The US Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing both metals be included in the redrafted critical minerals list. The list has grown from 35 to 50 since the last iteration in 2018, but that largely reflects the splitting out of rare earth elements and precious group metals into separate entities.
Four minerals – helium, potash, rhenium, and strontium – have been dropped. The United States is the world’s leading producer and net exporter of helium, while import dependency for the other three is mitigated by “low disruption potential”. Uranium was also dropped after being reclassified as a “mineral fuel”.
Nickel and zinc are the only two new additions, and each reflects an evolution of the methodology used to determine whether a mineral is critical to the well-being of the US economy.
Single point of failure
According to the USGS, the United States relies on refined nickel imports for around half of its annual consumption.
The top three suppliers last year were Canada (42%), Norway (10%) and Finland (9%) – all deemed “friendly” countries.
This relatively benign supply profile kept nickel off the critical minerals list in the past.
But it’s now included for two reasons.
Firstly, the USGS has expanded its criticality criteria to look beyond trade dependency to domestic supply, particularly what it calls “single points of failure”.
There is currently only one domestic operating nickel mine in the United States – the Eagle mine in Michigan – which exports concentrates for overseas refining.
There is a single producer of nickel sulphate, but only as a by-product of precious group metals production.
This limited domestic nickel production base was also highlighted in the Biden Administration’s 100-day review of critical supply chains, which recommended the government should invest as a priority in a new nickel refinery.
The second reason is nickel’s changing usage profile from alloy in stainless steel production to chemical component in electric vehicle batteries.
The combination of limited, single-point-of-failure domestic supply and the expected demand growth from battery manufacturers makes “a compelling case for inclusion” of nickel in the critical minerals list, the USGS noted.
Or, as the supply-chain review put it, not having enough battery-grade nickel “poses a supply chain risk for battery manufacturing globally, not just in the United States”.
Zinc concentration
The United States’ domestic supply chain of zinc is less fragile.
The country has 14 operating mines and three smelter facilities, one primary and two secondary, one of which resumed operations in 2020 after several years of inactivity.
However, the country’s refined zinc import dependency is relatively high. Imports of 710,000 tonnes last year represented 83% of domestic consumption, according to the USGS.
Global supply trends make this problematic.
“For zinc, global mine and smelter production concentration has increased notably during the past few decades,” the USGS said, adding that “this change has been driven mainly by increased production in China”.
Part of the thinking behind the latest critical minerals list is moving the analysis beyond simple import dependency to encompass broader global supply trends.
The more supply is concentrated in one country, the higher the potential risk factor, particularly if that country is designated a mineral competitor, as is the case with China.
Zinc’s supply risk is now above the 0.40 threshold used by the USGS to help determine criticality at 0.48.
Top of the supply-risk table are gallium, niobium and cobalt, followed by several rare earth elements.
Aluminum lies in eighth place with a score of 0.60, thanks to the concentration of smelting in China, and tin is also on the supply risk spectrum with a score of 0.50.
A continuum of supply risk
The USGS stresses that falling below the 0.40 cut-off point doesn’t mean there is no supply risk.
“The metrics developed with (the new) methodology are best viewed as a continuum of supply risk”, and one which is continuously moving as global supply chains for each commodity evolve, it said.
Out of the major industrial metals traded on the London Metal Exchange, only two are now not deemed critical minerals by the United States.
Copper has a low supply-risk profile due to a large domestic mining, smelting and recycling industry.
Lead is more interestingly poised on the USGS supply-risk table with a score of 0.39, just below the cut-off point, again due to a growing concentration of global mining and smelting capacity in China.
None of these industrial metals feature on the European Union’s critical minerals list.
In part that’s a reflection of Europe’s domestic production base both at the mining and smelting level.
But in part it may be because the USGS is ahead of its European peers in analysing global supply patterns and the resulting potential threats to critical minerals availability.
Nickel and zinc may not spring to mind when most people think of critical minerals, but as far as the United States is concerned, they both are.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 1, 2021 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the results of work completed by Sedgman Canada and Mining Plus on the Company’s Carmacks copper-gold-silver deposit in the Minto Copper Belt located in central Yukon, Canada. The Company has received a final report on studies that include review of alternate leach technologies, mine planning, ore sorting and other key elements which are expected to be highly influential on the updated preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) planned for H1 2022.
Highlights include:
Excellent results from initial metallurgical testing on sulfide material;
Confirmation of in tank leaching as the preferred method of extraction of both copper and precious metals from oxide ores;
Identification of conventional flotation as the preferred method of producing a copper concentrate from sulfide ores;
Development of a draft underground mine plan, with sub-level block cave as the preferred underground mining method at Carmacks;
Granite Creek President & CEO, Tim Johnson, stated, “We are extraordinarily pleased with the results provided by Sedgman and Mining Plus and the degree of efficiency, expertise and professionalism they have demonstrated since Granite Creek initially engaged them in May of this year. The studies have provided a great deal of new insight and clarity on the best path forward as we continue to advance Carmacks toward updated economics and, ultimately, production. We are very confident that these elements of mine planning and optimization, combined with the updated 43-101 mineral resource estimate we anticipate in Q1, will form the basis of a robust new PEA. The Yukon is an exceptional mining jurisdiction, the Minto belt has excellent infrastructure and robust mineralization currently being mined by Minto Metals Corp. just to the north of us who are now publicly traded on the Venture Exchange. We look forward to additional announcements soon as the pieces continue to fall into place at Carmacks.”
Virtual Investor Conference – OTC Markets Group
Granite Creek will be presenting at the upcoming Mining & Metals Virtual Investor Conference hosted by OTC Markets Group on Wednesday, December 8th at 11:30 AM PT / 2:30 PM ET. Topics of discussion will include the Company’s 2021 drilling campaign, the mine planning and mineral processing results described herein, and implications for the expected updates to both the existing 43-101 mineral resource estimate and PEA. To register, click here.
Sedgman / Mining Plus Report Discussion
An initial review of geotechnical studies as referenced in the 2017 PEA1,2, has indicated that a sub-level block cave is likely the most cost-effective method of underground mining of Zone 1 at the Carmacks Deposit. Based on this, Granite Creek will now move to initiate costing studies to support an updated PEA that includes potential underground resources not only in Zone 1 but other adjacent zones. In addition, the Company will launch pit design and optimization efforts on mineralized zones that lie outside of the pit contemplated in the 2017 PEA. Specifically, Zones 2000S and 13 will see pit optimization scenarios that will determine how much material could potentially be mined via open pit and what portion of the resources will be extracted by underground mining methods.
Metallurgical testing of sulfide mineralization to determine recovery of copper minerals using conventional flotation technology to create a copper concentrate was highly successful, achieving copper recoveries of up to 95%. Further testing is planned to confirm these recovery rates and to add gold and silver to a concentrate scenario. This work will be used identify the correct sizing of a copper-gold-silver concentrator circuit and the associated economics.
Previous economic assessments did not consider the potential value from processing of the high-grade sulphide material at Carmacks, despite a defined sulfide resource. In conducting a comprehensive review of the Carmacks deposit and the Carmacks North target area, the presence of significant sulfide mineralization became immediately apparent and Granite Creek felt it prudent to examine its potential inclusion as a means to expand the overall resource, extend mine life and improve economics. The majority of the Company’s 2021 drilling campaign focused on delineating and expanding sulfide resources with both near surface and deeper targets explored. Both oxide and sulphide mineralized zones remain open to expansion, with a significant expansion of the sulphide resource anticipated in the upcoming resource estimate update in Q1 2022. The updated PEA will incorporate this expanded resource and will include review of the mining sequence including an assessment of whether any sulfide resources may be mined via open pit and the optimal sequence for sulfide flotation and oxide leaching.
Table 1. Current Mineral Resource Estimate on the Carmacks Copper Project1,2
Category
Tonnes (000)
Cu (%)
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Oxide & Transition Mineralization
Measured
6,484
0.86
0.41
4.24
Indicated
9,206
0.97
0.36
3.80
M&I
15,690
0.94
0.38
3.97
Inferred
913
0.45
0.12
1.90
Sulphide Mineralization
Measured
1,381
0.64
0.19
2.17
Indicated
6,687
0.69
0.17
2.34
M&I
8,068
0.68
0.18
2.33
Inferred
8,407
0.63
0.15
1.99
[1] JDS Energy and Mining. Feb 9, 2017. NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Carmacks Project, Yukon, Canada. Contained metal based on 23.76 million tonnes of NI 43-101 compliant resources in the Measured and Indicated categories grading 0.85% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.14 g/t Ag.
[2] Arseneau Consulting Services, 2016 Independent Technical Report on the Carmacks Copper Project, Yukon, Canada.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
Ms. Debbie James, P.Geo., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 1, 2021) – Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY)(“Riverside” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the repatriation of its 3 projects in the Beardmore-Geraldton Greenstone Belt (“BGGB”) in Ontario, Canada. In February 2021, Riverside offered the sale of its portfolio to iMetal Resources Inc. (“iMetal”). The Purchase Agreement was contingent upon a series of conditions which were not completed. At this time both parties have mutually agreed to dissolve the transaction and Riverside has now retained 100% ownership of the project portfolio of: Oakes, Longrose and Pichette located in the well-endowed and prolific BGGB. The recovery of these projects occurs at an opportune time for Riverside, particularly since the region is experiencing a renaissance in mining activity. Specifically, the recent launch of construction at the Greenstone Mine (an Equinox Gold / Orion Joint Venture) near the town of Geraldton, which bodes extremely well for Riverside’s own projects which are located along the trans-Canada highway and in close proximity to the Greenstone Mine.
During the past 7 months Riverside acted as exploration operator completing a summer field program. During the agreement with iMetal, Riverside more than doubled the induced polarization survey (IP) grid as well as conducted a focused sampling and mapping program along the survey grid at the Oakes Gold Project.
Highlights of the BGGB portfolio can be found in the press release dated February 10, 2021, which summarizes the previous work done at Oakes and also Riverside’s work on the three properties (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Riverside’s 3 projects in the Geraldton-Beardmore gold belt shown in red along 90 km trend
Riverside’s President and CEO, John-Mark Staude:“Regaining control of this three-project portfolio of further de-risked gold properties near the developing Greenstone Gold Mine provides Riverside with a unique opportunity to advance exploration ourselves. Drill target generation progressed this summer, we have a drill permit in hand and will start with further exploration work at Oakes with a view towards drilling initial targets there during 2022.”
Oakes Project:
Riverside acquired the BGGB portfolio in 2019, through a staking program with the opportunity to secure open ground in a prolific gold belt in northwestern Ontario adjacent to the Greenstone Gold Mine, a large gold resource and near-term future mining operation. Since 2019, Riverside’s technical teams have progressed and defined a large undrilled exploration target through the compilation of historical work including high grade gold drill and trench results, and an IP survey. Riverside controls a total of 55 km2 (5,544 hectares) at the Oakes Project, which is defined as being the most advanced project within the recovered BGGB portfolio. The latest exploration work included defining drill targets over a 2.3 km long IP anomaly corresponding to approximately 30% of the property explored as presented below.
The 2021 IP survey included a total of 12 line-km with the intention to identifying continuity to the east and west of the known mineralized system. These new geophysical results show an increased anomaly from 600 m length to a total of 2.2 km with continuity of the anomaly from the 2010 IP1 grid to the 2021 grid extension. Recent field work from Riverside’s team aimed to verify the IP anomalies on the ground looking for any potential associated evidence of mineralization and collect samples (pending).
At least three targets have been described as presented below, all of them drill-ready:
High Grade (“HG”) target reporting up to 31.9 g/t Au at surface (see press release July 29, 2019)
Brinklow target reporting a sample of 0.8 g/t Au
Crib target with sample assays pending
The high chargeability anomalies are not restricted along strike, neither to the west nor the east side, leaving the possibility for extension beyond the 2.2 km three parallel chargeable corridors. This will allow for additional exploration follow up in 2022 heading toward drilling.
Figure 2: Normalized chargeability (IP) combined 2010 (Golden Chalice, 2010) and Riverside 2021 covering about 30% of the Oakes Project. Anomalies presented as targets are understood to be related to geological features/variations, all of interest potentially related to mineralization. Overall, IP anomalies strike at Az100. Assay results are from Riverside’s field work in 2019.
Moving forward, Riverside wishes to advance the project with a drill program. De-risking has allowed the company to build confidence for additional project investment. The company is also very pleased to have the projects back into its current portfolio, setting up new opportunities to move ahead in a belt that sees substantial mining investment now with the Equinox Gold / Orion Mine Finance partnership on building a large new gold mine operation at Greenstone near the Company’s property holdings.
Options Grant
On November 16, 2021 the Company granted 1,000,000 incentive stock options (the “Options”) to Directors, Officers and Consultants of the Company. The Options are exercisable at $0.16 per share for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. Options granted to individuals in their capacity as a Director vest in 3 equal instalments over 18 months and Options granted to Officers and Consultants vest in 4 equal instalments over 12 months. The Options were granted pursuant to the Company’s shareholder-approved stock option plan and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and any applicable regulatory hold periods.
Qualified Person & QA/QC:
The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources, who is responsible for ensuring that the geologic information provided within this news release is accurate and who acts as a “qualified person” under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
All data represented here from historical reporting, including but not limited to, drill results and resource estimates are historical in nature and require caution readers as the vintage work.
About Riverside Resources Inc.:
Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has over $5M in cash, no debt and less than 72M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets and royalties in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside’s own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has properties available for option, with information available on the Company’s website at www.rivres.com.
ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.
“John-Mark Staude”
Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO
For additional information contact:
John-Mark Staude President, CEO Riverside Resources Inc. info@rivres.com Phone: (778) 327-6671 Fax: (778) 327-6675 Web: www.rivres.com
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., “expect”,” estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”). Such information involves known and unknown risks — including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 1, 2021 / Noram Lithium Corp. (“Noram” or the “Company”) (TSX.V:NRM)(Frankfurt:N7R)(OTCQB:NRVTF) today announced the appointment of Peter A. Ball as President and Chief Operating Officer. The addition of Mr. Ball strengthens Noram’s Senior Management team as its 100%-owned Zeus Lithium Project in Nevada continues to transition from an advanced exploration project to a potential company-making development-stage asset with the imminent completion of its Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”).
“We are excited to have Mr. Ball join our team as we transition from explorer to developer,” stated Mr. Sandy MacDougall, CEO of Noram Lithium. “Peter is an experienced capital markets executive and brings with him field experience from years in the mining sector. Peter adds considerable strength to our management team as we advance our Zeus Lithium Project toward production.”
“I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at Noram Lithium at this key transformational period of the Company’s advancement of its 100% owned high-grade Zeus Lithium Project,”commented Mr. Peter A. Ball, Noram’s new President and COO.“I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Noram’s lithium development story and leverage the current global battery metals bull market. At Noram, we are executing an aggressive and focused resource development strategy to fully understand the economics of the Zeus Lithium Project. We believe the upcoming PEA, which is anticipated to be completed before the end of 2021, will clearly highlight to the market and global lithium and battery metal investors that the Zeus Project has the potential to not only reach the production stage, but significantly assist battery metal end-users tackle the demand/supply crunch clearly evident over the next decade and beyond. The Zeus Project’s resource model indicates a high-grade shallow lithium deposit located in Nevada, one of the top mining jurisdictions globally, and is also immediately adjacent to the only Lithium producer in United States. I look forward to contributing to what will be Noram’s biggest year ahead as we focus on aggressively elevating the Zeus Lithium Project amongst our peers and rewarding our supportive shareholders.”
Mr. Ball brings a progressive track record of proven leadership experience covering more than thirty years in the mining and finance sectors. He has demonstrated competencies in the resource industry on an international level, leveraging senior executive management roles in business, engineering, finance, and securities. Mr. Ball has served in various management and senior executive roles for numerous companies most recently in Nevada at NV Gold Corp., and including Redstar Gold Corp., Columbus Gold Corp., Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting, Echo Bay Mines Ltd., RBC Dominion Securities and Eldorado Gold Corp. Mr. Ball is a graduate of the Haileybury School of Mines, Georgian Business College and is a member of CIMM.
Noram has granted 1,000,000 incentive stock options to an officer and consultant of the Company. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.77 per share for a period of ten (10) years, expiring on November 30, 2031. All options granted are in accordance with the Company’s 10% Rolling Stock Option Plan, and subject to TSX Venture acceptance.
About Noram Lithium Corp.
Noram Lithium Corp (TSX.V:NRM)(Frankfurt:N7R)(OTCQB:NRVTF) is a Canadian based advanced Lithium exploration stage company. Noram is aggressively advancing its 100%-owned Zeus Lithium Project in Nevada from the current advanced resource stage to the development-stage level through the completion of its Preliminary Economic Assessment by the end of 2021. The Company’s flagship asset is the Zeus Lithium Project (“Zeus”), located in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The Zeus Project contains a current 43-101 measured and indicated resource estimate of 363 million tonnes grading 923 ppm lithium, and an inferred resource of 827 million tonnes grading 884 ppm lithium utilizing a 400 ppm Li cut-off.
Noram’s long term strategy is to become a leader in the development of lithium deposits, become a low-cost producer and supplier, and sell lithium into the markets of Europe, North America and Asia.
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 may contain forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding, among other things, the completion transactions completed in the Agreement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, regulatory approval processes. Although Noram believes that the assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, including that all necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained in a timely manner, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Noram disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
YERINGTON, Nev., Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF)(FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) today provided an update on its operations, including advances at the Company’s underground mine at its Pumpkin Hollow Project (the “Underground Mine”) and an update on its 2022 development plan.
Underground Mine Operations Highlights
Lateral Development Rates Continue to Rise. The Company has advanced approximately 760 lateral equivalent feet in the past 30 days, a 20% increase in average daily footage from the previous 30 days. Lateral development continues on multiple headings, providing access to ore mining zones in the East South orebody and advancing development towards the East North orebody.
Sugar Cube to be Blasted Shortly. The high-grade Sugar Cube zone is planned to be drilled in December and mining is expected to commence in early Q1 2022. This will be the first stope mined in the East North orebody, which is expected to have higher quality ground conditions and significantly larger stope sizes.
Processing Plant Operating Well. The mill continues to run at design specifications with the grinding, flotation, thickening, and concentrate filtration circuits performing well mechanically. The Company anticipates increased production and recovery rates with the addition of the Sugar Cube zone to the processing plant’s ore feed in Q1 2022.
Surface Ventilation Fans on Schedule. The surface ventilation fans are on schedule to arrive on site in approximately 3 weeks with installation and commissioning expected to be completed on time in line with the demands of the mine plan.
2022 Development Plan Update
Open Pit Drilling and Progressing. With additional funding received from the Company’s recent public equity offering, the Company intends to undertake an infill drilling campaign and to update its open pit studies to reflect opportunities for increased scale, larger resource and other optimization workstreams. Further updates on the Company’s 2022 development plan will be released shortly.
“I am pleased with the operational advances we have achieved this month, as we build on the progress from Q3,” stated Randy Buffington, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our development rates continue to increase on a weekly basis and will soon provide access to the larger high-grade stopes, which is expected to result in increased ore feed delivered to our fully operational processing plant for a step further in our ramp-up progression.”
Qualified Persons The technical information and data in this news release was reviewed by Greg French, C.P.G., VP Head of Exploration of Nevada Copper, and Neil Schunke, P.Eng., a consultant to Nevada Copper, who are non-independent Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101.
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.
NEVADA COPPER CORP. www.nevadacopper.com
Randy Buffington, President and CEO
For further information contact: Rich Matthews, Investor Relations Integrous Communications rmatthews@integcom.us +1 604 757 7179
Cautionary Language
This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information 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 statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to mine development, production and ramp-up objectives, equipment installation, drilling programs and the completion of a new feasibility study.
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: the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 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 rates increase; 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; labor 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; 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, 2020 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 18, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking information or statements are stated as of the date hereof. Nevada Copper disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding Nevada Copper’s business contained in Nevada Copper’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. 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 statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on Nevada Copper and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review Nevada Copper’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Nevada Copper 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.
Plan View Map showing the location of the project within the Tintina Gold Province.
Plan View Map showing the location of the project within the Tintina Gold Province.
Figure 2
Plan View Map of Felix Gold land holdings in relation to the City of Fairbanks, Kinross’ Fort Knox Mine and Gil satellite mine, and Freegold Ventures Golden Summit / Cleary Hill gold deposit.
Plan View Map of Felix Gold land holdings in relation to the City of Fairbanks, Kinross’ Fort Knox Mine and Gil satellite mine, and Freegold Ventures Golden Summit / Cleary Hill gold deposit.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Millrock Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MRO, OTCQB: MLRKF) (“Millrock” or the “Company”) is pleased to have received notice from Felix Gold that it has lodged a prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The filing initiates the process by which Felix Gold may become a publicly-traded company on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”). If successful under the proposed schedule the company shares would begin trading in January 2022. Depending on the concurrent capital raise, Felix Gold would have between AUD$10 million and AUD$13 million in their treasury, with much of that funding to be directed to exploration of the mineral claims that have been contributed by Millrock and/or staked or acquired by Felix Gold in the Fairbanks Mining District. Upon successful IPO and capital raise, Millrock will be entitled to a payment of Felix Gold shares. It is anticipated that the ASX will impose a mandatory restriction on the disposal of these shares of up to two years. Readers are cautioned that the share payment will only be made if the IPO is successfully completed.
Millrock President and CEO Gregory Beischer commented: “This is great news for Millrock and its shareholders. Depending on the amount of money raised in the IPO, Millrock will receive Felix Gold shares with an initial value ranging between approximately US$1.7 million and US$1.9 million. Additionally, Millrock will be entitled to production royalties on all of the claims comprising the current extensive property position and on future claims that may be acquired within a large Area of Interest surrounding the Fairbanks Mining District. Millrock will be entitled to Advanced Minimum Royalty payments that begin January 2022. Some excellent targets have been developed over the past year, while Felix Gold was an unlisted company. With a strong treasury and a robust 2022 budget, Felix Gold will have a great chance to make new gold discoveries and expand the gold resource at the Grant Mine. Any exploration success should result in strong appreciation of the Felix Gold shares that Millrock will hold, and also should support Millrock’s share price.”
As reported in a January 12, 2021 press release, Millrock assigned Felix all of its rights in the Fairbanks area Ester Dome and Treasure Creek properties. It had held these rights for several years under agreements with prospectors. The Fairbanks Mining District is located within the prolific Tintina Gold Province, which spans Alaska and Yukon.
The Felix Gold prospectus indicates that (assuming the IPO and capital raise is successful) Millrock will be issued a minimum of 9,957,157 and a maximum of 11,442,384 Felix Gold shares at an IPO price of AUD$0.25 with an indicative initial value ranging between AUD$2,249,289 (CDN$2,047,389) and AUD$2,860,596 (CDN$2,603,491). The number of shares to be issued is dependent on the amount of capital raised. The shares will only be issued to Millrock if the IPO and capital raise is successfully completed.
Since signing the initial agreements in January 2021, the Felix Gold team, working in collaboration with Millrock, significantly expanded the claim package, targeting areas that appeared to have high potential based on a systematic evaluation of public data and Millrock’s proprietary database. A large soil sampling effort was carried out in 2021. More than 3,000 soil samples were collected using power augers which allow for the collection of soil at the bedrock – overburden interface. Overlying overburden in the Fairbanks area often consists of very fine grained windblown sediments with or without permafrost making traditional soil geochemical surveys less effective. This work has served to identify strongly anomalous areas on the Treasure Creek project with three main prospects: NW Array, Scrafford, and Eastgate. The survey also identified strong anomalies at the Northeast Fairbanks portion of the project, which is proximal to Kinross’ Fort Knox gold mine, the satellite Gil deposit recently put into production by Kinross, and the Golden Summit / Cleary Hill deposit, which is being actively explored by Freegold Ventures Limited with strong success.
Felix Gold has examined data from the former-producing Grant Mine upon which they have an option to purchase a 100% interest. As a result of the data analysis, Felix Gold has been able to calculate a gold resource that is compliant with the Australia Joint Ore Reserves Committee (“JORC”) standards that govern such calculations in Australia (source: INDEPENDENT GEOLOGIST’S REPORTS ON FELIX GOLD LIMITED’S MINERAL EXPLORATION PROJECTS IN ALASKA, Prepared by Independent Geologist Mr. Ian Taylor of Mining Associates Pty Ltd., October 15, 2021).
The independent geologist’s report is appended to the Felix Gold prospectus and reports the following:
Inferred Mineral Resource estimate (JORC 2012) for Grant Mine of 5.8 million tonnes @ 1.95 grams per tonne gold for 364,000 ounces of contained gold including an underground resource of 136,000 ounces of gold grading 6.2 grams of gold per tonne.
And also: Grant Mine Exploration Target (JORC 2012) of 5.6 million tonnes to 6.6 million tonnes at a grade of 1.9 grams per tonne gold to 2.1 grams per tonne gold for 338,000 to 545,000 ounces of gold (exclusive of the Mineral Resource).
Note: The NI43-101 standards are the standards to which Millrock must adhere as a TSX Venture Exchange issuer, and the Australia JORC standards are those to which Felix Gold must comply as an Australian issuer. The JORC standards are robust, similar and parallel to the NI43-101 standards. JORC (2012) is defined as an ‘acceptable foreign code’ under NI43-101 reporting standards and the definition and classification of Mineral Resources are essentially the same as the NI43-101 Canadian Institute of Mining Definition standards. The Millrock qualified person has not independently verified the drill hole data, drill core, and estimation methodology as reported by Felix.
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.
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, holds royalty interests in British Columbia, Canada, and Sonora State, Mexico, is a significant shareholder of junior explorer ArcWest Exploration Inc. and owns a large shareholding in Resolution Minerals 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, 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: Melanee Henderson, Investor Relations 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 the successful completion of an IPO and capital raise by Felix Gold and the intention to mount further exploration including drilling in 2022. 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.
November 29, 2021 – Vancouver, BC – Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF; FSE: 5D32) (the “Company” or “>Group Ten”) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Definitive Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Heritage Mining Ltd. (“Heritage”) per the binding Letter of Intent (the “LOI”) announced August 26, 2021. By the terms of the Agreement, and subject to the earn-in requirements specified therein, Heritage can acquire up to a 90% interest in Group Ten’s Black Lake-Drayton gold project (the “Property”) in Ontario, Canada.
Group Ten also announces that it has initiated the exploration program required by the Agreement, with a focus on advancing and refining existing targets identified in past campaigns, as well as advancing new targets. To this end, the 2021 program includes re-sampling of core from 1996-2002 drill campaigns programs at the Moretti, Dragfold, and Bonanza targets, focused prospecting in areas of interest identified by the 2017 geophysical modelling and interpretation report, and a basal till sampling program intended to expand upon successful 2018 and 2020 programs.
Group Ten President and CEO, Michael Rowley stated, “We are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the first in what we expect will ultimately become a series of deals whereby Group Ten begins to realize value for our non-core assets. Black Lake-Drayton, like our Kluane Ni-Cu-PGE project, is a high-quality brownfields project that is district-scale in size and 100%-owned by the Company. The Agreement with Heritage Mining provides Group Ten with significant exposure to the gold market while allowing us to focus on our 100%-owned Stillwater West project in Montana, where we see terrific potential to expand our recent inaugural resource estimates of first-world nickel, copper, palladium, platinum, rhodium, gold and cobalt. Core from 2021 resource expansion drilling at Stillwater West is progressing through the assay lab and we look forward to a series of news releases announcing results starting in the coming weeks, as well as updates on other initiatives including our work in carbon sequestration.”
Heritage Mining’s CEO, Peter Schloo stated, “It is rare that a project of this size and quality becomes available, and we appreciate Group Ten’s faith in our ability to add significant shareholder value in a timely manner. We are very excited about the Black Lake-Drayton project and look forward to developing the property in a systematic manner. This is a pivotal point in Heritage Mining’s path, and we look forward to the future. We anticipate a go-public listing shortly, pending market conditions.”
Upcoming Events
Live Webinar – Amvest Capital
Group Ten Metals President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will provide an overview and update on the Company and our flagship Stillwater West battery metals and platinum group elements project during a live webinar event hosted by Amvest Capital on Monday, November 29th at 13:05 PT / 16:05 ET. To register, click here.
Virtual Investor Conference – OTC Markets Group
Group Ten has been invited to present at the upcoming Mining & Metals Virtual Investor Conference hosted by OTC Markets Group on Wednesday, December 8th at 12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET. Topics of discussion will include the Company’s recently announced NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, the 2021 expansion drill campaign, and upcoming, near-term catalysts. To register, click here.
Terms of the Heritage Mining Definitive Agreement
Under the terms of the Agreement, Heritage may acquire a 90% undivided interest in the Property by making payments totaling 7.2 million shares and CAD $300,000 in cash to Group Ten, completing exploration and development work totaling CAD $5 million on the Property, granting Group Ten a 10% carried interest in the Property through completion of a feasibility study, and completing other requirements including potential success-based discovery payments, as detailed below:
Heritage shall issue 2,800,000 shares to Group Ten within ten (10) business days of obtaining a public listing on a specified exchange.
Heritage may earn a 51% interest (the “First Option”) in the Property by completing the following on or before the third anniversary of the “Agreement:
Issuing an additional 3.3 million shares to Group Ten;
Completing cash payments totaling CAD $300,000; and
Completing exploration work totaling CAD $2.5 million.
Upon completion of the First Option, Heritage may earn an additional 39% ownership interest in the Property (the “Second Option”) for a cumulative 90% interest by completion of the following on or before the fourth anniversary of the Agreement:
Issuing an additional 1.1 million shares to Group Ten; and
Completing additional exploration work totaling CAD $2.5 million.
In addition, the LOI provides the following:
A discovery payment of $1.00 per ounce of gold or gold equivalent shall be made on mineral resource estimates as filed from time-to-time on the Property and shall, in Heritage’s discretion, be paid in cash or shares (or a combination thereof), capped at a maximum of $10 million.
Upon completion of the Second Option, Group Ten will retain a 10% free carried interest in the Project, with Heritage being responsible for all Property costs until completion by Heritage of a positive feasibility study supported by a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on the Property (the “FS”).
The Agreement provides for the formation of a Joint Venture (“JV”) based on the then legal and beneficial ownership levels in the Property following completion of the FS. A JV may also be formed in the event Heritage does not complete the requirements of the Second Option.
Heritage will be required to maintain minimum exploration and development expenditures of CAD $500,000 per annum until the completion of the FS in order to maintain status as operator of the JV. Group Ten maintains certain back-in rights in the event Heritage does not meet minimum expenditure requirements.
Group Ten is required to complete CAD $300,000 of exploration work on the Property within the first year of the Agreement.
Black Lake – Drayton Gold Project Overview
The 100%-owned Black Lake–Drayton project consists of 137 square kilometers in the Abrams‐Minnitaki Lake Archean greenstone belt, along the northern margin of the Wabigoon sub-province in Ontario, Canada. The Property has significant exploration potential with demonstrated high-grade gold in drill results and bulk samples across more than 30 kilometers of underexplored strike in a geologic setting that is shared with Treasury Metals’ development-stage Goliath Gold Complex project in a highly active gold belt that also hosts Rainy River’s New Gold mine and other deposits. The geological models and exploration methods that have successfully proven up over 14 million ounces of gold at Treasury, New Gold, and other projects in the region since the 1990s have yet to be systematically applied at Black Lake – Drayton. Access and infrastructure are excellent on the Property, which features direct road access, and proximity to rail and power.
About Heritage Mining
Heritage Mining Ltd. is a private, well-capitalized company focused on acquiring Tier-1, advanced stage precious and base metal exploration projects and/or the junior/micro-producer project stage. Heritage’s board and management Team have a proven track record of shareholder value creation with over 100 years of combined experience in the mining and exploration sector. For more information, visit the Heritage Mining website.
About Group Ten Metals Inc.
Group Ten Metals Inc. is a TSX-V-listed Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the development of high-quality platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold exploration assets in top North American mining jurisdictions. The Company is focused on its 100%-owned, flagship Stillwater West battery metals and platinum group elements project in Montana, USA, adjacent to the high-grade PGE mines operated by Sibanye-Stillwater. In October 2021, the Company announced its inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, with an update expected in Q1 2022 subject to results from an expansion drill campaign in 2021 from which assays are pending.
Group Ten also holds two additional district-scale brownfields assets including the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals’ development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario (now subject to an earn-in by Heritage Mining), and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding the execution of a definitive agreement, the completion of the proposed transaction and the receipt of any cash or share payments therefrom, future exploration and development expenditures, the sale of non-core assets, potential mineralization, the realization of mineral resource estimates, the timing and success of exploration activities generally or the completion of a feasibility study, the timing and results of future resource estimates, future driling activities, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Group Ten believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals (including board and stock exchange approvals), the failure to negotiate and execute the Agreement on the terms currently contemplated or at all, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
YERINGTON, Nev., Nov. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU)(OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced public offering of units of the Company (the “Units”), which included the partial exercise of the over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) by a syndicate of underwriters that included Scotiabank, Jett Capital LLC, RBC Capital Markets, Haywood Securities Inc. and Research Capital Corporation. As announced on November 11, 2021, the public offering (the “Offering”) was upsized due to strong demand, including from new and existing institutional investors and mining sector corporates.
The Company issued an aggregate of 162,644,300 Units and 2,000,000 Warrants (as defined below), including 14,544,300 Units and 2,000,000 Warrants pursuant to the partial exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, at a price of C$0.77 per Unit (the “Offering Price”) and C$0.08 per Warrant, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$125.4 million. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each a “Common Share”) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant is exercisable for one Common Share (each a “Warrant Share”) at a price of C$1.00 per Warrant Share until May 29, 2023.
The proceeds of the Offering will be sufficient to satisfy the condition to the effectiveness of the previously announced amendments to the Company’s amended and restated credit facility with its senior project lender, KfW-IPEX Bank (the “KfW Facility”), for a significant deferral and extension of its debt facilities. See the Company’s October 12, 2021 news release for additional details on the amendments to the KfW Facility.
In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company’s largest shareholder, Pala Investments Limited (“Pala”), has maintained its current shareholding percentage in the Company by completing the purchase, on a private placement basis, of 98,104,584 Units, at the Offering Price in the aggregate amount of approximately C$75.5 million (the “Concurrent Private Placement”). The consideration for the Concurrent Private Placement was the full repayment of the promissory note entered into between the Company and Pala on June 10, 2021, as amended and restated, and the partial repayment of debt owing by the Company to Pala under the credit facility entered into between the Company and Pala on February 3, 2021 (the “Credit Facility”).
As previously announced, in connection with the Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement, Pala and the Company have agreed to amend and restate the Credit Facility on the terms set forth in the binding term sheet entered into between the Company and Pala on November 10, 2021 (the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility will have a principal amount of approximately US$32 million and an extended maturity date to January 31, 2026. The Amended Credit Facility will contain an accordion feature allowing the Company to draw up to an additional US$15 million under the Amended Credit Facility, subject to the agreement of Pala and the prior acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”). The Company expects to enter into the Amended Credit Facility on or about November 30, 2021. In connection with entering into the Amended Credit Facility, the Company will issue 15,000,000 Common Share purchase warrants (the “Credit Facility Warrants”) to Pala. Each Credit Facility Warrant will entitle Pala to purchase, on or before January 31, 2026, one Common Share at an exercise price equal to a 25% premium to the 5-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares as of the trading day immediately prior to the entering into of the Amended Credit Facility. Pursuant to the requirements of the TSX, the approval of disinterested shareholders of the Company will be required to be obtained before the Credit Facility Warrants become exercisable.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under 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.
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 (the “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.
NEVADA COPPER CORP. www.nevadacopper.com
Randy Buffington, President and CEO
For further information contact: Rich Matthews, Investor Relations Integrous Communications rmatthews@integcom.us +1 604 757 7179
Cautionary Language
This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information 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 statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the entering into of the Amended Credit Facility and the timing in respect thereof, and the issuance and approval of the Credit Facility Warrants.
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: the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 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; failure to enter into the Amended Credit Facility; ground conditions; cost overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rates increase; 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; labor 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; 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, 2020 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 18, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking information or statements are stated as of the date hereof. Nevada Copper disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding Nevada Copper’s business contained in Nevada Copper’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. 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 statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on Nevada Copper and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review Nevada Copper’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Nevada Copper 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 29, 2021) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company“, or “EMX“) is pleased to announce receipt of a US $2.25 million payment for the Berenguela silver-copper project (“Berenguela” or the “Project”) in Peru from Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQB: AAGFF) (“Aftermath Silver”). EMX’s interest in Berenguela resulted from the Company’s acquisition of a portfolio of royalty interests and payments from SSR Mining Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (“SSR Mining”) (see EMX news releases dated July 29, and October 21, 2021).
Aftermath Silver’s payment is per a definitive acquisition agreement, originally executed with SSR Mining, that outlined a series of staged cash payments (initially totaling US$13 million) and other consideration to acquire 100% interest in the Project, and upon commercial production that will pay a sliding-scale net smelter returns (“NSR”) royalty (see Aftermath Silver news releases dated October 1, and November 23, 2020). The payments are scheduled according to anniversaries of the transaction’s closing date of November 23, 2020 (the “Initial Closing Date”). Aftermath Silver’s cash payment and NSR royalty commitments to EMX for the Berenguela Project are outlined below.
US$2.25 million cash to be paid on the first anniversary of the Initial Closing Date. This payment has now been received by EMX;
US$2.5 million cash to be paid on the second anniversary of the Initial Closing Date (i.e., November 23, 2022);
US$3 million cash to be paid on the fourth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date (i.e., November 23, 2024);
Completion of a preliminary feasibility study (“PFS”) and filing on SEDAR of a National Instrument 43-101 technical report summarizing the PFS, within 48 months of the Initial Closing Date (i.e., on or before November 23, 2024);
US$3.25 million cash to be paid on the sixth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date (i.e., November 23, 2026); and
A sliding-scale NSR royalty on all mineral production from the Berenguela Project for the life of mine commencing at the declaration of commercial production, and based on the following:
1% NSR royalty on all mineral production when the silver market price is up to and including US$25 per ounce;
1.25% NSR royalty on all mineral production when the silver market price is over US$25 per ounce and when the copper market price is above US$2 per pound.
EMX’s interest in Berenguela provides a source of immediate cash flow to the Company, as well as upside potential from future NSR royalty payments on silver-copper production from the Project. Berenguela, which is located in the Puno mining region of southern Peru, serves as a good example of the type of cash flowing mineral property asset that EMX is focused on adding to its growing royalty portfolio.
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified, and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.
About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX’s investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “EMX”, as well as on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
For further information contact:
David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 973-8585 Dave@EMXroyalty.com
Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 SClose@EMXroyalty.com
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) 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 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”, “upside” 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, 2021 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (the “AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2020, 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.
Joining us for a conversation is Greg Johnson, the CEO of Metallic Minerals. It’s a great time to be speaking with you as Metallic Minerals has some exciting news for shareholders. Before we begin, Mr. Johnson, please introduce us to Metallic Minerals and the opportunity the company presents to shareholders.
Greg Johnson:
Metallic Minerals is a silver-focused, exploration development stage company. The flagship asset is in the Keno silver district, one of the world’s highest-grade producing silver districts. A second asset in the high-grade silver-gold La Plata district, and our last asset, which is our Klondike alluvial gold project. We are headed up by a group of experienced explorer developers with a track record of successful discovery and project advancement.
Maurice:
Mr. Johnson, Metallic Minerals has some great news to provide shareholders on three fronts. First on the flagship Keno silver project, as well as updates from the La Plata and the Klondike alluvial projects. Beginning in the Yukon, sir, take us onsite to the high-grade Keno silver project, which has just announced the completion of what was the most expansive exploration program to date. First off, congratulations, sir.
Greg Johnson:
The Keno silver project is our flagship. We’re a couple of years into the acquisitions and initial development of the targets, and this was one of our biggest programs to date in 2021.
Maurice:
Mr. Johnson, the Keno silver project has three main areas within the west, central, and eastern parts of the high-grade silver producing district. Beginning at the central Keno, Mr. Johnson, walk us through the 2021 exploration program, which is a multiphase program of RC and diamond core drilling. What is Metallic Minerals looking for and what are you seeing?
Greg Johnson:
Allow me to me set the stage here. The district itself is about 35 kilometers wide, and we break it into three sectors or target areas, as you said, the west, central, and eastern parts. And each one of them is about 10 to 12 kilometers long. It’s a really big area, and we see the continuity of similar styles of mineralization from one side of the district to the other. Most of the production historically has been on that western half of the district where we’ve seen over 300 million ounces of past production plus current resources. And it’s one of the world’s highest grade 43-101 resources.
Greg Johnson:
Starting in the central part of the district this year, we kicked off a program looking at our advanced target areas. This is specifically in the Caribou and Homestake areas where we targeted stepping out along the already defined structures there, where we’ve hit ore grades over minable widths. We’re stepping out, we’re building tonnage. The drilling indicates that we’ve had some really good successful hits there, some big step by outs that we’re waiting to see results come back from the assay lab, but we’re quite pleased with the ability to be able to extend those advanced stage targets in the central part district.
Maurice:
Moving on to the west Keno, what can you share with us?
Greg Johnson:
So west Keno is focused in that area of significant historic production. This is nearby Alexco, who’s going back, has just recently gone back into production, and where they’ve got several major discoveries. So our targets there, west Keno, are right on these known very high-production areas. The Formo, Silver Queen are the two main targets here. Core drilling, to again step out along areas of known mineralization that have already been intercepted and being able to continue to build on those towards a first mineral resource, both central and the western parts of the district for Metallic Minerals.
Maurice:
Let’s move on to the emerging heavyweight, which is the east Keno, where it appears to have both the Keno style mineralization of ultra high-grade veins and bulk tonnage silver mineralization, which is now new in the district. To set the stage on this unique value proposition, in 2020 Metallic Minerals previously released significant bulk tonnage style intercepts on the east Keno. Do you mind sharing those numbers with us and how it fits in with your neighbor, Alexco, which has recently gone into full production?
Greg Johnson:
Yeah, this is pretty exciting. Metallic Minerals came into the district recognizing that you’ve got all this production on the western half of the district. The geology doesn’t stop at the claim boundary. It continues onto our ground, the same geologic setting. We started to collect samples, geophysics, and soils, and rocks, and mapping and started putting this together. Last year we’d identified 12 separate multi-kilometer-scale targets. These are big targets, both soil anomalies, and geophysical anomalies. And we put the first reconnaissance holes in 2020. We hit in 26 out of 30 holes. That’s an amazing track record for a first-phase reconnaissance drill program. A big part of this year’s program was coming back in and starting to step off from those hits last year, moving laterally, moving down dip, and we’re starting to put together an understanding of the scale of mineralization in this area.
Greg Johnson:
We also drilled the first core holes in this area this year. Deeper holes targeted at both geophysics and offsetting the reverse circulation drilling. So we’re pretty excited about what’s coming together here. The significance of what we’re seeing in the east is that not only are we seeing classic high-grade Keno style veins, which is what Alexco and most of the historic production has been based on, but we’re seeing zones up to a hundred meters or more of continuous disseminated silver mineralization. And this holds out the potential for bulk tonnage for something that could be much larger than anything that’s been seen in the district before.
Maurice:
Now along with the drilling, Metallic Minerals also completed an extensive Induced Polarization survey, and I noticed in the latest press release that Metallic Minerals made the following reference about six times: “Regional thrust vaults and associated epithermal style mineralization”. Now, as a shareholder, I’m keen to find out more. Any nuggets that you can share with us regarding the IP survey?
Greg Johnson:
Yeah, so this is an example of our effort to try to take a known productive district to extrapolate into the areas that have been less explored, and then to bring in new exploration targets, target types, models, and new modern exploration techniques. This is the first time we’ve ever applied what’s called induced polarization geophysics. This is where you put a charge in the ground, these were multi-kilometer-long lines, they allow you to sense as deep as 800 or a 1,000 meters from the surface, and this allows us to be able to start to map the subsurface even before we start drilling.
Greg Johnson:
And what’s exciting about this, is that that work over the east Keno targets was demonstrating that we’re getting conductors in the subsurface rocks that are correlating spatially with these big soil and magnetic features. The significant reason is if we’re hitting silver mineralization in the shallow drilling, and we’ve got a geophysical target that continues to 800 meters or more, and we’ve got multiple targets in the kilometric scale, it’s starting to suggest we’ve got a very strong plumbing system and that this could be a target that could really have the scale to it and potentially build this out to something significant.
Maurice:
Now that the exploration is complete this year at the Keno silver project, when can we expect to see results, and what determines success?
Greg Johnson:
We started in the central part of the district, that’ll be the first area that we’ll start to see numbers. Then on the Eastern side of the district with both RC and Diamon Core. And then last we wrapped up with the western part of the district with core drilling. We’re right now finalizing our interpretation on the IPE geophysics, so that’ll be integrated, and I could see us seeing numbers starting here really any time and continuing early into the new year. It’s going to be an exciting period. We’re starting to see a turnaround in the market and the interest over in gold, again, after more than a year of corrupt consolidation and correction. So this will be a great time in terms of catalyst from the news coming from the Keno silver project.
Maurice:
Let’s move south to Colorado, to the La Plata silver gold-copper project, where the season is just about wrapped up, and this is an emerging asset for Metallic Minerals. It has all the merits and hallmarks of a flagship project in its own right. Now Metallic Minerals just completed its first drilling in decades on the La Plata to bring up the La Plata up to NI 43-101 standards. It’s a project that was recognized and worked on by some of the majors in the past. Please tell us a bit about the project and the 2021 program and when we might expect to see results.
Greg Johnson:
I’m excited about the La Plata Project. This was an opportunity that came in through our network. It’s a project area that, very similar to Keno Hill, had a history of high-grade silver and gold production from these high-grade veins, much like Keno. Located in the Southwestern part of the US, in Southwestern Colorado. That mining on the high-grade veins occurred from the 1800s to the 1940s. Then after World War II, we didn’t see the small miners come back, but we saw first Rio Tinto’s exploration group come into the district, recognizing that not only was there this high-grade production and occurrences, but that there was potential for bulk tonnage silver, gold, and copper. And they drilled several holes that really started to define that there was a porphyry system that sent in the center of this epithermal vein district.
Greg Johnson:
Following on that work, we had Phelps Dodge, which is now Freeport McMoRan coming to the district, and they continued to drill through the early 70s. And then Phelps Dodge sat on the project until 2002. The low in the last commodity price cycle, the group that we opted it from has held it for over 20 years. We’re the first to have an opportunity to take a look at this exciting project. We’re taking a very holistic approach. We’re going to be focused on both the bulk tonnage part of the system that’s related to these porphyries, as well as the high-grade silver and gold component. We’re bringing all the layers of modern geology and techniques for exploration to the table.
Greg Johnson:
This year’s program was focused on continuing to collect geophysics and soils and a very first confirmatory drilling and sampling that’s been done on the project in decades. We are just wrapping up that program now. I would expect to see results starting to come out fairly soon to move this quite rapidly to take the historic resource on the project and advance it with sufficient work to a modern 43-101. Again, this is going to be a project that’s going to have a series of news events in the relatively near future that are quite significant in advancing that into 2022.
Maurice:
Finally, let’s discuss the big year that Metallic Minerals has had on the Klondike alluvial gold royalty portfolio.
Greg Johnson:
This is an interesting one. It’s not the main focus of the company, but we had an opportunity a couple of years ago to pick up a portfolio of unmined Klondike alluvial ground. This is upstream from some of the biggest open-pit operations in the Klondike, in the Yukon, that produce over 50% of the Yukon’s gold from those mines each year. We’ve invited experienced operators on the ground. We’ve got three license areas currently that is fully permitted for production, two operators that have done significant work drilling, bulk sample testing. They are rapidly advancing this towards first production, and Metallic Minerals would take a production royalty. Anywhere from a 10% to a 15% royalty, depending on the stage of those license areas. We’re excited to see this advancement over this year’s work, and we’re anticipating very high potential that we’ll see these move into first production in 2022 for next season, and that’ll move to cash flow for Metallic Minerals on those properties.
Maurice:
Leaving the property bank, let’s look at some numbers. Sir, please provide the capital structure for Metallic Minerals.
Greg Johnson:
Metallic Minerals has about 136 million shares out, roughly a $65 million market cap. So we’re now out of that micro-cap area where we’re starting to get attention from some of the big investors. We’re well funded well into 2022 with the current treasury. We have no debt, so we’re in great shape to have been able to have an aggressive program on all three projects this year and moving into next year to continue our business model, which is one to define resources, grow resources, and advance those and de-risk them, creating value along the way. Very similar to what the team did with Novagold in the last metal price cycle.
Maurice:
Speaking of big investors, you have a great shareholder list. Could you comment on that, and the recent ownership by Eric Sprott?
Greg Johnson:
Yeah, we’re in this period now where the company is moving from a very early stage, exploration stage, to resource stage. And with that, we’re seeing interest from some of the bigger investors. We’ve got US Global, we’ve got Crescat, we’ve got OTP Funds. These are all specialist funds that understand this part of the business for mining exploration and have taken significant stakes. In addition, Eric Sprott is our largest individual shareholder. He’s one of the largest holders in Novagold as well, so we’re really happy to have him in as an investor. And he just increased his ownership by exercising all of his warrants in the company, bringing in over CAD $1.5 million dollars. We’re pleased with that continued support from Eric. He is very bullish long-term on silver, and his investment in the company was focused on our exposure to silver in the Keno silver district, and a potential upside from our other assets.
Maurice:
Now I’m no Eric Sprott, but I am proud to share that I did exercise my warrants as well.
Greg Johnson:
I believe all those that participated in the financing exercised their warrants as well. Metallic Minerals is pleased to see that continued support from shareholders, and I’m pleased to see the market starting to come back alive for silver and gold. It’s been a bit of a painful 14 month plus period here with the market last peaking back in August of 2020. But I think we’ve turned the corner, and I’m quite bullish that we’ve put this consolidation behind us. It’s a great time for investors to be looking at high-quality names and silver in particular. And I think we’ve got real promise with a strong fundamental backing for Metallic Minerals in terms of the work we’re going to be undertaking to create value, and I think with our leverage to silver, gold, and potentially to copper as well here shortly.
Maurice:
I was going to ask you if you have any comments for shareholders, but I think that may just suffice. How about this, sir, any question that I forgot to ask you today, sir?
Greg Johnson:
No, I think we covered the gamut here, Maurice. It was great to be able to speak with you. I think that it’s an exciting time for investors and for those who are new to Metallic Minerals, we would invite people to contact us through our website.
sir. Mr. Johnson, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Wishing you and Metallic Minerals the absolute best, sir.
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