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Gidji JV Exploration Update
Placement To Raise $4 Million And Exercise Of The Lake Hope Option
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) (Company) is pleased to announce that it has received firm commitments to raise $4,000,000 via a placement (Placement) of 333,333,333 shares (Placement Shares) at 1.2 cents per share, a 5% premium to the 15 day VWAP, and giving the Company a cash balance of approximately $5 million.
- $4 million raised via a Placement at 1.2 cents to professional and sophisticated investors, including $3 million from Impact’s largest shareholder, a German Family Office.
- Funds will be used primarily to accelerate the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and Mining Lease Application at the Lake Hope Project, an advanced High Purity Alumina (HPA) project located near Hyden in the Tier One jurisdiction of Western Australia.
- Impact has also exercised its option to proceed with the farm-in to earn an 80% interest in the Lake Hope Project by completing the PFS.
- Early-stage exploration to continue on the Arkun battery metals project in Western Australia.
Impact Minerals would like to thank Ignite Equity, who assisted with the balance of the capital raising being $750,000. Ignite Equity is a Melbourne-based boutique Corporate Advisor specialising in cornerstone and lead-managed placements.
The funds will be used to accelerate the development of the advanced Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) project located 500 km southeast of Perth in the Tier 1 jurisdiction of Western Australia. Impact recently announced it had the option to acquire an 80% interest in Lake Hope by completing a Pre- Feasibility Study on the project, and the Company has also now exercised that option following the completion of due diligence (ASX Releases March 21st 2023 and April 6th 2023).
Impact Minerals’ Managing Director, Dr Mike Jones, said, “We are extremely pleased with the backing of our major investors which is a resounding vote of confidence in our decision to enter the HPA market by developing the advanced Lake Hope Project in Western Australia. Since announcing the acquisition, our work has confirmed the project's significant potential, and we have now exercised the option to earn an 80% interest by completing a Pre-Feasibility Study. With the new funds, we can now accelerate this study and also produce final products that can be provided to potential customers for qualification testing. We have already made considerable strides in advancing the project, with just the final set of assays for the recently completed infill drilling left to complete our maiden resource estimate by the end of this Quarter. We then intend to submit a Mining Lease application in the next Quarter in tandem with the feasibility studies. We are forging ahead at full speed, and these funds will allow us to maintain our momentum”.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Impact Minerals, 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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Impact Minerals Limited
Overview
Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) is an exploration and development mining company focused on discovering and developing new resource projects within Australia. Lake Hope, a recent 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. Its main uses are 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.
Impact is currently focused on lodging a mining lease application. The company 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 AL203) 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.
In June 2023, Impact announced 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. The company recently announced a key milestone having produced 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 on schedule in late 2024.
A comparison of the LTL process and the sulphate process
The company received a significant research and development refund of $753,000 from its exploration activities completed in the financial year ending June 30th, 2022. 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 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.
Company Highlights
- Impact Minerals is an exploration and development mining company focused on rapidly moving its flagship Lake Hope high-purity alumina (HPA) project towards production.
- Lake Hope project has a high-grade maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 3.5 million tonnes at 25.1 percent alumina (Al2O3), for a contained 880,000 tonnes of alumina that can be converted to HPA.
- HPA is used throughout multiple industries, and the overall HPA market is projected to grow by a CAGR of 18.4 percent by 2030.
- A pre-feasibility study is currently in progress, and Impact plans to lodge a mining lease application by Q3 2024 after results of its scoping study indicated that Lake Hope could potentially be one of, if not the lowest-cost producer of HPA globally, possibly by a significant margin of up to 50 percent.
- The company’s project portfolio also includes assets with high-grade mineral deposits of a range of base, critical and precious metals.
- Impact Mineral’s 2,000-square-mile Arkun nickel-copper-PGE project in Western Australia has produced encouraging assays motivating further exploration with maiden drill programmes planned for 2024.
- The company is also exploring its Broken Hill copper project in New South Wales under the auspices of the BHP Xplor program.
- A strong management team leads the company with experience in geology, mining and corporate finance.
Key Projects
Lake Hope HPA Project
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 has become the company’s flagship as it moves toward production.
Project Highlights:
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate: A maiden mineral resource of 3.5 million tonnes at 25.1 percent alumina (Al2O3) for a contained 880,000 tonnes of alumina has been defined at the Lake Hope HPA Project. About 88 percent of the resource, or 775,000 tonnes of alumina, is in the higher confidence indicated resource category.
- Amenable to Open-pit Mining: The Lake Hope project is a unique HPA asset amenable to shallow, open-pit mining. The deposit is soft and shallow, allowing for cheap digging and minimal infrastructure requirements. This type of deposit also lowers the environmental footprint of the operation.
- Fast-tracked to Production: The company is currently awaiting its Mining Lease Application. Once granted, the company will begin working towards a pre-feasibility study and mini pilot plant. Impact Minerals plans to reach a complete pilot plant by 2026.
- Impressive Results of the 2023 Scoping Study: Outstanding economics show Lake Hope to potentially be the lowest-cost producer of High Purity Alumina (HPA) globally by up to 50 percent. Key outcomes from the scoping study include:
- Annual production of 10,000 tpa of 4N HPA with an initial 25-year mine life
- Annual EBITDA of A$174 million.
- 2 years construction period with 5,000 tonnes of production during the first year, 8,000 tonnes in the second year and 10,000 tonnes of production thereafter.
- US$934 million post-tax NPV8 at an IRR of 55 percent.
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.
Broken Hill Copper Project
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.
Project Highlights:
- Participant in the BHP Xplor Program: Impact was selected for the BHP Xplor program based on its Broken Hill project. The program is designed to allow participants to accelerate growth and establish a long-term partnership with BHP.
- Potential for Additional Minerals and Deposits: As well as copper, the project has significant exploration potential for magmatic nickel-copper-PGE sulphides, and at the time the host rocks were formed, Broken Hill was located close to the world-class nickel-copper-PGE deposit of Jinchuan and the significant Lengquisheng deposit. The project area also has the potential to contain zinc-lead-silver deposits, providing even more value.
Arkun Nickel-Copper-Gold-Lithium-REE Project
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.
Project Highlights:
- Additional Exploration Underway: Impact plans follow-up work programs, including drilling, at its priority targets.
- Significant Targets Identified: Recent soil sampling identified two new prospects:
- Hyperion prospect - Located in the northwestern part of the project area returned with rare earth element anomalism of up to 5,880 ppm (0.59 percent) total rare earth oxide (TREO+Y) and neodymium and praseodymium (Nd+Pr) of up to 21 percent.
- Caligula prospect - Initially identified on the roadside, the Caligula prospect is a large and significant target for porphyry copper mineralisation.
- Three New Exploration Licences: Impact applied for three new exploration licences expanding Arkun project along trend from the recently discovered REE soil geochemistry anomalies at Hyperion, Swordfish and Horseshoe as well as the Caligula copper anomaly.
Management Team
Peter Unsworth - Non-executive Chairman
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 - Managing Director
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 - Non-executive Director
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 - Non-executive Director
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.
First Copper Sulphate Shipment Completed
Tartana Minerals Limited (ASX: TAT) (the Company), is pleased to announce that it has completed the first shipment of Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate (Copper Sulphate) from Tartana’s newly recommissioned Copper Sulphate plant.
Highlights:
- First Copper Sulphate shipment completed from Tartana to offtake partner Kanins
- Payment received and start of ongoing cashflow for Tartana
- Further shipments are targeted to commence on a more regular basis as production ramps up
- Copper drilling announced last week is ongoing, with target completion next week with aim to provide bulk samples for mineralogical testwork
“Our first shipment of Copper Sulphate with our 100% offtake partner, Kanins International, is a significant step towards recommencing commercial steady-state production and reflects a coalescence of over two years of work in recommissioning this plant. We now look towards moving into a more regular rhythm of shipments being completed.
“Recent Copper price improvements directly increase the profitability of this project as Copper Sulphate is priced by reference to its Copper weight plus a premium.”
Above: First shipment preparing to leave the Tartana Mine Site on Friday, 3 May 2024
As agreed with the Company’s 100% offtake partner, Kanins International, the Company has been paid for the product immediately upon the product leaving mine site. Cash receipts from Kanins will be reflected in the Company’s quarterly cash flow reporting on and from this Q4 FY24.
Drilling Ongoing
Last week, Tartana announced that it would commence a diamond drill hole for metallurgical sampling, targeting PQ sizing. Tartana is pleased to advise that drilling commenced successfully last week and is expected to be completed next week.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Tartana Minerals 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.
$2.5 Million Rights Issue Closes with Significant Excess Demand
Flynn Gold Limited (ASX: FG1, “Flynn” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that the renounceable rights issue announced on 4 April 2024 has closed on 30 April 2024 with significant excess demand, raising the full amount of $2,462,114 (before costs).
Highlights
- Rights Issue seeking to raise $2.5 million closes with significant excess demand
- Strong support from existing shareholders and new investors introduced by Mahe Capital
- Funds to be used primarily to advance the Company’s Trafalgar high-grade gold discovery at Golden Ridge in Northeast Tasmania
- Phase 3 drilling at the Trafalgar prospect commenced in April 2024
- 1,500m diamond drill program has been planned
- For further information or to post questions go to the Flynn Gold Investor Hub at https://investorhub.flynngold.com.au/link/7PRD0e
The total includes $1,211,907 received by way of acceptances from shareholders and $1,250,207 received from the shortfall shares placed to existing shareholders and by the lead manager and Underwriter, Mahe Capital Pty Ltd (Mahe Capital).
The Company will issue 82,070,455 new fully paid ordinary shares (Shares) and 41,035,227 new options (subject to rounding) exercisable at $0.075 and expiring on 7 November 2026 (Options). The Company will seek quotation of the Options on the ASX.
The new securities are expected to be issued on Tuesday, 7 May 2024, in accordance with the timetable in the Prospectus and will commence trading on the ASX on a normal settlement basis from Wednesday, 8 May 2024.
The Company would like to thank all its shareholders for their support and welcomes new shareholders introduced by Mahe Capital to the register.
The Board has also exercised its discretion to accept a portion of the excess demand to the value of $250,000. Accordingly, the Company will issue an additional 8,333,333 Shares and 4,166,666 Options, on the same terms as the securities issued under the rights issue, from the company’s current listing rule 7.1 placement capacity.
A supplementary prospectus will be lodged with ASIC and released to ASX in respect of the additional shares and options.
The final capital raising results are set out below:
* The number of new Shares and Options issued is subject to rounding.
A further 5,424,227 Options will be issued to the underwriter.
Managing Director and CEO, Neil Marston commented,
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all our shareholders who have participated in this Rights Issue and to also welcome new shareholders to the Flynn Gold register. This is a very good outcome, particularly in these difficult markets and demonstrates enthusiasm for our future. The Company now has sufficient funds to embark on growing our gold opportunities in Northeast Tasmania with drilling already underway.“
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Flynn Gold, 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.
+30,000m Drilling Program to Commence Across Brightstar’s Enlarged 1.45Moz Au Portfolio
Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) (Brightstar) is pleased to advise that a large reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling (DD) program will commence immediately across the broader 1.45Moz Brightstar & Linden Gold (subject of an off-market takeover offer)4 portfolio, targeting gold mineralisation within known pit shells and underground designs outlined within Brightstar’s Scoping Studies.
HIGHLIGHTS
- +30,000m Reverse Circulation and Diamond Drilling programs to commence imminently across the Brightstar portfolio, targeting resource upgrades & extensions in conjunction with feasibility workstreams at Menzies and Laverton, as well as Linden Gold’s Second Fortune and Jasper Hills Gold Projects
- RC drilling targeting gold mineralisation within conservative ($2,750/oz1 and $2,800/oz2) economic pit shells and underground designs previously announced in Brightstar Scoping Studies1,2, potentially generating higher confidence mineral resources (M&I) and de- risking early stages of future mining operations at Lady Shenton & Lord Byron open pits
- Surface & underground diamond drilling at Second Fortune to build confidence in FY2025 mine plans, with complementary underground exploration program leveraging synergies to explore Second Fortune at depth below the current Mineral Resource Estimate
- RC drilling across Menzies including Link Zone and the greenfields St Francis prospect, located 1.5km along strike from the Selkirk Mine, which was the recent subject of a successful mining JV, generating $6.5M in net profit3 to Brightstar
- Brightstar’s technical team further bolstered by key appointments to geological leadership roles
Concurrently with this infill program at Menzies, Brightstar will also take advantage of operational synergies and drill the St Francis prospect, located 1.5km north-west along strike of the Selkirk deposit which was recently the focus of a successful mining joint venture which generated $6.5M profit to Brightstar.
Additional RC & DD drilling has been planned at Cork Tree Well and Linden Gold’s Second Fortune and Jasper Hills (Fish and Lord Byron deposits) projects to target both high-grade underground gold resources and baseload feed open pit targets.
Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, commented“This drilling program is the start of an aggressive exploration campaign by Brightstar, including deposits within the recently announced Linden Gold merger. Beyond the initial RC campaign at Menzies, the drill rigs will then head to Brightstar’s Laverton Hub with the view to complete diamond and reverse circulation drilling programs across the enlarged Brightstar portfolio. We expect these holes to deliver valuable information for geological, mine planning, geotechnical and metallurgical purposes ahead of the combined pre-feasibility study to be released by the end of the year. We’re also targeting greenfields exploration growth at the St Francis and Delta 2 prospects within the Menzies and Laverton Gold Projects respectively, with both highly compelling targets identified for drill testing.
Concurrently with these programs, we are also thrilled to announce the commencement of Jonathan Gough as General Manager - Geology along with the recent appointment of Edward Keys as Exploration Manager. Jonathan and Ed both come to Brightstar with proven successes in their recent geology management roles at Musgrave Minerals and Prodigy Gold, respectively. In addition, Linden Gold has recently appointed Jamie Brown as Chief Geologist initially based at Second Fortune, with the site team bolstered by Jamie’s strong background in operational underground mine geology.
We are fortunate to attract such high-quality mining professionals with a combined +50 years of gold exploration and mining experience joining our team, and we look forward to their contributions to Brightstar’s exciting growth trajectory as we explore and build on our existing 1.45Moz resource base in the Eastern Goldfields of WA”.
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
Brightstar is commencing a surface RC and DD campaign across all major deposits within the larger Brightstar & Linden Gold portfolio, along with minor exploration programs targeting near-surface gold mineralisation under shallow cover at the St Francis prospect in Menzies, the Delta 2 prospect located near Cork Tree Well, along with confirmatory drilling at the Beta deposit adjacent to the Brightstar plant.
These programs will commence imminently, with approximately five months of RC drilling including three months of concurrent diamond drilling completed from surface, with a complementary underground program scheduled for June to explore Second Fortune at depth. Table 1 below outlines the broad overview of the program, with one surface RC rig, one surface DD rig and one underground DD rig being utilised in the coming months.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Brightstar 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.
Pan American Makes US$295 Million Deal to Sell La Arena Mine
Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS,NASDAQ:PAAS) has announced the sale of its 100 percent interest in La Arena, including the La Arena gold mine and the La Arena II project in Peru, to Singapore’s Jinteng Mining.
Jinteng is a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group (OTC Pink:ZIJMF,SHA:601899).
Zijin will pay US$245 million cash upfront and grant Pan American a life-of-mine gold net smelter return royalty of 1.5 percent for the La Arena II project upon the deal closing. Additionally, upon the commencement of commercial production from the La Arena II project, an additional contingent payment of US$50 million in cash will be made.
Pan American expects the deal to be finalized in the third quarter of 2024.
"With the sale of La Arena, we continue to deliver on our strategy to optimize our portfolio, following the Yamana transaction, while maintaining future upside through the retention of royalties," President and CEO Michael Steinmann stated in a company press release on Wednesday (May 1).
"Proceeds from the transaction will further strengthen our financial position and allow us to deliver on our capital allocation priorities of investing in high-quality assets, debt reduction and returning capital to our shareholders."
The La Arena property, situated in the La Libertad province of Peru, has seen significant development under Pan American's ownership since its acquisition of previous owner Tahoe Resources in 2019.
Despite the sale of La Arena, Pan American Silver retains a strong foothold in the sector, with interests in exploration and development projects across the region. The company is planning expansions at its Huarón silver mine, also in Peru.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Brunswick Exploration
Overview
Brunswick Exploration (TSXV:BRW,OTCQB:BRWXF) is among the only public companies aggressively and systematically conducting grassroots exploration for lithium in Canada and Greenland using state-of-the-art exploration technology to identify high-potential targets. Specifically, our team has staked major under explored pegmatite fields across Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Greenland.
Our team of geologists begins by compiling available data and conducting research to identify locations where they believe the potential for minerals of interest might be found. Our technical field team is dispatched to conduct a prospecting program by gathering robust observational data using tried-and-true field geology techniques. The goal of the program is to reveal the presence of mineralization that may predict the presence of an unknown mineral deposit.
The company's exploration team is led by Robert Wares, co-founder of the Osisko Group of Companies. Wares is an established and award-winning professional geologist with over 35 years of experience in mineral exploration and development.
Brunswick Exploration has identified five high-priority projects in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of Quebec: Mirage, Elrond, Anatacau, PLEX and Mythril. In 2023, grassroots lithium discoveries were made at Mirage, Elrond and Anatacau, which are currently the focus of drilling.
Company Highlights
- Brunswick Exploration Inc. (BRW) is a Montreal-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V under symbol BRW. The Company is focused on grassroots exploration for lithium in Canada and Greenland, a critical metal necessary to global decarbonization and energy transition.
- This has generated one of the largest grassroots lithium portfolios globally.
- BRW's board includes Robert Wares, one of the founders of Osisko Mining.
- BRW was recognized as one of the Top 50 TSX Venture listed companies in 2023.
- The company has staked hundreds of untested prospective pegmatites measuring a minimum strike length of 500 meters and within 50 kilometers of infrastructure.
- In 2023, three discoveries were made in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of Quebec at the Mirage, Anatacau Main and Elrond projects.
- In 2023, BRW completed a maiden 3,712-meter drill program at the Anatacau West project in Quebe that generated up to 26.5 metres at 1.51% Li2O.
- BRW completed 2 drill programs at the Mirage project, located in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of Quebec. Intercepts include up to 58.1 metres at 1.59% Li2O.
- The company also completed a maiden drill program in early 2024 at the Elrond project to test the Arwen pegmatite discovered in 2023. Results are pending.
- The company will launch a Maiden drill program at the Anatacau Main project in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of Quebec to test the Anais showing in H2 2024.
- Sirios Resources signed an agreement with Brunswick Exploration granting it the right to purchase a 0.5 percent net smelter return (NSR) held by Sirios on eight claims that are part of Brunswick Exploration's Mirage lithium property located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay.
Key Projects
Mirage Project
The Mirage Project comprises 427 claims with a total surface area of 21,230 hectares (staked and optioned claims), located roughly 40 kilometers south of the Trans-Taiga Highway in Quebec’s James Bay region. Fruitful discussions with a geologist that worked the area twenty-five years ago for gold exploration led to the staking of the BRW claims, as he recorded the presence of several angular pegmatitic glacial boulders hosting well-defined, decimetric spodumene crystals. The largest observed boulder measured 8 meters by 4 meters by 3 meters. In the fall of 2023, BRW discovered several high grade spodumene outcrops over a 2.5 kilometer trend as well as an adjacent 3.0 kilometer spodumene boulder train that has different minerology than the discovered outcrops.
In 2023, BRW completed a 5,000-meters drill program at the Mirage Project. The phase 1, 26-hole program, aimed to test the continuity and widths of the six widest spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes that have been discovered to date on the property over a total cumulative strike length of 2,500 meters. Final drill results from the 2023 program at the Mirage project have outlined two new spodumene mineralized dykes (MR-5 and MR-6) with significant thickness and grade, all within the Central Zone. MR-23-28 intersected high-grade mineralization of 1.80 percent Li2O over 37.2 meters starting from surface in newly discovered dyke MR-6 located 500 metres northeast of MR-3. Evidence of potential stacking of dykes in Central Zone where MR-23-35 intercepted 11.5 meters grading 1.1 percent Li2O approximately 100 meters south of MR-3 in new dyke MR-5.
In H1 2024, a Phase II drilling campaign, containing 35 holes was completed at the Mirage project by targeting the extensions of known pegmatite dykes (MR-1 to MR-6) while new prospective outcrops have yet to be drill-tested. Results have generated up to 58.10 meters of 1.59% Li2O. Final results will be released when available.
In 2024, Brunswick Exploration signed an agreement with Sirios Resources to repurchase an existing 0.5 percent NSR on certain claims within the Mirage projectElrond Project
The Elrond Project comprises 136 claims with a total area of 7,048 hectares, located roughly 12 kilometers east of the Billy Diamond Highway in Quebec’s James Bay region. Elrond is part of the Mythril option agreement with Midland Exploration whereby BRW can earn a maximum of 85 percent interest in the project.
In the fall of 2023, BRW uncovered a new, undocumented spodumene-bearing pegmatite, known as the Arwen showing, that is exposed over a surface area measuring approximately 250 meters by 100 meters, dipping very shallowly to the north. The pegmatite remains open in all directions.
The Arwen outcrop is well mineralized in spodumene throughout the showing with an apparent higher-grade zone, containing up to 30 percent spodumene, which has a visible extent of approximately 75 by 15 meters. The spodumene crystals are well formed and up to 30 centimeters in length with an off-white color and were confirmed through LIBS analysis and UV light.
In early 2024, the company completed a maiden drilling campaign at the Elrond project to test the Arwen spodumene-bearing pegmatite. The Arwen pegmatite is well mineralized and three representative grab samples returned values between 1 and 3 percent Li2O. A high-resolution airborne magnetic survey was flown in the fall of 2023 and suggests that the Arwen showing is emplaced in a favorable structural corridor that is 4 kilometers long and 500 meters wide. The target area is proximal to infrastructure, located approximately 12 kilometers from the Billy-Diamond Highway and drilling activities will be ground supported via a winter road.
Results will be released when available.
Anatacau
Comprising the Anatacau Main and Anatacau West projects, these assets are under an option agreement with Osisko GP, a subsidiary of Osisko Development, under which Brunswick Resources can earn a 90 percent interest in the projects. The Anatacau property is located just east of Allkem’s (TSX:AKE) James Bay Lithium deposit (previously known as the Cyr deposit), which has a total mineral resource of 110.2 million tons (Mt) at 1.30 percent lithium oxide and a total ore reserve of 37.3 Mt at 1.27 percent lithium oxide.
BRW completed a maiden drill program at the Anatacau west property totalling 3,712 meters. 17 of the 18 drilled holes intersected spodumene mineralization that generated up to 26.5 metres at 1.51% Li2O
In the summer of 2023, Brunswick discovered a significant lithium pegmatite outcrop, measuring at least 100 meters long by 15 meters wide known as the Anais showing in Anatacau Main. The outcrop is within a larger cluster of pegmatite dykes all of which contain high-grade lithium mineralization.
This discovery is located 22 kilometers east of Anatacau West and Allkem’s James Bay Project along a large-scale E-W deformation corridor which is host to the known lithium-bearing pegmatite dykes in the region. This structure runs through both the Anatacau West and Anatacau Main properties over a total of 15.5 kilometers, all of which has never been explored for lithium.
BRW is planning a maiden drill program in 2024 to test the Anais pegmatite as well as a property wide prospecting and geochemical program.
Management Team
Robert Wares - Executive Chairman
Robert Wares is a professional geologist with more than 35 years of experience in mineral exploration and development. He was responsible for discovering the Canadian Malartic bulk tonnage gold mine, which was subsequently developed by Osisko Mining into one of Canada's largest gold producers. Wares was a co-winner of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's "Prospector of the Year Award" for 2007. He was also named one of the"Mining Men of the Year" for 2009 by the Northern Miner. Wares will remain at Osisko Metals in an advisory capacity. He has a bachelor of science and an honorary doctorate in Earth sciences from McGill University.
Killian Charles - President and CEO
From 2017 to 2021, Killian Charles worked as VP of corporate development for Osisko Metals. Charles was previously the manager of corporate development at Integra Gold Corp, which was an advanced-stage gold development company until it was acquired by Eldorado Gold in July 2017. He worked as a mining analyst at Industrial Alliance Securities and Laurentian Bank Securities. Charles covered small and mid-cap exploration and production companies as a mining analyst. Charles holds a bachelor of science with a major in Earth and planetary sciences from McGill University.
Anthony Glavac - CFO
Anthony Glavac has more than 17 years of experience in financial reporting, including over 12 years in the mining industry. Since August 2017, Glavac has served as vice-president, and corporate controller for Falco Resources, and previously served as director, financial reporting and internal controls at Dynacor Gold Mines. Glavac spent 10 years at KPMG, working with both public and private companies, providing audit, taxation, strategic advisory and public offering services. Glavac is also involved with other public companies in the mining industry.
François Goulet - Exploration Manager, Quebec
François Goulet holds a master’s degree in structural geology from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM). In recent years he was president and CEO of Harfang Exploration, a gold project generator in the James Bay region. He has extensive experience working in the James Bay region of Quebec as well as international experience in a variety of exploration projects. Goulet has worked for Virginia Mines, Unigold, Maya Gold and Silver, the Canadian Malartic Partnership, Glencore Canada and several other junior companies. He is a member of the board of directors of l’Association de l’exploration minière du Québec (AEMQ) and a registered geologist with the Ordre des géologues du Québec since January 2011.
Charles Kodors - Exploration Manager, Atlantic Canada
Mr. Kodors is the Manager, Atlantic Canada at Brunswick Exploration Inc. and has been with the company since January 2021. Having 15 years of experience in the mining and exploration industry, he most recently served as an Exploration Manager for Osisko Metals and a Senior Exploration Geologist for Kirkland Lake Gold. Mr. Kodors received his B.Sc. from Brock University and is a registered Professional Geologist within the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Simon Hébert - Vice-president, Development
Simon Hébert is a professional geologist with over 13 years in the mining exploration industry. He began his career with Virginia Mines and Osisko Mining. Hébert has worked on several metallogenic projects and in various environments, mainly in the Baie-James territory, Nunavik and the Northwest Territories. He was a mining director in April 2019 where he participated in the formation of NQ Mining Investment, where he subsequently became general manager in 2023. Hébert is a registered professional geologist and a member of the Ordre des Géologues du Quebec since 2012. He has sat on the AEMQ board of directors since 2019, serving as vice-president. He is president of the board of directors of the Table Jamésienne de concertation minière. Hébert holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Université Laval.
Gold, Silver See Gains as Fed Continues to Maintain Rates
The United States Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it would hold its benchmark rate at 5.25 percent to 5.5 percent following its two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
In his press conference following the meeting, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell largely echoed statements from previous sessions, suggesting the committee would continue to hold rates until it had more confidence that the inflation rate was on a sustainable path to the 2 percent target set by the central bank.
This was in line with analyst expectations prior to the meeting based on recent data from various government agencies.
Higher-than-expected personal consumption expenditures index (PCE) data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on April 26 showed that inflation rates were remaining stubborn. The key indicator posted a 2.7 percent annualized growth in March, 0.2 percent higher than February’s 2.5 percent growth rate. A day earlier, the BEA released an advance estimate of Q1 2024 gross domestic product data, which reported that real GDP increased 1.6 percent on an annual basis in the first quarter, down from 3.4 percent annual growth in Q4 2023.
Further muddying the waters for the Fed was a release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 30, coinciding with the first day of the FOMC’s meeting, that reported a 1.2 percent increase in labor costs through the first quarter of 2024. While this data is not a key indicator for the Fed, the increase continues to show the effects of inflation within the labor market, making the situation more challenging for the central bank.Data suggests higher-for-longer interest rates
Powell said the data released since the last meeting in February had given the FOMC some uncertainty, but they were committed to restoring price stability to the economy. While the agency is continuing to pause changes to its rate, Powell did say the Federal Reserve would also continue to reduce its security holdings, with the pace slowing in June.
The committee came to its decision based on the stalling of inflation rates over the past several months as well as a tight labor market that, while becoming more balanced, continues to see demand exceed supply.
Although much of the data pushed the agency towards a higher-for-longer policy on its rates, Powell suggested there were some bright spots in the economy, including supply and demand conditions returning to balance along with unemployment remaining relatively low at 3.8 percent.
While Powell noted he doesn’t expect another rate hike, he was unwilling to state when rate cuts could be expected, suggesting that having the confidence to make cuts will take longer than expected.
After the release of the policy decision, markets were mixed, with the S&P and Nasdaq falling off 0.34 percent and 0.7 percent respectively by the end of the trading day, while the Dow had a slight gain of 0.23 percent. Meanwhile, the US dollar index saw a decline, losing 0.64 percent.
However, the gold price and silver price both saw gains, with gold climbing from US$2,299 in morning trading to a session high of US$2,327 and silver moving from US$26.43 to US$26.90, although both withdrew slightly. Gold has continued to trade at all-time highs in 2024, and set its latest record in early April when the gold price climbed to US$2,392. Silver has also performed strongly this year, and breached the US$29 level in the middle of last month.
The next meeting for the Federal Reserve’s FOMC will take place June 11 to 12.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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