Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold,” “GPAC,” or the
"Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: 4TU) is pleased to
announce that it has completed its acquisition of Wild Dog
Resources Inc. (“WDR”) pursuant to the terms of an amalgamation
agreement (the “Amalgamation Agreement”) with 15103452 Canada Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPAC (“GPAC Sub”), and
WDR. WDR owns and/or has the right to earn an interest
in three (3) separate high-grade gold-copper mineral properties
located in Papua New Guinea (“PNG”): the Wild Dog Project, the Arau
Project and the Kesar Creek Project (collectively, the “WDR
Properties”) through Exploration Licenses ("EL") and Exploration
License Applications ("ELA").
Highlights of Acquisition:
- 2166 sq. km land position
assembled via the acquisition of interests in a variety of ELs and
ELAs
- includes 614 sq. km project
contiguous with and SE of K92 Mining Inc. exploration
tenements
- includes 130 sq. km project
contiguous with and NW of K92 Mining Inc. tenements, 10 km from
mining operations
- PNG ELs and ELAs contain
multiple high priority gold and copper targets
Bryan Slusarchuk, CEO of GPAC, states, “We are
pleased to diversify our portfolio with these high-quality gold and
copper assets in PNG. With the financial and technical experience
of various team members in PNG, we are in an excellent position to
unlock the potential upside of these high-grade assets. We look
forward to building on the excellent work that WDR has completed on
multiple high priority gold and copper drill targets across the
land package.”
Terms of the Acquisition
Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, in
consideration of WDR:
- The shareholders of WDR (the “WDR
Shareholders”) received an aggregate of approximately 16,161,441
common shares of GPAC (the “Common Shares”), and each WDR
Shareholder received one (1) Common Share for every 7.028 WDR
Shares held (the “Exchange Ratio”) (rounded down to the nearest
whole number of Common Shares).
- The Common Shares issued to the WDR
Shareholders are subject to voluntary restrictions on resale, of
which 33.3% of the Common Shares will not be subject to
restrictions on resale, 33.3% of the Common Shares will be subject
to restrictions on resale for a period of three (3) months
following closing of the Acquisition (“Closing”) and 33.4% of the
Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a
period of six (6) months following Closing.
- The warrantholders of WDR (the “WDR
Warrantholders”) received an aggregate of approximately 526,892
Common Share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”), and each WDR
Warrantholder received Warrants exercisable to acquire such number
of Common Shares as is equal to the number of WDR Shares issuable
under each such WDR Share purchase warrant (a “WDR Warrant”)
previously held by such WDR Warrantholder multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common
Shares) at an exercise price per Common Share equal to the exercise
price of such WDR Warrant per WDR Share divided by the Exchange
Ratio until the expiry time of such WDR Warrant.
- The optionees of WDR (the “WDR
Optionees”) were granted an aggregate of approximately 1,553,679
stock options of GPAC (the “Options”), and each WDR Optionee was
granted Options exercisable to acquire such number of Common Shares
as is equal to the number of WDR Shares issuable under each such
stock option of WDR (a “WDR Option”) previously held by such WDR
Optionee multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the
nearest whole number of Common Shares) at an exercise price per
Common Share equal to the exercise price of such WDR Option per WDR
Share divided by the Exchange Ratio until the expiry time of such
WDR Option.
Immediately prior to Closing, WDR had a working
capital of C$1,000,000, excluding payments due prior to Closing
under the agreements relating to the WDR Properties, payments made
to satisfy all accrued fees and termination benefits under the
executive compensation agreements and payments of corporate and
legal costs in the ordinary course of business.
On Closing, GPAC appointed Iain Martin, a
director of WDR, as a director of GPAC.
Information Concerning the WDR
Properties
The WDR Properties comprise of a 2,166 sq. km
mineral exploration land package in PNG consisting of two ELs and
multiple ELAs.
Figure 1. Papua New Guinea Project Location
Map
The Wild Dog Project
The Wild Dog Project consists of one EL and one
ELAs (ELA 2516 and EL 2761) totalling 1424 sq. km, which are
located on the island of New Britain and are approximately 50 km
southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.
The Wild Dog Project occurs within a major NNE
trending structure of at least 26 km in length which transect
apparent volcanic caldera structures and intrusions. During the
Mio-Pliocene at least three volcanic centres, known as the
Nengmutka, Keravat and Sikut calderas, were localised along this
horst and graben zone. This structural corridor constitutes an
epithermal and porphyry hydrothermal-magmatic mineralized
field.
The Nengmutka Caldera, which hosts the Wild Dog
deposit, is characterised by a suite of calc-alkaline andesite
breccia and ash flow tuff known as the Nengmutka Volcanics
(Lindley, 1988). This formation has been mapped over an area of 600
sq. km. Tonalite of the Arabam Diorite intrudes the volcanic
sequence and appears to be partly coeval with the caldera related
volcanism.
The precious metal prospects are associated with
epithermal type veining that contain gold-silver-telluride
(Au-Ag-Te) mineralisation. Gold and silver occur as native metals
and as telluride minerals. Porphyry copper-gold type mineralization
also occurs associated with these intrusion centres that usually
underly the epithermal systems. The whole of the recognised belt is
held within the Wild Dog tenements.
Within the central part of the Wild Dog project,
a significant structural corridor called the “Wild Dog – Gunsap
Corridor” occurs. The corridor is at least 15 km long and up to 4
km wide and hosts at least three porphyry copper-gold prospects and
several epithermal gold deposits and prospects.
The original Wild Dog epithermal gold deposit
occurs within the “Wild Dog – Gunsap Corridor” in the central part
of the tenements. It was discovered in 1983, with exploration
including extensive mapping, trenching, rock sampling and drilling
between 1983 and 2005 by various explorers. New Guinea Gold Limited
operated a small open pit mining operation from 2007 and 2011. No
exploration has occurred since the closure of the mine.
Figure 2. Wild Dog Project Location and Tenements
Maps
Historical work completed by a previous operator
returned significant gold assays. Channel sampling at the Kavursuki
Prospect yields 4m at 9.41 g/t Au and at the Kargalio Vein 6m at
11.5 g/t Au.
Drilling of the Kavursuki Prospect by previous
explorers, located within the Wild Dog Zone and north of the former
Wild Dog mine, also yielded positive high-grade results.
Table 1 – Kavursuki Prospect Significant Drill Intercepts
Hole ID |
N |
E |
RL |
Depth |
Azim |
Dip |
From (m) |
Length (m) |
Au g/t |
Cu ppm |
90KVD005 |
9490500 |
395008 |
787 |
85.60 |
101.50 |
-45.00 |
5.35 |
1.25 |
12.80 |
1200 |
90KVD009 |
9490834 |
395227 |
758 |
93.85 |
101.50 |
-45.00 |
44.65 |
3.75 |
11.21 |
639 |
10KVD016 |
9490464 |
394971 |
798 |
51.00 |
101.50 |
-50.00 |
35.44 |
8.06 |
6.49 |
194 |
10KVD017 |
9490464 |
394970 |
798 |
50.00 |
101.50 |
-65.00 |
29.08 |
1.12 |
33.70 |
120 |
11KVD019 |
9490496 |
395039 |
807 |
45.10 |
101.50 |
-60.00 |
11.10 |
5.25 |
9.45 |
167 |
11KVD020 |
9490537 |
395045 |
805 |
50.90 |
101.50 |
-50.00 |
32.45 |
11.05 |
3.18 |
377 |
11KVD025 |
9490809 |
395241 |
752 |
45.20 |
101.50 |
-50.00 |
14.75 |
8.15 |
18.77 |
2801 |
11KVD026 |
9490810 |
395272 |
776 |
51.70 |
281.50 |
-60.00 |
33.80 |
5.10 |
14.70 |
101 |
11KVD027 |
9490870 |
395252 |
767 |
56.10 |
101.50 |
-50.00 |
30.70 |
1.90 |
10.35 |
46 |
Apart from the drilling conducted at the former
Wild Dog gold mine there remain several drill intercepts that
require further exploration outside of the mine environment as
tabulated below, apart from the various trenching and channel
sampling targets.
Table 2 – Wild Dog Prospect Area Significant Drill
Intercepts
Hole ID |
N |
E |
RL |
Depth |
Azim |
Dip |
From |
Length |
Au g/t |
Cu ppm |
86WDD020 |
9489141 |
394278 |
983 |
259.35 |
103.50 |
-60.00 |
129.35 |
7.70 |
5.28 |
902 |
87WDD024 |
9489117 |
394316 |
965 |
152.55 |
98.50 |
-60.00 |
138.25 |
5.10 |
8.32 |
8556 |
87WDD027 |
9489115 |
394325 |
965 |
200.40 |
98.50 |
-60.00 |
117.95 |
6.20 |
19.13 |
786 |
87WDD040A |
9489219 |
394320 |
994 |
280.99 |
103.50 |
-60.00 |
148.60 |
4.20 |
12.50 |
4066 |
87WDD045 |
9489235 |
394287 |
988 |
300.20 |
103.50 |
-60.00 |
201.30 |
2.85 |
16.94 |
32123 |
87WDD051 |
9489249 |
394257 |
985 |
309.10 |
103.50 |
-60.00 |
253.95 |
6.05 |
7.29 |
2054 |
87WDD058 |
9489285 |
394359 |
977 |
285.90 |
101.50 |
-60.00 |
147.00 |
12.45 |
4.96 |
6694 |
87WDD064 |
9489179 |
394289 |
1001 |
290.60 |
101.50 |
-60.00 |
158.00 |
14.95 |
2.73 |
650 |
87WDD065 |
9489160 |
394330 |
996 |
250.10 |
101.50 |
-60.00 |
142.70 |
4.65 |
5.49 |
3246 |
87WDD069 |
9489139 |
394375 |
991 |
123.50 |
101.50 |
-60.00 |
88.55 |
7.75 |
7.12 |
7151 |
08WDD111 |
9489393 |
394513 |
906 |
100.00 |
281.50 |
-60.00 |
48.40 |
7.10 |
5.47 |
931 |
85WDD014 |
9488708 |
394260 |
954 |
86.20 |
113.50 |
-51.00 |
48.25 |
5.25 |
9.79 |
10863 |
86WDP010 |
9488839 |
394302 |
909 |
60.00 |
83.50 |
-60.00 |
34.00 |
6.00 |
6.71 |
5047 |
87WDD040A |
9489219 |
394320 |
994 |
280.99 |
103.50 |
-60.00 |
164.55 |
13.50 |
8.56 |
3056 |
90WDD086 |
9488948 |
394337 |
890 |
79.00 |
78.50 |
-50.00 |
18.45 |
11.25 |
16.22 |
3473 |
97WD098 |
9489389 |
394487 |
905 |
39.00 |
98.50 |
-45.00 |
12.00 |
8.00 |
9.73 |
NA* |
NA* - not assayed or not available.
Table 3 – Mengmut Prospect Significant Drilling Intercepts
Hole ID |
North |
East |
RL |
Depth |
Azim |
Dip |
From |
Length |
Au g/t |
Cu ppm |
MRC01 |
9487963 |
393871 |
968 |
20.00 |
0.00 |
-90.00 |
2.00 |
18.00 |
3.05 |
3084 |
MRC02 |
9487978 |
393874 |
971 |
30.00 |
0.00 |
-90.00 |
0.00 |
18.00 |
3.07 |
1053 |
90WDD087 |
9488091 |
394082 |
1021 |
61.95 |
101.50 |
-50.00 |
7.30 |
1.35 |
5.02 |
1650 |
90WDD088 |
9488104 |
394070 |
1023 |
40.30 |
101.50 |
-50.00 |
21.30 |
1.55 |
3.95 |
25 |
MMD003 |
9486870 |
393532 |
924 |
104.00 |
133.00 |
-50.00 |
|
2.35 |
4.42 |
NA* |
MMD006 |
9486770 |
393479 |
945 |
122.05 |
133.00 |
-50.00 |
|
2.55 |
4.16 |
NA* |
Additionally, multiple samples collected from a
historic stockpile near the Wild Dog Zone returned bonanza grades
of gold and copper including Sample 30104 which assayed 242 g/t Au,
601 g/t Ag, 9.52% Cu and Sample 68001 which assayed 122.5 g/t Au,
350 g/t Ag and 11% Cu.
Figure 3 - Previous IP exploration survey at Wild
Dog Project.
The exploration program at the Wild Dog Project
will initially focus on drilling extensions to known gold
mineralization within the Wild Dog – Kavursuki mineralized corridor
(Tables 1 & 2) as well as other targets within the Wild Dog
Structure such as Mengmut prospect (Table 3). Other targets to be
explored include the copper-gold Magiabe porphyry target as well as
regional geochemical targets established by previous explorers.
Extension of the IP coverage in the Magiabe area could better
define the target. Orientation soil geochemistry and auger drilling
through the shallow cover sequence in prospective areas will be
undertaken (Figure 3).
The details of the underlying agreements on the
Wild Dog Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5,
2023.
The Arau Project
The Arau Project consists of one EL (EL 2651)
and one ELA (ELA 2715), located in the Kainantu region, Eastern
Highlands Province, PNG, which are immediately east of and
adjoining the Kainantu gold mine owned by K92 Mining Inc.
Initial exploration work by previous operators
has identified two potential deposit types at the Arau Project:
- epithermal-high
sulphidation gold (Sabudia Hill, Onga Hill and Erandora prospects)
and
- copper-gold
porphyry prospects (Mt. Victor, Mt. Aiyonka, Ebitara and P1
prospects).
Within the licence area, the Mt. Victor Prospect
(copper-gold porphyry target) covers an area of 800m by 400m, and
previous drilling suggests that the prospect area is a multiple
phase intrusion complex that is copper, and gold mineralized. It is
a drill ready prospect in which previous channel sampling has
identified the following strong gold grades:
-
38m @ 2.64 g/t Au
-
12m @ 5.5 g/t Au
-
18m @ 2.4 g/t Au
-
10m @ 3.7 g/t Au.
These channel samples are in the central part of
the Mt Victor prospect southwest of the former Mt Victor gold mine
(Figure 5). Previous drilling was carried out in the 1980s, and all
drillholes presented were vertical, which is not appropriate for
the subvertical fault zones present within the prospect.
Figure 4 Arau Project Geology and Prospect
Location map
Figure 5 – Arau Project, Mt Victor Prospect
detailed map.
Table 4 – Mt Victor Prospect Significant Drill Intercepts
Hole ID |
E* |
N* |
Depth |
From (m) |
Length (m) |
Au g/t |
Cu ppm |
Notes |
CRD58 |
385177 |
9291680 |
64.5 |
0 |
64.5 |
0.18 |
106 |
granodiorite intruded by diorite |
DDH89-1 |
384650 |
9291308 |
260 |
234 |
5 |
0.85 |
NA |
disseminated copper mineralization |
DDH89-2 |
384965 |
9291825 |
300 |
43 |
10 |
1.10 |
NA |
under review |
DDH89-3 |
384873 |
9291562 |
300 |
213 |
10 |
1.20 |
NA |
under review |
MVD07 |
384746 |
9291253 |
52.8 |
0 |
52.8 |
0.10 |
384 |
altered pyritic diorite |
MVD08 |
384831 |
9291327 |
30 |
16 |
14 |
0.19 |
373 |
argillic altered QFP |
MVD09 |
384853 |
9291333 |
36 |
34 |
2 |
0.29 |
NA |
epidote altered intrusive rock |
MVD20 |
384900 |
9291345 |
75 |
0 |
75 |
0.34 |
304 |
argillic altered brecciated porphyry |
MVD21 |
384890 |
9291353 |
48 |
0 |
48 |
0.41 |
329 |
diorite/QFP brecciated contact |
MVD36 |
385032 |
9291456 |
24 |
22 |
2 |
14.70 |
463 |
altered pyritic porphyry |
MVD40 |
384994 |
9291435 |
38 |
0 |
38 |
3.10 |
1400 |
silica epidote altered porphyry |
MVD46 |
384932 |
9291388 |
34.5 |
15 |
19.5 |
0.33 |
117 |
epidote pyrite altered porphyry |
MVD50 |
385068 |
9291469 |
29 |
16 |
13 |
0.13 |
722 |
clay altered granodiorite |
MVD52 |
384962 |
9291475 |
30 |
14 |
16 |
1.01 |
77 |
sericite epidote altered porphyry |
MVD62 |
384704 |
9291152 |
75 |
40 |
35 |
0.12 |
287 |
kspar epidote altered porphyry |
MVD63 |
384596 |
9291160 |
48 |
0 |
48 |
0.75 |
373 |
diorite intruded by pyritic porphyry |
Initial drilling at the Arau Project will involve five angled
diamond drill holes to follow up on a successful electromagnetic
survey and previous excellent geochemical sampling results.
The details of the underlying agreement on the
Arau Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5,
2023.
The Kesar Creek Project
The Kesar Creek Project consists of one ELA, ELA
2711, and is located 10 km from the Kora gold deposit owned by K92
Mining Inc (Figure 6).
Exploration at Kesar Creek has identified the
presence of semi-massive copper rich sulphide mineralization
associated with quartz veins on strike to the Kora gold deposit, as
well as the potential for copper-gold porphyry prospects within the
tenement. Although limited exploration has been carried out at
Kesar Creek, initial rock sampling programs returned high-grade
gold-copper-silver values including:
- Rock sample no 14128 at 11.5 g/t Au
- Rock sample no A1428 at 11.9 g/t Au
- Rock sample no 9231F at 10.6 g/t Au
- Rock sample no 14236 at 11.6 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag
- Rock sample no. A14023 at 30.4 g/t Au, 240 g/t Ag, 0.13%
Cu
The details of the underlying agreement on the
Kesar Creek Property are set forth in the news release dated July
5, 2023.
Figure 6 - Kesar Creek project map with key
geological features.
About GPAC
Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade
gold projects in Papua New Guinea (“PNG”) and Australia.
In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently acquired a
significant 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG.
The land package comprises two ELs and multiple ELAs. It includes
both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with
high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralisation
present.
The Arau Project consists of one granted
exploration license, EL 2651, and one exploration license
application, ELA 2715, located in the Kainantu region, and includes
the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple
phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralisation.
The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted
exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license
application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and
about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.
The Kesar Creek Project consists of one
exploration license application, ELA 2711, and is located 10 km
west of the K92 Gold Mine owned and operated by K92 Mining Inc.
In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two,
100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and
Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of
granted and application tenements containing further epizonal
(low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralisation and associated
intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria,
Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a
multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is
a 666 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the
same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd’s
Fosterville gold mine and associated exploration tenements. The
Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the
edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of
the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal
gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which
adjoins the Southern Cross Gold’s (ASX:SXG) Sunday Creek
exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated
granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which
contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold
mineralisation. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another
gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has
epizonal style gold mineralisation and associated potential
intrusion-related gold mineralisation, as well as the Beechworth
Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion
related and mesozonal gold mineralization.
All of GPAC’s properties are 100% owned and have
had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite
limited modern exploration and drilling.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has
been reviewed, verified and approved by Rex Motton, AusIMM (CP),
COO of GPAC, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National
Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Mr. Motton is responsible for the technical content of this news
release.
On behalf of GPACRex MottonChief Operating Officer and
Director
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release
contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions
as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect
management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and
expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great
Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are
inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by
many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective
control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and
uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating
history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral
properties and the need to comply with environmental and
governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events,
conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates,
beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the
forward looking information. Except as required under applicable
securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to
publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information: Adam
Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833)
923-3334, Email: info@fostervillesouth.com
Photos accompanying this announcement is available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3679f61d-f6e1-494a-a77c-5a727c52e65bhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3f9d09a-c7a5-43cd-a68f-31c4b26b578ahttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9df4e0e-2ca7-43bf-88f6-5b74a5ee349chttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee885d8c-e51f-4f16-acc1-ae6a02079bb2https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f9b30ba-3977-4f33-9b7f-9e2990f8c7eahttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6d3e872e-1847-4df6-a0fb-9f2cc942119c
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