In the world of mining, it’s a well-known truism that mining companies target properties in proximity to producing mines and known deposits; that is one of Mother Nature’s more predictable lessons. And Trillium Gold Mines (TSXV:TGM; OTCQX:TGLDF); is one company that could not have better executed on that strategy. Trillium has been consolidating high-quality assets well before the world-class mining region was bid up with Kinross Gold’s $1.8 billion takeover of Great Bear Resources, and Barrick Gold’s joint venture activities all within preceding months.
It has been a busy year for Trillium on the acquisition front. The April 2022 announcement of a Definitive Agreement and subsequent closing in June for the Eastern Vision properties – the stretch of ground between the Fredart, Confederation North, and Confederation South properties – gave Trillium over 100 kilometres across the Confederation greenstone belt, on trend with Kinross’ Great Bear Project, and a dominant land position in Red Lake. Around that were a series of purchase and sale agreements that included the 9,882 hectare Panama Lake Property and the Wenasaga Property located a short 35 kilometres from the famed LP Fault Zone.
This string of acquisitions has led to Trillium creating a contiguous land package sandwiched by the two dominant geological structures in the region: Kinross’ LP Fault Zone, and Evolution Mining’s Red Lake Operation which has historically produced more than 25 million ounces of gold with head grades exceeding 20 grams per tonne.
Trillium Gold’s consolidated foothold in the Confederation belt is a feat of no small magnitude considering the fragmented tapestry of ownership that required an expert level of negotiation and logistics. The take home prize for Trillium is one of the largest district-scale land positions spanning over 60,000 hectares where new discoveries are unfolding and widely becoming known as the future of Red Lake.
Furthermore, when a region like Red Lake heats up with M&A and JV activity, it boosts valuations throughout. Properties that may have been selling for $20,000 an acre a few years ago may now be worth $200,000 or more. Today, virtually every parcel of land in Red Lake today has been taken up. Exploration programs can further unlock massive value for shareholders as in the case of Great Bear Resources’ acquisition by Kinross Gold for $1.8 billion; an exit transaction after successful exploration efforts, resulting in big rewards for Great Bear shareholders.
Trillium Gold is in a very similar position; it has put together an impressive land package that would be almost impossible to replicate today with soaring property values and scarcity of available land, and has embarked on an exciting exploration program. With the recent discoveries in the Red Lake Mining District and investment activity picking up in the region, Trillium Gold is positioned stronger than ever to make its mark in this region ripe for discovery.
