Junior Exploration Sector – Page 36

Northern Dynasty hits back after scathing short-seller’s report – by Ian McGugan (Globe and Mail – February 1, 2017)

February 21, 2017

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., the Vancouver miner blindsided by a short-seller’s scathing report, fired back on Friday, saying the polemic is “unsupported speculation” from a “troubled organization” that doesn’t understand mining.

Kerrisdale Capital Management, a New York investment firm, hammered Northern Dynasty’s stock on Tuesday when it published a report arguing the miner is “worthless” because its undeveloped copper and gold resource in Alaska is not commercially viable.

In response, Northern Dynasty said Kerrisdale’s analysis contains numerous errors and misunderstandings. “Their report isn’t worth the paper it’s written on,” Northern Dynasty chief executive Ron Thiessen said in an interview.

Sabina ready to splash cash at Back River – by Staff (Mining Journal – February 8, 2017)

February 8, 2017

http://www.mining-journal.com/

Vancouver-based Sabina Gold & Silver Corp (CN: SBB) has set aside C$8.5 million (US$6.45 million) to advance development of its proposed C$415 million Back River gold project in southwestern Nunavut but could spend up to $25 million if it can finally clear permitting hurdles. Investor optimism is returning.

Sabina was one of Canada’s best performed mining equities of the past 12 months (to January 31) despite a rollercoaster 2016. The stock is up about 46% since January 10 after the minister of indigenous and northern affairs Canada (INAC) ordered a review of a Nunavut Impact Review Board report blocking permitting progress at Back River.

Sabina has since received NIRB advice on its final environmental impact statement for the project, which it expects to file soon. That could pave the way for the company to proceed to the next permitting stage.

Pebble revived: Owner plans to file for permits in 2017 – by Tim Bradner (Alaska Journal – January 25, 2017)

January 26, 2017

http://www.alaskajournal.com/

Alaskans are used to seeing apocalyptic images about the Pebble mine. TV ads opposing the large copper-gold prospect near Iliamna cast images of toxic sludge cascading down mountain valleys into Bristol Bay, killing all the salmon.

Is the hype shoe now on the other foot? It’s jarring, but sponsored-content pitches are now showing up on mainstream Internet sites touting Pebble, posted not by owner Northern Dynasty but by people touting Pebble’s stock.

The headline blares: “Is this tiny gold miner about to soar? Will Trump open development of the world’s biggest gold mine … right here in America?” With a new friend in Washington — meaning President Donald Trump — Pebble’s ultimate development is a no-brainer, the story goes.

Vancouver junior inks $1 billion a year potash deal – by Frik Els (Mining.com – January 18, 2017)

January 19, 2017

http://www.mining.com/

Encanto Potash Corp. (CVE:EPO) on Wednesday announced the finalization of a blockbuster agreement with India’s national farmers co-operative to supply a minimum of 5 million tonnes of potash per year for the next twenty years.

Vancouver-based Encanto’s is advancing a $2.9 billion potash project in the Saskatchewan province of Canada in a joint venture with the Muskowekwan First Nation.

Encanto President Stavros Daskos said the deal is “clearly a defining moment for our company and the industry. India imports 100% of its potash and is susceptible to cartel-like practices from producers that can hurt its national food security.”

[Klondex Mines] This Canadian Mining Darling Finds Gold in Projects No One Wants – by Danielle Bochove (Bloomberg News – January 18, 2017)

January 18, 2017

https://www.bloomberg.com/

When Paul Andre Huet became chief executive officer of Klondex Mines Ltd. in 2012, he says the Canadian gold miner had just $400,000 in cash, one asset and $7 million in invoices.

“We never declared bankruptcy but on our financials we were literally done,” says Huet, who made the leap to the insolvent company from Premier Gold Mines Ltd.

Many might have considered the move career limiting but Huet knew Klondex’s sole asset well: Nevada’s Fire Creek gold project, having previously studied it for two other mining companies. Confident the deposit was more profitable than it appeared, he took the job, staving off Klondex’s creditors and turning Fire Creek into a producing mine in just over a year. Then he doubled down by looking for more assets that other miners shunned.

Sabina confident proposed Nunavut gold mine will go ahead (Nunatsiaq News – January 17, 2017)

January 18, 2017

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/

Company pledges jobs, infrastructure and “best-in-class approach to protecting the environment”

Sabina Gold and Silver Corp. says it’s confident that any issues and concerns about its Back River gold mine project can and will be addressed.

The mining company says it’s “extremely pleased” with Ottawa’s latest move: Indigenous and Northern Affairs minister Carolyn Bennett sent the project’s final hearing report back to the Nunavut Impact Review Board last week, saying it needs further review.

The project, located in Nunavut’s Kitikmeot region, would include a chain of open pit and underground mines at its Goose property along with a 157-kilometre road from the mine to a port facility and tank farm in Bathurst Inlet. In June 2016, the NIRB recommended that Ottawa reject the Back River gold mine proposal, citing environmental and social impacts.

#DisruptMining competition dangles another karat in front of staid gold mining industry – by Rick Spence (Financial Post – January 16, 2017)

January 16, 2017

http://business.financialpost.com/

Back in the day, big businesses and small businesses rarely interacted. What could a small business have or know that could possibly interest multi-national know-it-alls?

Money, distribution and influence were the assets that mattered then. But today the key currency is innovation. Smaller existing companies know they must either become masters of technology and shifting markets, or they’ll become a statistic. So now we see more of them grasping for innovation expertise by partnering with startups, sponsoring incubators, and even holding hackathons. They need innovation partners with one foot in the future.

Case in point: #DisruptMining, an innovation competition designed to bring solutions to the hard-pressed mining industry. The desire for change comes from Vancouver-based Goldcorp, the world’s fourth-largest gold producer. But the catalyst is Integra Gold, a junior explorer in Vancouver.

NEWS RELEASE: Integra Gold and Goldcorp Team with IBM, Microsoft, Accenture and Cisco for #DisruptMining

January 13, 2017

Disrupt Mining 2017 from Integra Gold Corp on Vimeo.

Integra Gold Corp. (TSX-V: ICG, OTCQX: ICGQF) (“Integra” or the “Company”) and Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G,NYSE: GG) are pleased to announce they have teamed with four of the world’s largest technology companies to explore potential applications of disruptive technologies in the mining sector.

#DisruptMining is a marquee event during the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (“PDAC”) conference that will showcase disruptive and exponential technologies with the potential to revolutionize the future of mining, from exploration and discovery to production and automation to financing, marketing and corporate social responsibility. Goldcorp has committed $1 million for a proof of concept at one of Goldcorp’s mines or investment in the winning technologies.

Arizona shares tumble on speculation – by Salma Tarikh (Northern Miner – January 1, 2017)

January 12, 2017

http://www.northernminer.com/

Arizona Mining (TSX: AZ) shares slightly recovered on promising assays from the Taylor zinc-lead sulphide deposit at its Hermosa property, following a sharp decline after a mining publication raised concerns about the marketability of Taylor’s zinc concentrates, before sliding again.

Located 10 km from the town of Patagonia and 80 km southeast of Tucson, Ariz., the high-grade zinc deposit contains 28.3 million indicated tonnes grading 10.9% zinc equivalent and 75 million inferred tonnes at 11.1% zinc equivalent, using a 4% zinc equivalent cut-off grade. Exploration success at Taylor this year coupled with higher zinc prices have skyrocketed the company’s shares.

On Dec. 7, the stock touched a 52-week high of $3.49, up 947% from its 2015 close of 32.5¢. A day earlier the company had closed a $36-million bought deal with underwriters led by Scotia Capital, National Bank Financial, RBC Capital Markets, TD Securities and Raymond James. It sold 11.8 million shares at $3.05 apiece.

[Prolific Flin Flon-Snow Lake Greenstone Belt] Rockcliff expands  presence in Manitoba – by Trish Saywell (Northern Miner – October 27, 2016)

January 10, 2017

While it may not be apparent from its share price, which has ranged between 1.5¢ and 16¢ over the last year, Rockcliff Copper (TSXV: RCU) has quietly expanded its grip on Manitoba’s Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt, with recent option deals on two of the mining camp’s highest-grade metal deposits.

In September, the junior explorer signed an agreement with a prospector to earn 100% of the Laguna gold property, which hosts a former high-grade gold mine, 20 km southeast of Snow Lake and Hudbay Minerals’ (TSX: HBM; NYSE: HBM) 2,150-tonne-per-day gold mill facility.

The deposit was mined intermittently between 1916 and 1939 — producing more than 60,000 oz. gold from 101,000 tonnes averaging 20.57 grams gold per tonne — and there has been virtually no exploration done there in the last 70 years.

Encanto Potash Corp. one step closer to financing $3B mine on Sask. First Nation – by Alex MacPherson (Saskatoon StarPhoenix – January 6, 2017)

January 9, 2017

http://thestarphoenix.com/

A junior mining company with plans to build a potash mine on a reserve northeast of Regina says two new 20-year agreements to sell a total of seven million tonnes of potash annually bring it one step closer to financing and building the massive facility.

The agreements, known as offtakes, with “bankable” India-based firms should help Encanto Potash Corp. secure the $3 billion it needs to build the mine on Muskowekwan First Nation, said the Vancouver-based company’s director of corporate development.

“We think that with this offtake, we can get our corporate financing,” Gary Deathe said, adding that while no junior mining company has successfully financed a potash operation into production, that is “100 per cent” Encanto’s plan.

[Qubec Mining] “I would be surprised [if] someone [could] … raise capital right now to develop a uranium project until you know how this … will be settled” – by Staff (Mining Journal – December 20, 2016)

December 20, 2016

http://www.mining-journal.com/

Junior Strateco Resources’ (US:SRSIF) looming C$200 million (US$150 million) court case against the Quebec government is expected to set the precedent for other uranium hopefuls.

Strateco is suing the provincial government for investment losses and punitive damages after its Matoush uranium project was blocked following years of preliminary work.

Strateco spent an average $20 million a year on Matoush between 2006-2012, The Globe and Mail reported, on the basis that uranium exploration and mining were allowed in Quebec.

NEWS RELEASE: Harte Gold Closes $25 Million Financing

December 14, 2016

Toronto – December 14, 2016 – HARTE GOLD CORP. (“Harte Gold”) (TSX: HRT / OTC: HRTFF / Frankfurt: H40) is pleased to announce the closing of the $25 million financing previously announced in its news release dated November 24, 2016. The financing will facilitate the acceleration of exploration and development work at Harte Gold’s 100% owned Sugar Zone property located in White River, Ontario.

The financing consists of a $15 million bought deal offering of 38,461,538 flow-through common shares priced at $0.39 per flow-through common share (the “Flow-Through Offering”) with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation and a concurrent $10 million private placement financing of 33,333,333 common shares priced at $0.30 per common share (the “Private Placement”) with Appian Natural Resources Fund (“Appian”) through its wholly owned subsidiary, for aggregate gross proceeds of $25 million at a blended average price of $0.35 per common share. On closing, Appian will hold a 16.8% interest in Harte Gold.

Finder’s fees payable under the private placements consist of a cash payment equal to 3% of cash raised and broker warrants equal to 3% of the number of flow-through common shares and common shares issued pursuant to the private placements.

Arizona Mining comes out swinging – by Staff (Mining Journal – December 13, 2016)

December 13, 2016

http://www.mining-journal.com/

Vancouver-based Arizona Mining has strongly refuted claims made in global mining blog that compared some of its deposits to the “Bre-X” scandal. An article in the Global Mining Observer on the weekend drew a comparison to Bre-X, the company involved in a major gold mining scandal in the mid-1990s, the Financial Post reported.

Arizona says the Observer’s article, which is no longer available online, was misleading. “First, the article appeared to infer that the Taylor deposit was a re-named version of the Central Deposit,” Arizona said in a statement.

“There are, in fact, two distinct deposits at the Hermosa project – the Taylor zinc-lead-silver sulphide deposit and the Central deposit, which is a manganese-silver oxide deposit.”

NEWS RELEASE: Arizona Mining Refutes Misleading Article on Taylor Deposit

December 12, 2016

VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – December 12, 2016) – Arizona Mining Inc. (TSX: AZ) (“Arizona Mining” or the “Company”) wishes to address an article published by The Global Mining Observer on Sunday, December 11, 2016 regarding the Company’s Hermosa Project in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, which the Company believes is misleading. The Company is issuing this statement to provide its shareholders and the market with accurate information.

First, the article appeared to infer that the Taylor deposit was a re-named version of the Central Deposit. There are, in fact, two distinct deposits at the Hermosa project — the Taylor zinc-lead-silver sulfide deposit and the Central deposit, which is a manganese-silver oxide deposit. The article implies these deposits are one and the same, which is incorrect.

The metallurgical testwork on the Taylor Deposit was conducted by Resource Development Inc. (RDi) and has returned excellent results to date which were initially published in a January 7, 2016 press release, subsequently on February 1, 2016 with the maiden resource calculation, and reiterated by RDi within the Technical Report released on November 29, 2016.