Volta signs LOI to acquire advanced Rare Earth Project near North Bay & Sudbury

Volta Metals Ltd. has executed a letter of intent in connection with the proposed acquisition (the "Transaction") of an option to acquire 100% of the mining claims and an 95% interest in the patented claims of the Springer-Lavergne Rare Earth Project (the "Project") in Ontario. The Project consists of 5,000 hectares of patented and non-patented claims, and contains a historic NI 43-101 mineral resource for Total Rare Earth Oxides ("TREO") of 4.167mt at 1.073% TREO indicated resource using a 0.9% cutoff and 12.732mt at 1.119% TREO in the inferred category at a cut off of 0.9%.
Project Highlights
- Advanced Rare Earth Project with associated high-grade Gallium, near Sturgeon Falls, Ontario.
- 5,000 Ha property with patented claims covering the known deposit, and unpatented claims covering potential extensions to the east and west.
- Paved road access (1 hour from Sudbury) with infrastructure (rail, road, hydroelectric power)
- Multiple wide, shallow intercepts of +100m at >1% TREO, including 12m at 5% TREO in one of the final drill holes, which remains open at depth and along strike.
- Consistent elevated Gallium intercepts ranging from 57 to 120 ppm, over thick intervals, including 87.5m at 76.4 ppm and 88m at 62 ppm gallium.
- Positive initial laboratory scale metallurgical test work indicating the potential to produce an upgraded Light Rare Earth concentrate.
- Geophysics defines several radiometric anomalies, that were never tested.
The Company's CEO, Kerem Usenmez, commented, "This transaction is transformative for Volta as we enter into an era where these critical minerals become more important than ever. Having an advanced rare earth project with high grade Gallium in Ontario aligns well with Volta's strategy of becoming one of the leading critical mineral exploration and development companies in Canada. We now have very strategic, large scale projects with great upside potential for Volta, its shareholders, and Canada."
The Company's technical advisor, Dr. Fred Breaks, comments, "We are very pleased to acquire this important rare earth element project. Critical metals such as these have strong support from the Ontario government under its "Critical Minerals Strategy" and this acquisition adds to the Company's diversification."
There is no certainty that the parties will be able to conclude the Transaction. The LOI is non-binding and neither the Company nor the vendor is under any obligation to enter into, or continue negotiations regarding, the Definitive Agreement or to proceed with the Transaction. There can be no assurances that any component of the Transaction will proceed, nor can there be any assurance as to the final definitive terms thereof.
2012 Mineral Resource Estimate Details
Tetra Tech Wardrop of Toronto completed the historical resource estimate in May 2012 for Rare Earth Metals Inc., which was a junior exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The mineral resource estimate for the Lavergne-Springer project was completed in accordance with CIM Best Practices and disclosure guidances in accordance with NI 43-101 at that time and Volta has no reason to believe that the mineral resources estimate contained is not relevant or reliable as of the date hereof.
The mineral resource, based on 22 diamond drill holes, was estimated by the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method on uncapped grades for all 15 Rare Earth Oxides (TREO). The TREO% is a sum of the 15 individual interpolations of the REOs. The resource estimate was prepared using a single interpreted domain using a grade shell of 0.31 TREO%. A cut-off grade of 0.9 TREO% was chosen for the deposit resource estimate based on comparable deposits at the time. No recoveries have been applied to the interpolated estimates. Volta Metals is unaware of any other work having been completed on the project since the 2012 mineral resource estimate.
The resource estimate presented for the Lavergne-Springer project is historic in nature. Volta' qualified person has not completed sufficient work to confirm the results of the historical resource. Volta is not treating this as a current mineral resource but is considering it relevant as a guide to future exploration and is included for reference purposes only. Further drilling will be required by Volta to verify the historic estimate as current mineral resources.
The acquisition of the Springer-Lavergne Rare Earth Project is subject to the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") approval, successful completion of customary due diligence and entering into a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") and satisfying the terms and conditions that will be set out therein.
The LOI outlines the terms of the acquisition as follows:
In order to earn in an 80% interest in the Project, Volta must
-
provide a cash payment of $100,000 to the vendor and issued 10,000,000 common share of the Volta to the Vendor, upon closing of the Transaction (the "Closing");
-
On the first anniversary of the execution of the Definitive Agreement, pay 80% of the $332,000 and issue 2,500,000 common shares of Volta to the vendor;
-
On the second anniversary of the execution of the Definitive Agreement, pay the 80% of $332,000 and issue 2,500,000 common shares of Volta to the vendor and make a cash payment equal to the prior expenditures on the Project by the vendor, estimated to be approximately $200,000.
Volta shall have the right to acquire the remaining 20% interest in the Project at any time prior to 90 days following a feasibility on the Project for the fair market value of such remaining interest.
Certain claims which comprise the Project are subject to certain Net Smelter Royalties, that are in line with the industry practices.
The acquisition of the Springer-Lavergne Rare Earth Project is subject to the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") approval, successful completion of customary due diligence and entering into a definitive agreement and satisfying the terms and conditions that will be set out therein.
Tags: Northern Ontario / Exploration / Battery Metals / All Articles