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Base Metals Breaking Junior Mining Lion One Metals Precious Metals

Lion One Drills 236.00 g/t Gold over 0.4 m Near Mine Underground at Tuvatu Gold Mine in Fiji

North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – May 1, 2025) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to report significant new high-grade gold results from 4,123.8 meters of underground infill and grade control drilling at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji (“Tuvatu“). The drilling is focused on the Zone 5 area of the deposit, which is currently being mined.

Drilling was conducted from two near surface underground drill stations. The Company intersected high-grade mineralized structures in 29 drill holes targeting the UR2 lode down-dip of current underground developments. Most of the drill holes did not exceed 150 m in length and most of the high-grade drill intercepts are located within 50 m of current underground workings. Drill results include multiple bonanza grade gold intercepts over narrow widths, such as 236.00 g/t over 0.4 m, 101.58 g/t over 0.5 m, 102.35 g/t over 0.3 m, 94.23 g/t over 0.3 m, and 89.63 g/t over 0.4 m. Due to the proximity of drill results to existing workings there is a strong probability that these intercepts can be incorporated into the mine plan in the next six to twelve months.

Tuvatu is a high-grade narrow vein alkaline gold deposit and bonanza grade drill results are not uncommon on the project. In January the Company released the highest grade assay ever returned from Zone 5 drilling; 2,749.86 g/t over 0.3 m (see press release dated January 23, 2025). Previous high-grade drill results from Zone 5 include 1,517.79 g/t gold over 0.3 m (see press release dated December 17, 2024), 1,568.55 g/t over 0.3 metres (see press release dated June 5, 2024), and 1,986.23 g/t gold over 0.6 m (see press release dated December 13, 2023).

Highlights of New Drill Results:

  • 236.00 g/t Au over 0.4 m (TGC-0345, from 109.42 m depth)
  • 25.89 g/t Au over 3.0 m (including 101.58 g/t Au over 0.5 m g/t) (TGC-0359, from 110.7 m depth)
  • 16.85 g/t Au over 3.0 m (including 38.27 g/t Au over 0.9 m) (TGC-0339, from 104.7 m depth)
  • 18.26 g/t Au over 2.5 m (including 89.63 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0332, from 67.14 m depth)
  • 15.36 g/t Au over 2.7 m (including 47.25 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0343, from 75.3 m depth)
  • 27.08 g/t Au over 1.5 m (including 94.23 g/t over 0.3 m) (TGC-0343, from 61.7 m depth)
  • 16.34 g/t Au over 2.3 m (including 23.57 g/t over 0.6 m) (TGC-0335, from 102.1 m depth)
  • 29.44 g/t Au over 1.3 m (including 102.35 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0347, from 108.96 m depth)
  • 25.96 g/t Au over 1.4 m (including 43.58 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TGC-0343, from 68.9 m depth)
  • 14.23 g/t Au over 2.4 m (including 23.37 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0327, from 101.9 m depth)

*Drill intersects are downhole lengths, 3.0 g/t cutoff. True width not known. See Table 1 for additional data.

Figure 1. Location of the UR2 drilling reported in this news release. Left image: Plan view of the UR2 drilling in relation to the UR2 lode shown in green and other mineralized lodes shown in grey, with Tuvatu underground development shown in red. Yellow dashed square represents the area shown in the right image. Right image: Section view of the UR2 drilling looking West.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/250404_792a212d848f0816_001full.jpg

Zone 5

The Zone 5 area of Tuvatu is located along the main decline and includes the principal north-south and northeast-southwest oriented lodes at Tuvatu, as well as several western lodes. These lodes are steeply dipping structures that converge at approximately 500 m depth to form Zone 500, which is the highest-grade part of the deposit and is interpreted to be a major feeder zone at Tuvatu. The system remains open at depth with the deepest high-grade intersections occurring below 1000 m depth.

The drilling reported in this news release targeted the near-surface portion of the UR2 lode down-dip of current underground developments. The UR2 lode is one of the main north-south oriented lodes at Tuvatu. It has a strike length of approximately 600 m and dips steeply to the east. Mine development is currently taking place along the UR2 lode at the 1100 and 1102 levels of the mine, which are the deepest levels in Zone 5, as well as at the 1134 level of the mine. The drilling reported here was conducted from two underground drill stations; the 1090 drill station and the 1135 drill station. Drilling from the 1090 drill station targeted a 60 m wide section of the UR2 lode between 30 m and 50 m below the 1100 level at the south end of the lode. Drilling from the 1135 drill station targeted a 100 m wide section of the UR2 lode approximately 10 m above and 10 m below the 1102 level in the middle portion of the lode.

The UR2 drill program consists of infill and grade control drilling with the purpose of providing a detailed understanding of the geometry and mineralization of the UR2 lode in advance of mining. Drilling is being conducted on 10 m centers. 29 out of the 32 drill holes reported in this news release intersected high-grade mineralization. Most of the high-grade intervals reported in this release are located within 50 m of underground developments and are anticipated to be included in the mine plan in the next 6 to 12 months. One additional hole (TGC-0311) was drilled to test a deeper portion of the UR2 lode and returned several high-grade intercepts approximately 80 m below the 1102 level. Highlights of the Zone 5 drilling reported here are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. UR2 drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. Oblique view looking down to the NW. The drill holes shown here primarily targeted areas of the UR2 lode scheduled for near-term mining below current underground developments.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/250404_792a212d848f0816_002full.jpg

Note on Composite Grades

The drill holes reported in this news release are oriented approximately perpendicular to mineralization. The reported intercepts therefore approximate the true width of mineralization. Tuvatu consists of high-grade narrow vein mineralization. The headline intercept of 236.00 g/t gold over 0.4 m therefore has an approximate true width of 0.4 m, as reported. The minimum mining width at Tuvatu is approximately 1.5 m. In reporting drillhole intercepts Lion One uses a grade composite cut-off of 3 g/t gold with <1 m internal dilution at <3 g/t. Drill hole intervals that are <3 g/t are below cutoff and are not included in Table 2.

Competent Person’s Statement

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43- 101”), Melvyn Levrel, MAIG, Senior Geologist for Lion One Metals, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Lion One Laboratories / QAQC

Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods. The Lion One geochemical laboratory is accredited under the IANZ ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Standard – the international standard for testing and calibration of laboratories.

Diamond drill core samples are logged by Lion One personnel on site. Exploration diamond drill core is split by Lion One personnel on site, with half core samples sent for analysis and the other half core remaining on site. Grade control diamond drill core is whole core assayed. Core samples are delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples.

Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 26 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish.

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.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Walter Berukoff, Chairman & President

Contact Information
Email: info@liononemetals.com
Phone: 1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)
Website: www.liononemetals.com

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.

Appendix 1: Full Drill Results and Collar Information

Table 1. Collar coordinates for drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid.

Hole IDEastingNorthingElevationAzimuthDipDepth
TGC-03111876383392062712879.2-48.5165.3
TGC-03131876384392042994107.5-28.3135.1
TGC-031518763843920625128111.7-15.9130.9
TGC-0316187638439204299496.5-27.8121.5
TGC-031818763833920626128111.3-20.2131.3
TGC-0319187638439204299499.9-19.8141.4
TGC-032118763843920626128100.8-16.4125.7
TGC-03231876384392042894114.9-21.0122.6
TGC-032518763843920626128103.4-21.9130.3
TGC-03261876384392042794129.7-19.9133.4
TGC-03271876384392062612892.0-17.0126.6
TGC-03301876384392042694143.5-19.9122.7
TGC-03311876384392062612893.4-23.0125.4
TGC-03321876384392042894122.0-27.7121.0
TGC-03331876384392062712888.1-20.9122.6
TGC-033518763843920627128157.40.8131.6
TGC-0336187638439204299494.9-22.5109.7
TGC-03381876384392042994106.3-22.895.8
TGC-03391876384392062712878.4-19.9120.0
TGC-03411876384392042894113.4-25.295.6
TGC-03421876384392062712876.0-14.5121.3
TGC-03431876384392042994101.1-25.8105.0
TGC-03451876384392062712873.9-22.0125.7
TGC-03471876384392062712868.7-20.7111.5
TGC-03511876383392062812864.0-18.1130.0
TGC-03551876383392062812859.4-17.4135.0
TGC-03591876383392062812860.8-9.3135.0
TGC-03601876383392062812857.0-11.3139.0
TGC-03631876383392062812854.7-16.1143.3
TGC-03651876383392062812852.9-11.1148.0
TGC-03671876383392062812851.3-17.8155.6
TGC-03701876383392062812849.5-13.0165.9

Table 2. Composite intervals from drillholes reported in this news release (composite grade >3.0 g/t Au, with <1 m internal dilution at <3.0 g/t Au).

Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Width (m)Au (g/t)
TGC-0311140.1140.40.314.59
150.2151.31.17.11
including150.2150.70.511.83
and150.7151.00.30.93
and151.0151.30.34.96
TGC-031357.357.80.54.92
65.866.30.54.65
74.075.61.65.15
including74.074.40.45.68
and74.474.90.50.07
and74.975.20.32.96
and75.275.60.313.46
83.284.41.25.16
TGC-031595.896.20.43.54
TGC-031656.658.21.68.48
including56.656.90.319.58
and56.957.20.312.37
and57.257.60.44.95
and57.658.20.63.33
60.961.20.39.30
64.264.50.34.96
79.680.61.05.98
including79.679.90.36.46
and79.980.30.43.38
and80.380.60.38.98
TGC-0318103.6104.91.318.03
including103.6104.30.78.71
and104.3104.90.628.90
120.4120.70.33.71
TGC-031951.852.30.53.51
61.561.90.48.08
66.769.02.34.43
including66.767.10.33.12
and67.167.40.30.94
and67.468.00.60.03
and68.068.50.511.28
and68.569.00.55.56
70.370.60.337.50
71.873.92.14.61
including71.872.20.43.96
and72.272.60.45.09
and72.673.51.01.62
and73.573.90.313.87
90.090.30.34.58
TGC-0321103.1103.50.45.22
106.2108.11.94.74
including106.2106.60.44.53
and106.6106.90.36.99
and106.9107.20.31.45
and107.2107.80.65.36
and107.8108.10.34.84
TGC-032357.959.81.910.42
including57.958.20.313.68
and58.258.50.31.37
and58.558.80.34.45
and58.859.10.314.99
and59.159.50.414.28
and59.559.80.312.43
64.464.70.34.60
100.5100.80.35.98
TGC-0325110.3113.53.23.55
including110.3110.90.64.70
and110.9111.50.60.72
and111.5111.80.33.02
and111.8112.10.37.40
and112.1112.50.45.69
and112.5112.90.40.14
and112.9113.20.30.23
and113.2113.50.38.56
TGC-032662.462.70.33.15
64.464.80.33.85
65.565.80.33.58
TGC-0327101.9104.32.414.23
including101.9102.20.33.24
and102.2102.70.52.86
and102.7103.00.38.35
and103.0103.30.320.58
and103.3103.70.423.37
and103.7104.30.622.86
TGC-033075.075.30.36.02
TGC-0331108.2108.80.64.17
including108.2108.50.33.15
and108.5108.80.35.19
TGC-033267.169.62.518.26
including67.167.40.312.37
and67.467.80.3<0.01
and67.868.20.4<0.01
and68.268.60.489.63
and68.668.90.314.51
and68.969.20.33.73
and69.269.60.44.66
TGC-0333103.5106.12.69.22
including103.5103.80.313.88
and103.8104.20.45.02
and104.2104.60.435.43
and104.6104.90.34.41
and104.9105.80.90.58
and105.8106.10.35.96
TGC-0335102.1104.42.316.34
including102.1102.60.521.78
and102.6103.20.623.57
and103.2103.80.617.20
and103.8104.40.63.71
TGC-033652.252.70.67.64
56.256.90.711.29
including56.256.60.43.00
and56.656.90.321.78
65.065.40.49.40
71.872.81.03.99
including71.872.30.53.15
and72.372.80.54.87
76.977.80.98.32
including76.977.20.315.86
and77.277.80.64.20
102.0103.01.017.90
TGC-033854.955.50.63.82
69.169.70.625.89
71.772.30.620.54
TGC-0339104.7107.73.016.85
including104.7105.60.938.27
and105.6105.90.38.93
and105.9106.50.60.16
and106.5106.80.33.92
and106.8107.70.913.49
TGC-034163.064.01.05.23
including63.063.30.33.44
and63.364.00.76.00
68.569.10.622.78
TGC-0342104.3105.00.713.87
TGC-034358.158.80.73.81
including58.158.40.34.58
and58.458.80.43.23
60.260.50.34.32
61.763.21.527.08
including61.762.20.56.69
and62.262.50.394.23
and62.562.80.39.85
and62.863.20.415.14
68.970.31.425.96
including68.969.20.328.99
and69.269.70.53.01
and69.770.30.643.58
75.378.02.715.36
including75.375.60.347.25
and75.675.90.313.93
and75.976.20.32.49
and76.276.70.50.30
and76.777.00.36.02
and77.077.30.313.46
and77.377.70.414.67
and77.778.00.335.07
TGC-0345109.4109.80.4236.00
TGC-0347109.0110.21.329.44
including109.0109.30.33.65
and109.3109.90.63.95
and109.9110.20.3102.35
TGC-0351111.2113.01.84.84
including111.2112.41.25.07
and112.4113.00.64.39
TGC-0359106.7107.20.53.80
110.7113.73.025.89
including110.7111.00.33.07
and111.0111.50.526.50
and111.5112.00.5101.58
and112.0112.50.55.43
and112.5112.90.46.09
and112.9113.20.310.42
and113.2113.70.58.89
TGC-0360115.6116.20.634.99
TGC-0363116.8117.60.817.46
including116.8117.20.427.33
and117.2117.60.47.58
TGC-0370109.2109.50.33.23

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/250404

Categories
Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Gold’s record run gains further traction; market conquers $3,500/oz

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewellery shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh · Reuters

By Ashitha Shivaprasad and Anjana Anil

(Reuters) -Gold’s remarkable run higher is reaching new heights, with the market touching $3,500 per ounce as confidence in the U.S. economy further erodes after President Donald Trump’s renewed attack on the Federal Reserve chair.

Spot gold was trading around $3,428 per ounce by 1417 GMT, after hitting a record $3,500.05 earlier in the session.

Trump said on Monday the U.S. economy could slow down unless interest rates are lowered immediately, repeating his criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell as being slow to act and calling him a “major loser”.

That was followed by a furious flight from U.S. assets which undermined Wall Street and the dollar, while concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve piled fresh pressure on Treasuries. [USD/] [MKTS/GLOB]

“Gold is recalibrating to reflect what can only be described as epic changes in the global financial system. And those changes are a widespread and fundamental shift in confidence in the world’s reserve currency and its bond markets,” said independent analyst Ross Norman.

Bullion, renowned as a hedge against uncertainties and a highly liquid asset, has surged more than $800 since the start of the year. It surpassed $3,300 last Wednesday, and its strong momentum pushed it up by nearly $200 in just a few days.

CENTRAL BANK DEMAND

Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault, said central bank demand “is very likely chasing gold’s move higher, because Trump 2.0’s chaos only hardens gold’s appeal as a geopolitical asset”.

In the final quarter of 2024, when Trump won the U.S. election, central bank purchases accelerated 54% year-on-year to 333 tons, according to an estimate from the World Gold Council.

Data showed that China’s central bank added gold to its reserves in March for the fifth straight month. China is considering setting up overseas warehouses to aid international settlement of specific products on the Shanghai Gold Exchange, its central bank said.

CORRECTION – LIKELY TO BE SHORT-LIVED

Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs increased its year-end gold forecast to $3,700. It added that if central bank buying averages 100 tonnes/month, it estimates gold could reach $3,810 by end-2025.

ANZ last week also raised its year-end gold price forecast to $3,600.

Asked about a pause in the rally, analysts and experts said any correction is likely to be short-lived, and greater gains are most likely on the horizon if instability persists.

“It is hard just now to see a scenario where gold could correct sharply lower as a physical floor of Johnny-come-lately buyers would support or cushion the decline,” said Norman.

Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke said a major road block for gold “would be a less confrontative President Trump, either on the side of trade or on the side of monetary policy – both of which seem rather unlikely at the moment”.

Spot gold has hit 28 record highs so far in 2025, of which 16 are above the $3,000/oz milestone. Prices are up 31% so far this year, after ending 2024 with a 27% annual rise.

(Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad and Anjana Anil in Bengaluru. Editing by Veronica Brown and Jan Harvey)

Categories
Energy Junior Mining Lion One Metals Precious Metals

Lion One Announces Mine Ventilation Upgrade, Reports Preliminary Gold Results

North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – April 17, 2025) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (“Lion One” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide an operations update and announce the completion of the raise bore project and mine ventilation upgrade at the Company’s 100% owned Tuvatu Gold Mine in Fiji, and reports preliminary quarterly gold production from the Tuvatu Gold Mine for Q1 CY2025.

The mine ventilation upgrade is a major milestone for the Company as it enables the Company to develop more levels underground and to put more mineralized headings into production. Airflow within the mine has improved dramatically and ventilation is now sufficient for development to proceed to the high-grade Zone 500 feeder zone, which is where the company drilled 75.9 m of 20.86 g/t gold and 54.9 m of 12.22 g/t gold. Together with the new mine equipment en route to Fiji and the development of the Company’s first shrinkage stope, the mine ventilation upgrade will increase mine development at Tuvatu in advance of the next stage of mill expansion to 600-700 TPD.

Operations Update

Summary:

  • Raise bore development and ventilation circuit upgrade complete
  • Ventilation is now sufficient for development to proceed to the high-grade Zone 500
  • New levels and mineral headings are now being developed as a result of improved ventilation
  • Record 13 active headings under development at Tuvatu with more to be added
  • New mine equipment en route to Fiji to further accelerate mine development
  • First shrinkage stope under development and advancing well

The Company is currently operating at the 300 TPD pilot plant phase with expansion to the 600-700 TPD phase of operations anticipated in 2026. In advance of expansion the Company is completing critical mine infrastructure projects, including the raise bore and primary ventilation upgrade project.

Development and commissioning of the raise bore and primary ventilation circuit is now complete. Airflow within the mine has improved dramatically. Windspeed measured at the main portal is now twice as fast as prior to the completion of the new circuit and mining operations can proceed more efficiently as a result. In recent months underground development has been restricted to near-surface levels due to lack of sufficient ventilation to advance deeper into the deposit. With the primary ventilation circuit now complete, the Tuvatu mine has sufficient ventilation for underground development to proceed down to the high-grade Zone 500 feeder zone, which is a major priority for the Company. New development and mineralized headings can now immediately be advanced to deeper levels of the mine and new sources of mineralized material can be developed and put into production. With the recent addition of new mining equipment and staff, a total of 13 active headings are now being advanced at Tuvatu, which is a new record for the Company. More headings will be added as additional mining equipment arrives on site in the coming weeks and months as mine development continues to accelerate.

A shrinkage stope is now actively being developed along the Ura1 lode at Tuvatu where bonanza grade gold results, such as 142.66 g/t gold over 2.2 m, have been returned from drilling. The shrinkage stope is anticipated to be approximately 100 m long, 30 m tall, and 1.5 m wide, and is designed to minimize dilution and maximize gold grades delivered to the mill. During development of the stope, the Ura1 lode has shown to be continuous, and sampling has returned consistent high grades across the structure. The Ura1 shrinkage stope is anticipated to come online in May and June 2025 and will be the first of a series of shrinkage stopes to be developed at Tuvatu.

Figure 1. Example Ura1 Shrinkage Stope Development. Example shrinkage stope development rise face showing the Ura1 lode at the center of the rise, with the Ura lode identified with red paint and sample markers identified in pink paint. Width of the image is approximately 1.6 m.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/248870_ba524cc4f4d1a912_001full.jpg

Preliminary Quarterly Gold Results

Summary:

  • 3,555 oz of gold recovered
  • 27,841 tonnes milled
  • 4.9 g/t gold average head grade
  • 80.4% recovery

Lion One Metals recovered 3,555 oz of gold during the quarter ending March 31, 2025. This represents a 155% increase in production year-over-year from the same quarter in 2024, during which 1,394 oz of gold was produced while the processing plant was undergoing commissioning. This is a decrease in production quarter-over-quarter from the 4300 oz of gold produced during the prior quarter ending December 31, 2024.

The decrease in production from the prior quarter is due primarily to increased downtime related to both scheduled and unscheduled mill maintenance and repairs during January and February 2025. During this period there were 6 days of planned mill maintenance shutdown to complete a mill liner replacement, and a secondary mill pinion replacement, as well as unscheduled downtime and reduced mill throughput as a result of heavy rains. Mill throughput typically exceeds design levels and averages approximately 340 TPD but was reduced to an average of 280 TPD in January and February. Production returned to normal levels in March once both the scheduled and weather-related maintenance procedures were complete. Modifications to the mill are currently underway to minimize the impact of heavy rains and to improve water management within the pilot plant and reduce the seasonal effect of heavy rains.

Figure 2. Tuvatu Monthly Gold Production, October 2024 to March 2025. Gold production dipped in January and February 2025 due to scheduled mill maintenance shutdowns as well as to unscheduled maintenance and reduced mill throughput due to heavy rains. Production returned to baseline levels in March 2025.

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Qualified Persons Statement

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43- 101”), William J. Witte, P.Eng., Principal Advisor to the Company, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Lion One Laboratories / QAQC

Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods.

Diamond drill core samples are logged by Lion One personnel on site. Exploration diamond drill core is split by Lion One personnel on site, with half core samples sent for analysis and the other half core remaining on site. Grade control diamond drill core is whole core assayed. Core samples are delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples.

Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) but currently focuses on a suite of 26 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish.

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.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Walter Berukoff, President, Chairman of the Board

Contact Information
Email: info@liononemetals.com
Phone: 1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)
Website: www.liononemetals.com

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248870

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Collective Mining Expands the Initial High-Grade Sub-Zone at Apollo by Intersecting 114.50 Metres at 5.00 g/t AuEq Within 263.85 Metres at 3.10 g/t AuEq

  • Drill hole APC104-D6 extended the first high-grade sub-zone drill tested by the Company to date by up to 70 metres vertically by intersecting 114.50 metres @ 5.00 g/t gold equivalent within 263.85 metres at 3.10 g/t gold equivalent. Hole APC104-D6 was drilled below previously announced holes APC104-D2 and APC104-D5, which intercepted 181.35 metres @ 5.38 g/t AuEq** and 106.35 metres at 9.05 g/t AuEq**, respectively.
  • Drill hole APC104-D7A clipped the eastern edge of the same sub-zone, intercepting 30.25 metres @ 5.10 g/t gold equivalent within 137.70 metres @ 2.94 g/t gold equivalent. Results to date from the new orthogonal drilling program into the first high grade sub-zone have now outlined dimensions of 180 metres of strike, 70 metres in thickness and over 70 metres vertical and is still open in most directions for future expansion.
  • The Company has modeled eleven high-grade sub-zones target areas within the top 1,000 vertical metres of Apollo and plans to drill test each of them over the course of 2025. The high-grade sub-zones have the potential to boost the overall grade and mineral inventory of the Apollo system within the existing block model.
  • Mother hole APC-106D was drilled outside the Apollo system to the north and intersected multiple, shallow and high-grade gold-silver veins with results including 1.65 metres @ 20.81 g/t gold equivalent and 1.90 metres @ 16.29 g/t gold equivalent. Drilling of the Northern Gold-Silver Vein Zone to the north of Apollo has now outlined a 350-metre-long zone of high-grade porphyry related veins (“CBM veins”).

TORONTO, April 15, 2025 /CNW/ – Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) (“Collective” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce assay results for three holes drilled into the Apollo system (“Apollo”). Two of the holes were designed to test the potential extension of the recently discovered first high-grade sub-zone, while the third hole was drilled into the early-stage Northern Gold-Silver Vein Zone located above and to the north of the brecciated Apollo system. Apollo is the most advanced discovery made to date within the Company’s multi-target Guayabales Project in Caldas, Colombia.

The Company currently has eight drill rigs operating as part of its fully funded 70,000-metre drill program for 2025 with five rigs drilling at Apollo, one at the Tower target and two rigs at the San Antonio Project.

The 2025 objectives for the portion of the drilling program targeting the Apollo system are:

  • Drill test newly modeled high-grade sub-zone targets scattered throughout the top 1,000 vertical metres from surface to improve the grade profile (and size) of the system.
  • Grow the overall dimensions of the system by expanding vertically and laterally the recently discovered high-grade Ramp Zone.
  • Test the northern extension potential of Apollo at shallower elevations.
  • Expand and define the area of outcropping/shallow mineralization and test many drilling gaps within the internal block model from surface to a depth of 150 metres.

Approximately 115,000 metres of diamond drilling has been completed to date at the Guayabales Project, including 78,000 metres at Apollo. There are currently thirteen drill holes awaiting assays with results for most of these holes expected prior to the end of Q2 2025.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: “Drilling continues to successfully intercept high-grade gold in the first of eleven potential high-grade sub-zones modelled by our technical team within the top 1,000 vertical metres of the Apollo system.  The bonus of drilling the sub-zones is that if successful in finding more gold than previous modeled, then it should raise the overall grade of the system within the existing modelled envelope. If drilling continues to intersect high grades as new sub-zone targets are tested, the impact on the block model grade and inventory could be materially significant.  Additionally, drilling at the poorly drilled Northern Gold-Silver Vein Zone has expanded the system to 350 metres in an east-west direction and it remains open in all directions for growth.  Any metal defined in this zone is a bonus as it is additional to the main Apollo system.”

To watch a video of David Reading, Special Advisor to the Company and QP under NI43-101 explain today’s results please click on the link here.

Details (see Table 1 and Figures 1-5)

  • APC104-D6, collared from mother hole APC-104D, was drilled in a westerly direction below previously announced hole APC104-D2 and was designed to extend the first modelled, high-grade sub-zone by 70 metres vertically. The hole intercepted continuous mineralization over 263.85 metres which included the high-grade sub-zone and multiple zones of high-grade CBM veinlets with assay results as follows:
    • 263.85 metres @ 3.10 g/t gold equivalent from 71.65 metres including: 
      • 114.50 metres @ 5.00 g/t gold equivalent from 82.00 metres
      • 31.75 metres @ 3.10 g/t gold equivalent from 303.75 metres
    • 21.95 metres @ 3.08 g/t gold equivalent from 373.55 metres
    • 17.15 metres @ 2.60 g/t gold equivalent from 444.80 metres
  • APC104-D7A, which is the final hole collared from mother hole APC-104D, was also drilled in a southwest direction on the edge of the Apollo system and clipped the eastern margin of the high-grade sub-zone with assay results as follows:
    • 137.70 metres @ 2.94 g/t gold equivalent from 160.90 metres including: 
      • 30.25 metres @ 5.10 g/t gold equivalent from 172.15 metres

The pilot drilling program designed to test the first modelled sub-zone has now defined an area of 180 metres of strike, by 70 metres in thickness and by 70 metres vertical with continuous high-grade mineralization. This sub-zone is still open in almost all directions and will be expanded as part of the current ongoing drill program. The Company also plans to drill at least eleven additional potential sub-zone targets in 2025 identified throughout top 1,000 vertical metres of the Apollo system. As a reminder, at a depth below 1,000 metres from surface, Apollo transitions in the Ramp Zone, which is a different deposit and style of mineralization.

  • APC-106D was drilled to the south from newly constructed Pad19 located north and outside the Apollo system. At 350 metres downhole, the alteration began to markedly increase and then the hole cut a zone of east-west trending, high-grade CBM veins. These new intercepts are a material extension to the high-grade Northern Gold-Silver Vein Zone, which now measures approximately 350 metres in strike and remains open in all directions for expansion. Assay results for hole APC-106D are as follows:
    • 1.65 metres @ 20.81 g/t gold equivalent from 353.20 metres
    • 1.90 metres @ 16.29 g/t gold equivalent from 388.30 metres
    • 18.25 metres @ 2.10 g/t gold equivalent from 732.95 metres including:
      • 5.85 metres @ 4.88 g/t gold equivalent from 732.95 metres

As a reminder, high-grade gold-silver veins intercepted previously in 2022 in the Northern Gold-Silver Vein Zone assayed as follows:

  • 10.30 metres @ 10.83 g/t gold equivalent (OLCC-4)**
  • 1.30 metres @ 74.91 g/t gold equivalent (OLCC-3)**
  • 1.30 metres @ 42.31 g/t gold equivalent (OLCC-3)**

The intersection of shallow CBM veins in the northern portion of the Apollo system has positive implications for the presence of brecciated porphyry at depth as this zoning of mineralization is seen further south at Apollo. Following completion of the mother hole, directional drilling is currently in progress to test for a northern extension of the Apollo system at depth where the system remains open for expansion.

Table 1: Assays Results for Drill Holes APC104-D6, APC104-D7A and APC-106D

Hole #From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
Au
g/t
Ag
g/t
Cu
%
Zn
%
AuEq
g/t*
APC104-D671.65335.50263.852.52370.090.153.10
Incl.82.00196.50114.504.19530.150.155.00
& Incl-303.75335.5031.752.24580.060.333.10
and373.55395.5021.952.96100.030.113.08
and444.80461.9517.152.29220.060.042.60
APC104-D7A160.90298.60137.701.87610.220.142.94
Incl.172.15202.4030.254.28500.140.325.10
APC-106D353.20354.851.6519.781220.030.0620.81
and388.30390.201.908.666000.050.4416.29
and732.95751.2018.251.92120.030.132.10
Incl.732.95738.805.854.50270.040.354.88
*AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.015 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 1.44 x 0.95) + (Zn (%) x 0.43 x 0.85) utilizing metal prices of Ag – US$30/oz, Zn – US$1.25/lb, Cu – US$4.2/lb and Au – US$2,000/oz and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 85% for Ag, 95% for Cu and 85% for Zn. Recovery rate assumptions for metals are based on metallurgical results announced on October 17, 2023, April 11, 2024, and October 3, 2024. The recovery rate assumption for zinc is speculative as limited metallurgical work has been completed to date. True widths are unknown, and grades are uncut.
** See press release dated January 15, 2025, February 24, 2025, March 15, 2022 and May 9, 2022 for AuEq calculations.
Figure 1: Plan View of the Apollo System Highlighting Drill Holes in this Release (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 1: Plan View of the Apollo System Highlighting Drill Holes in this Release (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 2: Apollo System: High-Grade Over 1,200 Metres from Surface (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 2: Apollo System: High-Grade Over 1,200 Metres from Surface (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 3: Section B – B’ Outlining the High-Grade Sub-Zone Intersected in Drill Hole APC104-D6 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 3: Section B – B’ Outlining the High-Grade Sub-Zone Intersected in Drill Hole APC104-D6 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 4: Drill Core Tray Photo Highlighting a Portion of APC104-D6 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 4: Drill Core Tray Photo Highlighting a Portion of APC104-D6 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 5: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo Target Area (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 5: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo Target Area (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com.

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company’s flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company’s objectives are to improve the overall grade of the Apollo system by systematically drill testing newly modeled potentially high-grade sub-zones, expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike to the north and expanding the newly discovered high-grade Ramp Zone along strike and to depth, expand the Trap system and drill a series of newly generated targets including Tower and X.

Management and insiders own approximately 33.4% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE American and TSX under the trading symbol “CNL” and on the FSE under the trading symbol “GG1”.

Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure

David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG).

Technical Information

Samples were cut by Company personnel at Collective Mining’s core facility in Caldas, Colombia. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled in maximum 2 metres intervals, stopping at geological boundaries. Drill hole core diameter is a mix of PQ, HQ and NQ depending on the depth of the drill hole.

Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.

Information Contact:

Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X

Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of Warrants; the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: planed use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of the Warrants; risks related to the speculative nature of the Company’s business; the Company’s formative stage of development; the Company’s financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 24, 2025. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Collective Mining Ltd. Logo (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Collective Mining Ltd. Logo (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)

SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.

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Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Project Generators

F3 – NEW Discovery – 33.0m Radioactivity with 0.56m >10,000 cps at Broach Lake

On New Trend – 12km South of JR Zone

Kelowna, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – April 15, 2025) – F3 Uranium Corp (TSXV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) (“F3” or “the Company“) is pleased to announce a new discovery with drillhole PLN25-205 which intersected radioactivity over a total of 33.0m including 0.56m of high radioactivity (>10,000 cps) with a peak of 37,700 cps at 398.34m. The drillhole is still currently in progress, however additional mineralization is not expected.

2025 Handheld Spectrometer Highlights:

Broach Lake: PW Area
PLN25-205 (line 11310S):

  • 0.5m interval with radioactivity of 340 cps between 340.0 and 340.5m, and
  • 0.5m interval with radioactivity of 440 cps between 347.5 and 348.0m, and
  • 0.5m interval with radioactivity of 370 cps between 366.0 and 366.5m, and
  • 8.0m interval with radioactivity peaking 2,500 cps between 373.0m and 381.0m, and
  • 23.5m interval with radioactivity peaking 37,700 cps between 384.0m and 407.5m, including
    • 0.56m composite mineralization >10,000 cps between 389.75m and 398.56m

Sam Hartmann, Vice President Exploration, commented:

“On March 18th we announced anomalous radioactivity at a newly emerging area 12km south of the JR Zone, showing great initial potential with drillhole PLN25-202, peaking at 720cps. This was followed up with an aggressive step back with PLN25-203, which aimed to locate a MLTDEM ground conductor. Encouraging alteration was encountered at depth corresponding with the approximate down-dip projection of the radioactive intervals in PLN25-202, but no anomalous radioactivity was noted. PLN25-204 then tested 60m up-dip of PLN25-202, successfully intersecting the targeted rock units but again with no anomalous radioactivity. Despite these results we decided on one more follow-up to PLN25-202 targeting approximately 50m down-dip (see Image 1 for cross section), this time successfully intersecting high-grade pitchblende mineralization hosted within competent but strongly chloritic and clay altered orthogneisses (see Image 2), in the hanging wall of an unmineralized fault with mineralization starting at a vertical depth of 325 meters from surface. This discovery is particularly meaningful as it is within the Clearwater Domain – a geological package predominantly thought to consist of intrusive rocks and historically considered less prospective for uranium mineralization. These drillholes contain significant intercepts of dioritic rocks – but also the strained and structurally disturbed orthogneisses we target. This strong initial intercept in PLN25-205 is the perfect analog to the approach of the technical team at F3 Uranium; to think out of the box and be persistent. After we finish drilling this hole, we plan to continue drilling on section to improve our understanding of the controls on the mineralization, before moving laterally along strike, which is open in both directions”.

Map 1. Broach Lake -2025 Scintillometer Results

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Image 1: Cross Section: Line 11310S

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Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Handheld Spectrometer Results

Collar Information *Planned Collar, azi/dip. Final surveys outstanding* Hand-held Spectrometer Results On Mineralized Drillcore (>300 cps / >0.5m minimum)Athabasca Unconformity Depth (m)Total Drillhole Depth (m)
Hole IDSection LineEastingNorthingElevationAzDipFrom
(m)
To
 (m)
Interval (m)Max CPS
PLN25-203lost in overburden
PLN25-203Alost in overburden
PLN25-203B11340S589233639784558648-63160.00160.500.50420160.7722
PLN25-20411295S589389639800358347-63168.50168.900.40310168.88401
PLN25-205*11310S589326639794058646-65340.00340.500.50340168.8TBD
347.50348.000.50440
366.00366.500.50370
373.00373.500.50470
373.50374.000.50370
374.00374.500.50<300
374.50375.000.50540
375.00377.002.00<300
377.00377.500.50510
377.50378.000.50780
378.00378.500.502100
378.50379.000.502500
379.00379.500.50660
379.50380.000.502400
380.00380.500.501400
380.50381.000.502100
384.00384.500.50800
384.50385.000.50770
385.00386.501.50<300
386.50387.000.501900
387.00387.500.503100
387.50388.000.502800
388.00388.500.501600
388.50389.000.50340
389.00389.500.50990
389.50389.750.259300
389.75390.000.2527200
390.00390.500.501700
390.50391.000.50480
391.00391.500.50900
391.50392.000.50670
392.00392.500.501300
392.50393.000.504400
393.00393.500.50590
393.50394.000.50380
394.00394.500.50640
394.50395.000.50420
395.00395.500.50420
395.50396.000.50640
396.00396.500.501400
396.50397.000.50940
397.00397.500.50<300
397.50398.000.50300
398.00398.340.349800
398.34398.500.1637700
398.50398.650.1510400
398.65399.000.358900
399.00399.500.504600
399.50400.000.50760
400.00400.500.50330
400.50401.000.50360
401.00401.500.50910
401.50402.000.501900
402.00402.500.503400
402.50403.000.501900
403.00403.500.501300
403.50404.000.50360
404.00404.500.506200
404.50405.000.50700
405.00405.500.504900
405.50406.000.502200
406.00406.500.502300
406.50407.000.501200
407.00407.500.50430

Handheld spectrometer composite parameters:
1: Minimum Thickness of 0.5m
2: CPS Cut-Off of 300 counts per second
3: Maximum Internal Dilution of 2.0m

Image 2: Uranium Mineralization in PLN25-205

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The natural gamma radiation detected in the drill core, as detailed in this news release, was measured in counts per second (cps) using a handheld Radiation Solutions RS-125 spectrometer which has been calibrated by Radiation Solutions Inc. The Company designates readings exceeding 300 cps on the handheld spectrometer (occasionally referred to as a scintillometer in industry parlance; this colloquial usage stems from historical naming conventions and the shared functionality of detecting gamma radiation a scintillometer)—as “anomalous”, readings above 10,000 cps as “highly radioactive”, and readings surpassing 65,535 cps as “off-scale”. However, readers are cautioned that spectrometer or scintillometer measurements often do not directly or consistently correlate with the uranium grades of the rock samples and should be regarded solely as a preliminary indicator of the presence of radioactive materials.

Samples from the drill core are split into half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK while the other half remains on site for reference. Analysis includes a 63 element suite including boron by ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and gold analysis by ICP-OES and/or AAS.

The Company considers uranium mineralization with assay results of greater than 1.0 weight % U3O8 as “high grade” and results greater than 20.0 weight % U3O8 as “ultra-high grade”.

All depth measurements reported are down-hole and true thicknesses are yet to be determined.

About the Patterson Lake North Project:

The Company’s 42,961-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North Project (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Paladin’s Triple R and NexGen Energy’s Arrow high-grade uranium deposits, an area poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN Project consists of the 4,074-hectare Patterson Lake North Property, the 19,864-hectare Minto Property, and the 19,022-hectare Broach Property. All three properties comprising the PLN Project are accessed by Provincial Highway 955; the new JR Zone uranium discovery on the PLN property is located 23km northwest of Paladin’s Triple R deposit.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the company by Raymond Ashley, P.Geo., President & COO of F3 Uranium Corp, a Qualified Person. Mr. Ashley has verified the data disclosed.

About F3 Uranium Corp.:

F3 Uranium is a uranium exploration company, focusing on the recently discovered high-grade JR Zone on its Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the Western Athabasca Basin. F3 Uranium currently has 3 properties in the Athabasca Basin: Patterson Lake North, Minto, and BroachThe western side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is home to some of the world’s largest high grade uranium deposits including Paladin’s Triple R and Nexgen’s Arrow.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

F3 Uranium Corp.
750-1620 Dickson Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y9Y2
Contact Information
Investor Relations
Telephone: 778 484 8030
Email: ir@f3uranium.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Dev Randhawa”
Dev Randhawa, CEO

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248437

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Oil & Gas

AT&T to Provide Fiber Connectivity for Jericho Energy Ventures’ Inaugural AI Modular Data Center Site

TULSA, OK / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Further to its news release dated March 31, 2025, Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. (TSXV:JEV)(OTC PINK:JROOF)(FRA:JLM) (“Jericho”, “JEV” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with AT&T to install a minimum of 10Gbps of fiber optic at its initial Modular High Performance AI Data Center site in Oklahoma. This deployment leverages the latest technology and data transfer protocols and is designed to scale beyond 100Gbps to meet anticipated demand growth.

On March 31, 2025, JEV unveiled its innovative Modular Data center venture, harnessing its natural gas assets and infrastructure to drive the development of advanced, technology-driven, AI-focused computing solutions tailored for the AI era.

Brian Williamson, CEO of Jericho Energy Ventures, commented: “We are moving full steam ahead in building out our AI modular data centers, and partnering with industry-leader AT&T along with others to deploy high-speed fiber connectivity on-site is a critical step in developing a next-generation modular AI computing infrastructure. By leveraging our natural gas assets and strategic locations, we are uniquely positioned to provide scalable, reliable, and cost-effective power solutions to meet the growing demands of the AI age.”

A March 30, 2025, Wall Street Journal article, “The AI Data-Center Boom Is Coming to America’s Heartland,” highlights how Meta and other tech giants are scouring rural America for land, transmission lines and natural gas to power AI operations, drawing them into the heart of the nation’s oil and gas region.

Jericho also announces that it has granted 1,000,000 incentive stock options (the “Options”) under its stock option plan (the “Plan”) to McKenna & Associates, a boutique advisory and investment firm and a 10% security holder of JEV. The firm’s principal is Andrew J. McKenna. The Options are exercisable at a price of C$0.20 for a period of up to 3 years.

Expressing McKenna & Associates’ continued support for JEV, Brian Schafer, President, stated: “Jericho’s launch of its natural gas-powered modular AI data center in Oklahoma is a smart, forward-thinking response to rising U.S. data storage demand. It reflects bold vision and strong execution to merge resilient and deployable data centers that capitalize on the plethora of small natural gas repositories across America’s heartland. I have full confidence in the management team and their strategy, and I remain fully committed to supporting Jericho’s next growth phase — including exploring a U.S. listing — as the Company works to deliver greater shareholder value at this pivotal stage.”

About Jericho Energy Ventures
Jericho is an energy company positioned to meet today’s energy demand as well as the energy transition; owning, operating and developing both traditional hydrocarbon JV assets and advancing the low-carbon energy transition, with active investments in hydrogen. Jericho owns and operates long-held producing oil and gas JV assets in Oklahoma which it is currently developing from cash flows in an effort to further increase production. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies, Jericho delivers breakthrough, patented, zero-emission boiler technology to the Commercial & Industrial heat and steam industry. We also hold a strategic investment and board position in California Catalysts (formerly H2U Technologies), a leading developer of advanced materials for electrolysis.

Website: www.jerichoenergyventures.com
X: https://x.com/JerichoEV
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jericho-energy-ventures
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JerichoEnergyVentures

CONTACT:
Adam Rabiner, Investor Relations
Jericho Energy Ventures Inc.
Tel. 604.343.4534
Email: investorrelations@jerichoenergyventures.com

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking ‎statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements“) within the meaning of applicable ‎securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or ‎information or current condition, but instead represent only Jericho’s beliefs regarding future ‎events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of ‎Jericho’s control. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as ‎‎”plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, ‎or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will” or “may not” occur.‎ Specifically, this ‎news release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among others, the completion of its new Modular Data Centers initiative launch and successful supplier and customer adoption.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors ‎that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-‎looking statements, which include, but are not limited to: regulatory changes; changes to the ‎definition of, or interpretation of, foreign private issuer status; the impacts of COVID-19 and other ‎infectious diseases; general economic conditions; industry conditions; current and future ‎commodity prices and price volatility; significant and ongoing stock market volatility; currency and ‎interest rate fluctuation; governmental regulation of the energy industry, including environmental ‎regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; the ‎availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory ‎authorities; liabilities and risks inherent in oil and gas exploration, development and production ‎operations; liabilities and risks inherent in early stage hydrogen technology projects, energy ‎storage, carbon capture and new energy systems; changes in government environmental ‎objectives or plans; and the other factors described in Jericho’s public filings available at ‎www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain key expectations and ‎‎assumptions ‎of Jericho ‎concerning anticipated financial performance, business prospects, ‎strategies, ‎regulatory regimes, the ‎‎sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out ‎planned activities, the ability to obtain financing on ‎acceptable terms, expansion of consumer ‎adoption of the Company’s (or its subsidiaries’) technologies and products, all of which are ‎subject to change based on ‎market conditions, ‎potential timing delays ‎and other risk factors. Although Jericho believes that these assumptions and the expectations ‎are ‎reasonable based on information currently available to management, such ‎statements are not ‎guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from ‎‎those in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-‎looking ‎statements.‎

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements ‎contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Jericho does not ‎undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, ‎except as required by applicable securities laws‎.

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.

SOURCE: Jericho Energy Ventures, Inc.



View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Categories
Base Metals Blog Junior Mining Precious Metals

The Return of Exter’s Inverted Pyramid

Is Gold Still Underpriced?

We believe the next leg up for gold will be driven by a loss of confidence in mainstream positioning in equities, high-yield bonds and private equity. Concerns over tariffs may well have become a contributing factor to the gathering deflation of the financial asset bubble, but overanalyzing their possible impact obscures focus on market forces that were in motion long before “Liberation Day.”

The run to record gold bullion prices in 2024 and year-to-date 2025 has been mainly driven by official sector investment motivated in part by the gradual disintegration of the U.S. dollar-based system of international trade and the shakeup of the geopolitical landscape. Official sector demand has been augmented by record Asian and especially Chinese investment buying. These developments have been all but ignored by American and European retail and institutional investors captivated instead by overvalued technology and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. We believe investor exposure to gold, by several measures, is at historic lows.  

As capital flees overvalued assets, gold’s scarcity and safe-haven appeal could drive its price higher.

The essence of a bear market1 is overvaluation and incorrect positioning. The shift in psychology that results from bear market losses may lead to a search for investment alternatives. We believe safe-haven assets, including gold, will capture resulting capital flows. 

Gold’s capacity to absorb new inflows is limited by its tiny “float”2 relative to the scale of financial markets denominated in U.S. dollars. Gold-backed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are likely recipients of the shift in capital flows we anticipate. Expanded flows into most gold ETFs must be accommodated by the purchase of physical metal. The migration of capital to gold and possibly other monetary metals could result in a price that is multiples of the current price of $3,000 per ounce. 

We believe gold mining equities remain significantly undervalued and stand to benefit from further advances in metal prices. Mining profitability is leveraged to changes in gold prices, which move more quickly than costs. Therefore, in our view, mining shares offer significant torque potential relative to physical gold.

The Equity Bear Market is Not Caused by Tariffs Alone

Even as the Trump administration walks back its stance on tariffs, the contraction in equity market valuations likely has further to run. On April 6, 2025, veteran market analyst and technician Stan Weinstein stated:

“While many traders and investors incorrectly think that this devastating selloff is simply the result of ‘the tariffs,’ as we showed you in detail in last weekend’s update, ‘termites’ have been at work, weakening the market’s technical structure, for the past few months, even as several of the indexes (such as the S&P 500 Index3) were making new highs (and this was being ‘camouflaged’ by the narrow strength of the ‘Magnificent 7,’4 just as was the case in late 1999-early 2000, before the internet bubble ‘popped,’ and in 1973 when the ‘Nifty Fifty’ 5 of that era was ‘all the rage’ – but, in each and every case, the Advance-Decline Line6 had topped out well before the market reached those respective peaks). So what is really happening is that the upsetting fundamental ‘news’ is colliding with an already-weakened technical structure that was getting ready to collapse (so it most definitely couldn’t handle the added ‘worries’) – and, very simply, that ‘perfect storm’ combination has resulted in this ‘crash’!”  

Market strategist Michael Belkin, who has correctly called major turning points in the stock market over many decades, noted in his report on March 24, 2025, that the fuel for a market decline could be seen in the record level of margin debt.  

“The January margin debt level was $937 billion, equal to the Oct 2021 peak of $936 billion…. Margin debt is a great indication of animal spirits… It’s not what people think about the market (like the AAII Individual Investor Sentiment Index), it’s a measure of how much stock market risk they are willing to take on with leverage.”  

You can access more insights from Michael Belkin by listening to our Sprott Radio podcast, The New Sector Rotation.

Carter Worth, a savvy market analyst and eponym of Worth Charting, noted in an April 6, 2025, commentary that the typical stock in the Russell 3000 Index, representing 98% of all investible capital in U.S. equity markets, peaked in October well before “tariffs” was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Roughly 50% of the stocks in that Index are down 35% or more (as of March 31, 2025), giving the lie to Treasury Secretary Bessent’s recent comment that the market carnage was confined mainly to the “Magnificent 7” names. The bear market is pervasive throughout all market sectors based on Worth’s analysis.

In our opinion, the current generation of investors has never experienced a genuine bear market. The notion that a bear market is simply a decline of 20% or more from the trading peak is overly superficial. The bear market of the 1970s was a grinding multi-year affair whose duration was sufficient to suffocate speculative psychology well into the 1980s. 

It remains to be seen whether the current bear market will resemble one of the 1970s or of the post-2000 variety, which were mostly ended by Federal Reserve bailouts. History demonstrates that either outcome will be positive for gold.

Gold Positioning by Western Investors is Minimal

As of year-end 2024, financial advisors recorded the lowest exposure to gold since 2019.

Figure 1: Financial Advisor Allocations to Gold

Figure 1: Financial Advisor Allocations to Gold

Source: BofA Global Research. Data as of 2/26/2024.

Since 2020, holdings of gold-backed ETFs have declined by 585 metric tonnes, or 17.51% of total assets at year-end 2020. In 2024, holdings rose by 159 tonnes, leaving aggregate AUM by weight nearly 20% below the 2020 peak.  

Figure 2: Gold-Backed ETF Holdings Have Declined Since 2019 Peak 

Figure 2: Gold-Backed ETF Holdings Have Declined Since 2019 Peak

Source: Meridian Macro Research. Data as of 3/31/2025.

Figure 3. Total World Gold ETFs, Change in Total Holdings by Year 

Figure 3. Total World Gold ETFs, Change in Total Holdings by Year

Source: Meridian Macro Research. Data as of 3/31/2025. 

Gold is Still Contrarian

Gold, long a Wall Street pariah, has only recently become popular as major investment firms jump on the bandwagon to make gold price forecasts undreamed of only six months ago. Bullion’s newfound popularity may have resulted in a short-term overbought condition, but we believe it has been remedied by the market meltdown.

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Financial Times reported that hedge funds had been hit with the largest margin calls since the 2020 COVID crisis. Gold may be temporarily caught up in this “sell everything” scenario. We believe gold’s checkback will prove to be temporary and will serve to correct recent overbought sentiment readings.

A bullish outlook7 for gold is still contrarian. The longer-term consensus forecast among investment firms polled by Bloomberg is for gold prices to decline steeply to $2,100 in 2028 (see Figure 4). We regard this groupthink as a positive sign that strategists see no appeal for metal exposure other than a tactical one beyond the very short term. Another way to put this bearish gold forecast into perspective is the unanimity of bullish calls from leading brokerage firms for the stock market at the beginning of 2025. Example forecasts for the S&P 500 Index include Deutsche Bank (7100), BMO and HSBC (6700), and Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Citi (all at 6500).

Figure 4. Consensus Forecasts on Gold Prices to 2028

Figure 4. Consensus Forecasts on Gold Prices to 2028

Source: Bloomberg. Data as of March 31, 2025. 

With Trump’s detonation of the “pax Americana” liberal world order in place since the end of World War II, “the U.S. dollar becomes a choice, not a necessity, and debt issuance on everything and everywhere — not just by the U.S. Treasury — becomes more risky and expensive” (from “Crashing the Car of Pax Americana Epsilon Theory”). The potential scope for reallocation to gold is suggested by the chart below:

Figure 5. Gold’s Share of Global Equity and Bond Securities

Figure 5. Gold’s Share of Global Equity and Bond Securities

Source: BIS, ICE Benchmark Administration, Metals Focus, Refinitiv GFMS, World Bank, World Federation of Exchanges, World Gold Council.

Gold is Scarce Relative to Financial Assets

Figure 6. 

Figure 6.

Source: Bloomberg and World Gold Council as of 2024. 

The apocryphal tale that every molecule of gold ever mined remains above ground as potential supply (due to recycling, preservation in works of art, high-end jewelry, coins, hoarding and storage as a monetary reserve by central banks) is deeply flawed. As calculated and shown in the gold cube illustration in Figure 7, that quantity is 216,583 metric tonnes, which, for the sake of this exercise, equals $22 trillion at $3,000/oz.

However, only a small fraction of that quantity is potentially in play as “supply”. The gold cube illustration suggests the application of a 72% haircut to arrive at a number for physical gold that could be quasi-tradeable. That would include coins, low-end jewelry (think Middle Eastern souks) and assorted shapes and units not acceptable as good delivery by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), Commodity Exchange (COMEX) or Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE). A tally of metal stored in London, COMEX or Shanghai Gold Exchange inventories results in a tradeable float of approximately $1 trillion.

Figure 7. Estimated Above-Ground Gold Holdings by Demand Categories

Figure 7. Estimated Above-Ground Gold Holdings by Demand Categories

Source: Data as of  2/11/2025. Financial investment includes over-the-counter (OTC) and gold ETFs. World Gold Council, Metals Focus, Refinitiv GFMS.

This exercise leads to three conclusions:

First, the dollar amount of all gold is a small fraction of wealth denominated in U.S. dollars (USD), $100 trillion in global equities and $315 trillion of debt (Source: Institute of International Finance) as of year-end 2024. A small reallocation from liquid financial assets into gold, most easily accessed via gold-backed ETFs, could significantly increase the USD gold price.

Second, the recent scramble to relocate physical gold from London to New York ahead of tariffs illustrated the stark illiquidity of even the tradeable gold float. Following Trump’s victory, COMEX inventories rose 2.6x from approximately 17,000 to 40,000 ounces within a few months. The premium of New York versus London gold prices rose as high as $45 (1.5%) during that period as bullion banks and their clients hurried to withdraw London 400 ounce gold bars to be refined into 100 ounce COMEX good delivery, hardly the indication of a liquid market.

Third, the highly liquid paper gold trade rests on a shaky foundation, best imagined by John Exter*, as an inverted pyramid (see Figure 8). Paper gold includes all contracts traded between bullion banks and their clients in the form of swaps, options, futures and other derivatives. According to the LBMA, the daily trading volume of gold in 2024 was 33 million ounces or $80 billion compared to annual gold production of 120,000,000 ounces or $324 billion (2024 prices).  

We reckon that the ratio of paper to physical trading is approximately 115 to 1 (based on LBMA and COMEX futures; see Figure 9). It is unclear, but unlikely, that the opaque LBMA market statistics include unreported over-the-counter derivative trades. The tariff scare illustrates the fragility of arrangements underlying the paper gold trade. In our opinion, the extension of credit among bullion banks and their clients will be more cautious following this episode. Our long-held belief (almost 30 years, as shown by my 1999 quote in the Appendix) is that any diminution of the paper gold trade will lead to improved price discovery for physical metal.

Figure 8. Exter’s Pyramid in the 21st Century

A pyramid chart illustrating various investment types, from derivatives and stocks at the top to precious metals at the bottom.

Source: Antiquesage.com.

Figure 9. 

Ratio of Paper Gold/Physical Gold

Source: LMBA, COMEX and the World Gold Council. 

Gold Miners: Potential for a Huge Catch-Up Ahead?

During Q1 2025, gold stocks (using GDX8 as a proxy) outperformed gold bullion with a gain of 35.56% compared to 19.02% for the metal. For many years, miners have underperformed the metal:

Figure 10. Gold Miners Offering Deep Value versus Gold Bullion

Figure 8. Gold Miners Offering Deep Value versus Gold Bullion

Source: Bloomberg as of 2/28/2025 (reflects past 37 years). Gold is measured by the GOLDS Comdty Spot Price and gold equities by the Philadelphia (PHLX) Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Index (XAU). The Philadelphia (PHLX) Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Index (XAU) is used versus the Philadelphia (PHLX) Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Total Return Index (XXAU) for its longer historical track record. You cannot invest directly in an index. 

However, value investors and stock pickers, please take note: it would be ill-advised to take a jaundiced view of each and every gold stock. There are many success stories within the sector. A better perspective can be seen from the wide dispersion of returns:

Figure 11. Gold Miners: A Dispersion of Returns

Figure 9. Gold Miners: A Dispersion of Returns

Source: Bloomberg and FactSet as of 12/31/2024. Gold Miners (GDM) represents the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR INDEX) and the constituents of GDX US Equity, which tracks the GDMNTR Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

While not universal, we see growing evidence of intelligent deployment of capital, resistance to the siren call of investment bankers that “bigger is better” and recognition of the need to return capital to shareholders during this period of prosperity for the industry. More enlightened management teams are beginning to think in terms of returns on invested capital (see Figure 12), accountability in terms of per-share metrics and judicious deal making.

Figure 12. Gold Mining Companies Returns to Shareholders, Ex Big 3 (US$M)

Figure 10. Gold Mining Companies Returns to Shareholders, Ex Big 3 (US$M)

Source: Mining Journal. Data as of 12/31/2024. “Ex Big 3” refers to Newmont, Barrick Gold and Agnico Eagle Mines. A Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB), also known as a stock repurchase program, is a company’s plan to buy back its own outstanding shares from the market, usually over an extended period, and is subject to regulatory approval. 

While many investors trade mining stocks according to every twitch and jiggle in the daily price, we believe a better guide is the average gold price received on a quarterly basis.

Figure 13. Average Gold Price (2023-2025)

Figure 11. Average Gold Price (2023-2025)

Source: Bloomberg. Data as of March 31, 2025. 

And for die-hard value investors, as we are, it is hard to find a more enticing sector in terms of EV/EBITDA9. What is especially appealing is that mining fundamentals, the main component of which is future gold prices, have fared relatively well in periods of recession and inflation. 

Figure 14: Gold Miners Appear Undervalued Based on EV/EBITDA (2019-2025)

Figure 12: Gold Miners Appear Undervalued Based on EV/EBITDA (2019-2025)

Source: Bloomberg. Data as of March 31, 2025. 

Trend Acceleration Ahead?  

We concluded our 2024 commentary with the same heading as above.  We hypothesized that the catalysts for a step change in the advance of gold prices would be: “a bear market; a steep, lengthy retreat in cryptocurrencies; bond market disruption with interest rate risk morphing into credit risk; and unwanted, persistent U.S. dollar strength that threatens economic instability.”   

We are batting about 75% on those calls. The retreat in cryptocurrencies has been steep, but it is too early to call it lengthy. Treasuries have thus far failed to serve as a safe haven and credit risk seems to be furiously springing leaks. The U.S. dollar has weakened instead of strengthening as a corollary of the “Trump trade” that we envisioned. However, an entrenched bear market and spreading credit risk are enough, in our opinion, to drive the gold price substantially higher. Mining stocks, especially those well-managed and positioned, stand to benefit most from the step change in the rate of gold’s advance that we envision.

Appendix

From the dustbin.

For illustrative purposes only.

Appendix

Footnotes

1A bear market is often characterized by negative investor sentiment, leading to a downward trend in market performance over time.
2The gold “float” is the amount of gold readily available for trading in the market.
3The S&P 500 Index (Standard & Poor’s 500) is a stock market index that tracks the performance of 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.
4The Magnificent 7 refers to a group of seven major tech companies known for their significant stock growth and market influence.
5The term Nifty Fifty was an informal designation for a group of roughly fifty large-cap stocks on the New York Stock Exchange during the 1960s and 1970s, known for their consistent earnings, considered solid buy-and-hold growth stocks.
6The advance-decline line (A/D line) is a technical indicator used in stock market analysis to measure market breadth. It tracks the difference between the number of stocks that are rising in price (advancing) and the number of stocks that are falling in price (declining) on a given day.
7A bull market is characterized by rising prices and investor optimism.
8VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR), which is intended to track the overall performance of companies involved in the gold mining industry.
9EV/EBITDA, a popular valuation metric, compares a company’s enterprise value (EV) to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to assess its value and profitability.

Source: https://sprott.com/insights/the-return-of-exter-s-inverted-pyramid/

Categories
Base Metals Emx Royalty Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

EMX Receives $6.85M Early Payment from AbraSilver and Repays $10M of Long-Term Debt

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – April 10, 2025) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (the “Company” or “EMX”) is pleased to announce that it has received an early final property payment from AbraSilver Resource Corp. (“AbraSilver”) totaling US$6.85 million. This payment, originally due by July 31, 2025, was completed ahead of schedule in exchange for a reduced total obligation from the original US$7.0 million.

EMX retains a 1% NSR on AbraSilver’s Diablillos project, an advanced silver and gold project in Argentina. EMX congratulates AbraSilver on its recent C$58.5 million equity financing to accelerate advancement of Diablillos.

EMX will use the proceeds of the early property payment, together with cash on hand, to make a US$10 million principal payment toward its senior secured term loan facility due to Franco-Nevada Corporation. Following this early principal payment, EMX’s total long-term debt outstanding will be reduced from US$35 million to US$25 million.

About EMX – EMX is a precious and base 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”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole
President and CEO
Phone: (303) 973-8585
Dave@EMXroyalty.com

Stefan Wenger
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (303) 973-8585
SWenger@EMXroyalty.com

Isabel Belger
Investor Relations
Phone: +49 178 4909039
IBelger@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 December 31, 2024 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2024, 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.info

SOURCE: EMX Royalty Corp.

EMX Royalty Corp.