Subject: JOINT VENTURES
Azimut Signs Option Agreement for its Pilipas Property James Bay Region, Quebec
LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Dec. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Azimut Exploration Inc. ("Azimut" or the "Company") (TSXV: AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF) is pleased to announce the signing of an Option to Joint Venture Agreement (the "Agreement") with Ophir Gold Corp. ("Ophir") (TSXV:OPHR, OTCQB:OPHRF) for its wholly-owned Pilipas Property (the "Property"), located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec (Figure 1).
Under the Agreement, Ophir can earn up to a 70% interest in the Property from Azimut over three (3) years by funding $4 million in exploration expenditures, and by making payments totalling 6 million in shares of Ophir and $100,000 in cash.
The Pilipas Property (135 claims, 70.7 km2) is located along the Billy-Diamond Highway and adjacent to the Munischiwan project (Azimut ? SOQUEM JV) and Elmer East project (Quebec Precious Metal Corporation). Pilipas is underlain by the Lower Eastmain greenstone belt, part of the La Grande Sub-province of the Archean Superior Province. The geoscientific database covering the project notably comprise a soil geochemical survey and a magnetic-electromagnetic survey.
Pilipas displays significant exploration potential for lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites as well as for intrusion-related and volcanogenic massive sulphides gold-copper systems.
The Property is in close proximity to the recent Ninaaskumuwin spodumene outcrop discovery made by Quebec Precious Metals on their Elmer East project. Pilipas hosts several identified outcropping pegmatites that have not been sampled for lithium, constituting quality exploration targets.
The Property is also geologically situated along strike with the InSight Prospect on the Munischiwan property, which returned up to 100.5 g/t Au, 435.0 g/t Ag, 156.0 g/t Te and 1.67% Cu (from grab samples) (see press release of December 5, 2018). An IP survey completed in 2019 on Munischiwan suggests that this prospective trend may extend north onto Pilipas (see press release of April 30, 2019).
Key terms of the Agreement
Under the Agreement, Ophir can acquire up to a 70% interest in the Property by fulfiling over three (3) years (the "Option Phase"), the following payments and exploration expenditures:
| Year | Cash Payment | Share Payment | Minimum Exploration Expenditures | Interest Earned | |
| Closing | $20,000 | 2,000,000 | - | - | |
| 1st Anniversary | $25,000 | 1,000,000 | $400,000 | - | |
| 2nd Anniversary | $25,000 | 1,000,000 | $1,600,000 | 50% | |
| 3rd Anniversary | $30,000 | 2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | 70% | |
| Total | $100,000 | 6,000,000 | $4,000,000 | ||
Ophir will act as the operator during the Option Phase with the first-year minimum expenditure representing a firm exploration commitment.
Following the formation of a participating joint venture, if a party's interest is diluted below 10%, it will convert to a 2% net smelter return royalty (NSR).
The parties are dealing at arm's length. The Agreement remains subject to regulatory approvals by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Azimut's management cautions that results or discoveries on surrounding properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. Grab samples are selective by nature and unlikely to represent average grades.
This press release was prepared by Dr. Jean-Marc Lulin, P.Geo., acting as Azimut's qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.
About Ophir
Ophir is a diversified mineral exploration company currently focused on the exploration and development of the Radis lithium property in the James Bay region, and the past-producing Breccia gold property located in Idaho.
About Azimut
Azimut is a leading mineral exploration company with a solid reputation for target generation and partnership development. The Company holds the largest mineral exploration portfolio in Quebec (Canada). Its wholly owned flagship project, the Elmer Gold Project, has advanced to the resource stage with a strong exploration upside. The Company also controls a strategic land position for copper-gold, nickel and lithium (see the document: Azimut in Numbers).
The Company uses a pioneering approach to big data analytics (the proprietary AZtechMinetm expert system) enhanced by extensive exploration know-how. Azimut's competitive edge is based on systematic regional-scale data analysis and concurrently active projects. The Company maintains rigorous financial discipline and a strong balance sheet, with 85.2 million shares issued and outstanding.
Contact and Information
Jean-Marc Lulin, President and CEO
Tel.: (450) 646-3015
Jonathan Rosset, Vice President Corporate Development
Tel: (604) 202-7531
[email protected] www.azimut-exploration.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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