Mineral

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico; Highlights on the Third Week of February 2026

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 8th week of the year (February 16th to February 22nd, 2026), companies working in Mexico released 54 press releases. Five companies informed on early-stage properties work, eleven presented quarterly and full-year reports, one company is working on an expansion project and one more release its guidance for 2026. Six companies updated on financing rounds, one company granted options, one company consolidated shares, three more declared dividends and eight were recognized as top companies. Nine companies presented updates on advanced properties, while five companies informed on deals and corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Mexican government is assessing to open oil and gas fracking, a previously no-go zone. Vizsla Silver continues operations in Sinaloa. ON EXPLORATION, in Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources is to drill at Las Coloradas. In Sinaloa, Mercado Minerals informed on exploration and surveys at Copalito. In Durango, Canasil Resources is to drill at Vizcaíno; Silver Wolf Exploration is to drill the Ana María project. In Oaxaca, EV Resources informed on work at Los Lirios. ON MINING, Starcore International Mines, Alamos Gold, Torex Gold Resources, Equinox Gold, Pan American Silver, Coeur Mining, Discovery Silver, Royal Gold, Avino Silver and Gold Mines, Newmont and First Majestic Silver presented quarterly and full-year 2025 reports. Luca Mining is working on an expansion project for its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Capstone Copper released its 2026 guidance. ON FINANCING, six companies informed on financing rounds: Silver Tiger Metals (C$57.5 M), Regency Silver (C$4 M), Tocvan Ventures (C$10 M), Silverco Mining (C$62.5 M), Algo Grande Copper (C$7 M) and Orex Metals amended terms on a previously announced placement. Silver Wolf Exploration granted stock options. Infinitum Copper and Canuc Resources informed on share consolidation programs. Equinox Gold, Alamos Gold and Teck Resources informed on dividends. Eight companies made it to the 2025 TSX Venture Exchange Top 50, seven of which have the term silver on its name: Apollo Silver, Guanajuato Silver Company, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver, Capitan Silver, Silver Viper Metals, Santacruz Silver Mining, Southern Silver Exploration and Goldgroup Mining. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver mobilized drill rigs to Plomosas, in Sinaloa. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver is expanding production at La Guitarra, Estado de México. Pacifica Silver released drill results from Claudia, in Durango. Luca Mining released interesting drill results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Alamos Gold reported 2025 its MRE for the Mulatos district in Sonora. Hecla Mining reported 2025 MRE for San Sebastián in Durango. Defiance Silver updated on drilling results at its Zacatecas project. Newmont reported mineral reserves and resources for Peñasquito, in Zacatecas. Orla Mining released a PEA for Camino Rojo underground in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, EV Resources and Kootenay Silver entered into marketing services agreements.  Discovery Silver and Hecla Mining announced appointments to the board. Bear Creek Mining shareholders voted for the arrangement with Highlander Silver.   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged that the federal government through Pemex (Petroleos Mexicanos) assesses the possibility of using fracking to recover gas and oil in Mexican soil.
  • Feliciano Castro, economy secretary in Sinaloa, informed Vizsla Silver is to continue operations in Sinaloa. This after the recent violence that affected its workers in the Concordia community.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Canasil Resources Inc. announced the drill permit application for the Vizcaino project in Durango is in progress. The program envisages 1,050 m of diamond drilling in six holes. A phase 2 program of 1,450 m in eight holes is to follow after the evaluation of results. “The outcrops show classic banded epithermal textures typical of the higher levels of epithermal vein systems”.
  • Kingsmen Resources Corp. informed the upcoming drill program at Las Coloradas in Chihuahua “will comprise step-out and deeper drilling around the high-grade silver mineralization intersected in the Soledad and Soledad II vein/structures. Drilling on the Soledad vein/structure has tested very specific targets and approximately 700 meters of the system remains to be drilled. With only one shallow hole drilled, the ~1.7 km-long Soledad II vein/structure offers excellent discovery potential”. Targets to be tested include Saddle, Silvia/La Plata and Almoloya.
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. announced that a drill contract has been signed, and a drill rig mobilized to the Ana María property in Durango. The company intends to commence a 3,000 m 13-hole drill program.
  • EV Resources Ltd. informed antimony ingots were produced on preliminary metallurgical testing at Los Lirios project in Oaxaca. “EVR utilised stockpiles of material from the Lirios 1 and Lirios 2 East open pits to conduct preliminary direct-to-smelter testing”.
  • Mercado Minerals Ltd. informed its technical team has been mapping, sampling and preparing an incoming 3,000 m drilling program at its Copalito project in Sinaloa. A drone based magnetic survey and a drone LiDAR survey have been completed, while soil sampling presents 25% advance. Geological mapping has identified three new areas with mineralization hundreds of meters from previously known targets.

ON MINING

  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for its third fiscal quarter ended January 2026. At San Martín, in Querétaro, 52.6 K tonnes were processed grading 1.33 gpt Au, 18.3 gpt Ag, recovering 85.7% Au, 46.4% Ag, to produce 2,162 gpt AuEq. “… the exploration carried out over the past six months to extend the high-grade ore bodies in the northern part of the current operation was successful. We have begun mining these new highgrade extensions which are grading approximately 5 grams of gold and 80 grams of silver per ton”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. presented its fourth quarter and year-end 2025 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. On a consolidated basis the company produced 545,040 Oz Au at a cash cost of $1,077 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,524 per Oz Au in the year and 141,500 Oz Au in the quarter. At the Mulatos District, in Sonora, Alamos Gold produced 40,100 Oz Au in the quarter and 141,600 Oz Au in the year at cash cost $947 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,018 per Oz Au.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported its financial and operational results for Q4 of 2025. At its Morelos property in Guerrero, the company produced 117,325 Oz AuEq in the quarter, at cash cost $1,499 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,905 per Oz AuEq. For the year, production was 461,420 Oz AuEq at cash cost $1,376 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,783 per Oz AuEq. “The Company plans to invest a record $77 million in exploration and drilling in 2026 including $43 million at Morelos. Drilling at Los Reyes remains suspended given the security environment within the State of Sinaloa…”.
  • Equinox Gold Corp. reported its financial and operational results for Q4 and full-year 2025, without disclosing figures from its Mexican operations. The company had a consolidated production of 856,908 Oz Au at cash cost $1,416 per Oz Au and an AISC of $1,809 per Oz Au. Operations at Los Filos, in Guerrero, were terminated on April 2025 because of the rejection of the community to grant land access.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported fourth quarter and year-end 2025 financial results, without disclosing figures by operation. The company produced 22.8 M Oz Ag, 742.2 K Oz Au, 3 K tonnes Cu, 27 K tonnes Pb, 55.9 K tonnes Zn, an AISC of $13.88 per Oz Ag. “The Company is now evaluating a potential phased approach to developing the La Colorada mine and Skarn project with the aim of maximizing the overall value of the deposit. A phased approach would allow the Company to focus on a higher grade, lower tonnage and less capital intensive initial stage with the option to be followed by a later expansion to target lower grade material”.
  • Coeur Mining Inc. reported fourth quarter and year-end 2025 financial results, including figures from its Mexican operations. The company produced 419,046 Oz Au, 18.2 M Oz Ag, at cash cost $1,347 per Oz Au, $17.69 per Oz Ag. At Las Chispas, in Sonora, the company milled 403 K tonnes during 2025, grading 4.4 gpt Ag, 409 gpt Ag, recovering 97.1% Au, 97.2% Ag, to produce 54,705 Oz Au, 5.1 M Oz Ag, at cash cost $1,649 per Oz Au, $19.11 per Oz Ag, generating US$285.8 M in free cash flow. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 1.75 M tonnes were milled grading 1.9 gpt Au, 130 gpt Ag, recovering 94.2% Au, 88.7% Ag, to produce 100,768 Oz Au, 6.5 M Oz Ag, at cash cost $871 per Oz Au, $15.85 per Oz Ag, generating US$154.5 in free cash flow. At the end of the period Coeur had US$554 M in cash and total debt of US$341 M.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2025. The company produced 66,718 Oz Au during 2025 at cash cost $1,185 per Oz Au and at an AISC of $2,034 per Oz Au, out form Mexico. During Q4 2025 the company engaged a third-party assessment on the use of natural gas power sources at Cordero, in Chihuahua, completed a geotechnical assessment work on the planned upgrade of the local water treatment plant and is evaluating the potential to establish solar farms around the project site, while working with the various governmental bodies involved in issuing the permits for the project.
  • Royal Gold Inc. released results for Q4 and full year 2025, including figures from its Mexican operations. For 2025 the company had revenue of US$1,030. 5 M. Royalties in the year from Peñasquito in Zacatecas amounted to US$70.2 M and from Mercedes in Sonora to US$3.5 M.
  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. provided an outlook for 2026 and key 2025 milestones. During 2025 production results were 1.16 M Oz Ag, 7,621 Oz Au, 5.7 M Lb Cu. The company changed the planned mining method for La Preciosa, in Durango, to allow for a 500 tpd rate of extraction by H2 2026. “In the fourth quarter, La Preciosa contributed nearly 12,000 tonnes of mill feed”. In 2026 the company expects to process 725 – 750 K tonnes sourced from La Preciosa and Avino mines, to produce 1.0 – 1.2 M Oz Ag, 5 – 7 K Oz Au and 6.0 – 7.5 M Lb Cu at cash cost $18 – $20 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $24 – $26 per Oz AgEq. Plans for 2026 include 30,000 m of drilling at La Preciosa and Avino.
  • Newmont Corp. announced fourth quarter and full year 2025 results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. During the year 5.89 M Oz Au were produced globally. At Peñasquito, in Zacatecas, 415 K Oz Au, 28 M Oz Ag, 28 K tonnes Pb, 58 K tonnes Zn were produced at an AISC of 1,491 per Oz AuEq. Guidance for 2026 is 185 K Oz Au, 32 M Oz Ag, 90 k tonnes Lead, 220 K tonnes Zn.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced Q4 and year 2025 audited consolidated financial results. In 2025 the company produced 15.4 M Oz Ag, 147,433 Oz Au (342 Oz Au produced out from Mexico) at cash cost $15.07 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $21.17 per Oz AuEq. During the year, at Los Gatos in Chihuahua, 5.87 M Oz Ag, 3,121 Oz Au (8.9 M Oz AgEq) were produced at cash cost $12.91 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $15.15 per Oz AgEq. At San Dimas in Durango, 5.38 M Oz Ag, 55,724 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $14.97 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $19.62 per Oz AgEq. At Santa Elena, in Sonora, 1.42 M Oz Ag, 88,107 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $14.36 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $17.96 per Oz AgEq. At La Encantada, in Coahuila, 2.76 M Oz Ag, 137 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $23.61 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $29.96 per Oz AgEq.
  • Luca Mining Corp. is working on an expansion project led by Ausenco for its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. The project focuses on bulk flotation and recovery of precious metals from pyrite concentrates. A second phase will evaluate methods to recover Au and Ag from tailings, including cyanide leaching, Albion process, and Pressure Oxidation.
  • Capstone Copper Corp. released 2026 annual production guidance, including figures for its Mexican operations. Consolidated copper production is forecast between 200 -230 K tonnes at cash cost $2.45 to $2.75 per Lb Cu. Total sustaining capital expenditures are set at US$270 M. For Cozamin in Zacatecas, production is estimated between 21 to 24 K tonnes Cu, at cash cost $1.55 to $1.85 per Lb Cu, with ore production grades estimated at 1.8% Cu.

ON FINANCING

  • Mexico Financing in Q4 2025. over US$1.5 billion was channeled to mining companies in Mexico through financing rounds in the last quarter of 2025. Companies with operating mines or properties near production took 77% of these funds, with Endeavour Silver, First Majestic Silver and Vizsla Silver (the three silver miners), taking over US$300 M each to their coffers. Companies with advanced properties raised 19% of the total while exploration companies accrued 4% of the funds.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. closed its previously announced bought deal offering for gross proceeds of C$57.5 M (El Tigre, Sonora).
  • Regency Silver Corp. arranged a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4 M (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. closed its previously announced bought deal private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$10 M, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option (Gran Pilar, Sonora).
  • Silverco Mining Ltd. closed its previously announced bought deal offering for aggregate gross proceeds of C$62.5 M. Insiders of the company subscribed for C$11.2 M (Cusi, Chihuahua).
  • Algo Grande Copper Corp. upsized its previously announced non-brokered private placement to accrue up to C$7 M in gross proceeds (Adelita, Sonora).
  • Orex Metals Inc. amended the terms of its previously announced non-brokered private placement. The hold period has been increased to twelve months from four months previously. The anticipated closing of the offering is now March 4, 2026, with the correct warrant price being C$0.22 (Sandra, Durango).
  • Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. granted 2.3 M incentive stock options to directors, officers, consultants and employees (Ana María Durango).
  • Infinitum Copper Corp. announced the completion of its eight to one share consolidation is to take effect on February 20, 2026 (Adelita, Sonora).
  • Canuc Resources Corp. announced its shares have been consolidated on a ten to one ratio (10:1) on February 18, 2026 (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Equinox Gold Corp. declared an inaugural quarterly cash dividend (Los Filos, Guerrero).
  • Teck Resources Ltd. has declared an eligible dividend on its outstanding class A common shares and class B subordinate voting shares to be paid on March 31, 2026 (San Nicolás, Zacatecas).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. authorized a 60% increase to its quarterly dividend to US$0.04 per common share (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Apollo Silver Corp. has been recognized as a 2026 Top Company by the TSX Venture Exchange (Cinco de Mayo, Chihuahua).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. has been included in the 2025 TSX Venture 50 list of top performing companies. Additionally, the company entered in a service agreement with Epstein Research for investor relations services, for a US$2 K monthly fee (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. has been recognized as a 2026 Top 50 company by the TSX Venture Exchange. The company granted 1 M stock options to employees and consultants (La Guitarra, Estado de México, Estado de México).
  • Capitan Silver Corp. has been included in the TSX Venture 50 list (undisclosed project in Mexico).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. announced its inclusion in the 2026 TSX Venture 50 (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. announced it ranked first overall on the 2026 TSX Venture 50 list (Zimapán, Hidalgo).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. has been included in the TSX Venture 50 (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. announced its inclusion in the TSX Venture 50 list of top performing companies (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the mobilization of multiple drill rigs to the San Marcial area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. The company intends to expand “the footprint of the mineralized system hosted in a chlorite-rich hydrothermal breccia, by an additional 200 metres along strike” and conduct step-put drilling for resource expansion aiming to produce a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) late in 2026. The exploration office has been relocated to Durango, to address recent operational challenges in Sinaloa.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. informed the first expansion stage at La Guitarra plant in Estado de México is to increase production rates from 500 tonnes pe day (tpd) to 750-800 tpd of processing capacity. To achieve these production rates the company has acquired two new scoop trams, one used scoop tram and is rebuilding two existing scoops. Four haulage trucks have been purchased along a front end loader.
  • Pacifica Silver Corp. released assay results from nine holes of its phase 1 diamond drilling program at its Claudia project in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 10.7 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 14.35 m @ 0.76 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag (including 2.2 m @ 2.31 gpt Au, 409 gpt Ag); 8.3 m @ 0.89 gpt Au, 62 gpt Ag; 0.3 m @ 22.3 gpt Au, 156 gpt Ag. The company has completed more than 3,650 m of drilling across 13 holes on the current program that is currently focused on expanding and following mineralized intervals in the Aguilareña vein, step-out drilling in the Justina vein and testing the Mina Vieja and Mina de Oro areas.
  • Luca Mining Corp. announced underground drill results from its ongoing exploration program at Campo Morado, Guerrero. Highlighted core length results comprise 33.5 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.36% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 41.4 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag, 0.34% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 2% Zn; 14.3 m @ 1.5 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag, 1.01% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 2.8% Zn; 12.4 m @ 0.96 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.44% Cu, 0.1% Zn; 135.7 m @ 1.58 gpt Au, 77 gpt Ag, 0.88% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn (including 101.5 m @ 1.92 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag, 0.88% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 2.1% Zn); 22.5 m @ 2.74 gpt Au, 162 gpt Ag, 0.85% Cu, 1.1% Pb, 4.1% Zn. To date, 38 underground diamond drillholes totaling 9,043 m have been completed and 8,682 m have been drilled from 29 surface drillholes at the Reforma, El Rey, Reforma Deeps and Zapata targets.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. reported mineral reserves and reserves for 2025, including figures for its Mexican operations. Globally, the company holds 15.9 M Oz Au in mineral reserves, 5.5 M Oz Au in measured and indicated resources and 2.0 M Oz Au in inferred resources. At the Mulatos District in Sonora the company reported 1.2 M Oz Au in reserves, 0.83 M Oz Au in measured and indicated resources and 0.1 M Oz Au in inferred resources. In the table below can be seen the reserves and resources held in the Mulatos mine, La Yaqui Grande, Puerto del Aire, Cerro Pelón and Carricito deposits.

Hecla Mining Co. reported 2025 year-end mineral reserves and resources, including figures for its Mexican operations. Hecla holds consolidated mineral reserves of 231 M Oz Ag, 2 M Oz Au, measured and indicated resources of 160.9 M Oz Ag, 4.5 M Oz Au and inferred resources of 467.7 M Oz Ag, 6.3 M Oz Au. At San Sebastián, in Durango, the company holds 15 M Oz Ag, 145 K Oz Au, 15 K tons Cu, 23.3 K tons Pb, 35.6 K tons Zn in measured and indicated resources, and 19.2 M Oz Ag, 160 K Oz Au, 3 K tons Cu, 5.5 K tons Pb, 8.1 K tons Zn.  

  • Defiance Silver Corp. provided an update on the current drilling campaign at its Zacatecas project in Zacatecas. The 10,000 m program is designed to confirm extensions to known mineralization and to validate the current geological model that will be used for the upcoming mineral resource estimate. The results are from 2,553 m in five holes, with highlighted core length intervals comprising 4.15 m @ 0.2 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag0.3% Zn; 1.33 m@ 1.24 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag, o.7% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 22.57 m @ .03 gpt Au, 103 gpt Ag, 10.65 m @ .17 gpt Au, 211 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn (including 3.07 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 579 gpt Ag, 0.2% Zn, which includes 0.55 m @ 0.97 gpt Au, 2,120 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.2% Zn); 10.52 m @ 101 gpt Ag, 0.1% Zn.
  • Newmont Corp. reported 2025 global mineral reserves adding up to 118.2 M attributable Oz Au, 12.5 M attributable tonnes Cu and 442 M attributable Oz Ag. At Peñasquito, in Zacatecas, proven and probable mineral reserves stand at 256.6 M tonnes grading 0.49 gpt Au, 30.7 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.67% Zn, holding 4.1 M Oz Au, 253.3 M Oz Ag, 0.7 B tonnes Pb, 1.5 B tonnes Zn. Measured and indicated resources stand at 224.9 M tonnes grading 0.23 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, 0.24% Pb, 0.60% Zn, containing 1.6 M Oz Au, 188 M Oz Ag, 0.5 B tonnes Pb, 1.4 B tonnes Zn, and 9.2 M tonnes grading 0.2 gpt Au, 24.2 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn containing 0.1 M Oz Au, 7.1 M Oz Ag. At La Bikina measured and indicated resources stand at 19.9 M tonnes @ 0.37 gpt Au, 13.99 gpt Ag, 9 M Oz Ag, containing 200 K Oz Au and inferred resources of 1.6 M tonnes grading 0.2 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. released results of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the underground project at its Camino Rojo mine in Zacatecas. The PEA outlines the development for an underground mine standalone operation at Camino Rojo beyond the current open pit heap leach operation supported by its own crushing, grinding, and flotation circuits to produce concentrates. The project envisages a net present value  (5%) of 1.3 B and a 30% internal rate of return (IRR) at a price of $3,100 per Oz Au. It includes mining at an 8,000 tpd rate to process 37.2 M tonnes grading 2.7 gpt Au, 11.5 gpt Ag, 0.39% Zn (2.96 gpt AuEq), producing 215 K Oz Au (228 K Oz AuEq)  per year and a total of 2.8 M Oz Au (2.97 M Oz AuEq) in the 17 years mine life, with cash cost of $1,067 and an AISC of $1,339 per Oz Au. The project includes a capital cost of US$608.1 M.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • EV Resources Ltd. entered into a services agreement with MineMaker LLC, including “identifying and securing non-dilutive funding through U.S. government programs intended to onshore critical mineral supply chains. This includes loans, co-investment opportunities, tax incentives, and procurement mechanisms, as well as securing appropriate assistance for permitting at Federal and State level for the Company’s Nevada assets” (Los Lirios, Oaxaca).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. entered into a marketing services agreement with Gold Standard Media LLC, an internet marketing and advertising company. Gold Standard will provide certain financial publishing and digital marketing services focused on introducing the company to a broader audience. In exchange for providing these services, Gold Standard will receive an aggregate upfront payment of USD$1 million.  (Columba, Chihuahua).
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced the appointment of Lee Hodgkinson to the board of directors (Cordero, Chihuahua).
  • Hecla Mining Co. informed Mr. Stephen F. Ralbovsky has retired from the board of directors. Also, Ms. Jill Satre was appointed as “the Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee” (San Sebastián, Durango).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. that its share holders have voted in favour of both the previously announced acquisition of the company by Highlander Silver Corp. and the interest deferral agreements entered into between the company and Royal Gold, Inc. and Equinox Gold Corp. at the company’s special meeting (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: chlorite flooding and specularite veining on volcanosedimentary rocks, HQ core. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of April, 2021.

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Magnetite-rich Fe skarn manto

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 14th week of the year (April 05th to April 11th, 2021), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 4 news published by the media, with nine informing on exploration results, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, seven announcing financial issues, six reporting on resources and development, six communicating production and financial results, two discussing social issues, and one commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver) declared that it pays taxes and reiterated its attachment to the government mechanisms that drive Mexico’s socio-economic development (San Jose mine, Oaxaca). ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California, One World Lithium announced that a drill crew will be mobilizing to its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, to drill a third diamond drill hole. In Sonora, Colibri informed that it will commence a 3D IP survey at its Evelyn project, Heliostar released first pass sampling and mapping results from its Cumaro project, Ridgestone announced encouraging results from geophysical surveys and follow-up work on its Rebeico project, and Silver Tiger reported drill results in the Benjamin vein zone at its El Tigre project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla provided results from eighteen holes collared along the Napoleon Vein corridor at its Panuco project. In Zacatecas, Alien reported sampling results from dumps/floats at its San Celso property, and Zacatecas Silver completed geological and structural mapping at its El Cristo project.  In San Luis Potosi, Advance Gold started a drilling program at its Saldivar lithium salar project. ON MINING, Endeavor reported Q1, 2021 production results from its Mexican mine operations. GoGold presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. Magna Gold reported year end 2020 financial results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora, and provided production guidance for 2021. Mexus Gold announced its plans to blast at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Telson reported Q1, 2021 production results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Torex presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero.  ON  FINANCING, Aura Minerals announced a clarification of its payments of dividends (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas). Canuc granted 6M incentive stock options to officers, directors, employees, and consultants (San Javier project, Sonora). Capitan Mining announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $3.2M (Peñoles property, Durango). GR Silver entered into a bought deal private placement financing agreement for gross proceeds of $ 8M (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). Santacruz announced a private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $14.1M (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo). Silver Spruce granted 759K stock options to its CEO (El Mezquite project, Sonora).  Tarachi Gold commenced to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol “TRGGF” (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Almadex announced its intention to drill at least three of its Mexican mining properties in 2021, and discussed plans for El Cobre and Ixtaca properties located in Veracruz and Puebla respectively. Consolidated Zinc reported that mill and flotation circuits commissioning commenced over Easter at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Prime released drill results from el Zapote South, Noche Buena, and San Miguel East deposits at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Sonoro reported results from 12 RC holes drilled at its flagship property Cerro Caliche in Sonora. VanGold filed a PEA for combined El Pinguico-El Cubo projects in Guanajuato. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Discovery Metals announced name change to Discovery Silver (Cordero project, Chihuahua).  Equinox completed the acquisition of Premier Gold and the spin out of i-80 Gold Corp. (Los Filos mine, Guerrero and Mercedes mine, Sonora). Gatos Silver appointed Rodrigo Monroy as General Counsel effective April 1st, 2021 (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). Minaurum engaged Digital Marketing Firm and granted 3,825,000 common share stock options to Directors, Officers and Consultants (Alamo Silver project, Sonora). Minera Autlán announced the appointment of Pedro Rivero González as its General Management of the company as of April 5, 2021 (Molango mine, Hidalgo). Santacruz announced that the acquisition of the Zimapan assets is now expected to close on or before April 16, 2021. Tarachi Gold appointed a new member to its Board of Directors and announced the change of Auditor (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango). Torex announced that it received a key environmental permit for its Media Luna project in Guerrero.  ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Arcelor Mittal delivered a donation of MXP $140K to the Red Cross Delegation of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacan. Fresnillo plc., supported workshop members of the El Obligado Community in Fresnillo, Zacatecas who make face masks for the population of nearby communities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Compañía Minera Cuzcatlán (Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.) declared that it has complied in due time and form with more than MXP $600M for the total federal taxes caused, corresponding to the 2020 annual fiscal year. The payment from an effective tax rate to the mining sector of 45%is one more sample strict adherence to legality and government mechanisms that promote the socio-economic development of the country (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).

ON EXPLORATION

  • One World Lithium Inc., announced that a drill crew will be mobilizing to its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, to drill a third diamond drill hole. DDH-3 will be located approximately 50Km to the south of DDH-2.
  • Colibri Resource Corporation, informed that it will commence a 3D IP survey at its Evelyn project in Sonora. The 3D IP survey will be focused on the Sahuaro and Cerro Rojo targets and will cover an area of approximately 6 square km. The Company is planning a drill program to test currently defined mineralized trends and structures, to evaluate the emerging geological and structural model for the property, and to test results of the IP survey.
  • Heliostar Metals Limited released first pass sampling and mapping results from its Cumaro project in northern Sonora. Heliostar identified a silicified structure with pyrite and returned 1m channel sample grading 390 g/t Ag, and remains open to expand. Additionally, eleven channel and rock samples returned values >1 g/t Ag in a coherent anomaly that cover an area of 500m by 600m, being this area the extension of the Dos Amigos vein into the eastern block. This mineralization indicates a robust silver endowment and shows the potential for high grades in the eastern block of the El Picacho district.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., announced encouraging results from geophysical surveys and follow-up work on its Rebeico project. The IP survey outlined a strong IP high chargeability anomaly of 1,400m north-south and 800m east-west at the south portion of the Alaska vein, at depths of 250 to 300 metres below surface, progressively increasing in width and intensity toward the south.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., reported drill results in the Benjamin vein zone at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Significant drill intersects were encountered in hole ET-21-204 with 140 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 0.08% Cu, 3% Pb, and 8.5% Zn (519 g/t AgEq) over 14.2m, including 273 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au. 0.18% Cu, 5.5% Pb, and 17 % Zn (1,013 g/t AgEq) over 5.6m; hole ET-21-206 with 181 g/t Ag, 0.07 g/t Au, 0.05% Cu, 0.6% Pb, and 1.8% Zn (267 g/t AgEq) over 12.3m, including 1,034 g/t Ag, 0.18 g/t Au, 0.29% Cu, 2.7% Pb, and 8.8% Zn (1,443 g/t AgEq) over 2m; and hole ET-20-199 with 222 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.09% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (305 g/t AgEq) over 7.7m, including 699 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 2% Pb, and 7% Zn (1,016 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp., provided results from eighteen holed collared along the Napoleon Vein corridor at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The company estimated from 54 drill holes, an average vein true width of 4m, a weighted average grade of 155 g/t Ag, 2.74 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (441 g/t AgEq), and mineralization extends over 300m in length, 300m  deep, and remains open north, south, and at depth. The best drill intercept was encountered in hole NP-21-80 with 469 g/t Ag, 5.84 g7t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 1.2% Zn (1, 027 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 4.61m, including 1, 321 g/t Ag, 15.1 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.6% Zn (2, 740 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.51m.
  • Alien Metals ltd., reported encouraging dump/floats sampling results from its New Andromeda concession adjacent to its San Celso property in Zacatecas. Highlights include 734 g/t Ag, 0.44 g/t Au and 0.6% Zn; 163 g/t Ag, 0.42 g/t Au and 1.9% Zn; 488 g/t Ag; 270 g/t Ag; and 180 g/t Ag and 0.13% Zn. “The samples are all composed of quartz and carbonate dominant vein material with varying amounts of sulphides, hence they are very similar to the mineralization seen in the San Celso vein systems to the north”.  
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., completed geological and structural mapping at its El Cristo project located immediately to the northwest of the Veta Grande deposit. The Veta Grande vein has reported historical production of over 200 M Oz Ag in the region. The geological and structural mapping identified at least eight veins to date which are associated with a sigmoidal zone of extension that is at least 800 m wide, over a strike length of at least 4 km extending the previous reported strike length of 2.5 to 3.0km. Zacatecas Silver has commenced an extensive soil sampling program to assist with location of veins beneath cover of thin soils. “The cumulative strike length of all veins at El Cristo is at least 12 km long. El Cristo an extremely prospective system with numerous high value targets at vein intersections, splays and flexures. Veins display multiphase and brecciated textures, indicative of multiple mineralizing events. Zacatecas Silver is planning an aggressive rock-chip and channel sampling program to better define the silver-base metal grade distribution of the outcropping veins, to ensure that the highest value targets are drill tested”.
  • Advance Gold Corp., started a drilling program at its Saldivar lithium salar project in San Luis Potosi to test near surface lithium grade distribution of the salar for bulk sampling preparation. The drilling program will be carried out on a grid basis using 100m spacing with holes drilled down to 50m. The company also plans to drill deeper in one of the holes to test the depth to bedrock.

ON MINING

  • Endeavor Silver Corp., reported production results from its Mexican mine operations. The table below shows figures for Q1, 2021 by mine:
  • GoGold Resources Inc., presented Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project in Chihuahua. GoGold produced 302.9K Oz Ag, 3,208 Oz Au, and 192.6K Lb Cu (551.2K Oz AgEq), generating free cash flows exceeding USD $5.5Mthis quarter.
  • Magna Gold Corp., reported year end 2020 financial results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora. The company sold 20,235 Oz Au and 9,188 Oz Ag. Magna reported metal revenues of USD $37M, net cash flow provided by operating activities of USD $9.4M, net cash provided by financial activities of USD $9.4M, and income from mining operations of USD $1.9M. “The Company is setting guidance expectations for gold production during 2021 of between 55K to 65K Oz Au. The Company expects to have the San Francisco Mine fully commissioned before the end of Q2 2021”.
  • Mexus Gold US announced its plans to blast at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The blasts will produce 10K tonnes of 2.2 g/t Au, and Mexus expects to be producing gold from this material within 30 days of the blast.
  • Telson Mining Corporation reported Q1, 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Telson milled 174.4 K tonnes of 1.1 g/t Au, 116 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 3.9% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 21%, 41%, 27%, and 74% respectively. To produce 11 tons of Zn concentrate and 1.9 tonnes of Pb concentrate. The company reported revenues of $10.04M from Zn concentrates and $1.9M from Pb concentrate for total revenues of $11.9M.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., presented Q1, 2021 production results from its El Limon-Guajes Mine Complex in Guerrero.  The company produced 129K Oz Au from an average underground ore mined of 1, 360 tonnes per day and an average open pit ore mined of 15,090 tonnes per day, and an average plant throughput of 12,340 tonnes per day. Torex provided full year production guidance for 2021 of 430K to 470K Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Aura Minerals Inc., announced a clarification with respect to its payments of a dividend of USD $0.38 per common share, as previously announced by the company on March 15, 2021 (Aranzazu mine, Zacatecas).
  • Canuc Resource Corporation, granted 6M incentive stock options to officers, directors, employees, and consultants. 3.5 M of these options will vest immediately. The remaining 2.5 M options will vest 12 months from April 2nd, 2022. The stock options have an exercise price of $0.35 and a three-year term, expiring on April 2nd, 2024 (San Javier project, Sonora).
  • Capitan Mining Inc., announced a non-brokered private placement for net proceeds of CAD $3.2M from 16M common shares at a price of CAD $0.20 per share. Capitan Mining plans to use the net proceeds to advance drilling and work programs at Peñoles property in Durango, as well as for working capital and general corporate expenses.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., entered into a bought deal private placement financing agreement for gross proceeds of $ 8M at a price of $0.59 per unit. Net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes (Plomosas project, Sinaloa). 
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced a private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $14.1M (Zimapan mine, Hidalgo).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc., granted 750K stock options to its CEO at an exercise price of $0.05 per share and an expiry date of April1, 2026. The stock options will vest 1/3 on the date of the grant, 1/3 on the first anniversary of the grant and the final 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant (El Mezquite project, Sonora).   
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., commenced to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol “TRGGF” (Magistral Mill and Tailings project, Durango). 

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Almadex Minerals Ltd., announced its intention to drill at least three of its Mexican mining properties in 2021, and discussed plans for El Cobre and Ixtaca properties located in Veracruz and Puebla respectively. At El Cobre, Veracruz, Almadex previously reported  an indicated resource containing 748K Oz Au and 221M Lb Cu (47.2 M tonnes grading 0.49 g/t Au, 0.21% Cu and 1.4  g/t Ag) and an inferred resource containing 860K Oz Au and 254 M Lb Cu (64.2M tonnes grading 0.42 g/t Au, 0.18% Cu and 1.3 g/t Ag).  Almadex looks forward to further developments at this high potential project. At Ixtaca, Puebla, a FS reported a proven and probable reserve containing 1.38M Oz Au and 85.1M Oz Ag (73.1M tonnes grading 0.59 g/t Au and 36.3 g/t Ag). The Ixtaca project is currently in the mine permitting phase, which has taken longer than expected. Almaden has recently noted the exploration potential remaining at the Ixtaca project and the Company looks forward to the results of the Ixtaca exploration programs over the course of 2021.
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, reported that mill and flotation circuits commissioning commenced over Easter at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. It also announced that the tailings dam earthworks is completed, laying of the impervious liner is 70% complete, and the power supply installed, commissioned, and operated.  
  • Prime Mining Corp., released drill results from el Zapote South, Noche Buena, and San Miguel East deposits from its ongoing 15,000m phase 1 drill program at its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. At El Zapote South deposit, significant mineralized drill intercepts have been encountered at hole 21ZAP-04 with 8.95 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag over 4.5m; hole 21ZAP-03 with 0.76 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag over 13m, including 1.66 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag over 4.6m; and hole 21ZAP-08 with 1.96 g/t Au and 63 g/t Ag over 18.7m, including 2.44 g/t Au and 85 g/t Ag over 7.2m. At Noche Buena deposit, hole 21NB-02 encountered 3.17 g/t Au and 141 g/t Ag over 2.9m within a broader zone of 39m with 0.7 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag; and hole 21NB-03 with 1.12 g/t Au and 30 g/t Ag over 6m. At San Miguel deposit, hole 2SME-01 intersected 1 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag over 4.5m. Zapote-South, Noche Buena and San Miguel East deposits are three of eight known deposits that comprise the current mineral resource at Los Reyes property.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp., reported results from 12 RC holes drilled at its flagship property Cerro Caliche in Sonora. Highlights include hole SCR-223 in the north western extension of Buena Suerte zone with 0.6 g/t Au over 74.67m, including three intervals of 1.52m with 3.67 g/t Au; hole SCR-222 in the Buena Vista northwest extension of Japoneses zone with 2.04 g/t Au over 15.24m, including 3.15 g/t Au over 6.1m; hole SCR-227 in the northern extension of Japoneses zone with 1.74 g/t Au over 3.05m, including 2.54 g/t Au over 1.53m; and hole SCR-225 at El Colorado zone with 1.16 g/t Au over 7.62m, including 2.31 g/t Au over 3.05m.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., filed a PEA for combined El Pinguico-El Cubo projects in Guanajuato. Results of the PEA analysis were previously announced in the Company’s news release dated February 16, 2021. The company also announced that it obtained permits for El Pinguico road expansion. New route will lessen impact on the Calderones Community. “This road will become El Pinguico’s major thoroughfare for production, exploration, administration, and for safely purposes. The Company anticipates it will reduce driving time between the destinations from 40 minutes to 10 minutes, significantly reducing costs and wear on vehicles”. 

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Discovery Metals Corp., announced name change to Discovery Silver Corp. The company´s common shares will commence trading under the TSX Venture Exchange under its current ticker symbol “DSV” and on the OTCQX where its ticker symbol will change from “DSVMF” to “DSVSF” from April 14, 2021, pending final regulatory approvals from the TSXV and FINRA (Cordero project, Chihuahua).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., completed the acquisition of Premier Gold Mines Limited and the spin out of i-80 Gold Corp. (Los Filos mine, Guerrero and Mercedes mine, Sonora).
  • Gatos Silver Inc., appointed Rodrigo Monroy as General Counsel effective April 1st, 2021, and strengthens its executive management team (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., engaged Digital Marketing Firm to assist with online communication to the company, with the goal of increasing market awareness. Minaurum will pay to the Digital Marketing Firm a fee of CAD $64K for six months. The company also granted 3,825,000 common share stock options to Directors, Officers and Consultants. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.52 from a period of ten years from issue date (Alamo Silver project, Sonora).
  • Compañía Minera Autlán, S.A.B. de C.V., reported that, with the prior favorable opinion of the Corporate Practices Committee and approval of its Board of Directors, in a session of February 24, 2021, it was resolved that Pedro Rivero González will assume the General Management of the company as of April 5, 2021 (Molango mine, Hidalgo).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., announced that the acquisition of the Zimapan assets, together with the USD $17.6 M loan facility from Trafigura Mexico, S.A. de C.V., are now expected to close on or before April 16, 2021.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp., appointed a new member to its Board of Directors and announced the change of Auditor (Magistral Mill and tailings project, Durango).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced that it received from Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (“SEMARNAT”) the MIA, a key environmental permit for its Media Luna project in Guerrero. The MIA allows Torex to execute construction activities to access its Media Luna deposit in Guerrero.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Arcelor Mittal México SA de CV, delivered a donation of MXP $140K in the framework of its 2021 annual collection to the Red Cross Delegation of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacán. ”Arcelor Mittal has made annual donations without interruption. since 2008 to the delegational Red Cross, in addition to collaborating with the worthy institution in different ways: through donations in its annual collections, in kind when necessary, such as the provision of equipment and various supplies, the delivery of an ambulance in 2016 and the repair of three ambulances last year, in addition to the support with facilities for their training”.
  • Fresnillo plc., supported workshop members of the El Obligado Community in Fresnillo, Zacatecas who make face masks for the population of nearby communities. The workshop workers are also suppliers of face masks for the Directorate of Engineering and Construction Department of Industrias Peñoles (DIC). To date, they have sold around 3,000 masks, the same that meet the specifications dictated by the World Health Organization.

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

On the picture above, a magnetite-rich Fe skarn manto in a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.