Ag, 1.96 gpt Au, 0.30% Pb, 1.01% Zn (412 gpt AagEq or 4.91 gpt AuEq), containing 73.6 M Oz Ag, 660 K Oz Au, 31.2 K tonnes Pb, 106.2 K tonnes Zn (138.7 M Oz AgEq or 1.65 M Oz AuEq). This base case envisions an underground mining operation with a cut-off grade of 150 gpt AgEq, metal prices of $26.00/Oz Ag, $1,975/Oz Au, $2,425/tonne Pb, $2,976/tonne Zn. A mining cost of US$45.00/t rock and processing, treatment and refining, transportation and G&A cost of US$50.00/t of mineralized material.
  • Silver Storm Ltd. released results from its Phase 2 drilling program on the San Nicolas and C550 Zones at its La Parrilla property in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 7.00 m @ 273 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.5% Zn (including 0.50 m @ 389 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.8% Zn and 2.50 m @ 507 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 0.1% Zn); 1.02 m @ 606 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.1% Zn at the San Nicolas Zone, where sulfide mineralization is consists of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, acanthite, and native silver, and 3.83 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 72 gpt Ag, 1.7% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 7.20 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 113 gpt Ag, 1.5% Pb, 2.8% Zn (including 2.50 m @ 0.73 gpt Au, 177 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 4.3% Zn); 7.20 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 240 gpt Ag, 5.4% Pb, 5.7% Zn, on the C550 Zone, with galena, sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite mineralization.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. provided an update on the development of its Terronera project in Jalisco. Delivery delays were experienced during December of critical parts structural steel components, impacting the expected commissioning timelines. “Following Mexico’s lifting of the transport restrictions, critical steel deliveries and installation resumed this week”. The tailings dam is ready for use, above ground stockpiles are nearing capacity, stope preparation continues in multiple levels and the SAG and ball mills have been tested.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp.  provided an update on the development of its principal asset, the net smelter royalty on the Panuco project in Sinaloa, owned by Vizsla Silver Corp. (See post above).
  • Silver Storm Ltd. announced drill results from 10 drill holes testing the C460 Zone within the Quebradillas mine at its La Parrilla property in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 18.04 m @ 364 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb, 5.0% Zn (including 3.10 m @ 941 gpt Ag, 9.70% Pb, 10.1% Zn and 2.0 m @ 941 gpt Ag, 10.0% Pb, 13.0% Zn), 2.03 m @ 608 gpt Ag, 7.6% Pb, 5.3% Zn (including 1.03 m @ 1,158 gpt Ag, 13.8% Pb, 9.1% Zn); 4.79 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 267 gpt Ag, 2.3% Pb, 3.7% Zn; 0.90 m @ 62 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 9.3% Zn; 2.00 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag, 0.11% Pb, 5.3% Zn; 7.00 m @ 1.66 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 7.8% Zn (including 2.00 m @ 4.53 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 13.4% Zn); 5.08 m @ 21 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 4.4% Zn; 5.52 m @ 52 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 12.2% Zn (including 2.02 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 22.0% Zn). At the C460 Zone mineralization is comprised of pyrite, pyrrhotite, galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, acanthite, and freibergite.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. provided an update to shareholders of 2024 activities at its Cervantes project in Sonora. During 2024 were reported the final results of 1,646 m late 2023 RC drilling campaign, with the first drilling campaign in six years partially outlining an oxide gold cap to a porphyry copper discovery at the California zone. Also, two private placement financings totaling CAD$3.7 M were closed. For the first half of 2025 surface exploration is to continue at Cervantes, in preparation for potential continued step out drilling.
  • Impact Silver Corp. informed on 2024 milestones. At Plomosas, in Chihuahua, achieved substantial operational progress on the property acquired on Q2/2023, operating by Q3 2023 at 70% of design capacity, and strong drilling exploration results. A Tesla Battery Energy and System with solar capabilities was contracted for the Plomosas mine. The Royal Mines of Zacualpan District generated $6.1 M in revenue in Q3 2024, and the new Kena vein was discovered in the property with a drill intercept of 17.30 m @ 213 gpt Ag, presenting substantial exploration upside.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. announced the appointment of J. Robert S. Prichard as chair of the board of directors (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Osisko Development Corp. announced the appointment of David Rouleau as vice president, project development (San Antonio, Sonora).
  • Altius Minerals Corp. provided an update on its project generation business activities, and its public junior equities portfolio. The corporation currently holds 19.6% interest on Orogen Royalties, same that owns the royalty on the Ermitaño deposit in Sonora.
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. engaged Daneil Kunz Associates, LLC to provide additional support for the advance of the Copalquin project in Durango. Drilling is already underway, aiming to complete 35,000 m on 2025.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced that a landslide impacted one of the exploration drill pads, claiming the life of an employee of Bylsa Drilling S.A. de C.V., a contractor at Vizsla’s Panuco project in Sinaloa.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant news.

On the image below: Fault-Vein ridge in the Sonoran Desert. Drone picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 24th week of the year (June10th to June 16th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 19 press releases. One company is mobilizing its drilling crew on its property and one other elaborated on its 2024 production guidance for two mines. Four companies announced the opening/closing of financing rounds for C$20.8 M. One company released a PEA on its advanced property, another a multi-year exploration strategy, another one released drilling results from its advanced property and one more released drilling results from its mining areas. Two companies dropped their legal challenges with the Mexican authorities to submit their claims to international arbitration. A company reminded its shareholders to pay attention to the spin out of the royalty company. A company informed on the agreement amendment to repurchase a royalty and the modification of a payment clause on an option purchase agreement. ON MEXICO ISSUES the local stock exchange and the Mx Peso-US Dollar exchange rate took a moderate dip during the week as the current president and incumbent party members commented on the likelihood to pass constitutional reforms aimed to centralize power after the landslide victory obtained in the general elections on June 2, 2024.  The main driver of the run is the intention to reform the Supreme Court with the election of ministers by a popular poll (similar to the current system in Bolivia), which is likely to be capitalized by the majority incumbent party Morena. Mining and exploration companies now have to raise to the reality that they better be well prepared for six more years of a government that does not like businesses in general and mining in particular. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals is to mobilize its drilling crew to Palos Verdes. ON MINING, Luca Mining announced its 2024 production guidance for Campo Morado in Guerrero and Tahuehueto in Durango. ON FINANCING, Fortuna Silver closed the convertible senior notes previously announced for US$175 M (really, really unlikely to be invested in Mexico). Barksdale Resources, Prismo Metals, Impact Silver and Heliostar Metals raised a combined C$20.8 M. Quetzal Copper received a cease trade order in BC. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Southern Silver Exploration released results from a PEA on Cerro Las Minitas, in Durango. Torex Gold presented its multi-year exploration strategy for the Morelos property in Guerrero. Vizsla Silver reported infill drilling results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. First Majestic Silver announced drilling results from San Dimas, in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Almadex Minerals and Almaden Minerals withdrew their legal challenges with the Mexican authorities as they took the decision to submit their claims to international arbitration. Vizsla Silver reminded its shareholders on the spinout of Vizsla Royalties. Capitan Silver amended the agreement to repurchase a royalty and also the option agreement on a mining concession at its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. SilverCrest Metals presented results from its AGM. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The local stock exchange and the Mx Peso-US Dollar exchange rate took a moderate dip during the week as the current president and incumbent party members commented on the likelihood to pass constitutional reforms aimed to centralize power after the landslide victory obtained in the general elections on June 2, 2024.  The main driver of the run is the intention to reform the Supreme Court with the election of ministers by a popular poll (similar to the current system in Bolivia), which is likely to be capitalized by the majority incumbent party Morena. Mining and exploration companies now have to raise to the reality that they better be well prepared for six more years of a government that does not like businesses in general and mining in particular

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc. intends to mobilize its drilling crew to the Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. Approximately 3,600 m in ten holes are to be completed in two phases after the closing of the ongoing financing. “These holes will be drilled from Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) concessions adjacent to the Palos Verdes concession and will target the Palos Verdes vein at depth.”

ON MINING

  • Luca Mining Corp. announced its 2024 guidance and outlook for the Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines. At Campo Morado in Guerrero, the company aims to produce 43 K to 50 K Oz AuEq at cash cost $1,175 to $1,294 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,235 to $1,420 per Oz AuEq to obtain $55 M to $65 M in revenue. At Tahuehueto, in Durango, Luca Mining expects to produce 17 K to 20 K Oz AuEq at cash cost $1,295 to $1,420 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,510 to $1,700 per Oz AuEq, to obtain $35 M to $40 M in revenue. At Tahuehueto the company is installing a third filter press that will allow to increase production from 450 tpd to 800 tpd in a short timeframe. At Campo Morado production is ramping back up to 2,000 tpd (from 1,390 tpd in Q1 2024), coupled with the production of three concentrates of copper, zinc and lead, instead of the two currently being produced.

ON FINANCING

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. closed the previously announced offering of 3.75% convertible senior notes due 2029 in an aggregate principal of US$175.5 M, which includes exercise of the full amount of the option to purchase an additional US$22.5 M aggregate principal amount of notes “The initial conversion rate for the Notes is 151.7220 common shares of Fortuna (“Shares”) per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$6.59 per Share” (San José, Oaxaca).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. increased the previously announced non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of C$5.62 M. The proceeds are to be used in the exploration activities of Barksdale’s Arizona properties (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Quetzal Copper Corp. has been issued a cease trade order from the British Columbia Securities Commission on June 4, 2024 for failure to file interim financial reports, interim management´s discussion and analysis and certification of interim filings for Q1 2024 (Cristinas, 2024).
  • Prismo Metals Inc. announced that it has received commitments for gross proceeds of C$1.1 M (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. granted 3.94 M options to officers, directors and consultants (Cruz de Plata, Durango).
  • IMPACT Silver Corp. closed the second tranche of the non-brokered private placement financing previously announced for combined gross proceeds of C$9.09 M (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$5 M (Ana Paula, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. released results from its preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Key features include an after-tax NPV5% of US$501 M and IRR of 21.2% with a 48-month payback, Initial CapEx of $388 M, a large-scale underground operation with a 17-year mine life with LOM feed totalling 243 M Oz AgEq to produce 194 M Oz Ag at an AISC of $13.23 per Oz AgEq. Gross revenues totalling US$4.47 B with Ag and Au representing 45% of revenue and zinc 35%. The project has 13.3 M tonnes @ 102 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.17% Cu, 1.3% Pb, 3.1% Zn containing 43.2 M Oz Ag, 32 K Oz Au, 49 M Lb Cu, 374 M Lb Pb, 921 M Lb Zn as indicated resources and 23.4 M tonnes @ 111 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 2.1% Zn, containing 83.4 M Oz Ag, 104 K Oz Au, 111 M Lb Cu, 582 M Lb Pb, 1,106 M Lb Zn.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. presented the multi-year exploration strategy for its Morelos property in Guerrero. The exploration and drilling strategy has the objective to maintain more than 450 K Oz Au annual production and is to focus in three areas: 1) Extending the mine life of ELG Underground and Media Luna 2) Expanding resources within the Media Luna Cluster 3) Advancing targets through the growth pipeline. The $31 M exploration budget for 2024 includes $3 M for regional exploration, including the El Naranjo and Atzcala targets, and plans to explore north of the Balsas River.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released results from 12 diamond drill holes targeting the Copala structure at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Some of the true width intercepts of the infill program comprise 5.00 m @ 22.95 gpt Au, 1,378 gpt Ag (including 2.75 m @ 39.10 gpt Au, 2,225 gpt Ag); 13.00 m @ 8.19 gpt Au, 1,017 gpt Ag (including 1.40 m @ 35.11 gpt Au, 4,124 gpt Ag); 6.00 m @ 10.31 gpt Au, 1,882 gpt Ag; 8.70 m @ 5.18 gpt Au, 1,096 gpt Ag; 12.30 m @ 1.57 gpt Au, 150 gpt Ag. “Resource drilling at Copala has now traced mineralization along ~1,770 metres of strike length and ~400 metres down dip.”
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced drilling results from its 2024 exploration program at San Dimas, in Durango. The drill program focus was to test new Au-Ag targets, add mineral resources and convert mineral resources to mineral reserves. Highlighted true length results comprise 2.15 m @ 20.41 gpt Au, 1,702 gpt Ag; 6.08 m @ 1.99 gpt Au, 440 gpt Ag; 6.72 m @ 7.36 gpt Au, 1,129 gpt Ag; 1.28 m @ 11.53 gpt Au, 1,158 gpt Ag; 7.88 m @ 10.87 gpt Au, 1,034 gpt Ag; 1.01 m @ 12.34 gpt Au, 196 gpt Ag; 1.76 m @ 39.28 gpt Au, 1,905 gpt Ag; 2.18 m @ 4.86 gpt Au, 511 gpt Ag; 1.34 m @ 9.44 gpt Au, 1,069 gpt Ag; 0.94 m @ 13.24 gpt Au, 1,501 gpt Ag; 2.05 m @ 3.42 gpt Au, 361 gpt Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd. has taken the decision to submit its claims to arbitration against Mexico under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, after a consultation meeting with Mexican officials on May 30, 2024 did not result in an amicable resolution of the dispute with Mexico. Almadex is pursuing this arbitration together with Almaden Minerals Ltd., and based on a preliminary estimate will be seeking damages of no less than US$200 million. Almadex would be entitled to damages relating to its 2.0% NSR royalty on the Ixtaca project in Puebla.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. has taken the decision to submit its claims to arbitration against Mexico under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, after a consultation meeting with Mexican officials on May 30, 2024 did not result in an amicable resolution of the dispute with Mexico. Almaden has withdrawn its legal challenge in the Mexican Federal Administrative Court and other legal proceedings in respect of the company’s mining concessions, as required for submitting a claim under the CPTPP. The ruling on the arbitration under the CPTPP will be adjudicated pursuant to the arbitration rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Almaden is pursuing this arbitration together with Almadex Minerals Ltd., and based on a preliminary estimate will be seeking damages of no less than US$200 million, in the aggregate (Ixtaca, Puebla).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reminds its shareholders that if the spinout of Vizsla Royalties Corp. is approved at the special meeting being held on June 17, 2024, the company will seek a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia to approve the arrangement and closing will occur on or about June 24, 2024. “The owners of common shares of Vizsla Silver … are entitled to receive one-third of a common share of Vizsla Royalties Corp. …. and one-third of a common share purchase warrant of Vizsla Royalties Corp.” for each Vizsla Silver Share held on the record date (Panuco, Sinaloa).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. amended its agreement to repurchase a royalty on its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. The net smelter royalty (NSR) entitled Exploraciones del Altiplano an NSR of up to 2%. “The amendments have restructured the final payments to Altiplano which totaled USD $1.0 million into three smaller payments over the course of a year. Upon signing of the amendment a cash payment of USD $87,500 was made, with remaining payments to consist of 50% cash and 50% shares as follows: USD $200,000 in October 2024 and USD $300,000 in April 2025.” Amended was also the option agreement to purchase the “El Casco U” property from Fresnillo plc, modifying the November 2023 US$150 K payment to a US$156.3 K payment on May 2024, which has since been paid.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced results from its annual general meeting (AGM) held on June 12, 2024. Eight directors were re-elected by a handsome majority on the meeting where “A total of 88,115,662 votes were represented at the AGM amounting to 59.84% of the issued common shares…”  

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Saw scratched molybdenite speck image on a 40 X hand lens from a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of August 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                            

During the 33rd week of the year (August 14th to August 20th, 2023), 18 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Two companies informed on exploration work at its properties, three reported second quarter 2023 results and one more of a fatality on an underground mine. One company informed on a private placement and one more on incentive option granting to directors, employees and consultants. Four companies informed on technical reports, updated mineral resources, drilling results and metallurgical testing on their projects. The closing on the transfer of a property in Durango was announced. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Camimex ask for the government intervention to reach an end to the Peñasquito mine strike, which begun in early June, and also for speedier action on environmental permitting. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource received the permit to drill at Evelyn. In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals updated on its drilling program at Jemi. ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver reported a fatality on one of its mines. Sierra Metals, Discovery Silver and Americas Gold and Silver released production results for Q2 2023. ON FINANCING, Barksdale granted options to directors, employees and consultants. Oroco Resource raised $1.75 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Tag updated the mineral resource estimate for La Parrilla, in Durango. GR Silver Mining released drilling results from the San Marcial deposit on its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver released drilling results from the Tepic project in Nayarit. Silver Tiger Metals released drilling results from El Tigre, in Sonora. Vizsla Silver announced positive metallurgical test results for the Copala resource area on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, First Majestic Silver and Golden Tag Resources closed the transaction on La Parrilla mine in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news. ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) asks relevant authorities to contribute in the solution to the Peñasquito strike in Zacatecas, and to act more speedily on the granting of environmental permits needed.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. received the necessary permit to drill up to 2,000 m on the Evelyn property in Sonora. The program is focusing on the Main Zone and West El Sahuaro areas.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp. provided an update on the current drill program at the Jemi project in Coahuila. To date 1,800 m have been drilled targeting rare earth mineralization, with 12 holes completed and a final one underway, with results expected in about three weeks. “Numerous intrusive peralkaline dykes, sills, and veins, with identifiable eudialyte … were intersected in the completed holes … These peralkaline dykes and sills tend to occur in structural zones that appear to be adjacent to larger bodies of syenitic intrusions and are associated with irregular skarn mineralization at the contacts with the host carbonate sedimentary rocks. These zones are as much as several tens of meters in width downhole. The syenite may be the feeders for the peralkaline features (parental rocks) and pegmatitic intrusive rocks. Light rare earth element (LREE) bearing minerals such as monazite and xenotime have also been identified by visual inspection.”

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Co. reported an employee fatality on August 12 due to an accident at the San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported results for the quarter, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 4,640 tonnes were milled per day for a total of 406 K tonnes in the period, to produce 10.7 M Lb CuEq at cash cost $1.62 and an AISC of $3.02 per Lb CuEq. The Cusi mine in Chihuahua (a non-core asset) operated at 596 tpd and processed 51.7 K tonnes during the period to produce 241 K Oz AgEq.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported consolidated financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cosalá, in Sinaloa, 335 K Oz Ag, 3.2 M Lb Pb, 9.6 M Lb Zn were produced at cash cost $4.51 and an AISC of $11.10 per Oz AgEq.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced its financial results for the second quarter 2023 and provided an update on the quarter and subsequent events. The 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report was released. A marketed public offering raised C$51.75 M, “Completion of the reserve expansion and definition component of our Feasibility Study program consisting of an additional 35,000 m of drilling in over 100 drill holes completed since the cut-off for the Pre-Feasibility Study”. As of June 30, 2023, Discovery had cash and cash equivalents of $68 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Barksdale Resources Inc. announced the granting of incentive stock options to its directors, employees and consultants for up 1.3 M shares at a price of $0.59 per share. (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement, raising $1.75 M (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. completed an updated mineral resource estimate for La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex in Durango. The resource includes 22 veins within the Rosarios, San Marcos and Quebradillas underground mines, currently on care and maintenance. Indicated resources are estimated at 615 K tonnes @ 176 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 1.55% Pb, 1.39% Zn (or 263 gpt AgEq), containing 3.48 M Oz Ag, 1,700 Oz Au, 9.6 K tonnes Pb, 8.5 tonnes Zn, or 5.19 M Oz AgEq. Inferred resources stand at 1.26 M tonnes @ 191 gpt Ag, 0.12 gpt Au, 0.99% Pb, 1.01% Zn (or 256 gpt AgEq), containing 7.73 M Oz Ag, 5,000 Oz Au, 12.4 K tonnes Pb, 12.7 K tonnes Zn, or 10.33 M Oz AgEq.
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. announced results from one step-out drill hole outside the mineral resource boundary in the San Marcial area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 20.2 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn (including 5.7 m @ 513 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, which includes 0.8 m @ 2,041 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.9% Zn). The hole “intersected a multistage quartz-calcite-sulfide zone composed of irregular veins and breccias crosscutting other hydrothermal breccias …”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced results from six additional diamond drill holes of the current program at its Tepic project in Nayarit. The holes targeted the Taunas and Veta Tomas structures, with highlighted intercepts comprising 2.50 m @ 296 gpt Ag, 1.15 gpt Au; 0.60 m @ 111 gpt Ag, 2.06 gpt Au; 4.85 m @ 84 gpt Ag, 0.24 gpt Au; 10.05 m @ 158 gpt Ag, 0.46 gpt Au; 4.35 @ 258 gpt Ag, 0.68 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 92 gpt Ag, 0.36 gpt Au. “The Tepic Project is a +2,600-hectare project where the previous operator completed 149 core holes totaling more than 31,000 meters. “
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released results from drilling at El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlighted core length results from the Sooy vein and Sulfide Zone comprise 1.0 m @ 0.01 gpt Au, 178 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 10.7 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 74 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 0.5% Zn (including 2.3 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 191 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn); 4.7 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 344 gpt Ag, 0.44% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 0.5 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 1,294 gpt Ag, 0.62% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 3.4 m @ 1.57 gpt Au, 592 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 10.5 m @ 1.98 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 2.9% Zn (including 5.3 m @ 3.87 gpt Au, 249 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 2.2% Pb, 4.4% Zn); 4.0 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 786 gpt Ag, 0.68% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 0.8 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 1,549 gpt Ag, 1.73% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced positive preliminary metallurgical test results for the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drill core was first crushed and the subject to simple bulk flotation. Flotation + regrind + Cyanide Leach on flotation concentrate, coupled with Cyanide Leach of Rougher Tails recovered 90.6% Au, 93.7% Ag. “Further test work of material from the Napoleon, Tajitos and Copala deposits is planned to better understand and optimise grind size, cyanide consumption, leach kinetics, residence times and recoveries.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • First Majestic Silver Corp. and Golden Tag Resources Ltd. closed the transaction on the La Parrilla past producing mine in Durango. First Majestic received 143.7 M shares of Golden Tag (US$20 M), and is to receive up to US$13.5 M in the form of three milestone payments either in cash or shares. The first repayment of US$2.7 M is due 18 months on the closing, the second US$7.75 M payment upon receipt of a resource estimate of 5 M Oz AgEq in reserves or 22 M Oz AgEq in measured and indicated resources and the third US$5.05 M payment upon receiving a resource estimate of 12.5 M Oz Ag Eq measured and indicated resources in a new zone on La Parrilla. In addition, First Majestic purchased 18 M shares of Golden Tag and 9 M warrants. Following the closing First Majestic owns 40.8% of Golden Tag shares, and if the warrants are exercised will own 42.2% on a partially diluted basis.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevan news.

On the image below: Silicified vein ridge on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 25th week of the year (June 19th to June 25th, 2023), 16 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Three companies informed on exploration work at its properties, while there was no relevant news on mining, other than the continuation of a Union strike on Peñasquito. Three companies informed on the closing of financing tranches or the arrangement of new placements. Four companies reported on work at their advanced properties. One company updated on financing moves to pay for the acquisition of an idle property and one more on the plans for recommence mining on their recent acquisition. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Newmont declared force majeure on contracted base metal production due to the Union strike at Peñasquito. The first all-encompassing suspension on the recently passed Mining Law was granted to a Mexican mining company. The Sindicato Nacional de Mineros brought a complaint before the fast-response mechanism of the T-MEC, accusing Grupo Mexico of negating Union liberty since 2007. Grupo Mexico responded the San Martín mine operates with the free decision of its unionized workers, and that workers strongly support the current Union.  ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource updated on work at El Plomo project. In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals announced a maiden drill program at its rare-earth Jemi project. In Durango, Silver Dollar entered into a surface access agreement with the local Ejido at Nora. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Canuc Resources closed a CAD$1.3 M financing round. Sonoro Gold closed the first tranche of a C$3 M financing, raising C$1.7 M. Coeur Mining arranged a private placement for $19 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining reported good drilling results below the resource shell at Los Reyes, in Sinaloa. Orla Mining released infill drilling results from the Sulphide zone at Camino Rojo in Zacatecas, and also from the Deep Extension zone and from an exploration play 7 km away. Aztec Minerals updated on geologic and geochemical information at Cervantes, in Sonora, and is preparing an RC drilling campaign. Discovery Silver provided an update on work at the Cordero project in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Excellon Resources updated on La Negra acquisition in Queretaro, and the financing arrangements being sought to support it. Impact Silver announced its plans for refurbishing the Plomosa mine and plant in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The first suspension with all-encompassing application against the recently approved Mining Law was granted by a federal judge from Mexico City on June 21, 2023, to Cobre del Mayo, the company that exploits the Piedras Verdes copper mine in Sonora. Before this ruling, the only suspensions admitted were for the automatic rejection of previously filed applications for mining concessions.
  • The Sindicato Nacional de Mineros (National Miners Union, headed by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia) presented a complaint against Grupo México under the fast response mechanism of the T-MEC, accusing the company of negating Union liberty and failure to comply with legal rulings on its favor, relating to a strike commenced by the Union in 2007 in which safety and contractual obligations were demanded. (It is much more likely that Napoleón Gómez Urrutia was aiming for the invalidation of a court arrest warrant on him related to the subtraction of 55 M dollars granted to workers of the Cananea mine on the sale of the property to Grupo Mexico. Napoleón Gómez Urrutia has legal immunity by its position as a senator). Grupo Mexico replied that its workers strongly back the current Union, and that the San Martín mine in Zacatecas operates with the free decision of its unionized workers.
  • Newmont declared “Force Majeure” on the production of lead and zinc that is to impact on contract obligations. The company was to produce about 200 K tonnes Zn and 80 K tonnes Pb on 2023, but the current Union strike is going to impact on its production forecast. Operations were suspended on June 7, 2023, by the Union, which is demanding an increase of the participation on the profit obtained by the company from 10% to 20%.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. reported results from geological mapping and outcrop sampling at the Pavo Real target on the Plomo property, EP project in Sonora. A 0.5 Km by 0.5 km area was selected and 90 grab samples collected, with 38 samples returning over 0.1 gpt Au and 13 samples over 1.0 gpt Au, peaking at 9.94 gpt Au. “The higher-grade samples also commonly include veinlets mapped as jasperoid which in thin section was determined to be a very fine-grained assemblage of limonite and hematite and interpreted to possibly be derived from a primary Fe-carbonate bearing vein assemblage. The mineralized tourmaline bearing breccia and stock work samples are massive to strongly foliated where foliation consistently has a north-northwest strike and moderate northeast dip”.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp. announced a maiden drill program planned for its Jemi rare earth element project in Coahuila. Exploration work has resulted in six high priority drill targets for dysprosium (Dy), terbium (Tb), neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta). “The goal of the drill program is to define and delineate the source of REE-mineralized (eudialyte +/- aegirine rich) intrusive dykes and sills”. The program envisages 1,800 m of drilling in 6 holes.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. entered into a surface rights agreement with the Ejido Peña, covering the area of the Nora project in Durango.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • Canuc Resources Corp. announced the closing of the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement financing, raising CAD$1.28 M in gross proceeds. (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. closed the first tranche of the C$3 M previously announced non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of C$1.7 M. Directors and officers participated in the offering for $1.32 M, constituting a related party transaction at the TSX Venture Exchange (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Coeur Mining Inc. arranged a private placement for gross proceeds of $19 M (C$25 M). “The proceeds of the Offering will be used exclusively for qualifying Canadian Exploration Expenditures” (Palmarejo, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Prime Mining Corp. reported drill results from four holes at the Z-T area of the Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Two of the holes are located 100 to 200 m below the recently announced resource pit shell. Highlighted true width core intervals comprise 13.25 m @ 3.80 gpt Au, 82 gpt Ag (including 3.65 m @ 8.15 gpt Au, 89 gpt Ag); 11.40 m @ 3.96 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag (including 2.00 m @ 19.40 gpt Au, 168 gpt Ag). “Together the mineralization in these drill holes further defines two high-grade mineralized shoots separated by 250 m. These intercepts open a significant area of exploration upside relative to the MRE pit shell for the Z-T area.”
  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an update on exploration at its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. Highlighted core length results comprise 93.0 m @ 2.87 gpt Au; 56.9 m @ 3.26 gpt Au; 34.0 m @ 3.11 gpt Au (including 5.6 m @ 10.29 gpt Au); 43.0 m @ 2.12 gpt Au; 38.5 m @ 2.00 gpt Au; 63.0 m @ 1.89 gpt Au; 62.6 m @ 1.62 gpt Au (including 6.0 m @ 7.72 gpt Au); 24.5 m @ 3.18 gpt Au; 12.0 m @ 4.18 gpt Au; 29.0 m @ 3.16 gpt Au; 42.0 m @ 3.05 gpt Au in Camino Rojo Sulphides infill, further 8.5 m @ 3.52 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, 0.26% Cu, 3.6% Zn; 3.3 m @ 4.54 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 5.5% Zn; 1.5 m @ 15.4 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag, 0.04% Cu, 4.4% Zn in the Camino Rojo Sulphides Deep Extension zone, and 10.5 m @ 0.69 gpt Au (including 1.5 m @ 4.02 gpt Au); 3.3 m @ 0.94 gpt Au; 1.5 @ 2.72 gpt Au; 1.3 m @ 61.2 gpt Au in the Guanamero zone of the Camino Rojo Regional Exploration. Polymetallic Au-Ag-Zn massive to massive sulphide mineralization has been confirmed in holes testing below the Caracol Formation hosted sulphides.  
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. received permits for a planned two-stage reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Cervantes project in Sonora. The first stage is to commence on Q3 2023 utilizing information gathered on the mapping and sampling of 4,600 m of roads. The quartz-feldspar porphyry is more extensive than the feldspar porphyry, and many of the sediments are less continuous and often as xenolithic rafts and roof pendants over the intrusive rocks. There is widespread phyllic alteration, minor potassic alteration as secondary biotite and zones of tourmaline mineralization; with gold showing positive relationship with vein intensity and silicic and phyllic alterations, and inverse relationship with argillic alteration. Au has strong correlation with As, Cu, Bi, Ag and W. With Mo being strongly distal. A marked Cu anomaly to the northeast associated with tourmaline and secondary biotite alteration. The focus is “to continue to define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry oxide cap at California, test the down dip extensions of the silicic-phyllic alteration in the Qfp intrusive for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, and test for extensions of the California North target.”
  • Discovery Silver Corp. provided a project update on its Cordero project in Chihuahua. The company is to initiate the environmental permitting (Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) process with the submission to SEMARNAT (Environmental regulator), and also “recently secured the surface rights that correspond with the planned open pit and key infrastructure locations at Cordero as well as a significant volume of water rights ….. Discovery also recently engaged M3 Engineering & Technology Corp to complete a technical review of the scope and cost to source water from existing water treatment plants in the region …… An impact assessment study and power installation study by Mexican electrical infrastructure authority CENACE were delivered earlier this year, with confirmation that there is sufficient capacity in the existing power grid to supply the Project with power for operations at peak throughput levels”. The company is also working on the front-end engineering design work for the feasibility study (FS), a resource update, metallurgical test work, process design, mine planning, geotechnical work and tailings study.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Excellon Resources Inc. updated on the previously announced La Negra mine acquisition in Queretaro, from Orion Resource Partners. Excellon is focused on a successful completion of the C$10 M in gross proceeds financing, “but in parallel is reviewing potential operating scenarios that would allow Excellon to close on a lower level of initial financing that supports initiating advancement of La Negra while also adequately capitalizing the Company’s broader business”. The company is also in discussions with the holders of convertible debentures and assessing interim financing options as well as divestitures, mergers, or spin-offs to provide near-term liquidity.
  • Impact Silver Corp. updated on its plans for the recently acquired Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Restart of production is scheduled for the second half of 2023, with design capacity to be approached on the first half of 2024. Underground equipment is under maintenance and repairs, mill foundations are being replaced, and the ball mill and conveyor-crushing systems are being upgraded. A new tailings dam is in the design and permitting stage, while alternate electric power options under evaluation, as well as changes in mining methods and mineral processing. Underground stations for drilling are in preparation, while drilling permits have been submitted for the surface program. Plomosas has a current JORC resource of 215 K tonnes @ 13.5% Zn, 6.3% Pb, 34 gpt Ag in indicated resources and 772 K tonnes @ 13.1% Zn, 3.0% Pb, 19 gpt Ag of inferred resources at a 3% Zn cut-off.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Barite-Quartz-Specularite vein on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

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

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of February 2023

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 7th week of the year (February 13th to February 19th, 2023), 13 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. One company informed on a new exploration model for its projects. Two companies informed on Q4 2022 production and 2023 guidance. One company closed a first tranche on a financing round, while one other closed the previously announced private placement and one more granted shares and stock options to board members. One company filed a PFS on its project and one more updated on the resource estimate for one of its properties. Two companies informed on drilling results and work on their advanced properties. Two companies informed they have earned 50% interest in a project, and one other received notice of claims totaling US$19.7 M. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Mexican president continues to assert his power by claiming that all lithium reserves will pass to a government’s company. The Sonora State Economy Secretary vigorously backed the importance of the mining industry in the State. ON EXPLORATION, in Coahuila, Southern Empire Resources claims mineralization at its properties in Durango might be of Carlin style. ON MINING, Gold Resource and Capstone Copper released Q4 2022 production or/and financial production reports and guidance for 2023. ON FINANCING, Reyna Silver closed the first tranche of its private placement (C$5 M), Mag Silver completed its bought deal private placement (C$23 M) and Orogen Royalties granted shares and stock options to independent board members. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver filed the PFS on the Cordero project in Chihuahua. Vizsla Silver reported drilling results at Panuco, in Sinaloa. Avino Silver updated the mineral resource estimate for all deposits at its Avino property in Durango. Impact Silver released drilling results from the Aurora 2 zone at its Capire project in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Spruce Resources and Colibri Resource earned 50% ownership in the Diamante property in Sonora. Magna Gold received notices on claims totaling $19.7 M. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mexican president, Andrés M. López Obrador announced on one of its daily propaganda conferences: “I am to sign the decree to forward the lithium concession, all the reserves, to the Energy Secretariat”. In April 2022 the government declared lithium as a public utility mineral, and its exploitation to be only possible under the public enterprise Litio para México.
  • Margarita Vélez Rocha, the Sonora Economy Secretary, recognized the importance of the mining sector in the State, pointing that it directly employs more than 26 thousand workers and more than 120 thousand indirectly, with 39 municipalities having mining activities and 23 on which it is the main economic activity.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Southern Empire Resources Corp. announced that synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray fluorescence mineralogical studies of drill core samples from its Pedro project in Durango reveal mineralogical similarities to deposits of the Carlin belt in Nevada. Gold mineralization at Centauro and Pedro projects, both in Durango, is associated to hematite-stained, weak to moderately silicified brecciated conglomerate of the Eocene to Oligocene Ahuichila Formation. Historic drilling results include intervals like 5.60 m @ 0.59 gpt Au; 19.82 m @ 0.31 gpt Au; 15.23 m @ 0.58 gpt Au; 50 m @ 0.28 gpt Au; 88.10 m @ 0.24 gpt Au; 112.40 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, with anomalous Ag, As, Sb Tl and Hg.

ON MINING

  • Gold Resource Corp. issued 2023 guidance and suspension of dividends. For 2023 the company expects to produce 17 to 19 K Oz Au, 0.9 to 1.0 M Oz Ag (or 30 to 32 K Oz AuEq) at cash cost $1,000 to $1,050 per AuEq Oz and an AISC of $1,250 to $1,350 per AuEq Oz (Consolidated: $1,650 to $1,750 per AuEq Oz). “the lower grade profile is expected to continue through 2023 and is projected to negatively impact operating cash flows and total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce”, and accordingly “will suspend the quarterly dividend until such time that it may become practicable to reinstate” (Don David, Oaxaca).
  • Capstone Copper Corp. reported financial results for Q4 2022 and year 2022, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 3,430 tpd were milled during the quarter to produce 5.8 K tonnes of copper, totaling 24.5 K tonnes Cu on the year at cash cost $1.40 per Lb Cu (which is the lowest cost for Capstone operations). Cash and cash equivalents stood at $170.3 M by the end of the period.

ON FINANCING

  • Reyna Silver Corp. announced the closing of the first tranche of its bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of C$5 M (Guigui and Batopilas, Chihuahua).
  • Mag Silver Corp. completed the previously announced bought deal private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$23 M (Juanicipio (44%), Zacatecas).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. authorized the granting of 156 K restricted share units, 156 K deferred share units and 238 K stock options to independent board members (Royalties on Ermitaño, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Discovery Silver Corp. filed the pre-feasibility study (PFS) on its Cordero property in Chihuahua.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from 19 holes on the Copala structure of the Panuco project in Sinaloa. The results represent step-out and infill drilling on the Copala structure that has now been traced for 1,110 m of strike and 400 m downdip. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 2.50 m @ 1,673 gpt Ag, 5.39 gpt Au; 3.35 m @ 428 gpt Ag, 3.64 gpt Au; 2.40 m @ 288 gpt Ag, 1.73 gpt Au; 13.70 m @ 270 gpt Ag, 1.48 gpt Au; 6.00 m @ 648 gpt Ag, 4.29 gpt Au; 3.00 m @ 247 gpt Ag, 2.17 gpt Au; 2.90 m @ 1,010 gpt Ag, 5.91 gpt Au; 6.20 m @ 242 gpt Ag, 1.15 gpt Au; 4.61 m @ 453 gpt Ag, 9.16 gpt Au; 6.00 m @ 176 gpt Ag, 1.12 gpt Au.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. completed an updated mineral resource estimate for the Avino ET, San Gonzalo, La Potosina, Guadalupe and Oxide Tailing deposits at its Avino property in Durango. Measured and indicated resources comprise 34.7 M tonnes @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.54 gpt Au, 0.39% Cu (or 144 gpt AgEq) containing 70.0 M Oz Ag, 596.6 K Oz Au, 301.4 M Lb Cu. Inferred resources stand at 19.3 M tonnes @ 46 gpt Ag, 0.34 gpt Au, 0.37% Cu (112 gpt AgEq) containing 28.4 M Oz Ag, 212.6 K Oz Au, 158.5 M Lb Cu. Another nearby property, La Preciosa, is also held by Avino and contains 98.6 M Oz Ag, 189.2 K Oz Au in indicated resources and 21.3 M Oz Ag, 35.5 K Oz Au in inferred resources.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced drill results from the Aurora 2 zone, 1.3 km northeast of the Capire processing plant (in Guerrero), and 16 km south of the company’s active mining operations at the Royal Mines of Zacualpan in Estado de Mexico. The mineralization at the site consists of volcanogenic massive sulfides (VMS) lenses, extending the zone to the west. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 2.39 m @ 106 gpt Ag, 0.42 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.8% Zn; 3.73 m @ 66 gpt Ag, 0.40 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn; 7.48 m @ 128 gpt Ag, 0.42 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.8% Zn; 1.01 m @ 138 gpt Ag, 0.49 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 7.95 m @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.52 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 2.8% Zn; 2.11 m @ 51 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 2.38 m @ 142 gpt Ag, 0.37 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn; 3.28 m @ 34 gpt Ag, 0.24 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.2% Zn.   

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. and Colibri Resource Corp. reported the companies have earned 50% ownership interest in the Diamante project in Sonora, while Vendor Bimsa Minera SA de CV retains 50% ownership in the Property. “The 1,057-hectare Diamante property is located adjacent to the Jackie property, a joint venture with Colibri, which covers 1,113 hectares, providing the company with a total of 2,170 hectares of exploration ground. Diamante hosts a number of historical showings and combined with mineralization on the Mezquite and Jackie properties exhibit the geological characteristics of epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn)”. With completion of the initial earn-in, Silver Spruce and Colibri together will become equal joint venture partners with the Vendor in BIMCOL Minera, with a six months exclusive period to purchase the remaining 50% by paying either US$2.1 M or US$1.45 M and 2% NSR.
  • Magna Gold Corp. informed the receipt of notices of claims from three of its creditors, Cominivi Servicios S.A. de C.V., Covoro Mining Solutions Mexicana S. de R. L. de C.V. and Sidney W. French S.A. de C.V. for US$6.49 M. Also, a notice of commencement of arbitration with Peal México, S.A. de C.V. was received on a claim of US$13.2 M (San Francisco, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Quartz specularite veining cut by late quartz veinlet on a copper project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Abraham López.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 1st week of the year (January 2nd to January 8th, 2023), 11 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. No companies posted on exploration of non-advanced properties, one company posted on Q4 2022 production figures (that’s fast reporting!), no companies reported financing news. Seven companies informed on work at their advanced properties, including three that released drilling results. One mining company is dealing with uncertainty on operation rules, as SEMARNAT insists on not upholding previously emitted permits. Another company informed on an extension to an agreement for the processing of tailings. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Bear Creek Mining presented production figures for the Mercedes mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Zacatecas Silver filed a technical report with their initial mineral resource estimate for the Esperanza project in Morelos. Aztec Minerals updated on 2022 work at Cervantes in Sonora, and plans for 2023. GoGold Resources provided an outlook for work at Los Ricos Sur and Los Ricos Norte projects in Jalisco during 2023. Impact Silver released drilling results from two new veins in Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico. Avino Silver released drilling results from the Avino vein in Durango. Bendito Resources is to perform a reverse circulation drilling campaign at several targets on its El Alacrán project in Sonora. Minera Alamos filed a PEA on the Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Fortuna Silver received notice from SEMARNAT on the re-assessment of the environmental impact authorization for the San Jose mine in Oaxaca. Xali Gold extended the production earn-in agreement with Sun River on the Tailings Project at El Oro, in Estado de Mexico. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. presented production figures for Q4 2022 from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. During the period, 13,710 Oz au, 40.2 K Oz Ag were produced, and a new high-grade vein was discovered at the Marianas zone. “Development work is ongoing in the Marianas, Rey de Oro and San Martin zones. There are approximately 80 meters of development required in Marianas to establish underground drilling station, Bay 5, and prepare for ore production from this zone”. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 0.8 m @ 89.1 gpt Au, 192 gpt Ag; 3.5 m @ 5.8 gpt Au; 3.6 m @ 13.1 gpt Au in new veins and 0.9 m @ 26.2 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag in an extension to a known vein.

ON FINANCING

  • No Relevant News.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. filed a Ni-43-101 compliant technical report supporting the initial mineral resource estimate at the Esperanza project in Morelos. The resources consist of 30.3 M tonnes @ 0.92 gpt Au, 8.6 gpt Ag in pit-constrained measured and indicated resources containing 899 K Oz Au, 8.4 M Oz Ag, and 270 K tonnes @ 1.58 gpt Au, 11.0 gpt Ag in out of pit measured and indicated resources containing 14 K Oz Au, 96 K Oz Ag. Pit-constrained inferred mineral resources stand at 8.3 M tonnes @ 0.86 gpt Au, 14.7 gpt Ag, containing 229 K Oz Au, 3.9 M Oz Ag and out of pit inferred mineral resources stand at 479 K tonnes @ 1.77 gpt Au, 11.8 gpt Ag, containing 27 K Oz Au, 182 K Oz Ag. The resource estimate was calculated with 69,924 m of drilling in 399 holes, of which 341 intersect the modelled resource.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. updated on work completed in 2022 and its outlook for 2023 at the Cervantes project in Sonora. During the year ownership interest of the Cervantes project was consolidated to 100%, two phases of drilling were completed continuing to expand the area with broad widths of oxide mineralization. For 2023 surface mapping and channel sampling are to be conducted on the first quarter to continue with step out drilling on the California target and additional targets.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. provided an outlook for 2023 at its Los Ricos North and Los Ricos Sur properties in Jalisco. Continued aggressive drilling at Los Ricos South is planned, with the goal of producing an updated mineral resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) including the effects of drilling at the Eagle concession, underground exploration and development and the completion of a pre-feasibility study (PFS). At Los Ricos Norte the company will work to complete the preliminary economic assessment (PEA). GoGold “holds 45 concessions covering over 25,000 hectares in the Los Ricos district”.
  • Impact Silver Corp. released significant results from surface drilling in 2022 at the Royal Mines of Zacualpan area in Estado de Mexico. Core-length results from La Luz and San Antonio greenfields targets with man portable diamond rigs comprise 1.70 m @ 227 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 0.77 m @ 113 gpt Ag, 1.0% Pb, 2.8% Zn; 1.68 m @ 239 gpt Ag; 1.60 m @ 0.6% Pb, 2.5% Zn; 3.85 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 2.3% Zn; 1.25 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 2.18 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 3.50 m @ 1.59 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 2.30 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 6.2% Zn; 1.95 m @ 30 gpt Ag, 2.6% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 1.35 m @ 35 gpt Ag, 2.8% Pb, 4.2% Zn; 1.54 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 2.8% Zn; 3.0 m @ 1.90 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn. “Drilling is continuing with IMPACT’s underground rig in the Mina Grande mine located in the Cuchara area and field exploration is continuing on multiple targets”.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released drilling results on four holes from below the deepest current level at the Avino mine in Durango. This drilling extends downdip 315 m the Avino Vein, to 800 m of known downdip length to 600 m below the surface. Highlighted true-width drill intervals comprise 16.66 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, 1.63% Cu (including 8.57 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag, 2.49 gpt Cu); 23.64 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag, 0.34 % Cu; 5.82 m @ 0.23 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag, 0.36% Cu; 1.10 m @ 2.46 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag, 0.3% Cu; 3.0 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag, 0.72% Cu. An updated mineral resource estimate is scheduled for Q1 2023. “The Property contains numerous low-sulphidation epithermal veins (including the Avino vein), breccias, stockworks, and silicified zones that grade into a possible ´near porphyry´ environment within a large caldera setting…… The direction of the increasing copper grade plunges towards the east in the Avino vein. The changing tenor of the mineralization could be reflecting a transition from epithermal to porphyry-style mineralization”.
  • Bendito Resources Inc. is to commence drilling on the second week of the year at its Alacrán project in Sonora. Approximately 2,000 m of reverse circulation drilling on the southern extension of Loma Bonita (Au) and Mesa de Plata (Ag) towards the San Simón target, with some copper targets also to be tested. “The additional drilling on Gregors will help with the understanding of the copper mineralization and the porphyry to-epithermal transition interpreted for Alacrán…. Phase 1 drilling program is designed to target geophysical anomalies derived from induced polarization, EM and magnetic helicopter surveys that indicate the presence of sub-horizontal silica layers with steeply dipping and high-grade hydrothermal breccia feeders”. Other goals include the step-out drilling near previous high-grade copper intercepts on chalcopyrite rich hydrothermal breccia.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. filed the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and mineral resource estimate for the Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas. The project envisages an 8.2 year mine life on initial mineable 59 M tonnes @ 0.37 gpt Au, mined at 20 K tonnes per day to produce 60 K Oz Au per year during the first four years and a total of 477 K Oz Au on the mine life, with an average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$873 per Oz Au. Other figures include a waste/ore ratio of 0.3, a pre-production cost of $28.1 M and an 11 months payback period. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reports that it has received notice of a resolution by SEMARNAT (Environmental Regulator) on which informs that SEMARNAT is re-assessing the 12-year extension to the environmental impact authorization for the San Jose mine in Oaxaca, granted in December 2021. “Subsequent to the grant of the EIA Extension on December 16, 2021, SEMARNAT suggested that it had made a typographical error in the EIA Extension and that the correct term was two years……. Minera Cuzcatlan initiated legal proceedings to challenge and revoke the alleged typographical error, and on November 7, 2022, the Company announced that the Mexican Federal Administrative Court had issued a judgment in favour of the Company and re-confirmed the term of the EIA Extension for the San Jose Mine for a period of 12 years”.
  • Xali Gold Corp. extended the production earn-in agreement with Sun River Gold Corp. on the El Oro Tailings project in Estado de Mexico, in exchange for additional advanced Net Profits Interest (NPI) payments. The third extension on the expiry date to the end of December 2023 is under the following terms: continuation of advanced NPI payments of US$15 K per month, advanced payments of US$35 K in January 2023, US$50 K in June 2023, US$75 K within 20 days of receiving financing for construction. If an additional 6 months is required and Xali Gold is satisfied with permitting status, then a US$75 K is to be made. As part of the second extension previously granted Xali Gold will also receive advanced NPI payments of US$50 K per month for the first year of commercial operations and 5% NPI payments subsequently, and “the first $1.5M of the Municipality NPI owing to Xali Gold will now be paid during the first 3 years of operation”. The Tailings Project at El Oro contains an inferred resource of 1.27 M tonnes @ 2.94 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, containing 119,900 Oz Au, 3.06 M Oz Ag.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Historic tunnel on a copper project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.