Emmerson (ASX:ERM) (OTCMKTS:EMMRF) secures Strategic Alliance with TRL Tennant Creek Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Territory Resources Ltd) (TTY) that includes a Mining and Exploration Joint Venture covering the Southern Project Area (SPA) at Tennant Creek.

- Accelerated Mining and Gold Production

- Completion of Strategic Alliance with Territory Resources for Tennant Creek

- $2m Placement at 56.8% premium

Highlights

- TTY to subscribe for A$2m of new Emmerson shares priced at A$0.1035 a share, a 56.82% premium to the last traded price (completed within Emmerson's placement capacity under Listing Rule 7.1).

- Emmerson has sold its mothballed Warrego Mill to TTY, with TTY committing to construction of a modern 300,000tpa Carbon in Pulp mill on the site.

- Mining and Exploration Joint Venture over the SPA at Tennant Creek aims to accelerate the discovery of new deposits and/or extensions to the existing mines for processing at the new mill:

o Emmerson to receive a 12% and 6% gross revenue (less refining costs) royalty of all gold produced for the life of the Edna Beryl and Chariot mines respectively.

o Emmerson to receive a 25% profit share from any other mine developed within the SPA (other than Edna Beryl and Chariot) in exchange for TTY developing, mining and processing the gold at its cost.

o Ore from the SPA, Edna Beryl and Chariot to be given priority processing by TTY at the new mill on an agreed "cost plus" basis.

o TTY to fund A$5m of exploration over five years across the SPA to earn a 75% interest in the SPA.

- Emmerson to retain 100% ownership of the majority of the Tennant Creek Mineral Field (circa 75% of the existing tenement package), including the recently announced Mauretania gold and Jasper Hills gold-copper-cobalt projects, plus the high-grade Edna Beryl Gold Mine.

Emmerson's Managing Director; Mr Rob Bills commented:

"This Strategic Alliance is transformational for Emmerson and the wider Tennant Creek Region. We welcome Territory Resources as a new shareholder and partner following the formalisation of our Strategic Alliance.

For Emmerson shareholders, it provides a low-risk pathway to commercial production from our smaller mines and importantly will generate funding for ongoing exploration programs in the Northern Territory and New South Wales. The A$5 million earn-in funding being provided by TTY for the Southern Project Area will further build the pipeline of mining projects to feed the new milling facility under construction by TTY.

This Strategic Alliance and milling facility will see the re-establishment of Tennant Creek as an integrated exploration, mining, and processing hub - thus realising Emmerson's long-held vision and that of the NT Government. Construction work on this important regional facility has commenced with the first production scheduled for late 2018/early 2019.

The structure of the Mining and Processing Agreement will see Emmerson receive a 25% profit share from the mining operations except for Edna Beryl and Chariot, where Emmerson will be entitled to a portion of the gold dore produced (12% and 6% respectively).

Emmerson will continue to apply its expertise as exploration manager across the entire Tennant Creek project, including the 100% owned Northern Project Area which hosts the promising Edna Beryl Gold Mine, Mauretania gold and Jasper Hills gold-copper-cobalt projects."

Territory Resources Chairman Mr Yuzheng Xie commented:

"TTY's investment in Tennant Creek and Emmerson Resources is what we believe will be a long-term involvement with the company and the region both of which we consider to be highly prospective. The long history of profitable gold production from the Tennant Creek Mineral Field is well known. The Exploration and Mining JVs aim, with support from traditional owners, local stakeholders and government, to build on this long history. The combination of Emmerson's tenement package and exploration expertise with TTY's mining and processing experience just makes sense. Together we have the potential to unlock significant value and provide opportunities throughout the region."

The Mayor of the Barkly and Tennant Creek, Mr Steve Edgington commented:

"This a great outcome for the Tennant Creek region with the construction of the central milling facility and mining likely to generate 20-30 new employment opportunities. Providing this venture between Emmerson Resources and Territory Resources is successful, the economic future for our region looks very promising and realises our Council's vision of re-establishing Tennant Creek as a major mining and services centre in the NT."

Strategic Alliance with Territory Resources (see figure 1 in link below)

Emmerson is pleased to advise it has finalised a Strategic Alliance with TRL Tennant Creek Pty Ltd (a subsidiary Territory Resources Ltd) (TTY), including a Mining and Exploration Joint Venture covering Emmerson's Southern Project Area (SPA) at Tennant Creek. The SPA represents approximately 25% of Emmerson's total Tennant Creek landholding.

The three components of this alliance will facilitate the construction of a modern 300,000tpa Carbon in Pulp (CIP) mill; fast-track the development of Emmerson's small mining projects and; provide substantial funding for exploration within the SPA.

TTY Investment in Emmerson

As part of the Strategic Alliance, TTY has subscribed for 19,323,671 Emmerson shares priced at A$0.1035 a share, representing a 56.82% premium to the last traded price. The investment will raise A$2 million (in 2 tranches of A$1 million each) to support Emmerson's ongoing exploration activities in both the NT and NSW, provide general working capital and importantly align the interests of both companies.

Following the placement, TTY will hold approximately 4.55% of Emmerson shares on issue. An Appendix 3B reflecting the issue of new shares under the placement will be released separately.

These shares will be issued within Emmerson's existing placement capacity under Listing Rule 7.1.

Warrego Mill Sale

Emmerson has entered into a binding agreement to sell its mothballed Warrego Mill and Mining Lease 30888 (together, the Warrego Sale) to TTY in exchange for TTY building a 300,000tpa CIP processing facility on the site. See ASX announcement 31 May 2018.

The modular nature of the processing facility under construction means TTY expects the plant to be in operation by the end of 2018/early 2019, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals.

Recently, Emmerson received formal approval for the extinguishment of the Rehabilitation Agreement associated with the Warrego and other historical mines. This approval not only satisfies the conditions of the Warrego Sale to TTY, triggering a further payment, but is a very positive step in establishing a commercially viable, integrated mining and processing hub in Tennant Creek. This has been facilitated by the 2017 NT legislative changes that provide for rehabilitation under the newly established environmental security bonds.

Accelerated Mining and Processing

TTY is an experienced mining and processing operator with a successful track record at other sites around Australia.

Emmerson and TTY have negotiated profit share and gold royalty agreements pertaining to the development and mining of Emmerson's portfolio of potential mining projects within the SPA under a Mining Joint Venture Agreement. Mine planning and scheduling by TTY are well underway, with a number of both open cut and underground mines planned concurrently.

The proposed activity schedule under the SPA Mining Joint Venture Agreement includes the following projects: (see table in link below)

Emmerson confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information set out above or the material assumptions or technical parameters underpinning these estimates, which continue to apply and have not materially changed.

The other projects are considered Exploration Targets(see Note below) and add a further 160,000 - 180,000oz of gold at an estimated grade of 15 - 20g/t gold (based on historical reports). This excludes any additional ounces added from the planned near mine exploration programs. This Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. It must be noted that there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.

Under the terms of the agreement with TTY, Emmerson will receive a 25% profit share from any mine within the SPA, other than Edna Beryl and Chariot (where Emmerson will receive a gross revenue (less refining costs) royalty of 12% and 6% respectively of the gold produced).

TTY will receive a 75% share of profits in exchange for them undertaking all of the planning, funding, development and operation of the mines. At this stage, Emmerson's 25% portion of the profit share cannot be determined until the mining, processing, and recoveries can be better ascertained for each individual mining project.

Earn-in and JV

As part of the Strategic Alliance, TTY has entered into an earn-in and joint venture over Emmerson's SPA (see Figure 1 in link below). Historically, the southern area contains the highest gold endowment of the Tennant Creek Mineral Field and hosts the notable historical deposits of Nobles Nob, Juno, Peko, and Eldorado.

Under the terms of the earn-in, TTY will contribute A$5m over 5 years to earn a 75% equity interest in the SPA. After the earn-in phase, a Joint Venture can be formed whereby Emmerson can elect to either maintain its equity position in the SPA by contributing 25% to the exploration programs, dilute or convert to a royalty.

During the earn-in, Emmerson will be the operator and manager and will apply its systematic, science-based exploration that has been successful in other parts of the Tennant Creek Mineral Field (see figure 2 in link below). Emmerson will be paid a fee by TTY for this service. Both parties will work collaboratively under an Exploration Management Committee aimed at identifying additional resources to feed the new Warrego Mill.

Emmerson retains 100% control of its Tennant Creek Project outside of the SPA (collectively called the Northern Project Area (NPA)), equating to approximately 75% of the entire project area wholly owned by Emmerson. The NPA will continue to be advanced by Emmerson on a standalone basis and includes the high-grade Mauretania gold and Jasper Hills gold-copper-cobalt prospects.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Emmerson is pleased to have concluded the Strategic Alliance with TTY, including securing a A$2 million investment from TTY at a significant premium to the prevailing market price.

Subject to the receipt of requisite approvals, TTY has commenced refurbishment of the Warrego Mill and anticipates commissioning by the end of 2018 or early 2019.

Exploration within the SPA is expected to begin within the coming weeks with surface drilling targeted at pre-development drilling and extending the gold resources around the small mines.

Exploration in Emmerson's 100% owned NPA is awaiting ground clearance of drill pads at Jasper Hills and finalisation of drill targets from the recently flown airborne geophysical survey.

About Territory Resources

Territory Resources Limited (TTY) explores, mines, rails iron ore and exports out of the Darwin Port in Northern Territory Australia. The company primarily holds an interest in the Frances Creek mine, located to the south of Darwin, Northern Territory. The Company also has interests in the Mt Bundey project and the Yarram project both located in Northern Territory. The Company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in West Perth, Australia. As of February 28, 2018, TTY operates as a subsidiary of Gold Valley Holdings Pty Ltd. TTY is currently expanding its operations into gold projects in the NT, including advancing the +300koz gold project at Nobles Nob and Juno mines in Tennant Creek. TTY is a major shareholder in Maroon Gold, which recently purchased the Black Jack gold processing facility in Charters Towers.

Note: Refer to Cautionary/Forward-looking Statement on page 7 in link below

To view tables and figures, please visit:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/F176Z919

To view Mining the Territory Presentation, please visit:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/7T1Q9Q9X


About Emmerson Resources Limited

Emmerson Resources Limited (ASX:ERM) (FRA:42E) recently commenced exploration on new gold-copper projects in NSW, identified (with our strategic alliance partner Kenex Limited) from the application of 2D and 3D predictive targeting models – aimed at increasing the probability of discovery. The highly prospective Macquarie Arc in NSW hosts >80Mozs gold and >13Mt copper with these resources heavily weighted to areas of outcrop or limited cover. Emmerson's five exploration projects contain many attributes of the known deposits within the Macquarie Arc but remain under explored due to historical impediments, including an overlying cover (plus farmlands) and a lack of exploration focus. Kadungle is a JV with Aurelia Metals covering 43km2 adjacent to Emmerson's Fifield project.

In addition, Emmerson is exploring the Tennant Creek Mineral Field (TCMF), one of Australia's highest-grade gold and copper fields producing over 5.5 Mozs of gold and 470,000 tonnes of copper from deposits including Warrego, White Devil, Orlando, Gecko, Chariot and Golden Forty. These high-grade deposits are highly valuable exploration targets, and to date discoveries include high-grade gold at Edna Beryl and Mauretania, plus copper-gold at Goanna and Monitor. These are the first discoveries in the TCMF for over a decade.

   

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Rob Bills
Managing Director and CEO
E: rbills@emmersonresources.com.au
T: +61-8-9381-7838
www.emmersonresources.com.au

Media enquiries

Michael Vaughan, Fivemark Partners
E: michael.vaughan@fivemark.com.au
T: +61-422-602-720



Link: Placement and Strategic Alliance at Tennant Creek

Link: Mining the Territory Presentation


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