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Junior Mining Precious Metals

Accelerated Near-Mine Exploration Program Underway at Novo’s Nullagine Gold Project

HIGHLIGHTS
 

  • Novo’s board of directors has approved an additional A$2.5M exploration budget to accelerate drilling of high-priority near-mine targets in the Mosquito Creek Basin which hosts the Nullagine gold project (the “ NGP ”) and the Golden Eagle processing facility.
  • A program of over 25,000 metres of reverse circulation (“ RC ”) drilling is in progress across several priority basement targets.
  • Novo’s exploration team has recently identified high priority drill targets including the Parnell-Vulture prospect. Significant results have been returned from mapping, rock chip and soil sampling programs, including a very large 1.5 km long, up to 500 m wide zone dominated by soil samples grading 100 ppb Au or better. These results are not necessarily representative of mineralization at the site.
  • The near-mine geology team has been expanded to accelerate near-mine exploration.
  • In addition, historical data from previous targets and mined open pits across the Mosquito Creek Basin is being re-analysed to determine further targets for potential feed for the Golden Eagle processing facility.
     

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novo Resources Corp. “Novo” or the “Company” ) (TSX: NVO, NVO.WT & NVO.WT.A) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to provide an update on near-mine exploration programs focussing on exploration opportunities at its highly prospective 100% controlled NGP.

Near-Mine Exploration

Novo’s aggressive 2021 exploration continues with Novo’s board of directors approving additional funding of up to A$2.5M to support near-mine exploration. This is in addition to the A$12 million approved in June 2021 for exploration across Novo’s tenements in 2021 ( refer to the Company’s news release dated June 3, 2021 ). The goal of this program is to accelerate the delineation of targets in the Mosquito Creek Basin that have the potential to provide additional oxide mill feed to the NGP’s Golden Eagle processing facility .

Planned RC drilling of at least 25,000 m across multiple priority basement targets has commenced and is scheduled to be completed prior to year-end. Over 20 high priority orogenic gold drill targets ( Figure 1 ) have been identified within trucking distance of the Golden Eagle processing facility. Priority targets include Genne and Parnell-Vulture, both located on granted mining leases.

At the Parnell prospect (M46/527), a series of robust, coherent gold anomalies were recently returned from soil sampling, confirming targets highlighted during the June mapping program ( Figure 2 ). Of particular note is a very large 1.5 km long, up to 500 m wide zone dominated by soil samples grading 100 ppb Au or better and peaking at 7.8 g/t Au. Significant rock chip samples up to 14.6 g/t Au were also returned from Parnell-Vulture, again highlighting the presence of high-grade gold targets in this region. Although these results are not necessarily representative of mineralization at the site, they further confirm prospectivity of this area and drill planning for both prospects is currently underway as part of the current near-mine exploration program.

Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e3d54f5-bdfe-44c2-b9c0-7e0685a12a8a

Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99127b4e-3d90-4272-93ac-eca62785fb38

As part of the current near-mine exploration program, historical data from previous targets and mined open pits across the Mosquito Creek Basin is being re-analysed. With Novo’s extensive knowledge of the Mosquito Creek Basin, further targets for potential mill feed for the Golden Eagle processing facility are being assessed. This work may result in further areas for priority drill testing.

Talga Talga Drilling and Bulk Sampling

Novo recently completed a maiden 1,830 m, 34-hole RC drill program at its 100%-controlled Talga Talga gold project ( Figure 3 ) approximately 110 km north of the NGP and adjacent to the road that extends southward to the Golden Eagle processing facility. This property hosts a series of orogenic lode deposits hosted by greenstone that is part of the plus 3.0-billion-year-old basement rock of the Pilbara. Dips of the lodes are reasonably shallow and follow topography, making them well suited for open cast excavation. Assays results from the drilling program are expected in October 2021.

Figure 3 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe415d91-d9f2-49ca-9af8-bd4aba7f758d

Talga Talga has the potential to be brought into the NGP as a satellite deposit. Part of the Company’s strategy is to trial bulk samples of mineralized material from Talga Talga through its mechanical sorter. In preparation for these trials, five, approximately 5-tonne bulk samples have been excavated from various lodes across the project and have been delivered to Golden Eagle to be included in the mechanical test work program to commence in October 2021.

Mechanical Sorting Trial Samples

In preparation for mechanical sorting trials that begin in October 2021, bulk samples stored at Karratha and Egina from previous sampling programs have been delivered to Golden Eagle. Karratha test material includes unprocessed bulk samples collected in 2018. Egina bulk sample material includes some 60 tonnes of gold-bearing gravels collected from large scale bulk sampling pits along the test swale on M46/560, the focus of exploration work in 2019. Novo expects to have results from testing on these samples and others including those from Talga Talga by the end of 2021.

Analytic Protocols

All soils and rock chips from Parnell and Vulture were submitted to Intertek Laboratories in Perth, Australia. Rock chips were assayed for FA gold (FA50/OE04) and 4-Acid Digest ME (4A/MS48). Soils will be assayed for Aqua Regia gold and ME (AR25/MS33).

There were no limitations to the verification process and all relevant data was verified by a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“ NI 43-101 ”) by reviewing analytical procedures undertaken by the laboratory. Dr. Quinton Hennigh (P.Geo.) is the qualified person responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Hennigh is a director of Novo and its Non-Executive Co-Chairman.

2021 Precious Metals Summit Beaver Creek

Novo’s Non-Executive Co-Chairman, Dr. Quinton Hennigh, will present at the Precious Metals Summit on Thursday September 9 th , 2021 from 8:30 am-8:45 am Mountain Time.

Webcast Link: https://wsw.com/webcast/preciousmetals3/nvo.v/

About Novo

Novo is commissioning its flagship Beatons Creek gold project while exploring and developing its prospective land package covering approximately 14,000 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In addition to the Company’s primary focus, Novo seeks to leverage its internal geological expertise to deliver value-accretive opportunities to its shareholders. For more information, please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail leo@novoresources.com .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Novo Resources Corp.

“ Quinton Hennigh 

Quinton Hennigh

Non-Executive Co-Chairman

Forward-looking information

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, planned exploration activities, determination of further targets for potential mill feed for the Golden Eagle processing facility, and the expected timing of receipt of assay and mechanical testing results. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novo’s annual information form for the 11-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which is available under Novo’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

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Record Monthly Production From Nullagine Gold Project

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Continuing excellent safety record with no LTIs recorded at the Company’s Beatons Creek conglomerate gold project (the “ Nullagine Gold Project ”)
  • Record monthly gold production of 8,589 oz Au in July , a 46% increase over June
  • 7,899 ounces of gold sold in July, generating revenue of C$17.8 million (A$19.2 million) , a 50% increase over June
  • Record number of grade control assays processed in July (> 68,000 PhotonAssays) , expecting to clear the assay backlog by October 2021
  • Exploration drilling ongoing at near-mine and East Pilbara conglomerate and orogenic basement targets
  • July month-end cash balance of C$49 million , representing 6% growth since June
  • Fair value of Novo’s investments of approximately C$170 million 2
     

“I’m delighted with the continuing positive trajectory of the Nullagine Gold Project as the team adjusts to mining and processing this completely new style of conglomerate gold mineralization,” commented Rob Humphryson, CEO and a director of the Company. “The site team is functioning cohesively as they perfect the geological and mining methods required to underpin a sustained and successful operation.”

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novo Resources Corp. “Novo” or the “Company” ) (TSX: NVO, NVO.WT & NVO.WT.A) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to provide an operations update from the Nullagine Gold Project after another record month of growth. Subsequent updates will be provided on a quarterly basis.

NULLAGINE GOLD PROJECT

Gold Production

Gold production at the Nullagine Gold Project for July 2021 was a record month of 8,589 ounces produced during July 2021 ( Figure 1 ).

Figure 1 available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ca66d77-f304-4d7a-ad47-c07238b102d8

Processing

Mill throughput continued to increase month-on-month. As anticipated in the Company’s news release dated June 8, 2021 , the processing plant’s annualized rate is increasing towards 1.8 mtpa ( Figure 2 ). A total of 148 kt of gold-bearing conglomerate material was processed in July. Recovery rates are also stabilizing around 95%. July’s processing head grade was 1.94 g/t Au.

Mining

Mined mineralized and waste material was lower in July with some of the Company’s contract mining fleet allocated to assist with initial preparatory works for an upcoming tailings storage facility expansion.

Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b2532ea-2d9e-405f-8d1e-6f1db0f81245

Operational Improvements

Intertek Testing Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (“ Intertek ”) has now fully commissioned two Chrysos PhotonAssay machines at its Maddington (Perth) facility ( Figure 3 ) ( refer to the Company’s news release dated May 18, 2021 ) and processed a total of 68,235 PhotonAssays (including QA/QC samples) in July. This compares favourably against average sample returns per month over the past six months. Assuming that July’s processing rates continue, the Company expects that its backlog of grade control samples will be cleared by the end of October 2021 which will significantly improve the Company’s ability to optimize recovery of mineralized material at the Nullagine Gold Project.

Figure 3 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ecab7496-1b94-4a0a-b84b-8549698fbcd2

Intertek have also been selected to design and manage a site-based sample preparation laboratory at the Nullagine Gold Project. The lab setup is proceeding rapidly, with commissioning expected to be completed by mid-August. To date the crusher/dryer facility, ducting refurbishment, and pad extensions have all been completed, with lab personnel expected to arrive on site early next week.

Exploration

Exploration works at the Nullagine Gold Project accelerated during June as reverse circulation (“ RC ”) drilling was completed at several conglomerate (Beatons Extended and Skyfall) and orogenic basement (Margies, Cutlass and AU81 north) targets, all located within a 50 km radius of the Company’s Golden Eagle processing facility. A series of additional high priority targets more recently delineated within the Nullagine Gold Project area by detailed geological mapping, rock chip sampling and soil sampling are also scheduled for drill testing in the latter half of 2021 (Daisy Central, Red Ensign, GENNE, Parnell, Vulture).

Further afield, RC drilling commenced in July at one of Novo’s high priority orogenic vein targets at the Talga Project ( Figure 4 ), testing strike and depth potential, and grade continuity of the mineralised lode systems at McPhees and NW Australian. Rock samples collected by Novo combined with detailed mapping define a mineralized corridor approximately three kilometres long and include assay results with best grades of 81.4 g/t Au, 46.9 g/t Au, 35.1 g/t Au and 30.0 g/t Au (refer to the Company’s news release dated June 3, 2021 ). These results are not necessarily representative of mineralization at Talga Talga. This prospect is located some 30 km to the north of the town of Marble Bar (150km north of Nullagine) and is suitable for haulage to the Company’s Golden Eagle processing facility at the Nullagine Gold Project.

Figure 4 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/98935ffd-3258-41e4-b5ba-22f594d488d1

Novo Financial Position

Novo’s cash position and working capital remains robust, with cash reserves of C$49 million as at July 31, 2021 as compared to cash reserves of C$46.3 million as at June 30, 2021. Operational cash inflows accounted for most of this increase, with only approximately C$0.6 million attributable to stock option exercises and asset dispositions.

In addition to its cash reserves, the Company’s portfolio of investments held a fair value of approximately C$170 million as at July 31, 2021. Volatility in the value of the Company’s portfolio is mostly attributable to the Company’s 9.83% holdings in New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG).

Dr. Quinton Hennigh (P.Geo.) is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Hennigh is a director of Novo and its president and chairman.

Cautionary Statement

The decision by the Company to produce at the Nullagine Gold Project was not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and, as a result, there is an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s cash flow and future profitability.

About Novo

Novo is commissioning its flagship Beatons Creek gold project while exploring and developing its prospective land package covering approximately 14,000 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In addition to the Company’s primary focus, Novo seeks to leverage its internal geological expertise to deliver value-accretive opportunities to its shareholders. For more information, please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail leo@novoresources.com .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Novo Resources Corp.

“ Quinton Hennigh 

Quinton Hennigh

Chairman and President

Forward-looking information

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, planned mining and processing activities; that the backlog of PhotonAssays is expected to be cleared by October 2021; and that the processing plant’s annualized rate is expected to reach 1.8 mtpa. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novo’s annual information form for the 11-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which is available under Novo’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Converted to Canadian dollars using the July 1 – 31, 2021 average foreign exchange rate of 0.9294.

This value excludes the fair value of warrants held in GBM Resources Ltd. and Kalamazoo Resources Limited. Novo’s ability to dispose of its investments is subject to certain thresholds pursuant to its senior secured credit facility with Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP. Please refer to the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the 11-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which is available under Novo’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Novo’s investment in New Found Gold Corp. is subject to escrow requirements pursuant to National Instrument 46-201 Escrow for Initial Public Offerings . The value of Novo’s holdings in Elementum 3D, Inc. (“ E3D ”) is based on E3D’s most recent financing price of US$2.50 per share. Except for its investment in E3D, the fair value of Novo’s investments is based on closing prices of its investments and relevant foreign exchanges rates as at July 31, 2021.