Masivo Silver Submits Environmental Permits for Cerro Colorado

Masivo Silver is advancing its Cerro Colorado project in Sonora, having submitted key environmental permit applications to SEMARNAT in support of planned exploration activities, including drilling, access development, and related infrastructure for the initial phase.

"The submission of our SEMARNAT permits is a significant step forward for the Cerro Colorado project. With land access secured and permitting now under way, we are positioning Masivo to move efficiently into drilling. Our team is working toward a January, 2026, drill start, which we believe will be an important catalyst as we begin systematically testing the project's exploration potential,” said David Coburn, CEO, Masivo Silver.

Subject to receiving all necessary approvals, the company plans to begin its first-phase drilling program in January 2026. This initial program will focus on priority geological targets identified through historical data, surface mapping, sampling, and prior exploration work. The phase 1 drilling will aim to confirm existing mineralization and expand areas with potential for precious and base metals. Results will help refine geological models and guide future exploration activities.

Looking ahead, Cerro Colorado remains a cornerstone asset in Masivo Silver’s growing portfolio of precious and base metal projects in Mexico and the United States. The company continues to advance the project methodically, prioritizing regulatory compliance, community engagement, and technical rigor.

Government Aims for Permit Greenlighting 

Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard had previously confirmed the federal government's intention to accelerate mining permit approvals starting in 2026. Speaking at the XXXVI International Mining Convention 2025, Ebrard stated that the administration is committed to restarting large-scale exploration, streamlining pending procedures, and facilitating investment to secure supply chains amid a tense geopolitical climate. "Securing supply chains is a national priority," he noted, highlighting that three new permits for land use and environmental impact had already been approved as part of this initiative, without mentioning which projects received the approvals.

More recently, Fernando Aboitiz, Head of the Extractive Activities Coordination Unit, Ministry of Economy (SE), confirmed that the Claudia Sheinbaum administration has tackled the permitting bottleneck that defined previous years. Aboitiz told El Financiero that the government inherited 176 stalled projects at the start of the term. Through an accelerated review process, officials have resolved 110 of these cases, leaving only 66 pending. The unit expects to normalize administrative operations by mid-2026.

Mexico’s easing of regulatory bottlenecks is unlocking significant mining investment across key states. Zacatecas leads the shift, with a potential investment pipeline exceeding US$6.5 billion after cutting its permit backlog from 25 to five in one year, enabling major projects such as Agnico Eagle and Teck’s San Nicolás and Orla Mining’s Camino Rojo mine-life extension.

Sonora is already seeing operational gains, with cleared delays allowing projects like Silver Tiger’s El Tigre to target construction in 2026 and supporting a project pipeline that includes 83 active developments, such as Cerro Caliche, El Pilar, and Heliostar’s restart at La Colorada.

Chihuahua has identified eight advanced projects worth US$3.6 billion through 2030, led by Discovery Silver’s Cordero and Fresnillo’s Orisyvo, while Durango’s release of more than a dozen environmental permits is expected to accelerate development for Avino Silver and Chesapeake Gold. Officials stress that sustaining regulatory certainty will be key to translating these plans into record levels of investment.