Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the “Company” or
“Puma”) is pleased to announce the execution, on October 24, 2024
of non-binding letters of intent with NB Gold Inc. (“NB Gold”), a
private company, and Comet Lithium Corporation (TSXV: CLIC)
(“Comet”) to secure and gain control over a new large and highly
prospective mining exploration project where several high-grade
gold occurrences grading as high as
1,315 g/t Au
were identified.
The new McKenzie Gold Project
straddles the McKenzie Fault, a major structural feature associated
with numerous high-grade gold quartz veins, stockworks and breccias
discovered by the previous owners’ limited prospecting, trenching
and sampling programs. These gold occurrences exhibit remarkable
similarities with the orogenic gold mineralization identified on
the Williams Brook Project recently optioned to Kinross Gold
Corporation.
The McKenzie Gold Project
encompasses over 33,660 hectares and appears to exhibit the same
geological attributes as the Williams Brook Project, namely:
1) The presence
of very high-grade gold mineralization;2) The mineralization
appears to be associated with orogenic gold deposits;3) The
project is near a major Appalachian structure – the McKenzie
Fault;4) The presence and proximity of mineralized felsic
intrusions; and5) The potential for a large mineralized
system (Au, Ag, Cu)
A limited trenching and sampling program by Puma
in late 2023 on the southern tip of the claim block confirmed the
presence of three (3) different mineralized zones extending over
650 metres within strongly foliated altered sediments. The best
gold values (362 g/t, 267 g/t, 24.7 g/t, 9.47 g/t and 4.67 g/t
gold)* were found in quartz veins associated with limonite/goethite
similar to the ones observed at the Lynx Gold Zone
at Williams Brook (see October 25, 2023, News Release). *The reader
is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not
represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone.
The Mackenzie Gold Project is
located only 7 km west of the Williams Brook Project and 10 km East
of St-Quentin, where the Company maintains its exploration office,
core shack and other facilities. The property is easily accessible
by paved highway and gravel roads.
Figure 1. Puma’s assets in Northern New
Brunswick
Puma plans to deploy its proven low-cost
exploration strategy to develop the McKenzie Gold Project in the
same fashion it developed Williams Brook. The Company intends to
follow its successful discovery method of prospecting, mapping and
trenching where significant gold has been discovered to grow the
project.
Puma completed early prospecting and trenching
on the property this fall to better understand the mineralization
style and potential extension to the mineralization previously
discovered and is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of
available data to identify priority targets for future drilling
(see Figure 2). Early greenfield exploration and trenching on the
project this fall has already uncovered some quartz veins, and
results of the ongoing exploration work will be released
shortly.
Figure 2. Main gold occurrences on the
McKenzie Gold Project
HISTORY The Mackenzie
Gold Project was built gradually through staking and
different purchase and option agreements, as described below. Puma
took one year to consolidate this large, well-located,
high-potential claim block.
- TIMM Claims: Claim
block 6129, identified in pink in Figure 3 (the “TIMM Claims”), was
the catalyst for the McKenzie Gold Project. Under an option
agreement with NB Gold, Puma can earn a 70% interest in the TIMM
Claims (see October 25, 2023, News Release). As of the date hereof,
200,000 Puma shares remain issuable to NB Gold for Puma to earn its
70% interest.
- Staked Claims:
Puma subsequently staked seven (7) claim blocks (11129, 11130,
11506, 11507, 11508, 11509 and 11517 for a total of 24,611 hectares
(collectively, the “Staked Claims”), identified in blue in Figure
3.
- NB Gold/Comet
Claims: The McKenzie Gold Project also incorporates eight
(8) additional claim blocks currently held on a joint venture basis
by NB Gold and Comet (collectively, the “NB Gold/Comet Claims”),
which are subject to underlying agreements with local prospectors.
The NB Gold/Comet Claims are identified in yellow in Figure 3.
The non-binding letters of intent with NB Gold
and Comet specify that the TIMM Claims, Staked Claims and NB
Gold/Comet Claims will fall under a joint venture between Puma and
NB Gold to form the McKenzie Gold Project. The initial interest for
the McKenzie Gold Project will be 70% Puma Exploration and 30% NB
Gold.
Historically, more than $1.5 million has been
invested in exploration work by previous owners, including regional
geophysical surveys, geochemical soil surveys, trenching, and
stripping; however, drilling has been limited. The claims carry
over $225,000 in assessment work credits, allowing them to remain
in good standing with minimal required expenditures from Puma.
TRANSACTION DETAILSGlobally,
the letters of intent with NB Gold and Comet provide for the
following:
- In consideration for an initial 70%
interest in the McKenzie Gold Project, Puma will:
1) Issue the
remaining 200,000 shares to NB Gold for the TIMM Property; 2)
Make a cash payment of $20,000 to NB Gold; 3) Issue 2,000,000
shares to NB Gold; and 4) Issue 450,000 shares to Comet
Lithium.
- Comet Lithium will retain a 2% net
smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on production from each of the
Northwest Property (7298-7734) and the Grog Property
(7211-8167-7683-9131-9132-9133). Puma reserves the right to
purchase one-half (1%) of each NSR at any time for a cash payment
to Comet of $500,000.
- NB Gold’s 30% interest will be
free-carried until Puma incurs $2,000,000 in exploration
expenditures. Once such an amount is reached, Puma and NB
Gold will have to finance expenditures according to their
respective pro-rata interest in the joint venture. If one party’s
interest drops below 10%, the ownership will be transferred to a
10% net profit on mining production.
The completion of this transaction is
conditional upon several conditions, including the negotiation,
execution and delivery of definitive agreements, receipt of all
corporate approvals and all necessary consents, approvals,
exemptions and authorizations of third parties, including, but not
limited to, the TSX Venture Exchange. In addition, Puma shall
complete all the required work at its expense to maintain the
mineral claim number 7734 in good standing and submit a report for
such work to the New Brunswick Minister of Natural Resources and
Energy Development. Puma expects to close the transaction before
the end of this year.
Figure 3. Claims blocks of the McKenzie
Gold Project
Qualified Person
The content of this press release was prepared
by Marcel Robillard, President and Dominique Gagné, P.Geo.,
qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101, who supervised the
preparation of the technical information that forms part of this
news release.
About Puma’s Assets in New
Brunswick
Puma has accumulated an impressive portfolio of
prospective gold landholdings strategically located close to roads
and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick - the Williams Brook
Project and the new Mckenzie Gold Project. Both are located near
the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault (“RBMF”), a major regional
structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant
control for gold deposition in the region. Puma’s work to date
has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and
surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed
their potential for significant gold mineralization.
About Puma Exploration
Puma Exploration is a Canadian-based mineral
exploration company focused on finding and growing a pipeline of
precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Famous
Bathurst Mining Camp. Puma has a long history in Northern New
Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years.
Puma’s successful exploration methodology, which combines old
prospecting methods with detailed trenching and up-to-date
technology such as Artificial Intelligence, has been instrumental
in facilitating an understanding of the region's geology and
associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys,
geochemical data and consultants’ expertise, Puma has developed a
perfect low-cost exploration tool to discover gold at shallow
depths and maximize drilling results.
The Company is committed to its DEAR business
model of Discovery, Exploration,
Acquisition and Royalties to
generate maximum value for shareholders with low share
dilution.
Connect with us on Facebook / X/ LinkedIn.Visit
www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:
Marcel Robillard, President and
CEO. (418) 750-8510; president@explorationpuma.com
Mia Boiridy, Head of Investor Relations and
Corporate Development. (250) 575-3305;
mboiridy@explorationpuma.com
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 press release
may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking
statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties,
and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance,
or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual
future results and achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by
law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and
the documents submitted to the securities administration describe
these risks and uncertainties.
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b118042-1318-4ba9-943a-20d5a617b19c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4968eec3-7c10-4229-8270-c0df2519a361
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3985624-2eb9-4b67-85c7-d50d8a95ce50
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