VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV: ROVR) (OTCQB: ROVMF) (FSE:4XO) (“Rover” or the “Company”) announces that is has received approval from the Toronto Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) to re-price issued and outstanding stock options granted to arm’s length consultants of the Company. Also, further to its news release of January 3, 2023, the Company has received approval from the TSXV to re-price and extend the lives of warrants issued under previous private placements.
Terms of the Stock Option Repricings On a post-consolidation basis (see October 28, 2022 release), the Company has 208,332 stock options outstanding, with an exercise price of $0.36. The Company has amended the exercise price to $0.15 per option share.
On a post-consolidation basis, the Company has 58,333 stock options outstanding, with an exercise price of $0.39. The Company has amended the exercise price to $0.15 per option share.
On a post-consolidation basis, the Company has 50,000 stock options outstanding, with an exercise price of $0.45. The Company has amended the exercise price to $0.15 per option share.
On a post-consolidation basis, the Company has 29,166 stock options outstanding, with an exercise price of $0.72. The Company has amended the exercise price to $0.15 per option share.
On a post-consolidation basis, the Company has 8,733 stock options outstanding, with an exercise price of $0.90. The Company has amended the exercise price to $0.15 per option share.
A total of 354,564 outstanding stock options have had their exercises prices amended to $0.15 per warrant share.
Warrant Repricings Further to its news release of January 3, 2023, the Company has received approval from the TSXV to reprice and extend the lives of the following issued and outstanding warrants:
No. of Warrants
Old Price
New Price
Expiry
6,170,799
$0.90
$0.15
May 31, 2025
2,981,237
$0.45
$0.20
May 31, 2025
849,953
$0.72
$0.20
August 23, 2024
179,719
$0.72
$0.20
January 27, 2025
138,887
$0.72
$0.20
April 24, 2025
208,333
$0.72
$0.20
May 31, 2025
10,528,928
Total
Pursuant with TSXV policies, the warrants now have an acceleration clause such that if the closing price for the Company’s shares are 25% higher then the exercise price (or greater) for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, then the warrant holders will have 30 days to exercise their warrants; otherwise, the warrants will expire on the 31st day.
Judson Culter, CEO at Rover Metals, states “repricing our stock options and warrants to these levels provides a realistic hurdle to access quick growth capital, free of corporate finance fees and marketing and travel fees that are associated with traditional financing instruments. Additionally, stock options and warrants priced at these new levels has the potential to reward our retail investors and consultants that have taken the risks associated with getting involved with our company in the early stages. We are committed to our shareholder-base and our management team will work hard in the coming year to try and unlock the value of these warrants for them.”
About Rover Metals Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF, and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. Rover is currently focussed on the development of a claystone lithium project in southwest Nevada, USA. Plans for 2023 include a 1,200-meter reverse circulation drill program at the Let’s Go Lithium project.
The Company has a diverse portfolio of mining resource development projects with varying exploration timelines. Its critical mineral projects include lithium, zinc, and copper. Its precious metals projects include gold and silver. The Company is exclusive to the mining jurisdictions of Canada and the U.S.
You can follow Rover on its social media channels:
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS “Judson Culter” Chief Executive Officer and Director
For further information, please contact: Email: info@rovermetals.com Phone: +1 (778) 754-2855
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Rover’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. There can be no assurance that such statements prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any factor could cause actual results to differ materially from Rover’s expectations. Rover undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Funding Package of US$35 Million Loan Facility and US$2 Million Equity Investment Finances and Accelerates Completion of Tuvatu Gold Mine and Production Facilities
North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 19, 2023) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a facility agreement with Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund I, LP and Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP (each as Lender and collectively, “Nebari”), with Nebari Collateral Agent, LLC as collateral agent and certain Lion One subsidiaries as guarantors, for a Financing Facility of up to US$37M (the “Financing Facility”). Proceeds from the Financing Facility will accelerate project construction and development at the Company’s 100% owned and fully permitted high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. Lion One expects first production to be achieved by December 2023.
Financing Facility (All figures in USD): The Financing Facility consists of a US$35 million senior secured first lien term loan (the “Loan Facility”) and a US$2 million (CAD$2.7 million) equity investment (“the Equity Investment”) in common shares of Lion One.
Loan Facility: The total amount of the Loan Facility will be funded in up to three tranches, with US$23M to be funded at Closing (Tranche 1), and an additional US$12M available at Lion One’s option in up to two further tranches (Tranches 2 and 3) within 18 months of closing. Interest on Tranche 1 is 8% (plus three-month SOFR), and amortization is on the Maturity Date 42 months from the Closing Date, with no closing fees payable. Tranches 2 and 3 funding is subsequent to an 8% original issue discount and interest is 10% plus SOFR, with progressive amortization over 42 months from the Tranche 2 funding date, with closing fees equal to 2% of the amounts funded.
Warrants: On the Closing Date, the Lender will be issued 15,333,087 non-transferable purchase warrants in the Company (the “Warrants”), with each Warrant exercisable into common shares of Lion One at a price of CAD$1.49 for a period of 48 months from issuance. The warrants will be subject to an accelerator provision whereby the Borrower may accelerate the expiry date of up to 25% of the initial warrants in the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company exceeds 100% over the strike price for a period of twenty consecutive days. Lion One has the option to accelerate the expiry of further 25% portions of the warrants at four-month intervals, up to a maximum of 75% of the warrants issued.
Royalty Payment: Following the first month in which the Tuvatu Project produces at least 2,000 ounces of gold, the Company shall pay to the Lender a royalty equal to 0.5% of the Net Smelter Returns on the first 400,000 ounces (equivalent to 2,000 ounces) of gold produced and sold from the Tuvatu Project.
Equity Investment: Concurrently with the Loan Facility, Nebari has entered into a subscription agreement to purchase 3,125,348 common shares of Lion One at a price of CAD$0.86 per share, representing an aggregate equity investment of US$2M (CAD$2.7M).
The Company’s right to drawdown Tranche 1 of the Loan Facility is subject to satisfaction of customary conditions precedent, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”), though these conditions precedent are expected to be satisfied in short order. Issuance of the Warrants and completion of the placement is also subject to TSX-V approval.
Lion One Chairman and CEO Walter Berukoff commented, “We are extremely pleased to have secured Nebari as a financial partner and major shareholder in the development and future success of Tuvatu. They are a vastly experienced group, are aligned with our key values and stakeholders, and have delivered a creative solution to bring the Tuvatu project to completion and enhance shareholder value tremendously.”
Andre Krol, Managing Partner with Nebari, commented: “We are extremely excited to partner with Lion One as a shareholder and lender as they complete construction of the Tuvatu Gold Project. The experience, professionalism and community engagement of their Fijian team was impressive and we look forward to first gold production later this year and further exploration success.”
About Tuvatu The Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project is located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. The January 2018 mineral resource for Tuvatu as disclosed in the technical report “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tuvatu Gold Project, Republic of Fiji”, dated September 25, 2020, and prepared by Mining Associates Pty Ltd of Brisbane Qld, comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at www.liononemetals.com and on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
About Nebari Nebari is a US-based investment manager specializing in privately offered pooled investment vehicles including Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund I, LP and Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP which are funding the Financing Facility to Lion One. The Nebari leadership team has deep experience with leading global mining companies and financial institutions and is known for partnering with motivated and capable management teams focused on achieving clear plan targets.
About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One’s flagship asset is 100% owned, fully permitted high grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One envisions a low-cost high-grade underground gold mining operation at Tuvatu coupled with exciting exploration upside inside its tenements covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, an underexplored yet highly prospective 7km diameter alkaline gold system. Lion One’s CEO Walter Berukoff leads an experienced team of explorers and mine builders and has owned or operated over 20 mines in 7 countries. As the founder and former CEO of Miramar Mines, Northern Orion, and La Mancha Resources, Walter is credited with building over $3 billion of value for shareholders.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lion One Metals Limited “Walter Berukoff“, Chairman and CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release
This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 19, 2023) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to provide an update on advances at the Diablillos royalty property (the “Royalty Property” or “Property”) in Argentina. The Diablillos silver-gold project is being advanced by AbraSilver Resource Corp. (“AbraSilver”). EMX’s interest in the Property consists of a 1% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty and a pre-production payment.
AbraSilver’s ongoing 15,000 meter, Phase III diamond drill program continues to expand and delineate the Southwest Zone (JAC target) discovery with near-surface, high-grade oxide intercepts such as 40 meters averaging 203 g/t silver starting at 114 meters in hole DDH-22-060, and 103 meters averaging 139 g/t silver starting at 65 meters and including 9.0 meters averaging 477 g/t silver and 0.23 g/t gold in hole DDH-22-061 (see AbraSilver news release dated December 15, 2022)1. The Southwest Zone (JAC) provides significant exploration upside to increase the mineral resources of the Property.
The JAC target is located along trend to the southwest of Oculto resource deposit, which had been the previous focus of exploration. AbraSilver announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Oculto reported at a 35 g/t silver equivalent2 cutoff that included measured and indicated resources of 51.3 Mtonnes averaging 66 g/t silver (109 Moz contained Ag) and 0.79 g/t gold (1.3 Moz contained Au) in Q4 of 2022.3 AbraSilver expects a maiden mineral resource estimate for the Southwest Zone (JAC) in the first half of 2023.
The Diablillos Royalty Property provides an example of an EMX royalty acquisition with significant exploration and development optionality resulting from early-stage advancements by the project operator. These advancements create value at no additional cost to EMX. The high-grade nature of the mineralization and exploration potential of multiple targets are particularly compelling upside aspects of the Property.
Commercial Terms Summary (all dollar amounts in USD). The royalty and payment obligations due to EMX are per an agreement originally between SSR Mining and AbraSilver, with EMX acquiring SSR Mining’s interests in 2021 (see EMX news releases dated July 29, and October 21, 2021). EMX’s 1% NSR royalty is uncapped and cannot be bought down. A payment to EMX of $7 million will be due in 2025, or upon commencement of commercial production, whichever comes first.
Royalty Property Summary. Diablillos is a high-sulfidation epithermal silver-gold project located in the Puna region of Salta Province, Argentina. Mineralization is hosted in Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks. As a precursor to the current Phase III program, AbraSilver’s 20,000 meter, Phase II drill program (completed in 2022) resulted in: a) multiple, near-surface high-grade silver-gold (Ag-Au) intercepts, b) expansion of the mineralized zones at Oculto, c) in-fill of Oculto’s high grade Tesoro Zone, and d) the discovery of the Southwest Zone’s JAC target from a 500 meter step out reconnaissance hole.4 Phase II select intercepts reported by AbraSilver are summarized in the table below.5
Zone
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Ag g/t
Au g/t
Oculto Northeast
21-064
86
147
61
140
0.71
Oculto Northeast
21-067
242
308
66
57
1.90
Oculto Southwest
21-068
89
146
57
108
1.47
Oculto Southwest
22-005
84
151.5
67.5
157
1.95
Tesoro
21-038
112
221.3
109.3
176.8
1.53
Tesoro
22-004
131
271
140
219
1.17
Tesoro
22-015
131.5
157.5
26
2,358
0.36
Tesoro
22-037
71
226
155
185
1.48
Southwest (JAC)
22-019
89
176
87
346
0.15
According to AbraSilver, a number of these intercepts are among the best drill results reported for primary silver projects over the last two years.6 Furthermore, the JAC discovery and Oculto Northeast Zone combine to extend the total strike length of gold-silver mineralization to over two kilometers, which remains open for further expansion.
The Oculto open pit constrained mineral resource update was reported at a 35 g/t silver equivalent cutoff for oxide and transition material as:7 (refer to AbraSilver’s November 3, 2022 news release and Technical Report):
Measured of 19.3 Mtonnes averaging 98 g/t silver (60.6 Moz contained Ag) and 0.88 g/t gold (544 Koz contained Au),
Indicated of 31.0 Mtonnes averaging 47 g/t silver (48.7 Moz contained Ag) and 0.73 g/t gold (752 Koz contained Au), and
Inferred of 2.2 Mtonnes averaging 30 g/t silver (2.1 Moz contained Ag) and 0.51 g/t gold (37 Koz contained Au).
Overall, the updated measured and indicated resources resulted in a 22% increase in contained silver and 29% increase in contained gold from the 2021 resource estimate. There was a 135% increase in measured resource tonnage compared to the 2021 estimate, all of which is in the high-grade Tesoro Zone (refer to AbraSilver’s November 3, 2022 news release). Importantly, 94% of the measured and indicated resources are oxide material, reflecting the oxidized character of Oculto to depths of 300-400 meters from surface.
AbraSilver’s ongoing Phase III drill program continues to yield high-grade oxide results at the JAC target, as well as at Oculto’s Tesoro Zone8:
Zone
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Ag g/t
Au g/t
Tesoro
22-045
122
249
127
506
1.99
Tesoro
22-043
204
227
23
1939
0.28
Southwest (JAC)
22-046
123
165.5
42.5
400
0.11
Southwest (JAC)
22-052
74
90.5
16.5
389
0.01
Southwest (JAC)
22-052
95.5
126.5
31
63
0.23
Southwest (JAC)
22-052
139.5
164.5
25
754
0.12
Southwest (JAC)
22-057
67
93
26
141
–
Southwest (JAC)
22-057
103
138
35
90
0.21
Southwest (JAC)
22-057
144
164
20
499
0.10
Southwest (JAC)
22-060
114
154
40
203
–
Southwest (JAC)
22-061
65
168
103
139
–
including
149
158
9
477
0.23
According to AbraSilver, advancement of the Diablillos Property is now focused on a) Phase III drilling at the Southwest Zone’s JAC target, b) completion of the maiden resource for the Southwest Zone (JAC) in H1 2023, c) conducting PFS metallurgical testwork, and d) completing a PFS project study in H1 2023.9 In addition, follow-up on the Property’s additional targets (e.g., Fantasma, etc.) is underway.
Qualified Person. Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.
About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX’s investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol EMX, and also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
For further information contact:
David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 973-8585 Dave@emxroyalty.com
Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 SClose@emxroyalty.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain “forward looking statements” that reflect the Company’s current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserve and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will”, “believe”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company’s future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company’s MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Revised Annual Information Form (the “AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2021, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
____________________________
1 True widths are approximately 80% of reported interval lengths. 2 AgEq calculated using a) metal prices (USD) of $25/oz Ag & $1750/oz Au, and b) recoveries of 73.5% for Ag & 86% for Au. 3 See AbraSilver news release dated November 3, 2022 and report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate Diablillos Project” with an effective date of October 31, 2022 and dated November 28, 2022. Qualified person is Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc. (Geo) FAusIMM, an independent Senior Resource Geologist. 4 See AbraSilver October 2022 Corporate Presentation and August 3, 2022 news release. 5 See AbraSilver news releases dated June 13, July 25, August 3, and August 22, 2022. True widths are approximately 80% of reported interval lengths. 6 See AbraSilver October 2022 Corporate Presentation. 7 Refer to AbraSilver’s 11/3/2022 news release and 11/28/2022 Technical Report. 8 See AbraSilver news releases dated September 29, October 12, November 9 & 22, and December 15, 2022. True widths are approximately 80% of reported interval lengths. 9 See AbraSilver October 2022 Corporate Presentation.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 18, 2023 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (formerly Group Ten Metals) (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the “Company” or “SWCM”) is pleased to announce results of rhodium assays conducted on core from resource expansion drilling on its 100%-owned Stillwater West platinum group element, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold (“PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au”) project in Montana, USA, adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s world-class critical minerals mining operations.
These results, along with the integration of deposit models from South Africa’s Bushveld complex, provide the Company and SGS Geological Services (“SGS”) with the remaining components necessary to finalize an update of the Company’s inaugural October 2021 resource estimate (the “2021 Resource”), which delineated five Platreef-style deposits totaling 1.1 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 2.4 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold (see Figure 1).
Rhodium intercept highlights from resource expansion drilling include:
Widespread rhodium in drill results at potentially significant co-product grades including:
0.122 g/t Rh over 7.2 meters in CM2021-01 starting at 304.8 meters;
0.104 g/t Rh over 8.3 meters in CM2021-03 starting at 252.2 meters; and
0.396 g/t Rh over 1.2 meters in CM2021-01 starting at 411.6 meters.
Current results expand upon similar results in past campaigns which returned 0.103 g/t Rh over 7.9 meters in hole CM2020-05, and 0.100 g/t Rh over 6.1 meters in hole CM2007-02.
Rhodium is mined solely as a co-product at grades that are often below 0.1 g/t. South Africa dominates global production, and there is very little mine supply in North America. Sibanye-Stillwater, adjacent to SWCM’s Stillwater West project, is the primary US producer.
Supply constraints have resulted in elevated rhodium prices since 2017. At its current spot price of more than USD 12,000/oz, 0.1 g/t rhodium equates to more than 0.6 g/t gold or palladium equivalent, and more than 1.2 g/t platinum equivalent.
Rhodium has a high melting point, is highly corrosion resistant, and is critical in catalytic converters, along with platinum and palladium, for cleaner vehicle emissions.
Complete results from the 14-hole expansion drill campaign, which consisted of wide step-outs at three of the five deposits defined by the 2021 Resource, are being incorporated into the updated block models by SGS. As shown in Table 1, results continue to demonstrate impressive grade and scale with wide intervals at successively higher grades contained within very wide bulk-tonnage grade intervals, including:
13.2 meters of 2.31% Ni, 0.35% Cu, 0.115% Co, and 1.51 g/t 4E (Pt+Pd+Au+Rh) starting at 37.6 meters and within 400.8 meters of continuous mineralization in hole CM2021-05;
44.1 meters of 0.57% Ni, 0.34% Cu, 0.045% Co, and 0.74 g/t 4E starting at 32.8 meters and within 367.6 meters of continuous mineralization in hole CZ2021-01; and
50.2 meters of 1.05 g/t 4E plus 0.19% Ni and other values within 728.1 meters of continuous mineralization in hole CM2021-01.
Metallurgical testing completed by AMAX confirmed recovery of rhodium along with palladium and platinum in preliminary bench-scale flotation testing at the CZ deposit area in the early 1970s.
Past work previously reported by the Company included surface sample results of up to 5.78 g/t Rh at the HGR target in the Iron Mountain area, and 1.07 g/t Rh at Chrome Mountain in reconnaissance-scale rock sample programs (see June 11, 2020, news release).
Early results for other rare Platinum Group Elements (“PGE”) show potential for additional value from iridium, osmium, and ruthenium which often occur along with platinum, palladium, and rhodium at Stillwater West.
Table 1 – Final results from resource expansion drilling including recent rhodium assay results.
INTERVAL
PRECIOUS METALS
BASE METALS
TOTAL METALEQUIVALENTS
HOLE ID
From(m)
To(m)
Width(m)
Pt(g/t)
Pd(g/t)
Au(g/t)
Rh(g/t)
4E(g/t)
Ni(%)
Cu(%)
Co(%)
NiEq*(%)
NiEq*(%)
PdEq*(g/t)
DR / HYBRID DEPOSIT AREA – RESOURCE EXPANSION DRILLING
CM2021-01
0.0
728.1
728.1
0.12
0.17
0.02
0.013
0.32
0.13
0.03
0.013
0.16
0.26
0.66
including
230.5
583.4
352.9
0.21
0.27
0.03
0.022
0.54
0.17
0.04
0.015
0.20
0.38
0.95
including
304.8
312.0
7.2
0.63
0.64
0.03
0.122
1.43
0.11
0.02
0.008
0.13
0.67
1.68
including
324.0
385.2
61.2
0.19
0.17
0.02
0.039
0.42
0.20
0.04
0.015
0.23
0.39
0.98
including
397.2
556.4
159.2
0.31
0.41
0.05
0.025
0.79
0.18
0.03
0.017
0.22
0.47
1.17
including
397.2
447.4
50.2
0.48
0.48
0.04
0.050
1.05
0.19
0.03
0.015
0.22
0.56
1.40
including
423.4
430.6
7.2
0.93
1.33
0.05
0.027
2.34
0.24
0.03
0.018
0.27
0.96
2.39
including
479.8
549.2
69.4
0.27
0.47
0.06
0.017
0.82
0.18
0.04
0.017
0.22
0.48
1.20
including
530.0
543.2
13.2
0.26
0.81
0.06
0.039
1.17
0.21
0.06
0.017
0.25
0.67
1.67
including
530.0
537.2
7.2
0.33
1.07
0.08
0.049
1.54
0.21
0.05
0.017
0.24
0.79
1.97
including
687.4
728.1
40.7
0.07
0.20
0.02
0.008
0.29
0.18
0.07
0.021
0.24
0.34
0.84
CM-2021-02
0.0
333.0
333.0
0.08
0.10
0.02
0.006
0.20
0.11
0.04
0.011
0.14
0.21
0.52
including
118.7
232.8
114.1
0.07
0.12
0.04
0.007
0.24
0.19
0.09
0.015
0.24
0.32
0.79
including
131.5
148.4
17.0
0.16
0.25
0.05
0.024
0.49
0.19
0.10
0.022
0.27
0.44
1.11
including
256.9
267.0
10.2
0.14
0.38
0.07
0.016
0.61
0.25
0.13
0.014
0.31
0.52
1.29
CM-2021-03
0.0
428.2
428.2
0.08
0.13
0.02
0.009
0.24
0.10
0.03
0.015
0.14
0.22
0.56
including
106.0
115.2
9.2
0.02
0.03
0.06
0.008
0.12
0.28
0.11
0.045
0.41
0.46
1.14
including
165.0
215.4
50.4
0.06
0.06
0.03
0.005
0.15
0.13
0.04
0.017
0.17
0.22
0.55
including
165.0
172.2
7.2
0.01
0.05
0.04
0.002
0.10
0.29
0.10
0.044
0.41
0.45
1.11
including
240.1
270.4
30.3
0.31
0.65
0.05
0.048
1.06
0.14
0.03
0.013
0.17
0.55
1.37
including
252.2
260.5
8.3
0.49
1.06
0.05
0.104
1.70
0.13
0.03
0.013
0.16
0.81
2.02
CM-2021-04
0.0
208.8
208.8
0.05
0.08
0.02
0.004
0.14
0.11
0.05
0.015
0.16
0.20
0.50
including
0.0
67.2
67.2
0.10
0.17
0.02
0.010
0.30
0.13
0.05
0.016
0.18
0.28
0.69
including
3.6
16.8
13.2
0.17
0.52
0.03
0.025
0.75
0.15
0.04
0.015
0.19
0.46
1.14
including
198.0
208.8
10.8
0.02
0.04
0.03
0.002
0.10
0.25
0.22
0.026
0.38
0.41
1.02
CM-2021-05
36.4
437.2
400.8
0.06
0.12
0.04
0.008
0.22
0.17
0.03
0.015
0.20
0.27
0.68
including
36.4
132.4
96.0
0.06
0.12
0.12
0.002
0.30
0.40
0.05
0.024
0.43
0.52
1.30
including
37.6
50.8
13.2
0.25
0.43
0.82
0.015
1.51
2.31
0.35
0.115
2.43
2.89
7.21
including
37.6
43.6
6.0
0.50
0.77
1.34
0.024
2.63
3.47
0.24
0.195
3.58
4.38
10.92
including
190.0
208.0
18.0
0.18
0.58
0.04
0.025
0.82
0.16
0.05
0.015
0.20
0.49
1.22
including
191.2
196.0
4.8
0.40
1.41
0.09
0.071
1.98
0.21
0.07
0.016
0.26
0.98
2.43
including
345.7
364.0
18.3
0.21
0.43
0.05
0.034
0.72
0.16
0.06
0.014
0.20
0.46
1.14
CM-2021-06
0.0
376.8
376.8
0.08
0.13
0.02
0.009
0.24
0.12
0.03
0.014
0.15
0.23
0.57
including
123.0
150.8
27.8
0.15
0.41
0.04
0.030
0.63
0.16
0.05
0.015
0.20
0.43
1.07
including
125.1
129.4
4.3
0.28
0.99
0.07
0.096
1.44
0.23
0.07
0.020
0.28
0.86
2.15
including
254.0
264.8
10.8
0.05
0.12
0.03
0.004
0.21
0.27
0.06
0.030
0.33
0.40
1.01
including
303.4
376.8
73.4
0.20
0.26
0.03
0.020
0.51
0.14
0.02
0.017
0.17
0.34
0.84
including
305.8
328.4
22.6
0.32
0.44
0.02
0.035
0.81
0.11
0.01
0.017
0.14
0.42
1.04
including
315.4
327.2
11.8
0.42
0.63
0.02
0.048
1.12
0.10
0.01
0.017
0.14
0.52
1.29
CZ DEPOSIT AREA – RESOURCE EXPANSION DRILLING
CZ2021-01
10.8
378.4
367.6
0.06
0.17
0.02
0.009
0.26
0.15
0.06
0.015
0.20
0.29
0.72
including
13.2
76.9
63.7
0.12
0.42
0.07
0.027
0.64
0.47
0.27
0.040
0.62
0.86
2.15
including
32.8
76.9
44.1
0.12
0.49
0.09
0.035
0.74
0.57
0.34
0.045
0.75
1.04
2.58
CZ-2021-02
87.6
94.8
7.2
0.03
0.10
0.08
0.002
0.21
0.17
0.11
0.018
0.24
0.31
0.78
HGR DEPOSIT AREA – RESOURCE EXPANSION DRILLING
IM-2021-01
Did not reach target depth due to bad ground conditions
IM-2021-02
Did not reach target depth due to bad ground conditions, repeated as IM-2021-03
IM-2021-03
Did not reach target depth due to bad ground conditions
115.0
118.6
3.6
0.32
1.17
0.06
0.067
1.62
0.14
0.02
0.012
0.16
0.76
1.90
IM-2021-04
0.0
306.5
306.5
0.05
0.09
0.02
0.005
0.15
0.13
0.08
0.013
0.18
0.23
0.57
including
92.2
207.6
115.4
0.09
0.16
0.03
0.009
0.28
0.19
0.10
0.015
0.25
0.34
0.85
including
92.2
102.0
9.8
0.39
1.02
0.06
0.069
1.54
0.19
0.06
0.018
0.24
0.80
2.00
including
147.6
200.4
52.8
0.07
0.11
0.04
0.003
0.22
0.23
0.16
0.014
0.31
0.37
0.93
including
256.0
260.8
4.8
0.00
0.15
0.09
0.055
0.30
0.74
0.65
0.070
1.11
1.28
3.19
IM-2021-05
0.0
379.2
379.2
0.07
0.13
0.02
0.006
0.22
0.17
0.09
0.014
0.22
0.29
0.74
including
66.8
99.2
32.4
0.15
0.30
0.04
0.017
0.50
0.22
0.11
0.016
0.28
0.45
1.12
including
310.2
378.0
67.8
0.06
0.16
0.03
0.006
0.26
0.25
0.14
0.016
0.32
0.40
1.01
including
313.4
334.9
21.5
0.07
0.24
0.04
0.013
0.35
0.38
0.13
0.024
0.45
0.58
1.43
including
313.4
315.8
2.4
0.00
0.65
0.11
0.086
0.85
1.55
0.17
0.087
1.63
2.04
5.08
including
327.7
334.9
7.3
0.13
0.34
0.04
0.007
0.51
0.45
0.17
0.026
0.53
0.70
1.74
including
346.8
347.8
1.0
0.03
0.31
0.11
0.090
0.55
2.52
0.31
0.097
2.54
2.84
7.09
including
354.3
364.8
10.5
0.07
0.22
0.04
0.003
0.33
0.34
0.33
0.018
0.49
0.59
1.48
including
354.3
355.5
1.2
0.07
0.82
0.06
0.001
0.95
1.33
0.71
0.055
1.60
1.92
4.79
IM-2021-06
0.0
333.0
333.0
0.08
0.14
0.02
0.008
0.25
0.13
0.04
0.012
0.16
0.24
0.60
including
70.8
164.8
94.0
0.14
0.32
0.05
0.016
0.53
0.20
0.09
0.014
0.25
0.43
1.06
including
82.8
109.2
26.4
0.19
0.41
0.08
0.013
0.69
0.27
0.14
0.016
0.34
0.56
1.40
including
298.6
314.2
15.6
0.16
0.33
0.02
0.031
0.55
0.14
0.03
0.016
0.18
0.38
0.95
including
299.8
304.6
4.8
0.42
0.83
0.05
0.077
1.38
0.16
0.03
0.016
0.19
0.70
1.75
*Notes to reported values:
Ni and Pd equivalents are presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $8.00/lb nickel (Ni), $4.00/lb copper (Cu), $24.00/lb cobalt (Co), $1,000/oz platinum (Pt), $2,200/oz palladium (Pd), $1,800/oz gold (Au), and $10,000/oz rhodium (Rh).
Recovered Nickel Equivalent in Table 1 is determined as follows: NiEq% = [Ni% x recovery] + [Cu% x recovery x Cu price/ Ni price] + [Co% x recovery x Co price / Ni price] + [Pt g/t x recovery / 31.103 x Pt price / Ni price / 2,204 x 100] + [Pd g/t x recovery / 31.103 x Pd price / Ni price / 2,204 x 100] + [Au g/t x recovery / 31.103 x Au price / Ni price / 2,204 x 100]
Palladium Equivalent is determined as follows: PdEq g/t = NiEq x 0.401
In the above calculations: 31.103 = grams per troy ounce, 2,204 = lbs per metric tonne, and 100 and 0.01 convert assay results reported in % and g/t.
The following recoveries have been assumed for purposes of the above equivalent calculations: 85% for Ni and 90% for all other listed metals, based on recoveries at similar nearby operations.
Intervals are reported as drilled widths and are believed to be representative of the true width of mineralization.
Dr. Danie Grobler, Vice-President of Exploration, commented, “We see an overall trend of increasing PGE content up-sequence within the Ultramafic Series of the Stillwater Complex (“SWC”), like that observed within ultramafic portions of the Bushveld Complex (South Africa), as well as the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. Scientific studies have shown that the Ultramafic Series of the SWC are enriched in PGE relative to most mafic magmas. Furthermore, the chromitite layers correlate with and are particularly enriched in rhodium and the lesser PGEs osmium, iridium, and ruthenium. More importantly, the reported high-grade rhodium results correlate with specific chromite seams and correspond to geochemical and geophysical anomalies associated with our existing resource areas defined during 2021, highlighting our rapidly advancing understanding of their occurrence, and our ability to effectively target new areas.”
Stillwater Critical Minerals President and CEO, Michael Rowley, stated, “Our 2022 programs built on the success of past campaigns, continuing to return rhodium at significant potential co-product values at a time when the U.S. is looking to increase domestic supplies of this very rare element, alongside 49 other critical minerals. We look forward to reporting our updated and expanded resource models in the near term as we advance Stillwater West towards its potential to become a primary low-carbon source of eight of the minerals listed as critical by the US government, effectively ushering in the next phase of critical mineral supply from the iconic and productive Stillwater Complex.”
Upcoming Events
The Company at is pleased to advise it will be presenting at the Emerging Growth Conference: January 25th at 9:30am PT | 12:30pm ET (virtual). To register, click here.
Stillwater Critical Minerals is rapidly advancing the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project towards becoming a world-class source of low-carbon, sulphide-hosted nickel, copper, and cobalt, critical to the electrification movement, as well as key catalytic metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium used in catalytic converters, fuel cells, and the production of green hydrogen. Stillwater West positions SWCM as the second-largest landholder in the Stillwater Complex, with a 100%-owned position adjoining and adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s PGE mines in south-central Montana, USA1. The Stillwater Complex is recognized as one of the top regions in the world for PGE-Ni-Cu-Co mineralization, alongside the Bushveld Complex and Great Dyke in southern Africa, which are similar layered intrusions. The J-M Reef, and other PGE-enriched sulphide horizons in the Stillwater Complex, share many similarities with the highly prolific Merensky and UG2 Reefs in the Bushveld Complex. SWCM’s work in the lower Stillwater Complex has demonstrated the presence of large-scale disseminated and high-sulphide battery metals and PGE mineralization, similar to the Platreef in the Bushveld Complex2. Drill campaigns by the Company, complemented by a substantial historic drill database, have delineated five deposits of Platreef-style mineralization across a core 12-kilometer span of the project, all of which are open for expansion into adjacent targets. Multiple earlier-stage Platreef-style and reef-type targets are also being advanced across the remainder of the 32-kilometer length of the project based on strong correlations seen in soil and rock geochemistry, geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, and drilling.
About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.
Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West PGE-Ni-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 neighbouring Sibanye-Stillwater. The Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits at Stillwater West contain a compelling suite of critical minerals and are open for expansion along trend and at depth, with an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource update expected in 2022.
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, which is currently under an earn-in agreement with an option to joint venture whereby Heritage Mining may earn up to a 90% interest in the project by completing payments and work on the project. The Company also holds the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co 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.
2021 drill core samples were analyzed by ACT Labs in Vancouver, B.C. Sample preparation: crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize (mild steel) to 95% passing 105 µm included cleaner sand. Gold, platinum, and palladium were analyzed by fire assay (1C-OES) with ICP finish. Rhodium was analyzed by fire assay (1C-Rhodium). Selected major and trace elements were analyzed by peroxide fusion with 8-Peroxide ICP-OES finish to insure complete dissolution of resistate minerals. Following industry QA/QC standards, blanks, duplicate samples, and certified standards were also assayed.
Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
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.
Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – January 17, 2023) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) (OTCQB: SBMCF) (‘SBMI’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to announce it has intercepted the targeted vein, behind the historical Treasure Room at its Buckeye Silver Mine. This interception occurred on schedule and within SBMI’s budget. To intercept the vein SBMI rehabilitated, extended, screened and bolted the upper development drift. The material being removed is being deposited in specific locations for future evaluation.
SBMI next intends to drift along the vein to an area believed to contain higher grade mineralization (see page 8 of the Geologic Report dated January 8, 2021). The Company believes this target area to be approximately 200 feet from where SBMI recently intercepted the vein.
SBMI intends to carry out multiple daily assays of the materials referred to above at its assay facility at its millsite. The mill is ready to recommence processing immediately upon receipt of mineralized material from the Buckeye. The assay results are intended to inform the geologic team and not all such results will be disseminated.
In its December 15, 2022 press release, SBMI advised third party geologic consultants would be providing the Company with a report including observations, comments, and recommendations, based upon their November 29 – December 14, 2022 site visit to Arizona. They inspected the third-party independent lab used for sample testing, visited the Buckeye Mine site, visited the Company’s millsite, and visited the Black Copper and Helena occurrences, both of which are situated on SBMI’s Black Diamond property and are referred to in the January, 2021 Geologic Report.
Those geologic consultants also carried out a brief initial re-inspection of NQ core drilled at the Buckeye Mine by a previous optionee. This re-inspection has revealed coarse grained gabbronorite phases containing magnetite disseminations and thin bands within an area previously mapped as diabase. Small intervals containing olivine phenocrysts were also noted. These rocks may have potential for PGM mineralization. Further examination is being undertaken on these in situ rocks, the core, the Black Copper and the Helena occurrences. Samples from each has been sent to a third-party accredited lab for analysis and further work is ongoing. The Company can find no evidence of any PGM testing having previously been undertaken on this core or the rock labelled as diabase.
Finally, contact with various mineralogical and geochemical labs is ongoing to resolve metallurgical and refractory issues encountered while trying to pour dore bars from the Buckeye Mine material.
Mr. Robert G. Komarechka, P.Geo., an independent consultant, has reviewed and verified SBMI’s work referred to herein, and is the Qualified Person for this release.
For further information, please contact:
John Carter Silver Bullet Mines Corp., CEO cartera@sympatico.ca +1 (905) 302-3843
Peter M. Clausi Silver Bullet Mines Corp., VP Capital Markets pclausi@brantcapital.ca +1 (416) 890-1232
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking statements as they relate to SBMI and its subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but represent management’s current expectation of future events, and can be identified by words such as “believe”, “expects”, “will”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “continues” and similar expressions. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct.
By their nature, forward-looking statements include assumptions, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. If and when forward-looking statements are set out in this new release, SBMI will also set out the material risk factors or assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, SBMI assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to: the impact of SARS CoV-2 or any other global pathogen; reliance on key personnel; the thoroughness of its QA/QA procedures; the continuity of the global supply chain for materials for SBMI to use in the production and processing of mineralized material; shareholder and regulatory approvals; activities and attitudes of communities local to the location of the SBMI’s properties; risks of future legal proceedings; income tax matters; fires, floods and other natural phenomena; the rate of inflation; availability and terms of financing; distribution of securities; commodities pricing; currency movements, especially as between the USD and CDN; effect of market interest rates on price of securities; and, potential dilution. SARS CoV-2 and other potential global pathogens create risks that at this time are immeasurable and impossible to define.
The Issuer has not based its production decision on current resources or the results of a pre-feasibility study of mineral resources to establish mineral reserves demonstrating technical and economic viability. Significant uncertainty exists on the presence of any economic mineable material.
Three diamond drill rigs will be turning by the end of January with two of the rigs already coring and the third anticipated to start operating before the end of the month.
Two rigs will be focused on drilling the copper-silver-gold rich Main Breccia system at Apollo from two newly constructed drill pads (pad 6 and pad 7) with details as follows:
The third rig just began drilling at pad 8 (hole APC-32), which is located 150 metres south of the southernmost known boundary of the Main Breccia system. Holes drilled from this pad will focus on the newly generated porphyry target located directly below the high-grade coincidental copper and molybdenum soil anomalies within mineralized porphyry diorite hosting chalcopyrite veins (see press release dated December 14, 2022).
Assay results are expected in the near term for Apollo target drill holes APC-25 through APC-30 completed as part of the phase I program, which culminated in December 2022.
Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: “We have an exciting and busy year ahead of us at the Guayabales project. We will remain aggressive with the drill bit in pushing the geological boundaries of the Apollo target as we look to remain on a steep trajectory of growth at the Main Breccia system while drilling untested surrounding targets to try and make a new and impactful discovery. Also, we will continue to leverage our various strategic alliances to design and implement new and innovative programs and platforms with our stakeholders as part of our “Collective” model, which is based on inclusiveness, transparency, and honesty. With such a remarkable geological and mineral endowment on the property and an excellent local management team in place, I believe the odds are in our favor to continue adding significant value for the Company and its shareholders in 2023.”
TORONTO, Jan. 17, 2023 /CNW/ – Collective Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CNL) (OTCQX: CNLMF) (“Collective” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the commencement of a phase II diamond drill program at the Main Breccia discovery at the Apollo target (“Apollo”), which is part of the Guayabales project located in Caldas, Colombia. The Main Breccia discovery is a high-grade, bulk tonnage copper-silver-gold porphyry-related system, which owes its excellent metal endowment to multiple phases of mineralization which includes older copper-silver-gold porphyry mineralization and younger, overprinting, precious metal rich sheeted carbonate base metal vein systems. The phase II program will begin with three diamond drill rigs with potential to increase the number of rigs as the program progresses.
Details (See Figures 1–2)
The Phase II program commenced with shallow drilling of near surface, high grade mineralization below mineralized breccia outcrops in the southern and central areas of the Main Breccia discovery from newly constructed drill pads, 6 and 7. The rig at pad 6 is currently drilling and entered the mineralized zone close to the drill hole collar. The rig at pad 7 is expected to commence operations in the next 7-10 days. Furthermore, a new drill pad (pad 8) has been constructed 150 south of the southernmost modelled boundary of the Main Breccia system at Apollo to test the recently discovered porphyry target. Key highlights of the initial plan are as follows:
Main Breccia System
New drill holes APC-31 and APC-33 (pads 6 and 7 respectively) will focus on testing the shallow and high-grade mineralization located just below surface outcrops in the south and central portions of the deposit. This target area was drilled with APC-22 with recently announced results (see press release dated January 11, 2023) as follows:
Most of this outcropping and shallow target remains untested with current known dimensions from surface sampling cover a 150-metre diameter area. The target area remains open in all directions for expansion.
The program will also continue to undertake step-out drill holes designed to understand the geometry and size of the Apollo Main Breccia discovery, which remains open to the north, west, east and at depth. Recently announced step-out drill holes APC-17 and APC-22, both bottomed in mineralized breccia due to drill rig capacity returning 2.75 metres @ 0.86 g/t gold equivalent and 3 metres @ 0.48 g/t gold equivalent respectively in their final metres (see press release dated November 29, 2022, and January 11, 2023). Additionally, hole APC-28, intercepted 600 metres of continuous mineralization and ended while still in the system. Assays are outstanding for this hole and expected in the near term.
A final feature of the phase II diamond drill program at the Main Breccia system will be to test the following high grade mineralized subzones identified during the phase I program in 2022 as follows:
New Porphyry Target
Hole APC-32 will be drilled from a newly constructed pad 8, which is located 150 metres south of the southernmost modelled boundary of the Main Breccia system, to test below the coincidental high-grade copper and molybdenum soil anomalies associated with a mineralized porphyry diorite hosting chalcopyrite veins. The porphyry target covers an area measuring 250 metres by 150 metres and remains open for expansion in all directions. Recent, follow-up reconnaissance geological work at surface has identified a potassic altered porphyry diorite hosting quartz, molybdenum, and chalcopyrite veins. Surface rock chip sampling from limited weathered (leached) outcrop has returned grades of up to 0.28% copper and 0.13% molybdenum. The hole will be steeply inclined and drill directly below the highest soil and rock chip values.
In 2022, a total of 14,975 metres (31 holes) were drilled at the Apollo target for the phase I program. Assay results for twenty-five diamond drill holes have now been announced at Apollo with results for the remaining six holes expected in the near term.
The Apollo target area, as defined to date by surface mapping, rock sampling and copper and molybdenum soil geochemistry, covers a 1,000 metres X 1,200 metres area. The Apollo target area hosts the Company’s Main Breccia discovery plus a vein system located above and on the eastern flank of the Main Breccia discovery. Multiple additional untested breccia, porphyry and vein targets have been generated with drilling to begin testing these targets in Q1, 2023. The overall Apollo target area also remains open for further expansion.
Figure 1: Plan View of the Main Breccia Discovery at Apollo Highlighting the Initial Holes for 2023 from new Drill Pads 6,7 and 8 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 2: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo Target (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
About Collective Mining Ltd.
To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com
Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective Mining is a copper, silver and gold exploration company based in Canada, with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.
The Company’s flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo target, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade copper, silver, and gold Main Breccia discovery. The Company’s near-term objective is to continue with expansion drilling of the Main Breccia discovery while increasing confidence in the highest-grade portions of the system.
Management, insiders and close family and friends own nearly 35% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “CNL” and on the OTCQX under the trading symbol “CNLMF”.
Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure
David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG).
Technical Information
Rock and core samples have been prepared and analyzed at SGS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.
Information Contact:
Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski) and Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on Twitter
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the drill programs, including timing of results, and Collective’s future and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.
Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Collective cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Collective assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
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Joining us for a conversation is Ari Sussman, the Executive Chairman to the Board for Collective Mining, which just released the latest round of step out drilling results from the High-Grade, Bulk Tonnage Apollo Target located on the flagship Guayabales Project.
I’m a licensed broker for Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments, The Only Online Dealer that is Licensed and Bonded Period! Where we provide unlimited options to expand your precious metals portfolio, from:
I’m a licensed broker for Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments, The Only Online Dealer that is Licensed and Bonded Period! Where we provide unlimited options to expand your precious metals portfolio, from:
