
Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSX: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) is pleased to announce it has executed a mandate letter with Macquarie Bank Limited as lead arranger for a senior secured project finance facility of up to US$220 million to fund the construction and development of the high-grade underground Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico.
The Facility will be arranged by a syndicate of banks, with Macquarie retaining a 70% interest and managing syndication of the remaining 30%. Macquarie will act as lead arranger, agent and sole underwriter. In this capacity, Macquarie will be responsible for coordinating the syndication process and ongoing project monitoring.
Subject to execution of definitive credit documentation and satisfaction of customary conditions, Vizsla Silver may draw an initial US$25 million early-drawdown tranche down from the Facility, providing immediate funding for early development, construction preparation, and working capital ahead of the full project build-out at Panuco. The balance of the Facility will become available following satisfaction of customary conditions precedent tied to the planned feasibility study, equity funding, and permitting, and will be applied toward mine construction, commissioning, and associated infrastructure at Panuco if a construction decision is made. Based on current SOFR levels, the Facility is expected to carry an interest cost of approximately 10% during construction and below 10% post-completion, reflecting a margin of 5.75% and 5.25% respectively, with no mandatory hedging requirements.
“Macquarie brings deep expertise in structuring project financing for large-scale mining developments, reinforcing Panuco as a globally recognized, financeable asset,” stated Michael Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla Silver. “Securing this debt financing mandate brings us one step closer to de-risking Panuco into production. Their support reflects the exceptional quality of Panuco and our team’s ability to deliver. Together with the Company’s current cash position, this debt facility is expected to fully fund the Panuco Project through to first silver production, and we remain firmly on schedule with this and other key de-risking milestones, positioning us to transition seamlessly into construction. I would also like to recognize Chris Adams, our debt advisor, for his pivotal role in preparing Vizsla for an efficient and successful negotiation process.”
Vizsla received significant interest from multiple banks and alternative lenders across North America and Europe, each presenting highly competitive terms. Following a rigorous, competitive process focused on maximizing net asset value per share, Vizsla selected Macquarie for their combination of the most attractive cost of capital and the best alignment with Panuco’s development timeline. Vizsla is pleased with the strong working relationship established with Macquarie and the efficient execution of the process to date.
Advancing on schedule and to plan, the Morgan test mine is providing tangible evidence of the Vizsla team’s technical capabilities, operational discipline, and commitment to safe, efficient development. The results to date not only validate key assumptions for the planned feasibility study but also demonstrate that the same approach and attention to detail can be carried forward into full-scale construction with the backing of Macquarie.
Any offer to provide the Facility remains subject to completion of due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, final credit approvals and other customary conditions. Closing is targeted for Q1 2026, in alignment with the Company’s broader project development schedule. Vizsla is working closely with Macquarie to efficiently advance the Facility towards funding.
The Company notes that Mr. David Cobbold, a Director of Vizsla, is also Vice Chairman of Macquarie. Mr. Cobbold did not participate in the board’s deliberations or vote with respect to the Facility. The decision to enter the mandate letter was approved by the independent directors of the Company.
About the Panuco Project
The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlán. The original contiguous 7,189.5 Ha past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits.
The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation.
On January 6, 2025, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 222.4 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 138.7 Moz AgEq (please refer to Vizsla’s press release dated January 6, 2025).
About Vizsla Silver
Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Company recently completed a Preliminary Economic Study for Panuco in July 2024 which highlights 15.2 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV5% of US$1.1B, 86% IRR and a 9-month payback at US$26/oz Ag and US$1,975/oz Au. Vizsla Silver aims to become the world’s leading silver company by implementing a dual track development approach at Panuco, advancing mine development, while continuing district scale exploration through low-cost means.
Technical Disclosure
In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP, Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.
No production decision has been made for Panuco at this time. Any decision to proceed to construction or commercial production will only be made following completion of a feasibility study that demonstrates economic and technical viability in accordance with NI 43-101.
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