Aston Bay and American West Metals Announce C$17.1 Million Royalty Package for the Storm Copper Project, Canada
ACCESSWIRE · Aston Bay Holdings Ltd

In This Article:

Non-dilutive financing secured from leading royalty fund to support exploration and development at Storm

C$3.425 million allocated to Aston Bay with no use of proceeds restriction

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its joint venture partner American West Metals Limited ("American West") has entered into a binding agreement with Australian-based Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. (Taurus) whereby Taurus will provide funding of up to US$12.5 million (C$17.1 million[1]) under a royalty package for the Storm Copper Project. Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study. Aston Bay will be allocated 20% of the funding from the royalty package (C$3.425 million) with no use of proceeds restriction.

Highlights

  • Binding agreement entered with Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. (Taurus) to provide US$12.5 million (C$17.1 million1) in exchange for a royalty package over the Storm Copper Project

  • The following funding will be advanced by Taurus:

    • US$5m (C$6.85m) upon signing of formal documentation and financial close

    • US$3.5m (C$4.80m) upon delivery of a PFS for Storm and submission of permitting documents for a development at Storm

    • US$4m (C$5.48m) upon announcement of an increase in the JORC compliant resource for Storm to at least 400,000 tonnes of contained copper at a resource grade of at least 1.00% Cu

  • Taurus will be granted a new 0.95% gross override royalty (GOR) from all production at Storm

  • Funding under the royalty package will be allocated to American West Metals and Aston Bay Holdings in accordance with their respective interests under the unincorporated joint venture for Storm, being 80% for American West Metals and 20% for Aston Bay Holdings

  • American West Metals will use its proceeds from the royalty funding to:

    • Accelerate the Storm 2024 resource expansion and exploration programs, with the 20,000m summer drilling program now underway

    • Bring forward the logistics for the 2025 field activities with supplies delivered to site via sealift in 2024 (offering significant savings on the cost of the 2025 program)

    • Expedite the completion of ESG, mining and development studies

  • There is no use of funds restriction for Aston Bay, providing a non-dilutive source of funds to advance the Company's other projects and contribute to the Company's robust balance sheet