Mineralization

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of October, 2019

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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of October, 2019

By Jorge Cirett

During the 40th week of the year (September 30th to October 6th, 2019), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Gold production declined 2.8% in 2018. On the illegal blockade at the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, the president of Mexico asked for both parties to solve their differences (not pronouncing himself on the illegality of the blockade). Frisco and Cemex suffered big losses at the Mexican stock exchange. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Magna Gold signed a LOI on the San Judas project in Sonora; Colibri Resource is to complete mapping and sampling on its Evelyn project. In Sinaloa, Kootenay Silver signed a surface access agreement on the Copalito project. In Zacatecas, Alien Metals is eyeing a drill program on its San Celso project.  ON MINING, Alien Metals presented financial results for the first semester 2019. Torex Gold produced 138,100 Oz Au at El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero during the Q3 2019. ON FINANCING, Southern Silver, Millrock Resources and Alien Metals granted 3.25 M, 1.88 M and 7 M incentive options respectively to officers, directors, employees and consultants. Fortuna Silver closed a bought deal financing for US$40 M. Azure Minerals raised $4 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold resources released results for one more hole at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Premier Gold released results on drilling at the Lupita extension on its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Goldplay disclosed channel surface sample results at its San Marcial property in Sinaloa. Silver Bull provided results from eleven more drill holes at the Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila (halted by an illegal blockade). ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Magna Gold signed a LOI on the San Judas project in Sonora. Silver Bull halted exploration at its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila, due to an illegal blockade by a mining cooperative demanding a royalty payment on a property that is not in production. Fortuna Silver terminated the option on Prospero Silver’s Pachuca SE project in Hidalgo. Millrock and Riverside entered into a definitive agreement on the La Union, Los Cuarentas, El Pima, El Valle, and Llano del Nogal projects in Sonora. Santacruz Silver approved the acquisition of the remaining 50% of PCG Mining S.A. de C.V., parent company of Carrizal Mining, S.A. de C.V.. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Gold production in Mexico declined by 2.8% in July 2019. This is the 28th consecutive month of production contractions, the longest since 1981, according to INEGI (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía). In 2016 the production declined by 5.2%, in 2017 another 13.6% and a further 9.7% in 2018. Mineral products with annual increments include zinc at 10.7%, iron pellets with 2.9%, lead with 2.5%, sulphur with 1.6% and coal with 0.8%.
  • On Peñasquito’s illegal blockade, Mexico’s president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, asked both parties two solve their differences in the conflict that has now more than two weeks (he did not mention the blockade being illegal). Newmont Goldcorp has offered more than US$25 M in investments, amount that the blockaders reckon as lacking. The Peñasquito mine produced 272,000 Oz Au last year, and had re-started production in mid-June after a first illegal blockade by truckers wanting to get a contract and locals accusing the company of water availability issues.
  • To the 3rd of October Frisco and Cemex have suffered big losses in the Mexican stock exchange (S&P/BMV IPC), 13.76% and 6.24% respectively, under the current commercial instability between USA and the European Union. Frisco is one of the biggest mining companies in Mexico, with operations in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes (although Frisco is also known for its scant releases on reserves and resources). Cemex is the biggest Mexican cement producer, with operations internationally.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Magna Gold Corp. signed a LOI to explore the San Judas project in Sonora. The two mineral concessions cover 2806 ha underlain by a Precambrian basement composed of granite, gneiss, pegmatites and schist. “The entire sequence is affected by multiple deformations and the emplacement of intrusions such as leucocratic granites and andesitic dikes”. Gold mineralization is associated with quartz-breccia veins, quartz veins and “quartz stockworks emplaced along a series of parallel, foliated, low-angle shear zones within the igneous-metamorphic sequence”. Assays in an historical rock chip sample database have values of up to 230 gpt gold.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. contracted Auro Metallum Geology Consulting Services of Hermosillo, in Sonora, to complete a geological mapping study of its 506 ha Evelyn Gold Project near Caborca in Sonora. Recent sampling has returned up to 4.8 gpt Au from abundant quartz in sub-crop in a new zone identified by soil sampling.
  • Alien Metals Ltd. updated on the exploration of its San Celso and Los Campos projects in Zacatecas. At San Celso a next step of work will examine a drill program funded by a third party to test the strike extension of the main veins, and the depth extension below the existing workings.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. signed a surface access agreement with the local ejido at the Copalito project in Sinaloa. Said agreement allows the company to mapping, sampling, geophysics, trenching and drilling. The 3,700 ha project covers a low sulfidation epithermal system with numerous veins, traced over up to 2 km of length, and 0.5 to 15 meters in width. Sampling has returned assays of up to 8.2 gpt Au, 532 gpt Ag, 17.4% Zn, 9.9% Pb and 5.1% Cu.

ON MINING

  • Alien Metals Ltd. presented its financial results for the first semester of 2019. As of the end of the period the company had total assets of US$1.2 M, of which US$0.4 M was cash, and current total liabilities for US$0.1 M (Donovan 2, Zacatecas).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. announced gold production of 138,100 ounces of gold during Q3 2019, on track to meet it 2019 production guidance of 430,000 ounces. During the period plant throughput averaged 12,370 tonnes per day (tpd), underground mining 1,110 tpd, open pit mining 14,270 tpd (El Limon-Guajes, Guerrero).

ON FINANCING

  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. granted 3.25 M incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants, exercisable at $0.27 per common share for a period of five years. The rolling incentive stock option plan was also approved, pursuant to which a maximum of 10% of the issued shares will be reserved for issuance under the plan. (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Millrock Resources Inc. approved a grant of stock options to employees, officers, directors and advisers to the company, granting a total of 1.88 M stock options exercisable at $0.09 for five years. The company is also to settle debt owed for deferred cash compensation to certain officers, directors and employees by issuing 819 K Millrock shares (Batamote, Sonora).
  • Alien Metals Ltd. granted 7 M options to its technical director, Brill Brodie. All shares are exercisable from 1 October 2019, of which 3 M can be exercised at 0.22 pence, 3 M at 0.30 pence and 4 M at 0.45 pence (San Celso, Zacatecas).
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. closed the previously announced bought deal offering of senior subordinated unsecured convertible debentures for an aggregate principal amount of US$40 M. “The Debentures mature on October 31, 2024 and will bear interest at a rate of 4.65% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on the last business day of April and October in each year, commencing on April 30, 2020. The Debentures will be convertible at the holder’s option into common shares in the capital of the Company” at a conversion price of US$5.00 per share (San José, Oaxaca).
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. raised $4 M (before costs) through a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors “to relaunch an aggressive exploration push on the Alacrán silver and gold projects” in Sonora. Azure is to undertake drilling to increase mineral resources at the Loma Bonita Au-Ag deposit, today standing at 150 K Oz Au, 4.8 M Oz Ag in 5.4 M tonnes @ 0.9 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results from one more hole completed on the San Juan area of its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. The hole returned 21.0 m @ 1.38 gpt Au, 146 gpt Ag (3.33 gpt AuEq), including 5.0 m @ 4.36 gpt Au, 436 gpt Ag (10.2 gpt AuEq). The San Juan area is located 400 m NW from the Los Ricos Main area.
  • Premier Gold Mines Inc. released results from its drilling program focused on delineating new mineral resources in the Lupita Extension at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Highlighted results comprise 3.6 m @ 7.18 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag; 1.8 m @ 24.24 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag; 3.4 m @ 8.86 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag; 3.1 m @ 13.65 gpt Au, 80 gpt Ag. The Neo target is 400 m north of San Martin is a possible extension of the Diluvio system, with one of three drill holes returning 3.1 m @ 13.65 gpt Au, 80 gpt Ag.
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd. disclosed results from channel sampling on the Faisanes target of the San Marcial project in Sinaloa. The samples were cut by saw along the access road walls and road surface, returning 10 m @ 98 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au) 0.6 m @ 587 gpt Ag, nil Au; 1.0 m @ 214 gpt Ag, nil Au; 1.1 m @ 42 gpt Ag, nil Au; 1.0 m @ 41 gpt Ag, 0.26 gpt Au.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. provided results from eleven more drill holes from its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Highlights from the holes comprise: 17.1 m of oxide mineralization @ 120 gpt Ag, 0.43% Cu (including 1.35 m @ 539 gpt Ag, 0.27% Cu and 2.25 m @ 198 gpt Ag, 1.66% Cu and 0.55 m @ 403 gpt Ag, 1.6% Cu); 5.2 m of sulfide mineralization @ 149 gpt Ag, 0.87% Cu, 4.67% Zn. Due to an illegal blockade by a cooperative of miners who hold a royalty on two claims, the drill program has been paused.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Magna Gold Corp. entered into a binding letter of intent (LOI) with the private owners of the two mining concessions forming the 2,806 ha San Judas project in Sonora. The deal involves payments of US$50 K on signature of the definitive agreement, US$50 K on the first year, US$100 K on the second year, US$150 K on the third year, US$300 K on the fourth year and US$1.,03 M on the fifth year, all figures plus VAT.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. halted all work on the Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila due to a blockade by a cooperative of local miners called Sociedad Cooperativa de Exploración Minera Mineros Norteños, S.C.L.. The company has an agreement with the said cooperative on two mineral concessions in the eastern part of the Sierra Mojada project, under which they have the right of a 2% production royalty. Since 2014 the cooperative filed a suit fighting for payment of the royalty, notwithstanding the lack of production from the property. The cooperative also demands payments of wages for individuals that have not worked for the company, neither received employment commitments from Silver Bull. The cooperative has now illegally blockaded access to the project in an attempt to force a settlement before the final ruling. “Silver Bull is working with authorities to resolve the situation in a safe, fair, and timely manner”.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. announced the termination of the Pachuca SE property option agreement signed previously with Prospero Silver Corp. (San José, Oaxaca).
  • Millrock Resources Inc. entered definitive agreements to sell the La Union, Los Cuarentas, El Pima, El Valle, and Llano del Nogal claim blocks to Riverside Resources Inc., as well a copy of its exploration database and exploration vehicles also to Riverside. Consideration paid to Millrock is $35 K cash and 150 K Riverside shares, and a 0.5% NSR on the El Pima, El Valle and Santa Rosalia (conditional on this one) claims. “Millrock has retained the El Batamote copper porphyry project and this will be the sole focus of Millrock’s exploration effort in Mexico going forward” (Batamote, Sonora).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. shareholders approved in its last annual general meeting held in October 1, 2019, the re-election of directors, the auditor of the company and the approval of the existing 10% rolling stock option plan. Also approved was the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the outstanding shares of PCG Mining S.A. de C.V. from a non-arm’s length party in consideration for the issue of 30 M common shares of the company. Upon completion of the transaction the company will own 100% of PCG, which is the parent holding company of Carrizal Mining, S.A. de C.V..

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

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

On the image below: Sheeted quartz veining in metamorphic rocks from an orogenic gold project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of September, 2019

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IMG_0970aBy Jorge Cirett

During the 36th week of the year (September 2nd to September 8th, 2019), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES,  Karen Flores Arredondo was appointed General Director of CAMIMEX. VVC Exploration is searching for financing to start operations at Samalayuca.  ON EXPLORATION, in Baja California, One World Lithium is to conduct a field visit to its Salar del Diablo project. In Sonora, Minera Alamos announced the discovery of a new target, Gold Ridge. In Chihuahua, Ethos Gold released results on 16 RC holes at the Purisima project. In Coahuila, Prize Mining released assay results of several targets on a 20 km long trend. In Zacatecas, Galore received assays for the first two holes at El Alamo target of its Dos Santos project; Advance Gold completed an IP survey at the Tabasqueña project; Alien Metals released exploration results at San Celso, Los Campos and Donovan 2. ON MINING, Argonaut Gold completed a fourth water well, and now has the capacity to sustain production at 30 K tonnes a day at San Agustin, Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, Mexican Gold granted 650 K stock options. Defiant Silver seeks to extend the expiry date of some warrants. SilverCrest Metals granted options for 975 K shares. Telson Mining received conditional approval for a US$12 M loan. Southern Silver Corp.  closed the final tranche of financing for gross proceeds of $1.1 M. Silver Viper intends to raise up to $3.0 M through a private placement financing round. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GoGold released results for four more holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Pan American Silver reported all-inclusive reserves and resources of 203.3 M Oz Ag, 2.16 M Oz Au on its La Colorada, Dolores and La Bolsa properties. Minera Alamos received one more permit to start construction at its Santana project in Sonora. Goldplay Exploration released underground channel sampling results from San Marcial, Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mexican Gold Corp. appointed new directors and announced an incoming new resource estimate for Las Minas, Veracruz. Consolidated Zinc acquired the remaining 10% of the Plomosas mine rights to gain a 100% interest. The company also announced a favourable court ruling on a land use agreement for the Plomosas mine.   ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The sectional president from Samalayuca, Chihuahua, Javier Melendez Cardona, was interviewed on the coming mining investment on La Gloria by VVC Exploration Corp. He explained the project is in the financing stage of a process that is to greatly benefit the local communities.
  • Karen Flores Arredondo is appointed CAMIMEX’s (Cámara Minera de México) General Director as of September 15, 2019. Flores Arredondo has recently worked for Agnico Eagle in Mexico, and has held posts with other private enterprises and government agencies related to the Mining Industry.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prize Mining Corp. released assay results from surface sampling at its Manto Negro project in Coahuila. The sampling on the Apache, San Jose and Las Curvas concessions returned up to 1.3 m @ 3.86% Cu, 44 gpt Ag; 1.2 m @ 2.62% Cu, 58 gpt Ag; 1.8 m @ 2.31% Cu, 28 gpt Ag and six chip samples running 7.7% to 29.3% Cu and 190 to 759 gpt Ag. At San Jose a best sample interval of 1.8 m @ 2.3% Cu, 28 gpt Ag and up to 17.1% Cu and 1,689 gpt Ag from dumps. At Las Curvas the best mineralised interval was 2 m @ 2.5% Cu, 33 gpt Ag and up to 23% Cu, 710 gpt Ag from dumps. Prize is pursuing a mineralised horizon over 20 km in length in the Formation San Marcos red-bed sandstone below the Cupido Formation limestone.
  • Ethos Gold Corp. released results of the completed 16 reverse circulation (RC) drill campaign at its Purisima project in Chihuahua. At the site Ethos targeted shallow gold mineralisation in epithermal banded quartz veining and associated silicification and stockworks. Highlighted results include 3.05 m @ 0.76 gpt Au; 7.62 m @ 0.52 gpt Au; 9.14 m @ 0.43 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 6.10 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag; 15.24 m @ 0.50 gpt Au; 6.10 m @ 0.50 gpt Au. Ethos decided to terminate the Purisima option agreements.
  • Galore Resources Inc. received assays for the first two core holes at El Alamo target, part of its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas. Highlighted results comprise 3.40 m @ 3.46 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag (including 1.20 m @ 8.89 gpt Au); 10.90 m @ 14 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 88 gpt Ag); 9.15 m @ 2.02 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag. The results also define intervals tens of meters in width with anomalous silver in the 1-10 ppm range. Galore informs these results, along with some other tracer elements, support the view that this is the upper part of an epithermal system.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. announced the identification of Gold Ridge, a new mineralised zone on its Santana property in Sonora. One third of 147 rock samples collected exhibit grades >0.10 gpt Au, ranging from 0.1 gpt to 3.6 gpt Au and 5 gpt Ag to 669 gpt Ag, with the mineralised surface covering an area of 1,000 m x 200 m located 2-3 km from the currently planned heap leach operations at Santana.
  • Advance Gold Corp. completed a 3D induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey on its Tabaqueña project in Zacatecas. The 9.6 line kilometre survey highlighted a 250 wide by 800 m long continuous chargeability anomaly.
  • One World Lithium Inc. announced the visit of Mike Rosko of Montgomery & Associates to the Salar del Diablo project in Baja California, along with the president and director of OWL. The visit is to include previous and proposed drill site locations as well as surface geological features.
  • Alien Metals Ltd. released results from recent exploration at its San Celso, Los Campos and Donovan 2 projects in Zacatecas. At San Celso, further assays include 18 anomalous samples averaging 272 gpt Ag, with a high of 1,275 gpt Ag. At Los Campos, 14 anomalous samples averaged 185 gpt Ag, with a peak of 547 gpt Ag. At Donovan 2, a sample returned 2.68 gpt Au.

ON MINING

  • Argonaut Gold Inc. completed the fourth water well at its San Agustin operation in Durango. The new well demonstrated sufficient water capacity to meet the needs of the operation to run at 30 K tonnes per day of ore, which is planned for the fourth quarter of 2019.

ON FINANCING

  • Mexican Gold Corp. granted 650 K stock options to an officer and an employee of the company (Las Minas, Veracruz).
  • Defiant Silver Corp. intends to seek TSX Venture Exchange approval to extend the expiry date of 6.19 M warrants, previously issued, by one year (San Acacio, Zacatecas).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. granted stock options for 975 K shares to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the company (Las Chispas, Sonora).
  • Telson Mining Corp. received conditional approval for a US$12 M medium term loan from an international investment bank to finalize construction at Tahuehueto, Durango.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the final tranche of the previously announced private placement, for gross proceeds of $1.1 M. In total the company closed two tranches for gross proceeds of $4.2 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. intends to overtake a private placement financing to raise gross proceeds of up to $3.0 M (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results for three more diamond drill holes at Los Ricos main area and the first hole drilled at the San Juan target of its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Highlighted drill core intervals comprise 6.2 m @ 1.17 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag; 15.5 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag (including 2.7 m @ 2.04 gpt Au, 217 gpt Ag); 17.1 m @ 1.59 gpt Au, 364 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 3.81 gpt Au, 818 gpt Ag) at Los Ricos and 16.9 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 68 gpt Ag (including 5.0 m @ 1.46 gpt Au, 148 gpt Ag) at the San Juan target.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. reported mineral reserves of 557 M Oz Ag, 5.1 M Oz Au, of which 141.6 M Oz Ag and 1.58 M Oz Au are in its three properties in Mexico: La Colorada, Dolores and La Bolsa. Reserves and resources all inclusive comprise 148.3 M Oz Ag, 129.8 K Oz Au at La Colorada in Zacatecas, 45.4 M Oz Ag, 1,383.5 K Oz Au at Dolores in Chihuahua and 9.6 M Oz Ag, 651.7 K Oz Au at La Bolsa in Sonora.Pan American Silver Reserves1
  • Minera Alamos Inc. received the ETJ (Estudio Tecnico Justificativo) for the Santana Gold project in Sonora. Combined with the previously approved MIA (Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental) the company holds all the necessary rights to initiate construction of commercial scale operations at Santana.
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd. released results from underground channel sampling in a re-opened old adit at the Faisanes target of its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. A zone of 11 m @ 155 gpt includes 6 m @ 232 gpt Ag, ending in mineralisation at the deepest sampled point within the tunnel. “The Company is reviewing plans to extend the tunnel beyond this high-grade Interval”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Mexican Gold Corp. announced the appointment of Matt Liard as Vice President Exploration, Sonny Bernales as Senior Geologist and Michael Kanevsky as CFO. The company outsourced an updated 43-101 resource estimate with an underground cut-off grade, that should be released in October 2019 (Las Minas, Veracruz).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. entered into a binding agreement with Retec Guaru S.A. de C.V. under which CZC is to acquire the remaining 10% interest in the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. “The purchase consideration for the acquisition of the Retec interest in MLAZ is a 1% Net Smelter Return Royalty (the “Royalty”) from the sale of zinc and lead concentrates produced from Plomosas”. Completion of the agreement is expected by 30 September 2019.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. announced that the Appeals Court of Chihuahua ruled in favour of the company’s subsidiary regarding a dispute over a land use agreement with a local rancher in place for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua.

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

On the image below: Quartz veinlet on an orogenic gold project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

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

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IMG_2611 - copia

By Jorge Cirett

During the 28th week of the year (July 8th to July 14th, 2019), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Camimex announced investments for US$2,705 M on new gold projects from 2019 to 2024. The same organism informed Mexico’s gold production declined 6.7% between 2017 and 2018. ON EXPLORATION, In Baja California, One World Lithium released results from drilling at Salar del Diablo. In Sonora, Magna Gold started its phase one exploration program at its Mercedes project on the Santa Rosa de Yecora district. In Chihuahua, Sable Resources received the drilling permit for its Vinata project. In Coahuila, Discovery Metals received the drilling permit for its Monclova project. In Guanajuato, Fresnillo explores near Mineral de La Luz. ON MINING, Torex Gold, Coeur Mining, Great Panther, GoGold Resources and Endeavour Silver presented production results for the second quarter of 2019. ON FINANCING, Mexican Gold Corp, Impact Silver, One World Lithium, Oceanus Resources, Silver One Resources, Advance Gold and Millrock undertook or completed tranches of financing rounds for a combined $13.45 M. Evrim Resources granted 1 M stock options to an officer. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, SilverCrest Metals filed the PEA on Las Chispas, Sonora. VVC Exploration received the environmental permit  and a land use change permit for its Samalayuca project in Chihuahua. SilverCrest Metals released high grade results from underground sampling of the Babicanora vein at Las Chispas, Sonora. Goldplay released good gold results from trenching on an extension of the Nava zone on its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Orex Minerals and Pan American Silver entered into an agreement to negotiate a formal JV agreement on the Sandra Escobar project in Durango. Oroco Resources signed a letter of agreement to acquire the 766 ha. Rossy concession adjacent to Oroco’s land package on the Santo Tomas district in Sinaloa.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México), informed on a list of new gold producing projects that involve the investment of US$2,705 M between 2019 and 2024. Among the biggest investments are those of Torex Gold (US$482 M) in Media Luna, Guerrero; Grupo Mexico’s (US$413 M) Buenavista Zinc in Sonora and Fresnillo’s (US$350 M) Orisyvo in Chihuahua. Other investments include the second dynamic leaching plant at La Herradura; the Pyrites plant in Fresnillo; Goldcorp’s Pyrite plant in Peñasquito, Zacatecas; and Endeavour’s El Compas in Zacatecas; Candelaria Mining is to start operations at Pinos, Zacatecas; Mag Silver and Fresnillo are to begin production at Juanicipio, Zacatecas; Telson Resources is to finish construction of the mine at Tahuehueto, Durango; Hecla’s will continue with open pit and then underground operations at San Sebastian, Durango.
  • Camimex stated that during 2018 Mexico’s gold production diminished 6.7% compared with 2017, reaching 3.8 M Oz Au. Five companies produced more than half of the overall gold production in 2018: Fresnillo (24.1%), Torex Gold (9.3%), Agnico Eagle (8.5%), Goldcorp (7.1%) and Minera Frisco (6.5%) (Editor’s note.- This last company has the dubious honor of being the most opaque for disclosing production, reserves and resources from its projects in Mexico).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Sable Resources Ltd. has received the permit needed to drill the Vinata project in Chihuahua. The surface agreements have been approved by the local community for an initial 2,500 m diamond drill program “to test the vertical continuity and mineral zoning along a section of the Vinata vein system where the veins are observed outcropping over 1000 m along strike”. Sable will contract a ground electromagnetic survey (CSAMT) to better define the vein system at depth and the contacts between a felsic dome and volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The mineralisation at Vinata occurs as a series of quartz veins that outcrop for 1,200 m, with multiple sub-parallel veins and stockwork zones over a width of 15 to 170 m, with individual veins ranging to up to 12 m in width.
  • One World Lithium Inc. released results from drilling at its Salar del Diablo property in Baja California (there is not a state named Baja California Norte in Mexico). The drill holes did not reach the target depths due to “the constant sluffing of sand, presence of multiple clay formations, unconsolidated gravel and rubble”. The highest lithum grade in sediment samples was 273 ppm Li, whereas the water samples are thought to have been diluted by the injection of significant amounts of fresh water while drilling. The Company intends to resume its 4,250 foot drilling program before the end of September 2019.
  • Discovery Metals Corp. has been granted drilling permits for its Monclova project in Coahuila. “The Real Viejo area is the key near-term target. It hosts five historic shallow underground mines along a strike of 1.5km at a limestone-intrusive rock contact”, with rock channel samples averaging 277 gpt Ag, 6.7% Zn, 1.9% Pb. The Real Viejo area is 2 square-km in size and is located along the southern contact of the Monclova intrusive complex, where a series of Ag-ZnPb mineralised, silica-rich vein, replacement bodies (mantos), skarn-altered embayment zones and breccias 2-10 m wide are located.
  • Fresnillo Plc. is realizing exploration work in the Guanajuato district, mainly near Mineral de La Luz.
  • Magna Gold Corp. initiated its phase one exploration program on the Mercedes project in Sonora. The aim on this phase is to confirm the existence (suggested by historical drilling) of an oxide zone of quartz stockwork Au-Ag mineralisation 60 m wide and 220 m long, and a surface study including geological mapping of a 500 ha zone and  systematic rock chip and soil geochemical surveys.

ON MINING

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2019 gold production of 113,600 Oz Au at its Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. Plant throughput averaged 11,670 tonnes per day (tdp), underground mine production was 1,280 tpd, open pit ore production was 18,600 tpd and the open pit strip ratio was 6.8:1.
  • Coeur Mining Inc. announced second quarter 2019 production. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 447.7 K tonnes were milled @ 2.18 gpt Au, 147.4 gpt Ag, with recoveries of 87.7% Au, 81.8% Ag to produce 28,246 Oz Au, 1.7 M Oz Ag. Production at the La Nacion deposit began and is anticipated to add 400 tpd of mill feed.
  • Great Panther Mining Ltd. presented second quarter 2019 results including figures from its Mexican operations. At Topia, in Durango 18.4 K tonnes were processed @ 392 gpt Ag, 1.01 gpt Au, recovering 93.9% Ag, 58.9% Au to produce 218 K Oz Ag, 353 Oz Au, 453 tonnes Pb, 575 tonnes Zn. At the Guanajuato mine Complex, solely from the San Ignacio mine, 45.5 K tonnes were processed @ 2.52 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag, recovering 85.5% Ag, 87.0% Au, to produce 388.4 K Oz Ag, 3,209 Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported production results from its tailings project in Parral, Chihuahua. During the period 250 K Oz Ag, 2,281 Oz Au were recovered.

Endeavour Silver Corp. disclosed second quarter 2019 production results from its four mines in Mexico.

Endeavour Q2 2019 Production table1

ON FINANCING

  • Mexican Gold Corp. is undertaking a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4 M (Las Minas, Veracruz).
  • Impact Silver Corp. completed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement, raising gross proceeds of $1.23 M, and announced the increase on the second tranche of financing to up to $1.5 M (Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico).
  • Evrim Resources Corp. announced the approval of the grant of 1 M stock options to an officer under the terms of the company’s stock option plan (Cerro Cascaron, Chihuahua).
  • One World Lithium Inc. closed the first tranche of its private placement financing, raising CDN$734.6 K (Salar del Diablo, Baja California. Please note there is not a Baja California Norte state in Mexico).
  • Oceanus Resources Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement raising $750 K (El Tigre, Sonora).
  • Silver One Resources Inc. increased its previously announced private placement, for gross proceeds of $5 M (La Frazada, Nayarit).
  • Advance Gold Corp. closed the non-brokered private placement financing previously announced, for gross proceeds of $234 K (Tabasquena, Zacatecas).
  • Millrock Resources Inc. plans to raise gross proceeds of between $1 M and $1.5 M through a non-brokered private placement. Finder’s fees of 7% cash and 7% finder’s warrants may be paid in connection with the Offering (Batamote, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. filed the technical report titled “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Las Chispas Property, Sonora, Mexico”. The PEA results were previously released.
  • VVC Exploration Corp. received the environmental permit and a land use change permit for its Samalayuca copper property in Chihuahua. With those permits the company can initiate mining operations in the Gloria zones of the Kaity claim. VVC began bench testing with mineralised material from the Gloria zones to assess metallurgy with different crush sizes and acid flow rates.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. provided the first underground sample results from the Babicanora vein on its Las Chispas project in Sonora. A total of 133 samples were collected from blast faces for 35 m of a 3.5 m by 3.5 m drift along the vein, same that averaged 2.6 m (vein width) @ 13.70 gpt Au, 1,107 gpt Ag (or 2,132 gpt AgEq). Some of the best intervals released comprise: 3.9 m @ 62.66 gpt Au, 4,610 gpt Ag (including 0.6 m @ 336 gpt Au, 26,435 gpt Ag); 4.1 m @ 13.91 gpt Au, 709 gpt Ag; 3.5 m @ 16.69 gpt Au, 2,192 gpt Ag; 1.8 m @ 53.18 gpt Au, 3,548 gpt Ag; 3.2 m @ 12.89 gpt Au, 799 gpt Ag; 5 m @ 16.69 gpt Au, 2,192 gpt Ag; 3.2 m @ 18.74 gpt Au, 459 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 14.77 gpt Au, 1,542 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 15.27 gpt Au, 1,426 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 21.73 gpt Au, 1,231 gpt Ag.
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd. encountered a broad gold zone at the Nava target of its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. The results come from a zone 300 m west of the first Nava trenches, where a 31 m true width (tw) zone mineralised zone of epithermal quartz veins and a zone of intense stockwork which returned 17.7 m (tw) @ 2.11 gpt Au. The target is to be drill tested on the next drill program with a couple of holes.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Orex Minerals Inc. entered into an agreement with Pan American Silver Corp. to negotiate a formal JV agreement on the Sandra Escobar project in Durango, to replace a previous agreement from 2015, and will suspend the operation of the 2015 agreement until the new agreement is entered into, or until December 31, 2019, whichever is earlier.
  • Oroco Resources Corp. entered into a letter of agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the 766.7 ha Rossy mining concession located within Oroco’s land package on the Santo Tomas district in Sinaloa. The company has to pay US$125 K over two years and issue 300 K shares and grant 1.5 NSR.

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

On the image below, orogenic gold style milky quartz vein bearing pyrite and jarosite in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

IMG_2611 - copia

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of May, 2019

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 18th week of the year (April 29th to May 5th, 2019), at least 35 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Newmont Goldcorp Corp. informed on the intention to temporarily suspend operations at the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, due to an illegal blockade lasting for more than a month now. More than 300 mine employees protested outside the Zacatecas Congress, accusing José Narro, senator by Morena (the president’s party) of instigating the blockade. Drill core from La Xora project in Nayarit was added to The Mexican Core Shack. ON EXPLORATION, Nine companies presented advances in the exploration of their properties: In Baja, One World Lithium has received the permits to drill its Salar Del Diablo property. In Sonora, Sonoro Metals disclosed assays for the first 15 RC holes of the second drilling campaign; Ridgestone updated the work done to date at Rebeico; Minaurum staked a large chunk of ground at its Alamos project. In Chihuahua, Silver Spruce released surface sample results from its Pino de Plata project; Radius Gold released exciting results from the first hole of the second drilling campaign at Amalia; Kootenay Silver has initiated drill road construction for its incoming campaign at Columba. In Jalisco, GoGold released results from its drilling campaign at Los Ricos. In Zacatecas, Alien Gold updated on the exploration effort at its Donovan 2 property. ON MINING, nine companies presented its first quarter 2019 results, while one company presented its 2018 results. ON FINANCING, First Mining, and Prize Mining are to raise $6 M and $1.5 M respectively. Leagold Mining secured a 200 M term loan and a 200 M revolving credit. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, no relevant news.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alio Gold received notice of a civil claim from a former Rye Patch shareholder.  

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Newmont Goldcorp Corp. informed on the intention to temporarily suspend operations at the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas (one of the largest in Mexico, produced 272 K Oz Au in 2018), due to an illegal blockade by a trucking contractor and some members of the Cedros community that began on March 27, 2019. The company announced on April 9 that the trucking contracts will now be signed with independent truckers, to their economic benefit and to avoid the repeated extortion blockades by the current trucking contractor. Newmont Goldcorp denounced that the blockader’s public claims that focus in water quality and employment, turn in a direct petition for large amounts of money when done privately. The company asks for help from the Mexican and Zacatecan authorities to resolve the illegal blockade that affects the income of more than 20 thousand persons, directly or indirectly. On a different event, about 300 employees of Minera Peñasquito, protested outside the Zacatecas Congress against the illegal blockade that keeps paralyzed the Peñasquito mine. The protesters accused Jose Narro, senator by the president party, Morena, and his acolyte Felipe Pinedo of blackmailing the company with false water contamination statements.  
  • Core from La Xora project, in Nayarit, was added to the Mexican Core Shack (https://gambusinoprospector.com/mexican-core-shack/), under the epithermal low sulphidation section.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Sonoro Metals Corp.  reported assay results from the first 15 reverse circulation holes of the second phase drilling program at its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora. All holes encountered gold mineralization, which extend mineralization 1.25 Km NW from the Central Zone, where the first drill campaign defined a series of NW striking structures, outlining three shallow bulk tonnage oxidized mineralized zones in metasedimentary and volcanic rocks. Previously reported results come from the Central Zone prospects Japoneses, Abejas, El Colorado and Guadalupe, whereas the new drill holes tested El Rincon, Gloria, El Boludito, and Veta de Oro zones. Highlighted results comprise 10.67 m @ 2.73 gpt AuEq; 3.05 m @ 5.48 gpt AuEq; 10.67 m @ 0.74 gpt AuEq; 6.1 m @ 0.80 gpt AuEq; 15.24 m @ 1.05 gpt AuEq.
  • Alien Metals Ltd. updated on its exploration work at its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Work to date supports indications of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralisation on multiple target areas open along strike, with surface assays of up to 3.3% Cu, 0.25% Zn. Currently there are magnetic, chargeabilty and resistivity anomalies, and a gravity survey underway is to refine the targets on this project, which is 24 kilometers from Teck’s San Nicolas deposit.
  • Ridgestone Mining Inc. announced that exploration work to date on its Rebeico property in Sonora defined the 1.2 km long Alaska vein and intensely altered breccia zones SW of the vein, carrying Cu, Au and Ag values, as well as bismuth anomalies. An 18 line-kilometer induced polarization (IP) survey identified a chargeability anomaly below the breccia zone. A 12 hole 1,430 m diamond drill program tested 500 m of the Alaska vein. Eight of the twelve holes intersected significant grades, including: 0.80 m @ 1.41% Cu, 2.95 gpt Au; 2.0 m @ 2.78% Cu, 8.69 gpt Au; 1.40 m @ 3.25 gpt Au; 1.50 m @ 1.39 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 0.30% Cu, 5.61 gpt Au; 3.25 m @ 2.41% Cu, 8.31 gpt Au; 1.50 m @ 1.22% Cu, 36.10 gpt Au.  
  • One World Lithium Inc. has received the permit required to start its 12 hole, 4,250 m drilling program at its Salar del Diablo property in Baja California. The company intends to test three geophysical anomalies, a geochemical anomaly, and structures that may trap and concentrate brines. The Salar del Diablo Property has never been drilled in the past.
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. released surface sample results from its Pino de Plata property in Chihuahua. The samples returned 19 gpt Ag, 16 gpt Ag, 2 gpt Ag, 1,1,30 gpt Ag, 123 gpt Ag, 95 gpt Ag and 255 gpt Ag; up to 0.19 gpt Au, up to 802 ppm Cu, up to 3.7% Pb on samples 0.2 to 1.0 m in length. The two targets in the area comprise El Terrero and the Gossan area. At El Terrero, a 32 hectares zone “of multiple flat-lying brecciated zones hosted by a zone of strong argillic alteration” is the target, while at the Gossan area a series of hornfels and skarns developed near an intrusive contact may host massive sulphide replacement bodies associated to structures.
  • Radius Gold Inc. reported the first results from the second diamond drill campaign at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. The program is operated by Radius and funded by Pan American Silver Corp. under a JV agreement by Which Pan American can earn an initial 65% by making cash payments totaling US$1.5 M (of which US$100 K have been paid) and spending US$2 M on exploration over four years. The first hole in this campaign intersected 44 m @ 12.38 gpt Au, 309 gpt Ag, including 11 m @ 39.9 gpt Au, 323 gpt Ag. The estimated true width of the zone is 34 m, consisting of “an epithermal breccia and quartz sulphide stockwork vein zone ” located on or near to the contact between overlying Tertiary rhyolitic ignimbrite and the footwall andesite volcaniclastics of the Late Cretaceous Tarahumara Formation. Diorite dykes appear to be emplaced along the fault zone and are associated with mineralization”.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. staked an additional 20,872 hectares on its Alamos project in Sonora. Additionally, mapping has revealed four new vein zones: Rosario, La Dura Oeste, La Dura and La Tijera. These four zones bring the total of veins zones of the district to twenty. The Rosario vein has been traced for 500 m, with samples assaying 304 gpt Ag and 227 gpt Ag over 1 m and 675 gpt Ag, 1.0% Cu, 0.9% Pb over 2 m. The La Dura Oeste vein has been traced for 550 m, returning assays of 30 gpt Ag, 3.4% Cu and 37 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb. La Dura vein  returned 123 gpt Ag, 2.% Cu over 0.5 m. La Tijera vein was traced for 750 m, with three samples returning 23- 36 gpt Ag, 0.41 – 0.77% Cu, up to 0.1% Pb, up to 0.15% Zn over 0.1 to 0.3 m.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. has initiated the road construction for the drilling of its Columba property in Chihuahua. The property covers a low sulphidation epithermal system with numerous veins ranging on 200 m to up to 2 km of strike length. Over 1,000 m of underground workings are present, including four shafts and six drifts, with historic records indicating grades between 600 and 900 gpt Ag.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results from its recently acquired Los Ricos property in Jalisco. Highlighted diamond drill results comprise 22.4 m @ 4.13 gpt Au, 182 gpt Ag (or 6.55 gpt AuEq), including 3.0 m @ 25.08 gpt Au, 534 gpt Ag (or 32.2 gpt AuEq) and 11.7 m @ 0.68 gpt Au, 89 gpt Ag (or 1.87 gpt Au), including 6.1 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 142 gpt Ag (or 2.47 gpt AuEq). The campaign is focused on defining the mineralized halo around the ore shoots defined by 65 historical reverse circulation holes. Over six thousand assays from channel samples are being digitized from underground working, to aid with deeper drill planning.

ON MINING

  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. released its March 2019 quarterly activities report. During the period its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua produced 11,267 tonnes @ 10.7% Zn, 2.5% Pb, while 12,992 tonnes were processed @ 10.9% Zn, 2.0% Pb, 18 gpt Ag, recovering 87.5% Zn, 84.9% Pb at cash cost $1.11 per Lb Zn. The company also informed on a surface access legal proceedings that seek to nullify the current surface access contract.  
  •  Americas Silver Corp. announced production and operating cost results for the first quarter of 2019, including figures of its Mexican operations. At its Cosalá operations in Sinaloa, 152.6 K tonnes were processed @ 57 gpt Ag, to produce 173.2 K Oz Ag, 11.3 M Lb Zn, 4.6 M Lb Pb (or 1.32 M Oz AgEq), at cash cost $30.48 per Oz Ag and AISC $25.85 per Oz Ag.
  • Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. presented results for the first quarter of 2019. During the period the company produced 261,328 tonnes Cu, 5,145 tonnes Mo, 18,550 tonnes Zn, 3,13 M Oz Ag, 12,399 Oz Au and 0.58 M tonnes of sulphuric acid from its operations in Mexico, USA and Peru, at cash cost $1.13 per Lb Cu. A US$413 M budget was approved for the construction of a Zn concentrator at Cananea, Sonora, a project that is to generate 3,760 jobs. At San Martin, in Zacatecas, $87 M have been budgeted to re-open the mine, whereas at Pilares, in Sonora, an open pit mine is to produce ore @ 0.78% Cu to be treated at the La Caridad plant, six km away.
  • McEwen Mining Inc. reported its first quarter 2019 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At El Gallo, in Sinaloa, 5,432 Oz AuEq were produced at cash cost $967 per Oz AuEq and an AISC $989 per Oz AuEq. “Mining ceased at El Gallo by the end of May 2018, and the mine continues to recover gold from residual leaching of the heap leach. During the quarter, the process plant underwent a small expansion to improve efficiency and enable faster gold recover”.
  • Premiere Gold Mine Ltd. reported its first quarter production for 2019. During the quarter the Mercedes mine in Sonora produced 17,614 Oz Au and 57,681 Oz Ag.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. announced its operating and financial results for the first quarter 2019. At El Castillo, in Durango, working at a rate of 68 K tonnes per day (tpd), 3.8 M tonnes of waste were moved, 2.29 M tonnes of ore were mined and 2.33 M tonnes @ 0.39 gpt Au were placed on the leach pads, producing 28,210 Oz Au, 54,030 Oz Ag at cash cost $918 per Oz Au. At San Agustin, part of the El Castillo Complex, working at a rate of 33 K tonnes per day, 1.31 M tonnes of waste and 1.66 M tonnes of ore were moved, placing 1.69 M tonnes @ 0.47 gpt Au in the leach pads, producing 14,084 Oz Au, 54,030 Oz Ag at cash cost $867 per Oz Au. At La Colorada in Sonora, working at a rate of 76 K tpd, 5.97 M tonnes of waste and 872 K tonnes of ore were moved and 882 K tonnes were placed on the leach pads @ 0.44 gpt Au, producing 15,372 Oz Au, 54,773 Oz Ag at cash cost $952 per Oz Au. “The Company plans to invest between $50 million and $60 million in capital programs during 2019, of which approximately 30% was spent during the first quarter of 2019”
  • Coeur Mining Inc. reported first quarter 2019 financial results, including figures from its Mexico operations. At Palmarejo, in Chihuahua, 379 K tonnes were milled @ 2.18 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag, recovering 86.4% Au, 72.8% Ag, to produce 23,205 Oz Au, 1.28 M Oz Ag. Costs applicable to sales (CAS) were $713 per Oz Au and $9.66 per Oz Ag.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. released its financial results for the first quarter 2019, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Mulatos, in Sonora, 1.83 M tonnes of ore were mined, 1.98 M tonnes of waste moved, to place 1.87 M tonnes of ore on the leach pads @ 0.98 gpt Au, producing 38,900 Oz Au at cash cost $743 and mine site AISC of $809. At El Chanate, in Sonora, 5,800 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $1,193 per Oz Au and mine site AISC of $1,193 per Oz Au. Construction of the haulage road has commenced on the Cerro Pelon mine, near the Mulatos mine, with a 2019 budget of $25 M. Pre-stripping is expected to commence in the third quarter.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced first quarter 2019 results from the Platosa mine in Durango. During the period 20 K tonnes were mined, with 16.8 K tonnes of ore @ 534 gpt Ag, 5.01% Pb, 8.00% Zn and 1.45 K tonnes of historical stockpile processed @ 123 gpt Ag, 1.22% Pb, 1.44% Zn, recovering 89.7% Ag, 74.6% Pb, 78.1% Zn to produce 260.4 K Oz Ag, 1.38 M Lb Pb, 2.21 M Lb Zn.
  • Golden Minerals Co. announced financial results for Q1 2019. The company continues to advance the Yoquivo Au-Ag project in Chihuahua. The company has cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 M, with no debt.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reports on its financial and operating results for the 2018 fiscal year. During the year the company milled 211.4 K tonnes, recovering 815.3 K Oz AgEq at cash cost $36.8 per AgEq Oz and an AISC of $37.2 per AgEq Oz. At Veta Grande, Zacatecas, silver production was 514.4 K Oz. At Rosario, in San Luis Potosi, silver production was 300.9 K Oz Ag.  

ON FINANCING

  • First Mining Gold Corp. intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for aggregate proceeds of up to $6 M. (San Ricardo, Sonora; Lachatao, Oaxaca).
  • Prize Mining Corp. intends to raise up to $1.5 M by means of non-brokered private placement (Manto Negro, Coahuila).
  • Leagold Mining Corp. received a binding underwriting commitment from a syndicate of lenders for a $200 M term loan and a $200 M revolving credit facility. “These loans will be used to repay current debt and finance the Company’s growth” (Los Filos, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • No Relevant News.  

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Alio Gold Inc. received a notice of civil claim from a former shareholder of Rye Patch Gold Corp. whose shares were acquired by the company on May 2018.  (San Francisco, Sonora).
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. informed that South 32 is to maintain its option on the Sierra Mojada project by funding an additional US$3 M in exploration. “This will result in aggregate funding of US$6 million at the completion of the second year of the joint venture option”. To maintain the option, South32 must contribute minimum exploration funding of US$10 M during a four year option period with minimum aggregate exploration funding of US$3 M, US$6 M and US$8 M to be made by the end of years 1, 2 and 3 of the option period respectively.

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

On the image below, quartz-chalcopyrite veinlet hosted by an intrusive rock in core from a project in Michoacan. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of April, 2019

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 16th week of the year (April 15th to April 21st, 2019), at least 28 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a lower court in Puebla ruled Mexico’s mineral title system unconstitutional based on consultation not being required before issuing the title. Inhabitants of San Antonio, Baja California Sur, manifested in support for the construction of the San Antonio mine. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Gold delineated several new targets using geophysics at Cervantes; San Marcos disclosed explorations plans for its properties in the year. In Jalisco, GoGold released interesting results from drilling at Los Ricos. ON MINING, Avino Silver, Sierra Metals, First Majestic, Gold Resource and Hecla disclosed production results for Q1 2019.
Fresnillo PLC presented its annual report 2018.  ON FINANCING, Ridgestone Mining, Oroco and Camrova raised $1.12 M; 800 K and 12 K respectively. Sonoro and Minaurum granted options to consultants and directors. Minaurum was named to the Venture 50tm. Sierra Metals entered into an automatic purchase plan. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Goldplay reported channel sample results from a new zone at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. SilverCrest Metals released good metallurgical results from its Las Chispas property in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Newmont Goldcorp Corp. has been delivered. Consolidated Zinc presented notice of its annual general meeting. Aura completed the sale of 80% interest of its Taviche project to Minaurum.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. informed that “a lower court in Puebla State has ruled that Mexico’s mineral title system is unconstitutional because consultation is not required before the granting of mineral title………..This ruling can be appealed by both the Government of Mexico and Almaden. The Company believes that this lawsuit is part of a broad effort by special interest groups to change the mining law and there are other similar actions active across Mexico”. Almaden stated that no communities within the company’s current mining concessions on its Ixtaca project in Puebla are party to this lawsuit.
  • Fresnillo PLC. Presented its 2018 annual report. It is here recommended to all interested in the mining business in Mexico to take a look to the report (http://www.fresnilloplc.com/media/412015/fres-30452-annual-report-2018-web.pdf), especially on the section “Managing our risks”. In the said section, the risks of participating in the industry in Mexico are assessed, including those of metal prices, potential actions by the government, access to land, security, public perception against mining, safety, union relations, exploration, project performance, cyber security, environmental incidents and human resources. Although the report had in mind Fresnillo’s particular situation as one of the largest Mexican mining conglomerates, many parts of the evaluation concern risks that affect all mining enterprises in the country.
  • Some 500 inhabitants of San Antonio, in Baja California Sur, gathered in support of Argonaut Gold’s San Antonio mining project in their locality.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp.  and Kootenay Silver Inc. informed that interpretation of a recent magnetic and radiometric survey produced multiple porphyry copper targets on the Cervantes property in Sonora. “Cervantes has multiple porphyry cells aligned along a northeast-southwest orientation, manifested as high-level alteration footprints related to intrusive bodies. There are also prominent northwest-southeast trending magnetic anomalies found to be associated with strong alteration, gold-copper mineralization, and intrusive rocks.”   
  • GoGold Resources Inc. disclosed the results from the first two diamond holes on its Los Ricos property in Jalisco. The two diamond drill holes twinned previous RC perforations, replicating the mineralized zones, with 35.5 m @ 1.24 gpt Au, 285 gpt Ag and 27.6 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 159 gpt Ag. The holes are part of a 10,000 m diamond drill program focused on following the high grade ore shoot down dip below the historical RC drilling.
  • San Marco Resources Inc. plans for 2019 in Sonora include target delineation at Espiritu Santo and 1068 properties, follow-up of underexplored areas at the Chunibas project, extensive participation on lotteries of released ground by the government, evaluation of multiple property acquisitions and ongoing partnership discussions of existing assets.

ON MINING

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released production results from its Avino property in Durango for 2019’s first quarter. During the period production came from three sources: Avino mine, San Gonzalo mine and historic stockpiles. At Avino, 100.9 K tonnes were milled @ 41 g/t Ag, 0.48 gpt Au, 0.49% Cu, recovering 84% Ag, 71% Au, 87% Cu. At San Gonzalo (which is nearing the end of its mine life) 17.9 K tonnes were milled @ 188 gpt Ag, 0.54 gpt Au, recovering 65% Ag, 61% Au. From historic stockpiles 78.8 K tonnes were milled @ 61 gpt Ag, 0.40 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, recovering 55%, Ag, 52% Au, 29% Cu. Total production was 1,813 Oz Au, 268.4 K Oz Ag, 1.06 M Lb Cu, or 615 K Oz AgEq.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported first quarter 2019 results, including figures from its Mexican mines. The Bolivar mine in Chihuahua processed 263.2 K tonnes (~3,008 tpd, targeting 3,600 tpd for Q2 2019)) grading 0.81% Cu, 19.5 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, recovering 82.2% Cu, 79.1% Ag, 67.9% Au to produce 3.87 M Lb Cu, 130 K Oz Ag, 1,100 Oz Au (or 5.08 MLb CuEq). At the Cusi mine, also in Chihuahua, 71.3 K tonnes were processed @ 105 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn, recovering 79.5% Ag, 37.5% Au, 75.2% Pb to produce 192 K Oz Ag, 133 Au Oz, 349 K Lb Pb, no Zn.
  • Fresnillo PLC. Filed its annual report 2018. During the year Fresnillo produced 61.8 M Oz Ag, 922 K Oz Au, holding resources of 2.2 billion Oz Ag and 39.1 M Oz Au. At Fresnillo, in Zacatecas, 2.44 M tonnes were milled @ 214 gpt Ag to produce 15.1 M Oz Ag, 42,290 Oz Au, 19,619 tonnes Pb, 31,094 tonnes Zn. At Saucito, in Zacatecas, 2.79 M tonnes were milled @ 257 gpt Ag, 1.25 gpt Au to produce 19.78 M Oz Ag, 86,092 Oz Au, 22,662 tonnes Pb, 29,506 tonnes Zn, while the Pyrites Plant processed 131.8 K tonnes @ 393 gpt Ag, 2.8 gpt Au to produce 977 K Oz Ag, 3,556 Oz Au. At San Julian, in Chihuahua, 1.27 M tonnes were processed from the veins @144.1 gpt Ag, 2.0 gpt Au, to produce 5.43 M Oz Ag, 79,218 Oz Au. 2.22 M tonnes were processed from the disseminated orebody @ 154 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn, to produce 9.2 M Oz Ag, 3,125 Oz Au, 6,101 tonnes Pb, 22,027 tonnes Zn. At Cienega, in Durango, 1.32 M tonnes were milled @ 164 gpt Ag, 1.65 g/t Au to produce 6 M Oz Ag, 66,869 Oz Au, 4,799 tonnes Pb, 5,892 tonnes Zn. At Herradura, in Sonora, 22.15 M tonnes @ 0.76 gpt Au were deposited on the heaps to produce 474,168 Oz Au, 1.52 M Oz Ag, at cash cost $504 per Au Oz (total volume hauled, 124 M tonnes). At Nochebuena, in Sonora, 18.2 M tonnes were deposited on the heaps @ 0.52 gpt Au to produce 167.2 K Oz Au, 52 K Oz Ag, at cash cost $735.4 per Oz Au (total volume hauled, 80.3 M tonnes).  The company had $580.7 M as cash and cash equivalents by the end of the year.

First Majestic Silver Corp. produced 6.3 AgEq Oz during the first quarter of 2019. During the period 831.2 K tonnes of ore were milled @ 150 gpt Ag, 1.26 gpt Au, with recoveries of 83% Ag, 96% Au, to produce 3.33 M Oz Ag, 32,037 Oz Au, 2.66 M Lb Pb, 1.26 M Lb Zn.  The ore had averages and recoveries of 287 gpt Ag, 4.18 gpt Au (93% Ag, 96% Au) at San Dimas, Durango; 121 gpt Ag, 1.87 gpt Au (89% Ag, 95% Au) at Santa Elena, Sonora; 126 gpt Ag (66% Ag) at La Encantada, Coahuila; 187 gpt Ag, 0.58 gpt Au (89% Ag, 93% Au)at San Martin, Jalisco; 54 gpt Ag, 1.8% Pb, 1.6% Zn (75% Ag by flotation, 62% Ag by cyanidation, 69% Pb, 48% Zn) at La Parrilla, Durango; 114 gpt Ag, 2.1% Pb (74% Ag, 0.7 M Lb Pb)at Del Toro, Zacatecas.

  • Gold Resource Corp. reported preliminary production results for the first quarter 2019. The Oaxaca Mining Unit (El Aguila, Arista, Switchback) produced 6,538 Au Oz, 364.6 K Oz Ag, 433 tonnes Cu, 2,153 tonnes Pb, 5,838 tonnes Zn. “The Company maintains its 2019 Oaxaca Mining Unit Annual Outlook of 27,000 gold ounces and 1,700,000 silver ounces, plus or minus 10%”.
  • Hecla Mining Co. announced preliminary production results for the first quarter of 2019. At San Sebastian, in Durango, the mill operated at 494 tpd to produce 0.4 M Oz Ag, 3,530 Oz Au. “A review of sulfide ore continues, including a bulk sample to test the capabilities of the third-party plant and the suitability of long-hole stoping for the ore body, with results expected by the fourth quarter of 2019.”

ON FINANCING

  • Ridgestone Mining Inc. completed its previously announced private placement financing, for gross proceeds of $1.12 M. The company paid 6% ($43.2 K) cash and 309 K compensation warrants. Also, 72.2 K bonus shares were issued to a director of the company, under a loan agreement (Rebeico, Sonora).
  • Sierra Metals Inc. entered into an automatic purchase plan with its designated broker (Cusi and Bolivar, Chihuahua).
  • Sonoro Metals Corp. granted 100 K incentive options to a director of the company. These options vest immediately and are exercisable at a price of $0.18 per share (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc. has been named to the TSX Venture Exchange Venture 50tm , the annual ranking of Canada’s top 50 emerging publicly traded companies across five industry sectors. Minaurum also granted 3.35 M common share stock options to directors, officers and consultants. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.45 for a period of 10 years from the issue date. The company also granted consultants 275 k options exercisable at a price of $0.45 for a period of five years. Ten percent vest immediately, and another 15% each semiannually (Alamos, Sonora).   
  • Oroco Resources Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement financing, raising $800 K in gross proceeds. No finder’s fee was paid (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
  • Camrova Resources Inc. closed the second tranche of the previously announced private placement, for proceeds of $12 K, bringing the total combined proceeds to $66 K. The third and final tranche of the Private Placement is expected to close in early May (Boleo, Baja California Sur).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd. reported channel sample results from a new zone at its San Marcial project in Sinaloa. The Nava zone, 500 long by 100 m wide, is extensively altered and hosts low sulphidation quartz veining and stockwork mineralization. Channel samples from the zone returned assays ranging from 1.04 gpt Au to up to 10.0 gpt Au.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced positive metallurgical results for Las Chispas project, in Sonora. “A total of 445 kg was selected from 51 core holes and nine underground samples to compile 15 different samples, based on geo-metallurgical domains which were combined into three master composites. These composites utilized 210 kilograms of mass representing a variety of grades (low, medium and high) of 500 to 2000 gpt AgEq expected during conceptual operation”. The new metallurgical tests show estimated recoveries of 98.4% to 98.9% Au and 91.4% to 94.8% Ag, using conventional methods comprised of gravity concentration and intensive leaching followed by gravity tails standard leaching.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Newmont Mining Corp. announced that it has extended the previously announced offers to exchange all outstanding notes issued by Goldcorp Inc. for up to two billion dollars  aggregate principal amount of new notes to be issued by Newmont, as part of the proposed arrangement on which Newmont acquires all outstaning shares of Goldcorp (Peñasquito, Zacatecas).
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. presented its notice of annual general meeting for the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on 23 May 2019 (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
  • Aura Resources Inc. announced the completion of the sale of an 80% interest in its East Taviche project in Oaxaca, to Minaurum Gold Inc.. Minaurum issued 100 K common shares to Aura and paid 39.4 K on closing; additionally, Minaurum is to issue further 100 K shares on receipt of the pertinent drilling permits. The remaining 20% can be acquired by Minaurum paying CDN$1 M.
  • Newmont Goldcorp Corp. announced the successful conclusion of its transaction combining Newmont Mining Corp. and Goldcorp Inc. to form the world’s leading gold business. The company targets six to seven million ounces of steady gold production over a decades-long time horizon (Peñasquito, Zacatecas).

Content like what you have just read can be seen at https://gambusinoprospector.com/ and at LinkedIn’s Mexico Mineral Exploration Group. On the image below, glory hole developed on Inguaran, Michoacan. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of January, 2019

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Monzonite porphyry dike intrusive contact with andesitic tuff -note the flow banding- on a project in Jalisco. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

By Jorge Cirett

During the 4th week of the year (January 21st to January 27th, 2019), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, CAMIMEX expressed it is in contact with diverse actors of the public administration to consolidate the international competitivity of the mining industry. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Radius Gold staked the 9,600 ha. Rambler project, covering a 9 km trend of epithermal mineralization. In Sinaloa, Kootenay Silver released interesting surface sample results from its Copalito project. In Durango, Orex is to perform a VTEM airborne survey on the San Luis Del Cordero property. In Hidalgo, Prospero Silver initiated drilling at the Pachuca SE project, with funding by Fortuna Silver. ON MINING, Pan American, Argonaut, Gold Resource, Fresnillo, Sierra Metals and Americas Silver presented Q4 and full year 2018 production results (by the way, anyone has heard from Frisco on this regard?). Endeavour presented its 2019 production guidance. ON FINANCING, Premier Gold signed a credit agreement with Investec Bank as administrative agent for the lenders for a US$50 M credit facility. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Endeavour updated its reserve and resource base, for a consolidated grand total of 132 M Oz Ag, 1.042 M Oz Au. Premier Gold presented high-grade intercepts from drilling at Mercedes, Sonora, where over 40,000 m of drilling were completed in 2018. Leagold is to produce 200-220 K Oz Au in 2019 at Los Filos, Guerrero. Azure Minerals presented a favorable scoping study for its Oposura project in Sonora. Impact Silver is defining extensions on veins at its Zacualpan property in Estado de Mexico. Excellon released high-grade results from surface exploration at its Platosa mine in Durango. Capstone filed on Sedar a technical report for Cozamin, Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Prospero Silver announced the signature of the option agreement with Fortuna Silver on the Pachuca SE project.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • CAMIMEX (Cámara Minera de México), in a response to El Financiero, expressed that any modification to the mining regulations has to take into account the wellbeing of the communities and its environment. The organization, of which leading companies like Peñoles, Grupo México and Minera Frisco are members, considers mining is one of the most supervised sectors in the country, with a modern and robust regulatory frame, following international standards, although areas of opportunity can always be identified.  “We have approached diverse authorities on the public administration and found openness to solve any pending issues and consolidate the international competitivity that benefits the country development”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Orex Minerals Inc. contracted Geotech Ltd. To perform a VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic) airborne survey over its San Luis del Cordero project in Durango. Old mine workings and mineralized showings wrap around a Tertiary quartz-feldspar-porphyry intrusive. The helicopter-borne survey, with accompanying horizontal gradiometer and radiometric surveys, is to identify discrete conductive anomalies, as well as mapping lateral and vertical variations in resistivity. The airborne survey will be conducted over a grid at 100 m line-spacing for approximately 275 line-km, with measurements every 2-3 m along survey lines.
  • Prospero Silver Corp. has started phase 2 drilling at its Pachuca Se project in Hidalgo. Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. has an option to acquire up to a 70% interest in the 6,699 hectares project (24 km SE from Pachuca) by spending a total of US$8 M and completing a preliminary economic assessment (PEA), spending more than US$1 M in the first year. A six-hole, 4,200 m program started to test a number of potential drill targets. In a Fortuna funded program in early 2018, 1,800 m of drilling tested three distinct targets, intercepting what is interpreted to be the upper parts of a mineralized epithermal system.
  • Radius Gold Inc. staked a 9,600 ha property called the Rambler project, in Chihuahua, some 20 km NW from Radius’s Amalia project. Regional prospecting discovered epithermal mineralization in veins, vein breccias and disseminated zones over a 9 km trend, where samples with up to 16.5 gpt Au, 2,030 gpt Ag, 3.8% Cu, 13.9% Zn, 3.4% Pb were collected. Saucito is the main target area, where a 500 x 70 m stockwork returned an average of 177 gpt Ag on 31 samples. Other target areas with interesting rock chip sample results include La Machomera (up to 7.3 gpt Au, 469 gpt Ag), La India (up to 10.3 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag), El Gringo (4.8 gpt Au, 3.8% Cu).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. released results from surface sampling and mapping at the Copalito Ag-Au project in Sinaloa, same that covers an epithermal system with numerous veins 0.5-15 m in width and up to 2 km in strike length. Sampling Highlights include 7.2 Gpt Au, 3,770 gpt Ag at the 5 Señores and Agua veins respectively; 8.2 gpt Au, 583 gpt Ag across 1.1 m on the 5 Señores vein; 401 gpt Ag across 5.3 m on 5 Señores vein; 532 gpt Ag over 3.0 m and 306 gpt Ag over 4.9 m across the Agua vein; 17.4% Zn, 9.9% Pb, 0.52 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag on a grab sample at Pillar vein and 5.1%, 1.6% and 1.5 Cu along the Cobriza vein. Of 117 rock samples collected, 29 returned silver grades over 90 gpt, including 11 over 300 gpt and 6 over 500 gpt.

ON MINING

  • Pan American Silver Corp. announced preliminary operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2018, including information from its operations in Mexico. At La Colorada in Zacatecas, 7.6 M Oz Ag, 4,400 Oz Au were produced during the year, at cash cost $2.02 per Ag Oz, whereas at Dolores in Chihuahua, 4.1 M Oz Ag and 136,600 Oz Au were produced at cash cost ($1.87) per Ag Oz. Pan American is planning to sustain 2,000 tonnes per day  (tpd) throughput at La Colorada during 2019, and continue to explore and define the potential of the “significant skarn deposit discovered in 2018”.  At Dolores the company plans to ramp-up underground production rates to 1,500 tpd and sustain the 20 K tpd throughput rate to the heap leach from the pit.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. informed on Q4 production and yearly results for 2018, including numbers from its Mexican operations. At El Castillo Complex, in Durango, 37,977 GEOs (Gold equivalent ounces) were produced during the quarter, 18,984 from El Castillo mine and 18,993 from the San Agustin mine. At La Colorada, in Sonora, 13,681 Oz Au were produced during the same period. For the year, El Castillo Complex produced 117,126 GEOs and La Colorada 47,991 GEOs. Argonaut plans to invest $50-$60 M in capital expenditures during 2019, with $15 M allocated to the expansion of crushing and leaching facilities at San Agustin to increase the rate of production from 20K tpd to 30 K tpd.
  • Gold Resource Corp. reported 2018 year-end and fourth quarter production results from their El Aguila mining operations in Oaxaca. During the year Gold Resource produced 26,838 Oz Au, 1.67 M Oz Ag, 1,652 tonnes Cu, 7,280 tonnes Pb and 19,808 tonnes Zn. During the fourth quarter 7,974 Oz Au and 330.6 K Oz Ag were produced.
  • Fresnillo PLC. released 4Q and full year 2018 results, with a consolidated production of 61.8 M Oz Ag and 923 K Oz Au for the year and 15.5 M Oz Ag, 232 K Oz Au for the quarter. Lead (53,181 tonnes) and Zinc (88,520 tonnes) production amounted to 19.9 M Oz AgEq. “The cumulative drilling for the year at our operating mines and exploration projects was 579,000 and 346,000 metres respectively. Resources and reserves (in the case of the operating mines) are presently in audit by SRK and the results of which will be disclosed in the first quarter of 2019 with our Preliminary results. Resources were increased at the Guanajuato and San Juan projects, while mapping identified new targets at the Fresnillo and Herradura districts, and a geophysical survey detected areas for follow up in the San Julián district. Further to this, and for the first time in the Company’s history, drilling began in Chile. Exploration teams are working out of the Hermosillo, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Toluca, Lima-Peru and Santiago de Chile offices in selected areas of favorable silver-gold belts in Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina”. (Note from editor: the mining community is waiting for Frisco to produce reports like this one).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. announced its consolidated silver and gold production guidance for 2019, to be 4.4-5.2 M Oz Ag, 46.2-52.2 K Oz Au, or 8.1-9.4 M Oz AgEq. “Cash costs, net of gold by-product credits, are expected to be $8.50-$9.50 per oz of silver produced in 2019. Consolidated cash costs on a co-product basis are anticipated to be $11.50-$12.50 per oz silver and $900-$1,000 per oz gold”. The final dumps and tailings permit at Terronera is needed to make a development decision. The company plans to drill 24,500 m during 2019 in Guanaceví, Bolañitos, El Cubo, El Compas, Terronera, Parral and Guadalupe y Calvo.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. Disclosed Q4 and full year 2018 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. The Bolivar mine in Chihuahua processed (at 2,948 tonnes per day, or tpd) in the year 1 M tonnes of ore @ 0.95% Cu, 18 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, with recoveries of 79.9% Cu, 77.1% Ag, 68.5% Au, to produce 17.23 M Lb Cu, 452 K Oz Ag, 3,968 Oz Au. For the quarter, 272.6 K tonnes were processed (3,116 tpd) @ 0.94% Cu, 15 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, to produce 4.23 M Lb Cu, 128 K Oz Ag, 1,163 Oz Au. At Cusi, also in Chihuahua, 186.9 K tonnes were processed (534 tpd) during the year at a grade of 140 gpt Ag, 0.16 gpt Au, 0.36% Pb, 0.40% Zn, recovering 83.1% Ag, 39.1% Au, 79.9% Pb, 4.3% Zn, to produce 700 K Oz Ag, 372 Oz Au, 1.19 M Lb Pb, 937 K Lb Zn. During the last quarter Cusi processed 58.3 K tonnes (666 tpd) @ 111 gpt Ag, 0.16 gpt Au, 0.41% Pb, 0.49% Zn, to produce 171 K Oz Ag, 124 Oz Au, 421 K Lb Pb, no Zn.
  • Americas Silver Corp. announced production and operating results for 2018, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cosalá, in Sinaloa, 544.5 K tonnes were milled @ 47 gpt Ag, to produce 448.1 K Oz Ag, 34.22 M Lb Pb, 12.86 M Lb Zn, or 4.16 M Oz AgEq at cash cost ($37.95) and AISC ($19.69).

ON FINANCING

  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. Announced the signing of a definitive credit agreement with Investec Bank PLC, as administrative agent for the lenders of a US$50 M secured term credit facility. Premier also announced financing arrangements with OMF Fund II SO Ltd. and Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP for aggregate gross proceeds of US$18.2 M. (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. updated its reserve and resource base for its mines and projects for 2018. Consolidated reserves and resources, including inferred resources for its seven units comprise 132 M Oz Ag and 1.042 M Oz Au, as displayed on the following table:
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. provided an update on its exploration programs, including information from its Mexican operations. At Mercedes in Sonora, positive exploration results include 18.3 m @ 38.3 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag on the Aida vein, and 22.0 m @ 36.6 gpt Au, 171 gpt Ag at Rey de Oro. During the past year 280 brownfield and greenfield holes were completed representing 40,720 m of drilling.
  • Leagold Mining Corp. announced its intention to produce 200 K to 220 K Oz Au during 2019, at an AISC of $925 to $925-975 at Los Filos, in Guerrero. The proven and probable reserves at the property stand at 111.33 M tonnes @ 1.22 gpt Au, containing 4.363 M Oz Au, and 114 K Oz Au on the leach pad inventory.
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. Presented its quarterly report for the period ended on December 2018. The company highlighted the Scoping Study for the Oposura project in Sonora, with an EBITDA of A$237 M, pre-tax NPV of A$112 M, pre-tax IRR of 76%, average life of mine cash cost US$0.42 per Zn Lb and a pre-production CAPEX of A$69.9 M. At the Alacrán project in Sonora, Teck completed its Phase 2 drilling program comprising 10.537 m in 21 holes, with focus on testing porphyry copper potential at Cerro Alacrán, with assays pending. At Oso Negro, also in Sonora, sampling returned more high-grade mineralization, with the best sample returning 15.5 gpt Au, 1,935 gpt Ag, 5.9% Zn, 4.6% Pb. At Sara Alicia, also in Sonora, the company has been showing the property to potential partners or buyers.
  •  Impact Silver Corp. hired a consultant to define extensions to the vein systems on its Zacaualpan property in Estado de Mexico. Work to date has defined on strike extensions to the San Ramon silver vein system through geological work and soil sampling, and better characterizing the potential for bulk mineable ore in the Santa Teresa area.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. released high-grade results from ongoing surface exploration at its Platosa mine in Durango. Highlighted intervals comprise 0.9 m @ 283 gpt Ag, 9.8% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 5.6 m @ 383 gpt Ag, 8.0% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 2.5 m @ 406 gpt Ag, 3.7% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 0.6 m @ 2,060 gpt Ag, 7.8% Pb, 9.1% Zn; 5.0 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 968 gpt Ag, 9.4% Pb, 20.2% Zn; 4.8 m @ 1,127 gpt Ag, 8.4% Pb, 10.5% Zn.
  • Capstone Mining Corp. filed on SEDAR a NI-43-101 compliant report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Cozamin Mine, Zacatecas, Mexico”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Prospero Silver Corp. announced the signature of the previously disclosed option agreement with Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. on the Pachuca SE project. “On December 10, 2018 Prospero announced that Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (“Fortuna”) exercised its right to be granted an option to acquire up to a 70-per-cent interest in the Pachuca Southeast project located close to the historic mining city of Pachuca in Hidalgo state, Mexico, by spending a total of $8-million (U.S.) in qualifying expenditures and completing a preliminary economic assessment, with a minimum spend of $1-million in the first year” (Pachuca SE, Hidalgo).

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

On the image below, monzonite porphyry dike intrusive contact with andesitic tuff -note the flow banding- on a project in Jalisco. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Highlights on the Second Week of August, 2018. Mining and Exploration News in Mexico

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223 - copia

By Jorge Cirett

During the 32nd week of the year (August 6th to August 12th, 2018), at least 16 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. Sable, Oroco, Millrock and One World Lithium updated on exploration advances. Hecla, Torex, Golden Minerals, Argonaut, Alio and Odyssey Marine Exploration released Q2 2018 reports. HarvestGold closed the final tranche of a financing round. Hecla, Alio and Consolidated Zinc reported advances on the development or exploration of their resource base. Three companies announced deals on projects, or company mergers. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Mexican Core Shack now counts with displays from three properties in Chihuahua and two in Durango. The newly elected president of Mexico seems to have mining development as one of its 25 key projects. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Millrock reported drill results from its Navidad project. In Chihuahua, Sable Resources released wide, high-grade silver intercepts from its Margarita property. In Sinaloa, Oroco received the title for a concession on the Santo Tomás district. In Baja California, One World Lithium is preparing to drill its Salar del Diablo project.   ON MINING Hecla, Torex gold, Golden Minerals, Alio Gold, Argonaut and Odyssey Mineral Exploration released Q2 2018 reports.  ON FINANCING, Harvest Gold closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement, accruing C$857 K in gross proceeds. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Hecla, Alio Gold and Consolidated Zinc reported on actions and programs to affect their resource estimates or development to mining. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Golden Reign and Marlin Gold reported on their merger agreement, Megastar closed a deal on three properties in Oaxaca and San Marco optioned the Chunibas project in Oaxaca to Antofagasta.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mexican Core Shack added images of drill core from Hecla’s San Sebastian project in Durango, at https://gambusinoprospector.com/mexican-core-shack/durango/san-sebastian/ . The Mexican Core Shack now displays three properties in Chihuahua and two in Durango.
  • The newly elected president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, presented 25 priority projects for his coming tenure, one of which is mining development, on a meeting with the Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles de México (Civil Engineers Association of Mexico), the Unión Mexicana de Asociaciones de Ingenieros A.C. and the Engineering Faculty of the Universidad Autónoma de México (UNAM). Carlos Slim was among the cohort of industry leaders in the luncheon held at the Palacio de Minería (Mining Palace) in Mexico City. No details were exposed.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Sable Resources Ltd. released results from a third drill hole on the Margarita vein of its Margarita property in Chihuahua (near Sunshine’s Los Gatos property). The most recent intercept confirms vein continuity over 500 m of longitude. The vein was intercepted 40 m from surface, returning 12.4 m @ 514 g/t AgEq (with Pb and Zn credits, no details released), including 4.10 m @ 902 g/t AgEq, which includes 1.0 m @ 1,048 g/t AgEq and 1.05 m @ 1,035 g/t AgEq. Other five holes have been finished, with similar vein textures having been intersected across similar widths down to a depth of 100 m from surface.
  • Oroco Resources Corp. announced that the Papago 17 concession in Sinaloa has been granted by the government, and the company is now to register its 77.5% interest (got on a deal with a private owner) in the Mexican Public Registry of Mining. The 213 ha Papago 17 concession lies south from the Santo Tomás porphyry copper project, and contains quartz monzonite dikes and hornfelsed andesite.
  • Millrock Resources Inc. reported second phase drilling results from its Navidad project in Sonora. The program focused on targets identified by soil and rock sampling, geophysical surveys and trenching, as well as the Crossover and El Cobre prospects. In total 2,969 m in 14 holes were drilled. Highlighted core length intercepts include 3.9 m @ 1.78 g/t Au; 12.5 m @ 1.14 g/t Au; 8.0 m @ 0.46 g/t Au; 6.3 m @ 0.39 g/t Au, 3.3 m @ 3.84 g/t Au; 8.7 m @ 0.43 g/t Au, 9.0 m @ 0.39 g/t Au; 5.5 m @ 0.72 g/t Au; 8.5 m @ 0.39 g/t Au; 2.6 m @ 1.73 g/t Au; 6.3 m @ 0.43 g/t Au; 7.9 m @ 2.34 g/t Au; 6.0 m @ 0.45 g/t Au; 17.4 m @ 1.61 g/t Au; 9.2 m @ 0.71 g/t Au.
  • One World Lithium Inc. has accepted the Lithium Partnership’s final report summarizing pre-drilling programs for its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California. Eleven drill hole locations have been selected to test the three geophysical anomalies and two geochemical targets. One World intends to commence drilling on the latter part of October 2018.

ON MINING

  • Hecla Mining Co. reported second quarter 2018 results, including figures from its San Sebastian project in Durango, where 559,647 Oz Ag, 3,872 Oz Au were produced during the period. The mill operated at an average of 415 tpd (tons per day). Cash cost was $9.79 per Ag Oz and AISC $17.15 per Ag Oz, reflecting the higher cost of transitioning from open pit to underground mining. “A reduction in per ounce costs is expected in the second half of the year as underground production continues to ramp up”.
  • Torex Gold Inc. reported its financial results for the second quarter 2018. Mine production at Limon-Guajes totaled 7.15 Mt (tonnes), averaging 78,629 tpd (tonnes per day) of which 1.28 Mt was ore processed at 11,140 tpd. Mined ore averaged 2.45 g/t Au and processed ore 2.86 g/t Au, for the production of 78,796 Oz Au, with 87% Au recovery in the period and cash cost of $680 per Oz Au and AISC of $1,017 per Oz Au. Cash held at the end of the period was $117.9 M.
  • Golden Minerals Co. announced financial results for the second quarter 2018. During the quarter Golden reported final drill results from the Santa Maria project (Chihuahua) 2017-2018 drill program and announced the preparation of an updated technical report and preliminary economic assessment (PEA). In August 2018, Golden entered into a non-binding letter of intent with The Electrum Group LLC upon which Electrum is to purchase Golden’s remaining interest in the Celaya property in Guanajuato for a payment of $3 M. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $2.5 M at the end of the period.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc. released financial results for the second quarter 2018. During the period the company produced 38,441 GEOs (Gold equivalent ounces) at cash cost $704 per Oz Au and AISC of $832 per Oz Au. At El Castillo, in Durango, 2.22 Mt (tonnes) of waste, and 2.15 Mt (tonnes) were moved, with 2.12 Mt ore @ 0.37 g/t Au crushed to the pads to produce 10,079 Oz Au, 8,111 Oz Ag at cash cost $992 per Au Oz. At San Agustin in Durango, 618 Kt of waste, 1.85 Mt of ore were moved, with 1.88 Mt of ore @ 0.36 g/t Au crushed to the pads to produce 15,528 Oz Au, 55,781 Oz Ag. At La Colorada, in Sonora, 1.81 Mt of waste, 1.06 Mt of ore were moved (32 K tpd), with 1.14 Mt of ore @ 0.36 g/t Au crushed to leach pads to produce 11,503 Oz Au, 29,360 Oz Ag at cash cost $833. “The Company expects the third quarter 2018 will see lower production due to the lower grades stacked on the leach pad during the second quarter 2018 and also expects higher costs during the third quarter 2018 associated with drilling, blasting and hauling costs for normal state operations”.” While the Company’s explosives permit has been reinstated at La Colorada, the legal action brought against the Secretary of National Defense and the Municipality of La Colorada continues through the Judiciary court process”.
  • Alio Gold Inc. reported second quarter 2018 results. The San Francisco mine in Sonora produced 14,466 Oz Au, 7,661 Oz Ag at by-product cash cost $950 per Oz Au, while AISC was $1,172 per Oz Au. The Company is reducing stripping and focuses mining on more profitable ounces to maintain cash neutral operations. As a result of the reduced stripping, the ”production guidance of 90,000 to 100,000 ounces of gold for 2018 will not be met.” At Ana Paula in Guerrero, all development work including the construction of the underground decline, the completion of the feasibility study and further exploration have been temporarily suspended as result of the recent decline in the gold price.
  • Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. reported second quarter 2018 results. “Odyssey holds a controlling interest in Oceanica Resources, S. de R.L., and ExO, a subsidiary of Oceanica. ExO controls exclusive 50-year mining permits in an area in Mexican waters that contains a large amount of phosphate mineralized material”.” On March 21, 2018, the 11-judge panel of the Superior Court of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice in Mexico ruled unanimously in favor of ExO, nullifying the original denial of the environmental permit application.“ (Don Diego, Pacific Ocean cost of Baja California Sur)

ON FINANCING

  • Harvest Gold Corp. closed a fourth and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement to raise CDN$200 K for a total of CDN$857 K gross proceeds. “The Company paid finder’s fees of 8% cash and 8% warrants to Canaccord Genuity Corp. on certain funds”. Harvest delivered $700 K to Evrim Resources Corp. to fund the Cerro Cascaron project (in Chihuahua) drill program of up to 3,000 m, beginning the third week of September.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Hecla Mining Co. reported on brownfield exploration on its mining units, including on the San Sebastian project in Durango, where it continues to expand high-grade polymetallic zones on the Middle and Francine veins. Additional oxide mineralization is being defined along the Professor and East Francine veins. On the Francine vein mineralization has been traced for over 360 m on surface, and over 240 at depth, but once incorporated the newly defined East Francine vein the total strike length of continuous mineralization along the Francine Vein exceeds 2,400 m and can be traced to a depth of over 600 m. Proven and probable reserves stand at 398 K tons @ 3.42 g/t Au, 432 g/t Ag, containing 43,000 Oz Au, 5.52 M Oz Ag and Measured and Indicated resources of 1.5 M tons @ 2.25 g/t Au, 186 g/t Ag, 2.9% Pb, 3.8% Zn, 1.7% Cu, containing 103,000 Oz Au, 8.8 M Oz Ag, 15,520 tons Pb, 20,350 tons Zn, 9,020 tons Cu.Hecla-Q2-2018-ExplorationUpdate1 - copia
  • Alio Gold Inc. informed on the update of mineral reserve estimates at its San Francisco mine in Sonora. “Mining depletion of Mineral Reserves was partly offset by expansion of the reserves in Phases 6 through 9 of the San Francisco Pit. Total proven and probable mineral reserves totaled 854,472 ounces of gold (55.5 million tonnes at 0.49 g/t) as of July 1, 2018, an approximate decrease of 74,228 ounces of gold or 8% from April 1, 2017.”
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. informed on its plan to start pilot plant production at its Plomosas project in Chihuahua. The mining scoping studies focus on sulfide mineralization of the updated resource, starting with a 20,400 tonnes indicated resource @ 13.8% Zn, 2.4% Pb. The capital cost is expected to be low, including plant refurbishment and tailings dam upgrade.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Golden Reign Resources Ltd. and Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. Entered into a definitive agreement to combine businesses and amend stream agreement with Sailfish Royalty Corp. Golden Reign will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Marlin and satisfaction of all closing conditions of the business combination by way of plan of arrangement. As a condition to closing the Transaction, Sailfish has agreed to restructure its existing gold stream on San Albino (La Trinidad, Sinaloa).
  • Megastar Development Corp. closed the transaction to acquire 100% interest on the Rama de Oro, Magdalena and Yautepec projects in Oaxaca. Megastar paid USD$45 K and issued 1.5 M common shares to Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V., as contemplated in the option agreement. “Furthermore, Mr. David M. Jones, president of Minera Zalamera, has been appointed to the board of directors of Megastar.”
  • San Marco Resources Inc. signed an earn-in agreement with Antofagasta plc on the Chunibas project, located in Sonora. Antofagasta can acquire a 70% interest in the project by spending US$8 M in exploration, and making cash payments on the aggregate of US$200 K over a period of 4 years. A firm commitment of US$700 K will be used primarily for an initial drill program, including $100 K of reimbursement to San Marco of recent exploration expenditures. “The Project consists of stratiform, volcanic hosted coppersilver mineralization, similar to several ore deposits in northern Chile and is a style of mineralisation not previously discovered in Mexico.”

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

On the picture below, open cut in one of the structures of the Pozos District, Guanajuato. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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Highlights on the Second Week of December, 2017. Mineral Exploration in Mexico

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

During the 50th week of the year (December 11th to December 17th, 2017), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES: The workers of the El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero voted for returning to work, in a poll sponsored by the company to show the government the worker’s support. The Federal and State authorities keep dragging their feet to end the illegal blockade that has lasted for six weeks now. ON EXPLORATION: six press releases from companies working in Mexico informed on exploration efforts during the week: In Sonora Riverside informed partner Centerra Gold commenced a drill program on its Glor project. Colibri Resource released drill intercepts by Agnico Eagle in its JV Pitaya project. Azure Minerals confirmed extensive high-grade Zn-Pb intersections on its drilling at Oposura; In Chihuahua, Harvest Gold is seeking the permit for drilling at Cerro Cascaron; In Sinaloa, Chesapeake Gold informed on drill results at its Yareli project; In Veracruz, Almadex presented high-grade Cu-Au intersection on its El Cobre project.  ON MINING: Torex Gold informed that a majority of its workers voted to end the illegal blockade to its Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. ON FINANCING: Silver Spruce is conducting a financing round in Hong Kong aiming to raise up to US $1.8 M (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua); Kootenay Silver closed the first tranche of its private non-brokered placement, for gross proceeds of $3.8 M; Mammoth Resources closed its private non-brokered placement for gross proceeds of $720 K; Bacanora Minerals informed that Next View Capital acquired 19.9% of the company, raising $C53.5 M; Primero Mining agreed on another revolving credit facility extension; Consolidated Zinc announced the commitment by investors to a placement for $1.96 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT: In Veracruz, Mexican Gold presented further high-grade results from its drilling at Las Minas; In Puebla, Almaden Minerals completed a social impact assessment at its Ixtaca project. In Durango, Excellon commenced an extensive exploration program at its Platosa mine property. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Viper signed a LOI on the three core claims of the La Virginia project in Sonora; In Zacatecas, Santacruz Silver and the Contracuña companies amended the agreement on the purchase of the Veta Grande properties. Concurrently, Santacruz Silver and Carrizal Mining signed an agreement upon which Carrizal can obtain a 20% interest on the Veta Grande and other Zacatecas properties.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced drill results provided by its JV partner Agnico Eagle on its Pitaya project in Sonora. Highlighted intervals comprise 2.2 m @ 20.96 g/t Au, 57 g/t Ag; 20 m @ 0.42 g/t Au; 19.0 m @ 0.50 g/t Au; 32.1 m @ 0.45 g/t Au; 27.0 m @ 0.37 g/t Au, 65.0 m @ 0.30 g/t Au; 25.0 m @ 0.80 g/t Au; 37.1 m @ 0.55 g/t Au; 29.30 m @ 0.57 g/t Au. A total of 7,286 m in 26 drill holes have been sunk, drilling is still in progress.
  • Riverside Resources Inc. announced that partner, Centerra Gold Inc., commenced a 1,200 m drill program at the Glor project in Sonora. The diamond drill campaign is focusing on targets developed by detailed mapping, soil geochemistry, two ground magnetic surveys and an induced polarization survey.
  • Azure Minerals Ltd. confirmed extensive high-grade Zn-Pb at its Oposura project in Sonora. Highlights include intercepts of 17.35 m @ 3.7% Zn, 4.0 % Pb, 18 g/t Ag; 2.30 m @ 5.3% Zn, 3.9% Pb, 15 g/t Ag; 6.85 m @ 9.0% Zn, 4.0% Pb, 39 g/t Ag; 4.30 m @ 2.3% Zn, 1.1% Pb, 5 g/t Ag; 6.15 m @ 2.9% Zn, 2.6% Pb, 19 g/t Ag; 4.32 m @ 6.4% Zn, 5.0% Pb, 26 g/t Ag; 16.62 m @ 12.7% Zn, 5.5% Pb, 27 g/t Ag; 5.2 m @ 4.9% Zn, 3.1% Pb, 11 g/t Ag; 6.95 m @ 4.3% Zn, 1.2% Pb, 15 g/t Ag; 3.95 m @ 4.7% Zn, 5.3% Pb, 26 g/t Ag; 5.35 m @ 8.1% Zn, 4.7% Pb, 27 g/t Ag; 6.40 m @ 10.4% Zn, 5.9% Pb, 42 g/t Ag; 3.95 m @ 8.8% Zn, 5.9% Pb, 49 g/t Ag. Samples for 43 holes have been sent for analysis, with assays received for 19 of these holes. To date 62 holes have been drilled, for 3,661 m, with the second-half of the resource drill-out program progressing well.
  • Almadex Minerals Ltd. presented results from two more holes from the Raya Tembrillo area, which is the northern part of the Villa Rica zone of its El Cobre project in Veracruz. Drill core intercepts comprise 100.0 m @ 0.15 g/t Au, 0.67% Cu (including 48.0 m@ 0.29 g/t Au, 1.23% Cu) of chalcocite dominant enriched zone and 205.40 m @ 0.18 g/t Au, 0.20% Cu (including 82.0 m @ 0.20 g/t Au, 0.28% Cu) of hypogene mineralization in one hole; 20.0 m @ 0.34 g/t Au, 0.04% Cu in the gold zone, 94.0 m @ 0.07 g/t Au, 1.36% Cu (including 43.0 m @ 0.09 g/t Au, 2.45% Cu) in the enriched zone, and 58.0 m @ 0.18 g/t Au, 0.22% Cu in the hypogene zone.
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. provided an update of phase 1 drilling and district wide exploration at its 72,000 hectare Yareli project in Sinaloa. At the Central prospect five core holes have been drilled with 1,200 m testing stockwork zones over one Km in length and quartz-calcite veins. Three holes demonstrated a zonation of shallow zinc (0.3%) to copper at depth (40-189 m of > 400 ppm Cu) in disseminated pyrite and veinlets with trace chalcopyrite. At the Central-Spaniard zone two holes intersected veins running 1.0 m @ 6.3 g/t Au, 969 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.6% Zn and 5.1 m @ 0.6 g/t Au, 58 g/t Ag. At Loretos an ongoing drill hole has intersected over 100 m of feld-K alteration and silica flooded breccias cut by quartz veinlets with sulfides. At the Yasmin prospect geochemical sampling over an IP anomaly has returned 0.1 to 0.7 g/t Au in zones 5 to 30 m wide, while quartz veins returned 3.3 m @ 5.0 g/t Au, 179 g/t Ag; 3.0 m @ 4.2 g/t Au. At the Lucy prospect, channel sampling has returned 30 m @ 0.4 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, 3.7% Zn; 3 m @ 0.5 g/t Au, 24 g/t Ag, 5.5% Zn, 0.3% Cu.
  • Harvest Gold Corp. announced that the permitting process to drill its Cerro Cascaron project in Chihuahua is underway. The drill program includes up to 30 holes from 50 to 300 m in length in the 6,900 hectare project.

ON MINING

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported that a majority of its employees have voted to return to work immediately. Torex organized an off-site vote on December 14 2017, for its 520 employees that are eligible to join a union. The purpose of the vote was to give union eligible employees an opportunity to speak for themselves in a safe and independent environment. “During the vote, unionized employees were asked if they wanted the illegal blockade lifted immediately so they can return to work. In the end, the vote was overwhelmingly (99%) in favour of lifting the blockade immediately. 274 of the 520 voters were able to attend and vote. The Company could not send buses to the communities that are behind the blockades. The Company believes the numbers able to attend the vote, would have been much higher if it were not for Los Mineros intimidation of local employees. An example of such intimidation was the stopping of a vehicle that was taking employees from behind the blockade to the vote. Employees on the vehicle were told to get out of the vehicle. They did, and walked home.”

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. received a financing mandate letter from Securities Ltd. a brokerage firm from Hong Kong, to provide up to US$1.8 M in gross proceeds. The agent will receive 10% of the capital raised by the agent and 1% of the capital raised by the company. Proceeds are to be used to fund the drill program at Pino de Plata, in Chihuahua, and for other ends.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. has closed the initial tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3.9 M. Cash finder’s fee of $154.6 K have been paid (La Cigarra, Chihuhahua).
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of $720 K. The proceeds are to be used on drilling up to 3,000 m testing up to 24 targets along a 5 km trend of gold-silver mineralization on its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua.
  • Bacanora Minerals Ltd. announced that NextView Capital, a Chinese institutional fund management group focused on new technologies and energy, agreed to acquire 19.89% equity interest in Bacanora. The C$53.5 M raised by the placement will be used for the continued development of the Sonora Lithium project. Bacanora has agreed to supply 5 K tpa (tonnes per annum) of Li carbonate, with a firm commitment to supply 8 K tpa lithium carbonate during stage 2 and to supply a further 7 K tpa Li carbonate during stage 2.
  • Primero Mining Corp. agreed with its lenders to an extension of its revolving credit facility and guarantee provided by Wheaton Precious Metals Corp, from December 15 to December 22, 2017. This agreement provides the ability to continue negotiations surrounding its previously announced strategic review process and the possible divestiture of its San Dimas mine in Durango.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. received commitments for a placement of $1.96 M from new and existing investors. The funds raised will be used to accelerate resource drilling that is currently underway in the Plomosas mine and several new areas (Plomosas, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mexican Gold Corp. presented drill results from four more holes at its Las Minas project in Veracruz. The holes were testing the dike contact mineralized zones, intersecting 38.0 m @ 3.53 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, 1.5% Cu (including 14.0 m @ 2.00 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, 3.0% Cu); 44.0 m @ 1.71 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag, 1.2% Cu (including 22.0 m @ 2.85 g/t Ag, 5 g/t Ag, 1.4% Cu); 30.0 m @ 0.72 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, 1.2% Cu (including 0.82 g/t Au, 7 g/t Ag, 1.6% Cu); 22.0 m @ 1.14 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, 1.2% Cu (including 4.0 m @ 4.2 g/t Au, 23 g/t Ag, 4.8% Cu).
  • Leagold Mining Corp. completed the Bermejal Underground drill program at the Los Filos mine in Guerrero. The program totaled 56,191 m in 111 holes. Highlights of 10 new holes comprise true width intercepts of 8.83 m @ 3.74 g/t Au, 16.02 m @ 7.25 g/t Au, 2.80 m @ 3.42 g/t Au in one hole; 2.22 m @ 5.90 g/t Au, 3.89 m @ 4.98 g/t Au, 0.94 m @ 19.55 g/t Au, 4.04 m @ 8.68 g/t Au in a second hole; 4.11 m @ 4.04 g/t Au, 8.02 m @ 3.53 g/t Au, 5.80 m @ 3.92 g/t Au, 2.46 m @ 23 .63 g/t Au in other hole; 7.44 m @ 9.96 g/t Au; 10.58 m @ 8.36 g/t Au; 3.29 m @ 14.73 g/t Au, 8.57 m @ 11.00 g/t Au, etc. “The Bermejal Underground deposit is at the northern end of a large intrusive body which has a total circumference of at least 15 kilometres, ….. mineralization extends approximately 1,600 metres along the strike of the intrusive contact and has a vertical depth extent of over 800 metres.”
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. completed a social impact assessment (SIA) at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. The study was completed by GMI Consulting, a firm with extensive Mexican and International experience in human rights, environment and economics. This is the first time that such a study has been completed in the minerals industry in Mexico, as only the energy industry requires its filing for permitting. The report key points include: that Almaden Minerals consultation process complies with the Equator principles and international best practices and that Almaden has consulted widely within the Focus area communities, the Ixtaca project was understood, and that the SIA itself was successful in providing people with an opportunity to express their views on the impacts of the project.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. commenced an extensive surface exploration program on the 21,000 hectare Platosa property in Durango, targeting extensions to the Platosa mine and new manto and skarn discoveries. The program comprises an extensive soil program and induced polarization survey at developing targets, including Saltillera, Jaboncillo and San Gilberto as well as 30,000 m of diamond drilling. The drilling is focused on defining additional tonnage at the Platosa mine, finding new mineralization manto targets on the Platosa corridor, south of the Guadalupe South manto, and north of the Guadalupe North manto, manto targets defined by IP and gravity geophysics and skarn targets similar to Rincon (43.4 m @ 146 g/t Ag, 2.8% Pb, 1.9% zn, 0.22 g/t Au), which have been defined through reprocessing of IP, magnetics (ZTEM) and gravity geophysics,

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. signed a non-binding 120 days letter of intent (LOI) on three mineral concessions forming the core of the La Virginia gold-silver project in Sonora. Silver Viper can earn 100% ownership of the 2,102 hectare project by making cash payments totaling US$4.5 M in staged payments over a four year period as follows: First anniversary US$200 K, second anniversary US$500K, third anniversary US$1 M, fourth anniversary US$2.8 M. The company is to assume the claim taxes and maintenance costs, while owners retain a 2% NSR which might be purchased for US$2.0 M within 5 years of the effective date, or for US$3.0 M after that period. “La Virginia is characterized by laterally extensive epithermal style gold-silver mineralization in quartz stockworks, veins and hydrothermal breccias hosted in andesites and felsic dykes….The largest historical workings, “La Virginia” and “Con Virginia” are still accessible and host mineralization ranging between one metre to greater than twenty metres in thickness.”
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reached an agreement with the Contracuña group of companies to amend the terms of the option agreement to acquire 100% ownership of the Veta Grande project, including the Veta Grande mine and mill facilities as well as the Minillas property in Zacatecas. The amended payment schedule is as follows: US$500 K paid on December 13, 2017; US$500 K on December 2018; US$2.5 M on December 2019; US$2.5 M on December 2020; US$5 M on December 2021; US$4.5 M on December 2022. Contracuña keeps a 1% NSR that commences on December 2022, same that can be bought by US$ 1.5M.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. concurrently with the above entered into a binding LOI with Carrizal Mining S.A. de C.V., pursuant to which Carrizal will acquire 20% working interest in the Veta Grande project, as well as the Zacatecas properties under option by Santacruz from Golden Minerals Company. Carrizal can earn in its 20% by funding 100% of the cost of the increase in capacity of the Veta Grande mill to 750 tpd, as well as providing drill rig and drilling materials to conduct exploration drill campaigns at the Veta Grande mine and Panuco deposit. In addition, Carrizal is providing a short-term working capital advance of US$500 K. Upon completion of the required earn-in expenditures a (20%) Carrizal and (80%) Santacruz joint venture will be formed.
  • Canasil Resources Inc.’s have approved a plan of arrangement to segregate its British Columbia properties (Esperanza, Zacatecas).

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

On the picture below, Fault scarp on quartzite, Durango. Photo by Jorge Cirett.

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Highlights on the Fourth Week of November, 2017. Mineral Exploration in Mexico

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

During the 47th week of the year (November 20th to November 26th, 2017), at least 32 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES: No relevant news. ON EXPLORATION: six companies informed on exploration efforts during the week: In Sonora Azure Minerals reported favorable metallurgical results from its Oposura project. In Chihuahua Monarca is to acquire the San Jose project; Mammoth Resources mobilized equipment to drill its Tenoriba property. In Sinaloa Starcore is to acquire the Santa Fe project, with an historical Au-Ag resource. Silver Bull released drill results from the sulfide zone at Sierra Mojada; Prize Mining is to acquire the Manto Negro stratabound copper project. Evrim Resources announced the acquisition of the Cuale high sulfidation property. In Veracruz Mexican Gold announced step-out drilling mineralization intercepts at Las Minas. ON MINING: Impact Silver presented its quarterly report. Marlin Gold informed on the mining program at La Trinidad in Sinaloa.  In Zacatecas, operations recommenced at the Santacruz Silver’s Veta Grande mill after the PROFEPA suspension. MX Gold informed on advance at the Magistral tailings project in Durango. Americas Silver informed the San Rafael mine is sourcing all ore treated in Cosalá. ON FINANCING: Telson Resources received $1 M from the exercise of warrants. Aztec Minerals is now trading on the USA. Primero Mining obtained an extension on its revolving credit facility. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT: Leagold Mining reported more high-grade results from drilling at Bermejal Underground on its Los Filos property in Guerrero. Stroud Resources announced an updated resource estimate for its Santo Domingo Hostotipaquillo deposit in Jalisco. Almaden Resources released more drill results from the Ixtaca deposit in Puebla.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES: Soleil Capital and Goldplay Exploration are to amalgamate to create a precious metals exploration company focused in Mexico. Monarca Minerals signed a LOI to acquire the San Jose property in Chihuahua. Starcore entered into a LOI to acquire the Santa Fe property in Sinaloa. Camrova Minerals (Baja Mining) has seen its interest on El Boleo property (in Baja California) reduced to 7.3%. Bacanora Minerals is involved in a lawsuit over a 3% royalty on its Sonora lithium project. Golden Goliath has received the fifth payment on the option of its Uruachic properties. Prize mining is to acquire the Manto Negro project in Coahuila from Scion Mines.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Azure Minerals Ltd. reported metallurgical results from its Oposura project in Sonora. The test returned over 70% and 80% recoveries respectively for Pb and Zn, producing a lead concentrate (>55% Pb, 360 g/t Ag) and a zinc concentrate (>55% Zn) with low levels of deleterious elements. More metallurgical studies will be undertaken on core material from the present drill campaign.
  • Monarca Minerals Inc. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire the San Jose property in Chihuahua. The 5,580 hectares project shows disseminations, stockwork and veins of skarn, gossan and altered intrusive rocks, with assays of up to 26.8 g/t Au, 161 g/t Ag, 6.5% Pb, 0.9% Zn, 4.2% Cu.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Eduardo de la Peña Gaitan and other owners, to acquire the 21,000 hectare Santa Fe project in Sinaloa. Previous exploration included 13,000 m of drilling in 2013, establishing an historical (Non 43-101 compliant) open pit resource of 285 K AuEq Oz in 5 M tonnes @ 89 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au; or an underground resource of 225 K AuEq Oz in 1.28 M tonnes @ 266 g/t Ag, 1.83 g/t Au.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. has mobilized a drill rig and a bulldozer to its Tenoriba property in Chihuahua. The company is to begin a 3,000 m drill program in 8 to 24 holes to test gold-silver targets on a 5 km strike length within a 15 square Km area of ubiquitous high sulfidation gold mineralization. The company announced the release of a technical report on the drill selection criteria.
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. released results from four drill holes testing the sulfide zone below the previously defined oxide zone on its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Highlighted results comprise 9 m @ 20.7% Zn, 1.0% Pb, 98 g/t Ag, 0.26% Cu, including 3.65 m @ 47.8% Zn, 2.5% Pb, 105 g/t Ag, 0.26% Cu; 3 m @ 537 g/t Ag, 3.9% Zn, 1.1% Cu, including 1 m @ 1,280 g/t Ag, 14.8% Zn, 2.3% Cu.
  • Prize Mining Corp. entered into an agreement (see the appropriate section below) to acquire the Manto Negro copper project in Coahuila. The project consists of seven mining concession covering 17,959 hectares. “The Project is identified as a stratabound Cu-Ag (+/- Pb-Zn) oxidized “Red Bed type” copper deposit… The Project area is hosted by Cretaceous carbonates and sandstones with exposures of mineralization being identified in numerous locations occurring in concordant layers ranging from 2 to 23 metres thick that are referred to as “Mantos”. Exposures of this mineralization have been identified over the 50-kilometre length of the Project.” The grades of historical sampling, trenching and drilling range from 0.73% to 5.55% Cu, 19 to 793 g/t Ag, 1.5 to 15% Pb and 0.3 to 3.64% Zn.
  • Mexican Gold Corp. announced that drilling to expand the high-grade dike contact mineralization previously encountered at its Las Minas project in Veracruz has successfully intersected long intervals of chalcopyrite-magnetite mineralization in five additional holes. Core length intervals include: 0 m; Cumulative 48.0 m; 20.3 m; cumulative 28.0 m, 28.0 m of chalcopyrite-magnetite mineralization.
  • Evrim Resources Corp. announced the acquisition and early exploration results of the 97 square kilometer Cuale gold project in Jalisco. The Cuale project was initially staked under the Callinan Royalties generative alliance (now owned by Altius Minerals Corp.) with formal title granted to Evrim for 100% ownership in November 2017. “Mineralization is found in moderately to strongly silicified rhyolite that contains up to 10% specular hematite in boxworks, interpreted to have formed after pyrite. Zones of pervasive silicification with strong clay alteration of phenocrysts trending to vuggy silica are observed..” Seven rock chip samples collected on a 500 m by 250 m zone returned from 0.19 to 4.56 g/t Au.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. released its financial and production third quarter 2017 report. Production at the Guadalupe mill came primarily from the San Ramon Deeps, Cuchara and San Patricio mines. Highly variable ore from the San Ramon Deeps mine contributed to the lower grade mill feed @ 175 g/t Ag. Total silver production was 229.9 K Oz. Exploration work is focused on the Alacran, Alacran North, San Ramon North and El Paso vein. The company had a $6.0 M cash position at the end of the period.
  • Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. informed that most of the mining during the year at La Trinidad, in Sinaloa, focused on expanding and deepening the north side of the Taunus pit, while waste removal continues on the southern part of the pit. Up to the end of October, 35,500 Oz Au have been shipped. Drilling commenced at the Colinas target, 1.2 km south of the pit.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. recommenced operations at its Veta Grande mill in Zacatecas, following the authorization by PROFEPA and SEMARNAT (Environmental agencies in Mexico).
  • MX Gold Corp. informed all major tankage at the Magistral tailings project in Durango has been installed, with the grinding mill scheduled for completion in Early December 2017, and the installation of the Merrul-Crowe circuit underway.
  • Americas Silver Corp. informed production from the San Rafael mine at the company’s Cosalá operations in Sinaloa is now the sole source of mill feed. The mine is currently producing over 1,000 tonnes per day (tpd) of the targeted 1,500 tpd, with a stockpile of over 25 k tonnes from San Rafael and further 50 K tonnes of ore from Nuestra Señora.

ON FINANCING

  • Telson Resources Inc. reported that all the warrants issued as part of a private placement on November 2015 have been exercised, resulting in CAD$1 M in proceeds (Tahuehueto, Durango; Campo Morado, Guerrero).
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. has been approved to commence trading in the USA as of Nov 20th 2017, on the OTCQB under the symbol AZZTF (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Primero Mining Corp. has agreed in principle with its lenders to an extension to its revolving credit facility and guarantee provided by Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., previously maturing on November 23, 2017. The facility has been extended to December 1, 2017, providing the company to continue negotiations on its strategic review process and the possible divestiture of its San Dimas mine in Durango.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Leagold Mining Corp. reported additional high-grade results from the Bermejal Underground drill program at the Los Filos mine in Guerrero. “Bermejal Underground is at the northern end of a large intrusive body which has a total circumference of at least 15 kilometres…” The area being drilled extends 1,600 m along the strike of the intrusive contact and has a vertical depth extent of over 800 m. The drilling shows consistent oxide mineralization at carbonate/intrusive contacts either along the intrusive contact or below the intersection between the sill and the Bermejal intrusive contact. An updated resource estimate is expected before year end.

Leagold Bermejal Underground drilling1

  • Stroud Resources Ltd. updated the resource estimate in a new technical report on its Santo Domingo Hostotipaquillo project in Jalisco. The reports confirms the presence of 6.1 M tonnes @ 0.47 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag and 3.48 M tones @ 0.39 g/t Au which contain 91.6 K Oz Au, 19 M Oz Ag as measured and indicated resources and 43.2 K Oz Au, 10 M Oz Ag as inferred resources. La Raya vein has a mineralized zone 35 m wide over 700 m along strike and 300 m of depth; and the Guadalupe vein is typically 15 to 30 m wide. Five additional veins have been identified for further exploration.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. released drill results from its ongoing exploration and development program for the feasibility study (FS) of the Ixtaca deposit at its Tuligtic project in Puebla. Two holes confirmed the discovery of an ore zone within a portion of the pit considered waste in the prefeasibility study (PFS). The holes intersected 23 m @ 0.45 g/t Au; 38.6 m @ 7.92 g/t Au, 15 g/t Ag (including 1 m @ 237 g/t Au, 232 g/t Ag); 20.4 m @ 0.89 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag (including 7.0 m @ 2.07 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag).

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Soleil Capital Corp. entered into an amalgamation agreement with Goldplay Exploration Ltd. on a business combination transaction. “The purpose of the Proposed Transaction is the creation of a public, TSX Venture Exchange-listed, Mexico-focused, precious metals exploration company utilizing Goldplay’s mineral exploration strategy and experience related to the Rosario District..” in Sinaloa. Upon completion of the transaction the resulting issuer will be named Goldplay Exploration Ltd. and will be listed as a Tier 2 Mining Issuer on the Exchange.
  • Monarca Minerals Inc. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire the San Jose property in Chihuahua. The 5,580 hectares project shows disseminations, stockwork and veins of skarn, gossan and altered intrusive rocks. The terms of the LOI include a US$20 K payment on execution of the LOI (paid), US$20 K on execution of the definitive agreement, US$50 K on the first anniversary, and US100 K on the second anniversary, with the owners retaining a 2% NSR, of which one percent can be purchased by Monarca for US$100 k. Back taxes on the property of US$390 K will be paid over a period of time. Concession taxes per year are approximately US$46 K.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Eduardo de la Peña Gaitan and other owners, to acquire the 21,000 hectare Santa Fe project in Sinaloa. Starcore has up to 120 days to conduct due diligence work, and 30 days to complete the acquisition. Starcore is to issue 5 M shares to the owners upon signing, and will be released on four installments, and pay US$6 M as follows: US$2 M on execution; US$1 M on 18 months; US$1 M on 36 months; US$1 M on 48 months; US$1 M on 60 months.
  • Camrova Resources Inc. (Baja Mining Corp.) informed that its interest in Minera y Metalurgica del Boleo S.A. P.I, de C.V. has been reduced from 10% to 7.3%. This is a result of Korea Resource Corporation funding Camrova’s pro rata ($42.9 M) on cash calls amounting $429 M. The Boleo project is to annually produce 30 K tonnes Cu, 700 tonnes Co, 10,500 K tonnes Zn sulfate (Boleo, Baja California).
  • Bacanora Minerals Ltd. announced that it filed a statement of claim seeking to void ab initio, a 3% gross over-riding royalty held by the Estate of Colin Orr-Ewing over certain of Bacanora assets in Sonora. The company also announced amendments to the employment arrangements of certain members of the executive management firm.
  • Bacanora Minerals Ltd. has been served by the estate of the late Ian Colin Orr-Ewing with legal proceedings filed on September 20th September 2017, on a dispute regarding the ownership of 3% gross overriding royalties over Bacanora’s Sonora Lithium project and Magdalena Borates project. The Estate currently owns 8.15% of the common shares of Bacanora.
  • Golden Goliath Resources Ltd. has now received the fifth in a series of seven optional payments from Fresnillo PLC for the properties optioned to them in the Uruachic mining district in Chihuahua. This $100 K payment is to be followed by another $100 k due on May 2018 and a final US$2.3 M payment on November 2018, if Fresnillo is to keep the property. Golden Goliath plans to use the final payment to pay for the drill program on its 100% owned San Timoteo property in Chihuahua.
  • Prize Mining Corp. entered into an agreement with Scion Mines S.A. de C.V. to acquire 100% interest in the Manto Negro copper project in Coahuila, by issuing 6 M shares with a restricted lock-up and restricted resale period. Six million shares more are to be issued if the next milestones are met on a 43-101 technical report: 2 M bonus shares if the estimated copper resource is over 500 M Lb; 2 M bonus shares if the estimated copper resource is over 750 M Lb; 2 M bonus shares if the estimated copper resource is over 1 B Lb.

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

On the picture below, magnetite-chalcopyrite mineralization on drill core from Las Minas, Veracruz. Photo by Mexican Gold Corp. on its Nov 23rd, 2017 press release.

Core from Las Minas, Veracruz, photo from press release in Nov 2017