TNR Gold Royalty Holding Update: Rob McEwen Invests US$40 Million in McEwen Copper, Prepares 53,000-metre Drilling Program for Los Azules
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 4, 2021) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSXV: TNR) ("TNR", "TNR Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news release dated July 8, 2021, McEwen Copper Inc. ("McEwen Copper"), has closed the first tranche of its private placement announced on July 6th, 2021, for gross proceeds to McEwen Copper of $40,000,000.
Rob McEwen's investment corporation, Evanachan Limited, purchased all the shares issued pursuant to the first tranche of the private placement. McEwen Copper, 81% owned by McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen"), is rapidly advancing work on the Los Azules project following the completion of the US$40 million private placement.
The news release issued by McEwen on September 29, 2021, stated:
"The McEwen Copper division, 81% owned by McEwen Mining, is rapidly advancing work on the Los Azules project following the completion of the US$40 million first tranche private placement financing announced August 23, 2021. The second tranche of the private placement is expected to close shortly. Preparations are underway for a large 53,000-meter drilling program targeting the upgrading of Inferred mineral resources to the Indicated category. The first 2 drill rigs are arriving in early November 2021, ramping up to the full complement of 10 drills by January 2022. Access to the project is currently being established on the existing exploration road, which has been safely cleared by crews 48 miles (78 km) of the route, approximately three quarters of the way to the project. Construction of a new all-season lower altitude access road is underway, with completion expected in H2 2022.
McEwen Copper has engaged an experienced group of professionals and consultants to guide the Los Azules project towards the pre-feasibility study stage, including Dave Tyler, Study Director, Gary Cochran, Project & Construction Manager, and Bill Thomas, Manager of Business Improvement & Operational Readiness."
"I am very pleased to see this very exciting and significant development for the Los Azules Copper Project and personal support by Rob McEwen of the newly created McEwen Copper," stated Kirill Klip, TNR's Executive Chair. "It's very encouraging to see a large 53,000-metre drilling program following the personal commitment from Rob McEwen and his investment of US$40 million to advance the rapid development of this giant copper, gold and silver deposit in an appropriate corporate structure which will allow financing and further development of the Los Azules Copper Project.
"TNR Gold holds a 0.36% NSR royalty on the entire Los Azules project containing copper, gold and silver metals. TNR Gold does not have to contribute any capital for the development of the Los Azules Copper Project. The essence of our business model is to have industry leaders like McEwen Mining as operators on the projects that will potentially generate royalty cashflows to contribute significant value for our shareholders."
ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.
TNR Gold Corp. is working to become the green energy metals royalty and gold company.
Over the past twenty-five years, TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high-quality exploration projects around the globe. With the Company's expertise, resources and industry network, it identified the potential of the Los Azules Copper Project in Argentina and now holds a 0.36% NSR Royalty on the entire project, which is being developed by McEwen Mining Inc.
In 2009, TNR founded International Lithium Corp. ("ILC"), a green energy metals company that was made public through the spin-out of TNR's energy metals portfolio in 2011. ILC holds interests in lithium projects in Argentina, Ireland and Canada.
TNR retains a 1.8% NSR Royalty on the Mariana Lithium Project in Argentina. ILC has a right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR Royalty on the Mariana Lithium Project, of which 0.9% relates to the Company's NSR Royalty interest. The Company would receive $900,000 on the completion of the repurchase. The project is currently being advanced in a joint venture between ILC and Ganfeng Lithium International Co. Ltd.
TNR provides significant exposure to gold through its 90% holding in the Shotgun Gold porphyry project in Alaska. The project is located in Southwestern Alaska near the Donlin Gold project, which is being developed by Barrick Gold and Novagold Resources Inc.
The Company's strategy with Shotgun Gold Project is to attract a joint venture partnership with one of the gold major mining companies. The Company is actively introducing the project to interested parties.
At its core, TNR provides significant exposure to gold, copper, silver and lithium through its holdings in Alaska (the Shotgun Gold porphyry project) and Argentina (the Los Azules Copper and the Mariana Lithium projects) and is committed to the continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman
For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-229-8129
Neither 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.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "will", "could" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "could" occur, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements made in relation to: TNR's corporate objectives, changes in share capital, market conditions for energy commodities, the results of McEwen Mining's and ILC's PEAs, and improvements in the financial performance of the Company. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled "Risks" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's interim and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions made and reflected in this news release are reasonable, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no assurance that: TNR will be able to repay its loans or complete any further royalty acquisitions or sales; debt or other financing will be available to TNR; or that TNR will be able to achieve any of its corporate objectives. TNR relies on the confirmation of its ownership for mining claims from the appropriate government agencies when paying rental payments for such mining claims requested by these agencies. There could be a risk in the future of the changing internal policies of such government agencies or risk related to the third parties challenging in the future the ownership of such mining claims. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements included herein are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied on.
In formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein, management has assumed that business and economic conditions affecting TNR and its royalty partners, McEwen Mining Inc. and International Lithium Corp. will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.
Forward-looking information herein and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.
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