New Zealand Government Publishes Its Critical Minerals List - Naming Gold and Antimony. RUA GOLD Provides Exploration Update on the Reefton Project's Extensive Antimony Potential
New Zealand Government Publishes Its
Critical Minerals List - Naming Gold and
Antimony. RUA GOLD Provides Exploration
Update on the Reefton Project's Extensive
Antimony Potential
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 3, 2025) - Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA)
(OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC) ("
RUA GOLD
" or the "
Company
") executives attended the launch
event for the
Minerals Strategy for New Zealand to 2040 and Critical Minerals List
event hosted by New
Zealand Petroleum and Minerals in Waihi on January 31, 2025. Honorable Shane Jones, Resource
Minster for New Zealand, presented the critical minerals list that included both gold and antimony.
Furthermore, RUA GOLD is pleased to provide an update from the exploration campaign underway at
the Reefton Project on the South Island of New Zealand with significant added potential of antimony
within the project.
Highlights:
RUA GOLD is sitting on the vast majority of New Zealand’s antimony inventory.
Byproduct credit that antimony brings the potential to add considerable economic value to the
Reefton Project and New Zealand’s strategic mineral inventory.
Antimony spot price increased 250% in 2024 and has held at all time high levels of over
US$40,000 ton.
Auld Creek already has an antimony resource, and the Company is focused on expanding this in
2025. The resource is restricted to two of the four known shoots. Soil geochemistry indicates the
potential for discovery of additional mineralised shoots over a strike length of 2.5km.
Drilling of Auld Creek commenced in December 2024, holes ACDD024, ACDD025 intersected 4-
5m of strong stibnite (antimony sulphide) mineralization. Assays pending in the lab.
Rock chips have been found in several areas across the Reefton District with grades with up to
40.3% antimony (and gold grades up to 74.3g/t).
It is common for high grade gold and stibnite (antinomy ore mineral) to be co-located and the
stibnite it is often used as a pathfinder for gold.
Robert Eckford, CEO of RUA GOLD commented:
"Having New Zealand's largest known antimony
presence on our property is extremely encouraging, especially with it trading at all time high's and with
it being announced on New Zealand's first ever critical minerals list.
We commenced drilling on Auld Creek antimony-gold prospect which already has an antimony
resource. Rock chips across the other projects on the property increase our confidence this gold-
antimony occurrence is consistent across the Reefton Goldfield. We are focused on expanding the
Auld Creek resource and we will have assay results from the latest holes coming out in February.
This all comes on the back of the government's
launch event for the Minerals Strategy for New
Zealand to 2040 and Critical Minerals List, where both gold and antimony in Reefton Goldfield was
called out as being one of the key focus points of the critical minerals strategy for New Zealand."
Figure 1: Overview of the Reefton Goldfield.
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GLOBAL SUPPLY AND VALUE OF ANTIMONY
Antimony, is a critical metalloid primarily sourced from the mineral, stibnite.
It is highly valuable and
increasing in demand due to its versatility and has essential applications across renewable energy,
liquid battery metals, defence and technological sectors.
Due to its limited supply, predominantly controlled by China, Russia & Tajikistan, antimony is considered
a strategic material essential for supply chain security, particularly during periods of geopolitical
instability. This was heightened in August 2024, when China announced export controls on processed
antimony products. In response to these controls, nations have accelerated their efforts to secure
alternative sources of antimony to mitigate the risk of significant supply chain vulnerabilities.
The US, EU, UK, Japan, Canada and Australia all designate antimony as a critical mineral. On January
31, 2025, New Zealand also announced their Critical Mineral List which included antimony.
Reflecting heightened demand, the price of antimony has reached new highs, currently trading over
US$40,000 per tonne, a significant increase from US$11,350 per tonne at the start of 2024. This market
shift has intensified interest in the strategic antimony potential held by RUA GOLD.
EXPLORATION POTENTIAL
Auld Creek Focus
RUA GOLD commenced drilling at Auld Creek in December 2024. It has a targeted program to drill four
mineralised shoots identified from historical surface exploration work interpreted by the RUA GOLD
team over the past 3 months.
Auld Creek is situated between two past producing mines, Globe Progress mine, and the Crushington
Group of mines which collectively produced 933,000oz at 14.0g/t Au (Barry 1993). Auld Creek has three
historic adits but no commercial production from the reefs.
RUA GOLD has an inferred resource indicating 700,000 tonnes at 3.1g/t Au and 1.1% Sb for 67,000oz
of gold and 8,000 tonnes of antimony
1
(AuEq 110,000oz
2
). The resource is restricted to two of the four
known shoots. Soil geochemistry indicates the potential for discovery of additional mineralised shoots
over a strike length of 2.5km.
Two of the four holes completed to date intersected 4-5m of strong visible stibnite (antimony sulfide)
mineralization in the Fraternal-Bonanza structure. Logging and assaying are in progress.
Previous diamond drilling by Siren Gold Limited ("Siren") confirmed the presence of significant
antimony, with notable drill holes including:
ACDDH011: 8.1m @ 2.73g/t Au and 4.33% Sb (AuEq of 11.0g/t) 80m below the surface.
ACDDH015: 12.4m @ 5.19g/t Au and 13.65% Sb (AuEq of 31.3g/t) 75m below the surface.
Full table of results in Table 1 in the appendix below.
Figure 2: Extent of drilling and mapping at Auld Creek with four main reef tracks overlain on arsenic
soil geochemistry.
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Other Reefton Prospects
With the increased interest in antimony over 2024, the exploration team widened its focus to include
testing for stibnite (antimony) mineralization across other known targets of the Reefton Goldfield.
In the early 1900's, the Fiery Cross lode, within Capleston, reported significant antimony mineralisation
associated with the gold-bearing quartz reef, but at the time, in common with many other Reefton
Goldfield mines, mining this posed a problem for gold recovery and the material was discarded on the
tip head. Re-sampling of this mined material from the tip head (float), and from an insitu quartz reef of the
old mine at surface has returned exceptionally high results including:
Sample GER3721 with 23.5g/t gold and 20.6% antimony
Sample GER3725 with 7.53g/t gold and 16.7% antimony
Sample GER3726 with 52.3g/t gold and 16.0% antimony
Refer to Table 2 in the appendix below for a complete list of rock samples.
Murray Creek hosts the Golden Treasure mine, 350m south south-west of the Victoria-Inglewood mines.
Gold recovery at the Golden Treasure was also hindered by the presence of stibnite. In parts of the mine
where the shoot consisted of 30-40 % antimony the ore was stacked in the workings for future sale
(Downey, 1928a).
RUA GOLD conducted both channel samples on surface and assayed a suite of rocks from the tip head
of the mine workings. This has provided firsthand evidence of the tenor of the antimony has returned
exceptionally high results including:
GERS6027: Trench with 1m wide with 10.8g/t gold and 1.7% antimony
GERS6028: Trench with 1m wide with 3.66g/t gold and 3.8% antimony
GERS3714: Rock sample with 2.29g/t gold and 40.3% antimony
GERS3716: Rock sample with 6.72g/t gold and 26.9% antimony
GERS3720: Rock sample with 4.77g/t gold and 23.3% antimony
Refer to Table 3 and 4, respectively, in the appendix below, for a complete list of trench and rock
samples.
With results from this surface exploration work, the exploration team are encouraged that the stibnite
mineralization is demonstrated throughout the Reefton Goldfield and further work will form part of the
surface exploration campaign in 2025.
Figure 3: Location of known antimony locations.
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ABOUT RUA GOLD
RUA GOLD is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of
expertise, our team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across
multiple continents. The team is now focused on maximizing the asset potential of RUA GOLD's two
highly prospective high-grade gold projects.
The Company controls the Reefton Gold District as the dominant landholder in the Reefton Goldfield on
New Zealand's South Island with over 120,000 hectares of tenements, in a district that historically
produced over 2Moz of gold grading between 9 and 50g/t.
The Company's Glamorgan Project solidifies RUA GOLD's position as a leading high-grade gold
explorer on New Zealand's North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North
Islands' Hauraki district, a region that has produced an impressive 15Moz of gold and 60Moz of silver.
Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation's biggest gold mining project, Wharekirauponga.
For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca
.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101
Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects
and Chief Operating Officer and a director of RUA GOLD, has reviewed
and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has participated in the
geochemical sampling, and mapping programs to verify that they have been conducted in accordance
with standard operating procedures. Mr. Henderson has verified the data disclosed by running checks
on the location, analytical, and test data underlying the information in the technical disclosure herein.
QA/QC ROCK SAMPLES AND CHANNEL SAMPLES
Veins were sampled in 1 m intervals. Before sampling, outcrops were cleared of debris and alluvial
sediments with shovels and hammers to uncover the full extent of the veins. 1m intervals were measure
with a tape and marked with flagging tape or spray paint. A line was made along the outcrop, then chips
were taken continuously along that line. Each 1m interval sample is 1.5kgs of material.
Rock samples were sent to SGS Laboratories, Westport for sample preparation. Samples were crushed
and pulverized to 85% passing 75 µm. The pulverized rock-chips were split into two samples: a ~50 g
sent for laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to RGL for pXRF analysis and storage. Pulverized
rock-chip samples were analyzed for gold (Au) by 50-g fire assay with AAS finish at SGS Waihi (SGS
Code FAA505); and for antimony (Sb) by Sodium Peroxide Fusion Analysis by ICP-MS at SGS Waihi.
RUA GOLD Contact
Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Email:
Website:
www.RUAGOLD.com
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All
statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or
developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the
words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and
similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur and
specifically include statements regarding: the Company's strategies, expectations, planned operations
or future actions, including but not limited to exploration programs at its Reefton and Glamorgan projects
and the results thereof. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-
looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are
beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its
business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated
events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties
and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks
related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in
exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the
actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or
equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the
mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavorable operating
conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and
commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-
looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's short form base shelf
prospectus dated July 11, 2024, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its
SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's
management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws,
the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that
management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Table 1: Significant drilling intercepts for Auld Creek, full mineralized zone composites (1.5 g/t Au cut-
off)
1
.
Hole ID
Azimuth
Dip (⁰)
Easting (NZTM)
Northing (NZTM)
From (m)
To (m)
Downhole
Interval (m)
Au (g/t)
Sb (%)
ACDDH004
45
-60
1507194
5332976
51.72
57.9
6.18
1.59
0,01
ACDDH004
45
-60
1507194
5332976
116.19
136.84
20.65
5.41
2.17
ACDDH005
100
-60
1507194
5332976
57.66
64.41
6.75
1.64
0.06
ACDDH005
100
-60
1507194
5332976
65.8
80.35
14.55
2.07
0.10
ACDDH007
40
-58
1507185
5332881
123.22
148.45
25.23
3.14
0.07
ACDDH008
100
-58
1507186
5332881
72.14
76.35
4.21
1.55
0.02
ACDDH011
130
-81
1507212
5333051
75.3
83.4
8.1
2.73
4.33
ACDDH015
158
-58
1507204
5333139
69.6
82
12.4
5.19
13.65
ACDDH015
158
-58
1507204
5333139
105
132.4
27.4
3.67
0.2
ACDDH016
330
-55
1507202
5333141
65
90
25
6.55
0.29
1
.
Full drilling results are available in the Company's technical report entitled, "Technical Report on Reefton Project, New Zealand", dated
October 30, 2024.
Table 2: Fiery Cross Rock Sampling
Sample ID
Easting
Northing
Au (g/t)
Sb %
GERS3721
1511843
5341564
23.5
20.60
GERS3722
1511843
5341575
3.99
3.37
GERS3723
1511837
5341573
1.6
8.16
GERS3724
1511850
5341579
0.75
16.80
GERS3725
1511870
5341609
7.53
16.70
GERS3726
1511865
5341607
52.3
16.00
GERS3727
1511853
5341608
3.85
2.08
GERS3728
1511855
5341611
9.22
4.50
GERS3729
1512081
5341681
74.3
0.02
Table 3: Golden Treasure trench results outcropping Antimony lode
Trench
Sample ID
Easting
Northing
From
To
Interval
Au (g/t)
Sb%
GT01
GERS6024
1510018
5335275
0
1
1
5.92
0.0168
GT01
GERS6025
1510018
5335275
1
2
1
4.87
0.0158
GT01
GERS6026
1510018
5335275
2
3
1
0.6
0.0172
GT02
GERS6027
1510016
5335266
0
1
1
10.8
1.7212
GT02
GERS6028
1510016
5335266
1
2
1
3.66
3.8173
GT02
GERS6029
1510016
5335266
2
3
1
0.3
0.213
GT02
GERS6030
1510016
5335266
3
4
1
10.8
0.0223
GT02
GERS5651
1510016
5335266
4
5
1
1
0.0124
GT02
GERS5652
1510016
5335266
5
6
1
1.53
0.0123
GT02
GERS5653
1510016
5335266
6
7
1
19.8
0.0161
Table 4: Golden Treasure rock chip sampling from tip head and creek float adjacent to level 1.
Sample
Easting
Northing
Au (g/t)
Sb %
GERS3711
1510018
5335275
12.4
1.07
GERS3712
1510016
5335266
4.33
3.71
GERS3713
1510020
5335249
1.74
0.371
GERS3714
1510096
5335170
2.29
40.3
GERS3715
1510097
5335170
13.3
7.46
GERS3716
1510096
5335171
6.72
26.91
GERS3717
1510095
5335171
7.03
9.88
GERS3718
1510094
5335173
0.05
24.7
GERS3719
1510098
5335173
1.85
30.3
GERS3720
1510096
5335176
4.77
23.3
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