Solstice Gold Corp. (TSXV: SGC) (“
Solstice”, “we”,
“our” or the “
Company”) is pleased to announce
that it has established a 187 km2 strategic land position for the
purpose of lithium and rare element pegmatite exploration located
in the Stewart Lake area, part of the geological terrain known as
the eastern English River Subprovince (“
ERS”) in
NW Ontario. The project is located approximately 70 km NNW of the
town of Nakina and the CN railroad (Figure 1) and has been acquired
through staking of 175.2km2, 767 claims and a third-party option to
acquire 100% of a further 11.46km2 (56 claims).
Key Features of the Stewart Lake Project
(‘SLP”)
- In the southern part of the SLP, a
known iron formation and sediments were the target of diamond drill
exploration for iron in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s carried
out by several operators. Filed government assessment reports
indicate that of 31 diamond drill holes reported on the SLP
(average length 132.2m), 28 of these (90%) document
multiple pegmatite occurrences (Figure 2).
- Figure 2 shows the number (17) and
a maximum observed core length (max = 28.35 metres) of
logged pegmatites in each of the historic drill holes
located within the SLP claims. Pegmatites are both numerous and
present over considerable core lengths (true thickness unknown).
The logs indicate that the pegmatites were not assayed for lithium
or other rare elements.
- On January 26, 2023, the
rare-element pegmatite potential of the ERS was highlighted by the
Ontario Geological Survey (“OGS”) in its “Recommendations for
Exploration 2022-23”1 which includes the following statement:
“The ERS is geologically similar to the Quetico Subprovince
(Breaks 1991) and, as such, has the potential to host rare-element
pegmatites within its interior. The lack of exploration activity
completed in the area, as well as minimal detailed mapping, limits
our understanding of the mineral potential of the ERS.”
The OGS report also notes the presence of pegmatites immediately
to the East of the SLP:
“Numerous pegmatites, several of which are described in drill
logs as bearing muscovite and/or garnet along with other
mineralogical indicators of rare-element fertility.”
Mike Timmins, Solstice CEO stated, “There is
compelling evidence of widespread pegmatites with prospective
mineralogy on our claims. These widespread pegmatites are only
known because, in the southern part of the current SLP claim block,
iron formation and adjacent sediments were the subject of
historical diamond drilling for iron. There are no obvious reasons
why pegmatites should be restricted and confined to only the iron
formation and thus we believe the potential for additional
pegmatite discoveries is significant. For this reason, and because
pegmatite swarms typically form ‘fields’ covering large areas, we
decided to establish a commanding and strategic land position to
cover a large area of potential host rocks”.
Solstice acquired its land position as part of
an extensive review of potential rare element targets in NW Ontario
and, subsequent to our staking and following the release of the OGS
recommendations, there has been considerable new staking activity
in the area around the SLP further confirming the regions
attractiveness.
Figure 1. Location of the SLP project claims.
Geological units from Ontario Geological Survey 2011. 1:250 000
scale bedrock geology of Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Release—Data 126–Revision 1. Mineral occurrences from
MNDM MDI mineral occurrence data
Figure 2. Pegmatite count, mineralogy, and
maximum observed core lengths per drill hole (source: filed MNDM
assessment data). Selected geological units from: Ontario
Geological Survey 2011. 1:250 000 scale bedrock geology of Ontario;
Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Release—Data 126–Revision
1
Additional Project Details
- Figure 3 shows that the SLP lies
8km west of an area of mostly patented (privately held) mining
claims which include a known Beryl-bearing pegmatite occurrence
(source: government mineral deposit (MDI) files). A second
uranium-bearing pegmatite occurs only 1.5 km east of our eastern
claim boundary. As noted by the OGS in its recent recommendations,
this area records the presence of numerous pegmatites of which
several contain tourmaline and/or fluorite and/or unidentified
blue-green minerals which are prospective for rare-element
pegmatites.
- Geological mapping over SLP claims
has only been carried out at a reconnaissance scale of 1 to 2 miles
which leaves considerable scope for mapping and the application of
modern exploration techniques. The property is traversed by a
forestry road and inspection of online satellite imagery suggest
considerable outcrop exists in the areas of the known pegmatites.
The OGS flew a detailed magnetic survey in 2010 which helps
delineate major rock packages and regional structures and could be
used to accurately ground-locate the historical pegmatites reported
in diamond drill holes.
Figure 3. Solstice regional
land position, and pegmatite occurrences Stewart-Melchett Lakes
areas. Minerals occurrences from Ontario MDI government
database.
Solstice plans to mobilize ground teams in early
summer to carry out exploration field programs designed to
ground-locate and sample pegmatites for additional follow-up.
Option Agreement to Acquire Third Party
Stewart Lake ClaimsThe Company announces that it has
entered into an option agreement dated February 21, 2023 (the
“Option Agreement”), with Fabio Micacchi (“FM”) and 743584 Ontario
Inc. (the “Optionor”) to purchase an option (the “Option”) to
acquire the Optionors 100% interest in certain mining claims
forming part of the SLP (the “Claims”).
In consideration for the grant of the Option,
within two business days of the effective date of the Option
Agreement, Solstice must pay $15,000 in cash to the Optionor and
issue 750,000 common shares to FM. To exercise the Option, the
Company must conduct exploration expenditures on the Claims and
make payments according to the following: (i) a minimum of $25,000
in exploration spending by the first anniversary of the Option
Agreement; (ii) a minimum of $50,000 in exploration spending by the
second anniversary of the Option Agreement; and (iii) a minimum of
$75,000 in exploration spending by the third anniversary of the
Option Agreement. Upon exercise of the Option, the Company must
make a final payment of $75,000 in cash to the Optionor and will
grant FM a 1% net smelter returns royalty on the Claims.
No finder’s fees are payable in connection with
the Option Agreement. The Option Agreement remains subject to the
approval of the TSXV.
1 Kurucz, S.V. 2023. Rare-element pegmatite
potential in the eastern English River Subprovince; in Ontario
Geological Survey, Resident Geologist Program, Recommendations for
Exploration 2022–2023, p.24-27.
The information summarized in this news release
is derived from publicly available reports and original diamond
dill logs due, in particular, to the historical nature of the work,
Solstice is unable to independently verify the work but has not
reason to doubt its veracity. Historical drill holes had core
diameters less than 1” (2.54cm) and would provided a sub-optimal
sample of pegmatites which, by definition are coarse-grained.
About Solstice Gold Corp.
Solstice is an exploration company with quality,
district-scale gold projects in established mining regions of
Canada. Our 194 km2 Red Lake Extension (RLX) and New Frontier
projects are located at the northwestern extension of the prolific
Red Lake Camp in Ontario and approximately 45 km from the Red Lake
Mine Complex owned by Evolution Mining. Our newly formed 322 km2
Atikokan Gold Project is approximately 23km from the Hammond Reef
Gold Project owned by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. The Qaiqtuq Gold
Project which covers 886 km2 with certain other rights covering an
adjacent 683 km2, hosts a 10 km2 high grade gold boulder field, is
fully permitted and hosts multiple drill-ready targets. Qaiqtuq is
located in Nunavut, only 26 km from Rankin Inlet and approximately
7 km from the Meliadine Gold Mine owned by Agnico Eagle Mines
Limited. An extensive gold and battery metal royalty and property
portfolio of over 70 assets was purchased in October 2021. Over $2
million in value and three new royalties have been generated since
the acquisition.
Solstice is committed to responsible exploration
and development in the communities in which we work. For more
details on our core properties or the recently acquired royalty and
property portfolio, please see visit our website at
www.solsticegold.com.
David Adamson was a co-award winner for the
discovery of Battle North Gold Corporation's Bateman Gold deposit
and was instrumental in the acquisition of many of the district
properties in the Battle North portfolio during his successful 16
years of exploration in the Red Lake.
Sandy Barham, M.Sc., P.Geo., Senior Geologist,
is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 standards
responsible for reviewing and approving the technical disclosures
of this news release.
Neither 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.On Behalf
of Solstice Gold Corp.
Mike Timmins, Chief Executive OfficerFor further
information on Solstice Gold Corp., please visit our website at
www.solsticegold.com or contact:Phone: (604)
283-7234info@solsticegold.com
Forward-Looking Statements and
Additional Cautionary LanguageThis news release contains
certain forward-looking statements (“FLS”) including, but not
limited to the initial issuance of Shares and payment of cash under
the Option Agreement, the Company’s view of mineral prospectivity
on the Claims, the potential for additional pegmatite discoveries,
the mobilization of ground teams in early summer to carry out
exploration field work, the exercise of the Option, any exploration
spending under the Option Agreement, making of the final payment of
cash under the Option Agreement, the Company granting a 1% net
smelter returns royalty on the Claims upon exercise of the Option
and the approval of the Option Agreement by the TSXV. FLS can often
be identified by forward-looking words such as “approximate or
(~)”, “emerging”, “goal”, “plan”, “intent”, “estimate”, “expects”,
“potential”, “scheduled”, “may” and “will” or similar words
suggesting future outcomes or other expectations, beliefs, plans,
objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future
events or performance. There is also no guarantee that continued
exploration at Solstice exploration projects, all of which are at
an early stage of exploration, will lead to the discovery of an
economic gold deposit.
In respect of the FLS, the Company has made
certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at this
time. The assumptions include conditions, including the existence
of prospective mineralogy on the Claims, that the Company will have
sufficient capital to execute its exploration activities under the
Option Agreement and generally and that the Company will obtain the
approval of the TSXV for the Option Agreement. However, there can
be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will prove to
be accurate and actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from any FLS include, but are not
limited to, unforeseen delays related to exploration, the Company’s
failure to make additional pegmatite discoveries, the future
impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic and government response to such
pandemic, the ability of the Company to raise capital, delays in
obtaining or failures to obtain required TSXV, governmental,
environmental or other project approvals, inability to locate
source rocks, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in
commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, regulatory
approvals, changes in national and local government, legislation,
taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic
developments, risks and hazards associated with the business of
mineral exploration, the speculative nature of mineral exploration
and development, title to properties and other factors. FLS are
subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from expected results.
Potential shareholders and prospective investors
should be aware that these statements are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the
FLS. Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on FLS.
By their nature FLS involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks
and uncertainties, both general and specific that contribute to the
possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and
various future events will not occur. Solstice undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any FLS whether
as a result of new information, future events or other such factors
which affect this information, except as required by law.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/083dc35a-b53a-4f4a-b31b-efdb4c199d7c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/694212c1-45f8-4cc0-b05c-cd4c39bf85b9
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