Categories
Precious Metals

Strong China Demand Boosts Gold Rally

Month of January 2023

Indicator1/31/202312/30/2022ChangeMo % ChgYTD % ChgAnalysis 
Gold Bullion1$1,928.36$1,824.02$104.345.72%5.72%Best January since 2015, best three months since 2011
Silver Bullion2$23.73$23.95($0.22)(0.94)%(0.94)%First negative month since August
NYSE Arca Gold Miners (GDM)3897.17805.5091.6711.38%11.38%Now up 47.7% from the lows
Bloomberg Comdty (BCOM Index)4111.80112.81(1.01)(0.89)%(0.89)%Narrow range since August
DXY US Dollar Index5102.10103.52(1.43)(1.38)%(1.38)%Largest three-month drop since 2009
S&P 500 Index64,076.603,839.50237.106.18% 6.18%Breaking out from year-long downtrend
U.S. Treasury Index$2,243.23$2,188.39$54.842.51%2.51%Oversold cyclical low
U.S. Treasury 10 YR Yield*3.51%3.87%(0.37)%-37 BPS-37 BPSTesting rising 200-day moving average
U.S. Treasury 10 YR Real Yield*1.26%1.57%(0.31)%-31 BPS-31 BPSTopping process
Silver ETFs** (Total Known Holdings ETSITOTL Index Bloomberg)760.17749.0011.181.49%1.49%First real uptick since summer selling
Gold ETFs** (Total Known Holdings ETFGTOTL Index Bloomberg)93.1793.75(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

Gold Bullion Rally
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

Figure 5. China Selling U.S. Treasuries and Buying Gold
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. 20225 YR CAGR*Standard DeviationMax DrawdownSharpe RatioSortino RatioMarket Correlation
U.S. Stock Market8.67%19.06%-24.94%0.460.681.00
Total U.S. Bond Market0.02%5.09%-17.57%-0.23-0.290.34
Gold6.86%13.45%-18.06%0.470.850.16
Dec. 2002 to Dec. 202220 YR CAGR*Standard DeviationMax DrawdownSharpe RatioSortino RatioMarket Correlation
U.S. Stock Market9.52%15.29%-50.89%0.590.871.00
Total U.S. Bond Market3.06%3.95%-17.57%0.480.70.12
Gold8.65%16.87%-42.91%0.510.830.08

*CAGR refers to compound annual growth rate. 

1Gold bullion is measured by the Bloomberg GOLDS Comdty Spot Price.
2Silver bullion is measured by Bloomberg Silver (XAG Curncy) U.S. dollar spot rate.
3The 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.
4The Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) is a broadly diversified commodity price index distributed by Bloomberg Indices.
5The 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.
6The S&P 500 or Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies.
7Any event that is extremely rare, beyond the sixth standard deviation in a normal distribution, is known as a six sigma event.
8Source: 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.
9Source: 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.
10Source: Investopedia. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that measures the magnitude of recent price changes to analyze overbought or oversold conditions.
11QE-ZIRP-NIRP is Fed speak and refers to “quantitative easing”, “zero interest rate policy” and “negative interest rate policy”.

Paul Wong
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

Sign-Up Now: 
Insights from Sprott

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Investor Type*                                  Asset Manager                 Financial Advisor                 Individual Investor                 Institutional Investor                 Other               

Country*                                  United States                 Canada                 Argentina                 Australia                 Austria                 Belgium                 Brazil                 China                 Denmark                 Finland                 France                 Germany                 India                 Ireland                 Italy                 Japan                 Netherlands                 New Zealand                 Norway                 South Africa                 Spain                 Sweden                 Switzerland                 United Kingdom                 Other               

* Required.

I am not a robot. 

Please slide to unlock.

More on Gold

Important Disclosure

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. You cannot invest directly in an index. Investments, commentary and statements are that of the author and may not be reflective of investments and commentary in other strategies managed by Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc., Sprott Asset Management LP, Sprott Inc., or any other Sprott entity or affiliate. Opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may vary widely from opinions of other Sprott affiliated Portfolio Managers or investment professionals.

This content may not be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without acknowledgment that it was produced by Sprott Asset Management LP and a reference to sprott.com. The opinions, estimates and projections (“information”) contained within this content are solely those of Sprott Asset Management and are subject to change without notice. SAM LP makes every effort to ensure that the information has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, SAM LP assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages, whether direct or indirect, which arise out of the use of this information. SAM LP is not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. The information should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Please contact your own personal advisor on your particular circumstances. Views expressed regarding a particular company, security, industry or market sector should not be considered an indication of trading intent of any investment funds managed by Sprott Asset Management LP. These views are not to be considered as investment advice nor should they be considered a recommendation to buy or sell.

The information provided is general in nature and is provided with the understanding that it may not be relied upon as, nor considered to be, the rendering or tax, legal, accounting or professional advice. Readers should consult with their own accountants and/or lawyers for advice on their specific circumstances before taking any action.

© 2023 Sprott Inc. All rights reserved.

Categories
Base Metals Energy Gold Shore Resources Junior Mining Precious Metals

Goldshore Intersects 9.46 g/t Au over 7.45m in the Southwest Zone

Widths of Mineralized System Expanded Significantly

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – February 2, 2023) – Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) (“Goldshore” or the “Company“), is pleased to announce assay results from its ongoing 100,000-meter drill program at the Moss Lake Project in Northwest Ontario, Canada (the “Moss Lake Gold Project“).

Highlights:

  • Hole MMD-22-063 has confirmed the presence of high-grade mineralization within the previously perceived low grade and low tonnage Southwest Zone and shown the zone to be almost 300 meters wide. Best intercepts include:
    • 1.60 g/t Au over 57.5m from 230.5m depth in MMD-22-063 including:
      • 9.46 g/t Au over 7.45m from 234.0m
    • 1.18 g/t Au over 18.25m from 387.75m
  • Results for thirteen holes drilled to explore the northern and southern flanks of the mineralized shear zone system in the Main Zone have expanded the cumulative width of multiple, close-spaced, high-grade gold shears by 150-200 meters to over 550 meters at the Main Zone with best intercepts of:
    • 0.93 g/t Au over 126.0m from 467.0m depth in MMD-22-059 including:
      • 1.64 g/t over 48.0m from 513.0m
    • 3.67 g/t Au over 13.65m from 612.35m
    • 1.05 g/t Au over 34.0m from 257.0m depth in MMD-22-088 including:
      • 1.51 g/t Au over 15.0m from 276.0m
    • 1.84 g/t Au over 14.95m from 483.05m

President and CEO, Brett Richards, stated: “These results once again support our thesis that the size and scale of the Moss Lake Gold Project will be large enough to support a material and meaningful update to the mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) in April 2023, followed by a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) on the updated resource. We continue to find additions to the resource on step out holes laterally and along strike from the historic resource profile, and we look to continue to explore the impact of these additions to the resource model, as well as guiding us in future drill targets.”

Technical Overview

Figure 1 shows the better intercepts in plain view and Figure 2 is a typical section through hole MMD-22-063. Table 1 shows the significant intercepts. Table 2 shows the drill hole locations.

Figure 1: Drill plan showing best of several +1 g/t Au intercepts relative to the current Mineral Resource and highlighting the additional shears.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/153300_2909b97504e5db83_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Drill section through MMD-22-063 relative to the current Mineral Resource and highlighting the additional shears and potential to significantly deepen the open pit shell.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/153300_2909b97504e5db83_003full.jpg

Results have been received for MMD-22-063, which was the final hole from the first pass drill pattern at the Southwest Zone. The hole infills two previous holes and has shown that there is continuity to the high-grade core of the zone. In addition to the high-grade lenses highlighted above, the hole also intersected multiple lenses of lower grade mineralization throughout the hole including 0.58 g/t Au over 23.2m from 27.9m, 0.81 g/t Au over 20.6m from 355m, and 0.55 g/t Au over 7.95m from 417.05m. These confirm the increased tonnage potential in the Southwest Zone with mineralization above the low-grade cutoff of 0.40 g/t Au used for the current mineral resource estimate over a zone that is almost 300 meters wide.

A second pass drill pattern over the Southwest zone was completed in January, infilling the newly discovered high-grade shears and exploring for additional shears.

Results have also been received for thirteen holes that have explored the edges of the Main Zone on its northern and southern flanks. Six holes targeted the northern side of the shear system, and seven holes targeted the southern side. These holes intersected high-grade shears over a zone that is 200 meters wider than previously understood, making the main zone over 550 meters wide at its widest point.

As with the center of the Main Zone, these shears lie within broad zones of low-grade mineralization within the altered diorite intrusion host. Examples include 0.84 g/t Au over 37m from 608m in MQD-22-058; 0.33 g/t Au over 35.65m from 231.35m, 0.42 g/t Au over 34m from 273m and 0.86 g/t Au over 126m from 467m in MMD-22-059; 0.58 g/t Au over 75m from 543.5m in MMD-22-060; 0.91 g/t Au over 33m from 257m in MMD-22-088; 0.58 g/t Au over 75m from 422m in MMD-22-089; 0.39 g/t Au over 40.5m from 453.8m in MQD-22-091; and 0.72 g/t Au over 15m from 207 in MMD-22-095.

The shears in the north and south were sparsely drilled by historical drill holes and represent opportunity to potentially expand the mineral resource and to properly understand the mineralizing system.

A detailed review of current and previous high-grade intercepts has identified various gold, silver, and bismuth bearing tellurides across all three zones of the Moss Lake Gold Project deposit. The tellurides have been located within pyrite±-chalcopyrite bearing quartz-chlorite-carbonate veins and sulphide-rich hydrothermal breccias previously identified in the vein paragenesis to be emplaced near the end of deformational history. Identifying and outlining the late structural events will allow for enhanced targeting of the high-grade portions of Moss Lake Gold Project and will assist in refining generative targets by focusing on preferred horizons for these structures to occur.

Figure 3: Tellurides identified at 234.1m of MQD-21-009 within a py+cpy bearing undulating qt+ch±cb shear vein. The sample yielded 39.7g/t Au, 73.7g/t Ag, 63.5g/t Te over 0.9m.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/153300_2909b97504e5db83_004full.jpg

Pete Flindell, VP Exploration for Goldshore, said, “The high-grade drill results in the Southwest Zone provide confidence that this area has significant resource potential. The results along the northern and southern flanks of the Main Zone also represent a significant expansion to the width of the mineralized zone, which should assist our goal of potentially expanding the mineral resource and improving its quality in early Q2.”

Table 1: Significant downhole gold intercepts

HOLE IDFROMTOLENGTH
(m)
TRUE
WIDTH
(m)
CUT
GRADE

(g/t Au)
UNCUT
GRADE

(g/t Au)
MMD-22-058314.00321.007.004.10.410.41
374.90392.3017.4010.30.360.36
466.00468.302.301.40.380.38
491.70505.0013.308.10.390.39
517.00519.002.001.20.350.35
553.45574.4521.0013.30.370.37
593.00595.002.001.30.370.37
608.00645.0037.0023.90.870.87
including614.00621.007.004.51.401.40
and628.00636.008.005.21.041.04
and641.00645.004.002.61.541.54
MMD-22-059231.35307.0075.6551.80.360.36
including236.00239.203.202.21.011.01
and280.00284.004.002.71.451.45
342.00348.006.004.20.360.36
361.00392.0031.0022.00.360.36
467.00593.00126.0092.30.930.93
including475.60484.709.106.61.501.50
and504.65509.304.653.41.081.08
and513.00561.0048.0035.31.641.64
612.35626.0013.6510.22.563.67
MMD-22-06095.20102.006.803.50.400.40
336.95346.009.055.10.310.31
361.10379.0017.9010.20.700.70
including364.00368.104.102.32.142.14
475.80481.105.303.10.390.39
543.50569.0025.5016.10.790.79
584.00592.158.155.20.460.46
MMD-22-061113.55121.007.453.90.300.30
125.25130.004.752.50.310.31
213.00216.403.401.90.380.38
234.95237.002.051.10.460.46
331.65343.3011.656.70.580.58
449.00455.106.103.60.390.39
460.00462.002.001.20.640.64
570.00593.0023.0014.50.310.31
MMD-22-06327.9051.1023.2015.00.580.58
including39.0041.952.951.91.451.45
165.00169.004.002.70.530.53
230.50288.0057.5042.01.601.60
including234.00241.457.455.49.469.46
328.00330.002.001.50.890.89
355.00375.6020.6015.50.810.81
including357.00360.003.002.23.573.57
and373.00375.602.602.01.281.28
387.75406.0018.2513.81.181.18
417.05425.007.956.00.550.55
544.00546.002.001.60.310.31
MMD-22-06817.1523.005.852.90.340.34
307.00327.0020.0011.80.420.42
337.10341.404.302.50.450.45
347.95350.552.601.50.440.44
361.00376.0015.009.00.610.61
including370.00373.003.001.81.781.78
570.40581.3010.907.10.320.32
625.55672.0046.4531.30.350.35
MMD-22-06957.0063.006.003.30.770.77
266.50276.009.506.50.520.52
525.00530.005.003.50.350.35
540.15545.004.853.40.450.45
567.00569.952.952.10.610.61
581.90588.206.304.50.320.32
MMD-22-071629.85633.803.953.00.450.45
MMD-22-084194.00213.1519.1514.90.530.53
including198.00203.005.003.91.321.32
229.00231.002.001.60.470.47
255.00258.503.502.81.741.74
292.55294.552.001.60.430.43
399.00403.654.653.80.960.96
MMD-22-08855.2558.052.802.00.310.31
111.00115.554.553.30.310.31
149.00166.0017.0012.80.450.45
179.00186.007.005.30.410.41
209.70222.0012.309.40.460.46
257.00291.0034.0026.31.051.05
including276.00291.0015.0011.61.511.51
432.00434.002.001.60.460.46
444.95468.1023.1518.50.320.32
483.05498.0014.9512.01.841.84
including483.05496.0012.9510.42.042.04
MMD-22-089302.10309.006.905.10.630.63
including307.00309.002.001.51.301.30
321.00334.8013.8010.30.340.34
390.00392.002.001.50.410.41
422.00497.0075.0058.40.590.59
including431.00433.002.001.53.663.66
and444.00456.0012.009.31.051.05
and478.00488.0010.007.81.191.19
MMD-22-091153.70162.558.856.10.530.53
201.00206.955.954.20.420.42
363.55378.0014.4510.70.320.32
397.00401.554.553.40.450.45
453.80494.3040.5030.80.410.41
MMD-22-093473.25481.007.756.00.610.61
496.00512.8016.8013.20.440.44
including509.25512.803.552.81.051.05
523.00525.252.251.83.043.04
551.00555.204.203.30.320.32
587.20606.2019.0015.10.330.33
617.40620.553.152.50.330.33
628.00630.802.802.20.560.56
MMD-22-095161.20167.456.254.41.101.10
including163.00165.002.001.42.412.41
186.30190.003.702.60.330.33
207.00222.0015.0010.70.720.72
including211.65215.053.402.41.561.56
267.00276.009.006.50.460.46
including274.00276.002.001.41.611.61
373.60376.152.551.90.440.44
412.50418.005.504.10.710.71
Intersections calculated above at 0.3 g/t Au cut off with a top cut of 30 g/t Au and a maximum internal waste interval of 10 metres. Bordered intervals are intersections calculated above a 1.0 g/t Au cut off. Intervals in bold are those with a grade thickness factor exceeding 20 gram x metres / tonne gold. True widths are approximate and assume a subvertical body.

Table 2: Location of drill holes in this press release

HOLEEASTNORTHRLAZIMUTHDIPEOH
MMD-22-058668,7435,379,407454153°-60°645.00
MMD-22-059668,8195,379,436439154°-50°648.00
MMD-22-060668,9095,379,474436155°-60°600.05
MMD-22-061669,0915,379,558448155°-60°600.00
MMD-22-063668,4815,378,460439148°-50°563.00
MMD-22-068669,1775,379,614455154°-60°699.10
MMD-22-069669,2545,379,629445151°-59°600.00
MMD-22-071669,0775,378,242432335°-51°648.00
MMD-22-084668,9735,378,574428337°-45°414.15
MMD-22-088669,0315,378,642431336°45°498.00
MMD-22-089668,9725,378,560428314°-51°497.90
MMD-22-091669,1725,378,762431332°-49°494.30
MMD-22-093669,0185,378,463430289°-50°651.00
MMD-22-095669,0905,378,690428345°-45°420.00
Approximate collar coordinates in NAD 83, Zone 15N

Analytical and QA/QC Procedures

All samples were sent to ALS Geochemistry in Thunder Bay for preparation and analysis was performed in the ALS Vancouver analytical facility. ALS is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for the Accreditation of Mineral Analysis Testing Laboratories and CAN-P-4E ISO/IEC 17025. Samples were analyzed for gold via fire assay with an AA finish (“Au-AA23”) and 48 pathfinder elements via ICP-MS after four-acid digestion (“ME-MS61”). Samples that assayed over 10 ppm Au were re-run via fire assay with a gravimetric finish (“Au-GRA21”).

In addition to ALS quality assurance / quality control (“QA/QC”) protocols, Goldshore has implemented a quality control program for all samples collected through the drilling program. The quality control program was designed by a qualified and independent third party, with a focus on the quality of analytical results for gold. Analytical results are received, imported to our secure on-line database and evaluated to meet our established guidelines to ensure that all sample batches pass industry best practice for analytical quality control. Certified reference materials are considered acceptable if values returned are within three standard deviations of the certified value reported by the manufacture of the material. In addition to the certified reference material, certified blank material is included in the sample stream to monitor contamination during sample preparation. Blank material results are assessed based on the returned gold result being less than ten times the quoted lower detection limit of the analytical method. The results of the on-going analytical quality control program are evaluated and reported to Goldshore by Orix Geoscience Inc.

About Goldshore

Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company, and owns 100% of the Moss Lake Gold Project located in Ontario. Wesdome is currently a large shareholder of Goldshore with an approximate 22% equity position in the Company. Well-financed and supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors and advisory board, Goldshore is positioned to advance the Moss Lake Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.

Peter Flindell, P.Geo., MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice President – Exploration of the Company, a qualified person under NI 43-101 has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For More Information – Please Contact:

Brett A. Richards
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Goldshore Resources Inc.

P. +1 604 288 4416 M. +1 905 449 1500
E. brichards@goldshoreresources.com
W. www.goldshoreresources.com

Facebook: GoldShoreRes | Twitter: GoldShoreRes | LinkedIn: goldshoreres

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Lake Gold Project; an updated mineral resource estimate and the timing thereof; completion of a PEA and the timing thereof, and other statements that are not historical facts.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/153300

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals Silver Bullet Mines

Silver Bullet Mines Corp. Updates Copper Values at Black Copper

Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – January 31, 2023) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) (OTCQB: SBMCF) (‘SBMI’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to update the assay results from its Black Copper occurrence, reported earlier on January 31, 2023.

In SBMI’s January 17, 2023 press release, SBMI advised third part geologic consultants including the QP had visited the Black Copper occurrence in late November and early December, 2022. Black Copper is situated on SBMI’s Black Diamond property roughly one point five kilometres south of the Buckeye Mine and is referred to in the January, 2021 Geologic Report. Samples from Black Copper were taken and reported the following results:

Sample numberAu (ppb)Cu ppm
342151615>1000
342152192>1000
342153941>1000
342154654>1000

The over-detection limit for copper on these samples was 1000 parts per million. These four samples were sent for further analysis which returned:

Sample numberCu ppmCu %
342151224002.24
342152374003.740
342153340003.400
342154549005.490

The press release from earlier today incorrectly stated the values in parts per million as a result of manual data entry into the press release. A copy of the Actlabs certificates for these samples is attached.

QAQC For SBMI

All the samples above were collected by Robert Komarechka and John Corkery. Samples were collected and placed in sample bags with their appropriate tag and personally taken to the courier and shipped to Actlabs in Thunder Bay, Ontario for assaying. Certified standards and blanks were used both by the Company and Actlabs.

All samples analyzed by Actlabs were by Fire Assay ICPOES (Induced coupled plasma arc with optical emission spectroscopy).

The multi-element analysis was by digestion with a combination of hydrochloric, nitric, perchloric and hydrofluoric acids.

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.

With respect to the Company’s press release concerning seeking an extension of the Warrants (as that term is defined in that release), SBMI advises it is seeking an extension on a total of 8,528,081 Warrants with new expiry dates ranging from February 6, 2024 to July 8, 2024.

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 ore; 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/153061

Categories
Base Metals Collective Mining Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals

Collective Mining Step-Out Drilling Confirms a Significant Southern Zone of Near Surface High-Grade Mineralization Including 32 Metres at 10.48 g/t Gold Equivalent

Drill hole APC-29 intercepted the highest grade near-surface copper-silver-gold mineralization encountered to date at the Main Breccia system at the Apollo target (“Apollo”) yielding 32 metres @ 10.48 g/t gold equivalent from 80 metres vertical. This hole was designed to test directly below where the Main Breccia system daylights at surface in the southern part of the system and to follow up on recently announced results for hole APC-22, which intersected 47.25 metres @ 5.45 g/t gold equivalent (see press release dated January 11, 2023). Further down-hole in APC-29, a broad zone of mineralization was encountered averaging 214.4 metres @ 1.04 g/t gold equivalent. APC-29 had to be abandoned short of target depth due to a fault while still in mineralization with the final 0.5 metre sample assaying 1.72 g/t gold, 39 g/t silver and 0.1% copper.

Drill hole APC-25 was designed as a step out hole along strike of the near surface high-grade zone of mineralization and intersected 106.85 metres @ 2.31 g/t gold equivalent starting at 65 metres vertical below surface. As a result, APC-25 has confirmed a shallow, westward expansion to the Main Breccia system and an apparent thickening to the high-grade near surface mineralized zone as the system is traced to the west.

Hole APC-26 was drilled to the northeast from Pad 4 and confirmed continuity of mineralization in that direction returning 136.9 metres @ 1.51 g/t gold equivalent contained within 311.2 metres at 1.04 g/t gold.

The phase II drilling program is underway with three rigs currently operating focused on testing near surface mineralization and expanding the dimensions of the Main Breccia system. Assay results are expected in the near term for the final three holes of the 2022 program, including westwards step-out hole APC-28, which cut more than 600 metres of continuous mineralization. Additionally, the first hole of the Phase II program is now complete, and core has been dispatched to the lab for assaying.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: “Not only is the Main Breccia system at Apollo a large, bulk tonnage deposit but it now appears to host an outcropping and shallow zone of high-grade mineralization, which clearly enhances the value of this exciting discovery. Based on surface sampling, the system appears to daylight over an area measuring approximately 150 metres in diameter and remains open for expansion. The Main Breccia system is truly evolving into a brand-new world-class discovery right in the heart of a prolific mining camp with continuous precious metal production dating back more than 500 years.”

TORONTO, Jan. 31, 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 discovery at the Apollo target (“Apollo”), which is part of the Guayabales project located in Caldas, Colombia. The Main Breccia discovery 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, precious metal rich sheeted carbonate base metal vein systems.

Details (See Table 1 and Figures 1–6)

Assay results for twenty-eight diamond drill holes have now been announced at Apollo with results for additional holes expected in the near term. This press release announces results of three diamond drill holes with results summarized below.

APC-25 was drilled to the northwest from Pad 3 to a maximum depth of 215.80 metres and intersected a shallow, western extension to the Main Breccia discovery averaging:

  • 106.85 metres @ 2.31 g/t gold equivalent consisting of 0.81 g/t Au, 30 g/t Ag, 0.62% Cu and 30 ppm Mo beginning at 73 metres downhole (65 metres vertical).

The mineralized angular breccia of this intercept contains a sulphide matrix which includes 1.5% to 2.5% chalcopyrite and between 1% and 3% pyrite plus pyrrhotite. The breccia has been overprinted by a zone of carbonate and base metal (sphalerite and galena) veins, which host higher gold grades and returned an interval of 14 metres grading 3.65 g/t gold equivalent. APC-25 is the westernmost hole drilled into the Main Breccia discovery and demonstrates that the mineralization is open and is thickening in this direction. Drill holes have been designed to continue to step-out to the west to expand upon this high grade and near surface mineralization.

APC-26 was drilled northeast from pad 4 and confirms continuity within the Northern Extension Zone of the Main Breccia system, as previously defined in holes APC-17 and APC-22. The hole was drilled to a maximum downhole length of 813.7 metres and intercepted:

  • 311.2 metres @ 1.04 g/t gold equivalent consisting of 0.74 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu and 10 ppm Mo from 415 metres down hole.

Gold and silver mineralization relates to sulphides hosted within the angular breccia matrix including pyrite (1%-3%), pyrrhotite (1%-2%) and chalcopyrite (0.5%-1%). A higher-grade sub-zone was encountered within the mineralized intercept averaging 136.9 metres at 1.51 g/t gold equivalent and is characterized by an increase in overprinting low and intermediate sulphidation, carbonate base metal (“CBM”) vein material including visible sphalerite and galena.

APC-29 was drilled to the north-northeast from Pad 3 to a maximum depth of 644.8 metres and intercepted three mineralized zones before the hole was abandoned short of target depth due to a complicated fault structure. The two shallow zones within this hole are located directly beneath mineralized surface outcrops with the initial 32.0 metre intercept of mineralization beginning at 111.3 metres downhole (80 metres vertical), and the second 8.65 metre mineralized zone starting at 194.8 metres downhole (143 metres vertical). These high-grade gold, silver, and copper shallow zones of mineralization are hosted within a matrix of angular quartz diorite breccia with the sulphide component consisting of chalcopyrite (0.5%-2%), pyrite (0.5%-2%) and pyrrhotite (0.5-1%). Finally, the third zone, which starts at 343.8 metres downhole (318 metres vertical) intersected more 301 metres of continuous mineralization including a higher-grade subzone over 214.4 metres. The sulphide mineralization within the breccia matrix of this intercept contained pyrrhotite (0.5%-2.5%), pyrite (1%-3%) and multiple zones of sheeted CBM vein material, which are predominantly sphalerite rich with minor galena. The following intercepts are summarized from APC-29:

  • 32.00 metres @ 10.48 g/t gold equivalent consisting of 9.23 g/t Au, 60 g/t Ag, 0.44% Cu and 30 ppm Mo from 89.25 metres downhole (80 metres vertical depth).
  • 8.65 metres @ 2.26 g/t gold equivalent consisting of 0.57 g/t Au, 82 g/t Ag, 0.27% Cu and 10 ppm Mo from 194.80 metres downhole (143 metres vertical depth).
  • 214.40 metres @ 1.04 gold equivalent consisting of 0.77 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag, 0.05% Cu and 10 ppm Mo from 343.80 metres downhole (318 metres vertical depth), which includes 98.20 metres @ 1.26 g/t gold equivalent.

The Company’s Phase II, 2023 program is well underway with two rigs focused on drilling near surface, high grade mineralization below mineralized outcrops in the southern and central areas of the Main Breccia system while simultaneously targeting expansion to the overall dimensions of the system to the west, northwest, north and northeast. Furthermore, a new drill pad (pad 8) has been constructed 150 south of the southernmost modelled boundary of the Main Breccia system at Apollo and reconnaissance drilling is underway to test a recently discovered porphyry target.

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 discovery 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-25, APC-26 and APC-29

HoleIDFrom
(m)
To
 (m)
Intercept
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
%
Mo
%
AuEq(g/t) *CuEq(%) *
APC-2573.00179.85106.850.81300.620.0032.311.26
Incl.111.00125.0014.002.00350.750.0053.652.00
APC-26415.00726.20311.200.74160.050.0011.04
incl.415.00551.90136.901.14200.060.0011.51
APC-29111.30143.3032.009.23600.440.00310.48
and194.80203.458.650.57820.270.0012.26
and343.80644.80301.000.63140.050.0010.90
Incl.343.80558.20214.400.77140.050.0011.04
Incl.460.00558.2098.201.26150.040.0011.51
* 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-25, APC-26 and APC-29 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 1: Plan View of the Main Breccia System at Apollo Highlighting Drill Holes APC-25, APC-26 and APC-29 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 2: Up Close View of Drill Holes Intersecting the Shallow, High-Grade Southern Zone Within the Main Breccia System at Apollo (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 2: Up Close View of Drill Holes Intersecting the Shallow, High-Grade Southern Zone Within the Main Breccia System at Apollo (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 3: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo Target (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 3: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo Target (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 4: Core Photo Highlights from Drill Hole APC-25 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 4: Core Photo Highlights from Drill Hole APC-25 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 5: Core Photo Highlights from Drill Hole APC-26 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 5: Core Photo Highlights from Drill Hole APC-26 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 6: Core Photo Highlights from Drill Hole APC-29 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)
Figure 6: Core Photo Highlights from Drill Hole APC-29 (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.)

About 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 discovery. The Company’s near-term objective is to continue with expansion drilling of the Main Breccia discovery while increasing confidence in the highest-grade portions of the system.

Management, insiders and close family and friends own nearly 35% 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.

SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Precious Metals Silver Bullet Mines

Silver Bullet Mines Seeks to Extend Warrants

Silver Bullet Mines, Proven and Probable

Burlington, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – January 30, 2023) – Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI) (OTCQB: SBMCF) (‘SBMI’ or ‘the Company’) announces it is applying to the TSX Venture Exchange to extend all warrants related to the Company’s $0.30 round of financing (the “Warrants”). The Warrants have a two-year term, are exercisable at $0.50 (fifty cents) and were issued in various tranches from February 6, 2021 to July 8, 2021.

The Company is seeking regulatory approval to extend all Warrants for one additional year from their original expiry dates.

With respect to the Arizona mining and milling operations, SBMI expects to be able to make further disclosure within two weeks.

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 pathogen; 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; 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.

The Issuer has not based its production decision on current resources or the results of a pre-feasibility study of mineral resources to establish mineral reserves demonstrating technical and economic viability. Significant uncertainty exists on the presence of any economic mineable material.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152930

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Metallic Group Metallic Minerals Precious Metals

Metallic Minerals Drills 1,540 g/t Ag Eq over 1.63 meters within 20.9 meters of 230 g/t Ag Eq at Keno Silver Project in Yukon, Canada

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 30, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce additional results from the 2022 field program at the Keno Silver project in the historic Keno Hill silver district of the Yukon: Canada’s most important silver mining district. These results cover the West Keno area and represent the second in a series of results to be released from the Company’s 2022 exploration program, which included 3,265 meters (“m”) of diamond core drilling in 23 drill holes focused on expansion of advanced stage, “resource-ready” targets in anticipation of an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in 2023.

Exploration in 2022 at West Keno focused on drilling at the advanced-stage Formo target, which produced silver at various times since the 1930s from high-grade vein structures that graded over 1,000 g/t silver1. Formo is a significant inholding within the neighbouring Hecla Mining property and is on trend with the historic Hector-Calumet Mine, which produced nearly 100 million ounces of silver making it the largest individual mine in the district1.

2022 West Keno Exploration highlights

  • High-grade silver (“Ag”), lead (“Pb”) and zinc (“Zn”) mineralization was encountered in five of seven holes (See Table 1). Both high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn vein-style mineralization and broader zones of moderate grade Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization were encountered.
  • A total of 40 high-grade samples of over 100 g/t silver equivalent (“Ag Eq”) were intercepted in the 2022 West Keno drilling, including:
    • FOR22-01, 0.54 m @ 2,291 g/t Ag Eq (1,139 g/t Ag, 18.32% Pb, 14.79% Zn)
    • FOR22-02, 0.5 m @ 1,025.1 g/t Ag Eq (14 g/t Ag, 0.07% Pb, 23.36% Zn)
    • FOR22-04, 1.63 m @ 1,536.2 g/t Ag Eq (1,049.5 g/t Ag, 4.21% Pb, 9.45% Zn)
    • FOR22-04, 0.64 m @ 2,127.9 g/t Ag Eq (1,358 g/t Ag, 4.16% Pb, 16.42% Zn)
    • FOR22-05, 0.5 m @ 1,215.3 g/t Ag Eq (850 g/t Ag, 7.65% Pb, 3.97% Zn)
  • All five holes encountering significant silver mineralization in 2022 also intercepted broad bulk-tonnage zones averaging 26.2 m @ 85.6 g/t Ag Eq comprised of multiple high-grade vein intervals with associated stringers and stockwork veining.

Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, stated, “Impressive drill results, year over year, have consistently demonstrated that Formo is one of Metallics’ highest-grade targets and have cemented it as a priority for a planned, near-term NI 43-101 resource estimate. The strategic location of the Formo deposit along the Silver Trail Highway provides easy access and adjacent electrical power and it is only two kilometers from the largest individual silver deposit in the district and less than five kilometers from both Hecla’s active mine development operations at Bermingham and the Keno operations mill at Keno City. This new step-out drilling continues to show that the deposit remains open to further testing along trend and down dip with room for significant expansion of the mineralized footprint and additional new discoveries. With these results complete we have initiated resource modelling work with SGS Geological Services on the Formo deposit.

“The Company expects to announce additional drill results from both the Keno Silver Project (primarily at the advanced-stage Caribou target), and from follow up expansion drilling at the La Plata Project over the coming weeks.”

Upcoming Events

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference – Metallic Minerals will be participating in the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference at the Yukon Pavilion on Monday January 30th. For more information, visit here.

GCFF Virtual Conference – Scott Petsel will be presenting during the GCFF Metals Investing Virtual Conference on February 23rd at 10am PT | 1pm ET. To register, click here.

OTC Markets Battery & Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference – Metallic will be participating in the upcoming OTC Markets Battery & Precious Metals Investor Conference on Wednesday, February 15 at 10am PT | 1pm ET. To register, click here.

2023 Prospectors and Developers Convention (PDAC) – Booth, Presentation & YMA Core Shack

Metallic Minerals will be attending PDAC 2023 in Booth IE3024. Additionally, President Scott Petsel will be providing a corporate presentation at a Forum for Investors during the 2023 Prospectors and Developers convention in Toronto Monday March 6th in the silver-focused session, Room 803, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. For more information, visit here.

Figure 1. Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits

Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture

West Keno 2022 Drilling Program

Drilling at West Keno focused on the advanced-stage “resource-ready” Formo target area. A total of seven holes were completed over 1,145.6 meters on known projections of mineralization with the goal of expanding the potential resource footprint of the deposit in anticipation of an inaugural 43-101 mineral resource estimate in 2023. Previous drilling has recognized at least three separate parallel high-grade Ag-Pb-Zn vein structures and results of the 2022 drilling continue to demonstrate multiple vein zones in each hole with individual grades commonly more than 1,000 g/t Ag Eq (See Table 1). The Formo target represents one of the highest-grade areas drilled to date on Metallic’s Keno Silver Property with 4.1 m of 2,536 g/t Ag Eq (FOR20-03) and 1 m of 2,961.6 g/t Ag Eq (FOR21-06) as examples of drill results from previous years efforts.

Table 1 – Highlights of 2022 Drill Results from the West Keno – Formo Target Area

DDH Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Length (m)Ag Eq (g/t)Ag (g/t)Au (g/t)Pb (%)Zn (%)
FOR22-0172.3103.9531.6586.541.10.010.540.70
incl72.372.80.5496.43490.003.701.17
And incl97.3103.956.65324.6148.40.022.072.73
And incl98.899.340.54229111390.0618.3214.79
FOR22-0291119.228.269.811.60.020.111.25
incl91105.514.512317.10.010.162.34
And incl91921744.4740.020.3115.35
And incl95.395.80.51,025.1140.010.0723.36
FOR22-0377814154.293.60.010.830.90
incl7777.810.81489.63860.003.540.31
and125141.616.666.4360.010.370.45
incl126.81347.2107.858.40.000.650.74
FOR22-04125.1314620.87228.8144.60.010.701.59
incl126.75127.50.71,168.53450.073.5216.81
And incl137.61446.4557.7395.90.021.652.99
And incl141.81143.441.631,536.21,049.50.114.219.45
And incl142.8143.440.642,127.91,3580.004.1616.42
FOR22-0560.961.620.72293.53.53.340.010.10
and131.5164.9533.4567.942.10.050.370.28
incl1471514283195.30.001.810.96
And incl148.8149.30.51,215.38500.007.653.97
And incl164.45164.950.52801.93.250.000.00
FOR22-0675.777.151.4541.821.30.010.440.17
and131.52132.070.5542.815.30.020.120.53
FOR22-0793.493.90.544.922.30.010.200.39
and123.45124.040.5943.831.10.000.210.18

Notes to reported values:

  1. Ag equivalent is presented for comparative purposes using conservative long-term metal prices (all USD): $20.0/oz silver (Ag), $1.00/lb lead (Pb), $1.40/lb zinc (Zn).
  2. Rcovered Silver Equivalent in Table 1 is determined as follows: Ag Eq g/t = [Ag g/t x recovery] + [Au g/t x recovery x Au price/ Ag price] + [Pb % x 10,000 x recovery x Pb price / Ag price] + [Zn% x 10,000 x recovery x Zn price / Ag price].
  3. In the above calculations: 1% = 10,000 ppm = 10,000 g/t.
  4. The following recoveries have been assumed for purposes of the above equivalent calculations: 95% for precious metals (Ag/Au) and 90% for all other listed metals, based on recoveries at similar nearby operations.
  5. Intervals are reported as measured drill intersect lengths and may not represent true width.

West Keno and the Formo Area Target

The Western Keno Hill district is host to the largest historic production and current resources in the prolific Keno Hill silver district. The Formo target is located at the intersection of a north-easterly structural zone extending from the Hector-Calumet mine, which was the largest producer in the district producing nearly 100 million ounces of silver and the Elsa structural trend, which was the second largest silver producer in the district (see Figure 2).

The Formo property, which include the Formo Mine, also known as the Yukeno Mine, was acquired by Metallic Minerals in 2017. The historic Formo mine produced high-grade silver at various times since the 1930s from high-grade vein structures that graded over 1,000 g/t silver1. Significant underground exploration drifts were developed in the 1950s with most of the historic production from an open pit located alongside of the Silver Trail highway between the Elsa townsite and Keno City and last mined in the 1980s.

Figure 2 – West Keno Plan Map

Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture

Figure 3 – Formo Vein Long Section (looking NW)

Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture
Metallic Minerals Corp., Monday, January 30, 2023, Press release picture

The primary Formo vein structure is exposed at surface in an open cut. Multiple veins have been encountered in the target area that demonstrate an association with Triassic greenstones in the Earn group schist, similar to the Sadie Ladue deposit which produced 12.7 Moz silver at a grade of 1,620 g/t Ag1. In addition to the mineralization at the known Formo deposit, two new surface targets have been identified through soil and rock sampling along the same structural corridors that show potential to host high-grade and bulk tonnage Keno-style Ag-Pb-Zn veins on the Formo property.

Since 2020 Metallic Minerals has drilled 22 holes (3,306.9 m) at the Formo Target to compliment the six core holes and 54 percussion holes drilled by previous owners between 1980 and 1981. The Formo Target is open to significant expansion opportunities and is poised to lead the Company’s efforts to establish resources on the Keno Silver Project.

Grant of Long-Term Performance Incentives

Metallic Minerals further announces that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has granted 1,490,000 stock options (each, an “Option”) to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan. Each Option is exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company (“Share”) at a price of $0.23 per share, being the closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on January 27, 2023, for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Options are subject to certain vesting requirements in accordance with the shareholder approved plan.

About Metallic Minerals

Metallic Minerals Corp. is a leading exploration and development stage company, focused on silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon, and copper, silver and critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining’s operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco Resources and their Keno Hill operations in September 2022. Metallic Minerals is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators. At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado an inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in April 2022 returned a significant porphyry copper-silver resource with results from the 2022 expansion drill program pending. All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in the region, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team has been recognized for its environmental stewardship practices and is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development.

Footnotes:

  1. Cathro, R. J., Great Mining Camps of Canada 1. The History and Geology of the Keno Hill Silver Camp, Yukon Territory. Geoscience Canada, Sept. 2006. ISSN 1911-4850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Website: www.mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800

Email: cackerman@mmgsilver.com Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420

Qualified Person

The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding exploration projects on Metallic Minerals’ mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Debbie James, Senior Geologist for TruePoint Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

All samples were assayed by 36 Element Aqua Regia Digestion ICP-MS methods at Bureau Veritas labs in Vancouver with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analysis in Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples with over limit silver and gold were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish. Over-limit lead and zinc samples were analyzed by multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab and the company utilized a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the project, including blank, duplicate, and standard reference samples.

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, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessrul operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Metallic Minerals Corp.

Categories
Precious Metals

Silver prices could touch a 9-year high in 2023 — with a bigger upside than gold

Prices of silver could hit a nine-year high of $30 per ounce this year — possibly outpacing gold prices.

The last time spot silver touched $30 levels per ounce was in February 2013, according to closing price data from Refinitiv.

Insufficient supplies of silver as well as its tendency to be a better performer than gold in periods of high inflation are key drivers supporting the outlook, analysts told CNBC.

“Silver has historically delivered gains of close to 20% per annum in years inflation is high. Given that track record, and how cheap silver remains relative to gold, it wouldn’t surprise to see silver head towards $30 per ounce this year, though that will likely offer significant resistance,” said Janie Simpson, managing director at ABC Bullion.

Spot silver prices notched a record high of $49.45 in 1980 against the backdrop of a 13.5% inflation rate, up from around $4 in 1976, when the rate of inflation was cooler at 5.7%.

The precious metal last traded $24.02 per ounce, against the backdrop of an inflation rate of 6.5%.

Silver shortage

“Silver is in a shortage… and there is a notable drawdown in the available physical stocks held in New York and London’s physical hubs, more so than seen in gold,” said Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at precious metals company MKS PAMP. 

Shiels added that silver is expected to post deficits of more than 100 million ounces over the next five years, with industrial demand spurring the tight supply.

“The largest segment of silver demand is industrial, [which equates] to almost 50% of total demand,” she said, calling for a base case of silver prices to climb to $28, with a bullish case of $30 or more.

I’m very bullish on gold, but I’m even more bullish on silver.

Randy Smallwood

PRESIDENT OF WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS

That demand is expected to grow more than 15% over the next five years, he said, hinging on accelerated industrial demand from automotive and electronics applications.

Silver is a material commonly used in the manufacturing of automobiles, solar panels, jewelry and electronics.

No silver lining for silver supplies

“We hit peak silver supply back about five, six years ago. Silver production on a worldwide basis has actually been dropping, and we’re not seeing as much silver produced from the mines,” said Randy Smallwood, president of Wheaton Precious Metals.

According to trade group The Silver Institute, the supply of silver from mine production in 2022 was 843.2 million ounces, which was still shy of the decade’s peak of 900 million ounces in 2016.

The supply of silver, which is largely produced as a byproduct of lead-zinc, copper and gold mines, does not generally respond as quickly to demand.

Freshly cast 30 kilogram silver ingots cooling in their molds at the JSC Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, on Monday, July 12, 2021.

Freshly cast 30 kilogram silver ingots cooling in their molds at the JSC Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, on Monday, July 12, 2021.

Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images

“When silver prices go up, it’s not like the silver mines can increase production, because the silver mines only supply about 25% of the silver,” Smallwood said, adding that the market often relies on the lead-zinc mines to satisfy the higher demand.

However, he maintained that while it wouldn’t be surprising to see silver touch $30 per ounce, he does not think that price will hold. He calls for prices to “stay comfortably over $20 per ounce.”

“I’m very bullish on gold, but I’m even more bullish on silver,” Smallwood said.

‘Headwind for silver’?

However, recession fears could lead to softer industrial demand, which may cause silver prices to drop as low as $18 per ounce, according to MKS PAMP.

The biggest risk to silver prices is if inflation falls away faster than expected, Pallion’s Simpson seconded.

“If the Fed continues to tighten, and if inflation falls away more rapidly than the market expects, that will be a headwind for silver,” she said, “especially if the economy heads into a recession, given the large share of silver demand tied to industrial output.”

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/20/metals-silver-prices-could-hit-a-9-year-high-in-2023-outpacing-gold.html

Categories
Base Metals Breaking Energy Junior Mining Metallic Minerals Precious Metals Stillwater Critical Minerals Uncategorized

Stillwater Critical Minerals Expands Resource 62% to 1.6 Blbs Battery Metals and 3.8 Moz PGE+Gold at Stillwater West Project in Montana, USA

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2023 / Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the “Company” or “SWCM”) is pleased to report a 62% increase in the updated independent National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) mineral resource estimate (the “2023 Resource”) for its 100%-owned Stillwater West platinum group element, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold (“PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au”) project in Montana, USA. The study, which was completed by SGS Geological Services (“SGS”), showed significant increases in tonnage and contained metal at both a bulk tonnage 0.20% nickel equivalent (“NiEq”) cut-off (“Base Case”) and a 0.35% NiEq higher grade bulk tonnage cut-off. A high-grade, selective mining component at a 0.70% NiEq cut-off is presented for the first time.

The Company will host a live webcast on January 31, 2023, at 10am PT | 1pm ET to discuss the Stillwater West project and the 2023 Resource. To register, click here.

2023 Resource Highlights

  • Base Case Inferred mineral resources of 1.6 billion pounds (“Blbs”) of nickel, copper and cobalt and 3.8 million ounces (“Moz”) palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold (“4E”) in a constrained model totaling 255 million tonnes (“Mt”) at an average grade of 0.39% total estimated recovered NiEq (or 1.19 g/t Palladium Equivalent “PdEq”). See detailed breakdown in Tables 1 and 2, below.
  • Significant increases in contained metals over the 2021 study at the Base Case 0.20% NiEq cut-off:
Tonnage: 255Mt (62% increase)Palladium: 2.05Moz (56% increase)
Nickel: 1.05Blbs (52% increase)Platinum: 1.26Moz (66% increase)
Copper: 499Mlbs (44% increase)Gold: 395Koz (30% increase)
Cobalt: 91Mlbs (31% increase)Rhodium: 115Koz (76% increase)
  • The selective mining high-grade component yielded 11.6Mt at 1.05% Total NiEq (or 3.24 g/t Total PdEq) as 0.56% Ni, 0.33% Cu, 0.03% Co with 0.54 g/t Pd, 0.27 g/t Pt, 0.15 g/t Au and 0.019 g/t Rh. Expansion of this high-grade component results from the addition of high-grade mineralization encountered in the 2021 drill campaign.
  • Sulphur grades of 1.13% to 6.16% indicate desirable high nickel tenor in sulphide, supporting effective recovery via conventional flotation techniques.
  • 2.27Blbs of chromium has been inventoried. Chromium is defined by the US government as a critical mineral.
  • Deposits in the 2023 Resource are defined by 156 drill holes from a total of 230 holes drilled on the Stillwater West property and include all holes from the Company’s three campaigns to date.
  • The 2023 Resource is contained within five deposits in the 9-kilometer central area of the project, all of which are open along strike and at depth. Multi-kilometer scale geophysical targets (Figure 1) and metal-in-soil anomalies indicate excellent expansion potential (Figures 2 to 4). Untested anomalies and earlier stage targets extend across much of the 32-kilometer-long Stillwater West project.

An NI 43-101-compliant technical report on the 2023 Resource for the Stillwater West project will be filed on Sedar.com within 45 days.

Michael Rowley, President and CEO stated, “We are very pleased with the expanded 2023 resource, which returned substantial increases in tonnage and contained metals while also increasing the high-grade component. Overall, these increases speak to the fantastic growth potential and under-explored nature of the Stillwater West project, and to our ability to rapidly increase resources in these wide-open deposits with targeted expansion drilling at low discovery costs. Our Stillwater West project, with its world-class endowment of eight critical minerals, is unique in the United States as a district-scale asset located in an active, producing district that has a long history of large-scale critical mineral production. The US government has recognized the importance of critical minerals to both economic and national security interests and is taking increasing action to secure domestic supply of these key metals at a time when we are advancing Stillwater West and demonstrating its potential. Our exceptional team, with multi-decades of experience at both Stillwater and in the parallel layered geology of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, is well-positioned to advance the asset. We look forward to continuing to build on our success and low discovery costs as we finalize our follow up expansion programs for 2023.”

Dr. Danie Grobler, Vice-President of Exploration, commented, “The 2022 field season, with a renewed focus on geology and structure, has contributed to the understanding of the multi-target geometry and mineralization controls within the Ultramafic Series of the Stillwater Complex, as an analogue to the Platreef of the Bushveld Complex. Our advanced understanding of Platreef-style mineralization and ore mineralogy, and our collaboration with Professor Wolfgang Maier at Cardiff University United Kingdom, as well as key staff at the US Geological Survey, has increased our confidence in the stratigraphic and structural models guiding resource estimation. Enhanced continuity and a significant tonnage increase, as well as increased medium and higher-grade categories, is a direct result of this effort. Our 2023 exploration programs will be focused on expansion of these thick zones of mineralized pegmatoidal pyroxenite/peridotite and associated chromites, as well as broad zones of massive to net-textured sulphides near the base of the layered sequence. We are seeing similar metal distribution characteristics when compared to the Platreef, as well as sulfur contents in relation to distance from the footwall contact. Our direct application of the detailed controls to mineralization in the Platreef-style models is guiding us along an exciting path of discovery.”

TABLE 1 – Grade and Contained Metal at Various NiEq Cut-off Grades

Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture

Stillwater West Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate, January 20, 2023

Notes: 1) In-Pit Inferred Mineral Resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 0.20% NiEq. Values in this table reported above and below the cut-off grades are only presented to show the sensitivity of the block model estimates to the selection of cut-off grade. Equivalent grade and contained metal calculations do not include Rhodium values; 2) All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate. Totals may not add or calculate exactly due to rounding.

TABLE 2 – BASE CASE – Grade and Contained Metal by Deposit at 0.20% NiEq Cut-Off (Equals 0.62 g/t PdEq) Stillwater West 2023 Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate, January 20, 2023

Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture

Notes: 1) No assays shown as – ; 2) equivalent contained metal and grades do not include Rh. See additional notes on page 4.

2023 Exploration Planning

The Company is finalizing 2023 exploration plans with work expected to include extension of the highly effective geophysical surveys and completion of expansion drilling, focused on large, thick zones of mineralized pegmatoidal pyroxenite and peridotite within the resource areas. These zones show direct parallels to the thick Flatreef-style mineralized zones discovered in recent years by Ivanhoe Mines on the Platreef. A second focus for drilling will be to expand on the nickel-rich massive sulphide zones, as well as the very high-grade gold-PGE mineralization within structurally controlled zones.

Metallurgy

Preliminary metallurgical assessments by SWCM returned strong nickel tenor in sulphides drilled by the Company to date. In addition, favorable historic bench-scale metallurgical results completed historically by AMAX at the Iron Mountain target area demonstrate the potential for effective nickel and copper sulphide flotation and PGE recovery. Sample collection for more detailed metallurgical testing is on-going as part of the expanding development of Stillwater West, with a view to including full metallurgical assessment in future studies.

Carbon Capture at Stillwater West

All five deposits in the 2023 Resource contain desirable nickel sulphide mineralization that has been shown to require a much lower environmental footprint in subsequent processing to nickel metal or nickel sulphate in comparison to the laterite nickel ores that dominate global production. As part of SWCM’s commitment to global sustainability initiatives, the Company is also examining the potential for large-scale carbon sequestration with the objective of further reducing and possibly eliminating the carbon footprint of a potential mining operation at Stillwater West.

Preliminary results demonstrate the presence of certain ultramafic minerals that are known to have high capacity to bind carbon dioxide by a natural process known as mineral carbonation. As announced in a news release on September 23, 2021, the Company is continuing its research with Dr. Greg Dipple and his team at ARCA (formerly based at the University of British Columbia, Canada), to assess the capacity of rock samples from Stillwater West to bind carbon dioxide for permanent disposal as part of a potential mining operation. The Company has partnered with Cornell University for more active carbon sequestration methods, as well as hydrometallurgical processing.

This work strongly aligns with SWCM’s Environmental, Social and Governance guidelines and principles, and the incorporation of carbon uptake may bring financial benefits via initiatives such as the 45Q Tax Credit for Carbon Oxide Sequestration that is now in place in the US.

About Stillwater West

Stillwater Critical Minerals is rapidly advancing the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project towards becoming a world-class source of low-carbon, sulphide-hosted nickel, copper, and cobalt, critical to the electrification movement, as well as key catalytic metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium used in catalytic converters, fuel cells, and the production of green hydrogen. Stillwater West positions SWCM as the second-largest landholder in the Stillwater Complex, with a 100%-owned position adjoining and adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s operating PGE mines in south-central Montana, USA1. The Stillwater Complex is recognized as one of the top regions in the world for PGE-Ni-Cu-Co mineralization, alongside the Bushveld Complex and Great Dyke in southern Africa, which are similar layered intrusions. The J-M Reef, and other PGE-enriched sulphide horizons in the Stillwater Complex, share many similarities with the highly prolific Merensky and UG2 Reefs in the Bushveld Complex. SWCM’s work in the lower Stillwater Complex has demonstrated the presence of large-scale disseminated and high-sulphide battery metals and PGE mineralization, similar to the Platreef in the Bushveld Complex2. Drill campaigns by the Company, complemented by a substantial historic drill database, have delineated five deposits of Platreef-style mineralization across a core 12-kilometer span of the project, all of which are open for expansion into adjacent targets. Multiple earlier-stage Platreef-style and reef-type targets are also being advanced across the remainder of the 32-kilometer length of the project based on strong correlations seen in soil and rock geochemistry, geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, and drilling.

About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.

Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West PGE-Ni-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. The Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits at Stillwater West contain a compelling suite of critical minerals and are open for expansion along trend and at depth, with an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource update announced in January 2023.

Stillwater Critical Minerals’ Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals’ development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario is currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining and the Company also holds the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project on trend 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director
Email: info@criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790
Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075

Resource estimate notes for Tables 1 and 2:

  1. The classification of the current Mineral Resource Estimate into Inferred is consistent with current 2014 CIM Definition Standards – For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves.
  2. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate. Totals may not add or calculate exactly due to rounding.
  3. All Resources are presented undiluted and in situ, constrained by continuous 3D wireframe models, and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.
  4. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
  5. The update MRE is based on data for 156 surface drill holes representing 29,392 m of drilling, including data for 14 surface drill holes for 5,143 m completed by Stillwater in 2021.
  6. The mineral resource estimate is based on 6 three-dimensional (“3D”) resource models representing the Chrome Mountain (Hybrid and DR), Camp, HGR, Central and Crescent Zones.
  7. Composites of 1.2 to 3.0 m have been capped where appropriate.
  8. Fixed specific gravity values of 2.90 – 3.10 g/cm3 (depending on deposit) were used to estimate the Mineral Resource tonnage from block model volumes (% block model). Waste in all areas was given a fixed density of 2.9 g/cm3.
  9. Cu, Ni, Co, Pt, Pd, Au and Cr are estimated for each mineralized zone; S and Rh for the majority of the zones. Blocks (5x5x5) within each resource model were interpolated using 1.2 to 3.0 m capped composites assigned to that resource model. To generate grade within the blocks, the inverse distance squared (ID2) interpolation method was used for all domains.
  10. Based on a review of the project location, size, geometry, continuity of mineralization and proximity to surface of the Deposits, and spatial distribution of the five main deposits of interest (all within a 8.7 km strike length), it is envisioned that the Deposits may be mined by open pit.
  11. In-pit Mineral Resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 0.20% NiEq. Pit optimization and Cut-off grades are based on metal prices of $9.00/lb Ni, $3.75/lb Cu, $24.00/lb Co, $1,000/oz Pt, $2,000/oz Pd and $1,800/oz Au, assumed metal recoveries of 80% for Ni, 85% for copper, 80% for Co, Pt, Pd and Au, a mining cost of US$2.50/t rock and processing and G&A cost of US$18.00/t mineralized material.
  12. The in-pit Mineral Resource grade blocks were quantified above the base case cut-off grade. At this base case cut-off grade the deposits show excellent geologic and grade continuity. The project is at an early stage of exploration and all deposits are open along strike and down dip. The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, exchange rates, mining costs etc.).
  13. The results from the pit optimization are used solely for the purpose of testing the “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” by an open pit and do not represent an attempt to estimate mineral reserves. There are no mineral reserves on the Property. The results are used as a guide to assist in the preparation of a Mineral Resource statement and to select an appropriate resource reporting cut-off grade. Pit optimization does not represent an economic study.
  14. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
  15. The Author is not aware of any known mining, processing, metallurgical, environmental, infrastructure, economic, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, or marketing issues, or any other relevant factors not reported in this technical report, that could materially affect the current Mineral Resource Estimate.

Qualified Person

The Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project 2023 Resource estimate was prepared by Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services, an independent Qualified Person, in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) with an effective date of January 20, 2023. Armitage conducted a recent site visit to the property on June 29 and 30, 2022. Mr. Armitage reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release with respect to the 2023 Resource estimate.

Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure outside of the 2023 Resource estimate that is contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

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.

Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture

Figure 1 2023 DEPOSIT MODELS WITH SELECT DRILL RESULTS OVER 3D INDUCED POLARIZATION (IP) GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESULTS

Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture

Figure 2 2023 DEPOSIT OUTLINES WITH DRILL DATA OVER PRECIOUS AND BASE METALS IN SOILS

Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture

Figure 3 2023 DEPOSIT OUTLINES WITH DRILL DATA OVER GEOPHYSICS (CONDUCTIVITY)

Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture
Stillwater Critical Minerals, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Press release picture

Figure 4 14 TARGET AREAS ACROSS MAIN CLAIM BLOCK INCLUDING PICKET PIN (UPDATED JANUARY 2023)

SOURCE: Stillwater Critical Minerals

Categories
Base Metals Energy Exclusive Interviews Junior Mining Metallic Group Precious Metals Stillwater Critical Minerals

Stillwater Critical Minerals – Reports High-Grade Gold, Platinum Group Elements, Battery Metals

Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTC: PGEZF)
Website | https://criticalminerals.com/
Corporate Presentation | https://criticalminerals.com/investors/presentations/
Stillwater Critical Minerals
Suite 904 – 409 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2

Tel: +1 (604) 357-4790
Toll Free: +1 (888) 432-0075
Email: “Chris Ackerman (Critical Minerals)” cackerman@criticalminerals.com


The Best Video on Why and When to Buy and Sell Physical Precious Metals:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-2-1024x263.png

WEEKLY SPECIAL: JAN 2023

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is valcambi_special_mf-1024x576.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is krugerrand_promo_mf-1024x576.jpg
https://www.milesfranklin.com/faq-maurice/
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is BitcoinSidebar.png.pagespeed.ce.6z1FEqVkO4.png

I’m a licensed broker for Miles Franklin Precious Metals InvestmentsThe Only Online Dealer that is Licensed and Bonded Period! Where we provide unlimited options to expand your precious metals portfolio, from:

Website| www.provenandprobable.com
Call me directly at 855.505.1900 or email: Maurice@MilesFranklin.com
Precious Metals FAQ – https://www.milesfranklin.com/faq-maurice/

Categories
Base Metals Diamcor Mining Energy Exclusive Interviews Junior Mining

Diamcor Mining – Positioning Shareholders for a Strong 2023!

Joining us for a conversation is Dean Taylor the CEO of Diamcor Mining to share why prudent capital is in investing in the diamond space. We will also highlight the value proposition of Diamcor Mining and address operational and corporate updates for 2023.

Diamcor Mining: (TSX.V: DMI | OTCQB: DMIFF)
Website: https://www.diamcormining.com/
Contact: Mr. Rich Matthews
rmatthews@integcom.us
+1 (604) 757-7179

Press Release: https://yhoo.it/3irevzm

The Best Video on Why and When to Buy and Sell Physical Precious Metals:

WEEKLY SPECIAL: JAN 2023

https://www.milesfranklin.com/faq-maurice/

I’m a licensed broker for Miles Franklin Precious Metals InvestmentsThe Only Online Dealer that is Licensed and Bonded Period! Where we provide unlimited options to expand your precious metals portfolio, from:

Website| www.provenandprobable.com
Call me directly at 855.505.1900 or email: Maurice@MilesFranklin.com
Precious Metals FAQ – https://www.milesfranklin.com/faq-maurice/