Mining Fund

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 19th week of the year (May 10th to May 16th, 2021), at least 38 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, nine companies posted exploration advances on their properties, nine presented mining related news, two posted on financing or share options, eight more on project development or resource definition and three posted on corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Camimex reported investment of US$88 M on social development by mining companies. SEGOB has been involved in the resolution of six mining conflicts. The commodity prices have made mining companies values swing in the Mexican Exchange. ON EXPLORATION, in Baja California, Comet Resources received the environmental permit for drilling at Santa Teresa. In Sonora, Tocvan  Ventures informed on exploration at Pilar; Tarachi Gold reported visible gold in RC drilling chips at Tarachi. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver released drilling results from Columba; Mammoth Resources is drill targeting using 3D modelling of geophysics at Tenoriba. In Sinaloa, Brigadier Gold informed on exploration at Picachos; Vizsla Silver released drilling results on the Napoleon trend of the Panuco project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver has begun drilling at Tepic. ON MINING, Fortuna Silver, Endeavour Silver, Torex Resources, Santacruz Silver , Pan American Silver, Avino Silver, SilverCrest Metals, Starcore International and GoGold Resources released Q1 2021 production results. ON FINANCING, Capitan Mining has 8 M shares bought by Mr. Michael Gentile; Magna Gold had a non-brokered private placement of CA$10 M secured convertible debentures. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Ridgestone announced a new mineral resource estimate for Guadalupe y Calvo. Discovery Silver is planning a PEA for its Cordero property. GR Silver Mining reported drilling results from Plomosas. Impact Silver is targeting using 3D modelling of geophysical surveys at Capire. Grupo Mexico unveiled plans to invest several billion dollars on projects in Mexico. Orla Mining updated on construction of the Camino Rojo Oxide project. Excellon Resources presented an updated mineral resource estimate for Platosa. Gatos Silver released results from infill and extension drilling.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Telson Mining is changing name to Altaley Mining Corp.. Coeur Mining is to acquire 17.8% of Victoria Gold. Barksdale Resources is gaining 100% of the Sunnyside project in Arizona. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Endeavour Silver and Hecla Mining released their sustainability 2020 report. Pan American Silver, Equinox Gold and Torex Gold presented plans to reduce their carbon footprint. Newmont Peñasquito and Peña Colorada informed on their actions to support community development.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) informed that the companies part of the organization invested on social development $1,756 M pesos (approximately US$88 M at current exchange rates). Those funds are in addition to the $3,496 M pesos (US$197 M) provided to the Mining Fund (previously intended for bettering mining communities, now siphoned to the black hole the federal government is). The Centro Social para la Filantropía (CEMEFI) granted the Empresa Socialmente Responsable Award to 29 companies affiliated to Camimex.
  • SEGOB (Secretaría de Gobernación) has been part of the resolution of six mining conflicts in Sinaloa, Baja California, Guerrero, Zacatecas and Queretaro, informed Olga Sánchez Cordero, head of the secretariat. The pending case is the one that involves Americas Gold and Silver’s San Rafael mine in Sinaloa, which was paralyzed by a Union dispute over a year ago.
  • Several business leaders expressed their optimism on future silver prices, which can be very good for Mexico, as the number one producer of the metal.
  • Grupo Mexico, the biggest mining conglomerate in Mexico saw its shares rise 8.7% in one day, translating to a 67,885 M pesos gain in value. This as a result of the strong increase in the copper price in 2021.
  • Mining companies in the BMV have had a mixed results 2021. Grupo Mexico has seen its shares increase 30.5%, Minera Autlán 22.3% and Minera Frisco 6.9%, while Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo have had reductions of 15.3% and 20.05% respectively.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Comet Resources Ltd. Informed the drilling permit for its Santa Teresa project in Baja California has been received. The program consists of 2,000 m of diamond drilling to test extensions of zones of known gold mineralization along strike and at depth, as well of other identified zones of interest.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. Has begun drilling at its 2,600 hectare Tepic project in Nayarit. The company intends to drill 21 reverse circulation (RC) holes, as poor recoveries plagued previous diamond drill campaigns by previous operators.
  • Colibri Resources Corp. informed of exploration progress by its partner Tocvan Ventures Corp. on the Pilar project in Sonora. Tocvan is in year two of a five-year option agreement to earn an initial 51% ownership of the Pilar Project. To date, eleven RC drill holes have been completed for a total of 1,811 m, focusing on extensions of the Main zone. Samples for the first five holes have been sent for assaying, and the rest will be sent soon.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. updated on exploration activities at the Tepic property in Nayarit. “Work for the last 6 months has focused on geologic mapping and reconnaissance sampling with approximately 50% of the project covered at a 1:5000 scale level of detail or better. This has resulted in the recognition of more than 10 kilometres of hydrothermally altered and mineralized structures..”. Reconnaissance sampling has returned up to 648 gpt Ag, and 7.43 gpt Au. A 2,700 m trenching has been initiated to explore the multiple structures present in the area.
  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. informed on exploration work at its Picachos project in Sinaloa. The recent drilling intercepted up to 7 m @ 7.45 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag in the San Agustín vein; 0.8 m @ 12.62 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag, 4.5% Cu in the San Antonio vein and 1 m @ 10.65 gpt Au with 8 m @ 2.29 gpt Au, with assays still pending for 518 m of drilling. A trench across the El Placer trend returned 65 m 0.5 gpt Au, and a porphyry copper target was localized, with strong sericitic alteration and values of molybdenum above 240 ppm in almost all the 350 m trench, peaking at 2,200 ppm (0.22%) Mo over 6 m.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. reported visible gold in chips from the recently finished reverse circulation (RC) program at its Tarachi property in Sonora. The visible gold was observed in a 10 m interval of one drill hole cuttings, approximately on a 10 m interval. The RC drill holes were sunk south of La Dura mine on the Jabali concession.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. released drill results for the first four holes of 2021 at its Copalito project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 5.75 m @ 0.049 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb+Zn (including (1.0 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 303 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb+Zn); 8.61 m @ 0.456 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb+Zn (including 2 m @ 1.10 gpt Au, 13 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb+Zn); 21 m @ 0.187 gpt Au, 178 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb+Zn (including 1.18 m @ 0.575 gpt Au, 1,965 gpt Ag, 6.3% Pb+Zn.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. released results from 23 holes at the Napoleon prospect in the Panuco project in Sinaloa. The released holes extend mineralization by 230 m along strike and 65 m to depth. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 3.45 m @ 1,275 gpt Ag, 25.97 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 3.0% Zn (including 0.66 m @ 5,410 gpt Ag, 88.2 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 1.9% Zn); 10.30 m @ 356 gpt Ag, 3.13 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 4.22 m @ 392 gpt Ag, 3.89 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 1.27 m @ 6.47 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 4.22 m @ 3.89 gpt Au, 392 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 1.09 m @ 2.09 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 6.15 m @ 5.14 gpt Au, 87 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 3.93 m @ 1.93 gpt Au, 41 gpt Ag, 0.8% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 1.61 m @ 2.16 gpt Au, 354 gpt Ag, 0.4% Pb, 2.35% Zn.
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. informed on drill targeting activities at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. A 3D modelling exercise was conducted including its infill induced polarization/magnetometric (IP/Mag) geophysical survey recently completed. Four target areas were identified as TA-1, TA-2, TA-3 and TA-4, each showing some of the next attributes: silicified volcanic breccia rocks, High IP-resistivity features, artisanal mine workings, previous ore-grade intercepts in drilling and good geochemistry in rock and soil samples.

ON MINING

  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported first quarter 2021 financial results. At the San José mine, in Oaxaca, 259.8 K tonnes were milled at an average rate of 3,040 tonnes per day (tpd), grading 217 gpt Ag, 1.36 gpt Au, recovering 91% Ag, 91% Au, to produce 1.6 M Oz Ag, 10,301 Oz Au at a production cash cost of $8.40 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $13.40 per Oz AgEq. To note, realized silver and gold prices were $26.17 and $1,783 per ounce in Q1 2021, against $16.09 and $1,571 respectively in Q1 2020.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. presented financial results for the first quarter 2021. During the period 1.4 M Oz Ag, 10,894 Oz Au were produced at cash cost of $7.86 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $19.94 per Oz Ag, generating a cash flow of $5.2 M. Cash at the end of the period was $86 M, with a working capital of $113.1 M and a debt of $8.7 M.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported financial and operational results for the first quarter 2021. During the period 129,509 Oz Au were produced at its El Limon Guajes mine in Guerrero, at total cash cost of $580 per Oz Au, and an AISC of $854 per Oz Au. The adjusted EBITDA was $144.9 M, with $9.3 M of free cash flow. The company is now debt free, after repaying $40 M. By the end of the period Torex had cash of $167.3 M including $172.0 M in cash and $4.7 M of lease obligations.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported production on Q1 2021 of 707 K Oz AgEq from its Zimapan and Rosario mines, in Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi respectively. At Zimapan, 156.4 K tonnes were milled @ 85 gpt Ag, 0.63% Pb, 1.99% Zn, 0.31% Cu (182 gpt Ag), recovering 69% Ag to produce 294.1 K Oz Ag, 892 tonnes Pb, 2,067 tonnes Zn, 354 tonnes Cu. At Rosario 19.8 K tonnes were processed @ 61 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 0.34% Pb, 1.51% Zn (72 gpt AgEq), recovering 80.3% Zn to produce 31.3 K Oz Ag, 59.4 Oz Au, 78 tonnes lead, 73 tonnes Zn.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. presented results for Q1 2021, including figures from its Mexican operations. Of a total 4.6 M Oz Ag, 137.6 K Oz Au produced in the period, 1.06 M Oz Ag, 0.5 K Oz Au were produced at La Colorada (Zacatecas) and 0.63 M Oz Ag, 37 K Oz Au at Dolores (Chihuahua). Cash cost per Oz Ag at La Colorada was $15.62 and AISC $42.44, whereas at Dolores cash cost per Oz Au was $718 with no AISC reported.
  • Avino Silver  Gold Mines Ltd. released consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2021. During the period 164 K tonnes were milled to produce 266.7 K Oz Ag, 1,531 Oz Au, 1.8 M Lb Cu (684 K Oz AgEq). “During Q1 2021, no production mining activities took place due to the work stoppage at the Avino Mine. Transitional efforts are underway to restart production and mining operations”. By the end of the period tha company had $27 M in cash and a working capital of $31.2 M.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. reported unaudited financial results of Q1 2021. During the period the company released results form a feasibility study (FS) for Las Chispas project in Sonora, with an estimated initial capital cost of $137.7 M. By the end of March the construction advance was 14.3%, with an aggregate cost of $27.7 M. Also, 33,382 m were completed of in-fill and expansion drilling and 2.0 Km of underground decline and development including in-vein drifting. SilverCrest also completed 18,237 m of drilling at Picacho (Sonora), where it has drilled 24,059 m since its acquisition in 2020. At the end of the period the company had $226 M in cash and cash equivalents.
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the fourth quarter, ended April 30, 2021, at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. During the period 54.4 K tonnes were milled @ 1.52 gpt Au, 24.6 gpt Ag, recovering 87.3% and 57.5% Ag, to recover 2,603 Oz AuEq.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released its financial results for the first quarter 2021. The company stacked 417.5 K tonnes to sell 541.6 K Oz AgEq at cash cost $12.81 and AISC $16.27 at its Parral tailing property in Chihuahua.

ON FINANCING

  • Capitan Mining Inc. had 8 M shares bought by Mr. Michael Gentile, same that coupled with 1.16 M previously held shares amount to 17.02% of Capitan Mining issued shares. Mr. Gentile filed an early warning report. (Capitan, Durango).
  • Magna Gold Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement of CAS$10 M secured convertible debentures with Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc.. The debentures mature in 24 month’s from issuance and bear interest at a rate of 6.5% per year. “The principal amount of the Debentures is convertible, at the election of Delbrook, into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of CAD$1.25 per common share, representing a 35.5% premium to the 10-day VWAP”. Magna plans exploration activities at its Margarita project (Chihuahua), Mercedes (Sonora), San Judas (Sonora), Veta Tierra (Sonora) and Los Muertos (Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Ridgestone Mining Inc. announced a mineral resource estimate for its Guadalupe y Calvo project in Chihuahua. The estimate was done on two main structures, the Rosario and Nankin veins, combining pit constrained and underground resources. Indicated resources contain 216.8 K Oz Au, 10.4 M Oz Ag and inferred resources amount to 335.6 K Oz Au, 9.3 M Oz Ag, as displayed on the table below.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. is planning a preliminary economic study (PEA) scheduled to be completed in 4Q 2021 on its Cordero property in Chihuahua. The company recently finished a 75,000 m drilling campaign on which a new resource estimate is to be based and delivered in the 3Q 2021. Phase two of drilling has four rigs operating on Cordero, aiming to upgrade inferred resources to the indicated category, resource expansion of bulk-tonnage mineralization and testing the high-grade vein systems that cut through the deposit. Other teams are working in the metallurgy, mining strategies, geotechnical issues, hydrogeology, environment and all the needed studies to prepare the PEA, which preliminarily aims to an initial 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes per day (tpd) of mill throughput and expansion to 20,000 to 40,000 tpd.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. Reported near surface drill results of narrow high-grade mineralization at its Plomosas property in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 4.0 m @ 80 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 8.5 m @ 46 gpt Ag, 0.16 gpt Au, 1.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 0.5 m @ 13.05 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 14.8 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 1.7 m @ 8 gpt Ag, 9.67 gpt Au; 9.0 m @ 141 gpt Ag, 0.31 gpt Au, 0.7% Zn, 0.7% Cu; 0.9 m @ 1,000 gpt Ag; 6.3 m @ 80 gpt Ag, 0.01 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 13.0% Zn; 5.0 m @ 234 gpt Ag, 0.01 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 1.3 m @ 530 gpt Ag, 0.01 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn; 2.5 m @ 173 gpt Ag, 0.01 gpt Au, 2.3% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 8.7 m @ 57 gpt Ag, 0.01 gpt Au, 4.1% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 9.1 m @ 5 gpt Ag, 1.53 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 1.4% Zn.
  • Impact Silver Corp. has received a report by a contractor with the analysis and interpretation of the geophysical surveys performed in the property since the 1990’s on the Capire area (Guerrero) of the Royal mines of Zacualpan (Estado de Mexico). “Condor utilized leading edge Inversion processing to produce 3D models of the IP and Magnetometer surveys and combined with the EM surveys has outlined a series of massive sulphide and vein hosted target areas”.
  • Grupo Mexico unveiled plans for the next few years, which include an investment of US$3,100 M (Mexican number notation) for refining metals in Sonora and electric infrastructure for El Arco in Baja California, and a US$2,300 M investment for expansion of smelter capacity in Sonora. Those projects are part of the US$9,000 M that Grupo Mexico plans to invest from 2021 to 2027.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. updated on the construction of the Camino Rojo Oxide project in Zacatecas. Construction is 22% complete, with $15.3 M spent in the quarter, $64.3 M total to date of an estimated total capital expenditure of $134 M. Of 826 workers currently on the project, 15% are from local communities, 30% from Zacatecas State and 55% from other States. “… activities now focused on earth moving, concrete pouring, and structural and mechanical installations in the areas of the crushing circuit, MerrillCrowe plant, heap leachPR and process pond, camp, and administration offices”.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. provided an update on the mineral resource estimate for its Platosa mine in Durango. The new resource includes information from 187 exploration drill holes from surface and underground locations, or 21,400 m. Indicated resources now stand at 317 K tonnes @ 485 gpt Ag, 5.3% Pb, 5.5% Zn, containing 4.95 M Oz Ag, 36.8 M Lb Pb, 38.8 M Lb Zn and inferred resources at 42 K tonnes @ 749 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb, 5.4% Zn, containing 1 M Oz Ag, 4 K tonnes Pb, 4 K tonnes Zn. At the Evolución project in Zacatecas, indicated resources stand at 6.4 M tonnes @ 64 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 1.3% Zn, containing 13.1 M Oz Ag, 19 K Oz Au, 140.7 M Lb Pb, 161.5 M Lb Zn, and inferred resources at 15 M tonnes @ 39 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.2% Zn, containing 18.5 M Oz Ag, 49 K Oz Au, 247.5 K tonnes Pb, 377.7 K tonnes Zn.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. released results from infill and extension drilling at its Los Gatos project in Chihuahua, and the commencement of drilling at the Esther zone. The drilling continues to identify mineralization beyond both ends of the deposit. Below the drill results table:

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Telson Mining Corp. announced the restructuring of its board of directors and a corporate name change. Telson’s Board of Directors now consists of seven members as follows: David Rhodes, Natascha Kiernan, Tom Kelly, Mark Bailey, Roberto Guzman Garcia, Ruben Alvidrez Ortega and Ralph Shearing. Telson intends to change its corporate name to Altaley Mining Corp. to complement the board restructuring. Telson also reported the execution of a Financial Advisory Services Agreement with Endeavour Financial Ltd., to provide Telson with general corporate financial advice with respect to its strategic direction and corporate development (Tahuehueto, Durango).
  • Coeur Mining Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire 11.07 M shares (17.8%) of Victoria Gold Corp. from Orion COVI Ltd. on a transaction expected to close on May 11 subject to closing conditions.
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. entered into an agreement with Regal Resources to consolidate a 100% interest in the Sunnyside project in Arizona (also owns San Javier, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Endeavour Silver released its 2020 sustainability report, which informs on safety and health, training, community, environment and economic value activities during the period.
  • Pan American Silver, Equinox Gold and Torex Gold presented plans to reduce their carbon footprint. 
  • Hecla Mining released its 2020 sustainability report the steps the company take to reduce its environmental footprint. Health, safety, green energies, greenhouse emission reduction, reclamation work, human rights and diversity are some of the subjects covered.
  • Newmont Peñasquito informed on the work realized to better the water resources at El Verge, Zacatecas.
  • Peña Colorada is granting professional internships to 12 students from five universities.

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:  Old open cut in Sinaloa, with Ricardo Ramonett as scale. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 40th week of the year (September 28th to October 4th, 2020), at least 40 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, five companies posted exploration advances on their projects, ten companies posted news related to financing or share structure, and seven on their projects development. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mining Fund is gone. A new special force was created to aid protect mining companies from criminal gangs activities. Only nine percent of Mexico is under a current mining concession. The CTM asks for the continuation of the Mining Fund. Some 150 junior exploration companies have left Mexico. The Mining-Metallurgic production index grew by 6.2% in July. Sixteen municipalities in Hidalgo are to receive $48 M pesos from the Mining Fund. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resources completed a mag survey on Evelyn. Tocvan Ventures identified a pipe like structure at its Pilar project. In Sinaloa, Brigadier Gold commenced drilling at Picachos. In Durango, Mithril Resources released drilling results from Copalquin. In Oaxaca, Megastar Development team is back in the field at Yautepec and Magdalena.  ON MINING, No relevant news. ON FINANCING, One World Lithium ($1.5 M), Plymouth Realty Capital ($10 M), Barksdale ($6.325 M), Santacruz Silver (CDN$9.5 M), Prismo Metals ($575 K), Endeavour Silver (US$60 M) released news regarding financing rounds. Candelaria Mining settled a $1.087 M debt with shares. Silver One granted options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Silver Dollar started trading at the OTCQB. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, GR Silver released underground channel sampling results. Consolidated Zinc presented the latest resource estimate at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, and announced the refurbishment of the processing plant at the site. Capitan Mining commenced resource expansion drilling at El Capitan, Durango. Azucar Minerals presented the initial resource estimate for the El Norte Zone of its El Cobre project in Veracruz. GoGold Resources released drilling results from its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Bacanora Minerals is focusing in engineering while the financing package is complete for its Sonora Lithium project. Golden Minerals released final results of its resource definition drilling program at the Rodeo project, Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Candente Gold signed the definitive agreement on the acquisition of the San Dieguito de Arriba plant in Nayarit. Silver One is selling its Mexican properties to Plymouth Realty Capital. Dyna Resources is trying to enforce in USA a favorable Mexican court ruling. Silver Spruce has recurred to force majeure clause for lack of access to its Pino de Plata property in Chihuahua. Reyna Silver entered into an option agreement to acquire the Reyna project in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Fresnillo PLC, Minera Autlan, Minera Saucito and Industrias Peñoles informed on sustainability, health, safety, environment, social and governance programs.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mining Fund is gone for good from the purpose it was created for: aiding the development of mining communities. Mining States and municipalities wonder what the destiny of more than $1,500 M pesos actually in the Fund. The actual federal government re-directed the use of the Mining Fund, with 85% going to the Education Secretariat, 5% to the Economy Secretary and 10% to federal government infrastructure programs.
  • A new special force for overseeing mining operations was formed by the federal government. The first 118 guards graduated from a special training course, and will be equipped with assault weapons. Heists by organized crime have plagued the industry in the last few years, with robberies of bullion in mining operations across several states.
  • The Economy Secretariat informed mining concessions cover only 9% of Mexico. Graciela Marquez, Secretary of Economy noted that 24 thousand current mining concessions cover 17 M hectares. The Director de Minas (reporting to Gabriela Marquez) pointed that they are following the president view of not granting more mining concessions, which is problem that will catch up in 10 years’ time with fewer new deposits to mine due to the lack of exploration.
  • The Confederacion de Trabajadores de Mexico (one of the largest union organizations in Mexico, best known as “CTM”) asked the federal government and the Deputies Chamber for the no disappearance of the Mining Fund.
  • Fernando Alanís Ortega from Camimex pointed out some 150 junior exploration companies have left Mexico due to the complex operative environment. Several companies have diversified their operations this year, with acquisitions in Canada and USA. The last company to divest its Mexican portfolio is Silver One, to focus on a project in Nevada.
  • The Mexican index of Mining-Metallurgic production increased by 6.2% in July, compared with the same month of 2019 and by 5.1% from July 2020 to the previous month.
  • Sixteen Municipalities in Hidalgo are to receive $48 M pesos from the Fund for Development of Mining Production Zones.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Brigadier Gold Ltd. commenced its maiden drill program at the 3,954 ha Picachos property in Sinaloa. The drilling of 5,000 m in 40 holes will test the San Agustín mine (underground rock chip sample of 1.2 m @ 73.4 gpt Au), and the the Mochomos (underground rock chip sample of 0.5 m @ 18.5 gpt Au, 570 gpt Ag), Tejones (underground rock chip sample of 1.0 m @ 28.6 gpt Au, 114 gpt Ag) and Fermin (underground rock chip sample of 1.0 m @ 0.3 gpt Au, 268 gpt Ag) veins. “the Cocolmeca Vein system is comprised of several sub-parallel veins over a 1.5 kilometre (km) wide zone ……  San Agustín is the best understood of these veins, mainly because it has been historically exposed underground by approximately 670 line-metres of tunnels, stopes and shafts”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. received results from a high-resolution magnetic survey at its Evelyin property in Sonora. The interpretation of the magnetic data allowed the identification of three families of lineaments that are to aid in the definition and prioritization of targets.
  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. informed on new interpretations on all the information gathered on its Pilar project in Sonora. With the aid of geophysical, geochemical and structural specialists a conclusion was reached that a sub-vertical pipe-like feature may represent a breccia feeder pipe related to epithermal mineralization. The pipe is close to 100 m in diameter, oval shaped and dipping 70 degrees to the SSW.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd. Released results from nine more holes at La Soledad in the Copalquin project, Durango. Drilling confirmed the bonanza grades of the La Soledad vein and intercepted additional veins at depth and along strike. Highlighted results comprise 3.8 m @ 2.58 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 0.5 m @ 6.78 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag, an open working for 2.5 m and then 1.5 m @ 6.65 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 2.82 m @ 2.37 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 7.5 m @ 6.74 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag.
  • Megastar Development Corp. reported its exploration team is back at the Yautepec and Magdalena projects in Oaxaca. So far, they have found “highly prospective ferruginous (iron-rich) carbonate sinters and fault-controlled quartz veining and breccias in discontinuous erosional windows under post-mineral volcanic rocks over areas of several hundreds of meters”. These findings correlate well with the envisaged uppermost levels of an epithermal system, the concept exploration model used at the site.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • One World Lithium Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1.5 M (Salar del Diablo, Baja California).
  •  Candelaria Mining Corp. closed the previously announced shares for debt transaction in settlement of $1.087 M of indebtedness (Pinos, Zacatecas).
  • Plymouth Realty Capital Corp. will complete a $10 M private placement funding (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora; La Frazada, Nayarit; Pluton, Durango).
  • Silver One Resources Inc. granted 2.575 M stock options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora).
  • Fresnillo PLC. Is extended the expiration time on its tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding US$800,000,000 principal amount of 5.5% Notes due 2023, to September 29. 2020 (La Herradura, Sonora).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. started trading on September 30, 2020, in the United States on the OTCQB Venture Market (La Joya, Durango).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. closed the final tranche of the company’s non-brokered private placement that raised $6.325 M (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering to CDN$9.5 M (Rosario, San Luis Potosi).
  • Prismo Metals Inc. completed its initial public offering (IPO) for gross proceeds of $575 K (Palos Verdes, Sinaloa).
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. entered into a sales agreement with BMO Capital Markets as the lead agent upon which the company can sell a number of common shares than can amount up to US$60 M (El Compas, Zacatecas; Terronera, Jalisco).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • GR Silver Mining Ltd.  announced favorable results from underground channel sampling on the lower level of the Plomosas mine in Sinaloa. Disseminated and massive mineralization is constituted by veins, stockworks and sulfide stringers that include chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena in a brecciated tuff. Highlighted channel intervals comprise 2.6 m @ 504 gpt Ag, 14.6 gpt Au, 8.9% Pb, 6.6% Zn, 0.3% Cu; 15.7 m @ 90 gpt Ag, 2.5 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.3% Zn, 0.8% Cu: 5.4 m @ 147 gpt Ag, 10.0 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 3.3% Zn, 1.2% Cu; 7.8 m @ 50 gpt Ag, 2.9 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 7.3% Zn, 0.2% Cu; 6.0 m @ 66 gpt Ag, 6.2 gpt Au, 1.4% Pb, 3.9% Zn, 0.9% Cu.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. presented a mineral resource estimate for the month of April 2020 for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The indicated and inferred mineral resources comprise 964 K tonnes @ 13.2% Zn, 3.5% Pb, 20.6 gpt Ag that contain 127 K tonnes of zinc, 34 K tonnes of lead and 639 K Oz silver. The company is refurbishing the Plomosas beneficiation plant to process the ore at the site, for an estimated cost of US$1.35 M. The plant will start processing 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd), with the possibility of an expansion to 6,000 tpd.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. has commenced drilling at the Capitan project in Durango. The first phase comprises 6,000 m of reverse circulation drilling focused on step-out holes for resource expansion.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. completed its initial resource estimate for the Norte zone at El cobre project in Veracruz. “Copper and gold mineralization at the Norte Zone is associated with a multiphase variably potassic-phyllic altered porphyritic diorite intrusive complex that is cut by late mafic and intermediate dykes and post mineral feldspar porphyry. The Norte Zone is approximately 0.6 km x 0.4 km along an E-W strike. Sulphide mineralization, which extends up to 900 metres depth, consists of disseminated and vein-hosted chalcopyrite and trace bornite (Cu mineralization) exposed in surface outcrops and intersected in drill core”. The base case scenario considers indicated resources of 47.2 M tonnes @ 0.49 gpt Au, 0.21% Cu, 1.4 gpt Ag containing 1.17 M Oz AuEq and inferred resources of 26.9 M tonnes @ 0.42 gpt Au, 0.18% Cu, 1.3 gpt Ag, containing 1.35 M Oz AuEq.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released drilling results from the La Trini deposit on the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Some of the highlighted results from 12 holes released comprise 22.5 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 158 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 44.5 m @ 0.84 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 38.4 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 29.6 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag; 27 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag; 7.9 m @ 0.86 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag; 19.5 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 21.8 m @ 2.73 gpt Au, 130 gpt Ag (including 5.6 m @ 9.40 gpt Au, 365 gpt Ag).
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC. Informed the company has a strong cash balance of US$44.4 M as of June 30, 2020, and retains a senior debt facility of US$150 M. At the Sonora Lithium project in Sonora, work is focused on finalizing engineering so that construction may commence after the financing package is completed.
  • Golden Minerals Co. released final assays from its resource definition program at the Rodeo project in Durango. Some of the true width (tw) highlighted intercepts comprise 15.8 m @ 2.05 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag; 15.3 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag; 25.5 m @ 2.49 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 25.8 m @ 1.22 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 15.6 m @ 0.78 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 15.0 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 7.7 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 3 gpt Ag; 34 m @ 1.63 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag; 49.5 m @ 1.77 gpt Au, 22 gpt Ag; 9.6 m @ 0.97 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 25.8 m @ 3.10 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 24.5 m @ 1.32 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 28.0 m @ 1.96 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag; 17.5 m @ 1.36 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag. The resource the company is trying to improve was defined in 2017 at 0.4 M tonnes @ 3.3 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag, containing 46 K Oz Au, 200 K Oz Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Candente Gold Corp. signed the definitive agreement with Magellan Acquisition Corp. to earn up to 100% interest in the San Dieguito de Arriba beneficiation plant and the rights on the El Dorado property, both in Nayarit.
  • Silver One Resources Inc. entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Plymouth Realty Capital Corp. to sell all its Mexican silver properties. In consideration for the properties Plymouth is to pay $1 M in cash and $5 M in shares. Plymouth Realty Capital will also change its name to Silverton Metals Corp. (Peñasco Quemado, Sonora; La Frazada, Nayarit; Pluton, Durango).
  • Dyna Resource Inc. announced the filing on August 28, 2020 in Dallas county, Texas, a petition for recognition of the USD$48 M foreign judgement against Goldgroup Resources Inc. in order to recognize in USA the judgment obtained in Mexico against Goldgroup Resources Inc. (the judgment relates to a legal challenge for the ownership of the San José de Gracia project in Sinaloa).
  • Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has “retained Mexico-based legal counsel to lead the discussions with representatives of the surface landowners of Pino de Plata in order to re-negotiate access rights to the ranch that covers the Pino de Plata project area”. The company’s purchase rights contract is now under a force majeure clause until access rights are granted by surface owners to continue exploration.
  • Reyna Silver Corp. announced the acquisition of the 300 ha La Reyna project in Chihuahua. The property is in the Cusihuiriachi (Cusi) silver district of low sulfidation epithermal mineralization. “La Reyna proper is a nearly north-south trending structure traceable as vein and altered outcrops for 4 km across the property. Two historic (1890s) shafts (La Reyna and Princesa) that extend to 133-150m depths exploited high-grade silver-rich mineralized shoots 2-5 m wide in the late 1800s”. The deal involves US$1.3 M in staged cash payments over four years and a 2.5% NSR. The payment on singing was US$30K that is to be followed by US$45 K in 6 months, US$75 K in 12 months, US$75 K in 18 months, US$120 K in 24 months, US$120 K in 30 months, US$150 K in 36 months and US$685 K in 48 months.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Fortuna Silver Mines (San José mine in Oaxaca) signed an agreement with the Oaxaca Health Secretary and the San José del Progreso Municipality to help the community with the pandemic health emergency.
  • Minera Autlán donated 4,000 tree saplings to the Teziutlan Municipality in Puebla.
  • Minera Saucito informed on actions related to the fight against the pandemic in the Fresnillo Municipality in Zacatecas.
  • Industrias Peñoles celebrated 13 years of the inauguration of the Museum of Metals.
  • Industrias Peñoles informed in measures the company implements to reduce the use of water, and its treatment afterwards.
  • Fresnillo PLC is to distribute 20,000 face masks in Zacatecas city.

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: The mineralized porphyry from Cerro San Pedro, San Luis Potosí. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 36th week of the year (August 31st to September 6th, 2020), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. The dominant news on the country relating to the mining industry during the week, was the cancellation of the Sub Secretary of Mining (created during the last presidential term), headed by Francisco Quiroga, who had gained the trust of the enterprises and organizations of the industry by his relentless and hands-on daily effort to help better the mining industry in Mexico. He will be missed, unlike his predecessor. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Sub Secretary of Mining was cancelled, its role absorbed within the Economy Secretary; loud complaints from the mining industry organizations followed, to fall on deaf ears. Pending investments in mining for the near future of US$1991 M. The Sonora Mining Fund Committee approved the investment of US$3.5 M on an aqueduct. FIFOMI has US$164 M in current credits to the mining industry. The Mining Fund is gone, for the purposes it was created for. (This is a measure taken by the actual federal government against the opinion of all mining enterprises and organizations. In my personal point of view, it opens the way to the use of the funds in a very centralized manner, same that can be exploited for political gains by those in power. There was just no need for this change). The very Mexican “illegal mine blockade roulette” now struck Equinox’s Los Filos mine in Guerrero. ON EXPLORATION, in Baja, Comet Resources updated on its Santa Teresa property. In Sonora, Redstar Gold updated on its Cumaro project. In Sinaloa, Viszla Resources released drilling results at Panuco. In Veracruz, Azucar Minerals released drilling results from El Cobre.  ON MINING, Santacruz Silver reported second quarter 2020 results. Equinox Gold’s Los Filos mine in Guerrero is affected by an illegal blockade. ON FINANCING, seven companies made announcements regarding the opening or closing of financing rounds: Southern Silver Exploration ($456 K), Barksdale Resources ($6.3 M), GoGold Resources (C$30 M), Silver Dollar Resources ($10.5 M), Inomin Mines ($400 K), Americas Gold and Silver (C$39.4 M), Alien Metals (£1.25 M). Gold79 Mines, Golden Tag Resources and Redstar Gold granted stock options to officers, directors and consultants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Bull Resources updated on the legal battle and an illegal blockade at its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Odyssey Marine Exploration received funds for the legal battle to obtain the government permit to mine its Exploraciones Oceánicas phosphate project offshore Baja California Sur. Tarachi Gold acquired the Juliana group of properties, increasing the size of its Tarachi property to 3,708 hectares. Inomin Mines executed the agreement on the acquisition of the La Gitana and Peña Blanca properties in Oaxaca. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Peñasquito, First Majestic, Minera San Javier, Alamos Gold and SilverCrest informed on donations, community involvement and safety measures on the areas near their operations.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Francisco Quiroga, in his last day as Sub-Secretary of Mining, called for the AIMMGM (Asociación de Ingenieros Mineros, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México) to play a leading role in the transformation of the industry and its relationship with the public sector.
  • The AIMMGM installed the newly elected board for the 2020-2022 period.
  • The Secretaría de Economía announced the cancellation of the Mining Sub-Secretary, onward from September 1st, 2020.
  • The cancellation of the Mining Sub-Secretary by the federal government brought loud complaints from companies and organisms within the industry (not that these complaints are to be attended to). The Cámara Minera de México (CAMIMEX), the Asociación de Ingenieros Mineros, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México (AIMMGM), the Mining Task Force of the Cámara de Comercio del Canadá en México, the Sonora, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Sinaloa and Zacatecas Mining clusters, the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México (CIMMGM) and the organization Mujeres en la Minería (WIM Mexico) extended its congratulations to Francisco Quiroga, departing Mining Sub-Secretary and expressed the profound disagreement for the disappearance of the Sub Secretary of Mining.   
  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) informed Mexico has a list of projects that add up to $1,991 M dollars in programmed investment. Amongst these are the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero, La Yaqui Grande in Sonora, as well as the Orysivo project in Chihuahua, the Centauro Profundo project in Sonora and the Media Luna project in Guerrero. Mexico had a production peak of 123,364 kg of gold in 2015, same that has declined to 73,451 kg in 2019.
  • The Mining Fund Sonora Committee approved the investment of MX$75 M pesos (US$3.5 M) for the construction of the Macoyahui-Alamos aqueduct. The project includes 24.5 Km of PVC tubing and five pumping stations.
  • INEGI informed the mining activity is resuming after the COVID lockdown. Sulphur, iron,, lead, gold, copper, silver, fluorite are among the commodities that have seen their production significantly increased. In January 2020 the industry generated 381,456 direct jobs and more than 2 M indirect jobs, according to the IMSS.
  • Request for the Mining Sub Secretary to stay in Chihuahua by Omar Bazán, deputy, and the Chihuahua Mining Cluster.
  • The Fideicomiso de Fomento Minero (FIFOMI) has $3,530 M pesos (US$164 M) on current credits to the mining sector.
  • The Mining Fund is gone, for the purposes it was created for. Graciela Márquez, Economy Secretary confirmed the resources no longer are going to be distributed among mining municipalities, but through different agreements with government organisms and federal programs to help mining communities.
  • Graciela Márquez, Economy Secretary, stated the disappearance of the Mining Sub-Secretary is not to affect the mining industry as all relevant structures stay in place (We beg to disagree).

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. informed on exploration at its Amalia and Plata Verde projects in Chihuahua. At Amalia, “phase 4 drilling funded by JV partner Pan American Silver remains on stand-by due to COVID-19. Semarnat, the permitting agency in Chihuahua, has returned to work on a limited scale and Pan American has recently provided updated information requested by Semarnat”. At Plata Verde, there is advance in the signing of agreements to expand the property package. “The next phase of field work will consist of geophysical programs to identify feeder systems and expansions of the known mineralization under the thin (>100m) cover volcanics”.
  • Redstar Gold Corp. announced its Cumaro project in Sonora is adjacent to SilverCrest’s Picacho property. “Previous drilling on SilverCrest Metals’ Picacho vein, two kilometres north of the Cumaro property, returned intersections including 13.9 metres at 16.22 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 33.9 g/t silver in hole PDD07-013, and 4.1 metres at 3.86 g/t gold and 35.0 g/t silver…” in other hole on the Dos Amigos vein. The company believes there is a down-thrown block on the eastern side of the property, where the extensions of the veins exposed on the western side could be present on a much shallower level.
  • Comet Resources Ltd. Informed in a corporate presentation on its Santa Teresa property in Baja California. Santa Teresa is a high-grade mesothermal lode gold deposit (ie.- orogenic gold) with an existing NI 43-101 inferred resource of 64 K Oz Au capped at 20 gpt Au, with a cutoff grade of 4 gpt Au and average grade of 8 gpt Au. Historical drilling has intersected quartz veins grading up to 958 gpt Au over 1 m, and multiple other drill results above 30 gpt Au. The deposit is open along strike and at depth.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp. announced a fourth new discovery at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. The first four drill holes at the Tajitos vein have been completed on the Cinco Señores vein corridor. Highlighted intercepts from the three first drill holes comprise 4.5 m @ 1,200 gpt Ag, 7.29 gpt Au (including 1.15 m @ 2,210 gpt Ag, 16.13 gpt Au); 1.15 m @ 812 gpt Ag, 4.59 gpt Au. ”The Tajitos vein zone is composed of a quartz breccia vein with an early white locally banded quartz supporting andesite lithic clasts, followed by a later white to greyish quartz supporting brecciated clasts of earlier white quartz veins. This zone was then cut by a later white to clear quartz vein with local dark bands or patches of fine-grained sulphides that is cutting a zone of quartz psuedomorphs after bladed calcite and pink rhodochrosite. The better grades are in the earlier breccias associated with dark bands or dark patches of very fine-grained disseminated sulphides. This vein zone is hosted in a package of andesite flows and tuffs”.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. released drilling results from its El Cobre project in Veracruz. The holes in the Primo target returned 23.75 m  @ 0.22 gpt Au, 0.08% Cu; 8.50 m @ 0.71 gpt Au, 0.24% Cu; 123.50 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 0.14% Cu. Azucar is currently preparing its facilities  and implementing the health protocols required to enable a safe return to work.

ON MINING

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Reported operating and financial results for the second quarter 2020. At Veta Grande in Zacatecas, 37.1 K tonnes were milled to produce 204.6 K Oz AgEq at cash cost $17.68 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $19.70 per Oz AgEq. At Rosario in San Luis Potosi, 20.8 K tonnes were milled to produce 141.4 K Oz AgEq at cash cost $14.23 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $15.59 per Oz AgEq.
  • Equinox Gold Corp. reports that “mining activities at its Los Filos mine in Mexico have been suspended since September 3, 2020 as the result of an illegal road blockade by members of the nearby Carrizalillo community. The individuals allege non-compliance with the community social collaboration agreement signed in 2019. The mine remains staffed with a reduced workforce to maintain appropriate safety, security and environmental systems. Equinox Gold is in active discussions with the Carrizalillo community leaders to resolve the issues”.

ON FINANCING

  • Gold79 Mines Ltd. Approved the granting of 6 M stock options to officers, directors and consultants of the company (Taviche, Oaxaca).
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. plans to conduct a non-brokered private placement to raise $456 K (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. Granted 9.9 M incentive stock options to management and directors (San Diego, Durango).
  • Barksdale Resources Corp. increased the size of its non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $6.3 M (San Javier, Sonora).
  • GoGold Resources Inc. entered into an agreement on a bought deal basis with a syndicate of underwriters for the acquisition of shares for gross proceeds of C$30 M (Los Ricos, Jalisco).
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. has arranged a non-brokered private placement to raise up to $10.5 M (La Joya, Durango).
  • Redstar Gold Corp. announced the granting of 20.73 M stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the company (Cumaro, Oso Negro and La Lola, Sonora).
  • Inomin Mines Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to $400 K in gross profits (La Gitana, Oaxaca).
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. closed its previously announced and up-sized bought deal financing for aggregate gross proceeds of C$39.4 M (Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Alien Metals Ltd. announced that it has conditionally raised £1.25 M (Los Campos and Los Celsos, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. updated on its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Sociedad Cooperativa de Exploración Minera Mineros Norteños, S.C.L. (Mineros Norteños), the group which is illegally blocking the Sierra Mojada project, has filed an appeal in the recently reopened Mexican courts to try and overturn a favorable ruling for Silver Bull on their lawsuit against the Company filed in 2014. The company sees the whole lawsuit as frivolous (looking for payment of an NSR on production that has not taken place), and explains Mineros Norteños has lost already three rulings, and Silver Bull expects a final ruling on the case, which cannot be appealed by Mineros Norteños, to be handed down from the courts within the next 6 months. Mineros Norteños has illegally blocked access to the project since September 2019.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. had a financing transaction that provides the company with $11.3 M, a portion of which will be used to fund operating expenses of the “Exploraciones Oceánicas” phosphate project offshore Baja California Sur. “The investor group was anchored by Odyssey’s existing NAFTA funding partner, Poplar Grove LLC. Poplar Grove is managed by Drumcliffe LLC, a private investment management firm that oversees high-value litigation funding portfolios of over $14 billion in claims”.   
  • Telson Mining Corp. announced the resignation from its board of directors by Remigio Martínez Muller.
  • Tarachi Gold Corp. entered into an arm’s length option agreement with Exploradora Cobre de Bacanoras S. de R.L. de C.V. to acquire 100% interest in the group of mining concessions known as the Juliana, Juliana No.1, Juliana No.2 and Las Morita mining concessions covering 1,140 hectares in Sonora. “Tarachi’s projects now consist of the San Javier, Pretoria, Chivitas, Jabali, Juliana, Texana and Tarachi concessions for a total of 3,708 ha in the Mulatos District. The deal involves the payment of $40 K on the execution date, $30 K on six months, $30 K on 12 months, $30 K on 18 months, $60 K on 24 months, $60 K on 30 months, $150 K on 36 months, $150 K on 42 months, $150 K on 48 months, $700 K on 54 months and $700 K on 60 months, and the issue of 4 M common shares, 400 K of those on the execution date, 1 M shares on 12 months, 1 M shares on 24 months and 1.5 M shares on 26 months. The transfer of the concessions is subject to a 3% NSR from production, with the company having the right to buy at any time 1/3 of the NSR for $1 M.
  • Inomin Mines Inc. announced the execution of the agreement to acquire the La Gitana and Peña Blanca projects in Oaxaca. Inomin is acquiring 100% interest on both properties for 1 M common shares of Inomin, $25 K cash and the grant of 1.5 % NSR on the Peña Blanca property, of which 0.5% can be bought at any time for $1 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Peñasquito continues to apply bio-security protocols. Up to date 27,359 fast test have been applied in the facilities and neighboring communities, resulting in six confirmed cases.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. invested during 2019 US$3.8 M in local community, health youth programs, infrastructure and access to clean water. Over 25,600 medical consultations were provided in local communities. Planted 105,730 native plant species through reforestation initiatives .
  • Minera San Javier (NewGold) donated personal medical equipment to hospitals in San Luis Potosí, and personal medical equipment and sanitization supplies to the Cerro San Pedro municipality health clinics. The company continues to deliver food pantries to persons in need in Planta del Carmen, La Zapatilla, Monte Caldera, Cuesta de Campa, Calderón, Portezuelo and Cerro San Pedro.
  • Alamos Gold donated medical equipment and a mobile unit to the Sahuaripa DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia) in Sonora.
  • SilverCrest’s Las Chispas project has accumulated 600 days without accidents in 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: The whitish ledge from left to center is a silicified paleo water table in the Mexican Altiplano. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Secretaría de Economía tomará control de Fondo Minero en 2019

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http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/empresas/secretaria-de-economia-toma-control-del-fondo-minero

El Fondo Minero, creado con la reforma fiscal de 2013 y que cobra un impuesto especial a las mineras de 7.5 por ciento sobre sus utilidades para destinarlo al desarrollo de comunidades cercanas a la extracción de minerales, será controlado ahora por la Secretaría de Economía en lugar de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Agrario, Territorial y Urbano (SEDATU).

En el Proyecto de Presupuesto de Egresos de la Federación 2019, el Gobierno federal refiere que ahora la dependencia encabezada por Graciela Márquez tendrá que realizar un rediseño en la asignación e implementación de proyectos de desarrollo para las comunidades mineras y aledañas.

“También se propone replantear el actual esquema de distribución del fondo, por lo que la recaudación total que se obtenga de los derechos a que se refieren los artículos 268, 269 y 270 de la Ley Federal de Derechos no se incluirá dentro de la recaudación federal participable y se continuará destinando en 80 por ciento al Fondo para el Desarrollo de Zonas de Producción Minera, en un 10 por ciento a la Secretaría de Economía y 10 por ciento al Gobierno Federal”, dice el presupuesto.

Además, la Secretaría de Economía tendrá que destinar directamente los recursos del fondo.