western copper and gold corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN; NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amended agreement with Eight Capital, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters") under which the Underwriters have agreed to buy from the Company, on a bought deal basis, 21,055,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $1.90 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $40,004,500 (the "Offering"). The Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 3,158,250 Common Shares, representing 15% of the Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes, exercisable at any time up to 30 days after the closing of the Offering.
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Western Copper and Gold Provides Update on Casino Assessment Process
Western Copper and Gold Corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Casino Mining Corporation ("Casino") has been informed by the Executive Committee of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board ("YESAB") that the final version of the revised Environmental and Socio-Economic Statement Guidelines (the "Guidelines"), for the Casino Copper-Gold Project's (the "Project") review by a Panel of the Board (the "Panel Review") will be issued by August 17, 2023.
The revised Guidelines will incorporate changes in assessment methods, environmental best practices, and enhancements to the Project that have occurred since the issuance of the original Guidelines in 2016 and will include new comments submitted by Federal, Territorial and First Nation governments as well as the broader public.
The Guidelines are an important component of the Panel Review process and outline the structure and scope of the Environmental and Socio-Economic Statement Casino will submit to describe the potential effects of the Project, showing stakeholders how the Project can be developed in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
The Company is currently working on its Environmental and Socio-Economic Statement ("ESE Statement") and will be able to give guidance on the timing of submittal after receipt of the final Guidelines.
"Our environmental team has been working diligently and has a significant summer program planned to finalize data collection in preparation for filing our ESE Statement," said Paul West-Sells, President and CEO. "We continue to work closely with Federal, Territorial and First Nation governments and stakeholders to ensure that the Casino Project will provide a long-lasting benefit to the Yukon."
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION
Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com
On behalf of the board,
"Paul West-Sells"
Dr. Paul West-Sells
President and CEO
Western Copper and Gold Corporation
Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in Western's operations in future periods. Statements that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Certain forward-looking information should also be considered future-oriented financial information ("FOFI") as that term is defined in NI 51-102. The purpose of disclosing FOFI is to provide a general overview of management's expectations regarding the anticipated results of operations and capital expenditures and readers are cautioned that FOFI may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: mineral resource and reserve estimation; mine plan and operations; internal rate of return; sensitivities; net present value; potential recoveries; design parameters; economic potential; processing mineralized material; the potential of robust economics at Casino; advancing the Project through additional engineering and towards the next step in permitting and submission of an environmental and socio-economic effects statement; key changes to the TMF design; increases to the gold recovery in the heap leach; potential economic returns from the Project; estimated initial capital investment costs; estimated operating costs; estimated mining costs; development of the airstrip and all weather access road; anticipated concentrate handling service charges; developing and operating the Project in a safe, ethical and socially-responsible manner; plans for further development and securing the required permits and licenses for further studies to consider operation; market price of precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statement of fact. The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include prevailing and projected market prices and foreign exchange rates, exploration estimates and results, continued availability of capital and financing, construction and operations, the Company not experiencing unforeseen delays, unexpected geological or other effects, equipment failures, permitting delays, and general economic, market or business conditions and as more specifically disclosed throughout this document, and in the AIF and Form 40-F.
Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; risks related to joint venture operations; risks related to cooperation of government agencies and First Nations in the development of the property and the issuance of required permits; risks related to the need to obtain additional financing to develop the property and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.
Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
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Western Copper and Gold
Overview
Governments worldwide have ambitious goals to reach net-zero emissions, putting renewable energy in the spotlight. Every emerging clean technology has one material in common: copper. Thanks to its highly conductive properties, the base metal has been a standard component in existing electronics, and global electrification will increase demand drastically. As a result, copper consumption is forecasted to reach 36.6 million metric tons by 2031.
Western Copper and Gold Corporation (TSX:WRN, NYSE American:WRN) is ideally positioned to leverage this trend. It is currently focused on developing Canada’s premier copper-gold project - the Casino project. The deposit is located in the Yukon Territory, which ranks among the world's most attractive mining jurisdictions.The Yukon is known for its rich mineral deposits, including copper, gold, iron, silver and lead. It has attracted the attention of numerous major mining companies over the last few years, and recent infrastructure funding from the regional and federal governments has spurred additional investment in the territory. Miners in the Yukon, including Western Copper and Gold, are poised to benefit from this spate of new investments. The Carmacks Bypass, for example, is currently being constructed and will play an integral role in the Casino Project.
In June 2022, Western Copper and Gold released the results of its feasibility study, which incorporated an updated mineral resource. The updated estimate includes 14.8 million ounces (Moz) of gold in the measured and indicated category, and 6.3 Moz of gold in the inferred category, in addition to 7.6 billion lbs of copper in the measured and indicated category, and 3.1 billion lbs of copper in the inferred category.
Western Copper and Gold’s positive feasibility study on the Casino project indicates a 27-year mine life and cash flow over the first four years of C$951 million per year at base case prices. In addition, the company has provided estimates for potential economic changes in copper prices and indicated the project will remain profitable even if the spot price decreases.
“Casino is a rare asset in that it is sizable, economic, well-advanced and located in a great jurisdiction. Casino is the key asset in the emerging Yukon gold district,” said Paul West-Sells, Western Copper and Gold’s president and CEO.
In March 2022, the company released its project drilling results, providing assay information from the 13 holes remaining from its 2021 program.
Western Copper and Gold has begun its 2023 diamond drilling program consisting of approximately 2,200 meters of drilling in seven drill holes, ranging from 130 meters to 560 meters in depth located inside the current pit boundaries. The program is expected to result in the upgrading of some indicated resource to the measured resource category.
Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) made a strategic C$25.6-million investment to advance the Casino project, resulting in approximately 8 percent ownership by Rio Tinto of Western’s outstanding common shares. Western Copper and Gold remains the sole owner of the project and will continue to be its operator.
Additionally, the company announced the completion of a C$21.3 million strategic equity investment by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation to further advance the company's copper-gold Casino Project in the Yukon. Mitsubishi Materials acquired 8,091,390 common shares of the company for C$2.63 per share for proceeds of approximately C$21.3 million, resulting in Mitsubishi Materials owning approximately 5 percent of Western's issued and outstanding shares.
A highly knowledgeable management team with a proven record of success leads Western Copper and Gold and is supported by a highly qualified team of engineers dedicated to bringing Casino into production.
Company Highlights
- Western Copper and Gold is an exploration and development mining company with a significant advanced-stage copper-gold asset in the Yukon.
- The Casino deposit hosts a significant resource of almost 21 Moz of gold and 11 billion lbs of copper (M+I+I).
- A strategic investment from Rio Tinto grants Western access to additional operational funding and technical knowledge, indicating Rio’s confidence in the Casino project.
- The federal government announced a funding package to finance the access road to the Casino Project
- Western Copper and Gold’s positive feasibility study on the Casino project, indicates a 27-year mine life and cash flow over the first four years of C$951 million per year at base case prices.
- The company completed a C$21.3-million strategic equity investment by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation to further advance the company's copper-gold Casino Project in the Yukon.
- Western Copper and Gold initiated its 2023 diamond drill program at the Casino Project consisting of a metallurgical and infill drilling program with approximately 2,200 meters in seven drill holes, ranging from 130 meters to 560 meters in depth and a geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling program with 800 meters of drilling.
Key Project
Casino Project
The Casino project is a large porphyry-type copper-gold-molybdenum deposit located 560 kilometers from the year-round port of Skagway, Alaska and 380 kilometers from the capital city of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of Canada.
In September 2017, the territorial and federal governments announced they would provide approximately C$130 million in funding to upgrade and subsidize a large portion of the Casino access road as part of the Yukon Gateway project.
The company released its positive PFS for the Casino project in June 2022, which considered the project being constructed as an open-pit mine, with a concentrator processing 120,000 tonnes per day (td) to recover copper, gold, molybdenum and silver, as well as a 25,000 td oxide heap leach facility to recover gold, silver and copper.The PFS examined the development of the Casino project, which includes the processing of 1.43 billion tonnes of mineral reserve for both the mill and heap leach, with deposition of mill tailings and mine waste in the tailings management facility consistent with the design concepts considered during the best available tailings technology study as a base case development.
The PFS indicated a $2.3-billion after-tax NPV (8 percent) at base case metal prices with an after-tax IRR of 18.1 percent. The cash flow over the first four years is C$951 million per year contemplating a 27-year mine life.
The company has been working with the federal, territorial and First Nations governments and top environmental consultants to ensure the planned road leading into the Casino site will have the lowest possible environmental impact and will ensure maximum benefit for local communities and First Nations, according to West-Sells.
Management Team
Dr. Paul West-Sells - President
Dr. Paul West-Sells has more than 30 years of experience in the mining industry. After obtaining his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia in metallurgical engineering, he worked with BHP, Placer Dome and Barrick in increasingly senior roles in research and development and project development. West-Sells has worked for Western Copper and Gold since 2006, where he held a number of technical and executive positions and is now the president and CEO overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. West-Sells sits on the Yukon Minerals Advisory Board, the Board of the Yukon Mining Alliance and is also the chair of the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining Governing Council.
Bill Williams – Interim Chairman
Bill Williams is an economic geologist with nearly 40 years of experience related to the exploration and development of mining and oil & gas projects, as well as oversight of mining operations. He provides consulting services to the mining industry with a focus on company/project (e)valuations, M&A analyses, risk analysis, project management, and permitting strategies. Most recently, he served as the interim CEO and director of Detour Gold Corporation and was a director and COO of Zinc One Resources Inc., with whom he led the team that made the discovery of the Mina Chica zinc-oxide deposit in the Bongará district, north-central Peru. He is the former CEO, president, and director of Orvana Minerals, prior to which he was a vice-president for Phelps Dodge Exploration overseeing activity in the Americas, which included the discovery of the Haquira porphyry copper deposit in Peru, and working on M&A opportunities. He holds a Ph.D. in economic geology from the University of Arizona and is a certified professional geologist.
Sandeep Singh - Chief Executive Officer
Sandeep Singh is a highly respected mining professional with 20 years of sector expertise. He was previously the president and CEO of Osisko Gold Royalties, where he led the successful turnaround of the company. For the fifteen years prior, Singh was an investment banker focusing on the North American metals and mining sector with BMO Capital Markets, Dundee Securities, and ultimately co-founding Maxit Capital, a leading independent M&A firm. He has advised numerous mining companies on financing alternatives and strategic matters as well as having acted on some of the most complex and value-enhancing M&A transactions in the mining sector. Singh holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Concordia University and a Master of Business Administration from Oxford University.
Varun Prasad - CFO
Varun Prasad has been with Western Copper and Gold since 2011 and most recently served as interim CFO. Prior to that, he was corporate controller for the company. He has extensive experience in financial reporting and regulatory matters. Prasad holds a B.A. Technology (accounting) from British Columbia Institute of Technology and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC.
Cameron Brown - Special Technical Advisor
Cameron Brown has 45 years of experience in mineral processing and has been responsible for plant maintenance, project engineering and project management of major base and precious metal projects. He was formerly project manager for Western Silver Corporation and worked for 22 years for Bechtel Mining & Metals in various capacities including: project manager, project engineering manager, and manager of engineering for Bechtel Mining & Metals (Global). He was Western Copper and Gold's project manager from 2006 to 2010, served as vice-president, engineering from 2010 to 2023, and is currently special technical advisor.
Shena Shaw - VP, Environmental and Community Affairs
Shena Shaw has been managing projects and contributing to environmental assessments across the North for nearly 20 years and she is supporting the Casino Project through the first ever panel review process in the Yukon. Her knowledge and advice helps the company make strategic and effective decisions when planning and implementing Indigenous and community consultation and engagement. After graduating from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology focusing on First Nations studies and geography, Shaw joined the Yukon Chamber of Commerce supporting community-based entrepreneurship programs and services. A relocation to Yellowknife, NWT introduced her to the mining industry for the first time when she joined DeBeers Canada’s Snap Lake Project. Following that, she embarked on a lengthy career in environmental consulting in Yellowknife and Whitehorse, focusing on responsible development of resource extraction through the environmental assessment and Indigenous engagement processes of large-scale projects in the Yukon, NWT, Alaska and across Canada. Shaw participated in the consultation and socio-economic impact assessment work for the Kaminak Coffee Gold Project, Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Project and the Casino Project, all based in the Yukon. She is deeply familiar with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act process and was involved in the Mackenzie Gas Project Joint Review Panel process in the NWT. Shaw is currently a director for the Yukon Chamber of Mines.
Dr. Klaus Zeitler - Director
Dr. Klaus Zeitler was the founder and CEO of Inmet from 1987 to 1996. Zeitler was senior vice-president of Teck Cominco Limited from 1997 until 2002, and previously was on the board of directors of Teck Corp. from 1981 to 1997, and Cominco Limited from 1986 to 1996. Zeitler is currently director and executive chairman of Amerigo Resources Ltd. and lead director of Rio2 Limited.
Tara Christie - Director
Tara Christie has over 20 years of experience in the exploration and mining business. Currently the president and CEO of Banyan Gold, Christie serves on the boards of Constantine Metal Resources and Klondike Gold. She was formerly the president of privately owned Gimlex Gold Mines, one of the Yukon’s largest placer mining operations. Christie has been a board member of PDAC, AMEBC and other industry associations and was a founding board member of the Yukon environmental and socioeconomic assessment board. She is active in non-profits and charities, including being president of a registered charity “Every Student, Every Day” that works to improve attendance in Yukon schools.
Michael Vitton - Director
Michael Vitton is the former executive managing director, head, US Equity Sales, Bank of Montreal Capital Markets (BMO Capital Markets), where he originated and placed more than US$200 billion through public and secondary offerings and M&A transactions across all sectors. In the metals and mining sector, Vitton has acted as seed investor, lead/co-lead underwriter or in a M&A capacity in some of the most important deals in the sector, including African Platinum , Arequipa Resources, Bema Gold Brancotte Resources, Comaplex Minerals, Detour Gold, Diamond Fields Resources, Echo Bay Mines, Francisco Gold , Franco-Nevada Gammon Gold, Getchell Gold, among many others. Vitton was also the co-founder of MMX Minerals e Metalicos SA and LLX Logistica SA (Brazil). MMX sold Minas Rio and Amapa assets to Anglo American Corporation for US$5.5 billion in cash in December 2008, returning US$8.8 billion in cash or stock distributions to MMX shareholders, offering six times return from IPO. Additionally, he co-founded Petro Rio SA, one of the leading Brazilian public oil and gas producers, producing over 35,000 bbls per day. Recently, Vitton acted as seed investor and capital markets advisor to Newmarket Gold, which was sold to Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. for C$1 billion, combining to form a C$2.4-billion company. He acted as investor and capital markets advisor to ASX-listed Gold Road Resources Ltd., raising AU$57 million, and bringing the Gruyere gold mine into production jointly with Gold Fields SA. Vitton is a graduate of the University of Michigan Business School, former seat holder, NYSE, and former president, New York Society of Metals Analysts. Vitton is focused on the energy, infrastructure, industrial and mining sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I invest in Western Copper & Gold?
Western Copper & Gold is a public company that trades in the top stock exchanges in the world, in both the New York Stock Exchange American and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WRN".
Why is Western Copper & Gold a good investment?
Western Copper and Gold is an exploration and development mining company advancing its world-class Casino Project, one of the largest copper-gold projects in Canada, located in the Yukon. The Casino deposit hosts a significant resource of almost 21 Moz of gold and 11 billion lbs of copper (M+I+I), and robust economics. According to its feasibility study which considered the Project being constructed as an open pit mine, Casino has a 27-year mine life, with $2.33 billion NPV after tax, and 3 years payback period. Casino has also attracted strategic investments from Rio Tinto and Mitsubishi Materials, providing Western Copper & Gold access to additional operational funding and technical knowledge.
What separates Western Copper & Gold from the rest of the field?
Western Copper and Gold’s president and CEO Paul West-Sells, says, “Casino is a rare asset in that it is sizable, economic, well-advanced and located in a great jurisdiction. Casino is the key asset in the emerging Yukon gold district.” Canada’s Yukon territory ranks among the world's top most attractive mining investment jurisdictions, with major miners like Rio Tinto, Newmont, Agnico-Eagle and Kinross developing projects in Casino's neighbouring areas.
What is Western Copper & Gold's CEO most excited about for 2023?
With the feasibility study completed, Western Copper & Gold CEO Paul West-Sells says his company is now working towards their environmental assessment and permitting. The company is also looking forward to the completion of the Carmacks bypass road, which is expected to be completed in 2024.
What is Western Copper & Gold's sustainability strategy?
Western Copper & Gold is committed to developing the Casino Project guided by the following four objectives: protect public health and safety; minimize, mitigate or prevent adverse environmental impacts; reclaim the site to a land use state consistent with surrounding conditions; and ensure long-term stability of the spent ore and waste rock storage area and site water quality.
Western Copper and Gold Announces Upsize in Bought Deal Public Offering to $40 Million
The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares are expected to be used to advance permitting and engineering activity at the Company's Casino Project in the Yukon and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
The Offering will be made by way of a short form prospectus (together with any amendments thereto, the "Prospectus") filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Québec, and in the United States pursuant to a prospectus filed as part of a registration statement on Form F-10 (together with any amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Canada/U.S. multi-jurisdictional disclosure system. The Prospectus and the Registration Statement are subject to completion and amendment. Such documents contain important information about the Offering. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Common Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.
The Registration Statement relating to the Common Shares has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. The Common Shares to be sold pursuant to the Offering described in this news release may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective. Before readers invest, they should read the Prospectus in the Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with Canadian regulatory authorities and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. The Prospectus is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Registration Statement is available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement may be obtained, for free upon request, from Enoch Lee at 100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4H 1S3.
The Offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2024 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including that of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC.
ABOUT western copper and gold corporation
western copper and gold corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com .
On behalf of the board,
"Sandeep Singh"
Sandeep Singh
Chief Executive Officer
western copper and gold corporation
Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the use of proceeds from the Offering, the necessary regulatory approvals required for the Offering being received and the expected closing date of the Offering. Statements that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the assumptions that all regulatory approvals of the Offering will be obtained in a timely manner; all conditions precedent to completion of the Offering will be satisfied in a timely manner; and that market or business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.
Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties related to raising sufficient capital in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.
Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Western Copper and Gold Announces $25 Million Bought Deal Public Offering
western copper and gold corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN; NYSE American: WRN) announces that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters") under which the Underwriters have agreed to buy from the Company, on a bought deal basis, 13,158,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $1.90 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $25,000,200 (the "Offering"). The Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,973,700 Common Shares, representing 15% of the Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes, exercisable at any time up to 30 days after the closing of the Offering.
The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares are expected to be used to advance permitting and engineering activity at the Company's Casino Project in the Yukon and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
The Offering will be made by way of a short form prospectus (together with any amendments thereto, the "Prospectus") filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Québec, and in the United States pursuant to a prospectus filed as part of a registration statement on Form F-10 (together with any amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Canada/U.S. multi-jurisdictional disclosure system. The Prospectus and the Registration Statement are subject to completion and amendment. Such documents contain important information about the Offering. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Common Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.
The Registration Statement relating to the Common Shares has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. The Common Shares to be sold pursuant to the Offering described in this news release may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective. Before readers invest, they should read the Prospectus in the Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with Canadian regulatory authorities and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. The Prospectus is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Registration Statement is available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement may be obtained, for free upon request, from Enoch Lee at 100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4H 1S3.
The Offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2024 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including that of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC.
ABOUT western copper and gold corporation
western copper and gold corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com .
On behalf of the board,
"Sandeep Singh"
Sandeep Singh
Chief Executive Officer
western copper and gold corporation
info@westerncopperandgold.com
Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the use of proceeds from the Offering, the necessary regulatory approvals required for the Offering being received and the expected closing date of the Offering. Statements that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the assumptions that all regulatory approvals of the Offering will be obtained in a timely manner; all conditions precedent to completion of the Offering will be satisfied in a timely manner; and that market or business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.
Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties related to raising sufficient capital in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.
Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
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WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD ANNOUNCES METALLURGICAL PROGRAM AND ASSOCIATED DRILL RESULTS
western copper and gold corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) announces the launching of a metallurgical testing program (the "Metallurgical Program") for its wholly-owned Casino Copper-Gold Project (" Casino "). Fifteen composite samples were prepared from core acquired in 2023 (the "Drill Program"). Western's Technical and Sustainability Committee, comprised of members from Western, Rio Tinto Canada Inc. and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, prepared the Drill and Metallurgical Programs.
The 2023 Drill Program consisted of seven holes for 2,244 m ranging from 130 m to 556 m in length. The drill holes were located inside the current pit boundaries and were selected to provide a range of grades, host rocks, and mineralogy for the Metallurgical Program (see Figure 1). The drill holes were also selected to convert indicated resource to measured.
The drill results continue to show the importance of the Core Zone wherein relatively higher grades are encountered as shown by DDH23-05, which intersected 158.5 m of supergene mineralization, in part oxidized, with 0.82% CuEq 1 . Furthermore, DDH23-04, which is approximately one kilometre west of the Core Zone, and DDH23-06, which is at the northwest edge of the Core Zone, intercepted 86.0 m of 0.56% CuEq 1 and 174.0 m of 0.52% CuEq 1 , respectively, in the supergene zone. Table 1 includes all results from the Drill Program.
The fifteen composite samples represent supergene and hypogene mineralization at various grades and will be subjected to comminution and flotation tests to produce a definitive concentrate from each composite. The results from this testing will be used to develop a more detailed geometallurgical model of the deposit. The test program is being carried out at ALS Metallurgy, based in Kamloops, BC , and is being supervised by Western, Rio Tinto Canada Inc., and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation personnel.
Table 1: 2023 drill program results
Zone 3 | From | To | Length | Cu (%) | Au (g/t) | Mo (%) | Ag (g/t) | CuEq 1 |
DDH23-01 | ||||||||
CAP | 0.0 | 100.2 | 100.2 | 0.02 | 0.28 | 0.011 | 2.3 | 0.28 |
Supergene | 100.2 | 244.2 | 144.0 | 0.19 | 0.31 | 0.008 | 2.3 | 0.46 |
SUS | 100.2 | 244.2 | 144.0 | 0.19 | 0.31 | 0.008 | 2.3 | 0.46 |
HYP | 244.2 | 400.0 | 155.8 | 0.08 | 0.13 | 0.002 | 1.0 | 0.19 |
DDH23-02 | ||||||||
CAP | 3.2 | 72.2 | 69.0 | 0.02 | 0.25 | 0.006 | 1.4 | 0.22 |
Supergene | 72.2 | 229.0 | 156.8 | 0.21 | 0.32 | 0.013 | 1.9 | 0.50 |
SOX | 72.2 | 92.5 | 20.3 | 0.11 | 0.25 | 0.006 | 1.5 | 0.31 |
SUS | 92.5 | 229.0 | 136.5 | 0.22 | 0.33 | 0.014 | 1.9 | 0.52 |
HYP | 229.0 | 556.0 | 327.0 | 0.17 | 0.21 | 0.016 | 1.2 | 0.38 |
DDH23-03 | ||||||||
CAP | 22.1 | 25.1 | 3.0 | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.002 | 0.7 | 0.14 |
Supergene | 25.1 | 109.5 | 84.5 | 0.24 | 0.22 | 0.006 | 1.5 | 0.43 |
SOX | 25.1 | 42.6 | 17.5 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.003 | 1.3 | 0.34 |
SUS | 42.6 | 109.5 | 66.9 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.006 | 1.6 | 0.45 |
HYP | 109.5 | 528.0 | 418.5 | 0.18 | 0.23 | 0.018 | 2.4 | 0.43 |
DDH23-04 | ||||||||
CAP | 4.7 | 56.6 | 51.9 | 0.04 | 0.15 | 0.021 | 1.9 | 0.25 |
Supergene | 56.6 | 142.6 | 86.0 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.027 | 2.4 | 0.56 |
SUS | 56.6 | 142.6 | 86.0 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.027 | 2.4 | 0.56 |
DDH23-05 | ||||||||
CAP | 5.6 | 72.0 | 66.4 | 0.03 | 0.21 | 0.031 | 1.0 | 0.31 |
Supergene | 72.0 | 230.5 | 158.5 | 0.37 | 0.41 | 0.039 | 1.6 | 0.82 |
SOX | 72.0 | 159.0 | 87.0 | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.043 | 1.5 | 0.84 |
SUS | 159.0 | 230.5 | 71.5 | 0.35 | 0.44 | 0.032 | 1.9 | 0.79 |
DDH23-06 | ||||||||
CAP | 8.5 | 20.5 | 12.0 | 0.07 | 0.40 | 0.010 | 2.2 | 0.41 |
Supergene | 20.5 | 194.5 | 174.0 | 0.21 | 0.36 | 0.013 | 1.6 | 0.52 |
SOX | 20.5 | 86.5 | 66.0 | 0.25 | 0.53 | 0.013 | 2.0 | 0.69 |
SUS | 86.5 | 194.5 | 108.0 | 0.18 | 0.25 | 0.012 | 1.4 | 0.41 |
HYP | 194.5 | 256.8 | 62.3 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.011 | 0.6 | 0.16 |
DDH23-07 | ||||||||
CAP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Supergene | 34.2 | 77.1 | 42.9 | 0.22 | 0.18 | 0.006 | 1.3 | 0.39 |
SUS | 34.2 | 77.1 | 42.9 | 0.22 | 0.18 | 0.006 | 1.3 | 0.39 |
HYP | 77.1 | 130.3 | 53.2 | 0.24 | 0.25 | 0.014 | 1.8 | 0.48 |
1 CuEq metal prices: $US 3.60/lb Cu, $US 1700/oz Au, $US 14/lb Mo, $US 22/lb Ag with no adjustment for metallurgical recovery. |
2 Widths are core length, not true width of mineralized intersection |
3 CAP – leached cap, SUS – supergene sulphide, SOX – supergene oxide, HYP - hypogene |
The geological information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosures for Minerals Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101") and supervised, reviewed, and verified by Bill Williams , CPG and Interim Chair of Western, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.
QA/QC protocol for DDH22-01, including assurance of chain of custody, has been implemented. Core samples are evenly cut by rock saw, then prepared and analyzed by ALS Geochemistry. Prepared samples are initially run using a four-acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-AES analysis. Additional assaying for total copper and molybdenum is run using a four-acid digestion – AES or AAS method to a 0.001% detection limit. Gold assays are run using 30-gram samples by fire assay with an AA finish to a 0.005 ppm detection limit, with samples greater than 10 ppm finished gravimetrically. The QA/QC procedure involves regular submission of Certified Analytical Standards and property-specific duplicates. Check samples are also included and are sent to a secondary lab to test the primary labs' methods/procedures.
western copper and gold corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com .
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
On behalf of the board,
"Sandeep Singh"
Sandeep Singh
Chief Executive Officer
western copper and gold corporation
Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in Western's operations in future periods. Statements that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. In making the forward-looking statements herein, the Company has applied certain material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumption that general business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.
Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; risks related to joint venture operations; risks related to cooperation of government agencies and First Nations in the development of the property and the issuance of required permits; risks related to the need to obtain additional financing to develop the property and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.
Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
SOURCE western copper and gold corporation
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WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD ANNOUNCES RIO TINTO EXERCISE OF THEIR ANTI DILUTION RIGHT
western copper and gold corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) announces it has completed a private placement with Rio Tinto Canada Inc. ("Rio Tinto") pursuant to Rio Tinto's subscription rights as a result of the Company's recent private placement with the incoming CEO.
Rio Tinto acquired 239,528 common shares of the Company at a price of C$1.35 per share for proceeds of C$323,363 , allowing Rio Tinto to maintain its interest of approximately 9.7%.
western copper and gold corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com .
On behalf of the board,
"Sandeep Singh"
Sandeep Singh
Chief Executive Officer
western copper and gold corporation
SOURCE western copper and gold corporation
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WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF PRIVATE PLACEMENT WITH SANDEEP SINGH
western copper and gold corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) announces it has completed its previously announced C$3 million private placement with Sandeep Singh .
Mr. Singh acquired 2,222,222 common shares at a price of C$1.35 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$3 million .
western copper and gold corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com .
On behalf of the board,
"Sandeep Singh"
Sandeep Singh
Chief Executive Officer
western copper and gold corporation
SOURCE western copper and gold corporation
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Lundin Mining Pre-Announces Items Impacting the First Quarter 2024 Results
TSX: LUN) (Nasdaq Stockholm: LUMI) Lundin Mining Corporation ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company") is pre-announcing certain items impacting the Company's quarterly earnings, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA") 1 adjusted earnings 1 and adjusted earnings per share 1 .
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
Items of significant impact in the first quarter 2024 are expected to include unaudited foreign exchange and trading gains on debt and equity investments supporting the capital funding for the Josemaria Project of approximately $8 million on a pre-tax basis, unaudited realized gains on foreign exchange and diesel derivative contracts of approximately $4 million on a pre-tax basis and unaudited realized gains on foreign exchange of approximately $11 million on a pre-tax basis, primarily relating to payments in Chilean pesos during the quarter.
In the first quarter 2024 the Company is also expected to recognize certain non-cash items that will impact the Company's earnings but not adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings or adjusted earnings per share. These include an unaudited non-cash unrealized gain on foreign exchange of approximately $16 million on a pre-tax basis, primarily due to the weakening of the Chilean peso during the quarter, and an unaudited non-cash unrealized loss of approximately $53 million on a pre-tax basis related to the mark-to-market valuation of the Company's unexpired foreign exchange and diesel derivative contracts. Unexpired foreign exchange derivative contracts include zero cost collar contracts of $921 million (equivalent to 898 billion Chilean pesos) entered into during the first quarter 2024 and expiring in the remainder of 2024 through 2026.
Provisional Pricing Adjustments
Revenue in the first quarter 2024 is expected to be positively impacted by unaudited provisional pricing adjustments on prior period concentrate sales of approximately $2 million on a pre-tax basis. These adjustments primarily include upward adjustments in relation to copper and nickel sales, partially offset by downward adjustments on molybdenum and zinc sales.
The financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 , will be published on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
About Lundin Mining
Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with operations and projects in Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Portugal , Sweden and the United States of America , primarily producing copper, zinc, gold and nickel.
The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out below on April 17, 2024 at 14:30 Pacific Time .
__________________________________ |
1 These measures are non-GAAP measures. These performance measures have no standardized meaning within generally accepted accounting principles under International Financial Reporting Standards and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. For additional details please refer to the Company's discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com . |
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this document constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's plans, prospects and business strategies; the Company's guidance on the timing and amount of future production and its expectations regarding the results of operations; expected costs; permitting requirements and timelines; timing and possible outcome of pending litigation; the results of any Preliminary Economic Assessment, Feasibility Study, or Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimations, life of mine estimates, and mine and mine closure plans; anticipated market prices of metals, currency exchange rates, and interest rates; the development and implementation of the Company's Responsible Mining Management System; the Company's ability to comply with contractual and permitting or other regulatory requirements; anticipated exploration and development activities at the Company's projects; the Company's integration of acquisitions and any anticipated benefits thereof; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "goal", "aim", "intend", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "can", "could", "should", "schedule" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, including that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour; assumed and future price of copper, nickel, zinc, gold and other metals; anticipated costs; ability to achieve goals; the prompt and effective integration of acquisitions; that the political environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; and assumptions related to the factors set forth below. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Lundin Mining as at the date of this document in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, these statements 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: global financial conditions, market volatility and inflation, including pricing and availability of key supplies and services; risks inherent in mining including but not limited to risks to the environment, industrial accidents, catastrophic equipment failures, unusual or unexpected geological formations or unstable ground conditions, and natural phenomena such as earthquakes, flooding or unusually severe weather; uninsurable risks; volatility and fluctuations in metal and commodity demand and prices; significant reliance on assets in Chile ; reputation risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; delays or the inability to obtain, retain or comply with permits; risks relating to the development of the Josemaria Project; health and safety laws and regulations; risks associated with climate change; risks relating to indebtedness; economic, political and social instability and mining regime changes in the Company's operating jurisdictions, including but not limited to those related to permitting and approvals, nationalization or expropriation without fair compensation, environmental and tailings management, labour, trade relations, and transportation; inability to attract and retain highly skilled employees; risks inherent in and/or associated with operating in foreign countries and emerging markets, including with respect to foreign exchange and capital controls; project financing risks, liquidity risks and limited financial resources; health and safety risks; compliance with environmental, unavailable or inaccessible infrastructure, infrastructure failures, and risks related to ageing infrastructure; changing taxation regimes; the inability to effectively compete in the industry; risks associated with acquisitions and related integration efforts, including the ability to achieve anticipated benefits, unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to integration and diversion of management time on integration; risks related to mine closure activities, reclamation obligations, environmental liabilities and closed and historical sites; reliance on key personnel and reporting and oversight systems, as well as third parties and consultants in foreign jurisdictions; information technology and cybersecurity risks; risks associated with the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits including but not limited to models relating thereto; actual ore mined and/or metal recoveries varying from Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates, estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution, mine plans and metallurgical and other characteristics; ore processing efficiency; community and stakeholder opposition; regulatory investigations, enforcement, sanctions and/or related or other litigation; financial projections, including estimates of future expenditures and cash costs, and estimates of future production may not be reliable; enforcing legal rights in foreign jurisdictions; risks associated with the use of derivatives; risks relating to joint ventures and operations; environmental and regulatory risks associated with the structural stability of waste rock dumps or tailings storage facilities; exchange rate fluctuations; compliance with foreign laws; potential for the allegation of fraud and corruption involving the Company, its customers, suppliers or employees, or the allegation of improper or discriminatory employment practices, or human rights violations; risks relating to dilution; risks relating to payment of dividends; counterparty and customer concentration risks; activist shareholders and proxy solicitation matters; estimation of asset carrying values; relationships with employees and contractors, and the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labour or interruptions in production; conflicts of interest; existence of significant shareholders; challenges or defects in title; internal controls; risks relating to minor elements contained in concentrate products; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; and other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the "Managing Risks" section of the Company's MD&A and the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 , which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com under the Company's profile.
All of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, forecast or intended and readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward‐looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable law.
SOURCE Lundin Mining Corporation
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Trident Royalties: The Fast-growing Diversified Mining Royalty Company
Trident Royalties (AIM:TRR,OTC:TDTRF) provides investors with exposure to lithium, gold, copper, silver, iron ore, and other commodities (excluding thermal coal) through its diversified commodity portfolio. Trident is establishing itself as a royalty company using a unique royalty model that brings under its umbrella the entire gamut of the mining industry. This should attract investors willing to participate in the growth of metals such as lithium and copper, without taking the risk associated with investing directly in the mining companies themselves.
The company has acquired 21 assets (royalties and gold offtake agreements), of which 13 are currently cash-flowing. While the current revenue mix is weighted toward gold, asset-level developments across the portfolio, specifically at the Thacker Pass (lithium) and Mimbula (copper) projects, continue to indicate a higher mix of lithium and copper royalty revenue going forward. Thacker Pass is on track to be the largest lithium producer in North America within the next three years.
Trident has developed a portfolio that not only provides material revenue today but includes a tangible growth profile to significantly grow revenue over the next few years. A significant portion of future revenue is underpinned by assets already in construction, including Thacker Pass, Mimbula (in production, ramping-up) and Greenstone (discussed in detail below). Longer-term revenue growth is supported by a mix of expansions and new project development.
Company Highlights
- Trident Royalties is a diversified mining royalty company which provides investors with exposure to the full breadth of mining commodities, including precious, base and battery metals, and bulk/industrial minerals (excluding thermal coal). The company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘TRR’ and on the US OTCQB market under the ticker ‘TDTRF’.
- Since its listing on London's AIM market in June 2020, the company has acquired 21 assets, of which 13 are currently cash-flowing.
- The company’s broad asset base, which includes exposure to lithium, gold, copper, silver, iron ore and other commodities, differentiates it from its peers, which are mainly limited to precious metals.
- Greater than 60 percent of its asset NAV (by Unrisked Asset NAV – Tamesis Partners, 8 November 2023) is located in resource-friendly countries such as Canada, Australia and the US, which reduces jurisdictional risk.
- Management’s track record for value creation is impressive, delivering shareholder returns of 80 percent since listing.
- Trident has an attractive pipeline of future cash-flowing opportunities in battery and base metals. In particular, the Thacker Pass Lithium Project in the U.S. and the Mimbula Copper Project in Zambia hold significant potential for increased revenue to Trident. Thacker Pass is projected to deliver ~US$15 million in annual royalty revenue within the next three years (Revenue estimates by Tamesis Partners (8 November 2023)
This Trident Royalties profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Click here to connect with Trident Royalties (AIM:TRR,OTC:TDTRF) to receive an Investor Presentation
Trilogy Metals Provides Update on the Ambler Access Project
Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX: TMQ) (NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy" or the "Company") is providing an update on the Ambler Access Project - the proposed 211-mile, industrial-use-only road from the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects to the Dalton Highway that would enable the advancement of exploration and development at the Ambler Mining District, home to some of the world's richest known copper-dominant polymetallic deposits.
On April 16, 2024 , the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority ("AIDEA") issued a press release in response to media reports indicating the Department of Interior plans to block access to the Ambler Mining District by issuing a "no action" decision. In its press release, AIDEA strongly urges the Department of Interior to comply with federal law and the promises made at statehood to allow access to state lands and minerals for the Ambler Access Road Project.
AIDEA's press release can be found on their website at https://www.aidea.org/About/News-Publications/Press-Releases .
Ambler Metals LLC, our 50/50 joint venture with South32 Limited also responded on April 16, 2024 with a media statement. "We are stunned to hear reports that BLM may deny the Ambler Access Project, which received full federal approval four years ago and would enable safe and responsible domestic production of minerals that are critical for our national security and clean energy technologies," said Kaleb Froehlich , Managing Director of Ambler Metals. "If true, this decision ignores the support of local communities for this project, while denying jobs for Alaskans and critical revenues for a region where youth are being forced to leave because of a lack of opportunity. A denial would also undermine the promise made to Alaskans in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which guaranteed a right-of-way for this crucial project. We strongly urge BLM to reconsider what would clearly be an unlawful and politically motivated decision that goes well beyond the narrow set of issues the courts agreed to allow the agency to address."
With cash totaling over $32 million , including our share of cash at the joint venture, Trilogy is well positioned to engage with our key stakeholders and consider options and next steps.
Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metal exploration and development company which holds a 50 percent interest in Ambler Metals LLC, which has a 100 percent interest in the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in northwestern Alaska . On December 19, 2019 , South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy. The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District which is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler Mining District – the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within a land package that spans approximately 190,929 hectares. Ambler Metals has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler Mining District in cooperation with local communities. Trilogy's vision is to develop the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American copper producer while protecting and respecting subsistence livelihoods.
This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, perceived merit of properties and claim blocks, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving our ability to conserve cash, or at all and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.
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LME Sanctions on Russian Metal Push Copper, Nickel and Aluminum Prices Higher
Prices for several metals jumped this week as the London Metal Exchange (LME) banned metal produced in Russia from its system. The moratorium applies to material produced on or after April 13 of this year.
The restrictions apply to copper, nickel and aluminum, and were passed down by the US Department of the Treasury and the British government on April 12. They are also in place for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
This move aims to curb financial flows that fuel Russia's military activities in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
According to Bloomberg, aluminum soared as much as 9.4 percent, marking its highest jump since 1987, while nickel increased by 8.8 percent, signaling traders' confidence that removing a major producer will boost prices.
Copper, the third metal affected by the ban, saw a 1.6 percent bump amid an ongoing bull market.
Russia is a major producer of all three metals, contributing 6 percent of the world's nickel, 5 percent of its aluminum and 4 percent of its copper. As of March, 91 percent of the aluminum in LME-approved warehouses came from Russia, while Russian copper accounted for 62 percent of LME stockpiles. Thirty-six percent of LME nickel was from Russia.
Even with the sanctions in place, owners of Russian metal produced before April 13 can still place their metal on LME warrant, provided they furnish evidence of production dates.
Russian metal producers not fazed by LME ban
The ban will affect major Russian metal producers such as Rusal (MCX:RUAL), one of the world’s largest producers of aluminum, and Norilsk Nickel (MCX:GMKN), which mines metals including nickel.
Despite this, market watchers do not foresee any immediate supply shocks.
"From a fundamental perspective, it is important to recognise that these exchange focused rule adjustments will not generate a necessary supply-demand shock," noted one Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) analyst.
Rusal is also optimistic that the sanctions will not have a significant impact on its supply streams.
"The announced actions have no impact on Rusal's ability to supply since Rusal's global logistic delivery solutions, access to banking system, overall production and quality systems are not affected," the company told Reuters.
Rusal shares dipped by 1.7 percent on Moscow's stock exchange post-announcement.
The company also explained that the measures primarily affect the LME and derivatives; it will be able to keep providing hedging services and will stay committed to market-based pricing.
Some analysts have observed that while both Norilsk Nickel and Rusal predominantly trade under bilateral contracts, their shipments may decrease, potentially leading to a new discount to exchange prices.
Russia and China evade existing western sanctions
Amid the new LME and CME sanctions on Russian metal, Reuters reported on Monday (April 15) that Russian copper producer RCC and Chinese firms have found a way to bypass taxes and evade the impact of existing western sanctions by engaging in trades where new copper wire rod is disguised as scrap.
This deceptive activity involves the shredding of copper wire rod in China's Xinjiang Uyghur region by an intermediary, making it difficult to differentiate from scrap.
By doing so, both exporters and importers profit from the disparity in tariffs applied to scrap and new metal.
Russia's export duty on copper rod stood at 7 percent in December, lower than the 10 percent levy on scrap, while imports of copper rod into China face a 4 percent tax; that's compared to no duty on Russian scrap imports.
This method of circumventing regulations began in December, and has led to discrepancies between Chinese and Russian data, with Chinese customs reporting a significant increase in copper scrap imports from Russia, contrasting sharply with negligible amounts recorded in Russian data.
While RCC maintains it only supplies products to Russian companies, concerns persist about the potential repercussions of such trade maneuvers amid international scrutiny. The disguising of new copper wire rod as scrap not only evades taxes, but also complicates identification and tracing, facilitating its sale to Chinese manufacturers.
As the situation evolves, market watchers and investors are closely monitoring developments, including any potential retaliatory measures from Russia or further sanctions imposed by international bodies.
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.
Trident Royalties PLC
Overview
Trident Royalties (AIM:TRR,OTC:TDTRF) is a mining royalty company which provides investors with exposure to lithium, gold, copper, silver, iron ore, and other commodities (excluding thermal coal). Its diversified commodity portfolio aims to bridge the gap in the royalty sector, which is currently dominated by precious metal royalty companies. Trident is establishing itself as a royalty company with the intent of building a portfolio which broadly reflects the diverse spectrum of the entire mining sector.
Mining royalties are contractual arrangements that provide a mining company with a lump-sum upfront payment in exchange for a share of its future revenues. Royalties offer several advantages over other investment structures, including no dilution risk from future financings (as royalties are typically structured as a fixed percentage of revenue), while retaining exposure to resource growth and project expansion upside. Royalty companies enjoy various benefits, including diversification, high profit margins, and reduced risk. By investing in multiple mines simultaneously, royalty companies can mitigate the impact of an underperforming mine, as they continue to generate revenue from others. Investing in royalty companies offers investors exposure to the price movements of the underlying commodity while eliminating exposure to the risks associated with the capital and operating costs of the mine.
For mining companies, royalty financing offers several benefits compared to traditional forms of funding. For example, in contrast to debt, royalty financing comes with extended terms, no fixed payments, and is generally simpler to implement, with limited covenants. While, in contrast to equity, royalties are non-dilutive to share capital.
Historically, the royalty model has mostly been confined to the precious metals sector and, as such, has been unavailable for many investors looking for exposure to other metal classes and broader mining industry, as a whole. Trident’s royalty model is unique as it aims to bring under its umbrella the entire gamut of the mining industry, providing exposure to commodities such as lithium, copper, iron ore and other metals. This should attract investors willing to participate in the growth of metals such as lithium and copper, without taking the risk associated with investing directly in the mining companies themselves.
Since listing in mid-2020, the company has acquired 21 assets (royalties and gold offtake agreements), of which 13 are currently cash-flowing. While the current revenue mix is weighted toward gold, asset-level developments across the portfolio, specifically at the Thacker Pass (lithium) and Mimbula (copper) projects, continue to indicate a higher mix of lithium and copper royalty revenue going forward. Thacker Pass is on track to be the largest lithium producer in North America within the next three years. The cash flow from this royalty, at current lithium prices and full production, should be roughly $21 million per annum (assuming partial operator buy-back occurs, LCE price of $25k/t, 80 k/t per year production rate).
Trident has developed a portfolio which not only provides material revenue today but includes a tangible growth profile to significantly grow revenue over the next few years. A significant portion of future revenue is underpinned by assets already in construction, including Thacker Pass, Mimbula (in production, ramping-up) and Greenstone (discussed in detail below). Longer-term revenue growth is supported by a mix of expansions and new project development.
In addition to the revenue shown below, Trident anticipates two material one-off payments of $8.75 million in 2025 from Avino Silver and $13.2 million in 2026 from Lithium Americas.
Company Highlights
- Trident Royalties is a diversified mining royalty company which provides investors with exposure to the full breadth of mining commodities, including precious, base and battery metals, and bulk/industrial minerals (excluding thermal coal). The company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘TRR’ and on the US OTCQB market under the ticker ‘TDTRF’.
- Since its listing on London's AIM market in June 2020, the company has acquired 21 assets, of which 13 are currently cash-flowing.
- The company’s broad asset base, which includes exposure to lithium, gold, copper, silver, iron ore and other commodities, differentiates it from its peers, which are mainly limited to precious metals.
- Greater than 60 percent of its asset NAV (by Unrisked Asset NAV – Tamesis Partners, 8 November 2023) is located in resource-friendly countries such as Canada, Australia and the US, which reduces jurisdictional risk.
- Management’s track record for value creation is impressive, delivering shareholder returns of 80 percent since listing.
- Trident has an attractive pipeline of future cash-flowing opportunities in battery and base metals. In particular, the Thacker Pass Lithium Project in the U.S. and the Mimbula Copper Project in Zambia hold significant potential for increased revenue to Trident. Thacker Pass is projected to deliver ~US$15 million in annual royalty revenue within the next three years (Revenue estimates by Tamesis Partners (8 November 2023)
Key Assets
Thacker Pass Lithium Royalty
Trident holds a 60 percent stake in a 1.75 percent gross revenue royalty (1.05 percent, net to Trident) covering Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass Lithium Project, which stands as one of the most substantial lithium resources in North America. It is Trident’s flagship royalty asset and is currently under construction with first production targeted for 2027.
Lithium Americas made significant asset-level progress towards the development of Thacker Pass with several recent milestones, including:
- $650 million equity investment by General Motors into Lithium Americas.
- The commencement of Phase 1 construction following the receipt of notice to proceed from the Bureau of Land Management.
- The Department of Energy ATVM Loan Program recently approved a loan for US$2.26B.
Thacker Pass holds considerable national significance for the US, which currently produces limited lithium domestically, as it endeavors to establish and enhance its independent critical minerals supply chain.
Gold Offtake Portfolio
Trident’s gold offtake portfolio comprises ten projects owned by different operators. Of these, nine projects are currently producing and have generated $6.8 million in revenue in FY 2023. The portfolio will further benefit from progress made across various assets including the advancement of Equinox Gold’s Greenstone project in Ontario, Canada. The Greenstone project is 96 percent complete as of November 2023, with pre-commissioning activities ongoing currently. Over 15 million tonnes of material have been moved thus far, and the buildup of the ore stockpile is progressing ahead of schedule, with the first gold pour expected in May 2024.
Trident holds a gold offtake agreement for the Greenstone project with an annual cap of 58,500 oz, and previously secured a guarantee from Premier Gold Mines Limited (a subsidiary of Equinox) that any shortfall in deliveries for 2024 and 2025 will be compensated at a rate of $23.50/oz. Gold offtakes are similar to a stream in that it entitles Trident the right to purchase the gold at a price below spot, allowing Trident to simultaneously sell the gold at spot and thus clipping a margin which has historically yielded an NSR equivalent of 1.33 percent.
Mimbula Copper Project
The Mimbula Copper project is owned by Moxico Resources. The project comprises a deposit abundant in copper oxides and sulfides, situated in the Zambian Copperbelt on the outskirts of Chingola. Trident owns a 0.3 percent gross revenue royalty (GRR) over all copper produced from the Mimbula Mine.
Phase 1 mining operations, which are expected to produce 10,000 tons of copper cathode per annum, commenced in early 2023. The Phase 2 expansion to 56,000 tons of annual copper production is underway, with Moxico Resources targeting Phase 2 production to commence in mid-2025.
Paradox Lithium Project
The Paradox Lithium project is owned by Anson Resources. It is an advanced lithium development project spanning 167 sq. km. in the Paradox Basin located in southern Utah, USA. Trident owns a 2.5 percent net smelter return (NSR) royalty, applicable to all projects owned by Anson Resources in the Paradox Basin.
In October 2023, Anson reported a 45 percent increase in the mineral resource to a total of 1.05 MT lithium carbonate equivalent, directly benefiting Trident’s royalty.
La Preciosa Silver Project
The La Preciosa Silver project is operated by Avino Silver and Gold Mines. The project is a development-stage property, hosting one of the most significant undeveloped silver resources in Mexico. Trident owns a 1.25 percent NSR royalty over La Preciosa. Moreover, Trident has the right to receive a milestone payment of US$8.75 million from Avino within 12 months of first silver production.
Antler Copper Royalty
The Antler copper project is located in Arizona, USA, and is operated by New World Resources. Trident owns a 0.90 percent NSR royalty on the project. The project is exceptionally high-grade and is located in an attractive mining jurisdiction with high-quality existing infrastructure. Pre-construction work on the project is expected to begin in Q1 2025.
The royalty comprises two buyback provisions, enabling the acceleration of cash flow while ensuring Trident maintains significant ongoing exposure to the project and potential exploration success. Additionally, Trident has a right of first refusal, granting the company the privilege to match any new royalty or streaming transaction until 12 months after the commencement of commercial production at Antler.
Management Team and Board of Directors
The management team has significant experience in private equity, banking, operational and commodity markets.
Adam Davidson – Chief Executive Officer
Adam Davidson has over a decade of experience in the natural resources sector. His most recent role was with Resource Capital Funds (RCF), a prominent mining-focused private equity firm. Before joining RCF, Davidson held positions in metals and mining equity research at BMO Capital Markets and in strategic planning at Orica Mining Services. His extensive background encompasses mining capital markets in various jurisdictions and commodities. He began his career at T. Rowe Price and has also served in the US Marine Corps.
Richard Hughes – Chief Financial Officer
Richard Hughes’ background encompasses diverse mining capital markets and advisory roles across various jurisdictions and commodities. He established an independent consultancy in 2019, offering corporate finance advisory services to mining and royalty finance companies. Before this venture, he served as a senior member of the metals and mining investment banking team at RBC Capital Markets in London from 2010 to 2018. Hughes commenced his career at CIBC, contributing as a member of the global mining group.
Albert Gourley – Non-executive Chairman
Albert Gourley is a managing partner of Faskens law firm and has held directorship positions in numerous mining and mineral exploration companies listed on the TSX, TSX-V and AIM. Notably, he was involved with a company acquired by Franco-Nevada for its gold royalty on the Newmont Ahafo Mine in Ghana. His mining industry experience includes working with the Noranda Group from 1992 to 1995, and he served as the CEO of an AIM-listed industrial mineral producer from 2011 to 2012.
Helen Pein – Non-executive Director
Helen Pein has over 30 years of experience as an economic geologist in the natural resource sector. She currently serves as a director of Pan Iberia (UK) and is a founding member of Panex Resources (Mauritius and SA), a private company dedicated to discovering and developing global mining projects. She was previously a director and shareholder at Pangea Exploration for two decades. As a member of the executive team, she played a pivotal role in the direct discovery and evaluation of several world-class gold and mineral sands deposits across Africa.
Peter Bacchus – Non-executive Director
Peter Bacchus boasts over 25 years of experience as a prominent global M&A adviser. He currently serves as the chairman and chief executive of Bacchus Capital, an independent investment banking boutique specializing in the natural resources sector. He has been involved in large M&A transactions, financed substantial deals, and advised on development projects worldwide. He served as the global head of mining and metals at Morgan Stanley and held senior-level positions at Jefferies and Citigroup. He also sits on the boards of Gold Fields Limited, Kenmare Resources, and Galaxy Resources.
David Reading – Non-executive Director
David Reading has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry, with expertise across all phases of mine development, encompassing exploration, feasibility, financing, construction and operations. He holds an MSc in economic geology and is recognized as a fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining, as well as a fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.
Leslie Stephenson – Non-executive Director
Leslie Stephenson has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector. She has worked for two major insurance companies in the US. Additionally, she has held positions in banking and undertaken senior roles at HSBC, particularly in the areas of strategic planning and risk management. She holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a BA from Western University.
This article was written in collaboration with Couloir Capital.
Forum Energy: Ambient Noise Tomography Survey Establishes New Drill Targets over 1+ km Extension Along the Tatiggaq Fault Zone, Aberdeen Uranium Project, Nunavut
Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or the "Company") has reviewed initial data processed from its Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) survey conducted over the Tatiggaq anomaly during the summer of 2023, The survey successfully established new drill targets over a one plus kilometer east-northeast extension along the Tatiggaq fault zone, which hosts the high-grade Tatiggaq uranium discovery at Forum's 100% owned Aberdeen Project in the Thelon Basin, Nunavut. The Aberdeen project comprises 95,500 hectares and is located adjacent to Orano's 133 million pound Kiggavik uranium project* (Figure 1).
Dr. Rebecca Hunter, Forum's VP, Exploration commented, "The ANT survey may be a game-changing geophysical method for targeting unconformity systems in the northeast Thelon Basin. By measuring the velocity change interfaces throughout our anomalies, we can potentially image the faults that host the mineralization and the location of the mineralized bodies themselves. The survey results obtained suggest we will be able to target our drilling with a much higher degree of precision than what could be done in the past. I am very excited to resume on our Aberdeen Project in 2024."
HIGHLIGHTS
- New ANT survey data has potentially imaged the depth and location of the metasedimentary bodies that host the mineralization.
- The steep-dipping ore controlling structures have been imaged by the ANT survey and will help greatly with targeting throughout the anomaly both along strike but also along sub-parallel structures.
- The ANT survey suggests that potential additional mineralized bodies to the east-northeast are at similar depth to the known mineralization to date (
- ANT surveys were also conducted on both the Ned and Bjorn anomalies and are currently being processed with results expected by June.
Tatiggaq Deposit
Forum drilled four holes in 2023 and the first two holes targeted the Tatiggaq Main area. The objective was to drill through to main mineralized zone at a more optimal angle and show that the mineralization is within a series of steep-dipping, high-grade lenses. TAT23-001 was lost and TAT23-002 intersected 2.25% U3O8 over 11.1 from 148.5 to 159.6 m (incl. 3.32% U3O8 over 3.1 m). TAT23-003 and TAT23-004 were drilled along trend to the SW up to 200 m from TAT23-001/-002. These holes were designed to infill and expand known areas of mineralization at Tatiggaq West. TAT23-003 intersected 0.40% U3O8 over 12.8 m from 136.0 to 148.8 m (incl. 1.08% U3O8 over 1.3 m) and TAT23-004 intersected 0.40% U3O8 over 18.9 m from 151.4 to 170.3 m (incl. 1.01% U3O8 over 6.2 m).
Mineralization within the Tatiggaq deposit consists of two zones - the Main and West Zones and is located at depths between 80 and 180 m. The mineralization is hosted in a series of high-grade subparallel, steep, south-dipping fault zones that sit within a 50 m wide area (Figure 2). Individual high-grade mineralized structures are up to 10 m in width. The strike extent of the Main Zone is at least 60 m but is open to the northeast and the West Zone is now 150 m in strike length and is open to the southwest. Further delineation is required between the two zones to determine if they are connected. In addition, the entire 0.7 km wide by 1.5 km long Tatiggaq gravity anomaly remains open for additional uranium mineralization both along strike of the known zones but also along numerous sub-parallel fault zones to the north and south.
Ambient Noise Tomography Survey (ANT)
The ANT survey is a passive seismic technique that detects seismic waves by natural sources like ocean wave action that is then used to image the subsurface.
In 2023, Patterson Geophysics Inc. (PGI) was contracted to deploy and recover a total of 475 seismic 1D Nodular Recording Units (NRUs) over the Tatiggaq (Figure 3), Ned and Bjorn grids. Geophysical Technology Inc. NuSeis NRUN1 autonomous seismic nodal recording units were used for the survey. In total, 475 NRUs were deployed in three (3) grid areas on the Aberdeen Project in July 2023. 344 NRUs were deployed on the Tatiggaq grid at 60 m intervals; 77 NRUs were deployed on the Ned grid at 150 m intervals, and 54 NRUs were deployed on the Bjorn grid at 150 m intervals. The PGI crew returned to the Thelon project to retrieve the NRUs after a recording period of 24-26 days. The data was downloaded from the NRUs using GTI's Portable Data Management system and a GTI-supplied laptop with NuSite, NuSeis, and NuScribe software.
Ongoing data processing is being completed by Ambient Reservoir Monitoring Inc. (ARM) through the direction of Kyle Patterson at Convolutions Geoscience. A preliminary 3D slice of the processed velocity data is shown for the Tatiggaq Grid (Figure 4).
*Source: Areva Resources Canada Inc., The Kiggavik Project, Project Proposal, November 2008 and Kiggavik Popular Summary, April, 2012 submission to the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Rebecca Hunter, Ph.D., P.Geo., Forum's Vice President of Exploration and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
Figure 1 The Thelon Basin is a geologic analogue to the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. Orano's uranium deposits are along the same controlling structures as Forum's Tatiggaq deposit and over 20 other targets are present within the project, which could host additional uranium deposits similar to the Athabasca Basin.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/205494_6b28dec534900b7c_003full.jpg
Figure 2 The Tatiggaq Main and West zones are interpreted to be a series of near vertical, uranium- bearing lenses that trend for 1.5 km. The width of the mineralized section is interpreted to be approximately 50 m but its total width is not yet determined. TAT23-002 only intersected two of these lenses that were intersected in near vertical holes by Cameco's previous drilling (for example 0.85% over 13.7m in hole TUR14A). Proposed future drill holes will target mineralization to intersect the true width of the zone and its strike extent.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/205494_6b28dec534900b7c_004full.jpg
Figure 3 Location of Nodular Recording Units deployed at the Tatiggaq Grid.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/205494_6b28dec534900b7c_005full.jpg
Figure 4 ENE-WSW section through the Tatiggaq Grid showing the ANT processed 3D velocity data. Data viewed in Leapfrog Geo. Velocity data highlights steep NW-trending faults and changes in velocity are possible interfaces of different alteration strengths and/or rock units. Interpretation is still preliminary.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/205494_6b28dec534900b7c_006full.jpg
About Forum Energy Metals
Forum Energy Metals Corp.(TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is focused on the discovery of high-grade unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and the Thelon Basin, Nunavut. In addition, Forum holds a diversified energy metal portfolio of copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan and Idaho.
For further information: https://www.forumenergymetals.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Forward-Looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Forum's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the historical data, the work expenditure commitments; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund future exploration or development programs; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; changes commodity prices, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or an inability to obtain permits required in connection with maintaining or advancing its exploration projects.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo.
President & CEO
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.
For further information contact:
Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO
mazur@forumenergymetals.com
Tel: 604-630-1585
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205494
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