Sonoro pushing for pilot operation at Cerro Caliche

Sonoro Metals outlined its aims for the Cerro Caliche gold asset in Mexico, including a planned pilot operation with the support of a Chinese backer.

The company released a development report for the mine in Sonora state, which sets out work to advance understanding of the mineralized system and the most effective exploration strategy.

Since July 2019 the company has mainly focused on activities to support a heap leach pilot operation, together with China-based EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) companies regarding development and debt financing.

COVID-19 BLOW

These efforts have been delayed by travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented EPC companies from sending technical teams from China to visit the project in February.

“While waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted, we took the opportunity to further refine our understanding of the geology at Cerro Caliche, in order to fine tune our exploration strategy,” CEO Kenneth MacLeod said.

Sonoro completed a technical assessment of 17 zones of gold mineralization at Cerro Caliche in February, aimed at evaluating the potential to increase the 201,000oz gold equivalent resource.

The company plans 50,000m of drilling over several phases.

Sonoro also has the San Marcial project in Mexico.