Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 4, 2024) - Pasofino Gold Limited (TSXV: VEIN) (OTCQB: EFRGF) (FSE: N07A) ("Pasofino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 4,806,767 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at C$0.70 (or US$0.52) per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$3,364,737 (US$2,500,000) (the "Offering").
Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Unit Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.90 for a period of 18 months following the issue date of the Units.
As previously disclosed in the Company's press releases, Esan Eczacibasi Endustriyel Hammaddeler Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi ("ESAN") and Hummingbird Resources plc (AIM: HUM) ("HB PLC"), both shareholders with over 10% ownership and insiders of the Company, have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in any private placement or prospectus offering by the Company. This participation allows ESAN and HB PLC to maintain their respective shareholding interests in the Company. In the event that the Offering is completed in full and no Unit Shares are issued to HB PLC, HB PLC is expected to hold 50.43% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company after completion.
The Offering is expected to close in October 2024 and is subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the conditional listing approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and the applicable securities regulatory authorities. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period in Canada expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering.
The issuances of Units to company insiders are considered related party transactions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company will rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, in respect of such insider participation.
The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company in connection with the advancement of the Dugbe Gold Project and working capital.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD DIRECTOR
The Company has appointed Brett Richards as a Non-Executive Director to its Board.
With over 37 years of extensive experience in the mining and metals industry, Mr. Richards brings invaluable knowledge as Pasofino advances its strategic initiatives. Mr. Richards is an accomplished mining executive with a proven track record in operational management, project development, construction, and corporate business development. Mr. Richards has held several CEO roles and currently serves as a director on the boards of Nickel 28 Capital Corp., Goldshore Resources Inc. and Midnight Sun Mining.
Throughout his career, Mr. Richards has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving transformational change, leading mergers and acquisitions, and excelling in mine financing and development, particularly in West Africa. His expertise aligns perfectly with Pasofino's growth objectives, and in his role as a Non-Executive Director, Mr. Richards will support the Board in advancing strategic initiatives and fostering key stakeholder relationships.
Dan Betts, Chairman of Pasofino, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Brett to the Pasofino team. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the mining sector will be instrumental as we work towards realizing our vision and maximising shareholder value. We believe his diverse experience and building three (3) mines over 15 years working in Africa, is crucial for Pasofino's ongoing projects, and will benefit the strategic direction and growth of the Company in the coming years."
ISSUANCE OF STOCK OPTIONS TO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Company has granted 5,045,000 incentive stock options to directors and officers under its Long-Term Incentive Plan. These options are exercisable at a price of $0.70 per option and are valid for a term of 18 months from the date of grant. Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, totaling 11,222,782 common shares, are reserved for issuance. The granting of the options is subject to regulatory approval.
ABOUT THE DUGBE GOLD PROJECT
The 2,078 km2 Dugbe Gold Project (the "Project") is in southern Liberia and situated within the southwestern corner of the Birimian Supergroup which is host to most West African gold deposits. To date, two deposits have been identified on the Project; Dugbe F and Tuzon discovered by Hummingbird in 2009 and 2011 respectively. The deposits are located within 4 km of the Dugbe Shear Zone which is thought to have played a role in large scale gold mineralization in the area.
A significant amount of exploration in the area was conducted by Hummingbird up until 2012 including 74,497 m of diamond coring. Pasofino drilled an additional 14,584 m at Tuzon and Dugbe during 2021. These deposits have a combined Mineral Resource Estimates dated 17 November 2021 with total Measured and Indicated of 3.3 Moz with an average grade of 1.37 g/t Au, and 0.6 Moz in Inferred.
Following the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study in June 2022 a Mineral Reserve Estimate was declared, based on the open-pit mining of both deposits over a 14-year Life of Mine. A technical report for the Dugbe Gold Project was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website.
In addition to the existing deposits there are many gold prospects within the Project including the Bukon Jedeh area and the DSZ target on the Tuzon-Sackor trend where Pasofino has discovered a broad zone of surface gold mineralisation in trench and outcrop along strike from Tuzon. At this and several of the other prospects no drilling has been carried out to date.
In 2019, Hummingbird signed a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement ("MDA") with the Government of Liberia providing the necessary long-term framework and stabilization of taxes and duties. Under the terms of the MDA, the royalty rate on gold production is 3%, the income tax rate payable is 25% (with credit given for historic exploration expenditures), the fuel duty is reduced by 50%, and the Government of Liberia is granted a free carried interest of 10% in the Project.
ABOUT PASOFINO GOLD LTD.
Pasofino Gold Limited is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSXV (VEIN).
Pasofino, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owns 100% of the Dugbe Gold Project (prior to the issuance of the Government of Liberia's 10% carried interest).
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 release.
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the ability to raise the funds to finance its ongoing business activities including the acquisition of mineral projects and the exploration and development of its projects. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the ability to successfully complete the Offering, the ability to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSXV, the ability to apply the proceeds as intended, the results of business operation, the results of exploration activities; the results of the strategic review process, the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR+. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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