Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV:SMN,OTCQB:SMREF) is a Canadian mineral exploration company advancing district-scale gold and copper projects in British Columbia. Its flagship JD Project, located in the prolific Toodoggone district, is the focus of an aggressive 5,000-meter drill program in 2025 targeting a potential multi-million-ounce epithermal gold-silver system.
With funding in place, a five-year exploration permit secured, and an on-site camp established, Sun Summit is executing a disciplined strategy to build scale, unlock resource value, and deliver returns to shareholders. Reinvigorated by a revamped leadership team and a refined vision, the company is leveraging high-grade, strategically located assets to drive long-term growth.
The JD and Theory projects cover over 25,000 hectares in the heart of British Columbia’s Toodoggone mining district, one of Canada’s most prospective regions for epithermal gold-silver and porphyry copper-gold systems. The district hosts several significant deposits, including Thesis Gold’s Ranch and Lawyers projects (4.7 Moz gold equivalent, ~C$250 million market cap), Centerra Gold’s Kemess underground development, and TDG Gold’s Shasta-Baker project. The area is well supported by infrastructure, including hydroelectric grid access, all-season roads, and the nearby Sturdee airstrip.
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Sun Summit Minerals is targeting the delineation of a multi-million-ounce gold-silver resource at its flagship JD project. With strategic positioning in an emerging consolidation hotspot, compelling valuation metrics, and a track record of discovery, Sun Summit is primed to deliver substantial value creation in the coming quarters.
Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV:SMN,OTCQB:SMREF) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing its district-scale gold and copper projects in British Columbia. The company’s flagship JD Project, located in the Toodoggone district, is undergoing an aggressive 5,000-meter drill campaign in 2025 aimed at delineating a multi-million-ounce epithermal gold-silver system.
Complementing JD is the company’s Buck project, a large, bulk-tonnage gold-silver system near Houston, BC, with an initial NI 43-101 resource estimate and significant exploration upside.
With capital in hand, a five-year exploration permit secured, and a camp established at JD, Sun Summit is executing a focused strategy to build scale, unlock resource potential and drive shareholder value. The company has taken lessons from its past and re-emerged with a sharpened vision, an overhauled team and assets that are not only high-grade but strategically located to create shareholder value.
The JD & Theory projects span more than 25,000 hectares in the heart of the Toodoggone mining district in north-central BC, one of Canada’s most prospective belts for epithermal gold-silver and porphyry copper-gold systems. The district is home to Thesis Gold’s Ranch and Lawyers deposits (4.7 Moz gold equivalent, C$250 million market cap), Centerra’s Kemess underground development, and TDG Gold’s Shasta-Baker project. Infrastructure around the project includes hydroelectric grid access, the nearby Sturdee airstrip and all-season roads.
The JD project hosts a 4.5 km mineralized corridor, known as Creek-Finn, with multiple underexplored targets showing evidence of both high-grade veins and broad disseminated gold systems. Historic and recent drill highlights include:
The Creek Zone features high-grade epithermal veins within broader disseminated zones, supported by strong IP anomalies and gold-in-soil results up to 12.2 g/t gold. The Finn Zone hosts near-surface mineralization with extensive historical drilling (~270 holes) and is open in all directions. Other targets include McClair (porphyry copper), East McClair (copper-gold skarn) and Moosehorn.
The 2025 program includes 5,000 meters of core drilling across 25 holes, 20 km of IP geophysics, 2,000+ soil samples, and full-scale camp operations. A five-year permit secured in April 2025 provides exploration continuity through 2030.
Camp setup at JD project
Sun Summit can earn 100 percent of the JD project by making staged cash/share payments and completing work commitments through 2029. With ~C$6 million earmarked for the project this year alone, Sun Summit is expected to fulfill its 2025 and 2026 earn-in obligations without additional equity raises.
The 100 percent owned Buck project spans 52,000 hectares and is located near key deposits, including Artemis Gold’s Blackwater (8 Moz gold), Imperial’s Huckleberry copper mine, and Newmont’s historic Equity Silver mine. Buck features near-surface bulk-tonnage gold-silver mineralization with porphyry copper-molybdenum potential at depth.
In February 2025, Sun Summit published its inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource:
Mineralization remains open in all directions. Buck is considered a strategic asset providing leverage to rising gold prices and future transaction potential, but currently receives minimal capital allocation as JD is prioritized.
Niel Marotta has more than two decades of capital markets experience, including a successful tenure at Fidelity (FMRCo.), where he managed the top-performing Select Gold Fund and oversaw >$1 billion in AUM. He was previously VP at Orezone Resources, where he helped lead its C$350 million acquisition by IAMGOLD. Marotta has raised over $1 billion in financing and is driving Sun Summit’s transition from a legacy explorer to a discovery-focused value generator.
A veteran of the mining industry with 40+ years of executive experience, Brian Lock has led multiple public companies, including Castle Peak Mining and Scorpio Gold. His expertise spans project development, M&A and corporate governance.
A seasoned mining CFO, Waseem Javed ensures disciplined capital deployment and financial controls. His experience spans junior explorers and mid-tier producers across Canada and the US.
Ken MacDonald is a registered professional geologist with over 30 years in mineral exploration and permitting in BC. Formerly with the BC Mines Branch and multiple juniors, he leads Sun Summit’s technical programs and NI 43-101 compliance.
An expert in porphyry and epithermal systems, Christopher Leslie led the discovery of the 8 Moz Blackwater deposit while at Richfield Ventures, and later served as VP exploration for Tower Resources. He was instrumental in advancing the JD-Theory project during its prior ownership.
Founder of several successful exploration companies, including Pioneer Metals and Manhattan Minerals, Robert Willis has 35+ years of technical and executive experience across North and South America.
Founder of Salman Partners and one of Canada’s most influential mining financiers, Terry Salman has backed dozens of successful juniors over a 40-year career in mining investment banking.
Advancing district-scale gold and copper projects in British Columbia.
Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) ("Sun Summit" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its $6 million 2025 project-wide exploration program at the JD Project, Toodoggone Mining District, north-central British Columbia. Over 5,000 meters of drilling together with geophysical and geochemical surveys are designed to focus on target advancement, target generation and discovery.
Highlights and Next Steps:
Niel Marotta, CEO of Sun Summit Minerals, commented: "We are very excited to have kicked off our 2025 exploration season at our JD project, which is fully funded by the proceeds of our recently completed private placement. The Toodoggone region in north-central British Columbia is one of the hottest mineral exploration districts in Canada, and has seen heightened corporate activity, combined with a large influx of capital. We expect plenty of news flow coming from the Toodoggone over the summer and fall, including drill results from our own aggressive 5,000 metre program."
Figure 1. Map of the Toodoggone District showing the location of the JD Project in relation to other development and exploration projects. Data sourced from Thesis, TDG, Amarc and Centerra's corporate websites.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/255925_2d2b07a7743f0abf_001full.jpg
JD Exploration Program
Crews have mobilised to the Toodoggone District to commence the 2025 JD Project exploration season (Figure 1). The primary goal for 2025 multidisciplinary exploration program is to advance and expand the epithermal-related Creek and Finn gold-silver targets through a series of systematic step-out holes, and to generate and refine new priority targets across the highly-prospective 4.5 km long Finn to Creek corridor, as well as the 12 km long JD porphyry trend (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Map of the JD Project showing the broad JD Porphyry trend and the epithermal-related Finn to Creek Corridor. Planned areas for IP and soil surveys are shown in grey. Key targets are highlighted.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/255925_2d2b07a7743f0abf_002full.jpg
Creek Zone: Drilling at the Creek Zone (Figure 2) is designed to investigate the lateral and vertical extent of high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold mineralization (e.g., 122.53 m of 2.11 g/t Au, including 20.0 m of 10.01 g/t Au, and including 1.52 m over 121.0 g/t Au, CZ-24-004, Figure 3, see October 2, 2024, news release). Based on new geological and structural modelling, a series of steeply-dipping, northwest trending parallel vein sets with associated halos of disseminated gold mineralization have been defined. Over 3,000 meters across 10 to 12 drill holes are planned to systematically test the vein-controlling structures on 50 to 100 meter pierce-points covering a strike-length of over 700 meters (Figure 3) and a down-dip extent of over 200 meters. Results from this phase of drilling should inform grade continuity, the scale of the epithermal system and where follow-up deeper and/or step-out holes are warranted.
Figure 3. Map of the Creek Zone showing drill collar locations with selected highlights. The area targeted for 2025 drilling is outlined in red. See references below for data sources.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/255925_2d2b07a7743f0abf_003full.jpg
Finn Zone: Drilling at the Finn Zone is designed to expand the footprint of high-grade, near-surface base metal-rich gold-silver mineralization intersected in historical drilling (e.g., 35.7 m of 7.26 g/t Au including 1 m of 215.4 g/t Au in hole JD95-0472). Based on an extensive compilation of over 300 historical drill holes, a new geological and structural model suggests that epithermal-related gold-silver mineralization is hosted within veins and vein-breccias situated along a northwest striking and gently dipping volcaniclastic unit. Over 2,000 meters of drilling across 7 to 9 drill holes are planned to test the model along strike (e.g., towards hole JD13-024) and down-dip (e.g., toward JD12-015) covering a strike-length of over 650 meters (Figure 4). Drilling near the higher-grade core may also be completed to verify historical grades, confirm structural controls and explore at depth to assess the geometry and grade of the mineralized footwall zone (e.g., JD12-0093).
Figure 4. Map of the Finn Zone showing historical drill collar locations with selected highlights. The area targeted for 2025 drilling is outlined in red. See references below for data sources.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/255925_2d2b07a7743f0abf_004full.jpg
Target Generation: Project-wide exploration activities are aimed at target generation and drill target refinement.
Timeline: Crews have mobilised to site with camp construction, geological mapping, IP Geophysics, and drill pad construction now underway. Drilling at the Creek Zone is anticipated to begin by mid-July, at the latest.
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
This news release has been reviewed and approved by Sun Summit's Vice President Exploration, Ken MacDonald, P. Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has not been able to verify the historical exploration data disclosed, including sampling, analytical and test data, underlying the technical information in this news release since such data is historical and the original drill core is not readily available. Some technical information contained in this release is historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources believed to be accurate. The historical technical information has not been verified by Sun Summit and may in some instances be unverifiable dependent on the existence of historical drill core and grab samples.
Community Engagement
Sun Summit is engaging with First Nations on whose territory our projects are located and is discussing their interests and identifying contract and work opportunities, as well as opportunities to support community initiatives. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with local and regional First Nations with ongoing exploration.
Webinar Invitation
Sun Summit Minerals invites investors and interested parties to a live webinar and Q&A hosted by Simone Capital. CEO Niel Marotta will present an overview of the Company's 2025 exploration and drill program.
Date: Thursday, June 19
Time: 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT
Register: https://app.livestorm.co/simone-capital/sun-summit-minerals-2025-exploration-update
About the JD Project
The JD Project is located in the Toodoggone mining district in north-central British Columbia, a highly prospective deposit-rich mineral trend. The project covers an area of over 15,000 hectares and is in close proximity to active exploration and development projects, such as Thesis Gold's Lawyers and Ranch projects, TDG Gold's Baker-Shasta projects, Amarc Resource's AuRORA project, Centerra's Gold's Kemess East and Underground projects, as well as the past-producing Kemess open pit copper-gold mine.
The project is 450 kilometres northwest of the city of Prince George, and 25 kilometres north of the Sturdee airstrip. It is proximal to existing infrastructure in place to support the past-producing Kemess mine, including roads and a hydroelectric power line.
The JD Project is in a favourable geological environment characterized by both high-grade epithermal gold and silver mineralization, as well as porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization. Some historical exploration, including drilling, geochemistry and geophysics, has been carried out on the property, however the project area is largely underexplored.
About Sun Summit
Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery, expansion and advancement of district scale gold and copper assets in British Columbia. The Company's diverse portfolio includes the JD Project in the Toodoggone region of north-central B.C., and the Buck Project in central B.C.
Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com.
References
Links to Figures
Figure 1: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/06/SMN_JD_Plans_20250618_Fig-1.jpg
Figure 2: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/06/SMN_JD_Plans_20250618_Fig-2-scaled.jpg
Figure 3: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/06/SMN_JD_Plans_20250618_Fig-3-scaled.jpg
Figure 4: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/06/SMN_JD_Plans_20250618_Fig-4-scaled.jpg
On behalf of the board of directors,
Niel Marotta
Chief Executive Officer & Director
info@sunsummitminerals.com
For further information, contact:
Matthew Benedetto, Simone Capital
mbenedetto@simonecapital.ca
Tel. 416-817-1226
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include, but are not limited to, the Company's exploration plans and forecasts; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; potential mineralization, exploration plans, and engagement with First Nations communities. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect which, without limiting the generality of the following, include: the focus, purpose and goals of project wide exploration; the existence and timing of news releases and updates, if any, coming from the project area; the Company's ability to complete the drill program as currently contemplated; risks inherent in exploration activities; the uncertainties involved in interpreting drill results and other exploration data; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title and permitting matters; labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in operations; fluctuating metal prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on its projects; that the Company may not be able to confirm historical exploration results; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; and fluctuations in metal prices. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
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/255925
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Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) ("Sun Summit" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") previously announced in the Company's press releases on April 24, 2025 and April 28, 2025, through the issuance of (i) 40,868,432 charity flow-through units of the Company (each, a "Charity FT Unit") at a price of $0.105 per Charity FT Unit; (ii) 33,832,770 flow-through units of the Company (each, a "FT Unit") at a price of $0.075 per FT Unit; and (iii) 47,338,602 non-flow-through units (each, an "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.07 per NFT Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $10,142,345, representing a partial exercise of the Company's over-allotment option.
"We are thrilled with the strong interest from investors and the resulting upsizing of the financing from $3.5 million to $10 million," said Niel Marotta, CEO of Sun Summit. "These funds will support a 5,000-metre drill program at JD this summer, which is double what we completed during our inaugural season in 2024. The program will focus on the highly-prospective Creek-to-Finn corridor, where we aim to expand the footprint of known mineralization along strike at the Creek and Finn targets as well as testing new targets within and outside the corridor. Corporate activity across the Toodoggone has accelerated in 2025, reinforcing the district's strong potential. It's an exciting time for Sun Summit: We are well funded and ready to build on last season's momentum with an aggressive exploration program in one of Canada's most active and promising regions."
Each Charity FT Unit consisted of one charity-flow-through common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Charity FT Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Charity FT Warrant") that each qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act").
Each FT Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, an "FT Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, an "FT Warrant") that each qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of the Tax Act.
Each NFT Unit consisted of one non-flow-through common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, an "NFT Warrant").
Each Charity FT Warrant, FT Warrant and each NFT Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.11 per share until May 30, 2027.
The Company intends to use the gross proceeds of the Private Placement for exploration of the Company's JD, Theory and Buck properties and any other Canadian properties that the Company may acquire, and for general working capital purposes, provided that the Company will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT Units to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Tax Act.
In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $304,749, of which $112,456 was settle by way of issuing 1,606,515 NFT Units, and granted an aggregate of 4,040,736 non-transferable finder warrants of the Company (each, a "Finder Warrant") to arm's length finders of the Company in connection with the Private Placement. Each Finder Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company, at an exercise price of $0.11 per share until May 30, 2027.
The Private Placement is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The securities issued in the Private Placement are subject to a hold period expiring on October 1, 2025, in accordance with applicable securities laws.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder.
Restricted Share Units Issuance
The Company also announces that it has, subject to approval of the TSXV, granted an aggregate of 6,000,000 restricted share units of the Company (the "RSUs") to certain directors, officers, advisors and consultants of the Company, in accordance with the rules of the TSXV and the Company's restricted share unit plan. The RSUs have a vesting period of 24 months with 50% vested after 12 months. Once vested, each RSU entities the holder to acquire one Common Share.
Investor Relations Agreements
The Company also announces that it has entered into investor relations agreements (collectively, the "IR Agreements") with the following companies for investor relations and communication services:
The agreement with INN (the "INN Agreement") has a term of 12 months, commencing April 30, 2025, under which the Company will pay INN CAD$50,000. The services to be provided under the INN Agreement include creating analyst-crafted company profile, investor kit lead generation, focused content channels, outlook report sponsorship and lead generation, press release syndication, news marketing, display advertising, CEO INNsights, newsletter advertising, metrics reporting and other related investor relations services.
The agreement with Amvest (the "Amvest Agreement") has a term of 6 months, commencing May 12, 2025, under which the Company will pay Amvest USD$42,000. The services to be provided under the Amvest Agreement include non-deal roadshows days, conducting non-deal virtual one on one meetings, hosting non-deal informational webinars and other related investor relations services.
The agreement with Market One (the "Market One Agreement") has a term of 12 months, commencing May 21, 2025, under which the Company will pay Market One CAD$104,000. The services to be provided under the Market One Agreement include conducting an online market one minute interview, conducting an interview with the Company's CEO, providing BNN Bloomberg investor updates, distribution within BarChart article, BNN Bloomberg article and Kitco article, email lead generation and other related investor relations services.
The agreement with StreetWise (the "StreetWise Agreement") has a term of 6 months, commencing May 21, 2025, under which the Company will pay StreetWise USD$90,000. The services to be provided under the StreetWise Agreement include market research, market insight, and analysis services, creating image ads for use on various StreetWise digital platforms and other related investor relations services.
The agreement with Departures (the "Departures Agreement") has a term of 6 to 12 months, commencing May 2, 2025, under which the Company will pay Departures CAD$21,000. The services to be provided under the Departures Agreement include dedicated landing page design, email, video and written content, ad spend and other related investor relations services.
The agreement with Investor Events Inc. (the "Investor Events Agreement") has a term of 12 months, commencing May 30, 2025, under which the Company will pay Investor Events $7,500 on a monthly basis. The services to be provided under the Investor Events Agreement include company-branded event coordination, capital markets advisory, and investor community engagement under their new Engage360 Program.
Each of INN, Amvest, Market One, StreetWise, Departures and Investor Events are at arm's length to the Company, and currently have no direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest, except for INN and Amvest, currently holding. The IR Agreements are subject to approval by the TSXV.
About Sun Summit
Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of district scale gold and copper assets in British Columbia. The Company's diverse portfolio includes the JD and Theory Projects in the Toodoggone region of north-central B.C., and the Buck Project in central B.C.
Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com.
On behalf of the board of directors
Niel Marotta
Chief Executive Officer & Director
info@sunsummitminerals.com
For further information, contact:
Matthew Benedetto, Simone Capital
mbenedetto@simonecapital.ca
Tel. 416-817-1226
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include, but are not limited to, use of proceeds of the Private Placement; the size and scope of the drill program at the JD property; the Company's exploration plans and forecasts; and obtaining regulatory approval for the Private Placement and exploration plans of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect which, without limiting the generality of the following, include: the state of the equity financing markets in Canada and other jurisdictions; the receipt of regulatory approval; the Company's ability to complete the drill program as currently contemplated; risks inherent in exploration activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; and fluctuations in metal prices. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254100
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Aurum Resources offers a compelling value proposition through its highly prospective gold assets in Côte d'Ivoire, a fast-emerging gold region in West Africa. Its cost-effective exploration strategy of drill rig ownership also distinguishes it from its peers.
Aurum Resources (ASX:AUE) is a mineral exploration company primarily focused on gold through its Boundiali and Napié gold projects in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa.
Côte d'Ivoire's gold mining sector is experiencing significant growth and development, with several key projects contributing to the country's economic expansion. The overall gold mining sector in Côte d'Ivoire is supported by substantial investments in infrastructure and exploration.
Geopolitically, Côte d'Ivoire outperforms most developing countries in the world in political, legal, tax and operational risk metrics. Additionally, Côte d'Ivoire continues to make notable strides in its political stability and Absence of Violence and Terrorism Index.
Boundiali Gold Project – BD Target 1 Artisanal Working
Aurum has entered into a Bid Implementation Agreement with Mako Gold for Aurum to acquire 100 percent of the issued shares in Mako. This proposed merger will allow both Aurum and Mako security holders to benefit from the combination of Aurum’s strong balance sheet and exceptional drilling efficiencies with AU$23 million in cash at the end of December 2024 to support work programs targeted at further resource definition across Aurum and Mako’s assets in northern Côte d'Ivoire. Aurum is currently in its final phase of compulsory acquisition of remaining Mako shares after it received over 90 percent acceptance of MKG shares in late January 2025.
Following its takeover of Mako Gold, Aurum holds 90 percent of the Napié Project located 30 km southeast of the city of Korhogo and covers a strike length of 30 km over a highly prospective land package of 224 sq km.
The merger is backed by a highly experienced board and management team with extensive gold experience from grassroots discovery, through to resource drill-out, feasibility studies, project finance, and production.
With a strong financial position backed by the recent $35.6 million private placement, Aurum is well-funded to execute exploration and development plans focused on delivering value for shareholders through resource growth and project advancement.
The Boundiali gold project in Cote d’Ivoire is located within the Boundiali Greenstone Belt, which hosts Resolute’s Syama gold operation (11.5 Moz) and the Tabakoroni deposit (1 Moz) in Mali. Neighbouring assets also include Barrick’s Tongon mine (5 Moz) and Montage Gold’s Kone project (4.5 Moz).
The Boundiali project area covers the underexplored southern extension of the Boundiali belt, where a highly deformed synclinal greenstone horizon traverses finer-grained basin sediments, and to the west, Tarkwaian clastic rocks lie in contact with a granitic margin. The project benefits from year-round road access and excellent infrastructure.
The first stage of drilling at Boundiali occurred from late October 2023 to end of November 2024 for both the BM and BD tenements (BM1 and BM2; BD1, BD2 and BD3 targets) and was designed to test below-gold-in-soil anomalies oriented along NE trending structures, define new gold prospects and define maiden JORC resources. With over 63,000m diamond holes drilled during this period, Maiden JORC gold resources estimate was delivered in late December 2024.
Drilling costs are estimated at US$45 per metre, as Aurum owns all of its eight drilling rigs and employs its operators, representing a significant value proposition relative to peers who use commercial drilling companies that charge upwards of $200 per meter. The company believes there is potential for multi-million ounce gold resources to be defined with hundreds thousands meters of drilling over years within the Boundiali Gold Project’s land holding areas.
The Boundiali gold project comprises four contiguous granted licenses: PR0808 (80 percent interest), PR0893 (80 percent and earning to 88 percent interest), PR414 (100 percent interest), and PR283 (earning to 70 percent interest). Historic exploration at PR0893 includes 93 AC drill holes and four RC holes. Airborne geophysical surveying, geological mapping and extensive soil sampling have also been performed at PR0893, while PR0808 has had 91 RC holes drilled for 6,229 metres along with geochemical analysis and modeling. Detailed geochemical sampling and drilling at PR414 revealed three strong gold anomalies and returned impressive high-grade results.
Following the renewal of its Boundali South (BST) exploration licence in September 2024, drilling at the Nyangboue deposit is planned for H1 2025 and H2 2025. Previous exploration at BST has returned impressive results, including 20 m at 10.45 g/t gold from 38 meters, and 30 m at 8.30 g/t gold from 39 m.
In May 2024, Aurum entered a strategic partnership agreement to earn up to a 70 percent interest in exploration tenement PR283, to be renamed Boundiali North (BN). Aurum, through subsidiary Plusor Global Pty Ltd, has partnered with Ivorian company Geb & Nut Resources Sarl and related party (GNRR) to explore and develop the Boundiali North (BN) tenement which covers 208.87sq km immediately north of Aurum’s BD tenement. Further to this agreement,
Aurum announced it has earned 80 percent project interest after completing more than 20,000 m of diamond core drilling.
Boundiali Project JORC Mineral Resource Estimate
Aurum has announced a maiden independent JORC mineral resource estimate of 1.59 Moz gold for its 1,037 sq. km. The Boundiali Gold Project comprises the BST, BDT1 & BDT2, BMT1 and BMT3 deposits. Drilling is ongoing on these deposits, and Aurum has identified other prospects at Boundiali which have yet to be drilled. Since October 2023, the company has completed an extensive 63,927-metre diamond drilling program. This aggressive exploration campaign has rapidly defined a significant gold resource of 50.9 Mt @ 1.0 g/t gold for 1.6 million ounces.
Aurum holds a 90 percent interest in the Napié Project in north-central Côte d’Ivoire, acquired through its takeover of Mako Gold. Located approximately 30 km southeast of Korhogo, the project covers a 224 sq km land package with a 30 km strike length along the highly prospective Napié Shear Zone.
As of June 2022, Napié hosts a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate of 868,000 ounces of gold (22.5 Mt at 1.20 g/t Au), based on the Tchaga and Gogbala deposits—two of four known prospects along the shear. To date, only 13% of the Napié Shear has been explored, leaving substantial potential for further discoveries.
Napié Project – Previous results with detailed mapping area on Komboro Prospect shown in black rectangle
Troy Flannery has more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry, including nine years in corporate and 17 years in senior mining engineering and project development roles. He has a degree in mining engineering, masters in finance, and first class mine managers certificate of competency. Flannery has performed non-executive director roles with numerous ASX listed companies and was the CEO of Abra Mining until October 2021. He has worked at numerous mining companies, mining consultancy and contractors, including BHP, Newcrest, Xstrata, St Barbara Mines and AMC Consultants.
Dr. Caigen Wang founded Tietto Minerals (ASX:TIE), where he led the company as managing director for 13 years through private exploration, ASX listing, gold resource definition, project study and mine building to become one of Africa’s newest gold producers at its Abujar gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire. He holds a bachelor, masters and PhD in mining engineering. He is a fellow of AusIMM and a chartered professional engineer of Institution of Engineer, Australia. Wang has 13 years of mining academic experience in China University of Mining and Technology, Western Australia School of Mine and University of Alberta, and over 20 years of practical experience in mining engineering and mineral exploration in Australia, China and Africa. Other professional experience includes senior technical and management roles in mining houses, including St. Barbara, Sons of Gwalia, BHP Billiton, China Goldmines PLC and others.
Mark Strizek has nearly 30 years’ experience in the resource industry, having worked as a geologist on various gold, base metal and technology metal projects. He brings invaluable geological, technical and development expertise to Aurum, most recently as an executive director at Tietto Minerals’, which progressed from an IPO to gold production at the Abujar gold project in West Africa. Strizek has worked as an executive with management and board responsibilities in exploration, feasibility, finance and development-ready assets across Australia, West Africa, Asia and Europe.
Equity Metals (TSXV:EQTY,OTCQB:EQMEF,FSE: EGSD) is rapidly advancing exploration at its 100 percent-owned Silver Queen Project in British Columbia, aiming to expand resources and further de-risk one of the province’s most promising high-grade polymetallic deposits. Situated in the prolific Skeena Arch—home to the historic Equity Silver and Huckleberry mines—Silver Queen hosts an NI 43-101 compliant resource of 62.8 million ounces silver equivalent (indicated) and 22.5 million ounces silver equivalent (inferred). Ongoing drilling in 2024 continues to extend known zones while uncovering new areas of mineralization.
The company is also advancing its newly acquired Arlington Project, a district-scale, never-before-drilled gold-copper-silver asset located in southern BC’s Greenwood Mining Division. With geological similarities to historic producers such as Phoenix and Buckhorn, Arlington is currently undergoing an aggressive 3,000-meter drill program, targeting high-grade, gold-enriched polymetallic mineralization.
The Silver Queen Project is Equity Metals’ 100%-owned flagship asset, located in the heart of British Columbia’s prolific Skeena Arch, approximately 35 kilometers south of Houston. Covering 18,871 hectares, the property comprises 17 crown-granted titles and 46 mineral tenure claims within the Omineca Mining Division. Strategically positioned among past-producing and active mines, including the Equity Silver Mine, Berg, Endako, and Mt. Milligan, the project is well supported by established infrastructure, with convenient access to roads, power, and rail.
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