26 min
Aldebaran Resources (TSXV:ALDE) - Resource Update and PEA in 2024-25 on Massive Copper-Gold Project Company Interviews
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- Investing
Interview with John E. Black, CEO of Aldebaran Resources Inc.
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/aldebaran-resources-alde-significant-copper-porphyry-deposit-expansion-in-argentina-3199
Recording date: 3rd May 2024
Aldebaran Resources (TSXV:ALDE) offers investors a compelling opportunity to gain exposure to the surging global copper market through its flagship Altar project in San Juan, Argentina. As the world races to electrify and decarbonize, copper demand is expected to outstrip supply, creating a looming deficit that will require major new mines to be built. Aldebaran is positioning Altar as a potential solution.
Altar is a massive copper-gold porphyry system hosting measured & indicated resource of over 1.1 billion tonnes grading 0.43% copper, 0.09 g/t gold and 1.00 g/t silver. A recently completed 20,000 meter drill program has expanded the deposit and discovered a new connecting zone called Altar United. CEO John Black sees potential to "significantly increase the resource" and find higher grades, especially at depth where the system remains open.
To unlock Altar's value, Aldebaran has partnered with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture, to investigate processing the ore using an innovative heap leach technology. Nuton has the potential to cost-effectively extract copper from lower-grade sulfide ores that have traditionally been uneconomic. If successful, it could be a game-changer for Altar and the industry by enabling a staged, lower-capex development with a greatly reduced environmental footprint.
Aldebaran is earning an 80% interest in Altar from Sibanye-Stillwater and is well-funded to advance the project having raised over C$30 million in the last year from strategic investors like South32 and Route One. The company has a tight share structure with only 20% held by retail investors, aligning management and key shareholders.
The next major catalysts for Aldebaran will be an updated resource estimate in Q4 2024 followed by a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in the first half of 2025. These milestones will provide the first look at Altar's economics and could position it as an attractive takeover target for a major miner. Copper industry M&A is heating up with over $15 billion in deals last year as producers race to secure new supply.
Aldebaran CEO John Black is a mining engineer with experience selling major copper projects. He believes "groups are looking to acquire these types of projects" in the current environment and is positioning Altar to stand out from the competition.
The company is also benefiting from an improving political environment for mining in Argentina under pro-business President Javier Milei. San Juan province, where Altar is located, is particularly supportive with over 65 drill rigs currently turning. Permitting has been streamlined and Aldebaran has been able to import specialized equipment to accelerate drilling.
With a world-class copper resource, a potentially revolutionary processing solution, and a major partner in Rio Tinto, Aldebaran is well-positioned for a re-rating as it delivers key de-risking catalysts in a rising copper price environment. The company provides investors a compelling option on a looming global copper shortage.
View Aldebaran Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/aldebaran-resources-inc
Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Interview with John E. Black, CEO of Aldebaran Resources Inc.
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/aldebaran-resources-alde-significant-copper-porphyry-deposit-expansion-in-argentina-3199
Recording date: 3rd May 2024
Aldebaran Resources (TSXV:ALDE) offers investors a compelling opportunity to gain exposure to the surging global copper market through its flagship Altar project in San Juan, Argentina. As the world races to electrify and decarbonize, copper demand is expected to outstrip supply, creating a looming deficit that will require major new mines to be built. Aldebaran is positioning Altar as a potential solution.
Altar is a massive copper-gold porphyry system hosting measured & indicated resource of over 1.1 billion tonnes grading 0.43% copper, 0.09 g/t gold and 1.00 g/t silver. A recently completed 20,000 meter drill program has expanded the deposit and discovered a new connecting zone called Altar United. CEO John Black sees potential to "significantly increase the resource" and find higher grades, especially at depth where the system remains open.
To unlock Altar's value, Aldebaran has partnered with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture, to investigate processing the ore using an innovative heap leach technology. Nuton has the potential to cost-effectively extract copper from lower-grade sulfide ores that have traditionally been uneconomic. If successful, it could be a game-changer for Altar and the industry by enabling a staged, lower-capex development with a greatly reduced environmental footprint.
Aldebaran is earning an 80% interest in Altar from Sibanye-Stillwater and is well-funded to advance the project having raised over C$30 million in the last year from strategic investors like South32 and Route One. The company has a tight share structure with only 20% held by retail investors, aligning management and key shareholders.
The next major catalysts for Aldebaran will be an updated resource estimate in Q4 2024 followed by a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in the first half of 2025. These milestones will provide the first look at Altar's economics and could position it as an attractive takeover target for a major miner. Copper industry M&A is heating up with over $15 billion in deals last year as producers race to secure new supply.
Aldebaran CEO John Black is a mining engineer with experience selling major copper projects. He believes "groups are looking to acquire these types of projects" in the current environment and is positioning Altar to stand out from the competition.
The company is also benefiting from an improving political environment for mining in Argentina under pro-business President Javier Milei. San Juan province, where Altar is located, is particularly supportive with over 65 drill rigs currently turning. Permitting has been streamlined and Aldebaran has been able to import specialized equipment to accelerate drilling.
With a world-class copper resource, a potentially revolutionary processing solution, and a major partner in Rio Tinto, Aldebaran is well-positioned for a re-rating as it delivers key de-risking catalysts in a rising copper price environment. The company provides investors a compelling option on a looming global copper shortage.
View Aldebaran Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/aldebaran-resources-inc
Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
26 min