About this episode
Kootenay Silver (TSXV: KTN) is expanding drilling at its Columba silver project in Chihuahua, Mexico, where the company is running a 60,000-meter program aimed at growing the 54.1 Moz inferred silver resource announced in June 2025. Speaking with Kitco Mining at PDAC 2026 in Toronto, President and CEO Jim McDonald said the program is focused on systematic 100-meter step-outs along wide, open-ended veins to define the limits of the known mineralized zones. “Our expectation is to be able to get this to a hundred million or maybe some multiple of that,” McDonald said.Recent drilling results reported March 2, 2026 returned intercepts including 10 meters grading 503 g/t silver plus lead and zinc, as well as 9.88 meters grading 319 g/t silver, highlighting the scale potential of the system. McDonald said Kootenay is also advancing its La Cigarra silver project, where a preliminary economic assessment expected in mid to late Q2 2026 could mark a shift in strategy. “Assuming that we get a positive result in that PEA, we want to now be transitioning ourselves into an explorer developer as opposed to an explorer only,” he said.Don’t forget to subscribe to the Kitco Mining & Kitco News YouTube channels to stay up to date on the latest industry news and interviews. To learn more about Kootenay Silver, visit: https://kootenaysilver.com/00:24 - Columba 60,000m Drill Program01:57 - Targeting 100Moz Silver at Columba03:18 - Path Toward a Columba PEA04:01 - La Cigarra PEA Timeline05:54 - Silver Price Assumptions for PEA07:16 - Treasury Position and Warrants07:43 - Expanding Drill Programs and Spending10:01 - Shareholder Marketing Strategy11:59 - Mexico Security and Operating Risk13:52 - Key Catalysts for 2026__________________________________________________________________Kitco Mining is dedicated to reporting on the mining industry. Our mandate is to be the top resource for all mining information and news, offering a clear perspective on where the industry is going through breaking news coverage, mining trends, and in-depth reporting, presented with precious, rare earth, base metals, and industry stock prices.Get important precious and base metal updates while on the go with the Kitco Gold LIVE! app - https://applications.kitco.comStay connected with usX - https://x.com/KitcoMiningInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kitcominingLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kitco-miningFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/KitcoMiningConnect with the Kitco Mining anchorsPaul Harris - https://x.com/paulharrisgold For more in-depth mining coverage, visit us here - https://www.kitco.com/miningDisclaimer: Videos are not trading advice, and the views expressed may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may n
