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No more mining concessions in my term: AMLO.- El Financiero

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https://elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/no-habra-mas-concesiones-mineras-en-el-sexenio-amlo

The Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced this Sunday that under his government no more mining concessions are going to be delivered.

While on a political rally in Concepcion del Oro, Zacatecas, he stated that in 36 years 80 million hectares were concessioned, equivalent to 40 percent of the national territory.

He also accused business owners of using those permits only to speculate financially.

“To give concessions of the mining regions to national and foreign companies was a policy forwarded since the time of (Carlos) Salinas de Gortari and up to 80 million hectares were delivered for mining exploitation. To grasp it: let’s think in our territory. Mexico has 200 million hectares, and 80 million hectares, about 40 percent of the national territory. Never in History so much of our sovereign soil had been transferred”, he said.

He reiterated that current concessions are to continue, but no new ones are to be delivered.

“We are not to cancel (the concessions), but we are not to continue delivering new concessions for mining exploitation. Because it was too much what was delivered. If we analyze it, we are going to conclude that it wasn’t delivered to produce, but to speculate financially”, he said.

“With what has been delivered they have to produce. That’s the main purpose and not speculation. What we ask the mining companies is, first, take care of the environment, that no territory is destroyed, not to act as it is done in other countries”, he added.

He asked for Mexican miners to be paid as in the United States, or Canada, and that the same environmental rules be applied.

He made a call for the salaries of workers to be raised, with the same benefits.

As he has said in other rallies, Lopez Obrador warned that ONG’s are not to receive funds from the government budget.

“These realized intermediation work. It was supposed that these (ONG’s) delivered goods to the people and it wasn’t so. These kept the budget or a good amount of the budget and -hardly- purchased stocks of foods, distributed weevil bearing beans and kept must of the funds received”

No habrá más concesiones mineras en el sexenio: AMLO.- El Financiero

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https://elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/no-habra-mas-concesiones-mineras-en-el-sexenio-amlo

11/Agosto/2019

El presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador anunció este domingo que durante su gobierno no se entregarán más concesiones mineras.

Durante un mitin en Concepción del Oro, Zacatecas, aseguró que en 36 años se concesionaron en el país 80 millones de hectáreas, que equivale al 40 por ciento del territorio nacional.

También acusó a los empresarios que sólo utilizaron los permisos para la especulación financiera.

“Concesionar las regiones mineras a empresas nacionales y a extranjeras fue una política que se impulsó desde la época de (Carlos) Salinas de Gortari y se llegaron a entregar 80 millones de hectáreas para la explotación minera. Para tener una idea: pensemos en nuestro territorio. México tienen 200 millones de hectáreas y se entregaron 80 millones de hectáreas, como el 40 por ciento del territorio nacional. Nunca en la historia se había enajenado tanto suelo patrio”, dijo.

Reiteró que se mantendrán las concesiones, pero que no se entregarán nuevas.

“No vamos a cancelarlas, pero ya no vamos a seguir entregando nuevas concesiones para la explotación minera. Porque fue mucho lo que se entregó. Si lo analizamos vamos a llegar a la conclusión que no se entregó para producir, sino para especular financieramente”, dijo.

“Ya con lo que entregaron tienen para producir. Ese es el propósito principal y no la especulación. Lo que pedimos a las empresas mineras es, primero, que se cuide el medio ambiente, que no se destruya el territorio, que no actúen como se hace en el extranjero”, añadió.

Pidió que a los mineros mexicanos se les pague como se hace en Estados Unidos o Canadá y se apliquen las mismas normas ambientales.

Hizo un llamado a que se vaya aumentando el salario de los trabajadores, y que haya los mismos beneficios.

Como la ha dicho en otros mítines, López Obrador advirtió que las organizaciones no gubernamentales no recibirán presupuesto público.

“Realizaban trabajo de intermediación. Se supone que entregaban los apoyos a la gente y no era así. Se quedaban con el presupuesto o con una buena cantidad del presupuesto, se entregaban los apoyos y -si acaso- compraban despensas, repartían frijol con gorgojo y se quedaban con la mayor parte del dinero que recibían”.

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Second Week of June, 2019

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IMG_1079 - copia

By Jorge Cirett

During the 26th week of the year (June 24th to June 30th, 2019), at least 43 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, a resolution by the Supreme Court is awaited to learn how the Mining Fund resources are to be allocated, if for social and environmental infrastructure (as planned) or as direct allocations to the people of the communities, the preferred method of the president (a method the opposition denounces as vote buying). In Sonora a local congressman introduced a bill for a new state tax on dirt extracted from open pits, a measure that if implemented is to pose a further weight in the already heavy fiscal load for mining companies in Mexico. Furthermore, the Economy Secretariat (Secretaria de Economia) published a letter stating that the “Protocol of Good Practice of Mining for the Public Consultation” (Protocolo de buenas practicas de la Minería para la consulta pública) is under review by the agency. It is not possible to underrate the importance of the review of this protocol, because if it is implemented incorrectly the result would impact fast and catastrophically the Mexican exploration industry. One of the more pressing issues is the fact that placing the consultation process before exploration takes place, would end most exploration in one swipe. If in doubt, just take a look to Oaxaca, where, although not being in the law you have to make the community consultation process before exploring, and the result is that hardly any exploration work is nowadays conducted in one of the states with the best mineralization potential in Mexico. Trust is hard to earn, let’s not throw it away so carelessly. ON EXPLORATION, In Zacatecas, Galore continues to drill at Dos Santos; Alien Metals updated on its exploration of Donovan 2 and Los Campos. ON MINING, Alien Metals released its financial results for 2018. ON FINANCING, Santacruz signed an agreement to extend the payment of a US$2.3 M loan. Galore is making a $1.5 M financing. Goldplay closed an oversubscribed financing for $1.37 M. Leagold completed a debt refinancing for a $200 M term loan and a $200 M revolving credit facility. ePower intends to conduct a private placement for Cdn$6 M. Sable granted 2.8 M incentive stock options. Alien Metals raised £350 K.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mexus Gold  is to start leaching at Santa Elena, in Sonora. Telson reported significant underground channel sample results at Tahuehueto. Orla presented the result of the FS on Camino Rojo. Premier Gold presented results of its 42,000 m drilling campaign at Mercedes. Southern Silver file a technical report with updated resources on Cerro Las Minas. Santacruz presented results of drilling at Veta Grande. GoGold released results of drilling at Los Ricos. SilverCrest informed the decline has intersected the Babicanora vein at Las Chispas. Minera Alamos informed on the permitting of Santana. Almaden updated on permitting and legal issues at its Ixtaca project in Puebla. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Millrock sold its Sonoran portfolio to Riverside. ePower Metals entered into a definitive agreement with Minera Alamos to acquire the Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. Silver Viper renegotiated much better terms on the lease of two properties within its La Virgina project in Sonora. Golden Minerals entered into an agreement under which Minera Autlan is to buy its Velardeña properties. Bacanora Lithoum signed an investment agreement and an offtake agreement with Ganfeng Lithium on its Sonora lithium project. Canasil and Pan American agreed on terms for the acquisition of Pan American of the Sandra Escobar project in Durango.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The Economy Secretariat is awaiting the resolution of the Supreme Court on the change of rules to apply the Mining Fund, which this year is anticipated to be amounting to 3.2 billion pesos (3,200 millones) or approximately US$168.4 M. The proposal by the present Federal government (ie.- the president) is to deliver the resources directly to the people to “augment the capacities” of the mining communities. The aim would be to organize the community and the service providers to be part of the service chain for the mining industry. The resources on the Mining Fund to date are to be funneled according with the current rules, until a resolution by the Supreme Court clarifies the issue.
  • In Sonora, local congressman Carlos Navarrete from the Encuentro Social party (allied to the Morena party) introduced a bill for a new State tax on dirt extracted from open pits (includes waste, sand, dimension stone, clays, limestone, lime, among others). The US$0.63 tax per cubic metre of material would be split 80/20 between the municipalities and the State. The resources would be utilized in physical investments and infrastructure with social impact, in the environment and urban development (The bill intends to use the resources thus gathered in the same way that those of the Mining Fund were supposed to be used, and for which a 7% federal royalty tax was imposed on mining a few years ago. Now that the current president Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador intends to use the resources of the Mining Fund for his preferred programs, allied politicians are trying to make the mining industry pay even more taxes).
  • The Economy Secretariat published a letter on the “Protocol of Good Practice of Mining for the Public Consultation”. In the letter the Economy Secretariat states that the protocol is under review by the agency. On the Letter: The consultation process is to be applied to all communities that can be impacted by the mining activity. Also, both exploration and exploitation should be consulted before their realization. The responsible authority is to be the Economy Secretariat, with aid by the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indigenas and other authorities (SEMARNAT, CONAGUA, CFE, local municipal and state governments), as well as the state and federal Human Rights Commissions.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Galore Resources Inc. informed its 2,500 m diamond core drilling program at the El Alamo target of its Dos Santos project in Zacatecas continues to progress well. The first hole “intersected multiple zones of alteration and brecciation …… silicified and brecciated limestone similar to those observed on the surface over a much wider zone than was anticipated”.
  • Alien Metals Ltd. updated on its exploration activities at its Zacatecas properties Donovan 2, Los Campos and Don Celso. Sampling and mapping at Donovan 2 has resulted in high grade mineralisation in historic workings open along strike, and channel sample assays of up to 1.15% Cu and float samples of up to 0.45 gpt Au. Planned work includes a ground induced polarisation (IP) geophysical survey before the first phase of drilling. Surface mapping and sampling will be undertaken at Los Campos and Don Celso properties, as well as underground sampling and a geophysical survey at Los Campos.

ON MINING

  • Alien Metals Ltd. released its audited financial results for 2018. The company owns the Donovan 2, Los Campos, San Celso and La Africana projects in Zacatecas. The company held US$0.7 M in cash and cash equivalents by the end of the period.

ON FINANCING

  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reached an agreement to amend the repayment terms of the US$2.3 M short-term loan that it has borrowed from a private Bolivian mining company. The principal balance of US$2.3 million is now to be repaid by January 30, 2020. As consideration for the extension on the date of repayment Santacruz is to increase the issue of 2 M warrants to 2.5 M warrants (Veta Grande, Zacatecas).
  • Galore Resources Inc. is to commence a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $1.5 M (Dos Santos, Zacatecas).
  • Goldplay Exploration Ltd. closed its over-subscribed previously announced financing, for gross proceeds of $1.37 M. A total of $28.9 K was paid and 231 K warrants were issued as a finder’s fee payment (San Marcial, Sinaloa).
  • Leagold Mining Corp. completed the debt refinancing with a syndicate of lenders that includes a $200 million term loan and a $200 million revolving credit facility. These loans have been used to replace $238 million of existing short-term debt, and will aid in the development of the Bermejal underground complex, the Guadalupe open pit and the CIL plant construction at it Los Filos mine in Guerrero.
  • ePower Metals Inc. intends to conduct a non-brokered private placement to raise up to Cdn$6 M (Los Reyes, Sinaloa).
  • Sable Resources Ltd. granted 2.8 M incentive stock options to certain officers, directors, employees and consultants of the company. Such options are exercisable at a price of $0.15 for a period of five years (Margarita and Vinata, Chihuahua).
  • Alien Metals Ltd. raised £350 K through the placement of shares (Donovan 2, Los Campos, Zacatecas).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mexus Gold US. is to start leaching at its Santa Elena mine in Sonora (not to mistake for First Majestic’s Santa Elena mine, also in Sonora). Leaching is programmed to start on June 27th, with ore grading 1.8 gpt Au, 8 gpt Ag, to later on add ore @ 4 gpt Au, 12 gpt Ag. By September the company expects to be mining 3,500 tonnes per week.
  • Telson Mining Corp. reported significant channel sample assay results for underground mine development at its Tahuehueto project in Durango, where a 1,000 tonne per day mine is under construction. Highlighted results include: 2.42 m @ 5.76 gpt Au, 129 gpt Ag, 1.44% Cu, 3.8% Pb, 6.2% Zn; 5.50 m @ 3.31 gpt Au, 57 gpt Ag, 0.32% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 3.5% Zn; 5.38 m @ 4.41 gpt Au, 44 gpt Ag, 0.38% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 3.6% Zn; 7.0 m @ 5.12 gpt Au, 40 gpt Ag, 0.29% Cu, 1.0% Pb, 3.2% Zn; 6.45 m @ 5.69 gpt Au, 51 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 2.3% Pb, 5.6% Zn; 4.42 m @ 8.70 gpt Au, 59 gpt Ag, 0.18% Cu, 1.7% Pb, 2.2% Zn; 4.08 m @ 9.27 gpt Au, 69 gpt Ag, 0.19% Cu, 0.6% Pb, 1.0% Zn; 3.56 m @ 7.95 gpt Au, 76 gpt Ag, 0.25% Cu, 3.3% Pb, 4.6% Zn. Individual assays are often above 5 gpt Au, and up to 28 gpt Au.
  • Orla Mining Ltd. presented the results of a feasibility study on its Camino Rojo Oxide project in Zacatecas. The main points include 18 K tonnes per day operation, with 44 M tonnes of ore to be put on the leach pad @ 0.73 gpt Au, 14.2 gpt Ag, containing 1 M Oz Au, 20.1 M Oz Ag. The expected recovery is 64% Au, 17% Ag, with an annual gold production of 97 K Oz Au at by-product cash cost $515 per Au Oz and an AISC of $576 per Au Oz. The after tax net present value (5%) is $142 M, with an after tax internal rate of return of 28.7% and a payback period of three years, all this in the case scenario of $1,250 per Au Oz price. The proven and probable mineral reserves stand at 44 M tonnes @ 0.73 gpt Au, 14.4 gpt Ag, whereas the measured and indicated resources amount to 353.4 M tonnes @ 0.83 gpt Au, 8.8 gpt Ag, containing 9.46 M Oz Au, 100.4 M Oz Ag. Inferred mineral resources are 60.9 M tonnes @ 0.87 gpt Au, 7.4 gpt Ag, containing 1.70 M Oz Au, 14.5 M Oz Ag.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. presented exploration results of its 42,000 m drilling program at its Mercedes mine in Sonora. New mineralised veins have been confirmed at San Martin, opening the area 600 m to the west of the Lupita deposit. Drilling at San Martin returned multiple intercepts, including 7.2 m @ 4.64 gpt Au, 30 gpt Ag; 1.4 m @ 5.56 gpt Au, 38 gpt Ag. Ongoing delineation at Lupita includes intercepts of 3.9 m @ 10.3 gpt Au, 88 gpt Ag and 1.5 m @ 23.9 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag. Exploration is to be activated at La Mesa area, adjacent to Agnico Eagle’s Santa Gertrudis project.
  • Southern Silver Corp. filed a NI-43-101 report with an updated mineral resource estimate for its Cerro Las Minas project in Durango (previously disclosed). The indicated resources amount to 11.1 M tonnes @ 105 gpt Ag, 0.1 gpt Au, 0.16% Cu, 1.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn, containing 37.5 M OZ Ag, 35 K Oz Au, 40 M Lb Cu, 303 M Lb Pb, 897 Lb Zn, Inferred mineral resources comprise 12.8 Mt @ 111 gpt Ag, 0.07 gpt Au, 0.27% Cu, 0.9% Pb, 2.8% Zn, containing 45.7 M Oz Ag, 31 K Oz Au, 76 M Lb Cu, 253 M Lb Pb, 796 M Lb Zn. “The overall objective of the 2019-20 exploration program is to continue to increase the existing resource base and to identify and drill test new epithermal vein systems within the larger claim package.”
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. released results from phase 1 of the current drilling program on the Veta Grande, Armados and Navidad veins on its Veta Grande project in Zacatecas. Highlighted true width intercepts comprise 0.55 m @ 761 gpt Ag, 0.2 gpt Au, 0.86% Pb, 1.84% Zn, 0.04% Cu; 1.94 m @ 65 gpt Ag, 0.75 gpt Au, 1.23% Pb, 3.84% Zn, 0.03% Cu at the Navidad vein; 2.40 m @ 227 gpt Ag, 0.88 gpt Au, 2.71% Pb, 2.64% Zn, 0.19% Cu; 1.59 m @ 280 gpt Ag, 0.61 gpt Au, 3.60% Pb, 3.24% Zn, 0.22% Cu.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released results from two more diamond drill holes at its Los Ricos property in Jalisco. Highlighted intervals comprise 5.0 m @ 0.52 gpt Au, 161 gpt Ag; 6.3 m @ 2.14 gpt Au, 337 gpt Ag and 32.0 m @ 0.80 gpt Au, 179 gpt Ag, including 11.3 m @ 1.46 gpt Au, 348 gpt Ag. The 10,000 m HQ diamond drill program “is focused on defining the mineralized halo around the historical high grade ore shoots as defined by the underground workings and the 65 historical RC drill holes on the property”.
  • SilverCrest Metals Inc. informed the decline has intersected the Babicanora vein at the Las Chispas project in Sonora. The decline intersected the Babicanora vein and the newly identified Baby Vista vein, the first with 3.6 m true width and the second with 1.5 m true width. Additional highlighted infill results of the area 51 of the Babicanora vein include 7.6 m @ 26.6 gpt Au, 2,676 gpt Ag; 3.5 m @ 32 gpt Au, 3,417 gpt Ag; 5.6 m @ 13.6 gpt Au, 1,154 gpt Ag. The 51 in-fill drill holes totaling 18,488 m reported in this news release were “generally targeting mineralization on the outer edges of the current block model” have a weighted average true width of 2.2 m @ 7.17 gpt Au, 753 gpt Ag. An additional 40,000 to 50,000 m of infill and expansion drilling with 15 drill rigs on site focused on expanding mineralization and improving resource confidence. To date over 203,000 m of drilling have been sunk in the property. Ongoing work includes the Feasibility study expected in H1, 2020 development of the Babicanora Vein in Area 51 zone, stockpiling of high-grade material, an extensive metallurgical test program, geotechnical work and permitting for project development.
  • Minera Alamos Inc. received notification by SEMARNAT (Mexican environmental agency) confirming the successful completion of the technical review phase of the application (Estudio Tecnico Justificativo – “ETJ”) for the change of land use to allow the construction of mining and processing facilities at the Santana project area in Sonora. Phase 2 exploration will continue on the coming months, focusing to “demonstrate the potential of the project to host multiple “Nicho-style” mineralized systems that could be combined to supply feed material for an expanded regional production facility”.
  • Almaden Minerals Ltd. current focus at its Ixtaca property in Puebla relates to permitting and financing activities. “Review by Mexican authorities of Almaden’s environmental permit application (Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental, or “MIA”) continues in the normal course, and recently SEMARNAT, Mexico’s environmental authority, completed its public information meeting in the town of Santa Maria”. Almaden is engaged with several potential financing parties to secure funds for the development of the project. Regarding a decision by a lower court in Puebla State concerning Mexico’s mineral title system, Mexico’s Federal Congress, Senate, and Ministry of the Economy each filed appeals against the decision, as well as Almaden.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Ridgestone Mining Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire 100% interest in ten mining concessions adjacent to its Rebeico project in Sonora. The concessions cover 3,292 ha west of the Ridgestone claims, in an area with “numerous artisanal workings and mineralized outcrops”. Ridgestone has to make a $83 K payment and issue 5 M shares to the vendor.
  • Millrock Resources Inc. entered into an agreement to sell the La Union, Los Cuarentas, El Pima, El Valle and Llano del Nogal claim blocks to Riverside Resources Inc. The Santa Rosalia option from the Los Cuarenta project will also be transferred. The deal, that includes a geological database and exploration equipment, involves Riverside paying $35 K and issuing 150 K shares to Millrock, as well as a 0.5% net smelter royalty (NSR) on the El Pima and El Valle claims, and in the Santa Rosalia option.
  • ePower Metals Inc. entered into a definitive agreement with Minera Alamos Inc. and Vista Gold Corp. under which ePower has the right to earn 100% interest in the Los Reyes project in Sinaloa. In connection with the Transaction, the Company intends to change its name to “Prime Mining Corp.”, and will focus its resources on the immediate development of Los Reyes. ePower has to complete a $1.5 M cash payment to Minera Alamos, and assume the remaining option payments to Vista Gold of US$1.5 M on October 2019 and US$1.5 M on October 2021, as well as issuing Minera Alamos 9.45 M post-consolidation shares and 3.35 M warrants. ePower has to consolidate its common shares capital on a two-for-one basis and complete a financing of at least Cdn$6 M. The Los Reyes project has an historical estimate of 427.2 K Oz Au, 7.5 M Oz Ag in indicated resources and 196.7 K Oz Au, 4.8 M Oz Ag of inferred resources.
  • Silver Viper Minerals Corp. renegotiated the terms of the Rubi-Esperanza option agreement to purchase three mineral concessions within its La Virginia project in Sonora. The overall agreement reduced the total cash payments from $4.49 M to $3 M, augmented in one year the term of the option and crucially reduced the amount on the first three payments by $1.46 M, enabling Silver Viper to direct maximum expenditures to advancing the project. According to the new agreement the company has to pay US$50 K on June 2019 (paid), US$75 K on June 2020, US$100 K on June 2021, US$200 K on June 2022 and US$2.575 M on June 2023. A 2% NSR can be purchased for US$2 M within 5 years of the original agreement remains unchanged. “Surface geochemistry and prospecting have identified targets to the north, south and east of the El Rubi discovery (6 m TW @ 3.16 gpt Au, 228 gpt Ag) which will be tested during the next phase of drilling. In addition, Silver Viper has contracted Geotech Ltd. to conduct a 720 line-kilometer magnetic and radiometric survey over the El Rubi and La Gloria targets for a total coverage of 4,900 hectares”.
  • Golden Minerals Co. entered into an agreement to sell its Velardeña properties to Compañía Minera Autlán S.A.B. de C.V. for $22 M. The deal comprises the Velardeña properties, including the Velardeña and Chicago mines (currently in care and maintenance) and other adjacent exploration properties, and the lease agreement under which Golden Minerals has the oxide plant with Hecla thorough 2020. The proposed transaction also would include the sale of the Rodeo and the Santa Maria project concessions. Upon execution of this agreement, Autlan paid a deposit of US$1.5 million to Golden Minerals, which will be applied to the purchase price upon closing.
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC. signed an investment agreement and off-take agreement with Ganfeng Lithium Co. (a key player in the lithium industry globally). Once completed this agreement would form a major part of the financing package needed to develop the initial 17,500 tonnes per year production of lithium carbonate. The £14.4 M strategic investment provides Ganfeng with 29.99% of Bacanora, pre-emption rights and a director on the board. Another project level investment of £7.56 M in Sonora Lithium Ltd. (the holding company of the project) accrues Ganfeng 22.5% of the holding company, with an option to increase its interest to 50% within 24 months and the appointment of a director to the board. GFL will provide a plant and process commissioning team to assist Bacanora in delivering first production in 2021.
  • Canasil Resources Inc. and Pan American Silver Corp. signed the definitive agreement under which Pan American has the right to acquire Canasil’s interest in the Sandra Escobar project, in Durango. The transaction was closed for a payment of CDN$2 M and grant of a 2% NSR, with Pan American being able to buy 1% of the NSR by the payment to Canasil of CDN$4 M.

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, conglomerate with well-rounded quartz vein and silicified rock fragments in the coastal plain in Veracruz. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

IMG_1079 - copia

“Sonora Tendría Menos Inversión Al Aprobar Impuestos A Minas”: Coparmex

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http://outletminero.org/sonora-tendria-menos-inversion-al-aprobar-impuestos-a-minas-coparmex/

Hermosillo, Sonora.- La aprobación del impuesto para quienes extraigan algunos de los más de 16 materiales pétreos que se dan en la región, haría menos atractiva la inversión y serían afectados hasta los compradores de vivienda con bajos ingresos, asegura el dirigente de la Coparmex.

Carlos Navarrete, presidente de la Comisión Minera en el Congreso, presentó una iniciativa de Ley que propone cobrar 12 pesos por metro cúbico en la extracción de este tipo de minerales y sus derivados. Se prevé captar 6 mil 570 millones de pesos anuales. En Sonora se extrae 1 millón 500 mil toneladas de estos minerales por día.

En caso de que se aplique ese gravamen, será una de las iniciativas más dañinas para el sector empresarial, asegura Arturo Fernández Díaz González, líder de Coparmex. El impuesto además restaría la competitividad, porque al ser comparadas con otras regiones se irán de Sonora al ser más cara la extracción.

Manifestó que aparte del ‘golpe’ a las futuras inversiones y a la industria minera será afectado también el sector de la construcción y con ello se incrementarán los precios de vivienda, siendo al final de todo una afectación directa al ciudadano.

“El sector minero y de construcción serán los más afectados, como por obvias razones a los ciudadanos porque esto encarece la vivienda”, expresó el líder empresarial.”

Para finalizar, dijo que el diputado Carlos Navarrete podría tener la creencia de que los únicos afectados o que pagarán por el impuesto será la industria minera pero no es así.

Secretaría de Economía estima en 3 mil 200 mdp el Fondo Minero

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http://www.mundominero.mx/notacompleta.php?id=5351

Pese a que la Secretaría de Economía espera la resolución de la Suprema Corte de Justicia sobre el cambio de reglas de operación del Fondo Minero, para este año se anticipa un monto cercano a los 3 mil 200 millones de pesos, estimó el subsecretario de Minería, Francisco Quiroga.

“Estamos esperando la guía y la orientación de la Suprema Corte de Justicia solo para determinar que efectivamente se puede entregar directamente los recursos a los habitantes de las comunidades”, señaló en entrevista.

Iniciativa de nuevo impuesto sobre la extracción de materiales pétreos en Sonora

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http://www.mundominero.mx/notacompleta.php?id=5327

Mundo Minero || 13 de junio de 2019

El Dip. Carlos Navarrete ha presentado una iniciativa para reformar la Ley de Hacienda de Sonora y crear un nuevo gravamen sobre los materiales pétreos extraídos a cielo abierto (considerados entre estos las arenas, gravas, pizarras, arcillas, calizas, turbas, tepetates y piedras dimensionadas). Esta medida busca que se cobren MX$12.00 por cada metro cúbico de material extraído. El 80% de lo recaudado correspondería a los municipios donde tiene lugar la extracción (de manera proporcional) y el 20% restante a la Secretaría de Economía de Sonora.

Esta iniciativa establece que los “recursos de este impuesto deberán ser empleados en inversión física y equipamiento con un impacto social, ambiental y de desarrollo urbano”, y enlista posibles obras, como la instalación de equipo de monitoreo de calidad de aire, agua y suelo; pavimentación; construcción, remodelación y equipamiento de espacios públicos; obras de agua potable; y alumbrado público.

Igualmente, los sujetos de pago de este impuesto (personas físicas, morales o unidades económicas) deberían llevar un libro de registros de extracción del material objeto de este impuesto, donde se indique la cantidad diaria de metros cúbicos del material en cuestión,

“La finalidad es que quienes utilicen los recursos naturales de Sonora realicen una aportación para que nuestro estado siga creciendo”, declaró en el Congreso el Diputado perteneciente al partido Encuentro Social.

Cámara Minera De México Busca Que El 90% Del Fondo Minero Se Quede En Los Municipios.- Outlet Minero

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http://outletminero.org/buscan-que-90-por-ciento-de-fondo-minero-se-quede-en-los-municipio/

El presidente de la Cámara Minera a nivel nacional, Fernando Alanís Ortega, indicó que la propuesta del órgano es que el 90 por ciento del fondo llegué a los municipios, y el 10 por ciento restante a la Subsecretaría de Minas de la Federación, a fin de lograr el objetivo esencial del fondo, que es coadyuvar a mejorar el desarrollo de las localidades en materia de infraestructura.

“Lo que queremos es que se respete para lo que fue originalmente diseñado el fondo, que es apoyar a las comunidades mineras. Nuestra posición como cámara ha sido esa; en el reglamento anterior únicamente el 50 por ciento del fondo llegaba a los municipios, otra parte a la federación y otra a los Estados, pero nosotros creemos que la mayoría debe llegar a las localidades”, manifestó.

El empresario señaló que la propuesta de la cámara también incluye acciones para agilizar el pago de recursos a las localidades, ya que el fondo minero se paga en marzo y se entrega hasta noviembre.

Fuente: Agencia Quadratín

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the Third Week of May, 2019

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Inguaran Feb 2011 151 - copiaBy Jorge Cirett

During the 22nd week of the year (May 27th to June 2nd, 2019), at least 27 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, on a move that is likely to paralyze the processing of documents at all regional offices of the Direccion General de Minas, the federal government fired all non-unionized workers. The Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas has now been closed by an illegal blockade for more than a month. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Sonoro Metals provided an update on drilling at its Cerro Caliche property. In Chihuahua, Radius Gold released results on two more holes at its Amalia project. In Zacatecas, Galore Resources is mobilizing a rig to drill the El Alamo and Los Gemelos projects. ON MINING, Impact Silver, Telson Resources and Santacruz Silver presented its first quarter 2019 financial and/or operational results. Endeavour Silver updated on its performance plan. Camrova provided an update on mining and mine life plans for the Boleo mine in Baja. ON FINANCING, Prize Mining completed the first tranche of financing for $630 K; Ethos Gold announced a financing round intended to raise $225 K. Magna Gold completed a  private placement for CAD$2.67 M. Silver One is to start trading on the OTCQB Marketplace. ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Gold Resource released more drill results from its El Aguila project in Oaxaca. Fresnillo is investing US$5 M at La Cienega mine in Durango. GoGold released assay results from trenching at its Los Ricos property in Jalisco. Defiance Silver is drilling a geophysical anomaly along the Veta Grande vein system in Zacatecas. ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Radius Gold granted Panamerican Silver an option to earn up to 65% on the Amalia project, in Chihuahua. Magna Gold is to commence trading on June 5, 2019. The company optioned the Mercedes property and lately the Las Marias and Las Cabañas properties, in the vicinity Mercedes. Discovery Metals and Levon Resources combined their enterprises on an agreement that gives Discovery and Levon shareholders 50.4% and 49.6% ownership respectively. Altos Hornos de Mexico (AHMSA) bank accounts have begun unfreezing by Mexican authorities.

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • The federal government fired all non-unionized workers from the regional offices of the Dirección General de Minas (Chihuahua, Durango, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Puebla, Queretaro, Saltillo, Zacatecas), in a move that is very likely to paralyze the already slow pace of paperwork at this government branch. Releasing of ground for staking, issuing concession titles, title reductions, cartographic information and contract registration are just some of the processes likely to be affected by this event (Personnel reduction is a cost saving strategy by the present federal administration, strategy that is feared to be likely to result in the centralization, slowing and paralysis of many government services in the coming months).
  • The Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas has been now affected by an illegal blockade for more than a month. So far authorities at all levels continue to advise “negotiations” as the way to solve the illegal blockade, being careful not to mention any applicable law.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Galore Resources Inc. announced the mobilization of a drill rig to El Alamo project in Zacatecas. The 2,500 m diamond drill program can be followed by additional 1,500 m of drilling at Los Gemelos project, also in Zacatecas. El Alamo consists of Cretaceous sediments, mostly limestone with some siltstone and chert, with alteration and mineralization represented by varying amounts of silicification and iron-oxide bodies after sulfides. The target has a minimum strike length of 500 m and 200 m width. Trenching highlighted values of up to 20.4 gpt Au, whereas drilling encountered widespread anomalous gold, running up to 17.1 gpt Au. Coarse gold recovery by gravity was attempted at the nearby Los Gemelos property with a partner, but the agreement on such endeavor has been terminated due to the lack of results. The drill target at Los Gemelos are porphyry intrusive related gold-copper skarns.
  • Radius Gold Inc. has completed six diamond drill holes totaling 1,743 m at its Amalia project in Chihuahua. Assays have been received for the second and third holes (results on the first hole were previously released), highlighting the intercept of 5m @ 647 gpt Ag of white chalcedonic stockworks, silicification and hydrothermal breccias. The remaining three holes (results pending) cut wide intervals of moderate to strong silica and adularia alteration, brecciation, quartz sulphide veinlets and trace fine to moderate black sulphides.
  • Sonoro Metals Corp. provided an update on the last 20 holes at its Cerro Caliche project in Sonora. Highlighted intercepts comprise 9.15 m @ 1.26 gpt AuEq at Japoneses, 3.05 m @ 6.18 gpt AuEq; 9.14 m @ 1.33 gpt AuEq at La Española, 15.24 m @ 0.56 gpt AuEq at Guadalupe, 7.6 m @ 1.14 gpt AuEq at Chinos Altos, 10.67 m @ 1.06 gpt AuEq, and 10.67 m @ 0.74 gpt AuEq at Buena Suerte. Almost 90% of the 10,000 m drill program is now complete.

ON MINING

  • Impact Silver Corp. released its first quarter 2019 financial and production results. The company processed 35.8 K tonnes @ 167 gpt Ag to produce 163.6 K Oz Ag. Revenue was $3.0 M, with a net loss for the quarter of $0.9 M. Costs per tonne processed have been reduced by 10% from last year, as the company continues to focus on cost reductions. Dense media separation is being evaluated for treating ore from the Capire project, and a new concentrate sales partnership has been signed. The company had cash of $0.4 M and trade and other receivables of $1.6 by the end of the period.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. updated on its operating and financial performance plan initiated on recent months. The plan involves “changes to mine-site management and contractors, changes to employee and contractor supervision, renting used mining equipment and leasing new mining equipment, and revising the 2019 mine plans for all four mines, particularly Guanacevi. The Company has cut operating and administrative costs, reduced the employee and contractor workforce by 18% and deferred all discretionary expenditures”.
  • Telson Mining Corp. reported first quarter 2019 financial results. At Campo Morado in Guerrero, 152.1 K tonnes of ore @ 4.25% Zn, 1.14% Pb, 118 gpt Ag, 1.08 gpt Au were mined at a daily rate of 1,811 tonnes (tpd); 148.3 K tonnes were processed (1,765 tpd), recovering 69% Zn, 33% Pb to produce 9.7 M Lb Zn, 1.5 M Lb Pb, 212.7 K Oz Ag, 895 Oz Au at cash cost of US$0.71 and AISC US$1.01 per Lb Zn produced, obtaining a mine operating profit of C$3.05 M. At Tahuehueto in Durango, pre-production mining rendered approximately 21.6 K tonnes of ore. Telson produced 168 tonnes of lead concentrate (39% Pb, 6% Cu, 80 gpt Au, 840 gpt Ag) and 218 tonnes of Zinc concentrate (44% Zn, 9 gpt Au, 68 gpt Ag). Recoveries stood at 81% Au, 86% Ag, 90% Pb, 60% Zn, 88% Cu.
  • Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. reported operating and financial results for the first quarter 2019. During the period 42.9 K tonnes were processed to produce 257 k Oz AgEq at cash cost $20.64 and an AISC of $24.38. Revenue was $2.49 M on mining operations and $790 K on mining services, reporting a net loss of $1.84 M (Veta Grande, Zacatecas; Rosario, San Luis Potosi).
  • Camrova Resources Inc. provided an update on the Boleo mine activities in Baja California Sur. The project is run by Korea Resources Corp, the majority shareholder, with Camrova holding a 7.24% stake that gives it rights to attend board meetings. For 2019 the production forecast of underground ore is 508 Kt @ 1.19% Cu and 2.44 Mt of open pit ore @ 80% Cu. Recoveries are expected to be 80.4% Cu, 29.9% Co, 4.2% Zn to produce 19,697 t of copper cathode, 419 t of cobalt and 1,016 t of zinc, resulting in negative free cash flow of $21M after payment of $25M in interest. It is also forecasted a 16 years mine life ending in 2034 by which time all debt is projected to be repaid, without a return of any of the capital that has been invested to date.

ON FINANCING

  • Prize Mining Corp. closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of $630 K (Manto Negro, Coahuila).
  • Magna Gold Corp. completed a private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD$2.67 M (Mercedes, Sonora).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. granted 990 K options to directors, officers and employees of the company at an exercise price of $0.195.
  • Silver One Resources Inc. shares will commence trading on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol “SLVRF” at open of markets on May 31, 2019(La Frazada, Nayarit).
  • Ethos Gold Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of $225 K (La Purisima, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Gold Resource Corp. released further drilling results from its El Aguila property in Oaxaca. “High-grade mineralization intercepted 175 meters along the northern strike and 200 meters up-dip in vertical elevation significantly expanding the Arista Mine”. Highlighted intercepts comprise 3.45 m @ 2.45 gpt Au, 17 gpt Ag, 0.42% Cu, 1.4% Pb, 5.8% Zn; 1.45 m @ 4.35 gpt Au, 91 gpt Ag, 0.35% Cu, 1.5% Pb, 1.7% Zn; 11.95 m @ 1.04 gpt Au, 494 gpt Ag, 0.14% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 1.1% Zn (including 2.50 m @ 2.68 gpt Au, 1,420 gpt Ag, 0.33% Cu, 1.3% Pb, 3.2% Zn); 8.02 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 395 gpt Ag, 0.06% Cu, nil Pb, 0.1%Zn.
  • Fresnillo PLC. is investing US$5 M at its La Cienega mine in Durango. The company is to undertake an economic evaluation of the plant expansion, intensify exploration on several targets and permitting the fourth tailings dam. The 4,000 tonne/day (tpd) mining unit has been in operation since 1992, currently with a labor force of 513 employees and 544 workers by contractors. On 2018 the plant processed 1.32 M tonnes @ 1.65 gpt Au, 164 gpt Ag, to produce 66,869 Oz Au, 6 M Oz Ag, 4,799 tonnes Pb, 5,892 tonnes Zn.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. released assay results from 23 exploration trenches completed at its Los Ricos project in Jalisco. Geological mapping, sampling and trenching defined at least five new targets, identifying mineralisation for further 1.5 Km along strike, taking the system to a total longitude of 3.2 Km, on 1 to 25 m widths. Highlighted results (on estimated true width) include 22 m @ 0.92 gpt Au, 54 gpt Ag; 16.0 m @ 2.53 gpt Au, 187 gpt Ag; 21.0 m @ 0.44 gpt Au, 47 gpt Ag; 18.0 m @ 3.50 gpt Au, 71 gpt Ag; 7.4 m @ 2.16 gpt Au, 31 gpt Ag; 5.6 m @ 3.32 gpt Au, 49 gpt Ag; 9.1 m @ 1.73 gpt Au, 112 gpt Ag; 16 m @ 0.55 gpt Au, 163 gpt Ag; 17.6 m @ 0.76 gpt Au, 121 gpt Ag; 10.1 m @ 1.42 gpt Au, 164 gpt Ag; 8.8 m @ 1.95 gpt Au, 129 gpt Ag.
  • Defiance Silver Corp. commenced a drill program targeting a large induced polarization (IP) geophysical target on the Veta Grande vein, SE of the San Acacio Silver deposit (with an inferred resource of 17 M Oz Ag @ 182 gpt Ag). The program is testing a 450 m step out on the Veta Grande vein system

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Radius Gold Corp. has granted Pan American Silver Corp. the option to earn up to an initial 65% interest in the Amalia project in Chihuahua, by making cash payments to Radius totaling US$1.5 M (of which US$100 K has been received) and expending US$2 M on exploration over four years. Pan American may earn an additional 10% by advancing the property to preliminary-feasibility (Amalia, Chihuahua).
  • Magna Gold Corp. informed that its qualifying transaction is scheduled to close on June 5, 2019 pursuant to the policies of the Exchange. Trading of the common shares of Magna is expected to resume on the Exchange under the symbol “MGR”. The company has optioned 100% interest in two mining claims (the 345 ha Mercedes property in Sonora) for a four-year period, paying an aggregate of US$1.34 M paid in installments, starting on the sixth month of the effective date of the agreement and issue 2.44 M shares to the vendor. The seller is to retain a 3% NSR capped at $3.5 M, which can be bought at $500 K per percentage point within the first three years of production.
  • Magna Gold Corp. entered into an agreement to acquire the Las Marias property and Las Cabañas mineral claims. Las Marias consists of seven concessions covering 646 hectares adjacent to its flagship Mercedes property and Las Cabañas consists of two concessions covering 248 hectares 10 km from the Mercedes property. The total purchase will be $250 k and the issuance of 1 M common shares of the company. “Magna’s total land tenure will increase to 1,239 hectares of highly prospective ground”.
  • Discovery Metals Corp. and Levon Resources Ltd. entered into an arrangement agreement to combine both enterprises to create a “leading silver-focused exploration and development company that will control several district-scale projects in Mexico”. Discovery has agreed to acquire all of the issued and common shares of Levon, with Levon’s shareholders receiving 0.55 shares of Discovery for every Levon share held. Upon completing the transaction former shareholders of Levon will control 49.6% of the Discovery shares outstanding. Discovery holds a 150 K hectares land package in Coahuila, encompassing three shallow and high-grade silver-zinc-lead projects, while Levon’s primary asset is the Cordero project in Chihuahua, with 990 M tonnes @ 32 gpt AgEq and 282 M tones @ 56 gpt AgEq in indicated and inferred mineral resources respectively.
  • Altos Hornos de Mexico S. (AHMSA) bank accounts have begun unfreezing by Mexican authorities, allowing normal activities to be resumed. “The bank accounts of the steelmaker were frozen by Mexico’s financial intelligence unit earlier in the week on suspicion of money laundering. The move to unfreeze the accounts follows the arrest in Spain of AHMSA chairman Alonso Ancira, who was detained by Interpol on May 28.”

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, galena-sphalerite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-quartz vein piece from a mine in Michoacan. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

Inguaran Feb 2011 151 - copia

The Mining and Exploration News in Mexico: Highlights on the First Week of April, 2019

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By Jorge Cirett

During the 14th week of the year (April 1st to April 7th, 2019), at least 24 press releases were announced by companies working in Mexico. ON MEXICO ISSUES, an initiative with anti-mining tones was discarded by the Senate. The undersecretary of mining stated that no changes to the mining law, or tax increases in mining are envisaged by AMLO’s administration, and that the focus is to be in decreasing the regulatory load to incentivize the sector. On the other hand, he stated that regulations have to be actualized, highlighting community consultations. ON EXPLORATION, In Sonora, Minaurum presented drilling results from several vein systems at its Alamos Silver property; Aloro submitted a new environmental permit for its Venados project. In Chihuahua, Sable Resources released a thick, good grade intercept from one hole at its Margarita project. In Veracruz, Azucar Metals disclosed good Au-Cu results from one more hole at its El Cobre property.  ON MINING, Consolidated Zinc has a new toll agreement for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua. Endeavour Silver achieved commercial production at its El Compas mine in Zacatecas. Telson Mining released historic metallurgical test results that support higher precious metal recoveries for its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero. Alamos Gold has produced 2 M Oz Au at the Mulatos mine in Sonora. Torex Gold produced 77.8 K Oz Au during the last quarter at its Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. GoGold produced 288.7 K Oz Ag in Parral, Chihuahua. Arcelor Mittal invested over US$1 B on its Michoacan plant in 2018.   ON FINANCING, Sonoro Metals raised $650K. Defiance Silver closed the second tranche of its financing, raising $1.06 M. Sable Resources announced an offering to raise up to $1.5 M.  ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT, Mag Silver disclosed development advances at Juanicipio, Zacatecas. Sierra Metals disclosed positive drill results from testing of a geophysical anomaly at Bolivar, Chihuahua. Evrim informed on the increase in resources by First Majestic at the Ermitaño project in Sonora.  ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES, Alamos Gold sold a portfolio of non-core royalties. Bacanora Lithium continues to negotiate with Oman for funding of the Sonora Lithium project. Premier Gold divested of several properties, including the Santa Teresa property in Baja California. American Silver and Pershing Gold continue on its path to business combination. GoldCorp’s shareholders support the business combination with Newmont.  

ON MEXICO ISSUES

  • An initiative with anti-mining tones was discarded by the senate. The initiative presented on November 2018 by the now deceased senator Angelica Garcia, caused a fall in the value of mining companies in the Mexican stock market at the time of its presentation. The Comisiones Unidas de Mineria y Desarrollo Regional y de Estudios Legislativos discarded the proposal on March 27th, based on multiple deficiencies regarding operational overlapping of several government organisms and the lack of well-defined procedures on environmental and negative social impact issues.
  • Francisco Quiroga, undersecretary of mining, in an interview with El Financiero Bloomberg, stated that the Federal Government is not to realize changes to the Mining Law, nor to impose a tax increase in the mining industry. The priority, he said, is to reduce the regulatory load and to augment the financing of projects. He added that regulations have to be actualized in maters like community consults, but that there is no need to change the Mining Law. He also pointed that there are not going to be legal changes on the direct foreign investment in mining.

ON EXPLORATION

  • Minaurum Gold Inc. informed that three of the new vein systems at its Alamos Silver project host significant mineralisation at depth, and drilling has intersected five previously unknown blind veins. To date, 9 of the 15 vein systems identified have been drilled, and Minaurum plans to put at least one hole on each of these before turning to follow-up phase III drilling. Highlighted results from phase II drilling of new veins comprise: 9.6 m @ 198 gpt Ag, 0.17% Cu, 0.2% Pb, 0.9% Zn (or 269 gpt AgEq); 0.9 m @ 302 gpt Ag, 0.21% Cu, 0.5% Pb, 0.8% Zn (or 383 gpt AgEq); 2.05 m @ 181 gpt Ag, 0.15% Cu, 1.6% Pb, 1.5% Zn (or 338 gpt AgEq); 2.85 m @ 25 gpt Ag, 2.3% Pb, 10.6% Zn (or 618 gpt AgEq); 0.9 m @ 391 gpt Ag; 0.11% Cu, 0.4% Pb, 0.3% Zn (or 548 gpt AgEq). Good drill core mineralised intercepts have been obtained from the Minas Nuevas, Promontorio, San Jose, Europa-Guadalupe, Nueva Europa, Amalia, Tigre, Ana, Travesia and El Creston vein systems.
  • Sable Resources Ltd. announced results from one more drill hole at its Margarita project in Chihuahua. This drill hole is on the same section line than a deep hole from the previous drilling campaign, and extends mineralisation 350 m NW from other holes. Highlighted intervals comprise 37.35 m @ 117 gpt Ag, 0.7% Zn, 0.2% Pb, 0.17 gpt Au (or 177 gpt AgEq), including 0.90 m @ 353 gpt Ag, 0.6% Zn, 0.1% Pb (391 gpt AgEq) and 5.50 m @ 400 gpt Ag, 3.0% Zn, 1.1% Pb, 1.07 gpt Au (or 689 gpt AgEq), including 1.65 m @ 790 gpt Ag, 0.4% Zn, 2.0% Pb, 2.92 gpt Au (or 1,122 gpt AgEq). “This hole was intended to test close to surface mineralisation above low-grade mineralisation intercepted at depth in Hole 3 and we are delighted at hitting such strong, thick mineralisation.”
  • Aloro Mining Corp. submitted to SEMARNAT a new environmental permit for approval of drilling and road construction at its Los Venados property in Sonora. “Aloro was able to apply for the new permit after recently negotiating a new 3 year – 50 drill hole surface access agreement with the Mulatos Ejido.” The new permit is focused on the blind target in the SE corner of the concession, where a drill hole from the last campaign intersected 32 m of strong silicic alteration with brecciated vuggy quartz and sulfides, and 4.5 m @ 1.57 gpt Au.
  • Azucar Minerals Ltd. released results from one more drill hole at its El Cobre project in Veracruz. The hole, drilled on the Raya Tembrillo target in the northern edge of the Villa Rica zone, intercepted hypogene porphyry mineralisation from surface, with 168.1 m @ 0.56 gpt Au, 0.29% Cu, including 77.5 m @ 0.78 gpt Au, 0.35% Cu, which in turn include 27.95 m @ 1.53 gpt Au, 0.43% Cu and 12.1 m @ 2.04 gpt Au, 0.58% Cu.     

ON MINING

  • Consolidated Zinc Ltd. announced the execution of a new toll agreement for its Plomosas mine in Chihuahua, whilst still negotiating new offtake agreements for the concentrates. On March 22, CZL received the notification of termination of its toll agreement with Grupo Mexico (60-day termination notice), and by March 29 a toll agreement was executed with Triturado y Minerales La Piedrera S.A. de C.V. for processing of the ore at its Aldama concentrator facility. The Aldama plant has a 300 tonnes per day (or tpd) capacity that Plomosas can fully utilize. The contract is for 18 months with 6 months extension for CZL. “CZL will process Plomosas ore at both the Aldama Plant and Grupo Mexico Santa Eulalia concentrators for approximately a month under its contracts”. Negotiations are ongoing with a number of parties, “including Industrias Penoles S.A.B. de C.V. and Trafigura Beheer BV, to sell the Plomosas Zinc and Lead Concentrates”.
  • Endeavour Silver Corp. informed that commercial production was achieved in mid-March at El Compas mine in Zacatecas, its fourth mine in Mexico. “El Compas has a nominal plant capacity of 250 tonnes per day (tpd) at estimated recovery rates of 83% gold and 50% silver. From February 18 to March 17, the operation processed development ore from stockpile at an average production rate of 232 tpd (93% of design rate) and recovery rates of 73.5% gold (88% of design rate) and 45.5% silver (63% of design rate but only 13% of revenue)”.
  • Telson Mining Corp. released results of historic Leachox Process testing to try to increase Au and Ag recoveries on its Campo Morado mine tailings material, in Guerrero. The 2013 report by Maelgwyn Mineral Services for Nyrstar (then the mine operator) stated a maximum recovery of 65% Au, 75% Ag for 20 microns grinded material, and 45% Au, 81% Ag for 40 microns grinded material. “We could improve recoveries from current levels of gold at 15-20% and silver 30-40%, which would significantly increase the mines profitability by increasing the ounces of gold and silver produced at Campo Morado.”
  • Alamos Gold Inc. announced that its Mulatos mine in Sonora produced its two millionth ounce of gold in March 2019. “This milestone also marks the end of the 5% NSR royalty that the operation has been paying since the start of production in 2005. At the current gold price, this represents a savings of approximately $65 per ounce, which has already been incorporated into previously disclosed guidance…… The Mulatos operation has been an incredible success story. It started producing gold in 2005 with approximately a seven-year mine life and 14 years later, the mine still has six years of reserves ahead of it.”
  • Torex Gold Resources Inc. reported that in Q1, 2019, a total of 77,800 Oz Au were produced at its El Limon-Guajes mine in Guerrero. “Debt principal was reduced by $18.6 million, and cash balances at the end of the quarter were $119 million, including $26.8 million of restricted cash.” Field trials are underway for the first piece of equipment for the proprietary Muckahi mining system.
  • Gogold Resources Corp. announced record production of 288.7 K Oz Ag and 1,613 Oz Au  (or 424.2 K Oz AgEq) from its Parral tailings operation in Chihuahua.
  • Arcelor Mittal. invested $1,635 M during 2018 in Michoacan, while looking to expand its production capacity in Mexico, including a new line of sheeted steel plate, mining, and the modernization of its production plant. The new installations are located in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, to take advantage of the Economic Special Zones to produce 5.3 M tonnes of steel, focusing on the higher aggregate value of sheet steel plate in the automotive and aerospace industries.

ON FINANCING

  • Sonoro Metals Corp. completed a non-brokered private placement, for gross proceeds of $650 K (Cerro Caliche, Sonora).
  • Defiance Silver Corp. closed the second tranche of its previously announced private placement, for gross proceeds of $1.06 M, paying $21.3 K finder’s fees and emitting 106.5 K non-transferable broker warrants (San Acacio, Zacatecas).
  • Sable Resources Ltd. announced a non-brokered offering that could raise up to $1.5 M (Margarita, Chihuahua).

ON RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Mag Silver Corp. disclosed audited consolidated results for 2018. At Juanicipio, in Zacatecas, operated by partner Fresnillo PLC, mine construction continues with “developing the three internal spiral footwall ramps at depth to access the full strike length of the Valdecañas Vein system; excavating and constructing the underground crushing chamber; advancing the conveyor ramp from both ends to and from the planned mill site….. integrating additional ventilation and other associated underground infrastructure, and progressing the construction of surface infrastructure facilities”. During 2018, 6,636 m of underground development were completed, taking the total to date to over 18.5 km. Some highlighted intersections of the 46,060 m of drilling during the year comprise: 11.6 m (true width, or TW) @ 783 gpt Ag, 2.57 gpt Au, 6.5% Pb, 9.5% Zn (Deep Zone West); 6.3 m @ 246 gpt Ag, 1.78 gpt Au, 7.2% Pb, 11.6% Zn, 0.4% Cu (Deep Zone East); 3.2 m @ 472 gpt Ag, 0.31 gpt Au, 0.4% Pb, 0.4% Zn (New Pre-Anticipada vein); 3.0 m (core length) @ 392 gpt Ag, 5.6 gpt Au. Mag remains well funded, with cash and cash equivalents of $130 M by the end of the year.
  • Sierra Metals Inc. reported positive results from drill testing a geophysical anomaly at the Bolivar West zone of their Bolivar mine in Chihuahua. Drilling of the Titan 24 chargeability  target identified and defined a new zone named West Extension to the Bolivar West zone, which is an extension of the Bolivar West structure. Highlighted drill intercepts comprise: 4 m @ 140 gpt Ag, 2.29% Cu, 7.6% Zn, 0.09 gpt Au (or 6.56% CuEq); 20 m @ 15 gpt Ag, 1.32% Cu, 1.16 gpt Au (or 2.42% ZnEq); 3 m @ 36 gpt Ag, 0.87% Cu, 8.5% Zn (or 4.63% CuEq).
  • Evrim Resources Corp. informed that First Majestic Silver Corp. announced a 20% increase in inferred resources over the maiden resource estimation of 2018 at the Ermitaño property in Sonora. A total of 8.81 M AgEq Oz (or 119 K AuEq Oz) were upgraded to indicated status, while 48.98 M AgEq Oz (or 659 K AuEq Oz) are defined as inferred resources. First Majestic is planning to complete 16,000 m of drilling during 2019.

ON DEALS AND CORPORATE ISSUES

  • Alamos Gold Inc. reported entering into an agreement for the sale of a portfolio of non-core royalties to Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd., for proceeds of USD$8.0 M in Metalla common shares with the right to receive additional an additional USD$0.6 M upon Metalla’s exercise of the La Fortuna option. The portfolio of 18 royalties being sold is all on assets not owned by Alamos in several countries. This includes a 2% NSR royalty on the El Realito property, adjacent to the La India mine in Sonora.
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC. Announced “that it remains in active discussions with the State General Reserve Fund of Oman (“SGRF”), the sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman, to conclude the proposed US$65M Strategic Investment Agreement and Offtake Agreement for Bacanora’s flagship Sonora Lithium Project in Mexico……. the Company remains focused on completing the funding package in Q2 2019 with a view to commissioning a chemical processing plant and commencing first production at Sonora in H2 2021”.
  • Premier Gold Mines Ltd. announced the divestment of several properties in Canada, and the Santa Teresa property in Baja California. The divestment of the properties is the result of four transactions that accrued US$1.23 M to Premier. No information was provided on the parties involved on the transactions.
  • Americas Silver Corp. and Pershing Gold Corp. announced that the  Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States  (CFIUS)  has  completed  its  review  of  the  companies’  previously  announced  business  combination and  that  they expect their business combination transaction to be completed by April 3rd.
  • GoldCorp Inc. informed that GoldCorp’s shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the combination with Newmont Mining Corp.

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 above, quartz druse from a breccia in a Michoacan project. Picture by Jorge Cirett.

¿Por qué Canadá puede ser clave para la minería mexicana? – El Financiero

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https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/por-que-canada-puede-ser-clave-para-la-mineria-mexicana

Canadá es un socio estratégico para México en el sector minero con el que es necesario “ensanchar la relación de cooperación y mutuo crecimiento”, dijo el senador Pedro Haces Barba al participar en el México Mining Day 2019, en Toronto.

“Por ello desde el Congreso acompañaremos al gobierno del presidente López Obrador en el diseño de una nueva política de Estado que estimule el desarrollo de la industria en condiciones de competitividad internacional”, señaló.

El senador por Morena destacó la Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED) y la generación de empleos bien remunerados que forman parte de esta relación. Precisó que tan sólo en el 2018, el sector minero-metalúrgico representó para el país el 8.3 por ciento del PIB industrial y el 2.5 por ciento del PIB total, además de que al cierre del año se contabilizaron más de 371 mil empleos directos.

El también líder nacional de la CATEM, expresó por ello el compromiso del Senado mexicano por impulsar reformas sustanciales a la Ley Minera que estén a la altura de las dinámicas regionales y los retos globales del siglo XXI, que permitan un aprovechamiento estratégico y sustentable de los recursos naturales de nuestro país.

“En el Senado de la República uno de los objetivos principales es conformar un marco legal de vanguardia con la participación de expertos, académicos, productores, ambientalistas, así como del sector laboral y todas aquellas personas que estén involucradas en la materia”, expresó Haces Barba.