EX-99.1 2 exhibit99-1cubo.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Endeavour Silver Corp.: Exhibit 99.1 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report:
Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates for
the
El Cubo Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico

Report Date: March 3, 2017
Effective Date: December 31, 2016
Amended Date: March 27, 2018

Prepared for:

301 – 700 West Pender Street
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6C 1G8

Prepared by:

Hard Rock Consulting, LLC
7114 W. Jefferson Avenue Suite 308
Lakewood, CO 80235
HRC Project Number: 15-CSM-1001

Endorsed by QP(s):
Zachary J. Black, (HRC), SME-RM (No. 4156858RM)
J. J. Brown, P.G. (HRC), SME-RM (No. 4168244RM)
Jeff Choquette, P.E. (HRC), State of Montana (No. 12265)


IMPORTANT NOTICE

This report was prepared as a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for Endeavour Silver Corp. (“EDR”) by Hardrock Consulting, LLC (HRC). The quality of information, conclusions, and estimates contained herein is consistent with the scope of HRC’s services based on: i) information available at the time of preparation, ii) data supplied by outside sources, and iii) the assumptions, conditions, and qualifications set forth in this report. This report is intended for use by EDR subject to the terms and conditions of its contract with HRC, which permits EDR to file this report with Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities pursuant to National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Except for the purposes legislated under provincial securities law, any other use of this report by any third party is at that party’s sole risk.



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Certificates of Author

CERTIFICATES OF QUALIFIED PERSONS

I, Zachary J. Black, SME-RM, do hereby certify that:

  1.

I am currently employed as Principal Resource Geologist by:

     
 

Hard Rock Consulting, LLC
7114 W. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 308
Lakewood, Colorado 80235 U.S.A.


  2.

I am a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering, and have practiced my profession continuously since 2005.

     
  3.

I am a registered member of the Society of Mining and Metallurgy and Exploration (No. 4156858RM)

     
  4.

I have worked as a Geological Engineer/Resource Geologist for a total of ten years since my graduation from university; as an employee of a major mining company, a major engineering company, and as a consulting engineer with extensive experience in structurally controlled precious and base metal deposits.

     
  5.

I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.

     
  6.

I personally inspected the El Cubo Project August 27th through August 28th, 2015, September 7th through September 8th, 2015, November 2nd through 4th, 2015 and June 26th through June 27th, 2016.

     
  7.

I am responsible for the preparation of the report titled “National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico,” dated March 3rd, 2017, with an effective date of December, 31 2016 and an amended date of March 27th, 2018, with specific responsibility for Sections 1.4, 1.6 and 9 through 12 and 14 of this report.

     
  8.

I have had prior involvement with the property that is the subject of this Technical Report as a QP co- author of a previous (2016) NI 43-101 Technical Report.

     
  9.

As of the date of this certificate and as of the effective date of the Technical Report, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information required to be disclosed to make the report not misleading.

     
  10.

I am independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in section 1.5 of NI 43-101.

     
  11.

I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.

Dated this 27th day of March, 2018.

“Signed” Zachary J. Black


Zachary J. Black, SME-RM  
Printed name of Qualified Person  

  i  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Certificates of Author

CERTIFICATES OF QUALIFIED PERSONS

I, Jennifer J. Brown, P.G., do hereby certify that:

  1.

I am currently employed as Principal Geologist by:

     
 

Hard Rock Consulting, LLC
7114 W. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 308
Lakewood, Colorado 80235 U.S.A.


  2.

I am a graduate of the University of Montana and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology in 1996.


  3.

I am a:


  Licensed Professional Geologist in the State of Wyoming (PG-3719)
  Registered Professional Geologist in the State of Idaho (PGL-1414)
  Registered Member in good standing of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (4168244RM)

  4.

I have worked as a geologist for a total of 19 years since graduation from the University of Montana, as an employee of various engineering and consulting firms and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. I have more than 10 collective years of experience directly related to mining and or economic and saleable minerals exploration and resource development, including geotechnical exploration, geologic analysis and interpretation, resource evaluation, and technical reporting.

     
  5.

I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.

     
  6.

I am responsible for the preparation of the report titled “National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico,” dated March 3rd, 2017, with an effective date of December, 31 2016 and an amended date of March 27th, 2018, with specific responsibility for Sections 1.1 through 1.3 and Sections 2 through 8 of this report.

     
  7.

I have had prior involvement with the property that is the subject of this Technical Report as a QP co- author of a previous (2016) NI 43-101 Technical Report.

     
  8.

As of the date of this certificate and as of the effective date of the Technical Report, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information required to be disclosed to make the report not misleading.

     
  9.

I am independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in section 1.5 of NI 43-101.

     
  10.

I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.

Dated this 27th day of March, 2018.

“Signed” Jennifer J. (J.J.) Brown


Jennifer J. (J.J.) Brown, SME-RM  
Printed name of Qualified Person  

  ii  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Certificates of Author

CERTIFICATES OF QUALIFIED PERSONS

I, Jeffery W. Choquette, P.E., do hereby certify that:

  1.

I am currently employed as Principal Engineer by:

     
 

Hard Rock Consulting, LLC
7114 W. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 308
Lakewood, Colorado 80235 U.S.A.

I am a graduate of Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering in 1995.

  2.

I am a:


  Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Montana (No. 12265)
  QP Member in Mining and Ore Reserves in good standing of the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America (No. 01425QP)

  3.

I have nineteen years of domestic and international experience in project development, resource and reserve modeling, mine operations, mine engineering, project evaluation, and financial analysis. I have worked for mining and exploration companies for fifteen years and as a consulting engineer for three and a half years. I have been involved in industrial minerals, base metals and precious metal mining projects in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.

     
  4.

I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.

     
  5.

I personally inspected the El Cubo Project August 27th through August 28th, 2015, September 7th through September 8th, 2015, June 26th to June 27th,2016 and October 17th to October 18th, 2016.

     
  6.

I am responsible for the preparation of the report titled “National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico,” dated March 3rd, 2017, with an effective date of December, 31 2016 and an amended date of March 27th, 2018, with specific responsibility for Sections 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 13, and 15 through 27 of this report.

     
  7.

I have had prior involvement with the property that is the subject of this Technical Report as a QP co- author of a previous (2016) NI 43-101 Technical Report.

     
  8.

As of the date of this certificate and as of the effective date of the Technical Report, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information required to be disclosed to make the report not misleading.

     
  9.

I am independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in section 1.5 of NI 43-101.

     
  10.

I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.

Dated this 27th day of March, 2018.


 “Signed” Jeffery W. Choquette
 
Jeffery W. Choquette, P.E.
Printed name of Qualified Person

 

  iii  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
     
  1.1 INTRODUCTION 1
  1.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND OWNERSHIP 1
  1.3 GEOLOGY AND MINERALIZATION 1
  1.4 STATUS OF EXPLORATION 2
  1.5 DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS 4
  1.6 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE 5
  1.7 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE 6
  1.8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 8
       
2. INTRODUCTION 10
     
  2.1 ISSUER AND TERMS OF REFERENCE 10
  2.2 SOURCES OF INFORMATION 10
  2.3 QUALIFIED PERSONS AND PERSONAL INSPECTION 11
  2.4 UNITS OF MEASURE 12
       
3. RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS 13
     
4. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION 14
     
  4.1 PROJECT LOCATION 14
  4.2 MINERAL TENURE, AGREEMENTS AND ENCUMBRANCES 15
  4.3 PERMITS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES 17
  4.4 SURFACE RIGHTS 19
       
5. ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY 21
     
  5.1 ACCESS AND CLIMATE 21
  5.2 LOCAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE 21
  5.3 PHYSIOGRAPHY 21
       
6. HISTORY 22
     
  6.1 HISTORICAL EXPLORATION 23
  6.2 HISTORICAL MINERAL RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES 24
  6.3 HISTORIC PRODUCTION 26
       
7. GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION 27
     
  7.1 REGIONAL GEOLOGY 27
  7.1.1   Esperanza Formation 30
  7.1.2   La Luz Formation 30
  7.1.3   Guanajuato Formation (Eocene to Oligocene) 31
  7.1.4   Loseros Formation (Cenozoic) 31
  7.1.5   Bufa Formation (Cenozoic) 31

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

  7.1.6   Calderones Formation (Cenozoic) 31
  7.1.7   Cedros Formation (Cenozoic) 32
    7.1.8   Chichíndaro Formation (Cenozoic) 32
    7.1.9   Comanja Granite (Cenozoic) 32
    7.1.10   El Capulin Formation 32
  7.2   STRUCTURE 32
    7.2.1   Local Structure 33
  7.3   LOCAL GEOLOGY 35
    7.3.1   Alteration 38
  7.4   MINERALIZATION 39
       
8.   DEPOSIT TYPES 41
     
9.   EXPLORATION 42
     
  9.1   EDR EXPLORATION PRIOR TO 2016 42
  9.2   2016 EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES 42
    9.2.1   Cubo North 43
    9.2.2  Cubo South 47
    9.2.3   Regional Exploration 53
         
10.   DRILLING 59
         
  10.1   DRILLING PROCEDURES. 59
  10.2   EDR CORE LOGGING PROCEDURES 60
  10.3   EDR DRILLING PROGRAMS AND RESULTS 60
    10.3.1  Drilling Prior to 2015 60
    10.3.2   2106 Surface Drilling 60
    10.3.3   2016 Underground Drilling 62
         
11.   SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES AND SECURITY 65
     
  11.1   METHODS 65
    11.1.1   Production Chip Channel Samples 65
    11.1.2   Exploration Sampling 65
  11.2   SAMPLE PREPARATION AND ANALYSIS 67
    11.2.1   Exploration Drilling 11.2.1 67
  11.3   SAMPLE QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 68
    11.3.1   Production Sampling 68
    11.3.2   Production Samples 69
    11.3.3   Exploration Samples 73
  11.4   ADEQUACY OF DATA 82
    11.4.1   Adequacy of Mine Sampling Procedures 82
         
12.   DATA VERIFICATION 83
     
  12.1   DATABASE AUDIT 83
    12.1.1   Mechanical Audit 83

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

  12.2   CERTIFICATES 85
  12.3   ADEQUACY OF DATA 85
       
13.   MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING 86
     
  13.1   PROCESSING PLANTS 86
  13.2   METALLURGICAL TEST WORK 86
    13.2.1 Mineralogical Analysis 86
    13.2.2 Gravity Concentration 87
    13.2.3 Concentrate Sale vs. Cyanide Leaching 88
    13.2.4 Flotation Collectors 88
    13.2.5 Native Silver-Gold Flotation 88
    13.2.6 Metallurgical Accounting 88
  13.3   COMMENTS ON SECTION 13 88
       
14.  MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES 89
     
  14.1   DENSITY 89
  14.2   METHODOLOGY 89
  14.3   VERTICAL LONGITUDINAL PROJECTION 91
    14.3.1 Composite Calculations 93
    14.3.2 Area and Volume Calculations 93
    14.3.3 VLP Mineral Resource Classification 94
  14.4   3D BLOCK MODEL METHOD 94
    14.4.1 Geologic Model 94
    14.4.2 Block Model 100
    14.4.3 Compositing 102
    14.4.4 Capping 103
    14.4.5 Variography 107
    14.4.6 Estimation Parameters 113
    14.4.7 Model Validation 115
    14.4.8 Mineral Resource Classification 128
  14.5   EL CUBO MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT 128
    14.5.1 VLP Mineral Resource Estimate 129
    14.5.2 3D Block Model Mineral Resource Estimate 131
    14.5.3 El Cubo Mineral Resource Statement 136
         
15.   MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE 137
     
  15.1   CALCULATION PARAMETERS 137
    15.1.1 Dilution 138
    15.1.2 Cutoff Grade 138
    15.1.3 Reconciliation of Mineral Reserves to Production 139
  15.2   RESERVE CLASSIFICATION 140
  15.3   MINERAL RESERVES 142
  15.4   FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT THE MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE 143

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

16.   MINING METHODS 144
     
  16.1   MINING OPERATIONS 144
  16.2   PRODUCTION HISTORY 145
  16.3   MINING METHODS 147
  16.4   MINE EQUIPMENT 148
  16.5   GEOTECHNICAL FACTORS 150
  16.6   MANPOWER 151
  16.7   TRAINING AND SAFETY 151
     
17.   RECOVERY METHODS 152
     
  17.1   PROCESSING PLANTS 152
    17.1.1 El Tajo Flotation Plant 152
    17.1.2 El Tajo Leach Plant 156
  17.2   RECOVERY 158
  17.3   TAILINGS 158
       
18.   PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE 160
     
  18.1   OFFICES AND BUILDINGS 160
    18.1.1 El Tajo Processing Plant 160
  18.2   VENTILATION 161
    18.2.1 Area 1 (San Nicolas, Villalpando, and Peregrina) 163
    18.2.2 Area 2 (Dolores Mine) 164
    18.2.3 Ventilation Improvements 164
  18.3   WATER 166
  18.4   COMPRESSED AIR 166
  18.5   ELECTRICITY 166
  18.6   TAILINGS IMPOUNDMENTS 168
  18.7   ORE STOCKPILES AND WASTE DUMPS 168
       
19.   MARKET STUDIES AND CONTRACTS 169
     
  19.1   CONTRACTS 170
       
20.   ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY IMPACT  171
     
  20.1   ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY 171
  20.2   CLOSURE PLAN 171
  20.3   PERMITTING 172
  20.4   CONSIDERATIONS OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS 173
       
21.   CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS 176
     
  21.1   CAPITAL COSTS 176
  21.2   OPERATING COSTS 176
       
22.   ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 177

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

23.   ADJACENT PROPERTIES 178
     
24.    OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION 179
     
25.    INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS 180
     
  25.1   DECEMBER 31, 2016 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE 180
  25.2   DECEMBER 31, 2016 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE 180
  25.3   CONCLUSIONS 181
       
26.   RECOMMENDATIONS 183
     
  26.1   EXPLORATION PROGRAM 183
  26.2   GEOLOGY, BLOCK MODELING, MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES 183
27. REFERENCES 185

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 4-1 GENERAL LOCATION OF THE EL CUBO PROJECT (EDR, 2016)

14

FIGURE 4-2 EL COBO PROJECT, 2016 MINING CONCESSIONS (EDR, 2016)

15

FIGURE 4-3 EL CUBO PROJECT, SURFACE RIGHTS (EDR, 2016)

20

FIGURE 7-1 REGIONAL GEOLOGY OF THE EL CUBO PROJECT AREA (EDR, 2016; MODIFIED FROM CLARK, 2009)

28

FIGURE 7-2 STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN, EASTERN GUANAJUATO MINING DISTRICT

30

FIGURE 7-3 PRINCIPAL VEINS IN THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE EL CUBO PROJECT AREA

34

FIGURE 7-4 CAPULIN FAULT- CALDERONES FORMATION (LEFT) JUXTAPOSED THE LA BUFA FORMATION (RIGHT)

36

FIGURE 7-5 VIEW LOOKING NORTH TOWARD THE EL TAJO MILL AND DOLORES ADIT SHOWING TRACE OF DOLORES VEIN CONTACT BETWEEN LA BUFA RHYOLITE AND CALDERONES FORMATION AND EXPLORATION DRILLING PLATFORMS

37

FIGURE 7-6 DOLORES 2 VEIN, AREA 2, SHOWING WIDTH AND DIP OF STRUCTURE

38

FIGURE 7-7 SAN FRANCISCO VEIN, STOPE 3-430, SHOWING PRINCIPAL BANDED QUARTZ-AMETHYST VEIN

39

FIGURE 9-1 SURFACE MAP SHOWING 2016 EXPLORATION TARGETS

43

FIGURE 9-2 SURFACE MAP SHOWING EXPLORATION TARGETS AT THE CUBO NORTH AREA

44

FIGURE 9-3 2016 CUBO NORTH SURFACE SAMPLE LOCATIONS

45

FIGURE 9-4 SURFACE MAP SHOWING EXPLORATION TARGETS AT THE CUBO NORTH AREA

48

FIGURE 9-5 2016 SURFACE EXPLORATION IN THE CABRESTANTES AREA

49

FIGURE 9-6 2016 SURFACE EXPLORATION IN THE NAYAL AREA

52

FIGURE 9-7 ASSAY RESULTS (AU) FOR 2016 LOS PINGUICOS SURFACE SAMPLES

55

FIGURE 9-8 ASSAY RESULTS (AG) FOR 2016 LOS PINGUICOS SURFACE SAMPLES

56

FIGURE 9-9 LA SAUCEDA AREA CONCESSIONS

57

FIGURE 9-10 ASSAY RESULTS (AU) FOR 2016 LA SAUCEDA AREA SAMPLES

57

FIGURE 9-11 ASSAY RESULTS (AG) FOR 2016 LA SAUCEDA AREA SAMPLES

58

FIGURE 10-1 SURFACE MAP SHOWING COMPLETED DRILL HOLES IN THE NAYAL-CABRESTANTES AREAS.

61

FIGURE 10-2 SURFACE MAP SHOWING COMPLETED DRILL HOLES IN THE ASUNCION AREA.

62

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

FIGURE 11-1 ORIGINAL EDR EXPLORATION CORE STORAGE FACILITY, NOW ALLOCATED TO REGIONAL EXPLORATION

66

FIGURE 11-2 ONE OF SEVERAL CORE SAWS LOCATED AT THE EXPLORATION CORE FACILITY

67

FIGURE 11-3 SILVER PULP DUPLICATES

70

FIGURE 11-4 GOLD PULP DUPLICATES

70

FIGURE 11-5 SILVER REJECT DUPLICATES

71

FIGURE 11-6 GOLD REJECT DUPLICATES

71

FIGURE 11-7 SILVER FIELD DUPLICATES

72

FIGURE 11-8 GOLD FIELD DUPLICATES

72

FIGURE 11-9 FLOW SHEET FOR CORE SAMPLING, SAMPLE PREPARATION AND ANALYSIS

74

FIGURE 11-10 CONTROL CHART FOR GOLD ASSAY FROM THE BLANK SAMPLES INSERTED INTO THE SAMPLE STREAM

75

FIGURE 11-11 CONTROL CHART FOR SILVER ASSAY FROM THE BLANK SAMPLES INSERTED INTO THE SAMPLE STREAM

75

FIGURE 11-12 SCATTER PLOT FOR DUPLICATE SAMPLES FOR GOLD

76

FIGURE 11-13 SCATTER PLOT FOR DUPLICATE SAMPLES FOR SILVER

76

FIGURE 11-14 CONTROL CHART FOR GOLD ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR-41

78

FIGURE 11-15 CONTROL CHART FOR SILVER ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR- 41

78

FIGURE 11-16 CONTROL CHART FOR GOLD ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR-42

78

FIGURE 11-17 CONTROL CHART FOR SILVER ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR-42

79

FIGURE 11-18 CONTROL CHART FOR GOLD ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR-45

79

FIGURE 11-19 CONTROL CHART FOR SILVER ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR-45

79

FIGURE 11-20 CONTROL CHART FOR GOLD ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR-42

80

FIGURE 11-21 CONTROL CHART FOR SILVER ASSAYS FROM THE STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLE EDR- 42

80

FIGURE 11-22 SCATTER PLOT OF CHECK ASSAYS FOR GOLD

81

FIGURE 11-23 SCATTER PLOT OF CHECK ASSAYS FOR SILVER

81

FIGURE 14-1 VLP SHOWING THE 178 VEIN WITH PROVEN (RED), MEASURED (ORANGE), INDICATED (BLUE), AND INFERRED (BROWN) RESOURCE BLOCKS

92

FIGURE 14-2 CROSS SECTION DIAGRAM OF VLP METHOD

93

FIGURE 14-3 VILLALPANDO SOUTH AREA (VIEWING THE SOUTHERN EXTENT OF VILLALPANDO, ASUNCION, AND SAN EUSEBIO)

95

FIGURE 14-4 VILLALPANDO NORTH AREA (VIEWING THE HANGING WALL EXTENT OF THE VILLALPANDO VEIN WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO 1, DESP. SAN FRANCISCO, DEL NIÑO, 750, LOZ PANCHOS, AND TUBEROS VEINS)

95

FIGURE 14-5 VILLALPANDO NORTH AREA

96

FIGURE 14-6 DOLORES VEIN AREA (VIEWING DOLORES, DESP. DOLORES, AND DOLORES ALTO)

96

FIGURE 14-7 SOLEDAD VEIN AREA (VIEWING REYNA ISABEL, SOLEDAD, SAN MIGUEL, AND VILLALPANDO FOR REFERENCE)

97

FIGURE 14-8 LA LOCA VEIN AREA (VIEWING LA LOCA, LA PAZ, CASUALIDAD, LOZ PANCHOS, GUADALUPE

97

FIGURE 14-9 LONG SECTION VIEW OF MODELED VILLALPANDO VEIN (BLUE) WITH MINED OUT VOLUMES (RED)

98

FIGURE 14-10 ORTHOGONAL VIEW SHOWING THE CAPILIN FAULT AND THE UPADATED VILLALPONDO SOUTH, AND THE VILLALPONDO NORTH

99

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

FIGURE 14-11 CROSS SECTION SHOWING THE VILLALPONDO SOUTH VEIN, FOOTWALL BRECCIA, AND HANGING WALL BRECCIA MODEL

100

FIGURE 14-12 CUMULATIVE FREQUENCY PLOTS FOR SILVER (LEFT) AND GOLD (RIGHT) FOR VILLALPANDO SOUTH VEIN, HANGING WALL BRECCIA, AND FOOTWALL BRECCIA. SOLID BLACK LINE REPRESENTS CAPPING LIMIT

105

FIGURE 14-13 VILLALPANDO VARIOGRAM

108

FIGURE 14-14 DOLORES VARIOGRAM

109

FIGURE 14-15 LA LOCA VARIOGRAM

110

FIGURE 14-16 LOZ PANCHOS VARIOGRAM

110

FIGURE 14-17 REYNA ISABEL

111

FIGURE 14-18 SOLEDAD VARIOGRAM

111

FIGURE 14-19 LONG SECTION VIEW OF DOLORES VEIN BLOCK MODEL

125

FIGURE 14-20 LONG SECTION VIEW OF DOLORES VEIN BLOCK MODEL

126

FIGURE 14-21 LONG SECTION VIEW OF VILLALPANDO SOUTH VEIN BLOCK MODEL SHOWING ESTIMATED SILVER GRADES AND COMPOSITES

127

FIGURE 14-22 LONG SECTION VIEW OF VILLALPANDO SOUTH VEIN BLOCK MODEL SHOWING ESTIMATED GOLD GRADES AND COMPOSITES

127

FIGURE 15-1 VILLALPANDO VEIN DOLORES - MINE RESOURCE AND RESERVE SECTION

141

FIGURE 16-1 DIVISION OF MINING AREAS (PLANTA = MILL, PRESA = DAM, TIRO = SHAFT, ACCESSO = ADIT)

144

FIGURE 16-2 CUT-AND-FILL WITH RE-SUE METHOD

147

FIGURE 16-3 SCHEMATIC SHOWING TYPICAL LONGHOLE STOPE DESIGN

148

FIGURE 17-1 METAL RECOVERY EL CUBO

153

FIGURE 17-2 GRINDING SIZE AT EL CUBO

154

FIGURE 17-3 SIMPLIFIED FLOWSHEET OF THE NEW EL TAJO FLOTATION PLANT

154

FIGURE 17-4 PRIMARY CRUSHER (LEFT); FINE ORE BINS (RIGHT)

155

FIGURE 17-5 FLOTATION TAILINGS THICKENER (LEFT); CONCENTRATE THICKENER (RIGHT)

155

FIGURE 17-6 GRINDING AND FLOTATION CIRCUITS OF THE NEW EL TAJO PLANT (LEFT)

156

FIGURE 17-7 EL TAJO PLANT SIMPLIFIED PROCESS FLOWSHEET

156

FIGURE 17-8 SIMPLIFIED FLOWSHEET OF CYANIDE LEACH AND CCD CIRCUITS AT EL TAJO PLANT

157

FIGURE 17-9 VIEW OF THE TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITIES OF EL CUBO MINE

159

FIGURE 18-1 DOLORES MINE VENTILATION PLAN

162

FIGURE 18-2 LONGITUDINAL VIEW OF EL CUBO MINE VENTILATION

163

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1-1 EXPLORATION DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN 2015

3

TABLE 1-2 EXPLORATION DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN 2016

3

TABLE 1-3 UNDERGROUND EXPLORATION DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN 2016

4

TABLE 1-4 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE, EFFECTIVE DATE DECEMBER 31, 2016

6

TABLE 1-5 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE

8

TABLE 4-1 EL CUBO PROJECT MINERAL CONCESSIONS OWNED BY CIA MINERA DEL CUBO S.A. DE C.V

16

TABLE 4-2 EL CUBO PROJECT MINERAL CONCESSIONS OWNED BY CIA MINERA DEL CUBO S.A. DE C.V (CONT.)

17

TABLE 4-3 EL CUBO PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS

19

TABLE 6-1 HISTORICAL DRILLING AT EL CUBO

23

TABLE 6-2 HISTORIC EL CUBO MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE - JANUARY 1, 2009

25

TABLE 6-3 HISTORIC EL CUBO MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE - JANUARY 1, 2009

25

TABLE 6-4 HISTORICAL EL CUBO MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE - DECEMBER 31, 2011 (AURICO, 2011)

25

TABLE 6-5 HISTORICAL EL CUBO MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE – DECEMBER 31, 2011 (AURICO, 2011)

26

TABLE 6-6 EL CUBO HISTORIC PRODUCTION STATISTICS

26

TABLE 9-1 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE LAS PALOMAS AREA

46

TABLE 9-2 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE LAS PALOMAS AREA

47

TABLE 9-3 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE PURISIMA VEIN AREA

49

TABLE 9-4 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE DETACHMENT OF PURISIMA VEIN AREA .

50

TABLE 9-5 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE DETACHMENT OF CABRESTANTES II VEIN AREA

50

TABLE 9-6 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE SAN JUAN ADIT AREA

51

TABLE 9-7 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE EL BOSQUE AREA

53

TABLE 9-8 SIGNIFICANT ASSAYS FOR ROCK SAMPLING IN THE HANGINWALL OF THE GEORGINA AREA . 

 53

TABLE 10-1 EDR DRILLING SUMMARY, 2012 THROUGH 2014

60

TABLE 10-2 SURFACE DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN 2016

61

TABLE 10-3 UNDERGROUND EXPLORATION DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN 2016

62

TABLE 10-4 SUMMARY OF INTERCEPTS OF THE 2016 LA LOCA DRILLING RESULTS

63

TABLE 10-5 SUMMARY OF INTERCEPTS OF THE 2016 SJD DRILLING RESULTS

63

TABLE 10-6 SUMMARY OF INTERCEPTS OF THE 2016 VEIN 274 DRILLING RESULTS

63

TABLE 10-7 SUMMARY OF INTERCEPTS OF THE 2016 LA PAZ DRILLING RESULTS

63

TABLE 10-8 SUMMARY OF INTERCEPTS OF THE 2016 SAN NICOLAS DRILLING RESULTS

64

TABLE 11-1 SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS PROCEDURES

68

TABLE 11-2 SUMMARY OF SAMPLE TYPE AND NUMBER USED DURING THE 2016 SURFACE EXPLORATION PROGRAM

73

TABLE 11-3 REFERENCE STANDARDS USED FOR ENDEAVOUR SILVER’S DRILLING PROGRAMS

77

TABLE 11-4 BASIS FOR INTERPRETING STANDARD SAMPLE ASSAYS

77

TABLE 12-1 DATABASE IMPORT SUMMARY

85

TABLE 13-1 MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS OF EL CUBO ORE SAMPLES

87

TABLE 13-2 DISTRIBUTION OF SILVER MINERALS IN ORE SAMPLES AND SIZE OF GRAINS OF SILVER MINERALS

87

TABLE 14-1 SUMMARY OF VEINS INCLUDED IN THE MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE

90

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

TABLE 14-2 EL CUBO BLOCK MODEL PARAMETERS

101

TABLE 14-3 VEIN MODEL SAMPLE STATISTICS

102

TABLE 14-4 COMPOSITE TRUE THICKNESS STATISTICS BY VEIN

103

TABLE 14-5 CAPPIG LIMITS FOR VILLALPANDO SOUTH DOMAINS

105

TABLE 14-6 CAPPED SILVER SUMMARY STATISTICS WITHIN VEINS

106

TABLE 14-7 CAPPED GOLD SUMMARY STATISTICS WITHIN VEINS

107

TABLE 14-8 SUMMARY OF SILVER VARIOGRAM PARAMETERS

112

TABLE 14-9 SUMMARY OF SILVER AND GOLD VARIOGRAMS FOR VILLALPANDO SOUTH

112

TABLE 14-10 SUMMARY OF INHERITED VARIOGRAMS

113

TABLE 14-11 ESTIMATION PARAMETERS

114

TABLE 14-12 SILVER AND GOLD ESTIMATION PARAMETERS FOR VILLALPANDO SOUTH DOMAINS

115

TABLE 14-13 SILVER MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON

116

TABLE 14-14 SILVER MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON (CONT.)

117

TABLE 14-15 SILVER MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON (CONT.)

118

TABLE 14-16 SILVER MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON (CONT.)

119

TABLE 14-17 GOLD MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON

120

TABLE 14-18 GOLD MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON (CONT.)

121

TABLE 14-19 GOLD MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON (CONT.)

122

TABLE 14-20 GOLD MODEL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL COMPARISON (CONT.)

123

TABLE 14-21 CUTOFF GRADE ASSUMPTIONS FOR EL CUBO MINE

129

TABLE 14-22 POLYGONAL RESOURCE AT THE EL CUBO MINE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2016

130

TABLE 14-23 POLYGONAL RESOURCE AT THE EL CUBO MINE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2016 (CONT.)

131

TABLE 14-24 3D BLOCK MODEL RESOURCE AT THE EL CUBO MINE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2016

132

TABLE 14-25 3D BLOCK MODEL RESOURCE AT THE EL CUBO MINE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2016 (CONT.)

133

TABLE 14-26 3D BLOCK MODEL RESOURCE AT THE EL CUBO MINE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2016 (CONT.)

134

TABLE 14-27 3D BLOCK MODEL RESOURCE AT THE EL CUBO MINE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2016 (CONT.)

135

TABLE 14-28 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE, EFFECTIVE DATE DECEMBER 31, 2016

136

TABLE 15-1 MINERAL RESERVE BREAKEVEN CUTOFF FOR THE EL CUBO PROPERTY

139

TABLE 15-2 2016 MINE TO PLANT RECONCILIATION

140

TABLE 15-3 PROVEN AND PROBABLE MINERAL RESERVES, EFFECTIVE DATE DECEMBER 31, 2016

142

TABLE 16-1 EL CUBO AND LAS TORRES CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION, 2009-2016

145

TABLE 16-2 2016 EL CUBO CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION BY QUARTER

145

TABLE 16-3 2016 PRODUCTION SUMMARY (METERS OF ADVANCE)

146

TABLE 16-4 MINING EQUIPMENT INVENTORY, EL CUBO MINE

149

TABLE 16-5 MINING EQUIPMENT INVENTORY, CONTRACTOR

150

TABLE 16-6 EL CUBO EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS

151

TABLE 17-1 REAGENT LIST

152

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Table of Contents

TABLE 17-2 PRINCIPAL EQUIPMENT LIST

153

TABLE 17-3 REAGENT CONSUMPTION OF EL TAJO LEACH PLANT IN 2013

157

TABLE 17-4 PRINCIPAL EQUIPMENT OF EL TAJO LEACHING PLANT

158

TABLE 17-5 PROCESS RECOVERIES 2008 – 2016

158

TABLE 18-1 UNDERGROUND OFFICES

160

TABLE 18-2 MASTER LIST OF VENTILATION INSTALLATIONS SHOWING UTILIZATION AND CAPACITIES

165

TABLE 18-3 SUMMARY OF ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS

167

TABLE 19-1 AVERAGE ANNUAL HIGH AND LOW LONDON PM FIX FOR GOLD AND SILVER FROM 2000 TO 2016

169

TABLE 19-2 CONTRACTS HELD BY COMPAÑ¥A MINERA DEL CUBO, S.A. DE C.V

170

TABLE 20-1 MINE CLOSURE BUDGET

172

TABLE 20-2 EXISTING MINING AND MILLING OPERATIONS PERMITS

173

TABLE 20-3 POPULATION STATISTICS FOR COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING EL CUBO

174

TABLE 21-1 CAPITAL COSTS FOR THE EL CUBO MINES PROJECT

176

TABLE 21-2 OPERATING COSTS FOR THE EL CUBO MINES PROJECT

176

TABLE 25-1 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE, EFFECTIVE DATE DECEMBER 31, 2016

180

TABLE 25-2 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE, EFFECTIVE DATE DECEMBER 31, 2016

181

TABLE 26-1 EL CUBO 2017 EXPLORATION BUDGET

183

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project List of Acronyms

LIST OF ACRONYMS

3D Three Dimensional
AA Atomic Absorption
AES Atomic Emission Spectrometry
CAHECOMI Campos Hernandez Contratistas Mineros, S.A. de C.V.
CCD Counter-Current Decantation
CEMEFI Mexican Center for Philanthropy
CIM Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
CL Control Limit
CMC Compañia Minera del Cubo S.A. de C.V.
CV Coefficient Variation
EDR Endeavour Silver Corp.
ESR Socially Responsible Company
FSE Frankfurt Stock Exchange
g/t Grams per Tonne
HDPE High Density Polyethylene
HP Horsepower
HRC Hardrock Consulting
ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma
ID Inverse Distance
LL Lower Control Limit
LOM Life of Mine
MSO Mineable Shape Optimizer
NN Nearest Neighbor
NYSE New York Stock Exchange
OK Ordinary Kriging
QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control
RQD Rock Quality Designation
SRM Standard Reference Material
TSX Toronto Stock Exchange
UL Upper Control Limit
VLP Vertical Longitudinal Projection

  xiv  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

1.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


1.1

Introduction

Hard Rock Consulting, LLC (“HRC”) was retained by Endeavour Silver Corp. (“EDR”) to complete an independent technical audit and to update the mineral resource and reserve estimates for the El Cubo Project (the “Project”) located in Guanajuato State, Mexico. This report presents the results of HRC’s efforts, and is intended to fulfill the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects according to Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). This report was prepared in accordance with the requirements and guidelines set forth in Companion Policy 43-101CP and Form 43-101F1 (June 2011), and the mineral resources and reserves presented herein are classified according to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014. The mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates reported here are based on all available technical data and information as of December 31, 2016.

1.2

Property Description and Ownership

EDR acquired a 100% interest in the El Cubo Project in July 2012, through purchase of issued and outstanding shares of Mexgold and ensuing acquisition of Mexgold subsidiaries Compañía Minera Del Cubo, S.A. de C.V., AuRico Gold GYC, S.A. de C.V. and Metales Interamericanos, S.A. de C.V.

The El Cubo property is located in central Mexico, in Guanajuato State near the village of El Cubo, approximately 10 km east of the City of Guanajuato and about 280 km northwest of Mexico City. The geographic center of the property is located at roughly 21°00’17” N Latitude and 101°12’ 25” W Longitude, at an elevation of 2265 m above mean sea level. The El Cubo property consists of 57 mining concessions covering an area of approximately 8,141 ha, including several mine adits, ramps, shafts, and the 2000 tpd El Tajo flotation plant.

1.3

Geology and Mineralization

The El Cubo mine is located on the southeast flank of the Sierra Madre Occidental geological province in the southeastern portion of the Sierra de Guanajuato, an anticlinal structure about 100 km long and 20 km wide. The property is underlain by a volcano-sedimentary sequence of Mesozoic to Cenozoic age volcanic, sedimentary, and intrusive rocks, some members of which host the veins exploited by the mine. The Cenozoic rocks may have been emplaced in a caldera setting with hydrothermal alteration occurring at approximately 27 Ma (Buchanan, 1980).

The Guanajuato mining district is characterized by classic, high grade silver-gold, epithermal vein deposits with low sulfidation mineralization and adularia-sericite alteration. Veins in the Guanajuato district are typical of most epithermal silver-gold vein deposits in Mexico with respect to the volcanic or sedimentary host rocks and the paragenesis and tenor of mineralization. The Guanajuato mining district hosts three major mineralized fault systems, the La Luz, Veta Madre and Sierra systems. The El Cubo mine exploits veins of the Sierra fault system.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

The northwest striking and southwest dipping faults are the main structures containing the very important Villalpando, La Loca, Dolores and Pastora-Fortuna veins. These veins are generally steeply dipping with some northeast dipping sections. The Capulin fault offsets the northwest-striking vein systems at the south end of the El Cubo mine, displacing the Dolores vein downward to the south.

Veins are the main targets for mining. Some weak stockworks that grade into disseminations are viable targets, especially if they are close enough to surface and can be mined from an open pit. An historic open cut exists on the Dolores vein in the vicinity of the El Tajo mill. The Villalpando and the Dolores veins have been actively mined since the early stages of mining at El Cubo.

Mineralized veins at El Cubo consist of the classic banded and brecciated epithermal variety. Silver occurs primarily in dark sulfide-rich bands within the veins, generally with little mineralization within the wall-rocks. The major metallic minerals reported include pyrite, argentite, electrum and ruby silver, as well as some galena and sphalerite, generally deeper in the veins. Mineralization is generally associated with phyllic (sericite) alteration and silicification which form haloes around the mineralizing structures. The vein textures are attributed to the brittle fracturing-healing cycle of the fault-hosted veins during and/or after faulting.

Economic concentrations of precious metals are present in “shoots” distributed vertically and laterally between non-mineralized segments of the veins, and at important vein intersections. The silver-rich veins, such as Villalpando, contain quartz, adularia, pyrite, acanthite, naumannite and native gold. Native silver is widespread in small amounts. Much of the native silver is supergene. Silver sulfosalts (pyrargyrite and polybasite) are commonly found at depth. Gold-rich veins, such as San Nicolas, contain quartz, pyrite, minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite, electrum, and aguilarite.

1.4

Status of Exploration

Historical exploration at El Cubo was largely conducted by drifting along known veins, with very little drilling. Drilling exploration prior to 2000 was sporadic, and the associated information poorly organized. Drilling activity at the El Cubo Project increased significantly between 2000 and 2009, in conjunction with the acquisition of El Cubo by Mexgold, and later by Aurico, producing credible data for 844 drillholes (approximately 180,019 m). The drillhole data applies to both surface and underground drilling, at a variety of drilhole diameters, which occurred mainly over the Villalpando, Dolores, La Loca, San Nicolas, San Eusebio, Pastora, Puertecito and La Cruz structures.

In 2009, AuRico began the year with a dedicated six-month program of data compilation followed by extensive field mapping over the Sierra Vein system. At year end, AuRico had completed 16 core holes for 3,361 m in the Dolores SE target. Exploration carried out in 2010 consisted of drilling in the Dolores, Capulin, Villalpando Sur, Villalpando Gap, Puertecito, and La Cruz target areas. Exploration activities carried out in 2011 focused on drilling the step-out and in-fill on the 2009 Dolores Vein discovery.

In early 2012, AuRico drilled 16 drillholes on the Dolores SE target, but all surface exploration drilling was put on hold subject to AuRico completing the purchase and sale agreement for the El Cubo mine. At that time, El Cubo exploration geologists were in the process of geologically mapping and surface sampling the Cebolletas, Villalpando Sur, Cabrestantes and San Nicolás areas.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

Between 2012 and 2015, EDR’s drilling and field exploration efforts were focused on locating mineralized bodies over primary and secondary structures, mainly near the current production areas. Surface drilling was conducted over the Villalpando (Villalpando Gap, Asunción & Villalpando South), Dolores (Dolores North), La Loca & La Paz veins. The mine exploration drilling program was undertaken to determine the extent of additional mineralization near areas currently being mined. The principal targets were the Villalpando (Area II and IV) and Dolores (II) vein systems, though a number of other structures also explored. As of December 2014, a total of 72,969 m of drilling had been completed in 277 holes, with an associated 16,522 samples.

In 2015, EDR spent US $1,686,569 (including property holding costs) on exploration activities, including drilling, at the El Cubo Project. Field exploration activities at El Cubo were mainly focused on the Cubo North area, with the intent of continuing to define targets of interest for possible future drilling programs. Geological mapping, trenching and sampling were also conducted in the Cubo Central and Cubo South areas, as well the surrounding Nayal-Cabrestantes, Los Pinguicos, Olga Margarita-Janet, La Providencia and El Eden areas.

During 2015, Endeavour Silver completed a total of 7,178.55 m in 25 surface diamond drillholes at the El Cubo Mines Project. A total of 2,603 samples were collected and submitted for assays. Surface drilling exploration carried out in 2015 is summarized in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Exploration Drilling Activities in 2015

Project Area Number of
Holes
Total Meters Number of Samples
Taken
Violeta 4 1,655.90 446
Asunción 2 305.80 156
Cubo Central 8 2,116.50 642
Villalpando North 4 1,349.10 596
Nayal-Cabrestantes 7 1,751.25 763
Total 25 7,178.55 2,603

In 2016, Endeavour Silver spent US $1,060,668 (including property holding costs) on exploration activities mainly in the Nayal-Cabrestantes, Asunción (Villalpando vein) and Cubo Central areas in a continuing effort to identify and evaluate mineralized zones as potential targets for further exploration. A total of 3,799 m were drilled in 13 surface diamond drill holes at the Project, and a total of 777 samples were collected and submitted for assay. Surface exploration drilling undertaken during 2016 is summarized in Table 1-2.

Table 1-2 Exploration Drilling Activities in 2016

Project Area Number of
Holes
Total Metres Number of Samples
Taken
Asunción 5 1,901.60 314
Nayal-Cabrestantes 8 1,897.60 463
Total 13 3,799.20 777

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

An underground drilling exploration program was also conducted in 2016 on targets (La Loca, Vein 274, SJD & San Nicolás) located in close proximity to active mines. A total of 12 underground drill holes were completed for 1,710 m at the El Cubo Project (Table 1-3), and a total of 584 samples were collected and submitted for analysis.

Table 1-3 Underground Exploration Drilling Activities in 2016

Project Area Number of
Holes
Total Metres Number of Samples
Taken
Mine Exploration 12 1,709.90 584
Total 12 1,709.90 584

In 2017, EDR plans to conduct a surface drilling program (approximately 3,000 m of drilling) mainly focused on the Cubo North La Sauceda areas. Planned underground drilling (approximately 3,000 m of drilling) will focus on structures near active mining areas. Regional exploration in 2017 will continue in and proximal to the La Sauceda area.

1.5

Development and Operations

The El Cubo Mine is now organized into two discrete physical areas, previously the mine was organized into four areas. Area 1 covers the north end of the Villalpando system with access through the Sta. cecillia ramp, the previous level 3 of the upper La Loca vein and the previous area 4 of the lower El Cubo concessions with access from the Sta. Lucia shaft. Area 2 includes the southern end of the Villalpando and Dolores vein systems, and is principally accessed from the Dolores ramp at El Tajo and from a crosscut on Level 4. Each area has separate crews and infrastructure for access, stoping, ventilation, and ore haulage. The area separations are geographic, and by level.

Conventional drill and blast methods are used to extract the ore at El Cubo, and access to the mining areas is provided by ramps, adits and shafts. Mine development headings are drilled by jumbo and by jackleg. The choice of equipment is generally guided by the anticipated vein widths, stoping method, and equipment availability. The stoping methods used at El Cubo are 80% mechanized cut-and-fill and 20% longhole open- stoping.

It is standard procedure throughout the mine to install systematic ground control. Ground control is carried out using a combination of split sets, mesh, w-straps, and cable bolts. The type of support varies according to the conditions encountered, but split sets are most common and are complemented as needed with mesh and/or w-straps. Cable bolting is required during the preparation of stopes for longhole blasting. The cable bolts are installed by drilling holes in the hanging wall and fixing the bolts in place with cement pumped into the hole.

The upper levels of the mine are dry. Water inflows are a factor in the lowest development levels where it is collected, pumped, and distributed as additional water for the needs of mine production.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

The lowest historic development level of the mine, Level 9 of the Villalpando vein, was flooded until the latter part of 2013. The mine has been gradually dewatered and new development is pursuing mineral in the lower levels.

After the strike ended in 2011, Blake (2011) provided a preliminary geotechnical study to AuRico to determine if ground deterioration had occurred and if so, what rehabilitation effort might be needed in order for mining to resume. The geotechnical study concluded that in most cases, scaling and spot bolting would sufficiently mitigate deterioration, and rehabilitation work was carried out in three stopes according to recommendations.

The ventilation system at El Cubo is a combination of natural and mechanical, but relies mostly on natural ventilation. Air flow enters through the various access ramps, shafts, raise bore holes, and old mine openings, and moves down to the lower part of the mine, exhausting through a series of partially open old areas of the mine, raise bore holes, and conventional driven raises.

As of December 31, 2016, the company had a total of 610 direct employees distributed in different departments. There are 290 contract persons for personal transport, security, underground development, underground mining and ore transport from underground to surface and to the plant.

1.6

Mineral Resource Estimate

Resource geologist Zachary J. Black, SME-RM, of HRC is responsible for the mineral resource estimate presented here. Mr. Black is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and is independent of EDR. HRC estimated the mineral resource for the El Cubo Mine Project based on drillhole data constrained by geologic vein boundaries with an Inverse Distance Weighted (“ID”) algorithm. Datamine Studio RM® V1.0.73.0 (“Datamine”) software was used to complete the resource estimate in conjunction with Leapfrog Geo® V.3.0.0 (“Leapfrog”), which was used to produce the geologic model. The metals of interest at El Cubo are gold and silver.

HRC constructed the vein models using Leapfrog. Twenty-two veins were modeled using a linear interpolation methodology and sample intervals. Cross-sections orthogonal to the strike of the vein were used to select intervals from drillholes representing the vein material. Level sections were used to select vein material from channel samples. Points representing the hanging wall and footwall contacts were extracted by the software to interpolate hanging wall and footwall surfaces. These surfaces were used to delineate each vein solid. The surfaces were evaluated in 3-dimensions to ensure that both the down dip and along strike continuity was maintained throughout the model. Vein volumes were clipped using a distance buffer of 100 meters, except the Villalpando vein, which used a distance buffer of 125 meters, from the selected vein intercepts. Veins were clipped against younger veins, topography, and the concession boundaries.

The 3D geologic solids were converted to block models using Datamine. Block model prototypes were created for each of the 3D veins. The model prototypes are rotated along strike and down dip and encompass the entire vein. A block size of 10m x 10m in the strike and dip directions was established. The blocks in the z direction were sub-blocked to the vein thickness. The El Cubo 3D models were validated by comparison of the global descriptive statistics from the Inverse Distance Weighting (“ID”), Ordinary Krige (“OK”), Nearest

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

Neighbor (“NN”), and composite data, and inspection of the ID block model on long section in comparison to the composite grades.

HRC used the kriging efficiency, distance from samples, and the number of samples to classify the mineral resources into measured, indicated, inferred. Measured mineral resources are those blocks with at least 15 composites, a kriging efficiency of at least 75%, and a distance no greater than 10 meters. Indicated mineral resources are those blocks at least 20 meters from a sample. Inferred mineral resources are those blocks greater than 20 meters from a sample and have a value for estimated silver.

The mineral resource estimate includes all analytical data obtained as of December 31, 2016. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, socio-economic, political, or other factors. Mineral resources are reported above a silver equivalent grade of 177 gpt, assuming a silver price of $16.29 per ounce. HRC used a cutoff grade to test for reasonable prospects for economic extraction.

The mineral resources for the El Cubo mine as of December 31, 2016, are summarized in Table 1-4. The resources are exclusive of the mineral reserves.

Table 1-4 Mineral Resource Estimate, Effective Date December 31, 2016


Classification

Tonnes
Silver
Equivalent
Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 213,000 414 192 1,318,500 3.13 21,400
Indicated 732,000 366 194 4,561,100 2.44 57,400
Measured + Indicated 945,000 377 194 5,879,600 2.60 78,800
Inferred 1,453,000 411 214 10,004,000 2.78 129,900

  1.

Measured, Indicated and Inferred resource cut-off grades were 177 g/t silver equivalent at El Cubo.

     
  2.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.

     
  3.

Metallurgical recoveries were 87.8% for silver and 84.7% for gold.

     
  4.

Silver equivalents are based on a 75:1 silver:gold ratio

     
  5.

Price assumptions are $16.29 per ounce for silver and $1,195 per ounce for gold for resource cutoff calculations.

     
  6.

Mineral resources are estimated exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.


1.7

Mineral Reserve Estimate

Mr. Jeff Choquette, P.E., MMSA QP, of HRC is responsible for the mineral reserve estimate presented here. Mr. Choquette is Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and is independent of EDR. The mineral reserve

  6  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

calculation for EDR’s El Cubo Mine in Guanajuato, Mexico was completed in accordance with NI 43-101, and based on all data and information available as of December 31st, 2016. Stope designs for reporting the reserves were created utilizing the updated resources and cutoffs established for 2016. All of the stopes are within readily accessible areas of the active mining areas. Ore is processed in the on-site mill and floatation facility capable of processing 1,600 tpd, if excess mined tonnage is produced the ore is trucked to EDR’s Bolañitos mill for processing.

HRC utilized Datamine’s Mineable Shape Optimizer (“MSO”) program to generate the stopes for the reserve mine plan. The MSO stope designs are then used to design stopes on levels along with the required development for the final mine plans. The stopes were created based solely on Measured and Indicated resources above the calculated cutoff, which have demonstrated to be economically viable; therefore, Measured and Indicated mineral resources within the stopes have been converted to Proven and Probable mineral reserves as defined by NI 43-101. Measured and Indicated mineral resources generated from the 2D polygon resource model were also converted to mineral reserves, provided that associated grades fell above the calculated cutoff and economic viability could be demonstrated. Inferred mineral resources are classified as waste. Dilution is applied to Measured and Indicated resource blocks depending on the mining method chosen.

The mining breakeven cut-off grade was utilized in Datamine’s MSO to generate the stope designs for defining the reserves. The cut-off is stated as silver equivalent since the ratio between gold and silver is variable and both commodities are sold. The average cut-off grade used for the El Cubo property is 177 g/t Ag equivalent. Silver equivalent grade is calculated as the silver grade + (gold grade * 75), taking into account gold and silver prices and expected mill recoveries.

Mineral reserves are derived from Measured and Indicated resources after applying the economic parameters as stated Section 15.1.2, utilizing Datamine’s MSO program to generate stope designs for the reserve mine plan. The MSO stope designs are then used to design stopes on levels along with the required development for the final mine plans. Mineral reserves for the El Cubo Project have been derived and classified according to the following criteria:

 

Proven mineral reserves are the economically mineable part of the Measured resource for which mining and processing / metallurgy information and other relevant factors demonstrate that economic extraction is feasible. For El Cubo, this applies to blocks located within approximately 10 m of existing development, and for which EDR has a mine plan in place.

   

 

Probable mineral reserves are those Measured or Indicated mineral resource blocks which are considered economically viable and for which EDR has a mine plan in place. For the El Cubo Project, this applies to all blocks for which EDR has a mine plan in place.

The Proven and Probable mineral reserves for the El Cubo Project as of December 31, 2016 are summarized in Table 1-5. The reserves are exclusive of the mineral resources reported in Section 14 of this report.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

Table 1-5 Mineral Reserve Estimate

Classification Tonnes
(t x 1,000)
AgEq
g/t
Ag
g/t
Ag (oz)
* 1,000
Au g/t Au
(oz) *
1,000
%
Dilution
Proven 409.3 295 154 2,028.9 1.99 26.24 26%
Probable 452.7 280 159 2,311.1 1.71 24.85 33%
Total Proven and Probable Reserves 861.9 287 157 4,340.0 1.84 51.09 30%

  1.

Reserve cut-off grades are based on a 184 g/t silver equivalent.

  2.

Metallurgical Recoveries were 87.8% silver and 84.7% gold.

  3.

Mining Recoveries of 95% were applied.

  4.

Minimum mining widths were 0.8 meters.

  5.

Dilution factors averaged 30%. Dilution factors are calculated based on internal stope dilution calculations and external dilution factors of 15% for cut and fill and 30% for long hole.

  6.

Silver equivalents are based on a 75:1 silver:gold ratio.

  7.

Price assumptions are $16.29 per ounce for silver and $1,195 per ounce for gold.

  8.

Mineral resources are estimated exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.

  9.

Figures in table are rounded to reflect estimate precision; small differences generated by rounding are not material to estimates.


1.8

Conclusions and Recommendations

The QP considers the El Cubo resource and reserve estimates presented here to conform with the requirements and guidelines set forth in Companion Policy 43-101CP and Form 43-101F1 (June 2011), and the mineral resources and reserves presented herein are classified according to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014. These resources and reserves form the basis for Endeavour Silver’s ongoing mining operations at the El Cubo Mines Project.

The QP is unaware of any significant technical, legal, environmental or political considerations which would have an adverse effect on the extraction and processing of the resources and reserves located at the El Cubo Mines Project. Mineral resources which have not been converted to mineral reserves, and do not demonstrate economic viability shall remain mineral resources. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.

The QP considers that the mineral concessions in the El Cubo mining district controlled by Endeavour Silver continue to be highly prospective both along strike and down dip of the existing mineralization.

The El Cubo mine has been in nearly continuous production for decades. A substantial effort combining direct underground exploration, underground drilling, and surface drilling will be necessary to sustain the mine and continually expand mineral resources and reserves. The El Cubo concessions cover at least 5 km of the trace of the vein system across the district. The Villalpando-Asunción area continues to provide the bulk of production from the mine, and is currently the focus of future mineral resource and reserve development.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Executive Summary

The Dolores vein is an important parallel structure along which new mineral resources and reserves have been added through a combination of underground development and diamond drilling.

The mine has considerable potential to develop both exploration targets close to existing operations outlined by underground drilling and those identified by surface exploration. The 2017 exploration for El Cubo is approved for 6,000 meters of drilling. The approved budget for this drilling is estimated at US $900,000 for the year.

HRC recommends that the process of converting mineral resources into reserves from 2D polygons to 3D block models be continued. Considerable progress has been completed via this process with 22 of the 37 veins now converted into 3D block models. Additional modeling efforts should be made to define the mineralized brecciated areas as they have been an important source of economic material encountered in the current operation, and could provide additional tonnage to support the mine plan.

EDR currently utilizes the exploration drilling and chip and muck samples in their resource and reserve calculations. HRC recommends that future efforts focus on constructing block models for resource and reserve reporting utilizing only the exploration and underground drilling results. The chip and muck samples should be used to develop the production model. This will help keep data densities consistent in each modeling effort and will provide another level in the reconciliation process to compare modeling results.

Although the reconciliations conducted by EDR show good comparison between planned versus actual values, the reconciliation process should be improved to include the estimated tonnes and grade from the resource models. Because the LOM plan is compared to the plant production on a monthly basis, theactual physical location of the material mined may be different than the planned location. Due to the many stopes that are mined during a day this can only be completed on an average monthly basis due to blending of stope material into the mill. The monthly surveyed as mined areas should be created into triangulation solids and saved on a monthly basis for reporting the modeled tonnes for each month. The combination of the 3D block models and 2D and polygonal reserves makes this process difficult but considerable progress has been made during the last year to get all resources and reserves into 3D block models. The model-predicted results versus actual can then be used to determine if dilution factors need to be adjusted, or perhaps the resource modeling parameters may require adjustment if there are large variances. The mill production should be reconciled to the final concentrate shipments on a yearly basis, and resulting adjustment factors should be explained and reported.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Introduction

2.

INTRODUCTION


2.1

Issuer and Terms of Reference

Endeavour Silver Corp. (“EDR”) is a Canadian based mining and exploration company actively engaged in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties in Mexico. EDR is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with management offices in Leon, Mexico, and is listed on the Toronto (TSX:EDR), New York (NYSE:EXK) and Frankfurt (FSE:EJD) stock exchanges. The company has three currently active mining properties in Mexico, the Guanaceví property in northwest Durango State, and the Bolañitos and the El Cubo properties, both located in Guanajuato State. EDR has retained HRC to complete an independent technical audit and update of the mineral resource and reserve estimates for the El Cubo Project (the “Project”) located near the city of Guanajuato. This report presents the results of HRC’s efforts, and is intended to fulfill the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects according to Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”).

This report was prepared in accordance with the requirements and guidelines set forth in NI 43-101 Companion Policy 43-101CP and Form 43-101F1 (June 2011), and the mineral resources and reserves presented herein are classified according to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014. The mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates reported here are based on all available technical data and information as of December 31, 2016.

2.2

Sources of Information

A portion of the background information and technical data for this study was obtained from the following previously filed NI 43-101 Technical Reports:

Hardrock Consulting LLC (2016). National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report: Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates for theEl Cubo Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico.

Munroe, M.J., (2015). NI 43-101 Technical Report, Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Mines Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico.

Munroe, M.J., (2014). NI43-101 Technical Report, Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Mines Project, Guanajuato State, Mexico.

HRC also relied in part on background information and technical data presented in the following unpublished NI 43-101 Technical Report:

Cameron, Donald E., (2012). Technical Report and Updated Resource and Reserve Estimate for the El Cubo Mine Guanajuato, Mexico: unpublished NI 43-101 technical report prepared by Cameron, Donald E., for Endeavor Silver, effective date June 01, 2012.

The information contained in current report Sections 4 through 8 was largely presented in, and in some cases is excerpted directly from, the technical reports listed above. HRC has reviewed this material in detail,

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Introduction

and finds the information contained herein to be factual and appropriate with regard to guidance provided by NI 43-101 and associated Form NI 43-101F1.

2.3

Qualified Persons and Personal Inspection

This report is endorsed by the following Qualified Persons, as defined by NI 43-101: Mr. Zachary Black, Ms. J.J. Brown, P.G., and Mr. Jeff Choquette, P.E., all of HRC.

Mr. Black, SME-RM, has 10 years of experience working on structurally controlled gold and silver resources in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico and the southern United States. Mr. Black completed the mineral resource estimate for the El Cubo Project and is specifically responsible for Sections 1.4, 1.6, 9 through 12, and 14 of this report.

Ms. Brown, P.G., SME-RM, has 17 years of professional experience as a consulting geologist and has contributed to numerous mineral resource projects, including more than twenty gold, silver, and polymetallic resources throughout the southwestern United States and South America over the past five years. Ms. Brown is specifically responsible for report Sections 1.1 through 1.3 and Sections 2 through 8.

Mr. Choquette, P.E., is a professional mining engineer with more than 18 years of domestic and international experience in mine operations, mine engineering, project evaluation and financial analysis. Mr. Choquette has been involved in industrial minerals, base metals and precious metal mining projects around the world, and is responsible for the current report Sections 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 13, and 15 through 27.

As Qualified Persons and representatives of HRC, Mr. Black and Mr. Choquette conducted an on-site inspection of the El Cubo property between August 27th and September 8th, 2015 and between June 26th and June 27th, 2016. While on site, HRC reviewed EDR’s current operating procedures and associated drilling, logging, sampling, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), grade control, and mine planning (short, medium, and long term) procedures. HRC also inspected the laboratories at the Bolañitos and Guanaceví mine properties, as well as each of the plants and the underground operations. Mr. Choquette visited the El Cubo Project again from October 17th through October 18th, 2016 to assist in developing the reserve mine plans with the onsite EDR personnel.

HRC met with the geology department to review the geologic understanding, sampling methods and types, modeling (resources, reserves, and grade control), prior to inspecting the procedures in the mine and office for collecting and handling the data. Once the geology department processes were understood, HRC discussed with the mine planning and survey department the process for short, medium, and long term mine planning.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Introduction

Reconciliation was discussed with both departments and the plant supervisors. The laboratories were toured and the procedures were reviewed with the laboratory managers.

2.4

Units of Measure

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements reported here are in metric, and currencies are expressed in constant 2016 U.S. dollars.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Reliance on Other Experts

3.

RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS

HRC has fully relied upon and disclaims responsibility for information provided by EDR regarding property ownership and mineral tenure for the El Cubo Project. HRC has not reviewed the permitting requirements nor independently verified the permitting status or environmental liabilities associated with the Project, and also disclaims responsibility for that information, which is presented in current report Sections 4 and 20, and which is presented as provided by EDR.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

4.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION


4.1

Project Location

The El Cubo property is located in central Mexico, in Guanajuato State near the village of El Cubo, approximately 10 km east of the City of Guanajuato and about 280 km northwest of Mexico City (Figure 4-1). The geographic center of the property is located at roughly 21°00’17” N Latitude and 101°12’ 25” W Longitude, at an elevation of 2265 m above mean sea level. The El Cubo property consists of 57 mining concessions (Figure 4-2) covering an area of approximately 8,141 ha, including several mine adits, ramps, shafts, and the 2000 tpd El Tajo flotation plant.

Figure 4-1 General Location of the El Cubo Project (EDR, 2016)

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

Figure 4-2 El Cobo Project, 2016 Mining Concessions (EDR, 2016)

4.2

Mineral Tenure, Agreements and Encumbrances

Compañía Minera del Cubo S.A de C.V (“CMC”) holds a 100% interest in the 57 mining concessions that make up the El Cubo property, as shown in Figure 4-2. On April 16, 2012, EDR and AuRico Gold Inc. (“Aurico”), the former owner of CMC, announced that they entered into a definitive agreement whereby EDR would acquire 100% interest in the El Cubo property. On July 13, 2012, EDR announced in a news release that it had completed the acquisition of El Cubo and the Guadalupe y Calvo exploration projects in Chihuahua State, Mexico for US$100 million in cash and US$100 million in EDR common shares (11,037,528 shares). This was accomplished through the purchase of the issued and outstanding shares of Mexgold from AuRico, which gives EDR ownership of Mexgold subsidiaries Compañía Minera Del Cubo, S.A. de C.V., AuRico Gold GYC, S.A. de C.V. and Metales Interamericanos, S.A. de C.V.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

Expiration dates associated with the El Cubo mining concessions range from January 25, 2021, to February 2, 2060, and are listed in Tables 4-1 and 14-2.

Table 4-1 El Cubo Project Mineral Concessions Owned by CIA Minera Del Cubo S.A. de C.V


Name

Title
Number

Hectares

File
Term
Owner

Municipality

State
Start End

Santa Fe del Monte

154139 15.3541 031/04425 02/09/1971 1/25/2021 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Luisa Evelia

157855 22.2241 031/05000 12/07/1972 11/29/2022 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Santa Rosa

157913 20.5065 031/04540 12/07/1972 12/06/2022 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Primera Ampl. de la
Albertina o la Merced

161513 8.8652 031/5924 4/29/1975 4/24/2025 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Ampl. de la Fragua

164851 130.885 031/05532 07/11/1979 07/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

El Durazno

164988 60 031/04542 8/13/1979 08/12/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Durazno Prisco

165109 43.7524 031/04764 8/23/1979 8/22/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Libertad

165168 48.1 031/04357 09/12/1979 09/11/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Edelmira II

165245 135.2726 031/04740 9/14/1979 9/13/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Fragua

165653 42 031/03859 11/19/1979 11/18/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Soledad

165669 65 031/03862 11/28/1979 11/27/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

San Juan

165791 37.3586 031/03778 12/11/1979 12/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

El Cabrestante

165792 9 031/03858 12/11/1979 12/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Minas Viejas

165794 16 031/04200 12/11/1979 12/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Ampl. de Cabrestante

165795 89 031/04199 12/11/1979 12/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Nueva Luz del Nayal

165796 55 031/04685 12/11/1979 12/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La China

165797 48.5754 031/04619 12/11/1979 12/10/2029 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Huematzin

171591 37.5 031/04515 11/09/1982 11/08/2032 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

El Chupiro

171840 13.3873 031/05770 6/15/1983 6/14/2033 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

San Cayetano de
Animas y Providencia

181236 30.992 031/04660 9/21/1987 09/10/2037 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Socavón de los Alisos

182003 66.3687 031/04348 04/12/1988 04/07/2038 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

San Juan de Tacuitapa

182004 24 031/04376 04/12/1988 04/07/2038 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

El Cuarteto

182005 26.091 031/04419 04/12/1988 04/07/2038 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Ampliación de
Pasadena

182006 3.3399 031/05972 04/12/1988 04/07/2038 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Albertina o la Merced

182007 5.9316 031/04510 04/12/1988 04/07/2038 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Canta Ranas

210492 98.5468 6/1.3/375 10/08/1999 10/07/2049 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Dalia

210951 129.0207 031/08472 2/29/2000 2/28/2050 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Providencia

211859 256.7454 6/1.3/316 7/28/2000 7/27/2050 CMC Dolores Hidalgo Guanajuato

El Edén

212009 1675.7707 6/1.3/00310 8/18/2000 8/17/2050 CMC Dolores Hidalgo Guanajuato

San Patricio

212168 3.4634 6/1.3/00377 9/22/2000 9/21/2050 CMC San Patricio Guanajuato

Gracias a Dios

212534 356.7608 031/09137 10/31/2000 10/30/2050 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Sauceda

213305 747.673 031/09009 4/20/2001 4/19/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Palma

213435 327.7095 031/09149 05/11/2001 05/10/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Marisela

213751 135.9622 031/09155 6/15/2001 6/14/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Entre el Varal

214132 3.8977 6/1.3/00450 08/10/2001 08/09/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

La Asunción

214133 10 6/1.3/00451 08/10/2001 08/09/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Violeta

214134 75.6694 6/1.3/00452 08/10/2001 08/09/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

María Fracc. NE

214135 146.139 6/1.3/00453 08/10/2001 08/09/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Violeta

214136 45.6837 6/1.3/00454 08/10/2001 08/09/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Las Palomas

214260 257.0432 031/09148 09/06/2001 09/05/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Guanajuato Nuevo

214283 60 031/09154 09/06/2001 09/05/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

Table 4-2 El Cubo Project Mineral Concessions Owned by CIA Minera Del Cubo S.A. de C.V (Cont.)

Name

Title
Number
Hectares File Term  Owner Municipality State
Start End

La Ilberia

214422 67.821 6/1.3/00456 09/06/2001 09/05/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Siglo XX

214423 43.7628 6/1.3/00457 09/06/2001 09/05/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Virjan

214424 49 6/1.3/00458 09/06/2001 09/05/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Las Animas II

214425 79.5086 6/1.3/00459 09/06/2001 09/05/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Siglo XXI

214614 47.1809 031/09167 10/02/2001 10/01/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Los Pingüicos

214742 985.11 031/09150 11/22/2001 11/21/2051 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Olga Margarita

215175 416.8909 031/09172 02/08/2002 02/07/2052 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Janet

215176 96 031/09187 02/08/2002 02/07/2052 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Don Guillermo

215926 9.0808 031/09160 04/02/2002 04/01/2052 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

San Antonio de lo Tiros

217998 25.6113 6/1.3/00449 9/30/2002 9/29/2052 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Paco

217999 188.2252 6/1.3/00455 9/30/2002 9/29/2052 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Unificación Villalpando
Norte

229103 374.4603 9/1.2/00002 03/09/2007 03/08/2057 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Unificacion Villalpando
Sur

240917 318.144 9/1.2/00003 03/09/2007 03/08/2057 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Lety Fracción 1

235633 32.3682 031/09473 02/03/2010 02/02/2060 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Lety Fracción 2

235634 18.3671 031/09473 02/03/2010 02/02/2060 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

Lety Fracción 3

235635 4.9644 031/09473 02/03/2010 02/02/2060 CMC Guanajuato Guanajuato

CMC = Compania Minera del Cubo, S.A. de C.V

All concessions are subject to an annual minimum investment (assessment work) and an annual mining tax that must be paid to keep the concessions in good standing. The amount of the minimum investment or assessment work varies based on the size, age and type of the concession, and changes each year with the Department of Mines publishing a new list at the beginning of the year. Fees are adjusted to the consumer price index. The rate of the mining duty depends on the concession type and the age of the concession. The rate changes each semester with the Department of Mines publishing the new rates in January and July. Payment of the mining duty is also due in both January and July.

The annual 2017 concession tax for mining concessions owned by CMC (8,141 ha) is estimated at approximately 2,468,378 Mexican pesos, equal to about US $123,419 at an exchange rate of 20.00 pesos to US $1.00.

In 2017, CMC will be able to satisfy the minimum investment and assessment work requirements based on its current work programs and past work completed.

4.3

Permits and Environmental Liabilities

Environmental permits are required in order to engage in exploration and commercial mining activities. EDR currently holds all necessary environmental permits for exploration and for commercial mining activity.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

 

 

 

 

 

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

Table 4-3 El Cubo Project Environmental Permits

Permit Type Permit Issuing Agent
Environmental License LAU-11-70101504-09 Semarnat
Annual Operation Card COA-2011 Semarnat
Environmental Registration MCUMJ1101511 Semarnat
Hazardous Waste Generating GRP111500002 Semarnat
Sewage Discharge License 4GUA101250/12EMGE94 CONAGUA
Environmental Impact Authorization
Construction of Chirimitera Plant
D.O.O. DGOEIA -001788 Semarnat
Environmental Impact Authorization
Construction of Chimiritera Tailings Dam
D.O.O. DGOEIA -006508 Semarnat

Security is a persistent concern with regard to theft of materials, occasional armed incursions, and unauthorized people entering the mine to work stopes. EDR will need to take measures to increase security, including measures to reduce, or eliminate incursions in the mine and supply theft.

Union activities have disrupted mining operations in the past, but labor relations are greatly improved at present. EDR does not foresee future negative impact to mining operations due to strike or other action on behalf of the union.

Aside from the issues described above, the authors know of no other significant factors or risks that might affect access, title, or the right or ability to perform work on the property.

4.4

Surface Rights

The concessions held by EDR are for mineral rights only, but surface rights have been secured through 1,150 hectares of surface lands owned by EDR, and 1,195 hectares under a lease agreement with the company Industrial Santa Fe. To date, EDR has negotiated access and the right to use surface lands sufficient for many years of operation, and sufficient area exists at the El Cubo property for all future surface infrastructure anticipated.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Property Description and Location

Figure 4-3 El Cubo Project, Surface Rights (EDR, 2016)

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure, and Physiography

5.

ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY


5.1

Access and Climate

Access to the El Cubo mine is provided by periodically maintained dirt roads which originate in the city of Guanajuato, approximately 10 km to the west. The city of Guanajuato is accessible by paved highway, and daily passenger service to Mexico City is available by luxury bus or via air transport to the nearby Leon airport.

The regional climate is temperate, with cool winters and mild summers. Rainfall occurs primarily during the summer season, from June to September, and typical annual precipitation is about 50 cm per year. From mid-December through January, nighttime temperatures fall to 7° to 10 °C, and daytime high temperatures in low 20 °C range are typical. Snowfall is rare but has been known to occur at the higher elevations throughout the region. Weather conditions rarely, if ever, restrict mining activity at El Cubo, and operations can be carried out year-round.

5.2

Local Resources and Infrastructure

The capital city of Guanajuato has a population of approximately 160,000 and hosts several universities and post-secondary schools, including a mining college. Tourism is a principal industry in the area, and numerous hotels and restaurants are available as a result. Mining has been a major industry in the area for centuries. A workforce that is familiar with mining and the necessary support facilities is present in the region. The village of El Cubo supplies some of the workforce for the mine, but the majority of workers come from Guanajuato and other nearby villages. Professional staff is also available in the area. The company provides bus service for its employees to and from the city.

Water sources at El Cubo include the mine and recycled water from the tailings impoundment facilities. Water for mine operations is currently obtained from the Dolores mine. The surplus of water pumped from the Dolores mine is sent to fresh water tanks, which are used to supply the mines as needed. Sufficient power for mining operations is provided by the public network CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad).

Additional details regarding infrastructure specific to the El Cubo Project are provided in Section 18 of this report.

5.3

Physiography

The state of Guanajuato is situated along the southern edge of the Central Mexican Plateau and comprises portions of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Mexican Plateau, and the Sierra Madre Oriental. The El Cubo property is located in the west central portion of the state, among a series of low, gentle mountains which are part of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The El Cubo mine offices are at an elevation of 2265 meters above mean sea level, and the mine workings range in elevation from 2646 meters at the uppermost level (level 180), to 1905 meters at the lowest level (level 14).

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project History

6.

HISTORY

Mining on the El Cubo property has occurred since the 17th century. The Sierra structure, which includes the El Cubo Mine and the adjacent Peregrina Mine (part of the Las Torres complex), accounts for much of the gold produced in the Guanajuato district – on the order of 2,000,000 ounces of gold and 80,000,000 ounces of silver. Gold was originally mined from shallow pits near the San Eusebio vein, one of those on the El Cubo concessions which later produced significant amounts of gold and silver. In the 19th and 20th centuries, mining at El Cubo focused on northwest striking veins known as the Villalpando, Dolores, La Loca, and La Fortuna, and production was divided between many operators. In the early 1900’s, construction began on the Túnel Aventurero de San Felipe (now El Cubo level 4) in order to connect the Pastora-Fortuna, Villalpando, and La Loca veins. At the time, significant grades and widths were encountered on the Villalpando vein, including shoots up to 4 m wide and intercepts which assayed close to 1 kg of silver per tonne.

The Villalpando vein, located in the central portion of the modern day El Cubo claim block, was the main source of production through the 1970’s. The main vein structure extended northwest to the El Cubo concession boundary with the Peregrina Mine. The gold grades decreased as the vein was exploited at the deeper (8 - 12) levels. The Alto de Villalpando vein, which generally produced higher gold grade, was mined out. The La Poniente vein was discovered in the early 1970’s, and high grade gold and silver ore was mined until 1976, when the developed section was temporarily exhausted.

The El Cubo Mine changed ownership in the 1970’s, when the Palmers sold the mine to a private company owned by Messrs. Villagomez and Chommie. By 1979 there was little developed ore remaining above the 13th level on the Villalpando vein, and production from other related veins was low grade and sporadic. The mill was fed largely from the Chuca Loca open pit and from dumps. The shortage of quality ore came to an end after 1980, when new high grade gold and silver mineralization was discovered and developed along the San Nicolas vein.

In 1995, production was expanded from 350 to 800 tonnes per day, and then to 1,400 tonnes per day in 2001. The mills saw a decrease in head grade after each expansion, likely due to the use of low grade material from old stope fill as supply for the increased tonnage. Given the shortage of tonnage from active stopes, there was likely less emphasis on grade control.

El Cubo was purchased by Mexgold Resources Inc. (Mexgold) from the previous owners in March 2004. The Las Torres mine and mill complex, owned by Industrias Peñoles, S.A. de C.V. (Peñoles) was leased by Mexgold in October of 2004. The property had been a prolific producer for many years, especially the adjacent Peregrina Mine, which continues to complement the El Cubo Mine by facilitating access to the deeper ore at El Cubo. In 2006, Mexgold became a wholly owned subsidiary of Gammon Lake Resources Inc., later known as Gammon Gold Inc. Gammon Gold changed its name to AuRico Gold Inc. on August 26, 2011, and in April of 2012, EDR entered into an agreement with AuRico to acquire a 100% interest in El Cubo. The purchase was completed on July 13, 2012.

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El Cubo Project History

6.1

Historical Exploration

Historical exploration at El Cubo was largely conducted by drifting along known veins, with very little drilling. Drilling exploration prior to 2000 was sporadic, and the associated information poorly organized. While some pre-2000 drilling data is available within the historic files, it is generally poor quality and often related to small-diameter drillholes. Such historic information is not considered suitable for use in modern resource estimates and is relied on only as supplemental or secondary guidance during exploration.

Drilling activity at the El Cubo Project increased significantly between 2000 and 2009, in conjunction with the acquisition of El Cubo by Mexgold, and later by Aurico, producing credible data for 844 drillholes (approximately 180,019 m). The drillhole data applies to both surface and underground drilling, at a variety of drilhole diameters, which occurred mainly over the Villalpando, Dolores, La Loca, San Nicolas, San Eusebio, Pastora, Puertecito and La Cruz structures. The historical drillhole information is summarized in Table 6-1.

Table 6-1 Historical Drilling at El Cubo

Code Diamond
Drillholes
Meters
C 457 127,746
CE 10 3,730
CUDG 377 48,544
Total 844 180,019

Between 2004 and 2006, exploration activities at El Cubo located vein extensions and outlined an area of immediate interest, the La Loca zone, which has since been mined. In 2008, exploration drifting was completed on several veins, including the La Loca Level 12 (98 m), La Loca Level 6 (115 m), and Villalpando Level 5 (118 m). On the Peñoles concessions, exploration drifting occurred principally on San Alberto, Level 600 (74 m), and throughout the El Cubo mine and leased Las Torres property, including state-of-the-art remote sensing interpretation, geology and geochemistry. Historical exploration activities conducted at El Cubo through mid-2009 are described in greater detail by Clark (2009).

In 2009, AuRico began the year with a dedicated six-month program of data compilation followed by extensive field mapping over the Sierra Vein system. The work generated a practical empirical exploration model that was then used to identify other substantial exploration targets. The geology showed that the majority of the ore production on the Sierra Vein system came from two formations, the La Bufa Formation rhyolite and the Guanajuato Formation conglomerate. It also found that extensive portions of the Villalpando vein system, and other veins, had not yet been prospected in their projections down dip or across faults where they might intersect these formations. Using these criteria, El Cubo geologists identified 16 new exploration targets with a cumulative strike length of 15 km within the El Cubo land package. Nine primary exploration targets were identified and subsequently ranked, and a drill program was designed to test the best targets. A 44,000 m drilling program was launched in September, 2009 with one core rig.

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El Cubo Project History

The first target drilled, the Dolores SE vein extension, led to the discovery of Au-Ag mineralization above underground cut-off grades. Drilling was immediately focused on this area to determine if an economic deposit might exist. At year end, AuRico had completed 16 core holes for 3,361 m in the Dolores SE target. Surface mapping in the area of the Dolores SE showed that there was altered and mineralized breccia in the Capulin Fault, an E-W structure similar in geologic setting to the San Nicolas Vein. Three drillholes were proposed to test this zone, and the second hole cut an anomalously thick intercept of Au-Ag mineralization. Based on the positive implications of that intercept, another drill rig was put to work on this target zone as well as the Dolores.

In mid-2009, geologic mapping and compilation efforts by El Cubo’s geologists revealed that there is a major fault structure in the north part of the Villalpando vein system that was previously not considered a major target. This fault, called the Puertecito Fault, may actually be the northward continuation of the Villalpando Vein.

Exploration carried out in 2010 consisted of drilling in the Dolores, Capulin, Villalpando Sur, Villalpando Gap, Puertecito, and La Cruz target areas. A workers’ strike in June, 2010 interrupted all exploration activities through the end of the year.

On February 23, 2011, AuRico announced that it had successfully resolved the labor disruption at the El Cubo mine. Exploration activities resumed with the main focus of drilling on the step-out and in-fill on the 2009 Dolores Vein discovery. Drilling from the surface in the Villalpando Gap target area also intersected mineralization that exceeded current cut-off grades.

In early 2012, AuRico drilled 16 drillholes on the Dolores SE target, but all surface exploration drilling was put on hold subject to AuRico completing the purchase and sale agreement for the El Cubo mine. At that time, El Cubo exploration geologists were in the process of geologically mapping and surface sampling the Cebolletas, Villalpando Sur, Cabrestantes and San Nicolás areas.

6.2

Historical Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates

The historical mineral resource and reserve estimates presented in the following paragraphs are not considered current, were not relied upon during preparation of (and are superseded by) the mineral resource and reserve estimates presented in Sections 14 and 15 of this report, and are presented here for historical completeness only.

Mineral resource and reserve estimates for El Cubo reported prior to 2009 are not compliant with current NI 43-101 standards, are not considered reliable or therefore informative, and are not discussed here. The mineral resource and reserve estimates reported by AuRico in 2009 were compliant with CIM standards and definitions as required by NI 43-101 at that time, and superseded any previous historical estimates. The technical report issued by AuRico was prepared by Glenn R. Clark & Associates Limited (Clark). Clark (2009) estimated mineral resources and mineral reserves for the El Cubo mine based on data and information available as of January 1, 2009 (Table 6-2). The mineral resources reported by Clark were estimated using polygonal methods in spreadsheet and CAD software.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project History

Table 6-2 Historic El Cubo Mineral Resource Estimate - January 1, 2009

Resource category Tonnes (000's) Au g/t Ag g/t
Measured 160 2.38 94
Indicated (Underground) 215 2.61 95
Indicated (Open Pit) 2,100 2.72 49
Total Measured and Indicated 2,475 2.69 56
Inferred 2,343 4.84 220

Table 6-2 excludes resources reported by Clark that were associated with Las Torres (Peñoles) lease. Clark also reported Proven and Probable mineral reserves for the El Cubo mine, as summarized in Table 6-3.

Table 6-3 Historic El Cubo Mineral Reserve Estimate - January 1, 2009

Reserve Category Tonnes (000's) Au g/t Ag g/t
Proven 1,326 3.34 189
Probable 1,696 3.35 157
Total Proven and Probable 3,022 3.34 171

Between 2009 and 2011, AuRico conducted additional diamond drilling and underground development, and estimated new mineral resources and reserves within the El Cubo claim block. AuRico reported mineral resources for the El Cubo mine effective December 31, 2011, as summarized in Table 6-4.

Table 6-4 Historical El Cubo Mineral Resource Estimate - December 31, 2011 (AuRico, 2011)

Resource category Tonnes (000's) Au g/t Ag g/t
Measured 337 1.10 65
Indicated 3,874 2.07 61
Total Measured and Indicated 4,211 1.99 61
Inferred 7,198 2.37 115

The AuRico totals include 2,132,000 tonnes of 2.69 g/t Au and 49 g/t Ag in Measured and Indicated resources and 663,000 tonnes of 3.80 g/t Au and 181 g/t Ag in Inferred resources within properties leased from Peñoles. AuRico also reported mineral reserves for the El Cubo mine (Table 6-5), which include 663,000 tonnes of 1.38 g/t Au and 120 g/t Ag from the Peñoles lease.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project History

Table 6-5 Historical El Cubo Mineral Reserve Estimate – December 31, 2011 (AuRico, 2011)

Reserve Category Tonnes (000's) Au g/t Ag g/t
Proven 2,238 1.84 114
Probable 3,152 1.88 102
Total Proven and Probable 5,390 1.86 107

6.3

Historic Production

Previous owners and operator’s prior to AuRico did not keep reliable production records for the El Cubo mine. Production achieved at the El Cubo mine between 2007 and 2011, as reported in AuRico’s annual reports, is summarized in Table 6-6.

Table 6-6 El Cubo Historic Production Statistics

Year Tonnes Grade (g/t) Production (ounces)
Au Ag Au Ag
2007 689,753 1.77 83 33,740 1,582,316
2008 658,105 1.98 94 38,772 1,783,148
2009 505,388 1.92 83 27,842 1,183,339
2010 233,006 1.63 83 10,844 536,457
2011 256,150 1.24 80 8,670 556,379

In 2011, the El Cubo mine produced 556,379 ounces of silver and 8,670 ounces of gold from 256,150 tonnes of ore grading 80 g/t Ag and 1.24 g/t Au. Silver and gold recoveries averaged 82% and 86%, respectively. Production in 2011 was affected by a labor strike that was settled during the year.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

7.

GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION

The following description of the geological setting for the El Cubo mine property is largely excerpted and modified from the technical reports prepared by Clark (2009) and Cameron (2012). HRC has reviewed the geologic data and information available, and finds the descriptions and interpretations provided herein reasonably accurate and suitable for use in this report.

7.1

Regional Geology

The mining district of Guanajuato is situated along the southern and eastern flanks of the Sierra Madre Occidental geological province, a north-northwesterly trending linear volcanic belt of Tertiary age. It is approximately 1,200 km long and 200 to 300 km in width. Rocks within the belt comprise flows and tuffs of basaltic to rhyolitic composition with related intrusive bodies. The volcanic activity that produced the bulk of the upper volcanic group ended by the late Oligocene, though there was some eruptive activity as recently as 23 Ma (early Miocene). The volcanism was associated with subduction of the Farallon Plate and resulted in accumulations of lava and tuffs on the order of 1 km thick. Later Basin and Range extensional tectonism related to the opening of the Gulf of California resulted in block faulting, uplift, erosion and the present day geomorphology of the belt. Strata within the belt occupy a broad antiform, longitudinally transected by regional scale faults. A regional geologic map of the El Cubo Project area is presented as Figure 7-1.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-1 Regional Geology of the El Cubo Project Area (EDR, 2016; Modified from Clark, 2009)

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

The Guanajuato district is underlain by a volcano-sedimentary sequence of Mesozoic to Cenozoic age rocks. There are three main northwest trending vein systems that cut these volcano-sedimentary sequences. The vein systems from west to east are known as the La Luz, Veta Madre and La Sierra systems. These systems are generally silver-rich with silver to gold ratios from 72:1 to 214:1. They are known along strike for 10 to 25 km.

The El Cubo mine is located in eastern part of the Guanajuato mining district, in the southeastern portion of the Sierra de Guanajuato, which is an anticlinal structure about 100 km long and 20 km wide. El Cubo is located on the northeast side of this structure where typical primary bedding textures dip 10° to 20° to the north-northeast. Economic mineralization at El Cubo is known to extend as much as 800 m vertically from 2650 m to 1850 m elevation. The location of the main veins and mines in the district are shown in Figure 7-1.

The stratigraphy of the Guanajuato mining district can be divided into a Mesozoic basement (Chiodi et al, 1988; Dávila and Martinez, 1987; Martinez-Reyes, 1992) and overlying Cenozoic units, as shown in Figure 7-2. The lower Mesozoic lithological units are the Esperanza and La Luz Formations which are composed of marine sedimentary rocks, weakly to moderately metamorphosed and intensely deformed by shortening. These rocks are unconformably overlain by the Tertiary Guanajuato Formation conglomerates, and the Loseros, Bufa, Calderones, Cedros and Chichíndaro Formations. The Tertiary rocks consist of continental sediments and sedimentary rocks, which generally occupy lower topographic zones, and subaerial volcanic rocks, which are principally exposed in the ranges and higher plateaus. The rocks of the Cenozoic cover have experienced only extensional deformation and in some places are gently tilted. Tertiary-aged rocks correspond to a period of tectonism accompanied by volcanism and intrusive magmatic activity.

Figure 7-2 does not depict the Peregrina intrusive, which is a floored body (laccolith) at the contact of the Bufa Formation rhyolite and the Guanajuato Formation conglomerate. The uppermost portion of the Peregrina intrusive extends into the Chichíndaro Formation rhyolite. The thickness of each unit presented graphically in the stratigraphic section represents the maximum thickness of that unit in the vicinity of the El Cubo mine.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-2 Stratigraphic Column, Eastern Guanajuato Mining District

  7.1.1

Esperanza Formation

The Esperanza Formation is composed of carbonaceous and calcareous shale interbedded with arenite, limestone, and andesitic-to-basaltic lava flows, all weakly metamorphosed to phyllites, slates, and marble. The thickness of the formation exceeds 600m.

  7.1.2

La Luz Formation

The La Luz Formation overlies the Esperanza Formation and consists mainly of interbedded clastic sedimentary rocks and massive and pillow tholeiitic basalts dated at 108.4 ±2 Ma. Locally, rhyolite tuffs and agglomerates are present, and some volcanogenic massive sulfide occurrences have been reported. A minimum thickness of at least 1,000 m is recognized, but the true thickness is unknown due to deformation and sub-greenschist metamorphism. Included with the La Luz Formation are the La Palma diorite and La Pelon tonalite, which form the upper part of the Guanajuato arc. Pervasive propylitic alteration is common.

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El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

  7.1.3

Guanajuato Formation (Eocene to Oligocene)

The red conglomerate characteristic of the Guanajuato Formation lies in unconformable contact with the Esperanza Formation and less frequently with the La Luz Formation andesite (Edwards, 1955). The conglomerate consists of pebbles to boulders of quartz, limestone, granite and andesite belonging to older rock units, all cemented by a clay matrix, with some interlayers of sandstone. Beds of volcanic arenites and andesitic lavas occur at the base of the conglomerate. The Guanajuato conglomerate is estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 m thick. Contemporaneous vertebrate paleontology and andesitic lavas (49 Ma, Aranda-Gómez and McDowell, 1998) indicate that the unit is mid-Eocene to early Oligocene in age.

  7.1.4

Loseros Formation (Cenozoic)

This overlying mid-Tertiary volcanic sequence is interpreted to be within, and adjacent to a caldera. The Loseros tuff is a well-bedded, green to cream-red volcanic arenite from 10 m to 52 m thick. It is interpreted to be a surge deposit at the base of the Cubo caldera filling and Oligocene in age.

  7.1.5

Bufa Formation (Cenozoic)

The Bufa Formation rhyolite is a felsic ignimbrite that is approximately 360 m thick and lies above a sharp to gradational contact. It is a sanidine-bearing rhyolite-ignimbrite with biotite as a mafic phase, and is often massive, but locally bedded. Owing to moderate welding and extensive and pervasive silicification, it is a hard rock that forms prominent cliffs east of the city of Guanajuato. It occasionally contains large lithic clasts of various types, many of which were derived from the pre-volcanic basement. At El Cubo, the Bufa rhyolite has three mappable units: a lower breccia overlain by dense, red rhyolite porphyry, in turn overlain by a massive to bedded ignimbrite. The cliff-forming Bufa rhyolite has been dated using the K-Ar dating technique to be 37 ±3 Ma, placing it in the middle Oligocene.

  7.1.6

Calderones Formation (Cenozoic)

The Calderones Formation contains a wide variety of volcanic rocks, including low- to medium-grade ignimbrites, deposits of pyroclastic flows, pyroclastic surge layers related to phreatomagmatic activity, airfall ash-rich tuffs, minor Plinian pumice layers, lahars, debris flows, reworked tuffaceous layers deposited in water, tuff-breccias and mega-breccias. Ubiquitous and characteristic chlorite alteration imparts a green to greenish blue color to almost all outcrops of the Calderones. Propylitic alteration adjacent to veins and dikes is of local importance in many outcrops.

The Calderones Formation overlies the Bufa Formation at El Cubo with a contact marked by a megabreccia composed of large (often 5 to 10 m) fragments of the Esperanza, La Luz and Guanajuato Formations. The Calderones Formation, which exceeds 300 m in thickness at El Cubo, is the upper caldera-filling unit above the surge deposit and the Bufa ignimbrites.

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El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

  7.1.7

Cedros Formation (Cenozoic)

Overlying the Calderones Formation is the Cedros Formation andesite, a 100 to 640-m thick unit, which consists of grey to black andesitic lava flows with interlayered red beds and andesitic to dacitic tuffs.

The Cedros Formation is entirely post-caldera and is widespread.

  7.1.8

Chichíndaro Formation (Cenozoic)

The Chichíndaro Formation rhyolite is a sequence of domes and lava flows interbedded with poorly sorted volcanic breccias and tuffs. Fluidal porphyritic textures are characteristic in the domes and flows.

This lithologic unit is closely related to the hypabyssal Peregrina intrusion, and it ranges in thickness from 100 to 250 m. In places, the rhyolite domes contain disseminated tin and vapor-phase cavity-filling topaz distributed along the flow foliation.

The Chichíndaro rhyolite is the youngest volcanic unit in the Guanajuato mining district. Three K-Ar ages obtained from this formation (Gross, 1975; Nieto- Samaniego et al, 1996) date the unit at 32 ±1 Ma, 30.8 ±0.8 Ma and 30.1 ±0.8 Ma.

  7.1.9

Comanja Granite (Cenozoic)

The Comanja granite, though not observed at El Cubo, is a unit of batholithic size, apparently emplaced along the axis of the Sierra de Guanajuato. It is Eocene in age and has been radiometrically dated at 53 ±3 Ma and 51 ±1 Ma by K-Ar in biotite (Zimmermann et al, 1990). These dates establish the youngest relative age for the Bufa formation, the youngest unit cut by the granite.

  7.1.10

El Capulin Formation

The unconsolidated El Capulin Formation consists of tuffaceous sandstone and conglomerate overlain by vesicular basalt, all of Quaternary age.

7.2

Structure

The following paragraphs are modified from the summary of the structural setting of the Guanajuato mining district presented by Starling (2008) which focused on the Veta Madre but likely applies to the Sierra vein system that composes the El Cubo mine.

Pre-mineralization deformation during the Laramide orogeny (~80-40 Ma) resulted in west-northwest trending pre-mineral folds and thrusts in the Esperanza Formation as observed in the Cebada mine on the Veta Madre. Early post-Laramide extension (~30 Ma) was oriented north-south to north-northeast, and controlled many vein deposits in the region (e.g. Fresnillo, Zacatecas, La Guitarra). Guanajuato appears to lie on a north-northwest-trending terrane boundary which was reactivated as a sinistral transtensional fault zone in conjunction with early stage intermediate-sulfidation style mineralization. Subsequent (~28 Ma) regional extension to the east-northeast-west-northwest resulted in basin and range-type deformation and block faulting, and is associated with a second phase of mineralization in the Guanajuato district.

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El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Along the Veta Madre vein system, ore shoots were controlled during early-stage mineralization by counter-clockwise jogs along the main structure and at intersections with west-northwest and northeast fault zones. These tended to generate relatively steep ore shoots plunging to the south along the Veta Madre.

During the second phase of mineralization, listric block faulting and tilting affected parts of the Veta Madre veins and new systems such as La Luz developed. The veins at La Luz appear to have formed asextensional arrays between reactivated west-northwest fault zones acting as dextral transtensional structures.

The second phase vein systems tend to have formed sub-horizontal ore zones either reflecting fluid mixing zones or structural controls due to changes in dip of the fault surface. The overprint of two events means that in some deposits ore shoots have more than one orientation and that there are vertical gaps in ore grade.

Randall et al (1994) first proposed a caldera structure as a conceptual geologic model for the Guanajuato mining district, citing the presence of a mega-breccia in the Calderones Formation and the distribution of the Oligocene volcanic formations described above. The hypothesis states that the caldera collapse occurred in at least two stages and the collapse was a trap-door type. The presence of a peripheral three-quarter ring of rhyolite domes intruding along bounding faults, the location of the Oligocene volcanic formations ponded within this ring, mega-breccia and topographic rim, all provide supporting evidence for this hypothesis.

Following caldera formation, normal faulting combined with hydrothermal activity around 27 Ma (Buchanan, 1980) resulted in many of the silver-gold deposits found in the district. Within the Guanajuato mining district there are three major mineralized fault systems, the La Luz, Veta Madre and Sierra systems. Veta Madre is a north-northwest trending fault system and the largest at 25 km long. The other systems are subparallel to it. Mineralization occurs within these systems principally on normal faults oriented parallel to the main trend; however, at El Cubo northeast and east-west faults host important vein orebodies.

  7.2.1

Local Structure

The El Cubo mine lies within the La Sierra fault system. Within this fault system, all three of the principal fault directions are present. Mineralized veins are found along the faults in each of these directions (Figure 7-3).

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El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-3 Principal Veins in the Northern Portion of the El Cubo Project Area

The northwest striking and southwest dipping faults are the main structures containing the very important Villalpando, La Loca, Dolores and Pastora-Fortuna veins. These veins are generally steeply dipping with some northeast dipping sections.

The east-west striking veins dip both north and south. The strike is commonly N85E°-N75°W and can be seen truncating the northwest structures. Examples of the east-west veins are Alto de Villalpando, a splay of the Villalpando vein, and the San Nicolas (north-dipping) and San Eusebio (south-dipping) veins. The latter two veins have relatively high gold content.

Northeast-striking veins are transverse veins that tend to have a higher gold content than the other veins. These veins normally have a southerly dip. At El Cubo, La Reina and Marmajas are examples of this series.

Veins striking north-south represent the youngest fault set and dip either east or west. These faults mostly contain veins with short strike lengths that cut the transverse series. They have enriched gold and silver values, especially in gold near the intersection of the two fault systems. The Cebolletas fault strikes north-south and dips to the east, and may host an important gold-rich orebody, especially where it intersects the Villalpando vein.

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El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

7.3

Local Geology

All of the geological formations associated with the Guanajuato district occur in the El Cubo mine area, except for the Esperanza Formation and the Comanja granite. The stratigraphic sequence at El Cubo is cut by an intrusive body called the Peregrina laccolith.

The Veta Madre historically was the most productive vein in the Guanajuato district, and is by far the most continuous, having been traced on the surface for nearly 25 km. The vein dips from 35° to 55º to the southwest with measured displacement of around 1,200m near the Las Torres mine and 1,700 m near La Valenciana mine. The most productive veins at El Cubo strike parallel to the Veta Madre system.

Mineralized veins at El Cubo occur in multiple formations, and are not rock type-specific. The principal host rocks for economic mineralization are the Guanajuato Formation conglomerate and the Bufa Formation rhyolite. In the new Dolores 2 discovery area, the major host rocks are the Calderones Formation and the Bufa rhyolite in fault contact along the Dolores fault-vein structure.

El Cubo mineralization is directly related to faulting. Mineralization occurs as open-space fillings in fracture zones or impregnations in locally porous wall rock. From 2009 through 2011, drilling tested a possible offset of the Dolores orebody on the east-west striking Capulin fault (Figure 7-4). The Dolores 2 vein was discovered on the south (downthrown) side of the fault. Mineralization also occurs in the Capulin fault and several surface holes have partially tested its extents.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-4 Capulin Fault- Calderones Formation (left) Juxtaposed the La Bufa Formation (right)

Veins which formed in relatively open spaces are the main targets for mining. Some weak stockworks that grade into disseminations are viable targets, especially if they are close enough to surface and can be mined from an open pit. An historic open pit exists on the Dolores vein in the vicinity of the El Tajo mill (Figure 7-5).

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-5 View Looking North toward the El Tajo Mill and Dolores Adit Showing Trace of Dolores Vein
Contact between La Bufa Rhyolite and Calderones Formation and Exploration Drilling Platforms

There are 37 veins within the El Cubo mine area that are included in the mineral resource estimate. These mineralized veins are known to occur from an elevation of 2650 m down to an elevation of 1825 m. The Villalpando and the Dolores veins have been actively mined since the early stages of mining at El Cubo.

Several transverse, northeast-striking veins with high grade gold mineralization also occur (Figure 7-3, Marmajas, La Reina, and San Juan de Dios). The known extent of these veins is limited by the lack of development and exploration drilling. The veins are generally 1 to 2 m wide, with some mineralized breccia zones up to 10 m wide. Several high grade veins are only 10 to 20 cm wide.

Most of the veins dip steeply at about 70° to 90°, but some of the northwest striking veins, dip at shallower angles of 50° to 60°. Figure 7-6 shows a typical underground exposure of the Dolores 2 vein (Area 2).

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-6 Dolores 2 Vein, Area 2, Showing Width and Dip of Structure

  7.3.1

Alteration

Silicification is encountered in and within several meters of all of the major mineralized veins at El Cubo. The San Nicholas vein system occurs as a topographic high in part due to the durability imparted by intense silicification of the vein system wall rocks. Argillic alteration has bleached the unaltered grey surface of the Cubo-Peregrina rhyolite dome to white in the vicinity of mineralized veins. The presence of abundant clay minerals in the upper levels of the El Cubo mine are consistent with acid sulphate alteration due to boiling. Grey sericite alteration is more typical of deeper alteration zones. Sericitic alteration is especially noticeable on the Villalpando vein near its contact with the conglomerate of the Guanajuato Formation. The grey sericite alteration contrasts with the dark chloritic alteration encountered in the andesitic Calderones tuff. Adularia is present in the El Cubo veins and is more common in the northwest striking veins. Amethyst gangue occurs in some abundance in the Dolores, San Francisco, and Villalpando veins, over a vertical range of more than 450 m (Figure 7-7). Wall rock alteration is intense and can be a useful guide in prospecting.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

Figure 7-7 San Francisco Vein, Stope 3-430, Showing Principal Banded Quartz-Amethyst Vein

7.4

Mineralization

Mineralized veins at El Cubo consist of the classic banded and brecciated epithermal variety. Silver occurs primarily in dark sulfide-rich bands within the veins, with little mineralization within the wall rocks. The major metallic minerals reported include pyrite, argentite, electrum and ruby silver, as well as some galena and sphalerite, generally deeper in the veins. Mineralization is generally associated with phyllic (sericite) and silicification alteration which forms haloes around the mineralizing structures. The vein textures are attributed to the brittle fracturing-healing cycle of the fault-hosted veins during and/or after faulting.

Most production is extracted from two of the principal district vein systems, the Veta Madre (Las Torres lease only) and La Sierra (El Cubo mine), which are illustrated in Figure 7-1 and Figure 7-3. Economic concentrations of precious metals are present in “shoots” distributed vertically and laterally between non-mineralized segments of the veins. Vein intersections are locally the site of important historic bonanzas, notably the San Nicolas-Villalpando intersection, nearly perpendicular, and the intersections of various named splays along the principal El Cubo vein, the Villalpando vein. Overall, the style of mineralization is pinch-and-swell with some flexures resulting in closures and others generating wide sigmoidal breccia zones.

Primary economic mineralization at El Cubo is gold and silver. During World War II, some selenium was recovered and sold (Clark, 2009). Base metal values are generally absent, except for small amounts of chalcopyrite. El Cubo appears to be a low sulfidation system with pyrite but no arsenopyrite.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Geological Setting and Mineralization

The silver-rich veins, such as Villalpando, contain quartz, adularia, pyrite, acanthite, naumannite and native gold. Native silver is widespread in small amounts. Much of the native silver is supergene. Silver sulfosalts (pyrargyrite and polybasite) are commonly found at depth. Gold rich veins, such as San Nicolas, contain quartz, pyrite, minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite, electrum, and aguilarite.

A vertical mineralogical zonation occurs in the vein system. The upper-levels are acanthite + adularia + pyrite + electrum + calcite + quartz and the lower-levels are chalcopyrite + galena + sphalerite + adularia + quartz + acanthite.

The gold/silver ratio in the more gold-rich veins typically ranges from 1:15 to 1:30. The gold/silver ratio in the silver rich veins typically ranges from 1:60 to 1:150, and sometimes higher. The overall gold/silver ratio for the 37 veins included in the resources and reserves is 1:64. The metal zoning appears to be related, at least in part, to elevation. Ranges for gold/silver ratios at El Cubo vary from 1:10 to 1:20 in upper mine levels, from 1:40 to 1:50 in middle mine levels; and 1:100 to 1:150 at depth. Veins are barren below an elevation of about 1800 m.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Deposit Types

8.

DEPOSIT TYPES

The following description of the mineral deposit type associated with the El Cubo mine property is excerpted from the technical report prepared by Cameron (2012). HRC has reviewed the geologic data and information available, and finds the descriptions and interpretations provided herein reasonably accurate and suitable for use in this report.

The Guanajuato silver-gold district is characterized by classic, high grade silver-gold, epithermal vein deposits with low sulfidation mineralization and adularia-sericite alteration. The Guanajuato veins are typical of most epithermal silver-gold vein deposits in Mexico with respect to the volcanic or sedimentary host rocks and the paragenesis and tenor of mineralization.

Epithermal systems form near the surface, usually in association with hot springs, and to depths on the order of a few hundred meters. Hydrothermal processes are driven by remnant heat from volcanic activity. Circulating thermal waters rising up through fissures eventually reach a level where the hydrostatic pressure is low enough to allow boiling to occur. This can limit the vertical extent of the mineralization, as the boiling and deposition of minerals is confined to a relatively narrow range of thermal and hydrostatic conditions. In many cases, however, repeated healing and reopening of host structures can occur, imparting cyclical vertical movement of the boiling zone and resulting in mineralization that spans a much broader range of elevation.

As the mineralizing process is driven by filling of void spaces and fissures, mineralization geometry is affected by the permeability and orientation of the host structures. Mineralization tends to favor dilatant zones in areas where fractures branch or change orientation, which may be driven, in turn, by wall rock competency and/or relative hardness of individual strata.

Low-sulfidation epithermal veins in Mexico typically have a well-defined, sub-horizontal ore horizon about 300 m to 500 m in vertical extent, where high grade ore shoots have been deposited by boiling hydrothermal fluids. The minimum and maximum elevations of the mineralized horizons at the El Cubo mine have not yet been established precisely, but historic and current production spans an elevation range from 1850 to 2650 m.

Silver and gold are generally zoned to some extent in epithermal vein deposits, and mineralization at El Cubo is no exception. The gold-to-silver ratio varies from 1:30 in the upper reaches of the deposit (typified by San Nicolas, Area 1) to 1:100 in the deeper parts of the mine (typified by Peregrina, Area 4, and Dolores 2, Area 2).

Low-sulfidation deposits are formed by the circulation of hydrothermal solutions that are near neutral in pH, resulting in very little acidic alteration with the host rock units. The characteristic alteration assemblages include illite, sericite and adularia that are typically hosted either by the veins themselves or in the vein wall rocks. The hydrothermal fluid can travel along discrete fractures creating vein deposits, or it can travel through permeable lithology such as poorly welded ignimbrite flows, where it may deposit its load of precious metals in a disseminated fashion. In general, disseminated mineralization is found some distance from the heat source.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

9.

EXPLORATION


9.1

EDR Exploration Prior to 2016

Exploration activities conducted by EDR prior to 2016 are summarized in the following paragraphs, and are discussed in greater detail in the technical reports prepared by Munroe (2014, 2015) and HRC (2016).

During 2013, EDR’s conducted field exploration with the intent of completing the interpretation of local targets such as the Villalpando Gap, and included detailed mapping and sampling in the Dolores North, Central La Loca, La Loca North and Asunción - Villalpando (south of the Capulin Fault). Geological mapping and sampling was also conducted on regional targets including Cebolletas-Villalpando, South-Violeta (Villalpando vein) and the Cabrestantes-Nayal veins. During exploration carried out in 2013, a total of 4,968 rock/soil samples were collected and sent for analysis.

In 2014, field exploration was mainly focused on the Cubo North area (Monte San Nicolas, San Amado, La Fragua and Villalpando North), but exploration was also conducted in the Cubo Central (Reyna-Panal-Soledad & Alicia) and Cubo South (Villalpando South area) areas. Detailed geological mapping, trenching, soil geochemical grid and sampling was completed with the objective of defining targets with potential for mineralization, and subsequent development of future drilling programs. During exploration carried out in 2014, a total 5,545 rock/soil samples were collected and sent for analysis.

In 2015, EDR spent US $1,686,569 (including property holding costs) on exploration activities, including drilling, at the El Cubo Project. Field exploration activities at El Cubo were mainly focused on the Cubo North area, with the intent of continuing to define targets of interest for possible future drilling programs. Geological mapping, trenching and sampling were also conducted in the Cubo Central and Cubo South areas, as well the surrounding Nayal-Cabrestantes, Los Pinguicos, Olga Margarita-Janet, La Providencia and El Eden areas. During exploration carried out in 2015, a total of 4,468 rock/soil samples were collected and submitted for analysis.

9.2

2016 Exploration Activities

In 2016, Endeavour Silver spent US $1,060,668 (including property holding costs) on exploration activities mainly in the Nayal-Cabrestantes, Asunción (Villalpando vein) and Cubo Central areas. Local exploration activities were mainly focused on the Nayal-Cabrestantes and Cubo North (Las Palomas Claim) areas, with the intent of defining targets of interest for possible future drilling programs. Regional exploration was also conducted over the surrounding claims owned by EDR, to define possible targets of interest near current operations in the vicinity of Guanajuato City.

Local and regional exploration activities consisted of geological mapping, trenching and sampling, with a total of 1,200 rock samples were collected and submitted for analysis. The target areas explored during 2016 are shown in Figure 9-1.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-1 Surface Map showing 2016 Exploration Targets

  9.2.1

Cubo North

During 2016, geological mapping and sampling conducted in the Cubo North area were mainly focused in the southwest part of Las Palomas Claim (Figure 9-2).

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-2 Surface Map showing Exploration Targets at the Cubo North area.

Reconnaissance mapping was conducted in order to delineate the alteration zones in the area of soil sampling lines (with anomalous values), and a total of 35 rock samples were collected and submitted for analysis. Surface sample locations are shown on Figure 9-3, and associated assay results are summarized in Tables 9-1 and 9-2.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-3 2016 Cubo North Surface Sample Locations

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Table 9-1 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the Las Palomas area

Sample ID

Width
(m)
Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)

CUB-3948

0.20 Afloramiento Sedimento laminares y relicticos Qz. Sed alterados a arcillas <0.005 <0.2

CUB-3949

0.20 Afloramiento Cata Sed laminraes estratificados con Qz + min oscuros Qz Gris 0.11 1

CUB-3950

0.20 Afloramiento Cata Sed laminares estratificados argilizacion moderada + Ox rojizo 0.01 <0.2

CUB-3951

0.50 Afloramiento Cata Sed laminares estratificados estrato mod arg + ox debil + FeOMn 0.01 0.2

CUB-3952

0.20 Rodados Rodados cercanos a Cata sedimentos con Ox + Patina
metalica Arg debil, cubierto aluvion
<0.005 1

CUB-3953

0.20 Bocamina Sedimentos laminares esquistosos Bajo 0.09 13

CUB-3954

0.20 Bocamina Sedimentos laminares aunmenta alteracion argilica minerales
oscuros entre laminas
0.04 7

CUB-3955

0.20 Bocamina Aumenta argilizacion + Ox ocre debil 0.06 5

CUB-3956

0.20 Rodados Afuera de bocamina macizo rocoso rodado Alt Ox + Sedim ? 0.05 2

CUB-3957

0.20 Rodados Sedimento rodado textura oquerosa alt muy fte Arg y Ox ocre y rojiza 0.03 2

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Table 9-2 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the Las Palomas area

Sample ID

Width
(m)
Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)

CUB-3958

0.40 Afloramiento Sed arroyo Sed 50° Az Buz NW Dip 15° Vllas Qz Bco interestratificadas
Alt oquerosa
0.01 0

CUB-3959

0.20 Afloramiento Sed arroyo Capas de Sed alterados suelo? Arg W + Ox <0.005 0

CUB-3960

0.50 Afloramiento Sed arroyo Aluvion arcillas Ox ocre Sed craquelados 0.01 <0.2

CUB-3961

0.50 Afloramiento Sed arroyo Sed alterados Vllas intercaladas alt Arg Ox Fte Alt Arg + Ox <0.005 <0.2

CUB-3962

0.65 Afloramiento Sed arroyo Aumenta lleo Qz Bco intraformacional <0.005 <0.2

CUB-3963

0.65 Afloramiento Sed arroyo Sed 1 Vlla 20 cm Qz intraformacional Bco. <0.005 0

CUB-3964

0.20 Grasero Muestra Chips en Grasero oquedades fundicion 0.13 27

CUB-3965

0.20 Grasero Muestra Chips en Grasero oquedades fundicion 0.33 62

CUB-3966

0.40 Volcanico Sil Cuerpo Volcanico Siil alterado limonita en linea de muestreo
2. Pos valores
0.23 6

CUB-3967

0.30 Volcanico Sil Otra muestra Volc Sil capa de Alt limonita. Veinlets Qz Ox 0.20 4

CUB-3968

0.55 Cata Sed Ox Limonita linea de muestreo con muestra CUB-3951 0.01 0.4

CUB-3969

0.65 Cata Sed Ox Limonita linea de muestreo con muestra CUB-3952 0.02 0.2

CUB-3970

0.50 Obra Sed Obra ~40 m Prof Rmbo 350 Buz NE 45° Dip 5-20° 0.01 0.2

CUB-3971

0.80 Obra Bajo Sed alteracion pervasiva limonita, Anglesita? 0.27 49

CUB-3972

0.55 Obra Alto Sed alteracion pervasiva limonita, min Pb + Cristales de Yeso <0.05 36

CUB-3973

0.80 Obra Bajo Sed alteracion pervasiva limonita, Anglesita? + Cristales de Yeso <0.05 22

CUB-3974

0.90 Obra Alto Sed alteracion pervasiva limonita, min Pb + Cristales de Yeso <0.05 63

CUB-3975

0.70 Obra Bajo Sed alteracion pervasiva limonita, Anglesita? + Cristales de Yeso <0.05 43

CUB-3976

0.50 Obra Alto Sed alteracion pervasiva limonita, min Pb +Sulfato de Yeso? <0.05 50

CUB-3977

0.20 Terrero Sed alt limonita fuera de lote 0.13 8

CUB-3978

0.20 Terrero Sed alt limonita fuera de lote 0.02 5

CUB-3979

0.20 Terrero Sed alt limonita fuera de lote 0.30 9

CUB-3980

0.2 Terrero Terrero Ox Frag Sed deleznables min Pb. 0.79 131

CUB-3981

0.2 Terrero Terrero coloracion grisaceo Ox alt mod. 0.67 56

CUB-3982

0.2 Terrero Terrero Sed Esquistosos min Pb? + Ag 0.54 39

  9.2.2

Cubo South

During 2016, geological mapping and sampling conducted in the Cubo South area were mainly focused in focused on the Cabrestantes & Nayal areas (Figure 9-2).

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-4 Surface Map showing Exploration Targets at the Cubo North area

In the Cabrestantes area, exploration activities were focused on defining projections of the Cabrestantes II and Purisima detachment structures toward the Minas Viejas (EDR) concession (Figure 9-5), with some attention also given to the San Juan adit. A total of 140 rock samples were collected and submitted for analysis, and associated assay results are summarized in Tables 9-3 through 9-6.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-5 2016 Surface Exploration in the Cabrestantes Area

Table 9-3 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the Purisima vein area

Sample ID Width
(m)
Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
CUB-3860 0.35 Traza Veta Purisima Falla+Riolita Bufa microvetillas Qz+sil mod+arg mod+ox debil+MnO 3.99 43
CUB-3858 0.20 Traza Veta Purisima Falla+Riolita Bufa+Qz bco+arg mod+ox debil+MnO 6.11 56
CUB-3859 0.70 Traza Veta Purisima Riolita Bufa color rosa+sil mod+ox debil+arg mod+MnO 0.09 8
CUB-3899 0.44 Traza Veta Purisima Bajo reliz falla+Tca+arg debil+ox mod+MnO 0.03 1
CUB-3900 0.75 Traza Veta Purisima Alto Reliz falla+vetilla mm Qz bco+sil mod+Tca+ox mod 0.04 3
CUB-4111 0.95 Traza Veta Purisima Bajo reliz+Riolita Bufa rosa claro+Sil Fte+ox Fte+Hem+MnO 0.02 4
CUB-4112 0.50 Traza Veta Purisima Bajo reliz+Riolita Bufa rosa claro+Sil Fte+ox Fte+Hem+MnO 0.03 7
CUB-4113 0.70 Traza Veta Purisima Bajo reliz+Riolita Bufa rosa claro+Sil Fte+ox mod- Fte+Py ox+arg debil+MnO 0.06 1
CUB-4114 0.70 Traza Veta Purisima Alto reliz+Riolita Bufa rosa claro+Sil Fte+ox mod- Fte+arg debil+MnO 0.02 3

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Table 9-4 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the detachment of Purisima vein area

Sample ID   Width
(m)  
Structure   Description  Au (g/t)   Au (g/t)  
CUB-3855 0.30 Desp al bajo de Veta Purisima Bx Qz bco en andesita Cedros 0.37 80
CUB-3856 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco+ox mod+MnO 0.72 118
CUB-3857 0.30 Vt Vetilla Qz bco+ox mod 2.68 377
CUB-3891 0.70 Vetilleo en Trb Vetilla Bx Qz oqueroso+calcedonico+bandeado+Fgtos Trb arg+sil Fte+ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.16 17
CUB-3894 1.09 Zona Alteracion Riolita Bufa+sil Fte+microvetillas Qz crist+arg debil+ox mod-Fte+puntos finos Py ox+MnO 0.03 17
CUB-3895 0.65 Zona Alteracion Riolita Bufa+sil Fte+microvetillas Qz crist+arg debil+ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.02 10
CUB-3896 0.70 Zona Alteracion Riolita Bufa+sil Fte+Qz+arg debil+ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.78 45
CUB-3898 1.00 Zona Alteracion Riolita Bufa+sil Fte+Qz drusas+ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.47 20
CUB-4105 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco lechoso crist+drusas+arg debil+ox mod- Fte+Lim-Hem+MnO 0.59 62
CUB-4107 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco lechoso crist+drusas+arg debil+ox mod- Fte+Lim-Hem+MnO 0.33 19
CUB-4108 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco crist rosado+calcedonico+drusas+arg debil+ox mod-Fte+MnO 1.80 42
CUB-4109 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco crist rosado+calcedonico+drusas+arg debil+ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.51 15
CUB-4110 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco crist rosado+calcedonico+drusas+arg debil+ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.44 19
CUB-4131 0.25 Bx (Contacto Trb\Tca) Bx al alto en cto Trb\Tca+fgtos Tca cementados Qz bco
crist+ox mod-fte+MnO
0.55 35
CUB-4135 0.20 Falla Alto de falla+Bx Qz bco+sil fte+arg debil+ox debil 0.51 26

Table 9-5 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the detachment of Cabrestantes II vein area

Sample ID Width
(m)
Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
CUB-3863 0.75 Traza Desp. II de Veta Cabrestantes Vetilleo mm Qz crist+Riolita Bufa+sil mod-Fte+ox mod- Fte+Lim-Hem+arg debil+MnO 0.27 42
CUB-3873 0.50 Bx Bx Qz vugy+ crist+ amatista+arg debil+sil Fte+clorita+MnO 0.72 35
CUB-3874 0.60 Bx Bx Qz crist drusas+fgtos Trb arg+ox mod- Fte+clorita+MnO 0.98 19
CUB-4151 0.50 Ry matriz afanitica frags de Qz trsl vt mm Qz trsl Py dis <1% FeO W dis 0.16 20
CUB-4152 0.45 Zona silicificada en Ry poco brechada vt de Qz trsl y matriz de Qz bco Py dis 0-1% con trazas de pos Argentita 3.48 91
CUB-4174 0.90 N32ºW/70ºSW AL BAJO DE DESP. II CABRESTANTE. ZONA DE SIL Vn? matriz Qz bco-trsl con frags de Qz bco Py incipiente FeO W en fracts 0.09 20
CUB-4181 0.50 Vn txt Bx matriz de Qz trsl con frags de Qz bco Py fina dis 0-1% FeO W en fracts 0.38 68
CUB-4182 0.30 N25ºE/70ºNW Vn matriz de Qz bco con vt mm de Qz trsl con frags de Qz trsl Py dis 0-1% FeO W en fracts 0.26 41
CUB-4184 0.60 Zona de Arg S con vt de Qz bco-trsl alto contenido de caolín FeO W dis 1.56 33

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Table 9-6 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the San Juan Adit area

Sample ID Width
(m)
Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
CUB-3866 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+calcedonico+oqueroso+Fgtos Riolita Bufa+Sil Fte+Ox mod+MnO 1.15 52
CUB-3867 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+calcedonico+oqueroso+Fgtos Riolita Bufa+Sil Fte+Ox mod+MnO 1.52 145
CUB-3868 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+calcedonico+oqueroso+Fgtos Riolita Bufa+Sil Fte+Ox mod+MnO 4.90 152
CUB-3869 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+calcedonico+oqueroso+Fgtos Riolita Bufa+Sil Fte+Ox mod+MnO 0.99 36
CUB-3870 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+calcedonico+oqueroso+Fgtos Riolita Bufa+Sil Fte+Ox mod+MnO 3.17 76
CUB-3875 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+Sil Fte+Ox mod-Fte+MnO 0.89 86
CUB-3876 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+Sil Fte+Ox mod-Fte+MnO 2.40 150
CUB-3877 0.20 Terrero (Sup. Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+Sil Fte+Ox mod-Fte+MnO 3.55 106
CUB-3878 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco oqueroso+Sil Fte+Ox mod- Fte+MnO 0.99 49
CUB-3879 0.20 Terrero Fgtos Qz bco oqueroso+Sil Fte+Ox mod- Fte+MnO 0.75 44
CUB-4138 0.20 Terrero (Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+vugy+sil fte+arg debil+Ox debil 3.46 132
CUB-4139 0.20 Terrero (Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+calcedonico+amatista+arg debil+MnO+Ox debil 4.21 153
CUB-4140 0.20 Terrero (Socavon San Juan) Fgtos Qz bco crist+sil Fte+Ox debil+MnO 1.50 102

In January 2016, geological mapping and sampling of the El Bosque vein was conducted along newly constructed roads in the Nayal area (Figure 9-6). A total of 56 rock samples were collected and submitted for analysis, and associated assay results are summarized in Tables 9-7 and 9-8.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-6 2016 Surface Exploration in the Nayal Area

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Table 9-7 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the El Bosque area

Sample ID  Width
(m)
 
Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
CUB-4023 0.30 VETILLA Vetilleo-Sw Qz Bco y cristalino con Ox en contactos y Py trazas 0.03 0.3
CUB-4024 0.70   Zona Oxidacion limonita-manganeso en fracturas 0.11 <0.2
CUB-4028 0.30 VETILLA Qz Bco con Ox en conatctos y fracturas 0.53 2
CUB-4030 0.40 VETA Qz Bco y Cristalino, Con Ox en fracturas Ag??? 1.06 12
CUB-4031 0.60 VETILLA-BX Qz Bco y Gris posibles sulf. Ag. 0.38 5
CUB-4032 0.75 Zona de alteracion Sil-Ox con vetillas de Qz Bco y Py trazas 1.04 16
CUB-4033 1.10 BRECHA Zona de alteracion Brecha, Sil-Ox, arcillas en cavidades 0.56 11
CUB-4036 1.10 VETILLA Zona de alteracion OX-Sil con vetilleo fina de Qz 0.10 2
CUB-4039 1.00 Zona Silicificada con Ox Limonita-mangneso en fracturas 0.12 14
CUB-4043 1.20 Bajo, Zona de alteracion silica con vetillas finas de Qz y Ox en fracturas pos. Sulf 0.17 2
CUB-4045 1.20 EL BOSQUE VEIN Qz Bco + Gris masivo, posibles sulf. Ag, Ox en fracturads 0.09 1
CUB-4046 0.90 EL BOSQUE VEIN Qz Bco y Gris masivo, Sulfuros dis Ag, y Ox en fracturas 0.30 20
CUB-4047 0.80   Vetilleo fino de Qz Bco y oxidos en fracturas + arg. 0.20 6
CUB-4048 0.90   Zona de alteracion Sil-Ox, Py trazas 0.37 17
CUB-4050 1.20   Zona de alteracion Ox-Arg 0.12 4
CUB-4053 1.50 Zona de oxidacion manganeso- limonita con fragmentos de Qz bco 0.14 5
CUB-4054 1.50 Zona de oxidacion manganeso- limonita con fragmentos de Qz bco 0.11 20
CUB-4055 1.50   Zona de oxidacion limonita. 0.35 101
CUB-4056 0.90 Zona de alteracion Sil-Ox y vetilleo fina de Qz + Py diseminada 0.12 6

Table 9-8 Significant Assays for Rock sampling in the hanginwall of the Georgina area

Sample ID Width (m) Structure Description Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
CUB-4015 1.00 VETILLA Vetilleo fino de Qz + Ox rellenado fracturas 0.22 2
CUB-4018 1.10 BRECHA Zona de alteracion Arg- Ox con Bx Qz Bco 0.20 4
CUB-4020 0.30 VETA Veta-Brecha de Qz Bco, con Ox limo-Hemat. + Arg. 0.03 0.4

  9.2.3

Regional Exploration


  9.2.3.1

Los Pinguicos

Regional exploration was conducted on the Los Pinguicos claim (EDR) located to the south of Guanajuato City. A total of 370 rock samples were collected from the following structures:

  Gavilanes fault - 2.5 km trace at surface trending N20°W to N40°W
  Trompetero fault – 2.0 km trace at surface trending N25°W to N45°W
  Unnamed fault between Gavilanes and Trompetero – 250 m trace at surface trending N48°W to N70°W

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

  Tatalayo fault – 1,000 m trace at surface trending N30°W to N45°W
  El Pinguico vein/fault – 3.5 km trace at surface trending N10°W to N35°W
  Camadres fault – 2 km trace at surface trending N55°E to N75°E
  Calderones fault – 800 m trace at surface trending N85°E
  Unnamed fault perpendicular to El Pinguico – 700 m trace at surface trending N75°E
  La Rayada fault – 2.2 km trace at surface trending N75°E to N80°E

The structures explored within the Los Pinguicos area are presented in plan view in Figure 9-7. Sampling results are shown on Figures 9-8 and 9-9.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-7 Assay Results (Au) for 2016 Los Pinguicos Surface Samples

  55  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-8 Assay Results (Ag) for 2016 Los Pinguicos Surface Samples

  56  



Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

  9.2.3.2

La Sauceda

Exploration activities in the La Sauceda area (Figure 9-9), southeast of the Guanajuato City, included reconnaissance geological mapping, surface sampling, and trenching. Results of field work in the La Sauceda area included identification of a number of structures of interest, as well as delineation of a variety of historic workings. A total of 432 surface samples and 167 trench samples were collected and submitted for analysis, and assay results are presented in Figures 9-10 and 9-11.

Figure 9-9 La Sauceda Area Concessions

Figure 9-10 Assay Results (Au) for 2016 La Sauceda Area Samples

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Exploration

Figure 9-11 Assay Results (Ag) for 2016 La Sauceda Area Samples

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Drilling

10.

DRILLING

Diamond drilling at the El Cubo mine is conducted under two general modes of operation: one by the exploration staff (surface exploration drilling) and the other by the mine staff (production and underground exploration drilling). Production drilling is predominantly concerned with definition and extension of the known mineralized zones in order to guide development and mining. Exploration drilling is conducted further from the active mining area with the goal of expanding the resource base. Drilling results from both programs were used in the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates presented in this report. To date, all drilling completed at the El Cubo mine has been diamond core.

10.1

Drilling Procedures.

Surface drillholes are generally oriented to intersect the veins as close to perpendicular as possible. The drillholes are typically drilled from the hanging wall, perpendicular to, and passing through the target structure into the footwall, and no drilling is designed for intercepts with angles less than about 30° to the target. Drillholes extend an average of 50 m beyond the target zone.

Underground Drillholes are typically drilled from the hanging wall, and are ideally drilled perpendicular to structures, but oblique intersection is required in some instances due to limitations of the drill station. Underground positive angled holes (up holes) are generally drilled from the footwall using the same criteria. All holes are designed to pass through the target and into the hanging or footwalls. Both surface and underground drillholes are typically HQ to NQ in size.

On the drill site, the drill set-up is surveyed for azimuth, inclination and collar coordinates, with the drilling subject to daily scrutiny and coordination by EDR geologists. Since 2010, surface holes are surveyed using a Reflex multi-shot down-hole survey instrument normally at 50 m intervals from the bottom of the hole back up to the collar. At underground drill stations, azimuth orientation lines are surveyed in prior to drilling. Inclination of underground holes is collected using the Reflex EX-Shot® survey device prior to starting drilling.

The survey data obtained from the drillholes are transferred to databases in Vulcan® and AutoCAD®, and are corrected for local magnetic declination, as necessary. Information for each drillhole is stored in separate folders.

Drill core is collected daily and is transported to the core logging facility under EDR supervision. The core storage facilities at El Cubo are well protected by high level security fences, and are under 24-hour surveillance by security personnel to minimize any possibility of tampering with the dill cores.

When assay results are received from the laboratory, they are merged into an Excel® spreadsheet for importation and interpretation in AutoCAD® software. The starting and ending point of each vein and/or vein/vein breccia intercept is determined from a combination of geology notes in the logs and assay results. Using approximate vein and drillhole orientation information a horizontal width is calculated for the intercept to be used as part of a Vertical Longitudinal Projection (“VLP”).

The centerpoint of the intercept, horizontal width, and gold and silver assay values are plotted on VLPs of each vein. These are used to guide further drilling, interpret mineralization shoots, and as the basis of polygonal resource estimation.

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El Cubo Project Drilling

10.2

EDR Core Logging Procedures

As the core is received at the core facility, geotechnical data is logged manually on paper sheets and entered into Excel®. The core is then manually logged for geological data and marked for sampling. Geological data and sample information are entered directly into Excel® spreadsheets.

10.3

EDR Drilling Programs and Results


  10.3.1

Drilling Prior to 2015

Clark (2009) and Cameron (2012) describe exploration drilling prior t0 2013, which was carried out by or on behalf of AuRico and previous operators. Between 2012 and 2015, EDR’s drilling exploration efforts were focused on locating mineralized bodies over primary and secondary structures, mainly near the current production areas. Surface drilling was conducted over the Villalpando (Villalpando Gap, Asunción & Villalpando South), Dolores (Dolores North), La Loca & La Paz veins. The mine exploration drilling program was undertaken to determine the extent of additional mineralization near areas currently being mined. The principal targets were the Villalpando (Area II and IV) and Dolores (II) vein systems, though a number of other structures were also explored (Table 10-1). As of December 2014, a total of 72,969 m of drilling had been completed in 277 holes, with an associated 16,522 samples.

Table 10-1 EDR Drilling Summary, 2012 through 2014

Project Area Number of
Holes
Total Meters Number of
Samples Taken
Villalpando Gap 8 3,741.60 344
Dolores North 5 1,334.25 182
La Loca 6 2,534.60 153
La Paz 3 1,028.80 32
Asunción 92 36,982.00 8071
Villalpando South 11 4,781.15 543
Mine Exploration 152 22,566.80 7197

Total

277 72,969.20 16,522

During 2015, EDR completed a total of 7,178.55 m in 25 surface diamond drillholes at the El Cubo, with a total of 2,603 samples were collected and submitted for assays. Underground drilling completed by EDR in 2016 was conducted to evaluate mineralization along the Villalpando, Dolores, Soledad, and La Loca veins in areas near existing mine workings. All underground drilling was performed with EDR’s VERSA Kmb-4 drill rig. A total of 4,018.65 m were drilled in 22 underground holes in 2015.

  10.3.2

2106 Surface Drilling

In 2016, Endeavour Silver spent US $1,060,668 (including property holding costs) on exploration activities mainly in the Nayal, Cabrestantes, and Asunción areas in a continuing effort to identify and evaluate mineralized zones as potential targets for further exploration. A total of 3,799 m were drilled in 13 surface diamond drill holes, and a total of 777 samples were collected and submitted for assay. Surface exploration drilling undertaken during 2016 is summarized in Table 10-2, and drillhole locations are shown in plan view on Figures 10-1 and 10-2. Surface drilling did not return significant results in either the Nayal-Cabrestantes or Asuncion areas.

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El Cubo Project Drilling

Table 10-2 Surface Drilling Activities in 2016

Project Area Number of
Holes
Total Metres Number of
Samples Taken
Asunción 5 1,901.60 314
Nayal-Cabrestantes 8 1,897.60 463
Total 13 3,799.20 777

Figure 10-1 Surface map showing completed drill holes in the Nayal-Cabrestantes Areas.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Drilling

Figure 10-2 Surface map showing completed drill holes in the Asuncion Area.

  10.3.3

2016 Underground Drilling

An underground drilling exploration program was also conducted in 2016 on targets (La Loca, Vein 274, SJD. La Paz and San Nicolás) located in close proximity to active mines. A total of 12 underground drill holes were completed for 1,710 m at the El Cubo Project (Table 10-3), and a total of 584 samples were collected and submitted for analysis. While drilling results are largely considered negative, drilling intercepts are summarized in Tables 10-4 through 10-8.

Table 10-3 Underground Exploration Drilling Activities in 2016

Project Area Number of
Holes
Total Metres Number of
Samples Taken
Mine Exploration 12 1,709.90 584
Total 12 1,709.90 584

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Drilling

Table 10-4 Summary of intercepts of the 2016 La Loca drilling results


Drill Hole ID 

Structure
Mineralized Interval Assay Results
From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) True Width (m) Silver (g/t) Gold (g/t)
  La Loca Vein 133.45 140.40 6.95 1.8 4 0.04
CUDG-1003 La Loca Composite 136.05 140.40 4.35 1.1 5 0.05
  Including 139.70 140.40 0.70 0.2 13 0.06
  La Loca Vein 144.20 148.35 4.15 1.5 2 0.07
CUDG-1004 La Loca Composite 145.00 147.75 2.75 1.0 2 0.08
  Including 147.05 147.75 0.70 0.3 5 0.14

Table 10-5 Summary of intercepts of the 2016 SJD drilling results


Drill Hole ID

Structure
Mineralized Interval Assay Results
From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) True Width (m) Silver (g/t) Gold (g/t)
  San Juan de Dios ? 80.50 80.75 0.25 0.2 17 0.7
CUDG-1005 San Juan de Dios Composite 79.65 80.75 1.10 1.1 6 0.2
  Including 80.50 80.75 0.25 0.2 17 0.7
  SJD? 47.50 47.90 0.40 0.4 65 10.4
  SJD Composite 47.50 48.90 1.40 1.3 21 3.1
CUDG-1006 Including 47.50 47.90 0.40 0.4 65 10.4
  SJD Projection? 95.40 96.80 1.40 1.0 45 5.4
  Including 96.40 96.80 0.40 0.3 124 17.9

Table 10-6 Summary of intercepts of the 2016 Vein 274 drilling results


Drill Hole ID 
Structure Mineralized Interval   Assay Results
From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) True Width (m) Silver (g/t) Gold (g/t)
  Vein 274 100.55 101.15 0.60 0.5 35 0.4
CUDG-1007 Vein 274 Composite 99.70 101.15 1.45 1.1 16 0.3
  Including 100.95 101.15 0.20 0.2 57 0.3
  Vein 274 105.30 105.60 0.30 0.3 215 1.4
CUDG-1008 Vein 274 Composite 105.30 106.50 1.20 1.0 123 0.9
  Including 105.30 105.60 0.30 0.3 215 1.4

Table 10-7 Summary of intercepts of the 2016 La Paz drilling results


Drill Hole ID

Structure
Mineralized Interval Assay Results
From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) True Width (m) Silver (g/t) Gold (g/t)
  La Paz Vein 166.80 167.75 0.95 0.9 2.3 0.01
CUDG-1009 La Paz Composite 166.20 167.75 1.55 1.4 1.5 0.01
  Including 166.80 167.75 0.95 0.9 2 0.01
CUDG-1010 No Vein Intercepts

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Drilling

Table 10-8 Summary of intercepts of the 2016 San Nicolas drilling results


Drill Hole ID

Structure
Mineralized Interval Assay Results
From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) True Width (m) Silver (g/t) Gold (g/t)


CUDG-1011

Veinlet 11.75 12.20 0.45 0.3 139 3.3
San Nicolas 53.60 54.30 0.70 0.5 13 0.7
San Nicolas Composite 53.60 55.25 1.65 1.2 7 0.3
Including 53.60 54.00 0.40 0.3 16 0.6

CUDG-1012
San Nicolas Projection 46.90 55.50 8.60 5.5 1 0.02
San Nicolas Composite 47.95 49.80 1.85 1.2 2 0.04
Including 48.35 49.15 0.80 0.5 3 0.1


CUDG-1013

Fw San Nicolas? 89.60 92.00 2.40 0.8 51 1.0
San Nicolas Vein 97.80 99.35 1.55 0.7 31 0.7
San Nicolas Composite 96.90 99.35 2.45 1.0 21 0.5
Including 98.70 99.05 0.35 0.1 78 2.0

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

11.

SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES AND SECURITY

The sample data relied upon during completion of the mineral resource and reserve estimates presented in this report are from diamond drill core and underground chip channel samples.

11.1

Methods


  11.1.1

Production Chip Channel Samples

El Cubo employs standardized procedures for collecting underground grade control chip samples, and these procedures are documented in a detailed, illustrated manual. Chip channel sampling is carried out daily in accessible stopes and development headings by mine sampling technicians. Samples are located by measuring with a tape from known survey points. The samples are taken perpendicular to the veins at 3m to 5m intervals along drifts. Sample locations are cleaned and marked with two parallel, red spray paint lines to guide the sampling. Chip samples are collected on all vein faces in drifts, crosscuts, raises, and stopes. On faces and raises they are taken perpendicular to the dip of the vein to approximate true width. Stopes are sampled across the roof (back) following the profile of the working.

The entire chip sample is divided into a number of discrete samples based on the geology (lithology). The simplest configuration is a single vein where the chip sample would be divided based on one sample of the wall rock on each side of the vein, and one sample of the vein. In more complex configurations, if there is more than one vein present, or it is divided by waste rock, then each of the vein sections is sampled separately. The chip samples are cut approximately 10 cm wide and 2 cm deep using a hammer and chisel. The rock chips are collected in a net, placed on a canvas, and any fragments larger than 2.5 cm are broken with a hammer. The maximum sample length is generally 1.5 m and minimum sample length is generally 0.2 m, though a few samples are taken over as narrow a width as 0.1 m.

The samples are sealed in plastic bags with a string and sent to the laboratory at Bolañitos. Samples which tend to be large, representing long sample intervals, can be too large for the bags provided and are reduced in size at the sample site to 1-2kg by quartering. Care is taken to collect all of the fines for the selected quarters. The samples are sealed in plastic bags and transported to the geology storage facility on surface. From there the samples are taken to the laboratory at the Bolañitos mine site by contracted transporter. Sample locations are plotted on stope plans using CAD software. The sample numbers and location data are recorded in a spreadsheet database. Upon receipt of assays, technicians and geologists produce reports used for day-to-day monitoring and grade control.

  11.1.2

Exploration Sampling

EDR’s exploration staff are responsible for regional and mine exploration within the El Cubo mining district, including the management, monitoring, surveying, and logging of surface and underground diamond drilling.

Regardless of which program the core comes from, the process is the same. Core from diamond drilling is placed in boxes which are sealed shut at the drill site. EDR personnel transport the core to the core facility. Sample handling at the core facility follows a standard general procedure, during which depth markers are checked and confirmed; the outside of the boxes are labeled with interval information; core is washed and photographed; and the recovery and modified rock quality designation (RQD) are logged for each drillhole.

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El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

All of EDR’s surface and underground exploration drillholes are processed at the exploration core facility (Figure 11-1).

A cutting line is drawn on the core with a colored pencil, and sample tags are stapled in the boxes or denoted by writing the sample number with a felt tip pen.

The core is split using a diamond saw (Figure 11-2).

Figure 11-1 Original EDR Exploration Core Storage Facility, Now Allocated to Regional Exploration

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-2 One of Several Core Saws Located at the Exploration Core Facility

11.2

Sample Preparation and Analysis

Mine production sampling including plant feed samples, concentrate and doré, are sent to EDR’s in-house Bolañitos assay laboratory. The lab at Bolañitos is ISO certified (ISO-9001:2008) and is set up in a single facility at the Bolañitos mine with separate enclosed sections for sample preparation, fire assay with gravimetric finish, and atomic absorption facilities. The facilities are located within the Bolañitos Mine compound and operate 24 hours per day.

  11.2.1

Exploration Drilling 11.2.1

Since EDR took control of CMC, all samples of rock and drill core are bagged and tagged at the El Cubo core facility and shipped to the ALS preparation facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. After preparation, the samples are shipped to the ALS laboratory in Vancouver, Canada, for analysis.

Upon arrival at the ALS preparation facility, all of the samples are logged into the laboratory’s tracking system (LOG-22). Then the entire sample is weighed, dried if necessary, and fine crushed to better than 70% passing 2 mm (-10 mesh). The sample is then split through a riffle splitter and a 250 g split is then taken and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (-200 mesh).

The analysis procedures are summarized in Table 11-1.

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El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Table 11-1 Summary of Analysis Procedures

Sample Type Element Description Lower Detection
Limit
Upper Detection
Limit
ALS Code

Core
Au Fire Assay and AA
analysis
0.005 ppm 10 ppm AUAA23
Ag Aqua Regia and AA
analysis
0.2 ppm 100 ppm AA45AG
Au, Ag
(Samples >20ppm Ag
AA45AG)
Fire Assays
and Gravimetric Finish
0.05 ppm Au/ 5 ppm Ag 1,000 ppm Au / 10,000 ppm Ag Au,Ag ME-GRA21

Rock
Au Fire Assay and AA
analysis
0.005 ppm 10 ppm AUAA23
Multielements
(35 Elements)
Aqua Regia and ICP-AES
Finish
0.2 ppm Ag / 1 ppm
Cu / 2 ppm Pb/ 2 ppm Zn
100 ppm Ag / 10,000 ppm
Cu, Pb and Zn
ME-ICP41

Soil
Au Aqua Regia and ICP-MS
Finish
0.001 ppm 1 ppm
TL42-PKG Au-
TL42 + ME-MS41
Multielements
(51 Elements)
Aqua Regia and ICP-MS
and ICP-AES Finish
0.002 ppm Ag / 0.01 ppm
Cu, Pb and Zn
100 ppm Ag / 10,000 ppm
Cu, Pb and Zn

ALS is an independent analytical laboratory company which services the mining industry around the world. ALS is also an ISO-certified laboratory that employs a rigorous quality control system in its laboratory methodology as well as a system of analytical blanks, standards and duplicates. Details of its accreditation, analytical procedures and QA/QC program can be found at http://www.alsglobal.com.

In 2015, the average turn-around time required for analyses was approximately 2 weeks.

11.3

Sample Quality Control and Quality Assurance


  11.3.1

Production Sampling

Sample quality assurance procedures underground include careful marking of the sample lines across the faces or backs of the heading, recording measurements from known points to accurately locate the samples, and measuring each sample length with a tape. Samples are collected carefully onto a canvas, conserving all material. Oversize pieces are broken up, then the sample is rolled, coned, and quartered at the sample site to reduce sample volume. Samples remain in the custody of the technicians and geologists who collected them until they are delivered to designated sample storage areas on surface. Samples from the Dolores Mine are stored for pickup at the geology storage area located in the Dolores Mine Patio. Samples from Sta. Cecilia and San Nicolas Mines are stored with security at the entrance to the mine patio. Samples are collected from each storage area by a contracted transporter and delivered to the assay lab on site at the Bolañitos mine.

Field duplicate samples are inserted at the frequency of about 1 in 20 chip lines. The last sample taken is a duplicate sample. The sample interval to be duplicated is chosen at random from one of the vein intervals. Waste duplicates are not collected. The sample is collected from a point approximately 10cm above the original sample. Duplicate samples are sent with the rest of the samples from the chip line.

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El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

  11.3.2

Production Samples

The QA/QC protocol for production samples involves repeat assays on pulp and reject assays, along with in-house prepared blanks. No commercially available standards were used in 2016.

Maximum-minimum scatter plots for duplicate samples are shown in Figure 11-3 through Figure 11-8. In general, results of the duplicate re-assays indicate a good correlation for silver and moderate to poor correlation for gold. Acceptable failure rate for pulp duplicates is 10%. Silver pulps show a 10% failure rate while gold shows a 45% failure rate.

Acceptable failure rate for reject duplicates is 20%. Silver rejects show a 33% failure rate while gold shows a 37% failure rate.

Finally, failure rate for mine duplicates is 30%. Silver duplicates show a 36% failure rate while gold shows a 45% failure rate.

Silver pairs with a mean value of 10x the detection limit were excluded. Gold pairs with a mean value of 15x the detection limit were excluded. The higher gold failure rate may be caused by low precision near the origin. Eliminating pairs that are close to detection will reduce the failure rate. Overall the results are acceptable but could be improved.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-3 Silver Pulp Duplicates

Figure 11-4 Gold Pulp Duplicates

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-5 Silver Reject Duplicates

Figure 11-6 Gold Reject Duplicates

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-7 Silver Field Duplicates

Figure 11-8 Gold Field Duplicates

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Check assaying is performed to check the precision and accuracy of the primary laboratory, and to identify errors due to sample handling. Check assaying consists of sending pulps and rejects to a secondary lab for analysis and comparison against the primary lab.

No check assays from mine production were sent to secondary labs for analysis in 2015.

Coarse blanks monitor the integrity of sample preparation and are used to detect contamination during crushing and grinding of samples. Blank failures can also occur during laboratory analysis or as the result of a sample mix-up. A blank analysis ≥4 times the detection limit is considered a blank failure.

EDR submitted 857 coarse pulp blanks to the Bolanitos Mine Laboratory to monitor sample preparation during 2015. Blank samples had a failure rate of 18.2% and 27.2% for silver and gold, respectively.

  11.3.3

Exploration Samples

During 2016, surface and underground drilling was supported by a QA/QC program conducted to monitor the integrity of all assay results. Each batch of 20 samples included one blank, one duplicate and one standard. Check assaying is also conducted at a frequency of approximately 5%. Discrepancies and inconsistencies in the blank and duplicate data are resolved by re-assaying the pulp, reject or both.

In 2016, a total of 1,361 samples, including control samples, were submitted during the drilling exploration program at El Cubo. A summary of sample type and number is shown in Table 11-2. A total of 70 pulps (~5%) were also submitted for check assaying.

The sampling process, including handling of samples, preparation and analysis, is shown in the quality control flow sheet, Figure 11-9.

Table 11-2 Summary of sample type and number used during the 2016 surface exploration program

Samples No. of Samples Percentaje (%)
Standards 73 5.4%
Duplicates 67 4.9%
Blanks 63 4.6%
Normal 1,158 85.1%
Total 1,361 100.0%
Check samples 70 5.1%

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-9 Flow Sheet for Core Sampling, Sample Preparation and Analysis

  11.3.3.1

Exploration Blank Samples

Blank samples were inserted to monitor possible contamination during the preparation process and analysis of the samples in the laboratory. Commercial Enviroplug Coarse (1/4”) bentonite was used as the blank material. Blank samples are inserted randomly into the sample batch and given unique sample numbers in sequence with the other samples before being shipped to the laboratory.

Blank samples were inserted at an average rate of approximately 1 for each 20 original samples. The control limit for blank samples is 10 times the minimum limit of detection of the assay method of the element: 0.05 ppm for gold and 2.0 ppm for silver. Only a limited number of blank samples returned assay values above the detection limits for gold and silver (Figures 11-10 and 11-11).

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-10 Control Chart for Gold Assay from the Blank Samples Inserted into the Sample Stream

Figure 11-11 Control Chart for Silver Assay from the Blank Samples Inserted into the Sample Stream

  11.3.3.2

Exploration Duplicate Samples

Duplicate samples are used to monitor (a) potential mixing up of samples and (b) variability of the data as a result of laboratory error or the lack of homogeneity of the samples.

Duplicate core samples were prepared by EDR personnel at the core storage facility El Cubo. Preparation first involved randomly selecting a sample interval for duplicate sampling purposes. The duplicates were then collected at the time of initial sampling by first splitting the core in half and then crushing and dividing the half-split into two portions, which were sent to the laboratory separately. The duplicate samples were ticketed with the consecutive number following the original sample. One duplicate sample was collected for each batch of 20 samples.

Discrepancies and inconsistencies in the duplicate sample data are resolved by re-assaying either the pulp or reject or both. For the duplicate samples, graphical analysis shows a low correlation coefficient for gold (0.49) and satisfactory correlation coefficient for silver (0.86) . The low correlation is attributed to the narrow range between the sample values and the detection limit of the method; even though the variation is minimum in terms of units (ppm), the comparison between the two values (duplicate and original) shows, graphically, a low correlation.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Scatter plots for gold and silver are presented as Figures 11-12 and 11-13.

Figure 11-12 Scatter Plot for Duplicate Samples for Gold

Figure 11-13 Scatter Plot for Duplicate Samples for Silver

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El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

  11.3.3.3

Standard Reference Samples

EDR uses commercial reference standards to monitor the accuracy of the laboratories. Standard reference material (SRM) has been purchased from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. Each reference standard was prepared by the vendor at its own laboratories and shipped directly to EDR, along with a certificate of analysis for each standard purchased.

In 2016, a total of 73 standard reference control samples were submitted at an average frequency of 1 for each batch of 20 samples. Reference standards were ticketed with pre-assigned numbers in order to avoid inadvertently using numbers that were being used during logging.

Five different standards were submitted and analyzed for gold and silver. Reference standard information for 2016 is summarized in Table 11-3.

For graphical analysis, results for the standards were scrutinized relative to the mean or control limit (CL), and a lower control limit (LL) and an upper control limit (UL), as shown in Table 11-4.

Table 11-3 Reference Standards Used for Endeavour Silver’s Drilling Programs

Reference
Standard
Reference
Number
Reference Source
Reference Standard Assays (Certificate) Reference Standard Assays (Calculated)
Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t)
edr-36 CDN-ME-1101 Cdn Resource Lab 0.56 68 0.60 68
edr-38 CDN-ME-19 Cdn Resource Lab 0.62 103 0.67 100
edr-40 CDN-ME-1302 Cdn Resource Lab 2.41 419 2.49 416
edr-41 CDN-GS-2Q Cdn Resource Lab 2.37 73 2.43 74
edr-42 CDN-ME-1408 Cdn Resource Lab 2.94 396 2.92 388

Table 11-4 Basis for Interpreting Standard Sample Assays

Limit Value
UL Plus 2 standard deviations from the mean
CL Recommended or Calculated value (mean) of standard reference material)
LL Minus 2 standard deviations from the mean

EDR’s criteria for a batch failure include:

  A reported value for a standard greater than 3 standard deviations from the mean is a failure.
  Two consecutive values of a standard greater than 2 standard deviations from the mean is a failure.
  A blank value over the acceptable limit is a failure.

Results of each standard were reviewed separately. Most values for gold and silver were found to be within the control limits, and the results are considered satisfactory. The mean of the ALS assays agrees well with the mean value of the standard. Examples of the control charts for the standard reference material generated by EDR are shown in Figures 11-14 through 11-23.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-14 Control Chart for Gold Assays from the Standard Reference sample EDR-41

Figure 11-15 Control Chart for Silver Assays from the Standard Reference sample EDR-41

Figure 11-16 Control Chart for Gold Assays from the Standard Reference sample EDR-42

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-17 Control Chart for Silver Assays from the Standard Reference sample EDR-42

Figure 11-18 Control Chart for Gold Assays from the Standard Reference sample EDR-45

Figure 11-19 Control Chart for Silver Assays from the Standard Reference sample EDR-45

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-20 Control Chart for Gold Assays from the Standard Reference Sample EDR-42

Figure 11-21 Control Chart for Silver Assays from the Standard Reference Sample EDR-42

  11.3.3.4

Exploration Check Assaying

EDR periodically conducts check analyses in order to evaluate the accuracy of the primary laboratory. Random pulps selected from original core samples are sent to a second laboratory to verify the original assay and monitor any possible deviation due to sample handling and laboratory procedures. EDR employs the BSI-Inspectorate laboratory in Durango, Mexico, for check analyses.

Correlation coefficients are high (>0.95) for both silver and gold, indicating a high level of agreement between the original ALS assay and the BSI-Inspectorate check assay. Figures 11-24 and 11-25 show the correlations between the values of gold and silver respectively.

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

Figure 11-22 Scatter Plot of Check Assays for Gold

Figure 11-23 Scatter Plot of Check Assays for Silver

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Sample Preparation Analysis and Security

11.4

Adequacy of Data


  11.4.1

Adequacy of Mine Sampling Procedures

HRC concludes that the exploration and production sample preparation, security and analytical procedures are correct and adequate for the purpose of this Technical Report. The sample methods and density are appropriate and the samples are of sufficient quality to comprise a representative, unbiased database.

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El Cubo Project Data Verification

12.

DATA VERIFICATION

The mineral resource and reserve estimates rely in part on the following information provided to HRC by EDR with an effective date of December 31, 2016:

 

Discussions with EDR personnel;

 

Personal investigation of the El Cubo Project office;

 

A surface exploration drilling database (2014-CAS) received as csv files;

 

An underground drilling database (DDH_NQHQ_2014);

 

Production channel sample database received as csv;

 

Modeled solids for veins Villalpando, Asuncion, Dolores, Dolores Alto, and Desp. Dolores by EDR;

 

Technical Report “NI43-101 Technical Report Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Mines Project Guanajuato State Mexico” dated February 25, 2015 and authored by Michael J. Munroe, RM-SME;

 

Polygonal 2D long sections for veins 143, 178, 274, 680, 750 Alto, 995, Anabel, Desp. Anabel, Inmaculada, La Loca Antigua, Juan Diego, Marmajas, Poniente, San Fransico, Santa Frida, San Nicolas, and Villalpando Alto with resource and reserve calculations.


12.1

Database Audit

The surface drilling, underground drilling, and underground channel samples were combined into a single database for mineral resource estimation. HRC conducted a thorough audit of the current EDR exploration and operation sample databases. The following tasks were completed as part of the audit:

 

Performed a mechanical audit of the database;

 

Validated the geologic information compared to the paper logs;

 

Validated the assay values contained in the exploration database with assay certificates from the EDR Bolañitos mine laboratory; and

 

Validated the assay values contained in the 2D polygonal long sections by comparing with select, relevant historical assays and the original drawings.

HRC limited the audit to the rock-type, assay, drillhole collar, and survey data contained in the exploration database.

  12.1.1 Mechanical Audit

A mechanical audit of the combined database was completed using Leapfrog Geo® software. The database was checked for overlaps, gaps, duplicate channel samples total drillhole length inconsistencies, non-numeric assay values, and negative numbers. The following list of drillholes were missing information:

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El Cubo Project Data Verification

  Missing Collar Coordinates

  o Underground Drilling

  CUDG-00943A
  CUDG-00948
  CUDG-00952
  CUDG-00963
  CUDG-00964
  CUDG-00965
  CUDG-00967
  CUDG-00968
  CUDG-00969
  CUDG-00970
  CUDG-00971
  CUDG-00972
  CUDG-00973
  CUDG-00974
  CUDG-00975

  No Assay Data

  o Surface Drilling

  CAS-87

  o Underground Channel Samples

  122067
  123585
  212472-74
  433815-17
  48835-38
  421664-66
  9378-81
  170342-48
  583448-52
  115359
  167460

A total of 103 surface drillholes, 22 underground drillholes, and 12,474 underground channel samples were imported into leapfrog for validation. Data with missing information were not used in the estimation of mineral resources.

  12.1.1.1

Overlaps

Overlaps identified in the audit were corrected with EDR personnel.

  12.1.1.2

Gaps, Non-numeric Assay Values, and Negative Numbers

The software reported missing intervals for silver and gold. Below detection limit samples are reported as a non-positive value of 0. All of the non-positive numbers (<0) were assumed to be non-sampled intervals and were omitted from the dataset. No non-numeric assays were encountered in the audit. Table 12-1 below summarizes the number of intervals imported, the number of missing intervals, the number of non-positive values and the number of valid assays for each element.

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El Cubo Project Data Verification

Table 12-1 Database Import Summary

Element Missing Non-Positive Values Assay Values
Ag (g/t) 10,423 5,618 50,706
Au (g/t) 10,437 7,986 50,692

  12.1.1.3

Table Depth Consistency

The survey, assay, and geology tables maximum sample depth was checked as compared to the maximum depth reported in the collar table for each drillhole. No intervals exceeded the reported drillhole depths.

12.2

Certificates

HRC received original assay certificates in excel format for the samples collected in 2015 in the current database. A random manual check of 10% of the database against the original certificates was conducted. The error rate within the database is considered to be less than 1% based on the number of samples spot checked.

12.3

Adequacy of Data

HRC has reviewed EDR’s check assay programs and considers the programs to provide adequate confidence in the data. Samples that are associated with QA/QC failures are reviewed prior to inclusion in the production and exploration databases; however, in production there is not always sufficient time for corrective measures prior to exploitation of the stope being sampled. Improvements to the sampling procedures and QA/QC failure corrective measures may improve the overall sample quality of the production samples.

The laboratories are clean, well-documented, and appear to be working properly. HRC would however recommend that EDR install a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to eliminate human error or correcting of values to an expected result. LIMS systems are proven to reduce errors in the sampling process that result in considerable money lost. This system will automate the QA/QC reporting for the geology department and the laboratory while reducing the time required to input data into a database for modeling.

Exploration drilling, sampling, security, and analysis procedures are being conducted in manner that meets or exceeds industry standard practice. All drill cores and cuttings from EDR’s drilling have been photographed. Drill logs have been digitally entered into exploration database organized and maintained in Vulcan. The split core and cutting trays have been securely stored and are available for review as needed.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing

13.

MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING


13.1

Processing Plants

El Cubo is an operating mine with a long history of milling and concentrating under various scenarios and in at least three different beneficiation plants.

During 2016 El Cubo mine operated the El Tajo flotation plant, which was commissioned in May 2013. The metallurgical processing is well understood at the Project, with recoveries averaging 88% for silver and 86% for gold over the last two years.

Besides El Tajo, CMC owns an abandoned plant, La Chirimitera, located approximately in 1.5 km to the north of El Tajo plant. The main equipment (crushers, mill, and filter) was dismantled and used in other projects by AuricoGold. In 2012 EDR recovered flotation cells, the vibratory screen and some conveyor belts from La Chirimitera plant which were used to facilitate expansion of the Bolañitos processing plant from 1,200 to 1,600 tpd.

13.2

Metallurgical Test Work

Various metallurgical test programs have been employed in the past with efforts focused on:

  Improving sampling quality,
  Stabilizing the processing operations (grinding size, flotation operations ),
  Improving recovery by adjusting flotation reagents, applying gravity concentrate recovery,
  Optimizing costs by identifying optimal feed grades and recoveries.

  13.2.1

Mineralogical Analysis

Ore samples from 3 mine zones (Santa Cecilia, Rampa Dolores and San Nicolas) and of combined plant feed were analyzed at the University of San Luis Potosi in 2013, Table 13-1 and 13-2 summarize the results of these test. The combined plant feed sample includes ore from Bolañitos mine.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing

Table 13-1 Mineralogical Analysis of El Cubo Ore Samples

Mineral Santa Cecilia
%
Rampa Dolores
%
San Nicolas
%
Plant feed
%
Silver minerals 0.26 n.d. 0.01 0.03
Pyrite 1.22 n.d. 1.61 1.11
Pyrite-marcasite n.d. 0.29 n.d. n.d.
Arsenopyrite n.d. n.d. 0.13 0.01
Other sulphides 0.2 n.d. n.d. n.d.
Quartz 31 23.4 40 30
Calcite 14.3 40 n.d. 10
Iron oxides n.d. n.d. 0.21 n.d.
Aluminosilicates 25 n.d. 12 33.85
Feldspars n.d. 35 46.1 n.d.
Silicates 28 n.d. n.d. n.d.
Metal Iron (Steel) n.d. 1.23 n.d. n.d.
Zinc oxides n.d. 0.04 n.d. n.d.

n.d. = none detected

Table 13-2 Distribution of Silver Minerals in Ore Samples and Size of Grains of Silver Minerals

Ore samples Aguilarite
Ag2(S,Se)
Agularite-Cu
Cu12Sb4S12/Ag
Pirargirite
Ag3SbS3
Argentite
Ag2S
Santa Cecilia 85%
<10 mm,
Occluded in quartz
12% 3%
<2 mm,
Occluded in pyrite
Rampa
Dolores

50%
Occluded in pyrite
50%
<10 mm,
liberated
San Nicolas 100%
<5 mm, occluded in
quartz and pyrite
Cabeza
planta
50%
<60 mm,
liberated
40%
<7 mm,
occluded in quartz and
10%
<7 mm, occluded in
quartz and

  13.2.2

Gravity Concentration

Gravity concentration tests were started in January 2014. Preliminary mineralogical analysis at SGS showed a presence of native gold (electrum) in flotation tailings in particles between µm 10 µm to 90 µm, 78% of gold grains had exposion degree from 30% to fully exposed. Plant samples (flotation tailings, cyclone underflow, and old flotation tailings) were submitted to Falcon lab in Guadalajara to perform gravity concentration tests in January 2014. The tests did not show satisfactory results with poor recoveries.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing

  13.2.3

Concentrate Sale vs. Cyanide Leaching

In 2013 EDR conducted a study and found that the net smelter return of selling concentrate directly was higher than that of Dore production by cyanide leaching. As a result, Endeavour Silver selected and closed contracts with two concentrate traders. The first shipment of concentrate was made in March 2013.

  13.2.4

Flotation Collectors

Various flotation collectors were tested at the lab scale, but did not show better performance than the Aerophine 3416 and 7310, which are currently in use.

  13.2.5

Native Silver-Gold Flotation

A collector specially designed by Cytec to float native gold and silver (MaxGold) showed some improvement (1-2%) in gold recovery in lab scale. Plant testing was started in December 2013 and continued for a few months but the expected changes were not realized.

  13.2.6

Metallurgical Accounting

Improved metallurgical accounting procedures were implemented in October 2013 and have continued through 2016. The process includes detailed procedures for measurement accuracy, targeted accuracy, data validation and redundancy, provisional data, in-process inventory, completeness and integration, transparency, auditability and documentation

13.3

Comments on Section 13

The El Cubo mine has a long history of successful operation and processing and has plans to continue. The QP is of the opinion that the level of metallurgical testing is appropriate for the duration of the life of the mine plan and is unaware of any processing factors or deleterious elements that could impact the potential economic extraction of metal from the El Cubo Mines ore.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

14.

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

Resource geologist Zachary J. Black, SME-RM, of HRC is responsible for the mineral resource estimate presented here. Mr. Black is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and is independent of EDR. HRC estimated the mineral resource for the El Cubo Mine Project based on drillhole data constrained by geologic vein boundaries with an Inverse Distance Weighted (“ID”) algorithm. Datamine Studio RM® V1.0.73.0 (“Datamine”) software was used to complete the resource estimate in conjunction with Leapfrog Geo® V.3.0.0 (“Leapfrog”), which was used to produce the geologic model. The metals of interest at El Cubo are gold and silver.

The mineral resources reported here are classified as Measured, Indicated and Inferred in accordance with standards defined by Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) “CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves”, prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014. Classification of the resources reflects the relative confidence of the grade estimates.

14.1

Density

HRC applied a density of 2.5 t/m3 to convert volume into tonnage. The density is taken directly from the “NI43-101 Technical Report Resource and Reserve Estimates for the El Cubo Mines Project Guanajuato State Mexico” dated February 25, 2015, authored by Michael J. Munroe.

El Cubo staff apply a factor of 2.5 tonnes/ m3 to convert volume to tonnage. This is considered reasonable for the type of deposit and is based on long production experience and historic measurements.

14.2

Methodology

The El Cubo mineral resource is comprised of 37 individual veins, which are further subdivided according to area and modeling method. The mineral resources are estimated using either a Vertical Longitudinal Projection (VLP) 2-dimensional (“2D”) polygonal method (15 veins), or a 3-dimensional (“3D”) block model (22 veins). The 3D models have been split into 5 areas based on the vein location within the deposit. Table 14-1 summarizes the veins by modeling method and area.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-1 Summary of Veins included in the Mineral Resource Estimate

VILLALPANDO SOUTH
Vein Strike° Dip° Dip Direction°
VILLALPANDO 135 60 225
ASUNCION 135 62 225
SAN EUSEBIO 251 84 161
VILLALPANDO NORTH
Vein Strike° Dip° Dip Direction°
VILLALPANDO 135 60 225
CONTRA 132 77 222
DEL NIÑO 112 66 202
SAN FRANCISCO 347 83 221
SAN FRANCISCO 1 109 82 19
DESP. SAN FRANCISCO 109 86 19
TUBEROS 149 68 239
750 264 60 354
DOLORES
Vein Strike° Dip° Dip Direction°
DOLORES 137 53 227
DOLORES ALTO 127 77 217
DESP. DOLORES 134 48 224
SOLEDAD
Vein Strike° Dip° Dip Direction°
REYNA ISABEL 103 78 13
SAN MIGUEL 129 48 39
SOLEDAD 132 58 42
LA LOCA
Vein Strike° Dip° Dip Direction°
CASUALIDAD 263 61 173
GUADALUPE 138 75 48
LA LOCA 156 63 246
LA PAZ 137 85 47
LOZ PANCHOS 268 54 178
2D Veins
Vein Strike° Dip° Dip Direction°
178 - 70 -
274 - 75 -
680 - 80 -
750 ALTO - 70 -
995 - 70 -
ANABLE - 65 -
DESP. ANABEL - 65 -
INMACULADA - 62 -
JUAN DIEGO 107 50 17
LA LOCA ANTIGUA - 65 -
MARMAJAS 232 68 142
PONIENTE 127 86 217
SANTA FRIDA 98 68 8
SAN NICOLAS 1 & 2 257 54 167
VILLALPANDO ALTO - 65 -

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

14.3

Vertical Longitudinal Projection

The 2D polygonal method uses a fixed distance VLP from sample points. The VLPs are created by projecting the mine workings of a vein onto a vertical 2D long section. Figure 14-1 displays the VLP for the 178 vein. Resource blocks are constructed on the VLP based on the sample locations in the plane of the projection. EDR geologists review the data for sample trends and delineate areas with similar characteristics along the sample lines. The areas are then grouped based on mining requirements. The average grades and thicknesses of the samples are then tabulated for each block. Resource volumes are calculated from the delineated area and the horizontal thickness of the vein, as recorded in the sample database. The volume and density are used to determine the overall resource tonnage for each area, and the grades are reported as a length weighted average of the samples inside each resource block.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-1 VLP Showing the 178 Vein with Proven (red), Measured (orange), Indicated (blue), and Inferred (brown) Resource Blocks

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

  14.3.1

Composite Calculations

Composites for 2D estimates are calculated from underground channel samples taken perpendicular to the vein approximately every 3m along strike of the vein to determine variability in grade and thickness. The samples are grouped into a uniform composite length by using a length weighted average to determine the grade. A single or multiple composites are then used to determine the average grade of a resource block.

  14.3.2

Area and Volume Calculations

HRC confirmed the areas reported in EDR resource sheets loading AutoCAD® long VLP’s provided by EDR into ArcGIS® software, and tracing the perimeter of the resource blocks and measuring the area with the built in measuring tool. The dip of the vein and true thickness are known variables. Volume is calculated by multiplying the area of the resource block by the horizontal thickness. The horizontal thickness is used for volume calculations to compensate for the reduction in area when translating the vein to a VLP (Figure 14-2).

Figure 14-2 Cross Section Diagram of VLP Method

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

  14.3.3

VLP Mineral Resource Classification

The 2D estimates were classified based on the distance to the nearest sample. Measured mineral resources are the area of the defined resource blocks within 10 meters of a sample. Indicated mineral resources are the area of the defined resource blocks within 20 meters of a sample. Inferred mineral resources are those blocks greater than 20 meters from a sample and have a value for estimated silver.

14.4

3D Block Model Method


  14.4.1

Geologic Model

HRC constructed the vein models using Leapfrog. Twenty-two veins were modeled using a linear interpolation methodology and sample intervals. Cross-sections orthogonal to the strike of the vein were used to select intervals from drillholes representing the vein material. Level sections were used to select vein material from channel samples. Points representing the hanging wall and footwall contacts were extracted by the software to interpolate hanging wall and footwall surfaces. These surfaces were used to delineate each vein solid. The surfaces were evaluated in 3-dimensions to ensure that both the down dip and along strike continuity was maintained throughout the model. Vein volumes were clipped using a distance buffer of 100 meters, except the Villalpando vein, which used a distance buffer of 125 meters, from the selected vein intercepts. Veins were clipped against younger veins, topography, and the concession boundaries. Figures 14-3 through 14-8 are orthogonal view of the modeled veins sub-divided into 6 areas.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-3 Villalpando South Area (Viewing the Southern Extent of Villalpando, Asuncion, and San Eusebio)

Figure 14-4 Villalpando North Area (Viewing the Hanging Wall Extent of the Villalpando Vein with the San Francisco, San Francisco 1, Desp. San Francisco, Del Niño, 750, Loz Panchos, and Tuberos Veins)

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-5 Villalpando North Area (Viewing the Footwall Extent of the Villalpando Vein with Tuberos and Contra Veins)

Figure 14-6 Dolores Vein Area (Viewing Dolores, Desp. Dolores, and Dolores Alto)

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-7 Soledad Vein Area (Viewing Reyna Isabel, Soledad, San Miguel, and Villalpando for Reference)

Figure 14-8 La Loca Vein Area (Viewing La Loca, La Paz, Casualidad, Loz Panchos, Guadalupe and Villalpando for Reference)

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Areas of historical production were coded into the solids using long sections provided by EDR (Figure 14-9).

Figure 14-9 Long Section view of Modeled Villalpando Vein (Blue) with Mined out Volumes (Red) Coded into the Solid

  14.4.1.1

Updates to Villalpando Vein in 2016

The geologic model for Villalpondo Vein south of the Capulin Fault (Figure 14-10) was updated for this resource. Villalpando South used the same linear interpolation method described above, except only drillhole samples were used for the model. Additionaly, hanging wall (HWBX) and footwall breccias (FWBX) were modeled using offset surfaces and drillhole selections. The offset surfaces were allowed a minimum thickness of 0.1m and a maximum thickness set to the drillhole intercept. Figure 14-11 shows a cross section of the updated Viallalpando South model.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-10 Orthogonal View Showing the Capilin Fault and the Upadated Villalpando South, and the Villalpando North

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-11 Cross Section Showing the Villalpando South Vein, Footwall Breccia, and Hanging Wall Breccia Model

  14.4.2

Block Model

The 3D geologic solids were converted to block models using Datamine. Block model prototypes were created for each of the 3D veins. The model prototypes are rotated along strike and down dip and encompass the entire vein. A block size of 10m x 10m in the strike and dip directions was established. The blocks in the x-direction, or y-direction were sub-blocked to the vein thickness. A summary of the block model parameters is shown in Table 14-2. Note Villalpando South, the block size is set 2.5m x 2.5m. The volume, tonnage, and average statistics for sample length, silver, and gold are presented in Table 14-3.

Traditional 3D narrow vein estimates can require the assumption of a constant dip and dip direction. However, narrow vein deposits often exhibit subtle changes in strike and dip. In order to account for changes in orientation, HRC projects the block model and composites onto a 2D plane. Doing so removes the problem of fluctuating strike and dip, while adding the benefit of simplifying the variogram modeling process.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-2 El Cubo Block Model Parameters

Vein

Origin     Rotation Block Size Number of Blocks Maximum Extent
X Y Z Z Y X X Y Z X Y Z X Y Z

750

-944.5540 650.8051 2,321.8535 -29.73 -34.35 -37.17 10 50 1 28 1 29 -664.5540 700.8051 2,350.8535

ASUNCION

1,047.1370 -1,548.2192 1,921.3232 -44 -29 0 100 10 10 1 44 50 1,147.1370 -1,108.2192 2,421.3232

CASUALIDAD

-1,238.1710 573.0216 1,830.4775 -19.29 19.29 32.14 10 50 10 28 1 25 -958.1710 623.0216 2,080.4775

CONTRA

-232.1781 268.4989 2,136.3447 -46 -13 0 100 10 10 1 39 25 -132.1781 658.4989 2,386.3447

DEL NIÑO

-298.3346 249.6811 2,032.9880 -72 -22 0 100 10 10 1 45 53 -198.3346 699.6811 2,562.9880

DOLORES

-518.2175 -774.4300 2,091.3834 45 0 38.57 10 100 10 133 1 48 811.7825 -674.4300 2,571.3834

DOLORES ALTO

103.5442 -1,387.2294 2,064.7176 30.13 0.6 23.1 10 100 10 55 1 44 653.5442 -1,287.2294 2,504.7176

DESP. DOLORES

294.6841 -1,515.4052 2,108.2925 47 0 40 10 50 10 24 1 28 534.6841 -1,465.4052 2,388.2925

GUADALUPE

1,069.0903 659.8860 1,852.5006 45.4 0 15.87 10 50 10 30 1 23 1,369.0903 709.8860 2,082.5006

LA LOCA

-1,733.1538 777.7003 1,767.8031 65 0 23 10 100 10 83 1 69 -903.1538 877.7003 2,457.8031

LA PAZ

-1,383.0000 802.0042 2,030.6660 46.21 -0.4 -8.24 10 50 10 64 1 26 -743.0000 852.0042 2,290.6660

LOZ PANCHOS

-1,345.9242 342.3062 2,140.2700 -5.22 5.42 41.38 10 100 10 92 1 36 -425.9242 442.3062 2,500.2700

REYNA ISABEL

-828.2704 1,079.7657 2,088.6998 13.26 0 -11.44 10 100 10 62 1 39 -208.2704 1,179.7657 2,478.6998

SAN EUSEBIO

-187.9136 -1,049.0627 2,049.9087 -22.3 0 4.22 10 100 10 86 1 43 672.0864 -949.0627 2,479.9087

SAN FRANCISCO

-707.8933 495.2122 2,019.1636 129 7 0 100 10 10 1 70 42 -607.8933 1,195.2122 2,439.1636

SAN FRANCISCO 1

-407.9867 2,996.2202 2,162.7010 107 -5 0 100 10 10 1 49 37 -307.9867 3,486.2202 2,532.7010

DESP. SAN FRANCISCO

-306.0644 242.1481 2,195.4604 113 -7 0 100 10 10 1 40 29 -206.0644 642.1481 2,485.4604

SAN MIGUEL

296.1480 534.2210 2,340.6166 -142 0 42 10 100 10 37 1 37 666.1480 634.2210 2,710.6166

SOLEDAD

-446.0798 947.1901 2,309.6868 -41.38 1.21 34.15 10 100 10 94 1 32 493.9202 1,047.1901 2,629.6868

TUBEROS

-298.1913 161.9512 1,953.8081 -31 -23 0 100 10 10 1 52 54 -198.1913 681.9512 2,493.8081

VILLALPANDO NORTH

649.1421 -1,300.6053 1,973.8467 -44 -40 0 300 10 10 1 249 75 949.1421 1,189.3947 2,723.8467

VILLALPANDO SOUTH

620.0000 -1,360.0000 1,820.0000 32.14285 6.428568 32.14285 2.5 200 2.5 632 1 288 2,200.0000 -1,160.0000 2,540.0000

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Table 14-3 Vein Model Sample Statistics

Vein

Volume Tonnage Interval Length Average
(m3) (tonne) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t)

750

24,657 61,643 27 195 86.88

ASUNCION

113,060 282,650 580 282 2.80

CASUALIDAD

19,624 49,060 11 98 0.61

CONTRA

36,546 91,365 70 120 22.76

DEL NIÑO

63,271 158,178 138 117 4.97

DOLORES

183,430 458,575 600 224 2.22

DOLORES ALTO

76,241 190,603 639 405 1.87

DESP. DOLORES

15,526 38,815 168 361 1.46

GUADALUPE

36,044 90,110 15 417 0.87

LA LOCA

171,410 428,525 552 155 1.08

LA PAZ

51,790 129,475 122 227 0.96

LOZ PANCHOS

132,650 331,625 251 109 1.32

REYNA ISABEL

81,738 204,345 267 417 2.03

SAN EUSEBIO

72,180 180,450 148 446 0.99

SAN FRANCISCO

124,980 312,450 69 165 2.77

SAN FRANCISCO 1

82,211 205,528 302 211 3.13

DESP. SAN FRANCISCO

31,353 78,383 68 113 2.24

SAN MIGUEL SOUTH*

33,539 83,848 145 128 3.48

SAN MIGUEL NORTH*

13,904 34,760 34 33 1.26

SOLEDAD SOUTH*

72,087 180,218 194 50 1.34

SOLEDAD NORTH*

49,995 124,988 123 77 2.25

TUBEROS

85,124 212,810 204 309 1.61

VILLALPANDO NORTH

1,878,800 4,697,000 1,123 266 3.08

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Vein)

1,480,900 3,702,250 335 161 1.78

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (HWBX)

1,052,300 2,630,750 228 30 0.28

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (FWBX)

1,040,600 2,601,500 238 20 0.19

* Vein cross cuts the San Nicolas Vein

  14.4.3

Compositing

The assays intervals used to define the hanging wall and footwall intercepts within each vein were composited into a single intercept and the true thickness was calculated using the vein dip and dip direction. Descriptive statistics for the vein true thickness composites are presented in Table 14-4.

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Table 14-4 Composite True Thickness Statistics by Vein

Vein

Dip° Dip Direction° Minimum   Maximum  Mean  Std. Dev
(m) (m) (m)

750

 60 354 0.17 1.2 0.47 0.42

ASUNCION

 62 225 0.16 4.5 0.68 0.19

CASUALIDAD

 61 173 0.34 1.0 0.59 0.33

CONTRA

 77 222 0.18 1.8 0.61 0.30

DEL NIÑO

 66 202 0.13 2.6 0.52 0.26

DOLORES

 53 227 0.01 2.1 0.51 0.35

DOLORES ALTO

 77 217 0.11 3.9 0.61 0.21

DESP. DOLORES

 48 224 0.21 1.4 0.44 0.21

GUADALUPE

 75 48 0.29 1.3 0.48 0.33

LA LOCA

 63 246 0.02 3.6 0.68 0.30

LA PAZ

 85 47 0.19 1.7 0.55 0.31

LOZ PANCHOS

 54 178 0.08 2.2 0.64 0.21

REYNA ISABEL

 78 13 0.16 2.4 0.65 0.40

SAN EUSEBIO

 84 161 0.08 2.7 0.64 0.21

SAN FRANCISCO

 83 221 0.00 1.3 0.28 0.28

SAN FRANCISCO 1

 82 19 0.09 2.6 0.57 0.36

DESP. SAN FRANCISCO

 86 19 0.05 1.2 0.44 0.30

SAN MIGUEL

 48 39 0.04 2.0 0.49 0.25

SOLEDAD

 58 42 0.05 2.5 0.57 0.33

TUBEROS

 68 239 0.03 2.2 0.50 0.74

VILLALPANDO NORTH

 60 225 0.06 4.9 0.71 0.49

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Vein)

 60 214 0.41 16.5 2.18 1.85

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (HWBX)

 60 214 0.22 5.2 1.50 1.11

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (FWBX)

 60 214 0.20 8.6 1.59 1.59

  14.4.4

Capping

Grade capping is the practice for replacing any statistical outliers with a maximum value from the assumed sampled distribution. This is done statistically to better understand the true mean of the sample population. The estimation of highly skewed grade distribution can be sensitive to the presence of even a few extreme values.

Many of the channel samples within the database submitted to HRC contained samples which were already capped. EDR capped silver at 748 g/t and gold at 7 g/t for all veins and sample types. HRC reviewed the sample capping analysis conducted by EDR and finds it be acceptable for the estimation of mineral resources.

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HRC utilized cumulative frequency plots, and drillhole composite statistics to determine appropriate capping values for silver and gold in the Villalpando South vein, footwall breccia, and hanging wall breccia. Figure 14-12 shows the silver and gold cumulative frequency plots for each estimated domain. Capping limits are represented with the black line. Table 14-5 summarizes the capping values for the Villalpando South Vein, hanging wall breccia, and footwall breccia.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-12 Cumulative Frequency Plots for Silver (Left) and Gold (Right) for Villalpando South Vein, Hanging Wall Breccia, and Footwall Breccia. Solid Black Line Represents Capping Limit

Table 14-5 Capping Limits for Villalpando South Domains

Villalpando South Domain Silver (g/t) Gold Cap (g/t)
Vein 600 6.00
Hanging Wall Breccia 100 1.00
Footwall Breccia 100 1.00

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Descriptive statistics for the capped silver and gold composites are presented in Tables 14-6 and 14-7, respectively.

Table 14-6 Capped Silver Summary Statistics within Veins

Vein Count Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
750 49 0 675 146 169 1.15
ASUNCION 740 1 748 226 173 0.77
CASUALIDAD 16 5 748 202 258 1.28
CONTRA 107 0 675 94 154 1.64
DEL NIÑO 236 0 748 172 193 1.12
DOLORES 904 0 748 194 198 1.02
DOLORES ALTO 959 1 748 360 219 0.61
DESP. DOLORES 281 1 748 286 229 0.80
GUADALUPE 29 1 748 154 240 1.56
LA LOCA 595 0 748 153 201 1.32
LA PAZ 219 0 748 137 187 1.36
LOZ PANCHOS 58 0 268 33 47 1.42
REYNA ISABEL 390 0 748 173 213 1.23
SAN EUSEBIO 211 0 748 200 210 1.05
SAN FRANCISCO 347 0 748 123 168 1.37
SAN FRANCISCO 1 504 0 748 237 252 1.06
DESP. SAN FRANCISCO 148 0 748 120 162 1.35
SAN MIGUEL 281 0 748 94 136 1.44
SOLEDAD 449 0 748 106 168 1.59
TUBEROS 341 0 748 156 204 1.30
VILLALPANDO NORTH 1,324 0 748 181 194 1.07
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Vein) 116 0 600 138 143 1.04
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (HWBX) 116 0 100 16 22 1.34
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (FWBX) 116 0 100 18 23 1.28

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Table 14-7 Capped Gold Summary Statistics within Veins

Vein

Count Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)

750

49 0.00 7.00 1.97    2.21 1.12

ASUNCION

740 0.02 7.00 2.37    1.83 0.77

CASUALIDAD

16 0.02 7.00 1.06    1.80 1.69

CONTRA

107 0.00 7.00 1.57    2.25 1.43

DEL NIÑO

236 0.00 7.00 3.13    2.55 0.81

DOLORES

904 0.00 7.00 1.94    1.90 0.98

DOLORES ALTO

959 0.02 7.00 1.64    1.60 0.98

DESP. DOLORES

281 0.02 7.00 1.59    1.51 0.95

GUADALUPE

29 0.02 4.53 0.65    1.10 1.71

LA LOCA

595 0.00 7.00 2.11    2.27 1.08

LA PAZ

219 0.00 7.00 1.09    1.55 1.42

LOZ PANCHOS

58 0.00 4.00 0.86    0.96 1.12

REYNA ISABEL

390 0.00 7.00 2.31    2.38 1.03

SAN EUSEBIO

211 0.00 7.00 2.30    2.22 0.97

SAN FRANCISCO

347 0.00 7.00 1.57    1.95 1.25

SAN FRANCISCO 1

504 0.00 7.00 3.48    2.85 0.82

DESP. SAN FRANCISCO

148 0.00 7.00 2.42    2.41 1.00

SAN MIGUEL

281 0.00 7.00 2.87    2.75 0.96

SOLEDAD

449 0.00 7.00 2.59    2.65 1.02

TUBEROS

341 0.00 7.00 2.01    1.94 0.97

VILLALPANDO NORTH

1,324 0.00 7.00 2.21    2.12 0.96

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Vein)

116 0.00 6.00 1.22    1.48 1.21

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (HWBX)

116 0.00 1.00 0.17    0.24 1.41

VILLALPANDO SOUTH (FWBX)

116 0.00 1.00 0.14    0.17 1.22

  14.4.5

Variography

A variography analysis was completed to establish the continuity of silver and gold within the modeled veins. Variography establishes the appropriate contribution that any specific composite should have when estimating a block volume value within a model. This is performed by comparing the orientation and distance used in the estimation to the variability of other samples of similar relative direction and distance.

Variography was analyzed using Datamine Studio® software. The continuity is established by analyzing the variogram across strike and down dip to determine the maximum continuity within each plane. The subsequent variograms defining the maximum continuity were modeled with a spherical variogram (Figures 14-13 – 14-18). Variograms were modeled for the Villalpando North, Dolores, La Loca, Loz Panchos, Reyna Isabel, and Soledad veins and are presented in Table 14-8. Variography for silver and gold was analyzed in Villalpando South using drillhole composites only. Results are summarized in table 14-9. Variogram parameters from the modeled veins were applied to secondary veins or veins with limited data for estimation using an ordinary krige method (Table 14-10).

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Figure 14-13 Villalpando Variogram

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-14 Dolores Variogram

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-15 La Loca Variogram

Figure 14-16 Loz Panchos Variogram

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-17 Reyna Isabel

Figure 14-18 Soledad Variogram

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-8 Summary of Silver Variogram Parameters

DOLORES LA LOCA LOZ PANCHOS
Nugget (C0 ) C1 C2 Nugget (C0 ) C1 C2 Nugget (C0 ) C1 C2
0.329 0.276 0.395 0.646 0.074 0.280 0.469 0.074 0.673
  Distance1 Distance2   Distance1 Distance2   Distance1 Distance2
Z 11 45 Z 8 45 Z 20 67
X 11 45 X 8 45 Y 20 67
Z' 1 1 Z' 1 1 Z' 1 1
Rotation° Rotation° Rotation°
Y -45 Y -35 Z 90
Z 0 Z 0 X 90
REYNA ISABEL SOLEDAD          VILLALPANDO NORTH
Nugget (C0 ) C1 C2 Nugget (C0 ) C1 C2 Nugget (C0 ) C1 C2
0.642 0.020 0.338 0.642 0.020 0.338 0.010 0.514 0.386
  Distance1 Distance2   Distance1 Distance2   Distance1 Distance2
Z 10 67 Z 20 67 Z 3 72
X 10 67 Y 20 67 X 2 46
Z' 1 1 Z' 1 1 Z' 1 1
Rotation° Rotation° Rotation°
Y -10 X 90 Z 90
Z 0 Z 90 Y -22.5

Table 14-9 Summary of Silver and Gold Variograms for Villalpando South

 VILLALPANDO SOUTH 
Silver Gold
   Nugget (C0 ) C1    Nugget (C0 ) C1
0.279 0.721 0.61 0.39
  Distance1   Distance1
Primary 241 Primary 390
Secondary 80 Secondary 80
Tertiary 5 Tertiary 5
Rotation Rotation
Z 180 Z 180
X 90 X 90
Z -10 Z -10

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Table 14-10 Summary of Inherited Variograms

  Modeled Variograms  
DOLORES LA LOCA LOZ PANCHOS REYNA ISABEL SOLEDAD VILLALPANDO NORTH VILLALPANDO SOUTH
  Veins Using Variogram Model  
DESP. DOLORES GUADALUPE 750   SAN MIGUEL ASUNCION HANGING WALL BRECCIA
DOLORES ALTO LA PAZ CASUALIDAD CONTRA FOOTWALL BRECCIA
  SAN EUSEBIO DEL NIÑO
          SAN FRANCISCO  
SAN FRANCISCO 1
DESP. SAN FRANCISCO
          TUBEROS  

  14.4.6

Estimation Parameters

Comparisons were made with ordinary kriging (“OK”) and inverse distance-squared (“ID2.5 ”) methods. The ID2.5 method was selected for reporting due to better fit with drillhole data throughout the model. The search ellipse parameters used for estimation are shown in Table 14-11. Table 14-12 summarizes the estimation parameters used for Villalpando South, Hanging Wall Breccia and Footwall Breccia. These domains were estimated with drillhole composites only.

Silver and gold grades were estimated in each vein by using a single search ellipse. The size, direction, and anisotropy of the search ellipse depended on the variography, number of composites, the number of mine levels sampled, and the practitioner’s experience with similar resource estimates.

A true thickness composite length weighted Inverse Distance to the power of 2.5 was used to estimate grade for all veins. Estimation parameters for each of the veins are presented below.

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Table 14-11 Estimation Parameters

Vein 750 ASUNCION CASUALIDAD CONTRA DELNIÑO DOLORES DOLORESALTO
   Number of Composites   
Min 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Max 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
   Search Ellipsoid Rotation   
Primary Z 90 Z 90 Z 90 Z 90 Z 90 Y -45 Y -45
Secondary X 90 Y -22.5 X 90 Y -22.5 Y -22.5 Z 0 Z 0
   Search Ellipsoid Distance   
Primary 100 50 50 50 50 45 45
Secondary 100 100 50 100 100 90 90
Vein DESP. DOLORES GUADALUPE LA LOCA LA PAZ LOZ PANCHOS REYNA ISABEL SAN EUSEBIO
   Number of Composites   
Min 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Max 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
   Search Ellipsoid Rotation   
Primary Y -45 Y -35 Y -35 Y -35 Z 90 Y -10 Z 90
Secondary Z 0 Z 0 Z 0 Z 0 X 90 Z 0 X 90
   Search Ellipsoid Distance   
Primary 45 50 50 50 100 60 100
Secondary 90 100 100 100 100 120 100
Vein SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO 1 DESP. SAN FRANCISCO SAN MIGUEL SOLEDAD TUBEROS VILLALPANDO NORTH
   Number of Composites   
Min 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Max 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
   Search Ellipsoid Rotation   
Primary Z 90 Z 90 Z 90 Z 90 90 Z 90 Z 90
Secondary Y -22.5 Y -22.5 Y -22.5 X 90 90 Y -22.5 Y -22.5
   Search Ellipsoid Distance   
Primary 50 50 50 100 100 50 50
Secondary 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

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Table 14-12 Silver and Gold Estimation Parameters for Villalpando South Domains

Vein VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Silver) VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Gold)
 Number of Composites
Min 2 2
Max 5 5
 Search Ellipsoid Rotation
Z 180 180
Y 90 90
Z -10 -10
 Search Ellipsoid Distance
Primary 240 390
Secondary 80 80

  14.4.7

Model Validation

The El Cubo 3D models were validated by the following methods:

Comparison of the global descriptive statistics from the Inverse Distance Weighting (“ID”), Ordinary Krige (“OK”), Nearest Neighbor (“NN”), and composite data, and

  Inspection of the ID block model on long section in comparison to the composite grades.

  14.4.7.1

Comparison with Ordinary Krige and Nearest Neighbor Models

The OK and NN models were run to serve as comparison with the estimated results from the ID method. Descriptive statistics for the ID method along with those for the OK, NN, and drillhole composites for gold and silver are shown in Tables 14-13 through 14-20, respectively.

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Table 14-13 Silver Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison

750 Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
 (n)  (g/t)   (g/t)  (g/t)
Composite 49 0 675 146 169 1.15
ID2.5 32454 6 625 172 57 0.33
OK 32454 42 448 162 45 0.28
NN 32454 0 675 160 164 1.02
ASUNCION Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
 (n)  (g/t)  (g/t)  (g/t)
Composite 740 1 748 226 173 0.77
ID2.5 53534 2 742 187 99 0.53
OK 53534 33 520 194 74 0.38
NN 53534 1 748 166 164 0.99
CASUALIDAD Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
 (n)  (g/t)  (g/t)  (g/t)
Composite 16 5 748 202 258 1.28
ID2.5 7929 5 748 305 270 0.89
OK 7929 7 732 207 126 0.61
NN 7929 22 543 236 132 0.56
CONTRA Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
 (n)  (g/t)  (g/t)  (g/t)
Composite 107 0 675 94 154 1.64
 ID2.5 28849 0 675 69 116 1.69
OK 28849 0 665 78 77 1.00
NN 28849 0 377 70 62 0.88
DEL NIÑO Model Samples Minimum  Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
 (n)  (g/t)  (g/t)   (g/t)
Composite 236 0 748 172 193 1.12
ID2.5 73323 0 748 202 224 1.10
OK 73323 1 723 188 120 0.64
NN 73323 7 639 191 112 0.59
DOLORES Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
 (n)  (g/t)  (g/t) (g/t)  
Composite 904 0 748 194 198 1.02
 ID2.5 135217 0 748 167 187 1.12
OK 135217 1 733 189 124 0.66
NN 135217 4 646 192 118 0.62

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Table 14-14 Silver Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison (Cont.)

DOLORES ALTO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 959 1 748 360 219 0.61
ID2.5 59541 1 748 287 213 0.74
 OK 59541 18 745 299 112 0.38
NN 59541 42 672 307 109 0.35
DESP. DOLORES Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 281 1 748 286 229 0.80
ID2.5 17883 1 748 315 218 0.69
OK 17883 3 748 275 123 0.45
NN 17883 28 748 275 109 0.39
GUADALUPE Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 29 1 748 154 240 1.56
ID2.5 18044 1 748 258 329 1.27
OK 18044 1 734 177 174 0.99
NN 18044 1 518 149 114 0.76
LA LOCA Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 595 0 748 153 201 1.32
ID2.5 133227 0 748 119 181 1.52
OK 133227 0 746 122 110 0.90
NN 133227 0 534 121 97 0.80
LA PAZ Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 219 0 748 137 187 1.36
ID2.5 56290 0 748 106 155 1.46
OK 56290 0 722 116 102 0.87
NN 56290 0 666 121 92 0.76
LOZ PANCHOS Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 311 0 748 143 186 1.31
ID2.5 119778 0 748 121 177 1.47
OK 119778 0 743 152 81 0.53
NN 119778 0 640 145 73 0.51

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-15 Silver Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison (Cont.)

REYNA ISABEL Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 390 0 748 173 213 1.23
ID2.5 88506 7175 748 147 199 1.35
 OK 88506 7175 740 160 124 0.77
NN 88506 7175 586 163 109 0.66
SAN EUSEBIO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 211 0 748 200 210 1.05
ID2.5 59916 0 748 112 157 1.41
 OK 59916 0 738 154 131 0.85
NN 59916 7 641 154 128 0.83
SAN FRANCISCO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 347 0 748 123 168 1.37
ID2.5 83091 0 748 113 163 1.44
 OK 83091 0 671 103 88 0.85
NN 83091 0 644 120 104 0.87
SAN FRANCISCO 1
Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 504 0 748 237 252 1.06
ID2.5 69176 0 748 199 230 1.16
OK 69176 0 745 201 130 0.65
NN 69176 0 697 227 112 0.50
DESP. SAN FRANCISCO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 148 0 748 120 162 1.35
ID2.5 38422 0 748 133 167 1.26
OK 38422 0 718 107 100 0.93
NN 38422 0 442 121 100 0.83
SAN MIGUEL Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 281 0 748 94 136 1.44
ID2.5 84217 0 748 65 104 1.61
OK 84217 0 712 92 93 1.01
NN 84217 2 435 89 88 0.98

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Table 14-16 Silver Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison (Cont.)

SOLEDAD Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 449 0 748 106 168 1.59
 ID2.5 127808 0 748 115 183 1.59
OK 127808 1 726 103 85 0.83
NN 127808 1 581 105 75 0.71
TUBEROS Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 341 0 748 156 204 1.30
 ID2.5 81073 0 748 168 224 1.33
OK 81073 1 732 173 116 0.67
NN 81073 9 655 169 95 0.56
VILLALPANDO NORTH Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 1324 0 748 181 194 1.07
ID2.5 365613 0 748 188 140 0.74
OK 365613 0 748 181 124 0.69
NN 365613 0 748 171 194 1.14
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Vein) Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 116 0 600 138 143 1.04
ID2.5 6609 0 600 127 101 0.79
OK 6609 0 600 125 100 0.80
NN 6609 0 600 122 144 1.18
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (HWBX) Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 116 0 100 16 22 1.34
ID2.5 6508 0 100 17 19 1.09
 OK 6508 0 100 16 15 0.90
NN 6508 0 100 17 24 1.40
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (FWBX) Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 116 0 100 18 23 1.28
ID2.5 6512 0 100 18 18 0.97
 OK 6512 0 100 19 15 0.81
NN 6512 0 100 20 26 1.32

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Table 14-17 Gold Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison

750 Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 49 0.00 7.00 1.97 2.21 1.12
 ID2.5 32454 0.02 6.98 2.28 0.76 0.33
OK 32454 0.49 5.72 2.22 0.64 0.29
NN 32454 0.00 7.00 2.36 2.30 0.98
ASUNCION Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 740 0.02 7.00 2.37 1.83 0.77
 ID2.5 53534 0.10 6.92 6.92 1.17 0.17
OK 53534 0.31 6.25 6.25 0.97 0.16
NN 53534 0.02 7.00 7.00 1.63 0.23
CASUALIDAD Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 16 0.02 7.00 1.06 1.80 1.69
ID2.5 7929 0.02 7.00 1.20 1.52 1.27
 OK 7929 0.02 6.82 1.01 0.67 0.66
NN 7929 0.11 3.91 1.07 0.61 0.57
CONTRA Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 107 0.00 7.00 1.57 2.25 1.43
 ID2.5 28849 0.00 7.00 1.63 2.38 1.46
OK 28849 0.00 7.00 1.33 1.09 0.82
NN 28849 0.00 7.00 1.32 0.94 0.71
DEL NIÑO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 236 1 7.00 3.13 2.55 0.81
ID2.5 73323 0.04 6.96 3.04 1.39 0.46
OK 73323 0.10 6.76 3.07 1.33 0.43
NN 73323 0.00 7.00 3.09 2.65 0.85
DOLORES Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 904 0.00 7.00 1.93 1.89 0.98
ID2.5 135217 0.00 7.00 1.65 1.86 1.13
OK 135217 0.04 6.98 1.85 1.08 0.58
NN 135217 0.08 6.30 1.90 1.06 0.56

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Table 14-18 Gold Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison (Cont.)

DOLORES ALTO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 959 0.02 7.00 1.64 1.60 0.98
ID2.5 59541 0.02 7.00 1.58 1.53 0.97
OK 59541 0.06 6.89 1.76 0.94 0.53
NN 59541 0.17 5.83 1.78 0.91 0.51
DESP. DOLORES Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 281 0.02 7.00 1.59 1.51 0.95
ID2.5 17883 0.02 7.00 1.54 1.42 0.92
 OK 17883 0.03 6.44 1.40 0.57 0.41
NN 17883 0.20 4.53 1.45 0.50 0.34
GUADALUPE Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 29 0.02 4.53 0.65 1.10 1.71
ID2.5 18044 0.02 4.53 1.30 1.74 1.33
 OK 18044 0.02 4.01 0.89 0.96 1.08
NN 18044 0.02 3.10 0.66 0.61 0.93
LA LOCA Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 595 0.00 7.00 2.11 2.27 1.08
ID2.5 133227 0.00 7.00 1.47 2.02 1.37
OK 133227 0.00 6.99 1.61 1.32 0.82
NN 133227 0.00 6.59 1.63 1.22 0.75
LA PAZ Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 219 0.00 7.00 1.09 1.55 1.42
ID2.5 56290 0.00 7.00 0.86 1.36 1.58
OK 56290 0.00 6.47 0.94 0.79 0.84
NN 56290 0.00 4.57 0.94 0.65 0.69
LOZ PANCHOS Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 311 0.00 7.00 2.18 2.49 1.14
ID2.5 119778 0.00 7.00 1.94 2.35 1.21
OK 119778 0.00 7.00 2.31 1.26 0.54
NN 119778 0.00 7.00 2.35 1.19 0.51

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Table 14-19 Gold Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison (Cont.)

REYNA ISABEL Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 390 0.00 7.00 2.31 2.38 1.03
ID2.5 88506 0.00 7.00 1.98 2.22 1.12
 OK 88506 0.00 7.00 2.14 1.27 0.59
NN 88506 0.00 7.00 2.21 1.20 0.54
SAN EUSEBIO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 211 0.00 7.00 2.30 2.22 0.97
ID2.5 59916 0.00 7.00 1.73 1.92 1.11
 OK 59916 0.00 6.95 1.64 1.24 0.76
NN 59916 0.00 5.88 1.74 1.19 0.69
SAN FRANCISCO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 347 0.00 7.00 1.57 1.95 1.25
ID2.5 83091 0.00 7.00 1.51 1.92 1.27
 OK 83091 0.00 6.86 1.40 1.11 0.80
NN 83091 0.00 6.78 1.48 1.12 0.76
SAN FRANCISCO 1 Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 504 0.00 7.00 3.48 2.85 0.82
ID2.5 69176 0.00 7.00 3.48 2.98 0.85
 OK 69176 0.00 7.00 3.21 1.56 0.48
NN 69176 0.00 7.00 3.58 1.23 0.34
DESP. SAN FRANCISCO Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 148 0.00 7.00 2.42 2.41 1.00
ID2.5 38422 0.00 7.00 2.69 2.39 0.89
OK 38422 0.00 7.00 2.34 1.56 0.67
NN 38422 0.00 7.00 2.48 1.57 0.63
SAN MIGUEL Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 281 0.00 7.00 2.87 2.75 0.96
ID2.5 84217 0.00 7.00 2.20 2.17 0.98
OK 84217 0.00 7.00 2.53 1.48 0.59
NN 84217 0.00 6.62 2.48 1.58 0.64

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-20 Gold Model Descriptive Statistical Comparison (Cont.)

SOLEDAD Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 449 0.00 7.00 2.59 2.65 1.02
 ID2.5 127808 0.00 7.00 2.21 2.60 1.18
OK 127808 0.00 6.99 2.29 1.57 0.69
NN 127808 0.00 6.88 2.36 1.47 0.62
TUBEROS Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 341 0.00 7.00 2.01 1.94 0.97
ID2.5 81073 0.00 7.00 1.95 1.86 0.95
OK 81073 0.02 6.90 2.08 1.07 0.51
NN 81073 0.15 6.79 2.15 1.01 0.47
VILLALPANDO NORTH Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 1324 0.00 7.00 2.21 2.12 0.96
ID2.5 365613 0.00 7.00 2.64 1.62 0.61
OK 365613 0.00 7.00 2.59 1.48 0.57
NN 365613 0.00 7.00 2.47 2.32 0.94
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (Vein) Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 116 0.00 6.00 1.22 1.48 1.21
ID2.5 7139 0.02 5.19 1.21 1.17 0.97
OK 7139 0.02 4.58 1.08 0.96 0.88
NN 7139 0.00 6.00 1.00 1.31 1.31
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (HWBX) Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 116 0.00 1.00 0.17 0.24 1.41
ID2.5 7053 0.00 1.00 0.18 0.19 1.06
 OK 7053 0.02 1.00 0.16 0.14 0.86
NN 7053 0.00 1.00 0.17 0.25 1.51
VILLALPANDO SOUTH (FWBX) Model Samples Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Dev. COV
(n) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)
Composite 116 0.00 1.00 0.14 0.17 1.22
ID2.5 7055 0.02 1.00 0.15 0.14 0.96
OK 7055 0.02 1.00 0.14 0.11 0.74
NN 7055 0.00 1.00 0.15 0.21 1.36

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

The overall similarities of the statistical comparisons between the composites and models represent an appropriate amount of smoothing to account for the proposed narrow vein mining method with minimum dilution. The ID, OK, and NN models generally show similar means to the composites. The ID model has similar variance to the composites based on the Coefficient of Variation (“CV”). This is based on the stopes having similar statistics to the composites in operations; however, this will need to be continually examined as additional data is made available.

  14.4.7.2

Sectional Inspection

A visual comparison of block grades with drillhole and channel composites was made in long section. The block models follow the grade trends in the data with higher variability in the areas of denser sampling and additional smoothing of the estimate as the distance from data increases. Figures 14-19 and 14-20 display silver and gold long sections, respectively. Each long section is zoomed to a scale for viewing of the Dolores vein as estimated with the composites overlaying the block grades. Figures 14-20 and 14-21 display silver and gold long sections for the Villalpando South Vein, respectively.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-19 Long Section view of Dolores Vein Block Model Showing the Estimated Silver Grades and Composites

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-20 Long Section view of Dolores Vein Block Model showing the Estimated Gold Grades and Composites

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Figure 14-21 Long Section View of Villalpando South Vein Block model showing Estimated Silver Grades and Composites

Figure 14-22 Long Section View of Villalpando South Vein Block model showing Estimated Gold Grades and Composites

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

  14.4.8

Mineral Resource Classification

HRC used the kriging efficiency, distance from samples, and the number of samples to classify the mineral resources into measured, indicated, inferred. Measured mineral resources are those blocks with at least 15 composites, a kriging efficiency of at least 75%, and a distance no greater than 10 meters. Indicated mineral resources are those blocks at least 20 meters from a sample. Inferred mineral resources are those blocks greater than 20 meters from a sample and have a value for estimated silver.

HRC used rectangular search ellipses from channel sample and drillhole composites to classify the mineral resource for all Villalpando South Domains. Measured mineral resources are those blocks within 10 meters of a channel sample, and have a silver estimate greater than or equal to 0 g/t. Indicated mineral resources are those blocks within 20 meters of a channel sample or drillhole sample, and have a silver estimate greater than or equal to 0 g/t. Inferred mineral resources are those blocks greater than 20 meters from a sample and have a value for estimated silver.

14.5

El Cubo Mineral Resource Statement

The mineral resource estimate includes all analytical data obtained as of December 31, 2016. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, socio-economic, political, or other factors.

Mineral resources are reported above a silver equivalent grade of 177 gpt, assuming a silver price of $16.29 per ounce. HRC used a cutoff grade to test for reasonable prospects for economic extraction. Baseline assumptions for breakeven cutoff grade are based on Table 14-21:

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-21 Cutoff Grade Assumptions for El Cubo Mine

El Cubo Resource Cutoff
Ag $/oz $16.29
Au $/oz $1,195.00
Concentrate Recovery Ag 87.8%
Concentrate Recovery Au 84.7%
Payable Ag 96%
Payable Au 96%
Mining Cost $/t $42.60
Process Cost $/t $24.22
G&A Cost $/t $11.56
NSR Ag $/g $0.44
NSR Au $/g $31.23
Mine Cutoff $/t $78.39
Mine Cutoff AgEq g/t 177

Based on these assumptions, HRC considers that reporting resources at a 177 g/t cutoff constitutes reasonable prospects for economic extraction based on the current mining method and demonstrated recoveries.

  14.5.1

VLP Mineral Resource Estimate

The VLP mineral resource presented in Tables 14-22 and 14-23 is exclusive of the mineral reserves.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-22 Polygonal Resource at the El Cubo Mine, Effective Date of December 31, 2016

178 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 17,229 603 146 81,061 6.45 3,573
 Indicated 10,718 647 126 43,328 7.37 2,540
Measured + Indicated 27,947 620 138 124,389 6.80 6,113
Inferred 4,643 689 207 30,946 6.81 1,016
274 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 6,164 368 144 28,601 3.16 626
 Indicated 8,324 448 178 47,651 3.81 1,021
Measured + Indicated 14,488 414 164 76,252 3.53 1,646
Inferred 19,893 457 183 117,362 3.87 2,478
680 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 2,657 674 179 15,291 7.00 598
 Indicated 5,314 674 179 30,581 7.00 1,196
Measured + Indicated 7,972 674 179 45,872 7.00 1,794
Inferred 13,286 674 179 76,453 7.00 2,990
995 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 2,585 290 56 4,652 3.31 275
 Indicated 3,330 244 53 5,696 2.70 289
Measured + Indicated 5,915 264 54 10,348 2.96 563
Inferred - - - - - -
750 Ao Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 5,538 501 227 40,364 3.92 698
  Indicated 9,727 662 232 72,509 6.15 1,923
Measured + Indicated 15,264 604 230 112,872 5.34 2,621
Inferred - - - - - -
ANABEL Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 6,749 523 202 43,737 4.59 996
 Indicated 7,680 681 303 74,825 5.41 1,335
Measured + Indicated 14,429 607 256 118,562 5.02 2,331
Inferred 16,136 691 319 165,300 5.31 2,756
DESP. ANABEL Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 4,236 374 106 14,484 3.78 515
Indicated 3,976 400 113 14,390 4.06 519
Measured + Indicated 8,212 386 109 28,874 3.92 1,035
Inferred 7,754 417 116 28,945 4.25 1,059

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Endeavour Silver Corp. NI 43-101 Technical Report
El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-23 Polygonal Resource at the El Cubo Mine, Effective Date of December 31, 2016 (Cont.)

INMACULADA Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 4,215 403 81 10,944 4.55 617
Indicated 4,466 342 70 10,006 3.86 554
Measured + Indicated 8,681 372 75 20,950 4.19 1,170
Inferred 3,872 319 56 6,994 3.72 463
LA LOCA ANTIGUA Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 8,788 352 240 67,676 1.59 450
 Indicated 3,312 431 326 34,667 1.50 159
Measured + Indicated 12,100 374 263 102,343 1.57 609
Inferred - - - - - -
PONIENTE Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 17,857 433 181 103,702 3.57 2,048
Indicated 18,067 323 95 55,049 3.23 1,876
Measured + Indicated 35,924 378 137 158,751 3.40 3,924
Inferred 22,266 428 149 106,422 3.95 2,829
SAN NICOLAS 1 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 3,482 402 112 12,498 4.10 459
Indicated 1,287 357 163 6,745 2.74 113
 Measured + Indicated 4,769 389 126 19,243 3.73 572
Inferred - - - - - -
VIALLPANDO ALTO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 52,373 444 234 394,696 2.96 4,985
Indicated 52,420 405 214 360,241 2.70 4,551
Measured + Indicated 104,794 424 224 754,937 2.83 9,537
Inferred 4,187 290 181 24,327 1.55 209
TOTAL Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 131,873 457 193 817,704 3.74 15,840
 Indicated 128,623 457 183 755,689 3.89 16,076
Measured + Indicated 260,496 457 188 1,573,393 3.81 31,916
Inferred 92,035 517 188 556,749 4.66 13,800

  14.5.2

3D Block Model Mineral Resource Estimate

The VLP mineral resource presented in Tables 14-24 through 14-27 is exclusive of the mineral reserves.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-24 3D Block Model Resource at the El Cubo Mine, Effective Date of December 31, 2016

750 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
 Measured 2,519 279 128 10,397 2.13 172
Indicated 4,358 287 145 20,338 2.02 283
Measured + Indicated 6,877 284 139 30,736 2.06 455
Inferred 34,337 334 171 188,656 2.31 2,545
ASUNCION Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 1,114 422 252 9,020 2.41 86
Indicated 16,374 386 223 117,530 2.30 1,212
Measured + Indicated 17,489 388 225 126,550 2.31 1,298
Inferred 45,811 390 226 333,482 2.31 3,409
CASUALIDAD Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured - - - - - -
Indicated 2,285 398 288 21,121 1.56 114
  Measured + Indicated 2,285 398 288 21,121 1.56 114
Inferred 4,624 412 303 44,973 1.55 231
CONTRA Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 419 396 156 2,096 3.41 46
 Indicated 3,448 272 109 12,113 2.32 257
Measured + Indicated 3,867 286 114 14,209 2.44 303
Inferred 16,632 246 121 64,751 1.76 943
DEL NIÑO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 1,391 497 229 10,224 3.79 170
Indicated 13,097 454 207 87,212 3.49 1,468
Measured + Indicated 14,488 458 209 97,437 3.52 1,638
Inferred 60,699 441 202 393,638 3.38 6,599
DOLORES Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 156 436 308 1,541 1.81 9
 Indicated 20,914 348 210 140,985 1.97 1,321
Measured + Indicated 21,070 349 210 142,527 1.96 1,330
Inferred 77,929 406 248 621,659 2.24 5,605
DOLORES ALTO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 895 525 398 11,432 1.80 52
Indicated 22,850 463 336 246,806 1.79 1,317
Measured + Indicated 23,745 465 338 258,239 1.79 1,369
Inferred 67,033 408 284 610,990 1.76 3,802

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-25 3D Block Model Resource at the El Cubo Mine, Effective Date of December 31, 2016 (Cont.)

DESP. DOLORES Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 845 266 175 4,768 1.29 35
Indicated 1,758 322 226 12,795 1.36 77
Measured + Indicated 2,604 304 210 17,563 1.34 112
Inferred 6,184 375 278 55,358 1.37 273
GUADALUPE Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
Indicated 2,097 527 385 25,945 2.01 136
 Measured + Indicated 2,097 527 385 25,945 2.01 136
Inferred 24,709 495 360 285,767 1.91 1,515
JUAN DIEGO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 112 525 240 863 4.03 15
Indicated 6,533 432 189 39,685 3.44 723
Measured + Indicated 6,645 434 190 40,549 3.45 737
Inferred 11,025 383 159 56,528 3.16 1,120
LA LOCA Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 6,392 403 202 41,590 2.83 582
Indicated 4,672 318 160 24,032 2.23 335
Measured + Indicated 11,064 367 184 65,622 2.58 917
Inferred 68,566 333 182 402,090 2.13 4,702
LA PAZ Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
Indicated 10,052 305 194 62,563 1.58 510
Measured + Indicated 10,052 305 194 62,563 1.58 510
Inferred 35,154 293 188 212,019 1.49 1,689
LOZ PANCHOS Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 544 309 162 2,824 2.09 37
Indicated 3,531 318 169 19,211 2.12 241
Measured + Indicated 4,074 317 168 22,035 2.12 277
Inferred 77,062 342 167 412,967 2.48 6,132
MARMAJAS Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 2,151 360 156 10,800 2.88 199
Indicated 7,317 318 136 32,015 2.57 605
 Measured + Indicated 9,468 327 141 42,814 2.64 805
Inferred 14,995 324 137 66,063 2.65 1,277

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-26 3D Block Model Resource at the El Cubo Mine, Effective Date of December 31, 2016 (Cont.)

REYNA ISABEL Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 1,230 443 249 9,846 2.75 109
Indicated 21,519 430 215 148,977 3.04 2,105
Measured + Indicated 22,750 431 217 158,823 3.03 2,214
Inferred 77,452 391 206 514,086 2.61 6,510
SAN EUSEBIO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 1,341 394 172 7,418 3.14 136
Indicated 1,623 412 299 15,632 1.59 83
Measured + Indicated 2,965 404 242 23,050 2.29 218
Inferred 55,351 393 279 496,356 1.61 2,860
SAN FRANCISCO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
Indicated 17,816 291 147 84,125 2.05 1,174
Measured + Indicated 17,816 291 147 84,125 2.05 1,174
Inferred 21,244 303 155 105,895 2.09 1,427
SAN FRANCISCO 1 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 417 660 341 4,573 4.51 60
Indicated 31,455 466 218 220,214 3.51 3,545
Measured + Indicated 31,872 468 219 224,787 3.52 3,605
 Inferred 31,278 450 199 199,795 3.55 3,569
DESP. SAN FRANCISCO Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 1,093 427 193 6,767 3.31 116
Indicated 3,723 357 148 17,657 2.96 354
Measured + Indicated 4,816 373 158 24,425 3.04 470
Inferred 17,172 478 212 117,304 3.76 2,074
SAN MIGUEL Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
Indicated 6,843 324 100 22,107 3.18 700
Measured + Indicated 6,843 324 100 22,107 3.18 700
Inferred 36,304 417 154 179,667 3.71 4,334
SAN NICOLAS 1 & 2 Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 68 274 170 371 1.46 3
Indicated 504 293 181 2,937 1.58 26
Measured + Indicated 572 290 180 3,308 1.56 29
Inferred 9,285 398 205 61,085 2.76 823

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 14-27 3D Block Model Resource at the El Cubo Mine, Effective Date of December 31, 2016 (Cont.)

SANTA FRIDA Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 90 382 140 406 3.42 10
Indicated 9,038 342 132 38,436 2.97 862
 Measured + Indicated 9,128 342 132 38,841 2.97 872
Inferred 17,074 366 147 80,495 3.11 1,706
SOLEDAD Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
 Indicated 13,254 341 128 54,435 3.02 1,286
Measured + Indicated 13,254 341 128 54,435 3.02 1,286
Inferred 112,222 367 150 542,341 3.06 11,058
TUBEROS Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 1,316 398 182 7,693 2.32 98
 Indicated 5,295 342 183 31,232 2.26 385
Measured + Indicated 6,612 354 183 38,925 2.27 483
Inferred 17,285 385 219 121,451 2.36 1,309
VILLALPANDO N Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 3,615 553 298 34,601 3.61 419
Indicated 101,060 434 221 718,189 3.01 9,771
Measured + Indicated 104,675 438 224 752,790 3.03 10,190
Inferred 335,676 459 242 2,612,041 3.07 33,111
VILLALPANDO S Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 55,516 310 181 323,609 1.82 3,248
Indicated 271,909 282 182 1,589,087 1.42 12,417
 Measured + Indicated 327,424 287 182 1,912,697 1.49 15,665
Inferred 85,604 436 243 667,749 2.73 7,513
TOTAL Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 81,223 344 192 500,839 2.15 5,602
 Indicated 603,328 347 196 3,805,380 2.13 41,307
Measured + Indicated 684,552 346 196 4,306,219 2.13 46,909
Inferred 1,360,706 404 216 9,447,206 2.65 116,133

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El Cubo Project Mineral Resource Estimates

  14.5.3

El Cubo Mineral Resource Statement

The mineral resources for the El Cubo mine as of December 31, 2016, are summarized in Table 14-28. The resources are exclusive of the mineral reserves.

Table 14-28 Mineral Resource Estimate, Effective Date December 31, 2016

Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 213,000 414 192 1,318,500 3.13 21,400
Indicated 732,000 366 194 4,561,100 2.44 57,400
Measured + Indicated 945,000 377 194 5,879,600 2.60 78,800
Inferred 1,453,000 411 214 10,004,000 2.78 129,900

  1.

Measured, Indicated and Inferred resource cut-off grades were 177 g/t silver equivalent at El Cubo.

     
  2.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.

     
  3.

Metallurgical recoveries were 87.8% for silver and 84.7% for gold.

     
  4.

Silver equivalents are based on a 75:1 silver:gold ratio

     
  5.

Price assumptions are $16.29 per ounce for silver and $1,195 per ounce for gold for resource cutoff calculations.

     
  6.

Mineral resources are estimated exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.


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El Cubo Project Mineral Reserve Estimate

15.

MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE

Mr. Jeff Choquette, P.E., MMSA QP, of HRC is responsible for the mineral reserve estimate presented here. Mr. Choquette is Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and is independent of EDR. The mineral reserve calculation for EDR’s El Cubo Mine in Guanajuato, Mexico was completed in accordance with NI 43-101, and based on all data and information available as of December 31st, 2016. Stope designs for reporting the reserves were created utilizing the updated resources and cutoffs established for 2016. All of the stopes are within readily accessible areas of the active mining areas. Ore is processed in the on-site mill and floatation facility capable of processing 2,000 tpd, and excess mined tonnage (approximately 200-400 tpd) is trucked to EDR’s Bolañitos mill for processing.

15.1

CALCULATION PARAMETERS

HRC utilized Datamine’s Mineable Shape Optimizer (“MSO”) program to generate the stopes for the reserve mine plan. The MSO stope designs are then used to design stopes on levels along with the required development for the final mine plans. The parameters used to create the stopes are listed below:

  Cutoff Grade: 177 g/t AgEq
  Minimum Mining Width: 0.8 m.
  Cut and Fill Stope Size: 7m W+ x 4m H
  Long Hole Stope Size: 7m W x 20m H
  External Dilution Cut and Fill: 15%
  External Dilution Long Hole: 30%
  Silver Equivalent: 75:1 silver to gold
  Gold Price: US $1,195/oz.
  Silver Price: US $16.29/oz.
  Gold Recovery: 84.7%
  Silver Recovery: 87.8%

The stopes were created based solely on Measured and Indicated resources including internal stope dilution above the calculated cutoff, which have demonstrated to be economically viable; therefore, Measured and Indicated mineral resources within the stopes have been converted to Proven and Probable mineral reserves as defined by NI 43-101. Measured and Indicated mineral resources generated from the 2D polygon resource model were also converted to mineral reserves, provided that associated grades fell above the calculated cutoff and economic viability could be demonstrated. Inferred mineral resources are not considered as part of the reserve statement.

EDR also has ore grade stockpiles from current and past mining areas which are classified as part of the overall mineral reserve. These stockpiles are frequently used to balance the feed into the plant.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Reserve Estimate

  15.1.1

Dilution

Dilution is applied to Measured and Indicated resource blocks depending on the mining method chosen. For blocks to be exploited using conventional cut and fill methods, external dilution was applied in the amount of 15% at a grade of zero. For blocks to be exploited using conventional long hole methods, external dilution was applied in the amount of 30% at a grade of zero. Internal dilution is also applied based on any blocks that fall inside the stope shape but are below cutoff. A mining recovery is also applied to converted resources to reserves and is estimated at 95%. The overall result of these factors resulted in an overall dilution factor of 30% for El Cubo.

There is no supporting documentation with which to validate these dilutions or mining recovery estimates. HRC recommends that individual dilution and recovery studies be performed on various veins and types of reserve blocks to refine the global estimates used for dilution and mining recovery.

The global dilution and mining recovery factors at El Cubo have varied over time depending on company philosophy and experience in reconciling estimated mine production with mill sampling. Dilution and mining recoveries are functions of many factors including workmanship, design, vein width, mining method, extraction, and transport. Currently, there is limited information upon which to measure actual dilution and recovery in the stopes, and transport system. With the ongoing conversion of the resources and reserves into three dimensional block models the reconciliation process will be able to be tracked more accurately and allow for the proper calculation of dilution factors.

  15.1.2

Cutoff Grade

The mining breakeven cut-off grade was utilized in Datamine’s MSO to generate the stope designs for defining the reserves. The cutoff grade was also applied to the diluted 2D polygon grades for conversion from resource to reserve. The actual production cost data from the third quarter of 2016, reserve price assumptions, and mill recoveries are used to calculate the reserve breakeven cut-off grade. The parameters used for the calculation are presented in Table 15-1.

The cut-off is stated as silver equivalent since the ratio between gold and silver is variable and both commodities are sold. The average cut-off grade used for the El Cubo property is 177 g/t Ag equivalent. Silver equivalent grade is calculated as the silver grade + (gold grade * 75), taking into account gold and silver prices and expected mill recoveries.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Reserve Estimate

Table 15-1 Mineral Reserve Breakeven Cutoff for the El Cubo Property

El Cubo Reserve Cutoff 
Ag $/oz $16.29
Au $/oz $1,195.00
Concentrate Recovery Ag 87.8%
Concentrate Recovery Au 84.7%
Payable Ag 96%
Payable Au 96%
Mining Cost $/t $42.60
Process Cost $/t $24.22
G&A Cost $/t $11.56
NSR Ag $/g $0.44
NSR Au $/g $31.23
Mine Cutoff $/t $78.39
Mine Cutoff AgEq g/t 177

  15.1.3

Reconciliation of Mineral Reserves to Production

Production monitoring and reconciliation of Mineral Reserves are the ultimate activities by which the Mineral Reserve estimate can continuously be calibrated and refined. The only valid confirmation of both the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimate is through appropriate production monitoring and reconciliation of the estimates with mine and mill production. Proper reconciliation is required to validate the Reserve estimates and allows a check on the effectiveness of both estimation and operating procedures. Reconciliations identify anomalies which may prompt changes to the mine/processing operating practices and/or to the estimation procedure.

The geology staff at El Cubo prepare reconciliations of the Life of Mine plan (LOM) to actual production from sampling on a monthly basis.

The reconciliation compares the LOM with geology estimates from chip sampling and plant estimates based on head grade sampling. Reconciliation estimates a negative variance on tonnes for the LOM and a positive variance on tonnes for geology as compared to the plant reported tonnes for 2016 (Table 15-2). Estimated tonnage was 27% higher for geology and 24% higher for the plant than specified in the LOM. Silver equivalent grades were 0.5% higher for geology and 8.2% lower for the plant than specified in the LOM.

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Table 15-2 2016 Mine to Plant Reconciliation

  LOM_2016 Geology Short Term Plant
Ore Mined 461,115 585,433 571,812
Grade Au 1.53 1.46 1.39
Grade Ag 130 136 121
Grade AgEq 239 240 219
Ounces Au 22,709 27,564 25,534
Ounces Ag 1,932,066 2,566,263 2,222,616
Ounces AgEq 3,538,112 4,515,688 4,028,506

Although the reconciliations conducted by Endeavour show good comparisons on short term planned values versus actual values the reconciliation process should be improved to include the estimated tonnes and grade from the resource models. By comparing the LOM plan on a monthly basis to the plant production the actual physical location of the material mined may be different in the plan versus the actual area that was mined. Due to the many faces that are mined during a day this can only be completed on an average monthly basis due to blending of these areas into the mill. The monthly surveyed as mined areas should be created and saved on a monthly basis for reporting the modeled tonnes for each month. The combination of the 3D block models and 2D and polygonal reserves makes this process difficult but considerable progress has been made during the last year to get all resources and reserves into 3D block models. The model predicted results versus actuals can then be used to determine if dilution factors need to be adjusted or perhaps the resource modeling parameters may require adjustment if there are large variances.

15.2

Reserve Classification

Mineral reserves are derived from Measured and Indicated resources after applying the economic parameters as stated Section 15.1.2, utilizing Datamine’s MSO program to generate stope designs for the reserve mine plan. Mineral reserves for the El Cubo Project have been derived and classified according to the following criteria:

Proven mineral reserves are the economically mineable part of the Measured resource for which mining and processing / metallurgy information and other relevant factors demonstrate that economic extraction is feasible. For El Cubo, this applies to blocks located within approximately 10 m of existing development, and for which EDR has a mine plan in place.

 

Probable mineral reserves are those Measured or Indicated mineral resource blocks which are considered economically viable and for which EDR has a mine plan in place. For the El Cubo Project, this applies to all blocks for which EDR has a mine plan in place.

Figures 15-1 show reserve blocks depicted on a portion of a typical longitudinal section. Proven reserve blocks are shown in red, and Probable reserve blocks are shown in green. The mine planners have determined that extraction of the blocks is feasible based on grade, tonnes, costs, and access requirements.

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El Cubo Project Mineral Reserve Estimate

Figure 15-1 Villalpando Vein Dolores - Mine Resource and Reserve Section

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El Cubo Project Mineral Reserve Estimate

15.3

Mineral Reserves

The Proven and Probable mineral reserves for the El Cubo Project as of December 31, 2016 are summarized in Table 15-3. The reserves are exclusive of the mineral resources reported in Section 14 of this report.

Table 15-3 Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, Effective Date December 31, 2016

Vein Tonnes (t x 1,000) AgEq g/t Ag g/t Ag (oz) * 1,000 Au g/t Au (oz) * 1,000 % Dilution
Proven 750 2.1 222 101 6.8 1.72 0.12 42%
ASUNCION 0.5 274 141 2.5 1.89 0.03 32%
DEL NIÑO 0.8 384 131 3.2 3.58 0.09 22%
DOLORES 2.8 193 114 10.3 1.13 0.10 62%
DOLORES ALTO 5.9 356 287 54.5 0.97 0.18 35%
LA LOCA 0.3 311 169 1.5 2.01 0.02 51%
LOZ PANCHOS 7.3 239 128 30.0 1.56 0.37 52%
REYNA ISABEL 2.9 445 319 29.5 1.78 0.16 21%
SAN EUSEBIO 1.6 331 267 13.9 0.90 0.05 22%
TUBEROS 0.1 192 92 0.4 1.41 0.01 149%
VILLALPANDON 1.1 331 128 4.5 2.88 0.10 33%
VILLALPANDOS 364.4 300 155 1,812.4 2.05 24.05 26%
Stockpiles 19.5 203 95 59.4 1.54 0.96 0%
Proven Total   409.3 295 154 2,028.9 1.99 26.24 26%
Probable 750 2.2 214 108 7.8 1.49 0.11 86%
ASUNCION 6.8 263 146 31.8 1.66 0.36 41%
CONTRA 2.8 180 95 8.5 1.19 0.11 21%
DEL NIÑO 5.5 309 131 23.2 2.52 0.45 92%
DESP. DOLORES 0.9 238 175 4.8 0.89 0.02 95%
DOLORES 21.0 280 162 109.7 1.66 1.12 62%
DOLORES ALTO 12.9 270 186 76.8 1.19 0.49 47%
LA LOCA 1.6 221 154 8.0 0.95 0.05 51%
LOZ PANCHOS 1.6 231 130 6.5 1.42 0.07 29%
REYNA ISABEL 5.0 223 101 16.2 1.72 0.28 49%
SAN EUSEBIO 1.5 301 232 10.8 0.98 0.05 31%
SOLEDAD 3.9 253 110 13.9 2.02 0.26 55%
TUBEROS 10.1 221 121 39.3 1.42 0.46 90%
VILLALPANDON 8.2 303 114 30.1 2.68 0.71 43%
VILLALPANDOS 368.8 283 162 1,923.6 1.71 20.33 28%
Probable Total 452.7 280 159 2,311.1 1.71 24.85 33%
Total Proven and Probable Reserves 861.9 287 157 4,340.0 1.84 51.09 30%

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  1.

Reserve cut-off grades are based on a 177 g/t silver equivalent.

     
  2.

Metallurgical Recoveries were 87.8% silver and 84.7% gold.

     
  3.

Mining Recoveries of 95% were applied.

     
  4.

Minimum mining widths were 0.8 meters.

     
  5.

Dilution factors averaged 30%. Dilution factors are calculated based on internal stope dilution calculations and external dilution factors of 15% for cut and fill and 30% for long hole.

     
  6.

Silver equivalents are based on a 75:1 silver:gold ratio.

     
  7.

Price assumptions are $16.29 per ounce for silver and $1,195 per ounce for gold.

     
  8.

Mineral resources are estimated exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.

     
  9.

Figures in table are rounded to reflect estimate precision; small differences generated by rounding are not material to estimates.


15.4

Factors that may affect the Mineral Reserve Estimate

The El Cubo operation is an operating mine with a relatively long history of production. The mine staff possess considerable experience and knowledge with regard to the nature of the orebodies in and around the El Cubo property. Mine planning and operations need to continue to assure that the rate of waste development is sufficient to maintain the production rates included in the mine plan.

It is unlikely that there will be a major change in ore metallurgy during the life of the current reserves, as nearly all of the ore to be mined will come from veins with historic, recent, or current production.

The process of mineral reserve estimation includes technical information which requires subsequent calculations or estimates to derive sub-totals, totals and weighted averages. Such calculations or estimations inherently involve a degree of rounding and consequently introduce a margin of error. The QP does not consider these errors to be material to the reserve estimate.

Areas of uncertainty that may materially impact the Mineral Reserves presented in this report include the following:

  Mining assumptions
  Dilution assumptions
  Exchange rates
  Changes in taxation or royalties
  Variations in commodity price
  Metallurgical recovery
  Processing assumptions

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16.

MINING METHODS

   
16.1

Mining Operations

The El Cubo mine consists of two discrete operational areas. Each area has separate, dedicated crews and infrastructure for access, stoping, ventilation, and ore haulage. The area separations are geographic, and by level.

Area 1 includes the upper portion of the vein system at the north end of the mine, with access on Levels +120, +60, and one on the Villalpando system from the Sta. Cecilia ramp. Mining in Area 1 occurs both above and below Level 6 in the La Loca vein, below Level 3 down to Level 10 on the north end of the vein system, and above Level 3 elsewhere. Area 1 also includes area below Level 10 at the north end of the El Cubo concessions with access from the Sta. Lucia shaft (Figure 16-1).

Area 2 includes the southern end of the Villalpando and Dolores vein systems, and is principally accessed from the Dolores ramp at El Tajo and from a crosscut on Level 4.

Figure 16-1 Division of Mining Areas (Planta = Mill, Presa = Dam, Tiro = Shaft, Accesso = Adit)

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16.2

Production History

The El Cubo mine has an extensive production history, which is discussed in detail by Clark (2009) and is summarized here. Table 16-1 details production from the El Cubo mine from 2009 through to the end of 2016. Production in 2010 and 2011 was affected by a general strike that halted operations from June 2010 to March 2011, with production resuming in May 2011.

Table 16-1 El Cubo and Las Torres Consolidated Production, 2009-2016

Description 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total
Tonnes 506,248 240,496 247,190 385,872 391,354 413,282 677,145 583,772 3,445,359
 
Ag (g/t) 83 83 81 100 107 105 119 123 104
Au (g/t) 1.92 1.63 1.24 1.52 1.57 1.59 1.52 1.41 1.56
Ag (oz) 1,351,816 641,540 678,343 1,241,227 1,159,026 1,228,256 2,288,145 2,018,745 10,607,098
Au (oz) 31,177 12,599 10,343 18,826 17,145 18,146 28,634 21,327 158,197
 
Waste meters 7,467 2,930 4,828 12,269 10,719 13,211 12,597 4,087 68,108
Meters on Vein 9,505 2,747 1,377 8,518 7,048 1,419 8,233 6,529 45,376
Meters Total 16,973 5,678 6,205 20,787 17,767 14,630 20,830 10,615 113,485

Table 16-2 lists production by quarter for 2016. Quarterly production was below plan during the first three quarters by as much as 15%. During the fourth quarter, production improvements resulted in production over plan by 5%.

Table 16-2 2016 El Cubo Consolidated Production by Quarter

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Total Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance
Production Tonnes 172,649 165,750 104% 142,120 112,079 127% 140,866 123,234 114% 128,137 141,900 90%
Development Tonnes 34,410 40,365 85% 4,202 0 N/A 9,247 7,727 120% 32,976 15,171 217%
Total Tonnes 207,059 206,115 100% 146,322 112,079 131% 150,113 130,961 115% 161,113 157,071 103%
 
Ag (g/t) 108 107 101% 156 129 121% 128 136 94% 103 137 75%
Au (g/t) 1.38 1.40 99% 1.56 1.42 110% 1.46 1.49 98% 1.24 1.46 85%
Ag (oz) 523,765 497,553 105% 645,745 407,564 158% 486,911 470,730 103% 362,324 548,057 66%
Au (oz) 5,943 6,687 89% 5,814 4,598 126% 5,326 5,281 101% 4,244 5,974 71%
 
Waste meters 1,618 1,935 84% 311 0 N/A 579 461 126% 1,579 642 246%
Meters on Vein 3,082 1,001 308% 760 374 203% 1,179 1,006 117% 1,508 1,049 144%
Total Meters 4,700 2,936 160% 1,071 374 286% 1,758 1,467 120% 3,087 1,691 183%

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El Cubo Project Mining Methods

Total development for 2016 was 10,615 meters of advancement, of which 6,529 meters were in mineral development and 4,087 meters were in waste development (Table 16-3).

Waste development includes bypasses, ventilation raises and ore passes, ramps, areas of waste vein, and cross-cuts to vein. Much of the current mine production is pillar recovery, and bypasses are necessary where old stopes must be avoided to access the pillars.

Table 16-3 2016 Production Summary (meters of advance)

Month Ore Waste Sub Totals
January 1001.4 1010.5 2011.9
February 1219.2 297.8 1,517
March 861.5 309.6 1,171
April 262.4 73.4 335.8
May 226.9 118.8 345.7
June 270.2 119.1 389
July 316.8 159.5 476
August 392.5 196.7 589
September 469.7 222.5 692
October 486.3 520.6 1,007
November 453 638.6 1091.6
December 568.6 419.7 988.3
Total 6,529 4,087 10,615

The remaining reserve life-of-mine plan is based on a nominal production rate of 1,500 tonnes per day of ore mined from underground. This plan is also based on $16.29/oz silver and $1195/oz gold, and additional parameters as shown in Table 15-1. Utilizing nominal production rates, the remaining reserves show an expected mine life of 1.6 years. Total development planned for 2017 is 19,985 meters with 11,083 of those meters in waste development and 8,902 meters in ore.

As stated previously in section 15.1.1 dilution is applied to Measured and Indicated resource blocks depending on the mining method chosen. For blocks to be exploited using conventional cut and fill methods, external dilution was applied in the amount of 15% at a grade of zero. For blocks to be exploited using long hole methods, external dilution was applied in the amount of 30% at a grade of zero. Internal dilution is also applied based on any blocks that fall inside the stope shape but are below cutoff. A mining recovery is also applied to converted resources and is estimated at 95%. The overall result of these factors resulted in an overall dilution factor of 30% for El Cubo.

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16.3

Mining Methods

Conventional drill and blast methods are used to extract the ore at El Cubo, and access to the mining areas is provided by ramps, adits and shafts. Mine development headings are drilled by jumbo and by jackleg. The dimensions of the different development sections are as follows:

  Main Ramps: 4.3 W x 4 H meters

  Accesses: 3 x 3 meters
  Sill in Mineral 2.2 x 2.5 meters (minimum)
  Raise: 1.5 x 1.5 meters
  Bore Holes Raise: 1.8 meter diameter

The choice of equipment is generally guided by the anticipated vein widths, stoping method, and equipment availability.

The stoping methods used at El Cubo in 2016 were mechanized cut-and-fill and long hole. These two methods are also planned for all the future production.

Once sill development is completed and the limits of the ore have been defined, stope production can begin. For conventional cut and fill stoping, ore is mined upward in horizontal slices using jackleg drills. Cut and fill mining is a method of short hole mining with hole lengths usually less than 2m. After the ore is removed, the void is filled with muck. El Cubo uses unconsolidated mine waste from development headings. Under certain circumstances concrete is used as fill to create a solid floor. This enables mining from the stope below up to the concrete pillar and recovering most, if not all of the ore pillar that would otherwise be left behind. This process is usually reserved for high-grade floor pillars.

The production cycle starts by drilling upper holes using a jackleg (Figure 16-2). Geologists mark up the vein, and the stope is drilled and blasted accordingly. Drillholes on the vein (Blue) are blasted first. After the ore has been mucked, the holes drilled in waste (Green) are then blasted to achieve the dimensions required for the scoop to work in the next production lift.

Figure 16-2 Cut-and-fill with Re-Sue Method

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Mining is simpler where the veins are close to or equal to the width of the working. In this case, the back is blasted full-width and the extra waste blast step is eliminated.

By comparison, longhole open-stoping, holes are drilled upwards and/or downwards from the sill level. Longhole methods are typically 7 to 15m in length and are more productive than cut and fill methods. Longhole stoping is also cheaper than conventional cut and fill stoping. As with cut and fill methods, longhole stopes are filled with waste rock from development headings (Figure 16-3).

Some of the ore produced with the longhole drill machines is generated by drilling old pillars. Other stopes are blind by drilling uppers and blasting a slot at the far end of the stope to enable the ore to break in the subsequent larger stope blasts. Uppers are drilled to a 10-15m height on vein projections in rows across the width of the vein. The rows closest to the slot are blasted first. The stope is mucked clean, or at least sufficiently to allow the next blast. The stope retreats, leaving a void that can only be filled by a mill hole connected from somewhere above. The ore is extracted using remote- controlled scoops.

Figure 16-3 Schematic Showing Typical Longhole Stope Design

16.4

Mine Equipment

The El Cubo mine has its own fleet of scoops, trucks, and rail wagons, as summarized in Table 16-4. Depending on the location, underground ore is delivered to the surface by trucks via ramp, shaft, or rail haulages.

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Table 16-4 Mining Equipment Inventory, El Cubo Mine

Loaders Capacity Model Qty
Scoop tram 1.25 LT-210 6
Scoop tram 1.5 LT-270 5
Scoop tram 2 LH-203 9
Scoop tram 2 RDH 200D 2
Scoop tram 2.5 LT-350 1
Scoop tram 3 LT-410 1
Scoop tram 3.5 LT-650 y LH307 4
Total     28
Trucks Capacity Model Qty
Truck 4 Elmac D-5 2
Truck 6.5 Elmac D-10 3
Truck 10 Normet 2
Total     7
Locomotives Capacity Model Qty
Goodman 4.5   2
Goodman 6   1
Goodman 8   1
Titan 3.5   1
Greensburg 8   1
Total     6
Compressors Capacity Model Qty
Ingersoll Rand 300 HP   1
Atlas Copco 268 HP GA 200 3
Atlas Copco 363 HP GA 315 4
Gardner Denver 200 HP   1
Total     9
Other Equipment   Model Qty
Tractors   New Holland 8
Tractors   John Deere 6
UTILITY 4X4 DIESEL   Kubota 3
Jumbo   Ven-Runner II 1
Raise-Bore   Robbins 43 R-M-4-C 1
LH MACHINE JUMBO RAPTOR MINI 1
LH MACHINE JUMBO LH RAPTOR 44 1
LH MACHINE   STOP MATE BOART 2
TELEHANDER   MANITOU MLT-634 1
Moto Grader   LEEBOY 1
Lift truck   VF 5000 1
Jacklegs   RNP 62
Vehicles   Varies 60
Total     148

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Contractors supply additional mining equipment for development and in the mining operations. They are involved in the development of certain areas of the mines and in haulage of ore from underground and surface stockpiles to the plant. Table 16-5 list the mine equipment on site that is used and owned by the contractors.

Table 16-5 Mining Equipment Inventory, Contractor

Loaders Capacity Model Qty
Scoop tram 1.5 LT270 2
Scoop tram 2 LH203 2
Scoop tram 4.5 R1300G 1
Scoop tram 4.5 LT650 1
Total     6
Other Equipment   Model Qty
Jumbo   AXERA 1
Jumbo   55XP Troidon 1
Jacklegs   RNP 15
Vehicles   Varies 7
Total     24
Contractors Trucks Capacity Model Qty
Conventional Trucks 7 m³ varies 10

16.5

Geotechnical Factors

Since May of 2011, it is standard procedure to install systematic ground control throughout the mine. Ground control is carried out using a combination of split sets, mesh, w-straps, and cable bolts. The type of support varies according to the conditions encountered, but split sets are most common and are complemented as needed with mesh and/or w-straps.

Cable bolting is required during the preparation of stopes for longhole blasting. The cable bolts are installed by drilling holes in the hanging wall and fixing the bolts in place with cement pumped into the hole.

The upper levels of the mine are dry. Water inflows are a factor in the lowest development levels in Area 1, where it is collected, pumped, and distributed as needed for use in mine production. The lowest historic development level of the mine, Level 9 of the Villalpando vein, was flooded until the latter part of 2013.

After the strike ended in 2011, Blake (2011) provided a preliminary geotechnical study to AuRico to determine if ground deterioration had occurred and if so, what rehabilitation effort might be needed in order for mining to resume. The geotechnical study concluded that in most cases, scaling and spot bolting would sufficiently mitigate deterioration, and rehabilitation work was carried out in three stopes according to recommendations.

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16.6

Manpower

As of December 31, 2016, the company had a total of 610 direct employees distributed in different departments (Table 16-5). This is approximately a 16% decrease from the 713 employees at the end of 2015. Of the 610 direct employees, 478 (78%) belong to the local miners’ union (Part of the National Miners Union).

Xianaconsa, S.A. de C.V. supplies 28 people for underground development. Campos Hernandez Contratiscas Mineros, S.A. de C.V. supplies 114 people for underground mining. Juan Ramon Jasso Martinez (JASSO) hauls ore from underground and from the mines to the plant and had 37 people on site as of December 31, 2016. Hammer Seguridad Privada is the security company used to guard the installations and they have a total of 78 persons working on site. There were 33 other people working with several other contractors providing various services from personnel transport to construction projects (Table 16-5).

Table 16-6 El Cubo Employees and Contractors

DIRECTLY EMPLOYED  
Employees Cubo 14
Employees Villalpando 24
Varal 94
Cubo Sindicalizados (union) 478
Total 610
CONTRACTORS  
Rangel Barbosa Fernando (Personal Transport) 11
Construcciones Mineras Gogui, S.A. de C.V. (Personal Transport) 22
Hammer Seguridad Privada, S.R.L. de C.V. (Security) 78
Jasso Martinez Juan Ramon (Heavy Equipment, Haulage) 37
Campos Hernandez Contratiscas Mineros, S.A. de C.V. (Mining) 114
Xianaconsa, S.A. de C.V. 28
Total 290

16.7

Training and Safety

All new employees, including contractors, are required to complete a two-day introduction course that explains the risks of the operation, procedures, how to use the safety gear, first aid, handling of explosives, etc. At the end of the training each employee is evaluated to determine if further training is necessary. Safety talks and safety audits are completed and recorded on a daily basis. The mine has an Emergency and Mine Rescue team that consists of 24 members. The team was formed in February, 2012, and is equipped with Drager BG4 breathing apparatus. The team also provides emergency services support to the local community, as needed. Emergency facilities (infirmaries) are located at Sta. Cecilia, El Tajo (Dolores), and El Cubo, and all operate 24 hours 7 days per week. One doctor, ten paramedics, and two nurses are available on-site, and a second doctor is retained in an on-call capacity in order to comply with work regulation NOM-030-STPS-2009. A second ambulance was purchased in 2013. One is stationed at the Dolores mine site, and the other at the Santa Cecilia mine site.

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El Cubo Project Recovery Methods

17.

RECOVERY METHODS

In 2016, the El Cubo mill processed 583,772t of ore grading 123 g/t silver and 1.41 g/t gold. A total of 2,018,745 oz silver and 21,327 oz gold were recovered from the El Cubo ore. Silver and gold recoveries averaged 87.4% and 80.6%, respectively.

17.1

Processing plants


  17.1.1

El Tajo Flotation Plant

EDR refurbished the crushing circuit and completely rebuilt the grinding and flotation circuits. The plant was designed and built by Promimet S.A. de C.V., a Mexican engineering company based in Guanajuato. An engineering procurement contract was granted in September 2012. The construction management was awarded to Smith & Foster, a Canadian firm. The new flotation plant was commissioned in May 2013, ramping up the throughput to 1,600 tpd and stabilizing the process. During 2015, plant production was ramped up to 2,000 tpd, but was brought back down to 1,600 tpd in 2016 due to development cut backs.

The reagent and principal equipment list is presented in Tables 17-1 and 17-2, and the process flow sheet for the flotation plant is presented as Figure 17-3,

Table 17-1 Reagent List

Reagent/Power Units Consumption
Collector KAX 41 l/t ore 0.060
Frother CC-1065 l/t ore 0.005
Steel balls kg/t ore 1.50
Collector 7310 l/t ore 0.015
Copper sulfate kg/t ore 0.010
Flocculant kg/t ore 0.030

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Table 17-2 Principal Equipment List

Principal Equipment Specification
Jaw crusher 30’x42’ portable crusher
Coarse ore bins Concrete ore bin with approx. capacity of 600 t of ore
Secondary cone crusher Symons, dia. 4-1/4’, standard head
Tertiary cone crusher Symons, dia. 4-1/4’ short head
Vibration screens 1. Terex vibration screen, 6’x16’
2. Svedala vibration screen, 6’x16’
Fine ore bins Two (2) steel ore bins with approx. capacity of 620 t of ore in each or total 1240 t
Ball mills 1. Mercy, 9’x9’, 450 HP
2. Mercy, 9’x10’, 600 HP
3. Dominion Engineering, 12’x14’, 1300 HP
Rougher/scavenger flotation cells Five (5) Outotec tank cells, 30 m3
1st cleaner cell Four (4) Denver flotation cells, 50 ft3 each
2nd cleaner cell Two (2) Denver flotation cells, 50 ft3 each
Concentrate filter press One (1) Diemme filter press with 39 plates of size 1500 mmx1500 mm, chamber thickness 50 mm, total filtration area147 m2 , 3.378 m3 of concentrate per batch
Concentrate thickener One (1) Outotec thickener of size D 8 m
Tailings thickener One (1) Outotec thickener of size D 21 m

Plant performance for October to December 2016 is presented graphically in Figures 17-1 and 17-2. Photographs of the existing plant are shown in Figures 17-4 through 17-7.

Figure 17-1 Metal Recovery El Cubo

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Figure 17-2 Grinding Size at El Cubo

Figure 17-3 Simplified Flowsheet of the new El Tajo Flotation Plant

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Figure 17-4 Primary Crusher (left); Fine Ore Bins (right)

Figure 17-5 Flotation Tailings Thickener (left); Concentrate Thickener (right)

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Figure 17-6 Grinding and Flotation Circuits of the new El Tajo Plant (left) Cyanide Leaching and Counter Current Decantation Circuits (actually shut down) (right)

Figure 17-7 El Tajo Plant Simplified Process FlowSheet

  17.1.2

El Tajo Leach Plant

The El Tajo leach plant was designed and built for processing 400 tpd of ore, but at the time of acquisition by EDR it was used for leaching flotation concentrate produced at Las Torres plant rented from Fresnillo Plc.

In December 2013 the leaching plant was shut down due to the fact that selling the concentrate was more economic than cyanide leaching at current conditions. The past reagent consumption for the operation is shown in Table 17-3. A simplified process flowsheet for the El Tajo plant is presented as Figure 17-8, and the principal equipment list is summarized in Table 17-4.

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Table 17-3 Reagent Consumption of El Tajo Leach Plant in 2013

Reagent/Power Units Consumption
Sodium cyanide kg/kg Ag 5.44
Flocculant kg/kg Ag 0.21
Lime kg/kg Ag 4.71
Zinc dust kg/kg Ag 0.87
LP gas kg/kg Ag 6.62
Borax kg/kg Ag 1.50
Soda ash kg/kg Ag 0.51
Niter kg/kg Ag 0.33

Figure 17-8 Simplified Flowsheet of Cyanide Leach and CCD Circuits at El Tajo Plant

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Table 17-4 Principal Equipment of El Tajo Leaching Plant

Principal Equipment

Specification
Leach Feed Thickener D 60’xH 12’ (used as process water tank)
Leach Tanks Five (5) air agitated leach tanks of size D 30’xH 24’
CCD Thickeners Four (4) thickeners of size D 41’xH 11’ and Two (2) thickeners of size D 38’xH 10’
Merrill-Crowe A modular 120 m3 /h-plant designed and built by Kappes , Cassiday and Associates (1994)
Refinery Two (2) gas fired furnaces

17.2

Recovery

The recovery process at El Cubo during 2016 consisted of a single flotation concentrate. Table 17-5 shows the recovery percentage by year. Silver and gold recoveries averaged 86.3% and 80.6% respectively for 2016. The recoveries presented from 2008 to July 14, 2012 are from AuricoGold and the 2013 recoveries include ore supplied from Bolanitos.

Table 17-5 Process Recoveries 2008 – 2016

Year Recovery (%) Head Grade
Au Ag Au Ag
2008 90.4 88.1 1.98 94.4
2009 90.3 88.5 1.92 83
2010 91 88.7 1.7 82.1
2011 85.3 85.3 1.23 77.8
2012 87.9 85.2 1.43 87.3
2013 89.6 87.2 1.73 113
2014 85.9 88 1.59 105.5
2015 88.3 86.5 1.52 119
2016 80.6 86.3 1.41 123

17.3

Tailings

Tailings facilities at the El Cubo mine include Mastrantos I, II and IV, which are old cyanidation tailings, and Mirasol, Mastrantos III and Mastrantos VI, which are flotation tailings (Figure 17-9).

The flotation tailings from El Tajo flotation plant, with a density of approximately 50% solids, are pumped through 1.4 km pipeline to the Mastrantos VI tailings facility. Some of the water is reclaimed and pumped back to the flotation plant.

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The concentrate leaching tailings were sent to Mastrantos IV until the leach plant was shut down at the end of 2013. The operation of the tailings dam was not continuous and the tailings were deposited in batch. The solution collected in the tailings dam is still reclaimed and sent to the plant and used again in the process. Additional make-up water for the concentrate leaching process is pumped to the El Tajo plant from the Dolores underground mine. The cyanide solutions are handled separately from the flotation circuit process water since the presence of cyanide is depresses the pyrite flotation.

In 2013 EDR hired AMEC to plan and implement a tailings facility management program to cover development, tailings water monitoring, and tailings facility closure. The mine conducts sampling of waters in arroyos and streams every 3 months. The water samples are sent for analysis to an external certified laboratory.

Figure 17-9 View of the Tailings Storage Facilities of El Cubo Mine

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18.

PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE

EDR has all of the necessary mine and mill infrastructure to operate the El Cubo Mines project efficiently and to all regulatory standards imposed on the project by the various government agencies.

18.1

Offices and Buildings

CMC uses three building complexes. The main office is located inside the mine site located at the Dolores Mine. The mine site is also the location of the El Tajo process plant. The second complex, which is called La Hacienda and belongs to CMC, is located in the town of El Cubo. The company warehouse is located in La Hacienda. A new warehouse is being constructed near the underground core storage facility. La Hacienda, within itself, has enough buildings and offices to contain all the administrative personnel and activities. The third complex is the Santa Cecelia Mine site. This complex is the home to a maintenance shop and an additional office building used by mine geology and planning among other things.

For administration purposes, the underground mine is divided in three areas. Each area has its own small office building with rooms for operation and technical services employees, lamp house, meeting room, etc. Table 18-1 presents the list of the three underground offices indicating location and ownership.

Table 18-1 Underground Offices

Area Name Location Ownership
1 San Nicolas San Nicolas CMC
2 Dolores Tajo Plant CMC
3 Villalpando La Hacienda CMC

  18.1.1

El Tajo Processing Plant

A new 1,600 tonne per day process plant was commissioned in 2013. The facility, the El Tajo plant, owned by CMC, crushes, grinds, and concentrates in flotation cells all of the ore mined from the underground mine. During 2015, plant production was ramped up to 2,000 tpd.

The second treatment plant, the Chirimitera plant, consists of a 500-tpd comminuting and flotation circuit. The Chirimitera plant has been shut down since November 2007. If CMC decides to resume activity at this facility, it must be rehabilitated and fitted with a grinding mill and a secondary crusher.

CMC owns a series of tailing dams and impoundments that were used for the disposition of treated solids from the former concentration process at the El Tajo and Chirimitera plants, and from the past leach process at El Tajo plant. The Mastrantos IV & V impoundments have been receiving all the cyanided-treated solids for the last twenty-six years. The Mastrantos VI tailing dam has not been active since 2007.

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Slurry discharges from the treatments are sent to their final disposition through HDPE pipelines. Superficial water and diluted solution in dams and impoundments, after settling out solids, is pumped back to the plants for reuse in similar HDPE pipelines.

Besides the treatment plant, the El Tajo facilities include a doré refinery and lab.

The doré refinery and leach plant was shut down in December 2013. Concentrate is now shipped to third party refiner.

The assay lab at El Tajo was closed in 2013 and all sampling sent to the assay lab onsite at the Bolañitos Mine.

18.2

Ventilation

The ventilation system at El Cubo is a combination of natural and mechanical, but relies mostly on natural ventilation. Air flow enters through the various access ramps, shafts, raise bore holes, and old mine openings, and moves down to the lower part of the mine, exhausting through a series of partially open old areas of the mine, raise bore holes, and conventional driven raises. A downfall associated with natural ventilation is the lack of stable directional flow. The natural flow of air is governed by pressure, which can be highly variable, presenting a very dangerous situation in the event of an underground fire.

Figure 18-1 is an example of the ventilation plan for the Dolores Mine, showing ventilation raises and fan locations, and airflows for fresh air and exhaust. The longitudinal section presented in Figure 18-2 illustrates the complexity of the system.

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Figure 18-1 Dolores Mine Ventilation Plan

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Figure 18-2 Longitudinal View of El Cubo Mine Ventilation

  18.2.1

Area 1 (San Nicolas, Villalpando, and Peregrina)

The San Nicolas mine is the oldest of the four CMC mines. Air is drawn into the mine through the main entrances on levels 120, 60, and 0, and the San Nicolas Main and Santa Cecilia access ramps. The air flow travels mostly through the ramps and drift accesses to the various stopes. Some of the exhaust air flows to the surface through raise bore holes equipped with two electric fans (42 – 26- 1700, 75hp/60k EA), and the rest flows to the surface naturally through raise bore holes without fans and old open stopes. The total fresh air into Area 1 is 160,000 cfm, and the total air exhausting through the mechanical system is 140,000 cfm.

The Villalpando Mine is located in central to the El Cubo claim block and is connected to Peregrina Mine on the 315 level (northwest) and on the 8 level (east side) through the main ramp. It also communicates to surface and to the San Nicolas Mine through the main ramp, connecting the entrance at the Santa Cecilia Ramp (west side) and the entrance of Dolores and Villalpando mines to the southeast. Fresh air comes into the mine mainly through two old shafts, the Buena Suerte and San Lorenzo shafts. In the Buena Suerte shaft, one 4800 VAX 2700, 1800, 200 hp fan pushes 90,000 cfm down to the 10 level. From there, the fresh air is distributed to the levels between the surface and the 8 level. The air flow coming out of the Buena Suerte shaft helps to ventilate a few stopes and a portion of the travel ways. In the San Lorenzo shaft, 70,000 cfm of fresh air is pushed down by a 4200 VAX 2700, 100hp fan. The used air leaves the mine mainly through raise bore holes and old mine openings. The distance between stopes and travel ways connecting others areas are long. Air is pumped into various stopes using auxiliary ventilation fans in combination with ventilation tubing and natural ventilation.

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At the Peregrina mine, the fresh air comes in through the Santa Lucia, Guanajuato Shafts and the new raise bore hole. Both of them draw natural ventilation in combination with a 100 hp electric fan. From the Santa Lucia Shaft, fresh air goes to the 535 level (41,000 cfm), to the 585 level (35,000 cfm), to the 600 level (43,000 cfm), and the base of the shaft (12,000 cfm). Fresh air from the Guanajuato shaft (41,000 cfm) travels 6,000 meters. Fresh air from the Santa Lucia shaft travels along each level and through the internal ramps. One 100 hp electric fan located on top of the #71 Robbins raise transfers 80,000 cfm into the exhaust raise flowing to surface. Fresh air is sent to the stopes with auxiliary ventilation fans. The remaining cfm is flowing up the ramp and other raise bore holes to surface. The entire ventilation plan for this area of El Cubo has been revised to use only CMC openings and infrastructure after the termination of Las Torres agreement.

  18.2.2

Area 2 (Dolores Mine)

Dolores mine is ramping up the levels of production in order to meet the required budget. The mining activities are increasing every day and because of that more equipment is coming into the mine. All these activities are introducing more diesel horsepower, dust, heat and fumes.

Three new headings have been opened at the Dolores mine: the 1140 ramp to the lower southeast part of the Villalpando vein, the 501 ramp to the lower area of the Dolores-Capulin vein, and the 1105 ramp reactivation to gain access to the lower part of the northwest Villalpando vein.

The 1140 ramp is ventilated with 60,000 cfm fresh air drawn from the Capulin shaft using two 3000 VAX 2100, 3600, 50 hp fans and 90,000cfm fresh air drawn from the Gil shaft, with one 5400 VAX 2700, 250 hp electric fan forcing air into the Asunción Area. Future ventilation will include a 4200 VAX 2700, 1800, 100 hp electric fan at the intersection of the Gil Shaft and cross-cut access on 9 levels. The fan will move 74,000cfm, enough to sustain the mining activities in this area. The fan will be relocated when the ramp gets to the lower level, and will pull fresh air from the extension of the Gil shaft; from there the fan will force the air to the bottom of the Asunción vein. The used air will exhaust to surface through the 1140 ramp and new raise boreholes (#85, #83, and #84) from surface to 7 level.

The 501 ramp is ventilated with one 4200 VAX 2700, 1800, 100 hp electric fan located on surface at the top of the #75. The fan pulls 75,000 cfm of fresh air from the surface through the 1105 ramp and the #72 raise borehole to ventilate the headings and new development areas located on the negative 501 ramp. The used air is exhausted to surface by the fan (exhaust system).

The ventilation for the 1105 ramp comes from surface down the ramp and is drawn into the #87 raise bore hole (90,000 cfm) by a 4800 VAX 2700, 200 hp electric fan located on top of the raise and exhausting to surface. The fresh air flow it is transferred to the heading by electric fan located up-ramp before entering the #87 raise borehole and exhausting to surface through raise bore holes (#87, #73 and #70).

Most of the stopes in the older producing areas of the mine are ventilated with natural ventilation (top levels) and auxiliary vent fans. The air flow travels long distances before reaching the areas to ventilate.

  18.2.3

Ventilation Improvements

Table 18-2 lists the ventilation installations with their purpose and capacity, as applicable.

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Table 18-2 Master List of Ventilation Installations Showing Utilization and Capacities

MINE AREA TYPE ID CONNECTION PURPOSE FRESH AIR EXHAUST AIR COMMENTS
I Main Ramp   Surface Intake 60,000 - -
I Raise Bore 10 Surface -Level 4 Intake 15,000 - -
I Raise Bore 16 Surface -Level 4 Intake 20,000 - -
I Raise Bore 17 Surface -Level 4 Intake 20,000 - -
I Raise Bore 37 Level 0 (portal) - Level 4 Exhaust - 20,000 -
I Raise Bore 38 Surface-Level 10 Intake 90,000 - FAN: 200 HP
I Raise Bore 45 Level 4 - Level 8 Exhaust - 20,000 -
I Raise Bore 47 Level 4 - Level 8 Exhaust - 30,000  
I Raise Bore 49 Surface -Level 4 Exhaust - 78,000 FAN: 100 HP
I Raise Bore 53 Level 4 - Level 8 Exhaust 30,000 - -
I Raise Bore 55 Surface -Level 4 Intake 30,000 - -
I Raise Bore 56 Surface -Level 3 Exhaust - 35,000 -
I Raise Bore 64 Surface-Level 8 Exhaust - 95,000 FAN: 100 HP
I Raise Bore 76 Level 4 - Level 8 Intake 15,000 - -
I Shaft Tiro San Lorenzo Surface -Level 4 Intake 60,000 - FAN: 100 HP
I Raise Bore 80 Surface - 4-333 Exhaust - 85,000 FAN: 135 HP
II Main Ramp   Surface Intake 80,000    
II Raise Bore 70 Portal San Eusebio - Level 4 Exhaust - 80,000 FAN: 75 HP
II Raise Bore 73 Level 4 - Level 6 Exhaust - -  
II Raise Bore 75 Surface - Ramp 501 Exhaust - 74,000 FAN: 100 HP
II Shaft Tiro Capulin Surface -Level 5 Intake 40,000 - -
II Shaft Tiro Gil Surface -Level 9 Intake 70,000 - FAN: 250 HP
II Raise Bore 81 4-333mRamp 705(-) Exhaust - -  
II Raise Bore 82 Surface Level 4 Exhaust - - In Progress
II Raise Bore 83 & 84 Level 4 - Level 7 Exhaust - - In Progress
II Raise Bore 85 Surface - Ramp 1140 (-) Exhaust - - FAN: 150 HP
II Raise Bore 87 Level 6 - Level 9 Exhaust - -  
II Raise Bore 88 Surface Level 8 Exhaust - - In progress
IV Alimak 3 Ramp 3006 - Level 13 Intake 15,000 - -
IV Alimak 2 Level 13 - Level 8 Intake 15,000 - -
IV Raise Bore 63 Ramp 321 - Level 14 Intake 20,000 - -
IV Raise Bore 65 Level 10 - Level 14 Intake 20,000 - -
IV Raise Bore 71 Level 12- Level 14 Exhaust - 80,000 FAN:100 HP
IV Raise Bore 74 Level 8 - Level 12 Exhaust - 20,000 -
IV Raise Bore 78 Level 8 - Level 12 Intake 15,000 - -

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In summary, the ventilation system for each of the mines is being improved to minimize any risk in the event of an underground fire, improve environmental working conditions, and improve production levels. There are three major components to the planned improvements to the ventilation system: 1) purchasing ventilation equipment; 2) increasing electrical power capacity; and 3) increasing the number of raise bore holes dedicated to ventilation in strategic locations.

18.3

Water

Water for the mine operations is obtained from the Dolores Mine. Water is pumped from the Dolores Mine into a series of water reservoirs at the surface for storage and distribution to the mines. The surplus of water pumped from the Dolores mine is sent to the fresh water tanks, which when required is used to supply the mines. The water found in the Dolores mine is a product of filtrations and of intentional flooding for storage. A plan for obtaining water needs to be completed as a precaution should the water in the Dolores mine run out.

18.4

Compressed Air

Compressed air is supplied to the mine by a group of compressors which are all located in different areas on surface. The compressed air is supplied via a network of 4 and 6 inch lines. The working pressure that reaches the headings is at 85 psi.

18.5

Electricity

Electrical power for the mine is provided by the state-owned Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) via 13.3 kV overhead transmission lines connected to the national grid. The energy is transformed on site by a series of substations for distribution to different facilities. Table 18-3 summarizes the location and capacity of the main transformers of CMC and those of Compañía Minera Las Torres.

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Table 18-3 Summary of Electric Installations

Area Location Capacity (kva) Power Input (V) Power Output (V)
Los Silvestres Surface 1,000 13,200 440
Chirimitera Surface 1,000 13,200 440
Chirimitera Surface 1,000 13,200 440
Chirimitera Surface 1,000 13,200 2,200
Chirimitera Surface 500 13,200 4,160
Chirimitera Surface 1,000 13,200 4,160
Chirimitera Surface 150 13,200 220
1 Underground 500 2,200 440
3 Underground 500 2,200 440
La Hacienda Surface 150 13,200 440
Santa Cecilia Shop Surface 200 13,200 440
La Hacienda Surface 200 13,200 480
Tajo Plant Surface 500 13,200 440
Tajo Plant Surface 500 13,200 440
San Nicolas Surface 200 13,200 480
Tajo Plant Surface 1,000 13,200 440
Tajo Plant Surface 1,000 13,200 440
La Doctora Surface 1,000 13,200 440
Tajo Plant Surface 300 13,200 440
Puertecito Surface 113 13,200 440
Mirasol Surface 300 13,200 440
Puente de Piedra Surface 150 13,200 480
San Nicolas Surface 200 13,200 480
Tajo Plant Surface 150 13,200 440
Cubo Surface 150 13,200 440
Tajo Plant Surface 300 13,200 440
Guadalupe Surface 300 13,200 440
Tajo Plant Surface 300 13,200 220
Tajo Plant Surface 300 13,200 220
La Doctora Surface 1,500 13,200 4,160
2 Underground 500 4,160 480
2 Underground 500 4,160 480
2 Underground 500 4,160 480
Peregrina Surface 750 13,200 2,200
Peregrina Surface 750 13,200 2,200
Peregrina Surface 750 13,200 2,200
Peregrina Surface 300 13,200 440
Peregrina Surface 750 2,200 440

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There are no back-up generator sets for the mine operations; however, the El Tajo plant has a generator to keep the agitators functioning should power fail.

18.6

Tailings Impoundments

The active tailings dam for the El Tajo process plant is Mastrantos VI (Figure 17-9, Section 17.3) . There are seven other tailings dams located on the El Cubo property, they include:

  1.

Mirasol tailings dam, repository of flotation tailings currently out of operation, covered and under reforestation.

     
  2.

Mastrantos I, repository of concentrate leach tailings, currently out of operation but used for water storage.

     
  3.

Mastrantos II, repository of concentrate leach tailings, currently out of operation, but receives solutions from underdrain of Mastrantos IV and V.

     
  4.

Mastrantos III, repository of flotation tailings currently out of operation, in process of reclamation.

     
  5.

Mastrantos IV operated to deposit concentrate leach tailings in 2013, currently out of operation. Mastrantos V, was used to deposit concentrate leach tailings, currently out of operation.

     
  6.

Chirimitera, repository of flotation tailings currently out of operation, covered and under reforestation.

Currently water from Mastrantos I, II, IV and V cannot be used in the flotation plant since it contains some amount of cyanide which is a depressor of pyrite flotation. Water from Mastrantos I, II and V is pumped to the Mastrantos IV where water evaporators were installed in 2013 to manage the water balance.

18.7

Ore Stockpiles and Waste Dumps

The El Cubo mine maintains small ore stockpiles underground and at the mine entrances in order to manage continuous ore haulage. The mine has no large areas for excess ore stockpiles and generally consumes all daily production available since the plant is not at capacity. Only small waste dumps are present in the district since most waste never leaves the mines where it is needed for fill.

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19.

MARKET STUDIES AND CONTRACTS

EDR has neither a hedging nor forward selling contract for any of its products. As of the date of issue of this report, the company has not conducted any market studies, as gold and silver are commodities widely traded in the world markets. Due to the size of the bullion market, which in 2014 saw a demand for silver of 1.07 billion ounces, EDR’s activities will not influence silver prices (it produced 7.2 million ounces, or less than 1% of world demand).

EDR produces a silver concentrate which is then shipped for refining. The concentrate produced by EDR at its mines is further refined by third parties before being sold as bullion. To a large extent, silver concentrate is sold at the spot price.

Table 19-1 summarizes the high and low average annual London PM gold and silver price per ounce from 2000 to 2016. For the purposes of this report the resources and reserves are stated at the 2 year average metal prices for silver and gold as of October 1st 2016. The two-year averages are $16.29/oz for silver and $1,195/oz for gold.

Table 19-1 Average Annual High and Low London PM Fix for Gold and Silver from 2000 to 2016 (prices expressed in US$/oz)

Year Gold Price (US$/oz) Silver Price (US$/oz)
High Low Average High Low Average
2000 312.70 263.80 279.12 5.45 4.57 4.95
2001 293.25 255.95 271.04 4.82 4.07 4.37
2002 349.30 277.75 309.67 5.10 4.24 4.60
2003 416.25 319.90 363.32 5.97 4.37 4.88
2004 454.20 375.00 409.16 8.29 5.50 6.66
2005 536.50 411.10 444.45 9.23 6.39 7.31
2006 725.00 524.75 603.46 14.94 8.83 11.55
2007 841.10 608.40 695.39 15.82 11.67 13.38
2008 1,011.25 712.50 871.96 20.92 8.88 14.99
2009 1,212.50 810.00 972.35 19.18 10.51 14.67
2010 1,421.00 1,058.00 1,224.53 30.70 15.14 20.19
2011 1,895.00 1,319.00 1,571.52 48.70 26.16 35.12
2012 1,791.75 1,540.00 1,668.98 37.23 26.67 31.15
2013 1,693.75 1,192.00 1,411.23 32.23 18.61 23.79
2014 1,385.00 1,142.00 1,266.40 22.05 15.28 19.08
2015 1,295.75 1,049.40 1,160.06 18.23 13.71 15.68
2016 1,341.09 1,097.37 1,248.34 19.93 14.02 17.10

Over the period from 2000 to 2011, world silver and gold prices increased significantly. This had a favorable impact on revenue from production of most of the world’s silver mines, including the El Cubo Project. Between 2011 and 2016 there has been a significant reduction in the silver and gold prices, which has caused much stress for mining companies around the world.

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EDR has no contracts or agreements for mining, smelting, refining, transportation, handling or sales that are outside normal or generally accepted practices within the mining industry, and it is EDR policy not to hedge or forward sell any of its products.

In addition to its own workforce, EDR has a number of contract mining companies working on the El Cubo property.

19.1

Contracts

CMC has signed a number of contracts or agreements with domestic companies and legal persons in order to cover its production and interests goals. Table 19-2 is a summary of the main contracts that CMC has in place.

Table 19-2 Contracts Held by Compañía Minera del Cubo, S.A. de C.V.

Contract Description Contracting Organization Expiry/Renewal Date
Mining Contractor Campos Hernandez Contratistas Mineros, S.A. de C.V. (CAHECOMI) 42551
Purchase of recycled materials Reciclados Santa Fe, S.A. de C.V 42813
Environmental Technical Study Tepetateras Celia Espinoza Ramos Valid & Updating
Industrial Waste Collection Hammer Seguridad Privada, S.R.L. de C.V. 42950
Environmental Technical Study Cebolletas Grupo Jasso Maquinaria, S.A. de C.V. Valid & Updating
Security and Surveillance Services GR Construcción Obra y Desarrollo Minero, S.A. de C.V. 43189
Armed Security Services Fernando Rangel Barbosa 43131
Trucking Ore and Waste Maquinaria Jasso Majsa, S.A. de C.V. Extended

El Cubo Mining Unit is under a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Mining Workers Union. This agreement is for an indefinite term and has a yearly general salaries revision each February.

Third party contractors have been engaged to carry out civil engineering works in the El Cubo Mining Unit. As of 2016 some have been engaged for works to be carried out in the mid – long term range, but most are engaged for works in the short-term range. They are hired on a case by case basis

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20.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY IMPACT

   
20.1

Environmental and Sustainability

CMC operates under the policy of zero industrial discharges into the environment. Surface water in the tailings disposal facilities are pumped back into the process. Running water in the intermittent streams within the property is tested for mineral elements and contaminants. Some water pumped from the underground workings is discharged in the Peregrina reservoir at the surface.

The following aspects are treated with special care by the company as they represent potential risks to the operation. To reduce the possibility of an incident regarding any of these issues, CMC has established strict procedures of operation and monitoring in accordance with accepted standards.

The tailing dams are the places that require the main environmental and operation control, because its proximity to the Cubo community represents a risk.

 

Tests of water pollutants into rivers near to the tailings dams.

 

Tests of discharge sewage pollutants.

 

Water recovery in tailings dams to be returned to the process of the processing plant.

Tests of the combustion gases from laboratory's chimneys and foundry, and lead exposure for lab workers.


20.2

Closure Plan

The El Cubo closure budget includes funds for covering the tailings ponds and securing and cleaning up the other surface and underground mine facilities (Table 20-1).

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Table 20-1 Mine Closure Budget

Facilities Item US$
Underground Mines Shafts 44,000
Portals & Entrances 8,000
Robbins Raises 70,000
Workshops & Offices 232,000
Workshops & Offices 233,000
Sub-Total 587,000
El Tajo Plant Flotation and Cyanidation Crushing Area 96,000
Milling and Flotation Area 81,000
Dynamic Leaching Area 223,000
Precipitation and Foundry Areas 90,000
Related Facilities 349,000
Reclaim of Plant Area 226,000
Sub-Total 1,065,000
Chirimitera Flotation Plant Crushing Area 80,000
Milling and Flotation Areas 45,000
Related Facilities 141,000
Reclaim of Plant Area 139,000
Sub-Total 405,000
Tailings Dams Mastrantos I, II, IV & V 894,000
Mastrantos III & VI 760,000
Cedros 0
Sub-Total 1,654,000
Administrative Personnel 323,000
Grand Total 4,034,000

20.3

Permitting

EDR holds all necessary environmental and mine permits to conduct planned exploration, development and mining operations on the El Cubo Project.

According to CMC, tailings ponds Mastrantos I, II, IIIA, IIIB, IV, V, and VI were built before environmental legislation was approved in 1998 (La Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente), so CMC was not required to apply for permits for these facilities. For pre-existing facilities, a mining company must get an update permit whenever there is a change in the processes, capacities, or facilities. Permits are issued by the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat) – Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources. An annual operation card must be presented to Semarnat at the end of each year.

Table 20-2 lists the existing permits governing the mining and milling operations.

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El Cubo Project Environmental Studies, Permitting and Social or Community Impact

Table 20-2 Existing Mining and Milling Operations Permits

Permit Type Permit Issuing Agency Date-Expiry/ Renewal
LAU - Process Plant Unique Environmental License LAU-11-70/01504-09 SEMARNAT Valid & Updating
Annual Operation Card COA-2014 SEMARNAT Dec 2016
Environmental Registration NRA: MCUMJ1101511 SEMARNAT Mine Closure
Hazardous Waste Generating - Second Permit CMC/PA019/2014 y CMC/PA024/2014 SEMARNAT Mine Closure
Hazardous Waste Generating - First Permit GRP111500002 SEMARNAT Mine Closure
Environmental Impact Authorization, Constr of Chirimitera Plant D.O.O. DGOEIA -001786 SEMARNAT Mine Closure
Environmental Impact Authorization, Constr of Chimiritera Tailings Dam D.O.O. DGOEIA -006508 SEMARNAT Mine Closure
Annual Operation Card COA COA 2014 SEMARNAT Dec 2016
Water Well Concession - #1 08GUA114571/ 12AMGE99 CONAGUA Mar 2023
Water Well Concession - #2 08GUA103111/ 12AMGE97 CONAGUA Mar 2023
Sewage Discharge License 4GUA101250/12EMGE94 CONAGUA Mine Closure
New Waste Dump Calaveras - MIA PFPA/18.2/2C.27.5/ 00007-13 CONAGUA Under Evaluation
New Waste Dump Calaveras - CUS PFPA/18.3/2C.27.2/ 00031-13 CONAGUA Under Evaluation
Waste Dump Workshop Cecilia - MIA PFPA/18.3/2C.27.2/ 00031-13 CONAGUA Under Evaluation
Waste Dump Workshop Cecilia - CUS PFPA/18.3/2C.27.2/ 00032-13 CONAGUA Under Evaluation

20.4

Considerations of Social and Community Impacts

CMC considers nearby communities as important stakeholders and, as such, the company pays special attention to their problems and requests for support. A good neighbor and open-door policy characterizes the relations with the six communities inside and around the area of operations. A company representative interacts with the local authorities frequently.

According to the population and housing census of 2010, the inhabitants in the surrounding communities include 2,711 people living in the 6 locations. Women are 52.6% of the population. Table 20-3 presents population by gender in the communities, and shows the relationship of CMC with them, whether directly or indirectly. The relationship with a community is indirect whenever it has a direct relationship with another mining company. The communities of Mineral del Cubo, Monte de San Nicolas, and Rosa de Castilla are located inside the area of current or future influence. Three other communities are included as a result of the leasing contract of properties and facilities from Compañía Minera Las Torres. Regardless of the indirect relationship with these three communities, CMC considers that it has a shared commitment with them.

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Table 20-3 Population Statistics for Communities Surrounding El Cubo

Location Relationship Total Population
Male Female

Calderones

Indirect 946 449 497

Mineral Del Cedro

Indirect 397 190 207

Mineral Del Cubo

Direct 498 237 261

Mineral De Peregrina

Indirect 176 80 96

Monte De San Nicolás

Direct 286 137 149

Rosa De Castilla

Direct 408 192 216

Total

  2711 1285 1426

CMC has a policy of social responsibility based on community development. The tactic used to achieve this strategic principle is focused on:

Education and Employability: Promoting learning opportunities ranging from basic education to technical skills and supporting the creation and development of small business that provide an economic alternative to mining related jobs.

 

Infrastructure: Supporting construction, improvement or rehabilitation of community facilities, such as the Church, the playgrounds, or the roads.

 

Health: In partnership with government institutions, Endeavour promote several health campaigns in the communities such as dental, vaccines, nutrition, pet control, and others.

 

Sports: Also in partnership with government institutions and NGOs, Endeavour supports summer camps for children and in the last two years has sponsored one of the main races that happen in Guanajuato.

 

Environment: Endeavour runs different environmental campaigns in the communities, such as the recycling of electronics, the reuse of tires to rehabilitate recreational sites, reforestation initiatives, cleaning up campaigns, and others.

 

Traditions and Culture: Endeavour supports throughout the year the different celebrations that happen in the community, such as the day of the miner, mother´s day, day of the death, children´s day, Christmas celebrations, and others.

In addition, EDR responds to ongoing requests from the community. A large majority of the requests are for discarded materials, but there are also some requests for in kind donations such as transportation of materials, transportation to events, gifts for community celebration (such as children´s day), food, and other assistance.

In order to carry out social responsibility actions, CMC has an internal procedure intended to channel the demands of the local communities, to assess their needs, to prioritize them, and to evaluate donations to be made to improve quality of life. The company is interested in maintaining a social license to operate by working together with the communities, providing communication support in resolving problems, promoting good practices in social solidarity through a work plan with the localities, and aiming for sustainability in all its actions. To make public its commitment to its stake-holders, the company pursued an ESR acknowledgement (Socially Responsible Company), which was obtained the March 1, 2014, from the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI).

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The company works respectfully and in coordination with the natural leaders in the surrounding communities, and with local authorities, educational institutions, and government agencies to achieve sustainable development. Actions are mainly aimed at promoting education, sports, culture, health, and environmental care.

El Cubo’s community library and school were remodeled with the support of the company. CMC donated books and computers to promote education and access to technology. Both El Cubo and Rosa de Castilla communities gained free access to computers.

CMC works in coordination with the municipal government to promote cultural activities in the communities. The company has a cultural center open to the public where workshops of handicrafts, music, and painting are conducted. In addition, CMC promotes the realization of festivals, theater plays, and cinema for children and adults, and facilitates transportation of students to civic and cultural events and sports competitions.

The company provides garbage collection service to contribute to environmental sanitation and prevent gastrointestinal diseases. The company also supplies medical services and medicines in cases of emergency or whenever the community service is not available, assisting between 10 and 15 persons each week. The company’s ambulance is available as needed.

Water shortage in the country has greatly affected the state of Guanajuato, and this has directly impacted El Cubo’s neighboring communities in recent years. The community of El Cubo has no water storage bodies, which is a significant problem. At the request of the community, CMC supplies non-potable domestic water to the community during the dry seasons. The lack of rainfall has also greatly affected the communities of Calderones and El Cedro. The company pumps water from Presa de Mata dam and hires tankers if necessary to provide water to each of these communities.

The company launched a self-employment project to benefit the local work force. A group of women from El Cedro, after being trained with the economic support of the company, developed the cooperative “Mujeres Unidas del Cedro SC de RL de CV” for industrial clothing manufacturing. Plans are to construct a sewing shop. The project includes the purchase of machinery, raw materials, and construction or remodeling of the place where this workshop will be established. A total future investment budget of $72,152 USD will be needed to implement the project; which involves the purchase and provision of materials for the start of operations using a loan from CMC.

CMC works by Gender Equality Model MEG: 2003, awarded by the National Women's Institute in November 2013. This model helps to ensure equal opportunities for internal and external community by socially responsible actions.

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El Cubo Project Capital and Operating Costs

21.

CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS

   
21.1

Capital Costs

The 2016 budget versus actual 2016 capital costs for the El Cubo Project are summarized in Table 21-1. For 2017, EDR has budgeted of US $13.1 million for capital projects at El Cubo. The 2017 budget includes all planned capital expenditure for El Cubo with the exception of regional exploration. An additional US $0.9 million is planned on exploration drilling at El Cubo.

Table 21-1 Capital Costs for the El Cubo Mines Project

Description Actual 2016
Cost (US$)
Budget 2016
Cost
(US$)
Planned 2017
Cost
(US$)
   Mine Development 1,082,696 1,581,000 10,392,000
   Underground Equipment 236,087 0 1,355,000
   Plant Infrastructure 252,070 0 1,064,000
   Vehicles 123,199 0 223,000
   Office and IT 177,438 0 112,000
   Buildings 15,619   0
TOTAL 1,887,109 1,581,000 13,146,000

21.2

Operating Costs

Operating costs for 2016 are averaged across the four principal working areas of the El Cubo mine. The cash operating cost of silver produced at the El Cubo Project in fiscal year 2016 was $10.09 per oz, compared to $10.56 for 2015. Cash operating cost per ounce of silver is calculated net of gold credits and royalties. The cash operating costs per tonne of ore processed averaged US $78.11 per tonne in 2016, compared to US $80.60 in 2015.

Table 21-2 summarizes operating cost by department before adjustment for finished goods. The planned estimated cost per ton of ore mined for 2017 is also presented in Table 21-2.

Table 21-2 Operating Costs for the El Cubo Mines Project

Department Actual 2015 (US$/t) Actual 2016 (US$/t) Planned 2017 (US$/t)
Mining 46.24 45.44 44.00
Processing 24.08 21.76 19.50
G&A 10.28 10.91 10.05
Total 80.60 78.11 73.55

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El Cubo Project Economic Analysis

22.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

EDR is a producing issuer as defined by NI 43-101. An economic analysis has been excluded from this technical report as the El Cubo mine is currently in production and this technical report does not include a material expansion of current production.

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El Cubo Project Adjacent Properties

23.

ADJACENT PROPERTIES

The El Cubo Project is located within the Guanajuato mining district, which hosts a number of historically productive mines and in which mining has been carried out for more than 450 years. While a majority of the past producers in the district are located on quartz veins similar or related to those located on the El Cubo mine property, there are no immediately adjacent properties which might materially affect the interpretation or evaluation of the mineralization or exploration targets of the El Cubo Project.

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El Cubo Project Other Relevant Data and Information

24.

OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION

This report summarizes all data and information material to the El Cubo Project as of December 31, 2016. HRC knows of no other relevant technical or other data or information that might materially impact the interpretations and conclusions presented herein, nor of any additional information necessary to make the report more understandable or not misleading.

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El Cubo Project Interpretation and Conclusions

25.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

The El Cubo mine is an operating mine with a relatively long history of production. The district is notable for the strike length of its veins and vertical extent of mineralization, ranking it among the foremost silver districts of the world and a classic example of a low-sulfidation epithermal vein deposit.

25.1

December 31, 2016 Mineral Resource Estimate

The mineral resources for the El Cubo mine as of December 31, 2016, are summarized in Table 25-1. The resources are exclusive of the mineral reserves.

Table 25-1 Mineral Resource Estimate, Effective Date December 31, 2016

Classification Tonnes Silver Equivalent Silver Gold
g/t g/t oz. g/t oz.
Measured 213,000 414 192 1,318,500 3.13 21,400
Indicated 732,000 366 194 4,561,100 2.44 57,400
Measured + Indicated 945,000 377 194 5,879,600 2.60 78,800
Inferred 1,453,000 411 214 10,004,000 2.78 129,900

  1.

Measured, Indicated and Inferred resource cut-off grades were 177 g/t silver equivalent at El Cubo.

     
  2.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.

     
  3.

Metallurgical recoveries were 87.8% for silver and 84.7% for gold.

     
  4.

Silver equivalents are based on a 75:1 silver:gold ratio

     
  5.

Price assumptions are $16.29 per ounce for silver and $1,195 per ounce for gold for resource cutoff calculations.

     
  6.

Mineral resources are estimated exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.

For the year end 2016 there was an increase of 241,000 tonnes of measured and an increase of 281,000 tonnes of inferred resources. The increase was mainly attributed to inclusion of new data collected during the year and modeling techniques on the vein thickness to include the breccia zones that meet cutoff criteria.

25.2

December 31, 2016 Mineral Reserve Estimate

The mineral reserves for the El Cubo mine as of December 31, 2016, are summarized in Table 25-2. The reserves are exclusive of the mineral resources.

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El Cubo Project Interpretation and Conclusions
 

Table 25-2 Mineral Reserve Estimate, Effective Date December 31, 2016

Classification Tonnes
(t x 1,000)
AgEq
g/t
Ag g/t Ag (oz)
* 1,000
Au g/t Au (oz)
*
1,000
%
Dilution
Proven 409.3 295 154 2,028.9 1.99 26.24 26%
Probable 452.7 280 159 2,311.1 1.71 24.85 33%
Total Proven and Probable Reserves 861.9 287 157 4,340.0 1.84 51.09 30%

  1.

Reserve cut-off grades are based on a 184 g/t silver equivalent.

  2.

Metallurgical Recoveries were 87.8% silver and 84.7% gold.

  3.

Mining Recoveries of 95% were applied.

  4.

Minimum mining widths were 0.8 meters.

  5.

Dilution factors averaged 30%. Dilution factors are calculated based on internal stope dilution calculations and external dilution factors of 15% for cut and fill and 30% for long hole.

  6.

Silver equivalents are based on a 75:1 silver:gold ratio.

  7.

Price assumptions are $16.29 per ounce for silver and $1,195 per ounce for gold.

  8.

Mineral resources are estimated exclusive of and in addition to mineral reserves.

  9.

Figures in table are rounded to reflect estimate precision; small differences generated by rounding are not material to estimates.

For the year end 2016 there was an increase of 34,600 tonnes from the 2015 reported reserves. The increase was a result of the continued development of resource areas to replace the mined out reserves during 2016.

25.3

Conclusions

The mine staff possess considerable experience and knowledge with regard to the nature of the orebodies in and around the El Cubo property. Mine planning and operations need to continue to assure that the rate of waste development is sufficient to maintain the production rates included in the mine plan.

A major change in ore metallurgy during the life of the current reserves is very unlikely, as nearly all of the ore to be mined will come from veins with historic, recent, or current production.

Areas of uncertainty that may materially impact the Mineral Resources and Reserves and subsequent mine life presented in this report include the following:

  Mining assumptions
  Dilution assumptions
  Exchange rates
  Changes in taxation or royalties
  Variations in commodity price
  Metallurgical recovery
  Processing assumptions

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El Cubo Project Interpretation and Conclusions

The QP considers the El Cubo resource and reserve estimates presented here to conform with the requirements and guidelines set forth in Companion Policy 43-101CP and Form 43-101F1 (June 2011), and the mineral resources and reserves presented herein are classified according to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014. These resources and reserves form the basis for Endeavour Silver’s ongoing mining operations at the El Cubo Mines Project.

The QP is unaware of any significant technical, legal, environmental or political considerations which would have an adverse effect on the extraction and processing of the resources and reserves located at the El Cubo Mines Project. Mineral resources which have not been converted to mineral reserves, and do not demonstrate economic viability shall remain mineral resources. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.

The QP considers that the mineral concessions in the El Cubo mining district controlled by Endeavour Silver continue to be highly prospective both along strike and down dip of the existing mineralization.

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El Cubo Project Recommendations

26.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The El Cubo mine has been in nearly continuous production for decades. A substantial effort combining direct underground exploration, underground drilling, and surface drilling will be necessary to sustain the mine and continually expand resources and reserves. The El Cubo concessions cover at least 5 km of the trace of the vein system across the district. The Villalpando- Asunción area continue to provide the bulk of production from the mine and is currently the focus of future resource and reserve development. The Dolores vein is an important parallel structure along which new resources and reserves have been added through a combination of underground development and diamond drilling.

The mine has considerable potential to develop both exploration targets close to existing operations outlined by underground drilling and those identified by surface exploration.

26.1

Exploration Program

Exploration budgets for El Cubo are approved for 6,000 meters of drilling during 2017. Table 26-1 summarizes the planned 2017 exploration budget for Guanaceví.

Table 26-1 El Cubo 2017 Exploration Budget

Project Area 2017 Program
Meters Budget US $
El Cubo 6,000 900,000
Total 6,000 900,000

26.2

Geology, Block Modeling, Mineral Resources and Reserves

HRC recommends that the process of converting mineral resources into reserves from 2D polygons to 3D block models be continued. Considerable progress has been completed via this process with 22 of the 37 veins now converted into 3D block models. Additional modeling efforts should be made to define the mineralized brecciated areas as they have been an important source of economic material encountered in the current operation, and could provide additional tonnage to support the mine plan.

EDR currently utilizes the exploration drilling and chip and muck samples in their resource and reserve calculations. HRC recommends that future efforts focus on constructing block models for resource and reserve reporting utilizing only the exploration and underground drilling results. The chip and muck samples should be used to develop the production model. This will help keep data densities consistent in each modeling effort and will provide another level in the reconciliation process to compare modeling results.

Although the reconciliations conducted by EDR show good comparison between planned versus actual values, the reconciliation process should be improved to include the estimated tonnes and grade from the resource models. Because the LOM plan is compared to the plant production on a monthly basis, the actual physical location of the material mined may be different than the planned location. Due to the many stopes that are mined during a day this can only be completed on an average monthly basis due to blending of stope material

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El Cubo Project Recommendations

into the mill. The monthly surveyed as mined areas should be created into triangulation solids and saved on a monthly basis for reporting the modeled tonnes for each month. The combination of the 3D block models and 2D and polygonal reserves makes this process difficult but considerable progress has been made during the last year to get all resources and reserves into 3D block models. The model-predicted results versus actual can then be used to determine if dilution factors need to be adjusted, or perhaps the resource modeling parameters may require adjustment if there are large variances. The mill production should be reconciled to the final concentrate shipments on a yearly basis, and resulting adjustment factors should be explained and reported.

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El Cubo Project References

27.

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El Cubo Project References

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El Cubo Project References

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