Sep 2 2015
Candente Copper Corp. ("Candente Copper", or "Company") is pleased to announce the execution of definitive Royalty Agreements between two of the Company's subsidiaries and Exploraciones Apolo Resources S.A.C. ("Apolo"), an affiliate of Entrée Gold Inc. ("Entrée"). Pursuant to these agreements, the Company has granted a royalty for a 0.5% net smelter return ("NSR") on its wholly-owned Cañariaco Copper Project in Peru, in exchange for the aggregate sum of US$500,000.
A total of US$150,000 has been received from Entrée to date, and the remainder is to be paid as registration of the Royalty Agreements in Peru progresses. Funds will be used for general corporate purposes and activities at the Cañariaco Project including community related activities.
The Cañariaco Copper Project is located in one of the world's most favorable mining jurisdictions. It is a high quality copper deposit that is projected to be a long life - low cost mining operation. "Candente is very pleased to be able to raise funds in a manner that minimizes dilution to our shareholders and appreciates Entrée's endorsement of the Cañariaco project," commented Joanne Freeze, CEO of Candente.
The Cañariaco Property includes the Cañariaco Norte deposit, Cañariaco Sur deposit, and Quebrada Verde porphyry prospect. In April 2011, the Company initiated a definitive Feasibility Study ("FS") of the Cañariaco Norte Project. In mid-2013, although well advanced and approximately 50% complete, the FS was put on hold due to the deterioration in investment climate for junior mining exploration companies. Since then, the Company has focused on maintaining a strong local community presence and facilitating development and job creation in the Lambayeque region of Northern Peru.
About Candente Copper
Candente Copper is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. The company is currently focused on its 100% owned Cañariaco Project, which includes the Feasibility stage Cañariaco Norte deposit as well as the Cañariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, located within the western Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes in the Department of Lambayeque in Northern Peru.
At Cañariaco Norte 7.5 billion pounds of copper have been delineated in a Measured and Indicated* resource of 752.4 million tonnes grading 0.49% copper equivalent**. An Inferred Resource of 157.7 million tonnes at 0.44% copper equivalent has also been delineated in the Cañariaco Norte deposit.
A highly successful Phase I drilling program was carried out in 2013 on the Cañariaco Sur deposit. Future drilling is warranted for additional step-out holes at Cañariaco Sur as well as first phase drilling on the Quebrada Verde target.
In addition, Candente Copper holds several other base metal exploration projects in Peru. One of these, the Arikepay copper-gold porphyry, is being explored under a joint venture agreement with Zahena S.A.C. who is funding up to USD$5 million (M) in exploration expenditures and USD$4M in payments within 4 years.
Sean Waller, P.Eng., President and Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., CEO, are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the projects discussed above. They have reviewed and approved the contents of this release. *The 'Measured and Indicated Resource' listed above consists of Measured Resources of 338.1Mt at 0.48% Cu, 0.08 g/t Au, and 2.0/t Ag (0.52% Cu Eq.), plus Indicated Resources of 414.3Mt at 0.43% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au, and 1.8 g/t Ag (o.46% Cu Eq.). All resources quoted in this release are based on a 0.30% copper cut-off grade and 229 drill holes completed to the end of 2008. **Copper equivalent grade including gold and silver, metal recoveries (copper 90%, gold 55%; silver 50%) and smelter returns (copper 96.5%: gold 93%; silver 90%) applied. Copper grade equivalent calculation: Cu Eq% =(Cu % + ((Au grade x Au price x Au recovery x Au smelter return%)+(Ag grade x Ag price x Ag recovery x Ag smelter return%))/(22.0462 x Cu price x 31.0135 g/t x Cu recovery x Cu smelter return%). The metal prices used are: copper US$2.50/lb, gold US$1,035/oz and silver US$17.25/oz. Please refer to the pre-feasibility study progress report for the Cañariaco Norte Copper Project titled "Cañariaco Project, Lambayeque Department, Peru, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-feasibility Study Progress Report" for further information.
About Entrée Gold
Entrée Gold Inc. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company balancing opportunity and risk with key assets in Nevada and Mongolia. Entrée has been advancing its Ann Mason Project in one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions, Nevada, and recently completed a pre-feasibility level drill program. The Ann Mason Project hosts the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum deposit as well as the Blue Hill copper deposit within the rejuvenated Yerington copper camp.
Additionally, as a joint venture partner with a carried interest on a portion of the Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia, Entrée has a unique opportunity to participate in one of the world's largest copper-gold projects managed by one of the premier mining companies - Rio Tinto. Oyu Tolgoi, with its series of deposits containing copper, gold and molybdenum, has been under exploration and development since the late 1990s.
Sandstorm Gold, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill Resources are major shareholders of Entrée, holding approximately 12%, 11% and 9% of issued and outstanding shares, respectively.
On behalf of the Board of Candente Copper Corp.
Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., CEO, Director