Regenerative Mining Leaves a Positive Legacy: Vizsla Silver

Q: What strategic value does the acquisition of the La Garra-Metates district bring to Vizsla Silver’s broader portfolio?
A: Sinaloa’s mining district remains relatively underexplored. While there are recognized deposits and historic mining areas, we have chosen to continue our investment in the state. The La Garra-Metates project could bring substantial benefits to Vizsla Silver, and our investment reflects our growing confidence in this district. The project exhibits the same mineralization characteristics and vein systems found in other successful regions.

We believe that we can achieve results similar to those in Panuco, where we are developing a mining district. La Garra-Metates is a valuable asset in reserve, located equidistant from the San Dimas and Panuco districts. This strategic positioning gives us a favorable advantage thanks to the mineralization characteristics of Sinaloa. Although the La Garra-Metates asset is in the early stages of exploration, we have collected a series of samples that have yielded promising results, pointing to the area’s potential. We have not conducted a systematic exploration there yet, as Panuco continues to be our primary focus. 

Q: What are your projections for the Panuco project?
A: During the first stage of exploration, we drilled over 300,000m at Panuco and now estimate that it contains over 300Moz of AgEq. This project has thus transitioned from simple exploration to advanced exploration with production in mind. We recently released a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), and we are now moving into the next phase of the project.

Q: What actions has Vizsla Silver taken to ensure the safety of its operators?
A: Safety has been our top priority since the start of the Panuco project, with our most valuable asset being our human capital. In mid-October 2023, we were approaching 2 million man-hours without accidents but had a minor incident that required us to reset our safety record. Since then, we have logged over 300 consecutive days without accidents, and we are close to achieving a full year without incidents.

From the outset of our project, we have prioritized safety, community relations, and environmental management. Five years ago, we established dedicated personnel for these critical areas, which has greatly contributed to our success. 

Q: What does Vizsla Silver’s regenerative mining approach entail, and which key elements will you develop further in your ongoing projects?
A: In September 2024, we launched a movement in Sinaloa called Regenerative Mining (REMI) in partnership with Sinaloa-based Durango Gold. REMI’s goal is to leave a lasting positive legacy in the communities where we operate. These programs are designed to provide communities with sustainable independent projects that can continue once the company has moved on.

The project was initially sponsored with company funds but will create alternative business paths and entrepreneurial opportunities later. Regenerative Mining is centered on three pillars: community development (prosperity), environmental protection (especially water conservation), and clean energy initiatives.

We are also focusing on our own processes and using the best available technology. We prioritize water recirculation in our exploration campaigns to minimize water consumption across our operations. We are also incorporating solar energy through a project that seeks to power our primary operational center entirely with solar panels to reduce our carbon footprint and ultimately reach GHG neutrality. We are also improving our nursery with more than 5,000 plants from the region.

Q: What challenges does the mining sector face, and how is it adapting to them?
A: The mining sector has always demonstrated resilience, overcoming challenges of all kinds, whether climate-related or political. This strength is shaping our path forward, but the key lies in dialog with federal and state governments and active engagement with authorities. It is crucial to communicate best practices openly, going beyond simply stating that we support communities and protect the environment. 

We need to work on educating people, not only in local communities but also in cities and universities. Our goal is to dispel the misconceptions and stigma that portray mining as solely destructive or polluting. As an industry, it is our responsibility to address these perceptions, especially as we navigate the challenges posed by new administrations.
 

Vizsla Silver is a Canada-based mineral exploration and development company. The company is focused on developing its 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa. The company has drilled over 350,000m at Panuco, uncovering several high-grade veins.