2019 Business Updates
August 12, 2019
ECPN Status Report
The El Capitan Board of Directors reports the following updates:
Business Development
- Sale of Iron Ore Product – ECPN entered into negotiations with a major domestic iron and steel producer in 1st Qtr. 2019 for delivery of iron ore concentrate. The company expressed interest and ECPN has presented them with a proposal. The iron ore concentrate was required to meet a minimum standard acceptable to the iron ore industry. Extensive testing by multiple independent facilities determined that the iron ore concentrate met this requirement. Discussions are underway to determine the medium that the material is to be delivered, how the material is to be delivered, and where the material is to be delivered. Negotiations with the end user are ongoing and terms will be released immediately upon signing. No completion date for signing has been designated.
- Processing of Precious Metals – ECPN is currently working with a facility that will be able to process the precious metals separated from the head ore and further concentrate the material using a vat leaching process. ECPN will be visiting the processing facility in the near future to determine the viability of the facility to meet ECPN’s requirements. These negotiations are in the early stages and terms will be released immediately upon signing. No completion date for the signing has been designated.
- Additional Vendors and Suppliers – ECPN is in contact with additional vendors, suppliers, and organizations with acumen in various vertical markets that would enhance the overall ECPN operation.
Operational Projections
ECPN anticipates that in the event a formal agreement is entered into as a result of the current negotiations, the Company will enter into an agreement with a contract miner to perform the day-to-day mining operations.
As previously stated, the extraction, grinding, and separation will yield two potential revenue streams. The iron ore will be sold to an independent producer of iron and steel, with the precious metal fines being processed in a vat leaching facility. This next step with the precious metals will be the fulfillment of the bulk scale test as previously reported. Thus, ECPN will have the ability to produce material suitable for the generation of ore bars. Also, the volume of the precious metals fines will allow ECPN to sell these fines to other vat leaching facilities.
Capital Requirements
ECPN is in need of working capital. Management and the Board are taking no compensation in the form of salary at this time. The capital raised is used to pay the monthly ongoing operations such as permits, insurances, mine site security, power, web-site support, BLM claim filings, and storage. The capital required on a monthly basis is $25,000 per month.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:
The statements included in this business update concerning predictions of economic performance and management’s plans and objectives constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “believe(s),” “will,” “may,” “anticipate(s)” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected completion, timing and results of metallurgical testing, interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, results of initial feasibility, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and expectations with respect to the engaging in strategic transactions. All of such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Specifically, there can be no assurance regarding the timing and terms of any transaction involving the Company or its El Capitan property, or that such a transaction will be completed at all. In addition, there can be no assurance that periodic updates to the Company’s geological technical reports will support the Company’s prior claims regarding the metallurgical value and make-up of the ore on the New Mexico property. Additional risks and uncertainties affecting the Company include, but are not limited to, the possibility that future exploration, development, testing or mining results will not be consistent with past results and/or the Company’s expectations; discrepancies between different types of testing methods, some or all of which may not be industry standard; the ability to mine precious and other minerals on a cost effective basis; the Company’s ability to successfully complete contracts for the sale of its products; fluctuations in world market prices for the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals; the Company’s ability to obtain financing for continued operations and/or the commencement of mining activities on satisfactory terms; the Company’s ability to enter into and meet all the conditions to consummate contracts to sell its mining properties that it chooses to list for sale; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to revise and disseminate forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of or non-occurrence of any events.
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March 18, 2019
The El Capitan Board of Directors posts this Apology and Correction of the Record regarding New Mexico Metal Refiners Group and J. Duncan Reid
The ECPN Board of Directors published a Business Update on August 8, 2018, indicating, among other things, that it was turning over certain information, including data from certain samples of concentrates and related information and documents, to the Company’s legal team
for further analysis and recommended actions.
Based on the report of the Company’s legal team and on information the Company has learned since that Business Update was published, the Company issues this Business Update to correct and apologize for any unintended or erroneous inferences from that Business Update and other communications indicated below regarding New Mexico Metal Refiners Group, LLC and/or its Principal, J. Duncan Reid.
On April 13, 2018, the Company published a Business Update entitled “El Capitan Precious Metals Reports Breach of Contract by Buyer of Concentrates.” The “Buyer” referred to in this Update was New Mexico Metal Refiners Group, LLC (NMMRG) and its principal, J. Duncan Reid. Based on its ongoing investigation, which is continuing in other directions, the Company has no documentation or information that NMMRG or Mr. Reid has breached the referenced Agreement with the Company, and to the extent the Business Update so suggests it is hereby withdrawn.
On April 18, 2018, attorney Blair Dunn sent a letter, purportedly on behalf of the Company, to counsel for NMMRG, alleging that NMMRG and Mr. Reid breached NMMRG’s contract with the Company and engaged in improper or illegal activities. As noted above and based on the information from the Company’s ongoing investigation, that letter was incorrect. Unfortunately, this letter was, or may have been, sent to various third parties. The Company wishes to, and hereby does, make it clear that Mr. Dunn was not authorized by the Board to send this letter, and the Company hereby disavows and retracts that letter in its entirety. The Board regrets that that letter was sent and apologizes to Mr. Reid for the letter and for its transmission to any third parties.
On July 2, 2018, the Company published a Business Update entitled “Return of Concentrates from Canada.” That Update stated, in part, that the materials sent to Canada for testing were being returned, and that “ECPN and J Duncan Reid of [New] Mexico Metal Refiners Group, LLC (NMMRG), with assistance of counsel, developed a Protocol that maintained the chain of custody whereby neither party could infringe on the integrity of the material.” That Business Update was accurate in its description of the Protocol, and the Company confirms that the Protocol’s provisions and protections were in fact followed fully and completely by all parties and contractors involved with the custody, sampling, and return of those materials.
With respect to the previously-referenced Business Update published on August 9, 2018, the “Management Note” section stated that “[t]he samples returned from Canada and tested were a totally different material than the concentrates that were delivered to Canada for precious metal refining.” The Company has no information to suggest—and does not believe—that Mr. Reid or NMMRG returned anything, including those samples, concentrates or materials, to the Company other than what they received from the Company, or that Mr. Reid or NMMRG have acted in any manner inconsistent with the Protocol. Mr. Reid and NMMRG at all times have acted professionally and properly with respect to the samples, concentrates, and related materials and shipments, and in their dealings with the Company generally.
Mr. Reid, through counsel, has advised the Company that as a result of these public statements, Mr. Dunn’s letter, and other information that may have been attributed to the Company by others based on or in reliance on some or all of the foregoing documents and communications, Mr. Reid’s reputation and his credibility as a mining professional have been adversely affected.
The Company sincerely regrets and apologizes for any such adverse effects on Mr. Reid and his business interests that the Company or these publications may have caused.
This Business Update has been unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:
The statements included in this press release concerning predictions of economic performance and management’s plans and objectives constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “believe(s),” “will,” “may,” “anticipate(s)” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected completion, timing and results of metallurgical testing, interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, results of initial feasibility, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and expectations with respect to the engaging in strategic transactions. All of such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Specifically, there can be no assurance regarding the timing and terms of any transaction involving the Company or its El Capitan property, or that such a transaction will be completed at all. In addition, there can be no assurance that periodic updates to the Company’s geological technical reports will support the Company’s prior claims regarding the metallurgical value and make-up of the ore on the New Mexico property. Additional risks and uncertainties affecting the Company include, but are not limited to, the possibility that future exploration, development, testing or mining results will not be consistent with past results and/or the Company’s expectations; discrepancies between different types of testing methods, some or all of which may not be industry standard; the ability to mine precious and other minerals on a cost effective basis; the Company’s ability to successfully complete contracts for the sale of its products; fluctuations in world market prices for the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals; the Company’s ability to obtain financing for continued operations and/or the commencement of mining activities on satisfactory terms; the Company’s ability to enter into and meet all the conditions to consummate contracts to sell its mining properties that it chooses to list for sale; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to revise and disseminate forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of or non-occurrence of any events.
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March 4, 2019
The El Capitan Board of Directors reports the following updates on the state of the Company:
Overview of Bench Scale Results
On February 18, 2019, ECPN received the results and analysis of Bench Scale Tests from our metallurgical laboratory. The tests were performed on samples from the El Capitan property in Lincoln County New Mexico previously submitted by Dr. Clyde Smith. The laboratory tests yield recoveries ranging in the high eighty and low ninety percentile range. These results present further credibility of the economic viability of the El Capitan property. The content of this Business Update has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Smith, who is a “Qualified Person” (QP). Dr. Smith stated, “The El Capitan ore is well suited to produce separate potentially economic magnetite (iron ore) and hematite (Au-Pt ore) concentrates.”
History and Meaning of Testing
In May 2018 it was recommended to ECPN by our QP that ECPN embark on a four-step procedure to validate the quality of the ECPN precious metal content, develop a method of recovery for the iron ore and precious metals, provide estimates of cost of recovery, and generate a flow sheet, identifying equipment and protocol for production. These four steps consisted of assay of the material, amenability tests to indicate percentage of recoverability, bench scale test to reveal the equipment cost to extract the precious metals, and a bulk test to provide information regarding the viability of a production facility.
First, the assay test on the samples collected by Dr. Smith would remove the magnetite iron ore for the purpose of assaying the non-magnetic ore for precious metals. This would be accomplished by grinding the material to -100 and utilizing a magnetic separator to isolate the non-magnetic concentrate. As a result of this separation, the non-magnetic concentrate assayed 0.24 ounces per ton Au and 0.07 oz/t Pt, well within the range of potential economic viability.
Second, the amenability test would tell us which one of the three chemical recovery processes utilized would be the most effective in the recovery of the precious metals. The results were very good with average gold recoveries of over 90%.
Results of Bench Scale Test
Each of the two samples—EC-10 and EC-11—were collected by Dr. Smith in May of 2018.
The two samples have been assayed and subjected to sodium cyanide and/or sodium thiosulfate leach extractions over 72 hours. Results show that sodium cyanide recoveries on head ore assaying 0.064 oz/t Au and 0.072 oz/t Au are 88.4% and 88.2%.
Results show that sodium cyanide recoveries on non-magnetic, hematite-dominant fractions assaying 0.173 oz/t Au and 0.239 oz/t Au are 91.7%.
Results show that sodium thiosulfate recoveries on non-magnetic, hematite-dominant fractions assaying 0.157 oz/t Au and 0.197 oz/t Au are 82.8% and 73.3%.
Dr. Clyde Smith further stated that,
“These results confirm that these El Capitan samples are of potential ore-grade in gold and that high percentage hydrometallurgical extraction results using industry-standard procedures on both head and non-magnetic fractions indicate excellent potential for profitable production of gold on El Capitan ores. In fact, extraction curves show that percentages of recovery are increasing at 72 hours indicating that even higher results could be expected. In addition, El Capitan samples have assayed significant platinum; hydrometallurgical leach extractions on platinum could possibly add to profitable production on El Capitan ores. (It should be noted that samples EC-10 and EC-11 may not be representative of the entire El Capitan drilled resource.) In addition, El Capitan ores have excellent potential for production of an economically viable iron ore.”
Next Step
Following successful performance of these laboratory tests yielding recoveries ranging in the high eighties to low ninety percentile range we have decided to proceed with the bulk scale testing of these samples using the sodium cyanide and sodium thiosulfate methods. This test will consist of recovering two tons of material, under chain of custody protocols, and delivering the material to the laboratory. One ton of the material will be run at a potential production-level capacity, while the other will remain as a control sample. The expected results from this test should be in line with the results seen in the amenability and bench scale tests.
Disclaimer
It should be noted that the Analytical Procedures and Protocols used in obtaining the various numbers and figures relating to the Precious Metals contents of the subject samples from the El Capitan iron ore body located in Lincoln County, New Mexico are presently under development and experimental. Any use of these results to infer validity or commercial feasibility of the subject ore body, prior to validation of the developed and finalized Analytical Protocols by a properly chosen third party engineering company or a Qualified Person (QP), should be done with great caution and/or proper disclaimers.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:
The statements included in this press release concerning predictions of economic performance and management’s plans and objectives constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “believe(s),” “will,” “may,” “anticipate(s)” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected completion, timing and results of metallurgical testing, interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, results of initial feasibility, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and expectations with respect to the engaging in strategic transactions. All of such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Specifically, there can be no assurance regarding the timing and terms of any transaction involving the Company or its El Capitan property, or that such a transaction will be completed at all. In addition, there can be no assurance that periodic updates to the Company’s geological technical reports will support the Company’s prior claims regarding the metallurgical value and make-up of the ore on the New Mexico property. Additional risks and uncertainties affecting the Company include, but are not limited to, the possibility that future exploration, development, testing or mining results will not be consistent with past results and/or the Company’s expectations; discrepancies between different types of testing methods, some or all of which may not be industry standard; the ability to mine precious and other minerals on a cost effective basis; the Company’s ability to successfully complete contracts for the sale of its products; fluctuations in world market prices for the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals; the Company’s ability to obtain financing for continued operations and/or the commencement of mining activities on satisfactory terms; the Company’s ability to enter into and meet all the conditions to consummate contracts to sell its mining properties that it chooses to list for sale; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to revise and disseminate forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of or non-occurrence of any events.
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