Denarius Metals Corp. (“Denarius” or “the Company”) (TSXV: DSLV;
OTCQB: DNRSF) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of
intent for an option and joint-venture arrangement (the “Letter of
Intent”) with Europa Metals Ltd. (“Europa”) (AIM: EUZ), pursuant to
which Europa granted Denarius the right to acquire up to an 80%
ownership interest in the Toral Zn-Pb-Ag Project (the “Toral
Project”), Leon Province, Northern Spain in two stages (the
“Proposed Transaction”).
Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman and CEO of
Denarius, commented, “We are extremely pleased to have agreed the
commercial parameters for this proposed farm-in transaction
subject, inter alia, to definitive documentation which will enable
Denarius to lead the development of this high-grade polymetallic
project located in a well-mineralized historic mining area and
proactive jurisdiction that also offers potential further
exploration opportunities. The high-grade concentrates that could
be produced at Toral in the future make this a unique opportunity
for Denarius to seek to develop a high-quality base metal project
in the heart of western Europe.”
“Surging demand from industry, combined with
increasing geopolitical risks, have served to increase raw metals
prices over the last year. The production capacity to service the
European automotive and lead-acid battery industry is declining and
there is an urgent need to develop safer and more sustainable
alternative raw material supply systems in the region. The Proposed
Transaction could also provide future strategic synergy with our
wholly owned Lomero-Poyatos polymetallic project in respect of the
commercialization of concentrates from both potential future
operations”.
The Proposed Transaction is subject, inter alia,
to confirmatory due diligence by Denarius, the finalization and
entering into of definitive documentation (the “Definitive
Agreement”) and Europa receiving all requisite shareholder and
regulatory approvals, as appropriate.
The Toral Project is located approximately 400
km or 4 hours’ drive northwest of Madrid in the province of León,
within the autonomous region of Castilla-Leon. The Project area is
situated within the administrative subdivision of El Bierzo, the
capital of which is the city of Ponferrada, approximately 30 km
east of the project area by road. The Toral exploration license
15.199, referred to as a Permiso de Investigacion (the “Permit”),
covers an area of 20.29 km². The Toral Project is located next to a
main highway and is very well connected to several industrial ports
in northern Spain as well as a major zinc smelter in the Asturias
region.
The Toral Project is a carbonate hosted,
Mississippi Valley Type (“MVT”) Zn-Pb-Ag deposit situated along the
contact between middle Cambrian aged slates in the footwall and
upper Cambrian aged limestone and dolomite host rocks in the
hanging wall. The mineralization is continuous along the contact
and has been tested by drilling over at least 1.7 km strike length.
It remains open along strike and down dip.
Mineral Resource Estimate for the Toral
Project
Europa published an updated JORC 2012 compliant
Mineral Resource Estimate for the Toral Project in 2021, prepared
by Addison Mining Services Ltd (“Addison”), with an effective date
of September 14, 2021, comprising:
- An Indicated resource of
approximately 5.9 million metric tons (Mt) at 7.1% Zn Equivalent
(including Pb credits) (“Zn Eq”) or 7.8% Zn Equivalent (including
Pb and Ag credits (“Zn Eq(PbAg)”), grading 4.2% Zn, 3.3% Pb and 27
g/t Ag, containing:
- 251,000 tonnes of Zn, 196,000
tonnes of Pb and 5.2 million ounces of Ag.
- An Inferred resource of
approximately 14 Mt at 6.0% Zn Eq or 6.5% Zn Eq(PbAg), grading 3.8%
Zn, 2.5% Pb and 20 g/t Ag, containing:
- 540,000 tonnes of Zn, 350,000
tonnes of Pb and 9 million ounces of Ag.
Scientific and technical information about the
Toral Project is summarized, derived or extracted from the Toral
Technical Report titled “Updated JORC 2012 Technical Report and
Resource Estimate for the Europa Metals Toral Pb-Zn Project, Leon,
Spain” prepared by Addison for Europa dated October 20, 2021 and
with an effective date of September 14, 2021. The Toral Technical
Report was prepared to the standards of the 2012 JORC code by James
Hogg MSc MAIG, Richard Siddle MSc MAIG, and Lewis Harvey MSc MAIG.
The “Competent Person” pursuant to the 2012 JORC code is James
Hogg. The JORC code is an acceptable foreign code as defined by NI
43-101.
Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and
do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resources for
the Toral Project are reported at a 4.0% Zn equivalent cut-off
grade (including Pb and Ag credits) (“Zn Eq (PbAg)”). Zn equivalent
calculations were based on 3-year trailing average price statistics
obtained from the London Metal Exchange and London Bullion Market
Association giving an average Zn price of US$2,516/t, Pb price of
US$1,961/t and Ag price of US$19.4/oz. Recovery and selling factors
were incorporated into the calculation of Zn Eq values. It is the
opinion of Addison that all the metals included in the metal
equivalents calculation (zinc, lead and silver) have a reasonable
potential to be recovered and sold. According to the JORC code, Zn
Eq (PbAg)% is the calculated Zn equivalent incorporating silver
credits as well as lead and is the parameter used to define the
cut-off grade used for reporting resources (Zn Eq (PbAg)% = Zn +
Pb*0.867 + Ag*0.027). Zn Eq is the calculated Zn equivalent using
lead credits and does not include silver credits (Zn Eq = Zn +
Pb*0.867). All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy
of the estimate.
Metallurgical testing undertaken by Wardell
Armstrong International in 2020 culminated in a locked cycle test
which achieved 77.0% zinc recovery to a zinc concentrate grading
59.1% Zn. A separate lead and silver concentrate with recoveries of
83.7% and 87.1%, respectively, was obtained with grades of 60.2% Pb
and 1,350 ppm Ag.
Description of the
Transaction
The transaction involves the formation of an
unincorporated joint-venture between Denarius and Europa for the
development of the Toral Project, which will include the Permit and
the incorporation of a certain other nearby mineral license when it
is approved by the Junta of Castilla and Leon (the “Junta”),the
local mining authority. The transaction will be completed in two
phases and be subject to certain conditions precedent, as described
below.
The Definitive Agreement will include an option
for the acquisition of a 51% interest in the Toral Project by way
of a farm-in by Denarius or its designee, from Europa Metals Iberia
S.L. (“EMI”), a wholly owned Spanish subsidiary of Europa, which
owns the Permit (the “First Option”).
In order to exercise the First Option and
acquire a 51% interest in the Toral Project: (i) Denarius and
Europa shall agree on a work program and budget, and (ii) Denarius
will fund a minimum of US$4,000,000 (including US$100,000 to be
paid on execution of the Definitive Agreement and US$550,000 to be
advanced to Europa on completion of a financing by Denarius, which
is expected to be concluded by March 31, 2023) towards:
- a 6-month due diligence twin drilling project of up to 2,000
meters to confirm mineralization and grades and allow Denarius to
obtain cores from the mineral resource wireframes; and
- the completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Toral Project
to be presented to the Junta (the “Pre-Feasibility Study”).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Europa and Denarius understand that
a Pre-feasibility Study on the Toral Project, acceptable to the
Junta, must be presented before the end of October 2023 to comply
with the obligations under the Permit.
The disbursement of the remaining amounts to
exercise the First Option (a minimum of US$3,350,000), will be
contingent on the effective incorporation of a certain other
mineral permit to the Toral Project (the “Permit Condition
Precedent”). Denarius will have the right to terminate the
joint-venture if (i) Europa is unable to secure the certain nearby
mineral rights within the 18-month period following the date of
execution of the Definitive Agreement or (ii) results of the due
diligence twin drilling project finds significant assay
discrepancies with the values previously reported by Europa.
The Definitive Agreement will include an option
(the “Second Option”) for the acquisition by Denarius or its
designee, from EMI of an additional 29% interest in the Toral
Project to take its interest in the Toral Project to 80% by (i)
delivering the Pre-Feasibility Study demonstrating positive
economic results over the enlarged Toral Project and (ii) making a
cash payment of US$2,000,000 to Europa, within the 12-month period
following the date of exercise of the First Option.
Qualified Persons Review
The technical information in this news release
has been reviewed and approved by Stewart D. Redwood, BSc (Hons),
PhD, FIMMM, FGS, who is a “Qualified Person” as defined under
National Instrument 43-101.
About Denarius
Denarius is a Canadian junior company engaged in
the acquisition, exploration, development and eventual operation of
mining projects in high-grade districts, with its principal focus
on the Lomero-Poyatos Project in Spain. The Company also owns the
Zancudo and Guia Antigua Projects in Colombia.
Additional information on Denarius can be found
on its website at www.denariusmetals.com and by reviewing its
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Information
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.
This news release contains "forward-looking
information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements
with respect to anticipated business plans or strategies, including
exploration programs, expected exploration results and Mineral
Resource estimates. Often, but not always, forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans",
"expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations
(including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state
that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would",
"might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of Denarius to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements, include but are not limited to: the
execution of the Definitive Agreement; approval of the nearby
mineral license by the Junta; the agreement of Denarius and Europe
on a work program and budget; the ability of Denarius to disburse
the minimum funding in order to exercise the First Option;
completion of the Permit Condition Precedent; results of the due
diligence twin projects; delivery of a positive Pre-Feasibility
Study; the ability of Denarius to make the cash payment in order to
exercise the Second Option; and those factors which are described
under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Filing Statement
dated as of February 18, 2021 which is available for view on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are
made as of the date of this press release and Denarius disclaims,
other than as required by law, any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates
or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance
that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
For Further Information,
Contact:
Christopher HaldaneVice President, Investor
Relations(416) 360-4653investors@denariusmetals.com
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