Avalon Investment Holdings Announces Closing of First Tranche of Private Placement Aggregate Gross Proceeds of US$3,314,857

Avalon Investment Holdings Ltd (“Avalon”) the holder of 100% interest in the Omai Gold Mine in Guyana, through a wholly owned subsidiary, is pleased to announce that it has raised gross proceeds of US$3,314,857 as the first tranche of its US$4,400,000 non-brokered private placement previously announced on October 10, 2019 (the “Offering”).

Avalon issued 15,000,000 common shares (each, a “Common Share”) to Sandstorm Gold Ltd (NYSE: SAND) (TSX:SSL) (“Sandstorm”) for consideration of US$1,500,000 and a 1% royalty (described below). The subscription for Common Shares by Sandstorm is the first tranche of a US$2,000,000 order from Sandstorm. Sandstorm intends to purchase an additional US$500,000 of Common Shares part of the upcoming closing of the 2nd tranche of the Offering upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including the raising of US$2,400,000 in gross proceeds under the Offering (excluding Sandstorm’s subscription). Under the Offering, Sandstorm was granted a 1% royalty on the Omai Gold Mine. Avalon retains the right to purchase 0.5% of the royalty from Sandstorm for US$4,000,000 for a period of 30 months.

In addition, pursuant to the Offering, Avalon sold 18,148,570 units (each, a “Unit”) for total consideration of $1,814,857, each Unit consisting of one Common Share and one-half of one whole common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder, on exercise, to purchase one additional Common Share for a period of 24 months at a price of US$0.35.

As part of the Offering, GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV:SPOT) (“GoldSpot”) has acquired 4,000,000 Units for proceeds of US$400,000. In a statement Denis Laviolette, President and CEO of GoldSpot stated, “GoldSpot is delighted to participate in the Avalon financing and provide our extensive exploration experience and artificial intelligence technology in assisting Avalon in advancing the potential of the Omai Gold Mine in Guyana.”

Avalon may increase the US$4,400,000 offering to accommodate additional demand. The revised maximum, if any, will be announced on closing of additional tranches.

As previously disclosed, Avalon has executed a definitive amalgamation agreement (the “Agreement”) dated October 9, 2019 with Anconia Resources Corp (TSXV: ARA) (“Anconia”). Pursuant to the Agreement, Anconia will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Avalon by means of a three-cornered amalgamation (the “Proposed Transaction”). The Proposed Transaction constitutes a reverse takeover of Anconia under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) and its completion is subject to the approval of the TSXV. The Proposed Transaction is an arm’s length transaction.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

For further information, please see our website www.omaigoldmines.com or contact:

Michael Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
msmith@omaigoldmines.com
239-404-8593

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the potential increase of the size of the Offering, the closing of additional financings and the completion of the Proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither 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.

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