Zacatecas Silver Acquires Heliostar Metals’ Exploration Portfolio

Canada-based junior company Zacatecas Silver acquired an exploration property portfolio from Heliostar Metals. The company considers this acquisition to be strategic for its expansion, as the exploration targets are located near producing or past-producing mines across Sonora and Oaxaca. 

Zacatecas Silver announced it entered into a binding agreement with Heliostar Metals to acquire a 100% interest in a portfolio of four exploration properties, which includes the Oso Negro, Cumaro, and La Lola properties in Sonora, alongside the Ejutla property in Oaxaca. 

According to Zacatecas Silver, the Oso Negro property in Sonora is a high-priority, undrilled opportunity featuring at least four principal veins with average widths of 3m. Previous channel sampling at the site returned grades of 5.15g/t Au and 953g/t Ag over 1.2m. “Zacatecas plans to commence an aggressive sampling and mapping program in March of 2026. The property is held by private landowners, thus streamlining access agreements,” reads the company press release.

In the same state, the Cumaro project sits along strike from Coeur Mining’s El Picacho project’s satellite mine development, and a drilling program is underway. The property hosts extensions of the El Picacho, Dos Amigos, and Basaitegui low-sulphidation epithermal vein systems, where previous channel sampling highlights included 10.3g/t Au and 158g/t Ag over 5m. “The company plans an aggressive field mapping and sampling program, planned to commence immediately following the first pass reconnaissance of the Oso Negro concession,” details Zacatecas Silver.

The third Sonoran asset, La Lola, provides district-scale exposure with nine concessions totalling over 1,183ha and is anchored by a 5km vein system that reaches up to 40m in width. The surrounding region includes producing and advanced-stage projects, including Bear Creek Mining’s Mercedes Mine, First Majestic Silver’s Santa Elena Mine, Coeur Mining’s Las Chispas deposit, Silver Tiger Metals’ El Tigre project, and Grupo México’s La Caridad Mine.

In Oaxaca, the 10,603ha Ejutla project in Oaxaca is located near the San Jose mine and shows historical indications of gold-silver mineralization and Carlin-style potential. According to Zacatecas Silver, limited historical channel sampling returned peak assays that included 0.412g/t Au and 701g/t Ag over 0.6m, 0.013g/t Au and 664g/t Ag over a 5m interval and 1.26g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag over 1.8m interval.

Terms of the Agreement

Zacatecas Silver must pay a total of US$450,000 in cash to Heliostar Metals over three years. The initial payment of US$150,000 is due by the earlier between the definitive agreement date and Mar. 31, 2026. Additionally, the company will issue US$750,000 in common shares over three years, with US$300,000 of those shares issued on the effective date. 

Upon exercising the option, Zacatecas Silver will grant a 2% net smelter return royalty, half of which can be purchased for a one-time payment of US$2 million before commercial production begins. “Just as importantly, acquiring this exploration portfolio from Heliostar Metals establishes a strong strategic relationship with a respected and technically capable group, aligning them as an equity partner and reinforcing our long-term growth strategy as we advance our assets. Collectively, these properties give us a multi-asset platform capable of generating near-term catalysts while building sustainable long-term value,” said Eric Vanderleeuw, CEO and Director, Zacatecas Silver.