North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 12, 2024) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF)(“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results of the Company’s annual and special general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) held on December 12, 2024.
At the Meeting, the number of directors of the Company was set at three (3) with the following directors re-elected at the Meeting: Walter Berukoff, Richard Meli, and Kevin Puil. In addition, shareholders of the Company approved the Company’s Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan as described in the management information circular dated October 29, 2024 (the “Circular”) as well as the re-appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing fiscal year.
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 & CEO
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release
This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
The U.S Treasury building in Washington. · Reuters
By David Lawder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. government posted a $367 billion budget deficit for November, up 17% from a year earlier, as calendar adjustments for benefit payments boosted outlays by some $80 billion compared to the same month in 2023, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday.
The Treasury Department said that without the acceleration of December payments for the Medicare and Social Security programs into November, the deficit last month would have been about $29 billion, or 9% lower than last year.
The health care and pension programs for seniors are two of the government’s largest expenditure items.
But as reported, the November deficit was a record high for that month. Receipts and outlays also were record highs for the month of November, with receipts up 10% to $302 billion, and outlays up 14% to $669 billion.
The deficit for the first two months of the 2025 fiscal year also was a record high for that period – higher than the deficits of the COVID-19 era – reaching $624 billion, up $244 billion, or 64%, from the same period a year earlier. The government’s fiscal year starts on Oct. 1.
Those deficits were also inflated by calendar-related benefit shifts as well as higher receipts in October and November of 2023 due to the expiration of tax payment deferrals tied to California wildfires and other weather-related disasters that year.
Year-to-date receipts as reported were down 7% from a year earlier to $629 billion, while year-to-date outlays were up 18% to $1.253 trillion.
The outlays for the first two months of the fiscal year included a $4 billion, or 30%, increase in Department of Homeland Security spending to $19 billion, largely reflecting Federal Emergency Management Agency spending related to recent hurricanes.
But the Treasury’s interest cost on public debt for the fiscal year’s first two months was flat at $169 billion, despite a $7 billion increase for November.
(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Paul Simao)
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 11, 2024) – Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) (“Emperor“) is pleased to share additional results from its 2024 drilling program. The program consisted of 8,166 meters of drilling across 19 new drill holes, and approximately 8,000 meters of historical core assaying. To date, 50% of the new drilling assays have been reported, but only 25% of the total assays for the 2024 season (combined 2024 drilling and historical core resampling).
CEO John Florek commented: “The drilling results continue to impress and suggest continued growth potential for the deposit, especially eastward along the strike of the conceptual open pit. Results are revealing underexplored near-surface opportunities within a historical “data gap” east of the deposit where consistent, lower-grade bulk tonnage intervals will be key for lowering costs and reducing stripping ratios in an open-pit scenario and vital for adding incremental ounces to our upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) in Q1 of 2025.
Highlights:
DQ24-04 intersects 17.0 meters (m) of 0.5 g/t gold (Au) which expands on the low-grade bulk tonnage in the Conceptual Open Pit.
DQ24-05 intersected 2.5 m of 10.27 g/t Au beneath Nip Zone (1.1 km from Conceptual Open Pit), enhancing and expanding this high-grade potential where previous historical results had intersected 2.5 m of 51.9 g/t Au and 16.0 m of 6.1 g/t Au.
DQ24-08 intersects 21.5 m of 0.6 g/t Au (within 55.2 m of 0.3 g/t Au), 800 m east and along strike of the open pit concept (see Figure 1); in an area previously lacking drilling.
Full results for DQ24-04 to DQ24-09 have been released from SGS Laboratories (see Table 1 intercept highlights). These results continue to identify significant potential for resource expansion within and along strike of the open pit concept through previously unidentified low grade bulk tonnage zones. Emperor is targeting a multi-million-ounce resource in a combination of conceptual open pit and underground mining scenarios. The Property hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au.1,2 Emperor is committed to delivering a new Mineral Resource Estimate in Q1 of 2025.
The 2024 drilling continues to validate low-grade bulk-tonnage and high-grade mineralization. The results of three strategies are reported in this Press Release.
Continue to add incremental ounces to the Conceptual Open Pit (DQ24-04);
Explore the potential to coalesce the Conceptual Satellite Pits east of the Deposit; and.
Expand the High-Grade Nip Zone (DQ24-05).
Emperor was pleased to see Drillhole DQ24-05 intersecting 2.5 m of 10.27 g/t Au associated with a breccia zone within the mafic volcanic rocks. This is beneath the Nip Zone that carries impressive historical intercepts of 2.5 m of 51.9 g/t Au and 16.0 m of 6.1 g/t Au, demonstrating the expansion capabilities of this zone and the robust, well-endowed mineralization along its 2.8 km strike length to date.
Drill holes DQ24-5 to DQ24-9 were designed to explore the eastern extension along the strike of the current open-pit model. Mineralization is hosted within and adjacent to previously unsampled Quartz Feldspar Porphyries. These zones, which were previously overlooked, continue to potentially increase future inferred ounces. Additional drilling is necessary to fully define its geological extent and mineralized boundaries (Figure 1).
Particularly impressive was DQ24-08, which intersected 21.5 meters of 0.6 g/t gold, within a broader interval of 55.2 m of 0.3 g/t Au. This occurs within a zone of interlayered mafic volcanic and quartz-feldspar porphyries in an area that may increase resources with additional drilling.
These findings are expected to significantly contribute to the upcoming mineral resource estimate. A total of 25% of the assays for the 2024 season has been reported so far. By focusing on near-surface drilling for open-pit mining, Emperor aims to economically expand its resource base at lower grades compared to underground mining by targeting near-surface drilling.
Deposits in the region with currently active open pits have been economic at grades equal 0.30 g/t Au (see Agnico Eagles press release dated Feb 15, 2024 – Detour Lake Deposit cut-off grade, pg. 52.)
Emperor plans to deliver mineral resource update scheduled for Q1 of 2025.
Strategic Plan
The 2024 drilling campaign at Emperor’s Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec continues to identify extensive low-grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the previously known high grade areas. These latest results further solidify the project’s immense potential and underscore the company’s commitment to unlocking substantial value for its shareholders.
The 2024 season leverages advanced exploration techniques to test several scenarios to add ounces and/or expand the footprint:
Explore Lower Grade Discoveries: Target additional discoveries within the host rock containing high-grade gold lenses, focusing on the conceptual open-pit model.
Increase the Thickness of the High-Grade Lenses: Incorporate previously unaccounted lower-grade gold from the margins of high-grade lenses to enhance their overall thickness.
Expand Mineralized Zones: Extend the lateral footprint of mineralized zones along strike and dip.
Discover New Zones: Explore potential new zones not yet included in the Conceptual Open Pit Model, with a particular focus on eastward expansion.
These latest results continue to build on the strong momentum generated by last year’s drilling program and confirm the presences of extensive low grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the known high-grade regions.
Table 1 – Intercept Highlights- Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%.
Hole No.
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-041
43.8
44.8
1
0.46
44.8
45.8
1
0.4
45.8
47
1.2
0.13
47
48
1
0.16
Wt. Avg.
4.2
0.3
DQ24-041
117
118
1
2.75
118
119
1
0.28
119
120
1
0.6
120
121
1
0.58
121
122
1
0.43
122
123
1
0.14
123
124
1
0.15
124
125
1
0.84
125
126
1
0.05
126
127
1
0.18
127
128
1
0.41
128
129
1
0.1
129
130
1
0.17
130
131
1
0.12
131
132
1
0.54
132
133
1
0.46
133
134
1
1.04
Wt. Avg.
17
0.5
Including: (117-125m)
8
0.72
DQ24-051
222.4
223.4
1
0.23
223.4
224.4
1
0.87
224.4
225.7
1.3
0.43
Wt. Avg.
3.3
0.5
DQ24-051
300.5
301.5
1
0.17
301.5
302.5
1
0.42
302.5
303.5
1
0.36
303.5
304.5
1
0.34
304.5
306
1.5
0.29
Wt. Avg.
5.5
0.3
DQ24-051
436.6
439.1
2.5
10.27
Wt. Avg.
2.5
10.27
DQ24-061
137.8
139.5
1.7
0.37
139.5
141.2
1.7
0.34
Wt. Avg.
3.4
0.4
DQ24-061
309.7
310.7
1
0.21
310.7
311.7
1
0.59
311.7
312.7
1
0.65
Wt. Avg.
3
0.5
DQ24-061
413.3
415.8
2.5
1.5
Wt. Avg.
2.5
1.5
DQ24-071
4.5
6.3
1.8
0.18
6.3
7.3
1
0.16
7.3
8.3
1
0.22
8.3
9.3
1
0.12
9.3
10.3
1
0.11
10.3
11.6
1.3
0.08
11.6
12.6
1
0.09
12.6
13.6
1
0.12
13.6
14.6
1
0.22
14.6
15.6
1
0.2
15.6
16.6
1
0.19
16.6
17.6
1
0.17
17.6
18.6
1
0.28
18.6
19.6
1
0.35
Wt. Avg.
15.1
0.2
DQ24-081
38.4
39.4
1
0.31
39.4
40.4
1
0.33
40.4
41.9
1.5
0.19
41.9
43.2
1.3
0.38
43.2
45.7
2.5
0.28
Wt. Avg.
7.3
0.3
DQ24-081
63.7
64.7
1
0.35
64.7
65.7
1
0.54
65.7
66.7
1
0.72
66.7
67.7
1
0.85
67.7
68.7
1
0.02
Note2
68.7
69.7
1
0.005
Note2
69.7
70.7
1
0.005
Note2
70.7
71.7
1
0.005
71.7
72.7
1
0.02
72.7
74.2
1.5
0.09
74.2
75.4
1.2
0.66
75.4
76.5
1.1
1.22
76.5
78.6
2.1
0.09
78.6
80.1
1.5
1.68
80.1
81.6
1.5
0.25
81.6
82.6
1
0.77
82.6
83.6
1
1.96
83.6
85.2
1.6
0.86
85.2
87.7
2.5
0.06
87.7
90
2.3
0.15
Note2
90
92.5
2.5
0.005
92.5
95
2.5
0.03
Note2
95
97.5
2.5
0.005
97.5
100
2.5
0.02
Note2
100
101.8
1.8
0.005
Note2
101.8
103.6
1.8
0.005
103.6
105.2
1.6
0.08
105.2
107.7
2.5
0.67
107.7
110.2
2.5
0.22
110.2
112.7
2.5
0.47
112.7
114.3
1.6
0.34
114.3
115.9
1.6
0.16
115.9
116.9
1
0.21
116.9
117.9
1
0.02
117.9
118.9
1
0.29
Wt. Avg.
55.2
0.3
Including: (63.7-85.2m)
21.5
0.6
Including: (74.2-85.2m)
11
0.85
DQ24-081
148
149
1
0.16
149
150
1
0.4
150
151
1
0.24
151
152
1
0.14
152
153
1
0.06
153
154.15
1.15
0.08
154.15
155.65
1.5
0.89
155.65
157.1
1.45
0.25
157.1
158.7
1.6
0.02
158.7
160.35
1.65
0.23
Wt. Avg.
12.35
0.3
DQ24-091
5.5
6.5
1
0.28
6.5
7.5
1
0.61
7.5
8.5
1
0.11
8.5
9.5
1
0.11
Wt. Avg.
4
0.3
DQ24-091
335.5
338
2.5
0.34
338
340.5
2.5
0.13
340.5
343
2.5
0.11
343
344.3
1.3
0.07
344.3
345.7
1.4
0.76
Wt. Avg.
10.2
0.3
DQ24-091
353.2
355.7
2.5
0.17
355.7
358.2
2.5
0.19
358.2
360.7
2.5
0.18
360.7
363.2
2.5
0.65
Wt. Avg.
10
0.3
1Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%
2Value reported below detection limit of <0.01. Value was numerically halved to assign a real number.
Quality Assurance and Control
The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) was conducted by Technominex, a geological contractor hired by Emperor Metals, which adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted at its facility in Rouyn Noranda, Quebec. The QA/QC procedures are overseen by a Qualified Person on site.
Emperor Metals QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks and lab duplicates within the sample stream totaling approximately one QA/QC sample per 7 samples. Drill core is cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags with appropriate tags and shipped to the SGS Sudbury laboratory and the other half retained on site in the original core box. A dispatch list consists of 88 or 176 samples along with their corresponding QA/QC samples for a single batch. This allows complete batches (88 samples) for fire assay. A file for sample tracking records tags used and weights of sample bags shipped to the SGS Lakefield. Shipment is done by Manitoulin Transport and coordination by Technominex staff in Rouyn-Noranda
The third-party laboratory, SGS prep laboratory in Sudbury Ontario, processes the shipment of samples using standard sample preparation (code PRP91) and produces pulps from the specified samples. The pulps are then sent off to SGS Burnaby for analysis. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility all the way to analysis at the SGS Burnaby B.C. laboratory.
Analytical testing is performed by SGS laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia. The entire sample is crushed to 75% passing 2mm, with a split of 500g pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are then analyzed using Au – ore grade 50g Fire Assay, ICP-AES with reporting limits of 0.01 -100 part per million (ppm). High grade gold analysis based on the presence of visible gold or a fire assay result exceeding 100 ppm, are analyzed by Au – metallic screening, 1kg screened to 106μm, 50g fire assay, gravimetric, AAS or ICP-AES of entire plus fraction and duplicate analysis of minus fraction. Reporting limit 0.01ppm.
About the Duquesne West Gold Project
The Duquesne West Gold Property is located 32 km northwest of the city of Rouyn-Noranda and 10 km east of the town of Duparquet, Quebec, Canada. The property lies within the historic Duparquet gold mining camp in the southern portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Superior Province.
Under an Option Agreement, Emperor agreed to acquire a 100% interest in a mineral claim package comprising 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 ha, located in the Duparquet Township of Quebec (the “Duquesne West Property”) from Duparquet Assets Ltd., a 50% owned subsidiary of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (TSX: GMX). For further information on the Duquesne West Property and Option Agreement, see Emperor’s press release dated Oct. 12, 2022, available on SEDAR.
The Property hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au.1,2 The mineral resource estimate predates modern Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM) guidelines and a Qualified Person on behalf of Emperor has not reviewed or verified the mineral resource estimate, therefore it is considered historical in nature and is reported solely to provide an indication of the magnitude of mineralization that could be present on the property. The gold system remains open for resource identification and expansion.
A reinterpretation of the existing geological model was created using AI and Machine Learning. This model shows the opportunity for additional discovery of ounces by revealing gold trends unknown to previous workers and the potential to expand the resource along significant gold- endowed structural zones.
Multiple scenarios exist to expand additional resources which include:
Underground High-Grade Gold.
Open Pit Bulk Tonnage Gold.
Underground Bulk Tonnage Gold.
1 Watts, Griffis, and McOuat Consulting Geologists and Engineers, Oct. 20, 2011, Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Duquesne-Ottoman Property, Quebec, Canada, for XMet Inc.
2 Power-Fardy and Breede, 2011. The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) constructed in 2011 is considered historical in nature as it was constructed prior to the most recent CIM standards (2014) and guidelines (2019) for mineral resources. In addition, the economic factors used to demonstrate reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction for the MRE have changed since 2011. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to consider the MRE as a current MRE. Emperor is not treating the historical MRE as a current mineral resource. The reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource.
QP Disclosure
The technical content for the Duquesne West Project in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person pursuant to CIM guidelines.
About Emperor Metals Inc.
Emperor Metals Inc. is an innovative Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing high-quality gold properties situated in the Canadian Shield. For more information, please refer to SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company’s profile.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
s/ “John Florek”
John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol President, CEO and Director Emperor Metals Inc.
Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the company and there is no assurance that the actual results will meet management’s expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as “anticipates,” “believes,” “targets,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “could” or “would.”
Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2024 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce drill results from the 2024 drill campaign on at its wholly owned Carmacks copper-gold-silver project located in central Yukon, Canada. As previously mentioned, the Company identified a new zone within the Carmacks project called the Gap Zone (see news release dated October 3, 2024), located between existing high-grade, pit-constrained resources. The exploratory drill program intercepted copper mineralization in all four drill holes, laying the foundation for a follow-up resource definition and expansion drilling campaign. See below for selected drill results.
Table 1 – Selected Assay Results
Drillhole
From(m)
To(m)
Length*(m)
Cu(%)
Au(g/t)
Ag(g/t)
CRM24-026
172.21
180.15
7.94
0.13
0.017
0.7
CRM24-027
250.00
253.70
3.70
0.94
0.124
5.8
and
258.50
279.75
21.25
0.53
0.072
3.3
Including
261.30
270.30
9.00
0.70
0.090
4.4
CRM24-028
255.04
269.99
14.95
0.40
0.037
2.7
CRM24-029
247.00
261.85
14.85
0.51
0.059
3.4
Including
254.60
259.00
4.40
0.77
0.093
6.5
Figure 1 – Gap Zone plan view showing drill locations and traces
The Gap Zone lies between the proposed 147 and 2000S pits and was first identified by a 2022 geophysical IP survey (see news release dated November 21, 2022). Likely representing a fault offset from the main 147 Zone, the Gap Zone has the potential to add significant tonnage and extend the mine life envisioned by the 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (see news release dated January 19, 2023)
Granite Creek President and CEO, Timothy Johnson, stated, “The success of this drill program highlights the continued prospectivity of the Carmacks project. There remain multiple untested drill targets on the project, both proximal to the proposed pits as outlined int the 2023 PEA, as well as distal areas and across the northern sector which has seen only modest exploration. The project hosts significant copper-gold-silver resources and has the potential for major expansion across the 177 square kilometre land package in this top mining jurisdiction.”
Carmacks Deposit
The 177 sq km, Carmacks project contains over 824 Mlbs Measured and Indicated and 29 Mlbs Inferred copper equivalent (“CuEq”) metal within a National Instrument 43-101-compliant, high-grade resource of 36.2 million tonnes grading 1.07 % CuEq (0.81% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.41 Ag)1. The road accessible project is located along the Freegold Road, a Resource Gateway Road currently being upgraded by the Yukon government and is within 20 km of the Yukon electrical grid. The project is also situated within the Minto Copper Belt, a roughly 80 km long belt of rocks known for high grade occurrences of copper-gold-silver mineralisation.
The 2023 Carmacks Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”), completed by SGS Canada, identified increased resources along with improved recovery as prime means of increasing the Net Present Value (“NPV”) of the project. Work completed this year by Kemetco Research (see news release dated January 17, 2024) demonstrated that recoveries exceeding the target outlined in the PEA can be achieved. The just completed drill program was designed to show that significant resource expansion is possible and specifically targeted areas that could lead to an expanded mine life as envisioned by the PEA.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek Copper is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America and more recently on geologic hydrogen. The Company’s projects consist of its flagship 177 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory on trend with the formerly operating, high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM project, both located in central British Columbia. Recent acquisitions include the Union Bay geologic hydrogen project as well as entering into a letter of intent to acquire the Duke Island ultramafic project for it’s geologic hydrogen potential, both projects located in the state of Alaska. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Timothy Johnson, President & CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com Website: www.gcxcopper.com
Qualified Person
Debbie James P.Geo, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and supervised the 2024 drilling program. She is not independent of the Company because she has received employment income from the Company and holds stock in the Company.
1Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual constraining pit shell that includes the following input parameters: Metal prices of $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo and pit slope angles that vary from 35° for overburden to 55°for granodiorite host, metal prices are in US$. Metallurgical recoveries reflective of prior test work that averages: 85% Cu, 85% Au, 65% Ag in the oxide domain and 90% Cu, 76% Au, 65% Ag in the sulphide domain. Mo recovery is assumed to be 70% in both oxide and sulphide domain. Totals and Metal content may not sum due to rounding and significant digits used in calculations. Cu Eq calculation is based on 100% recovery of all metals using the same metal prices used in the resource calculation: $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding expected use of proceeds from the private placement and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
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.
An aerial view shows an oil factory of Idemitsu Kosan Co. in Ichihara · Reuters
By Katya Golubkova
TOKYO (Reuters) – Oil prices eased only slightly on Tuesday, holding on to most of their gains from the prior session as mounting geopolitical risk after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and China’s vow to ramp up policy stimulus kept a floor under prices.
Brent crude futures were down 13 cents, or about 0.2%, at $72.01 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 14 cents, also 0.2% lower, at $68.23 at 0151 GMT. Both climbed more than 1% on Monday.
“Rising geopolitical tension in the Middle East following the collapse of the Syrian government has added a little risk premium to crude oil prices,” ANZ Research said in a note.
While Syria itself is not a major oil producer, it is strategically located and has strong ties with Russia and Iran, and a regime change could raise regional instability.
Ousted Syrian President Assad’s prime minister said he had agreed on Monday to hand power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, a day after the rebels seized the capital Damascus and Assad fled to Russia.
The imminent power transfer follows 13 years of civil war and the end to over 50 years of brutal rule by the Assad family.
Oil prices also got a boost in the previous session from reports that China will adopt an “appropriately loose” monetary policy next year, the first easing of its stance in some 14 years, to spur economic growth in the world’s top oil importer.
While a drop in China’s consumer inflation to a five-month low in November dragged on investor sentiment, analysts expect crude oil prices to benefit going forward from China’s fiscal stimulus.
“I think this morning’s weakness will prove to be a good buying opportunity, looking for crude oil to move towards the top of its recent range $72.50ish,” Tony Sycamore, analyst at IG, said by email.
The markets are expecting China trade data for November on Tuesday and a report from the American Petroleum Institute (API) industry group later in the day showing U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles last week.
A preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday that U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have fallen last week while distillate inventories likely rose. Data from the Energy Information Administration is due on Wednesday.
Also in the U.S., oilfield service companies ramped up hiring in November, adding 1,890 jobs in the sector, according to data from trade group Energy Workforce & Technology Council, in an indication of more drilling and higher oil production.
(Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 9, 2024) – Riverside Resources Inc.(TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY) (“Riverside” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce it has signed an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Taft Project (“Project”). The Project covers a total area of 3,000 hectares (30 km2) and is located in the highly prospective Revelstoke Carbonatite Belt region of British Columbia for Rare Earth Elements (REE) and gold mineralization. This transaction aligns with Riverside’s strategy of targeting high-value mineral assets in favorable jurisdictions and taking advantage of government support led by technical quality as a focus. Critical metals, such as rare earth elements (REE), are essential for national security and economic prosperity and Riverside is actively strengthening its position by acquiring and staking high-potential critical metals projects. The Company plans to begin a field program on the Project immediately.
“Riverside Resources has a long history of identifying and acquiring high-potential mineral assets in stable jurisdictions, and the Taft Project is another excellent example of this approach,” stated John-Mark Staude, President and CEO of Riverside Resources. “As the demand for critical minerals continues to grow, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies, projects like Taft play an essential role in securing North America’s access to these vital resources.”
“With governments increasingly emphasizing the importance of developing domestic supply chains for critical minerals, including recent initiatives by the United States and Canada to support exploration and production, Riverside is proud to contribute to this strategic imperative. By acquiring and investing in projects like Taft, we are not only enhancing our portfolio but also progressing the global transition to cleaner energy and more resilient supply networks.”
Project Option Terms:
As per the Agreement, Riverside can earn a 100% interest in the Taft Project by making staged cash payments totaling CAD $125,000 over five years, as detailed below:
a) $15,000 upon signing of the Agreement; (paid) b) $15,000 on or before the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date; c) $20,000 on or before the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date; d) $20,000 on or before the 3rd anniversary of the Effective Date; e) $25,000 on or before the 4th anniversary of the Effective Date; and f) $30,000 on or before the final anniversary of the Effective Date.
Additionally, Riverside will commit to a minimum of $320,000 in exploration expenditures over the same period, as detailed below:
a) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date; b) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date; c) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 3rd anniversary of the Effective Date; d) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 4th anniversary of the Effective Date; and e) $ 80,000.00 on or before the final anniversary of the Effective Date.
This transaction involves no royalties, aligning with Riverside’s ongoing commitment to maintaining royalty-free projects. Consistent with its business model over the past 15+ years, Riverside creates royalties only when optioning or selling projects to third parties in future business transactions.
Exploration Plans
The exploration program will begin with stream geochemistry studies initiated this summer, followed by soil and rock geochemical prospecting. Fieldwork will include geological mapping and reconnaissance traverses, building on earlier government studies and prior prospector reports. The focus is to delineate the Rare Earth Element potential associated with carbonatite intrusions, which are key mineralization targets for both the property and the company within this belt. Additionally, the program will investigate gold anomalies identified in initial surveys, building on previous exploration efforts in the area. Riverside’s planned investments include geological mapping, sampling, and targeted drilling to further define the resource potential of the project.
About the Taft Project
The Taft Project presents a high-potential opportunity to discover critical mineral resources essential to the increasing demand for renewable energy, technology, and advanced materials. Its favorable geological setting and strategic location within a supportive jurisdiction highlight its importance in Riverside’s portfolio. Geological mapping of the REE-rich terrane has identified promising areas along the belt, supported by favorable geochemistry and indicator minerals. Current sampling and exploration efforts, in collaboration with local prospectors, aim to refine targets through access, sampling, and mapping. These activities are paving the way for a focused exploration program in 2025, targeting both REE and gold zones.
Figure 1: Location map and mineral concession map with tenure under option in red and Riverside 100% owned tenure in yellow.
The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources who is responsible for ensuring that the information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a “qualified person” under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
About Riverside Resources Inc.:
Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has over $5M in cash, no debt and less than 75M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets and royalties in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside’s own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has properties available for option, with information available on the Company’s website at www.rivres.com.
ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.
“John-Mark Staude”
Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO
For additional information contact:
John-Mark Staude President, CEO Riverside Resources Inc. info@rivres.com Phone: (778) 327-6671 Fax: (778) 327-6675 Web: www.rivres.com
Eric Negraeff Investor Relations Riverside Resources Inc. Phone: (778) 327-6671 TF: (877) RIV-RES1 Web: www.rivres.com
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., “expect”,” estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”). Such information involves known and unknown risks — including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
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.
Kelowna, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 3, 2024) – Strathmore Plus Uranium Corporation (TSXV: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) (FSE: TO3) (“Strathmore” or “the Company“) is pleased to announce that the Company drilled two newly identified uranium roll fronts on the Beaver Rim project. Four drill holes were completed, including the discovery of the two mineralized zones on the South Sage claim group. The intercepts included 7.5 feet grading 0.042% eU3O8 from 1,119-1,126.5 feet (hole BR-03-24) and 4.5 feet grading 0.024% eU3O8 from 1,090-1,094.5 feet (hole BR-01-24).
The Beaver Rim areas drilled lie 1 to 3 miles south of Cameco’s fully permitted in-situ recovery Gas Hills project. The goals of the drilling program were to determine the validity of our geologic model for Beaver Rim and that it’s a legitimate uranium exploration target. This included:
Finding out if the arkosic-rich sediments beneath Beaver Rim correlate to the uranium bearing sediments to the north in the adjacent Gas Hills mining district?
Did these sediments act as the geologic passageway for uranium transport from the south through the project area towards Gas Hills?
Are these sediments suitable for uranium deposition and was there any uranium mineralization discovered in the Beaver Rim sediments?
With completion of the initial phase of drilling, Strathmore believes we have answered “Yes” to each of the questions regarding the geologic model, by having encountered uranium mineralization on the Beaver Rim project. The targeted host sandstone, the Puddle Springs Arkose member of the Eocene Wind River Formation was tested with the drilling. Results of the drilling show that the Puddle Springs is a very clean quartzite and feldspar-rich coarse sandstone and lesser mudstones. The member varied in thickness from 130-170 feet. Mineralization above grade cutoff (0.015% eU3O8) was encountered in two holes (BR-01-24, BR-03-24) in two separate sandstone intervals. A third hole, BR-02-24, showed above background gamma levels in three distinct sand intervals with notable alteration of the granitic sandstones in all holes drilled.
Based on these results, Strathmore believes the Beaver Rim area is a viable uranium exploration target. The Company plans to continue exploration of the project in 2025, including on the Diamond claim group to the west where previous drilling by Strathmore Minerals in 2012 encountered stacked roll front mineralization.
Hole ID
Latitude
Longitude
Collar (Ft)
From (Ft)
To (Ft)
Thickness (Ft)
Grade %
BR-01-24
42.72470
-107.51230
7,118
1,090.0
1,094.5
4.5
0.028
BR-02-24
42.72918
-107.51454
7,178
Below cutoff
BR-03-24
42.72495
-107.51283
7,126
1,119.0
1,126.5
7.5
0.042
1,137.0
1,139.5
2.5
0.028
BR-04-24
42.76613
-107.50053
7,403
Below cutoff
Note: The tabled geophysical results are based on equivalent uranium (eU3O8) of the gamma-ray probes calibrated at the Department of Energy’s Test Facility in Casper, Wyoming. A series E Century Geophysical logging tool with gamma-ray, spontaneous potential, resistivity, and drift detectors was utilized in the logging. The reader is cautioned that the reported uranium grades may not reflect actual uranium concentrations due to the potential for disequilibrium between uranium and its gamma emitting daughter products. Further analysis on radiometric equilibrium will be conducted by Strathmore in the future.
Beaver Rim Technical Report The Company has refiled to Sedar a technical report for the Beaver Rim project titled Technical Report on the Gas Hills-Beaver Rim Uranium Exploration Project, Fremont and Natrona Counties, Wyoming, USA. The report was authored by Mark B. Mathisen, C.P.G., of SLR International Corporation, and dated May 31, 2022. The report was required for Company regulatory purposes and inadvertently misfiled at the time in 2022. The report is available at www.sedarplus.ca. An updated report is planned upon completion of the autumn exploration program at the Beaver Rim project.
About the Beaver Rim Project The Gas Hills uranium district is the largest uranium district in the State of Wyoming; with more than 100 million pounds of uranium being mined between 1954 to1988 when production ceased due to declining prices. Historical and recent reports suggest 50 to100 million pounds of uranium may exist in the Gas Hills district. The Beaver Rim project consists of 265 wholly owned mining claims totaling 5,475 acres. The project area was previously explored by American Nuclear in the 1970s, Cameco between1990 to early 2000’s, and most recently by Strathmore Minerals in 2012, where uranium mineralization was encountered at depths of 700-1,000 feet, contained in stacked, Wyoming-type roll front deposits within arkosic-rich sandstones of the Eocene-age Wind River Formation.
The Beaver Rim project lies immediately south and adjacent to Cameco’s fully permitted Gas Hills in-situ recovery project. Cameco reported for their Gas Hills project indicated and inferred mineral resources of 13.3 million and 6 million pounds of uranium, at 0.14% and 0.08% eU3O8 respectively (reported Dec. 31, 2023). Additional, historically defined resources controlled by Cameco are noted to trend from their Property south beneath the Beaver Rim claims including the West Diamond, East Diamond, North Sage, and South Sage properties. Strathmore is reviewing the greater Beaver Rim area and past exploration as part of its intent to acquire additional properties with the potential to contain uranium mineralization.
About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore has three permitted uranium projects in Wyoming: Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium mineralization in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical and recent drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s.
Cautionary Statement: “Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.”
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes “forward-looking information,” within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur”, “be achieved” or “has the potential to”. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
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 reviewed on behalf of the company by Terrence Osier, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp., a Qualified Person.
Kelowna, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 3, 2024) – F3 Uranium Corp. (TSV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) (“F3” or “the Company“) is pleased to announce rush assay results for drillhole PLN24-176 (see NR September 10, 2024) of the ongoing 2024 drill program on the PLN Property which returned 7.5m of 30.9% U3O8, including an ultra-high grade core with 4.5m of 50.1% U3O8.
Sam Hartmann, Vice President Exploration, commented:
“PLN24-176 represents the best hole drilled to date at the JR Zone in terms of grade thickness, including a true width assay interval of 4.5m of 50.1% U3O8, starting at a shallow vertical depth of only 190m below surface. This drillhole was collared approximately 14m up-dip of PLN24-137 which returned 15.0m of 3.2% U3O8, including a high grade 2.5m interval averaging 18.6% U3O8 (See NR July 30, 2024). These results from PLN24-176 emphasize the need for tightly spaced drilling in these high grade basement hosted structurally controlled uranium deposits, which can often result in opening up additional targeting areas for high grade mineralization; in this case in the up-dip direction.”
JR Zone Assay Highlight:
PLN24-176 (line 035S):
7.5m @ 30.9% U3O8 (196.0m to 203.5), including:
5.5m @ 42.2% U3O8 (197.0m to 202.5m), further including:
4.5m @ 50.1% U3O8 (197.5m to 202.0m)
Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Uranium Assay Results
Assay composite parameters: 1. Minimum Thickness of 0.5 m 2. Assay Grade Cut-Off: 0.05% U3O8 (weight %) 3. Maximum Internal Dilution: 2.0 m
Composited weight % U3O8 mineralized intervals are summarized in Table 1. Samples from the drill core are split in 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 thickness are yet to be determined.
The Company’s 4,078-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North property (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Fission Uranium’s Triple R and NexGen Energy’s Arrow high-grade world class uranium deposits which is poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. PLN is accessed by Provincial Highway 955, which transects the property, and the new JR Zone uranium discovery is located 23km northwest of Fission Uranium’s Triple R deposit.
Qualified Person:
The technical information in this news release has been prepare 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 advancing its newly discovered high-grade JR Zone and exploring for additional mineralized zones on its 100%-owned Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the southwest Athabasca Basin. PLN is accessed by Provincial Highway 955, which transects the property, and the new JR Zone discovery is located ~25km northwest of Fission Uranium’s Triple R and NexGen Energy’s Arrow high-grade uranium deposits. This area is poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN project is comprised of the PLN, Minto and Broach properties.
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 the 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
For most commentators, a “stable price level” is the key for economic stability. For instance, let us say that there is a relative increase in consumer demand for potatoes versus tomatoes. This relative increase is depicted, all things being equal, by the relative increase in the price of potatoes. To be successful, businesses must pay attention to consumer demand. Failing to do so is likely to lead to losses. Hence, by paying attention to relative changes in prices, producers are likely to increase the production of potatoes versus tomatoes.
According to many economists, if the “price level” is not “stable,” then the visibility of the relative price changes becomes blurred and, consequently, businesses cannot ascertain the relative changes in the demand for goods and services and make correct production decisions. This leads to a misallocation of resources and to the weakening of economic fundamentals. Thinking this way, unstable changes in the price level obscure a business person’s ability to ascertain changes in the relative prices of goods and services. Thus, businesses find it difficult to recognize a change in relative prices when the price level is unstable.
Given such presuppositions, it is not surprising that the mandate of the central bank is to pursue policies that will allegedly bring “price stability” (i.e., a stable price level). By means of various quantitative methods, the Fed’s economists have established that policymakers should aim at keeping the yearly growth rate of prices of goods and services at two percent. Any significant deviation from this figure supposedly constitutes deviation from stable growth.
The Assumption of Money Neutrality & “Price Stability”
At the root of price stabilization policies is a view that money is neutral, that is, changes in the money supply only have an effect on the price level while having no effect on the relative prices. For instance, if one apple exchanges for two potatoes then the price of an apple is two potatoes or the price of one potato is half an apple. Now, if one apple exchanges for one dollar, then the price of a potato is $0.50. Note that the introduction of money does not alter the fact that the relative price of potatoes versus apples is 2:1 (two-to-one). Thus, a seller of an apple will get one dollar for it, which, in turn, will enable him to purchase two potatoes.
Let us assume that the stock of money has doubled and, as a result, the purchasing power of money has halved, or the price level has doubled. This means that now one apple can be exchanged for two dollars while one potato for one dollar. Despite the doubling in prices, a seller of an apple with the obtained two dollars can still purchase two potatoes. Assuming money neutrality, an increase in the quantity of money leads to a proportionate increase in prices. Conversely, a fall in the quantity of money results in a proportionate decline in the prices. Why is this way of thinking problematic?
Money is Not Neutral
When new money is injected, there are always first recipients of the newly-injected money who benefit from this injection. The first recipients, with more money at their disposal, can now acquire a greater amount of goods while the prices of these goods are still unchanged. As money starts to move through the economy, the prices of goods begin to rise, unevenly and disproportionately. Consequently, late receivers of the inflated money realize costs from the monetary injections and may even find that most prices have risen so much that they can now afford fewer goods.
Artificial increases in money supply generate a redistribution of wealth from later recipients, or non-recipients of money, to the earlier recipients. Obviously, this shift in wealth alters individuals’ demands for goods and services and, in turn, further alters the relative prices of goods and services. Inflationary increases in money supply set in motion new dynamics that give rise to changes in demands for goods and services and to changes in their relative prices. Hence, increases in money supply cannot be neutral.
Again, a change in relative demands here is on account of wealth diversion from the latest recipients of money to the earlier recipients. This change in relative demands cannot be sustained without ongoing increases in the money supply. Once the growth rate of the money supply slows down or ceases altogether, various activities that emerged on the back of this inflationary increase in the money supply come under pressure. It follows, then, that an artificial increase in the money supply gives rise to changes in relative prices, which sets in motion an unsustainable structure of production.
Hence, the Fed’s monetary policy—which aims at stabilizing the price level—necessarily involves growth in the money supply. Since inflationary changes in the money supply are not neutral, this means that the central bank policy amounts to tampering with relative prices, which leads to the disruption of the efficient allocation of resources.
While increases in money supply are likely to be revealed in general price increases, this is not always the case. Prices are determined by real and monetary factors. Consequently, it can occur if the real factors are pulling things in an opposite direction to monetary factors. In such a case, a visible change in prices may not take place. While money growth is buoyant, prices might display moderate increases. If we were to pay attention to changes in the price level and disregard increases in the money supply, we would reach misleading conclusions regarding the state of the economy. On this, Rothbard wrote,
The fact that general prices were more or less stable during the 1920s told most economists that there was no inflationary threat, and therefore the events of the great depression caught them completely unaware.
There is No “Price Level”
The whole idea of the general purchasing power of money and, therefore, the “price level” cannot even be established conceptually. When one dollar is exchanged for the one loaf of bread, we can say that the purchasing power of the one dollar is the one loaf of bread. If one dollar is exchanged for two tomatoes, then this also means that the purchasing power of the one dollar is two tomatoes. Such information regarding the specific purchasing power of money at that moment in time does not, however, allow the establishment of the general, total purchasing power of money. It is not possible to ascertain the total purchasing power of money because we cannot meaningfully add up two tomatoes to the one loaf of bread. We can only establish the purchasing power of money with respect to a particular good in a transaction at a given point in time and at a given place. According to Rothbard,
Since the general exchange-value, or PPM (purchasing power of money), of money cannot be quantitatively defined and isolated in any historical situation, and its changes cannot be defined or measured, it is obvious that it cannot be kept stable. If we do not know what something is, we cannot very well act to keep it constant.
Conclusion
For most commentators, the key to healthy economic fundamentals is “price stability.” A “stable price level,” it is held, leads to the efficient use of the economy’s scarce resources and hence results in better economic fundamentals. It is not surprising that the mandate of the Federal Reserve is to pursue policies that will supposedly generate price stability. Through monetary policies (inflation) that aim at stabilizing the price level, the Fed actually undermines economic fundamentals. An ever-growing interference of the central bank with the working of markets moves the US economy towards the growth path of persistent economic impoverishment and drastically lower living standards.
On the contrary, what is required is not a policy of dubious “price stability,” but rather allowing free price fluctuations and maintaining sound money. Only in an environment free of central bank tampering can free and voluntary fluctuations in relative prices can take place. This, in turn, permits businesses to abide by consumer instructions.
