Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to deep tide water. The 163 sq. km. project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines.
It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, on-trend, high-grade deposits, such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack. The project also contains the Big Bulk property which is prospective for porphyry and skarn style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region (Red Mountain, KSM, Red Chris).
Total Width of the Main Zone Expands from 300m-350m to 600m-650m
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – June 14, 2022) – Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) (“Goldshore” or the “Company“), is pleased to announce assay results from its ongoing 100,000-meter drill program at the Moss Lake Project in Northwest Ontario, Canada. Drilling is aiming to expand and better define high-grade structural zones within the Moss Lake deposit to improve the overall grade and volume beyond that of the historic mineral resource.
Highlights:
MQD-22-019 at the QES Zone, has upgraded the mineralization within the modeled volume and confirmed the parallel zone of mineralization to the north with best intercepts of:
65.0m @ 1.04 g/t Au from 142.4m depth, including
1.6m @ 6.56 g/t Au from 142.4m and
13.0m @ 2.14 g/t Au from 173.0m
5.5m @ 1.23 g/t Au from 606.1m
A recent evaluation of assay zones parallel to the 2013 resource body has enabled the preliminary modelling of shears that combine to extend the width of mineralization from its previous 300-400 meters to a zone that is 600-650 meters wide.
This work suggests that the Southwest Zone is not a structural offset as previously thought and is instead an extension of the southern parallel zone, compounding additional resource tonnage (in width) and along strike.
Exploration work has begun targeting additional parallel structures to further expand the width of gold mineralization.
President and CEO Brett Richards stated: “As we have demonstrated since the beginning of our drill program, our thesis that Moss Lake is larger (in depth, in width and along strike) is proving to be true. I am also encouraged about the high grade sections we are seeing, as this will provide us with optionality when we model the resource later in the year and start to look at economic pit shells. We see several PEA permutations including: a low tonnage / higher grade starting project (Phase 1); and a larger scale operation on the global resource (Phase 2). Given the current economic climate (high/hyper inflationary economy), a lower CapEx project (Phase 1) then expanding the operation (Phase 2) may well be the best approach to developing Moss Lake, while not losing sight of our Tier One potential. We will make these determinations later in the year, as we evaluate the results from our 100,000m program.”
Technical Overview
Table 1 shows the significant intercepts calculated from recently received drill hole results. Figure 1 shows a cross section through MQD-22-019. Table 2 and Figure 2 show the drill hole locations.
Table 1: Significant downhole gold intercepts
HOLE ID
FROM
TO
LENGTH (m)
TRUE WIDTH (m)
CUT GRADE (g/t Au)
UNCUT GRADE (g/t Au)
MQD-22-019
62.70
64.70
2.00
1.4
0.85
0.85
102.00
120.50
18.50
12.9
0.36
0.36
137.00
227.00
90.00
65.8
0.85
0.85
including
142.40
207.40
65.00
47.5
1.04
1.04
including
142.40
144.00
1.60
1.2
6.56
6.56
and
173.00
186.00
13.00
9.5
2.14
2.14
415.50
419.75
4.25
3.2
0.65
0.65
445.40
448.40
3.00
2.2
0.54
0.54
546.00
554.00
8.00
6.0
0.79
0.79
including
552.00
554.00
2.00
1.5
2.31
2.31
572.15
574.90
2.75
2.1
0.49
0.49
601.00
621.25
20.25
15.5
0.52
0.52
including
606.10
611.60
5.50
4.2
1.23
1.23
667.00
676.00
9.00
7.0
0.45
0.45
722.00
738.00
16.00
12.4
0.32
0.32
MMD-22-026
47.00
59.95
12.95
9.8
0.71
0.71
72.70
79.00
6.30
4.8
0.56
0.56
90.10
94.25
4.15
3.1
0.56
0.56
121.65
155.70
34.05
26.1
0.54
0.54
including
149.00
155.70
6.70
5.1
1.50
1.50
308.55
324.65
16.10
12.7
0.78
0.78
including
312.00
315.00
3.00
2.4
2.25
2.25
403.35
410.80
7.45
5.9
0.36
0.36
566.00
570.00
4.00
3.3
0.38
0.38
MMD-22-029
60.00
83.70
23.70
18.4
0.31
0.31
193.00
230.00
37.00
29.5
0.49
0.49
including
210.00
212.00
2.00
1.6
1.69
1.69
and
225.00
230.00
5.00
4.0
1.71
1.71
250.40
263.85
13.45
10.7
0.32
0.32
276.25
286.00
9.75
7.9
0.74
0.74
298.00
304.00
6.00
4.9
0.31
0.31
309.70
317.70
8.00
6.5
0.42
0.42
344.00
351.00
7.00
5.7
0.33
0.33
594.95
608.00
13.05
10.8
0.34
0.34
Intersections calculated above a 0.3 g/t Au cut off with a top cut of 30 g/t Au and a maximum internal waste interval of 10 metres. italicized intervals are intersections calculated above a 1.0 g/t Au cut off. Intervals in bold are those with a grade thickness factor exceeding 20 gram x metres / tonne gold. True widths are approximate and assume a subvertical body.
Figure 1: Drill section through MQD-22-019 showing mineralized intercepts relative to the 2013 grade model and the new parallel zone to the north
MQD-22-019 was drilled to the west of the high grade holes MQD-22-009 and MQD-22-014 reported on January 28, 2022 and May 5, 2022, respectively. The results of this hole extend the envelope of +1 g/t Au mineralization further to the west in what appears to be a significant zone of high grade mineralization.
The deeper section of the hole confirmed gold mineralization in an anastomosing shear that is becoming a significant parallel zone. Drilling in the coming months will target the near surface extension of this zone, as well as the high-grade portion of the QES Zone.
Holes MMD-22-026 and -029 were drilled to test the patchily mineralized eastern extension of the Main Zone. These holes confirmed the nature of this part of the deposit and added valuable infill data. Structural data collected since the start of the drill program from our oriented core program that is used to correctly orient the structural controls in the deposit has allowed for a more detailed interpretation of the highly foliated zones controlling part of the Moss Lake Main Zone mineralization. These zones are believed to be part of several anastomosing shears encountered over a width of 600-650m.
Pete Flindell, VP Exploration for Goldshore, said, “I am very encouraged by the extent of the parallel zones that we are seeing at both the Main Zone and QES Zone at Moss Lake, as the greater width will reduce the amount of waste in an open pit; thereby improving the economics of the project. Historic scout drilling, previously thought to be unrelated to Moss Lake, suggests that additional parallel zones will be discovered. Furthermore, our understanding of the high grades in the deposit – whereby 29% of the mineralized samples exceed 1 g/t Au; is improving to the point where we will be able to model them separately to ensure that they are accurately represented in the mineral resource update later in the year. This will also enhance the economics by allowing the optimization of a smaller, high-grade starter pit.”
Analytical and QA/QC Procedures
All samples were sent to ALS Geochemistry in Thunder Bay for preparation and analysis was performed in the ALS Vancouver analytical facility. ALS is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for the Accreditation of Mineral Analysis Testing Laboratories and CAN-P-4E ISO/IEC 17025. Samples were analyzed for gold via fire assay with an AA finish (“Au-AA23”) and 48 pathfinder elements via ICP-MS after four-acid digestion (“ME-MS61”). Samples that assayed over 10 ppm Au were re-run via fire assay with a gravimetric finish (“Au-GRA21”).
In addition to ALS quality assurance / quality control (“QA/QC”) protocols, Goldshore has implemented a quality control program for all samples collected through the drilling program. The quality control program was designed by a qualified and independent third party, with a focus on the quality of analytical results for gold. Analytical results are received, imported to our secure on-line database and evaluated to meet our established guidelines to ensure that all sample batches pass industry best practice for analytical quality control. Certified reference materials are considered acceptable if values returned are within three standard deviations of the certified value reported by the manufacture of the material. In addition to the certified reference material, certified blank material is included in the sample stream to monitor contamination during sample preparation. Blank material results are assessed based on the returned gold result being less than ten times the quoted lower detection limit of the analytical method. The results of the on-going analytical quality control program are evaluated and reported to Goldshore by Orix Geoscience Inc.
About Goldshore
Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company, and owns the Moss Lake Gold Project located in Ontario. Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. is currently a strategic shareholder of Goldshore with an approximate 27% equity position in the Company. Well-financed and supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors and advisory board, Goldshore is positioned to advance the Moss Lake Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.
About the Moss Lake Gold Project
The Moss Lake Gold Project is located approximately 100 km west of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It is accessed via Highway 11 which passes within 1 km of the property boundary to the north. The Moss Lake Gold Project covers 14,292 hectares and consists of 282 unpatented and patented mining claims.
Moss Lake hosts a number of gold and base metal rich deposits including the Moss Lake Deposit, the East Coldstream Deposit (Table 3), the historically producing North Coldstream Mine (Table 4), and the Hamlin Zone, all of which occur over a mineralized trend exceeding 20 km in length. A historical preliminary economic assessment was completed on Moss Lake in 2013 and published by Moss Lake Gold1. A historical mineral resource estimate was completed on the East Coldstream Deposit in 2011 by Foundation Resources Inc2,3. In addition to these zones, the Moss Lake Gold Project also hosts a number of under-explored mineral occurrences which are reported to exist both at surface and in historically drilled holes. The Moss Lake Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 2.5 km length and to depths of 300 m with 376 holes completed between 1983 and 2017. The last drilling program conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Wesdome, which consisted of widely spaced holes along the strike extension of the deposit was successful in expanding the mineralized footprint and hydrothermal system 1.6 km to the northeast. Additionally, the deposit remains largely open to depth. In 2017, Wesdome completed an induced polarization survey which traced the potential extensions of pyrite mineralization associated with the Moss Lake Deposit over a total strike length of 8 km and spanning the entire extent of the survey grids.
The East Coldstream Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which locally outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 1.3 km length and to depths of 200 m with 138 holes completed between 1988 and 2017. The deposit remains largely open at depth and may have the potential for expansion along strike. Historic drill hole highlights from the East Coldstream Deposit include 4.86 g/t Au over 27.3 m in C-10-15.
The historically producing North Coldstream Mine is reported to have produced significant amounts of copper, gold and silver4 from mineralization with potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. The exploration potential immediately surrounding the historic mining area is not currently well understood and historic data compilation is required.
The Hamlin Zone is a significant occurrence of copper and gold mineralization, and also of potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. Between 2008 and 2011, Glencore tested Hamlin with 24 drill holes which successfully outlined a broad and intermittently mineralized zone over a strike length of 900 m. Historic drill hole highlights from the Hamlin Zone include 0.9 g/t Au and 0.35% Cu over 150.7 m in HAM-11-75.
The Moss Lake, East Coldstream and North Coldstream deposits sit on a mineral trend marked by a regionally significant deformation zone locally referred to as the Wawiag Fault Zone in the area of the Moss Lake Deposit. This deformation zone occurs over a length of approximately 20 km on the Moss Lake Gold Project and there is an area spanning approximately 7 km between the Moss Lake and East Coldstream deposits that is significantly underexplored.
Table 3: Historical Mineral Resources1,2,3
INDICATED
INFERRED
Deposit
Tonnes
Au g/t
Au oz
Tonnes
Au g/t
Au oz
Moss Lake Deposit1 (2013 resource estimate)
Open Pit Potential
39,795,000
1.1
1,377,300
48,904,000
1.0
1,616,300
Underground Potential
–
–
–
1,461,100
2.9
135,400
Moss Lake Total
39,795,000
1.1
1,377,300
50,364,000
1.1
1,751,600
East Coldstream Deposit2 (2011 resource estimate)
East Coldstream Total
3,516,700
0.85
96,400
30,533,000
0.78
763,276
Combined Total
43,311,700
1.08
1,473,700
80,897,000
0.98
2,514,876
Notes:
(1) Source: Poirier, S., Patrick, G.A., Richard, P.L., and Palich, J., 2013. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Moss Lake Project, 43-101 technical report prepared for Moss Lake Gold Mines Ltd. Moss Lake Deposit resource estimate is based on 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade for open pit and 2.0 g/t Au cut-off grade for underground resources.
(2) Source: McCracken, T., 2011. Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Osmani Gold Deposit, Coldstream Property, Northwestern Ontario, 43-101 technical report prepared for Foundation Resources Inc. and Alto Ventures Ltd. East Coldstream Deposit resource estimate is based on a 0.4 g/t Au cut-off grade.
(3) The reader is cautioned that the above referenced “historical mineral resource” estimates are considered historical in nature and as such is based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources and Goldshore is not treating the historical estimates as current resources. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the historical estimate on the Moss Lake Gold Project can be classified as a current resource. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.
Table 4: Reported Historical Production from the North Coldstream Deposit4
Deposit
Tonnes
Cu %
Au g/t
Ag
Cu lbs
Au oz
Ag oz
Historical Production
2,700,0000
1.89
0.56
5.59
102,000,000
44,000
440,000
Note::
(4) Source: Schlanka, R., 1969. Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Deposits of Ontario, Mineral Resources Circular No. 12, Ontario Geological Survey, pp. 314-316.
Peter Flindell, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice President – Exploration of the Company, a qualified person under NI 43-101 has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For More Information – Please Contact:
Brett A. Richards President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Goldshore Resources Inc.
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Lake Gold Project, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
Geological Plan Map showing Drilling in Santa Barbara and Porco Areas with Holes referred to in this release highlighted.
Figure 2
3D Location of > 90 g Ag eq/t Grade Shell Model for Santa Barbara relative to the 3D Magnetic Susceptibility Inverse Model. The high-grade likely feeder zone at Santa Barbara extends approximately 750m along strike, is 650m wide and extends to a depth of at least 750m. The deposit is open in all directions.
Figure 3
3D Model of Inverse Magnetic Susceptibility and BHIP Mx Chargeability and Conductivity, Iska Iska. Note that BHIP data is primarily only available in the Santa Barbara area.
Figure 4
Strong inverse magnetic susceptibility anomaly in the Porco Area that extends for approximately 1.6km along strike by 700m wide with a vertical extent of approximately 750m.
Hole DSBS-02 was drilled across the interpreted Santa Barbara feeder zone to a length of 1,023.4m, corresponding to a vertical depth of 745m. Notably, 67% of the overall length of this hole yielded reportable intersections which collectively average 100.42 g Ag eq/t.
Grade shell modelling in Leapfrog of the Santa Barbara Deposit indicates that, as of this date, drilling has defined a higher-grade zone >90 g Ag eq/t that is approximately 750m along strike, 650m wide and extends to a depth of at least 750m. This deposit remains open in all directions.
Hole DPC-09, the first of a series of holes to test the major inverse magnetic susceptibility anomaly in the Porco area, intersected 41 reportable mineralized intersections representing 29% of this 1,124.4m long hole that collectively average 94.73 g Ag eq/t. Significantly, the last reportable intersection near the bottom of this hole is higher in Ag and Sn with very low values of Zn and Pb. This is typical of what is seen in the Santa Barbara area in the transition from the Ag-Zn-Pb-Sn polymetallic mineralization to the more tin dominant mineralization at depth.
The coincidence of the magnetic inverse model with the chargeability/conductivity model from Bore Hole Induced Polarization (BHIP) surveys provides a powerful tool to outline very prospective drill targets. BHIP surveys to a depth of almost 1,000m show that the conductivity increases with depth at Santa Barbara, indicating that the potential feeder zone could be even more substantive.
TORONTO, June 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: ELO; OTCQX: ELRRF; FSE: P2QM) (“Eloro”, or the “Company”) is pleased to announce assay results from an additional two (2) diamond drill holes from its on-going drilling program at the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department, southern Bolivia. Hole DSBS-02 is a surface hole drilled due north at -300 from the south side of Santa Barbara across the higher-grade likely feeder zone. Hole DPC-09 is the first in a series of drill holes to test the extensive magnetic susceptibility anomaly in the Porco area in the southern part of the property. Four drills including three surface drills and one underground drill are focussed on completing drilling in the Santa Barbara Resource Definition Drilling Area. The underground drill is on its last hole and will be moved to surface to complete drill holes requested by Micon International Limited (“Micon”) to better define the preliminary open pit to be utilized for the maiden mineral resource estimate targeted for completion at the end of Q3.
Overall, the Company has completed 59,499m in 95 drill holes to-date, including four holes in progress, as shown in Figure 1. Tables 1 and 2 list significant assay results for the two drill holes reported. Prices used for calculating Ag equivalent grades are as outlined in Eloro’s February 1, 2022, press release. Table 3 summarizes drill holes with assays pending. Highlights are as follows:
Santa Barbara Mineral Resource Definition Target Area – Surface Drilling
Hole DSBS-02 was collared in the south part of the Santa Barbara target at an azimuth of 00 and dip of -300 to test across the likely higher grade feeder zone for the Santa Barbara Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization. This hole was drilled to a length of 1,023.4m, corresponding to a vertical depth of 745m, with 67% of the hole containing reportable intersections which collectively average 100.42 g Ag eq/t. Significant results are as follows:
146.65 g Ag eq/t (10.74 g Ag/t, 1.01 g Au/t, 0.31% Zn, 0.11% Pb and 0.06% Sn) over 88.66m from 319.36m to 408.02m, including a higher-grade section of:
737.33 g Ag eq/t (51.11 g Ag/t, 6.82 g Au/t, 0.24% Zn, 0.31% Pb, and 0.19% Sn) over 12.06m from 355.39m to 367.45m. Notably, this is the strongest gold-bearing intercept encountered to date at Iska Iska.
131.86 g Ag eq/t (21.38 g Ag/t, 0.06 g Au/t, 0.25% Zn, 0.24% Pb and 0.14% Sn) over 104.38m from 531.22m to 635.60m, including higher-grade sections of:
224.16g Ag eq/t (50.19 g Ag/t, 0.02 g Au/t, 0.41% Zn, 0.38% Pb and 0.24%Sn) over 26.79m from 543.09 to 569.88,
300.90g Ag eq/t (35.33 g Ag/t, 0.20 g Au/t, 0.26 % Zn. 0.78% Pb and 0.36% Sn) over 10.38m from 590.84m to 601.22m.
78.94 g Ag eq/t (12.77 g Ag/t, 0.06 g Au/t, 0.66% Zn, 0.12% Pb and 0.04% Sn) over 235.43m from 670.27m to 905.70m which included higher grade sections of:
494.81 g Ag eq/t (170.06 g Ag/t, 0.49 g Au/t, 0.37% Zn, 0.35 %Pb, 0.40 % Sn) over 4.46m from 722.70m to 727.16m,
181.64 g Ag eq/t (76.79 g Ag/t, 0.19g Au/t, 0.76% Zn, 0.23 %Pb and 0.07% Sn) over 4.35m from 770.73m to 775.08m,
120.54 g Ag eq/t (15.50g Ag/t, 0.01 g Au/t, 1.57% Zn, 0.34% Pb and 0.03%Sn) over 10.96 m from 800.44m to 811.40m, and
129.54 g Ag eq/t (6.44 g Ag/t, 0.08 g Au/t, 2.03% Zn, 0.34% Pb and 0.02% Sn) over 8.94 m from 853.28m to 862.22m.
Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo. Eloro’s Executive Vice President, Exploration commented: “Grade shell modelling in Leapfrog of the Santa Barbara Deposit by the Iska Iska geological team indicates that drilling has defined a higher-grade zone >90 g Ag eq/t that extends approximately 750m along strike, is 650m wide and extends to a depth of at least 750m. The deposit is open in all directions. Figure 2 shows the Santa Barbara deposit model relative to the extensive 3D inverse magnetic susceptibility model, demonstrating the remarkable scale of this enormous mineralized system.”
Dr. Pearson continued: “Figure 3 is a 3D model combining the inverse magnetic susceptibility model and the bore hole induced polarization (“BHIP”) chargeability and conductivity data that clearly shows how this new hole DSBS-02 intersected significant mineralization in an area of an extensive chargeability anomaly coincident with a magnetic high. In the lower part of this hole conductivity increases substantially and indicates that this hole stopped just short of a likely area of massive sulphide mineralization. The coincidence of the magnetic inverse model with the chargeability/conductivity model provides a powerful tool to outline very prospective drill targets. BHIP surveys to a depth of almost 1,000m show that the conductivity increases with depth at Santa Barbara, indicating that the potential feeder zone could be even more substantive.”
Dr. Chris Hale, P.Geo., Chief Geophysicist for Eloro said: “Geophysical targeting is very useful at Iska Iska because the mineralization often occurs in association with pyrrhotite, a mineral that affects both the electrical and magnetic properties of the host rock. BHIP helps to correlate mineralization between the holes because it samples a much larger volume around the borehole than each assay does. BHIP provides two electrical measures of the quantity of mineralization; chargeability that measures the amount of disseminated mineralization and conductivity that shows when the strength of mineralization reaches the point of “connectivity”, resulting in a conductive deposit. This explains the strong spatial correlation between the grade of mineralization and the chargeable volume around DSBS-02. We do not yet have BHIP surveys under DPC-09 but this hole was targeted to test a peak in the magnetic susceptibility that was modelled using surface magnetic data. The excellent spatial coincidence between the mineralized intersection and the peak in magnetic susceptibility gives us confidence that we will also likely intersect mineralization when we drill the larger magnetic susceptibility zone that is modelled deeper and farther to the south.”
Porco Area – Magnetic Inverse Anomaly – Surface Drilling
Hole DPC-09 is the first of a series of holes to test the major inverse magnetic susceptibility anomaly in the Porco area, as outlined in Eloro’s March 1, 2022 press release. This hole intersected 41 reportable mineralized intersections, representing 29% of this 1,124.4m long hole that collectively averaged 94.73 g Ag eq/t. Highlights include:
143.47 g Ag eq/t (10.67 g Ag/t, 0.25 g Au/t, 1.90 % Zn, 0.23%Pb, 0.09% Cu and 0.01% Sn) over 11.96m from 363.57 to 375.53m
84.46 g Ag eq/t (6.52 g Ag/t, 0.03 g Au/t, 1.13% Zn, 0.37% Pb and 0.01% Sn) over 10.63m from 410.09 to 420.72m
79.46 g Ag eq/t (4.47 g Ag/t, 0.02 g Au/t, 1.12% Zn, 0.08 %Pb and 0.03 % Sn) over 42.55m from 740.63m to 783.18m.
82.64 g Ag eq/t (3.48 g Ag/t, 0.05 g Au/t, 0.50% Zn, 0.09% Pb, and 0.08% Sn) over 57.34m from 798.15m to 855.49m including a higher grade section of:
127.94 g Ag eq/t (3.37 g Ag/t, 0.05 g Au/t, 0.50% Zn,0.12% Pb and 0.16% Sn) over 12.02m from 798.15 to 810.17m,
96.13 g Ag eq/t (8.14 g Ag/t, 0.15 g Au/t, 0.40% Zn, 0.11% Pb and 0.09% Sn) over 14.83m from 972.51m to 987.34m,
69.88 g Ag eq/t (8.73 g Ag/t, 0.11 g Au/t, 0.22% Zn, 0.05% Pb and 0.06% Sn) over 40.24m from 1045.82m to 1086.06m including a higher grade section of
100.05 g Ag eq/t (16.71 g Ag/t, 0.08 g Au/t, 0.35% Zn, 0.06% Pb and 0.09% Sn) over 13.25m from 1068.37 to 1081.62m
163.35 g Ag eq/t (48.35 g Ag/t, 0.12 g Au/t, 0.05% Zn, 0.05% Pb, 0.09% Cu and 0.15% Sn) over 5.95m from 1114.63m to 1120.58m
As shown in Figure 4, this hole intersected a very extensive inverse magnetic susceptibility anomaly which, at elevation 3,400m, extends for approximately 1.6km along strike by 700m wide with a vertical extent of approximately 750m. The 3,400m elevation is approximately 100m above the valley floor. Significantly, the last reportable intersection near the bottom of the hole is higher in Ag and Sn with very low values of Zn and Pb. This is typical of what is seen in the Santa Barbara area in the transition from the Ag-Zn-Pb-Sn polymetallic mineralization to the more tin dominant mineralization at depth.
Table 1: Significant Results, Surface Diamond Drilling, Santa Barbara Resource Definition Target Area as at June 14, 2022.
SANTA BARBARA RESOURCE DEFINITION TARGET ZONE
SURFACE DIAMOND DRILLING
Hole No.
From (m)
To (m)
Length (m)
Ag
Au
Zn
Pb
Cu
Sn
Bi
Cd
Ag eq
g/t
g/t
%
%
%
%
%
%
g/t
DSBS-02
7.84
24.44
16.60
1.36
0.01
0.00
0.01
0.00
0.07
0.001
0.001
44.49
116.64
119.75
3.11
11.60
0.01
0.04
0.54
0.03
0.04
0.001
0.001
58.37
140.40
153.60
13.20
0.72
0.01
1.11
0.15
0.00
0.01
0.001
0.003
60.89
170.99
174.10
3.11
0.74
0.01
0.99
0.07
0.01
0.01
0.001
0.004
53.28
181.52
210.84
29.32
1.61
0.01
1.04
0.11
0.02
0.02
0.001
0.004
64.93
Incl.
204.66
209.33
4.67
4.63
0.01
2.69
0.35
0.06
0.04
0.002
0.008
172.94
235.15
255.86
20.71
5.43
0.06
1.83
0.55
0.01
0.09
0.003
0.007
168.10
270.96
281.72
10.76
7.62
0.04
0.49
0.22
0.02
0.06
0.001
0.002
78.72
290.74
293.71
2.97
15.53
0.05
0.06
0.14
0.04
0.05
0.001
0.001
59.26
298.26
308.78
10.52
26.84
0.11
0.05
0.09
0.08
0.02
0.001
0.001
65.08
319.36
408.02
88.66
10.74
1.01
0.31
0.11
0.01
0.06
0.008
0.001
146.65
Incl.
355.39
367.45
12.06
51.11
6.82
0.24
0.31
0.02
0.19
0.047
0.001
737.33
438.04
447.12
9.08
3.67
0.21
1.53
0.10
0.01
0.05
0.001
0.007
126.04
469.60
483.12
13.52
1.17
0.06
0.59
0.05
0.01
0.06
0.001
0.002
69.05
489.14
517.80
28.66
6.00
0.02
0.55
0.34
0.01
0.04
0.001
0.002
68.65
522.20
525.40
3.20
6.50
0.04
0.27
0.12
0.01
0.07
0.001
0.001
66.24
531.22
635.60
104.38
21.38
0.06
0.25
0.24
0.01
0.14
0.002
0.001
131.86
Incl.
543.09
569.88
26.79
50.19
0.02
0.41
0.38
0.01
0.24
0.001
0.001
224.16
Incl.
590.84
601.22
10.38
35.33
0.20
0.26
0.78
0.01
0.36
0.006
0.001
300.90
647.53
658.12
10.59
10.57
0.01
0.23
0.28
0.01
0.14
0.001
0.001
116.41
670.27
905.70
235.43
12.77
0.06
0.66
0.12
0.01
0.04
0.005
0.002
78.94
Incl.
722.70
727.16
4.46
170.06
0.49
0.37
0.35
0.04
0.40
0.104
0.003
494.81
Incl.
770.73
775.08
4.35
76.79
0.19
0.76
0.23
0.01
0.07
0.013
0.001
181.64
Incl.
800.44
811.40
10.96
15.50
0.01
1.57
0.34
0.01
0.03
0.001
0.004
120.54
Incl.
853.28
862.22
8.94
6.44
0.08
2.03
0.34
0.01
0.02
0.001
0.006
129.54
917.78
931.28
13.50
7.05
0.03
0.78
0.13
0.01
0.04
0.002
0.002
73.10
953.83
955.34
1.51
16.00
0.01
0.48
1.24
0.01
0.19
0.001
0.001
191.90
964.38
971.84
7.46
5.96
0.01
0.53
0.14
0.01
0.04
0.001
0.001
62.14
980.80
1022.40
41.60
38.97
0.08
0.24
0.34
0.03
0.10
0.007
0.001
132.38
Note: True width of the mineralization is not known at the present time, but based on the current understanding of the relationship between drill orientation/inclination and the mineralization within the breccia pipes and the host rocks such as sandstones and dacites, it is estimated that true width ranges between 70% and 90% of the down hole interval length but this will be confirmed by further drilling and geological modelling.
Chemical symbols: Ag= silver, Au = gold, Zn = zinc, Pb = lead, Cu = copper, Sn = tin, Bi = bismuth, Cd = cadmium and g Ag eq/t = grams silver equivalent per tonne. Quantities are given in percent (%) for Zn, Pb Cu, Sn, Bi and Cd and in grams per tonne (g/t) for Ag, Au and Ag eq.
Metal prices and conversion factors used for calculation of g Ag eq/t (grams Ag per grams x metal ratio) are as follows (Prices updated as of February 1, 2022, to more accurately reflect current metal prices):
Element
Price $US (per kg)
Ratio to Ag
Ag
$722.56
1.0000
Sn
$42.56
0.0589
Zn
$3.30
0.0046
Pb
$2.33
0.0032
Au
$57,604.00
79.7221
Cu
$9.68
0.0134
Bi
$12.76
0.0177
Cd
$5.50
0.0076
In calculating the intersections reported in this press release a sample cutoff of 30 g Ag eq/t was used with generally a maximum dilution of 3 continuous samples below cutoff included within a mineralized section unless more dilution is justified geologically.
The equivalent grade calculations are based on the stated metal prices and are provided for comparative purposes only, due to the polymetallic nature of the deposit. Metallurgical tests are in progress by Blue Coast Ltd. to establish levels of recovery for each element reported but currently the potential recovery for each element has not yet been established. While there is no assurance that all or any of the reported concentrations of metals will be recoverable, Bolivia has a long history of successfully mining and processing similar polymetallic deposits which is well documented in the landmark volume “Yacimientos Metaliferos de Bolivia” by Dr. Osvaldo R. Arce Burgoa, P.Geo.
Table 2: Significant Results, Surface Diamond Drilling, Porco Area – Magnetic Inverse Anomaly as at June 14, 2022.
Table 3: Summary of Diamond Drill Holes Completed with Assays Pending and Drill Holes in Progress at Iska Iska from June 14, 2022 press release.
SUMMARY DIAMOND DRILLING ISKA ISKA
Hole No.
Type
Collar Easting
Collar Northing
Elev
Azimuth
Angle
Hole length (m)
Surface Drilling Santa Barbara Breccia
DHK-24
S
205529.4
7656222.5
4153.4
225°
-60°
926.3
DHK-25
S
205526.9
7656384.7
4178.1
225°
-55°
1,147.3
Subtotal
2,073.6
Surface Drilling Northwest Extension Santa Barbara
DSB-16
S
204973.9
7657053.1
4147.1
225°
-65°
862.0
DSB-17
S
205136.3
7656770.8
4168.1
225°
-40°
841.0
DSB-18
S
205209.3
7656683.3
4172.5
225°
-40°
890.4
DSB-19
S
205209.9
7656684
4172.5
225°
-65°
803.3
DSB-23
S
205343.3
7656534.4
4176.1
225°
-40°
863.2
DSB-27
S
205044.5
7656982.6
4150
225°
-65°
800.4
DSB-28
S
205512
7656112
4162
225°
-60°
851.4
Subtotal
5,911.7
DSB-29
S
205511
7655966.9
4134
225°
-60°
In progress
DSB-30
S
205440.27
7656179.06
4192
225°
-60°
In progress
DSB-31
S
205652.403
7656108.35
4088
225°
-60°
In progress
Underground Drilling Santa Barbara Adit
DSBU-09
UG
205284.5
7656080
4167.1
90°
-60°
904
DSBU-10
UG
205284.5
7656080.0
4167.1
40°
-60°
878.9
Subtotal
1,782.9
DSBU-11
UG
205284.502
7656080.03
4167.117
180°
-55°
In progress
Surface Drilling South Extension Santa Barbara
DSBS-02
S
205300
7655563
4195
0°
-45°
1,023.4
Subtotal
1,023.4
Porco Target Area – Surface Drill Program Testing Magnetic Inverse Model
DPC-07
S
205090.1
7655340.9
4310
235°
-60°
791.4
DPC-08
S
205585
7655423.6
4089
235°
-65°
800.4
DPC-09
S
205456.7
7655516.6
4125
180°
-75°
1,124.4
DPC-10
S
205396.5
7655701.2
4148
225°
-60°
1,088.4
DPC-11
S
205456.7
7655516.6
4125
235°
-70°
1,065.0
DPC-12
S
205650
7655200
4100
235°
-70°
941.4
Subtotal
5,811.0
Mina 2 Target Area – Surface Drill Program Testing Magnetic Inverse Model
DM2-01
S
205944
7654211
3674
30°
-60°
860.3
Subtotal
860.3
TOTAL
17,463.3
S = Surface UG=Underground; collar coordinates in metres; azimuth and dip in degrees. Total drilling completed since the start of the program on September 13, 2020 to December 17, 2021 is 40,468 m in 73 holes (26 underground holes and 47 surface holes). From re-start of drilling on January 17, 2022, an additional 19,031m have been completed bringing the overall total to 59,499 m in 95 drill holes (31 underground drill holes and 64 surface drill holes) including 4 holes in progress.
Qualified Person
Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P. Geo., General Manager of Eloro’s Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L., and a Qualified Person in the context of NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Executive Vice President Exploration Eloro, and who has more than 45 years of worldwide mining exploration experience, including extensive work in South America, manages the overall technical program, working closely with Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P.Geo., Senior Technical Advisor to Eloro and Independent Technical Advisor, Mr. Charley Murahwi P. Geo., FAusIMM of Micon are regularly consulted on technical aspects of the project.
The magnetic survey was carried out by MES Geophysics using a GEM Systems GSM-19W Overhauser magnetometer. Dr. Chris Hale, P.Geo. and Mr. John Gilliatt, P.Geo. of Intelligent Exploration provided the survey design, preparation of the maps and interpretation from data processed and quality reviewed by Rob McKeown, P. Geo. of MES Geophysics. Messrs. Hale, Gilliatt and McKeown are Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Joe Mihelcic, P.Eng., P.Geo., of Clearview Geophysics, a QP under NI 43-101, completed the 3D magnetic inversion model in consultation with Dr. Hale and Mr. Gilliatt. The Borehole IP surveys are being carried out by MES Geophysics under the supervision of Dr. Hale and Mr. Gilliatt.
Eloro is utilizing both ALS and AHK for drill core analysis, both of whom are major international accredited laboratories. Drill samples sent to ALS are prepared in both ALS Bolivia Ltda’s preparation facility in Oruro, Bolivia and the preparation facility operated by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the main ALS Global laboratory in Lima for analysis. More recently Eloro has had ALS send pulps to their laboratory at Galway in Ireland. Eloro employs an industry standard QA/QC program with standards, blanks and duplicates inserted into each batch of samples analyzed with selected check samples sent to a separate accredited laboratory.
Drill core samples sent to AHK Laboratories are prepared in a preparation facility installed and managed by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the AHK laboratory in Lima, Peru. Au and Sn analysis on these samples is done by ALS Bolivia Ltda in Lima. Check samples between ALS and AHK are regularly done as a QA/QC check. AHK is following the same analytical protocols used as with ALS and with the same QA/QC protocols. Turnaround time continues to improve, as laboratories return to more normal staffing levels.
About Iska Iska
Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by the Title Holder, Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. and is located 48 km north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 99% interest in Iska Iska.
Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene possibly collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The caldera is 1.6km by 1.8km in dimension with a vertical extent of at least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosí and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and Tatasi located in the same geological trend.
Eloro began underground diamond drilling from the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13, 2020. On November 18, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of a significant breccia pipe with extensive silver polymetallic mineralization just east of the Huayra Kasa underground workings and a high-grade gold-bismuth zone in the underground workings. On November 24, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of the SBBP approximately 150m southwest of the Huayra Kasa underground workings.
Subsequently, on January 26, 2021, Eloro announced significant results from the first drilling at the SBBP including the discovery hole DHK-15 which returned 129.60 g Ag eq/t over 257.5m (29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu, 0.056%Sn, 0.0022%In and 0.0064% Bi from 0.0m to 257.5m. Subsequent drilling has confirmed significant values of Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent CBP. A substantive mineralized envelope which is open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia pipes. Continuous channel sampling of the Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned 442 g Ag eq/t (164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46%Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu) over 166m including 1,092 g Ag eq/t (446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn) over 56.19m. The west end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.
Since the initial discovery hole, Eloro has released a number of significant drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope which along with geophysical data has defined a target zone 1400m along strike, 500m wide and that extends to a depth of 600m. This zone is open along strike to the northwest and southeast as well as to the southwest. The Company’s nearer term objective is to outline a maiden NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource within this large target area. This work is advancing well with the mineral resource targeted to be completed in Q3 2022. Exploration drilling is also planned on other major targets in the Iska Iska Caldera Complex, including the Porco and Mina 2 areas.
About Eloro Resources Ltd.
Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 99% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A recent NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloro’s website and under its filings on SEDAR. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of Barrick’s Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and Pan American Silver’s La Arena Gold Mine. La Victoria consists of eight mining concessions and eight mining claims encompassing approximately 89 square kilometres. La Victoria has good infrastructure with access to road, water and electricity and is located at an altitude that ranges from 3,150 m to 4,400 m above sea level.
For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.
Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company’s plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2022 / Metallic Minerals (TSX.V:MMG | US OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals“, or the “Company“) is pleased to report that, further to its news release dated April 26, 2022, it has filed on SEDAR a National Instrument 43-101 technical report, entitled, “Technical Report on the Inaugural Mineral Resource Estimate for the Allard Cu-Ag Porphyry Deposit, La Plata Project Southwestern Colorado USA”, has an effective date of April 3rd, 2022.
Scott Petsel, President of Metallic Minerals, stated, “The inaugural resource, which defined 889 million pounds of copper and 15 million ounces of silver (Inferred) at the Allard Cu-Ag Porphyry deposit, was a major milestone for the Company. The project team is currently working to finalize the next phases of exploration to include additional ground and airborne geophysical surveys, resource expansion drilling and the testing of newly identified targets representing both potential porphyry centers and high-grade silver-gold-telluride epithermal targets. We look forward to meeting with existing and potential shareholders this week during PDAC 2022 in Toronto June 13-15, as well as during the Yukon Mining Alliance Property Tours and Conference June 20-24 in Dawson City to discuss the exciting potential we see for both our flagship projects.”
The Technical Report was authored by Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo. of SGS Geologic Services (“SGS”) an independent Qualified Person and was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The report is available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and will also be available on the Company’s website at www.mmgsilver.com.
About SGS Geological Services
SGS Geological Services has an experienced and respected mining team focused on the domestic and international mining industry. The team has considerable experience in estimation and modeling of deposits of all types and practical and theoretical experience having realized hundreds of assessments for clients. The SGS team consists of a multi-disciplinary group of qualified persons with a strong understanding of the disclosure requirements for Mineral Resources set out in the NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (2016), CIM Definition Standards – For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014) and a strong understanding of the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines 2019.
Upcoming Events
PDAC 2022 – Metallic will join fellow Metallic Group members Stillwater Critical Minerals (formerly Group Ten Metals) and Granite Creek Copper in Booth 2851 at the Prospectors and Developers Association Convention in Toronto, ON from June 13-15.
Yukon Property Tours & Conference – Metallic will be in Dawson City June 20-24 for the 2022 Yukon Property Tours, with President, Scott Petsel, and CEO, Greg Johnson, both visiting the Keno Silver Project for exploration planning.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is an exploration and development stage company, focused on silver, gold and copper in the high-grade Keno Hill and La Plata mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, the Company recently announced the inaugural resource estimate for the La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration and development companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfields assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon’s high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon’s Minto copper district, and Stillwater Critical Minerals in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana and Kluane district in the Yukon. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry’s leading explorer/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration and development using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. Members of the Metallic Group have been recognized as recipients of awards for excellence in environmental stewardship demonstrating commitment to responsible resource development and appropriate ESG practices. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTCQB and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, 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 Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Newsfile Corp.Mon, June 13, 2022, 8:00 AMIn this article:
GSHRF+4.18%
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – June 13, 2022) – Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) (“Goldshore” or the “Company“), is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced in the Coldstream region at the Moss Lake Project with two drill rigs mobilized in this area, of the seven drill rigs currently operating on the Company’s land package.
Highlights:
Two rigs mobilized to evaluate gold mineralization at East Coldstream and copper-gold-cobalt mineralization at North Coldstream
Company to issue a drill plan for the next several months, indicating the locations of step out drilling and infill drilling at the Moss Lake Project; as well as the key targets identified at East Coldstream, North Coldstream, Iris Lake and Hamlin
President and CEO Brett Richards stated: “We are pleased to announce commencement of drilling in the Coldstream Region. In the coming weeks, we will lay out the drill plan for the market to follow with our progress as we step out and infill at Moss Lake, and illustrate our progress in the Coldstream region, as well as commencing drilling in the other key targets within our land package.”
Vice President Exploration, Pete Flindell commented: “Drilling has commenced at East and North Coldstream to evaluate historic drill holes, understand the controls on mineralization, test for higher grade shoots within the two deposits and explore for strike extensions to the known mineralized zones. We look forward to seeing the results in the coming months.”
Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company, and owns the Moss Lake Gold Project located in Ontario. Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (“Wesdome“) is currently a strategic shareholder of Goldshore with an approximate 27% equity position in the Company. Well-financed and supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors and advisory board, Goldshore is positioned to advance the Moss Lake Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.
About the Moss Lake Gold Project
The Moss Lake Gold Project is located approximately 100 km west of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It is accessed via Highway 11 which passes within 1 km of the property boundary to the north. The Moss Lake Gold Project covers 14,292 hectares and consists of 282 unpatented and patented mining claims.
Moss Lake hosts a number of gold and base metal rich deposits including the Moss Lake Deposit, the East Coldstream Deposit (Table 1), the historically producing North Coldstream Mine (Table 2), and the Hamlin Zone, all of which occur over a mineralized trend exceeding 20 km in length. A historical preliminary economic assessment was completed on Moss Lake in 2013 and published by Moss Lake Gold1. A historical mineral resource estimate was completed on the East Coldstream Deposit in 2011 by Foundation Resources Inc2,3. In addition to these zones, the Moss Lake Gold Project also hosts a number of under-explored mineral occurrences which are reported to exist both at surface and in historically drilled holes. The Moss Lake Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 2.5 km length and to depths of 300 m with 376 holes completed between 1983 and 2017. The last drilling program conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Wesdome, which consisted of widely spaced holes along the strike extension of the deposit was successful in expanding the mineralized footprint and hydrothermal system 1.6 km to the northeast. Additionally, the deposit remains largely open to depth. In 2017, Wesdome completed an induced polarization survey which traced the potential extensions of pyrite mineralization associated with the Moss Lake Deposit over a total strike length of 8 km and spanning the entire extent of the survey grids.
The East Coldstream Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which locally outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 1.3 km length and to depths of 200 m with 138 holes completed between 1988 and 2017. The deposit remains largely open at depth and may have the potential for expansion along strike. Historic drill hole highlights from the East Coldstream Deposit include 4.86 g/t Au over 27.3 m in C-10-15.
The historically producing North Coldstream Mine is reported to have produced significant amounts of copper, gold and silver4 from mineralization with potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. The exploration potential immediately surrounding the historic mining area is not currently well understood and historic data compilation is required.
The Hamlin Zone is a significant occurrence of copper and gold mineralization, and also of potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. Between 2008 and 2011, Glencore tested Hamlin with 24 drill holes which successfully outlined a broad and intermittently mineralized zone over a strike length of 900 m. Historic drill hole highlights from the Hamlin Zone include 0.9 g/t Au and 0.35% Cu over 150.7 m in HAM-11-75.
The Moss Lake, East Coldstream and North Coldstream deposits sit on a mineral trend marked by a regionally significant deformation zone locally referred to as the Wawiag Fault Zone in the area of the Moss Lake Deposit. This deformation zone occurs over a length of approximately 20 km on the Moss Lake Gold Project and there is an area spanning approximately 7 km between the Moss Lake and East Coldstream deposits that is significantly underexplored.
Table 1: Historical Mineral Resources1,2,3
INDICATED
INFERRED
Deposit
Tonnes
Au g/t
Au oz
Tonnes
Au g/t
Au oz
Moss Lake Deposit1 (2013 resource estimate)
Open Pit Potential
39,795,000
1.1
1,377,300
48,904,000
1.0
1,616,300
Underground Potential
–
–
–
1,461,100
2.9
135,400
Moss Lake Total
39,795,000
1.1
1,377,300
50,364,000
1.1
1,751,600
East Coldstream Deposit2 (2011 resource estimate)
East Coldstream Total
3,516,700
0.85
96,400
30,533,000
0.78
763,276
Combined Total
43,311,700
1.08
1,473,700
80,897,000
0.98
2,514,876
Notes: (1)Source: Poirier, S., Patrick, G.A., Richard, P.L., and Palich, J., 2013. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Moss Lake Project, 43-101 technical report prepared for Moss Lake Gold Mines Ltd. Moss Lake Deposit resource estimate is based on 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade for open pit and 2.0 g/t Au cut-off grade for underground resources.
(2)Source: McCracken, T., 2011. Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Osmani Gold Deposit, Coldstream Property, Northwestern Ontario, 43-101 technical report prepared for Foundation Resources Inc. and Alto Ventures Ltd. East Coldstream Deposit resource estimate is based on a 0.4 g/t Au cut-off grade.
(3)The reader is cautioned that the above referenced “historical mineral resource” estimates are considered historical in nature and as such is based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources and Goldshore is not treating the historical estimates as current resources. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the historical estimate on the Moss Lake Gold Project can be classified as a current resource. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.
Table 2: Reported Historical Production from the North Coldstream Deposit4
Deposit
Tonnes
Cu %
Au g/t
Ag
Cu lbs
Au oz
Ag oz
Historical Production
2,700,0000
1.89
0.56
5.59
102,000,000
44,000
440,000
Note: (4) Source: Schlanka, R., 1969. Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Deposits of Ontario, Mineral Resources Circular No. 12, Ontario Geological Survey, pp. 314-316.
Peter Flindell, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice President – Exploration of the Company, a qualified person under NI 43-101 has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For More Information – Please Contact:
Brett A. Richards President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Goldshore Resources Inc.
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Lake Gold Project and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
TORONTO, June 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: ELO; OTCQX: ELRRF; FSE: P2QM) (“Eloro”, or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its preliminary metallurgical testwork program for the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department, southern Bolivia. The work program including testwork for development of a preliminary metallurgical flowsheet and preliminary mineralogical characterization, is being carried out by Blue Coast Research Ltd. (“Blue Coast”) based in Parksville, BC. The objective is to develop the preliminary flotation flowsheet to maximize lead, zinc and precious metals into saleable concentrates in the Santa Barbara polymetallic deposit and to develop a preliminary flowsheet for tin in both the Santa Barbara and the deeper tin-dominant mineralization.
Blue Coast has world-class metallurgical testing, analytical services, flowsheet development, consulting, and operational support. Their excellent team has been augmented with the addition of Mr. Mike Hallewell, C.Eng., a senior independent mineral processing consultant based in Cornwall, England, who has extensive specialist knowledge in the recovery of tin at mining operations and exploration projects worldwide.
The metallurgical testing is being directed by Richard Gowans, P.Eng., Principal Metallurgist for Micon International Limited, who is an independent Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101.
Tom Larsen, CEO of Eloro, commented: “The metallurgical testing program at Blue Coast is progressing well. The initial focus of their work was on the Santa Barbara polymetallic mineralization for Ag, Zn and Pb recovery based on samples from discovery hole DHK15 and hole DHK-18. The tin-rich zone in hole DSB-06 was also selected for testing but at that time it was uncertain how this mineralization was connected to the Santa Barbara polymetallic deposit. However, with further drilling and solid work by our geological and geophysical team, we now know that there is extensive tin mineralization at depth beneath the polymetallic mineralization. Once testing is completed on DSB-06, we will be adding additional samples from tin-rich holes to enable further development of an appropriate flow sheet for tin. While arsenic and other potentially deleterious elements are being tracked during the testwork program, these are not anticipated to be a material issue at the levels in current tests.”
Metallurgical Samples
The samples used for the preliminary program completed to date comprise three representative metallurgical samples from existing drill core. The initial three composites are:
Composite drill hole DHK-15, from 131 m to 198 m, mineralized breccia.
Composite drill hole DHK-18, from 76 m to 140 m, mineralized dacitic envelope.
Composite drill hole DSB-06, from 413 m to 477 m, tin-rich mineralized zone.
Approximately 60 m of quarter-core from each drill hole was selected for these three metallurgical composite samples. The head analyses for these three composites are presented in Table 1. It is noted that the arsenic (As) grade is relatively low, being less than = 0.03% for all the three composite samples. Although not anticipated to be a material issue at these levels, the As and other potentially deleterious elements will be tracked during the testwork program.
Table 1: – Metallurgical Sample Head Analyses
Sample ID
Au
Ag
Bi
Cd
Cu
In
Pb
Zn
Sn
As
Fe
S
S-
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
%
%
%
ppm
%
%
%
DHK-15
0.02
29.6
34
120
114
30
1.21
2.48
0.12
289
2.37
3.51
3.07
DHK-18
0.02
32.1
14
185
370
24
1.01
2.89
0.12
178
3.03
4.49
4.37
DSB-06
0.03
5.80
25
0.6
103
<20
0.01
0.01
0.49
169
4.89
4.10
4.23
Note: ppm = grams per tonne (g/t)
The initial testwork completed by Blue Coast at the end of May 2022 included preliminary mineralogical characterization studies, open circuit sulphide flotation scoping tests and locked cycle flotation tests using composites DHK-15 and 18. The work conducted on DHK-15 and 18 factored into consideration the preliminary test work conducted by the Universidad Técnica de Oruro on different samples.
The DSB-06 sample is extracted from deeper higher-grade tin mineralization that is seen to replace the polymetallic lead-zinc-silver-tin mineralization type at depth and this sample has become the subsequent focus of the ongoing tin studies at Blue Coast. Additional tin-rich samples will be added for further testing after the initial test program is completed.
Mineralogical Characterization of Metallurgical Composites
The Iska Iska composites DHK-15, DHK-18 and DSB-06 were analyzed using the TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA), a fully automated analytical scanning electron microscope, to measure bulk mineralogy, sulphide grain size and liberation to support the metallurgical test program. In addition, a suite of electron microprobe analyses was completed on various sulphide and oxide species to better understand overall mineral chemistry and tin deportment.
Sulphide minerals in base metal composites DHK-15 and DHK-18 consisted of mainly sphalerite, galena and pyrite. Sulphide mineral liberation was very good at the test grind of 80% passing (P80) 70 microns and flotation testwork, described below, was able to achieve good lead-zinc separation. Non-sulphide gangue minerals in all composites consisted of quartz, various phyllosilicate minerals including micas, chlorite and kaolinite, and minor Fe oxides.
Cassiterite (a tin oxide mineral) was the dominant tin mineral identified in tin composite DSB-06. Cassiterite was moderately liberated (69% of grains had liberation of 80% or better at the test grind of P80 70 microns). Cassiterite formed middling particles with pyrite, rutile, quartz and iron oxides. Pyrite in DBS-06 was well liberated. Initial flotation testwork, described below, focused on separating pyrite from the cassiterite.
Microprobe analyses were completed on a group of pyrite, sphalerite, galena and cassiterite grains in the metallurgical composites. Tin was identified in trace amounts within the structure of galena and sphalerite in the base metal composites, suggesting that the sulphide concentrates will contain a small amount of tin.
Geometallurgical Characterization
Separate to the testing of the metallurgical composites, a program of integrated mineralogical analysis is underway on a series of core slabs from Hole DSBU-03. This hole (see press release dated March 1, 2022) intersects both base metal and tin mineralization and is being used to develop a strong mineral reference library for the resource. The slabs have received hyperspectral (SWIR/VNIR), XRF and RGB scanning by GeologicAI and are now being prepared for petrographic analysis using TIMA and microXRF mapping. The combined data set will be used as a reference library to support the on-site automated core scanning program.
Lead-Zinc-Silver Flotation
Following a series of batch rougher and cleaner tests where the preliminary flotation circuit was developed, locked cycle tests (LCT) were completed using DHK-15 and DHK-18. A locked cycle flotation test is a series of identical batch flotation tests where recycled material from the previous cycle is added to the appropriate location in the flowsheet in the current cycle. The LCT is a standard method used to simulate continuous operating conditions.
The lead-zinc sequential flowsheet used for the LCTs included primary grinding followed by lead rougher flotation, lead rougher concentrate regrinding and 3 stages of lead cleaner. The lead rougher tailings and lead first cleaner tailings fed the zinc rougher stage, and similar to the lead circuit, the flowsheet included regrinding of zinc rougher concentrate followed by three zinc cleaner stages. The final residue streams were the zinc rougher tailings and zinc first cleaner tailings.
Each LCT comprised 6 cycles where the final cycles were deemed to be relatively stable and the circuit appeared to reach equilibrium. Summaries of the average results from the last 3 cycles for both tests are presented in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2: Summary of Locked Cycle Test Average Results for Sample DHK-15
Product
Wt. %
Assays
% Distribution
Ag (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
Fe (%)
S (%)
Ag
Pb
Zn
Fe
S
Pb Cl.3 Conc.
2.0
1047
56.7
7.37
8.84
22.6
68.1
86.9
5.9
6.1
13.1
Zn Cl.3 Conc.
4.3
186
1.58
49.6
10.9
34.3
26.5
5.3
87.1
16.6
43.4
Zn Cl.1 Tail
5.2
23
0.58
1.16
19.8
21.7
4.0
2.3
2.4
36.3
33.0
Zn Ro. Tail
88.6
0
0.08
0.13
1.30
0.40
1.4
5.5
4.5
40.9
10.5
Calc. Head
100.0
30
1.28
2.45
2.83
3.39
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
The LCT DHK-15 lead recovery into the final lead concentrate grading 56.7% Pb was 86.9% while the silver grade was 1,047 g/t. The zinc recovery into a final zinc concentrate containing 49.6% Zn was 87.1%. The total silver recovery was 94.6%, including 68.1% and 26.5% into the lead and zinc concentrates, respectively.
Table 3: Summary of Locked Cycle Test Average Results for Sample DHK-18
Product
Wt. %
Assays
% Distribution
Ag (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
Fe (%)
S (%)
Ag
Pb
Zn
Fe
S
Pb Cl.3 Conc.
1.4
1057
56.2
7.10
5.40
18.9
43.5
72.2
3.4
2.2
5.9
Zn Cl.3 Conc.
5.0
258
1.40
51.4
8.27
32.0
37.6
6.4
86.9
12.0
35.2
Zn Cl.1 Tail
9.6
39
1.00
1.36
11.7
11.9
10.9
8.7
4.4
32.4
25.1
Zn Ro. Tail
84.0
3
0.17
0.19
2.21
1.84
8.1
12.6
5.2
53.4
33.8
Calc. Head
100.0
34
1.10
2.96
3.47
4.56
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
The lead recovery for LCT DHK-18 into the final lead concentrate grading 56.2% Pb was 72.2% while the silver grade was 1,057 g/t. The zinc recovery into a final zinc concentrate containing 51.4% zinc was 86.9%. The silver recovery totalled 81.0%, including 43.5% and 37.6% into the lead and zinc concentrates, respectively.
Samples of final concentrate products from each LCT have been submitted for multi-element analyses to assess the distribution of other potential valuable or deleterious components.
The preliminary flotation test results are very encouraging. The results received so far for drill hole sample DHK-15 are considered very good with high lead, zinc and silver recoveries, and although sample DHK-18 results were not quite as good for lead, zinc recovery was high and overall silver distribution into the final products was good.
Acceptable separate lead and zinc concentrates containing significant payable silver that adds considerable value to these products have been produced from both samples. Work will continue at Blue Coast and other metallurgical laboratories to fine tune the flotation conditions to maximize metal recoveries and quality of concentrates produced.
Tin Metallurgy
DSB-06 tin-rich sample contains low levels of lead, zinc and silver-bearing sulphides, the main sulphide mineral present in this sample being pyrite. No stannite (a tin sulphide mineral) is present in this sample; the tin mineralisation consists entirely of cassiterite.
The pyrite to cassiterite ratio in DSB-06 is circa 5:1. The Blue Coast approach has been initially focused on removing the pyrite prior to traditional beneficiation methods of cassiterite that are employed, using gravity followed by tin flotation. The pyrite is well liberated across all size fractions tested and therefore, the preliminary bulk sulphide flotation sulphur recoveries were good.
A preliminary study has identified that grinding the sample generates predominantly fine cassiterite grains that are more amenable to tin flotation technology. Staged comminution options will be considered to minimise fine cassiterite production in conjunction with staged gravity recovery of whatever coarse grained cassiterite is present and recoverable at, as early a stage in the process as possible.
Gravity release analysis by size testwork on bulk sulphide flotation tailings is in progress to identify the amenability of the mineralization to gravity concentration.
One bulk sulphide rougher flotation test followed immediately by a rougher tin flotation test has been conducted using unoptimized conditions. The rougher tin flotation cassiterite stage recovery was encouraging suggesting that the mineralization will be amenable to tin flotation technology. Further mineralogical work is in progress on the tin flotation rougher concentrates produced to ascertain if this rougher concentrate contains predominantly free liberated cassiterite that would therefore be expected to be upgraded by cleaning. Tin flotation is a universally practised technology and used by all the major hard rock tin mines globally as a method of recovering cassiterite that is too fine grained for conventional gravity concentration.
The tin mineralogy and physical competence will be linked to geological attributes. This will become a key feature in contextualising any variances in these parameters across the deposit. The GeologicalAI scanner, which is now on site and will be operational shortly, and the geometallurgical work noted above, will be very important in characterizing the geological attributes.
The test work is too premature to quote tin recovery numbers, but the initial mineralogy shows that the tin minerals are all in the form of cassiterite with insignificant amounts of stannite. Furthermore, the preliminary testing indicates that tin flotation will be a key recovery route and the preliminary tin flotation test work results are encouraging.
Qualified Person
The metallurgical testing is being directed by Richard Gowans, P.Eng., Principal Metallurgist for Micon International Limited, who is an independent Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Gowans. has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.
Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P. Geo., General Manager of Eloro’s Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza, and a Qualified Person in the context of NI 43-101, supervised all exploration work at Iska Iska. Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Executive Vice President Exploration for Eloro, and who has more than 45 years of worldwide mining exploration experience including extensive work in South America, manages the overall technical program, working closely with Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P.Geo., Senior Technical Advisor to Eloro and Independent Technical Advisor, Mr. Charley Murahwi P. Geo., FAusIMM of Micon International Limited are regularly consulted on technical aspects of the project.
Eloro is utilizing both ALS and AHK for drill core analysis, both of whom are major international accredited laboratories. Drill samples sent to ALS are prepared in both ALS Bolivia Ltda’s preparation facility in Oruro, Bolivia and the preparation facility operated by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the main ALS Global laboratory in Lima for analysis. More recently Eloro has had ALS send pulps to their laboratory at Galway in Ireland. Eloro employs an industry standard QA/QC program with standards, blanks and duplicates inserted into each batch of samples analyzed with selected check samples sent to a separate accredited laboratory.
Drill core samples sent to AHK Laboratories are prepared in a preparation facility installed and managed by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the AHK laboratory in Lima, Peru. Au and Sn analysis on these samples is done by ALS Bolivia Ltda in Lima. Check samples between ALS and AHK are regularly done as a QA/QC check. AHK is following the same analytical protocols used as with ALS and with the same QA/QC protocols. Turnaround time continues to improve, as laboratories return to more normal staffing levels.
Eloro Resources at the PDAC
Eloro will be participating at the PDAC 2022 convention in Toronto and invites you to visit us at Booth IE3326 (Investors Exchange) in the South Building, Metro Toronto Convention Centre from June 13-15, 2022.
About Iska Iska
Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by the Title Holder, Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. and is located 48 km north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 99% interest in Iska Iska.
Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene possibly collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The caldera is 1.6km by 1.8km in dimension with a vertical extent of at least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosí and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and Tatasi located in the same geological trend.
Eloro began underground diamond drilling from the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13, 2020. On November 18, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of a significant breccia pipe with extensive silver polymetallic mineralization just east of the Huayra Kasa underground workings and a high-grade gold-bismuth zone in the underground workings. On November 24, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of the SBBP approximately 150m southwest of the Huayra Kasa underground workings.
Subsequently, on January 26, 2021, Eloro announced significant results from the first drilling at the SBBP including the discovery hole DHK-15 which returned 129.60 g Ag eq/t over 257.5m (29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu, 0.056%Sn, 0.0022%In and 0.0064% Bi from 0.0m to 257.5m. Subsequent drilling has confirmed significant values of Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent CBP. A substantive mineralized envelope which is open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia pipes. Continuous channel sampling of the Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned 442 g Ag eq/t (164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46%Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu) over 166m including 1,092 g Ag eq/t (446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn) over 56.19m. The west end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.
Since the initial discovery hole, Eloro has released a number of significant drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope which along with geophysical data has defined a target zone 1400m along strike, 500m wide and that extends to a depth of 600m. This zone is open along strike to the northwest and southeast as well as to the southwest. The Company’s nearer term objective is to outline a maiden NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource within this large target area. This work is advancing well with the mineral resource targeted to be completed in Q3 2022. Exploration drilling is also planned on other major targets in the Iska Iska Caldera Complex, including the Porco and Mina 2 areas.
About Eloro Resources Ltd.
Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 99% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. Eloro commissioned a NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited and is available on Eloro’s website and under its filings on SEDAR. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of Barrick’s Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and Pan American Silver’s La Arena Gold Mine. La Victoria consists of eight mining concessions and eight mining claims encompassing approximately 89 square kilometres. La Victoria has good infrastructure with access to road, water and electricity and is located at an altitude that ranges from 3,150 m to 4,400 m above sea level.
For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.
Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company’s plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Maurice: Before we deep dive into company specifics, Mr. Sussman, please introduce us to Collective Mining and the exciting opportunity the company presents to shareholders.
Ari Sussman: Collective Mining was born as a result of the COVID lockdowns, so just some background, my previous company was named Continental Gold, which was responsible for discovering and constructing the largest and most modern gold mine in Colombia, which was sold one week before the global lockdowns to a large Chinese mining company named Zijin Mining in March 2020, for a total sum of approximately $2 billion.
Within a month, my core team and I were bored at home like we all were, and said, “Let’s get back to the drawing board.”
And that is how Collective Mining was born.
Just some background on Collective, the name Collective Mining represents our business model. It’s a collective mining model, meaning, yes, we’re going to build, we hope to make a big discovery, and we’re hopefully going to build a mine and, or, sell the company and then reward our shareholders for being involved. But it’s also going to reward the local stakeholders involved in this project. We want to ensure that people living in the area of influence of the project, benefit, learn and grow with us. As we advance, they advance.
Maurice: Well, quite the pedigree of success here. Let’s find out more. Mr. Sussman, take us to the mining-friendly department of Caldas and Colombia, and please acquaint us with the region, potential mineral endowment, and the mining jurisdiction.
Ari Sussman: Let’s start with Colombia and then work our way inwards.
Colombia is a mining jurisdiction, for a country in South America that has the infrastructure in place, and there is no more prospective mining environment to be in. This is the Andes Mountain chain continuation, which starts in Chile and works its way northward, and goes right through Colombia. In theory, all of the large-scale types of discoveries will be made in Colombia that countries like Peru and Chile currently enjoy.
With that said, I don’t want readers to think that Colombia is an early stage country for mining because, it is in terms of discoveries in commodities that we care about (copper, gold, silver, et cetera), but it’s quite mature in the mining of coal.
Colombia is one of the world’s top largest coal producers and most of those mines have been in production for 50 years or more. So as a result, it’s a mature destination for companies to go and make discoveries in.
What I mean by mature destination, is there’s a very strong mining code in place. Royalty rates have been stable for decades on end. There is a mining association, well established in place that represents the mining industry and will lobby the government on behalf of the industry. These are things that we expect to see in countries like the United States where I am, or Canada, but this is also in Colombia. From that perspective, it’s stable and it’s great.
Zooming in a little bit, we are in the department, which you mentioned, named Caldas. I don’t think most people have heard of Caldas. Colombia refers to states as departments, by comparison. But if any of your listeners are coffee experts or coffee aficionados, they will have heard of Caldas because it’s reputed to have the best coffee beans in the world. I, for one, am not the foremost coffee expert. I enjoy the coffee, Maurice, I do, but I don’t have a real comparison, but this is what it’s known for.
What makes Caldas so special, are two things. One is the coffee, and it’s got a large, big industrialized business in Caldas. This entire department is made up of more mom-and-pop-style coffee farms, very specialized and high end and each coffee farm competes with its neighbor to produce a better bean and that leads to excellent quality.
But secondly, there is a mine which is currently operating in Caldas, which happens to be next door to our main property, named Marmato. Why I’m mentioning this now is, that Marmato has helped to create a very mining-friendly environment in Caldas. The reason for that is that Marmato has been producing gold and silver continuously for more than 500 years, believe it or not, and is still producing today. Virtually every person that lives in the department of Caldas has or had, mining in their blood in one way, shape, or form. As a result, there’s a very strong comfort level with mining in this state and it’s an excellent place to be.
Maurice: Collective Mining currently has two projects with district-scale potential. It has identified 11 highly prospective targets in the Cauca belt. Let’s get acquainted with your flagship Guayabales project. Briefly walk us through the genetic and expiration model and share with us what has your team excited.
Ari Sussman: We are operating in the Cauca Belt. This is a well-known metal belt of Colombia, which runs along the Andes mountain chain. Just to understand how prospective it is. First off, let me back up. Colombia was not a mining destination due to security concerns in the 1980s and 90s, as everyone knows. Those were the horrible times for Colombia that have now resulted in many shows, like Narcos, et cetera, being made as a result of what happened in those times. But, the country turned around with the election of the former president Álvero Uribe in 2002. Now we’ve had 20 years of Colombia being open and prospective.
The Middle Cauca belt prospectivity. There has been somewhere in the neighborhood of three million meters of diamond drilling done since 2002, in this belt. That has resulted in the discovery of more than 100 million ounces of gold. Let me caveat that by saying that a lot of that gold is never going to come out of the ground. It’s not all economic gold, but if you look at the prospectivity, for example, in my former company, Continental Gold, we discovered and drilled off 11 million ounces of high-grade gold at around 8 grams per ton and that deposit was open to grow further.
It would be when we got taken out by Zijin, just starting to pour gold from finishing construction. AngloGold alone has drilled off more than 40 million ounces of gold over a series of projects, for an approximately 20-year period. Then there are many others. So prospectivity is remarkable and being in the Cauca belt is fantastic.
Zooming in, I mentioned this project named Marmato, which we do not own, that is in another company. Marmato is an approximate 8 million ounce resource with less than 8 million ounces of reserves, that is pushing toward production, as we speak. What we recognized that one of the best places to find a mine, is next to a mine?
Marmato is a porphyry-related vein system. I want readers to think of Chile because Chile is the world’s largest copper producer and the bulk of that copper production comes from porphyry deposits.
Porphyries are intrusions in the earth where individual fingers of porphyry rock come up, the pulse pushes them up and then you get these complexes, they are typically about, let’s say, up to four miles by four miles in circumference within which, you will have fingers of porphyries which can be very large, in the billions of tonnes. Then you have breccia’s related to the porphyry and you have vein systems related to the porphyries. A key feature of the porphyries, breccia related to porphyries, and vein systems related to porphyries, is the dimensions of these deposits can get very large.
I mentioned billions of tonnes for porphyries, vein systems, my former project Buriticá at Continental Gold contained 11 million ounces. It has been drilled off over about 2 kilometers, or call it almost 1.5 miles vertically. That is enormous, and whatever you end up having in vertical, you end up having in lateral dimensions about mile-long vein systems along with huge vertical dimensions.
Breccia’s, porphyry-related breccias are also huge. I’m sure readers are familiar with Filo Mining in Argentina, which has been a huge success. They have a porphyry deposit, but what is driving their value is a porphyry-related breccia which sits in the middle of their porphyry and that’s where those unbelievable grades we’ve seen of copper-gold and silver are coming out of this breccia.
Why is that relevant to Collective Mining? We recognize that Marmato is on the fringe of one of those four by four-mile circumference areas that have porphyry intrusion centers and they are our neighbor. We have come in with complete grassroots exploration, and I want to highlight that there are very few companies today doing grassroots exploration. Most companies are retreading old projects with new interpretations that have had lots of drilling and lots of work done. This is true grassroots exploration.
Collective Mining has generated 11 targets on two projects. Our flagship is called Guayabales. That is the one that is contiguous to the historic and current large resource the aforementioned Marmoto. And then we have another one calledSan Antonio. Although it’s a second project, it’s only about a mile away as the crow flies from the edge Guayabales to the concession edge of San Antonio. So, it’s part of the same geological complex. And what we have identified in those 11 targets are either porphyry targets for drilling, porphyry-related breccia targets, or porphyry-related vein systems for drilling. I mentioned grassroots, so we’ve brought all of those targets except for two of them up to the drill, ready status as we speak.
Our flagship Guayabales Project has generated eight targets. I’m going to say something that I don’t say lightly, but this is the best exploration project that I have ever seen or been involved with (period).
And I said that when my technical team identified it, and I iterate it much stronger today because I’m able to back that up with initial drilling success. Today at Guayabales, we have drilled or are currently drilling five of those eight targets.
Our Olympus Target may be on the cusp of a significant discovery, which is a vein system over-printing breccia, porphyry-related. And as a result, we’ve drilled big bulk intercepts, including the discovery hole of 302 meters at 1.1 grams per ton, gold equivalent, starting just below surface. We will find out it’s open-pitable as we do more work in the future and prove that up.
We think that Olympus has the earmarks of a multimillion-ounce gold and silver system. Looks similar to Marmato next door and similar to my previous project, Buriticá, which I previously mentioned, we drilled off 11 million total ounces.
The second target with assays is called Donut. Donut is a porphyry-related breccia. I don’t think this one is going to be huge. It doesn’t have the potential of Olympus, but it’s still significant. It starts right at surface and we have amazing intercepts in it, including up to 163 meters at 1.3 grams per ton, gold equivalent, beginning right at surface.
Why do I say modest? I don’t think this one has multimillion-ounce potential. But if it does turn into a mine, with further work, I think it’ll be a satellite operation that can feed a much larger complex for processing and it’ll be nice to have because it will add incremental ounces onto the total deposit.
The third target that we drilled was called the Box. I say ‘was’ because that one didn’t work for us. We drilled it, we published results, it doesn’t have large-scale potential like we’re looking for and therefore, we’ve concluded that Box is out.
Our fourth target, the Apollo, we are currently drilling and to say we’re over the moon on it is an understatement.
Now, I’m going to put a big caveat out there for readers. We do not have assay results for it yet. We are expecting the initial first assay results for the first drill into it in the next two to four weeks. That is a caveat. I want everyone to know that at the end of the day, the only truth in mining is the assay results. We can like what we see visually, but we need to prove it with the assay results.
With that said, we’re pretty good at identifying rocks and what we see at Apollo, visually, is a porphyry-related breccia. It has an abundance of chalcopyrite and pyrite in the breccia matrix. For those that don’t know what chalcopyrite is, that is a mineral that contains copper in it, so there’s going to be a copper component to this one.
And then we expect there to be gold related to both the chalcopyrite and the pyrite, as well as silver. But, what makes us excited about it is, that the breccia that is mineralized and then over-printing the breccia is a porphyry-related vein system.
How do we know this? We see the pathfinder minerals of porphyry-related veins.
It’s important to note, that porphyry-related veins are known for being gold and silver-rich, which they typically are, but they also have byproducts of lead-zinc and to some extent, copper. So, what we see in the minerals that bring lead-zinc into the matrix are sphalerite for zinc and galena for lead.
These are very easy to identify, sphalerite is typically a brownish color and galena is a grayish color, and you get blobs of them. Why we know it’s over-printed is, instead of being veins that are typically narrow anywhere in the world, when they get into the breccia, the metal blows out from the veins and fills up the matrix of the breccia.
Think of it like this, when you’ve tried to complete a puzzle, there’s a lot of porosity or space between the individual pieces of the puzzle when they’re put together. Metal fluids will come into a breccia structure that looks similar to that, and it will fill up those spaces. Because it’s porous, the metal will spread out into those spaces. What’s happened with the veins is they’ve come into the breccia and there’s been room for the metal to spread. These have spread out into the breccia matrix, which suggests that we may have two overlapping systems.
Why I think this is significant, with the caveat that we don’t have assays, is, in my experience, that big deposits in the world are very rarely found when there’s only one style of mineralization dumping metal into the system. You typically need to see two or more styles. And here we have two very distinct styles.
So, stay tuned on Apollo, quite excited for the results. Then the first hole will be out soon. And, I should add that we are drilling thick visual intercepts at Apollo. This is not one or two meters we’re drilling intercepts of the three holes that are completed so far, visually, between 85 meters and over 200 meters. We’re hoping for long, big intercepts, and with some luck, with the assay, if mother nature is generous to us, we’ll have some decent grade in that breccia.
Maurice: Well, speaking of visually, that was a good analogy there. Can you conclude by taking us north for a victory lap and talk to us about the Victory Targets? What are you exploring there?
Ari Sussman: The Victory is the Northern complex of targets located in copper-gold country. We have identified a series of intrusions that are outcropping at surface, particularly at the Victory East Target. That is the one that excites us the most in the victory complex.
Victory has a Victory East, a Victory West, and something called Trap, which is in the middle. Trap is called Trap because it’s trapped porphyry-related veins within a structurally controlled corridor. Victory West, I won’t spend any time on it. It’s a blind target that has interesting geophysics, there may be a porphyry below.
Regarding Victory East, we have identified multiple porphyry intrusion centers that are outcropping and continue to collect and see a significant amount of rocks that are very enriched with magnetite, which in this kind of porphyry setting will contain gold or should contain gold and some silver, as well as chalcopyrite, which is that copper mineral that I mentioned before.
Noteworthy of mention, chalcopyrite is typically about 34% copper. Therefore, when logging a core in a drill hole, indicating there’s 2% chalcopyrite, assuming your logging’s correct, you can multiply by 0.34 and that should give you an approximation of what your copper content is.
We see a mineral that will contain copper and an element that will contain gold and a little bit of silver, over a very large area. We’re working diligently to have Victory East drill-ready for Q4 of this year. I think we have another four hard months of work ahead of us. It’s very big and the dimensions of the area, we’re in the plus mile range in every direction. Our team is trying to figure out where the end of the system is, to be frank, before we zero in and decide where we’re going to drill. That’s what we’re doing right now.
Maurice: To summarize this, early days. But Collective Mining may be on the cusp of at least two potential tier-one deposits before us.
Ari Sussman: Look, mining is a very difficult business. The professionals that are smarter than me, estimate you have about a one in 1,000 chance of making a discovery that ever becomes a mine. Making a discovery is very rare in a grassroots exploration program, and a huge compliment to the geological acumen of our technical team.
We are optimistic that we have two major discoveries under our belt already at Olympus and Apollo, subject to a lot more work. And they’re going to require a lot of proving up. But we’re seeing all the right indications of two big systems and Victory is indicating an enormous, grassroots discovered outcropping porphyry complex that we’re looking forward to seeing if that offers the kind of potential that Apollo and Olympus have already shown us from initial drilling,
Maurice: Leaving the Guayabales, let’s visit Collective Mining’s secondary project, the San Antonio, which has over 4,300 meters of drilling completed along with a significant discovery. Sir, please introduce us to the San Antonio, along with the genetic and exploration model.
Ari Sussman: OurSan AntonioProject is about a mile as the crow flies from the edge of its concession to Guayabales. It’s a peripheral part of this same complex of porphyry intrusions. We got into San Antonio in mid-2020. We did a lot of surface work. We did some additional geophysics and were able to generate three targets.
The northern target is called Pound, the middle target is called COP, and the southern target is called Dollar. We got busy drilling it, it was an easy one to drill. It came with water permits in place, it was ready to go. So, we put a bunch of holes into the Dollar Target and two holes into Pound. We have not drilled COP as we speak.
This was in late 2020 into early 2021, and those that follow the mining space know that there’s been a significant problem with assay delays plaguing the industry, resulting from COVID.
I think that was probably the peak of the problem at that point. To date, we have built 4,300 meters of core and had no assays and we were frustrated and shut down the program and said, “Well, we can’t drill more until we wait and get assays.” It took months and lo and behold, we got assays. I would say the results, we got a mixed bag. The mixed bag is as follows: Dollar, we drilled the most beautiful looking porphyry core you could imagine.
I urge any geologists to look at the photos of Dollar core. It is remarkable. However, we’re in the very upper portions of a porphyry system where the metal content is leached, indicating that it needs to be drilled deeper, and that is something we plan to do in 2023 to see if we find the portion that contains the metal.
The surprise for us is known as the Pound Target. At the time that we drilled Pound, I can honestly say that the two holes that we put in were more of a Hail Mary attempt. We had done very little work on Pound.
We had found a porphyry-related breccia with a very small footprint, at the time it surfaced, and said, “Let’s put two holes into it and see what happens.”
And the discovery you alluded to is as follows. We drilled two long holes, both slightly more than 700 meters in length, and both hit. They hit about a .5 gram gold equivalent in each. That’s not a grade that I think you’re going to build a mine on in the future, it’s too low. But anytime you drill a system that has two intervals with more than 700 meters of mineralization, and I should add, that both of those holes ended in mineralization, then there’s a big system somewhere there.
Subsequently went in and conducted some surface work. We have outlined a zone that’s over a mile to the north-south by about a half a mile east-west, and open in each direction. And that is worth going back and drilling one or two or three more holes.
The San Antonio is our secondary project, and it doesn’t offer the near-surface, exciting grades visually and with assays, that we’re seeing at Guayabales, but it offers big scale. So our plan is, let’s poke a few more holes into both of these targets. If we get lucky, we’re going to be talking again about it in great deal. If we don’t, I think the business plan would be to bring in a joint venture partner, which would be a major who’s excited about drilling deeper porphyry-style targets. Who’s willing to fund long drill holes and let someone spend that money and to earn a majority interest in the project and Collective Mining shareholders will get carried along for the ride and the potential upside.
Maurice: Before we leave the project sites, a multi-layered question. What is the next unanswered question for Collective Mining? When can we expect a response? What determines success? And what can we expect as far as news flow?
Ari Sussman: Anyone that invests in us wants the excitement of a drill hole. That is why you would invest in us. You are going to see a steady flow of drilling assay results beginning later this month, which would be the first hole from Apollo.
Then we will have a series roughly every month between now and year-end coming out of Apollo. Additionally, our phase two drill program at Olympus. We are going to be drilling from underground to test the high-grade center of the Olympus area. Olympus is characterized by having approximately a hundred artisanal miners that are mining very high-grade veins.
We’ve reported assay results close to 500-gram gold, and well over 1 kilo silver from these veins in channel samples. We want to drill that area because we know there’s a large vein system there. We don’t know how large, but we’re going to prove it out with drilling.
We also think that it could be a bulk tonnage target. The first results from that will start to flow in August or September. So, if you invest in us today, you’re going to see heavy news flow and particularly heavy beginning in August, and it will continue through the balance of the year.
Maurice: Leaving the project site, let’s discuss some important topics germane to your projects. Do you own your projects 100%?
Ari Sussman: So we have an option to earn 100% undivided interest in both projects by making a series of option payments over a number of years. The payments will culminate in 2031. No private royalties are underlying the property. There are no streams, et cetera. We will be clean and clear for 100% pathway to production. Colombia as a jurisdiction, as far as if you were to build a mine, is favorable from a tax perspective. If you’re in the gold business, the royalty rate is 3.2%. That’s below the Latin American average, which is in the +5 something percent range, as we speak. And taxes are in the low 30% which is kind of common for any country. We are in a good jurisdiction, favorable potential economics based on success and constructing a mine and we are excited to be there, 100% ownership is the only way to go on these things.
Maurice: Are you fully permitted?
Ari Sussman: Currently, Collective Mining is permitted for exploration. We are not permitted to build a mine. That is something that you will do once you complete a feasibility study and then follow the procedures in Colombia. Keep in mind, that I have permitted in Colombia, it’s an excellent jurisdiction to permit. We permitted a gold mine, as I mentioned, and it’s not an overbearing process in terms of timeline. It’s very detailed in terms of the workload. It is first class in terms of the government’s ability to assess permits and evaluate them, but they give you a reasonable timeline. You can permit a project in under one year to construct a mine in Colombia. You compare that to the United States where I think the average now is about 10 years. So much more favorable, but it’s a lot of work. But, as far as exploration goes, yes, we are permitted to explore for several years.
Maurice: Is the ultimate goal to build a mine or arbitrage?
Ari Sussman: Having been through this, you need to plan to build a mine. Because, what we can’t control, any of us, is the cycle itself. We all know commodities are cyclical. And so there are periods in the cycle where M&A is very active. Then there are periods where it’s slow. You must build your company as if you’re going to build a mine. But you keep the option open to be taken out. And if someone wants to acquire the cycle’s right, you do that.
That is how we’re going to proceed. If I have a choice in the matter, and I can determine my future, I don’t know if I’d want to build a mine again. I enjoyed the experience, but at its peak, we had about 5,000 people working at our former project Buriticá, between employees and contractors at the peak of construction. It’s a lot to manage, so we are willing to do it again? Yes. Would we want to do it again? I think ideally we would like to sell before we commence construction,
Maurice: We’ve discussed the good, let’s address the bad. What can go wrong and what are your action plans to mitigate that wrong?
Ari Sussman: Colombia. For good or bad, Colombia is very similar to investing in Peru. We all know Peru is one of the world’s largest producers of silver, gold, and copper. But not all projects work in Peru and the reason for that is Peru has a lot of population, similar to Colombia. virtually anywhere that you’re going to find a project that you want to explore and hopefully construct a mine on, you’re going to be dealing with populations, whether it’s villages, towns, or even larger. And what I mean by that, is why it’s like Peru is, that we see projects in Peru that succeed and then we see others that fail. The typical failure is based on having opposition from the locals that are in your area of influence on your projects. So, if you do that part well, you should succeed. If you don’t, you’re going to have problems. And that is critical.
Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG), is a big buzzword that all industries are talking about today. Having been in Colombia for more than a decade, this was critical for us more than 10 years ago when it wasn’t as popular a topic because we would not have succeeded if we didn’t have a good program.
What does a good program mean in ESG? Everyone throws it around like, “How do we do it?” But what does it mean?
It means many things. One, it’s education. People need to understand that mining can be beneficial for their communities and not a detriment.
Two, in Colombia you’re dealing in an agriculture-based economy, so it’s educating people that Colombia and mining are not competitors. They coexist well and are good for the economy because they’re cyclical but at different points in the cycle. So, it’s always nice to have one industry that’s strong while the other one has a low point in the cycle and struggling, to offset each other. That’s very good.
And three, make sure that you strengthen local businesses. I’ve seen this all over the world, a company comes and says, “Hey, we’re going to hire thousands of people locally and that’s great. And indirectly, we’re going to impact thousands more.” And of course, that’s great. But if the businesses that aren’t going to be solely focused on selling to the mine, don’t understand what mining is and how to strengthen their businesses to succeed in that environment, they’re going to fail.
Companies must be willing to spend money, help, and time. Helping small businesses evolve and mature so that they can continue to service the area for whatever goods and products they service, plus accommodate the mining company coming in there, because there’s a big change coming where there are areas of mining, in terms of the number of people. Populations grow due to the needs of a mine. Those are just some of the elements. ESG is the critical thing to focus on. If we don’t do this well, if our sustainability program isn’t strong, it doesn’t matter how many great drill holes or scales of deposit we find, we will get stopped.
Maurice: One of the virtues of Collective Mining is the pedigree of commercial success of building those relationships your team has a proven track record of, it may not make headwinds by saying that you’re permitted and you have the buy-in of the community, but it makes the difference of whether you can proceed or not. That’s one of the virtues, again, that Collective Mining brings to the table.
Switching gears, let’s discuss the people responsible for increasing shareholder value. Please introduce us to your board of directors, management team, and, technical teams, which bring along a vast amount of intellectual capital and have a track record of creating value.
Ari Sussman: Let’s start with the Board of Directors. We have one Colombian representative on our Board, an amazing woman named Maria Constanza. She brings something very strong to the table for us. Although she doesn’t work in the mining business today, she’s been very involved in mining over her career, including being the original president of the A&M, which is the Colombian mining agency that is the division of the government in charge of titling for the country from an exploration standpoint, as well as from an operating standpoint, not environmental permits, but a mining license.
So, we have a deep knowledge of both the private sector and the public sector with her and she’s been involved in numerous companies and has lots of experience.
We come out of Colombia, and on our board of directors is an individual named Ken Thomas. Ken, in the mine building business, is extremely well known, has been around a long time, won many awards over his long and illustrious career, including being one of the original engineers of Barrick Gold when it used to be known as American Barrick. He was around when Goldstrike, which is the largest mine in the Americas, in Nevada, was founded and evolved and grew. So, excellent experience.
We have another individual on our board named Paul Murphy. He’s also the chairman of Alamos Gold Inc. (AGI:TSX; AGI:NYSE), which I’m sure some of your readers are familiar with. But, importantly, he was the national mining leader of PricewaterhouseCooper for a quarter of a century. Paul’s experience in leading the audit committee team in financing projects, he’s an amazing person for that.
And lastly, we have a Swiss national named Ashwath Mehra who is a fantastic guy, and readers probably remember GT Gold, which Newmont purchased for $311 million about two years ago. Ashwath founded that company, brought it forward, and led the sale to Newmont. So, success breeds success, and we’re happy to have him involved on our management team.
We have a big management team. Allow me to begin with myself, I’m the executive chairman of the board of directors, meaning I’m involved in management. Omar Ossma is the president and CEO of the company. Omar is a Colombian, accomplished, and very smart lawyer trained and based in Colombia.
One of the things we wanted to do this time around is to make sure that the President and CEO must have boots on the ground on a full-time basis because the challenges that a company will face will be in the host country in which you operate.
We have an executive vice president named Ana Milena Vásquez, who is recognized as one of the top 100 most influential women in mining, by a prominent UK organization in 2020. And more importantly, she is a sustainability expert as well as government relations. So, ESG is synonymous with Ana and she’s a very powerful force representing our company.
Paul Begin is our chief financial officer. He was the chief financial officer for almost the entire evolution of Continental Gold, so been there, done that, and helped finance and build our former mine Buriticá.
Lastly, I’ll mention two names, two special advisors to the company from a technical perspective. David Reading, David is an internationally recognized economic geologist. Importantly, he was the founding partner of Mark Bristow for Randgold, which is now part of Barrick, to create the largest gold company. And David was instrumental in making multiple multimillion ounce discoveries in West Africa as the team leader of the exploration team of Randgold.
Then lastly, we have another special advisor named Richard Tosdal, better known as Dick. In our view, this is one of the world’s top porphyry experts. I mentioned to you that we have a porphyry complex. We always make sure we bring the best technical talent to the geology end of it to ensure we have the best chance of success and having Dick’s leadership is paramount. That oversees our Colombian team. We have a strong group of vice presidents.
Carlos Rios is our vice president of exploration. This is a geologist who thinks like a business person and has a resource modeling background, not just a pure explorationist. Rodolfo Higuera is our vice president of sustainability, he is responsible for ensuring that on the ground, where we operate, our relationship with all the area of influence communities is sound and solid, and they’re transparently educated on what we’re doing and able to speak. We want to remain in good standing with the communities, and this is key to the platform. Transparency is paramount for our success.
Maurice: Well, let’s get into some numbers. Mr. Sussman, please provide the capital structure for Collective Mining.
Ari Sussman: Collective Mining has approximately 47 million shares outstanding and slightly more than 50 million fully diluted. No warrants are outstanding from any financings. The difference between the outstanding and fully diluted is simply stock options to employees, which everyone will hold long-term.
We are well-financed, meaning we’re fully financed for the calendar year, 2022. And that’s financed for a 20,000 to 25,000-meter diamond drill program. We are going to spend $13.5 million this year, and then we will need money to advance the plans for 2023. That’s something we will look to do toward the end of the year, is to raise additional capital. And that will be done on the back of what we hope is going to be a significant success from drilling at Olympus and Apollo.
Maurice: And how much debt do you have?
Ari Sussman: We have no debt. So we’re very clean. There’s no intent to take on any debt for a very long time. The only time I would ever consider debt is if it’s part of a financing package to construct an actual mine.
Maurice: What percentage of ownership does management have and who are the major shareholders?
Ari Sussman: Management controls approximately 40% of the 47 million shares that are outstanding. We put our money where our mouth is. Management intends to do well as we have confidence that our share price will appreciate, not by drawing exorbitant salaries out of the company to maintain a lifestyle. In addition to that, we have very strong support from a group named PowerOne Capital, who was intimately involved with me at my predecessor company, as well as today.
They are long-term shareholders and they own about 25%. We don’t expect their stock to ever come out into the market and be sold. I can confidently say that the founding partner of PowerOne Capital group invested in Continental Gold previously, held his stock through our sale, to Zijin Mining, and participated in all financing rounds along the way. If you invest with us, you not only have our money where our mouth is, so to speak, because we’re very large shareholders of the company, but you will see management and strong supporters participate in subsequent financings that come as we evolve the business and advance.
Maurice: Well, that 40% ownership is very positive. That’s not common.
Ari Sussman: I would agree with you that 40% ownership is not common.
Maurice: I’m used to hearing about 10%.
Ari Sussman: Collective Mining is a tightly held stock. This is an ideal and more advantageous position for retail investors at this point, more than the institutions. Junior Mining companies, have to do a series of financings over the next number of years to get from today to a production decision. And so, the stock float will loosen up in time and that’s by design because we want to make sure we have a structure that works in the market today and can withstand downturns in the cyclical business we’re in, but will also benefit us in the future as we evolve and leave.
The whole point is to get the share price up as high as possible, and hopefully sold, based on the success of the company. And we don’t want to ever be in the position where we’re in a financing spiral where the market cap grows, but the share price doesn’t. Many mining companies seem to fit that bill, unfortunately, we don’t plan to subscribe to that business model.
Maurice: In closing, what keeps you up at night that we don’t know about?
Ari Sussman: Well, it keeps me up at night. It’s 100% making sure that we maintain the strong sustainability-based program and meaningful relationships with the local communities that we currently enjoy. It’s making sure that we apply our collective model properly so that it is collective for everyone. Everybody needs to jointly benefit together in our success, as well as take the risk with the project. If you want the upside, you have to be involved in the risk too.
Maurice: Last question. What did I forget to ask?
Ari Sussman: I just want to remind readers that Collective Mining expects strong news flow with lots of drilling activity. We are a discovery-based company with already significant results under our belt, and I hope everyone either tries to participate by buying shares, or at least watches us continue to put out news, and hopefully, we’ll end up convincing the naysayers in a short time with what we have in the ground.
Maurice: And for the record, I am a proud shareholder. Mr. Sussman, for someone who wants to learn more about Collective Mining, please share the website address.
Maurice: Mr. Sussman, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you today, wishing you and Collective Mining, the absolute best, sir.
And as a reminder, I am a licensed representative to buy and sell precious metals through Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments, where we have several options to expand your precious metals portfolio, from physical delivery of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium, to offshore depositories, and precious metals IRA’s. Give me a call at 855.505.1900 or you may email: Maurice@MilesFranklin.com. Finally, please subscribe to www.provenandprobable.com, where we provide: Mining Insights and Bullion Sales, subscription is free.
Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – June 10, 2022) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) invites you to visit them at Booth #3308 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on Monday June 13 to Wednesday June 15, 2022.
About Silver Bullet Mines Corp.
Silver production is imminent at Silver Bullet’s Buckeye Silver Mine, in Arizona. Only 63M shares outstanding, with 29M in escrow. The company owns its own mill, giving it great control over its costs.
About PDAC
The World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. In addition to meeting more than 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 23,000 attendees in person in 2020, participants could also attend programming, courses and networking events.
The annual convention is held in Toronto, Canada. It has grown in size, stature and influence since it began in 1932 and today is the event of choice for the world’s mineral industry. From 2021 it is also offered as an online event.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Metallic Minerals (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals“, or the “Company“) is pleased to report that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing for aggregate proceeds of $4,032,000 through the issuance of 9,600,000 units at a price of $0.42 per flow-through unit (the “Private Placement”). Each Unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable into a flow-through common share for 30 months at a price of $0.50 on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”).
Greg Johnson, CEO and Chairman, noted, “We are pleased to complete this premium-to-market Private Placement and to strengthen our shareholder base with new institutional investors. These new funds will be primarily directed toward the ongoing exploration and development of our Keno Silver Project in the high-grade, Keno silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Final planning is underway for the initiation of our 2022 exploration programs at Keno Silver, as well as at our La Plata silver-gold-copper project in Colorado, USA. We look forward to meeting with existing and potential shareholders during PDAC 2022 in Toronto June 13-15, as well as during the Yukon Property Tours and Conference June 20-24 in Dawson City.”
Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used toward eligible Canadian Exploration Expenses, within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Private Placement is subject to the final approval of the TSX-V. The flow-through shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance under applicable Canadian securities law.
The flow-through shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws.
An officer of the Company participated in the private placement for an aggregate of 4,400 FT Units. The participation by the insider in the private placement is considered to be a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101. The transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities being issued, nor the consideration being paid exceeds 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.
Upcoming Events
PDAC 2022 – Metallic will join fellow Metallic Group members, Stillwater Critical Minerals (formerly Group Ten Metals) and Granite Creek Copper, at PDAC in Toronto, June 13-15 (Booth IE2851).
Yukon Property Tours & Conference – Metallic will be in Dawson City June 20-24 for the 2022 Yukon Property Tours, with President, Scott Petsel, and CEO, Greg Johnson, both visiting the Keno Silver Project for exploration planning.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is an exploration and development stage company, focused on silver, gold and copper in the high-grade Keno Hill and La Plata mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, the Company recently announced the inaugural resource estimate for the La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. All of the districts in which the Company works have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration and development companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfields assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon’s high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon’s Minto copper district, and Stillwater Critical Minerals (formerly Group Ten Metals) in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana, USA and Kluane district in the Yukon. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry’s leading explorer/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration and development using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. Members of the Metallic Group have been recognized as recipients of awards for excellence in environmental stewardship demonstrating commitment to responsible resource development and appropriate ESG practices. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTCQB and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, 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 Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – June 7, 2022) – Couloir Capital is pleased to announce it has published a new research note on Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV: MMG) (OTCQB : MMNGF) (“MMG” or “Company”). The update report is titled, “Inaugural Copper Resource for La Plata, Strong Drilling Results at Keno Silver.”
Report excerpt: “MMG has significantly advanced its core properties Keno Silver and La Plata, with key developments including:
Announcement of a maiden resource for the La Plata Project located in Colorado, as well as final results from the drilling campaign completed in December 2021.
Announcement of further results from the 2021 field program at Keno Silver, specifically for East Keno and Formo.
The developments, especially the inaugural resource estimate for La Plata, are catalytic events that fundamentally change aspects of our valuation thesis for MMG. With the discovery of pounds in the ground, we are able to apply a valuation of MMG that incorporates the intrinsic value of a more material asset base, reducing the risk associated with a valuation based primarily on less tangible metrics. With a resource discovery and a private placement underway, we believe MMG will look to build on recent strength and maintain momentum going into the rest of 2022.”
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a growth-stage exploration company, focused on high-grade silver and gold projects in underexplored, brownfields mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to exploration in the Keno Hill silver district, La Plata silver-gold-copper district, and Klondike gold district through new discoveries and advancing resources to development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp’s operations, with nearly 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, exploration at the recently acquired La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado is targeting a silver and gold-enriched copper porphyry and adjacent high-grade silver and gold epithermal systems. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.
About Couloir Capital Ltd.
Couloir Capital Ltd. is an investment research firm comprised of a team of veteran investment professionals dedicated to providing world-class opportunities in the natural resource exploration and development sectors along with real and alternative asset classes and strategies.
For further information, please contact:
Rob Stitt, Managing Director, Couloir Capital Ltd.
Disclosure: Couloir Capital and/or affiliated companies holds shares or warrants in the Company. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.60 and expire in August 2022.
A service agreement exists between Couloir Capital and the Company.
