Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 30, 2024) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to announce the execution of a purchase agreement with Aurora Exploration OY (“Aurora”), a private Finish company, for Aurora’s royalty interest covering the Mustajärvi gold project in Finland (the “Project”). The Mustajärvi project is located in the prolific Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in northern Finland, which hosts several recent gold discoveries as well as the Kittila Gold Mine, operated by Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. The Mustajärvi project is currently being advanced by Firefox Gold Corporation (“Firefox”).
The Mustajärvi project was originally acquired by Aurora in 2017 and subsequently sold to Firefox. Further exploration and drilling by Firefox led to the discovery of significant gold mineralization within the Project area (see various news releases by Firefox between 2018 and 2023). As part of the transaction with Firefox, Aurora retained a 1% NSR royalty, to be acquired by EMX. Half of the NSR royalty (0.5%) can be repurchased by Firefox for US$500,000 upon receipt of a positive feasibility study. Further information on the project can be found at Firefox’s website (www.firefoxgold.com) and in the Project’s 2018 NI-43-101 Technical Report, which has been filed on SEDAR.
Firefox recently announced a partnership with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd, including a private placement into Firefox (see Firefox News Release dated December 20, 2023). In its announcement, Firefox reported that proceeds from the private placement will be used to further advance and drill the Mustajärvi project.
Commercial Terms Overview: As consideration for the royalty interest, EMX has paid Aurora US$80,000 and will issue 30,000 common shares of the Company to Aurora, subject to receiving final acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange. These are the sole considerations for the purchase of the royalty.
Overview of the Project. The Mustajärvi project is located in Northen Finland in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt and is hosted within the Mustajärvi shear-zone (MSZ). The MSZ lies between the regional Venejoki and Sirkka shear zones, which host numerous gold occurrences and deposits including Rupert Resources’ recent Ikkari gold discovery.
Gold mineralization at Mustajärvi appears to be developed within “dilational jogs” along the MSZ. Drill defined zones of mineralization have now been reported over a 2.1km trend. The mineralization chiefly occurs as quartz-carbonate-tourmaline veins along contacts between intercalated siliciclastic meta-sediments and mafic-ultramafic volcanic rocks, a common control of gold mineralization in the region. The currently defined zones of mineralization remain open along strike at both ends of the trend as well as at depth.
Recent exploration activities concentrated on the “East Target”, where Firefox reported the discovery of a new zone of gold mineralization in 2022-2023. Drill intercepts in the East Target include hole 22MJ006 with 13.85 meters of 28.74 g/t Au from an in-hole depth of 24.15 meters, 22MJ021 with 15.5 meters of 13.09g/t Au from an in-hole depth of 11 meters and hole 23MJ004 with 20.45 meters of 5.14 g/t Au from an in-hole depth of 12 meters1. Elsewhere on the property, significant intercepts include drill hole 21MJ010 with 16.45 meters at 7.69 g/t Au from an in-hole depth of 154.15 meters1. Firefox and previous explorers have drilled a combined total of 14,158 meters on the property so far.
Comments on Nearby and Adjacent Properties. The deposits, projects and mines discussed in this news release provide context for the Project, which occurs in a similar geologic setting, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Project hosts similar quantities, grades or styles 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 that specializes in generating and acquiring royalty interests. 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 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 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” 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, 2023 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2022, 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.sedarplus.ca and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov
1 In its news releases dated September 9, 2021, September 6, 2022, January 18, 2023 and July 18, 2023 Firefox has reported that “drilling is believed to be perpendicular to the dip of the mineralization, however true widths are not yet known and will be confirmed with additional drilling and geologic modelling.” Although these results were reported in compliance with NI43-101 protocols and are believed to be reliable and relevant, EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the published assay results.
Gold79 believes that the Tyro Main Zone has the potential for 15.6 to 31.2 Mt grading 1.5 to 2.5 g/t Au. This is based on previous exploration on the property, including 685.7 metres of drilling along with surface sampling (95 samples), sampling of historical underground workings (56 samples) and detailed mapping.
Gold79 Mines Ltd. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on building ounces in the Southwest USA. Gold79 holds 100% earn-in option to purchase agreements on three gold projects: the Jefferson Canyon Gold Project and the Tip Top Gold Project both located in Nevada, USA, and, the Gold Chain Project located in Arizona, USA. In addition, Gold79 holds a 32.3% interest in the Greyhound Project, Nunavut, Canada under JV by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.
For further information regarding this press release contact: Derek Macpherson, President & CEO Phone: 416-294-6713 Email: dm@gold79mines.com Website: www.gold79mines.com
Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – January 23, 2024) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) (OTCQB: SBMCF) (‘SBMI’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to announce as part of its ongoing transformation to a silver producing company, it has submitted and received approval for its mine training program from the Mine Safety and Health Association (“MSHA”), part of the United States Department of Labor. This MSHA approval covers the training program for both SBMI’s underground and surface operations. The approval process included three onsite inspections by MSHA and the completion by SBMI of a detailed safety operations program.
The field team in Arizona is currently attending the annual training program which will be completed this week, following which the field team intends to address any outstanding safety-related items, develop the silver higher-grade Zone1, and commence commercial operations.
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 virus; 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 ore; 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.
North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 18, 2024) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO)(“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on ongoing operations at the company’s 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji.
Lion One Metals’ Chairman and CEO Walter Berukoff stated:“2023 was a year of noteworthy accomplishments for Lion One Metals. Within one year we have gone from pouring concrete to pouring gold. We built the entire processing plant at Tuvatu within one year, completed over 2,000 m of underground mine development, drilled over 40,000 m of core, completed Stage 1 of our Tailings Storage Facility, and on October 10th we celebrated with over 1,000 community members, employees, and government officials as we poured our first gold at Tuvatu. We’re very proud of our technical team’s ability to achieve these significant milestones, especially in such a short period of time.”
“In 2024 we expect another watershed year for Lion One Metals. During the 300 TPD pilot plant phase of operations we will be focusing on the development of the mine and the expansion of the processing plant to 500 TPD. We are pursuing a staged increase in development and the 300 TPD pilot plant stage is a critical step in the continuous improvement of mining and milling at Tuvatu. The knowledge and experience gained during the pilot plant stage of operations will be crucial in achieving long-term success and in optimizing performance at the 500 TPD stage. The goal for 2024 is to have the 500 TPD processing plant in operation by the end of Q3. We will then use the cash flow from our 500 TPD operations to fund the next stage of growth for Lion One, which includes the development of the 500 Zone at Tuvatu, and the advancement of our regional exploration program throughout the Navilawa Caldera, where we intend to discover and develop the next Tuvatu.”
Mine Operations
The focus of mining activities during the 300 TPD pilot plant phase of operations is the development of the underground mine, with the goal of advancing the main decline to the 500 Zone as quickly as is safely possible. A secondary goal during this phase of operations is the development of as many stope access points as feasible in advance of the plant expansion to 500 TPD. A significant portion of the material mined during the 300 TPD pilot plant phase of operations is therefore expected to be development material.
As mine development has progressed at Tuvatu, additional mineralization has been discovered in areas in Zone 2 that were not previously expected to be mineralized. This includes mineralization associated with stockwork veining as well as entirely new mineralized lodes. Many of the development headings at Tuvatu have been found to contain low-grade gold mineralization. This low-grade development material is ideal for use as feed stock to test the different gold recovery circuits during the initial stages of plant operation. Processing the development material also serves to offset costs during mine development as this material needs to be removed regardless of whether it is mineralized. Most of the mill feed during the start-up of the 300 TPD pilot plant has therefore consisted of low-grade development material. The first production material was extracted on December 13th, 2023, from the URW1 leading edge stope in Zone 2. This stope is located outside the original PEA resource and represents an expansion of the resource.
Mining activities at Tuvatu in 2024 will consist of a mix of handheld and mechanized mining methods. Handheld mining is ideal for narrow vein mining as it is precise and enables the effective development of narrow drives, thereby minimizing dilution. Mechanized mining produces wider voids and results in a considerably higher production rate. It is therefore the preferred alternative for wider zones of mineralization that are not sensitive to dilution. At Tuvatu there are areas more suitable for handheld mining and others more suitable for mechanized mining. The mining method employed will be tailored to the style of mineralization being extracted. Mine development is proceeding in a manner designed to preserve the optionality of switching between mining methods as appropriate. To date, development mining at Tuvatu has progressed using both handheld and mechanized mining, yet production mining has been limited to handheld methods. Mechanized production is scheduled to start in Q1 2024. Production mining refers to the mining of production stopes through which most of the mineralized material will be extracted, whereas development mining refers to all the supporting development required to access the production stopes, such as the declines, access drives, crosscuts, ventilation rises, and so on. While the primary mining objective during the 300 TPD pilot plant stage is development, mine production is anticipated to steadily increase as production mining is introduced and as the number of available production areas increases ahead of the plant expansion to 500 TPD.
Mill Operations
The focus of mill operations during the 300 TPD pilot plant stage is on determining the best methods and parameters required to maximize gold recovery from each type of gold mineralization at Tuvatu. Mill operations to date have consisted of a start-up period and a campaign period with feed from different areas within Zone 2 and Zone 5.
During the start-up period of operations from late October to early December 2023, predominantly low-grade material was put through the mill. This is typical of mill start-ups and is done while identifying and resolving any start-up issues that may be present before ramping up production. It also serves to build the in-process store of gold that is retained within the plant. During the subsequent campaign periods of operation, the focus changed to the metallurgical variability of the gold mineralization. Several different types of mineralization have been identified at Tuvatu, including three different types within Zone 2 and Zone 5. Due to the complexity of the deposit, additional variability in mineralization is anticipated as development progresses deeper into the mine. The campaign period of operations, which began in mid-December, has consisted of processing separate batches of material from specific parts of Zone 2 and Zone 5 to determine how the plant responds in each case. The knowledge gained from these campaigns will be applied to maximize gold recovery from the larger production stopes in these areas. Gold recovery rates during the start-up and campaign periods have been in line with expectations.
In addition to the start-up and campaign activities, mill commissioning and upgrading has been carried out. Commissioning of both the continuous gravity concentrator and the intensive leach circuit has been on hold due to a delayed shipment of component parts from suppliers. Both circuits are expected to be brought on-line by early February. Similarly, the blowers supplied to aerate the CIL tanks and cyanide detoxification circuit were found to be undersized by the supplier. New blowers will be installed, along with new air spargers and diffusion cones to improve the performance of the CIL circuit.
The mill expansion to 500 TPD is scheduled to be complete by the end of Q3 2024. The expansion consists of three main components: a tower mill, a flotation circuit, and a third ball mill. The purpose of the tower mill is to produce a finer grind of concentrates from the continuous gravity concentrator, thereby further increasing recoveries. The tower mill is expected to be on site in February. The flotation circuit is also being added to maximize recoveries, while the third ball mill is required to increase the milling capacity of the plant. Site preparations for both the flotation circuit and the third ball mill are already complete and construction is pending. All three mill components are on schedule for completion and commissioning by the end of Q3 2024, which is a year ahead of the originally scheduled completion date of Q3 2025.
Figure 1. Aerial Views of Tuvatu Processing Plant and Mine Portal, December 2022 and January 2024. Top image: Aerial view in December 2022 shortly after plant construction started. Bottom image: Aerial view in January 2024 after construction is complete and the 300 TPD pilot plant is in operation. These views highlight some of the substantial progress made at Tuvatu throughout 2023.
The Company also announces it has granted stock options pursuant to its 10% rolling stock option plan to an officer of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 common shares of the Company. The stock options are exercisable at $1.00 per share and expire 5 years from the date of grant.
Qualified Person (NI43-101)
In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43- 101”), Alex Nichol, MAIG, VP Geology and Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company, and has reviewed, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.
About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.
As disclosed in its “Technical Report and PEA Update for the Tuvatu Gold Project” dated April 29, 2022, the 2018 Tuvatu resource estimate 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 under the Lion One profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or 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 labor 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.
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 18, 2024 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSX-V.DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), (“Diamcor” or the “Company”), a well-established Canadian diamond mining company with a proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds announces that the Company intends to complete a convertible loan financing (the “Financing”) of up to CDN$2,000,000.00, and anticipates that an aggregate of approximately CDN$1,250,000.00 of the Financing will be subscribed to by existing larger shareholders and management of the Company. The financing will consist of unsecured convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) having a term of two (2) years from the closing date and bearing interest at the rate of 15% per annum. During the first year, interest will accrue and be payable 12 months from the date of closing. No principal payments will be required until maturity. The principal amount of the Notes will be convertible at the election of the noteholder into Common Shares of the Company at any time up to the maturity date at the rate of CND$0.10 per share. As provided in Policy 5.2 of the TSX Venture Exchange Corporate Finance Policy Manual, interest will be convertible at the election of the noteholder into Common Shares of the Company at the Market Price as at the time of conversion of the interest.
In addition, subject to the exceptions noted below, the Company will issue non-transferable share purchase warrants to eligible participating investors, with each share purchase warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Common share of the Company at a price of CND$0.15 for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance (the “Warrants”). The number of Warrants issuable to the eligible participating investors will be equal to the number of Common Shares into which the principal amount of the investor’s Note is convertible.
The proceeds from the Financing will be used for the continued advancement of efforts to increase processing volumes at the Company’s Krone-Endora at Venetia Project (the “Project”), the work programmes previously underway, the announced efforts surrounding drilling and bulk sampling on the greater portions of the Project, and for general corporate purposes. While the Company plans to continue ongoing discussions with financiers and industry-related parties on additional funding scenarios which may be beneficial in increasing long-term shareholder value and added growth, the Company will not be proceeding with the term loan financing of up to CND$5.0M previously announced on October 2, 2023.
For further detail on the Company’s future plans and its perspective on the diamond industry, please see the following in depth interview with Dean Taylor, chief executive officer of Diamcor.
The Financing is subject to regulatory approval of the TSX Venture Exchange along with completion of all definitive documentation and filings as required. All securities issued pursuant to the above will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day following the closing.
About Diamcor Mining Inc.
Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. With a long-term strategic alliance with world famous Tiffany & Co, the Company’s primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers’ Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world’s top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. The Company focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including supporting local communities and protecting the environment.
About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance
The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world-famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at market prices. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing in an effort to advance the Project as quickly as possible. Tiffany & Co. is now owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH), a publicly traded company which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) under the symbol LVMH and on the OTC under the symbol LVMHF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.
About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project
Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers’ flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project’s total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade “Alluvial” basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper “Eluvial” deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the “Eluvial” deposit) and erosion (in respect to the “Alluvial” deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as one of the top producing diamond mines in the world.
Qualified Person Statement:
Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor’s exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (“APEGA”). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR
Neither 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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2024 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce significantly increased recovery of copper from oxide material at its Carmacks Copper-Gold-Silver project (“Carmacks Project” or the “Project“) was achieved through metallurgical studies conducted by Kemetco Research Inc. from (“Kemetco“).
The Company’s 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“2023 PEA”) for the Project identified the opportunity to significantly increase net present value (“NPV”) by improving oxide recovery. Metallurgical testing completed on the project in support of the 2023 PEA showed that while a copper recovery of over 93% could be achieved via a well-established froth flotation technique for sulphide ore, only 39.8% copper recovery from oxide ore was achieved using the same process (see Table 1 for summary of flotation results). The current test results show a total recovery of 88% for oxide material is possible, an increase of 48% over the PEA base case (Tables 1 and 2). These results will have a significant impact on the economics for the project as the PEA identified an additional $180 M of NPV5% value by increasing life of mine average recovery for copper from 64% to 77%. With sulfide recoveries of 93.7% identified in the PEA and combined oxide recoveries (initial flotation + leaching and precipitate) of 88% the potential recoveries for copper are well above the 77% target level highlighted in the 2023 PEA.
The current mine plan as outlined in the 2023 PEA contemplates processing material with a high oxide content of up to 80% oxide ore in the first five years of the mine life. During this time over 8.4 million tonnes of oxide material would be processed versus 2.88 million tonnes of sulphide material. An increase in recovery of oxide material for the first five years of mine life, as demonstrated in these test results, would have a potentially very significant impact on project economics.
Kemetco Research Inc. was retained to complete testing on tailings produced in previous metallurgical work to develop a process for treating material that will have passed through the mill and still have significant oxide copper minerals present (See Figure 1 for simplified flow sheet). This laboratory test program showcased the efficacy of copper recovery from Carmacks copper oxide flotation tailings through a low-concentration acid leach at ambient temperature and pressure followed by chemical precipitation of copper minerals. The precipitation of copper sulphide (“CuS”) from the resulting leachate was shown to be an effective method of fully recovering the leached copper from solution, yielding a very high-grade CuS precipitate that would be added to the copper concentrate further increasing the copper grade of the high-quality concentrates from the project. For reference the PEA estimated an average concentrate grade of 40% copper with significant gold and silver credits.
Figure 1: Simplified Flow Sheet
Results of this testing are outlined below:
Acid leaching was able to extract as much as 80% of the remnant copper present in a composite prepared from Carmacks copper oxide flotation tailings.
Copper in precipitates varied, but in most tests approached the theoretical grade of pure CuS which grades 66.5% Cu. High grades were obtained without pH adjustment.
This testing shows a total copper recovery from oxide material of 88% with Initial Flotation recovery of 39.8% + Leach and Precipitate recovery of 48% (80% of the remnant copper).
Adding Sodium hydrosulphide (“NaHS”) solution resulted in up to 100% precipitation of copper from leach solutions, offering a promising avenue for further refinement. Hydrogen sulphide gas was equally effective as a sulphide source for copper precipitation.
In all tests, the precipitation of CuS resulted in a drop in pH as free acid was regenerated as a by-product of the precipitation reaction, creating the potential to reuse/recycle the regenerated acid.
Table 1 Summary of flotation testing results and average values used in PEA.
Recovery %
Sample
Cu
Au
Ag
Sulphide Sample Flotation1
93.7
69.0
78.4
Oxide Sample Flotation2
39.8
57.5
37.4
Total Oxide Recovery (Initial Flotation + Leach and Precipitate)
88.0
N/A
N/A
PEA LOM Base Case3
64.0
58
60
PEA Target Case4
> 77
58
60
Sulphide flotation testing completed by SGS prior to PEA study see news release dated January 10, 2023.
Oxide flotation testing completed by SGS prior to PEA study see news release dated January 10, 2023.
Calculated LOM average recovery based on a regression curve dependant on oxide content.
Projected PEA target based on achieving a 20% increase in oxide recovery LOM.
Table 2 2023 – PEA Copper Recovery Sensitivity Table
Copper Recovery Sensitivity
PEA BASE
Target1
Pre-Tax NPV (5-10% Discount)
Overall recovery
51%
58%
64%
70%
77%
Sensitivity Range
80%
90%
100%
110%
120%
5%
$136.6M
$231.3M
$324.1M
$416.6M
$509.6M
6%
$122.2M
$209.4M
$269.6M
$383.8M
$471.0M
7%
$107.3M
$189.4M
$271.5M
$353.6M
$453.6M
8%
$93.8M
$171.1M
$248.4M
$325.8M
$403.1M
9%
$81.4M
$154.3M
$227.3M
$300.2M
$373.2M
10%
$70.1M
$139.0M
$207.8M
$276.7M
$345.6M
Based on a recovery of 93.7% for sulphide and 88% for oxide this would exceed the PEA LOM 77% target
About the Carmacks Deposit:
The road accessible Carmacks deposits hosts a NI 43-101 resource consisting of 36.2 Mt M&I, grading 1.07% CuEq 0.81% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.41 g/t Ag (see news release January 19, 2023). The deposit was the subject of a positive PEA released in January 2023 that envision a 9-year mine life based on a mill capable of processing 7,000 t/d of combined oxide and sulfide ore. The resources are contained within three conceptual open pits and are open for expansion.
Contained Copper in Measured and Indicated Resources
147 Pit 280 Mlbs copper in oxide 126 Mlbs copper in sulfide
2000 Pit 10.5 Mlbs copper in oxide 51.3 Mlbs copper in sulfide
1213 Pit 35.4 Mlbs copper in oxide 122.3 Mlbs copper in sulfide
Tim Johnson, President & CEO stated, “The 2023 PEA, a major milestone for the Company, identified several opportunities for the Project including increased recovery, resource expansion and additional mine and process optimisation. The unlocking of additional value through the improved oxide recovery that this testing represents, especially in the early years of mine life, has the potential to add significantly to the NPV of the project. These results could allow for re-evaluation of resources that didn’t make it into the mine plan due to lower grades or assumed recoveries. The process being developed by the company also has the possibility of being used in other parts of the Minto Copper belt where oxidized or partially oxidized (POX) copper ores have not been processed by other operators.”
Corporate Update
Granite Creek announces the appointment of Susan Henderson as Corporate Secretary. In this role, Ms. Henderson will play a crucial role in overseeing and managing corporate governance matters, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and serving as a key liaison between the company and its stakeholders. She brings her extensive experience in the mining industry, making her well-suited to contribute to Granite Creek’s continued success. The board and executive team are confident in her ability to navigate the complex landscape of corporate governance and provide valuable insights.
Qualified Persons
Mr. Douglas Warkentin, P.Eng., a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure related to metallurgical testing contained in this news release. Mr. Warkentin is a Senior Metallurgist with Kemetco Research and an advisor to the Company.
The NI 43-101 technical report entitled CARMACKS PROJECT PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESMENT (PEA) YUKON, CANADA, referenced in this news release is available on the company’s website as well as on SEDAR under the company’s profile.
2023 PEA: The Company cautions that the results of the PEA are preliminary in nature and do not include the calculation of mineral reserves as defined by NI 43-101. There is no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek Copper, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America. The Company’s projects consist of its flagship 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM project, both located in central British Columbia. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Must watch interview with a serial wealth builder sharing his valuable insights into the gold exploration stocks and how you may profit. Learn how to appraise gold exploration and mining companies. Joining us for a conversation is Brett Richards of Goldshore Resources, which is on a journey to become Canada’s next Tier 1 Gold Asset. In this interview will cover a number of fundamental aspects about speculation in the gold exploration companies, 5 key criteria that all speculators should know before buy a resource stock. We will cover the cost basis for gold 43-101 Mineral Resource categories for inferred, indicated, measured resources, along with proven, and probable reserves.
After a comprehensive review of the aforementioned we discuss the unique investment proposition for Goldshore Resources, which hosts the 6,000,000 Oz. (Inferred) Moss Lake Gold Project, along with catalyst for 2024.
Timestamp: :17 Gold price and disconnect with gold mining and gold exploration stocks 4:30 Have we reached capitulation 5:25 5 Key Criteria for Natural Resource Speculators 9:28 Gold Grades and Cost Per Oz. for Inferred, Indicated, Measured, Proven and Probable 11:26 Investment Proposition for GoldShore Resources 13:12 Let’s go on-site 19:17 Updated MRE 21:13 Summary: 23:17 Next Unanswered Question 27:14 Capital Structure 28:55 Stock took a hit 30:40 Why you don’t sell because the stock price drops 31:47 What keeps you up at night 33:40 What did I forget to ask
Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company, and owns the Moss Gold Project located in Ontario. Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. is currently a large shareholder of Goldshore. Supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors and advisory board, Goldshore is positioned to advance the Moss Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 10, 2024 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSXV.DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), (“Diamcor” or the “Company”), a well-established Canadian diamond mining company with a proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds is pleased to provide a brief overview of the significant events which shaped the diamond industry in 2023, their implications for the sector, and the actions taken to allow the industry to move forward in 2024 with a sense of optimism. Additionally, we are pleased to provide an overview of the Company’s main operational focus for the coming year.
2023 Diamond Industry Overview The year 2023 proved to be a year of adaptation and strategic realignment for the diamond industry as the world continued to emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic. The significant events which shaped the year included:
Changes in consumer spending habits and their allocation of funds as countries began to open up and the world entered a post-COVID 19 environment.
The continued purchasing of rough diamonds at the previously elevated levels of 2022 by many in the industry despite changes in consumer spending, resulting in the short-term creation of excess rough diamond inventories and downward pressure on pricing.
Significant reductions of new rough diamond sales by the world’s largest producers in the second half of 2023 to aid in rebalancing the above excess inventories and support price recovery.
The decision by the world’s largest cutting and polishing country, India, to temporarily suspend the import of rough diamonds from October 15, 2023 to December 15, 2023.
Continued geopolitical concerns surrounding the ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict and recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Economic uncertainties which continued in the industry’s most important market of the USA, as well as slower than expected post-COVID-19 economic recovery in China.
The initial G7 sanctions on rough diamonds originating in Russia proved largely ineffective throughout the year, however several revisions by the G7 to increase the effectiveness of these sanctions came into effect on January 1, 2024.
Additional sanctions on rough diamonds originating in Russia were also announced by the European Union on January 3, 2024.
The industry demonstrated its ability to implement proactive changes in 2023 to strengthen itself for 2024, and the Company reaffirms its belief in the unique value proposition of its Krone-Endora at Venetia project given its ability to provide non-conflict natural rough diamonds to the world market moving forward. Unlike their lab-grown counterparts, natural diamonds are treasured for their rarity, provenance, and the timeless allure they hold, and with limited supplies of natural diamonds remaining, the revised sanctions on Russia (~30% of annual global production), many mines reaching the end of their lives, the general sentiment in the industry is that yearly production levels are expected to continue to drop in the years to come. The adjustments made by the industry in 2023 appear to have been effective, with price recoveries in various categories becoming apparent later in the year. The Company believes this trend of increasing prices will continue into 2024 and moving forward, with the level of increases ultimately being driven by combined elements such as: consumer spending, increased shortages due to revised sanctions on Russia, potential reductions in yearly production from existing mines, and increased demand due to the recovery and growth of emerging markets such as China and India.
2024 Operational Focus After successfully navigating its way through various complex global and industry issues of recent years, the Company sees 2024 as a year of significant opportunity in which it can return its primary focus back to the advancement and growth of its Krone-Endora at Venetia project (the “Project”). The Project has always presented a compelling opportunity given its direct relationship with De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine, which is widely accepted as one of the most prolific diamond mines in the world. The Company’s primary areas of focus for 2024 will be:
The continuation of trial-mining exercises and optimization of operational efficiencies, with ancillary diamond recoveries and sales revenue which will assist in supporting the advancement of the Project’s recommended work programs and continued advancement.
The concurrent advancement of additional bulk sampling on key areas of interest within the remaining 85% of the property to determine the potential extent and location of the known displacement of material from Venetia into these areas.
The finalization of planned additions to the Project’s processing plant and final recovery systems, as well as additional heavy equipment assets to support significant increases in processing volumes and the potential for increased ancillary revenues while reducing operating costs at the Project for the long-term.
The continued identification and evaluation of opportunities which demonstrate the potential for additional near-term production of natural gem quality rough diamonds from non-conflict areas to support the Company’s future growth and shareholder value.
The Company has successfully advanced the Project from its inception into the fully permitted Project with significant infrastructure and the growth potential it represents today. We believe with the recent events of the past few years now largely behind us, we are well-positioned in 2024 to now take advantage of the compelling opportunity that companies such as Diamcor have with the ability to provide gem quality natural rough diamonds from non-conflict areas moving forward.
Results of the Annual General Meeting The Company also announces that shareholders passed each of the resolutions described in the Company’s proxy materials by the required majority of voting at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (the “AGM”) held on December 20, 2023.
The total number of votes cast for each resolution is set out in the table below.
MOTIONS
NUMBER OF SHARES
PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST
FOR
AGAINST
WITHHELD/ ABSTAIN
SPOILED
NON VOTE
FOR
AGAINST
WITHHELD/ ABSTAIN
Number of Directors
70,372,338
1,503,286
0
0
0
97.91%
2.09%
0.00%
Dean H. Taylor
60,540,849
0
198,100
0
11,136,675
99.67%
0.00%
0.33%
Darren Vucurevich
60,498,630
0
240,319
0
11,136,675
99.60%
0.00%
0.40%
Sheldon Nelson
60,716,049
0
22,900
0
11,136,675
99.96%
0.00%
0.04%
Dr. Stephen Haggerty
60,716,349
0
22,600
0
11,136,675
99.96%
0.00%
0.04%
Appointment of Auditors
71,875,624
0
0
0
0
100.0%
0.00%
0.00%
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS VOTED BY PROXY: 56
TOTAL SHARES ISSUED & OUTSTANDING: 128,512,937
TOTAL SHARES VOTED: 71,875,624
TOTAL % OF SHARES VOTED: 55.93%
About Diamcor Mining Inc. Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. With a long-term strategic alliance with world famous Tiffany & Co, the Company’s primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers’ Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world’s top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. The Company focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including supporting local communities and protecting the environment.
About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world-famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at market prices. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing in an effort to advance the Project as quickly as possible. Tiffany & Co. is now owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH), a publicly traded company which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) under the symbol LVMH and on the OTC under the symbol LVMHF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.
About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers’ flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project’s total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade “Alluvial” basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper “Eluvial” deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the “Eluvial” deposit) and erosion (in respect to the “Alluvial” deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as one of the top producing diamond mines in the world.
Qualified Person Statement: Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor’s exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (“APEGA”). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.
On behalf of the Board of Directors: Mr. Dean H. Taylor President & CEO Diamcor Mining Inc. www.diamcormining.com
For further information contact: Mr. Dean H. Taylor Diamcor Mining Inc DeanT@Diamcor.com +1 250 862-3212
For Investor Relations contact: Mr. Rich Matthews Integrous Communications rmatthews@integcom.us +1 (604) 355-7179 +1 (647) 258-3310
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR Neither 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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 10, 2024 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results from its fall 2023 exploration drilling campaign at the Company’s 100%-owned, 171 square kilometer (“km2″) Keno Silver project, adjacent to Hecla Mining (“Hecla”) in the high-grade Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The 2023 exploration program included 1,112 meters (“m”) in four diamond drill holes focused on expansion of the Formo target in the West Keno area, which is on trend with the 100 million-ounce (“Moz”) historic Hector-Calumet mine controlled by Hecla.
Drill hole FOR23-03 represents one of the best intercepts to date for the Keno Silver project, returning grades of 256 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent recovered (“Ag Eq”) over 46 m. This is also the deepest intercept to date on the Formo vein structure (only 275 m vertically from surface) and mineralization remains fully open down dip and along strike. Formo is anticipated to be one of the highest grade and largest contributors to the forthcoming inaugural NI-43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Keno Silver project, currently nearing completion by SGS Geological Services.
2023 West Keno Exploration Highlights
High-grade silver (“Ag”), lead (“Pb”), zinc, (“Zn”) and significant gold (“Au”) mineralization was encountered in all four 2023 drill holes (See Table 1) which will contribute to the pending NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for the project.
Both high-grade Ag-Au-Pb-Zn vein-style mineralization and broader zones of bulk tonnage Ag-Au-Pb-Zn mineralization comprised of high-grade vein intervals and associated stringers and stockwork veining were encountered.
FOR23-03 returned 256.8 g/t Ag Eq (99.1 g/t Ag, 0.52 g/t Au, 0.65% Pb, 2.62% Zn) over 46.05 m with multiple internal higher-grade zones including, 3.3 m of 1,413.45 g/t Ag Eq (562.4 g/t Ag, 0.20 g/t Au, 2.35% Pb and 20.3% Zn). The bulk tonnage interval of this hole represents one of the highest gram-meter (g/t Ag Eq x interval thickness) intervals on the Keno Silver project to date, and extended mineralization by 140 m from the nearest 2022 and historic drill holes.
FOR23-04, a large step-out hole, drilled nearly 250 m west of the nearest Formo vein drilling, returned four separate silver-dominant vein structures of considerable width providing additional confirmation of the potential for on-strike expansion of the Formo target.
The Formo target remains open to further expansion, down-dip and on-trend, and shows potential for new discoveries within the Formo property footprint.
Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, stated, “The Formo target is an exciting, advanced exploration stage “resource-ready” target with significant room to grow featuring both high-grade and bulk mineable widths that make it amenable to lower-cost mining methods. The Formo target is ideally located near infrastructure as it is adjacent to the Silver Trail highway (Highway 11) and power lines that feed the central Keno Hill mill. It also directly adjoins Hecla’s Keno Hill property, where Hecla is actively mining the nearby Bermingham mine. We are excited to be able to include these new drill results in our upcoming inaugural resource for the Keno Silver project as these results at Formo continue to demonstrate our ability to build a significant resource base for the project. The resource estimate is expected to be complete in Q1 2024.”
“In addition, the Company looks forward to meeting with interested investors at the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, AMEBC Mineral Roundup and Prospectors and Developers annual conferences where Metallic Minerals has been invited to display drill core from its 2023 exploration programs at La Plata and Keno Silver. We anticipate reporting additional results from the Keno Silver project and La Plata projects over the next few weeks.”
Upcoming Events
Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) Metallic Minerals and fellow Metallic Group members, Granite Creek Copper and Stillwater Critical Minerals, in Booth #112 at the 2024 VRIC event, January 21 and 22, 2024. For more information click here.
AMEBC Mineral Roundup Core Shack Metallic Minerals will be displaying core from the 2023 drill season at the upcoming AMEBC Mineral Roundup event held in Vancouver, BC January 22 to 25, 2024. For more information click here.
Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Annual Convention (PDAC) Metallic Minerals will be displaying core from the 2023 drill season at the La Plata project during the PDAC convention held in Toronto, March 3 to 6, 2024. For more information click here.
Table 1 – Highlights of 2023 Drill Results from the West Keno – Formo Target Area
DDH Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Length (M)
Recovered Ag Eq (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
FOR23-001
148.74
149.43
0.69
499.23
3.6
6.20
0.00
0.01
and
196.95
215
18.05
234.45
121.4
0.05
1.22
2.06
including
196.95
198.9
1.95
513.39
300.3
0.07
2.71
3.74
also incl
208.4
214
5.6
478.25
241.0
0.10
2.41
4.43
with
208.4
211.2
2.8
687.57
367.9
0.18
4.02
5.37
FOR23-002
172.3
173.35
1.05
67.04
3.5
0.79
0.01
0.01
and
218
221
3
131.42
51.9
0.38
0.35
1.07
incl
218.75
219.75
1
277.81
137.0
0.00
0.96
3.08
FOR23-003
239.95
286
46.05
256.82
99.1
0.52
0.65
2.62
including
239.35
263.65
23.7
462.37
176.0
1.0
1.13
4.67
with
239.35
245.5
5.5
406.57
46.6
4.07
0.49
0.60
and with
255.8
263.65
7.85
899.27
392.4
0.13
2.06
11.68
including
260.35
263.65
3.3
1,413.45
562.4
0.20
2.35
20.30
with
260.75
261.5
0.75
1,411.76
994.0
0.03
3.01
7.36
and with
262.05
263.65
1.6
1,769.44
416.0
0.39
2.64
32.32
and
284
286
2
302.55
116.5
0.03
1.07
4.07
FOR23-004
122
124.46
2.46
76.62
43.7
0.11
0.33
0.43
and
153.5
154.1
0.6
284.52
154.0
0.09
1.67
2.14
and
177.5
183
5.5
72.95
61.2
0.00
0.28
0.18
including
179
180.75
1.76
144.67
130.0
0.00
0.46
0.21
and
300.3
301
0.7
83.26
5.6
0.97
0.01
0.00
Notes to reported values:
Ag equivalent is presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $22.0/oz silver (Ag), $1,850/oz gold (Au), $1.00/lb lead (Pb), $1.40/lb zinc (Zn).
Recovered Silver Equivalent in Table 1 is determined as follows: Ag Eq g/t = [Ag g/t x recovery] + [Au g/t x recovery x Au price/ Ag price] + [Pb % x 10,000 x recovery x Pb price / Ag price] + [Zn% x 10,000 x recovery x Zn price / Ag price].
In the above calculations: 1% = 10,000 ppm = 10,000 g/t.
The following recoveries have been assumed for purposes of the above equivalent calculations: 95% for precious metals (Ag/Au) and 90% for all other listed metals, based on recoveries at similar nearby operations.
Intervals are reported as measured drill intersect lengths and do not represent true width.
Figure 1. Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits
West Keno and the Formo Target Area The Western Keno Hill district is host to the largest historic production and current resources in the prolific Keno Hill silver district. The Formo target is located at the intersection of a north-easterly structural zone extending from the Hector-Calumet mine, which was the largest producer in the district producing nearly 100 million ounces of silver and the Elsa structural trend, which was the second largest silver producer in the district (see Figure 2).
The Formo property, which includes the historic Formo Mine, was acquired by Metallic Minerals in 2017. The historic Formo mine produced high-grade silver at various times since the 1930s from high-grade vein structures that graded over 1,000 g/t silver1. Significant underground exploration drifts were developed in the 1950s with most of the historic production from an open pit located alongside of the Silver Trail highway between the Elsa townsite and Keno City and last mined in the 1980s.
The primary Formo vein structure is exposed at surface in an open cut. Multiple veins have been encountered in the target area that demonstrate an association with Triassic greenstones in the Earn group schist, similar to the Sadie Ladue deposit which produced 12.7 Moz silver at a grade of 1,620 g/t Ag1. In addition to the mineralization at the known Formo target, two new surface targets have been identified through soil and rock sampling along the same structural corridors that show potential to host high-grade and bulk tonnage Keno-style Ag-Au-Pb-Zn veins on the Formo property (Figure 2).
Since 2020, Metallic Minerals has drilled 26 holes (4,419 m) at the Formo target building on the six core holes and 54 percussion holes drilled by previous owners between 1980 and 1981. The Formo target is open to significant expansion down dip and along trend with several newly identified targets for drill testing (Figure 2 and 3 below).
Figure 2 – West Keno and Formo Target Plan Map
Figure 3 – Formo Target Cross Section (Looking East)
Pending 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Keno Silver Project The upcoming inaugural independent 43-101 mineral resource estimate is focused on four initial deposits across the Keno Silver project, including: Formo, Caribou, Fox and Homestake. These four deposits are the most advanced of over 40 identified target areas, each of which is characterized by a kilometric scale Ag in soil anomaly, exposed outcropping high-grade veins, and varying levels of exploration activity or historic production. Metallic Minerals has completed 165 drill holes totalling 18,983 m of combined reverse circulation and diamond core drilling at the Keno Silver project since 2017 on a total of 11 targets, all of which have returned encouraging results. The four most advanced “resource-ready” targets will be part of the upcoming mineral resource estimate being completed by SGS Geological Services and include:
Formo Target – In the West Keno District, it demonstrates potential for lower-cost bulk tonnage mining or high-grade selective methods with drill highlights including:
Hole FOR22-04 – 20.87 m @ 220.5 g/t Ag Eq (144.6 g/t Ag, 0.70% Pb, 1.59% Zn), and 1.63 m @ 1,487.19 g/t Ag Eq (1,049 g/t Ag, 4.21% Pb, 9.45% Zn)
Hole FOR21-05 – 19.8 m @ 216.26 g/t Ag Eq (70 g/t Ag, 0.41 g/t Au, 0.30% Pb, 2.07% Zn) and 0.7 m @ 1,405 g/t Ag Eq (421.0 g/t Ag, 0.15 g/t Au, 1.53% Pb, 24.2% Zn)
Hole FOR20-003 – 3.0 m @ 2,954.52 g/t Ag (1,568 g/t Ag, 29.45% Pb, 1.35% Zn)
Caribou Target – In the Central Keno target area the Caribou target historically produced very high-grade material from a shallow surface pit grading more than 6,000 g/t silver.
Fox Target – Discovered by Metallic Minerals in 2020 in the East Keno target area, the Fox target is characterized as a newly recognized bulk tonnage style of mineralization with shallow-dipping sheeted vein sets up to 177 m in width. Drilling since 2020, has defined a bulk-tonnage mineralized block over 300 m along strike and 150 m down-dip from surface which is open in all directions.
Homestake Target – A historic producer, the Homestake target in the Central Keno area is fractally spatial with the districts’ giant past producers and current resources (Silver King, Elsa, Bermingham, Hector Calumet, Flame & Moth and Bellekeno) near the contact of the Keno Hill Quartzite and Sourdough Hill formations. With only 88 drill holes (slightly over 5000 m of drilling), and a strike length over 2 km the Homestake target represents considerable resource opportunity and exploration potential.
Metallic Minerals sees considerable opportunity for resource growth from target expansion and new discovery with the further systematic application of exploration, including the expansion of detailed soil geochemical grids, “resource-ready” target expansion through drilling and reconnaissance drilling of early-stage targets.
About Metallic Minerals Metallic Minerals Corp. is focused on copper, silver, gold, and other critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado, and silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development.
At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the new 2023 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate identifies a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.21 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver3. The 2022 expansion drilling provided the basis for the updated resource, including the longest and highest-grade interval ever encountered at La Plata and one of the top intersections for any North American copper project in the past several years. In May 2023, the Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment by Newcrest Mining Limited (acquired by Newmont Mining in 2023) to accelerate the advancement of the Company’s La Plata project. In the 2023 Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies, Colorado ranked 5th globally for investment attractiveness and 2nd in the USA.
In Canada’s Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining Company’s (“Hecla”) operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, is anticipating full production at its Keno Hill operations by the end of 2023. An inaugural mineral resource estimate on the project is expected in early 2024, with an 1,112-meter expansion drill program completed at the Formo target during fall of 2023.
The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators, including Parker Schnabel of Little Flake Mining from the Discovery Channel television show, Gold Rush.
All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. The Company is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in the region, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team has been recognized for its environmental stewardship practices and is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development.
Footnotes:
Cathro, R. J., Great Mining Camps of Canada 1. The History and Geology of the Keno Hill Silver Camp, Yukon Territory. Geoscience Canada, Sept. 2006. ISSN 1911-4850.
Alexco Resource Corp Technical Report, titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate of the Keno Hill Silver District” with an effective date of April 1, 2021, and issue date of May 26, 2021.
See news release dated July 31, 2023. The Mineral Resource has been estimated in conformity with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practices Guidelines (2019) and current CIM Definition Standards. The constrained Mineral Resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25% Cu Eq, based on metal prices of $3.75/lb Cu and $22.50/oz Ag, assumed metal recoveries of 90% for Cu and 65% for Ag, a mining cost of US$5.30/t rock and processing and G&A cost of US$11.50/t mineralized material. The current Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this Mineral Resource Estimate are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, based on the current knowledge of the deposits, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Website: www.mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800
Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding exploration projects on Metallic Minerals’ mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Taylor Haid, P. Geo, Project Manager for TruePoint Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
Quality Assurance / Quality Control All samples were prepared by Bureau Veritas’ (BV) Whitehorse, Yukon facility and geochemically analyzed at the BV laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia. All samples were prepared using BV code PRP70-250, which crushed, split, and pulverized 250 grams of core to 200 mesh pulps. These pulps were then analyzed by 37 Element 1:1:1 Aqua Regia Digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-ES/MS) analyses (BV Code AQ202). Over-limit silver, lead, and zinc samples were further analyzed with multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (BV Code MA404). Samples with over-limit gold (and silver when over-limit was reached via multi-acid) were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish (BV Code FA530).
All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab and the company utilizes a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the project, including insertion of blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials approximately every tenth sample. Certified reference materials were acquired from OREAS North America Inc. of Sudbury, Ontario, and CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. Of Langley, British Columbia for the 2023 drill program at the Keno Silver project.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessful operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
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.
North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 3, 2024) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Alex Nichol as Vice President Geology and Exploration and Mr. David Towle as Mill Manager, as well as the hiring of Mr. Melvyn Levrel as Senior Exploration Geologist in Fiji. The Company also announces the retirement of Mr. Sergio Cattalani as Senior Vice President Exploration. Mr Cattalani will remain with Lion One as a Senior Geology Advisor.
Lion One Chairman and CEO Walter Berukoff commented: “As we continue to advance the Tuvatu Gold Project from development towards commercial production we are excited to add key individuals with specialized skill sets to our technical team in Fiji. Together, Alex, David and Melvyn bring over 70 years of experience to the Lion One Team. They are all accomplished veterans with superior leadership skills and extensive experience in their respective fields of expertise; Alex in underground geology and mining, David in mill operations and commissioning, and Melvyn in mineral exploration. We are very fortunate to have them on our team.”
“We are also very fortunate to have benefitted from the leadership and expertise of Sergio Cattalani over the past three years while he led the geology and exploration teams at Tuvatu. Sergio has been instrumental in the success of the project and we look forward to continuing to work with him as he transitions into a new role as Senior Geology Advisor with Lion One.”
Alex Nichol, MAIG – Biography
Mr. Nichol is a mining professional with over 20 years of progressive experience in underground gold, copper, and zinc mining. He has extensive senior operational experience in underground geology, production, and exploration, specializing in mine start-ups and geology systems development and implementation. Prior to joining Lion One, Mr. Nichol was the Geology Superintendent at the Mt. Colin copper-gold mine in Queensland, and before that he was a Senior Underground Mine Geologist at Barrick Gold’s Porgera Joint Venture in Papua New Guinea – an analogue deposit for Tuvatu. He has also held Senior Underground Mine Geologist positions at the Dugald River Mine and the Fossey Mine, as well as a Senior Mine Geologist position at Glencore’s George Fisher Mine near Mount Isa, Queensland. Mr Nichol’s role with Lion One will be to oversee all aspects of the underground development, production, and exploration at Tuvatu, as well as to oversee regional exploration throughout the Navilawa Caldera.
Mr. Nichol holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Otago and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG).
David Towle – Biography
Mr. Towle has over 35 years of experience in mill operations and production, specializing in mill commissioning. He recently worked with IAMGOLD as a Commissioning Specialist responsible for the planning and execution of all commissioning activities at the Cote Gold Project in Ontario. He has managed all aspects of mill construction and start-up from first ore to nameplate production at numerous mines, including Pure Gold Mining’s Madsen Project, Atlantic Gold’s (now St. Barbara’s) Touquay Mine, and Pretium Resources Brucejack Mine. He has held the roles of Mill Manager and Mill Operations Superintendent on multiple occasions and spent 18 years in mill operations at Goldcorp’s (now Newmont’s) Musselwhite Mine.
Mr. Towle has also completed extensive managerial and technical training programs throughout his career, including Goldcorp’s Supervisory Leadership Program, Harvard Management and Mentorship Program, Refinery Leadership Partners Program, and Placer Dome’s Project Management Program. Mr. Towle is an expert in mill start-up and operations and that will be his focus at Lion One.
Melvyn Levrel, MAIG – Biography
Mr. Levrel is an accomplished exploration geologist with 15 years of experience in mineral exploration and mining. He is an expert in Fijian geology and in exploration management in the South Pacific, having spent three years as the Fiji Country Director and Exploration Manager for Alice Queen Limited, and an additional four years managing mineral exploration and geophysics projects throughout Fiji as a Consulting Geologist. He also has six years of experience in exploration and mining in New Caledonia. Mr. Levrel has a wide range of experience in field geology, geophysics, and resource modelling, as well as a unique knowledge of the exploration techniques, history, and regulations in Fiji. As a Senior Exploration Geologist with Lion One, Mr. Levrel will be focused on the advancement of Lion One’s regional exploration targets and prospects throughout the Navilawa Caldera.
Mr. Levrel holds a Masters Degree in Georesources from the Polytechnic Institute of Bordeaux (Bordeaux INP) and a Bachelors Degree in Geology from the University of Brest. He is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG).
About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer based in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Gold Deposit, Gold Mine, Pilot Plant, and Assay Lab, with an extensive exploration license area hosting multiple mineralized zones in the surrounding Navilawa Caldera.
As disclosed in its “Technical Report and PEA Update for the Tuvatu Gold Project”, dated April 29, 2022, the 2018 Tuvatu resource estimate 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 under the Lion One profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.
On behalf of the board of Lion One Metals Limited, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO Patrick Hickey, Chief Operating Officer
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or 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.
