The Stillwater mining complex in Montana. Credit: Franco-Nevada Corp.
The Stillwater mining complex in Montana, on which Franco-Nevada has a 5% NSR royalty. Credit: Franco-Nevada Corp.

Franco-Nevada is a diamond in the mining industry, as a steady and profitable royalty and streaming company. In a world of low yields and interest rates, investors are hard-pressed to find the kind of returns that will make them look at their RRSP with pride. Chasing returns also carries significant risk, which Franco-Nevada controls for by not operating mines, developing projects, or conducting exploration. 

Low-Risk, Reponsible Management

The company instead focuses on managing and growing the company’s portfolio and streams, giving them exposure to commodity price optionality and a perpetual discovery option over large areas of profitable and geologically prospective real estate. This low-risk, steady, and high-reward business model is a counterbalance to the hit-and-miss strategies of many other mining companies. The company has limited exposure to many of the risks associated with operating companies because of its capital-light business model. This nimble operation strategy allows it to pivot to new projects, mines, and even supporting the industry when needed. The company engages in exploration efforts as part of advancing a property in advance of taking on an investment. This due diligence is necessary as the company relies on the industry operating responsibly to both reduce risk, and honour the royalty and streaming agreements they make. 

By The Numbers

With the stock price sitting at over $109, the company is more expensive than many of its peers, but this is an investment that gives more than it takes, just as it should be. Their portfolio of precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum group metals, oil, gas, and natural gas liquids allows them to give investors a dividend yield of 0.90%. With an operating margin of 28.18% and a return on equity of 5.18%, this is one of the rare mining companies that consistently turns out results investors can be pleased with. With zero debt, and a fully equity-funded balance sheet, not only are the paper stats solid, but the bottom line fundamentals are strong enough to keep buying the stock as it gains. 

Their recent announcement of a US$0.26 per share dividend to be paid on March 25th, 2021 to shareholders of record on March 11th, 2021 was welcomed warmly by investors. Analysts are estimating 15% growth for 2021, and as the company gears up to report 4Q2020 earnings on March 10th, investors eagerly await a sign that all is well with this steady performer. Whether 2021 will shape up to be as good a year for Franco-Nevada as 2020 was is still yet to be seen, but with restrictions lifting, business activity picking up, and an optimism in the air, new projects and mines will continue to need the company’s services, bringing more dividends for shareholders quarter after quarter. 

Dividends Keep Padding Portfolios

We will continue to watch the dividend payout ratio, as the company must balance paying out less in dividends than it earns; the opposite would make the dividend unstable. Franco-Nevada paid out 74% of its earnings to investors last year, an average level for most businesses, and nothing they need to worry about adjusting. Dividends also used just 27% of the free cash flow it generated, leaving a comfortable margin to continue paying a dividend throughout 2021. As long as earnings don’t drop precipitously, the dividend looks to be stable and is covered by both profit and cash flow. 

*This story will be updated on March 10th after the earnings report.

 

Last week index score: 44.24 (updated)

This week: 21.62

Prospero Silver (TSX-V: PSL) announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$1.0 million through the issuance of up to 11.1 million units @ C$0.09.

The Oreninc Mining Deal Club sent out its sixth financing alert to its subscribers. Sign up today to get the details and an opportunity to participate: www.miningdealclub.com

The Oreninc Index halved in the week ending April 20th, 2018 to 21.62 from an updated 44.24 a week ago as broker action evaporated (again).

US tariffs and sanctions against steel and aluminium imports, particularly from Russia, are ripping through various metal markets with aluminium and nickel prices spiking. Aluminium prices have spiked 30% since the start of April to a seven-year high due to sanctions against Rusal. Fears that supplies of steel-additive nickel could come into Trump’s crosshairs if more sanctions against Russian businesses and businessmen are rolled out has seen its price spike on the London Metals Exchange, recording its highest one-day move since 2008 and hitting three-year highs.

On to the money: total fund raises announced tumbled to a paltry C$22.6 million, a six-week low, which included no brokered financings and no bought deal financings. The average offer size dropped to a barely visible C$1.1 million, a six-week low. The few financings announced and bringing with them a general return to the full warrant to attract interest.

Another week of failed expectations for gold as strong performance throughout the week fell at the end as the US dollar index strengthened following news that US initial weekly jobless claims dropped to 232,000, its lowest level in three weeks according to the Labor Department.

Gold closed down at US$1,336/oz from US$1,346/oz a week with a mid-week high of US$1,349/oz. Gold is now up 2.58% this year. Meanwhile, the US dollar index had a stronger week and closed up at 90.31 from 89.80 a week ago. The van Eck managed GDXJ saw early week gains dissipate at the close to finish the week exactly where it started at US$33.49 despite a mid-week high of US$34.06 last week. The index is down 1.88% so far in 2018. The US Global Go Gold ETF also saw strong growth but gave up less as the week ended to close up at US$13.04 from US$12.81 a week ago with a mid-week high of US$13.11. It is up 0.23% so far in 2018. The HUI Arca Gold BUGS Index closed down at 184.18 from 184.43 last week. The SPDR GLD ETF saw a week of consolidation as its inventory remains at 865.89 tonnes.

In other commodities, silver put in a growth spurt and despite losing some shine at the end of the week closed up at US$17.11/oz from US$16.65/oz a week ago wit ha mid-week high of US$17.24/oz. Coppers price growth continues and closed up at US$3.15/lb from US$3.07/lb from US$3.05/lb last week. Oil continues to post gains to close up at US$68.40 a barrel from US$67.39 a barrel a week ago. This puts its price back to levels levels last seen in December 2014. Despite US president Donald Trump saying the oil price is getting too high, it looks set to go higher as OPEC and Russia look to maintain supply restraint, even though surplus oil has largely been worked out of the system.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up at 24,462 from 24,360 last week with a mid-week high of 24,786. Likewise, Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index grew to 15,484 from 15,273 the previous week. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index also closed up at 804.96 from 795.94 last week.

Summary:

  • Number of financings decreased to 20, a two-week low.
  • No brokered financings were announced this week, a two-week low.
  • No bought-deal financing was announced this week, a two-week low.
  • Total dollars tumbled to C$22.6m, a six-week low.
  • Average offer size also fell to C$1.1m, a six-week low.

 

Financing Highlights

EnGold Mines (TSX-V: EGM) opened a C$3.5 million offering on best efforts basis.

  • 10.0 million flow-through units @ C$0.30 and 2.0 million non-flow-through units @ C$0.26 with Canaccord Genuity as agent.
  • Each flow-through unit consists of one share and one warrant exercisable @ C$0.40 for two years. Each common unit consists of one share and one warrant exercisable @ C$0.35 for two years.
  • Over-allotment option of up 1.5 million flow-through units and 300k common units on the same terms.
  • Gross proceeds will be used to continue exploration at the Lac La Hache copper, gold & silver property in the Cariboo region of BC, Canada.

Major Financing Openings:

  • Engold Mines (TSX-V: EGM) opened a C$7.04 million offering on a best efforts basis. Each unit includes a warrant that expires in 24 months. The deal is expected to close on or about May 14th.
  • Vela Minerals (TSX-V: VLA) opened a C$2.5 million offering on a best efforts basis.    
  • Renaissance Gold (TSX-V: REN) opened a C$2.5 million offering on a best efforts basis.  Each unit includes a warrant that expires in 60 months.
  • Coronet Metals (TSX-V: CRF) opened a C$2.02 million offering on a best efforts basis. Each unit includes a warrant that expires in 24 months.

Major Financing Closings:

  • North American Nickel (TSX-V: NAN) closed a C$15 million offering on a best efforts basis. Each unit included half a warrant that expires in 24 months.
  • Sama Resources (TSX-V: SME) closed a C$5.25 million offering on a strategic deal basis. Each unit included a warrant that expires in 24 months.
  • Rise Gold (CSE: RISE) closed a C$3.52 million offering on a best efforts basis.  Each unit included a warrant that expires in 36 months.
  • Toachi Mining (TSX-V: TIM) closed a C$3 million offering on a best efforts basis.  

Company News

Prospero Silver (TSX-V: PSL) announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$1.0 million through the issuance of up to 11.1 million units @ C$0.09.

  • Each unit will consist of one share and half of a warrant exercisable @ C$0.16 for two years.
  • The net proceeds will be used for general working capital purposes, its generative exploration programs and exploration expenditures on its property portfolio in Mexico.
  • Looking to drill 6,000m in 2018.

Analysis

With the initial phase of its strategic arrangement with Fortuna Silver drawing to a close, and 2018 exploration planning underway, Prospero is raising cash to be able to contribute to funding ongoing and future exploration work under the arrangement. However, given the current low stock price, it is evident that the company is also looking to minimize shareholder dilution by undertaking a minimum raise. 2018 work will look to continue to validate Prospero’s exploration strategy to discover blind epithermal systems.

About Oreinc.com:

Oreninc.com is North America’s leading provider of relevant financing information in the junior commodities space. Since 2011, the company has been keeping track of financings in the junior mining as well as oil and gas space. Logging all relevant deal and company information into its proprietary database, called the Oreninc Deal Log, Oreninc quickly became the go-to website in the mining financing space for investors, analysts, fund managers and company executives alike.

The Oreninc Deal Log keeps track of over 1,400 companies, bringing transparency to an otherwise impenetrable jungle of information. The goal is to increase the visibility of transactions and to show financings activity in a digestible format. Through its daily logging activities, Oreninc is in a position to pinpoint momentum changes in the markets, identify which commodities are trending and which projects are currently receiving funding.

Website:  www.oreninc.com

After one of the worst bear markets in history, gold and the gold mining stocks began a new bull market cycle in 2016. With the first 8 months of the year filled with incredible gains, a correction in the market ensued. Of the two, the gold mining stocks were hit the hardest, sending a large portion of the company share prices down or sideways over the last 16 months.

Today, in the 1st quarter of 2018, physical gold continues to show strength, while the gold stocks continue to waiver.  Personally, I think the prospects of a change in sentiment toward the gold stocks will happen in 2018, and mark the next leg up in this bull market cycle.

Why do I think this is the case? There are a few reasons:

  • Lack of interest – In my opinion, the weed and blockchain sectors have captured the attention of the large majority of the speculative investors over the last year. Additionally, I have read numerous articles and headlines which allude to gold losing its luster, which I completely disagree with. I believe this is a sign of a great buying opportunity in the junior gold equities.
  • 1,033 point correction on the DOW – The broader market has been on a tear for roughly 8 years, and up until this 1,033 point correction on the DOW a couple weeks ago, it didn’t appear to be slowing down. It’s my contention that we are seeing an inflection point downwards in the broader markets bull cycle. My guess is that past will be prologue, gold and gold equities will be the major beneficiaries.
  • Inflation – Although, I do think a correction in the broader market becomes more likely with each passing week, I see tremendous inflation in the future. In my opinion, we are entering a major bull cycle in the base metals, which will inflate the cost of living. Real assets will be sought out to curb the destructive and silent force which is inflation. The caveat to this belief is the adoption of artificial intelligence, which will have a huge deflationary impact on the world. However, I think that is still 10 years away from having a profound impact.
  • Scarcity and Cost to produce an ounce of gold – As Brent Cook has often pointed out, we are losing approximately the equivalent of the Carlin Trend each year, in terms of gold ounces, and the majority of what we do discover isn’t economic below $1250 USD/oz Au. When the cost of production is more than the price of the commodity, therefore, the price has to eventually go up. I must qualify this statement by saying that, according to regular accounting, gold isn’t scarce, given the fact that more than 95% of all gold that has ever been mined still exists today, albeit in vaults. I don’t, however, foresee gold becoming any less popular as a store of value and, therefore, believe that the scarcity reference is applicable.

Mining is a sector in which the most valuable commodity, for a junior company, is the people. The right people make the right choices no matter what portion of the market cycle they are in. Therefore, picking the right people, in my opinion, gives you a higher probability of being successful with your investments. Bottom line, if you like the metal and its prospects for price appreciation in the future, buy the metal. If you’re willing to do the due diligence, and can handle/manage the risk, there is huge potential in the junior mining stocks.

Which brings me to the company I would like to update you on today, Genesis Metals Corp.

Let’s take a look!

Genesis Metals Corporation (GIS:TSXV) & (GGISF: OTC)

NOTE: DTC eligible

MCAP – $9.4 million (at the time of writing)

Shares – 74,801,204

Fully Diluted – 104,845,092

Management Ownership – 12%

The Genesis Metals Team

A junior resource company is only as good as its people, and in the case of Genesis Metals, they’ve assembled a great team.

Genesis Metals’ CEO and Chairman, Brian Groves, is a 40-year veteran of the mining industry. Groves has explored in both Australia and Canada, working with AMAX Minerals, Noranda and Manager of Corporate Development at Placer Dome. Moving up the organizational ladder throughout his career, Groves has gained valuable experience in capital markets, project development, permitting and corporate strategy. Today, he leads a group of people who have not only worked together previously, but who have a history of success within the mining industry.

Working hand in hand with Groves is Jeff Sundar, President and Director of Genesis. Sundar has 18 years of experience in the mining industry, having held a VP and Director’s position while working with other Genesis Board members in Underworld Resources. Underworld, in particular, was a great success, as the 1.6 Moz White Gold deposit was sold to Kinross for $140 million. Sundar and the team look to replicate this success with Genesis in the years ahead.

Adrian Fleming, the former President and CEO of Underworld Resources and former VP Exploration of Placer Dome, joins the Genesis team as an Executive Director. Fleming is a Professional Geologist with over 30 years of experience in the mining industry. Some of Fleming’s most notable work experience includes the following:

  • Former VP Exploration for Placer Dome based in Sydney Australia. Fleming spearheaded Placer Dome into Western Australia, where he directed the group and found the Big Bell Mine.
  • Fleming co-led the team that found the high grade zone at the monster, 28 Moz gold equivalent,  Porgera copper gold deposit, located in Papua New Guinea.
  • Former VP Exploration for Golden Star in the early 90’s. Fleming directed the team that uncovered the Gross Rosebel Deposit, which has now grown to 17 Moz of gold.
  • Fleming will be counted on to provide valuable input as Genesis moves forward with a plan to expand its Chevrier Gold Deposit resource, and explore the gold anomalies at their October gold project.

John Florek, the former Senior Geologist at Barrick Gold’s Famous Hemlo Mines, is on Genesis’ Board of Directors. Hemlo was a world-class gold deposit and is credited as being the catalyst for the 1980’s exploration boom. Florek co-led the exploration team that found an additional 2 Moz of gold, which extended the Hemlo mine life.  He was also Senior District Exploration Geologist for Placer Dome in Red Lake, and in 2008, his team was awarded the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors award. Florek’s more than 20 years of experience in the mining business as a professional geologist should add great value for Genesis in the future.

Last, but certainly not least, Andre Liboiron is the Exploration Manager for Genesis’ projects, Chevrier and October. Liboiron is a Quebec native with more than 26 years of experience as a geologist in Quebec, as well as internationally.

Strategic Advisor

Robert McLeod, Genesis Co-Founder and former Chairman of Genesis’ Board, relinquished his position because of the  heavy time commitment required by his primary focus as CEO of IDM Mining, a near term producer in BC’s Golden Triangle. Given the work history of the members of this management team, however, McLeod has agreed to remain with the company as a strategic advisor.

McLeod is on Casey Research’s Nexten list, which features the top young professionals in the mining industry. A quote taken from Casey Research’s profile of McLeod,

“Luck has nothing to do with it. Rob has the pedigree, the smarts, and the perseverance to have forged a stellar career in mining exploration and company development.” ~ Casey Research

Also, Genesis has added former Laurentian Bank Securities Mining Analyst and Peartree Securities Technical Advisor, Eric Lemieux. Lemieux is a geologist by trade and has 25 years in the mining industry with experience in a variety of areas, such as mineral exploration and project valuation. Lemieux’s  addition to the Genesis team should prove advantageous as Genesis looks to develop their properties.

Strategic Shareholders

While the people who run junior resource companies are the core component for investment, looking at the people who choose to invest in the companies is a great gauge for potential value. In Genesis’ case, there are a few heavy hitters who have taken major positions in this junior gold exploration company.

The list of strategic shareholders is headlined by Osisko Mining, which acquired a 6.4% position in Genesis through a private placement announced in 2017. For those unfamiliar with Osisko Mining, they’re a major player in the gold sector, owning strategic positions in a lot of great companies, such as: Falco Resources, IDM Mining and Beaufield Resources. Outside of owning strategic positions in companies, Osisko is exploring their 70,000 Ha Windfall property, which is located in the Urban-Barry Greenstone Belt in Quebec. Osisko is known for their geological expertise and well timed investment in smaller junior gold companies. Their investment in Genesis speaks volumes about Genesis’ potential.

The strategic shareholders list is further headlined by Eric Sprott, who has acquired a 7.2% position in Genesis through a private placement announced in 2017. Sprott is a major player in the resource sector, with a history of successful investments throughout his career. Also, Sprott has multiple Sprott named companies offering various market related products across the sector.  Over the last few years, he has taken strategic positions in a few junior gold companies such as Kirkland Lake Gold. Sprott’s investment, like Osisko’s, is a great gauge for potential value in Genesis.

For those who aren’t familiar, the Societé de development de la Baie-James (SDBJ) is a government run organization focused on the development of natural resource projects within Québec. Their mission statement is as follows;

“To promote the economic development, development and exploitation of natural resources, other than hydroelectric resources within the mandate of Hydro-Québec, of the James Bay territory, from a sustainable development perspective. In particular, it may encourage, support and participate in projects aimed at these ends.” ~SDBJ

Additionally, the SIDEX fund, which was created by the government of Québec to support mineral exploration activities within its borders, participated in the latest financing. Having both SDBJ and SIDEX as stakeholders in Genesis is a great sign of political support for Genesis’ Chevrier Gold Project. The strategic shareholders list is rounded out by Delbrook Capital, Gold 2000, US Global Investors and Medalist Capital. These organizations and people represent smart money in the sector and I’m happy to speculate along with them.

6th Best Jurisdiction for Mining Investment in the World

From a jurisdictional standpoint, it doesn’t get much better than Quebec when it comes to mining investment attractiveness. The Fraser Institute (FI) gives Quebec an index score of 85.02, ranking it 3rd in Canada and 6th in the world. FI’s mining investment attractiveness index score is reflective of both the mineral potential and the government policy perception of the region.

Fraser Institute Rankings

Source: Fraser Institute

Quebec’s Mineral Potential

Quebec is home to 25 producing mines and over 350 surface mineral mining operations, putting the value of Quebec’s mineral shipments at $8.7 billion in 2014 (Investissement Quebec). Quebec is Canada’s 2nd largest producer of gold, largest producer of iron and zinc, and the only North American producer of niobium. The mineral wealth is evident and is a big reason why FI ranks Quebec among the world’s top ten in mining investment attractiveness.

Highlighting Quebec’s world class mineralization is the Abitibi Greenstone Belt (AGB), which is 150 km wide and stretches 650 km from roughly Wawa, Ontario to Val d’Or, Quebec. The belt has produced millions of ounces of gold over its history, with the Cadillac Gold Camp, Virginiatown, Rouyn-Noranda Gold Camp, and Val d’Or Gold Camp being just a few of its largest contributors.

Abitibi Greenstone Belt

Source: Genesis Metals

Quebec Politics and Infrastructure

The government of Quebec supports mineral exploration within its borders with a tax credit system that refunds 25% of eligible exploration expenses for non-operating corporations, and 10% of eligible exploration expenses for operating corporations (Financial Incentives). So, roughly, for every $1 spent by a Quebec based mineral explorer, 25 cents will come back to the company, which can effectively be rolled right back into further exploration work. This is not only a huge plus for the company and its shareholders, but an ingenious way for the province to promote mineral exploration.

The long history of mining in the AGB means that most regions of the belt are accessible or near infrastructure such as highways, rail, power, and deep water ports along the St. Lawrence Seaway. Also, Quebec boasts some of the most competitive electricity rates in Canada, as its hydroelectric dams constitute a major portion of its electricity production.

Source: Genesis Metals

Finally, Quebec takes great pride in a transparent mining system, which is built around three key pillars:

“Open access to resources is ensured on the largest possible portion of territory, Mineral rights are granted on a first-come, first-served basis and if a discovery is made, the title holder can be reasonably sure of obtaining the right to develop the resource.” ~ Investissement Quebec

Favourable politics and world class geology – for me, it doesn’t get much better than Quebec, as far as your investment buck goes!

Gensis Metals Corp. – Chevrier Gold Project Phase 1 and 2 Drill Update

Genesis’ 100% owned Chevrier Gold Project encompasses 120 square km and is located 35 km south of Chibougamau, Quebec, in the heart of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Chevrier straddles 15 km of the Fancamp deformation zone, and is 15 km northeast of IAMGOLD’s high-grade Monster Lake gold discovery.

Abitibi Land Claims

Chevrier has an existing NI 43-101 inferred resource for its Main Zone, which is 300,000 oz of gold at 1.99 g/t (1 g/t cut-off), and is open for further expansion at depth and to the north.

Phase 1 Drilling

Roughly 5,000 metres of drilling was completed in Phase 1 at Chevrier. The focus of the drilling was four fold; confirm historical Geonova drill holes by twinning, complete infill and step out drilling on the existing Main Zone Deposit, and finally, explore other IP and geological targets.

The results of the twinned and infill holes did not disappoint, as they confirm continuity of the shallow gold mineralization within Chevrier’s Main Zone. A full list of drill results can be found on SEDAR, a few of the highlights from the results are:

  • Twinned hole GM17-09 returned 2.94 g/t gold (Au) over a width of 58.70 m (starting at 74.60 m down hole), which included an interval of 14.01 g/t over a width of 6.35 m.
  • Hole GM17-20 returned 2.00 g/t Au over 35.20 m within a zone that graded 0.93 g/t Au over 94.90m starting at 91.5 m down hole.
  • Hole GM17-21 returned 1.13 g/t Au over 38.05 m.
  • Hole GM17-22 returned 1.06 g/t Au over 24.45 m.
  • Hole GM17-16 returned 1.06 g/t Au over 14.22 m including: 3.50 g/t Au over 3.22 m.

Using the image below to reference the highlighted holes:

2017 Chevrier Drill Campaign

Chevrier Gold Project – 2017 Drilling

Trenching

The IP survey of the property identified a geophysical anomaly roughly 5 km northeast of the Chevrier Main Zone.  During the Phase 1 drill program, Genesis completed exploration of this anomaly via trenching. In a news release on October 3rd, 2017, Genesis reported that they had identified a new area of gold mineralization in Trench 29, returning a channel sample of 2.55 g/t Au over 2.3 m.  This area will be explored further in the future.

Phase 2 Drilling

On January 22, 2018 Genesis announced the results of its 5,000 metre Phase 2 drill program on the Chevrier Gold Project.  The Main Zone was the focus of Phase 2, completing 18 holes of infill and step-out drilling. The results, in my opinion, look good. Check out highlights from the drill program:

  • 8.73 g/t Au over 21.35 m including 37.97 g/t Au over 3.00 m in hole GM-17-42
  • 3.59 g/t Au over 22.60 m in a separate zone in hole GM-17-42
  • 4.26 g/t Au over 19.40 m including 8.99 g/t Au over 7.80 m in hole GM-17-48
  • 4.47 g/t Au over 12.45 m within an interval of 1.08 g/t Au over 84.85 m in hole GM-17-46
  • 5.06 g/t Au over 8.45 m and 1.23 g/t Au over 43.00 m in two intervals in hole GM-17-41
  • 4.53 g/t Au over 13.80 m in hole GM-17-44
  • 1.04 g/t Au over 50.05 m including 1.94 g/t Au over 17.10 m in hole GM-17-44

Putting the results into perspective, remember that the Main Zone’s existing inferred resource has an average grade of 1.99 g/t.  The impact of these shallow, higher grade results should be realized in Genesis’ resource update for the project coming later this year.

Additionally, and of particular importance, was the step-out results which came from holes GM-17-45 and GM-17-46. These holes were drilled with the intent of testing for an extension of the mineralization from hole GM-17-09, which was drilled in Phase 1 (refer to the image above for the location).

The results from these two holes reveal a new north-east trending shallow extension of the mineralization discovered in GM-17-09. Specifically, from the drill results table in the news release , GM-17-45 returned a shallow interval (35.4 m down hole) of 63 metres at 0.5 g/t gold, while GM-17-46 returned a shallow interval (19.35 m down hole) of 84.85 metres of 1.08 g/t gold.

PUSH: Announcement of follow up drill program on the Main Zone, focusing on the high grade holes which were discovered in 2017.

PUSH: Chevrier Gold Project resource estimate update in 2018.

Chevrier South Zone

While Chevrier’s Main Zone, with its existing Inferred Resource, has garnered the bulk of drilling over the history of the Project, I believe there’s the possibility of some great results from Chevrier’s South Zone. Why? Although the South Zone doesn’t have an existing 43-101 resource, Met-Chem’s comments within the technical report state,

“the Chevrier South deposit contains a potential between 8.5 and 9.0 million tons of mineralized material grading 1.8 to 2.2 g/t Au.” ~ Met-Chem – 43-101 Technical Report on the Mineral Resource of the Chevrier Gold Project – pg.93

If you express the 8.5 million tons of mineralized material at 1.8 g/ton, you get 459,000 ounces of gold. Met-Chem’s reference to the possible resource size of the South Zone deposit is based off a small historical drill data set and its similarities in alteration and deformation like the Main Zone. The fact is, the South Zone needs further drilling before a 43-101 complaint resource can be officially estimated.

As Genesis intends to update the Chevrier Gold Project resource estimate in 2018, I believe there’s a good chance that we could see them refocus their attention on the Project’s South Zone. Given Met-Chem’s comments, I believe there’s good reason to believe drilling within the South Zone could have a tremendous impact on the updated resource estimate for the entire Project.

In my opinion, the updated resource on the Chevrier Gold Project, which will include both the Main and South Zones, will exceed 1 million ounces and should set Genesis up for a market re-rating, as its current sub $10 million MCAP doesn’t reflect the potential of what it possess.

PUSH: Watch for the announcement of a drill program on Chevrier‘s South Zone. The results from a South Zone drill program could have a major impact on Chevrier’s updated overall resource estimate.

October Gold Project

Genesis also owns 100% of the 203 square km October Gold Project, located in the southern Swayze greenstone belt in Benton Township, Ontario. This project is located 35 km northwest of IAMGOLD’s Cote Lake deposit, and 50 km southeast of Goldcorp’s Borden Gold Deposit. The Cote Lake Deposit was purchased by IAMGOLD from Trelawney Mining for $585 million, while the Borden Gold Deposit was purchased by Goldcorp from Probe Mines for $526 million. This demonstrates how coveted this Ridout Deformation Zone is, and Genesis’ October Gold Project is right in the middle, and on trend.

IAMGOLD announced in a press release on June 5, 2017 that Sumitomo Metal Mining has acquired a 30% undivided participating joint venture interest in IAMGOLD’s ownership interest in the Cote Gold Project for an aggregate $195 million. Sumitomo’s interest in this area of Northern Ontario should bring more attention to the surrounding land claim owners, one of which is Genesis’ October Gold Project.

The October Gold Project straddles what is considered the western extension of the Larder Lake-Cadillac Deformation and a portion of the Ridout Deformation zone. Historic gold deposits on these deformations, Kirkland Lake and Kerr Addison-Chesterville, have historic gold production north of 49 Moz.

October Gold Project

The October Gold property saw surface exploration work in 2011. The program comprised of Soil Gas Hydrocarbon (SGH) sampling and reconnaissance level gravity geophysical surveys.

“A SGH survey is a deep penetrating geochemical method that involves the analysis of various hydrocarbons associated with ore bodies at depth using a forensic and comparative approach for Identification. “ ~ Genesis

The program has identified two gold anomalies, which Actlabs, the interpreting laboratory, says have a high degree of confidence. This confidence is based on comparisons with other surveys that Actlabs has completed on other gold deposits. These anomalies will see future surface work which should better define where the diamond drilling should take place.

The October Gold project property is early stage, but holds very promising gold exploration potential.

Concluding Remarks

The Genesis Metals story is not without risk, as any gold exploration company runs the risk of not finding anything or not finding mineralization which is economic. In Genesis’ case, I believe further modelling of the gold grade distribution within the Main Zone, should feed nicely into Chevrier’s updated resource estimate later this year. While on the exploration side, drilling on Chevrier’s South Zone appears to be very promising.

Outside of the risk of exploration, Genesis has some compelling facts that make their story undervalued in comparison to the paltry sub $10 million MCAP that they currently possess, including:

  • A proven management team: Groves, Sundar, Fleming, Florek, Liboiron and Mcleod
  • Strategic Shareholders List Headlined by: Osisko Mining, Eric Sprott, Delbrook Capital, Gold 2000, US Global Investors, SIDEX/SDBJ and Medalist Capital
  • Located in the 6th best jurisdiction in the world, Quebec
  • PUSH: Announcement of a follow up drill program, focused on Chevrier’s Main Zone high grade drill holes, which were discovered in 2017.
  • PUSH: Announcement of a drill program focused on Chevrier’s South Zone in 2018.
  • PUSH: 2018 Chevrier Gold Project Resource Estimate Update – In my opinion this estimate could exceed 1 million ounces of gold.
  • Great bang for their drilling buck, as their all-in drill costs thus far have roughly averaged $220 per metre
  • Large land package with exploration potential, Chevrier Gold Project and October Gold Project

The next leg of the gold bull market is upon us, fortunes will be made in the coming years by buying right and sitting tight, investing in companies that look to add value for their shareholders. Genesis Metals (GIS:TSXV) is a great example of this and is a company in which I’m investing.

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Until next time,

Brian Leni  P.Eng

Founder – Junior Stock Review

Disclaimer: The following is not an investment recommendation, it is an investment idea. I am not a certified investment professional, nor do I know you and your individual investment needs. Please perform your own due diligence to decide whether this is a company and sector that is best suited for your personal investment criteria. I do own Genesis Metals Corporation stock. All Genesis Metals Corporation analytics were taken from their website and press release. Genesis Metals Corporation is a Sponsor of Junior Stock Review.

Today Osisko Mining Inc. (T:OSK) released more high-grade gold Intersected at Lynx, reporting a headline result of two metres of 379 g/t gold.  In the company’s press release today, OSK-W-17-881 returned a bonanza grade of 379 g/t Au over 2.0 metres, including 1,260 g/t Au over 0.6 metre (30.7 g/t Au over 2.0 m cut).    However, investors should not jump to conclusions because this is a term used a semi-qualitative/quantitative term to describe drill results in the hundreds of g/t and does not indicate the entire project but nonetheless impressive.

The drill results come from its ongoing 400,000 metre drill program at its 100% owned Windfall Lake gold project located in Urban Township, Québec. The latest drill results comprise 16 intercepts in 12 drill holes focused on infill and expansion drilling in the Lynx deposit.  Currently, the company has 24 drills active on the Windfall Project; expect more results and a growing resource as the company is using these results to support an updated resource later in 2017.

 Highlights from today’s drill results are as follows:

  • Drill Hole OSK-W-17-881: 2.0 metres grading 379.00 g/t gold (uncut) from a downhole depth of 412.0 metres, including 0.6 metres grading 1,260.00 g/t gold (uncut);

  • Drill Hole OSK-W-17-898: 3.0 metres grading 23.50 g/t gold from a downhole depth of 429.9 metres, including 0.8 metres grading 85.20 g/t gold;

  • Drill Hole OSK-W-17-895: 6.5 metres grading 8.98 g/t gold from a downhole depth of 221.0 metres, including 1.0 metre grading 34.70 g/t gold and 0.5 metres grading 37.40 g/t gold;

  • Drill Hole OSK-W-17-924: 6.1 metres grading 9.18 g/t gold from a downhole depth of 220.9 metres, including 1.1 metres grading 29.50 g/t gold; and

  • Drill Hole OSK-W-17-908:

  • 4.2 metres grading 10.60 g/t gold from a downhole depth of 738.4 metres, including 1.6 metres grading 26.60 g/t gold;

  • 4.1 metres grading 7.34 g/t gold from a downhole depth of 756.0 metres, including 1.1 metres grading 19.30 g/t gold;

  • 2.5 metres grading 12.60 g/t gold from a downhole depth of 764.0 metres, including 1.0 metre grading 26.70 g/t gold.

In today’s trading on the TSX, shares in Osisko rose 8 cents to $4.77 with 855,300 changing hands.    At this time last year, shares in the company were trading around $2.00.  In a note to clients today, Haywood maintained its buy rating of Osisko shares with a price target of $6.50 with a very high risk rating.   Upcoming catalyst events for investors will be the Windfall resource update and the Marban feasibility study due in the company’s third quarter of 2017.   With results like this, there could be a significant change with the size of the Windfall resource.

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