VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 22, 2023 / Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV:ROVR)(OTCQB:ROVMF)(FSE:4XO) (“Rover” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce it has conducted a successful meeting with the Bureau of Landa Management (“BLM”) and numerous other U.S. government agencies to discuss the Project Description for the Let’s Go Lithium (“LGL”) project. Rover updated the original project description to address environmental concerns expressed by the agencies. The Project Description, is in effect, an executive summary of the Company’s Plan of Operations (the “Plan”) for the LGL project. The meeting was held to solicit feedback as the Company moves to finalize its Plan.
LGL Plan of Operations
Rover has been working with McGinley and Associates, dba UES (“UES”) since August 2023 to produce a water table flow model across the subject claim blocks. Although still in draft form, the water table flow model, developed by UES’ Principal Hydrologist – Dwight Smith PE, PG, CHg, and team, is an integral part of Rover’s new Plan. Following the Company’s release of July 24, 2023, the BLM, and supporting U.S. government agencies voiced their concerns to Rover about regional hydrology flow systems in the area. The revised plan has been developed to explicitly address the agencies environmental concerns, de-risking future regulatory challenges and potential for adverse environmental impacts. Further to the Company’s release of October 5, 2023, approximately 80% of the Company’s intended future exploration activities will occur on the recently acquired October mining claims.
Judson Culter, CEO at Rover Metals, states, “UES continues to help Rover to ensure that there will be no impact to the critical water tables and sensitive biological resources in the Amargosa basin. Dwight Smith has over 20 years of hydrogeology experience working in the Amargosa basin. Rover and UES have obtained a copy of the Plan of Operations and Environmental Assessment study that the neighbouring mine, operated by Lhoist North America, is operating under. Lhoist has been mining in the area for over 50 years, and their Plan of Operations was mostly recently updated in 1992. Management at Rover, and UES, feel confident that sustainable lithium mining can be supported in the Amargosa Valley.“
A Call for Battery Recycling Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Management at Rover has met with the Nevada State Governor’s Office to discuss developing partnerships with EV battery recycling companies in the city of Las Vegas. Management of the company will be continuing to pursue high-level joint venture opportunities at the state level in H1 of 2024.
The eastern Amargosa Valley has been slated for solar farm energy development by the BLM. Solar energy, in addition to the existing hydro energy infrastructure in the area, allows for new development opportunities like EV raw materials battery recycling. Rover is seeking inbound requests to partner with recycling technology companies. Please contact info@rovermetals.com with inquiries. The LGL project is a one and half hour drive from the city of Las Vegas, one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.
Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF, and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company has a diverse portfolio of mining resource development projects with varying exploration timelines. Its critical mineral projects include lithium, zinc, and copper. Its precious metals projects include gold and silver. The Company is exclusive to the mining jurisdictions of the U.S. and Canada.
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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, achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. There can be no assurance that such statements prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any factor could cause actual results to differ materially from Rover’s expectations. Rover undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates, 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.
A respected analyst report has recently commented on the value proposition of EMX Royalty. The decision seems to have merit based on this week’s recent news announcement on the 3rd Quarter Results for 2023. A projected 12-month price point of C$5.75 was the target by the analyst. At the present EMX Royalty is trading at C$2.22. We highly regard EMX Royalty, we’ve been long-term shareholders since 2016/17. In our opinion EMX Royalty is a legacy company that you buy and pass along to your children. It’s the Goose that keeps laying the Golden Egg.
Highlights from Q3 2023 include the following:
EMX earned approximately $1,955,000 in royalty revenue from the Gediktepe Mine as production continued from the oxide gold deposit. Partner Lidya Madencilik Anayi ve Ticaret A.S. (“Lidya”) also notified EMX that it has completed an internal Feasibility Study for development of the underlying polymetallic sulfide deposit. A decision regarding financing and construction for the sulfide project is pending.
The Caserones (effective) royalty distribution for Q3 totaled approximately $1,741,000. Lundin Mining Corporation (“Lundin”), in connection with their acquisition of fifty-one percent (51%) of the issued and outstanding equity of SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile SpA (see Lundin news release dated July 13, 2023), filed a technical report on SEDAR titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caserones Mining Operation, Atacama Region, Chile” that included current mineral resource and reserve estimates. Lundin also provided Caserones H1 production and H2 production guidance.
Leeville revenue earned by EMX totaled approximately $773,000 from royalty production that totaled 403 ounces of gold. Q3 2023 marked another strong quarter of Leeville royalty production along with robust gold prices.
EMX recognized $568,000 in royalty revenue from the Balya property in Q3 2023 which included $212,000 from Q2 production and $356,000 from Q3 production subsequently received. Production began to ramp up again in Q2 2023 with 99,185 tonnes of mineralized material produced from Balya North. Production continued to accelerate in Q3 2023, with 161,133 tonnes of mineralized material produced according to calculations provided by Esan at the end of Q3.
EMX received $134,000 from Gold Bar South for royalty revenue earned in Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, and earned royalty revenue of $59,000 from Q3 2023 production, which was subsequently received.
AbraSilver Resource Corp. (“AbraSilver”) reported final results from the Phase III drill program at the Diablillos silver-gold royalty property. Phase III drill holes will be incorporated into an updated mineral resource estimate to be included in the Diablillos PFS scheduled for completion in H2 of 2023. As part of its ongoing PFS work, AbraSilver also reported on positive results from metallurgical optimization test work conducted for the Oculto deposit.
Arizona Sonoran Copper continued to report infill drilling results from the Parks-Sayler porphyry copper royalty property. Subsequent to quarter-end, Arizona Sonoran announced updated mineral resource estimates for the Parks-Sayler deposit, which is partially covered by an EMX royalty, as well as other deposits that constitute its Cactus Project.
Exploration drilling by South32 at the Hermosa Project’s Peake prospect returned mineralized intercepts covered by EMX’s Hardshell royalty property that included the best copper intercept to date of 139 meters averaging 1.88% copper, 0.51% lead, 0.34% zinc, and 52 g/t silver (true width not reported).
EMX’s U.S. royalty generation portfolio progressed with 13 partner-funded work programs consisting of five drill programs, the expansion of properties through the staking of new claims, and the permitting of key projects in preparation for three additional drill programs to be conducted in Q4 2023 and early 2024. EMX has 39 projects in partnership in the western U.S and received various option, AAR, and management fee payments during the quarter.
Scout Discoveries Corp. (“Scout”) (a private Idaho company) and EMX closed on an amended transaction, originally announced in Q1 2023 (see EMX news release dated March 8, 2023) for the sale of EMX’s Erickson Ridge, South Orogrande, Lehman Butte, and Jackknife precious and base metal projects to Scout.
In Canada, EMX executed two new agreements to partner the Jean Lake property to Canada Nickel Company, and the Ear Falls property to Beyond Lithium. EMX and its partners conducted summer field programs to continue advancing the properties in the portfolio. EMX received $104,000 in cash payments during the quarter from partnered projects.
In Chile, Pampa Metals announced assay results from its initial three hole drill program totaling 1,957 meters at the Buena Vista target on the Block 4 property. Anomalous copper, molybdenum and precious metals were intercepted, indicative of shallow levels of a porphyry system. Elsewhere within the portfolio, EMX was notified by Pampa Metals that it was abandoning the Arrieros, Redondo-Veronica, Cerro Blanco, Cerro Buena Aries, and Block 3 properties, resulting in EMX gaining 100% control of each property. These properties are now available for partnership.
In Northern Europe the Company continued to develop and advance its portfolio of projects, with summer field programs continuing on numerous properties in Q3 2023. EMX has 37 projects in partnership with other companies in Northern Europe. New partnerships were established for the Bamble and Flåt battery metals projects in Norway (Londo Nickel plc) and the Njuggträskliden and Mjövattnet battery metals projects in Sweden (Kendrick Resources plc).
The Company optioned the Copperhole Creek project in Queensland, Australia to Lumira Energy LTD, a private Australian company. The agreement provides EMX with a 2.5% NSR royalty interest, cash and equity payments, work commitments and other considerations. In conjunction with the transaction, Lumira Energy intends to establish a public listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) by mid-year 2024.
Also in Q3 2023 in Australia, partner companies executed drill programs comprising over 5,000 meters on three EMX royalty properties (Yarrol, Mt Steadman and Koonenberry) and field programs continued to advance the Queensland Gold and Copperhole Creek projects.
Royalty generation programs continued in the Balkans and in Morocco in Q3 2023, where multiple exploration license applications have been filed by the Company. Surface sampling programs commenced on several new exploration licenses awarded to EMX in Morocco targeting a variety of styles of mineralization. EMX also continued to assess projects and opportunities in the Balkans.
Investment Updates
As at September 30, 2023, the Company had marketable securities of $6,830,000 (December 31, 2022 – $9,966,000), and $5,313,000 (December 31, 2022 – $4,591,000) in private investments. The Company will continue to generate cash flow by selling certain of its investments when appropriate.
OUTLOOK
The 2023 year will continue to see revenue and other income coming from our cash flowing royalties, including Leeville and Gold Bar South in Nevada, Gediktepe and Balya in Turkey, and Timok in Serbia, and our effective royalty interest on Caserones in Chile. As in previous years, production royalties will continue to be complemented by option, advance royalty, and other pre-production payments from partnered projects across the global asset portfolio.
The Company will continue to strengthen its balance sheet over the course of the year by looking to retire portions of our long-term debt, continuing to evaluate equity markets, and the ongoing monetization of the Company’s marketable securities.
EMX is well positioned to identify and pursue new royalty and investment opportunities, while further filling a pipeline of royalty generation properties that provide opportunities for additional cash flow, as well as exploration, development, and production success.
Marketing Consulting Services
The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with LFG Equities Corp. (“LFG”), an independent contractor with a business address at 402-9140 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 0A9. Commencing on September 10th, 2023 for an initial term of six months, under the terms of the Agreement, LFG will provide marketing consulting services to the Company to communicate to the financial community information about EMX by way of newsletters and be paid US$50,000 plus applicable taxes.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on North America, Latin America, and Strategic Investments. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on Europe, Turkey, and Australia.
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 also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
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, 2022 (the “MD&A”), and themost recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2021, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
1Adjusted revenue and other income and adjusted cash provided by operating activities are non-IFRS financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the “Non-IFRS financial measures” section on page 24 of the Q3-2023 MD&A for more information on each non-IFRS financial measure.
Be sure to perform your due diligence, we are biased.
Physical uranium gained ground in October, while uranium miners declined; most commodities suffered in October but uranium continued to show resilience to macroeconomic factors.
YTD, uranium is up 54.16%; senior and junior uranium miners have risen 44.85% and 32.77%, respectively.
Uranium demand has been primarily driven by increased utility contracting, which we believe provides strong support and sustainability to higher price level.
Looking ahead to 2040, utilities have 1.5 billion pounds of cumulative uncovered uranium requirements.
The nuclear fuel supply chain continues to move away from Russia.
The strength in the uranium price has improved the revenue and profit for producers and raised the prospects for further mine restarts and new builds.
*Performance for periods under one year not annualized. Sources: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management LP. Data as of October 31, 2023. You cannot invest directly in an index. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Uranium Hits $74, Standing Firm at 12-Year Price High
The U3O8 uranium spot price gained 1.51% in October, increasing from US$73.38 to $74.48 per pound as of October 31, 2023.1 Uranium has posted a stellar 54.16% year-to-date return as of October 31, 2023, and continued to show strength and diversification relative to other commodities, which declined 7.26% (as measured by the BCOM Index).A higher uranium price is improving the prospects for further mine restarts and new builds.
While other commodities suffered in October largely due to China’s economic weakness, a persistently strong U.S. dollar (USD) and other macroeconomic factors, uranium continues to demonstrate its lower economic sensitivity. U3O8 contracting by utilities in 2023 is not largely dependent on general inflation, rising interest rates, etc. These characteristics may strengthen uranium investments’ uncorrelated performance relative to major asset classes, other commodities and enhance portfolio diversification.
Over the longer term, physical uranium and uranium equities have demonstrated significant outperformance against broad asset classes, particularly other commodities. For the five years ended October 31, 2023, the U3O8 spot price has risen a cumulative 162.28% compared to 25.76% for the broader commodities index (BCOM), as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Physical Uranium and Uranium Stocks Have Outperformed Other Asset Classes Over the Past Five Years (10/31/2018-10/31/2023)
Source: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management. Data as of 10/31/2023. Uranium Miners are measured by the Northshore Global Uranium Mining Index (URNMX index); the S&P 500 TR Index measures U.S. Equities; the U308 Spot Price is from TradeTech; U.S. Bonds are measured by the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index (LBUSTRUU); Commodities are measured by the Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM); and the U.S. Dollar is measured by DXY Curncy Index. Definitions of the indices are provided in the footnotes. You cannot invest directly in an index. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Uranium Supply: A Sellers’ Market
At the start of October, uranium had appreciated significantly by the end of September, posting its most impressive month since September 2021. The uranium spot price rose to its highest level before the Fukushima Daiichi power plant disaster in 2011, when it was $73 per pound. October saw yet another high, despite intra-month volatility, with the spot price reaching $74.48.
We believe the U3O8 spot price is well supported in holding to higher price levels not seen in over a decade. The World Nuclear Association’s (WNA) biennial Nuclear Fuel Report noted that world nuclear reactor requirements are forecasted to nearly double by 2040, from 171 to 338 MM U3O8e pounds per annum. Understanding of a future demand-supply imbalance is gaining acceptance and is fueling improved sentiment toward uranium.World nuclear reactor requirements are forecasted to nearly double by 2040.
Uranium demand has been primarily driven by increased utility contracting, which we believe provides strong support and sustainability to higher price levels. These end-user utilities have acquiesced to paying higher uranium prices, which has more impact on pricing than outside financial entities.
Utilities and uranium producers generally contract in the term market, representing uranium sold under long-term, multi-year contracts with deliveries starting a year or more after the agreement is made. These term contracts do not generally only have a fixed price associated with the purchase/sale of uranium. The price for the amount bought/sold may include a fixed price, but more recently, they have a variable price with reference to the market price at the time of delivery. These market reference prices generally have floors and caps that are set at the beginning of the contract. Also, the term contracts may vary in quantities, and utilities have had the option to flex the amount they receive either up or down. Industry media have been reporting the evolution of contracting terms, which includes a reduced number of contracts with flexible quantities, increases in the use of market reference pricing versus fixed pricing, and increases in the prices set at the floors and caps. We believe these contract changes between utilities and uranium producers highlight that we are in a sellers’ market and bolster the case for uranium and uranium miners. Furthermore, it is important to note that nuclear power plants require very large capital investments and that fuel costs related to U3O8 are just 4-8% of their ongoing costs.6 Overall, demand for uranium is inelastic, which means that higher prices are not likely to curtail demand.
Contracts on Pace to Reach Replacement Rate
Thus far in 2023, U3O8 term contracting has already surpassed 2022’s full-year contracting level. 2022 had the highest amount of term contracting in a decade, at 125 MM pounds. 2023’s full-year contracting is on track to be the first year in over a decade to reach the annual replacement rate. Term contracting had been below the replacement rate for the past decade as excess global uranium inventories were drawn down. The era of uranium inventory destocking is behind us as utilities are increasingly focused on the security of supply.
Looking ahead to 2040, utilities have 1.5 billion pounds of cumulative uncovered uranium requirements. As a result, we believe we are still in the early innings of the contracting cycle. Geopolitical risks related to the nuclear fuel supply chain remain heightened. French President Macron’s recent visits to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia in search of uranium partnerships and investments is a prime example of the strategic importance of securing uranium supplies.
Moving Away from Russian Supply Chains
The nuclear fuel supply chain continues to move away from Russia. Orano SA announced that it will spend $1.8 billion to expand its uranium enrichment plant in France by over 30%.7 Russia accounts for 39% of the global capacity to enrich uranium. Although no sanctions have been levied against Russian services to date, utilities are self-sanctioning by not signing any new contracts with Russian entities. In the U.S., the White House also sent Congress an enrichment request for $2.2 billion in October.8 We believe that forthcoming additional capacity in enrichment (and conversion via ConverDyn) coupled with an industry shift in enrichment from underfeeding to overfeeding may allow utilities to focus more on contracting for future uncovered reactors’ uranium requirements.
Uranium Miners Developments
While the price of physical uranium held firm in October, uranium miners retreated. The broad sector of uranium miners fell by 3.67%,2 while junior uranium miners lost 4.47% on profit taking following several months of outsized gains.3 Nonetheless, the strength in the uranium price has improved the revenue and profit for producers and raised the prospects for further mine restarts and new builds. To this end, there were a couple of positive developments in October.
enCore Energy Corp. (enCore) announced that it had received approval to renew the Radioactive Materials License for its processing plants.9 enCore reaffirmed its plan to resume uranium production at its Rosita plant before the end of November 2023. enCore also plans to restart its Alta Mesa plant in early 2024. These restarts are located in Texas and should help kickstart the revival of U.S. domestic uranium production (see Figure 2). Especially since the U.S.’s domestic uranium production in the first half of 2023 was merely 10,000 pounds of U3O8, relative to annual requirements of approximately 50 million pounds.
Australian uranium miner Boss Energy Ltd. announced its commencement of mining operations at its Honeymoon project10, which has the capacity to produce 2.45 million pounds of U3O8 per year. The project began production in 2011 but was placed on care and maintenance in 2013. This project remains on time and budget for production starting in Q4 2023.
Figure 2. Sources of Uranium for US Nuclear Power Plants 1950 to 2022
Source: EIA. U.S. Energy Information Administration: Monthly Energy Review, Table 8.2, June 2023 Note: data withheld for U.S. power plant purchases from domestic suppliers in 2019 and for domestic production in 2020 to avoid disclosure of individual company data. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Regarding new uranium mines, Global Atomic Corporation announced that it finalized its third Letter of Intent (LOI) for the sale of uranium from its Dasa project in Niger. This brings the total contracted volume to 1.5 million pounds of U3O8 per annum over the project’s first five years of operations. This may be seen as a vote of confidence in the company given that just a few months ago, the coup d’état in Niger forced Global Atomic to announce delays of 6-12 months in the first production at Dasa to early 2026.11
With global uranium mine production well short of the world’s uranium reactor requirements, the supply deficit building over the next decade, a decade of underinvestment in supply, and future supply inhibited by long lead times and capital intensity, we believe that restarts and new mines in development are of critical importance. The uranium price target as an incentive level for further restarts and greenfield development is a moving target, and we believe that we will need higher uranium prices to incentivize enough production to meet forecasted deficits. Over the long term, increased demand in the face of an uncertain uranium supply is likely to continue to support a sustained bull market (Figure 3).
Note: A “bull market” refers to a condition of financial markets where prices are generally rising. A “bear market” refers to a condition of financial markets where prices are generally falling. Source: TradeTech Data as of 10/31/2023. TradeTech is the leading independent provider of uranium prices and nuclear fuel market information. The uranium prices in this chart dating back to 1968 is sourced exclusively from TradeTech; visit https://www.uranium.info/. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
1
The U3O8 uranium spot price is measured by a proprietary composite of U3O8 spot prices from UxC, S&P Platts and Numerco. For periods before July 2021 data is from TradeTech LLC.
2
The North Shore Global Uranium Mining Index (URNMX) was created by North Shore Indices, Inc. (the “Index Provider”). The Index Provider developed the methodology for determining the securities to be included in the Index and is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Index. The Index is calculated by Indxx, LLC, which is not affiliated with the North Shore Global Uranium Miners Fund (“Existing Fund”), ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”) or Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”).
3
The Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners™ Index (NSURNJ™) was co-developed by Nasdaq® (the “Index Provider”) and Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”). The Index Provider and Adviser co-developed the methodology for determining the securities to be included in the Index and the Index Provider is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Index. The Adviser will provide certain services in connection with the Index including contributing inputs in connection with the eligibility and proce
4
The Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) is a broadly diversified commodity price index that tracks prices of futures contracts on physical commodities and is designed to minimize concentration in any one commodity or sector. It currently has 23 commodity futures in six sectors.
5
The S&P 500 or Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies.
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Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 13, 2023) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to report results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (“Q3-2023”). The Company’s filings for the quarter are available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, and on EMX’s website at www.EMXroyalty.com. Financial results were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR Q3-2023
Financial Updates for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenue and other income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 (“Q3 2023”) was $12,925,000 (2022 – $7,206,000). Adjusted revenue and other income1 of $14,526,000 (2022 – $9,319,000) included $1,601,000 (2022 – $2,113,000) in revenue for the Company’s share of royalty revenue from the Caserones Mine (effective) royalty interest in Chile.
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $2,443,000 (2022 – loss of $12,878,000).
Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $7,527,000 (2022 – $846,000). Adjusted cash1 provided by operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $9,268,000 (2022 – $2,719,000).
As at September 30, 2023, EMX had cash of $21,587,000 (December 31, 2022 – $15,508,000), investments, long-term investments and loans receivable valued at $12,739,000 (December 31, 2022 – $14,561,000) and loans payable of $41,927,000 (December 31, 2022 – $40,489,000).
Corporate Updates
Execution of Updated Timok Royalty Agreement
EMX executed an amended and restated royalty agreement on September 1, 2023 for its Timok royalty property with Zijin (Europe) International Mining Company Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Ltd (“Zijin”). EMX and Zijin have agreed that the Timok royalty will consist of a 0.3625% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty that is uncapped and cannot be repurchased or reduced. The royalty covers Zijin’s Brestovac exploration permit area (including the Cukaru Peki Mining licenses), as well as portions of Zijin’s Jasikovo-Durlan Potak exploration license north of the currently active Bor Mine license (see EMX news release dated September 5, 2023). Cukaru Peki represents one of the premier copper and gold discoveries in the world in the past 10 years and is a top tier royalty asset for EMX.
Subsequent to the execution of the amended and restated royalty agreement, EMX received $6,676,000 in royalty proceeds from its Timok royalty property with Zijin which included $1,590,000 from 2021, $3,200,000 from 2022, and $1,890,000 up to June 30, 2023 (see EMX news release dated September 12, 2023). From that point forward EMX will continue to receive quarterly production royalty payments on an ongoing basis.
Execution of Acquisition Agreement for New Royalties with Franco-Nevada
EMX executed a binding term sheet with Franco-Nevada Corporation (“Franco-Nevada”) for the joint acquisition of newly created precious metals and copper royalties sourced by EMX (see EMX news release dated August 1, 2023). Franco-Nevada will contribute 55% (up to $5,500,000) and EMX will contribute 45% (up to $4,500,000) towards the royalty acquisitions, with the resulting royalty interests equally split (i.e. 50/50). The initial term is for three years, or until the maximum contributions totaling $10,000,000 from both companies have been met, and may be extended if mutually agreed by both companies. The agreement allows EMX to direct a large amount of capital towards the royalty generation aspect of its business model, and Franco-Nevada to participate in exploration stage royalty financing opportunities identified by EMX.
Royalty Acquisition and Royalty Generation Updates
During Q3 2023, the Company’s royalty business was active in North America, South America, Europe, Turkey, Australia and Morocco. The Company spent $4,769,000 (2022 – $5,269,000) on royalty acquisition and generation costs and recovered $1,140,000 (2022 – $3,247,000) from partners. Royalty acquisition and generation costs include exploration related activities, technical services, project marketing, land and legal costs, as well as third party due diligence for acquisitions. Included in revenue and other income was $1,409,000 in option, advance royalty, and other pre-production payments related to existing partnered projects as a result of royalty generation activities. The Company also completed seven new property agreements across the portfolio, including two in Canada, two in Norway, two in Sweden and one in Australia, while continuing to replace partnered properties with new royalty generation projects.
Producing Royalties
6
Advanced Royalties
11
Exploration Royalties
149
Royalty Generation Properties
120
Figure 1. EMX’s royalty and mineral property portfolio
EMX earned approximately $1,955,000 in royalty revenue from the Gediktepe Mine as production continued from the oxide gold deposit. Partner Lidya Madencilik Anayi ve Ticaret A.S. (“Lidya”) also notified EMX that it has completed an internal Feasibility Study for development of the underlying polymetallic sulfide deposit. A decision regarding financing and construction for the sulfide project is pending.
The Caserones (effective) royalty distribution for Q3 totaled approximately $1,741,000. Lundin Mining Corporation (“Lundin”), in connection with their acquisition of fifty-one percent (51%) of the issued and outstanding equity of SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile SpA (see Lundin news release dated July 13, 2023), filed a technical report on SEDAR titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caserones Mining Operation, Atacama Region, Chile” that included current mineral resource and reserve estimates. Lundin also provided Caserones H1 production and H2 production guidance.
Leeville revenue earned by EMX totaled approximately $773,000 from royalty production that totaled 403 ounces of gold. Q3 2023 marked another strong quarter of Leeville royalty production along with robust gold prices.
EMX recognized $568,000 in royalty revenue from the Balya property in Q3 2023 which included $212,000 from Q2 production and $356,000 from Q3 production subsequently received. Production began to ramp up again in Q2 2023 with 99,185 tonnes of mineralized material produced from Balya North. Production continued to accelerate in Q3 2023, with 161,133 tonnes of mineralized material produced according to calculations provided by Esan at the end of Q3.
EMX received $134,000 from Gold Bar South for royalty revenue earned in Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, and earned royalty revenue of $59,000 from Q3 2023 production, which was subsequently received.
AbraSilver Resource Corp. (“AbraSilver”) reported final results from the Phase III drill program at the Diablillos silver-gold royalty property. Phase III drill holes will be incorporated into an updated mineral resource estimate to be included in the Diablillos PFS scheduled for completion in H2 of 2023. As part of its ongoing PFS work, AbraSilver also reported on positive results from metallurgical optimization test work conducted for the Oculto deposit.
Arizona Sonoran Copper continued to report infill drilling results from the Parks-Sayler porphyry copper royalty property. Subsequent to quarter-end, Arizona Sonoran announced updated mineral resource estimates for the Parks-Sayler deposit, which is partially covered by an EMX royalty, as well as other deposits that constitute its Cactus Project.
Exploration drilling by South32 at the Hermosa Project’s Peake prospect returned mineralized intercepts covered by EMX’s Hardshell royalty property that included the best copper intercept to date of 139 meters averaging 1.88% copper, 0.51% lead, 0.34% zinc, and 52 g/t silver (true width not reported).
EMX’s U.S. royalty generation portfolio progressed with 13 partner-funded work programs consisting of five drill programs, the expansion of properties through the staking of new claims, and the permitting of key projects in preparation for three additional drill programs to be conducted in Q4 2023 and early 2024. EMX has 39 projects in partnership in the western U.S and received various option, AAR, and management fee payments during the quarter.
Scout Discoveries Corp. (“Scout”) (a private Idaho company) and EMX closed on an amended transaction, originally announced in Q1 2023 (see EMX news release dated March 8, 2023) for the sale of EMX’s Erickson Ridge, South Orogrande, Lehman Butte, and Jackknife precious and base metal projects to Scout.
In Canada, EMX executed two new agreements to partner the Jean Lake property to Canada Nickel Company, and the Ear Falls property to Beyond Lithium. EMX and its partners conducted summer field programs to continue advancing the properties in the portfolio. EMX received $104,000 in cash payments during the quarter from partnered projects.
In Chile, Pampa Metals announced assay results from its initial three hole drill program totaling 1,957 meters at the Buena Vista target on the Block 4 property. Anomalous copper, molybdenum and precious metals were intercepted, indicative of shallow levels of a porphyry system. Elsewhere within the portfolio, EMX was notified by Pampa Metals that it was abandoning the Arrieros, Redondo-Veronica, Cerro Blanco, Cerro Buena Aries, and Block 3 properties, resulting in EMX gaining 100% control of each property. These properties are now available for partnership.
In Northern Europe the Company continued to develop and advance its portfolio of projects, with summer field programs continuing on numerous properties in Q3 2023. EMX has 37 projects in partnership with other companies in Northern Europe. New partnerships were established for the Bamble and Flåt battery metals projects in Norway (Londo Nickel plc) and the Njuggträskliden and Mjövattnet battery metals projects in Sweden (Kendrick Resources plc).
The Company optioned the Copperhole Creek project in Queensland, Australia to Lumira Energy LTD, a private Australian company. The agreement provides EMX with a 2.5% NSR royalty interest, cash and equity payments, work commitments and other considerations. In conjunction with the transaction, Lumira Energy intends to establish a public listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) by mid-year 2024.
Also in Q3 2023 in Australia, partner companies executed drill programs comprising over 5,000 meters on three EMX royalty properties (Yarrol, Mt Steadman and Koonenberry) and field programs continued to advance the Queensland Gold and Copperhole Creek projects.
Royalty generation programs continued in the Balkans and in Morocco in Q3 2023, where multiple exploration license applications have been filed by the Company. Surface sampling programs commenced on several new exploration licenses awarded to EMX in Morocco targeting a variety of styles of mineralization. EMX also continued to assess projects and opportunities in the Balkans.
Investment Updates
As at September 30, 2023, the Company had marketable securities of $6,830,000 (December 31, 2022 – $9,966,000), and $5,313,000 (December 31, 2022 – $4,591,000) in private investments. The Company will continue to generate cash flow by selling certain of its investments when appropriate.
OUTLOOK
The 2023 year will continue to see revenue and other income coming from our cash flowing royalties, including Leeville and Gold Bar South in Nevada, Gediktepe and Balya in Turkey, and Timok in Serbia, and our effective royalty interest on Caserones in Chile. As in previous years, production royalties will continue to be complemented by option, advance royalty, and other pre-production payments from partnered projects across the global asset portfolio.
The Company will continue to strengthen its balance sheet over the course of the year by looking to retire portions of our long-term debt, continuing to evaluate equity markets, and the ongoing monetization of the Company’s marketable securities.
EMX is well positioned to identify and pursue new royalty and investment opportunities, while further filling a pipeline of royalty generation properties that provide opportunities for additional cash flow, as well as exploration, development, and production success.
Marketing Consulting Services
The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with LFG Equities Corp. (“LFG”), an independent contractor with a business address at 402-9140 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 0A9. Commencing on September 10th, 2023 for an initial term of six months, under the terms of the Agreement, LFG will provide marketing consulting services to the Company to communicate to the financial community information about EMX by way of newsletters and be paid US$50,000 plus applicable taxes.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on North America, Latin America, and Strategic Investments. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on Europe, Turkey, and Australia.
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 also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
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, 2022 (the “MD&A”), and themost recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2021, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
1Adjusted revenue and other income and adjusted cash provided by operating activities are non-IFRS financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the “Non-IFRS financial measures” section on page 24 of the Q3-2023 MD&A for more information on each non-IFRS financial measure.
On November 6, 2023 Dolly Varden Silver (TSXV:DV) (OTC:DOLLF) released drill results from the Wolf Vein and – 1.5 kilometers to the north – the Moose Vein.
DV Silver is developing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project located in The Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to tide water.
“The Golden Triangle is so named because it hosts some of the richest gold ore bodies in the world, as well as abundant silver, nickel and copper deposits,” confirms BC Business. It has 1.2 billion ounces silver estimated reserves, with 214 million proven and probable.
Three Take-aways from the November 6, 2023 drill results:
1. High grade silver continues at depth 2. Discovery of significant quantities of base metals 3. Moose Vein demonstrating similar metallic profile to Wolf Vein
Wolf Vein Highlights:
DV23-375, Southwest Extension step-out: 461g/t AgEq* (296g/t Ag, 1.68% Pb, 3.01% Zn) over 26.99 meters, including 2,260g/t AgEq* (1,475g/t Ag, 10.65% Pb, 12.00% Zn) over 0.50 meter from an 81-meter step-out.
DV23-379, Southwest Extension infill: 287g/t AgEq* (247g/t Ag, 0.40% Pb, 0.73% Zn) over 18.21 meters, including 1,170g/t AgEq (1,125g/t Ag, 0.14% Pb, 1.09% Zn) over 0.50 meters.
Moose Vein highlights:
DV23-371: 712 g/t Ag over 1.00 meter within a 7.55 meters length interval averaging 269 g/t Ag
1AgEq is calculated using $US1650/oz Au, $US20/oz Ag, $US0.90/lb Pb and $US1.10/lb Zn, assays are uncut
“The results we are seeing from the Wolf Vein continue to demonstrate depth continuity of the high-grade silver mineralization as well as an increase in base metal content,” stated Shawn Khunkhun, President and CEO of Dolly Varden Silver. “Drill hole DV23-375 has extended the plunge length to over 950 meters with increased thickness of the potentially underground bulk-mineable mineralization and it remains wide open for expansion. With over 70 drill holes remaining to be assayed and announced we eagerly await their results.”
When Dolly Varden purchased the Homestake Ridge Property from Fury, the primary objective was to consolidate assets, add size and scale. But Khunkhun and the DV Silver geological team are also exploring a hunch that two metallic zones are connected. DV needed to control both assets to meaningfully explore the hunch.
“What is special about the November 6, 2023 drill results is that these are big intercepts,” Khunkhun told Guy Bennett, the CEO of Global Stocks News (GSN). “We’re talking about an almost 27-meter intercept, grading at 461g/t of silver equivalent.”
This is the first time during Khunkhun’s tenor as CEO, that DV has reported silver equivalencies.
“Along with 296 grams of silver, we have a significant lead and zinc kicker,” confirmed Khunkhun. “As we go deeper, this base metal zone may continue to add value to the deposit. We believe the Wolf Vein is potentially amenable to underground bulk mining.”
Bulk mining generally has lower mining costs associated with it, allowing for a lower cut off grade bringing in more material, increasing the tonnage per day and number of ounces mined.
“Some of these old, narrow vein deposits don’t work in the modern era,” Khunkhun told GSN. “You don’t want to be chasing narrow veins, hand sorting material. Our goal is that Dolly Varden Silver will be an efficient, highly mechanized mine with a low All-In-Sustaining-Cost (AISC).”
“We’ve already have a kilometer of plunge length at Wolf,” Khunkhun continued. “When we step out, we get solid hits like this. Why did Hecla put in $10 million last week? I suspect they are seeing the same potential we see at Wolf. Hecla’s goal is to increase silver production in Canada.”
About 47% of DV Silver is owned by institutional investors (Fury – 22%; Hecla 15%; Eric Sprott – 9%).
“I audition the institutional shareholders,” KhunKhun explained to GSN. “We have various entities throwing money at us at higher prices. It’s tempting to take the money. But I don’t want some hedge fund spontaneously deciding to rotate out of silver into uranium. It’s valuable to have stakeholders who share our long-term vision – like Hecla, Fury and Sprott.”
On November 6, 2023, Maurice Jackson, Founder and CEO of Proven & Probable conducted an interview with Mr. Khunkhun. Proven & Probable specialises in simplifying geological data. DV Silver sponsors the website, and Mr. Jackson is a long-term shareholder in DV Silver.
“We are very happy to welcome Hecla’s increased ownership stake,” Khunkhun told Mr. Jackson, “Hecla has demonstrated it is a sticky shareholder. They’re looking for the end product. The $10 million strategic investment raised their stake from 10% to about 15%. We’re happy to leverage their financial and technical contributions.”
A total of 51,454 meters was completed during 2023 in 115 drill holes at the Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge areas with 23,923 of those from the Dolly Varden Project area.
The Contractor’s drills have been demobilized and the exploration camp has been winterized. The November 6, 2023 release includes eight holes from Wolf and four holes from Moose. A total of 31 holes for 15,860 meters were drilled at Wolf in 2023.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 9, 2023) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to announce the receipt of US$356,718 in Q3 royalty proceeds from its Balya North royalty property in Türkiye, which is operated by Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. (“Esan”), a private Turkish company. EMX holds an uncapped 4% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty on metals production from Balya North, a newly commissioned lead-zinc-silver mine in the Balya Mining District of northwestern Türkiye. The Q3 royalty payment is markedly higher than any previous payment and reflects another quarter of accelerating production at Balya North (see Figure 1).
The Q3 royalty payment was based upon the processing of 161,133 tonnes of mineralized material from Balya North, averaging 1.63% lead, 1.24% zinc and 51 grams per tonne of silver. Production continues to ramp up at Balya North after EMX received its initial royalty payments from the Balya North Mine in September 2022 (see EMX news release dated September 15, 2022).
Balya North Lead-Zinc-Silver Deposit: The Balya North lead-zinc-silver deposit is situated in the historic Balya mining district of northwestern Turkey. Mining at Balya has taken place since antiquity, with several generations of historical operations. The Balya North property contains extensive zones of shear-zone hosted and carbonate replacement style (“CRD”) lead-zinc-silver mineralization developed in and around a series of dacite intrusions emplaced into a limestone-rich sedimentary sequence.
Esan acquired the EMX royalty property at the end of 2019 (See EMX news release dated January 7, 2020) and is a private Turkish company that operates nearly 40 mines and eight processing plants. Esan also operates a lead-zinc mine (“Balya Main”) and flotation mill on the property immediately adjacent to EMX’s Balya North royalty property. The mineralization at Balya North is effectively an extension of the mineralization currently being mined by Esan in the Balya Main deposit.
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 the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol EMX, and also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol “6E9”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
For further information contact:
David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 973-8585 Dave@emxroyalty.com
Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 SClose@emxroyalty.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain “forward-looking statements” that reflect the Company’s current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserve and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will”, “believe”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company’s future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company’s MD&A for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Revised Annual Information Form (the “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.
Figure 1: Royalty payments and production from Balya North Mine by quarter
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 2, 2023) – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated October 30, 2023, the Company completed the sale of 15,384,616 common shares of the Company to Hecla Canada Ltd. (“Hecla“) on November 1, 2023 at a price of $0.65 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $10 million (“Offering“). As a result of the Offering, Hecla has increased its shareholding in the Company to 15.7% from 10.6%, calculated on an undiluted basis.
No bonuses, finder’s fee or commissions were paid in connection with the Offering. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period from the closing of the Offering in addition to any other restrictions under applicable law.
In connection with the Offering, Dolly Varden has agreed with Hecla that the Company will not complete any further debt or equity financings for the remainder of 2023. Additionally, Dolly Varden has agreed that between January 1, 2024 and September 1, 2024, without the prior consent of Hecla, it will not complete any debt or equity financings other than equity financings for net proceeds to the Company of up to $15 million and provided that the issue price under such financing is greater than $0.65 per security. These restrictions do not capture customary exceptions such as the issuances of securities related to the Company’s equity based incentive compensation, the exercise of existing convertible securities and strategic transactions for non-cash consideration.
$6 million of the net proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration expenditures, mineral resource expansion and related costs in the Kitsault Valley project, located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, with the balanced to be used for working capital and G&A costs.
Hecla is considered a related party of the Company under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“) as a result of its ownership of more than 10% of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares. As a result, the issuance of Common Shares to Hecla pursuant to the Offerings was a related party transaction. The Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that participation in the Offering by Hecla does not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company’s market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of insiders of the Company had not been confirmed at that time. Further details can be found in the material change report that will be filed by the Company in due course.
About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project (which combines the Dolly Varden Project and the Homestake Ridge Project) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to tide water. The 163 sq. km. project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, high-grade deposits, such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack. The Kitsault Valley Project also contains the Big Bulk property which is prospective for porphyry and skarn style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region (Red Mountain, KSM, Red Chris).
Forward-Looking Statements
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 the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments 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.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, the intended use of proceeds from the Offering, the future release of a material change report and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the adequacy of the Company’s current financial position, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the Company on desirable and permitted terms, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the risk that the Company may not be able to complete the Offering on the terms described herein or at all; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance. The risk factors identified herein are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company. For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s annual information form dated April 11, 2023 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the Company’s base-shelf prospectus dated April 25, 2023, both available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Neither 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 news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 2, 2023) – Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) (“Goldshore” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the “Private Placement“), for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,750,000. In connection with Private Placement, the Company will issue the following securities (the “Offered Securities“):
(i) 37,500,000 units of the Company (“Units“) at a price of $0.10 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share (each, a “Common Share“) and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant“); and
(ii) Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a “Warrant Share“) at an exercise price of $0.13 per Warrant Share for thirty-six (36) months from the date of closing.
Fully Funded Through 2025
The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to continue to advance the Moss Gold Project through development of a new resource model and a new mineral resource estimation (“MRE“); in addition to continuing the engineering and metallurgical studies being done on various leach methodologies (including heap leach) and ultimately factoring this new information into a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA“). With 80,000 meters of drilling completed and $48 million spent directly in the ground defining the current MRE; Goldshore is well positioned to achieve meaningful project milestones over the next 24 months with minimal cash expenditures and within the net proceeds and current cash balances of the Company.
Strategic Partnership
The Company announces that it has engaged with a strategic natural resources private capital group (the “Strategic Advisor“) participating, in aggregate, in the Private Placement for $3,000,000 or 30,000,000 Units, with a long-term financial commitment to unlocking the value of the Moss Gold Project and delivering increased return to all stakeholders.
Board Changes
The Company also announces that Michael Michaud has stepped down from the Board as an appointee of Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (“Wesdome“). Wesdome has advised that it does not intend to nominate a replacement at this time. Kyle Hickey will be appointed to the Goldshore Board of Directors upon closing of the Private Placement. Mr. Hickey has been a professional advisor to boards of directors, executive management teams, and private and public capital on a wide range of capital structure solutions including equity, debt, and hybrid financial instruments, as well as merger and acquisition transactions.
President and CEO Brett Richards stated: “We welcome this partnership with our new strategic shareholders, who are committed to advancing the project through its next stages of development. On behalf of the Goldshore directors, we would like to thank Mike for his tenure on the Board, as his technical and commercial approach has helped guide the Company since inception. We would also like to welcome Kyle to the Goldshore board. Kyle has extensive experience in the commodity and resource capital markets, financing assets through all stages of development from resource definition to construction and project finance, and long-term operating capital structures. This financing and partnership represents a new phase for Goldshore and is key to unlocking long-term value and driving success.”
PEA and Resource Update
As a result of the new financial and strategic commitment in Goldshore, the Company is reviewing the current PEA in an effort to rescope and optimize the Moss Gold Project under multiple operational and economic parameters. To that end, the Company has engaged APEX Geoscience to prepare a new resource model and a new MRE. The Company has also engaged the expertise of Kappes Cassiday & Associates, leaders in heap leach engineering and technology, to conduct detailed metallurgical test work to determine the efficacy of heap leaching the lower grade material contained in the Moss Gold deposit. Once the results from these activities are received, the Company will determine its next course of development.
Vice President, Exploration, Pete Flindell: “We welcome our new strategic partners, as this commitment allows us to recalibrate the scope of the future project we want to take to feasibility study. We have a significant portion of high-grade mineralization in the shear zones (3.35M oz Au or 55% of the current mineral resource) with an average head grade of 1.84 g/t Au. This creates the opportunity for a hybrid process with a small flotation, regrind and carbon in leach plant for the high-grade mineralization, and a large heap leach operation for the low-grade material.”
Additional Financing Details
Eventus Capital Corp. has been appointed as a finder in connection with the Private Placement. The Company may pay a finder’s fee of 6% in either cash or in Units of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the Private Placement. The securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada. Closing of the Financing is expected to occur on or about November 14, 2023 and is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Qualified Person
Mr. Flindell, PGeo, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice-President, Exploration, of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
About Goldshore Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company and owns 100% of the Moss Gold Project located in Ontario. The Company is well-financed and supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors, and advisory board. Goldshore is well positioned to advance the Moss Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.
For More Information – Please Contact:
Brett A. Richards President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Goldshore Resources Inc.
This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act“) or any U.S. state securities laws, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws.
THIS PRESS RELEASE, PROVIDED PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE OFFERING IN QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND THE SECURITIES SOLD IN SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION OR APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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 the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments 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.
Forward-Looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project, the release of an updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19.
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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.
Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 1, 2023) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) (OTCQB: SBMCF) (‘SBMI’ or ‘the Company’) announces a third potential revenue stream. This potential revenue stream flows from SBMI’s relationship with a lender announced earlier this year.
Earlier this year SBMI announced it had entered into an agreement with an arm’s length third party (the “Investor/Client”) for the amount of USD$350,000. This investment was structured as a loan having a five year term and a zero per cent interest rate. Following extensive due diligence of SBMI’s operations, the Investor/Client asked SBMI to work with it to advance other projects in which the Investor/Client is involved. The first two such projects under consideration were in Arizona and Colorado.
The Investor/Client and SBMI have entered into a verbal agreement whereby the Investor/Client will ship approximately 900 pounds of what it advises to be high grade gold concentrate to SBMI’s mill in Globe, Arizona from an Investor/Client mine in Colorado, to be processed through SBMI’s modular processing facility. SBMI expects to receive the material in early November, following which it intends to run the material through its system to determine recovery, develop a process flowsheet, and ultimately pour gold dore bars.
The design of SBMI’s 100% owned mill affords the flexibility to process many different types of material and optimize the resulting output with its state of the art gravity circuit. The Investor/Client has indicated the facility that produced the concentrate is not capable of processing the material to a purity desired by the Investor/Client. This concentrate may be well suited for SBMI’s circuit to yield a higher purity gold product than the other facility could provide.
Remuneration for this work being done for the Investor/Client will be determined after SBMI’s receipt of the material and initial evaluation.
The Investor/Client has advised it has a substantial stockpile of similar material to be processed by SBMI’s mill, assuming this test run is successful.
If this run is successful, processing material for the Investor/Client is a third potential near-term revenue stream for SBMI, with the other two being silver production out of the Buckeye Silver Mine and silver / gold production from the Washington Mine in Idaho. Production at Idaho will not commence until stable production is achieved in Arizona. The delivery of this material shows the Investor/Client strongly believes SBMI has the capacity and ability to provide the necessary services and achieve the Investor/Client’s desired results.
The Company will continue to update as this project moves forward.
SBMI is in discussions with other parties whereby SBMI will process third party material, and the Company will advise as such discussions progress.
At the Buckeye Mine, the team continues to drift in Zone1 towards what management believes is a volume of higher grade silver mineralization.
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.
