Alex Langer, President and CEO of Sierra Madre Gold And Silver (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF), joins me to discuss the acquisition of the Del Toro Silver Mine in the Chalchihuites District in Mexico from First Majestic Silver Corp. for total consideration of up to US$60 million, inclusive of delayed and contingent milestone payments. We also get a update on operations from the ongoing ramp-up and expansion of silver and gold production from the La Guitarra, Coloso, and Nazareno mines in Mexico.
Pursuant to the Transaction, Sierra Madre will acquire a 100% interest in the 2,129-hectare Del Toro Property in Zacatecas State that includes three fully-permitted underground mines, a 3,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") flotation processing circuit and numerous historic mines. Alex outlines that in the near-term, their plan for Del Toro is to advance exploration and prepare an updated resource report while their operating team focuses on completing the two-stage expansion at La Guitarra. The initial plan is to commence the mine restart process at Del Toro in mid-2027, with silver and base metals production currently slated for mid-2028. However, Alex mentioned that if silver prices continue on their current upward trajectory, there is a possibility of restarting Del Toro within a 12-month time period."
We reviewed that once again this transaction was completed with their largest strategic shareholder, First Majestic Silver, who is excited to see the team at Sierra Madre unlock value from these assets as they participate from an equity perspective. Alex points out that as was the case with La Guitarra, First Majestic has done an exceptional job in keeping permits current and maintaining the mine and plant in an operations-ready state.
Key transaction specifics of the Del Toro acquisition:
Alex then unpacks how Del Toro is an excellent match for their portfolio, not just on a production basis, but with considerable exploration upside; with an already built production plant and a strategic land position in the large, under-explored Chalchihuites District. This ties into their team’s long-standing corporate business model is to acquire mines, such as La Guitarra, with existing production facilities, and then to build a resource base in under-explored, large historic mining districts.
Alex also just got back from a site visit to Mexico, so we unpacked all the activity on the ground the planned two-stage expansion at their La Guitarra processing plant located in Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Alex discussed how the ongoing purchase of additional milling and processing equipment along with rolling fleet equipment will allow for the implementation of increased production in incremental stages over the next 2 years.
In addition to throughput growth, there will also be grade-driven growth at the La Guitarra complex. This higher-grade ore which will continue be sourced from both the Coloso and Nazareno Mines to augment the material from the La Guitarra Mine, in addition to development work at La Guitarra reaching higher grade material. As production and operations continue ramping up this blended material will raise the grades and recoveries of gold and silver, as well as start lowering costs over the next few quarters.
Wrapping up we discuss the preparations and early targeting work underway to engage in a significant exploration program at the East District concessions, which will include a drill program of over 25,000 meters in 2026. The property hosts 8 different past-producing mines, with the first 2 priorities being to explore around the El Rincon and Mina de Agua mines. There will also be more announcements about the exploration plans at the Del Toro complex and land concessions in the new year.
If you have any questions for Alex regarding Sierra Madre Gold and Silver, then please email them to me at either Shad@kereport.com.
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