Athabasca Minerals Inc. Acquires Interest in Duvernay Frac Sand Project
29 January 2019 - 11:01PM
Athabasca Minerals Inc. (“AMI” or the “Corporation”) (TSX Venture:
ABM) has entered into an agreement (“Agreement”) to acquire
ownership of a private Alberta corporation (“Privco2”) that holds
the Duvernay Frac Sand Project (“Duvernay Project”) in Alberta. The
Duvernay Project adds to and further strengthens the Corporation’s
objective of becoming the leading ‘in-basin’ frac sand supplier of
premium domestic sand in Western Canada through its wholly-owned
subsidiary, AMI Silica Inc.
AMI has progressively staged its ownership in
Privco2, based on key milestones in delineating the Duvernay
Project resource. An initial investment of $280,000 in cash and the
issuance of 420,000 Athabasca (‘ABM’) shares was made for 16.2%
interest in Privco2. An additional 33.4% interest will be acquired
for $742,000 and the issuance of 1,680,000 Athabasca (‘ABM’) shares
pending resource delineation results expected in April-2019. The
Corporation has the further option to purchase the remaining 50.4%
percent from Privco2 shareholders within 1 year following this
transaction.
Robert Beekhuizen, CEO of Athabasca Minerals,
and President of AMI Silica Inc stated; “With the acquisition of
Privco2, AMI Silica Inc has expanded and strategically positioned
its portfolio with a ‘book-end’ project serving the Duvernay and
Deep Basins in Alberta that fittingly complements its Montney
In-basin Project. The quality of the Duvernay Project frac sand
benchmarks well against imported Tier-1 Wisconsin / Northern White
sands. Considering that 30% of the frac sand used in the Western
Canadian Oil & Gas sector is deployed in Duvernay and Deep
Basins, and 55% in the Montney Basin, AMI Silica’s assets cater to
85% of market demand with premium domestic in-basin resources.
Additionally, the Corporation’s Duvernay and Montney Projects offer
important supply and logistics alternatives to local industry that
simplify product delivery, double-handling risks, reduce
transportation costs and a continued dependence on 70% imported
American frac sand.”
Early laboratory results of the Duvernay Project
sand, as conducted by Stim-Lab Inc on samples taken from the
deposit, showed favorable physical properties, with sphericity and
roundness factors of 0.7 each, acid solubility of 2.6% and crush
strength values of 9k psi (40/70 granularity) and test results of
10k psi (70/140 granularity). These preliminary results indicate
that the Duvernay Project sand complies with API Standard 19C
specifications for sands used in hydraulic fracturing.
Athabasca and Privco2 have formed a joint
project team, with initial exploration activities to commence
immediately. Funds invested in Privco2 will be used to advance the
Duvernay Project commencing with resource delineation and
validation in Q1-2019.
In accordance with the requirements of National
Instrument 43-101, Mr. Al Turner, M.Sc., P.Geol., of Stantec
Consulting Ltd., has filled the role of Qualified Person
responsible for review of the technical content included in this
Press Release. Mr. Turner is an independent consultant contracted
by the Corporation.
About Athabasca MineralsThe Corporation is an
integrated aggregates company involved in resource development,
aggregates marketing and midstream supply-logistics solutions.
Business activities include aggregate production, pit management
services, sales from corporate-owned and third-party pits,
acquisitions of sand and gravel operations, and new venture
development. Athabasca Minerals is also the parent company of
Aggregates Marketing Inc. – a midstream business providing
integrated supply and transportation solutions for industrial and
construction markets; AMI Silica Inc. – an in-basin supplier of
premium domestic frac sand for Alberta and NE British Columbia; and
joint venture owner of the Montney In-Basin Frac Sand Project. The
Corporation also has industrial mineral land exploration licenses
that are strategically positioned for future development in
industrial regions of high potential demand.
For further Information on Athabasca, please
contact:Dean StuartT: 403-617-7609E:
dean@boardmarker.net
Robert BeekhuizenT: 780-465-5696
Neither the 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.
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