The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of July, 2022

July 10, 2022 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 27^th week of the year (June 4^th to July 10^th, 2022), at least 26 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, three companies posted exploration advances on their properties, one company poured its first gold and silver, one presented production results for the second quarter. Four companies reported on the opening or closing of financing rounds for a total of US$4.5 M and C$13.3 M, one company reported on a relevant investor share purchase. Five companies posted on work at its advanced properties, one company is to produce a PFS report and one other presented a NI 43-101 compliant report on reserves and resources of its recently acquired mine. One company informed on details of government resolutions on its mining concessions and an incoming indigenous consult. One more company agreed with the Union representing its workforce on a profit-sharing scheme. The completion of the acquisition of a large silver property was announced. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Mining companies on the BMV are resenting the lower prices on metals. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tocvan Ventures released surface sample results from El Picacho. In Chihuahua, Golden Minerals reported drilling results from nine holes at Yoquivo. In Zacatecas, Zacatecas Silver released drilling results at the El Cristo project, within its Zacatecas Silver concessions. ON MINING, SilverCrest Metals reported the first pour of gold and silver on its Las Chispas mine in Sonora. Endeavour Silver presented Q2 production results. ON FINANCING, Sonoro Gold closed its oversubscribed financing for $3 M. Silver Viper Minerals closed the final tranche of the private placement raising $306 K. Guanajuato Silver increased its private placement to C$13.3 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Zacatecas Silver is to prepare a PFS on its Esperanza project in Morelos. Bear Creek Mining filed a NI 43-101 compliant report on reserves and resources for its Mercedes mine in Sonora. GoGold Resources released results from drilling at El Favor deposit on its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Vizsla Silver reported drilling results from the San Antonio vein at the Panuco project in Sinaloa. Torex Gold released results from resource expansion and exploratory drilling in the broader Media Luna area in Guerrero. Mithril Resources released drilling results from El Refugio at its Copalquin project in Durango. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Almaden Minerals has been notified its Ixtaca mining concessions in Puebla are “ineffective”, but the filing of applications made in conformity with the law. Newmont Corp. reached a profit-sharing agreement with the Union representing the workforce of its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Endeavour Silver completed the acquisition of the Pitarrilla project in Durango. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Almaden Resources will participate on a pilot program conducted by United Nations Expert Group Resource Management and the Economy Secretariat on sustainable development. Grupo Mexico continues to work on cultural development of mining communities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Mining companies on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) impacted by lower metal prices. From the start of the year to now, Industrias Peñoles shares have fallen 21.7%, Fresnillo 23.2%, Frisco 16.9% and Grupo Mexico 8.9%. During the year the year gold has depreciated 5.2%, silver 18.2% and copper 21.6%.

ON EXPLORATION

Tocvan Ventures Corp. released surface rock sample results from its El Picacho project in Sonora. A total of 65 samples were collected at the Murcielago prospect, of which 14 returned values over 0.1 gpt Au. Selected results from the sampling program comprise 7.19 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag, 4.3% Pb; 4.52 gpt Au, 197 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu; 4.8% Pb, 7.1% Zn; 3.25 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag, 1.6% Pb; 2.71 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 1.9% Zn; 2.71 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag, 1.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 2.18 gpt Au, 15 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 1.50 gpt Au, 176 gpt Ag, 1.2% Zn. The samples are from a brecciated dolomitic limestone unit along a 450 m long trend with historic artisanal workings showing significant lead and zinc mineralization with gold and silver, in Jurassic sedimentary rocks.
Golden Minerals Co. reported results from the first nine holes on the third drill program at its Yoquivo project in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width results comprise 80.1 m @ 0.89 gpt Au, 64 gpt Ag (including 8.2 m @ 3.93 gpt Au, 120 gpt Ag; which includes 2.2 m @ 10.21 gpt Au, 139 gpt Ag); 0.4 m @ 30.80 gpt Au, 5,260 gpt Ag; 4.2 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 229 gpt Ag; 1.7 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 355 gpt Ag. “This most recent drilling has focused on testing the Pertenencia vein system to extend the known mineralized strike length into previously untested areas. The Pertenencia vein has continued to return strong gold-silver grades, and the vein remains open to depth and to the north”.
Zacatecas Silver Corp. released results from drilling at El Cristo project, on its Zacatecas Silver property in Zacatecas. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 9.53 m @ 167 gpt Ag; 1.45 m @ 11 gpt Ag, 0.18 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.6% Zn; 0.8 m @ 94 gpt Ag; 1.08 m @ 90 gpt Ag; 0.65 m @ 1.2 gpt Au, 565 gpt Ag, 1.3% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 1.2 m @ 134 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.2% Zn; 4.36 m @ 48 gpt Ag, 0.19 gpt Au, 1.5% Pb, 2.7% Zn; 0.5 m @ 20 gpt Ag, 0.23 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 17.5% Zn. The epithermal intermediate sulfidation system at El Cristo crops out within a dilational zone that is at least 4 km long and up to 600 m wide.

ON MINING

SilverCrest Metals Inc. reported the first pour of silver and gold at Las Chispas mine, in Sonora. The plant commissioning is on track to reach its 1,250 tonnes per day capacity. “The plant started in late May 2022 and milled an estimated 12,700 tonnes of low-grade ore during June 2022”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. presented second quarter production results of 1.36 M Oz Ag, 9,289 Oz Au, or 2.1 M Oz AgEq. At Guanaceví, in Durango, 94 K tonnes were processed at 1,045 tonnes per day (tpd), grading 465 gpt Ag, 1.37 gpt Au, recovering 85.0% Ag, 88.9% Au, to produce 1.19 M Oz Ag, 3,680 Oz Ag. At Bolañitos, in Guanajuato, 107.3 K tonnes were processed at 1,193 tpd, averaging 54 gpt Ag, 1.77 gpt Au, recovering 88.6% Ag, 91.8% Au, to produce 165 K Oz Ag, 5,609 Oz Au. On other developments: Recent drilling has intercepted high-grade gold and silver at Guanceví; Drilling continued to intersect high-grade mineralization on the La Colorada structure at Parral, in Chihuahua; In the coming months the company expects to make a formal construction decision on La Terronera, in Jalisco.

ON FINANCING

Sonoro Gold Corp. closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $3 M (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Starcore International Mines Ltd. approved a non-brokered private placement in July 4, 2022, to raise up to $1.2 M in gross proceeds. On the next day Starcore reported the closing of the placement confirming $1.2 M in gross proceeds (El Creston, Sonora; San Martin, Queretaro).
Sonoro Gold Corp. informed that R. Stuart Angus reported the acquisition in June of $485 K in shares of Sonoro Gold, operation after which he owns 9.95 M shares and 8.35 M warrants of the corporation, representing 7.1% of the outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis and 12.4% on a partially diluted basis (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
Silver Viper Minerals Corp. closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $306 K (La Virginia, Sonora).
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. expanded the size of its previously announced brokered private placement to C$13.3 M with the option to increase the financing an additional 15%. (Topia, Durango; El Cubo, Guanajuato).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Zacatecas Silver Corp. announced the engagement of Palaris Ltd. to lead a pre-feasibility study (PFS) on the Esperanza project in Morelos.
Oroco Resource Corp. resumed drilling at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. Operations started at the end of federal military operations in the area. “Core logging and assaying have continued during the period of drill stoppage, with an improvement in methods of handling and analysis, thereby better preparing the geological team for an increase in the rate of core processing”.
Bear Creek Mining Corp. filed a NI 43-100 compliant technical report on its Mercedes mine, in Sonora. The report provides a mineral reserves and resources estimate to December 31, 2021.
GoGold Resources Inc. released results from six holes from El Favor East deposit at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 18.8 m @ 0.62 gpt Au, 156 gpt Ag (including 7.4 m @ 1.50 gpt Au, 344 gpt Ag); 11.4 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 90 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 0.27 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 2.8 m @ 0.36 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag; 2.0 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 127 gpt Ag; 1.8 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 138 gpt Ag; 2.2 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 227 gpt Ag; 9.3 m @ 0.64 gpt Au, 155 gpt Ag (including 0.7 m @ 5.23 gpt Au, 1,196 gpt Ag); 0.7 m @ 4.34 gpt Au, 1,295 gpt Ag.
Vizsla Silver Corp. reported results from seven holes on the San Antonio vein of the Cordon de Oro corridor at its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 6.40 m @ 5.76 gpt Au, 621 gpt Ag (including 0.57 m @ 34.2 gpt Au, 2,940 gpt Ag); 6.0 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 124 gpt Ag; 4.89 m @ 0.60 gpt Au, 122 gpt Ag; 7.50 m @ 1.15 gpt Au, 213 gpt Ag; 3.15 m @ 2.29 gpt Au, 549 gpt Ag; 4.20 m @ 1.19 gpt Au, 202 gpt Ag; 2.0 m @ 4.75 gpt Au, 355 gpt Ag; 2.01 m @ 1.29 gpt Au, 226 gpt Ag.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. released results from resource expansion and exploratory drilling completed in the broader Media Luna area in Guerrero. The work extends mineralization to the south and west of the EPO deposit and identified a potential new zone of mineralization between the Media Luna deposit and the Media Luna West target. Highlighted true width results comprise 9.73 m @ 8.51 gpt Au, 33 gpt Ag, 1.57% Cu; 17.25 m @ 4.18 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag 1.74% Cu; 35.63 m @ 2.05 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 1.05% Cu; 16.48 m @ 8.70 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag, 0.54% Cu; 6.31 m @ 4.00 gpt Au, 19 gpt Ag, 0.78% Cu; 5.10 m @ 2.79 gpt Au, 9 gpt Ag, 0.27% Cu. Infill, step-out, exploration, ore control and definition drilling budgeted includes $19 M at Media Luna, $6 M at ELG Underground, $9 M in near mine and regional and $5 M in definition and grade control in the ELG open pit and underground. “The Media Luna deposit is hosted within the Mesozoic carbonate-rich Morelos Platform, which has been intruded by Paleocene stocks, sills, and dykes of granodioritic to tonalitic composition. Skarn-hosted gold-silver-copper mineralization is developed within the sedimentary rocks along the contacts of intrusive rocks as well as within altered dykes of the skarn envelope….Mineralization at Media Luna is hosted in skarn that developed at the contact of the intrusive granodiorite and overlying sedimentary rocks. The skarn is characterized by a mineral assemblage of pyroxene, garnet, and magnetite. Metal deposition and sulfidation occurred during retrograde alteration and is associated with a mineral assemblage comprising amphibole, phlogopite, chlorite, and calcite ± quartz ± epidote as well as variable amounts of magnetite and sulfides, primarily pyrrhotite. Additional mineralization is associated with skarn developed within and along dykes and sills above the main granodiorite intrusion”.
Mithril Resources Ltd. released drilling results from deep drilling at El Refugio, at its Copalquin project in Durango. Highlighted core length results comprise 5.67 m @ 4.37 gpt Au, 174 gpt Ag (including 1.67 m @ 9.64 gpt Au, 399 gpt Ag); 1.0 m @ 1.68 gpt Au, 67 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 1.27 gpt Au, 46 gpt Ag; 0.50 m @ 2.13 gpt Au, 118 gpt Ag; 0.90 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 11 gpt Ag.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Almaden Minerals Ltd. informed the Ministry of Economy has officially notified Almaden that the company’s mining concessions titles relating to the Ixtaca project in Puebla are “ineffective”, but that the title applications were filed in conformity with the law. This is understood to mean that “the mineral title has reverted to application status, and that these applications preserve the mineral rights for Almaden but do not allow the Company to engage in exploration, until such time as Economia completes its court-ordered indigenous consultation in the area covered by the mineral title applications”. Almaden also announced that the environmental permit application will be submitted once the Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) and the indigenous consultation process are finalized.
Newmont Corp. announced it has reached a profit-sharing agreement with the Union at its Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas. Newmont will pay its unionized workforce an uncapped profit-sharing bonus up to 10%, “with an immediate cost equivalent of $70 million, which is representative of the payments related to 2021 results”.
Endeavour Silver Corp. announced the completion of its acquisition of the Pitarrilla project in Durango. The deal involved the bought of $70 M in shares from Silver Standard Ventures Inc. subsidiary (SSR Durango S.A. de C.V.) and a further 1.25% NSR on Pitarrilla. Endeavour plans to invest $1.8 M for drilling and exploration to verify the historical data and define a current resource in 2022.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Almaden Minerals Ltd. reported the Ixtaca project in Puebla was selected to be included in a pilot project conducted by the United Nations Expert Group Resource Management (UNRMS) in coordination with Mexico’s Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía). The UNRMS “considers a range of socio-economic, technological, and knowledge factors that are important for the sustainable development of each project”.
Grupo Mexico continues with its support for cultural development of the mining communities. This week the Orchestras and Choruses from Buenavista and La Caridad made a presentation in Hermosillo, Sonora, along with other cultural institutions and organizations, under the event “El Cobre Hecho Arte”.

On the image below: Weathered monzonite porphyry on a project in the Sonoran Desert. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of May, 2022.

May 8, 2022May 8, 2022 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 18^th week of the year (May 2^ndto May 8^th, 2022), at least 23 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and 6 news published by the media, with ten reporting resources and developments of their properties, six commenting on Mexican issues, four disclosing deals and corporate issues, four informing on exploration results, three communicating production and financial results, and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, Torex Gold announced the investment of USD $848M to develop its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Expo Minero Chihuahua 2022 closed its doors with the attendance of 15,610 people. Arcelor Mittal announced that it will invest USD $150M to boost the iron mining in Michoacán. According to Miner Deck, one company working in Mexico participated in the best eight gold intercepts of the week, and two in the best seven silver intercepts of the week. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Aztec Minerals-Kootenay JV released results from California and Jasper targets within its Cervantes project, and Canuc provided an update on its exploration program at its San Javier project. In Chihuahua, Kootenay announced that it will commence a 15,000m drilling program at its Columba project. In Coahuila, Monumental announced the results of a geophysical survey recently completed at its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements project. ON MINING, Altaley reported Q4, and full year 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Coeur Mining reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. Santacruz reported Q4 and full year 2021 consolidated production and financial results from their Mexican operation mines. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Capitan Mining released results from 5 RC holes collared at its Jesus Maria Silver Zone at the Cruz de Plata project (former Peñoles project) in Durango. Zacatecas Silver received permits for 30 drill pads at El Cristo Vein System within its Zacatecas property. Sonoro Gold filed an Environmental Impact Statement or Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) for its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora. Orex-Pan American Silver JV received a permit to drill 2,500-3,000m at its Sandra project in Durango. Southern Silver reported drilling results from its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Silver Dollar released the remaining assay results from the phase 1 drilling program completed at its la Joya project in Durango. Sierra Madre reported results of the last four holes collared at its Tepic project in Nayarit. Golden Tag announced results from 2 holes drilled at its San Diego project in Durango. Guanajuato Silver reported drill results from its ongoing exploration programs at its El Cubo mine and El Pinguico projects in Guanajuato. Prime Mining announced new results from 17 holes drilled at Zapote North and Mariposa areas within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Golden Minerals announced the appointment of its COO (Rodeo project, Durango). Vizsla announced the appointments of its COO and VP of Exploration (Panuco project, Sinaloa). Orogen and the Riverside-BHP JV signed an option agreement for the Llano de Nogal project in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Esperanza Silver de México obtained the support of the Tetlama community in Morelos for the Esperanza project. Alamos Gold has generated 2,200 new jobs in the last two years for the construction of its La Yaqui Grande mine in Sonora.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

Torex Gold Resources Inc., announced the investment of USD $848M to develop its Media Luna project in Guerrero to bring it into commercial production by the end of 2024. The initial capital investment in the Media Luna Project includes USD $85M of underground mine development during the pre-commercial mining period, between Q4, 2023 and Q4, 2024. The initial capital required to develop the Media Luna Project excludes USD $124M of direct project expenses incurred before April 1, 2022, of which USD $37M are related to the Guajes Tunnel and USD $28M to the development of the Upper and Lower South Portal. Of the direct expenses of the project, the largest capital expenditures are related to the development of the underground mine (USD $173M), access to the deposit through the Guajes Tunnel (USD $76M), as well as the Upper and Lower South Portal (USD $40M), improvements to the process plant (USD $98M) and tailings/paste plant (USD $78M). Of indirect expenses, the largest components are contingency costs (USD $100M).
Expo Minero Chihuahua 2022 closed its doors with the attendance of 15,610 people. For four days, from April 28 to May 1, the attendees learned about the importance of the mining industry in the development of Mexico and its usefulness in everyday life.
Arcelor Mittal Mexico announced that it will invest USD $150M to boost the iron mining in Michoacán. The company also stated that it will increase the domestic rolled steel production from 2.5M to 5.3M tonnes.
According to Miner Deck, one company working in Mexico was in the best eight drill intercepts of the week. Aztec Minerals-Kootenay JV was eight with 136.8m @ 1.486 g/t Au at Cervantes project in Sonora.
According to Miner Deck, two of the best silver drill intercepts of the week were drilled by companies working in Mexico. Golden Tag was first with 395m @ 35 g/t Ag at San Diego project in Durango, and Capitan Mining was seventh with 16.8m @ 291 g/t Ag at Cruz de Plata project in Durango.

ON EXPLORATION

Aztec Minerals Corp – Kootenay Silver Inc. JV released results from the California and Jasper targets within its Cervantes project in Sonora. Drilling highlights include hole JAS22-001 with 0.33 g/t Au over 9.1m, with 150m visible Cu oxides and secondary sulphides in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry intrusive, sediments and hydrothermal breccia; hole CAL22-017 with 0.31 g/t Au over 24.3m, and 1.65 g/t Au over 6.1m in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry intrusive, sediments and hydrothermal breccia; hole CAL22-016 with 0.47 g/t Au over 56.2m, and 0.35 g/t Au over 13.7m in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccia; and hole CAL22-015 with 0.42 g/t Au over 68.4m, and 2.25 g/t Au over 10.6m in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccia. These drill results extended the known mineralized zone at depth and over 350m to the north onto the California North target and also to the south on the eastern end of the California zone. The company reported that the phase 2 RC drilling program at the Cervantes property is completed and consisted of 26 holes totalling 4,649m.
Canuc Resources Corporation provided an update on its exploration program at its San Javier project in Sonora. On the Silver Mountain Zone, the 63-sample grid covered the central part of a NE-SW trending magnetic high in the north part of the San Javier project area. Within the soil grid, samples ranging from 5,123 to 36,671 ppb Ag (5 to 36 g/t) define a 50 to 100 m wide trend that extends for approximately 300 m across the grid. Only 7 of the 63 samples collected contained less that 1 g/t Ag and. The Ag anomaly is accompanied by a modest Au anomaly having values ranging from 38.6 to 87.5 ppb within a relatively high 2.0 to 32.5 background. Only 9 samples contained less than 5.0 ppb Au. On the Gold Zone, the company excavated 3,295m of trenches ranging from 65m to 638m in width. From these trenches, 1,829 channel samples have been collected and additional 46 samples have been collected from various locations within the trend. Results have been reported only on the first 3 trenches which returned elevated gold and copper values. Sampling results are still pending for the rest of the trenches. On the Copper-Gold Stockwork Zone, a total of 22 samples were collected from 3 locations on the north flank of a donut shaped magnetic high in the north–central part of the property. Average grade of the sampling is 0.38% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au, and 3.9 g/t Ag. Canuc plans to cover with soil samples the southwest extension of the strong Ag anomaly referred as Silver Anomaly target; to carry out a detailed mapping on at least 40 know mineralized zones within the property, as well as along the 11 trenches excavated across the Gold Zone, and in the area of the Stockwork Copper-Gold Zone, to provide necessary information in advance of drilling.
Kootenay Silver Inc., announced that it will commence a 15,000m drilling program at its Columba project in Chihuahua. Initial focus of this program will be on deeper drill testing on the F Vein and expanding on the D and B Vein intercepts, as well as explore the JZ Zone located 700 meters east of the F Vein; and the East Block located 200 meters east form the JZ Zone.
Monumental Minerals Corp., announced the results of a heli-borne magnetic, radiometric, and very-low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) geophysical survey recently completed at its Jemi Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) project in Coahuila. The geophysical survey confirmed that a significantly larger area of the property is prospective for HREE (from approximately 1 km to 10 km of prospective strike length), and defined two parallel 8 km arcuate anomalies that occur along the south and west margin of the Sierra La Vasca intrusion complex. The company announced that the next step is to carry out a rapid evaluation and prioritization of targets for diamond drill testing.

ON MINING

Altaley Mining Corporation reported Q4, and full year 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. In Q4, 2021 the company processed 183,091 tonnes to produce 12,209 tonnes of Zn concentrate grading 46% Zn with metallurgical recovery of 71%, and 2,691 tonnes of Pb concentrate grading 22% Pb with metallurgical recovery of 30% respectively, at cash and all in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD $0.74 and USD $0.95 per Lb Zn respectively. Altaley reported gross revenues of CAD $29.7M, mine operating profit of CAD $10.1M, income for the period of CAD $20.6M, and cash of CAD $3.04M. In the full year 2021, the company processed 689,963 tonnes to produce 45,778 tonnes of Zn concentrate grading 46% Zn, 2.12 g/t Au, and 658 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recovery of 71% for Zn, and 9,936 tonnes of Pb concentrate grading 22%, 1.65% Cu, 6.08 g/t Au, and 776 g/t Ag, with metallurgical recovery of 29% for Pb, at cash and AISC of USD $0.60 and USD $0.83 per Lb Pb respectively. Altaley reported gross revenues of CAD $98.4M, mine operating profit of CAD $34.25M, income for the period of CAD $36.26M, and cash of CAD $3.04M.
Coeur Mining Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production and financial results from its Palmarejo mine in Chihuahua. The company milled 565,211 tonnes of 1.74 g/t Au and 120 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 90.6% and 83% respectively to produce 28.9K Oz Au and 1.8M Oz Ag. It sold 28.2K Oz Au and 1.79M Oz Ag during the Q1, 2022 period. Coeur reported metal sales of USD $83.1M; cost applicable to sales of USD $730 and USD $12.43 per Oz Au and Oz Ag respectively; cash flow from operating activities of USD $34.3M; sustaining capital expenditures of USD $13.6M; and free cash flow of USD $20.7M. The company announced that the full year 2022 production is expected to be 100K-110K Oz Au and 6M-7M Oz Ag, and the cost applicable to sales is expected to be USD $750-850 per Oz Au and USD $13.50-14.50 per Oz Ag.
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., reported Q4 and full year 2021 consolidated production and financial results from their Mexican operation mines (Zimapan, Hidalgo and Rosario San Luis Potosi). In Q4,2021, the company milled 192,901 tonnes to produce 318.4K Oz Ag, 2.27M Lb Pb, 7.7M Lb Zn, and 1.1M Lb Cu (or 842K Oz AgEq with an average grade of 184 g/t AgEq). Santacruz reported for this period revenues of USD $13.8M, gross profit of USD $621K, a net loss of USD $10.45M and an adjusted EBIDTA loss of USD $4,47M. In the full year 2021, it milled 730,412 tonnes to produce 1.29M Oz Ag, 132Oz Au, 8.4M Lb Pb, 28M Lb Zn, and 4.07M Lb Cu (or 3.2M Oz Ag with an average grade of 185 g/t AgEq). The company reported for the full year 2021 revenues of USD $53.3M, gross profit of USD $10.3M, a net loss of USD $11.56M, and an adjusted EBIDTA loss of USD $713K.

ON FINANCING

No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Capitan Mining Inc., released results from 5 RC holes collared at its Jesus Maria Silver Zone at the Cruz de Plata project (former Peñoles project) in Durango. Drilling highlights include hole 21-JMRC-10 (at the Upper Zone) with 291 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 0.08% Pb, and 0.08% Zn (332 g/t AgEq) over 16.8m, including 478 g/t Ag, 0.56 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (539 g/t AgEq) over 9.1m, including 2,217 g/t Ag, 1.77 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 0.4% Zn (2,406 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; plus (at the Lower Zone) 71 g/t Ag, 0.4 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, and 1.6% Zn (186 g/t AgEq) over 13.7m, including 114 g/t Ag, 0.67 g/t Au, 1.3% Pb, and 2.7% Zn (309 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m; hole 21-JMRC-06 (at the Upper Zone) with 100 g/t Ag, 0.12 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (146 g/t AgEq) over 13.7m, including 152 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 2.4% Zn (271 g/t AgEq) over 3m, including 154 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn (319 g/t AgEq), plus (at the Lower Zone) with 145 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn (189 g/t AgEq) over 4.6m, including 380 g/t Ag, 0.28 g/t Au, 0.5% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (448 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; and hole 21-JMRC-08 with 44 g/t Ag, 0.36 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.3% Zn (149 g/t AgEq) over 7.6m, including 62 g/t Ag, 0.48 g/t Au, 1.4% Pb, and 2.1% Zn (218 g/t AgEq) over 4.6m, and including 92 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 2.9% Pb, and 4.5% Zn (350 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m.
Zacatecas Silver Corp., received permits for 30 drill pads at El Cristo Vein System within its Zacatecas property to drill test multiple veins within a zone of dilation that is almost 4 km long and up to 600m wide. The cumulative strike length of all veins at El Cristo is at least 12km long. A total of 2,500m of diamond drilling has been designed in this initial phase of drilling at El Cristo Vein System.
Sonoro Gold Corp., filed an Environmental Impact Statement or Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) for its Cerro Caliche property in Sonora. “Under Mexican law, mining construction and operation activities require an approved MIA, as well as a Change of Land Use permit, or Autorización en Cambio de Uso de Suelo (“ETJ”), from the Mexican federal permitting authority, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (“SEMARNAT”). The company is currently completing the required documentation for the Change of Land Use application and anticipates filing with SEMARNAT in the near future.
Orex Minerals Inc. – Pan American Silver Corp JV received a permit to drill its Sandra project in Durango. Phase-I of this new drilling program will consist of approximately 2,500 to 3,000m. Orex conducted a geological mapping and litho geochemical sampling program over the combined 6,970 hectares of the project, where multiple drill target areas have been identified.
Southern Silver Exploration Corp., reported drilling results from the North Felsite and El Sol targets on its Cerro Las Minitas project in Durango. Drilling highlights include hole 21CLM-185 with 185 g/t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (358 g/t AgEq or 9.1% ZnEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.7m at the North Felsite HW zone, plus 101 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 0.8% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 3.3% Zn (1,321 g/t AgEq or 33.5% ZnEq) over a TW of 1.8m, including 1,785 g/t Ag, 0.5 g/t Au, 1.4% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 5.9% Zn (2,309 g/t AgEq or 56.6% ZnEq) over a TW of 1m at the North Felsite skarn area; hole 22CLM-184 with 7 g/t Ag, 1.1 g/t Au, 0% Cu, 0.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn (112 g/t AgEq or 2.8% ZnEq) over a TW of 11.7m at the North Felsite HW zone, including 19 g/t Ag, 5.6 g/t Au, 0% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (495 g/t AgEq or 12.5% ZnEq) over a TW of 1m, plus 121 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 1.9% Pb, and 6.5% Zn (460 g/t AgEq or 11.7% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.3m at North Felsite Skarn, plus 117 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 1.1% Pb, and 1% Zn (213 g/t AgEq or 5.4% ZnEq) over a TW of 6m, including 301 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.5% Cu, 1.1% Pb, and 10.7% Zn (830 g/t AgEq or 21% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.3m, plus 302 g/t Ag, 0.2 g/t Au, 0.4% Cu, 2.9% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (485 g/t AgEq or 12.3% ZnEq) over a TW of 0.8m. “The North Felsite target is located on the eastern side of the Cerro Las Minitas, approximately 400m to the northwest of the La Bocona and Mina Piña shafts, in an area that was not included in the most recent NI43-101 Mineral Resource update on the property. New drilling tested the continuity of mineralization in both the main Ag-Pb-Zn Skarn as well as strongly Au-enriched hanging wall zone.
Silver Dollar Resources Inc., released the remaining assay results from the phase 1 drilling program completed on the underexplored Noria portion at its la Joya project in Durango. This phase of drilling consisted of 11 core holes totaling 2,424m. Drilling highlights include hole NOR-22-008 with 41 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.05% Cu, 0.2% Pb, and 0.6% Zn (90 g/t AgEq) over 125.3m, including 137 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu, 0.4% Pb, and 1.7% Zn (268 g/t AgEq) over 10.47m; and hole NOR-22-009 with 3 g/t Ag, 0.66 g/t Au, 0.03% Cu, 0% Pb, and 0.03% Zn (60 g/t AgEq) over 58.84m. “Phase II drilling is now in progress and targeting the wide intervals of mineralization intersected in the new Phase I discoveries”.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., reported results of the last four holes collared at its Tepic project in Nayarit. Drilling highlights include hole TDH014 with 322 g/t Ag and 0.96 g/t Au (424 g/t AgEq) over 6.35m, including 544 g/t Ag and 1.5 g/t Au (656 g/t AgEq) over 3.85m, plus 332 g/t Ag and 1.85 g/t Au (470 g/t AgEq) over 6.05m, including 786 g/t Ag and 3.78 g/t Au (1,070 g/t AgEq) over 2.3m. Holes were designed to test areas adjacent to and outside of the areas that were volumetrically included in historic resource estimations. “The Tepic drill holes are being incorporated into the project’s 3-D database and model to plan the continuation of the Phase 2 drilling at Tepic. Drill pads have already been constructed on the Taunas targets to drill the first test holes within the newly discovered area on the eastern portion of the project”.
Golden Tag Resources Ltd., announced results from 2 holes drilled at its San Diego project in Durango. Key highlights include hole 22-65A (Rata Zone) with 0.02 g/t Au, 1,350 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 3% Zn, and 0.35% Cu (1,556 g/t AgEq) over 0.6m, plus 0.03 g/t Au, 981 g/t Ag, 2.4% Pb, 2.5% Zn, and 0.35% Cu (1,194 g/t AgEq) over 0.65m, plus 0.11 g/t Au, 210 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.1% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (288 g/t AgEq) over 1.67m, and plus (at Cata Zone) with 0.12 g/t Au, 197 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, 0.7% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (280 g/t AgEq) over 0.85m; and hole 22-65B (Rata Zone) with 0.08 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.3% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (312 g/t AgEq) over 1.20m, plus (at Cata Zone) with 0.27 g/t Au, 103 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (174 g/t AgEq) over 16.48m, including 0.09 g/t Au, 108 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.7% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (163 g/t AgEq) over 2.20m, plus 0.12 g/t Au, 460 g/t Ag, 3% Pb, 2.7% Zn, and 0.19% Cu (690 g/t AgEq) over 2.50m, plus (at CS Play Zone) with 0.11 g/t Au, 135 g/t Ag, 2.9% Pb, 3% Zn, and 0.09% Cu (363 g/t AgEq) over 4.27m, plus (at Fernandez Zone) with 0.05 g/t Au, 35 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.11% Cu (93 g/t AgEq) over 395.1m, including 0.03 g/t Au, 37 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.1% Zn, and 0.14% Cu (109 g/t AgEq) over 185.90m. “Combining the results from hole 65B with the results from the previously reported hole 21-58, we can now anticipate that the potential extension of the Fernandez Zone could measure approximately 140 m x 70 m in the horizontal plane and 530 m in the vertical plane. There are no drill holes to the west of hole 22-65B and thus the Fernandez Zone remains open to the west.”
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., reported drill results from its ongoing exploration programs at its El Cubo mine and El Pinguico projects in Guanajuato. Key highlights include hole VP022-002 with 12.90 g/t Au and 1,956 g/t Ag (2,988 g/t AgEq) over a true width (TW) of 0.35m (Arroyo structure), plus 0.21 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag (47 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 13.55m (Villalpando structure), including 0.76 g/t Au and 115 g/t Ag (176 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.15m, plus 0.44 g/t Au and 92 g/t Ag (127 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.39m (Villalpando FW structure); hole SC22-001 with 7.56 g/t Au and 42 g/t Ag (647 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.30m (680 Vein); hole SC22-002 with 4.49 g/t Au and 276 g/t Ag (636 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.13m (Tuberos Vein), plus 2.60 g/t Au and 194 g/t Ag (402 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.30m (Poniente Vein); and hole P21-22 with 1.04 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag (203 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 1.56m (Arroyo structure), including 2.11 g/t Au and 227 g/t Ag (396 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.60m, plus 1.15 g/t Au and 193 g/t Ag (285 g/t AgEq) over a TW of 0.24m (Pinguico Vein). “These results serve to build confidence in our understanding of geological controls of high-grade mineralization within the various veins and different zones of our Guanajuato mine holdings. Further, drilling at the El Cubo mine continues to identify mineralization that the Company can quickly build into its near-term mining plans”.
Prime Mining Corp., announced new results from 17 holes drilled at Zapote North and Mariposa areas within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. “This drilling is targeting the expansion of the Zapote North deposit northwards along the structure and confirming the continuity of mineralization of Mariposa to the south. These holes confirm that gold-silver mineralization extends from Zapote North to Mariposa”. Drilling highlights at Zapote North include hole 22ZAP-56 with 4.81 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 1.7m; hole 22ZAP-66R with 2.42 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over a TW of 9.70m, including 4.72 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.2m; hole 22ZAP-67R with 3.83 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m; hole 22ZAP-59 with 1.4 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m, including 5.55 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.4m; hole 22ZAP-52R with 1.07 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag over a TW of 19.9m, including 2.62 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.3m, including 3.32 g/t Au and 31 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.3m, plus 0.77 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m; hole 22ZAP-68R with 0.68 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m, including 2.19 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.2m, plus 0.39 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.2m; and hole 22ZAP-69R with 0.47 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over a TW of 6.6m, plus 1.42 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 5m, including 2.42 g/t Au and 44 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.5m. Drilling highlights at Mariposa include hole 22MA-08 with 1.1 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.3m, including 3.38 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m, plus 0.99 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.4m, including 2.05 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.1m, plus 0.69 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag over a TW of 4.90m; and hole 22MA-09 with 1.55 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.9m, including 5.35 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.60m. “To date for Phase 1 and 2 combined, Prime has drilled 255 holes totalling 64,070 metres (122 in Phase 1 for 25,650 m and 133 holes so far in Phase 2 for 38,420 m)”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Golden Minerals Company announced the appointment of its COO, effective May 9, 2022 (Rodeo project, Durango).
Vizsla Silver Corp., announced the appointments of its COO and VP of Exploration (Panuco project, Sinaloa).
Orogen Royalties Inc. and the Riverside Resources Inc-BHP Group JV signed an option agreement for the Llano de Nogal Copper-Gold porphyry project in Sonora. Riverside can earn a 100% interest by making cash payments of USD $2.48M and USD $5M in cumulative exploration expenditures (CEE) subject to the following schedule: USD $30K (closing of transaction); USD $50K (1^st anniversary) and USD $500K in CEE; USD $50K (2^nd anniversary) and USD $1.3M in CEE; USD $100K (3^rd anniversary) and $USD $2M (CEE); USD $200K (4^th anniversary) and USD $3M (CEE); USD $300K (5^th anniversary) and USD $4M (CEE); and USD $1.75M (6^th anniversary) and USD $5M (CEE). “During the option period, Orogen and Riverside will jointly retain the right to exercise and retain any Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty buydown rights with respect to the Suanse claims (0.5% NSR royalty for CAD $1M) and the Coyotes claims (1.5% NSR royalty for USD $1.5M). Once Riverside has exercised its option on Llano de Nogal, Riverside will grant to Orogen a 1% Production Royalty, of which 0.5% can be purchased for USD $10M within 10 years of the exercise date”.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Esperanza Silver de México obtained the support of the Tetlama community to the extent of accompanying the request for federal environmental permits for its operation for the Esperanza project in Morelos. The company determined to promote the project from the beginning hand in hand with the inhabitants since it is based on lands that belong to the community, and showing full respect for their human rights. Esperanza Silver will be delivering the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) report and the study to propose the change of land use in forest land to the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources of the federal government (SEMARNAT) by the end of this year. Currently, the Esperanza Project is in the evaluation stage of the technical studies carried out during 2021 in terms of water and geotechnics. This year will be dedicated to the design of the technical project that will allow establishing the model of the mine’s industrial plant. At this point, both the company and the community will submit the request for an Environmental Manifesto to SEMARNAT, which could occur in mid-2023.
Alamos Gold Inc., has generated 2,200 new jobs in the last two years, 700 of them for people hired directly and 1,500 more indirectly for the construction of its La Yaqui Grande mine in Sonora. La Yaqui Grande mine, is in its final stage of construction and will start commercial production during Q3, 2022. The Yaqui Grande mine is already being a development opportunity for communities in the Sierra de Sonora in the municipalities of Sahuaripa, Yécora and Arivechi, among others.

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

On the picture above, phyllic alteration in a porphyry copper prospect in Michoacán Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of April, 2022.

April 10, 2022April 10, 2022 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 14^th week of the year (April 04^thto April 10^th, 2022), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico, and one news published by the media, with nine reporting resources and developments of their properties, seven informing on exploration results, five communicating production and financial results, one disclosing deals and corporate issues, and one discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, no relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Silver Spruce reported the approval of an Informe Preventivo for its second drilling permit at its Mezquite project, Ranchero Gold released results from its inaugural drilling program at its Santa Daniela project, and Starcore presented results from its drilling program conducted at its Opodepe project. In Chihuahua, Mammoth presented results from three holes drilled at its Tenoriba project, and Reyna Silver announced results from its 8,000m phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Guigui project. In Durango, Silver Wolf released results from 88 samples collected at its Ana Maria project. In Nayarit, Sierra Madre commenced a maiden drilling program at its La Tigra project. ON MINING, Gatos Silver reported Q1, 2022 production results from its 70%-owned Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. GoGold announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings mine in Chihuahua. Mexus completed an open pit test heap leach Au recovery process that produced 278 Oz Au from 6 test pits at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. Minera Alamos announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Santana mine in Sonora. Orla presented Q1, 2022 production results from its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. ON FINANCING, no relevant news. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Vizsla reported that it filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) an independent technical report on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Azucar Minerals commenced to drill test a large lithocap target discussed previously at its El Cobre project, Veracruz. GR Silver reported results from three underground drill holes collared at its San Marcial project, Sinaloa. Avino published results from 110 holes drilled on the oxide tailings project at its Avino property in Durango. Golden Tag released results from hole 22-64 drilled at its San Diego mine, Durango. Silver Dollar announced that phase 2 exploration drilling program is underway at its la Joya project in Durango. Silver Viper conducted a TITAN-MT deep-penetrating geophysical survey centered on the El Rubi deposit, Paredones, and El Molino target areas at its La Virginia project in Chihuahua. Starcore provided an update on the diamond drilling program conducted at its San Martin mine in Querétaro. Zacatecas Silver announced results from its ongoing diamond drilling program on the Panuco North and Panuco Central Veins at its Zacatecas project in Zacatecas state. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Sailfish provided an update on its previously announced Swordfish silver transaction (Gavilanes project, Durango). ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Esperanza Silver has a Community Engagement Plan to meet the objectives proposed by the New Socially and Environmentally Responsible Mining Model.

ON MEXICO ISSUE

No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

Silver Spruce Resources Inc., reported the approval of an Informe Preventivo by the Mexican government Environmental Authority (SEMARNAT) for its second drilling permit at its Mezquite project in Sonora. The second drilling program will consists of 1,500-2,500m of Reverse Circulation (RC), which include twenty-four new pads on the northern, northwestern and southeastern sections of the property.
Ranchero Gold Corp., released results from its 16 holes, Phase 1 inaugural drilling program at the Maíz Azul prospect within its Santa Daniela project in Sonora. All of the 16 holes intersected Au mineralization and were planned to drill test shallow-near surface mineralization. Highlights include hole MA22-10 with 4 g/t Au over 31.5m; hole MA21-14 with 1.2 g/t Au over 21.2m; hole MA22-25 with 1.2 g/t Au over 15.6m, and hole MA21-11 with 1.1 g/t Au over 21m. Mineralization remains completely open at depth since it was only tested at depths of 100-150m below surface. The company is currently designing a second phase of drilling. The plan of this drilling program is to expand La Colmena zone eastward, initiate drill testing of the X-structure target, initiate drilling of new targets identified by the on-going modelling, and start definition drilling. In addition, Ranchero Gold is also advancing its regional reconnaissance program on the entire property. The company has identified from a previous Aster study, nine high-priority targets that warrant follow-up field work. “Ranchero Gold will continue its field investigation in parallel with the work conducted at Maíz Azul with the objective of identifying new drill targets by year-end.
Mammoth Resources Corp., presented results from three holes drilled at its Tenoriba project in Chihuahua. The most significant mineralized interval was encountered in hole TEN-21-13 on the Moreno Zone with 0.98 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag (1.18 g/t AuEq) over 37.5m, including 1.13 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag, and 0.55% Cu (2.34 g/t AuEq) over 18m.
Reyna Silver Corp., announced results from its 8,000m phase 2 drilling program conducted at its Guigui project in Chihuahua. Drilling highlights include hole GG21-31 with 130 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, and 0.2% Zn over 2.62m, including 338 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over 0.7m, including 1,040 g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb, and 0.5% Zn over 0.18m, plus 54 g/t Ag, 2.2% Pb, and 9.9% Zn over 3.15m, including 128 g/t Ag, 3.7% Pb, and 16% Zn over 1.85m; hole GG21-30 with 233 g/t Ag, 0.02% Pb, and 0.02% Zn over 2.11m; hole GG21-31 with 105 g/t Ag, 4.9% Pb, and 0.6% Zn over 1.20m; and hole GG21-33 with 106 g/t Ag, 0.9% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over 4.51m. The company reported that the mineralized skarn footprint now exceeds 0.5km^2.
Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., released results from 88 grab samples collected at its Ana Maria project in Durango. Highlights include 246 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 4.5% Pb, and 1.7% Zn; 578 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 11.9% Pb, and 0.3% Zn; 442 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 11.4% Pb, and 1.5% Zn; 163 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 6.2% Pb, and 0.5% Zn; 168 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 4.1% Pb, and 0.2% Zn; 1,227 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu, 25.7% Pb, and 0.6% Zn; 309 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, 2.3% Pb, and 4.8% Zn; 1,306 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 20.4% Pb, and 7.4% Zn; and 792 g/t Ag, 0.04% Cu, 16.9% Pb, and 0.6% Zn. Silver Wolf is waiting for the final geophysical data interpretation to better define drill targets for later this year.
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., commenced a maiden drilling program at its La Tigra project in Nayarit. This is the first ever drill program undertaken within the district and is focused primarily on areas defined by the ongoing trenching program. Trenching highlights include 1.22 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (1.3 g/t AuEq) over 11.6m, including 2.52 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag (2.7 g/t AuEq) over 4.3m; 1.45 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag (1.57 g/t AuEq) over 12.8m, including 3.22 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag (3.69 g/t AuEq) over 5.3m; 1.59 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag (1.63 g/t AuEq) over 24.2m, including 5.58 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag (5.64 g/t AuEq) over 4.7m; and 1.78 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (1.85 g/t AuEq) over 22.9m, including 2.2 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag (2.3 g/t AuEq) over 7.1m.
Starcore International Mines Ltd., presented results from its drilling program conducted at its Opodepe project in Sonora. The drill program consisted of 3,289.6 m in 25 short holes. Drilling highlights include hole OPDS-21-001 with 4.79 g/t AuEq over 6.73m; hole OPDS-21-018 with 2.3 g/t AuEq over 1.91m; and hole OPDS-21-021 with 1.96 g/t AuEq over 2.19m. The first stage of drilling was focused on the upper part of the veins and has been considered as recognition drilling. “However, in this year 2022, the drilling is focused on the zone of the veins which the geologists have considered as favorable zones to find economic reserves”.

ON MINING

Gatos Silver Inc., reported Q1, 2022 production results from its 70%-owned Cerro Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua. The company milled 234,985 tonnes of 353 g/t Ag, 0.3 g/t Au, 2.2% Pb, and 4.1% Zn at metallurgical recoveries of 89.7%, 57.1% , 89.2%, and 64.3% respectively, to produce 2.39M Oz Ag, 1.3K Oz Au, 10.3M Lb Pb, and 13.8M Lb Zn. Gatos reported over USD $40M in cash as of March 31, 2022.
GoGold Resources Inc., announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Parral Tailings mine in Chihuahua. The company produced 186,655 Oz Ag, 2,791 Oz Au, and 280K Lb Cu (455,991 Oz AgEq).
Mexus Gold US completed an open pit test heap leach Au recovery process that produced 278 Oz Au from 6 test pits at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora. The company is looking for a mining company to joint venture with at its Santa Elena mine. Mexus believes that the property contains > 1M Oz Au. It stated that is open to also JV its Ures Au-Ag-Cu property in Sonora.
Minera Alamos Inc., announced Q1, 2022 production results from its Santana mine in Sonora. It mined 600K tonnes to produce 3,390 Oz Au. Cumulative Au recovery from mineralization under leach for more that 30 days is now approximately 75% with additional recovery ongoing. The company reported that the total of Au inventory moved to leach pad to date is 14K Oz. In addition, the company announced that site preparation activities were initiated at the Nicho Main Zone with a goal to start mining activities at that deposit later in Q2-2022.
Orla Mining Ltd., presented Q1, 2022 production results from its Camino Rojo project in Zacatecas. The company mined 684,255 tonnes and processed 539,379 tonnes of 0.8 g/t Au to produce 23,031 Oz Au. Gold guidance for the full year 2022 is maintained by Orla at 90-100 Oz Au.

ON FINANCING

No relevant news.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Vizsla Silver Corp., reported that it filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), an independent technical report containing a maiden mineral resource estimate on its Panuco project in Sinaloa.
Azucar Minerals Ltd., commenced to drill test a large lithocap target discussed previously at its El Cobre project, Veracruz. The lithocap target was outlined by several exploration techniques, including geophysics, mineralogy, geochemistry and past drilling campaigns at the property.
GR Silver Mining Ltd., reported results from three underground drill holes collared at its San Marcial project, Sinaloa. The most significant drill intercepts were encountered in holes SM121-07 with 201 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.3% Zn over a true width (TW) of 3.7m, including 1,413 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 1.3% Zn over a TW of 0.2m, plus 124 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over a TW of 8.5m, including, 223 g/t Ag, 0.01 g/t Au, 0.1% Pb, and 0.1% Zn over a TW of 2.4m, including 553 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.2% Pb, and 0.4% Zn over a TW of 0.5m. Results confirmed a significant expansion of high-grade Ag mineralization approximately 300m down dip below the lower limit of the pit-constrained San Marcial mineral resource. A two phase 4,500m drilling program is planned for 2022 at San Marcial to support future resource expansion and an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., published results from 110 holes drilled on the oxide tailings project at its Avino property in Durango. The drilling program consisted of 3,645m. The drill density of the current program should be sufficient to upgrade most of the existing inferred mineral resources to the measured and indicated categories, and to potentially expand the resources. Selected highlights are shown below:

·        **Golden Tag Resources Ltd.**, released results from hole 22-64 drilled at its San Diego mine, Durango. This hole is part of an exploration program targeting bulk-tonnage mineralization and encountered several mineralized intervals. Key highlights include 0.07 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.02% Cu (60 g/t AgEq) over 73.5m, including 0.45 g/t Au, 882 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.17% Cu (980 g/t AgEq) over 0.91m, 0.31 g/t Au, 371 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.4% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (441 g/t AgEq) over 2.80m, plus 0.24 g/t Au, 385 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.4% Zn, and 0.05% Cu (482 g/t AgEq) over 1.80m, plus 0.2 g/t Au, 475 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, 4.9% Zn, and 0.15% Cu (734 g/t AgEq) over 0.53m (all in the 57 target zone); plus 3.64 g/t Au, 18 g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb, 0.1% Zn, and 0.01% Cu (317 g/t AgEq) over 0.60m (on the Montanez zone), plus 0.18 g/t Au, 212 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, 2.9% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (405 g/t AgEq) over 0.70m (on the Canta target area), plus 0.32 g/t Au, 355 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.08% Cu (422 g/t AgEq) over 0.63, and plus 0.08 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (331 g/t AgEq) over 1.04m (On the Rata target area). This result extends the open pit mineralization for over 290m vertical.
·        **Silver Dollar Resources Inc.,** announced that phase 2 exploration drilling program is underway at its la Joya project in Durango. Phase 2 drilling will remain focused on the underexplored Noria portion of the Property and new targets that were identified in the results received to date from the Phase 1 drilling program, which consisted of 11 holes for a total of 2,424 m of drilling. Assays for the first seven holes were reported and results for the remaining holes are expected shortly.
·        **Silver Viper Minerals Corp.,** conducted a TITAN-MT deep-penetrating geophysical survey centered on the El Rubi deposit, Paredones, and El Molino target areas at its La Virginia project in Chihuahua, to assist in targeting for deeper portions of the mineralized system. The TITAN Magnetotelluric (MT) survey is capable of acquiring information from depths in excess of 1,500m below surface. Geologist of the company have reviewed preliminary 2D imaging from the first of the MT survey lines and believe the method will be very effective at La Virginia property. Silver Viper expects to receive final deliverables in the coming weeks.
·        **Starcore International Mines Ltd.,** provided an update on the diamond drilling program conducted at its San Martin mine in Querétaro. A total of 9,410m were drilled in 2021 until the end of March, 2022 which focused on two areas of the mine: the first focusing on the northwest part of the operating mine, and the second searching for the extension of the orebodies of high – grade discovered during the 30 years of the mine’s life. Highlights on the area 33 include hole DC3221-10 with 7.36 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over 3m; hole DC3221-11 with 2.21 g/t Au and 26 g/t Ag over 8m; hole DC3221-12 with 16.27 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag over 0.5m; and hole DC3221-15 with 12.2 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag over 0.60m. Highlights on the area 28 include hole DC2820-214 with 2.14 g/t Au and 57 g/t Ag over 2.4m; hole DC2820-215 with 2.42 g7t Au and 21 g/t Ag over 2.95m; and hole DC2821-217 with 8.08 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag over 2.15m.
·        **Zacatecas Silver Corp.,** announced results from its ongoing diamond drilling program on the Panuco North and Panuco Central Veins at its Zacatecas project in Zacatecas state. Drilling highlights include hole PAN2022-042 with 1,423 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au (1,440 g/t AgEq) over 1.25m; hole PAN2022-044 with 353 g/t Ag and 0.29 g/t Au (379 g/t AgEq) over 4.35m; hole PAN2022-043 with 358 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au (379 g/t AgEq) over 1.55m; hole PAN2022-046 with 201 g/t Ag and 0.28 g/t Au (222 g/t AgEq) over 1.05m; and hole PAN2022-045 with 115 g/t Ag and 0.85 g/t Au (179 g/t AgEq) over 5.96m. “Following the recent grant of 27 additional drill pads, Zacatecas Silver will be able to test the depth extension of mineralization at south-eastern Panuco North over a strike length of 600 m and to complete a maiden drill program along the central part of the Panuco North vein over a strike length of 1.4 km”.

**ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES**

·        **Sailfish Royalty Corp.,** provided an update on its previously announced Swordfish silver transaction. The proposed transaction is expected to result in the transfer of the Company’s wholly owned Gavilanes silver property located in Durango, Mexico. Closing of the Gavilanes Acquisition is subject to, among other things, Swordfish acquiring the Commonwealth Silver-Gold Project in exchange for shares of Swordfish, a concurrent private placement financing for proceeds of USD $5M.

**ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY**

·        **Esperanza Silver** has a Community Engagement Plan to meet the objectives proposed by the New Socially and Environmentally Responsible Mining Model. It has the objective of developing a gold and silver mine in the lands of common use of the community of San Agustín Tetlamam, located in the municipality of Temixco in the state of Morelos. “This new way of developing mining, prioritizing social bonding and the use of techniques that allow avoiding, minimizing, mitigating and compensating for environmental impacts, is due to the genuine interest of Esperanza Silver de México and Alamos Gold Inc. in responding to the demands of a society interested in caring for the environment and the social environment.”

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

On the picture above, flow banded rhyolite in Durango, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of August, 2021

August 22, 2021 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 33^rd week of the year (August 16^th to August 22^nd, 2021), at least 22 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, four companies posted exploration advances on their properties, four posted on mining/quarterly reports, two on mining issues, four on financing or shares and five more on project development or resource definition and one more on a property acquisition. ON MEXICO ISSUES, No relevant news. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Aloro Mining informed on continuation of drilling at Los Venados. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold announced one more drilling campaign at Amalia. In Sinaloa, Vizsla Silver updated on exploration at Panuco. In Nayarit, Xali Gold submitted drilling applications for El Dorado. ON MINING, Americas Gold and Silver, Prime Mining, First Majestic Silver, and Impact Silver presented second quarter 2021 reports. Mexus Gold shipped its first activated carbon. Gold Resource halted activities due to increase in COVID cases among its workforce. ON FINANCING, Candelaria Mining will not complete the proposed private placement. Galore Resources is to extend the expiry date of some warrants. Kootenay Silver is to spin-out its Canadian assets into another company. Magna Gold closed the previously announced private placement for C$10 M. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Sierra Metals announced a 10,000 tpd PEA for its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Fabled Silver Gold released more results from drilling at Santa Maria. Excellon Resources released high grade Ag-Pb-Zn drilling results from Platosa. GoGold Resources informed on results of drilling at the Casados deposit at Los Ricos project. Sonoro Gold reported results of metallurgical tests at Cerro Caliche. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Starcore International Mines acquired the Tecouitla claims in Sonora. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, No relevant news.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

No relevant news.

ON EXPLORATION

Xali Gold Corp. informed exploration permit applications have been submitted for El Dorado project in Nayarit. The plus 2,000 m program envisaged will test potential lateral extensions to high-grade zones to better define plunging mineralization shoots, and collection of a bulk sample from El Hundido mine.
Radius Gold Inc. announced that the phase five drilling campaign has commenced at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Pan American Silver Corp., the project operator plans to deploy a second rig to test El Cuervo target.
Aloro Mining Corp. informed that Alamos Gold Inc. is to resume the reconnaissance drill program on the Los Venados claims in Sonora. Alamos has already exceeded its first year exploration commitment; the current program is focused on outcropping low sulfidation epithermal mineralization.
Vizsla Silver Corp. provided an update on its Panuco project in Sinaloa. Due to the current rise in Covid cases in Sinaloa, Vizsla will keep the current pause in activities at the property until the end of the month, and then gradually increase activities through September. Resource drilling is being done at Napoleon (950 x 350 m area) and Tajitos (550 m x 300 m area), exploration drilling is testing the Napoleon, Cinco Señores, Cordon de Oro and Animas Corridors. Preliminary metallurgical testing is being done on Napoleon vein material, and geotechnical and hydrogeological studies are being conducted. Drilling programmed for the remainder of 2021 comprises 35,000 m.

ON MINING

Americas Gold and Silver Corp. reported second quarter 2021 consolidated financial and operational results. For Mexico, the company reported that it “signed an agreement with the Mexican Ministries of Economy, Interior and Labour along with union representatives committing to a re‐opening at the Cosalá Operations. The agreement contemplates immediate right to possession of the property with joint inspections coordinated by the Ministry of Labor, so that the mine and mill can re‐start operations in a safe and sustainable manner”. (Note from writer. – The mine was paralyzed by a dispute between two unions over a year ago, with strong political connotations).
Prime Mining Corp. reported its operational and financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, end in April 2021. During April the company completed a private placement for gross proceeds of CAN$28.75 M. Also in the period, drilling at Los Reyes in Sinaloa intersected up to 20.1 m @ 3.25 gpt Au, 389 gpt Ag, 3.8 m @ 3.69 gpt Au, 305 gpt Ag, 4.5 m @ 8.95 gpt Au, 74 gpt Ag; 18.7 m @ 1.96 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag; 39.0 m @ 0.7 gpt Au, 29 gpt Ag. Cash at the end of the period stood at Can$32 M.
First Majestic Silver Corp. announced the consolidated financial results for the second quarter 2021. During the period the company processed 826.2 K tonnes, to produce 3.27 M Oz Ag, or 6.43 Oz AgEq at $13.89 per Oz AgEq and an AISC of $19.42 per Oz AgEq. In Mexico, the production came from San Dimas, in Durango, La Encantada, in Coahuila, and Santa Elena, in Sonora.

Mexus Gold US. confirmed the first shipment of activated carbon from its Santa Elena mining operation in Sonora (Not to mistake with First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora).
Gold Resource Corp. informed that as result of a steep climb in COVID-19 infections, the company is reducing its activities at the Don David mine in Oaxaca. The measure is to last for at least ten days. “The operations will continue with those employees and contractors who have agreed to stay in the camp for periods longer than the usual rotation to create a bubble”.
Impact Silver Corp. announced its financial and operational results for the second quarter 2021. The cash balance at the end of the quarter was $22.4 M. The mill processed 37.8 K tonnes @ 147 gpt Ag to produce 150.3 K Oz Ag. Some results of its ongoing 10,000 m drilling campaign include 9.8 m @ 211 gpt Ag and 13.85 m @ 186 gpt Ag.

ON FINANCING

Candelaria Mining Corp. informed that the company will not be proceeding with the proposed brokered private placement previously announced (Pinos, Zacatecas, Guerrero).
Galore Resources Inc. proposed to extend the expiry date of 5.6 M share purchase warrants from September 2021 to September 2024 (Dos Santos, Zacatecas).
Kootenay Silver Inc. board approved a spin-out of 80% of its Canadian exploration assets. Once the arrangement becomes effective, Kootenay shareholders will own shares in two public companies, one focusing in Mexico and the other in Canada (Columba, Chihuahua).
Magna Gold Corp. closed the previously announced private placement of C$10 M convertible debentures (San Francisco, Sonora).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Sierra Metals Inc. announced a 10 K tonnes per day positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) to include iron ore production at its Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. The report envisages an updated after-tax net present value (NPV) of US$361 M at an 8% discount rate, an IRR of 27.9%, net after-tax cash flow of US$650 M with a life of mine (LOM) copper grade of 0.72% and iron ore at 13.5%, an operating cost of US$25.62/tonne and US$1.50 per Lb CuEq, to produce 55 M Lb Cu in 14 years. Current indicated resources stand at 19.4 M tonnes @ 0.77% Cu, 15.1 gpt Ag, 0.21 gpt Au, 13.8% Fe, containing 149.1 K tonnes Cu, 9.4 M Oz Ag, 127.8 K Oz Au, and inferred resources at 21.4 M tonnes @ 0.78% Cu, 14.2 gpt Ag, 0.21 gpt Au, containing 167.1 K tonnes Cu, 9.8 M Oz Ag, 145.6 K Oz Au.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp. announced more results from surface drilling at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 0.85 m @ 0.98 gpt Au, 10 gpt Ag; 0.80 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 63 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 20.10 m @ 0.18 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag, 1.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn, 0.09% Cu (including 5.90 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag, 3.3% Pb, 1.5% Zn, 0.25% Cu).
Excellon Resources Inc. released results from underground drilling at Platosa, in Durango. Some of the highlighted core length intervals: 3.0 m @ 227 gpt Ag, 2.3% Pb, 2.0% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au; 1.3 m @ 360 gpt Ag, 10.1% Pb, 10.2% Zn; 1.3 m @ 692 gpt Ag, 9.3% Pb, 6.3% Zn; 1.2 m @ 544 gpt Ag, 5.9% Pb, 3.9% Zn; 1.6 m @ 1,647 gpt Ag, 12.3% Pb, 11.6% Zn, 0.1gpt Au; 5.2 m @ 1,051 gpt Ag, 12.1% Pb, 13.1% Zn, 0.2 gpt Au (including 2.3 m @ 1,985 gpt Ag, 22.8% Pb, 17.2% Zn); 2.5 m @ 784 gpt Ag, 7.7% Pb, 13.9% Zn, 0.3 gpt Au; 3.1 m @ 581 gpt Ag, 5.7% Pb, 11.4% Zn, 0.1 gpt Au; 1.4 m @ 1,050 gpt Ag, 3.4 % Pb, 2.0% Zn; 3.1 m @ 289 gpt Ag, 2.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn. “Drilling from underground continues to define and expand known mineralization ahead of production at the 623, NE-1 and NE-1S Mantos. Most significantly, drilling into the 623 and NE-1 Mantos continues to improve understanding and confidence, and extend mineralization in these areas”.
GoGold Resources Inc. informed on results from seven drill holes at the Casados deposit at the Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length intervals: 19.0 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 131 gpt Ag (including 1.3 m @ 5.16 gpt Au, 1,319 gpt Ag); 9.5 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 233 gpt Ag; 41.6 m @ 1.25 gpt Au, 218 gpt Ag (including 8.9 m @ 4.71 gpt Au, 698 gpt Ag); 19.2 m @ 0.53 gpt Au, 185 gpt Ag (including 8.5 m @ 1.14 gpt Au, 594 gpt Ag); 8.2 m @ 0.26 gpt Au, 82 gpt Ag. “The Casados Veins strike nearly E-W, dips 45o to the north and is hosted in andesitic tuffs and is exposed on surface for about 400 metres along strike…… A zone of silicification up to 50 metres wide envelopes the vein and this resistant outcrop forms a steep ridge along the strike of the vein, particularly on the north or hanging wall side”.
Sonoro Gold Corp. reported results from metallurgical tests on mineralized material from Cerro Caliche in Sonora. The column metallurgical test returned an average of 74% recovery of gold for the 80% minus 12.5 mm feed material. The 4.7 tonnes sample was obtained from ten PQ (8.5 cm diameter) holes totaling 428 lineal meters. Little to no sulfur and organic carbon were observed on the testing. “There were no obvious variations in gold recovery related to ore zone or material type (vein breccia vs. stock work)”.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Starcore International Mines Ltd. informed on the acquisition of the 3,088 hectares Tecoutila claims from Minera Tecouitla, S.A. de C.V.. Previous exploration in the property reported nine veins with lengths of up to 2.1 Km, widths of 0.5 to 1.1 m and grades of up to 10.30 gpt Au, 241 gpt Ag.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

No relevant news.

On the image below: Workings and vein trace on a project in northern Sonora. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of July, 2021.

July 18, 2021July 18, 2021 / gambusinoprospectormexico / Leave a comment

Vein-Bx hosted in volcanic rocks

By Miguel A Heredia

During the 28^th week of the year (July 12^th to July 18^th, 2021), at least 29 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico and 4 news published by the media, with nine communicating production and financial results, nine reporting on resources and developments of their properties, seven announcing financial rounds, four informing on exploration results, two commenting on Mexican issues and two discussing social issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, The Ministry of Economy of Mexico alerted the public about false information that is being disseminated on behalf of the “Undersecretariat of Mining” and recalled that it no longer exists. The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) and the Government of Hidalgo signed an agreement to join efforts on research and science to integrate a knowledge-creating system. ON EXPLORATION, In Sinaloa, Vizsla presented results from the first four holes collared at the Josephine Vein within its Panuco project. In Durango, Mithril released drilling result from its Copalquin property. In Zacatecas, Alien provided an update on the review and planning for the next phase of exploration on its Donovan 2 project. In Oaxaca, Inomin filed a NI43-101 technical report for its la Gitana project. ON MINING, Aura reported Q2, 2021 production from its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. First Majestic reported Q2, 2021 production results from their Mexican mine operations. Altaley presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Golden Minerals reported Q2, 2021 production results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. Gold Resource released Q2, 2021 production results from its Arista mine in Oaxaca. Magna Gold presented Q2, 2021 production results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora. McEwen reported Q2, 2021 production results from its El Gallo project, Sinaloa. Mexus announced that the company will be shipping approximately 1 tonne of activated carbon to USA for processing. ON FINANCING, Almadex and Azucar Minerals granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants. Gatos Silver signed a definitive agreement to retire its portion of the Los Gatos JV term loan and announced a public offering to sell shares of its common stock (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua). One World Lithium announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2,025,000 (Salar del Diablo project, Baja California). Riverside informed that it is to receive USD $5.4M in exploration funding from BHP to advance four copper projects in Sonora. Orla Mining closed a non-broker prospectus financing for gross proceeds of USD $35M (Camino Rojo project, Zacatecas). ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Discovery Silver released results from 13 drill holes collared at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Fabled announced results from its ongoing drilling program at Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. Avino presented results from Phase 1 of the drill campaign conducted at its Avino mine in Durango. GoGold released results from eleven drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Golden Tag presented results from a drill hole collared at the Fernandez Zone within its San Diego property in Durango. Great Panther announced Q2, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex located in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. IMPACT informed that it has completed phase 1 of the Veta Negra drilling program in the Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. Kootenay hired Blue Coast Research to conduct metallurgical testing on its la Negra property in Sonora. Prime Mining released drill results from its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Silver Tiger announced that it continue intersecting high grade mineralization at its El Tigre project in Sonora. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, no relevant news. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Grupo México donated 8,000 native trees to Hermosillo, Sonora. The Government of Zacatecas along with representatives of the mining companies Fresnillo plc and Capstone Gold began with the Tree Donation Program.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Ministry of Economy of Mexico alerted the public about false information that is being disseminated on behalf of the “Undersecretariat of Mining” and recalled that it no longer exists. Through a press release, the agency indicated that it has no relationship with the “Commission National Mining Reactivation and Sustainable Production Mexico 2021”, nor with the “Project for Reactivation and Sustainable Production”, nor with the “Guide to Good Operating Practices”, which is supposedly being prepared by the “Undersecretary of Mining of the Government of Mexico”. According to Article 243 of the Federal Criminal Code, the crime of falsifying public documents will be punishable by imprisonment from four to eight years.
The Mexican Geological Service (SGM) and the Government of Hidalgo signed an agreement to join efforts on research and scienceto integrate a knowledge-creating system, for the benefit of future generations. Objectives are established to work together on two projects: Comarca Minera Geopark and LABChico: Mineral del Chico Underground Laboratory.

ON EXPLORATION

Vizsla Silver Corp., presented results from the first four holes collared at the Josephine Vein within its Panuco project. Highlights include hole NP-21-132 with 2.16 g/t Au, 599 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, and 1% Zn (797 g/t AgEq) over 2.5m, including 12.4 g/t Au, 3,320 g/t Ag, 1.8% Pb, and 4.9% Zn (4,431 g/t AgEq) over 0.3m; and hole NP-21-139 with 3.4 g/t Au, 426 g/t Ag, 1% Pb, and 5.5% Zn (869 g/t AgEq) over 1.45m, including 3.91 g/t Au, 502 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, and 6.8% Zn (1,020 g/t AgEq) over 1.15m. “Drilling intersected veining of 90m strike, 190m depth where it remains open. Ground Electromagnetic (EM) has mapped the vein over 1.7 km”.
Mithril Resources Ltd., released drilling result from its Copalquin property in Durango. Bonanza grade was intersected in hole CDH-077 collared at El Refugio Area with 80.3 g/t Au and 705 g/t Ag over 8.26m, including 106 g/t Au and 913 g/t Ag over 6.26m, including 837 g/t Au and 6,680 g/t Ag over 0.77m. Other high grade intercepts were encountered in hole CDH-075 with 13.8 g/t Au and 83 g/t Ag over 2.7m, plus 10.9 g/t Au and 364 g/t Ag over 4.25m, including 16.3 g/t Au and 414 g/t Ag over 2.65m, plus 1.02 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag over 2m, plus 0.84 g/t Au and 35 g/t Ag over 4.5m; and hole CDH-076 with 0.93 g/t Au and 16 g/t Ag over 2.4m, plus 2.06 g/t Au and 95 g/t Ag over 5m, plus 0.86 g/t Au and 39 g/t Ag over 1m. Drilling results continue expanding the El Refugio structure down dip with high-grade and bonanza grade gold-silver intercepts.
Alien Metals Ltd., provided an update on the review and planning for the next phase of exploration on its Donovan 2 project in Zacatecas. Alien has received this property back from Capstone after ceasing their agreement. After reviewing all the exploration work carried out at Donovan 2, Alien concluded that the original high-priority targets identified by Alien prior to Capstone’s involvement remain untested. In the eastern area of Donovan 2 property, a north-south grid to collect 55 Metal Mobile Ion (MMI) surface geochemical samples has been designed and work has commenced. “The Company is finalizing an initial 4-to-6 hole program for about 800m to target the Los Alamos and Cerro de la Cruz targets once a review of the current drilling permit status is completed, the MMI results are received and reprocessing of the geophysics are completed to ensure the Company has used every available piece of data to maximize confidence in the drilling program”.
Inomin Mines Inc., filed a NI43-101 technical report for its la Gitana project located in Oaxaca. La Gitana is an advance property where a substantial near-surface, low-sulphidation, epithermal gold-silver mineral system has been outlined. “Previous drilling programs at La Gitana in 2004 – 2006 by Chesapeake Gold Corp., intersected gold-silver mineralization in a core zone 400 to 500m long, 50 to 150m wide and 50 to 300m depth, with grades ranging from 0.25 to 27.8 g/t gold and 5 to 2,330 g/t silver”. The gold-silver mineralization is open to expansion to the southeast and at depth from drill-tested areas. Inomine plans to conduct a phase 2 drilling campaign and complete a preliminary resource estimation.

ON MINING

Aura Minerals inc., reported Q2, 2021 production from its Aranzazu mine in Zacatecas. It produced 5,120 Oz Au, 84,263 Oz Ag, and 6.78M Lb Cu for a total of 22,590 GEO (Oz AuEq).
First Majestic Silver Corp., reported Q2, 2021 production and financial results from their Mexican mine operations. The table below, shows mine by mine figures:

Mine	Ore Processed	Tonnes per Day	Ag Grade (g/t)	Au Grade (g/t)	Ag Recovery	Au Recovery	Ag Oz Produced	Au Oz Produced	AgEq Oz produced
San Dimas	202,382	2,224	301	3.07	95%	96%	1,868,031	19,227	3,176,725
Santa Elena	234,381	2,576	81	1.17	93%	96%	565,453	8,453	1,140,398
La Encantada	242,839	2,669	138	0.02	78%	90%	840,541	102	847,502
TOTAL	679,602	7,469	167	1.32	89%	94%	3,27,4025	27,782	5,164,625

Altaley Mining Corporation presented Q2, 2021 production and financial results from its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. The company milled 164.1K tonnes of 1.2 g/t Au, 129 g/t Ag, 1.1% Pb, and 4.5% Zn with metallurgical recoveries of 22%, 46%, 31%, and 74% respectively to produce 11.9K tonnes of Zn concentrate and 2.7K tonnes of Pb concentrate. Altaley reported revenues of USD $13.9M from the sale of Zn concentrates and USD $2.27M for the Pb concentrates for total revenue of USD $16.2M.
Golden Minerals Company reported Q2, 2021 production results from its Rodeo mine in Durango. The company mined 164,954 tonnes from which it processed 49,552 tonnes of 3.6 g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag with metallurgical recoveries of 78% and 83.9% respectively to produce 3,452 Oz Au and 11,225 Oz Ag (3,230 Oz AuEq).
Great Panther Mining Limited announced Q2, 2021 production results from their Topia and Guanajuato Mine Complex located in Durango and Guanajuato respectively. At Topia, Durango, the company processed 15,520 tonnes of 432 g/t Ag, 1.07 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 93.5% and 60.3% respectively, to produce 201,339 Oz Ag, 321 Oz Au, 799.7K Lb Pb, and 1.07M Lb Zn (3123K Oz AgEq or 3,674 Oz AuEq. At the Guanajuato Mine Complex, the company processed 40,477 tonnes of 118 g/t Ag and 1.58 g/t Au with metallurgical recoveries of 87.4% and 87.6% respectively, to produce 133K Oz Ag and 1,786 Oz Au (284.9K Oz AgEq or 3,352 Oz AuEq).
Gold Resource Corporation released Q2, 2021 production results from its Arista mine in Oaxaca. The company milled 129,590 tonnes from Arista and El Aguila mines with grades of 1.91 g/t Au, 79 g/t Ag, 0.36% Cu, 1.6% Pb, and 3.6% Zn at Arista mine and 2.58 g/t Au and 47 g/t Ag at El Aguila to produced 5.7K Oz Au, 270.3K Oz Ag, 817.6K Lb Cu, 2.7M Lb Pb, and 7.15M Lb Zn.
Magna Gold Corp., presented Q2, 2021 production results from its San Francisco mine in Sonora. It mined 1.23M tonnes of 0.43 g/t Au and processed 1.35M tonnes (all sources) of 0.49 g/t Au to produce 11.7K Oz Au and 8.4K Oz Ag. The company sold 11.8K Oz Au and 8.4K Oz Ag.
McEwen Mining Inc., reported that it produced 1,300 Gold Equivalent Oz (GEOs) during Q2, 2021 at its El Gallo project, Sinaloa from residual leaching of the heap leach pad.
Mexus Gold US announced that the company will be shipping approximately 1 tonne of activated carbon to USA for processing which is believed to contain 4K grams of Au.

ON FINANCING

Almadex Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants to purchase 757,800 common shares at an exercise price of $0.30 per share which expire on July 8, 2023 (El Chato project, Puebla).
Azucar Minerals Ltd., granted stock options to certain directors, employees and consultants to purchase 793,800 common shares at an exercise price of $0.11 per share which expire on July 8, 2023 (El Cobre project, Veracruz).
Gatos Silver Inc., signed a definitive agreement to retire its attributable portion of the los Gatos JV term loan which is approximately $154.8M, and announced a public offering to sell shares of its common stock to raise funds to achieve a more cost-efficient capital structure, including the potential extinguishment of the Los Gatos Joint Venture’s term loan, and to create additional liquidity in Gatos Silver’s common stock. The company plans to offer 6,500,000 shares of common stock and for certain selling stockholders to offer 1.82M shares of common stock. In addition, Gatos Silver and the selling stockholders intend to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 975K and 273K additional shares of common stock, respectively, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions (Los Gatos mine, Chihuahua).
One World Lithium announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD $2,025,000. It will allocate the net proceeds as follows: Salar del Diablo Lithium property southern and possible middle portion of the property drilling program CAD $750K; initial lab tests, design of and completing engineer design work for a pilot plant for the company’s critical fluid separation technology CAD $750K and CAD $525K for working capital.
Riverside Resources Inc., informed that it is to receive USD $5.4M in exploration funding from BHP to advance four copper projects as part of the expanding copper exploration program with BHP in Sonora. The properties to advance are Chuin, Palofierro, Sinoquipe, and Peñitas. Chuin and Palofierro are drill-ready properties, and drilling permits are underway, while Sinoquipe and Peñitas will be subject to Magneto-Telluric surveys which are expected to commence after contractors are secured. This new funding of at least USD 5.4M is in addition to the USD $1.3M allocated for the next generative phase of exploration work, which began two months ago.
Orla Mining Ltd., closed a non-broker prospectus financing for gross proceeds of USD $35M consisting of 9,085,263 common shares priced at CAD $4.75 per common share. Part of the net proceeds will be used for development activities and at its Camino Rojo Oxide Gold Project in Zacatecas, and for general corporate purposes.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Discovery Silver Corp., released results from 13 drill holes collared at its flagship Cordero project in Chihuahua. These results are part of the recently completed phase 1 drill program and are going to be incorporated in a new resource estimate in Q3, 2021 and PEA in Q4, 2021. Highlights include hole C21-457 with 1,570 g/t Ag, 16.25 g/t Au, 7% Pb, and 19% Zn (3,934 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; hole C21-435 with 122 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 1.1% Pb, and 1.9% Zn (245 g/t AgEq) over 28.5m, including 1,960 g/t Ag, 0.32 g/t Au, 15.4% Pb, and 21.6% Zn (3,424 g/t AgEq) over 1.1m; hole C21-437 with 87 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, and 0.8% Zn (157 g/t AgEq) over 58.8m, including 1,480 g/t Ag, 0.22 g/t Au, 13.1% Pb, and 20% Zn (2,789 g/t AgEq) over 1.2m; hole C21-436 with 1,385 g/t Ag, 0.49 g/t Ag, 7.5% Pb, and 10.9% Zn (2,139 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; hole C21-435 with 385 g/t Ag, 1.15 g/t Au, 5.9% Pb, and 11.9% Zn (1,179 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m; and hole C21-459 with 420 g/t Ag, 0.32 g/t Au, 8.8% Pb, and 14.9% Zn (1,374 g/t AgEq) over 1.3m. In addition, “the company has completed 17,200 m (47 holes) as part of its Phase 2 drill program which will be ongoing through the remainder of the year. Phase 2 drilling will be focused on three key areas: (1) upgrading inferred resources for inclusion in a prefeasibility study; (2) resource expansion of bulk-tonnage mineralization; and (3) testing of the width, grade and continuity of the extensive high-grade vein systems that transect the deposit. There are currently four drill rigs operating on site”.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp., announced results from the current ongoing drilling program at its Santa Maria project in Chihuahua. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole SM20-20 with 2.5 g/t Au, 32 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.03% Cu (161 g/t AgEq) over 30.7m, including 3.33 g/t Au, 41 g/t Ag, 0.8% Pb, 0.5% Zn, and 0.04% Cu (213 g/t AgEq) over 22.70m, including 5.61 g/t Au, 64 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 0.9% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (353 g7t AgEq) over 11.60m, including 7.24 g/t Au, 80 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, 1.1% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (453 g/t AgEq) over 7.24m. “The Company has now completed drill holes SM20-01 to SM20-24 for a total of approximately 6,500 meters of the increased 9,200 meter drill program drilled to date. Hole SM20-25 is currently in progress”.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., presented results from Phase 1 of the drill campaign, which is looking to add measured and indicated resources to its Avino mine in Durango. The most significant drill intersects on El Trompo Vein were encountered in holes TR-21-01 with 0.56 g/t Au, 177 g/t Ag, 0.5% Pb, and .7% Zn (577 g/t AgEq) over 0.95m; and hole TR-21-03 with 0.42 g/t Au, 276 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.1% Zn (322 g/t AgEq) over 2.75m. On the Santiago Vein, the most significant drill intercepts was encountered in hole ST-21-04 with 2.62 g/t Au, 643 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 0.3% Pb, and 0.3% Zn (865 g/t AgEq) over 0.8m. On the La Malinche Vein, the best drill intersects were encountered in hole LM-21-04 with 1.68 g/t Au, 252 g/t Ag, 1.17% Cu, 0.9% Pb, and 10.3% Zn (820 g/t AgEq) over 1.4m; and hole LM-21-06 with 1.56 g/t Au, 364 g/t Ag, 2.9% Cu, 0.7% Pb, and 0.06% Zn (786 g/t AgEq) over 0.90m.
GoGold Resources Inc., released results from eleven drill holes collared at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Drilling highlights include hole LRGCS-21-047 collared at Casados Area with 0.76 g/t Au and 145 g/t Ag (2.71 g/t AuEq or 203 g/t AgEq) over 22.6m, including 4.31 g/t Au and 864 g/t Ag (15.84 g/t AuEq or 1,188 g/t AgEq) over 2m; and hole LRGCS-21-056 also collared at Casados Area with 0.96 g/t Au and 187 g/t Ag (3.45 g/t AuEq or 259 g/t AgEq) over 45.9m, including 6.17 g/t Au and 1,050 g/t Ag (20.17 g/t AuEq or 1,513 g/t AgEq) over 4.5m, including 13.01 g/t Au and 2,034 g/t Ag (40.12 g/t AuEq or 3,009 g/t AgEq) over 2m, including 19.87 g/t Au and 2,877 g/t Ag (58.23 g/t AuEq or 4,367 g/t AgEq).
Golden Tag Resources Ltd., presented results from hole 21-58 drilled at a steep angle toward the southwest to test the top of the Fernandez Zone resource envelope within its San Diego property in Durango. This hole intersected 0.13 g/t Au, 151 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 1.7% Zn and 0.12% Cu (306 g/t AgEq) over a length of 6.55m, plus 0.14 g/t Au, 96 g/t Ag, 1.9% Pb, 1.6% Zn, and 0.07% Cu (258 g/t AgEq) over 16.34 g/t AgEq, plus 0.04 g/t Au, 0.8% Pb, 0.8% Zn, and 0.06% Cu (111 g/t AgEq) over 191.57m. Future drilling will be designed to determine if the grade improvement can be extended to the west and at depth below hole 21-58.
IMPACT Silver Corp., informed that it has completed phase 1 of the Veta Negra drilling program in the Zacualpan mining district, State of Mexico. The most significant drill intercept was encountered in hole Z21-05 with 187 g/t Ag0.98 g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, and 2.5% Zn over 13.85m. “The Veta Negra vein system was mined historically as both an open pit and from underground. Two north-northwest trending parallel veins enclosed by stockwork mineralized host rock are currently being mined by IMPACT over widths averaging 14 metres in the open pit”.
Kootenay Silver Inc., hired Blue Coast Research to conduct metallurgical testing on its la Negra property in Sonora with the aim to further investigate the best recovery process for La Negra along the path towards an initial mineral resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
Prime Mining Corp., released drill results from the Noche Buena deposit within its Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Highlights include hole 21NB-06 with 1.29 g/t Au and 61 g/t Ag over a true width (TW) of 28.9m , including5.74 g/t Au and 108 g/t Ag over a TW of 3.6m; hole 21NB-09 with 2.89 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.4m, including 18 g/t Au and 209 g/t Ag over a TW of 1.2m; hole 21NB-08 with 1.23 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 8.9m, including 6.08 g/t Au and 91 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m; hole 21NB-10 with 0.7 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag over a TW of 15.6m, including 3.73 g/t Au and 109 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.9m; hole 21NB-05 with 0.77 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag over a TW of 2.9m, including 2.67 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag over a TW of 0.4m; hole 21NB-11 with 1 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag over a TW of 5.2m;and hole 21NB-07 with 0.65 g/t Au and 21 g/t Ag over 10.4m. “The Noche Buena deposit remains open at depth and further along strike”.
Silver Tiger Metals Inc., announced that it continue intersecting high grade mineralization at its El Tigre project in Sonora. Highlights from the ongoing drilling program include hole ET-21-231, collared at the Sooy Vein with 303 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (369 g/t AgEq) over 10.8m, including 801 g/t Ag, 0.35 g/t Au, 0.71% Cu, 3.1% Pb, and 2.8% Zn (2,063 g/t AgEq) over 0.5m, and 125 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.06% Cu, 0.5% Pb, and 0.7% Zn (180 g/t AgEq) over 21.9m, including 534 g/t Ag, 0.09 g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 2.4% Pb, and 4% Zn (749 g/t AgEq) over 1.5m; and hole ET-21-235 collared at the Benjamin Vein with 89 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Au, 0.12% Cu, 0.8% Pb, and 1.1% Zn (161 g/t AgEq) over 6.3m, including 391 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 0.56% Cu, 3.6% Pb, and 4.4% Zn (686 g/t AgEq) over 1m.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

No relevant news.

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Grupo México donated 8,000 native trees to Hermosillo, Sonora. The procedures to request the specimens began six months ago through the civil association Actions for a Better World by Karina López Ivich, who is the director and also climate leader of Climate Reality.
The Government of Zacatecas along with representatives of the mining companies Fresnillo plc and Capstone Gold began with the Tree Donation Program. Mining companies settled in the entity, has set a goal of delivering 10 thousand trees with the commitment to plant them in suitable places, carry out the necessary care and maintenance and guarantee their survival.

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

On the picture above, a volcanic-hosted epithermal vein-breccia from a prospect in Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo by Miguel A Heredia.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Fourth Week of June, 2021

June 27, 2021 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 25^th week of the year (June 21^st to June 28^th, 2021), at least 34 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. To note, seven companies posted exploration advances on their properties, six posted on financing, warrants extension, options distribution or option payments received, eight more on project development or resource definition and four posted on deals or corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, there is a new illegal blockade at Los Filos in Guerrero. Canadian Mining companies are suffering the results of the asylum provided by Canada to Mexican union leader Napoleon Gómez Urrutia. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Riverside is receiving funding for exploration of five properties; Ridgestone released surface sample results from Rebeico; Colibri completed an IP survey on Evelyn. In Chihuahua, Kootenay is to rehabilitate underground workings at Columba. In Sinaloa, GR Silver initiated a drilling campaign in the Rosario district. In Durango, Mithril intersected bonanza grade mineralization in drill holes at Copalquin. In Jalisco, Xali Gold identified targets at its Tepic project. ON MINING, Mexus Gold produced some gold at Santa Elena in Sonora. Fresnillo paid US$176.2 M in taxes to the Mexican government in 2020. Santacruz Silver reported a fatality at is Rosario mine in San Luis Potosi. ON FINANCING, Reyna Silver, Wealth Minerals and Southern Silver reported on financing rounds for C$6.06 M, $675 K and $3 M respectively. Vizsla Silver granted options, Radius Gold received $400 K as payment from Pan American Silver related to an earn-in agreement on the Amalia project. Advance Gold extended the expiry date of some warrants. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Guanajuato Silver informed on advance at getting the El Cubo and Pinguico mines back to production. Minera Alamos informed construction has been completed at Santana, in Sonora. Fabled Silver Gold released drilling results from Santa Maria, in Chihuahua. Discovery Silver released results from drilling targeting bulk mining mineralization at Cordero, in Chihuahua. Vizsla Silver released interesting drilling results from Panuco, in Sinaloa. Silver Dollar signed a surface access agreement at La Joya, in Durango. Oroco Resources received the environmental permit to drill at Santo Tomas, in Sinaloa. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Vizsla Silver is to spin a Canadian copper asset, forming Vizsla Copper. Fortuna Silver and Roxgold received a recommendation for their business combination. David Jones is on Benjamin Hill as a technical advisor. Orogen Royalties is to trade on the OTCQX ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Peñoles, Fresnillo PLC, the Chihuahua Mining cluster and Minera Peñasquito informed on actions the companies realize to help communities and the environment. Great Panther published its sustainability report. Newmont launched its Climate Strategy Report.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

Equinox Gold Corp. informed an illegal blockade has temporarily suspended mining activities at Los Filos, Guerrero. the illegal blockades are led by “a group of unionized employees and members of the Xochipala community, both of whom are demanding payments in excess of their contractual agreements.
Americas Gold & Silver continues its fight against Napoleón Gómez Urrutia union. The company has had its San Rafael mine in Cosalá, Sinaloa, under siege for 18 months by the section 333 of the Sindicato de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos, Siderurgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana (the union led by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia). The company asked the Canadian government for help on what they see as an illegal blockade disguised as a dispute for the Union to control the company’s personnel collective contract (speaking of retribution, Canadian Mining companies are paying for the asylum Canada provided to the Union leader, and are set to pay dearly if do not fight back).

ON EXPLORATION

Riverside Resources Inc. informed BHP is funding exploration in five projects in Sonora, acquired under the BHP-Riverside Exploration Funding Agreement. A total of US$1.3 M over two years was allocated for generative funding, with an additional US$1 M in specific work programs. Riverside anticipates two projects will see a maiden drill campaign on 2021, of five under evaluation. The Chuin and Palofierro projects are the most advanced, while Sinoquipe, Penitas and Montosa projects are to follow suite. Magneto-teluric (MT) and gravity geophysics, green-mineral, whole rock and prospecting are being used for vectoring and district evaluations.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. initiated a 14,000 m exploration drill program in the Rosario district in Sinaloa. Seven drill rigs are being mobilized to dill vein systems covering a combined 75 km strike length of the Plomosas, San Marcial and La Trinidad project areas. Some of the targets include the GAP area, Loma Dorada structure.
Xali Gold Corp. identified drill targets that can extend known mineralization at its Cocula project in Jalisco. These drill targets were identified on a 3D model, and are designed to test potential extensions to previously defined zones. The project displays two styles of mineralization, gold-silver as dissemination in oxidized breccias near surface and higher-grade gold silver and base metals in structures containing stockwork quartz veining.
Ridgestone Mining Inc. released assay results from sampling on recent mapping at its Rebeico project in Sonora. Sampling at El Cobre mine returned up to 1.0 m @ 3.5% Cu, 0.32 gpt Au, 32 gpt Ag, 0.136% Mo on the main structure. Regional mapping returned up to 1.2 m @ 1.06% Cu, 2.40 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag in a quartz vein and 1.5 m @ 0.08% Cu, 3.45 gpt Au in a breccia. “The El Cobre mine was put into production by Asarco during the sixties and was developed on two levels, with the upper level having over 230 metres of drift development and the lower level having over 100 metres long of drift development at a depth of 180 metres below surface. The main structure, with widths varying from 1 to 5 metres, has been emplaced within a granodiorite intrusive and remains open along strike and at Depth”.
Kootenay Silver Inc. announced the signing of a contract with Tlasa Obras Mineras S. de R.L. de C.V. to rehabilitate the historic underground workings of the F vein at the Coulmba project in Chihuahua. Work is expected to take four months.
Colibri Resource Corp. reported the completion of the previously announced IP survey at Evelyn, in Sonora. The IP survey consisted of 38-line km of 3D-IP covering the eastern half of the Evelyn project. “…the highest chargeability response is spatially associated with the Main Zone within the Cerro Rojo target area…. the Company has decided to extend the IP survey to the western boundary thus completing 3D IP coverage over most of the property”.
Mithril Resources Ltd. released drill results from its Copalquin project in Durango. Highlighted core length results comprise: 6.8 m @ 74 gpt Au, 841 gpt Ag (including 2.1 m @ 235 gpt Au, 2,554 gpt Ag); 4.61 m @ 1.87 gpt Au, 89 gpt Ag; 7.60 m @ 2.34 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag; 1.0 m @ 2.64 gpt Au, 167 gpt Ag; 6.0 m @ 1.41 gpt Au, 66 gpt Ag; 1.80 m @ 2.38 gpt Au, 53 gpt Ag; 1.05 m @ 2.36 gpt Au, 95 gpt Ag; 0.50 m @ 28.9 gpt Au, 471 gpt Ag; 1.66 m @ 2.41 gpt Au, 153 gpt Ag. Drilling continues along El Refugio structure, and soil sampling is in progress to define the structure a further 1.3 km to the west.

ON MINING

Mexus Gold US. informed its Santa Elena mine in Sonora produced 20 Oz Au last week and confirmed the presence of 30 ounces more on the activated carbon cells.
Fresnillo PLC. presented a report on the payments to the governments of Mexico, Chile and Peru. In Mexico, Fresnillo paid US$ 139.3 M in taxes, US$1.48 M in royalties and US$35.4 M in concession fees, for a total of US$176.2 M.
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported a fatality at its Rosario project in San Luis Potosi. ”The accident took place at the Membrillo mine as a result of a rock fall”.

ON FINANCING

Vizsla Silver Corp. granted 4.15 M options to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Panuco, Sinaloa).
Reyna Silver Corp. has over-sold the offering and completed a brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$6.06 M (GuiGui, Chihuahua).
Radius Gold Inc. reported that Pan American Silver, its joint venture partner in at the Amalia project in Chihuahua, has paid a scheduled US$400 K property payment to Radius, and plans further drilling at the project. “Exploration completed at Amalia includes 31 holes for 10,588m of diamond core drilling, primarily at the San Pedro zone on the Amalia structure. The next targets to be drill tested are El Cuervo…. and at California”.
Wealth Minerals Ltd. closed the second tranche of the placement, for gross proceeds of $675 K (Coronado, Chihuahua).
Southern Silver Exploration Corp. closed the non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $3 M (Cerro Las Minitas, Durango).
Advance Gold Corp. applied to the TSX Venture Exchange to extend the expiry date on 3.08 M share purchase warrants issued pursuant to the private placement financing in July 2019, by one year, to July 9, 2022 (Tabasqueña, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. informed on staffing mill and mine refurbishment at El Cubo, Guanajuato. Also the company is doing metallurgical studies on El Cubo and Pinguico deposits.
Minera Alamos Inc. informed all construction has now been completed at Santana, in Sonora. “All construction has now been completed with the full leach pad now lined and available for stacking….. First loading of mined material from the Nicho Norte pit commenced earlier this month …in preparation for the commissioning of leach operations around the end of the June”.
Fabled Silver Gold Corp. released drilling results from its ongoing campaign at Santa Maria, Chihuahua. Highlighted core length results comprise 10.50 m @ 0.38 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 1.0% Zn Cu (including 1.20 m @ 1.37 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.6% Pb, 4.2% Zn); 27.50 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag (including 1.20 m @ 0.52 gpt Au, 163 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.0% Zn); 19.65 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 52 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.6% Zn (including 7.90 m @ 0.74 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag, 0.5% Pb, 1.2% Zn); 1.00 m @ 0.33 gpt Au, 322 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.4% Zn.
Discovery Silver Corp. released results from 12 drill holes targeting bulk-mining mineralization at its Cordero project in Chihuahua. Highlighted results comprise 65.9 m @ 69 gpt Ag, 0.11 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 3.7% Zn; 143 m @ 39 gpt Ag, 0.13 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 59.5 m @ 54 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.9% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 86.0 m @ 33 gpt Ag, 0.17 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 82.3 m @ 44 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.7% Pb, 1.5% Zn; 59.4 m @ 48 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 2.0% Zn; 48.9 m @ 85 gpt Ag, 0.08 gpt Au, 0.6% Pb, 1.1% Zn.
Vizsla Silver Corp. provided results for fourteen holes from the Napoleon prospect at the Panuco project in Sinaloa. Highlighted true width results comprise 3.73 m @ 2.85 gpt Au, 105 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 1.4% Zn; 2.62 m @ 5.51 gpt Au, 476 gpt Ag, 1.5% Pb, 1.1% Zn; 8.36 m @ 5.58 gpt Au, 372 gpt Ag, 0.2% Pb, 0.9% Zn (including 2.31 m @ 18.88 gpt Au, 1,306 gpt Ag, 0.7% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 3.21 m @ 0.94 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.1% Pb, 0.9% Zn; 3.45 m @ 1.81 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.2% Zn; 11.34 m @ 3.11 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 2.1% Zn; 4.87 m @ 3.70 gpt Au, 112 gpt Ag, 0.3% Pb, 1.5% Zn.
GoGold Resources Inc. informed on results from seven drill holes from El Favor deposit at its Los Ricos North project in Jalisco. Highlighted core length results comprise: 15.0 m @ 0.41 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag (including 6.4 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 258 gpt Ag); 20.6 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 10.6 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag; 6.5 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 81 gpt Ag; 63.7 m @ 0.11 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag (including 9.1 m @ 0.54 gpt Au, 186 gpt Ag); 61.3 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 243 gpt Ag (including 9.3 m @ 2.06 gpt Au, 973 gpt Ag); 9.4 m @ 0.10 gpt Au, 45 gpt Ag; 6.8 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag; 4.8 m @ 0.25 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag; 14.4 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag; 35.2 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag. “Three of the four major veins (Salomon, Guitarrillas and Los Chivos) appear to converge into a 100m wide zone at the western end of the El Favor deposit in the vicinity of the Hundido Pit….”.
Silver Dollar Resources Inc. entered into a formal surface access agreement with the ejido Noria de Pilares, at its La Joya project in Durango.
Oroco Resources Corp. received approval by SEMARNAT to conduct a drilling program at its Santo Tomas project in Sinaloa. The permit allows for 46 drill locations to test the Brasiles gossan zone and the Western blind target, both supported by a 3D IP survey, and nine drill locations on the North zone for confirmation and expansion drilling.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Vizsla Silver Corp. informed on the approval of the proposed plan of arrangement on which Vizsla Silver is to spin-out its British Columbia exploration assets to Vizsla Copper Corp. (Panuco, Sinaloa).
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. and Roxgold Inc. informed two leading proxy advisory firms have recommended that both Fortuna and Roxgold shareholders vote for the proposed business combination (San Jose, Oaxaca).
Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. announced the appointment of David M. Jones, M.Sc., as technical advisor to the company (Sonora Gold, Sonora).
Orogen Royalties Inc. announced its shares have been qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market (Ermitaño, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Peñasquito informed its water purification plant in Cedros has increased its capacity to 400 cubic meters per day. The community, which doubled its population since the development of the mine, receives the water at no cost. There are two other water purification plants run by the company at the Mesas and Charcos communities.
Greath Panther Mining published its 2020 sustainability report, describing its safety performance, Covid prevention, zero sanctions, decrease in water consumption, community engagement, gender opportunities and diversity policy.
The Chihuahua Mining Cluster is aiding in the community effort to extinguish forest fires in the Sierra Madre.
Newmont Corp. launched its first Climate Strategy Report, which outlines the Company’s climate-related risks and opportunities, strategic planning, and pathways to achieving climate targets.
Industrias Peñoles informed on the reforestation effort with native species in La Laguna region (Coahuila-Durango).
Peñoles and Fresnillo PLC are to support micro business and auto-development economic proyects in Caborca, Sonora.

On the image below: Sheeted quartz veining in granodioritic intrusive rocks in Sinaloa. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of February, 2021

February 21, 2021February 21, 2021 / Gambusino Prospector / Leave a comment

By Jorge Cirett

During the 7^th week of the year (February 15^th to February 21^st, 2021), there were at least 42 press releases by companies working in Mexico. To note, nine companies posted exploration advances on their properties (with GoGold’s Casados discovery deemed the most significant), six presenting quarterly results, two informing on power cuts, six posting on financing or share options, nine on project development and two on corporate issues. ON MEXICO ISSUES, the Mexican mining sector is dealing with several (government induced) challenges and great opportunities. The Nuevo Leon State government intends to push its mining sector. Camimex points out the goal of the energy bill should be to promote the reduction of the electricity cost. ON EXPLORATION, in Sonora, Tarachi Gold released drilling results from the San Javier concession; Tocvan Ventures initiated the next exploration campaign at Pilar. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold released drilling results from the Amalia project; Silver Spruce is to carry a LidDar survey at Pino de Plata; Mammoth Resources released observations by independent consultants on its Tenoriba property. In Sinaloa, Prismo Metals presented drilling results on Palos Verdes; Vizsla Silver informed seven rigs are now churning at Panuco; Brigadier Gold released drilling results from its Picachos project. In Jalisco, Stroud Resources informed on the approval of its drilling permit for Santo Domingo, Hostotipaquillo. ON MINING, Starcore International, Pan American Silver, Golden Minerals, Hecla Mining, Newmont, and First Majestic released quarterly and full year 2020 reports. Excellon and Gatos Silver informed on work affected by the power cuts in the north of the country. ON FINANCING, SGold79 Mines and Vizsla Silver granted options to directors, officers and employees; Consolidated Zinc, Orogen Royalties, Van Gold Mining and Brigadier Gold informed on their financing rounds. Heliostar Metals qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Avino Silver will drill 12,000 m on the Avino property. Sonoro Gold released results from 24 holes at Cerro Caliche. VanGold released positive results from the PEA on El Cubo and El Pinguico in Zacatecas. McEwen Mining filed the FS on the Fenix project. GoGold Resources made a discovery at Los Ricos North. Coeur Mining released the 2020 resource estimate for Palmarejo. Capitan Mining released drilling results from the Peñoles project. Golden Tag released results from drilling at San Diego, Velardeña. GR Silver Mining reported drilling results from Plomosas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Azure Minerals is divesting its Mexican portfolio. Premier Gold shareholders had to vote in February 19 on the arrangement with Equinox Gold. ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Minera Media Luna is to make a large investment during the next three years at the Media Luna project in Guerrero, with a significant impact in the communities of the area.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

The Mexican Mining Sector is dealing with several challenges and great opportunities, according to mining companies executives. The outright denial to grant mining concessions, the lack of a medium term regulatory view, security issues, the blockage by SEMARNAT of several projects, the lack of clarity and rules and lagging paperwork have to be weighed against the great mineral potential of the country, and its qualified workforce.
The Nuevo Leon State government seeks to foster the mining activity on the southern part of the state. Nuevo Leon has significant deposits of barite, clays, limestone, dolostone, gypsum, phosphorite and talc, among other minerals.
Camimex (Cámara Minera de México) pointed out that the goal of an energy bill should be to promote the reduction of the electricity cost, not to favor any given company. With the introduction of the auto supply figure a few years ago mining companies saw the electricity cost go down from US$0.12-$0.13 Kw/hr to US$0.065 Kw/hr, while those that rely on the government supplied electricity pay US$0.08 and $0.09 Kw/hr. Miners in Perú and Chile pay US$0.06 Kw/hr and those in USA and Canada US$0.04 Kw/hr and US$0.02 Kw/hr respectively.
Newmont’s Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas produced 520 K ounces of gold and 934 K gold equivalent ounces in 2020. Production for 2021 is estimated at 660 K ounces of gold and 1.12 M gold equivalent ounces.

ON EXPLORATION

Radius Gold Inc. reported results from its phase four drilling program operated by Pan American Silver Corp. at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Highlighted true width results comprise 6.5 m @ 0.59 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag; 0.60 m @ 1.48 gpt Au, 475 gpt Ag; 5.0 m @ 1.73 gpt Au, 70 gpt Ag; 5.5 m @ 0.93 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag. The high-grade San Pedro ore shoot has been defined for 410 meters down-dip.
Tarachi Gold Corp. released assay results from the first nine diamond holes completed on the San Javier concession, at its Tarachi project in Sonora. Highlighted core-length intervals comprise 3.0 m @ 1.58 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 1.80 gpt Au, 1.0 m @ 6.08 gpt Au, 14.4 m @ 0.21 gpt Au; 9.0 m @ 0.61 gpt Au; 4.0 m @ 0.86 gpt Au, 2.6 m @ 1.52 gpt Au, 2.0 m @ 11.90 gpt Au (including 1.0 m @ 21.10 gpt Au); 12.0 m @ 0.63 gpt Au; 5.6 m @ 5.39 gpt Au; 1.0 m @ 15.70 gpt Au; 17.0 m @ 0.62 gpt Au; 10.6 m @ 1.6 gpt Au. “the gold mineralization is situated along open brittle structures containing over 20 percent sulphides, mainly pyrite with minor quartz veining/veinlets”.
Prismo Metals Inc. presented results from its initial five-hole 573 m diamond drilling program at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa. The program was designed to test for mineralization continuity to depth and along strike to previous reconnaissance drilling. Highlighted true width results comprise 3.2 m @ 0.13 gpt Au, 69 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.1% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 2.5 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.6% Zn; 1.3 m @ 0.73 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 3.9% Zn; 0.9 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, nil Pb, 1.4% Zn.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. has contracted Eagle Mapping Ltd. to carry out a LiDar survey on the Pino de Plata property in Chihuahua. The survey is to produce an orthorectified color aerial photography and an accurate digital elevation model (DEM).
Vizsla Silver Corp. announced the arrival of two drill rigs to its Panuco property in Sinaloa. With these, a total of seven rigs is now operating in Panuco. The company completed over 28,000 m of drilling last year and plans to complete more than 40,000 m in the first half of 2021.
Brigadier Gold Ltd. provided results from its diamond drill and underground sampling programs at Picachos, Sinaloa. Drill core length highlighted true width (TW) intervals comprise 30 m @ 1.27 gpt Au, 212 gpt Ag; 3.5 m @ 1.07 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag, 0.39% Cu, 0.15% Zn; 6.4 m @ 0.15% Zn; 10.8 m @ 0.22% Zn; 1.6 m @ 5.08 gpt Au, 35 gpt Ag, 1.90% Cu, 0.22% Zn; 183.5 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 2 gpt Ag, 0.19% Pb, 0.37% Zn (including 0.9 m @ 10.65 gpt Au and 1.0 m @ 6.26 gpt Au, 0.54% Pb, 0.28% Zn). Highlighted trench TW intervals comprise 0.4 m @ 49.60 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag, 0.34% Pb, 0.37% Zn; 0.8 m @ 9.70 gpt Au, 0.52% Pb, 0.32% Zn; 2.6 m @ 2.32 gpt Au, 0.14% Zn; 1.0 m @ 20.14 gpt Au, 36 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.74% Pb, 2.51% Zn; 2.0 m @ 11.55 gpt Au, 0.12% Cu, 0.23% Pb, 0.47% Zn; 0.7 m @ 7.95 gpt Au, 43 gpt Ag, 3.26% Cu, 0.22% Pb; 0.5 m @ 109.14 gpt Au, 20 gpt Ag; 4.5 m @ 2.56 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.64% Pb, 0.86% Zn; 1.2 m @ 23.45 gpt Au, 6 gpt Ag, 0.19% Pb, 0.12% Zn “Of the 28 holes drilled to date, fourteen (1704 metres) were drilled to test the San Agustín Vein, 10 holes (1029 metres) tested surface exploration targets defined by trenching, 2 holes (168 metres) tested under the historic San Antonio Mine and one hole tested under the historic La Gloria Mine”. A second drill rig is being added for the commencement of the phase two drilling campaign.
Stroud Resources Ltd. informed the drill permit application has been approved for its Santo Domingo property in Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco. The first phase consists of 12 drill holes, and a second phase comprises 38 holes to expand the mineral resources. “Stroud’s exploration of the two main mineralized zones has drilled through many of the workings. These zones; La Rayas and Guadalupe, are a series of banded to breccia style epithermal quartz carbonate vein systems represented with miargyrite, galena, sphalerite, argentite and native silver and gold. La Rayas is 30 to 35 metres wide and Guadalupe is 15 to 30 metres wide. Both are parallel structures with greater than a 700-metre strike length and about 300 metre depth”.
Mammoth Resources Corp. released observations by independent consultants on its Tenoriba property in Chihuahua. According to them the mineralization in the area is of epithermal high sulfidation type and occurring near the angular unconformity between the Lower and Upper Volcanic Groups. A thorough 2-year exploration program was recommended to evaluate the main prospect areas and to address areas that have to date seen little or no work.
Tocvan Ventures Corp. announced the start of the next phase of exploration at El Pilar in Sonora. The planned work is to include mapping and sampling of key target areas across the project. The property is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulfidation epithermal system in andesitic and rhyolitic volcanic rocks.

ON MINING

Excellon Resources Inc. informed it is looking for alternative energy sources for its Platosa mine in Durango. The energy utilised by the company is generated with natural gas, and it has seen its price multiplied up to a hundred times due to the intense cold wave in Texas. The price increase is expected to be a short-term event.
Starcore International Mines Ltd. announced production results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2021. At its San Martin mine in Queretaro, 57.3 K tonnes were milled @ 1.66 gpt Au, 22.9 gpt Ag, recovering 88.8% and 57.1% respectively to produce 3,063 Oz AuEq. A 6,000 m drill program has been implemented on the northwestern and eastern parts of the mine, matched with a development program of approximately 1,200 meters to cover both zones under exploration.
Mexus Gold US. continues mining at its Santa Elena project in Sonora. After a slowdown due to a Covid outbreak, operations are now gaining pace.
Pan American Silver Corp. reported audited financial results for 2020 and the Q4 of the same year, including some figures from its Mexican operations. At La Colorada, in Zacatecas, 1.19 M Oz Ag, 800 Oz Au were produced in Q4 and 5.02 M Oz Ag, 3,500 Oz Au during the year. At Dolores, in Chihuahua, 0.76 M Oz Ag, 30,500 Oz Au were produced in Q4 and 5.02 M Oz Ag, 98,000 Oz Au during the year. Cash cost and AISC per Ag Oz for the year stood at $6.99 and $10.80 for La Colorada and ($2.48) and $6.17 for Dolores.
Golden Minerals Co. released financial results for 2020. During the year the Rodeo open pit in Durango was started, with ore to be processed at the Velardeña oxide mill and an expected production between 12 K and 14 K Oz Au for 2021. In Yoquivo, Chihuahua, several new veins were discovered. The lease of the Velardeña mill to Hecla was terminated in November 2020, gathering $5.6 M in revenue. The Santa María property was farmed out for $4 M, whilst the Velardeña mine and sulfide mill might restart late in 2021. Cash and cash equivalents of $9.7 M by the end of the period.
Hecla Mining Co. presented 2020 results, including some figures from its Mexican operations. At San Sebastian, in Durango, 1.0 M Oz Ag, 7,223 Oz Au were produced in the year (0.2 M Oz Ag, 1,159 Oz Au in Q4), with the mill operating at 474 tpd when in production. Also in San Sebastian, El Tigre and El Bronco veins that were discovered under thick soil cover in 2020, can be up to 8.5 m in width and extend for more than 1.6 km. The best true width intercepts are 2.90 m @ 1,384 gpt Ag, 6.84 gpt Au for El Bronco vein and 1.07 m @ 504 gpt Ag, 2.80 gpt Au for El Tigre vein.
Newmont Corp. announced Q4 and full year 2020 results, including figures from its Peñasquito operations in Zacatecas. During the quarter 201 K Oz Au and 246 K Oz AuEq were sold at an AISC of $746 and $795 per Oz respectively. For the year, 512 K Oz Au were produced and 934 K Oz AuEq at an AISC of $806 and $828 per Oz respectively. For 2021 production from Peñasquito is expected to reach 660 K Oz Au and 1,120 K Oz AuEq.
First Majestic Silver Corp. released its financial results for the fourth quarter and year 2020. For the year, 2.21 M tonnes were processed to produce 11.6 M Oz Ag, 20.38 M Oz AgEq at a cash cost of $5.09 per Oz Ag and an AISC of $13.92 per Oz AgE.

Gatos Silver Inc. reported electricity from Mexico’s national power grid supplying its Cerro Los Gatos mine in Chihuahua has been restricted, due to recent severe winter storms in Texas. The project facilities have power generators capable of sustaining the mine and field camp operations, but not the processing plant; underground mining will continue at a reduced rate and a planned shutdown for the processing plant will be completed during this temporary power restriction.

ON FINANCING

SGold79 Mines Ltd. granted 500 K common shares to Mr. Paul Carrelo, the newly appointed independent director (Higo Blanco, Oaxaca).
Consolidated Zinc Ltd. informed there are firm commitments to raise A$2.55 M in gross proceeds. The funds are required to relieve short term cashflow pressure due to operational issues at third-party processing facilities since November 2020. (Plomosas, Chihuahua).
Orogen Royalties Inc. cancelled the previously announced private placement (royalties in Ermitaño, Sonora).
VanGold Mining Corp. has further expanded its non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $16.95 M (El Cubo, Guanajuato).
Heliostar Metals Ltd. announced it has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market, upgrading from the OTCQB Venture Market (La Lola, Sonora).
Vizsla Silver Corp. granted 2.14 M options to directors, officers, employees and consultants (Panuco, Sinaloa).
Brigadier Gold Ltd. announced a non-brokered private placement financing to raise up to $1 M.

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd. has a 12,000 meters drilling program for its 1,104 hectares Avino property in Durango. Of these, 2,000 meters are planned on El Trompo vein, 3,000 meters on the Santiago vein, 2,500 meters on the Avino ET area and 4,500 meters on the Avino West area. Other areas that area to see investment include a dry stack tailings and improvements on circuit 4. Capital expenditures are expected to be between $6 to $8 M.
Vangold Mining Corp. announced positive results from the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the combined El Cubo and El Pinguico project in Guanajuato. There are 718.6 K tonnes @ 160 gpt Ag, 1.90 gpt Au containing 7.2 M Oz AgEq as indicated resources and 1.45 M tonnes @ 214 gpt Ag, 2.78 gpt Au containing 20.4 M Oz AgEq as inferred resources. “On an after-tax basis, the Combined Project generates a Base Case NPV (5%) of $32.9 M and an IRR of 105%, excluding El Cubo acquisition costs. Using commodity prices of $22.41/oz Ag and $1756/oz Au, which are +15% above the Base Case (yet still lower than current spot prices), the after-tax NPV(5%) is $79.0 M and the IRR is 344%”.
Sonoro Gold Corp. released assay results from 24 holes at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Some of the highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.10 m @ 0.73 gpt Au, 18 gpt Ag; 7.62 m @ 3.09 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag; 4.57 m @ 0.75 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 6.10 m @ 0.78 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 3.04 m @ 1.15 gpt Au, 1 gpt Ag; 3.05 m @ 2.32 gpt Au 2 gpt Ag. The Buena Suerte zone strike length is now 900 m long, and continuous mineralization has been confirmed along 2 kilometers of the El Rincón-Veta de Oro-Abejas vein and stockwork. A new zone, Bellotoso, has been identified, with a 2 kilometers strike length.
McEwen Mining Inc. filed the feasibility study (FS) on the Fenix project, Sinaloa. The report envisions a 9.5-year mine life with after-tax IRR of 28% using $1,500/Oz gold and $17/Oz silver. Average annual production is projected at 26 K Oz Au in Phase 1 and 4.5 M Oz AgEq in Phase 2.
GoGold Resources Inc. released results of nine diamond drill holes from the Casados deposit in the Los Ricos North project. Limited historical mining averaged 1.5 m in width at the Casados vein, but the present drilling intercepted mineralized widths over 20 m, and a second vein, also greater than 20 m in width. Highlighted core length intervals comprise 6.4 m @ 0.19 gpt Au, 42 gpt Ag; 6.9 m @ 0.24 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag; 56.5 m @ 0.37 gpt Au, 144 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.32 gpt Au, 97 gpt Ag (including 4.9 m @ 1.05 gpt Au, 307 gpt Ag); 27.5 m @ 0.48 gpt Au, 214 gpt Ag (including 1.3 m @ 4.67 gpt Au, 2,390 gpt Ag); 59.9 m @ 0.30 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag; 20.3 m @ 0.51 gpt Au, 143 gpt Ag; 22.5 m @ 0.29 gpt Au, 84 gpt Ag; 53.3 m @ 0.40 gpt Au, 99 gpt Ag; 21.4 m @ 0.63 gpt Au, 136 gpt Ag; 21.3 m @ 0.34 gpt Au, 104 gpt Ag; 19.3 m @ 0.42 gpt Au, 135 gpt Ag.
Coeur Mining Inc. reported its 2020 mineral reserves and resources, including figures from its operations in Mexico. At Palmarejo in Chihuahua, 68,850 m were drilled in 180 holes across 11 targets. Highlighted results include 6.9 m @ 4.3 gpt Au, 151 gpt Ag; 5.2 m @ 6.4 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag at the La Patria zone; 3.4 m @ 2.8 gpt Au, 525 gpt Ag at the Bavisa zone and 6.8 m @ 9.7 gpt Au, 640 gpt Ag; 11.2 m @ 6.1 gpt Au, 430 gpt Ag; 6.0 m @ 9.1 gpt Au, 568 gpt Ag on the Hidalgo zone.

Capitan Mining Inc. reported results from the last two holes of its 2020 drill campaign at Peñoles, in Durango. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 64 m @ 0.50 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag (including 13.7 m @ 0.93 gpt Au, 7 gpt Ag); 21.3 m @ 0.25 gpt Au; 15.2 m @ 0.25 gpt Au; 42.7 m @ 0.17 gpt Au, 35.1 m @ 0.31 gpt Au; 35.1 m @ 0.21 gpt Au, 4 gpt Ag. The Hanging Wall zone has been confirmed and delineated for over 600 m.
Golden Tag Resources Ltd. released results from its ongoing 4,500 m drilling program at the San Diego property in Durango. The infill sampling of historic holes highlighted core intercept results comprising 9.36 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.26% Pb, 0.23% Zn; 50.52 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 25 gpt Ag, 0.24% Pb, 0.29% Zn; 175.30 m @ 0.09 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.64% Pb, 0.55% Zn (including 48.41 m @ 0.12 gpt Au, 34 gpt Ag, 0.69% Pb, 0.80% Zn and 27.30 m @ 0.16 gpt Au, 58 gpt Ag, 1.30% Pb, 0.76% Zn) in one hole; 50.05 m @ 0.04 gpt Au, 0.43% Pb, 0.41% Zn; 9.90 m @ 0.06 gpt Au, 19 gpt Ag, 0.51% Pb, 0.37% Zn; 298 m @ 0.03 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag, 0.67% Pb, 0.70% Zn.
GR Silver Mining Ltd. reported results from the current drilling program in the San Juan area of its Plomosas project in Sinaloa. Highlighted core length intercepts comprise 2.5 m @ 2,195 gpt Ag, 1.12 gpt Au, 0.3% Cu; 8.8 m @ 87 gpt Ag, 0.31 gpt Au, 0.8% Pb, 1.9% Zn; 1.1 m @ 244 gpt Ag, 0.53 gpt Au, 1.0% Pb, 2.1% Zn, 0.4% Cu; 22 m @ 70 gpt Ag, 0.15 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn; 15.0 m @ 42 gpt Ag, 0.10 gpt Au, 0.3% Pb, 0.2% Zn; 3.4 m @ 578 gpt Ag, 0.20 gpt Au, 0.5% Pb, 1.3% Zn; 8.7 m @ 0.4% Zn; 18.3 m @ 2 gpt Ag, 0.06 gpt Au, 0.1% Pb, 0.7% Zn. These drilling results continue to define high-grade epithermal mineralization in the San Juan area and towards the nearby San Francisco vein.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

Azure Minerals Ltd. announced it is looking to divest its Mexican properties portfolio. The company “has commenced a strategic review of its precious metals and base metals projects in Mexico, including the 100%-owned Alacrán silver-gold-copper and Oposura zinc-lead-silver projects”.
Premier Gold Mines Ltd. reminded its shareholders of the meeting that was to be held on February 19^th to vote on the arrangement between Premier Gold and Equinox Gold Corp. regarding the acquisition of the company (Mercedes, Sonora).

ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Minera Media Luna announced an investment of 12 billion pesos (12 thousand million pesos, or US$600 M) in the next three years at its Media Luna project in Guerrero. Currently, at its Limon-Guajes mine 70% of the 900 employees and 1,300 contractors are from the state. It was also stated that about 40% of its workforce is composed by women.

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

On the image below: Quartz vein on the old Mazatlán-Durango road, geologist Guillermo Contreras for scale. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

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