IRW-PRESS: First Majestic Silver Corp.: First Majestic Reports Exploration Success for Navidad at Santa Elena

New drilling significantly expands the high-grade gold and silver mineralization of the Navidad discovery.

 

Metallurgical testing demonstrates excellent gold and silver recoveries for Navidad mineralization.

 

Vancouver, British Columbia ( February 4, 2025) – First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG) (TSX: AG) (FSE: FMV) (the 'Company' or 'First Majestic') is pleased to provide new results for the Navidad discovery at its Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine in Sonora, Mexico that was first announced on July 30, 2024. The drilling completed during the second half of 2024 ('H2') significantly expanded the gold and silver mineralization discovered at the Navidad Target ('Navidad'), and metallurgical testing of the mineralization revealed that gold and silver metal recoveries are excellent.

 

'The success at Santa Elena continues,' stated Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO of First Majestic. 'The exploration program at Navidad during H2 successfully expanded the high-grade gold and silver mineralization of the Navidad discovery, extending mineralization closer to the Ermitaño mine infrastructure. We anticipate continued success at Santa Elena during 2025 as we work to grow and define the mineral deposit at Navidad. We are very excited by the potential of this new discovery, which we believe represents a high-quality opportunity to grow the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve base both for the Santa Elena operation and for the Company as a whole.'

 

H2 2024 NAVIDAD EXPLORATION HIGHLIGHTS

 

Drilling of Navidad since the discovery announcement in July 2024, has substantially expanded the footprint of gold ('Au') and silver ('Ag') mineralization. A total of 20,809 metres ('m') of new drilling was completed with 17-holes that have defined extensive mineralization consisting of two epithermal quartz veins with high-grade gold and silver mineralization: the Navidad and Winter veins. The gold and silver mineralization identified to date extends greater than 1,000m by 300m in strike and dip with the true thickness of mineralization averaging between 2.8m and 4.4m. A maiden Inferred Mineral Resource estimate is anticipated to be released in late March.

 

During 2025, additional drilling from surface is planned to continue testing the potential expansion of Navidad, which remains open in multiple directions. Expansionary and infill resource definition drilling will also take place from multiple new underground drilling stations constructed from the Ermitaño mine. Five drill rigs are currently active at Navidad.

 

Independent third-party metallurgical testing of Navidad and Winter mineralization under current mineral processing parameters for the Santa Elena processing plant was completed during the fall of 2024. The testing revealed exceptional gold and silver recovery rates with gold recoveries consistently exceeding 90% and silver recoveries exceeding 85%. The results firmly establish that Navidad's mineralization is compatible with the existing processing infrastructure at the Santa Elena operation.

 

KEY DRILLING HIGHLIGHTS

 

A summary of high-grade assay results from exploration drilling completed at Navidad during the second half of 2024 is provided in Table 1 and includes the highlighted true-width intervals that follow:

 

Navidad Mineral Project

 

Winter Vein Highlights

 

-          Hole EW-24-371: 4.30 m at 5.12 g/t Au & 43 g/t Ag

  • And: 1.22 m at 9.72 g/t Au & 76 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-372-A: 4.83 m at 8.60 g/t Au & 77 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-373: 6.06 m at 5.64 g/t Au & 104 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-377: 3.30 m at 7.09 g/t Au & 1,253 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-379: 1.72 m at 1.57 g/t Au & 119 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-380: 3.07 m at 4.27 g/t Au & 57 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-382: 2.66 m at 13.93 g/t Au & 99 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-383: 1.38 m at 0.42 g/t Au & 1,064 g/t Ag

  • And: 1.26 m at 0.32 g/t Au & 461 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-384: 1.59 m at 6.40 g/t Au & 110 g/t Ag

  • And: 1.04 m at 5.62 g/t Au & 46 g/t Ag

-          Hole EWUG-24-035: 5.62 m at 2.89 g/t Au & 50 g/t Ag

 

Navidad Vein Highlights

 

-          Hole EW-24-372-A: 3.24 m at 13.06 g/t Au & 205 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-374: 2.63 m at 0.54 g/t Au & 221 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-377: 1.59 m at 1.60 g/t Au & 135 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-379: 2.32 m at 7.09 g/t Au & 38 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-380: 1.27 m at 2.08 g/t Au & 120 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-381: 1.69 m at 0.92 g/t Au & 128 g/t Ag

  • And: 1.03 m at 1.19 g/t Au & 144 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-384: 2.58 m at 1.44 g/t Au & 139 g/t Ag

  • And: 1.35 m at 2.90 g/t Au & 354 g/t Ag

-          Hole EW-24-386: 1.18 m at 2.82 g/t Au & 118 g/t Ag

-          Hole EWUG-24-035: 4.78 m at 1.36 g/t Au & 115 g/t Ag

 

DISTRICT EXPLORATION APPROACH

 

Exploration for gold and silver mineral deposits at Santa Elena is guided by a newly developed understanding of the rocks most likely to host mineralized veins within the volcanic stratigraphy as well as by the timing of mineralizing events in the district. Detailed mapping, geologic interpretation and geochronological studies have led the exploration team to recognize that Santa Elena and Ermitaño-style mineral deposits formed in favorable host-rocks that are concealed beneath extensive regions of overlying volcanic rocks. Drilling beneath the overlying volcanic rocks and other post-mineral volcanic rocks in 2024 has confirmed the favorable host-rock concept and led to the discovery of the Navidad Target (Figure 1). For 2024, a total of 58,311m of exploration drilling was completed on the Santa Elena property, a 21% increase compared to 2023.

 

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Figure 1: Santa Elena Property 2024 Schematic Map of the Navidad Target Area. Plan View.

 

Navidad Target

 

As a result of H2 drilling, the Navidad discovery location has been confirmed to occur approximately 100m southwest and 350m below the Ermitaño underground mine levels, significantly closer than what the Company had previously stated, which was 500m southwest and 750m below the mine levels. Drilling is ongoing with 20,809m completed in 17 drill holes during the second half of 2024 for a total of 31,500m in this target area during 2024. The drilling significantly expanded the known mineralization and delineated two quartz veins that possess high-grade gold and silver mineralization: the Navidad and Winter veins. The epithermal vein deposits consist of grey to pink, banded quartz and quartz vein stockwork that contain visible silver sulphides and locally visible native gold grains, both detectable by handheld X-Ray Florescence Analyzer (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

 

The Winter vein occurs approximately 180m structurally above and sub-parallel to the underlying Navidad vein; both veins are surrounded by quartz stockwork (Figure 4). Significant gold and silver mineralization intersected within the Winter vein currently extends 600m by 350m along strike and dip and the mineralization ranges from 0.65m to 6.6m in thickness (Figure 5). Mineralization intersected to date within the Navidad vein extends 1,000m by 300m along strike and dip and the mineralization ranges from 0.5m to 5.0m in thickness (Figure 6).

 

Independent third-party metallurgical tests demonstrate robust gold and silver recovery rates for the Navidad and Winter mineralization, exceeding 90% and 85%, respectively. These results confirm each vein's compatibility with Santa Elena's existing processing facility. Initial grindability tests indicate the material is slightly softer than Ermitaño's mineralization, potentially enabling increased plant throughput.

 

During 2025, the drilling will explore for expansion of the Navidad/Winter mineralization from surface. The full extent of the gold and silver vein system is not yet known, and the potential to expand the mineralization remains open in several directions. Extensive infill resource definition drilling will also be completed primarily from new underground drilling stations within the Ermitaño mine.

 

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Figure 2: Core Photography of the Winter Vein with High-Grade Gold and Silver Mineralization detected by XRF Analyzer. Hole EW-24-373 Assay Results: 6.06 m at 5.64 g/t Au and 104 g/t Ag.

 

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Figure 3: Core Photography of the Navidad Vein with High-Grade Gold and Silver Mineralization detected by XRF Analyzer. Hole EW-24-372A Assay Results: 3.24 m at 13.06 g/t Au and 206 g/t Ag.

 

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Figure 4: Navidad Vein System Detail. Winter and Navidad veins. (A) Vertical Cross-Section of Navidad and Winter Veins looking East. (B) Plan View of Navidad and Winter Veins. (C) Long-Section looking Southeast. Full Projection.

 

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Figure 5: Winter Vein Long Section Looking Northwest with Significant Intercepts.

 

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Figure 6: Navidad Vein Long Section Looking Northwest with Significant Intercepts

 

Table 1: Summary of Significant Gold and Silver Drill Hole Intercepts at Navidad

 

Drillhole

Target

Target Type

Significant Intercept

From

(m)

To

(m)

True Length

(m)

Au

(g/t)

Ag

(g/t)

AgEq

(g/t)

EW-24-371

Winter Vein

Resource addition

874.40

879.15

4.30

5.12

43

479

EW-24-371

Include 1

Resource addition

875.95

876.55

0.54

17.80

130

1643

EW-24-371

Winter Vein

Resource addition

880.75

882.10

1.22

9.72

77

903

EW-24-372

Winter Vein

Resource addition

941.00

944.60

2.95

10.45

82

970

EW-24-372

Include 1

Resource addition

941.70

944.20

2.05

13.19

104

1225

EW-24-372-A

Winter Vein

Resource addition

941.35

946.35

4.83

8.60

77

808

EW-24-372-A

Include 1

Resource addition

942.60

943.45

0.82

12.90

126

1223

EW-24-372-A

Include 2

Resource addition

943.95

944.35

0.39

12.90

95

1192

EW-24-372-A

Include 3

Resource addition

945.90

946.35

0.43

21.50

140

1968

EW-24-372-A

Navidad Vein

Resource addition

1136.05

1139.40

3.24

13.06

206

1315

EW-24-372-A

Include 1

Resource addition

1136.05

1137.70

1.59

18.00

250

1780

EW-24-372-A

Include 2

Resource addition

1138.15

1138.80

0.63

14.40

271

1495

EW-24-373

Winter Vein

Resource addition

942.05

948.50

6.06

5.64

104

584

EW-24-373

Include 1

Resource addition

946.45

947.65

1.13

13.00

286

1391

EW-24-374

Navidad Vein 1

Resource addition

1021.10

1023.90

2.63

0.54

222

268

EW-24-374

Navidad Vein 2

Resource addition

1025.65

1026.80

1.08

1.32

83

195

EW-24-377

Winter Vein 1

Resource addition

948.25

951.60

3.30

7.09

125

728

EW-24-377

Vein

Resource addition

1068.45

1070.70

1.29

2.11

73

253

EW-24-377

Vein

Resource addition

1194.50

1195.85

1.33

2.04

100

274

EW-24-377

Navidad Vein 1

Resource addition

1199.15

1200.90

1.59

1.60

136

272

EW-24-377

Navidad Vein 2

Resource addition

1201.85

1203.50

1.50

0.99

61

145

EW-24-379

Vein

Resource addition

1073.45

1075.35

1.72

1.57

119

253

EW-24-379

Vein

Resource addition

1100.55

1101.80

1.02

2.97

13

265

EW-24-379

Navidad Vein

Resource addition

1115.35

1117.75

2.32

7.09

38

641

EW-24-379

Include 1

Resource addition

1115.35

1115.85

0.48

20.40

36

1770

EW-24-380

Vein

Resource addition

1018.95

1020.25

1.18

1.50

22

149

EW-24-380

Winter Vein

Resource addition

1026.50

1030.05

3.07

4.27

58

420

EW-24-380

Include 1

Resource addition

1026.85

1027.60

0.65

11.20

155

1107

EW-24-380

Navidad Vein

Resource addition

1182.10

1183.65

1.27

2.08

120

297

EW-24-381

Navidad Vein 1

Resource addition

1326.35

1328.15

1.69

0.92

129

206

EW-24-381

Navidad Vein 2

Resource addition

1329.90

1331.00

1.03

1.19

145

246

EW-24-382

Winter Vein

Resource addition

938.90

941.65

2.66

13.93

99

1283

EW-24-382

Include 1

Resource addition

939.55

941.65

2.03

15.97

112

1469

EW-24-382

Vein

Resource addition

1133.95

1135.10

1.08

2.52

8

222

EW-24-383

Vnlts

Resource addition

1072.20

1074.40

1.10

1.86

9

167

EW-24-383

Vnlts

Resource addition

1122.35

1124.00

1.26

0.32

462

489

EW-24-383

Vnlts

Resource addition

1137.30

1139.45

1.38

0.42

1064

1100

EW-24-383

Include 1

Resource addition

1138.40

1138.70

0.19

2.00

6369

6539

EW-24-384

Winter Vein

Resource addition

1030.50

1032.15

1.59

6.40

111

655

EW-24-384

Vein

Resource addition

1041.55

1042.75

1.04

5.62

47

524

EW-24-384

Vnlts

Resource addition

1244.65

1245.85

1.13

1.08

73

165

EW-24-384

Vnlts

Resource addition

1284.15

1285.90

1.64

1.52

109

238

EW-24-384

Navidad Vein 1

Resource addition

1290.55

1293.40

2.58

1.44

140

262

EW-24-384

Navidad Vein 2

Resource addition

1297.45

1299.10

1.35

2.90

354

601

EW-24-386

Vnlts

Resource addition

1091.00

1092.45

1.31

2.73

331

564

EW-24-386

Vein

Resource addition

1095.05

1097.45

1.01

1.52

175

305

EW-24-386

Navidad Vein

Resource addition

1100.35

1101.65

1.18

2.82

119

359

EW-24-386

Vnlts

Resource addition

1107.60

1109.40

1.56

0.95

94

175

EWUG-24-035

Winter Vein

Resource addition

578.70

584.90

5.62

2.89

50

296

EWUG-24-035

Vnlts

Resource addition

883.35

884.40

1.01

3.18

36

307

EWUG-24-035

Include 1

Resource addition

883.35

883.75

0.39

6.10

523

1042

EWUG-24-035

Navidad Vein

Resource addition

885.70

890.65

4.78

1.36

115

230

EWUG-24-035

Vein

Resource addition

900.30

902.55

1.95

1.71

175

321

 

Notes:

 

  1. All holes are Diamond Drill Core; AgEq grade = Ag grade (g/t) + [Au (g/t) * 85].
  2. From and To length indicated in metres, true width of the intercept is calculated per drill hole and vein angles.
  3. See Appendix for details regarding drill hole locations, sample type, azimuth, dip and total depth.
  4. Gold and silver drill hole significant intercepts were composited using the length weighted averages of uncapped sample assays, a 145 g/t AgEq minimum grade (Cut-off-Grade, 'COG'), and a minimum composite length of 1.0 m (true width). A maximum of 1.0 m below the minimum grade cut-off was allowed as internal dilution. Where necessary to achieve minimum length, a single sample below the COG but grading >75g/t AgEq was allowed to be composited for short intervals.
  5. Where present, single samples or intercepts with assay results higher than 1000 g/t Ag and/or 10 g/t Au are highlighted as 'Include' in each intercept.

 

First Majestic's drilling programs follow established Quality Assurance, Quality Control ('QA/QC') insertion protocols with standards, blanks, and duplicates introduced into the sample-stream. After geological logging, all drill core samples are cut in half. One half of the core is submitted to the laboratory for analysis and the remaining half core is retained on-site for verification and reference purposes or for future metallurgical testing.

 

Core samples were submitted to the SGS laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017). At SGS, gold is analyzed by 30g or 50g fire assay atomic absorption finish (GE-FAA30V5, GE-FAA50V5). Results above 10 g/t gold are analyzed by 30 g or 50g fire assay gravimetric finish (GO-FAG30V, GO-FAG50V). Silver is analyzed by 3-acid digest atomic absorption finish (GE-AAS33E50). Results above 100 g/t silver are analyzed by 30g or 50g fire assay gravimetric finish (GO-FAG37V, GO-FAG57V).

 

Core samples from the Navidad and Winter deposits were subjected to bottle roll cyanidation tests at the SGS laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) under conditions replicating those of the Santa Elena Unit processing plant, including the 40 µm HIGmill product target. The methods used to analyze the products of these tests were GE_FAA3OV5, GE_AAS33E50, GL_AA582T.

 

For further information concerning QA/QC and data verification matters, key assumptions, parameters, and methods used by the Company to estimate Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, and for a detailed description of known legal, political, environmental, and other risks that could materially affect the Company's business and the potential development of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, see the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.

 

QUALIFIED PERSONS

 

Gonzalo Mercado, P. Geo., the Company's Vice President of Exploration and Technical Services and a 'Qualified Person' as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ('NI 43-101'), has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Mercado has verified the exploration data contained in this news release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying such information.

 

Michael Deal, the Company's Vice President of Metallurgy and Innovation, and a 'Qualified Person' as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release related to metallurgical testing.

 

ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC

 

First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates four producing underground mines in Mexico: the Cerro Los Gatos Silver Mine (the Company holds a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture that owns and operates the mine), the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, and the La Encantada Silver Mine, as well as a portfolio of development and exploration assets, including the Jerritt Canyon Gold project located in northeastern Nevada, U.S.A.

 

First Majestic is proud to own and operate its own minting facility, First Mint, LLC, and to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins and medallions are available for purchase online at www.firstmint.com, at some of the lowest premiums available.

 

For further information, contact info@firstmajestic.com visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll-free number 1.866.529.2807.

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

'signed'

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This news release contains 'forward‐looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, 'forward‐looking statements'). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as 'seek', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'continue', 'estimate', 'expect', 'may', 'will', 'project', 'predict', 'forecast', 'potential', 'target', 'intend', 'could', 'might', 'should', 'believe' and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be 'forward‐looking statements'.

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

 

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‐looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

 

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

 

The Company is a 'foreign private issuer' as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is eligible to rely upon the Canada-U.S. Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System, and is therefore permitted to prepare the technical information contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the securities laws currently in effect in the United States. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

 

Technical disclosure contained in this news release has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements of United States securities laws and uses terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada with certain estimates prepared in accordance with NI 43-101.

 

NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning the issuer's material mineral projects.

 

APPENDIX - DRILL HOLE DETAILS

 

Table A1: Drill Hole Collar Location, Sample Type, Azimuth, Dip and Total Depth

 

Drillhole

East

North

Elev

Azimuth

Dip

Depth (m)

Type

EW-24-371

582,914

3,319,502

916

154

-59

981

Core

EW-24-372

583,223

3,319,712

870

167

-59

1116

Core

EW-24-372-A

583,223

3,319,712

870

167

-59

1200

Core

EW-24-373

583,418

3,319,715

871

166

-59

1167

Core

EW-24-374

582,900

3,319,430

915

166

-61

1251

Core

EW-24-375

586,106

3,319,444

969

211

-66

813

Core

EW-24-376

583,101

3,319,903

886

164

-55

1500

Core

EW-24-377

583,418

3,319,714

871

169

-57

1287

Core

EW-24-378

583,217

3,319,698

870

168

-50

1272

Core

EW-24-379

582,983

3,319,624

898

152

-56

1206

Core

EW-24-380

583,232

3,319,766

877

166

-58

1394

Core

EW-24-381

583,142

3,319,925

883

161

-57

1379

Core

EW-24-382

583,223

3,319,711

870

166

-55

1368

Core

EW-24-383

583,216

3,319,699

870

169

-53

1378

Core

EW-24-384

583,100

3,319,903

886

170

-53

1392

Core

EW-24-385

582,542

3,319,139

873

153

-58

1326

Core

EW-24-386

582,982

3,319,623

898

158

-59

1193

Core

EWUG-24-035

583,638

3,319,413

603

178

-70

930

Core

 

Notes:

 

  1. Santa Elena: All drill hole collar coordinates are determined using total station equipment after hole completion with UTM WGS84, Zone 13 (metres) as the reference system.


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