Sonora State, México
SUAQUI VERDE COPPER DEPOSIT PROJECT AND AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
- The Suaqui Verde copper deposit comprises oxide copper and secondarily enriched copper sulphide mineralization that outcrops at surface and is outlined by approximately 106 historical Reverse Circulation (“RC”) and core drill holes
- The Suaqui Verde copper deposit is within the world-class Sonora-Arizona porphyry copper province
- Cuprum’s mineral concessions cover approximately 1,952 hectares (“ha”; ~4,823 acres) of Suaqui Grande Municipality in the mining-friendly State of Sonora in northwestern México
- The Suaqui Verde copper deposit has been the subject of a series of unpublished, historical open pit mineral resource estimates, the most recent prepared by Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (“IMC”) of Tucson, Arizona (see Table 1 and the Cautionary Notice Regarding the Suaqui Verde Copper Project Historical Resource Estimate, below)
- The Agreement provides for water usage rights and unfettered access to the ranch land surface rights that cover the immediate area of the Suaqui Verde copper deposit
- There is good access to the Project area, ~140 kilometres (“km”; 87 miles) southeast of the city of Hermosillo (metropolitan population ~ 850,000) and 116 km (~72 miles) from the port city of Guaymas
- Local infrastructure and workforce is available in the nearby town of Suaqui Grande (8 km; 5 miles)
- Potential development scenarios may include lower-cost open pit mining and bulk heap leaching, or alternatively, in-situ leaching; both possibilities potentially leading to cathode copper production through solvent extraction-electro winning SX/EW processing methods
WHY DO WE LIKE SUAQUI VERDE
“With Suaqui Verde, I believe that our team can create significant near-term value for Southern Empire shareholders. Copper, which has just been added to the U.S. Department of Energy’s List of Critical Materials, is now often referred to as the ‘new green metal’ as the electrification and decarbonisation of the world will not happen without it. Suaqui Verde presents an exciting opportunity for Southern Empire to enter the green metals arena by acquiring a little-known copper oxide deposit in mining-friendly Sonora. Southern Empire will be able to immediately capitalize on the substantial investments of previous operators as we investigate the significant exploration potential to expand the Suaqui Verde copper deposit at depth. The case for future development is very compelling, especially with the possible implementation of either conventional heap leach processing or innovative in-situ leaching processing.”
Dale Wallster, CEO, Southern Empire Resources Corp.
Geology and Copper Mineralization of the Suaqui Verde Area
The Suaqui Verde Copper Project area covers an outcropping, oxidized porphyry copper deposit located in the world-class Sonora-Arizona porphyry copper province (also known as the “Laramide” or the “Southwestern North America” porphyry copper province) where more than twenty porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits have been mined for decades.
Porphyry copper provinces are time-space clusters of porphyry copper deposits. The Sonora-Arizona porphyry copper province comprises adjacent parts of the American states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, northern Sinaloa, and Baja California. This province contains the world’s second largest copper endowment; an estimated total (production + reserves + resources) of 295 million tonnes, 96% of which is in deposits of Laramide age (∼80–45 million years; “Ma”). The province was particularly fertile between 69 and 54 Ma, bracketing the Suaqui Verde deposit mineralization, which is dated at 57.0 ±0.3 Ma (Barra et al, 2005).
The Suaqui Verde copper deposit area has been explored by minor underground development and about 150 historical, mostly vertical RC and core drill holes completed by companies including: American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO in the 1940s; now part of Grupo México, S.A.B. de C.V.); Industrias Peñoles, S.A.B. de C.V. (in 1964); Minera Constelación, S.A. de C.V. (Cominco Ltd. in 1971-1972; now Teck Resources Limited); Duval Corp.; Azco Mining Inc. (“AZCO” in 1991); Cambior Inc. (“Cambior” in1992-1994; now Iamgold Corporation); Phelps Dodge Corporation (“Phelps Dodge” in 1996; now Freeport-McMoRan Inc.) and Minera Corum S.A. de C.V. (“Minera Corum“ in 2006-2007; now Cuprum). Overburden is generally shallow and the first 50 meters of the copper mineralized zone often returns poor drill recoveries. Copper mineralized zones are known to continue laterally beyond the drill-defined limits of the deposit and only a few Phelps Dodge drill holes started to explore the copper potential at depth.
The geology of the Suaqui Verde project area is similar to other calc-alkaline porphyry-style copper deposits of the region, featuring a multi-phase intermediate (silicic) Laramide age intrusive complex intruding Cretaceous andesitic rocks of the Tarahaumara formation.
Supergene oxidation, leaching and enrichment have modified the character and position of Suaqui Verde copper mineralization creating an irregular zone of copper oxides, which may reach depths of up to 350 meters. Supergene copper mineralization consists of a mix of chrysocolla ((Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4·nH2O), chalcocite (Cu2S), brochantite (Cu4SO4(OH)6) and minor malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2) and libethenite (Cu2PO4OH). Chrysocolla and chalcocite are regarded as the most desired mineral species for potential extraction of copper by leach processes. Limonitic copper minerals include cupro-hematite and other metallic gangue minerals include hematite, goethite, jarosite and the manganese oxide, neotocite.
Hypogene mineralization comprises pyrite (FeS2), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), and molybdenite (MoS2). Gypsum is common along fractures especially near sulphide-bearing areas.
Historical metallurgical test work indicates that Suaqui Verde copper mineralization should be amenable to either conventional open pit mining and heap leach copper extraction, or alternatively, in-situ leaching. If either of these operational methods were to be implemented, they would produce a copper-enriched solution from which high-purity cathode copper could subsequently be produced by SX-EW (solvent extraction-electrowinning) processing.
In 2008, an independent, historical open pit mineral resource estimate was prepared as an internal report for Cuprum by Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (“IMC”) of Tucson, Arizona. IMC’s unpublished, historical open pit mineral resource estimate, at selected cut-off grades and based on 106 total drill holes completed between 1991 and 2007, is set out in Table 1.
Please refer to the “Cautionary Notice Regarding the Suaqui Verde Copper Project Historical Resource Estimate” below.
Geological mapping and structural interpretation, drilling and satellite alteration mapping (ASTER) suggest the Suaqui Verde copper porphyry system has been structurally tilted to the northeast, supporting the potential for deeper sulphide zones extending at depths below historical drilling.
Cautionary Notice Regarding the Suaqui Verde Copper Project Historical Resource Estimate
The unpublished, historical resource estimate regarding the Suaqui Verde Copper Project set forth in this news release was prepared for Cuprum Mining Corporation in an internal report dated June 10, 2008 by Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. (“IMC”) of Tucson, Arizona. A National Instrument 43-101F1 Technical Report was not filed in connection with this historical resource estimate. Although the IMC historical resource estimate outlined “Indicated Resources” and “Inferred Resources”, the historical estimate was completed prior to, and is not in compliance with, current Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as adopted in 2014. IMC’s historical resource estimate is based on 106 total drill holes completed between 1991 and 2007 as follows: AZCO, 43 holes in 1991; Cambior, 18 holes in 1993; Phelps Dodge, 15 holes in 1997; and Minera Corum, 30 holes in 2006-2007. In calculating the historical resource estimate, a three-year trailing average copper price of $2.95/lb, mining costs of US $1.40 and $1.80 per tonne (“t”) for overburden and rock respectively, process and G&A costs of $4.50 per tonne, pit slope angles of 38o, and total copper (“TCu”) recoveries of 75%, 65% and 45% for oxide, mixed and sulphide materials respectively, were used.
Southern Empire considers the IMC historical resource estimate relevant as it represents the main target for exploration and development work on the Suaqui Verde Copper Project. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the IMC historical estimate as a current mineral resource and Southern Empire is not treating the historical resource estimates as current mineral resources. Southern Empire intends to confirm the reliability of the IMC historical resource estimate and the information supporting the historical resource estimate. Southern Empire is not treating the historical resource as a current mineral resource.
Location, Access and Infrastructure
Suaqui Verde is in the Municipality of Suaqui Grande approximately 140 km southeast of the city of Hermosillo, the capital city of Sonora, México (metropolitan area population ~880,000). The deep water port city of Guaymas is approximately 116 km from the Project.
Suaqui Grande is a town located 8 km (5 miles) west of Suaqui Verde that was founded in 1620 by the Spanish missionary Martín Burgencio. Access to Suaqui Grande is by national paved highway from Hermosillo. The Suaqui Verde mineral tenements are accessible throughout by a network of unimproved roads. Given the arid local climate and minimal annual rainfall, these gravel roads remain in good condition year-round.
Suaqui Grande can provide all basic infrastructure required for project assessment, including electricity, water, housing, office and secure core storage facilities and internet communications.
Work Plans
Work planned for the Suaqui Verde Copper Project includes additional drilling, sampling and metallurgical analysis, re-assaying samples of historical drill core intervals (if available), resurveying drill hole collar locations, claims and surface lands, reviews of historical drill core logs and a check of original assay certificates against the reported assays and drill hole database.
Material Terms of Southern Empire’s Agreement to Acquire up to One Hundred Percent of Cuprum
Southern Empire Resources Corp. has entered into an agreement with Cuprum Mining Corporation, an arm’s length private Canadian company, that grants Southern Empire the opportunity to acquire up to a one hundred percent (100%) interest in the share capital of Cuprum, and thereby a 100% beneficial interest in Cuprum’s Suaqui Verde Copper Project that comprises certain mineral tenements located in the mining-friendly State of Sonora in northwestern México.
The Agreement and the obligations of Southern Empire pursuant to the Agreement shall be subject to:
- acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) of any and all filings required to be made with the Exchange in respect of the Option and/or the herein subject matter;
- receipt of a title opinion showing that, unless specifically acknowledged and accepted otherwise by SMP, the mineral concessions that comprise the Suaqui Verde Copper Project are free and clear of all charges, encumbrances and claims;
- there being no adverse environmental liabilities or reclamation costs regarding the Suaqui Verde Copper Project unless specifically acknowledged and accepted by SMP;
- if necessary, the entry into an agreement required by the laws of Mexico in connection with the Option or ownership of the Suaqui Verde Copper Project; and
- the approval of the board of directors of SMP
Southern Empire will give notice to Cuprum of its intention to proceed on the date that it satisfies the foregoing conditions precedent (the “Completion Date”).
Pursuant to the Agreement and subsequent to the Completion Date, Southern Empire, at its sole election, may exercise the Option to acquire up to a one hundred percent (100%) shareholding in Cuprum as follows:
Southern Empire may acquire a ten percent (10%) interest in Cuprum by:
- paying CAD $500,000 pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders, within 90 days of the Completion Date.
- issuing 7,500,000 common shares in the capital of SMP, pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders, within 90 days of the Completion Date;
Southern Empire may acquire an additional ten percent (10%) interest in Cuprum (being an aggregate twenty percent (20%) interest in Cuprum) by:
- paying an additional CAD $250,000 pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders on, or before, 15 months of the Completion Date;
- issuing an additional 7,500,000 common shares in the capital of SMP, pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders on, or before, 15 months of the Completion Date;
- incurring CAD $750,000 of Exploration Expenditures within 15 months of the Completion Date.
Southern Empire may acquire an additional ten percent (10%) interest in Cuprum (being an aggregate thirty percent (30%) interest in Cuprum) by:
- Paying an additional CAD $500,000 pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders, on, or before, 30 months of the Completion Date;
- incurring another CAD $750,000 of Exploration Expenditures (being a total of CAD $1,500,000 of Exploration Expenditures) within 30 months of the Completion Date.
- Southern Empire may acquire an additional ten percent (20%) interest in Cuprum (being an aggregate fifty percent (50%) interest in Cuprum) by:
- paying an additional CAD $500,000 pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders, on, or before, 45 months of the Completion Date;
- incurring another CAD $750,000 of Exploration Expenditures (being a total of CAD $2,250,000 of Exploration Expenditures) within 45 months of the Completion Date.
Southern Empire may acquire an additional fifty percent (50%) interest in Cuprum (being an aggregate one hundred percent (100%) interest in Cuprum) by:
- paying an additional CAD $750,000 pro-rata to the Cuprum Shareholders, on, or before, 60 months of the Completion Date;
- incurring another CAD $1,000,000 of Exploration Expenditures (being a total of CAD $3,250,000 of Exploration Expenditures) within 60 months of the Completion Date.
Southern Empire may extend the date to incur any of the above-noted Exploration Expenditures by six months by making a payment of US$100,000.
During the term of the Agreement, Southern Empire will act as operator.
A Net Smelter Return Royalty of up to 2% may be payable subsequent to commercial production being achieved on the Suaqui Verde Copper Project.