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Base Metals Energy Junior Mining MillRock Resources Precious Metals Project Generators

Millrock Provides Exploration Update on Fairbanks Gold District Projects, Alaska

Highlights:
Treasure Creek project NW Array prospect drill results: Hole 22TCRC078: 89.9 meters grading 0.97 grams per tonne gold from 45.7 meters, including 41.1 meters grading 1.72 grams per tonne gold from 59.4 meters. The mineralized area now measures 400 meters by 750 meters and is open in four directions.

Treasure Creek project Eastgate–Scrafford prospect drill results: Hole 22TCRC036: 7.6 meters grading 6.48 grams per tonne gold from 50.3 meters, including 1.5 meters grading 31.4 grams per tonne gold from 50.3 meters.

Results pending: Assays from a further 90 holes drilled on various project areas on the Fairbanks Gold District properties are still pending from the assay laboratory.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Millrock Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MRO, OTCQB: MLRKF) (“Millrock” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on Fairbanks Gold District exploration being carried out by Felix Gold Limited (ASX: FXG, “Felix Gold” or “Felix”). Millrock owns 9,957,157 shares of Felix Gold and holds royalties ranging from 1.0% to 2.0% Net Smelter Returns (“NSR”) on all claims currently held by Felix in the Fairbanks District. The claims cover close to 400 square kilometers of prospective lands.

Felix Gold has recently reported the following significant near-surface gold intercepts from drilling done on the NW Array prospect on the Treasure Creek gold project.

NW Array prospect gold intercepts include:

  • Hole 22TCRC071: 38.12 meters (m) grading 1.1 grams (g) / tonne (t) gold (Au) from 1.5 m downhole, including 7.6 m grading 4.13 g/t Au from 6.1 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC073: 41.1m grading 0.37 g/t Au from 1.5 m downhole, including 6.1 m grading 1.15 g/t Au from 21.3 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC075: 9.1 m grading 0.44 g/t Au from 1.5 m downhole and 35.1 m grading 1.8 g/t Au from 16.8 m downhole, including 1.5 m grading 27.2 g/t Au from 35.1 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC076: 18.3 m grading 1.02 g/t Au from 42.7 m downhole and 1.5 m grading 7.42 g/t Au from 45.7 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC078: 30.5 m grading 0.40 g/t Au from 1.5 m and 89.9 m grading 0.97 g/t Au from 45.7 m, including 41.1 m @ 1.72 g/t Au from 59.4 m
  • Hole 22TCRC083: 38.1 m grading 0.75 g/t Au from 51.8m, including 24.4m grading 1.08 g/t Au from 51.8 m

Felix Gold indicates that the drilling results show bulk tonnage gold mineralization distributed over an area measuring 400 m by 750 m at the NW Array Southern Zone. The mineralization is open to depth and to the north, south, and east, as per the Felix Gold press releases dated October 5, 2022, and October 18, 2022. The Treasure Creek prospect is road accessible. The claim block is traversed by a power line, which leads approximately 20 kilometers southeast to the Fort Knox Gold Mine, operated by a subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation.

Felix Gold has also reported the following significant, near-surface gold intercepts from drilling done on the Eastgate – Scrafford prospect on the Treasure Creek gold project over the past month. The following are highlights from 13 reverse circulation holes drilled in the Eastgate Central Zone. The results expand near-surface, high-grade gold mineralization over an approximate one-kilometer strike length. (Felix Gold press release dated September 28, 2022, and November 1, 2022).

Eastgate – Scrafford prospect gold intercepts include:

  • Hole 22TCRC113: 6.1 m grading 3.74 g/t Au from 13.7m downhole, including 1.5 m grading 8.73 g/t Au from 15.2 m downhole and 3.0 m grading 1.16 g/t Au from 36.6 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC022: 6.1 m grading 3.22 g/t Au from 62.5 m downhole, including 1.5 m grading 11.4 g/t Au from 64.0 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC014: 4.6 m grading 1.90 g/t Au from 21.3 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC122: 41.1 m grading 0.31 g/t Au from 79.2 m downhole and 53.3 m grading 0.47 g/t Au from 129.5 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC029: 4.6 m grading 0.76 g/t Au from 91.4 m downhole
  • Hole 22TCRC036: 7.6 m grading 6.48 g/t Au from 50.3 m, including 1.5m grading 31.4 g/t Au from 50.3 m
  • Hole 22TCRC038: 4.6 m grading 0.78 g/t Au from 27.4 m and 9.2 m grading 0.43 g/t Au from 93.0 m, including 1.5 m grading 1.76 g/t Au from 93.0 m and 18.3 m grading 0.40 g/t Au from 126.5 m, including 1.5 m grading 1.19 g/t Au from 129.5 m

The Eastgate – Scrafford prospect is located approximately three kilometers southeast of the NW Array Southern Zone. Assays are pending for a further 50 reverse circulation drill holes completed in the Phase 1 program at Treasure Creek. Assay results from a further 40 holes drilled on prospects on various other claim blocks in the Northeast Fairbanks area are also pending.

Felix Gold and Millrock have now ended the Strategic Alliance relationship between the companies. Each party is free to use the information generated during the alliance period for their own purposes. As a result of the strategic alliance, Millrock owns royalties on all of the claims that have so far been sold to Felix or subsequently acquired by Felix through staking or third-party agreement in the Fairbanks district. The royalties feature advanced minimum royalty payments. The royalties range from 1.0% NSR to 2.0% NSR and cover 41,800 hectares of prospective lands in the Fairbanks Gold District. Millrock also owns 9,957,157 shares of Felix Gold valued today at approximately AUD$1,195,000.

Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information disclosed within this document has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Gregory A. Beischer, President, CEO, and a director of Millrock Resources. Mr. Beischer is a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101. Note: Mr. Beischer has not independently verified the assay results reported by Felix Gold. However, Mr. Beischer inspected several drill sites and sample processing methods during Summer 2022 operations, and can confirm that the assay work was done by a qualified laboratory with stringent quality controls in place at the laboratory and at Felix Gold. The quality assurance and quality control protocols of Felix Gold are as stringent as Millrock would use in its own exploration work.

About Millrock Resources Inc.
Millrock Resources Inc. is a premier project generator to the mining industry. Millrock identifies, packages, and operates large-scale projects for joint venture, thereby exposing its shareholders to the benefits of mineral discovery without the usual financial risk taken on by most exploration companies. The company is recognized as the premier generative explorer in Alaska, is a significant shareholder of junior explorer ArcWest Exploration Inc., and owns a large shareholding in each of Resolution Minerals Limited and Felix Gold Limited. Funding for drilling at Millrock’s exploration projects is primarily provided by its joint venture partners. Business partners of Millrock have included some of the leading names in the mining industry: EMX Royalty, Coeur Explorations, Centerra Gold, First Quantum, Teck, Kinross, Vale, Inmet, and Altius, as well as junior explorers Resolution, Riverside, PolarX, Felix Gold, and Tocvan.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Gregory Beischer”
Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO
Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including without limitation receipt of further drill results. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements.

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Rover Metals

Rover Signs Definitive Option Agreement for Nevada Lithium Project

Vancouver, British Columbia – (November 17, 2022) – Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV: ROVR) (OTCQB: ROVMF) (FSE:4XO) (“Rover” or the “Company”) announces that further to its release of September 20, 2022, it is pleased to announce that it has now signed the definitive agreement to option a 100% ownership interest in a claystone lithium project (the “Option Agreement”) located in the southwest lithium jurisdiction of the state of Nevada, USA. The Option Agreement is dated with an effective date of November 16, 2022. The land package under option is a district scale lithium claystone deposit situated on Bureau of Land Management land. The Option Agreement is subject to final approval by the Toronto Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”). An updating release will be provided once the Company has received TSXV approval.

On November 26, 2022, the Company also announced the first closing of $376,000 under its current financing. The use of proceeds of which will include furthering the development of our new Nevada Lithium project.

Let’s Go Lithium Property
The Let’s Go Lithium property is located in Nevada’s famous southwest lithium jurisdiction and is approximately 6,000 acres in size. The Company, through the vendor of the project, and through ALS Laboratories, has verified high-grade lithium surface samples at the project. Highlights of these surface grab samples processed by ALS Laboratories include: Sample# AMZ-8 of 780ppm Li, Sample# AMZ-26 of 910ppm Li, and Sample# AMZ-28 of 710ppm Li. The Company has pulled additional surface grab samples from the project and analysed them with a Handheld Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (“HH LIBS”). Highlights of the HH LIBS include: 1,218 ppm Li, 778 ppm Li, 724 ppm Li, and 707 ppm Li.

The project includes green energy infrastructure of hydro power lines, and has direct road access, and a nearby town with a readily available work force.

Later-stage comparable claystone lithium projects include Cypress Development’s Clayton Valley project; American Lithium’s TLC project; Noram Lithium’s Zeus project, and Iconic Minerals’ Bonnie Claire project. All of the aforementioned companies are later-stage mining companies, with a NI 43-101 resource definition. Rover’s Nevada Lithium project is greenfields in nature, with no drilling to date. Historic water well drilling at the Let’s Go Lithium property by the USGS indicates that the claystone is near to surface, and over 90 meters in average thickness.

Summary of First Year Commitments Under the Option Agreement
The Company’s earn-in to a 100% ownership of the claystone lithium project calls for USD200,000 in exploration expenditures within 24 months of the signing of a definitive agreement and a common share payment of USD25,000 worth of the Company’s common shares to be made on January 31, 2023.

Technical information has been approved by David White, P.Geo., QP for the purposes of NI 43-101. ALS Laboratories is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Judson Culter, CEO at Rover Metals, states, “The Biden Administration’s Bill for Inflation Reduction and Energy puts milestones in place for critical minerals like Lithium to be produced within North America effective January 1, 2023. Given the mining friendly jurisdiction of Nevada, and the nature of claystones, we see the Let’s Go Lithium project as a shovel ready, fast-tracked opportunity for development.”

Rover Metals, Proven and Probable

About Rover Metals
Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF (temporarily as ROVMD), and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company is now developing both: (1) critical minerals projects; as well as (2) precious metals projects. The Company is exclusive to the mining jurisdictions of Canada and the U.S. Five of the Company’s existing mineral resource development projects are located near to the city of Yellowknife, 60th parallel, Canada.

You can follow Rover on its social media channels:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-metals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoverMetals/
for daily company updates and industry news, and
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsHsfag1GFyp4aLW5Ye-YQ?view_as=subscriber
for corporate videos.
Website: https://www.rovermetals.com/

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

For further information, please contact:
Email: info@rovermetals.com
Phone: +1 (778) 754-2617

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

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

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

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals Rover Metals

Rover Metals Announces and Arranges $0.08 Unit Financing

Rover Metals Corp.
Rover Metals Corp.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV: ROVR) (OTCQB: ROVMF) (FSE:4XO) (“Rover” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for a minimum of $350,000 and a maximum of $800,000. The Company will issue $0.08 units. Each unit is priced at $0.08 and is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (the “Units”). The warrants on the Units have an exercise price of $0.12 per warrant share, and a life of two and half (2 ½) years. Assuming the financing is fully subscribed, there will be up to 10,000,000 common shares and 10,000,000 common share purchase warrants issued in connection with this financing, plus any finder’s commission warrants.

Further to the above announcement, Rover has also now received approval from the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSXV) to close the first tranche of the Unit financing for gross proceeds of $376,000 (the “First Closing”). The Company will issue of 4,700,000 common shares and 4,700,000 warrants. Finders’ commissions are being paid in connection with the First Closing in the amount of cash commissions of $13,312.50 and finders’ warrants of 266,250. The finder’s warrants will have an exercise price of $0.12 and a useful life of two and half (2 ½) years. The shares and warrants issued under the First Closing will bear the minimum four-month regulatory hold period from the date of issuance.

An updating release will be provided once the Company has completed the Unit financing.

Shares for Services Agreement
The TSXV has also approved a common shares for services issuance pursuant to a previously approved consulting agreement with one of the Company’s former arm’s length advisors. Services in the amount of $22,500 for the three-month period from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022 will be paid through the issuance of 187,500 common shares at a deemed price of $0.12 per share. The arm’s length advisory agreement expired effective September 30, 2022. The shares will bear the minimum four-month regulatory hold period from the date of issuance.

About Rover Metals
Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF (temporarily trading as ROVMD), and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company is now developing a diverse portfolio of mineral resource projects: (1) Nevada Claystone Lithium; (2) Zinc-Copper-Lead-Silver in NT, Canada; as well as (3) Gold in NT, Canada. The Company is exclusive to the mining jurisdictions of the U.S. and Canada.

You can follow Rover on its social media channels:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-metals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoverMetals/
for daily company updates and industry news, and
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsHsfag1GFyp4aLW5Ye-YQ?view_as=subscriber
for corporate videos.
Subscribe to our Newsletter on our Website: https://www.rovermetals.com/

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

For further information, please contact:
Email: info@rovermetals.com
Phone: +1 (778) 754-2617

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

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

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

Categories
Base Metals Collective Mining Junior Mining Precious Metals

Collective Mining Expands 2022 Drilling Program at the Guayabales Project

TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2022 /CNW/ – Collective Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CNL) (OTCQX: CNLMF) (“Collective” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has expanded the scope of its 2022 drill program at the Guayabales project. Following the Company’s recent $10.7 million bought deal financing, combined with the exploration team’s analysis of recent assay results, the Board of Directors has approved an additional 3,000 metres of drilling at the Apollo target (“Apollo”) over the balance of 2022. As a result, the Company now expects to complete approximately 23,000 metres of drilling in 2022.

The Company has already released assay results from the first 14 holes at Apollo and expects to release additional results from holes APC-15 through APC-25 over the near term. Three rigs continue to turn at Apollo with the majority of holes focused on expanding the Main Breccia discovery which has nearly tripled in potential dimension with recent drilling results and now measures 385 metres along strike by 350 metres across by 825 metres depth. Presently, drill holes APC-26 through APC-28 are advancing on schedule. Previously announced results from the Main Breccia discovery at Apollo include:

HoleIntercept(m)Au (g/t)Ag (g/t)Cu %Zn %Pb %Mo %AuEq (g/t) *
APC-2207.151.46450.310.080.050.0022.68
APC-8265.751.26550.220.070.050.0452.44
APC-12237.701.15720.380.080.070.0012.88

See press releases dated August 10th, September 13th and October 6th respectively.

While plans for the 2023 drill program are currently being finalized for the Board of Directors approval prior to year-end, the Company plans to continue its aggressive drilling approach at Apollo with an aim of expanding the Main Breccia discovery even further while testing other targets at Apollo in 2023.

Drilling at the Guayabales project in 2022 has yielded remarkable success with four distinct discoveries made across five tested targets. The obvious highlight has been the Main Breccia system at Apollo; a truly exciting high-grade and bulk tonnage copper-silver-gold discovery. Importantly, the Guayabales project is located in the heart of a 500+ year old mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines located within three kilometers of the project. As a result, infrastructure is abundant with hydroelectric power traversing the project in multiple locations and abundant skilled mining labor located in the surrounding towns. We look forward to continue advancing the project aggressively and are confident that Guayabales will be an important contributor to the Colombian government’s bold plan to produce energy transition metals in the near term,” stated Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman of Collective Mining.

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective Mining is a copper, silver and gold exploration company based in Canada, with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company’s flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by a major bulk-tonnage and high-grade copper, silver and gold discovery at the Apollo target. The Company’s near-term objective is to continue with expansion drilling while increasing confidence in the highest-grade portions of the system.

Management, insiders and close family and friends own nearly 35% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “CNL” and on the OTCQX under the trading symbol “CNLMF”.

Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure

David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG).

Technical Information

Rock and core samples have been prepared and analyzed at SGS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the drill programs, including timing of results, and Collective’s future and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Collective cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Collective assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

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

SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2022/16/c0096.html

Categories
Base Metals Collective Mining Junior Mining Precious Metals

Collective Mining to Present at 121 Mining Investment Conference November 22-23, 2022

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2022 /CNW/ – Collective Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CNL) (OTCQX: CNLMF) (“Collective” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the 121 Mining Investment Conference, taking place November 22-23, 2022 in London, UK.

Investors and interested parties can arrange a face-to-face meeting with management by registering at https://www.weare121.com/121mininginvestment-london

Management will discuss the Company’s “Main Breccia” discovery at the Apollo target. The Main Breccia discovery is a high-grade and bulk tonnage, copper-silver-gold porphyry-related breccia system characterized by two main, yet distinct pulses of mineralized fluids flooding the breccia with metals.

The Company’s Guayabales project is located in the mining-friendly department of Caldas, in the heart of a long-established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines located within three kilometres of the project. As a result, the Guayabales project is blessed with excellent infrastructure with roads and hydroelectric powerlines traversing the project and an abundant labour force located nearby in the townships of Supía and Marmato.

There are currently three rigs drilling at the Apollo target. Collective expects to release assay results from holes 15-25 at Apollo over the coming weeks and through year-end. The Company’s recently expanded drill program is ongoing with holes 26-28 currently bring drilled and holes 29-31 at the planning stage.

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com.

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective Mining is a copper, silver and gold exploration company based in Canada, with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company’s flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the discovery of the “Main Breccia” at the Apollo target in June 2022, which is a large bulk-tonnage, and high-grade copper, silver and gold porphyry-related hydrothermal breccia system. The Company’s near-term objective is to continue expanding the size of the Main Breccia discovery through step-out drilling while simultaneously increasing confidence in the highest-grade portions of the system.

Management and insiders own nearly 35% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “CNL” and on the OTCQX under the trading symbol “CNLMF”.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, Collective’s future and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Collective cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Collective assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

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

SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2022/15/c4414.html

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

EMX Royalty Announces Third Quarter 2022 Results

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 14, 2022) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to report results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 (“Q3-2022”). The Company’s filings for the quarter are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, and on EMX’s website at www.EMXroyalty.com. Financial results were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR Q3-2022

Financial Update

All dollar amounts in this news release are Canadian dollars (CDN) unless otherwise noted.

  • Revenue and other income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $9,338,000 which includes continuing royalty income from the Leeville, Gediktepe, and Balya royalty interests totaling $4,881,000. Other income of $4,113,000 relates to other property payments from partnered properties. Adjusted revenue and other income1 was $12,105,000 which included $2,767,000 for the Company’s share of royalty revenue from its effective Caserones copper royalty interest in Chile.
  • After recovering $4,210,000 from partners, the Company’s net royalty generation costs totaled $2,652,000.
  • General and administrative costs totaled $1,644,000. Impacting general and administrative costs, were higher investor relations costs for increased marketing and communications activities offset by a reduction in fees paid to consultants during the period.
  • Share-based payments totaled $481,000 for the period compared to $1,206,000 in Q3-2021. The aggregate share-based payments relate mainly to the fair value of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) granted and vested during the period.
  • Finance expenses of $1,579,000 associated with the Sprott Credit Facility. The Company had repaid in full the SSR VTB note (including interest) totaling $10,774,000 in the previous quarter.
  • For the quarter, the Company had income from operations of $1,311,000 and a net loss of $16,346,000.
  • Other significant items affecting income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 included unrealized fair value losses on investments of $7,241,000, impairment charges of $7,130,000 primarily related to the Gediktepe royalty in Turkey, and foreign exchange adjustments of $518,000.
  • As at September 30, 2022, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $14,297,000, investments and long-term investments valued at $19,877,000, and a loan payable of $54,961,000.

Corporate Updates

Appointment of Independent Director
In Q3-2022, EMX announced that Mr. Geoff Smith was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company effective July 5, 2022. Mr. Smith brings to the board the benefit of 17 years of M&A and corporate finance experience having advised on or financed many of the largest, most complex and innovative streaming transactions in the past 10 years.

Purchase of Royalty Portfolio from Nevada Exploration
In Q3-2022, EMX announced it had executed a purchase and sale agreement (the “Agreement”) for a portfolio of royalties, with Pediment Gold LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nevada Exploration Inc. (“NGE”) for US$500,000. The portfolio consists of a 2% net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on NGE’s Nevada gold exploration portfolio covering ~62.5 square miles in Nevada and includes four district-scale land positions as well as certain other interests. In addition, if NGE options, farms out, or sells a project, beginning on the first anniversary of the third-party agreement, EMX will receive AARs of US$20,000 that escalate US$10,000 per year and are capped at US$50,000. NGE has the right to buy back half of EMX’s 2% NSR by purchasing a 0.5% NSR interest for US$1,000,000 any time prior to the 7th anniversary of the Agreement and then, if the first NSR interest is purchased, purchasing the second 0.5% NSR interest any time prior to production for US$1,500,000.

Receipt of Initial Production Royalty Payments from Gediktepe
In Q3-2022, EMX announced the receipt of initial royalty production payments from its Gediktepe royalty property in western Turkey. EMX holds a 10% NSR on oxide gold production at Gediktepe, a newly commissioned mine operated by Polimetal Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (“Polimetal”), a private Turkish company. EMX has received payments for production from the months of June and July totaling US$1,842,452, inclusive of US$281,052 in Value Added Tax (“VAT”) for which EMX has credits to recover. These represent the first royalty production payments received from Gediktepe after receiving notice that the definition of commercial production had been satisfied in early June.

The June and July payments are based upon the sales of 4,490 ounces of gold and 23,309 ounces of silver in June and 4,030 ounces of gold and 44,164 ounces of silver in July. The payment for June was pro-rated for the portion of the month’s sales that took place after the satisfaction of the definition of commercial production in the royalty agreement, which took place on June 8th.

The Company has also taken an impairment in Q3-2022 against the carrying value of Gediktepe. While assessing whether any indications of impairment exist, consideration is given to external and internal sources of information. While the operation has only been in production for less than year, review of the oxide operation to date, potential for delay of the sulfide circuit along with revisions to metal pricing and Turkish royalty rates, the Company has reduced the value of Gediktepe by $7,092,000. Please refer to the Company’s interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 for additional information.

Receipt of Initial Production Royalty Payments from Balya North
In Q3-2022, EMX announced the receipt of initial royalty production payments from its Balya North royalty property in western Turkey. EMX holds an uncapped 4% NSR royalty on metals production from Balya North, a newly commissioned lead-zinc-silver mine operated by Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. (“Esan”), a private Turkish company.

In the first half of 2022, Esan’s advancement of the Balya North asset consisted of mine development and opening of production headings and faces for exploitation in Q3 and Q4 of 2022. Production and processing of materials from Balya North in the first half of 2022 largely consisted of material stockpiled during the construction process. EMX received payments from the processing of this material totaling US$98,787, inclusive of US$15,069 in VAT. These royalty payments are from 30,223 tonnes of processed material averaging 1.68% lead, 1.34% zinc, and 39.9 g/t silver.

Receipt of Milestone Payment for the Parks-Salyer Royalty Property
Subsequent to Q3-2022, EMX received a US$3,000,000 milestone payment from Arizona Sonoran Copper Company, Inc. (“ASCU”) for the Parks-Salyer royalty property (the “Royalty Property”) in Arizona. The Royalty Property was held under a lease arrangement by EMX’s wholly owned subsidiary Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. and was transferred to ASCU via Assignment and Royalty Agreements (the “Agreements”) executed earlier this year. EMX’s Royalty Property covers 158 acres of ASCU’s Parks-Salyer copper project. The milestone payment results from ASCU’s maiden resource estimate for the Parks-Salyer project that exceeds thresholds for contained copper included within EMX’s Royalty Property footprint. The Company also retains a 1.5% NSR covering the Royalty Property.

Impact of Covid 19
EMX continues to monitor developments regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”), with a focus on the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. EMX has implemented COVID-19 prevention, monitoring and response plans following the guidelines of international agencies and the governments and regulatory agencies of each country in which it operates. EMX’s priority is to safeguard the health and safety of its personnel and host communities, support government actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 and assess and mitigate the risks to business continuity.

Royalty and Royalty Generation Updates

EMX’s royalty and mineral property portfolio consists of 265 properties in North America, Europe, Turkey, Latin America and Australia (See Figure 1). The Company’s portfolio is comprised of the following:

Producing Royalties5
Advanced Royalties9
Exploration Royalties152
Royalty Generation Properties99



Figure 1. EMX’s royalty and mineral property portfolio.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/144216_fd23da17d415d84b_002full.jpg

During Q3-2022, the Company’s royalty generation business was active in North America, South America, Europe, Turkey, and Australia. The Company spent $6,862,000 and recovered $4,210,000 from partners. During the quarter the Company completed two new property agreements in Northern Europe and one new partnership in the US, and continued to grow the portfolio with new mineral property acquisitions.

Highlights from Q3-2022 include the following:

  • In the US the Company added to its growing royalty portfolio with the completion of one new royalty agreement on a copper project in Arizona, the advancement of ten partner-funded work programs, including five drill projects, the acquisition of four large royalty positions from Nevada Exploration covering key land positions in Nevada, and new generative work leading to the acquisition of a large (i.e., greater than 1950 hectares), prospective land position in the Silver Valley district in Idaho.
  • US highlights also include Arizona Sonoran Copper Company’s (“ASCU”) announcement of a maiden resource at the Parks-Salyer deposit (see ASCU news release dated September 28, 2022) and key drill intercepts within the EMX royalty footprint which include 162 meters at 1.10% copper in drill hole ECP-084 and 68.3 meters at 2.24% copper in drill hole ECP-086 (true widths unknown) (see ASCU news release dated September 7, 2022). As noted earlier, subsequent to Q3-2022, EMX received a US$3,000,000 Milestone Payment from ASCU resulting from the announced resource exceeding 200 million pounds of contained copper within the royalty footprint (see EMX new release dated October 4, 2022).
  • In Canada, EMX continued its summer work programs to advance and delineate targets on available properties in the portfolio as partners conducted multiple field programs, including drill programs on optioned and EMX royalty properties. EMX received $63,000 in cash payments and $4,000 in share equity payments during the quarter.
  • EMX’s Latin American royalty portfolio advanced through field programs at Morros Blancos and Morros Colorado by Austral Gold Limited, Block 4 by Pampa Metals Corporation, and drill programs conducted by AbraSilver Resource Corp., Aftermath Silver Ltd, and GR Silver Mining Ltd. Q3 drill programs at San Marcial, as well as Diablillos and Berenguela continue to produce significant results that expand known resources and add new discoveries at nearby targets. Highlights at San Marcial include the discovery of a new silver zone by GR Silver with a 250 meter step out drill hole intersecting 101.6 meters at 308 g/t silver with multiple higher grade sub-intervals (true width unknown) (see GR Silver news release dated August 8, 2022). An updated resource estimation for San Marcial is scheduled for Q1-2023.
  • As a subsequent event, AbraSilver announced an updated, open pit constrained mineral resource estimate for the Diablillos project’s Oculto deposit reported as measured and indicated of 51.3 Mtonnes averaging 66 g/t silver (109 Moz contained Ag) and 0.79 g/t gold (1.3 Moz contained Au), as well as inferred of 2.2 Mtonnes averaging 30 g/t silver (2.1 Moz contained Ag) and 0.51 g/t gold (37 Koz contained Au) (see AbraSilver news release dated November 3, 2022). The updated resource was based upon drilling through Phase II. The ongoing Phase III drill program is focused on the near surface, high-grade Southwest Zone discovery.
  • In Northern Europe the Company continued to expand its portfolio of projects, acquiring a gold-copper project in Sweden and a gold-cobalt project in Finland totaling nearly 20,000 hectares. Two Norwegian polymetallic projects were sold to Minco Silver in Q3 and eight partner funded projects advanced EMX royalty assets, including three drill programs. Overall, approximately US$2.3 million was spent by partners on EMX royalty properties in Northern Europe in Q3.
  • Drill results were announced at the Tomtebo Project in Sweden by District Metals in Q3. Highlights included 25.5 meters averaging 2.4% zinc, 2.05% lead and 65 ppm silver in drill hole TOM22-38 starting at 249 meters (true width unknown) (see District Metals news release dated August 17, 2022)2.
  • Drill programs were also completed in Norway at Playfair Mining’s RKV project and at Norden Crown Metals’s Burfjord project. Nineteen diamond drill holes totaling 1,107 meters were drilled at Playfair’s RKV Project and 18 diamond drill holes totaling 3,500 meters were drilled at Burfjord.
  • EMX continued to advance its understanding of the newly discovered cobalt enriched manganese mineralization at its 100% owned Yarrol Project in Australia. Soil sampling grids continued to expand the footprint of cobalt-rich mineralization and preparations for an upcoming drill program commenced in Q3.
  • Work also proceeded in the Balkans and in Morocco, where multiple exploration license applications have been filed by the Company, and new areas are being assessed for further acquisitions.

Financing Updates

Exercise of Stock Options granted by EMX
Ending Q3-2022, 1,045,000 stock options were exercised at $1.20 per share pursuant to the Company’s Stock Option Plan, which generated proceeds of $1,254,000 to EMX.

Investment Updates
As at September 30, 2022, the Company had investments totaling $19,877,000 which included $13,651,000 in various public and private entities, and $6,226,000 in non-current investments. The Company will continue to generate cash flow by selling certain of its investments when appropriate.

Strategic Investment in Premium Nickel Resources
Between 2020 and 2022, EMX acquired 5,412,702 shares of Premium Nickel Resources Corporation, a private company with nickel-copper-cobalt assets in Botswana. On April 26, 2022, PNR announced the execution of a definitive agreement for a reverse takeover transaction (“RTO”) with North American Nickel Inc. (“NAN”) to create a new reporting entity, Premium Nickel Resources Ltd (“PNRL”). PNRL began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in Q3, having completed the RTO process with NAN. As a result of the RTO transaction, EMX’s interests were converted to 5,704,987 shares of PNRL, which represents roughly 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of PNRL.

Subsequent to the listing transaction, PNRL announced initial results from its ongoing diamond drilling program at its 100% owned Selebi nickel-copper-cobalt project in Botswana (see PNRL news release dated August 17, 2022). Highlights included an intercept of 25.65 meters of 0.95% nickel, 2.03% copper and 0.04 % cobalt in drill hole SMD-22-001 starting at 1,374.5 meters (true width estimated to be 70-80% of drilled interval). This was the first hole drilled in the 2022 program, and on September 13, 2022, PNRL announced further intercepts from a wedge drilled off hole SMD-22-001 (hole SMD-22-001-W1) of 4.35 meters averaging 0.98% nickel, 1.61% copper and 0.02% cobalt starting at 1,363 meters and 12.55 meters of 0.39% nickel, 1.99% copper and 0.02% cobalt starting at 1,385.65 meters (true thicknesses estimated to be 70-80% of the drilled interval) (see PNRL news release dated September 13, 2022). Assay results from other holes are pending3.

OUTLOOK

This year will see an increase in revenue and other income coming from our cash flowing royalties, including Leeville in Nevada, Gediktepe and Balya in Turkey, potentially Timok in Serbia (pending conclusion of the royalty rate discussions with Zijin), and our effective royalty interest on Caserones in Chile. As in previous years, production royalties will continue to be complemented by option, advance royalty, and other pre-production payments from partnered projects across the global portfolio. As a royalty holder, the Company has limited, if any, access to information on properties for which it holds royalties. Accordingly, the Company has not, and does not anticipate that it will have the ability to, provide guidance or outlook as to future production.

So far in 2022, EMX has acquired an additional (effective) 0.3155% royalty interest on Caserones, completed a $12,580,000 (US $10,000,000) private placement with Franco-Nevada, made a strategic investment in PNR, and repaid in full the vendor take back note issued to SSR Mining Inc.

The Company will continue to strengthen its balance sheet over the course of the year by looking to retire portions of its long-term debt, continuing to evaluate equity markets (including the filing of a shelf prospectus), and the ongoing monetization of the Company’s marketable securities.

EMX is well funded to identify and pursue new royalty and investment opportunities, while further filling a pipeline of royalty generation properties that provide opportunities for additional cash flow, as well as exploration, development, and production success.

QUALIFIED PERSONS

Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on North America, Latin America, and Strategic Investments. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on Europe, Turkey, and Australia.

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

For further information contact:

David M. Cole
President and CEO
Phone: (303) 973-8585
Dave@EMXroyalty.com

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

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

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

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

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company’s MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2021, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

1 Adjusted revenue and other income, and adjusted cash provided by (used in) operating activities are non-IFRS financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the “Non-IFRS financial measures” section on page 24 of the Company’s MD&A for the period ended September 30, 2022 for more information on each non-IFRS financial measure.
2 EMX has not done independent and sufficient to work verify the drill results as published by District Metals, and these results should not be relied upon until they are confirmed. However, EMX believes these results to be reliable and relevant.
3 EMX has not done independent and sufficient to work verify the drill results as published by Premium Nickel Resources Ltd, and these results should not be relied upon until they are confirmed. However, EMX believes these results to be reliable and relevant.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/144216

Categories
Base Metals Breaking Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals Silver Bullet Mines

IIROC Trading Resumption – SBMI

Silver Bullet Mines, Proven and Probable

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 14, 2022 /CNW/ – Trading resumes in:

Company: Silver Bullet Mines Corp.

TSX-Venture Symbol: SBMI

All Issues: Yes

Resumption (ET): 9:30 AM 11/15/2022

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

Cision
Cision

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2022/14/c4378.html

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Nevada Copper

Nevada Copper Appoints Gregory J. Martin as Chief Financial Officer

Nevada Copper Corp.
Nevada Copper Corp.

Files Third Quarter 2022 Financial Statements and MD&A

YERINGTON, Nev., Nov. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Greg Martin as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective November 21, 2022.   In leading the Company’s financial functions, Mr. Martin will be integral to building fiscal discipline and structures to support the restart and ramp-up of the Company’s underground mine. In addition, he will oversee concentrate marketing, and generally assist with leading the team through the restart and ramp-up process.

Randy Buffington, President & CEO of Nevada Copper, stated, “We are very pleased that Greg will be joining the Company and taking on such a critical role in leading the finance group. His experience and leadership in mining, and specifically in Nevada operations, will be crucial in reinforcing the financial rigor needed as we transition through the capital development projects phase of the operational restart at Pumpkin Hollow to mining and milling over the next year. Looking forward, we are making good progress with the open pit prefeasibility study and look forward to Greg’s input at this key stage of development.”

Mr. Martin has nearly 30 years of experience in various financial and business development roles, primarily in the mining sector. He has held senior finance roles in several multi-national mining and mining-related companies including SSR Mining Inc. (where he was CFO from 2012 to 2021), NovaGold Resources Inc., Finning International Inc., Zincore Metals Inc. and Placer Dome Inc. He has a proven track record of providing leadership through company transitions, growth and development while implementing the fiscal discipline and structure to support sustainable operations. Mr. Martin is a Certified Professional Accountant (C.G.A.), holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of British Columbia.

Filing of Third Quarter 2022 Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Results

The Company has filed its unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the related MD&A for the third quarter and year to date periods ended September 30, 2022.  These filings can be found at www.sedar.com.

About Nevada Copper

Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is a copper producer and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project. Located in Nevada, USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade Underground Mine and processing facility, which is now in the production stage, and a large-scale open pit project, which is advancing towards feasibility status.

Randy Buffington
President & CEO

For additional information, please see the Company’s website at www.nevadacopper.com, or contact:

Tracey Thom Vice President, IR and Community Relations
tthom@nevadacopper.com
+1 775 391 9029

Cautionary Language on Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to Mr. Martin’s role with the Company.

Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and events to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those relating to: requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the outcome of discussions with vendors; the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; the impact of COVID-19 on the business and operations of the Company; the state of financial markets; history of losses; dilution; adverse events relating to milling operations, construction, development and ramp-up, including the ability of the Company to address underground development and process plant issues; ground conditions; cost overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rate increases; global economy; limited history of production; future metals price fluctuations; speculative nature of exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labour disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery rates from management’s expectations and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents; title matters; regulatory approvals and restrictions; increased costs and physical risks relating to climate change, including extreme weather events, and new or revised regulations relating to climate change; permitting and licensing; dependence on management information systems and cyber security risks; volatility of the market price of the Company’s securities; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those risks discussed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2021 and the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: no adverse developments in respect of the property or operations at the project; no material changes to applicable laws; the ramp-up of operations at the Underground Mine in accordance with management’s plans and expectations; no worsening of the current COVID-19 related work restrictions; reduced impacts of COVID-19 going forward; the Company will be able to obtain sufficient additional funding to complete the ramp-up, no material adverse change to the price of copper from current levels; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

The forward-looking information and statements are stated as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information and statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Specific reference is made to “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2021 and the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022, for a discussion of factors that may affect forward-looking statements and information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, should other risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and events may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining

Gladiator Metals Corp. Announces Option Agreement to Acquire Whitehorse Copper Project

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 14, 2022) – Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (“Gladiator” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Mineral Property Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement“) dated November 8, 2022 with H. Coyne & Sons Ltd. (the “Optionor“) whereby the Optionor has granted the Company the right to acquire a 100% legal and beneficial interest in all of the Optionor’s title and interest (the “Option“) in and to 315 contiguous mineral claims located in the Yukon (the “Whitehorse Copper Project” or the “Project“). Project highlights:

  • High Grade historical copper production of >10Mt @ 1.5% Cu produced (plus Au/Ag credits) via open pit (1967-1971) and underground (1972-1982).
  • Whitehorse Copper Project includes 30 known prospects within a 35km x 5km area. Shallow, high grade copper results from multiple prospects. Limited systematic drilling away from existing pits. All previous operations and residual reserves open along strike and down dip.
  • Approximately 10,000 metres of unassayed core from exploration drilling to be assayed and logged. Year-round access for work programs, good road and drill access network established, low-cost exploration due to proximity to Whitehorse and strong partnership with the Optionors, an experienced local drilling service provider.
  • Significant future exploration potential with drilling outside of historic areas of operation including:
  • Cowley Park: Most advanced prospect area with near term resource potential. Mineralization open at depth and along strike (mineralization drilled to max 150m vertical depth only). Historic drill hole intercepts include:
    • CP-144: 38.57m @ 1.76% Cu, 7.15 g/t Ag from 33.98m downhole
    • 18-CP-03: 9.14m @ 2.0% Cu, 12.5 g/t Ag from 83.82m downhole
    • 18-CP-06: 23.04m @ 1.91% Cu, 12.7 g/t Ag from 74.98m downhole
    • 19-CP-08: 24.4m @ 3.71% Cu, 14.3 g/t Ag from 105.46m downhole

Other prospects within the project area, with historic drill hole intercepts, include:

  • War Eagle:
    • HT-1: 10.55m @ 4.99% Cu, 1.05g/t Au, 40.3g/t Ag from 124.39m
  • North Star:
    • NS-15: 14.63m @ 4.95% Cu from 419.65m.

The drill results reported in this news release are historical in nature. Gladiator has not undertaken any independent investigation, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. The Company believes that the historical drill results may not all conform to the presently accepted industry standards. Gladiator considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company will use this data as a guide to plan future exploration programs. The Company also considers the data to be reliable for these purposes, however, the Company’s future exploration work will include verification of the data through drilling.

Given the proximity to Whitehorse, the Project will benefit from all year access, excellent infrastructure (local Yukon miner Minto Metals currently export copper concentrate from nearby Skagway) and a strong relationship with local partners for drilling services and developing positive community relations. With global copper metal demand currently forecast to outstrip future supply due to the global government’s coalition focus on developing electric vehicle and clean energy markets for Net Zero 2050, the Project provides excellent exposure to potential high grade significant copper resources in a stable tier 1 jurisdiction.

The Whitehorse Copper Project

The Whitehorse Copper Project is an advanced-stage copper (Cu) ± molybdenum (Mo) ± silver (Ag) ± gold (Au) skarn exploration project in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The property comprises 315 contiguous claims covering approximately 5,380 Hectares (13,294 acres) in the Whitehorse Mining District. The Whitehorse Copper Project covers a significant portion of what has historically been known as the Whitehorse Copper Belt. Gladiator Metals Corp. has entered into a 6-year option agreement with H. Coyne and Sons Ltd. to earn a 100% interest in the Project.

Copper mineralization was first discovered in 1897 on the Whitehorse Copper Belt, as it became to be known. The Whitehorse Copper Belt comprised over 30 copper-related, primarily skarn occurrences covering an area of 35 by 5 km in a north westerly trending arc. Exploration and mining development have been carried out intermittently since that time with the main production era lasting between 1967 and 1982 where production totaled 267,500,000 pounds copper, 225,000 ounces of gold and 2,838,000 ounces of silver from 11.1 million tons of mineralized skarn ore were milled (Watson, 1984).

The Project is road accessible with numerous access roads located within 2 km of the South Klondike Highway and the Alaska Highway. An extensive network of historical gravel exploration and haul roads exists throughout the project area and provide excellent access to the majority of the claim package. Access to existing electric power facilities is available through the main Yukon power grid.

The Whitehorse Copper Project is located within the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council First Nations. Gladiator acknowledges and respects the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council First Nations and is committed to developing a respectful relationship with them.

The intrusive rocks of the region are predominantly granodioritic to dioritic and Cretaceous in age (109 – 199 Ma). They are thought to form the upper reaches of a large batholith belonging to the Whitehorse Plutonic Suite and intrude primarily into Triassic to Jurassic Lewes River Group clastic and carbonate metasediments. Throughout the Whitehorse Copper Project, skarning occurs variably through limestone horizons and along the contacts with the intrusive rocks. Skarn deposits within the Whitehorse Copper Project are considered exoskarns that formed within 150 m of the mid Cretaceous calc-alkaline Whitehorse Batholith contact; however, a number of endoskarns are documented within the intrusion as well. Two main types of skarn deposits are observed. Iron-rich, in which copper occurs with magnetite, serpentine, specularite, talc, chlorite and occasional pyrrhotite and pyrite and Iron-poor (calc-silicate) where copper occurs with garnet, diopside, wolastonite, tremolite, epidote, chlorite, calcite and quartz. The copper minerals occur as grains, blebs, pods and stringers that appear to postdate the skarn minerals. Bornite is predominant in the iron-rich skarns and is slightly more abundant than chalcopyrite in the silicate skarns. Silver content is proportional to the copper grade but gold is more erratically distributed, being more abundant in the iron-rich skarn deposits.

The last mining activity in the region ceased in 1982 with the closure of the Little Chief mine. With the acquisition of the claims by H.Coyne & Sons Ltd. in 1998 from Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd, a fragmented land package was amalgamated, and a new phase of exploration began which focused primarily on drilling, trenching, geophysics, geology and surface geochemistry work. The most recent work on the Project has focused on defining and extending mineralization at the Cowley Park Copper deposit through diamond drilling. The recent drilling campaigns have returned drill core assay intervals consistent in grade with historical results.

The Cowley Park prospect is the Company’s main focus during initial exploration. Cowley Park sits at the southern end of the Project and had reached feasibility stage before operations in the belt were shut down in 1982. Diamond drilling was carried out in the 1960’s loosely defining the main zone mineralization and more thorough drilling was conducted in the early 1970’s culminating in a total of ~125 holes and ~11,500 meters of core (Hureau, 1981).

Gladiator has recently compiled a digital database containing 475 drill holes within the current and historical project boundaries. Many of the drill holes are historical in nature and lack documented modern QA/QC methods, chain of custody documentation, proper GPS collar locations and down hole surveying and would not meet the standard for a current NI 43-101 resource estimate. The more recent drilling, from 2007 onward appears to have been conducted in a much more systematic manner but significant amounts of core is currently in storage and needs to be logged, sampled and assayed.

The Company is planning an initial work program which would include data compilation and digitization of the historical drill logs, geological mapping, surface geochemistry and geophysical surveys. Additionally, approximately 10,000 m of diamond drill core will be logged and assayed. A 250-line km ground-based magnetics survey should be conducted over the south-eastern portion of the Project where a 2014 airborne survey was not completed. Targets generated from this work will guide a follow up diamond drilling program.

Transaction Summary

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement, in order to exercise the Option the Company must:

(i) issue the Optionor an aggregate of 15,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares“), as follows:

  1. 1,000,000 Common Shares (the “First Share Issuance“) within five (5) business days of the Effective Date. For the purposes hereof, the “Effective Date” is the date that is three (3) business days following the TSX Venture Exchange’s (the “TSXV“) approval of the Company’s acquisition of the Option in accordance with the Option Agreement;
  2. 3,000,000 Common Shares on or prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Effective Date;
  3. 5,000,000 Common Shares on or prior to the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date; and
  4. 6,000,000 Common Shares on or prior to the six (6) year anniversary of the Effective Date;

(ii) pay the Optionor an aggregate of $300,000 in cash, as follows:

  1. $25,000 within five (5) business days of the Effective Date;
  2. $50,000 on or prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Effective Date;
  3. $100,000 on or prior to the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date;
  4. $125,000 on or prior to the six (6) year anniversary of the Effective Date; and

(iii) incur an aggregate of $12,000,000 in exploration expenditures (“Expenditures“) on the Whitehorse Copper Project, as follows:

  1. $1,500,000 of Expenditures by the one (1) year anniversary of the Effective Date;
  2. $4,500,000 of Expenditures by the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date; and
  3. $6,000,000 of Expenditures by the six (6) year anniversary of the Effective Date.

Following the completion of the Common Shares issuances, cash payments, and incursion of Expenditures set forth above, the Option will be deemed to have been exercised, and the Company will have earned all of the Optionor’s interest in the Whitehorse Copper Project. Following the exercise of the Option, the Company must pay the Optionor, or such other person(s) as the Optionor may direct from time to time, a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on the Whitehorse Copper Project. Certain mineral claims forming part of the Whitehorse Copper Project are also encumbered by pre-existing royalties which the Company shall be responsible for following the exercise of the Option.

The Company has also (i) agreed to afford the Optionor a right of first refusal to undertake exploration or development programs on the Whitehorse Copper Project; (ii) granted the Optionor certain participation rights in future equity financings of the Company; and (iii) granted the Optionor the right to nominate one director to the Company’s Board of Directors, commencing one year following the Effective Date.

The Company’s acquisition of the Option constitutes a “Fundamental Acquisition” as defined in TSXV Policy 5.3 – Acquisitions and Dispositions of Non-Cash Assets. As such, completion of the Transaction is subject to approval by the TSXV and trading of the Company’s Common Shares has been halted. It is not anticipated that approval by the Company’s shareholders will be required. The Transaction is an arm’s length transaction. In connection with the Transaction, the Company will also pay a finder’s fee to an arm’s length finder in an amount equal to the maximum permitted under the policies of the TSXV, payable in Common Shares.

All Common Shares issued in connection with the Option will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Stock Option Plan

The Company announces that its shareholders approved the Company’s new 10% rolling stock option plan at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on August 11, 2022 of which there are currently 1,200,000 stock options issued.

Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared or reviewed and approved by Derek Torgerson P.Geoa “qualified person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Mr. Torgerson has confirmed that he has no objection to the technical information contained in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Jason Bontempo
Jason Bontempo
Director

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.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act“) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information”. Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “intends”, “targets”, “goals”, “forecasts”, “objectives”, “potential” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things TSXV approval of the Company’s acquisition of the Option.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company’s properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company’s material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons; availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs; and that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company’s forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management’s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or
dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/144175

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining

Uranium’s October Optimism

BY JACOB WHITE | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022

Performance as of October 31, 2022

Asset1 MO*3 MO*YTD*1 YR
U3O8 Uranium Spot Price 18.32%7.57%24.12%17.30%
Uranium Mining Equities (Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index) 23.11%-3.30%-6.38%-18.44%
Commodities (BCOM Index) 31.67% -6.96% 14.30% 9.67%
 U.S. Equities (S&P 500 TR Index) 48.10%-5.87%-17.72%-14.63% 
U.S. Bonds  (Bloomberg Barclays US Agg Total Return Value Unhedged USD Index) 5-1.30%-8.23%-15.72%-15.68% 

Sources: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management LP. Data as of October 31, 2022.
*Performance for periods under one year not annualized.

October: Uranium Markets Brighten

Many asset classes rebounded in October following painful September drawdowns. The U3O8 uranium spot price climbed 8.32% in October, rising from $48.25 to $52.27 per pound. By comparison, the broader commodity markets gained just 1.67%. Among other asset classes, U.S. equity markets gained 8.10% as measured by the S&P 500 Index, and U.S. bond markets (Bloomberg US Agg Bond Index) lost ground on the back of rising inflation and the hawkish Federal Reserve. On a year-to-date basis, as of October 31, 2022, the uranium spot price climbed by 24.12%, making it one of the best-performing asset classes.

Uranium mining equities also posted positive results in October, with the Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index gaining 3.11% for the month. Miners’ overall results were impacted by the weakness in the stock price of index heavyweight Cameco Corp. (Cameco) following its announcement of a $US748 million stock sale to raise capital for its planned acquisition of Westinghouse Electric Company (Westinghouse) in partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners (Brookfield Renewable). Year to date, uranium miners have lost 6.38%, which compares favorably to the year-to-date 17.72% drop in the S&P 500 Index.

Figure 1. Uranium Continues to Outperform in the Short Term (2020-2022)
This chart shows the relative outperformance of physical uranium and uranium mining equities over the past two years. 

Sources: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management. Data as of 10/31/2022.  Uranium miners are measured by the Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index; the U3O8  uranium spot price is measured by a proprietary composite of U3O8 spot prices from TradeTech LLC; commodities are measured by the Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM); U.S. equities are measured by the S&P 500 TR (SPX); U.S. bonds are measured by the Bloomberg Barclays US Agg Total Return Value Unhedged USD (LBUSTRUU Index); the U.S. dollar is measured by DXY Currency. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Energy Transition Gains Momentum

The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its 2022 World Energy Outlook in October, further underscoring the importance of nuclear energy and uranium in supporting the world’s energy transition away from its dependence on fossil fuels and in ensuring higher energy security. According to the IEA, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a global energy crisis”. Russian sanctions and geopolitical maneuvering have tightened the world’s energy supply and caused energy prices to spike, stoking inflationary pressures and heightening the risk of recession. This energy deficit has created an urgent catalyst to embrace alternatives to fossil fuels and supports our thesis that nuclear power will likely be pivotal to the global energy transition.

The IEA has increased its forecasts of nuclear power, reporting that it expects nuclear energy generation to grow 53% from 2021 to 2050 based on current stated government policies in place, 84% based on announced government targets and 109% on its net zero emissions by 2050 scenario. With nuclear energy’s generation potential to double by 2050, the uranium sector is likely poised to benefit.

Figure 2. Global Electricity Nuclear Supply by Scenario (TWh; Terawatt Hours)

Source: 2022 World Energy Outlook, International Energy Agency.

Positive Developments for Uranium Miners

On October 11, Cameco Corporation announced that it would form a strategic partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners to acquire Westinghouse Electric Company.6 Brookfield Renewable will own a 51% interest and Cameco 49%. This acquisition marks the largest in recent history, with Westinghouse’s market capitalization of US$4.5 billion, not including debt, being nearly half of Cameco’s $9.8 billion market capitalization.7 Westinghouse operates as a downstream company providing nuclear operating plant services, designing and engineering new nuclear reactors and providing nuclear fuel services. The initial market reaction to the deal was negative, as Cameco’s stock slid 14% in response to the pricing terms of the bought deal stock sale. Cameco’s stock price recovered somewhat but remained down for the month. In our view, the acquisition is a healthy sign that the uranium industry is moving forward and is a vote of confidence from Cameco in the nuclear industry. The partnership represents a vertical integration across the uranium fuel supply chain that is likely to enhance Cameco’s ability to win new business.

The market reacted more favorably to Uranium Energy Corp’s completed acquisition of the Roughrider uranium development project from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto PLC, and Uranium Energy was the top-performing holding in the Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index for the month.8 Denison Mines Corp. (Denison) filed its environmental impact statement (EIS) on October 26.9 For Denison, this represents a crucial step in the permitting process to develop its Wheeler River uranium mine. NexGen Energy Ltd., another late-stage uranium developer, filed its EIS earlier this year.10

Energy Shortages and Rocketing Prices Support Uranium’s Bullish Outlook

In our view, the October performance of uranium mining equities does not reflect the sector’s strong underlying fundamentals. Year-to-date as of October 31, U3O8 spot, conversion and enriched uranium prices have all significantly appreciated for both short- and long-term purchase contracts. By contrast, uranium miners remain in negative territory, as they have been impacted by weakness in broad equity markets and rising interest rates. Despite this, we believe that strong demand for uranium conversion and enrichment, coupled with a shift away from Russian suppliers, supports a further increase in the U3O8 uranium spot price, which is ultimately supportive of uranium miners.

Cameco, for example, continues to report strong growth in its portfolio of long-term uranium contracts as utilities are accelerating uranium purchases. In 2019, pre-COVID, Cameco estimated that, from 2020 through 2024, it had commitments to deliver an average of 19 million pounds per year.11 In 2021, Cameco added 30 million pounds in contracts. This year, Cameco is projected to add 77 million pounds in contracts. In its recent Q3 earning report, Cameco announced it has “advanced contracting discussions for about 27 million pounds of long-term uranium business and 7.5 million kgU (kilograms of uranium) of conversion services from initiation to accepted.”  This is in addition to Cameco’s uranium year-to-date contracts of 50 million pounds of U3O8 and 7 million kgU of conversion. The uranium contracts are expected to be finalized over the next few months, underscoring Cameco’s belief that the uranium sector is in the early stages of the contracting cycle.

Uranium Demand is Strong

We believe that uranium demand will continue to gain momentum, as many countries are seeing record-high electricity prices going into high-demand seasons. In addition, the security of the supply of nuclear fuel is paramount, as national grids rely on baseload nuclear power for stability, utilities are focused on replenishing inventory levels to ensure access to fuel and fuel costs have a relatively small impact on the overall profitability of nuclear power plants; historically, uranium demand has not been price sensitive.

We believe the uranium bull market remains intact despite the negative macroeconomic environment. There has been an unprecedented number of announcements for nuclear power plant restarts, life extensions and new builds that are all creating incremental demand for uranium. However, the current uranium price remains below incentive levels to restart tier 2 production and greenfield development. Over the long term, increased demand in the face of an uncertain uranium supply may likely support a sustained bull market. For investors, uranium miners have historically exhibited low/moderate correlation to many major asset classes, potentially providing portfolio diversification.

Figure 3. Uranium Bull Market Continues (1968-2022)

Click to enlarge this chart.

Note: A “bull market” refers to a condition of financial markets where prices are generally rising. A “bear market” refers to a condition in financial markets when prices are generally falling. Source: TradeTech data as of 10/31/2022.

In closing, we continue to believe that physical uranium and uranium miners are well positioned to take share within the energy sector as energy security and decarbonization increase in importance. With the number of nuclear reactors planned to increase by 35%, governments are signaling the need to embrace the reliable, efficient, clean and safe energy produced by nuclear to meet ambitious decarbonization goals. At the same time, a uranium supply deficit remains entrenched and uranium miners may be the recipients of increased investment, which may in turn bring the market back into balance.

1The U3O8 uranium spot price is measured by a proprietary composite of U3O8 spot prices from UxC, S&P Platts and Numerco.
2The North Shore Global Uranium Mining Index (URNMX) was created by North Shore Indices, Inc. (the “Index Provider”). The Index Provider developed the methodology for determining the securities to be included in the Index and is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Index. The Index is calculated by Indxx, LLC, which is not affiliated with the North Shore Global Uranium Miners Fund (“Existing Fund”), ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”) or Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”).
3The Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) is a broadly diversified commodity price index that tracks prices of futures contracts on physical commodities and is designed to minimize concentration in any one commodity or sector. It currently has 23 commodity futures in six sectors.
4The S&P 500 or Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies.
5The Bloomberg USAgg Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market.
6Source: Cameco and Brookfield Renewable Form Strategic Partnership to Acquire Westinghouse Electric Company.
7Source: Cameco pivots off volatile uranium market with big bet on Westinghouse.
8Source: PR Newswire: Uranium Energy Corp Completes Acquisition of the World-Class Development-Stage Roughrider Uranium Project From Rio Tinto.
9Source: Denison Announces Significant Regulatory Milestone for Wheeler River with Submission of Environmental Impact Statement.
10Source: NexGen Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Rook I Project (Project).
11Source: Cameco Corporation 2019 Annual Report.

Jacob White
Jacob White
Senior Analyst, Sprott Asset Management LP

IEA World Energy Outlook 2022

“The global energy crisis provides a short‐term boost to demand for oil and coal as consumers scramble for alternatives to high-priced gas. But the lasting gains from the crisis accrue to low‐emissions sources, mainly renewables, but also nuclear, alongside faster progress with efficiency and electrification, e.g., electric vehicles.”

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Important Disclosure

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. You cannot invest directly in an index. Investments, commentary and statements are that of the author and may not be reflective of investments and commentary in other strategies managed by Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc., Sprott Asset Management LP, Sprott Inc., or any other Sprott entity or affiliate. Opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may vary widely from opinions of other Sprott affiliated Portfolio Managers or investment professionals.

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation to anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada or the United States should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Funds may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

The information provided is general in nature and is provided with the understanding that it may not be relied upon as, nor considered to be, the rendering or tax, legal, accounting or professional advice. Readers should consult with their own accountants and/or lawyers for advice on their specific circumstances before taking any action.

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