The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fifth Week of April, 2020

May 3, 2020May 3, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 18^th week of the year (April 27^th to May 3^rd, 2020), at least 34 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, INEGI presented production of metals and minerals for February. Camimex continues seeking the lifting of the mining halt during the current Coronavirus emergency. The Silver Institute informed Mexico continues to hold the premier position in silver production. Canada, unlike Mexico, permitted mines to operate under the Covid-19 emergency. ON EXPLORATION, in Baja California, One World Lithium is planning to begin drilling in June 2020. In Sonora, Colibri released drilling results at Evelyn, and completed a drone survey at El Mezquite; Sonoro updated on exploration at Cerro Caliche. In Durango, Canasil outlined plans for a drill program at Nora. In Jalisco, GoGold released results from eight holes at Los Ricos South. ON MINING, Sierra Metals and Equinox Gold reported on the extension of the suspension on mining in Mexico. Agnico Eagle, Capstone, Fresnillo PLC, Excellon Resources, Consolidated Zinc and Alamos Gold released first quarter 2020 results. ON FINANCING, Mag silver completed a non-brokered private placement for C$60 M. SilverCrest Metals closed the private placement for C$27 M. Discovery Metals granted 4.83 M shares. Mexus Gold converted $242.5 K of debt into shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Torex gold updated mineral resources at its El Limon Guajes mine in Guerrero. Agnico Eagle updated on the exploration status of the Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora. Evrim announced an update on the Ermitaño mineral resources in Sonora. Consolidated Zinc updated the mineral resources estimate at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Minera Alamos reported results from drilling at its Santana project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Telson Mining, Santacruz Silver, Kootenay Silver and Canuc Resources announced that they are to abide by the Canadian Securities Administration extension granted for their annual filings. Xtierra informed on the deal with Minera Portree for control of the Bilbao deposit in Zacatecas, as well of an NSR on claims in the area of Capstone’s Cozamin mine. GR Silver completed the second option payment on the San Marcial project in Sinaloa. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. The AIMMGM and Mujeres WIM de Mexico, from Sinaloa donated food for doctors and health workers. Minera Mexico donated 500 food packages in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua. Minera Cuzcatan created a fund for community emergencies. Fresnillo is building a prefabricated hospital in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Fresnillo PLC is sanitizing public spaces in Caborca, Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

According to INEGI (Mexican Statistics Bureau), during January of 2020 the gold production was: Sonora 3,115 Kg, Guerrero 1,592 kg, Chihuahua 1,554 kg, Zacatecas 1,157 Kg and Durango 976 Kg. For the same period silver production was: Chihuahua 102,205 Kg, Durango 74,909 Kg and Zacatecas 203,251 Kg. Lead production was: Zacatecas 13,184 tonnes, Chihuahua 3,289 tonnes and Durango 1,904 tonnes. For zinc production was: Zacatecas 29,931 tonnes, Chihuahua 9,030 tonnes and Durango 8,364 tonnes. On iron production was: Coahuila 338,198 tonnes, Colima 201,016 tonnes, Michoacan 198,023 tonnes, Chihuahua 37,664 tonnes and Durango 8,767 tonnes.
CAMIMEX and the PRI senate members had a virtual conference on which they shared their viewpoints on how the COVID-19 emergency is to affect the mining industry and what can be done to ameliorate the damage.
The Silver Institute informed that Mexico maintains its position as the major silver producer in the World. In 2019 Mexico produced 190.3 M Oz, Perú 135.4 M Oz and China 110.7 M Oz.
In striking difference with Mexico, Canada permitted mines to operate under the Covid-19 virus emergency. Miners in Mexico set their hopes for reactivation on the petition by USA and Canadian authorities to the Mexican government for a stepped reactivation of productive chains.
INEGI (Statistics Bureau) presented metal production figures for February 2020:

ON EXPLORATION

Sonoro Metals Corp. released the “Cerro Caliche Development Report” that summarizes the results of work to advance the understanding of the mineralized system of the project located in Sonora. “The report also assesses regional and property geology, the mapped zonation of the Cerro Caliche low-sulfidation epithermal system, and related potential for significantly higher grades at depth. It also includes two grade x thickness modeling tools, namely – longitudinal 3D sections and Isopachs, all based on drilling to date”.
Colibri Resource Corp. released results of its maiden campaign at its Evelyin project in Sonora. Significant drill hole intersections comprise 21.90 m @ 0.14 gpt Au (including 5.05 m @ 0.37 gpt Au); 27.00 m @ 0.10 gpt Au; 10.50 m @ 0.11 gpt Au. Further geologic mapping and rockchip sampling is to follow once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Colibri Resource Corp. recently completed a high definition topographical drone survey over its El Mezquite project in Sonora.
One World Lithium Inc. is planning the next phase of drilling at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California for early June 2020, following completion of the recently announced financing.
GoGold Resources Inc. released the assays for eight diamond drill holes at the Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. Three holes were drilled at the San Juan area and the rest at the Main Area. Core length significant intersections comprise: 20.1 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 100 gpt Ag (including 6.0 m @ 0.97 gpt Au, 257 gpt Ag); 23.2 m @ 0.68 gpt Au, 113 gpt Ag; 26.6 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag (including 4.7 m @ 1.24 gpt Au, 129 gpt Ag); 22.3 m @ 1.01 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag (including 10.0 m @ 1.79 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag); 4.2 m @ 2.87 gpt Au, 344 gpt Ag; 15.4 m @ 0.79 gpt Au, 91 gpt Ag.
Canasil Resources Inc. outlined plans for an initial core drill program on the Candy vein at the Nora project in Durango. Rock samples in the vein have returned 1.0 m @ 3.72 gpt Au, 605 gpt Ag, 0.97%Cu, 1.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 1.4 m @ 0.89 gpt Au, 392 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.2% Pb; 1.0 m @ 2.98 gpt Au, 540 gpt Ag, 0.85% Cu, 4.0% Pb, 3.5% Zn; 0.6 m @ 2.28 gpt Au, 316 gpt Ag, 0.57% Cu, 2.4% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 0.8 m @ 3.03 gpt Au, 585 gpt Ag, 2.8% Cu, 5.2% Pb, 1.8% Zn; 0.6 m @ 6.55 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, 0.3% Pb; 0.4 m @ 12.55 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 1.02% Cu, 2.7% Pb, 0.7% Zn. Dump samples have returned up to 2.89 gpt Au, 193 gpt Ag, 2.64% Cu, 8.0% Pb, 9.8% Zn.

ON MINING

Sierra Metals Inc. reported that the Mexican Federal Government extended the suspension of all non-essential activities to contain the advance of COVID-19 virus. The suspension will now continue until May 30, 2020, but the suspension will not apply to the municipalities that present a low or null transmission of the virus, as of May 18, 2020. This raises the possibility that the Bolivar mine in Chihuahua may be able to resume operations, due to its remote location.
Equinox Gold Corp. announced the temporary suspension of mining activities at its Los Filos mine in Guerrero has been extended until May 30, 2020, with the potential to an earlier start-up by May 18, 2020. The solution from the leach pads has continued to be processed at a slower pace.
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. informed the suspension related to the COVID-19 virus emergency is to cost $6.6 M in Mexico. During the first quarter 2020, 480 K tonnes were processed at Pinos Altos, Chihuahua, at a daily rate of 5,275 tonnes per day (tpd) of material grading 2.36 gpt Au to produce 33,310 Oz Au at production cash cost of $1,077 per Oz Au and total cash cost of $747 per Oz Au. The drilling budget for the year is $7.8 M on a total of 42,000 meters. Current proven and mineral reserves are 957 K Oz Au, 24 M Oz Ag; indicated and measured resources of 1.1 M Oz Au, 26 M Oz Ag; inferred mineral resources stand at 435 K Oz Au. At La India, in Sonora, 1.53 M tonnes were processed at a 16,857 tpd rate, grading 0.74 gpt Au to produce 22,926 Oz Au at total cash cost per Oz Au of $778. Residual leaching continues through the Coronavirus shutdown at La India.
Capstone Mining Corp. presented production and financial results for Q1 2020, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 8.7 M pounds of copper were produced at cash cost $0.95 per pound of copper. As part of the expansion project, an 818 m raise bore was completed, improving ventilation on the deepest part of the mine. “The final key component of this expansion, the Calicanto one-way ramp, continues as scheduled and on budget to be completed in December 2020”.
Fresnillo PLC. presented its first quarter 2020 production report. During the first quarter 130,000 meters of drilling were completed on operating mines, in addition 38,000 meters “were drilled at the Fresnillo, San Julián and Guanajuato districts in Mexico, and two projects outside Mexico (Peru and Chile). Interesting results were obtained in the Fresnillo district that merit follow up…”.
Excellon Resources Inc. announced first quarter 2020 production results from the Platosa mine in Durango. During the period 19,899 tonnes were mined, with 19,042 tonnes processed, grading 542 gpt Ag, 5.44% Pb, 6.78% Zn, recovering 89.3% Ag, 82.8% Pb, 74.9% Zn, to produce 296,281 Oz Ag, 1.89 M Lb Pb, 2.13 M Lb Zn, or 523,742 Oz AgEq.
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. disclosed first quarter 2020 operations report at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. During the quarter 9,987 tonnes were mined, 10,321 tonnes were processed @ 16.6% Zn, 8.4% Pb, 46 gpt Ag. Regional exploration has outlined several zones of interest to the northwest of the mine, returning several high-grade gold-copper samples.
Alamos Gold Inc. presented first quarter 2020 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Mulatos, Sonora, 1.92 M tonnes of ore were mined, 2.34 M tonnes of waste moved, 22,342 tpd crushed, with 2.03 M tonnes staked on the heap @ 1.25 gpt Au, containing 81,933 Oz Au, and producing 42,600 Oz Au on an average recovery rate of 52%. Alamos is finalizing project design and plans to finalize the La Yaqui Grande project economics and announce a construction decision in the second quarter of 2020. Exploration is moving beyond the main Mulatos area into earlier stage project within the 28,972 ha land package, with $1.8 M invested during the period.

ON FINANCING

Mag Silver Corp. arranged a non-brokered private placement with Mr. Eric Sprott for gross proceeds of C$60 M (Juanicipio, Zacatecas).
Telson Mining Corp. is seeking a 30 day extension from the TSX Venture Exchange to close its non-brokered private placement offering for up to C$3 M of gross proceeds.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. closed the private placement with SSR Mining Inc. for C$26.98 M, strengthening SilverCrest’s financial position to a cash balance of C$234 M in its treasury. (Las Chispas, Sonora).
Discovery Metals Corp. granted 4.83 M options to acquire common shares of the company at $0.47 per share (Cordero, Chihuahua).
Mexus Gold US. Informed $242,500 of debt incurred by the company was converted to shares already held in reserve.
Mag Silver Corp. completed the previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$60 M. “A finders’ fee is payable in connection with the Offering to a group of financial advisors led by Clarus Securities Inc.” (Juanicipio, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Discovery Metals Corp. announced that during the last quarter of 2019 a second rig was added to the drilling campaign at Cordero, Chihuahua, and that a non-brokered private placement for $19.0 M was completed. By the end of the period the company had $23.95 M in cash and cash equivalents.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. updated mineral reserves and resources at its El Limón Guajes Complex in Guerrero. Open pit proven and probable reserves stand at 24.82 M tonnes @ 2.92 gpt Au containing 2.33 M Oz Au and underground reserves of 0.66 Mt @ 6.94 gpt Au containing 0.15 M Oz Au. Open pit measured and indicated resources stand at 35.78 Mt @ 2,77 gpt Au containing 3.19 M Oz while underground M&M resources hold 1.17 Mt @ 7.04 gpt Au containing 0.26 M Oz Au. Total reserves and M&M resources contain 5.93 M Oz Au, and total inferred resources another 0.45 M Oz Au.
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. updated on the exploration of its 44,145 ha Santa Gertrudis project in Sonora. As of the end of 2019 the project holds open-pit oxide indicated mineral resources of 5.1 M tonnes @ 0.64 gpt Au containing 104 K Oz Au and inferred mineral resources of 19.1 M tonnes @ 1.17 gpt Au containing 717 K Oz Au. Underground sulfide inferred resources stand at 3.1 M tonnes @ 4.58 gpt Au, containing 451 K Oz Au. Selected true width intervals of drilling at La Amelia deposit comprise 6.0 m @ 3.7 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 13 m @ 3.3 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag (including 5.5 m @ 5.3 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag); 10 m @ 5.3 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag (including 4.5 m @ 10.3 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag); 10 m @ 3.2 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag; 4 m @ 3.5 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 5.1 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag.
Evrim Resources Corp. announced an update to the gold-silver resource on the Ermitaño project in Sonora. Property owner First Majestic Silver Corp. released the following figures: An indicated resource of 2.1 M tonnes @ 4.59 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag containing 311 K Oz Au, 4.73 M Oz Ag; an inferred resource of 3.73 M tonnes @ 3.08 gpt Au, 58 gpt Ag containing 370 K Oz Au, 6.98 M Oz Ag. Evrim holds a 2% NSR on the Ermitaño project.
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. updated the mineral resource estimate for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Indicated mineral resources stand at 165 K tonnes @ 13.9% Zn, 6.3% Pb, 35.7 gpt Ag, containing 23 K tonnes Zn, 10 K tonnes Pb, 189 K Oz Ag. Inferred resources hold 799 K tonnes @ 13.0% Zn, 3.0% Pb, 17.5 gpt Ag, containing 104 K tonnes Zn, 24 K tonnes Pb, 450 K Oz Ag.
Minera Alamos Inc. reported additional results from its phase II drill program at its Santana project in Sonora. Significant intervals comprise 17.7 m @ 0.58 gpt Au; 53.2 m @ 0.75 gpt Au; 68.7 m @ 0.50 gpt Au; 101.0 m @ 0.37 gpt Au; 73.7 m @ 0.36 gpt Au; 143.7 m @ 0.50 gpt Au; 9.7 m @ 0.29 gpt Au; 25.3 m @ 0.31 gpt Au; 247.9 m @ 0.60 gpt Au. This campaign has extended the deposit by 50-100 m to the south-southwest.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Telson Mining Corp. informed that the Canadian Securities Administration granted blanket relief for all reporting issuers, providing up to a 45-day extension on periodic filings, and that Telson will abide by it (Campo Morado, Guerrero).
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. will be postponing the filing of its annual consolidated financial statements, and abide by the 45-day extension granted by the Canadian Securities Administration (Veta Grande, Zacatecas).
Kootenay Silver Inc. expects to file the Annual filings before the extension deadline required by the Canadian Securities Administrators (Columba, Chihuahua).
Xtierra Resources Inc. reported results for the year 2019. The company holds the rights to the Bilbao project, and acquired last year a 1.5% royalty on the project by paying C$51 K in cash and C$49 K in shares. Xtierra entered into an agreement to acquire 88% of Minera Portree by the payment of C$56 K and 2 M shares. Among the assets of Minera Portree is the right to a 2% NSR on six mining concessions adjacent to Capstone’s Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. Five of those concessions were acquired by Capstone in 2017 and 2019. An extension agreement was signed with Buchan Resources Ltd. to defer repayment of principal and accrued interest of its $800 K debt, in consideration of which 13 M shares were issued to Buchan (Bilbao, Zacatecas).
GR Silver Mining Ltd. announced the completion of the second option payment on the San Marcial project in Sinaloa, which included the issuance of 750 K common shares to the optionor.
Canuc Resources Corp. announced the postponement of the filing of the annual consolidated financial statements, according with the Canadian Securities Administration blanket extension (San Javier, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Asociación de Ingenieros Mineros, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de Mexico (AIMMGM) in coordination with Mujeres WIM de México, both from the Sinaloa District, donated food for doctors and health care workers at the Riviera Hotel, where they are hosted.
Minera México donated 500 food packages in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua.
Minera Cuzcatan (Fortuna Silver) created a Fund for community emergencies. Said Fund is to be used to cover the need for medications, groceries and funerary expenses, in coordination with local municipality authorities and adherence to health dispositions.
Fresnillo PLC is hurriedly building a hospital for Covid-19 patient care. The pre-fabricated building is to be installed by the side of the local IMSS clinic in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, and is to have a capacity for 38 patients.
Fresnillo PLC in coordination with the Caborca Municipality is sanitizing public spaces. These include 40 areas, like open plazas, parks, supermarkets, bus stations, clinics, hospitals, Red Cross facilities, firefighters station banks and local national guard facilities, all of which will be sanitized constantly.

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: Milky quartz float with oxidized sulfide in an orogenic gold system in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of April, 2020

April 5, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

Amidst the Coronavirus widespread suspension of activities, including mining and exploration, decreed by the Mexican government, a record number of press releases was issued. During the 14^th week of the year (March 30^th to April 5^th, 2020), at least 57 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, of which 20 were on how companies were dealing with the situation. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a national decree by the federal government suspended all non-essential activities, which include mining and exploration, until the end of April. The DGM (Mining Regulator) is to manage everything through electronic channels during the Coronavirus contingency (in practical terms, do not expect anything done during this period of time). Previous to the federal government decree, the Sonoran government ordered the stoppage of all work on the mines on the State. Mexico is well poised for a substantial growth in lead and zinc production in 2020 (although the work suspension on mines might prevent it). ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Silver Viper released more drilling results on El Rubi zone of its La Virgina project. Tocvan Ventures commenced geophysical and soil survey programs at its Pilar project. In Chihuahua, Discovery Metals and Kootenay Silver announced the suspension of activities at its Cordero and Columba projects respectively. In Sinaloa, Kootenay Silver announced the suspension of activities at El Copalito. Advance Gold released drilling information on its Tabaqueña project. ON MINING, Mag Silver, Excellon Resources and Odyssey Marine Exploration presented 2019 results. First Majestic plans to invest $46 M in capital expenditures at its Santa Elena project. GoGold completed the commissioning of a SART palnt at its Parral tailings facilities. Equinox plans to produce 170 K – 190 K Oz Au during 2020 at Los Filos, Guerrero, and invest a total of $75 M. ON FINANCING, Orla Mining closed a bought deal for C$75 M. Mithrill is to conduct a rights issue for share holders in Australia and New Zealand to raise $2.45 M. Southern Silver announced the exercise of 2015 and 2016 warrants and options, raising $1.25 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, First Majestic updated the mineral resource estimate on seven of its Mexican properties. Sierra Metals updated the mineral resource estimate on Bolivar, Chihuahua. Prime Mining produced a new resource estimate for its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Mag Silver has to obtain funding, or see its 44% JV participation in the Juanicipio project (Zacatecas) dwindle. Great Panther filed two technical reports on the Guanajuato mine complex. Bacanora Lithium granted a contract to GRES on the Sonora Lithium project. Golden Minerals presented a new PEA for its Velardeña properties. GR Silver Mining released underground channel results from the Plomosas project in in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, GR Silver completed the acquisition of the Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Argonaut Gold and Alio Gold are merging. Orex Minerals and Pan American Silver are forming a JV on the Sandra project in Durango. Riverside is going ahead with the Peñoles project (Durango) spin-off. Mithrill Resources informed on the acquisition of Sun Minerals. Southern Silver entered into an agreement with Monarch Minerals to purchase a mineral concession adjacent to Cerro Las Minas project in Durango. Oroco Resources amended disclosures on the Santo Tomas project technical report. Odyssey Marine Exploration continues with the arbitration process for its offshore phosphate project in Baja California Sur. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Newmont GoldCorp Peñasquito donated 500 COVID-19 tests and delivered thousands of cleansing packages in the communities near the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas..

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Mining halted in Mexico. A national decree by the Mexican federal government suspended all non-essential activities for 30 days on the wake of the fight on the propagation of the coronavirus. Mining is not considered essential thus all operations are due to shut down.
Mexico is well positioned for increased lead and zinc production, BNamericas. Supported by expected continued work at Newmont’s Peñasquito mine, Southern Copper’s San Martin mine and Peñoles operations, the lead and zinc Mexican production is poised to grow in 2020. Lead production could increase 27.8% to 194.9 K tonnes, with the expected production of 90.7 K tonnes at Peñasquito. Zinc production could increase 27% to 633.2 K tonnes, with its expected production of 192.8 K tonnes. Both zinc and lead face extremely low prices, with zinc at US$0.85/Lb and lead close to US$0.75/Lb.
To reduce coronavirus contagion risks, the Dirección General de Minas (DGM) initiated a protocol to process requests and information only through electronic media, for the time that the contingency lasts (in practical terms, the already slow pace of proceedings at the DGM is coming to halt for the time being).
The Mining Fund served its purpose at Jiapaz, Zacatecas, where solar panels were installed to power the water system on La Martinica de Guadalupe neighborhood.
The Sonora government issued orders to stop all non-essential activities, including mining, as a mean to reduce the propagation speed of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Mining companies that presented press releases on Coronavirus related suspension of activities: Argonaut Gold, Sierra Metals, Pan American Silver, Premier Gold Mines, Equinox Gold, GoGold Resources, Gold Resource, Excellon Resources, Endeavour Silver, Azucar Minerals, Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Agnico Eagle Mines, Almaden Minerals, Alamos Gold, Fortuna Silver, Mithrill Resources, Vizsla Resources, Torex Gold, Great Panther, and Golden Minerals.

ON EXPLORATION

Silver Viper Minerals Corp. released drilling results at its La Virginia project in Sonora. The Rubi zone strike length increased by 100 m, to a total of 400 m, where a total of 6,103 m in 20 holes have been collared; a further 852 m in four holes were drilled at the Macho Libre target. The results for the last nine holes are still pending. Highlighted true width intervals comprise: 1.42 m @ 156 gpt Ag, 1.79 gpt Au; 2.84 m @ 249 gpt Ag, 1.55 gpt Au (including 0.36 m @ 1,584 gpt Ag, 5.56 gpt Au); 17.04 m @ 28 gpt Ag, 0.69 gpt Au; 1.07 m @ 52 gpt Ag, 1.27 gpt Au; 1.07 m @ 124 gpt Ag, 3.32 gpt Au; 4.26 m @ 38 gpt Ag, 0.64 gpt Au; 6.04 m @ 74 gpt Ag, 0.99 gpt Au (including 1.78 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 2.48 gpt Au. The company recently completed a 4,800-hectare; 718 line-km helicopter borne magnetic-radiometric geophysical survey centered on El Rubi zone.
Discovery Metals Corp. announced the temporarily suspension of all exploration activities at its Mexican operations due to the COVID-19 risks. “Discovery has already completed 48 holes totaling 17,500 metres of its planned 30,000 – 35,000 metre Phase 1 drill program. The Company will provide ongoing exploration updates for the 34 drill holes not previously press released once results have been received and validated”. Discovery had a cash balance of CAD$24 M by the end of 2019 (Cordero, Chihuahua).
Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced the commencement of the 2020 field program at the Pilar project in Sonora. The focus is to expand the known areas of mineralization, gain a better understanding of structural controls, identify mineralization targets and define drill targets. A multiple-task (?) geophysical survey is underway concurrently with a close-spaced soil sampling program. These surveys will be followed up with structural refining, XRF survey across the property and reviewing historical drill holes.
Kootenay Silver Inc. temporarily suspended the current drill programs at its Columba (Chihuahua) and Copalito (Sinaloa) projects, to reduce the propagation risks of the Coronavirus.
Advance Gold Corp. released information on drilling at its Tabasqueña project in Zacatecas. One hole was abandoned because of challenging drilling conditions; a second hole intercepted a black slate with small sulphide lenses 0.3 cm to 1 cm in thickness, this unit explains the chargeability anomaly detected by the geophysical survey. The best intercept was 1.25 m @ 2.79% Pb; the third hole also intersected the sulphide bearing black slate unit, assays pending. Teck’ San Nicolas VMS project is 11 kilometers East of Tabasqueña.

ON MINING

First Majestic Silver Corp. plans to invest US$46.3 M in capital expenditures at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Exploration, the installation of an autogenous mill, exploration and development of the Ermitaño West, mine access preparation and prefeasibility studies are among the use of the funds involved.
GoGold Resources Inc. reported the completion of commissioning of the SART plant at its Parral Tailings facility in Chihuahua. “The main economic drivers are the recovery of a high-grade saleable copper sulfide product, the re-generation of cyanide, which is the largest single operating cost at Parral, and improve the leaching efficiency of the heap”. GoGold reduced the need to purchase cyanide by $200 K in March.
Excellon Resources Inc. reports 2019 annual and Q4 financial results. At Platosa, in Durango, 19.8 K tonnes @ 435 gpt Ag, 4.84% Pb, 6.39% Zn were processed, recovering 91.7% Ag, 80.2% Pb, 76.5% Zn to produce 259.2 K Oz Ag, 1.69 M Lb Pb, 2.06 M Lb Zn during the quarter. For the full year 75.2 K tonnes @ 409 gpt Ag, 4.75% Pb, 6.82% Zn were processed , recovering 89.9% Ag, 79.2% Pb. 77.7% Zn to produce 1.05 M Oz Ag, 6.1 M Lb Pb, 8.4 M Lb Zn, or 1.93 M Oz AgEq.
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. reported results for the full year 2019.
Equinox Gold Corp. provided production guidance for 2020, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At the Los Filos mine in Guerrero, production is set to range between 170 K to 190 K Oz Au, at an AISC of $1,000 to $1,050 per Oz Au, sustaining capital of $24 M and Non-sustaining capital of $51 M. “The Company is advancing an expansion of the Los Filos mine complex including enlarging the Los Filos open pit, developing a second underground mine (Bermejal), adding a new open pit (Guadalupe) and constructing a new carbon in leach (“CIL”) plant to process higher-grade ore…….. Equinox Gold has budgeted a total capital spend of $75 million at Los Filos during 2020. Non-sustaining capital of $51 million relates primarily to the expansion project and includes $20 million for pre-stripping of the Guadalupe open pit and $23 million allocated to Bermejal underground development”.

ON FINANCING

Newmont Corp. has announced expiration and final results of the tender offers for its 3.5% senior notes due 2022 and Goldcorp’s 3.7% notes due 2023. (Peñasquito, Zacatecas).
Mithrill Resources Ltd. will be conducting a pro-rata non-renounceable rights issue to allow shareholders, of ordinary shares with a registered address in Australia or New Zealand, to apply for one share for every ordinary share held, to raise $2.45 M (Copalquin, Durango).
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. informed recent warrant and option exercised during the current fiscal period. Warrants and options issued in 2015 and 2016 were exercised for $1.25 M in gross profits (Cerro La Mina, Durango).
Orla Mining Ltd. closed its previously announced bought deal financing with a syndicate of underwriters led by Stifel GMP and including Desjardins Capital Markets, Paradigm Capital and Cormark Securities Inc. for aggregate gross proceeds of C$75 M.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

First Majestic Silver Corp. updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the San Dimas (Durango), Santa Elena (Sonora) and La Encantada (Coahuila) producing mines, as well as from its San Martín (Jalisco), La Parrilla (Durango), Del Toro (Zacatecas) and La Guitarra (Estado de Mexico) properties.

Sierra Metals Inc. updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Mineral reserves decreased by 2.5 M tonnes on mining depletion from 2017, but measured, indicated and inferred resources have significantly grown.

Mag Silver Reported 2019 annual results. Development of the Juanicipio mine (Zacatecas) and processing plant continue, with the plant expected to commence commissioning in mid-2021. Underground development is ongoing, exceeding now 26 Km. Remaining pre-operative initial capital is estimated at $305 M, although this figure can be reduced by cash in hand of the operator of the JV (Fresnillo 56%, Mag 44%) and expected cash flow from mineralized material extracted and processed at the Fresnillo’s mine facilities commencing in mid-2020. “The Company needs to raise additional capital in the future in order to meet its full share of initial capital required to develop the Juanicipio Project. Mag does not generate operating cash flow at this time to fund such obligations, and accordingly, future liquidity will depend upon its ability to arrange debt or additional equity financings. The Company is currently evaluating several proposals. The inability of MAG to fund its 44% share of cash calls would result in dilution of its ownership interest in Minera Juanicipio in accordance with the shareholders’ agreement”. At the end of the year Mag had $71.86 M including cash and cash equivalents of $72.36 M AuEq.
Great Panther Mining Ltd. filed two technical reports regarding the Guanajuato mine complex. “The reports are titled “NI 43- 101 Mineral Resource Update Technical Report on the Guanajuato Mine Complex, San Ignacio Mine, Guanajuato State, Mexico”, dated March 17, 2020, and “NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Update Technical Report on the Guanajuato Mine Complex, Guanajuato Mine, Guanajuato State, Mexico”, dated March 27, 2020”.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. released protocols to minimize exposure to coronavirus, in order to decrease the risk to employees, contractors, families and communities near Las Chispas project in Sonora.
Evrim Resources Corp. updated the resource on the Ermitaño project in Sonora, of which it holds a 2% NSR. Property owner First Majestic Silver Corp. announced a 15% increase in grade and a 345% increase in contained AgEq ounces in the indicated resources compared to the previous estimate. The indicated resources are 2.1 M tonnes @ 4.59 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag, containing 311 K Oz Au and 4.73 M Oz Ag; the inferred resources stand at 3.73 M tonnes @ 3.08 gpt Au, 58 gpt Ag, containing 370 K Oz Au, 6.98 M Oz Ag.
Bacanora Lithium. Announced the granting of a contract to GR Engineering Services for engineering, acquisition and construction services on the Sonora lithium project.
Prime Mining Corp. released a new resource estimate for its Los Reyes project (formerly Guadalupe de Los Reyes) in Sinaloa. The pit constrained resources range from 19.75 M tonnes @ 1.31 gpt AuEq measured and indicated resources (M&I) containing 833.1 K Oz AuEq and 7.1 M tonnes @ 1.14 gpt AuEq in inferred resources containing 261.1 K Oz AuEq at a 0.22 gpt AuEq cutoff; to 5.91 M tonnes @ 2.72 gpt AuEq M&I resources and 1.68 M tonnes @ 2.59 gpt AuEq containing 516.2 K Oz AuEq and 140.5 K Oz AuEq respectively, at a cutoff grade of 1.0 gpt AuEq. The pit strip ratio is calculated as 4.6 to 1 waste to ore in six separate pits.
Golden Minerals Co. announced positive results from the updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Velardeña properties in Durango. The PEA states a pre-tax net present value of $85.9 M at an 8% discount rate, an internal rate of return of 138.6%, pre-production capital cost of $10.27 M, post production and working capital $15.93 M and a life of mine of 10 years to produce 10.2 M Oz Ag, 119 K Oz Au. The resource estimate including sulfide and oxide ore comprises 1.35 M tonnes @ 307 gpt Ag, 4.92 gpt Au, 1.54% Pb, 1.78% Zn in measured and indicated resources, containing, 13.34 M Oz Ag, 214 K Oz Au, 45.8 M Lb Pb, 53 M Lb Zn; and 1.76 M tonnes @ 354 gpt Ag, 4.73 gpt Au, 1.72% Pb, 1.86% Zn, containing 20.1 M Oz Ag, 268 K Oz Au, 67.1 M Lb Pb, 72.3 M Lb Zn.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. released assay results from initial underground channel sampling from the San Juan workings at the Plomosas Silver project. San Juan is one of six priority areas with underground development not yet exploited by previous owners. Some of the highlighted composites comprise 2.1 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 552 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 1.0% Zn (including 0.40 m @ 1.2 gpt Au, 3,003 gpt Ag, 2.9% Pb, 3.1% Zn); 5.0 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 816 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 0.5 % Zn; 2.0 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 1,145 gpt Ag, 0.9% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 2.8 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 482 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 9.3 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 346 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 3.0 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 485 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

GR Silver Mining Ltd. Has completed the acquisition of the Plomosas silver project in Sinaloa, from First Majestic Silver Corp. .GR Silver paid CDN$100 K, granted First Majestic a 2% NSR, of which half could be bought for US$1 M, and issued First Majestic 17.1 M shares of GR Silver. The project comes with six areas at the drilling/resource stage, with 563 drill holes totalling over 100,000 m of core drilling and the mining infrastructure of the Plomosas mine, that produced over 2.5 M tonnes of Pb-Zn-Ag ore.
Argonaut Gold Inc. and Alio Gold Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement for an at-market merger whereby Argonaut will acquire all of Alio shares. The transaction creates an intermediate producer with four operations rendering 235 K Oz AuEq per year from four mines and presence in Mexico, Canada and USA, and a pipeline that includes Ana Paula (Guerrero), Cerro del Gallo (Guanajuato) and Magino (Canada).
Orex Minerals Inc. entered into an agreement to form a JV with Pan American Silver Corp. to explore and develop the Sandra (formerly Sandra Escobar) project in Durango. Orex and Pan American will own a 40% and 60% interest in the JV.
Riverside Resources Inc. has received requisite shareholder approval for the spin-out of the Peñoles Project (Durango) to its shareholders. “Once the Arrangement becomes effective, Riverside shareholders will own shares in two public companies: Capitan, which will focus on the development of the Peñoles Project, and Riverside, which will continue to generate prospective mineral properties”.
Mithhrill Resources Ltd. Informed on the proposed acquisition of Sun Minerals Pty Ltd., which holds an option to earn up to 100% interest on the Copalquin project in Durango. Due diligence was completed, a formal share agreement for the acquisition of all issued share capital of Sun Minerals was executed and shareholder approval received. On view of recent market developments, Mithrill and Sun Minerals agreed that Mithrill is to raise a minimum of A$1.5 M.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. entered into an agreement with Monarch Minerals Inc. to purchase the El Sol mineral concession in Durango, near the Sothern Silver and Electrum Global Holdings L.P. Cerro Las Minas JV project. The purchase will not form a part of the Cerro Las Minitas JV. Acquisition cost is $US300 K payable in three equal installments on signature, 12 and 18 months, with the vendor retaining a 2% NSR that can be bought by Southern Silver at any time for US$1 M.
Oroco Resource Corp. wishes to clarify and amend its disclosures with respect to its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. “The BCSC reviewed the Company’s October, 2019 and March, 2020 corporate presentations (the “Presentations”) and its current technical report dated August 22, 2019 and titled “Technical Report Geology, Mineralization, and Exploration of the Santo Tomas Cu-(Mo-Au-Ag) Porphyry Deposit Sinaloa, Mexico” authored by D. A. Bridge, P. Geol.” (the “Report”). Both the current Presentation and the Report have been removed from the Company’s website pending revision. The disclosure issues in the Presentations and the Report with respect to National Instrument 43-101 (the “Instrument”) and Form 43-101F1 are summarized in the following discussion”.
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. has launched a NAFTA arbitration process on its “Exploraciones Oceánicas” phosphate project off the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur. “The Arbitral Tribunal, consisting of three international arbitrators well-versed in international investment treaties, has been constituted and the parties are now in the process of finalizing the arbitration schedule and procedures with the Tribunal……..“We intend to continue to work diligently and in good faith with Mexico’s current administration to achieve an equitable resolution of this dispute and to help Mexico provide fertilizer to its farmers, but we are prepared to proceed with the full NAFTA arbitration process if necessary, and have recently received increased litigation funding specifically to support this case”. The Exploraciones Oceánicas project contains an estimated 588 M tonnes of phosphate, at a depth of 70-90 m, lying 25 to 40 km from the coast, with almost no overburden.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Newmont Goldcorp donates 500 COVID-19 tests in Zacatecas. The donation amounts to more than $2 M pesos.
Newmont Peñasquito delivered 3,000 cleansing packages, in the communities near the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, amidst the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus. The packages are to be delivered in and by local health institutions.

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: Hematite-goethite stained quartz vein in an orogenic gold system, Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of March, 2020

March 22, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 12^th week of the year (March 16^th to March 22^nd, 2020), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Javier Corral, Chihuahua’s governor proposed the Major’s National Association they take part on the current constitutional controversy about the use of the Mining Fund. Mining companies around Mexico and the Camimex prepare for the Coronavirus by cancelling meetings, fairs and gatherings, and promote precautionary measures among its personnel, contractors and communities The AIMMGM convention in Chihuahua, the AMSAC convention in Cananea, and the Discoveries Conference in Guadalajara were to be held at the end of April, but have been re-scheduled due to the Coronavirus effects to later dates on July, August and September. ON EXPLORATION, in Baja California, One World Lithium has obtained the drilling, environmental and occupancy permits to commence drilling on the southern part of the project. In Sonora, Colibri announced the completion of phase 1 drilling at Evelyn. In Chihuahua Century Metals and Reyna Silver are to continue the exploration of the Guigui project near Santa Eulalia. ON MINING, Starcore filed the results of the last quarter. Mexus Gold continues leaching in Sonora. Avino Silver, Torex gold, McEwen Mining, Impact Silver, Great Panther, Excellon, Argonaut Gold, GoGold Resources, Endeavour Silver, Equinox Gold and Fortuna Silver informed on the measures taken to protect their business, people and communities from the effects of the Coronavirus epidemic. ON FINANCING, Silver Spruce entered into debt settlement agreements for $350 K. First Majestic intends to repurchase up to 10 M shares. SilverCrest Metals received notice from National Bank Financial to terminate their agreement to purchase up to $9.1 M shares. Almaden Minerals amended its private placement to reflect current market conditions. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining informed on recent work at its Guadalupe de Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, and how it might impact on the next resource estimation. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Century Metals provided an update on the acquisition of Reyna Silver (and its Guigui project in Chihuahua). Riverside Resources informed on its capitalization, business and current BHP strategic funding. Excellon Resources continues on the acquisition path of Otis Gold. Hecla Mining informed on current hedges to deflect the turmoil on the metals market. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Minera Media Luna informed on a community campaign to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on neighboring villages to its operations.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Javier Corral, Chihuahua’s governor, proposed on the Executive Committee of the Major’s National Association (Asociación Nacional de Alcaldes) that they take part on the constitutional controversy promoted by the Chihuahua government to rescue the Mining Fund from the Federal government.
Mining Companies across Mexico prepare for the Coronavirus, Grupo Mexico, Agnico Eagle, Alamos Gold, Fresnillo PLC and Minera El Boleo are among the companies that have installed policies aimed to reduce the chances of infection among its employees, workers and contractors, including the cancellation of fairs and meetings, as well as work from home programs and access control programs at its installations.
The AIMMGM convention in Chihuahua to be held on 21-24 April has been changed to 20-24 July, aiming to reduce the Coronavirus spread on the population. On the same grounds the AMSAC (Asociación de Mineros de Sonora) that was to be held on 29 April-1 has been postponed to 3-4 September.
The Discoveries Mining Conference to be held in Guadalajara in late April has been postponed, on the same venue, to 10-12 August 2010.
CAMIMEX (Cámara Minera de México) informed it is reducing all non-essential activities and avoiding in-person meetings, although maintaining the offices open to facilitate operations. The organism makes a strong plea to companies and the general population to follow all the preventive measures possible.

ON EXPLORATION

Colibri Resource Corp. announced the completion of the phase 1 drilling program at its Evelyn project in Sonora. Five holes were collared in the program that measured 815.6 m in total.
Century Metals Inc. and Reyna Silver Corp. are engaged on a merger that intends to advance the 4,554 ha Guigui project in the Santa Eulalia district in Chihuahua. Studies on the project for the last 25 years include detailed geologic mapping and sampling, gravimetrics, ground magnetics, CSAMT (Controlled Source Audio Magneto-Tellurics), NSAMT (Natural Source Audio Magneto-Tellurics), Airborne ZTEM/magnetics, satellite hyperspectral and definition of drilling targets. The planned budget for 10,000 m for compiling and re-processing all prior work and 10,000 m of diamond drilling is $2.44 M.
One World Lithium Inc. announced that drilling, environmental, and occupancy permits have been approved to drill two key locations at the south end of the Salar del Diablo Property in Baja California. The proposed exploration holes are located 50 km south of the previous drill holes in the north portion of the property. Mike Rosko of Montgomery Associates has recommended these locations, as “there is evidence of historic and currently active hydrothermal activity in the south and that hydrothermal activity can be a source of lithium such as in the Lithium Triangle in Chile and Argentina”.

ON MINING

Starcore International Mines Ltd. filed the results for the Q3 ended on 31 January, 2020. At the company’s San Martin mine in Queretaro, 58.3 K tonnes were milled @ 1.84 gpt Au, 30.1 gpt Ag, recovering 90.1% Au, 50.9% Ag, to produce 3.1 K Oz Au, 29.6 K Oz Ag during the quarter; on the year 301.9 K tonnes were milled @ 1.63 gpt Au, 39.6 gpt Ag, recovering 86.2% Au, 58.4% Ag, to produce 13.7 K Oz Au, 224.5 K Oz Ag (16.4 K Oz AuEq), at cash cost $1,061 per Oz AuEq.
Mexus Gold US. continues gold production at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (Not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora).
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. reported that there is not been impact on day to day operations at the Avino mine in Durango. The company restricted entrance to external visitors and no-one at the mine-site has tested positive for the COVID-19. Two medical doctors are monitoring and educating the labour force and employees daily.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. announced that to date the company had no known or suspected cases of COVID-19 infection at the El Limón – Guajes operations in Guerrero. “At the operation, we have stopped international travelers from coming to site. Social distancing efforts at site are being implemented, which includes isolating delivery drivers. Aggressive cleaning of communal areas has also been ramped up. Education initiatives on infection prevention have been extended to the surrounding communities”.
McEwen Mining Inc. reported fourth quarter and full year 2019 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. Production from residual leaching at El Gallo, in Sinaloa, was 2,490 Oz Au Eq for the quarter and 16,333 Oz Au for the year.
Impact Silver Corp. informed operations continue as the Coronavirus situation is monitored daily. “In conjunction with local authorities we are actively disseminating information on COVID-19 precautionary measures to our employees and their families. We will continue to monitor their health and for signs of early symptoms of the virus on a regular basis to ensure safety of our staff” (Zacualpan, Estado de Mexico).
Great Panther Mining Ltd. announced that it has been closely monitoring the latest developments of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19. “All operations and offices have implemented travel restrictions, supervision, monitoring and response plans to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and outbreak” (Topia, Durango).
Excellon Resources Inc. informed the company is in regular contact with local health authorities at its Platosa (Durango) and Miguel Auza (Zacatecas) operations, and continue to monitor global trends on the Coronavirus pandemia. Among other measures “we have restricted site access to essential personnel and essential suppliers. We are conducting health screening at the gate and have provided our security and health personnel with additional protective measures. We have increased the frequency of workplace cleaning and disinfection, including transport vehicles, and have also increased the number of hand sanitizer stations across the work sites. We have implemented social distancing by doubling the number of buses transporting employees to site, significantly modifying food provision services and increasing office space for administration staff, as well as preparing to adjust our existing work-from-home policies as conditions dictate”.
Argonaut Gold. Has implemented protocols to minimize the risks of COVID-19 virus, both to employees and business. “At each site, Argonaut is following government health protocols, has implemented additional protocols and is closely monitoring the situation with local health authorities” (La Colorada, Sonora).
GoGold Resources Inc. informed that “The constantly changing COVID-19 situation is unprecedented and for many is a time filled with uncertainty. We’d like to ensure our shareholders that operations at Parral and Los Ricos continue as normal as we monitor the situation” (Parral, Chihuahua; Los Ricos, Jalisco).
Endeavour Silver Corp. has implemented plans to minimize the risks of the COVID-19 virus both to the employees and to the business. “At each site, Endeavour is following government health protocols and is closely monitoring the situation with local health authorities. The Company has posted health advisories to educate employees about the COVID-19 symptoms, best practices to avoid catching the virus, and procedures to follow if symptoms are experienced” (El Compas, Zacatecas).
Fortuna Silver Mines Ltd. has been monitoring the effects of the spread of the Coronavirus, particularly in the jurisdictions that host its mining operations. The company “has placed its Health Safety Security and Environmental Committee in permanent session and is continually assessing the related health and safety risks to the Company’s personnel and contractors at its operations and offices. Preventative measures implemented at our offices and mines include: restrictions on travel, enhanced communication on prevention of contagion and viral effects, increased hygiene initiatives, monitoring personnel and visitors at our sites for symptoms of COVID-19, identification of personnel in high risk categories, reducing mine site personnel to a minimum level essential for continued operations and limiting visitors to those whose visits are considered critical” (San José, Oaxaca).
Equinox Gold Corp. “is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and has taken precautionary measures at its mine sites and offices to help protect the safety of the Company’s workforce and local communities” (Los Filos, Guerrero).

ON FINANCING

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has entered into debt settlements with several creditors and one officer and director to settle $350 K. Under the terms of the debt settlement agreements 7 M shares were issued (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua).
First Majestic Silver Corp. board has approved the extension of its share repurchase program over the next year, period on which the company aims to re-purchase up to 10 M shares (San Dimas, Durango; Santa Elena, Sonora).
SilverCrest Metals Inc. received notice from National Bank Financial Inc. purporting to terminate its obligations pursuant to an agreement whereby NBF had asked for and agreed to purchase on a “bought deal” basis 9.1 M common shares at price of $8.25 per common share, based on the “disaster out” clause of the agreement. “SilverCrest intends to pursue its legal remedies against NBF for breach of NBF’s obligations under the terms of the Agreement” (Las Chispas, Sonora).
Almaden Minerals Ltd. amended its private placement in order to reflect current market conditions. The purchase price for units has been reduced from $0.41 to $0.37 and the exercise price for warrants from $0.65 to $0.50, while the offering size has been increased from 4.9 M to 5.4 M units (Ixtaca, Puebla).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Prime Mining Corp. informed recent work at its Guadalupe de Los Reyes project in Sinaloa hints to the potential of linking resources. Recent new trenches and road cuts sampling indicate mineralization linkage between the Zapote North and Zapote South orebodies. “Independent engineers are currently assessing and calculating a new resource model, which is now expected to be updated by the end of Q1 2020”. The historic resource is 530 K Oz Au, 10 M Oz Ag, established for Vista Gold in 2013.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Century Metals Inc. provided an update on the acquisition of all the shares of Reyna Silver Corp. (which owns the Guigui project in Chihuahua). Century is to consolidate to its shares to 5.35 M, both companies are to undertake private placements and Century will issue shares to Reyna Silver’s shareholders and warrants to the holders of warrants, and Century will issue shares to Mag Silver Corp., which is to hold 19.9% of the consolidated shares. Century and Reyna are raising up to $6.8 M in conjunction with the acquisition through concurrent financings. To date, Reyna has raised $5.06 M and Century $1.49 M. The Acquisition is a reverse takeover, and the definitive agreement is expected to be settled before the end of March 2020.
Riverside Resources Inc. provided an update on its operations. Currently the company has more than C$2 M in cash, no debt, 63 M shares outstanding and posted to receive $1 M from BHP in May, as part of a generative copper exploration strategic funding agreement. The company also holds marketable securities worth over C$1 M and has retained NSR’s on previously partnered projects. By the end of the month Riverside will have a vote to spin-out the Peñoles project in Durango.
Excellon Resources Inc. and Otis Gold Corp., announced that they have filed a joint circular in connection with the acquisition by Excellon of all the shares of Otis, pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act of British Columbia (Platosa, Durango).
Hecla Mining Co. provided a summary of the activities undertaken to protect its business, employees and local communities from COVID-19. Among the actions taken, contracts have been secured for $16 per Oz Ag for the second quarter, and $1,450 and $1,650 per Oz Au for the second and third quarter respectively. The company has implemented and followed recommended health and hygiene protocols, restricted mine site staff to essential personnel and contractors, stockpiled critical mining supplies (up to six months’ worth in some cases) to protect against possible future supply disruptions (San Sebastian, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Minera Media Luna has a community campaign to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the region of the Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. The campaign includes an informative preventive health circle inward and outward of the mining complex, into the communities of Acalmantlila, Nuevo Balsas, Real de Limón, La Fundición and Atzcala, among others.

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: potassic feldspar alteration in a meta granitoid in Oaxaca, picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of January, 2020

January 12, 2020 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 2^nd week of the year (January 6^th to January 12^th, 2020), at least 34 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The IPN is to offer Metallurgy Engineering at the Zacatecas campus. Conagua and Minera Peñasquito reached an agreement to promote the recovery of the Mazapil aquifer in Zacatecas. Some highlights on three major Mexican ore deposits were shared by Camimex: Metates, El Arco and La Verde. The Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador asserted the importance of mining in Mexico. In 2019 three Peñoles, Autlán and Frisco lost US$935 M in value on the stock exchange (BMV). Torex Gold and Leagold increased gold production on its mines in Guerrero. ON EXPLORATION, setting a weekly record, that we hope is a good omen for the industry in Mexico this year, eleven companies reported on exploration programs or results on their projects. In Sonora, Colibri disclosed surface sampling results from the Evelyin project; Tocvan and Colibri reported high Au and Ag values from the Pilar project near Suaqui Grande; Magna Gold released high grade Au results from surface mapping on several targets at the San Judas project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver released high-grade Ag results from its Columba project. Sable Resources released low grade but widespread Au results from the Vinata project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla Resources started drilling at its Pánuco project. In Durango, Gainey Capital has had successful meetings and communication with the local communities at Las Margaritas project. In Jalisco, GoGold Resources released results from five more holes at Los Ricos. In Zacatecas, Pan American Silver is to continue the exploration, initial engineering and metallurgical tests at the La Colorada skarn ore deposit. Advance Gold commenced another drill hole at La Tabasqueña project. Alien Metals is submitting applications to drill its Los Campos and San Celso projects. ON MINING, US Antimony has begun production testing of the cyanide leach circuits at the Puerto Blanco mill in Guanajuato. Hecla Mining, Torex Gold, Leagold Mining and Endeavour Silver presented fourth quarter and full-year 2019 reports. Argonaut Gold informed its El Castillo mine in Durango is to cease operations in 2022. ON FINANCING, Silver Spruce closed the first tranche of a financing round. Agnico Eagle issued warrants in connection with the loan agreement with Orla Mining. Sierra Metals is to repurchase US$30 M of shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining updated on work at Guadalupe de Los Reyes, in Sinaloa. Sierra Metals updated the mineral resource estimate for the Bolivar mine, in Chihuahua. Discovery Metals released some high-grade results from its current drill program at Cordero, Chihuahua, where it is aiming to enhance the high-grade component of the deposit. Azure Minerals recommenced RC drilling the Loma Bonita gold deposit at its Alacrán project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Goldplay signed a LOI with First Majestic to acquire the Plomosas property in Sinaloa. Goldplay is to change name to GR Silver Mining. Oroco Resource Corp. is now officially the owner of 56.7% net interest (that can be increased to 81%) on the core concessions of the Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. The company also holds the rights to 77.5% of the concessions surrounding the said core. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Peñoles to aid on the reactivation of agriculture in Naica. Peñoles organizes a robot building contest in Torreón. Endeavour Silver summarized its sustainability work for 2019.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) is to offer the Metallurgy Engineering at its Zacatecas campus. Students are to spend one week of every month gaining experience on local mining units, from the third semester onward.
Conagua (Water Use Agency) and Minera Peñasquito (Newmont Goldcorp) reached an agreement to promote the recovery of the Mazapil aquifer. The agreement was reached in negotiation tables with several parties. The company is to forfeit its rights to extract 5 M cubic meters of water. During 2020 and 2021 Minera Peñasquito will invest 100 M pesos (US$5.25 M) on water access, drainage and cleaning in town, as well to aid on the bettering of irrigation and promotion of water re-usage in agriculture. In 2023 the company will also cede another 4 M cubic meters of water.
Highlights on three giant mining projects in Mexico: Metates, in Durango, holds reserves for 18.3 M Oz Au, 502 M Oz Ag, 4 B Lb Zn. Chesapeake’s 2016 pre-feasibility study (PFS) calls for a capital spending of $3.5 billion for a 90 K tonnes per day (tpd) operation, and a mine life of 27 years producing 445 K Oz Au. Sustained prices over $1,400 per gold ounce would help to kick start the operations. El Arco, in Baja California, is a giant copper deposit owned by Grupo Mexico. The deposit displays reserves of 2,700 M tonnes @ 0.4% Cu, 0.1 gpt Au. The deposit is to be mined by open pit, with concentrator and leaching operations to recover copper by electro winning, and is expected to produce 190 K tonnes Cu and 105 K Oz Au per year, once it is developed. La Verde, in Michoacan, owned by Solaris Resources and Teck, had a preliminary evaluation assessment (PEA) in 2018 with an investment of US$1.16 billion to produce 7.17 M tonnes of concentrate @ 26.7% Cu for 19 years, or 100 K tonnes Cu per year.
The Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador asserted the importance of mining in Mexico, on the strengthening of the country’s economy and the strong employment generation. He pointed that the ministers of environment and health are looking into the Rio Sonora spill (2014) and its consequences on the area inhabitants.
During 2019, mining companies like Industrias Peñoles, Autlán and Minera Frisco lost US$935 M in market cap on the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, or BMV). The three companies saw a reduction on its operations, same that were reflected on its cash flow (EBITDA) and share price. During the year Peñoles lost US$861.4 M, Autlán US$39.8 M and Frisco US$34 M in value. On the other hand, Grupo Mexico registered an increment of US$4.617 billion on its value for the same period, due to good results on copper extraction and the expansion on its transport branch.
Gold production increased in 2019 for Torex and Leagold in Guerrero. In 2019 Torex produced 454,810 Oz Au at its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero, compared with 354,000 Oz Au produced in 2018. Leagold produced 200,856 Oz Au at its Los Filos mine, in the same region.

ON EXPLORATION

Pan American Silver Corp. is planning to continue the exploration program, initial engineering and more metallurgical tests at the world class skarn mineralization discovered at La Colorada, Zacatecas. The inferred resources stand at 72.5 M tonnes @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 2.0% Pb, 4.4% Zn, with the deposit open in several directions. In 2020 PAS is to drill 44,000 m to define and expand the inferred resources.
Colibri Resource Corp. disclosed rock chip sample results from its Evelyn project in Sonora. Highlighted results include 0.75 m @ 14.45 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag; 1.5 m @ 12.45 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 1.5 m @ 8.6 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; chip samples @ 22.3 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag; 40.1 gpt Au; 3.12 gpt Au at the Cerro Rojo corridor and 2.97 gpt Au; 0.5 gpt Au, 0.4 gpt Au, 0.46 gpt Au; 2.74 gpt Au, 73 gpt Ag at the El Sahuaro corridor. Colibri is now planing to pursue a 1,000 m drilling campaign.
Advance Gold Corp. has commenced the second drill hole of the current drilling program at its Tabaqueña project in Zacatecas. This second hole is to test the large IP anomaly that underlies the intersection of 1.70 m @ 9.46 gpt of a previous drilling campaign. The second hole on this campaign was collared 300 north of the location of the first one, with results pending. A second rig is being brought to the site to expedite drilling, now that the IP anomaly has been seen to correspond with a sulphide system.
GoGold Resources Inc. released results from five more drill holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Highlighted intersections include 22 m @ 0.22 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag (1.01 gpt AuEq); 16.5 m @ 4.29 gpt Au, 336 gpt Ag (8.77 gpt AuEq); 5.2 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag (2.01 gpt AuEq); 13.5 m @ 0.82 gpt Au, 215 gpt Ag (3.73 gpt AuEq); 17.4 m @ 0.77 gpt Au, 152 gpt Ag (2.80 gpt AuEq), including 6.1 m @ 2.07 gpt Au, 373 gpt Ag (7.05 gpt AuEq), 23.5 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag (0.75 gpt AuEq). The holes were drilled north and south of the historical stopes to test the continuation of the structures.
Gainey Capital Corp, has had successful meetings and communication with the local communities at Las Margaritas project, Durango. “Discussions with State and Federal government representatives have been held to ensure that exploration on the property continues to the benefit of all stakeholders”.
Kootenay Silver Inc. released assay results from seven more drill holes completed at its Columba property in Chihuahua. Highlighted intervals comprise: 11.35 m @ 103 gpt Ag, including 2.28 m @ 405 gpt Ag; 23.0 m @ 60 gpt Ag, including 3.0 m @ 274 gpt Ag, including 1.35 m @ 494 gpt Ag; 7.05 m @ 114 gpt Ag, including 1.0 m @ 547 gpt Ag (the three intercepts in one hole); 10.0 m @ 175 gpt Ag, including 4.63 m @ 301 gpt Ag, including 1.5 m @ 628 gpt Ag; 4.9 m @ 194 gpt Ag, including 0.88 m @ 808 gpt Ag; 39.90 m @ 159 gpt Ag, including 7.45 m @ 650 gpt Ag and 1.15 m @ 919 gpt Ag, and 1.0 m @ 953 gpt Ag, and 1.0 m @ 527 gpt Ag, and 1.0 m @ 860 gpt Ag, and 1.8 m @ 715 gpt Ag. High Ag grades have been intercepted over 700 m of strike length on the F vein, and also 650 m from old workings on the B vein.
Sable Resources Ltd. provided an update on the ongoing drilling campaign at its Vinata property in Chihuahua. Six drill holes have been completed, amounting to 1,753 m of core, with results for 530 samples on the first five holes. Highlighted results comprise 51.3 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, including 30.3 m @ 0.44 gpt Au; 61.8 m @ 0.079 gpt Au, including 12.4 m @ 0.24 gpt Au; 198.25 m @ 0.063 gpt Au, including 8.9 m @ 0.24 gpt Au and 22.1 m @ 0.11 gpt Au; 30.45 m @ 0.035 gpt Au. Low grade gold argillic stratabound alteration in volcanic rocks is open in every direction, except to the East. The drilling program has been increased from 2,000 to 4,000 m to define the limits and grade on the argillic alteration, and also for the existence of a high-grade feeder with more classical epithermal textures.
Tocvan Ventures Corp. and Colibri Resource Corp. reported high Au and Ag values from two new showings that extend known mineralization at its Pilar project in Sonora. Highlighted results comprise 4.3 gpt Au, 172 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb; 23.7 gpt Au, 116 gpt Ag; 4.4 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 7.5 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 0.5 gpt Au, 323 gpt Ag; 1.4 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 2.2 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag; 5.6 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag, 1.7% Pb; 0.7 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 9.3 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb. The new assays support additional areas to develop and define mineralization east and south east of the main areas that have seen over 17,700 m of drilling.
Alien Metals Ltd. is submitting applications for drill permits at its Los Campos and San Celso projects in Zacatecas. At Los Campos a six hole program that could grow to 47 holes and 3,250 m of drilling is planned. At San Celso a grid based drilling plan has been designed, with a total of up to 30 drill holes for 2,550 m, aiming to start with four to six key holes.
Magna Gold Corp. reported assay results from surface sampling at its San Judas project in Sonora. Several targets have been delineated: Santa Lucia-Las Palomas is a bulk mining target in sheared granite with quartz veins and stockworks, on which samples returned up to 0.5 m @ 26.4 gpt Au, 1.5 m @ 14.6 gpt Au, 0.7 m @ 12.9 gpt Au, 0.8 m @ 7.3 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 6.14 gpt Au, 0.8 m @ 5.54 gpt Au; At San Martin there is a quartz stockwork in granite and gneiss that opens the possibility to a high volume bulk deposit, in an area 1,250 m x 750 m, on which samples returned up to 1.5 m @ 13.7 gpt Au, 2.0 m @ 9.20 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 7.12 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 6.7 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 6.23 gpt Au, 2.0 m @ 5.16 gpt Au, 1.9 m @ 4.1 gpt Au; Represo Seco displays a high-grade sheeted and brecciated quartz system with three generations of quartz, two meters thick and exposed over 65 m, where samples returned up to 0.5 m @ 7.4 gpt Au, 1.9 m @ 6.0 gpt Au, 1.8 m @ 5.1 gpt Au; Cueva del León hosts argillic altered intrusive felsic rocks, with assays of up to 1.1 m @ 4.99 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 4.28 gpt Au, 1.2 m @ 2.03 gpt Au, 1.5 m @ 1.9 gpt Au. All the areas are strongly anomalous in Pb (up to 1.45%), Zn (up to 0.35%) and Cu (up to 0.12%).
Vizsla Resources Corp. has started its drilling program at the Pánuco project in Sinaloa. The company plans to drill 14,500 m in 19 prospects, starting with the Vetas Animas corridor. Ten geologists are mapping and sampling in the district at the time being.

ON MINING

United Sates. Antimony Corp. reported that production testing of the cyanide leach circuit at the Puerto Blanco mill in Guanajuato has begun. “The Los Juarez mineralization is disseminated in jasperoid pipes that are present over a strike length of 3.5 kilometers, up to 1 kilometer in width, and are believed to be continuous below 400 meters”. “A global assay” of shallow drilling, sampling and mill testing is @ 1.09 gpt Au, 102 gpt Ag and 0.65% Sb (or 2.6 gpt AuEq), with individual assays of over 1 Oz/t Au, 47 Oz Ag/t and 10% Sb.
Hecla Mining Co. released preliminary results for the fourth quarter 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At the San Sebastian mine in Durango, 1.9 M Oz Ag, 15,673 Oz Au were produced during 2019, and 422.4 K Oz Ag, 3,897 Oz Au during the fourth quarter. With the Hugh Zone production included, AgEq production for the year is the same as 2018. The mill operated at an average of 479 tpd in 2019.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. announced 2019 production of 454,810 Oz Au (Q4 2019: 125,150 Oz) at El Limón Guajes mine in Guerrero. During the fourth quarter plant throughput averaged 12,120 tpd, with 1,060 tpd ore mined underground and 16,030 tpd ore mined by open pit, with a pit strip ratio of 7.3:1.
Leagold Mining Corp. reported 2019 production results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Los Filos, in Guerrero, quarterly production was 64,028, 44,896, 40,922 and 51,010 Oz Au for the Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 respectively, adding to 200,856 Oz Au in the year. The Los Filos Expansion Feasibility study was completed during the year, commencing expansion during the third quarter.
Argonaut Gold Inc. informed its mining unit El Castillo, in Durango, is to stop operations in 2022, after 12 year of work. These operations had $900 M of economic impact which includes investments, operation costs and $82 in taxes paid. To date the company has 347 employees and 249 contractors. Starting this month the crushing operations have been decommissioned, impacting on personnel numbers, and another reduction in the labor force will take place in April.
Endeavour Silver Corp. delivered production reports for the fourth quarter and full year 2019. Gold and silver production decreased 27% in the year, to 38,907 Oz Au, 4.02 M Oz Ag. The El Cubo mine suspended mining operations on Q4 2019, as reserves were exhausted. During the first quarter Endeavour plans to update the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for Terronera, in Jalisco, and deliver an initial Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in Parral, Chihuahua.

ON FINANCING

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. closed the first tranche of its non-brokered financing on December 31, 2019, for gross proceeds of $237 K (Pino de Plata, Chihuahua).
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. announced the issuance of common share purchase warrants in connection with the loan agreement of December 2019 between Agnico and Orla Mining Ltd (Camino Rojo, Zacatecas).
Sierra Metals Inc. announced it has approved a plan to return up to US$30 M to shareholders. Sierra Metals intends to launch a substantial issuer bid pursuant to which the Company will offer to repurchase for cancellation up to US$15 M of its common shares from shareholders for cash (Bolivar and Cusi, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Prime Mining Corp. updated on work at is Guadalupe de los Reyes project in Sinaloa, pointing its aim to become a gold producer. The acquisition was completed in August 2019, the due diligence concluded, a team was assembled, and an initial financing of CAD$8.7 M and USD$4.5 M of property payments were made, with only a payment of USD$1.5 M remaining, due October 2021. The long term land access agreement was signed and led to the implementation of 5,000 m of road cut and trenching that aided defining wider and longer structures than anticipated. The project is being evaluated at a mining rate of 4,500 tpd of mineralized material from five to seven pit locations, with Prime aiming to make the initial mining permitting submissions during 2020.
Sierra Metals Inc. updated the mineral resource estimate for its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. The mineral resource update includes 13,698 m of infill drilling and 41,553 m of exploration drilling, with 11.63 M tonnes @ 0.95% Cu, 18 g/t Ag, and 0.24 g/t Au (or 1.16% CuEq) for a total of 244.3 M Lb Cu, 6.8 M Oz Ag, 90.4 K Oz Au (300.1 M Lb CuEq) as indicated resources, and 16.69 M tonnes @ 0.93% Cu, 17 g/t Ag, 0.30 g/t Au (or 1.16% CuEq) adding to 342.1 M Lb Cu, 9 M Oz Ag, 162.7 K Oz Au (428.1 M Lb CuEq) as inferred resources.
Discovery Metals Corp. announced results from the last four diamond drill holes at the Cordero project in Chihuahua. The program is designed to look for high grade and to test other areas of the 35,000 ha property. Highlighted intervals comprise: In hole 295, 81.82 m @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.35 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 0.9% Zn, including 4.1 m @ 517 gpt Ag, 1.32 gpt Au, 7.6% Pb, 5.7% Zn; 68.1 m @ 117 gpt Ag, 1.96 gpt Au, 1.7% Pb, 1.1% Zn, including 34.7 m @ 200 gpt Ag, 3.04 gpt Au, 2.9% Pb, 1.6% Zn, including 3.7 m @ 512 gpt Ag, 21.52 gpt Au, 6.9% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 11.5 m @ 284 gpt Ag, 0.88 gpt Au, 4.1% Pb, 2.8% Zn; In hole 296, 47.1 m @ 71 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 61.6 m @ 42 gpt Ag, 0.39 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 0.4% Zn; in hole 294, 94.3 m @ 47 gpt Ag, 0.27 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 10.8 m @ 93 gpt Ag, 0.46 gpt Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; in hole 293, 59.9 m @ 37 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 4.3 m @ 111 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 2.9% Zn. “Discovery believes that definition of these veins has the potential to significantly enhance the high-grade component of the deposit”.
Azure Minerals Ltd. recommenced reverse circulation drilling (RC) at its Alacrán project in Sonora. The program is aimed at resource expansion of the Loma Bonita deposit, which currently extends for 600 m, and is up to 200 m in width and up to 100 m in depth. Early drilling is located east of two holes that intersected 47.2 m @ 2.79 gpt Au, 33, gpt Ag and 67.1 m @ 1.56 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag. Drilling is also planned on Cerro San Simon, where previous drilling has intercepted up to 29.6 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag; 12.6 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 63.0 m @ 0.47 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Goldplay Exploration Ltd. entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with First Majestic Silver Corp. to acquire the 8,514 ha Plomosas silver project in Sinaloa. The terms of the transaction are expected to include a $100 K cash payment to First Majestic and a 2% NSR royalty to First Majestic, with 1% of the NSR subject to a buyback option for $1 M, and the issuance of 19.9% of the total issued common shares of Goldplay. In December 2019 Goldplay announced another LOI with Mako Mining Corp. on a significant land position in the region (San Marcial, Sinaloa).
Goldplay Exploration Ltd. announced name change to GR Silver Mining Ltd., effective January 13, 2020 (San Marcial, Sinaloa).
Oroco Resource Corp. registered at the Public Registry of Mining (Registro Público de Minería) the transfer of the seven core concessions of the Santo Tomás copper porphyry project to Xochipala Gold, S.A. de C.V., which is now the registered holder of 100% interest on these concessions. Oroco “holds an irrevocable option to acquire, via the ownership of Altamura Copper Corp., a net 56.7% interest in the collective 1,172.9 ha seven core concessions of the Santo Tomás Project in NW Mexico, and may increase that majority interest up to a net 81.0% interest with project investment of up to CAD$30 million”. The company also holds a 77.5% interest in 7,807.9 ha of mining concessions surrounding the previously mentioned core claims.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Peñoles open to support the reactivation of agriculture in Naica, directly cooperating with the Naica ejido (communal land) by providing the pumping equipment and its maintenance. The water is to be extracted from the Naica mine, in care and maintenance for the last five years.
Peñoles organizes a robot building contest (FIRST robotics competition), supporting more than 1,500 students. The event is to take place in the Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, on the Torreon Campus.
Endeavour Silver summarized its sustainability work for 2019, which includes: 1) Guanacevi, Bolañitos and El Cubo received the annual “Socially Responsible Company” distinction from CEMEFI (Mexican Philanthropy Center); 2) Ceased operations at the El Cubo Mine in a collaborative manner with the employees, provided a social plan to mitigate risks and addressed community concerns resulting from the suspension of mining operations. 3) Made community donations including a recreational sports facility at El Cubo and partnered with the local Municipal Government to open a cultural community center at Bolañitos. 4) Carried out a Social Impact Study at Parral to identify and address important issues to the local community. 5) Continued to engage with the surrounding communities of the Terronera Project including San Sebastian Del Oeste, San Felipe De Hijar, and Santiago De Pinos, and hosted multiple events and programs during 2019 to which over 1,000 locals attended. 6) Invested in its scholarship program at Guanacevi, Bolañitos and El Cubo, benefitting over 100 students from high school and university levels. 7) The Company planted 52,000 trees to reclaim disturbed ground at all its mines and projects.

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 an orogenic gold system of Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

December 1, 2019December 1, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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

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

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

November 17, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 46^th week of the year (November 11^th to November 17^th, 2019), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, mining investments in Mexico decreased from 8 billion dollars in 2018 to 5 billion dollars in 2019. Camimex held a fiscal seminar in Queretaro. Almaden Minerals published a letter on indigenous population around the Ixtaca project in Puebla. Promperú organized in Hermosillo, Sonora, a Commercial Mission of suppliers to mining in Peru. The top ten silver miners in Mexico produced 39.8 M Oz in the third quarter 2019. The mining industry in Mexico has been subject in the past few years of regulatory hurdles that are having a negative effect in investment in the sector, the last one being the decision by SEMARNAT not to authorize the MIA on the Ixtaca project in Puebla until there is a resolution on a legal suit on a piece of land no longer held by the company running the project. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Evrim updated on exploration of the El Llanito del Nogal property; Magna Gold reported assay results from four more holes at Mercedes. In Sinaloa, Vizsla Resources released high-grade results from rock channel sampling at Panuco. ON MINING, Premier Gold, Golden Minerals, Starcore International, Americas Gold and Silver, Sierra Metals, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Fortuna Silver presented third quarter 2019 results. Consolidated Zinc and Industrias Peñoles signed an offtake agreement on zinc concentrate. ON FINANCING, Tamino Minerals informed on trading volumes. Mexican Gold received TSX approval for the listing of 50 M warrants from a previous financing. Colibri Resources entered into a loan agreement with Agnico Eagle for $300 K. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Defiance Silver is to start a two-phase technical program at San Acacio, Zacatecas. Endeavour Silver reported positive drill results on recently acquired El Curso concession within its Guanaceví property. Peñoles is to invest $70 M at its processing facilities in Torreon. SilverCrest released high-grade results from drilling at the Babi Vista vein at Las Chispas, in Sonora. Bacanora Lithium updated on project development on its Sonora project. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Evrim signed an agreement with San Marco Resources to acquire the Suanse property in Sonora. Colibri Resources extended an agreement with Agnico Eagle on the disposal of Colibri’s share on the Pitaya project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Peñoles is conducting courses for children and adults at its Torreon community center. Ternium is organizing health festivals in Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Jalisco, Michoacan, Puebla and San Luis Potosi. Argonaut sponsored the third edition of the La Colorada race, within the pit benches at the mine in Sonora. The “Doctor Vagón” itinerant health clinic sponsored by Grupo Mexico provided service to 550 persons in Gomez Palacio, Durango. La Brisa mining company provided cleaning equipment to the Topia community in Durango. Peñoles mining units source 35% of its energy requirements by removable sources, and expects to reach 100% by 2028.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

During 2019 investments in the mining sector are to reach five billion (5 mil millones) dollars, according to Francisco Quiroga, Subsecretary of Mining. That’s a decrease from the eight billion (8 mil millones) invested in 2018.
Camimex organized the Seminario Fiscal de la Industria Minera in Queretaro. Camimex compromise is complete on its involvement on the “mesa de diálogo” (dialogue meetings) with the federal government, where proposals to incentivize investment are to be exposed, checking on subjects like the fiscal situation, regulatory environment and security. The head of Camimex, Karen Flores, explained that on the Fraser Institute study Mexico is number 71 of 83 jurisdictions on the fiscal regime. Camimex is for the 100 percent deduction of exploration expenses, and the establishment of pacts of fiscal stability on a 15 to 20 year time frame, as is Peru, Chile and Argentina. In a comparative study, Mexico has the heaviest fiscal load among peers like the US (Arizona), Canada (Ontario), Peru and Chile.
Minera Gorrión (Almaden) published a letter on indigenous population around the Ixtaca project in Puebla. Although indigenous persons inhabit the area, there is not such an indigenous community within the area of influence of the project. The company stresses the misinformation produced by some activists groups with total impunity, and reaffirms its confidence on institutions and the rule of law.
Promperú organized in Hermosillo, Sonora, its II Commercial Mission of Suppliers to Mining in Peru. Several conferences were presented by members of the mining communities and governments of both countries.
The top 10 silver mining companies in Mexico had a solid third quarter. During the period these companies produced 39.8 M Oz, compared with 39.0 M Oz produced on the same quarter a year ago. The top producer is Industrias Peñoles, with 15.3 M Oz almost 40% of that amount and 2.2 M Oz less than the same quarter 2018 (Fresnillo, Saucito, San julian, Sabinas). Newmont was the second largest producer with 7.4 M Oz produced at Peñasquito. Other large producers comprise Southern Copper with 3.9 M Oz (undisclosed units), Pan American with 3.6 M Oz (La Colorada), First Majestic (Santa Elena, San Dimas, among others), Coeur Mining with 1.7 M Oz (Palmarejo), Fortuna Silver with 1.7 M Oz Ag (San José), Minera Frisco 1.1 M Oz (El Coronel, San Felipe, Tayahua, San Francisco del Oro, Concheño and Ocampo), Endeavour Silver 900 K Oz (El Cubo, Bolañitos, Guanceví, and El Compás) and Agnico Eagle 800 K Oz (Pinos Altos).
Alberto Aguilar, a respected columnist in business circles, elaborated on the hurdles the mining industry is going through with the current federal administration (it fell 3.7% on the third quarter, 2019). Among the issues mentioned is the contraction in mineral production as a result of the imposition of new taxes on mining in 2014, the investment of only 5 billion dollars in 2019 (8 billion in 2018), no concessions have been granted in 2019 and the recurrent illegal blockades without sign of easing. The latest hurdle thrown at the industry is the resolution by SEMARNAT (the Mexican environmental agency) that the Manifestation on Environmental Impact (MIA) for the Ixtaca project in Puebla was not to be granted until a legal suit on a claim no longer held by Minera Gorrion (Almaden Minerals) reaches a resolution. Exploration expenses so far have been $40 M dollars and another $117 M are still to be spent, along with $1.1 B (One billion) to be invested in eleven years (GPM Note.- The head of SEMARNAT, Victor Toledo, is known for its public and vocal anti-mining stance).

ON EXPLORATION

Vizsla Resources Corp. released high-grade channel sampling at its Panuco property in Sinaloa. The sampling locations are widespread within the property and the highlighted results comprise: 0.9 m @ 1,860 gpt Ag, 14.55 gpt Au at the Napoleon vein; 0.5 m @ 1,900 gpt Ag, 29.30 gpt Au at the San Antonio-Cordon de Oro vein; 3.6 m @ 691 gpt Ag, 7.00 gpt Au at the San Carlos-Animas vein; 5.95 m @ 584 gpt Ag, 3.97 gpt Au. Veins in the project have lengths of up to 2.8 km, with known ore shoots of up to 500 m in length.
Evrim Resources Corp. updated the description on its El Llanito del Nogal property in Sonora. The Suanse porphyry target, is a 1 Km by 600 m area of propylitic to potassic alteration. Soil sampling outlined a 600 m by 500 m Cu anomaly (>100 ppm) in areas of sheeted quartz-chalcopyrite-chlorite-magnetite veins. A ground magnetic survey outlined a donut-shaped anomaly 400 m in diameter and roughly coincident with the soil anomaly. The soil and magnetic anomalies extend northward onto the Suanse claim (see deals section below) where strong argillic, advanced argillic along with vuggy and massive quartz alteration are interpreted as a partially eroded lithocap.
Magna Gold Corp. reported assay results on the last four RC holes drilled at the La Lamosa target on its Mercedes project in Sonora. Highlighted intervals comprise: 38.10 m @ 0.67 gpt Au, 13.2 gpt Ag (including 6.10 m @ 1.43 gpt Au, 42.9 gpt Ag); 28.96 m @ 0.76 gpt Au, 8.9 gpt Ag (including 7.62 m @ 1.06 gpt Au, 9.3 gpt Ag); 21.34 m @ 1.61 gpt Au, 2.2 gpt Ag (including 3.05 m @ 6.99 gpt Au, 3.9 gpt Ag); 21.34 m @ 1.21 gpt Au, 11.8 gpt Ag (including 3.05 m @ 4.26 gpt Au). Other targets to follow up include the 600 m long La Lamosa East projection, the Mina de Oro 300 m by 150 m silicified/argillized andesite and rhyodacite, the Salto Colorado breccia 400 m by 150 m in size and Noche Buena, forming a prominent ridge in a 900 m by 800 m area with tourmaline breccias.

ON MINING

Premier Gold Mines Ltd. Reported operating results for the third quarter 2019, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Mercedes, in Sonora, 159.4 K tonnes were milled @ 2.94 gpt Au, 22.6 gpt Ag, recovering 95.9% Au, 32.3% Ag to produce 14,481 Oz Au, 37.5 K Oz Ag at co-product cash cost $1,095 per Oz Au, and co-product AISC $1,354 Oz Au.
Golden Minerals Co. announced financial results for the third quarter 2019. The company had revenue of US$1.9 M and a net operating margin of $1.3 M related to the lease of the Velardeña oxide plant to Hecla Mining Co.. By the end of the period the company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 M. During October an agreement was achieved with Magellan Gold Corp. to option a 100% interest in the Santa Maria and Las Marias exploration properties in Chihuahua.
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. signed and offtake agreement with Industrias Peñoles S.A. de C.V. for zinc concentrate produced from the Plomosas mine to December 2020, with an option to be extended for a further two years.
Starcore International Mines Ltd. released production results from its San Martin mine in Queretaro for the three months ended on October 31, 2019. During the period 54.1 K tonnes were milled @ 1.78 gpt Au, 34.2 gpt Ag, with a recovery of 87.35% Au, 52.27% Ag to produce 3,050 Oz AuEq.
Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported consolidated and operational results for Q3 2019, with undisclosed figures from its Mexican operations (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
Sierra Metals Inc. reported third quarter 2019 results, including information from its Mexican operations. The company is approaching is production target of 4,250 tpd at Bolivar and 1,200 tpd at Cusi, both in Chihuahua. Bolivar’s cash cost per CuEq Lb was $1.40, and the AISC $2.53. Cusi’s cash cost was $18.77 and AISC $24.60. During the period 9,923 m were drilled from the surface at Bolivar, and 3,220 m within the Cusi mine. At the end of the period cash and cash equivalents were $40.1 M, with a net debt of $50.9 M.
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. reported results for the third quarter 2019. Net loss for the period was $4.2 M due to several non-recurring items (Exploraciones Oceánicas project, Baja California Sur).
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported third quarter results for 2019, including figures from its Mexican operations. At San José, in Oaxaca, 268 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 3,046 tpd and a grade of 219 gpt Ag, 1.40 gpt Au, recovering 91% Ag, 91% Au to produce 1.7 M Oz Ag and 10,942 Oz Au at cash cost $7.70 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $10.80 per Oz AgEq.

ON FINANCING

Tamino Minerals Inc. informed that during the third week of September the company traded 145 M shares with a volume of US $1.1 M and a price per share appreciation of US$0.01” (El Volcan, Sonora).
Mexican Gold Corp. has received TSX Venture Exchange approval for the listing of 50 M warrants from the non-brokered private placement announced in past July.
Colibri Resource Corp. has entered into a loan agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. For proceeds of US$300 K. The loan has a 2 year term at a 10% interest rate and proceeds are to be used on the Evelyin project in Sonora.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Defiance Silver Corp. is to start a two-phase technical program at its San Acacio property in Zacatecas. The program envisages evaluating the San Acacio resource at depth and brownfield targets on the Veta Grande system.
Endeavour Silver Corp. reported positive initial drill results for El Curso property, adjacent to Endeavour’s Guanaceví mine in Durango. The property includes the Santacruz vein, which is between two Endeavour’s developments. Drilling highlights comprise true width (tw) intervals: 5.2 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 465 gpt Ag; 2.6 m @ 1.23 gpt Au, 558 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 2.51 gpt Au, 935 gpt Ag; 2.5 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 204 gpt Ag; 5.1 m @ 3.07 gpt Au, 1,182 gpt Ag (including 0.5 m @ 15.22 gpt Au, 5,372 gpt Ag); 4.3 m @ 2.2 gpt Au, 1,021 gpt Ag; 2.7 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 355 gpt Ag; 6.2 m @ 1.70 gpt Au, 635 gpt Ag.
Industrias Peñoles S.A.B de C.V. is to invest US$70 M in its Met-Mex installations (in Torreon, Coahuila) to better the silver recovery in zinc concentrates. In 2018, the company commissioned a US$327 M modification on the plant that avoids the generation of additional sulphuric acid by direct concentrate leaching instead of roasting, augmenting the capacity from 240 K to 360 K tonnes of zinc.
SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced expansion drill results from the Babi Vista vein in the Babicanora area of the Las Chispas project in Sonora. The highlighted true width (tw) intervals from these 17 holes comprise: 2.3 m @ 2.27 gpt Au, 215 gpt Ag; 0.4 m @ 3.55 gpt Au, 385 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 4.86 gpt Au, 600 gpt Ag; 0.4 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 187 gpt Ag; 0.6 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 92 gpt Ag; 2.0 m @ 1.84 gpt Au, 433 gpt Au, 1.2 m @ 2.56 gpt Au, 296 gpt Ag; 8.8 m @ 7.36 gpt Au, 584 gpt Ag (including 0.3 m @ 120.50 gpt Au, 9,510 gpt Ag; 0.7 m @ 18.15 gpt Au, 1,495 gpt Ag); 6.6 m @ 3.37 gpt Au, 250 gpt Ag (including 0.4 m @ 32.70 gpt Au, 2,940 gpt Ag). So far the high-grade footprint is 150 m along the strike of the vein and 200 m to depth, open in most directions, averaging 2.2 m @ 4.70 gpt Au, 401 gpt Ag.
Bacanora Lithium plc. updated on project activities at its Sonora Lithium project. Final design work for the mine site, infrastructure, concentrator and kiln sections of the processing plant is in progress. Detailed engineering plans for the design of the front-end concentrator and mechanical processing is underway, as well as the pyrometallurgical engineering, while the hydrometallurgical plant, including the production of the final battery grade lithium product will be engineered by Ganfeng.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Evrim Resources Corp. signed an agreement with San Marco Resources to acquire the Suanse property in Sonora. The 1,115 hectares property is within Evrim’s Llano del Nogal claim. Evrim can acquire 100% interest in the project by making total cash payments of $75 K and granting San Marco a 1% royalty half of which can be repurchased for $1 M. Cash payments are: $25 K on signing, $25 K on signing a JV or partnership with third parties and $25 K upon completion of 1,000 m of drilling.
Colibri Resource Corp. granted a two-year extension to its agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., allowing Agnico to exclusively explore opportunities to dispose of Colibri’s working interest in its JV on the 5,564 hectares Pitaya project in Sonora.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Peñoles Community Center (Centro Comunitario Peñoles) in Torreon, Coahuila, is conducting courses for children and adults, including English, music, drawing, tae kwon do, tae chi and modern dance and dance for weight reduction.
Ternium organizes the Health Festivals (Ferias de La Salud) in Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Colima, Jalisco, Michoacan, Puebla and San Luis Potosi, in coordination with several organizations and government institutions. Each year almost 6,000 persons receive this benefit, including cost-free diverse medical examinations (like sight, Papanicolau, mamographies) and flu shots.
The La Colorada race was held in Sonora for the third time. The race sponsored by Argonaut Gold was attended by hundreds of runners on the benches of La Colorada mine.
The technical school Roberto Rocca (partly supported by Ternium) is to represent Mexico in the World’s Educative Robotics Tournament, to be held in Shanghai, China.
The “Doctor Vagón” program sponsored by the Grupo Mexico Foundation (a train adapted for medical services) was four days at Gomez Palacio, Durango, with the aid of the local municipality. During that time 2,200 services were provided to the 550 persons that registered to the effect.
In Topia, Durango, Minera La Brisa supported the municipality providing cleaning equipment.
Industrias Mineras Peñoles announced that to 2018 up to 35% of the energy requirements at its mining units is fulfilled by renewable energy sources. The company is striving to reach at least a 50% in 2020 and to be completely reliant on renewable energy sources by 2028.

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: Gold recovered by artisanal methods from orogenic style quartz veins in Oaxaca.. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

September 22, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

During the 38^th week of the year (September 16^th to September 22^nd, 2019), at least 20 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Peñasquito in Zacatecas is again victim of an illegal blockade, operations are suspended by Newmont Goldcorp. ON EXPLORATION, in Zacatecas, Advance Gold is to carry a second phase geophysical survey on its Tabasquena project. in Jalisco, Silver Spruce announced the approval of the permits for drilling Cocula. In Hidalgo, Prospero Silver informed on drilling results from its Pachuca SE project. ON MINING, a renewed illegal blockade strikes Newmont Goldcorp’s Peñaquito mine, in Zacatecas. Starcore released first quarter 2019 results. Consolidated Zinc filed first semester 2019 results. Mexus Gold realized the first gold sale from it Santa Elena mine in Sonora. ON FINANCING, Newmont Goldcorp completed a senior notes offering for $690 M. San Marco Resources is consolidating its share base on a 3 to 1 basis. Defiance Silver is settling a debt by issuing shares. Sierra Metals amended the number of shares to re-purchase. VVC Exploration extends the closing of its private placement financing for up to CA$2.5 M. Galore Resources announced the extension of the current non-brokered private placement intended to raise $1.5 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Leagold commenced a large multi-year exploration program on eight linear kilometres of the southern portion of the Bermejal intrusive stock. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Azure Minerals won a dispute on the recovery of a significant amount of VAT. Silver Spruce is to continue the due diligence on the Cocula project in Jalisco. Magna Gold completed the acquisition of Las Marias and Las Cabañas properties, adjacent the former and 10 km SW the latter from its Mercedes project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Alamos Gold received an award on community responsibility by three organizations for work on the Mulatos community, in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

A new illegal blockade on Peñasquito, Zacatecas, forces Newmont Goldcorp to suspend operations. The blockade that was set on September 14, 2019, is backed by the Zacatecan senator José Narro, from the ruling party Morena.

ON EXPLORATION

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. announced the approval of the Informe Preventivo on the Cocula project in Jalisco, which is the environmental application required for drilling. The permit allows for 47 drill sites over the 750 m strike length of the known mineralised area.
Advance Gold Corp. informed that a second phase geophysical survey will be carried out at its Tabasquena project in Zacatecas. The first phase 3D induced polarisation survey identified a “a significant continuous chargeability anomaly, with an east-west width of approximately 250 metres and an apparent strike length of over 800 metres” directly below the Tabasquena vein, which saw previous production under the company Peñoles.
Prospero Silver Corp. posted results from holes drilled in 2019 on its Pachuca SE project, funded by partner Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. The 5,933 m diamond drilling in eight holes produced highlighted intervals of 0.78 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 1.50 m @ 0.28 gpt Au, 46 gpt Ag; 0.40 m @ 0.49 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag; 0.35 m @ 1.69 gpt Au, 675 gpt Ag; 1.80 m @ 0.58 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag. Prospero suggests this indicates a district wide preserved epithermal mineralized zone, with fluid inclusion and mineralogical data pointing to the top of the mineralised zone 200 m below the actual surface, and the paleo-water table 100 m above the top of the Varal ridge.

ON MINING

Newmont Goldcorp Corp. Informed “that the dialogue sponsored by the government of Mexico to resolve issues with a trucking contractor and the San Juan de Cedros community (one of Peñasquito’s 25 neighboring communities) has been suspended and that an illegal blockade has resumed”. The company has enhanced water availability to neighbouring communities through a number of projects over the years, and proposed several additional measures for the communities in general and for San Juan de Cedros in particular, on the most recent government sponsored talks with the protesters.
Starcore International Mines Ltd. filed the results for the first quarter, ended July 31, 2019. During the period the company milled 60.8 K tonnes @ 1.99 gpt Au, 31.7 gpt Ag, recovering 85.1% Au, 58.4% Ag, to produce 3,711 Oz AuEq at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. The mine operating cash cost was US$1,234 per AuEq Oz and the AISC US$1,452 per AuEq Oz.
Mexus Gold US. sold its first gold, produced at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora).
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. released its first semester 2019 interim report. During the period 27.1 K tonnes of ore @ 13.1% Zn, 4.1%Pb were mined from its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, while extracting also 14 K tonnes of waste and driving 1,192 m of underground development. By the end of the period the company had total assets of US$4.3 M, total liabilities for US$5.2 M and total cash US$0.2 M, with US$2.1 M of debt.

ON FINANCING

Newmont Goldcorp Corp. closed a senior notes offering at 2.8% netting $690 M of gross proceeds. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for repayment of the outstanding 5.125% senior notes due October 1, 2019 (Peñasquito, Zacatecas).
San Marco Resources Inc. is consolidating its shares on a 3 to 1 basis. Once the consolidation process is complete, the company will have 22.6 M issued and outstanding shares (Chunibas, Sonora).
Defiance Silver Corp. intends to settle up to $150 K of debt issuing up to 535 K common shares. The issuance of the shares is subject to approval by the TSX, as some of the creditors are insiders of the company, and the settlement is considered a related party transaction (San Acacio, Zacatecas).
Sierra Metals Inc. announced an amendment to the number of shares the company can repurchase, from 1.5 M to 2.5 M shares, or approximately 1.54% of the issued and outstanding shares of the company (Bolivar, Chihuahua).
VVC Exploration Corp. announces the extended closing of its private placement financing under which expects to accrue up to CA$2.5 M. A finder’s fee not exceeding 7% of the aggregate amount raised is to be paid. In conjunction with the private placement, VVC also will be converting up to $200 K of its indebtedness to units of the company (Kaity, Chihuahua).
Galore Resources Inc. announced that the previously announced non-brokered private placement financing intended to raise up to $1.5 M has been extended under conditional acceptance by the TSX, as the company is continuing to collect subscriptions from investors. The company plans to submit documentation and announce a closing on a first tranche of the financing in the next few days, before following up on completing and closing on a second tranche in the next 30 days (El Alamo, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Leagold Mining Corp. commenced a large multi-year exploration program on the southern portion of the Bermejal intrusive at its Los Filos mine complex in Mexico. Eight linear kilometres of favourable contacts between the intrusive and the hosting sedimentary rocks are to be explored, compared with the already explored four linear kilometres that have yielded past production and actual resources reaching 6 M Oz Au on the Bermejal intrusion. The first phase will include surface geochemistry, geophysics, mapping, trenching and up to 10,000 m of drilling in 48 holes. Known prospects of interest include El Carmen, where up to 14.5 m @ 8.1 gpt Au and 12.8 m @ 12.8 gpt Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Azure Minerals Ltd. announced a dispute over the recovery of IVA (Mexican equivalent to GST) has been finalised with the Mexican authorities, resulting in the payment of Mx$10.33 M or AU$767 K. This payment results from a court ruling over IVA paid in 2016, reimbursed with interests (Mesa de Plata, Sonora).
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. announced its intention to continue the due diligence to support a definitive purchase decision of the Cocula project in Jalisco, subject to its binding letter of agreement with ProDeMin S.A. de C.V.
Magna Gold Corp. announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Las Marias property and Las Cabañas mineral claim in Sonora. Las Marias property consists of seven mining concessions covering 646 ha adjacent to the Mercedes property, and Las Cabañas consists of two claims covering 248 ha approximately 10 km SW of the Mercedes property. The total purchase price for the new mineral concessions and other rights was $250 K and the issuance of 1 M common shares.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Alamos Gold Inc. was named the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practice 2019 in the category of Connecting with the Community. The award was bestowed by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (Cemefi), the Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility in Mexico (AliaRSE), and Forum Empresa (Mulatos, Sonora).

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: Strong iron oxides on a quartz vein from an orogenic gold project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

September 8, 2019September 8, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

IMG_0970a By Jorge Cirett

During the 36^th week of the year (September 2^nd to September 8^th, 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.
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

IMG_0970a

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

July 29, 2019July 29, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 30^th week of the year (July 22^nd to July 28^th, 2019), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Chihuahua government announced the Los Gatos mine is about to start production in the municipality of Satevó, and stated that the mining industry is of uttermost importance in the State, with 44 companies (80% Canadian) providing 12,300 well-paid jobs. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Evrim released drill results from its Sarape project. ON MINING, Excellon, Mexus Gold and Great Panther presented production or financial results. Azure commenced open-pit mining at its Oposura project in Sonora. ON FINANCING, In a great week for the resource companies sector, Impact Silver, Golden Minerals, Americas Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Mako Mining, Southern Silver, Avino Silver, Discovery Metals and Oroco announced financing rounds for combined tens of millions of dollars, with several of those placements having been increased after the opening. Silver One Resources granted options to its personnel and consultants. Defiance Silver entered into a $200 K loan with one of its officers. Mexus Gold US paid a $105 K loan. Capstone Mining extended and amended its US$300 million corporate revolving credit facility. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver released results from holes previously drilled testing the Avino system stockwork hanging-wall. GoGold released results from four more holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Prize Mining intends to change its name to Boundary Gold and Copper Mining. One World Lithium issued a technical clarification on its previous press release on drilling at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California. Discovery Metals received conditional approval for the plan of arrangement with Levon Resources for the combination of its businesses, and Levon shareholders approved the said plan of arrangement.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Secretariat on Innovation and economic Development of Chihuahua announced that a new mining project is about to start operations in the state: Los Gatos, in San Jose del Sitio, Satevó, with a US$316 M investment by Sunshine Silver and Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd. from Japan, that is to create more than 350 jobs. Other mining operations in the state include Pan American Silver’s Dolores mine in Madera, where 850 persons work, and Coeur’s Palmarejo mine with 800 workers. Chihuahua has 14 big mining operations, with 44 companies exploring in the state (80% Canadian companies) that generate 12,300 direct jobs with salaries that are 190% above the State average.

ON EXPLORATION

Evrim Resources Corp. released drill results from the 2019 maiden drill program at the Sarape project in Sonora. The 2,390 m ten hole program covered a 380 m strike length along the Sarape (6 km long), La Nune and Chiltepin veins. Highlighted results include 0.25 m @ 1.48 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 8.47 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 7.55 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 24.68 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag (including 1.4 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag); 1.47 m @ 0.31 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag; 1.46 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag; 3.15 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 11.57 m @ 0.22 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag.

ON MINING

Excellon Resources Inc. announced second quarter 2019 production results from its Platosa mine, Durango. At the site 18,717 tonnes were mined, 19,964 tonnes processed @ 514 gpt Ag, 4.97% Pb, 7.40% Zn, recovering 90.6% Ag, 83.6% Pb, 79.6% Zn to produce 276.8 K Oz Ag, 1.76 M Lb Pb, 2.5 M Lb Zn. “.. the operation accessed multiple ore faces in the Rodilla, Pierna, 623 and Guadalupe South mantos. Operational efficiencies implemented in previous quarters continued to deliver results with lower dilution, higher grades and steady production rates”.
Mexus Gold US. informed that leaching from its 2,500 ton leach pad is returning solution to the holding pond at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). “It is expected to accumulate 5 to 7 oz. the first week with leaching continuing until the return solution stabilizes. Mexus will be adding new ore to the pad with the Merrill Crow gold recovery system running weekly to keep up with production.”
Great Panther Mining Ltd. reported financial results for the second quarter 2019. Most of the report is focused on the operation of the company’s recently acquired Tucano mine in Brazil, and not much is disclosed about its Mexican operations, other than the production of 10,023 Oz AuEq. At the end of the period cash and short-term deposits were $9.9 M (Topia, Durango).
Capstone Mining Corp. extended and amended its US$300 million corporate revolving credit facility with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CBIC) and Bank of Nova Scotia. “In the quarter ending June 30, 2019, Capstone paid an additional $20 million towards long-term debt , bringing the total deleveraging payments to $129 million over the last ten fiscal quarters, and the total long-term debt balance to $199.9 million” (Cozamin, Zacatecas).
Azure Minerals Ltd. commenced mining at its Oposura project in Sonora. Ore grading 10-15% Pb-Zn is being open-pit mined at a rate of 1,500-3,000 tonnes per month on the East-Zone, where all material being mined is classified as indicated mineral resources. “Processing of this ore is expected to commence in September under a toll treatment agreement with a third-party sulphide flotation processing plant”.

ON FINANCING

Silver One Resources Inc. granted 2.43 M stock options to its directors, officers, consultants and advisors (La Frazada, Nayarit).
Impact Silver Corp. amended the terms of its ongoing non-brokered private placement financing due to strong interest. Under the actual terms, Impact has closed a first tranche for gross proceeds of $1.235 M and expects to close a second tranche for additional $714 K. Under the modified terms a third tranche has been added seeking to raise additional $3 M (Zacualpan District, Estado de Mexico).
Impact Silver Corp. completed the second tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement, receiving aggregate gross proceeds of $714.3 K (Zacualpan District, Estado de Mexico).
Golden Minerals Co. closed the direct offering previously announced, for gross proceeds $2.25 M (Rodeo, Durango).
Americas Silver Corp. announced that Eric Sprott purchased shares of the company for a total of US$10 M in a non-brokered private placement, increasing its ownership to above 8% (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
SilverCrest Metals Inc. entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters for the purchase of shares with gross proceeds of C$22.0 M, with the company paying the underwriters a cash commission of up to 5% of the gross proceeds. SSR Mining elected to exercise its right to maintain its pro rata ownership of up to 9.9% (Las Chispas, Sonora).
Defiance Silver Corp. “entered into a loan agreement with an entity controlled by one of its officers and directors which allows Defiance to borrow up to $200,000. The Loan is unsecured and will bear interest at the rate of 1% per month, accrued daily. It will mature on July 22, 2020”(San Acacio, Zacatecas).
Mako Mining Corp. announced the completion of the previously announced rights offering, raising total aggregate gross proceeds of $27 M.
Mexus Gold US. informed that the company has satisfied a $105 K loan commitment on time (Santa Elena, Sonora).
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. announced its previously announced $2M non-brokered private placement has been increased to $3 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. entered into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corp. as sole underwriter to the purchase of common shares of the company for gross proceeds of $4M and additional flow-through common shares for additional gross proceeds of $2 M (Avino, Durango).
Discovery Metals Corp. closed its non-brokered private placement, raising $ 9.0 M. Mr Eric Sprott acquired 17.56 M shares, and as a result he’s now the owner of 19.9% of Discovery’s issued and outstanding common shares. Finders’ fees of $17,500 were paid (Puerto Rico, Coahuila; Cordero, Chihuahua).
Oroco Resource Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement to raise $1.35 M (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
Americas Silver Corp. closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement with Mr. Eric Sprott, raising gross proceeds of US$10 M.
Capstone Mining Corp. extended and amended its US$300 million corporate revolving credit facility with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CBIC) and Bank of Nova Scotia. “In the quarter ending June 30, 2019, Capstone paid an additional $20 million towards long-term debt , bringing the total deleveraging payments to $129 million over the last ten fiscal quarters, and the total long-term debt balance to $199.9 million” (Cozamin, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released results from a sampling campaign comprising 52 recent and historic holes that were previously drilled on the hanging-wall of the Avino stockwork system of its Avino property in Durango. Some of the results released: 3.05 m @ 1.31 gpt Au, 24 gpt Ag, 0.02% Cu; 4.30 m @ 1.47 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag, 0.49% Cu; 2.20 m @ 5.00 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag, 0.13% Cu; 16.00 m @ 2.06 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag, 0.69% Cu; 2.95 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.47% Cu; 1.25 m @ 3.27 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, 0.11% Cu; 2.00 m @ 15.60 gpt Au, 146 gpt Ag, 0.28% Cu; 4.10 m @ 3.82 gpt Au, 103 gpt Ag, 0.23% Cu; 5.45 m @ 1.26 gpt Au, 133 gpt Ag, 0.07% Cu; 9.50 m @ 1.82 gpt Au, 119 gpt Ag, 0.50% Cu; 5.95 m @ 2.29 gpt Au, 232 gpt Ag, 0.30% Cu; 4.90 m @ 5.36 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, 0.07% Cu; 8.43 m @ 2.16 gpt Au, 21 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu.
GoGold Resources Inc. delivered assays results from four more holes at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Highlighted intervals comprise: 21.4 m @ 0.81 gpt Au, 170 gpt Ag (including 12.9 m @ 1.24 gpt Au, 262 gpt Ag which includes 7.5 m @ 1.78 gpt Au, 342 gpt Ag) in one hole; 4.5 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 197 gpt Ag, then stope, then 13.8 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 86 gpt Ag) in another hole; 14.9 m @ 1.78 gpt Au, 106 gpt Ag in a third one and 7.5 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, then 2.2 m of open stope, then 15.6 m @ 1.15 gpt Au, 113 gpt Ag (including 6.5 m @ 2.38 gpt Au, 236 gpt Ag. The first hole of this release is the deepest so far to intersect the Los Ricos vein.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Prize Mining Corp. announced its shareholders will be asked in August 22 to approve the continuation of the company into the jurisdiction of Britsh Columbia, the consolidation of its shares on a 5 to one basis and the name change of the company to Boundary Gold and Copper Mining Ltd. (Manto Negro, Coahuila).
Discovery Metals Inc. has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to complete the transaction with Levon Resources Ltd. for the combination of their businesses (Puerto Rico, Coahuila; Cordero, Chihuahua).
One World Lithium Inc. issued a technical clarification as a result of a review by the British Columbia Securities Commission about a previous news release on drilling results at its Salar del Diablo project in Baja California. The company had three distinct target levels at several zones, but drilling encountered harsh conditions due to the natural variability of the unconsolidated basin sediments. “Dense mudstones were interlayered with unconsolidated, water- and brinebearing sands. Drill bits and related equipment were commonly plugged by the mudstones, requiring multiple trips out of the hole to clean and unplug the drill bits. Unconsolidated sands poured or sloughed into the drill bore, requiring substantial time to stabilize the drill hole before drilling to additional depths. Some measure of control was established by drilling and setting casing at deeper levels, but high amounts of water impeded the progress of the drill…..”
Discovery Metals Inc. announced a majority of Levon Resource Ltd’s shareholders approved the plan of arrangement for the combination of businesses (Puerto Rico, Coahuila, Cordero, 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: sheeted quartz veinlets and minor stockwork development in metamorphic rocks of a project in Oaxaca. Picture by Jorge Cirett

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

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

IMG_2611 - copia

By Jorge Cirett

During the 28^th week of the year (July 8^th to July 14^th, 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 Explo… on Altius Minerals Corporation Fi…
	The Mining and Explo… on Silver Tiger Announces Filing…
	The Mining and Explo… on Algo Grande Copper Core Testin…
	The Mining and Explo… on Pan American Silver Announces…
	The Mining and Explo… on Guanajuato Silver Enters Optio…