Aurion Resources Ltd. (AU:TSX.V) has announced the results for 22 holes from the 2023 drilling program on the Aurion-B2Gold Corp. joint venture (JV), operated by B2Gold, in the Central Lapland greenstone belt in northern Finland.
The highlights of the program include the results for Vuoma, Helmi, Kutuvuoma, and the expanded drill program planned for H2 of 2023.
The results for Vuoma included the discovery of gold mineralization 2.7 kilometers (km) south of Helmi, including 1.33 grams per ton (g/t) gold (Au) over 8.30m from 133.60m, mineralization proximal to the mainly untested 20 plus km southern domain boundary, and 15km along strike from the 100% Aurion owned Kaaresselka prospect.
The results for Helmi included mineralization extending toward the east, including 1.21 g/t Au over 9.20m from 392m, and the identification of additional mineralized shoots.
Mark Zaret of Spartan Fund Management has identified Aurion as an opportunity to keep an eye on.
The results from Kutuvuoma included new zones of gold mineralization, including 1.43 g/t Au over 10.45m from 261.70m, and new zones south of historic mineralization.
The company is also planning an expanded drill program with 4,500m in the second half of 2023, including a total 2023 drill program increased to 12,500m, and drilling set to commence in September.
According to Matti Talikka, Aurion's CEO, "the discovery of new gold mineralization on the southern domain boundary, and the identification of additional gold mineralized zones at Kutuvuoma and Helmi, represent significant results from the recent drilling program. The discoveries of Helmi and Ikkari in proximity to the northern domain boundary suggest that these major structures are prospective for the deposition of gold. The new discovery further supports the gold prospectivity of the 20-plus km long, mainly untested, southern domain boundary that also hosts Aurion's Kaaresselka prospect."
According to Zaret, "the company has a strong share structure, with nearly 75% of shares owned by either management, insiders, or institutions."
The company has a total of 4,500m of drilling planned for the H2 of 2023, increasing the total drilling to over 12,500m from the initially planned 10,500m.
The plan will include follow-up drilling on the newly identified mineralized zones, as well as scout drill holes testing additional targets on the JV properties.
Generative work, including base-of-till sampling, top-of-bedrock sampling, and geophysical surveys, will continue during 2023.
A Bullish Market for Metals
Analysts and gold producers have taken a bullish stance on precious metals, according to Josh Chiat of Stockhead.
Jake Klein of Evolution Mining commented that "everyone seems committed to the U.S. dollar up to now, but if you think about the decoupling of the world . . . I think people will be looking for alternatives to just the U.S. dollar. It will be gold."
Klein also cited other factors that have undermined confidence in the economy, including polarized U.S. politics, the prominence of the Chinese economy, and the war in Ukraine.
A Strong Share Structure
Mark Zaret of Spartan Fund Management has identified Aurion as an opportunity to keep an eye on. Finland is one of the top ten most attractive mining investment jurisdictions, according to the Fraser Institute's annual survey of mining.
Streetwise Ownership Overview*According to Zaret, "the company has a strong share structure, with nearly 75% of shares owned by either management, insiders, or institutions."
Ownership and Share Structure
Management and insiders own 13.4% of the company. According to Reuters, Director David Loveys owns 0.27% with 0.32 million shares, and Director Dennis Clarke owns 0.25% with 0.30 million shares.
Institutions own 44.5% of the company. Lotan Holdings, Inc. owns 10.14% with 12.08 million shares, Konwave AG owns 5.41% with 6.45 million shares, Franklin Advisers, Inc. owns 5.13% with 6.12 million shares, RBC Global Asset Management Inc. owns 4.50% with 5.36 million shares, Euro Pacific Asset Management, LLC, owns 4.22% with 5.03 million shares, Mackenzie Financial Corporation owns 0.80% with 0.95 million shares, US Global Investors, Inc., owns 0.63% with 0.75 million shares, and Faircourt Asset Management Inc., owns 0.29% with 0.35 million shares.
16.3% is with strategic investors.
The rest is in retail.
There are 119.13 million shares outstanding and 106.14 million free-float traded shares. The company has a market cap of CA$43.98 million. It trades in the 52-week period between CA$0.38 and CA$0.82.
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