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Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals

West Red Lake Gold Commences Surface Drilling at Wedge Target – 2 km Southwest of Madsen Mine

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd

Wedge Plan View Location Map

FIGURE 1. Plan view map showing location of Wedge deposit relative to the Madsen Mine.
FIGURE 1. Plan view map showing location of Wedge deposit relative to the Madsen Mine.

2022 SRK Block Model

FIGURE 2. Oblique view of Wedge resource showing 2022 SRK Block Model and location of previous drilling highlights noted in this press release.1
FIGURE 2. Oblique view of Wedge resource showing 2022 SRK Block Model and location of previous drilling highlights noted in this press release.1

West Red Lake Gold Mines Property Location Map

West Red Lake Gold Mines Property Location Map
West Red Lake Gold Mines Property Location Map

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (“West Red Lake Gold” or “WRLG” or the “Company”) (TSXV:WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to announce the commencement of surface drilling at the Wedge target, located approximately 2 kilometres (“km”) southwest from its 100% owned Madsen Mine in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The drilling program will consist of up to 3,000 metres (“m”) with the goal of growing and upgrading the existing mineral resources at Wedge, which currently contain an Indicated mineral resource of 56,100 ounces (“oz”) grading 5.6 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold (“Au”), with an additional Inferred resource of 78,700 oz grading 5.7 g/t Au1.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Surface exploration drilling to commence at the Wedge target – located 2 km southwest from the Madsen Mine
  • Drilling will be focused on extending high-grade zones at Wedge and increasing confidence in the overall mineral resource
  • Wedge currently hosts an Indicated resource of 56,100 oz of gold grading 5.6 g/t Au1 and an Inferred resource of 78,700 oz of gold grading 5.7 g/t Au1
  • The Wedge resource sits adjacent to the past-producing Starratt-Olsen Mine which historically processed 823,554 tonnes grading 6.16 g/t Au for approximately 163,000 oz of gold2  
  • Previous drilling highlights from the Wedge target include:
    • Hole PG17-486 Intersected 10.33 m @ 24.94 g/t Au, from 16.67 m to 27 m
    • Hole PG17-467 Intersected 16.6 m @ 17.49 g/t Au, from 11.45 m to 28 m
    • Hole PG17-482 Intersected 14.4 m @ 8.35 g/t Au, from 28 m to 42.4 m
    • Hole PG19-643 Intersected 1 m @ 108.5 g/t Au, from 103 m to 104 m

Shane Williams, President & CEO, stated, “Our team is very excited to be back drilling near the Madsen Mine asset. We view Wedge as a key component in our overall vision of staying committed to exploration and unlocking the full potential of all our high-grade assets in the Red Lake Mining District. With Wedge being located just 2 km away from the existing mill facilities at Madsen, on fully patented claims and directly adjacent to the past-producing Starratt-Olsen mine, we can see a clear path forward for permitting at Wedge and view it as a high-caliber candidate for a future mill-feed source at Madsen.”

2023-09-06-Figure 1
2023-09-06-Figure 1

FIGURE 1. Plan view map showing location of Wedge deposit relative to the Madsen Mine.

2023-09-06-Figure 2
2023-09-06-Figure 2

FIGURE 2. Oblique view of Wedge resource showing 2022 SRK Block Model and location of previous drilling highlights noted in this press release.1

DISCUSSION

The Wedge deposit comprises four resource zones (DV, CK, MJ and OL) and one mineralized zone (86) that remains at the exploration target stage. All five zones generally correspond with historical surface showings and mineralized areas (Branson, 2019a).

The DV and CK Zones lie within the same structure that hosts the Fork Main Zone, but about 900 m along strike to the southwest. The intervening area is prospective for potential resource expansion and this area includes the 86 Zone exploration target. The 86 Zone was explored in 1998 by mechanical stripping and recent mapping of these outcrops (Cooley and Leatherman, 2015) suggests that 86 Zone may represent the southern extension of the Fork deposit as the host rocks are continuous and the style of mineralization is similar. At 86 Zone, rock sampling by previous workers of outcropping iron formation characterized by banded magnetite, pyrrhotite and amphibole has returned highly anomalous gold values. Drilling directly underneath this surface mineralization in 2017 returned multiple intercepts exceeding 5 g/t Au (up to 22.9 g/t Au over 1.1 m). Gold is hosted in quartz veins spatially associated with both iron formation and altered basalt.

In detail, the DV and CK Zones comprise a series of up to three concordant resource shapes across a collective width of 70 m and a maximum strike length of 700 m. At the DV Zone, gold is hosted within discontinuous quartz ± chlorite-amphibole veins (VBGQ veins) with biotite-amphibole-diopside selvedges and minor pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite (Branson, 2019b). These veins are hosted in weakly altered mafic volcanic rocks or more commonly within moderately to strongly altered mafic volcanic rock (BSLA or SAFZ). At the CK Zone, the geology and mineralization are comparable to the DV Zone, though the host basalt rocks have been cut by quartz porphyry. A key relationship is that the veins and the enveloping alteration zones are transected by and transposed into the main S2 foliation of the host rocks – an identical relationship to the Madsen deposit.

The OL Zone exploration target lies about 450 m southwest along strike from the edge of the CK Zone resource shape in an area characterized by deformed gold-bearing quartz veins hosted in zones of deformed quartz porphyry (QZPY) and strongly altered foliated zones (SAFZ). Outcrop stripping, surface rock sampling and diamond drilling by previous workers have delineated two parallel trends of alteration and veining separated by approximately 25 m and extending for a strike length of 200 m. The zone is open both along strike and at depth.

The MJ Zone is hosted by two concordant shear zones up to 40 m in width characterized by deformed gold-bearing quartz veins hosted within altered and deformed basalt and peridotite within the Russet Lake Ultramafic. Current drilling has delineated these shear zones over 500 m of strike length and to 320 m depth with the structure remaining open along strike and down-dip.

In addition to being a part of the recognized property-wide structural architecture associated with gold mineralization responsible for mineralization at Madsen, Fork and Russet, the Wedge deposit exhibits similar high-level characteristics to the Madsen deposit (same alteration and structural timing), however gold tends to be more often hosted in discrete quartz veins rather than disseminated within intervals of pervasively silicified rock, as is more common in the Madsen deposit.

The apparent plunge of mineralization along these structures – best demonstrated at the well-tested DV Zone – appears to be associated with the intersection of the structures and major rheological and geochemical contrasts between relatively rigid and massive basalt and adjoining IRFM and ultramafic units (Branson, 2019b). This architecture is comparable to the plunge at the Austin and South Austin zones in the Madsen deposit which are defined by intersection of the mineralized zones and mafic/ultramafic contacts.

MARKETING AGREEMENT

The Company has entered into an agreement with OGIB Corporate Bulletin Ltd. (“OGIB”) dated August 23, 2023 (the “OGIB Agreement”), whereby OGIB has agreed to provide marketing services to the Company, including the publication of a series of online articles about the Company. The term of the OGIB Agreement is 6 months, commencing on September 1, 2023.

The Company paid OGIB a cash fee of CAD $125,000 upon entry into the OGIB Agreement.
OGIB is a subscription service based out of Victoria, British Columbia which provides research on public companies and is wholly-owned by Keith Schaefer. OGIB and Keith Schaefer are arm’s length from the Company and hold directly, or indirectly 171,429 common shares of the Company.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

West Red Lake Gold’s Wedge target presently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) Indicated Mineral Resource of 56,100 oz grading 5.6 g/t Au and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 78,700 oz grading 5.7 g/t Au. Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.38 g/t Au and a gold price of US1,800/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Independent NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the PureGold Mine, Canada”, prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and dated June 16, 2023. A full copy of the SRK report is available on the Company’s website and on SEDAR.

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by NI 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects”.

ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world’s richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines – Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit.

2023-09-06-WRLG NR-Rowan Project location Map
2023-09-06-WRLG NR-Rowan Project location Map

ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

“Shane Williams”

Shane Williams        
President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amandip Singh, VP Corporate Development
Tel: 416-203-9181
Email: investors@westredlakegold.com or visit the Company’s website at https://www.westredlakegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements”. When used in this document, the words “anticipated”, “expect”, “estimated”, “forecast”, “planned”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

___________________________________
1
 Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.38 g/t Au and a gold price of US$1,800/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Independent NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the PureGold Mine, Canada”, prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and dated June 16, 2023. A full copy of the SRK report is available on the Company’s website and on SEDAR.
2 http://www.geologyontario.mndm.gov.on.ca/mndmfiles/mdi/data/records/MDI52K13NW00011.html

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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Categories
Base Metals Emx Royalty Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals Uncategorized

EMX Executes Updated Timok Royalty Agreement with Zijin

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 5, 2023) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to announce the execution of an amended and restated royalty agreement on September 1, 2023 for its Timok royalty property with Zijin (Europe) International Mining Company Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Ltd (“Zijin”). EMX and Zijin have agreed that the Timok royalty will consist of a 0.3625% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty that is uncapped and cannot be repurchased or reduced. The royalty covers Zijin’s Brestovac exploration permit area (including the Cukaru Peki Mining licenses), as well as portions of Zijin’s Jasikovo-Durlan Potak exploration license north of the currently active Bor Mine (Figure 1).

EMX’s Timok royalty property is located in the Bor Mining District of Serbia and covers the Cukaru Peki copper-gold deposits which have recently been put into production by Zijin. Cukaru Peki represents one of the premier copper and gold discoveries in the world in the past 10 years and is a top tier royalty asset for EMX. The Cukaru Peki deposits consist of a high-level body of high-grade, epithermal-style copper-gold mineralization referred to as the “Upper Zone”, and a deeper body of porphyry-style copper-gold mineralization known as the “Lower Zone”.

Zijin is currently producing copper and gold from the Upper Zone deposit at Cukaru Peki, while concurrently developing the Lower Zone. The Cukaru Peki deposits and operations are summarized in Zijin’s annual reports and in various Zijin disclosures. An NI-43-101 technical report for the Timok royalty was filed by EMX on SEDAR on March 31, 2022.

As part of the execution of the revised royalty agreement, EMX will receive approximately US$6.68 million. This includes royalty payments of $1.59 million from July-December, 2021, royalty payments of $3.20 million from the calendar year 2022, and $1.89 million for the period of January-June, 2023. From that point forward EMX will continue to receive quarterly production royalty payments on an ongoing basis. EMX is appreciative of Zijin’s cooperative and amicable approach throughout the process of achieving this resolution and looks forward to working with Zijin as the projects advance.

Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.

About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX’s investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol EMX, and also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (303) 973-8585
Dave@emxroyalty.com

Scott Close
Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585
SClose@emxroyalty.com

Isabel Belger
Investor Relations (Europe)
Phone: +49 178 4909039
IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain “forward looking statements” that reflect the Company’s current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserve and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will”, “believe”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company’s future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company’s MD&A for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Revised Annual Information Form (the “AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2022, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

Figure 1. Locations of EMX royalty interests and key geological features in the Timok Magmatic Complex in the Bor Mining District of Serbia.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/179559_b87e0acd24d1f9f1_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/179559

Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals

Terra Balcanica Intersects Mineralized Structure With 640 m Step-Out From Cumavici Ridge Polymetallic Vein in Bosnia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Terra Balcanica Resources Corp. (“Terra” or the “Company”) (CSE:TERA; FRA:UB1) is pleased to announce the discovery of a new mineralized structure over 600 m northwest from the 2022 discovery made at the Cumavici Ridge epithermal vein target within its principal Viogor-Zanik project in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Highlights

  • Shallow, polymetallic mineralization has been intersected over 600 northwest of the 2022 high grade, silver discovery at Cumavici Ridge through drill testing of a new parallel structure (Figure 1);
  • All 5 drill holes hit the target structure, with drill holes CMV23007, CMV23009 and CMV23010 macroscopically displaying polymetallic mineralization (Figure 2);
  • Step out structure is continuous for 193 m northwest-southeast and open along strike and down-dip;
  • Geochemical assay results from the Phase II drilling at the Cumavici polymetallic prospect are pending laboratory release and will be imminently reported.

Terra Balcanica CEO, Dr. Aleksandar Mišković, comments: The 2023 drill campaign started off on the right foot with a significant step out from the centre of the mineralized zone discovered at Cumavici Ridge in 2022. The footprint of silverdominated, polymetallic mineralization now extends over 700 m along the NW-SE corridor at this locality, only one of five separate targets along the 7.2 km long Cumavici corridor. The laboratory assays from these step-out drill holes and the central part of Cumavici Ridge are expected to come back shortly. We will continue to carry on further drilling at the Cumavici Ridge target in our Phase II drilling.”

The Company commenced its Phase II drilling program at Cumavici Ridge, which was the location of the 2022 high-grade polymetallic discovery which returned up to 505 g/t Ag Eq. over 11 m (see Company news release dated 18th April 2023). Over 600 m to the northwest Drillholes CMV23006-010 successfully discovered another mineralized structure, attesting to the prospectivity of the Cumavici Ridge target. Much of the > 7 km strike length structural corridor remains untested, with several mineralized structures outcropping at surface, offering Terra significant exploration opportunity to discover more polymetallic epithermal veins.

Drill Core Observations
Drill hole CMV23007 is situated 520 m northwest of CMV23001 and targets another shallow structure prospective for polymetallic mineralization. Between 39.1 and 41.8 m a series of fault hosted veins, dominated by radiating aggregates of stibnite are observed within a silicified lapilli tuff.

Figure 1Geological map illustrating the newly discovered structure > 600 m northwest of the Cumavici Ridge discovery. 2022 discovery holes are also illustrated alongside the 4 previously released 2023 drillholes to the southeast, which all intercepted massive sulphide mineralization. See company news release 18th April 2023 (click here to view image).

Figure 2HQ3 diameter drill core from drillhole CMV23007 illustrating silicified lapilli tuffs with sulphide veinlets and interval of semi-massive sulphide comprising stibnite, sphalerite, and quartz within white, dashed squares (click here to view image).

Drill hole CMV23009 collared 74.0 m northwest of CMV23007 intercepted a zone of sulphide mineralization within a tuffaceous breccia between 39.4 and 45.7 m downhole. Within the mineralized structure there are intervals of complete replacement of the breccia matrix by sulphide and a 10 cm sulphide vein comprising stibnite-sphalerite-galena.

Drill hole CMV23010 stepped 59.0 m west-northwest and intersected a mineralized zone between 83.8 and 90.3 m downhole with aggregates of sphalerite within the structure. A sulphide vein is present at 86.85 m depth consisting of stibnite, banded sphalerite, and galena. Confirmation of sulphide mineralization in CMV23010 extends the Cumavici Ridge system 642 m to the northwest and the system remains open.

Ongoing Exploration Program
Further drilling at the Cumavici Ridge target will be focused on extending strike length towards the northwest from the 2022 drillholes (CMVDD001-004). It is interpreted that where the northwest-southeast structure is intersected by a 2nd order northeast-southwest structure a dilation zone is present, resulting in thicker intervals of mineralization. The down-dip section of the high-grade, polymetallic intercepts released in 2022 will also be tested with further drilling to target the mineralization potential at depth.

Hole IDEastingNorthingElevation (m)DipAzimuthDepth (m)Recovery (%)
CMV230063599184888823621.3-6404782.299.15
CMV230073598684888877637.3-6304659.799.35
CMV230083598664888914640.6-6605365.898.71
CMV230093598284888939640.1-5804173.8100.00
CMV230103597704888949650.2-5004591.597.49

Table 1. Collar locations for reported Phase II drillholes. Coordinates and elevation were taken by local consultant surveyors using a differential GPS unit(WGS84/UTM Zone 34N).

Qualified Person
Dr. Aleksandar Mišković, P.Geo, is the Company’s designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and validated that the information contained in this news release as accurate.

About the Company
Terra Balcanica is a polymetallic exploration company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the Balkans of southeastern Europe. The Company has 90% interest in the Viogor-Zanik Project in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, 100% of the Kaludra and Ceovishte mineral exploration licences in southern Serbia. The Company emphasizes responsible engagement with local communities and stakeholders. It is committed to proactively implementing Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and sustainable health, safety, and environmental management.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terra Balcanica Resources Corp.
“Aleksandar Mišković”

Aleksandar Mišković
President and CEO

For further information, please contact Alex Mišković at amiskovic@terrabresources.com, or visit our website at www.terrabresources.com.

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively forward-looking statements). The use of any of the words will”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Blackwolf’s Drilling Encounters Porphyry Style Mineralization at the Cantoo Project, Alaska

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 5, 2023 / Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd. (“Blackwolf“, or the “Company“) (TSXV:BWCG)(OTC PINK:BWCGF) is pleased to announce that it has completed its maiden drilling program at the Cantoo Property located in southeast Alaska. Three drill holes totalling 1,356 meters were completed. Initial visual observation of the drill core suggests significant alteration and mineralization consistent with a porphyry system. The Cantoo Property is situated adjacent to the Canadian border and the historic Premier Gold Mine that is currently in redevelopment.

Drilling Highlights:

Blackwolf’s CEO Morgan Lekstrom states,We are pleasantly surprised encountering indications of a porphyry system at Cantoo, although it was not unexpected given the history of the area and proximity to the Premier mine. Cantoo may represent a telescoping porphyry feeder complex to the high-grade Premier-Big Missouri epigenetic gold-silver veins, similar to the KSM-Snowfield system that underlies the Brucejack Mine to the north.

In summary, there are strong indications that we are in the right rocks and location as we’ve hit zones at depth that are encountered at surface. Assay results are pending for these initial drill holes as well as the summer surface sampling program and will be released when available. In order to make good use of the summer exploration window, the drill has been moved to the Harry Property while we await these results.”

The Cantoo Property has never been previously drilled yet had some historic mining and exploration performed in the 1920’s. Surface work during 2023 targeted multiple stacked shallow-dipping vein structures and breccias, including a 30 m (100ft) wide structure. Blackwolf’s surface sampling results at Cantoo include high-grade mineralization, with grades up to 30.4 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold, 2,860 g/t silver and 5.8% copper.

The Cantoo Property is primarily underlain by the Texas Creek intrusive complex, with multiple phases of intrusive rocks with potassic, phyllic/QSP and propylitic alteration, along with multiple styles of copper mineralization. Additionally, drilling encountered zones of strong silicification and veining that correspond with the surface expressions of veins outcropping in cliffs at Cantoo.

QA/QC and Qualified Person

The analytical work on the Hyder project will be performed by MSA LABS, a certified analytical services provider, at its laboratory in Langley, British Columbia. All samples will be prepared using procedure PRP-910 (dry, crush to 70% passing 2mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns) and analyzed by method FAS-111 (30g fire assay with AAS finish) for gold and IMS-130 (0.5g, aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS/ES analysis) for rock samples, and IMS-230 (1.0g, 4-acid digestion and ICP-MS analysis) for core samples. Any samples containing >10g/t Au will be reanalyzed using method FAS-415 (30g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish). Samples containing >100 ppm Ag and/or >1% Cu, Pb, & Zn will be reanalyzed using method ICF-6 (0.2g, 4-acid digest and ore grade ICP-AES analysis). Samples containing >1000 g/t Ag will be reanalyzed using method FAS-418 (30g fire assay with AAS finish) and samples containing >20% Pb will be reanalyzed using method STI-8Pb (volumetric titration).

The reported work was completed using industry standard procedures, including a quality assurance/quality control (“QA/QC”) program consisting of the insertion of certified standard, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream. The Qualified Person has reviewed the data and detected no significant QA/QC issues.

Andrew Hamilton, P.Geo., Consultant to the Company, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has. reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this release.

About Blackwolf Copper and Ltd.

The Company holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska as well as five Hyder Area gold-silver and VMS properties in southeast Alaska and northwest British Columbia in the Golden Triangle, including the high-priority wide gold-silver veins at the Cantoo Property. Blackwolf’s founding vision is to be an industry leader in transparency, inclusion and innovation. Guided by our Vision and through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities and stakeholders, Blackwolf builds shareholder value through our technical expertise in mineral exploration, engineering and permitting. For more information on Blackwolf, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackwolfcopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

“Morgan Lekstrom”
CEO and Director

For more information, contact:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would” or “occur”. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward‐looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to the Hyder properties and the Company’s future objectives and plans. Forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company’s securities; fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the Company’s business plans. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company seeks safe harbor.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company’s continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd

  • Three core holes up to 676 meters long completed at Cantoo;
  • Significant alteration and mineralization was encountered, consistent with a porphyry-style system similar to copper-gold +/- molybdenum deposits in the Golden Triangle;
  • Strong silicification zones including veining with sulphides were intersected, that corresponds with surface expressions identified from surface sampling; and
  • As the Company awaits assay results from Cantoo, the drill has been moved to test gold-silver targets at the Harry Project
Morgan Lekstrom
250-574-7350 (Mobile
604-343-2997 (Office)
mll@bwcg.ca
Liam Morrison
604-897-9952 (Mobile)
604-343-2997 (Office)
lm@bwcg.ca
Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals

Rover Metals Closes $0.08 Unit Financing

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 5, 2023 / Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV:ROVR)(OTCQB:ROVMF)(FSE:4XO) (“Rover” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that further to its releases of July 20, 2023 and June 23, 2023, Rover has received additional orders of $120,000 for its $0.08 Unit Financing. The Company has received approval from the Toronto Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) to close the third and final tranche of its unit financing for gross proceeds of $120,000 (the “Third Closing”). The Company will issue 1,500,000 common shares and 1,500,000 warrants. The shares and warrants issued under the Third Closing will bear the minimum four-month regulatory hold period from the date of issuance.

The Company has raised a total of $797,000 under all closings of this financing, resulting in the issuance of 9,962,500 common shares and 9,962,500 common share purchase warrants. The warrants have a useful life of 30 months and an exercise price of $0.12. Finder’s fees in the amount of $36,200 and 452,500 finder’s warrants were paid in connection with this financing. The finder’s warrants bear the same terms as the unit warrants. The financing was led by experienced lithium investors from Europe and Australia.

Use of Proceeds

The proceeds from the Third Closing will be used for general and administrative expenses. Due to the wildfires and evacuation orders that remain in place, in and around the Yellowknife area, management of the Company is putting exploration plans for its IML Zinc-Copper project on hold until 2024.

About Rover Metals

Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF, and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company has a diverse portfolio of mining resource development projects with varying exploration timelines. Its critical mineral projects include lithium, zinc, and copper. Its precious metals projects include gold and silver. The Company is exclusive to the mining jurisdictions of the U.S. and Canada.

You can follow Rover on its social media channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-metals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoverMetals/

for daily company updates and industry news, and
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsHsfag1GFyp4aLW5Ye-YQ?view_as=subscriber

for corporate videos.
Website: https://www.rovermetals.com/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Judson Culter”
Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact:

Email: info@rovermetals.com
Phone: +1 (778) 754-2617

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Rover’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. There can be no assurance that such statements prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any factor could cause actual results to differ materially from Rover’s expectations. Rover undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals

Blackwolf Announces Securityholder Approval of Plan of Arrangement

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 1, 2023 / Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd. (“Blackwolf“, or the “Company“) (TSXV:BWCG)(OTC PINK:BWCGF) is pleased to announce that the Company’s proposed acquisition of all of the outstanding securities of Optimum Ventures Ltd. (“Optimum“) by way of plan of arrangement (the “Transaction“) was overwhelmingly approved at Optimum’s annual general and special meeting of securityholders held on August 31, 2023.

Closing of the Transaction remains subject to court approval as well as other customary closing conditions. Assuming the timely completion of these conditions, the Company expects the Transaction to close on or about September 12, 2023.

Further to the Company’s news release of July 28, 2023, the Company clarifies terms of the market maker agreement (the “Agreement“) it has entered into with PI Financial Corp. (“PI“). Pursuant to the Agreement, PI has been engaged to trade the securities of Blackwolf on the TSX‐V for the purposes of maintaining an orderly market. In consideration of the services provided by PI, the Company will pay PI a monthly cash fee of $5,000 for a minimum term of six months and thereafter the Agreement is automatically renewable on a month-to-month basis. As of the date the Company entered into the Agreement with PI, neither PI nor their authorized person held any securities directly in the Company.

About Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

Blackwolf’s founding vision is to be an industry leader in transparency, inclusion and innovation. Guided by our Vision and through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities and stakeholders, Blackwolf builds shareholder value through our technical expertise in mineral exploration, engineering and permitting. The Company holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska as well as five Hyder Area gold-silver and VMS properties in southeast Alaska and northwest British Columbia in the Golden Triangle, including the high-priority wide gold-silver veins at the Cantoo Property. For more information on Blackwolf, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackwolfcopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

“Morgan Lekstrom”
CEO and Director

For more information, contact:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively herein referred to as “forward-looking information”). Wherever possible, words such as “expects”, “expected”, “strategic” and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “will” or “may” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative forms of any of these terms and similar expressions, have been used to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained herein includes, but is not limited to, the consummation and timing of the Transaction, the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transaction, the date of the hearing of the application for a final order in respect of the Transaction, and discussion of future plans, projects, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, actions, events, conditions, performance or achievements to materially differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risk that the Transaction is not completed, on the timeline currently contemplated or at all, the potential of a third party making a superior proposal to the Transaction and such other risks as are identified in the public disclosure documents of the Company and Optimum filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca (the “Disclosure Documents”). This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking information. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, actions, events, conditions, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results, actions, events, conditions, performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Our forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, many of which may be difficult to predict and beyond our control. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, we have made certain assumptions about, among other things, our ability to satisfy the terms and conditions precedent to the Transaction. Although we believe that the assumptions inherent in forward-looking information are reasonable as of the date of this news release, these assumptions are subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking information. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information contained in this news release.

Additional information about the risks and uncertainties concerning forward-looking information and material factors or assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based is provided in the Disclosure Documents. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Forward-looking information involves statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in this news release and the Disclosure Documents. For the reasons set forth above, readers and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

Morgan Lekstrom
250-574-7350 (Mobile)
604-343-2997 (Office)
mll@bwcg.ca
Liam Morrison
604-897-9952 (Mobile)
604-343-2997 (Office)
lm@bwcg.ca



View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/779264/blackwolf-announces-securityholder-approval-of-plan-of-arrangement

Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals

West Red Lake Gold Intersects 66.66 g/t Au Over 2.0m, 21.84 g/t Au over 3.11m and 6.27 g/t Au over 10.1m at Rowan Mine

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd

Section 1: Looking Southwest

FIGURE 2. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-153, -156B, -157 and -158
FIGURE 2. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-153, -156B, -157 and -158

Section 2: Looking Southwest

FIGURE 3. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-154 and -155B
FIGURE 3. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-154 and -155B

Rowan Project Section Location Plan

FIGURE 1. Deposit-scale plan map of Rowan Mine Target area showing traces and intercepts for holes highlighted in this News Release.
FIGURE 1. Deposit-scale plan map of Rowan Mine Target area showing traces and intercepts for holes highlighted in this News Release.

Vein 102 Long Section Looking North

FIGURE 5. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 102 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red
FIGURE 5. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 102 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red

Vein 101 Long Section Looking North

FIGURE 4. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 101 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red
FIGURE 4. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 101 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red

Vein 103 Long Section Looking North

FIGURE 6. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 103 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red
FIGURE 6. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 103 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red

Rowan Project Location Map

Rowan Project Location Map
Rowan Project Location Map

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (“West Red Lake Gold” or “WRLG” or the “Company”) (TSXV:WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to report additional drill results from its Phase 1 exploration program on its 100% owned Rowan Property located in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Hole RLG-23-153 intersected 66.66 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold (“Au”) over 2.0 metres (“m”), when compared to much of the historical drilling, mineralized zones encountered in this years campaign demonstrate increased widths and continuity. The company has now completed 37 drill holes and 11,467 m of drilling to date of a 17,000 m drilling campaign that has been expanded to 25,000 m on the back of a very successful exploration season thus far.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Hole RLG-23-153 Intersected 2.0m @ 66.66 g/t Au, from 235m to 237m, Including 0.5m @ 266.27 g/t Au, from 235.5m to 236m.
  • Hole RLG-23-156B Intersected 3.11m @ 21.84 g/t Au, from 275m to 278.11m, Including 0.83m @ 77.64 g/t Au, from 277.28m to 278.11m.
  • Hole RLG-23-154 Intersected 10.1m @ 6.27 g/t Au, from 214.9m to 225m, Including 0.6m @ 84.13 g/t Au, from 223.45m to 224.05m.

Shane Williams, President & CEO, stated, “Our team is very impressed with the drill results coming out of the Rowan Mine target. What was previously believed to be a very narrow high-grade gold system continues to deliver results that demonstrate real potential for broader zones of high-grade gold mineralization which could prove advantageous for any future mining scenario. With every hole drilled at Rowan, not only does our confidence in this asset grow, but its viability as a potential future source of high-grade mill-feed for Madsen increases as well. In the mining industry it is very rare to have size and grade working in your favor, but at Rowan we are seeing both.”

The high-grade mineralized vein zones encountered at the Rowan Mine target area (the “Rowan Mine Target”) continue to exceed expectations, confirm the geologic model, and further improve the existing high-grade (9.2 g/t Au) 827,462 ounce Inferred Mineral Resource at the Rowan Mine. Sections for the Rowan Mine drilling outlined in this release are provided in Figures 1 through 6.

TABLE 1. Significant intercepts (>4 g/t Au) from drilling at Rowan Mine Target.

Hole IDTargetZoneFrom (m)To (m)Thick (m)*Au (g/t)
RLG-23-153Rowan MineV101 (hw)235.00237.002.0066.66
Incl.Rowan Mine235.50236.000.50266.27
ANDRowan MineV101253.95255.101.1527.61
Incl.Rowan Mine253.95254.600.6548.58
ANDRowan MineV101276.65277.150.5081.44
RLG-23-154Rowan MineV102214.90225.0010.106.27
Incl.Rowan Mine223.45224.050.6084.13
RLG-23-155BRowan MineV103146.50147.000.504.24
ANDRowan MineV102 (fw)226.75227.250.505.72
ANDRowan MineV101276.50277.000.507.30
RLG-23-156BRowan MineV103158.48159.180.7046.20
ANDRowan MineV102242.00243.001.004.11
ANDRowan MineV102 (fw)275.00278.113.1121.84
Incl.Rowan Mine277.28278.110.8377.64
ANDRowan MineV101311.60312.100.5025.42
RLG-23-157Rowan MineV103212.50214.001.507.29
Incl.Rowan Mine213.40214.000.6010.49
ANDRowan MineV102255.16256.000.846.16
ANDRowan MineV102259.00262.003.004.24
Incl.Rowan Mine260.27260.770.5011.31
ANDRowan MineV102284.88290.005.124.07
Incl.Rowan Mine284.88286.001.1210.37
RLG-23-158Rowan MineV103 (hw)115.00116.001.0020.90
Incl.Rowan Mine115.00115.500.5040.23
ANDRowan MineV102 (fw)255.50256.651.158.54
Incl.Rowan Mine255.50256.000.5017.80
ANDRowan MineV102 (fw)260.50261.601.105.28
Incl.Rowan Mine261.00261.500.509.22

*The “From-To” intervals in Table 1 are denoting overall downhole length of the intercept. True thickness has not been calculated for these intercepts but is expected to be ≥ 70% of downhole thickness based on intercept angles observed in the drill core. Composite intervals do not cross sample boundaries < 0.1 g/t Au. Under ‘Zone’ column, (hw) is indicating ‘hanging wall to’ and (fw) is indicating ‘footwall to’ main vein zones.

A total of 17,000m of infill and expansion drilling was originally proposed for the Rowan Mine target in 2023. Based on the positive results received to date, the program has been expanded to 25,000m and is expected to be completed by year end 2023. The additional drill meters will be used to continue de-risking the Rowan Mine resource, and test the growth potential down-plunge on the highest-grade portions of the resource. Current drilling at Rowan has only tested mineralization down to a depth of approximately 550m. All of the high-grade zones still remain open below this vertical depth. The Red Lake Mining District is known to host orebodies that extend down to +4 kilometre (“km”) depth, which bodes well for the down-plunge growth potential at Rowan.

It is the Company’s belief that potential synergies could exist between high-grade resources at the Rowan Mine target area and Madsen. The Company has initiated a metallurgical study at Rowan to begin evaluating this potential opportunity, as well as a geotechnical study to better characterize the rock mass properties within the mineralized vein zones at Rowan.

In conjunction with infill and expansion drilling, the Company is also initiating the necessary baseline environmental and archaeological assessments to begin moving the project towards an Advanced Exploration Permit status.

Figure 1.  Rowan Project Section Locator Plan West_Red_Lake_PlanMap
Figure 1. Rowan Project Section Locator Plan West_Red_Lake_PlanMap

FIGURE 1. Deposit-scale plan map of Rowan Mine Target area showing traces and intercepts for holes highlighted in this News Release.

TABLE 2: Drill collar summary for holes reported in this News Release.

Hole IDTargetEastingNorthingElev (m)Length (m)AzimuthDip
RLG-23-153Rowan Mine4221715657799365363339-51
RLG-23-154Rowan Mine4221715657799365450330-64.5
RLG-23-155BRowan Mine4221715657799365381330-50
RLG-23-156BRowan Mine4221715657799365408338-55
RLG-23-157Rowan Mine4221715657799365471340-67
RLG-23-158Rowan Mine4221715657799365375346-58


DISCUSSION

The Rowan Mine Target consists of more than seven sub-parallel, near-vertical, east-west trending veins that are currently defined over a strike length of approximately 1.1 km – mineralization remains open along strike and at depth. The orientation of the veins at the Rowan Mine tend to follow the direction of D2 deformation, which is oriented in an east-west direction over this part of the property. Individual mineralized vein zones usually average 1.0 to 1.5m in thickness, with an overall thickness of the Rowan vein corridor at around 115m. Gold mineralization is typically localized within quartz-carbonate veins hosted within and along the ‘footwall’ margin of a porphyritic felsic intrusive, with increased grades often associated with the presence of visible gold and base metal sulphides (e.g. galena, sphalerite). High-grade dilation zones or ‘ore chutes’ along the Rowan vein trend have been recognized as important controls for localizing thicker and higher-grade zones of gold mineralization. The position and geometry of these dilation zones is well understood at Rowan.

The drilling completed at the Rowan Mine Target in 2023 has been focused on validating historical data across the Inferred Resource, and also infilling apparent gaps in the analytical data set which was a product of very selective sampling techniques implemented during previous drilling campaigns. Assay results received from the 2023 drilling program continue to confirm our thesis that quartz veining and gold mineralization continue at depth and along strike, with grades consistent with, or higher than those outlined in the current Inferred Mineral Resource which remains open in all directions. For example, the 100 Vein Zone – which is the furthest north vein currently modeled within the overall Rowan vein corridor – was previously interpreted to be a lower grade portion of the block model. Recent drilling has confirmed that higher grades are present within the 100 Vein Zone below 150m elevation, suggesting that gold grades are increasing at depth within this zone which is a trend that has been observed elsewhere in the Red Lake district. Drilling at the Rowan Mine Target area will continue with an emphasis on infill and expansion of the existing high-grade mineral resource.

Figure 2. Rowan Mine Drill Section 1-Looing Southwest-WRLG_Section1
Figure 2. Rowan Mine Drill Section 1-Looing Southwest-WRLG_Section1

FIGURE 2. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-153, -156B, -157 and -158[1].

____________________________
1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project” dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com.

Figure 3. Rowan Mine Drill Section 2 - Looking Southwest-WRLG_Section2
Figure 3. Rowan Mine Drill Section 2 – Looking Southwest-WRLG_Section2

FIGURE 3. Rowan Mine drill section showing assay highlights for Holes RLG-23-154 and -155B[1].

____________________________
1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project” dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com.

Figure 4. Rowan Mine Vein 101 Longitudinal Section-WRLG_LongSection101
Figure 4. Rowan Mine Vein 101 Longitudinal Section-WRLG_LongSection101

FIGURE 4. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 101 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red[1].

____________________________
1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project” dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com.

Figure 5. Rowan Mine Veing 102 Longitudinal Section-WRLG_LongSection102
Figure 5. Rowan Mine Veing 102 Longitudinal Section-WRLG_LongSection102

FIGURE 5. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 102 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red[1].

____________________________
1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project” dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com.

Figure 6. Rowan Mine Vein 103 Longitudinal Section-WRLG_LongSection103
Figure 6. Rowan Mine Vein 103 Longitudinal Section-WRLG_LongSection103

FIGURE 6. Rowan Mine longitudinal section for Vein 103 showing 2023 intercepts > 4 g/t Au. Assay highlights from current press release shown in red[1].

____________________________
1 Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 9.2 g/t Au and using a gold price of US$1,600/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the West Red Lake Project” dated December 13, 2022 prepared for WRLG by John Kita, P.Eng., and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com.

High resolution versions of all the figures contained in this press release can be found at the following web address: https://westredlakegold.com/august-28th-news-release-maps/.

Longitudinal sections showing all intercepts > 3 g/t Au on Veins 101, 102 and 103 can be viewed here: https://westredlakegold.com/august-1st-news-release-maps/.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

Drilling completed at the Rowan Property consists of oriented NQ-sized diamond drill core. All drill holes are systematically logged, photographed, and sampled by a trained geologist at WRLG’s Mt. Jamie core processing facility. Minimum allowable sample length is 0.5m. Maximum allowable sample length is 1.5m. Standard reference materials and blanks are inserted at a targeted 5% insertion rate. The drill core is then cut lengthwise utilizing a diamond blade core saw along a line pre-selected by the geologist. To reduce sampling bias, the same side of drill core is sampled consistently utilizing the orientation line as reference. For those samples containing visible gold (“VG”), a trained geologist supervises the cutting/bagging of those samples, and ensures the core saw blade is ‘cleaned’ with a dressing stone following the VG sample interval. Bagged samples are then sealed with zip ties and transported by WRLG personnel directly to SGS Natural Resource’s Facility in Red Lake, Ontario for assay.

Samples are then prepped by SGS, which consists of drying at 105°C and crushing to 75% passing 2mm. A riffle splitter is then utilized to produce a 500g course reject for archive. The remainder of the sample is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns from which 50g is analyzed by fire assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Samples returning gold values > 5 g/t Au are reanalyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50g sample. Samples with visible gold are also analyzed via metallic screen analysis (SGS code: GO_FAS50M). For multi-element analysis, samples are sent to SGS’s facility in Burnaby, British Columbia and analyzed via four-acid digest with an atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish for 33-element analysis on 0.25g sample pulps (SGS code: GE_ICP40Q12). SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operates under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025.

West Red Lake Gold’s Rowan Property presently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) Inferred Mineral Resource of 2,790,700 t at an average grade of 9.2 g/t Au containing 827,462 ounces of gold with a cut-off grade of 3.8 g/t Au (NI 43-101 Technical Report authored by John Kita, P.Eng., dated December 13, 2022 and filed December 30, 2022 on www.sedar.com). The Inferred Mineral Resource is located in the area of the historic underground Rowan Mine site and situated within a 1.8 km strike length portion of the regional scale Pipestone Bay St Paul Deformation Zone.

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by NI 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects”.

DEFERRED CONSIDERATION PAYMENT TO SPROTT

On August 24, 2023 the Company issued 2,400,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at deemed price of C$0.70 per common share as payment of US$1,250,838 to a fund managed by Sprott Resource Lending Corp (“Sprott”) for deferred consideration related to the Company’s acquisition of Pure Gold Mining Inc. (the “Obligation”), and issued a replacement promissory note dated August 24, 2023 in the amount of US$5,533,094 to Sprott for the remaining Obligation.

MARKETING CONTRACT

Further to its news release of August 14, 2023, the Company clarifies terms of the marketing service agreement it has entered into with Gold Standard Media LLC (“GSM”) (the “Marketing Agreement”).. The Marketing Agreement has a twelve-month term, which commences on the later of August 9, 2023, and the approval of the TSXV, and has an upfront payment of US$500,000 payable to GSM upon the approval of the TSXV.

Marketing services to be provided by GSM will include email marketing campaigns, landing pages, advertisements, and other related services to assist the Company in raising its public awareness and online presence. GSM may engage its affiliates including Future Money Trends, Wealth Research Group LLC and Portfolio Wealth Global LLC to provide these marketing services.

GSM is a limited liability company existing under the laws of the State of Texas with an office at 723 W, University Ave. #110-283 Georgetown Texas and is owned and operated by Kenneth Ameduri, Juliet Ameduri, and Lior Gantz, each of who are arm’s length to the Company. GSM nor its affiliates directly or indirectly hold any securities of the Company.

None of the Company or its officers are involved directly with the creation of the materials distributed by GSM. The Company will provide GSM with publicly available source information for their disclosure and the Company will be involved in reviewing the materials for accuracy prior to dissemination.

ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world’s richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines – Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit.

rowan map
rowan map

ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

“Shane Williams”

Shane Williams        
President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amandip Singh, VP Corporate Development
Tel: 416-203-9181
Email: investors@westredlakegold.com or visit the Company’s website at https://www.westredlakegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements”. When used in this document, the words “anticipated”, “expect”, “estimated”, “forecast”, “planned”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb7902bc-4717-45a7-b550-0bc298c47725
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea3576f1-480b-4b61-8732-0c938a30a8bd
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7415987-6056-4975-b03a-fa4ca9be39e2
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c9e4092-762c-4b5c-b813-e6062bc86927
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/33a85678-30b0-40eb-b798-cbe02bf853fd
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71bc4522-7a74-4222-9c98-a499b0e7791b
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c2b0b3b6-1221-483d-9864-4d90b6bcef6a

Categories
Base Metals Energy

Hot Chili Signs Binding Letter of Intent for Option to Acquire Cometa Project in Chile

PERTH, Australia, Aug. 28, 2023 /CNW/ – Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) (TSXV: HCH) (OTCQX: HHLKF) (“Hot Chili” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with Bastion Minerals Limited (ASX: BMO) (“Bastion”) for the grant to Hot Chili of an option to acquire 100% of Bastion’s Cometa Project in Chile (“Cometa”), located near Hot Chili’s Costa Fuego Copper-Gold Project (“Costa Fuego” or “the Project”) in the coastal range of the Atacama Region, Chile.

Cometa consists of exploration and mining concessions covering approximately 56km2 in area located approximately 15km southeast of Costa Fuego’s planned operating centre (refer accompanying Figure 1) and contiguous with Hot Chili’s landholdings in the region.

The option is another step in Hot Chili’s consolidation strategy for the Costa Fuego copper project.

The Company’s recently published Preliminary Economic Assessment entitled Costa Fuego Copper Project – NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment with an effective date of June 28, 2023 (the “PEA”)1 establishes Costa Fuego as a low-risk, long life copper project benefiting from a low start-up capital and a high annual copper equivalent2 metal production profile of over 100 kt for a 16-year mine life, including 95 kt copper and 49 koz gold during primary production (first 14 years) at C1 Cash Cost3 of US$1.33/lb (estimated net of by-product credits).

Hot Chili is focussed on up-scaling Costa Fuego’s resource base and potential study scale towards a 150,000 tpa copper production profile ahead of the delivery of the Costa Fuego Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”), expected in H2 2024. Cometa provides additional optionality for the discovery of further mineral deposits in the Costa Fuego Project area with the potential to provide supplemental feed and/or a longer mine life to the project laid out in the PEA.

The material terms of the LOI are as follows:

  • Exclusivity period of 60 days for Hot Chili to conduct due diligence and for Hot Chili’s subsidiary Sociedad Minera La Frontera SpA (“Frontera”) to enter into a definitive option agreement with Bastion’s subsidiary SCM Cornet Constelación, the holder of a 100% interest in the concessions comprising Cometa, for the grant to Frontera of an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Cometa concessions (“Option”).
  • Non-refundable cash payment of US$100,000 to Bastion upon grant of the Option.
  • Non-refundable cash payment of US$200,000 within 12 months from the grant of the Option to keep the Option in good standing.
  • Option may be exercised within 30 months of the date of grant.
  • If the Option is exercised, the consideration payable to Bastion to purchase the Cometa concessions is:
  • Hot Chili may elect to satisfy the purchase consideration in cash (100%), or in cash (50%) and ordinary shares of Hot Chili (50%) issued at a price per share equal to the 15-day VWAP at the date of exercise of the Option, subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”).

The Company will provide further updates on the grant and any exercise of the Option in due course.

_______________
1 The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes 3% inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. See Page 6 for additional cautionary language.
2 CuEq considers assumed commodity prices and average metallurgical recoveries from testwork. See page 9 for complete mineral resource disclosure of Costa Fuego.
3 See page 7 for full non-IFRS measures discussion.

Cortadera Expansion Drilling Update

Drilling operations at Cortadera continue, with nine Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drillholes completed so far for 2,010m.

Four of these drillholes have been completed across the western extension of the Cortadera porphyry resource, including one pre-collar in preparation for a deep diamond hole beneath Cuerpo 4. Following the drilling of RC pre-collars at Cortadera, the RC drill rig will begin a hydrogeological program at Cortadera commencing in mid-September.

One diamond drill rig is planned to commence double shift drilling in September. Preparations are underway to bring a second diamond drill rig online as the Company ramps up for its extensive 30,000m expansion drilling campaign across multiple exploration targets.

This announcement is authorised by the Board of Directors for release to ASX and TSXV.

Hot Chili’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Christian Easterday is responsible for this announcement and has provided sign-off for release to the ASX and TSXV.

For more information please contact:

Christian Easterday

Managing Director – Hot Chili
Tel:       +61 8 9315 9009

Email: admin@hotchili.net.au
Penelope Beattie

Company Secretary – Hot Chili
Tel:       +61 8 9315 9009

Email: admin@hotchili.net.au
Harbor Access

Investor & Public Relations (Canada)
Email: graham.farrell@harbor-access.com

Email: jonathan.paterson@harbor-access.com

or visit Hot Chili’s website at www.hotchili.net.au

Figure 1. Location of the Cometa Project in relation to Costa Fuego

Figure 1. Location of the Cometa Project in relation to Costa Fuego (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Figure 1. Location of the Cometa Project in relation to Costa Fuego (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)

Figure 2. Location of Recently Completed RC Drillholes across Cortadera Porphyry Expansion Targets

Figure 2. Location of Recently Completed RC Drillholes across Cortadera Porphyry Expansion Targets (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Figure 2. Location of Recently Completed RC Drillholes across Cortadera Porphyry Expansion Targets (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)

Qualifying Statements

Technical Report

Certain scientific, technical and economic information contained in this news release is derived from the PEA. For readers to fully understand such information, they should read the PEA technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) (available on www.sedarplus.ca or at www.hotchili.net.au) in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions, limitations and exclusions that relate to the information set out in this news release. The PEA is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The technical information in this news release is subject to the assumptions and qualifications contained in the PEA.

Qualified Persons – NI 43-101

The PEA was compiled by Wood Australia Pty Ltd with contributions from a team of independent qualified persons (within the meaning of NI 43-101). The scientific, technical and economic information contained in this news release pertaining to Coast Fuego is based on the PEA, which was prepared by the following independent qualified persons (within the meaning of NI 43-101):

  • Ms Elizabeth Haren (MAUSIMM (CP) & MAIG) of Haren Consulting – Mineral Resource Estimate
  • Mr Dean David (FAUSIMM (CP)) of Wood Pty Ltd – Metallurgy
  • Mr Piers Wendlandt (PE) of Wood Pty Ltd – Market Studies and Contracts, Economic Analysis
  • Mr Jeffrey Steven (PE) of Wood Pty Ltd – Capital and Operating Costs
  • Mr Anton von Wielligh (FAUSIMM) of ABGM Consulting Pty Ltd – Mine Planning and Scheduling
  • Mr Edmundo Laporte (PE) of GAC – Environmental Studies, Permitting and Social or Community Impact
  • Mr Dave Morgan (PE) of Knight Piésold – Project Infrastructure (TSF)

The independent qualified persons have verified the information disclosed in the PEA, including the sampling, preparation, security, and analytical procedures underlying such information.

Disclosure regarding mine planning and infrastructure has been reviewed and approved by Mr Grant King, FAUSIMM, Hot Chili’s Chief Operations Officer, and a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The scientific and technical information in this new release, other than such information derived from the PEA, has been reviewed and approved by Mr Christian Easterday, MAIG, Hot Chili’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Competent Persons – JORC

The information in this news release that relates to Mineral Resources for the Costa Fuego Project is based on information compiled by:

  • Ms Elizabeth Haren (MAUSIMM (CP) & MAIG) of Haren Consulting – Mineral Resource Estimate
  • Mr Dean David (FAUSIMM (CP)) of Wood Pty Ltd – Metallurgy
  • Mr Piers Wendlandt (PE) of Wood Pty Ltd – Market Studies and Contracts, and Economic Analysis
  • Mr Jeffrey Steven (PE) of Wood Pty Ltd – Capital and Operating Costs
  • Mr Anton von Wielligh (FAUSIMM) of ABGM Consulting Pty Ltd – Mine Planning and Scheduling
  • Mr Edmundo Laporte (PE) of GAC – Environmental Studies, Permitting and Social or Community Impact
  • Mr Dave Morgan (PE) of Knight Piésold – Project Infrastructure (TSF)

Ms Haren, Mr David, Mr Wendlandt, Mr Kossari and Mr von Wielligh have sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code of Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ and as Qualified Persons under NI43-101.

Disclaimer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources

NI 43-101 is a rule of the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Technical disclosure contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Classification System. These standards differ from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and resource information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by domestic United States companies subject to the SEC’s reporting and disclosure requirements.

All amounts in this news release are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Non IFRS Financial Performance Measures

“Total Cash Cost”, “All-in Sustaining Cost”, “All-in cost LOM”, “C1”, and “Free Cashflow” are not performance measures reported in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). These performance measures are included because these statistics are key performance measures that management uses to monitor performance. Management uses these statistics to assess how the Costa Fuego Project compares against its peer projects and to assess the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the contemplated mining operations. These performance measures do not have a meaning within IFRS and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. These performance measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with IFRS.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that are “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and Australian securities legislation (each, a “forward-looking statement”). Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations, forecasts, and projections with respect to future events, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and are based on certain assumptions. No assurance can be given that these expectations, forecasts, or projections will prove to be correct, and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking information is by its nature prospective and requires the Company to make certain assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “project”, “should”, ‘toward”, “up-scale”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking statements.

The forward-looking statements within this news release are based on information currently available and what management believes are reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In addition, this news release may contain forward-looking statements attributed to third-party industry sources, the accuracy of which has not been verified by the Company.

In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the Company’s timing and ability to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to the Option; the completion of the conditions to exercise the Option; receipt of all regulatory approvals in respect of the Option, including the approval of the TSXV; prospects, projections and success of the Company and its projects; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates; the results and impacts of current and planned drilling to convert inferred mineral resources to indicated, to extend mineral resources and to identify new deposits; the Company’s ability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; opportunities for growth in mineral projects; the timing and outcomes of this current and future planned economic studies; the Company’s ability to up-scale the Project to 150,000 tpa of copper production; the timing and outcomes of regulatory processes required to obtain permits for the development and operation of the Costa Fuego Project as contemplated in the PEA and/or future planned economic studies; whether or not the Company will make a development decision and the timing thereof; the ability of the Company to consolidate additional landholdings around its Project; estimates of cost; the ability of the Company to complete the PFS on the timeline indicated or at all; and estimates of planned exploration, including the hydrogeological program at Cortadera and the Company’s planned 30,000m expansion drilling campaign across multiple exploration targets.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection contained in the forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, the following material factors: the ability of the Company to complete the conditions to exercise the Option; obtaining all regulatory approvals for the completion of the Option; operational risks; risks related to the cost estimates of exploration; sovereign risks associated with the Company’s operations in Chile; changes in estimates of mineral resources of properties where the Company holds interests; recruiting qualified personnel and retaining key personnel; future financial needs and availability of adequate financing; fluctuations in mineral prices; market volatility; exchange rate fluctuations; ability to exploit successful discoveries; the production at or performance of properties where the Company holds interests; ability to retain title to mining concessions; environmental risks; financial failure or default of joint venture partners, contractors or service providers; competition risks; economic and market conditions; and other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this news release and elsewhere in the Company’s public disclosure record.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon assumptions which the Company believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions regarding: future commodity prices and demand; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future currency exchange and interest rates; the impact of increasing competition; general conditions in economic and financial markets; availability of drilling and related equipment; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; future tax rates; future operating costs; availability of future sources of funding; ability to obtain financing; and assumptions underlying estimates related to adjusted funds from operations. The Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this news release to provide investors with a more complete perspective on the Company’s future operations, and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom.

For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements made herein, please refer to the public disclosure record of the Company, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report, which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company’s issuer profile. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all those factors or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and are made as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. Investors should read this entire news release and consult their own professional advisors to ascertain and assess the income tax and legal risks and other aspects of an investment in the Company.

Mineral Resource Statement

Costa Fuego Combined Mineral Resource (Effective Date 31st March 2022)

Mineral Resource Statement - Costa Fuego Combined Mineral Resource (Effective Date 31st March 2022) (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
Mineral Resource Statement – Costa Fuego Combined Mineral Resource (Effective Date 31st March 2022) (CNW Group/Hot Chili Limited)
1 Mineral Resources are reported on a 100% Basis – combining Mineral Resource estimates for the Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio deposits. All figures are rounded, reported to appropriate significant figures, and reported in accordance with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee Code (2012) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definition, as required by National Instrument 43-101.
2 The Productora deposit is 100% owned by Chilean incorporated company Sociedad Minera El Aguila SpA (SMEA). SMEA is a joint venture (JV) company – 80% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón Limitada (a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili Limited), and 20% owned by CMP Productora (a 100% subsidiary of Compañía Minera del Pacífico S.A (CMP)).
3. The Cortadera deposit is controlled by a Chilean incorporated company Sociedad Minera La Frontera SpA (Frontera). Frontera is a subsidiary company – 100% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón Limitada, which is a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili Limited.
4 The San Antonio deposit is controlled through Frontera (100% owned by Sociedad Minera El Corazón Limitada, which is a 100% subsidiary of Hot Chili Limited) and has an Option Agreement with a private party to earn a 90% interest.
5 The Mineral Resource estimates in the tables above form coherent bodies of mineralisation that are considered amenable to a combination of open pit and underground extraction methods based on the following parameters: Base Case Metal Prices: Copper US$ 3.00/lb, Gold US$ 1,700/oz, Molybdenum US$ 14/lb, and Silver US$20/oz.
6 Metallurgical recovery averages for each deposit consider Indicated + Inferred material and are weighted to combine sulphide flotation and oxide leaching performance. Process recoveries: Cortadera and San Antonio – Weighted recoveries of 82% Cu, 55% Au, 82% Mo and 37% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.56 x Au(g/t) + 0.00046 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t). Productora – Weighted recoveries of 84% Cu, 47% Au, 47% Mo and 0% Ag (not reported). CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.46 x Au(g/t) + 0.00026 x Mo(ppm). Costa Fuego – Recoveries of 83% Cu, 53% Au, 69% Mo and 23% Ag. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.52 x Au(g/t) + 0.00039 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0027 x Ag(g/t).
7 Resource Copper Equivalent (CuEq) grades are calculated based on the formula: CuEq% = ((Cu% × Cu price 1% per tonne × Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm
× Mo price per g/t × Mo_recovery)+(Au ppm × Au price per g/t × Au_recovery)+ (Ag ppm × Ag price per g/t × Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne
× Cu recovery). The base case cut-off grade for mineral resources considered amenable to open pit extraction methods at the Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio deposits is 0.21% CuEq while the cut-off grade for mineral resources considered amenable to underground extraction methods at the Cortadera deposit is 0.3% CuEq.
8 Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. These Mineral Resource estimates include Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorised as Mineral Reserves. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
9 The effective date of the estimate of Mineral Resources is March 31st, 2022. Refer to ASX Announcement “Hot Chili Delivers Next Level of Growth” (“Resource Announcement”) for JORC Code Table 1 information related to the Costa Fuego Resource Estimate (MRE) by Competent Person Elizabeth Haren, constituting the MREs of Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio (which combine to form Costa Fuego). Hot Chili confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the Resource Announcement and all material assumptions and technical parameters stated for the Mineral Resource Estimates in the Resource Announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.
10 Hot Chili Limited is not aware of political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resources.
Categories
Junior Mining Lion One Metals Precious Metals

Lion One Discovers New Bonanza Grade Gold Lode 1 KM North of Tuvatu

Surface sampling returns multiple high-grade results up to 92.55 g/t gold

North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – August 24, 2023) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the discovery of a new mineralized structure carrying bonanza grade gold 1 km to the north of the company’s 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji.

The new mineralized structure was discovered on surface by Lion One’s regional exploration team and has been named the Lumuni occurrence. The structure is located 1 km north of Tuvatu, approximately along strike from lodes UR1, UR2, and UR3. The Lumuni structure exhibits a width at surface of approximately 0.5 m to over 1 m and is manifested as two mapped zones of what may be a single continuous feature. This includes a north-south striking zone that dips steeply to the west, and a northwest-southeast striking interval that dips steeply to the southwest. High-grade gold results were returned from close-spaced channels and outcropping zones separated by up to 30 m strike length. The overall feature was traced on surface for a length of over 150 m and remains open to the south-east where it is obscured under vegetation. The high-grade mineralized structure also appears to be coincident with a large steeply-dipping CSAMT resistivity low, which may be indicative of a deeply-rooted structure.

Highlights of Lumuni channel sampling:

  • 66.83 g/t Au over 0.7 m (CH3850)
  • 48.45 g/t Au over 0.7 m (including 92.55 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (CH3851)
  • 15.18 g/t Au over 1.1 m (including 31.25 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (CH3849)
  • 14.66 g/t Au over 1.1 m (including 16.78 g/t Au over 0.7 m) (CH3855)
  • 17.04 g/t Au over 0.6 m (including 30.59 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (CH3853)
  • 10.30 g/t Au over 0.9 m (including 13.89 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (CH3852)
  • Strike length of over 150 m observed on surface

Lion One Chairman and CEO Walter Berukoff commented: “We’re very pleased with the discovery of the Lumuni occurrence. This discovery was made as part of our ongoing regional mapping and sampling program throughout the Navilawa Caldera. What makes this discovery so outstanding is the continuity of the high-grade material. It is not a single bonanza-grade sample, but rather a traceable lode of high to very-high grade material that can be followed along at surface. The fact that these high-grade samples coincide with a steeply dipping resistivity low is even more compelling as it provides us with immediate drill targets to pursue. We can now add Lumuni to our growing list of high-priority regional exploration targets.”

Table 1. Highlights of channel sampling in the Lumuni area. For full results see Table 2 in the appendix.

Channel IDFromToInterval (m)Au (g/t)
CH38480.91.30.44.24
CH384912.11.115.18
including11.450.454.54
and1.451.750.331.25
and1.752.10.3515.09
CH38500.61.30.766.83
including0.610.464.62
and11.30.369.77
CH38510.91.60.748.45
including0.91.30.415.38
and1.31.60.392.55
CH385200.90.910.3
including00.60.613.89
and0.60.90.33.13
CH38530.61.20.617.04
including0.60.90.330.59
and0.91.20.33.48
CH38550.921.114.66
including0.91.30.410.95
and1.320.716.78
CH390311.70.72.32

Figure 1. Location of Lumuni surface samples in relation to Tuvatu. The Lumuni discovery is approximately 1 km NNE of Tuvatu. Underground developments at Tuvatu are shown in red and the Lumuni surface samples are identified by the black dots. Background colours represent surface geology, with Navilawa Monzonite in pink, Nadele Breccia in green, and Sabeto volcanics in dark purple.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/178325_861890c8943d596e_001full.jpg

Figure 2. Location of Lumuni channel samples. Composite results of channel sampling in the Lumuni area in g/t gold. The dashed line represents the trace of the mineralized lode on surface.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/178325_861890c8943d596e_002full.jpg

Lumuni Channel Sampling

A total of 16 channel samples were collected in the Lumuni area. The channel samples were collected by taking rock chip samples along a line oriented perpendicular to the observed structure, with overlap into the wall rock (see Figure 3).

The Lumuni structure is composed of two intervals; a northern portion trending approximately north-south and dipping sub-vertically to steeply to the west, and an eastern portion trending approximately northwest-southeast and dipping steeply to the southwest. The area between the two sections is covered in thick vegetation. It is hypothesized that the two portions are part of the same curvi-linear structure, though the eastern portion may be a splay off the northern section. The northern section is located on the margins of the Sabeto River while the eastern portion climbs up a dry creek bed to the top of a ridge, where it becomes obscured by overburden. While the northern portion appears to pinch out to the north where a series of channel samples failed to return any grade, the eastern portion may remain open to the east with mineralization observed along its entire length. The mineralized strike length of the entire Lumuni structure is currently >150 m, including both portions.

The Lumuni structure has an average estimated true width of 0.6 m, though it pinches and swells locally with observed widths reaching approximately 1 m. It is hosted in monzonite and is composed of variably white to gray chalcedonic banded and locally recrystallized quartz, with abundant heavily oxidized sulphides, giving the lode a bright red, gossanous appearance. Pyrite is the most dominant sulphide, with trace sphalerite (zinc sulphide) and galena (lead sulphide) visible locally. Alteration is intense and consists predominantly of white clays and micas. Coarse roscoelite (a vanadium mica observed in high-grade parts of Tuvatu) is also observed locally. The north-south portion of the lode is structurally controlled forming sinistral, sigmoidal shapes suggesting a north-south strike-slip foliaton as well as northwest-southeast foliations.

Figure 3. Example Lumuni channel samples. Left: Channel samples CH3848 to CH3849. Red arrows represent the approximate location of channel samples (sample lines CH3850 and CH3851 are obscured by boulders). The approximate location of Lumuni structure is represented by the yellow lines. North is up. Right: Channel sample CH3850. The Lumuni lode is visible as the reddish-brown oxidized structure in the middle of the photo. Sample bags indicate the location of samples along the channel, which is marked with yellow spray paint. North is to the right.

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/178325_861890c8943d596e_003full.jpg

Figure 4. Example of Mineralization from the Lumuni Outcrop. Chalcedonic, locally banded and recrystallized comb quartz forming on the walls of open vugs, and abundant strongly oxidized sulphides in intensely altered medium-grained monzonite. Pen for scale.

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CSAMT

The newly discovered Lumuni structure overlies a prominent resistivity gradient identified in the 2019 CSAMT survey as a potential drill target (Figure 5). CSAMT is a ground geophysical method that measures the electrical resistivity of rocks down to depths of several kilometers. It is highly efficient in identifying subsurface structures, such as lithological contact zones, faults, fracture systems, and potential upflow zones especially if these are deep-rooted structures. In alkaline gold deposits such as Tuvatu, such deep-rooted structures provide the principal conduits for hydrothermal fluid flow from which gold and other metals are deposited.

The fact that the Lumuni structure not only appears to be sub-vertically dipping but that it also corresponds to a steeply-dipping resistivity gradient provides credence to the suggestion that the mineralization observed at surface may be associated with a deep-rooted structure, in similar fashion to the mineralized lodes at Tuvatu. The CSAMT survey data thereby provides viable drill targets to follow up the bonanza-grade surface sampling described in this news release. Note that the CSAMT data shown here is based on the 2019 CSAMT survey. As reported on June 20, 2023, additional CSAMT lines were completed in 2023, the results of which once interpreted, will provide higher resolution imaging of the resistivity characteristics of the survey area. Due to some delay in processing, the 2023 CSAMT data is not yet available. Once it is available, the higher resolution data will be beneficial in further refining drill targets to follow up the Lumuni occurrence.

Figure 5. CSAMT gradient underlying bonanza grade Lumuni surface samples. Line 08 from the 2019 CSAMT survey. The Lumuni channel samples overly a steeply dipping resistivity gradient that was identified in the 2019 CSAMT survey as a potential drill target. Once available, results from the 2023 CSAMT survey will provide enhanced resistivity data in this area and further refine drill targeting in the Lumuni area.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/178325_861890c8943d596e_005full.jpg

About Tuvatu
The Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project is located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. The January 2018 mineral resource for Tuvatu as disclosed in the technical report “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tuvatu Gold Project, Republic of Fiji”, dated September 25, 2020, and prepared by Mining Associates Pty Ltd of Brisbane Qld, comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at www.liononemetals.com and on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person (NI43-101)
In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43- 101”), Sergio Cattalani, P.Geo, Senior Vice President Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical and scientific content of this news release.

QAQC Procedures
Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its sampling, drilling, testing, and analyses. The Company utilizes its own fleet of diamond drill rigs, using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill core rods. Drill core is logged and split by Lion One personnel on site. Samples are delivered to and analyzed at the Company’s geochemical and metallurgical laboratory in Fiji. Duplicates of all samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are both re-assayed at Lion One’s lab and delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia (ALS) for check assay determinations. All samples for all high-grade intercepts are sent to ALS for check assays. All samples are pulverized to 85% passing through 75 microns. Gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that have returned grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are then re-analyzed by gravimetric method. For samples that return greater than 0.50 g/t Au, repeat fire assay runs are carried out and repeated until a result is obtained that is within 10% of the original fire assay run. Lion One’s laboratory can also assay for a range of 71 other elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 9 important pathfinder elements. All duplicate anomalous samples are sent to ALS labs in Townsville QLD and are analyzed by the same methods (Au-AA26, and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61).

About Lion One Metals Limited
Lion One’s flagship asset is 100% owned, fully permitted high grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One envisions a low-cost high-grade underground gold mining operation at Tuvatu coupled with exciting exploration upside inside its tenements covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, an underexplored yet highly prospective 7km diameter alkaline gold system. Lion One’s CEO Walter Berukoff leads an experienced team of explorers and mine builders and has owned or operated over 20 mines in 7 countries. As the founder and former CEO of Miramar Mines, Northern Orion, and La Mancha Resources, Walter is credited with building over $3 billion of value for shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lion One Metals Limited
Walter Berukoff“, Chairman and CEO

Contact Investor Relations
Toll Free (North America) Tel: 1-855-805-1250
Email: info@liononemetals.com
Website: www.liononemetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Appendix 1: Full Sample Results and Collar Information

Table 2. Channel and rock sample results from the Lumuni area

Channel IDSample IDFromToInterval (m)Au (g/t)
CH3848TUS02573000.90.90.51
CH3848TUS0257320.91.30.44.24
CH3848TUS0257331.31.70.40.32
CH3848TUS0257341.72.20.5<0.01
CH3849TUS0257350110.04
CH3849TUS02573611.450.454.54
CH3849TUS0257371.451.750.331.25
CH3849TUS0257381.752.10.3515.09
CH3849TUS0257392.12.80.70.02
CH3850TUS02574000.60.60.04
CH3850TUS0257410.610.464.62
CH3850TUS02574211.30.369.77
CH3851TUS02574300.90.90.72
CH3851TUS0257440.91.30.415.38
CH3851TUS0257451.31.60.392.55
CH3851TUS0257461.620.40.69
CH3852TUS02574700.60.613.89
CH3852TUS0257480.60.90.33.13
CH3853TUS02574900.60.60.24
CH3853TUS0258510.60.90.330.59
CH3853TUS0258520.91.20.33.48
CH3854TUS02585300.60.60.23
CH3854TUS0258540.60.90.30.56
CH3855TUS02585500.90.90.15
CH3855TUS0258560.91.30.410.95
CH3855TUS0258581.320.716.78
CH3856TUS0258590110.1
CH3856TUS02586011.60.60.09
CH3892TUS02588700.40.4<0.01
CH3892TUS0258880.40.70.3<0.01
CH3892TUS0258890.71.20.5<0.01
CH3893TUS02589000.70.4<0.01
CH3893TUS0258910.710.3<0.01
CH3893TUS02589211.70.7<0.01
CH3894TUS02589300.70.7<0.01
CH3894TUS0258940.710.3<0.01
CH3894TUS02589511.30.3<0.01
CH3894TUS0258961.31.60.3<0.01
CH3903TUS02300300.60.60.24
CH3903TUS0230040.610.4<0.01
CH3903TUS02300511.70.72.32
CH3903TUS0230061.72.30.6<0.01
CH3904TUS02300800.90.9<0.01
CH3904TUS0230090.91.10.2<0.01
CH3904TUS0230101.11.40.3<0.01
CH3904TUS0230111.41.70.3<0.01
CH3905TUS02301200.80.8<0.01
CH3905TUS0230130.81.50.7<0.01
CH3905TUS0230141.52.40.9<0.01
CH3905TUS0230152.42.70.31.28
CH3906TUS023019011<0.01
CH3906TUS02302011.60.60.62

Table 3. Collar coordinates (channel start) for channel samples reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji Map Grid.

Channel IDEastingNorthingElevationLength (m)
CH384818766443922070167.22.2
CH384918766433922072167.32.8
CH385018766423922075166.31.3
CH385118766403922079165.42.0
CH385218766943922043205.50.9
CH385318766893922045199.51.2
CH385418766823922048196.00.9
CH385518766773922048193.52.0
CH385618766743922050190.51.6
CH389218766403922082166.51.2
CH389318766393922087166.51.7
CH389418766383922089166.81.6
CH390318766643922049183.52.3
CH390418767043922033218.01.7
CH390518767263922024231.02.7
CH390618767563922009256.01.6

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/178325

Categories
Junior Mining Lion One Metals

Lion One Now Mining. Gold Production in Six Weeks

Bob Moriarty
Archives
Aug 23, 2023

I’ve written about Lion One (LIO-V) probably a dozen times over the last couple of years. They are the only junior in the world with 100% ownership of a major alkaline gold system. Their Tuvatu gold project is located in Fiji on the Pacific Ring of Fire with multiple 20 million ounces high-grade gold mines on the same structure.

With a market cap of only about $171 million CAD the market seems to value the company for only their 2018 43-101 resource estimate of just over 720,000 ounces. But the company is about to be revalued in three different ways.

First of all, the resource does not reflect an accurate count of how much gold they have. The Tuvatu Gold project is similar in size to the Vatukoula Gold Mine in production since 1938 having shipped over seven million ounces of gold. Vatukoula is about 35 km from Tuvatu on the same structure. Vatukoula still reports about 3.8 million ounces in a resource.

These alkaline gold systems have an unusual form of gold. There will be hundreds of tiny fractures in the rock where flash gold has appeared. The veins may only be a couple of centimeters but are ultra-high grade. Since they vary widely in orientation it is not possible to get a representative assay of the real grade because there is no angle that you can drill that catches all of the tiny veins. Actually in one of the latest press releases the company changed how they sample assays of greater than 10 g/t gold to more accurately reflect the real grade.

What I’m trying to say is that in spite of having spent tens of millions of dollars in drilling, the company still does not know what an accurate grade is for the gold. But the good side of that issue is that no matter how you drill and sample it, you are always showing a lower grade than actually exists. Which means regardless of what they say they have for grade, production will in almost all cases show higher values for gold. It’s a good problem to have.

Lion One reported actually starting to mine in a May press release. The company has been predicting actual milling and gold production in the 4th quarter. Chief Operating Officer Patrick Hickey has been struggling to make the 4th quarter goal. He is so far ahead of schedule that there may be some “TRIAL” gold processing in the 3rd quarter, i.e. in a month.

In that May 18th press release there was a vital visual drawing of why grade control is always inaccurate. No matter how you drill, you miss veins. Here is an image from the press release.

The official first gold pour is scheduled for Fiji Day on October 10th in conjunction with a bunch of officials from the government who are thrilled to see a 2nd gold mine getting into production in Fiji. I know of no other jurisdiction where a junior company was able to go from exploration to production with greater support from the host country.

Lion One is on the sweet spot of valuation on the Lassonde Curve as the project begins production. That will give the stock a revaluation based on the risk has been removed from the stock.

The third part of the revaluation will be when gold and gold stocks start their next bull run. I see a general market crash between now and October. It could well take the metals and resource stocks with it. But when the dust settles, gold and gold stocks are going to be the only safe haven in town. The brilliant Bob Hoye is calling for October-November to be a good time to buy shares.

At startup the company is planning on production of 300 tonnes per day. The crushing circuit can do 1,000 TPD but for now the grinding circuit is limited to about 300 TPD. The company has already stockpiled over a two-month supply of material to mill. Plans are in progress to expand production to 500 TPD by September of 2024.

Guess estimates for grade are 6-7 g/t gold for the startup phase but COO Patrick Hickey has his fingers crossed and is hoping for 10 g/t gold. I think I have an understanding of the vein swarms and how they are always undercounted in assays. I’ll climb out on a limb and suggest that they will be doing 13-15 g/t gold a lot sooner than current investors understand.

I’ll make an important comment for investors to know here. I’ve been a small part of this story since Wally brought Quinton Hennigh on board in early 2019. Wally was making progress but it wasn’t visible. Quinton offered a lot of suggestions as to how and where to drill and what changes they needed to make in terms of personnel.

Quinton realized the company needed a professional team on site. He contacted two of the leading guys in mining, Patrick Hickey and Sergio Cattalani and convinced them to come on board. Prior to their entry management was being run out of Perth in Western Australia and frankly that just didn’t work. Investors should read the press release. I am triple impressed with both of them. I shared an hour-long update with Patrick last week. He has things totally under control. He’s the most impressive mine builder I have ever talked to.

Lion One is cashed up to production as a result of the last couple of private placements. Between standard warrants and broker warrants issued with prior placements, there are about 41 million outstanding warrants at prices between $0.77 and $1.49 dated for just over two years. As the warrants are exercised, it will bring in about $53 million. I don’t see cash being a problem for the company. There are about 15 million tradable warrants at $1.25 and I suspect they will add to the liquidity of the company since it allows investors to speculate on the price of the company with a degree of leverage. They expire in November of 2025.

I was in on a call with management of Lion One a week ago after I enquired as to the status of going into production. I was very impressed with the quality of the team and the direction the company is moving. I think the price will soon reflect the quality of management and high-grade of the ore. This should be one of the lowest cost producers in the industry. The government of Fiji is solidly supportive of the company and I see no problems on the horizon at any level.

Lion One has been my largest position for a couple of years now. The company is an advertiser and I couldn’t be more biased. Do your own due diligence.

Lion One Metals
LIO-V $.84 (Aug 22, 2023)
LOMLF OTCQX 206 million shares
Lion One website

###

Bob Moriarty
President: 321gold
Archives

321gold Ltd