Preparing for Copper Production: Advancing Old Producers | 2021-06-11 | Invest News
(Images via corporate presentation by Braveheart Resources Inc.)
The topic of electrification unfolding in the capital markets has captured the attention of investors. Many are looking to the lithium and graphite opportunities, but the reality is that 8% of that battery is still copper, and that isn’t going to change any time soon.
Braveheart Resources Inc. (TSX-V: BHT, OTCQB: RIINF, Forum) is a Canadian-based junior mining company focused on exploration and development in supportive and proven Canadian mining jurisdictions on or near former producing properties.
Braveheart’s primary asset is the Bull River Mine Project near Cranbrook, British Columbia, which currently has a mineral resource containing copper, gold and silver. In June 2021, Braveheart released the results of its first 2021 drill program.
The four holes that have been drilled to date on the project as part of the 2021 drilling program have intersected mineralized structures beneath the current mine workings, which are just 350 meters below the portal. We will explore these results further in this article.
Meanwhile, Braveheart’s most recent acquisition is the 100% owned Thierry mine project near Pickle Lake, Ontario, containing copper, nickel, silver, palladium, platinum and gold. . Braveheart also has an option to purchase the Alpine Gold project near Nelson, British Columbia. Alpine is a 142,000 oz, 16.5 g / t high grade gold mine located in Nelson, British Columbia, near Bull River Mill.
The Bull River Mine:
In an interview with Stockhouse Editorial, President and CEO of Braveheart ‘Ian Berzins explained that since the previous owners had invested heavily directly in surface and underground infrastructure, which means there is a cost in very little capital to make the necessary upgrades. Once fully authorized, the project is ready to go.
In the most recent drill program, hole BRU-21-01 intersected 19.79% copper and 98.6 g / t silver over 0.6 meter in a wider intersection of 5.12 % copper, 28.6 g / t silver and 0.63% gold over 3.4 meters.
CEO Berzins commented: “We are extremely pleased with the initial results of this year’s drilling program. Not only have we intersected high grade copper mineralization below our current work, but silver and gold values appear to be increasing at depth relative to our current NI 43-101 mineral resource. ”
The objective of the 2021 drilling program is to test the down-dip extension of the vein networks under current mining works. About 1,000 meters of drilling are planned for the second quarter of 2021.
This program was initially initiated in March 2020 but suspended due to health and safety protocols resulting from the outbreak of COVID 19 after the completion of 831 meters of drilling.
The Company plans to monitor the results of the 2020 drilling program and several historic diamond drill holes located under the current workings.
A historic drill hole, BRU00-035, located below and east of the current South Main Vein resource model, returned a composite average of 2.86% Cu over 9.9 meters, of which 4.27% Cu over 6.0 meters.
A second historic drill hole, BRU09-10, returned a composite average of 3.21% Cu, 21.29 g / t Ag and 1.18 g / t Au over 4.15 meters.
The five holes in the program intersected mineralized structures in the central part of the south vein at depths of approximately 115 meters below level 9, which represents the deepest level of the mine at approximately 350 meters below elevation. from the mine portal.
The Thierry mine:
Located approximately 15 kilometers west of Pickle Lake, the Thierry Project is a former copper and nickel mine and is accessible year round by paved roads and all seasons.
Approximately 4,700 hectares in size, the property contains a mineral resource that complies with NI 43-101.
The underground infrastructure includes a three-compartment well, a production drop to 520 meters below the surface and lateral developments on three levels.
Braveheart bought Thierry for around $ 2.5 million (CAD) and the net present value (NPV) was $ 240 million (CAD) after tax at a copper price of US $ 3.48 per pound. CEO Berzins explained to us that the company essentially bought the property this time around for 1% of the NPV. The price of copper per pound has increased by more than $ 1.00 per pound since Braveheart acquired the property in December 2020.
“Which is quite extraordinary because you could never drill it for that amount. We have about 22 million tonnes right now. So when you start looking at a copper price of around $ 4.55 (USD), Thierry’s NPV goes up to almost $ 550 million. We’re going to look at one or more trade-off studies that would look at how we can get the project online, perhaps a little faster and with less capital cost, which would potentially be in our wheelhouse. ”
Year round accessibility for projects is a major advantage to Braveheart’s operations’ From road access to proximity to hydro or grid power and mining communities, all are advantageous over operations in the north Canada, for example, where workers have to be airlifted and transporting materials on winter roads becomes a challenge. Each of Braveheart’s projects is close to existing Canadian mining communities.
Meet the team:
Leading the Braveheart Resources team is Ian Berzins, who has over 35 years of experience in surface and underground mining for gold, oil sands, copper and coal.
A mining engineer by training, his responsibilities include, but are not limited to, mining engineering, operations, maintenance and human resources. Has held leadership roles including the roles of President, CEO, COO, Vice President / General Manager and General Manager.
He has worked in diverse and remote environments with First Nations stakeholders, while raising funds in difficult financial markets and implementing an enhanced safety culture in all operations.
“My experience has been open and underground in just about every management function, from engineer to supervisor, maintenance, human resources and senior management. & CloseCurlyDoubleQuote;
John Morgan B.Sc., Principal and Geologist who served as President and Chief Operating Officer Officer Atlantic Gold Corp. in Nova Scotia, which was acquired for $ 723 million (CAD). He also has over 35 years of experience with increasing responsibilities in the management of national and international mining operations. He was also vice-president and general manager of Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc. (TSX: TCM), where his Mount Milligan operation was a 60,000-pound-per-day mine. This is my previous experience.
Another director is Philip Keele P.Eng, who has spent more than three decades in all facets of the mining industry, particularly in engineering, operations and senior management. His work was primarily in coal and oil sands, but he held a very senior position where the Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX: CNQ) for a number of years and retired as Vice President, Mines.
Director Heather Kennedy, P.Eng., Also on the Board of Directors, has 23 years of experience in the minerals industry. experience in processing plants, as well as 18 years of experience in policy, regulation, human resources and community development. Over the past 20 years, she has contributed to numerous non-profit and community organizations.
Summary of investment:
Just a few years ago, Braveheart Resources had a market cap of $ 4 million (CAD) with an option to acquire a high grade gold mine. Now, fast forward to today, we have two large short term copper projects and the market capitalization of the company has increased by over $ 20 million (CAD).
“I’m trying to go from being sort of a basic exploration company with an option to acquire a high-grade mine to something that could be producers in the short term,” & CloseCurlyDoubleQuote; CEO Berzins added. Having decided to acquire the Bull River mine, which had invested between 200 and 300 million dollars (CAD) between 1976 and 2010.
The goal was to keep $ 150 million in Canadian tax funds. “So basically in Bull River the project shouldn’t have to pay tax for probably the first 10 years,” he explained. “It was the first thesis to get Bull River going, because it was advanced, a minimum capital to reach the finish line. Then we took action last year to eliminate our convertible debt. Thierry became more of an opportunity. We observed the project struggling in a small mining company that the market had lost focus, and we were able to approach them with a compelling argument that if you take stock in our company, you are now going to have access to not only the Thierry being a mine, but everything that is going well at Bull. River or Alpine. ”
One of the key themes of Braveheart Resource’s investment opportunity is that this team is looking to acquire assets with high production potential, as a former producer or producer in the short term. This shows in the infrastructure that is in place in its projects, which is a significant advantage.
A new study by Global Industry Analysts Inc. published in May 2021 indicated that the global copper pipe and tube market alone is expected to reach 4.6 million tonnes over the next five years. Another report also released this month by ResearchandMarkets.com estimates that the global copper cable market is expected to reach $ 9.7 billion (USD) during this period.
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The post COVID-19 market presents new challenges but also new opportunities for commodity investors and this company presents a strong case that its offering is one of the best for those looking to get into copper before the thrust doesn’t really take off.
Ontario and British Columbia are both recognized as safe and positive mining jurisdictions by the Fraser Institute and any company involved in these areas with the depth, support and expertise of Braveheart Resources Inc. deserves due diligence. more in-depth from investors to see where this business headed in the short term.
For more details on the Company and its operations, visit braveheartresources.com.
FULL DISCLOSURE: This is a paid article produced by Stockhouse Publishing.