Pueblo Grande Project

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Pueblo Grande Project

Latest News from Pueblo Grande

On February 14, 2024 the Company announced that Barrick had provided an exploration update on the Phase II diamond drilling program and continued advancement of additional targets within Precipitate's 100% owned Pueblo Grande Project. Barrick’s exploration is part of an earn-in agreement whereby Barrick has the right to earn a 70% interest in the Project.

Pueblo Grande Norte Zone: Barrick's Diamond Drill Program Update:

  • Barrick completed 4 diamond drill holes totalling approximately 1,200 metres at the Project’s Pueblo Grande Norte Zone, located immediately west of Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mining pits.
  • 3 of the 4 holes encountered encouraging permeable volcanic lithologies affected by high-sulfidation type alteration with several events of strong sulfide disseminations, similar to observations at the neighbouring Pueblo Viejo Mine.
  • Final multi-element laboratory analytical results are pending, but significant gold and silver values are not anticipated from these initial holes. However, the favourable high sulphidation type alteration encountered in these recently completed holes warrants follow up geophysics and diamond drilling with a second rig, and supports the zone’s potential to host gold mineralization.
  • Barrick plans to conduct a detailed ground magnetic survey in advance of adding a second drill for continued drilling within the Zone as part of the planned drilling program at Pueblo Grande Norte.
Pueblo Grande Sur Zone: Barrick’s New Target Delineation and Ongoing Exploration:
  • Exploration to date has identified two early-stage targets of coincident soil anomalies and geophysical anomalies (IP chargeability).
  • Barrick has conducted various phases of geological surface mapping, systematic grid soil sampling and reconnaissance scale IP ground geophysics.
  • Barrick’s exploration work for 2024 will delineate and refine drill-worthy targets in this emerging area of the Project, with Pueblo Grande Sur diamond drill testing permits expected during 2024.
  • The Pueblo Grande Sur Zone is located several kilometers to the southeast of Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mining pits.

In September of 2023 Barrick commenced a diamond drilling program within the Lithocap Zone of the Pueblo Grande Project.

Barrick Phase Two Drill Program Highlights

  • Up to 3,000m of diamond drilling comprised of up to 10 holes within the Lithocap Zone, immediately adjacent to Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mining pits:
  • Drilling will test multiple prospective, untested targets delineated by surface sampling (geochemistry), geological features (rock types and various fault structures), geophysics (IP and magnetic) and spectrometric studies (clay alteration):
  • Deep penetrating 2D IP surveying has identified numerous untested high chargeability anomalies; some with reading values exceeding 40 millivolts per volt (“mv/v”):
  • Barrick’s updated interpretation of new and historical project data has led to an expanded drilling program, targeting near-surface high sulphidation epithermal “Pueblo Viejo style” gold mineralization along with a possible concealed copper-gold porphyry style target at depth.

See accompanying map figure for details

On May 13, 2022, the Company announced an amendment to the existing exploration Earn-in Agreement pursuant to which Precipitate agreed to relinquish or reduce certain portions of select exploration concessions within the Project for a cash consideration of US$5,000,000 and the granting to Precipitate of a 3% net smelter return (“NSR)” royalty over the relinquished ground (the "Subject Areas").

In consideration for Precipitate’s relinquishment or reduction of the Subject Areas, Barrick:

  • Paid Precipitate US$5,000,000 in cash (approximately $6,400,000 Canadian) upon entering into the Amendment;
  • Agreed to grant Precipitate a 3% NSR over the Subject Areas (with no re-sale restrictions or rights of first refusal or rights of first offer to Barrick);
  • Agreed to commence, within three months of receipt of a drilling permit, the final 1,200 metres of a minimum 3,200 metre condemnation drilling program within the Subject Areas (2,500 metres already completed);
  • Agreed that if, following the completion of the above-mentioned condemnation drilling, Barrick determines that the extraction of mineralization within a certain portion of the Subject Area is economically justifiable, Barrick will transfer the mining rights in such area back to Precipitate at no cost, at which time such area will be reinstated as part of the Project under the Earn-in Agreement and the NSR will be amended to remove any royalties with respect to such area; and
  • Agreed that it will provide advance notice to Precipitate if, at any time prior to the 10-year anniversary of the Amendment, Barrick intends to relinquish the mining rights over all or a portion of the Subject Areas and will work cooperatively with Precipitate to facilitate the transfer of such mining rights to Precipitate if Precipitate notifies Barrick that it wishes to acquire such rights.

On July 14, 2021 the Company announced Barrick had delivered results from the 10 diamond drill holes (totaling 2,514 metres completed by Barrick at the Pueblo Grande Project, as part of its earn-in agreement whereby Barrick has the right to earn a 70% interest in the Pueblo Grande Project located immediately adjacent to Barrick's Pueblo Viejo gold-silver mine in the Dominican Republic.

The Barrick diamond drilling focused solely on a small part of the Lithocap Zone located immediately west of Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mining operation. Barrick’s drilling tested several targets previously contemplated by Precipitate prior to the execution of the earn-in agreement. Laboratory data as reported by Barrick includes the following highlight results: 17.0m @ 0.22 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) (from 61.5m down hole number 21-05) and 10.2m @ 0.44 g/t Au (from 185.5m down hole number 21-07). All other drill holes reported weak or sub-anomalous gold values.

Barrick has advised the Company that it will continue its exploration work under the terms of the earn-in agreement and shift its exploration work toward other prospective gold and base metal zones located elsewhere within the Pueblo Grande Project, specifically La Lechoza (epithermal replacement or veins) and Tres Bocas (volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) Au-Ag-Cu-Zn) where past exploration and drilling identified mineralization within coincidental geological, geophysical and multi-element geochemical anomalies hosting elevated gold, silver, zinc and copper values.

Barrick US$10M Earn-In Agreement for 70% Interest

On April 14, 2020 the Company announced that it has signed a definitive earn-in agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation whereby Barrick has the right to earn a 70% interest in the Company’s Pueblo Grande Project. To earn its interest, Barrick must incur a minimum US$10.0 million in exploration expenditures and deliver a qualifying Pre-feasibility Study prior to the sixth anniversary of the Agreement. In addition, Barrick has subscribed for US$1.0 million (C$1.39M) of Precipitate’s common shares in a private placement. See full details in news release dated April 14, 2020.

In accordance with the terms of the Agreement, to earn a 70% interest in the Project, Barrick must (the “Earn-in Conditions”):

  • Incur a minimum of US$10.0 million in qualifying Work Expenditures prior to the sixth anniversary of the entering into of the Agreement as follows:
    • US$2.0 million in aggregate before the second anniversary, with a US$1.0 million guaranteed minimum expenditure before the second anniversary;
    • US$3.5 million in aggregate before the third anniversary;
    • US$5.0 million in aggregate before the fourth anniversary;
    • US$7.0 million in aggregate before the fifth anniversary; and
    • US$10.0 million in aggregate before the sixth anniversary;
  • Complete a minimum of 7,500 metres of drilling before the sixth anniversary of the entering into of the Agreement; and
  • Deliver a qualifying Pre-Feasibility Study before the sixth anniversary of the entering into of the Agreement

Shortfalls in required Work Expenditures may be paid by Barrick to Precipitate as cash in lieu to satisfy the Work Expenditures’ requirement. Barrick may at any time accelerate any or all of the Work Expenditures and excess Work Expenditures in any year shall apply against any future years’ obligations.

Upon satisfaction of the Earn-in Conditions and delivery of an exercise notice, Barrick and Precipitate will form a Joint Venture to be owned 70% by Barrick and 30% by Precipitate. At Precipitate’s election, which must be made within 120 days of the approval by the Joint Venture of a Feasibility Study, Barrick will be obligated to provide Precipitate’s portion of any debt financing or arrange for third party financing of Precipitate’s portion of any debt financing required to construct a mine on the Project described in the Feasibility Study in consideration for the transfer by Precipitate to Barrick of a 5% interest in the Joint Venture. Dilution of the Company’s interest in the Joint Venture below 10% will result in the conversion of Precipitate’s interest to a 1.5% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty on any concessions without pre-existing NSRs as of the date hereof, and a 1.0% NSR royalty on any concessions with pre-existing NSRs as of the date hereof, applicable to all recovered products.

Highlights of The Pueblo Grande Project

  • 100% interest in strategic land position surrounding Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mine (largest active gold mining operation in Latin America; top 5 in the world);
  • 2 high-level historical drill discovery zones (Tres Bocas and Lechoza) warranting follow-up;
  • Substantial under-explored lithocap alteration zones proximal to Pueblo Viejo open pits;
  • Extensive project-wide drill dataset from over 200 historic drill holes totalling over 29,500 metres (DDH and RAB);
  • Situated in active and mining-friendly district within 10 km of 3 operating mine sites; and
  • Select reported historical highlight drill intercepts include:
    Metres
    (m)
    Gold
    (g/t)
    Silver
    (g/t)
    Copper
    (%)
    Zinc
    (%)
    Zone Everton News Source
    23.4 m 4.76 23.0 Lechoza Jan 27/11 (DDH APV-30)
    10.6 m 2.96 104.9 2.0 9.4 Tres Bocas May 17/06 (DDH TBM-07)
    27.0 m 2.46 26.7 Lechoza Feb 02/11 (DDH APV11-02)
    7.5 m 2.56 47.2 1.4 4.4 Lechoza Dec 20/10 (DDH APV10-13)
    10.5 m 2.29 65.0 0.6 3.4 Lechoza Apr 13/11 (DDH APV11-30)
    All above noted intercepts commence at less than 20m drill depth and are core widths not true widths

Pueblo Grande Project Location

The Pueblo Grande Property is contiguous to the Pueblo Viejo mine operated by Barrick Gold via a joint venture between Barrick (60%) and Newmont/Goldcorp (40%). The land position surrounds the Pueblo Viejo mine site on the west, north and east sides, covering about 7,105.71 contiguous hectares. A second property, named the “Ponton Project” is located approximately 30 kilometres (“km”) east of Pueblo Grande in a similarly favourable and prospective geological environment. See maps for the property location illustration maps.

Highlights of Pueblo Grande Exploration Potential:

In late September 2019 the Company announced receipt of the government issued permit for diamond drill testing within the Loma Cuaba Lithocap Zone at the Pueblo Grande Project. The permit allows for 30 drill platforms at various key locations within the broader Loma Cuaba Lithocap target area.

The drill targets are selected by the presence of certain geological and/or geophysical characteristics commonly associated with high-sulphidation epithermal and in one case porphyry style mineralization, including a combination of a geophysical magnetic inversion low anomaly, favourable host rock or structure, silica/clay alteration and rock-soil geochemical anomalies. See accompanying drill target compilation map in the right side column of this page.

In June 2019 the Company announced results and interpretation of a geophysical magnetic 3D inversion study conducted on the advanced argillic altered Loma Cuaba Lithocap Zone of the Company’s 100% owned Pueblo Grande Project in the Dominican Republic. See the accompanying two magnetic inversion anomaly maps for additional illustrations of the Loma Cuaba Lithocap Zone illustration maps. Highlight results from the survey and interpretation are as follows.

  • Identification of five magnetic low anomalies (near surface and concealed at depth) likely associated with magnetite destruction characteristics of Pueblo Viejo style high sulphidation epithermal alteration;
  • Identification of a sizeable egg-shaped magnetic low anomaly possibly associated with porphyry style magnetite destruction alteration (possibly potassic) measuring up to 450 metres in diameter, at an estimated depth of 400 metres from surface to the top of the anomaly;
  • Identification of a large magnetic low anomaly in the southeast lithocap area, concealed at depth (+400 metres) appearing to extend eastward to Barrick`s new exploration target called Arroyo Hondo which is a high sulphidation epithermal target situated between Barrick’s mining pits and Precipitate’s claim boundary; and
  • None of the aforementioned geophysical anomalies have been drill tested by prior operators, making them compelling targets for the Company to prioritize for drill testing.

The computer-generated 3D inversion study utilized the combination of historical airborne data with newly derived ground geophysical data to aid interpretation of lithology, alteration and structural features. The inversion study was completed by Tom Weis (ex-Chief geophysicist Newmont) and Carl Wendels of Thomas Weis and Associates Inc.

Also in June 2019 the Company announced results of a detailed infill geochemical soil sampling survey conducted within the Loma Cuaba Lithocap Zone of the Pueblo Grande Project located three kilometres west of Barrick’s world-class Pueblo Viejo gold-silver mine in the Dominican Republic.

The soil sampling program identified and refined numerous multi-element anomalies of surface mineralization within the target zone; several of which have an important northwest trend. Northwest trending geological structures at the neighbouring Pueblo Viejo gold mine frequently host high-grade feeder-style gold mineralization. See the accompanying map for the Loma Cuaba soil anomaly illustration map.

Highlight results are as follows.

  • The largest northwest trending multi-element soil geochemical anomaly exceeds 2,000 metres (“m”) in length, by 400m width, and is open to the southeast, projecting from the eastern property boundary shared with the Pueblo Viejo mine site;
  • Soil anomalies contain elevated gold, silver, molybdenum, copper, zinc and lead values, with important pathfinder elements associated with high-sulphidation epithermal systems, such as arsenic, antimony, mercury, selenium and tellurium. Soil anomalies on the north portion of Loma Cuaba have a stronger base metal signature;
  • Many of the northwest trending soil anomalies are coincident with silica enriched (erosion resistant) topographic high ridges, which provide clear linear early stage exploration targets; and
  • Historical drilling has tested only small portions of these large soil anomalies, or in some cases not at all, leaving large areas prospective for future drill testing.

Highlights of Acquired Pueblo Grande Dataset:

In acquiring the Pueblo Grande Property (previously named the APV, Mermejal, Jobo Claro Loma Mate and others) and the nearby Ponton Property from Everton, the Company acquires valuable associated datasets that include:

  • Two high level historical drill gold-base metal discovery zones: Tres Bocas and Lechoza;
  • Drill hole database, including 158 diamond drill holes and 62 shallow RAB drill holes; totalling about 29,500 metres and 10,600 core - rock pulp samples;
  • Heliborne magnetic-GeoTEM geophysical survey (729km of flight lines);
  • Numerous ground geophysical surveys, including magnetics, induced polarization and max-min EM;
  • Approximately 10,750 surface geochemical samples (combined stream sediment, rock, soil, trench);
  • Extensive surface geological mapping at various detail levels; and
  • A large prospective surface area of ‘lithocap alteration’ to the west of the Pueblo Viejo mine.

Highlights of Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo Gold-Silver-Copper Mine

  • Largest active gold mining operation in Latin America; within the top 5 global gold mines;
  • 13.4 million ounces (“Moz”) gold, 74.4 Moz silver, and 298.5 million pounds copper (measured and indicated mineral resource from 169.5 million tons grading 2.46 g/t gold, 13.66 g/t silver and 0.08% copper)*;
  • Additional 3.6 Moz gold, 16.0 Moz silver, and 87.2 million pounds copper in the inferred category;
  • Annual production of 1.0 million ounces gold at $US 525.00 all-in-sustaining cost per ounce**; and
  • Refractory ore is mined by conventional open pit truck and shovel method, where gold and silver are closely associated with pyrite.

*March 2018, NI 43-101 report. **Based on annual 2017 production Barrick website

Pueblo Grande Acquisition Terms:

Precipitate acquired a 100% interest in Everton’s three Dominican Republic mineral exploration concessions by delivering to Everton upon closing in January 2019:

  • $CDN 25,000 cash;
  • Seven million common shares of Precipitate subject to resale legend restrictions for up to 3 years, expiring as follows:
    • 10% (700,000 shares) with resale legend expiring 6 months from the date of issue;
    • 10% (700,000 shares) with resale legend expiring 12 months from the date of issue;
    • 10% (700,000 shares) with resale legend expiring 18 months from the date of issue;
    • 15% (1,050,000 shares) with resale legend expiring 24 months from the date of issue;
    • 15% (1,050,000 shares) with resale legend expiring 30 months from the date of issue; and
    • 40% (2,800,000 shares) with resale legend expiring 36 months from the date of issue,
  • No royalty is payable to Everton on any of the acquired concessions

Additional payment stock conditions include (i) should Everton elect to sell or dispose of any of the payment shares, and in each instance, it will give Precipitate at least 10 business days advance notice, so as to allow the Company to assist in finding a purchaser for such shares and (ii) the selective legend removal of various escrow payment share release restrictions should the Company’s common shares trade at or above $0.20, $0.40 and $0.60 per common share for 10 consecutive trading days on the TSXV (based on a volume weighted average price, “VWAP”). Pre-existing advanced stage or mining related commitments to a third party include (i) a sliding scale net smelter royalty (NSR) ranging from 1%, where gold is under $US 1,000/oz, to 2%, where gold is over $US1,400/oz and (ii) a cash or share payment in the event the a resource of 1.0 million gold equivalent ounces or greater are delineated in various indicated and inferred categories.

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