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

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Phyllic alteration

By Miguel A Heredia

During the twenty one week of the year (May 18th to May 24th, 2020), at least 36 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with twelve commenting on Mexican issues, six disclosing deals and corporate issues, five discussing on social issues, four informing on exploration results, three communicating production and financial results, three announcing financing rounds, and three reporting on resources and developments.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Mexican mining sector decreased last year according to government data.  Mexico deemed mining an essential activity, allowing companies to resume production activities. The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga, agreed with the Union Labour leaders on the strategy to guarantee a safe return to the mining operations in the country.  A protocol for reopening companies was defined and only the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) can approve it or rejected it. Mining companies with operations in Chihuahua signed a letter of commitment before the State Government and the Government of Mexico, to follow the instructions on health and safety at work during the phase of resumption of operations in the so-called “new normality”. Excellon Resources and the FRENTE Metallurgical Mining Union reached some agreements to continue operating the La Platosa mine in Durango. Industrias Peñoles announced the shutdown of its Francisco I Madero Zinc mine in Zacatecas due to difficult mining conditions and low metal prices. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Tocvan and its partner Colibri announced exciting new targets on its Pilar project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay released drill results from the first six of ten holes completed to date at its Columba project. In Sinaloa, Vizsla restarted its exploration and drilling program at its Panuco project.  ON MINING, Mag Silver reported Q1, 2020 financial results (Juanicipio project, Zacatecas). Mexus reported additional gold sales from production at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. McEwen reported full year 2019 production results from its El Gallo mine in Sinaloa. ON FINANCING, Magna Gold announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $7M (Mercedes project, Son).  Discovery Metals announced that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $25M (Cordero project, Chihuahua).  Mithril announced that its rights issue for capital raising has closed with strong support for both shareholder entitlements and additional shortfall shares (Copalquin project, Durango).      ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Endeavour reported drill results from fourteen holes collared at its Bolaños mine in Guanajuato, eight of which intersected high-grade mineralization in the Melladito Vein. Mag Silver provided an update on its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. VanGold announced plans to conduct a 1,000 tonnes bulk sample from its Pinguino project in Guanajuato. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alamos Gold reported results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Mulatos mine, Sonora). Argonaut shareholders and Alio securityholders approved merger to create North American diversified Intermediate gold producer (El Castillo mine, Durango). Equinox announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Defiance extended its option agreement on its San Acacio project in Zacatecas to 2023. Silver Tiger (former Oceanus Resources) commenced trading under the symbol “SLVR” (El Tigre project, Sonora). Sierra Metals appointed its new CEO (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, The Grupo Mexico Foundation donated 5,000 molecular tests for COVID-19, and will be distributing 450,000 protection kits in Mexico City as well as in the states of Mexico, Jalisco and Nuevo Leon. Minera Gorrión, subsidiary of Almaden Minerals and in charge of developing the Ixtaca mine project, in the north of Puebla, donated 1,000 disinfecting gels and 2,000 masks to the Ixtacamaxtitlán Community Hospital, in charge of leading efforts against the epidemic in the region. Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold), will donate MXP $2M to launch a hospital in Iguala, Guerrero, which will exclusively treat patients with COVID-19. Consorcio Minero Peña Colorada S.A. de C.V. , donated MXP $500K to the Integral Development of the Family (DIF)  of Colima State to allocate it to the Emergent Food Attention Program implemented by the government.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Mexican mining sector, decreased last year, according to government data. Net FDI in 2019 was USD $592M, down from almost USD $ 650M in 2018, according to data published by the economy ministry. The 2019 figure is the lowest compared to previous years. Spending peaked at USD $ 5.44B in 2013. The industry leaders see a general decline in investment in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mining companies intend to restart operations in June 1, 2020, as part of a gradual reopening of the economy under which the sector has acquired essential status.
  • Mexico, deemed mining an essential activity, allowing companies to resume production activities, six weeks after asking all non-essential business to temporarily close in response to the COVId-19 pandemic. Argonaut, Azure, Compañía Real del Monte, Premier, Newmont, Alamos Gold, Great panther, among others, are some of the mining companies which will be starting activities at its mine operations.
  • The Undersecretary of Mining, Francisco Quiroga, agreed with the Union Labour leaders on the strategy to guarantee a safe return to the mining operations in the country, once the reactivation of this sector was allowed. The mining sector generates 370K direct jobs and 2.3M of indirect jobs throughout the country, which generates benefits for workers and employees. Mining represents an essential sector because it supplies raw materials to practically all industries. On the other hand, Francisco Quiroga has been very active working with mining companies to define, along with the Secretary of Health, Jorge Alcocer Varela, the protocols for a safe reopening in 249 mining municipalities.
  • A protocol for reopening companies was defined by the authorities. Companies must have the authorization of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) to restart activities, after remain closed due to the CIVID-19. According to the Technical Guidelines for Health Safety in the Workplace, published this Monday by the Ministry of the Economy (SE), the IMSS will have 72 hours to approve or reject the request.
  • Mining companies with operations in Chihuahua, signed a letter of commitment before the State Government (Governor Javier Corral) and the Government of Mexico (Undersecretary of Mining Francisco Quiroga), to follow the instructions on health and safety at work during the phase of resumption of operations in the so-called “new normality”. Francisco Quiroga added that to close the circle of prevention, the mining industry will be trained in the management of the different equipment that will be put into operation to comply with the protocols set by the State Health Council.
  • Excellon Resources Inc., and the FRENTE Metallurgical Mining Union, reached some agreements to continue operating the La Platosa mine in the Bermejillo community, located in the Mapimí municipality, Durango. It highlights a cut of around 20% in personnel and a technical strike for the next 60 days as the company develops the restructuring process. The official assured that the liquidations of the personnel who will be dismissed will be 100% and in accordance with the provisions of the law, in addition to reaching an agreement with the union so that, while the technical strike is carried out, only 50% of their salary will be paid to the rest of the workers who, due to the pandemic caused by the COVID-19, are in domiciliary protection.
  • Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., announced the shutdown of its Francisco I Madero Zinc mine in Zacatecas, due to difficult mining conditions and low metal prices. It stated that it has begun laying off unionized workers in the mine unit and also trying to reassign to others workers and contractors to other mine units. The Francisco I Madero mine started operations in 2001. Peñoles processed in 2019, over 2.3M tonnes to produce 93M Lb Zn and 19.9M Lb Pb.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Tocvan Ventures Corp, and its partner Colibri Resources Corporation, announced new exciting targets generated by an IP survey on its Pilar project in Sonora. “According to the survey data, the Main Zone and the North Hill Zone may be connected and, if confirmed, would be renamed as a mineralization trend. Results also indicate the potential of the northeast-southwest structures connecting the 4-Trench Zone to the Main Zone, Tocvan said”. Geophysical results will be combined with additional surveys to better define drill targets for a phase 2 drilling campaign.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc., released drill results from six of ten holes completed to date at its Columba project in Chihuahua, as part of its 2020 drilling program. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole CDH-20-045 with 239 g/t Ag, 0.08% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 4.3m, including 350 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 2.5m, and including 456 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb and 0.6% Zn over 1.5m in the F Vein, and 208 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 3m, including 974 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 0.5m in a footwall vein; hole CDH-20-046 with 264 g/t Ag, 0.06% Pb, and 0.1%Zn over 6.8m, including 553 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 2.9m, including 911 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 1.4m, including 1,585 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 0.6m, and 689 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 0.5m, and 219 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 5m, all in the F Vein; hole CDH-20-047 with 166 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 15.65m, including 351 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn over 5.97m, including 400 g/t Ag, 0.45% Pb, and 1.2% Zn over 4.97m, including 782 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, 3.6% Zn over 1.05, including 305 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over 1.15m, including 219 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.7% Zn over 1.1m, including 432 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and 1% Zn over 0.97m; and hole CDH-20-042 with 115 g/t Ag over 0.3m in a hangingwall of a quartz vein, and 86 g/t Ag 0.02% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 13m, including 111 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 5.9m, in the F Vein. These holes tested the F Vein structure along 400 meters of strike length with holes 42 to 45 focusing on gaps in the 2019 drill program, while holes 46 and 47 were step outs along strike.
  • Vizsla Resources Corp., restarted its exploration and recommenced its 14,500m drilling programs at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Vizsla has tested only five of the initially twenty targets and will continue with two drill rigs to ensure the remaining 10,861m of planned drilling is completed in the 2020 calendar year.

ON MINING

  • Mag Silver Corp., reported Q1, 2020 financial results. It estimated the pre-operative initial capital now at USD $440M as of January, 2018. The company also reported a development expenditure of approximately USD $153.5M (company therefore estimates approximately $286,584 of remaining initial capital on a 100% basis as at March 31, 2020), and an existing cash and other working capital as at March 31, 2020 of USD $6.8M and USD $13.2M respectively (Juanicipio project, Zacatecas).
  • Mexus Gold , reported addition gold sales from production at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. It sold 47.5Oz Au on May 7th and was processing an additional 45 Oz Au the week of May 18th. Mexus announced that the sales of gold for the month of May are expected to exceed 120 Oz Au.
  • McEwen Mining Inc., reported full year 2019 production results from its El Gallo mine in Sinaloa. It produced 2,700 Oz AuEq (GEO) from residual leaching of the heap leach pad. Beginning with Q42019, the company has ceased relying on, and disclosing, cash costs and AISC per GEO as key metrics for El Gallo mine. Residual leaching will continue for as long as incremental revenue exceeds incremental costs.

ON FINANCING

  • Magna Gold Corp., announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $7M. Net proceeds will be used for working capital purposes in connection with the company´s existing projects (Mercedes project, Sonora).
  • Discovery Metals Corp., announced that it intends to close a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $25M. Net proceeds will be used primarily to continue the exploration programs at its Cordero and Coahuila projects in Chihuahua and Coahuila respectively.
  • Mithril Resources Limited, announced that its rights issue for capital raising has closed with strong support for both shareholder entitlements and additional shortfall shares. The company was required to raise a minimum of $1.5M under the rights issue as a condition precedent of the transaction with Sun Minerals Pty Ltd. Fund raised will be used to advance exploration at its Copalquin project in Durango, following completion of the acquisition of Sun Minerals.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported drill results from fourteen holes collared at its Bolaños mine in Guanajuato, eight of which intersected high-grade mineralization over minable widths in the Melladito Vein. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole BN27 with 24.3 g/t Au and 787 g/t Ag (3,217 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 1.5m, including 91.8 g/t Au and 2,200 g/t Ag (11,380 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.20m; hole BN31 with 12.48 g/t Au and 50 g/t Ag (1,298 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.1m, including 50.8 g/t Au and 191 g/t Ag (5,271 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.2m; and hole BN32 with 7.37 g/t Au and 170 g/t Ag (907 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.7m, including 9.47 g/t Au and 327 g/t Ag (1,274 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.6m.”The eight drill holes outline a new mineralized zone 100 m long by 200 m deep, open in all directions. It could connect with the historic high-grade San Ramon mine workings immediately west of and the San Pablo mine workings immediately east of the drill holes. This part of the Melladito vein was not previously explored and represents an exciting new area for resource estimation and mine development”.
  • Mag Silver Corp., provided an update on its Juanicipio project in Zacatecas. Highlights include that a detailed engineering is near completion and earthmoving and foundation preparation is well advanced for the construction of the 4,000 tpd beneficiation plant; SAG and Ball mills, flotation cells, all associated vessels, thickeners and ancillary process equipment are now secured on site, progress made with the construction of the flotation plant and infrastructure, and underground development at Juanicipio has now approached 27 km (or 16.9 miles) and is focused on three sub-vertical ramps that descend alongside the mineralization and alongside the conveyor ramp to surface at plant site.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., announced plans to conduct a 1,000 tonnes bulk sample from its Pinguino project in Guanajuato. It entered in an agreement with Endeavour Silver and will be sending the bulk sample to Endeavour’s Bolañitos mill, located approximately 28kmfrom El Pinguico project. “By conducting this large test, the Company will gain valuable metallurgical and precious metal recovery information pertaining to the mineralized material on the El Pinguico property.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Alamos Gold Inc., announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders. It also appointed and compensated executives and auditor´s remuneration (Mulatos mine, Sonora).
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., shareholders and Alio Gold Inc. securityholders, approved merger to create North American diversified intermediate gold producer. On closing of the transaction, Argonaut and Alio shareholders will own approximately 76% and 24% of the merged company, respectively, on an issued share basis. The merged company will continue as Argonaut Gold with the ticker symbol AR on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). (El Castillo mine, Durango).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., announced results of its annual general meeting of shareholders. It also appointed auditors and approved executive´s compensation (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Defiance Silver Corp., announced that it has successfully negotiated with the project vendor its option agreement on its san Acacio project in Zacatecas. The project vendor has agreed to extend the option agreement terms by three years from September 27, 2020 to September, 27, 2023. “Defiance will now be making quarterly payments, over three years, to the property vendor totaling USD $2,278,189, with the final option payment of USD $2,407,461 due September 27, 2023. In accordance with the original agreement, the vendor retains a 2.5% NSR which may be purchased for USD $2,500,000. Should the agreement be terminated prior to September 27, 2023 a break fee equal to 5% of the outstanding option balance shall be paid to the property vendor”.
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc., (former Oceanus Resources), commenced trading under the trading symbols “SLVR” on the TSXV. There was no change in the share capital of the company. Certificates representing common shares of the company will not be affected by the name and symbol change and will not need to be exchanged (El Tigre project, Sonora).
  • Sierra Metals Inc., announced the appointment of its new CEO effective immediately (Bolivar mine, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • The Grupo Mexico Foundation, donated 5,000 molecular test for the detection of COVID-19 to be applied to patients from all over the state of Chihuahua. Governor of Chihuahua State, Javier Corral, stated that it will allow reducing the time of diagnosis and extending timely attention to the population. In addition, it also will donate 450,000 protection kits to be distributed in Mexico City as well as in the states of Mexico, Jalisco and Nuevo Leon. The kits are personal and contain supplies such as masks, gowns, hats, shoe covers, KN45 masks, gloves, goggles and everything necessary to promote the comprehensive protection of health personnel in hospitals.
  • Minera Gorrión (MG), subsidiary of Almaden Minerals Ltd., and in charge of developing the Ixtaca mine project, in the north of Puebla, donated 1,000 disinfecting gels and 2,000 masks to the Ixtacamaxtitlán Community Hospital, in charge of leading efforts against the epidemic in the region. On the other hand, 1,440 liters of gel and 4,800 face masks were distributed among 15 Rural Medical Units of the IMSS and 9 Health Houses of the Ministry of Health in the municipality. Likewise, MG delivered 1,300 liters of gel and 2,000 covers mouths to the Central Warehouse of Health Services in the state of Puebla to support the efforts led by the Puebla government to counteract the spread of the disease in the state.
  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold Resources Inc.), donated MXP $2M to launch a hospital in Iguala, Guerrero, which will exclusively treat patients with COVID-19. The hospital will be soon in operation and will also serve people from Taxco, Huitzuco, Tepecoacuilco and Cocula affected by the coronavirus.
  • Consorcio Minero Peña Colorada S.A. de C.V., donated MXP $500K to the Integral Development of the Family (DIF) of Colima State, to allocate it to the Emergent Food Attention Program, implemented by its government.

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

On the picture above, phyllic alteration in a porphyry Cu system in a prospect in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

 

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

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Bladed calcite in an epithermal vein system

By Miguel A Heredia

During the nineteen week of the year (May 4th to May 10th, 2020), at least 45 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with eleven communicating production and financial results, seven announcing financing rounds, seven disclosing deals and corporate issues, six reporting on resources and developments, six discussing issues on social responsibility, five commenting on Mexican issues, and three informing on exploration results.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Americas Gold and Silver reported that its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa continue to be illegally occupied. The General Direction of Mines announced that all mining procedures were suspended until May 30, 2020. Peñoles concluded the construction of its Capela mine in Guerrero with a total investment of USD $334M, of which USD $83.9M were exercised in 2019. Gold mining companies in Mexico are preparing for a solid second semester. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ridgestone announced that it has completed the first three holes of its ongoing 1,500m drill program at its Rebeico Au-Cu project and Aztec provided an updated 2020 strategic plan and outlook on its Cervantes project. In Chihuahua, Radius reported rock chip sampling results from its recently acquired Plata Verde project.   ON MINING, Avino, Endeavour, GoGold, Gold Resource, Golden Minerals, Great Panther, Hecla, Newmont, Pan American, Premier, and Torex reported production and financial results from their Mexican mining operations. ON FINANCING, Americas Gold and Silver entered in a bought deal public offering for net proceeds of approximately CAD $25M (Cosalá mine, Sinaloa). Fortuna Silver announced proposed amendments to financial covenants contained in its USD $150M credit facility (San Jose mine, Oaxaca). GR Silver entered firstly into a bought deal brokered private placement to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $6,021,000, and later the company upsized it to $8.1M (San Marcial and Plomosas projects, Sinaloa). Minaurum announced a private offering to raise up to CAD $5M (Alamos Silver project, Sonora).    Mithril announced that it is conducting a capital raising by way of a non-renounceable rights issue to shareholders for a minimum gross proceeds of A $1.5M and a maximum of A $2.46M (Copalquin project, Durango). Magna Gold entered into an amendment to include the closing of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of a minimum of $1.8M and a maximum of $2M (San Francisco mine, Sonora).   ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Metals released results from eight diamond drill holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. GR Silver announced historical drilling results from its Plomosas Silver project and provided an update on its ongoing exploration program at its San Marcial project, both located in Sinaloa. Golden Minerals completed PEA´s for its Rodeo and Velardeña projects in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Agnico announced election of directors during its annual and special meeting of shareholders (Pinos Altos, Chihuahua). Alio Gold completed the sale of its San Francisco mine in Sonora to Magna Gold. Argonaut and Alio received positive recommendations of its proposed merger announced on March 30, 2020 (El Castillo mine, Durango). Azucar Minerals granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants (El Cobre project, Veracruz). Xtierra received TSXV conditional approval for the acquisition of Minera Portree (Bilbao project, Zacatecas). Pan American Silver released its 2019 sustainability report (La Colorada mine, Zacatecas). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Chihuahua Mining Cluster donated MXP $200M to the Mexican Red Cross. Esperanza Silver de México (Alamos Gold), delivered protective overalls to doctors and nurses at the IMSS Regional hospital 1 in Cuernavaca. First Majestic delivered pantries to five Ejidos from the Municipality of Ocampo, Coahuila. Fresnillo plc joined donated medical equipment to hospitals in Sonora. Grupo Mexico, in coordination with the Torreón City Council, delivered 300 pantries and disinfectant products to residents of a neighborhood near its Met-Mex Peñoles metallurgical plant. Minera San Julian (Fresnillo plc), will provide mask to the Municipality of San Julian, Chihuahua. Aura Minerals, in coordination with the municipal authorities of Concepción Del Oro Zacatecas, has helped to implement measures designed to support the communities in this difficult time. Compañia Minera Pangea (McEwen Mining) donated cleaning kits to 109 families of seven communities near of its El Gallo mine in Sinaloa.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Americas Gold and Silver, reported that its Cosalá operation in Sinaloa continue to be illegally occupied and stated that “while the company cannot negotiate with the self-interested representatives of this illegal action, it is optimistic that a legal a legitimate labour representative for its workers will be identified, and the mine will be in a position to re-open after any COVID-19 restrictions are lifted”.
  • The General Direction of Mines, announced that all the mining procedures were suspended until May 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemia. “For the foregoing, the holders of mining concessions are informed that the obligation to present the report during May to verify the execution of the exploration or exploitation works, in the terms of articles 27, fraction I, 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the Mining Law, and 63 to 66 of its regulations, the term for its presentation is suspended, until May 30, 2020”. The deadline for receipt of the report will be now from June 01, 2020 to June 30, 2020. This postponement was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation and is based on article 28 of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.
  • Peñoles Group, finalized the construction of its Capela mine in Guerrero with a total investment of USD $334M, of which USD $83.9M were exercised in 2019. This new unit has a grinding and processing capacity of 4,500 tons of ore per day, to produce an annual average of 4.7M Oz Ag, 89.6M Lb Zn, 19.3M Lb Pb, and 15.7M Lb Cu contained in Pb, Zn, and Cu. It will also generate a total of 650 jobs.
  • Gold Mining companies in Mexico, are preparing to reactivate their activities after quarantines applied by the government to achieve profitable production amid the multi-year records that commodity prices have broken. The timing and success of reactivations will largely depend on the evolution of the pandemic. As operations could resume in May, the mines are in good shape to take advantage of healthy yellow metal prices, although social distancing measures are likely to affect productivity and costs.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., announced that it has completed 435.7m on the first three holes of the ongoing 10 holes, 1,500m diamond core drilling program at its Rebeico Au-Cu project in Sonora. The three first holes were collared at the New York Zone where high grade Au-Cu mineralization has been sampled on surface. All holes present visible sulphide mineralization. Assay results are pending and will be released when available.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp., provided an updated 2020 strategic plan and outlook on its Cervantes project in Sonora. During Q2, 2020 the company plans to finalize the JV agreement with Kootenay Silver, finalize the interpretation of 3-D geophysics conducted in 2019, and advance exploration on near surface oxide Au mineralization and deeper porphyry sulphide Au-Cu targets. In Q3, 2020, Aztec plans to extend detail mapping and sampling of the Purisima West, Estrella, Jacobo, Brazil, and other targets at its Cervantes project, and plan and obtain permits for phase 2 drilling program on its California and Purisima targets. In Q4, 2020 the plan is to commence phase 2 drilling program on these two targets.
  • Radius Gold Inc., reported results of 35 rock chip samples collected at its recently acquired Plata Verde project in Chihuahua. Highlights include 142g/t Ag over 64m at Mina Mojonera, including 350 g/t Ag over 12m. “At Plata Verde, Ag mineralization occurs as massive to crustiform banded barite calcite with Ag chlorides, sulphosalt minerals and native Ag infilling and cementing fractures and breccia within a basaltic/andesite extrusive volcanic”. At Mina Real, located 150m south of Mina Mojonera, 75 rock chip samples were collected from the walls and remaining pillars with Ag grades varying from 8 and 730 g/t Ag, with an average grade of 276 g/t Ag. Minas Mojonera and Real define a zone of Ag mineralization approximately 550m long by 200m wide, with the south portion apparently displaced by a large fault, and largely covered by post-mineral rhyolite ignimbrites. Radius is planning to run an airborne magnetic survey to help define the extension of the host rocks under cover.

ON MINING

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., released Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its Avino mine in Durango. It processed 164,096 tonnes of 0.4 g/t Au, 57 g/t Ag, and 0.57% Cu to produce 1,531 Oz Au, 267K Oz Ag and 1.8M Lb Cu (684K Oz AgEq), with metallurgical recoveries of 73%, 89%, and 86% respectively, at cash cost of USD $9.83, and AISC of USD $14.88 per Oz AgEq payable.  The company reported revenues of USD $7.12M, mine operation income of USD $843K, cash of $6.7M, working capital of USD $1075M, an EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA of USD $372K  and USD $391K respectively.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., presented consolidated production and financial results from its Guanacevi mine in Durango, Bolañitos mine in Guanajuato, and El Compas mine in Zacatecas. Endeavour produced 857.7K Oz Ag and 8,476 Oz Au for 1.5M Oz AgEq at an 80:1 Ag: Au ratio or 1.8M Oz AgEq at 110:1 ratio. Cash cost of $7.85 and AISC of $18.38 per Oz payable Ag, both net of Au credits. The company reported an income of $21.9M from the sale of 665.5K Oz Ag and 7,454 Oz Au at average realized prices of $15.33 per Oz Ag and $1,633 per Oz Au.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., reported Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its Parral Tailings project, Chihuahua. It processed 367K tonnes to produced 601K Oz AgEq, at cash cost of USD $12.33 and AISC of USD $15.10 per Oz AgEq. GoGold reported an income of $USD $8.6M, and cash of USD $19.1M.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, announced Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its Oaxaca mining unit, Oaxaca. The company milled 174.5K tonnes to produce 6,450 Oz Au, 402.5K Oz Ag, 1.1M Lb Cu, 5.6M Lb Pb, and 13.1M Lb Zn, at cash cost of $918 and AISC of $1,229 per Oz AuEq sold.
  • Golden Minerals Company, announced its financial results for the period Q1, 2020. The company reported revenue of USD $1.2M and net operating margin of USD $0.6M related to the lease of its oxide plant. It also reported cash and cash equivalents balance of USD $ 2.2M.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited, released Q1, 2020 consolidated production and financial results from its Topia, Durango and Guanajuato mine complex, Guanajuato. The company milled 68,965 tonnes of 318 g/t AgEq.
  • Hecla Mining Company, reported Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its San Sebastian mine in Durango. Hecla produced 346,625 Oz Ag and 2,802 Oz Au, at cash cost of $6.91 and AISC of $9.59 per Oz Ag produced.
  • Newmont Corporation, produced 87K Oz Au at AISC of $769 per Oz Au sold, or 288K Oz AuEq at AISC of $841 per Oz AuEq sold.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., presented Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas and Dolores mine in Chihuahua. At La Colorada, Zacatecas the company produced 1.6M Oz Ag and 1.1K Oz Au, at cash cost of USD $7.23 and AISC of USD $9.98 per Oz Ag produced. At Dolores, Chihuahua it produced 1.23M Oz Ag and 27.1K Oz Au, at AISC of USD $23.29 per Oz produced.
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, released Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Premier milled 162,408 tonnes of 2.4 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag to produce 11,587 Oz Au and 52.2K Oz Ag, with metallurgical recoveries of 93.9% and 37.1% respectively, at cash cost of USD $1,282 and AISC of 1,883 per Oz Au per Oz Au sold.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc., reported Q1, 2020 production and financial results from its El Limon Guajes mining complex in Guerrero. It produced 108.5K Oz Au at cash cost of $794 and AISC of $975 per Oz Au sold. Torex reported an EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA of $39.4M and 67.4M respectively, and cash flow from operations of $29.5M.

ON FINANCING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation, announced a bought deal public offering for gross proceeds of approximately CAD $25M (Cosalá mine, Sinaloa).
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., provided an update to amend the financial covenants contained in its USD $150M credit facility. The credit facility requires the company to maintain a total debt to EBITDA ratio of not greater than3:1. As of the financial year ended December 31, 2019, the total debt to EBITDA ratio was 1.7:1. Fortuna has entered into discussions with its senior lenders under the credit facility, and obtained agreement in principle to amend the financial covenants. The amendment to the credit facility is subject to the completion of definitive documentation between the parties (San Jose mine, Oaxaca).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., entered into a bought deal brokered private placement with a syndicate of underwriters for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,021,000. The company also granted the underwriters an option to purchase more stock for additional gross proceeds of $903,150. Later on, the company upsized it to $8.1M (San Marcial and Plomosas projects, Sinaloa).
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., announced a private offering to raise gross proceed up to CAD $5M. Net proceeds will be used for the exploration of its Alamos Silver project in Sonora and for working capital purposes.
  • Mithril Resources Limited, announced that it is conducting a capital raising by way of a non-renounceable rights issue to shareholders for a minimum gross proceeds of A $1.5M and a maximum of A $2.46M. Net proceeds will be used primarily to advance exploration at its Copalquin project in Durango.
  • Magna Gold Corp., entered into an amendment to include the closing of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of a minimum of $1.8M and a maximum of $2M. Net proceeds will be used for the acquisition of, and for working capital purposes in connection with the San Francisco mine, Sonora.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Discovery Metals Corp., released results from eight diamond drill holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Goal of these holes was to define and extend the higher-grade mineralized footprint to the NE and SW of the Pozo de Plata zone. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole C20-319 with 0.1 g/t Au, 70 g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (207 g/t AgEq) over a width of 168.8m, including 0.2 g/t Au, 103 g/t Ag, 2.2% Pb, and 4.4% Zn (378 g/t AgEq) over 27.7m; and hole C20-317 with 0.22 g/t Au, 90 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 0.5% Zn (159 g/t AgEq) over 79m. 48 holes totaling 17,500 m have been completed to date at Cordero to understand the high-grade footprint. Assays from 16 holes are pending. All holes have been drilled roughly perpendicular to the main structural north-east trend of higher-grade mineralization.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced historical drilling results from its Plomosas Silver project and provided an update on its ongoing exploration program at its San Marcial project, both located in Sinaloa. At Plomosas, in San Juan Area, highlights include hole LRD-46 with 0.13 g/t Au, 198 g/t Ag, 1.7% Pb, and 0.5% Pb (261 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 6.4m, including 0.13 g/t Au, 404 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (444 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 3m; hole LRD-54 with 0.4 g/t Au, 821 g/t Ag, 7.4% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (1,304 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2m; hole SJD-17 with 0.43 g/t Au, 521 g/t Ag, 4.6% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (705 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.9m; and hole SJD-10 with 0.8 g/t Au, 574 g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (675 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 2.7m. “GR Silver Mining continues its review and validation of more than 500 surface and underground drill holes on all six zones, aiming to confirm additional multiple vein systems hosted in a set of regional high angle fault zones and shallow dipping younger regional faults”. At San Marcial project, it obtained positive initial Au results from channel sampling at two new targets including 28.94 g/t Au and 143 g/t Ag over 0.2m, and 6.81 g/t Au over 0.2m. It also completed the work to widen 170m an existing tunnel to reach the breccia-hosted high-grade mineralization. GR also commented that with all the accumulated data generated it has generated at least eight drill-ready targets to test.
  • Golden Minerals Company, completed PEA´s for its Rodeo and Velardeña projects in Durango. At Rodeo, the PEA shows a pre-tax NPV (8% discount rate) of USD $24.4M with a low start-up cost of USD $1.5M. Pending receipt of mining permits, mining and processing is planning for Q1, 2021. At Velardeña, the PEA shows a pre-tax NPV (8% discount rate) of USD $85.9M based on incorporating bio-oxidation processing as the key to achieving robust project economics. No development decision has been made with regard to this project.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, announced the election of directors during its annual and special meeting of shareholders (Pinos Altos, Chihuahua).
  • Alio Gold Inc., completed the sale of its San Francisco Mine in Sonora to Magna Gold Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, Timmins GoldCorp Mexico S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Alio Gold, received 9.74M of common shares of Magna and will receive USD $5M in cash (or a 1% NSR royalty in respect of the San Francisco Mine, if the cash payment is not made by Magna) within twelve months.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., and Alio Gold Inc., received positive recommendations of its proposed merger announced on March 30, 2020. Argonaut and Alio shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2020 and April 14, 2020 respectively are eligible to vote their common shares (El Castillo mine, Durango).
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd., announced it has granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants of the company to purchase an aggregate 425K common shares at a price of $0.11 per share (El Cobre project, Veracruz).
  • Xtierra Inc., received conditional approval for the acquisition of 87.99% interest of Minera Portree de Zacatecas S.A. de C.V. , for the amount of CAD $56K in cash less a deposit of CAD $26K previously paid, the remaining CAD $30K is payable in installments subject to certain milestones, and the issue to the vendor of 2M common shares of the company at a deemed value of CAD $0.05 per share. The TSXV has provided conditional approval of the acquisition which requires completion of legal documentation in Mexico (Bilbao project, Zacatecas).
  • Pan American Silver Corp., released its 2019 sustainability report, which includes details on Pan American’s environmental, social, governance (“ESG”), and health and safety performance.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • The Chihuahua Mining Cluster, donated MXP $200M to the Mexican Red Cross, which will be used to acquire the paramedics ´personal protection equipment to face the COVID-19 pandemic. The president of the Chihuahua Mining Cluster recognized the commitment of all mining units and suppliers belonging to the cluster for showing solidarity with its employees and with the communities, and declared that the mining industry has had to fight against the onslaught of the pandemic, since despite not having been considered an essential industry and being forced to close all its operations.
  • Esperanza Silver de México (Alamos Gold), delivered protective overalls to doctors and nurses at the IMSS Regional hospital 1 in Cuernavaca. This action was in addition to the previous delivery of KN95 masks and gloves that the mining company carried out at the Regional 1 hospitals of the IMSS, the ISSSTE Family Clinic in Cuernavaca, the Regional of Temixco and José G. Parres de Cuernavaca.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp., through its personnel of La Encantada mine in Coahuila, delivered pantries to five Ejidos from the Municipality of Ocampo. Personnel of the company prepared packages with items from the basic food basket that were delivered to the peasant families, house by house, in support of the health contingency by COVID-19. The local authorities appreciated the help of the mining company and other companies and social organizations that have brought support and health and humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of Ocampo.
  • Fresnillo plc, donated 2,000 covers, 40 gallons of disinfectant gel and 400 N95 masks to the hospitals of Zone No. 8 of the IMSS and General of the State of Sonora, in the city of Caborca, in support and recognition of the hard work carried out by the staff of these institutions.
  • Grupo Peñoles, in coordination with the Torreón City Council, donated 300 pantries and disinfectant products, for the benefit of residents of the Vicente Guerrero neighborhood, Torreón, near its Met-Mex Peñoles metallurgical plant.
  • Minera San Julián (Fresnillo plc), will provide mask to the Municipality of San Julian, Chihuahua. The production of mouth masks will be in charge of a community company in the town of Yerbitas, which was hired by Minera San Julián to contribute to the support of sanitary guidelines to face the COVID-19 pandemic. The mining company is also helping to generate employment and strengthen the local economy.
  • Aura Minerals Inc., in coordination with the Municipal Authorities of Concepción del Oro Zacatecas, has helped to implement measures designed to support the communities in this difficult time such as screening checkpoint for all those entering the city, contracting the local workforce to produce additional face masks for ongoing essential activities, providing canteens, transportation vehicles and health questionnaires, facilitating temperature scanning and the use of screening checkpoints, hiring additional medical personnel and supplying COVID-19 test kits.
  • Compañia Minera Pangea (McEwen Mining), donated cleaning kits to 109 families (354 persons) of seven communities near of its El Gallo mine in Sinaloa.

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

On the picture above, bladed calcite in a low sulphidation epithermal vein system in a prospect in Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Cervantite crystals in jasperoids

By Miguel A Heredia

During the seventeen week of the year (April 20th to April 20th, 2020), at least 41 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with ten discussing issues on social responsibility, six informing on exploration results, six, commenting on Mexican issues, six announcing financing rounds, five communicating production and financial results, four disclosing deals and corporate issues and four reporting on resources and developments.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Mexican Federal Government has ordered an extension of the suspension of non-essential activities in Mexico until May 30, 2020 in response to COVID-219 pandemic. Firms affiliated to the Mexican Mining Chamber joined to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Colima requested the release of the Mining Fund to face contingency caused by COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Mexico ordered to paralyze the mining sector from March 30 to May 30, not considering it an essential activity. The Secretary of Tax Administration (SAT) owes USD $1B to mining companies operating in Mexico. A senator of the MORENA party promotes that mining to be considered essential activity. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Riverside defined high-grade targets and received drill permits for its Los Cuarentas project, and Silver Viper reported high-grade drilling results from its La Virginia project. In Chihuahua, Consolidated Zinc identified widespread Au with high-grade potential at its Plomosas project. In Sinaloa, Oroco filed a revised technical report on its Santo Tomas project. In Jalisco, GoGold released results from twelve drill holes collared at its Los Ricos project. In Guanajuato, VanGold announced it is planning its 2020 campaign to advance its El Pinguino project.   ON MINING, Consolidated Zinc suspended operation since April 6, 2020 at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua due to the COVID-19 pandemic and expects to restart activities on varying dates from May 01 to May 31, based on the pandemic status in their location. Gold Resource reported Q1, 2020 production results from its El Aguila mine in Oaxaca.  Premier Gold reported Q1, 2020 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. Santacruz Silver suspended operations at its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo due to COVID-19 pandemic. ON FINANCING, Aloro reported the cancelation of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (Los Venados, Sonora). Golden Minerals entered into a definitive agreement with some investors to raise approximately $3M (Velardeña project, Durango). One World Lithium announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte). SilverCrest closed a non-brokered private placement with SSR Mining for gross proceeds of CAD $27M (Las Chispas, Son). SSR Mining secured CAD $0.5M gain from exercise of Silver Crest equity participation right. Consolidated Zinc announced its plan to raise funds for approximately $1.7M.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capstone released results from five infill and twenty two step-out drill holes collared at its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. GR Silver announced historical drilling results from its Plomosas Silver project in Sinaloa. Consolidated Zinc reported high-grade drilling and channel sample results as part of its inferred to indicated category conversion resources at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Prime Mining announced results from new surface trenches and road cuts on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, One World Lithium renewed the agreement with its IR consulting firm and granted them with stock options.  Excellon announced the acquisition of Otis Gold (Platosas mine, Durango). Argonaut and Alio announced its plan to merge and create a diversified intermediate producer in North America (El Castillo mine, Durango). Great Panther announced changes to its board of directors and senior management team (Topia mine, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Argonaut Gold implemented a sanitation campaign in public spaces, local businesses, offices, homes and streets in the La Colorada community, in Sonora. Bylsa Drilling and SilverCrest provided support and raised awareness in the Rio Sonora community about the importance of being aware and taking the necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Esperanza Silver delivered pantries to local communities and protection equipment to doctors and nurses in Cuernavaca and Temixco communities in Morelos state. In Zacatecas, two new water wells were put into operation with resources from the Mining Fund. Minera Peñasquito donated supplies to local hospitals where it is operating and delivered 1,000 pantries in Mazapil to adults over 60 years of age, pregnant women and people with disabilities from 25 communities neighboring their mining operation.  Minera San Xavier (New Gold Inc.) continued the donations of medical material In the face of the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Orbia (former Mexichem) announced that it will donate 50,000 inhalers to the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), in the face of the health emergency caused by the COVID-19. Grupo México donated MXP $1.3M and equipment for Red Cross rescuers of Hermosillo, Sonora to face the health contingency experienced in the state. Pan American donated 900 pantries to the local communities around its La Colorada and Dolores mines, located in Zacatecas and Chihuahua respectively.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Mexican Federal Government, ordered an extension of the suspension of non-essential activities in Mexico until May 30, 2020 to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The directive provides for a potential re-start of operations following May 18, 2020 for operations located in municipalities exhibiting low, or no, cases of COVID-19. Mining companies operating in Mexico are aligned with this decree and will be evaluating zones with the least COVID-19 impact for potential earlier start-up.
  • The Mexican Mining Chamber, announced that their affiliated firms have jointed to fight together against the COVID-19 pandemic. The mining industry has implemented very strict Health and Prevention Protocols in each of its operations since the declaration of the pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The companies affiliated to the Mining Chamber of Mexico have communicated to the authorities that if they allowed continuity they would be unable to operate with less than 50% of the personnel in the field, under the health conditions dictated by the national authorities and applied by international good practices. Mining reaffirms its commitment to the more than 690 communities that host its operations, by implementing joint actions for the care and well-being of its inhabitants and collaborators. 110 joint actions have been carried out with authorities.
  • The Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Colima, requested the release of the Mining Fund to face the contingency caused by the CIVID-19 pandemic and strengthens companies to retain jobs. During the dialogue, the progress made on the commitments made by the State Government in the first extraordinary session was also announced, including tax benefit packages, financial support to companies and the implementation of the Emergent Food Assistance Program.
  • The Government of Mexico, ordered to paralyze the mining sector from March 30 to May 30, not considering it an essential activity. However, mining companies are working to bring health to the regions where they operate. On April 20, the Mining Chamber of Mexico(CAMIMEX) issued a report on the actions in favor of public health undertaken by 29 mining groups affiliated with the Chamber, which they represent 85% of the national mining production and generate around 379,000 direct jobs. Likewise, these mining companies have 182 paramedics, 123 doctors and 74 nurses available to the mining communities, and have a presence in 212 municipalities in Mexico, where they operate. 442 medical units, have 3,362 beds for hospital care, and have supported 10,657 people. “The mining industry reaffirms its commitment to Mexico by being essential as a supplier of raw materials for industrial chains that produce food, medicine, equipment and medical tools, telecommunications, chemicals, among others”, declared Although the mining sector has always supported health of its collaborators and neighboring communities, today, due to the pandemic coronavirus, mining companies make an extra effort to help Mexican society face this health crisis.
  • The Secretary of Tax Administration (SAT) owes USD $1B in VAT to mining companies operating in Mexico. According to the president of CAMIMEX, it is estimated that “in our sector, close to a billion dollars of VAT have been accumulated that the authority has not returned, which has put the flow of several of them at risk.” This is in addition to the economic consequences of social distancing measures and the cessation of non-essential activities, including mining.
  • A senator of the official MORENA party, has asked to the Senate board of directors to consider mining as an essential activity. He promotes to reactivate the mining sector to counteract the economic and social damages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc., defined high-grade gold targets and received drill permits for its Los Cuarentas project in Sonora. The rock-chip sampling returned anomalous Au > 0.2 g/t on 30% of the samples, with high- grade Au samples including 18 g/t, 12.3g/t, 3 g/t, and 3 g/t.  It also identified three new prospective structures: El Sombrerito, defined by a series of old workings;  El Sombrero Norte, mostly covered  by post-mineral andesites; and Rosalia Norte, defined by  steam heated alteration mineralogy and the presence of silicified rhyolite dikes. Riverside announced that it has received the drill permits from the Sonoran Environmental Agency to support further exploration and drilling at its project.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp., released results from seven drill holes collared at its La Virginia project in Sonora. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole LV20-224 with 3.55 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 5.20m, including 8.31 g/t Au and 453 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.74m, including 14.4 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.74m, and 0.56 g/t Au and 21 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.11m; and hole LV20-229 with 0.3 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.55m, and 1.27 g/t Au and 106 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.33m, and 0.84 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over 11.05m, including 10.9 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.65m, and 2.47 g/t Au and 65 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.95m, including 5.16 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag over 0.65m, and 16.8 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.98m, including 43.7 g/t Au and 40 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.33m, including 6.12 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag over a TW of 00.33m, and 2.73 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.33m. Currently, al, field activities were paused and drill equipment is stored on site awaiting a restart order.
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, identified widespread Au with high-grade potential at its Plomosas project. During a reconnaissance sampling. Highlighted rock chip results from the La Chona and Enrique areas include 6.21 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag on a gossan, 4.75 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, 3.32 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag, and 2.32 and 6 g/t Ag on limestone/quartz veining, and 1.45 g/t Au, 6 g/t Ag, and 0.64% Cu and 0.82 g/t Au, 3 g/t Ag, and 0.60% Cu on limestone/Fe-Cu Ox. Additionally, mapping has identified mineralized structures to the north of La Chona and Enrique vein systems, related to a large structural lineament. Results from this program are encouraging and further exploration is planned to develop the interpretation of the mineralized systems. Exploration will continue to focus on the La Chona-Enrique system and along the extensions that occur in the northwest.
  • Oroco Resource Corp., filed a revised technical report on the core concession of its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Key revisions focused on the format and cautionary parameters around the disclosure of historical mineral resource estimates.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released results from twelve drill holes collared at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Significant results were encountered in holes LRGG-20-132 with 0.41 g/t Au and 80 g7t Ag (1.48 g/t AuEq or 111 g/t AgEq) over a width of 49.4m, including 5.42 g/t Au and 865 g/t Ag (16.95 g/t AuEq or 1,271 g/t AgEq) over a width of 3m; and hole LRGG-20-135 with 1.06 g/t Au and 133 g/t Ag (2.82 g/t AuEq or 212 g/t AgEq) over a width of 22.6m, including 1.29 g/t Au and 200 g/t Ag (3.96 g/t AuEq or 297 g/t AgEq) over a width of 11.3m. Drilling at the Los Ricos projects is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of the Company’s employees, contractors, and surrounding communities, in compliance with the Mexican Federal government’s mandate that all non-essential business temporarily suspend activities.
  • VanGold Mining Corp., announced it is planning its 2020 campaign to advance its El Pinguino project in Guanajuato. The Company is actively engaged with three separate initiatives: processing a substantial bulk sample through a local mill, making accessible an additional 30 meters of vertical distance at the bottom of the El Pinguico shaft, and developing a comprehensive drill plan to be initiated in late summer/early fall.

ON MINING

  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, suspended operation at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua due to the COVID-19 pandemic and expects to restart activities on varying dates from May 01 to May 31, based on the pandemic status in their location. During the enforced closure of the mine and plant since the 6 April 2020 essential services have repaired key equipment, replaced pumps, completed overhauls on generated power supply equipment and maintained e ready to operate when the Mexican Government allows a return to work.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, reported Q1 2020 production results from its El Aguila mine in Oaxaca. It produced 6,450 Oz Au, 402.5K Oz Ag, 1.1M Lb Cu, 5.6M Lb Pb, and 123.1M Lb Zn.
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, reported Q1 2020 production results from its Mercedes mine in Sonora. It produced 11,587 Oz Au for the period. The production was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The mine was placed into care and maintenance pursuant to the decree from the Mexican Federal Government which took effect March 30, 2020.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., suspended operations at its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo until April 30. Subject to government regulations and other health expert input, activities are expected to re-commence on or about May 1, 2020 or at such other date as mandated by Mexican authorities.

ON FINANCING

  • Aloro Mining Corp., reported the cancelation of its previously announced non-brokered private placement due to COVID-19 pandemic and market conditions (Los Venados project, Sonora).
  • Golden Minerals Company, entered into a definitive agreement with some investors to raise funds for approximately $3M. Gross proceeds will be used to advance its Rodeo and Velardeña properties in Durango.
  • One World Lithium, announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M. Gross proceeds will be used to conduct a drilling program at its Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., closed a non-brokered private placement with SSR Mining for gross proceeds of CAD $27M. Net proceeds will be used to advance its Las Chispas project in Sonora. With this financing, SilverCrest makes a cash balance of CAD $234M in its treasury. In turn, SSR Mining entered into a transaction for resale of the common shares to a corporation beneficially controlled by Eric Sprott.
  • RSS Mining, secured a gain of CAD $0.5M from the exercise of some common shares of SilverCrest to a third party beneficially controlled by Eric Sprott.
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, announced its plan to raise gross proceeds for approximately $1.7M. Gross proceeds will be used for the exploration of Au prospects at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, to repay unsecured loans, and for working capital.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Capstone Mining Corp., released results from five infill and twenty two step-out drill holes collared at its Cozamin mine in Zacatecas. To date, 177 holes of the 200 program have been completed. The most significant drill intersections were encountered in hole CG-20-S471 with 7.58% Cu, 0.26% Zn, 0.01% Pb, and 113 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 5.1m, including 9.61% Cu, 0.32% Zn, 0.01% Pb, and 141 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.7m; hole CG-20-S473 with 5.16% Cu, 0.15% Zn, and 92 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.2m, including 7.38% Cu, 0.21% Zn, and 131 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.4m; hole SG-20-S466 with 3.70% Cu, 0.12% Zn, and 64 g/t Ag over a TW of 7.3m, including 6.16% Cu, 0.19% Zn, and 105 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.9m; hole CG-20-S476 with 5.94% Cu, 0.18% Zn, and 101 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.2m; and hole CG-20-S470 with 4.87% Cu, 0.23% Zn, and 131 g/t Ag over a TW of 16.7m, including 6.95% Cu, 0.40% Zn, and 213 g/t Ag over a TW of 7.2m.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd., announced historical drilling results from its Plomosas silver project in Sinaloa. The most significant drill results were in hole SD-45 with 26.9 g/t Au, 44 g/t Ag, 1.2% Zn, and 0.1% Pb over a true width (TW) of 1.5m, and 4.7 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, 0.5% Zn, and 0.1% Pb over a TW of 12.2m; hole PLI17-01 with 1.7 g/t Au, 7 g/t Ag, 1.0% Zn, and 1.3% Pb over a TW of 18m, including 11.9 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn, and 0.2% Pb over a TW of 2.1m; and hole SD-10 with 0.8 g/t Au, 26 g/t Ag, 4.8% Zn, and 6.0% Pb over a TW of 50.6m, including 1.9 g/t Au, 65 g/t Ag, 15.7% Zn, and 15.5% Pb over a TW of 13.4m.
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, reported high-grade channel samples and drilling results as part of its inferred to indicated category conversion resources at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Significant drilling intersections were encountered in hole LV7065 with 24.8% Zn, 8.3% Pb, and 69 g/t Ag over a width of 3.3m; hole LV8023 with 14.2% Zn, 5.4% Pb, and 49 g/t Ag over a width of 5.30m; and hole LV 8025 with 22.5% Zn, 7.5% Pb, and 36 g/t Ag over a width of 3.5m. In addition, 44 channel samples were taken perpendicular to bedding at 2 to 3 m spacing for a total of 97 samples. Significant assays were LV913006 with 43% Zn, 13.5% Pb, and 83 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 2.2m; LV913012 with 36.6% Zn, 20.4% Pb, and 139 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.8m; LV907006 with 36.4% Zn, 19.4% Pb, and 80 g87t Ag over a TW of 1.9m; LV907005 with 35.2% Zn, 19.9% Pb, and 80 g7t Ag over a TW of 1.9m; LV907009 with 34.1% Zn, 28% Pb, and 80 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.8m; LV907010 with 32.7% Zn, 23.5% Pb, and 99 g/t Ag over a TW of 1m; and LV913008 with 31.9% Zn, 23.7% Pb, and 92 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.5m.
  • Prime Mining Corp., announced results from new surface trenches and road cuts on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. The company will integrate the results into the new resource model. Highlights of the surface trenching sampling are in GW-3750E with 0.83 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 12m; GW-3720E with 0.68 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over 4.5m; and GW-3650E with 0.51 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over 1.5m. A highlight of the road cut sampling is GW-R51 with 0.49 g7t Au and 22 g/t Ag over 19.5m. The Guadalupe West deposit has been modeled using the previous drilling along with some new trenching and road cut sample data and a pit constrained resource has been estimated (see below table):

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • One World Lithium, renewed the agreement with its IR consulting firm and granted them with stock options. It also granted incentive stock options to three consultants of the company to purchase up to 1.1M common shares at a price of $ 0.01 per common share (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California Norte).
  • Excellon Resources Inc., received final court approval of business combination and announced the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Otis Gold Corp. Under the terms of the Arrangement, Otis shareholders will be entitled to receive 0.23 common shares of Excellon in exchange for each common share of Otis held. The goal is to increase the company precious metals exposure from 50% to 90%.
  • Argonaut Gold , and Alio Gold Inc., announced its plan to merge and create a diversified intermediate producer in North America. Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, all of the Alio issued and outstanding common shares will be exchanged on the basis of 0.67 of an Argonaut common share per each Alio share (El Castillo mine, Durango).
  • Great Panther Mining limited, announced changes to its board of directors and senior management team (Topia mine, Durango).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Argonaut Gold Inc., implemented a sanitation campaign in public spaces, local businesses, offices, homes and streets in the La Colorada community, in Sonora to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The mining company, in accordance with federal and state decrees, maintains the temporary closure of its operation and will continue with this emerging program before COVID-19 with other direct social support for the population.
  • Bylsa Drilling and SilverCrest Metals Inc., provided support and raised awareness in the Rio Sonora community about the importance of being aware and taking the necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At strategic points in the communities, companies also provided different supplies in the region, including thousands of liters of antibacterial gel, chlorine, and soap powder to disinfect and reduce the impact of COVID-19. The companies also support the elaboration of mouth covers by women from the community, and facilitation of the materials required for their preparation. Another important task was to clean roads to have quick and safe access in case of emergency.
  • Esperanza Silver SA de CV (Alamos Gold Inc.), delivered pantries to families in the communities of Tetlama and Milpillas in the Municipality of Temixco and protection equipment to doctors and nurses in Cuernavaca and Temixco municipalities in Morelos state. The company delivered 600 KN95 masks and 1,200 pairs of gloves.
  • In Zacatecas state, two new water wells were put in operation with resources from the Mining fund. With a contribution of 2.5M liters of water per day, one of the wells will beneficiate 18,000 people. The second well will provide 970K liters of water daily for the benefit of hundreds of families in the most populated area of ​​Guadalupe.
  • Minera Peñasquito, donates 660 boxes, 50 pairs of disposable gloves, 3,600 mouth covers, 3,700 disposable gowns, 4,350 N95 respirators and 66 gallons of antibacterial gel, in five medical instances in the area of ​​influence from Peñasquito, such as the San Juan de Los Cedros UMR, the Salaverna UMR, the Mazapil Clinic, the IMSS Hospital of Concepción del Oro and the Sanitary Jurisdiction 7. The company also donated 1,000 pantries in Mazapil to adults over 60 years of age, pregnant women and people with disabilities from 25 communities neighboring their mining operation. This action aims to support the population of the communities surrounding the mining operation, but above all, create conditions so that the population does not leave their homes and can have the possibilities and follow the recommendations of the health authorities to reduce the contagion by COVID-19.
  • Minera San Xavier (New Gold Inc.), continued the donations of medical material In the face of the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation consisted of tyvek type protection coveralls, with complete superior barrier protection, breathability and durability and N95 respirators, masks with a level of filtration recommended by the World Health Organization, with the aim that they are destined for the medical and nursing personnel who work and who will attend cases of COVID 19 in the local hospital.
  • Orbia (former Mexichem), announced that it will donate 50,000 inhalers to the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), in the face of the health emergency caused by the COVID-19. The relationship of Orbia with the inhalers that are commonly called ventolins is very close, since with the fluoride that is extracted at the Las Cuevas mine in San Luis Potosi, approximately 80% of inhalers around the world are produced. These devices are essential for those who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Grupo México , donated MXP $1.3M and 300 personal protective equipment for Red Cross rescuers of Hermosillo, Sonora to face the health contingency experienced in the state. The protective equipment consists of suits, N95 masks and goggles.
  • Pan American Silver Corp., donated 900 pantries to the communities of La Magdalena, Canoas, La Libertad y Sombrerete in the municipality of Chalchihuites Zacatecas, as well as in the community of Arroyo Amplio, a community around of its Dolores mine in Chihuahua. The pantries were delivered to elderly people with disabilities and families from vulnerable sectors. Different actions have been carried out with the communities, such as sanitation at the IMSS, which is open to the community. Donation of antibacterial gel, covers mouths, gloves and basic health check-up.

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

On the picture above, cervantite crystals in jasperoid in a mining prospect in Durango, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

 

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

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Quartz-alunite

By Miguel A Heredia

During the fifteen week of the year (April 06th to April 12th, 2020), at least 30 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with seven communicating production and financial results, six commenting on Mexican issues, five announcing financial rounds, five discussing issues on social responsibility, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, two informing on exploration results, and one reporting on resources and development.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining companies operating in Mexico such as First Majestic, Telson, Torex, Capstone, Coeur, Endeavour, Impact, Hecla, Minera del Norte, and Equinox, have temporarily suspended mining activities at their Mexican operations in accordance with Mexico´s Ministry of Health´s decree to mitigate the spread and transmission of COVID-19. They also have withdrew their 2020 production and cost guidance until further notice due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ridgestone announced that the three first holes of the 1st phase, 10-drill holes program were recently completed at its Rebeico project.  In Chihuahua, Discovery Metals released drilling results from 10 holes collared at its Cordero property. ON MINING, Impact reported full year 2019 production and financial results from its Zacualpan Mining District in Mexico State. GoGold reported Q1 2020 production results from its Parral tailings operation in Chihuahua. US Antimony reported its March 2020 production results. Hecla provided Q1 2020 production and financial results from its San Sebastian mine in Durango. Endeavour reported Q1 2020 production results from its Mexican operations. ON FINANCING, Santacruz raised gross proceeds of CAD $734,150 and reported that it won´t be completing any additional tranches of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (Veta Grande, Zacatecas). Consolidated Zinc advised that the underwriting agreement for the rights Issue announced on 9 March 2020 has been terminated, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, due to market conditions (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua). Candelaria closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1,059,261 (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz). Aloro announced its plan to raise gross proceeds of up to $400K (Los Venados project, Sonora). Minera Alamos received CAD $5M from Osisko Gold Royalties (Santana project, Sonora). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Prime Mining filed a technical report on its Los Reyes deposit in Sinaloa, and provided a new mineral resource estimate. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Avino announced that it has deferred its annual general meeting of shareholders until August 27, 2020 (Avino mine, Durango). Sable announced management changes and it also granted stock options to certain officers, directors and consultants (Vinata project, Chihuahua). Equinox reported that it will hold its annual general meeting for shareholders on May 15, 2020 (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Orla announced the appointment of its new CFO (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Fresnillo (Fresnillo plc) donated a state-of-the art ventilator to the General Hospital of IMSS at Fresnillo, Zacatecas.  Minera San Xavier (New Gold) delivered protective medical supplies to medical and nursing personnel of the local hospital at its Cerro de San Pedro mine in San Luis Potosi.   Newmont announced the establishment of a USD $20M fund to help host communities, governments and employees combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Minera Peñasquito made a donation of 500 Pro Shield suites to medical personnel who will attend cases of COVID-19. Grupo Mexico delivered a hospital to the government of Oaxaca to attend cases of COVID-19 at Juchitán city in the Istmo of Tehuantepec region.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Mining Companies operating in Mexico, such as such as First Majestic, Telson, Torex, Capstone, Coeur, Endeavour, Impact, Hecla, Minera del Norte, and Equinox, have temporarily suspended mining activities until April 30, 2020 at their Mexican operations in accordance with Mexico´s Ministry of Health´s decree to mitigate the spread and transmission of COVID-19. They also have withdrew their 2020 production and cost guidance until further notice due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., announced that three out of 1o holes planed for 1st phase drilling program have been completed at its Rebeico project in Sonora for a total of 435.7m. Visible sulphide mineralization is observed in all three holes collared but assays are pending.
  • Discovery Metals Corp., released drilling results from 10 holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. These holes are part of the 30,000-35,000m planned for the first phase program focused on defining a high-margin project with scale that retains excellent leverage to rising metal prices. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole C19-309 with 0.26 g/t Au, 673 g/t Ag, 10.1% Pb, and 3.7% Zn (1,205 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m; hole C20-310 with 0.08 g/t Au, 904 g/t Ag, 5.4% Pb, and 8% Zn (1,436 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m; hole C20-312 with 0.16 g/t Au, 273 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, and 5.5% Zn (546 g/t AgEq) over 5.3m, including 0.87 g/t Au, 1,500 g/t Ag, 3.2% Pb, and 30% Zn (2,929 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m; hole C20-314 with 0.37 g/t Au, 51 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (139 g/t AgEq) over 106.1m, including 2.08 g/t Au, 355 g/t Ag, 6.6% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (946 g/t AgEq) over 4.8m; and hole C20-316 with 0.55 g/t Au, 119 g/t Ag, 2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (247 g/t AgEq) over 27.7m, including 1.1 g/t Au, 1,255 g/t Ag, 20% Pb, and 2.5% Zn (2,153 g/t AgEq) over 1m, and including 2.3 g/t Au, 721 g/t Ag, 12.7% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (1,435 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; and other deeper interval of 0.58 g/t Au, 79 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, and 1.15% Zn (217 g/t AgEq) over 62.8m, including 1.14 g/t Au, 212 g/t Ag, 3.5% Pb, and 2.3% Zn (522 g/t AgEq) over 10m, and including 0.75 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag, 2.3% Pb, and 3% Zn (422 g/t AgEq) over 11.9m. Until March 31, 2020, 48 holes totaling 17,500 m have been collared and assays from 24 holes are pending.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp., reported full year 2019 production and financial results from its Zacualpan Mining District in Mexico State. It produced 664K Oz Ag with an average mill feed grade of 182 g/t Ag, to report adjusted mining earnings of $1.3M on $13.3M revenue for the full year 2019.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., announced Q1 2020 production results from its Parral tailings operation in Chihuahua. The company produced 365.8K Oz Ag, 2,355 Oz Au, and 62.7K Lb Cu (600.7K Oz AgEq)
  • US Antimony Corporation, reported its March 2020 production. It sold 101,326 Lb Sb at an average price of $2.67 per Lb and 2.35M Lb zeolites.
  • Hecla Mining Company, released Q1 2020 production results from its San Sebastian mine in Durango. It produced 0.35M Oz Ag and 2.8K Oz Au.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., reported Q1 2020 production results from its Mexican operations. A summary of the quarterly production by mine is shown in the next table:

  • Great Panther Mining Limited, announced Q1 2020 production and financial results from its Mexican operations. At its Topia mine in Durango, it processed 19,353 tonnes of 0.82 g/t Au and 357 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recoveries of 55.2% and 92.3% respectively to produce 282 Oz Au, 205.2K Oz Ag, 898.2K Lb Pb, and 1.4M Lb Zn (376.3K Oz AgEq). At its Guanajuato Mining Complex in Guanajuato, the company processed 49,607 tonnes of 1.85 g/t Au and 125 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recoveries of 84.1% and 85.4% respectively, to produce 2,482 Oz Au and 169.7K Oz Ag (393.1K Oz AgEq).

ON FINANCING

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Inc., raised gross proceeds for CAD $734,150 and reported that it won´t be completing any additional tranches of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (Veta Grande, Zacatecas). Gross proceeds will be used for general working capital and corporate purposes (Veta Grande, Zacatecas).
  • Consolidated Zinc Limited, advised that the underwriting agreement for the rights Issue announced on 9 March 2020 has been terminated, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, due to market conditions (Plomosas mine, Chihuahua).
  • Candelaria Mining Corp., closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1,059,261 (Caballo Blanco project, Veracruz).
  • Aloro Mining Corp., announced its plan to raise of up to $400K. Part of the gross proceeds will be used for property payments (Los Venados project, Sonora).
  • Minera Alamos Inc., closed the royalty agreement with Osisko Gold Royalties and received CAD $5M. In combination with the CAD $6M equity placement completed by Osisko in January of this year, the company, has now received gross proceeds of CAD $11M and retains an option to further drawdown an optional royalty facility of up to CAD $3M.  Overall, the package provided access to CAD $14M which exceeded the Company’s current development plans for its Santana project in Sonora.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Prime Mining Corp., filed a NI 43-101 technical report on its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa, and provided a new mineral resource estimate as of April 2, 2020. At a cut-off grade of 0.7 g/t Au, the measured and indicated resources are 8,697,000 tonnes of 2.21 g/t Au to contain 618,123 Oz Au, and the inferred resources are 2,603,000 tonnes of 2.09 g/t Au to contain 175,232 Oz Au. Total resources (M+I+I) are 11.3M tonnes of 2.18 g/t Au to contain 793,355 g/t Au. At a cut-off grade of 0.22 g/t Au, measured + indicated resources are 19,752,000 tonnes of 1.31 g/t Au to contain 833,032 Oz Au, and inferred resources of 7,094,000 tonnes to contain 261,132 Oz Au. Total resources (M+I+I) are 26,846,000 tonnes of 1.27 g/t Au to contain 1.1M Oz Au.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., deferred its annual general meeting for shareholders until August 27, 2020 (Avino mine, Durango).
  • Sable Resources Inc., announced the resignation of one of its directors and reported that Rubén Padilla has joined to the board of directors. The company also announced that it has granted stock options to certain officers, directors, and consultants (Vinata project, Chihuahua).
  • Equinox Gold Corp., reported that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on May 15, 2020 (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Orla Mining Ltd., announced the appointment of its new CFO (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Minera Fresnillo (Fresnillo plc), donated a state-of-the art ventilator to the General Hospital of IMSS at Fresnillo, Zacatecas to attend cases of COVID-19 that may arise. The Mindray SV600 mechanical ventilator is an essential medical device at this time, as it provides patients with more oxygen so they can breathe. Currently, Fresnillo plc has redoubled efforts to serve all of its workforce, implementing measures that reinforce the health actions recommended by the Secretaries of Health and Labor and Social Welfare, as well as international organizations.
  • Minera San Xavier (New Gold Inc.), announced the suspension of the mining activities at its Cerro de san Pedro mine in San Luis Potosi due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and donated protective medical supplies to the local hospital at Soledad town, such as tyvek type overalls, N95 respirators, masks with the level of filtration recommended, etc., with the aim that they are destined for the medical and nursing personnel who work and who will attend COVID-189 cases an its hospital.
  • Newmont Corporation, announced the establishment of a USD $20M fund to help host communities, governments and employees combat the COVID-19 pandemic. “Newmont will partner with local governments, medical institutions, charities and non-governmental organizations to target funds towards addressing the greatest needs with a view to serving as a catalyst for long-term resiliency and future community development” (Peñasquito mine, Zacatecas).
  • Minera Peñasquito, made a donation of 500 Pro Shield suits to medical personnel who are in the first line of care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The donation was delivered to the Zacatecas Health Secretariat (SSZ), an instance that will be in charge of administering and distributing this protective equipment to the hospitals where it is most needed. In this way, Peñasquito is in solidarity with Zacatecas.
  • Grupo Mexico, delivered a hospital in the city of Juchitán to the government of Oaxaca. The Hospital, with a constructed area of ​​6,800 square meters, will be equipped and used by the Ministry of National Defense to face the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the needs of the population of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region. Grupo México will continue to monitor the support required in the region in the context of the contingency and reiterates its support for Oaxaca and the Federal Government’s strategy in the face of this difficult challenge

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

On the picture above, quartz-alunite in an epithermal vein system in Zacatecas, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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phreatic breccia

By Miguel A Heredia

During the eleventh week of the year (March 9th to March 15th, 2020), at least 21 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with four commenting on Mexican issues, three announcing financial rounds, three informing on exploration results, three communicating production and financial results, three disclosing deals and corporate issues, three discussing issues on social responsibility, and two reporting on resources and developments.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, A local Deputy of Durango State celebrated the investment of USD $100M in the mining sector. Michoacán State breaks the mining slowdown cycle, and Fe extraction grows 8% and climbs to second place. A series of Mexican mining projects have changed ownership in recent weeks as Au and Ag prices rise. In the last five years, the female workforce in the mining sector has grown by an average of 14-15%, according to Karen Flores, General Director of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex). ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Vizsla reported drilling results from its Panuco project. In Zacatecas, Alien announced its program development for its Mexican projects. In Jalisco, GoGold released drilling results from 11 holes collared at its Los Ricos project. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver reported full year 2019 production and financial results (Cosala mine, Sinaloa). Santacruz suspended milling operations at its Veta Grande mine in Zacatecas. Fortuna Silver reported full year 2019 production and financial results from its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. ON FINANCING, Almaden announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $2M (Ixtaca project, Puebla). SilverCrest announced a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of CAD $75M (Las Chispas project, Sonora). Mexus sold some Au produced at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Great Panther updated mineral resource estimate at its Guanajuato Mine Complex in Guanajuato and provided an update on its Topia mine operation in Durango. SilverCrest reported infill drilling results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Equinox and Leagold completed merger to create premier Americas gold producer (Los Filos, Guerrero). Pan American filed its 2019 audited annual financial statement and annual information form (La Colorada mine, Zacatecas). Premier appointed a new member to its board of Directors (Mercedes mine, Sonora). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden opened a local water reservoir in the community of Zacatepec, nearby its Ixtaca project in Puebla.  Argonaut gave scholarship number 3,000 to a student of La Colorada, Sonora. Minera San Xavier (New Gold Inc.), improves the public lighting system in Cerro de San Pedro, San Luis Potosi.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • A local Deputy of Durango State, celebrated the investment of USD $100M in the mining sector. It means greater economic development and especially the generation of a large number of well-paid jobs. For this reason, the Deputy said, it is necessary for the federal government to develop a state mining policy, as it is currently done in Durango that allows recovering the international competitiveness that characterized Mexico during the first decade of this millennium.
  • Michoacan State, breaks the mining slowdown cycle, and Fe extraction grows 8% and climbs to second place. According to the Economic Information Bank, the entity totaled 2.6M tonnes in 2019, which meant an increase of 8% with respect to the 2.4M tonnes reported during 2018.
  • A series of Mexican mining projects, have changed ownership in recent weeks as Au and Ag prices rise. For instance, Magna Gold acquired the San Francisco mine in Sonora from Alio Gold and is evaluating partnership opportunities to advance its suspended Ana Paula project in Guerrero; GR Silver Mining acquired Plomosas in Sinaloa from First Majestic; GoGold recently acquired 5 concessions around its Los Ricos project in Jalisco; and Fresnillo plc exercised an option to acquire the Naranjillo property in Guanajuato from Plata Latina. These latest agreements show that Mexico continues to generate a decent level of interest in mergers and acquisitions.
  • Karen Flores, General Director of the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex), announced that In the last five years, the female workforce in the mining sector has grown by an average of 14-15%. Currently, 60 thousand women work in this industry in the country, which represents 16% of the total of its workers. In 2019, 3,153 new places were generated for them.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Vizsla Resources Corp., reported drilling results from its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Significant interception were encountered in hole AMS-20-06 with 1.25 g/t Au and 264 g/t Ag (364 g/t AgEq) over 3.55m, including 2.54 g/t Au and 474 g/t Ag (677 g/t AgEq) over a width of 1.3m; and hole AMS-20-04 with 2.45 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, and 3.0% Zn (404 g/t AgEq) over 2.6m. These drilling results are the first set from an aggressive program of 14,500m that will continue throughout 2020.
  • Alien Metals Limited, announced its program development for its Mexican projects. The company has planned a detail exploration drilling program and has submitted applications for drill permits at its Los Campos and San Celso projects in Zacatecas. At its Donovan 2 Cu-Au VMS target in Zacatecas, it also is planning a ground magnetic survey to generate follow-up work and drill targets.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., released drilling results from eleven holes collared at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco: two at San Juan and nine at the Main area. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole LRGG-20-106 (San Juan Area) with 1.35 g/t Au and 118 g/t Ag (2.92 g/t AuEq or 219 g/t AgEq) over a width of 21m, including 2.83 g/t Au and 217 g/t Ag and (5.73 g/t Au or 430 g/t AgEq) over a width of 9.5m; hole LRGG-20-102 (Main Area) with 1.05 g/t Au and 156 g/t Ag (3.13 g/t AuEq or 235 g/t AgEq) over a width of 10.7m; and hole LRGG-20-101 (San Juan Area) with 0.54 g/t Au and 116 g/t Ag (2.08 g/t AuEq or 156 g/t AgEq) over a width of 33.8m, including 2.0 g/t Au and 467 g/t Ag (8.22 g/t AuEq or 617 g/t AgEq) over a width of 5m.

ON MINING

  • Americas Gold and Silver Corporation, reported full year 2019 production and financial results. Consolidated results indicate a total ore processed of 701.8K tonnes of 70 g/t Ag, 2.1% Pb, 3.4% Zn to produce 1.16M Oz Ag, 26.2M Lb Pb, and 43.3M Lb Zn, with a cash cost of $4.61 per Oz Ag and AISC of $12.71 per Oz Ag. The company reported revenues of $58.4M and a net loss of $34.2M. The Cosala mine in Sinaloa successfully executed its production plans for the year 2019, increasing mill tonnage to over 1,750 tonnes per day, and increasing production of precious and by-product metals.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., suspended milling operations at its Veta Grande mine in Zacatecas for approximately six months to facilitate plant and new tailings storage facility upgrades.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., reported Q4 and full year 2019 production and financial results from its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. During the period Q4, 2019, it milled 273,066 tonnes of 249 g/t Ag and 1.5 g/t Au, recovering 91% for both metals to produce 2M Oz Ag and 12K Oz Au, at cash cost of $6.8 per Oz AgEq and AISC of $10.5 per Oz AgEq. For the full 2019 year, the company milled 1,068,722 tonnes of 252 g/t Ag and 1.57 g/t Au, recovering 91% for both metals, to produce 7.9M Oz Ag and 48.9K Oz Au, at cash cost of $6.70 per Oz AgEq and AISC of $9.8 per Oz AgEq.

ON FINANCING

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., announced a proposed non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $2M. Net proceeds will be used for permitting activities related to its Ixtaca project in Puebla, and for general corporate purposes. Closing of the offering is anticipated to be on or about March 26, 2020.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., announced a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of CAD $75M. Net proceeds will be used to continue the exploration and development of its Las Chispas project in Sonora and for general working capital and administrative purposes.
  • Mexus Gold US, sold 16.5 out of 125 Oz Au produced at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora, at a price of USD $1,600 per Oz. Additional sales will be occurring shortly.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Great Panther Mining Limited, updated mineral resource estimate at its Guanajuato Mine Complex in Guanajuato. At Guanajuato mine, measured + indicated resources are 343,736 tonnes of 204 g/t Ag and 1.69 g/t Au to contain 2.25M Oz Ag and 8.7K Oz Au (3.75M Oz AgEq at a grade of 339 g/t AgEq). Inferred resources are 208,608 tonnes of 168 g/t Ag and 2.32 g/t Au to contain 1.13M Oz Ag and 15.6K Oz Au (2.37M Oz AgEq at a grade of 354 g(t AgEq). At San Ignacio mine, measured + indicated resources are 386,417 tonnes of 159 g/t A and 3.03 g/t Au to contain 1.97M Oz Ag and 37.6K Oz Au (4.98M Oz AgEq at a grade of 401 g/t AgEq). Inferred resources are 501,870 tonnes of 149 g/t Ag and 2.69 g/t Au to contain 2.4M Oz Ag and 43.4K Oz Au (5.88M Oz AgEq at a grade of 364 g/t AgEq). In addition, the company reported that it has temporarily ceased tailing deposition at its Topia mine in Durango. Great Panther is in the process of permitting a Phase III of a tailings storage facility (TSF) site. Meanwhile, it is reviewing alternatives to store tailings (permanent or transitionary) until phase III TSF is permitted. The company expects it is obtained in the within the next 3 or 6 months.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc., reported infill drilling results from its Las Chispas project in Sonora. Highlights include hole UBV19-30 with 81.6 g/t Au and 6,619 g/t Ag (12,740 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 2.1m; hole BV20-22 with 101.45 g/t Au and 5,413 g/t Ag (13,022 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.1m; and hole BV20-18 with 45.8 g/t Au and 2,396 g/t Ag (5,831 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.6m. The drilling results have nearly doubled the size of the high-grade footprint for the Babi Vista Vein in the Babicanora Area.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Equinox Gold Corp., and Leagold Mining Corporation, completed merger to become in one of the world´s top gold producing companies. The concurrent USD $670M debt and equity financings associated with the merger have also been completed (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Pan American Silver Corp., filed its 2019 audited annual financial statement and annual information form (La Colorada mine, Zacatecas).
  • Premier Gold Mines Limited, appointed a new member to its board of Directors (Mercedes mine, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Almaden Minerals Ltd., along with the Federal Government Water Authority (CONAGUA), opened a local water reservoir in the community of Zacatepec, nearby its Ixtaca project in Puebla. This water reservoir will be used for irrigation to boost the current harvests of the community.
  • Argonaut Gold Inc., gave the scholarship number 3,000 to a student of la Colorada, Sonora. In this community, the company has maintained an academic scholarship program since 2011. The General Manager of the La Colorada mine assured that the company’s commitment is fulfilled in coherence with the vision of social responsibility where the education of children and young people is a priority.
  • Minera San Xavier (New Gold Inc.), has invested heavily in the infrastructure of the municipality of Cerro de San Pedro, as part of the social actions contemplated in its Comprehensive, Inclusive and Participatory Mine Closure Plan. The company is improving the public lighting system in Cerro de San Pedro, San Luis Potosi, with solar luminaries, which have a positive impact on public safety and tourist activities. These solar luminaries count with great potential for energy savings, reducing electricity consumption and maintenance costs, without compromising the quality of lighting services.

 

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

On the picture above, a phreatic breccia in an epithermal hot spring prospect in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

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

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Sulphur crystals in an epithermal hot spring system

By Miguel A Heredia

During the fifth week of the year (January 27th to February 2nd, 2020), at least 33 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, with nine discussing issues on social responsibility, eight disclosing deals and corporate issues, five communicating production results, four announcing financial rounds, three reporting on resources and developments, three informing on exploration results, and one commenting on Mexican issues.  ON MEXICO ISSUES, Jorge Vidal Ahumada, Minister of Economy of Sonora State, announced that more of USD $500M will be invested in Sonora in 2020.  ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Ridgestone reported high-grade rock sampling from its Rebeico project, and Azure provided a report of the activities carried out during the period Q4, 2019 at its Sara Alicia project. In Chihuahua, Consolidated Zinc identified a high-grade Au system nearby its Plomosas mine.  ON MINING, Excellon, and Santacruz announced Q4 and annual 2019 production results from their Mexican operations. Telson resumed full scale mining and milling operation at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Mexus reported that additional material has been crushed and placed on the leach pad at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora.  Endeavour provided 2020 production and cost guidance for their Mexican mining operations.  ON FINANCING, Azure completed a $4M placement to conduct an aggressive exploration program on its Alacrán project in Sonora, and also announced that it received payments for MXP $16.5M from the Mexican Tax Office for the recovery of IVA (GST). Millrock announced its plan to conduct a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1M (Batamote project, Sonora). Gold Resource declared January 2020 monthly dividend for its shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca).  Telson has been marketing a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds for up to CAD $3M (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero).  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Azure announced results from the activities performed at its Alacrán and Oposura project in Sonora in the period Q4, 2019. Great Panther announced 2019 exploration results and 2020 plans for its Mexican operations. Minera Alamos entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a crushing system for its Santana mine in Sonora. Endeavour updated 2019 mineral reserve and resource estimate for its three Au-Ag Mexican mines. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Bacanora Lithium announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Bacanora project, Sonora). Plata Latina entered into an agreement with Electrum for its three Mexican properties (Vaquerias, Palo Alto, and La Joya). Minaurum signed an option to acquire 100% of the Aurifero Gold project in Sonora, expanding its land control in the Alamos mining district. Mexican Gold announced that it entered into a binding letter agreement to complete business combination with New Found Gold (Las Minas, Veracruz). Equinox Gold and Leagold shareholders approved merger to create a premier Americas Au producer (Los Filos mine, Guerrero). Minera Alamos entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a crushing system for its Santana mine in Sonora. Mithril announced results from their 2019 activities, which consisted mainly on the Sun Minerals acquisition and the exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Copalquin project in Durango. Fortuna provided an update on the status of disputed royalty in one of its extractive mining concessions in its San Jose mine in Oaxaca. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, The Mexican President, Luis Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) thanked Peñoles for joining the program “Youth Building the Future”. Governor of Sonora, Claudia Pavlovich Arellano, opened the Community House of Argonaut Gold Inc in La Colorada, Sonora. A labor agreement between the municipality of Guadalupe and Calvo, Chihuahua and Fresnillo plc (San Julian mining company) was signed to hire personnel to work at the mine. Fresnillo plc demonstrates Social Responsibility since it works on four strategic axes including education, health, capacity development, and environmental care. Grupo Mexico delivered seed capital in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, and presented a large urban development project for San Luis Potosi. Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold) supported local communities nearby its Mexican mining operation in Guerrero with medical equipment. Minera Peñasquito (Newmont Goldcorp) delivered tractors and agricultural equipment to the inhabitants of the Ejido El Vergel in the municipality of Mazapil, Zacatecas. Newmont Goldcorp was recognized for its high social, environmental and corporate governance performance, which places it as a leader in the mining sector worldwide.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Minister of Economy of Sonora, Jorge Vidal Ahumada announced that more than USD $500M will be invested in Sonora in the mining sector in 2020.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Ridgestone Mining Inc., reported high-grade rock sampling results of 188 samples collected at its Rebeico project in Sonora in an area of 200m by 100m with widths between 1-3m. Highlights include up to 12.95 g/t Au, with 8 samples returning > 4 g/t Au, 30 samples returning > 1 g/t Au, and 33 samples returning between 0.1-1.0 g/t Au. It also reported that 73 samples returned >0.1% Cu, with 14 samples returning >0.4% Cu with a peak of 0.65% Cu. High Bi values associated with Au and Cu suggests a proximal intrusion-related mineralized system. Mineralization is hosted by brecciated andesite with variable amounts of gossan ± magnetite ± quartz, as well as chloritized and fractured andesites peripheral to the brecciated zones.
  • Azure Minerals Limited, provided a report of the activities carried out during the period Q4, 2019 at its Sara Alicia project in Sonora. It acquired 100% of the Sara Alicia II mining concession. Azure had acquired the original Sara Alicia mining concession in 2017 but also it was recognized that a second, adjoining mining concession named Sara Alicia II had been cancelled by the mining registry. After almost 2 years later, the Federal Appeal Court ruled the cancellation was invalid and title of the concession was restored to a local Mexican family who had owned both Sara Alicia mining concessions since the 1930s. For a consideration of USD $80K, a purchase agreement between the owners and Azure was executed and 100% ownership of the Sara Alicia II concession was transferred to Azure. With the control of the ground now confirmed, the company plans to conduct geological mapping, sampling and a geophysical survey in H1, 2020.
  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd, identified with regional exploration, a high-grade Au system located 3 -5Km NW of its Plomosas mine. Rock chip sampling at La Chona-Enrique and Potrero targets returned encouraging results with grades of 2.55 g/t Au; 4.77 g/t Au; 7.42 g/t Au; 27.5 g/t Au, and 61 g/t Au, and 2.19% Cu; 2.88% Cu, 2.91% Cu, and 4.06% Cu. La Chona-Enrique areas consist of narrow quartz-calcite-hematite veins with malachite from 0.3-1.2m wide, which have been interpreted to be mesothermal in origin. Potrero target consists of a dominant felsic intrusive that appears to be responsible of the brecciation and alteration of the host rock. Mapping and sampling of these target areas is ongoing in order to define drill targets.

ON MINING

  • Excellon Resources Inc., announced Q4 and annual 2019 production results from its Platosa mine in Durango. The company mined 19,622 tonnes and processed 19,828 tonnes of 435 g/t Ag, 4.8% Pb, and 6.4% Zn, recovering 91.7%, 80.2%, and 76.5% respectively to produce 259.3K Oz Ag, 1.7M Lb Pb, and 2M Lb Zn. During the full year, the company mined 74,876 tonnes and processed 75,247 tonnes of 497 g/t Ag, 4.8% Pb, and 6.9% Zn, recovering 89.9%, 79.4%, and 80.8% respectively, to produce 1.05M Oz Ag, 6.1M Lb Pb, and 8.4M Lb Zn.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported Q4 and full year 2019 production and financial results from their Zimapan, Veta Grande and Rosario mining operations. During Q4, 2019, the company processed from its Zimapan mine in Hidalgo State, 161,071 tonnes of 72 g/t Ag, recovering 66.4%, to produce 248.6K Oz Ag, 1.56M Lb Pb, 5.8M Lb Zn, and 1.1M Lb Cu (996K Oz AgEq at a grade of 282 g/t AgEq). During the full year 2019, the company processed 243, 313 tonnes of 73 g/t Ag, recovering 69.9%, to produce 400K Oz Ag, 2.6M Lb Pb, 9.1M Lb Zn, and 1.8M Lb Cu (1.6M Oz AgEq at a grade of 284 g/t AgEq). From its Veta Grande mine in Zacatecas, it processed 36,111 tonnes of 102 g/t Ag, recovering 45%, to produce 53.6K Oz Ag, 116 Oz Au, 620K Lb Pb, and 1.2M Lb Zn (193.7K Oz AgEq at a grade of 297 g/t AgEq). During the full year 2019, it processed 149.9K tonnes of 105 g/t Ag, recovering 47.1%, to produce 237.7K Oz Ag, 457 Oz Au, 2.4M Lb Pb, and 4.4M Lb Zn (761K Oz AgEq at a grade of 286 g/t AgEq). During Q4,2019 Santacruz processed from its Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi, 22,972 tonnes of 64 g/t Ag, recovering 90.6%, to produce 43.1K Oz Ag, 163 Oz Au, 195K Lb Pb, and 849K Lb Zn (134.5K Oz AgEq at a grade of 214 g/t AgEq). During the full year 2019, it processed 76,088 tonnes of 65 g/t Ag, recovering 93.4%, to produce 149.7K Oz Ag, 642.9K Lb Pb, and 3M Lb Zn (465.6K Oz AgEq at a grade of 218 g/t AgEq).
  • Telson Mining Corporation, resumed full scale mining and milling operation at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. The initial production after resuming operations is for 1,750 tonnes per day but intending to increase it to 2,000 tonnes per day or more in the coming weeks.
  • Mexus Gold US, crushed and placed additional material from Don Julio vein on the heap leaching pad of its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The Julio and Lucky Strike open pit keep expanding with 1.2-9 g/t Au and an overall average of 4 g/t Au.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., provided 2020 production and cost guidance for its Mexican mining operations. The table below shows figures for each of its three Au-Ag mines in Mexico:

Endeavour also announced that it plans to spend $5.4M drilling 18,500m of core on brownfield projects, greenfield exploration and development of its mines and projects.

ON FINANCING

  • Azure Minerals Limited, completed a $4M placement to conduct an aggressive exploration program on its Alacrán project in Sonora. Gross proceeds will be used to perform drilling to increase mineral resources at its Bonita deposit, conduct greenfield exploration and target definition at its Alacrán project, and to restart metallurgical testwork on its Mesa de Plata and Loma Bonita deposits. The company also mentioned that it received payments for MXP $ 16.5M from the Mexican Tax Office for the recovery of IVA (GST).
  • Millrock Resources Inc., announced its plan to raise gross proceeds from a non-brokered private placement for up to $1M (Batamote project, Sonora). Gross proceeds will be used to advance exploration on their current projects as well as to generate new ones.
  • Gold Resource Corporation, declared January 2020 monthly dividend of one-third of a cent per common share for its shareholders (Arista mine, Oaxaca).
  • Telson Mining Corporation, has been marketing a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds for up to CAD $3M. It has completed subscription agreements for total proceeds of approximately CAD $1.89M and is planning to conduct a first tranche initial closing on proceeds ones the TSX approve it (Campo Morado mine, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  •  Azure Minerals Limited, announced results from the activities performed at its Alacran and Oposura project in Sonora in the period Q4, 2019. At Alacrán, the company commenced an RC infill and expansion drilling program at its Loma Bonita deposit which is open for expansion in several directions. The goal is to increase the current Au and Ag resources which count for 32.2M Oz Ag and 150K Oz Au. To date, 10 RC holes have been collared and the most significant drill intersects are in hole MDPD-025 with 0.56 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag over 29.6m: hole MDPD-035 with 0.37 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag over 12.6m; and hole ALA-17-004 with 0.47 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag over 63.0m. The company also reported channel sampling results of a road cutting in Loma Bonita which returned 3.6 g/t Au over continuous 35.5m wide, and several high grades results from the sampling of historical mine dumps located 11.5-2km S and SE of the Cerro El Alacrán porphyry hosted Cu-Au-Mo ore body. 21 samples were collected with 10 samples returning > 1 Kg Ag (average of 1.07Kg Ag/t), 17 samples with >1 g/t Au (average of 4.43 g/t Au), 10 samples returning over 1% Cu (average of 0.95% Cu), 12 samples returning > 10% Pb (average of 14.9% Pb), and 10 samples returning  over 10% Zn(average of 9.3% Zn). At Oposura, Azure continued to trial, asses and advance several processing for producing saleable bulk concentrate of 35% Zn, 20% Pb, and 140 g/t Ag, as well as to produce separate high grade Zn and Pb concentrates. It also is considering off-take options for direct shipping ore and bulk concentrates.
  • Great Panther Mining Limited, announced 2019 exploration results and provided 2020 plans for its Mexican mining operations. At San Ignacio mine, Guanajuato, the company drilled 7,535 m in 30 in-fill holes. Most significant drill intersections were encountered in hole ESI19-253 with 2.84 g/t Au and 125 g/t Ag (352 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.15m; hole ESI19-254 with 5.78 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (469 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.20m; hole ESI19-267 with 3.69 g/t Au and 191 g/t Ag (486 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.09m; hole ESI19-276 with 1.63 g/t Au and 292 g/t Ag (422 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 1.38m; and hole ESI19-277 with 20.53 g/t Au and 816 g/t Ag (2,458 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.59m. 2020 plans for San Ignacio will comprise up to 8,500m of in-fill drilling as well as to test additional exploration targets. An update of the mineral resource estimate will be presented in Q1, 2020. At its Guanajuato mine, the company took the decision to put on hold the production in 2019 in order to focus on finding higher grade resources. Great Panther drilled 126 in-fill holes for a total of 8,832 m., mainly underground. Additionally, the company geologists have re-mapped and sampled most accessible areas to develop multiple targets. Significant drill intersection were encountered in hole UGPM19-017 with 1.3 g/t Au and 364 g/t Ag (468 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 3.52m; hole UGPM19-020 with 3.93 g/t Au and 77 g/t Ag (398 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 5.63m: hole UGP-028 with 2.58 g/t Au and 1,042 g/t Ag (1,249 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 2.51m; hole UGDP19-002 with 3.16 g/t Au and 457 g/t Ag (710 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 5.89m; hole UGDP19-013 with 4.32 g/t Au and 863 g/t Ag (1,209 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 4.96m; hole SP19-003 with 3.97 g/t Au and 1,436 g/t Ag (1,754 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 3.53m; and hole UGV19-010 with 2.45 g/t Au and 472 g/t Ag (668 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 2.30m. The 2020 in-fill drilling program will consists of 14,400m focused on building mineral resources along the Veta Madre structure. An update of the Guanajuato mineral resource estimate will be released in Q1, 2020. At its Topia mine in Durango, the company drilled 25 in-fill holes for a total of 5,344 m to build mineral resources. Significant drill intersections were encountered in hole ST19-238 with 0.28 g/t Au, 5,507 g/t Ag, 25.2% Pb, and 6% Zn (6,966 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.31m; hole ST19-246 with 0.31 g/t Au, 2,768 g/t Ag, 5.2% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (3,112 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.33m; hole ST19-249 with 0.2 g/t Au, 4,840 g/t Ag, 26.8% Pb, and 9.9% Zn (6,582 g/t AgEq) over a true width of 0.1m; and hole ST19-251 with 0.25 g/t Au, 2,099 g/t Ag, 14.2% Pb, and 12% Zn (3,411 g/t AgEq) over a true width 0.17m. The 2020 drilling program will consists of 2,500m focus on building mineral resources. Great Panther plans to release an updated mineral resource estimate in July, 2020.
  • Minera Alamos Inc., entered into a purchase agreement with Mako Mining Corp, Marlin Gold Mining Ltd., and Oro Gold de México S.A. de C.V., to acquire a complete crushing, screening, and agglomeration system to facilitate future production growth at its Santana mine in Sonora.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp., updated 2019 mineral reserve and resource estimate for its three Au-Ag Mexican mines. Mineral reserves at December 31, 2019 are shown in the below table:

Mineral resources at December 31, 2019 are shown in the below tables:

Mineral resources are exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.

 ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Bacanora Lithium plc, announced results from its annual general meeting of shareholders (Bacanora project, Sonora).
  • Plata Latina Minerals Corporation, entered into an agreement of assignment of mining concessions of its three Mexican properties with The Electrum Group. The three mining properties are Vaquerias, in Jalisco State which consists of two mining concessions totaling 4,411 Ha; Palo Alto, in Aguascalientes State, which comprises three mining concessions totaling 4,722 Ha; and La Joya, in Hidalgo State, which consists of one mining concession of 924 Ha. Electrum will pay USD $100K for each property, and will have exclusive rights for a period of four months to evaluate the three properties, commencing on January 20, 2020 and ending on May 20, 2020. Electrum has agreed to reimburse Plata Latina the remaining 2019 semi-semester mining duties on the three properties up to a maximum amount of USD $50K. It also will pay mining duties to cover the mining duties of the first semester 2020. Electrum has already commenced their due diligence on the properties, and will have the right to exercise its option to acquire any or all of the three properties.
  • Minaurum Gold Inc., signed a five-years option agreement to acquire 100% of the Aurifero Gold project in Sonora and expanding its land control in the Alamos mining district where its Alamos Silver project is located. “Aurifero contains a swarm of Au &-Ag-bearing epithermal veins within a NW/SE-trending zone measuring 3 km long and more than 400 m wide. Satellite imagery and ground reconnaissance geology indicate that the alteration signature is similarly widespread”. Several campaigns of shallow RC and core drilling have been conducted since the 1980s totaling over 8,000 metres, all of them averaging less than 100 m deep; the deepest reaching a vertical depth of 135 m from surface.  “There are currently a number of operators conducting small-scale mining on the project.  Under the option agreement, the miners are restricted to a maximum mining depth of 100 m”. Significant drill intercepts from historic drilling were encountered in hole DMDDH-01 with 18.37 g/t Au over 3.1m; hole 07-MN-10, with 3.12 g/t Au over 24.5m; hole CI-35 with 1.47 g/t Au over 48m; hole CI-09 with 3.65 g/t Au over 58m; and hole CI-34 with 2.42 g/t Au over 24m. The option agreement signed by Minaurum is in exchange for USD $2.7M for the 100% of a block of mining concessions which cover 1,198 Ha. The option does not include royalty.
  • Mexican Gold Corp., entered into a binding letter agreement to complete business combination with New Found Gold Corp. The resulting company will be very well capitalized and be focused on exploring and conduct multiple drilling campaigns on their properties and advance Las Minas project in Veracruz. Under the terms of the agreement, New Found is required to complete a minimum of CAD $10Mfinancing, and post-transaction, the company will have approximately CAD $19M in working capital.
  • Equinox Gold Corp., and Leagold Mining Corporation, shareholders approved merger to create a premier Americas Au producer. On closing of the transaction, Leagold will receive 0.331 of an Equinox Gold share for each Leagold share held. Current Equinox Gold and Leagold shareholders will own approximately 55% and 45% respectively of the merged company. Transaction is expected to close in February 2020, subject to approval of TSX and NYSE (Los Filos mine, Guerrero).
  • Minera Alamos Inc., entered into a purchase agreement with Mako Mining Corp, Marlin Gold Mining Ltd., and Oro Gold de México S.A. de C.V., to acquire a complete crushing, screening, and agglomeration system to facilitate future production growth at its Santana mine in Sonora. The purchase price of this agreement is for CAD $1.2M in staged payments. CAD $300K upon execution of the agreement, CAD $700K on the closing date (April 30, 2020 or such other date on or before September 30, 2020), and CAD $200K on the earlier date of the shipment of the equipment.
  • Mithril Resources Ltd., announced results from its 2019 activities, which consisted mostly on the Sun Minerals Pty Ltd acquisition and the exclusive option to acquire 100% interest in the Copalquin project in Durango. Due diligence has been completed and Mithril expects to complete the acquisition of Sun Minerals for the March 2020 quarter.
  • Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., provided an update on the status of a dispute royalty of 3% that a former owner of one of its extracting concessions in its San Jose mine in Oaxaca granted to the Mexican Geological Service (SGM). In 2018, the company, supported by legal opinions of three independent law firms, concluded that none royalty should be paid and commenced administrative and legal proceedings against the General Direction of Mines (GDM) in order to remove reference to the royalty on the title register. “Fortuna Silver has recently received notice from the GDM seeking to cancel the mining concession if the royalty, in the Mexican pesos equivalent of US$30 million plus VAT (being the amount of the claimed royalty from 2011 to 2019), is not paid before March 15, 2020. The company will be initiating legal proceedings to contest the cancellation procedure and also to stay the cancellation process. In the event that the company is unsuccessful in cancelling the action taken by the GDM or in obtaining a stay of execution, it may be required to pay, or post a bond or other security, up to the amount claimed, in order to preserve the mining concession. In that case the company would immediately thereafter proceed with dispute proceedings. If the company is required to pay the royalty or post security it will do so from available working capital”.

 ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • The Mexican President, Luis Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) thanked Peñoles, for joining the program “Youth Building the Future”, which guarantee the right to young people to study , work and be trained as good citizens. AMLO, along with the General Director of Peñoles, the Governor of Coahuila, and the Secretary of Labor gathered in Laguna Del Rey, Coahuila with 61 scholars in the frame of the celebration of the first anniversary of this program. Scholars thanked the support and the opportunity to receive training and after which they hope to get a job in Peñoles. Fernando Alaniz, General Director of Peñoles commented that this program is not only seen in the financial result sheet but also in the responsibility and commitment towards the community.
  • Governor of Sonora, Claudia Pavlovich Arellano, opened the Community House of Argonaut Gold Inc in la Colorada, where it will offer arts, music, drawing, painting, handicraft and confectionery workshops, as well as workshops of values, school for parents, addiction prevention and emotion management, all totally free for the population.
  • The municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo Chihuahua, Chihuahua and Fresnillo plc (San Julian mining company), signed a labour agreement to hire local personnel to work at the mine, based on their knowledge and qualifications. Local authorities commented that this is already a second stage of hiring, being 45 people placed in the previous one, so it is expected to place a good number of elements in this new stage.
  • Fresnillo plc, demonstrates Social Responsibility since it works on four strategic axes including education, health, capacity development, and environmental care. It has sustainability as its policy, as it is a company dedicated to the exploration, exploitation and benefit of minerals, and is committed to guaranteeing a safe and healthy place for its staff and its environment, establishing good relations with neighboring communities. In Education, 36 young people who study robotics have received support and advice, and approximately 2,600 children are being beneficiated with a program that foster the reading culture. In Health, more than 3,000 people from several communities were attended in 2019 without any cost. This social program will continue in 2020. In Capacity Development, in sports, Fresnillo has organized since 9 years ago, the 5Km race which started with 200 runners and now participate more than 2,000; it has a soccer academy, and a year ago, an agreement was signed with a professional soccer team (Santos Laguna) to grant 300 children and young people to be in the academy. The company also support in other sports such as baseball, basketball, etc.  In addition, more than 200 women from different communities are trained, who are taught courses in crafts, pastry, beauty culture, and sewing and are given the material. In addition, more than 40 people who have small businesses are trained. In Environment, Fresnillo plc takes care of the water and operates two waste water treatment plants. It also has two tree nurseries that give the year more than 70,000 trees of which a large part of them are planted in all the mines and others are donated to the community.
  • Grupo Mexico, delivered Seed Capital to inhabitants of Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, to learn a trade and improve the quality of life of people. Seed Capital is an initial financing method that aims to develop a business idea with growth possibilities and is delivered in kind. The company is providing seeds in projects that seek the growth of the communities where it has mining operations. Grupo Mexico also presented a large urban development project for San Luis Potosi. This project will generate 20,000 jobs and build 7,500 houses in an area of 470 Ha. It was also announced that the urbanization of the site where Industrial Minera Mexico operated will be a new development hub for 30,000 people and will have wind power road electricity supply and also includes the reforestation of 20,000 trees in the area. It will have shopping centers, universities, research centers and hospitals. This is the most ambitious urban project for San Luis Potosi in recent years and will start in this same 2020.
  • Minera Media Luna (Torex Gold), supported Nuevo Balsas and surrounding communities nearby its Mexican mining operations in Guerrero with high-tech medical equipment delivered to the NGO “Curando Mexico”.   This social program “Curando México” aims to offer the most vulnerable population an accessible high quality health service.
  • Minera Peñasquito (Newmont Goldcorp), invested MXP $9M and delivered tractors and agricultural equipment to the inhabitants of the El Vergel Ejido, located in the municipality of Mazapil, Zacatecas. This project began three years ago, however, with the delivery of seven tractors and agricultural equipment, such as threshing machines and harvesters, among others, a new stage will begin in the cultivation fields of the region. Other actions that were carried out were preparing farmland, operating wells, technifying the irrigation system, as well as providing the inhabitants of El Vergel with seeds to cultivate.
  • Newmont Goldcorp, was recognized for its high social, environmental and corporate governance performance, which places it as a leader in the mining sector worldwide. Newmont was recognized by 3 independent entities for their high managerial performance, social responsibility, and coordinated actions to combat climate change and the promotion of women in the workplace. Newmont scored high in a variety of dimensions, including quality management, social responsibility, long-term investment, personnel management and innovation.

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

On the picture above, sulphur crystals in an epithermal hot spring prospect in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Photo by Miguel A Heredia.