VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV: ROVR) (OTCQB: ROVMF) (FRA:4X0) (“Rover” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the drilling component of its Phase 2 Exploration Program at its 100% owned Cabin Gold Project, Northwest Territories of Canada (60th parallel), is now complete. The Company drilled 31 NQ diamond drill holes across multiple near-surface targets along the Bugow Iron Formation. The Company has successfully intersected the targeted historic sulfidized zones, as well as some new conceptual targets. The Company plans to release the drill results zone by zone, once the assay results from the lab become available. The last part of the Phase 2 Exploration Program, a Ground IP Geophysics Study, is set to commence at the end of September 2021.
Ground IP Geophysics Study
The Company ran a ground IP test at the end of August and the results have come back favorable both in terms of: (a) identifying sulfidized versus non-sulfidized areas of the Bugow Iron Formation; and also (b) in terms of returning highly sulfidized areas versus lower sulfidized areas. High-grade gold at the Cabin Gold project is associated with highly sulfidized zones of the hosted iron formation. The favorable test results have led to the Company planning a large IP survey, including all of the known gold bearing zones on the project, in addition to some new anomaly targets. A link to the plan view of the IP survey can be found here:
The zones targeted for IP work includes the Arrow Zone that reported 32 meters of 13.6 g/t Au in Q4-2021. A successful IP program at the project will assist the Company in delineating deeper drill targets for a Phase 3 Drill Program in Q1 of 2022.
Regional LiDAR and Airborne Geophysics Work
The Company is also pleased to report that it has now completed a regional LiDAR imaging study as well as a regional airborne magnetic survey. The LiDAR and airborne magnetic campaigns have opened up other iron formations in the region for future exploration, including at the Slemon Gold project. The results of these campaigns will also help the Company in the planning of its Phase 3 Drill Program in Q1 of 2022. Results from the regional LiDAR and airborne magnetic campaigns will be made available in the coming weeks.
Judson Culter, CEO at Rover Metals, states “We are very fortunate to have been able to complete a multi-faceted exploration program at Cabin Gold this summer. The final leg of the exploration will commence at the end of the month, and will set the stage for deeper drilling of all defined gold bearing zones in Q1-2022. The goal of this program was to define at least one new additional zone open at depth. We believe we have accomplished this goal, and the results will be made available in the coming weeks. As it stands, the Arrow Zone discovery that we made in Q4-2020 remains open at depth, and that will be our first drill target for Q1-2022.”
Technical information in this news release has been approved by Raul Sanabria, M.Sc., P.Geo., Technical Advisor and shareholder of Rover Metals Corp. and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.
Rover is a precious metals exploration company specialized in North American precious metal resources, that is currently advancing the gold potential of its existing projects in the Northwest Territories of Canada (60th parallel). The Company commenced Phase 2 Exploration at its Cabin Gold Project in the summer of 2021.
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) 754-2617
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 be 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.
North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 7, 2021) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce further high grade intercepts from ongoing deep extensional step-out drilling and near-surface infill drilling from the Company’s 100% owned Tuvatu gold project in Fiji.
Highlights include:
10.24 g/t Au over 8.48m from downhole depth of 111.20m from TUDDH539 (near surface infill) -incl. 33.26 g/t Au over 2.44m from 111.20m, and 13.49 g/t Au over 3.30m from 115.40m
24.92 g/t Au over 3.70m from downhole depth of 415.70m from TUG135 (Deep Feeder Zone 500) -incl. 83.63 g/t Au over 0.30m from 415.70m, and 159.30 g/t Au over 0.30m from 417.20m
Sergio Cattalani, Lion One’s Senior Vice President Exploration, commented, “High grade mineralization in Deep Feeder Zone 500 has now been demonstrated to extend over an area approximately 150m along strike and 250m vertically, completely outside the existing resource model. We have planned additional drilling to test the lateral extent of this zone and infill the shallowest part of this zone with the base of the existing resource.”
Deep Feeder Zone 500 These most recent intercepts are believed to be the continuation of the interpreted deep feeder structure that encountered 55.43 g/t Au over 12.70m in TUDDH500 (see July 24, 2020 News Release) and 55.44 g/t Au over 2.30m in TUDDH533. Multiple new high-grade gold intercepts have been encountered in underground hole TUG135 drilled from the Tuvatu decline, as well as in hole TUDDH533W1, a wedge hole to TUDDH533 reported previously (see July 26, 2021 News Release). These include 24.92 g/t Au over 3.70m (including 159.30 g/t over 0.30m) from a downhole depth of 415.70m, 2.89 g/t Au over 2.50m from a downhole depth of 508.10m in hole TUG135, and 3.34 g/t Au over 1.80m from a downhole depth of 613.90m in hole TUDDH533W1. This same gold-bearing structure has now been intersected by multiple holes, including TUDDH500, 500W1, 500W2, TUDDH533, 533W1, TUDDH528, TUDDH517, 517W1, TUDDH514, 514W1, and TUG135 (see Figure 1). These additional deep intercepts significantly increase our degree of confidence that the Tuvatu orebody extends to considerable depth, and that it remains fully open, laterally and at depth. It is clear that the current Tuvatu resource represents but a fraction of a much larger and considerably more extensive, high-grade Au deposit for which additional drilling is warranted to further define its true extent.
Figure 1: Longitudinal Section of the UR4 Lode Showing Block Model and 2020 and selected 2021 Drill Intercepts. The grid is 100m, the bright yellow is indicated and the darker yellow is inferred. Intercepts are expressed as g/t Au over downhole width in meters.
Resource Infill/Definition Drilling In addition to expanding the high-grade feeder zone underlying the UR4 lode, several bonanza-grade intercepts have also been returned from the ongoing near-surface infill/definition drill program which will add significantly to the resource earmarked for early production. The aim of this drill program was to infill areas of low data density within parts of the resource currently categorized as Inferred. A complete set of results for all previously unreported drill holes is included as Appendix 1.
The Company is currently undertaking three tiers of drilling: 1) shallow resource infill drilling from surface and underground, 2) deep exploration drilling looking for lode extensions under the Tuvatu resource and 3) other target areas within the Navilawa caldera such as Banana Creek, 3.5 km NE of Tuvatu where drilling is underway.
Highlights from shallow infill/definition drilling include: TUG 135: 7.53 g/t Au over 5.80m from 28.60m, incl. 13.64 g/t Au over 2.60m TUDDH 540: 97.40 g/t Au over 1.30m from 103.90m, incl. 210.29 g/t Au over 0.60m TUDDH 539: 10.24 g/t Au over 8.48m from 111.20m, incl. 33.26 g/t Au over 2.44m, and 13.49 g/t Au over 3.30m TUDDH 534: 5.52 g/t Au over 3.71m from 123.23m, incl. 15.59g/t Au over 0.34m and 18.4 g/t Au over 0.47m TUDDH 537: 12.23 g/t Au over 1.33m from 134.15m, incl. 30.50 g/t Au over 0.35m, and 16.07 g/t Au over 0.35m TUDDH 537: 6.52 g/t Au over 3.51m from 138.93m, incl. 19.46 g/t Au over 0.38m TUDDH 538: 103.5g/t Au over 0.28m from 177.78m in TUDDH538 Note: true width of intersections have yet to be accurately determined for these numerous lodes reported in this release.
Table 1: Drilling Intervals Reported (intervals greater than 3.0 g/t Au cutoff are bolded)
Drill Hole
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Au (g/t)
TUDDH533
12.45
13.65
1.20
10.45
incl
13.00
13.30
0.30
36.69
15.35
15.65
0.30
2.18
17.50
17.80
0.30
2.91
20.30
23.80
3.50
2.72
incl
20.60
20.90
0.30
9.23
25.85
26.15
0.30
0.89
27.40
28.00
0.60
1.04
28.57
28.95
0.38
0.54
30.00
31.80
1.80
1.41
36.00
39.00
3.00
3.47
incl
37.60
38.20
0.60
10.06
162.20
162.50
0.30
1.19
266.80
267.40
0.60
437.13
306.35
307.35
1.00
1.20
309.35
310.80
1.45
16.14
incl
310.15
310.80
0.65
31.93
335.24
335.64
0.40
12.84
370.89
371.23
0.34
0.56
385.60
386.00
0.40
1.10
390.79
391.09
0.30
1.47
437.84
438.26
0.42
0.95
439.30
439.60
0.30
0.58
453.15
453.60
0.45
0.67
459.25
459.80
0.55
3.73
464.10
464.91
0.81
1.82
487.40
488.33
0.93
0.92
539.45
540.30
0.85
1.33
550.06
550.43
0.37
0.76
551.20
551.50
0.30
0.61
575.70
578.00
2.30
55.44
incl
576.68
578.00
1.32
96.13
incl
577.60
578.00
0.40
221.60
TUDDH533w1
536.30
540.86
4.56
1.50
546.94
549.44
2.50
1.85
612.10
613.90
1.80
3.34
614.50
614.80
0.30
0.56
TUDDH534
66.69
67.08
0.39
0.67
71.40
71.72
0.32
4.03
90.95
94.19
3.24
2.95
incl
90.95
91.42
0.47
7.72
and
93.80
94.19
0.39
14.76
100.57
100.84
0.27
0.66
120.49
121.10
0.61
1.97
123.23
126.94
3.71
5.52
incl
124.66
125.00
0.34
15.59
and
125.47
125.94
0.47
18.44
TUDDH537
83.56
83.90
0.34
1.91
126.57
127.36
0.79
3.99
128.50
129.78
1.28
4.04
134.15
135.48
1.33
12.23
incl
134.15
134.50
0.35
30.50
and
135.17
135.48
0.31
16.07
138.93
142.44
3.51
6.52
incl
142.06
142.44
0.38
19.46
144.62
146.39
1.77
3.50
incl
145.31
145.53
0.22
14.13
TUDDH538
143.81
144.24
0.43
0.68
177.78
178.04
0.26
103.50
TUDDH539
86.27
88.28
2.01
4.26
102.82
103.14
0.32
10.78
111.20
119.68
8.48
10.24
incl
111.20
113.64
2.44
33.26
and
115.40
118.70
3.30
13.49
121.65
122.31
0.66
26.55
TUDDH540
97.95
98.25
0.30
79.65
103.90
105.20
1.30
97.40
incl
103.90
104.50
0.60
210.29
which incl
103.90
104.20
0.30
41.58
and
104.20
104.50
0.30
379.00
109.20
110.20
1.00
1.12
TUG135
4.60
4.90
0.30
1.12
28.60
34.40
5.80
7.53
incl
29.40
32.00
2.60
13.64
66.10
67.00
0.90
2.37
95.40
95.70
0.30
0.69
105.10
105.40
0.30
0.69
106.60
107.20
0.60
20.70
incl
106.90
107.20
0.30
40.55
108.90
110.70
1.80
1.37
178.20
178.50
0.30
0.53
260.50
261.30
0.80
1.83
263.10
263.70
0.60
1.18
265.00
265.30
0.30
1.84
276.40
280.40
4.00
3.59
284.30
285.60
1.30
1.49
288.40
288.70
0.30
2.77
294.90
295.20
0.30
1.26
299.55
299.85
0.30
2.02
346.70
350.10
3.40
3.61
374.60
374.90
0.30
0.96
415.70
419.40
3.70
24.92
incl
415.70
416.00
0.30
83.63
and
417.20
417.50
0.30
159.30
and
418.10
418.40
0.30
17.68
508.10
510.60
2.50
2.89
incl
508.10
508.80
0.70
8.93
511.50
511.90
0.40
0.56
Table 2: Survey details of diamond drill holes referenced in this release (Fiji Map Grid)
Hole No
coordinates
RL
final depth
dip
azimuth
N
E
m
(TN)
TUDDH533
3920795
1876351
209.4
818.7
-60
130
TUDDH533W1
3920795
1876351
209.4
773.8
-60
130
TUDDH534
3920736.01
1876267
225.83
179.4
-70
16
TUDDH537
3920735.17
1876267
225.98
206.5
-80
11
TUDDH538
3920735
1876267
225.98
239.60
-83
80
TUDDH539
3920731
1876300
228.00
186.20
-72
0
TUDDH540
3920731
1876300
228.00
168.20
-60
0
TUG135
3920761
1876454
139.28
underway
-64.00
131
Drilling and Assay Processes and Procedures The Company is utilizing its own diamond drill rig, using PQ, HQ and ultimately NQ sized drill core rods. Drill core is logged by Company geologists and then is sawn in half and sampled by Lion One staff.
Samples are analyzed at the Company’s own geochemical laboratory in Fiji, whilst pulp duplicates of samples with results >0.5g/t Au are sent to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations. Samples for assays reported here will be sent to ALS Global Laboratories for check assays shortly. All samples are pulverized to 80% passing through 75 microns. Gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that have returned grades greater than 10g/t Au are then re-analyzed by gravimetric method. Lion One’s laboratory can also assay for a range of 71 other elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 9 important pathfinder elements. All duplicate anomalous samples sent to ALS Townsville, Queensland, Australia are analyzed by the same methods (Au-AA26, and also Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyze for 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES. (method ME-ICP61).
Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, prepared, and approved by Mr. Sergio Cattalani, P. Geo, who is a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI-43-101).
About Tuvatu The Tuvatu gold deposit is located on the island of Viti Levu in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji. The mineral resource for Tuvatu as disclosed in the technical report “Tuvatu Gold Project PEA”, dated June 1, 2015, and prepared by Mining Associates Pty Ltd of Brisbane Qld, comprises 1,120,000 tonnes indicated at 8.17 g/t Au (294,000 oz. Au) and 1,300,000 tonnes inferred at 10.60 g/t Au (445,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3 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 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.
YERINGTON, Nev., Sept. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) announces implementation of the 10:1 consolidation (the “ShareConsolidation”) of the Company’s common shares (“Common Shares”), which was previously approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s annual and special meeting of shareholders held on June 30, 2021 (the “Meeting”). The Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) has conditionally approved the Share Consolidation, subject to the filing of certain customary documents. The Share Consolidation will become effective on September 17, 2021 and the Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the TSX on a post-consolidation basis on or about September 21, 2021.
Following the Share Consolidation, the number of outstanding Common Shares will be reduced from approximately 1,850,635,602 outstanding Common Shares to approximately 185,063,560 outstanding Common Shares. The Common Shares will continue to be listed on the TSX under the symbol “NCU”. Following the Share Consolidation, the new CUSIP number for the Common Shares will be 64128F703 and the new ISIN for the Common Shares will be CA64128F7039.
No fractional Common Shares will be issued as a result of the Share Consolidation. Any fractional interest in Common Shares that would otherwise result from the Share Consolidation will be rounded up to the next whole Common Share, if the fractional interest is equal to or greater than one-half of a Common Share, and rounded down to the next whole Common Share if the fractional interest is less than one-half of a Common Share. In all other respects, the post-consolidation Common Shares will have the same attributes as the pre-consolidation Common Shares.
Common Share purchase warrants issued by the Company in connection with the Company’s July 2020 public offering of units (the “July Warrants”) and the Company’s January 2021 public offering of units (the “January Warrants”), respectively, are listed for trading on the TSX. As a result of the Share Consolidation (i) the July Warrants will be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the warrant indenture dated July 28, 2020 such that ten July Warrants will now be exercisable for one post-consolidation Common Share following the payment of an adjusted exercise price of C$2.00, and (ii) the January Warrants will be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the warrant indenture dated January 29, 2021 such that ten January Warrants will now be exercisable for one post-consolidation Common Share following the payment of an adjusted exercise price of C$2.20.
The Company’s transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”), will act as the exchange agent for the Share Consolidation. Letters of transmittal were mailed to registered shareholders in connection with the Meeting and a copy is available on www.sedar.com. Registered shareholders are requested to submit their share certificates, or DRS advices, as applicable, together with their completed letters of transmittal, to Computershare. Until surrendered, each share certificate (or DRS advice) representing pre-consolidation Common Shares will be deemed to represent the number of whole post-consolidation Common Shares to which the shareholder is entitled as a result of the Share Consolidation.
Beneficial shareholders who hold their Common Shares through intermediaries (securities brokers, dealers, banks, financial institutions, etc.) and who have questions regarding how the Share Consolidation will be processed should contact their intermediaries.
About Nevada Copper Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is a copper producer and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project. Located in Nevada, USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade underground mine and processing facility, which is now in the production stage, and a large-scale open pit project, which is advancing towards feasibility status.
NEVADA COPPER CORP. www.nevadacopper.com Mike Brown, Interim President and CEO
For further information contact: Rich Matthews, Investor Relations Integrous Communications rmatthews@integcom.us +1 604 757 7179
Cautionary Language
This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the timing and completion of the Share Consolidation.
Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and events to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.
Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those relating to: the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of its underground mine (the “Underground Mine”) within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the Company; the state of financial markets; history of losses; dilution; adverse events relating to milling operations, construction, development and ramp-up, including the ability of the Company to address underground development and process plant issues; failure to obtain extensions under and amendments to the Company’s amended and restated senior credit facility with KfW IPEX-Bank; ground conditions; cost overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rates increase; global economy; limited history of production; future metals price fluctuations; speculative nature of exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labor disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery rates from management’s expectations and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents; title matters; regulatory approvals and restrictions; increased costs and physical risks relating to climate change, including extreme weather events, and new or revised regulations relating to climate change; permitting and licensing; volatility of the market price of the Company’s securities; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those risks discussed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 18, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking information and statements are stated as of the date hereof. Nevada Copper disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding Nevada Copper’s business contained in Nevada Copper’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on Nevada Copper and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review Nevada Copper’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Nevada Copper provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 3, 2021) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company“, or “EMX“) is pleased to announce that it has completed the second and final closing under the agreement to acquire an effective 0.418% Net Smelter Return (“NSR“) royalty on the operating Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine (the “Caserones Royalty“) located in northern Chile for US$34.1 million in cash (see EMX news releases dated August 17 and August 23, 2021).
As previously reported, EMX formed a 50%-50% partnership with Altus Strategies Plc (AIM: ALS) (TSXV: ALTS) (OTCQX: ALTUF) (“Altus“) to acquire an effective 0.836% NSR royalty for US$68.2 million. EMX and Altus now each control an effective 0.418% royalty interest and each were responsible for US$34.1 million of the purchase price. EMX and Altus have formed a Chilean company, Minera Tercero, Spa (“Tercero“), of which EMX and Altus each own 50%. Tercero agreed to purchase 43% of the issued and outstanding shares of an underlying royalty holder, Sociedad Legal Minera California Una de la Sierra Peña Negra (“SLM California“), through a Share Purchase Agreement with 16 shareholders of SLM California to acquire ownership of 43% of SLM California’s issued and outstanding shares, and thereby indirect ownership of 43% of SLM California’s 1.944% NSR royalty interest in the Caserones property (i.e., a 0.836% NSR royalty interest, held as 0.418% by EMX and 0.418% by Altus).
Under the first closing, Tercero acquired 33% of SLM California for US$52.3 million. The second and final purchase of the remaining 10% of the shares of SLM California has now been completed for US$15.9 million.https://s.yimg.com/rq/darla/4-9-0/html/r-sf-flx.html
The acquisition of the Caserones Royalty is expected to provide immediate enhancement to EMX’s royalty cash flow and to secure long-term proceeds from copper and molybdenum production in one of the world’s top mining regions.
Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified, and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.
About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX’s investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “EMX”, as well as on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
For further information contact:
David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 979-6666 Dave@EMXroyalty.com
Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 SClose@EMXroyalty.com
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain “forward looking statements” that reflect the Company’s current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding completion of the second closing of the Caserones royalty purchase, , expected cash flows from EMX’s interest in the Caserones royalty, perceived merits of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will”, “believe”, “potential”, “upside” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company’s future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: failure of the vendors under the Share Purchase Agreement to perform their obligations, fluctuations in or problems with production from the Caserones mine, 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. It is possible EMX may not complete the transaction, as a result of failure to fulfill conditions of closing, unavailability of financing or for other reasons EMX cannot anticipate at this time.
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 June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Revised Annual Information Form (the “AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2020, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
YERINGTON, Nev., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) today provided an update regarding operations at the underground mine at its Pumpkin Hollow project (the “Underground Mine”), as well as an update on financing matters. All amounts below are stated in US dollars.
Operations Update
Stoping and Lateral Development: Development and penetration through the water bearing dike has now been completed on the first crossing. Lateral development beyond this crossing is now into solid ground at a pace consistent with mine plan rates focused on establishing production from the East-North deposit. In addition, with steel support beams recently installed, a second crossing is expected in the coming weeks, further enhancing development rates.
Stoping: The Company has mined the second stope in the Alphabet Zone at a CuEq grade of 1.45% with backfilling scheduled to start in the coming week.
Surface Ventilation Fans: Delivery of the surface fans remains on schedule with installation and commissioning expected to be completed in Q4 2021 with sustainable hoisting rates of 3,000 tpd expected to follow.
“We are pleased to have completed our first crossing of the water dikeenabling our development rates to increase in line with our mine plan expectations,” stated Mike Brown, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Nevada Copper. “We look forward to continued production rate increases in Q3 and Q4 of this year.”
Financing Update
KfW Credit Facility Amendment Discussions: On August 31, 2021, the Company received an extension of the waiver from KfW IPEX-Bank (“KfW”), the Company’s senior project lender, to September 30, 2021 to complete the project completion test (the “Project Longstop Date”) under the amended and restated credit agreement (“Amended KfW Facility”). The Company is in discussions with KfW regarding a longer-term extension of the Project Longstop Date into 2023; deferral of debt servicing by up to twenty-four months; and the deferral of certain financial covenants under the Amended KfW Facility to further support the ramp-up of the Underground Mine. The Company expects to have the proposed extension and amendments finalized in the next month. However, there can be no assurance that such extension and amendments will be finalized by such times or at all. Failure to finalize the extension would result in the Company being in default under the Amended KfW Facility.
Additional $13M of liquidity: The existing Promissory Note provided by Pala Investments Limited, the Company’s largest shareholder (“2021 Promissory Note”) has been amended (subject to regulatory approval) to allow total borrowings of up to $55 million, providing an additional $13 million of liquidity to the Company. Further draws by the Company are subject to agreed use of proceeds. The 2021 Promissory Note has a maturity date of June 30, 2022, and bears interest at 8% per annum on amounts drawn. Pursuant to the amendment, the 2021 Promissory Note now provides for an arrangement fee of 6% on the full commitment amount of $55 million, which will be capitalized. The proceeds will be used to fund the development and ramp-up of the Underground Mine and related working capital needs. The amendment was reviewed and approved by a committee of independent directors of the Company.
Qualified Persons The technical information and data in this news release was reviewed by Greg French, C.P.G., and Norm Bisson, P.Eng., for Nevada Copper, who are non-independent Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101.
About Nevada Copper Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is a copper producer and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project. Located in Nevada, USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade underground mine and processing facility, which is now in the production stage, and a large-scale open pit project, which is advancing towards feasibility status.
NEVADA COPPER CORP. www.nevadacopper.com Mike Brown, Interim President and CEO
For further information contact: Rich Matthews, Investor Relations Integrous Communications rmatthews@integcom.us +1 604 757 7179
Cautionary Language
This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to mine development plans, production and ramp-up plans, equipment installation, requested amendments to the Amended KfW Credit Facility, and regulatory approval of the 2021 Promissory Note.
Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and events to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.
Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those relating to: the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the Company; the state of financial markets; history of losses; dilution; adverse events relating to milling operations, construction, development and ramp-up, including the ability of the Company to address underground development and process plant issues; failure to obtain extensions under and amendments to the Amended KfW Facility; ground conditions; cost overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rates increase; global economy; limited history of production; future metals price fluctuations; speculative nature of exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labor disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery rates from management’s expectations and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents; title matters; regulatory approvals and restrictions; increased costs and physical risks relating to climate change, including extreme weather events, and new or revised regulations relating to climate change; permitting and licensing; volatility of the market price of the Company’s securities; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those risks discussed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 18, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: no adverse development in respect of the property at the Pumpkin Hollow project; no material changes to applicable laws; the ramp-up of operations at the Underground Mine in accordance with management’s plans and expectations; no worsening of the current COVID-19 related work restrictions; reduced impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the medium-term and long-term; no material adverse change to the price of copper from current levels; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information and statements are stated as of the date hereof. Nevada Copper disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding Nevada Copper’s business contained in Nevada Copper’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on Nevada Copper and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review Nevada Copper’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Nevada Copper provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
In these days of covid tyranny, it is hard to find a free place. Latin America has been my refuge. But what looks pleasant in the immediate does not have to have a bright future. Given that the USA is increasingly going woke, the future of Latin America does not look too good to me. That does not affect my investments, but I will increasingly look for higher upsides. Here is a speech that I gave last week at the MoneyShow:
On Investments
Signature Resources (SGU; C$0.09) has a very interesting project in Ontario. Be careful not to chase it, but linked here are my thoughts about it in a discussion with Cory Fleck and Shad Marquitz.
Disclaimer: All information found here, including any ideas, opinions, views, predictions, forecasts, commentaries, suggestions, or stock picks, expressed or implied herein, are for informational, entertainment, or educational purposes only and should not be construed as personal investment advice. While the information provided is believed to be accurate, it may include errors or inaccuracies. The sole purpose of these musings is to show my thinking process when analyzing a stock, not to provide any recommendation. I will not and cannot be held liable for any actions you take as a result of anything you read here. Conduct your own due diligence, or consult a licensed financial advisor or broker before making any and all investment decisions. Any investments, trades, speculations, or decisions made on the basis of any information found on this site, expressed or implied herein, are committed at your own risk, financial or otherwise.
Joining us for a conversation is Michael Rowley, the CEO of Group Ten Metals. Glad to be speaking with you today, as you have a big announcement for shareholders regarding the Black Lake–Drayton gold project. Before we begin, Mr. Rowley, please introduce us to Group Ten Metals and the opportunity the company presents to shareholders.
Michael Rowley:
Group Ten is focused on advancing our Stillwater West project as a premier source of low-carbon ‘green metals’ in Montana’s Stillwater district, beside Sibanye-Stillwater’s mine complex. Within the next few weeks, we expect to debut our maiden resource estimates of nickel, copper, palladium, platinum, rhodium, gold and cobalt, on that project which we expect will compare favorably with our peers and position us for growth based on this years drill campaign.
Along with owning half of the iconic Stillwater district in Montana, Group Ten also has two other district-scale land positions, the Black Lake Drayton gold project in Ontario that you mentioned a minute ago, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project in the Yukon. All three of these are big brownfield land positions in great districts, and they are 100% owned by Group Ten because we were acquiring them strategically during the bear market when great assets were available inexpensively. We are focused more than ever on Stillwater, and with that our non-core assets are effectively up for sale or spin-out in the first in a series in that regard.
Maurice:
Well, let’s begin today in Ontario is Group Ten Metals has just announced (Press Release) a letter of intent with Heritage Mining on the sale of the Black Lake–Drayton gold project. Congratulations, sir.
Michael Rowley:
Thank you, we are excited about the potential we see there. Heritage Mining is a new listing with an excellent team, and they are well equipped to focus on Black Lake and give it the attention it deserves while granting excellent exposure to that success.
Black Lake is a rare asset that is hard to find in this current, improving market with increasing activity in junior exploration. It checks all the boxes. It is a big land position that shares an emerging district with a 3Moz development-stage high-grade gold project, yet is underexplored. So there is lots of smoke, someone just needs to find the fire. Treasury Metals has done great work to the west of us consolidating the rest of the district, and Rainy River, farther to the west is now in production with New Gold. This whole belt was late to the game because of limited access and shallow ground cover, but developments at Rainy River in the 1990s changed that, and now there is over 14Moz in the belt, and growing.
Maurice:
All right, let’s get into the exciting stuff, sir. Please share the terms of the agreement with us and in particular, the cash and share compensation that group 10 metals will be receiving along with the carried interest in the potential for discovery payments.
Michael Rowley:
It’s a great deal for both parties. Group Ten will gain a major share position in a newly listed company that’s focused on precious metals and focused on developing tier one assets, developing resources. And we get that 10% free carried interest through to feasibility study. So we can be at the table at a later stage to negotiate the sale of that during a possible broader consolidation play in the district. We received $320,000 in cash payments in the first two years of the deal as well. And we receive bonus payments of $1 for every ounce of gold that is formerly brought on the books in any category at any time and even in multiple stages. That has a $10 million cap on that, the district already hosts more than 10 million ounces. So that figure is certainly possible given the area.
Maurice:
So that we better appreciate the terms. Would you please provide us with a quick bio on Heritage Mining and what they bring to the table?
Michael Rowley:
Heritage Mining is a very experienced team with an excellent track record of raising cash and advancing projects, especially in Ontario and Quebec. Heritage is familiar with this geology. They’re keen to hit the ground, which is very pleasing to us because the point of this deal is that we want someone else to raise the $5 million and advance this asset the way we think it can be advanced. So they certainly appear to be capable of that. They have an excellent record of proving ounces, developing mines, operating companies, and marketing, raising capital.
Maurice:
Where will this transaction put Group Ten Metals in terms of ownership, percentage on the share structure for Heritage Mining?
Michael Rowley:
Well, we’ll have to see what their first placement looks like once they’re trading and that’s a couple of months out from now. But we expect to be about 10% of the company initially, and then maintain between the 5% and 10% level from there. A key point on that note also is that we have that bonus structure having a carried interest. Therefore, we are not relying solely on our share position for value. We’ve got several avenues here to be exposed to that success that we expect them to have.
Maurice:
And when does Group Ten Metals expect the transaction will close?
Michael Rowley:
We look good to close around the 60-day mark around mid-October.
Maurice:
Leaving Ontario and onto the Yukon where Group Ten Metals has another non-core asset within his property bank that is equally has been receiving a lot of interest from prospective buyers. And I’m speaking of the Kluane PGE, nickel, copper project in the Yukon. Sir, any updates for us?
Michael Rowley:
The Kluane is another explored project. We have over 250 square kilometers in the under-explored Kluane Belt, which is a fantastic belt of deposits. Another ultramafic system like Stillwater reaching from BC through into Alaska. The most advanced one. There is Nickel Creek Platinum, formerly Wellgreen. And the news there is that they’ve been increasingly active in the past year. And that’s good to see. They’ve been drilling, they’ve been doing geophysics and they’ve been doing it up on the northwest end of the system towards us, which is music to our ears. We’ll be seeing them at Beaver Creek and we’re looking forward to further activity from them. You’re correct that we’re getting more interested in those projects and that they like Black Lake are effectively for sale. We just have low carrying costs. Then we’re taking our time looking for the right deals.
Maurice:
Leaving the Yukon less visit Montana, which hosts your flagship Stillwater West project. But before we get into the latest news on the Stillwater West, would you please remind us about the unique value proposition before us on your flagship project?
Michael Rowley:
The Stillwater West is fantastic. In 2017, the opportunity was presented to us to own half of the iconic Stillwater District, which sounds too good to be true in a way. But thanks to several factors that came together at the right time. Most of all, a local vendor who had spotted a bankruptcy that left these claims available, and he was quick, he bought the data from the past operators and he tied up the claims. We’ve since tripled land position. We now own half the district we’ve built a terrific database, predictive geologic model. The point is that we are well on our way to proving ourselves as a primary source of green metals, battery-grade nickel, copper, cobalt, with platinum group elements, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and also gold.
In a US district beside three mines and a smelter complex. These are big disseminated, sulfide deposits. They convert easily and cleanly to nickel sulfate. And we are weeks away from our first resources on the project, which is a very exciting moment for any junior exploration company. This will be a solid debut, it’ll position us nicely among our peers. And we see terrific room to grow from there. If you’ve seen our news release back in April, where we related the 3D models from our IP survey, the emerging images of our Resource models, and the potential we have for expansion.
Maurice:
The Stillwater West is currently undergoing its largest exploration program to date, which is a 10,000-meter drill program there recently added a second drill rig, sir, take us on-site and get us up to speed on the program.
Michael Rowley:
We have 2 rigs turning, which is music to our ears. We’re hitting sulfide very nicely in both, massive sulfide in places, net texture, and disseminated in others. The predictive model that we’ve been working up the past few years is working beautifully. And that’s a key point. We’re now hitting with a high degree of predictability, which is what geologists want to see. The district is well mineralized. Our neighbor has 87 million ounces in current resources, reserves, and 14 million ounces in past production of the highest-grade palladium-platinum in the world.
That’s a single magmatic pulse laid down across 40 kilometers. These things are staggering in scale, and it’s also a nickel-copper-sulfide deposit that is worth noting. We are just below them in that stratigraphy. And we’re seeing similar continuity of these horizons. We are hitting new ones all the time, they seem to run for great lengths and it’s easy to add ounces and pounds. The program that you mentioned that’s underway now should do very nicely for expanding the inaugural resources as fast as we can in 2022. So we’ll debut numbers here in summer 2021, and then look to expand them as fast as possible in 2022.
Maurice:
All right, you have two truth machines drilling away. Do you already have some core in the lab and any timeframe on when we may receive some assays?
Michael Rowley:
The first one and a half holes are in the labs, include some nice-looking core. The labs are saying six weeks though, give me into October to get those into a news release.
Maurice:
Now we will hold you to that, but we will hold the labs to that. All right, switching gears, let’s look at some numbers. Sir, please provide the capital structure for Group Ten Metals.
Michael Rowley:
Group Ten Metals has 163 million shares outstanding at today’s price. That puts us around a $50 million market cap. We feel that significantly below where we could be based on our peers. I think a good peer might be Canada Nickel, for example. Noting of course they don’t have the platinum group element component that we have. However, they are four or five times our market cap with a similar, large, lower-grade nickel project. And we think that makes it a compelling comparison. We have$ 6 million cash in the bank and we have $13 million in the money options and warrants. Those are priced between .21 and .30 cents. No placements are planned for the foreseeable future and a fully funded, fully permitted for this year’s program. And even into next year at this point.
Maurice:
Speaking of those warrants. Expect for me to go ahead and exercise mine. Speaking of the shares, Group Ten Metals recently upgraded its DTC eligibility. What does that mean for shareholders? I
Michael Rowley:
I had to look into it myself to be reminded. DTC is an electronic clearing service. This simplifies the process of trading and enhances liquidity For American traders, which we have a really good US shareholder base. So this is, meaningful in terms of fast and efficient settling of those trades.
Maurice:
Before we close Mr. Rowley, what would you like to say to shareholders?
Michael Rowley:
This is an exciting time for Group Ten Metals! If you’re familiar with the Lassonde Curve value creation in junior miners were at that just pre-discovery phase where you get that rapid increase in value. And it’s quite a privilege to be here. It’s exciting to be systematically exploring the Stillwater Complex, which is famously metal-rich, and yet also under-explored and it’s remarkable, but the 215 drill holes to date across 32 kilometers of claims, 61 square kilometers. That’s not a lot. And we’re testing things all the time that have never been drilled and we’re finding nice-looking sulfides there. So to be the ones systematically adding value and looking like, in terms of the market, that we’re on the left end of the Lassonde Curve, but knowing that we’re much farther along in terms of having comfort about some size and grade here. Pretty exciting.
Maurice:
Last question. What did I forget to ask?
Michael Rowley:
Well, it’s probably a good point to touch on the broader commodity markets and you know metal markets are going sideways at the moment but there are the fundamentals are in place perhaps more than ever for a really good steady increase. We’re looking for all the metals in our suite of commodity baskets to resume their upward momentum likely this fall. We’ve got the FED meeting behind us today. Things look positive the fundamentals are there and we’re looking forward to increased value for all our commodities, especially, in nickel. We’re hearing increasingly of the coming shortfall in nickel sulfide, in particular clean nickel that’s good for batteries or rather makes nickel sulfate in the most environmentally friendly manner. We’re excited to be part of that and we’re looking forward to that renewed momentum. This is a good buying opportunity to buy shares in Group Ten Metals.
Maurice
Sir, for readers that want to get more information on Group Ten Metals, please share the website address.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – August 30, 2021) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to announce the execution of an option agreement (the “Agreement“) to sell five battery metals projects in Sweden (the “Projects“) to Swedish Nickel Pty. Ltd. (“Swedish Nickel“), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayrock Resources Limited (“Bayrock“). Bayrock is an Australian unlisted public company and has a pre-existing nickel mining asset in Sweden. In return for the Projects, the Agreement provides EMX with up to a 6% equity interest in Bayrock, annual advance royalty payments, 3% Net Smelter Return (“NSR“) royalty interests, work commitments and other considerations.
The nickel-copper Projects are located in northeastern Sweden in the Fennoscandian Shield (see Figure 1), which is host to numerous nickel deposits in Sweden, Finland and western Russia. The Projects each contain drill-defined zones of nickel-copper sulfide mineralization developed in and around mafic to ultramafic intrusions (magmatic sulfide-style mineralization). These zones of mineralization are also variably enriched in cobalt and platinum-group-elements (PGE), key metals used in current battery technologies. Most of the Projects’ occurrences and deposits were discovered in the 1970’s and 1980’s, with only limited and incomplete histories of follow-up exploration. See www.EMXroyalty.com for further information.
The Agreement with Swedish Nickel/Bayrock represents another example of EMX’s execution of the royalty generation aspect of its business model. EMX began exploration programs for nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE deposits in the Nordic countries in 2016, at a time of lower battery metal prices and when there was little commercial interest in these types of projects. Improvements in the battery metals markets in recent years have led to a resurgence in interest in battery metals projects, especially in stable political jurisdictions such as the Nordic countries.
Commercial Terms Overview. In accordance with the Agreement, Swedish Nickel can acquire 100% interests in any or all of the Projects through the issuance of cash or shares to EMX and performance of work on individual projects during a 36 month (3 year) option period, subject to the following terms (all dollar amounts in AUD):
Upon execution of the Agreement, EMX will receive $62,184 in cash.
Bayrock will raise a minimum of $6 million by the first anniversary of the Agreement and issue EMX between 5 and 6% of Bayrock shares on a fully diluted basis, subject to certain conditions. Alternatively, Swedish Nickel can make a one-time cash payment of $600,000 in lieu of the obligation for issuance of Bayrock shares to EMX.
Swedish Nickel will expend a minimum of $250,000 per project in the first 18 months of the Agreement, and another $250,000 per project in the second 18 months of the Agreement; for a total of $500,000 per project by the 3rd anniversary of the Agreement.
After satisfying the work commitments and exercising the option on any or all of the Projects, Swedish Nickel will grant EMX royalty interests with annual advance royalty (“AAR“) payments and other considerations on each of the Projects for which an option is exercised:
EMX will receive a 3% NSR royalty interest in each optioned project. On or before the earlier of the sixth anniversary of the Agreement or delivery of a Feasibility Study, Swedish Nickel has the option to repurchase 1% of the EMX NSR royalty on any Project by paying EMX $1,500,000.
EMX will receive AAR payments of $25,000 on each optioned project commencing on the third anniversary of the Agreement, with the AAR payment increasing by 10% each year.
Payments of $600,000 payable in cash or shares, will be made to EMX upon the delivery of a Feasibility Study on any of the Projects.
Closing is subject to approval by the ASX Stock Exchange.
Overview of the Projects. The Projects are situated within a belt of mafic-ultramafic intrusive complexes that straddle the Sweden-Finland border. This belt of intrusions is host to multiple nickel-sulfide deposits such as the Kevitsa and Sakatti deposits in Finland. Each of the EMX Projects included in the Agreement contain historical drill defined zones of nickel copper mineralization that also show variable enrichments in cobalt and PGE.
Kukasjarvi Project. Kukasjarvi has a geologic setting typical of many magmatic sulfide deposits, where sill-like mafic to ultramafic rocks have intruded graphitic and sulfide bearing sedimentary rocks. Magmatic sulfides at Kukasjarvi were discovered by Boliden AB in the 1970’s while tracing mineralized boulders found in the area. Twelve historical diamond holes were drilled for a total of 2,400 meters, and a historical mineral resource for Kukasjarvi was defined[1]. The deposit is believed to be hosted within a metamorphosed ultramafic cumulate rock related to larger volumes of mafic gabbros mapped in the area. The deposit remains poorly delineated (i.e. incompletely drilled), and high Cu:Ni ratios suggest that the currently defined mineralization is distal in the system(s).
Notträsk Project. Notträsk is a layered mafic intrusion of gabbro-norite-peridotite with nickel copper mineralization that was discovered in the 1970’s when road construction exposed an 80 meter thick section of sulfide rich breccias and massive sulfide accumulations. The sulfide mineralization occurs near the base of the intrusive complex, but subsequent exploration programs focussed on mineralization at higher levels within the intrusive complex. Only a few of the historical holes penetrated the basal contact, which represents the primary exploration target and remains largely untested. EMX also sees considerable exploration upside in the apophyses and offshoots of the main intrusive complex which could contain “conduit” type sulfide targets.
Vuostok Project. The Vuostok project is the westernmost of the Projects, located in the Skelleftea mining region of Sweden. Nickel-copper mineralization at Vuostok was discovered in the 1940’s after prospectors followed a trail of mineralized boulders that were carried by glaciers up to 55 kilometers to the southeast[2]. Mineralization at Vuostok mainly occurs along the basal contact of a gabbro sill intruded into granitic country rocks. After discovery, several campaigns of drilling delineated shallow bodies of nickel-copper sulfide mineralization. Many step-out drill holes also intersected masses of nickel-rich sulfide mineralization which appears to be widespread in the gabbroic intrusive complexes. Multiple conductive geophysical anomalies remain untested.
Fiskelträsk Project. Similar to Kukasjarvi, Fiskelträsk is a gabrroic to gabbronorite intrusion emplaced into sulfide-bearing sedimentary rocks. The Fiskelträsk deposit was discovered by Boliden AB during the 1970’s, which drilled eleven holes for a total of 1,600 meters. The drill data were utilized by Wiking Minerals AB to estimate a historical resource in 2014 that has been cited in multiple publications on nickel-copper deposits in the region. The mineralization at Fiskelträsk is enriched in cobalt, and although not analyzed during the 1970’s exploration programs, subsequent studies showed anomalous PGE values which need follow-up work.
Skogträsk Project. Nickel-copper mineralization at Skogträsk was identified and drilled by the Swedish Geological Survey (“SGU“) in 1969-1973. Eleven shallow diamond drill holes by the SGU intersected disseminated and “net-textured” styles of sulfide mineralization at the basal contact of a gabbro-norite-pyroxenite-peridotite intrusion. As was the case at Kukasjarvi and Fiskelträsk, the mafic-ultramafic intrusions at Skogträsk were emplaced into graphitic and sulfide-rich sediments. In 2014 Boss Resources Ltd. conducted electromagnetic geophysical surveys at Skogträsk and drilled two holes totalling 491 meters. One of the holes intersected a significant thickness (~20 meters) of nickel-copper-bearing sulfide mineralization at the basal contact of the intrusive complex, and electromagnetic geophysical data show that the mineralization may extend for several hundred meters along strike. There was no follow-up to the 2014 drill program and multiple geophysical anomalies remain untested on the property.
Comments on References to Historical Drill Results and Resource Estimates, and Nearby Mines and Deposits. EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the Projects’ historical drill results or the published historical resource estimates. The Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources but considers them as reliable and relevant based upon independent field reviews, including inspections of historical drill core. Additional work to verify or upgrade the historical estimates as current mineral resources would include a) check assaying of historical assay results, b) confirmation drilling, and c) review/updating of the geologic interpretations under the supervision of a Qualified Person. However, there is no guarantee that the historical resource estimates will be updated as current mineral resources with further work.
The nearby mines and deposits discussed in this news release provide context for EMX’s Projects, which occur in similar geologic settings, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Projects host similar tonnages or grades of mineralization.
Dr. Eric P. Jensen, 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 TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “EMX”; and 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) 979-6666 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 reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will”, “believe”, “potential”, “upside” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company’s future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended June 30, 2021 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (the “AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2020, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
Figure 1. Location map for the Projects and Prospective Mineral Belts.
[1] Papunen, Heikki, and Gorbunov, eds., 1985, Nickel-Copper Deposits of the Baltic Shield and Scandinavian Caledonides, Geological Survey of Finland, Bulletin 333.
[2] Grip, E., 1955, Tracing of glacial boulders as an aid to ore prospecting in Sweden, Economic Geology, v. 48, p. 715-725.
Sign up for Alerts
Sign up to receive news releases by email for EMX Royalty Corp. or all companies belonging to the Mining and Metals, Precious Metals industries.
Joining us for conversation is Tim Johnson, the CEO of Granite Creek Copper (TSX.V: GCX | OTCQB: GCXXF).
Tim Johnson:
Thank you, Maurice. It’s always a pleasure to be here.
Maurice:
What an exciting time to be speaking with you as Granite Creek Copper has just released some very exciting results to the market, which look to further extend the resource at the high-grade Carmacks copper-gold project. Before we begin, Mr. Johnson, please introduce us to Granite Creek Copper and the opportunity the company presents to shareholders.
Tim Johnson:
Granite Creek Copper is an exploration stage copper-focused company. We’re focusing on our Carmacks project in the center of Yukon, Canada, which is a great jurisdiction for development and we have excellent access to power and a highway. And just released some very exciting news of which we are very pleased and I appreciate this opportunity to discuss them and put them into context for readers.
Maurice:
Granite Creek Copper began its inaugural drill campaign back in November, which was quite successful, yielding 127 meters of 0.85% copper equivalent at Carmacks’s zone 13, and 4.6 meters of 7.5% copper equivalent at Carmacks north zone A, which was followed up in May with phase one of three drill programs slated for 2021.
In July, Granite Creek released the first string of asset results from phase one and the results were quite impressive. Just the other day, the company released a single hole, hole 11, which has some spectacular results. It would seem that there will be much more bluesky on the horizon on the Carmacks deposit. Mr. Johnson, I have table one from the press release before us. Please walk us through the asset results and in particular, hole 11.
Tim Johnson:
Hole 11 was a bit of an eye-opener for us. It was targeted in zone 2000 south. When we went into the campaign, we knew that there was some significant potential to grow the resources in 2000 South, and I must say Hole 11 delivered, along with a few other holes drilled in the 2000 south zone all intercepted mineralization well below the current resource model, so giving us the potential to significantly expand that resource. We’re pretty pleased. We think not only can we expand the resource, but if you notice that, looking at the resource table in the news release, that just about all the intercepts are of a higher grade than what’s in the table. That gives us the potential to not only grow the resource and as far as tonnage, but also potentially deliver a higher-grade resource on an updated resource estimate that we’re working on right now.
Tim Johnson:
Hole 11 intercepted 105 meters at 1.18% copper on an equivalent basis and above 0.97% copper on its own. Within that, there were 22 meters of over 2% copper. Those grades are pretty spectacular, and we think, again, that’s going to make a significant upgrade to the resource once we can complete a few more holes and model that. We don’t think this is a one-off hole. We think from the geophysics and what we’re seeing that we will be able to expand the resource in a much higher grade. Of course, we’ve got some more drilling to do to be able to deliver that, but we’re pretty bullish about that. We’ve refocused our phase three program, which we expect to start in a week or two, to target that area of 2000 south, and also to see if we can connect the 2000 south up to some of the other zones at Carmacks to make a more continuous ore body.
Maurice:
Now sticking with zone 2000 south, I have table two before us. What do these results seem to indicate?
Tim Johnson:
Table two is a resource calculation done by previous operators. This was published in 2017. You can see it’s quite a small resource, about 600,000 tons in the sulfide domain, which readers should know that the sulfide domain is what we’re targeting. The oxide, there is limited oxide in 2000 south. I think this is one of the reasons why this target is still here, because previous operators, again, we’re more focused on a small oxide operation. So they weren’t targeting the sulfide, but we see the real potential here to be the sulfide. This hole seems to verify that. Again, the grade on this hole is above what the grade of the resource, the current resource is. So good delivery on a couple of fronts, both potential tonnage increase, and potential grade increase.
Maurice:
And I do wish to highlight the geological acumen of Granite Creek Copper, as the Carmacks has had over 50,000 meters of exploration in the past and they were not able to locate the success you have in hole 11. What does that say about GCX and the success of the company moving forward?
Tim Johnson:
There’s a couple of reasons for that. The previous operators and there was nothing wrong with this, felt they had an economic resource in the oxide. The oxide is fairly near surface. Therefore, there was a lot of drilling done to prove up that resource, but there was very little drilling done to expand the resource into the sulfide material or to look for adjacent potential like we have at Carmacks North. Previous operators had quite a small land package for various reasons. They had to let some go in some of the tougher times in the industry, and we benefited from that, by having that land package available for us when we acquired it and then subsequently acquired coper north, of course, to consolidate the district.
Tim Johnson:
So yeah, you’re right. I mean 50,000 meters have been drilled, but a lot of it, as I said, was very near-surface, oxide focused, and left us the opportunity to come in and recognize the potential for significant expansion beneath the oxide into the sulfide, and really not that deep. The transition zone from oxide to sulfide occurs about 200 meters plus or minus below surface, so still well within an economic mining range, and really, a lot of bluesky left and a lot of discovery potential on the combined land package.
Maurice:
In previous interviews, we’ve discussed resource expansion. How does today’s press release increase the impact on the pending 43-101 mineral resource estimate?
Tim Johnson:
It significantly impacts mineral resource estimate. When consider where Hole 11 fits in relation to the current resource, and the entirety of the 105 meters of significant mineralization is below the current resource. So giving us up to 100, maybe 120 meters of down-dip extension on that resource. Now, we do need to infill around it. You can’t build a resource on a single hole, but some of the other holes that we’ve had that we released in July also support that down-dip extension of the resource. So we see significant growth potential here in this zone.
Tim Johnson:
We did drill again this year on Zone 13. We’re still waiting for those assays, but we see potential to grow in 13 as well. We also see potential to grow in the sulfide portion of Zone 1, which some of those assays were also released in our first release in July. So basically, three zones that we have resource growth potential, and we’re working on modeling those right now. We’re working with a third party to bring that resource into view, and we hope to be able to deliver that to the market in a fairly timely manner.
Maurice:
I referenced that Granite Creek will embark on three drill programs this year. When can shareholders expect the remaining results from phase one?
Tim Johnson:
That’s a really tough question to answer. As we move into the fall, the labs get busier and busier. So it’s really hard for me to nail down, but we would expect hopefully by late September to early October, we’d have final results on phase one. The phase two program we’re currently going on is an RC or a reverse circulation program. It’s targeting some of the earlier stage targets both at Carmacks north, which is a northern extension of our land package, and some of the earlier stage targets around the Carmacks deposit itself. Then the phase three program, which is now being re-imagined in and around 2000 south, will be starting in the coming weeks. Then that should give us fairly good assay flow and be able to continue to deliver results to the market as we move through the fall and into the winter months.
Maurice:
By the way, is phase three, is that an RC or is that diamond core, sir?
Tim Johnson:
Phase three is a diamond program. What we did this year, we budgeted for 10,000 meters. We completed 6,300 meters in the initial program, and we kept back some meterage to get the results in and to understand the geology of the orientation of the deposits. Now that those results are coming in as I said, we’re refocusing our efforts to build out where we have the best results and try to get … increase the tonnage and increase the grade in the zones that we think are going to make the most difference to the resource.
Maurice:
When we last spoke, Granite Creek Copper announced that it had entered into a contract with Sedgman and Mining Plus. What are the latest developments there?
Tim Johnson:
We working forward with Sedgman and Mining Plus. One of the big reasons we brought them in is two-fold. One of the reasons we brought them in was to optimize the process for both the oxide and sulfide processing that was initially developed in the 2017 PEA, and then also to develop a mine plan that would bring the sulfide in as well. The previous PEA only spoke to the oxide resource. It contemplated about a 7 mine life. We saw at least double that in the sulfide resource, but there was no mine plan for it. Sedgman and Mining Plus are working very hard to bring that into view. What’s going to happen, we’ll take that information and that will inform our next economic study to be done on the project. We will look at updating the preliminary economic assessment once we have all the results in both from the work that Sedgman and Mining Plus are doing, and of course, with an updated resource that is being currently worked on to bring both the tonnage and the mine plan and the processing plan all into one economic study.
Maurice:
Leaving the Carmacks project, sir, please provide us with an update on the capital structure for Granite Creek Copper.
Tim Johnson:
Granite Creek Copper has 127 million shares issued and outstanding. We’ve have warrants that are right at the strike price of the warrants, about $4.8 million in cash value of those warrants with the strike price at 20 cents. We see strength in the market moving into the fall, and we expect those warrants to assist the company in continuing on with our economic studies and upcoming programs. Meaning that we won’t be looking to conduct a dilutive financing in the near term. We expect strength in the copper market hopefully will allow us to delay any large financing for a while.
Maurice:
Before we close, Mr. Johnson, what would you like to say to shareholders?
Tim Johnson:
I think the copper space is an excellent space for speculative shareholders to be to be looking we think that the copper market is going to have strength moving through the remainder of this year and into next year. We’ve got an excellent project with excellent exposure to copper and to precious metals as well in a very good jurisdiction. I think it’s worth adding granite creek copper to your watch list and making sure you follow along with our story.
Maurice: Last question sir what did i forget to ask?
Tim Johnson:
Well as usual Maurice, you did an excellent job. I think the questions you asked are very good and I appreciate your time.
Maurice:
Thank you sir. Mr Johnson for someone that wants to get more information on granite creek copper please share the contact details.
Mr. Johnson is always a pleasure to speak with you wishing you and Granite Creek Copper the absolute best sir.
And as a reminder, I am a licensed representative to buy and sell precious metals through Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments, where we have several options to expand your precious metals portfolio, from physical delivery of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium, to offshore depositories, and precious metals IRA’s. Give me a call at 855.505.1900 or you may email: Maurice@MilesFranklin.com. Finally, please subscribe to www.provenandprobable.com, where we provide: Mining Insights and Bullion Sales, subscription is free.
