Arturo Préstamo Elizondo, Executive Chairman and CEO of Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) (OTCQB: SCZMF), joins me to focus on the growth strategy at the development-stage Soracaya Project, as well as the exploration upside and expansion potential around the Bolivar, Porco, and Zimapan Mines. Santacruz Silver operates 5 mines, 3 mills, and an ore feed-sourcing and metals trading business in Bolivia, along with 1 mine in Mexico, as an emerging mid-tier silver and base metals producer.

We kick things off with a review of the news out October 7^th which announced the initiation of development activities and the pursuit of full production permitting at their wholly-owned Soracaya Project; located in the Potosí Department, Bolivia. These activities mark a key step toward advancing the Project to a production decision. With the preliminary mine plan in place and the permitting process underway, Soracaya is emerging as a cornerstone growth project for Santacruz Silver in Bolivia.

Soracaya is a high-grade, silver-rich project, featuring mineralization along reactivated faults with replacement and brecciated sulphides, geological characteristics typical of some of the world’s most productive silver deposits. Since 1999, more than 29.6 km of drilling across 90+ holes has provided extensive geological data, supporting robust resource modeling and preliminary mine planning.  

Additionally, Glencore already put in the decline to access the high-grade veins, so there are some distinct brownfield site infrastructure advantages already in place. An internal study was completed by Glencore with an estimated capex of ~US$40MM for construction of a processing plant and tailings facility. Mine plan today envisions a roughly 12-year mine life with the idea to process about 850-1000 tonnes per day of material through the proposed mill.  Arturo outlined that Soracaya’s high-grade resource, strategic location in Potosí, and synergies with existing operations and the teams experience as underground miners give them confidence in its ability to deliver long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.

We also discuss the permitting process, along with the regional Potosí District and mining history, as well as the national election and constructive political developments inside of Bolivia.

Their team is now currently increasing exploration and development work around the Bolivar and Porco Mines in Bolivia, to expand resources and extend mine life. Arturo reiterated their philosophy of constantly exploring at each mine to reinvest in the future growth of the company.

Transitioning over to Mexico, we discussed the higher-grade 960 Level at the Zimapan Mine starting to contribute, and how this well-endowed mineralized zone will continue growing in their Q4 production profile from Zimapan for the balance of this year and for many years into the future.

Arturo also highlighted that with the strength of the balance sheet, with the final 2 payments to Glencore completed in September, and robust incoming revenues at these higher underlying metals prices.   This gives them the optionality to review potential merger or acquisition assets if they are accretive and if their team can add value to those projects.

If you have any follow up questions for Arturo regarding Santacruz Silver, then please email them to me Shad@kereport.com.

• In full disclosure, Shad is a shareholder of Santacruz Silver at the time of this recording, and may choose to buy or sell shares at any time.

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