Targeting high-demand copper-gold projects, Metal Bank (ASX:MBK) offers a compelling investment opportunity by exploring assets in Australia, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The company focuses on optimizing and divesting the Livingstone gold project to generate capital for expanding its copper projects in the Middle East. Metal Bank's strong regional presence, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, is underpinned by deep industry relationships and extensive operating experience.
The company is securing copper and other critical minerals projects in Saudi Arabia, through its joint venture company, Consolidated Mining Company (CMC). CMC is 60 percent owned by MBK and 40 percent by Central Mining Holding Company. Its first project, Wadi Al Junah, has been awarded exploration licences in November 2024.
Wadi Al Junah is a joint venture through Consolidated Mining Company (CMC, MBK 60 percent). Exploration activities include regional geochemical surveys, surface mapping, and shear-zone anomaly identification. Phase 1 drilling is planned for Q2 2025.
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Metal Bank Limited (MBK) offers a compelling investment opportunity driven by its copper-focused growth strategy, targeting high-demand projects across the Middle Eastern region.
Metal Bank (ASX:MBK) is a growth-focused explorer engaged in copper and gold exploration and development across Australia, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
The company’s near-term focus is on optimizing and divesting the Livingstone gold project to generate capital for expanding its copper projects in the Middle East. Metal Bank's strong regional presence, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, is underpinned by deep industry relationships and extensive operating experience.
In the near term, MBK is executing its Middle East and North African (MENA) strategy focused on Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The strategy includes securing copper and other critical minerals projects in Saudi Arabia, through its joint venture company, Consolidated Mining Company (CMC). CMC is 60 percent owned by MBK and 40 percent by Central Mining Holding Company. Its first project, Wadi Al Junah, has been awarded exploration licences in November 2024. MBK has also identified several new areas of interest and exploration licence applications have already been submitted. MBK is also in discussions with third parties holding exploration licences for potential cooperation/joint ventures.
In Jordan, key agreements have been secured for copper exploration within historic mining areas. The three copper project areas granted in Jordan are Malaqa, Area 47 and Area 65. Two of these projects are in areas with historic mining activities, while the third is highly prospective for large-scale copper under cover.
The leadership team brings a proven track record of exploration success and project execution, positioning the company for long-term value creation in the critical minerals market.
Multiple prospects at Livingstone gold project
The Livingstone gold project is an advanced gold exploration project located 140 km northwest of Meekatharra in Western Australia. The project spans 395 sq km within the Bryah-Padbury Basin. The project hosts a JORC 2012 resource of 40,300 oz gold (Homestead) and 30,500 oz gold (Kingsley). Exploration efforts include geophysical mapping, RC drilling, and over 40 km of strike target assessments. The company is updating resource models and conducting pit optimization. Strong corporate interest has led to discussions to expedite divestment, with proceeds to fund MENA operations.
The project has multiple advanced gold targets, inadequately tested to date, including Hilltop, Stanley, Winja, Winja West, VHF and Kirba, Additionally, independent experts have identified more than 10 regional greenfields targets with 40km prospective strike length.
A 427 sq km VMS copper-zinc-gold-silver project, Wadi Al Junah is a joint venture through Consolidated Mining Company (CMC, MBK 60 percent). Exploration activities include regional geochemical surveys, surface mapping, and shear-zone anomaly identification. Phase 1 drilling is planned for Q2 2025.
The Wadi Al Junah project is 35 km east of the Al Hajar gold-silver (copper-zinc) deposit that was previously mined by Saudi’s state-owned mining company, Ma’aden, and is close to the major regional centre and airport of Bisha. The project has received very limited rock chip sampling as part of regional scale mapping work in the 1960s and 1970s. with results of up to 1.53 percent copper, 0.44 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 160 g/t silver. MBK aims to define drill targets in preparation for initial drill programs.
Metal Bank is leveraging its extensive history in Saudi Arabia, and pursuing additional tenement applications and joint venture partnerships. The country has enacted a new mining code in 2021, establishing mining-friendly regulations and a system of refunding exploration expenditure for approved projects.
This three-project portfolio is aimed at large-scale copper exploration. The Malaqa project has shown copper mineralization over an 800-meter strike through chip and channel sampling. Area 47 features a 4 sq km geochemical anomaly indicative of porphyry-style mineralization, while Area 65 is a bulk-tonnage copper-oxide target. Metal Bank is planning a drilling campaign during 2025 and also assessing local joint venture opportunities to progress these three projects.
Rock sample from the Millennium project
This cobalt-copper-gold project holds a JORC 2012 Inferred Resource of 8.4 Mt at 0.09 percent cobalt, 0.29 percent copper, and 0.12 g/t gold. Recent reanalysis of historic cores revealed high-grade graphite intersections (e.g. 56 m at 18.29 percent graphite). Located on granted mining leases, the project offers polymetallic potential. Metal Bank is planning further metallurgical testing and drilling to expand both the copper and graphite resource base.
Inés Scotland has over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, having worked with major gold and copper companies across Australia, Papua New Guinea, the USA, and the Middle East. Her career includes roles with Rio Tinto companies such as Comalco, Lihir, and Kennecott Utah Copper. Notably, she was the managing director and CEO of Citadel Resource Group Limited, where she led the development of the Jabal Sayid Copper Project in Saudi Arabia. Under her leadership, Citadel grew to a market capitalization of $1.3 billion before its acquisition by Equinox Minerals in January 2011. She also served as the managing director and CEO of Ivanhoe Australia, an ASX-listed company with a market capitalization of $500 million. Scotland was appointed as chair of Metal Bank Limited on August 13, 2013.
Guy Robertson brings over 30 years of experience as a chief financial officer, company secretary, and director for both public and private companies in Australia and Hong Kong. His previous roles include serving as chief financial officer and general manager of finance for organizations such as Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Colliers International, and Franklins. He has over a decade of experience with ASX-listed mineral exploration companies and currently holds directorships with Hastings Technology Metals, GreenTech Metals, Artemis Resources, and Alien Metals. Robertson was appointed as an executive director of Metal Bank on September 17, 2012.
Sue-Ann Higgins is an experienced company executive with over 25 years in the mining industry. She has held senior legal and commercial roles with companies including ARCO Coal Australia, WMC Resources, Oxiana, and Citadel Resource Group. Her expertise encompasses governance and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and mineral exploration, development, and operations. Higgins was appointed as company secretary on August 21, 2013, and became an executive director on February 24, 2020.
Copper and gold-focused exploration in Australia and the Middle East
Highlights
WIN Metals Managing Director and CEO, Mr Steve Norregaard, commented:
“Our first update of the Butchers Creek Mineral Resource following the successful maiden drill campaign completed late in 2024 has delivered an 8C% increase in the Indicated Resource. This paves the way for the Company to advance development studies while we continue to drill our other high-priority, high-grade targets.
With readily accessible mineralisation located immediately below the shallow open pit amenable to low-cost open pit mining methods, the opportunity to monetise this asset in the current high gold price environment is now an imperative.
To complement this great outcome, the Company will continue to enhance the resource base focussing on the Golden Crown area during the forthcoming dry season, building on the promising high-grade drill intersections reported last year.
The significant achievements by WIN during the short time we have held this project, and the opportunities we see in this underexplored goldfield in WA’s Kimberley region, provide a strong foundation for our future growth.”
This latest April 2025 MRE update increases the Mineral Resource to 321,000oz of gold at 1.G1g/t Au, with 258,000oz gold at 2.24g/t Au representing 80% of the MRE classified as Indicated available for economic studies for project development.
Table 1: Butchers Creek Gold Resource SummaryNote: Figures are rounded and reported at 0.5g/t cut-off to 150m below surface (open pit) and 0.8g/t below 150m of surface
This update reflects the successful conversion of an additional 11G,000oz at 2.24g/t Au into the Indicated category representing an 86% increase in Indicated gold resource ounces compared to the 2021 MRE1 as demonstrated in the waterfall chart in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Mineral Resource Changes by Classification
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This article includes content from Win 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.
All amounts expressed in US dollars
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) confirms that it has continued to engage in good faith with the Government of Mali to finalise an agreement that was fully negotiated and accepted by the Ministry of Finance in February 2025.
From the outset of its engagement, Barrick has worked to find a constructive solution. In October 2024, it agreed to a framework aimed at achieving a comprehensive resolution of all outstanding disputes and paid $85 million as part of the ongoing negotiations.
Despite this, the Government subsequently took a series of escalatory actions, including the arrest of Barrick employees – who remain unfairly in detention – and the suspension of gold shipments.
More recently, although Barrick signed the agreement presented by the Government as requested in February, the Government has failed to execute it. Its conclusion now appears to be obstructed by a small group of individuals placing personal or political interests above the long-term interests of Mali and its people.
This week, departments within the Government escalated matters by closing Barrick's Bamako office and threatening to place the Loulo-Gounkoto mine under provisional administration unless the mine was reopened and tax payments were made – even though gold exports remain blocked.
It is regrettable that the Government continues to obstruct gold exports while simultaneously demanding tax payments on revenue it has actively prevented from being realised.
Barrick remains ready to honour the agreement envisioned by both partners and stands prepared to immediately restart production. This would unlock substantial revenue for the country, including tax and royalty flows that form a very significant part of the national budget. This would also see the dropping of unfounded criminal charges against its employees and their release from detention.
The consequences of the Government's continued inaction are serious both from an economic and human angle. The long-term viability of one of Mali's most strategic mining assets and a key contributor to the national economy is at risk. Barrick brings the unique expertise required to successfully operate this world-class mine. In addition, four innocent Malian citizens continue to be deprived of their freedom, without any justification nor prospect for a quick solution.
Barrick has long been a committed partner to the people of Mali and a reliable corporate citizen, consistently supporting local content and economic development, even in times of uncertainty. As private banks face mounting pressure to keep the country afloat, Barrick has continued to meet its obligations in good faith, paying wages, sustaining workers and contractors' livelihoods as well as the broader supply chain. However, this situation is not sustainable for the longer term.
While Barrick continues to seek a constructive solution, it remains prepared to pursue international arbitration and legal remedies against the Government and any individuals or entities, acting in bad faith.
Barrick urges the Government of Mali to act now in the interest of its people and the national economy by concluding the agreement which stands ready to be implemented.
Enquiries:
Investor and Media Relations
Kathy du Plessis
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans, or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "continue", "intended", "committed", "engage", "negotiate", "pursue" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: the status of the gold stock removed from site; the outcome of dispute resolution through arbitration; the status of negotiations with the Government of Mali in respect of ongoing disputes regarding the Loulo-Gounkoto Complex and Barrick's commitment to reach a mutually acceptable solution; the potential to increase the Government of Mali's share in the economic benefits of Loulo-Gounkoto; and Loulo-Gounkoto's partnership with the Government of Mali.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this press release in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/ or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Mali and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; risks related to disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and mining activities, including disruptions in the supply of key mining inputs due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and conflicts in the Middle East; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations related to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).
Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barrick's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Barrick 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 applicable law.
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