Metals And Mining Review: Specials Magazine

In precious metals mining, sustained leadership is built through a continuous pipeline of exploration, development and production. Fresnillo plc (LON: FRES) has strengthened its position by executing this strategy with extensive exploration, long-life assets and disciplined mine development. Its strategy is rooted in identifying opportunities early, advancing them methodically and converting geological potential into productive mining operations. Its reputation in the production of silver and gold is based on years of investments in exploration and development of assets. This position is reinforced by a significant portfolio of precious metal concessions across Mexico, helping maintain a pipeline of projects that can support future production and resource development. A Value-Creation Strategy Anchored in Exploration Exploration occupies a distinctive place within Fresnillo’s strategy. It considers the process of finding resources to be the base on which further development should rest, directing its focus towards finding deposits that are worth developing and can become successful mines in the future. The approach supports both reserve replacement and the advancement of new opportunities. Its portfolio includes producing mines, development projects and exploration prospects. That combination creates continuity between discovery and production. Projects are assessed not only for geological potential but also for their ability to contribute to long-term value generation and resource sustainability. This philosophy is reflected in Fresnillo’s track record. It operates the biggest mine of primary silver in the world. Constant exploration ensures the enhancement of its pipeline of projects, facilitating growth without relying solely on acquisitions. Connecting Exploration, Development and Production Fresnillo's strategy is the hallmark of its business model, spanning the full mining value chain. Activities extend from exploration and project development through mining production, creating continuity across each stage of asset advancement. This integrated structure helps align technical decisions with long-term business objectives. Lessons from producing assets inform project development efforts. Knowledge gained during mining activities supports future planning, while exploration insights contribute to resource evaluation and project ranking. This helps improve the decision-making process throughout the lifecycle of the asset. A recent development activity illustrates this approach. The completion of a new leaching pad at Herradura and progress on infrastructure projects at Saucito demonstrate continued investment in productive capacity. These projects are integrated into larger frameworks, aimed at helping guide production activities in the future. ...Read more

Exploration companies can assemble geological maps, geochemical results, airborne surveys and historical drill holes. But with the ore body still hidden, the most expensive question remains: where to drill next? For Renato Cordani, founder and managing partner of Reconsult Geofísica , data is only the beginning. A geophysicist with 33 years of experience, including Rio Tinto Exploration, he knows that drilling decisions depend on how data was acquired, how it was processed, which method suits the deposit type and whether the signal aligns with the geology That judgment has shaped Reconsult since 1995. The company began in field acquisition, with Cordani leading survey teams and later expanded into airborne data processing, learning how geophysical data behaves before it is modeled. Over time, that discipline, combined with decades of Brazilian geological experience, became Reconsult’s defining capability— interpreting geophysical responses within their geological context. This matters most when clients bring uncertain targets. Reconsult does more than read magnetic, gravity or electromagnetic anomalies. It evaluates whether those responses fit the expected mineral system, compares them with similar deposits across Brazil and identifies when a method is unlikely to succeed. The result is clearer guidance and stronger drill hole decisions....Read more