TORONTO, May 10, 2022
/CNW/ - Vox Royalty Corp. (TSXV: VOX) (OTCQX: VOXCF)
("Vox" or the "Company"), a returns focused precious
metals royalty company, is pleased to provide recent development
and exploration updates from royalty operating partners Northern
Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) ("Northern Star"), Jangada
Mines plc (AIM: JAN) ("Jangada"), Black Cat Syndicate
Limited (ASX: BC8) ("Black Cat"), and Gold Standard Ventures
Corp. (TSX: GSV) ("Gold Standard Ventures").
Spencer Cole, Chief Investment
Officer stated: "The Vox portfolio has continued to rapidly
develop through drilling, engineering and pre-stripping over the
past month, with a key highlight being commencement of mining
activities at the Otto Bore gold project by Northern Star. The
robust economics of the Pitombeiras Vanadium technical report
continue to support Vox management's confidence around this
exciting vanadium project. We eagerly anticipate the outcomes of
Black Cat's toll milling tender at the Bulong project, with
potential to commence mining at the high grade royalty-linked
Myhree deposit in late 2022. Based on these updates we expect
multiple construction decisions in the second half of 2022 which
will unlock incremental royalty revenue for 2023 and
beyond."
Key Development Updates
- Pre-stripping and open pit mining preparation commencement at
the Otto Bore gold project by Northern Star;
- Updated feasibility-level engineering technical report for the
Pitombeiras vanadium project by Jangada;
- Acquisition of Paulsens gold mine by Black Cat, reprioritizing
Vox's Merlin and Electric Dingo gold royalty projects and an update
on Bulong development timing; and
- 5,700m drilling planned by Gold
Standard Ventures at Railroad Pinion gold project in Nevada from May
2022 onwards, with a second stage exploration program to be
completed in the Fall and Winter of 2022.
Otto Bore (Development –
Australia) – Pre-Stripping and
Open Pit Mining Preparation Commencement
- Vox holds a 2.5% net smelter return royalty (between 42koz –
100koz cumulative production) over the Otto Bore gold project in
Western Australia, acquired in
conjunction with the producing Janet Ivy / Binduli North gold
royalty in March 2021;
- On April 27, 2022 and
May 3, 2022, Northern Star announced
that:
-
- Preparation for open pit mining operations at the Otto Bore
deposit have commenced, confirmed by open pit pre-stripping
observed by Vox management via satellite imagery;
- All required environment studies have been completed and
relevant vegetation clearance and a dewatering permit has been
granted. The Mining Proposal has been approved, however it will be
revised and resubmitted to accommodate extension of the new reserve
pit;
- An average gold recovery for the Otto Bore deposit is estimated
at 94% based on met testwork and ongoing long term actual average
recovery data collected at the Thunderbox plant. Metallurgical
testwork has been carried out on samples from the Otto Bore deposit
by processing and test lab, with suggested recoveries could go as
high as 97% hence the estimated recovery is in line with
expectation; and
- Northern Star is currently exploring proximal to the Otto Bore
deposit and is working on an exploration program which will test
the lateral and down dip extents of the Otto Bore mineral
resource.
- Vox Management Summary: The Otto Bore royalty was acquired
for a small fraction of the purchase price in Vox's March 2021 royalty portfolio transaction with
Horizon Minerals, with the majority of the purchase price allocated
to the Janet Ivy gold royalty (which is the subject of a major
A$462M expansion by Zijin Mining).
Otto Bore has been fast-tracked by Northern Star ahead of Vox
management expectations and is now expected to generate attractive
revenues for Vox shareholders in 2023.
Pitombeiras (Pre-Feasibility –
Brazil) – Technical Report and
Feasibility update(1)
- Vox holds a 1% net smelter return royalty over the Pitombeiras
vanadium-titanium-iron ore project in Brazil;
- On April 21, 2022, Jangada
announced that:
-
- It has updated the Pitombeiras technical report, which
supersedes the Preliminary Economic Assessment published in
2021;
- The updated technical report includes the titanium component at
the project and provides for the following updated results:
-
- 100.3% post-tax IRR;
- US$96.5 million post-tax NPV at
an 8% discount rate;
- All-in capital expenditure totalling US$18.5 million;
- Post-tax payback period of 13 months;
- Life of Mine ("LOM") approximately 9 years based on the
current estimated minable resource of 5.5Mt, producing total
forecast tonnages produced of 1.74Mt Fe /
V2O5 and 66kt TiO2;
- US$415 million total gross
revenue, applicable to the 1% net smelter royalty; and
- Exploration potential to increase LOM remains open.
- Finalisation of the Pitombeiras feasibility study is subject to
completion of the titanium by-product credit analysis, which is
expected to improve the overall project economics.
- Vox Management Summary: This technical report outlined a
post-tax payback period of 13 months, which is extremely short for
modern mining projects, further confirming Vox management's
positive expectations about the near-term development likelihood of
the Pitombeiras project. Despite the titanium-related scope
changes, we still expect a construction decision later in 2022 for
this rapidly-advancing vanadium project.
Bulong (Pre-Construction –
Australia) – Production Timing
Guidance and Royalty Project Acquisition
- Vox holds a 1% net smelter return royalty over part of the
Bulong gold project in Western
Australia;
- On April 19, 2022, Black Cat
announced that:
-
- It has entered into binding agreements to acquire 100% of the
high-grade Coyote and Paulsens gold operations from Northern Star
for total consideration of up to A$44.5
million (cash, stock and contingent deferred cash);
- Vox holds a 0.75% gross revenue royalty (>250koz cumulative
production) over the Merlin gold deposit, and a 1.75% gross revenue
royalty (>250koz cumulative production hurdle that is combined
with the Ashburton gold royalty) over the Electric Dingo gold
deposit. Both royalties form part of the Paulsens gold operation
purchased by Black Cat; and
- Highlights of the transaction include:
-
- Commencement of a substantial exploration program over
near-mine & regional targets; and
- Target decision to mine at Paulsens within 18 – 24 months.
- In its April 21, 2022, investor
presentation, Black Cat highlighted that:
-
- As a result of Black Cat's acquisition of the Coyote and
Paulsens gold operations, it is now intended that the Bulong
project will be mined by Black Cat and toll-treated at an existing
gold mill near Kalgoorlie;
- Black Cat is currently undertaking a tender to mine and
toll-treat the fully approved royalty-linked Myhree open pit with
interested toll milling parties around Kalgoorlie; and
- If acceptable toll milling terms are agreed, Black Cat will
mine Myhree during 2022/23;
- Vox Management Summary: Black Cat's strategic acquisition of
the Paulsens gold mine unlocks the previously-dormant Merlin and
Electric Dingo royalty deposits (attached to Vox's Ashburton
royalty), which are both proximate to the Paulsens mine processing
infrastructure. Vox management remains confident that the toll
milling tender for the Myhree deposit presents strong potential for
Bulong-linked royalty revenue from 2023 onwards.
South Railroad (Feasibility –
Nevada, USA) – 2022 Exploration
Program & Resource Update Timing
- Vox holds a 0.633% net smelter return royalty with advance
minimum royalty payments over key portions of the South Railroad
gold project, which is located in Nevada's prolific Carlin Trend;
- On April 18, 2022, Gold Standard
Ventures announced that:
-
- The first stage exploration program for 2022 includes
approximately 5,700m of
reverse-circulation and core drilling over 20 holes with drilling
scheduled to start in May 2022;
-
- The first stage drilling includes 3,050m targeting the royalty-linked Pinion SB
Zone Target, with the objectives of testing the continuity and
limits of the SB Zone and a goal to include certain areas of the
Pinion SB Zone into an updated Pinion Mineral Resource near
year-end 2022.
- Based on the results of the first stage exploration program,
Gold Standard Ventures intends to develop a second stage
exploration program to be completed in the Fall and Winter of 2022;
and
- Jason Attew, President and CEO
commented:
-
- "The focus of this year's program is to test for oxide
mineralization extensions at Pinion with the goal of enhancing the
size of the Pinion pit and further extending the project
life."
- Vox Management Summary: 2022 drilling at the royalty-linked
Pinion SB Zone is expected to increase mineral resources in late
2022 and ultimately support longer-life royalty revenues for Vox
shareholders. Gold Standard Ventures management is still targeting
first production in mid-2024 for this exciting Nevada gold project.
Qualified Person
Timothy J. Strong, MIMMM, of
Kangari Consulting LLC and a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101,
has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure
contained in this press release.
About Vox
Vox is a returns focused precious metals royalty company with a
portfolio of over 50 royalties and streams spanning eight
jurisdictions. The Company was established in 2014 and has since
built unique intellectual property, a technically focused
transactional team and a global sourcing network which has allowed
Vox to target the highest risk-adjusted returns in the mining
royalty sector. Since the beginning of 2020, Vox has announced over
20 separate transactions to acquire over 45 royalties.
Further information on Vox can be found at www.voxroyalty.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward
Looking Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking
statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with
respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections,
objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but
not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not
expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate"
"plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating that certain actions,
events or results " may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be
taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact
and may be "forward-looking statements".
The forward-looking statements and information in this press
release include, but are not limited to, summaries of
operator updates provided by management and the potential impact on
the Company of such operator updates, statements regarding
expectations for the timing of commencement of development,
construction at and/or resource production from various mining
projects, expectations regarding the size, quality and
exploitability of the resources at various mining projects, future
operations and work programs of Vox's mining operator partners, the
receipt of future royalty payments derived from various royalty
assets of Vox, anticipated future cash flows and future financial
reporting by Vox, and requirements for and operator ability to
receive regulatory approvals.
Forward-looking statements and information are based on
forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet
determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to
be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.
Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various
known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond
the ability of Vox to control or predict, that may cause Vox's
actual results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are
developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and
other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the
requirement for regulatory approvals and third party consents, the
impact of general business and economic conditions, the absence of
control over the mining operations from which Vox will receive
royalties, including risks related to international operations,
government relations and environmental regulation, the inherent
risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral
properties; the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration
data; the potential for delays in exploration or development
activities; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits;
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the possibility that future
exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent
with Vox's expectations; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title
matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or
interruptions in operations; fluctuating metal prices;
unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties relating to the
availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the
inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the
potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price
fluctuations; currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions,
including environmental regulatory restrictions; liability,
competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and
uncertainties.
Vox has assumed that the material factors referred to in the
previous paragraph will not cause such forward looking statements
and information to differ materially from actual results or events.
However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject
to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will
reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The
forward-looking information contained in this press release
represents the expectations of Vox as of the date of this press
release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date.
Readers should not place undue importance on forward looking
information and should not rely upon this information as of any
other date. While Vox may elect to, it does not undertake to update
this information at any particular time except as required in
accordance with applicable laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
Technical and Third-Party
Information
Except where otherwise stated, the disclosure in this press
release is based on information publicly disclosed by project
operators based on the information/data available in the public
domain as at the date hereof and none of this information has been
independently verified by Vox. Specifically, as a royalty investor,
Vox has limited, if any, access to the royalty operations. Although
Vox does not have any knowledge that such information may not be
accurate, there can be no assurance that such information from the
project operators is complete or accurate. Some information
publicly reported by the project operators may relate to a larger
property than the area covered by Vox's royalty interests. Vox's
royalty interests often cover less than 100% and sometimes only a
portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, mineral
resources and production from a property.
References & Notes:
- The Pitombeiras resource information in Jangada's 21 April 2022 announcement has been reviewed by
Mr. Paulo Ilidio de Brito, who is a
member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG #5173)
and a member of AusIMM - The Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy (MAusIMM #223453). Mr. Brito is a senior professional
geologist with +35 years of experience in the mining industry,
which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has
undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012
edition of the JORC Code. Mr. Brito also meets the requirements of
a competent person under the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas
Companies.
a. The 31 June
2021 updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pitombeiras
Project has been prepared by Mr. Mauricio
Prado, MSc. Geo., MAIG, Qualified Person as defined by NI
43-101 guidelines, independent geological consultant contracted by
Jangada. Mr. Prado is an independent consultant based on Goiânia,
Brazil.
b. The report, entitled "Technical Report
- Pitombeiras Project, Ceará State, Brazil", having an effective date of
January 31st, 2022, was
prepared on behalf of Jangada by GE21 Ltda and authored by Porfírio
Cabaleiro Rodriguez - BSc (Min Eng),
FAIG, Leonardo de Moraes Soares -
BSc (Geology), MAIG and Maurício Prado - MSc (Geology), MAIG.
SOURCE Vox Royalty Corp.