VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2024 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce drill results from the 2024 drill campaign on at its wholly owned Carmacks copper-gold-silver project located in central Yukon, Canada. As previously mentioned, the Company identified a new zone within the Carmacks project called the Gap Zone (see news release dated October 3, 2024), located between existing high-grade, pit-constrained resources. The exploratory drill program intercepted copper mineralization in all four drill holes, laying the foundation for a follow-up resource definition and expansion drilling campaign. See below for selected drill results.
Table 1 – Selected Assay Results
Drillhole
From(m)
To(m)
Length*(m)
Cu(%)
Au(g/t)
Ag(g/t)
CRM24-026
172.21
180.15
7.94
0.13
0.017
0.7
CRM24-027
250.00
253.70
3.70
0.94
0.124
5.8
and
258.50
279.75
21.25
0.53
0.072
3.3
Including
261.30
270.30
9.00
0.70
0.090
4.4
CRM24-028
255.04
269.99
14.95
0.40
0.037
2.7
CRM24-029
247.00
261.85
14.85
0.51
0.059
3.4
Including
254.60
259.00
4.40
0.77
0.093
6.5
Figure 1 – Gap Zone plan view showing drill locations and traces
The Gap Zone lies between the proposed 147 and 2000S pits and was first identified by a 2022 geophysical IP survey (see news release dated November 21, 2022). Likely representing a fault offset from the main 147 Zone, the Gap Zone has the potential to add significant tonnage and extend the mine life envisioned by the 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (see news release dated January 19, 2023)
Granite Creek President and CEO, Timothy Johnson, stated, “The success of this drill program highlights the continued prospectivity of the Carmacks project. There remain multiple untested drill targets on the project, both proximal to the proposed pits as outlined int the 2023 PEA, as well as distal areas and across the northern sector which has seen only modest exploration. The project hosts significant copper-gold-silver resources and has the potential for major expansion across the 177 square kilometre land package in this top mining jurisdiction.”
Carmacks Deposit
The 177 sq km, Carmacks project contains over 824 Mlbs Measured and Indicated and 29 Mlbs Inferred copper equivalent (“CuEq”) metal within a National Instrument 43-101-compliant, high-grade resource of 36.2 million tonnes grading 1.07 % CuEq (0.81% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.41 Ag)1. The road accessible project is located along the Freegold Road, a Resource Gateway Road currently being upgraded by the Yukon government and is within 20 km of the Yukon electrical grid. The project is also situated within the Minto Copper Belt, a roughly 80 km long belt of rocks known for high grade occurrences of copper-gold-silver mineralisation.
The 2023 Carmacks Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”), completed by SGS Canada, identified increased resources along with improved recovery as prime means of increasing the Net Present Value (“NPV”) of the project. Work completed this year by Kemetco Research (see news release dated January 17, 2024) demonstrated that recoveries exceeding the target outlined in the PEA can be achieved. The just completed drill program was designed to show that significant resource expansion is possible and specifically targeted areas that could lead to an expanded mine life as envisioned by the PEA.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek Copper is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America and more recently on geologic hydrogen. The Company’s projects consist of its flagship 177 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory on trend with the formerly operating, high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM project, both located in central British Columbia. Recent acquisitions include the Union Bay geologic hydrogen project as well as entering into a letter of intent to acquire the Duke Island ultramafic project for it’s geologic hydrogen potential, both projects located in the state of Alaska. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Timothy Johnson, President & CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com Website: www.gcxcopper.com
Qualified Person
Debbie James P.Geo, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and supervised the 2024 drilling program. She is not independent of the Company because she has received employment income from the Company and holds stock in the Company.
1Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual constraining pit shell that includes the following input parameters: Metal prices of $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo and pit slope angles that vary from 35° for overburden to 55°for granodiorite host, metal prices are in US$. Metallurgical recoveries reflective of prior test work that averages: 85% Cu, 85% Au, 65% Ag in the oxide domain and 90% Cu, 76% Au, 65% Ag in the sulphide domain. Mo recovery is assumed to be 70% in both oxide and sulphide domain. Totals and Metal content may not sum due to rounding and significant digits used in calculations. Cu Eq calculation is based on 100% recovery of all metals using the same metal prices used in the resource calculation: $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding expected use of proceeds from the private placement 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.sedarplus.ca.
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 / November 28, 2024 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) announces that the Company has applied for TSX Venture Exchange approval to extend the expiry date on certain share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”).
Per the application, 4,800,000 Warrants that were originally issued as part of a private placement transaction on June 8, 2022 (see June 9, 2022 news release) exercisable at $0.50 per warrant and expiring December 8, 2024 will now be extended to an expiry date of June 8, 2025.
In addition, the Company proposes to extend the expiry date for 735,500 warrants issued pursuant to a private placement transaction on June 30, 2022 (see June 17, 2022 news release) exercisable at $0.50 per warrant and expiring on December 30, 2024 will now be extended to June 30, 2025.
All other terms and conditions of the Warrants remain unchanged.
About Metallic Minerals Metallic Minerals Corp. is a resource-stage mineral exploration company, focused on copper, silver, gold, and platinum group elements in top North American jurisdictions. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development.
At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate highlights a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.2 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver1, with numerous additional targets showing potential for a district-scale porphyry system. The Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment focused on La Plata by Newmont Corporation in May 2023 with two subsequent top up investments in 2024. The U.S. Geological Survey has identified the La Plata mining district as a critical minerals resource area under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative program and has completed significant geologic and geophysical studies to enhance understanding of the critical mineral potential in the district. The La Plata project is located between the communities of Mancos and Durango, Colorado, north of Highway 160.
In Canada’s Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla’s operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. The inaugural Resource Estimate at the Company’s Keno Silver project added 18.2 Moz silver equivalent2 to the Company’s total resources in 2024. Hecla is the largest primary silver producer in the USA and soon to be Canada’s largest with full production at its Keno Hill operations in 2024.
The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators.
Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in North America, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development and has worked closely with Canadian First Nation groups, US Tribal/Native Corporations, and local communities to support successful project development.
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, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals 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, unsuccessful operations, 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 Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals 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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 4, 2024 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) (the “Company” or “Stillwater”) is pleased to announce results of rhodium (“Rh”) assays conducted on core from resource expansion drilling on its 100%-owned Stillwater West platinum group element, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold (“PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au”) project in Montana, USA, adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s world-class critical minerals mining operations.
Highlights include:
As shown in Table 1, widespread rhodium was returned in drill results at potentially significant co-product grades including:
1.13 g/t Rh in an interval that totaled 7.96 g/t Pt+Pd+Au+Rh (“4E”) over 1.2 meters in CM2023-03, starting at 308.8 meters and set within 14.6 meters of1.38 g/t 4E including 0.118 g/t Rh; and
0.162 g/t Rh over 3.7 meters in CM2023-01 starting at 407.8 meters within an interval of 0.99 g/t 4E.
Supply constraints have resulted in elevated rhodium prices since 2017. At its current two-year average price of USD 6,500/oz, and three-year year average price of USD 9,500/oz, rhodium equates to more than five times the current value of palladium or platinum.
Results are expected to expand upon the 115,000 ounces of rhodium defined in the January 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) and are similar to results from past campaigns which returned 0.103 g/t Rh over 7.9 meters in hole CM2020-05, and 0.100 g/t Rh over 6.1 meters in hole CM2007-02.
Rhodium is mined solely as a co-product at grades that are often below 0.1 g/t. South Africa dominates global production, and there is very little mine supply in North America.
Sibanye-Stillwater, adjacent to Stillwater’s Stillwater West project across 32 kilometers in the Stillwater Igneous Complex, is the primary US producer of Rh, mining the highest-grade PGE deposit in the world, the J-M Reef deposit.
Recent announcements concerning lay-offs and reduced production at Sibanye-Stillwater (as a result of depressed global palladium prices) have brought bipartisan support for mining jobs in Montana and US critical mineral supply from Senators Jon Tester (D) and Steve Daines (R), both of Montana, in addition to support from other local, state, and federal officials.
Rhodium has a high melting point, is highly corrosion resistant, and is critical in catalytic converters, along with platinum and palladium, for cleaner vehicle emissions.
Complete results from the expansion drill campaign, which focused on the west side of the DR and Hybrid deposits at Chrome Mountain, are being incorporated into updated block models driven by an updated 3D geologic model as announced October 16, 2024. Figure 1, updated from that release, demonstrates the impressive grade and scale of mineralization at the Stillwater West project with wide intervals at successively higher grades contained within very wide bulk-tonnage grade intervals across the 9.5-kilometer-long area that contains the current deposits, including:
13.2 meters of 2.31% Ni, 0.35% Cu, 0.115% Co, and 1.51 g/t 4E starting at 37.6 meters and within 400.8 meters of continuous mineralization in hole CM2021-05;
50.2 meters of 1.05 g/t 4E plus 0.19% Ni and other values within 728.1 meters of continuous mineralization in hole CM2021-01; and
44.1 meters of 0.57% Ni, 0.34% Cu, 0.045% Co, and 0.74 g/t 4E starting at 32.8 meters and within 367.6 meters of continuous mineralization in hole CZ2021-01.
Metallurgical testing completed by AMAX confirmed recovery of rhodium along with palladium and platinum in preliminary bench-scale flotation testing at the CZ deposit area in the early 1970s.
Past work previously reported by the Company included surface sample results of up to 5.78 g/t Rh at the HGR target in the Iron Mountain area, and 1.07 g/t Rh at Chrome Mountain in reconnaissance-scale rock sample programs (see June 11, 2020, news release).
Early results for other rare PGEs show potential for additional value from iridium, osmium, and ruthenium which often occur along with platinum, palladium, and rhodium at Stillwater West.
Table 1 – Final results from resource expansion drilling including recent rhodium assay results.
Highlighted significant intercepts with grade-thickness values over 7 percent-meter recovered NiEq are presented above, except as noted. Recovered Nickel Equivalents (“NiEq”) are presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $8.00/lb nickel (Ni), $4.00/lb copper (Cu), $22.00/lb cobalt (Co), $1,000/oz platinum (Pt), $1,950/oz palladium (Pd), $1,850/oz gold (Au), and $10,000/oz rhodium (Rh). NiEq is determined as follows: NiEq% = [Ni% x recovery] + [Cu% x recovery x Cu price/ Ni price] + [Co% x recovery x Co price / Ni price] + [Pt g/t x recovery / 31.103 x Pt price / Ni price / 2,204 x 100] + [Pd g/t x recovery / 31.103 x Pd price / Ni price / 2,204 x 100] + [Au g/t x recovery / 31.103 x Au price / Ni price / 2,204 x 100]. In the above calculations: 31.103 = grams per troy ounce, 2,204 = lbs per metric tonne, and 100 and 0.01 convert assay results reported in % and g/t. The following recoveries have been assumed for purposes of the above equivalent calculations: 85% for Ni and 90% for all other listed metals, based on recoveries at similar nearby operations. Total metal equivalent values include both base and precious metals. In terms of dollar value, 0.20% nickel equates to a copper value of 0.40%, or a palladium value of 0.48 g/t, using the above metal values. Intervals are reported as drilled widths and are believed to be representative of the actual width of mineralization.
Table 2 – Drill Hole Location and Depths
Michael Rowley, President and CEO, commented, “The strength and sheer scale of mineralization at Stillwater West continues to impress us as we add mineralization at several grade cut-offs, providing us with excellent optionality on potential mine methods as we advance towards our vision of becoming a primary source of critical minerals in the US. The polymetallic nature of our deposits is also strongly in our favor as the longest lived and most profitable mines in the world are almost without exception large and polymetallic. Anglo American’s Mogalakwena mines and Ivanhoe’s Platreef mine – our geologic parallels in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex – are excellent examples of large-scale polymetallic critical minerals mines in similar geology. Armed with these drill results and our new understanding of the layered geology of the Stillwater Complex per our updated 3D geologic model as announced recently, we now have the components necessary to update our current resource estimate. We look forward to further announcements from our flagship asset in addition to updates from our non-core assets.”
Dr. Danie Grobler, Vice-President of Exploration, commented, “The wealth of exploration drilling and assay data available on the Stillwater West project area greatly advanced our understanding of the mineralization controls and detailed geological interpretation. Recent drill results further support our geological models and understanding of mineralization controls within the main target areas. The current models now confirm continuity of the mineralized zones and their correlation with the A and B Chromitite horizons within the lower part of the Peridotite Zone. Both these chromite-rich horizons, viewed as thick stratiform ‘reef’- type horizons, are PGE-enriched and particularly rich in rhodium. More importantly, the reported high-grade rhodium results have now been confirmed to correlate with these two specific chromitite units and correspond to geochemical and geophysical anomalies associated with our existing resource areas defined during 2023. This largely confirms our understanding of their occurrence, and our ability to effectively target extensions and new areas”.
Recent Events in Global Platinum Group Elements Markets, Including US Government Support In September 2024, Sibanye-Stillwater announced a substantial reduction in operations at the mines beside Stillwater West, primarily as a result of low global palladium prices. The response from the community and also local, state and federal governments was swift and supportive, with Senators Tester and Daines for example announcing bipartisan support for Montana mining jobs and US critical mineral production to bolster domestic supplies and counter foreign dumping with the intent to drive prices down. These actions were focused on palladium but similar comments and lobby efforts have been applied to nickel, cobalt, and other critical minerals in recent years, as a result of a flood of cheaper metal from Russia and Chinese-funded operations in Indonesia, the DRC, and other locations.
In October 2024, the US government approached the G-7 nations with a proposal for sanctions on Russian palladium in a further demonstration of the US’ desire to counter foreign supplies and allow its domestic resources to advance.
Most recently, Sibanye-Stillwater celebrated the publication of the final regulations for Section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act from the US Department of the Treasury which clarified important points that will likely result in significant tax credits for production of critical minerals from their US operations.
The importance of having proactive and supportive government cannot be understated as the US looks to expand its supply chains of critical minerals.
The Company has been working with the US Geological Survey for over six years, is the industry partner on Department of Energy grants totaling USD 2.75M to date, and is actively pursuing additional government funding for critical mineral supply.
Figure 2 – Stillwater Critical Minerals President and CEO Michael Rowley with Federal politicians from Montana in May 2024 at the Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. From L-R: Senator Jon Tester (D), Representative Matt Rosendale (R), Michael Rowley, Representative Ryan Zinke (R), and Senator Steve Daines (R).
Upcoming Events
Stillwater’s President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will be available for meetings and presenting at the following events:
Precious Metals Summit – Zurich, CH, November 11-12, 2024. For more information, click here.
121 Mining Events – London, UK, November 14-15. For more information, click here.
About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA.
Stillwater also holds the high-grade Drayton-Black Lake- gold project adjacent to Nexgold Mining’s development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory. The Company also holds the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGE property in Alaska, now subject to an LOI towards an earn-in agreement with Granite Creek Copper, and maintains a back-in right on the high-grade past-producing Yankee-Dundee in BC, following its sale in 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director – Stillwater Critical Minerals Email: info@criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075
Quality Control and Quality Assurance 2023 drill core samples were analyzed by ACT Labs in Vancouver, B.C. Sample preparation: crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize (mild steel) to 95% passing 105 µm included cleaner sand. Gold, platinum, and palladium were analyzed by fire assay (1C-OES) with ICP finish. Selected major and trace elements were analyzed by peroxide fusion with 8-Peroxide ICP-OES finish to insure complete dissolution of resistate minerals. Following industry QA/QC standards, blanks, duplicate samples, and certified standards were also assayed.
Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., Managing Geologist at Stillwater, is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he 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 Stillwater Critical Minerals 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 Stillwater Critical Minerals 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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2024 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the of the completion of work at the Company’s copper-nickel-PGM Star project, located in the Polaris ultramafic complex of north-central British Columbia, Canada. The program consisted of rock and soil sampling focused on an area of the project underlain by dunite ultramafic rock that is prospective for Ni-Cu-PGM mineralization. In addition to sending samples to the laboratory for Ni-Cu-PGM analysis, Granite Creek is also providing samples of various rock types to New England Research Inc. (NER) to study the potential for geologic hydrogen (Geo H2) production at Star.
NER is a Vermont-based research and development company leading a recently funded $1.5 million project as part of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) Geologic Hydrogen program. These samples from Star will be used for laboratory analysis and testing to aid in the design and optimization of engineered stimulation of subsurface hydrogen. (See figure 1) Engineering the production of subsurface hydrogen could potentially unlock a substantial resource for clean energy and lead to the decarbonization of some of the most challenging industries.
The NER team, which also includes scientists from Missouri University of Science and Technology (MS&T) and engineers from OptiRock Group LLC., will develop state-of-the-art testing protocols and fit-for-purpose modeling techniques to identify and assess sites where geologic hydrogen could be stimulated. The technologies will be commercialized through a series of paths, including measurement equipment, measurement and modeling services, characterization workflows, and solicitation of Phase III funding for field demonstration and deployment.
Dr. Gregory Boitnott, Vice President of Technology at NER and Principal Investigator on the project stated, “Inclusion of the samples provided by Granite Creek provides a unique opportunity to apply our developing technologies to Alaskan-type ultramafic intrusions, a potentially important future class of deposits where it may be possible to produce economic amounts of clean sustainable hydrogen.”
Tim Johnson, President and CEO of Granite Creek stated, “Geologic hydrogen is an exciting new field with the potential to significantly lower the cost of hydrogen production and assist in de-carbonization of some hard-to-mitigate industries. We are fortunate that our Star project has potentially the right geological setting for this groundbreaking technology and look forward to receiving the results of the testing. The Company remains focused on our high-grade Carmacks copper-gold project in Yukon, Canada, where assays from 2024 drilling are pending while also investigating additional opportunities in Geo H2.”
Figure 1 Concept being researched by NER and OptiRock Group
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek Copper, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America. The Company’s projects consist of its flagship 177 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory on trend with the formerly operating, high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM project, both located in central British Columbia. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Timothy Johnson, President & CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com Website: www.gcxcopper.com
Qualified Person
Debbie James P.Geo, has reviewed and approved the technical information pertinent to Ni-Cu-PGM mineralization contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding expected use of proceeds from the private placement 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.sedarplus.ca.
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 / October 16, 2024 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) (the “Company” or “Stillwater”) is pleased to announce the completion of a property-wide geophysical airborne survey and a breakthrough in 3D geologic modeling of the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex. This new data will drive continued advancement of the project including drill campaigns and the expansion of mineral resources, among other objectives at its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in Montana.
Highlights
Property-wide geophysical surveys completed in September 2024 informed the first-ever detailed 3D geologic model of the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex;
The model demonstrates continuity of mineralization across the 9.5-kilometer length of lower Stillwater Igneous Complex which hosts the Company’s current resources in five deposits at Stillwater West project;
Historically, continuity of mineralization across the entire surface expression of the magmatic layers of the Stillwater Igneous Complex has been demonstrated primarily by Sibanye-Stillwater’s J-M Reef deposit, a high-grade PGE-bearing nickel-copper sulphide deposit that spans more than 40km and supports the highest-grade palladium-platinum mines in the world, and;
Stillwater’s current resources of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold are hosted in five deposits that remain open for expansion along trend and at depth across 9.5-kilometers at the center of the 61-square-kilometer Stillwater West project, which is adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater along approximately 32km of strike within the Stillwater Igneous Complex.
Stillwater’s President and CEO, Michael Rowley, said “The team’s work this year regarding both the airborne survey and also the detailed geologic model confirm the expansion potential we see in several possible mining scenarios at Stillwater West and inform our campaigns to reach that objective. Together we have successfully leveraged a substantial database including approximately 40,000 meters of drilling to date to complete the first ever geologic model of the lower part of this famously productive and metal-rich American mining district, with a focus on magmatic nickel-copper sulphide mineralization. That wealth of data, combined with Glencore plc’s backing and in-house expertise from similar geology in South Africa’s Bushveld Igneous Complex, has positioned us exceptionally well with robust inventories of nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group elements and chromium in an active American mining district at a time when the US is aggressively looking to diminish the current heavy import reliance of nine of the commodities we have inventoried.”
“We look forward to further announcements with a focus on continued expansion at Stillwater West while also turning our attention to various studies relating to potential production scenarios. Updates on other initiatives, including pursuit of government funding, monetization of non-core assets, CO2 sequestration and geologic hydrogen studies are also expected.”
Property-Wide Airborne Geophysical Survey Expert Geophysics Ltd. has completed the geophysical surveys over the Stillwater West project as announced July 18, 2024. The surveys, designed and executed in collaboration with Glencore plc via the Stillwater West technical committee, totaled approximately 1,170 line-kilometers and included test surveys over the Chrome Mountain resource area for the purpose of comparing the TargetEM26 time-domain electromagnetic (“EM”) survey with the MobileMTm magneto-telluric (“MMT”) survey. Evaluation of these test surveys alongside the first generation DIGHEM airborne EM survey flown over the project in 2000, together with smaller surveys and extensive ground-based Induced Polarization (“IP”) and magnetic/VLF by the Company, resulted in the decision to fly the property-wide survey using the MMT system. The decision was based on the MMT system’s demonstrated ability to better distinguish and define multiple conductive targets, and to greater depths.
Stillwater, along with input from Glencore, is now fine-tuning multiple large-scale priority conductive drill targets across the 12-kilometer main resource area in addition to ranking additional large, untested conductive targets across the broader 61-square-kilometer property based on preliminary results of the 2024 survey. Detailed results of the approximately 178 and 992 line-kilometer EM and MMT (respectively) surveys, plus related VLF and magnetic surveys completed by Expert, will be the subject of a subsequent news release as final results become available.
Geologic Model The development of a new 3D geologic model of Stillwater West is a major milestone in the advancement of the project as it is the first time the lower portion of the iconic Stillwater Igneous Complex has been modeled in detail. Developed by the Company from over 40,000 meters of drill data in addition to recent mapping and geophysical surveys, it effectively connects the east and west ends of a large and world-class district and provides a roadmap to expansion of the Company’s resources and advancement of the overall project, which is focused on the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex.
Figure 1 presents a long section view of the 3D model, focused on 9.5 kilometers in area of the current resources, within the core of the 32-kilometer-long Stillwater West project. The highly prospective Peridotite Zone is shown hosting all deposits from the January 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate and demonstrating the expansion potential that remains untested to date in all directions: between deposits, down dip, and along strike. Strong correlations are shown between the Peridotite Zone, geophysical anomalies, and geochemical soil anomalies across the Stillwater West project, demonstrating exceptional expansion potential.
The surface expression of the J-M Reef deposit is also shown. In production since 1986, the J-M Reef deposit is a 40-kilometer-long high-grade PGE-bearing nickel and copper sulphide reef-type deposit that is located stratigraphically above Stillwater West. Currently mined in three locations by Sibanye-Stillwater, the J-M Reef is known as the highest-grade palladium-platinum deposit in the world. It has been drilled and mapped extensively since its discovery in the early 1970s and is an indicator of the continuity of mineralization across the parallel magmatic layers of the Stillwater Igneous Complex, including the adjacent Stillwater West project.
Vice-President of Exploration Dr. Danie Grobler, said, “Recent breakthroughs in our detailed geological model show pronounced continuity of the mineralized zones along strike in the layered Stillwater Igneous Complex. This is further enhanced by our understanding of the geometry and orientation of these units at depth, improving our confidence in completing successful intersections in future drill campaigns. Preliminary results from the latest geophysical airborne survey – which was designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the prospective lower Stillwater Igneous Complex – indicates strong electromagnetic anomalies along the footwall contact zone of the Stillwater West project which are consistent with the massive sulphide and contact-style Ni-Cu sulphide-rich bodies that we targeted with the survey. These anomalies form important Platreef-contact-style targets for testing in planned upcoming drill campaigns.”
Dr. Grobler continued, “It is further anticipated that the survey will open the remainder of the strike length held by the Company for exploring high confidence discovery targets in the future. This season also included a follow-up confirmatory investigation by our technical advisor, Professor Wolfgang Maier, who is in the process of completing a detailed collaborative scientific paper on the Peridotite Zone of the Stillwater Igneous Complex, as first author. This work has enhanced our understanding of the geochemistry and mineralization styles and controls of the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex stratigraphy.”
Government Funding The Company is now partner to USD 2.75M in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) via two grants under the Advanced Research Projects Agency program via collaborations with Cornell University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as announced February 14, 2023, and August 15, 2024, in addition to work with the US Geological Survey and state organizations.
The Company has been partnered with the US Geological Survey at Stillwater West for over six years, continuing their multi-decade interest in the Stillwater Igneous Complex.
Stillwater is pursuing additional US government funding, including recent applications in response to announced opportunities available through the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense.
Parallels With the South Africa’s Bushveld Complex The Stillwater Igneous Complex is well-known to parallel South Africa’s Bushveld Igneous Complex, and developments at the Stillwater complex have generally paralleled those at the Bushveld, highlighting their significant geologic similarities. For example, Sibanye-Stillwater’s high-grade J-M Reef deposit was discovered by the direct application of geologic models developed during discovery of the high-grade Merensky reef deposit in the Bushveld.
More recent developments on the Bushveld have focused on the Platreef deposits, in the northern limb of the Bushveld, which depart from the conventional narrow reef-type mines that dominate global platinum group element mining with the occurrence of thick mineralized horizons that support bulk mining techniques and include much higher battery metal content. The mines of the Platreef are among the largest and most profitable in the world, and their mix of commodities offers an attractive internally hedged suite of in-demand critical minerals that is globally very rare. Starting with 1 Anglo American’s PGE-Ni-Cu Mogalakwena mines in 1993 and continuing today with 2 Ivanhoe’s underground Platreef mine, these mines have demonstrated the world-class nature of these bulk-tonnage, critical mineral systems within the Bushveld complex. With more than 20 billion pounds of nickel and copper in sulphide mineralization, and over 200 million ounces of platinum group metals and gold, these two mines are known primarily as platinum group element mines yet are also the largest nickel mines in South Africa.
Platreef-style deposits also compare very favorably in an environmental sense as they contain nickel sulphide mineralization that is capable of producing nickel metal with a much smaller footprint than nickel recovered from laterite deposits, which currently provides the majority of global nickel supply. Additional environmental benefits are possible through reaction of atmospheric carbon dioxide with certain ultramafic rocks present in Platreef-style deposits, and the production of hydrogen from those rocks. Testwork is underway to evaluate the potential for commercial-scale carbon sequestration and hydrogen production during a possible mining operation Stillwater West.
Footnote 1. Anglo American Mineral Resources and Reserves Report 2022: Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources: 1,665.40 MT at 2.29 4E g/t, Inferred Mineral Resources: 423.8 MT at 2.18 4E g/t.
Footnote 2. Ivanhoe Mines Ltd, Platreef Feasibility Study, March 2022: Indicated Mineral Resources; 2 g/t Cut-off 3PE+Au 346 MT at 1.68 g/t Pt, 1.70 g/t Pd, 0.28 g/t Au, 0.11 g/t Rh, 0.16% Cu, 0.32% Ni Inferred Mineral Resources; 2 g/t Cut-off 3PE+Au 506 MT at 1.42 g/t Pt, 1.46 g/t Pd, 0.26 g/t Au, 0.10 g/t Rh, 0.16% Cu, 0.31% Ni.
Upcoming Events Stillwater’s President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will be available for meetings and presenting at the following events:
Red Cloud Fall Mining Showcase – Toronto, ON, October 16-17. To register, click here.
Commodities Global Expo 2024 – Fort Lauderdale, FLA, October 20-21. For more information and registration, click here.
Precious Metals Summit – Zurich, CH, November 11-12, 2024. For more information, click here.
121 Mining Events – London, UK, November 14-15. For more information, click here.
About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA. To date, five Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits host a total of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold at Stillwater West. All of these deposits remain open for expansion along trend and at depth.
Stillwater also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Nexgold Mining’s development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director – Stillwater Critical Minerals Email: info@criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075
Quality Control and Quality Assurance Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he 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 Stillwater Critical Minerals 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 Stillwater Critical Minerals 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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2024 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the now completed 2024 drill campaign on at its wholly owned Carmacks copper-gold-silver project located in central Yukon, Canada yielded the discovery of a new mineralized zone.
The drill program consisted of 1420 metres in four drill holes, designed to test new targets adjacent to existing high-grade, pit-constrained resources, and was successful in locating and partially delineating the Gap Zone. The newly discovered zone was traced for approximately 170 meters and remains open along strike and at depth, with copper mineralisation observed in three of four drill holes. The Gap Zone lies between the proposed 147 and 2000S pits and was first identified by a 2022 geophysical IP survey (see news release dated November 21, 2022). Likely representing a fault offset from the main 147 Zone, the Gap Zone has the potential to add significant tonnage and extend the mine life envisioned by the 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (see news release dated January 19, 2023)
Mineralized sections have been sampled and delivered to the lab for analysis with results pending. Observed mineralization and host rocks were similar in appearance to known ore zones on the property.
Figure 1 – Gap Zone plan view showing drill locations and trace
Granite Creek President and CEO, Timothy Johnson, stated, “We are pleased to confirm the effectiveness of the induced polarity geophysical technique in predictive targeting of mineralization at the Carmacks project. Despite a long history of exploration on the project primarily focused on the 147 Zone, new discoveries can and will continue to be made on our Carmacks copper-gold-silver project. The project hosts significant copper-gold-silver resources and has the potential for expansion throughout the 177 square kilometre land package in this top mining jurisdiction.”
Carmacks Deposit
The 177 sq km, Carmacks project contains over 824 Mlbs Measured and Indicated and 29 Mlbs Inferred copper equivalent (“CuEq”) metal within a National Instrument 43-101-compliant, high-grade resource of 36.2 million tonnes grading 1.07 % CuEq (0.81% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.41 Ag)1. The road accessible project is located along the Freegold Road, a Resource Gateway Road currently being upgraded by the Yukon government and is within 20 km of the Yukon electrical grid. The project is also situated within the Minto Copper Belt, a roughly 80 km long belt of rocks known for high grade occurrences of copper-gold-silver mineralisation.
The 2022 Carmacks Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”), completed by SGS Canada, identified increased resources along with improved recovery as prime means of increasing the Net Present Value (“NPV”) of the project. Work completed this year by Kemetco Research (see news release dated January 17, 2024) demonstrated that recoveries exceeding the target outlined in the PEA can be achieved. The just completed drill program was designed to show that significant resource expansion is possible and was specifically targeting areas that could lead to an expanded mine life as envisioned by the PEA.
LS Molybdenum Project
The vendors of LS molybdenum project have agreed to defer work commitment the Company needed to complete for the calendar year for 2024. 750,000 shares have been issued to the vendors per the terms of the earn in agreement (see news release dated March 23, 2023).
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek Copper, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America. The Company’s projects consist of its flagship 177 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory on trend with the formerly operating, high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM project, both located in central British Columbia. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Timothy Johnson, President & CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com Website: www.gcxcopper.com
Qualified Person
Debbie James P.Geo, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and supervised the 2024 drilling program
1Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual constraining pit shell that includes the following input parameters: Metal prices of $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo and pit slope angles that vary from 35° for overburden to 55°for granodiorite host, metal prices are in US$. Metallurgical recoveries reflective of prior test work that averages: 85% Cu, 85% Au, 65% Ag in the oxide domain and 90% Cu, 76% Au, 65% Ag in the sulphide domain. Mo recovery is assumed to be 70% in both oxide and sulphide domain. Totals and Metal content may not sum due to rounding and significant digits used in calculations. Cu Eq calculation is based on 100% recovery of all metals using the same metal prices used in the resource calculation: $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding expected use of proceeds from the private placement 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.sedarplus.ca.
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 / September 17, 2024 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF)(“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) announces that Newmont Corporation (“Newmont”) has elected to exercise its ‘top-up right’ to purchase additional common shares in Metallic Minerals in order to maintain its 9.5% interest pursuant to its Investor Rights Agreement (the “IRA”) dated May 18, 2023. Under the terms of the IRA, Newmont will purchase an aggregate of 577,776 common shares at a price of $0.36 per share (the “Top-Up Financing”) reflecting the Company’s July financing and certain other transactions completed over the past six months.
The Top-Up Financing remains subject to customary closing conditions, including final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance.
Newmont funded a 4,500-meter drill program at Metallic Minerals’ La Plata copper-silver-gold-platinum group element (“Cu-Ag-Au-PGE”) project in southwestern Colorado via a $6.3 million strategic equity investment announced May 2023. Results from that program announced in May 2024 demonstrate the potential of the La Plata project to be a district-scale, precious-metal-rich porphyry system with multiple holes returning from 500 to 900 meters of continuous mineralization starting from surface and including some of the highest grade-times-thickness values for copper drill holes in the U.S. over the last year1. Resource modelling is currently underway to integrate the recent drilling results into an updated resource estimate at the Allard deposit for the project.
Newmont has provided technical support and expertise to the La Plata project team through the joint technical committee, which has included multiple site visits and assistance with geologic and geophysical interpretations and hyperspectral data acquisition. These contributions are ongoing, with Newmont providing experienced personnel to the project for enhancing surface data acquisition, geologic mapping, and geophysics.
Metallic Minerals CEO and Chairman, Greg Johnson, stated,”We are very pleased to continue the advancement of our excellent working relationship with the Newmont team. Metallic has worked closely with Newmont via our technical committee and appreciates the collaboration with their technical team at the site. The main Allard deposit remains open to expansion at depth and along trend, with more than 20 new surface targets identified which may represent additional porphyry centers. Work is currently underway on the Allard resource which will include adding gold, platinum and palladium to the existing copper and silver resource. The resource update is targeted to be complete in Q4 2024. Metallic has also been collaborating with Newmont personnel on follow up surface sampling at the newly identified targets to advance the highest priority targets to the first drill testing stage outside of the Allard resource area in 2025.”
In addition, Mr. Johnson, continued, “Based on our attendance last week at the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado, one of the keystone annual events for mining exploration companies and investors, we were pleased to see the interest in Metallic’s projects and the recognition of incredible value opportunity represented by the junior explorer / developer market with gold moving to new all-time highs and the recent breakouts of the mid-cap and large-cap miners. Sentiment at the event was positive, with expectations that the current deep value level of the junior market would lead to outsized future returns reflecting the scarcity of world-class discoveries and assets in copper, silver and gold currently under development in a period of such strong demand fundamentals.”
Precious Metals Summit Presentation
Metallic Minerals provided an overview and update on the Company and projects, including upcoming catalysts. To view the presentation, click here or the image.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a resource-stage mineral exploration company, focused on copper, silver, gold, and platinum group elements in top North American mining jurisdictions. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development.
At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the expanded 2023 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate highlights a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.2 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver1, with numerous additional targets showing potential for a district-scale porphyry system. The Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment by Newmont Corporation in May 2023. The U.S. Geological Survey has identified the La Plata mining district as a critical minerals resource area under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative program and has completed significant geologic and geophysical studies to enhance understanding of the critical mineral occurrence in the district. The La Plata project is located between the communities of Mancos and Durango, Colorado, north of Highway 160.
In Canada’s Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla’s operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. The new 2024 Resource Estimate at the Company’s Keno Silver project adds 18.2 Moz silver equivalent2 to the Company’s total resources. Hecla is the largest primary silver producer in the USA and soon to be Canada’s largest with full production at its Keno Hill operations in 2024.
The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators.
Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in North America, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development and has worked closely with Canadian First Nation groups, US Tribal/Native Corporations, and local communities to support successful project development.
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, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals 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, unsuccessful operations, 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 Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals 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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2024 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) (the “Company” or “Stillwater”) announces it has commenced 2024 field activities including a property-wide airborne electro-magnetic geophysical survey at its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in Montana.
The Company has engaged Expert Geophysics Ltd. for a combined time-domain electromagnetic (“EM”) survey using their TargetEM26 system along with a magneto-telluric survey using their MobileMTm system. The survey will utilize the newest technological advancements in airborne EM, building on the success of the first generation DIGHEM airborne EM survey flown over the project in 2000. The total survey will cover approximately 1,069 line-kilometers and provide higher-resolution and improved depth of investigation from the DIGHEM airborne EM survey, as well as VLF coverage. The survey has been designed in collaboration with Glencore plc via the Stillwater West technical committee to fine-tune priority conductive drill targets across the 12-kilometer main resource area, as well as to assist with prioritization and ranking of additional untested conductive targets across the broader 61-square-kilometer property.
Stillwater’s President and CEO, Michael Rowley, said “We are very pleased to kick off our field activities for the season at Stillwater West. This large-scale geophysical survey is part of a larger program that is expected to include an updated mineral resource estimate that will support the commencement of various studies relating to potential production scenarios. These objectives will be important milestones in preparation for continued resource expansion drilling across the nine-kilometer deposit area as well as in developing target areas. In addition, the Company is pursuing a number of other studies and initiatives with strategic partners such as Cornell University and various US Government agencies.”
Vice-President of Exploration, Dr. Danie Grobler, said, “Work has been on-going at our core facility as we ramp up for the year. The technical committee, including Glencore, continues to be focused on the expansion potential of the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex. Detailed geological and structural interpretive work during the past two years added significantly to our understanding of the large Platreef-style mineralized system discovered within the footwall contact zone of the Stillwater Complex. Our geological models now display strong geological control and continuity on mineralized zones. The planned airborne surveys will provide important high-resolution datasets to refine targeting of high-grade nickel-copper-PGE sulphide-hosted mineralization within the multi-kilometer-scale geophysical anomalies that we see across the 32-kilometer-long mineralized system.”
Upcoming Events
Stillwater is pleased to announce that President and CEO Michael Rowley will be presenting at the following events:
Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek, Colorado, September 10-13, 2024. For information and registration please click here.
Precious Metals Summit, Zurich, Switzerland, November 11-12, 2024. For information and registration please click here.
About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.
Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA. To date, five Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits host a total of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold at Stillwater West. All of these deposits remain open for expansion along trend and at depth.
Stillwater also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Nexgold Mining’s development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director – Stillwater Critical Minerals Email: info@criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he 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 Stillwater Critical Minerals 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 Stillwater Critical Minerals 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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2024 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce significantly increased recovery of copper from oxide material at its Carmacks Copper-Gold-Silver project (“Carmacks Project” or the “Project“) was achieved through metallurgical studies conducted by Kemetco Research Inc. from (“Kemetco“).
The Company’s 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“2023 PEA”) for the Project identified the opportunity to significantly increase net present value (“NPV”) by improving oxide recovery. Metallurgical testing completed on the project in support of the 2023 PEA showed that while a copper recovery of over 93% could be achieved via a well-established froth flotation technique for sulphide ore, only 39.8% copper recovery from oxide ore was achieved using the same process (see Table 1 for summary of flotation results). The current test results show a total recovery of 88% for oxide material is possible, an increase of 48% over the PEA base case (Tables 1 and 2). These results will have a significant impact on the economics for the project as the PEA identified an additional $180 M of NPV5% value by increasing life of mine average recovery for copper from 64% to 77%. With sulfide recoveries of 93.7% identified in the PEA and combined oxide recoveries (initial flotation + leaching and precipitate) of 88% the potential recoveries for copper are well above the 77% target level highlighted in the 2023 PEA.
The current mine plan as outlined in the 2023 PEA contemplates processing material with a high oxide content of up to 80% oxide ore in the first five years of the mine life. During this time over 8.4 million tonnes of oxide material would be processed versus 2.88 million tonnes of sulphide material. An increase in recovery of oxide material for the first five years of mine life, as demonstrated in these test results, would have a potentially very significant impact on project economics.
Kemetco Research Inc. was retained to complete testing on tailings produced in previous metallurgical work to develop a process for treating material that will have passed through the mill and still have significant oxide copper minerals present (See Figure 1 for simplified flow sheet). This laboratory test program showcased the efficacy of copper recovery from Carmacks copper oxide flotation tailings through a low-concentration acid leach at ambient temperature and pressure followed by chemical precipitation of copper minerals. The precipitation of copper sulphide (“CuS”) from the resulting leachate was shown to be an effective method of fully recovering the leached copper from solution, yielding a very high-grade CuS precipitate that would be added to the copper concentrate further increasing the copper grade of the high-quality concentrates from the project. For reference the PEA estimated an average concentrate grade of 40% copper with significant gold and silver credits.
Figure 1: Simplified Flow Sheet
Results of this testing are outlined below:
Acid leaching was able to extract as much as 80% of the remnant copper present in a composite prepared from Carmacks copper oxide flotation tailings.
Copper in precipitates varied, but in most tests approached the theoretical grade of pure CuS which grades 66.5% Cu. High grades were obtained without pH adjustment.
This testing shows a total copper recovery from oxide material of 88% with Initial Flotation recovery of 39.8% + Leach and Precipitate recovery of 48% (80% of the remnant copper).
Adding Sodium hydrosulphide (“NaHS”) solution resulted in up to 100% precipitation of copper from leach solutions, offering a promising avenue for further refinement. Hydrogen sulphide gas was equally effective as a sulphide source for copper precipitation.
In all tests, the precipitation of CuS resulted in a drop in pH as free acid was regenerated as a by-product of the precipitation reaction, creating the potential to reuse/recycle the regenerated acid.
Table 1 Summary of flotation testing results and average values used in PEA.
Recovery %
Sample
Cu
Au
Ag
Sulphide Sample Flotation1
93.7
69.0
78.4
Oxide Sample Flotation2
39.8
57.5
37.4
Total Oxide Recovery (Initial Flotation + Leach and Precipitate)
88.0
N/A
N/A
PEA LOM Base Case3
64.0
58
60
PEA Target Case4
> 77
58
60
Sulphide flotation testing completed by SGS prior to PEA study see news release dated January 10, 2023.
Oxide flotation testing completed by SGS prior to PEA study see news release dated January 10, 2023.
Calculated LOM average recovery based on a regression curve dependant on oxide content.
Projected PEA target based on achieving a 20% increase in oxide recovery LOM.
Table 2 2023 – PEA Copper Recovery Sensitivity Table
Copper Recovery Sensitivity
PEA BASE
Target1
Pre-Tax NPV (5-10% Discount)
Overall recovery
51%
58%
64%
70%
77%
Sensitivity Range
80%
90%
100%
110%
120%
5%
$136.6M
$231.3M
$324.1M
$416.6M
$509.6M
6%
$122.2M
$209.4M
$269.6M
$383.8M
$471.0M
7%
$107.3M
$189.4M
$271.5M
$353.6M
$453.6M
8%
$93.8M
$171.1M
$248.4M
$325.8M
$403.1M
9%
$81.4M
$154.3M
$227.3M
$300.2M
$373.2M
10%
$70.1M
$139.0M
$207.8M
$276.7M
$345.6M
Based on a recovery of 93.7% for sulphide and 88% for oxide this would exceed the PEA LOM 77% target
About the Carmacks Deposit:
The road accessible Carmacks deposits hosts a NI 43-101 resource consisting of 36.2 Mt M&I, grading 1.07% CuEq 0.81% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.41 g/t Ag (see news release January 19, 2023). The deposit was the subject of a positive PEA released in January 2023 that envision a 9-year mine life based on a mill capable of processing 7,000 t/d of combined oxide and sulfide ore. The resources are contained within three conceptual open pits and are open for expansion.
Contained Copper in Measured and Indicated Resources
147 Pit 280 Mlbs copper in oxide 126 Mlbs copper in sulfide
2000 Pit 10.5 Mlbs copper in oxide 51.3 Mlbs copper in sulfide
1213 Pit 35.4 Mlbs copper in oxide 122.3 Mlbs copper in sulfide
Tim Johnson, President & CEO stated, “The 2023 PEA, a major milestone for the Company, identified several opportunities for the Project including increased recovery, resource expansion and additional mine and process optimisation. The unlocking of additional value through the improved oxide recovery that this testing represents, especially in the early years of mine life, has the potential to add significantly to the NPV of the project. These results could allow for re-evaluation of resources that didn’t make it into the mine plan due to lower grades or assumed recoveries. The process being developed by the company also has the possibility of being used in other parts of the Minto Copper belt where oxidized or partially oxidized (POX) copper ores have not been processed by other operators.”
Corporate Update
Granite Creek announces the appointment of Susan Henderson as Corporate Secretary. In this role, Ms. Henderson will play a crucial role in overseeing and managing corporate governance matters, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and serving as a key liaison between the company and its stakeholders. She brings her extensive experience in the mining industry, making her well-suited to contribute to Granite Creek’s continued success. The board and executive team are confident in her ability to navigate the complex landscape of corporate governance and provide valuable insights.
Qualified Persons
Mr. Douglas Warkentin, P.Eng., a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure related to metallurgical testing contained in this news release. Mr. Warkentin is a Senior Metallurgist with Kemetco Research and an advisor to the Company.
The NI 43-101 technical report entitled CARMACKS PROJECT PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESMENT (PEA) YUKON, CANADA, referenced in this news release is available on the company’s website as well as on SEDAR under the company’s profile.
2023 PEA: The Company cautions that the results of the PEA are preliminary in nature and do not include the calculation of mineral reserves as defined by NI 43-101. There is no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek Copper, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America. The Company’s projects consist of its flagship 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM project, both located in central British Columbia. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 10, 2024 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results from its fall 2023 exploration drilling campaign at the Company’s 100%-owned, 171 square kilometer (“km2″) Keno Silver project, adjacent to Hecla Mining (“Hecla”) in the high-grade Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The 2023 exploration program included 1,112 meters (“m”) in four diamond drill holes focused on expansion of the Formo target in the West Keno area, which is on trend with the 100 million-ounce (“Moz”) historic Hector-Calumet mine controlled by Hecla.
Drill hole FOR23-03 represents one of the best intercepts to date for the Keno Silver project, returning grades of 256 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent recovered (“Ag Eq”) over 46 m. This is also the deepest intercept to date on the Formo vein structure (only 275 m vertically from surface) and mineralization remains fully open down dip and along strike. Formo is anticipated to be one of the highest grade and largest contributors to the forthcoming inaugural NI-43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Keno Silver project, currently nearing completion by SGS Geological Services.
2023 West Keno Exploration Highlights
High-grade silver (“Ag”), lead (“Pb”), zinc, (“Zn”) and significant gold (“Au”) mineralization was encountered in all four 2023 drill holes (See Table 1) which will contribute to the pending NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for the project.
Both high-grade Ag-Au-Pb-Zn vein-style mineralization and broader zones of bulk tonnage Ag-Au-Pb-Zn mineralization comprised of high-grade vein intervals and associated stringers and stockwork veining were encountered.
FOR23-03 returned 256.8 g/t Ag Eq (99.1 g/t Ag, 0.52 g/t Au, 0.65% Pb, 2.62% Zn) over 46.05 m with multiple internal higher-grade zones including, 3.3 m of 1,413.45 g/t Ag Eq (562.4 g/t Ag, 0.20 g/t Au, 2.35% Pb and 20.3% Zn). The bulk tonnage interval of this hole represents one of the highest gram-meter (g/t Ag Eq x interval thickness) intervals on the Keno Silver project to date, and extended mineralization by 140 m from the nearest 2022 and historic drill holes.
FOR23-04, a large step-out hole, drilled nearly 250 m west of the nearest Formo vein drilling, returned four separate silver-dominant vein structures of considerable width providing additional confirmation of the potential for on-strike expansion of the Formo target.
The Formo target remains open to further expansion, down-dip and on-trend, and shows potential for new discoveries within the Formo property footprint.
Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, stated, “The Formo target is an exciting, advanced exploration stage “resource-ready” target with significant room to grow featuring both high-grade and bulk mineable widths that make it amenable to lower-cost mining methods. The Formo target is ideally located near infrastructure as it is adjacent to the Silver Trail highway (Highway 11) and power lines that feed the central Keno Hill mill. It also directly adjoins Hecla’s Keno Hill property, where Hecla is actively mining the nearby Bermingham mine. We are excited to be able to include these new drill results in our upcoming inaugural resource for the Keno Silver project as these results at Formo continue to demonstrate our ability to build a significant resource base for the project. The resource estimate is expected to be complete in Q1 2024.”
“In addition, the Company looks forward to meeting with interested investors at the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, AMEBC Mineral Roundup and Prospectors and Developers annual conferences where Metallic Minerals has been invited to display drill core from its 2023 exploration programs at La Plata and Keno Silver. We anticipate reporting additional results from the Keno Silver project and La Plata projects over the next few weeks.”
Upcoming Events
Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) Metallic Minerals and fellow Metallic Group members, Granite Creek Copper and Stillwater Critical Minerals, in Booth #112 at the 2024 VRIC event, January 21 and 22, 2024. For more information click here.
AMEBC Mineral Roundup Core Shack Metallic Minerals will be displaying core from the 2023 drill season at the upcoming AMEBC Mineral Roundup event held in Vancouver, BC January 22 to 25, 2024. For more information click here.
Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Annual Convention (PDAC) Metallic Minerals will be displaying core from the 2023 drill season at the La Plata project during the PDAC convention held in Toronto, March 3 to 6, 2024. For more information click here.
Table 1 – Highlights of 2023 Drill Results from the West Keno – Formo Target Area
DDH Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Length (M)
Recovered Ag Eq (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
FOR23-001
148.74
149.43
0.69
499.23
3.6
6.20
0.00
0.01
and
196.95
215
18.05
234.45
121.4
0.05
1.22
2.06
including
196.95
198.9
1.95
513.39
300.3
0.07
2.71
3.74
also incl
208.4
214
5.6
478.25
241.0
0.10
2.41
4.43
with
208.4
211.2
2.8
687.57
367.9
0.18
4.02
5.37
FOR23-002
172.3
173.35
1.05
67.04
3.5
0.79
0.01
0.01
and
218
221
3
131.42
51.9
0.38
0.35
1.07
incl
218.75
219.75
1
277.81
137.0
0.00
0.96
3.08
FOR23-003
239.95
286
46.05
256.82
99.1
0.52
0.65
2.62
including
239.35
263.65
23.7
462.37
176.0
1.0
1.13
4.67
with
239.35
245.5
5.5
406.57
46.6
4.07
0.49
0.60
and with
255.8
263.65
7.85
899.27
392.4
0.13
2.06
11.68
including
260.35
263.65
3.3
1,413.45
562.4
0.20
2.35
20.30
with
260.75
261.5
0.75
1,411.76
994.0
0.03
3.01
7.36
and with
262.05
263.65
1.6
1,769.44
416.0
0.39
2.64
32.32
and
284
286
2
302.55
116.5
0.03
1.07
4.07
FOR23-004
122
124.46
2.46
76.62
43.7
0.11
0.33
0.43
and
153.5
154.1
0.6
284.52
154.0
0.09
1.67
2.14
and
177.5
183
5.5
72.95
61.2
0.00
0.28
0.18
including
179
180.75
1.76
144.67
130.0
0.00
0.46
0.21
and
300.3
301
0.7
83.26
5.6
0.97
0.01
0.00
Notes to reported values:
Ag equivalent is presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $22.0/oz silver (Ag), $1,850/oz gold (Au), $1.00/lb lead (Pb), $1.40/lb zinc (Zn).
Recovered Silver Equivalent in Table 1 is determined as follows: Ag Eq g/t = [Ag g/t x recovery] + [Au g/t x recovery x Au price/ Ag price] + [Pb % x 10,000 x recovery x Pb price / Ag price] + [Zn% x 10,000 x recovery x Zn price / Ag price].
In the above calculations: 1% = 10,000 ppm = 10,000 g/t.
The following recoveries have been assumed for purposes of the above equivalent calculations: 95% for precious metals (Ag/Au) and 90% for all other listed metals, based on recoveries at similar nearby operations.
Intervals are reported as measured drill intersect lengths and do not represent true width.
Figure 1. Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits
West Keno and the Formo Target Area The Western Keno Hill district is host to the largest historic production and current resources in the prolific Keno Hill silver district. The Formo target is located at the intersection of a north-easterly structural zone extending from the Hector-Calumet mine, which was the largest producer in the district producing nearly 100 million ounces of silver and the Elsa structural trend, which was the second largest silver producer in the district (see Figure 2).
The Formo property, which includes the historic Formo Mine, was acquired by Metallic Minerals in 2017. The historic Formo mine produced high-grade silver at various times since the 1930s from high-grade vein structures that graded over 1,000 g/t silver1. Significant underground exploration drifts were developed in the 1950s with most of the historic production from an open pit located alongside of the Silver Trail highway between the Elsa townsite and Keno City and last mined in the 1980s.
The primary Formo vein structure is exposed at surface in an open cut. Multiple veins have been encountered in the target area that demonstrate an association with Triassic greenstones in the Earn group schist, similar to the Sadie Ladue deposit which produced 12.7 Moz silver at a grade of 1,620 g/t Ag1. In addition to the mineralization at the known Formo target, two new surface targets have been identified through soil and rock sampling along the same structural corridors that show potential to host high-grade and bulk tonnage Keno-style Ag-Au-Pb-Zn veins on the Formo property (Figure 2).
Since 2020, Metallic Minerals has drilled 26 holes (4,419 m) at the Formo target building on the six core holes and 54 percussion holes drilled by previous owners between 1980 and 1981. The Formo target is open to significant expansion down dip and along trend with several newly identified targets for drill testing (Figure 2 and 3 below).
Figure 2 – West Keno and Formo Target Plan Map
Figure 3 – Formo Target Cross Section (Looking East)
Pending 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Keno Silver Project The upcoming inaugural independent 43-101 mineral resource estimate is focused on four initial deposits across the Keno Silver project, including: Formo, Caribou, Fox and Homestake. These four deposits are the most advanced of over 40 identified target areas, each of which is characterized by a kilometric scale Ag in soil anomaly, exposed outcropping high-grade veins, and varying levels of exploration activity or historic production. Metallic Minerals has completed 165 drill holes totalling 18,983 m of combined reverse circulation and diamond core drilling at the Keno Silver project since 2017 on a total of 11 targets, all of which have returned encouraging results. The four most advanced “resource-ready” targets will be part of the upcoming mineral resource estimate being completed by SGS Geological Services and include:
Formo Target – In the West Keno District, it demonstrates potential for lower-cost bulk tonnage mining or high-grade selective methods with drill highlights including:
Hole FOR22-04 – 20.87 m @ 220.5 g/t Ag Eq (144.6 g/t Ag, 0.70% Pb, 1.59% Zn), and 1.63 m @ 1,487.19 g/t Ag Eq (1,049 g/t Ag, 4.21% Pb, 9.45% Zn)
Hole FOR21-05 – 19.8 m @ 216.26 g/t Ag Eq (70 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 0.30% Pb, 2.07% Zn) and 0.7 m @ 1,405 g/t Ag Eq (421.0 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 1.53% Pb, 24.2% Zn)
Hole FOR20-003 – 3.0 m @ 2,954.52 g/t Ag (1,568 g/t Ag, 29.45% Pb, 1.35% Zn)
Caribou Target – In the Central Keno target area the Caribou target historically produced very high-grade material from a shallow surface pit grading more than 6,000 g/t silver.
Fox Target – Discovered by Metallic Minerals in 2020 in the East Keno target area, the Fox target is characterized as a newly recognized bulk tonnage style of mineralization with shallow-dipping sheeted vein sets up to 177 m in width. Drilling since 2020, has defined a bulk-tonnage mineralized block over 300 m along strike and 150 m down-dip from surface which is open in all directions.
Homestake Target – A historic producer, the Homestake target in the Central Keno area is fractally spatial with the districts’ giant past producers and current resources (Silver King, Elsa, Bermingham, Hector Calumet, Flame & Moth and Bellekeno) near the contact of the Keno Hill Quartzite and Sourdough Hill formations. With only 88 drill holes (slightly over 5000 m of drilling), and a strike length over 2 km the Homestake target represents considerable resource opportunity and exploration potential.
Metallic Minerals sees considerable opportunity for resource growth from target expansion and new discovery with the further systematic application of exploration, including the expansion of detailed soil geochemical grids, “resource-ready” target expansion through drilling and reconnaissance drilling of early-stage targets.
About Metallic Minerals Metallic Minerals Corp. is focused on copper, silver, gold, and other critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado, and silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development.
At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the new 2023 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate identifies a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.21 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver3. The 2022 expansion drilling provided the basis for the updated resource, including the longest and highest-grade interval ever encountered at La Plata and one of the top intersections for any North American copper project in the past several years. In May 2023, the Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment by Newcrest Mining Limited (acquired by Newmont Mining in 2023) to accelerate the advancement of the Company’s La Plata project. In the 2023 Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies, Colorado ranked 5th globally for investment attractiveness and 2nd in the USA.
In Canada’s Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining Company’s (“Hecla”) operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, is anticipating full production at its Keno Hill operations by the end of 2023. An inaugural mineral resource estimate on the project is expected in early 2024, with an 1,112-meter expansion drill program completed at the Formo target during fall of 2023.
The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators, including Parker Schnabel of Little Flake Mining from the Discovery Channel television show, Gold Rush.
All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. The Company is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in the region, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team has been recognized for its environmental stewardship practices and is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development.
Footnotes:
Cathro, R. J., Great Mining Camps of Canada 1. The History and Geology of the Keno Hill Silver Camp, Yukon Territory. Geoscience Canada, Sept. 2006. ISSN 1911-4850.
Alexco Resource Corp Technical Report, titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate of the Keno Hill Silver District” with an effective date of April 1, 2021, and issue date of May 26, 2021.
See news release dated July 31, 2023. The Mineral Resource has been estimated in conformity with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practices Guidelines (2019) and current CIM Definition Standards. The constrained Mineral Resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25% Cu Eq, based on metal prices of $3.75/lb Cu and $22.50/oz Ag, assumed metal recoveries of 90% for Cu and 65% for Ag, a mining cost of US$5.30/t rock and processing and G&A cost of US$11.50/t mineralized material. The current Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this Mineral Resource Estimate are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, based on the current knowledge of the deposits, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Website: www.mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800
Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding exploration projects on Metallic Minerals’ mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Taylor Haid, P. Geo, Project Manager for TruePoint Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
Quality Assurance / Quality Control All samples were prepared by Bureau Veritas’ (BV) Whitehorse, Yukon facility and geochemically analyzed at the BV laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia. All samples were prepared using BV code PRP70-250, which crushed, split, and pulverized 250 grams of core to 200 mesh pulps. These pulps were then analyzed by 37 Element 1:1:1 Aqua Regia Digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-ES/MS) analyses (BV Code AQ202). Over-limit silver, lead, and zinc samples were further analyzed with multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (BV Code MA404). Samples with over-limit gold (and silver when over-limit was reached via multi-acid) were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish (BV Code FA530).
All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab and the company utilizes a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the project, including insertion of blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials approximately every tenth sample. Certified reference materials were acquired from OREAS North America Inc. of Sudbury, Ontario, and CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. Of Langley, British Columbia for the 2023 drill program at the Keno Silver project.
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, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals 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, unsuccessful operations, 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 Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
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