Proven Probable
In this interview we sit down with Shawn Khunkhun the CEO of Dolly Varden Silver (TSX.V: DV | OTCQX: DOLLF) to discuss the disconnect with Silver and Silver Equities, the latest news regarding more high-grade Silver results from the Homestake Silver Deposit, and the recent consolidation with addition of the Big Bulk Copper-Gold Porphyry Project.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – December 22, 2022) – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement offering (the “Offering“) for gross proceeds of approximately $20.7 million, including the full exercise of the agents’ option, and also received $1.9 million from Hecla Canada Ltd.’s pro-rata participation to maintain its 10.21% ownership on a fully diluted basis, for aggregate gross proceeds of $22.6 million to the Company. The Company issued: (i) 5,634,516 common shares of the Company that qualify as “flow-through shares” as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “FT Offered Shares“) at a price of $0.90 per FT Offered Share; (ii) 14,884,700 common shares of the Company that qualify as “flow-through shares” as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada) that will be issued as part of a charity arrangement (the “Charity Offered Shares” and together with the FT Offered Shares, the “Offered Shares“) at a price of $1.05 per Charity Offered Share; and (iii) 2,334,114 non flow-through common shares to Hecla Canada Ltd.
The Offering was led by Research Capital Corporation and Eventus Capital Corp., as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Haywood Securities Inc. (collectively, the “Agents“).
“2022 has been the most successful year to date in the history of Dolly Varden Silver. By consolidating seven high-grade silver and gold deposits and historic mines with potential development synergies as well as exploration upside, we have created a preeminent silver gold company within an accessible and stable region of BC’s prolific Golden Triangle. Drill results received and released to date have exceeded expectations and we eagerly await the remaining 50 drill holes from our 2022 exploration season. We are grateful to existing and new shareholders who have provided us with the capital to continue to unlock the potential of the Kitsault Valley,” commented Shawn Khunkhun, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The gross proceeds of the Offering will be used for further exploration, mineral resource expansion and drilling in Kitsault Valley located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, 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 Income Tax Act (Canada) and “flow through mining expenditures” as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) that will qualify as “flow-through mining expenditures,” which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2023 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2022 to the initial purchasers of FT Offered Shares and Charity Offered Shares.
The Offered Shares were issued under the Offering by way of applicable prospectus exemptions in accordance with NI 45-106 to “accredited investors” only.
Pursuant to the ancillary rights agreement between Hecla Canada Ltd. (“Hecla“) and the Company dated September 4, 2012, Hecla exercised its anti-dilution right in respect of the Offering to acquire 2,334,114 common shares of the Company (“Common Shares“) at a price per Common Share of $0.83 for gross proceeds of $1.9 million. The Common Shares issued to Hecla are in addition to those issued as part of the Offering.
The Offered Shares and Common Shares issued to Hecla are subject to a hold period in Canada expiring on April 23, 2022.
In connection with the Offering, the Agents received an aggregate cash fee equal to $1,191,600 and REDPLUG Inc. received a cash finder’s fee equal to $50,400.
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any securities in the United States. The securities described herein 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 except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom.
About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Projects (which include 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. projects host the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines. They are 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 Kitsault Valley Projects also contain 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 release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dolly Varden to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information in this release relates to, among other things, the use of proceeds with respect to the Offering, the results of previous field work and programs and the continued operations of the current exploration program, interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the project and that that the mineralization on the project is similar to Eskay and Brucejack, results of the mineral resource estimate on the project, the potential to grow the projects, the potential to expand the mineralization and our beliefs about the unexplored portion of the properties.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.
For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s most recently filed Annual Information Form (“AIF“) dated September 23, 2022, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in the AIF are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information: Shawn Khunkhun, CEO & Director, 1-604-602-1440, www.dollyvardensilver.com.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 7, 2022) – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) is pleased to announce that a fourth drill rig has been added to the ongoing Kitsault Valley exploration drill program located in the Golden Triangle of northwest BC. Additionally, based on encouraging visual results, the program has been expanded to include an additional 5,000m of drilling bringing the total planned program to 35,000m.
“Our expanded program will focus on four key areas, prioritizing step-out drilling at Wolf and Kitsol where visual intercepts of mineralization and assays received to-date, have been very encouraging. Additionally, geophysical surveys, surface sampling and mapping have developed multiple exploration drill targets that will be tested during our expanded program,” said Shawn Khunkhun, President and CEO of Dolly Varden Silver.
The additional drilling will be allocated to follow up on exploration success at multiple zones and to test new exploration targets in four key areas:
Over 25,000m of drilling in 80 drill holes has been completed to date with three drills. With the addition of the 4th drill, the program is on schedule to drill a total of 35,000m by the end of September 2022.
Initial Drilling at the Wolf Vein followed up on the 2021 intercept of 17.50m averaging 214 g/t Ag and 0.47% Pb including 1.22 m averaging 1,532 g/t Ag, 0.44 g/t Au, 2.11 % Pb and 1.07% Zn (news release, December 20, 2021) and associated alteration underneath the central valley sediment cap has encountered a robust mineralizing system that has been drilled so-far to a depth of 500m and along strike an additional 175m to the southwest. The system remains open thus far and is interpreted to be getting wider closer to the center of the valley fold axis and geophysical anomalies. Assays are currently pending for Wolf Zone drilling.
At the Red Point Prospect, surface grab samples of high level vein float returned 6,280g/t Ag and 106 g/t Ag with 5.82 g/t Au. A subsequent IP line completed by Simcoe Geoscience using their Alpha Wireless Time Domain Distributed IP technology crossed over the zone of veining and shows a strong Chargeability anomaly indicative of sulphides approximately 200m below surface with narrow extensions up to surface where the float samples were collected.
2D IP Chargeability Model
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Dolly Varden’s initial program includes 99 drill holes planned in the phase I program. Resource upgrade and down plunge expansion drilling is underway at the Homestake Ridge Deposit with three drills. The fourth drill is performing exploration drilling north of the Homestake Main resource area, testing the projection of the mineralized structures up to 500m north of the deposit.
The Kitsault Valley Project combined current mineral resource estimate contains 34.7 million ounces of silver and 166 thousand ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 29.3 million ounces of silver and 817 thousand ounces of gold in the Inferred category within a 163 square km consolidated land package.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Company adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted on its property. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures are overseen by the Qualified Person.
Dolly Varden QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks and field duplicates within the sample stream. Drill core is cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags and shipped to the laboratory and the other half retained on site. Third party laboratory checks on 5% of the samples are carried out as well. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility.
Analytical testing was performed by ALS Canada Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The entire sample is crushed and a 500 gram split is pulverized to minus 200mesh. Multi-element analyses were determined by Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for 48 elements following a 4-acid digestion process. High grade silver testing was determined by Fire Assay with either an atomic absorption, or a gravimetric finish, depending on grade range. Au is determined by Fire Assay on a 30g split.
Qualified Person
Rob van Egmond, P.Geo. Vice-President Exploration for Dolly Varden Silver, the “Qualified Person” as defined by NI43-101 has reviewed, validated and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and supervises the ongoing exploration program at the Dolly Varden Project.
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, on-trend, 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 release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dolly Varden to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information in this release relates to, among other things, the 2022 drill program at the Kitsault Valley Project, the results of previous field work and programs and the continued operations of the current exploration program, interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the project and that that the mineralization on the project is similar to Eskay and Brucejack, results of the mineral resource estimate on the project, the potential to grow the project, the potential to expand the mineralization and our beliefs about the unexplored portion of the property.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.
For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s most recently filed annual management discussion & analysis (“MD&A“) and management information circular dated January 21, 2022 (the “Circular“), both of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in the MD&A and the Circular are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information: Shawn Khunkhun, CEO & Director, 1-604-609-5137, www.dollyvardensilver.com
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/136214
Dolly Varden Silver Corp: (TSX.V: DV | OTCQX: DOLLF)
Website: https://www.dollyvardensilver.com/
Corporate Presentation: https://bit.ly/3atGLuq
Email: info@dollyvardensilver.com
Phone: 604-602-1440
Dolly Varden Silver Corp: (TSX.V: DV | OTCQX: DOLLF)
Website:
https://www.dollyvardensilver.com/
Corporate Presentation:
https://bit.ly/3atGLuq Email: info@dollyvardensilver.com
Phone: 604-602-1440
VANCOUVER, BC, March 11, 2022 /CNW/ – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTC: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) announces that further to is news release dated March 9, 2022, the Company has issued 402,815 common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares“) to Haywood Securities Inc. (“Haywood“) pursuant to a financial advisory agreement between Haywood and the Company. As previously described in the Company’s management information circular dated January 24, 2022 (the “Circular“), Dolly Varden engaged Haywood to provide financial advisory services in connection with Dolly Varden’s acquisition of a 100% interest in the Homestake Ridge gold-silver project from Fury Gold Mines Ltd. (“Fury“), which closed on February 25, 2022 (the “Transaction“). The Common Shares were issued to Haywood at a deemed price of $0.5896 per share for an aggregate value of $237,499, which represents a portion of Haywood’s fee for advisory services they provided to Dolly Varden in respect of the Transaction. The deemed price per share of $0.5896 is substantially equal to the price per share issued by Dolly Varden to Fury and Hecla Canada Ltd. in connection with the Transaction.
Further information regarding the Transaction is provided in the Circular and the Company’s news release announcing closing of the Transaction dated February 25, 2022. The Circular and closing news release are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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, on-trend, 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).
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
SOURCE Dolly Varden Silver Corp.
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2022/11/c3059.html
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTC: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Research Capital Corporation and Eventus Capital Corp., as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners, on behalf of a syndicate of agents including Haywood Securities Inc. (collectively, the “Agents“) in connection with a best efforts brokered private placement financing (the “Offering“) to raise gross proceeds of up to $10 million from the sale of up to 9.8 million common shares of the Company that qualify as “flow-through shares” as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Offered Shares“) at a price of $1.02 per share (“Offered Price“).
“On the heels of the transformational acquisition of Homestake Ridge, these additional funds will allow the company to aggressively advance one of the largest high-grade, undeveloped silver and gold assets in Western Canada.” commented Shawn Khunkhun, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The Agents will have an option (the “Agents’ Option“) to offer for sale up to an additional 15% of the number of Offered Shares sold in the Offering at the Offering Price, which Agents’ Option is exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering.
The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for further exploration, mineral resource expansion and drilling in Kitsault Valley located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, as well as for working capital as permitted.
In connection with the Offering, the Agents will receive an aggregate cash fee equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, including in respect of the Agent’s Option.
The securities to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada and such other jurisdictions as may be determined by the Company, in each case, pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws.
The issuance of the Offered Shares under the Offering and the payment of the Agents’ commission are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, receipt of any other required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about March 30, 2022. Securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month and-one-day statutory hold period.
Pursuant to the ancillary rights agreement between Hecla Canada Ltd. (“Hecla“) and the Company dated September 4, 2012, Hecla will be entitled to acquire common shares of the Company at a price of $0.86 per share to maintain its pro rata equity interest in the Company. If Hecla exercises its pro rata rights under the ancillary rights agreement, any common shares issued to Hecla will be in addition to those issued as part of the Offering.
Pursuant to the investor rights agreement between Fury Gold Mines Ltd. (“Fury“) and the Company dated February 25, 2022, Fury will be entitled to acquire common shares of the Company at a price of $0.86 per share to maintain its pro rata equity interest in the Company. If Fury exercises its pro rata right under the investor rights agreement, any common shares issued to Fury will be in addition to those issued as part of the Offering.
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any securities in the United States. The securities described herein 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 except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom.
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, on-trend, 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 release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dolly Varden to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements or information in this release relates to, among other things, completion of the Offering, TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Offering, the use of proceeds with respect to the Offerings, the results of previous field work and programs and the continued operations of the current exploration program, interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the project and that that the mineralization on the project is similar to Eskay and Brucejack, results of the mineral resource estimate on the project, the potential to grow the project, the potential to expand the mineralization and our beliefs about the unexplored portion of the property.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.
For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s most recently filed annual management discussion & analysis (“MD&A“) and management information circular dated January 21, 2022 (the “Circular“), both of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in the MD&A and the Circular are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information: Shawn Khunkhun, CEO & Director, 1-604-602-1440, www.dollyvardensilver.com;
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 23, 2022 /CNW/ – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (“Dolly Varden” or the “Company“) (TSXV: DV) (OTC: DOLLF) is pleased to announce that Hecla Canada Ltd. (“Hecla”) gave notice of their intent to invest $5.3 million dollars concurrent with the completion of the previously announced transaction whereby Dolly Varden will acquired a 100% interest in the Homestake Ridge gold-silver project (“Homestake Project”), located adjacent to the Dolly Varden Project (“DV Project”) in the Golden Triangle, British Columbia (the “Transaction”).
Pursuant to the ancillary rights agreement between Hecla and the Company, dated September 4, 2012, Hecla has subscribed for the purchase of 9,048,539 common shares of the Company in accordance with their anti-dilution right in respect of the Transaction for proceeds of approximately $5.3 million to maintain its pro-rata equity interest in the Company. The common shares to be issued to Hecla would be in addition to those issued as part of the Transaction.
About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration in northwestern British Columbia. The DV Project consists of the namesake Dolly Varden silver property that hosts a unique pure silver mineral resource as well as the nearby Big Bulk copper-gold porphyry property. Adjacent to the DV Project, the Homestake Ridge Project hosts structurally controlled epithermal gold, silver and copper mineralization. Together, the consolidated DV Project and Homestake Ridge Project, to be referred to as the Kitsault Valley Project, create one large, high-grade precious metals project with further synergistic and exploration upside potential. The Kitsault Valley Project is considered to be highly prospective for hosting high-grade precious metal deposits, since it comprises the same structural and stratigraphic setting that host numerous other high-grade deposits (Eskay Creek, Brucejack). The Big Bulk property 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 release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dolly Varden to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements or information in this release relates to, among other things, potential synergies expected from the combination of the DV Project and Homestake Project, the development potential of the property, the completion of the Transaction and the completion of the Hecla subscription.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.
For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s most recently filed annual management discussion & analysis (“MD&A“), which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in the MD&A are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
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SOURCE Dolly Varden Silver Corp.
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Maurice Jackson:
Joining us for a conversation is Shawn Khunkhun, the CEO of Dolly Varden Silver Corp. It’s a great time to be speaking with you as Dolly Varden Silver has just expanded their footprint in the highly prospective Kitsault Valley trend located in the prolific Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Before we begin, Mr. Khunkhun, please introduce us to Dolly Varden Silver and the opportunity the company presents to shareholders.
Shawn Khunkhun:
Dolly Varden has just announced today that we are set to acquire Homestake Ridge from Fury. Up until this moment, Dolly Varden was a silver-focused company in the Golden Triangle with a mineral endowment of 44 million ounces of high-grade silver. What today’s announcement proposes, is Dolly Varden is going to have a shareholder vote. We’ve got support from one our larger shareholders, Eric Sprott, who has not only publicly given his support, but he’s actually signed up support and lockup agreements for this transaction.
Shawn Khunkhun:
We are looking to unify the Kitsault Valley trend, which is comprised of 7 known deposits along 15 kilometers of Hazleton Rocks in the Golden Triangle, of which 4 of these deposits are on the Dolly Varden side and 3 are on the Homestake Ridge side. The amalgamation would also dramatically increase our mineral inventory taking us from 44 million ounces of high-grade silver to 137 million ounces of high-grade silver equivalent. To look at it through a gold lens, we would be at over 1.8 million ounces of high-grade gold.
Maurice Jackson:
Now before we get into the details of the transaction, please acquaint us with the Homestake Ridge Project, which hosts a resource in the inferred and indicated category of both gold and silver, along with a PEA.
Shawn Khunkhun:
Homestake Ridge, looking at it based on their gold ounces, has about 900,000 ounces of gold, about 18 million ounces silver, or one could look at it through a gold lens of 1.2 million ounces gold equivalent or 93 million ounces silver equivalent. It’s a project that is situated in the Golden Triangle. It’s a project that is open at depth and along strike. And it’s a project that hosts some very, very impressive grades.
And some of the opportunities at Homestake Ridge are there are some high-grade areas that not only do you have 20, 30 gram per ton gold material, but you have it over wide intervals. There are some tremendous opportunities to take some of the inferred resources and move them along into the indicated category. But you’re probably going to have some big surprises there in that just as Dolly Varden saw last year at our Torbrit Mine, which is a silver-rich mine, there is a tremendous opportunity when you vector into the high-grade.
Shawn Khunkhun:
For example, our resource on our side of the property is 300-gram silver. We did some infill drilling last year and we were finding that the resources were understated, as we were finding 450 gram material over big wide intervals. I suspect those same opportunities are going to persist on the Homestake side of the trend.
But the real story here, is that there are 5.5 kilometers in between the two projects that have never been explored. And both companies independently had done some geophysical work that has both concluded in three large geophysical anomalies in between, so I suspect we’ll move from seven deposits potentially to 10 and counting. We feel confident that there’s a huge, huge exploration upside before us.
Shawn Khunkhun:
I came into Dolly Varden in February 2020. This was a company that had $3 million in the bank. It had 44 million ounces in the ground and it had a $20 million market cap. Post this transaction, this is a $125 million company with 140 million ounces of silver equivalent in the ground, boasting an impressive treasury and with an experienced technical team that will continue to unlock discovery opportunities.
Maurice Jackson:
Now I have to ask you, sir, how were you able to acquire the Homestake Ridge? Could you walk us through the details of the transaction?
Shawn Khunkhun:
I think it was just one of these situations where when an M&A deal works for both parties, it’s the best. I really believe in business, how do you create win-win-win opportunities, whether it’s with our first nations partners, the Nisga’a, where we bring employment opportunities and they give us social license to do our exploration work.
Or whether it’s in the case of this M&A transaction where Fury is undervalued based on the incredible mineral endowment they have. And they’ve got 3 great projects in Canada, but the challenge with 3 great projects is how do you advance them all? Therefore, what Fury Gold Mines will be doing is they’re partnering with us. Ivan Bebek, Fury’s chairman, wants to ride the upside in Dolly Varden stock. So we structured a deal where we allowed him to ride the upside by becoming a 37% shareholder.
Shawn Khunkhun:
Now that’s a lot of trust to place in an outside party. They signed escrow agreements so that their stock is held up longer than the traditional hold periods. And there are all sorts of other parts of the investor rights agreement that are quite favorable for Dolly Varden shareholders, but they’re able to ride in the upside. As this project gets re-rated because it’s now got scale and there are the obvious synergies when his shares become re-rated and as we move into the latter stages of a precious metals bull market, these shares are going to be worth a lot more than 60 cents a share. And there was a pretty meaningful cash component to the deal as well. Dolly Varden is parting with $5 million worth of cash that Fury now can then take to advance either Eau Claire or Committee Bay.
Maurice Jackson:
Now we’ve covered the current resources. What can you tell us about further exploration upside potential?
Shawn Khunkhun:
The key is, so we have a northern property, northern deposit called Wolf, which is nearby Torbrit, which is the big granddaddy, 50 million ounce silver discovery on our property. Two kilometers away you have the Wolf and there’s a tremendous two-kilometer opportunity between Torbrit and Wolf.
Now going north from Wolf, you’ve got South Reef, which is Fury’s southern-most project. The big exploration opportunity is in the five and a half kilometers that lie in between South Reef and Wolf. I haven’t had the incentive to drill north. I’m not going to be positioning my drill rigs going on to Fury’s ground, defining mineral inventory on their side of the property. Likewise, Tim Clark and the team at Fury weren’t going to be drilling south. Now that we’ve unified, now that there’s 100% interest in one entity, that is going to be a huge area of focus going forward.
Maurice Jackson:
Now to coincide with this upside potential. How will the addition of the Homestake Ridge Project impact infrastructure?
Shawn Khunkhun:
There was a PEA that was produced that looked at one mill to develop the project at Homestake Ridge. The obvious synergy is for the company to release a PEA where you’ve got one mill, two projects. So from CAPEX to exploration to development, there are tremendous synergies by having one entity. And then I think as we are demonstrating that we are the lead consolidator in the area and if we have the hub, the mill will attract other projects that are in the area that don’t have the capital, or maybe not large enough as a standalone operation, they will be coming into the Dolly Varden Mill.
Maurice Jackson:
By consolidating the region Dolly Varden Silver now has a commanding land position at the southern tip of the Golden Triangle. But there’s more to the transaction. You’ve added some icing on the cake by merging the synergies and expertise from Fury Gold Mine’s technical team as well.
Shawn Khunkhun:
Thank you. No, and it’s not just technical, you’re absolutely right. But you know, Tim Clark, his capital markets and his banking contacts, Tim, as a CEO of Fury, he spent a career in the precious metals business. He’s got a Rolodex of contacts. Tim’s rolling up his sleeves, he’s coming on the board. In addition to having Michael Hendrickson, who is a very, very talented exploration geologist joining our board and working together as a group to unlock the true potential with the capital market’s expertise, with the technical expertise, we already had a lot of depth on the technical side, right from the top with Rob McLeod, Rob van Egmond, Jodie Gibson, Ryan Weymark, Andrew Hamilton’s just joined the team. And then we’ve got this new generation of project managers, Amanda Bennett. We’ve got a new gentleman joining our team here imminently, Joaquin.
Shawn Khunkhun:
We’ve just got, this is not going to be set out to consultants. This is in-house where the incentives are aligned with shareholders. And I’ve been through projects in the past where you have strong teams where the incentives are aligned with shareholders and it produces the best results. And we’ve got first-class people from even looking at this transaction, how it was put together from our banking advisors at Haywood to our legal counsel at Stikeman, I’m just floored and honored to work with just a high caliber of people. I’ve got a tremendous partner in our CFO, Ann Fehr. We’ve got a supportive, active board. I’m not going to mention every board member, but I want to thank our chairman, Darren Devine. We’ve just got a tremendous opportunity. It’s a great culture. It’s a culture that wants to grow, that wants to win. And now we have a platform and with size and scale that is going to attract larger investors.
I’ve listened to investors, I’ve gone out into the world. They told me to consolidate. They told me to get bigger. I’ve done it. And we’re just getting started.
Maurice Jackson:
Now before we leave the Golden Triangle, let’s visit the Dolly Varden Silver Project, which conducted a 10,000-meter drill program, which was a 50/50 split between infill and expansion drilling on the high-grade Torbrit Deposit. Any updates for us and when we might expect to see some results?
Shawn Khunkhun:
The labs have been extremely backed up in this part of the world. I’m anticipating results imminently and will continue to report results going into Q1. We allocated about 35% of our meters to exploration and we allocated about 65% of those meters in and around known resources. I would envision putting out two result-oriented press releases, one on exploration drilling, and one on resource expansion and extension drilling. Last year, we were extremely successful. A year hasn’t gone by where Dolly Varden hasn’t had dual success. I anticipate that to be the case, but what we’ve done here with this transaction is a material change to our mineral inventory definitively. And so I look forward to following up on exciting discoveries and drilling them out. But this is a real shot in the arm in terms of going from 44 million ounces to 140 million ounces. It’s quite a feat.
Maurice Jackson:
It certainly is. All right, switching gears, sir. Let’s look at some numbers. Please provide us with the capital structure for Dolly Varden Silver.
Shawn Khunkhun:
We currently have 130 million shares. Assuming our shareholders vote for this transaction, we’re going to issue 76 million shares to Fury. Again, they’re an insider. They’re locking up that stock. They’re riding this precious metals market with us, and they’re going to help us extract maximum value from this opportunity. If the transaction is supported, Dolly Varden Silver Corp will go to 207 million shares. But again, that’s 37% held by Fury. That’s 37% held by precious metal institutional investors, some of them are 9.9% shareholders, that’s 11% Eric Sprott, 8% retail. In addition, Hecla, which is a 10% shareholder has an opportunity to do a top-up. So they have a participation right. If Hecla exercises their participation right, they will come in for 9 million shares and they will resume having a 10.5 % percent ownership. Which coincidentally nets out the cash component of the transaction.
Maurice:
Now, before we close Mr. Khunkhun, what would you like to say to shareholders?
Shawn Khunkhun:
I came in in year one in 2020. We had a great market and we raised $27 million in a non-dilutive way. We put money in the ground. We started growing the deposit and saw an opportunity to transform the company. There were opportunities to transform the company outside of our region, we chose to expand our footprint next door, which now gives us a commanding position at the southern tip of the Golden Triangle. We’re a prominent player in the area now.
And we shouldn’t ignore the catalysts’ In the region such as Pretium being subject to a takeover bid from Newmont. We saw the big takeout last year with GT Gold. This is an area that the majors want to be and we’ve positioned our shareholders with a commanding position at the southern tip of the Golden Triangle.
Shawn Khunkhun:
But beyond that, this is what I want to leave the readers with. There are a lot of gold projects that have ounces in the ground in North America. There are a few projects that have ounces in the ground in North America that are silver. There are only 14 companies that have both gold and silver of this size. None of them have it at this grade. We are number one. We are number one for size meets grade in precious metals.
Shawn Khunkhun:
You missed nothing Maurice. You got it all covered.
Maurice:
Mr. Khunkhun, for someone that wants to learn more about Dolly Varden Silver, please share the contact details.
Shawn Khunkhun:
Please visit our website, www.dollyvardensilver.com. You can follow us on Twitter @silvervarden, or you can call us toll-free at +1 800-321-8564.
Maurice:
Mr. Khunkhun, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Wishing you and Dolly Varden Silver the absolute best, sir.
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