Kenorland Minerals Options South Uchi Project to Barrick Gold Corporation

Rhea-AI Summary

Kenorland Minerals has signed an Option Agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation, allowing Barrick to earn up to an 80% interest in the South Uchi Project in Northwestern Ontario. Barrick must incur $6 million in exploration costs within six years, including $3 million guaranteed in the first three years, and prepare a technical report showing a resource of at least one million ounces of gold. Following the initial earning phase, a joint venture will be formed, with potential for further interest acquisition through a feasibility study.

Positive

• The Option Agreement allows Barrick to invest up to $6 million in exploration, indicating confidence in the project's value.
• Kenorland stands to benefit from potential royalties of 3% to 2% depending on joint venture terms.

Negative

• Kenorland may lose significant control over the project if Barrick earns the 80% interest.
• The requirement for Barrick to establish a resource of at least one million ounces introduces reliance on their exploration success.

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: NWRCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a property option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with a wholly-owned subsidiary of  Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") pursuant to which the company has agreed to grant to Barrick the option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the South Uchi Project (the "Project"), located within the Birch-Uchi greenstone Belt, in the Red Lake district of Northwestern Ontario.

Figure 1. South Uchi Project Location

Option Agreement

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Barrick can earn an initial 70% interest in the Project by incurring an aggregate of $6,000,000 in mineral exploration expenditures on or before the sixth anniversary of the Option Agreement (of which $3,000,000 are guaranteed expenditures within the first three years) and deliver a technical report in respect of the Project that establishes a mineral resource of at least one million ounces of gold prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.  As part of its exploration expenditures, Barrick will reimburse the Company for its sunk costs in relation to the Project and its costs incurred in exercising an underlying option that comprises part of the Project. 

Following the earning of a 70% interest, Barrick and Kenorland will form a joint venture in respect of the Project.  However, Kenorland will have the option to forego a minority joint venture interest and immediately vest a net smelter returns royalty interest of 3% on currently unencumbered claims and 2% on claims currently encumbered by an existing royalty.  If a joint venture is formed, Barrick will have an option to earn an additional 10% interest in the Project (for a total of 80%) by solely funding a feasibility study on or before the 10^th anniversary of the Option Agreement.  In the event a joint venture participant dilutes to below 10% it will exchange its joint venture interest for a net smelter returns royalty of 2% on currently unencumbered claims and 1% on claims currently encumbered by an existing royalty. 

About the South Uchi Project

The Project covers a portion of Confederation Assemblage volcanic rocks, as well as the boundary between the volcanic-dominated Uchi subprovince to the north and the sedimentary-dominated English River subprovince to the south. Multiple major east-west striking shear zones associated with the subprovince boundary transect the Project along its 90km strike-length. Deformation associated with these structures has resulted in zones of strong shearing, alteration and complex folded geometries of the metavolcanic-clastic metasedimentary-iron formation stratigraphy, which are favorable settings for orogenic gold mineralization.

The majority of gold deposits in the Red Lake District (Red Lake, Madsen, Hasaga, and others) are located on the northern margin of the Confederation Assemblage, however, recent discoveries such as the LP Fault Zone on the Dixie Project by Great Bear Resources Ltd. highlight the prospectivity of the entire Confederation Assemblage along the southern margin of the Uchi subprovince.

In addition to the gold prospectivity, the Project meets many of the criteria for potential lithium pegmatite deposits, including the presence of the large Alison Lake batholith (a fertile peraluminous granite), which is partly covered by the project. Numerous lithium pegmatite occurrences are located in the region, including the McCombe deposit (Ardiden Ltd.) located immediately to the east of the Project. 

Qualified Person

Mr.  Jan Wozniewski, B. Sc., P. Geo., OGQ (#2239) is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

About Kenorland Minerals

Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSX.V KLD) is a mineral exploration Company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kenorland's focus is early to advanced stage exploration in North America.  The Company currently holds three projects in Quebec where work is being completed under joint venture and earn-in agreement from third parties. The Frotet Project is held under joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. (SMMCL), the Chicobi Project is optioned to SMMCL, and the Chebistuan Project is optioned to Newmont Corporation. The Company also owns 100% of the advanced stage Tanacross porphyry Cu-Au project as well as an option to earn up to 70% from Newmont Corporation on the Healy Project, both located in Alaska, USA.

Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com

Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
Zach Flood
President and CEO
Tel: +1 604 363 1779
zach@kenorlandminerals.com 

Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
Francis MacDonald
Executive Vice President
Tel: +1 778 322 8705
francis@kenorlandminerals.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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. 

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SOURCE Kenorland Minerals Ltd.

FAQ

What is the Kenorland Minerals NWRCF press release about?

Kenorland Minerals announced an Option Agreement with Barrick Gold, allowing Barrick to earn up to 80% interest in the South Uchi Project.

What are the financial commitments for Barrick Gold under the Option Agreement?

Barrick must incur a total of $6 million in exploration expenditures, with $3 million guaranteed within the first three years.

What is the significance of the South Uchi Project's location?

The South Uchi Project is located in a region known for gold mineralization, enhancing its exploration potential.

What happens if Barrick Gold successfully explores the South Uchi Project?

If successful, Barrick can earn an 80% interest, forming a joint venture with Kenorland.

What type of royalties could Kenorland earn from the South Uchi Project?

Kenorland could earn a 3% royalty on unencumbered claims and a 2% royalty on claims with existing royalties.