TRX Gold Corporation press release
AMAROQ Minerals - Q2 Financial Results and Operational Update
TSX - Toronto Stock Exchange · Gold · Canada · Corporate Finance
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2022 /Amaroq Minerals Ltd. ("Amaroq" or the "Company" or the "Corporation") (AIM, TSXV:AMRQ), the independent mining company with an unrivalled land package of gold and strategic mineral assets covering an area of 7,866.85 km2in Southern Greenland, is pleased to provide an update on its Q2 financials and operational activities in the first half of 2022.
H1 2022 highlights
Precious Metals targets
Nalunaq: Construction of mountain access roads required to facilitate the 2022 core drilling programme completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Nalunaq: Drilling ahead of schedule with 7,300m of core drilling out of a scheduled 9,100m completed across the Valley Block with geological logging and sampling now underway. 2022 drilling focused on providing further resource confidence with a view to increasing the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) in due course. Nalunaq: Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) commenced to assess bulk sample and eventual mine re-opening optionality. Vagar Ridge: Exploration aimed at understanding the styles and geological controls on mineralisation continues, with 65% of planned core drilling now complete despite unseasonal weather during the period, targeting both Orogenic gold and Intrusion Related Gold mineralisation. Vagar Licence: Further geological mapping and sampling across new targets identified by the 2021 exploration programme scheduled for later in the season. Nanoq: Contractors are mobilising to conduct an airborne geophysical survey across the target, and along an interpreted 20km structural corridor linking the discovery to the Jokum's Shear gold/copper occurrence. This area is now held by Amaroq under the newly acquired Siku licence securing access to multiple potential Orogenic gold targets.
Strategic Mineral Targets
Sava: A 320m maiden scout core drilling programme to test Iron Oxide, Copper, Gold (IOCG) mineralisation has targeted two areas and samples are due to be dispatched to ALS Geochemistry imminently. North Sava: Contractors are mobilising to conduct an airborne geophysical survey across North Sava to extend geological understanding from Sava into the former Orano licence. Stendalen: Amaroq is in negotiations to conduct an MT geophysical survey across this Iron-Vanadium-Titanium layered intrusive with additional Nickel and Copper potential. Regional: Further geological reconnaissance and sampling across the Eagle's Nest gold target, Kobbermineburgt copper targets and the Paatusoq Rare Earth target are scheduled for later in the 2022 season.
Operational Update
Further investment in operational infrastructure and equipment upgrades. With the 50 person all-weather camp in place at Nalunaq and a satellite field camp in situ at Vagar Ridge, the Company is now able to function more efficiently and to shorter operational lead-times. The ALS on-site Containerised Preparation Laboratory (CPL) has been installed and commissioned with the first samples being dispatched. Operational efficiency across all aspects of the Company's Greenland assets significantly increased through key longer term contracts with carefully selected service providers.
Corporate Update
Significant 3,527.75 km2mineral licence area has been acquired from Orano substantially increasing the Company's exposure to Base and Strategic Minerals. When coupled with the newly awarded 251 km2Siku licence, takes Amaroq's total land package in South Greenland to 7,866.85km2.
Establishment of non-binding Joint Venture agreement with ACAM LP for the exploration and development of Amaroq's Strategic Mineral assets for a combined contribution of £36.7 million with initial equity funding of £18 million following completion. Cash balance of $19.5 at June 30, 2022. Approval of special resolution to change the name of the Company to Amaroq Minerals Ltd.
Eldur Olafsson, CEO of Amaroq Minerals, commented:
"I am pleased to present an update on our activities for Q2 2022. Our field season for 2022 is well underway and we are making solid progress with our drilling programmes at Nalunaq, Vagar Ridge and Sava. We expect to share the results from this programme with the market in late Q3 to Q4.
We are progressing with our strategic mineral exploration programme in Southern Greenland with the support of our partners. We remain focused on accelerating Greenland's contribution to the energy transition as a frontier jurisdiction at a time when access to these critical minerals for Western Governments and companies is limited by Chinese and Russian control of supply.
We continue to invest in our highly qualified senior management team, as well as selecting strong and reliable partners for contract appointments. In addition, we are now benefitting from considerably upgraded corporate governance systems and a strengthened Board, which continues to guide the strategic vision of our business."
Precious Metals 2022 Exploration Programme:
Nalunaq
The 2022 exploration programme is targeting further resource development through both infill and strike extension drilling across the Valley Block, informed by the Dolerite Dyke Model developed and tested in 2021. Two new mountain access roads to facilitate the extension drilling have been completed ahead of schedule and under budget (totalling $0.74m) and now are being utilised by two core drill rigs. To date approximately 7,300m of core (2,600m infill and 4,700m extension) drilling has been completed and geological logging and sampling is now underway. A further 1,800m of core drilling is scheduled for 2022. ALS has completed the construction and commissioned an on-site Containerised Preparation Laboratory (CPL) at Nalunaq to oversee the preparation of all samples ahead of shipment to Ireland for chemical assaying. Amaroq geological teams have re-entered the historic mine to assess the extension opportunities within the Mountain Block and have identified further surface outcrops of the Main Vein, which they intend to channel sample during this season to further define this extension area. Amaroq has continued to work with SRK to adapt the MRE procedures to account for the Dolerite Dyke Model and the 2020 and 2021 drilling results with the aim of providing a further update to the contained resources later in 2022. A PEA for the project to assess bulk sample and eventual mine re-opening optionality has been commenced. Subject to results from the 2022 exploration programme, Amaroq will continue to assess additional underground infrastructure and underground bulk sample options for 2023, which may include off-site toll treatment, subject to discussions with the Government of Greenland. This would be used as a development step to increase resource confidence and de-risk the resource ahead of potential mine construction in 2024/2025. The Corporation remains in discussion with mine development contractors in order to mitigate programme delays, as the industry average lead time today is 12 months. The Company is in the process of updating its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA), which as previously announced it expects to complete over the course of the next year.
Vagar Ridge
Following the exploration conducted in 2021, which significantly increased the Vagar Ridge footprint, Amaroq have commenced an approximately 2,000m core drilling programme across the target to further understand its scale and geological controls on mineralisation as a necessary step towards defining potential resources. At the time of reporting, approximately 1,300m has been drilled across four drillholes with geological logging and sampling in progress. Geological reconnaissance and mapping is also underway over the area, and Amaroq aims to supplement the drilling with a chip channel sampling programme across the southern low grade granite hosted areas of Vagar Ridge. Unseasonal low cloud and sea fog in the last month has hampered helicopter availability, a supply and health and safety requirement for drilling in this remote location. This has slowed drilling and delayed completion of the programme. Amaroq is looking to reduce the impact of this by deploying a remote tented camp on site. Amaroq is utilising its experience and strong regional understanding of South Greenland to progress with drilling and gain a fuller understanding of the targets, and intends to update the market on developments in due course.
Vagar Licence Targets
Due to the unseasonal weather, Amaroq has not yet commenced the planned regional investigation of the target areas developed following the interpretation of the 2021 geophysical programme, which defined a significant deformation zone that extends for more than 50km across the Vagar licence and into Amaroq's neighbouring licences. This is currently scheduled for later in September.
Nanoq Gold
Amaroq's geophysical contractor New Resolution Geophysics (NRG) began mobilising helicopter and equipment to Southern Greenland on 22ndAugust and plans to commence an approximately 4,500 line km magnetic, radiometric and gravity survey over the Nanoq target and the area connecting this target to Jokum's Shear in the Nanortalik gold belt. This area (located within the Corporation's newly awarded 251km2Siku mineral licence) hosts an interpreted 20km long regional structure that could host multiple Orogenic gold targets.
Eagle's Nest
Following an assessment of the 2021 exploration results in the area, which are still being analysed, the Company intends to continue its early stage geological reconnaissance mapping and sampling aimed at making further Orogenic gold discoveries north of Nalunaq. This field work is provisionally scheduled for mid-September.
Strategic Mineral Targets 2022 Exploration Work Programme:
General
Significant 3,527.75 km2mineral licence area has been acquired from Orano, which, with the newly awarded Siku licences, takes Amaroq's total land package in South Greenland to 7,866.85km2and substantially increasing the Company's exposure to Base and Strategic Minerals. The acquisition means the Company will become the largest licence holder in South Greenland, and the third largest in Greenland, after Anglo American and Greenfields Exploration. Amaroq's ongoing Mineral System Modelling highlights the potential of Southern Greenland to host significant strategic metal deposits. These new licences sit within an interpreted Laurasian Mineral Belt connecting Eastern Canada through Greenland to Scandinavia that hosts World Class mineral deposits such as Voisey's Bay (Canada), Gardar Province (Greenland), and the Kiruna IOCG belt (Scandinavia). Work programmes at Sava have illustrated Iron Ore, Copper, Gold ("IOCG") style signatures across three target areas.
Sava and North Sava
Following the successful 2021 season, which identified three initial priority targets across the Sava IOCG and Porphyry Copper licence, Amaroq has completed a 320m scout core drilling programme over two drillholes on Targets West and Target South. These samples have subsequently been prepared in the ALS CPL at Nalunaq and are awaiting dispatch to Ireland for chemical assaying. A further sample has been sent to Durham University for geological age dating to assess if the observed mineralisation is related to the Gardar Intrusion suite that host the significant deposits at Kavanefjeld and Tanbreez. The Amaroq geological team has also conducted further surface exploration and sampling aimed at expanding the current targets and defining further targets for future investigation. Building upon previous Orano geological interpretations, Amaroq intends to conduct a similar geophysical survey to that completed over Sava across the newly acquired North Sava licence. This approximately 5,000 line km programme will be conducted by NRG following completion of the Nanoq survey. Multiple zones of veining and brecciation have been discovered containing Copper Iron Sulphide mineralisation including chalcopyrite and bornite mapped at surface at Sava, giving further evidence of IOCG occurrence.
The Stendalen Iron-Vanadium-Titanium layered intrusive
Previously explored by GEUS, Softrock Mineral and NunaMineral A/S. This intrusive is 8km in diameter and hosts a magnetic layer up to 20m thick which has provided historical samples yielding between 1-10.5% Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)(average of 4.8%) and 226-5,753ppm Vanadium (V) (average 2,335ppm). Stendalen also hosts potential for Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and Platinum Group Element (PGE) mineralisation with grab samples proving grades of 0.8% Copper (Cu), 0.5% Nickel (Ni) and 0.1% Cobalt (Co). The Company is in negotiations to conduct an airborne geophysical (MT) survey over the intrusion in order to understand its scale, structure and potential for deep sulphide mineralisation signatures. This survey will be coupled with a ground assessment of the reported Ni/Cu sulphide mineralisation in the contact areas of the intrusion. Finally, the Company will assess drill locations and site logistics ahead of a core drilling programme in 2023 subject to results.
The Paatusoq Rare Earth Element, Niobium, Tantalum, Zirconium project
This syenite complex is 20 km in diameter covering an area of ~240 km2within an unexplored section of the Gardar Province. Amaroq plans to visit this new critical metals target within the licences acquired from Orano during a regional exploration programme in September. The aim of this will be to conduct additional geochemical sampling to test the styles of mineralisation and its relationship to the wider Gardar Province that also hosts the Kvanefjeld and Tanbreez rare earth projects.
Amaroq Minerals Infrastructure support
Amaroq has successfully continued the use of its all-weather 50-person camp as well as operating a small satellite tented camp at Vagar Ridge to facilitate drilling there. Since June, Amaroq has been operating with four drill rigs across three sites and the Company is now assessing rig requirements for 2023. The Company has also finalised contracts with ALS Geochemistry to install the Containerised Preparation Laboratory (CPL) at Nalunaq, which has been fully installed and commissioned. Amaroq is experiencing material increases in its operational efficiency during the 2022 season as a result of partnering with key, carefully selected, contractors across its Greenland business. This has resulted in programme objectives being meet ahead of schedule, increased drilling rates, greater logistical flexibility and aims to result in quicker return on sample results through the second half of 2022.
Amaroq Minerals Financial Results
The Corporation had a cash balance of $19.5 million at June 30, 2022 ($23.8 million at March 31, 2022), with no debt, and total working capital of $16.8 million ($22.6 million at March 31, 2022). Exploration and evaluation expenses during the period were $5.4 million (Q2 2021: $3.2 million), predominantly on the Nalunaq Property. General and administrative expenses during the period were $5.1 million (Q2 2021: $4.0 million).
Selected Financial Information
The following selected financial data is extracted from the Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
Financial Results
| | | Six months
ended June 30, | | | | | | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | | | $ | | | $ | | | Exploration and evaluation expenses | | 5,435,831 | | | 3,245,196 | | | General and administrative | | 5,086,708 | | | 4,038,649 | | | Net loss and comprehensive loss | | (10,460,137 | ) | | (7,866,015 | ) | | Basic and diluted loss per common share | | (0.06 | ) | | (0.04 | ) |
Financial Position
| | | As at June 30, 2022 | | | As at December 31, 2021 | | | | | $ | | | $ | | | Cash on hand | | 19,494,000 | | | 27,324,459 | | | Total assets | | 34,618,121 | | | 42,781,664 | | | Total current liabilities | | 2,880,555 | | | 2,100,084 | | | Shareholders' equity | | 31,043,925 | | | 39,968,502 | | | Working capital | | 16,678,108 | | | 25,542,242 | |
Enquiries:
Amaroq Minerals Ltd. Eldur Olafsson, Director and CEO +354 665 2003 eo@amaroqminerals.com
Eddie Wyvill, Investor Relations +44 (0) 7713 126727 ew@amaroqminerals.com
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Callum Stewart Simon Mensley Ashton Clanfield +44 (0) 20 7710 7600
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Joint Broker) John Prior Hugh Rich Dougie Mcleod +44 (0) 20 7886 2500
SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker) Nick Emerson Charlie Stephenson +44 (0) 1483 413500
Camarco (Financial PR) Billy Clegg Elfie Kent Charlie Dingwall +44 (0) 20 3757 4980
For Company updates:
Follow @Amaroqminerals on Twitter Follow Amaroq Minerals Inc. on LinkedIn
Amaroq Minerals Ltd: Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited, in Canadian Dollars)
| | | | | As at
June 30, | | As at December 31, | | | | | | | Notes | | 2022 | | 2021 | | | | | | | | | $ | | | $ | | | | ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | Cash | | | | | 19,494,000 | | | 27,324,459 | | | Sales tax receivable | | | | | 84,429 | | | 51,250 | | | Prepaid expenses and others | | | | | 84,234 | | | 266,617 | | | Total current assets | | | | | 19,662,663 | | | 27,642,326 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | Deposit | | | | | 27,944 | | | 9,805 | | | Escrow account for environmental monitoring | | | | | 397,115 | | | 424,637 | | | Mineral properties | | 3 | | | 62,244 | | | 62,244 | | | Capital assets | | 4 | | | 14,468,155 | | | 14,642,652 | | | Total non-current assets | | | | | 14,955,458 | | | 15,139,338 | | | TOTAL ASSETS | | | | | 34,618,121 | | | 42,781,664 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | Trade and other payables | | | | | 2,810,526 | | | 2,049,249 | | | Lease liabilities - current portion | | 5 | | | 70,029 | | | 50,835 | | | Total current liabilities | | | | | 2,880,555 | | | 2,100,084 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | Lease liabilities | | 5 | | | 693,641 | | | 713,078 | | | Total non-current liabilities | | | | | 693,641 | | | 713,078 | | | Total liabilities | | | | | 3,574,196 | | | 2,813,162 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Equity | | | | | | | | | | | Capital stock | | | | | 88,595,905 | | | 88,500,205 | | | Contributed surplus | | | | | 4,740,583 | | | 3,300,723 | | | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | | | (36,772 | | | (36,772 | ) | | Deficit | | | | | (62,255,791 | | | (51,795,654 | ) | | Total equity | | | | | 31,043,925 | | | 39,968,502 | | | TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | 34,618,121 | | | 42,781,664 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited, in Canadian Dollars)
| | | | | | Three months
ended June 30, | | | Six months
ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Notes | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | | | | | | Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Exploration and evaluation expenses | | | 7 | | | | 4,425,501 | | | | 1,998,049 | | | | 5,435,831 | | | | 3,245,196 | | | General and administrative | | | 8 | | | | 2,097,937 | | | | 2,453,578 | | | | 5,086,708 | | | | 4,038,649 | | | Foreign exchange loss (gain) | | | | | | | (173,880 | ) | | | 157,092 | | | | (26,693 | ) | | | 647,691 | | | Operating loss | | | | | | | 6,349,558 | | | | 4,608,719 | | | | 10,495,846 | | | | 7,931,536 | | | Other expenses (income) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Interest income | | | | | | | (34,392 | ) | | | (41,859 | ) | | | (54,717 | ) | | | (85,929 | ) | | Finance costs | | | | | | | 9,473 | | | | 10,103 | | | | 19,008 | | | | 20,408 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Net loss and comprehensive loss | | | | | | | (6,324,639 | ) | | | (4,576,963 | ) | | | (10,460,137 | ) | | | (7,866,015 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | | | | | | | 177,109,616 | | | | 177,098,737 | | | | 177,104,206 | | | | 177,098,737 | | | Basic and diluted loss per common share | | | | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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