VanGold Options Back Royalties to Streamline El Pinguico Ownership Structure

Rhea-AI Summary

VanGold Mining Corp (VGLDF) has signed an option agreement to repurchase three underlying royalties on its El Pinguico project, located near Guanajuato, Mexico. The deal, valued at C$1,680,000, involves cash payments and issuing 3,750,000 units to Exploraciones Mineras Del Bajio S.A. de C.V. This agreement aims to eliminate significant royalty obligations, aligning interests between the Dorado family and VanGold shareholders. The company has until December 31, 2020 to exercise this option, after which it will own a 100% interest in El Pinguico, free from most royalties.

Positive

• Elimination of substantial near-term and long-term royalty obligations.
• Alignment of interests between the company and its Mexican partners.
• Acquisition of 100% ownership of El Pinguico without the burden of royalties.

Negative

• The agreement involves a significant upfront cash payment and issuance of units, possibly diluting existing shareholders.
• Uncertainty regarding the execution of the option and possible adverse impacts on financial conditions.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 20, 2020 / VanGold Mining Corp (the "Company" or "VanGold") (TSXV:VGLD)(OTC PINK:VGDLF) is pleased to announce it has signed an option agreement (the "Agreement") to re-purchase three underlying royalties on its El Pinguico silver and gold project located 7km south of Guanajuato, Mexico.

CEO James Anderson stated: "We are thrilled to have reached this Agreement with the Dorado family, the original venders of the El Pinguico project. Upon closing, this Agreement will eliminate the burden of a substantial portion of both near term and long-term royalty obligations for the Company, and more closely align the interests of our Mexican partners with the interests of all VanGold shareholders."

In order to exercise the option (the "Option"), the Company will pay C$1,680,000 cash (C$5,000 paid) and issue 3,750,000 units of VanGold (as described below) to Exploraciones Mineras Del Bajio S.A. de C.V. ("EMBSA"), the original vendor of the property in order to eliminate three underlying royalties from the El Pinguico concession. VanGold has until December 31, 2020 to exercise the Option.

Hernan Dorado, a director of VanGold and Managing Director of EMBSA said "We are very pleased with this Agreement. All of us are working extremely hard toward the success of El Pinguico, and we view that success as just a first step in transforming VanGold into a significant player within the Mexican precious metals mining community."

Upon exercise of the Option, VanGold's Mexican subsidiary, Obras Mineras El Pinguico, S.A de C.V., will own its undivided 100% interest in the El Pinguico silver and gold project free from royalties, save for a 15% net profits royalty in favour of EMBSA solely on the existing above ground and underground stockpiles of mineralized material. There will be no other royalties, net smelter returns or otherwise, on the El Pinguico project including the existing stockpiled material.

Under the Agreement, VanGold has the Option to repurchase the following royalties from EMBSA:

1. a 4% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) on all ‘broken material' within both the above ground and underground stockpiles;
2. a 3% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) on all newly established in-situ material discovered on the El Pinguico property; and
3. a 5% Net Profits Interest (NPI) on all newly established in-situ material discovered on the El Pinguico property.

In order to exercise the Option and re-purchase the above-noted royalties, VanGold has until December 31, 2020 to pay an additional C$1,675,000 cash and issue 3,750,000 units of VanGold ("Units") to EMBSA. An upfront option payment of C$5,000 has been paid to EMBSA with the execution of the Agreement. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") of VanGold. Each Warrant will entitle EMBSA to purchase one additional common share of VanGold at a price of $0.175 within five years of closing.

Hernan Dorado Smith, a director of VanGold is also the Managing Director and a principal shareholder of EMBSA, and as such the Agreement constitutes a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101, Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). VanGold intends to rely upon exemptions from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation and seek minority shareholder approval for the Agreement on the basis that the fair market value of Mr. Smith's interest in the Option, if exercised, will be less than 25% of VanGold's current market capitalization.

The Agreement is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The El Pinguico Project:

El Pinguico is a high-grade gold and silver deposit that was mined from the early 1890s until 1913. Toward the end of that period it was mined exclusively by The Pinguico Mines Company of New York City, whose shares traded on the Boston and New York Stock Exchanges. The mining was done principally from the El Pinguico and El Carmen veins, which are thought to be splays off the Mother Vein, or ‘Veta Madre'.

The Veta Madre is associated with a mega fault that outcrops for 25 kilometres and is the most important source of precious metal mineralization in the region. The Veta Madre may cross VanGold's property at depth, underneath the high grade El Pinguico and El Carmen veins. Very limited drilling has been done on the property and no drilling has attempted to encounter the Veta Madre at depth.

Hernan Dorado Smith, a director of VanGold and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About VanGold Mining Corp.

VanGold Mining is an exploration and development company engaged in reactivating high-grade past producing silver and gold mines near the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. The Company's flagship El Pinguico project is a significant past producer of both silver and gold located just 7km south of the city. The Company remains focused on the near-term potential for development and monetization of its surface and underground stockpiles of mineralized material at El Pinguico, and in delineating silver and gold resources through underground and surface drilling on projects located in this historic mining camp.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"James Anderson"
Chairman and CEO

For further information regarding VanGold Mining Corp, please contact:

James Anderson, Director, +1 (778) 989-5346
Email: james@vangoldmining.com
Continue to watch our progress at: www.vangoldmining.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 news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance (including, but not limited to, the Option to buy back certain existing royalties on the Company's El Pinquico project in Mexico from EMBSA and the proposed work programs, and potential for near term monetization of existing stockpiles of mineralized material, at El Pinguico) and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, currency rate fluctuations, actual results of exploration and development activities, environmental risks, future prices of gold, silver and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. In addition, there are no assurances that the Company will exercise the Option to repurchase the royalties set out in the Agreement on the terms contemplated therein or at all. There is also uncertainty about the spread of COVID-19 and the impact it will have on the Company's operations, supply chains, ability to access El Pinguico or procure equipment, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by law.

VANGOLD MINING CORP.
PH: +1(778) 989-5346 E: info@vangoldmining.com W: vangoldmining.com
CA: Suite 2820 - 200 Granville Street, Vancouver B.C. V6C 1S4
MX: Carretera - Guanajuato - Silao km 5.5, Int 4, Col. Marfil CP36250, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico

SOURCE: VanGold Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/602541/VanGold-Options-Back-Royalties-to-Streamline-El-Pinguico-Ownership-Structure

FAQ

What is the recent agreement signed by VanGold Mining Corp (VGLDF)?

VanGold Mining Corp (VGLDF) signed an option agreement to repurchase three underlying royalties on its El Pinguico project for C$1,680,000.

When does VanGold Mining Corp need to exercise the option for repurchasing royalties?

VanGold must exercise the option by December 31, 2020.

What are the benefits of the option agreement for VanGold Mining Corp (VGLDF)?

The agreement eliminates significant royalty obligations and aligns the interests of Mexican partners with VanGold shareholders.

What impact does the agreement have on shareholder interests for VanGold Mining Corp?

While the agreement eliminates royalties, it involves cash payments and unit issuances, which could dilute existing shareholders.

Who is involved in the royalty agreement with VanGold Mining Corp (VGLDF)?

The agreement involves Exploraciones Mineras Del Bajio S.A. de C.V., the original vendor of the El Pinguico project.