The Week in Mining: Projects in Mexico’s Pipeline on the Brink of Going Online

The Week in Mining underscores promising developments in Mexico’s project pipeline involving Pan American Silver and Minera Alamos. Moreover, the FBI says illegal mining in Latin America, including Mexico, is a threat to US national security. Also, gold miners around the world go on the biggest M&A binge in a decade.

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Mexico

Minera Alamos is nearing first mine development in Sonora. Santana, the group's near-term production opportunity, has seen a successful bulk test mining program. First gold is earmarked for the middle of 2020. 

Radius Gold, an exploration company working with Pan American Silver, has reported high-grade drilling results at Amalia in Chihuahua state.

The FBI made a statement before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee signaling illicit mining as a threat to US national security and international human rights. The statement says criminal groups in Mexico complement their income through this activity. 

International

Miners join the transition to a low-carbon economy, not only by providing minerals for green technology but also by implementing renewable energy projects at mines around the world.

A new EU-funded project hopes to improve the commercial viability of mining modest but high-grade critical raw mineral deposits across Europe.

Brazilian mining giant Vale said it will increase nickel production in coming years to 360,000 tons a year, mainly by expanding in Indonesia.

According to Reuters, gold miners notched transactions worth a record US$30.5 billion this year. This is the biggest M&A binge since bullion prices peaked nearly a decade ago.