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Meridian Gold was fairly active in Mexico up through around 2Q01, then things appear to have tapered off.

Meridian Gold Inc.  MNG   (TSX)   MDG  (NYSE) 

Works in Mexico via 100% owned subsidiary Minera Meridian S.R.L. de C.V.

Based on a transcript of a 1Q01 report published on their website, as of 1Q01 Meridian was looking at 4 projects in Mexico focusing on high-grade Au-Ag veins. These projects are: 1) Guadalupe de Los Reyes, two possible joint-venture projects with Hecla, both located in Durango State and both eventually allowing Meridian to control 65% and finally a cryptic 4th project (Mercedes Prop[erty, Sonora) that was drilled 1Q01, but little information is available. Meridian still looking at possibly picking up ground in the area. Meridian dropped their interests in Guadalupe de Los Reyes in October 2001.

La Silla Project, Sinaloa. 100% owed by Meridian Gold, the La Silla Project is located in the State of Sinaloa, approximately 55 km north of Mazatlan, Mexico. MDG geologists have identified a total of 31 volcanic and intrusive-hosted, low sulfidation epithermal veins in the 14,510-hectare property area. The vein zones range in width from 0.5 to 20.0 meters, with a cumulative strike length in excess of 13.2 km. To date, 75 reverse circulation holes totaling 8300 meters have drill-tested fourteen veins on the property. A total of 51 holes property-wide have intersected vein/stockwork zones carrying at least 1.5 m @ 1.0 g/t AuEq. Gold-silver mineralization in excess of 1.5 meters @ 5.0 g/t AuEq has been intersected in 22 holes testing seven different veins.Best drill intercepts to-date include 22.1 meters @ 2.49 g/t Au and 35.55 g/t Ag in the Guerra Vein (LS1); 3.0 meters @ 22.17 g/t Au and 370.71 g/t Ag in the Quila Vein (Q1); 3.0 meters @ 7.21 g/t Au and 25.11 g/t Ag in the Mina Grande Vein (Q4); 5.3 meters @ 9.07 g/t Au and 33.40 g/t Ag in the El Oro Vein (OR2); 1.5 meters @ 52.63 g/t Au and 896 g/t Ag in the Sinaloa Vein (SN1); and 15.2 meters @ 6.59 g/t Au and 33.40 g/t Ag in the El Roble Vein (ER1). The most consistent results have been obtained from the Quila Vein, where 14 of 28 holes drilled to-date have intersected mineralization in excess of 1.5 meters @ 5.0 g/t AuEq.
Results from Phase 1 and 2 drilling have been encouraging, but further drilling is needed to determine if grade continuity exists within vein ore shoots. Phase 3 drilling is designed to test three new vein targets, as well as to follow up on areas of mineralization identified by Phase 1 and 2 work. Road building was initiated in late September, and a 4,000-meter RC drilling program is scheduled to begin in mid November.

wwwinfo 01Dec03

Mercedes Project, Sonora. (Optioned interest to Fisher-Watt October, 2002) Drilled a continuous vein zone of 600-700 m and about 1.5m of true width in 2Q01. Zone defined by 12 holes average grade of 16 gpt Au equivalent. The best hole, M7, intercepted 2 zones: 2.3m of 32.5 gpt Au and 386 gpt Ag and 0.8 m of 20.9 gpt Au and 263 gpt Ag. As of 3Q02 Meridian has explored this area for 4 years. Optioned it out to Fischer-Watt Gold. This was an Anaconda project in the 1930's. 

Press Release 15Oct02
Press Release 8Aug01

Guadelupe de los Reyes Gold Project, Sinaloa. (terminated interest October, 2001) Purchased 100% interest in this advanced gold project from Northern Crown Mines, Ltd. for $545,000 plus expenses related to the underlying property payments etc. 23 holes drilled in 2Q01 but the continuity of high-grade Au was insufficient to warrant any more drilling at current Au prices. Terminated its agreement with Northern Crown and dropped property back to underlying vendor. Not sure who owns this asset at the moment since Northern Crown planned to take a big write-down when they vended their interests to Meridian in August 2000. Titles seem to have reverted back to two S.A. de C.V. companies controlled by Northern Crown: Mineras Reins Isabel and Mineras Tatemas.

Press Release 01Oct01
Press Release 8Aug01
Press Release 25Aug00

Venturina Property, Chihuahua.  (terminated interest March, 2000) A surface drilling program totaling 4,000 m in 21 RC drill holes has been completed. Although high-grade gold and silver intercepts were encountered in several holes, the program failed to indicate continuity of precious metals mineralization at depth. Drilling revealed a consistent decrease in gold and silver values, with increasing but generally low base metals. Meridian Gold will be terminating its option on the property.

Press Release 24Mar00

The above mentioned drill program  drilling program commenced the first week of February at the Company's Venturina property located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. In June of 1999, the Company formed an alliance with Meridian Gold Company to explore and develop the property. Meridian initiated their exploration program at the property in September of 1999 with an objective of defining drill targets for 2000. A minimum of 5 zones of mineralization have been identified to date within the 5 x 6 km property position. The majority of the exploration work completed to date has concentrated on the roughly 2 km long Venturina Zone. The initial Meridian drilling program includes approximately 4000 total m from 21 RC drill holes. An additional 800 m of core drilling is planned to begin approximately February 25. Meridian's initial program is designed to test portions of the entire strike length of the Venturina Zone. Since last September, Meridian's exploration program has advanced the project and confirmed valid drill targets. Northair's target objective for the property is at least one million ounces gold equivalent. Results from the drilling program will be released after the initial program is complete and all results have been received. This initial drill program is expected to continue at least into March.

Press Release 02Feb00

Entered into an option and joint-venture agreement with International Northair to explore and develop Venturina property. Meridian may earn up to 65% interest in the core claims and 60% in the surrounding ground. To facilitate this arrangement Northair has re-negotiated terms on the surrounding ground held by Visionary. Meridian has experience with low-sulfidation quartz adularia vein-type systems in high angle fault zones cutting Tertiary volcanic and intrusive rocks.

Press Release 29Jun99