VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/15/17 -- Northern Empire Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE: NM) (the "Company" or "Northern Empire") today announced that the Company has entered into a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Sterling Gold Mining Corporation ("SGMC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Imperial Metals Corporation ("Imperial Metals")(TSX: III) to acquire a 100% interest in the Sterling property, located in Nye County, Nevada, and certain royalty rights for claims located in Nevada and California (the "Proposed Transaction").
Michael G. Allen, President, CEO and Director of Northern Empire commented, "Acquiring the Sterling property represents a company changing opportunity for the shareholders of Northern Empire. The next phase of open pit mining has been permitted at Sterling, and the properties have not seen significant exploration in 20 years. The Sterling land package consists of two claim blocks, Sterling and Daisy. Combined, the land package represents the acquisition of a gold district within Nevada, hosting 3 past producing open pit mines. The Sterling mine has previously operated as a high grade open pit and underground operation as recently as 2015, and is known for it's excellent run of mine heap leach recoveries. The site is staffed, with leach rinsing operations continuing. The Daisy claim block has indications of a large Carlin system, which has seen very little exploration since the late 1990s."
Acquisition Highlights
-- High Grade Gold in Nevada. The Sterling mine has operated as both an
open pit and underground operation. Historical records show that from
1980 to 2000 mining on the Sterling orebodies produced 194,996 oz gold
("Au") at an average grade of 7.44 g/t Au. Recoveries have averaged 88%
without milling;
-- Location. The Sterling property is located approximately 100 miles NW of
Las Vegas on the eastern flank of the Bare Mountains. The mine is
accessed via highway I-95 and gravel roads;
-- Permitted to begin operations. The Bureau of Land Management has issued
a Finding of No Significant Impact ("FONSI") and approved the next phase
of mining at Sterling. This permit was issued on May 12, 2016 and has an
indefinite term. Northern Empire will immediately undertake a resource
estimate, on all deposits on the properties;
-- Significant Engineering Completed by Imperial Metals. To achieve the
FONSI, Imperial Metals created designs for the new pits and heap leach
facilities that Northern Empire will be able to use going forward;
-- Significant infrastructure in place. Imperial Metals ceased underground
mining of a separate orebody in 2015. Processing facilities, mine
offices and generators are on site and are currently being used to rinse
heaps from prior operations.
-- Near Mine - Exploration Potential. The complete Sterling property land
package contains 3 past producing open pit mines, Sterling, Daisy West
and Secret Pass. Significant exploration potential, based on historic
drilling and known structural controls, exists along strike and adjacent
to the permitted Sterling deposit. In the 1995 Annual Mineral Industry
Survey by the Nevada Bureau of Mines Daisy West was reported to have a
pre-mining, gold resource of 1.45 million tons grading 0.021 opt Au (1.3
million tonnes grading 0.72 g/t Au), in the same report, Secret Pass had
a pre-mining gold resource of 36.6 million tons grading 0.018 opt (32.94
million tonnes grading 0.62 g/t Au). SGMC has permitted the next phase
of open pit mining on the Sterling Site. After reviewing the available
data, it is thought that potentially significant resources remain at
Secret Pass, while Daisy West is largely mined out. The stratigraphy
that hosted the Daisy West mine remains largely untested. Northern
Empire reports these pre-mining historical resources for illustrative
purposes only. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to
classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or
mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical
estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Northern
Empire will be initiating an independent review of the data and
resources on the Sterling property, the results of which will be
released prior to the closing of the transaction.
-- The following table summarizes significant drill results from the
portion of the Sterling deposit yet to be developed
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STERLING MINE SELECT IN GROUND DRILLHOLES
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METERS
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HOLE# From To Length Au g/t
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ST-23 48.77 59.44 10.67 5.49
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ST-38 48.77 62.48 13.72 6.80
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SV8139 7.62 16.76 9.14 5.01
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SV88053 41.15 50.29 9.14 2.05
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SV89146 88.39 121.92 33.53 1.80
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SV89148 126.49 149.35 22.86 2.14
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-- The following table summarizes significant drill results from the
portion of the Secret Pass deposit yet to be developed
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SECRET PASS SELECT IN THE GROUND DRILLHOLES
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METERS
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HOLE# FROM -TO- LENGTH Au g/t
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D-204 85.34 150.88 65.53 0.79
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D-206 85.34 178.31 92.96 1.36
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D-313 80.77 163.07 82.30 0.90
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D-314 91.44 158.50 67.06 0.90
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D-320 96.01 173.74 77.72 1.02
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D-164 44.20 100.58 56.39 3.13
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-- Historic Resources - Exploration Potential. In addition to the unmined
portion of Secret Pass, two additional unmined deposits are located in
the northern portion of the property Daisy South and SNA. In the 1995
Annual Mineral Industry Survey by the Nevada Bureau of Mines, Daisy
South was reported to have in a resource of 0.76 million tons grading
0.097 opt Au (0.68 million tonnes grading 3.33 g/t) and in the same
report, the SNA deposit was reported to have a historic resource of 2.87
million tons at 0.039 opt Au (2.58 million tons at 1.34 g/t Au).
Northern Empire reports these historical estimates for illustrative
purposes only. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to
classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or
mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical
estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Northern
Empire will be initiating an independent review of the data and
resources on the Sterling Property, the results of which will be
released prior to the closing of the transaction.
-- The following table summarizes significant drill results from the
portion of the Daisy South deposit yet to be developed
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DAISY SOUTH SELECT IN THE GROUND DRILLHOLES
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METERS
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HOLE# FROM -TO- LENGTH Au g/t
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D-81 121.92 156.97 35.05 4.63
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including 126.49 146.30 19.81 7.37
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D-97 126.49 196.60 70.10 2.16
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including 179.83 190.50 10.67 4.9
7
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D-135 111.25 192.02 80.77 2.10
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including 152.40 167.64 15.24 5.87
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D-145 129.54 198.12 68.58 2.02
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including 161.54 169.16 7.62 8.35
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-- The following table summarizes significant drill results from the
portion of the SNA deposit yet to be developed
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SNA SELECT IN THE GROUND DRILLHOLES
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METERS
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HOLE# FROM -TO- LENGTH Au g/t
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ML165 70.10 85.34 15.24 1.60
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ML261 22.86 38.10 15.24 0.71
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MR008 25.91 32.00 6.10 1.39
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and 41.15 65.53 24.38 1.12
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SN09-087 46.82 74.68 27.86 0.87
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-- District Scale - Exploration Potential. Surface mapping and sampling by
previous workers on the property suggests that the historic deposits are
open and there is a high potential for significant new discoveries on
the property. In addition, significant drilling has been done on the
"Shear Zone" which appears to be the upper levels of a zoned epithermal
system.
-- The following table summarizes significant drill results from the
portion of the Shear Zone deposit yet to be developed
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SHEAR ZONE SELECT IN THE GROUND DRILLHOLES
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METERS
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HOLE# FROM -TO- LENGTH Au g/t
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ML007 44.21 54.88 10.67 1.98
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ML010 42.68 50.30 7.62 2.24
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ML016 33.54 48.78 15.24 0.27
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ML020 53.35 56.40 3.05 0.36
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ML026 77.74 97.56 19.82 1.06
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INCL 77.74 88.41 10.67 1.73
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ML027A 85.37 99.09 13.72 0.48
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ML031 83.84 92.99 9.15 1.66
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and 97.56 100.61 3.05 0.48
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ML049 39.63 44.21 4.57 1.58
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-- Data rich property. The history of Sterling can be traced back to the
early 1970s. Significant underground workings, surface mining,
metallurgical work and drilling have been completed on the properties to
date. The Sterling block features in excess of 10,000 drillholes and
underground channel samples while the Daisy block features 716
drillholes totaling over 10,000 meters.
Summary of Proposed Transaction
Under the terms of the Proposed Transaction with SGMC, the Company will acquire:
-- A 100% interest in the Sterling Mine Property (the "Sterling Property")
located in Nye County, Nevada being comprised of 707 unpatented mining
claims encompassing approximately 14,605 acres.
-- A four percent (4%) Net Smelter Return Royalty on the Hoodoo Canyon
Property (the "Hoodoo Property") located in Nye County, Nevada, being
comprised of 209 unpatented mining claims encompassing approximately
4,318 acres. Newmont Mining Corporation through Fronteer Development
Inc. have assumed the lease and the obligations for an annual advance
royalty payment.
-- A three percent (3%) Net Smelter Return Royalty up to a limit of
US$1,250,000 on the Tenabo (Robertson) Property located on Lander
County, Nevada. By agreement dated June 20, 2016, the subject property
was purchased by Barrick Cortez Inc. from Coral Gold Resources Ltd.
-- A ten percent (10%) Net Profits Royalty Interest ("NPR Interest") on the
Blue Moon Property located in Mariposa County, California.
The purchase price for the assets will consist of:
-- US$10 million cash, including a US$250,000 non-refundable deposit due
within 5 days of the execution of the LOI;
-- 5 million shares of Northern Empire. Northern Empire will also issue
additional shares to SGMC to allow SGMC to maintain its pro-rata
percentage interest in Northern Empire post transaction if, at any time
prior to a construction financing, Northern Empire issues additional
shares pursuant to an equity financing, subject to a maximum of 5
million additional shares;
-- Northern Empire shall grant SGMC a two percent (2.0%) Net Smelter
Returns royalty ("NSR") on the portions of the Sterling Property not
currently burdened by a pre-existing NSR. Northern Empire has the right
to purchase 50% of the NSR for US$7.5 million, and has a right of first
refusal on any sale of the NSR.
-- If Northern Empire elects to utilize the specific bioleaching technology
developed by SGMC on the existing leach pads on the Sterling Property,
then Northern Empire agrees to immediately reimburse SGMC for all
expenses incurred by SGMC up to closing. In addition, SGMC shall be
entitled to receive fifty percent (50%) of Net Operating Profits ("NOP")
on the bioleaching production from these existing leach pads. SGMC shall
be entitled to receive a ten percent (10%) NOP on revenue from
bioleaching, associated with rinsing/reclaiming of any pads built to
treat ores mined by Northern Empire subsequent to closing.
Conditions of Closing
The completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions to closing including, but not limited to Northern Empire's satisfactory completion of legal, title and environmental due diligence with respect to the Sterling Property, completion of various financings to raise adequate funds to make the purchase, board and regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions in the mining industry for similar asset purchase and sales.
Related Financings
In relation to the Proposed Transaction, the Company will be arranging a bridge financing of convertible debentures. The proceeds of the bridge financing will be used to pay the US$250,000 deposit due to SGMC, complete an updated NI 43-101 technical report on the Sterling property and for due diligence and working capital purposes. The interest free convertible debenture will convert into a unit of the Company consisting of a share and a half warrant (each full warrant, a "Warrant") upon the closing of the Proposed Transaction, or, if the Proposed Transaction doesn't complete, upon resumption of trading of the Company's shares. The conversion price shall be equal to (a) the price for which the Company completes the Subsequent Financing, as set out below, or (b) if the Proposed Transaction doesn't complete, $0.175. Each Warrant shall be exercisable into a common share of Northern Empire at a price of 33 1/3% premium to the conversion price for a period of 2 years following the closing of the convertible debenture financing.
In the event that the Company files a prospectus in connection with the Acquisition Financing, it will use reasonable commercial efforts to qualify the issuance of the Units under the prospectus.
In addition, the Company intends to complete a subsequent financing (the "Acquisition Financing") to complete the Proposed Transaction, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the purchase price for the proposed Acquisition, for ongoing exploration work on the Sterling Property and for general working capital. Further details regarding the Acquisition Financing will be released in due course.
Advisors
The Company has engaged Cormark Securities Inc. as its financial advisor in connection with the proposed transaction and Acquisition Financing.
McCullough O'Connor Irwin LLP and Parsons Behle and Latimer are acting as legal advisors on the transaction.
The Company has engaged JDS Energy and Mining and Norwest Corporation as technical advisors.
About Northern Empire
Northern Empire is an aggressive, Vancouver based, gold explorer working to take advantage of the current improving market conditions by assembling a value driven portfolio of properties.
Qualified Persons
Michael G. Allen, President of Northern Empire, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the information contained in this news release. He is the non-independent qualified person for this new release and has verified the data.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF NORTHERN EMPIRE RESOURCES CORP.
Michael G. Allen, President, CEO and Director
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 NEWS RELEASE.
Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forward-looking statement", and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements, which include the Company's expectations about the completion of the Proposed Transaction and the related financings, future performance based on current results and expected cash costs and are based on the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which, may cause the Company's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projects of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: liabilities inherent in mine development and production; geological risks, the financial markets generally, the results of the due diligence investigations to be conducted by the Company, the ability of the Company to complete the related financings or obtain requisite Exchange acceptance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipate in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Northern Empire Resources Corp.
Michael G. Allen
President, CEO and Director
604 646 4524
Northern Empire Resources Corp.
Jeff Sundar
Director
604 764 5944
