VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 21, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it will be participating in the inaugural Yukon Mining Alliance (“YMA”) Invest Yukon Core Shack to be held in the main Investors Exchange exhibit hall at the Prospectors and Developers Annual Convention (“PDAC”) in Toronto. The Invest Yukon Core Shack will be located at Booth #3314, adjacent to the main PDAC Core Shack and Metallic will be presenting core on March 5 and 6th from both of its key projects, the Keno Silver project in Yukon and the La Plata Copper-Silver project in Colorado. The Company will also have a presence in the main Investors Exchange from March 5-8 and investors are invited to visit booth # IE3024 to meet the team in person.
Metallic Minerals Corporate Presentation
In addition, President Scott Petsel will be providing a corporate presentation at a Forum for Investors on March 6th in the silver-focused session, Room 803, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. For more information, visit here.
Invest Canada North Reception
The Metallic Group of Companies is proud to be a sponsor of the 2023 Invest Canada North reception to be held March 6 in MTCC North Room 106 from 4pm – 7pm EST. Leaders from its members, Metallic Minerals, Granite Creek Copper and Stillwater Critical Minerals will be in attendance and the Group will have a display table where guests are invited to meet the team. For more information, visit here.
About Yukon Mining Alliance
Yukon Mining Alliance – the globally recognized Invest Yukon brand – is a strategic alliance of Yukon’s leaders in exploration and mining who, in partnership with the Government of Yukon, connect investors with Yukon’s competitive advantages through innovative capital attraction initiatives. For more information visit InvestYukon.ca.
Invest Canada North connects global investors with the competitive advantages and opportunities in Canada’s North, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, at one of the world’s biggest annual mining conferences, the PDAC Convention. Our unique initiatives showcase each region, through keynote presentations, panels and special sessions, highlighting the leaders in exploration, development and production, as well as the mining ecosystem that is supported by significant geological potential, strong geopolitical stability and progressive Indigenous and community partnerships. Through our Invest Canada North mining portal catch up on the latest news in the north or dive into each region to discover your next great opportunity. To learn more visit https://investcanadanorth.ca.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a leading exploration and development stage company, The Company is focused on silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon, and copper, silver and other critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco Resources and their Keno Hill operations in September 2022.
Metallic Minerals 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 hit television show Gold Rush on the Discovery Channel. At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in April 2022 outlined a significant porphyry copper-silver resource with results from the 2022 expansion drill program pending.
All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. 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 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.
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 / February 14, 2023 / Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the “Company” or “SWCM”) is pleased to announce it has partnered with Cornell University under the MINER program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) via the Advanced Research Projects Agency program (“ARPA-E”). Test work, led by Dr. Greeshma Gadikota, will focus on novel hydrometallurgical techniques and carbon capture, with the objective of increasing the extraction of critical minerals using reduced energy for a carbon negative mining future.
Cornell University is the recipient of a federal grant from ARPA-E as part of a program entitled “Supercritical CO2-Based Mining for Carbon-Negative Critical Mineral Recovery”. Cornell University seeks to advance CO2-sourced hydrometallurgical pathways for recovering energy critical metals, including nickel, cobalt, platinum and palladium, coupled to the carbon mineralization of calcium and magnesium components to produce calcium and magnesium carbonates. Novel functional materials for the selective capture and recovery of these energy critical metals will be developed. Various sources for CO2 will be investigated including air for metal recovery coupled to carbon mineralization. These approaches will be specifically tuned to the mineralogy of the Company’s Stillwater West project in Montana.
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Press release picture
Dr. Greeshma Gadikota
Dr. Greeshma Gadikota stated, “The U.S. imports the great majority of its energy critical metals from mines all over the world, leaving the U.S. quite vulnerable. Our research is all about decarbonizing the mining industry and developing an independent, domestic supply chain of these critical metals. It’s important for U.S. manufacturing, green energy, national security, and competitiveness.”
Relating to the Cornell University partnership, Company President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will join Dr. Gadikota at the ARPA-E MINER kick-off event in Austin, Texas on February 14 and 15, 2023. Other presenters and attendees include Tesla Motors, major mining companies, top US government officials and financial institutions. More information on the MINER program is available here: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/programs/miner.
Michael Rowley, Stillwater Critical Minerals President & CEO, stated, “We are very pleased to be selected as the industry partner for Dr. Gadikota’s cutting-edge work and to work closely with her team toward our shared vision of securing the future domestic supply of the critical minerals the US so urgently needs. Our Stillwater West project is rapidly advancing as a potential large-scale, low-carbon source of nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum and rhodium. Located in an active and expanding US mining district with a long history of critical minerals production and demonstrated world-class scale and grade, Stillwater West is on a very short list of assets with the potential to play a significant role in realizing the goals set out in the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, and other ongoing initiatives. It is our belief that mining can do more than supply minerals by conventional means, and that partnerships such as this are the path toward more sustainable practices.”
About Dr. Greeshma Gadikota
Dr. Greeshma Gadikota is an Assistant Professor and Croll Sesquicentennial Fellow in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a field appointment in the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University. Dr. Gadikota directs the Sustainable Energy and Resource Recovery Group. She held postdoctoral research associate appointments at Princeton University and Columbia University, and a research associate appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her PhD in Chemical Engineering and MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Operations Research are from Columbia University. Her BS in Chemical Engineering is from Michigan State University. She is a recipient of the DOE, NSF and ARO CAREER Awards, Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award, Cornell Engineering Research Excellence Award, Inaugural Cornell Rising Women Innovator Award, and AICHE Sabic Award for Young Professionals from the Particle Technology Forum. Dr. Gadikota received her PhD in Chemical Engineering and earned her MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Operations Research, from Columbia University. Her BS in Chemical Engineering is from Michigan State University.
Research Interests
With more than 80% of our energy resources recovered from the subsurface environments which requires about 50 billion cubic meters of fresh water and contributes to more than 75% of global CO2 emissions, our grand societal challenge lies in meeting our growing demand for energy and resources while reducing environmental impact. Addressing these earth-scale challenges requires us to develop novel technologies to engineer targeted physico-chemical interactions in complex engineered and natural environments. Enabling emergent technologies for a sustainable earth requires us to advance the cross-scale science of fluid-solid interactions in complex and extreme environments. With this perspective, our research is directed towards applications that involve (i) engineering the natural environment for sustainable energy and resource recovery and (ii) designing novel chemical pathways for advancing low carbon and negative emissions technologies.
About ARPA-E
The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy. ARPA-E projects have the potential to radically improve U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and environmental well-being. We focus on transformational energy projects that can be meaningfully advanced with a small amount of funding over a defined period of time. Our streamlined awards process enables us to act quickly and catalyze cutting-edge areas of energy research.
ARPA-E empowers America’s energy researchers with funding, technical assistance, and market readiness. Our rigorous program design, competitive project selection process, and active program management ensure thoughtful expenditures. ARPA-E Program Directors serve for limited terms to ensure a constant infusion of fresh thinking and new perspectives. To learn more visit: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/.
About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.
Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF) 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 recent addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team, 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 and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. Per an expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate released January 2023, the Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits at Stillwater West contain 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold, in a compelling suite of critical minerals and are open for expansion along trend and at depth.
Stillwater Critical Minerals also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals’ 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.
Note 1: References to adjoining properties are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the exploration potential, extent or nature of mineralization or potential future results of the Company’s projects.
Note 2: Magmatic Ore Deposits in Layered Intrusions-Descriptive Model for Reef-Type PGE and Contact-Type Cu-Ni-PGE Deposits, Michael Zientek, USGS Open-File Report 2012-1010.
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 30, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce additional results from the 2022 field program at the Keno Silver project in the historic Keno Hill silver district of the Yukon: Canada’s most important silver mining district. These results cover the West Keno area and represent the second in a series of results to be released from the Company’s 2022 exploration program, which included 3,265 meters (“m”) of diamond core drilling in 23 drill holes focused on expansion of advanced stage, “resource-ready” targets in anticipation of an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in 2023.
Exploration in 2022 at West Keno focused on drilling at the advanced-stage Formo target, which produced silver at various times since the 1930s from high-grade vein structures that graded over 1,000 g/t silver1. Formo is a significant inholding within the neighbouring Hecla Mining property and is on trend with the historic Hector-Calumet Mine, which produced nearly 100 million ounces of silver making it the largest individual mine in the district1.
2022 West Keno Exploration highlights
High-grade silver (“Ag”), lead (“Pb”) and zinc (“Zn”) mineralization was encountered in five of seven holes (See Table 1). Both high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn vein-style mineralization and broader zones of moderate grade Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization were encountered.
A total of 40 high-grade samples of over 100 g/t silver equivalent (“Ag Eq”) were intercepted in the 2022 West Keno drilling, including:
FOR22-01, 0.54 m @ 2,291 g/t Ag Eq (1,139 g/t Ag, 18.32% Pb, 14.79% Zn)
FOR22-02, 0.5 m @ 1,025.1 g/t Ag Eq (14 g/t Ag, 0.07% Pb, 23.36% Zn)
FOR22-04, 1.63 m @ 1,536.2 g/t Ag Eq (1,049.5 g/t Ag, 4.21% Pb, 9.45% Zn)
FOR22-04, 0.64 m @ 2,127.9 g/t Ag Eq (1,358 g/t Ag, 4.16% Pb, 16.42% Zn)
FOR22-05, 0.5 m @ 1,215.3 g/t Ag Eq (850 g/t Ag, 7.65% Pb, 3.97% Zn)
All five holes encountering significant silver mineralization in 2022 also intercepted broad bulk-tonnage zones averaging 26.2 m @ 85.6 g/t Ag Eq comprised of multiple high-grade vein intervals with associated stringers and stockwork veining.
Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, stated, “Impressive drill results, year over year, have consistently demonstrated that Formo is one of Metallics’ highest-grade targets and have cemented it as a priority for a planned, near-term NI 43-101 resource estimate. The strategic location of the Formo deposit along the Silver Trail Highway provides easy access and adjacent electrical power and it is only two kilometers from the largest individual silver deposit in the district and less than five kilometers from both Hecla’s active mine development operations at Bermingham and the Keno operations mill at Keno City. This new step-out drilling continues to show that the deposit remains open to further testing along trend and down dip with room for significant expansion of the mineralized footprint and additional new discoveries. With these results complete we have initiated resource modelling work with SGS Geological Services on the Formo deposit.
“The Company expects to announce additional drill results from both the Keno Silver Project (primarily at the advanced-stage Caribou target), and from follow up expansion drilling at the La Plata Project over the coming weeks.”
Upcoming Events
Vancouver Resource Investment Conference – Metallic Minerals will be participating in the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference at the Yukon Pavilion on Monday January 30th. For more information, visit here.
GCFF Virtual Conference – Scott Petsel will be presenting during the GCFF Metals Investing Virtual Conference on February 23rd at 10am PT | 1pm ET. To register, click here.
OTC Markets Battery & Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference – Metallic will be participating in the upcoming OTC Markets Battery & Precious Metals Investor Conference on Wednesday, February 15 at 10am PT | 1pm ET. To register, click here.
2023 Prospectors and Developers Convention (PDAC) – Booth, Presentation & YMA Core Shack
Metallic Minerals will be attending PDAC 2023 in Booth IE3024. Additionally, President Scott Petsel will be providing a corporate presentation at a Forum for Investors during the 2023 Prospectors and Developers convention in Toronto Monday March 6th in the silver-focused session, Room 803, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. For more information, visit here.
Figure 1. Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture
West Keno 2022 Drilling Program
Drilling at West Keno focused on the advanced-stage “resource-ready” Formo target area. A total of seven holes were completed over 1,145.6 meters on known projections of mineralization with the goal of expanding the potential resource footprint of the deposit in anticipation of an inaugural 43-101 mineral resource estimate in 2023. Previous drilling has recognized at least three separate parallel high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn vein structures and results of the 2022 drilling continue to demonstrate multiple vein zones in each hole with individual grades commonly more than 1,000 g/t Ag Eq (See Table 1). The Formo target represents one of the highest-grade areas drilled to date on Metallic’s Keno Silver Property with 4.1 m of 2,536 g/t Ag Eq (FOR20-03) and 1 m of 2,961.6 g/t Ag Eq (FOR21-06) as examples of drill results from previous years efforts.
Table 1 – Highlights of 2022 Drill Results from the West Keno – Formo Target Area
DDH Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Length (m)
Ag Eq (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
FOR22-01
72.3
103.95
31.65
86.5
41.1
0.01
0.54
0.70
incl
72.3
72.8
0.5
496.4
349
0.00
3.70
1.17
And incl
97.3
103.95
6.65
324.6
148.4
0.02
2.07
2.73
And incl
98.8
99.34
0.54
2291
1139
0.06
18.32
14.79
FOR22-02
91
119.2
28.2
69.8
11.6
0.02
0.11
1.25
incl
91
105.5
14.5
123
17.1
0.01
0.16
2.34
And incl
91
92
1
744.4
74
0.02
0.31
15.35
And incl
95.3
95.8
0.5
1,025.1
14
0.01
0.07
23.36
FOR22-03
77
81
4
154.2
93.6
0.01
0.83
0.90
incl
77
77.81
0.81
489.6
386
0.00
3.54
0.31
and
125
141.6
16.6
66.4
36
0.01
0.37
0.45
incl
126.8
134
7.2
107.8
58.4
0.00
0.65
0.74
FOR22-04
125.13
146
20.87
228.8
144.6
0.01
0.70
1.59
incl
126.75
127.5
0.7
1,168.5
345
0.07
3.52
16.81
And incl
137.6
144
6.4
557.7
395.9
0.02
1.65
2.99
And incl
141.81
143.44
1.63
1,536.2
1,049.5
0.11
4.21
9.45
And incl
142.8
143.44
0.64
2,127.9
1,358
0.00
4.16
16.42
FOR22-05
60.9
61.62
0.72
293.5
3.5
3.34
0.01
0.10
and
131.5
164.95
33.45
67.9
42.1
0.05
0.37
0.28
incl
147
151
4
283
195.3
0.00
1.81
0.96
And incl
148.8
149.3
0.5
1,215.3
850
0.00
7.65
3.97
And incl
164.45
164.95
0.5
280
1.9
3.25
0.00
0.00
FOR22-06
75.7
77.15
1.45
41.8
21.3
0.01
0.44
0.17
and
131.52
132.07
0.55
42.8
15.3
0.02
0.12
0.53
FOR22-07
93.4
93.9
0.5
44.9
22.3
0.01
0.20
0.39
and
123.45
124.04
0.59
43.8
31.1
0.00
0.21
0.18
Notes to reported values:
Ag equivalent is presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $20.0/oz silver (Ag), $1.00/lb lead (Pb), $1.40/lb zinc (Zn).
Rcovered 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 may not represent true width.
West Keno and the Formo Area Target
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 include the Formo Mine, also known as the Yukeno 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.
Figure 2 – West Keno Plan Map
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture
Figure 3 – Formo Vein Long Section (looking NW)
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture
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 deposit, 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-Pb-Zn veins on the Formo property.
Since 2020 Metallic Minerals has drilled 22 holes (3,306.9 m) at the Formo Target to compliment the six core holes and 54 percussion holes drilled by previous owners between 1980 and 1981. The Formo Target is open to significant expansion opportunities and is poised to lead the Company’s efforts to establish resources on the Keno Silver Project.
Grant of Long-Term Performance Incentives
Metallic Minerals further announces that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has granted 1,490,000 stock options (each, an “Option”) to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan. Each Option is exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company (“Share”) at a price of $0.23 per share, being the closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on January 27, 2023, for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Options are subject to certain vesting requirements in accordance with the shareholder approved plan.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a leading exploration and development stage company, focused on silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon, and copper, silver and critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco Resources and their Keno Hill operations in September 2022. Metallic Minerals 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. At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in April 2022 returned a significant porphyry copper-silver resource with results from the 2022 expansion drill program pending. All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. 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 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.
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 Debbie James, Senior Geologist 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 assayed by 36 Element Aqua Regia Digestion ICP-MS methods at Bureau Veritas labs in Vancouver with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analysis in Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples with over limit silver and gold were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish. Over-limit lead and zinc samples were analyzed by multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab and the company utilized a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the project, including blank, duplicate, and standard reference samples.
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, unsuccessrul 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 / January 24, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce signing a production royalty agreement on 5 ½ miles of alluvial gold claims at its Australia Creek property in the Klondike Gold District of Canada’s Yukon Territory, with Little Flake mining, a company owned and operated by Parker Schnabel of Discovery Channel‘s top-rated television series, “Gold Rush“.
Under the terms of the agreement, Little Flake will be granted exclusive rights to extract gold from the Australia Creek property, with Metallic Minerals receiving a percentage of the production as a royalty. This partnership will combine Metallic Minerals’ expertise in mineral exploration and Little Flake’s experience in gold mining to maximize production and profitability for both groups in the region. Mr. Schnabel is recognized as a highly experienced miner and, in December 2022, was awarded the Robert E. Leckie Award for Excellence in Environmental Stewardship by the Yukon Government for reclamation work in the Klondike goldfields.
“We are excited to be working with Parker and the highly experienced Little Flake mining team and believe this partnership will be lucrative for both our companies, given Little Flakes track record of impressive alluvial gold production,” said Greg Johnson, Metallic Minerals Chairman & CEO. “Our recent gold discoveries at Australia Creek represent a major extension of the Klondike to the east and is one of the biggest new discoveries in this historic district in decades. Metallic Minerals is one of the largest owners of alluvial gold mining claims in the Yukon Territory, including this large block of unmined claims in the Klondike. Starting with exceptional operators like Little Flake, we anticipate the potential for the generation of significant production royalties, which will provide funding toward our hard rock silver and copper exploration projects in Yukon and Colorado. An important criterion for our evaluation of potential additional alluvial operators will be demonstrated operational excellence and environmental stewardship that aligns with Metallic Minerals focus on ESG values.”
Parker Schnabel, owner and operator of Little Flake Mining, commented, “Our award-winning team looks forward to working with Metallic Minerals and we plan to hit the ground running on Australia Creek. Planning is underway for a 400-hole drill program this winter on the property and we anticipate beginning mining operations this spring. This under-explored part of the Klondike shows vast potential for new discoveries, and we believe our collaboration with the veteran exploration team at Metallic will unlock this potential for both our groups.”
The agreement is effective immediately with production targeted to begin by June. The companies will be working together closely to ensure a rapid and successful start-up for the partnership.
Under the terms of the Australia Creek property agreement, Little Flake must complete a $1 million minimum annual work commitment and pay Metallic Minerals an annual advance royalty plus a variable royalty on all gold production.
About Australia Creek
Metallic Minerals holds a 100% interest in 36.4 square kilometres of mining rights along the Australia Creek drainage south of Dawson City, Yukon. Australia Creek is part of the historic Klondike gold district that is estimated to have produced over 20 million ounces of gold since its discovery in 1898. Australia Creek and its benches are now recognized by Yukon Geological Survey as the eastern continuation of the highly productive Klondike Goldfields, which is the largest placer gold producing area in the Yukon. Modern, open-pit operations in the Klondike have doubled production in the region over the past decade1.
Despite extensive mining activity nearby, Australia Creek itself was not historically mined due to its importance as a source of water and hydro-electric power for the floating dredge operations that were conducted in the area between the 1920s and 1960s. However, exploration drilling at Australia Creek has returned gold-in-gravel values that compare to some of the best producing areas of the Klondike presenting an exciting opportunity for the Company.
Figure 1: Klondike Gold District and Metallic Minerals’ Properties
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 23, 2023, Press release picture
2023 AMEBC Mineral Roundup Core Shack
Metallic Minerals is very pleased to announce that we have been invited to participate in this year’s AMEBC Mineral Roundup conference in Vancouver and will be displaying intervals of drill core from the Keno Silver project and our La Plata project on Wednesday, January 25th and Thursday, the 26th. Key members of our management and technical teams will be on hand to discuss the project and opportunity. Visit us at booth #1016 in the Core Shack. For more information and to register, visit here.
Vancouver Resource Investment Conference – Presentation
Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, will be providing a corporate update and participating in a moderated roundtable discussion during the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on Sunday, January 29th at 3:30 PM in the Yukon Pavilion. For more information, visit here.
About Little FlakeMining
Little Flake is a mining company founded and owned by Parker Schnabel of the hit Discovery Channel television series Gold Rush. Now in its thirteenth season, Gold Rush is Discovery Channel’s number one rated and most watched television series. Little Flake specializes in placer gold mining and operates in the Klondike region of Canada and in Alaska. Mr. Schnabel comes from a multi-generational mining family and under Schnabel’s entrepreneurial leadership, Little Flake has become one of the largest and most successful operators in the Yukon’s placer gold mining industry.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a leading exploration and development stage company, focused on silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon, and copper, silver and critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco in September 2022. In April 2022, Metallic Minerals announced the inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for its La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. 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. All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. 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 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.
1Yukon Geological Survey (“YGS”) Yukon Placer Mining Industry Report 2010-2014
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, 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, unsuccessrul 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 / January 19, 2023 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) ( “Granite Creek” or the “Company” ) is pleased to report positive results from its Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Carmacks Copper-Gold-Silver project (the “Project” or “Carmacks Project”), located in the Yukon, Canada’s Minto Copper District within the traditional territories of Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation and Selkirk First Nation.
The PEA demonstrates attractive project economics with significant opportunities for additional mine life expansion, reinforcing the potential of the Minto Copper District to become a top-tier global copper district.
Granite Creek Copper will be hosting a live webinar to review the PEA results on January 24th , 2023, at 9:00am PT | 12:00PM ET. To register, click here .
PEA Highlights
Attractive project economics:
Base case metal prices of US$3.75/lb Cu, US$1,800/oz Au and US$22/oz Ag: Pre-tax NPV 5%of C$324 million and 36% IRR After-tax NPV 5%of C$230 million and 29% IRR
Case 1 metal prices of US$4.25/lb Cu, US$2,000/oz Au and US$25/oz Ag: Pre-tax NPV 5%of C$475 million and 48% IRR After-tax NPV 5%of C$330 million and 38% IRR
Mine life of nine years at 7,000 tonnes per day with clear exploration potential to extend mine life with four target areas within 1km of the current resource.
Capital cost of C$220m with payback of 2 years from commencement of production.
Head grade of 1.10% copper equivalent (“CuEq”) consisting of 0.90% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au and 3.5 g/t Ag.
Average cash operating costs of US$1.76/lb CuEq and all-in sustaining costs of US$2.57/lb CuEq.
Option for tailings treatment: PEA study identifies additional potential cash flow through processing of oxide tailings to increase total copper recovery. Recovery sensitivity shows an additional $180M pre-tax NPV based of a 20% increase in recovery rates.
The Company envisions developing the Carmacks Project into a low-carbon source of copper. A critical mineral, as defined by the Canadian government, copper is key to the transition to a zero-carbon economy through the electrification of transportation and other industries, and the development of renewable energy production. The 2023 PEA clearly demonstrates the viability of the Carmacks Deposit as a robust open pit sulphide and oxide copper-gold-silver project with significant potential upside from both resource expansion and secondary processing of oxide material to further improve oxide recoveries. The Project is to be powered by the Yukon’s electrical grid which uses primarily renewable electricity.
“The completion of the PEA is a major accomplishment that doesn’t just advance the Project beyond previous studies but completely re-envisions Carmacks as a high-grade, open pit copper, gold and silver producer with excellent expansion potential in a tier one jurisdiction”, commented Timothy Johnson, President and CEO. “The inclusion of sulphide alongside oxide ore, either as a blend or a straight sulphide feed, has resulted in significant upside on the Project, with further opportunities recognized in both processing and exploration.”
“Potential for near mine resource expansion is demonstrated in new volumetrically significant targets identified by comparison of the geophysical signatures of known mineralization with similar signatures of untested targets near the proposed pits “, continued Mr. Johnson. “These strong geophysical responses have a high correlation with copper sulphide minerals on the Project, giving us high confidence in these new targets, which are a priority for testing in upcoming drill campaigns.”
PEA Study Approach
The PEA contemplates open pit mining using a conventional truck and shovel operation in two separate pits. Mining targets the high-grade, near surface oxide material in the 147 pit, then transitions to target sulphide material in the 1213 pit followed by final mining of the deeper oxide and sulphide material in 147. Mined material would be delivered to a crushing and grinding circuit consisting of a primary crusher, SAG mill and ball mill. Both oxide copper ore and sulphide copper ore would be processed via a simplified flow sheet consisting of well-established flotation technology producing a high-quality copper-gold-silver concentrate. Oxide and sulphide ore would be blended and sequenced to provide optimal cash flow and to minimise the environmental footprint with mined-out pits or portions of pits being reclaimed as mining commences in the next area. Both conceptual pits lie within 2km of the proposed mill site.
Tailings from the flotation circuit would be filtered and water recirculated into the flotation circuit. This would improve water management and limit environmental impact, with final tailings placement on a lined dry stack tailings facility at site.
A high-grade, premium copper, gold and silver concentrate would be shipped via deep seaports in Skagway, Alaska or other nearby facilities. Treatment and refining charges terms are within standard market rates.
Average copper recovery during life of mine (“LOM’) is calculated to be 64% with approximately 2/3 of material processed being oxide ore and 1/3 being sulphide ore. Metallurgical studies returned 93% copper recovery when processing sulphide ore, 40% copper recovery while processing oxide ore and 82% when processing a 50:50 blend. Metallurgical work highlights the opportunity for further optimization of the Project through more detailed mine sequencing or discovery of near mine sulphide or that could be blended with ore from the 147 pit.
Table 1: PEA Key Parameters
Parameter
Unit
Base Case 1
Case 1
Metal Prices
Copper Price
US$/pound
$3.75
$4.25
Gold Price
US$/troy ounce
$1,800.00
$2,000
Silver Price
US/troy ounce
$22.00
$25
Average Recovery to Cu Concentrate 2
Copper Recovery
%
64%
Gold Recovery
%
58%
Silver Recovery
%
60%
Concentrate Grade
Copper
%
40%
Gold
g/t
11.0 g/t
Silver
g/t
134.4 g/t
Production Data
Resource Tonnes
21,270,518
Copper Equiv. Grade
1.10%
Daily Mill Throughput
Tonnes / day
7,000 t
7,000 t
Annual Processing Rate
Kilo tonnes/ year
2,495 kt
2,495 kt
LOM Strip ratio
Waste: Ore
4.6:1
4.6:1
Mine Life
Years
9 years
9 years
Average annual production
Copper EQ production 6
Million Pounds / year
33.9 M
Copper in concentrate
Million Pounds / year
27 M
Gold in copper concentrate
Troy ounces / year
12 385
Silver in copper concentrate
Troy ounces / year
151 584
Operating Costs (LOM avg) 2
Mining
C$/t mined
$3.16
Milling
C$/t processed
$18.30
G&A
C$/t processed
$4.93
All in Sustaining Costs 4,5
US$/lb CuEq
$2.57
Capital Costs
Initial Capital Cost
C$
C$220M
LOM Sustaining Capital Cost
C$
C$130M
Financial Analysis
Pre-Tax NPV 5%
C$
C$324M
C$475M
Pre-Tax IRR
%
36%
48%
After Tax NPV 5%
C$
C$228M
C$330M
After Tax IRR
%
29%
38%
Payback period 7
Years
2.0
1.5
Base case metal prices based on 36-month trailing average from January 15, 2022.
Recovery includes both oxide and sulphide ore and is based on mining 2/3 oxide and 1/3 sulphide LOM.
Total operating costs include mining, processing, tailings, surface infrastructures, transport, and G&A costs.
AISC includes cash operating costs, sustaining capital expenses to support the on-going operations, concentrate transport and treatment charges, royalties and closure and rehabilitation costs divided by copper equivalent pounds produced.
AISC is a non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. Refer to note at end of this news release.
The copper equivalent grade (CuEq) is determined by (total copper x US$3.75) + (total gold x US$1800) + (total silver x $22)/$3.75)/total resource tonnes.
Payback period is from commencement of mining.
Capital Cost
The PEA for the Project outlines an initial (pre-production) capital cost estimate of C$220 million and LOM sustaining capital costs of C$130 million, including overall closure costs of C$5 million. Initial capital costs include the construction of milling and processing facilities, lined dry stack tailings and lined waste rock facilities, on-site infrastructure of 15km of access road and facilities for water capture and treatment. Construction of a powerline (12.8 km, 138 kV) from an existing substation is placed under sustaining capital to allow for construction time of the power grid.
Table 2: Capex Estimates 1
Cost Element
Base Case
Mine Costs
C$25M
Processing
C$84M
Infrastructure
C$27.7M
Tailings
C$14.7M
EPCM and Indirect Costs
C$34.1M
Sub total Capex
C$185 M
Sustaining Capital
C$130.M
Contingency
C$35.0M
Reclamation and Closure
C$5.0M
1 All values stated are undiscounted.
Operating Costs
Operating costs estimates were developed using first principles methodology, vendor quotes received in Q3 2022, and productivities being derived from benchmarking and industry best practices. Over the LOM, the average operating cost for the Project is estimated at C$3.16/t mined and C$18.30/t processed. Tailings costs are included in processing costs.
The average cash operating costs over the LOM is US$1.76/lb CuEq and the average AISC is US$2.57 /lb CuEq.
Economic Analysis and Sensitivities
The PEA indicates that the potential economic returns from the Project justify advancing to a feasibility study.
The Project generates cumulative cash flow of C$371.2 million on an after-tax basis and C$505.8 million pre-tax at a base case of $3.75/lb Cu based on an average mill throughput of 7,000 t/day over the 9-year life of mine.
Table 3: Summary of Economic Analysis 1,2
Element
Base Case
Case 1
Metal Price Assumptions (US$) Copper, Gold Silver
$3.75, $1800, $22
$4.25, $2000, $25
Exchange Rate
0.75
0.75
Average annual cash flow
C$61.8M
C$76.9M
Payback Period
2.5 years
1.5 years
EBITDA
C$505.8M
C$710M
LOM Undiscounted Net Cash Flow After Tax
C$371.2M
C$505M
NPV (5% discount) After Tax
C$230.5M
C$328M
IRR After Tax
29%
38%
1 The analysis assumes that the Project is 100% equity financed (unlevered). 2 Appropriate deductions are applied to the concentrate produced, including treatment, refining, transport and insurance costs.
The PEA is significantly influenced by copper price assumptions. Using the Case 1 metal price scenario consists of near current prices of US$4.25/lb Cu, US$2000/oz Au and US$25/oz silver, the Project generates an after-tax Net Present Value (“NPV”) using an 5% discount rate of $328 million and an after-tax IRR of 38% with a payback period of 1.5 years from the commencement of production. (Table 3), Outlined below in Table 4 is a detailed sensitivity analysis across gold and copper prices with silver kept at $22/ounce. Table 5 below highlights additional sensitivities to foreign exchange, recovery, CAPEX and OPEX.
Table 4: Copper and Gold Metal Price Sensitivity Analysis NPV- Pre-Tax values in Million CDN$
The third conceptual pit, 2000S as identified in the Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE), could be brought into the mine plan if sufficient additional resources were defined by drilling to offset pre-stripping costs.
Electrification of the mining fleet. Significant cost saving and reduction in greenhouse gas production may be possible through the sourcing of electric vs. diesel haul trucks for the Project. The PEA envisions using a contract mining fleet for the Project and preference will be given to suppliers that can provide either fully electric or hybrid equipment.
Further discovery. Exploration conducted in 2022 consisting of geophysics, trenching and soil sampling identified four areas proximal to the proposed mine plan that if successfully drilled could enable longer mine life beyond nine years or provide additional sulphide mill feed earlier in the mine’s life. Four targets on the Property require evaluation, all located within 1km of the current deposits. Two of the targets are located beneath the current resource and there is higher geological certainty that these may contain appreciable copper mineralization.
Zone 1213 shallow: Downward continuation of Zone 12 and 13. Estimated dimensions are 360m long, 15 – 40m wide, starting at approximately 65m below the current drilling.
Zone 12 deep: Downward continuation of Zone 12. Estimated from geophysics to be continuing for an additional 170m below current resource modelling. Approximated to be 580m long and 15-40m wide.
Gap Zone target: Geophysical anomaly that fits with current geological understanding of the fault offset between 147 and 2000S Zone. Estimated to be 500m long, up to 400m deep, and 30-50m wide.
Sourtoe target: Estimated from geophysics to be a lensoidal body of similar size to known deposits at 370m long x 370m deep with an estimated width of 15-50m. It has been lightly tested at surface by trenching and is weakly mineralized.
In addition, the Carmacks North target area is host to several mineralized zones that have the potential to add resources to the mine plan, all within 15 km of the proposed mill site.
Additional recovery through metallurgical improvements. The Company has retained Kemetco Laboratories to complete additional leaching and copper precipitating testing to evaluate the processing of tailings. The calculated grade of copper in tailings averages 0.32% with over 140 Mlbs of copper not recovered LOM. Recovery sensitivity show an additional $180M pretax NPV based of a 20% increase in recovery rates. Review of historical metallurgical testing has indicated that copper minerals present in oxidized material respond well to leaching. Once the copper is in solution the copper would be chemically precipitated to produce sulphide minerals that can be added back into the flotation cells.
Mineral Resources
The basis for the PEA uses an updated mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) for the Carmacks deposit (effective date March 30, 2022). The mine plan contemplates processing 62% of resources outlined in the MRE. The MRE includes inferred resources that are too speculative to have economic parameters applied to them. Resources are not reserves and there is no certainty that the resources outlined on the Project can be converted to reserves.
Table 6: Mineral Resource Estimates
CATEGORY
Cut -Off Cu (%)
Quantity (Mt)
Grade
Cu†
Au
Ag
Mo
CuEq
Total (%)
(g/t)
(g/t)
(%)
Total (%)
In Pit Oxide
Measured
0.30
11.361
0.96
0.40
4.11
0.006
1.30
Indicated
0.30
4.330
0.91
0.28
3.37
0.007
1.16
Measured &Indicated
0.30
15.691
0.94
0.36
3.91
0.006
1.26
Inferred
0.30
0.216
0.52
0.09
2.44
0.006
0.63
In Pit Sulphide
Measured
0.30
5.705
0.68
0.16
2.54
0.016
0.88
Indicated
0.30
13.486
0.72
0.19
2.83
0.013
0.93
Measured &Indicated
0.30
19.191
0.71
0.18
2.74
0.014
0.92
Inferred
0.30
1.675
0.51
0.13
2.24
0.020
0.70
Below Pit Sulphide
Measured
0.60
0.026
0.71
0.16
2.54
0.010
0.88
Indicated
0.60
1.341
0.82
0.19
2.88
0.012
1.03
Measured &Indicated
0.60
1.367
0.82
0.19
2.88
0.012
1.03
Inferred
0.60
0.967
0.77
0.17
2.48
0.012
0.96
Notes:
CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.
The effective date of the Mineral Resources is March 30, 2022.
Mineral Resources are estimated using an exchange rate of US$0.75/C$1.00.
Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,800/oz Au with a metallurgical gold recovery of 60%, and a long-term copper price of US$3.75/lb with a metallurgical copper recovery of 95% for sulphide material and 60% for oxide material.
Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.30 copper equivalent.
Bulk density of 2.83 t/m 3 was used for tonnage calculations.
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
Mining
The overall mining operation is expected to consist of two open pits completed over three phases. Phase I contemplates development of the 147 zone with low strip ratio. Phase 2 contemplates the mining of 1213 zone with a slightly higher strip ratio. Phase 3 contemplates pushback on the 147 pit to a final LOM strip ratio of 4.6:1, resulting in a total of 9 years of operation, plus one year of pre-stripping. Following this mining period, a low-grade stockpile of 2Mt grading 0.18% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au and 0.8 g/t Ag may be reprocessed once mining operations cease. All waste and tailings will be disposed near the mining infrastructure.
The contract mining operation is planned to be a conventional truck and shovel open pit operation, moving approximately 118Mt of material over the 9-year life of mine. This would provide the floatation processing plant with 21.3Mt of ore at a rate of 7 000 tonnes per day.
Metallurgy and Processing
The processing facilities and saleable mineral products are fundamentally different from the beneficiation procedures that were contemplated in the 2006 Feasibility Study and updated in the 2017 PEA. The processing facilities currently being recommended for the Project would include a simplified flotation circuit, capable of processing three individual types of feed materials, oxide, sulphide, and blended ores, each of which would produce a high grade, premium concentrate.
Metallurgical testing both by Bureau Veritas in 2021 and by SGS Vancouver in preparation for the PEA study support the simplified flotation circuit. Flotation testing of individual oxide copper ores, sulphide copper ores as well as blended ores has been completed in this initial phase of the process investigation.
A test program including mineralogy and flotation was completed on samples from the Carmacks Project. The flotation test program included test work on sulphide, oxide, and blend ores.
The sulphide ore assayed 0.92% Cu, 0.67% S, and 0.24 g/t Au. Gold and copper head grades calculated from the flotation test assays agreed well with the direct head assays.
The oxide ore assayed, 0.60% Cu, 0.06% S, and 0.25-0.82 g/t Au, indicating that nugget gold may exist. However, the gold head grade calculated from the flotation tests was consistently between 0.20 g/t to 0.23 g/t with an average of 0.21 g/t.
Sulphide flotation recovered 93.7% of copper and 69.0% of gold at 42.7 % Cu and 7.7 g/t Au grade (Sulphide F4) while oxide flotation recovered 39.8% of copper and 57.5% of gold at 26.2% Cu and 13.6 g/t Au grade.
A 50/50 oxide/sulphide blend batch flotation program recovered 75.3% of copper and 65.7% of gold at 40.8 % Cu and 12.4 g/t Au grade (Blend F4).
Locked cycle flotation on blend sample recovered 82.0% of copper and 70.1% of gold at 40.1% Cu and 10.6 g/t Au grade (Blend LCT1).
Flotation optimization and an economical evaluation of the target copper grade versus recovery is recommended in future test work.
As mentioned above, the Company has commissioned additional test work to evaluate the potential for further recovery of copper from tailings when material in the mill contains a significant percentage of oxide material. Review of historical metallurgical testing has indicated that copper minerals present in oxidised material respond well to leaching. Once the copper is in solution the copper will be chemically precipitated to produce sulphide minerals that can be added back into the flotation cells.
Infrastructure
The Project lies along the Freegold Road, a Yukon government-maintained gravel road, currently being upgraded as part of the Yukon Resource Gateway Program. The road would ultimately lead to the near by Casino Project and other significant development projects in the area. A 12.8 km transmission line would be constructed to access the 138 kV Carmacks-Stewart transmission at McGregor Creek. Future studies will look at alternate routes for powerlines that could also benefit projects near the proposed Carmacks Project.
Next Steps
Additional Metallurgical work. In addition to the metallurgical work underway to assess further recovery from tailings work will be completed to optimise recoveries of both copper and precious metal. Additional studies will also be completed to identify any metallurgical variability between the two proposed mining areas to assist in further mine plan optimization through sequencing and blending of ore.
Exploration Drilling. Significant resource expansion potential exists within 1 km of the proposed pits. In addition to the new zones identified by 2022 geophysical and geochemical surveys, and trenching, many areas of both the 2000S and 12-13 zones remain open for expansion.
Geotechnical drilling on 1213 pit. In order to advance the Project towards feasibility geotechnical drilling will need to be completed on the proposed 1213 pit. Significant geotechnical drilling in the 147 area dating back to 2006 when a full feasibility study was completed on that portion of the Project will also be reviewed.
Baseline environmental studies. In preparation for advancing the Project towards feasibility existing environmental studies including ongoing water sampling programs will be reviewed and updated.
Continued community engagement. The Company is dedicated to working with communities effected by the Project including Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and Selkirk First Nation to ensure that the Project advances in a respectful way with maximum benefit to the effected communities.
Technical Report and Qualified Persons
The PEA was prepared by SGS Geological Services. (“SGS”). with several individuals and departments within SGS contributing to sections of the study. William Van Breugel P.Eng., is the lead consultant for this study. SGS Geological Services is known globally as the expert in ore body modelling and resource/reserve evaluation with over 40 years and 1000 consulting projects of experience providing the mining industry with computer-assisted mineral resource estimation services using cutting edge geostatistical techniques. SGS bring the disciplines of geology, geostatistics, and mining engineering together to provide accurate and timely mineral project evaluation solutions.
As part of the larger SGS Natural Resources group, they draw upon their massive network of laboratories, metallurgists, process engineers and other professionals to help bring mineral projects to the next level.
Table 7: Qualified Person
Department
Area of Responsibility
Qualified Person
SGS
Mine Design
Johnny Canosa, P.Eng and William Van Breugel, P.Eng
Mine Infrastructure
Johnny Canosa, P.Eng
SGS Tucson
Metallurgy. Processing and process plant operating costs
Joseph Keane PE
SGS Tucson
Process plant and infrastructure capital costs
Joseph Keane PE
Financial analysis
William Van Breugel, P.Eng
Note: The Qualified Persons are independent as defined by Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects”. The Qualified Persons are not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the 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.
A NI 43-101 technical report supporting the PEA will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this news release and will be available at that time on the Company’s website. Readers are encouraged to read the Technical Report in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the details summarized in this news release. The Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.
A presentation summarizing the Project’s PEA results is available on the Company’s website.
Qualified Persons
All scientific and technical data contained in this presentation relating to the PEA has been reviewed and approved by William Van Breugel P.Eng., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. All exploration data including exploration upside potential has been reviewed and approved by Debbie James P.Geo., for the purposes of NI 43-101 The Qualified Persons mentioned above have reviewed and approved their respective technical information contained in this news release.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176-square-kilometer Carmacks Project in the Minto Copper District of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The Project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com .
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, potential economic estimates, capital costs, operating costs, potential cash flows, 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.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce initial assay results from the 2022 field program at the Keno Silver project located in the historic Keno Silver district of the Yukon; Canada’s most important silver mining district. These results cover the East Keno area and represent the first in a series of results to be released from the Company’s 2022 exploration program, which included 3,265 meters (m) of diamond core drilling in 23 drill holes focused on expansion of advanced stage, “resource-ready” targets in anticipation of an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in 2023.
Exploration in 2022 at East Keno focused on drilling of the Greater Fox area targets (Fox, UKHM and Zone 2) first discovered by the Company in 2020, through systematic exploration efforts including mapping, geochemical soil sampling, geophysics, and drilling (see Figure 1). This work outlined the first known occurrence of Ag-Pb-Zn sheeted veins and includes the widest intervals of continuous mineralization ever reported in the Keno Hill silver district at up to 177 meters thickness. The sheeted vein mineralization (spaced distinct parallel Ag-Pb-Zn veins) at Fox is found in geologic settings that may be repeated as significant additional targets across the property which, as yet remain undrilled. The East Keno target areas of Fox, UKHM and Zone 2 have become substantial advanced-stage targets, poised for further expansion drilling and near-term resource delineation.
2022 East Keno Exploration Highlights
Mineralization was intercepted in each of the eight holes (1,386 m) drilled at East Keno in 2022 (see Table 1). Both bulk-tonnage and high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn vein-style mineralization was encountered.
Drill intercepts at the Fox target in 2022 averaged 136 m of sheeted vein mineralization (including up to 177 m wide); a significant broadening of the identified mineralized zones encountered in 2020 and 2021 drilling at Fox.
At the Fox target, hole FOX22-03, returned sheeted vein zones of 144.5 m @ 41.4 g/t silver equivalent (Ag Eq), including 27.66 m at 105.8 g/t Ag Eq.
A total of 107 high-grade samples (over 100 g/t Ag Eq and greater than 0.5 m in width) were intercepted in in the 2022 East Keno drilling, including:
Z222-01, 0.5 m @ 222.7 g/t Ag Eq (182 g/t Ag, 1.10% Pb, 0.03% Zn)
FOX22-02, 0.5 m @ 806.9 g/t Ag Eq (555.0 g/t Ag, 3.24% Pb, 3.14% Zn)
FOX22-03, 0.59 m @764.0 g/t Ag Eq (463.0 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au, 0.79% Pb, 5.41% Zn)
UKHM22-01, 0.55 m @1087.0 g/t Ag Eq (953.0 g/t Ag, 3.56% Pb, 0.28% Zn)
Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, stated, “The 2022 drilling at Fox is indicative of the huge potential at East Keno and has significant implications for further exploration success and future resource development. The sheeted Ag-Pb-Zn vein system identified at Fox had not been recognized in the district prior to Metallic’s systematic exploration efforts and our team has since identified additional new areas as potential hosts of similar mineralization. We have now extended mineralization at the Fox deposit over 300 m along strike and 150 m down-dip starting from surface, where it remains open in all directions. A total of 18 drill holes define the Fox zone and show good continuity of the broader mineralized system with a relatively shallow dip. Resource modelling is currently underway focused on the large-scale bulk-tonnage resource potential for the Fox target area.”
“The Company expects to announce additional drill results from both the Keno Silver Project (Primarily at advanced stage targets Formo and Caribou) and the La Plata Cu-Ag Project over the coming weeks and we look forward to discussing these and other developments at events throughout Q1.”
2023 AMEBC Mineral Roundup Core Shack
Metallic is very pleased to announce that we have been invited to participate in this year’s AMEBC Mineral Roundup conference in Vancouver and will be displaying intervals of drill core from the Keno Silver project and our La Plata Project on Wednesday, January 25th and Thursday, the 26th. Key members of our management and technical teams will be on hand to discuss the project and opportunity. Visit us at booth #1016 in the Core Shack. For more information and to register, visit here.
Vancouver Resource Investment Conference – Presentation
Metallic President, Scott Petsel, will be providing a corporate update and participating in a moderated roundtable discussion during the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on Sunday, January 29th at 3:30 PM in the Yukon Pavilion. For more information, visit here.
Figure 1. Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits
Metallic Minerals Corp., Thursday, January 12, 2023, Press release picture
East Keno Target Areas – Fox, Zone2 and UKHM
The East Keno area is represented by 15 multi-kilometer scale soil and geophysical anomalies which indicate additional potential for broad-scale mineralization in the least explored part of the Keno Hill silver district. Five of these anomalies have been drilled with initial positive results and an additional five other targets are drill ready. The Fox target, now with 2,748 meters drilled in 18 holes over three years, will be the focus of continued expansion and resource definition drilling in future programs.
Exploration of the East Keno area by Metallic Minerals began in 2018 with soil geochemical sampling and progressed to initial reverse circulation drilling in 2020 which returned several significant high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn sulfide vein intervals (KE20-01 0.77m @ 1,397 g/t Ag Eq) and numerous broad bulk-tonnage scale intervals (KE20-01, 28.2 @ 64 g/t Ag Eq and KE20-02, 22.1 m @ 48 g/t Ag Eq). The 2021 field program in East Keno combined additional reverse circulation drilling and initial diamond core drilling in warranting additional confidence in the target areas.
Drilling combined with extensive mapping and other geologic data has demonstrated a transition at East Keno from north to south from typical Keno style Ag-Pb-Zn mesothermal mineralization at Fox to mixed mesothermal and epithermal styles of mineralization at Zone 2 and UKHM. Epithermal mineralization is often associated with higher silver grades as demonstrated on the west side of the district at Silver King and Husky SW. The broad zones of mineralization at Fox, are now recognized as shallow dipping high-grade sheeted mesothermal Ag-Pb-Zn veins that appear to be associated with a regional scale thrust fault structures. This is a target concept that is broadly repeated across the district, and more specifically at multiple untested targets in the East Keno area.
Mineralized widths from the 2022 drilling on the Fox target returned the widest zones of continuous mineralization ever reported in the Keno Hill silver district and on a grade thickness basis are comparable in contained metal with some of the richest zones from the western part of district (see detailed 2022 results in Table 1 below). The Fox deposit sits within a multi-kilometer scale silver-in-soil anomaly leaving significant room to grow the footprint of mineralization for the Fox target both laterally and down dip. The westernmost drilling in the Fox target area, FOX22-05 and FOX22-06, demonstrates increasing widths of mineralization that will be tested in future programs along with untested areas of very high-level silver in soil values.
Drilling at the earlier stage Zone 2 and the UKHM targets have returned significant silver values including broad envelopes of mineralization similar to the Fox zone along with narrower high-grade silver intervals typical of the district. All drilling on these early-stage targets has been at shallow depths and these targets remain open for expansion with further drilling (see 2022 results in Table 1 below).
2022 East Keno Drilling
The focus of the 2022 drilling at Fox was extend known outlines of mineralization to enhance potential near-term resource opportunities. Single drill holes at UKHM and Zone 2 further confirmed these areas, both broad-scale mineralization and higher-grade epithermal style Ag-Pb-Zn veins, as priority targets for significant additional drilling and focus (See Figure 2).
Table 1 – Highlights of 2022 Drill Results from the East Keno Target Areas
Bulk Tonnage Intervals
Hole
From (m)
To(m)
Length (m)
Ag Eq1(g/t)
Ag(g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb(%)
Zn (%)
FOX22-01
11.8
147.75
135.95
25.8
7.9
0.01
0.03
0.33
incl
51
79.7
28.7
47.1
14.5
0.02
0.04
0.62
FOX22-02
15.3
191.88
176.58
16.5
6.4
0.00
0.03
0.18
incl
69
78.5
9.5
76.5
31.1
0.01
0.19
0.83
and incl
174.81
186.81
12
52.2
15.5
0.00
0.04
0.75
FOX22-03
15
159.5
144.5
41.4
14.6
0.01
0.04
0.52
incl
29.55
101.75
72.2
68.1
22.6
0.01
0.06
0.89
and incl
74.09
101.75
27.66
105.8
29.5
0.02
0.09
1.54
FOX22-04
28.9
154.3
125.4
36.2
10.6
0.01
0.03
0.50
incl
28.9
114.85
85.95
49.3
14.8
0.01
0.05
0.67
and incl
67.48
114.85
47.37
73.9
21.6
0.01
0.07
1.06
FOX22-05
11.24
117
105.76
15.7
4.0
0.01
0.01
0.20
incl
27.96
82.55
54.59
21.0
5.0
0.01
0.01
0.28
FOX22-06
10
136
126
33.5
7.6
0.008
0.02
0.51
incl
65
117.15
52.15
63.2
13.0
0.01
0.03
1.03
and incl
79
90
11
122.1
23.8
0.014
0.05
2.05
UKHM22-01
59.5
112.5
53
26.7
20.2
0.01
0.06
0.07
High-Grade Intervals
Hole
From (m)
To(m)
Length (m)
Ag Eq1(g/t)
Ag(g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb(%)
Zn (%)
FOX22-01
13.95
14.45
0.5
466.5
206.0
0.02
1.12
4.81
and
38.57
39.07
0.5
361.2
115.0
0.01
0.68
4.85
and
73.84
79.7
5.86
151.3
45.1
0.06
0.11
1.90
and
121.5
122
0.5
488.9
55.0
0.00
0.13
9.34
FOX22-02
32.5
33
0.5
806.9
555.0
0.01
3.24
3.14
and
158.08
158.58
0.5
315.3
43.0
0.01
0.04
5.76
and
174.81
175.5
0.69
281.0
22.0
0.00
0.03
5.61
FOX22-03
29.55
30.14
0.59
764.0
463.0
0.23
0.79
5.41
and
34.31
34.81
0.5
582.2
316.0
0.08
1.39
4.57
and
50.1
50.73
0.63
657.1
207.0
0.10
0.29
9.33
and
99.53
100.53
0.5
740.1
77.0
0.03
0.01
14.52
and
153.85
154.35
0.5
817.4
656.0
0.00
1.42
2.50
FOX22-04
28.9
29.4
0.5
294.1
133.0
0.12
0.07
3.16
and
53.49
54
0.51
355.7
140.0
0.14
0.66
3.91
and
67.48
68
0.52
846.7
109.0
0.10
0.16
15.75
and
114.35
114.85
0.5
555.6
43.0
0.02
0.01
11.02
FOX22-05
27.96
28.46
0.5
558.4
171.0
0.11
0.19
8.01
FOX22-06
40.5
41
0.5
397.5
134.0
0.361
0.44
4.96
and
80.6
86.3
5.7
132.2
14.4
0.016
0.02
2.46
Incl
85.8
86.3
0.5
526.9
58.0
0.019
0.10
7.02
and
114
115
1
337.0
110.0
0.03
0.19
4.70
UKHM22-01
59.5
60
0.5
989.6
763.0
0.32
2.18
2.59
and
107.3
107.85
0.55
1087.0
953.0
0.02
3.56
0.28
Z222-01
69.9
72.5
2.6
79.6
45.1
0.00
0.29
0.49
and
129.5
130
0.5
222.7
182.0
0.02
1.10
0.03
Notes to reported values:
Ag equivalent is presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $20/oz silver (Ag), $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 length.
Figure 2 – East Keno and Greater Fox target area with 2022 drill results and composite grade thickness values (Ag Eq1)
Metallic Minerals Corp., Thursday, January 12, 2023, Press release picture
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is an exploration and development stage company, focused on silver, gold and copper in the high-grade Keno Hill and La Plata mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent Hecla Mining’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco in September 2022. In April 2022, Metallic announced the inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for its La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.
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 Debbie James, Senior Geologist 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 assayed by 36 Element Aqua Regia Digestion ICP-MS methods at Bureau Veritas labs in Vancouver with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analysis in Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples with over limit silver and gold were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish. Over-limit lead and zinc samples were analyzed by multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab and the company utilized a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the project, including blank, duplicate, and standard reference samples.
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 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, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 10, 2023 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX | OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“)is pleased to report positive metallurgical results in support of the upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Carmacks copper-gold-silver project (“the Project” or “Carmacks Project”) located in the Minto copper district, within the traditional territories of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and the Selkirk First Nation, Yukon Canada.
Metallurgical testing completed by SGS Vancouver Metallurgy (“SGS”) supports a simplified process consisting of froth flotation for the recovery of copper, gold and silver from both sulphide and oxide ores at Carmacks. These tests demonstrate outstanding recovery levels and concentrate grades in both the sulphide only and blended sulphide/oxide samples, which would be utilized by the mine. Testing was done on samples consisting of material in which copper was present primarily in oxide minerals, where the copper was present as primarily sulphide minerals, and samples that were a blend of oxide and sulphide minerals. Table 1 below highlights selected results from this testing:
Table 1 – Flotation Recovery and concentrate grade.
Recovery %
Concentrate Grade
Sample
Cu
Au
Ag
Cu %
Au g/t
Ag g/t
Sulphide/Oxide blend1
82.0
70.1
68.6
40.1
10.6
104
Sulphide Sample2
93.7
69.0
78.4
42.7
7.7
117
Oxide Sample3
39.8
57.5
37.4
26.2
13.6
93
Locked cycle flotation on blend sample consisting of 60% sulfide and 40% oxide.
The sulphide ore assayed 0.92% Cu, 0.67% S, and 0.24 g/t Au. Gold and copper head grades calculated from the flotation test assays agreed well with the direct head assays.
The oxide ore assayed, 0.60% Cu, 0.06% S, and 0.25-0.82 g/t Au indicating that nugget gold may exist. However, the gold head grade calculated from the flotation tests was consistently between 0.20 g/t to 0.23 g/t with an average of 0.21 g/t. Locked cycle testing was not completed on the oxide samples.
Test work produced a very clean, premium, high-grade concentrate that forms the metallurgical basis for the process flow sheet of the PEA, which the company expects to publish by the end of the current quarter. Flotation optimization and an economic evaluation of the target copper grade versus recovery has been recommended by SGS and will be considered in future test work.
President and CEO, Tim Johnson, stated, “Building on the success of sulphide flotation testing completed in 2021, this study directly supports the PEA allowing a simplified flow sheet consisting of well-established froth flotation technology to be considered for increased overall recoveries at the Carmacks Project. Metallurgy is a key component of the upcoming PEA and with this important work complete we look forward to delivering the updated study to the market within the current quarter.”
Options
Granite Creek also announces that, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, it has granted 1,250,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company, under its long-term incentive plan. The options are exercisable for up to five years, expiring on January 10th, 2028 and each option will allow the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.08 per share.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
Ms. Debbie James, P.Geo., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Senior Geologist with TruePoint Exploration and a Project Manager at Carmacks.
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.
Due to ongoing supply concerns, platinum prices have surged more than 20% over the past three months, and the precious metal is now set to experience its best quarter since the start of 2009.
On Friday, platinum prices rose another 1.0% to $1,064.50 per ounce, bringing its quarterly gain to just under 23%.
Should the price of platinum maintain its 20% uptick, then this will will be the biggest quarterly increase since the first quarter of 2008, when it gained a staggering 34%.
According to the World Platinum Investment Council, top consumer China has imported excessive amounts of platinum metal since 2019, which has left a limited above-ground supply for the rest of the world.
“This, in combination with higher prices likely being needed to release Chinese inventories to the domestic market, could have a significant bearing on platinum market price discovery,” the Council wrote in its Platinum Perspectives report in December.
The Council is anticipating a platinum deficit in 2023, with demand growing by 19% while supply increasing by just 2%.
“Despite international economic turbulence, with many countries already in, or expected to tip into, recession, industrial demand for platinum will be up 10% compared to 2022, which exceeds the 10-year average,” the WPIC said in a press release.
Demand for platinum in the automotive industry will also continue to grow next year, while jewelry-based demand for platinum is forecasted to remain constant throughout 2023, the WPIC added.
According to Reuters data, platinum is by far the best-performing precious metal in 2022, recording a year-to-date gain of 9%. Over the same period, gold has lost around 1%, silver up around 3% and palladium down 4%.
