TIDMPXC
RNS Number : 5587A
Phoenix Copper Limited
25 May 2023
25 May 2023
Phoenix Copper Limited
('Phoenix' or the 'Company')
Final audited results for the year ended 31 December 2022
Notice of AGM
Phoenix Copper Ltd (AIM: PXC, OTCQX: PXCLY), the AIM-quoted
USA-focused base and precious metals emerging producer and
exploration company is pleased to announce its audited results for
the year ended 31 December 2022. All references to $ are United
States dollars.
Highlights
Corporate & Financial
- Investment in Empire Mine increased to $33.10 million (2021: $26.12 million)
- Net assets increased to $37.84 million (2021: $37.78 million)
- Group reports loss of $1.57 million (2021: $969,250), after
charging a non-cash related foreign exchange loss on sterling
denominated assets of $564,353 (2021: foreign exchange gain of
$173,358)
- Year-end cash balance of $4.66 million (2021: $13.05 million)
- Company loans to Idaho operating subsidiaries increased to
$30.61 million (2021: $21.41 million)
- Group acquisition of third party royalties payable by Empire Mine
- $80 million issue of floating rate, listed, secured,
non-convertible, minimum 8.5% copper bonds due 2028-2032 nearing
completion
- Inaugural Sustainability Report published and 'A' rating scored on Digbee ESG Platform
Operational
- Completed core drilling at Empire open pit copper mine to
support metallurgical recovery and process design using non-toxic
ammonium thiosulphate ("ATS")
- Continuity of open pit mineralisation further confirmed,
including intercepts of up to 12.8% copper, 269.10 grammes per
tonne ("g/t") silver and 0.75 g/t gold
- ATS metallurgical testing underway to support recovery and
processing of copper, gold and silver in one process
- Ongoing drilling encounters further mineralisation at Red Star silver-lead deposit
- 60 hole 2023 Navarre Creek gold drilling programme approved by US Forest Service
- Local Community Advisory Team created as part of the Company's ESG Programme
Annual General Meeting
The Company also announces that the Annual General Meeting
("AGM") will be held at The Washington Hotel, 5 Curzon Street,
London W1 5HE on 8 June 2023 at 11.00 BST.
The Notice of AGM and Forms of Proxy will be despatched to
shareholders on 24 May 2023 and will be available on the Company's
website at www.phoenixcopperlimited.com.
The Company's Annual Report and Consolidated Financial
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 will also be
available on the website from 25 May 2023.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Dear Shareholders
Reading through my statement in last year's annual report and
comparing it with my interim statement, I am struck by the
favourable niche that we find ourselves in within the mining sector
globally. Although the second half of 2022 brought many challenging
head winds, we remain poised to produce metals vital for the global
transition to clean energy and we operate in a geopolitically
stable and mining friendly jurisdiction. Nevertheless, despite
metal prices now recovering nicely, steel, diesel and reagent costs
remain elevated, making many mining projects uneconomic. The
current copper price is in the region of $8,500 a tonne. Many
analysts estimate that a copper price comfortably over $10,000 a
tonne will be required for some junior developers to be able to
fund new copper mines, particularly with the recent rises in
interest rates. I am convinced that this will not be the case with
Phoenix at Empire.
I mentioned in my last two statements that we intend to fund
first production at the Empire open pit with minimum additional
dilution to shareholders. With that in mind, we are in the process
of completing an $80 million corporate copper bond issue, which
will pay a floating rate linked to the higher of a copper price
coupon or an interest rate coupon, but subject to a minimum coupon
of 8.5% per annum. The bond will be listed on The International
Stock Exchange ("TISE") in the Channel Islands. Although there can
be no certainty until the final paperwork is received, we believe
that the issue will be fully subscribed, and we hope to update you
shortly in this regard.
Necessity being the mother of invention, the technical team
spent much of the year examining ways of reducing dependence on
reagents, which represent over 60% of costs in many mines, and
diesel. I draw your attention to the CEO's report in which he
describes how we have managed to extract copper, as well as gold
and silver, using environmentally friendly ammonium thiosulphate
("ATS"), from bulk samples in the laboratory. If we are able to do
this on an industrial basis, our operating costs could be
significantly reduced. We hope to submit these adjustments to the
Plan of Operations in Q3 this year, to keep the permitting process
for the Empire open pit mine on track.
While on the subject of the environment, we also significantly
boosted our ESG credentials, producing our first Sustainability
Report, which includes much of the material we submitted to the
Digbee ESG rating platform. A growing number of miners are signing
up to Digbee, which, after detailed specialist questioning,
generates an ESG rating; this is then used by an increasing number
of investors in their decision making. I am delighted to report
that we scored an "A" which, I understand, is the highest score
awarded so far. I would like to thank especially Catherine Evans,
Chair of our ESG & Sustainability Committee, and Lenie Wilkie,
our ESG Program Co-ordinator in Mackay, Idaho, for all their hard
work in this field.
Although around 65% of our revenues from the Empire open pit
project will come from copper, we also have significant precious
metals potential, including our gold and silver projects at Navarre
Creek (gold) and Red Star (silver). Although there has been an
industry wide shortage of drilling crews and equipment, we have
conducted successful drilling programmes at both Red Star and at
Empire, which are covered in more detail in the CEO's report, and
we are looking forward to a 60 hole drilling programme at Navarre
Creek, starting in June, focusing on areas which showed promise in
our magnetic survey. Navarre Creek is several times larger than the
Empire open pit and surrounding area, and the early geological
indications are that it compares favourably with deposits on the
Carlin trend in neighbouring Nevada, which went on to become
multi-million ounce producing gold mines.
However, in the short-term, copper remains the driving force and
creator of initial cash flow for Phoenix. Although the copper price
continues to fluctuate, the long-term fundamentals remain strong.
Grades of contained metal have been declining steadily over the
last 30 years and the new discoveries being put into production are
needed to replace existing reserves rather than creating surpluses.
The latest giant mine to go into production is Rio Tinto's Oyu
Tolgoi or Turquoise Hill in Mongolia, which is forecast to produce
400,000-500,000 tonnes of copper per annum in 2027 (2.5% of current
annual global mined copper), and has taken 20 years to develop.
Research think-tank Wood Mackenzie estimates that the move to
renewable energy will create demand for an additional six million
tonnes of copper per annum, or 12 new Oyu Tolgois. Much of the new
production expected over the next decade is from existing mines,
mainly in the DRC, Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Argentina, and Panama,
which will come nowhere near to achieving this target. Accordingly,
we are happy to be based in the comparatively safe and stable USA,
which is a net importer of copper despite its substantial
production, and our strategy of predominantly using our own
cashflow from the Empire open pit to prove up a world class copper
sulphide deposit underneath remains the same.
Another harbinger of stronger copper prices is the recent uptick
in M & A activity: Glencore/Teck Resources, BHP/Oz Minerals,
Lundin Mining/Caserones and Newmont/Newcrest. Electric car makers
are also showing interest in securing supplies of critical metals
such as lithium, cobalt, and copper.
As we edge closer to production as well as adding value to our
gold, silver and cobalt properties, I would like to thank the
technical team for some outstanding ideas in a challenging
environment, our Finance Director for our innovative copper bond,
and most importantly, you, the shareholders, for your continued
support and patience.
Marcus Edwards-Jones
Executive Chairman
24 May 2023
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT
Principal activities and review of the business
Driven by a $5.00 per pound ("/lb") copper price and ample cash
reserves resulting from an oversubscribed financing in 2021, 2022
was a busy year as the Company executed a well-developed and robust
work plan at our Idaho projects. Accomplishments included core and
reverse-circulation drilling, geophysics, metallurgical testing,
and feasibility engineering. We completed construction of the mine
office, operations warehouse and core logging facilities, and the
construction of a long-term monitoring well network. In addition to
field operations, the Company invested in new employees, including
a new General Manager as well as USA and UK PR/IR professionals. We
also executed a plan for acquiring a large tract of the Empire Mine
mining claims and production royalties, and we continued to advance
the Company's ESG program. The work plan dovetailed nicely with the
recently announced US Infrastructure Bill and the US Defense
Production Act, both of which drive future domestic metal
production and provide a domestic market consisting of national
defense products, electric vehicles, and the means to transmit and
store power generated by renewable energy sources.
The 2022 core drilling program at the Empire copper deposit was
initiated in June for the purpose of collecting samples
three-dimensionally representative of the oxide portion of the
deposit for copper, gold and silver recovery testing using the
non-toxic cyanide alternative, ammonium thiosulfate ("ATS"). The
Company completed 3,502 feet (1,067 metres) of drilling through
early October. The drilling program was successful and provided the
necessary volume of core at the desired copper-gold-silver grade to
generate high quality samples for the metallurgical test work.
An abbreviated, late season reverse-circulation ("RC") drilling
program was initiated and completed in November. The program
consisted of 875 feet (268 metres) of drilling at North Pit/Red
Star and targeted magnetic anomalies identified during the 2021
ground magnetics survey. Assay values for copper, silver, lead, and
zinc were consistent with previous drilling programs in the area
and added significantly to our understanding of the mineralogy and
structural regime of the area.
At the Company's Navarre Creek gold project, the proposed
drilling plan was approved by the US Forest Service in August. This
cleared the way for a 2023 drilling program comprised of up to 60
RC drill holes on 30 drill pads that will target geochemical
anomalies identified from previous surface sampling programs, and
geophysical anomalies identified in a total field magnetics survey
and hyperspectral mineral survey conducted in 2021. The surveys are
comprised of 169-line kilometres of ground-based and airborne
imaging that identified two distinct intrusive bodies concealed by
glacial till, and a 2.3-mile-long by 1-mile-wide zone of strong
hydrothermal mineralization typical of large-scale gold and silver
deposits found in northern Nevada, USA. It is my opinion that the
Navarre Creek project is as fine a grassroots exploration project
as any that exists in the western US today. While there is no
guarantee that any exploratory drilling program will result in the
discovery of a viable ore deposit, the geology, mineralogy, and
geochemistry of Navarre Creek fits all the criteria necessary for a
potentially significant gold bearing system.
The long-term monitoring well network constructed both cross-
and downgradient of the proposed Empire Mine operations was
completed and will provide sampling points sufficient for tracking
groundwater characteristics throughout the life of mine. Data from
these wells will augment data collected in a Controlled Source
Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSMAT) survey conducted in late
summer and designed to identify geologic structures and rock
characteristics that control groundwater movement, providing vital
hydrological information for future operations.
A new office building, operations warehouse, and core logging
facility were constructed in Mackay, Idaho and will serve all
future operations in and around the Empire Mine. The new facilities
were constructed with adequate space for future expansion.
The Company also took the opportunity to finalise the
acquisition of the Empire Mine patented and unpatented claims
formerly owned by Honolulu Copper Company and the associated 2.5%
production royalty, as well as acquiring an additional 1.0%
production royalty from Mackay LLC. The former Honolulu claim
blocks form the northern half of the Empire Mine holdings,
including North Pit/Red Star and the deep sulphides, while the
Mackay LLC royalty applies to production from the southern portion
of the proposed Empire open pit and sulphides underlying the oxide
resource.
The engineering design and environmental permitting process for
the Empire open pit mine began in late 2017 with the initiation of
environmental baseline studies and the submission of an initial
Plan of Operations in 2021. The process design engineering
necessary for completing a feasibility study, and ultimately
completing the Plan of Operations for approval by the regulatory
authority, is in progress and is centered around the current ATS
metallurgical test work. The results of that work will provide a
final process design for the recovery of copper, gold, silver, and
possibly zinc, and will be incorporated with all the drilling,
analytical, engineering, and baseline environmental data collected
on the project to date. The feasibility study will use the updated
polymetallic recovery process to assign mineral reserves based on
the calculated capital and operating costs required for the
designed process and will hopefully further enhance the project
economics through reduced operating costs and the ability to
recover copper, gold and silver from the outset, rather than
through a phased approach.
The Company's cobalt holdings at the Redcastle Idaho Cobalt Belt
property in Lemhi County were signed to an earn-in agreement with
Electra Battery Materials (formerly First Cobalt Corporation), the
Toronto-based owner of the Iron Creek cobalt mine, which shares a
common border with the Redcastle property, in 2021. The earn-in
agreement included an initial payment of cash and Electra shares to
Phoenix, followed by two work commitments of $1,500,000 each over a
five-year period, thereby earning Electra a 75% interest in the
property. Electra's most recent drilling results from the Iron
Creek property are encouraging. Our Redcastle property borders Iron
Creek on the east and I particularly look forward to the drilling
results from the eastern side of Iron Creek, nearest Redcastle.
Empire Mine - Polymetallic Open Pit Oxide Deposit
An updated NI 43-101 compliant resource was completed by
Hardrock Consulting in October 2020 and reported for the
polymetallic Empire Mine open pit oxide deposit. The updated
resource showed a 51% increase in the Measured and Indicated
category from the previous year's resource. Including the Inferred
resources, the Empire open-pit oxide deposit now contains 129,641
tonnes of copper, 58,440 tonnes of zinc, 10,133,772 ounces of
silver and 355,523 ounces of gold.
Mineral Resource Statement for Empire Mine, after Hard Rock
Consulting October 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Tonnes Cu Average Grade Metal Content
Equiv
%
----------- ----------- ------- --------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Cu Zn Ag Au Cu Zn Ag Au Cu
Equiv
----------- ----------- -------
% % g/t g/t tonnes tonnes Ozs ozs Tonnes
----------- ----------- -------
Measured 8,289,719 0.81 0.42 0.22 11.4 0.327 34,655 18,160 3,031,791 87,036 67,013
----------- ----------- ----- ----- ------- ----------
Indicated 14,619,340 0.72 0.36 0.18 9.7 0.322 52,888 25,711 4,563,407 151,370 105,899
M+I 22,909,059 0.75 0.38 0.19 10.3 0.324 87,543 43,871 7,595,198 238,406 172,912
----------- ----- ----- ------- ----------
Inferred 10,612,556 0.75 0.4 0.14 7.4 0.343 42,098 14,569 2,538,574 117,117 79,296
----------- ----------- ----- ----- ------- ---------- --------
Empire Underground Sulphides
In July 2021, a core drilling program designed to target the
historically mined high grade sulphide vein system below the
open-pit copper oxide resource was initiated. The first drill hole
of the program that reached the design depth intercepted a
12.6-metre zone of strong to intense sulphide mineralization. Some
of the sulphide minerals identified by our geologists included
bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, and pyrrhotite.
Further drilling continued to intercept high grade mineralization
across a suite of metals, including 8.38% copper, significant
intercepts of gold, silver and zinc, as well as anomalous
molybdenum and tungsten mineralization.
Red Star - High-grade Silver
Red Star is a high-angle silver-lead vein system hosted in
andradite-magnetite and located 330-metres north-northwest of the
Empire oxide pit. Red Star was identified from a 20-metre wide
surface outcrop across a skarn structure. Surface mineralization is
a mix of copper, iron oxides and sulphides, with strong chrysocolla
and bornite showings, exposed in a heavily timbered canyon. In
2018, three RC drill holes were drilled on the target and assay
results reported the presence of high-grade lead and silver
sulphides including intercepts of 20% lead and 1,111 grammes per
tonne ("g/t") silver. In early May 2019, the Company announced a
small maiden Inferred sulphide resource of 103,500 tonnes,
containing 577,000 ounces of silver, 3,988 tonnes of lead, 957
tonnes of zinc, 338 tonnes of copper, and 2,800 ounces of gold.
Class Tons Ag Ag Au Au Pb Pb Zn Zn Cu Cu
(x1000) g/t oz g/t oz % lb % lb % lb
-------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------
(x1000) (x1000) (x1000) (x1000) (x1000) % (x1000)
-------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------
Inferred 114.13 173.4 577.3 0.851 2.8 3.85 8,791.20 0.92 2,108.80 0.33 745
-------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------
Following the estimation of the Inferred resource, a second
ten-hole diamond drilling programme was completed in 2020. The
assay results from that program confirmed the presence of the
high-grade silver and lead veins drilled in 2018, but also
confirmed the need for greater understanding of the structural
geology in order to direct further exploration. As a result, in
2021 the Company commissioned a ground-based magnetics geophysical
survey which identified four high-amplitude areas of interest,
including the original discovery outcrop. The size and amplitude of
the three new areas of interest appear to be significantly greater
than that of the discovery outcrop, whilst further north-northeast
magnetic anomalies trending from the outcrop were also identified.
In a program designed to test and help delineate the boundaries of
the magnetic zones, further exploratory RC holes have been drilled,
all of which encountered further mineralization.
In 2022, 875 feet of RC drilling was completed that tested the
magnetic anomalies identified during the ground magnetics survey.
The assay values for copper, silver, lead, and zinc were consistent
with previous drilling programs. Of particular interest are the
results from drill hole RS22-02, which tested the western margin of
a strong magnetic anomaly, assayed 7.62 metres of 142.7 g/t silver,
2.94% lead, and 1.54% zinc. Additionally, drill hole RS22-04
assayed 9.15 meters of 1.56 g/t gold and 0.32% copper, including
1.52 metres averaging 7.59 g/t gold and 0.58% copper.
Navarre Creek - Volcanic-Hosted Gold Project
The Navarre Creek claim block is located approximately eight
kilometres west-northwest of the Empire open pit mine, and was
acquired in 2019 as a gold exploration project with surface
mineralization similar to volcanic-hosted gold mineralization in
northern Nevada, which is home to several multimillion-ounce gold
deposits.
During the summer of 2020, the Phoenix exploration team mapped
and sampled the Company's Navarre Creek property. 90 rock chip and
grab samples were collected in the hydrothermally altered volcanic
rocks that make up the Navarre Creek claims and sent to ALS
Laboratories in Reno, Nevada for geochemical analysis.
Of the 90 samples, 53 were above the detection limit for gold
with a high of 0.569 g/t, and 25 above the detection limit for
silver. There was also a strong correlation between elevated gold
values and elevated antimony values, typical in Carlin-type
epithermal gold systems. With the exception of one sample, all
samples with a gold value greater than 0.1 g/t occur within the
same alteration type, that being predominantly a jasperoid-hosted
quartz stockwork and micro-veining system. During 2021, a total of
169-line kilometres of ground-based field magnetics and airborne
hyperspectral imaging were completed for the entirety of the
Navarre Creek claim block. Two distinct intrusive bodies were
identified, partially concealed below glacial till, showing strong
magnetic signatures which complement the existing jasperoid
outcrops. A northeast trending corridor of hydrothermal alteration,
approximately 2.3 miles long and one mile wide, was also
identified, consistent with the gold and silver bearing volcanic
systems associated with Carlin-style epithermal deposits.
Markers for Carlin-style gold deposits are the presence of
jasperoids, and the association of gold, antimony, silver and zinc.
These markers are found at Navarre Creek. The results of these
surveys, together with the results of previous exploration,
highlight the prospectivity of the claim block. An initial drilling
program is planned to commence in summer 2023.
Empire Mine Expansion - Horseshoe, Whiteknob, and Windy
Devil
We have made a point of focusing our efforts on our flagship
Empire Mine projects. However, we have also increased our land
position from time-to-time as our geologists recognize prospective
and strategic opportunities. At the time of the Company's IPO in
mid-2017, our Empire Mine property consisted of 818 acres. Since
then, including the Navarre Creek claim block, we have increased
the core Empire claim group to 8,034 acres (32.51 sq kms) by
expanding north to the former Horseshoe and Whiteknob Mines and
onto Windy Devil. This expansion covers approximately 30 historic
adits, shafts and prospects, which exhibit geology and mineralogy
similar to Red Star, and which will be the subject of further
exploration going forward.
Idaho Cobalt Belt - Redcastle and Bighorn Projects
The Company owns two strategically located properties on the
Idaho Cobalt Belt in Lemhi County, Idaho, Redcastle and Bighorn. In
May 2021, the Redcastle holding was signed to an earn-in agreement
with Electra Battery Materials Corporation (formerly First Cobalt
Corporation), the Toronto-based owner of the Iron Creek Cobalt
Mine, which shares a common border with the Redcastle property. The
earn-in agreement included an initial payment of cash and Electra
shares to Phoenix, followed by two work commitments of $1,500,000
each over a five-year period, enabling Electra to earn a 75%
interest in the Redcastle property. Redcastle is held by Borah
Resources Inc, the Company's 100% owned, Idaho registered
subsidiary.
The Bighorn property, located on the northern end of the Idaho
Cobalt Belt, is held by Salmon Canyon Resources, another 100%
owned, Idaho registered subsidiary. Bighorn is situated east of the
historic Salmon Canyon copper cobalt underground mine and shares a
common border with New World Resources' Colson cobalt-copper
project.
In addition to copper, cobalt is a critical metal for electric
vehicles and global electrification projects. Cobalt deposits are
rare, particularly in advanced jurisdictions. The Company's cobalt
projects are located in the USA's only prospective cobalt region,
the Idaho Cobalt Belt, approximately 100 miles north of the Empire
Mine. In 2018, we announced the results of our 2017 reconnaissance
program of 46 surface grab samples which gave cobalt values ranging
from two parts per million to 0.31% cobalt.
Outlook
2022 was a year of extremes. Copper rose to a high of $5.02/lb,
dropped 35% to $3.23/lb, and rebounded to close the year at
$3.81/lb, still above the three-year average of $3.67/lb. Gold
traded at $2,033 per ounce ("/oz") in Q1, retreated to $1,659/oz,
and finished the year at $1,824/oz. As of Q2 2023, gold is back to
$2,033/oz, a mere 1.5% from its all-time record high. Similar to
the year's metal pricing, the pricing of the goods that we require
for construction of the Empire Mine also faced extreme
fluctuations. While we will be a primary producer of copper and
precious metals, we will also be a primary consumer of diesel fuel,
structural and fabricated steel, concrete, and chemical reagents.
Metal prices are our primary concern, but those materials and
consumables required for construction and operations are of prime
importance as they ultimately drive the cost of production and have
the greatest impact on our bottom line. Diesel fuel hit an all-time
high in 2022, as did structural steel, concrete, lumber, and
reagents. The good news is that consumables pricing appears to have
peaked mid-year and the metals markets trended the opposite
direction. While the costs for structural steel and some fabricated
goods remain elevated, they are slowly returning to levels not seen
since early 2021. The labor shortages for drilling and laboratory
services also remain a concern but seem to be relaxing as
government subsidized Covid programs wind down.
I believe that some market volatility will remain until the war
in Ukraine reaches a conclusion and fears of economic recession
wane, but we are seeing indications of normalization in the mining
sector markets and fewer labour shortages in the manufacturing and
fabrication sectors. I look forward to the day when Covid is no
longer an excuse for market volatility. It appears that may now be
the case sooner rather than later.
Despite all of this, the fact remains that copper is in the top
three of the most consumed metals in the world, trailing only
behind iron and aluminum. The heavy focus on green energy metals
for power generation, transmission, and transportation will
increase demand, as we are already beginning to realize. Clean
energy initiatives in the United States, Canada, and Europe have
already begun to drive demand for copper, cobalt, and lithium. As
other countries develop similar initiatives, demand will outweigh
global supply. Some analysts are estimating copper demand to exceed
supply beginning as early as 2024. Should the war in Ukraine begin
to resolve, the reconstruction of the country will place an
additional demand on metal resources.
Although the copper price has decreased on the year, it remains
significantly higher than in the few years preceding Covid, during
which the average price was below $3.00/lb. Compared to those
years, the copper market continues to perform well, with prices
holding above $3.50/lb and cobalt above $55,000/tonne. I expect to
see the metals markets, particularly copper and cobalt, continue to
perform well as the EV and "green energy" initiatives continue to
grow globally. I also expect that the spending on the 10-year, $1.2
trillion US Infrastructure Bill and the recently introduced U.S.
Defense Production Act will increase metal demand and boost pricing
in the short term. The roughly $550 billion earmarked for the
construction of roads, bridges, ports, power transmission, and
large water projects, as well as advancing EV initiatives, will
require significant quantities of metal.
Our Idaho projects host both EV metals and precious metals. Our
current metallurgical test work, which is focused on the economic
recovery of copper, gold, and silver in a single processing
circuit, will be designed to deliver crucial metals to the numerous
infrastructure and green energy projects in the global pipeline at
the lowest cost possible. Our story becomes even stronger with the
realization that these resources are all located in known mining
districts in the geopolitically stable, pro-mining jurisdiction of
Idaho, USA.
I fully anticipate that market conditions and pricing will
continue to fluctuate to some extent over the next year. However,
the timing of stabilizing trends in the manufacturing and supply
sectors, as well as elevated copper and gold prices, should
complement our projects as we complete the engineering and
environmental permitting processes.
Key Performance Indicators ("KPIs")
To date, the Group has focused on the delivery of the project
evaluation work programs to assess the available mineral resources
and the extraction methods to apply, each within the available
financial budgets. This work will continue until the relevant
feasibility studies are completed, and construction commences.
At that stage, the Group will consider and implement appropriate
operational performance measures and related KPIs as the objective
of recommencing commercial production at the Empire Mine nears
fruition.
Conclusion
We continue to perform the steps necessary for Phoenix to become
one of the next domestic US producers of metals vital to the
transportation, manufacturing, and energy sectors in the US and
abroad. Our team of engineers, geoscientists, and industry
consultants are poised to move the Empire Mine into production and
to properly explore the Navarre Creek, Red Star, and the Empire
sulphides projects.
I would like to thank all our professional staff, consultants
and advisors, all of whom work tirelessly to accomplish our common
goal of metal production. And I would like to thank our community
liaisons, shareholders, and directors for their considerable
support. I look forward to reporting further positive news as we
continue our exploration and development programs during 2023.
Ryan McDermott
Chief Executive Officer
24 May 2023
Consolidated income statement Year Year
Ended Ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
Continuing operations Note $ $
Revenue 4 - -
Exploration & evaluation expenditure - -
------------- -------------
Gross loss - -
Administrative expenses (1,568,475) (1,065,950)
Other operating (expense)/income (37,777) 106,340
Loss from operations (1,606,252) (959,610)
Finance income 32,104 3,708
Finance costs - (13,348)
Loss before taxation (1,574,148) (969,250)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities - -
------------- -------------
Loss for the year (1,574,148) (969,250)
------------- -------------
Loss attributable to:
Owners of the parent (1,546,827) (942,850)
Non-controlling interests (27,321) (26,400)
------------- -------------
(1,574,148) (969,250)
------------- -------------
Loss per share attributable to owners
of the parent:
Basic and diluted EPS expressed in
US cents per share 5 (1.27) (0.90)
------- -------
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income Year Year
Ended Ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Loss for the year (1,574,148) (969,250)
------------- -------------
Total comprehensive income attributable
to:
Owners of the parent (1,546,827) (942,850)
Non-controlling interests (27,321) (26,400)
------------ ----------
(1,574,148) (969,250)
------------ ----------
Consolidated statement of financial position
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
Note $ $
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment -
mining property 6 33,104,230 26,124,030
Intangible assets 7 347,000 330,844
------------ ------------
33,451,230 26,454,874
------------ ------------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 8 1,534,507 365,778
Financial assets 9 18,563 56,340
Cash and cash equivalents 4,664,233 13,046,529
------------ ------------
6,217,303 13,468,647
------------ ------------
Total assets 39,668,533 39,923,521
------------ ------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 10 572,470 883,196
Other liabilities 11 500,000 250,000
------------ ------------
1,072,470 1,133,196
------------ ------------
Non-current liabilities
Other liabilities 11 - 250,000
Provisions for other liabilities 12 757,702 757,702
------------ ------------
757,702 1,007,702
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 1,830,172 2,140,898
------------ ------------
Net assets 37,838,361 37,782,623
------------ ------------
Equity
Ordinary shares 13 - -
Share Premium 44,878,927 43,460,747
Retained loss (7,086,480) (5,751,359)
Foreign exchange translation reserve- (18,588) (18,588)
Equity attributable to owners of
the parent 37,773,859 37,690,800
Non-controlling interests 64,502 91,823
------------ ------------
Total equity 37,838,361 37,782,623
------------ ------------
Consolidated Foreign
statement of exchange
changes in Ordinary Share Retained translation Non-controlling Total
equity shares premium loss reserve Total interest equity
$ $ $ $ $ $ $
At 1 January
2021 - 19,251,964 (5,517,549) (18,588) 13,715,827 118,223 13,834,050
Loss for the
year - - (942,850) - (942,850) (26,400) (969,250)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------- ------------
Total
comprehensive
income
for the year - - (942,850) - (942,850) (26,400) (969,250)
--------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------- ------------
Shares issued
in the period - 26,018,553 - - 26,018,553 - 26,018,553
Share issue
expenses - (1,809,770) - - (1,809,770) - (1,809,770)
Share-based
payments - - 709,040 - 709,040 - 709,040
Total
transactions
with
owners - 24,208,783 709,040 - 24,917,823 - 24,917,823
--------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------- ------------
At 31 December
2021 - 43,460,747 (5,751,359) (18,588) 37,690,800 91,823 37,782,623
--------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------- ------------
At 1 January 2022 - 43,460,747 (5,751,359) (18,588) 37,690,800 91,823 37,782,623
Loss for the year - - (1,546,827) - (1,546,827) (27,321) (1,574,148)
----------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ------------
Total comprehensive income
for the year - - (1,546,827) - (1,546,827) (27,321) (1,574,148)
----------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ------------
Shares issued in the period - 1,418,180 - - 1,418,180 - 1,418,180
Share issue expenses - - - - - - -
Share-based payments - - 211,706 - 211,706 - 211,706
Total transactions with
owners - 1,418,180 211,706 - 1,629,886 - 1,629,886
----------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ------------
At 31 December 2022 - 44,878,927 (7,086,480) (18,588) 37,773,859 64,502 37,838,361
----------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ------------
Consolidated statement of cash flows 31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before tax (1,574,148) (969,250)
Adjustments for:
Share-based payments 67,818 191,856
Fair value adjustment to financial asset 37,777 -
(1,468,553) (777,394)
Decrease in trade and other receivables (58,563) (299,818)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (310,726) 689,259
------------ -------------
Net cash generated used in operating activities (1,837,842) (387,953)
------------ -------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets (16,156) (53,949)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (6,836,312) (10,238,492)
(6,852,468) (10,292,441)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issuance of ordinary shares 1,418,180 25,939,203
Share-issue expenses - (1,809,770)
Preliminary bond-issue expenses (1,110,166) -
Repayment of loan notes - (1,549,000)
Net cash generated from financing activities 308,014 22,580,433
------------ -------------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (8,382,296) 11,900,039
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of
the year 13,046,529 1,146,490
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 4,664,233 13,046,529
------------ -------------
Significant non-cash transactions:
During the year the Directors capitalised $nil (2021: $79,350)
of fees into shares. $143,888 (2021: $517,184) in respect of the
charge for share-based payments and $nil (2021: $500,000) in
respect of deferred consideration have been capitalised into mining
property. Loss before tax includes a foreign exchange loss of
$564,353 (2021: gain of $173,358).
1 General information
Phoenix Copper Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiary undertakings
(the "Group") are engaged in exploration and mining activities,
primarily precious and base metals, primarily in North America.
The Company is domiciled and incorporated in the British Virgin
Islands on 19 September 2013 (registered number 1791533). The address
of its registered office is OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road
Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands. The Company is quoted
on London's AIM (ticker: PXC) and trades on New York's OTCQX Market
(ticker: PXCLF; ADR ticker PXCLY).
The subsidiaries of the Company are:
Incorporated in the United States of America
KPX Holdings Inc (100% equity holding)
Subsidiaries of KPX Holdings Inc:
Konnex Recourses Inc (80% equity holding)
Borah Resources Inc (100% equity holding)
Lost River Resources Inc (100% equity holding)
Salmon Canyon Resources Inc (100% equity holding)
2 Going concern
The Group currently has no income and meets its working capital
requirements through raising development finance. In common with
many businesses engaged in exploration and evaluation activities
prior to production and sale of minerals the Group will require
additional funds and/or funding facilities in order to fully develop
its business plan. The Group will also require funds to construct
its first operating mine. The directors believe that such funds
are likely to come from the arrangement of appropriate debt and/or
offtake finance arrangements, including the issue of corporate
copper bonds currently underway. Further equity issues will be
minimised as far as possible. Ultimately the viability of the Group
is dependent on future liquidity in the development period and
this, in turn, depends on the availability of funds.
During the year the Company raised $1.42 million by way of the
exercise of warrants.
The directors prepare annual budgets and forecasts in order to
ensure that they have sufficient liquidity in place and that they
comply with the terms and conditions of their obligations in relation
to the ongoing development of the mining assets and the Group's
environmental and other commitments.
At the date of approval of these financial statements with the
intention to raise project funding through the issue of corporate
copper bonds and with funds continuing to be received from the
exercise of warrants, as well as their latest assessment of the
budgets and forecasts for the business of the Group for at least
12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements,
the directors believe it appropriate to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
3 Basis of preparation
This preliminary information does not comprise full financial statements.
The significant accounting policies and other information contained
within this preliminary announcement has been extracted from the
Group's audited financial statements a copy of which is available
on the Company's website: www.pgmining.com.
The financial information is presented in US dollars.
4 Revenue
The Group is not yet producing revenues from its mineral exploration
and mining activities. The Company charged its subsidiary entities
$930,000 (2021: $885,000) in respect of management services provided.
5 Loss per share 31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Loss attributable to the parent used in calculating
basic and diluted loss per
Share (1,546,827) (942,850)
------------ ------------
Number of shares
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose
of basic earnings
per share 121,794,101 104,213,499
------------ ------------
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose
of diluted earnings
per share 121,794,101 104,213,499
------------ ------------
Basic loss per share (US cents per share) (1.27) (0.90)
------------ ------------
Diluted loss per share (US cents per share) (1.27) (0.90)
------------ ------------
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net
loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the
parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding during the year.
Where the Group has incurred a loss in a year the diluted
earnings per share is the same as the basic earnings per share.
The Company has potentially issuable shares of 13,746,457 (2021:
18,602,920) all of which relate to the potential dilution in
respect of warrants and share options issued by the Company.
Property, plant and equipment
6 - mining property Mining
Property
$
At 1 January 2021 14,789,004
Additions 11,335,026
------------
At 31 December 2021 26,124,030
------------
At 1 January 2022 26,124,030
Additions 6,980,200
------------
At 31 December 2022 33,104,230
------------
Net book value
At 1 January 2021 14,789,004
------------
At 31 December 2021 26,124,030
------------
At 31 December 2022 33,104,230
------------
Mining property assets relate to the past producing Empire Mine
copper - gold - silver - zinc project in Idaho, USA. The Empire
Mine has not yet recommenced production and no depreciation has
been charged in the statement of comprehensive income. There has
been no impairment charged in any period due to the early stage in
the Group's project to reactivate the mine.
7 Intangible assets
Exploration
and evaluation
expenditure
$
At 1 January 2021 276,895
Additions 53,949
----------------
At 31 December 2021 330,844
----------------
At 1 January 2022 330,844
Additions 16,156
----------------
At 31 December 2022 347,000
----------------
Exploration and evaluation expenditure relates to the Bighorn
and Redcastle properties on the Idaho Cobalt Belt in Idaho, USA.
The Bighorn property is owned by Salmon Canyon Resources Inc. The
Redcastle property is owned by Borah Resources Inc. Both companies
are wholly owned subsidiaries of KPX Holdings Inc, a wholly owned
subsidiary of the parent entity, and each of which are registered
and domiciled in Idaho. The Redcastle property is subject to an
Earn-In Agreement with First Cobalt Idaho, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Electra Battery Materials Corporation of Toronto,
Canada.
8 Trade and other receivables
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Other receivables 181,072 207,949
Preliminary bond issue expenses 1,110,166 -
Prepaid expenses 243,269 157,829
1,534,507 365,778
------------- -------------
There were no receivables that were past due or considered to be
impaired. There is no significant difference between the fair value
of the other receivables and the values stated above. The
preliminary bond issue expenses relate to the corporate copper
bonds issue currently underway, and will be deducted from the
proceeds of the bonds and amortised over the expected life of the
bonds.
9 Financial assets
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Quoted investments 18,563 56,340
------------ ------------
In May 2021 the Group entered into an earn-in agreement with
First Cobalt Idaho, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toronto-based
Electra Battery Materials Corporation ("Electra"), in respect of
the Group's Redcastle cobalt property on the Idaho Cobalt Belt. The
Group received consideration of $50,000 and 11,111 shares (as
consolidated) in Electra valued at $56,340, a total initial
consideration of $106,340.
The shares have been valued at market price as at 31 December
2022. A fair value adjustment of $37,777 has been charged to other
operating expenses.
10 Trade and other payables
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Trade payables 569,864 862,907
Other payables 2,606 20,289
Accrued interest - -
------------ ------------
572,470 883,196
------------ ------------
11 Other liabilities
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Current liabilities
Deferred consideration 500,000 250,000
------------ ------------
500,000 250,000
Non-current liabilities
Deferred consideration - 250,000
------------ ------------
In April 2021 the Group entered into an agreement with Mackay
LLC to acquire 1% of the 2.5% net smelter royalty payable on mining
leases on the Empire Mine in Idaho, USA. Total consideration
payable to Mackay LLC was $800,000, of which $300,000 has been
paid. $250,000 was paid in January 2023 and one further payment of
$250,000 is due on 31 December 2023.
12 Provisions
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Decommissioning provision 100,000 100,000
Royalties payable 657,702 657,702
------------ ------------
757,702 757,702
------------ ------------
There has been no change to provisions in the year ended 31
December 2022.
The provision of $100,000 for decommissioning the Empire Mine is
based on the directors' estimate after taking into account
appropriate professional advice.
The other provision of $657,702 arises from a business
combination in 2017 and comprises potential royalties payable in
respect of future production at the Empire Mine. This liability
will only be payable if the Empire Mine is successfully restored to
production and will be deducted from the royalties payable. The
amount of the provision will be reassessed as exploration work
continues and also on commencement of commercial production.
13 Share capital
Group and Group
Company and Company
Number Number
2022 2021
Number of ordinary shares of no par value
At the beginning of the year 117,415,680 63,306,747
Issued in the year 5,212,942 54,108,933
At the end of the year 122,628,622 117,415,680
------------ -------------
The Company does not have an authorised capital and is
authorised to issue an unlimited number of no-par value shares of a
single class.
In the year the Company issued 5,212,942 ordinary shares at an
average issue price of $0.27 per share to raise $1.4 million in
respect of warrants exercised. All issued shares were fully
paid.
Since the year end the Company has issued a further 50,000
ordinary shares at $0.22 per share from the exercise of warrants.
The Company currently has 122,678,622 ordinary shares in issue.
The ordinary shares in the Company have no par value. All
ordinary shares have equal voting rights in respect of shareholder
meetings. All ordinary shares have equal rights to dividends and
the assets of the Company.
The Company has issued warrants to subscribe for additional
shares. Each warrant provides the right to the holder to convert
one warrant into one ordinary share of no-par value at exercise
prices ranging from GBP0.16 to GBP0.50. At 31 December 2022 the
number of warrants in issue was 7,521,457 (2021: 12,577,920).
The Company has issued options to subscribe for additional
shares to the directors and senior employees of the Group. Each
option provides the right to the holder to subscribe for one
ordinary share of no par-value, subject to the vesting conditions,
at exercise prices ranging from GBP0.17 to GBP0.50. At 31 December
2022 the number of options in issue was 6,225,000 (2021:
6,025,000).
14 Share-based payments
The Company has issued 7,521,457 (2021: 12,557,920) warrants to
subscribe for additional share capital of the Company. Each warrant
entitles the holder to subscribe for one ordinary equity share in
the Company. The right to convert each warrant is
unconditional.
Additionally, the Company has issued 6,225,000 (2021: 6,025,000)
share options to directors and senior employees of the Group. Each
share option entitles the holder to subscribe for one ordinary
equity share in the Company once the vesting conditions have been
satisfied.
In the periods presented the Company has settled remuneration
liabilities by the issue of equity in lieu of cash payments for
services and has also operated equity-settled share based
incentivisation schemes for employees.
Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair-value
(excluding the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions) as
determined through use of the Black-Scholes technique, at the date
of issue. The warrants were issued as exercisable from the date
they were issued and there are no further vesting conditions
applicable.
Warrants issued Weighted 31 December 31 December
Average 2022 2021
Exercise
price Number Number
At the beginning of the year GBP0.29 12,577,920 7,589,978
Issued in prior year - average issue
price GBP0.42 6,812,396
Issued in the year GBP0.35 707,500 -
Issued in the year GBP0.50 1,570,455 -
Exercised prior year - average exercise
price GBP0.30 (1,541,416)
Exercised in the year - average exercise
price GBP0.30 (5,212,942) -
Lapsed in prior year - average exercise
price GBP0.60 (283,038)
Lapsed in the year - average exercise
price GBP0.42 (2,121,476) -
At the end of the year GBP0.40 7,521,457 12,577,920
--------- ------------ ------------
Share options issued Weighted 31 December 31 December
average 2022 2021
Exercise
price Number Number
At the beginning of the year GBP0.34 6,025,000 3,675,000
Issued in the prior year GBP0.50 - 2,350,000
Issued in the year GBP0.30 200,000
At the end of the year GBP0.34 6,225,000 6,025,000
------------ ------------
The total share-based payment charge for all warrants and
options in the year was $211,706 of which $67,818 has been charged
to profit and loss and $143,888 allocated to Mining Property (2021:
$709,040, $191,856 and $517,185 respectively). The share-based
payment charge was calculated using the Black-Scholes model. All
warrants issued vest immediately on issue. Share options vest up to
a 36-month period from the date of issue, or on the achievement of
certain vesting milestones.
Volatility for the calculation of the share-based payment charge
in respect of both the warrants and the share options issued was
determined by reference to movements in the Company's quoted share
price on AIM.
The inputs into the Black-Scholes model for the warrants and
share options issued were as follows:
31 December 31 December
2022 2022
Warrants Share options
issued issued
Weighted average share price at grant date GBP0.23 GBP0.23
Weighted average exercise prices GBP0.45 GBP0.30
Expected volatility 60.9% 60.9%
Expected life in years 1.00 2.00
Weighted average contractual life in years 1.00 2.00
Risk-free interest rate 2.5% 2.5%
Expected dividend yield - -
Fair-value of warrants and options granted (pence) GBP0.014 GBP0.055
------------ --------------
The warrants were all issued on 1 September 2022. The share
price at the date of grant was GBP0.23. The warrant exercise prices
at the date of grant were between GBP0.35 to GBP0.50. The share
options were issued in one placement on 1 September 2022 with
weighted average expected lives of 2.0 years. The share price at
the date of grant was GBP0.23 and the exercise price was GBP0.30.
The warrants issued are all exercisable from the date of issue. The
number of outstanding share options are exercisable between GBP0.30
to GBP0.50.
The volatility for the warrants issued was 60.9%. The
fair-values of warrants issued or amended in the year ranged from
GBP0.009 to GBP0.226. The volatility for the share options was
60.9% and the fair-values of the options issued or amended ranged
from GBP0.055 to GBP0.092. The expected life of the outstanding
warrants and options ranged from 1.00 to 2.00 years.
Share-based payments allocation
of charge 31 December 31 December
2022 2021
$ $
Arising on the issue and modification
of share options 169,843 262,739
On issue of warrants 41,863 446,301
Total charge 211,706 709,040
------------ ------------
Allocation:
Mining property 143,888 517,184
Administrative expenses 67,818 191,856
------------ ------------
211,706 709,040
------------ ------------
The share-based payment charge has been simultaneously credited
to retained deficit.
15 Events after the reporting date
The Company has launched an $80 million corporate copper bond issue
which is in the process of being placed. The bonds will pay a floating
rate coupon subject to a minimum of 8.5% per annum and a maximum
of 20%. The floating rate coupon will be calculated as to the higher
of a copper price coupon linked to the copper price on the London
Metal Exchange, or an interest rate coupon linked to the US Federal
Discount Rate. The bonds will be secured on the Group's patented
mining claims, listed on The International Stock Exchange in the
Channel Islands, and will have a ten year life with bondholder option
to request redemption at nominal value after six years and the Company's
option to offer redemption at a 10% premium to nominal value after
five years. M&G Trustee Company will act as Security Trustee and
Escrow Agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon will act as Custodian
and Transfer, Paying and Settlement Agent.
Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance
Phoenix is committed to meeting and exceeding the environmental
standards required by law as a core value of the Company. The baseline
environmental data collected to date will be used for furthering
the permitting process, but as importantly, will be used as the
building blocks for the Company's ongoing Environmental, Social,
and Corporate Governance (ESG) platform, overseen by the Company's
ESG & Sustainability Committee. The Company has also produces an
annual Sustainability Report.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
The Company deems the information contained within this announcement
to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market
Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014, which has been incorporated
into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the
publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information
Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the
public domain.
Contacts
For further information please visit https://phoenixcopperlimited.com
or contact: Phoenix Copper Limited Ryan McDermott Tel: +1 208 954
Richard Wilkins 7039
Brittany Lock Tel: +44 7590
216 657
Tel: +1 208 794
8033
SP Angel Corporate David Hignell / Kasia Brzozowska Tel: +44 20 3470
Finance LLP (Nominated 0470
Adviser)
------------------------------------ -----------------
Tavira Financial Jonathan Evans / Oliver Stansfield Tel: +44 20 7100
Limited (Joint Broker) 5100
------------------------------------ -----------------
WH Ireland (Joint Harry Ansell / Katy Mitchell Tel: +44 20 7220
Broker) 1666
------------------------------------ -----------------
Panmure Gordon (UK) John Prior / Hugh Rich / Ailsa Tel: +44 20 7886
Limited (Joint Broker) Macmaster 2500
------------------------------------ -----------------
EAS Advisors (US Matt Bonner / Rogier de la Rambelje Tel: +1 (646)
Corporate Adviser) 495-2225
------------------------------------ -----------------
BlytheRay Tim Blythe / Megan Ray Tel: +44 20 7138
(Financial PR) 3204
------------------------------------ -----------------
Notes
Phoenix Copper Limited is a USA focused, base and precious metals
emerging producer and exploration company, initially targeting copper
and zinc production from an open pit mine.
Phoenix's primary operations are focused near Mackay, Idaho in the
Alder Creek mining district, at the 80% owned Empire Mine property,
which historically produced copper at grades of up to 8%, as well
as gold, silver, zinc and tungsten, from an underground mine. Phoenix
updated its economic model in February 2021 to include the processing
of all contained metals through a two phased approach.
Since 2017, Phoenix has conducted extensive drilling programmes
to define the potential of an open-pit heap leach SX-EW mine. In
October 2020, a Preliminary Economic Assessment was completed in
accordance with NI 43-101. The 2020 PEA reports the measured and
indicated resource at 22.9 million tonnes at an average grade of
0.38% copper, 0.324 g/t gold, 10.3 g/t silver, and 0.19% zinc, with
a total of 87,543 tonnes of copper, 238,406 ounces of gold, 7,595,198
ounces of silver, and 43,871 tonnes of zinc.
In addition to Empire, the district includes the historic Horseshoe,
White Knob and Blue Bird Mines, past producers of copper, gold,
silver, zinc, lead and tungsten from underground mines. A new discovery
at Red Star, 330 metres northwest of the Empire Mine proposed open
pit, has revealed high grade silver / lead sulphide ore, and from
three shallow exploration drill holes a maiden inferred resource
of 103,000 tonnes containing 173.4 g/tonne silver, 0.85 g/tonne
gold and 3.85% lead (1.6 million ounces silver equivalent) was reported
in an NI 43-101 technical report published in May 2019. Additionally,
the district includes Navarre Creek, a volcanic hosted precious
metals target in a 14.48 sq km area. The Company's total land package
at Empire comprises 8,034 acres (32.51 sq kms).
At Empire, it is estimated that less than 1% of the potential ore
system has been explored to date and, accordingly, there is significant
opportunity to increase the resource through phased exploration.
The stated aim of the Company is to fund this phased exploration
through free cashflow generated by its initial mine. A Plan of Operations
in respect of the initial open pit mine was filed with the relevant
regulatory authorities in June 2021.
Phoenix also has two wholly owned cobalt properties on the Idaho
Cobalt Belt to the north of Empire. An Earn-In Agreement has been
signed with Electra Battery Materials, Toronto, in respect of one
of those properties.
Phoenix is listed on London's AIM (PXC), and trades on New York's
OTCQX Market (PXCLF and PXCLY (ADRs)). More details on the Company,
its assets and its objectives can be found on PXC's website at https://phoenixcopperlimited.com/
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
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END
FR KZGZKKDZGFZM
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