Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals Uncategorized

Your Crystal Ball for 2023

No one, has a crystal ball when it comes to the future. But, we wanted to share how you may want to position ourself for the future.

#1 PURCHASE PHYISCAL PRECIOUS METALS

  • Why: As a Savings/Financial Insurance/Protection from Government Stupidity.
  • Where to Buy: Maurice Jackson: https://www.milesfranklin.com/faq-maurice/
  • Frequency: Every 2 Weeks.
  • Percentage of Portfolio: Minimum 10%, but we hold approximately 35% in our portfolio.
Economics in One Lesson, Proven and Probable

GREAT FOUNDATIONAL READINGS:

  • Methodology: Using the Ratio’s.
  • Dow:Gold Ratio is indicating that Gold is on sale relative to the Dow. When the ratio is between 4-5, it is more favorable to be in general equities and real estate. At present the ratio is 1 share of the Dow = 18 oz of Gold.
  • Looking further, Silver and Platinum are on sale relative to Gold.
  • Gold:Silver Ratio At present 1 oz of Gold = 76.5 oz of Silver. When the ratio is between 45-54 trade your Silver in for Gold. Note: Silver Eagles have demanded a significant premium the past 8 months. Which actually reduced the Gold:Silver Ratio inside the 45-54 range.
  • Platinum:Gold Ratio: At present .59 oz of Platinum is = 1 oz of Gold. When the ratio is equal to and or greater than 1, trade your Platinum in for Gold.
  • A great resource on the power of Ratio’s and when to buy and sell is: Bob Moriarty’s: Nobody Knows Anything (Must Read)!
Nobody Knows Anything, Proven and Probable

#2 ROYALTY AND PROJECT GENERATORS

  • Royalty and Project Generators use a unique business model relative to their mining industry peers.
  • Why: They tend to outperform mining exploration companies accretively (Highlighted Below):

ROYALTY COMPANIES: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/how-precious-metals-royalty-and-streaming-companies-create-value

PROJECT GENERATORS: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/project-generators-exploration-risk-lower-cost/

#3 JUNIOR MINING/EXPLORATION COMPANIES

  • These companies are most speculative and offer tremendous upside and conversely a lot of downside. We are biased and are active buyers of our partner/advertisers found (Here). For a deeper dive into the mining/exploration industry: (Must Reads):
  • What Became of the Crow by Bob Moriarty
  • Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials by Robert Stevens
Mineral Exploration and Mining, Proven and Probable

EXPLORATION COMPANIES: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mineral-exploration-roadmap/

#4 HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

  • Commit your future to paper. Not having a plan, is a plan. A foolish one, but is a plan. If you don’t have a plan for your savings and investments someone else does. SCHEDULE YOUR PATH.
  • Be willing to study each of the aforementioned. Don’t believe the hype! Don’t get mislead by fancy thumbnails, price predictions, and narratives on manipulation. Is there manipulation? Yes, in every market! Don’t complain about manipulation, learn to leverage manipulation in your favor by realizing you are being offered a discounted price!
  • Be pragmatic, and be patient. Your competition is never patient. They want to price to rise on their schedule, which was yesterday. They will be your best friends, because they have have fast hands and love to sell at the wrong time. If the price goes down, and nothing fundamental has changed with management, the project/s, and or results, there is your buying opportunity!!!
  • Very few investors/speculators are in this space, you don’t have much competition. The best way to beat your competition in this space, is not to follow the herd. Remember, no one get’s it right all the time, you just need to be better than your competition.
Categories
Base Metals Breaking Energy Junior Mining Nevada Copper

Copper Is Heading For New Highs- A Bullish Trend In Nevada Copper (NEVDF)

  • Copper corrected from the May record high and made higher lows
  • Four reasons the copper bull will take the price to new highs
  • Impressive price action in the face of Chinese selling
  • Nevada Copper- Three reasons why NEVDF is could outperform percentage gains in the nonferrous metal
  • Bull markets rarely move in straight lines- The next leg for the copper bull has begun

When Goldman Sachs called copper “the new oil” in April 2021, the price was on its way to a new record high at nearly $4.90 on the nearby COMEX futures contract. The world’s most active and liquid copper market on the London Metals Exchange reached a peak at over $10,700 per ton in May. Copper blew through the 2011 $4.6495 previous all-time peak as a hot knife goes through butter.

Even the most aggressive bull markets rarely move in straight lines. Corrections can be brutal when prices accelerate on the upside, reaching unsustainable short-term peaks.

Copper ran out of upside steam before touching the $4.90 per pound level on futures and $10,750 per ton level on LME forwards. The price fell just below the $4 level in August, three months after reaching the high. Copper was still “the new oil” when the price dropped, and the world’s leading copper consumer was hoping it would continue to fall. China has done everything to push copper’s price lower, but the red metal has exhibited remarkable resilience.

Meanwhile, Nevada Copper Corporation (NEVDF) has been working day and night to ramp up production and transform its balance sheet. The market has rewarded the company as the share price has been steadily increasing since the beginning of October.

Mining companies provide investors with leveraged exposure to a commodity as they tend to outperform the price action on the upside and underperform during corrections. Junior mining companies can magnify the leverage. Copper’s recent explosive move suggests that new highs are on the horizon. NEVDF has the potential to do even better on a percentage basis as the company ramps up its production of the red industrial metal.  

Copper corrected from the May record high and made higher lows Copper futures ran out of steam at just below the $4.90 level, with the LME forwards moving the $10,747.50 per ton level for the first time. The May highs led to a substantial correction that briefly took COMEX futures below $4 per pound in August.

Source: CQG The chart shows the decline from $4.8985 in May to a low of $3.9615 in mid-August, a 19.1% correction. COMEX futures made higher lows of $4.0220, $4.0545, and $4.1140 in late September and early October before blasting off on the upside to over the $4.70 level as of October 15.

Source: Barchart

The chart illustrates the decline from $10,747.50 on May 10 to a low of $ 8,740 per ton on August 19 as copper forwards corrected by 18.7%. Copper then made higher lows at $8,810 on September 21 and $8,876.50 on October 1 before exploding higher to the $10,281 level on October 15.

Four reasons the copper bull will take the price to new highs

The four leading factors supporting a continuation of new and higher highs in the copper market are:

  • Rising inflation– CPI rose by 5.4% in September, once again exceeding expectations. While the Fed will likely begin tapering quantitative easing, tapering is not tightening. Moreover, fiscal stimulus continues as the multi-trillion budget will pump more inflationary stimulus into the economy.
  • Building demand– The infrastructure rebuilding package in the US will increase copper requirements for construction projects to rebuild the crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, and government buildings over the coming years. Moreover, China’s copper requirements will continue to increase as the world’s most populous country builds infrastructure.
  • Decarbonization– Addressing climate change boosts copper demand. As Goldman Sachs said in April, decarbonization does not occur without copper, making the metal “the new oil.” Copper requirements for EVs, wind turbines, and other clean energy projects is a multi-decade affair for the red metal.
  • Supply shortages– Copper mining companies are scrambling to find new supply sources. Production can’t keep pace with demand- It takes eight to ten years to bring new copper mining projects on stream. BHP, a leading global mining company, is in talks with Ivanhoe Mines for participation in the Western Foreland exploration area in the politically dicey Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

Bull markets tend to experience severe selloffs. China has attempted to cool off the bullish copper and other nonferrous metals markets. The world’s leading copper consumer has the most to lose from runaway prices on the upside.

Impressive price action in the face of Chinese selling

On September 1, China auctioned 150,000 tons of copper, aluminum, and zinc from strategic stockpiles, which was the third auction sale since early July, attempting to temper the market’s bullish price action. The market had expected the sales. Copper rallied to the highest level since early August on September 13, with many other base metals following the red metal higher. The price then retreated, but copper made a higher low on September 21. The Chinese auction to cool off the rally put 80,000 tons of copper, 210,00 tons of aluminum, and 130,000 tons of zinc into the market since early July. Since the day of the first auction, copper, aluminum, and zinc prices all posted gains. Imagine where prices might be if China did not sell from its strategic stocks.

In early October, China auctioned the fourth round of base metals, lifting the total sales to 570,000 metric tons. Copper and all the base metals posted explosive gains after the latest auction. China is selling copper, aluminum, and zinc from its strategic stockpiles. The attempt to stem price appreciation makes the Chinese a buyer of the metals on price weakness to replace its stocks. However, the auctions have not had the desired impact on price. The price action has been more than impressive in the face of the sales.

While BHP looks towards the DRC and other regions for new copper supplies, Nevada Copper is making significant headway on its production project in a highly stable political and economic environment in the United States. Moreover, Nevada is a state that continues to encourage mining activity and is rich in red metal reserves.

Nevada Copper- Three reasons why NEVDF has the potential to outperform percentage gains in the nonferrous metal

Nevada Copper (NEVDF) has made great strides over the past weeks and months. A successful junior mining company is positioned best to profit during a bull market in the commodity it extracts from the earth’s crust. Three factors support the price of NEVDF shares as copper has taken off on the upside again:

Factor one: Turing the corner on operations in Q3- On October 6, NEVDF provided an update on operational performance at the company’s underground mine at its Pumpkin Hollow project, noting:

  • Copper in concentrate produced during September increased by 265% compared to August, driven by higher stope production. Approximately 30,386 tons of ore processing yielded 682 tons of copper concentrate at an average grade of 22%, reflecting 150 tons of copper output.
  • Stoping is the process of extracting the desired ore or mineral from an underground mine, leaving open space called a stope. Stoping at Pumpkin Hollow significantly accelerated since mid-August, with the second and third stope panels fully mined and a fourth stope panel currently being mined. Further stopes are planned for October and November, and the high-grade Sugar Cube zone to be mined during the final months of 2021.
  • NEVDF experienced the highest monthly development footage achieved since April 2021 in September, with a 12% increase over August. Approximately 750 lateral equivalent feet were advanced in September.

Outgoing Interim CEO Mike Brown said, “I am very pleased to see the improved trajectory in our production ramp-up and a recovery in productivities. The increased ore production was a key objective for September, and together with the improving productivities on-site, along with the ongoing management strengthening, provide further confidence in the mine ramp-up.”

Randy Buffington, a veteran mining executive with previous management experience at Barrick, Placer Dome, and Cominco, is taking over as President and CEO at Nevada Copper.

Factor two: On October 12, NEVDF announced it had agreed with its senior project lender and concluded a non-binding term sheet with its largest shareholder to provide additional financing and a significant deferral and extension of its debt facilities. The move offers Nevada Copper greater balance sheet flexibility and support for the ramp-up of its underground mining operations and advancement of its open-pit project and broader property exploration targets. The highlights of the more flexible financing arrangement include:

  • Two-year deferral of first loan repayments scheduled to begin in July 2025.
  • Extension of loan amortization with the final maturity pushed to July 2029.
  • Deferral of the formal long stop date for the project as the completion test was deferred to June 2023.
  • All outstanding shareholder loans were consolidated under an amended existing shareholder credit facility.
  • A two-year extension to maturity data until 2026 with no scheduled payments before final maturity.
  • An increase of $41 million in additional liquidity under the amended credit facility.

Randy Buffington, NEVDF’s new CEO, said, “These combined balance sheet improvements provide significant additional runway for the Company as we move forward to complete the ramp-up of our underground operations. The ongoing support of two of our major stakeholders provides further validation of the significant inherent value of our copper operations in Nevada and allows us to continue to pursue the growth potential embedded within our asset base.”

Factor three: NEVDF’s value proposition is compelling when compared to peers. The chart shows NEVDF’s market cap versus its enterprise value compared to other diversified metals and mining companies with similar market caps:

Source: Seeking Alpha

As the chart highlights, the enterprise value is over 2.2 times the current $173.53 million market cap, leading to plenty of upside room for NEVDF shares. There is plenty of room for growth as the enterprise value will rise with output from the underground and open-pit mining operations over the coming months and years. According to data from Seeking Alpha, at 97 cents per share on October 15, NEVDF had a $173.53 million market cap. The average daily volume in the past 15 trading days from all exchanges stood at just over 2,500,000 shares.

Source: Barchart

The chart shows the rise from 38.78 cents on October 1 to a high of 99.2 cents per share on October 14. NEVDF shares closed not far from the high at 96.56 cents on Friday, October 15.

The trend in copper and NEVDF is bullish, and the trend is always your best friend in markets.

Bull markets rarely move in straight lines- The next leg for the copper bull has begun

Bull markets can be bucking broncos as corrections are often downdrafts in prices. Copper’s decline from nearly $4.90 to below $4 and recovery to over $4.70 on October 15 is a bullish sign for the red metal.

Copper’s strength, along with the other base metals in the face of Chinese stockpiling selling, has been more than impressive and is a testament to the bullish factors that are likely to push the price higher. Goldman Sachs expects LME copper forwards to reach the $15,000 per ton level by 2025, putting COMEX futures over $6.80 per pound. Other analysts see the price rising to as high as $20,000 per ton as decarbonization will keep demand outpacing supplies.

Bull markets often take prices far higher than analysts believe possible before they peak. As the world searches for more copper to meet the rising demand, Nevada Copper’s mines are in the most economically and politically stable region of the world. NEVDF shares may have just begun to rally as the price threatens to move over the $1 per share level.

Categories
Base Metals Blog Energy Junior Mining Top Bar

HOT CHILI | Releases Maiden Cortadera Resource Adds 451Mt grading 0.46%CuEq*


Mineral Resource


Corporate Presentation

 

Hot Chili Drilling

Building a copper super hub in Chile – ASX: HCH

Hot Chili is one of the top ASX listed copper developers with a Leading Global Copper Project with 2.9Mt copper, 2.7Moz gold, 9.9Moz Silver and 64kt molybdenum – Costa Fuego

Hot Chili Limited (ASX.: HCH) ACN 130 955 725
First Floor, 768 Canning Highway, Applecross, Western Australia 6153
PO Box 1725, Applecross, Western Australia 6953
P: +61 8 9315 9009 F: +61 8 9315 5004
www.hotchili.net.au

Categories
Base Metals Energy Exclusive Interviews Junior Mining Precious Metals Top Bar

Find Out Why Rio Tinto just entered into a $45,000,000 Earn-in Agreement with this Explorer

Calibre Mining (TSX: CXB | OTC: CXBMF)


Transcript

In this exclusive interview, Ryan King the VP for Corporate Development and Investor Relations for Calibre Mining shares the value proposition the company presents to the Market. Calibre Mining is a multi-asset gold producer focused on execution and building sustainable value for our shareholders, communities we operate in, and all stakeholders. The company has completed a series of successive accretive transactions for their shareholders which we will address throughout the interview.
First, we will discuss the $45 Million Dollar Earn-In Agreement with Rio Tinto on Calibre’s Borosi Projects which host both gold-silver and copper-gold resources in two areas as well as multiple lesser explored copper-gold skarns, low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver vein systems and bulk tonnage copper-gold porphyry targets. Second, we will discuss B2Gold And Calibre Mining joininig forces in Nicaragua on the El Limon and La Libertad Gold Mines in addition to completed a CDN$100 Million Equity Financing. Finally, we discuss the expansive, ambitious 40,000 Metre diamond core drilling exploration program that Calibre will be embarking upon on the aforementioned El Limon and La Libertad gold mines. Discover why the value proposition of Calibre Mining is extremely compelling!


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Precious Metals Top Bar

Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Special


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Miles Franklin801 Twelve Oaks Center DriveSuite 834Wayzata, MN 553911-800-822-8080www.milesfranklin.com

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Junior Mining

Ethos Gold Corp. Announces Amended Terms & Increases Size of Flow-Through Financing to Raise $1.5 Million

Ethos Gold

(TSX.V: ECC | OTXQX: ETHOF)

*FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS ONLY*

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – October 28, 2019) – Ethos Gold Corp. (TSXV:ECC) (“Ethos” or the “Company“) announces that it has revised the terms and size of the non-brokered private placement announced September 20, 2019. Ethos is now proceeding with a flow-through offering to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,512,000 by the issuance of up to 5,600,000 units (each a “FT Unit”) at a price of $0.27 per FT Unit (the “FT Offering”). Each FT Unit will comprise one flow-through common share (a “FT Share”) and one half of one non flow-through common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will be exercisable at a price of $0.30 into one common share for a period of two years from the date of issuance. The FT Shares will qualify as “flow-through shares” within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

For more details click below. If you are qualified and want to participate please reference Proven & Probable and contact the following:

Sherman Dahl

Tel. 250.558.3340

dahl.sherman@pretiumgroup.ca 

Tom Martin
Corporate Communications
Tel: 1-250-516-2455
Email: tmartin@ethosgold.com


Finance Details


Categories
Base Metals Energy Exclusive Interviews Junior Mining

NEVADA COPPER Company on Target to U.S. Copper Production by Q4 2019

Matt Gili the CEO, President, and Director of Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU | OTC: NEVDF) sits down with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable to discuss the value proposition of Nevada Copper, which is on target for U.S. production in Q4 2019. Mr. Gili, provides updates on the flagship Pumpkin Hollow Project, which hosts both an underground and open-pit deposits. We provide an overview on the supply an demand fundamentals on Copper, where a prudent speculator may position themselves to take advantage of the copper supply deficit.

VIDEO

AUDIO

TRANSCRIPT

Source: Maurice Jackson for Streetwise Reports  (3/18/19)

Maurice JacksonMatt Gili, CEO of Nevada Copper, talks with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable about his company’s progress in beginning copper production by the end of the year.

Pumpkin Hollow

Pumpkin Hollow
Maurice Jackson: Joining us for a conversation is Matt Gili, president, CEO and director of Nevada Copper Corp. (NCU:TSX), which is on target to U.S. copper production by Q4 2019.
Nevada Copper has a number of successes to share with reader. But, before you share the unique value preposition of Nevada Copper, Mr. Gili, for readers who may not be familiar with the supply and demand fundamentals regarding copper, please provide us with a 10,000-foot overview.

Matt Gili: When you look at the copper fundamentals, we see a very steady and predictable increase in demand of copper, modest amount, 1.5% per year. We see the move towards electrification of vehicles consuming more copper. We see other things that are offsetting that, but overall, a steady predictable 1.5% increase in the global demand for copper. Where the story really gets exciting, from the Nevada Copper standpoint, is with regards to the supply for copper. What we’re seeing is a lot of restrictions in future supply. We’re seeing a lot of difficulties on bringing on a future supply and backed up by work done by Wood Mackenzie and others, we’re projecting that by 2025, the world will be in a supply deficit of upwards of 6 million tonnes of copper per year. This just really supports what we’re doing in Nevada Copper in setting up the next copper mine.
Maurice Jackson: Now that we have an overview of the supply and demand fundamentals for copper, Matt, let’s discuss how someone listening may position himself prudently as a beneficiary. For someone new to the story, can you give us a very quick overview of Nevada Copper?

Matt Gili: Certainly. Nevada Copper, who’s Nevada Copper? We have an asset in Nevada called Pumpkin Hollow. This is our chief asset. It consists of two deposits: an underground deposit and an open-pit deposit for copper. We’re currently in the construction phase for the underground project with production from that underground project coming online later this year. I think we’ll talk more about that later. Regarding the open pit, we’re currently in the process of wrapping up the prefeasibility study for the open pit. You’ll see that being published in April of this year. Then, we have a regional land package of well over 15,000 acres that we are looking at really understanding, really unlocking the full value from that land package. That’s really Nevada Copper, building a copper mine coming into production later this year, with a lot of expansion into an open-pit mine, as well as regional exploration.

Maurice Jackson: Let’s provide readers the latest updates on Nevada Copper, as the company has been very proactive on a number of fronts. Please provide us with an update on the construction progress. I would like to begin with the multi-million dollar question, are we on track to enter production in Q4 of this year?
Matt Gili: Yes, Maurice, we are on track to enter production in Q4 of this year. We are very proud of that. The team’s doing a fantastic job. We have construction activities both on surface with Sedgman building the process plants, as well as underground cementation, both sinking shaft and doing lateral development on our main shaft. All that’s coming together very nicely. We are absolutely on track for commissioning of the plant in the fourth quarter of this year.
Maurice Jackson: As Nevada Copper is preparing for production this year, have you increased your staffing to meet the growing demands?
Matt Gili: That’s a really good question and yes, we have. We’ve increased our staffing. It’s an operational readiness question that you’re asking. This is where I want to stress to you and readers that this concept of operational readiness is foremost in our thoughts and how we’re planning for really becoming, not just building a great mine, but operating a great mine. When you look at the staffing, so far, our staffing, by design, is quite modest. We’re looking at a total workforce of Nevada Copper employees of around 30. That is because this is our model, a very lean, efficient operation. We utilize high-quality, expert service providers as necessary, to make sure that we are operating very efficiently.
Maurice Jackson: Is Nevada Copper still actively recruiting and if so, what positions?
Matt Gili: Yes, we are actively recruiting. Most of our positions open are technical and specialist positions, and would be part of the management team. I absolutely encourage anyone interested in what we’re recruiting for to contact the Nevada Copper website. You’ll see the complete listing of opening jobs there, as well as information on how to apply for any of these positions if you’re interested.
Maurice Jackson: Pumpkin Hollow is unique in that you have both an underground and an open-pit mine. Let’s discuss exploration and expansion potential. What initiatives is Nevada Copper taking to optimize the full potential of the Pumpkin Hollow project?

Matt Gili: We are in the process of constructing the underground, which has a large amount of upside potential. We’ll really only explore that upside potential when we’re underground, after we’re in production. We really look forward to updates on that front in 2020, and the reason for that is very simple. It’s just much more efficient to drill out the prospective areas of the underground from the underground; the holes are shorter. It’s just much easier. That’s really where the underground sits right now, in a holding pattern as far as expansion potential. When you look at the open pit, that’s where a lot of great energy is going into expanding the open pit, understanding the open pit better, really getting that ore body knowledge to allow you to build a world-class operation. That is part of the PFS, which is coming out in April of this year.

That PFS will include the drilling campaign that we completed in 2018, the 26 hole drilling campaign. It will include those results in the resource model. That’s going to give you an even better idea of the full potential of the open pit. The real excitement that we have is with regards to the region itself, a large region, relatively unexplored, but with large amounts of historical copper production, as well as great physical outcroppings of copper mineralization. This is really where we’re going to focus our efforts during 2019, to really get a chance, now that we’ve tied up this land package, to understand what we have.
Maurice Jackson: Speaking of the region, there was a regional survey conducted that led you to staking more land. Can you share the results with us?

Matt Gili: We staked a section a land that we refer to as the Teddy Boy Claims. This is about 5,700 acres of land to our northeast. We are very glad to have this in our portfolio. The criteria for that selection was we brought together experts on this region and experts in copper mineralization. They identified that as a really prospective area and where we should be really focused on. We’ve staked that land, secured it for our ability to explore over the next several years.
Maurice Jackson: Does Nevada Copper plan to drill the new area at some point this year?
Matt Gili: We plan on drilling this year. I really haven’t put out the entire drill program for 2019. We’re still pulling that together and analyzing where to best spend the monies we have available for exploration. We would like to drill that this year. Some more prospective holes, really not an in-depth blanket campaign, but probe a few really interesting areas over there and get a better idea for the drill campaign.
Maurice Jackson: It’s one thing to have tonnage and grade, but you must equally have astute business acumen to make the numbers work. Now, Nevada Copper is in discussions regarding an ECA-backed project finance facility to further optimize the balance sheet, as well as lining up a working capital facility and further offtake agreements to improve the economics of Pumpkin Hollow. Please provide us with the details.
Matt Gili: You kind of said it all. I can’t really provide you with any more details, but I can surely stress what you’ve just said, Maurice. We are in discussions with this export, credit agency style backed project financing. This is going to provide us the opportunity to substantially reduce the cost of our debt service, as well as attract strong and robust financial partners for potential future open-pit developments. Something we’re very excited about and it’s part of really creating Nevada Copper as a world-class company.
Maurice Jackson: Let’s get into some numbers. Please share your capital structure.

Matt Gili: The capital structure is well defined. We have $8 million in long-term debt. We have $153 million of cash or cash equivalents. When you look at the financing package specifically for the underground, we’re fully financed, including the working capital facility to take us through operation ramp up. The inputs into that are an equity raise that we did in the middle of last year, as well as a streaming deposit with regards to a stream arrangement on the precious metals strictly from the underground deposit. We also have a $25-million subordinated debt package. Really a standby loan facility that we can use if necessary.
Maurice Jackson: In closing, I have a multilayered question. What is the next unanswered question for Nevada Copper? When can we expect a response? What determines success?
Matt Gili: I would not classify our successful completion of underground construction and bringing them in operation as an unanswered question. That is going to happen, and I’m very proud of the activities that have happened so far. The real unanswered question for the investors out there, is what is the true potential of the open pit? There’s been a lot of great work done, a lot of exploration done, last year. That’s all been incorporated. I’m really going to be excited when the PFS is released and we can share the details of the open pit potential with the public. They are going to be very impressed and they’re going to see the picture. They’re going to see what we see when we get so excited about Nevada Copper.
Maurice Jackson: Speaking of the prefeasibility study, give us a timeline on that, sir.
Matt Gili: We’ll release that in April. I’m being careful. I don’t want to be too specific. It will be in April of this year. Next month.
Maurice Jackson: Mr. Gili, last question. What did I forget to ask?
Matt Gili: Maurice, forget to ask? You’re always very thorough, so I wouldn’t say you forgot to ask anything. What I would say is I want to reiterate something that we at Nevada Copper have been thinking about over the last month. Unfortunately, for the world, the last month has been a month marred with tragedies, with risk and with unexpected events. What we’re really stressing, with Nevada Copper, is the risk management of Nevada Copper. We are an operation that is on private land. We’re not waiting for any permits. We’re not waiting for records of decision. We’re utilizing EPC contractors, who have that fixed price nature, reduced risks. We’re building a dry stack tailing facility. We’ll never have a wet tailing storage facility at Pumpkin Hollow.  We’re doing this all with a proven, experienced team of mine builders and operators. Really wrapping that up, that concept of low risk, risk mitigation. We are going to build and operate the next mine and there’s very little risk to that execution.
Maurice Jackson: Matt, if investors want to get more information about Nevada Copper, please share the website address.
Matt Gili: Absolutely, www.nevadacopper.com. We love to get your input. You’ll see our investor presentationsthere in our latest news. Let us know what you think.
Maurice Jackson: For our audience, we wish to remind you that Nevada Copper trades on the TSX symbol, NCU, and on the OTC symbol NEVDF. For additional inquiries, please contact Richard Matthews at (877) 648-8266 or you may email RMatthews@nevadacopper.com. Nevada Copper is a sponsor and we are proud shareholders for the virtues conveyed in today’s message.
Last but not least, please visit our website, provenandprobable.com, for mining insights and bullion sales. You may reach us at contact@provenandprobable.com.
Matt Gili of Nevada Copper, thank you for joining us today on Proven and Probable.
Maurice Jackson is the founder of Proven and Probable, a site that aims to enrich its subscribers through education in precious metals and junior mining companies that will enrich the world.
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Base Metals Energy Exclusive Interviews Junior Mining Project Generators

(VIDEO) FISSION 3.0 Prospect Generator in Position for Uranium Turnaround

Ross McElroy the COO and Chief Geologist for Fission 3.0 (TSX.V: FUU | OTCQB: FISOF) sits down with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable to discuss the value proposition of Fission 3.0 and their Property Bank. In this interview Mr. McElroy provides the macro economics for uranium and how one may allocate their uranium holdings in a Uranium Project Generator with a Property Bank with projects located in high-grade uranium districts, with proven management and technical team that has a 20 year history of delivering success to shareholders.

VIDEO

AUDIO

TRANSCRIPT


Original Source: https://www.streetwisereports.com/article/2019/03/16/prospect-generator-in-position-for-uranium-turnaround.html
Maurice Jackson: Joining us for a conversation is Ross McElroy, the COO and chief geologist for Fission 3.0 Corp. (FUU:TSX.V; FISOF:OTC.MKTS): A Uranium Project Generator and Property Bank. Ross McElroy, glad to have you back on the program to share the value proposition of Fission 3.0. Before we begin, Ross, I’d like to begin with some basic fundamentals regarding uranium. For someone new to the uranium sector, what is uranium, and where is it used?
Ross McElroy: Uranium is really all about energy. The way we use uranium is for nuclear fuel. That’s basically the fuel that runs reactors.
Globally nuclear power constitutes between 15% and 20% of the electrical requirements. That’s really where the majority of the uranium is used. There is some uranium that’s used for strategic purposes on a country by country basis, more for the Department of Defense reasons. But really, the vast, vast majority of uranium is used to fuel nuclear reactors.
Maurice Jackson: Provide us with some metrics on how abundant uranium is in the Earth’s crust, and correlate that to the average grade that is found versus the grade that is needed to define an ore deposit in a future mine?
Ross McElroy: Well, uranium is actually one of the most abundant elements in the Earth. It’s kind of ubiquitous. You’ll see it throughout the Earth’s crust; there is trace amounts of uranium present primarily in volcanic and igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks.
On a deposit level, there’s actually a number of uranium deposits around the world, in every continent on the planet and in many countries. On a global basis, the average grade of a uranium deposit worldwide is around 0.1 to 0.15% U308.
Now, if you compare that to say, the deposits in Canada, they’re orders of magnitude higher grade in Canada. We’re talking orders of magnitude that are 10 to 20 times that of the global grade.
Although I’ve given you the average grade, most of those deposits at those lower grades, the average grades are really uneconomic deposits. We need grades that are generally much higher than the 0.1%–0.15% if it’s going to be an economic deposit. And that’s what Canada has. Canada has very high-grade deposits, so the economic metrics are just that much more attractive in Canada.
Maurice Jackson: Now that we’ve identified uranium’s utility, what can you share with us from a supply and demand perspective?

Ross McElroy: Well, it’s fairly simple to understand what the demand for nuclear energy is, in other words, uranium. We can just multiply the number of reactors around the world that are currently operating, and the known fuel consumption rate for a 1000 megawatt reactor is just under 500,000 pounds of uranium a year. If we look at the global reactors, there are around 450 reactors around the world. You can see that the need for uranium on an annual basis is around the realm of almost 200 million pounds of uranium.
Maurice Jackson: How does the nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan, fit into this narrative?
Ross McElroy: Japan historically, up until the Fukushima event in 2011, was one of the main users on a country basis worldwide. Japan I think consumed almost 20% of the world’s nuclear power, in other words, 20% of the world’s annual production of uranium was used to run the Japanese reactors.
In 2011, of course, we had the magnitude 9 earthquake followed by a tsunami, and that’s what damaged the Fukushima facility. Interestingly enough, even with that magnitude of an earthquake and the soon-to-follow tsunami, the reactor still did not breach. The housing that surrounded the reactor was damaged, and this is where some of the radiation leaks came from, but the reactor itself actually held, and so the damage was actually very, very limited and manageable.
What happened is overnight, Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors, in other words, all 52 reactors I think they had working at that time, went offline. That caused disruption to the supply/demand situation globally.
What’s happened since then is Japan is slowly coming back on. Japan’s alternatives for power are pretty limited as the country doesn’t have very much of its own resources, if any at all. It imports whatever energy that it needs, be it in natural gas now, in nuclear.
It’s important for Japan to be able to operate these factories that they’re running. I mean, it’s an exporting country around the world, so it does have high energy requirements. It also has the requirements for inexpensive power.
Japan is coming back on to the scene as far as nuclear power. There are eight reactors that are currently back up and operating, and 17 reactors that are in the near-term licensing for approval to get them restarted again.
I think the bottom line is, prior to Fukushima, Japan depended on nuclear energy for at least 25% of its electricity demands. I think by the time 2030 approaches, Japan is supposed to be right back up to those same levels. The country is coming back on, it has always been an important major consumer of nuclear power. I think we’ll see it right back to the equation again in the very near future.
Maurice Jackson: Uranium, next to gold, is known as the other yellow metal, and here’s why. Ross, let’s step back to the bull market in uranium. If one was selective with the uranium holdings, they would’ve had generational changes in their portfolio. What was the spot price during the last bull market?

Ross McElroy: Well, in 2002, uranium was around, I don’t know, about $15 a pound. This is on the spot market. That’s what uranium was trading for.
In 2003–2004, we really saw the lift off of the price of uranium. In fact, it peaked at 2007 to around $140 a pound. It went almost a 10-fold increase in the price of the commodity between 2003 and 2007. The peak at 140 didn’t last particularly long, but it had a slower decline until about 2008—2009, it stabilized, and then it peaked back up again.
Really, it was holding steady. I guess this is the point I would want to make, is that we were starting to see a steady state price of between $50 to $70 a pound, and then the Fukushima event hit that we talked about in 2011, and that really threw the whole pricing structure right out the window. We’ve been working on our recovery ever since.
Maurice Jackson: What is the spot price for uranium today?
Ross McElroy: Currently we’re about $28 a pound for uranium. It has recovered; we’re off the bottoms of $17, $18 a pound just a couple of years ago. Uranium is making its way back.
Maybe the important point here to note is we’re still at prices that the majority of mines around the world are not profitable. Even the lowest cost producers are really not operating in an environment where they can make money with uranium prices what they’re at right now.
What we’ve seen is that the supply is starting to be restricted as the producers are taking a lot of that uranium off market; they’re not supplying it to the utilities at this cheap price, because it’s not a working business model to lose money in the long run on the mining of the commodity.
We are seeing an improvement in the price of uranium, and it’s been about a year and a half in the making. It’s gone up from the $18 that I mentioned to about $28 a pound, but it certainly has a lot more room to move upwards even before we can start to get production back online to meaningful levels.
Maurice Jackson: What is that spot price that companies right now, uranium companies I should say, for them to earn their cost of capital? Is the number around $60 for a spot price of uranium?

Ross McElroy: I believe you are correct. We’re seeing prices that globally, they have to be in the $60 to $70 a pound really to bring on any meaningful production.
One of the clues that I look at when we look at the best uranium mines out there, the lowest cost producers, those would be McArthur River deposit in Canada’s Athabasca Basin in Northern Saskatchewan. That is one of the best uranium mines in the world, certainly the largest highest-grade operating mine. Cameco took that offline because of the prices of uranium where they were at, they weren’t making any money on the mining of this deposit.
There are some indications that Cameco won’t turn that mine back on into being a producer until the price of uranium is somewhat north of $40, maybe $45. Something in that realm.
I don’t have an exact number there, but it does tell you that if you’re going to even bring back the best of those deposits, you really need prices that are something of $40 to $45. As we mentioned earlier, the price for many of the other deposits around the world are probably closer to $60 or $70. You can see, there’s still lots of room for improvement.
Maurice Jackson: The current price of uranium does not support the fundamentals. What correlations do you see today that may exceed the returns from the last bull market?
Ross McElroy: Well, it’s sort of an elastic situation. I think that the longer that we keep depressed prices, yet the demand is still there and growing, reactors are being built, the need to fuel these reactors, that’s not stopping.
In fact, it’s growing. You have the primary suppliers of uranium, i.e., the mines that are not supplying it, the longer that the prices are low, the more rapid that climb will be in the price of uranium when it does correct.
I think there’s a possibility, as I’ve heard some analysts call it, a violent reaction upwards to the price of uranium. I think we’re going to see some substantial price increases within some short vision of time, maybe a year or two or three. Something in that realm that I think will be quite meaningful.
We’ll see what happens, but the longer it stays depressed, the more likely and quicker the rise will be when it does come.
Maurice Jackson: Ross, you’ve provided a compelling case on the fundamentals for uranium. I know readers may be asking, how will all of this demand for uranium be met? Mr. McElroy, please introduce us to Fission 3.0.
Ross McElroy: Fission 3.0 is a uranium explorer. This is a company that we spun out of Fission Uranium Corp. (FCU:TSX; FCUUF:OTCQX; 2FU:FSE), our larger company, back in 2014 when we bought out our partner on the Patterson Lake project, and in so doing with that process from that arrangement, we spun out our non-core assets, the more grassroots exploration projects.
We’ve been able to build up an exploration portfolio, primarily focused in the Athabasca Basin. Remember, the Athabasca Basin is Canada’s only producing uranium field. That’s where the McArthur River deposit is, this is where Fission Uranium has the Triple R deposit. There’s some fantastic deposits out there.
That’s what we’re exploring for in Fission 3.0. We’re looking for the next high-grade uranium deposit in the Athabasca Basin.
Maurice Jackson: You referenced that you’re a project generator. There’s a lot of ambiguity regarding project generators. Please share the virtues and why Fission 3.0 took on the project generator business model?
Ross McElroy: Project generators are really all about sharing the risk. In our case, what we do very well is pick ground. We’ve been able to strategically stake ground in the Athabasca Basin, we’ve made discoveries on two of our properties, the first one in the company called Fission Energy that we made the discovery at our Waterbury Lake property, and later on in Fission Uranium Corp on our PLS property.
That have been situations where we’ve had joint-venture partners sharing the risks, sharing the costs with others. To use the model, what we do is we use our brands and other peoples’ money. That’s really what we’re good at, that’s basically the model that we have.
We have a very highly trained technical team that’s exceptional at picking out high-quality projects. We attract other people who are looking to get into the uranium business, looking to partner up with a team such as ours and join us for the ride to make a discovery.
It’s really all about sharing risk. That’s really what the project generator model does. It’s our land, and we partner with good quality people that can fund a project, and that’s how they earn into it as well.
Maurice Jackson: Do you currently have a joint-venture partner? If yes, who and what are the terms of the relationship?
Ross McElroy: We have had joint-venture partners in the past, and very successful ones. As I mentioned earlier on our Waterbury project, we had a partner with the Korean utility called KEPCO. It earned in by spending a certain amount of money on the property each year over the course of a three-year period.
What we did with that, we were able to make a discovery, using the money in that project, we made a discovery, built up the resource estimate on there, and eventually sold that asset. That was how our shareholders were able to take advantage of our monetizing on the property.
I guess we could say the same at the PLS project, which we now own 100% of it, but that was also a partnership. We shared in the risk early on and in the money early on with our partner. We eventually bought them out in 2014. That was another example of a successful joint venture partnership.
Each one of the deals would be a little bit different from each other. It is a model that we think works very well. I will note that in our property down in Peru as well, we have a partnership that we’re still looking to finalize the deal. This is one where another group has approached us, said it’s interested in the potential of a property down in Peru. It will spend a significant amount of money having us as the operator. Hopefully we’ll make a discovery down in Peru as well.
Maurice Jackson: Well, you’ve just alluded to my next question. Fission 3.0 has 18 projects in its project bank. Now, it is strategically located in premier, high-grade uranium districts in Canada and Peru. Mr. McElroy, introduce us to the Fission 3.0 Project Bank (click here).

Ross McElroy: We have 18 properties in the Athabasca Basin. Our properties, we think that everywhere in the Athabasca Basin has the potential to host high-grade uranium projects.
One of the keys that we seek to identify are deposits that will be shallow. In other words, the closer a deposit is to surface, the easier it is to build a case that this could be a project that could go into production. It’s an easier mine to develop the closer it is to the surface.

Really deep deposits are challenging. They still exist, but they’re challenging. Eventually they cost more money to find and cost more money to get out of the ground. They’re just another level of challenge.
If you look at our 18 properties, they’re all in and around the edge of the Athabasca Basin, where we’ve had a great deal of success finding near-surface mineralization.
Our PLS project that hosts the Triple R deposit in Fission Uranium is a great example of a near-surface deposit. The mineralization starts at 50 meters below the surface, so 150 feet below the present-day surface is where the high-grade mineralization starts. That makes it a potentially open-pit deposit, which is generally low cost and gives you a lot of flexibility.
This is the sort of thing that we’re looking for in Fission 3.0. We’ve got very good properties that are in known mining districts, conversely, we have a good portfolio of ground around the southwest side of the basin where our PLS project in Fission Uranium is hosted, and also NexGen’s Arrow deposit, it’s all in that same area. We have the significant land package that surrounds that area.

We also have a good strategic land package in and around the Key Lake area on the southeast side of the basin. This has been, and still currently is the hot bed of uranium mining in Canada right now. This is the side of the basin where the McArthur River and Cigar Lake deposits are located.

McArthur shut down for economic reasons waiting for higher uranium prices. It was an operating mine up until about a year ago, and Cigar still is in operation. You’ve also got the Key Lake mine.
It’s a strategic area to have a good land package. We think there’s lots of opportunities in and around land in that area to make a new discovery.

And probably third for us is the land package that’s up in the northwest side of the basin, in the old uranium city Beaverlodge district where uranium mining in Saskatchewan first got started back in the 1950s and was the going concern back in the ’50s and the ’60s, I think there were about 52 operating mines up in that area, pretty small scale most of them, but still lots of high-grade uranium. That’s an area where we think that there’s still plenty of exploration potential.
Between all those areas, we’re going to be active and we’re going to be looking for the next high-grade uranium deposit in Saskatchewan.
Maurice Jackson: Speaking of being active, is there active drilling going on right now in these projects?
Ross McElroy: There is active drilling. We did drill in the southwest side of the basin. We were drilling in January on our PLN project. That project is just immediately north of Fission Uranium’s PLS project.
You’re really talking about the same area where the latest discoveries have been found, where you’ve got the Triple R deposit, you’ve got NexGen’s Arrow deposit. These are two of the best new deposits that have been found in the Athabasca Basin in the last 15 years.
We have a package around there called PLN, and we did drill six holes in there earlier this year. It has the potential to host another one of these fantastic deposits, so we are going to continue looking there. We see all the signs present that tell us that this is where we’ll make that discovery.
As we’re speaking right now, we’re drilling over in the Key Lake area that I described earlier. This is over on the southeast side of the basin, about 200 kilometers to the east of the PLS drilling. That is a program where we’ll drill probably eight or nine holes, just south of the Key Lake Mill and the old historical Key Lake deposits. There’s areas of activity there. We’ll continue drilling throughout the rest of 2019 on a number of our projects.
Fission 3.0 is active. We were able to raise some significant money early in the year, in late 2018. We’re going to be active. This is how we’ve been successful in the past, is by being aggressive, looking in places where people probably haven’t looked for a while or never even thought to look, and putting our technical team to work. Yes, you’ll see pretty good news flow out of Fission 3 this year.
Maurice Jackson: Ross, let’s expand the narrative on the project bank portfolio and go south into Peru. What can you share with us there?

Ross McElroy: Peru is a really interesting area. Where our projects are is called the Macusani Plateau, located in southern Peru, near the Bolivian border. The Macusani Plateau has shown at least over 100 million pounds in near-surface uranium deposits.

There’s a company down there that’s quite dominant called Plateau Energy. Plateau has been able to stake a lot and consolidate a land package in the area, and consolidated all these old deposits. It has amassed around 100 million pounds of uranium in these uranium deposits.

However, even more significant, Plateau made a discovery of high-grade lithium in the same area, and in fact, that’s within five kilometers of our southern property boundary on our Macusani plains. Not only do we have the potential now to host near-surface uranium deposits, and we have shown in fact that we do have mineralization on our property for uranium, we’ve mapped it, we’ve drilled, we’ve trenched and found high-grade uranium, but now the potential’s there for hosting high-grade lithium.
This is really a new dimension that we have down in that area, that we wouldn’t have had say, two or three years ago when we were last down drilling. You’ve got uranium, and now we have lithium. It’s a very interesting up-and-coming area as well.
Maurice Jackson: Switching gears, Fission 3.0 has the right projects in the right place at the right time. But that’s only part of the story. Equally important are the people that are responsible for increasing shareholder value. Mr. McElroy, please introduce us to your board of directors.
Ross McElroy: Thank you, and I appreciate that. We do have a very successful team. Our founder of Fission 3.0 is also the same CEO and founder of Fission Uranium, and previously Fission Energy before that, and Strathmore.
Dev Randhawa has been involved in this company right from the get-go in its first iteration back in 1996, and also heading up Fission 3.0. Dev is the longest running CEO in the uranium sector.
Myself, I’ve been involved with Dev 12, 13 years now. We’ve had a great successful relationship. We’re able to raise money, raise attention, put that money to work, make discoveries, and basically build shareholder value right from the bottom up.
This is the group that I think, we’ve been able to deliver in the past, and we’re going to be able to deliver shareholder value as we move forward in this much improving uranium sector.
A lot of the same players that we’ve had all the way along, still keep also in the Fission 3 group.
Maurice Jackson: Who is on your management team?

Ross McElroy: The management team is composed of our CEO Dev Randhawa and chairman. I am the chief operating officer, and also the chief geologist. We have maintained the same structure that we have in Fission Uranium, is the same that we have in Fission 3.0. It’s a fairly lean team. Phil Morehouse is president of Fission 3.0. We kept a pretty lean mean machine in Fission 3.
Don’t forget, we’ve had up until just recently in the last six months, it’s been a very quiet company, there hasn’t been a lot of exploration activities in the uranium sector. I think as we start to ramp up, with our level of activity increasing, we’ll start to draw more and more people into roles and developing roles within the company as we begin to be active, get out and start marketing the story more, get on the ground and back that up with real results, we’re going to continue to build our team.
Maurice Jackson: Before we move on to your impressive technical team, in the natural resource basis, why is it wise to follow proven winners? Ross, you alluded to it earlier, you and CEO Dev Randhawa have a proven pedigree of success. How were shareholders rewarded as far as returns for their loyalty to sticking with your team?
Ross McElroy: Well, if you owned the original company at the beginning, which would’ve been Strathmore Minerals, and you’d held on it to all the way throughout, over the last 20 years since about 1996, 97, you’d probably own about five different companies right now.
What’s happened is we’ve moved on to a new phase, we’ve made discoveries, advanced projects, sold different projects to different groups. What we’ve been able to do is form new companies, split off new companies in what they call a butterfly transaction.
You have shares in the new company, still maintain your shares in the old company, so you would’ve received essentially what would look like dividends in the way of different shares for five different companies since that time. The shareholders that have been loyal and sticking with us would’ve succeeded quite handsomely all the way along.
Maurice Jackson: Your technical team is exceptional. I had an opportunity to meet them in the summer of 2016 at the site visit there. Please, introduce us to them.
Ross McElroy: We’re very, very proud of this group. This has been the team we’ve had, the same core group of people with us since 2010. With that same group, we were able to make our discovery on the Waterbury Lake project, and then followed up in 2012 with the discovery of PLS. It’s the same group that is very core and important to us in Fission 3.0.
I do head up the team and the technical group, so I would be the team leader or chief geologist for the technical team. My right hand guy is Raymond Ashley, he’s the VP of exploration. Ray is an excellent geoscientist who I’ve had the pleasure to work with for over 30 years in this sector, so we’ve been working pretty close together. Definitely a proven mine finder.
We’ve basically held the same group of people together on the project managers, all the structural scientists, geochemists. We’ve kept the same core group together over the last almost 10 years or so.
To me, that’s really the key. You want a team that works together well, good chemistry with each other, the ability and the environment to think outside of the box. Really, the goal for each and every one of us is to responsibly make world-class discoveries. That’s what we’re all about.
We’ve got an excellent team. All the key people are listed on the website. You’ll be able to go there and see the roles of the various groups there in the technical team, but there’s about seven or eight of us that have been able to be what I consider the core team for the last decade or so.
Maurice Jackson: Let’s get into some numbers. Please share your capital structure.

Ross McElroy: In Fission 3.0, we have 142 million shares outstanding. We were able to raise a significant amount. We have just under $7 million in the treasury right now, that’ll allow us to be active over the next two years or so.
Maurice Jackson: What is your burn rate?
Ross McElroy: The burn rate, because it’s exploration, it’s pretty discretionary spending. We have $7 million that we have in the treasury right now, that’ll certainly carry us over the next two to three years of pretty aggressive exploration spending on our key projects. We can dial that kind of number up, and we can dial it back as conditions warrant. That’s the benefit of being in exploration.
The burn rate is actually pretty minimal. In other words, we run a pretty lean shop as far as the number of management and corporate costs. Really, the majority of the costs are exploration spending, which is really entirely discretionary.
Maurice Jackson: How much debt do you have?
Ross McElroy: We have no debt. We’ve not taken on any debt. Basically, the money that we raise have been through equity share offerings. No debt in Fission 3.0.
Maurice Jackson: Who are your major shareholders? What is their level of commitment?
Ross McElroy: When we spun off Fission 3.0 back in December of 2014, it was the same shareholders that were shareholders of Fission Uranium, were the same shareholders in Fission 3.0. We would’ve had a lot of the same loyal, large shareholders, including JP Morgan, even investment from others that we’ve had along the way. It’s been the same loyal group.
We have significant new shareholders now with the financing that we did back in 2018, which was led by the Sprott Global Resources Group out of California. I think we have some new players back to the game, but we have a lot of shareholders that have been with us over the long haul.
These are people that have a good vision of the uranium sector. They know that the good times are around the corner. It’s a point that we believe really strongly, and we think that the sector is improving a great deal.
This is how our loyal shareholders are going to be rewarded, by being a much better market with an aggressive team like Fission 3.0, and the new shareholders will probably be long term loyal shareholders too if we’re successful and able to build value for them as well.
Maurice Jackson: What is the float?
Ross McElroy: Fully diluted, we have 227 million shares. We’ve got shares outstanding, we’ve got options and warrants that we’re a part of financing as well, so 227 million shares out in total. We trade around 240,000 shares a day, I think that’s our average volume.
Maurice Jackson: Multi-layered question. What is the next unanswered question for Fission 3.0? When can we expect a response? What determines success?
Ross McElroy: Well, we are going to be successful through work. We know that a better market should buoy the price up of everybody involved in the nuclear sector. They’re starting to get some life back in the exploration world.
Really, we’ve always built value by our success. We’ve been successful with making discoveries. We now have the money, we have the team, we’re putting them to work. I would look to us as being one of the most dynamic uranium explorers out there. That’s something that I think people can follow, they can see our news release cycle, they’ll see how we’re marketing our story, and just look at the results. I think they’ll speak for themselves.
We’re looking at our projects, we’ll be active throughout the calendar year. I think the news flow will be very strong and steady. People that are interested in following the company will always see that there’s a continuing narrative out there. We want to take advantage of this and improve the uranium market, the fact that we are well financed, and we have the properties that we want to explore. I think there’s a very good opportunity for readers to look at Fission 3.0 as a sector leader in the uranium exploration business.
Maurice Jackson: Mr. McElroy, last question. What did I forget to ask?
Ross McElroy: I think we’ve covered a lot of ground here, and a lot of important ground. One of the takeaways that I want readers to know is we really do believe in the nuclear sector. We think that we have turned the corner and that conditions are improving.
If people are looking to invest in the uranium sector, I think it’s important for them to look at a group that has done it before. Your track record is very indicative of what your future has the potential to look like. I always find myself, when I’m investing, I like to back teams with a proven track record.
We have that in our group. We’ve got an exceptional management team. We’ve done it before. We’ve been able to capitalize on our discoveries by selling assets. We have a unique technical team that has the ability to make discoveries.
So better sector, very good team. Strong management. Those are the ingredients we need to be successful.
Maurice Jackson: Ross, for someone listening that wants to get more information about Fission 3.0, please share the website address.
Ross McElroy: Our website address is www.fission3corp.com.
Maurice Jackson: For direct queries email ir@fission3corp.com, or you may call (778) 484-8030. Fission 3.0 trades on the TSX:V, symbol FUU, and on the OTC, symbol FISOF.
For audience, we’ve been proud shareholders of Fission 3.0 since 2014. Last but not least, please visit our website, provenandprobable.com, for mining insights and bullion sales. You may reach us at contact@provenandprobable.com.
Ross McElroy of Fission 3.0, thank you for joining us today on Proven and Probable.
Maurice Jackson is the founder of Proven and Probable, a site that aims to enrich its subscribers through education in precious metals and junior mining companies that will enrich the world.
Disclosure: 
1) Maurice Jackson: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Fission 3.0. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Proven and Probable disclosures are listed below.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click herefor important disclosures about sponsor fees.
3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy.
4) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports’ terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
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Junior Mining Precious Metals

ROVER METALS | Firm Advancing Gold Exploration in the Northwest Territories

 

Judson Culter the CEO and Director of Rover Metals (TSX.V: ROVR | OTCQB: ROVMF) sits down with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable to discuss the value proposition of the Cabin Lake Property. In this interview Mr. Culter will provide important updates on the Uptown Gold Property, Cabin Lake Project, and Slemon Lake. Rover Metals is a natural resource exploration company specialized in Canadian precious metal resources (specifically gold). In this interview we will discuss the recent accomplishments of Rover Metals. Ranging from IPO and the implementation of a methodical process of building an exploration company that is positioning itself for success from land acquisitions, permit approval, OTC listing, option agreements and completed the first phase of the 2018 exploration program.

VIDEO

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TRANSCRIPT

Original Source: https://www.streetwisereports.com/article/2019/03/10/firm-advancing-gold-exploration-in-the-northwest-territories.html

Firm Advancing Gold Exploration in the Northwest Territories Contributed Opinion

Source: Maurice Jackson for Streetwise Reports  (3/10/19)

Maurice Jackson

Judson Culter, CEO of Rover Metals, speaks with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable about historical exploration on his company’s properties, as well as current exploration plans.

Gold exploration
Maurice Jackson: Welcome to Proven and Probable. I’m your host, Maurice Jackson, and joining us for our conversation is Judson Culter, the CEO and director of Rover Metals Corp. (ROVR:TSX.V; ROVMF:OTCQB). Mr. Culter, welcome to the show.
Judson Culter: Thanks for having me, Maurice.
Maurice Jackson: Glad to have you back on the program. We last spoke in January of 2018, and since then Rover Metals has completed its IPO and implemented a methodical process of building an exploration company that is positioning itself for success from land acquisitions, permit approval, OTC listing, option agreements and completed the first phase of the 2018 exploration program. But before we begin, Mr. Culter, for first time listeners, who is Rover Metals?
Judson Culter: Rover Metals, we are a precious metal exploration company, specifically gold is our focus currently. We’re co-listed in the United States OTCQB: ROVMF, as well as Canada on the TSX.V ROVR. Our project portfolio is concentrated in and around Yellowknife’s Northwest Territories, one of the most mining friendly jurisdictions in Canada and for North America for that matter. I say that just because that’s where our (Canada’s) diamond mines are. That’s historically where several of our gold mines have been. It’s really the primary employer in the Northwest Territories. Outside of government, mining is it.
Maurice Jackson: Why has Rover Metals received so much interest here of lately?
Judson Culter: I think that’s a two pronged answer. First is just credibility. Going back to 2017 on call with you, Maurice, if one listens to that interview, we talked about how we were going to go public, and how we were going to drill our resources, and how we were going to look to add new resources in the similar area code of Yellowknife.
We’ve successfully accomplished all those tasks. I believe we have strong foundational base in our existing shareholders. We’ve got a lot of credibility with them. We get a lot of word of mouth. I think that goes a long way in a market that can be a little bit over saturated in the junior mining space with which projects or which management teams do you back. I think really that we’ve gotten recognition for that now, which is really helping to drive our current success.

The second prong answer speaks to the projects themselves. Rover has the Cabin Lake Project, which is really what the market is asking for, and that’s why we bought it. When we receive the results from our drilling, we believe we will a high-grade gold historical resource that will contain super high grades that the market wants to see as confirmation that this really could be the next gold mine in the Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Not to mention this project itself has all the merits a speculator wants. We have solid infrastructure, the Blue Fish Hydro Dam, roads, all the accessibility and proven area of past producers. The market is beginning to recognize the credibility of the management team and the assets. Also, the awareness that we are near drilling in the not-too-distant future has investors’ attention as well.
Maurice Jackson: Justin, what is the driving thesis for Rover Metals in regards to the Kevin Lake gold project?
Judson Culter: The driving thesis has not changed. It’s the same thesis as in the late 1980s. There’s a project called the Lupin Gold Mine that produced from 1983 to 2003 in the north, which is an iron formation, super high-grade gold. The thought at the time was to go and find another one, and that’s what they thought they had here. This is when Cominco and Freeport McMoRan and then Aber Resources, that’s what they thought they had here. They drove 7,500 meters of at or near-surface iron hosted high-grade gold. The only reason they stopped is because somebody found kimberlites a few years after, and the diamond boom in the Territories began.
This project just kind of sat on the back burner as a result of that. Aber Resources, the owner of the time, of course, went on to find the kimberlites. That’s some historical context on this project and why it’s just now coming back to life.
Maurice Jackson: Talk to us about the business acumen here. When and how was Rover Metals able to acquire the Cabin Lake gold project in such a highly contested and sought out district?
Judson Culter: It wasn’t easy; when we looked at the business case, we figured that with a little bit of just rolling up our sleeves, and getting up there, and meeting the right stakeholders, and just recognizing that this is an area that needs new mines and new projects.
I didn’t think it would be like other areas in British Columbia, for example where BC, trying to get First Nation endorsement can be very difficult. There’s so many competing industries that people can really make a way of life in a jurisdiction like British Columbia, whereas knowing a little bit about the Northwest Territories, mining is a big deal up there. People want to see projects succeed.
When we went into the Cabin Lake project, we knew we had to get a couple of things there to get permits. We knew we had to get our neighbors, Tlicho First Nations, on board. We also did our homework and knew that the Tlicho First Nations had previously worked with Fortune Minerals, as well as Nighthawk Gold. When we got to it, there was a framework in place. There was a government that had been formed.
The Tlicho government and the land use formal plan to work within, for application permits, and applications. So, once we got to it, it ended up only being four months to get it permitted. I think it seemed to keep getting easier for us, and it ended up being a decision that looks like it was the right one to make.
Maurice Jackson: Regarding mineral rights in your project portfolio, are there any reversionary interests?
Judson Culter: There’s a 1.5% NSR that we’ve got viable down to a half percentage point for CA$250,000 per quarter percentage.
Maurice Jackson: And does Rover Metals own the mineral rights outright 100%?
Judson Culter: That’s correct. Yes, not just at Cabin Lake, but at the Cabin Lake group of projects. The claims themselves are 10 kilometers apart; so there’s three of them. For the entire group of projects, yes, we have 100% mineral right interest.
Maurice Jackson: Let’s fast forward to 2018 and discuss your exploration program. What were the results from that program and how has that improved the confidence in the gold project?
Judson Culter: It helped us to better track the iron information. So what we did was we spent the six months from March, when we acquired the project, into October, really to digitize all the historical records. At the time in the 1980s, that was meticulously kept, and it was handwritten. We digitize seven banker boxes of data, as well as three map boxes. Then, we put that in a GPS, and tag the colors and everything else.
Then what we wanted to do to follow on with that data was to run a current, modern-day geophysical program. There were a lot of options to us to do it, but in a really economical manner, but also to do it in a very detailed type formation using a drone. Because the mineralization occurs at or near surface, as well as the iron information itself being at or near surface, it really showed up well on the magnetic survey that we flew over the property. So by interlaying the drill results, as well as the mag survey, our geologist was able to get a better interpretation of the iron formation throughout the project. Really, that really set the stage for where we are going to put the drill when we get to drilling this year in 2019.
Beyond just the iron information, what we also realized about the project is the outcropping on either side is quartz. Historically, the quartz had never been tested for mineralization. So we also did a geochemistry program in October. What that showed us is that the PPM and PPB reading of gold from the quartz outcrop area suggest that it’s also very likely to be a host for gold on this project. It’s never been tested historically. That’s the excitement of 2018 and what’s led into the 2019 drill program, which was always trying to be between March and the end of April. We’re still trying to hold on to that deadline.
We’ve got the collars is ready to go. Right now, we believe what we need to do to start drilling is conduct a small financing that we’ll probably release in the coming week or two here.
Maurice Jackson: So to review the value proposition we had before. This is potentially an open-pitable, early-stage brownfield exploration gold project with historical high-grade resource next to a new cobalt-gold mine, is that correct?
Judson Culter: Yes, and that’s one thing I didn’t touch on is the actual historical resource itself. That’s 85,000 ounces unconfirmed in terms of what our current standards allow us to document as a historical resource. What we’re allowed to document in press releases and everything else is 50,000 ounces of roughly 10 to 12 grams gold per ton. The rest of that 35,000 ounces was never signed off by a Qualified Person, but it is in the NORMIN database in the Northwest Territories. It’s in the areas of the Andrew zone, which we’ve documented. Rover will do the work we need to do under 43-101 standards to take that other 35,000 ounces and get it compliant.
From our side internally, we see it as an 85,000 ounce of resource of 12 grams per ton gold on average. When we talk about it publicly, we have to say, 50,000 from a historical resource perspective, but you’re absolutely right that we’re 20 kilometers away from what’s looking to be Canada’s first cobalt mine. The reason I say that is this project’s been 20 years in the making; it’s at the feasibility stage. I believe they’re really just looking to raise the capital to get to work. It’s an open-pitable cobalt mine. The good news is it’s actually a cobalt gold bismuth. So there is a gold processor that’s going to be built 20 kilometers from us. What better news can you possibly have when you’re developing an at-surface resource?
Maurice Jackson: The location in of itself makes the opportunity quite interesting, but to have open pit to me is icing on the cake. Is the goal to sell the project or develop into a commercial scale mine?
Judson Culter: Definitely the goal is to sell it within the next three years, and so I want to put $10 million in the ground, and let’s get this wrapped up and sold. End of story.
Maurice Jackson: What can you share with us regarding the infrastructure?
Judson Culter: So what you see in Yellowknife right now is what’s going to be coming in the pipeline in the next two to three years in the Pine Point Zinc mine is going back into production and that’s Osisko. Part of that is twining the costs in Taltson Hydro Dam and bringing that into Yellowknife itself, as well as Hay River. There’s going to be federal funding allocated, as well as territorial, to do an environmental study that should be announced through fairly short order this year.
After there is a federally funded environmental study to evaluate the twinning of the Taltson Hydro Dam, a successful outcome will lead into a hydro power upgrade to Yellowknife. When Yellowknife is upgraded, that will free up excess hydro power at the Snare and Strutt Lake hydro dams, located approximately 5km away from Camp Lake, one of our claims that’s part of the Cabin Lake group. That power becomes excess power. All of a sudden that frees up for the future the viability of really selling the project because now you’ve got excess power sitting right there, five kilometers away. How good is that?
Maurice Jackson: Switching gears. Rover Metals’ board of directors and advisors consists of the following people:

Maurice Jackson: Bios for the management time are below:

Maurice Jackson: Let’s discuss some numbers. Please share your capital structure.
Judson Culter: We’ve got 47 million shares out today. That’s our issued and outstanding common shares. There are warrants out there. We have 10 million warrants at $0.20 cents, and 10 million warrants at $0.25 cents.
Maurice Jackson: How much cash and cash equivalents do you have?
Judson Culter: Treasury is sitting today around CA$450,000. Then, there’s been some prepayments for upcoming work commitments regarding our exploration plans for this year, as well as I mentioned, we’re doing a lot of our growth in terms of our marketing and our shareholder base in the United States. I think our prepaid balance, if you were to look at that today, should be around CA$200,000, just in terms of for events, as well as I mentioned, exploration planning. If you add that back to our cash position, we’re around CA$650,000 in current assets.
Maurice Jackson: What is your burn rate?
Judson Culter: Our burn rate’s about CA$30,000 a month, and that just includes all in. We purposely don’t carry an office in this market. We’re a bootstrap company. We have home offices, and then we’re on the road a lot. We’ve got an exploration office that is free from our exploration partner, Aurora Geosciences. That’s really where a lot of the hard work gets done. Then, there’s just no corporate office. I don’t feel the need for that, so that helps.
Maurice Jackson: How much debt do you have?
Judson Culter: We have some trade payables of, I think it’s roughly CA$40,000 that we’re going to settle in shares. Outside of that, we’ve got CA$25,000 in payables on top of that, that we’re going to pay in cash. That’s just some exploration legacy from last year.
Maurice Jackson: Who is financing the project, and what is their level of commitment?
Judson Culter: Just sophisticated mining investors. It’s been high net worth, accredited investors to this point. That will continue until we become a $10 million market cap company plus, because we’re just still not able to access institutional funds, and that’s fine. If Rover does everything that we hope to accomplish in the next drilling phase, which we hope is in the next 60 to 90 day window here, we should be a $10 million market cap plus company; and well on our way to institutional money.
Maurice Jackson: Who are the major shareholders?
Judson Culter: I’m a major shareholder. I’ve been seeding Rover not just with time, but my own money; since really inception in 2014. Tookie Angus, who is an advisor, is currently our third largest shareholder. Then, it really starts to break down to smaller tranches, but there is a notable name on the list: Ashwath Mehra, the chairman of GT Gold; he’s a relatively large shareholder.
Management, including Ron Woo. Ron’s also seeded this company. I think Ron’s probably fourth largest shareholder. Keith Minty’s a large shareholder; 38% of our outstanding shares are owned by insiders, management, board. That’s a good thing because that means our shares are tied up for three years.
Maurice Jackson: Judson, based on the data available, what type of value proposition do we have in comparing?
Judson Culter: Well, the market price, let’s just say, I think it should be $8.5 million, just on what we set out today. That’s my personal opinion. I think later value that, that’s just the reality of reserve stocks in North America. We’re going to do what we need to do to take that historical resource and bring it up to current standards, as well as to just extend where they stopped drilling, and just show them this really is a multimillion ounce potential asset.
I think we can get there with the drill program that we’re planning. We’re planning roughly a thousand meter program. I think the value proposition is we’re in a $3.5 million market cap today. I think we’re going to take it to $10 to 15 million in the next six months. Hold me to that.
Maurice Jackson: I certainly will, sir. Multi-layered question here: what is the next unanswered question for Rover Metals? When can we expect the response? How much will the response cost? What determines success?
Judson Culter: That’s going to be our Q1 or Q2 exploration drill campaign. I was going to caveat that, that is subject to the future success of our financing effort (click here), which we hope to announce in roughly two weeks’ time.
That will lead into confirmation of the historical high-grade gold results, such as the open-pit economics, expand upon the known mineralization in the iron formation, as well as to prove up a larger area play and this is more Q2/Q3 work, for the Slemon Lake, and Camp Lake claims, which are located 10 kilometers northwest from Cabin Lake, and we’ll fly that with an aerial B10 survey. What that will show is that the drilling we’ve done at Cabin Lake in the iron formation really just, those other two claims, or districts, an extension of the same geology, which everything that we’ve read historically shows us it is.
Maurice Jackson: Mr. Culter, please share the contact details for Rover Metals.

Judson Culter: Please visit our website www.RoverMetals.com. On there, you’ll find our social media links, which are LinkedInTwitter, our Facebook page and CEO.ca.
Our social media channels really have daily content. We’re press releasing every couple of weeks, but a lot of our investors like really the daily updates on what’s going on in the Northwest Territory. That’s the best place to stay tuned.
You can also submit to our mailing list. We typically will do an email update every two weeks as well. If you go to the bottom of the homepage on the website, and just submit your email, that subscribes you to our email mailing list.
Maurice Jackson: And last but not least, please visit our website, provenandprobable.com, for mining insights and bullion sales. You may reach us at contact@provenandprobable.com.
Judson Culter of Rover Metals, thank you for joining us today on Proven and Probable.
Maurice Jackson is the founder of Proven and Probable, a site that aims to enrich its subscribers through education in precious metals and junior mining companies that will enrich the world.

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Disclosure: 
1) Maurice Jackson: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Rover Metals. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Proven and Probable disclosures are listed below.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click herefor important disclosures about sponsor fees.
3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy.
4) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports’ terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases.
Proven and Probable LLC receives financial compensation from its sponsors. The compensation is used is to fund both sponsor-specific activities and general report activities, website, and general and administrative costs. Sponsor-specific activities may include aggregating content and publishing that content on the Proven and Probable website, creating and maintaining company landing pages, interviewing key management, posting a banner/billboard, and/or issuing press releases. The fees also cover the costs for Proven and Probable to publish sector-specific information on our site, and also to create content by interviewing experts in the sector. Monthly sponsorship fees range from $1,000 to $4,000 per month. Proven and Probable LLC does accept stock for payment of sponsorship fees. Sponsor pages may be considered advertising for the purposes of 18 U.S.C. 1734.
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Blog

ROVER METALS Announces Private Placement Financing

VANCOUVER , March 4, 2019 /CNW/ – Rover Metals Corp. (ROVR.V) (ROVMF(“Rover Metals” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement of units (the “Units“) at a purchase price of $0.08 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CAD$1,250,000 (the “Offering“). Each Unit shall consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a “Common Share“) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant“).  Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire an additional Common Share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of 24 months following the date of issuance.

Rover Metals anticipates using 80% of the proceeds of the Offering to finance exploration activities at the Cabin Lake Gold Project and remaining use of proceeds for general and administrative expenses.

The Company may pay finder’s fees in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange in connection with the Offering.

Rover Metals anticipates relying, in part, on the exemption from the prospectus requirements provided in BC Instrument 45-534 – Exemption From Prospectus Requirement For Certain Trades to Existing Security Holders (the “Existing Shareholder Exemption“).  The Company may also rely on other available prospectus exemptions.

Rover Metals has set March 1, 2019 as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to participate in the Offering in reliance on the Existing Shareholder Exemption. If the Offering is over-subscribed, Units will be allotted on a first come first served basis. Qualifying investors who wish to participate in the Offering should contact the Company using the contact information set forth below. It is anticipated that the Offering will close in one or more tranches commencing on or about March 15, 2019 .

All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and a day from the distribution date, in accordance with applicable securities laws.  Completion of the Offering is subject to the receipt of all applicable approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Rover Metals
Rover Metals is a natural resource exploration company specialized in gold that is currently focused on the Northwest Territories of Canada , one of the most mining friendly jurisdictions in North America . The Cabin Lake Group of High Grade Gold Projects are located within 20km of Fortune Minerals’ (FT.TO) planned NICO Project gold processor.

You can follow Rover Metals on its social media channels Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-metals/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoverMetals/, and CEO.ca: https://ceo.ca/rovr for daily company updates and industry news.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ROVER METALS
“Judson Culter”
Chief Executive Officer and Director

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.  Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding Rover’s expectations regarding the issuance of Units and receipt of regulatory approval therefor and the use of proceeds from the Offering. There can be no assurance that such statements will 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

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Categories
Energy Junior Mining Lion One Metals Precious Metals

Lion One Drills 6.7 m of 25.45 g/t Gold in Zone 2 at Tuvatu Gold Mine in Fiji

North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 30, 2025) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (“Lion One” or the “Company“) is pleased to report significant new high-grade gold results from 3,791.3 metres of underground grade control drilling at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The drilling is focused on Zone 2 and targeted the URW and Murau lode systems.

All drilling was completed from existing near surface underground workings. The Company intersected high-grade mineralized structures in 25 holes. Most of the drill holes did not exceed 130 metres in length from underground drill stations. Drill results include multiple bonanza grade gold assays over narrow widths such as 168.3 g/t over 0.4 m, 158.0 g/t over 0.3 m, 145.5 g/t over 0.4 m, 123.5 g/t over 0.6 m, and 119.5 g/t over 0.4 m, all of which are located near existing underground workings. These bonanza grade gold results occur within larger intervals of high-grade mineralization, such as 6.7 m of 25.45 g/t gold, and 4.7 m of 26.89 g/t gold.

The Zone 2 drilling targeted two separate mineralized systems: the URW system and the Murau system. The URW drilling primarily targeted the downdip extension of the URW1 stockwork zone below the 1101 level, while the Murau drilling primarily targeted mineralization below the 1095 level. Both programs intersected high grade mineralization, indicating that both systems extend down vertically below current mining levels. Due to the proximity of these results to active mining levels, these results are anticipated to be incorporated into the mine plan in the next six to twelve months. Notably, the headline intersect of 6.7 m of 25.45 g/t gold is located within the high-grade roscoelite zone, just 10 m below current mining activities in the 1095 level (see press releases dated November 12, 2024 and November 19, 2024 ).

Lion One Chairman and CEO Walter Berukoff commented: “We’re extremely pleased with the new results from our Zone 2 grade control drill program. These drill results are in close proximity to our active mine headings and we’re excited to incorporate them into our near-term mine plan. Together with the high-grade Zone 5 results released last week, we continue to advance Tuvatu on multiple fronts and we look forward to advancing the mine to new levels underground.”

Highlights of New Drill Results:

  • 25.45 g/t Au over 6.7 m (including 145.5 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0276, from 45.1 m depth)
  • 26.89 g/t Au over 4.7 m (including 78.0 g/t Au over 0.85 m) (TGC-0264, from 36.8 m depth)
  • 36.94 g/t Au over 2.5 m (including 158.0 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0312, from 46.5 m depth)
  • 13.97 g/t Au over 6.6 m (including 54.5 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0260, from 31.45 m depth)
  • 45.95 g/t Au over 1.8 m (including 123.5 g/t Au over 0.55 m) (TGC-0308, from 43 m depth)
  • 168.25 g/t Au over 0.4 m (TGC-0276, from 18.5 m depth)
  • 29.23 g/t Au over 2.1 m (including 37.43 g/t Au over 0.9 m) (TGC-0353, from 27.9 m depth)
  • 21.48 g/t Au over 2.7 m (including 119.5 g/t Au over 0.42 m) (TGC-0344, from 70.2 m depth)
  • 12.47 g/t Au over 3.8 m (including 49.86 g/t Au over 0.45 m) (TGC-0264, from 57.2 m depth)
  • 10.82 g/t Au over 3.7 m (including 19.51 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TGC-0276, from 39.9 m depth)

*Drill intersects are downhole lengths, 3.0 g/t cutoff. True width not known. See Table 1 for additional data.

Figure 1. Location of the Zone 2 drilling reported in this news release. Left image: Plan view of Tuvatu showing Zone 2 drillholes in relation to the mineralized lodes at Tuvatu, shown in grey. Right image: Section view of Zone 2 drilling looking northeast. Zone 2 drilling primarily targeted the Murau and URW lode systems below current mine levels.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/238920_ba24572d84122a46_001full.jpg

Zone 2 Drilling

The Zone 2 area of Tuvatu is located in the northwest part of the deposit, near the main portal. The URW and Murau lode systems are the primary mineralized systems in Zone 2, and they are both actively being mined. A total of 35 drill holes are reported in this news release, including 23 targeting the URW system and 12 targeting the Murau system.

The URW system consists of multiple closely spaced steeply dipping high grade mineralized lodes trending in a north-south direction. Within this system lies the URW1 stockwork zone, which consist of two steeply dipping lodes enveloped within a stockwork zone of gold-bearing veinlets. Four levels of underground mining have been completed within the URW1 stockwork zone; the 1161, 1141, 1121, and 1101 levels. Long hole open stope mining is taking place between these levels. The URW drilling reported here was conducted from the 1116 drill station underground and consists of a series of drill holes oriented in a fan from east to southeast. The drill program primarily targeted the down dip extension of the URW1 stockwork zone below the 1101 level along a 120 m strike length from north to south. High- and bonanza-grade results were intersected in multiple drill holes, indicating the continuation of the system below current mine workings (see Figure 2).

The Murau system consists of a series of high-grade flat to moderately flat mineralized structures located between the steeply dipping URW1 stockwork zone to the east and the steeply dipping Ura lode system to the west. The Murau structures are known as ”flatmakes”[1] and have abundant roscoelite mineralization. They Murau flatmakes are a major component of the high-grade roscoelite zone that was identified in 2024. The first such flatmake is being actively mined along the 1095 level in Zone 2 where a 120 m strike length of the system has been exposed. The Murau drilling reported here was conducted from the 1121 drill station underground. Drilling consists of a series of drill holes oriented in a fan from the north to the northwest. The primary target of the drilling was mineralization below the 1095 level, with several drillholes also targeting mineralization above the 1095 level. High grade mineralization was intersected both above and below the 1095 level, with 6.7 m of 25.45 g/t gold intersected within 10 m below the 1095 level indicating the potential for additional flatmakes below the 1095 level (see Figure 3).

The purpose of the current Zone 2 URW and Murau grade control drill programs are to enhance the mine model and inform stope design in advance of mining in these areas. The majority of the high-grade intervals reported in this release are located within 30 m of underground developments and are anticipated to be included in the mine plan in 2025. Both the URW1 and Murau drill programs have successfully intersected high-grade gold mineralization in close proximity below current underground workings. Highlights of the Zone 2 drilling reported here are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

Figure 2. Zone 2 URW grade control drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. Oblique view looking down to the north. The URW grade control drilling in Zone 2 was oriented in a fan from the east to the south and primarily targeted the down-dip extension of the URW1 stockwork zone below the 1101 level, as well as the extensions of the system to the north and to the south.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/238920_ba24572d84122a46_002full.jpg

Figure 3. Zone 2 Murau grade control drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. Section view looking east-northeast. The Murau grade control drilling in Zone 2 targeted mineralization in the roscoelite zone below the 1095 level, as well as the gap between the Murau and URW1 lode systems. The headline drill intercept of 6.7 m of 25.45 g/t gold is located within 10 m below the 1095 level and is scheduled for mining in the near term.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/238920_ba24572d84122a46_003full.jpg

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and has been reviewed and approved by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company’s Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43- 101”). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears.

Lion One Laboratories / QAQC

Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods.

Diamond drill core samples are logged by Lion One personnel on site. Exploration diamond drill core is split by Lion One personnel on site, with half core samples sent for analysis and the other half core remaining on site. Grade control diamond drill core is whole core assayed. Core samples are delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples.

Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using 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). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 26 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO

Contact Information
Email: info@liononemetals.com
Phone: 1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)
Website: www.liononemetals.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or 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 labor 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 Drill Results and Collar Information

Table 1. Collar coordinates for drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid.

Hole IDEastingNorthingElevationAzimuthDipDepth
TGC-02531876320392073812310.3-35.7110.6
TGC-02581876320392073812210.1-50.185.0
TGC-02601876320392073912210.6-15.9100.0
TGC-02621876320392073912310.50.0101.0
TGC-02641876320392074012511.221.1105.2
TGC-026618763193920738123353.8-24.3106.2
TGC-027018763173920736121295.7-54.975.0
TGC-027218763173920736121295.5-70.655.3
TGC-027418763163920737122300.6-39.1100.0
TGC-027618763163920729121320.2-39.375.6
TGC-028018763173920728121322.8-50.875.0
TGC-028318763173920729121339.1-50.475.3
TGC-028518762983920812121103.610.990.2
TGC-02901876298392081312183.713.291.7
TGC-02931876298392081312090.0-5.7275.4
TGC-029818762983920812120107.0-13.9275.0
TGC-030518762893920808119157.3-30.041.4
TGC-030818762873920806119157.9-28.7150.0
TGC-031218762873920806119156.4-24.8165.3
TGC-031418762883920807119149.6-26.1146.4
TGC-031718762883920808120135.1-11.363.2
TGC-032018762883920807119135.5-24.2127.0
TGC-032218762883920807119132.1-28.9127.0
TGC-032418762883920808120129.3-22.7122.7
TGC-032818762883920807120134.2-6.371.5
TGC-032918762873920806118166.1-35.1148.3
TGC-033418762873920806118102.0-9.010.6
TGC-033718762923920809119118.1-23.3118.7
TGC-034018762923920809119117.4-28.4122.5
TGC-034418762953920810119109.2-27.0117.3
TGC-034818762983920811120103.3-8.37.8
TGC-035018762983920811119102.7-19.2110.0
TGC-035318762983920811120102.3-8.7108.0
TGC-035718762983920811119106.9-34.5121.0
TGC-03621876298392081211998.3-31.0116.1

Table 2. Composite intervals from drillholes reported in this news release (composite grade >3.0 g/t Au, with <1 m internal dilution at <3.0 g/t Au).

Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Width (m)Au (g/t)
TGC-026030.030.40.426.50
31.538.06.613.97
including31.531.80.317.06
and31.832.40.75.68
and32.433.61.216.99
and33.633.90.354.50
and33.934.70.847.20
and34.735.40.70.04
and35.436.00.74.13
and36.036.80.81.93
and36.838.01.25.33
39.340.00.73.75
TGC-026224.024.30.33.46
45.045.30.36.94
46.547.20.75.04
TGC-026436.841.54.726.89
including36.837.10.310.85
and37.138.31.216.77
and38.339.51.213.50
and39.540.00.50.08
and40.040.90.978.00
and40.941.50.731.47
44.447.22.87.94
including44.445.00.69.77
and45.045.30.32.23
and45.345.90.63.22
and45.946.20.318.99
and46.246.90.79.37
and46.947.20.35.31
57.261.03.812.47
including57.257.80.69.37
and57.858.40.60.62
and58.458.90.549.86
and58.959.20.30.40
and59.259.50.38.59
and59.559.80.333.44
and59.860.40.75.13
and60.461.00.64.83
TGC-027045.446.61.219.55
TGC-027429.029.70.727.68
including29.029.40.426.54
and29.429.70.329.20
38.339.20.93.90
44.745.71.04.12
53.856.22.45.36
including53.854.60.88.78
and54.654.90.31.52
and54.955.40.51.63
and55.455.80.48.29
and55.856.20.43.64
58.159.00.97.02
including58.158.40.36.88
and58.459.00.67.09
60.164.14.04.38
including60.160.40.37.87
and60.461.30.90.36
and61.361.60.33.70
and61.662.20.69.13
and62.262.90.74.65
and62.963.30.40.25
and63.364.10.86.12
TGC-027618.518.90.4168.25
39.943.63.710.82
including39.940.80.99.00
and40.841.10.312.00
and41.141.70.619.51
and41.742.71.00.44
and42.743.60.917.99
45.151.86.725.45
including45.145.40.366.44
and45.446.20.88.25
and46.246.50.367.29
and46.546.90.413.36
and46.947.20.312.58
and47.247.60.423.10
and47.648.00.4145.50
and48.048.60.613.66
and48.649.61.04.04
and49.650.10.547.73
and50.150.80.76.76
and50.851.81.05.48
TGC-028513.814.40.652.57
63.163.40.312.39
TGC-029041.743.01.310.85
including41.742.00.320.38
and42.042.70.75.93
and42.743.00.312.79
45.446.00.66.18
58.461.02.610.76
including58.459.20.824.33
and59.260.41.24.97
and60.461.00.64.24
62.262.50.36.90
TGC-029348.049.21.29.43
including48.048.60.614.89
and48.649.20.63.97
128.0130.22.23.02
including128.0129.01.03.09
and129.0129.60.62.10
and129.6130.20.63.83
162.8165.22.45.22
including162.8163.10.321.04
and163.1163.60.50.40
and163.6164.40.83.46
and164.4165.20.84.07
169.1170.00.95.18
TGC-029823.824.20.419.57
56.657.50.98.50
65.465.70.38.48
TGC-03055.16.71.611.76
including5.15.40.34.24
and5.46.00.626.29
and6.06.30.31.41
and6.36.70.43.38
8.89.70.911.85
TGC-03084.64.90.33.30
5.65.90.33.15
10.110.50.45.58
11.612.50.96.81
including11.612.00.49.95
and12.012.50.54.30
43.044.81.845.95
including43.043.30.36.21
and43.343.60.30.18
and43.644.20.6123.50
and44.244.50.329.20
and44.544.80.36.03
52.653.81.25.70
57.258.41.24.78
122.6122.90.37.08
TGC-03124.55.40.93.58
9.310.51.24.07
37.437.70.36.15
46.549.02.536.94
including46.547.20.717.52
and47.247.50.348.99
and47.547.80.3158.00
and47.848.40.625.72
and48.449.00.64.27
53.554.71.231.28
59.659.90.33.36
TGC-03143.43.70.38.36
4.96.01.14.07
51.651.90.33.20
57.859.71.911.67
including57.858.70.917.99
and58.759.40.72.32
and59.459.70.315.36
TGC-03172.12.50.44.39
6.16.40.38.93
41.641.90.36.27
47.948.20.34.56
55.956.70.88.12
TGC-03203.85.82.04.27
including3.84.30.57.36
and4.34.60.31.05
and4.65.30.7<0.01
and5.35.80.59.10
54.256.01.86.22
including54.255.10.98.98
and55.156.00.93.46
82.483.00.69.95
113.9114.50.68.48
including113.9114.20.312.79
and114.2114.50.34.16
TGC-0322123.8125.61.86.67
including123.8124.10.33.70
and124.1124.40.30.01
and124.4124.70.32.16
and124.7125.00.39.82
and125.0125.60.611.98
TGC-032495.595.80.372.59
TGC-032820.021.01.16.16
including20.020.40.43.65
and20.421.00.67.77
42.644.51.94.98
including42.643.81.25.20
and43.844.50.74.63
53.756.32.611.14
including53.754.00.36.20
and54.054.30.31.41
and54.355.00.723.57
and55.055.30.39.03
and55.356.00.76.71
and56.056.30.310.26
67.468.30.94.98
TGC-032911.211.50.33.32
31.732.30.65.00
57.558.61.18.91
133.9134.20.314.65
TGC-034470.272.92.721.48
including70.271.00.85.60
and71.071.50.50.10
and71.571.90.4119.50
and71.972.91.03.27
TGC-035062.363.51.210.43
including62.362.60.323.99
and62.663.50.95.91
TGC-035327.930.02.129.23
including27.928.80.937.43
and28.830.01.223.08
33.333.60.33.46
38.739.10.43.53
54.355.31.07.38
including54.354.60.39.95
and54.655.00.40.85
and55.055.30.314.38
64.065.00.99.72
including64.064.40.33.16
and64.465.00.613.45
TGC-035775.175.40.36.30
TGC-036268.769.30.630.10
including68.769.00.323.75
and69.069.30.336.44

1 Flatmakes are flat-dipping mineralized vein structures. The term is a Fijian mining term commonly used at the Vatukoula gold mine northeast of Tuvatu. At Vatukoula, flatmakes have been reported to have hundreds of meters of strike length.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238920

Categories
Base Metals Diamcor Mining Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Dubai Diamond Manufacturer Funds Mining Company

Rough diamonds image

Diamcor Mining has received an investment from a Dubai-based diamond manufacturer that will allow it to advance various projects at its South African operation. 

The mining company, which operates the Krone-Endora at Venetia project, will use the funds to expedite the processing of previously stockpiled oversized material, increase processing volume, and develop work programs it currently has underway, it said Monday. It will also further its bulk sampling. 

Diamcor did not provide the name of the Dubai-based company but did note it was a “manufacturer and supplier of bridal and anniversary diamonds to the global market.” The miner also said the manufacturer would not receive shares in Diamcor in return for the funding. 

“This financing is the result of long-term relationships we have developed with key associates in Dubai over many years and the mutual vision our companies share on the merits of building a growing supply of gem-quality non-conflict natural rough diamonds for the luxury-jewelry sector,” said Diamcor CEO Dean Taylor. “While 2024 was a challenging year for everyone in the diamond industry, we believe the factors responsible for this will ultimately begin to stabilize by the second half of 2025, and this financing will help to ensure we are well-positioned and ready for this anticipated recovery.” 

Image: Rough diamonds. (Diamcor Mining)

SOURCE: https://rapaport.com/news/dubai-diamond-manufacturer-funds-mining-company/

Categories
Energy Junior Mining Oil & Gas

Jericho Energy Ventures Closes Final Tranche of Oversubscribed Non-Brokered Private Placement Financing

PHILADELPHIA, PA and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 29, 2025 / Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. (TSXV:JEV)(OTC PINK:JROOF)(FRA:JLM) (“Jericho”, “JEV” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the closing of the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the “Financing”). The Company issued 12,255,000 units (the “Units”) at a price of $0.10 per unit in the second tranche of the Financing, generating gross proceeds of $1,225,500.

The total gross proceeds raised from the first and second tranches of the Financing amounted to $2,024,500.

Each Unit consists of one common share (each, a “Share“) and one share purchase warrant (each, a “Warrant“), with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Share at a price of $0.20 for a period of two years from closing.

All securities issued under the second tranche of the Financing are subject to a four month and one day hold period expiring on May 30, 2025, under applicable securities laws in Canada and the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”). The Financing remains subject to final approval of the Exchange.

Two insiders of Jericho acquired an aggregate 1,700,000 Units in the second tranche of the Financing (the “Insider Participation”).

The Insider Participation is exempt from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) by virtue of the exemptions contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 based on that the fair market value of such Insider Participation does not exceed 25% of Jericho’s market capitalization.

Net proceeds from the Financing will be used for general working capital purposes.

The securities referred to herein will not be or have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About Jericho Energy Ventures
Jericho is an energy company positioned for the current energy transitions; owning, operating and developing both traditional hydrocarbon JV assets and advancing the low-carbon energy transition, with active investments in hydrogen. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies, delivers breakthrough, patented, zero-emission boiler technology to the Commercial & Industrial heat and steam industry. We also hold strategic investments and board positions in California Catalysts (formerly H2U Technologies), a leading developer of advanced materials for electrolysis, and Supercritical Solutions, developing the world’s first, high pressure, ultra-efficient electrolyzer. Jericho also owns and operates long-held producing oil and gas JV assets in Oklahoma which it is currently developing from cash flows in an effort to further increase production.

Website: www.jerichoenergyventures.com
X: https://x.com/JerichoEV
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jericho-energy-ventures
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JerichoEnergyVentures

CONTACT:
Adam Rabiner, Investor Relations
Jericho Energy Ventures Inc.
Tel. 604.343.4534
Email: investorrelations@jerichoenergyventures.com

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking ‎statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements“) within the meaning of applicable ‎securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or ‎information or current condition, but instead represent only Jericho’s beliefs regarding future ‎events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of ‎Jericho’s control. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as ‎‎”plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, ‎or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will” or “may not” occur.‎ Specifically, this ‎news release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among others, the Company’s ability to successfully complete the Financing, conditions to closing of the Financing, and the use of proceeds from the Financing.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors ‎that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-‎looking statements, which include, but are not limited to: regulatory changes; changes to the ‎definition of, or interpretation of, foreign private issuer status; the impacts of COVID-19 and other ‎infectious diseases; general economic conditions; industry conditions; current and future ‎commodity prices and price volatility; significant and ongoing stock market volatility; currency and ‎interest rate fluctuation; governmental regulation of the energy industry, including environmental ‎regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; the ‎availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory ‎authorities; liabilities and risks inherent in oil and gas exploration, development and production ‎operations; liabilities and risks inherent in early stage hydrogen technology projects, energy ‎storage, carbon capture and new energy systems; changes in government environmental ‎objectives or plans; and the other factors described in Jericho’s public filings available at ‎www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain key expectations and ‎‎assumptions ‎of Jericho ‎concerning anticipated financial performance, business prospects, ‎strategies, ‎regulatory regimes, the ‎‎sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out ‎planned activities, the ability to obtain financing on ‎acceptable terms, expansion of consumer ‎adoption of the Company’s (or its subsidiaries’) technologies and products, results of DCC™ feasibility studies and the success of ‎investments, all of which are ‎subject to change based on ‎market conditions, ‎potential timing delays ‎and other risk factors. Although Jericho believes that these assumptions and the expectations ‎are ‎reasonable based on information currently available to management, such ‎statements are not ‎guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from ‎‎those in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-‎looking ‎statements.‎

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements ‎contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Jericho does not ‎undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, ‎except as required by applicable securities laws‎.

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.

SOURCE: Jericho Energy Ventures, Inc.



View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Categories
Junior Mining Precious Metals

Emperor Metals Drilling Expands Gold Potential at Duquesne West, Reveals Widespread Mineralization in Open Pit Model

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 29, 2025) – Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) (“Emperor“) is pleased to share additional results from its 2024 drilling program. The program included 8,166 meters of drilling across 19 new drill holes, and approximately 8,000 meters of historical core assaying. To date, 88% of the new drilling assays have been reported, but only 52% of the total assays for the 2024 season (combined 2024 drilling and historical core resampling). All assays should be finalized by mid-February.

CEO John Florek commented:

“It’s clear that we continue to observe widespread gold mineralization both within and outside the current open-pit concept. This highlights the significant exploration potential to add valuable ounces to the project, supporting the upcoming 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) expected in Q1 or early Q2. The 2024 program has demonstrated a clear opportunity to expand the footprint of the conceptual open-pit model, and once all results are in, this will guide our strategy for the 2025 season.”

Highlights:

  • DQ24-15 intersects 14.2 meters (m) of 1.2 g/t Au and 20.4 m of 0.6 g/t Au which expands mineralization both within and below the conceptual open pit model.
  • DQ24-12 intersects 16.3 m of 0.8 g/t Au within an area of infill drilling and extends mineralization 80m eastward along strike and below Emperor’s conceptual open pit model.
  • DQ24-13 intersects 8.1 m of 1.0 g/t Au and 30.5 m of 0.5 g/t expanding mineralization up dip in two separate zones within the conceptual open pit model.
  • DQ24-16 intersects 7.1 m of 1.3 g/t which is infill drilling and expands mineralization eastward along strike and within the conceptual open pit model.

Full results for DQ24-13 through DQ24-16, as well as the remaining results for DQ24-12, have been released by SGS Laboratories (see Table 1 for intercept highlights). Ongoing exploration efforts continue to demonstrate significant potential for resource expansion both within and along strike of the conceptual open pit. This includes the discovery of previously unrecognized low-grade bulk tonnage zones, as well as high-grade gold lenses containing visible gold (see Figures 1).

These findings are expected to make a significant contribution to the upcoming Q1 mineral resource estimate. A total of 52% of the assays for the 2024 season has been reported to date. By focusing on near-surface drilling for open-pit mining, Emperor aims to economically expand its resource base by including lower grades in the conceptual open-pit environment compared to higher grades in an underground mining scenario. Deposits in the region with currently active open pits have been economic at grades equal 0.30 g/t Au (see Agnico Eagles press release dated Feb 15, 2024 – Detour Lake Deposit cut-off grade, pg. 52.)

Emperor is targeting a multi-million-ounce resource, utilizing a combination of conceptual open-pit and underground mining scenarios. The Property currently hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au. Emperor is committed to delivering an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q1 of 2025.

Figure 1: Location of DQ24-12 to 16 DDH.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/238781_e383c2687494fb0b_002full.jpg

Drillhole Discussion:

The 2024 drilling continues to validate low-grade bulk-tonnage and high-grade mineralization inside and external to the conceptual open-pit concept.

DQ24-12

Drillhole DQ24-12 continues to intersect bulk-tonnage gold zones beneath the conceptual open-pit shell, with a notable 16.3-meter interval grading 0.8 g/t Au. This intercept has the potential to alter the pit boundaries once fully evaluated in our upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) scheduled for Q1 or early Q2 of 2025. The mineralization is hosted within a broad zone of altered, interlayered mafic, ultramafic, and quartz-feldspar porphyries in the deposit’s footwall, containing 1-5% pyrite. Shearing along rock boundaries reveals both brittle and ductile structures that have facilitated the introduction of gold mineralization.

DQ24-13

Drillhole DQ24-13 intersected a significant zone of near-surface, bulk-tonnage gold mineralization, with 30.5 meters grading 0.5 g/t Au. This zone consists of moderately to strongly sheared and brecciated mafic flows and tuffs, with areas of intense alteration, including silica, carbonate, sericite, and chlorite.

Emperor is also encouraged by the discovery of a new mineralized zone below the conceptual pit-shell, grading 8.1 meters at 1.0 g/t Au. This zone features a quartz-feldspar porphyry (QFP)intrusion surrounded by several mafic flows, which created structural weakness that played a key role in introducing alteration and gold mineralization within the footwall zone.

DQ24-15

Drillhole DQ24-15 intersected multiple mineralized zones. The first intersection encountered a significant low-grade bulk tonnage zone within the conceptual open-pit model, grading 20.4 meters at 0.6 g/t Au. This zone is characterized by interlayered altered quartz-feldspar porphyries and mafic flows, with a well-foliated, strongly altered shear zone at the lower part of the sequence, containing 3 to 5% fine-grained pyrite.

The lower intersection, located beneath the conceptual open-pit model in a previously unexplored area, returned 14.2 meters at 1.2 g/t Au. This zone consists of interlayered mafic, ultramafic, and quartz-feldspar porphyries within the deposit’s footwall, showing significant alteration and pyrite mineralization, with zones containing 1-3% pyrite.

DQ24-16

Drillhole DDH DQ24-16 intersected a significant interval within the conceptual open pit model, grading 7.1 meters at 1.3 g/t Au. This zone is characterized by strongly altered quartz-feldspar porphyry sandwiched between two mafic flows, exhibiting sericite-carbonate alteration along with up to 3% pyrite mineralization throughout the zone.

Strategic Plan

The 2024 drilling campaign at Emperor’s Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec continues to identify extensive low-grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the previously known high grade areas. These latest results further solidify the project’s immense potential and underscore the company’s commitment to unlocking substantial value for its shareholders.

The 2024 season leverages advanced exploration techniques to test several scenarios to add ounces and/or expand the footprint:

1) Explore Lower Grade Discoveries: Target additional discoveries within the host rock containing high-grade gold lenses, focusing on the conceptual open-pit model.

2) Increase the Thickness of the High-Grade Lenses: Incorporate previously unaccounted lower-grade gold from the margins of high-grade lenses to enhance their overall thickness.

3) Expand Mineralized Zones: Extend the lateral footprint of mineralized zones along strike and dip.

4) Discover New Zones: Explore potential new zones not yet included in the conceptual open-pit model, with a particular focus on eastward expansion.

These latest results continue to build on the strong momentum generated by last year’s drilling program and confirm the presences of extensive low grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the known high-grade regions.

Table 1 – Intercept Highlights- Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%.

Hole No.From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-121407.3408.310.26
408.3409.310.03
409.3410.91.60.02
410.9413.42.54.42
413.4415.92.50.07
415.9417.71.80.13
Note2417.7419.61.90.005
419.6421.11.50.02
421.1423.62.50.27
Wt. Avg.16.30.8
DQ24-121497.1498.41.32.24
Hole No.From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-131464710.35
474810.07
484910.05
Note24950.41.40.005
50.451.71.30.22
51.752.710.23
52.753.710.59
53.754.710.24
54.755.710.05
55.756.91.20.12
56.9581.12.47
585910.35
596012
606110.85
616210.2
626310.92
636410.74
646510.11
6566.41.40.67
66.467.81.40.38
67.868.810.02
68.870.21.40.03
70.271.61.40.17
71.672.610.05
72.673.91.30.99
73.975.31.40.14
75.376.51.20.36
Wt. Avg.30.50.45
Including (170.6-179 m)10.90.86
Including (170.6-179 m)4.11.44
DQ24-131215.7216.710.4
216.7217.710.56
217.7218.711.13
218.7219.711.17
219.7220.712.09
220.7221.710.21
221.7222.712.35
222.7223.710.19
223.7224.91.20.33
Wt. Avg.9.20.92
Including (216.7-222.7 m)61.25
DQ24-131237.5238.511
238.5239.510.09
239.5240.510.02
240.5241.510.02
241.5242.71.20.2
242.7244.11.40.06
Note2244.1245.21.10.005
245.2246.31.10.03
246.3247.312.76
247.3248.310.21
Wt. Avg.10.80.41
DQ24-131282283.61.61.49
283.6284.611.03
284.6285.610.11
285.6286.610.1
286.6287.610.08
287.6288.610.06
288.6289.610.02
289.6290.610.15
290.6291.610.14
291.6292.610.84
292.6293.610.39
293.6295.11.50.01
295.12971.90.83
Wt. Avg.150.46
DQ24-131361.2362.210.41
362.2363.210.16
Wt. Avg.20.29
DQ24-131388.3389.312.16
389.3390.310.94
390.3391.310.08
391.3392.41.10.09
392.4394.420.03
394.4396.422.56
Wt. Avg.8.11.04
Hole No.From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-14167.469.52.10.2
69.570.91.40.44
Wt. Avg.3.50.3
DQ24-141122.9123.910.55
123.9124.910.01
124.9125.910.78
125.9126.910.34
Wt. Avg.40.4
DQ24-141247.6248.612.71
248.6249.610.03
249.6250.610.22
Wt. Avg.31.0
DQ24-141267.8268.811.35
DQ24-141292.5293.510.52
293.5294.510.32
Wt. Avg.20.4
Hole No.From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-151207.5209.62.10.2
209.6212.12.50.37
Wt. Avg.4.60.3
DQ24-151270.8271.810.21
271.8273.41.60.33
273.4274.411.04
274.4275.410.86
275.4276.411.66
276.4277.410.24
277.4278.410.19
278.4279.410.57
279.4280.410.04
280.4281.410.13
281.4282.410.79
Wt. Avg.11.60.5
Including (273.4-276.4 m)31.2
DQ24-151306.6307.610.24
307.6309.41.81.22
Note2309.4311.420.005
Note2311.4313.31.90.005
313.3314.310.46
314.3315.310.06
315.3316.310.05
316.3317.311.17
317.3318.81.50.04
318.8321.32.50.01
321.3322.71.40.02
322.7324.21.50.03
324.2325.61.42.38
325.63271.43.11
Wt. Avg.20.40.6
Including (316.3-327 m)10.70.8
Including (324.2-327 m)2.82.7
DQ24-15133934011.3
DQ24-151397.6398.610.13
398.6399.610.47
Wt. Avg.20.3
DQ24-151438.8440.11.30.23
440.1441.117.84
441.1442.111.25
442.1443.111.3
443.1444.110.56
444.1445.110.52
445.14471.91.23
44744810.08
44844910.15
44945010.95
45045110.83
45145210.41
45245310.44
Wt. Avg.14.21.2
including (440.1-447 m)6.92.0
including (440.1-443.1 m)33.5
Hole No.From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-161175.7176.711.16
176.7178.11.41.67
178.1179.61.50.24
179.6180.611.42
180.6181.610.01
181.6182.81.23.36
Wt. Avg.7.11.3
DQ24-161252.8253.810.56
253.8254.810.15
Wt. Avg.20.4
DQ24-161297.8298.810.23
298.8299.810.44
Wt. Avg.20.3
DQ24-161316.8317.810.16
317.8318.810.04
318.8319.810.03
319.83211.21.4
Wt. Avg.4.20.5
1Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%.
2Value reported below detection limit of <0.01. Value was numerically halved to assign a real number.

Quality Assurance and Control

The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) was conducted by Technominex, a geological contractor hired by Emperor Metals, which adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted at its facility in Rouyn Noranda, Quebec. The QA/QC procedures are overseen by a Qualified Person on site.

Emperor Metals QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks and lab duplicates within the sample stream totaling approximately one QA/QC sample per 7 samples. Drill core is cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags with appropriate tags and shipped to the SGS Sudbury laboratory and the other half retained on site in the original core box. A dispatch list consists of 88 or 176 samples along with their corresponding QA/QC samples for a single batch. This allows complete batches (88 samples) for fire assay. A file for sample tracking records tags used and weights of sample bags shipped to the SGS Lakefield. Shipment is done by Manitoulin Transport and coordination by Technominex staff in Rouyn-Noranda

The third-party laboratory, SGS prep laboratory in Sudbury Ontario, processes the shipment of samples using standard sample preparation (code PRP91) and produces pulps from the specified samples. The pulps are then sent off to SGS Burnaby for analysis. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility all the way to analysis at the SGS Burnaby B.C. laboratory.

Analytical testing is performed by SGS laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia. The entire sample is crushed to 75% passing 2mm, with a split of 500g pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are then analyzed using Au – ore grade 50g Fire Assay, ICP-AES with reporting limits of 0.01 -100 part per million (ppm). High grade gold analysis based on the presence of visible gold or a fire assay result exceeding 100 ppm, are analyzed by Au – metallic screening, 1kg screened to 106μm, 50g fire assay, gravimetric, AAS or ICP-AES of entire plus fraction and duplicate analysis of minus fraction. Reporting limit 0.01ppm.

About the Duquesne West Gold Project

The Duquesne West Gold Property is located 32 km northwest of the city of Rouyn-Noranda and 10 km east of the town of Duparquet, Quebec, Canada. The property lies within the historic Duparquet gold mining camp in the southern portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Superior Province.

Under an Option Agreement, Emperor agreed to acquire a 100% interest in a mineral claim package comprising 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 ha, located in the Duparquet Township of Quebec (the “Duquesne West Property”) from Duparquet Assets Ltd., a 50% owned subsidiary of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (TSX: GMX). For further information on the Duquesne West Property and Option Agreement, see Emperor’s press release dated October 12, 2022, available on SEDAR+. The Property hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au.1,2 The mineral resource estimate predates modern Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM) guidelines and a Qualified Person on behalf of Emperor has not reviewed or verified the mineral resource estimate, therefore it is considered historical in nature and is reported solely to provide an indication of the magnitude of mineralization that could be present on the property. The gold system remains open for resource identification and expansion.

A reinterpretation of the existing geological model was created using AI and Machine Learning. This model shows the opportunity for additional discovery of ounces by revealing gold trends unknown to previous workers and the potential to expand the resource along significant gold- endowed structural zones.

Multiple scenarios exist to expand additional resources which include:

1) Underground High-Grade Gold.
2) Open Pit Bulk Tonnage Gold.
3) Underground Bulk Tonnage Gold.

1 Watts, Griffis, and McOuat Consulting Geologists and Engineers, Oct. 20, 2011, Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Duquesne-Ottoman Property, Quebec, Canada, for XMet Inc.

2 Power-Fardy and Breede, 2011. The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) constructed in 2011 is considered historical in nature as it was constructed prior to the most recent CIM standards (2014) and guidelines (2019) for mineral resources. In addition, the economic factors used to demonstrate reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction for the MRE have changed since 2011. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to consider the MRE as a current MRE. Emperor is not treating the historical MRE as a current mineral resource. The reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource.

QP Disclosure

The technical content for the Duquesne West Project in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person pursuant to CIM guidelines.

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is a high-grade gold exploration and development junior mining company focused on Quebec’s Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt, leveraging AI-driven exploration techniques. The Company is dedicated to unlocking the substantial resource potential of the Duquesne West Gold Project and the Lac Pelletier Project (currently under purchase agreement) both situated in this Tier 1 mining district.

The Company is led by a dynamic group of resource sector professionals who have a strong record of success in evaluating and advancing mining projects from exploration through to production, attracting capital and overcoming adversity to deliver exceptional shareholder value. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company’s profile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ “John Florek”

John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol
President, CEO and Director
Emperor Metals Inc.

Contact:

John Florek
President/CEO
T: (807) 228-3531

Alex Horsley
Director
T: (778) 323-3058
E: alexh@emperormetals.com
Website: www.emperormetals.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the company and there is no assurance that the actual results will meet management’s expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as “anticipates,” “believes,” “targets,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “could” or “would.”

Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238781

Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals Project Generators

Riverside Resources Announces Spin-Out of Ontario Gold Projects into New Company, Blue Jay Gold Corp, for Existing Shareholders

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 28, 2025) – Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY) (“Riverside” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the execution of a definitive arrangement agreement with Riverside’s subsidiary, Blue Jay Gold Corp. (“Blue Jay”) in respect of the spin-out of its Pichette, Oakes and Duc projects (the “Ontario Gold Projects”), located in Ontario, Canada, to its shareholders by way of a share capital reorganization effected through a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) pursuant to the arrangement provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”). Under the Arrangement, Riverside will distribute the common shares (each, a “Blue Jay Share”) of Blue Jay to Riverside’s shareholders. Should the arrangement become effective, Riverside shareholders would own shares in two public companies: Blue Jay, which will focus on the development of the Ontario Gold Projects, and Riverside, which will continue to build its diverse portfolio of projects in Canada, Mexico, and its royalty interests, while also generating new prospective mineral properties, as it has successfully done for the past 17 years.

Under the Arrangement, Riverside’s current shareholders will receive Blue Jay Shares by way of a share exchange, pursuant to which each existing common share of Riverside will be exchanged for one new common share of Riverside (each, a “New Riverside Share”) and 1/5th of a Blue Jay Share. Holders of Riverside options will be entitled to receive the same number of New Riverside Shares and 1/5th of that number of Blue Jay Shares. On completion of the Arrangement, Riverside shareholders and holders of Riverside options will maintain their interest in Riverside and will obtain a proportionate interest in Blue Jay.

The reorganization will be effected pursuant to s. 289 of the Act, and must be approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia and by the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of Riverside’s shareholders in attendance at a shareholders’ meeting to be held on March 31, 2025 (the “Meeting”). Riverside will apply for a listing of the Blue Jay Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”). These steps mirror the process Riverside followed when creating, spinning out, distributing, and listing Capitan Silver Corp. (TSXV: CAPT). Similarly, Riverside shareholders received shares in the new company while retaining their full ownership of Riverside shares.

Riverside expects that the Arrangement will increase shareholder value by allowing capital markets to ascribe value to the Ontario Gold Projects through Blue Jay Gold independently of the royalties and other properties held by Riverside. The spin-out will provide new and existing shareholders with more flexibility as to their specific investment strategy and risk profile. Riverside also believes that having a separately funded early-exploration business will accelerate development of the Ontario portfolio. Riverside will retain a 2% NSR on each of Blue Jay Gold’s properties.

“We are thrilled to announce the spin-out of Blue Jay Gold Corp., which represents another exciting milestone in Riverside’s strategy to unlock value for our shareholders,” stated Riverside Founder and CEO, John-Mark Staude. “Through this share distribution, Riverside shareholders will directly own a stake in Blue Jay Gold and its promising Ontario gold assets, while we retain a 2% uncapped Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty. This transaction provides shareholders with direct benefits by granting them ownership of Blue Jay’s common shares, allowing them to participate in Blue Jay’s exploration upside and further development potential, while Riverside retains long-term exposure to the success of these high-grade gold projects.”

“This spin-out is another example of our commitment to create shareholder value through strategic initiatives. Following the success of our previous spin-out, Capitan Silver, Blue Jay Gold is well-positioned to advance exploration under the leadership of Dr. Geordie Mark. We are enthusiastic about Blue Jay’s potential to deliver strong results and further growth opportunities as an independent exploration company, while Riverside continues to focus on building its own pipeline of high-quality assets and partnerships.”

“As the founding CEO and Director of Blue Jay Gold, I am thrilled to lead the company in unlocking the potential of our exceptional gold assets,” commented Dr. Geordie Mark. “Ontario, with its rich mining history and supportive environment, provides the perfect foundation for discovery and growth. I am confident that Blue Jay will deliver significant value to our shareholders and make a meaningful impact on gold exploration in Canada.”

Completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of conditions, including the following:

(a) Riverside shareholder approval at the Meeting;

(b) the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia;

(c) TSX-V approval for the Arrangement by Riverside;

(d) TSX-V approval for the listing of the Blue Jay Shares upon completion of the Arrangement; and

(e) completion by Blue Jay of a private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000.

Upon completion of the Arrangement, it is intended that the senior management of Blue Jay will consist of Geordie Mark, as the Chief Executive Officer, Robert Scott, as the Chief Financial Officer, and Freeman Smith, as the Vice-President, Exploration. Blue Jay’s board of directors will consist of Geordie Mark, John-Mark Staude (Chairman) and one or more additional directors. Changes and additions to the management team and board will be made as needed as the Ontario Gold Projects progress.

Additional details of the spin-out transaction will be included in an information circular to be mailed to shareholders of Riverside in February 2025 in connection with the Meeting. The Arrangement is expected to close in the first half of 2025.

Click this link to view John-Mark’s bold plans for Riverside Resources in 2025:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzYhzXaDt8E

Blue Jay Completes Seed Round of Financing

Effective December 18, 2024, Blue Jay completed a private placement of 2,735,000 Blue Jay Shares at an issue price of $0.20 per Blue Jay Share for gross proceeds of $527,000.00. Following the private placement, Riverside holds 85.02% of the issued and outstanding Blue Jay Shares.

Certain directors and officers of Riverside participated in the private placement, subscribing for 300,000 Blue Jay Shares in the aggregate; each such subscription for the Blue Jay Shares being a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(a) and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(a) in respect of such insider participation as the fair market value of the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, does not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

About Riverside Resources Inc.:

Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has over $4M in cash, no debt and less than 75M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets and royalties in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside’s own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has properties available for option, with information available on the Company’s website at www.rivres.com.

Riverside welcomes inquiries, signing up at the Riverside website for more information and contacting the Company at the information below.

ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.

“John-Mark Staude”

Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO

For additional information contact:

John-Mark Staude
President, CEO
Riverside Resources Inc.
info@rivres.com
Phone: (778) 327-6671
Fax: (778) 327-6675
Web: www.rivres.com
Eric Negraeff
Investor Relations
Riverside Resources Inc.
Phone: (778) 327-6671
TF: (877) RIV-RES1
Web: www.rivres.com

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., “expect”,” estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”). Such information involves known and unknown risks — including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238650

Categories
Base Metals Diamcor Mining Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Diamcor Signs Letter of Intent with Dubai Based Company for a USD $5.0M Term Loan

KELOWNA, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 27, 2025 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSX-V:DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), (“Diamcor” or the “Company”), a well-established Canadian diamond mining company with a proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent for a non-dilutive financing (the “Financing”) of up to USD $5,000,000 with a well-established Dubai based manufacturer and supplier of bridal and anniversary diamonds to the global market. The commercial terms of the Financing will be finalized in the course of negotiating the associated definitive documentation and are expected to include a security interest, an interest component and a revenue participation component. The proceeds of the Financing will be used to expedite the processing of previously stockpiled oversized material, the concurrent deployment of additional assets aimed at significantly increasing processing volumes for the long-term at the Company’s Krone-Endora at Venetia Project (the “Project”), as well as, the continued advancement of the work programmes previously underway, bulk sampling in the greater areas of the Project, and for general corporate purposes. There will be no issuance of any shares or warrants associated with the Financing.

“This financing is the result of long-term relationships we have developed with key associates in Dubai over many years, and the mutual vision our companies share on the merits of building a growing supply of gem quality non-conflict natural rough diamonds for the luxury jewelry sector”, noted Diamcor CEO Mr. Dean Taylor. “While 2024 was a challenging year for everyone in the diamond industry, we believe the factors responsible for this will ultimately begin to stabilize by the second half of 2025, and this financing will help to ensure we are well positioned and ready for this anticipated recovery”.

The Financing is subject to the regulatory approval of the TSX Venture Exchange along with completion of all definitive documentation and filings as required.

Results of 2024 Annual General and Special Meeting

The Company also wishes to announce that Shareholders passed each of the resolutions described in the Company’s proxy materials by the required majority of voting at the Company’s Annual General and Special Meeting (the “AGM”) held on December 30, 2024.

The total number of votes cast for each resolution is set out in the table below.

NUMBER OF SHARESPERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST
MOTIONSFORAGAINSTWITHHELD/
ABSTAIN
RESTRICTEDNON VOTEFORAGAINSTWITHHELD/
ABSTAIN
Number of Directors88,320,583203,56800099.77%0.23%0.00%
Dean H. Taylor86,003,39301,380,39801,140,36098.42%0.00%1.58%
Darren Vucurevich86,642,3340741,45701,140,36099.15%0.00%0.85%
Dr. Stephen Haggerty86,847,3340536,45701,140,36099.39%0.00%0.61%
D. Wayne Howard87,365,156018,36501,140,36099.98%0.00%0.02%
Appointment of Auditors88,524,11603500100.0%0.00%0.00%
Amendment to Stock Option Plan64,644,242*2,183,438020,556,1111,140,36096.73%3.27%0.00%

*Excluding 20,556,111 shares held by Insiders

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS VOTED BY PROXY: 41

TOTAL SHARES ISSUED & OUTSTANDING: 168,638,937

TOTAL SHARES VOTED: 88,524,151

TOTAL % OF SHARES VOTED: 52.49%

About Diamcor Mining Inc.

Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. The Company’s primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers’ Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world’s top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. Well known Luxury Retailer Tiffany & Co provided the Company with financing to expedite the advancement of the Project and holds a first right of refusal to acquire rough diamonds under 10.8 carats in size at then market prices for the life of the Project. The Company focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including supporting local communities and protecting the environment.

About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project

Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers’ flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project’s total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company is also advancing an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade “Alluvial” basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper “Eluvial” deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the “Eluvial” deposit) and erosion (in respect to the “Alluvial” deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as one of the top producing diamond mines in the world.

Qualified Person Statement:

Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor’s exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (“APEGA”). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Mr. Dean H. Taylor
President & CEO
Diamcor Mining Inc.
www.diamcormining.com

For further information contact:

Mr. Dean H. Taylor
Diamcor Mining Inc
DeanT@Diamcor.com
+1 250 862-3212

For Investor Relations contact:

Mr. Rich Matthews
Integrous Communications
rmatthews@integcom.us

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

Neither 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.

SOURCE: Diamcor Mining Inc.



View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Gold firms on softer dollar, markets eye Trump’s second-term plans

An employee takes granules of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
  • Summary
  • Companies
  • Trump took the oath of office at 12:01 p.m. ET
  • U.S. markets closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday
  • Gold hit over a month high last week

Jan 20 (Reuters) – Gold prices edged higher on Monday, bolstered by a weaker U.S. dollar, as markets assessed the potential economic impact of U.S. President Donald Trump‘s second-term policies following his inauguration.

Spot gold added 0.3% to $2,709.09 per ounce as of 1:49 p.m. ET (1849 GMT) with trading volumes thin due to the U.S. markets being closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

U.S. gold futures fell 0.7% at $2,730.20, reducing the premium over the spot price, after a Trump administration official said that President Trump would issue a broad trade memo on his first day in office that stops short of imposing new tariffs.

The price spread between New York futures and spot prices was inflated in recent weeks as traders priced in possible U.S. import tariffs and boosted deliveries into the CME stocks.

A line chart titled "Spot gold price in USD per oz" that tracks the metric over time.
A line chart titled “Spot gold price in USD per oz” that tracks the metric over time.

“I believe Donald Trump (presidency) will result in higher market volatility, while some of his policies might keep inflation higher for longer. This should continue to support safe-haven assets like gold,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Gold is used as a hedge against inflation, although Trump’s inflationary tariff policies could prompt the Federal Reserve to keep rates higher for longer, diminishing the non-yielding bullion’s appeal.

Trump has talked of tariffs of as much as 10% on global imports as well as 60% on Chinese goods and a 25% import surcharge on Canadian and Mexican products.

“Gold’s status as a financial asset makes it likely exempt from broad-based tariffs, and we therefore assign a 10% probability to a 10% effective tariff on gold being introduced within the next 12 months,” Goldman Sachs said.

Bullion hit its highest since Dec. 12, 2024, last week after cooler core inflation data, Fed Governor Waller’s dovish remarks and reports of gradual tariff introductions led traders to price in two rate cuts this year from just one earlier.

The dollar index (.DXY), opens new tab dropped 0.9%, making gold more attractive to foreign buyers.

Spot silver rose 0.7% to $30.52 per ounce, palladium shed 0.8% to $940.29 and platinum declined 0.2% to $940.70.

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Reporting by Daksh Grover and Sherin Elizabeth Varghese in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Swati Verma; Editing by Christina Fincher and Nick Zieminski

Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/gold-trims-losses-investors-await-trumps-inauguration-speech-2025-01-20/?

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

The new gold rush: why the precious metal has lost none of its allure

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Good as gold: 12.5kg bars, worth a cool £880,000 each. Photograph: Chris Collins/Getty Images

The price of gold continues to rise, but who buys it, and where do they keep it? We head to Zurich’s secret vault and meet the dealers

Michael Segalov

Michael SegalovSun 19 Jan 2025 04.00 ESTShare

There’s a secrecy to the specifics of our planned rendezvous, when I meet a sharp-suited Egon von Greyerz in Zurich airport’s arrivals hall. Hands shaken, he guides us out of a side entrance towards a car park in a quiet corner of the sprawling complex. Roughly 30,000 people work in and around the site; annually, tens of millions of passengers pass through here. Scarce few are aware of the existence, let alone the precise location, of our intended destination: a high-security, 350sqm vault somewhere deep beneath us. Inside it, vast quantities of gold, much of it belonging to von Greyerz, and a roster of his company’s exceedingly wealthy international clientele.

For more than 25 years, von Greyerz has been in this business: buying, selling and storing precious metals for the super-rich, all the while preaching his golden gospel. “We set certain minimum levels,” he says, “to invest through us: $400,000 to store gold in this Zurich vault, or our similar one in Singapore. We use another deep in the Swiss Alps: you’ll need to invest $5m to have anything there.”

It’s not just the uber-wealthy who are turning to gold: more and more of us are at ie

It’s not just the uber-wealthy who are turning to gold, as its price continues to soar. Whether going big on bullion or nabbing a gold sovereign for a few hundred pounds to pension-plan, more and more of us are at it. Welcome to a new gold rush. Last year, the Royal Mint, which buys and sells gold bars and coins, had a “record year” for customer purchases. Revenues from its gold bullion sales were up 153% year on year. It’s not hard to see why. In 2024, gold prices increased by 28%. From the climate crisis to Trump’s presidency, and increasing geopolitical instability, the world feels ever more uncertain. As we’ve done for millennia, many are turning to gold in search of safety and security.

For a tiny percentage of investors, this vault in Zurich offers gold-plated security and safety. We are buzzed into an unassuming office building – beyond the ground floor lobby, a cargo warehouse for customs checks. Up on the second floor, most doors are adorned with airline emblems, or those of international logistics firms. There’s little remarkable about the small, open-plan space I’m shown into, save for a large television screen in one corner displaying a series of neatly divided squares, each livestreaming one of the countless CCTV cameras in and around the vault below.

Once seated in the office’s neat meeting room, we get to it. Many vaults globally, von Greyerz begins, are in airports: high security, easy export. Geographically, Switzerland is convenient for storage: 50–70% of global gold is refined here. My passport is taken by a smartly dressed staffer for a final identity check. No photos allowed; I’m asked not to share certain security details. “Our business model is streamlined and simple,” von Greyerz says. “We buy gold for our clients direct from refineries, always freshly minted. We handle all the practicalities of storing it safely. It’s the same process in reverse if you want to sell. Gold has a global market value, known as its paper or spot price. The cost of physical gold is always a little higher, taking into account production costs. We add a small mark-up, too.” The vaults used aren’t owned by von Greyerz. “Given we buy and sell, an independent company storing is necessary: our clients, should they wish to, can come and inspect their assets entirely of their own accord.”

‘It’s an investment. Buy it and then forget about it’: Zoe Lyons in the smelting room at Hatton Garden Metals.
‘It’s an investment. Buy it and then forget about it’: Zoe Lyons in the smelting room at Hatton Garden Metals. Photograph: Dan Burn-Forti/The Observer

Once given the green light, we descend, beeped into the restricted customs area with its gun-wielding guards. Codes are entered; passes presented. Down a sterile staircase, along a dim, strip-lit tunnel and through a metal detector. Any issues, the alarm system immediately alerts nearby armed airport police. “We actively don’t have armed guards in the vault,” says von Greyerz, “because they can be a liability and turn on you. Few staff, who you know, are better than an army of people. Americans always expect men with machine guns to be stationed outside. That’s not our way.”

I ask the value of what’s stored ahead of us. It’s confidential. Are we talking millions? Tens of millions? Hundreds of millions? Von Greyerz smiles, but his lips won’t loosen. “All I can say is it’s more than whatever you think.” For context, a standard 12.5kg gold bar, the ones you’ll recognise from films, would set you back about £880,000.

Doors slam shut. I’m directed to remain behind a red line, as a heavy hatch is opened. Beyond a lattice of grills, a 130sqm cavern. Sandwiched between wooden crates are layers of large, exposed bars of silver. That’s standard in storage. The walls beyond are lined with shelves, upon which are piles of sealed grey-and-blue boxes: inside them, the gold. In an adjoining room, various treasures are brought out for our examination. First, britannias: 1oz gold coins stamped with a profile of King Charles. “In 2002,” says von Greyerz, “when we first invested in gold, these were worth £200. Now, it’s £1,850.” That was in June 2024, during my vault visit; as of early January 2025, a Britannia is worth over £2,200. Next, a box filled with 100g bars. Rectangular, with round edges. Finally, a pile of 1kg bars, circa £70,000 a piece.

‘We don’t have armed guards in the vault, as they can be a liability and turn on you’: Egon von Greyerz buys, sells and stores gold for the super-rich in Zurich.
‘We don’t have armed guards in the vault, as they can be a liability and turn on you’: Egon von Greyerz buys, sells and stores gold for the super-rich in Zurich. Photograph: Scanderbeg Sauer/The Observer

Later, over lunch in Zurich’s old town, von Greyerz sets out his stall. “I’ve always been interested,” he says, “in understanding risk and protecting against downside.” He spent a few years working in the Swiss banking sector before joining a fledgling Dixons in 1972. In London, he was a company man for 17 years, latterly as a board member and finance director. “I resigned at 42, wanting to do my own thing.” He set up shop with a private asset and investment company, advising wealthy families and personal clients.

“Financial risk in the market, then and now, is too high for comfort,” he says. “Global debt today is $315trn; it’s an inescapable bubble. Since the early 1700s, 500 currencies have died, most through hyperinflation. Governments invariably destroy the finances of a country. Empires fall. Global powers change. Today, we’re seeing an acceleration in debts and decline. I think we’re close to another collapse.” He’s written about the subject extensively. A new era, he believes, will be based on commodities, not currency. “So, I turned to wealth preservation and came to the conclusion – obvious, in my opinion – that gold is its ultimate form. Simply put, it’s the only money that has survived through human history. Every other currency, without exception, has failed. In every situation of panic or crisis, people have always looked to gold.”

Convinced, in the late 1990s, von Greyerz took this analysis to a select group of clients. “In 2002, with gold dropping down a little in price, I put everything I had into gold, and suggested those I worked with do the same. It was never meant to become a company selling services or encouraging others to follow. But people kept asking…” Now he has clients in more than 90 countries. “With monetary currency,” he says, “you hold your wealth in something which, with inflation, has a constantly depreciating value. Even with low interest rates, the purchase power of your cash is always going down.”

There’s a distinction, von Greyerz clarifies, between gold and other investments. “I don’t see gold as speculation,” he says, “as something to buy and sell based on market changes. Prices fluctuate, but the trajectory is clear.” In essence, for those he advises – and von Greyerz himself – gold is a hedge; insurance for if and when their other financial assets implode. If the banking system and international order collapses, – say, amid a climate catastrophe – bullion remains tangible when the numbers disappear from our screens. “Our clients are prepared, worried about the world. Entrepreneurs, freethinkers.” Mavericks, maybe. “But they’re not strange people, they’re thinking smartly. Few of our clients invest less than 20% of their wealth in gold. Many invest more, up to 50% even.” Globally, only 0.5% of wealth is stored in gold. “If that goes up to 1.5% even, its value will go up vastly.” Just 3,000 or so tonnes of gold are mined each year; it’s a finite resource, you can’t just, on tap, produce it. Some predict reserves in the ground will run out as soon as 2050. There are other reasons to halt mining before then: emissions and water footprint; and regular reports of the global mining industry’s human rights abuses.

Most of us, von Greyerz concedes, could never dream of purchasing quantities that would qualify for his services. “Still,” he argues, “anything is worth investing. I believe for wealth preservation purposes you should buy gold at any level you can afford. Plus, in the UK, there’s no capital gains tax on any profits made on gold coins that are British legal tender, such as britannias and sovereigns.” In January 1970, 1oz of gold was worth about £14. Today, it’s up more than 15,000%.

Talk of brass tacks alone fails to capture the reality of gold’s enigmatic and enduring allure. Piles of cash, stocks and shares, or say, a lump of copper, would struggle to similarly stir the senses. Other metals are shiny; so why gold? Andrea Ferrero has been a professor of economics at Trinity College, Oxford, for a decade. Previously, he was an economist at the New York Federal Bank. “The starting point of gold’s role,” Ferrero says, “isn’t obvious. Its universal value can be put down to gold having a role in producing luxury goods and other commodities.” Traditionally, gold had few practical applications, its purpose purely cosmetic. “There’s its relative scarcity – we’ve discovered most of the gold, even with active searches. Plus, there are recent commentaries about the role of gold in industry, processors or other chips and technology. Industrial application might be another reason its value is going up.”

We should also look, Ferrero continues, to economic history. For centuries, gold played a major role in both domestic and international monetary systems: the first gold coins were struck on the order of King Croesus of Lydia (today part of Turkey), around 550BC. By the late 19th century, many of the world’s major currencies were fixed to gold at a set price per ounce: the gold standard. “This anchoring allowed for exchange rate stability. Today,” says Ferrero, “we live in the legacy of that system: the main role of gold is still hedging, a safe haven commodity.”

Gold products at Hatton Garden.
Ready to melt: gold products at Hatton Garden. Photograph: Dan Burn-Forti/The Observer

Contemporary political developments have only compounded gold’s current cachet. “Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he says, “and with developments in the Middle East, there has been a big rise in geopolitical uncertainty. It’s one of the hottest topics in economics. Institutional and international investors are looking to diversify portfolios and allocate bigger shares to safe assets. In that respect, gold feels secure. It’s very libertarian – independent from governments. For states, like individuals, gold is like building a nuclear bunker,” says Ferrero, “preparing for a scenario you hope never materialises, but you’re ready, just in case.” According to the World Gold Council, latest data shows that central banks globally bought 53 tonnes of gold in November.

Just as important, feels historian Dr Stephen Tuffnell, is gold’s place in our cultural psyche. Much of his research has focused on the 19th-century gold rushes, at which stage, he says, gold cements itself as an almost mythical metal. “It’s then,” he says, “that miners see gold as a way to escape the drudgery of waged labour. It’s a bit like gambling, but in nature’s lottery.” In truth, many prospectors found small amounts. “Still, there’s an addiction to chasing gold rushes around the world. Yes, the age of gold underpins a wave of globalisation, but there’s more… There was a narrative then, maybe false, that with hard labour you could secure your own future. The excitement around gold, to this day, remains embedded in Anglo-American culture. It quickens the pulse in a way other metals don’t. There’s an idea that gold is wealth in its purest form.”

Just off the main thoroughfare of London’s Hatton Garden is Zoe Lyons’s family firm, Hatton Garden Metals. Their four-storey building is in the heart of the capital’s jewellery, precious-metal and diamond district, dating back centuries. Downstairs is a shopfront: two counters, a private inspection room and a waiting area, this morning – as on most days – filled with queueing customers. Above it, administrative offices, a boardroom I’m soon shown into and, on the top floor, a smelting lab, where purchased precious metals are melted down.

Lyons has been in the trade for 15 years, following in the footsteps of her South-Manchester pawnbroker and jeweller parents. Her sister also works in the business, as do various cousins. There are no minimums here. “Customers coming to the counter,” says Lyons, “generally have maybe up to £1,000-worth of gold on them. That figure can increase substantially: our trade customers come in with multiples and multiples of that to sell. We actively encourage customers not to make appointments. For the security of our clientele, it’s best that nobody knows who is coming in with what or when.”

A team of four experts buy and sell gold from the counters, each having undertaken six months of intricate training. “They know how to identify hallmarks, how to use acids to ascertain carats. They can identify plated items, strip items from core and base metal, assess if something needs smelting…” The list goes on. “In this industry, a typo or mistake can prove very expensive.” In essence, Hatton Garden Metals operates with the logic of a bureau de change. “There’s a lot of information online for buyers,” Lyons says. “Different companies flog different stocks: collectibles, commemorative items, the gift market. We publicly display our premiums over the spot price – the price we’ll buy, and that we’ll sell for. That changes on our website every 30 seconds. Once the deal is done, the price is locked.”

More collectible gold coins might be retained by the business for resale, but most of what Lyons and her team purchase is smelted down and sold back to the market at a price fixed twice-daily globally; in the UK, overseen by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). “We roughly know the volume we have coming in, and so book in a trade with the bank, either morning or afternoon. It means if the market dropped by 50% tomorrow, it doesn’t affect anything we’ve done today.” No risks can be taken. “I can’t hold on to gold in the hope the price goes up later. If the market went the other way, you’d have a problem on your hands.”

They provide a service to “a really eclectic mix of clients,” Lyons says. “Customers who buy a little every month for a pension or rainy day; those selling gold they’ve inherited, or owned for a long time; traders on Hatton Garden; preppers and end-of-worlders. Lots of our customers don’t feel totally secure about their money in the bank. They don’t want cash, not that banks make it easy to access it.”

A gold-smelting furnace.
Red hot: a gold-smelting furnace. Photograph: Dan Burn-Forti/The Observer

Presumably, her own savings are converted into gold? “When I first started,” she replies, “I did buy some sovereigns. Then the market jumped up like, £10, and I sold.” Today, Lyons now refrains from purchasing her own product. “Well, I have a little bit, but nothing significant. It’s something I yell at my parents about still: why didn’t you buy when gold was so cheap? Half-sovereigns were £20 when my parents started. Today, they’re £250. I’m sure my kids and grandkids will say the same. But gold is a long-term investment: you want to buy it and then not look at the prices regularly as it fluctuates. You want to forget about it and live your life.” Difficult, for someone in her line of work. “I don’t have a choice but to constantly monitor the market. If I had any substantial money there, I’d always be obsessing about the ups and downs, and really, I don’t have the time or nerve.”

Each gold-getter I speak to has their own logic: an older, Jewish Londoner who prefers to keep his assets close, a response to a prosecution-filled history. A twentysomething who turned to gold after getting into crypto. Many just see gold as an alternative to traditional ways of saving.

Andy Reid is a regular buyer. A former soldier, today he’s Merseyside-based. He runs a local café, and works as a motivational speaker. For a long time, any spare cash went on premium bonds: a few hundred quid, a few times a year, most often. He’d been watching the Discovery reality show Gold Rush on TV, following gold miners across North America. “I read about how there’s less and less of it left in the ground and the demand for it in modern technology.” Then, a trip to Costco. “I’d been going for years, always noticing the fact they sell gold bars in-store from a glass kiosk…” Yes, really… “It never crossed my mind to buy gold with my scones, then a year or two ago, I started thinking…”

He’s been buying from Hatton Garden Metals ever since. A gold coin each month, if there’s enough cash left in the bank at the end of it. “It’s something you have in your hand. I can go into my safe and hold it. You can also pass it on tax-free.” Britannias and Sovereigns are legal tender, exempt from capital gains tax.

Reid’s children are six and 11. “I want to give them the coins when they’re in their 20s or 30s. I don’t even look at the price, really, when I buy. I’m thinking about the long term. If it goes up by a few quid next year, I’m not going to sell it. I show them what I’ve got so far, sometimes, so they see the results of saving. And it feels real in a way money in an account doesn’t.” He’s aware it’s not a failsafe. Prices do go up and down; no investment is foolproof. “Of course the market could crash,” he says. “I bought a house just before the 2008 financial crisis, and lost £30,000 overnight. I’m not too concerned. It’ll go back up again: just look at history.” And for Reid, at least, it’s about more than a sound investment. “I’m a normal lad from up north,” he says, “who joined the army as a teen with no qualifications. Now I’ve got gold coins in my safe. There’s something special about that you can’t really explain.”

 This article was amended on 20 January 2025 because an earlier version mistakenly referred to Geneva, rather than to Zurich, in the subheading and a picture caption.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/19/the-new-gold-rush-why-the-precious-metal-has-lost-none-of-its-allure?

Categories
Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Emperor Metals Renews Option on Duquesne West Gold Project

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 24, 2025) – EMPEROR METALS INC. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) (“Emperor” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has paid Duparquet Assets Ltd., a private company owned 50% by Globex Mining Enterprises (“Globex“), the second year’s option payment to maintain Emperor’s option on the Duquesne West property in Duparquet township, Quebec, NTS-32D06. The option renewal for 2025 consisted of a $500,000 cash payment and the issuance of 3,671,569 common shares of Emperor equivalent to $300,000 based upon a 20-day volume weighted average price.

CEO John Florek commented: “We are excited to continue progressing with this option agreement. The compelling results from the 2024 drilling season have revealed the presence of visible gold within lower-grade zones, which could significantly impact both grade and total ounces in the open-pit environment. Infill drilling supports this scenario, and we look forward to the upcoming Q1 mineral resource estimate update.”

During 2024, Emperor undertook a 19-hole drill campaign totalling 8,166 meters and collected 7,994 meters of historical core as part of a program focused on outlining a near surface lower grade open pittable gold deposit rather than an underground higher grade mine. Pursuant to previous press releases, Emperor has announced both high grade and low grade intersections building upon the Company’s open pit model. Additional drill hole results are pending.

The Duquesne West property straddles the Porcupine-Destor Fault several kilometres east of the town of Duparquet, Quebec. A number of previous drill campaigns have outlined a historical inferred resource of 4.17 million tonnes grading 5.42 g/t Au (cut) or 6.36 g/t Au (uncut) as reported in the NI 43-101 report “Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Duquesne-Ottoman Property, Quebec, Canada” by Watts, Griffis and McOuat, David Power-Fardy, M.Sc., Senior Geologist and Kurt Breede, P.Eng., Senior Resource Engineer dated October 20, 2011. This report is available on Globex’s website and is considered relevant and reliable. A “qualified person” as defined under NI 43-101 has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

The technical information in this press release was reviewed and approved by John Florek, P. Geo., President and CEO of Emperor in his capacity as the Company’s “qualified person”. For further information on the Duquesne West Property see Emperor’s press release dated October 12, 2022 available on SEDAR+.

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is an innovative Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing high-quality gold properties situated in the Canadian Shield. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company’s profile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Florek

For further information, please contact:

Mr. John Florek
Phone: 807-228-3531
Email: JohnF@emperormetals.com
Website: www.emperormetals.com

Mr. Alexander Horsley
Phone: 778-323-3058
Email: info@emperormetals.com
Website: www.emperormetals.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY CONSTITUTE “FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION” AND “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES SECURITIES LEGISLATION. THESE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE BASED ON FACTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ACTUAL RESULTS WILL MEET MANAGEMENT’S EXPECTATIONS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY SUCH TERMS AS “ANTICIPATES”, “BELIEVES”, “TARGETS”, “ESTIMATES”, “PLANS”, “EXPECTS”, “MAY”, “WILL”, “COULD” OR “WOULD”.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN ARE BASED ON CERTAIN FACTORS AND ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ESTIMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES, THE REALIZATION OF RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES, METAL PRICES, TAXATION, THE ESTIMATION, TIMING AND AMOUNT OF FUTURE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING, THE RECEIPT OF REGULATORY APPROVALS, ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, TITLE DISPUTES AND OTHER MATTERS. WHILE THE COMPANY CONSIDERS ITS ASSUMPTIONS TO BE REASONABLE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON SUCH STATEMENTS AS ACTUAL EVENTS AND RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238273

Categories
Base Metals Breaking Emx Royalty Energy Exclusive Interviews Junior Mining Precious Metals Project Generators

EMX Royalty CEO David Cole on 2025 Goals, Strategy & Updates

📢 Exciting Update from EMX Royalty! 🌟

At Proven and Probable, we dive deep into the latest developments shaping the world of mining, royalties, and resource investments. 📈 Here’s what’s making headlines at EMX Royalty Corporation:

🔹 Strong Financial Results: EMX’s latest financial update showcases robust performance and strategic fiscal management.
🔹 Share Buyback Completion: The successful conclusion of their $5 million share buyback program underscores their commitment to enhancing shareholder value.
🔹 Strategic Divestment: EMX has executed an agreement to sell four projects in the western USA to Pacific Ridge Exploration, streamlining their portfolio.
🔹 Armenia Expansion: The acquisition of royalty interests in Hayasa’s Urasar Project further solidifies EMX’s position in the region.
🔹 Peruvian Opportunity: EMX’s purchase of a royalty on the Chapi Copper Mine highlights their continued focus on high-potential assets globally.

This is a pivotal moment for EMX Royalty, showcasing their strategic approach to growth, value creation, and global asset diversification.

Website: https://emxroyalty.com/
Ticker: NYSE: EMX | TSX.V: EMX

Rumble

A conversation with Maurice Jackson of ‘Proven and Probable’ and David Cole of EMX Royalty, the Royalty Generator – NYSE: EMX | TSX.V: EMX

Maurice: EMX Royalty is off to a strong start in 2025. For readers, could you briefly introduce EMX Royalty and its unique investment proposition?

David: Certainly. I’ll start by saying royalties are phenomenal financial instruments embedded with huge optionality, and you want to be exposed to a lot of royalties. My fundamental thesis is that the value of mineral rights is only going to go up over time, as it has throughout our lifetimes. The best way to be exposed to mineral rights is through royalty ownership.

We accumulate royalties around the world, spanning 14 countries, and have built a portfolio of over 150 royalties. We do this through two primary mechanisms: acquiring royalties and generating royalties ourselves by acquiring mineral rights, adding value through geological data, selling assets, and retaining royalties.

Additionally, we make strategic investments along the way, which have been quite profitable. By integrating these three aspects into a synergistic business model, we have built a significant portfolio over the past two decades.


Maurice: You just referenced optionality. Could you expand on that term for someone who might be new to it?


David: That’s a fair question, Maurice, and I get asked about optionality often. It’s a common term within the industry. Essentially, optionality refers to the potential for outcomes—both good and bad—associated with an asset over time. There’s value that can be attributed to this potential.

The most significant aspect of optionality, in our view, is the potential for new discoveries. For example, if we generate or acquire a royalty on a project with a known resource—let’s say, a million ounces of gold in reserve with a 1% royalty—and during production, the geologists discover another half a million or even a million ounces, that additional discovery was not factored into our original acquisition price. That’s discovery optionality.


Other aspects of optionality include commodity prices, which can fluctuate. Over the course of my career, I’ve seen prices generally increase. Over time, as geological understanding improves, infrastructure is developed, and engineering and metallurgical techniques advance, the likelihood of additional discoveries and improved project economics increases.


A great example is the Goldstrike Royalty, which Pierre Lassonde of Franco Nevada acquired for $2 million Canadian dollars. Thanks to discovery optionality and other factors, that royalty has now generated over a billion dollars in cash flow and is still paying. It’s a tremendous example of how optionality can create extraordinary returns. Not every royalty turns out that way, of course, but the potential for these outcomes is what makes royalties so compelling.

Maurice: Within your portfolio, you have the Timok investment—$200,000 initially, I believe. I don’t want to steal your thunder, so can you share the numbers with us?

David: Certainly. So far, Timok has paid about $7 million to us. But that’s just the beginning—there’s potentially half a billion dollars or more coming to us over time based on the existing, known resource.
And that’s before we fully account for the new MG Discovery. Zijin Mining recently announced in their last quarterly report that they’ve made a significant, high-grade copper-gold discovery within our royalty footprint. This new discovery is called the MG Zone.

We’ve been able to see its location through satellite imagery, but Zijin hasn’t disclosed the tonnage and grade yet. They’ve indicated they’ll provide more details in their next reporting period. We expect their annual report to be released toward the end of the first quarter or early second quarter.

Maurice: That’s a fantastic example. You mentioned commodity price optionality and the cost to shareholders. Could you explain how royalties mitigate those risks and costs?

David: Absolutely. The beauty of a royalty is that we get paid on the top-line revenue of a mine. Most of our royalties are net smelter return (NSR) royalties, which means we earn a percentage—commonly 1%-4%—of the revenue the mine receives from the smelter.
As royalty holders, we don’t pay for the mine’s capital expenditures, exploration costs, or reclamation expenses. We simply receive our royalty payment based on production revenue. This structure exposes us to the upside potential of a project—like discoveries or commodity price increases—without the operational risks and costs borne by the mining company.


Maurice: That’s an profitable value proposition. Let’s transition to EMX’s recent developments. The company recently reported $27 million in cash and cash equivalents and $35 million in long-term debt maturing in 2029. How does this financial standing influence your strategic decisions for 2025 and beyond?

David: Capital allocation is one of the most critical decisions we make to benefit our shareholders. With our shares trading at a discount to price-to-net-asset value (PNAV), we’ve focused on buying back stock. Over the past year, we’ve purchased 5 million shares, fully utilizing the allotment permitted by the TSX exchange. We’ll likely apply for approval to buy back more in the coming year. We’re also incrementally paying down debt and acquiring royalties, all while generating cash flow from top assets like Timok, Caserones in Chile, and Carlin Trend in Nevada.


In addition to share buybacks, we plan to incrementally pay down debt, which, by the way, is held by Franco-Nevada—our capital partner and a significant shareholder. They’ve been a great partner in various royalty acquisitions.


Maurice: For shareholders who may not fully understand, how does the share buyback program impact EMX’s financial health?

David: By reducing the number of outstanding shares, we increase each shareholder’s proportional ownership in the company. When shares are trading below NAV, buybacks effectively create value for shareholders. It’s a tax-efficient alternative to dividends and reflects our confidence in the company’s intrinsic value.
Of course, we’re also growing the portfolio organically and through strategic acquisitions, as you’ve seen with recent transactions.

Maurice: Speaking of transactions, let’s start with Armenia, where EMX acquired a royalty interest in the Urasar gold-copper project. What motivated this acquisition, and what potential do you see in the project?

David: This acquisition was motivated by two factors: the geology of Armenia and our trust in the project’s steward, Dennis Moore. Dennis has a proven track record of world-class discoveries, and his involvement gives us confidence.

Geologically, Armenia offers excellent mineral potential, which aligns with our strategy of acquiring assets with strong long-term discovery potential. This royalty adds to the base of our portfolio, exposing us to future upside at minimal upfront cost.

Maurice: How does this transaction align with EMX’s broader strategy and portfolio?

David: This fits perfectly with our early-stage royalty acquisition strategy, where we aim to augment the foundation of our portfolio with assets that offer significant long-term potential.

This deal was part of our joint venture with Franco-Nevada, where they provide a premium for royalties we identify and acquire. This partnership not only validates our due diligence but also allows us to achieve a financial “lift” on the transaction.

Maurice: Let’s move to South America, where EMX recently acquired a royalty on the Chapi copper mine in Peru. Could you elaborate on the significance of this acquisition?

David: Certainly. The Chapi copper mine is located in a region with world-class copper endowment. This acquisition gives us exposure to a proven project with immediate cash-flow potential and substantial long-term discovery potential.

This project is being restarted by a team with a solid track record of copper production, and we anticipate cash flow within a couple of years. Beyond the restart, the exploration upside is what excites us most—it’s a classic example of how optionality can transform a royalty into a company-making asset.

Maurice: The optionality in the Chapi copper mine acquisition seems consistent with EMX’s strategy. Can you expand on the timing and significance of securing cash-flowing assets like this?

David: Acquiring cash-flowing or near-term cash-flowing assets is a deliberate part of our strategy. While we excel at generating royalties organically, the reality is that acquiring royalties on producing or development-stage assets can accelerate the financial returns to our shareholders.

The Chapi royalty exemplifies this. It strengthens our portfolio’s cash flow potential while maintaining long-term upside through exploration. By securing a mix of cash-flowing and earlier-stage royalties, we achieve a balanced portfolio that supports near-term financial health and long-term growth.

Maurice: Sticking in Peru, where EMX received an early property payment from Aftermath Silver. Aftermath Silver made an early $2.9 million property payment for the Berenguela project in Peru. How does this early payment impact EMX’s cash flow and plans for similar agreements?

David: EMX is fully supportive of what Aftermath Silver is doing on the ground there. They’re advancing a very interesting manganese and silver deposit, with some copper exploration on the property as well. We’re quite interested in that long-term copper optionality; there’s potential for the discovery of new copper deposits. But the manganese and silver deposit is particularly compelling.


The manganese, of course, is an important metal in the battery business, and this deposit has the potential to be a key source of manganese for batteries. That said, we’ll let them work on that. For us, a nice aspect is that we’re just sitting back here as a royalty holder. There are specific payments that have to be made to us over time. We’ve allowed them some flexibility—one payment was made a little late in exchange for an interest fee, and another was made a little early for a small reduction. We’re supportive of them advancing this asset. I believe it’s being managed by some very capable people.

Maurice: A good symbiotic relationship there. Now, let’s visit the U.S., where EMX announced the sale of four projects to Pacific Ridge Exploration. What benefits does this transaction bring to EMX, and how does it align with your growth strategy?

David: This is right down the alley of EMX’s bread-and-butter royalty generation business. We go out, acquire prospective mineral rights—commonly very inexpensively—consolidate data, collect additional field data, and illustrate prospectivity by building geological models. These models demonstrate the potential for significant gold or copper deposits.
We then sell the projects on, often to junior companies, for a combination of commercial terms. These typically include share payments, incremental payments over time, and always a royalty at the end of the day.

This transaction with Pacific Ridge is just another example of what we do repeatedly—roughly 20 projects a year, and we might exceed that this year. These deals build long-term discovery optionality at the base of our portfolio pyramid. At the top, we have producing royalties; at the base, we have exploration assets being advanced using other people’s expertise and money, with EMX as the long-term beneficiary.

Maurice: Diversification seems to be a recurring theme in EMX’s strategy. How does the company ensure that its acquisitions align with its broader objectives?

David: Diversification is indeed one of our core principles. When evaluating acquisitions, we focus on several key criteria: the quality of the underlying asset, the jurisdiction, the operator’s track record, and the potential for long-term upside.

Our acquisitions span various geographies, commodities, and stages of development to reduce risk and enhance returns. For example, our portfolio includes royalties on gold, copper, and polymetallic projects in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This global reach allows us to capitalize on opportunities in different markets while mitigating exposure to regional risks.

Maurice: It’s clear that EMX has been strategic in its acquisitions. As we wrap up, what’s next for the company in 2025 and beyond?

David: We’re fortunate to be in a strong position with positive cash flow for seven consecutive quarters. We anticipate this continuing for some time, driven by key assets like our Caserones royalty in Chile, operated by Lundin Mining Corporation. That’s performing nicely, with significant exploration work ongoing.

Zijin Mining is also producing at Timok in Serbia, generating handsome payments. Additionally, our royalty on the Carlin Trend in Nevada—advanced and produced by Barrick as part of their joint venture with Newmont—is generating over $4 million annually.

With these assets delivering robust returns, our focus is on astute capital allocation. This includes paying down debt, buying back shares while undervalued, and pursuing incremental acquisitions like the one at the Chapi Mine in Peru.

Maurice: Has EMX considered changing its logo to a cow surrounded by cash? EMX is quite literally becoming a cash cow.

David: I’ve said for years we’d become one, and we have! We’re thrilled to be in this position, allocating cash strategically to grow the portfolio, buy more royalties, and repurchase shares when the price is low. Managing long-term debt and driving shareholder value remains our priority.

Maurice: You’ve touched on this, but how do you plan to navigate potential challenges in the current market environment?


David: The money is coming in, and our royalties are performing exceptionally well. While metal prices are strong, the natural resource capital markets have been tough. It’s an intriguing bifurcation, but we’re capitalizing on our strengths.


By buying back stock at a discount to our net asset value, we maximize value. Once rectified, we’ll allocate more capital to expand the royalty portfolio. It’s about understanding and deploying our capital effectively in any market.

Our portfolio also boasts exciting developments. For instance, Zijin’s MG Zone in Serbia, with 12 drill rigs on-site, is remarkable. South 32’s Peak Discovery in Arizona could be a game-changer with promising copper-zinc-silver drill results. These discoveries reinforce why owning royalties is so valuable.


Maurice: Absolutely! In closing, what did I forget to ask?

David: Nothing comes to mind, Maurice. Insider buying, share buybacks, strong cash flow, and global discoveries—all make EMX a company worth following.

Maurice: If someone wants to learn more about EMX Royalty, where can they go?

David: Visit our website at emxroyalty.com.

Maurice: Thank you, Mr. Cole, for sharing your insights.