
October 31, 2024
Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR)(OTCQX:SLVTF) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce a PreliminaryFeasibility Study ("PFS") for its 100% owned, silver-gold El Tigre Project (the "Project" or "El Tigre") located in Sonora, Mexico. The PFS is focused on the conventional open pit mining economics of the Stockwork Mineralization Zone defined in the updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") (Figure 1). The updated MRE also contains an Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource that Silver Tiger plans to study in a Preliminary Economic Assessment in H1-2025.
Highlights of the PFS are as follows (all figures in US dollars unless otherwise stated):
- After-Tax net present value ("NPV") (using a discount rate of 5%) of US$222 million with an After-Tax IRR of 40.0% and Payback Period of 2.0 years (Base Case);
- 10-year mine life recovering a total of 43 million payable silver equivalent ounces ("AgEq") or 510 thousand payable gold equivalent ounces ("AuEq"), consisting of 9 million silver ounces and 408 thousand gold ounces;
- Total Project undiscounted after-tax cash flow of US$318 million;
- Initial capital costs of $86.8 million, which includes $9.3 million of contingency costs, over an expected 18-month build, expansion capital of $20.1 million in year 3 and sustaining capital costs of $6.2 million over the life of mine ("LOM");
- Average LOM operating cash costs of $973/oz AuEq, and all in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $1,214/oz AuEq or Average LOM operating cash costs of $12/oz AgEq, and all in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $14/oz AgEq;
- Average annual production of approximately 4.8 million AgEq oz or 56.7 thousand AuEq oz; and
- Three (3) years of production in the Proven category in the Phase 1 Starter Pit.
Glenn Jessome, President & CEO stated "We are very pleased with the work completed by our consultants and our technical team on the PFS for the open pit at El Tigre. The open pit delivers robust economics with an NPV of US$222 million, an initial capital expenditure of US$87 million, and a payback of 2 years with 3 years of production in the Proven category in the ‘Starter Pit using metal prices greatly discounted to the spot price." Mr. Jessome continued "This is a pivotal point for our Company as we now have a clear path forward to making a construction decision for the open pit. The open pit has good grade (48 g/t AgEq), low strip ratio (1.7:1), and wide benches (~150 m) with mineralization at surface. With such positive parameters and with our VP of Operations Francisco Albelais, a career expert in the construction of large heap leach mines in Mexico, we are confident we will be able to advance the Project very quickly." Mr. Jessome concluded "The open pit is only one component of El Tigre as we have also today delivered over 113 Mozs AgEq in the underground Mineral Resource Estimate and disclosed an Exploration Target establishing 10 to 12 million tonnes at 225 to 265 g/t AgEq for 73 to 100 Moz AgEq. This disclosed ‘near-mine' Mineral Resource and potential, when coupled with the fact that only 30% of this prolific Property has been explored, shows the value of the El Tigre Project. The Company will also continue to work on this substantial underground Mineral Resource by starting underground drilling immediately, and plan to release an underground PEA in H1-2025."
Highlights of the updated Mineral Resource
- Increased confidence in MRE, with increase of 132% in Total Measured & Indicated Silver Equivalent ("AgEq") Ounces from September 2023 MRE, with 59% increase in Measured & Indicated AgEq grade;
- Total Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 200 Moz AgEq grading 92 g/t AgEq contained in 68.0 million tonnes ("Mt");
- Inferred Mineral Resource of 84 Moz AgEq grading 180 g/t AgEq contained in 14.5 Mt; and
- Inclusion of Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource of 5.3 Mt Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource at grade of 255 g/t AgEq and 10.1 Mt Inferred Mineral Resource grading 216 g/t AgEq.
Preliminary Feasibility Summary
The PFS was prepared by independent consultants P&E Mining Consultants Inc. ("P&E"), with metallurgical test work completed by McClelland Laboratories, Inc. - Sparks, Nevada, process plant design and costing by D.E.N.M. Engineering Ltd., and environmental and permitting led by CIMA Mexico. Following are tables and figures showing key assumptions, results, and sensitivities.
Table 1: El Tigre PFS Key Economic Assumptions and Results
- Grades shown are LOM average process plant feed grades include only OP sources. Mining losses and external dilution of 3.7% were incorporated in the mining schedule.
- Column testing indicated both variable gold and silver recovery for the oxide material vs the previously reported non-discounted PEA (83% and 64%) at a 3/8-in crush size. In the process design and financial model for the PFS process design and financial model recoveries have been discounted by 3% for leaching in the field versus optimum conditions in the laboratory and shown accordingly. The presence of transition and sulfide zones has affected both the gold and silver recoveries and are shown as separate recoveries. These are reasonable and appropriate for use in this PFS design and economic analysis.
Figure 2: El Tigre Cash Flow Profile by Year
Figure 2 above highlights the post-tax cash flows of US$318 million associated with the El Tigre Project. The economics of the Project have been evaluated based on the base case scenario $26/oz silver price and gold price of $2,150/oz. As illustrated in the following sensitivity tables, the Project remains robust even at lower commodity prices or with higher costs (Tables 2 and 3).
Table 2 - El Tigre PFS Gold and Silver Price Sensitivities
Table 3 - El Tigre PFS Operating Cost and Capital Cost Sensitivities
Capital and Operating Costs
The El Tigre Project has been envisioned as an open pit mining operation starting at a processing rate of 7,500 tonnes per day for years 1-3 and then ramping up to 15,000 tonnes per day by year 4 after 1 year construction for ramp up in year 3.
The process plant is comprised of conventional three (3) stage crushing to an optimum -3/8 inch (10 mm) crush size. The crushed material will be conveyed and loaded on the lined pad areas. A series of pumping and piping will allow irrigation of the stacked heap material and subsequent production of pregnant solution to flow to the respective impoundment pond. The pregnant solution will be pumped to the recovery facility consisting of the Merrill - Crowe process (zinc precipitation) and refinery to produce the gold and silver dore for marketing. The process barren solution will be recycled (with NaCN addition) and pumped back to the heap for further leaching. The process plant location will be adjacent to the pad and pond infrastructure area.
Water supply to the process plant is provided by pumping from nearby Bavispe River to the process area water distribution system and high voltage grid power will be installed by the local utility to supply process and infrastructure electrical requirements. Expansion capital includes the cost to increase the process plant capacity from 7,500 tonnes per day to 15,000 tonnes per day as noted in Year 4 of operation.
Table 4 - LOM Capital Cost Estimate
Mining
Open pit mining will be contracted and carried out by drill and blast followed by conventional loading and truck haulage to the waste rock storage facilities and the process plant.
Metallurgy
A detailed metallurgical test program was carried out by McClelland Laboratories, Inc., Sparks, Nevada on six (6) El Tigre starter pit samples. The program included crushing, coarse bottle rolls, and column testing at both 80% passing 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch (10 and 12 mm) crush size for five (5) of the six samples. One low grade sample was only crushed to 80% passing 1-1/2 inch (38 mm) as an indication of low grade leachability. The leach samples comprised of drill core sample representing the starter pit and during the testing process it became apparent that the presence of transition and sulfide zones are in the starter pit thus affecting the base design recoveries. This variable test program (column and coarse bottle roll) estimated oxide average gold and silver respective metallurgical recoveries of 86% Au and 48% Ag at the 3/8 inch (10 mm) crush. The transition and sulfide zones had estimated recoveries of 59% Au and 43% Ag. Further percolation testing also confirmed no requirement for agglomeration of the crushed material is required prior to loading on the leach pad.
Mineral Resource Estimate
The basis for the PFS is the Mineral Resource Estimate completed by P&E for the El Tigre Project located in Sonora State, Mexico, which has an effective date of October 22, 2024, with an NI 43-101 Technical Report to be filed within 45 days of this news release. A summary of the Mineral Resource Estimate is provided in Table 5.
Table 5 - Updated Mineral Resource Estimate October 2024
- Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
- The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.
- The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council.
- Historically mined areas were depleted from the Mineral Resource model.
- Prices used are US$2,000/oz Au, US$25/oz Ag, US$4.00/lb Cu, US$0.95 lb Pb and US$1.25/lb Zn.
- The pit-constrained AuEq respective oxide and sulfide cut-off grades of 0.10 and 0.15 g/t were derived from 40% Ag and 83% Au oxide process recovery, 40% Ag and 56% Au sulfide process recovery, US$5.25/tonne process and G&A cost. The constraining pit optimization parameters were $2.00/t mining cost and 45-degree pit slopes. Regarding recoveries, the PFS recovery for Ag in oxide material was increased to 45% after a more detailed study was complete after the MRE was finalized.
- The out-of-pit AuEq cut-off grade of 1.50 g/t was derived 93% Ag and 89% Au process recovery, US$28/tonne process and G&A cost, and a $60/tonne mining cost. The out-of-pit Mineral Resource grade blocks were quantified above the 1.50 g/t AuEq cut-off, below the constraining pit shell and within the constraining mineralized wireframes. Out-of-Pit Mineral Resources are restricted to the El Tigre Main Veins, which exhibit historical continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by cut and fill and long hole mining methods.
- The Low-Grade Stockpile AuEq cut-off grade of 0.54 g/t was derived from 85% Ag and 85% Au recovery US$28/tonne process and G&A cost, and a $2/tonne mining cost.
- The Tailings AuEq cut-off grade of 0.55 g/t was derived from 82% Ag and 83% Au process recovery, US$28.72/tonne process and G&A cost.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 166:1 (oxide) and 122:1 (sulfide) for pit-constrained Mineral Resources.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 77:1 for out-of-pit Mineral Resources.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 80:1 for Low-Grade Stockpile Mineral Resources.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 79:1 for Tailings Mineral Resources
- Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Mineral Resource Estimate Methodology - El Tigre Project
The El Tigre Project includes the El Tigre Veins, El Tigre Tailings and the El Tigre Low-Grade Stockpile.
The databases used for this Mineral Resource update contain a total of 20,149 collar records that contribute directly to the Mineral Resource Estimate and includes collar, survey, assay, lithology and bulk density data. Assay data includes Au g/t, Ag g/t, Cu %, Pb % and Zn % grades. The drilling extends approximately five km along strike.
P&E Mining Consultants Inc. ("P&E") collaborated with Silver Tiger personnel to develop the mineralization models, grade estimates, and reporting criteria for the Mineral Resources at El Tigre. Mineralized domains were initially developed by Silver Tiger and were reviewed and modified by P&E. A total of twenty-seven individual mineralized domains have been identified through drilling and surface sampling. Interpreted mineralization wireframes were developed by Silver Tiger geologists for the El Tigre Veins based on logged drill hole lithology, assay grades and historical records. Silver Tiger identified continuous zones of mineralization from assay grades equal to or greater than 0.30 g/t AuEq with observed continuity along strike and down-dip, using a calculated Ag:Au equivalent factor of 75:1. The selected intervals include lower grade material where necessary to maintain wireframe continuity between drill holes.
P&E developed mineralized domains for the El Tigre Low-Grade Stockpile and the El Tigre Tailings based on lithological logging and LiDAR surface topography.
Assay samples were composited to either 1.00 m or 1.50 m for the vein domains. No compositing was used for the Low-Grade Stockpiles and Tailings models. Composites were capped prior to grade estimation based on the analysis of individual composite log-probability distributions.
A total of 5,542 bulk density values were taken by Silver Tiger from drill hole core. Mineralized bulk density values were assigned for each of the El Tigre Main Veins based on the median vein measurement. For the El Tigre North Veins, a bulk density of 2.65 t/m 3 was assigned for the veins and a value of 2.42 t/m 3 was assigned for the Protectora Halo. For the Low-Grade Stockpile a value of 1.60 t/m 3 was assigned, and for the Tailings a value of 1.39 t/m 3 was used based on 37 nuclear density measurements.
Vein block grades for gold and silver were estimated by Inverse Distance Cubed ("ID3") interpolation of capped composites using a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve composites. Vein block grades for copper, lead and zinc were estimated by Inverse Distance Squared ("ID2") interpolation of capped composites using a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve composites.
Nearest-Neighbour grade interpolation was used for the Low-Grade Stockpiles, and for the Tailings, block grades were estimated by ID2 estimation of capped assays using a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve samples.
For the El Tigre Main Veins, blocks within 30 m of three or more drill holes/channels were classified as Measured Mineral Resources, and blocks within 60 m of three or more drill holes/channels were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. All additional estimated blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
For the North Veins, blocks interpolated by at least two drill holes within 50 m were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. Blocks interpolated by at least one drill hole within a maximum distance of 200 m were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
For the Low-Grade Stockpiles, blocks within 15 m of two or more drill holes were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. All additional estimated blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
For the Tailings, blocks within 30 m of three or more auger or core drill holes were classified as Measured Mineral Resources. Blocks within 60 m of two or more auger/drill holes/pits or trenches were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. All additional estimated blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
P&E considers that the block model Mineral Resource Estimates and Mineral Resource classification represent a reasonable estimation of the global mineral resources for the El Tigre Project with regard to compliance with generally accepted industry standards and guidelines, the methodology used for estimation, the classification criteria used and the actual implementation of the methodology in terms of Mineral Resource estimation and reporting. The Mineral Resources have been estimated in conformity with the requirements of the CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices" guidelines as required by the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Table 6: AuEq Cut-off Sensitivities - ET Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource
Table 7: AuEq Cut-off Sensitivities - ET Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource
Exploration Potential
Exploration potential at the El Tigre Project is substantial with prospective areas for exploration both down dip and along strike with the disclosed Exploration Target establishing 10 to 12 million tonnes at 225 to 265 g/t AgEq for 73 to 100 Moz AgEq.
Figure 3-Exploration Potential released October 2024
Surface Rights Agreement
The Company owns royalty-free, 100% of the 6,238 hectares land-package encompassing the footprint of proposed mining operation with no Ejido presence. In addition, the Company controls 28,414 hectares of Concessions to conduct exploration along a 25 km strike length of the Sierra Madres.
Underground Preliminary Economic Assessment
The Company will also continue to work on this substantial, permitted underground Mineral Resource Estimate and advance this towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment by H1-2025. The Measured and Indicated Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource at El Tigre is 44 Moz AgEq grading 255 g/t AgEq contained in 5.3 Mt and the Inferred Mineral Resource is 70 Moz AgEq grading 216 g/t AgEq contained in 10.1 Mt.
Qualified Persons
Mineral Resource Estimate: Dave Duncan P. Geo. VP Exploration of Silver Tiger, Charles Spath P.Geo., VP of Technical Services of Silver Tiger, and Fred Brown, P.Geo RM-SME Senior Associate Geologist of P&E Mining Consultants, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants are the Qualified Persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101. All Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
Preliminary Feasibility Study: Andrew Bradfield P. Eng of P&E Mining Consultants, Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants and David J. Salari, P. Eng. of D.E.N.M. Engineering Ltd are the Qualified Persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101. All Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
A Technical Report is being prepared on the Preliminary Feasibility Study in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101"), and will be available on the Company's website and SEDAR within 45 days of the date of this news release. The effective date of this Preliminary Feasibility Study is October 22, 2024.
VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation - Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project
VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360° virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.
Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com
The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Corporation's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.
About Silver Tiger and the El Tigre Historic Mine District
Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years' experience discovering, financing and building large epithermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tiger's 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.
The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre silver and gold belt which hosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre Vein extended 1,450 metres along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 metres. The Seitz Kelley Vein was mined along strike for 1 kilometre to a depth of approximately 200 metres. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 metres to a depth of approximately 150 metres. Mining abruptly stopped on all 3 of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than 20¢ per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1930, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was over 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton.
For further information, please contact:
Glenn Jessome
President and CEO
902 492 0298
jessome@silvertigermetals.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, Mineral Resources and Reserves, the ability to convert Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend Mineral Resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.
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Top 5 Canadian Silver Stocks of 2025
Silver prices surged during the second quarter of 2025, surpassing the US$37 per ounce mark and reaching their highest levels in 14 years.
The price movements stem from a tightening supply and demand situation, which has seen above-ground inventories squeezed due to an increasing need from industrial sectors, particularly the growing photovoltaics industry.
However, demand has also increased due to heightened investor interest in alternative safe-haven assets, as gold prices reached record highs. The shifting sentiment comes amid uncertainty over a US trade policy that could reduce the world's gross domestic product by 1 percent.
Investors have also been spooked by increasing conflict in the Middle East.
How has silver's price movement benefited Canadian silver stocks on the TSX, TSXV and CSE? The five companies listed below have seen the best performances since the start of the year. Data was gathered using TradingView's stock screener on July 7, 2025, and all companies listed had market caps over C$10 million at that time.
1. Santacruz Silver (TSX:SCZ)
Year-to-date gain: 321.82 percent
Market cap: C$387.88 million
Share price: C$1.16
Santacruz Silver is an Americas-focused silver producer with operations in Bolivia and Mexico. Its producing assets include a 45 percent stake in the Bolivar and Porco mines, which it shares with the Bolivian government, and a 100 percent ownership of the Caballo Blanco Group mines in Bolivia, along with the Zimapan mine in Mexico.
In addition to its producing assets, Santacruz also owns the greenfield Soracaya project, an 8,325 hectare land package located in Potosi, Bolivia. According to an August 2024 technical report, the site hosts an inferred resource of 34.5 million ounces of silver derived from 4.14 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 260 g/t.
In October 2021, Santacruz acquired Glencore's (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF) 45 percent stake in the Bolivar and Porco mines and a 100 percent interest in the Soracaya project. Under the terms of the deal, Santacruz made an initial payment of US$20 million and was obligated to make an additional US$90 million over a four-year period from the closing of the transaction. Glencore also retained a 1.5 percent net smelter return.
The pair amended the deal in October 2024, giving Santacruz the option to either pay off the US$80 million base purchase price through annual US$10 million installments or to accelerate the repayment by paying US$40 million by November 2025. The deal also includes additional terms such as monthly payments to Glencore contingent on zinc pricing benchmarks.
Santacruz chose the accelerated option through a structured payment plan, which allows it to satisfy the base purchase price of the properties while saving US$40 million compared to the annual installment option. As of its third payment to Glencore on July 7, Santacruz has now paid US$25 million.
In its Q1 2025 production report released on June 12, Santacruz disclosed consolidated silver production of 1.59 million ounces, marking a 1 percent increase from the 1.58 million ounces produced during the same quarter in 2024.
Santacruz shares reached a year-to-date high of C$1.16 on July 7.
2. Almaden Minerals (TSX:AMM)
Year-to-date gain: 318.18 percent
Market cap: C$32.93 million
Share price: C$0.23
Almaden Minerals is a precious metals exploration company working to advance the Ixtaca gold-silver deposit in Puebla, Mexico. According to the company website, the deposit was discovered by Almaden’s team in 2010 and has seen more than 200,000 meters of drilling across 500 holes.
A July 2018 resource estimate shows measured resources of 862,000 ounces of gold and 50.59 million ounces of silver from 43.38 million metric tons of ore, and indicated resources of 1.15 million ounces of gold and 58.87 million ounces of silver from 80.76 million metric tons of ore with a 0.3 g/t cutoff.
In April 2022, Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice ruled that the initial licenses issued in 2002 and 2003 would be reverted back to application status after the court found there had been insufficient consultation when the licenses were originally assigned.
Ultimately, the applications were denied in February 2023, effectively halting progress on the Ixtaca project. While subsequent court cases have preserved Almaden’s mineral rights, it has yet to restore the licenses to continue work on the project.
In June 2024, Almaden announced it had confirmed up to US$9.5 million in litigation financing that will be used to fund international arbitrations proceedings against Mexico under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
In a December update, the company announced that several milestones had been achieved, including the first session with the tribunal, at which the company was asked to submit memorial documents outlining its legal arguments by March 20, 2025. At that time, the company stated it would vigorously pursue the claim but preferred a constructive resolution with Mexico.
On March 21, the company indicated that it had submitted the requested documents, claiming US$1.06 billion in damages. The memorial document outlines how Mexico breached its obligations and unlawfully expropriated Almaden’s investments without compensation.
The most recent update from the proceedings occurred on May 23, when the company announced that it had established a key personnel retention agreement (KPA) with CFO Korm Trieu and Executive Vice President Douglas McDonald. The KPA is intended as a long-term incentive program to retain employees for their knowledge of the proceedings, and the employees will need to perform certain duties related to the claims.
Under the terms of the agreement, the key personnel will split 4 percent of net proceeds, to a maximum of US$12 million, should Almaden’s claim prove successful.
Almaden shares reached a year-to-date high of C$0.245 on June 30.
3. Avino Silver and Gold (TSX:ASM)
Year-to-date gain: 296.85 percent
Market cap: C$710.8 million
Share price: C$5.04
Avino Silver and Gold Mines is a precious metals miner with two primary silver assets: the producing Avino silver mine and the neighboring La Preciosa project in Durango, Mexico.
The Avino mine is capable of processing 2,500 metric tons of ore per day, and according to its FY24 report released on January 21 the mine produced 1.1 million ounces of silver, 7,477 ounces of gold and 6.2 million pounds of copper last year. Overall, the company saw broad production increases with silver rising 19 percent, gold rising 2 percent and copper increasing 17 percent year over year.
In addition to its Avino mining operation, Avino is working to advance its La Preciosa project toward the production stage. The site covers 1,134 hectares, and according to a February 2023 resource estimate, hosts a measured and indicated resource of 98.59 million ounces of silver and 189,190 ounces of gold.
In a January 15 update, Avino announced it had received all necessary permits for mining at La Preciosa and begun underground development at La Preciosa. It is now developing a 350 meter mine access and haulage decline. The company said the first phase at the site is expected to cost less than C$5 million, which will be funded from cash reserves.
In Avino’s Q1 financial report released on May 13, the company noted that work was progressing at the site according to plan, with blasting and construction of the decline underway. It added that a new drill was working on the haulage ramp to the Gloria and Abundancia veins.
On the production and finance side, the company reported a record quarterly after-tax income of US$5.6 million, 10 percent higher than the US$5.1 million during Q4 2024. Avino also reported a 6 percent increase in silver production to 265,681 ounces. The company attributed the gain to an increase in feeder grade.
Avino shares reached a year-to-date high of C$5.04 on July 7.
4. Excellon Resources (TSXV:EXN)
Year-to-date gain: 238.89 percent
Market cap: C$57.43 million
Share price: C$0.305
Excellon Resources is an exploration and development company that is advancing its recently acquired Mallay silver mine in Peru back into production.
Mining at the site produced 6 million ounces of silver, 45 million pounds of zinc and 35 million pounds of lead between 2012 and 2018 before the operation was placed on care and maintenance.
On June 24, Excellon announced that it had completed its acquisition of Minera CRC, and its Mallay mine and Tres Cerros gold-silver project in Peru.
Excellon began the court-supervised acquisition process in October 2024. On March 11, Excellon announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Adar Mining and Premier Silver, which resolved any outstanding disputes between Adar, Premier, and Minera, and paved the way to complete the transaction.
In the June release, the company stated that it will immediately commence the next phase of its strategy to restart the mine. As Mallay is fully permitted with infrastructure in place, Excellon is aiming for run-rate silver production in Q2 of next year.
Additionally, the company announced on July 3 that it had appointed Mike Hoffman to its board of directors. Hoffman has been in the mining sector for over 35 years, and has experience with developing mines in Latin America.
Shares in Excellon reached a year-to-date high of C$0.315 on July 4.
5. Andean Precious Metals (TSX:APM)
Year-to-date gain: 182.61 percent
Market cap: C$481.71 million
Share price: C$3.25
Andean Precious Metals is a precious metals company with a pair of operating assets in the Americas.
Its primary silver-producing operation is the San Bartolomé facility in the Potosi Department of Bolivia. The onsite processing facility has an annual ore capacity of 1.8 million metric tons. The company has transitioned from conventional mining and is processing feed from both its low-cost fines deposit facility and third-party ore purchases.
Its other producing asset is the Golden Queen mine in Kern County, California, US. It hosts a 12,000 MT per day cyanide heap leach and Merril-Crowe processing facility. A mineral reserve statement showed a measured and indicated silver resource of 11.24 million ounces from 41.81 million MT at an average grade of 8.37 g/t silver. The company acquired Golden Queen from Auvergne Umbrella in November 2023 for total consideration of US$15 million.
On May 6, Andean released its Q1 operating and financial results. During the first quarter of the year, it produced 925,000 ounces of silver across its operations, up 0.9 percent over Q1 2024. However, the company noted that its revenues increased 43.9 percent year-over-year, reaching US$62 million compared to US$43.1 million. The company attributed this increase to higher silver and gold prices.
The most recent news from the company came on June 2 when it announced it entered into an exclusive, long-term agreement with the Bolivian state-owned mining company Corporacion Minera de Bolivia to acquire up to 7 million metric tons of oxide ore from mining concessions in Bolivia.
The ore is located within a 250 kilometer radius of the processing facility at its San Bartolomé operation, where it will process the ore. Under the terms of the 10 year agreement, Andean will immediately receive an initial 250,000 metric tons of ore, with the remaining to be delivered in tranches of 50,000 MT.
Shares in Andean reached a year-to-date high of C$3.25 on July 7.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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09 July
5 Silver Stocks With Dividends
Silver is a notoriously volatile metal capable of wide price swings in either direction. However, the metal is also seen by many as a safe-haven investment and a hedge against inflation.
While investing in silver bullion is one popular method for gaining exposure, silver-mining companies offer another route.
Silver-mining companies with strong balance sheets and experienced management teams are able to capitalize on high silver prices and weather the storm of low silver prices. Some of the most profitable silver-mining companies are even able to offer investors dividends, which may be appealing for those who are in it for the long haul.
Dividends are especially attractive in the often-unstable mining sector because they give investors a degree of security — if a company pays a dividend, it generally feels that it has the cash to do so and believes it will have the ongoing profits it needs to keep those payments coming.
There are several dividend-paying silver stocks for investors to choose from. The companies below are ordered by dividend yield, and all data is current as of June 19, 2025.
1. Fresnillo (LSE:FRES,OTC Pink:FNLPF)
LSE market cap: GBP 10.66 billion
Dividend yield: 1.71 percent
Major miner Fresnillo bills itself as the world’s leading primary silver producer and a significant gold producer. Its precious metals operations are all located in Mexico, including the Fresnillo mine, which is the largest primary silver mine in the world. It also holds a portfolio of exploration prospects in the country and silver streaming contracts.
Fresnillo's attributable output from its mines for the full 2024 year came to 56.3 million ounces of silver and 610,646 ounces of gold. The company's reported mine production for the the first quarter of 2025 comes to 12.4 million ounces of silver and 156,100 ounces of gold.
Dividends from the company are paid in pounds sterling unless shareholders elect to be paid in US dollars. This silver stock pays two dividends per year, with the dividend split unevenly between the two; one third is paid in the interim dividend and two-thirds in the final dividend. Its dividend policy takes business profitability and underlying earnings growth into account, as well as capital requirements and cash flow.
Most recently, Fresnillo paid its 2024 final dividend of 19.6521 pence, or US$0.261, on May 30, 2025. Additionally, due to its 2024 financial performance, including revenue growth of 26.9 percent, the company paid a special one-off dividend of 31.4736 pence, or US$0.418 per share, the same day. This made 2024 Fresnillo's highest recorded dividend payout year yet.
2. Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS,NYSE:PAAS)
TSX market cap: C$14.39 billion
NYSE market cap: US$10.55 billion
Dividend yield: 1.41 percent
Founded by Ross Beaty in 1994, Pan American Silver currently operates four primary silver mines, which are located in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. It also has a portfolio of gold mines produce silver as a by-product.
The company’s 2024 silver production came in at 21.1 million ounces alongside 892,000 ounces of gold. For Q1 this year, output reached a total of 5 million ounces of silver and 182,200 ounces of gold.
In May, Pan American announced a definitive agreement to acquire silver producer MAG Silver (TSX:MAG,NYSEAMERICAN:MAG), which owns a 44 percent interest in the large-scale, high-grade Juanicipio mine, operated by Fresnillo.
The highest dividend Pan American has ever paid is US$0.125 per share, and it was able to pay a dividend of that amount a noteworthy nine times in a row between March 18, 2013, and March 13, 2015. The silver stock paid its most recent quarterly dividend on June 2, 2025, at US$0.10 per share.
3. Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM)
TSX market cap: C$56.63 billion
NYSE market cap: US$41.58 billion
Dividend yield: 0.71 percent
Wheaton Precious Metals is a well-known name in the silver space largely because of its business model — it is the world’s biggest precious metals streaming company.
Streaming companies operate differently from miners, making upfront payments to a variety of metals companies in order to gain the right to purchase all or a portion of their metal production at a low, fixed cost.
The company currently has streaming agreements in place for 18 operating mines and 28 development-stage projects. It is interested in companies operating in politically stable jurisdictions, and states that its value should rise with the price of silver and gold. As a result, Wheaton sees itself offering investors multiple benefits while reducing many of the downside risks that traditional miners face.
Wheaton pays a quarterly dividend. So far in 2025, it has already made two dividend payments of US$0.165 per share, with the latest payment on June 10, 2025.
4. Silvercorp Metals (TSX:SVM)
TSX market cap: C$1.29 billion
NYSE market cap: US$950.85 million
Dividend yield: 0.59 percent
Silvercorp Metals operates the Gaocheng and Ying silver-mining operations in China, and is also focused on acquiring and growing underdeveloped projects with high upside.
Its silver production for its 2025 fiscal year ended March 31 came in at approximately 6.95 million ounces, and the company also produced 7,495 ounces of gold. The company's 2026 production guidance is set at 7.38 million to 7.6 million ounces of silver and 9,100 to 10,400 ounces of gold.
Silvercorp offers shareholders a semiannual dividend, which it states is “based on a number of factors including commodity prices, market conditions, financial results, cash flows from operations, expected cash requirements and other relevant factors.” Its most recent dividend was paid on June 26, 2025, at a rate of US$0.0125 per share.
5. Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL)
NYSE market cap: US$3.76 billion
Dividend yield: 0.59 percent
Last on this list of silver stocks that pay dividends is Hecla Mining Company, which wholly owns and operates four mines and has a large exploration portfolio. The oldest precious metals miner in North America, Hecla is also the largest primary silver producer in the US and Canada and the third largest in the world.
In the US, Hecla operates the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday silver mines, located in Alaska and Idaho respectively. As for Canada, Hecla has the Keno Hill silver mine in the Yukon's Keno Hill silver district, which is home to some of the world's highest silver grades, as well as the Casa Berardi gold-silver mine in Québec.
Hecla reported 2024 production of 16.2 million ounces of silver, the second highest in the company's history, and 142,000 ounces of gold. As for Q1 2025, the company produced 4.1 million ounces of silver and 34,242 ounces of gold.
Hecla pays an annual minimum common stock dividend, distributing it on a quarterly basis. Its dividends previously included a silver-linked component, but the company removed this in February 2025 in part to refocus the capital on growth opportunities.
Currently, the company's annual minimum common stock dividend is set at US$0.015 per share, divided into quarterly payments of US$0.00375. Its most recent payment was on June 10, 2025.
Hecla also pays a quarterly US$0.875 per share dividend for its Series B cumulative convertible preferred stock, which it states is typically paid on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.
FAQs for silver dividend stocks
What are dividend stocks?
Dividend stocks regularly pay a sum of money to a class of shareholders out of the company's earnings. To qualify for a dividend payout, an investor must have owned the stock on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends are often issued as cash payments sent to a shareholder’s brokerage account, but can also be issued as stock or discounts on share purchases.
How to invest in dividend stocks?
You can invest in dividend-paying stocks through a stock broker or stock platform, and a stock broker can offer advice on how to take advantage of companies offering dividend programs. Some dividend stocks may also offer a dividend reinvestment program, allowing shareholders to automatically buy new shares with their dividends, either commission-free or at a reduced cost.
How much do dividend stocks pay?
A company's board of directors is responsible for setting a dividend policy and will determine the size of the dividend payout based on the firm's long-term revenue outlook.
The size of an individual shareholder's dividend payout depends on the number of shares owned in that company. For example, if an investor owned 1,000 shares of Wheaton Precious Metals, which is currently paying a dividend of US$0.165 per share, they would get US$165 every quarter, totaling US$660 annually.
What silver ETFs pay dividends?
There are no physical backed Silver ETFs with dividends. However, ETFs that track dividend-paying silver stocks such as those listed above may offer the potential for dividend income. A few examples of are Global X Silver Miners ETF (ARCA:SIL), and iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (BATS:SLVP).
This is an updated version of an article originally published by the Investing News Network in 2015.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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26 June
Rapid Successfully Undertakes $10.5M Capital Raising to Fund Acquisition of the Webbs and Conrads NSW Silver Projects
Rapid Critical Metals Limited (‘Rapid,’ ‘RCM’ or ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that the Company has received firm commitments from institutional, sophisticated and professional investors for the placement of 437,500,000New Fully Paid Ordinary Shares (New Shares) at an issue price of A$0.024 per new share (post 12-for-1 consolidation) to raise gross proceeds of A$10.5 million (Placement). The Placement comprises two tranches:
- Tranche 1 to raise A$10 million via the issue of approximately 416,666,667¹ million New Shares subject to the approval of shareholders (resolution 1) at the Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for 7 July 2025 (EGM); and
- Tranche 2 to raise A$0.5 million via the issue of 20,833,334 million New Shares subject to shareholder approval to be sought at an EGM of the Company expected to be held in August 2025 for participation of a current major shareholder Strata Investment Holdings.
Highlights
- A$10.5m secured through a Placement, following receipt of firm commitments at an issue price of A$0.024 per share (post 12-for-1 consolidation).
- Strong support was received from existing & new institutional, sophisticated and professional investors.
- Existing major shareholder and board member Strata Investment holdings has participated with taking $500k of the placement to be voted on in an expected EGM in August.
- Proceeds from the Placement, together with existing cash, will be used to fund the acquisition of 100% of the Conrad and Webbs Silver Projects in the New England Fold Belt of NSW and to unlock the potential of the Projects rapidly. Rapid will rapidly implement programs at Webbs Silver Project with a focus to expand and upgrade the existing JORC Mineral Resource Estimate1 with targeted geophysics, drilling and metallurgical studies beginning in June 2025.
Proceeds from the Placement, together with existing cash, will be used to fund the acquisition ofthe Conrad and Webbs Silver Projects, currently owned by Silver Metal Group Limited (SMG) (for full details of the transaction refer ASX announcement of 22 May, 2025). Following completion of the acquisition, Rapid will own 100% of the Conrad and Webbs Silver Projects in the New England Fold Belt of NSW.
The opportunity exists to unlock the potential of the Projects rapidly, as neither have had any modern exploration or drilling done in the last decade. Exploration for new, parallel and blind structures can deliver new silver discoveries in the district.
Rapid will rapidly implement programs at Webbs Silver Project with a focus to expand and upgrade the existing JORC Mineral Resource Estimate with targeted geophysics, drilling and metallurgical studies beginning in June 2025.
Commenting on the success and level of interest in the Placement, Martin Holland, Rapid’s Managing Director, said:
“The Rapid team is pleased to have secured the funds which will be strategically used for the acquisition of the SMG silver projects in NSW. I would like to thank all existing and new shareholders who participated in the Placement for supporting the Board’s strategy.”
The Placement was strongly supported by new and existing shareholders, including Strata Investment Holdings Plc (Strata), the Company’s largest shareholder, whose participation is subject to shareholder approval to be sought at an EGM to be held in late August.
The Placement was conducted at a price of A$0.024 per New Share, which represents a:
- 0.00% discount to the last close price of A$0.002 on 23 June, 2025; and
- 0.00% discount to the 5-day Volume Weighted Average Price of A$.002 (pre consolidation)
All New Shares issued under the Placement will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares on issue in the capital of the Company.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Rapid Critical Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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25 June
Hawthorn Announces Closing of C$4 Million Subscription Receipt Financing
Hawthorn Resources Corp. (CSE: HWTN) ("Hawthorn" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced subscription receipt (the "Subscription Receipts") offering (the "Offering").
Under the Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 14,807,315 Subscription Receipts at a price of $0.27 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate proceeds of $3,997,975.05 (the "Subscription Proceeds").
Each Subscription Receipt, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions (the "Escrow Release Conditions") related to the Company's previously announced proposed acquisition of Stampede Metals Corporation (the "Acquisition") on or before the escrow release deadline of July 31, 2025 or such later date as the escrow agent and the Company agree (the "Escrow Release Deadline"), will be automatically converted, without payment of any additional consideration and without any further action on the part of the holder thereof, into a unit (a "Unit"), comprised of one post 1:0.75 consolidation (the "Consolidation") common share of the Company and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable to acquire a post-Consolidation common share at a price of $0.40 per share until December 23, 2026, subject to acceleration in the event that the post-Consolidated common shares of the Company trade at or above $0.60 for ten consecutive trading days. If the Escrow Release Conditions are not met by the Escrow Release Deadline, the aggregate Subscription Proceeds will be returned to subscribers without deduction.
President Ralph Shearing, P.Geol. of Hawthorn Resources, commented: "With nearly $4 million in financing received, upon completion of our acquisition of the Prince Silver Project, Hawthorn is fully funded to execute on our 2025 exploration priorities. We're excited to advance the Prince Silver Project — a near-surface CRD deposit with historic production, strong silver-gold-zinc-manganese mineralization identified in over 129 historic drill holes with excellent exploration expansion potential.
In connection with the Offering, upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts into the underlying Units, the Company will pay finders fees of $98,309.98 to eligible registrants assisting in the Offering and issue an aggregate of 420,111 broker warrants (each, a "Broker Warrant"), with each Broker Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one post-Consolidated common share of the Company at a price of $0.40 per share for until December 23, 2026.
All securities issued under Acquisition and in the Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day pursuant to applicable securities laws and CSE policy. In accordance with CSE policies, the Company has obtained written shareholder approval for the issuance of the aggregate post-Consolidated common shares to be issued pursuant to the Acquisition and the Offering.
Completion of the proposed Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to, completion of the concurrent financing, satisfaction by the parties of all applicable filing requirements pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), and acceptance and receipt of all applicable regulatory, corporate and shareholder approvals.
About Hawthorn Resources Corp.
Hawthorn is a silver exploration company focused on advancing the Prince Silver Project in Nevada, USA. Mineralization is open in all directions and is near surface. Hawthorn also holds option interest in Broken Handle Project, an early-stage mineral exploration project located southern British Columbia, Canada.
For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Ralph Shearing, Director, President
Tel: 604-764-0965
Email: info@hawthornresources.ca
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Some of the specific forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: completion of the Acquisition and related transactions, completion of the Initial Private Placement, appointments of directors and officers of the Company and regulatory and corporate approvals. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, dependence on key personnel, and compliance with property option agreements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, failure to obtain regulatory or corporate approvals, exploration results, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release and the CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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