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Canadian Critical Minerals (TSXV:CCMI,OTCQB:RIINF) advances two copper projects in tier 1 mining jurisdictions in Canada. The main project is the 100 percent-owned Bull River Mine near Cranbrook, British Columbia with a mineral resource of 135 million pounds (Mlbs) copper. CCMI also owns a 34 percent interest in the Thierry mine at Pickle Lake, Ontario, which has a mineral resource base containing 1.3 billion pounds (Blbs) copper with other metals, including nickel, silver, palladium, platinum and gold.
CCMI plans to restart the Bull River mine and return it to production. The company is currently securing permits to restart the mine at its designed capacity of 700 tons per day (tpd). In the meantime, CCMI has begun selling pre-concentrated copper, gold and silver ore from the surface stockpiles at Bull River through an ore purchase agreement with New Afton.
In April 2024, the company transported 362 wet metric tons (wmt) of mineralized material to New Afton and received a payment of US$72,445 for the shipment. The sale of stockpiles should provide near-term cash flow, which will be used to restart the Bull River mine. The current stockpile at Bull River is estimated at 180,000 tons (or 6.14 Mlbs copper equivalent) valued at approximately C$30 million.
The Bull River project is near Cranbrook, British Columbia and comprises 21 mineral claims covering an area of 10,285 hectares. It is a tier 1 mining jurisdiction with year-round access to the site by paved and all-weather roads, as well as being connected to the BC Hydro hydroelectric power grid. Bull River was a producing mine from 1971 to 1974.
Company Highlights
- Canadian Critical Minerals is a Canada-based exploration and development company focused on the battery and critical minerals space.
- Two advanced Copper projects in Canada – the 100 percent owned Bull River mine in British Columbia and a 34 percent interest in the Thierry mine in Ontario.
- Focused on restarting the past-producing Bull River mine, currently under care and maintenance.
- The mine has a current surface stockpile, which is generating revenue for the company, estimated at 180,000 tons (or 6.14 Mlb copper equivalent), valued at ~C$30 million.
- The Thierry Project is a past-producing copper and nickel mine with excellent infrastructure and year-round access. The current mineral resource estimate indicates 1.3 billion pounds of copper.
- Thierry mine has a PEA study indicating after-tax NPV @6 percent of C$488 million with an IRR of 36 percent.
- Given its 34 percent interest in Thierry mine, CCMI can benefit from any positive assay results from the drilling program at Thierry mine completed last year and future exploration.
- Copper remains in a long-term secular bull market. The demand for copper is forecast to exceed the current supply. CCMI, with its two advanced copper projects, is well positioned to benefit from future growth opportunities.
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Canadian Critical Minerals
Overview
Canadian Critical Minerals (TSXV:CCMI,OTCQB:RIINF) is a mineral exploration company with two advanced copper projects in tier 1 mining jurisdictions in Canada. The main project is the 100 percent owned Bull River Mine near Cranbrook, British Columbia, which has a mineral resource containing 135 million pounds (Mlbs) copper. CCMI also owns a 34 percent interest in the Thierry mine at Pickle Lake, Ontario, which has a mineral resource base containing 1.3 billion pounds (Blbs) copper, along with other metals, including nickel, silver, palladium, platinum and gold.
The near-term focus is restarting the Bull River mine and returning it to production. The project is currently under care and maintenance. CCMI is in the process of securing permits to restart the mine at its designed capacity of 700 tons per day (tpd). In the meantime, CCMI has begun selling pre-concentrated copper, gold and silver ore from the surface stockpiles at Bull River through an ore purchase agreement with New Afton. In April 2024, the company transported 362 wet metric tons (wmt) of mineralized material to New Afton and received a payment of US$72,445 for the shipment. The sale of stockpiles should provide near-term cash flow, which will be used to restart the Bull River mine. The current stockpile at Bull River is estimated at 180,000 tons (or 6.14 Mlbs copper equivalent) valued at approximately C$30 million.
Bull River Mine
The outlook for copper remains bullish. The transition towards green energy, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving demand, causing the price of this industrial metal to surge towards a new record high. S&P Global estimates copper demand to double by 2035 to 50 million metric tons. On the other hand, supply is estimated to touch 30 million metric tons by 2036, according to Statista. This clearly implies a shortfall that is likely to support prices in the long term.
Canadian Critical Minerals offers several unique value propositions which make it attractive for investors looking to participate in the copper market. It has an assured revenue stream for the next 15 to 18 months from the sale of stockpiles to New Afton. It is working to secure permits to get the Bull River mine back into production. Bull River is a fully developed underground mine which can be restarted with minimal capital expenditure. Additionally, a 34 percent stake in the Thierry mine offers optionality to investors to participate in any exploration and development success of the project.
Company Highlights
- Canadian Critical Minerals is a Canada-based exploration and development company focused on the battery and critical minerals space.
- Two advanced Copper projects in Canada – the 100 percent owned Bull River mine in British Columbia and a 30 percent interest in the Thierry mine in Ontario which is owned by Cuprum Corp.
- Focused on restarting the past-producing Bull River mine, currently under care and maintenance.
- The mine has a current surface stockpile, which is generating revenue for the company, estimated at 180,000 tons (or 6.14 Mlb copper equivalent), valued at ~C$30 million.
- The Thierry Project is a past-producing copper and nickel mine with excellent infrastructure and year-round access. The current mineral resource estimate indicates 1.3 billion pounds of copper.
- Thierry mine has a PEA study indicating after-tax NPV @6 percent of C$488 million with an IRR of 36 percent.
- Given its 34 percent interest in Thierry mine, CCMI can benefit from any positive assay results from the drilling program at Thierry mine completed last year and future exploration.
- Copper remains in a long-term secular bull market. The demand for copper is forecast to exceed the current supply. CCMI, with its two advanced copper projects, is well positioned to benefit from future growth opportunities.
Key Projects
Bull River Mine Project
The Bull River project is near Cranbrook, British Columbia and comprises 21 mineral claims covering an area of 10,285 hectares. It is a tier 1 mining jurisdiction with year-round access to the site by paved and all-weather roads, as well as being connected to the BC Hydro hydroelectric power grid. Bull River was a producing mine from 1971 to 1974. Between 1996 and 2010 22,000 metres of underground workings were developed and the mine is currently dewatered. The underground infrastructure provides access to the orebodies on seven different levels to depth of 350 metres below surface. The minehas been under care and maintenance since 2014. Due to its historical development, most of the necessary mining infrastructure at Bull River is already established and only requires refurbishment or replacement to become operational again.
CCMI is in the process of securing permits to restart the mine at its designed capacity of 700 tpd. In the meantime, CCMI is generating revenue via the sale of surface stockpiles at Bull River. CCMI has entered into an ore purchase agreement with New Afton to sell stockpiled mineralized materials from the Bull River mine project. The agreement ensures near-term cash flows and reduces financing risk associated with the project.
The most current NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate published December 1, 2021, has indicated resources of 2.261 MT at 2.132 percent copper (or 106.27 Mlbs copper equivalent) and inferred resources of 1.356 MT at 1.918 percent copper (or 57.33 Mlbs copper equivalent).
Thierry Mine Project
The Thierry project is situated about 15 kms west of Pickle Lake, Ontario, accessible year-round via paved and all-weather roads. It is a past producing copper and nickel mine spanning approximately 4,700 hectares and includes an NI 43-101 mineral resource. CCMI owns a 34 percent interest in the mine through a private company called Cuprum Corp.
A seven-hole, 2,600-meter drilling program was completed in July 2023. The assay results for two holes were released, while the results for the remaining five are pending. Highlights for the first two drill holes include:
- Hole CCM 23-51 intersected 106 meters at 0.539 percent copper equivalent within 248 meters at 0.438 percent copper equivalent from surface
- Hole CCM 23-52 intersected 244 meters at 0.382 percent copper equivalent from surface
The most current NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate published in January 2021 has measured and indicated resources of 8.815 MT at 1.66 percent copper (or 322 Mlbs), inferred resources of 14.922 MT at 1.64 percent copper (or 538 Mlbs copper), and open-pit resources of 53.614 MT at 0.38 percent copper (or 449 Mlbs). In total, 1.3 Blbs of copper is estimated at the Thierry mine. The current PEA study indicates an after-tax NPV@6 percent of US$488 million and an after-tax IRR of 36 percent.
Management Team
Ian Berzins – CEO, President, and Interim Board Chairman
Ian Berzins is a mining industry veteran with over 35 years of experience and extensive knowledge in all aspects of mining, from operations to maintenance to financing. He has successfully run large mining operations such as Thompson Creek Metals’ Mount Milligan mine and San Gold Corporation’s Rice Lake mine. He holds a B.Sc. in mining engineering from Queen’s University.
Dwayne Vinck – Chief Financial Officer
Dwayne Vinck has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and financial reporting, executive leadership, project leadership, and mergers and acquisitions. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Chartered Accountants of Alberta and the Institute of Corporate Directors. He is also a director of several publicly traded companies.
David Johnston – Director
David Johnston founded Braveheart Resources Canada (now Canadian Critical Minerals). He has considerable public company experience as a director and is also the founder of insurance firm Capital Benefits.
Heather Kennedy – Director
Heather Kennedy has over 30 years of mineral processing plant experience covering mine liaison, operations, projects, and capital expansions. She has worked in senior roles in both the private and public sectors. She holds a B.Sc. in metallurgical engineering from Queen's University and is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Alberta.
Gestur Kristjansson – Director
Gestur Kristjansson has over 30 years of experience in accounting, financial management, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. He has participated in multiple equity and debt raises, with over $400 million sourced. He was previously the chief financial officer and vice-president of finance of a publicly listed Canadian gold mining company. He holds a BA in advanced applied economics from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the University of British Columbia.
Aaron Matlock – Director
Aaron Matlock is an entrepreneur with experience in operational logistics and risk management. He holds a diploma in agriculture finance from the College of Lethbridge in 2002 and a degree in economics from the University of Lethbridge in 2004.
John Morgan – Director
John Morgan is a seasoned mining executive with more than 40 years of experience in all facets of mining across both domestic and international mining operations. He holds a B.Sc. in geology from the University of British Columbia. Most recently, he was the president, COO, and director at Atlantic Gold Corporation.
Christopher Stewart – Director
Christopher Stewart has over 30 years of management experience and operational and technical experience in the mining industry. He has worked with several mining companies in senior leadership roles, including president and CEO for Minto Metals, Treasury Metals and Liberty Mines; president & COO for McEwen Mining; and vice-president of Operations for Kirkland Lake Gold. He is also a director for Cassiar Gold (GLDC.V) and ESGold (ESAU.CN) and owns CWS Mining Services, a small mining consulting company. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from Queen’s University.
Kirgella Gift and Providence: First Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 76,400 oz Au from only 3m depth
Highlights
- First Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for Kirgella Gift and Providence of: 2.34 Mt @ 1.0 g/t Au for 76,400 oz at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off from only 3m depth.
- Gold mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike between Kirgella Gift and Providence:
- Potential for significant resource growth and upgrade following additional drilling to expand on unclassified blocks outside current model limits.
- Highly economic discovery with KalGold’s direct exploration expenditure cost (drilling and assay) of only ~A$4.20 per gold ounce.
- KalGold’s Total Mineral Resource base, comprising this new resource from the Pinjin Project, and the La Mascotte deposit at Bulong Taurus (see ASX: KAL 7th March 2023), now stands at 214,300 oz.
- Elevated gold price of over A$3,600/oz continues to drive interest in mineable gold projects.
KalGold Managing Director and CEO Matt Painter said:
“KalGold is proud to report the first Mineral Resource Estimate at the Kirgella Gift and Providence gold deposits. It totals ~76,000 oz defined at over 1.0 g/t Au from only 3m depth, remains open in several directions, and is considered the first step in defining the full potential of the Kirgella Gift and Providence gold deposits. Pleasingly, we have defined a shallow gold resource at a very low cost to the Company of around A$4.20 per gold ounce.
The Kirgella and Providence mineral resource estimate is comparable to other deposits within the Laverton Tectonic Zone and is considered typical of the region. This is particularly true of some of the constituent deposits at Ramelius Resources’ (ASX:RMS) Rebecca Gold Project, around 20 km to the south along strike.
KalGold now has defined a total resource base of 214,300 oz of gold. The increased resource base enables KalGold to commence high level mining optimisation studies to assess pathways to production. KalGold looks forward to continuing to progress its work in the Pinjin area with the aim of significantly growing this initial JORC Code (2012) resource and defining a suite of additional shallow resources.”
First Gold MRE at KalGold’s Pinjin Project
The Inferred MRE of 2.34 Mt @ 1.0 g/t Au for 76,400 oz Au has been defined at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off from the Company’s recent drill focus on the shallow portion of the Kirgella Gift and adjacent Providence gold deposits (see Table 1), combined with thoroughly validated historic datasets. Work continues on both deposits, with gold mineralisation open at depth and along strike between the two. This MRE is expected to form the basis of future updates as drilling and exploration continues.
Table 1 – Kirgella Gift and Providence Mineral Resource at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off Note totals may not sum due to rounding.Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Kalgoorlie Gold Mining Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Acquisition of Mubende Gold Project, Uganda
HIGHLIGHTS
- The granted exploration license EL00379 covers 202 square kilometres in the Mubende region west of Kampala and includes the highly prospective Bukuya prospect.
- The Bukuya prospect is currently being mined by 60-80 artisanal workers over 600 metres of prospective strike and remains open along strike and at depth.
- Rock chip samples taken from a recent site visit to the Bukuya prospect by consultant geologists returned numerous specimens containing visible gold in both ferro-manganese and quartz veins.
- Experienced in-country technical team appointed including Mr Dylan le Roux and Mr Allan Agumya to manage exploration activities.
- Field activities scheduled to commence 05 August 2024.
Commenting on the acquisition Managing Director Mr Mathew Walker stated, “We are delighted to have secured a significant land holding that has prospectivity confirmed by a strong presence of artisanal mining activity. Uganda has a well established gold mining industry and regulatory protocols that add to the appeal of the acquisition. We look forward to the commencement of field activities in the immediate term.”
MUBENDE GOLD PROJECT
The Mubende Gold Project is an extensive landholding of 202 square kilometers that covers a series of metasediments, predominantly characterized by meta-wacke’s and phyllitic slates, with occasional interbedded quartzite units and mafic volcanics. Late-stage granites have intruded the metasediments, mainly in the southern part of the license.
Figure 1: Regional Map with locations of Sifang licenses.
At the Bukuya prospect, wall rock consists of metapelitic units with vertical foliation trending NW in most shafts, turning EW in the northern artisanal shafts. Mineralization appears confined to a deformation zone within the metapelites and hosts three subsets of veins exploited by artisanal workers. The first subset includes quartz veins with hematite mineralization, iron-oxide staining, and goethite/limonite-filled vugs, seen in southern shafts with NW trending foliation. The second subset comprises metallic veins of blueish-grey and black ferro-manganese mineralisation with botryoidal textures and specular hematite, found in northern shafts with EW trending foliation. The third set comprises massive milky white quartz veins.
These veins are described in more detail below.
Type 1 (Iron-rich quartz veins): These are quartz veins that show varying degrees of ferro(-manganese) mineralisation. Mineralisation occurs as hematite (red), specular hematite (dark silver/black), and a lesser degree of manganese (botryoidal, blue-grey to black). Vugs filled with limonitic material is often seen in these veins and is interpreted to represent leached out sulphides. These veins are seen in the SE of the Bukuya site. They are typically decimetre to metre scale and are foliation concordant (vertical to subvertical with dominantly NW trend).
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from eMetals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Canadian Critical Minerals Investor Kit
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