TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2024 – Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX: XAM, TSX: XAM) (Xanadu or the Company) is pleased to report good progress at its field operations at the highly prospective Sant Tolgoi Copper-Nickel Project, located in Zavkhan Province of Western Mongolia (Figures 1 and 2). Sant Tolgoi is considered highly prospective for the discovery of new magmatic intrusion-related Copper-Nickel systems. The objective of this exploration programme is to collect the data required to identify high-grade sulphide mineralisation within the large Sant Tolgoi Intrusive Complex.
Highlights
- Field exploration program is well underway at the Sant Tolgoi Copper-Nickel Project, representing Xanadu’s first detailed activities at these highly encouraging district-scale magmatic targets.
- Detailed geological mapping and geochemical sampling in progress.
- Acquisition of high-resolution magnetic, gravity and CSAMT is complete, with modelling underway
- Multiple shallow copper-nickel sulphide targets are being identified over several kilometres of strike.
- Early geochemical and geophysical results expected in Q4 2024.
Xanadu’s VP Exploration, Dr Andrew Stewart, said, “We are very pleased to have commenced and making excellent exploration progress at the Sant Tolgoi Copper-Nickel Project. This project represents an exciting green-fields opportunity. We believe this is potentially a new Magmatic Cu-Ni District in an under-explored mineral province of Western Mongolia, and is an extension of fertile magmatic activity hosting a significant number of Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Sant Tolgoi lies on the western extension of the deep seated Khangai Fault systems. Encouragingly surface mapping has identified widespread mineralisation, primarily consisting of copper oxides, either as fracture fillings or disseminated mineralisation in coarse- to medium-grained gabbro, validating our generative strategy.”
Figure 1: The Sant Tolgoi located in the Zavchan Province of Western Mongolia
Figure 2: The Sant Tolgoi Exploration Leases
Figure 3: Sant Tolgoi terrain with exploration camp in background
Figures 4 and 5: Outcropping Copper Oxides and Disseminated Sulphides.
About Sant Tolgoi
The Sant Tolgoi Project covers two Exploration Licences, XV-17774 (Oyut) and XV-21887 (Sant Tolgoi) in the Zavchan Province of Western Mongolia with a combined area of over 40km2 (Figure 2), collectively referred to as the Sant Tolgoi Project or Sant Tolgoi Cu-Ni project. The Tenement portfolio includes numerous advanced exploration targets with real prospectivity for the discovery of significant magmatic copper and nickel mineralisation. In the Zavchan Region of Mongolia, the Sant Tolgoi Project lies on the western extension to the of the deep seated Khangai Fault systems, a metalliferous fault network which hosts several significant mafic and ultramafic intrusions that are highly encouraging for intrusion hosted copper and nickel discoveries (Figures 4 and 5). Early signs of several copper-nickel systems have been encountered in both historical drilling.
Agreement Terms
The Company has executed a binding agreement with STSM granting the right to earn up to 80% interest in two exploration licences XV-17774 (Oyut) and XV-21887 (Sant Tolgoi) located in the Zavchan Province of western Mongolia. 1
Key Terms of the agreement are:
Stage 1 Farm-in
Xanadu may elect to proceed to stage 1 once the minimum commitment has been met and can earn a 51% interest in the Project by spending USD $1,000,000 on exploration over a period of twenty-four months.
At the completion of the Stage 1 Farm-In, XAM will have earned the right to 51% equity in the Projects.
Formation of Joint Venture
Once Xanadu has earned a 51% interest in the Projects, STSM LLC can elect to end the farm-in and form a Joint Venture (JV), with XAM holding 51% and STSM 49% and each contributing pro rata to their share in the JV with XAM being the manager of the JV. The JV agreement will be on standard commercial terms.
Stage 2 Farm-In After formation of Joint Venture
If STSM will not fund their pro rata the JV would be formed.
XAM may earn a further 29% interest in the Projects by sole funding a further USD $10,000,000 on exploration prior transferring the exploration license to mining lease from the completion of the minimum commitment (Stage 2 Farm-In). At this stage XAM will hold an 80% interest in the Projects and STSM LLC 20%.
Stage 3 Farm-In After transferring exploration license to mining leases.
At the completion of the Stage 2 Farm-In Xanadu will hold an 80% interest in the Projects and STSM LLC 20%. At this point STSM LLC shall contribute the pro rata to the further exploration expenditures. Xanadu may be given a loan with certain interest (≥10%) to their 20% pro rata. STSM shall have an obligation pay back this loan including interest from their gross revenue royalty payable on product sold from the Projects.
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1 ASX/TSX announcement 22 January 2024 “Xanadu enters into new Magmatic Copper & Nickel Sulphide Project”
