Purchase Agreement for Tungsten & Copper Prospects

RNS Number : 2210J

Thor Mining PLC

28 March 2018

 

28 March 2018

THOR MINING PLC

PURCHASE AGREEMENT - BONYA TUNGSTEN & COPPER PROSPECTS

SIGNIFICANT BOOST FOR MOLYHIL

The Board of Thor Mining Plc ("Thor") (AIM, ASX: THR) is pleased to advise the execution of a binding term sheet for Thor to acquire from Rox Resources Limited (ASX: RXL) an interest in tenements hosting outcropping tungsten deposits in the Bonya Creek area, along with a high grade copper deposit, approximately 30 kilometres from Molyhil in Australia's Northern Territory.

Highlights

·     Thor to acquire 40% interest in exploration licence EL29701 which hosts 13 outcropping tungsten deposits, plus 1 copper deposit with exciting previous drilling results;

·     Thor to acquire 100% interest in exploration licence EL29599 considered prospective for copper exploration;

·     Project area exploration target* of 3.0 - 4.9 million tonnes @ 0.3% - 0.5% WO₃;

·     Total consideration of A$550,000 in Thor shares, subject to 90day trading restriction;

·     Multiple substantiated walk up drill targets;

·     Project area boundary approximately 20kms from Molyhil;

·     No tungsten exploration on the project area in the past 35+ years.

*Exploration Targets are conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource under the JORC Code and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the determination of a Mineral Resource.

Mick Billing, Executive Chairman, commented:

"This is outstanding news for the Molyhil development.  The potential to increase both the scale and the life of the proposed Molyhil operation makes this acquisition compelling.  The proximity of the Bonya deposits to Molyhil should add significantly to the projected economic returns, dovetailing with our commercialisation strategy for Molyhil."

"Historic drilling and trenching has confirmed tungsten mineralisation on several deposits at Bonya, however there has been no tungsten focussed exploration on the tenement in over 35 years.  Provided some of these known prospects mature, along with others which we expect to develop, it is more than likely that Molyhil production life and throughput volume should increase substantially."

"The potential for small but high grade copper deposits is also very attractive with the proposed processing plant at Molyhil highly likely to be also suitable for copper flotation"

A link to Map of Bonya prospects and Proximity to Molyhil is shown below:

http://www.thormining.com/-/thor/lib/images/maps/15-001-1A%20Bonya%20Exploration%20Targets.jpg 

Agreement Structure and Commercial Terms

Under the terms of the agreement, Thor can for consideration of A$550,000 in fully paid Thor shares, acquire

·           a 40% interest in Exploration Licence EL29701; and

·           100% interest in Exploration Licence EL29599.

The consideration shares are to be valued according to the average of the 5 day VWAP (volume weighted average price) on ASX for the 5 days preceding execution of the terms sheet and the 5 day VWAP for the 5 days preceding satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the sale.  The issue of these securities is expected to be within existing approval levels under ASX listing rule LR7.1.

The acquisition agreement is subject to a 45 day pre-emptive right by Arafura Resources Limited (ASX:ARU) the 60% holder of EL 29701 to match the offer by Thor.  Other conditions precedent include normal approval and stamping provisions of the Northern Territory government.

Under the terms of the existing Joint Venture Agreement between Rox and Arafura, Rox is the manager of the Joint Venture with both parties required to contribute to exploration activities.  In the event that one party elect not to contribute to agreed exploration programs then normal dilution provisions apply.

Table 1: Bonya Scheelite Exploration Target* Potential Summary
Source Rank	Tonnage (Mt)	% WO3	Comment
Tier 1	0.2 - 0.3	0.3 - 0.5	Targets based on 1970s costean sampling and drilling.
Tier 2	1.2 - 1.9	0.2 - 0.4	Outcropping satellite targets which have been mapped and described but have no drill or sample data
Tier 3	1.6 - 2.7	0.3 - 0.5	Exploration targets based on proximity to known mineralisation, favourable geology and/or geophysical signature.
Total Exploration Target*	3.0 -  4.9	0.3 - 0.5	Combined Tier 1,2 & 3

Table 2: Bonya Range Tungsten Exploration Target Summary
Rank	Prospect		Exploration Target	Comment
1	White Violet		80-120Kt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	Target based on 1970s costean sampling and drilling Ransom 1978 (3,330t/m x 30m)
1	Samarkand		80-120Kt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	Target based on 1970s costean sampling and drilling Ransom 1978 (2,500t/m x 40m)
1	Jericho (south)		20-40Kt @ 0.5-0.6% WO3	Target based on 1970s costean sampling and drilling Ransom 1978 (670t/m x 40m)
Total Tier 1 Exploration Target			0.2-0.3Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3
2	Jericho (north)		40-60Kt @ 0.2-0.3% WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978 (1,344t/m x 40m)
2	Marrakesh		0.8-1.2Mt @ 0.2-0.3%WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978 (21,000t/m x 50m)
2	Tashkent		40-60Kt @ 0.8-1.2% WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978 (1,120t/m x 40m)
2	Asmara		40-60Kt @ 0.2-0.3% WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978 (comparable size to Jericho Nth)
2	City of Medina		20-40Kt @ 0.3-0.5% WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978 (comparable size to Jericho Sth)
2	Negev		20-40Kt @ 0.2-0.3% WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978
2	Damascus		0.3-0.4Mt @ 0.3-0.4%WO3	Target based on qualitative description - Ransom 1978 (8,400t/m x 40m)
Total Tier 2 Exploration Target			1.2-1.9Mt @ 0.2-0.4%WO3
3	Kings Legend		0.5-0.7Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	10 km strike length of Kings Legend Amphibolite with multiple tested tungsten occurrences.
3	Mascotte		0.1-0.2Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	Outcropping Samarkand Pegmatite
3	Green Hoard		0.2-0.4Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	Over 5 km outcropping Kings Legend Amphibolite with demonstrated Cu/WO3 mineralisation.
3	Twins Bore		0.2-0.5Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	14 x 4 km zone with multiple outcrops Samarkand Pegmatite along anticlinal axis from known pegmatite hosted tungsten mineralisation.
3	Kurt		0.4-0.6Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	Over 5 km outcropping Kings Legend Amphibolite with demonstrated Cu/WO3 mineralisation at multiple locations.
3	Baikal		0.2-0.5Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3	12 x 4 km zone with multiple outcrops Samarkand Pegmatite along anticlinal axis. Multiple known pegmatite hosted tungsten mineralisation.
Total Tier 3 Exploration Target			1.6-2.7Mt @ 0.3-0.5%WO3
		Rank 1: Known mineralisation with data
		Rank 2: Known mineralisation with description
		Rank 3: Potential for mineralisation

Tier 1 Prospects

Tier 1 Prospects have demonstrated tungsten mineralisation based upon existing quantitative data and are considered the most amenable to inclusion in the Molyhil project by way of proximity to the existing resource or ease of mining via shallow depth of mineralisation.

White Violet

White Violet comprises a 150 metre long outcrop of scheelite mineralised calc-silicate, amphibolite and marble (Ransom, 1978). The prospect was trenched and sampled (Paine, 1971) and subsequently drilled (Central Pacific Minerals, 1972) by a shallow (<30m) open hole percussion program which had limited success due to poor sample return as a result of broken ground. The average prospect grade was estimated to be 0.4% WO₃ however the one successful drill hole WV-PH24, recovered 3 metres at 0.77% WO₃ from 10 metres down hole and a further 3 metres at 1.85% WO₃ from 18 metres down hole.

Depth extension was considered to present the best growth opportunity for the prospect as the strike potential is constrained by lensing out at either end observed in good outcrop (Ransom 1978).

The Exploration Target for this prospect is derived from the historic mapping and sample data which using bulk density of 2.8 t/m³ results in 3,330 tonnes per vertical metre (TVM).  A depth of 30 metres was used based on robust mineralisation intersected at 21 metres by WV-PH24.

This Exploration Target is considered very conservative as there is no indication that mineralisation does not extend to considerable depth.

Samarkand

Samarkand comprises variably mineralised calc-silicate 10 to 20 metres wide over 3,000 metres strike length (Ransom, 1978). Central Pacific undertook a trenching and open hole percussion drill program in 1972 which targeted a 60 metre section referred to as Lens 1 and a separate 150 metre section referred to as Lens 1A. The following intersections were reported from that program:

·     Trench Cut 2:     8.8 m @ 0.65% WO₃

·     SAM-PH100:       2m @ 2.77%WO₃ from 6 metres down hole

·     SAM-PH59:         4m @ 0.81%WO₃ from 30m down hole

·     SAM-PH63:         3m @ 0.59%WO₃ from 17m down hole and,

·     SAM-PH63:         1m @ 0.63%WO₃ from 37 metres down hole

·     SAM-PH67(B):   1m @ 2.77%WO₃ from 5 metres down hole

The Exploration Target is based on 800 tonnes per vertical metre (tvm) for Lens1 and 1,700 tvm for Lens1A projected to a depth of 40 metres.

Jericho

Jericho is situated to the north of Bonya Creek. The prospect is crosscut by an east west trending pegmatite intrusion with the southern section being smaller and higher grade than the northern section. In 1972 Petrocarb undertook a trial mine in the southern section of the prospect and some drill results are reported from this time. The southern mineralised zone is reported to have a 40 metre strike length with an average width of 5 metres. Three of the drill holes (SJ 1, 3, & 6) each had 1 metre intervals of 1% WO₃ within broader lower grade zones. Ransom reported an estimated overall grade of approximately 1% WO₃. A range of 0.5 - 0.6% WO₃ has been used for the Exploration Target grade and a tonnage range of 20,000 - 40,000 tonnes is based on 600 tvm to a depth of 50 metres (Hole SJ6 intersected mineralisation at 40 metres).

Tier 2 Prospects

Tier 2 Prospects comprise known tungsten mineralisation but where the existing data is of a qualitative nature. Tier 2 prospects are still considered amenable to inclusion in the Molyhil project by way of proximity to the existing resource and or ease of mining via shallow depth of mineralisation.

Seven Tier 2 targets have been included in this evaluation. All of them outcrop at the ground surface providing good exposure for mapping and grade estimation. The following descriptions are taken from Ransom 1978.

Marrakesh

Marrakesh is the largest of the Tier 2 targets with an estimated 21,000 tvm based on a surface expression of 50 x 150 metres and bulk density of 2.8 tonnes per cubic metre.

Damascus

Damascus comprises variably mineralised calc-silicate similar to Samarkand. The prospect zone is 5 to 10 metres wide over 300 metre strike length.

Tashkent

Tashkent is currently a smaller target but appears to be of high grade. It is described as two calc-silicate units with disseminated scheelite mineralisation. The first unit is over 70 metre strike length with and overall estimated grade of 1% WO₃ and large patches of very rich coarse grain scheelite. The second unit is 2 metres wide and extends over 150 metres disappearing under cover to the east. In one location the grade appears to average better than 1.5 % WO₃.

Jericho North

Jericho North lies adjacent to Jericho South separated by an east west trending pegmatite intrusion. They are essentially the same prospect but are dealt with separately as the northern half is larger, lower grade and does not have the same level of data. The target size has been taken from historic mapping and a nominal low grade applied.

Other Tier 2 Prospects

City of Medina, Asmara and Negev comprise the remaining Tier 2 prospects. Each have documented tungsten mineralisation which outcrops at the ground surface but require further evaluation.

Tier 3 Prospects

Tier 3 targets comprise exploration targets based on prospective geology and or geophysical signature. Tungsten mineralisation has not as yet been demonstrated to exist at these targets but sufficient confidence exists for testing to be conducted.

All of the Tungsten prospects (Tiers 1 & 2) identified so far in the Bonya region have outcropping mineralisation discovered by surface prospecting between 1929 and 1972. Significant potential exists for the discovery of blind deposits by application of contemporary exploration practices in the Tier 3 prospect areas.

The individual Tier 3 prospects are described in Table 2 above. Exploration Target ranges for the prospects have been derived by association with other nearby tungsten occurrences.

Copper Potential

Drilling by Rox in 2014 https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20141216/pdf/42vhxwx4qf6f5y.pdf resulted in a number of high grade copper assays from the historic Bonya mine including:

BYRC008	11m @ 4.4%Cu from 30m, including 3m @ 6.1%Cu from 33m
BYRC009	38m @ 4.4%Cu from 60m, including 6m @ 8.8%Cu from 60m, and 8m @7.9%Cu from 82m
BYRC012	9m @ 3.8%Cu from 97m, including 3m @ 8.2%Cu from 97m
BYRC014	8m @ 7.6%Cu from 97m, including 3m @ 12.0%Cu from 101m, and 13m @ 5.4%Cu from 111m, including 9m @ 7.4%Cu from 114m
BYRC015	9m @ 2.8%Cu from 100m, including 4m @ 3.9%Cu from 101m
BYRC018	5m @ 9.1%Cu from 109m, including 3m @ 13.4%Cu from 109m, and 11m @ 3.9%Cu from 121m

Enquiries:

Mick Billing	[phone]	Thor Mining PLC	Executive Chairman
Ray Ridge	[phone]	Thor Mining PLC	CFO/Company Secretary
Colin Aaronson/ Richard Tonthat	[phone]	Grant Thornton UK LLP	Nominated Adviser
Nick Emerson	[phone]	SI Capital Ltd	Broker
Tim Blythe/ Camilla Horsfall	[phone]	Blytheweigh	Financial PR

Competent Person's Report

The information in this report that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled by Richard Bradey, who holds a BSc in applied geology and an MSc in natural resource management and who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.  Mr Bradey is an employee of Thor Mining PLC.  He has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'.  Richard Bradey consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

About Thor Mining PLC

Thor Mining PLC (AIM, ASX: THR) is a resources company quoted on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and on ASX in Australia.

Thor holds 100% of the advanced Molyhil tungsten project in the Northern Territory of Australia, for which an updated feasibility study in 2015¹ suggested attractive returns.

Thor also holds 100% of the Pilot Mountain tungsten project in Nevada USA which has a JORC 2012 Indicated and Inferred Resources Estimate² on 2 of the 4 known deposits.

Thor is also acquiring up to a 60% interest Australian copper development company Environmental Copper Recovery SA Pty Ltd, which in turn holds rights to earn up to a 75% interest in the mineral rights and claims over the portion of the historic Kapunda copper mine in South Australia recoverable by way of in situ recovery.

Thor has a material interest in US Lithium Pty Limited, an Australian private company with a 100% interest in a Lithium project in Nevada, USA. 

Finally, Thor also holds a production royalty entitlement from the Spring Hill Gold project³ of:

·   A$6 per ounce of gold produced from the Spring Hill tenements where the gold produced is sold for up to A$1,500 per ounce; and

·   A$14 per ounce of gold produced from the Spring Hill tenements where the gold produced is sold for amounts over A$1,500 per ounce.

Notes

·  ¹ Refer ASX and AIM announcement of 12 January 2015

·  ² Refer AIM announcement of 22 May 2017 and ASX announcement of 23 May 2017

·  ³ Refer AIM announcement of 26 February 2016 and ASX announcement of 29 February 2016

 

END

 

 

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