HALIFAX, March 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Antler Gold Inc. ("Antler" or the "Company") (CVE: ANTL) is pleased to announce that on March 30, 2017, it entered into an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Altius Resources Inc. ("Altius"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Altius Minerals Corporation (TSE: ALS), for the right to earn a 100% interest in 1,678 mineral claims representing six separate projects (the "Property") in central Newfoundland (the "Transaction"). The projects are all located on the strike extensions of the major structural corridor hosting gold mineralization at Antler's Wilding Lake Project and Marathon Gold's Valentine Lake Project.
Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Antler has the exclusive right to earn a 100% interest in the Property by issuing 980,000 common shares of Antler ("Common Shares") to Altius and incurring exploration expenditures of at least $300,000 within 12 months from the closing of the Transaction (the "Earn-in Period"). Altius will retain a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty. A technical report to be prepared at Altius' expense in connection with the Transaction for the Property will provide recommendations for the first year exploration program. Upon closing of the Transaction, Antler will act as the operator with respect to the Property and will manage all technical and exploration work on the Property.
As previously announced on November 8, 2016, Antler has an option from Altius to earn a 100% interest in the Wilding Lake Gold Project in central Newfoundland. In connection with that option, Altius became an insider of Antler and currently holds 4,500,000 Common Shares or approximately 17% of the issued and outstanding shares of Antler. Therefore, the Transaction constitutes a Related Party Transaction under TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") policies and shareholder approval may be required by the Exchange in connection with the Transaction. Following completion of the Transaction, Altius will own 5,480,000 Common Shares or approximately 19.94% of the issued and outstanding shares of Antler.
Dan Whittaker, President and CEO of Antler stated: "This deal practically triples our land holdings and provides Antler with significant control of the structural corridor now recognized in the region as hosting exciting gold discoveries like that at our flagship Wilding Lake project. We are well funded and through this further alignment with Antler's major shareholder, Altius, will be pleased to commence exploration of these new projects during the coming field season."
Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
