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Gold and lithium explorer BMG Resources Limited (ASX: BMG) (BMG or Company) is pleased to announce a maiden Mineral Resource of 11.12Mt @ 1.45 g/t Au for 518koz Au for the Capital Deposit, part of its Abercromby Gold Project in the Wiluna-Agnew region of Western Australia.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Major Abercromby Project milestone with maiden Mineral Resource for Capital Deposit of 11.1Mt @ 1.45 g/t Au for 518koz Au (0.4g/t and 1.25g/t cut-offs for open pit and underground zones respectively)
- Open Pit area: 354koz @ 1.17g/t Au (>0.4g/t Au between surface and 200mbs)
- Underground area: 164koz @ 3.09g/t Au (>1.25g/t Au between 200 and 500mbs)
- 353koz (68%) Au Indicated and 165koz (32%) Au Inferred (using resource constraint above)
- 345koz in oxide and transitional material, 173koz in fresh material
- Higher grade component of the resource is 430koz @ 2.01g/t Au at a 1.0g/t lower cut-off
- Low $8.35/oz discovery cost
- Abercromby is on granted mining leases providing an expedited pathway to mining approvals
- Capital Deposit has open pit potential, with mineralisation starting from near surface extending at depth and along strike beyond Mineral Resource footprint
The maiden Mineral Resource, combined with metallurgical work that confirmed the orebody as free milling across all zones1, is a strong indicator of the potential for a straight-forward open-pit mining operation.
BMG will now commence development studies alongside high-impact expansion drilling to further convert Inferred resources to the higher-confidence Indicated category. BMG is also preparing for further exploration activities across the Abercromby Project area to test large regional gold anomalies to the south, which could deliver further Capital-style discoveries.
BMG Resources Managing Director Bruce McCracken said:
“This large maiden Mineral Resource at Abercromby, delivered at a discovery cost of just $8.35 per ounce, is a step-change in value for BMG. Through efficient use of exploration spend across three major drilling campaigns, BMG has shifted from pure explorer to potential developer with a large resource base and huge potential for further growth.
“Abercromby now has a metric for valuation that BMG can use to quantitatively demonstrate to the market its success in leveraging value from the drill bit.
“Abercromby is well located for development. The potential to monetise the project in a rapidly appreciating gold price environment, underpinned by this maiden resource for the Capital Deposit, places BMG in an enviable position as we continue to pursue sustained, long-term shareholder value.”
The Abercromby Gold Project
The Abercromby Gold Project is located on the Wiluna Greenstone Belt, one of Western Australia’s most significant gold-producing regions with a gold endowment of +40Moz Au – second only to Kalgoorlie globally in terms of historic production.
The geology at Abercromby is favourable for gold mineralisation, with drilling having intersected multiple thick intervals of high-grade gold mineralisation confirming the presence of a large, high-grade gold system. BMG holds 100% of Abercromby, which comprises the gold and other mineral rights (ex-uranium) of two granted mining leases (M53/1095 and M53/336). The mining leases provide for an expedited development pathway for the Company to secure mining approval.
Since acquiring the project in mid-2020, BMG has completed three reverse circulation and diamond drill programs primarily targeting the high-priority Capital Deposit. The Capital Deposit sits within the northern third of Abercromby’s 12km2 project area.
In parallel to the drill program, BMG has completed metallurgical test work on core samples from the Capital Deposit which confirmed its free-milling status and therefore amenability to conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing, with high gold recoveries achieved. See our ASX announcement dated 6 February 2023 “High Gold Recoveries – Abercromby Metallurgical Test” for full discovery of the outcomes of the metallurgical test work.
Figure 1 – The Abercromby Gold Project is surrounded by major gold operations
The Mineral Resource estimation at the Capital Deposit was completed by ordinary kriging within 3D-modelled mineralisation wireframes and block modelling in Surpac, utilising a comprehensive data set generated by recent work undertaken by BMG as well as work completed by previous owners.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from BMG Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Option to acquire 888km2 Au/Cu project in WA
- The Paterson Project covers 888km2 of granted Exploration tenure, 40km south west of Greatland Gold Plc's (GGP London and ASX) Telfer Gold Copper Mine. Telfer has produced 15Moz of gold and combined with Havieron hosts a total of 10.2Moz Au in resources.
- Drilling last completed in 1987 with multiple significant drilling intercepts including:
- 17m @ 1.6% Cu, 317ppm Mo from 84m (87WDRC2)
- Including 9m @ 2.6% Cu, 456ppm Mo
- 9m @ 2.0% Cu, 0.14g/t Au, 272ppm Mo from 84m (87WDRC6)
- Including 5m @3.1% Cu, 0.20g/t Au, 430ppm Mo
- 11m @ 1.5% Cu, 0.10g/t Au, 181ppm Mo from 83m (87WDRC8)
- Including 7m @ 2.1% Cu, 0.15g/t Au, 250ppm Mo
- 13m @ 1.1% Cu, 0.29g/t Au from 107m (87WDRC14)
- Including 6m @ 2.0% Cu, 0.27g/t Au
- 8m @ 0.7% Cu, 310ppm Mo from 98m (87WDRC7)
- Including 1m @ 3.3% Cu, 0.22g/t Au, 560ppm Mo
- 17m @ 1.6% Cu, 317ppm Mo from 84m (87WDRC2)
- Historic exploration looking for copper not gold
- Significant drilling intercepts are shallow and can be targeted using RC drilling
- Multiple geophysical targets identified which are yet to be drill tested
- Targets associated with magnetic lows and gravity highs
- Mobile MT, a technique utilised by industry players and the Telfer Mine in the Paterson Province, to be used over the Paterson Project area
- The Paterson Project also surrounds the Kintyre Uranium Project owned by global major Cameco Corp. Kintyre hosts a total indicated resource of 53.5Mlb U3O8
Tom Evans, Cloudbreak's MD, commented; "I am excited and delighted we have been able to secure exclusivity on this fantastic opportunity to acquire this asset, in a jurisdiction with significant activity and recent proven success. Located only 40km southwest of the Telfer Gold-Copper Mine operated by Greatland Gold Plc.
Technological advances in geophysics since the 80's have improved greatly with the success of Mobile MT in the Paterson Province, we intend to start off with this geophysical survey, to use as another vector and data layer to refine and rank drill targets not only for copper but for gold as well.
I am excited, for the Company and its shareholders, as we progress this great opportunity and I look forward to updating the market as our exploration programs progress."
Location
The Paterson Project (Figure 1) directly surrounds the Kintyre Uranium Deposit and is located 40km south-south-west of Greatland Gold Plc's Telfer Gold-Copper Mine.
Figure 1: Location Plan
Exploration Completed
The Wanderer Prospect (Figure 2 and 3) was drilled between 1987 and 1990 by CRA (at significantly lower prevailing copper and gold prices) as part of its uranium exploration expenditure across its nearby Kintyre Project. The majority of drilling was only drilled to 100m from the surface, with multiple holes logged as ending in mineralisation. No follow‐up drilling has occurred in the 35 years since then. Forty-two drill holes were drilled at the Wanderer Prospect on E45/5358 tenement.
Multiple significant drilling intercepts include:
- 17m @ 1.6% Cu, 317ppm Mo from 84m (87WDRC2)
- Including 9m @ 2.6% Cu, 456ppm Mo
- 9m @ 2.0% Cu, 0.14g/t Au, 272ppm Mo from 84m (87WDRC6)
- Including 5m @3.1% Cu, 0.20g/t Au, 430ppm Mo
- 11m @ 1.5% Cu, 0.10g/t Au, 181ppm Mo from 83m (87WDRC8)
- Including 7m @ 2.1% Cu, 0.15g/t Au, 250ppm Mo
- 13m @ 1.1% Cu, 0.29g/t Au from 107m (87WDRC14)
- Including 6m @ 2.0% Cu, 0.27g/t Au
- 8m @ 0.7% Cu, 310ppm Mo from 98m (87WDRC7)
- Including 1m @ 3.3% Cu, 0.22g/t Au, 560ppm Mo
Figure 2: Wanderer Prospect Drill Section
Figure 3: Wanderer Prospect- Drill Collar Plan and Mineralised Trend
Deal Terms
Cloudbreak has paid a A$20,000 option fee to secure two months exclusive due diligence across the Paterson Project. If Cloudbreak elects to proceed, it can acquire a 90% interest in the project via the issue of 330,000,000 shares to Mammoth Minerals Ltd (ASX:M79, "Mammoth"). Mammoth is to retain a 10% free carried interest in the Project until the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study with a positive NPV.
Tenure
The Project consists of three granted exploration licences E45/5358, E45/5391 and E45/6244 covering a land area of 888km2.
The ground is contiguous to the west, of the Cottesloe base-metal project held by Wishbone Gold Plc.
Regional Geology
The Paterson Orogen is a 2,000km long arcuate belt of folded and metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous rocks that range in age from predominantly Palaeoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic with limited outcrops of Archaean rocks.
The eastern margin of the Paterson Orogen is masked by younger Proterozoic to Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks (Officer and Canning Basins) with sedimentary units of the late Proterozoic Savory Basin on-lapping to the southwest. The main outcropping stratigraphic packages across the bulk of the Paterson Project are the lowermost member of the Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic Yeneena Group, the Coolbro Sandstone, and the Paleoproterozoic Rudall Metamorphic Complex.
Local Geology
The Paleoproterozoic Rudall Metamorphic Complex hosts the Central Tenements surrounding the Kintyre Uranium deposit. At and around Kintyre, the prospective Yandagooge Formation outcrops within the Yandagooge Inlier, consisting of a "basement high" of Rudall Metamorphic Complex surrounded by Neoproterozoic sandstone and Permian glacial tillite. The basement sequence has undergone a minimum of four deformation episodes and is unconformably overlain by Neoproterozoic sandstone and conglomerate deposits of the Yeneena Basin, which have seen at least one major deformation episode.
The dominant host-rock to mineralisation at Kintyre is a garnet-rich, chert-banded, calc-silicate magnetite schistose rock, sandwiched between carbonates and shales of the Yandagooge Formation. These are amphibolite facies metamorphosed rocks, later retrogressively metamorphosed to greenschist facies during or prior to the principal mineralisation phase. Late in syn-D3 or during D4 uranium-bearing, hydrothermal fluids were introduced into the system, depositing pitchblende within northeast dipping dilational zones developed in the S3 cleavage.
In the Kintyre area, the Yandagooge Inlier is surrounded by Coolbro Sandstone, which comprises a thick quartz sandstone sequence with intercalated carbonaceous mudstone and shale interbeds (Jackson & Andrew, 1990). The Coolbro Sandstone, which represents the basal formation of the low-grade metamorphic Neoproterozoic Yeneena Supergroup, exhibits a strong slaty cleavage and has been isoclinally folded and deformed around NW trending axes.
The Central Tenements around the Kintyre deposit are predominantly covered by outcropping northwest-southeast trending, northerly dipping, and folded Coolbro sandstone. Aeolian sand covers areas in the west-central and southeast portions of the tenement. It is believed that these areas are directly underlain by an inlier of the Yandagooge Formation Rudall Metamorphics (Jackson & Andrew, 1990). Rudall Metamorphics outcrop in the west-central area and near the south-eastern corner of the tenement. The north eastern edge of the tenement has outcropping northwest-southeast trending, northerly dipping, and folded Broadhurst Formation.
Exploration Potential and Prospectivity
The Paterson Province hosts several major copper and gold operations, including the Nifty copper mine and the world-class Telfer gold mine. More recently, several new copper-gold discoveries have been made at Winu (Rio Tinto) and Havieron (Greatland Resources PLC???).
A review of a compilation of available geophysical data reprocessed using modern techniques highlights multiple anomalies, including a large "bullseye" magnetic anomaly at Wanderer Prospect within the Central Tenements. The Wanderer Copper-Gold Prospect, first discovered by CRA in 1987, reveals the presence of significant copper, gold and molybdenum values in a wide zone of iron‐oxide alteration extending across more than 1 km of strike. In addition, geochemical assemblage (Cu-Au-Mo) is potentially indicative of a porphyry intrusion as the source of mineralisation. Several other targets with low-magnetics/high gravity signatures have been identified.
At a regional scale, the Paterson Province has potential for large intrusive-related copper and gold targets undercover, requiring geophysical methods, such as Mobile MT by Expert Geophysics Limited, that has been successfully used in the Paterson Province as means of primary target identification.
A review of geophysical and structural data (Figure 4), has identified several compelling exploration opportunities around the existing Wanderer copper-gold project.
Figure 4: RTP Magnetics Left and Gravity Right, illustrating numerous coincident magnetic low and gravity high targets
This announcement contains information which, prior to its disclosure, was inside information as stipulated under Regulation 11 of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/310 (as amended).
For additional information please contact:
Cloudbreak Discovery PLC | Peter Huljich, ChairmanTom Evans, Managing Director | Tel: +44 207 887 6139Tel: +44 7851 703440 |
Novum Securities (Financial Adviser) | David Coffman / Anastassiya Eley | Tel: +44 7399 9400 |
About Cloudbreak Discovery PLC
Cloudbreak Discovery PLC is a leading natural resource explorer and project generator. Cloudbreak is focused on mineral exploration and energy opportunities with the aim of bringing near-term cashflow and driving shareholder value.
Through its wholly owned but independently operated subsidiaries, the Company will develop its array of mineral assets, whilst continuing to generate new projects with a particular focus on commodities with high intrinsic value.
Cloudbreak's generative model across the mineral sector enables a multi-asset approach to investing in the commodity cycle.
Competent Persons Statement
The Information in this report that relates to exploration results, mineral resources or ore reserves is based on information compiled by Mr Edward Mead, who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Mead is a consultant to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc and employed by Doraleda Pty Ltd. Mr Mead has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the `Australian Code for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (the JORC Code). Mr Mead consents to the inclusion of this information in the form and context in which it appears in this report.
Table 1: Significant Assays (>0.3% Cu or 0.3ppm Au)
Hole | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Cu % | Au | Mo ppm |
87WDRC1 | 25 | 28 | 3 | 0.30% | 0 | 6 |
87WDRC10 | 53 | 54 | 1 | 0.31% | 0.25 | 350 |
87WDRC12 | 111 | 115 | 4 | 0.70% | 0.35 | 18 |
87WDRC13 | 101 | 102 | 1 | 0.34% | 0.07 | 34 |
87WDRC13 | 102 | 103 | 1 | 0.35% | 0.09 | 40 |
87WDRC13 | 105 | 106 | 1 | 1.11% | 0.12 | 18 |
87WDRC13 | 108 | 109 | 1 | 0.45% | 0.04 | 33 |
87WDRC13 | 109 | 110 | 1 | 0.88% | 0.06 | 37 |
87WDRC13 | 110 | 111 | 1 | 0.63% | 0.16 | 43 |
87WDRC13 | 111 | 112 | 1 | 0.83% | 0.09 | 38 |
87WDRC14 | 77 | 78 | 1 | 1.22% | 0.15 | 145 |
87WDRC14 | 107 | 110 | 3 | 0.56% | 0.17 | 74 |
87WDRC14 | 110 | 112 | 2 | 0.25% | 0.65 | 18 |
87WDRC14 | 114 | 115 | 1 | 2.11% | 0.59 | 26 |
87WDRC14 | 115 | 116 | 1 | 1.17% | 0.17 | 29 |
87WDRC14 | 116 | 118 | 2 | 2.68% | 0.28 | 22 |
87WDRC14 | 118 | 120 | 2 | 1.82% | 0.15 | 30 |
87WDRC17 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0.01% | 0.38 | 21 |
87WDRC2 | 84 | 85 | 1 | 0.53% | 0.02 | 460 |
87WDRC2 | 88 | 89 | 1 | 0.89% | 0.04 | 280 |
87WDRC2 | 89 | 90 | 1 | 1.15% | 0.04 | 1270 |
87WDRC2 | 90 | 91 | 1 | 1.68% | 0.03 | 1000 |
87WDRC2 | 91 | 92 | 1 | 4.00% | 0.09 | 610 |
87WDRC2 | 92 | 93 | 1 | 3.61% | 0.06 | 620 |
87WDRC2 | 93 | 94 | 1 | 6.51% | 0.06 | 220 |
87WDRC2 | 94 | 95 | 1 | 1.20% | 0.01 | 15 |
87WDRC2 | 95 | 97 | 2 | 2.34% | 0.03 | 44 |
87WDRC2 | 97 | 99 | 2 | 0.52% | 0.03 | 40 |
87WDRC2 | 99 | 101 | 2 | 0.32% | 0.01 | 49 |
87WDRC22 | 75 | 80 | 5 | 0.62% | 0.16 | 13 |
87WDRC22 | 80 | 85 | 5 | 0.10% | 0.3 | 9 |
87WDRC24 | 70 | 73 | 3 | 0.33% | 0.04 | 34 |
87WDRC24 | 73 | 77 | 4 | 0.71% | 0.09 | 41 |
87WDRC24 | 77 | 80 | 3 | 0.61% | 0.06 | 30 |
87WDRC26 | 82 | 86 | 4 | 0.68% | 0.09 | 28 |
87WDRC3 | 83 | 84 | 1 | 0.45% | 0.01 | 7 |
87WDRC3 | 85 | 86 | 1 | 0.52% | 0.07 | 140 |
87WDRC3 | 86 | 88 | 2 | 0.42% | 0.03 | 69 |
87WDRC6 | 84 | 85 | 1 | 5.18% | 0.29 | 620 |
87WDRC6 | 85 | 86 | 1 | 2.60% | 0.22 | 720 |
87WDRC6 | 86 | 87 | 1 | 2.56% | 0.21 | 350 |
87WDRC6 | 87 | 88 | 1 | 2.31% | 0.18 | 290 |
87WDRC6 | 88 | 89 | 1 | 3.05% | 0.11 | 169 |
87WDRC6 | 89 | 90 | 1 | 1.01% | 0.1 | 81 |
87WDRC6 | 90 | 91 | 1 | 0.57% | 0.04 | 59 |
87WDRC6 | 91 | 92 | 1 | 0.42% | 0.03 | 42 |
87WDRC6 | 92 | 93 | 1 | 0.72% | 0.04 | 121 |
87WDRC7 | 98 | 103 | 5 | 0.31% | 0.01 | 46 |
87WDRC7 | 103 | 104 | 1 | 3.27% | 0.22 | 560 |
87WDRC7 | 104 | 105 | 1 | 0.71% | 0.08 | 360 |
87WDRC7 | 105 | 106 | 1 | 0.34% | 0.09 | 1330 |
87WDRC8 | 83 | 84 | 1 | 0.88% | 0.11 | 200 |
87WDRC8 | 84 | 85 | 1 | 2.01% | 0.26 | 280 |
87WDRC8 | 85 | 86 | 1 | 2.18% | 0.14 | 178 |
87WDRC8 | 86 | 87 | 1 | 2.02% | 0.15 | 260 |
87WDRC8 | 87 | 88 | 1 | 3.23% | 0.18 | 420 |
87WDRC8 | 88 | 89 | 1 | 2.59% | 0.11 | 210 |
87WDRC8 | 89 | 90 | 1 | 1.81% | 0.08 | 200 |
87WDRC8 | 90 | 92 | 2 | 0.39% | 0.01 | 43 |
87WDRC8 | 92 | 94 | 2 | 0.70% | 0.03 | 77 |
88WDD03 | 89 | 90 | 1 | 0.67% | 0.04 | 53 |
88WDD03 | 90 | 91 | 1 | 0.36% | 0.03 | 40 |
88WDD03 | 190 | 191 | 1 | 0.61% | 0.08 | 78 |
88WDD03 | 191 | 192 | 1 | 0.43% | 0.06 | 87 |
88WDRC27 | 43 | 44 | 1 | 0.19% | 0.99 | 24 |
88WDRC28 | 58 | 62 | 4 | 0.48% | 0 | 11 |
88WDRC36 | 90 | 95 | 5 | 0.32% | 0.02 | 9 |
88WDRC36 | 95 | 100 | 5 | 0.46% | 0.1 | 20 |
Table 2: Collar location and Hole Type
Hole ID | Easting | Northing | RL (m) | Total Depth (m) | Dip | Azimuth | Hole Type |
87WDRC1 | 402140 | 7521450 | 430 | 104 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC2 | 402180 | 7521450 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC3 | 402220 | 7521450 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC4 | 402200 | 7521410 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC5 | 402170 | 7521410 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC6 | 402160 | 7521450 | 430 | 116 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC7 | 402180 | 7521470 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC8 | 402200 | 7521450 | 430 | 109 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC9 | 402260 | 7521450 | 430 | 98 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC10 | 402060 | 7521460 | 430 | 89 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC11 | 402030 | 7521480 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC12 | 402010 | 7521440 | 430 | 120 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC13 | 401250 | 7521520 | 450 | 120 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC14 | 401250 | 7521480 | 450 | 120 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC15 | 401210 | 7521520 | 450 | 114 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC16 | 401250 | 7521560 | 450 | 109 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC17 | 401290 | 7521520 | 450 | 115 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC18 | 401330 | 7521490 | 450 | 119 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC19 | 401170 | 7521600 | 450 | 120 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC20 | 401210 | 7521560 | 450 | 120 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC21 | 401250 | 7521440 | 450 | 120 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDRC22 | 401642 | 7521465 | 450 | 98 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC23 | 401658 | 7521465 | 450 | 100 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC24 | 401675 | 7521465 | 450 | 100 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC25 | 401700 | 7521465 | 450 | 96 | -60 | 180 | RC |
87WDRC26 | 401662 | 7521493 | 450 | 100 | -60 | 180 | RC |
88WDRC27 | 401245 | 7521605 | 450 | 80 | -60 | 240 | RC |
88WDRC28 | 401280 | 7521600 | 450 | 81 | -60 | 240 | RC |
88WDRC29 | 401220 | 7521690 | 450 | 69 | -60 | 250 | RC |
88WDRC30 | 401140 | 7521760 | 451 | 54 | -60 | 250 | RC |
88WDRC31 | 401135 | 7521800 | 448 | 69 | -60 | 240 | RC |
88WDRC32 | 401250 | 7521750 | 450 | 106 | -90 | 0 | RC |
88WDRC33 | 401250 | 7521700 | 440 | 87 | -60 | 200 | RC |
88WDRC34 | 401250 | 7521335 | 450 | 105 | -90 | 0 | RC |
88WDRC35 | 401950 | 7521360 | 430 | 106 | -90 | 0 | RC |
88WDRC36 | 401950 | 7521285 | 450 | 106 | -90 | 0 | RC |
88WDRC37 | 401950 | 7521425 | 440 | 106 | -90 | 0 | RC |
87WDD01 | 401950 | 7521500 | 415 | 287.7 | -61 | 181 | DD |
87WDD02 | 401985 | 7521555 | 440 | 117 | -70 | 180 | DD |
88WDD03 | 401250 | 7521500 | 420 | 212.7 | -90 | 0 | DD |
88WDD04 | 402180 | 7521480 | 434 | 200.8 | -90 | 0 | DD |
90WDD05 | 401950 | 7521425 | 440 | 409.9 | -90 | 0 | DD |
Prince Silver
Investor Insight
With a strong asset foundation, a clean capital structure and an experienced technical team, Prince Silver is well-positioned to capitalize on the current macro tailwinds in the silver and manganese markets.
Overview
Prince Silver (CSE:PRNC,OTC:HWTNF) is a Vancouver-based exploration company focused on unlocking value at the Prince silver project in southeastern Nevada. In July 2025, the company completed a transformational acquisition of Stampede Metals Corporation and subsequently rebranded from Hawthorn Resources to Prince Silver Corp. The flagship asset is a district-scale, past-producing silver-gold-zinc-manganese carbonate replacement system, historically mined for silver and base metals through the early to mid-1900s.
Aerial view of the Prince silver project
Fully funded and technically refreshed, the company’s immediate objective is to validate and expand upon the 129 historic drill holes (over 16,600 m) completed on the property and convert the large JORC-compliant exploration target into a maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource. The upcoming drill program, expected to begin in early Sept 2025, is designed to validate legacy data, step out along mineralized trends, and establish continuity across the deposit's multiple mantos, veins and breccia zones. The company will also initiate metallurgical test work, geophysical refinement and updated geological modeling to support a modern pit-constrained resource and longer-term development plan.
Company Highlights
- Flagship project: 100 percent ownership of the historic Prince silver mine in Lincoln County, Nevada, an open, near-surface silver-gold-zinc carbonate replacement deposit with a 25 to 43 Mt exploration target and strong historic grades.
- The company’s second project, Stampede Gap, is about 15 km north west of the Prince mine. Stampede Gap is a large porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum with an extensive alteration zone that presents a deep seated exploration target.
- Clean corporate reset: Hawthorn Resources completed the Stampede Metals acquisition and re-listed as Prince Silver Corp. on July 11, 2025, issuing 15 million shares for the acquisition and raising ~C$4 million in gross proceeds to fund drilling.
- Fully funded summer drill program: ~6,500-m reverse-circulation set to begin early Sept 2025 to validate historic holes and step out along strike/dip to expand known mineralization and potential resources. .
- Tight share structure: 45.9 million shares outstanding post-financing; Stampede shareholders voluntarily locked-up for 12 months.
- Experienced, hands-on leadership: President Ralph Shearing, plus new directors Robert Wrixon and Darrell Rader, add mine-building, corporate and capital-markets depth to the company’s leadership team.
Key Project
Prince Silver Project
The Prince silver project is a large-scale, polymetallic carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) located just west of Pioche, a historic mining district in southeastern Nevada. The project hosts a structurally and stratigraphically controlled system of silver-rich mantos, breccias and fissure veins emplaced along northeast-trending faults within the Cambrian Pioche Shale. Historical underground production between 1912 and 1949 totaled approximately 1.12 million tons (Mt) at average grades of 100 grams per ton (g/t) silver, 4.5 percent zinc, 2.8 percent lead, and 10 percent manganese, predominantly from shallow workings in the Main and Ridge Zones.
Geological mapping, relogging and compilation of 129 historic drill holes (16,606 m) have defined a JORC exploration target ranging between 25 and 43 Mt, grading approximately 37 to 40 g/t silver, 1.5 percent zinc, and 0.8 percent lead. This target includes three dominant mineralized zones: Ridge, Main and Prince Extended. Mineralization is generally tabular, strataform and laterally continuous, with multiple stacked mantos and vein swarms, often associated with jasperoid, manganese-rich breccias and semi-massive to massive sulfides. The projects’ mineralization remains open along strike and at depth in all directions.
Historical drill results
Historical drill results showing mineralization at the Prince Silver Project is near surface and open in all directions of modelled mineralized horizons
Prince Silver’s 2025 Phase-1 drill program (~6,500 m of RC drilling) is designed to:
- Twin and validate historic pre 2012 high-grade underground and Churn drill hole intercepts.
- Extend mineralization into open gaps between and beyond the Ridge and Main zones.
- Test down-dip extensions and potential feeder structures below and along strike to previously drilled intervals.
A follow-up Phase-2 program (expected in 2026) would target resource expansion along the 2.5-km trend and scout new targets identified via geophysics and structural interpretation. In parallel, the company plans to conduct metallurgical testing to evaluate optimal processing options. Surface rights include 20 unpatented lode claims and 12 patented claims under lease option. The lease agreement includes nominal cash payments and a staged buyout option upon completion of a preliminary economic assessment. The project has good access via gravel roads, with power available on site, and is within 15 km of Pioche community infrastructure.
Overall, the Prince silver project offers district-scale upside within a known past producing metallogenic belt, with near-term drilling and a clear path to defining a large, pit-constrained and underground silver-equivalent resource in Nevada, one of the most mining-friendly jurisdictions in the world.
Other Projects
Stampede Gap Copper-Gold-Molybdenum Project
A large, early-stage porphyry target in Nevada featuring over 200 claims. Historical geophysics identified multiple IP-resistivity anomalies, and a single 700 m drill hole encountered extensive skarn alteration before terminating in mineralization. No current plans for exploration in 2025.
Broken Handle
A legacy polymetallic silver-lead-zinc project with limited historical data. Considered non-core for now; the company’s resources remain focused on advancing Prince Silver.
Management Team
Ralph Shearing – President and Director
Ralph Shearing is a professional geologist and mine developer with over 35 years in mineral exploration development and public company management. Since 1987, he has held senior executive positions with public junior mining and exploration companies, primarily with Luca Mining Corp., a company he founded in 1986 and successfully guided through the exploration, initial development and construction, and pre-production phases of the Tahuehueto mine, located in Durango, México. He currently acts as Qualified Person for Prince Silver’s technical disclosure.
Rob Scott – CFO
Rob Scott has more than 25 years of experience in accounting, corporate compliance, corporate finance, and merchant and commercial banking. He has played a key role in raising more than $200 million in equity financing. Scott has held senior executive and board positions with several TSX-V listed companies, including Great Bear Resources, ValOre Metals, Riverside Resources, Capitan Silver and First Helium.
Robert Wrixon – Director
Robert Wrixon is a seasoned executive and engineer with over 20 years’ experience across ASX- and LSE-listed mining companies. He holds a PhD in mineral engineering from UC Berkeley and brings deep technical, corporate development and M&A experience.
Darrell Rader – Director
Darrell Rader is the president and CEO of Minaurum Gold, a silver-focused explorer in Mexico, and a prominent figure in North American silver exploration. He has directly raised over $150 million for mineral exploration and development and has strong relationships with institutional investors and bankers. He founded Defiance Silver, a silver developer, and previously was the head of corporate development with silver miner IMPACT Silver. Rader holds a BBA in Finance from Simon Fraser University.
Neil MacRae – Independent Director
A veteran mining executive, Neil MacRae has more than two decades of experience in investor relations and has held various investor relations roles with companies such as First Majestic Silver, Sherwood Copper (merged with Capstone in 2008), Farallon Mining (sold to Nyrstar in 2011), and Santacruz Silver Mining. He provides strategic direction on corporate visibility and capital markets positioning.
