People are often not aware of where their most prized devices really come from.
Phones, cars, and computers might not seem like the most natural objects. But the metals that make them come from natural processes deep in the earth’s crust – processes that have been going on for 3.4 billion years, and continue to this day.
Today’s visualization comes to us from Foran Mining Corp. and goes in depth to show how one type of mineral deposit, Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide or “VMS”, forms and is the primary source for many of the materials that make the modern world.
What is a VMS Deposit?
Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposits are one of the richest sources of metals such as copper, lead, and zinc globally. VMS deposits can also produce economic amounts of gold and silver as byproducts of mining these deposits.
Currently, global metal production from VMS deposits account for 22% of zinc, 9.7% of lead, 6% of copper, 8.7% of silver and 2.2% of gold.
Where are VMS deposits found?
VMS deposits occur around the globe and often form in clusters or camps, following the tectonic plate boundaries in areas of ancient underwater volcanic activity.
Natural processes underway today are forming the VMS deposits of tomorrow. This gives scientists an incredible advantage in witnessing how VMS deposits form and gives a special advantage to geologists for what to look for.
Mineralization and Formation
The geological processes that form VMS deposits occur at the depths of the ocean and are associated with volcanic and/or sedimentary rocks.
At sections where the Earth’s crust is thin due to faulting or separation of tectonic plates, the magma heats up the ocean floor.
As the Earth’s crust heats up, the ground softens and allows heated magma to escape towards the ocean or crust contact, the early beginning of a volcano and the deposition of minerals into the ocean floor from magma. Also, the heated ground cracks and begins a process that draws in sea water into the crust which becomes super-heated and imbued with minerals. Black and white smokers expel this seawater back to the surface.
Black and white smokers exhale a mineral rich-plume that spreads out over the ocean floor. As it moves farther and farther away from its heat source, the plume precipitates minerals onto the ocean floor. Over time, the continual activity of the smokers and their mineral rich plumes create mineralized beds that become VMS deposits.
With the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates, these mineral rich beds are transposed and can be found on land that was once underwater.
How Big Can VMS Deposits Get?
Current resource and historical production figures from 904 VMS deposits around the world average roughly 17 million tonnes (“Mt”), of which is approximately 1.7% copper, 3.1% zinc, and 0.7% lead.
A few giant mineral deposits (greater than 30 Mt) and several copper-rich and zinc-rich deposits of median tonnage (~2 Mt) skew the averages.
Several large VMS camps are known in Canada, including the Flin Flon, Bathurst and Noranda camps. The high-grade deposits within these camps are often in the range of five to 20 million tonnes of ore and can be much larger.
Meanwhile, approximately 90 VMS deposits have been discovered in the Iberian Pyrite Belt which runs through Portugal and Spain. Several of these are larger than 100 million tonnes, making this region one of the most significant hosts to VMS deposits in the world.
We believe the stage is set for a powerful advance in gold mining equities. While the 27.96% year-to-date advance in the bullion price could (but won’t necessarily) take a breather for the rest of 2024, significant catch-up potential for deeply undervalued gold miners has been barely exploited.
With gold trading at all-time highs, precious metals mining shares are just beginning to stir. GDX (VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF1 and a proxy for gold mining shares) has increased 30.30% year-to-date, only slightly more than the metal’s year-to-date gain of 27.96% (as of 9/30/2024). Looking at the five-year return comparison (10/1/2019 to 9/30/2024), mining stocks gained 47.91%, distantly lagging gold’s 78.11% rise.
We have addressed the disconnect between gold bullion and gold equities in previous commentaries. Gold stocks, in our opinion, are coiling for a sharp advance during the remainder of 2024. At the time of writing, GDX is breaking out above a five-year trading range that looks very similar, with a six-month lag, to gold’s breakout earlier this year.
Figure 1a./b. Gold Bullion vs. Gold Mining Stock Prices (2019-2024)
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 9/30/2024.
Favorable Fundamentals for Gold Miners
The investment fundamentals for miners have rarely been so favorable against a backdrop of such disinterest. The Q3 2024 average gold price (the most important single variable for miners’ earnings and cash flow) will exceed Q2 by 5.2% sequentially, and 2023 by 18.8% year-over-year. For many companies, production is weighted toward the second half; we believe we may see blockbuster Q3 earnings reports later in October and early November.
Looking ahead to 2025, we expect production costs to remain stable or even decline in the event of a recession. Profit margins could expand even if the U.S. dollar gold price marks time (which we don’t expect). Figure 2 depicts the relationship between gold and commodity prices (CRB Index2). A rising trend line tends to be exceptionally bullish for the earnings of gold miners.
Figure 2. Ratio of Gold Price to CRB Index (2022-2024)
Source: StockCharts.com. Data as of 8/30/2024.
Gold Is Still Underpriced
A key factor in the underperformance of mining shares is general disbelief that current gold bullion prices are sustainable or capable of further increase. In our view, the breakout in the gold price is not a fluke. The many contributing factors include (but are not limited to) de-dollarization, central bank buying, seemingly intractable U.S. fiscal issues, a possible recession, further monetary malpractice by the Federal Reserve (and other central banks) and the worrisome geopolitical landscape. Still, gold skeptics far outnumber believers. Proof can be seen in the forecasts for future gold prices from a broad array of financial firms (compiled by Beacon Securities; individual estimates by firm in Appendix A).
Figure 3. Gold Price Forecast
Who would invest in a gold mining stock with such a negative price outlook? While there are a few outliers, the consensus does not regard current prices as sustainable. We attribute collective bearishness to inattentiveness, lack of understanding, intellectual laziness, disinterest, and incompatibility with the groupthink underpinning mainstream financial market positioning.
For the sake of brevity, we will not elaborate here on the multiple forces (some admittedly speculative) that could power the further gains in monetary metals that we expect. Extensive commentary on our rationale can be found in our previous commentaries, as well as from many other observers.
Western Investors Continue to Ignore Gold
For now, it is enough to note that gold’s 78.12% five-year advance has occurred with almost no participation from U.S. and European investors. Negative investment flows have persisted in both ETFs backed by physical gold and mining stocks, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 4. SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) Change in Holdings by Year (2005-2024)
Source: Meridian Macro Research. Data as of 6/30/2024.
Figure 5. Current Shares Outstanding for GDX (2019-2024)
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 9/30/2024.
Figure 6 shows that the positioning of financial advisors to precious metals is at a five-year low.
Figure 6. Advisors Hold Little Gold (2017-2024)
Source: BofA Global Research. Data as of 2/26/2024.
When Western capital market investors decide to reallocate a small portion of their capital to gold, and there are multiple reasons why they might, the metal’s price will likely move higher. The impact on mining company shares, which collectively have a market capitalization approximately equal to Home Depot or Costco’s, would, in our opinion, substantially exceed the percentage increase in the metal’s price.
It is worth noting that following the launch of GLD (SPDR Gold Shares ETF)3 in 2004, inflows of approximately 38 million ounces were sufficient to help fuel a 300% rise in the gold price from slightly less than $600 to $1,900 in August 2011, a seven-year span. Since 2010, the quantity of money (M2)4 has increased 248% while the quantity of gold has increased (through mine output) only 22.2%. The quantity of U.S. dollars that could be exchanged for gold has increased 10x relative to the quantity of physical gold over the past 15 years.
Measured against the ratio of U.S. dollars to gold creation, the five-year 70% increase in the U.S. dollar gold price seems both sustainable and probably inadequate. Liquidity created by the Fed’s decade-long policy of ultra-low interest rates and QE (quantitative easing) initially found its way into overvalued equities and assorted other financial assets. A small leakage from those positions would represent enormous buying power relative to available metal.
Early-Stage Bull Market for Gold
The current bull market for gold is embryonic, in our opinion. The classic hallmarks of an early-stage bull market include widespread skepticism and general underpositioning. The inevitable transition of investor psychology from pessimism to exuberance takes several years. Long-term investors in mining stocks are beginning to experience a small amount of daylight with the year-to-date rally.
The temptation to cash in gains that are paltry relative to years of unproductive returns is difficult to resist. We advise further patience. In our view, valuations remain exceptionally attractive assuming only the continuation of spot pricing for precious metals. Inflows into the tiny precious metals mining universe have barely started. The upside potential that likely lies ahead may be well worth any additional wait.
North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – October 1, 2024) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (“Lion One” or the “Company”) is pleased to report significant new high-grade gold results from near-mine exploration and infill drilling at the West Zone target west of to the Tuvatu Gold Mine in Fiji. The company is also pleased to report record preliminary Q1 FY2025 gold production at Tuvatu.
Highlights of West Zone exploration and infill drilling:
105.20 g/t Au over 2.1 m (including 248.35 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-636, from 67.8 m depth)
70.07 g/t Au over 2.1 m (including 73.43 g/t Au over 1.2 m) (TUDDH-647, from 144.5 m depth)
102.38 g/t Au over 1.2 m (TUDDH-645, from 97.7 m depth)
19.82 g/t Au over 5.1 m (including 68.88 g/t Au over 0.9 m) (TUDDH-636, from 34.5 m depth)
146.61 g/t Au over 0.6 m (including 289.85 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-645, from 164.3 m depth)
24.16 g/t Au over 3.3 m (including 96.78 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-652, from 173.5 m depth)
49.72 g/t Au over 0.8 m (including 78.61 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TUDDH-755, from 52.94 m depth)
42.44 g/t Au over 1.8 m (including 61.66 g/t Au over 0.6 m) (TUDDH-636, from 60.6 m depth)
7.68 g/t Au over 4.2 m (including 28.63 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TUDDH-645, from 142.4 m depth)
14.86 g/t Au over 2.0 m (TUDDH-636, from 228.8 m depth)
*All drill intersects are downhole lengths, 3.0 g/t cutoff. See Table 1 for additional data
Highlights of quarterly gold production (preliminary results):
3,680 oz of gold recovered from July-September 2024
31,390 tonnes milled from July-September 2024
Record quarterly gold production (previous record set in the prior quarter, April-June 2024)
July production impacted by scheduled 9-day mill maintenance shutdown
August production impacted by mining equipment breakdown
Quarterly Production Results
Lion One Metals will produce approximately 3,680 oz of gold during the three-month period ending September 30th, 2024. This is a new quarterly production record, beating the previous production record of 3,551 oz of gold produced in the prior three-month period ending June 30th, 2024. Production during the period was impacted by a scheduled 9-day mill maintenance shutdown in July, as well as by mining equipment breakdowns in August. The total tonnes processed during the three-month period ending September 30th was 31,390 tonnes, which is comparable to the prior three-month period of 32,100 tonnes processed.
The mill shutdown in July was conducted to maintain and upgrade the Tuvatu processing plant facilities, and will have a significant impact on processing efficiency and cost savings moving forward. Major upgrades completed during the shutdown include re-lining the primary ball mill with rubber liners, replacing the bowl/mantle for the cone crusher, replacing the #1 conveyor belt, replacing the grinding and gravity circuit piping with flexible slurry hoses, and installing new detox feed pumps and feed splitter box for the detox circuit.
Re-lining the ball mill with rubber liners is a significant upgrade as the lighter weight rubber liners will reduce power draw by the primary ball mill and will enable a higher ball charge and finer primary grind, thereby improving mill recovery and efficiency. Wear life on the rubber liners is also expected to double from 6 months to 1 year thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs. The grinding and gravity circuit piping replacements will improve mill availability and will further reduce maintenance costs as the use of flexible slurry hoses will result in significantly less downtime for pipe repairs than with the previous steel piping. Overall, the upgrades completed during the July mill shutdown have helped to increase mill availability from 89% in the three-month period ending June 30th, to 93% in the three-month period ending September 30th. The upgrades have also helped to increase average daily mill throughput per operating day (excluding the planned mill shutdown) from 353 TPD in the three-month period ending June 30th to 371 TPD in the three-month period ending September 30th. In addition to the processing plant improvements, operational costs from the filtered tailings haulage have also been reduced by bringing the haulage operation in-house with three new trucks acquired during the quarter, which will lead to significant cost savings from operations.
Gold production during the quarter was also impacted by mine equipment availability in August. Two underground loaders were down for repairs simultaneously. Having both loaders down for repairs significantly impacted mining operations as production material could not be extracted from the mine. Stockpiled low-grade development material was therefore fed through the mill during the interim period while the loaders were repaired, resulting in decreased production in August. A new underground loader from Australia was purchased and arrived on site in September resulting in improved equipment availability and enhanced redundancy.
Figure 1. Tuvatu Monthly Gold Production. Gold recovery and production has increased steadily at Tuvatu as mining and processing activities have ramped up during the pilot plant phase of operations. Production was reduced in July due to a scheduled 9-day mill maintenance shut down and was hampered in August due to mining equipment breakdown.
The West Zone drilling consists of two separate programs: a deep exploratory drill program targeting a feeder zone at depth below the West Zone, and a shallow infill drill program targeting near-surface mineralization for inclusion in the Tuvatu mine plan (Figure 2). The deep exploration drill holes are the first holes ever designed to test the depth extension of mineralization beneath the West Zone. This program consisted of five holes and all five holes intersected high grade gold, indicating strong continuation of mineralization at depth in the West Zone and warranting further exploration. The shallow West Zone infill drill program is ongoing. The results from the first two drill holes of the program are reported here, both of which intersected visible gold near surface.
Figure 2. Location of the West Zone drilling. Left image: Plan view image showing the West Zone target area in relation to Tuvatu, with underground developments shown in red and mineralized lodes in grey. Right image: view of the West Zone lodes and drilling looking east, with underground developments at Tuvatu shown in pale red in the background.
Table 1. Highlights of composited drill results in the West Zone area. Composites are calculated using a 3 g/t Au cutoff with maximum internal dilution intervals of 1 m at <3 g/t Au. For full results see Table 3 in the appendix.
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Width (m)
Au (g/t)
TUDDH-636
67.8
69.9
2.1
105.20
including
67.8
68.4
0.6
72.55
and
68.4
68.7
0.3
126.37
and
68.7
69.0
0.3
248.35
and
69.0
69.6
0.6
73.82
and
69.6
69.9
0.3
68.96
TUDDH-647
144.5
146.6
2.1
70.07
including
144.5
145.7
1.2
73.43
and
145.7
146.6
0.9
65.58
TUDDH-645
97.7
98.9
1.2
102.38
TUDDH-636
34.5
39.6
5.1
19.82
including
37.8
39.6
1.8
39.86
which includes
38.7
39.6
0.9
68.88
TUDDH-645
164.3
164.9
0.6
146.61
including
164.6
164.9
0.3
289.85
TUDDH-652
173.5
176.8
3.3
24.16
including
173.5
175.3
1.8
37.08
which includes
173.8
174.1
0.3
96.78
and also including
176.2
176.5
0.3
33.37
TUDDH-636
60.6
62.4
1.8
42.44
including
60.6
61.8
1.2
55.81
which includes
60.6
61.2
0.6
61.66
and
61.2
61.8
0.6
49.96
TUDDH-755
52.9
53.7
0.8
49.72
including
52.9
53.3
0.4
78.61
TUDDH-645
142.4
146.6
4.2
7.68
including
142.4
143.0
0.6
13.02
and
144.2
144.8
0.6
19.76
TUDDH-636
228.8
230.8
2.0
14.86
TUDDH-642
179.1
182.1
3.0
8.23
TUDDH-642
172.5
175.5
3.0
6.44
including
174.6
175.5
0.9
15.55
TUDDH-647
137.6
140.9
3.3
5.49
including
140.0
140.9
0.9
12.89
TUDDH-753
57.6
58.3
0.7
25.22
including
57.6
57.9
0.4
43.58
*All drill intersects are downhole lengths
The West Zone is located approximately 300 m to the west of the main Tuvatu deposit. It is modelled as a series of mainly east-west oriented lodes dipping steeply to the south. High grade gold has been sampled at surface in the West Zone and the area is coincident with a steeply dipping CSAMT gradient, indicative of a potential deep feeder structure in the area. Given the steeply dipping nature of the mineralized lodes both at Tuvatu and at the West Zone, and given the horizontal distance between the two systems, it is unlikely that they are fed by the same feeder zone. It is therefore hypothesized that there is a second feeder zone located at depth below the West Zone, which would be separate and distinct from the very high-grade Zone 500 feeder zone at Tuvatu.
The deep drillholes reported in this news release are the first drillholes ever designed to test for feeder structures beneath the West Zone. Five drillholes were completed as part of this drill program (TUDDH-636, TUDDH-642, TUDDH-645, TUDDH-647, and TUDDH-652) and all five of these drillholes intersected high grade gold, including the headline intersections of 105.20 g/t Au over 2.1 m, 70.07 g/t Au over 2.1 m and 102.38 g/t Au over 1.2 m. These results indicate a strong potential for high-grade mineralization to continue further at depth below the West Zone and warrants additional exploration at depth. The deepest high-grade gold intersection returned in these first five drill holes was at almost 500 m depth downhole, with TUDDH-636 returning gold grades of 5.68 g/t and 7.00 g/t over 30 cm at 487.1 m and 482.0 m depth downhole respectively.
Structural analysis of oriented core and mapping of surface trenches in the West Zone has revealed the potential for north-south oriented mineralized structures as well as east-west oriented structures in the area. Historical drilling in the West Zone, however, has typically been oriented north-south to specifically target east-west oriented structures. This historical drilling is therefore likely to have missed any north-south oriented lodes as they would be oriented parallel to the drill direction. The infill drill program currently ongoing at the West Zone has been designed to intersect both the east-west and north-south oriented structures in this area by drilling in an oblique, northwest-southeast orientation. The first two holes of this drill program (TUDDH-753 and TUDDH-755) are reported in this news release. Both holes returned visible gold near surface (Figure 4).
Figure 3. West Zone drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. View is to the East. High to very high-grade gold is intersected near surface in the West Zone.
Figure 4. Visible gold from West Zone near surface drilling. Visible gold observed within narrow chalcedonic quartz roscoelite vein (TUDDH-755, from 52.9 m to 53.3 m). Left and right images are close-up views of visible gold seen in the center image.
The West Zone is not included in the current Tuvatu mine plan. However, given the high-grade mineralization present at surface in the West Zone as well as the close proximity of the West Zone to the Tuvatu processing plant, the West Zone is an ideal target for near-mine expansion. The West Zone is located just south of the mine office building at Tuvatu (Figure 5). To bring the West Zone into the current mine plan a second portal could be opened to provide direct access to the area, or an underground access drive could be developed from Tuvatu. The ongoing West Zone infill drill program is designed to help inform this decision as well as to increase confidence in the near-surface mineralization present in the West Zone.
Figure 5. Approximate location of the West Zone target area in relation to the Tuvatu processing plant and infrastructure.
The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and reviewed by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company’s Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ (JORC code). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears.
Lion One Laboratories / QAQC
Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods.
Diamond drill core samples are logged and split by Lion One personnel on site and delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples.
Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish.
About Lion One Metals Limited
Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release
This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Appendix 1: Full Drill Results and Collar Information
Table 2. Collar coordinates for drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid.
Hole ID
Easting
Northing
Elevation
Azimuth
Dip
Depth
TUDDH-636
1875867
3920760
175
160.0
-56.8
515.8
TUDDH-642
1875885
3920756
175
186.4
-76.4
417.0
TUDDH-645
1875917
3920685
203
325.9
-59.5
311.9
TUDDH-647
1875917
3920685
203
326.0
-72.2
458.3
TUDDH-652
1875918
3920685
203
325.0
-79.1
783.0
TUDDH-753
1875838
3920802
141
125.8
-19.6
184.9
TUDDH-755
1875838
3920802
141
131.8
-33.4
220.4
Table 3. Composite results from drillholes reported in this news release (composite grade >3.0 g/t Au)
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 27, 2024) – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) is pleased to announce the closing of the second and final tranche of its previously announced bought deal financing (the “Offering“) for additional gross proceeds of $4,500,000 from the issuance of 3,600,000 FT Shares (as defined below). The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from the completion of the Offering (including the gross proceeds raised from the completion of the first tranche of the Offering on September 4, 2024) is $32,200,000, from the issuance of:
11,500,000 common shares of the Company (“Common Shares“) at a price of $1.00 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $11,500,000, issued under a prospectus supplement dated August 21, 2024 to the Company’s final short form base shelf prospectus dated April 25, 2023 (“Prospectus Offering“), including the full exercise of the over-allotment option under the Prospectus Offering; and
16,560,000 Common Shares that qualify as “flow-through shares” within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act“) (each, a “FT Share“) at a price of $1.25 per FT Share for gross proceeds of $20,700,000, on a bought deal private placement basis (“Private Placement Offering“), including the full exercise of the over-allotment option under the Private Placement Offering.
The Offering was completed on a bought deal basis pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated August 21, 2024 (the “Underwriting Agreement“) between the Company and a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Research Capital Corporation, as co-lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and Haywood Securities Inc., as co-lead underwriter, and including Raymond James Ltd. (collectively, the “Underwriters“). Eventus Capital Corp. is a special advisor to the Company.
The net proceeds from the sale of Common Shares will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Shares will be used for further exploration, mineral resource expansion and drilling in the combined Kitsault Valley project, located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, or any other eligible Canadian property of the Company, as well as for working capital as permitted, as Canadian Exploration Expenses as defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of “Canadian exploration expense” in subsection 66.1(6) of the Tax Act and “flow through mining expenditures” as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act that will qualify as “flow-through mining expenditures” and “BC flow-through mining expenditures” as defined in subsection 4.721(1) of the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares.
The FT Shares issued pursuant to the closing of the second tranche of the Private Placement Offering are subject to a hold period in Canada expiring on January 28, 2025. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Prospectus Offering are not subject to a statutory hold period.
In connection with the closing of the second tranche of the Offering, the Underwriters received a cash fee equal to $225,000, representing 5.0% of the gross proceeds of the second tranche of the Private Placement Offering.
This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.
About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project (which combines the Dolly Varden Project and the Homestake Ridge Project) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to tide water. The 163 sq. km. project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, high-grade deposits, such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack. The Kitsault Valley Project also contains the Big Bulk property which is prospective for porphyry and skarn style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region (Red Mountain, KSM, Red Chris).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. These forward‐looking statements or information relate to, among other things the expected use of proceeds from the issuance of the Common Shares and the FT Shares, 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; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 23, 2024) – Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) (“Goldshore” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce assay results from the 2024 field programs that concentrated on extending mineralization along the Moss trend, and evaluating the exploration potential along the Kawa trend through rock chip and channel sampling and through assaying unsampled historical drill core (Figures 1 & 2). The Company plans to conduct systematic top of bedrock sampling and ground based induced polarization geophysical surveys over these prospective shear zones in the future to develop robust drill targets.
Sampling has focused on largely undercover areas, yielding favorable results including the following:
Discovery of additional high grade mineralized areas north of the Moss Deposit at the Superion and West Span prospects including grab assays of 15.4 g/t Au and 10.5 g/t Au.
Discovery of a new mineralized shear outside of the drilling envelope close to the Southwest Zone of the Moss Deposit returning a surface assay of 12.3 g/t Au.
Expanded mineralized intercepts at the Moss Nose and Kawa prospects through assaying of unsampled historical drill core returning individual values as high as 7.88 g/t Au over 0.65m in ML-02-001.
Additional mineralized outcrops discovered at the Moss Nose prospects with grab samples returning up to 3.39 g/t Au.
Identified mineralization at surface over 4.5km along the Kawa trend with channel samples at the Deaty prospect returning 0.92 g/t over 2.85m.
Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Goldshore commented, “The results from the rock chip and channel sampling programs in conjunction with assaying unsampled historical drill core has demonstrated the potential within the Moss Deposit area. These results re-enforce not only our belief of the ability to extend the Moss Deposit but also the discovery potential in the area. The Company’s technical team is currently designing a program to efficiently evaluate the 23 km of prospective structural corridors in the Moss Deposit area where we believe there is excellent potential for a new discovery.”
Review of regional historical drill core:
Goldshore’s Moss Nose and Kawa trend targets were initially drilled in the early 2000s by then project holder Moss Lake Gold Mines (“MLGM”). Goldshore has relogged the MLGM core and noted strong similarities between the diorite complex which hosts the Moss Deposit and the diorites present at both the Moss Nose and Kawa targets. Goldshore assayed 477 samples to fill in significant gaps in the original MLGM sampling to better define the widths and grade of the historical drilling. Assay results returned elevated Au values which expand the known mineralized zones at both targets with values as high as 7.88 g/t Au over 0.65m in ML-02-001 underscoring the difficulty of visually identifying mineralization (Figure 1). Trace element values within the diorites of the Moss Nose and Kawa trends are very similar to those of the Moss Deposit demonstrating the prospectivity of the host rocks at these target areas. Updated significant intercepts resulting from the assaying of unsampled historical drill core are presented in Table 1 and demonstrate intervals that could be on the margins of higher-grade zones as observed at the margins of the Moss Deposit.
Figure 1: Select assays from infill sampling of historical core
Goldshore’s 2023 field program focused on advancing targets within the Moss Deposit area. Gold mineralization styles discovered during this program included sulphidised iron formations as well as “Moss-like” shear-controlled sulphides. Assay results received from the 2024 grab and channel samples have revealed expanded surface gold mineralization at several targets including West Span, Southwest Kawa, Deaty, Moss Nose and a new near-deposit mineralized shear near the Moss Southwest Zone (Figure 2). Collectively these results demonstrate the potential within the Moss Deposit area. In particular, the high-grade grab samples of 15.4g/t Au and 10.5g/t Au from the West Span target demonstrate the potential of extending mineralization to the northeast of the Moss Deposit. In addition, the results from the Deaty prospect along the Kawa trend has demonstrated gold mineralization over a 4.5 km length and show the need for systematic exploration along the approximately 10km long trend to develop robust drill targets as the Company aims to realize the full potential of this structural corridor. Select results of the surface grabs and mineralized channel widths are included in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.
Figure 2: Select assays from grab and channel sampling during the 2023 field activities.
In 2024 Goldshore has embarked on a systematic geochemical sampling program across the core of the project surrounding the Moss Deposit in order to identify the broader signature of the gold mineralization system and identify further targets. This work is split between an ongoing summer/fall outcrop sampling program and a top-of-bedrock drilling campaign that is in planning stages for 2025 to infill unexposed areas. Sampling from prior field work is contributing to this project where able.
A stripping program is also scheduled in the fall to expose more of the SW Kawa prospect discovered in 2022 (2.5km southeast of the Moss Deposit). Additional detailed geological mapping and channel sampling will assist in determining correlations between the broad mineralization seen across the Kawa trend and that of the Moss Deposit.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that any part of the mineral resources discussed herein will be converted to a mineral reserve in the future. The estimate of mineral resources may also be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, soci-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
Digital marketing services
Machai Capital Inc. (“Machai”) has been engaged to provide branding and content and data optimization to assist the Company in creating in-depth marketing campaigns. Machai will also offer search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and brand marketing services to the Company.
Machai has been engaged by the Company for an initial 3-month period. In consideration for the services provided, the Company will pay Machai a total of $110,000 in cash based on the completion of service milestones.
Machai has a business address at 505 – 5033 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0H6. The services to be provided by Machai will be overseen by Suneal Sandhu, President. The Company and Machai act at arm’s length, and neither Machai Capital nor Suneal Sandhu has a present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or present intent to acquire such an interest.
Machai has agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange in providing the services to the Company.
Qualified Person
Peter Flindell, PGeo, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice-President, Exploration, of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
About Goldshore
Goldshore is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world’s largest gold company and backed by one of Canada’s pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company’s current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $60 million of new capital and completed approximately 80,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 235,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for fast track through this development cycle. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company’s website (www.goldshoreresources.com).
For More Information – Please Contact:
Michael Henrichsen President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Goldshore Resources Inc.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project, the Company’s plans to conduct systematic top of bedrock sampling and ground based induced polarization geophysical surveys over prospective shear zones to develop robust drill targets, the proposed program to efficiently evaluate the 23 km of prospective structural corridors in the Moss Deposit area, the top-of-bedrock drilling campaign planned in winter 2025, the stripping program scheduled for the fall, 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’s plans to conduct systematic top of bedrock sampling and ground based induced polarization geophysical surveys over prospective shear zones to develop robust drill targets, the proposed program to efficiently evaluate the 23 km of prospective structural corridors in the Moss Deposit area, the top-of-bedrock drilling campaign planned in winter 2025, and the stripping program scheduled for the fall may not be carried on the timing anticipated or at all; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information in this news release is based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions, including that the Company’s business and financial position and general economic conditions will not be adversely affected and that the Company’s planned exploration and development programs will be completed and on the timetable expected.
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.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 18, 2024) – EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the “Company” or “EMX“) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Stefan L. Wenger as Chief Financial Officer effective October 1, 2024. Mr. Wenger was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Royal Gold, Inc., one of the mining industry’s leading royalty companies, from 2006 to 2018. Prior to becoming Royal Gold’s CFO, Mr. Wenger was the Chief Accounting Officer from 2003 to 2006. During his tenure, Royal Gold grew its portfolio from 14 to 188 royalties, while annual revenues increased from US$15 million to US$459 million. Before Royal Gold, Mr. Wenger had begun his career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen. Mr. Wenger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University, has completed the General Management Program at the Harvard Business School, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
In addition to Mr. Wenger’s new role as CFO, and as part of the Company’s optimization of corporate responsibilities, Mr. Douglas Reed has transitioned from CFO to become EMX’s Chief Accounting Officer and Mr. Ryan Hindmarch, currently Corporate Controller, has been appointed as the Director of Finance. The Company is excited to have Mr. Wenger onboard, as well as for the appointment of Mr. Reed and Mr. Hindmarch to their new positions, and looks forward to their collective contributions fostering EMX’s growth and shareholder value creation.
On the effective date, as part of his appointment Mr. Wenger will receive 50,000 incentive stock options and 50,000 restricted shares units (RSUs) as part of his CFO compensation package. The options vest on the date of grant, will have a term of 5 years to expiry, and will have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX-Venture Exchange as of the day prior October 1, 2024; and the RSUs will vest after 12 months from the grant date.
About EMX – EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX’s investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “EMX”. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain “forward looking statements” that reflect the Company’s current expectations and projections about its future results, but which are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will”, “believe”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company’s future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to the Company being unable to comply with the covenants under the Credit Agreement, including the repayment of any amounts owing under the Loan, and other factors.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company’s MD&A for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (the “MD&A”), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the year ended December 31, 2023, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.caand on the SEC’s EDGAR website atwww.sec.gov.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF)(“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) announces that Newmont Corporation (“Newmont”) has elected to exercise its ‘top-up right’ to purchase additional common shares in Metallic Minerals in order to maintain its 9.5% interest pursuant to its Investor Rights Agreement (the “IRA”) dated May 18, 2023. Under the terms of the IRA, Newmont will purchase an aggregate of 577,776 common shares at a price of $0.36 per share (the “Top-Up Financing”) reflecting the Company’s July financing and certain other transactions completed over the past six months.
The Top-Up Financing remains subject to customary closing conditions, including final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance.
Newmont funded a 4,500-meter drill program at Metallic Minerals’ La Plata copper-silver-gold-platinum group element (“Cu-Ag-Au-PGE”) project in southwestern Colorado via a $6.3 million strategic equity investment announced May 2023. Results from that program announced in May 2024 demonstrate the potential of the La Plata project to be a district-scale, precious-metal-rich porphyry system with multiple holes returning from 500 to 900 meters of continuous mineralization starting from surface and including some of the highest grade-times-thickness values for copper drill holes in the U.S. over the last year1. Resource modelling is currently underway to integrate the recent drilling results into an updated resource estimate at the Allard deposit for the project.
Newmont has provided technical support and expertise to the La Plata project team through the joint technical committee, which has included multiple site visits and assistance with geologic and geophysical interpretations and hyperspectral data acquisition. These contributions are ongoing, with Newmont providing experienced personnel to the project for enhancing surface data acquisition, geologic mapping, and geophysics.
Metallic Minerals CEO and Chairman, Greg Johnson, stated,”We are very pleased to continue the advancement of our excellent working relationship with the Newmont team. Metallic has worked closely with Newmont via our technical committee and appreciates the collaboration with their technical team at the site. The main Allard deposit remains open to expansion at depth and along trend, with more than 20 new surface targets identified which may represent additional porphyry centers. Work is currently underway on the Allard resource which will include adding gold, platinum and palladium to the existing copper and silver resource. The resource update is targeted to be complete in Q4 2024. Metallic has also been collaborating with Newmont personnel on follow up surface sampling at the newly identified targets to advance the highest priority targets to the first drill testing stage outside of the Allard resource area in 2025.”
In addition, Mr. Johnson, continued, “Based on our attendance last week at the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado, one of the keystone annual events for mining exploration companies and investors, we were pleased to see the interest in Metallic’s projects and the recognition of incredible value opportunity represented by the junior explorer / developer market with gold moving to new all-time highs and the recent breakouts of the mid-cap and large-cap miners. Sentiment at the event was positive, with expectations that the current deep value level of the junior market would lead to outsized future returns reflecting the scarcity of world-class discoveries and assets in copper, silver and gold currently under development in a period of such strong demand fundamentals.”
Precious Metals Summit Presentation
Metallic Minerals provided an overview and update on the Company and projects, including upcoming catalysts. To view the presentation, click here or the image.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a resource-stage mineral exploration company, focused on copper, silver, gold, and platinum group elements in top North American mining jurisdictions. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development.
At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the expanded 2023 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate highlights a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.2 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver1, with numerous additional targets showing potential for a district-scale porphyry system. The Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment by Newmont Corporation in May 2023. The U.S. Geological Survey has identified the La Plata mining district as a critical minerals resource area under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative program and has completed significant geologic and geophysical studies to enhance understanding of the critical mineral occurrence in the district. The La Plata project is located between the communities of Mancos and Durango, Colorado, north of Highway 160.
In Canada’s Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla’s operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. The new 2024 Resource Estimate at the Company’s Keno Silver project adds 18.2 Moz silver equivalent2 to the Company’s total resources. Hecla is the largest primary silver producer in the USA and soon to be Canada’s largest with full production at its Keno Hill operations in 2024.
The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators.
Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in North America, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development and has worked closely with Canadian First Nation groups, US Tribal/Native Corporations, and local communities to support successful project development.
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessful operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Resource expansion targets identified at the Moss Deposit offer potential to increase the ounce profile above the current resource (1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au), and reduce the overall strip ratio, potentially enhancing project economics.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 17, 2024) – Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) (“Goldshore” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide an update on resource expansion targets at the Moss Deposit. The identified targets are located within the top 200m from surface and are within, or directly adjacent to, the conceptual open pit shell defined in the Company’s current mineral resource estimate (“MRE“) (Figure 1). Collectively, there are five targets that have been defined that represent three avenues for potential mineral resource expansion (collectively, the “Expansion Targets“):
Strategic infill to increase drill density in locations where mineralized drill intercepts are currently too widely spaced to be included in the inferred mineral resource category;
Extending known mineralized shear zones laterally along strike; and
Extending mineralized shear zones intersected at depth at the Moss Deposit towards surface where no shallow drilling has occurred (Figure 2).
Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Goldshore commented, “We are very pleased with the mineral resource Expansion Targets that have been delineated which represent an opportunity to not only increase the ounce profile of the Moss Deposit, but to also reduce the overall strip ratio in a potential mining scenario. We view the drilling of these targets as a critical step to potentially improving the economic performance of the deposit on the back of the PEA, currently in progress with G Mining Services, being released as we continue to look to add ounces in the top 200m from surface.“
The Company is finalizing a conceptual program of approximately 15,000 meters that would test the Expansion Targets outlined with the combined goals of expanding the MRE within the top 200m through increasing drill density, extending known mineralization, and reducing the strip ratio within the conceptual open pit. A summary of the targets is presented below:
The Superion and QES Up targets represent an opportunity to add ounces by extending mineralization toward surface in the top 200 m over a roughly 1.5 km and 1 km strike length respectively within and immediately adjacent to the conceptual open pit.
The Southern Main target is similar to the QES Up target where drilling in the top 50 – 200 m from surface will aim to extend mineralization over an area of 400 m by 100 m
The Southwest Infill and QES extension targets focus on areas spanning 800 meters and 400 meters, respectively, where drill density was insufficient for inclusion in the current mineral resource estimate.
Figure 1. Proposed winter drill holes within Moss pit.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that any part of the mineral resources discussed herein will be converted to a mineral reserve in the future. The estimate of mineral resources may also be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
Qualified Person
Peter Flindell, PGeo, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice-President, Exploration, of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
About Goldshore
Goldshore is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world’s largest gold company and backed by one of Canada’s pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company’s current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $60 million of new capital and completed approximately 80,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 235,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for fast track through this development cycle.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements”. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project, potential mineral resource expansion drill targets, timing and completion of a mineral resource expansion drill program, the impact of an expansion drill program on reducing the strip ratio, the targeted expansion of the deposit along the Superion target, the targeted increase in the ounce profile of the Moss Deposit, and the release of an updated preliminary economic assessment and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the foregoing exploration and development goals of the Company may not occur on the timetable anticipated or at all; the preliminary economic assessment may not be completed on the timetable expected or at all; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; risks related to compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information in this news release is based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions, including that the Company’s business and financial position and general economic conditions will not be adversely affected; that the expansion drill program will be completed and on the timetable expected; and that the preliminary economic assessment will be completed on the timetable anticipated.
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.