Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Private placement financing. In December, Aurania closed the second and final tranche of its private placement financing. A total of 3,747,243 units were sold at C$0.45 per unit for gross proceeds of C$1,686,259.35. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, which entitles the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of C$0.75 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the applicable tranche of the offering. Aurania expects to allocate most of the net proceeds to fund exploration activities in France.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – January 2, 2025) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) announces that its directors received their quarterly director fees in the form of stock options in lieu of cash for the period ended December 31, 2024.
Directors (the “Optionees“) of the Company have agreed to receive their quarterly director fees for 2024 in the form of stock options in lieu of cash. On December 31, 2024, each director was granted 13,500 stock options at an exercise price of C$0.425. An aggregate of 54,000 stock options were granted to directors in lieu of their director fees for the fourth financial quarter of 2024.
All such options will be exercisable for a period of three years from the date of grant and vested immediately upon grant. In the event an Optionee intends to exercise such Options, such Optionee shall be solely responsible for paying the entirety of the exercise price.
About Aurania
Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
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.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – December 23, 2024) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) announces that it has closed the second and final tranche (the “Second Tranche“) of its non-brokered private placement financing (the “Offering“) as previously announced on November 25, 2024, and December 13, 2024. An aggregate of 3,747,243 units (the “Units“) were sold under the Offering at a price of C$0.45 per Unit (the “Issue Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$1,686,259.35.
Under the Second Tranche, 1,020,744 Units were sold at the Issue Price for total gross proceeds of C$459,334. No fees were paid to finders in connection with the closing of the Second Tranche.
Each Unit is composed of one common share of the Company (a “Common Share“) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant“). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share (a “Warrant Share“) at an exercise price of C$0.75 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the applicable tranche of the Offering such Warrants were issued.
The Company plans to prioritize exploration in France and intends to allocate the majority of the net proceeds raised from the Offering primarily to exploration activities there, including impact studies, as well as to general working capital purposes. The Company may also conduct exploration programs in Ecuador depending on the capital requirements of the Company’s exploration activities.
The Company also completed its previously announced debt settlement transaction, as announced on November 25, 2024 (the “Debt Settlement“). Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,868,036 Common Shares to Dr. Keith Barron, the CEO and a director of the Company, in settlement of C$1,652,168.75 of loans plus interest thereon for an aggregate amount of C$1,740,616.36 owed to him (the “Debt“) by the Company, at a price of C$0.45 per Common Share. The Debt related to a promissory note of the Company in respect of a loan previously supplied by Dr. Barron for the purpose of providing cash resources to the Company. The Company had elected to settle the indebtedness through the issuance of Common Shares to preserve cash and strengthen Aurania’s balance sheet.
The Offering and the Debt Settlement are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSXV and the securities regulatory authorities. All securities issued and issuable in connection with the Offering and the Debt Settlement are subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance.
Dr. Barron acquired 3,868,036 Common Shares pursuant to the Debt Settlement constitutes a “related party transaction” as defined under the policies of the TSXV and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“). The Company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the Debt Settlement does not exceed 25 percent of the Company’s market capitalization.
The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.
About Aurania
Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes statements regarding the Offering, the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things, a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents, an inability to access financing as needed, a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania, a failure to comply with environmental regulations and a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and copper. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Private placement financing. Aurania announced the closing of the first tranche of its recently announced private placement of up to 8,888,888 units at a price of C$0.45 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to C$4,000,000. In the first tranche, a total of 2,726,499 units were sold for gross proceeds of C$1,226,924.55. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of C$0.75 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the first tranche. The net proceeds will be used to fund exploration in France including impact studies, exploration programs at key targets in Ecuador, and working capital.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 28, 2024) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) announces that its Chairman, President and CEO, Dr. Keith Barron will present at NobleCon20 – Noble Capital Markets’ Twentieth Annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference at Florida Atlantic University, Executive Education Complex, in Boca Raton, FL.- on Tuesday, December 3 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
A high-definition video webcast of the presentation will be made available on the Company’s website, a day or two following the live event and as part of a complete catalog of presentations available at Noble Capital Markets’ Conference website and on Channelchek the investor portal created by Noble. The webcast will be archived on the company’s website, the NobleCon website, and on Channelchek.com for 90 days following the event.
The Company is also pleased to announce that Francisco Freyre, the Company’s current fractional Chief Financial Officer, will be transitioning to be the full-time CFO of the Company, effective January 1, 2025. Mr. Freyre’s extensive corporate, financial and market-related experience has been integral to the Company since his appointment as fractional Chief Financial Officer in July 2022, and the Company is pleased he will continue to support the Company in a full-time capacity.
About Aurania Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
About Noble Capital Markets, Inc. Established in 1984, Noble Capital Markets is an SEC / FINRA registered full-service investment bank and advisory firm with an award-winning research team and proprietary investor distribution platform. We deliver middle market expertise to entrepreneurs, corporations, financial sponsors, and investors. Over the past 40 years, Noble has raised billions of dollars for companies and published more than 45,000 equity research reports. Noble launched www.channelchek.com in 2018 – an investor community dedicated exclusively to public emerging growth and their industries. Channelchek is the first service to offer institutional-quality research to the public, for FREE at every level without a subscription. More than 7,000 public emerging growth companies are listed on the site, and content including equity research, webcasts, and industry articles.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Private placement financing. Aurania intends to raise up to C$4.0 million in a private placement of up to ~8.9 million units at a price of C$0.45 per unit to fund exploration programs in France and Ecuador. Each unit will consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant may be used to purchase one common share at an exercise price of C$0.75 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the offering. The private placement is expected to close in December and is contingent on the receipt of necessary approvals, including by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Concessions in Ecuador. Aurania reached an agreement with Ecuadorian authorities regarding the payment of its 2024 concession fees for its 42 mineral exploration concessions in Ecuador. Aurania has made a partial payment with the balance to be paid within the following six months, including interest associated with the outstanding amount. The concessions remain in good standing.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
New assay results. Aurania received preliminary results from studies conducted by SGS Laboratories on a sample of magnetic sand taken from Nonza Beach, Corsica. The nickel-bearing mineral in the black magnetic sand is indeed awaruite, a natural nickel-iron alloy. SGS was able to isolate a nearly pure awaruite concentrate from the magnetic sand using a combination of grinding and flotation. New assays of awaruite flotation concentrate yielded 71.4% nickel, 0.98% cobalt, 0.65% copper, 0.58 grams of gold per tonne, 0.09 grams of platinum per tonne, and 0.39 grams of palladium per tonne. The flotation method recovered 83.8% of the nickel contained in the magnetic sand, which had a head grade of 6% nickel. Studies of identical sands at nearby Albo Beach are underway.
Extraction and processing. Aurania hired IHC Mining Advisory Services (IMAS) to identify the best means to extract and recover the black beach sands at Albo-Nonza. IHC proposed two different scenarios focused on the extraction of heavy minerals containing nickel and iron. The preferred scenario uses a floating suction and cutter-head dredge on floating pontoons. IMAS estimated the capital cost of the cutter suction dredger scenario to be €13 million, including €7.8 million for the dredging equipment and €5.2 million for a processing plant.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 11, 2024) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) has received preliminary results from ongoing mineral processing, laboratory assay and metallurgical studies conducted by SGS Laboratories (Lakefield) Ltd. (“SGS”) on a sample of magnetic sand taken from Nonza Beach, Corsica, under independent supervision by Mr. John Rae, P. Geo. of Ontario, Canada. The nickel-bearing mineral in the black magnetic sand is awaruite, a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy, which is both of high specific gravity (dense) and of high magnetic susceptibility (magnetic).
Project Highlights:
Black beach sands from Nonza Beach, Corsica, contain the magnetic nickel-iron mineral awaruite transported by longshore drift from a nearby historic mine.
The beach is approximately 1350 metres long and up to 350 metres wide, with the beach material extending on the seabed up to at least an additional 600 metres offshore. The maximum beach thickness is estimated at 14 metres but this has yet to be tested by drilling.
Preliminary studies indicate the beach is 40% sand, up to 31.7% of which is magnetic, and a magnetic concentrate of the sand (containing awaruite+magnetite) yielded 40.1% nickel. 98% of the awaruite reports to the ˂ 1 mm fraction
New assays of an awaruite flotation concentrate yielded 71.4% nickel, 0.98% cobalt, 0.65% copper, 0.58 g/t gold, 0.09 g/t platinum and 0.39 g/t palladium
Further metallurgical studies are underway to determine the potential marketability of the mixed awaruite-magnetite as nickel-matte feedstock versus pure awaruite as a polymetallic product
Study of identical sands at the nearby Albo Beach are also underway
SGS was able to isolate a nearly pure awaruite concentrate using a combination of grinding and flotation of magnetic sand collected in a traverse of Nonza Beach using a high field strength rare earth magnet. The awaruite flotation concentrate assayed 71.4% nickel, 0.98% cobalt, 0.65% copper, 0.58 g/t gold, 0.09 g/t platinum and 0.39 g/t palladium. The flotation method was able to recover 83.8% of the nickel contained in the magnetic sand, which had a head grade of 6% nickel. Using reverse flotation, a second product of nearly pure (93%) magnetite was obtained. This process has not been optimised and is a “first pass” only. It is believed that the recovery of nickel from the raw magnetic sand can be improved.
An examination of the literature shows that platinum group metal (“PGM”) enrichment in awaruite is quite rare. The only other occurrence documented being in the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia[1] The Company had previously determined that the Corsican awaruite contains PGMs by electron microprobe analysis carried out at Western University in Canada, and these new assay results by SGS confirm and quantify this.
As presented in the Company’s press release dated October 3, 2024, a Mozley gravity table concentrate of magnetic beach sand generated by SGS yielded 40.1% nickel. The Company believes that an “impure” awaruite-magnetite gravity concentrate by itself could be potentially saleable as feedstock for a nickel-matte furnace. However, recovery and isolation of a pure awaruite product may allow for the extraction of cobalt, copper, and precious metals in a “value-added” scenario. Hydrometallurgical studies using an atmospheric leach on the remainder of the sample recovered by flotation is in progress with encouraging early results. The Company has no plan at this time to build a refinery or manufacture any battery grade materials but would like to explore all possibilities for commerciality.
The Company notes that it has not done sufficient work to determine a compliant resource at this juncture.
Qualified Persons: The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Aurania’s VP Exploration, Mr. Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
About Aurania Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucú Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the Company’s teams being on track ahead of any drill program, the commencement of any drill program and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 5, 2024) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) reports that IHC Mining Advisory Services (“IMAS”) of IHC Mining B.V. were commissioned by the Company to prepare a conceptual desktop study identifying a potential extraction and recovery methodology for the Albo-Nonza black beach sands in Corsica (see related press releases dated October 3, 2024 and November 4, 2024) followed by a potential processing solution for extraction of the heavy minerals located in the beach sand. These sands are believed to be derived from the longshore drift of waste material from the historic Canari Mine. The 73-page report focused on the identification of a potential solution that could be practical and technically possible, taking into account the marine environment and a preliminary processing flow sheet focused on the extraction of the heavy minerals containing nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe). The proposed equipment for both processes has been defined with an estimated combined capital of 13 MM Euro and an estimated operational cost of 2.82 Euro/t. The IMAS study focused on the beach material only and did not include any potential additional material offshore of Nonza and Albo Beaches as described in the press release dated November 4, 2024.
Many critical assumptions were made in this study, and these will be better constrained by a forthcoming environmental study when sonic drilling of the beaches is planned. It is not possible at this point in time to identify a compliant mineral resource. These minerals of interest are accumulated in the sand fraction of the beach deposits of Nonza and Albo and can be extracted using simple magnetic methods. The beach is 40% sand*, with the remaining 60% consisting of pebbles that are, for the purpose of this preliminary study, not considered to have potential economic value. Initial analyses determined that 31.7% of Nonza beach sand is magnetic, and a magnetic concentrate of black beach sand at Nonza yielded 40.1% nickel.
The present-day thickness of the Nonza and Albo beach deposits was estimated by comparison of recent LiDAR topographic and bathymetric survey data of the beach areas with a reconstructed pre-depositional survey that was derived from historical aerial photography and mapping. Wireframes were constructed from both historic and recent survey data sets and the present-day thickness of the beach deposits was estimated by determining the vertical thickness between the wireframes (Figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1: Estimated beach sediment thickness (in metres), Nonza.
IMAS proposed two different scenarios for recovery of the heavy minerals. The first one is a backhoe mounted on a barge, with a screening plant on board. The second is a floating suction and cutter-head dredge on floating pontoons (like that shown in Figure 3). The dredge is expected to have higher capacity and require less maintenance than the barge-mounted excavator and is regarded by the Company as the favoured proposal.
Figure 3: A cutter head suction dredge moored in the channel behind the Rick Rule Conference venue, (Boca Raton, Florida) in July 2024 that Aurania attended. Note that these dredges are used for both civil purposes to clean canals and harbours and for mining alluvials. It operates with a minimum of noise and disturbance and is ideal for clearing channels in proximity to hotels and housing developments.
The cutter suction dredger excavates panels perpendicular to the coastline up to a maximum dredging depth of 14m. Proposed dredging depths were estimated using the calculated thickness of the beach sands and limitations of the equipment (Figures 4 and 5).
Figure 4: Proposed dredging depth (in metres), Nonza.
The cutter head of the dredger is equipped with grizzly bars (cage) to prevent large rocks from entering the suction pipe of the dredger as they can block the pump or discharge pipeline. Sand and pebbles pass through the dredge pump and are pumped to a beach-based primary screening & slurrification plant via a floating pipeline that is up to 1000 metres long.
This conceptual study produced a potential process flow diagram for the proposed recovery of awaruite and magnetite using the cutter suction dredger and magnetic separation (Figure 6). At the primary screening & slurrification plant the dredging slurry passes a grizzly and double deck vibrating screen where oversized (>6mm) pebbles are removed and the sands fraction (<6mm) reports to a slurrification bin and subsequent magnetic separation. The pebbles and non-magnetic sand are re-distributed to restore the original beach.
Additional processing and metallurgical studies to refine the process are underway at SGS Laboratories (Lakefield).
Figure 6: Potential flowsheet for the proposed recovery of awaruite and magnetite from the conceptual study.
In this conceptual study IMAS has calculated the Cutter Suction Dredge Scenario to have a total potential capital cost (“CAPEX”) of € 7,830,581 for the dredging equipment, with the estimated potential CAPEX for the processing plant an additional € 5,225,920.
The estimated potential Operating Expenditure (“OPEX”) calculated in the conceptual study for the recovery of the heavy minerals (dredging and screening for size) is presented in Table 1 with details of the potential OPEX for magnetic separation of awaruite and magnetite presented in Table 2.
Table 1: Estimated potential OPEX for recovery of heavy minerals.
IMAS has worked independently of SGS Labs who are currently working with 130 kilos of magnetic sand collected from Nonza Beach to assess the best way of obtaining 1.) a potentially saleable magnetite-awaruite concentrate, and also 2.) exploiting the significant density contrast between the two minerals*, an awaruite concentrate with a separate magnetite concentrate. A mixed magnetite-awaruite concentrate could be saleable for nickel matte production which may present a more profitable and marketable option. SGS is also assessing the need for the currently proposed grinding of the <6mm magnetite concentrate in the proposed circuit.
The proposed extraction activities would be halted each year during the tourist season and the beach pebbles, and the non-magnetic sand would be returned to the beach which would be recontoured after extraction at the end of each season.
*Specific gravities and particle size analysis from P. Bernier, J-B Guidi and M. E. Bottcher, “Coastal progradation and very early diagenesis of ultramafic sands as a result of rubble discharge from asbestos excavations (northern Corsica, western Mediterranean)” published in Marine Geology, volume 144, 1997.
Qualified Persons:
The geological information contained in this news release and the IMAS report has been verified and approved by Aurania’s VP Exploration, Mr. Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
About Aurania
Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucú Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the Company’s teams being on track ahead of any drill program, the commencement of any drill program and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 4, 2024) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) reports that further to its news release dated October 3, 2024, Jean-Paul Pallier, P. Geo., VP Exploration of Aurania, and Stefan Ansermet, Geological Consultant to Aurania, have completed first pass sea bottom sampling offshore of the Nonza and Albo Beaches, Cap Corse suggesting that the nickel potential is not confined to the beach alone, but extends significantly offshore Using a high-intensity rare earth magnet lowered to the seabed, very abundant black sands were collected as much as 600 metres offshore of Nonza Beach and up to 300 metres offshore of Albo Beach. The black sands are believed to be composed of awaruite (Ni3Fe) and magnetite (Fe3O4), and preliminary analysis of a concentrate of black beach sand at Nonza yielded 40.1% nickel.
LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that penetrates through vegetation and water, producing detailed 3D images of the Earth’s surface both above and below water. Examination of the black and white LiDAR1 image below (Figure 1), which shows Nonza Beach and the sea bottom immediately to the west of the beach, indicates a markedly different submarine topography in front of the beach. You can see the submarine areas to the north and south have an irregular topography which is due to rocky seabed. The sea bottom west of the beach is mostly smooth; the hollows have been filled in with sand. As demonstrated by historical air photos (Figure 2), it is believed that the waste from the historic Canari Mine, which had filled in the port of Nonza, also filled in and covered the sea bottom at Albo and Nonza Beaches.
One day was spent in reconnaissance sampling of the sea bottom to test this hypothesis (Figures 3 and 4). A high field strength Sm-Nd magnet was used on the end of fishing line and an innovative reel to retrieve it was put together from a power drill by Stefan. A total of four samples were collected in front of Albo Beach and six samples in front of Nonza Beach. In each case, the magnet collected large amounts of magnetic sand off the sea bottom. Samples of this sand have been sent to ALS Chemex in Seville, Spain, for analysis. Since nickel is not present in the magnetite, any nickel in the assays would indicate the presence of awaruite.
The Company has been in touch with WOKO Magnet- und Anlagenbau GmbH of Duisburg, Germany, who manufacture a marine electromagnet that possibly could be used to recover the magnetic sand. This magnet (Figure 5) is used to clean up ordnance from WWII in the sea, and to remove metal trash. We believe the recovery of sand by this method would have minimal disturbance to the environment. The sand is obviously already at the surface and is probably a bottom lag, winnowed by the currents so that the heavy metal grains are preferentially concentrated.
Figure 2: Historical air photo on the left and present-day photo on the right, showing the development and progradation of the Albo and Nonza Beaches over time. The beach material is believed to be composed of waste from the historic Canari Mine, and also extends up to 600m west of the shoreline below water.
Qualified Persons: The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Aurania’s VP Exploration, Mr. Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
About Aurania Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucú Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the Company’s teams being on track ahead of any drill program, the commencement of any drill program and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Kuri-Yawi geophysical survey. Aurania commenced an induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey over its Kuri-Yawi gold target where the discovery of numerous sinters in 2018 revealed the area to be highly prospective for epithermal gold mineralization. Kuri-Yawi is the most advanced epithermal target at the company’s Lost Cities-Cutucu project in southeastern Ecuador and may represent the quickest path for a successful outcome based on work that has already been completed, along with easy access. In 2020 and 2021, nine scout holes were drilled that indicated a vector to mineralization toward the northeast which is the focus of the IP survey.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 1, 2024) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) announces the start of the induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey at its Kuri-Yawi project in southeastern Ecuador. The survey is being carried out by the geophysics company GexplOre, which has extensive experience developing this technique within the Amazon rainforest. The geophysicists have arrived in the field last week following the completion of the line-cutting preparation work.
Kuri-Yawi is the most advanced epithermal target in the Company’s Cutucu project. The discovery of numerous sinters by the Aurania team in 2018 highlighted the area as highly prospective for epithermal gold mineralization. Extensive fieldwork subsequently conducted in the area, including geology, soil geochemistry and a Mobile MagnetoTellurics (MobileMT) airborne survey led to the drilling of nine scout holes during 2020 and 2021 to investigate the soil anomalies at depth. The results of the program indicated a vector to mineralization toward the northeast, the subject area of the current IP survey. Subsequent prospecting in this area discovered thallium-rich chalcedony veins (see Figure 1). Importantly, thallium is a volatile element often present in the upper parts of epithermal deposits. As well, TerraSpec infrared analyses of the alteration minerals in this area show typical epithermal chlorite-smectite-illite zonation towards the vein zone. The presence of these minerals suggests an intense hydrothermal alteration in the center of an epithermal system, which is interpreted to be responsible for the demagnetization of rocks observed in the area and also shown on the 2017 magnetic airborne survey (see Figure 2).
The IP survey is designed to identify deep conductors that could correspond to gold mineralization, and to target drill holes for the planned program in 2025. The IP survey is expected to be completed by mid-December 2024, with results expected in early 2025 following a review and interpretation of the data.
Figure 1: Alteration zonation by TerraSpec survey on the outcrop and thallium results from outcrop at Kuri Yawi.
Figure 2: Magnetic airborne anomalies (blue areas indicate low magnetic conductivity and warm colours such as red-pink are highly magnetic) and thallium results on outcrop at Kuri Yawi.
Sample Analysis & Quality Assurance / Quality Control (“QAQC”)
Laboratories: The samples were prepared for analysis at ALS Global’s (“ALS”) lab in Quito, or at MS Analytical (“MSA”) in Cuenca, Ecuador. Analysis by ALS was done in Lima, Peru, and MSA conducted their analyses in Vancouver, Canada.
Sample preparation: Rock samples were jaw-crushed to 10 mesh (crushed material passes through a mesh with apertures of 2 millimetres (“mm”)), from which a one-kilogram sub-sample was taken. The sub-sample was crushed to a grain size of 0.075mm and a 200g split was set aside for analysis.
Analytical procedure: A 0.5g split of the -0.075mm fraction of rock samples underwent digestion by four-acids, and the liquid was analyzed for 48 elements by ICP-MS. Gold was analyzed by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish.
QAQC: Aurania personnel inserted a certified standard pulp sample, alternating with a field blank, at approximate 20 sample intervals in all sample batches. Aurania’s analysis of results from its independent QAQC samples showed the batches reported on above, lie within acceptable limits. In addition, the labs reported that the analyses had passed their internal QAQC tests.
Qualified Persons:
The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Aurania’s VP Exploration, Mr. Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
About Aurania
Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucú Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the Company’s teams being on track ahead of any drill program, the commencement of any drill program and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Memoranda of Understanding. Through a wholly owned subsidiary, Aurania entered into a non-binding Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Communes of Ogliastro and Nonza in Cap Corse, Northern Corsica, France for the exploitation of heavy mineral beach placers that are enriched with nickel and other metals. An accumulation of black sand comprised of awaruite and magnetite on the beaches of Albo and Nonza originated from asbestos mine waste that had previously been dumped in the Mediterranean Sea. The waste traveled up along the coast and accumulated silt at the historic ports of Albo and Nonza. Awaruite is a natural nickel-iron mineral alloy.
Placers are rich in nickel. While no resource or reserve has been established, Activation Laboratories Ltd. conducted an analysis of a heavy mineral concentrate produced by simple panning of the beach sand by hand which yielded an assay of 50.4% nickel, 0.701% cobalt, and 0.476% copper. Moreover, a Mozley gravity table concentrate of magnetic beach sand performed by SGS Laboratories yielded 40.1% nickel. At some point, we think Aurania will likely take a bulk sample for analysis.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
