Resources and Development

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of July 2025

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 28th week of the year (July 7th to July 13th, 2025), companies working in Mexico presented 38 press releases. Two companies presented news on one early-stage property. Five companies presented quarterly operational updates. Seven companies reported on financial rounds; one company requested a trading halt, another is trading now in the OTCID Market and another was re-listed on the TSX. Two companies presented drilling results from operating mines; two companies presented channel sample results from their projects; another company updated on its environmental permit.  Eleven companies reported on deals, acquisitions, payments, activities, arbitration procedures, spinouts, AGM’s and sales. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Questcorp Mining is preparing for drilling at La Union. Fortuna Mining is not proceeding with the Cecilia project option. ON MINING, Endeavour Silver, GoGold Resources, Sandstorm Gold, Torex Gold and Orla Mining presented preliminary operational/production for Q2 2025. ON FINANCING, seven companies informed on financing rounds: Silver Strom Mining (C$4 M), Aura Minerals (US$210 M), Mithril Silver and Gold (C$11.5 M), Sonoran Desert Copper (C$1 M), Endeavour Silver (US$60 M), Silver Viper (C$3.5 M) and Orogen Royalties (C$10 M). Mithril Silver and Gold shares would have halted trading during the week. Royalties Inc. started trading in the OCID Market. Orogen Royalties re-listed in the TSX. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mithril Silver and Gold updated on exploration progress at Copalquin, in Durango. Impact Silver released drilling results from Campo Morado, in Guerrero. Impact Silver presented results from drilling at Plomosas, in Chihuahua. GR Silver reported underground channel sample results from the Plomosas mine in Sinaloa (Yes, a Plomosas mine in Chihuahua and another Plomosas mine in Sinaloa). Sonora Gold updated on the status of the environmental permit for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Mag Silver reminds shareholders of the upcoming voting deadline on the company’s acquisition by Pan American Silver. Santacruz Silver Mining made a further payment on the Bolivian assets acquisition. Altius Minerals updated on its project generation business activities. Almaden Minerals made public the memorial on the arbitration procedure alongside Almadex Minerals Ltd. with Mexico under the CPTPP. Royal Gold is to acquire Sandstorm Gold. Starcore International Mines is to spin its West Africa interests. Kingsmen Resources is to acquire the Almoloya project in Chihuahua. Triple Flag Precious Metals is to acquire Orogen Royalties. Silver Storm Mining is acquiring all shares from Till Capital. Starcore International Mines is to acquire the Tortilla project in Queretaro. Almaden Minerals sold a mill and paid an outstanding gold loan to Almadex Minerals. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No Relevant News.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Riverside Resources Inc. and Questcorp. Mining Inc. are preparing for the maiden drill program at the 2,520 ha La Union project in Sonora. The drilling will follow up on new geophysical and geochemical surveys in the search of a carbonate replacement (CRD) deposit. The program envisages 1,500 m of drilling in 7 holes 150-350 m deep to test at least three areas with historic mines.

ON MINING

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. reported second quarter 2025 production of 1.48 M Oz Ag, 7,755 Oz Au, or 2.5 M Oz AgEq. This is the first quarter that includes figures from a mine not in Mexico (Kolpa, Peru). At Guanaceví, in Durango, 96.8 K tonnes were processed (1,064 tpd), averaging 362 gpt Ag, 1.28 gpt Au, recovering 88.6% Ag, 89.7% Au, to produce 997.9 K Oz Ag, 3,562 Oz Au or 1.28 M Oz AgEq. At Bolañitos in Guanajuato, 88.1 K tonnes were processed (968 tpd) averaging 45 gpt Ag, 1.68 gpt Au, recovering 82.4% Ag, 88.3% Au, to produce 105.2 K Oz Ag, 4,193 Oz Au, or 440.7 K Oz AgEq. On Terronera, in Jalisco, the commissioning and ramp-up continues, with an average output during June of 1,232 tpd. “During commissioning of the plant, the underground mine has continued with mine development and stope preparation”.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2025 production from its Parral tailings operations. The company produced during the period 201.6 K Oz Ag, 3,100 Oz Au, 128 tonnes Cu, 140 tonnes Zn (555 K Oz AgEq).
  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. reported preliminary figures for the second quarter 2025. During the period the company sold 15,100 attributable Oz AuEq realizing US$51.4 M, with an operating margin of US$2,980 per Oz AuEq. By the end of the period the outstanding balance of the company’s revolving credit facility was US$315 M, with an undrawn balance of US$310 M (Royalty in Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2025 production of 82,856 Oz AuEq. During the period the company mined at a rate of 2,133 tpd at the ELG open pit, moving waste at 9,313 tpd, mined at a rate of 2,790 tpd and 4,278 tpd from ELG underground and Media Luna Underground respectively, to mine at a total rate of 8,887 tpd in the Morelos Complex in Guerrero. The ore processed graded 2.92 gpt Au, 20.5 gpt Ag, 0.54% Cu, recovering 93.5% Au, 63% Ag, 84.4% Cu, to produce 69,576 Oz Au, 336.5 K Oz Ag, 8 M Lb Cu.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. provided an operational update for the second quarter of 2025, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Camino Rojo in Zacatecas, 2.0 M tonnes were mined and 2.6 M of waste moved, for a strip ratio of 1.33. A total of 2.6 M tonnes of ore grading 0.57 gpt Au were stacked on the heaps and 25,45 Oz Au produced.  

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of C$130 K, for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4 M (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • Aura Minerals Inc. announces the launch of its United States public offering of common shares, seeking to raise around US$210 M (Aranzazu, Zacatecas).
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. announced on 9 July 2025 its securities trading on the ASX will be halted on the request of Mithril pending the release of announcements by MTH, until the commencement of trading on July 11, 2025 (Copalquin, Durango).
  • Sonoran Desert Copper Corp. received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to close its private placement financing for gross proceeds of C$1 M (Cuatro Hermanos, Sonora).
  • Endeavour SilverCorp. Entered into a sales agreement with BMO Capital Markets Corp., TD Securities LLC, Ventum Financial Corp., National Bank of Canada Financial Inc., Raymond James Ltd., H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC and ING Financial Markets LLC pursuant to which the company at its discretion may sell common share for up to US$60 M in gross proceeds (Terronera, Jalisco).
  • Royalties Inc. announced the launch of trading on the OTCID Market in the US (claims a royalty on Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. is re-listing on the TSX Venture Exchange. The re-listing is a result of the plan of arrangement that was completed by the Company and Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. on July 9, 2025. Concurrently with the Arrangement, Triple Flag also completed a C$10.0 M strategic private placement by subscribing Orogen shares (royalty on Ermitaño, Sonora).
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed its non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$3.48 M (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. raised up to C$11.5 M in its previously announced private placement (Copalquin, Durango).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. updated on exploration progress at Copalquin, in Durango. Drilling is to commence at Target 5 this month, after strong geochemical results from channel sampling, while drilling at Target 3 will follow later this quarter. Continuous mineralization has been mapped across 8 km, with 1,200 m of vertical extent. Highlighted channel samples at Targets 2, 3, 4 and 5 comprise 0.50 m @ 6.21 gpt Au, 265 gpt Ag; 1.00 m @ 19.85 gpt Au, 270 gpt Ag, 0.90 m @ 12.40 gpt Au, 820 gpt Ag; 0.50 m @ 13.25 gpt Au, 558 gpt Ag; 0.70 m @ 5.92 gpt Au, 392 gpt Ag; 0.65 m @ 5.67 gpt Au, 365 gpt Ag; 0.50 m @ 5.80 gpt Au; 0.90 m @ 8.03 gpt Au, 108 gpt Ag. Highlighted soil samples from the San Manuel mine area comprise 4.10 gpt Au, 83 gpt Ag; 2.73 gpt Au, 102 gpt Ag; 5.66 gpt Au, 154 gpt Ag; 5.77 gpt Au, 139 gpt Ag; 4.13 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag; 5.03 gpt Au, 237 gpt Ag; 2.53 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag.
  • Impact Silver Corp. released drilling results from underground drilling on the Juarez zone at its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 0.61 m @ 25 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 2.23 m @ 15 gpt Ag, 4.2% Pb, 9.9% Zn; (including 1.01 m @ 24 gpt Ag, 7.9% Pb, 17.2% Zn); 2.02 m @ 8 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 13.0% Zn (including 0.81 m @ 14 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 30.1% Zn); 3.94 m @ 8 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 10.4% Zn (including 1.70 m @ 11 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 21% Zn); 2.79 m @ 18 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 4.8% Zn; 5.78 m @ 18 gpt Ag, 1.9% Pb, 4.8% Zn; 6.14 m @ 13 gpt Ag, 0.5 % Pb, 6.0% Zn (including 1.07 m @ 18 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 24.9% Zn); 7.59 m @ 15 gpt Ag, 2.0% Pb, 4.2% Zn; 2.57 m @ 10 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 10.7% Zn.
  • Luca Mining Corp. announced results from the first surface drill hole at the Reforma deposit and the next four underground drill holes as part of the phase one 2,500 m surface and 5,000 m underground drilling. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 21.52 m @ 4.24 gpt Au, 159 gpt Ag, 0.38% Cu, 2.1% Pb, 6.2% Zn (including 15.05 m @ 5.35 gpt Au, 188 gpt Ag, 0.31% Cu, 2.8% Pb, 8.4% Zn) on the Reforma deposit from the surface and 1.6 m @ 0.89 gpt Au, 60 gpt Ag, 0.48% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 11.0 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag, 4.20% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 2.2 m @ 0.20 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.47% Cu, 2.8% Zn; 6.1 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 2.3 m @ 0.49 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag, 0.65% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 6.4 m @ 0.72 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag, 0.54% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 2.20 m @ 1.09 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag, 0.93% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 21.5 m @ 4.24 gpt Au, 159 gpt Ag, 0.38% Cu, 2.0% Pb, 6.2% Zn (including 3 m @ 9.68 gpt Au, 277 gpt Ag, 0.36% Cu, 2.8% Pb, 8.6% Zn).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported results from underground sampling at the Plomosas mine in Sinaloa. Highlighted channel mine face samples comprise 0.8 m @ 5.74 gpt Au, 137 gpt Ag, 0.5% Cu, 16.7% Pb, 18.2% Zn; 1.0 m @ 2.32 gpt Au, 909 gpt Ag, 0.3% Cu, 6.7% Pb, 8.8% Zn; 1.2 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 96 gpt Ag, 0.6% Cu, 29.8% Pb, 16.8% Zn; 0.8 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 29.5% Pb, 5.0% Zn; 0.6 m @ 15.20 gpt Au, 310 gpt Ag, 7.2% Cu, 15.2% Pb, 26.2% Zn; 1.0 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 68 gpt Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.5% Pb, 5.1% Zn; 1.0 m @ 0.07 gpt Au, 864 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.2% Zn. The results will be used to assess the implementation of a bulk sample test mining.
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. provided an update on the status of the environmental impact statement (Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. “The revised MIA was initially submitted in February 2025 and supersedes the prior MIA submitted in May 2022. Revisions to the MIA, including enhancing the mine plan and undertaking additional environmental baseline studies and socio-economic assessments … The MIA details an open-pit, heap leach mining operation including waste dumps, crushing facilities, heap leach pad, leach solution ponds, gold recovery facilities, haul roads, building structures and infrastructure”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Mag Silver Corp. reminded shareholders about the proxy voting deadline for the company’s upcoming special meeting that was held in person in Vancouver, Canada on July 10, 2025, to consider the previously announced plan of arrangement with Pan American Silver Corp. regarding Magg Silver’s acquisition by Pan American (Juanicipio, Zacatecas).
  • Riverside Resources Inc. has received notice from Fortuna Mining that it has completed Phase 2 exploration work on the Cecilia project in Sonora and will not be proceeding with the option agreement. As a result, Fortuna has not earned any interest in the project.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. has made the third payment of US$7.5 M to Glencore to satisfy the base purchase Price related to the Bolivian assets acquisition. It is part of a structured payment plan totaling US$40 M to be completed by October 31, 2025 (Zimapán, Hidalgo).
  • Altius Minerals Corp. updated its project generation business activities and its public junior equities portfolio. Overall performance of the portfolio during the quarter was largely driven by its holding of approximately 19.6% interest in Orogen Royalties Inc., which holds a royalty on the Ermitaño deposit, in Sonora. AbraSilver Resource Corp. announced a potential new porphyry copper discovery at the La Coipita project in Argentina.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. made public the memorial on the arbitration procedure alongside Almadex Minerals Ltd. with Mexico filed in March of this year under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The memorial details how Mexico unlawfully expropriated the Claimants’ investments, failed to provide fair treatment, and discriminated against them. The background to the claim involves a lawsuit filed in 2015 by an ejido community against the Mexican government, arguing that the mineral title system was unconstitutional because it lacked required Indigenous consultation. In February 2023, the authorities sought to retroactively deny the original mineral title applications due to alleged minor faults, which Almaden contends breaches both Mexican and international law.  Damages sought by the Claimants total approximately US$1.06 B (Ixtaca, Puebla).
  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. and Royal Gold Inc. informed that Royal Gold will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Sandstorm in an all-share transaction with a value of approximately US$3.5 B. Sandstorm shareholders will receive a 21% premium to the 20-day volume weighed average price (VWAP). Concurrent with the Sandstorm Transaction, Royal Gold has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement with Horizon Copper Corp., pursuant to which Royal Gold will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Horizon Copper in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$196 M providing an 85% premium to the 20-day VWAP (Royalty on Cosalá, Sinaloa).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. intends to spin out its exploration interests in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa, through its wholly-owned subsidiary EU Gold Mining Inc. that will seek a separate listing in Canada (Juarez, Queretaro).
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) for an option to acquire the recently consolidated 866 ha Almoloya project on the Parral district in Chihuahua. The project includes the past producing Cigarrero and Las Juliettas mines. Historic production was 1.25 M tonnes @ 600 gpt Ag, 40% Pb, 25% Zn with variable Cu-Au. The company has a 60-day due diligence period under the LOI, and the option may be exercised by paying a total of US$8.6 M over eight years on staged payments, of which US$6.5 M should be paid between years five and eight of the option. The optionors will keep a 2.5% NSR, of which 1% can be bought for US$3 M (Cuatro Hermanos, Sonora).
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. and Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. have completed the previously announced plan of arrangement in which Triple Flag has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Orogen for a total consideration of approximately C$421 M. The total consideration consists of $171.5 M in cash, $171.5 M in Triple Flag shares, and shares of 1537944 BC Ltd. (“Orogen SpinCo”) with an implied value of $78 M (Royalty on Ermitaño deposit, Sonora).
  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. announced that “at a special meeting of the shareholders of Till Capital Corporation … the Till shareholders approved the previously announced transaction of Till with the Company, whereby Silver Storm will indirectly acquire … 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Till” (La Parrilla, Durango).
  • Starcore International Mines Ltd. entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Manuel Felipe Arreguin Martinez to lease six mineral claims and two properties comprising the San Juan Nepomuceno Project, also known as the Tortilla Project, in Queretaro. The project is 40 km NE from the San Martin mine and 5 km W from La Negra mine. For a five-year lease the company is paying the owner US268 K, of which US$107 K are to be paid on signing of the definitive agreement and US$27 K monthly for the next six months, after which the owner is entitled to a 2% NSR from production derived from the Tortillas project. “During the term of the ten-year lease, the Owner has the option to sell all of the claims and concessions to Starcore at a purchase price of US$7,000.000” (San Martin, Queretaro).
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. closed the sale of certain assets comprising the Rock Creek Mill to Metals Exploration PLC., receiving gross proceeds of US$9.7 M. “15% of the Purchase Price was payable as a commission by Almaden to an equipment sales broker.”. Almaden will now proceed with the early repayment of the outstanding gold loan pursuant to the secured gold loan agreement between Almaden and Almadex Minerals Ltd. “The Gold Loan will be settled by the return of the undrawn balance of 397 ounces” (Ixtaca, Puebla).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Previous igneous phase fragment on monzonite porphyry. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of February 2024

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 5th week of the year (January 29th to February 4th, 2024), companies working in Mexico posted at least 19 news releases. Two companies reported exploration advances on their properties and two companies released quarterly production results. Five companies announced financing rounds, one posted on recent trading activity and one more has been added to a silver special listing. Two companies informed on work at their advanced properties and one more on commencement of mining. Two companies informed on the appointment and resignation of senior officers, one on 2023 performance and its royalty guidance for 2024 and one more on the refurbishment of a mill by a partner. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Gold production fell in Mexico during 2023, but four new projects are poised to start production in 2024. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Silver informed on RC drilling results from its Cervantes project. In Chihuahua, Kingsmen Resources updated on work at Las Coloradas. ON MINING, Gold Resource Corp. and Sierra Metals reported production results for Q4 and full-year 2023. ON FINANCING, Mexus Gold is to raise $250 K, Zacatecas Silver C$1.8 M, Atacama Copper C$12.9 M (to invest in Chile), Capstone Copper C$375 M (to invest in Chile) and Kootenay Silver C$2.5 M. Chesapeake Gold was added to the “Nasdaq Metal Focus Silver Miners Index”. Kootenay Silver informed on recent trading activity.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Storm released drilling results from La Parrilla in Durango. CMC Metals updated on work at Gavilanes, in Durango. Bendito Resources is to commence mining base metals at Oposura, in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Orogen Royalties provided an update of 2023 figures and the guidance for 2024 royalties from the Ermitaño deposit in Sonora. Goldgroup Mining and Vizsla Silver informed on resignation/incorporation of senior officers. Xali Gold reported its mill in Nayarit is now operational, and is assessing a JV. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Raúl García Reimbert, president of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Geólogos de México, stated that four new projects in Mexico are set to start producing gold in 2024, bringing to the market 323,400 Oz Au per year. In 2022 the gold production in Mexico reached 4.77 M Oz, which fell to 2.27 M Oz in 2023, in part by the long Union strike at Peñasquito. The projects to start producing gold are Media Luna by Torex Gold, in Guerrero, Cerro de Oro by Minera Alamos in Zacatecas, Cerro Caliche by Sonoro Gold in Sonora and Terronera by Endeavour Silver in Jalisco.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. announced additional reverse circulation drill results from its Cervantes project in Sonora. Drilling has extended the California zone of gold mineralization for 1 km in the East-West direction, and added the quartzite unit as a favorable gold host. Highlighted drill length intercepts comprise 47.12 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 57.76 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 59.44 m @ 0.28 gpt Au; 25.84 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 109.44 m @ 0.20 gpt Au. “In 2024 it is planned for further technical studies, reconnaissance work on other targets, metallurgical testing and the Cervantes phase 3B RC drilling program of approximately 20 drillholes comprising 2,850 meters including California North and Jasper”.
  • Kingsmen Resources Ltd. updated on work being carried out at Las Coloradas project in Chihuahua. “Portions of the Soledad structure were mined by ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), the U.S. based subsidiary of Grupo Mexico in the period 1944 to 1952….. Average mining diluted grades are reported to have been in the order of 0.6 to 0.8 g/t gold, 300 to 518 g/t silver, 6.2 to 10.9 % lead and 6.5 to 10.3 % zinc, from four different veins, called La Soledad, Santo Niño, Eva and Rosario.” Kingsmen’s sampling in the old workings confirmed the presence of high-grade silver, and significant silver on La Soledad and La Soledad II vein systems, which are 1.7 and 1.0 Km long respectively

ON MINING

  • Gold Resource Corp. provided preliminary fourth quarter results for 2023. During the quarter the Don David property in Oaxaca milled 111.2 K tonnes @ 1.44 gpt Au, 85 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 2.9% Zn, to produce 4,077 Oz Au, 282,5 K Oz Ag, 341 tonnes Cu. For the year, Gold Resource sold 30,119 Oz Au, 1.06 M Oz Ag (or 42,757 Oz AuEq), 1,348 tonnes Cu, 5,391 tonnes Pb, 14,157 tonnes Zn.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported Q4 2023 production, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, during the fourth quarter 410 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 4,686 tonnes grading 0.84% Cu, 16.6 gpt Ag, 0.42 gpt Au, recovering 92.6% Cu, 82.4% Ag, 68.4% Au, to produce 7.06 M Lb Cu, 179 K Oz Ag, 3,757 Oz Au. For the year 1.48 M tonnes were processed, grading 0.85% Cu, 17.3 gpt Ag, 0.41 gpt Au, recovering 92.9% Cu, 82.0% Ag, 68.3% Au, to produce 25.77 M Lb Cu, 674 K Oz Ag, 13,347 Oz Au (or 36.6 M Lb CuEq). “… plans are underway to enhance the capacity of the tailings dam which will enable the plant to increase production levels”. For 2024 production guidance for Bolivar is 23.9 to 27.6 M Lb Cu, 650 to 750 K Oz Ag, 8,000 to 9,200 Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

  • Mexus Gold US. Announced its intent to raise $250 K “the estimated amount to pay for its currently outstanding but completed audits bringing Mexus back into compliance with the OTCQB exchange, paying for outstanding claim taxes, and general and administration purposes” (Santa Elena-Don Julio, Sonora).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. confirms that its board and management are not aware of any corporate development “or undisclosed material change relating to the Company or its operations that would account for the recent trading activity and decrease in its share price” (Columba, Chihuahua).
  • Chesapeake Gold Corp. has been added to the Nasdaq Metal Focus Silver Miners Index, “and believe that our selection to this index is further recognition of our progress and achievements” (Metates, Durango).
  • Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced a non-brokered placement financing for totals proceeds of C$1.8 M (Zacatecas Silver project, Zacatecas).
  • Atacama Copper Corp. closed the third and final tranche of the previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$300 K and aggregate gross proceeds of C$12.9 M raised in connection with the proposed transaction (Yecora, Sonora).
  • Capstone Copper Corp. and Orion Fund JV Ltd, Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP and Orion Mine Finance (Master) Fund I-A LP jointly announce that they have entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets, as Lead Bookrunner and including National Bank Financial and Scotiabank as Joint Bookrunners pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, shares for aggregate gross proceeds of C$375 M. The funds are to be used on projects in Chile (Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced a non-brokered private placement offering aimed to raise up to C$2.5 M in gross proceeds. (Columba, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. released results from seven diamond holes from its phase 1 drilling program at La Parrilla, in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals from the San Nicolas Zone comprise 9.39 m @ 676 gpt Ag, 0.12% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.1% Zn (including 5.25 m @ 988 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu, 0.3% Pb, 0.1% Zn); 2.20 m @ 1,186 gpt Ag, 0.32% Cu, 0.2% Pb; 1.75 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 1,479 gpt Ag, 0.25% Cu, 1.2% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 0.50 m @ 5.90 gpt Au, 26 gpt Ag; 4.09 m @ 172 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 7.50 m @ 325 gpt Ag, 3.7% Pb, 3.8% Zn (including 3.45 m @ 600 gpt Ag, 6.1% Pb, 6.9% Zn); 2.45 m @ 150 gpt Ag, 2.6% Pb, 3.0% Zn. “Prior to placing La Parrilla on care and maintenance First Majestic had commenced mining over 5 established levels and 80 vertical metres at San Nicolas. We have now been able to expand and trace the high-grade mineralization 370 metres down from surface, with continuity.”
  • CMC Metals Ltd. provided an update on its Gavilanes project in Durango. The management team of the company participated on the annual assembly of the Ejido Los Gavilanes, where they agreed to enter into a letter of intent (LOI) to advance an exploration agreement. CMC is also working in the financing of the project, with its recent participation on the VRIC conference in Vancouver. The company is active working to obtain financing for phase 1 of the project, which is to include funding for up to 4,500 m of drilling. The current inferred resource is 1.76 M tonnes @ 320 gpt AgEq, containing 18.2 M Oz AgEq.
  • Bendito Resources Inc. finalized logistics for the commencement of phase 1 mining of high-grade Zn-Pb ore at Oposura, in Sonora. Ocean partners has provided a US$2 M revolving pre-financing facility, bearing interest at 11.5% and repayable 120 days from the date advanced. The transaction stipulates a minimum size of 5K tonnes per lot, grading greater than 20% Zn+Pb. The historical mineral resource estimation contains 70-100 K tonnes of this high-grade ore.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Orogen Royalties Inc. provided a 2023 update and forecast for 2024, including figures from its Mexican plays. The company holds a 2% NSR royalty on the production by First Majestic Silver on the Ermitaño project in Sonora, where 28,056 Oz Au, 582.5 K Oz Ag were produced during Q4 2023. As of the end of 2022 the Ermitaño mine had 369,000 Oz Au, 5.8 M Oz Ag in measured and indicated resources, and 269,00 Oz Au, 7.7 M Oz Ag in inferred resources. For 2024, First Majestic’s production guidance is between 81,000 to 90,000 Oz Au, and 1.1 to 1.2 M Oz Ag, “with over 90% of the production from the Ermitaño mine”.
  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. announced the resignation of Javier Reyes from the board of directors of the company (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. informed Simon Cmrlec, a highly experienced senior engineer is joining Vizsla as chief operating officer (COO) and will be tasked with advancing the Panuco project in Sinaloa towards production. He will commence the role on April 1, 2024.
  • Xali Gold Corp. informed that Grupo Minero WIYA has made the required repairs to get operational Xali Gold’s San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA) Plant in Nayarit. Under the current agreement WIYA has to pay US$150 K per month for 10 months and upon completion of paying a total of US$1.5 M, WIYA would have the right to own the SDA Plant, “however discussions are now ongoing to change these terms into a Joint Venture and operate the plant together for shared profits. Currently, Magellan Acquisition Corp. (“Magellan”), and the Company each own 50% of the SDA plant”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Specularite-quartz breccia vein on a project of the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of November 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 47th week of the year (November 19th to November 26th, 2023), companies working in Mexico posted 22 news releases. Four companies reported exploration advances on their properties, three companies released Q3 2023 reports, one on metallurgical test results and one more on new concentrate production. One company announced the repurchase of part of its shares, one a financing round, one an incentive warrant program and one more the payment of dividends.  One company released drilling results from a past producing mine, and one other filed a technical report on its property. One company reported on the acquisition of additional land adjacent to its mining operations, and two more on the appointment of directors. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the country has attracted US$2,737 M of direct foreign investment on mining this year.  ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Minerals has completed seven RC holes at Cervantes; Colibri Resource and Silver Spruce updated on project work at Diamante. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver released results from three holes at Columba. In Zacatecas, Radius Gold presented the results of the last drill hole at Tropico. ON MINING, Impact Silver, Bear Creek Mining and Guanajuato Silver presented Q3 2023 production results. Luca Mining presented results from metallurgical tests at Campo Morado. Golden Minerals begun to produce gold-bearing pyrite concentrates at Velardeña. ON FINANCING, Teck Resources intends to repurchase up to 7.8% of its shares. Oroco Resource launched a financing round for up to $2.5 M. Heliostar Metals is encouraging the early exercise of share purchase warrants. Alamos Gold declared a quarterly dividend.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Silver Storm released results from drilling at La Parrilla past-producing mine in Durango. Sonoran Desert filed a technical report on the Cuatro Hermanos property in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Coeur Mining signed a purchase agreement with Fresnillo PLC to acquire mining concessions adjacent to its mining operations at Palmarejo in Chihuahua. Osisko Development and Orla Mining announced the appointment of directors. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • According to information from the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) Mexico has attracted US$2,737 M of direct foreign investment on mining this year, and US$9,089 M during the first five years of the present administration.
  • According to Camimex, in a note published on El Economista, three companies control 80% of mining production by Mexican enterprises: Grupo Mexico, Fresnillo PLC and Peñoles.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. provided results from the last of hole of the 1,300 m diamond drilling program at the Tropico project in Zacatecas. Highlighted intervals comprise 9.02 m @ 0.11 gpt Au; 1.53 m @ 0.33 gpt Au; 4.58 m @ 0.22 gpt Au; 19.82 m @ 0.15 gpt Au. “Drilling defined a large gold mineralized breccia body that starts at surface and to date defined 250m down dip….. The drilling encountered wide zones of classic low sulphidation epithermal alteration, high level chalcedonic silica, banded stockwork and massive quartz veining, and breccias with gold mineralization, but not significant high grade mineralization”.
  • Aztec Minerals Corp. announced the completion of the first seven holes of the current drilling program at Cervantes, in Sonora. The eleven-hole reverse circulation drilling program envisages 1,650 m of which 963 m have already been completed in the California zone, while step-out drilling is to focus in expansion. Results are pending. “The gold mineralization is characterized by oxidized and unoxidized stockwork veinlets of A, B, and C types and disseminated sulfide sites, with silicification and phyllic alterations. Potassic alteration is present in places and is associated with mineralization as well”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. and JV partner Silver Spruce Resources Inc. report the discovery of Au-Ag showings on the Diamante property in Sonora. Recent work in the property includes geological mapping, evaluation and sampling of historical showings, collection and assaying of 49 stream sediment samples and 60 outcrop samples. New mineralized showings in the northern and southern parts of the concession returned assays of 3.52 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag; 0.122 gpt Au, 197 gpt Ag; 0.818 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 0.749 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag; 3.34 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag. The Diamante property exhibits characteristics of “epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn), high sulfidation Au-Cu, and potential transition zones within and peripheral to porphyry style Au-Cu mineralization”.
  • Kootenay Silver Inc. announced results from three additional drill holes at its Columba project in Chihuahua. The drill program envisages 3,000 m on 12 to 15 holes to extend known mineralization on the “D” vein target area. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 29 m @ 208 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.5% Zn (including 9.67 m @ 510 gpt Ag, 0.2 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.0% Zn; which includes 2.37 m  1,142 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 2.5% Zn), 10.1 m @ 152 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn; 3.1 m @ 308 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn (including 1.56 m @ 532 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.4% Zn). “Columba hosts an extensive network of intermediate-style epithermal quartz, carbonate +/- barite veins aligned into two broadly cross-cutting orientations. Fieldwork to date has identified numerous mineralized structures across the project measuring up to 4 kilometres in length.”

ON MINING

  • Luca Mining Corp. announced results from its optimization program at the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. A bulk concentrate is being produced with greater than 70% Cu recovery, up from the historical 35-40% recovery range. “Overall zinc recovery is expected to increase from 76% to 86% and the final concentrate grade increases from 46% to 56% zinc over the next 12 months…. Ausenco have conducted a range of laboratory testing, initially of zinc circuit feed samples, to study the potential for improved zinc circuit stage recoveries. With a series of changes to reagents and other operational parameters in flotation in the plant, overall zinc recovery increased from 75% to 82% and the final concentrate grade from 45% to 51% zinc”. Additional work is being conducted to produce clean and higher-grade Cu and Pb concentrates.
  • Golden Minerals Co. has begun producing gold-bearing pyrite flotation concentrate from its Velardeña properties in Durango. “The Company is processing material that has been stockpiled at Velardeña since the mines last operated in 2015”. Recent favorable market terms for Au bearing pyrite/arsenopyrite concentrate are now economic to process and sell.
  • Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter 2023. At Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico, throughput was 37.2 K tonnes @ 162 gpt Ag. At Plomosas, in Chihuahua, Impact has completed the final steps to get back online the 200 tpd zinc mine. “Exploration potential at Plomosas is exceptional with only 600m of the 6-kilometre-long structure assessed”. The company invested $3.8 M in exploration expenditures and mining assets, with a cash position at quarter-end of $8.9 M and working capital of $8.7 M.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. reported results for Q3 2023. At the Mercedes mine in Sonora, 123.5 K tonnes were mined @ 2.79 gpt Au, with 126.2 K tonnes processed averaging 2.40 gpt Au, recovering 93.4% Au to produce 9,155 Oz Au, 33.7 K Oz Ag. During the period the company entered into a restructuring agreement with Equinox Gold Corp. to convert a $26 M current liability into a non-current obligation by issuing a convertible promissory note at a competitive interest rate. A second restructuring agreement was signed with Sandstorm Gold Ltd. to reduce near-term Au and Ag stream delivery obligations and refinance and extend debt. A C$9.5 M private placement was completed also during the period. Mining methods have been changed to sub-level caving at the San Martin deposit and sub-level stoping at the Marianas deposit. Average mining costs have decreased from $80.84 per tonne mined to $68.37 during the year (15% decrease). The Mercedes structural trend has contributed with “over 580,000 ounces of gold to the mine’s historical production since 2011”. Production from the San Martin deposit increased from 400 tpd to almost 600 tpd during Q3 and is expected to reach 800 tpd during Q4 2023.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. released financial and operating results for Q3 2023. Consolidated production from Valenciana and El Cubo mines in Guanajuato and from Topia in Durango comprises 134.9 K tonnes mined, 132.5 K tonnes milled, to produce 425.5 K Oz Ag, 3,441 Oz Au, 935.8 K Lb Pb, 857.7 K Lb Zn, or 787.1 K Oz AgEq at cash cost $20.79 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $26.22 per Oz AgEq.
  • Sailfish Royalty Corp. announced operating and financial results for Q3 2023. No information was provided on the Gavilanes property in Durango, Sailfish’s only significant exploration property in Mexico.

ON FINANCING

  • Teck Resources Ltd. is to establish a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 40 M Class B shares from November 2023 to November 2024, representing 7.8% of the outstanding Class B shares, or 7.9% of the public float, as at November 15, 2023. “Teck is making the normal course issuer bid because it believes that the market price of its Class B Shares may, from time to time, not reflect their underlying value and that the share buy-back program may provide value by reducing the number of shares outstanding at attractive prices. All repurchased shares will be cancelled” (San Nicolas, Zacatecas).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $2.5 M (Santo Tomas, Sinaloa).
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. updated on its incentive warrant program designed to encourage the early exercise of share purchase warrants. To date, holders of 14.37 M outstanding warrants have committed to participate in the warrant incentive program, which if exercised would result in gross proceeds of $4.6 M (Ana Paula, Guerrero).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.025 per common share. Alamos has paid dividends for 14 consecutive years, during which time $324 M has been returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, including $40 M thus far in 2023 (Mulatos, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Silver Storm Mining Ltd. released results from two more holes at La Parrilla, in Durango. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 0.82 m @ 419 gpt Ag, 0.53 gpt Au, 0.09% Cu, 12.3% Pb, 10.7% Zn; 0.44 m @ 200 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 0.10% Cu, 6.6% Pb, 8.8% Zn; 1.77 m @ 25 gpt Ag, 4.07 gpt Au, 0.06% Cu, 0.1% Pb; 2.28 m @ 67 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.02 % Cu, 3.1% Pb, 3.2% Zn; 8.72 m @ 125 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.06% Cu, 2.4% Pb, 4.8% Zn; 1.05 m @ 322 gpt Ag, 0.16 gpt Au, 0.07% Cu, 9.5% Pb, 15.8% Zn. One of these high-grade intercepts is 97 m below the last mine development, while another high-grade replacement zone was identified. An unusual tourmaline breccia pipe was intersected, returning 1.77 m @ 4.07 gpt Au. “Drill results from the Quebradillas mine have enhanced our understanding and confidence that the La Parrilla Mine can be brought back online. In 2024, Silver Storm will proceed with technical studies targeting the re-establishment of mining operations in 2025.”
  • Sonoran Desert Corp. filed the NI 43-101 compliant technical report on the Cuatro Hermanos project in Sonora. The Mineoro Explorations LLC produced report states mineralization is of Porphyry Cu-Mo style associated to a porphyry intrusive complex hosted in an andesitic volcanic sequence, with Cu-Mo mineralization forming subvertical orebodies related to magmatic breccias and possibly tabular bodies of more than 3 Km along strike. Modelling suggests the Main and West zones might be connected, and that deeper drilling is needed. Recommended activities include relogging of core and RC drilling chips from the 2007-2008 campaigns, check assays on 10% of the pulps, drilling the West zone at 100 m spacing, deeper drilling, twinning of some holes, RC drilling and column leach test on the South Conglomerates (Exotic Cu target), begin metallurgical testing of oxides and sulfides, tie surface access agreements and commence permitting for drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Coeur Mining Inc. signed a purchase agreement with Fresnillo PLC to acquire mining concessions adjacent to the Palmarejo complex in Chihuahua. The concessions comprise 2,833 ha, including the southeast extension of the Independencia and Nacion deposits, currently being mined at the Palmarejo property, and to the northeast a concession that surrounds “multiple targets containing mineralization and historic resources that were added through the 2015 acquisition of Paramount Gold and Silver. The terms of the transaction include a $10 M payment upon closing, an additional $10 M one year after closing and an additional $5 M two years after closing. The concessions will be subject to a royalty payment of $25 per Oz for each new Oz AuEq of resource discovered between 450 K and 2 M Oz AuEq.
  • Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. announced Mr. Sean Roosen resigned as a director in order to focus on his role as CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors of Osisko Development Corp. (San Antonio, Sonora).
  • Orla Mining. Ltd. appointed Mr. Rob Krcmarov as an independent director of the company (Camino rojo, Zacatecas).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Quartz-specularite vein in a Sonoran Desert project. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of September 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 39th week of the year (September 25th to October 1st, 2023), only 11 companies working in Mexico posted news releases (the weekly low record is nine, since 2015). One company reported exploration on one of its properties, while no news on mining were released. Five companies informed on the opening or closing of private placements, their assistance to investor conferences and/or the amendment of credit facilities.  One company presented drilling results from one of its properties and one other an updated mineral resource estimation on one of its mines. The government cancelled nine mining concessions to one company in Sonora. One company updated on results of its annual general meeting and one other informed on modifications to streaming amendments. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the federal government is playing all tricks available on its hat to get the Sonora Lithium deposit under its control, expropriating mining concessions without calling it an expropriation, of what they see as a project with a potential large income revenue and a stepping stone on resources sovereignty. Camimex regards the cancellation infeasible while pointing that exploration expenditure has fallen 40% in recent years. A Labor Panel has been installed under T-MEC to review the US claim against Grupo Mexico in one of its mining units. ON EXPLORATION, In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver informed four drill holes have been completed at Columba. ON MINING, no relevant news. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals closed the final tranche of a private placement for C$639 K, GR Silver was granted an extension for its financing placement, Regency Silver completed the first tranche of an upsized private placement.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Heliostar Metals reported drilling results from Ana Paula, in Guerrero. Guanajuato Silver presented an updated resource estimate for San Ignacio, in Guanajuato. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, the Mexican government cancelled nine mining concessions to Ganfeng’s Lithium in Sonora, in an unscrupulous bid to get its hands on the only defined lithium resource in Mexico. Southern Silver provided an update on results from its AGM. Bear Creek Mining presented two press releases to inform on changes on the two streaming agreements on the Mercedes mine production in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) regards the cancellation of Ganfenfg Lithium’s concessions in Sonora as not viable. Ganfeng was served in August with the cancellation notice by the government on grounds of lack of investment, which the company denies. The exploration expenditure in México has fallen close to 40% in the last seven years.
  • Ganfeng’s Lithium cancelation of claims in Sonora by the federal government will have to be dealt with in national courts, as Mexico and China do not count with a trade agreement.
  • Marath Bolaños, head of the Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social (Labor Bureau) stated that the Labor Panel under the T-MEC has been formed, to review the controversy between the US government and Grupo Mexico’s San Martín mine in Zacatecas.
  • The president of Mexico indicated that its government is reviewing lithium mining concessions.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kootenay Silver Inc. updated on drilling progress of their program at Columba, in Chihuahua. Four diamond holes have been completed of the expected 12-15 holes in the 3,000 m program. “Analyses are awaited, however visual confirmation of mineralization and veining typical of D-Vein has been reported by the logging geologists in the holes to date where modeling predicted. Veining and associated stockwork mineralization in drilled length in each hole was observed to measure approximately 5.0 m vein/ stockwork, 8.2 m vein and 23 m stockwork, 10 m vein and 26 m stockwork and 1.0 m vein, 3.0 m stockwork in holes CDH-23-136 through CDH-23-139 respectively”.

ON MINING

  • No Relevant News.

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$639.1 K. Aggregate gross proceeds from both tranches are CAD$1.55 M. Alamos Gold Inc. participated in the financing with $140.6 K (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Capstone Copper Corp. amended its existing revolving credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments from $600 M to $700 M “and extend the maturity from May 2026 to September 2027. The Amended Credit Facility will bear interest on a sliding scale of adjusted term SOFR plus a margin of 2.000% to 2.875%”. Capstone cash and cash equivalents position by the end of June 2023 was $520 M (Cozamin, Zacatecas).
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. was granted an extension by the TSX Venture Exchange to complete its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1 M. A first tranche of $329 K in gross proceeds was closed on August 10, 2023 (Plomosas, Sinaloa).
  • Regency Silver Corp. completed the first tranche of a previously announced private placement, which has been upsized to C$1.75 M from C$1.5 M (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Vortex Metals Inc. will be participating in the 23rd Investment Conference organized by CM-Equity AG in Munich (Riqueza Marina, Oaxaca).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported drilling results from the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. These two infill holes are within the “High Grade Panel” at the deposit, and are the last that are to be included in the resource update planned for November 2023. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 35.9 m @ 8.17 gpt Au (including (11.8 m @ 13.55 gpt Au); 83.6 m @ 8.57 gpt Au (including 63.0 m @ 10.41 gpt Au, which includes 12.0 m @ 18.36 gpt Au); 57.0 m @ 6.03 gpt Au (including 5.0 m @ 45.44 gpt Au); 14.6 m @ 32.98 gpt Au (or 18.60 gpt Au if assays cut to 100 gpt Au).
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. presented a new mineral resource estimate for its San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato. Measured and indicated resources comprise 790 K tonnes @ 123 gpt Ag, 2.10 gpt Au, containing 3.14 M Oz Ag, 53,000 Oz Au, and inferred resources of 2.17 M tonnes @ 127 gpt Ag, 2.27 gpt Au, containing 8.9 M Oz Ag, 158,000 Oz Au. “… an increase of 130% in the measured & indicated category and 283% in the inferred category.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • The Mexican government, through the Direccion General de Minas (DGM) cancelled nine mining concessions in Sonora to Ganfeng Lithium, including those where the largest (and so far, the only) lithium deposit in Mexico is located. The company was informed of the cancellation last August, with the government stating that the minimum investment required between 2017 and 2021 was not fulfilled and Ganfeng declaring its compliance above that limit. The company has already filed claims against the resolution at the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía). Note by editor. – This is one more issue between private capital and the Mexican government, with a president with a world vision from the 1970’s, where the State is to have a ruling fist on all economic activities, and the president a final saying on what is to be done or not.
  • Southern Silver Exploration Corp. provided a corporate update from the company’s annual meeting. During the meeting seven incumbent directors were elected and the chartered accountants reappointed. Lawrence Page, Robert Macdonald and Killian Ruby were reappointed as president, vice president exploration and chief financial officer respectively. (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. made the final gold delivery pursuant to a gold pre-pay streaming agreement with Nomad Royalty Co. Ltd. which was assumed upon the acquisition of the Mercedes mine, in Sonora, in April 2022. As a result, over 300 additional ounces of gold produced at Mercedes per month will now be fully available for sale by the Company. A promissory with 1368445 B.C. Ltd. was amended to extend the maturity from the end of September 2023 to the end of November 2023.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. announced a restructuring of its current stream and debt obligations with Sandstorm Gold Ltd. to improve the Mercedes mine ability to produce free cash flow near term by reducing near-term Au and Ag stream delivery obligations and the refinancing and extensions of Bear Creek’s debt with Sandstorm. Sandstorm will refinance its US$22.5 M convertible debenture into a 5-year convertible promissory note at 7% per year and convertible into Bear Creek shares at C$0.73 per share. “Sandstorm has agreed to make up to US$8 million in additional credit” prior to the end of August 2024. Bear Creek has to complete an equity financing to raise at least CAD$9.5 M.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

On the image below: Geologist Julio Carcamo on a silicified ridge in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 35th week of the year (August 27th to September 3rd, 2023), 21 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Five companies reported on quarterly or half year 2023 results. Five companies informed on the opening or closing of private placements, one on the payment of dividends and one more on the extension of a credit facility.  One company announced results of a PEA on its property and one other is working to process a tailings polymetallic resource. A company reported high-grade drilling results from its property and one other updated on exploration activities. One company informed on its intention to acquire a porphyry copper project in Sonora, while one other updated on projects in several countries and its plans for Mexico. One royalty company informed on the indirect acquisition of an NSR from a mine in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Xótchil Gálvez, pointed that the Mining Fund should return to mining communities. ON EXPLORATION, no relevant news. ON MINING, Impact Silver, Bear Creek Mining and Minera Alamos reported financial results for Q2 2023, and Mundoro reported first half 2023 results. ON FINANCING, Aztec Minerals (C$911.6 K), Colibri Resource, Regency Silver (C$1.5 M), Sonoro Gold (C$259.2 K) and Commander Resources ($ 346 K) informed on the opening or closing of financing rounds. Orla Mining extended its credit facility to up to $200 M and four years. Alamos Gold declared a quarterly dividend. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sonoro Gold announced a positive PEA on Cerro Caliche, Sonora. Luca Mining informed on evaluation plans to reprocess tailings at Campo Morado, Guerrero. Bear Creek Mining provided underground drilling results from Mercedes, in Sonora. Discovery Silver submitted the environmental impact assessment (MIA) for Cordero, in Chihuahua. Mammoth Resources provided an update on exploration activities at Tenoriba, in Chihuahua. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Southern Empire Resources entered into an agreement with Cuprum Mining, upon which Southern can acquire 100% interest in the Suaqui Verde porphyry copper project in Sonora. Excellon Resources provided an update on its projects in different countries, including Mexico. Gold Royalty completed the acquisition of a 1.0% NSR on portions of the Cozamin mine production in Zacatecas. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Xóchitl Gálvez, opposition senator and likely to turn into a strong presidential candidate, points that the Mining Fund should return to mining communities. The fund was created for mining to contribute to the development of the communities where the work is realized, but was funneled into a broader basket to source pensions and scholarships with electoral aims by the current president.

ON EXPLORATION

  • No Relevant News.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. announced financial results for the second quarter 2023, reporting revenue of $5.5 M. The average mill feed at Zacualpan, in Estado de Mexico, was 163 gpt Ag, where 35.7 K tonnes were processed to produce 155.7 K Oz Ag. During the quarter Impact closed the acquisition of the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, where a major rehabilitation program was initiated. The company completed a $9.0 M non-brokered private placement, maintains a cash balance of $13.3 M and no long-term debt.
  • Orogen Royalties Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter of 2023, including some figures on its royalties from Mexican operations. The company holds a 2.0% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the production of First Majestic’s Ermitaño mine in Sonora. Orogen’s share of production on the quarter was $1.18 M consisting on 435 Oz AuEq, resulting from the process of 213.9 K tonnes @ 3.12 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag, which produced 20,073 Oz Au, 142 K Oz Ag.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. reported its financial results for Q2 2023. During the period, 121.5 K tonnes were mined at its Mercedes mine in Sonora, 125.1 K tonnes were processed @ 2.42 gpt Au, recovering 94.53% Au to produce 9,212 Oz Au, 39,827 Oz Ag, or 10,132 Oz AuEq at cash cost $1,337 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of $1,646 per Oz AuEq. “The Mercedes mine has been inconsistent in achieving the anticipated gold grades projected in the mine plans and geological models the Company inherited upon its acquisition of Mercedes in April 2022”. Mining costs have declined by 23% in recent months and are expected to continue to reduce in the coming months due to changes in mining methods. Higher grades are to be mined from areas close to current production.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. provided an operation update for Q2 2023 and some guidance on its operations on Q3. Strip ratios were maintained below 2:1 waste vs mineralized material during mining operations, with 25% of material averaging 1.06 gpt Au being crushed and 75% of material averaging 0.43 gpt Au being sent directly to the leach pads, for an average grade of 0.59 gpt Au in the leach pads. The company expects that the precipitation levels in 2023 will allow more normal mining and production plans. Overall pad capacity is to triple if constructive communications with SEMARNAT (Environmental regulator) are fruitful. A maiden resource estimate is expected in Q3, covering the primary mineralized zones surrounding the Nicho operations. Alamos had cash and cash equivalents of $8.27 M by the end of the period. Subsequent to quarter’s end, $2.57 M ($33.2 M pesos) of VAT were returned to the company by the Mexican revenue service (SAT).
  • Mundoro Capital Inc. reported financial results for the first half of 2023. In H1 2023 the company generated $1.46 M in fees and payments. At the end of the period Mundoro held $8.4 M in cash and cash equivalents (Camargo, Chihuahua).

ON FINANCING

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$911.6 K. “Due to investor interest in the private placement, Aztec intends to increase the financing from the original stated amount of up to CAD$1 million to up to CAD$1.2 million” (Cervantes, Sonora).
  • Orla Mining Ltd. amended its existing US$150 M credit facility with the Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The facility stays at US$150 M, with the ability to increase to US$200 M, with a 4-year term (increasing it by two years) and an interest rate will be based on the term SOFR rate, plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.75% based on the company’s leverage ratio at the end of each fiscal quarter. “The Amended Credit Facility is payable in full at maturity and removes quarterly mandatory repayments required under the previous term facility” (Camino Rojo Oxides, Zacatecas).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. announced an extension to complete its previously announced non-brokered private placement by September 13, 2023. “The Company is offering up to 1,000 units, each unit being comprised of: (i) a US$1,000 principal amount of 10% unsecured convertible debenture (a “Debenture”) with a maturity date (“Maturity Date”) of 2 years from the date of issuance; and (ii) 5,416 common share purchase warrants of the Company …” (Evelyn, Sonora).
  • Regency Silver Corp. will be present at the 2023 Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Regency has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to CAD$1.5 M in gross proceeds (Dios Padre, Sonora).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.025 per common share (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Commander Resources Ltd. closed the non-brokered private placement announced on August 3, 2023, for total gross proceeds of $346 K (Pedro, Durango).
  • Sonoro Gold Corp. closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for additional gross proceeds of C$259.2 K, accruing a total of C$2.26 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Sonoro Gold Corp. announced a positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. The scope is for nine years life of mine (LOM) 33,000 Oz AuEq per year operation to obtain 297,575 Oz AuEq on recoveries of 72% Au, 27% Ag, with a pre-Tax net present value (NPV) of US$71.4 M, a pre-Tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 59% and after-Tax NPV (at 5%) of US$47.7 M with an IRR of 45%. An initial CAPEX cost of US$15.5 M and sustaining capital of US$15.5 M are envisaged, to produce at cash cost US$1,295 per Oz AuEq and an AISC of US$1,395 per Oz AuEq with a payback period of 2.9 years.
  • Luca Mining Corp. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with EnviroGold Global Ltd. to process the tailings at Luca’s Campo Morado Mine in Guerrero. The scope of the project is to evaluate the reprocessing of 3.29 M tonnes @ 1.32% Zn, 0.3% Cu, 0.49% Pb, 1.57 gpt Au, 94 gpt Ag, and produce a PEA for the project. On a 2021 initial testwork with EnviroGold’s, a gold recovery of 60% was achieved. The aim of the project is to increase this gold recovery rate to levels reached by EnviroGold on the Hellyer project in Australia (also a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, as Campo Morado), where it achieved recoveries of 90% Au, 90% Ag by leach, and 91% Cu and 82% Zn reported to a pregnant solution suitable for subsequent recovery.
  • Bear Creek Mining Corp. provided results from underground definition and delineation drilling at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. “The Company has focused drilling on the Marianas, Rey de Oro, Diluvio and Lupita deposits, all of which are associated with near-term production; however, the results also hold significant implications for exploration upside”. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 1.0 m @ 47.90 gpt Au, 39 gpt Ag; 5.2 m @ 62.59 gpt Au, 93 gpt Ag; 4.3 m @ 7.55 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag; 4.4 m @ 3.53 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 2.1 m @ 18.41 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag in the Marianas zone, 1.4 m @ 21.00 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag; 4.9 m @ 3.52 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag; 0.9 m @ 29.30 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 4.2 m @ 4.56 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag in the Rey de Oro Zone, 0.8 m @ 22.4 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag in the Diluvio zone and 3.4 m @ 5.46 gpt Au, 95 gpt Ag in the Lupita zone. Highlighted core-length intervals from the Diluvio zone comprise 6.7 m @ 3.24 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 14.3 m @ 4.11 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag; 6.1 m @ 3.54 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 6.5 m @ 5.51 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag; 5.1 m @ 7.11 gpt Au, 78 gpt Ag; 1.5 m @ 9.23 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. submitted for evaluation the environmental impact assessment (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental, or MIA) for its Cordero project in Chihuahua. “The MIA is one of the principal permits required for the development of Cordero and encapsulates extensive social and environmental work programs completed by the Company’s team in Mexico since 2020 in parallel with multiple reviews by third-party consultants.”
  • Mammoth Resources Corp. provided an update on ongoing exploration activities at its Tenoriba property in Chihuahua. The objective is to evaluate how to produce a resource estimation and define the processes through which the precious metals can be recovered. These activities include: (1) metallurgical testing of oxide material from the 1.5 km by 0.5 km Carneritos area. Preliminary metallurgical tests have already been performed on material from the Masuparia area; (2) analysis of all geological information, including drill data, by an independent mineral resource modelling expert aiming for the distribution of drill holes required to produce a maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource; and (3) defining future drill hole locations upon which to achieve this mineral resource.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Southern Empire Resources Corp. entered into an agreement with Cuprum Mining Corp. to acquire up to 100% in the share capital of Cuprum, and thereby on the Suaqui Verde copper project in Sonora. Southern can acquire 10% of Cuprum by paying C$500 K within 90 days and issuing 7.5 M shares of Southern to Cuprum shareholders. Another 10% can be acquired by paying C$250 K to Cuprum, issuing 7.5 M shares and incurring in C$750 K on exploration expenditures on or before 15 months of closing. An additional 10% can be acquired by paying $500 K and incurring in additional C$750 K in exploration on or before 30 months from closing. Additional 20% can be acquired by Southern by paying C$500 K and incurring additional C$750 K within 45 months of closing. Southern Empire can acquire an additional 50% in Cuprum by paying C$750 K and incurring in additional C$1 M (total of C$3.25 M) on or before 60 months of closing. A 2% NSR “may be payable” subsequent to commercial production. The project encompasses 1,952 hectares with oxide and secondarily enriched copper sulfide mineralization on a porphyry copper system. A resource defined with 106 historical RC and diamond holes contains 51.2 M tonnes @ 0.31% Cu in the indicated category.
  • Excellon Resources Inc. provided an update on its projects in USA, Germany and Mexico. “As the Platosa Mine was placed on care and maintenance in earlyQ4 2022, the Company is assessing its strategic options, including the potential sale of select properties or complete divestiture of the Mexico operations. The Company will provide further updates on the Mexico operations as necessary.” (Platosa, Durango).
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. announced the appointment of Francisco Albelais as Vice-President of Operations and Mr. Charles Spath as Vice-President of Technical Services. (El Tigre, Sonora).
  • Gold Royalty Corp. has completed the indirect acquisition of a 1.0% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on portions of the Cozamin Cu-Ag mine in Zacatecas, from Endeavour Silver Corp. Pursuant to the transaction, Gold Royalty indirectly acquired the royalty for US$7.5 M in cash consideration.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevant news.

On the image below: Silicified structure ridge on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of August 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                            

During the 33rd week of the year (August 14th to August 20th, 2023), 18 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Two companies informed on exploration work at its properties, three reported second quarter 2023 results and one more of a fatality on an underground mine. One company informed on a private placement and one more on incentive option granting to directors, employees and consultants. Four companies informed on technical reports, updated mineral resources, drilling results and metallurgical testing on their projects. The closing on the transfer of a property in Durango was announced. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Camimex ask for the government intervention to reach an end to the Peñasquito mine strike, which begun in early June, and also for speedier action on environmental permitting. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Colibri Resource received the permit to drill at Evelyn. In Coahuila, Monumental Minerals updated on its drilling program at Jemi. ON MINING, Guanajuato Silver reported a fatality on one of its mines. Sierra Metals, Discovery Silver and Americas Gold and Silver released production results for Q2 2023. ON FINANCING, Barksdale granted options to directors, employees and consultants. Oroco Resource raised $1.75 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Golden Tag updated the mineral resource estimate for La Parrilla, in Durango. GR Silver Mining released drilling results from the San Marcial deposit on its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Sierra Madre Gold and Silver released drilling results from the Tepic project in Nayarit. Silver Tiger Metals released drilling results from El Tigre, in Sonora. Vizsla Silver announced positive metallurgical test results for the Copala resource area on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, First Majestic Silver and Golden Tag Resources closed the transaction on La Parrilla mine in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news. ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) asks relevant authorities to contribute in the solution to the Peñasquito strike in Zacatecas, and to act more speedily on the granting of environmental permits needed.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Colibri Resource Corp. received the necessary permit to drill up to 2,000 m on the Evelyn property in Sonora. The program is focusing on the Main Zone and West El Sahuaro areas.
  • Monumental Minerals Corp. provided an update on the current drill program at the Jemi project in Coahuila. To date 1,800 m have been drilled targeting rare earth mineralization, with 12 holes completed and a final one underway, with results expected in about three weeks. “Numerous intrusive peralkaline dykes, sills, and veins, with identifiable eudialyte … were intersected in the completed holes … These peralkaline dykes and sills tend to occur in structural zones that appear to be adjacent to larger bodies of syenitic intrusions and are associated with irregular skarn mineralization at the contacts with the host carbonate sedimentary rocks. These zones are as much as several tens of meters in width downhole. The syenite may be the feeders for the peralkaline features (parental rocks) and pegmatitic intrusive rocks. Light rare earth element (LREE) bearing minerals such as monazite and xenotime have also been identified by visual inspection.”

ON MINING

  • Guanajuato Silver Co. reported an employee fatality on August 12 due to an accident at the San Ignacio mine in Guanajuato.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported results for the quarter, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 4,640 tonnes were milled per day for a total of 406 K tonnes in the period, to produce 10.7 M Lb CuEq at cash cost $1.62 and an AISC of $3.02 per Lb CuEq. The Cusi mine in Chihuahua (a non-core asset) operated at 596 tpd and processed 51.7 K tonnes during the period to produce 241 K Oz AgEq.
  • Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported consolidated financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cosalá, in Sinaloa, 335 K Oz Ag, 3.2 M Lb Pb, 9.6 M Lb Zn were produced at cash cost $4.51 and an AISC of $11.10 per Oz AgEq.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. announced its financial results for the second quarter 2023 and provided an update on the quarter and subsequent events. The 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report was released. A marketed public offering raised C$51.75 M, “Completion of the reserve expansion and definition component of our Feasibility Study program consisting of an additional 35,000 m of drilling in over 100 drill holes completed since the cut-off for the Pre-Feasibility Study”. As of June 30, 2023, Discovery had cash and cash equivalents of $68 M.

ON FINANCING

  • Barksdale Resources Inc. announced the granting of incentive stock options to its directors, employees and consultants for up 1.3 M shares at a price of $0.59 per share. (San Javier, Sonora).
  • Oroco Resource Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement, raising $1.75 M (Santo Tomás, Sinaloa).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Golden Tag Resources Ltd. completed an updated mineral resource estimate for La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex in Durango. The resource includes 22 veins within the Rosarios, San Marcos and Quebradillas underground mines, currently on care and maintenance. Indicated resources are estimated at 615 K tonnes @ 176 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 1.55% Pb, 1.39% Zn (or 263 gpt AgEq), containing 3.48 M Oz Ag, 1,700 Oz Au, 9.6 K tonnes Pb, 8.5 tonnes Zn, or 5.19 M Oz AgEq. Inferred resources stand at 1.26 M tonnes @ 191 gpt Ag, 0.12 gpt Au, 0.99% Pb, 1.01% Zn (or 256 gpt AgEq), containing 7.73 M Oz Ag, 5,000 Oz Au, 12.4 K tonnes Pb, 12.7 K tonnes Zn, or 10.33 M Oz AgEq.
  • GRSilver Mining Ltd. announced results from one step-out drill hole outside the mineral resource boundary in the San Marcial area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 20.2 m @ 187 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn (including 5.7 m @ 513 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, which includes 0.8 m @ 2,041 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.9% Zn). The hole “intersected a multistage quartz-calcite-sulfide zone composed of irregular veins and breccias crosscutting other hydrothermal breccias …”.
  • Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. announced results from six additional diamond drill holes of the current program at its Tepic project in Nayarit. The holes targeted the Taunas and Veta Tomas structures, with highlighted intercepts comprising 2.50 m @ 296 gpt Ag, 1.15 gpt Au; 0.60 m @ 111 gpt Ag, 2.06 gpt Au; 4.85 m @ 84 gpt Ag, 0.24 gpt Au; 10.05 m @ 158 gpt Ag, 0.46 gpt Au; 4.35 @ 258 gpt Ag, 0.68 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 92 gpt Ag, 0.36 gpt Au. “The Tepic Project is a +2,600-hectare project where the previous operator completed 149 core holes totaling more than 31,000 meters. “
  • Silver Tiger Metals Inc. released results from drilling at El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlighted core length results from the Sooy vein and Sulfide Zone comprise 1.0 m @ 0.01 gpt Au, 178 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 10.7 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 74 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 0.5% Zn (including 2.3 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 191 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn); 4.7 m @ 0.15 gpt Au, 344 gpt Ag, 0.44% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 0.5 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 1,294 gpt Ag, 0.62% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 3.4 m @ 1.57 gpt Au, 592 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 10.5 m @ 1.98 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 2.9% Zn (including 5.3 m @ 3.87 gpt Au, 249 gpt Ag, 0.22% Cu, 2.2% Pb, 4.4% Zn); 4.0 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 786 gpt Ag, 0.68% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 0.8 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 1,549 gpt Ag, 1.73% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn.
  • Vizsla Silver Corp. announced positive preliminary metallurgical test results for the Copala resource area at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Drill core was first crushed and the subject to simple bulk flotation. Flotation + regrind + Cyanide Leach on flotation concentrate, coupled with Cyanide Leach of Rougher Tails recovered 90.6% Au, 93.7% Ag. “Further test work of material from the Napoleon, Tajitos and Copala deposits is planned to better understand and optimise grind size, cyanide consumption, leach kinetics, residence times and recoveries.”

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • First Majestic Silver Corp. and Golden Tag Resources Ltd. closed the transaction on the La Parrilla past producing mine in Durango. First Majestic received 143.7 M shares of Golden Tag (US$20 M), and is to receive up to US$13.5 M in the form of three milestone payments either in cash or shares. The first repayment of US$2.7 M is due 18 months on the closing, the second US$7.75 M payment upon receipt of a resource estimate of 5 M Oz AgEq in reserves or 22 M Oz AgEq in measured and indicated resources and the third US$5.05 M payment upon receiving a resource estimate of 12.5 M Oz Ag Eq measured and indicated resources in a new zone on La Parrilla. In addition, First Majestic purchased 18 M shares of Golden Tag and 9 M warrants. Following the closing First Majestic owns 40.8% of Golden Tag shares, and if the warrants are exercised will own 42.2% on a partially diluted basis.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No relevan news.

On the image below: Silicified vein ridge on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of August 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 31st week of the year (July 31st to August 6th, 2023), 25 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Five companies informed on exploration work at its properties and seven more reported second quarter 2023 results. Two companies informed on private placements, while one declared a dividend payment. Five companies informed on technical reports, updated mineral resources, drilling results, mining plans and mine preparations on their projects. One company sold the royalties in some properties and one other is reviewing exploration opportunities in South America. ON MEXICO ISSUES, one company made clear commitment to get projects beyond Mexico, the country new mining policies showing its might. The Union – Grupo Mexico conflict in Sombrerete is to be solved in Mexico, not under the T-MEC, according to the federal government. Income tax returns from the mining industry fell by 35% on the first semester 2023. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Prismo Metals mobilized a drill rig to Los Pavitos; Silver Spruce Resources resumed work at Diamante. In Chihuahua, Kootenay Silver updated on work at Columba. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals updated on the drilling at Palos Verdes. ON MINING, Fresnillo PLC, Starcore International Mines, Capstone Copper, Equinox Gold, First Majestic Silver, Torex Gold and Orla Mining released production results for Q2 2023. ON FINANCING, Goldgroup Mining issued shares on a convertible loan. First Majestic Silver declared the payment of a dividend per share. Colibri closed the first tranche of a private placement. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, SilverCrest Metals released a new technical report with updated mineral resources and a new mine plan for Las Chispas in Sonora. Impact Silver updated on work to refurbish the Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. GoGold Resources released drilling results from Los Ricos South in Jalisco. Discovery Silver released drilling results from the FS program at Cordero, in Chihuahua. Heliostar Metals reported on the re-scoping study at Ana Paula, in Guerrero. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Endeavour Silver entered into an agreement to sell its royalty on the Cozamin property. Xali Gold is to review exploration opportunities in South America. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news. ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Editor comments. One more company working exclusively in Mexico announced plans to look for projects in other countries. No one can say the policies imposed by the current administration are not producing the results sought, even if its full weight is to be felt in the years to come.
  •  The federal government directed that the labor conflict between Grupo Mexico and a Union (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos, Siderúrgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana) in the Sombrerete mine in Zacatecas, has to be solved in Mexican courts, out of the T-MEC rapid response labor mechanism.
  • Income tax returns fell 34.6% year on year on the first semester of 2023, the biggest drop in 20 years. On VAT (IVA) and special tax on products and services (IEPS), the mining sector had refunds for $134 M ($2,275 M pesos) and $6.5 M ($110 M pesos) respectively.  

ON EXPLORATION

  • Kootenay Silver Inc. informed two of three surface access agreements needed have been now signed, and the third one is in the final negotiation stage at its Columba project in Chihuahua.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. announced the mobilization of a drill rig for the planned 2,500 m program to its Los Pavitos project in Sonora. Assays for the last four trenches dug at the project were published. Highlighted intervals comprise 1.0 m @ 3.98 gpt Au, 5 gpt Ag; 2.80 m @ 1.18 gpt Au, 16 gpt Ag. 
  • Prismo Metals Inc. updated on the drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. Ten holes for a total of 2,035 m have been completed on the 2,500 m program, with the eleventh hole in progress and three holes remaining. On a second press release the company announced the expansion of the program by a joint committee by Prismo and Vizsla, to 3,600 m “in ten holes to be completed in two phases”.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. submitted a drilling permit application for the next phase of drilling at the Nora project in Durango. “The geological setting is a Tertiary-aged volcanic flow-dome complex. Gold-silver mineralization is hosted within two structurally controlled epithermal veins, Candy and Nora…. Only 500 m of the potential 3-km strike of the Candy vein structure has been drill tested, and only to a depth of 250 m below surface”.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. and partner Silver Spruce Resources Inc. announced the resumption of field works at the Diamante project in Sonora. Stream sediment sampling, geological mapping and rock chip sampling are some of the planned activities.
  • Fresnillo PLC. provided its Q2-2023 production results. The Company produced over 14 M Oz Ag, 152,217 Oz Au, 13,994 tonnes Pb and 25,670 tonnes Zn from its operation in Fresnillo, Saucito and Juanicipio in Zacatecas, Cienega in Durango, Herradura and Nochebuena in Sonora, and San Julian in Chihuahua.
  •  Starcore International Mines Ltd. presented results for its fiscal year and quarter ending on April 30, 2023. During the quarter the company processed 56.8 K tonnes @ 1.45 gpt Au, 11.2 gpt Ag, recovering 86.1% Au, 48.3% Ag, to produce 2,300 Oz Au, 10 K Oz Ag at its San Martin mine in Queretaro. For the year, the company produced 10,000 Oz Au, 85.4 K Oz Ag. Mine operating cash cost was $1,611 and $1,535 per AuEq Oz respectively for the quarter and full year.
  • Capstone Copper Corp. reported financial results for the second quarter of 2023, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Cozamin, in Zacatecas, 6.6 K tonnes Cu were produced at cash cost $1.63 per Lb Cu.
  • Equinox Gold Corp. announced its second quarter 2023 financial and operating results, without disclosing figures per project.
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. announced unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2023. During the period the company produced 2.63 M Oz Ag, 40,658 Oz Au, or 5.97 M Oz AgEq.
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported Q2 2023 and operational results. During the period, the company mined 11.77 M tonnes from the open pit (13,293 tpd), 174 K tonnes from underground (1,913 tpd) at the Limon Guajes mine in Guerrero, of which 1.21 M tonnes were processed to produce 107,507 Oz Au at cash cost $848 per Oz Au and an all-in sustaining cost of $1,308 per Oz Au. Torex maintains its 2023 guidance to produce 440 K to 470 K Oz Au. The quarter closed with net cash of $273.8 M.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. announced the results for the second quarter of 2023. At the Camino Rojo Oxide mine in Zacatecas, 29,058 Oz Au were produced at an AISC of $696 per Oz Au. The pit development is being hindered by SEMARNAT lateness to authorize permits. Cash balance at the end of the period was $114.5 M.   

ON FINANCING

  • Goldgroup Mining Inc. announced the issuance of 29.05 M shares upon conversion of the company’s outstanding convertible loan with a face value of $2.16 M (Cerro Prieto, Sonora).
  • First Majestic Silver Corp. declared a cash dividend of $0.0051 per common share for the second quarter of 2023 (San Dimas, Durango).
  • Colibri Resource Corp. closed the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement of “Units”, for gross proceeds of US$487 K. “Each Unit is comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 10% secured convertible debentures (the “Debentures”) issued by the Company with a maturity date (“Maturity Date”) of 2 years from the date of issuance; and (ii) 5,416 common share purchase warrants of the Company” (Diamante, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. announced results from an updated independent technical report for the Las Chispas operation in Sonora. The report describes a 1,200 tpd operation of ore averaging 4.02 gpt Au, 396.1 gpt Ag, recovering 98.0% Au, 97.0% Ag, to produce 57 K Oz Au, 5.5 M Oz Ag per year in an operation with a mine life (LOM) of 8 years, to generate a post-tax net present value of $549 M. Cash cost is estimated at $7.84 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $11.98 per Oz AgEq. “The Mineral Resource Estimate model was updated to reflect: narrower veins located over a larger area, thus requiring increased underground development, increased constraints on geologic, statistical, and geostatistical modelling parameters resulting in reductions in resources mainly in Babicanora Main and Babicanora Norte Main veins and increased resources in the Babi Vista Vein, including the Babi Vista Splay. Additionally, there is an increase in the number of Mineral Resource veins and the veins are more widely dispersed. The Updated Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate is reduced from the 2021 FS due to conversion to M&I Mineral Resources and application of the same stricter constraints as applied to M&I Mineral Resources”.
  • Impact Silver Corp. provided an update on the recently acquired Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. The mill refurbishment is in the final stages, with testing and modification of the plant to start in late summer to ramp up production to the 200 tpd design capacity. The company has applied for an expansion of the current tailings pond while planning and permitting of the next one takes place. Refurbishment of ventilation, electrical and lighting systems are ongoing, and mine planning is being completed for 2023-2024. The current workforce is comprised by 70 company workers and 25 contract workers.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. announced drilling results from Los Ricos South project in Jalisco. The highlighted core length intercepts comprise 30.2 m @ 1.68 gpt Au, 278 gpt Ag (including 9.70 m @ 4.54 gpt Au, 769 gpt Ag); 34.8 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 132 gpt Ag (including 7.0 m @ 4.68 gpt Au, 440 gpt Ag); 32.70 m @ 1.19 gpt Au, 124 gpt Ag; 11.7 m @ 0.93 gpt Au, 387 gpt Ag (including 1.40 m @ 5.36 gpt Au, 2,780 gpt Ag); 23.10 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 28.10 m @ 0.71 gpt Au, 129 gpt Ag. “The Main area drilling campaign’s purposes is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining…… It is expected that these holes will be included in an updated Resource to be released by the end of the summer”.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released results from feasibility study (FS) drilling at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals of the reserve and expansion drilling comprise 62.10 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 48 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 45.0 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.7% Zn; 51.7 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 15.10 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 278 gpt Ag, 3.1% Pb, 2.9% Zn; 12.4 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 168 gpt Ag, 1.4% Pb, 3.1% Zn; 37.4 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 79 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 38.5 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 82.1 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.9% Zn. Discovery has now drilled 52,000 m in 164 holes as part of the FS drill program. Incoming “property-wide drilling will initially target large chargeability anomalies in the Sanson area (approximately 3.5 km to the northeast of Cordero) and skarn targets at depth in the northeast of the deposit. Currently, 9,000m of drilling is planned in 2023”.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported progress on re-scoping of the current pre-feasibility study (PFS) at the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. “The Company is evaluating three underground mining scenarios, with different cut-off grades and mining rates, that are being advanced for more detailed evaluation and comparison…… The Company will refine the options upon receipt of an updated resource model and metallurgical program results, both of which rely on drilling completed in 2023. Metallurgical results will be reported in October and an updated resource model is expected in November 2023”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES              

  • Endeavour Silver Corp. entered into an agreement with Gold Royalty Corp. to sell all of its interest in a 1% Cozamin Royalty for a total consideration of US$7.5 M, payable in cash. “The Royalty applies to two concessions (Calicanto and Vicochea) on Capstone’s Cozamin copper-silver mine, located 3.6 kilometres north-northwest of Zacatecas City in state of Zacatecas, Mexico”.
  • Xali Gold Corp. has decided to review exploration opportunities in South America, including Peru. The company updated on its Mexican projects: Exploration at El Oro in Estado de Mexico has been put on hold, whilst Sun River Gold (who has an option in the El Oro mine tailings) has been advancing permitting and providing some cash flow through advances on the Net Profit Interest due once in production. “Negotiations are also underway with Mexican groups regarding both upgrades and financing commitments to make the San Dieguito de Arriba (“SDA”) Plant in Western Mexico fully operational. Xali Gold terminated the previously announced agreement (see January 18, 2023 News Release) with Minera Cinco Reales S.A. de C.V. (“MCR”) earlier this month due to MCR’s lack of progress”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Aura Minerals Inc. released its 2022 sustainability report, with a 62% reduction in frequency rates of accidents, 92% of water recycling and establishing a decarbonization plan with the goal of reducing GHG emissions by 5% from 2020 levels by 2023.

On the image below: Silicified vein ridges on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico; Highlights on the Second Week of June 2023

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 23rd week of the year (June 5th to May 11th, 2023), 14 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. One company informed on exploration at one of its properties, two companies informed on quarterly reports and one on its financing dependant plans to resume mining. Two companies updated on private placements and one announced the payment of dividends. One company released drilling results on its advanced property in Zacatecas. One company informed on its path to a legal battle with the Mexican government and one other on solving issues related to disclosure of refinancing. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Newmont’s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas suspended operations due to a strike over profit sharing schemes.  relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Zacatecas, Radius Gold informed on current work and targeting process at Tropico. ON MINING, Santacruz Silver Mining released Q4 and full year 2022 financial and operating reports, Golden Minerals reported results for Q4 2022, full year 2022 and Q1 2023. ON FINANCING, Radius Gold closed its placement for $1.95 M in gross proceeds. Luca Mining closed the second tranche of its placement, accruing $20.75 M, and settled debt by issuing $8.6 M in shares. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Defiance Silver released results from drilling at the Veta Grande system in the Zacatecas District. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Silver Bull intends to seek US$178 M in compensation from the Mexican government over its reluctance to terminate an illegal blockade at its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Sierra Metals announced its meeting materials with respect to certain disclosure relating to refinancing with its major lenders. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • Newmont Corp. announced on June 8th, 2023, the suspension of operations at the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. The company refutes claims by the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of the Mexican Republic regarding the violation of legal regulations and labor agreements. The Company urged the Union to abide by the mutually agreed Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated and signed by both parties in June of 2022. The Union is demanding an increase in the uncapped profit sharing benefit provided for in the CBA from 10 percent to 20 percent, representing a 100 percent increase. “Prior to the strike action, Newmont attempted, in good faith, to resolve disputes regarding the provisions in the CBA, negotiated and signed by both parties for the period of June 2022 through June 2024. This agreement covered a range of benefits, including an annual profit sharing provision based on a consistent calculation formula. ….. On May 30, 2023, Minera Peñasquito paid all eligible employees the mutually agreed upon 10 percent profit sharing benefit for 2023, accurately and on time”.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Radius Gold Inc. informed on new targets defined at its Tropico project in Zacatecas. In the three months since acquisition Radius has completed geological mapping, surface rock sampling and a deep penetrating CSMAT geophysical survey, establishing a hotspring type sinter, a breccia pipe and a strong resistive feature named Capricorn interpreted as a second potential breccia pipe structure. “The Tropico gold system is roughly oval shaped, 450m long by 250m wide orientated NNE”.

ON MINING

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported its financial and operating results for Q4 2022 and the full year. During the year the company processed 1.65 M tonnes to produce 5.6 M Oz Ag, 10,065 tonnes Pb, 72,533 tonnes Zn, 1,287 tonnes Cu (or 14.4 M Oz AgEq), at cash cost $17.58 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $20.93. At Zimapan, in Hidalgo, 822.1 K tonnes were processed in the period, averaging 73 gpt Ag, 2.13% Zn, 0.65% Pb, 0.37% Cu, to produce 1.29 M Oz Ag, 3,923 tonnes Pb, 12,087 tonnes Zn, 1,287 tonnes Cu (or 3.31 M Oz AgEq). Revenue was $278.6 M. and the adjusted EBITDA $11.4 M.
  • Golden Minerals Co. announced that it plans to restart Au-Ag mining operations at its Velardeña properties in Durango, subject to receipt of sufficient capital. The plan envisages starting with four active stopes with processing at Velardeña’s plant flotation facility at 80 tonnes per day (tpd), and reach a steady rate of 325 tpd by the end of the year. “The Company needs to raise additional cash in the very near term, whether through the sale of non-core assets or equity financing, including the use of its ATM program. In the absence of sufficient asset sales, equity financing or other external funding the Company’s cash balance is expected to be depleted early in the third quarter of 2023. If financing or asset sales are not available to us, we could be forced to liquidate our business”.
  • Gatos Silver Inc. reported results for Q1 2023, Q4 2022 and full year 2022. In 2022 the Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua processed 971.6 K tonnes at a daily rate of 2,662 tonnes, averaging 368 gpt Ag, 4.37% Zn, 2,31% Pb, 0.33 gpt Au, recovering 89.8% Ag, 64.8% Zn, 88.7% Pb, 52.0% Au, to produce 10.32 M Oz Ag, 60.7 M Lb Zn, 43.9 M Lb Pb, 5,350 K Oz Au. For Q1 2023, 260.4 K tonnes were milled at 2,894 tpd, averaging 329 gpt Ag, 3.93% Zn, 1.86% Pb, 0.30 gpt Au, recovering 88.3% Ag, 62.2% Zn, 88.6% Pb, 55.3% Au, to produce 2.43 M Oz Ag, 14.0 M Lb Zn, 9.5 M Lb Pb, 1,380 Oz Au. “The Company had a cash balance of $10.5 million and debt outstanding of $9 million related to its credit facility as of May 31, 2023”. The Los Gatos Joint Venture continues to generate cash, with a cash balance of $78.9 M at May 31, 2023.

ON FINANCING

  • Radius Gold Inc. closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds od $1.95 M. (Tropico, Zacatecas).
  • Alamos Gold Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.025 per common share. “The Company has paid dividends for 14 consecutive years during which time $304 million has been returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, including $20 million thus far in 2023” (Mulatos, Sonora).
  • Luca Mining Corp., formerly Altaley Mining Corp., closed the second tranche of its previously announced private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $20.75 M. Concurrently, the company also settled a loan in the amount of $3.7 M in consideration of the issuance of shares and a second debt settlement of $4.9 M by also issuing shares. Incentive stock options were issued to directors, officers and employees for a total of 4.4 M shares and a further 250 K options to two marketing and investor relations advisors. “Due to continued strong demand, the Company has determined it will extend its previously announced private placement” to June 30, 2023 (Campo Morado, Guerrero).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Defiance Silver Corp. released results from drilling at the Zacatecas District project in Zacatecas. Highlighted core length results comprise 4.80 m @ 349 gpt Ag, 0.14 gpt Au, 0.14% Pb, 0.35% Zn (including 1.32 m @ 1,264 gpt Ag, 0.52 gpt Au, 0.51% Pb, 1.20% Zn); 4.65 m @ 144 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.18% Zn (including 0.84 m @ 728 gpt Ag, 0.32 gpt Au, 0.17% Pb, 0.72% Zn); 1.01 m @ 237 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au; 41.83 m @ 157 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.16% Zn (including 15.96 m @ 380 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.12% Pb, 0.37% Zn, which includes 1.00 m @ 2,350 gpt Ag, 0.51 gpt Au, 0.77% Pb, 2.78% Zn); 5.52 m @ 144 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.33% Zn. The holes were testing the Veta Grande structure in or near the San Acacio resource area.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. has taken significant steps in its pursuit of compensation regarding the Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Under NAFTA rules the company attended a meeting with government officials on its claim of seeking damages resulting from the unlawful blockade at its project, and the government failure to solve it. “The next phase of the process entails the Company filing a Request for Arbitration in mid-June, formally commencing the arbitration proceedings. The claim filed by Silver Bull will be for not less than US$178 million dollars”.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. announced that its meeting materials for its June 28, 2023 annual and special meeting of shareholders will be filed under its directory on the “System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com on Wednesday, June 7, 2023”. The company has received enquiries from shareholders with respect to “certain disclosure in its May 30, 2023 news release announcing the refinancing with its major lenders” and the refinancing agreement (Bolivar, Chihuahua).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Epidote lined fracture on igneous rocks of a copper project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of May 2023

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By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 21st week of the year (May 22nd to May 28th, 2023), 15 companies working in Mexico posted news releases. Four companies informed on exploration on their properties, two companies informed on Q1 2023 or full-year 2023 production/financial results. One company announced the granting of share options to directors, officers and consultants. Five companies released drilling results on their advanced properties in Durango, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Guerrero. Two more companies informed on the acquisition/sale of projects. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aztec Minerals completed a surface exploration program at Cervantes; Infinitum copper started drilling at La Adelita. In Durango, Silver Dollar is organizing the database of the Nora project. In Oaxaca, Vortex Metals initiated surface geological work at Riqueza Marina. ON MINING, Impact Silver and Guanajuato Silver released Q1 2023 production reports. ON FINANCING, Silver Viper granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver released results from drilling at the Avino mine in Durango. Heliostar Metals reported drilling results from the high-grade portion of the Ana Paula deposit in Guerrero. Capitan Mining provided an exploration update on the Cruz de Piedra project in Durango. Prime Mining reported drilling results from Los Reyes in Sinaloa. Discovery Silver released results from the feasibility study drilling at Cordero, in Chihuahua. GR Silver Mining released results from step-our holes at San Marcial, which is part of the Plomosas project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Tarachi Gold closed the sale of the Magistral tailings project in Durango. Silver Dollar completed the acquisition of the La Joya project in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Torex Gold released its 2022 ESG performance report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • No relevant News.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Aztec Minerals Corp. received sampling results and completed its phase 1 surface exploration program at Cervantes, in Sonora. Detailed geological mapping and continued chip channel sampling of exposed road cuts were carried out. The “surface road cut sampling and detailed geologic mapping has verified the strong relationships found between the quartz feldspar porphyritic intrusive, phyllic alteration and gold mineralization… Quartz veinlet intensity mapping shows strong correlation to the drill hole gold grade-thickness”. The phase 2 exploration program comprises a reverse circulation drilling campaign to expand the California target in all directions. To date Aztec has competed over 10,500 m of drilling on 54 holes at the Cervantes project.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. provided a progress report on the Nora project in Durango. Silver Dollar received all historical technical information from Canasil and is “organizing it into a database to analyze, interpret and then plan the next phase”. There are 13 diamond holes from Canasil’s 2020-2021 drilling campaign with a total of 3,296 m testing 500 m of the Candy structure, returning up to 3.29 m @ 6.44 gpt Au, 884 gpt Ag and 1.53 m @ 20.59 gpt Au, 1,290 gpt Ag.
  • Infinitum Copper Corp. commenced drilling at its 6,450 ha La Adelita property in Sonora. The 2,500 m diamond drilling program with 15 holes is designed to expand the high-grade mineralized area at the Cerro Grande zone and to test for mineralization at depth at Las Trancas zone. Drilling is aimed to extend the north-south extent of mineralization to 500 m and step out up to 700 m west of the known mineralization. At Las Trancas, 5 Km from Cerro Grande, the Sangre de Toro feature is to be tested with the first drilling in the area for the presence of a large mineralized structure.
  • Vortex Metals Inc. initiated surface geological work at its 12,041 ha Riqueza Marina project in Oaxaca. As the Santa Cruz Tagolaba community granted approval, Vortex can now commence work, including trenching, over an area including the Rhyolite Dome target, where substantial size and coincident gravity and magnetic anomalies along with anomalous copper values are interpreted to reflect a concealed sulfide deposit.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and operating results for Q1 2023. At its Royal Mines of Zacualpan mine operations, in Estado de Mexico, 38.7 K tonnes were milled during the period, averaging 162 gpt Ag, to produce 167 K Oz Ag. Reported revenue was $5.1 M, mine operating earning $0.6 M and the net loss $0.6 M, with a working capital of $15.7 M and a cash position of $14.3 M by the end of the period.
  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced financial and operating results for Q1 2023. During the period the company produced 458.8 K Oz Ag, 4,413 Oz Au, 0.91 M Lb Pb, 1.15 M Lb Zn (or 938 K Oz AgEq) at El Cubo Mines Complex, Valenciana Mines Complex and San Ignacio mine, in Guanajuato, and Topia mine, in Durango. Revenue was US$17.1 M, with a net loss of US$8.7 M. The All-in sustaining cost (AISC) was $21.83 per AgEq. Infrastructure upgrades to deliver improvement in 2023 include Falcon concentrators at El Cubo and Valenciana, the rehabilitation of the Cata Shaft already completed and the implementation of hydraulic backfilling of tailings at Valenciana.

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. granted 5.15 M incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants to purchase up to 5.15 M common shares in the capital of Silver Viper. (La Virginia, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. released the results of ten drill holes from below Level 17, the current deepest workings of the Avino mine in Durango. The Avino vein has been drilled to a depth of 1,100 m downdip from the surface outcrop. A total of ten holes in this campaign totalled 3,414 m. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 2.61 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 75 gpt Ag, 2.58% Cu; 19.90 m @ 0.02 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.29% Cu; 3.00 m @ 0.99 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag, 0.08% Cu; 35.73 m @ 0.14 gpt Au, 28 gpt Ag, 0.65% Cu; 48.40 m @ 0.08 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag, 0.55% Cu; 36.00 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag, 0.81% Cu; 1.30 m @ 0.05 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag, 2.28% Cu. “The changing tenor of the mineralization could be reflecting a transition from epithermal to porphyry-style mineralization”.
  • Heliostar Metals Ltd. reported its first drill results from the Ana Paula project in Guerrero. The first two holes drilled by Heliostar targeted the “High Grade Panel” at the core of Ana Paula. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 118.55 m @ 5.44 gpt Au (including 44.5 m @ 11.0 gpt Au, which include 4.0 m @ 48.5 gpt Au); 101.12 m @ 8.35 gpt Au (including 53.2 m @ 11.0 gpt Au). “the High Grade Panel is approximately 250 metres long by 100 metres high by 60 metres thick… hosted primarily in a polymictic breccia unit, although it extends outward into the surrounding granodiorite and limestone. Gold mineralization is directly associated with the proportion of sulphide minerals in the rock”. Heliostar is re-evaluating the project as a high-grade underground mine.
  • Capitan Mining Inc. provided an exploration update on its Cruz de Plata project in Durango. New interpretation points to the Jesus Maria vein to have a potential strike length of 2.8 km, the Santa Teresa vein of 1.8 km and the San Rafael North vein of 1.3 km before going under cover. The Capitan East gold target has a potential strike of at least 500 m. Seven targets have been recently defined by mapping and prospecting.
  • Prime Mining Corp. reported results from core drilling at the Z-T area on Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intervals comprise 11.6 m @ 3.33 gpt Au, 221 gpt Ag (including 1.0 m @ 24.0 gpt Au, 1,385 gpt Ag); 9.8 m @ 1.52 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag (including 1.5 m @ 7.94 gpt Au, 61 gpt Ag); 4.5 m @ 1.03 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag in the Tahonitas zone and 13.8 m @ 0.96 gpt Au, 27 gpt Ag; 8.5 m @ 0.84 gpt Au, 14 gpt Ag; 15.9 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 37 gpt Ag; 8.5 m @ 1.01 gpt Au, 23 gpt Ag at the Zapote South zone. The results are from step out holes to expand mineralization at depth below the Z-T resource pit shell. Prime Mining recently announced a mineral resource estimate containing 1.47 M indicated Oz AuEq averaging 1.68 gpt and 0.73 M inferred Oz AuEq averaging 1.26 gpt.
  • Discovery Silver Corp. released results from feasibility study drill holes on its Cordero project in Chihuahua. The reserve expansion drilling highlighted core length intercepts comprise 41 m @ 63 gpt Ag, 0.09 gpt Au, 1.2% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 8 m @ 195 gpt Ag, 0.23 gpt Au, 2.2% Pb, 4.1% Zn; 37 m @ 58 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 104 m @ 37 gpt Ag; 0.04 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 51 m @ 51 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 0.9% Zn. The results are from 23 drill holes focused on reserve upgrade and expansion in the South Corridor and reserve expansion drilling on the margins of the Pozo de Plata zone in the North Corridor. To date 49,700 m of drilling in 156 holes have been completed as part of the feasibility study. A 9,000 m property wide drilling program is planned for the second half of the year.
  • GR Silver Mining Ltd. released results from two step-out holes outside of the mineral resource boundary at San Marcial, within the Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length results comprise 18.8 m @ 145 gpt Ag, 0.04 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn (including 4.2 m @ 466 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn); 11.3 m @ 584 gpt Ag, 0.05 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6 % Zn (including 5.5 m @ 1,084 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 1.0% Zn). These holes targeted the extension of the SE Area discovery, 250 m to the southeast.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Tarachi Gold Corp. closed the transaction with Compañía Minera de Atocha S.A. de C.V. for the sale of the Magistral project in Durango. Tarachi expects to receive cash payments totalling US$5.7 M from Atocha, of which US$3.05 M have already been received. The balance is to be paid as follows: US$500 K when Atocha concludes negotiations with land owner Ejido Magistral, or after 12 months; US$500 K on November 2023; US$500 K when 50% of the tailings have been mined, sold or processed, or after the first calendar year of operation at the project; US$500 K when 100% of the Magistral tailings have been mined, sold or processed, or after the second calendar year of operation and “The amount of value-added tax currently owing as that tax benefit is realized by Atocha during operations and product sales from the Magistral Project will be paid to Tarachi”, estimated at US$650 K.
  • Silver Dollar Resources Inc. completed the exercise of its option and now hold 100% interest in the 4,646 ha La Joya project, located in Durango. For gaining 80% interest the company paid First Majestic Silver a total of $700 K plus annual holding costs, incurred in $1 M exploration expenditures and issued First Majestic 19.9% (5.15 M shares) of the then issued and outstanding shares of the company. To obtain the remaining 20% Silver Dollar issued 2 M shares, 5% of the then issued and outstanding shares of the company, to First Majestic, which now owns 18.2% of the outstanding shares of the company.    

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. released its 2022 Responsible Gold Mining Report, the annual disclosure of its environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. Among other accomplishments, the company achieved 10 M hours worked without a lost-time injury, ending 2022 with a lost-time injury frequency of 0.28 per million hours worked by its employees and contractors. Almost 60% of the water usage is recycled, 44% less cyanide has been consumed than in 2021. Mexican employees are 99% of the work force, and 60% from Guerrero, where the operations are carried out.

On the image below: Mine dumps in a copper project of the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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

/ Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett                                             

During the 17th week of the year (April 24th to April 30th, 2023), 17 companies working in Mexico released news on their work. Five companies informed on exploration on their properties, six companies informed on Q1 2023 or full-year 2023 production/financial results. Two companies announced the closing and opening of financing rounds. A company corrected assay information on a previously issued drill intercept; one other provided an update on its intention to sue the Mexican government under a NAFTA legacy claim regarding the lack of action to terminate an illegal blockade. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Canada’s ministry of International Commerce, Mary Ng, expressed the preoccupation of foreign investors on the incoming changes to the Mining Law. The Mining Law was passed on Saturday morning by the Senate, and is set to return discretionary powers to the State on mining concessions. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Prismo Metals released assays from surface sampling at its Los Pavitos property; Regency Silver released good results from deep drilling at its Dios Padre project; Colibri Resource released results from drilling at Evelyn project. In Zacatecas, Radius Gold updated on exploration work at the Tropico property. ON MINING, Sierra Metals, Mag Silver, Santacruz Silver, Alamos Gold, Pan American Silver and Agnico Eagle released Q1 2023 production reports. ON FINANCING, Silver Viper closed a private placement for $3.3 M; Radius Gold is to raise $1.75 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Oroco Resource corrected assay results from one hole, previously issued last week, from its Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Guanajuato Silver informed on managerial changes. Silver Bull is to sue the Mexican government if a deal is not reached on an incoming meeting regarding the lack of action by the government to terminate an illegal blockade on its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila. Prismo Metals and Vizsla Silver formalized the joint technical committee to oversee exploration of the Panuco district in Sinaloa, with Peter Megaw, Craig Gibson and Jesus Velador as members. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, no relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The ministry of International Commerce of Canada, Mary Ng, expressed to Raquel Buenrostro, head of the Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) the preoccupation of foreign investors on the changes to the Mining Law, and the negative implications on North America supply chains.
  • The Senate Commission on Regional Development and Legislative Studies approved without changes, by the ruling party coalition senators of Morena, PT, PVEM and PES parties, the reforms to the Mining Law, National Waters Law, Ecologic Equilibrium Law, Environment Law, and the General Law for prevention and Comprehensive Treatment of Tailings in Matter of Mining and Water Concessions. Among the changes is the reduction of mining concessions validity from 100 to 80 years (under certain conditions), the instauration of an auction system by the government for mining concessions, establishing that the concession title is to be issued AFTER the environmental, labor, energy, social and any other federal permit needed have been received (Note by Editor. – Speaking of putting the cart before the horse).
  • On the changes to the Mining Law. (Note by editor) The reform to the Mining Law is directed to regain quasi absolute control of mining concessions by the government, establishing rules under which the concessions can be revoked on grounds of indigenous population, community issues, environmental issues and water scarcity, all on which the government plays the role of judge and party. This is part of a broader drive by the president to concentrate power in himself and his government coalition before the 2024 presidential elections.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Prismo Metals Inc. released assays results from 354 surface samples on its 5,289 hectare Los Pavitos project in Sonora. Results from Las Auras are up to 0.5 m @ 14.35 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 12.25 gpt Au, while at Santa Cruz assays are up to 0.5 m @ 5.48 gpt Au, 269 gpt Ag; 1.5 m @ 1.0 gpt Au, 543 gpt Ag. “Las Auras is characterized by northwest trending veins and shears hosted in intrusions, while Santa Cruz is dominated by northeast trending veins that follow sedimentary bedding”. Drilling is expected to begin in Q2 2023.
  • Regency Silver Corp. released results from two follow-up holes from the last drilling round discovery at the Dios Padre project in Sonora. Seven holes have been completed for a total of 4,251 m, of which six have intersected the targeted “pyrite +/- specularite +/- chalcopyrite supported breccia zone that hosts Au-Cu mineralization”. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 18.15 m @ 0.24 gpt Au; 8.3 m @ 0.62 gpt Au; 19.25 m @ 0.19 gpt Au; 16.2 m @ 0.39 gpt Au; 20.65 m @ 0.51 gpt Au (including 9.2 m @ 1.06 gpt Au); 35.9 m @ 5.51 gpt Au; 128.35 m @ 0.84 gpt Au (including 21.3 m @ 0.54 gpt Au and 57.95 m @ 1.49 gpt Au), and 95.5 m @ 0.2% Cu; 34.35 m @ 0.42% Cu (including 12.05 m @ 0.98% Cu); 25.4 m @ 0.43% Cu; 23.9 m @ 0.19% Cu; and 15.1 m @ 19.2 gpt Ag. “Geophysical Induced-Polarity (IP) survey confirms robust anomaly connecting near surface response from Dios Padre silver mine down-dip to current Au-Cu mineralization being targeted in ongoing drill program, outlining a ~1000m long by ~900 m wide zone of strongly chargeable rock”.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. signed a contract for a 2,500 m drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in the Panuco District in Sinaloa. “The drill program is designed to test the 65% of the strike length of the Palos Verdes vein that has not yet been drilled. It is believed that potential for a large ore shoot is present similar to the drilling accomplished by Vizsla Silver on their adjacent land package is present on Prismo’s concession. Previous drilling has intersected high grade mineralization with the best intercept of 2,336 g/t Ag and 8.42 g/t Au over a true width estimated at 0.8 meters within a larger mineralized interval with 1,098 g/t Ag and 3.75 g/t Au over a true width of 2.3 meters”.
  • Radius Gold Inc. provided an update on the Tropico target in Zacatecas. “Radius geologists identified an elliptical zone of intensely silicified hydrothermal breccias approximately 450 m x 250 m. Several of the outcrops and float blocks are composed of chalcedonic and opaline sinter. The Tropico breccia is hosted within finely bedded siltstones and dirty limestones …”. Radius has an access agreement with the local community and land owners, has completed the geological mapping, contracted CSAMAT and IP geophysical surveys and is preparing for drilling upon receipt of the permits.
  • Colibri Resource Corp. provided assays results from 1,062 m of core drilling in three holes and 1,205 m of reverse circulation drilling in five holes at its Evelyn project in Sonora. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 34.70 m @ 0.28 gpt Au (including 5.65 m @ 1.00 gpt Au); 4.50 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 4.05 m @ 1.52 gpt Au (including 0.75 m @ 7.54 gpt Au). Highlighted RC intervals comprise 29.00 m @ 0.47 gpt Au (including 2.00 m @ 3.35 gpt Au and 6.00 m @ 0.97 gpt Au); 15.00 m @ 0.18 gpt Au; 20.00 m @ 0.11 gpt Au; 2.00 m @ 1.85 gpt Au; 10.00 m @ 0.47 gpt Au (including 2.0 m @ 1.10 gpt Au and 2.0 m @ 1.04 gpt Au). Colibri also released results from a “short hole” drilling program designed to explore under extensive alluvial cover, completing 1,548 m in 130 vertical holes at 25 m centers. Of the 954 samples (1 m width) recovered, 20% returned greater than 0.05 gpt Au, 11% greater than 0.1 gpt Au and 4 samples returned more than 0.7 gpt Au, peaking at 3.31 gpt Au.

ON MINING

  • Sierra Metals Inc. announced first quarter 2023 production results, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Bolivar, in Chihuahua, 299 K tonnes were processed at a rate of 3,417 tonnes per day (tpd), grading 0.87% Cu, 17.4 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, recovering 94.2% Cu, 84% Ag, 69.5% Au, to produce 5.39 M Lb Cu, 140 K Oz Ag, 3,037 Oz Au (7.6 M Lb CuEq). At Cusi (a non-core asset), in Chihuahua, 59.1 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 676 tpd, grading 141.8 gpt Ag, 0.13 gpt Au, 0.24% Pb, recovering 86.3% Ag, 46.6% Au, 88.7% Pb, to produce 343 K Oz Ag, 119 Oz Au, 282 K Lb Pb.
  • Mag Silver Corp. reported production from the Juanicipio project (56% Fresnillo PLC– 44% Mag Silver) for Q1 2023. During the period 222 K tonnes grading 363 gpt Ag were processed to produce 2.25 M Oz Ag, 6,047 Oz Au. About 30% of that ore was processed at the Juanicipio beneficiation plant and the focus now is to attain the 4,000 tpd nameplate capacity on a sustained basis and achieve commercial production.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported full year 2022 production, with figures on its Mexican operations. At Zimapan, in Hidalgo, 215 K tonnes were milled averaging 71 gpt Ag, 2.19% Zn, 0.63% Pb, 0.40% Cu, recovering 61.5% Ag to produce 301.2 K Oz Ag, 3,098 tonnes Cu, 1,036 tonnes Pb, 569 tonnes Cu (903.1 K Oz AgEq). The company had a consolidated production of 4.77 Moz AgEq. “Mine development was focused on opening higher grade stoping areas in Carrizal mine along with high productivity areas in Monte mine. Exploration efforts have been refocused to expand current mine resources”.
  • Alamos Gold Inc. reported its financial results for Q1 2023, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At the Mulatos district in Sonora 50,500 Oz Au were produced at cash cost $839 per Oz Au and mine-site all-in sustaining cost of $914 per Oz Au. At La Yaqui Grande mine, 1.0 M tonnes of ore were mined, 5.83 M tonnes of waste moved (waste to ore ratio of 5.64), with 1.02 M tonnes stacked averaging 1.55 gpt Au, containing 50,992 Oz Au, crushed at 11,329 tpd, with a recovery of 75% Au. At the Mulatos mine, 1.0 M tonnes of ore were mined, 0.61 M tonnes of waste moved (waste to ore ratio of 0.61), with 1.23 M tonnes stacked averaging 0.92 gpt Au, containing 36,541 Oz Au, crushed at 13,700 tpd, with a recovery of 33%. For 2023 the company expects to produce between 175-185 K Oz Au at cash cost $900 – $950 per Oz Au.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. provided its guidance for year 2023 production and costs, including figures for its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, the company expects to produce 5.5 – 5.9 M Oz Ag, 3,000 Oz Au. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, production is estimated at 2.2 – 2.5 M Oz Ag, 98,000 – 107,000 Oz Au.
  • Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. reported first quarter 2023 results, including figures from its Mexican operations. At Pinos Altos, in Chihuahua, 364 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 4,044 tonnes, averaging 2.16 gpt Au, to produce 24,134 Oz Au at cash cost 1,364 per Oz Au and total cash cost of $1,116 per Oz Au. At La India, in Sonora, 660 K tonnes were processed at a daily rate of 7,333 tonnes, averaging 0.68 gpt Au, to produce 16,321 Oz Au at production cost of $1,231 per Oz Au and total cash costs of $1,308 per Oz Au. At San Nicolás, in Zacatecas, the 50/50 joint venture with Teck Resources Ltd. was completed, and the completion of a feasibility study is planned for 2024.

ON FINANCING

  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the final tranche of its non brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1.92 M. In total the company raised $3.3 M. Silver Viper is to pay $123.8 K in finder’s fees in connection with this offering, in addition to $40 K paid as finder’s fee on previous tranches. (La Virginia, Sonora).
  • Radius Gold Inc. is to proceed with a non-brokered private placement aiming to rise a minimum of $1.75 M (Amalia, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Oroco Resources Corp. announced a correction to the assay results from one drillhole released last week from its Santo Tomás project in Sinaloa. The corrected results from hole N044 went from 352.5 m grading 0.83% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 0.072 gpt Au, 6.26 gpt Ag (0.93% CuEq), to 352.5 m grading 0.42% Cu, 0.006% Mo, 0.036 gpt Au, 3.13 gpt Ag (0.46% CuEq), roughly half the previously reported values.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES             

  • Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. announced Hernan Dorado Smith will take the position of Chief Strategy Officer and Mario Valdez has been promoted to Co-Chief Operating Officer, sharing the position of COO with Ramon Davila (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
  • Silver Bull Resources Inc. provided an update regarding its legacy North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) claim against Mexico. The company seeks to recover economic damages resulting from the illegal blockade of its Sierra Mojada project in Coahuila since September 2019. The illegal blockade has been allowed by the government to continue, despite numerous demands and requests by the company. Silver Bull will be seeking to recover no less than US178 M in damages suffered as a result of Mexico’s breach of NAFTA obligations. A meeting with government officials is scheduled on May 30, 2023 to reach, if possible, an amicable solution. If a settlement is not reached, a request for arbitration will be filed on June 2, 2023 with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
  • Prismo Metals Inc. and Vizsla Silver Corp. formalized the establishment of a joint technical committee which will allow for the pursuit of district-scale exploration of the Panuco district in Sinaloa. The committee is to be comprised by Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO of Prismo, Jesus Velador, Vice President Exploration of Vizsla and Dr. Peter Megaw, Chief Operating Officer of Mag Silver Corp.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • No Relevant News.

On the image below: Sheeted quartz veining on a coarse-grained intrusive rock in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.