
Epworth Project:
Assays received from 376 rock grab samples and 39 lake sediment samples
First payment received from a total C$3.46 million allocated to Aston Bay with no use of proceeds restriction
Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the initial US$1 million (C$1.38 million1) in funding as part of an agreement with the Company's joint venture partner American West Metals Limited ("American West") and TMRF Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. ("Taurus"), whereby Taurus will provide funding of up to US$12.5 million (C$17.3 million[1]) under a royalty package for the Storm Copper Project
Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study. Aston Bay will be allocated 20% of the funding from the royalty package (C$3.46 million[1]) with no use of proceeds restriction.
Highlights
[1] Based on USD:CAD exchange rate of 1:1.3838.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay,commented:
"We are very pleased with the efforts of our partner American West and with this investment in Storm by Taurus. The recognition of the value of the Storm Project by such a well-respected international mining royalty company is a strong endorsement of the potential of the Project.
"The royalty financing provides significant funding and is structured to promote the rapid advancement of the Storm Copper Project. American West continues to actively advance the Project, with goals set to achieve the remaining two milestones in the royalty funding agreement within the next six to twelve months.
"This could bring an additional C$2 million to Aston Bay for a potential total of C$3.46 million non-dilutive funds to advance our other critical minerals and gold exploration projects."
For further details on the royalty package under the Taurus arrangement, see Aston Bay's June 24, 2024 news release.
About Aston Bay Holdings
Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA.
The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut. The Company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical and precious metals potential in North America.
The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West"), have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
About American West Metals Limited
AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX:AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. The company's strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. AW1's portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to AW1's approach is a commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where its projects are located.
Led by a highly experienced leadership team, AW1's strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.
For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer
thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com
(416) 456-3516
Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development
sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com
(647) 821-1337
SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.
News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia
Epworth Project:
Assays received from 376 rock grab samples and 39 lake sediment samples
Preliminary data from property-wide MobileMT geophysical survey results received and undergoing additional processing
Interpretation and compilation with surface mapping studies are underway for a January 2025 release
Storm Project:
22,475 metres ("m") of drilling completed in 153 drill holes
Work is nearly complete for the maiden resource constructed to Canadian Institute of Mining standards for a January 2025 release
Work continues with partner American West to advance mining and economic studies for a potential low-cost development.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2024 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Epworth Project ("Epworth") and the 2024 drilling and regional exploration activities at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm") in Nunavut.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay,commented:
"It has been a successful year of exploration at both our Storm and Epworth Projects in Nunavut.
"At Storm, 22,475m of drilling was completed, exceeding expectations. Assay results demonstrated consistent copper grades, highlighting the excellent lateral continuity of the high-grade mineralization within the known zones and defining new discoveries and prospective areas. Work is well advanced on the maiden resource for Storm and the development study work. Reports on both fronts are expected in early 2025.
"At Epworth, we are impressed with the preliminary look at the property-wide MobileMT geophysical survey results and rock and lake sediment survey results. We are processing the geophysical results further and look forward to presenting a comprehensive compilation with the mapping and sampling results in January."
Epworth Project
A prospecting, rock sampling, and geological mapping program was conducted in 2024, including structural and stratigraphic studies by Dr. Elizabeth Turner. Nine claims totalling an additional 11,900 hectares ("ha") (119 square kilometres ("km2")) were added to the claims package, now totalling 89,000 ha (890 km2)
An 8,105 line-km airborne MobileMT survey covering the claim block commenced in late August and was completed in late September. Compilation of the assay results and additional geophysical data processing are underway. When all results are received, they will be integrated with historic work and released with a new interpretation in the New Year.
Storm Project
A total of 22,475m of drilling was conducted in 153 drill holes (19,879m in 138 Reverse Circulation ("RC") holes and 2,596m in 15 diamond drill holes) during the 2024 season. Assay results demonstrated consistent copper grades, highlighting the excellent lateral continuity of the high-grade mineralization within the known zones and defining new discoveries and prospective areas. Work is well advanced on a maiden resource constructed to Canadian Institute of Mining standards for a January 2025 release.
In addition to the drill hole results previously released, several scout holes were drilled to assist in interpreting the geologic framework in the Storm area. Results from these drill holes, the final results of the 2024 program, are presented below.
Figure 1: Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling underway in the Storm area, Nunavut, Canada.
Stratigraphic and Reconnaissance Drilling
RC drill holes SR24-028, SR24-029, SR24-046, SR24-048, SR24-050, SR24-056, SR24-058, SR24-060, SR24-064, SR24-066, SR24-094, SR24-096, SR24-104, SR24-110, SR24-136 were completed within the Storm area during the 2024 drilling program (Figure 2). The drill holes were designed to assist with interpreting the stratigraphy and geological framework in several key areas. The drill holes were also used to help validate and assess the effectiveness of the geophysical surveys in the Storm area.
Drill holes SR24-046, SR24-050, SR24-060, and SR24-136 intersected minor, vein-hosted copper sulphides (Table 2).
The data from the drill holes has improved the geological understanding of the Storm Graben area and helped refine the geological model for the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of the Storm Project.
Figure 2: Reverse Circulation (RC) drill hole locations covered in this report, overlaying copper deposit outlines, major faults, and topography.
Squall Drilling
RC drill holes SR24-108 and SR24-135 were also completed at the newly discovered Squall Prospect.
The holes were designed to test high-priority EM anomaly A3, which is visible in the data from both the 200m and 400m loop EM surveys (Figure 3). The coincident data suggested that the target may be located at a depth which crossed the designed detection ranges of the two surveys.
Drill hole SR24-108 achieved the maximum achievable depth of 182.9m downhole, limited by available drill rods. The drill hole is interpreted to have hit the eastern edge of the EM anomaly and intersected breccias and vein-hosted chalcocite assaying 2.4% Cu, 5g/t Ag in the last sampling interval of the hole (181.4 - 182.9m).
Follow-up drill hole SR24-135 was drilled to the east of SR24-108 and intersected 1.5m @ 0.5% Cu, 3g/t Ag from 163.07m downhole.
The EM anomaly and copper mineralization is interpreted to be related to a north-south orientated structure centred on drill hole SR24-108. This feature remains open, and future drilling will test the prospect to the north and south of the current drilling.
Figure 3: 400m loop MLEM image (CH20BZ) overlaying drilling and the geological and structural interpretation of the Storm area. The MLEM anomalies discussed in this report are labelled A1- A5.
Update on previously released drilling
The first drill hole of the 2024 season, SR24-001, was drilled approximately 500m north of the Cyclone Deposit and was designed to test a Fixed Loop Electromagnetic (FLEM) target defined during exploration in 2022. The interpretation of the FLEM data suggested that the source of the anomaly could be located at depth but was weakly defined.
SR24-001 was drilled to a maximum achievable depth of 251.5m (limit of RC drill rods), encountering no copper sulphides or other lithologies that could confirm or explain the source of FLEM anomaly. The drill hole encountered weak pyrite (iron sulphides) mineralization at 125m and minor clay layers, but they were not in sufficient abundance to explain the EM response.
The 2024 Moving Loop EM (MLEM) survey was extended into the area to validate the FLEM anomaly but did not did not highlight any significant anomalies. The MLEM survey was optimized to search for conductive bodies between 0-250m depth, suggesting that the FLEM anomaly may be located at a deeper level.
Exploration drill hole SR24-005 was drilled to 251.5m and was designed to test an Induced Polarisation (IP) anomaly and stratigraphic section within the central graben area of Storm.
SR24-005 encountered a thick sequence of pyrite mineralization between 58m and 204m and is the likely source of IP anomalism in this area. The drill hole did not intersect the prospective copper horizon, which is interpreted to be below the extent of the drill hole and deeper than 250m in vertical depth.
Hole ID | Prospect | Easting | Northing | RL | Depth (m) | Azi | Inclination |
SR24-001 | Expl. | 465403 | 8174839 | 308 | 251.5 | 180 | -75 |
SR24-005 | Graben | 464200 | 8173324 | 259 | 251.5 | 180 | -75 |
SR24-028 | Expl. | 465867 | 8174040 | 281 | 140.2 | 180 | -65 |
SR24-029 | Expl. | 465900 | 8174500 | 294 | 251.4 | 180 | -65 |
SR24-046 | Thunder W | 464686 | 8172873 | 253 | 199.6 | 0.3 | -60 |
SR24-048 | Thunder W | 464803 | 8172870 | 252 | 199.6 | 0.1 | -60.1 |
SR24-050 | Chinook W | 465862 | 8172885 | 245 | 150.9 | 359.6 | -60.3 |
SR24-056 | Corona E | 466834 | 8172386 | 244 | 150.9 | 0.2 | -60.1 |
SR24-058 | Corona E | 467248 | 8172395 | 245 | 167.6 | 180 | -60.4 |
SR24-060 | Corona E | 466996 | 8172490 | 251 | 141.7 | 200.49 | -60.3 |
SR24-064 | Cirrus E | 462948 | 8173743 | 223 | 150.9 | 210.41 | -60.2 |
SR24-066 | Cirrus E | 462861 | 8173793 | 218 | 150.9 | 210 | -60.2 |
SR24-094 | Chinook W | 465884 | 8172982 | 250 | 199.6 | 215.64 | -60.2 |
SR24-096 | Chinook W | 465828 | 8172789 | 242 | 129.5 | 180.05 | -60 |
SR24-104 | Expl. | 463100 | 8173180 | 213 | 274.3 | 360 | -85 |
SR24-108 | Squall | 464828 | 8172642 | 245 | 182.9 | 180 | -60 |
SR24-110 | Expl. | 464924 | 8171800 | 184 | 182.9 | 206 | -80 |
SR24-135 | Squall | 464779 | 8172593 | 240 | 230.1 | 180 | -75 |
SR24-136 | Expl. | 462798 | 8174973 | 277 | 199.6 | 180 | -70 |
Table 1: Details for the 2024 drill holes in this report.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width | Cu % | Zn % | Ag g/t |
SR24-001 | NSI | |||||
SR24-005 | NSI | |||||
SR24-028 | NSI | |||||
SR24-029 | NSI | |||||
SR24-046 | 0.00 | 1.52 | 1.52 | 0.36 | - | 1 |
9.14 | 12.19 | 3.05 | 0.49 | - | 1.5 | |
SR24-048 | NSI | |||||
SR24-050 | 106.68 | 108.2 | 1.52 | 0.46 | - | 1 |
SR24-056 | NSI | |||||
SR24-058 | NSI | |||||
SR24-060 | 13.72 | 15.24 | 1.52 | 0.3 | - | 1 |
SR24-064 | NSI | |||||
SR24-066 | NSI | |||||
SR24-094 | NSI | |||||
SR24-096 | NSI | |||||
SR24-104 | NSI | |||||
SR24-108 | 181.36 | 182.88 | 1.52 | 2.4 | - | 5 |
SR24-110 | NSI | |||||
SR24-135 | 163.07 | 164.59 | 1.52 | 0.5 | - | 3 |
SR24-136 | 38.10 | 39.62 | 1.52 | 0.4 | - | 2 |
Table 2: Significant interval table for the drill holes in this report (>0.2% Cu). For the 2024 exploration drill holes where no copper sulphides were intersected (none detected visually and confirmed with portable XRF), no assay analyses were conducted. (NSI = No Significant Interval.)
Details of the delineation drilling and exploration drill holes for the 2024 Storm program are available at https://astonbayholdings.com/news/2024-storm-drill-hole-details/.
Qualified Person
Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
QA/QC Protocols
The analytical work reported herein was performed by ALS Global ("ALS"), Vancouver, Canada. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of Aston Bay Holdings Ltd., American West Metals Limited, and the QP.
Samples were subject to 33-element geochemistry by four-acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) to determine concentrations of copper, silver, lead, zinc, and other elements (ALS Method ME-ICP61a).
Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. and American West Metals Limited followed industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the Storm Project, incorporating a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate, and standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence and sent to the laboratory for analysis. No significant QA/QC issues were detected during the review of the data. Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. and American West Metals Limited are not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
Agreement with Epstein Research
The Company has entered into an advertisement services agreement with Peter Epstein ("Epstein Research") to increase investor engagement and create more awareness for the Company, starting on October 1, 2024. Epstein Research's engagement is for an initial term of six (6) months and is subject to renewal or cancellation in accordance with its terms (the "Term"). Epstein Research operates from New York, New York, and provides promotional services, including social media and online advertising of the Company posted on Epstein Research homepage, CEO.ca, Substack, and Linked-In; monthly written articles on the Company and/or CEO interviews written exclusively by Peter Epstein; and frequent online commentary on the Company on websites including CEO.ca, Stockhouse, TalkMarkets, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Yahoo Finance, Facebook, StockTwits.
The Company has paid Epstein Research an amount of US$15,000 for the Term for these services. There are no common shares or options to be received as compensation in the service agreement. In addition, Epstein Research is an unrelated and unaffiliated entity in respect of the Corporation and, at the time of the agreement, Mr. Epstein owns securities of the Company purchased on the open market.
About Aston Bay Holdings
Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA.
The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut, as well as the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia. The Company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical metals potential in North America
The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West"), have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer
thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com
(416) 456-3516
Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development
sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com
(647) 821-1337
SOURCE:Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.
News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia
Drilling, soil geochemistry and electromagnetics continue to highlight large-scale regional exploration potential
Seabreeze Prospect:
Greenfield exploration has defined a new base metal prospect at the far northwestern extent of the 110 kilometre ("km") long copper belt - this new area is named ‘Seabreeze' and covers an area of approximately 10 km x 2 km
Ground gravity survey at Seabreeze has identified dense features within the prospective Allen Bay Formation - the same stratigraphic host to the Storm copper deposits
Hailstorm Prospect:
Geological mapping and rock sampling have discovered chalcocite gossans grading >50% copper ("Cu") within an unexplored area at Storm to the south of the Southern Graben - now named ‘Hailstorm'
Follow-up geochemical sampling has defined a 250 m x 250 m copper anomaly along a major fault
The geological setting is identical to that of the near-surface, high-grade copper deposits at Chinook, Thunder, Lightning Ridge, and Corona
Tornado Prospect:
Deep searching Moving Loop Electromagnetics ("MLEM") has defined new conductors below the limit of current drilling at Tornado, 5 km along strike from the known Storm deposits
All Reverse Circulation ("RC") drill holes have intersected anomalous copper, silver, and zinc in favourable geological locations, confirming the Storm mineralization model at Tornado and providing compelling targets for follow-up drilling
Tempest Prospect:
Reconnaissance drilling at Tempest - located 40 km south of the known Storm copper deposits - has intersected anomalous copper, zinc, and silver within Storm-style stratigraphy
The area is defined by a 4km-long zone of gossans, grading up to 38.2% Cu and 30.8% Zinc ("Zn"), confirming Tempest as a high-priority prospect for follow-up drilling
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 25, 2024 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the 2024 drilling and regional exploration activities at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm" or the "Project") on Somerset Island, Nunavut. The exploration program is being conducted by American West Metals Limited ("American West"), the Project operator. Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture with respect to the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine is made upon completion of a bankable feasibility study.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay,commented:
"Greenfields regional exploration continues to deliver discoveries at Storm. In addition to the successful delineation drilling program this year, the geological team has discovered two new zones with copper, zinc and silver mineralization, reinforcing the belt-wide prospectivity of this 110 km-long trend. The successful prospecting, geophysics, geochemistry and drilling programs all point to the untapped potential for more copper at Storm, and we look forward to testing these new discoveries while advancing the known deposits toward development.
"Work is advancing well on the maiden resource for Storm as well as the development study work with news expected over the coming months."
Figure 1: Copper gossan from the Hailstorm Prospect. This is massive chalcocite (copper sulfide), yielding >50% Cu (50% is the upper limit of the assay technique used).
Figure 2: Prospect location map of the Storm Project highlighting the main prospective copper and zinc stratigraphic horizons.
New copper prospects discovered
Seabreeze
Detailed mapping, geochemical and ground gravity surveys have been completed over the northwestern extent of the 110 km-long prospective copper horizon (Figure 2). This area contains extensive outcrops of Allen Bay Formation rocks, the primary host to the known copper deposits in the Storm area. These surveys were the first detailed exploration of the area, now named ‘Seabreeze.'
Mapping within the prospect area confirms a geological setting similar to that of the Storm deposits, which are approximately 40 km to the east. The mapping at Seabreeze has identified the prospective contact between the Cape Storm and Allen Bay Formations and several fault zones that are known controls of the copper mineralization at the Project.
Soil geochemical sampling was completed within two targeted grids, with 76 soil samples collected at an average 400 m x 400 m spacing (21 samples in the north and 55 in the south, respectively), depicted in Figure 3.
The assays show an anomalous copper signature spatially associated with the northwest-southeast structural trend within the Allen Bay Formation and confirm the prospectivity of the northwestern extent of the copper belt. The results now confirm the potential for further discoveries of copper and zinc along the entire 110 km strike of the belt.
The ground gravity survey was completed at a nominal 200m line- x 50m station-spaced grid over an area of 6 km2 across the contact with the Allen Bay and Cape Storm formations. The survey aimed to screen for dense bodies that may represent accumulations of mineralization and to delineate favourable lithology that may host mineralization.
The gravity survey yielded strong gravity anomalies, likely within the Allen Bay Formation. This association between higher densities and the prospective Allen Bay stratigraphy is observed in the Storm area and is significant at Seabreeze due to the proximity of the Seal zinc-silver deposit (see December 6, 2017, Aston Bay news release), located approximately 3 km to the south: base metal mineralization is typically zoned, with a copper mineralized central core surrounded by zinc mineralization on the periphery. Follow-up exploration at the Seabreeze Prospect will include detailed ground EM and an expansion of the gravity surveys.
Figure 3: Seabreeze prospect showing soil sample locations, copper geochemistry, and the gravity imagery (Bouguer anomaly - hotter colours indicate an increase in density), overlaying regional geology. Note the location of the contact between the Cape Storm and Allen Bay Formations, and proximity to the Seal zinc-silver deposit.
Hailstorm
Reconnaissance mapping and rock sampling in the southern graben area of Storm has discovered a new zone of copper gossans proximal to a major interpreted fault (Figure 2). Follow-up soil sampling identified a 250 m x 250 m copper anomaly located along the strike of the fault, suggesting structural control to the mineralization as is typical at Storm (Figure 4).
Massive chalcocite boulders sampled from the copper gossans returned grades up to 50% Cu (Figure 1 - 50% is the upper detection limit of the assay method used). Massive copper sulfides are commonly associated with large structures in the Southern Graben area, an identical geological setting to the known copper deposits to the north. This new area has been named ‘Hailstorm.'
Follow-up exploration at the Hailstorm Prospect will include RC drilling.
Figure 4: Map of the Southern Graben area showing the location of the Hailstorm Prospect and copper soil geochemistry in relation to the known copper deposits, overlaying aerial photography and major faults.
High-priority EM targets defined at Tornado
The Tornado Prospect is located 5 km along strike from the Storm deposits to the east (Figure 2). It is centred on an area with abundant chalcocite and malachite boulders within a 3.2 km x 1.5 km geochemical copper anomaly. The large copper anomaly shares the same linear trend as the main structural features of the Storm Graben. Most of the anomalous copper samples are located proximal to the interpreted Northern Graben Fault, which is a similar setting to that of the large and laterally extensive Cyclone Deposit.
Exploration at Tornado during 2024 included deep-searching MLEM surveys and RC drilling.
The MLEM survey was conducted over six lines incorporating 115 stations, using a 400 m line-spacing and 100 m station-spacing for a total of 10.9 linear km. The survey aimed to screen the area for high-grade copper sulfides (which are successfully defined by EM at Storm) and to aid in mapping the stratigraphy and structures that could potentially host copper sulfide mineralization.
The survey defined two strong anomalies located within the prospective Allen Bay Formation. The 3D modelling suggests that the EM anomalies may be flat lying and located deeper than the current limit of the recent RC drilling (>150 m vertical depth, Figure 5). The strong positive correlation between the recent MLEM surveys, historical VTEM surveys, and copper mineralization supports the interpretation of the structural setting and deep copper potential at Tornado.
Figure 5: Oblique section view of the drill line at the Tornado prospect looking WNW. The image shows MLEM image (CH18BZ) and geology (map view, top - warmer colours indicating higher conductivity) above 3D inversion shells from the 2011 VTEM survey (cross-section view, bottom - cooler colours indicating higher conductivity). The section location is illustrated in Figure 6.
Historical drill hole AB18-07 was drilled to a downhole depth of 300 m, intersecting brecciated Allen Bay Formation throughout the entire hole and logged visual copper oxide mineralization (0.5% abundance between 19.35 m and 21.2 m downhole). Further to the east, though not covered by the recent MLEM survey, historical drill hole AB18-01/01B also intersected disseminated and veinlet-hosted visual chalcocite between 88.9 m and 110.3 m downhole (0.5 - 1% in abundance). These drill holes have not been assayed.
Five drill holes were completed by the helicopter-portable RC drill, and all holes intersected the prospective Allen Bay Formation. Drill hole SR24-131 was collared in the Douro Formation of the central Tornado graben and only just intersected the Allen Bay Formation at the end of the drill hole, indicating that the central block of the graben may have been faulted downwards approximately 175-200 vertical metres.
Anomalous copper, zinc or silver were observed in all drill holes. The highest copper and silver values were intersected in drill hole SR24-129, located proximal to the northern Tornado graben fault, a similar position to the copper-mineralized historical drill hole AB18-07 as described earlier (Table 2).
Drill hole SR24-133 was drilled 750 m north of the Tornado Graben Fault and intersected a 32 m thick interval of anomalous zinc mineralization from the surface with a maximum value of 1,040ppm Zn. This zonation of a copper mineralized core close to the graben faults (the presumed conduit of the mineralizing fluids) surrounded by peripheral zinc mineralization is typical at Storm.
The Tornado area contains a compelling coincidence of ideal structural and stratigraphic setting, strong gravity and EM anomalies, and copper geochemistry, located just 5 km along strike from Storm. These features rank the area as highly prospective for discovering additional copper mineralization. Follow-up exploration will include RC and deeper diamond drilling.
Visual estimates of mineral abundance, type or habit should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Laboratory assays are required to determine the presence and grade of any contained mineralization within the reported visual intersections of copper sulfides.
Figure 6: MLEM image (CH18BZ) of the Tornado and Blizzard 400 m loop survey overlaying geology and interpreted major faults. Hotter colours indicate higher conductivity.
Drilling confirms copper and zinc at the Tempest Prospect
The Tempest Prospect is located approximately 40 kilometres south of the copper deposits at Storm (Figure 2). The area is defined by a 4km long zone of gossans, with up to 38.2% Cu and 30.8% Zn in surface grab samples (see November 27, 2023, Aston Bay press release).
This area is considered the southern extension of the highly prospective Storm Copper and Seal Zinc horizons. These formations overlap the much older Proterozoic rocks that outcrop in the Boothia Uplift to the west. This geological setting with an unconformity (an ancient weathered surface) between two geological terranes suggests a permeable zone close to potential source rocks, highly prospective for fluid migration and base metal mineralization.
Three shallow reconnaissance exploration drill holes were completed at Tempest in 2025. Each hole reached a downhole depth of 200 m and was designed to test the stratigraphy and potential source of the highly anomalous copper and zinc at the surface (Figure 7).
The drilling confirmed the presence of Storm-style stratigraphy with thick intervals of the Allen Bay Formation. Anomalous copper, silver and zinc were encountered in all three drill holes, with particularly thick intervals of zinc and silver in drill hole SR24-098 (137.3m @ 137ppm Zn, 1.2g/t Ag - Table 2).
Although the high grades of the surface gossans were not replicated with the current drilling, the 4 km strike length of the gossans and thick intervals of zinc and silver in the drilling suggest a significant mineralizing event. Furthermore, the copper deposits at Storm are typically confined to the upper sequence of the Allen Bay Formation near the contact with the Cape Storm Formation. This contact is mapped further east in the Tempest area, suggesting that the current drill holes have intersected the lower, less prospective part of the Allen Bay Formation.
Deep searching ground EM will next be used to screen the area in more detail and to highlight high-priority targets for follow-up drilling.
Figure 7: Map of the Tempest Prospect showing drilling, geochemical sampling locations, rock samples, and lithological unit boundaries overlaying aerial photography.
Hole ID | Prospect | Easting | Northing | RL (m) | Depth (m) | Azimuth | Inclination |
SR24-098 | Tempest | 464948 | 8174283 | 302.8 | 149.4 | 179.71 | -70.5 |
SR24-100 | Tempest | 473230 | 8137717 | 299.7 | 199.64 | 285 | -50 |
SR24-102 | Tempest | 473634 | 8133161 | 296.6 | 199.6 | 109.19 | -45.05 |
SR24-129 | Tornado | 471008 | 8170156 | 295.0 | 199.64 | 180 | -60 |
SR24-130 | Tornado | 471012 | 8170973 | 277.9 | 199.64 | 200.27 | -52.1 |
SR24-131 | Tornado | 470928 | 8169888 | 289.0 | 199.64 | 200.17 | -60.26 |
SR24-132 | Tornado | 470866 | 8169491 | 291.4 | 199.64 | 200.25 | -55.08 |
SR24-133 | Tornado | 470244 | 8171463 | 255.7 | 199.64 | 199.97 | -59.97 |
SR24-134 | Tornado | 470273 | 8169986 | 268.0 | 199.64 | 199.97 | -60.14 |
Table 1: Details for the 2024 regional exploration drill holes.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width | Cu ppm | Zn ppm | Ag g/t |
SR24-098 | 0 | 118.87 | 118.87 | 6.5 | 137.3 | 1.2 |
128.02 | 143.26 | 15.24 | 5.5 | 64 | 0.6 | |
146.3 | 150.88 | 4.58 | 5 | 36.7 | 0.8 | |
188.98 | 190.5 | 1.52 | 5 | 30 | 0.5 | |
SR24-100 | 1.52 | 56.39 | 54.87 | 5.1 | 64.4 | 1.0 |
57.91 | 65.53 | 7.62 | 5 | 50 | 0.6 | |
67.06 | 68.58 | 1.52 | 5 | 30 | 0.5 | |
70.1 | 71.63 | 1.53 | 5 | 40 | 1.0 | |
73.15 | 76.2 | 3.05 | 5 | 40 | 0.8 | |
88.39 | 103.63 | 15.24 | 6.5 | 103.9 | 1.5 | |
105.16 | 108.2 | 3.04 | 5 | 110 | 1.5 | |
109.73 | 112.78 | 3.05 | 7.5 | 30 | 1.0 | |
118.87 | 120.4 | 1.53 | 5 | 30 | 2.0 | |
121.92 | 126.49 | 4.57 | 5 | 30 | 1.0 | |
137.16 | 140.21 | 3.05 | 5 | 30 | 1.5 | |
143.26 | 156.97 | 13.71 | 7.2 | 57.8 | 1.4 | |
182.88 | 188.98 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 42.5 | 1.5 | |
SR24-102 | 28.96 | 35.05 | 6.09 | 6.2 | 52.5 | 0.9 |
45.72 | 47.24 | 1.52 | 5 | 40 | 1.0 | |
48.77 | 54.86 | 6.09 | 5 | 35 | 1.0 | |
65.53 | 67.06 | 1.53 | 5 | 60 | 2.0 | |
70.1 | 76.2 | 6.1 | 5 | 30 | 1.1 | |
108.2 | 111.25 | 3.05 | 5 | 35 | 1.0 | |
115.82 | 117.35 | 1.53 | 5 | 30 | 1.0 | |
152.4 | 153.92 | 1.52 | 5 | 50 | 1.0 | |
SR24-129 | 0.00 | 3.05 | 3.05 | 125.1 | 35.0 | 2.0 |
Incl. | 1.52 | 3.05 | 1.53 | 170.0 | 40.0 | 2.0 |
18.29 | 19.81 | 1.52 | 100.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | |
53.34 | 59.44 | 6.10 | 177.2 | 17.5 | 1.2 | |
Incl. | 54.86 | 57.91 | 3.05 | 289.5 | 15.0 | 1.5 |
176.78 | 178.31 | 1.53 | 50.0 | 10.0 | 0.5 | |
181.36 | 185.93 | 4.57 | 50.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-130 | 0.00 | 1.52 | 1.52 | 50.0 | 30.0 | 1.0 |
53.34 | 54.86 | 1.52 | 60.0 | 30.0 | 1.0 | |
59.44 | 60.96 | 1.52 | 50.0 | 30.0 | 1.0 | |
64.01 | 65.53 | 1.52 | 50.0 | 60.0 | 1.0 | |
68.58 | 73.15 | 4.57 | 76.6 | 10.0 | 1.0 | |
Incl. | 68.58 | 70.10 | 1.52 | 130.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 |
79.25 | 80.77 | 1.52 | 100.0 | 40.0 | 2.0 | |
88.39 | 89.92 | 1.53 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-131 | 0.00 | 1.52 | 1.52 | 60.0 | 30.0 | 0.5 |
4.57 | 6.10 | 1.53 | 60.0 | 40.0 | 0.5 | |
7.62 | 9.14 | 1.52 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0.5 | |
SR24-132 | 6.10 | 7.62 | 1.52 | 230.0 | 10.0 | 0.5 |
38.10 | 39.62 | 1.52 | 50.0 | 10.0 | 0.5 | |
56.39 | 64.01 | 7.62 | 66.0 | 12.0 | 0.8 | |
Incl. | 60.96 | 62.48 | 1.52 | 100.0 | 10.0 | 0.5 |
73.15 | 74.68 | 1.53 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 1.0 | |
77.72 | 79.25 | 1.53 | 70.0 | 240.0 | 1.0 | |
166.12 | 169.16 | 3.04 | 95.0 | 85.0 | 1.5 | |
Incl. | 166.12 | 167.64 | 1.52 | 140.0 | 160.0 | 2.0 |
178.31 | 181.36 | 3.05 | 85.1 | 30.0 | 0.8 | |
Incl. | 179.83 | 181.36 | 1.53 | 120.0 | 40.0 | 1.0 |
6.10 | 7.62 | 1.52 | 230.0 | 10.0 | 0.5 | |
SR24-133 | 0.00 | 3.05 | 3.05 | 120.2 | 686.2 | 0.7 |
Incl. | 1.52 | 3.05 | 1.53 | 170.0 | 1040.0 | 0.5 |
7.62 | 9.14 | 1.52 | 90.0 | 480.0 | 0.5 | |
24.38 | 25.91 | 1.53 | 50.0 | 270.0 | 0.5 | |
38.10 | 44.20 | 6.10 | 70.0 | 259.9 | 0.5 | |
SR24-134 | 32.00 | 33.53 | 1.53 | 90.0 | 110.0 | 1.0 |
36.58 | 39.62 | 3.04 | 50.0 | 65.0 | 1.0 | |
74.68 | 76.20 | 1.52 | 80.0 | 90.0 | 1.0 |
Table 2: Summary of significant drilling intersections for the greenfield regional prospects (>50ppm Cu, 25ppm Zn, 1g/t Ag). The intersections are expressed as downhole widths and are interpreted to be close to true widths.
Details of the delineation drilling and exploration drill holes for the 2024 program are available at https://astonbayholdings.com/news/2024-storm-drill-hole-details/.
Qualified Person
Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
QA/QC Protocols
The analytical work reported herein was performed by ALS Global ("ALS"), Vancouver, Canada. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of Aston Bay Holdings Ltd., American West Metals Limited, and the QP.
Samples were subject to 33-element geochemistry by four-acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) to determine concentrations of copper, silver, lead, zinc, and other elements (ALS Method ME-ICP61a).
Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. and American West Metals Limited followed industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the Storm Project, incorporating a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate, and standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence and sent to the laboratory for analysis. No significant QA/QC issues were detected during the review of the data. Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. and American West Metals Limited are not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut
The Nunavut property consists of 173 contiguous mining claims covering an area of approximately 219,257 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment-hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110 m* @ 2.5% Cu from surface and 56.3 m* @ 3.1% Cu from 12.2 m as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4 m* @ 10.6% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8 m and 22.3 m* @ 23.0% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5 m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored and undrilled targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect, where ten grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans. The Nunavut property is now the subject of an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture with American West (see "Agreement with American West" below for more details).
Storm Discovery and Historical Work
High-grade copper mineralization was discovered at Storm in the mid-1990s by Cominco geologists conducting regional zinc exploration around their then-producing Polaris lead-zinc mine. A massive chalcocite boulder found in a tributary of the Aston River in 1996 was traced to impressive surface exposures of broken chalcocite mineralization for hundreds of metres of surface strike length at what became named the 2750N, 2200N, and 3500N zones. Subsequent seasons of prospecting, geophysics and over 9,000 m of drilling into the early 2000s confirmed a significant amount of copper mineralization below the surface exposures as well as making the blind discovery of the 4100N Zone, a large area of copper mineralization with no surface exposure.
Following the merger of Cominco with Teck in 2001 and the closure of the Polaris Mine, the Storm claims were allowed to lapse in 2007. Commander Resources staked the property in 2008 and flew a helicopter-borne VTEM survey in 2011 but conducted no additional drilling. Aston Bay subsequently entered into an earn-in agreement with Commander and consolidated 100% ownership in 2015. Commander retained a 0.875% Gross Overriding Royalty in the area of the original Storm claims which was purchased by Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. in January 2024.
In 2016 Aston Bay entered into an earn-in agreement with BHP, who conducted a 2,000-station soil sampling program and drilled 1,951m of core in 12 diamond drill holes, yielding up to 16 m* @ 3.1% Cu. BHP exited the agreement in 2017 and retains no residual interest in the project. Aston Bay conducted a property-wide airborne gravity gradiometry survey in 2017 and drilled 2,913 m in nine core holes in the Storm area in 2018, yielding a best intercept of 1.5 m* @ 4.4% Cu and 20.5 m* @ 0.6% Cu.
Agreement with American West
On March 9, 2021, Aston Bay entered into an option agreement with American West Metals Limited (American West) and its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary Tornado Metals Ltd., pursuant to which American West was granted an option to earn an 80% undivided interest in the Project by spending a minimum of CAD$10 million on qualifying exploration expenditures. The parties amended and restated the Option Agreement as of February 27, 2023, to facilitate American West directly earning an interest in the Project alongside its Canadian subsidiary without any change to the overall commercial agreement between the parties. The expenditures were completed during 2023, and American West exercised the option. American West and Aston Bay have formed an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture.
Under the joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Project will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
Recent Work
American West completed a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground geophysical survey in 2021 that yielded several new subsurface conductive anomalies. A total of 1,534 m were drilled in 10 diamond drill holes in the 2022 season, yielding several impressive near-surface intercepts, including 41m* @ 4.1% Cu as well as 68m of sulfide mineralization associated with a deeper conductive anomaly.
In April 2022, results of beneficiation studies demonstrated that a mineralized intercept grading 4% Cu from the 4100N area could be upgraded to a 54% Cu direct ship product using standard sorting technology. Further beneficiation and metallurgical studies are ongoing.
In April 2023, American West embarked on a spring delineation drilling program using a helicopter-portable RC drill rig as well as conducting gravity and moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) ground geophysical programs.
The summer 2023 program conducted further delineation drilling of the near-surface high-grade copper zones to advance them toward maiden resource estimates in 2024. Deep diamond drilling during 2023 discovered high-grade copper sulfides up to 2.7% Cu at approximately 300 m vertical depth (ST23-02), suggesting the potential for the discovery of large-scale copper targets at depth.
Diamond drilling of new high-priority deep MLEM targets, RC delineation drilling for resource development and additional geophysical surveys are now underway in the 2024 program. Metallurgical studies and environmental baseline studies are ongoing, with bulk sampling for prefeasibility-level processing planned for summer 2024.
*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
About Aston Bay Holdings
Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA.
The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut, as well as the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia. The Company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical metals potential in North America
The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West"), have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
About American West Metals Limited
AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX: AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. The company's strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. AW1's portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to AW1's approach is a commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where its projects are located.
Led by a highly experienced leadership team, AW1's strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.
For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer
thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com
(416) 456-3516
Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development
sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com
(647) 821-1337
SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.
News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia
98 metres of copper sulfides reinforce large-scale sediment-hosted copper potential
Highlights:
The 2024 deep drilling program has delivered further evidence of a very extensive laterally oriented deeper copper horizon that covers an area of more than 10 square kilometres ("km 2")and remains open
All three deeper drill holes in the 2024 program - collared approximately 2 km apart from each other - have intersected copper sulfides and prospective stratigraphy within the interpreted deeper copper horizon
The second 2024 deep diamond drill hole (ST24-02) drilled during 2024 has intersected an aggregate of 98.6 metres ("m") of copper sulfide mineralization within multiple horizons
The third 2024 deep diamond drill hole (ST24-03) - targeting a 1,300m x 500m EM anomaly below the Cirrus Deposit - was suspended due to a highly fractured zone on approach to the target EM plates, and will now be completed in early 2025
ST24-03 encountered minor copper sulfides in the upper portions of the drill hole and an extensive zone of fractured carbonate rocks at depth - a highly favourable geological setting for the deposition of copper mineralization
The first 2024 deep diamond drill hole (ST24-01) intersected thick copper sulfides from 311m downhole with grades up to 3.7% copper ("Cu") as reported on September 20, 2024
The large volume of mineralisation in the deeper diamond drilling, particularly in ST24-02, continues to highlight the large lateral and vertical extent of the Storm copper system and the potential for large-scale stratigraphic hosted copper deposits similar to those of the Central African Copperbelt
Additional results from the 2024 campaign to be reported in the coming weeks.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 30, 2024 /Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on diamond drilling activities at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm" or the "Project") on Somerset Island, Nunavut. The exploration program is being conducted by American West Metals Limited ("American West"), the Project operator. Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture with respect to the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine is made upon completion of a bankable feasibility study.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay, commented :
"It is encouraging to receive confirmation of our geological model with the drill bit. Drilled to test stratigraphy and structure in a little-explored area, ST24-02 encountered a significant amount of sediment-hosted style copper mineralization. While the mineralization at this location is spread out over a wide interval, it nevertheless highlights the pervasive nature of the mineralizing process at Storm and points to the potential where the copper budget of these pervasive fluids can be concentrated in higher-grade zones as in the near-surface copper deposits currently being defined at Storm.
"Our third deep drill hole remains only partially completed due to drilling difficulties at the end of the season. Drilling in the frozen Arctic ground requires salt to be added to the drilling fluid to prevent freezing. Before reaching the target, the drill intercepted a fractured zone, resulting in the loss of the drilling fluid. Unfortunately, it was too late in the season to resupply the salt and other drilling additives necessary to continue the hole this year.
"The targeted anomaly exhibits characteristics of both fault-hosted "Chinook-style" and stratiform-hosted "Cyclone-style" mineralization, making it a very compelling target. I eagerly look forward to completing this drill hole early next year."
Figure 1: Photo of the diamond drilling rig being prepared at the Storm Project, Nunavut, Canada.
OVERVIEW: DRILLING CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE COPPER SYSTEM
The drill holes for the 2024 deep drilling campaign were designed to test key geological targets at Storm and the potential for new zones of copper mineralization within the ‘Deep Copper Horizon' discovered during 2023 (see August 2, 2023, Aston Bay news release).
Drill hole ST24-02 has intersected thick intervals of low-grade copper sulfide mineralization with multiple thin higher-grade horizons. The entire rock package is variably fractured, with copper sulfides occurring as veins and fracture infill. The large volume of mineralization and brecciation highlight a significant mineralization event, and its location within the centre of the Thunder and Corona graben block supports the potential for further discoveries of economic mineralization at depth.
ST24-03 targeted a large Moving Loop EM (MLEM) anomaly below the Cirrus Deposit and Gap Prospect and encountered a large void/fractured zone on approach to the targeted EM plates, which slowed the drilling and prevented the hole from being completed this season. Given the strong correlation between copper sulfide mineralization and MLEM anomalies at Storm, this EM anomaly remains a high-priority drill target for early 2025.
Figure 2: Plan view of the Storm area showing the geological interpretation, known copper deposit outlines, major faults, and deep diamond drill hole locations. All the deeper drill holes have intersected copper at depth within a prospective area of more than ten square kilometres.
DRILL HOLE ST24-02 DETAILS
Drill hole ST24-02 was drilled to a downhole depth of 455m and intersected a combined total of 98.6m of copper sulfide mineralization (Figure 4). The drill hole was designed to test the stratigraphy and structure in the southern areas of Storm, south of the Southern Graben Fault.
In addition to minor copper mineralization hosted within the upper Allen Bay horizons (at the same depth as the known shallow Storm prospects), three main mineralized zones were identified at depth in ST24-02. The mineralization is hosted within abundant sporadic fracturing, variably infilled by copper sulfides averaging 0.1% copper ("Cu") (see Table 2).
The most significant zone of mineralization, from 292m to 324m downhole, is hosted within a bituminous, vuggy, coral dolopackstone-doloboundstone sequence with blebby to veinlet chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bornite with assays up to 0.53% Cu (from 322.5 - 323.5m downhole). The mineralized textures and lithological associations from this zone are consistent with the ‘Deep Copper Horizon' discovered during 2023 and show the persistence of this horizon across multiple fault blocks on the Storm property.
The large volume of visual mineralization within ST24-02 highlights the scale of the copper system at Storm. The proximity of drill hole ST24-02 to the Thunder Prospect and Chinook and Corona deposits provides further evidence that the Allen Bay Formation within the Southern Graben may host high-grade, stratigraphic- and structurally-hosted copper deposits similar to those of the Central African Copperbelt.
Figure 3: Chalcocite (dark grey) and bornite (metallic blue) fracture fill in drill hole ST24-02 at approximately 313.75m downhole (this piece of core is within an interval of 1m @ 0.33% Cu).
Figure 4: NE-SW geological section through ST24-02 looking southeast.
DRILL HOLE ST24-03 DETAILS
Diamond drill hole ST24-03 was designed to target a 1,300m x 500m flat-lying MLEM anomaly (Figure 5 - EM anomaly A1) bounded by a series of large, mostly steeply dipping EM plates (approx. 350m to top, conductance ~40-60S, moderate ~40-60deg S/SW dip, striking ~WNW-ESE) at its the northern edge. The EM anomalies are located below the Cirrus Deposit and the Gap high-grade copper prospect and are interpreted to be proximal to the Southern Graben Fault.
Figure 5: 400m loop MLEM image (CH20BZ) showing anomalies and modelled plates overlying drilling and the geological and structural interpretation of the Storm area. The MLEM anomaly discussed in this release is labelled A1.
ST24-03 has been drilled to a downhole depth of 414m (planned depth of 600-700m) and intersected several zones of fracturing and sporadic copper sulfides (Figure 6). The presence of voids and fractures at the current depth resulted in reduced circulation and the loss of drilling fluids, including the critical salt additive required to prevent freezing in this area of deep permafrost. The drill hole had to be suspended pending the resupply of salt from the Sealift (now delivered) and will be completed as a high priority in early 2025.
Figure 6: NE-SW geological section view through ST24-03 (looking NW) showing the Cirrus Deposit, interpreted Southern Graben Fault and modelled MLEM conductors. Drilling was suspended at 414m depth; the planned drill hole depth is 650-700m, to be completed in early 2025.
The drill hole has not yet intersected the targeted MLEM anomaly, but the results are encouraging. The hole was drilled entirely into lower Allen Bay Formation, the host of the majority of copper mineralization at Storm, and intersected multiple organic-rich horizons and thick zones of oxidized fracturing. One notable zone includes a laminated organic-rich mudstone with fine disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite veinlets from 178m to 180m depth downhole. Minor copper sulfides were also encountered at 305m downhole as patchy chalcopyrite veinlets and infill to a vuggy shell-fragment dolofloatstone. Organic material and hydrocarbons are critical requirements for the deposition of metals in this mineralizing system, and their presence is encouraging.
Fractures and voids at depth and close to the target area are also positive indicators since permeability and porosity are critical for the open-space filling style of high-grade copper mineralization at Storm.
Also noteworthy is that the orientations of the sub-vertical MLEM plates parallel to and directly below the sub-vertical Southern Graben Fault are suggestive of fault-related mineralization, as seen in the strong EM response at the Chinook and Corona Deposits. The faults may have channelled and focussed the metal-bearing fluids, allowing for more intense mineralization. The sub-horizontal component of the MLEM anomaly A1 may also be suggestive of stratiform mineralization, as seen at Cyclone where an EM anomaly delineates flat-lying bodies of high-grade copper mineralization that are directly adjacent to the Northern Graben Fault (Figure 5).
With such a close fit to the predictive geologic model that has already successfully discovered new zones of copper mineralization combined with the proven robust correlation between MLEM anomalies and high-grade copper mineralization at Storm, the untested portion of this drill hole is a compelling high-priority target for the 2025 drill season.
Hole ID | Prospect | Easting | Northing | RL (m) | Depth (m) | Azimuth | Inclination |
ST24-01 | Graben | 464728 | 8173893 | 289.4 | 385 | 0.3 | -80.1 |
ST24-02 | Expl. | 465600 | 8172675 | 246.2 | 455 | 160 | -75 |
ST24-03 | Expl. | 462772 | 8173627 | 213.7 | 414.11* | 35 | -70 |
Table 1: Details for the 2024 deep diamond drill holes at the Storm Project. Note*, drill hole ST24-03 is pending and will be completed during 2025.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width | Cu ppm | Zn ppm | Ag g/t |
ST24-02 | 52.00 | 55.00 | 3.00 | 1402 | 10 | 2.0 |
Including | 53.00 | 53.60 | 0.60 | 6100 | 10 | 2.0 |
58.00 | 59.60 | 1.60 | 110 | 10 | 2.0 | |
72.50 | 76.50 | 4.00 | 203 | 10 | 1.1 | |
77.00 | 79.00 | 2.00 | 953 | 10 | 1.8 | |
Including | 78.00 | 78.50 | 0.50 | 3050 | 10 | 2.0 |
81.00 | 84.00 | 3.00 | 140 | 10 | 1.3 | |
85.00 | 86.50 | 1.50 | 253 | 10 | 1.0 | |
104.00 | 106.00 | 2.00 | 420 | 10 | 1.5 | |
107.00 | 112.10 | 5.10 | 176 | 10 | 0.9 | |
114.50 | 115.00 | 0.50 | 640 | 10 | 2.0 | |
130.30 | 131.00 | 0.70 | 230 | 10 | 1.0 | |
132.50 | 133.10 | 0.60 | 270 | 10 | 2.0 | |
170.00 | 172.00 | 2.00 | 195 | 10 | 1.5 | |
193.00 | 194.50 | 1.50 | 240 | 10 | 2.0 | |
195.50 | 196.50 | 1.00 | 2290 | 40 | 1.5 | |
Including | 195.50 | 196.00 | 0.50 | 4330 | 60 | 2.0 |
201.00 | 202.00 | 1.00 | 220 | 30 | 1.0 | |
203.50 | 205.00 | 1.50 | 207 | 10 | 1.3 | |
224.00 | 226.00 | 2.00 | 150 | 10 | 1.0 | |
250.00 | 251.00 | 1.00 | 140 | 10 | 1.0 | |
286.00 | 287.50 | 1.50 | 317 | 17 | 1.3 | |
289.50 | 290.50 | 1.00 | 620 | 10 | 1.3 | |
292.00 | 300.00 | 8.00 | 256 | 10 | 0.8 | |
300.50 | 301.50 | 1.00 | 200 | 10 | 1.0 | |
302.00 | 304.00 | 2.00 | 900 | 15 | 2.0 | |
Including | 303.00 | 303.50 | 0.50 | 2560 | 10 | 2.0 |
305.00 | 308.00 | 3.00 | 745 | 10 | 1.3 | |
Including | 306.50 | 307.00 | 0.50 | 1170 | 10 | 0.5 |
310.00 | 316.00 | 6.00 | 935 | 10 | 1.0 | |
Including | 311.00 | 311.50 | 0.50 | 1140 | 10 | 2.0 |
And | 313.50 | 314.50 | 1.00 | 3270 | 10 | 0.8 |
317.00 | 324.00 | 7.00 | 1628 | 11 | 0.9 | |
Including | 322.50 | 323.50 | 1.00 | 5295 | 15 | 0.8 |
327.50 | 328.00 | 0.50 | 210 | 10 | 1.0 | |
330.00 | 333.00 | 3.00 | 110 | 10 | 1.3 | |
348.00 | 349.00 | 1.00 | 120 | 10 | 2.0 | |
352.00 | 353.00 | 1.00 | 110 | 10 | 1.0 | |
366.00 | 367.00 | 1.00 | 110 | 10 | 3.0 | |
369.00 | 370.00 | 1.00 | 140 | 10 | 1.0 | |
373.00 | 375.00 | 2.00 | 160 | 10 | 1.0 | |
377.00 | 380.00 | 3.00 | 110 | 10 | 1.3 | |
381.00 | 388.00 | 7.00 | 140 | 13 | 1.2 | |
397.00 | 398.00 | 1.00 | 110 | 10 | 1.0 | |
399.00 | 401.00 | 2.00 | 105 | 10 | 0.8 | |
409.60 | 418.00 | 8.40 | 388 | 10 | 1.6 | |
Including | 413.00 | 413.35 | 0.35 | 1640 | 10 | 2.0 |
421.00 | 424.65 | 3.65 | 542 | 10 | 1.8 | |
Including | 422.00 | 423.00 | 1.00 | 1280 | 10 | 2.0 |
ST24-03 | 10.00 | 11.00 | 1.00 | 100 | 20 | 0.5 |
24.00 | 26.00 | 2.00 | 135 | 30 | 1.0 | |
33.00 | 34.00 | 1.00 | 100 | 10 | 0.5 | |
35.00 | 40.00 | 5.00 | 208 | 10 | 0.7 | |
41.00 | 42.00 | 1.00 | 120 | 10 | 1.0 | |
43.00 | 49.00 | 6.00 | 125 | 33 | 1.0 | |
54.00 | 55.00 | 1.00 | 110 | 10 | 0.5 | |
56.00 | 57.00 | 1.00 | 590 | 10 | 1.0 | |
66.00 | 70.00 | 4.00 | 153 | 20 | 0.9 | |
90.00 | 91.00 | 1.00 | 100 | 10 | 0.5 | |
96.00 | 97.00 | 1.00 | 120 | 10 | 0.5 | |
108.00 | 119.00 | 11.00 | 298 | 255 | 0.6 | |
120.00 | 129.07 | 9.07 | 175 | 182 | 0.5 | |
130.90 | 133.00 | 2.10 | 105 | 45 | 0.5 | |
152.00 | 153.98 | 1.98 | 150 | 10 | 0.5 | |
178.70 | 179.00 | 0.30 | 1900 | 80 | 15.0 | |
180.04 | 180.82 | 0.78 | 170 | 10 | 2.0 |
Table 2: Summary of recent significant drilling intersections for drill holes ST24-02 and ST24-03. Given the exploratory nature of the drilling a cut-off of 0.01% Cu is used to highlight the presence of copper sulfides. In the absence of copper sulfide or oxides, the dolomite host rocks at Storm typically contain 10-25ppm copper. Diamond drill intersections are all core length and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
Details of the delineation drilling and exploration drill holes for the 2024 program are available at https://astonbayholdings.com/news/2024-storm-drill-hole-details/ .
Qualified Person
Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
QA/QC Protocols
The analytical work reported on herein was performed by ALS Global ("ALS"), Vancouver Canada. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of Aston Bay Holdings Ltd., American West Metals Limited, and the QP. Drill core samples were subject to crushing at a minimum of 70% passing 2 mm, followed by pulverizing of a 250-gram split to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were subject to 33 element geochemistry by four-acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) to determine concentrations of copper, silver, lead, zinc, and other elements (ALS Method ME-ICP61a). Overlimit values for copper (>10%) and were analyzed via four-acid digestion and ICP-AES (ALS Method Cu-OG62).
Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. and American West Metals Limited followed industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the Storm Project, incorporating a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate, and standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence and sent to the laboratory for analysis. No significant QA/QC issues were detected during review of the data. Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. and American West Metals Limited are not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut
The Nunavut property consists of 173 contiguous mining claims covering an area of approximately 219,257 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment-hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110m* @ 2.5% Cu from surface and 56.3* @ 3.1% Cu from 12.2m as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4m* @ 10.6% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8m and 22.3m* @ 23.0% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored and undrilled targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect, where ten grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans. The Nunavut property is now the subject of an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture with American West (see "Agreement with American West" below for more details).
Storm Discovery and Historical Work
High-grade copper mineralization was discovered at Storm in the mid-1990s by Cominco geologists conducting regional zinc exploration around their then-producing Polaris lead-zinc mine. A massive chalcocite boulder found in a tributary of the Aston River in 1996 was traced to impressive surface exposures of broken chalcocite mineralization for hundreds of metres of surface strike length at what became named the 2750N, 2200N, and 3500N zones. Subsequent seasons of prospecting, geophysics and over 9,000 m of drilling into the early 2000s confirmed a significant amount of copper mineralization below the surface exposures as well as making the blind discovery of the 4100N Zone, a large area of copper mineralization with no surface exposure.
Following the merger of Cominco with Teck in 2001 and the closure of the Polaris Mine, the Storm claims were allowed to lapse in 2007. Commander Resources staked the property in 2008 and flew a helicopter-borne VTEM survey in 2011 but conducted no additional drilling. Aston Bay subsequently entered into an earn-in agreement with Commander and consolidated 100% ownership in 2015. Commander retained a 0.875% Gross Overriding Royalty in the area of the original Storm claims which was purchased by Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. in January 2024.
In 2016 Aston Bay entered into an earn-in agreement with BHP, who conducted a 2,000-station soil sampling program and drilled 1,951m of core in 12 diamond drill holes, yielding up to 16m* @ 3.1% Cu. BHP exited the agreement in 2017 and retains no residual interest in the project. Aston Bay conducted a property-wide airborne gravity gradiometry survey in 2017 and drilled 2,913m in nine core holes in the Storm area in 2018, yielding a best intercept of 1.5m* @ 4.4% Cu and 20.5m* @ 0.6% Cu.
Agreement with American West
On March 9, 2021, Aston Bay entered into an option agreement with American West Metals Limited (American West) and its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary Tornado Metals Ltd., pursuant to which American West was granted an option to earn an 80% undivided interest in the Project by spending a minimum of CAD$10 million on qualifying exploration expenditures. The parties amended and restated the Option Agreement as of February 27, 2023, to facilitate American West directly earning an interest in the Project alongside its Canadian subsidiary without any change to the overall commercial agreement between the parties. The expenditures were completed during 2023, and American West exercised the option. American West and Aston Bay have formed an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture.
Under the joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Project will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
Recent Work
American West completed a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground geophysical survey in 2021 that yielded several new subsurface conductive anomalies. A total of 1,534m were drilled in 10 diamond drill holes in the 2022 season, yielding several impressive near-surface intercepts, including 41m* @ 4.1% Cu as well as 68m of sulfide mineralization associated with a deeper conductive anomaly.
In April 2022, results of beneficiation studies demonstrated that a mineralized intercept grading 4% Cu from the 4100N area could be upgraded to a 54% Cu direct ship product using standard sorting technology. Further beneficiation and metallurgical studies are ongoing.
In April 2023, American West embarked on a spring delineation drilling program using a helicopter-portable RC drill rig as well as conducting gravity and moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) ground geophysical programs.
The summer 2023 program conducted further delineation drilling of the near-surface high-grade copper zones to advance them toward maiden resource estimates in 2024. Deep diamond drilling during 2023 discovered high-grade copper sulfides up to 2.7% Cu at approximately 300m vertical depth (ST23-02), suggesting the potential for the discovery of large-scale copper targets at depth.
Diamond drilling of new high-priority deep MLEM targets, RC delineation drilling for resource development and additional geophysical surveys are now underway in the 2024 program. Metallurgical studies and environmental baseline studies are ongoing, with bulk sampling for prefeasibility-level processing planned for summer 2024.
*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
About Aston Bay Holdings
Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA.
The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut, as well as the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia. The Company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical metals potential in North America
The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West"), have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
About American West Metals Limited
AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX: AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. The company's strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. AW1's portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to AW1's approach is a commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where its projects are located.
Led by a highly experienced leadership team, AW1's strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.
For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer
thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com
(416) 456-3516
Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development
sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com
(647) 821-1337
SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.
News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia
Thick and high-grade copper intersections from the surface at Chinook
Chinook Deposit delineation drilling:
Drilling at the Chinook Deposit has intersected thick, high-grade, near-surface copper intervals (interpreted as close to true width), including:
Drill hole SR24-068:
42.7m @ 3.1% Cu, 4.0 g/t Ag from the surface, including,
1.5m @ 7.1% Cu, 60 g/t Ag from 25.9m downhole
Drill hole SR24-080:
35.1m @ 2.7% Cu, 5.8 g/t Ag from 22.9m downhole, including,
9.2m @ 7.3% Cu, 15.3 g/t Ag from 27.4m downhole, and,
3.1m @ 3.9% Cu, 5.5 g/t Ag from 38.1m downhole
Drill hole SR24-081:
29m @ 2.6% Cu, 4.3 g/t Ag from the surface, including,
3.1m @ 11.1% Cu, 1.5 g/t Ag from 1.5m downhole, and,
4.6m @ 4.8% Cu, 5.7 g/t Ag from 21.6m downhole
Cyclone Deposit delineation drilling:
Drilling around and within the Cyclone Deposit continues to intersect thick, high-grade copper intervals (interpreted as close to true width), including:
Drill hole SR24-117 has intersected:
16.8m @ 1% Cu, 4.0 g/t Ag from 15.2m downhole, and
33.5m @ 1.5% Cu, 8.5 g/t Ag from 35.1m downhole, including,
3.1m @ 6.9% Cu, 23.0 g/t Ag from 54.9m downhole
Assays for the remaining Cyclone drill holes are expected in the next 2-4 weeks
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2024 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on drilling activities at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm" or the "Project") on Somerset Island, Nunavut. The exploration program is being conducted by American West Metals Limited ("American West"), the Project operator. Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture with respect to the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine is made upon completion of a bankable feasibility study.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay,commented:
"Storm continues to deliver impressive results from the delineation drilling program conducted by our partners American West. Long intercepts of high-grade copper mineralization from the surface bode well for potential development at the project. We look forward to more drill results in the coming weeks as we work toward calculating the maiden resource for Storm."
Figure 1: Storm Project team geologists Rachel Borg and Jordan Mathieu review the drill core from metallurgical drill hole SM24-02 (see Table 1 for details).
EXCEPTIONAL COPPER INTERSECTIONS FROM THE SURFACE AT CHINOOK
Assay results from drilling at the Chinook Deposit confirm thick and high-grade intersections of copper from the surface and highlight the near-surface, high-grade potential of the deposit (Figure 2). The drill program was designed to inform an upcoming maiden mineral resource estimate for the Storm Project that is currently being constructed to CIM standards.
The shallow, up-dip drilling has intersected outstanding intervals of copper and has increased the thickness of the known mineralization along several drill sections. Drilling on the margins of Chinook has also highlighted its expansion potential, with the deposit remaining open down dip and along strike.
The thick intervals and high grades of the outcropping and near-surface copper mineralization at Chinook support potential open-pit mining of the deposit, reinforcing the development opportunity that Chinook presents as a potential starter mining pit at Storm. Detailed studies continue on a range of mining and development scenarios for the Storm project.
Figure 2: Plan view of the Chinook Deposit showing the interpreted copper mineralized zone and historical and recent drilling, overlying regional geology.
Figure 3: Photo of the Chinook copper deposit area looking north, across the gully from the Lightning Ridge Prospect. The extensive rust-coloured staining indicates an outcropping of copper sulfide. Also visible in the photo are a diamond drilling rig (left, middle) and several white bulk bags used for transporting drill samples.
DRILL HOLE SR24-068 DETAILS
SR24-068 was drilled in the up-dip portion of the Chinook Deposit to a downhole depth of 79.2m (Figure 4), intersecting 43m of intense chalcocite and bornite mineralization from the surface (Table 1). The interval is consistently mineralized with several discrete zones of more intense mineralization grading up to 7.1% Cu (from 25.9m downhole).
The mineralization within the Chinook Deposit is steeply dipping and hosted within the Allen Bay Formation. The geometry and fractured nature of the mineralization within the deposit suggest that it is fault-related. With the immediate Chinook area only being explored to approximately 120m vertical depth, there is outstanding potential to extend the deposit at depth and along strike.
The Chinook Deposit represents one of seven discoveries in the Southern Graben area to date, and there is strong potential for further discoveries within the extensive fault network that delineates the graben.
Figure 4: N-S geological schematic section view through SR24-068 showing the recent drill hole locations, recently received assays and the previous interpretation of the copper mineralized zone (to be updated).
THICK INTERVALS OF COPPER CONTINUE AT CYCLONE
The potential of the Cyclone Deposit is highlighted by the thick and high-grade nature of copper mineralization in these new results, both within and outside the interpreted copper mineralized zone (Figure 5).
Within the mineralized zone, these new drill results from the southeast of the deposit demonstrate the intense copper mineralization that is typically found close to the Northern Graben Fault, a critical structural control on mineralization.
Recent drilling has also hit significant copper mineralization outside of the interpreted zone of copper mineralization at Cyclone. Previous geological interpretations truncated the zone along the Northern Graben Fault (Figure 5). Recent drilling to the southwest of the deposit (see September 27, 2024, Aston Bay news release) confirms that the Cyclone mineralization continues across this structure and is located at depth within the down-faulted stratigraphy of the Central Graben, outside of the previously interpreted mineralized body. With only minimal drilling in this newly identified zone to the southeast, this area remains a highly prospective target for future growth (Figure 6).
Figure 5: Plan view of the Cyclone Deposit showing the interpreted copper mineralized zone and historical and recent drilling overlying regional geology.
DRILL HOLE SR24-117 DETAILS
SR24-117 was drilled in the southeast portion of the Cyclone Deposit to a downhole depth of 100.7m (Table 4) proximal to the Northern Graben Fault.
The mineralization in SR24-117 contains two main zones (16.8m @ 1% Cu, 4.0 g/t Ag from 15.2m and 33.5m @ 1.5% Cu, 8.5 g/t Ag from 35.1m) of intense vein- and fracture-style copper sulfide mineralization, dominantly chalcocite, hosted within fractured dolomite of the Allen Bay Formation.
Copper-rich chalcocite mineralization is usually characterized by significant lateral continuity within Cyclone. Given the proximity to the Northern Graben Fault, it is interpreted that the mineralization is highly likely to continue to the south across the fault, where the extension to the Cyclone mineralization could be located slightly deeper within the Central Graben (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Geological section view at 465,400E showing the interpreted mineralized intervals (>0.2% Cu) for drill hole SR24-117, and the previous interpretation of the copper mineralized zone (to be updated).
PLANNED PROGRAM
On-site drilling activities have concluded for 2024 with substantial news flow expected to continue, including the laboratory assays for the remaining drill holes over the next month and the results of several ongoing studies throughout Q4 2024 and early 2025.
A maiden mineral resource estimate for the Storm Project is currently being constructed to CIM standards for anticipated Q4 2024 release.
ESG, mining, engineering, metallurgical, and economic studies are continuing with Ausenco and Sacre-Davey Engineering.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width | Cu % | Zn % | Ag g/t |
SM24-01 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 4.84 | 0.1 | 13.1 |
Including | 3 | 5.38 | 2.38 | 13.41 | 0.4 | 22.8 |
38 | 43 | 5 | 0.50 | 0.0 | 1.7 | |
44 | 59 | 15 | 2.78 | 0.0 | 9.0 | |
Including | 46.5 | 55 | 8.5 | 4.54 | 0.0 | 13.8 |
60 | 64.5 | 4.5 | 1.34 | 0.0 | 2.1 | |
Including | 62 | 63.8 | 1.8 | 2.45 | 0.0 | 3.2 |
74.24 | 75.05 | 0.81 | 0.36 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
77.5 | 79 | 1.5 | 0.59 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SM24-02 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 0.61 | 0.0 | 3.8 |
11.9 | 26 | 14.1 | 4.90 | 0.0 | 7.0 | |
Including | 18.4 | 26 | 7.6 | 8.15 | 0.0 | 5.9 |
27 | 29 | 2 | 1.08 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
30.35 | 32.5 | 2.15 | 1.18 | 0.0 | 1.8 | |
33 | 35 | 2 | 3.88 | 0.0 | 4.0 | |
Including | 33 | 34 | 1 | 6.86 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
37 | 40 | 3 | 8.81 | 0.0 | 12.2 | |
Including | 37 | 38 | 1 | 24.40 | 0.0 | 32.0 |
41.5 | 44 | 2.5 | 3.12 | 0.0 | 4.0 | |
Including | 41.5 | 42.5 | 1 | 6.30 | 0.0 | 7.0 |
51 | 55 | 4 | 3.24 | 0.0 | 3.7 | |
Including | 51.85 | 54 | 2.15 | 5.64 | 0.0 | 5.8 |
56 | 65 | 9 | 3.76 | 0.0 | 3.1 | |
Including | 58 | 59.9 | 1.9 | 10.54 | 0.0 | 6.9 |
and | 63 | 64 | 1 | 2.06 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
66 | 69 | 3 | 0.30 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
71 | 73 | 2 | 0.43 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
74 | 76 | 2 | 0.49 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
80 | 81.5 | 1.5 | 1.12 | 0.0 | 0.8 | |
85.3 | 86 | 0.7 | 2.35 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
92.5 | 93 | 0.5 | 1.75 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-068 | 0 | 42.67 | 42.67 | 3.10 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
Including | 25.91 | 27.43 | 1.52 | 7.14 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
SR24-080 | 0 | 1.52 | 1.52 | 0.21 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
4.57 | 7.62 | 3.05 | 0.41 | 0.0 | 0.5 | |
9.14 | 21.34 | 12.2 | 0.93 | 0.0 | 1.6 | |
Including | 10.67 | 13.72 | 3.05 | 1.76 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
and | 15.24 | 18.29 | 3.05 | 1.12 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
22.86 | 57.91 | 35.05 | 2.72 | 0.1 | 5.8 | |
Including | 27.43 | 36.58 | 9.15 | 7.28 | 0.5 | 15.3 |
and | 38.1 | 41.15 | 3.05 | 3.90 | 0.0 | 5.5 |
62.48 | 68.58 | 6.1 | 0.53 | 0.0 | 1.1 | |
Including | 65.53 | 67.06 | 1.53 | 1.04 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
SR24-081 | 0 | 28.96 | 28.96 | 2.56 | 0.1 | 4.3 |
Including | 1.52 | 4.57 | 3.05 | 11.11 | 0.1 | 1.5 |
and | 7.62 | 10.67 | 3.05 | 2.24 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
and | 21.34 | 25.91 | 4.57 | 4.77 | 0.1 | 5.7 |
39.62 | 50.29 | 10.67 | 0.56 | 0.0 | 1.4 | |
Including | 48.77 | 50.29 | 1.52 | 1.03 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
57.91 | 59.44 | 1.53 | 0.31 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
62.48 | 64.01 | 1.53 | 0.26 | 0.0 | 7.0 | |
SR24-082 | 0 | 7.62 | 7.62 | 0.61 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
Including | 1.52 | 3.05 | 1.53 | 1.11 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
10.67 | 13.72 | 3.05 | 0.45 | 0.0 | 2.5 | |
19.81 | 28.96 | 9.15 | 2.73 | 0.0 | 2.2 | |
32 | 35.05 | 3.05 | 0.66 | 0.0 | 24.0 | |
SR24-083 | 0 | 18.29 | 18.29 | 2.48 | 0.0 | 16.0 |
Including | 4.57 | 10.67 | 6.1 | 5.37 | 0.0 | 2.8 |
22.86 | 27.43 | 4.57 | 0.35 | 0.0 | 3.3 | |
39.62 | 41.15 | 1.53 | 0.52 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-084 | 3.05 | 4.57 | 1.52 | 0.60 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
7.62 | 9.14 | 1.52 | 0.34 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
12.19 | 16.76 | 4.57 | 0.78 | 0.0 | 1.3 | |
Including | 12.19 | 13.72 | 1.53 | 1.82 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
25.91 | 32 | 6.09 | 1.04 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
Including | 27.43 | 28.96 | 1.53 | 3.45 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
45.72 | 47.24 | 1.52 | 0.21 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-085 | 7.62 | 9.14 | 1.52 | 0.43 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
10.67 | 12.19 | 1.52 | 0.87 | 0.3 | 1.0 | |
13.72 | 18.29 | 4.57 | 0.74 | 0.1 | 4.7 | |
Including | 16.76 | 18.29 | 1.53 | 1.42 | 0.0 | 10.0 |
SR24-086 | 10.67 | 16.76 | 6.09 | 0.93 | 0.0 | 53.4 |
Including | 10.67 | 13.72 | 3.05 | 1.39 | 0.0 | 83.1 |
22.86 | 25.91 | 3.05 | 0.52 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
38.1 | 39.62 | 1.52 | 0.21 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-088 | 54.86 | 56.39 | 1.53 | 0.24 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
SR24-090 | 0 | 1.52 | 1.52 | 0.29 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
9.14 | 12.19 | 3.05 | 0.48 | 0.0 | 3.5 | |
16.76 | 25.91 | 9.15 | 1.05 | 0.0 | 1.3 | |
Including | 18.29 | 21.34 | 3.05 | 1.77 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
27.43 | 32 | 4.57 | 0.71 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
Including | 28.96 | 30.48 | 1.52 | 1.48 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
33.53 | 38.1 | 4.57 | 0.44 | 0.0 | 0.8 | |
SR24-092 | 53.34 | 60.96 | 7.62 | 0.41 | 0.0 | 0.9 |
64.01 | 65.53 | 1.52 | 0.28 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
Table 1: Summary of recent significant drilling intersections at the Chinook Deposit (>0.2% Cu). The Reverse Circulation ("RC") intersections (SR24* holes) are expressed as downhole widths and are interpreted to be close to true widths. Diamond drill intersections (SM* holes) are all core length and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width | Cu % | Zn % | Ag g/t |
SR24-077 | 118.87 | 120.4 | 1.53 | 0.45 | 0.06 | 2 |
SR24-113 | 96.01 | 97.54 | 1.53 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
SR24-114 | 44.2 | 45.72 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
62.48 | 64.01 | 1.53 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 4.0 | |
70.1 | 73.15 | 3.05 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 3.5 | |
Including | 71.63 | 73.15 | 1.52 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
77.72 | 80.77 | 3.05 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
100.58 | 102.11 | 1.53 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-115 | 21.34 | 24.38 | 3.04 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
33.53 | 36.58 | 3.05 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
47.24 | 48.77 | 1.53 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | |
62.48 | 64.01 | 1.53 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
73.15 | 74.68 | 1.53 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | |
77.72 | 79.25 | 1.53 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-116 | 30.48 | 32 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
38.1 | 39.62 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
50.29 | 56.39 | 6.1 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 6.0 | |
Including | 53.34 | 56.39 | 3.05 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 9.5 |
60.96 | 65.53 | 4.57 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.8 | |
71.63 | 73.15 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.5 | |
74.68 | 76.2 | 1.52 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | |
77.72 | 83.82 | 6.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3.5 | |
Including | 77.72 | 79.25 | 1.53 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 8.0 |
SR24-117 | 10.67 | 12.19 | 1.52 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
15.24 | 32 | 16.76 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | |
35.05 | 68.58 | 33.53 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 8.5 | |
Including | 53.34 | 64.01 | 10.67 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 10.3 |
Including | 54.86 | 57.91 | 3.05 | 6.93 | 0.1 | 23 |
77.72 | 83.82 | 6.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 4.3 | |
SR24-118 | 19.81 | 21.34 | 1.53 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
35.05 | 38.1 | 3.05 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
42.67 | 44.2 | 1.53 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
68.58 | 74.68 | 6.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-121 | 89.92 | 91.44 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
SR24-122 | 16.76 | 18.29 | 1.53 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
39.62 | 41.15 | 1.53 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
47.24 | 48.77 | 1.53 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
51.82 | 53.34 | 1.52 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
76.2 | 79.25 | 3.05 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.5 | |
SR24-124 | 106.68 | 108.2 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.0 |
112.78 | 114.3 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-125 | 114.3 | 115.82 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
117.35 | 118.87 | 1.52 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
123.44 | 126.49 | 3.05 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
SR24-127 | 85.34 | 100.58 | 15.24 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 3.5 |
Including | 86.87 | 94.49 | 7.62 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 3.6 |
102.11 | 103.63 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
105.16 | 109.73 | 4.57 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 5.7 | |
SR24-128 | 67.06 | 70.1 | 3.04 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 4.5 |
71.63 | 74.68 | 3.05 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3.5 | |
80.77 | 82.3 | 1.53 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 6.0 | |
99.06 | 102.11 | 3.05 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
106.68 | 108.2 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
Table 2: Summary of recent significant drilling intersections at the Cyclone Deposit (>0.2% Cu). The Reverse Circulation ("RC") intersections (SR24* holes) are expressed as downhole widths and are interpreted to be close to true widths.
Details of the delineation drilling and exploration drill holes for the 2024 program are available at https://astonbayholdings.com/news/2024-storm-drill-hole-details/.
Qualified Person
Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut
The Nunavut property consists of 173 contiguous mining claims covering an area of approximately 219,257 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment-hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110m* @ 2.5% Cu from surface and 56.3* @ 3.1% Cu from 12.2m as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4m* @ 10.6% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8m and 22.3m* @ 23.0% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored and undrilled targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect, where ten grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans. The Nunavut property is now the subject of an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture with American West (see "Agreement with American West" below for more details).
Storm Discovery and Historical Work
High-grade copper mineralization was discovered at Storm in the mid-1990s by Cominco geologists conducting regional zinc exploration around their then-producing Polaris lead-zinc mine. A massive chalcocite boulder found in a tributary of the Aston River in 1996 was traced to impressive surface exposures of broken chalcocite mineralization for hundreds of metres of surface strike length at what became named the 2750N, 2200N, and 3500N zones. Subsequent seasons of prospecting, geophysics and over 9,000 m of drilling into the early 2000s confirmed a significant amount of copper mineralization below the surface exposures as well as making the blind discovery of the 4100N Zone, a large area of copper mineralization with no surface exposure.
Following the merger of Cominco with Teck in 2001 and the closure of the Polaris Mine, the Storm claims were allowed to lapse in 2007. Commander Resources staked the property in 2008 and flew a helicopter-borne VTEM survey in 2011 but conducted no additional drilling. Aston Bay subsequently entered into an earn-in agreement with Commander and consolidated 100% ownership in 2015. Commander retained a 0.875% Gross Overriding Royalty in the area of the original Storm claims which was purchased by Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. in January 2024.
In 2016 Aston Bay entered into an earn-in agreement with BHP, who conducted a 2,000-station soil sampling program and drilled 1,951m of core in 12 diamond drill holes, yielding up to 16m* @ 3.1% Cu. BHP exited the agreement in 2017 and retains no residual interest in the project. Aston Bay conducted a property-wide airborne gravity gradiometry survey in 2017 and drilled 2,913m in nine core holes in the Storm area in 2018, yielding a best intercept of 1.5m* @ 4.4% Cu and 20.5m* @ 0.6% Cu.
Agreement with American West
On March 9, 2021, Aston Bay entered into an option agreement with American West Metals Limited (American West) and its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary Tornado Metals Ltd., pursuant to which American West was granted an option to earn an 80% undivided interest in the Project by spending a minimum of CAD$10 million on qualifying exploration expenditures. The parties amended and restated the Option Agreement as of February 27, 2023, to facilitate American West directly earning an interest in the Project alongside its Canadian subsidiary without any change to the overall commercial agreement between the parties. The expenditures were completed during 2023, and American West exercised the option. American West and Aston Bay have formed an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture.
Under the joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Project will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
Recent Work
American West completed a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground geophysical survey in 2021 that yielded several new subsurface conductive anomalies. A total of 1,534m were drilled in 10 diamond drill holes in the 2022 season, yielding several impressive near-surface intercepts, including 41m* @ 4.1% Cu as well as 68m of sulfide mineralization associated with a deeper conductive anomaly.
In April 2022, results of beneficiation studies demonstrated that a mineralized intercept grading 4% Cu from the 4100N area could be upgraded to a 54% Cu direct ship product using standard sorting technology. Further beneficiation and metallurgical studies are ongoing.
In April 2023, American West embarked on a spring delineation drilling program using a helicopter-portable RC drill rig as well as conducting gravity and moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) ground geophysical programs.
The summer 2023 program conducted further delineation drilling of the near-surface high-grade copper zones to advance them toward maiden resource estimates in 2024. Deep diamond drilling during 2023 discovered high-grade copper sulfides up to 2.7% Cu at approximately 300m vertical depth (ST23-02), suggesting the potential for the discovery of large-scale copper targets at depth.
Diamond drilling of new high-priority deep MLEM targets, RC delineation drilling for resource development and additional geophysical surveys are now underway in the 2024 program. Metallurgical studies and environmental baseline studies are ongoing, with bulk sampling for prefeasibility-level processing planned for summer 2024.
*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
About Aston Bay Holdings
Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA.
The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut, as well as the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia. The Company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical metals potential in North America
The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
About American West Metals Limited
AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX:AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. The company's strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. AW1's portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to AW1's approach is a commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where its projects are located.
Led by a highly experienced leadership team, AW1's strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.
For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer
thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com
(416) 456-3516
Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development
sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com
(647) 821-1337
SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.
News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia
Drill results outside of known mineralization confirm the expansion potential
Cyclone resource upgrade and expansion:
Assays confirm that the resource drilling around and within the Cyclone Deposit has intersected further thick high-grade copper intervals including:
Drill hole SR24-093 was drilled 75m southof the current known area of mineralization and has intersected:
53.3m @ 3.9% copper (Cu), 12.6 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag) from 86.9m downhole, including,
22.9m @ 8.5% Cu, 17.8g/t Ag from 86.9m downhole, including,
9.1m @ 14.4% Cu, 21.3g/t Ag from 93m downhole
Drill hole SR24-070 has intersected:
45.7m @ 1.9% Cu, 9.4g/t Ag from 35.1m downhole, including,
27.4m @ 3.1% Cu, 14.6g/t Ag from 35.1m downhole, including,
15.2m @ 4.2% Cu, 16.2g/t Ag from 35.1m downhole
Drill hole SR24-045 has intersected:
57.9m @ 1% Cu, 4.3g/t Ag from 32m downhole, including,
10.7m @ 3.2% Cu, 16.0g/t Ag from 65.5m downhole
Sealift and 2025 program preparation:
NEAS cargo ship MV Mitiq has successfully completed the 2024 sealift operation at Storm
The sealift has delivered large quantities of supplies directly on Somerset Island for the 2025 exploration, resource expansion, and development programs, which is expected to save an estimated $4 Million on the 2025 budget
Bulk samples containing copper were also transported offsite via the cargo ship, demonstrating the complete logistics chain for the potential direct shipping product mining operation
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 27, 2024 /Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on drilling activities at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm" or the "Project") on Somerset Island, Nunavut. The exploration program is being conducted by American West Metals Limited ("American West"), who is the operator of the Project. Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay, commented:
"It is exciting to hit such a long interval of high-grade copper outside of the previously known zone of mineralization as we work toward calculation of a maiden resource estimate this fall. This suggests there is more to be found, and it bodes well for additional discoveries and expansion of the known existing mineralization with next year's campaign.
"We congratulate NEAS on the arrival of their cargo ship MV Mitiq into Aston Bay. This sealift is a first for the project that will significantly reduce the cost for both the delineation drilling and exploration diamond drilling programs next year. The successful operation demonstrates that bulk cargo and equipment can be economically transported to the project and that potential products could be delivered to market on the return journey. This will play an important part in future programs and development plans at Storm."
Figure 1: NEAS cargo ship MV Mitiq at anchor in Aston Bay for the Storm Project sealift.
EXCEPTIONAL COPPER INTERSECTIONS CONTINUE AT CYCLONE
Assay results from the latest batch of drill holes have been received and continue to highlight the expansion and upgrade potential of the Cyclone Deposit (Figure 2).
The latest assays have confirmed very thick and high-grade intersections of copper within and outside of the current known mineralization envelope, particularly at the west end and to the south of the deposit. The west end of Cyclone hosts the shallowest and highest-grade copper mineralization within the deposit, considered very favourable for a potential open-pit mining operation in future. The infill drilling also continues to confirm the excellent lateral continuity of the mineralization.
Assays for the remainder of the outstanding drill holes are expected in batches over the coming weeks.
Figure 2: Plan view of the Cyclone Deposit showing the copper mineralized zone outlines and historical and recent drilling, overlain on regional geology.
DRILL HOLE SR24-093 DETAILS
SR24-093 was drilled to the southwest of the Cyclone Deposit and to a downhole depth of 150.9m (Figure 3). The drill hole was designed to follow up other strong copper intersections outside of the known mineralization in the southern area including SR24-009 which intersected 15.2m @ 1.4% Cu, including 1.5m @ 6.4% Cu from 109.7m downhole (See August 15, 2024, Aston Bay news release.
Drill hole SR24-093 intersected 53m of strong chalcocite mineralization (53.3m @ 3.9% Cu) from 86.9m downhole with an intensely mineralized zone and semi-massive sulfide zone between 86.9m and 109.7m downhole averaging 8.5% Cu over 22.9m (Table 1).
The mineralized Allen Bay host rock in SR24-093 is displaced downward relative to the Cyclone Deposit south of the large fault that forms the northern boundary of the Central Graben. The faults that define this large block of down-dropped prospective rock within the Central Graben either host or are spatially associated with the majority of the copper mineralization at Storm. The graben block itself, with the prospective Allen Bay stratigraphic horizon covered by the barren overlying Douro formation at the surface, is little explored. These new intercepts highlight the potential for the Central Graben to host significant copper mineralization concealed at depth.
The large 75m step-out from the previous drilling, thickness, and grade of the copper mineralization are promising for the discovery of additional mineralization to the southwest of the Cyclone Deposit and elsewhere in the large but underexplored Central Graben.
Figure 3: N-S geological schematic section view through SR24-093 and SR24-073 showing the recent drill hole locations, recent assays, and the interpreted zones of copper mineralization..
DRILL HOLE SR24-045 and SR24-070 DETAILS
SR24-045 and SR24-070 are located on the same drill section and have intersected intense copper sulfide mineralization on the margins of the known zones of mineralization at Cyclone (Figure 2).
Mineralization in both drill holes consists of zones of intense vein- and fracture-style copper sulfide mineralization with thick intervals over 3% Cu hosted within fractured dolomite of the Allen Bay Formation.
The dominant copper sulfide mineral observed within the drill holes is chalcocite, with minor bornite and chalcopyrite on the margins of the mineralized intervals and within veins. The mineralogy and intensity of copper mineralization is typically characterized by significant lateral continuity within Cyclone.
Figure 4: Geological section view at 464,850E showing the mineralized intervals (>0.2% Cu) for drill holes SR24-011, SR24-15 and SR24-023, and the interpreted zones of copper mineralization.
SEALIFT - DEMONSTRATION OF COMPLETE LOGISTICS CHAIN
The NEAS cargo ship MV Mitiq has recently completed a sealift operation at the Storm Project. The ship anchored in Aston Bay and has delivered large quantities of aviation and diesel fuel, salt for diamond drilling, lumber, heavy machinery, and other supplies in preparation for the 2025 exploration and delineation drilling program.
The sealift is carried out using large, tugboat-guided barges maneuvered onto a suitable beach (Figure 5), and then off-loaded using large wheeled loaders. Materials are hoisted from the ship to the barges (and vice versa) using large cranes. This system eliminates the need for wharves or other port infrastructure to load and unload cargo (Figures 6 & 7).
The sealift has also demonstrated the loading operations and sent bulk samples of RC chips off-site. The mineralized samples will be used for metallurgical purposes and the process has demonstrated the complete logistics chain for a potential mining operation at the Storm Project: it is envisaged that potential copper direct shipping product would be transported to market in sea containers via sealift on empty ships returning to port on the east coast of Canada.
Whereas the sealift has incurred expenses on the 2024 program, the exercise is expected to save approximately $4m on the 2025 program budget.
Figure 5: Photo of the sealift tug and barging operation underway on Aston Bay, Nunavut.
Figure 6: Offloading of cargo at the Storm Project Marine Loading Area (MLA), on the coast of Aston Bay, Nunavut.
Figure 7: Photo of the Storm Project Marine Loading Area (MLA), on the coast of Aston Bay, Nunavut.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width | Cu % | Zn % | Ag g/t |
SR24-043 | 91.44 | 99.06 | 7.62 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.9 |
100.58 | 102.11 | 1.53 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
105.16 | 106.68 | 1.52 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-045 | 32.00 | 89.92 | 57.91 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.3 |
Including | 65.53 | 76.20 | 10.67 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 9.0 |
SR24-049 | 27.43 | 44.20 | 16.76 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.9 |
Including | 27.43 | 35.05 | 7.62 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
48.77 | 68.58 | 19.81 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.3 | |
Including | 65.53 | 67.06 | 1.52 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
SR24-053 | 83.82 | 86.87 | 3.05 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
SR24-061 | 48.77 | 51.82 | 3.05 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
Including | 42.67 | 45.72 | 3.05 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
and | 50.29 | 51.82 | 1.52 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
92.96 | 94.49 | 1.52 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
111.25 | 117.35 | 6.10 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-063 | 22.86 | 36.58 | 13.72 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
Including | 27.43 | 32.00 | 4.57 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
42.67 | 45.72 | 3.05 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 3.0 | |
50.29 | 51.82 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
59.44 | 60.96 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
65.53 | 71.63 | 6.10 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 2.5 | |
SR24-067 | 12.19 | 21.34 | 9.14 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
30.48 | 35.05 | 4.57 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
Including | 30.48 | 32.00 | 1.52 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 2.0 |
44.20 | 45.72 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 3.0 | |
50.29 | 62.48 | 12.19 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 4.6 | |
Including | 50.29 | 51.82 | 1.52 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
and | 57.91 | 62.48 | 4.57 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
59.44 | 68.58 | 9.14 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
73.15 | 74.68 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-070 | 27.43 | 28.96 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
35.05 | 80.77 | 45.72 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 9.4 | |
Including | 35.05 | 62.48 | 27.43 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 14.6 |
Including | 35.05 | 50.92 | 15.24 | 4.2 | 0.1 | 16.2 |
SR24-071 | 33.53 | 35.05 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 9.0 |
65.53 | 82.30 | 16.76 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 3.7 | |
Including | 67.06 | 68.58 | 1.52 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 7.0 |
and | 79.25 | 80.77 | 1.52 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 15.0 |
SR24-072 | 59.44 | 67.06 | 7.62 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.8 |
Including | 59.44 | 64.01 | 4.57 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 4.7 |
71.63 | 74.68 | 3.05 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
79.25 | 80.77 | 1.52 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-073 | 45.72 | 54.86 | 9.14 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2.7 |
65.53 | 82.30 | 16.76 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3.2 | |
Including | 73.15 | 74.68 | 1.52 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
86.87 | 88.39 | 1.52 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 4.0 | |
SR24-075 | 97.54 | 105.16 | 7.62 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 4.4 |
Including | 97.54 | 99.06 | 1.52 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 7.0 |
SR24-076 | 106.68 | 120.40 | 13.72 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.4 |
Including | 109.73 | 112.78 | 3.05 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 5.5 |
128.02 | 129.54 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-087 | 25.91 | 30.48 | 4.57 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.7 |
48.77 | 57.91 | 9.14 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.8 | |
Including | 50.29 | 56.39 | 6.10 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 3.8 |
76.20 | 88.39 | 12.19 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 2.5 | |
Including | 76.20 | 79.25 | 3.05 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
SR24-089 | 9.14 | 10.67 | 1.52 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
21.34 | 25.91 | 4.57 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.7 | |
38.10 | 53.34 | 15.24 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
Including | 42.67 | 44.20 | 1.52 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
57.91 | 59.44 | 1.52 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
65.53 | 68.58 | 3.05 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
88.39 | 89.92 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
SR24-091 | 16.76 | 24.38 | 7.62 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.6 |
32.00 | 35.05 | 3.05 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.8 | |
53.34 | 62.48 | 9.14 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
70.10 | 77.72 | 7.62 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.2 | |
SR24-093 | 86.87 | 140.21 | 53.34 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 12.6 |
Including | 86.87 | 109.73 | 22.86 | 8.5 | 0.3 | 17.8 |
Including | 92.96 | 102.11 | 9.14 | 14.4 | 0.0 | 21.3 |
Including | 99.06 | 102.11 | 3.05 | 27.7 | 0.0 | 39.0 |
SR24-095 | 39.62 | 41.15 | 1.52 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
SR24-097 | 57.91 | 60.96 | 3.05 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.5 |
71.63 | 74.68 | 3.05 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
85.34 | 86.87 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-099 | 62.48 | 73.15 | 10.67 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.7 |
83.82 | 86.87 | 3.05 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.5 | |
SR24-101 | 67.06 | 70.10 | 3.05 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
86.87 | 89.92 | 3.05 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
92.96 | 94.49 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
126.49 | 128.02 | 1.52 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
140.21 | 141.73 | 1.52 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-103 | 65.53 | 71.63 | 6.10 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
94.49 | 108.20 | 13.72 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.9 | |
Including | 102.11 | 103.63 | 1.52 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
SR24-105 | 96.01 | 106.68 | 10.67 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.1 |
112.78 | 114.30 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
SR24-107 | 60.96 | 64.01 | 3.05 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
100.58 | 103.63 | 3.05 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.8 | |
SR24-109 | 118.87 | 120.40 | 1.52 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
SR24-111 | 67.06 | 68.58 | 1.52 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
97.54 | 99.06 | 1.52 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 | |
SR24-112 | 51.82 | 53.34 | 1.52 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
76.20 | 99.06 | 22.86 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3.4 | |
Including | 76.20 | 85.34 | 9.14 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
Table 1: Summary of recent significant drilling intersections at the Cyclone Deposit (>0.2% Cu). The intersections are expressed as downhole widths and are interpreted to be close to true widths.
Details of the delineation drilling and exploration drill holes for the 2024 program are available at https://astonbayholdings.com/news/2024-storm-drill-hole-details/.
Qualified Person
Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut
The Nunavut property consists of 173 contiguous mining claims covering an area of approximately 219,257 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment-hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110m* @ 2.5% Cu from surface and 56.3* @ 3.1% Cu from 12.2m as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4m* @ 10.6% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8m and 22.3m* @ 23.0% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored and undrilled targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect where 10 grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans. The Nunavut property is now the subject of an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture with American West (see "Agreement with American West" below for more details).
Storm Discovery and Historical Work
High-grade copper mineralization was discovered at Storm in the mid-1990s by Cominco geologists conducting regional zinc exploration around their then-producing Polaris lead-zinc mine. A massive chalcocite boulder found in a tributary of the Aston River in 1996 was traced to impressive surface exposures of broken chalcocite mineralization for hundreds of metres of surface strike length at what became named the 2750N, 2200N, and 3500N zones. Subsequent seasons of prospecting, geophysics and over 9,000 m of drilling into the early 2000s confirmed a significant amount of copper mineralization below the surface exposures as well as making the blind discovery of the 4100N Zone, a large area of copper mineralization with no surface exposure.
Following the merger of Cominco with Teck in 2001 and the closure of the Polaris Mine, the Storm claims were allowed to lapse in 2007. Commander Resources staked the property in 2008 and flew a helicopter-borne VTEM survey in 2011 but conducted no additional drilling. Aston Bay subsequently entered into an earn-in agreement with Commander and consolidated 100% ownership in 2015. Commander retained a 0.875% Gross Overriding Royalty in the area of the original Storm claims which was purchased by Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. in January 2024.
In 2016 Aston Bay entered into an earn-in agreement with BHP, who conducted a 2,000-station soil sampling program and drilled 1,951m of core in 12 diamond drill holes, yielding up to 16m* @ 3.1% Cu. BHP exited the agreement in 2017 and retains no residual interest in the project. Aston Bay conducted a property-wide airborne gravity gradiometry survey in 2017 and drilled 2,913m in nine core holes in the Storm area in 2018 yielding a best intercept of 1.5m* @ 4.4% Cu and 20.5m* @ 0.6% Cu.
Agreement with American West
On March 9, 2021, Aston Bay entered into an option agreement with American West Metals Limited (American West), and its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary Tornado Metals Ltd., pursuant to which American West was granted an option to earn an 80% undivided interest in the Project by spending a minimum of CAD$10 million on qualifying exploration expenditures. The parties amended and restated the Option Agreement as of February 27, 2023, to facilitate American West directly earning an interest in the Project alongside its Canadian subsidiary without any change to the overall commercial agreement between the parties. The expenditures were completed during 2023, and American West exercised the option. American West and Aston Bay have formed an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture.
Under the joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Project will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
Recent Work
American West completed a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground geophysical survey in 2021 that yielded several new subsurface conductive anomalies. A total of 1,534m were drilled in 10 diamond drill holes in the 2022 season, yielding several impressive near-surface intercepts including 41m* @ 4.1% Cu as well as 68m of sulfide mineralization associated with a deeper conductive anomaly.
In April 2022, results of beneficiation studies demonstrated that a mineralized intercept grading 4% Cu from the 4100N area could be upgraded to a 54% Cu direct ship product using standard sorting technology. Further beneficiation and metallurgical studies are ongoing.
In April 2023, American West embarked on a spring delineation drilling program using a helicopter-portable RC drill rig as well as conducting gravity and moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) ground geophysical programs.
The summer 2023 program conducted further delineation drilling of the near-surface high-grade copper zones to advance them toward maiden resource estimates in 2024. Deep diamond drilling during 2023 discovered high-grade copper sulfides up to 2.7% Cu at approximately 300m vertical depth (ST23-02), suggesting the potential for discovery of large-scale copper targets at depth.
Diamond drilling of new high-priority deep MLEM targets, RC delineation drilling for resource development and additional geophysical surveys are now underway in the 2024 program. Metallurgical studies and environmental baseline studies are ongoing, with bulk sampling for prefeasibility-level processing planned for summer 2024.
*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length, and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.
About Aston Bay Holdings
Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA.
The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut, and the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia. The company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical metals potential in North America
The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.
About American West Metals Limited
AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX: AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. The company's strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. AW1's portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to AW1's approach is a commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where its projects are located.
Led by a highly experienced leadership team, AW1's strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.
For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer
thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com
(416) 456-3516
Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development
sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com
(647) 821-1337
SOURCE:Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.
News Provided by ACCESSWIRE IA via QuoteMedia
Trading resumes in:
Company: Lumina Gold Corp.
TSX-Venture Symbol: LUM
All Issues: Yes
Resumption (ET): 9:45 AM
CIRO can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. CIRO is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada .
SOURCE Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) – Halts/Resumptions
News Provided by PR Newswire via QuoteMedia
Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTCQB: LMGDF) (the "Company" or "Lumina") and CMOC Singapore Pte. Ltd., a Singapore entity and a subsidiary of CMOC Group Limited (collectively "CMOC"), both of which are arm's length to the Company, are pleased to announce that they have entered into an arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement"), pursuant to which CMOC will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Lumina (the "Lumina Shares"), in exchange for C$1.27 per Lumina Share (the "Consideration") in an all-cash transaction by way of a plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). The Consideration represents total equity value of approximately C$581 million on a fully diluted basis.
The Consideration represents a premium of approximately 71% to Lumina's 20-day volume weighted average trading price ("VWAP"), and a premium of approximately 41% to Lumina's closing price as at April 17, 2025 , on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Further details of the Transaction are outlined below.
As part of the Transaction, Lumina shareholders representing 52.3% of the issued and outstanding Lumina Shares have signed voting support agreements, pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote their Lumina Shares, Lumina stock options ("Lumina Options") and restricted share units ("Lumina RSUs"), as applicable, in favour of the Transaction.
Marshall Koval , CEO of Lumina, commented: "After advancing the Cangrejos project for over 10-years and taking it from no defined resources to being poised to be one of the largest gold projects globally, the Lumina Group is excited for the transition of the Cangrejos project to CMOC. The Lumina team looks forward to working with CMOC and all existing stakeholders to ensure the successful future development of the project."
Benefits to Lumina Shareholders
Concurrent Convertible Note Financing
Concurrent with entering into the Arrangement Agreement, CMOC has entered into a subscription agreement with Lumina for the issuance of an aggregate principal amount of US$20 million convertible notes (the "Convertible Notes"). The Convertible Notes will be unsecured with an annual interest rate of 6.0% and mature April 21, 2026 , subject to acceleration in certain circumstances. Pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement and the Convertible Notes, Lumina is to use the proceeds of the private placement for the purpose of funding expenditures related to the Arrangement Agreement in accordance with an agreed upon work program and budget. The Convertible Notes, at the option of CMOC, are convertible into Lumina Shares at a price of C$1.00 per Lumina Share, representing a premium of approximately 11% to the closing price of the Lumina Shares and of approximately 34% to the 20-day VWAP of the Lumina Shares on the TSXV as at April 17, 2025 .
The private placement is expected to close on or about April 30, 2025 , and is not conditional on the closing of the Transaction. The private placement is subject to acceptance by the TSXV, including Lumina fulfilling the requirements of the TSXV. The Convertible Notes will be subject to a four month and one day hold period, pursuant to securities laws in Canada . The Convertible Notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Lumina, nor shall there be any offer or sale of any securities of Lumina in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Transaction Terms
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement, signed on April 21, 2025 , the holders of the issued and outstanding Lumina Shares will receive the Consideration. The Transaction will be carried out by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act ( British Columbia ).
The Arrangement Agreement contains customary reciprocal deal-protection provisions including a non-solicitation covenant and a "fiduciary out" that would allow Lumina to accept a superior proposal as defined in the Arrangement Agreement, subject to a right for CMOC to match any superior proposal. Under certain circumstances, CMOC would be entitled to a termination fee of C$23,280,000 . The Arrangement Agreement also includes an expense reimbursement in the amount of C$2,771,400 , payable by CMOC to Lumina in certain other specified circumstances.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, all outstanding Lumina Options and Lumina RSUs which remain outstanding at the effective time of the Transaction will be deemed to be exercised or settled for their in-the-money value, net of withholding taxes, as applicable, under the arrangement for Lumina Shares, which will be exchanged for the Consideration.
Complete details of the Transaction will be included in a management information circular to be delivered to Lumina securityholders in the coming weeks.
Conditions to Completion
The completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including without limitation the following: (a) approval of the Lumina securityholders, as described below; (b) acceptance by the TSXV; (c) approval of the British Columbia Supreme Court; (d) there being no material adverse changes in respect of Lumina; and (e) other standard conditions of closing for a transaction of this nature. There can be no assurance that all of the necessary approvals will be obtained or that all conditions of closing will be satisfied.
The Transaction is subject to the approval at a special meeting of Lumina securityholders by (i) 66 2/3 percent of the votes cast by Lumina shareholders, (ii) 66 2/3 percent of the votes cast by Lumina shareholders, optionholders and holders of Lumina RSUs, voting together as a single class, and (iii) if required, a simple majority of the votes cast by the Lumina shareholders, excluding the votes cast by certain persons as required by MI 61-101 Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions .
Transaction Timeline
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement and subject to satisfying all necessary conditions and receipt of all required approvals, the parties anticipate completion of the Transaction in the third quarter of 2025. Following completion of the Transaction, the Lumina Shares will be de-listed from the TSXV and Lumina will cease to be a reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws.
Recommendations by the Board of Directors and Fairness Opinion
After consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and following the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the "Special Committee"), the board of directors of Lumina (the "Lumina Board") unanimously determined the Transaction is fair to Lumina shareholders, is in the best interest of Lumina and approved the entering into of the Transaction. The Lumina Board recommends that Lumina securityholders VOTE IN FAVOUR of the Transaction. RBC Capital Markets Inc. provided a fairness opinion to the Lumina Board, stating that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the Consideration to be received by Lumina shareholders under the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Lumina shareholders.
Advisors and Counsel
Moelis & Company LLC is acting as financial advisor to Lumina. RBC Capital Markets has provided a fairness opinion to the Lumina Board. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, and Tobar ZVS are acting as legal counsel to Lumina in Canada , the U.S. and Ecuador , respectively .
BMO Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to CMOC. McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Bustamante Fabara S.A.S . and Flor Bustamante Pizarro & Hurtado are acting as legal counsel to CMOC in Canada and Ecuador , respectively. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is acting as tax advisor to CMOC.
About Lumina Gold
Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based development company focused on the Cangrejos project located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador . In 2023, the Company completed a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Project, which is the largest primary gold deposit in Ecuador . Lumina has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects.
Follow us on: Twitter , LinkedIn or Facebook .
Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminagold.com . To receive future news releases please sign up at https://luminagold.com/contact .
Signed: "Marshall Koval"
Marshall Koval , President & CEO, Director
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 news release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: transitioning the development of the Cangrejos project to CMOC; the successful development of the Cangrejos project; TSXV approval of the private placement of the Convertible Notes; the expected closing of the private placement of the Convertible Notes; the anticipated use of proceeds to be raised from the private placement of the Convertible Notes; completion of the terms and conditions of the Transaction; receipt of Lumina shareholder and court approval of the Transaction; and the expected closing date of the Transaction. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or "projected" or variations of those words or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could", "are proposed to", "are planned to", "are expected to" or "are anticipated to" be taken, occur or be achieved.
With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, metals prices, the timely receipt of necessary approvals, the Company's ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement, no unplanned delays or interruptions, and expected Ecuador national, provincial and local government policies. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumina-gold-announces-acquisition-by-cmoc-for-c581-million-302433379.html
SOURCE Lumina Gold Corp.
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2025/21/c3701.html
News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia
Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTCQB: LMGDF) (the "Company" or "Lumina") is pleased to announce that under the previously announced US$300 million precious metals purchase agreement (the "PMPA") with Wheaton Precious Metals International Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. ("Wheaton"), the Company has drawn the final installment of US$3.1 million (the "Final Installment") from the Early Deposit (as defined in the PMPA). The draw is related to specific pre-construction acquisition transactions. Wheaton has now advanced a total of US$48 million to Lumina. The remaining US$252 million under the PMPA will be advanced once specific conditions allowing for the start of construction have been met.
The PMPA has been amended (the "Amendment") to provide more flexibility to Lumina in connection with certain pre-construction acquisition transactions. Under the Amendment, among other things, Lumina has until December 31, 2025 , to spend the Final Installment on qualifying transactions. Any portion of the Final Installment not spent by December 31, 2025 must be returned to Wheaton.
About Lumina Gold
Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals development company focused on the Cangrejos gold-copper project located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador . In 2023, the Company completed a Pre-Feasibility Study for Cangrejos, which is the largest primary gold deposit in Ecuador . Lumina has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects.
Follow us on: Twitter , LinkedIn or Facebook .
Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminagold.com . To receive future news releases please sign up at https://luminagold.com/contact .
: | |
Signed: "Marshall Koval" | |
Marshall Koval, President & CEO, Director |
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 news release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: the Company's ability to spend the US$3.1 million prior to December 31, 2025 , the return of any unspent funds to Wheaton and the advance of US$252 million if specific conditions are met. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or "projected" or variations of those words or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could", "are proposed to", "are planned to", "are expected to" or "are anticipated to" be taken, occur or be achieved.
With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about: the Company's ability to meet its obligations under the PMPA; general business and economic conditions; the prices of gold and copper; and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumina-gold-announces-us3-1-million-wheaton-precious-metals-draw-and-amendment-to-the-pmpa-302431222.html
SOURCE Lumina Gold Corp.
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2025/17/c5083.html
News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia
Forte Minerals Corp. ("Forte" or the "Company") ( CSE: CUAU ) ( OTCQB: FOMNF ) ( Frankfurt: 2OA ) is pleased to announce its engagement of Trion Communications GmbH ("Trion") to provide investor relations and communication services in the German-speaking markets effective April 1, 2025 in accordance with Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") policies.
Trion Communications GmbH will support Forte in enhancing visibility among investors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Their role includes distributing company news, translating shareholder communications, coordinating editorial placements in German financial publications, and fielding investor inquiries via multiple channels.
As per the consulting agreement, Trion will receive a monthly fee of €2,500 during an initial three-month trial period ending June 30, 2025. If the Company finds the engagement effective, the term may be extended by an additional three months at the same rate. In addition, Trion will be granted 50,000 stock options of Forte Minerals, vesting quarterly over one year, with a two-year expiry from the grant date, subject to CSE approval.
About Trion Communications GmbH
Trion Communications GmbH is a Germany-based investor relations firm specializing in capital markets outreach for resource and exploration companies. With a proven track record across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Trion delivers visibility and investor engagement through targeted campaigns, editorial placement, and shareholder communications.
About Forte Minerals Corp.
Forte Minerals Corp. is an exploration company with a strong portfolio of high-quality copper (" Cu ") and gold (" Au ") assets in Perú. Our strategic partnership with GlobeTrotters Resources Perú S.A.C. (" GTR ") grants us access to a comprehensive project pipeline, enabling us to target the most promising opportunities. This collaboration focuses on historically discovered, drill-ready targets, driving significant value in Cu and Au resource development.
On behalf of Forte Minerals CORP.
(signed) " Patrick Elliott"
Chief Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Forte Minerals Corp.
office: (604) 983-8847
info@forteminerals.com
www.forteminerals.com
Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, including the effects of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project, Canada
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations. The Company expects to receive the laboratory analytical results of the recent core sample (including LDR-25-08) between late April and early May.
Cygnus Executive Chairman David Southam said : "Gold is a major part of the production history in the Chibougamau district. It is more than just a by-product, with production of 3.5Moz at an average grade of 2.1g/t Au. We already have 248,000oz of gold in Inferred Resources and 66,000oz in Measured and Indicated Resources, 2 and there is significant opportunity to add to these at Golden Eye with early high-grade results and visible gold down dip. "Golden Eye is fairly unique at Chibougamau in having a significantly higher proportion of gold than copper and was identified by the team early as an excellent gold-dominant drill target. We have a good head start by having the historic drill logs and will utilise this recently compiled data to assist in an initial Mineral Resource for Golden Eye''. |
Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5; TSXV: CYG; OTCQB: CYGGF) ("Cygnus" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade gold assays and visible gold from its first drilling at the new target Golden Eye within the Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec.
Assays of up to 9.1g/t Au alongside visible gold intersected down dip in recent drilling highlight the potential for additional resources and scope for further growth. Golden Eye was identified as a priority high-grade gold target which has not been drilled since the early 1990s when gold was less than US$350/oz. The entire target area sits outside of current resources with significant historic intersections of up to 5.9m @ 34.1g/t AuEq . 1
The identification of the Golden Eye target is a result of the ongoing compilation work which is helping to unlock this historic district as the Company continues to build upon the existing high-grade copper-gold resources with low-risk brownfield exploration. The Company currently has two rigs on site focussing on both resource growth and resource conversion drilling.
About Recent Drilling at Golden Eye
Golden Eye was identified as a priority drilling target at the Chibougamau Project with shallow high-grade gold mineralisation highlighted during the ongoing review of historic hardcopy drill logs, with the most recent drilling conducted in the early 1990s when gold price was less than US$350/oz. Historic drilling in the area returned some outstanding gold and copper grades 1 of:
In 1992, a double access ramp was developed to access the mineralisation and to provide a better platform for drilling; however, low metal prices and a change of ownership shifted the focus to already established operating mines within the camp.
Cygnus recently completed a targeted 6-hole program for 1,954m, which aimed to confirm historic drilling results and extend mineralisation at depth. First assays from this drilling have confirmed the high-grade tenor of the shallow mineralisation with an intersection of:
Recent drilling has also extended mineralisation down dip to a depth of 400m below the surface, which remains open. Visual mineralisation intersected in drill hole LDR-25-08 highlighted coarse visible gold associated with chalcopyrite mineralisation over 0.9m from 463.8m downhole (refer Appendix B). Assays are pending for the five remaining holes of the program and are expected to be received in the current quarter. Once received, these results are expected to be incorporated into an updated geological model along with drilling completed by Doré Copper Mining Corp. in 2022/2023 which tested the conceptual structural model of the wider area.
The Chibougamau district has a strong history of gold production as well as copper, having produced 3.5Moz Au at an average grade of 2.1g/t Au. 3 Gold grades vary between different deposits although Golden Eye and Cedar Bay are the two areas with a significantly higher gold grade than other deposits within the camp.
Cygnus intends to utilise the recently completed drilling data (once all received) alongside the newly compiled historic drill data totalling 77 holes for 21,371m (both surface and underground drilling) to complete an initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Golden Eye target. Golden Eye is an excellent example of the value generated through ongoing compilation work which is helping to unlock this historic district while the Company continues to build upon the existing high-grade copper-gold resources with low-risk brownfield exploration.
Ongoing Work
Cygnus is continuing to compile the data across the camp and deliver additional drill targets as the Company looks to execute its strategy of value creation through resource growth and conversion drilling. This low-cost, low-risk approach includes both surface and downhole electromagnetics ("EM") to generate brownfield targets around known high quality mineralisation.
Figure 1: Long Section of Golden Eye over 600m of strike with significant high grade gold up to 34.1gt AuEq over 5.9m. Mineralisation is still open at depth, with visible gold intersected in LDR-25-08. Refer to Appendix A of this release for newly released drill intercept and ASX releases dated 15 October 2024 and 25 March 2025 for previously announced drilling results.
Figure 2: Long Section through the Chibougamau North Camp illustrating Golden Eye with standout intersections of up to 5.9m @ 34.1g/t AuEq. Refer to ASX releases dated 15 October 2024 and 25 March 2025 for previously announced drilling results.
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Cygnus.
David Southam Executive Chair T: +61 8 6118 1627 E: info@cygnusmetals.com | Ernest Mast President & Managing Director T: +1 647 921 0501 E: info@cygnusmetals.com | Media: Paul Armstrong Read Corporate T: +61 8 9388 1474 |
About Cygnus Metals
Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5, TSXV: CYG, OTCQB: CYGGF) is a diversified critical minerals exploration and development company with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia. The Company is dedicated to advancing its Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec with an aggressive exploration program to drive resource growth and develop a hub-and-spoke operation model with its centralised processing facility. In addition, Cygnus has quality lithium assets with significant exploration upside in the world-class James Bay district in Quebec, and REE and base metal projects in Western Australia. The Cygnus team has a proven track record of turning exploration success into production enterprises and creating shareholder value.
Cautionary Note – Visual Estimates
In relation to the disclosure of visible mineralisation, the Company cautions that visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analysis. Laboratory assay results are required to determine the widths and grade of the visible mineralisation reported in preliminary geological logging. The Company will update the market when laboratory analytical results become available. The reported intersections are down hole lengths and are not necessarily true width. Descriptions of the mineral amounts seen and logged in the core are qualitative only. Quantitative assays will be completed by Bureau Veritas, with the results for those intersections discussed in this release expected between late April and early May.
Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections regarding estimates, resources and reserves; planned production and operating costs profiles; planned capital requirements; and planned strategies and corporate objectives. Such forward looking statements/projections are estimates for discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Cygnus' control. Cygnus makes no representations and provides no warranties concerning the accuracy of the projections and disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements/projections based on new information, future events or otherwise except to the extent required by applicable laws. While the information contained in this release has been prepared in good faith, neither Cygnus or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors give any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information, opinions and conclusions contained in this release. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, none of Cygnus, its directors, employees or agents, advisers, nor any other person accepts any liability whether direct or indirect, express or limited, contractual, tortuous, statutory or otherwise, in respect of the accuracy or completeness of the information or for any of the opinions contained in this release or for any errors, omissions or misstatements or for any loss, howsoever arising, from the use of this release.
End Notes
Qualified Persons and Compliance Statements
The scientific and technical information in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr Louis Beaupre, the Quebec Exploration Manager of Cygnus, a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Exploration Results disclosed in this announcement are also based on and fairly represent information and supporting documentation compiled by Mr Beaupre. Mr Beaupre holds options in Cygnus. Mr Beaupre is a member of the Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec (P. Eng.), a Registered Overseas Professional Organisation as defined in the ASX Listing Rules, and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which has been undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Beaupre consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which they appear.
The Company first announced the foreign estimate of mineralisation for the Chibougamau Project on 15 October 2024. The Company confirms that the supporting information included in the original announcement continues to apply and has not materially changed, notwithstanding the clarification announcement released by Cygnus on 28 January 2025 ("Clarification"). Cygnus confirms that (notwithstanding the Clarification) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Cygnus confirms that it is not in possession of any new information or data that materially impacts on the reliability of the estimates or Cygnus' ability to verify the foreign estimates as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.
The information in this announcement that relates to previously reported Exploration Results at the Company's projects has been previously released by Cygnus in ASX Announcements as noted in the text and End Notes. Cygnus is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information in these announcements. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.
Individual grades for the metals included in the metal equivalents calculation for the foreign estimate are in Appendix C of this release. Metal equivalents for the foreign estimate of mineralisation have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,350/oz, with copper equivalents calculated based on the formula CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + (Au (g/t) x 0.77258). Individual grades for the metals included in the metal equivalents calculation for the exploration results are in Appendix A of this release. Metal equivalents for exploration results have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,350/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Copper equivalents are calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.77258)+(Ag(g/t) x 0.00822). Gold equivalents are calculated based on the formula AuEq(g/t) = Au(g/t) +(Cu(%) x 1.29436)+(Ag(g/t) x 0.01064). Metallurgical recovery factors have been applied to the metal equivalents calculations, with copper metallurgical recovery assumed at 95% and precious metal (gold and silver) metallurgical recovery assumed at 85% based upon historical production at the Chibougamau Processing Facility, and the metallurgical results contained in Cygnus' announcement dated 28 January 2025. It is the Company's view that all elements in the metal equivalents calculations in respect of the foreign estimate and exploration results have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
APPENDIX A – Significant Intersections from Recent Drilling at Golden Eye
Coordinates given in UTM NAD83 (Zone 18). Intercept lengths may not add up due to rounding to the appropriate reporting precision. Significant intersections reported above 2g/t AuEq over widths of greater than 1m. True width estimated to be 80% of downhole thickness.
Hole ID | X | Y | Z | Azi | Dip | Depth (m) | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Au (g/t) | Cu (%) | AuEq (g/t) |
LDR-25-05 | 549448 | 5525296 | 375 | 227 | -45 | 214.2 | 131.7 | 135.0 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 0.0 | 6.6 |
Including | 131.7 | 134 | 2.3 | 9.1 | 0.0 | 9.1 | ||||||
LDR-25-06 | 549560 | 5525483 | 375 | 215 | -51 | 474.0 | Pending Assays | |||||
LDR-25-07 | 549453 | 5525313 | 375 | 215 | -55 | 261.0 | ||||||
LDR-25-08 | 549524 | 5525441 | 375 | 246 | -57 | 516.0 | ||||||
LDR-25-09 | 549445 | 5525319 | 375 | 238 | -54 | 252.0 | ||||||
LDR-25-10 | 549489 | 5525229 | 375 | 220 | -60 | 237.0 |
APPENDIX B - Summary Logging Details for Mineralised Intersections Observed in LDR-25-08
Hole ID | From | To | Interval | Mineral 1 | % | Mineral 2 | % | Mineral 3 | % | Visible Gold | Total Sulphide (%) | |
LDR-25-08 | 89.0 | 90.0 | 1.0 | Pyrite | 2.0 | - | 2.0 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 166.4 | 211.1 | 44.7 | Pyrite | 0.5 | - | 0.5 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 211.1 | 216.0 | 4.9 | Pyrite | 0.1 | - | 0.1 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 216.0 | 216.6 | 0.6 | Pyrite | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 216.6 | 354.8 | 138.2 | Pyrite | 0.1 | - | 0.1 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 360.4 | 361.3 | 0.9 | Chalcopyrite | 0.5 | Pyrite | 1.0 | - | 1.5 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 363.9 | 392.1 | 28.2 | Chalcopyrite | 0.3 | Pyrite | 0.5 | - | 0.8 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 392.1 | 397.3 | 5.3 | Pyrite | 0.3 | - | 0.3 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 397.3 | 405.6 | 8.3 | Chalcopyrite | 0.1 | - | 0.1 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 405.6 | 406.1 | 0.5 | Chalcopyrite | 0.3 | Pyrite | 30.0 | - | 30.3 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 406.1 | 407.9 | 1.8 | Chalcopyrite | 0.5 | Pyrite | 1.5 | - | 2.0 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 407.9 | 408.3 | 0.4 | Pyrite | 7.0 | Chalcopyrite | 0.1 | - | 7.1 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 408.3 | 409.0 | 0.7 | Pyrite | 0.1 | - | 0.1 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 409.0 | 409.4 | 0.4 | Pyrite | 25.0 | Chalcopyrite | 25.0 | - | 50.0 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 409.4 | 411.7 | 2.3 | Chalcopyrite | 3.0 | Pyrite | 7.0 | - | 10.0 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 411.7 | 411.9 | 0.2 | Sphalerite | 2.0 | Chalcopyrite | 0.5 | Pyrite | 15.0 | - | 17.5 | |
LDR-25-08 | 411.9 | 415.1 | 3.2 | Chalcopyrite | 1.0 | Pyrite | 3.0 | - | 4.0 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 415.1 | 420.8 | 5.8 | Chalcopyrite | 0.3 | Pyrite | 1.0 | - | 1.3 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 420.8 | 423.3 | 2.4 | Chalcopyrite | 1.5 | Pyrite | 2.5 | - | 4.0 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 423.3 | 428.3 | 5.1 | Chalcopyrite | 0.1 | Pyrite | 0.1 | - | 0.2 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 428.3 | 455.0 | 26.7 | Pyrite | 0.5 | - | 0.5 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 457.6 | 458.1 | 0.4 | Sphalerite | 0.1 | Chalcopyrite | 1.0 | Pyrite | 0.5 | - | 1.6 | |
LDR-25-08 | 461.2 | 461.8 | 0.6 | Chalcopyrite | 2.0 | - | 2.0 | |||||
LDR-25-08 | 463.8 | 464.6 | 0.9 | Chalcopyrite | 5.0 | Pyrite | 2.0 | 0.1 | % | 7.1 | ||
LDR-25-08 | 464.6 | 478.6 | 14.0 | Chalcopyrite | 1.0 | Pyrite | 0.5 | - | 1.5 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 478.6 | 479.7 | 1.1 | Chalcopyrite | 3.0 | Pyrite | 8.0 | - | 11.0 | |||
LDR-25-08 | 480.6 | 516.0 | 35.4 | Chalcopyrite | 0.2 | Pyrite | 0.1 | - | 0.3 |
APPENDIX C – Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project – Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate Disclosures as at 30 March 2022
Deposit | Category | Tonnes (k) | Cu Grade (%) | Au Grade (g/t) | Cu Metal (kt) | Au Metal (koz) | CuEq Grade (%) |
Corner Bay (2022) | Indicated | 2,700 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 71 | 22 | 2.9 |
Inferred | 5,900 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 201 | 51 | 3.6 | |
Devlin (2022) | Measured | 120 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 3 | 1 | 2.9 |
Indicated | 660 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 14 | 4 | 2.3 | |
Measured & Indicated | 780 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 17 | 5 | 2.4 | |
Inferred | 480 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 9 | 3 | 2.0 | |
Joe Mann (2022) | Inferred | 610 | 0.2 | 6.8 | 1 | 133 | 5.5 |
Cedar Bay (2018) | Indicated | 130 | 1.6 | 9.4 | 2 | 39 | 8.9 |
Inferred | 230 | 2.1 | 8.3 | 5 | 61 | 8.5 | |
Total | Measured & Indicated | 3,600 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 90 | 66 | 3.0 |
Inferred | 7,200 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 216 | 248 | 3.8 |
APPENDIX D – 2012 JORC Table 1
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
Sampling techniques | Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. |
|
Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. |
| |
Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where ‘industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. |
| |
Drilling techniques | Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). |
|
Drill sample recovery | Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. |
|
Logging | Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. |
|
Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. |
| |
The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. |
| |
Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation | If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. |
|
Quality of assay data and laboratory tests | The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. |
|
For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. |
| |
Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. |
| |
Verification of sampling and assaying | The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. |
|
The use of twinned holes. |
| |
Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. |
| |
Discuss any adjustment to assay data. |
| |
Location of data points | Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. |
|
Specification of the grid system used. |
| |
Quality and adequacy of topographic control. |
| |
Data spacing and distribution | Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. |
|
Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. |
| |
Whether sample compositing has been applied. |
| |
Orientation of data in relation to geological structure | Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. |
|
If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. |
| |
Sample security | The measures taken to ensure sample security. |
|
Audits or reviews | The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. |
|
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)
Criteria | JORC Code Explanation | Commentary |
Mineral tenement and land tenure status | Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. |
|
The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. |
| |
Exploration done by other parties | Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. |
|
Geology | Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. |
|
Drill hole Information | A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:
|
|
Data aggregation methods | In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. |
|
Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. |
| |
The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. |
| |
Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths | These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg ‘down hole length, true width not known'). |
|
Diagrams | Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include,but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. |
|
Balanced reporting | Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. |
|
Other substantive exploration data | Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. |
|
Further work | The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. |
|
Figure 3: Plan view of recent drilling relative to historic drilling and the 1992 ramp access
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87c492be-c3e9-410f-a7ad-5bac9c0c1fcf
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d269165b-73e5-4a95-9afb-bf50df6bfe79
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2293516d-6ebe-453a-8282-5afd08e5ee45
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a202ff85-9abb-417b-aa4e-43dd75ce42f3
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Investing News Network websites or approved third-party tools use cookies. Please refer to the cookie policy for collected data, privacy and GDPR compliance. By continuing to browse the site, you agree to our use of cookies.