RTG Agrees to Acquire the Priority Exploration Licence Applications FOR an 80% Stake IN the 2.1M OZ MT Kare GOLD Project Announcement to the Toronto Stock Exchange
RTG AGREES TO ACQUIRE THE PRIORITY EXPLORATION LICENCE APPLICATIONS
FOR AN 80% STAKE IN THE 2.1M OZ MT KARE GOLD PROJECT
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE
10 DECEMBER 2019
RTG Mining Inc. ( ASX:RTG, TSX:RTG , OTCQB:RTGGF) (“RTG” or “the Company”) is
pleased to announce that it has entered into binding Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with
the two priority applicants for the Mt Kare Gold Project located in the Enga Province of Papua
New Guinea (“PNG”) to acquire a majority 80% stake in the project if and when successful in
securing the new exploration licence. The two vendors are GMG Global Mining Group Limited
(“GMG”) and Tribune Mt. Kare Limited (“Tribune”).
Mt Kare has a Historical Mineral Resource (JORC 2004), which includes a Measured Mineral
Resource of 1.2 million ounces of gold , an Indicated Mineral Resource of 0.3 million ounces
and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 0.6 million ounces of gold (see next section for details of
Historical Mineral Resource).
MT KARE PROJECT
Mt Kare is located approximately 600km northwest of Port Moresby and 145km west of Mt
Hagen in the Enga Province of PNG and is situated 15km southwest of Barrick’s Porgera Gold
Mine. The Porgera Mine is the second largest mine in PNG and is regarded as one of the
world’s top ten producing gold mines. It began production in 1990 and to date has produced
more than 20Moz of gold.
Figure 1: Mt Kare Location Map
The Mt Kare Gold Project was discovered in 1987 by Conzinc Riotinto of Australia and has
had in excess of A$60 million spent on it by several companies, including 454 diamond holes
totalling 73,639 metres. In 2011, Indochine Mining Limited (ASX:IDC) (“Indochine”) exercised
an option to acquire the project and in 2013 announced a Historical (JORC 2004 compliant)
Mineral Resource Estimate summarised below in Table 1. These resources were reported in
accordance with JORC Code 2004 in Indochine’s ASX announcements dated 10 July 2013.
Refer to the cautionary statement below.
Historical
Resource
Category
Tonnes
(Mt)
Au
g/t
Ag
g/t
Au Metal
(Moz)
Measured 20.2 1.84 20.9 1.2
Indicated 8.3 1.29 8.1 0.3
Inferred 14 1.27 6.0 0.6
Table 1 Mt Kare 2013 JORC (2004) Compliant Mineral Resource (cut-off grade 0.5g/t Au)*
* The Historical Mineral Resource estimates were originally compiled and announced by Indochine and last
repeated in their ASX announcements dated 10 July 2013, utilising parameters from the 2004 JORC Code. RTG
believes that this information has not materially changed since it was last reported.
However, it is important to note that:
• the estimates of Mineral Resources are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code 2012;
• a Competent Person or Qualified Person (as defined in National Instrument 43 -101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”)) has not done sufficient work to classify the estimates as
Mineral Resources in accordance with JORC Code 2012 or NI 43-101;
• RTG has not independently validated the former owner’s estimates and therefore is not to be regarded
as reporting, adopting or endorsing those estimates;
• it is pos sible that following evaluation and/or further exploration work by GMG, the currently reported
estimates may materially change and hence will need to be reported afresh under and in accordance
with the JORC Code 2012 and NI 43-101;
• that nothing has come to the attention of RTG that causes it to question the accuracy or reliability of the
former owner’s estimates; and
• RTG believes that the resource categories set out above are the same as those set out in NI 43-101.
Refer to Appendix 1 for further details on Indochine’s Historical Mineral Resource.
Land Investigation Studies and a Land Identification Report have been completed previously
by Summit (a subsidiary of Indochine) and a Mt Kare Project Consent Agreement with the
principal Landowner representatives was finalised in May 2016 (both the property of Summit).
The Mt Kare deposit is hosted by Mesozoic and late Tertiary sedimentary rocks originally
deposited on the Australian craton. Following continental collision, folding and thrusting in the
Papuan Fold Belt and subsequent uplift, late Miocene -Pliocene (6.0Ma) alkaline intrusive
bodies were emplaced. At Porgera and Mt Kare, intrusive complexes, about which subsequent
precious metal mineralisation has been centred, are focused at the intersections of a deep -
seated transverse fault.
The similarity between intrusion types at Porgera and Mt Kare is well documented (Richards,
J.P. and Ledlies, I. 1993)1. Detailed geological mapping was carried out by Madison over the
immediate area (approx. 300ha) of the Mt Kare deposit (Madison, 1997) 1. The property
geology comprises a folded and faulted sequence of meta-sediments that have been intruded
locally by gabbroic and mafic -porphyry dykes. The host stratigraphy at Mt Kare consists of
Late Cretaceous Brown Mudstone in fault contact with younger limestone, marl, fine grained
sandstone and siltstone units.
A structural study conducted by SRK Consulting in 2007 1 reported that the sequence at Mt
Kare is folded about a north-northeast-trending, gently north-northwest-plunging fold axes. A
syncline, with younger rocks preserved in the hinge, lies immediately east of the Brown
Mudstone contact and is the host structure to the mineralisation. Further east, the basal
limestone unit forms the core of a gently north-northeast plunging anticline (Mt Kare limestone
scarp).
RTG believes Mt Kare has significant upside potential. Whilst RTG is not currently able to
verify, revise or update the Historical Mineral Resource for Mt Kare, upon successful
acquisition, RTG would seek immediately to develop and adopt its own Mineral Resource
estimate for the Mt Kare project.
In the longer term, RTG would focus exploration on the depth potential of the deposit. Mt Kare
and Porgera are situated 15km apart along the same north-east trending continental scale
transfer structure. Additional similarities between the geology of Mt Kare and Porgera include:
• same host rocks;
• similar geological structures;
• mineralisation types; and
• age of mineralisation.
Mt Kare is also 500m higher than Porgera yet only drilled to 350m. Mineralisation at Porgera
occurs over 1000m of vertical extension (refer Figure 3).
Figure 3: Mt Kare – Porgera geological similarities.
1 See Appendix 2 for details of the references.
On 2 October 2017, the PNG Mineral Resource Authority (“MRA”) confirmed that GMG has
priority over the 8 other exploration licence applications currently registered or held by the
MRA. GMG’s priority was challenged by Tribune in the PNG Courts and as part of this
transaction, both GMG and Tribune have agreed to settle their disputes and work co -
operatively, including the withdrawal of all actions against the MRA and others. The previous
exploration licence held by Summit Development Limited, a subsidiary of Indochine Mining
Limited was cancelled. A Judicial Review held that the PNG Government had acted correctly
in respect of that cancellation and the cancellation was valid. It is anticipated that the findings
of the subsequent appeal against the Judicial Review findings, held in February 2019, should
be finalised shortly. The transactions with GMG and Tribune are conditional on the release of
the abovementioned findings in favour of the PNG Government and the issue of an exploration
licence for Mt Kare to an RTG subsidiary.
DEAL TERMS
The agreed consideration, from RTG to the vendor s of an 8 0% interest in the Mt Kare
exploration license (where granted to the consortium of RTG, GMG and Tribune) is subject to
satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent (most importantly the grant of the exploration
license for Mt Kare to a RTG subsidiary) is set out as follows:
• RTG will provide funding to the proposed grantee of the Mt Kare exploration license of
US$1 million once the abovementioned litigation matters are resolved in the PNG
Government’s favour, to be utilised by GMG and the joint venture for the grant process
for the exploration licence, such as the holding of a Warden’s Hearing;
• US$1.5m in cash and approximately US$11.3m in shares in RTG subject to RTG
shareholder approval for the purposes of Listing Rule 7.1 , on the grant to an RTG
subsidiary of a valid and unchallenged exploration licence for the Mt Kare Project. The
shares will be issued based on the 20 day VWAP prior to completion of the transaction
(As at 9 December 2019, RTG ’s 20 day VWAP was $0.091, however we would
anticipate it could be materially different at Completion);
• A contingent payment only if a final decision to mine is made in respect of Mt Kare –
approximately US$1 million, with a further consulting fee of US$3m payable if the
decision to mine is made by the JV; and
• Approximately US$1m in shares of RTG to Argonaut Equity Partners Pty Ltd, subject
to RTG shareholder approval for the purposes of Listing Rule 7.1, which has agreed
to assist with any financings (on a non exclusive basis) for the Mt Kare Project on arms’
length terms and conditions. The shares will be issued on the 20 day VWAP prior to
completion of the transaction.
On completion of the transaction , RTG will be entitled to appoint nominees to the board of
GMG and Origold PNG Limited (“Origold“), the new PNG RTG subsidiary that may hold the
interest in the Mt Kare Project (if successful), so it has a majority by number. The Chairman
of GMG and Origold will be a RTG nominee. RTG will be the manager of the exploration joint
venture and will solely fund operating expenditure for the first 15 months period from the date
of grant of the Mt Kare exploration licence. For the avoidance of doubt, that does not apply to
capital expenditure on a commitment to development.
Shareholder approval for issue of the consideration shares must be obtained within 60
business days of grant of the Mt Kare explo ration licence. A notice of meeting will be
dispatched by RTG in respect of those approvals. In the event shareholder approval is not
obtained RTG will satisfy the share consideration in cash. If RTG defaults on this obligation,
Tribune and Argonaut will b e granted a onetime option to acquire the Mt Kare exploration
licence of Tribune back on a cost recovery basis from RTG. The consideration shares issued
to Tribune will be subject to orderly sale arrangements including staged escrow and sell down
process. Further details will be included in the notice of meeting. In addition to shareholder
approval, the transaction is subject to any applicable regulatory approvals and the satisfaction
of certain other closing conditions.
Final documentation is being completed which will include standard terms and conditions for
a transaction of this nature.
ABOUT RTG MINING INC
RTG Mining Inc. is a mining and exploration company listed on the main board of the Toronto
Stock Exchange, Australian Securities Exchange Limited and the OTCQB Venture Market.
RTG is focused on a proposal with a landowner lead consortium to secure an exp loration
licence at the high tonnage copper -gold Panguna Project in Bougainville PNG and the high
grade copper/gold/magnetite Mabilo Project in the Philippines, while also identifying major
new projects which will allow the Company to move quickly and safely to production, such as
the Chanach Gold and Copper Project.
RTG has an experienced management team which has to date developed seven mines in five
different countries, including being responsible for the development of the Masbate Gold Mine
in the Phil ippines through CGA Mining Limited, RTG has some of the most respected and
international institutional investors as shareholders including Franklin Templeton, Sun Valley,
Sprott and Equinox.
ENQUIRIES
Australian Contact US Contact
President & CEO – Justine Magee Investor Relations – Jaime Wells
Tel: +61 8 6489 2900 Tel: +1 970 640 0611
Fax: +61 8 6489 2920
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward -
looking statements" with respect to RTG wi thin the meaning of applicable securities laws,
including, but not limited to statements addressing the anticipated closing of the acquisition of
the Mt Kare Project, the terms of the MOA, the grant of the new exploration licence for the Mt
Kare Project, shareholder approval requirements, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals,
potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, finalisation of the findings of the Summit
Appeal and the proposed timing of exploration and development plans. Forward -looking
information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate",
"plan", "continue", "planned", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends",
"believe", "potential", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words
and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would",
"might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain
factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Important factors that co uld cause actual results to differ materially from
RTG’s expectations include uncertainties related to fluctuations in gold and other commodity
prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and
the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and
operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; the
need for cooperation of government agencies in the development of RTG’s mineral projec ts;
the need to obtain additional financing to develop RTG’s mineral projects; the possibility of
delay in development programs or in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting
anticipated program milestones for RTG’s mineral projects and other risks and uncertainties
disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in RTG’s Annual Inform ation Form for the year
ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on RTG’s
SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
The forward‐looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the
date on which the statements are made. There can be no assurance that such information will
prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from t hose
anticipated in such statements. RTG disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward‐looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events
occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate
regulatory authority.
QUALIFIED PERSON AND COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT
The information in this release that relates to Geology, Exploration Results and Historical
Mineral Resource Estimates is based upon public information reviewed by Elizabeth Haren
who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and a Competent Person as defined in the 2012
Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserves’. Elizabeth Haren is a Member and Chartered Professional of the Australian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Austral ian Institute of Geoscientists.
Elizabeth Haren is employed by Haren Consulting Pty Ltd and is a consultant to RTG.
Elizabeth Haren has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and
type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a
Competent Person and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43 -101. Elizabeth Haren
consents to the inclusion in the release of the matters based on her information in the form
and the context in which it appears.
Elizabeth Haren has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this
release.
Appendix 1 – ASX Listing Rules and JORC Disclosures
In accordance with ASX Guidance on announcements of material acquisitions, given Indochine has
publicly reported estimates of Mineral Resources for the Mt Kare Project under the 2004 JORC Code,
RTG provides the following additional information:
• The mineral resource estimates for the Mt Kare Project are historical estimates pursuant to
NI 43 -101. A Qualified Person (as such term is defined under NI 43 -101) has not done
sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resourc es or mineral
reserves and RTG is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or
mineral reserves.
• The Historical Mineral Resource was released to ASX by Indochine on 10 July 2013. Refer
to Indochine’s ASX announcements both dated 10 July 2013 available at
http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20130710/pdf/42gzdxt0s607q4.pdf and
http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20130710/pdf/42gzdzkzx234tm.pdf.
• This information was prepared and first disclosed under the JORC Code 2004 and therefore
the reporting of those estimates may not conform to the requirements of the JORC Code 2012.
• The independent review of Mt Kare by Haren Consulting suggested some modifications to the
Historical Mineral Resource estimate may be appropriate, however, no fatal flaws were
identified in the data used or the methodology of generation of the Historical Mineral
Resource. Not all the information regarding the work programs conducted were available for
review. Information available included the Mineral Resource estimate report completed in
2012 which described the data used in the estimate.
• RTG is not aware of the detailed information of the work programs on which the estimates
were based nor is it aware of the availability of any more recent estimates or data relevant to
the reported mineralisation.
• If GMG is successful in obtaining the ex ploration licence at Mt Kare, a Mineral R esource
review will be conducted by RTG. RTG is not yet in a position to assess the veracity or adopt
Indochine’s Historical Mineral Resource. The review of the resource model would take 2 to 3
months and would inform a new drilling program intended to both enhance confidence and
extend the known Historical Mineral R esource. A subsequent drilling program may take
between 10 and 18 months, with time and cost depending on the scope of the drilling program
required or deemed necessary and ease of access to the tenement and drill locations.
• Subject to a successful Mineral R esource review and drilling program, RTG will make a
decision to proceed with a full feas ibility study . The feasibility study would investigate the
application of more optimal mine designs, a review of metallurgical work, re -organisation of
waste dumps and infrastructure and rescheduling the mining program. The work is anticipated
to cost in the order of US$1.5M and would be expected to be completed within 1 5 months of
commencement. The Mineral Resource review and feasibility study is currently anticipated to
be funded from existing cash reserves.
• The information in this release that relates to exploration and geology in respect of the Mt
Kare Project is based upon public information reviewed by Elizabeth Haren, a Competent
Person who is a Member and Chartered Professional of the Austral asian Institute of Mining
and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Elizabeth Haren is
employed by Haren Consulting Pty Ltd and is a consultant to RTG. Elizabeth Haren has
sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralis ation and type of deposit under
consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as
defined in the 2012 Edition of the ”Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Elizabet h Haren consents to the inclusion in the
release of the matters based on his information in the form and the context in which it appears.
Appendix 2 – References
Richards, J.P. and Ledlie, I. Alkalic intrusive rocks associated with Mt Kare gold deposit,
Papua New Guinea: comparison with the Porgera Intrusive
Complex. Economic Geology, 88:755-788.
L Olssen, B McEwen & J Fox Buffalo Gold Limited: Mt. Kare, Technical Report Update,
August 2007 (EDGAR US-SEC)