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TimeStamp: :47 Introduction to Metallic Minerals 1:18 On-Site to the La Plata Project/Mineral Resource Overview 3:31 Highlight from Press Release 6:00 Next Steps on the La Plata 7:13 Updated Resource 2023? 7:48 Latest Updates on the Keno Silver Project 12:13 MMG Partners with Discovery Channel – Parker Schnabel – Gold Rush 15:00 Will MMG be on the Show? 15:12 Alluvial Project Updates 17:00 Live Webinar (https://bit.ly/3KPXJpn) 18:24 MMG Capital Structure 19:09 Message to Shareholders
Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: MMG / US OTC: MMNGF) is a growth stage exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of high-grade silver and gold projects within underexplored districts proven to produce top-tier assets. Our objective is to create value through a disciplined, systematic approach to exploration, reducing investment risk and maximizing probability of long-term success. Our core Keno Silver Project is located in the historic Keno Hill Silver District of Canada’s Yukon Territory, a region which has produced over 200 million ounces of silver and currently hosts one of the world’s highest-grade silver resources. The Company’s La Plata silver-gold-copper project is located in the high-grade La Plata district of the prolific Colorado Mineral Belt and our McKay Hill project northeast of Keno Hill is a high-grade historic silver-gold producer. Metallic Minerals is also building a portfolio of gold royalties in the historic Klondike Gold District. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success, including large scale development, permitting and project financing.
Group Ten Metals: (TSX-V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF) Website: https://grouptenmetals.com/ Corporate Presentation: https://grouptenmetals.com/investors/presentations/
Granite Creek Copper: (TSX.V: GCX) Website: https://www.gcxcopper.com/ Corporate Presentation: https://www.gcxcopper.com/investors/presentations/
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TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2023 /CNW/ – Franco-Nevada Corporation (“Franco-Nevada” or the “Company“) (TSX: FNV) (NYSE: FNV) has been advised by its partner First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum“) that First Quantum’s subsidiary, Minera Panama, S.A. (“MPSA“), has suspended ore processing operations at the Cobre Panama mine. As previously announced, the Panama Maritime Authority (“AMP“) issued a resolution on January 26, 2023 requiring the suspension of concentrate loading operations at the Cobre Panama Port, Punta Rincón, until certification of the calibration of the scales by an accredited company had been initiated. Key updates as reported by First Quantum include:
MPSA believes it has complied with all requirements of the AMP resolution but copper concentrate loading operations are still not being permitted by the AMP
MPSA will begin a partial demobilization of its workforce and will take a systematic approach to reducing operations to ensure the safety of its workforce, prevent damage and degradation of equipment and preserve the integrity of the mine
If the AMP is to permit the recommencement of concentrate loading operations, MPSA could begin shipping concentrate and resuming operations at the mine within hours
Negotiations with the Government of Panama on a refreshed contract are continuing and First Quantum remains committed to achieving an outcome that will be to the benefit of all stakeholders and support the long-term operations of the Cobre Panama mine.
Please refer to First Quantum’s press release dated February 23, 2023 for further details.
Impact on Franco-Nevada
Franco-Nevada (Barbados) Corporation, a subsidiary of Franco-Nevada, holds two precious metal streams indexed to the copper-in-concentrate shipped by Cobre Panama. First Quantum’s 2023 guidance for uninterrupted production from Cobre Panama provided on January 16, 2023 was for 350kt to 380kt of copper production. This would translate into 131koz to 142koz of attributable GEO production to Franco-Nevada (calculating gold equivalence using $1,800/oz Au and $21.00/oz Ag prices).
Provided operations resume at Cobre Panama, the impact to Franco-Nevada of the suspension of operations should be limited to a deferral of revenue as the streams do not bear any associated carrying costs while operations are suspended.
Despite operations at the mine being suspended, Franco-Nevada remains highly profitable, continues to generate substantial cash flow, is debt-free, and has cash and working capital in excess of US$1 billion, an undrawn US$1 billion credit facility and limited financial commitments. Franco-Nevada remains in communication with First Quantum and will provide further updates as they are available.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, respectively, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, management’s expectations regarding Franco-Nevada’s growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, performance guidance, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities, the performance and plans of third party operators, audits being conducted by the CRA, the expected exposure for current and future assessments and available remedies, the outcome of any discussions between the Government of Panama and the operator of the Cobre Panama mine and the remedies relating to and consequence of any actions taken by the Government of Panama or the operator of the Cobre Panama mine. In addition, statements relating to reserves and resources, gold equivalent ounces (“GEOs”) and mine life are forward-looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates and assumptions are accurate and that such reserves and resources, GEOs or mine life will be realized. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budgets”, “potential for”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “predicts”, “projects”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, “anticipates” or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Franco-Nevada to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, including, without limitation: fluctuations in the prices of the primary commodities that drive royalty and stream revenue (gold, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, uranium, silver, iron ore and oil and gas); fluctuations in the value of the Canadian and Australian dollar, Mexican peso, and any other currency in which revenue is generated, relative to the U.S. dollar; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; the adoption of a global minimum tax on corporations; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; relinquishment or sale of mineral properties; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Franco-Nevada; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not the Company is determined to have “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) status as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; potential changes in Canadian tax treatment of offshore streams; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; access to sufficient pipeline capacity; actual mineral content may differ from the reserves and resources contained in technical reports; rate and timing of production differences from resource estimates, other technical reports and mine plans; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious disease; the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic; and the integration of acquired assets. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the asset portfolio; the Company’s ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; the expected application of tax laws and regulations by taxation authorities; the expected assessment and outcome of any audit by any taxation authority; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; integration of acquired assets; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. However, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. In addition, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of the ongoing audit by the CRA or the Company’s exposure as a result thereof. Franco-Nevada cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
For additional information with respect to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to Franco-Nevada’s most recent Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedar.com and Franco-Nevada’s most recent Annual Report filed on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only and Franco-Nevada does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – February 15, 2023) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) (OTCQB: SBMCF) (‘SBMI’ or ‘the Company’) announces strong initial assay results from the interception of the upper main vein at the Buckeye Mine near Globe, Arizona.
The vein was intercepted approximately 380 feet from the entrance to the adit. Immediately on contact with the vein, the first significant assays from the vein were 43, 178.6, and 270.6 ounces silver per ton. The samples yielding these results did not include material from the footwall. The samples were selected at random from the mineralized material removed from the vein and then were sent to SBMI’s assay lab for processing.
The Company is now mining along the exposed vein with assay results pending from the face. SBMI has extended the workings to 420 feet from the entrance to the adit, the vein is ten feet wide and eleven feet high, and the footwall is estimated by the field team to be four feet wide.
SBMI has stockpiled in excess of 450 tons of vein material at surface at the Buckeye Mine site, for shipment to the mill. The Company is mining 150 to 200 tons of mineralized material per day, although this rate will vary. The Company believes it has achieved the targetted grade necessary to support processing this material at the Company’s mill and to then pour dore bars or create concentrate. Both the dore bars and the concentrate will saleable product, and the Company does not expect to encounter any significant difficulties in finding buyers for those products.
SBMI is also pleased to announce it has begun to resolve the issues with pouring dore bars from this material. The picture below shows a malformed dore bar from September, 2022.
The Company thanks Dr. Andrew Macdonald, a mineralogist with Harquail School of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University, for his assistance. Initial results from his work indicate the presence of a highly magnetic iron alloy in the mineralized material. The iron alloy smelts at temperatures of over 3000 degrees F, which is above the silver smelting temperature of roughly 1800 degrees F, and therefore it interferes with the silver smelting process. SBMI has confirmed this thesis by using a high intensity magnet to pull the iron alloy from the concentrate prior to smelting. The dore bar below, poured in February, 2023, resulted from concentrate after the iron alloy was removed.
Dore bar poured after the iron alloy was removed; Feb 2023
As a result, the Company intends to permanently install a high intensity magnetic separator in the milling operation to improve the likelihood the Company can smelt silver dore bars. The Company intends to store the magnetic concentrates for future research. Continued research will be needed.
The Company is still awaiting the check assay results from American Assay Labs and Actlabs.
SBMI’s near term goal is to process the higher grade material at the Company’s mill to produce saleable product.
QAQC
All the samples above were collected by SBMI’s field team. Samples were collected and placed in sample bags with their appropriate tag and processed at the Company’s own assay lab. Like any responsible producer, the Company owns its own assay lab and regularly takes samples as part of its production process.
The samples analyzed by SBMI at its facility near Globe, Arizona were processed through the Lab Jaw Crusher, Lab Hammer Mill and Splitter Box into an aliquot. Most of the pulverized aliquot was mixed with a flux and flour combination and melted in a crucible at 1,850 degree Fahrenheit, with the remainder being logged and archived. Upon cooling, the poured melt was in the form of a metal button and slag, following which a bone ash cupel was utilized to eliminate the lead in the button to form a bead. The bead was then weighed, following which a solution of 6 to 1 distilled water to nitric acid was utilized to dissolve the silver in the bead at approximately 175 degrees Fahrenheit. A much more detailed description of the process and a picture of the assay lab can be found at https://www.silverbulletmines.com/qaqcassaylab.
Readers should be aware that the SBMI facilities have been designed for quick production grade control and are not ISO compliant; however, duplicate sampling with other ISO labs has been done on past samples with good correlation.
Mr. Robert G. Komarechka, P.Geo., an independent consultant, has reviewed and verified SBMI’s work referred to herein, and is the Qualified Person for this release.
For further information, please contact:
John Carter Silver Bullet Mines Corp., CEO cartera@sympatico.ca +1 (905) 302-3843
Peter M. Clausi Silver Bullet Mines Corp., VP Capital Markets pclausi@brantcapital.ca +1 (416) 890-1232
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking statements as they relate to SBMI and its subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but represent management’s current expectation of future events, and can be identified by words such as “believe”, “expects”, “will”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “continues” and similar expressions. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct.
By their nature, forward-looking statements include assumptions, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. If and when forward-looking statements are set out in this new release, SBMI will also set out the material risk factors or assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, SBMI assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to: the impact of SARS CoV-2 or any other global virus; reliance on key personnel; the thoroughness of its QA/QA procedures; the continuity of the global supply chain for materials for SBMI to use in the production and processing of mineralized material; the presence of mineable economic mineralized material; shareholder and regulatory approvals; activities and attitudes of communities local to the location of the SBMI’s properties; risks of future legal proceedings; income tax matters; fires, floods and other natural phenomena; the rate of inflation; availability and terms of financing; distribution of securities; commodities pricing; currency movements, especially as between the USD and CDN; effect of market interest rates on price of securities; and, potential dilution. SARS CoV-2 and other potential global pathogens create risks that at this time are immeasurable and impossible to define.
Step-out drill hole APC-28, which was drilled to the west from the eastern side of the Main Breccia system at Apollo cut the longest intercept to date as follows:
As a result of APC-28, the maximum width and vertical dimensions of the Main Breccia system have increased to 395 metres (previously 350 metres) and 915 metres (previously 825 metres), respectively.
Drill hole APC-28 bottomed while still in mineralization indicating that the Main Breccia system remains open for expansion to the west and at depth (as well as to the east and north based on previously announced assay results).
Hole APC-30 was drilled southwards on the western side of the deposit and intercepted the Main Breccia system over a broad interval as follows:
Four holes have now been completed into the Main Breccia system as part of the 2023 Phase II drill program at the Guayabales project. All four holes appear to have intercepted the Main Breccia system with mineralization beginning from surface. Assay results for these holes are expected in the near term.
Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: “The Main Breccia system at Apollo continues to yield positive surprises. The Company drilled three long holes in 2022, APC-17, APC-22 and APC-28, with each hole expanding the size of the deposit and bottoming while still in mineralization. In addition, 2023 drilling is off to an excellent start with the initial four holes testing the Main Breccia system all intersecting mineralization beginning at surface. Our aim for 2023 is to define the newly discovered high-grade and near surface mineralization while continuing to be aggressive with expansion drilling. Without question, we have discovered a large copper-silver-gold deposit in a mining friendly jurisdiction of Colombia which will play a vital role in the country’s aggressive decarbonization goals.”
TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2023 /CNW/ – Collective Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CNL) (OTCQX: CNLMF) (“Collective” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce assay results from a further three holes drilled into the Main Breccia system at the Apollo target (“Apollo”), which is part of the Guayabales project located in Caldas, Colombia. The Main Breccia is a high-grade, bulk tonnage copper-silver-gold porphyry-related system, which owes its excellent metal endowment to multiple phases of mineralization which includes older copper-silver-gold porphyry mineralization and younger, overprinting, low and intermediate sulphidation, precious metal rich sheeted carbonate base metal vein systems.
Details (See Table 1 and Figures 1–5)
Assay results for all thirty-one diamond drill holes from the Phase I drilling program for 2022 have now been announced at Apollo. The Phase II drilling program for 2023 is advancing on schedule with assay results for the first holes expected in the near term. This press release summarizes assay results of the final three diamond drill holes from the Phase I program with results summarized below.
APC-28 was a step-out hole drilled steeply to the west from Pad 2 to a maximum depth of 956.35 metres (915 metres vertical) and was designed to test western and depth extensions to the Main Breccia system. The hole intersected the longest interval drilled to date within the system, commencing at 354.70 metres down hole (335 vertical) and averaging:
601.65 metres @ 1.4 g/t gold equivalent and including internal intervals of:
The mineralized angular breccia of this intercept represents the largest accumulation of metal returned to date within the Main Breccia system and contains a sulphide matrix which includes 0.5% up to 2.5% chalcopyrite and between 1% and 3% pyrite plus some pyrrhotite. The breccia has been overprinted by zones of carbonate and base metal (sphalerite and galena) veins, which yield the higher gold equivalent intervals. APC-28 stopped in mineralized breccia due to rig constraints. This hole has extended the main breccia westwards by 115 metres and is the deepest intercept drilled to date outlining continuity of mineralized breccia to a vertical depth of approximately 915 metres below surface. APC-28 also represents the westernmost hole drilled into the Main Breccia system and demonstrates that the mineralization is thickening with depth and has an inverted funnel morphology as outlined in Figure 2 below. This western area of the deposit remains open for expansion as the hole stopped in strong mineralization.
As a result of drill hole APC-28, the overall volume of rock in which the Main Breccia system is located has grown in width to 395 metres (from 350 metres) and a vertical dimension of 915 metres (from 825 metres). The strike of the system remains the same at 385 metres.
APC-30 was drilled southwards from Pad 4 to a total length of 589 metres downhole and intersected mineralized breccia from 267.60 metres downhole (240 metres vertical), averaging:
318.85 metres @ 1.10 g/t gold equivalent and including internal intervals of:
Gold, silver and copper mineralization relates to sulphides hosted within the angular breccia matrix with average concentrations of pyrite (2%) and chalcopyrite (0.5%). An upper zone of 60.8 metres bearing 2% to 3% chalcopyrite was intercepted at the beginning of the mineralized interval and a sheeted and overprinting sphalerite rich CBM vein zone of 81.4 metres was encountered from 472.3 metres downhole.
Reconnaissance hole APC-27 was drilled due east away from the Main Breccia system to test outcropping mineralization at surface. From 300.40 metres downhole (210 metres vertical depth) the Company intersected a new zone of continuous low-grade mineralization with assay results as follows:
Core logging of the breccia system at Apollo by the Company’s geologists has identified that the crackle breccia as seen in this newly discovered zone, is typically found both above and on the periphery of the more intensely mineralized angular breccia phase. As a result of this assessment, the Company may have drilled over top of an angular breccia zone with stronger mineralization than was intercepted in APC-27. Further exploratory drilling will be undertaken in this area.
The Company’s Phase II 2023 program is well underway with three rigs focused on drilling near surface, high grade mineralization below mineralized outcrops in the southern and central areas of the Main Breccia system from newly constructed pads 6 and 7. To date, four shallow holes have been completed and confirm continuous mineralized angular breccia from surface. Three of these holes were drilled from Pad 6 and were terminated while still in strong mineralization. The fourth hole from Pad 7 appears to have drilled out the east side of the system indicating a more vertical orientation to the system that was previously modelled. Assay results are expected in the near term.
The Apollo target area, as defined to date by surface mapping, rock sampling and copper and molybdenum soil geochemistry, covers a 1,000 metres X 1,200 metres area. The Apollo target area hosts the Company’s Main Breccia system and multiple additional untested breccia, porphyry and vein targets. The overall Apollo target area also remains open for further expansion.
Table 1: Apollo Target Assays Results for Holes APC-27, APC-28, and APC-30
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Intercept (m)
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Cu %
Mo %
AuEq (g/t) *
APC-27
299.50
372.40
72.90
0.30
6
0.02
0.002
0.44
APC-28
286.60
305.55
18.95
1.11
12
0.04
0.001
1.30
And
354.70
956.35
601.65
0.89
24
0.10
0.001
1.40
Incl
354.70
614.65
259.95
1.21
43
0.20
0.001
2.15
713.10
772.80
59.70
2.04
15
0.14
0.04
2.23
863.15
868.80
5.65
2.00
13
0.04
0.001
2.17
APC-30
267.60
586.25
318.65
0.61
19
0.12
0.002
1.10
Incl
267.60
328.40
60.80
0.17
48
0.40
0.002
1.64
472.30
553.70
81.40
1.95
18
0.04
0.002
2.22
*AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.95) + (Ag g/t x 0.016 x 0.95) + (Cu (%) x 1.83 x 0.95)+ (Mo (%)*9.14 x 0.95) and CuEq (%) is calculated as follows: (Cu (%) x 0.95) + (Au (g/t) x 0.51 x 0.95) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.01 x 0.95)+ (Mo(%)x 3.75 x 0.95) utilizing metal prices of Cu – US$4.00/lb, Ag – $24/oz Mo US$20.00/lb and Au – US$1,500/oz and recovery rates of 95% for Au, Ag, Mo and Cu. Recovery rate assumptions are speculative as no metallurgical work has been completed to date.
** A 0.2 g/t AuEq cut-off grade was employed with no more than 15% internal dilution. True widths are unknown, and grades are uncut.
Figure 1: Plan View of the Main Breccia System at Apollo Highlighting Drill Holes APC-27, APC-28, APC-30 and Visual Results for APC-31, APC-33, APC-35 and APC-36 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 2: East-West Cross Section Highlighting APC-28, ACP-30, and Visual Results for APC-31 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 3: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo Target (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com
Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective Mining is a copper, silver and gold exploration company based in Canada, with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.
The Company’s flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo target, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade copper, silver, and gold Main Breccia system. The Company’s near-term objective is to continue with expansion drilling of the Main Breccia system while increasing confidence in the highest-grade portions of the system.
Management, insiders and close family and friends own nearly 52% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “CNL” and on the OTCQX under the trading symbol “CNLMF”.
Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure
David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG).
Technical Information
Rock and core samples have been prepared and analyzed at SGS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.
Information Contact:
Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski) and Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on Twitter
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the drill programs, including timing of results, and Collective’s future and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.
Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Collective cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Collective assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
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 news release.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2023 / Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the “Company” or “SWCM”) is pleased to announce it has partnered with Cornell University under the MINER program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) via the Advanced Research Projects Agency program (“ARPA-E”). Test work, led by Dr. Greeshma Gadikota, will focus on novel hydrometallurgical techniques and carbon capture, with the objective of increasing the extraction of critical minerals using reduced energy for a carbon negative mining future.
Cornell University is the recipient of a federal grant from ARPA-E as part of a program entitled “Supercritical CO2-Based Mining for Carbon-Negative Critical Mineral Recovery”. Cornell University seeks to advance CO2-sourced hydrometallurgical pathways for recovering energy critical metals, including nickel, cobalt, platinum and palladium, coupled to the carbon mineralization of calcium and magnesium components to produce calcium and magnesium carbonates. Novel functional materials for the selective capture and recovery of these energy critical metals will be developed. Various sources for CO2 will be investigated including air for metal recovery coupled to carbon mineralization. These approaches will be specifically tuned to the mineralogy of the Company’s Stillwater West project in Montana.
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Press release picture
Dr. Greeshma Gadikota
Dr. Greeshma Gadikota stated, “The U.S. imports the great majority of its energy critical metals from mines all over the world, leaving the U.S. quite vulnerable. Our research is all about decarbonizing the mining industry and developing an independent, domestic supply chain of these critical metals. It’s important for U.S. manufacturing, green energy, national security, and competitiveness.”
Relating to the Cornell University partnership, Company President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will join Dr. Gadikota at the ARPA-E MINER kick-off event in Austin, Texas on February 14 and 15, 2023. Other presenters and attendees include Tesla Motors, major mining companies, top US government officials and financial institutions. More information on the MINER program is available here: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/programs/miner.
Michael Rowley, Stillwater Critical Minerals President & CEO, stated, “We are very pleased to be selected as the industry partner for Dr. Gadikota’s cutting-edge work and to work closely with her team toward our shared vision of securing the future domestic supply of the critical minerals the US so urgently needs. Our Stillwater West project is rapidly advancing as a potential large-scale, low-carbon source of nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum and rhodium. Located in an active and expanding US mining district with a long history of critical minerals production and demonstrated world-class scale and grade, Stillwater West is on a very short list of assets with the potential to play a significant role in realizing the goals set out in the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, and other ongoing initiatives. It is our belief that mining can do more than supply minerals by conventional means, and that partnerships such as this are the path toward more sustainable practices.”
About Dr. Greeshma Gadikota
Dr. Greeshma Gadikota is an Assistant Professor and Croll Sesquicentennial Fellow in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a field appointment in the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University. Dr. Gadikota directs the Sustainable Energy and Resource Recovery Group. She held postdoctoral research associate appointments at Princeton University and Columbia University, and a research associate appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her PhD in Chemical Engineering and MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Operations Research are from Columbia University. Her BS in Chemical Engineering is from Michigan State University. She is a recipient of the DOE, NSF and ARO CAREER Awards, Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award, Cornell Engineering Research Excellence Award, Inaugural Cornell Rising Women Innovator Award, and AICHE Sabic Award for Young Professionals from the Particle Technology Forum. Dr. Gadikota received her PhD in Chemical Engineering and earned her MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Operations Research, from Columbia University. Her BS in Chemical Engineering is from Michigan State University.
Research Interests
With more than 80% of our energy resources recovered from the subsurface environments which requires about 50 billion cubic meters of fresh water and contributes to more than 75% of global CO2 emissions, our grand societal challenge lies in meeting our growing demand for energy and resources while reducing environmental impact. Addressing these earth-scale challenges requires us to develop novel technologies to engineer targeted physico-chemical interactions in complex engineered and natural environments. Enabling emergent technologies for a sustainable earth requires us to advance the cross-scale science of fluid-solid interactions in complex and extreme environments. With this perspective, our research is directed towards applications that involve (i) engineering the natural environment for sustainable energy and resource recovery and (ii) designing novel chemical pathways for advancing low carbon and negative emissions technologies.
About ARPA-E
The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy. ARPA-E projects have the potential to radically improve U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and environmental well-being. We focus on transformational energy projects that can be meaningfully advanced with a small amount of funding over a defined period of time. Our streamlined awards process enables us to act quickly and catalyze cutting-edge areas of energy research.
ARPA-E empowers America’s energy researchers with funding, technical assistance, and market readiness. Our rigorous program design, competitive project selection process, and active program management ensure thoughtful expenditures. ARPA-E Program Directors serve for limited terms to ensure a constant infusion of fresh thinking and new perspectives. To learn more visit: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/.
About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.
Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the recent addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. Per an expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate released January 2023, the Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits at Stillwater West contain 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold, in a compelling suite of critical minerals and are open for expansion along trend and at depth.
Stillwater Critical Minerals also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals’ development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
Note 1: References to adjoining properties are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the exploration potential, extent or nature of mineralization or potential future results of the Company’s projects.
Note 2: Magmatic Ore Deposits in Layered Intrusions-Descriptive Model for Reef-Type PGE and Contact-Type Cu-Ni-PGE Deposits, Michael Zientek, USGS Open-File Report 2012-1010.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater Critical Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater Critical Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – Bravo Mining Corp. (TSXV: BRVO) (OTCQX: BRVMF), (“Bravo” or the “Company“) announced that it has received assay results from eight diamond drill holes (“DDH”) in the Central and North Sectors highlighting the nickel sulphide potential of its 100% owned Luanga palladium + platinum + rhodium + gold + nickel project (“Luanga” or “Luanga PGM+Au+Ni Project“), located in the Carajás Mineral Province, state of Pará, Brazil. Two DDH in the Central Sector have identified a new zone and style of nickel sulphide mineralization. Follow up drilling to the previously announced massive sulphide intercept in the North Sector (August 16th, 2022 news release) has intersected higher-grade nickel sulphide 50m to the north and south, with evidence indicating potential extensions toward the south.
“Today’s results demonstrate the potential for higher-grade nickel ± copper sulphides at Luanga, underlie the existing ~8.1km strike of PGM+Au+Ni mineralization intersected in shallow historic drilling,” said Luis Azevedo, Chairman and CEO of Bravo. “We are at the early stages of understanding the distribution of, and controls on, this potential new style of nickel ± copper sulphide mineralization, which has now been intersected in both the North and Central Sectors,” he said. “We are very positive about the potential below Luanga and have deployed geophysical tools aimed at detecting this style of mineralization. Work is continuing and aims to drill test future geophysical targets in 2023.”
Highlights Include:
Follow up, step-out drilling to the massive nickel/copper sulphides intercepted in DDH22LU047 (August 16th, 2022 news release)intersected nickel/copper sulphides along strike, 50m to the north and to the south. Electromagnetics (EM) has identified conductors trending to the south where surface EM is ongoing.
Drilling in the Central Sector of Luanga has intersected a new zone and style ofnickel sulphide mineralization, potentially magmaticnickel sulphide mineralization. It occurs within a different rock-type than the PGM+Au+Ni mineralization at Luanga – further increasing the exploration prospectivity of Luanga. EM surveying is expected to begin shortly.
A noticeable change in PGM chemistry (significantly higher rhodium to palladium ratio) has been identified in most assay results from both nickel sulphide zones. This also points to a new style of mineralization and provides another possible vector into higher nickel sulphide zones.
HOLE-ID
From(m)
To(m)
Thickness (m)
Pd(g/t)
Pt(g/t)
Rh(g/t)
Au (g/t)
PGM + Au (g/t)
Ni (% Sulphide)
Cu (%)
Sector
DDH22LU039
128.2
155.9
27.7
0.40
0.10
0.11
0.01
0.62
0.42
Cent.
Including
128.2
132.8
4.6
0.74
0.12
0.25
0.01
1.12
1.12
Cent.
Including
130.2
131.2
1.0
1.08
0.25
0.51
0.01
1.85
2.08
Cent.
DDH22LU049
49.6
74.9
25.3
0.68
0.22
0.13
0.12
1.14
0.40
0.23
North
Including
66.9
70.3
3.4
1.18
0.52
0.29
0.12
2.12
0.84
0.34
North
DDH22LU052
151.0
158.1
7.1
0.69
0.04
0.30
0.11
1.13
0.82
0.45
North
Including
151.0
153.8
2.8
0.76
0.02
0.39
0.01
1.18
1.09
0.22
North
DDH22LU061
102.4
103.6
1.2
0.55
0.04
0.31
0.15
1.05
1.18
Cent.
DDH22LU073
136.9
155.8
18. 9
0.96
0.29
0.02
0.02
1.30
0.41
North
Including
150.8
153.8
3.0
2.57
0.50
0.04
0.02
3.14
1.15
North
DDH22LU077
169.4
175.5
6.1
0.57
0.04
0.33
0.02
0.96
0.63
North
Including
169.4
171.3
1.9
1.33
0.05
0.84*
0.04
2.27*
1.47
North
Including
170.6
171.3
0.7
1.54
0.04
>1.0*
0.01
2.59*
2.27
North
Notes: All ‘From’, ‘To’ depths, and ‘Thicknesses’ are downhole.
All intercepts were in fresh rock.
Given the orientation of the hole and the mineralization, the intercepts are estimated to be 85% to 100% of true thickness.
* Includes Rh >1.00g/t result. Overlimit analyses pending.
North = North Sector. Cent. = Central Sector. ** Bravo’s nickel grades are sulphide nickel, and do not include non-recoverable silicate nickel, unlike historic total nickel assays.
Central Sector Magmatic Nickel Sulphide Exploration Upside
Drilling in the Central Sector (holes DDH22LU039 and DDH22LU061) identified a second zone of more concentrated magmatic sulphides, a style of mineralization not previously observed at Luanga in historic drilling. This style of mineralization features net-textures typical of magmatic nickel sulphide mineralization (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Core photos from Central Sector (039) and North Sector (049 and 052) with nickel ± copper sulphide mineralization. (CNW Group/Bravo Mining Corp.)
The Central Sector higher-grade magmatic nickel sulphide mineralization appears to be coincident with the main Luanga PGM mineralization but appears to have increasing concentrations of nickel sulphides to depth, while historic nickel-in-soil geochemistry (Figure 2) indicates that nickel sulphide mineralization may be gently diverging away from the strike of the PGM+Au mineralization. This style of mineralization has only been identified in this area of the Luanga deposit to date and is hosted in the basal sequence of harzburgites (ultramafic rocks) that underlie the dominant Luanga orthopyroxenite PGM+Au host rock.
Surface EM completed by Bravo in late 2022 is being extended to the southeast to look deeper into the basal harzburgite sequence (Figure 3) that underlies the main PGM+Au+Ni mineralization, beyond the extent of current drilling.
The Central Zone assay results (reported in this news release) from drill holes DDH22LU039 and DDH22LU061 demonstrate a noticeable change in PGM chemistry, where the Pd:Rh ratios range from 4:1 to <2:1. This is a significant divergence from the majority of existing drill holes across the 8.1km of the main Luanga PGM+Au mineralized zone, where the Pd:Rh ratio is typically ~10:1. There could also be a relationship between magmatic nickel and rhodium (high rhodium values highlighted in the table above). This, combined with the identification of a different host rock, is further supporting evidence of a new style or phase of mineralization that is more typically associated with magmatic nickel sulphide deposits. Mineralization remains open at depth (Figure 3) and along strike.
Figure 2: Nickel sulphide zone in the Central Sector, shown over historic Ni-in-soil geochemistry. (CNW Group/Bravo Mining Corp.)
DDH22LU039 is shown in the section below (Figure 3), where the concentration of magmatic nickel sulphides and nickel assay grades increase (from west to east) from DDH22LU054 where fresh rock mineralization has no significant nickel to report, to DDH22LU039 where magmatic nickel sulphides and assay grades reach their current peak.
Figure 3: Central Zone cross section showing the increase in nickel grade to the southeast (open at depth). (CNW Group/Bravo Mining Corp.)
Follow Up on North Sector Massive Magmatic Nickel ± Copper SulphideDiscovery
Follow up drilling to the north and south of the previously announced massive magmatic nickel ± copper sulphide mineralization in DDH22LU047 (August 16th, 2022 news release) in the North Sector has continued to intersect magmatic nickel sulphide mineralization.
New drill results indicate that the nickel ± copper mineralization is coincident with the main Luanga PGM+Au+Ni deposit, but that higher concentrations of nickel and copper are at depth. Alternatively, this mineralization style may be unrelated to the emplacement of the PGM portion of Luanga and related to a different, as yet unidentified, phase of mineralization at depth.
Higher-grade sulphide mineralization and EM anomalism is open to the south (Figure 4) but appears to taper off to the north. Like the Central Sector above, it may also be diverging away from the strike of the PGM+Au mineralization and occur below historic drilling to the south. This interpretation is supported to the southern limit of the current EM survey and is coincident with historic nickel-in-soil geochemistry (Figures 4 and 5).
Most assay results demonstrate the same noticeable change in PGM chemistry as the higher-grade magmatic sulphide mineralization intersected in the Central Zone, with Pd:Rh ratios ranging from to 5:1 to <2:1. As highlighted above this may indicate potential for a different phase or style of mineralization at depth.
Figure 4: Nickel ± copper sulphide zone in the North Sector, shown over historic Ni-in-soil geochemistry. (CNW Group/Bravo Mining Corp.)
Figure 5: North Sector Cross Section showing new drill holes DDH22LU052 and DDH22LU049 (open at depth). (CNW Group/Bravo Mining Corp.)
Luanga Drill Program Progress
A total of 144 drill holes (9 in 2023) have been completed by Bravo to date, for 23,950 metres (94% of the planned 25,500 metre Phase 1 Drilling Program), including all 8 planned twin holes (results for 2 twin holes outstanding) and all 8 metallurgical holes (not for routine assaying). Results have been reported for 60 Bravo drill holes to date.
Results for76 Bravo drill holes are currently outstanding.
The Phase 1 diamond drill program is close to completion, with 1,550m remaining before the commencement of the Phase 2 diamond drill program. The Phase 2 program will be focused on step out drilling (with the objective of extending known zones of PGM+Au+Ni mineralization to depth), follow-up on the newly identified higher-grade nickel ± copper magmatic sulphide mineralization styles, as well as exploration of new targets.
Aside from systematic step-out drilling, the Phase 2 program is designed to support a more intensive approach to exploration, with work to focus on exploring for magmatic nickel ± copper sulphides. This program will commence with an extensive program of geophysics consisting of ground EM, ground micro-gravity and ground magnetics. Targets generated would be drill tested during the Phase 2 program. Phase 2 will also include ongoing metallurgical test work designed to confirm and optimize metallurgical results reported by Vale SA., Luanga’s previous owner.
The key deliverable expected from the Phase 1 program is Luanga’s maiden NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). Approximately 3,600m of priority drilling remains to be completed to facilitate this work, including the balance of the Phase 1 program and a portion of the Phase 2 program. Completion of the maiden MRE remains on track for H2/2023.
Complete Table of Recent Intercepts
HOLE-ID
From(m)
To(m)
Thickness (m)
Pd(g/t)
Pt(g/t)
Rh(g/t)
Au (g/t)
PGM + Au (g/t)
Ni (% Sulphide)
Cu (%)
TYPE
DDH22LU039
41.2
61.2
21.0
0.54
0.19
0.00
0.11
0.83
0.15
FR
And
80.1
106.2
26.1
0.56
0.22
0.00
0.14
0.92
0.20
FR
Including
91.2
98.2
7.0
0.44
1.11
0.01
0.17
1.72
0.32
FR
And
128.2
155.9
27.7
0.40
0.10
0.11
0.01
0.62
0.42
FR
Including
128.2
132.8
4.6
0.74
0.12
0.25
0.01
1.12
1.12
FR
Including
130.2
131.2
1.0
1.08
0.25
0.51
0.01
1.85
2.08
FR
And
161.9
166.9
5.0
0.35
0.15
0.07
0.01
0.58
0.23
FR
DDH22LU049
8.7
16.7
8.0
0.71
0.26
0.02
0.10
1.08
NA
Ox
And
49.6
74.9
25.3
0.68
0.22
0.13
0.12
1.14
0.40
0.23
FR
Including
49.6
58.3
8.7
0.79
0.19
0.09
0.19
1.26
0.38
0.36
FR
Also Including
66.9
70.3
3.4
1.18
0.52
0.29
0.12
2.12
0.84
0.34
FR
And
78.4
92.4
14.0
0.42
0.14
0.04
0.08
0.68
0.23
0.22
FR
DDH22LU052
151.0
158.1
7.1
0.69
0.04
0.30
0.11
1.13
0.82
0.45
FR
Including
151.0
153.8
2.8
0.76
0.02
0.39
0.01
1.18
1.09
0.22
FR
Also Including
154.3
158.1
3.8
0.73
0.05
0.27
0.19
1.24
0.73
0.68
FR
And
161.9
164.5
2.6
0.58
0.06
0.28
0.01
0.94
0.72
0.26
FR
And
199.0
215.2
16.2
0.40
0.46
0.03
0.01
0.89
0.32
0.09
FR
DDH22LU061
59.3
65.8
6.5
0.49
0.19
0.00
0.13
0.81
0.09
FR
And
88.5
91.5
3.0
0.90
0.30
0.00
0.24
1.44
0.19
FR
And
102.4
103.6
1.2
0.55
0.04
0.31
0.15
1.05
1.18
FR
And
121.3
127.3
6.0
0.26
0.14
0.03
0.09
0.52
0.21
FR
And
139.0
150.8
11.8
0.27
0.10
0.02
0.02
0.41
0.18
FR
DDH22LU068
39.5
42.5
3.0
1.35
0.73
0.10
0.01
2.18
0.07
FR
And
54.4
62.2
7.8
0.33
0.10
0.02
0.01
0.45
0.30
FR
DDH22LU073
113.6
116.8
3.2
0.89
0.44
0.03
0.01
1.37
0.39
FR
And
127.8
129.5
1.7
0.89
5.11
0.05
0.01
6.06
0.32
FR
And
136.9
155.8
18. 9
0.96
0.29
0.02
0.02
1.30
0.41
FR
Including
150.8
153.8
3.0
2.57
0.50
0.04
0.02
3.14
1.15
FR
DDH22LU077
169.4
175.5
6.1
0.57
0.04
0.33
0.02
0.96
0.63
FR
And
169.4
171.3
1.9
1.33
0.05
0.84*
0.04
2.27*
1.47
FR
Including
170.6
171.3
0.7
1.54
0.04
>1.0*
0.01
2.59*
2.27
FR
And
204.1
207.1
3.0
0.27
0.01
0.00
0.01
0.28
0.29
FR
And
220.1
232.1
12.0
0.28
0.13
0.02
0.03
0.46
0.12
FR
DDH22LU079
179.3
199.3
20.0
0.23
0.11
0.04
0.01
0.39
0.19
FR
including
196.3
199.3
3.0
0.58
0.18
0.12
0.01
0.88
0.51
FR
Notes: All ‘From’, ‘To’ depths, and ‘Thicknesses’ are downhole.
Given the orientation of the hole and the mineralization, the intercepts are estimated to be 85% to 100% of true thickness.
Type: Ox = Oxide. LS = Low Sulphur. FR = Fresh Rock. Recovery methods and results will differ based on the type of mineralization.
* = Includes Rh >1.00g/t result. Overlimit analyses pending.
** = Bravo’s nickel grades are sulphide nickel, and do not include non-recoverable silicate nickel, unlike historic total nickel assays
Figure 6: Location of Bravo Drilling Reported in this News Release (CNW Group/Bravo Mining Corp.)
About Bravo Mining Corp.
Bravo is a Canada and Brazil-based mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its Luanga PGM+Au+Ni Project in the world-class Carajás Mineral Province of Brazil.
The Luanga Project benefits from being in a location close to operating mines, with excellent access and proximity to existing infrastructure, including road, rail and clean and renewable hydro grid power. The project area was previously de-forested for agricultural grazing land. Bravo’s current Environmental, Social and Governance activities includes replanting trees in the project area, hiring and contracting locally, and ensuring protection of the environment during its exploration activities.
Technical Disclosure
Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Simon Mottram, F.AusIMM (Fellow Australia Institute of Mining and Metallurgy), President of Bravo Mining Corp. who serves as the Company’s “qualified person”, as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101“). Mr. Mottram has verified the technical data and opinions contained in this news release.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as “rich”, “extends”, “new zone”, “potential”, “higher-grade”, “very positive”, “concentrated“, “noticeable change”, “majority”, “new style“, “significant“, “intensive approach“, “extensive“, “optimize“, “yet unidentified”, “objective” and other similar words, phrases, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “should”, “will” or “would” occur. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company’s ongoing re-sampling and drill programs and the results thereof; the expected completion of geophysical surveys and the results of such surveys; the potential for the definition o new styles of mineralization and extensions to depth and the Company’s plans in respect thereof. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, unexpected results from exploration programs, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, the assumption that the assay results confirm that the interpreted mineralization contains significant values of nickel, PGMs and Au; that the mineralization remains open to depth, that grades are improving to depth, that final drill and assay results will be in line with management’s expectations; that activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by regulatory, political, community, economic, environmental and/or healthy and safety risks; that the Luanga Project will not be materially affected by potential supply chain disruptions; and general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
Schedule 1: Drill Hole Collar Details
HOLE-ID
Company
East (m)
North (m)
RL (m)
Datum
Depth (m)
Azimuth
Dip
Sector
DDH22LU039
Bravo
658669.93
9340730.09
262.74
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
177.70
330.00
-60.00
Central
DDH22LU049
Bravo
659975.11
9342475.00
270.59
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
159.30
90.00
-60.00
North
DDH22LU052
Bravo
659825.80
9342475.01
274.16
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
233.20
90.00
-60.00
North
DDH22LU061
Bravo
658595.91
9340659.10
271.55
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
191.00
330.00
-60.00
Central
DDH22LU068
Bravo
659900.11
9342525.01
280.91
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
251.00
90.00
-60.00
North
DDH22LU073
Bravo
659900.09
9342425.00
273.40
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
270.85
90.00
-60.00
North
DDH22LU077
Bravo
659824.96
9342524.96
279.74
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
264.20
90.00
-60.00
North
DDH22LU079
Bravo
659822.30
9342425.01
270.84
SIRGAS2000 UTM22S
250.50
90.00
-60.00
North
Schedule 2: Assay Methodologies and QAQC
Samples follow a chain of custody between collection, processing, and delivery to the ALS laboratory in Parauapebas, state of Pará, Brazil. The drill core is delivered to the core shack at Bravo’s Luanga site facilities and processed by geologists who insert certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates into the sampling sequence. Drill core is half cut and placed in secured polyurethane bags, then in security-sealed sacks before being delivered directly from the Luanga site facilities to the Parauapebas ALS laboratory by Bravo staff. Additional information about the methodology can be found on the ALS global website (ALS) in the analytical guides.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (“QAQC“) is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates. An additional QAQC program is administered by Bravo using certified reference materials, duplicate samples and blank samples that are blindly inserted into the sample batch. If a QAQC sample returns an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QAQC sample are re-tested.
Capital Projects Construction Contract Awarded to Dumas Mining
YERINGTON, Nev., Feb. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada Copper” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on restart and operational activities for its Pumpkin Hollow underground copper mine (the “Underground Mine”).
Randy Buffington, President & CEO of Nevada Copper, stated, “Our Pumpkin Hollow team is focused on advancing the restart project quickly and safely. We are building on the momentum of the recent achievements by the underground crews as they have progressed through the dike structure and are advancing into the EN Zone in anticipation of the underground development contractor arriving on site and commencing development. The technical and leadership teams are in place and committed to executing this restart plan. We are targeting a mill restart in the third quarter with a quick ramp up to nameplate capacity by the end of 2023.”
Production Restart Highlights
Clear line of site to full-scale production
Simple and low-risk pathway to full-scale production established, comprising:
Phase 1 Q4 2022 to Q1 2023: Finalize dike crossings to access EN Zone initial stoping area (complete), confirm all key technical hires for restart (complete), and award capital projects contract (complete).
Phase 2 Q2 2023: Prioritized development of higher-grade EN Zone stope area.
Phase 3 Q3 to Q4 2023: Restart of proven mill, with surface and underground ore feed developed and short ramp-up to nameplate capacity.
Phase 1 Restart Milestones Achieved
Development into the EN Zone has demonstrated that rock quality is consistent with our geotechnical model, which predicted competent ground within the EN Zone, and development is progressing at full round lengths and standard ground support.
Definition drilling and assaying of all initial EN Zone stopes planned for extraction in 2023 is complete representing approximately 210K tons of stope ore, providing significant visibility on quality and grade of ore feed.
Contract awarded for completion of capital projects to debottleneck restart of development and underground operations.
Development mining contract award well progressed.
All key technical positions in place, with substantially strengthened operational leadership team on-site.
Operations significantly de-risked
Completion of both critical dike headings, securing the Underground Mine with full access to the primary EN Zone stope area. The third dike crossing is progressing well and, while it is not required to meet 2023 operating objectives, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.
Building planned surface stockpile of approximately 150K tons of run-of-mine ore ahead of mill start-up provides substantial operating buffer for milling operations.
Debottlenecking capital projects front-ended to provide additional operating flexibility.
Further Details on Production Restart
Underground Development Proceeding as Planned
The Nevada Copper operations team continues to make rapid progress on all underground activities including mine development, hoisting, stope preparation, and underground projects.
The historically reported dike crossings that provide initial stope top and bottom access into the EN Zone were fully established and completed in December 2022, and development is progressing toward stoping areas. Both key development drives that have crossed the dike have encountered ground conditions at or better than expectation, confirming the geotechnical model that predicted higher quality rock. Definition drilling of the initial stopes to feed the restart of milling operations in Q3 2023 have been completed and assayed, and confirm rock quality, grade and geometry represented by the geologic and reserve models.
Underground Development Contractor Update
The Company has completed the bid process for the development mining contractor and is in the final stages of negotiations for a unit rate contract with an internationally recognized major mining services contractor.
Key components of the development contract include:
72,000 feet of lateral capital development over a 24-month contract period;
Delivery of full development stopes by Q3 2023 to provide sufficient faces and stopes to restart and maintain nameplate milling operations (approximately 5,000 tpd); and
Nevada Copper’s operating team will perform all stope mining starting in Q3 2023.
Critical Construction Projects Progressing
The Company awarded Dumas Contracting USA, Inc. (“Dumas”) a $12 million construction contract to complete critical capital projects including the coarse ore bin and installation of an underground jaw crusher, permanent dewatering system, vent shaft stripping and surface fans. Dumas is a leading full-service underground mining contractor providing mine construction, development, production mining, mine services and engineering early-stage projects through well-established operating mines throughout the Americas.
Vent Shaft – Final stripping of the vent shaft commenced in January in preparation for connection of the surface fans, which are expected to be commissioned in early Q2 2023. The stripping is planned to be completed ahead of development contractor mobilization and the vent shaft is expected to provide the necessary ventilation for the life of the mine.
Ore Handling System – The additional ore handling system allows for increased ore throughput rates to the shaft hoisting system, enabling operations to ultimately exceed nameplate production. Engineering for ore handling system has been completed, and all long-lead items are on-site including the jaw crusher. Excavation is underway and planning for the installation of the system has already commenced.
Dewatering System – The pumps for the permanent dewatering system are on site and ready for installation. Once installed, the additional pumps are expected to provide all dewatering requirements for the life of the mine.
Regional Exploration Opportunities
The Company has completed a thorough review of regional mapping for its Pumpkin Hollow land position and several high-quality targets of interest have been identified. Surface sampling results from the Copper Ridge area have indicated the high-grade potential, highlighted by grades including 5.03% and 5.43% copper (see table below for additional assay information) that warrant additional investigation. In 2023, detailed mapping, interpretation of recent geophysical analysis and surface sampling are planned to follow-up on other identified high-potential targets on the Nevada Copper land position. The grades identified are conceptual in nature as there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the delineation of a mineral resource. Grades were determined through third-party labs, as detailed below under “Quality Assurance and Quality Control”.
Table of Assays (samples greater than 1%)
Sample ID
Easting (m)
Northing (m)
Elevation (m)
Cu (%)
Au (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
533857
318720
4316510
1451
2.31
0.036
0.5
533861
318751
4316512
1458
2.36
0.008
<0.2
533862
318766
4316512
1459
1.54
0.130
0.2
1615147
319706
4317023
1443
3.35
0.030
4.8
1615150
319603
4317072
1444
3.65
0.011
0.4
1615178
319087
4316782
1517
2.02
0.119
5.4
1669223
319621
4317082
1442
2.65
0.045
2.7
1669224
319678
4317033
1444
3.10
0.056
4.4
1669225
318483
4316515
1413
1.60
1.430
2.7
1669229
318639
4316481
1437
1.19
0.180
0.8
1669232
318607
4316637
1440
1.03
0.104
1.1
M59971*
319729
4317020
1440
5.03
0.150
10.0
M59982*
318739
4316527
1446
5.43
0.075
16.0
M59984*
318789
4316601
1470
4.10
0.055
8.0
M59994*
318438
4316507
1405
2.87
1.490
6.0
* Historic sample
Board Changes
Ms. Kate Southwell will be stepping down as a member of the Board of Directors effective February 28, 2023 to pursue other career opportunities. Stephen Gill, Chairman of the Board stated, “The Board and management team appreciate Kate’s valuable input during her tenure, particularly with regard to financing and commercial matters and as Chair of the Sustainability Committee and wish her well in her future endeavors”. The Nominating Committee of the Board is in the process of identifying qualified candidates to fill the vacant role at or prior to this year’s annual shareholder meeting.
Qualified Person
The technical information and data in this news release has been reviewed by Steven Newman, Registered Member – SME, Vice President, Technical Services for Nevada Copper, and Greg French, C.P.G., VP Exploration of Nevada Copper, who are non-independent Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The analytical work was performed by American Assay Labs (AAL) located in Sparks, Nevada. AAL is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. The Samples were crushed so that >80% passes 10 mesh, followed by pulverizing to >90% passes 75 < 150 mesh. Prepared samples were run using a three-acid digestion process and conventional ICP-AES analysis. Gold determination was via standard atomic absorption (AA) finish 30-gram fire-assay (FA) analysis. Blank, standard and duplicate samples were routinely inserted and monitored for quality assurance and quality control.
The historic analytical work was performed by Chemex Labs Inc., currently ALS Geochemistry (ALS) located in, Nevada. ALS is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. The samples were crushed so that >80% passes 10 mesh, followed by pulverizing split to < 150 mesh. Prepared samples were run using an acid digestion process and conventional ICP-AES analysis. Gold determination was via standard atomic absorption (AA) finish 30-gram fire-assay (FA) analysis.
Nevada Copper detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data and is not aware of any sampling or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
About Nevada Copper
Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is a copper producer and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project. Located in Nevada, USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade Underground Mine and processing facility, which is now in the production stage, and a large-scale open pit PFS stage project.
Randy Buffington President & CEO
For additional information, please see the Company’s website at www.nevadacopper.com, or contact:
Tracey Thom | Vice President, IR and Community Relations tthom@nevadacopper.com +1 775 391 9029
Cautionary Language on Forward Looking Statements This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to development and ramp-up plans and activities at the Underground Mine and the timing in respect thereof.
Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and events to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.
Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those relating to: requirements for additional capital and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof; the outcome of discussions with vendors; the ability of the Company to complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected cost estimates and timeframe; the impact of COVID-19 on the business and operations of the Company; the state of financial markets; history of losses; dilution; adverse events relating to milling operations, construction, development and ramp-up, including the ability of the Company to address underground development and process plant issues; ground conditions; cost overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rate increases; global economy; limited history of production; future metals price fluctuations; speculative nature of exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labour disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery rates from management’s expectations and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents; title matters; regulatory approvals and restrictions; increased costs and physical risks relating to climate change, including extreme weather events, and new or revised regulations relating to climate change; permitting and licensing; dependence on management information systems and cyber security risks; volatility of the market price of the Company’s securities; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those risks discussed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2021 and the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: no adverse developments in respect of the property or operations at the project; no material changes to applicable laws; the ramp-up of operations at the Underground Mine in accordance with management’s plans and expectations; no worsening of the current COVID-19 related work restrictions; reduced impacts of COVID-19 going forward; the Company will be able to obtain sufficient additional funding to complete the ramp-up, no material adverse change to the price of copper from current levels; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.
The forward-looking information and statements are stated as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information and statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Specific reference is made to “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2021 and the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022, for a discussion of factors that may affect forward-looking statements and information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, should other risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and events may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
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North Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – February 10, 2023) – Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (“Lion One” or the “Company“) announces the Company has completed its previously announced debt and equity financing transaction and has received total proceeds of US$25 million from: i) the funding of the US$23 million 1st tranche (“Tranche 1“) of its previously announced US$37 million financing facility (the “Financing Facility“) provided by Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund I, LP and Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP (collectively, “Nebari“), and (ii) Nebari’s completion of a US$2 million equity private placement in the Company, for the development of Lion One’s 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji (the “Equity Investment“).
In addition to Tranche 1, an additional US$12 million is available under the Financing Facility at Lion One’s option in up to two further tranches which may be drawn on by Lion One within 18 months of the date of the Financing Facility. The Equity Investment involved Nebari’s subscription for 3,125,348 common shares of Lion One (“Common Shares“) priced at CAD$0.86 per Common Share.
In connection with the funding of Tranche 1, 15,333,087 warrants (the “Warrants“) have been issued to Nebari with each Warrant exercisable into one Common Share at a price of CAD$1.49 for a period of 42 months from the date hereof. The Warrants are non-transferable and will be subject to an accelerator provision whereby the Borrower may accelerate the expiry date of up to 25% of the Warrants in the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares exceeds 100% over the strike price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days on the TSX-V. Lion One has the option to accelerate the expiry of further 25% portions of the Warrants at four-month intervals, up to a maximum of 75% of the Warrants.
The Common Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Equity Investment and the Warrants will be subject to a hold period expiring May 11, 2023 in accordance with Canadian securities laws and policies of the TSX-V. Neither the Common Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Equity Investment nor the Warrants have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Tuvatu The Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project is located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. The January 2018 mineral resource for Tuvatu as disclosed in the technical report “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tuvatu Gold Project, Republic of Fiji”, dated September 25, 2020, and prepared by Mining Associates Pty Ltd of Brisbane Qld, comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at U and on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
About Nebari Nebari is a US-based investment manager specializing in privately offered pooled investment vehicles including Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund I, LP and Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP which are funding the Financing Facility to Lion One. The Nebari leadership team has deep experience with leading global mining companies and financial institutions and is known for partnering with motivated and capable management teams focused on achieving clear plan targets.
About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One’s flagship asset is 100% owned, fully permitted high grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One envisions a low-cost high-grade underground gold mining operation at Tuvatu coupled with exciting exploration upside inside its tenements covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, an underexplored yet highly prospective 7km diameter alkaline gold system. Lion One’s CEO Walter Berukoff leads an experienced team of explorers and mine builders and has owned or operated over 20 mines in 7 countries. As the founder and former CEO of Miramar Mines, Northern Orion, and La Mancha Resources, Walter is credited with building over $3 billion of value for shareholders.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lion One Metals Limited “Walter Berukoff“, Chairman and CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility for 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 labour 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.
Silver ETFs** (Total Known Holdings ETSITOTL Index Bloomberg)
760.17
749.00
11.18
1.49%
1.49%
First real uptick since summer selling
Gold ETFs** (Total Known Holdings ETFGTOTL Index Bloomberg)
93.17
93.75
(0.58)
(0.62)%
(0.62)%
Last positive month was April 2022
Source: Bloomberg and Sprott Asset Management LP. Data as of January 31, 2023. *Mo % Chg and YTD % Chg for this Index are calculated as the difference between the month end’s yield and the previous period end’s yield, instead of the percentage change. BPS stands for basis points. **ETF holdings are measured by Bloomberg Indices; the ETFGTOTL is the Bloomberg Total Known ETF Holdings of Gold Index; the ETSITOTL is the Bloomberg Total Known ETF Holdings of Silver Index.
January Review
Gold had another strong month and the best start to a year since 2015 as spot gold rose $104.34 (or 5.72%) to close January at $1,928.36. While the gold price was supported by the decline in the U.S. dollar (USD) and real yields in January, the magnitude and persistence of the bid for gold were high. Gold bullion trading desks have confirmed this strong interest is a continuation of flow demand from China since early November 2022, and the estimated tonnages bought would align with the most significant numbers since 2017. Price action and trading desk anecdotes denote large buying from China’s “official sector” (possibly any combination of People’s Bank of China, central bank-related entities or state banks) for undisclosed reasons.
January was a solid month for risk assets as investment funds were underexposed for a positive, right-tail8 outcome. The significant left-tail risks of 2022 quickly faded or reversed as we headed toward the new year. In the U.S., fears of hyperinflation and additional Federal Reserve (“Fed”) rate hikes ended abruptly as the Fed signaled it would slow its rate hikes just as inflation data finally moderated. In Europe, a far warmer-than-expected winter prevailed, allowing the EU to dodge the worst of an energy-spiking-induced hard landing and associated stress events. After years of a strict zero-COVID policy, China quickly reversed to a full re-opening, instantly giving the world an unexpected growth shock. With all three major economic regions experiencing a sudden reversal from left-tail (negative) to right-tail (positive) outcomes, massive forced buying was triggered.Gold has outperformed U.S. Treasuries over the past two decades despite the bond market having the advantages of a dovish accommodative Fed.
Furthermore, with the pause in Fed rate hikes in sight, both the USD and interest rates declined sharply, easing financial conditions and paving the way for a rebound in many financial assets. Whether this rally is the beginning of the consensus-desired soft landing or yet another bear market rally remains to be seen. We expect that macro volatility will likely remain high in the months ahead.
Gold Bullion Update
Gold bullion since the autumn lows, based on a three-month rate of change, had the most significant increase since 2011. Since the lows, the gold price has broken through technical resistance levels and Fibonacci retracement levels9 with remarkable ease, reinforcing the evidence that the buyer(s) are not likely financial market types. From gold’s early November lows of approximately $1,625 to $1,775, the price action has the look and feel of short covering in the face of an aggressive buyer. But since gold has reached the $1,775 level, the narrow up-channel and low bid-ask dispersion indicate a persistent large bid in gold that is not concerned with market-related overbought conditions. Lastly, the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI)10 put in a positive divergence during the autumn lows and has broken above the RSI downtrend line (lower panel of Figure 1).
Figure 1. Gold Bullion Rally with Technical Strength
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2023. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Gold Investment Positioning Remains Low
Despite the rise in gold, the long gold CFTC(Commodity Futures Trading Commission) net non-commercial positions and ETF holdings remain muted, like a deer caught in a headlight (Figure 2). Gold held in ETFs (mainly retail and smaller funds) remain near +2.5-year lows and has not shown any buying indication yet. CFTC non-commercial long gold positioning, too, remains near the low end of its 10-year range. Neither of these two sources of investment “longs” is likely to sell off further as they are more trend-following than leading. The last source of investment flows, short positions, are even less likely to add to selling flows. Firstly, there is no overriding primary bearish macro driver (interest rate hikes are near the end, and the USD is weakening); secondly, shorting into massive buying is outright dangerous. The combined CFTC gold longs plus ETF gold holdings are now at their -2 standard deviation lows (lower panel, Figure 2) with macro drivers positive and massive buying from China and central banks. The risk from long positioning remains skewed to increasing longs, not divestment.
Figure 2. Gold Investment Demand Remains Muted
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2023. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
U.S. Dollar Strength and U.S. Treasury Liquidity Functioning
The US Dollar Index (DXY) reached the upper end of its 16-year-long uptrend and has now fallen at a remarkable pace last seen in the volatile years of 2008 to 2010. The 3-month rate of change of DXY has recorded its second sharpest decline in the past 20 years. This dramatic fall in the USD has also eased financial conditions, creating a powerful tailwind for gold and other risk assets. Typically, policy coordination comes to mind when currencies sharply reverse from levels detrimental to market functioning quickly, with such high correlations. Unfortunately, if policymakers have decided on a coordinated USD strength reduction policy, we won’t know until much later when it becomes evident in hindsight.
The Bloomberg US Government Securities Liquidity Index (a measure of liquidity condition for U.S. Treasuries) surpassed the crisis levels of March 2020, the last time the Fed was forced to intervene to restore market functioning with interest rate cuts, liquidity injections, swap facilities, etc. Generally, a strong USD reduces systematic market liquidity, and Figure 3 highlights this relationship. The U.S. Treasury Market is the world’s largest and most liquid market. If it were to cease functioning properly, the spillover effects could be catastrophic in an overleveraged financial system under the wrong conditions. We would expect the days of runaway USD strength will not be allowed due to liquidity functioning alone.
Figure 3. U.S. Dollar Index and U.S. Treasury Liquidity Index
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2023. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Foreign Selling of U.S. Treasuries is Accelerating
Foreign holdings of U.S. Treasuries as a percentage of total holdings peaked in 2013, a decade ago. Most of this time, the Fed provided QE (quantitative easing) programs, negating the need for foreign funding of Treasuries. In Figure 4, we highlight foreign ownership of U.S. Treasuries and the rapidly decreasing percentage of foreign ownership of U.S. Treasuries. In March 2022, foreign holders saw notable selling (~$516 billion). There were several reasons, including 1) the Fed ending its latest QE program; 2) geopolitics (the Russia-Ukraine war and intensifying de-globalization; 3) the start of an aggressive string of Fed rate hikes along with tightening by other central banks; 4) USD weaponization had been occurring for several years, but the seizure of Russia’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves was likely the final straw. After these events, U.S. Treasury Liquidity began to deteriorate, even worse than in March 2020. Without liquidity support for U.S. Treasuries, the probability of another QE program (or a variation built around YCC, i.e., yield curve control) within the next few years is no longer remote, even in the face of high inflation.
Figure 4. Foreign Buyers are Dumping U.S. Debt
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2023. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
China Replacing U.S. Treasuries with Gold?
Since 2008, China has been the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries. Though the peak has been in place since 2013, China has recently accelerated its selling of Treasuries. The reason for China selling U.S. Treasury securities are varied and not disclosed. Still, since the U.S. sanctioned Russia’s FX reserves, China has a tremendous incentive to diversify its foreign exchange reserves. Figure 5 highlights the cumulative change in China’s gold imports and U.S. Treasures since 2018, measured in USD. 2018 was the first year of the U.S.-China trade war. The recent accelerated selling in U.S. Treasuries occurred at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war and in response to sanctions on Russia’s FX reserves. We expect China to continue reducing its U.S. Treasuries holdings as the economic war extends and intensifies, and the risk of future U.S. sanctions on China’s FX reserves remains present.
Since 2018, we estimate that China has sold $310 billion of U.S. Treasuries ($199 billion in 2022 alone) and has imported $230 billion of gold. China is estimated to have the seventh-largest global bond market, with the top six positions held by the U.S. and its allies. The list of the most liquid tradeable currencies has the same size ranking. In terms of market liquidity, safety as outside money and convertibility (sanctions resistant), gold remains a highly desirable asset for China.
Figure 5. China Buys Gold and Sells U.S. Bonds
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 11/30/2022. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Japan Yield Curve Control (YCC) and Selling U.S. Treasuries
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) began yield curve control in 2016 (0.25% cap on its 10-year yield) to achieve an inflation target of 2% and stimulate economic growth by controlling long-term interest rates. By late 2022, the BoJ did “technically” achieve its goals, although not the hoped-for “virtuous growth cycle” outcome. However, the costs were enormous as global yields soared while Japanese government bond (JGB) yields were capped at 0.25% by the BoJ. The yen had fallen in value by 22.5%, driving import cost inflation so high that the Ministry of Finance had to intervene in the currency market to defend the yen, while at the same time, the BoJ continued with YCC weakening the yen. If this makes no sense, then you have read this correctly.
In December 2022, in a surprise move, the BoJ lifted the YCC cap to 0.50% from 0.25%, signaling to the market that the BoJ YCC had likely reached its best-before date. Since then, the yen has strengthened by ~15%, contributing to USD weakness. Capping JGB yields in the second half of 2022 as global yields soared required massive purchases of JGBs via quantitative easing. This 2H 2022 QE event was a monetary stimulus of 76 trillion yen or $550 billion (~14% of GDP, i.e., gross domestic profit). The end of this stimulus is likely to act as a defacto global tightening. Raising the yield cap also removed a global “low-yield anchor” on global rates. Not only is this yield anchor fading, but Japanese institutional investors, one of the world’s largest foreign bond buyers, are returning to JGBs. Year to date as of this writing, U.S. Treasury holdings in Japan have declined ~$220 billion since the start of 2022. For various reasons, the two largest holders of U.S. Treasuries have sold $420 billion, or 17.5% of their combined holdings, in 2022.
Foreign selling of U.S. Treasuries is increasing, and the Fed in quantitative tightening (QT )mode leaves U.S. domestic investors as the primary buyers for U.S. Treasuries. Maintaining U.S. Treasury liquidity is now more critical than ever, and the looming debt ceiling standoff will be the next challenge. For gold, the immediate bullish catalyst is a weaker USD and lower real yields. Rising JGB yields will lead to higher U.S. nominal yields but lower breakeven yields (removal of stimulus weakens growth), resulting in lower real yields.
Figure 6. U.S. Treasuries Held by Japan and China, $Billions
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2023. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Gold vs. Bonds, Heresy Anyone?
Thus far in 2023, there have been near-record capital inflows into the bond market after 2022 recorded the worst year for bond returns in 48 years of available data. In Figure 7a, we update the gold bullion to the U.S. Treasury Index ratio, highlighting that gold has outperformed over the past several years since 2016 and even over the past 20 years. The gold-Treasury ratio is testing the upper resistance level, and we expect an eventual break higher. Figure 7b highlights the performance of gold versus U.S. equities and U.S. bonds over the past five and 20 years, with performance and portfolio metrics highlighting how well gold has performed and behaved.
Despite these positive metrics, gold is still not widespread in investment portfolios. In the past five years, gold compared to both equities and bonds, has a better Sharpe ratio (risk-adjusted return), a better Sortino ratio (lower downside volatility) and the lowest market correlation (increased diversification).
Gold has outperformed U.S. Treasuries over the past two decades despite the bond market having the advantages of a dovish accommodative Fed (QE, ZIRP, NIRP)11 with volatility-destroying practices (forward guidance, Fed put). Furthermore, most of the past 20 years were dominated by low inflation, low macro volatility, negative stock-bond correlations, etc., all favoring bond performance. In our 2023 Top 10 Watch List, we highlighted several significant macro changes underway, all pointing to higher inflationary pressures and increasing volatility. If gold outperformed U.S. Treasuries in the past decades, we believe the chances are excellent that it is likely to do so in the next several years.
Figure 7a. Gold to U.S. Treasury Index Ratio: Gold Significantly Outperforming U.S. Treasuries
Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2023. Included for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Figure 7b. Gold vs. Equities and Bonds: 5 & 20-Year Returns and Metrics
Dec. 2017 to Dec. 2022
5 YR CAGR*
Standard Deviation
Max Drawdown
Sharpe Ratio
Sortino Ratio
Market Correlation
U.S. Stock Market
8.67%
19.06%
-24.94%
0.46
0.68
1.00
Total U.S. Bond Market
0.02%
5.09%
-17.57%
-0.23
-0.29
0.34
Gold
6.86%
13.45%
-18.06%
0.47
0.85
0.16
Dec. 2002 to Dec. 2022
20 YR CAGR*
Standard Deviation
Max Drawdown
Sharpe Ratio
Sortino Ratio
Market Correlation
U.S. Stock Market
9.52%
15.29%
-50.89%
0.59
0.87
1.00
Total U.S. Bond Market
3.06%
3.95%
-17.57%
0.48
0.7
0.12
Gold
8.65%
16.87%
-42.91%
0.51
0.83
0.08
*CAGR refers to compound annual growth rate.
1
Gold bullion is measured by the Bloomberg GOLDS Comdty Spot Price.
2
Silver bullion is measured by Bloomberg Silver (XAG Curncy) U.S. dollar spot rate.
3
The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDM) is a rules-based index designed to measure the performance of highly capitalized companies in the Gold Mining industry.
4
The Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) is a broadly diversified commodity price index distributed by Bloomberg Indices.
5
The U.S. Dollar Index (USDX, DXY, DX) is an index (or measure) of the value of the United States dollar relative to a basket of foreign currencies, often referred to as a basket of U.S. trade partners’ currencies.
6
The S&P 500 or Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies.
7
Any event that is extremely rare, beyond the sixth standard deviation in a normal distribution, is known as a six sigma event.
8
Source: Investopedia. Tail risk is the chance of a gain/loss occurring due to a rare event, as predicted by a probability distribution. Right-tail risks are associated with substantial investment gains, while left-tail risks are associated with unexpected losses.
9
Source: Investopedia. Fibonacci retracement levels are horizontal lines that indicate where support and resistance are likely to occur. They are based on Fibonacci numbers. Each level is associated with a percentage. The percentage is how much of a prior move the price has retraced. The Fibonacci retracement levels are 23.6%, 38.2%, 61.8% and 78.6%. While not officially a Fibonacci ratio, 50% is also used. The indicator is useful because it can be drawn between any two significant price points.
10
Source: Investopedia. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that measures the magnitude of recent price changes to analyze overbought or oversold conditions.
11
QE-ZIRP-NIRP is Fed speak and refers to “quantitative easing”, “zero interest rate policy” and “negative interest rate policy”.
Paul Wong, CFA, Market Strategist Paul has held several roles at Sprott, including Senior Portfolio Manager. He has more than 30 years of investment experience, specializing in investment analysis for natural resources investments. He is a trained geologist and CFA holder. Read Bio
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