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 Program
01:57 - Targeting 100Moz Silver at Columba
03:18 - Path Toward a Columba PEA
04:01 - La Cigarra PEA Timeline
05:54 - Silver Price Assumptions for PEA
07:16 - Treasury Position and Warrants
07:43 - Expanding Drill Programs and Spending
10:01 - Shareholder Marketing Strategy
11:59 - Mexico Security and Operating Risk
13:52 - 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.com
Stay connected with us
X - https://x.com/KitcoMining
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kitcomining
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kitco-mining
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KitcoMining
Connect with the Kitco Mining anchors
Paul Harris - https://x.com/paulharrisgold
For more in-depth mining coverage, visit us here - https://www.kitco.com/mining
Disclaimer: 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 not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
