Turner Pope's research6 Jul 2021 09:54
Strike length in excess of 800m and remain open in most directions. Importantly, the nine holes, MAP-083 to MAP-091 have successfully provided the
Board with much greater guidance as to the shape and nature of gold mineralisation at
APTA. Specifically, they have identified a number of very thick, high-grade, plunging
‘shoots’, surrounded by a lower grade halo. Such shoots are considered highly significant given that they are expected to hold the
lion’s share of the gold mineralisation and so represent primary targets for ongoing drilling.
The primary
objective of the Company’s exploration program is, of course, to determine the potential
of the Anzá lease package to host gold mineralisation of scale sufficient for Orosur’s
exploration partners, Newmont and Agnico, to formally commit to year four of the
Exploration Agreement. With an anniversary date of 7 September 2021, the decision
to spend a further US$4 million might be anticipated during the month of August.
Orosur now has limited execution or funding risk
Realistically, Monte Águila will wait for Minera Anzá to complete the planned 9,500m drilling program over nine holes and
then comprehensively analyse the data generated, following which it will likely take a formal decision to move the Exploration
Agreement into its fourth year with a further US$4 million commitment. It does, of course, have an option to secure
operational control of the Anzá Project, but this is seemingly of secondary significance to it at this stage. Of primary importance
for Agnico and Newmont instead is proving potential for a +5 million oz. Au field before investing time and money in drilling
to resource status. In this respect, the Board’s decision to work hard to ensure that the campaign should not be unduly hindered
by the Pandemic most certainly appears to be in shareholders’ best interests, particularly when considering drilling results
reported by Los Cerros Limited (ASX:LCL), whose nearby Quinchia Project in the Mid-Cauca gold belt on 21 January 2021
reported latest drilling from its Tesorito South porphyry target returning its strongest gold intercept ever recorded, including
102m @ 2.11 g/t Au from 28m. This further demonstration of the region’s exceptional prospectivity resulted in Los Cerros’
share price spiking some 50% on the news.
TPI considers an expected positive decision
from Agnico & Newmont later this quarter could add quite considerably to Orosur’s current valuation as well as being a possible
prelude to their seeking operational control some 12 to 18 months thereafter.