Category: Base Metals

• Including: 0.9 m grading 720.3 g/t Ag, 12% Pb, 0.1% Zn, 0.4 g/t Au (or 1,133.6 g/t AgEq)
• And: 60.7 m grading 69.8g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn, 0.4 g/t Au (or 175.2 g/t AgEq)

To view a summary of today’s press release by Ridgeline CEO Chad Peters, click HERE

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – October 12, 2023) – Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0GC0) (“Ridgeline” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce results from the first two core holes of its proposed five (5) hole, 3,000-meter (“m”) drill program at the Selena (“Selena”) project, Nevada (Figure 1). Results from the Upper Chinchilla zone returned continuous intercepts of shallow-oxide, silver (“Ag”) – lead (“Pb”) – zinc (“Zn”) – gold (“Au”) containing high-grade including intervals that are consistent with nearby reverse circulation (“RC”) holes. Notably, deeper drilling beneath the Upper Chinchilla zone in hole SE23-048 also intersected localized antimony-rich (“Sb”) breccia intervals averaging 1-2% Sb, which are the first of its kind at Selena.

Chad Peters, Ridgeline’s President, and CEO commented, “This year’s drill program has two primary objectives. The first is to upgrade previously drilled, shallow-oxide RC intercepts in the Upper Chinchilla zone, and the second is to make a high-grade CRD discovery at depth. Hole 47 drilled between 2021 RC holes 13 and 14, materially upgrading both the thickness and overall grade of both holes, which includes a significant oxide gold component. This zone is shallow and projects up-dip through hole 48 to surface and is open for expansion. These intercepts confirm our belief that there is significant potential to delineate a shallow-oxide resource at Chinchilla that may be amenable to low-cost heap-leach processing methods.”

Mr. Peters continues, “The highest priority holes of the program are holes 49 and 50, which are in-progress and will drill to depths of 700 meters or more to test for stacked zones of CRD mineralization beneath the Upper Chinchilla Zone. These holes are targeting both sides of the known chimney structure that is believed to be a primary feeder to the Upper Chinchilla zone, which returned bonanza grade CRD intercepts in our 2022 program.”

Chinchilla Zone results summary

• SE23-048: 0.9 m grading 720.3 g/t Ag, 12.0% Pb, 0.1% Zn, 0.4 g/t Au (or 1,133.6 g/t Silver Equivalent) (“AgEq”) within 10.9 m grading 94.1 g/t Ag, 1.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn, 0.2 g/t Au starting at 85.3m true vertical depth (“TVD”) (Figure 1 & Figure 2)
  • And: 0.6 m grading 3.6 g/t Ag, 2.4% Sb, 0.1 g/t Au starting at 240 m TVD
  • And: 3.6 m grading 0.5 g/t Ag, 1.2% Sb, NA g/t Au starting at 247 m TVD
• SE23-047: 4.6 m grading 55.2 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb, 7.2% Zn, 0.2 g/t Au (or 421.1 g/t AgEq) and 2.8 m grading 205.8 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 0.3% Zn, 1.4 g/t Au (or 386.1.1 g/t AgEq) within 60.7 m grading 69.8 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.3% Zn, 0.4 g/t Au (or 175.2 g/t AgEq) starting at 93.8 m TVD (Figure 2)
  • The 60.7 m composite calculation includes a combined 7.3 m of unrecovered core (typically in 1-2m intervals) due to collapsing hole conditions through the mineralized zone. These intervals were assigned an assay value of 0.0 across all metals, resulting in an estimated dilution of roughly 12% to the overall composite value
• Both intercepts are hosted within 10 m to 60 m wide zones of strongly oxidized carbonate replacement (“CRD”) style alteration and are open for expansion up and down-dip.
• Holes SE23-049 and SE23-050 are in progress and located ~500 m west of SE23-047 and SE23-048 (Figure 2). Both holes will test for stacked mineralization beneath the high-grade Upper Chinchilla zone intersected with holes SE22-039 and SE22-045 in 2022 (see January 24 press release HERE)
  • SE23-049 has ~250 m of prospective host rocks remaining to test before moving to SE23-050 and has intersected multiple zones of fugitive calcite breccias or “BBQ Rock” beneath the Upper Chinchilla zone, a proximal indicator of CRD alteration and mineralization (see BBQ Rock core photo HERE)

For a complete table of all Chinchilla Zone assay results click HERE

Figure 1: Plan view map showing SE23-047 and SE23-048 results on the eastern edge of the Chinchilla zone as well as select historical drill intercepts. SE23-049 and SE23-050 are in progress

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/183736_0169cd1654a36af3_002full.jpg

Silver Equivalent Calculation: Metal Prices ($20 Ag, $0.90 Pb, $1.25 Zn, 1800 Au, no recovery factor applied)
Silver g/t + (Gold g/t * (Gold Price/ Silver Price)) + ((22.0462* Lead Price)/ ((1/31.1035) * (Ag Price)) * Lead %) +
((22.0462* Zinc Price)/ ((1/31.1035) * (Ag Price)) * Zinc %)

Figure 2: Chinchilla Long-Section C-C’ highlighting SE23-047 and SE23-048 drill intercepts with the interpreted geometry of high-grade “chimney” and stratabound “manto” horizons shown with silver equivalent grade contours

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/183736_0169cd1654a36af3_003full.jpg

To view Chinchilla X-Section D-D’ Click HERE.

To view property-wide long-section A-A’ click HERE.

Picture 1: Shortwave ultra-violet photo of SE23-049 drill core starting at 293 m depth showing fugitive calcite veins or “BBQ Rock” within previously untested host rocks beneath the Upper Chinchilla Zone

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/183736_0169cd1654a36af3_004full.jpg

Selena Project
Selena is located in White Pine County, Nevada, approximately 64 kilometers (“km”) north of the town of Ely, NV. The Project shares a property boundary with the Butte Valley project, a US $33M earn-in agreement between Freeport-McMoRan and Falcon Butte Minerals. The 100% owned project is comprised of 39 square kms of highly prospective exploration ground including Ridgeline’s shallow-oxide 2020 Ag-Au ± Pb-Zn Chinchilla discovery. Subsequent drilling has continued to highlight the potential for high-grade CRD type mineralization (Ag-Au-Pb-Zn ±Cu) between Chinchilla and the Butte Valley Cu-Au-Ag porphyry located directly west of the property. (View the Selena VRIFY Deck Here)

QAQC Procedures
Samples are submitted to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) of Sparks, Nevada, which is a certified and accredited laboratory, independent of the Company. Independent check samples are sent to Paragon Geochemical Labs (PAL) of Sparks, Nevada. Samples are prepared using industry-standard prep methods and analysed using FA-PB30-ICP (Au; 30 g fire assay) and ICP-5AM48 (48 element Suite; 0.5 g 5-acid digestion/ICP-MS) methods. AAL also undertakes its own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Ridgeline’s QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results completed by the Company’s Qualified Person, Michael T. Harp, Vice President, Exploration.

Technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael T. Harp, CPG. the Company’s Vice President, Exploration, who is Ridgeline’s Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for technical matters of this release.

About Ridgeline Minerals Corp.
Ridgeline Minerals is a discovery focused precious and base metal explorer with a proven management team and a 204 km² exploration portfolio across six projects in Nevada and Idaho, USA. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.RidgelineMinerals.com.

On behalf of the Board
“Chad Peters”
President & CEO

Further Information:
Chad Peters, P.Geo.
President, CEO & Director
Ridgeline Minerals Corp.
+1 775 304 9773
cpeters@ridgelineminerals.com

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

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the Earn-In Agreement and the transaction contemplated thereby. The words “potential”, “anticipate”, “meaningful”, “discovery”, “forecast”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “plan”, “historical”, “historic” and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Ridgeline has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that TSX Venture Exchange approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; the current objectives concerning the Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Ridgeline to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to historical data that has not been verified by the Company; as well as those factors discussed in Ridgeline’s public disclosure record. Although Ridgeline has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Ridgeline and may cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Ridgeline does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183736

Key Takeaways

• Uranium and uranium mining stocks posted their best monthly results in two years, as the price of U3O8 reached a 12-year high.
• The World Nuclear Association (WNA) estimates that uranium demand will double by 2040 and that Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) will add to this increase by as early as 2030.
• Long-term uranium contracting is on the rise, with 2023 on track to surpass 2022, coinciding with a decade of underinvestment.
• The West continues to make strategic moves to break free of reliance on Russia for uranium supplies and services.
• Supply jitters are increasing given geopolitical concerns in Niger and the likelihood that increased production from Kazatomprom may likely cater to China and Russia.
• Over the long term, increased demand in the face of a uranium supply crunch may likely support a sustained bull market.

Performance as of September 30, 2023

Asset	1 MO*	3 MO*	YTD*	1 YR	3 YR	5 YR
U3O8 Uranium Spot Price 1	21.03%	30.99%	51.88%	52.06%	10.15%	21.48%
Uranium Mining Equities (Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index) 2	23.93%	41.84%	50.61%	46.96%	13.97%	25.73%
Uranium Junior Mining Equities (Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index TR) 3	25.43%	39.70%	39.03%	38.52%	54.54%	N/A
Broad Commodities (BCOM Index) 4	-1.12%	3.31%	-7.06%	-5.96%	13.97%	4.23%
U.S. Equities (S&P 500 TR Index) 5	-4.77%	-3.27%	13.07%	21.62%	10.15%	9.92%

*Performance for periods under one year not annualized.
Sources: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management LP. Data as of September 30, 2023. You cannot invest directly in an index. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. 

Uranium Surges Above $73, Reaching 12-Year Price High

The U3O8 uranium spot price surged 21.03% in September, climbing from US$60.63 to $73.38 per pound.¹ This surge marks September as the most impressive month since September 2021. Performance was driven primarily by strong demand from utilities worldwide in the face of threats to supply. The uranium price is now as high as it had been just before the Fukushima Daiichi power plant disaster in 2011, when it was $73 per pound. YTD, U3O8 uranium spot has risen 51.88%.

Uranium mining equities posted even higher gains in September. The broad sector of uranium miners rose by 23.93%², while junior uranium miners gained 25.43%.³ This outperformance is similar to prior bull market cycles when uranium equities provided leverage to the uranium spot price. YTD uranium miners and junior uranium miners have climbed 50.61% and 39.03%, respectively.

While other commodities suffered in September, largely due to China’s economic weakness, uranium remained insulated from China’s economic cycle and its secular and cyclical challenges (see sidebar). Over the longer term, physical uranium and uranium equities have demonstrated significant outperformance against broad asset classes, particularly other commodities. For the five years ended September 30, 2023, the U3O8 spot price has risen a cumulative 164.56% compared to 23.05% for the broader commodities index (BCOM), as shown in Figure 1.  

Figure 1. Physical Uranium and Uranium Stocks Have Outperformed other Asset Classes over the Past Five Years (09/30/2018-09/30/2023)

Source: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management. Data as of 09/30/2023. Uranium miners are measured by the Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index (URNMX index); U.S. Equities are measured by the S&P 500 TR Index; the U308 spot price is from TradeTech; U.S. Bonds are measured by the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index (LBUSTRUU); Commodities are measured by the Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM); and the U.S. Dollar is measured by DXY Curncy Index. Definitions of the indices are provided in the footnotes. You cannot invest directly in an index. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The Key Drivers of Uranium’s Revival

September saw the uranium price soar past its most recent high of $63.77, posted in February 2022 shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, to reach a 12-year high. This represents the continuation of the bull market that began in 2016 and is supported by long-term structural tailwinds gaining notable momentum in 2023. We also believe these tailwinds have the power to endure for several years to come, and we explore them in more detail below.

1. Higher Uranium Demand Forecasts

The WNA released its biennial Nuclear Fuel Report in September, which industry professionals rely on for critical insights into the market. In this Report, the WNA increased its forecasted demand for uranium to nearly double by 2040.⁶ One of the key new contributors to this increase in demand was the Report’s inclusion of SMRs for the first time.

2. The Rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

SMRs represent a cutting-edge evolution in nuclear technology and have the potential to amplify nuclear energy’s role and boost uranium demand. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) characterizes “small” reactors as those with a capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit — roughly a third of conventional nuclear reactors’ size. The modular design of SMRs means components can be prefabricated in factories and transported for on-site assembly, reducing costs and construction time. This adaptability positions SMRs to deliver clean energy to areas previously out of reach for conventional nuclear plants and offers a promising approach to decarbonizing industrial processes.

SMRs represent a burgeoning technology, with various innovative designs in development worldwide. The heightened uranium demand from SMRs is anticipated to manifest toward decade’s end and intensify into the 2030s. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) projects that SMRs might constitute up to 5% of the global nuclear capacity by 2040. However, given the infancy of the SMR industry, predictions differ. For instance, a recent forecast by BMO suggests a potential of 9%.

3. The Uranium Contracting Cycle is Accelerating

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, procurement strategies have come under sharp focus. While Russia contributes only 5% to global U3O8 production, it dominates with 27% of worldwide uranium conversion capacity and 39% of fuel enrichment. Even without formal sanctions on Russian uranium and with existing contracts still intact, utilities have proactively refrained from establishing new agreements with Russian entities. In 2022, due to Russia’s significant presence in conversion and enrichment, utilities prioritized these areas over U3O8.

Today, the conversion and enrichment markets are still very tight, but some positive developments have occurred. In terms of conversion — when U₃O₈ is converted to UF₆ in preparation for enrichment — the market is nearly evenly divided between Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), France’s Orano SA, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Canada’s Cameco Corporation. A few months ago, ConverDyn restarted in the United States to help address the conversion supply-demand imbalance and is expected to reach 11% of global UF6 production by 2026. In terms of enrichment — when gaseous UF₆ is used to enrich uranium to a U-235 concentration of about 3-5% — the majority of the capacity is split between ROSATOM, Urenco (UK), Orano and CNNC. Urenco and Orano, in particular, serve Western markets that plan to transition away from Russian conversion services. Both companies have also recently announced expansions in enrichment capabilities.

The costs of conversion and enrichment services skyrocketed after Russia invaded Ukraine. We believe these price increases, positive Western conversion and enrichment developments, and a potential shift from underfeeding to overfeeding have helped boost U3O8 prices. Although utilities remain conscious of the tight conversion and enrichment markets, they are expanding their focus to procuring U3O8.

Utilities and uranium producers generally contract in the term market, representing uranium sold under long-term, multi-year contracts with deliveries starting one to three years after the agreement is made. By contrast, a spot market contract is generally for one delivery priced at the time of purchase. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, uranium term contracting was suppressed for almost a decade. 2022 had the greatest volume of term contracting in a decade at 125 million pounds of U3O8e. 2023 YTD (as of September 30) is set to surpass this, with current term contracting at 121 million pounds of U3O8e.⁷

This increase in uranium term contracting should be viewed against a decade of underinvestment in uranium supply and decades of mine production that fell below world nuclear reactor requirements. The increased contracting has squeezed the market into a very tight state, and we believe it will continue to push uranium prices higher, incentivizing new production.

Notably, most term contracting YTD has been done by countries outside the U.S. However, U.S. contracting may be a future tailwind as the U.S. needs to replace inventory. Currently, the U.S. depends entirely on sourcing uranium from other countries for what represents the largest reactor requirements in the world, as shown in Figure 2. 

Figure 2. Uranium Production, Less Reactor Requirements, by Country

Source: World Nuclear Association. Production for 2022, reactor requirements estimate for 2023.

4. Uranium Supply Jitters Multiply

Although the strengthening uranium price is stimulating a supply response, recent developments underscore the complexities of introducing new supply streams and the importance of securing supply. Historically, uranium from Kazakhstan, the world’s top producer, was chiefly routed through Russia for Western markets. While this transit method persists, potential disruptions loom due to possible sanctions and challenges in shipping and insurance. Given that Kazakhstan accounts for 44% of global U3O8 production, any supply disturbances could profoundly affect the market.

Supply disruptions in this tight contracting market are having a significant impact. The coup d’état in Niger has drawn international sanctions against the military junta that has hampered logistics in the country and forced Orano to halt uranium processing in Niger.⁸ Though Orano is reported to have enough inventory to satisfy near-term commitments, the situation in Niger is still developing, and the potential for future disruptions in shipments amplifies the need for security of supply. In other supply news, Cameco has announced a 2.7-million-pound uranium shortfall for 2023 from its Cigar Lake and McArthur River miners.⁹

In response to the rising demand for uranium, NAC Kazatomprom JSC (Kazatomprom), the globe’s largest uranium producer, has declared an uptick in production. By 2025, it aims to fulfill 100% of its subsoil use contracts, marking the conclusion of seven years operating below contract ceilings. This move will boost Kazatomprom’s projected mine output in 2025 to 30,500-31,500 tonnes, up from the 20,500-21,500 tonnes forecasted for 2023.¹⁰ Kazatomprom has struggled to meet its production targets in recent years, given an ongoing shortage of sulphuric acid and piping. Given the industry’s current emphasis on diverse supply sources and geopolitical factors, we anticipate that a significant portion of Kazatomprom’s augmented production will cater to China and Russia rather than Western utilities.

In the long run, as existing mines are exhausted, the uranium supply will hinge more on the revival of dormant mines and the establishment of new ones. Recent challenges, such as those faced by Cameco and Peninsula Energy in restarting mines, or the delay in Global Atomic’s Dasa project in Niger, coupled with the lengthy 8- to 15-year timeline from discovery to production, underscore the industry’s struggle to ramp up uranium output.

Inventories have long played a role in balancing the market, but as Uranium Insider founder and publisher Justin Huhn put it, “the only inventory that exists right now in the world is strategic — this is held by nuclear utilities, and their inventories historically speaking are relatively low”.¹¹ Further, secondary supplies generally are forecasted to play a diminishing role by the World Nuclear Association. Current levels at 11-14% of reactor uranium requirements are moving to 4-11%.

The Long-Term Uranium Demand Thesis is Well Supported

Ultimately, the demand for uranium and nuclear energy is rooted in the need for electricity. According to a September International Energy Agency (IEA) report, global electricity demand may grow 164.66% by 2050, relative to 2022.¹² Electricity demand is expanding with population growth and as developing nations modernize and urbanize.

Growing Need for Cleaner Electricity

Furthermore, 97 countries representing 79.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions have communicated a 2050 net-zero emissions target.¹³ In order to fulfill these commitments and decarbonize, committed nations will have to transition their energy supply to low-emissions electricity. This means decarbonizing transport (i.e., transitioning to electric vehicles), heating and industry. Considering other positive factors, like technological advancements, enables us to believe that the demand for electricity will likely be well supported for decades.

The Nuclear Energy Renaissance

Given the positive electricity outlook, nuclear energy’s forecasted prevalence is the next step in uranium’s outlook. Historically, nuclear had significant growth from the 1970s to 1990s but then plateaued since 2000 (Figure 3). Going forward, the nuclear energy industry is forecasted to be ushered back into an era of increasing demand.

Figure 3. Nuclear Energy Generation in Gigawatts (GW)

Source: Ember data prior to 2022. Post 2021 from the IEA “Net Zero Roadmap: a Global Pathway to Keep the 1.5 °C Goal in Reach – 2023 Update”.

Other industry participants are even more bullish with a “Net Zero Nuclear” initiative launched in September calling for global nuclear capacity to triple by 2050.¹⁴ The case for greater nuclear generation has been building for some time. Nuclear energy is:

• Clean: producing similar CO₂ equivalent emissions to renewables
• Reliable: provides reliable baseload energy to offset intermittency from increasing renewable energy sources
• Efficient: high energy density reducing the impact of extraction and transport
• Safe: nuclear energy’s impeccable long-term safety track record is gaining acceptance

Nations have been planning to decarbonize and realize they need reliable baseload power, which nuclear is primed to provide (see Figure 4). After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many European countries realized how problematic reliance on Russian natural gas was and that nuclear power offered greater energy security.

Figure 4. Public Acceptance for Nuclear Power, 2011 vs. 2022

Source: Source: TradeTech. Data as of 12/31/2022.

These realizations have resulted in an increased appetite for nuclear reactors, and there now are 60 under construction and another 110 planned globally, relative to 436 operating today.¹⁵ Notably, China accounts for a significant portion of these, with 24 under construction and 44 planned. China may be leading the development of new reactors, but significant demand is attributable to other countries due to reactor extensions and restarts.

Extending the Life of Existing Nuclear Plants and Restarts

Most nuclear power plants have an operating lifetime of 25 to 40 years, but many can be extended to 60 years or, in the U.S., 80. For example, the U.S.’s Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant has been in operation since 1985 and was scheduled to close by 2025, but regulators gave an extension to operate for five more years.¹⁶ Further, Pacific Gas & Electric is seeking permission to operate for up to 20 additional years. The extensions of planned operating lifetimes incrementally increase the demand for uranium. The Nuclear Fuel Report stated that upward of 140 reactors could be subject to extended operation in the period to 2040.¹⁷

Nuclear reactor restarts have also contributed to the increasing demand for uranium. Many countries have now made U-turns in their nuclear energy policies and are restarting reactors that were closed in the decade past. The quintessential example of this is Japan. Japan has restarted 11 nuclear reactors, and another 16 are at various stages in the process of restart approval.¹⁸ Japan was not the only example of a country reversing its nuclear energy policy. South Korea fully reversed its nuclear phaseout policy and expanded its program.

Overall, positive sentiment toward nuclear energy has been growing for some time, and we believe it is likely to persist in the decades to come. With support for the nuclear industry increasing, we expect that market participants will have to shift their psychology to contend with higher demand for uranium supporting higher prices. Utilities may not be able to complacently draw down existing inventories in the hope that uranium prices will come down. Over the long term, increased demand in the face of an uncertain uranium supply may likely support a sustained bull market (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Uranium Bull Market Continues (1968-2023)
Please click here to see an enlarged chart.

Note: A “bull market” refers to a condition of financial markets where prices are generally rising. A “bear market” refers to a condition of financial markets where prices are generally falling.
Source: TradeTech. Data as of 09/30/2023. TradeTech is the leading independent provider of uranium prices and nuclear fuel market information. The uranium prices in this chart dating back to 1968 are sourced exclusively from TradeTech; visit https://www.uranium.info/.

Appendix A. The Uranium Fuel Cycle

Source: Sprott Asset Management.

U₃O₈, commonly referred to as “yellowcake,” is a product of the first stage of the nuclear fuel cycle and is derived from mined uranium ore. Before it can be used in nuclear reactors, U₃O₈ undergoes a series of processes:

• Conversion to UF₆ (Uranium Hexafluoride): U₃O₈ is typically converted to UF₆ in preparation for enrichment. This is because UF₆ is gaseous at relatively low temperatures, facilitating the isotopic separation process used in enrichment.
• Enrichment: The natural concentration of the fissile isotope, U-235, in U3O8 is approximately 0.7%. Most commercial nuclear reactors require uranium to be enriched to a U-235 concentration of about 3-5%. This enrichment is done with gaseous UF₆.
• Conversion to UO₂ (Uranium Dioxide): After enrichment, UF₆ is converted to UO₂. This uranium dioxide is then processed and fabricated into fuel pellets, which are subsequently loaded into fuel rods for use in nuclear reactors.

Source: World Nuclear Association.

BY JACOB WHITE | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023

Footnotes

1	The U3O8 uranium spot price is measured by a proprietary composite of U3O8 spot prices from UxC, S&P Platts and Numerco.
2	The 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”).
3	The Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners™ Index (NSURNJ™) was co-developed by Nasdaq® (the “Index Provider”) and Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”). The Index Provider and Adviser co-developed the methodology for determining the securities to be included in the Index and the Index Provider is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Index.
4	The 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.
5	The S&P 500 or Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies.

KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSXV:DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), (“Diamcor” or the “Company”), a well-established Canadian diamond mining company with a proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds announces that the Company intends to complete a term loan financing (the “Financing”) of up to CDN$5,000,000. Term loans under the Financing will be unsecured with a 36-month term and will carry an annual interest rate of 10% with interest only payments required at 12 and 24 months. The principal and remaining interest of the Term Loans will be due and payable on the 36-month anniversary of the closing date. The Company will issue one (1) bonus share in its authorized share capital for every CDN$1.00 of principal advanced, along with one (1) share purchase warrant for every CDN$1.00 of principal advanced under the Financing by participants/lenders pursuant to Policy 5.1 of the TSX Venture Exchange Corporate Finance Manual. Each share purchase warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class “A” Voting Common share in its authorized capital at a price of $0.25 per share for a period of 36 months.

The proceeds from the Financing will be used for general corporate purposes, the deployment of additional operational equipment to support increased processing volumes, the continued advancement of the work programmes currently underway at the Company’s Krone-Endora at Venetia Project, and to provide the Company with additional working capital to offset the time frames associated with the tendering and sale of rough diamonds.

The Financing is subject to regulatory approval of the TSX Venture Exchange along with completion of all definitive documentation and filings as required. All securities issued pursuant to the above will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day following the closing.

About Diamcor Mining Inc.

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

About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance

The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world-famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at market prices. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing in an effort to advance the Project as quickly as possible. Tiffany & Co. is now owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH), a publicly traded company which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) under the symbol LVMH and on the OTC under the symbol LVMHF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.

About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project

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

Qualified Person Statement:

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

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

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

For further information contact:

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

For Investor Relations contact:

Mr. Rich Matthews		Mr. Neil Simon
Integrous Communications		Investor Cubed Inc
+1 (604) 355-7179		+1 (647) 258-3310

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

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

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

SOURCE: Diamcor Mining Inc.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Morien Resources Corp. (“Morien” or the “Company“) (TSX-V:MOX), today provides an update on the Donkin Coal Mine (“Donkin” or the “Mine”) in Nova Scotia, owned and operated by Kameron Collieries LLC (“Kameron”), upon which Morien has a 2% to 4% royalty interest.

On September 27, 2023, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (“DOL”), the province’s regulator for the Mine, announced that an independent engineer has been contracted by DOL, via a 30-day contract, to complete a technical review of the Donkin Mine. This review is actively underway.

Morien welcomes this effort by DOL to bring resolution to a 75-day Stop Work Order at Donkin for a roof fall incident that occurred on July 15, 2023, that was subsequently ameliorated by Kameron on July 27 and where no workers were injured, nor any equipment damaged.

As detailed in prior Morien news releases, a roof fall occurred in one of Donkin’s two access tunnels. The access tunnels were installed at Donkin in the late 1980’s by DEVCO, a former federal Crown corporation. In keeping with Kameron’s safety protocols, it made a proactive decision to implement a comprehensive remediation program which included extensive roof bolting over the full length of the 3.5-kilometre-long access tunnel in order to safeguard against future falls. That program commenced on July 19 and ended on July 27.

Morien will provide more information as it becomes available.

About Morien

Morien is a Canada based, mining development company that holds royalty interests in two tidewater accessed projects. The Donkin Coal Mine re-commenced production during the third quarter of 2022 and royalties to Morien have commenced. The Black Point Aggregate Project is permitted, and although production has not begun, Morien is receiving advanced minimum royalty payments on a quarterly basis. Morien’s management team exercises ruthless discipline in managing both the assets and liabilities of the Company. The Company’s management and its Board of Directors consider shareholder returns to be paramount over corporate size, number or scale of assets and industry recognition. The Company has 51,292,000 issued and outstanding common shares and a fully diluted position of 54,192,000. Further information is available at www.MorienRes.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release may constitute “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable securities laws. These statements reflect Morien’s current expectations of future revenues and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to Morien. Morien cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Morien currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Morien with the Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) from time to time. Morien cautions that its royalty revenue will be based on production by third party property owners and operators who will be responsible for determining the manner and timing for the properties forming part of Morien’s royalty portfolio. These third party owners and operators are also subject to risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted herein including: volatility in financial markets or general economic conditions; capital requirements and the need for additional financing; fluctuations in the rates of exchange for the currencies of Canada and the United States; prices for commodities including coal and aggregate; unanticipated changes in production, mineral reserves and mineral resources, metallurgical recoveries and/or exploration results; changes in regulations and unpredictable political or economic developments; loss of key personnel; labour disputes; and ineffective title to mineral claims or property. There are other business risks and hazards associated with mineral exploration, development and mining. Although Morien believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is based on reasonable assumptions (including assumptions relating to economic, market and political conditions, the Company’s working capital requirements and the accuracy of information supplied by the operators of the properties in which the Company has a royalty interest), readers cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Morien expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All dollar values discussed herein are in Canadian dollars. Any financial outlook or future-oriented financial information in this news release, as defined by applicable securities laws, has been approved by management of Morien as of the date of this news release. Such financial outlook or future-oriented financial information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such outlook or information should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed in this news release.

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

For more information, please contact:

Dawson Brisco, President & CEO
Phone: (902) 403-3149
dbrisco@MorienRes.com
or
John P.A. Budreski, Executive Chairman
Phone: (416) 930-0914
www.MorienRes.com