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Extension of TransAsia Debt Facility
Manuka Resources Limited (“Manuka” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise that it has reached an agreement with TransAsia Private Capital Limited (“TransAsia”) to extend the maturity date of its existing debt facility to 31 January 2025.
As previously advised1, Manuka is executing its development plan to restart production from its 100% owned Mt Boppy gold mine (“Mt Boppy”) located in the Cobar Basin, NSW. The development plan includes a fit-for-purpose low capex processing facility at Mt Boppy to produce gold doré.
In parallel with development works at Mt Boppy, Manuka is advancing a process to refinance the TransAsia debt facility, which has yielded proposals from multiple parties. The extension will facilitate completion of the refinancing process and align this with the restart of Mt Boppy.
Manuka’s Executive Chairman, Dennis Karp, commented:
“Once again, we wish to note our appreciation of the ongoing support provided by TransAsia. They have been an outstanding financing partner for Manuka from 2019 and continue to provide us with the flexibility to ensure a positive outcome for the Company and its growth strategy.”
Over the coming months, the Company anticipates:
1. releasing an updated production forecast for the Mt Boppy gold project
2. completion of the refinancing of the TransAsia debt facility
3. recommencement of mining operations at Mt Boppy; and
4. releasing of a restart feasibility study and Ore Reserve for Wonawinta.
Furthermore, the Company is awaiting feedback on its application to the New Zealand Government with respect to the inclusion of the Taranaki vanadium-titanomagnetite iron sands project (“Taranaki VTM Project”) in the Fast Track Consenting approvals list. Subject to final approvals, the Company will use cashflows from Mt Boppy and Wonawinta to advance the world-class Taranaki VTM Project through a Bankable Feasibility Study and toward an investment decision. Vanadium and titanium have both been included in the NZ Government’s recently released draft Critical Minerals List2.
BurnVoir Corporate Finance are acting as Financial Advisors to the Company.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Manuka Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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Manuka Resources Limited
Overview
Manuka Resources Limited (ASX:MKR) is an ASX-listed mining company focused on gold and silver-gold projects in the Cobar Basin, one of Australia’s most prolific producers of base and precious metals. The company has 100 percent ownership of two fully permitted precious metals projects in the Cobar Basin - the Mt Boppy gold mine and Wonawinta silver project. In addition, MKR owns the Taranaki VTM iron sands project in New Zealand.
The company revealed a phased strategy focused on delivering maximum value to its shareholders. The first phase focuses on bringing back the Mt Boppy gold mine into production, and has released an optimised production plan for the mine restart. The second phase will involve restarting mining and production at the Wonawinta silver mine, while the third phase will see the development of the Taranaki vanadium titano-magnetite (VTM) project.
The Mt Boppy gold mine was historically one of the richest in NSW, Australia and produced ~500,000oz gold at an average grade of 15 grams per ton (g/t) gold. Accordingly, the company is very excited about its exploration potential.
The current focus is on establishing a processing plant at Mt Boppy and recommence on-site gold production from Q1 2025. The ore from the Mt Boppy mine was previously being processed at the 850,000 to 1 million tpa processing plant at Wonawinta, located nearly 150 kilometres south-west of Mt Boppy. This is about to change as MKR has determined that it could save significantly on transportation costs as well as production efficiencies by building an on-site processing plant at Mt Boppy, which will materially enhance the project economics.
MKR estimates the total cost of building the processing plant to be between AU$10 million and AU$15 million. Compared to this, the annual cost of hauling ore from Mt Boppy to Wonawinta is AU$6 million to AU$7 million (nearly 50 percent of the total capex). MKR anticipates Mt Boppy to deliver total EBITDA of >AU$90 million and cash flow of >AU$80 million over a five-year mine life. It is important to note that the current market capitalization of MKR is just AU$55.1 million, much lower than the anticipated five-year EBITDA and cash flow.
The initial five-year mine plan is largely focused on the screening and processing of gold-bearing waste material above ground on the Mt Boppy mine site. The company has been processing these wastes from June 2023 to December 2023 at its Wonawinta plant and now wants to optimize the process.
The cash flows from the Mt Boppy mine will be used to fund the restart of the Wonawinta silver mine, which is currently under care and maintenance. Wonawinta contains total resources of 38.8 million tons (Mt) at 42 g/t silver for 52.4 million ounces (Moz). Within this, there is a higher-grade component of 4.5 Mt at 97 g/t silver for 14 Moz. Manuka Resources is targeting a mineral resource update for Wonawinta in Q2 2024. The Wonawinta silver project will be the largest primary silver producer in Australia and expected to be back in silver production within 12 months.
The gold and silver market appears to be in an upward trend, with prices for both precious metals hitting their all-time high in 2024, which bodes very positively for MKR.
Company Highlights
- Manuka Resources is an ASX-listed mining company focused on exploring and developing gold and silver assets in the Cobar Basin in New South Wales, Australia.
- The company’s two principal assets – the Mt Boppy Gold Mine and the Wonawinta Silver Mine – are both located in the prolific Cobar Basin. In addition, MKR holds a 100 percent interest in the Taranaki VTM iron sands project, located in New Zealand.
- The primary focus is on bringing the fully permitted Mt Boppy mine back into production by Q1 2025. The company will establish an on-site processing plant at Mt Boppy and in turn free up the Wonawinta processing plant for silver production from the Wonawinta silver mine, which was being used to process Mt Boppy ore.
- The results of the recently completed sonic drill program coupled with an updated mineral resources estimate at Mt Boppy (100 percent increase in indicated gold ounces) improve confidence in the recommencement of gold dore production at Mt Boppy.
- A dedicated processing facility at Mt Boppy will improve the project economics and also allow for an additional revenue stream by freeing up the Wonawinta processing plant to process ore from the Wonawinta silver mine (placed on care and maintenance in February 2024).
- The cash flows from the Mt Boppy mine will be used to fund the planned restart of the Wonawinta silver mine.
- Elevated gold and silver prices should substantially benefit Manuka Resources, resulting in improved profitability and cash flows as it brings both its gold and silver projects into production.
Key Projects
Mt Boppy Gold Project
The Mt Boppy gold project comprises three mining leases, four gold leases and one exploration license, spanning an area of more than 210 sq km in the prolific Cobar Basin in New South Wales, Australia. The project was acquired by Manuka in 2019 and has a current mineral resource of 4.3 Mt at 1.19 g/t gold. This includes a combination of oxidized and transitional/fresh mineralization in the ground, as well as mineralized rock dumps and tailings.
Historically, Manuka Resources has processed its stockpiles and gold mineralized waste products through its Wonawinta processing plant. However, inefficiencies associated with trucking and processing ore at the distant Wonawinta plant has led the company to revise its strategy. It is now looking to construct a processing plant at Mt Boppy so that ore from the mine can be processed on-site. Mt Boppy has excellent infrastructure including a 48-person mine camp and is fully permitted for the proposed processing plant and on-site production.
As a precursor to the commencement of on-site production, Manuka Resources undertook a sonic drilling program at Mt Boppy to improve confidence in the mineral resource base. A 26-borehole, 506-meter sonic drilling evaluation program over the Mt Boppy rock dumps and dry tailings was completed in December 2023. The program led to a 100 percent increase in indicated resources compared to the previous estimate.
The updated mineral resource comprises 4.28 Mt at 1.19 g/t gold for 163 koz of contained gold, of which 82 percent is in the measured and indicated categories. A further high-grade subset of the resource (including open pit, rock dumps and tailings) comprising 1.8 Mt at 1.74 g/t containing 102 koz gold has been identified as a basis for future mine planning.
Following the results of the sonic drill program, MKR determined to establish a 200,000 tpa processing plant at Mt Boppy. The company estimates a five-year mine life and a total gold dore production of >48,000 oz over the initial mine life. The mine plan is fairly low in capex requirements with a total planned capital cost of AU$10 million to AU$15 million. Notably, the annual cost of ore haulage from Mt Boppy to Wonawinta plant is AU$6 million to AU$7 million. Thus, the on-site plant will offer significant cost savings and improve the project economics.
Manuka Resources anticipates Mt Boppy to deliver total EBITDA of >AU$90 million and cash flow of >AU$80 million over a five-year mine life.
Wonawinta Silver Mine Project
The Wonawinta silver mine project comprises one mining lease and seven exploration licenses spanning a total area of 920 sq. km. The Wonawinta project hosts a resource of 38.8 Mt @ 42.0 g/t silver, equating to 52.4 Moz contained silver. Within this there is a higher-grade component of 4.5 Mt at 97 g/t silver for 14 Moz silver.
The Wonawinta plant
The Wonawinta project is fully permitted with all the necessary infrastructure, including an 850,000 to 1 million tpa processing plant. The plant has been used for processing ore from Mt Boppy. The Wonawinta silver mine is currently under care and maintenance. The company is considering the possibility of resuming operations at Wonawinta, leveraging the improved silver price environment. Manuka is targeting a mineral resource update for Wonawinta by October 2024 and production in 2025.
Taranaki VTM Project
The Taranaki VTM project is located within New Zealand's exclusive economic zone, approximately 22 to 36 kilometres offshore, outside the 12 nautical mile boundary from the coastline. The project boasts a JORC resource of 3.2 billion tons at 10.17 percent iron oxide, 1.03 percent titanium dioxide and 0.05 percent vanadium oxide. It holds a mining license allowing initial extraction of 50 million tons annually, resulting in 5 million tons of VTM concentrate per year for 20 years (concentrate grade of 56 to 57 percent iron, 8.5 percent titanium dioxide and 0.5 percent vanadium pentoxide). At this extraction rate, the JORC resource provides approximately 60 years of potential mining inventory.
The project is anticipated to sit in the lowest quartile of the iron ore production cost curve. The next step for Manuka is to complete a bankable feasibility study on the project.
Management Team
Dennis Karp – Executive Chairman
Dennis Karp is a former commodities trader with nearly four decades of corporate experience. He started his career in 1983 and worked in HSBC until 1997 before moving to Tennant, one of Australia’s largest physical commodities trading companies with operations in Asia and Europe. He was a principal shareholder of Tennant Metals until 2010 and a managing director until December 2014. He founded ResCap in December 2014. Since then, he has participated in diverse resource projects and investment opportunities across base metals and bulk commodities. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town.
Alan Eggers – Executive Director
Alan Eggers has over 40 years of experience in the mining sector. He is a geologist and was the founder of Summit Resources, which became an ASX top 200 company and was acquired by Paladin Energy in 2007 for AU$1.2 billion. Throughout his career, he has held director positions at numerous companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Honours, and Master of Science degrees from Victoria University of Wellington. He is recognized as a fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and holds memberships in AusIMM and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.
Anthony McPaul – Non-executive Director
Anthony McPaul possesses over 40 years of expertise in mining and mineral processing. He has overseen a diverse array of operational projects, spanning from base to precious metals, in both surface and underground mining operations. He has directly managed all facets of production and scheduling. He served in senior leadership roles at various companies, including CRA, Denehurst, MIM and, more recently, Newcrest. McPaul is currently the chairman of the NSW Minerals Council Board and Executive Committee, and he is also a member of the newly established Mineral Industry Advisory Council.
John Seton – Non-executive Director
John Seton is a lawyer with extensive experience in the mineral resources sector. He has served as director in several ASX and NZX listed companies. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University, Wellington, and a Master of Law (Honours) from the University of Auckland and is a chartered fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
Haydn Lynch – Chief Operating Officer
Haydn Lynch has over 25 years of experience in M&A, capital markets and private equity. He has been involved in executing several domestic and cross-border transactions in various sectors including metals and mining, and industrials. He has held leadership roles in global investment banks, including Bankers Trust Australia, Investec Bank, RBC Capital Markets and Southern Cross Equities. He has undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from the University of Queensland and a Master in Commerce from the University of New South Wales.
Rod Griffith – Mining and Technical Consultant
Rod Griffith has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry, both in Australia and internationally, working in senior management roles, including as chief operating officer and general manager. He has significant Central Western NSW experience with KBL Mining, Silver City Minerals, Girilambone Copper and Cobalt Blue, across a number of commodity groups and mining styles. He earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Surveying from the University of Newcastle, along with a postgraduate diploma in mining engineering from the University of Ballarat.
Phil Bentley – Chief Geologist
Phil Bentley has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry across New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, holding senior geological roles as well as senior management and director positions. He has worked as a Chief Geologist at Randgold Resources and Randgold & Exploration, Global Head of Exploration at Trafigura Mining Services, and Principal Geologist Africa at CSA Global South Africa. He is a Qualified person under NI 43-101 (Canadia) and JORC (Australia) and is a Fellow of the South African Geological Society. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geology at Victoria University of Wellington. He also has a Masters of Science in Economic Geology at Victoria University of Wellington and a Master’s of Science in Mineral Exploration from Rhodes University, Grahamstown South Africa.
Orroroo Project Update
Norfolk Metals (ASX:NFL) (Norfolk or the Company) is pleased to present the following Orroroo Project update.
- Norfolk engaged Pacific Consultants to build a data base providing for a more model driven approach to further exploration in the expanded tenement package.
- Previously identified gamma anomalies at around 120m depth confirmed reduced sediments (redox environment) developed around this target horizon.
- Structural reinterpretation of the gravity data and phreatic uranium flow model generates new targets.
- Norfolk progressing exploration towards regional approach with focus on broad spaced drilling over possible controlling structures.
Figure 1: Orroroo Project Location Plan
Commenting on Norfolk Metals, Executive Chairman, Ben Phillips, states:
“Norfolk is extremely pleased with the outcomes of Pacific Consultants and our technical team increasing our understanding on the regional prospectivity of the Orroroo Project. The Company expects to conduct a subsequent drilling campaign which must consider all the structurally hosted contributions along with any low cost pre-drilling targeting techniques to be completed prior. We now have additional information to proceed forward with stakeholder engagements and required contractors”
Drill core and drill chips Investigation
Drill core, drill cuttings and muds from holes drilled in the Walloway Basin to the north of Orroroo were recently reviewed at the South Australian (SA) Government core facility in Adelaide.
Figure 2: Spectrometer 153 cps Orroroo 2A reduced sediment margin.
Pacific Consulting was engaged to build a data base providing for a more model driven approach to further exploration across the tenement package. Data incudes drill data from Linc Energy drilling as well as numerous water bores in the district.
A digital data base has been built in Micromine using open file data from the SA Government. A number of water bores and coal exploration holes are located within the Norfolk tenement package. Radiometric logs show a wide spread anomaly in the upper Tertiary at ~ 120m below current surface. The Walloway Coal (lignite) Seam occurs in the lower Tertiary stratigraphy of the basin and is associated with low radiometric anomalism marginal to the lignite.
In borehole Orroroo 2A (Figure 2), the carbonaceous silty clay at ~ 112-114m has an elevated radiometric reading on the margin with oxidized sediments above and below. A clear demonstration that, at least locally, reduced sediments were developed at this target sedimentary horizon and that uranium was deposited on the redox margin. The drill core generally shows large intervals of silt / clayey silt with medium to coarse sand bands now silted up. The current drainage shows a similar and expected pattern in cross section with narrow cobble strewn high energy channels and silty alluvial fans with sandy beds.
The Walloway Basin contains sediment at the base which includes fine-grained sands, clayey sands and clays with minor lignite, of middle to late Eocene age. The overlying sediments include up to 70m of clays with coarse gravel beds, often lenticular. These overlying sediments range in age from mid-Tertiary to Quaternary. Obscuring the Quaternary are older deposits of recent alluvium and outwash material, derived from the surrounding Pre- Cambrian rocks.
While the paleoenvironment has not been reconstructed it can be expected that oxidized groundwater has percolated down gradient into the Walloway Basin carrying uranium which has interacted with either reduced sediments or sediments bearing reduced fluids. The source of the uranium remains uncertain (possibly from the west/northwest), but the coarse (sandy) beds at the target horizon are the clear exploration targets.
Seismic Data
In March 1980, the Department of Mines and Energy South Australia (DME SA) conducted several seismic lines over the Walloway Basin, in particular around the central portion of EL 6552 (Orroroo Project) and the northern portion of EL 6814 (Black Rock Project) (Figure 3).
The purpose of the study was to identify the depth and lithological layers of the Walloway Basin and identify possible structural features that may influence the water intake/flow of the basin.
The results of the seismic survey showed that the Walloway Basin can be divided into different layers based on the different seismic velocities. The layers were then correlated with the lithological units identified in the NFL and Linc Energy drill holes (Figure 4): -
- Quaternary to Recent – Layers 2, 2A and 3
- Upper Tertiary – Layer 3
- Lower Tertiary – Layer 4
- Basement – Layer 5
As confirmed in the drill core and drill chips investigation, Layer 4 (Lower Tertiary unit) consists of interbedded sand, silt and clay which is overlain by Layer 3 (Upper Tertiary), generally thick clay unit. The Lower Tertiary unit predominates and thickens along the deeper troughs of the basin and its sandy nature suggest deposition in a fluviatile environment. The overlying Upper Tertiary unit is a more extensive and continuous unit of grey, brown and black clay, with kaolinite bands indicating deposition in a lacustrine environment.
The general shape of the valley is asymmetrical with western margins steeper than east and bedrock depth up to 350m deep at the observed deepest point on line WB-79-1.
Several sections were constructed from the seismic survey but the two main seismic section lines WB-79-1 and WB-79-2 coincides with the drilling conducted by NFL along the Walloway Creek and Rankin Rd Targets respectively (see ASX announcement: 7 February 2024).
Figure 3: Seismic Survey DME SA March 1980
It was also noted from the seismic study that structurally, the Walloway Basin is fault controlled to the west and the major northwest-southeast fault identified to the east may be a zone of diapiric activity. These faults have also been observed in the interpretation of the regional gravity data.
It is important to note that historical water well drill holes have been included in the seismic sections but no data has been sighted on the public domain database of the DME SA.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Norfolk Metals, 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.
Top Stories This Week: Gold’s Post-Election Price Drop Explained, Friedland’s ASX Iron Ore IPO
The gold price continued its post-US election correction this week, sinking to nearly US$2,540 per ounce.
Although it recovered to end the period at around US$2,560, the yellow metal hasn't been at these levels for about two months. Market watchers see US dollar strength and higher bond yields weighing on its performance.
The US Dollar Index has moved higher since Donald Trump's victory in the American election, supported by expectations that the president-elect will follow through on enacting tariffs and tightening immigration — these are policies that could boost inflation and in doing so potentially slow the US Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts.
While gold tends to fare better when rates are low, the opposite is true for the dollar.
Yields for the 10 Year Treasury have moved higher since voting day too, although they've seen some bumpiness.
It's also worth noting that the latest US consumer price index (CPI) data came out on Wednesday (November 13). CPI rose 0.2 percent month-on-month and was up 2.6 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, was up 0.3 percent from September and 3.3 percent from a year ago.
The numbers were in line with forecasts across the board, bolstering expectations that the Fed will reduce rates by another 25 basis points at its December meeting. However, those expectations took a hit on Thursday (November 14), when Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the economy isn't sending signals that rates need to come down quickly.
"The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates. The strength we are currently seeing in the economy gives us the ability to approach our decisions carefully," he commented.
What's next for the gold price in this environment? The Investing News Network will be attending the New Orleans Investment Conference next week, and we'll be asking experts like Rick Rule, David Morgan, Lobo Tiggre and more for their thoughts. Please send an email to cmcleod@investingnews.com to let us know what questions you'd like answered.
Bullet briefing — Citigroup cuts copper forecast, Friedland plans iron ore IPO
Citigroup cuts copper forecast
Citigroup (NYSE:C) is cutting its short-term copper price forecast by 11 percent in the wake of the US election.
“Former President Donald Trump’s election for a second term marks a clear turning point in global trade tariff policy. And China’s lack of easing to date has surprised us," the firm said this week in a note.
Citigroup is expecting prices to drop to US$8,500 per metric ton over the next three months, down from its previous call of US$9,500. Citigroup also sees China's weaker-than-expected stimulus measures weighing on the metal.
Although the Asian nation recently announced a debt relief package worth US$1.4 trillion, members of the copper industry don't see it having much impact on demand.
"The latest stimulus is to refinance local government debts, so that’s not going to boost physical (copper) demand much” — Ni Hongyan, Eagle Metal International
Friedland plans ASX iron ore listing
Robert Friedland reportedly plans to list iron ore company Ivanhoe Atlantic on the ASX before June 2025.
Formerly known as High Powered Exploration, Ivanhoe Atlantic's main asset is the Nimba iron ore project in Guinea. However, funds raised by the company will also be used to make acquisitions in the critical minerals sector.
Friedland is currently best known for Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN,OTCQX:IVPAF), whose operations include the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but he is also involved in various other companies and projects.
Want more YouTube content? Check out our expert market commentary playlist, which features interviews with key figures in the resource space. If there's someone you'd like to see us interview, please send an email to cmcleod@investingnews.com.
And don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
Rua Gold
Investor Insight
Rua Gold offers a compelling investment opportunity driven by its highly promising gold assets in New Zealand’s historic gold-producing regions, and supported by the government’s renewed focus on fast tracking economic growth.
Overview
Rua Gold (TSXV:RUA,OTC:NZAUF,WKN:A4010V,OTCQB:NZAUF) is a gold exploration company focused on two prolific, historic gold-producing regions in New Zealand: Hauraki Goldfield and Reefton Goldfield. Both these regions boast of previous high-grade gold production, with more than 15 million ounces (Moz) produced in the Hauraki district and over 2 Moz in the Reefton Goldfield. New Zealand is a tier 1 mining jurisdiction with highly prospective geology, and a skilled workforce. The new government of New Zealand has committed to promoting economic growth through mining- and business-friendly policies, such as the Fast Track Approval Bill, which proposes quicker approval timelines for a range of projects, including mining.
New Zealand has a rich history of gold production from orogenic deposits (+9 Moz), epithermal sources (+15 Moz), and alluvial deposits (+22 Moz). The country has low sovereign risk with no corruption, making it an attractive destination for mining investment.
The company has launched a fully funded exploration program at its properties. This includes a 2,500-meter diamond drill program focused on the Pactolus prospect at Reefton Goldfield.
Pactolus has returned assays for three of six holes drilled on the system, with hole DD_PAC_035 intersecting 2 meters @ 5.13 grams per ton (g/t) gold. Additional work is required to accurately model this zone's geometry before proceeding with further drilling at this prospect. Consequently, the company anticipates redirecting its focus towards the previously productive areas in Reefton in the near future, which includes the Murray Creek, Crushington, Capleston and Caledonian historic districts. These historic mines collectively produced ~700 koz at 25.2 g/t within a radius of ~20 kms.
The company has applied for a minimum impact access agreement with the New Zealand Department of Conservation for the Glamorgan project. Once granted, the company will commence an exploration program that includes soil sampling, magnetic and resistivity geophysical surveys, and geological mapping.
Rua Gold benefits from a team of professionals boasting extensive expertise in geology and mining. The company’s board of directors is led by Oliver Lennox-King (Fronteer, Roxgold), who has a successful track record developing projects and companies.
Company Highlights
- Rua Gold is a gold exploration company with two highly prospective land packages in New Zealand’s historic gold districts – Hauraki Goldfield and Reefton Goldfield.
- New Zealand is a tier 1 mining jurisdiction boasting highly promising geological formations and a significant history of gold production, with orogenic deposits (+9 Moz), epithermal sources (+15 Moz), and alluvial deposits (+22 Moz).
- The company’s two key assets include the Reefton Goldfield on New Zealand’s South Island and Glamorgan on New Zealand’s North Island.
- The new government is focused on stimulating economic growth, as evidenced by the recent Fast Track Approval Bill, which proposes fast-track approvals for a range of projects, including mining.
- Rua Gold has high-quality orogenic and epithermal gold prospects, boasting historical production grades ranging from 16 to 50 g/t gold.
- Rua Gold is fully permitted and fully financed with significant near-term catalysts. The company has launched an exploration program at its two properties. Drilling is ongoing at the company’s properties in the Reefton district.
- Proposed acquisition of Reefton Resources Pty Limited was approved by the shareholders of Siren Gold (ASX:SNG). Reefton is a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Siren, with tenements located adjacent to the Rua Gold’s suite of properties in New Zealand’s prolific Reefton Goldfield.
- A seasoned board and management team is at the helm of Rua Gold, with extensive regional knowledge and a proven track record of successful discoveries. With full financing and permits in place, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on growth prospects.
Key Projects
Reefton Goldfield
Rua Gold holds six project areas at the Reefton Goldfield – Northern, Capleston, Murray Creek, Ajax, Crushington and Southern. The Reefton district has a rich history of gold production with over 2 Moz of gold recovered at 24.5 g/t. Among the noteworthy findings from recent years of exploration is the greenfield discovery of the Pactolus quartz vein. Sampling and assays conducted thus far have unveiled significant concentrations of high-grade gold in this vein.
Pactolus: Pactolus is a new surface greenfield discovery made by Rua Gold in 2021. Pactolus has returned assays for three of six holes drilled on the system, with hole DD_PAC_035 intersecting 2 meters @ 5.13 g/t gold and hole DD_PAC_036 intersecting 2 meters @ 3.61 g/t gold.
Initial findings and observations validate the southern extension of the Pactolus system by 550 meters, showcasing substantial mineralization at surface. However, accurately determining the plunge and quality of the ore shoots presents a challenge. An additional update is expected upon receipt of results from the remaining drill holes.
Murray Creek prospects: Rua Gold’s systematic exploration has highlighted the potential for the rejuvenation of this district in renewed opportunities around the historic high-grade gold deposits. Rua Gold completed an extensive assessment of the historical mines situated within the company's tenements in the Reefton Goldfield, yielding five targets in the Murray Creek area.
Ongoing drill campaign at the Murray Creek prospects intersected visible gold and confirmed downhole continuity of high-grade gold mineralization.Glamorgan Project
The Glamorgan project comprises over 4,600 hectares in the Hauraki district on New Zealand’s North Island. Hauraki boasts of a substantial presence of high-grade gold and silver mining, with approximately 50 epithermal deposits mined since the 1860s. These deposits have yielded over 15 Moz of gold and 60 Moz of silver. Glamorgan has a 3.8 km zone displaying indications of gold mineralization, backed by soil and rock samples, suggesting the presence of an epithermal gold mineralized system at the property.
Glamorgan is located 2.8 kms north of Oceana Gold’s recent significant discovery at Wharekirauponga. The company has applied for a minimum impact access agreement with the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Once granted, the company will commence an exploration program that includes soil sampling, magnetic and resistivity geophysical surveys, and geological mapping.
After receiving a minimum impact access agreement (MIA) from the Department of Conservation for the Glamorgan project, the company has mobilized an exploration team that has made progress in collecting 2,000 of the planned 3,000 soil sample program; completing the first full phase of UAV drone magnetic geophysical surveying; and commencing ground geological mapping.
Based on initial surface soil geochemistry, interpreted geophysical structures, and geological mapping, there is preliminary evidence that the Glamorgan project has the hallmarks of a significant epithermal gold system, with surface features similar to the adjacent WKP gold deposit. Rua Gold will design a drill program and apply for a full access agreement by the end of the year to commence drilling.
Management Team
Oliver Lennox-King – Non-executive Chairman
Oliver Lennox-King boasts a distinguished and extensive career within the mineral resource sector, encompassing a broad experience in financing, research and marketing. Since 1992, he has occupied senior executive and board roles in various junior exploration and mining enterprises. Most recently, Lennox-King was the chairman of Roxgold from 2012 until July 2021 when it was sold for $1.2 billion to Fortuna. In addition to Roxgold, he also served as chairman of other notable firms, including Pangea Goldfields, Aurora Uranium and Fronteer Gold.
Robert Eckford – CEO and Director
Robert Eckford is a certified professional accountant with significant expertise in mergers and acquisitions, accounting, finance and commercial management within the mining sector. Most recently he was co-founder and head of finance for Aris Mining, and prior to that, has worked with international mining companies, including Barrick Gold, Yamana Gold and Leagold Mining.
Simon Henderson – COO and Director
Simon Henderson is an exploration specialist and has over 40 years of experience, most of which is in New Zealand. He was part of the discovery team for several significant gold finds in New Zealand, such as Wharekirauponga. He maintains robust connections with key local stakeholders and the country's permitting authorities.
Zeenat Lokhandwala – CFO and Corporate Secretary
Zeenat Lokhandwala brings over a decade of expertise in mergers and acquisitions, finance, accounting and taxation. She is the former CFO of Great Bear Royalties and director of finance at Great Bear Resources.
Brian Rodan - Director
Brian Rodan has more than 43 years of experience who is currently serving as Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Rodan is the founding director of Dacian Gold (ASX:DCN)
Mario Vetro - Director
Mario Vetro has extensive experience structuring and providing guidance to resource companies. He is the co-founder of K92 Mining and the proprietor of Commodity Partners.
Paul Criddle - Director
Paul Criddle has extensive experience constructing and overseeing gold mines in Australia and West Africa. He was formerly a chief operating officer for West Africa at Fortuna and also served as the COO for Azimuth and Perseus. He was previously the managing director at Matador Mining.
Tyron Breytenbach – Director
Tyron Breytenbach is a geologist with operational and capital markets experience. He is currently the CEO of Lithium Africa Resources. Previously, he was senior vice-president of Capital Markets at Aris Mining and served as managing director at Cormark Securities. Before transitioning to capital markets, Breytenbach spent a decade in the mining sector as a geologist, focusing on orogenic and epithermal gold deposits and specializing in resource estimation. He earned his BSc (Honours) degree from Rand Afrikaans University in South Africa and is a designated professional geologist in Ontario.
Takeover Bid for Mako Gold Limited - Lodgment of Supplementary Bidder’s Statement
Aurum Resources Limited (ASX: AUE) (Aurum) refers to its off-market takeover bid for all of the fully paid ordinary shares and certain options in Mako Gold Limited (ASX: MKG) (Mako), pursuant to the bidder’s statement dated 30 October 2024 (Offers).
Please find attached a supplementary bidder’s statement dated 15 November 2024 with respect to the Offers (First Supplementary Bidder’s Statement).
The First Supplementary Bidder’s Statement was lodged with ASIC earlier today and will be served on Mako.
This ASX Announcement was authorised for release by the Company Secretary of Aurum.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Aurum Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results
For the three months (third quarter) and nine months ended September 30, 2024
Sarama Resources Ltd. (“Sarama” or the “Company”) (ASX:SRR, TSX- V:SWA) is pleased to present the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to supplement the interim consolidated financial statements of Sarama Resources Ltd. (the “Company” or “Sarama”) and its subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
The interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
This MD&A is current as at November 14, 2024.
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile.
OVERVIEW
Sarama is a Canadian-incorporated mineral exploration and development company whose principal business objective is to explore for and develop mineral deposits in prospective jurisdictions as opportunities may present.
The Company was incorporated on April 8, 2010 under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Company’s primary office is located in Perth, Western Australia. The Company’s common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) and Chess Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) under the codes ‘SWA’ and ‘SRR’ respectively.
The Company built and advanced substantial exploration landholdings in prospective and underexplored areas in south-west Burkina Faso, West Africa and has interests in two projects located principally in the Houndé Belt. Separate to its interests in Burkina Faso, the Company is in the process of acquiring a new gold exploration project in Australia and continues to assess opportunities that align with it’s objective of exploring for and developing mineral deposits in prospective jurisdictions.
The Sanutura Project (the “Project”) is principally located within the prolific Houndé Greenstone Belt in south- west Burkina Faso and was the exploration and development focus of the Company. The Project hosts the Bondi Deposit which has a mineral resource of 0.5Moz gold (Inferred)(3). The Project also formerly hosted the Tankoro Deposit (Mineral Resource of 0.6Moz Au (Indicated) plus 1.9Moz Au (Inferred)(2) until August 2023, when the Company was notified (“Notification”) by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries of Burkina Faso (the “Government”) that its rights to the Tankoro 2 Exploration Permit (the “Permit”), which hosts the Tankoro Deposit, had been withdrawn in a manner the Company considers to be unlawful (refer news release dated September 6, 2023). The Notification stated that the Company’s application for the Permit was unsuccessful. This is inconsistent with, and contradictory to, formal correspondence from the Government. The Company vigorously disagrees with the illegal withdrawal of its rights. The Tankoro Deposit formed the central component of the Project for which the Company was in the final stages of completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) to advance the Project toward development.
The Company formally notified the Government of its Intent to Submit Claims to Arbitration (refer news release dated November 30, 2023) under the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Burkina Faso for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (the “BIT”).
Prior to the illegal withdrawal of the Permit, the Tankoro and Bondi Deposits presented a mine development opportunity featuring a long-life project which the Company believed would have generated very robust and attractive financial returns and could have been established and paid for using the significant oxide mineral resource base. In 2023, Sarama commenced and substantially completed development study work on the Project which was subsequently suspended following receipt of the Notification. See further details on the status of the Permit below under the heading “Status of Mineral Tenure – Tankoro 2 Exploration Permit”.
Click here to view the Q3 2024 Interim Financial Statements
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Sarama Resources, 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.
Ascot Resources Seeks TSX Exemption for Financing, Looks to Restart BC Gold Mines
Canadian mining firm Ascot Resources (TSX:AOT,OTCQX:AOTVF) is pressing forward with a financing strategy aimed at getting back on course at its Premier Northern Lights and Big Missouri mines.
The company said on Monday (November 11) that it has applied to the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) for a financial hardship exemption. This would allow it to secure financing under conditions that typically require shareholder approval.
With a combined target of approximately C$52 million, Ascot said it is looking to advance the development of Premier Northern Lights, restart the mill at the site and restart the Big Missouri mine.
Ascot poured its first gold at BC-based Premier Northern Lights in April, and said at the time that the asset was expected to start commercial production in the third quarter of this year. However, at the beginning of September, the company suspended operations, saying that it needed to focus on mine development in order to ensure sufficient ore.
"After careful consideration, the Company has decided that, to enable sufficient mine development, it will suspend operations. Ascot will focus on mine development until the combination of the Big Missouri and PNL mines can sustainably deliver enough ore feed to profitably run the operation.
The Company’s intention is to seek funding to complete the necessary mine development."
Ascot said in this week's press release that its financing is structured in two main components: an equity financing through a brokered private placement, and debt financing secured with its existing creditors.
For the equity financing, Ascot has set up an agreement with a syndicate led by Desjardins Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets. These parties will act as agents for a brokered private placement of common shares.
Ascot is aiming to raise between C$25 million and C$42 million by offering shares at C$0.16 each. Closing is contingent on multiple conditions, including the completion of definitive agreements for the debt financing and TSX approval.
On the debt side, Ascot has entered into non-binding term sheets with Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (B), as well as Nebari Gold Fund 1, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II and Nebari Collateral Agent.
Sprott has agreed to modify an earlier agreement and provide US$7.5 million to Ascot in advance; the deal also increases the stream percentage Sprott has on Ascot’s gold and silver production. Ascot has the option to buy back this additional share for US$9.7 million by December 31, 2026, while Sprott can trigger a buyback starting on January 1, 2027.
When it comes to the Nebari entities, they have given Ascot more lenient debt repayment terms, although Ascot has agreed to various points, including a higher interest rate on its existing cost-overrun credit agreement. Nebari will also receive a US$1 million alignment fee from Ascot, to be paid in common shares of the company.
Ascot has emphasized that these financing arrangements remain subject to the completion of definitive agreements, as well as approval from the TSX for a financial hardship exemption. The company has also indicated that further changes could arise as it works to finalize the necessary approvals and terms with its creditors.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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