During the quarter, the results for the 2013 Schaft Creek Joint Venture exploration and geotechnical program were released. The objectives of the program were achieved in that mineralization was intersected approximately 300 metres ('m') east of the 2012 resource block model in the Paramount zone and also to the west. Results of the geotechnical studies to provide updated data on slope stability were positive.
The Schaft Creek Joint Venture approved a 2014 program consisting of a comprehensive series of studies to review all aspects (including metallurgical, pit slope design, geological modelling and environmental) of the Schaft Creek project and to update and optimize various parameters with a goal to improving the economics of the Schaft Creek deposit. In addition to the ongoing optimization work; a field program of mapping and core re-logging is planned to collect additional structural information for pit slope design purposes and to update the geological model for the Schaft Creek deposit. The geological modelling on Schaft Creek could have implications on the potential size of this deposit as well as provide indicators that would aid future exploration on the other targets identified within the Schaft Creek property. Environmental monitoring studies will also continue through 2014. The 2014 Schaft Creek program is estimated to cost approximately $2.5 million.
Van Dyke Copper Project
During the quarter, the diamond drilling program (6-8 holes approximately 5,000m) to verify the historical estimate completed by Occidental in the 1970's commenced. Contracts were also executed with various contactors to review the historical data and provide input on the geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrogeological, environmental and resource aspects of the oxide portion of the Van Dyke copper deposit.
Drilling Activities:
The first drill hole (DDH VD2014-01) of the verification drilling program was completed to a depth of 639.3metres (2,097 feet) and intersected a 167m metre thick zone with visible oxide copper minerals in the Pinal Schist and a lower interval of sulphide mineralization (from 338.8m to end of hole at 639.3m) consisting of vein and fracture controlled chalcopyrite-molybdenite mineralization hosted in the Pinal Schist and a granodiorite/quartz monzonite porphyry. This hole was terminated in weak chalcopyrite-molybdenite mineralization. A second diamond drill has been added to the Van Dyke drilling program to reduce the time required to complete the verification drilling program and lower costs associated with the drilling.
Corporate Investments
In line with the Corporate strategy to acquire equity or working interest in copper projects in North America, subsequent to the quarter, Copper Fox through its wholly owned subsidiary Northern Fox Copper Inc. ('Northern Fox'), on May 29, 2014, closed a non-brokered private placement, for 20,000,000 units of Carmax Mining Corp. ('Carmax') (TSX VENTURE:CXM) for an aggregate subscription price of $1,000,000. Units (each a „Unit”) were subscribed for a price of $0.05 per Unit and consist of one previously unissued common share of Carmax and one common share purchase warrant ('Warrant'). Northern Fox owns approximately 38.9% of the shares of Carmax. Each Warrant is exercisable until May 29, 2016 and entitles Northern Fox, on exercise, to purchase one additional common share of Carmax at a price of $0.075 per share.
In connection with the private placement, Carmax has granted Northern Fox certain rights, including, but not limited to:
The right to nominate two members to the Board of Carmax at each annual meeting of Carmax's shareholders;
The pre-emptive right to participate in any equity financing of Carmax, so as to maintain its pro rata percentage shareholding in Carmax; and
The right to make top-up investments in Carmax, by way of future private placements, so as to maintain its pro rata percentage shareholding in Carmax.
The aforementioned rights are, however, subject to Copper Fox and its affiliates maintaining ownership of 20% of Carmax's issued and outstanding common shares.
Sombrero Butte Copper Project
During the quarter, an archeological survey was completed and approval was received from regulatory agencies to complete a geophysical survey over a portion of the project. The proposed survey would cover that areas of the project that host multiple mineralized breccia pipes as well as altered, mineralized intrusive rocks (see news release dated March 19, 2014).
In addition to the above work, efforts commenced to acquire the historical exploration data collected by various exploration/production companies that may have explored this area for porphyry copper style mineralization in the late 1960's and early 1970's.
Selected Financial Results
Net Loss Net (loss)/income
per share -
basic and diluted
2014
Second Quarter $ (768,651 ) $ 0.00
First Quarter $ (182,095 ) $ 0.00
2013
Fourth Quarter $ (636,715 ) $ 0.00
Third Quarter $ 3,117,445 $ 0.01
Second Quarter $ (697,664 ) $ 0.00
First Quarter $ (525,595 ) $ 0.00
2012
Fourth Quarter $ (812,324 ) $ 0.00
Third Quarter $ (1,328,328 ) $ 0.00
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At April 30, 2014, the Company had working capital of $10,428,020 and a deficit of $16,916,533 and had a net loss and comprehensive loss of $948,089 for the six months ended April 30, 2014.
About Copper Fox
Copper Fox is a Canadian based resource company listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE:CUU) with offices in Calgary, Alberta and Miami, Arizona. Copper Fox holds a 25% interest in a joint venture (the 'Schaft Creek Joint Venture') with Teck Resources Limited ('Teck') on the Schaft Creek copper/gold/molybdenum/silver project located in northwestern British Columbia. On January 23, 2013, a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report was prepared by Tetra Tech under the direction of Copper Fox comprising a feasibility study of a 130,000 tonne per day-open pit mine with a Proven and Probable Reserve of 940.8 million tonnes grading 0.27% copper, 0.19 g/t gold, 0,018% molybdenum and 1.72 g/t silver; (recoverable CuEq 0.40 over a 21 year mine life with contained metal of 5,611.7 million pounds of copper, 5.8 million ounces of gold, 363.5 million pounds of molybdenum and 51.7 million ounces of silver.
The Schaft Creek deposit host a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1,228.6 tonnes grading 0.26% copper, 0.017% molybdenum, 0.19 g/t gold and 1.69 g/t silver and a 597.2 million tonne Inferred Resource grading 0.22% copper, 0.016% molybdenum, 0.17 g/t gold and 1.65 g/t silver. The above stated Proven and Probable Reserves for the Schaft Creek project are included within the stated Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources for this project.
In addition to Copper Fox's 25% interest in the Schaft Creek Joint Venture, Copper Fox holds through Desert Fox Copper Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Copper Fox) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, 100% interest in the Sombrero Butte copper project in the Bunker Hill Mining District, Arizona and the Van Dyke oxide copper project in the Globe-Miami Mining District, Arizona. Desert Fox Copper Inc. has opened an operations office in Miami, Arizona to complete the work required with the objective of completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Van Dyke copper project. Copper Fox holds through Northern Copper (a wholly owned subsidiary of Copper Fox) a 40% equity interest in Carmax Mining Corp. who in turn, owns 100% of the Eaglehead copper/gold/molybdenum project located in northwestern British Columbia. For further information on these projects, please refer to the Company's website at
www.copperfoxmetals.com.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Elmer B. Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer
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.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains „forward-looking statements” and „forward-looking information” (collectively, „forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words „believes,” „may,” „plans,” „will,” „anticipates,” „intends,” „budgets”, „could”, „estimates”, „expects”, „forecasts”, „projects” and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Forward-looking information in this MD&A includes statements about
Desert Fox's future exploration/development activities as well as any equity or working interest acquired in other significant copper projects in North America; the utilization of unallocated cash to advance Arizona copper assets (with the majority of effort on the Van Dyke oxide copper deposit); historical data on the Van Dyke deposit; the efficacy of in-situ recovery method (with respect to the environment, lower capital costs and low operating costs); Desert Fox's objective (including timing) to complete the work required to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report on the Van Dyke project to estimate a preliminary valuation; timing of the finalization of the 2014 plans for the Schaft Creek project; the recommendation of a program of optimization studies as well as a field program to update the geological model and better define certain parameters of the Schaft Creek project; the program to verify the historical results from the Van Dyke oxide copper deposit and the completion of a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimation for the Van Dyke copper deposit; collection of hydro geological, metallurgical and geotechnical data required for a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Van Dyke project; a follow-up 25 hole drilling program for the Van Dyke deposit; timing of the expected drilling program on the Van Dyke project; the upgrade of the Van Dyke historical estimate as a current mineral resource; objective on the Sombrero Butte project to assess its potential to host a large porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit; plans for a deep penetrating geophysical survey (Induced Polarization) to identify chargeability/resistivity anomalies indicative of porphyry copper systems at the Sombrero Butte project; expected capital requirements to continue planned activities; expected capital requirements to continue planned activities; expected sources and the adequacy of required capital resources; geological interpretations and potential mineral recovery processes.