Press Releases
PERPETUA ANNOUNCES ANTIMONY SUPPLY AGREEMENT FOR AMBRI BATTERY PRODUCTION
Perpetua’s Antimony Will Power Ambri’s Low-Cost Battery for Long-Duration, Daily Cycling Energy Storage
Committed Amount Sufficient to Generate Over 13 Gigawatt Hours of Storage, Equivalent to Over 8x the Size of the Entire US Energy Storage Market in 2020
Solidifies Perpetua’s Standing as a Leading ESG-Focused Mining Company Enabling the Green Energy Transition & Restoring the Environment
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) (“Perpetua Resources” or the “Company”) has entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) to supply a portion of antimony production from the Stibnite Gold Project to Ambri Inc. (“Ambri”), establishing the foundation to help facilitate the decarbonization of energy grids in the U.S. and around the world. Perpetua’s Stibnite Gold Project, located in central Idaho, will provide Ambri with antimony from the only responsible and domestically mined source of the critical mineral in the U.S.
Ambri, a U.S. company, has developed an antimony-based, low-cost liquid metal battery for the stationary, long-duration, daily cycling energy storage market. Ambri batteries combine technological innovation with commercial applications for low-cost, long lifespan and safe energy storage systems that will increase the overall contribution from renewable sources to help enable the transition to green, carbon-free power grids.
“This agreement is a meaningful step in support of the current administration’s goal of achieving 100% clean electricity in the U.S., while prioritizing the domestic manufacturing of battery technology,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Perpetua Resources. “Perpetua continues to show how a modern mining company can not only be an essential part of the clean energy value chain, but also be key to the solution to the world’s climate challenges.”
The signing of the Agreement coincides with Ambri’s announcement that it secured $144 million in new financing led by Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited), Paulson & Co. Inc., Bill Gates, Fortistar and Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates. Additionally, Reliance has been chosen as Ambri’s joint venture partner for battery development in India as part of its broader plans to invest $10 billion to develop the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex. The capital raise will be used to accelerate the commercialization of Ambri’s leading liquid metal battery and build a domestic manufacturing facility to fundamentally change the way power grids operate.
“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Perpetua, which helps Ambri scale production of its leading battery technology” said Dan Leff, Executive Chairman of Ambri. “Ambri is well positioned to become the lowest cost producer of energy storage batteries, a critical building block enabling the transition to an entirely renewable power grid. Ambri recognizes the strategic importance of antimony as a leading metal in the green energy transformation and supports the responsible production of critical metals, especially within the United States.”
The Agreement contains certain standard commercial terms which contain options for treatment, refining, transport, and tolling charges. The minimum commitment of Perpetua’s antimony production for Ambri’s battery manufacturing is expected to power over 13 Gigawatt hours of battery capacity, which is equivalent to over 8 times the total additions to the entire U.S. energy storage market in 2020.
The Agreement contains a provision for fixed pricing and higher volumes that can be mutually agreed to by both parties. Perpetua and Ambri will also collaborate to identify opportunities to lower carbon emissions in their respective operations with the use of renewable energy combined with battery storage.
“Today’s agreement directly links the redevelopment of the Stibnite Gold Project – and the restoration of the site - to a new battery manufacturing partner that is poised to play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions,” said Sayer. “Our partnership with Ambri significantly increases the strategic and long-term value of our project and breathes further life into our guiding ESG principles.”
Perpetua continues to engage with other potential end users of antimony and will provide updates as they become available.
For further information about Perpetua Resources Corp., please contact:
Jessica Largent
Vice President Investor Relations and Finance
jessica.largent@perpetuacorp.us
Info@perpetuacorp.us
Mckinsey Lyon
Vice President External Affairs
media@perpetua.us
Website: www.perpetuaresources.com
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Further advancing Perpetua Resources’ ESG and sustainable mining goals, the Project will be powered by the lowest carbon emissions grid in the nation and a portion of the antimony produced from the Project will be supplied to Ambri, a US-based company commercializing a low-cost liquid metal battery essential for the low-carbon energy transition. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
About Ambri
Ambri Inc. has developed and is commercializing a new, long-duration battery technology that will enable widespread use of renewable energy sources, reduce electricity costs, and enable power systems to operate more reliably and efficiently. The liquid metal battery project began at MIT in the lab of Professor Donald Sadoway, and the company was formed in 2010 when the project achieved significant technical breakthroughs.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including the plans to supply a portion of the expected antimony production from the Stibnite Gold Project to Ambri; and the anticipated benefits of the foregoing. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “complete”, “expected”, “ensure”, and “potential”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Perpetua Resources has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that the parties will agree upon mutually acceptable volume and pricing terms; and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the permitting process; risks related to dependence on key personnel; the risk that the parties may not come to final agreement upon volume, pricing and/or other terms or conditions necessary in order to complete the supply of antimony produced from the Stibnite Gold Project to Ambri on mutually acceptable terms; risks of either party being unable to fulfill the terms of the Agreement by virtue of delays and/or other hindrances to reaching production on the part of Perpetua Resources and/or commercialization on the part of Ambri, as applicable; risks related to opposition to the Project; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Perpetua Resources’ public disclosure record. Although Perpetua Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Perpetua Resources and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Perpetua Resources does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
U.S. FOREST SERVICE ADVANCES PERPETUA RESOURCES’ PROPOSED ACTION, ELIMINATING ALTERNATIVES, WITH SCHEDULE UPDATE FOR TARGETED NEPA COMPLETION
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) (Perpetua Resources) today announced that the United States Forest Service (USFS) is advancing Perpetua Resources’ modified proposed action in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and updated the permitting schedule for the Stibnite Gold Project (the Project).
The Project is designed to use responsible mining to develop a world-class gold mine, restore an abandoned mine site, provide the United States with the only domestic source of the critical mineral antimony and contribute to the economic success of Idaho. Perpetua Resources’ modified proposed action was submitted to USFS in December 2020 as the “Modified Plan of Restoration and Operations 2” (ModPRO2) and represents refinements to Alternative 2 of the August 2020 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The refined plan incorporates stakeholder feedback on the DEIS and is designed to reduce the project footprint and improve environmental outcomes. Modifications include the elimination of waste rock storage areas, overall reductions in mined material, additional pit backfilling and restoration, and improvements to water quality and water temperature. The USFS’s decision advances Perpetua Resources’ improved and preferred Project design in the NEPA process and sets the Project on a clear path to a final permitting decision.
Importantly, the USFS will focus on Perpetua Resources’ ModPRO2 and the two identified access routes for the remainder of the NEPA process, eliminating DEIS Alternatives 1 and 3 from further consideration. In order to ensure a full analysis of the refined Project, the USFS plans to issue a targeted Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) and provide the public and cooperating agencies the opportunity to review and comment on the additional analysis.
“We are pleased the USFS is advancing our proposed action forward and establishing a well-defined path towards a Record of Decision,” said Laurel Sayer, President & CEO of Perpetua Resources. “These actions expressly integrate public input and additional analysis in the process, reduce the Project’s environmental effects, and enhance our restoration and community objectives.”
Perpetua Resources is confident that the additional analysis in the SDEIS will demonstrate the advantages of ModPRO2 and looks forward to continued engagement with the USFS and all relevant stakeholders as the NEPA process is finalized. The Project schedule update includes that the SDEIS will be released in Q1 2022, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and draft Record of Decision will be published in Q4 2022, and a final Record of Decision will be issued in the first half of 2023.
The NEPA process is intended to ensure that federal agencies are informed of a proposed action’s potential environmental impacts before making final decisions regarding the action. The rigorous scientific analysis during the preparation of the DEIS and the comments from the public and cooperating agencies provided during the extended 75-day public comment period brought forward concepts that could improve the environmental outcomes of the Project. Perpetua Resources listened to this feedback, evaluated the feasibility and potential benefits of these concepts, and submitted modifications of the proposed plan (Alternative 2 in the DEIS) to the USFS. The proposed improvements, which reduce the Project footprint and are predicted to improve water quality conditions at the site during and after Project operations, have been incorporated in Perpetua Resources’ 2020 Feasibility Study. These refinements will now be analyzed further in the SDEIS.
“It was important to Perpetua Resources that we listen and act upon feedback provided by community members, tribes, environmental groups and cooperating agencies,” said Sayer. “Incorporating their ideas and additional refinements into the proposed action results in a better Project, is the most efficient way to bring the Project to life longer-term and is the right thing to do for all stakeholders.”
Growing bipartisan support for and the White House’s recent recognition of the importance of responsible domestic production of critical minerals to our national and economic security and green energy transition, signals renewed optimism for projects like the Stibnite Gold Project. The Perpetua Resources team remains committed to advancing the Stibnite Gold Project as efficiently as possible, so its full benefits can be achieved for all stakeholders.
More details about proposed Project refinements can be found here.
For further information about Perpetua Resources Corp., please contact:
Jessica Largent
Vice President Investor Relations and Finance
jessica.largent@perpetuacorp.us
Info@perpetuacorp.us
Mckinsey Lyon
Vice President External Affairs
mailto:media@perpetua.us
Website: www.perpetuaresources.com
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken by the USFS, the State of Idaho and other government agencies and regulatory bodies; plans with respect to the issuance of an SDEIS; the consideration of difference access routes; the anticipated timing for release of the SDEIS, FEIS, draft ROD and final ROD; predictions regarding improvements to water quality at the site and reduction of the Project footprint and the anticipated benefits and other effects thereof. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “complete”, “expected” “ensure”, and “potential”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Perpetua Resources has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the review process under the NEPA (including any joint review process involving the USFS, the State of Idaho and other agencies and regulatory bodies) as well as the public review process and SDEIS will proceed in a timely manner and as expected; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the permitting process; uncertainty surrounding input to be received; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the USFS, State of Idaho and other stated, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Perpetua Resources’ public disclosure record. Although Perpetua Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Perpetua Resources and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Perpetua Resources does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
PERPETUA RESOURCES ANNOUNCES INCLUSION IN THE RUSSELL 2000 INDEX
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) (“Perpetua Resources” or the “Company”) today announced that as part of the annual reconstitution of the Russell stock indexes, Perpetua Resources is expected to be included in the Russell 2000® Index and the broad-market Russell 3000® Index effective after the U.S. market opens on June 28, 2021.
“We are pleased to have earned our inclusion in the Russell 2000® Index, one of the most widely cited performance benchmarks for emerging U.S. companies,” said Laurel Sayer, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources. “This is an important milestone for Perpetua Resources after listing on the Nasdaq earlier this year increasing our exposure to a broader investment community as we progress our vision to be the only mined source of the critical mineral antimony in the U.S. and restore an abandoned brownfield site through the redevelopment of our low-cost gold project.”
Membership in the Russell 2000® Index means automatic inclusion in the broader Russell 3000® Index as well as in the appropriate growth and value style indexes. The Russell 3000® Index encompasses the 3,000 largest U.S.-traded stocks by objective, market-capitalization rankings, and style attributes. Membership in these indexes is updated annually and remains in place for one year.
The Russell U.S. Indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. Approximately US$10.6 trillion in assets are benchmarked against Russell U.S. Indexes. Russell U.S. Indexes are part of FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider.
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including the expected inclusion in the Russell 2000® Index and the benefits of such inclusion. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “expected”, “opportunity” and “potential”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Perpetua Resources has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that its corporate activities will proceed as expected; and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to opposition to the Project; and the factors discussed in Perpetua Resources’ public disclosure record. Although Perpetua Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Perpetua Resources and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Perpetua Resources does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Perpetua Resources Signs Collaboration Agreement with U.S. Antimony to Explore Potential to Process Antimony from the Stibnite Gold Project
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) (“Perpetua Resources” or the “Company”) announces it has signed a collaboration agreement (the “Agreement”) with United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY)(“USAC”) to study the potential for processing the Stibnite Gold Project’s antimony concentrate at USAC’s processing facilities. Perpetua Resources is in the process of permitting America’s only mined source of antimony. It is estimated the Stibnite Gold Project has the potential to supply approximately 35 percent of American antimony demand in the first six years of production1.
“Critical minerals are the building blocks of a strong domestic supply chain and play a key role in our transition to a greener economy,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Perpetua Resources. “America has the brainpower, spirit of innovation and work ethic to continue to solve some of the world’s toughest problems. However, we lack the minerals and materials we need to bring those solutions to life. Perpetua Resources can play a key role in re-establishing domestic antimony production and protecting America’s energy, technology and defense future.”
The Agreement outlines a plan for the Company to send samples of Stibnite’s antimony concentrate to the facilities owned by USAC to study the viability of entering into a long-term partnership to secure the domestic sourcing of the critical mineral antimony.
Antimony is one of 35 federally designated critical minerals for its use in the national defense, technology and green energy sectors. It has also been named a critical mineral in Canada, Australia and the European Union. Antimony strengthens alloys and makes them resistant to corrosion. It is used in munitions for national defense, flame retardants, wind and hydro turbines, solar panels, large storage batteries, spaceships, cell phones, semiconductors, plastics and cable sheathing.
Currently, there is no mined source of antimony in the United States. The Stibnite Gold Project, along with USAC’s domestic processing abilities, presents an opportunity to re-establish the American supply chain of this critical mineral. China, Russia and Tajikistan control the overwhelming majority of the world’s antimony, supplying more than 90 percent of the global production.2
Perpetua Resources plans to host an in-depth webinar on the critical mineral antimony at 12:00 p.m. EDT or 10:00 a.m. MDT on May 4, 2021. Please RSVP here. More information can also be found at https://perpetuaresources.com/antimony/.
1Based on the results of an independent feasibility study technical report titled “Stibnite Gold Project, Feasibility Study Technical Report, Valley County, Idaho” with an effective date of December 22, 2020 and an issue date of January 27, 2021, which is intended to be read as a whole and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.
2Source: 2021 USGS Antimony commodity summary
For further information about Perpetua Resources Corp., please contact:
Jessica Largent
Vice President Investor Relations and Finance
jessica.largent@perpetuacorp.us
Info@perpetuacorp.us
Mckinsey Lyon
Vice President External Affairs
media@perpetua.us
Website: www.perpetuaresources.com
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including the potential for processing the Company’s antimony concentrate at USAC’s processing facilities; the potential for re-establishing domestic antimony production in the United States; and the anticipated benefits of the foregoing. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “complete”, “expected”, “ensure”, and “potential”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Perpetua Resources has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the permitting process; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to opposition to the Project; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Perpetua Resources’ public disclosure record. Although Perpetua Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Perpetua Resources and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Perpetua Resources does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
PERPETUA RESOURCES REPORTS RESULTS OF 2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (formerly Midas Gold Corp.) (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) today announced the results of its annual general meeting (the “AGM”), which was held online through a virtual meeting platform on April 16, 2021.
A total of 34,386,731 common shares were represented at the AGM, or 72.30% of the votes attached to all outstanding shares at the Company’s record date of March 1, 2021. The Company’s shareholders voted in favor of the election of all director nominees listed in the Company’s management information proxy circular. Detailed results of the vote for the election of directors are as follows:
Name of Nominee | Votes For | Votes Withheld | Total Votes* | Percentage of Votes For* | Percentage of Votes Withheld* |
Marcelo Kim | 31,088,758 | 352,474 | 31,441,232 | 98.88% | 1.12% |
Chris Papagianis | 31,360,342 | 80,890 | 31,441,232 | 99.74% | 0.26% |
Laurel Sayer | 31,361,106 | 80,126 | 31,441,232 | 99.75% | 0.25% |
Jeff Malmen | 31,362,367 | 78,865 | 31,441,232 | 99.75% | 0.25% |
Chris Robison | 31,363,392 | 77,840 | 31,441,232 | 99.75% | 0.25% |
Bob Dean | 31,362,398 | 78,834 | 31,441,232 | 99.75% | 0.25% |
David Deisley | 31,359,982 | 81,250 | 31,441,232 | 99.74% | 0.26% |
Alex Sternhell | 31,358,486 | 82,746 | 31,441,232 | 99.74% | 0.26% |
* Not all shares were voted in respect of all resolutions therefore the combined number of shares voted for or withheld (and corresponding percentages) may not add up to the total shares represented at the AGM.
The directors were elected to hold offices until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed.
The Company’s shareholders also approved the appointment of Deloitte LLP, Chartered Accountants, as the auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 (99.90% voted in favor).
The Company’s shareholders also approved the adoption of a new omnibus equity incentive plan (98.32% voted in favor).
Detailed voting results for the meeting are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Jessica Largent
Vice President Investor Relations and Finance
jessica.largent@perpetuacorp.us
Info@perpetuacorp.us
Mckinsey Lyon
Vice President External Affairs
media@perpetua.us
Website: www.perpetuaresources.com
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
PERPETUA RESOURCES WORKS ALONGSIDE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (formerly Midas Gold Corp.) (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) (Perpetua Resources or the company) is advancing its ESG goals to further bring transparency to its Stibnite Gold Project (project) by participating in a water quality monitoring program led by local citizens. The Independent Water Monitoring Program (IWMP) is an initiative of the Stibnite Advisory Council, which represents eight local communities surrounding the proposed Stibnite Gold Project. The initiative is designed to promote accountability measures around Perpetua Resources’ existing water quality monitoring efforts and give the community access to independent information through conducting third-party data gathering and reporting. Perpetua agreed to participate in the program based upon the company’s long-standing commitment to transparency and its recognition of the important role such programs play in deepening community trust.
“We have always been committed to sharing information about our project with the community,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Perpetua Resources Corp. “We applaud the Stibnite Advisory Council for launching this initiative to conduct an independent program at site which will allow community representatives to participate in water monitoring and to verify the conditions facing the abandoned Stibnite Mining District today and into the future. We are proud to continue living our values and further strengthen ourselves as a community partner and a responsible mining company.”
The Stibnite Advisory Council was formed in 2019 and was designed to give community members a voice with Perpetua Resources and an opportunity to resolve challenges and partner on opportunities directly with the company. IWMP is the Council’s largest public initiative to date.
“Having access to clean water and pristine rivers is a value all Idahoans share, and it is one the Stibnite Advisory Council feels a strong obligation to protect,” said Riggins Stibnite Advisory Council member, Bob Crump. “After community members expressed concerns over the potential impacts to water quality and a desire to see more data, we decided it was important to launch the Independent Water Monitoring Program.”
The Stibnite Advisory Council will contract with the University of Idaho’s Water Resources Research Institute to undertake the independent water quality monitoring and reporting. During the first year of the program, the Stibnite Advisory Council will test water temperature, pH levels, conductivity, and elemental presence. All the collected samples will be provided to a lab certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Stibnite Advisory Council plans to monitor ground and surface water at 18 different locations throughout the site. Perpetua Resources will collect samples from these same locations, at the same time as the Stibnite Advisory Council, in order to give Idahoans two comparative data sets. The first samples are currently set to be collected this year.
Initially, monitoring will be conducted by Idaho’s Water Resources Research Institute. However, the Stibnite Advisory Council is working to expand the program to include community representatives who could also observe the sample collection and vouch for the integrity and independence of the process. Once those details are finalized, they will be announced on the Stibnite Advisory Council’s website.
Perpetua has adopted a formal ESG policy and continues to improve and advance the Company’s initiatives regarding environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and good governance. Our ESG policy, and more details about how the company puts these commitments into action, can be found here.
For more details on the program and to view the data when it becomes available, please visit www.StibniteAdvisoryCouncil.com.
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
PERPETUA RESOURCES CAN HELP SECURE U.S. PRODUCTION OF CRITICAL MINERAL ANTIMONY
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (formerly Midas Gold Corp.) (Nasdaq: PPTA / TSX: PPTA) welcomes President Joe Biden’s recently issued Executive Order on securing America’s critical supply chains. Perpetua Resources is in the process of permitting America’s only mined source of antimony, a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, technology, and energy sectors. The Executive Order declares strengthening the resilience of the American supply chain as a policy of the Administration and requires that over the next one hundred days supply chain risks and policy recommendations be brought forward regarding semiconductor manufacturing, high-capacity batteries, critical minerals, and pharmaceuticals.
“Securing our country’s critical supply chains is a bi-partisan effort we can all support,” said Perpetua Resources President and CEO Laurel Sayer. “President Biden’s Executive Order places critical minerals in the national spotlight, and antimony is a key mineral in three out of the four areas the President has directed federal officials to focus on over the next 100 days. We are encouraged by the recognition that responsible, domestic sourcing of minerals like antimony is essential to building resilient supply chains and a stronger, more sustainable, American future.”
Antimony strengthens alloys and makes them resistant to corrosion. Its properties make it a highly valuable mineral for many applications across a wide range of sectors. It is used in munitions for national defense, flame retardants, wind and hydro turbines, solar panels, large storage batteries, spaceships, cell phones, semiconductors, plastics and cable sheathing. Currently, there are no U.S. mined sources of antimony, China and Russia dominate the antimony supply with more than 80 percent of the world’s production. Perpetua Resource’s Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho could supply approximately thirty percent of the American demand for antimony in the first six years of production.
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
PERPETUA RESOURCES APPOINTS ENDEAVOUR FINANCIAL AS FINANCIAL ADVISOR
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (formerly Midas Gold Corp.) (NASDAQ:PPTA / TSX:PPTA) (“Perpetua Resources” or the “Company”) announced today the appointment of Endeavour Financial (“Endeavour”) as its financial advisor to assist in the evaluation of funding options to support the development of the Company’s world class Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”), following the release of its Feasibility Study in December 2020.
Endeavour is a leading independent advisor dealing exclusively with the natural resources sector. It specializes in the junior to mid-tier market, providing advice on financing projects from multiple funding sources. The Endeavour team offers more than 160 years of mining finance experience and specializes in arranging multi-sourced funding structures for single asset development companies.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Endeavour Financial as our financial advisor for the arrangement of the project financing for the Stibnite Gold Project,” said Laurel Sayer, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources. “Endeavour is a well-regarded firm with a strong track record of success in the mining industry. Our vision is to provide the U.S. with a source of the critical mineral antimony, operate one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines in the country and restore and redevelop an abandoned brownfield site. This appointment is another important milestone as we look to move forward from permitting into development and restoration.”
George Pyper, Managing Director of Endeavour’s advisory business, commented: “Endeavour is delighted to be able to work with the Perpetua Resources team to evaluate and execute financing for the development of this world class asset.”
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
About Endeavour Financial:
Endeavour Financial is a private independent merchant banking company focused on providing expert and unbiased financial advisory services to the global natural resources sector. Endeavour Financial has a history of achieving success for clients based on resource industry focus, innovative transaction skills and the diverse professional backgrounds of its award-winning team. Offering advice in project, corporate and debt capital markets; equity-linked financings; mergers and acquisitions; and strategic business development over more than three decades, Endeavour Financial has established itself as a leading financial advisor in the natural resources sector. More information on Endeavour Financial and its services can be found at www.endeavourfinancial.com.
PERPETUA RESOURCES AND NEZ PERCE TRIBE AGREE TO STAY OF CLEAN WATER ACT LITIGATION
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (formerly Midas Gold Corp.) (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX) (“Perpetua Resources” or the “Company”) released the following statement regarding an agreement with the Nez Perce Tribe to stay the Tribe’s Clean Water Act lawsuit:
“The Nez Perce Tribe and Perpetua Resources (previously Midas Gold) have jointly moved for a 3-month stay of the Tribe’s Clean Water Act lawsuit while they pursue a Court-ordered dispute resolution process. The litigation stay will allow the parties to work with a neutral judge or mediator to determine if there are grounds to work out a resolution of the lawsuit.”
A copy of today’s filing can be found here.
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
MIDAS GOLD ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE TO PERPETUA RESOURCES AND APPROVED NASDAQ LISTING
New Name Reinforces Commitment to Idaho
Restoration of Legacy Mining District and Domestic Production of Critical Mineral Antimony
Shares to Begin Trading on Nasdaq on February 18
Management Team Strengthened with Hiring of Jessica Largent and Promotion of Tanya Nelson
BOISE, ID – Perpetua Resources Corp. (formerly Midas Gold Corp.) (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX,) (“Perpetua Resources” or the “Company”) announced today that it has changed its name to “Perpetua Resources Corp.” effective February 15, 2021 and the Company’s common shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”).
The Company’s common shares will begin trading on the Nasdaq on February 18, 2021 under the symbol “PPTA” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the new name at market open on or around February 18, 2021 under the stock symbol “PPTA”. As the Stibnite Gold Project (the “Stibnite Project” or “Project”) continues to advance through major milestones, the listing on a U.S. stock exchange is a strategic decision to focus the Company’s business in the United States and open additional opportunities for American investment.
“Today’s approval to list on the Nasdaq points to our growth and readiness to enter the next chapter of bringing the Stibnite Gold Project vision to life,” said Laurel Sayer, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources. “The Nasdaq is a premier electronic exchange. Our listing here will allow us greater access to capital, which will help our team move the Stibnite Gold Project from permitting into production. We look forward to connecting with new investors, while delivering value to our long-term shareholders who have supported our vision for years.”
The new name “Perpetua Resources” is inspired by Idaho’s motto, Esto Perpetua, translated to mean “let it be perpetual”, and a reflection of the Company’s commitment to doing its part to protect the State of Idaho’s vast resources for generations to come. Midas Gold Idaho, Inc., the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, has also updated its name to “Perpetua Resources Idaho, Inc.”
“We have always been more than a gold mining company, but you wouldn’t have known it by our name,” said Sayer. “The name Perpetua Resources better reflects our plan to restore an abandoned mining site, to responsibly develop the critical resources our country needs for a more secure and sustainable future and to be guided by a commitment to Idaho’s resources and people. We are proud to enter our next chapter with a name that helps communicate our values and the sustainable future we are working to create for all of us.”
The name change not only follows the Company’s recent announcement that it has relocated its corporate headquarters to Boise, Idaho, but the name also better aligns with the company’s vision and reflects the natural evolution in this next phase of project development. Recent accomplishments include the completion of a successful comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Stibnite Gold Project, release of a positive Feasibility Study, and an agreement finalized with regulators to help address legacy water contamination at the abandoned mining district that will enable the company to begin to restore the site.
The Stibnite Gold Project was designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national energy, defense, aerospace and technology sectors. Recent developments point to antimony playing an important role in renewable energy, including in wind turbines and solar panels, as well as emerging liquid metal batteries needed for large-scale energy storage in the green energy future. The Project is also one of the highest-grade gold deposits in the United States and would provide the resources necessary to fund the much-needed cleanup and restoration of the abandoned Stibnite Mining District. While the name is changing, the people, the project and the commitments made over the last ten years remain the same.
The Company introduced its new name with a video. It can be found here.
The Company has also updated its investor presentation and can be viewed here.
Idaho Team Growing
As Perpetua Resources moves its corporate headquarters to Idaho, it is also growing its team. Jessica Largent has joined the team as Vice President of Investor Relations and Finance. Ms. Largent has held finance leadership roles at Newmont, Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto and brings more than 15 years of mining industry experience in investor relations, planning, financial reporting and accounting to Perpetua Resources.
“This is a really exciting time for Perpetua Resources as we advance through the final permitting stages following a decade’s worth of study work and regulatory review. With a strong team, a critical minerals project and a commitment to mining responsibly, the company has all the right ingredients for long-term value creation,” said Largent.
Largent comes to Perpetua Resources after serving as the Vice President of Investor Relations for Newmont, a gold mining company with operations in North America, South America, Australia and Africa. Largent will be responsible for the strategy and leadership of the Company’s investor relations and finance efforts, drawing on her extensive relationships and years of finance experience.
The Company has also promoted long-time Idaho employee Tanya Nelson from Human Resources Manager and Corporate Secretary to the Midas Gold Idaho, Inc board to Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Secretary of Perpetua Resources. Ms. Nelson has worked for the Company since 2012 and throughout that time has taken on more responsibility as the team has grown. Having more than 15 years of experience in accounting and human resources, Ms. Nelson is also an Idaho native and has lived in Valley County, where the Project is located, since 1998.
“I am passionate about working to provide job opportunities for rural Idaho and giving people the chance to come back home and start careers that will allow them to support their families,” said Nelson. “The people at Perpetua Resources are the strength of this Company and bring our corporate values to life through their actions. Our team cares about the Project but more importantly they care about Idaho, our neighbors and each other. I look forward to continuing to develop the talent that already exists on our team and recruiting the next generation of our workforce to help us bring our project from permitting to operations.”
About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project
Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Antimony is a federally designated critical mineral for its use in the national defense, aerospace and technology sectors. In addition to the company’s commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including the expected dates on which trading is expected to commence on the Nasdaq and TSX; and the anticipated benefits of the Project and the Nasdaq listing. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “complete”, “expected” “ensure”, and “potential”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Perpetua Resources has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the permitting process; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the United States Forest Service, State of Idaho and other stated, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Perpetua Resources’ public disclosure record. Although Perpetua Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Perpetua Resources and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Perpetua Resources does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
MIDAS GOLD FILES TECHNICAL REPORT FOR STIBNITE GOLD PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SEDAR
BOISE, IDAHO – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX, MDRPF:OTCQX) today announced that it has filed an independent technical report on SEDAR in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) that details the results of the recent feasibility study on the company’s Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho (the “Technical Report”).
Minor changes were made to the economic model in the process of finalizing the Technical Report that resulted in slightly lower initial capital costs and similar overall economic indicators relative to the estimates included in the December 22, 2020 news release. The fundamental results of the economic analyses remain unchanged.
To view and download the Technical Report titled “Stibnite Gold Project Feasibility Study Technical Report” dated January 27, 2021, please visit www.sedar.com. The Technical Report will also be available on the Company’s website at www.midasgoldcorp.com.
Qualified Persons
The Technical Report was compiled by M3 Engineering & Technology Corp. (“M3”) under the direction of independent qualified persons (as defined under NI 43-101) (“QPs” or “Qualified Persons”) and in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The QPs responsible for the Technical Report include: Richard Zimmerman, SME-RM (onsite and offsite infrastructure, cost estimating and financial modeling) and Art Ibrado, P.E. (mineral processing) with M3; Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. (mineral resources) with Kirkham Geosystems Ltd.; Christopher Martin, C.Eng. (metallurgy) with Blue Coast Metallurgy Ltd.; Grenvil Dunn, C.Eng. (hydrometallurgy) with Hydromet WA (Pty) Ltd.; Chris Roos, P.E. (mineral reserves) and Scott Rosenthal P.E. (mine planning) with Value Consulting, Inc.; and Peter Kowalewski, P.E. (tailings storage facility and closure) with Tierra Group International, Ltd.
The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Austin Zinsser, SME-RM, Sr. Resource Geologist for Midas Gold Idaho, Inc., and a Qualified Person.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
MIDAS GOLD COMPLETES SHARE CONSOLIDATION IN CONNECTION WITH NASDAQ LISTING APPLICATION
BOISE, IDAHO – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX, MDRPF:OTCQX) announces that the Company has consolidated its common shares on the basis of one (1) new post-consolidation common share for every ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares effective as of January 27, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) in connection with the Company’s previously announced application to list its common shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The share consolidation was necessary to meet the minimum share price requirements for trading on the Nasdaq.
“We are excited to announce the completion of our share consolidation today in connection with our application to list on the Nasdaq,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Midas Gold Corp. “We believe the Nasdaq listing will enable us to attract a broader range of shareholders, gain increased liquidity and deliver long-term value to investors.”
The Company’s common shares will continue to be traded on the TSX under the stock symbol “MAX” after the Effective Date. The common shares are scheduled to begin trading on a post-consolidation basis on or about January 29, 2021 under the new CUSIP/ISIN numbers 59562B507/CA59562B5071. A letter of transmittal will be mailed to all registered shareholders with instructions on how to exchange their existing share certificates for new share certificates. A copy of the letter of transmittal is also available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR and has also been posted on the Company’s website. Shareholders who hold their common shares through a securities broker, dealer, bank or other financial institution are not required to take any action with respect to the consolidation and should contact that intermediary for their post-consolidation positions.
For a period of 20 days following the completion of the Effective Date, the Company’s trading symbol on the OTCQX will temporarily be changed to MDRPD, following which it will automatically revert to MDRPF.
Following the consolidation, the Company has a total of 47,522,706 common shares issued and outstanding. The exercise price or conversion price, as applicable, of the Company’s common shares issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options, warrants and convertible notes will be proportionately adjusted. No fractional common shares will be issued; all fraction shares equal to or greater than one-half resulting from the consolidation will be rounded to the next whole number. Otherwise, such fractional share will be cancelled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the consolidation may be found here https://midasgoldidaho.com/news/consolidation or, for further information about Midas Gold Corp., please contact:
(e): info@midasgoldcorp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/midasgoldidahoTwitter: @MidasIdaho
Website: www.midasgoldcorp.com
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
MIDAS GOLD REACHES AGREEMENT TO BEGIN ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION AT ABANDONED MINE SITE AND ANNOUNCES RELOCATION TO UNITED STATES
Agreement Signed with Federal Agencies to Improve Water Quality at Stibnite
Midas Gold Moves Headquarters to Idaho and Intends to Redomicile to United States
Nasdaq Listing Application Submitted and Related Share Consolidation Approved
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) today announced, after three years of extensive discussions, federal agencies have authorized and directed the Company to perform agreed immediate clean up actions to address contaminated legacy conditions within Idaho’s abandoned Stibnite mining district that are negatively impacting water quality. While Midas Gold did not cause the legacy environmental problems at Stibnite, the recently signed agreement points to the need for timely environmental action and is a testament to the Company’s willingness to take part in environmental restoration. The Agreement (as defined below) is necessary to allow the Company to voluntarily address environmental conditions at the abandoned mine site without inheriting the liability of the conditions left behind by past operators. As such, the Company may now provide the early clean up actions deemed necessary by the federal government to improve water quality. Should the Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”) move forward with proposed mining and restoration activities, this Agreement will also allow for comprehensive site cleanup by directing the Company to address legacy features including millions of tons of legacy mine tailings that fall outside of the Project footprint and would otherwise not be addressed. With the Agreement in place, Midas Gold is now moving forward with plans to relocate its corporate headquarters from British Columbia, Canada to Boise, Idaho and intends to redomicile the Company to the United States. Midas Gold has also approved a share consolidation in connection with a planned U.S. listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”).
Agreement Reached to Address Legacy Water Quality
Through an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (“ASAOC” or the “Agreement”) signed on January 15, 2021 by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and U.S. Forest Service, with concurrence by the U.S. Department of Justice, Midas Gold has been instructed to clean up certain contaminated conditions within the Stibnite mining district in Idaho. The sources of contamination to be addressed by the Agreement are decades old and largely stem from tungsten and antimony mining during World War II and the Korean War, long before Midas Gold started planning for redevelopment of the site.
The cleanup Agreement was entered into under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and is the result of almost three years of discussion with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA also lead discussions with U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Forest Service, State of Idaho and two Idaho tribes. Before finalizing the agreement, the EPA also conducted government-to-government consultation with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Nez Perce Tribe.
“For decades, ground and surface water at Stibnite have suffered from elevated levels of arsenic and antimony,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Midas Gold Corp. and Midas Gold Idaho. “Yet, because the problems stem from historic mining activity, there are no responsible parties left to address the issues at hand. While we did not cause the problems impacting water quality today, we have always been clear on our intentions to be a part of the solution. We know redevelopment of the Stibnite Mining District for mining activity must include restoration of legacy features. So, when we saw the need to address sources of water contamination more quickly at Stibnite, we knew we had to offer our help.”
Importantly, the Agreement does not change the permitting process or anticipated permitting schedule for the Stibnite Gold Project through the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), nor does it alter any potential CERCLA liability or CERLCA defenses for Midas Gold or federal entities should the Stibnite Gold Project be fully permitted and move into operations. The Agreement only allows for specified EPA directed cleanup actions to occur.
“Today’s agreement develops a clear pathway for comprehensive cleanup activity at a long abandoned mine site and marks an important opportunity for meaningful water quality improvement at Stibnite,” said John C. Cruden, outside counsel for Midas Gold and former Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division in the Department of Justice in President Obama’s Administration.
The Agreement comes with a determination by federal regulators that due to historical activity, site conditions presently constitute an “actual or threatened release of hazardous substances” and that time critical removal actions are necessary to protect human health and welfare and the environment. In order to provide investment and cleanup the legacy environmental hazards and waste left behind at Stibnite, Midas Gold reached an agreement with federal agencies under CERCLA to define the cleanup work the Company will conduct and to clarify how to protect the Company from inheriting the environmental liability of past actors who abandoned the site. This situation is not unique to Midas Gold but one that has stalled cleanup work at abandoned mine sites across the country. This Agreement may well provide an example for cleaning up abandoned mining sites elsewhere in the nation.
“Water quality in the Stibnite Mining District has been a known problem for decades. As the closest community to the site, I can tell you that cleanup is long overdue,” said Willie Sullivan, Yellow Pine Resident and board member of the Yellow Pine Water Users Association. “This agreement between the EPA and Midas Gold is the first meaningful step toward real improvements in water quality conditions for the East Fork South Fork Salmon River and downstream communities like Yellow Pine. We have seen Midas Gold’s commitment to doing business the right way and their willingness to help with clean up now tells me they are the right partner for this effort.”
The ASAOC consists of three primary phases. The first phase of the Agreement is designed to significantly improve water quality over the next four years. It includes several CERCLA “time critical removal actions” consisting of water diversion projects designed to move water so it may avoid contaminated areas of the site, and removal of over at least 325,000 tons of historical mine waste from problematic locations that are currently affecting water quality. In addition, Midas Gold has agreed to conduct a full biological assessment, Clean Water Act evaluation, and a cultural resource survey. To ensure all that important work will be done, Midas Gold is providing US$7.5 million in financial assurance for Phase 1 projects.
Phases 2 and 3 of the ASAOC would move forward if the Stibnite Gold Project receives permission to proceed with mining under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) and would provide the opportunity for comprehensive and site-wide cleanup of legacy features and waste by including permission to address legacy areas that are not included in the restoration activities proposed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
“As Idahoans, we care deeply about our home state and we are committed to partnerships that improve our water and lands,” said Sayer. “Our vision for Stibnite has always been that responsible industry could be a part of the solution to improve water quality and habitat at the long-abandoned site. Along with the desire and resources to help, we have needed permission to act. This Agreement provides the green light to finally see improvements in Idaho’s water quality at Stibnite and is one more opportunity for us to put our commitment to restoring the site into action.”
To read more on this Agreement additional information may be found here: www.MidasGoldIdaho.com/news/asaoc/
Idaho Headquarters & Redomicile
In conjunction with the signing of the Agreement, Midas Gold is relocating its corporate head office from Vancouver, Canada to Boise, Idaho, effective January 31, 2021. Additionally, Midas Gold has formally engaged legal and tax advisers to explore the feasibility of redomiciling to the United States. The intention to redomicile, which will be subject to determining an acceptable transaction structure, is in line with Midas Gold’s stated strategy of becoming a U.S.-based producer of critical minerals committed to the restoration and redevelopment of the Stibnite Gold Project. Midas Gold will provide updates on this process as necessary going forward.
“Idaho is our home,” said Sayer. “Our Project, our people and our work are focused here in Idaho and the move reconfirms our commitment to seeing the Project come to fruition.”
Share Consolidation and Nasdaq Listing
In conjunction with the relocation of its head office and its goal of becoming a U.S.-based producer of critical minerals, Midas Gold has submitted an application to list its common shares on the Nasdaq, and the listing of the common shares will be subject to fulfilling Nasdaq’s initial listing conditions. In order to meet Nasdaq minimum share trading price, Midas Gold’s Board of Directors also approved a 10-for-1 share consolidation, which is a necessary condition for the Company to meet Nasdaq’s listing conditions. Completion of the consolidation is subject to Toronto Stock Exchange approval and the timing will be governed by applicable regulatory and transfer agent requirements.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including the benefits and effects of the ASAOC and the actions to be undertaken pursuant thereto; the relocation of Midas Gold’s headquarters to Idaho; and the Company’s intentions with respect to the consolidation of its common shares, the application for listing of its common shares on NASDAQ and the exploration of the feasibility of redomiciling to the United States.. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “explore”, “feasibility”, “intends”, “complete”, “comprehensive”, “defensible”, “ensure”, “potential” and “robust”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the actions and other matters as set out in the ASAOC proceed as expected; that regulatory approval of the share consolidation and the Nasdaq listing application will be received in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; that the relocation of the Company’s corporate headquarters will proceed as expected without unanticipated delays; that an acceptable transaction structure consistent with the Company’s stated strategy will be available in respect the proposed redomiciling to the United States; and that all requisite information will be available and requisite actions will be taken in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Midas Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to opposition to the Project including litigation involving the Nez Perce Tribe; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to delays in receiving requisite regulatory approvals (or not receiving such approvals at all); risks related to a suitable transaction structure not being available and the Company being unable to redomicile to the United States; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Midas Gold’s public disclosure record. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Midas Gold Completes Positive Feasibility Study for the Stibnite Gold Project, Idaho
Over US $1 Billion Investment Set to Restore Brownfields Site, Implement State-of-the-Art Modern Mining Methods, Employ Hundreds of People and Recover nearly 120 Million Pounds of Antimony, a Critical Mineral
Expected Annual Average Gold Production of 466 thousand ounces at
All-in Sustaining Costs of US$427/oz during the First 4 Years of Operation
At US$1,850/oz gold, Robust Project Economics Yield NPV (5%) of US$1.9 Billionand
Average Annual Free Cash Flow of US$594 million in the First 4 Years of Operation
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) announced today the results of an independent Feasibility Study (the “FS” or “Feasibility Study”) and technical report (the “Report”) completed on its Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”) in Idaho. The Project, as envisioned in the FS, would become one of the largest and highest-grade open pit gold mines in the United States and the country’s only primary producer of antimony, a critical and strategic mineral(1). The FS builds upon Midas Gold’s Plan of Restoration and Operations (“PRO”), identifying a suite of operational improvements and environmental refinements to achieve the Company’s key objective for the financially viable restoration and brownfields development of the Stibnite mining district.
“The Feasibility Study represents a major milestone for Midas Gold as we continue to advance the Stibnite Gold Project,” said Laurel Sayer, President and CEO of Midas Gold Corp. “The positive results demonstrate that our vision to combine economic development with environmental restoration of a brownfield site is technically, financially and environmentally feasible. Each step of the way, our approach to responsible, restorative, modern mining in Idaho has been reconfirmed. We are now one step closer to seeing the river and water quality improved, 550 direct jobs for Idahoans and production of the critical mineral, antimony.”
“The results of the Feasibility Study highlight the attractive economics of the Stibnite Gold Project,” said Marcelo Kim, Chairman of Midas Gold Corp. “The Project’s exceptional grade and low strip ratio place this project in the lowest quartile of the industry cost curve and coupled with its large mineral reserve and manageable capital expenditure profile, make the Stibnite Gold Project one of the gold industry’s most attractive development projects. The Project’s economics are resilient at lower metal prices and also exhibit significant leverage to rising prices. Despite the recent strength in its share price, Midas Gold represents one of the most undervalued gold investment opportunities in North America. At current market prices, Midas trades at a fully diluted market capitalization of $551 million, or 29% of the Project’s NPV 5% of $1.9 billion at spot gold prices. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue de-risking and advancing the Stibnite Project for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
The Stibnite Gold Project economics, as contemplated in the FS, are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: Stibnite Gold Project – Feasibility Study Highlights(3)(6)
For readers to fully understand the information in this News Release, they should read the Report (to be available on www.SEDAR.com, www.sec.gov or at www.midasgoldcorp.com within 45 days of December 22, 2020) in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the information set out in this news release that qualifies the technical information contained in the Report. The Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The technical information in this news release is subject to the assumptions and qualifications contained in the Report.
The FS affirms that the Project can address legacy impacts left behind by previous mining operators including the recovery, reprocessing and safe storage of historical tailings, restoration of fish passage, stream restoration, and reforestation. The FS verifies a positive local economic benefit to Idaho communities bringing more than $1 billion in initial capital investment, approximately 550 direct jobs during operations, and hundreds of indirect and induced jobs, while generating significant taxes and other benefits to the local, state and national economies. Key studies and operational refinements incorporated into the FS include:
Updated geological models and mineral resource estimates based on new drilling;
Optimization of pit geometries and mine sequencing to reduce project footprint, minimize water management requirements, eliminate the Fiddle development rock storage facility, and reduce the size of the Hangar Flats pit while allowing for its complete backfilling;
A strategy for stockpiling low-grade ore supporting an extended operating life and lower strip ratio;
Process flowsheet optimizations to enhance metallurgical recoveries and improve environmental outcomes;
Addition of an onsite lime plant to reduce ore processing operating costs and mine access road traffic impacts;
Development of comprehensive water management and water treatment plans including placement of covers on development rock storage facility; and,
Incorporation of an access road through site for public use.
Several of these refinements were incorporated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“DEIS”) released by the US Forest Service in August 2020.
Conference Call and Webcast
Midas Gold will be hosting a conference call and webcast to discuss the FS December 22, 2020 at 4:30 PM (EST).
Project Background and Design Principles
Since inception, Midas Gold’s vision for the Stibnite Mining District (the “District”) has been to use modern mining to redevelop an abandoned, brownfield mine site, provide long-term employment and business opportunities for a rural area in Idaho, funded by an economically viable project. Restoration goals were established early on to address environmental impacts from over 100 years of historical mining activities and return the site to a fully functioning, self-sustaining ecosystem with improved water quality and habitat capable of supporting enhanced populations of fish, wildlife and flora. In addition to gold, the District also contains significant Mineral Reserves of antimony, which is on the U.S. Department of Interior’s final list of 35 critical minerals.
Midas Gold submitted its PRO to regulators in September 2016. The plan laid out in the PRO was founded on Midas Gold’s core values of safety, environment, community involvement, transparency, accountability, integrity and performance. Since filing the PRO, Midas Gold has continued to advance the Project along two parallel paths: additional design and engineering studies in support of the FS; and further environmental modeling and analysis in support of Project permitting. The Project envisioned in the FS achieves Midas Gold’s vision of unifying environmental protection and restoration with modern mining operations in an economically attractive project.
Feasibility Study Summary
The FS was compiled by M3 Engineering & Technology Corp. (“M3”) which was engaged by Midas Gold, through its subsidiary Midas Gold Idaho, Inc. (“MGII”), to evaluate the development of the Stibnite Gold Project based on information available up to the date of the FS. The FS was prepared under the direction of Independent Qualified Persons (“QPs”) and in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NI 43-101”) standards for reporting mineral properties. Additional details of responsibilities are provided at the end of this news release and in the Report to be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of December 22, 2020. The FS supersedes and replaces the technical report entitled “Amended Preliminary Feasibility Study Technical Report for the Stibnite Gold Project, Idaho” prepared by M3 and dated March 28, 2019 and that report should no longer be relied upon. Mineral Resource Statements in the FS supersede and replace the Mineral Resources disclosed publicly on February 15, 2018, which should no longer be relied upon.
Project Introduction and Concept
The Stibnite Mining District is located in central Idaho, USA approximately 100 miles (mi) northeast of Boise, Idaho, 38 mi east of McCall, Idaho, and approximately 10 mi east of Yellow Pine, Idaho. The Project detailed in the FS consists of mining the Yellow Pine, Hangar Flats and West End deposits using conventional open pit methods, conventional processing methods to extract gold, silver and antimony, and on-site production of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) doré and an antimony (Sb) concentrate. The Project also incorporates extensive reclamation and restoration of historical impacts to the site including: the recovery and reprocessing of Historical Tailings, restoration of fish passage during and after operations, relocation of historical mining wastes to engineered storage facilities, stream restoration, and reforestation. Midas Gold’s plans for restoration and decommissioning the site include progressive and concurrent remediation, reclamation and restoration, beginning at the start of construction and continuing through operations and Project closure.
Geology, Exploration and Drilling
Mineralization and alteration in the District are associated with multiple hydrothermal alteration events occurring through the Paleocene and early Eocene epochs. Main-stage gold mineralization and associated potassic alteration typically occurs in structurally prepared zones in association with very fine grained disseminated arsenical pyrite and, to a lesser extent, arsenopyrite, with gold almost exclusively in solid solution in these minerals. Antimony mineralization occurs primarily associated with the mineral stibnite. Additional gold mineralization in the Stibnite roof pendant is associated with epithermal quartz-adularia-carbonate veins.
The District has been the subject of exploration and production activities for nearly 100 years, yet much of the area remains poorly explored due to its remote location, low level of outcrop and extensive glacial cover in valley bottoms. Midas Gold has completed extensive exploration work over the last decade that has included: geophysics; rock, soil and stream sampling and analysis; geologic mapping; mineralogical and metallurgical studies; and drilling. This newer data has been integrated with datasets from previous operators and provides a comprehensive toolkit for future exploration. These efforts have led to the identification of over 75 prospects with varying levels of target support.
Exploration targets include conceptual geophysical targets, geochemical targets from soil, rock and trench samples, and results from widely spaced drill holes; as a result, the potential size and tenor of the targets are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define mineral resources on these prospects and this data may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
The focus of Midas Gold drilling, and the related permitting process, has been on the three main deposits. The District has been drilled by numerous operators, totaling 793,769 ft in 2,723 drill holes, of which Midas Gold drilled 637 holes totaling over 344,465 ft since 2009. Pre-Midas Gold drilling was undertaken by a wide variety of methods and operators while Midas Gold employed a variety of drilling methods including core, reverse circulation, auger, and sonic throughout the District, but with the primary method being core. Midas Gold undertook an extensive vetting process, supported by its own drilling, to determine which Pre-Midas Gold data was suitable for use in the FS.
Mineral Processing and Flowsheet Development
Gold in all three deposits is hosted in pyrite and arsenopyrite minerals and is predominantly refractory to direct cyanidation; however, discrete free gold is present in oxidized portions of the West End Deposit. Antimony in the Yellow Pine and Hangar Flats Deposits occurs almost entirely as stibnite and is typically coarse-grained when occurring at head grades above 0.1% antimony. Stibnite becomes sufficiently liberated for recovery via selective antimony flotation.
Flotation and pressure oxidation (“POX”) pilot plant testing demonstrated successful sulfide concentrate production and gold liberation. The POX pilot study was completed using in-situ acid neutralization (ISAN), which involves adding ground limestone to the POX feed to control free acid and sulfate concentrations to limit the formation of jarosites and basic iron sulfates. The ISAN process was shown to produce environmentally stable arsenic compounds while inhibiting encapsulation of gold particles prior to gold extraction.
Mineral Resources
The Mineral Resource estimates for the Project were estimated in conformity with generally accepted Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (“CIM”) “Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines” as adopted by CIM Council November 29, 2019 and are reported in accordance with NI43‑101 requirements. The Mineral Resource estimates for each of the Hangar Flats, West End and Yellow Pine deposits, and the Historical Tailings, were prepared using commercial mine-modeling and geostatistical software, take into account relevant modifying factors, and have been verified by an Independent QP. The consolidated Mineral Resource statement for the Project in metric tonnes (t) is shown in Table 2 based on a gold selling price of US$1,250/troy ounce.
Table 2 : Stibnite Gold Project Consolidated Mineral Resource Statement
It is the opinion of the Independent QP responsible for the Mineral Resource estimates that the data used for estimating the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the Hangar Flats, West End, Yellow Pine and Historical Tailings deposits herein is adequate for this purpose and may be relied upon to report the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves contained in this Report.
Mineral Reserves
The Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Project were estimated in conformity with generally accepted CIM “Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines” and are reported in accordance with NI43‑101. The general mine planning sequence to produce the Project Mineral Reserves estimate and associated mill feed schedule consisted of an ultimate pit limit analysis, pit shell selection, ultimate pit designs, internal pit phase design, mining sequence schedule, and mill feed optimization. The pit limit analysis was performed on gold recovery only, to ensure the ultimate pit geometries would not be dependent on silver or antimony value. Mining costs used for the pit limit analysis are based on a first principles cost buildup for equipment requirements, labor estimates, and consumables price quotes. Selection of the optimal pit shells for each deposit was based on discounted cash flow analysis. For Yellow Pine and West End, the incremental change in discounted pit value (“NPV”) and strip ratio between potentially optimal pit shells is gradual, and pit shells representing gold selling prices of $1,250/oz and $1,300/oz respectively were selected. For Hangar Flats, the pit limit analysis suggested selecting the $1,150/oz pit shell but, due to additional technical and environmental considerations, the $750/oz pit shell was ultimately selected for mineral reserve estimation.
The ultimate pit designs were based on the selected pit shells, design parameters for 150-ton haul trucks, geotechnical design criteria, and additional mine sequencing and haulage considerations. Cut-off determination utilized a Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) methodology to account for varying ore types and separate process streams with unique process costs. The cut-off strategy applies elevated cut-off values to ensure the highest-grade ore available in the mine plan is processed preferentially and lower grade ore is stored in ore stockpiles for processing later in the Project life.
Cut-off grades for Mineral Reserves were developed assuming long term metal prices of $1,600/oz gold, $20.00/oz silver, and $3.50/lb antimony for material lying within the pit designs based on the pit shells selected above ($1,250, $750 and $1,300/oz Au for Yellow Pine, Hangar Flats and West End, respectively). This results in a Life-of-Mine (“LOM”) average gold cut-off grade for the Mineral Reserves of 0.48 g/t for open-pit mining. The Mineral Reserves are summarized in Table 3 .
Table 3: Stibnite Gold Project Consolidated Mineral Reserve Summary
Production Schedule
The mine plan developed for the Project incorporates the mining of the three in situ deposits: Yellow Pine, Hangar Flats, and West End and their related development rock; and the re-mining of Historical Tailings along with its cap of spent heap leach ore. The general sequence of open pit mining would be Yellow Pine deposit first, Hangar Flats deposit second, and West End deposit last, as shown on Figure 1 . This sequence generally progresses from mining highest value ore to lowest value ore and accommodates the sequential backfilling the Yellow Pine and Hangar Flats open pits with material mined from West End open pit. Lower grade ore extracted during mining of the three pits is stockpiled and then processed during the operating life of the mill. The spent ore that overlies the Historical Tailings would be used as tailings storage facility (“TSF”) construction material. Most development rock would be sent to one of five destinations: the TSF embankment, the TSF buttress, the Yellow Pine pit as backfill, the Hangar Flats pit as backfill, or the Midnight area within the West End pit as backfill. The Historical Tailings would be hydraulically transferred to the process plant during the first four years of operation, concurrent with mining ore from the Yellow Pine open pit.
Figure 1: Mill Feed and Gold Head Grade by Deposit and Year
Long-term lower-grade ore stockpiles have been incorporated into the FS mine plan located for the most part within the footprint of the TSF buttress, thereby minimizing their incremental disturbance. The primary benefits to adding ore stockpile capacity is increased potential to optimize process ore feed value throughout the mine life, improved utilization of the mineral resource, reduced peak water treatment needs, reduced development rock tonnage and associated mining impacted water management. A summary of the mining statistics by ore type is provided in Table 4.
Table 4: Life-of-Mine Mining Statistics
Ore Processing
The Project’s ore process plant has been designed to process sulfide, transition and oxide material from the Yellow Pine, Hangar Flats, and West End deposits, as well as Historical Tailings. The processing facility is designed to treat an average of 20,000 t/d. The Historical Tailings would be reprocessed early in the mine life to recover precious metals and antimony, and to provide space for the TSF embankment and buttress.
The process operations include the following components: crushing, grinding, pyrite and stibnite flotation, lime and oxygen plants, pressure oxidation, oxidized concentrate neutralization, carbon in leach, carbon handling, gold refinement, tailings detoxification, and process control systems. The two finished products from the Stibnite Gold Project ore processing facility will be gold/silver bars, known as doré; and filtered antimony‐silver concentrate.
Infrastructure
Support infrastructure for the Project includes onsite and offsite facilities, access road improvements and upgrades to electrical infrastructure. Onsite facilities at Stibnite would include a comprehensive water management system including mine-impacted water treatment, stormwater management, water supply, and sediment control; electrical substation; onsite roads, parking and laydown areas; firefighting support facilities, security and fencing; sanitary and solid waste handling facilities; offices, truck and maintenance shop; warehouses; communication facilities; borrow sources; and solar and diesel or propane power supply systems. A new worker housing facility would be constructed approximately two miles south of the ore processing plant area to provide accommodations for the operations workforce. Incremental accommodations for the construction workforce would be addressed with leased accommodations and use of the existing on-site worker housing facility.<
Access to the Site via the Burntlog Route was selected over several other possible alternatives because it provides safer year-round access for mining operations, reduces the proximity of roads to major fish-bearing streams, and respects the advice and privacy of community members along other possible routes close to the Project location. The route originates from the intersection of Highway 55 and Warm Lake Road and would be approximately 71 miles long. The route consists of 34 miles of existing highway (Warm Lake Road), 23 miles of upgraded road, and 14 miles of new road. The 37 miles of new and upgraded road would have a design speed of 20 mph, max 10% grade, a 21‑foot width and intermediate-sized tractor trailer loading criteria. Midas Gold would provide buses and vans as the primary means of employee and contractor transportation to the site, reducing the risks and effects of Project-related traffic. A through-site public access route would replace the current access through the site during mine operations.
Offsite administrative offices, transportation hub, warehousing and assay laboratory needed for the Project, referred to as Stibnite Gold Logistics Facility, would be located on private land in Valley County, with easy access to State Highway 55.
Grid power was selected as the best electrical power supply for the Project based on its low operating cost, low electricity prices, and Idaho Power Company’s existing clean energy portfolio. The upgrades required to provide the 50- to 60-megawatt capacity to the Site include an increased 230/138 kV transformer capacity; approximately 41.3 miles of 69 kV lines upgraded to 138 kV; approximately 21.0 miles of 12.5 kV line upgraded to 138 kV line; and approximately 9.2 miles of new 138 kV line; and upgraded substations.
Tailings and Water Management
The Tailings Storage Facility (“TSF”) would consist of a rockfill embankment raised using the downstream method, a buttress built mostly of development rock sourced from the open pits, a fully lined impoundment utilizing a composite liner system, and related water management features. The facility is designed to contain approximately 109 million tonnes of tailings solids. The addition of the buttress downstream of the embankment substantially increases the geotechnical safety factor to approximately double that required by Idaho regulations.
The Project water management system would protect or improve water quality in Project-area streams by diverting clean water around mine facilities and collecting, reusing, evaporating, or treating and discharging mining impacted water. Major clean water diversions include the EFSFSR tunnel and fishway at Yellow Pine pit, Meadow Creek at Hangar Flats pit, and Meadow Creek at the TSF and buttress.
Meteoric and tailings consolidation water would be reclaimed from the TSF and would supply the majority of the water needed for ore processing. Additional water needs would be supplied from: pit dewatering, reuse of stored contact water, groundwater wells, and a surface intake near the upstream portal of the EFSFSR diversion tunnel. Seasonal excess contact water and dewatering water would be treated to meet water quality standards before discharge to surface water.
Capital Costs
Initial, sustaining and closure capital costs (“CAPEX”) were estimated based on Q3, 2020, un-escalated US dollars and are summarized in Table 5 below. Vendor quotes were obtained for all major equipment. Some of the costs were developed from first principles, while some were estimated based on factored references and experience with similar projects. Reclamation financial assurance costs are not included in the capital costs.
Table 5: Capital Cost Summary
Operating Costs
Operating cost estimates (“OPEX”) were developed based on Q3 2020, un-escalated US dollars and are summarized in Table 6 below. The All-In Sustaining Costs (“AISC”) are also provided, as well as the All-In Costs (“AIC”), which include non-sustaining capital and closure and reclamation costs.
Table 6: Operating Cost, AISC and AIC Summary
Metal Production
Recovered metal production by deposit and product type is summarized in Table 7 .
Table 7: Recovered Metal Production
Economic Analysis
The economic analysis completed for this FS assumed that gold and silver production in the form of doré with appropriate deductions for payabilities, refining and transport charges. The gold prices selected for the five economic cases in this Report vary from $1,350/oz to $2,350/oz. The Base Case $1,600/oz gold price was derived from the weighted average of the 3-year trailing gold price (60%) and the 2-year gold futures price (40%); this calculation was completed in July 2020. Silver prices were set at a gold:silver ratio ($/oz:$/oz) of 80:1 for the base case then the silver price was varied by $4.00/oz Ag (versus $250/oz Au) for the other cases, which is approximately 60:1; the lower ratio for the delta was used to reflect the historically greater level of volatility of the silver market. Antimony prices were assumed to be constant at $3.50/lb for all cases based on a market study undertaken by an independent expert in antimony markets. The Project is subject to a 1.7% NSR Royalty on gold only; there is no royalty on silver or antimony.
here is no guarantee that any of the metal prices used in the five cases are representative of future metals prices. The financial assumptions used in the economic analyses for all cases are provided in Table 8 . The results of the pre- and after-tax economic analyses for all five metal price scenarios are provided in Table 9 .
Table 8: Financial Assumptions used in the Economic Analyses
Table 9: Pre- and After-Tax Economic Results by Case
The contribution to the Project economics, by metal, is approximately 96% from gold, 4% from antimony, and less than 1% from silver. The undiscounted after-tax cash flow for Case B is presented on Figure 2 . Summary information on mine production and process plant metallurgical recovery is appended at the end of this document.
Figure 2: Undiscounted After-Tax Cash Flow for Case B
Environmental Studies
An extensive dataset demonstrating historical and existing conditions exists for the Project site, including data collected by contractors for the US Forest Service (“USFS”) and US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the US Geological Survey (“USGS”), prior mine operators, and Midas Gold and its contractors.
Assessments by several Midas Gold and Federal agency contractors determined that there were no imminent threats to human health or the environment, but that there were a number of pre-existing significant and moderate recognized environmental conditions and overall water quality in all drainages was impaired due to naturally occurring mineralization and impacts associated with historical mining.
Permitting and Mitigation
Approval of the Project requires completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), which requires federal agencies to study and consider the probable environmental impacts of a proposed federal action before making a decision on that action. For the Project to proceed, there are multiple federal actions required as described in the Draft EIS (“DEIS”) for the Project which is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50516. In addition to federal permits, the Project requires multiple state and local permits, which also are described in the DEIS. The DEIS was issued by the USFS for public review in August 2020, and the public comment period concluded in October 2020. State and local permitting processes are integrated through the Idaho Joint Review Process (“IJRP”) in progress concurrent with preparation of the EIS, and include water discharge (“IPDES”), air quality, cyanidation, groundwater, water rights, dam safety, mine and reclamation, building permits, sewer and water systems, among others. Once the USFS completes revisions to the DEIS, a Final EIS will be issued which will support the Records of Decision to be issued by the federal authorities.
Refinements to the Project reflected in the FS present opportunities to reduce the Project footprint and improve environmental outcomes. These refinements are responsive to comments received from stakeholders before the DEIS was published, comments received during the comment period and Midas Gold’s own review of the environmental analysis. As such, the FS contemplates a Project that includes: contact water treatment; low-permeability cover on the TSF buttress; mine plan adjustments to reduce Project footprint; elimination of certain facilities; backfilling pits; and piping summer low flows to reduce stream temperatures.
While Project facilities and infrastructure would be located in areas of previous disturbance wherever practicable, in some cases disturbance of wetlands and streams would be unavoidable, therefore requiring compensatory mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Midas Gold is pursuing a comprehensive approach to wetland and stream compensatory mitigation that entails on-site enhancement and restoration of both streams and wetlands, banking, and off-site projects such as stream habitat enhancement and culvert replacement.
Community and Economic Impacts
The Project would create approximately 550 direct jobs in Idaho during the almost 15 years of operations and would result in at least a similar number of indirect and induced jobs while generating significant taxes and other benefits to the local, state and national economies.
Midas Gold has strived to develop a Project that respects and responds to the needs of all Project stakeholders. including local communities, tribal governments, and regional interests. In addition to board adoption of a formal Environmental Social and Governance commitment, Midas Gold has proactively implemented an iterative process of community engagement involving communicating with and listening to stakeholders through all aspects and phases of Project planning and design. These activities include interaction with potentially affected communities regarding potential Project economic impacts and opportunities, working with local communities to identify community needs and to plan for potential expansion of public services and infrastructure, engaging with tribal governments, and sponsoring and participating in community programs and educational events. Midas Gold’s commitments also include agreeing to community agreements to ensure communication, coordination and transparency throughout the life of the project and that financial benefits to local communities continue beyond the Project lifespan.
Closure and Restoration
Midas Gold has made considerable effort to design the Project with restoration in mind through the incorporation of specific mitigation and restoration components. The objective of this restoration work is to establish a sustainable fishery with enhanced habitat to support natural populations of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout; improve water quality; establish vegetation; and enhance wildlife habitat, all contributing to a self‐sustaining and productive ecosystem.
Significant components of reclamation and restoration occur concurrently with operations, including: removing and reprocessing and/or reusing historical tailings, development rock and spent ore; enhancing existing streams; improving water quality; backfilling and reclaiming the Hangar Flats and Yellow Pine pits; stream restoration; and establishing permanent fish passage to the headwaters of the EFSFSR. The remaining closure activities occur in the first 10 years after operations cease: further improvements to water quality; restoring additional streams, wetlands, and riparian habitat throughout the site; decommissioning onsite infrastructure and facilities; replacing growth media; re-contouring artificial landforms to blend into the landscape; and replanting Project and historical disturbance areas. Closure maintenance, water treatment, and long-term monitoring are anticipated to continue longer to protect water quality gains and ensure that closure features are performing as intended. Figure 3 depicts the proposed restoration of the EFSFSR through the backfilled Yellow Pine Pit.
Figure 3: Proposed Post Closure Isometric View of Yellow Pine Pit Area
Project Risks and Opportunities
A number of risks and opportunities have been identified with respect to the Project; aside from industry-wide risks and opportunities (such as changes in capital and operating costs related to inputs like steel and fuel, metal prices, permitting timelines, etc.), high impact Project specific risks and opportunities are summarized below.
Risks, which additional information could eliminate or mitigate:
Delay in permitting or necessary Project changes resulting from permitting;
Legal challenges to ROD, other federal, state or local permit decisions;
Environmental complications associated with legacy mining impacts;
Water management and chemistry that could affect diversion and closure designs and/or the duration of long-term water treatment;
Increases to estimated capital and operating costs; and
Construction schedule.
Opportunities that could improve the economics, and/or permitting schedule of the Project, including a number with potential to increase the NPV by more than $100 million follow:
In-pit conversion of approximately 9.8 Mt of Inferred Mineral Resources grading 1.02 g/t Au occurring within the Mineral Reserve Pits containing approximately 321 koz of gold, to Mineral Reserves, increasing Mineral Reserves and reducing the strip ratio;
Out-of-pit conversion of approximately 26.2 Mt of Inferred Mineral Resources grading 1.09 g/t Au occurring outside the current Mineral Reserve Pits containing approximately 917 koz of gold, to Mineral Reserves;
Out-of-pit conversion of approximately 27.1 Mt of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources grading 1.26 g/t occurring outside the current Mineral Reserve Pits containing approximately 1,098 koz of gold, to Mineral Reserves;
In-pit conversion of unclassified material currently treated as development rock to Mineral Reserves, increasing Mineral Reserves and reducing strip ratios;
Definition of additional Mineral Reserves within the West End deposit through infill and resource definition drilling;
Potential for the definition of higher grade, higher margin underground Mineral Reserves at Scout, Garnet or Hangar Flats; and,
Discovery of other new deposits with attractive operating margins.
Mineral resources exclusive of mineral reserves are reported based on a fixed gold cut-off grade of 0.45 g/t for sulfide and 0.40 g/t for oxide, and in relation to conceptual Mineral Resource pit shells and Mineral Reserve pits to demonstrate potential economic viability as required under NI43-101. Indicated mineral resources exclusive of mineral reserves are reported to demonstrate potential for future expansion should economic conditions warrant. Inferred mineral resources exclusive of mineral reserves are reported to demonstrate potential to increase in-pit production should inferred mineral resources be successfully converted to mineral reserves; mineralization lying outside of Mineral Resource pit shells is not reported as a mineral resource. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. These mineral resource estimates include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. It is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated.
Opportunities with a medium impact ($10 to $100 million increase in Project NPV) include improved metallurgical recoveries, secondary processing of antimony concentrates, steeper pit slopes, and government funding of off-site infrastructure. A number of lesser impact opportunities also exist.
Qualified Persons
The FS was compiled by M3 under the direction of Independent QPs and in compliance with NI 43-101 standards for reporting mineral properties, Companion Policy 43-101CP, and Form 43-101F1. Independent QPs for the study include: Richard Zimmerman, SME-RM (onsite and offsite infrastructure, cost estimating and financial modeling) and Art Ibrado, P.E. (mineral processing) with M3; Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. (mineral resources) with Kirkham Geosystems Ltd.; Christopher Martin, C.Eng. (metallurgy) with Blue Coast Metallurgy Ltd.; Grenvil Dunn, C.Eng. (hydrometallurgy) with Hydromet WA (Pty) Ltd.; Chris Roos, P.E. (mineral reserves) and Scott Rosenthal P.E. (mine planning) with Value Consulting, Inc.; and Peter Kowalewski, P.E. (tailings storage facility and closure) with Tierra Group International, Ltd.
The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Austin Zinsser, SME-RM, Sr. Resource Geologist for Midas Gold Idaho, Inc., and a Qualified Person. Mr. Zinsser is not responsible for statements attributed to officers and directors of Midas Gold Corp, or other non-technical information in this news release.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and development of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
For further information regarding this news release please contact:Liz Monger – Manager, Investor Relations
Phone: 778.724.4704
Email: info@midasgoldcorp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/midasgoldidaho
Twitter: @MidasIdaho
Website: www.midasgoldcorp.com
Forward-Looking Information:
Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and impact of future activities on the Project, including but not limited to the ability to address legacy features left by previous operators; the anticipated economic, environmental and other benefits of the Project; the viability of the Project; development and operating costs in the event that a production decision is made; success of exploration, development and environmental protection, closure and remediation activities; permitting time lines and requirements; requirements for additional capital; requirements for additional water rights and the potential effect of proposed notices of environmental conditions relating to mineral claims; risks and opportunities associated with the Project; planned exploration and development of properties and the results thereof; planned expenditures, production schedules and budgets and the execution thereof. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “reduce”, “feasible”, “vision”, “goals”, “improved”, “plans”, “future”, “prospects”, dependent”, “estimates”, “long-term”, “sequence”, “minimizing”, “needs”, “likely”, “readily”, “assumed”, “imminent”, “proposed”, “drives”, “opportunities”, “improve”, “contemplates”, “pursuing”, “strived”, “adoption”, “planning”, “estimation”, “potentially”, “potential”, “anticipated”, “schedule”, “additional”, “discovery”, “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “potential” or “does not anticipate”, “believes”, “contemplates”, “recommends” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Statements concerning mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates may also be deemed to constitute Forward-Looking Information to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that may be encountered if the Stibnite Gold Project is developed. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that any additional financing needed will be available on reasonable terms; the exchange rates for the U.S. and Canadian currencies will be consistent with the Company’s expectations; that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that the current price and demand for gold and antimony will be sustained or will improve; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner and that all necessary governmental approvals for the planned exploration, development and environmental protection activities on the Stibnite Gold Project will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions and operations; that the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, although evolving, will stabilize or at least no worsen; and the assumptions set out in the FS. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the industry-wide risks and project-specific risks identified in the FS and summarized above; risks related to the availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms and the expected use of proceeds; operations and contractual obligations; changes in exploration programs based upon results of exploration; changes in estimated mineral reserves or mineral resources; future prices of metals; availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment; failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry; environmental risks, including environmental matters under US federal and Idaho rules and regulations; impact of environmental remediation requirements and the terms of existing and potential consent decrees on the Company’s planned exploration and development activities on the Stibnite Gold Project; certainty of mineral title; community relations; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; fluctuations in mineral prices; the Company’s dependence on one mineral project; the nature of mineral exploration and mining and the uncertain commercial viability of certain mineral deposits; the Company’s lack of operating revenues; governmental regulations and the ability to obtain necessary licenses and permits; risks related to mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and other defects in title; currency fluctuations; changes in environmental laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may increase costs of doing business and restrict operations; risks related to dependence on key personnel; COVID-19 risks to employee health and safety and a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations in geographic locations impacted by an outbreak; and estimates used in financial statements proving to be incorrect; as well as those factors discussed in the Company’s public disclosure record. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Note to US Investors
This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. The terms “mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. In addition, the terms “mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are also defined in accordance with NI43-101 and not Guide 7. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an “indicated mineral resource” or “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category or converted into mineral reserves in accordance with Guide 7. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a mineral resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained in this News Release contain descriptions of the Company’s mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Non-IFRS Reporting Measures
“Cash Costs”, “All-in Sustaining Costs” and “All-in costs” are not Performance Measures reported in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). These performance measures are included because these statistics are key performance measures that management uses to monitor performance. Management uses these statistics to assess how the Project ranks against its peer projects and to assess the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the contemplated mining operations. These performance measures do not have a meaning within IFRS and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. These performance measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with IFRS.
Table 10: Mine Production Schedule and Process Plant Metallurgical Summary
MIDAS GOLD PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE
- Six New Directors Appointed to Board of Midas Gold Corp. -
- Ms. Laurel Sayer Appointed President and CEO of Midas Gold Corp. -
- Reaffirms Timing for Release of Feasibility Study on Stibnite Gold Project in December -
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA –Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) announced today the transition of five members the Company’s current Board of Directors (the “Board”) to five new, independent directors who will assist the Company in moving the Stibnite Gold Project (the “Project”) through the remaining phase of permitting under the National Environmental Policy Act and into construction and operations. The decision comes as a part of a transition agreement between the Company and Paulson & Co. Inc. (“Paulson”), which owns 44.1% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. As part of the agreement, Stephen Quin has resigned as President, CEO and a director of the Company and has been succeeded by Ms. Laurel Sayer, currently President and CEO of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Midas Gold Idaho, Inc. (“Midas Gold Idaho”).
The transition agreement results in the resignation from the Board of the following members: Keith Allred, Jaimie Donovan, Brad Doores, Jon Goode, and Peter Nixon, effective today.
“We are confident in the management team at Midas Gold and the value provided by the Stibnite Gold Project,” said Peter Nixon, former Lead Director of Midas Gold. He added, “Today’s transition allows the Company to continue to focus on the execution of its business plan, the successful completion of the permitting process, and the Company’s continuing efforts to create value for all stakeholders.”
“We are grateful for the dedicated service Brad, Jaimie, Jon, Keith, and Peter gave to Midas Gold over the years,” said Laurel Sayer, newly appointed President and CEO of Midas Gold. “Their leadership, guidance and commitment to designing a Project that will clean up an abandoned site and benefit the surrounding communities established a strong footing for the Company, which will be critical as the Project moves forward.”
In their roles as the remaining two directors of the Company, Marcelo Kim and Chris Papagianis appointed the following five independent directors to fill Board vacancies: Bob Dean, David Deisley, Jeff Malmen, Chris Robison and Alex Sternhell. In addition to being named President and CEO of Midas Gold, Laurel Sayer has also been appointed a director of the Company.
Marcelo Kim said, “We are delighted to welcome Laurel to the role of President and CEO of Midas Gold Corp. Having been the leader of Midas Gold Idaho since 2016, she is a proven leader with a track record of success and has the skills necessary to achieve the Company’s strategic objectives.”
“The changes implemented today position Midas Gold for the future stages of its development,” said Mr. Kim. He added, “We are enthusiastic about the Company’s future, are appreciative of the outgoing directors’ willingness to facilitate the transition and look forward to working closely and collaboratively with the Company’s new independent directors and management team to bring the Project to fruition.”
“On behalf of the Company and all its stakeholders, I thank Stephen Quin for his tireless and exemplary service. The Company wishes him well in all his future endeavors,” said Mr. Nixon.
Mr. Quin, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer from the inception of the Company in 2011, will be available to assist the Company over the next three months to ensure a smooth executive transition.
“Stephen set the vision for this Project, he brought together an all-star team and led Midas Gold with integrity. He has provided a foundation that will continue to be the strength of the Project as it moves forward,” said Ms. Sayer. “We are forever grateful for Stephen’s leadership and will continue to implement his vision of a Project that restores the environment, incorporates the needs and feedback of all stakeholders, and pushes forward a new generation of responsible, modern mining.”
The changes announced today will have no impact on Midas Gold’s proposed Project or commitments. The Company remains focused on restoring the site, providing Idaho with more than 1,000 direct and indirect family wage jobs and securing America’s only domestically mined supply of the critical mineral antimony. The Community Agreement Midas Gold signed with eight of the communities closest to the Project also remains intact.
“Paulson & Co. believes in the Stibnite Gold Project and the Idaho team which has worked diligently to bring it this far,” said Mr. Kim. “We know this Project is an enormous opportunity for Idaho and has the potential to establish a new precedent for precious metal and critical mineral development. Developing this Project will provide the financial resources necessary to address the legacy issues that remain at the historical Stibnite Mining District following a century of mining. In addition to cleaning up a brownfield site, the Stibnite Gold Project will reduce America’s reliance on foreign sources for antimony, which is critical to the national defense, aerospace, energy (including renewables), and technology industries.”
Biographies of the new independent directors added to the Company’s board follow. These new directors will join existing directors Marcelo Kim and Chris Papagianis.
Bob Dean, who was raised in Idaho and now resides in Boise, has over two decades of experience in business, investment management, corporate finance, and capital markets, having spent over 20 years at Allen & Company. He is currently the Managing Member of Gemstone Capital and Co-Owner of Ada Sand & Gravel, one of the largest independent producers of construction aggregates in Southwestern Idaho. Mr. Dean is a Board Member of Natural Intelligence Systems, Inc., an Advisory Committee Member at Greybull Stewardship, and serves as a Board Member of several non-profits including Trailhead Boise, MoFi, and Ramapo for Children.
David Deisley, who resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, most recently led the successful permitting effort for the Donlin Gold Project in Alaska for NovaGold Resources and brings extensive recent permitting experience in the U.S. as well as a wealth of experience in corporate affairs, native/tribal stakeholder engagement, legal governance, litigation, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his tenure with NovaGold, Mr. Deisley was the Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel for Goldcorp and previously worked at Barrick Gold.
Jeff Malmen, a native Idahoan who resides in Boise, is currently the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for IDACORP and Idaho Power, where he has worked since 2007. In his role, he oversees government and regulatory affairs, corporate communications, and corporate services, including supply chain, real estate and facilities. Prior to that, Mr. Malmen enjoyed a 21-year career in state and federal politics, most recently as Chief of Staff for Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho Governor Phil Batt prior to that. He also served as Administrator of the Division of Financial Management for Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne. He is the Vice Chairman of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and Board Member of the Idaho Mining Association.
Chris Robison, who resides in Denver, Colorado and was most recently Chief Operating Officer for Newmont Mining, the world’s largest gold miner, brings extensive expertise in mining, metallurgy, project development, mine safety, stakeholder engagement, environmental issues, corporate social responsibility, supply chain, mergers and acquisitions, capital investments, business improvement and regulatory issues. Prior to his role at Newmont, Mr. Robison had a distinguished career at Rio Tinto Minerals and Kennecott Utah Copper.
Laurel Sayer, based in Boise, Idaho has served as President and CEO of Midas Gold Idaho, since 2016. Before her appointment as CEO, Ms. Sayer served on the Midas Gold Board for two years. Prior to her appointment to the Midas Gold Board, she worked as the executive director of the Idaho Coalition of Land Trusts (ICLT), which is dedicated to supporting and advancing private land conservation in Idaho. Ms. Sayer also spent more than two decades working on policy matters with Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson and Idaho United States Senator Mike Crapo, with an emphasis on natural resource issues.
Alex Sternhell, based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, is one of the top Washington strategists and lobbyists helping to shape U.S. public policy as Principal of the Sternhell Group. Mr. Sternhell has more than two decades of experience working on Capitol Hill. He served as the Democratic Deputy Staff Director of and Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs as well as the Staff Director for the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Securities and Investment. He played a key role in drafting and negotiating nearly every major piece of financial services legislation in recent history, including Sarbanes-Oxley, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, and Gramm-Leach Bliley.
The Company also announced today that it will hold its 2021 annual meeting of shareholders by April 16, 2021, where all shareholders will be afforded the opportunity to vote on the election of the Company’s directors.
Midas Gold continues to advance towards completion of its feasibility study on the Stibnite Gold Project and anticipates issuing the results of the study before the end of the year.
Additional information regarding the transition arrangements announced today is included in the Transition Agreement, which will be filed by Midas Gold on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information:
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken in respect of the transition matters outlined herein; the permitting process; the impact on the Company’s proposed Project or commitments; the potential for establishing new precedent for mineral development, provision of financial resources to address legacy issues at the Project and reduction of reliance on foreign sources for antimony; and the timing for (i) holding the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders; and (ii) completion of a feasibility study on the Project, including the release of the results thereof. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the permitting process will proceed in a timely manner and as expected; that agency engagement, cooperation and collaboration will follow the agreed upon and proceed as expected; that the transition matters outlined herein will proceed as expected and will not affect the Company’s business or prospects in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Midas Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the review process under the National Environmental Policy Act; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the applicable state, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Midas Gold’s public disclosure record. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
MIDAS GOLD RECEIVES SHAREHOLDER MEETING REQUISITION
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) announced today that it has been provided with a shareholder meeting requisition notice (the “Requisition”) dated November 20, 2020 from Paulson & Co. Inc. (“Paulson”), as manager of funds holding not less than 1/20th of the issued and outstanding shares of Midas Gold, requesting that the directors of the Company call a meeting of the shareholders of the Company for the purpose of (a) removing five directors; (b) fixing the number of directors at eight; and (c) electing five nominee directors of Paulson.
The Company is reviewing the Requisition with its professional advisors and will respond appropriately in due course as provided under applicable law, at which time further disclosure will be forthcoming. In the meantime, there is no need for shareholders to take any action at this time.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken in respect of the Requisition. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
COMMENT PERIOD ON THE DRAFT EIS FOR THE STIBNITE GOLD PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
Stibnite Gold Project Enters into Final Phases of Review Under National Environmental Policy Act
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA –Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) and regulators, led by the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”), are entering the final phases of review of the Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”) under the National Environmental Policy Act now that the comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“DEIS”) is complete. The comment period officially ended, after 75 days of public review, on October 28, 2020 following two extensions of 15-days each. Thousands of individuals meaningfully participated in the comment period and substantial numbers of the letters uploaded by the USFS are supportive of Midas Gold’s plan to redevelop a brownfields mining site, providing significant economic, employment and environmental benefits needed to restore the site.
“The team at Midas Gold is proud to be one step closer to bringing the Stibnite Gold Project to life and helping Idahoans recognize the environmental, economic, employment and national security benefits associated with the Project,” said Stephen Quin, CEO of Midas Gold Corp. “We are grateful to all of the individuals who took the time to review the DEIS and submit a comment to regulators and appreciate the tremendous effort by our team to make information readily accessible to those commenting. The feedback from these comments will be incredibly valuable as we work with regulators to finalize the plan for the Stibnite Gold Project. We are equally grateful for all of the support we received from Idahoans. Numerous letters of support were submitted from the people who live closest to our site, vendors who we have been fortunate enough to partner with over the years, community leaders, statewide organizations, elected representatives and officials, and also Idahoans who care deeply about the outdoors and the environment. The letters received throughout this comment period demonstrate the strong local support for moving our Project forward.”
Next Steps
Now that the comment period is complete, regulators will review the comments submitted, evaluate the alternatives contained in the DEIS in light of the comments, consider any refinements that can be made to the Stibnite Gold Project between now and when the final Environmental Impact Statement (“FEIS”) is released, and select a preferred alternative. Currently, the USFS is scheduled to release the FEIS in Q2 of 2021 and to issue its record of decision (“ROD”) on the Project in late Q3 of 2021.
“Public input has played a very important role in helping our company refine the Stibnite Gold Project over the past decade,” said Mr. Quin. “The Plan of Restoration and Operations and then Alternative 2 in the DEIS were developed after many conversations with community members, including over 190 tours and 900 presentations in the past four years alone The feedback we received allowed us to reduce the impacts and footprint of the Project and it is our belief that we can continue to refine our plan after considering the comments recently submitted to the USFS.”
Stibnite Gold Project
If permitted, the Stibnite Gold Project would produce gold, silver and the only domestically mined source of antimony in the United States. The U.S. Department of Interior designated antimony as a critical mineral for its uses in the national defense, aerospace and technology industries. Midas Gold would invest approximately $1 billion in construction, provide approximately 500 direct, family-wage jobs for Idahoans for 15-18 years and numerous indirect jobs in local communities and the region. The Stibnite Gold Project was designed from the outset to use modern, responsible mining to restore the historical Stibnite Mining District by providing the expertise and financial resources necessary to address the legacy issues that remain and which are primarily related to World War II and Korean War era mining of antimony and tungsten for national defense purposes. Stibnite alone is estimated to have produced approximately 90% of the antimony and 40-50% of the tungsten required for the war effort. However, these activities left a significant legacy of environmental impacts, which Midas Gold plans to address through its fully integrated Plan of Restoration and Operations.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken by the USFS and other state, federal and local government agencies and regulatory bodies; the timing and procedure for (i) review of the commence received during the comment period; (ii) evaluation of alternatives and consideration of refinements between now and when the FEIS is released; and (iii) release of the FEIS and ROD; and the anticipated benefits and effects in the event that the Stibnite Gold Project is permitted. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “targeted”, “complete”, “comprehensive”, “defensible”, “ensure”, “potential” and “robust”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the review of commences received and the consideration thereof, as well as the scheduled release of the FEIS and ROD will proceed in a timely manner and as expected; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Midas Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the review process under the National Environmental Policy Act; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the USFS, State of Idaho and other stated, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project including litigation involving the Nez Perce Tribe; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Midas Gold’s public disclosure record. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
REGULATORS EXTEND COMMENT PERIOD ON DRAFT EIS FOR STIBNITE GOLD PROJECT, IDAHO
Comment period for the proposed gold and antimony mine will now close on October 28, 2020
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) today announced that the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) has extended the comment period on the Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“Draft EIS”). The comment period will now close on October 28, 2020, providing interested parties 75-days in total to submit feedback on the Draft EIS, which is a 67% increase over the legally required 45-day comment period.
“Public involvement has always been an important tenet of the Stibnite Gold Project,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Midas Gold Idaho. “The public was integral to helping us develop Alternative 2 of the Draft EIS and we believe public feedback is important in helping develop the final plan for the Stibnite Gold Project. The agency’s decision to extend the comment period by an additional 15-days provides the public and other interested parties more time to participate and should ultimately support a robust record of decision. However, given the amount of public disclosure on the Project over many years, it is also time to move to the next stage of finalizing the EIS and selecting a preferred alternative.”
“For almost a decade now, we have encouraged public review of and engagement in our plans for the redevelopment and restoration of the Stibnite Mining District. In the past 5 years alone, we have made 912 public presentations, taken over 1,800 people on tours of the site, created a robust website with Project information, held monthly open office hours, and have made our subject matter experts available to any community member asking to know more or wanting to provide feedback,” said Sayer. “The U.S. Forest Service has also excelled by providing 24-7 virtual access to the Draft EIS and review materials. With over 1,400 letters received to-date, it is clear many people throughout Idaho feel ready to provide the U.S. Forest Service with their thoughts on the Stibnite Gold Project.”
People who are interested in reviewing the Draft EIS can visit the USFS’ project page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50516. The USFS has also created a virtual meeting room where community members and other stakeholders can learn more about the alternatives outlined in the DEIS and the background to the alternatives. Additionally, there are hard copies of the Draft EIS available for review in multiple communities surrounding the project site. Community members can also learn more about the Project and Midas Gold’s plans at www.RestoreTheSite.com. The public is also invited to attend one of the three webinars Midas Gold hosts each week during the comment period to review the Project and answer questions. To register, visit www.MidasGoldIdaho.com/virtual-events.
Comments on the Project can be submitted through the USFS website https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?Project=50516 or via direct mail to: Linda Jackson, Forest Supervisor, Payette National Forest, 500 North Mission Street Building 2, McCall, Idaho 83638-3805.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken by the USFS, the extension of the comment period and the anticipated effects thereof. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “targeted”, “complete”, “comprehensive”, “defensible”, “ensure”, “potential” and “robust”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the formal review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) (including a joint review process involving the USFS, the State of Idaho and other state, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies) as well as the public comment period, environmental impact statement and record of decision will proceed in a timely manner and as expected; that agency engagement, cooperation and collaboration as contemplated under the MOU will follow the mutually agreed upon schedule set out therein and proceed as expected and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Midas Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the review process under NEPA; uncertainty surrounding input to be received pursuant to the public comment period and any extension thereof; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the USFS, State of Idaho and other stated, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project including litigation involving the Nez Perce Tribe; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Midas Gold’s public disclosure record. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
FEDERAL PERMITTING DASHBOARD TO IMPROVE COORDINATION FOR THE STIBNITE GOLD PROJECT
Interagency Schedule of Proposed Actions maintains a Record of Decision in Q3, 2021
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) today announced that the Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”) has received a ‘Permitting Dashboard’ to bring improved coordination, transparency and accountability to projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) permitting process. Published on the Council on Environmental Quality (“CEQ”) website, the Stibnite Gold Project Permitting Dashboard maintains the same permitting schedule as that published by the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) in July, 2020 (see news release dated July 2, 2020). Projects that have received a Permitting Dashboard are afforded enhanced coordination between federal agencies but must still move through the strict protocols of study and review under, and meet the regulatory standards required by, NEPA. The Permitting Dashboard is a result of infrastructure development, a domestic supply of critical minerals for national security, and the environmental restoration of what has been a long abandoned and contaminated mine site.
Permitting Dashboard
The Permitting Dashboard comes at the request of the CEQ, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, in recognition of the Project’s status as a High Priority Infrastructure Project (“HPIP”) with potential to bring infrastructure development, significant capital investment and direct employment to rural Idaho, address legacy environmental issues related to past mining and become the only domestic supplier of mined antimony, one of 35 critical minerals essential to U.S. national security and economic independence. The Permitting Dashboard tracks projects based on timelines agreed upon by coordinating agencies and all projects are held to the same strict protocols of study and review and must meet the identical regulatory standards required by NEPA but are afforded enhanced coordination between federal agencies. The Permitting Dashboard adds another level of transparency for the public to monitor how the Project is moving through the multifaceted regulatory process.
“Given the complexity of permitting the redevelopment and restoration of an extensively impacted brownfields site, interagency cooperation and coordination is essential to ensure a comprehensive review of the Project is completed in a timely manner,” said Laurel Sayer, President & CEO of Midas Gold Idaho. “As a result, we appreciate the increased agency coordination and transparency afforded by the Permitting Dashboard. We believe that the creation of the Stibnite Joint Review Process in 2017 improved coordination and communication between federal, state and local agencies involved in the review of the Stibnite Gold Project, and the Permitting Dashboard is another tool to further enhance coordination among the federal agencies.”
If permitted, the Stibnite Gold Project would bring approximately 500 direct, family wage jobs into rural Idaho and upgrade 72 miles of transmission line, 37 miles of road and three highway junctions in parts of Idaho that could benefit from additional infrastructure investment, as well as numerous indirect benefits to employment, economic development and environmental restoration.
Regulatory Framework
The USFS released a draft environmental impact statement (“DEIS”) for the Stibnite Gold Project on August 14, 2020 that was developed under longstanding NEPA rules and regulations; the recently updated NEPA rules announced by CEQ have not been applied to this Project. The HPIP designation and Permitting Dashboard do not reduce the scope or depth of the environmental review or reduce or diminish protections afforded by the NEPA process, rather it ensures that the review process is properly coordinated between federal agencies. All statutory requirements and environmental safeguards in the law must be met and followed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will work with all cooperating agencies to manage the agreed upon schedule for reaching milestones within the rigorous NEPA process.
As published today, https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/stibnite-gold-project, the Permitting Dashboard remains the same as that published by the USFS in its Schedule of Proposed Action and sets a final Record of Decision (“ROD”) in Q3/2021 (see news release dated July 2, 2020 for additional information).
Critical Minerals
In addition to producing gold and silver, the Stibnite Gold Project would also produce the critical mineral antimony. Antimony is used as a metal strengthener and flame retardant, and used in lead-acid batteries, glass, ceramics and is key to many infrastructure and manufacturing processes. The importance of critical minerals is a bipartisan issue. The first major action on critical minerals took place in 2010 with the creation of the Council on Critical and Strategic Minerals Supply Chains (“CCSMSC”) , which was tasked with coordinating critical mineral policy development and executing a mitigation strategy across 12 federal agencies to address supply chain concerns. The framework to define what minerals were critical, advanced with the Department of Energy issuing a Critical Mineral Strategy in 2010 and 2011, and in 2014-2016 CCSMSC developed, and then issued, a methodology to determine which minerals were strategic. Based on this framework, in 2018 the Department of Interior issued its final list of 35 critical minerals, antimony among them and, in 2019, the Department of Commerce issued a comprehensive “Federal Strategy to Secure Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals”.
Permitting Schedule
After six years of data collection, scientific review and engineering, Midas Gold submitted the Plan of Restoration and Operations (“PRO”) for the Stibnite Gold Project to the USFS in 2016. Since then, the Project has undergone four years of additional data collection, review and analysis by the USFS and six other federal, state and local agencies to evaluate the Project and its environmental impacts. The Draft EIS was issued by the USFS for public comment on August 14, 2020 and analyzes four alternatives, plus a ‘no action’ alternative. The USFS has launched a virtual public meeting space to provide the public with 24-hour access to the draft document and additional materials to assist the public in their review. The 60-day public comment period gives the public, stakeholders and communities the opportunity to review and comment on the various alternatives, after which the USFS, as lead agency under NEPA, will coordinate the multi-agency response to comments and develop a Final EIS. Midas Gold believes that the analysis in the Draft EIS supports its position that Alternative 2 should be the preferred alternative from an environmental, technical and economic perspective.
As noted above, the schedule adopted under the Permitting Dashboard is the same as that established by the USFS in July of 2020 and indicates a Final ROD being issued in Q3/2021. This schedule also reflects the universe of other permits and authorizations that the U.S. Forest Service will closely monitor, as the project lead, along with other cooperating and consulted federal agencies.
Feasibility Study Schedule
Midas Gold continues to advance towards completion of its feasibility study on the Stibnite Gold Project and anticipates issuing the results of the study in Q4/2020.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken by the USFS, EPA, CEQ, the State of Idaho, tribes and other state, federal and local government agencies and regulatory bodies; details and anticipated benefits pertaining to the Permitting Dashboard; the timelines agreed upon by coordinating agencies; the expected enhancement of coordination among federal agencies; the expected direct and indirect benefits of the Stibnite Gold Project (the “Project”) once permitted; the timing and procedure for (i) the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s work with cooperating agencies to manage the agreed upon schedule for reaching milestones; (ii) the public comment period; and (iii) the coordination of multi-agency responses to comments as well as development of a final EIS; the anticipated timing for the final ROD; and the anticipated timing for issuance of a feasibility study on the Project. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as “anticipates”, “targeted”, “complete”, “comprehensive”, “defensible”, “ensure”, “potential” and “robust”, in relation to certain actions, events or results “could”, “may”, “will”, “would”, be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the formal review process under NEPA (including a joint review process involving the USFS, the State of Idaho and other state, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies) as well as the public comment period, EIS and ROD will proceed in a timely manner and as expected; that agency engagement, cooperation and collaboration will follow the agreed upon and proceed as expected and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Midas Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the review process under NEPA; uncertainty surrounding input to be received pursuant to the public comment period; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the USFS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State of Idaho and other stated, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project including litigation involving the Nez Perce Tribe; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Midas Gold’s public disclosure record. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
PAULSON & CO. PROVIDES NOTICE OF INTENTION TO EXERCISE CONVERTIBLE NOTES IN MIDAS GOLD
Conversion simplifies capital structure and demonstrates support for the Stibnite Gold Project
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, “Midas Gold” or the “Company”) today announced that Paulson & Co., Inc., on behalf of the several investment funds and accounts managed by it (“Paulson”), will be exercising the conversion feature on the convertible notes held by Paulson in the aggregate principal amount of C$82,102,500 (the “Notes”) for a total of 199,692,804 common shares of Midas Gold (“Common Shares”), which will result in Paulson holding approximately 44.12% of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares. The Notes were purchased by Paulson in two separate financings completed on March 17, 2016 and March 17, 2020 with conversion prices of $0.3541 and $0.4655, respectively.
As reported on August 14, 2020, the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“DEIS”) on the Stibnite Gold Project (“Project”) for public comment. Individuals will have 60 days to comment on the proposed redevelopment and restoration of the former Stibnite gold, silver, antimony and tungsten mine, which is located in Valley County, Idaho.
“Given the release of the DEIS and the commencement of the public comment period, we believe that it is an appropriate time for the conversion of the Notes, and Paulson intends to remain a long-term shareholder of the Company,” said Marcelo Kim, Partner of Paulson and the Chairman of the Board of Midas Gold. “We believe this is in the best interests of the Company and its many stakeholders. This action will better position the Company to achieve its long-term objective of developing the Stibnite Gold Project.”
The conversion of the Notes will:
Simplify the Company’s capital structure;
Remove uncertainty related to the potential timing of the conversion of Paulson’s Notes;
Significantly reduce the long-term financial liability associated with the convertible notes; and
Increase the issued capitalization of the Company, providing potential opportunities for inclusion in various equity market indexes.
Midas Gold’s Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold designed the Stibnite Gold Project to integrate responsible, modern mining with the restoration of legacy and new disturbances at this brownfields site. As outlined in the Plan of Restoration and Operations filed with regulators (see news release dated September 22, 2016), the Stibnite Gold Project, based on its 2014 Preliminary Feasibility Study (see news release dated December 14, 2014), would:
Entail an approximately US$1 billion investment in Idaho to create an economically feasible, environmentally sound mining operation that provides funding for the reclamation and restoration of numerous legacy impacts from prior operations left by previous owners and operators;
Restore passage for various species of fish, and especially Chinook salmon, to the headwaters of the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River for the first time in 80 years;
Become the only domestic producer of mined antimony, one of 35 minerals deemed critical by the U.S. Government, and essential to the economic and national security of the U.S.;
Become one of the largest, highest grade, lowest cost gold mines in the United States not owned by a major mining company;
Create approximately 500 well paid jobs in rural Idaho and a similar number of indirect jobs in the services, support and supplies sectors of the local economy; and
Provide local communities direct input into the Project through its Community Agreement signed with eight local cities, villages and counties, and provide a share of profits to local communities through the Stibnite Foundation.
Remaining Convertible Notes Outstanding
Following the conversion, there will remain outstanding convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of C$15,409,901 which are convertible into 43,518,501 Common Shares of the Company.
Paulson Share Ownership and Shares Outstanding
Prior to the conversion, Paulson held 9,664,520 Common Shares, representing 3.52% of the 274,834,608 the Company’s outstanding Common Shares as at the date hereof. Following the conversion, Paulson will beneficially own 209,357,324 Common Shares, representing approximately 44.12% of the Company’s 474,527,412 outstanding Common Shares. Assuming conversion of the all of the other convertible notes, Paulson would beneficially own 40.41% of the Company’s then outstanding Common Shares (518,045,913 Common Shares assuming no other issuances prior to the date of conversion of the remaining Convertible Notes).
About Paulson & Co. Inc.
Paulson & Co. Inc. is an investment management firm headquartered in New York, USA. Paulson first invested in Midas Gold in 2016 and continues to support the Stibnite Gold Project and its plans to redevelop and restore a brownfields site, as well as provide America with its only source of domestically mined antimony, a critical mineral.
About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project
Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the effect of the conversion of the Notes; the plans set out in the Company’s 2014 Preliminary Feasibility Study and its anticipated benefits and effects; as well as other possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action and expected use of proceeds and business objectives. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “understanding”, “has agreed to”, “will” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “would”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including the assumptions that the anticipated benefits and effects of the conversion of the Notes , the receipt of public comments and support for the Project will proceed and materialize in a timely manner without any unanticipated material adverse consequences; and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.