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

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Flow banded rhyolite dome

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 39th week of the year (September 22nd to September 28th 2025), at least 31 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with fourteen disclosing deals and corporate issues, eight announcing financial rounds, five informing on exploration results, two commenting on Mexican issues, one reporting resources and developments of their properties, and one communicating mining and production issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The full Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) revoked an injunction granted to a private individual against the reforms to the Mining Law regarding mining and water concessions promoted by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). GR Silver and Kingsmen reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of September, 2025. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Riverside and Questcorp informed that are currently conducted a drilling program at the Union project targeting five zones, and Colibri reported that it has engaged TerraEye to enhance exploration at the EP Gold Project. In Chihuahua, Kingsmen announced results from hole LC-25-010 drilled at its Las Coloradas project. In Durango, Pinnacle discovered a new vein at its Potrero project that along with the surface sampling conducted above the Pinos Cuates and Dos de Mayo mines reinforces that a robust low-sulphidation epithermal vein system with significant gold-silver mineralization has been identified at the property. ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver made significant upgrades to its mining fleet at its El Cubo and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato. ON FINANCING, Masivo increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to 33,333,334 units for gross proceeds of CAD $2M (Cerro Colorado project, Sonora). Silver Storm closed its previously announced bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $13,766,250 (La Parrilla mine, Durango). Aztec Minerals announced a bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $5M, and later on it announced an upsize of the bough deal for gross proceeds of CAD $8.7M (Cervantes project, Sonora). Zacatecas Silver Corp., closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2,306,960 (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas). Oroco announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to USD $3.6M (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa). Questcorp informed that it will offer up to 17,500,000 units in a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3.5M (La Union project, Sonora). Kenadyr Metals closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $734,874.38 and announced upsize to CAD $3,800,000 (Adelita project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Guanajuato Silver made significant upgrades to its mining fleet at its El Cubo and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato. GR Silver released drilling results from the San Marcial area at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Canasil received confirmation from the TSX Venture Exchange for the reinstatement of trading (Sandra project, Sonora). Orla Mining announced the resignation of one of its member of the Board of Directors (Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas). Questcorp posted that it was invited to present on the Emerging Growth Conference Thursday September 25th, 2025 (La Union project, Sonora). Regency Silver notified that it will be presenting at the Centurion One Capital 3rd Annual Bahamas Summit (Dios Padre project, Sonora). Oroco invited shareholders, investors, and stakeholders to a live virtual interactive session on September 24, 2025 to provide an update on the Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Sandstorm Gold announced that proxy advisory firms recommended Sandstorm shareholders vote in favor of the proposed arrangement with Royal Gold. Apollo Silver informed that it has engaged Capital Analytical to provide marketing and social media services, and announced the appointment of its current CEO to its Board of Directors (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua). Oroco announced the appointment of Faysal Rodriguez to its Board of Directors (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa). Candelaria Mining provided an update on its previously disclosed management cease trade order announced on August 29, 2025 (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz. Masivo Silver announced that it is progressing with its Mexican mining property acquisitions, including Cerro Colorado in Sonora; however the company is under a management cease trade order. Silver Storm informed that it has granted stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the company (Mina La Parrilla, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The full Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) revoked an injunction granted to a private individual against the reforms to the Mining Law regarding mining and water concessions promoted by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). By seven votes in favor and two against, the justices denied the judicial protection requested by the individual because the new concession applications that were in process were dismissed without further proceedings after the reforms came into force in May 2023. During the debate, Hugo Aguilar, president of the SCJN, affirmed that the sovereignty of the State must prevail at all times and that under no circumstances does anyone who submits a mining concession application already have an acquired right, simply by submitting it. (Editor´s Note: The SCJN´s decision is a bad sign, not only for the mining industry but for the entire country, because no respect for the non-retroactivity of laws has been demonstrated, and that’s a basic principle for the Rule of Law).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., and Kingsmen Resources Inc., reported the best drilling intercepts in Mexico on the fourth week of September, 2025. Details are shown in the table below:

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc., and Questcorp Mining Inc., informed that are conducting a drilling program at the Union project in Sonora, targeting five mineral zones. Currently, three targets are actively being drilled, focusing on historic mining areas and new potential zones like Famosa, which shows signs of gold mineralization. The program is progressing on schedule and budget, with promising signs of gold-bearing mineralization, especially in areas with significant quartzite and structural features. The first hole was drilled southeast beneath historic workings, and two more holes were drilled at the El Cobre mine area and the North Union Mine area, perpendicular to stratigraphy and toward interpreted feeder zones along pre-mineral fault structures, primarily within the Clemente Formation. Core samples have been sent to the lab and assays are pending.  Goal of this exploration campaign is to define mineralization controls, refine exploration models, conduct an additional induced polarization (IP) survey and evaluate sulfide zones, with ongoing geological interpretation and assay results guiding their next steps.
  • Colibri Resources Corporation reported that it has engaged TerraEye to advance and enhance exploration at the EP Gold Project in Sonora using a mix of multispectral satellite imagery, geospatial data, AI and data integration like magnetics, gravity, and geochemical database to uncover promising gold targets even hidden by dense vegetation. The goal is to produce a ranked list of exploration targets with detailed maps and reports to accelerate discovery, reduce exploration risks, and optimize field work and drilling efforts, with a planned program in 2025 to expand target identification beyond the initial three drill-tested zones.
  • Kingsmen Resources Inc., announced initial results from its Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. Hole LC-25-010 intersected 1,028 g/t AgEq over 1.45m (455 g/t Ag approx), including 1,742g/t Ag over 0.7m (770 g/t Ag approx) and a broader zone of 138 g/t AgEq over 13.35m, confirming potential for high-grade, shallow mineralization near historic ASARCO mining areas. The mineralization includes massive sulfides with sphalerite, galena, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite, and shows strong pathfinder elements like antimony, bismuth, and indium, indicating a large, underexplored system. The project covers a historic district with multiple untested structures, and only a small part has been explored. Kingsmen plans to analyze additional drill holes and continues to assess the district’s extensive mineral potential. The company emphasizes the significance of these results in confirming the presence of high-grade silver mineralization and the potential for further discoveries in this prolific mining district.
  • Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp., discovered a new vein called El Capulin at its Potrero project in Durango that along with the surface sampling conducted above the Pinos Cuates and Dos de Mayo mines reinforces the idea that a robust low-sulphidation epithermal vein system with significant gold-silver mineralization has been identified at the property. Surface sampling has extended the high-grade-gold and silver mineralization over a vertical distance of up to 80m above the Los Cuates and Dos de Mayo mines, with grades of up to 2,280 g/t Ag and 1,444 g/t Ag, suggesting vertical zonation with silver increasing upwards. Also, sampling on the newly discovered El Capulin vein, with a strike length of 375m, returned values up to 6.27 g/t Au and 99 g/t Ag. This vein lies parallel to Dos de Mayo, 200m away. In addition, mapping at the La Dura mine could extend the Dos de Mayo vein strike length to 500m, with the vein traced for 1,600m overall. All these results add a lot of potential to the El Potrero property.

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., made significant upgrades to its mining fleet at its El Cubo and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato, including the delivery of three new low-profile trucks, three scooptrams, and three ordered “Torino” haulage trucks to arrive later. These modern vehicles are designed for enhanced safety, stability, and efficiency underground, aiming to improve operational reliability, increase production, and optimize fleet utilization. The company emphasized that these investments are critical to supporting long-term growth and operational success.

ON FINANCING

  • Masivo Silver Corp., increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement due to strong investor demand from 16,666,667 to 33,333,334 units for gross proceeds from CAD $1M to CAD $2M. The offering will be priced at CAD $0.06 per unit (Cerro Colorado project, Sonora).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd., closed its previously announced bought deal private placement of 55,065,000 units at a price of CAD $0.25 for gross proceeds of CAD $13,766,250. The company plans to use the net proceeds to advance the restart of the La Parrilla mine in Durango, as well as for general corporate purposes and working capital.
  • Sandstorm Gold Royalties announced that proxy advisory firms recommended Sandstorm shareholders vote in favor of the proposed arrangement with Royal Gold Inc, scheduled for October 9, 2025. Under the deal, Sandstorm shareholders will receive 0.0625 shares of Royal Gold for each Sandstorm share. The Board of Directors of Sandstorm unanimously supports the vote for the arrangement resolution.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., announced a bought deal private placement offering of 21,300,000 common shares of the company at a price of CAD $0.235 per offered share for gross proceeds of CAD $5M, but later on it announce an upsize of the bought deal to 37,020,000 common shares at a price of CAD $0.235 for gross proceeds of CAD $8,699,700. Part of the gross proceeds will be used to conduct exploration work at the Cervantes project in Sonora, as well as for general working capital purposes.
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp., closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $2,306,960 by issuing a total of 38,449,335 units at a price of CAD $0.06 per unit. The company plans to use the net proceeds to fund a drilling campaign on its Zacatecas Silver project in Zacatecas.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 18,000,000 units at a price of USD $0.20 for gross proceeds of up to USD $3.6M. Oroco will use the net proceeds for the advancement of its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa, as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
  • Questcorp Mining Inc., informed that it will offer up to 17,500,000 units at a price of CAD $0.20 per unit in a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $3.5M. The company plans to use part of the gross proceeds for advancement of ongoing exploration and drill work at the La Union Gold and Silver Project in Sonora, and for general working capital purposes.
  • Kenadyr Metals Corp., closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of 1,959,665 subscription receipts of Kenadyr at a price of CAD $0.37 per subscription receipt for gross proceeds of CAD $734,874.38. In addition to the first tranche closing proceeds of CAD $2,281,513.75, the Offering has raised CAD $3,800,000. The company will used the proceeds to fund payment obligations and exploration expenditures relating to the Adelita Project in Sonora, and for general working capital purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., made significant upgrades to its mining fleet at its El Cubo and Valenciana mines in Guanajuato, including the delivery of three new low-profile trucks, three scooptrams, and three ordered “Torino” haulage trucks to arrive later. These modern vehicles are designed for enhanced safety, stability, and efficiency underground, aiming to improve operational reliability, increase production, and optimize fleet utilization. The company emphasized that these investments are critical to supporting long-term growth and operational success.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., released drilling results from the San Marcial area at its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Drill hole SMS25-10A intersected two distinct mineralized zones in the Parallel Breccia Target, including374 g/t Ag over 9m with high-grade intervals of 1,542 g/t Ag, 1.4% Cu, and 0.62% W over 1m, and  1.44 g/t Au over 33m, with a high-grade interval of 32.1 g/t Au over 1.2m. This drill hole is the farthest southeast drilled in the Parallel Breccia Target, confirming continuity of the mineralized structure over at least 500m from the Resource Area and supporting exploration models linking silver mineralization to a porphyry-style geological setting. The presence of high-grade Ag-Au zones, along with anomalous Cu and W grades, revealed intense high-temperature alteration minerals and epithermal-style quartz-calcite stockwork zones, suggesting proximity to a porphyry-related system and providing valuable vectoring tools for future exploration and strong potential for further resource expansion at San Marcial, particularly in the NE-SW structural trend.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Canasil Resources Inc., received confirmation from the TSX Venture Exchange for the reinstatement of trading effective at the opening, Thursday, September 25, 2025  (Sandra project, Sonora).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., announced the resignation of one of its member of the Board of Directors who was Newmont Corporation´s nominee to the Board. The resignation is effective immediately (Camino Rojo mine, Zacatecas).
  • Questcorp Mining Inc., posted that it was invited to present on the Emerging Growth Conference Thursday September 25th, 2025 (La Union project, Sonora).
  • Regency Silver Corp., notified that it will be presenting at the Centurion One Capital 3rd Annual Bahamas Summit (Dios Padre project, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corp., invited shareholders, investors, and stakeholders to a live virtual interactive session on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 to provide an update on the Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa, including management, permitting progress, community engagement, and next steps toward project advancement.
  • Apollo Silver Corp., informed that it has engaged Capital Analytical to provide marketing and social media services for an initial six-month term for a fee of USD $120K, payable in two tranches. The company also announced the appointment of its current CEO to the Board of Directors, effective immediately (Cinco de Mayo project, Chihuahua).
  • Oroco Resource Corp., announced the appointment of Faysal Rodriguez to its Board of Directors (Santo Tomas project, Sinaloa).
  • Candelaria Mining Corp., provided an update on its previously disclosed management cease trade order announced on August 29, 2025. The company is working expeditiously on the steps required to complete the Annual Financial Filings and expects to be able to file the Annual Financial Filings on or before October 3, 2025. (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz).
  • Masivo Silver Corp., announced that it is progressing with its Mexican mining property acquisitions, including Cerro Colorado in Sonora; however the company is under a management cease trade order because they could not file their annual financial statements and reports, primarily caused by difficulties obtaining financial data from Mexican operations. The company expects to complete its audits by September 30 and is following regulatory guidelines while working through the delay, with no indications of insolvency or material issues.
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd., informed that it has granted stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the company, to purchase an aggregate of 37,000,000 common shares of the company at the price of CAD $0.25 per share for a period of five years from date of grant (Mina La Parrilla, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

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

On the picture below, flow banded rhyolite dome in an intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system in a project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo taken by Miguel A Heredia.

Mexico to review bill to ban open pit mining

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Staff Writer | December 11, 2024

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that her government will review a controversial bill, approved by the lower chamber of Congress in August, which aims to ban open-pit mining.

The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit fracking and restrict water usage in areas where the resource is scarce, except for domestic purposes in populated areas.

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“Open-pit mining warrants a thorough review, as activities such as sand extraction for cement production and lithium mining — critical for national development — are conducted using this method. It is vital to assess the specifics of the constitutional reform’s provisions,” Sheinbaum said in a statement.

She emphasized that the review will focus on ensuring environmental protection and is independent of corporate interests.

The Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed ban. Open-pit mining accounts for 60% of the value of Mexico’s national mining and metallurgical production. Camimex warns that the prohibition could lead to a 1% contraction in the country’s GDP and jeopardize nearly 200,000 jobs.

Sheinbaum’s announcement follows a post by Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard on X, where he reported a “productive meeting” with representatives of Mexico’s mining sector, including Camimex President Pedro Rivero. The discussions centred on the exploration and production of strategic minerals, although specific details were not disclosed.

Please continue reading the note at the source: https://www.mining.com/mexico-to-review-bill-to-ban-open-pit-mining/

Mexico’s Supreme Court could strike down president’s mining reforms next week

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POSTED BY: HENRY LAZENBY APRIL 10, 2024

Once a popular destination for Canadian explorers, Mexico’s recent mining reforms are driving away investment — even as a looming Supreme Court decision is likely to toss out the new law, deemed by industry sources as unworkable.

The reforms introduced last May by President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador (known by his initials as AMLO) require pre-consultation with communities before exploration, impact studies and cash bonds in case of damage that junior explorers may find difficult to raise. Authorities can cancel exploration concessions after two years if no work is completed and critics say water allowances have become…..

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Mexico’s Supreme Court could strike down president’s mining reforms next week

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

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 15th week of the year (April 10th to April 16th, 2023), 16 companies working in Mexico released news on their properties. One company informed on exploration at one of its properties, eight companies informed on Q1 2023 production results. One company closed a financing placement while a company opened another one. A company informed on the advance to take a property into production, one other reported drilling results at its main project. One company is exercising its option to acquire a property, while one other is extending the option on an exclusivity agreement. ON MEXICO ISSUES, calls for dialog with Congress are being made with urgency on the merits and negative implications of the proposed changes to the Mining Law. The federal government qualified Vulcan Minerals compensatory demand as unfounded. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures provided results from a leach test at its Pilar property. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver, Guanajuato Silver Company, Fortuna Silver, Torex Gold, Gold Resource, Gatos Silver, Orla Mining and Bear Creek Mining released Q1 2023 production reports. ON FINANCING, Monumental Minerals and Excellon Resources announced the closing ($2.2 M) and opening (up to C$10 M) of financing rounds, respectively. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Minera Alamos advances on the permitting process for mining at Cerro de Oro in Zacatecas. Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from its Panuco property in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Dollar is exercising its option to acquire 100% interest on La Joya property in Durango. Radius Gold extended the exclusivity agreement term with Fresnillo PLC on its Plata Verde Project in Chihuahua. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • On the proposed changes to the Mining Law. For the last two weeks there have been many declarations by mining industry members and representatives against many of the proposed changes. There is a widespread movement calling for open discussions of the many elements on this proposal that are to pose a grave threat to foreign and local investment on the industry, affecting a large population base and increased deleterious effects in the economy on the long run. The AIMMGM (Asociación de Ingenieros Mineros, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México) is asking Congress to organize an open parliament on the subject to discuss the merits and negative implications of the proposed changes.
  • The Mexican federal government qualified Vulcan Minerals $1.9 billion compensatory demand as unfounded on its reply to Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias Relativas a Inversiones courtroom. Vulcan has been quarrying limestone in Quintana Roo for more than 30 years, and has been pointed by the government as the culprit of an ecological disaster.
  • Mexico’s Best Drilling intercepts on Q1 2023

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp. provided the results from a leach study from its Pilar property in Sonora. According to the results, 95 to 99% Au, 73 to 97% Ag can be recovered using “gravity concentration followed by agitated cyanide leach of the gravity tails”.

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported first quarter 2023 production of 1.62 M Oz Ag 9,342 Oz Au (or 9,342 Oz AgEq. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 102.4 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,138 tonnes per day (tpd), averaging 511 gpt Ag, 1.42 gpt Au, recovering 85.6% Ag, 89.6% Au, to produce 1.44 M Oz Ag, 4,188 Oz Au. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 109.7 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,208 tpd, averaging 61 gpt Ag, 1.70 gpt Au, recovering 86.1% Ag, 86.8% Au, to produce 183.6 K Oz Ag, 5,154 Oz Au.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced consolidated production results for the year 2022. Production from El Cubo mines complex, Valenciana mines complex and San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato involved 410.3 K tonnes mined, 418.8 tonnes milled, recovering 86.0% Ag, 84.5% Au, 88.7% Pb, 84.5% Zn, to produce 1 M Oz Ag, 11,174 Oz Au, 1.3 M Lb Pb, 1.9 M Lb Zn, or 2.13 M Oz AgEq, at cash cost $15.84 per Oz AgEq and AISC of $21.55 per Oz AgEq. At the end of 2022 the company had cash and cash equivalents of $8.8 M and $1.7 M of working capital.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. reported production results for the first quarter of 2023, including figures from its operations in Mexico. During the period the San Jose mine in Oaxaca produced 1.3 M Oz Ag, 8,231 Oz Au.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q1 2023 production from its El Limon-Guajes operations in Guerrero. During the period 10.2 K tonnes of ore per day (tpd) were mined from open pits, 93.7 K tpd of waste moved (waste to ore strip ratio of 9.2) and 1,738 tpd of ore were mined from underground for a total of 13,703 tpd processed at a grade of 3.50 gpt Au, recovering 87.8% Au to produce 122,918 Oz Au. “… the Company made over $75 million in tax payments including the annual payment of the 7.5% mining tax, corporate tax instalments, and true-up of taxes outstanding at the end of 2022”.
  • Gold Resource Corp. released production results from its Don David mine in Oaxaca in Q1 2023. During the period 117.8 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 1,420 tonnes per day, averaging 2.33 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag, 0.37% Cu, 1.7% Pb, 3.9% Zn, to produce 7,171 Oz Au, 322.7 K Oz Ag, 336 tonnes Cu, 1,559 tonnes Pb, 3,837 tonnes Zn.   
  • Gatos Silver Inc. announced production results for first quarter 2023 at its Cerro Los Gatos property in Chihuahua. During the period 260.4 K tonnes were milled at a rate of 2,894 tpd, averaging 329 gpt Ag, 3.93% Zn, 1.86% Pb, 0.30 gpt Au, recovering 88.3% Ag, 62.2% Zn, 88.6% Pb, 55.3% Au, to produce 2.43 M Oz Ag, 14.0 M Lb Zn, 9.5 M Lb Pb, 1,380 Oz Au. “… silver production is expected to be higher in the first half of 2023 than in the second half of 2023 based on sequencing of the mine plan. Zinc and lead production are expected to be higher in the second half of the year than in the first half.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an interim operation update for Q1 2023. At the Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas, during the period the company mined 3.13 M tonnes (waste to ore ratio 0.61) of which 1.18 M was moved waste, 1.65 M tonnes ore averaging 0.72 gpt Au and 0.30 M tonnes of low-grade ore averaging 0.29 gpt Au for stockpiling. Ore stacked was 1.77 M tonnes @ 0.80 gpt Au, to produce 25,910 Oz Au.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced production results for the first quarter of 2023. During the period 133.6 K tonnes were mined at its Mercedes mine in Sonora, 134.5 K tonnes milled, at a grade of 2.91 gpt Au, recovering 95.56% Au, to produce 12,025 Oz Au, 40.1 K Oz Ag. “Mercedes mine planning and development began the shift toward higher-grade deposits that utilize cut and fill mining methods during Q1 2023…”.  

ON FINANCING

  • Monumental Minerals Corp. closed a non brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $2.2 M. The company paid aggregate finder’s fees of $110.3 K plus warrants (Jemi, Coahuila).
  • Excellon Resources Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10 M. “… the net proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used to advance development of La Negra, fund exploration at La Negra and for general corporate purposes “(La Negra, Hidalgo).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Minera Alamos Inc. completed the necessary documentation to proceed with its Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas permitting process. The company expects to conclude negotiations on a lending package for construction once the permits are received.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from six holes at the southern extension of the Napoleon vein at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 4.00 m[JC1]  @ 590 gpt Ag, 5.15 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb , 4.4% Zn (including 0.98 m @ 2,025 gpt Ag, 15.74 gpt Au,, 1.7% Pb, 5.2% Zn); 6.10 m @ 156 gpt Ag, 3.63 gpt Au, 7.9% Pb, 6.6% Zn; 5[JC2] .00 m @ 99 gpt Ag, 1.44 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 1.70 m @ 268 gpt Ag, 1.41 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 3.05 m @ 157 gpt Ag, 2.55 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 1.00 m @ 532 gpt Ag, 8.96 gpt Au, 1.5% Pb, 7.1% Zn; 10.65 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.93 gpt Au, 0.2% Pb, 0.8% Zn.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. delivered a notice to First Majestic Silver Corp. exercising its option to acquire a 100% interest in La Joya property in Durango.
  • Radius Gold Inc. extend the term of the exclusivity agreement with Fresnillo PLC on its Plata Verde project in Chihuahua. The term of the agreement has been extended three months, implying Fresnillo is to cover US$157 K in payments to the underlying concession owners and landowners, while maintaining the commencement of drilling before 7 July 2023.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Quartz veined coarse grain intrusive rock in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

 [JC1]

 [JC2]

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

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

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

ON MEXICO ISSUES

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

ON EXPLORATION

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

ON MINING

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

ON FINANCING

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

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

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

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

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

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

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