Hedge funds’ bullish bets on gold jump to four-year high
Hedge funds and other large speculators boosted their net-long position in gold.
Eastmain Resources (TSE: ER) has optioned one of its three gold projects in Quebec’s James Bay region to junior Benz Mining (CVE: BZ).
The past-producing Eastmain project has indicated resources of 899,000 tonnes grading 8.19 g/t gold, 0.13% copper and 8 g/t silver. Inferred resources add 579,000 tonnes grading 7.48 g/t gold, 0.16% copper and 8.2 g/t silver.
Benz can earn a 75% stake in the project through payments of $2.5 million (up to $875,000 can be paid in shares) and project spending of $3.5 million over four years. To earn a 100% interest, Benz will also need to make milestone payments of $1 million and $1.5 million linked to the company achieving project financing and then production. Eastmain will also hold a 2% NSR royalty after the first 250,000 oz. of production.
The Eastmain project produced around 40,000 oz. gold at a grade of 10.58 g/t gold in the 1990s.
Eastmain Resources is focused on its most advanced property, Clearwater, as well its Eleonore South joint venture with Newmont Goldcorp and Azimut Exploration. Clearwater hosts the high-grade Eau Claire gold project, for which the company released a preliminary economic assessment in May 2018.
Thursday afternoon, Benz Mining’s stock was up 25%, with trading volume reaching 155,500. The company’s average daily trading volume is 18,428, and it has a $C1.97 million market capitalization.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)
