KELLOGG — Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining is expanding its reach across the Silver Valley.

On Monday, the company announced the acquisition of approximately 14,100 additional acres in eastern Shoshone County and the launch of a district-wide exploration program aimed at identifying new mineral resources beyond those at the Sunshine Mine. 

The acquisition increases the company's consolidated mineral rights position by 60% to roughly 38,000 acres. According to maps released by Sunshine Silver, the expanded holdings include ground near Pine Creek and areas south of Interstate 90 near Mullan, extending the company's existing footprint around the Sunshine Mine. Company officials said the expanded land package provides opportunities to explore multiple underexplored targets throughout one of the nation's most productive silver mining districts. 

"Our expanded district-scale position creates a highly prospective pipeline of exploration opportunities around one of the world's most iconic silver mines," Sunshine Silver Chief Executive Officer Heather White said in the company's recent announcement. "The Sunshine Mine is already an extraordinary, world-renowned asset. The possibility that it may be only one part of our company's much larger story is very exciting." 

As part of the initiative, Sunshine Silver plans to complete approximately 45,000 meters of surface drilling over several years. Initial drilling is expected to begin later this year near the Sunshine Mine and at the Rock Creek and Pine Creek prospects. 

Company officials said exploration work conducted in 2025 helped identify several drill-ready targets. Field crews spent more than 300 days on the ground collecting rock and soil samples across the district, work that management says revealed encouraging geological indicators and helped refine exploration priorities. 

The announcement marks another step in Sunshine Silver's broader effort to restart mining operations at the Sunshine Mine, one of the Silver Valley's most recognizable mining properties. Other milestones include plans for a new mill, underground infrastructure improvements and technical studies intended to support a return to production. Sunshine Silver has said it is targeting a return to production in late 2028. 

First discovered in the 1880s, the Sunshine Mine became one of the nation's premier silver producers. Over its operating life, the mine produced hundreds of millions of ounces of silver and helped establish the Silver Valley as one of North America's leading mining regions. The mine was one of the Silver Valley's largest employers for much of the 20th century and played a significant role in the region's mining economy. 

But that isn't the only major announcement coming from the company.

On Sept. 18, Sunshine Silver announced its inclusion in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ), one of the mining sector's most widely followed investment funds. 

"Inclusion in GDXJ constitutes an important milestone for Sunshine and, we believe, will introduce our story to an even broader group of precious metals investors," White said. "As our presence in the public markets expands, our focus remains on disciplined execution and advancing the Sunshine Mine toward a planned return to production in late 2028." 

According to the company release, GDXJ is an exchange-traded fund that invests in smaller gold and silver mining companies around the world. Sunshine Silver said inclusion in the fund is expected to increase the company's visibility among institutional and individual investors while supporting greater trading activity in its shares.

Company officials say the combination of expanded land holdings, a large-scale drilling campaign and continued redevelopment of the Sunshine Mine positions the company to pursue both near-term production goals and long-term exploration opportunities throughout the district. 

    Existing Sunshine Silver mineral rights are shown in blue, while newly acquired properties are outlined on this company map. The acquisition expands the company's footprint across the eastern Silver Valley and supports a planned district-wide exploration program.