With a mining lease application underway and a scoping study that shows excellent economics, Impact Minerals’ game-changing, advanced Lake Hope high-purity alumina project makes for a compelling investment case.
Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) is an exploration and development mining company focused on discovering and developing new resource projects within Australia. Lake Hope, a transformational acquisition by the company and its current flagship asset, is a high-purity alumina (HPA) project in Impact’s home territory of Western Australia, a tier-one jurisdiction.
This advanced-stage project allows the company to fast-track the asset toward development, firmly establishing the company on the road to production and increasing shareholder value.
HPA is a high-value product with various uses in several industries that are key to the transition to a low-carbon world. It is mainly used in LED lighting, micro-LED screens, and ceramic-coated separators in lithium-ion batteries. Both these markets are forecast to grow dramatically over the next decade, and a looming supply shortage is predicted for 2026.
HPA is also necessary for producing synthetic sapphire and scratch-resistant glass. With these ever-widening applications for HPA, demand for this resource is expected to grow from US$3.18 billion to US$12.21 billion by 2030 with a compounded annual growth rate of about 20 percent.
Lake Hope is the company’s current focus as it moves towards production, and where a very shallow, high-grade resource of HPA precursor material has been identified in the top two meters of a dry salt lake. The deposit has unique physical and chemical properties that will allow for inexpensive digging and mining, with transportation to a processing facility off-site in an established industrial area. This will accelerate the approvals processes required to get into production.
With a mining lease application pending, Impact aims to bring Lake Hope, which contains almost 1 million tons of potential HPA, into production when the forecast average price for 4N HPA (99.99 percent Al2O3) and related products is about US$20,000 per ton. The ‘4N’ designation indicates the purity grade, making it suitable for high-tech end uses.
Outstanding economics from the latest scoping study released by the company shows Lake Hope’s potential to be the lowest-cost producer of HPA globally by up to 50 percent.
Lake Hope has a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 3.5 million tons at 25.1 percent alumina (Al2O3) for a contained 880,000 tons of alumina. The company also received heritage clearances for the entire Lake Hope deposit further de-risking the project and providing another critical component in the company’s application for a mining lease.
Impact completed a bulk sampling and test pits program at the Lake Hope project in December 2023, and later reached a key milestone by producing HPA greater than 99.99 percent (4N) purity from the metallurgical processing of lake clays acquired from Lake Hope.
In February 2024, a new proprietary metallurgical process for producing HPA from the lake clays was identified. Impact produced 99.99 percent (4N) Al2O3 from a low-temperature leach (LTL) process. The LTL process may lower the capital and operating costs to produce HPA compared to the sulphate process which underpinned the recent scoping study. The LTL process will be included in the ongoing pre-feasibility study in parallel with the sulphate process at marginal extra cost to determine the best processing route to HPA. The PFS is due to be completed in late 2024.
A comparison of the LTL process and the sulphate process
The company is well funded to finance the pre-feasibility study at the Lake Hope High Purity Alumina project and exploration activities at the Arkun battery minerals project.
Impact Minerals has been awarded a $2.87 million grant for the commercialisation of its innovative process to produce High Purity Alumina (HPA) from the Lake Hope deposit. The grant is under the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) program which fosters short-term, industry-led research collaborations. The grant is part of an estimated $6.4 million research and development project to be completed within three years and designed to provide Impact with the relevant information required to complete a definitive feasibility. A key component of the grant funding will be to construct a pilot plant, which is a key goal for 2025, and this will provide consistent material for off-take and qualification trials.
Impact Minerals was also one of the inaugural cohort of seven companies selected to be part of the prestigious BHP Xplor program. BHP Xplor, an accelerator program introduced by BHP in August 2022, is designed to help provide participants with the opportunity to accelerate their growth and the potential to establish a long-term partnership with BHP and its global network of partners.
The BHP Xplor funding was used to identify new target areas for copper and other energy metals around the Broken Hill area in New South Wales, eastern Australia, where Impact has been quietly adding to its ground position for several years.
Additionally, the company is exploring its large Arkun battery metals project, also in Western Australia which covers nearly 2,900 square kilometres. Three new exploration licence applications were submitted recently immediately north of the Arkun project along trend from the recently discovered REE soil geochemistry anomalies at Hyperion, Swordfish and Horseshoe, and the Caligula copper anomaly. These anomalies require drill testing which will occur in 2024 and is an exciting development in the emerging mineral province of southwest WA.
A strong management team with over 50 years of combined industry experience leads the company. With a mining and exploration geology degree, Dr. Mike Jones, managing director, launched a long career consulting and leading mining organizations. Peter Unsworth, the non-executive chairman, has more than 35 years of experience in multiple financial sectors, such as securities industries and wealth management. Paul Ingram, a non-executive director, has led several mining companies since 2003. Impact Minerals has the experience and expertise to lead the company to success.
Impact Minerals’ Lake Hope HPA project is in Western Australia, a tier-one mining jurisdiction. HPA is a crucial component in many new and emerging technologies, creating ongoing demand for high-grade sources. The Lake Hope project is the company’s flagship as it moves toward production.
The scoping study was underpinned by a sulphuric acid process allowing the company to achieve a new milestone by producing HPA with purity of more than than 99.99 percent (4N) from the metallurgical processing of lake clays acquired from Lake Hope. The company further identified a new proprietary metallurgical process for producing HPA from the lake clays. Known as the low-temperature leach (LTL) process, this also produced 99.99 percent (4N) Al2O3 and has the potential to lower even further the capital and operating costs to produce HPA compared to the sulphate process. The LTL process will be included in the ongoing pre-feasibility study along with the sulphate process to determine the best processing route to HPA. The PFS is due to be completed in late 2024.
The Broken Hill project has a significant land position of 815 square kilometers and hosts multiple targets with the potential for high-grade copper. Broken Hill is located in New South Wales, Australia, an area known for its prolific silver-lead-zinc mining operations and the giant Broken Hill deposit.
The Arkun project is a 2,900-square-kilometer nickel, copper and gold project located in the emerging Ni-Cu-PGE province near the world-class Julimar Ni-Cu-PGE deposit and surrounded by Anglo American Corporation, which secured its ground holding shortly after Impact secured its asset. Anglo-American is one of the world’s top ten mining companies, and their presence in the region brings confidence in the project’s potential.
Peter Unsworth, formerly a chartered accountant, has over 35 years of experience in the corporate finance, investment and securities industries and a wealth of management experience with public and private companies. A former executive director with a leading Western Australian stockbroking company, Unsworth has been a director of several public exploration and mining companies. He recently completed a long time serving as chairman of the Western Australian Government-owned Gold Corporation (operator of The Perth Mint). Unsworth is the founding chairman of Impact Minerals.
Dr. Mike Jones is the founding managing director of Impact Minerals Limited, which was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in November 2006. Reporting to the board of directors, he is responsible for the company's performance as it moves towards production at its Lake Hope High Purity Alumina Project and also for implementing strategies to explore and maximize the value of the company's other extensive tenement holdings.
Since listing, he has helped raise more than $60 million to help fund the exploration of Impact’s projects and managed the company through significant adverse events, including the global financial crisis and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which affected Impact’s considerable investment in the uranium sector, a five-year global downturn in the mining sector and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paul Ingram is a geologist with extensive experience managing major mineral exploration programs for several publicly listed companies and has been involved in the mining sector for over thirty years. He has designed and implemented innovative techniques for exploration in remote areas and has managed projects in countries throughout Australia and East Asia. Ingram has been a director of the following listed companies in the past three years: Polo Resources from January 2008 to January 2011; A-Cap Resources since June 2009; Consolidated Global Investments since September 2006; Caledon Resources from February 2003 to March 2008; and Australian Pacific Coal since March 2011.
Dr. Frank Bierlein is a geologist with 30 years of experience as a consultant, researcher, lecturer and industry professional. Bierlein has held exploration and generative geology management positions with QMSD Mining, Qatar Mining, Afmeco Australia and Areva NC, and consulted for, among others, Newmont Gold, Resolute Mining, Goldfields International, Freeport McMoRan, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is currently a non-executive director of PNX Metals. He was previously a non-executive director of Gold Australia NL and chaired the advisory board of a Luxembourg-based private equity fund between 2014 and 2021.
(TheNewswire)
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Toronto, Ontario January 30, 2025 TheNewswire - Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. ( "Noble" or the "Company" ) (TSX-V:NOB, FRANKFURT: NB7, OTCQB:NLPXF) is pleased to report acquisition of mining claims on a Uranium-Molybdenum prospect in Northern Quebec. The 10 claims were acquired by map staking to cover approximately 461 hectares and is called the Taser North Property
The Taser North Project
The Taser North Property, located in the Ungava Bay region of northern Quebec, approximately 130 km southeast of the community of Kangirsuk, is a significant exploration area for uranium mineralization. Historically Azimut Exploration Inc., in partnership with Majescor Resources Inc., explored the property in 2007 for its potential to host uranium mineralization. No work has been done since.
The Taser North Property encompasses a variety of geological units, predominantly comprising high-grade metamorphic rocks such as gneisses and schists. These units have been intruded by granitic and pegmatitic bodies, which are potential hosts for uranium mineralization. The property is aligned along an extensive regional-scale uranium lake-bottom sediment anomaly referred to as the "Central Quebec Uranium Lineament," indicating a favourable environment for uranium mineralization.
The 2007 work identified numerous uranium-bearing outcrops over a 35-km strike, with samples located on the Taser North property yielding grades up to 0.65% U ₃ O ₈ . In addition, molybdenum values up to 0.14% were found associated with the anomalous uranium.
Individual uranium analyses include: 0.65%, 0.58%, 0.30%, 0.29%, 0.18%, 0.12%, 0.11%, and 0.10% over 2km of strike.
Molybdenum analyses include: 0.14%, 0.13% 0.08% and 0.05%.
The anomalous samples are located on the southwest flank of a northwest trending airborne radiometric high in uranium measuring 2.5km by 0.5km. In addition, a lake sediment sample taken from a lake southwest of the anomalous values on analysis measured 141 ppm uranium. (see Figure 1)
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 1 - Taser North Project with property highlights on an Airborne Uranium Radiometric background.
The Taser North Property exhibits significant potential for uranium mineralization, supported by its favourable geological setting and positive, historical exploration results. The identification of numerous priority targets and high-grade analyses underscore the property's prospectivity. Further detailed prospecting, geological mapping, sampling, and drilling are recommended to fully assess and delineate the uranium potential of this property.
Acquisition of Taser North property plus the recent acquisition of the Chateau Property (Noble Press Release dated January 17, 2025) demonstrates Noble's commitment to exploring for critical minerals in Canada.
Wayne Holmstead, P.Geo (OGQ), a "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved this technical information in this news release on behalf of Noble Minerals.
About Noble Mineral Exploration Inc.
Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company which, in addition to its holdings of securities in Canada Nickel Company Inc., Homeland Nickel Inc., Go Metals Corp. and MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd., and its interest in the Holdsworth gold exploration property in the area of Wawa, Ontario, will continue to hold ~1700 ha in Thomas Twp in the Timmins area and ~175 ha of mining claims in Central Newfoundland.  It  also holds ~14,600 ha in the Nagagami Carbonatite Complex, and ~4,600 ha in the Boulder Project both near Hearst, Ontario, as well as ~3,700 ha in the Buckingham Graphite Property, ~10,152 ha in the Havre St Pierre  Nickel, Copper, PGM property, ~1,573 ha in the Cere-Villebon Nickel, Copper, PGM property, and ~569 ha in the Kitivik area U 3 O 8 and REE's property all of which are in the province of Quebec.
More detailed information is available on the website at: https://www.noblemineralexploration.com
Noble's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NOB."
Cautionary Statement
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 release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
The foregoing information may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the Company's plans and expectations. These plans, expectations, risks, and uncertainties are detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with the TSX Venture Exchange and securities regulators. Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
H. Vance White, President
Phone:Â Â Â Â 416-214-2250
Fax:Â Â Â Â 416-367-1954
Email: info@noblemineralexploration.com
Investor Relations
Email: ir@noblemineralexploration.com  Â
Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
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HIGHLIGHTS
34m @ 2.5 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold equivalent ("AuEq."), including 12m @ 3.5 g/t AuEq. from 323m downhole in OEDD-104.
29m @ 1.2 g/t AuEq., including 14m @ 1.8 g/t AuEq. from 82m downhole in OEDD-103.
Drilling continues to demonstrate excellent continuity over significant width and gold tenor at BBM.
With the success of drilling results, the Company has increased the drill program at BBM from 3000m to 7000m.
Drilling at Charger is progressing to plan, with drilling at Empire to follow suit.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2025) - Awalé Resources Limited (TSXV: ARIC) ("Awalé" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from the first two diamond drill holes completed as part of an expanded drill campaign targeting the BBM zone at the Odienné Project in Côte d'Ivoire. The drill program, which began in November 2024, is ongoing, with five holes remaining in the extended campaign. These initial holes were drilled within the previously reported central mineralized zone, where the Company is tightening drill spacing to a 100m grid (refer to drill plan and sections).
"We are excited to report additional excellent results from the BBM target, confirming the robust nature of mineralization at BBM. We are seeing a remarkable consistency in width and grade in this drilling, consistent with those previously reported in the core zone at BBM. These results underscore the potential of this zone.
We are also pleased to announce that the expanded step-out diamond drilling is near completion at BBM. This drilling is focused on expanding the 600m core zone along strike to the southeast and northwest where we believe there is potential to expand the size of BBM. The success of this program has led to an extension beyond the initial 3000m plan, with over 5400m now completed in 19 holes, with 4 holes to be drilled. The deployment of two diamond drill rigs has enabled us to not only advance BBM but also commence drilling at the Charger target. We are also bringing the Empire target back into the exploration pipeline as part of this program. In addition to these diamond drilling advancements, we are actively progressing with the IP geophysics program, with RC drilling set to commence in the coming weeks. This increased level of activity is expected to deliver a steady stream of results to the market throughout this quarter and beyond," Commented Andrew Chubb, CEO of Awalé Resources.
View Video of CEO Andrew Chubb Discussing Results
The Company has expanded the BBM program, completing 5404m of drilling across 19 holes and one re-entry hole. Initial drilling focused on testing continuity within the core of the BBM zone, tightening drill spacing to a 100m grid. Beyond this, drilling has targeted extensions to the defined 600m panel to both the northwest and southeast. Additionally, drilling has commenced at the Charger target, with an initial 1000m planned to validate the new geological fold model, which suggests that broad, high-grade intercepts are concentrated within fold hinges, providing an opportunity to rapidly assess the volume potential of this target.
Drill collar locations and full table of significant intercepts for the program are provided in Table 1 and Table 2 below.
Table 1: BBM Drilling Collar Cable - (from this program)
| HOLE ID | EASTING | NORTHING | RL_M | AZIM_TRUE | DIP | EOH_M | Comments |
| OEDD0103 | 655899 | 1048090 | 450 | 35.00 | -55.00 | 197.43 | Not DGPS |
| OEDD0104 | 655737 | 1048029 | 450 | 35.00 | -55.00 | 452.3 | Not DGPS |
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Table 2: Significant Intercepts - (from this program)
| Hole | From (m) | To (m) | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Cu (%) | Ag (g/t) | Mo (ppm) | AuEq. (80%) | Comp. Trigger (g/t) |
| OEDD0103 | 82 | 111 | 29 | 1.1 | 0.17 | 0.6 | 191 | 1.2 | 0.5 |
| including | 93 | 107 | 14 | 1.7 | 0.25 | 0.9 | 312 | 1.8 | 1.0 |
| and | 99 | 101 | 2 | 3.6 | 0.33 | 1.5 | 103 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
| and | 106 | 107 | 1 | 3.7 | 0.34 | 1.2 | 425 | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| OEDD0104 | 312 | 319 | 7 | 1.6 | 0.13 | 0.7 | 261 | 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Including | 317 | 319 | 2 | 4.0 | 0.20 | 1.0 | 614 | 3.7 | 2.0 |
| OEDD0104 | 323 | 357 | 34 | 1.9 | 0.64 | 2.9 | 416 | 2.5 | 0.5 |
| Including | 326 | 338 | 12 | 2.8 | 0.84 | 3.8 | 704 | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| and | 351 | 354 | 3 | 3.2 | 0.58 | 5.3 | 196 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
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About Awalé Resources
Awalé is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on discovering large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. Exploration activities are currently underway in the underexplored regions of Côte d'Ivoire, where the Company is focused on the Odienné Copper-Gold Project ("Odienné" or the "Project"), covering 2,489 km2 across seven permits. This includes 796 km2 in two permits held under the Awalé-Newmont Joint Venture ("OJV"). Awalé manages all exploration activities over the OJV, with funding provided by Newmont Joint Ventures Limited ("Newmont").
Awalé has discovered four gold, gold-copper, and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum discoveries within the OJV and has recently commenced exploration on its 100%-owned properties following an $11.5 million capital raise in April 2024.
The Odienné Project is underexplored and has multiple pipeline prospects with similar geochemical signatures to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and intrusive-related mineral systems with substantial upside potential. The Company benefits from a skilled and well seasoned technical team that allows it to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district-scale discoveries.
Quality Control and Assurance
Analytical work for geochemistry samples is being carried out at the independent ALS Laboratories in Ghana and Ireland, an ISO 17025 Certified Laboratory. Samples are prepared and stored at the Company's field camps and put into sealed bags until collected by ALS from the Company's secure Odienné office and transported by Intertek to their preparation laboratory in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, for preparation. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried, and pulverized to greater than 85%, passing a 75-micron screen. Two pulps are prepared from each sample with one stream to Intertek Ghana for fire assay and a second to Ireland where the sample is analyzed by 52 element ICP/MS with a 4-Acid digest. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis.
Mineralized Interval Calculations
Significant intervals reported in this news release are calculated as downhole length-weighted intercepts. For the BBM target, initial mineralized zones are calculated at a 0.2 g/t trigger and include up to 5 metres of internal waste for delineating mineralized zones. Included intervals are calculated at 0.5 g/t, 1 g/t, and 2 g/t trigger values, with up to 3 metres of internal waste. Table 1 contains a list of all BBM holes reported in this release. True widths are estimated to be 70% of the downhole widths.
Au Equivalent Calculations
Au Equivalent is calculated using the following parameters in USD: Au - 1910/Oz (Troy), Cu 3.80/lb, Mo 40,000/Tonne, and Ag 23.40/Oz (Troy). The Formula AuEq = Au (g/t) + ((Cu (ppm) * 0.00014) + (Mo (ppm) * 0.00065) + (Ag (g/t)*0.01225)). An 80% metallurgical recovery is assumed for all metals, as the specific recovery rates for individual metals are unclear, and assuming different recoveries would be premature at this stage.
Abbreviations Used in this Release
| Ag | Silver | Â |
| Au | Gold | Â |
| AuEq. | Gold Equivalent | Â |
| Cu | Copper | Â |
| Cu Eq. | Copper Equivalent | Â |
| g/t | Grams per tonne | Â |
| km | Kilometres | Â |
| m | Metres | Â |
| ppm | Parts per million | Â |
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Qualified Person
The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved for release by Andrew Chubb, the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Chubb is the Company's Chief Executive Officer and holds an Economic Geology degree, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), and is a Member of the Society of Economic Geoscientists (SEG). Mr. Chubb has over 25 years of experience in international mineral exploration and mining project evaluation.
AWALÉ Resources Limited
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Andrew Chubb"
Chief Executive Officer
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Andrew Chubb, CEO
(+356) 99139117
a.chubb@awaleresources.com
Ardem Keshishian, VP Corporate Development
+1 (416) 471-5463
a.keshishian@awaleresources.com
The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedarplus.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.awaleresources.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the Company's presence in Côte d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, planned drilling, commencement of operations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
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 release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238800
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