President's Message
In August 2023 Benchmark Metal amalgamated with Thesis Gold and continued its business under the name Thesis Gold. This brought the Company Toodoggone assets together enhancing the economic viability of a mine being brought into production there. We maintain a 2% NSR on the Ranch claims. Of note is the fact that due to his diligence in acquiring, exploring and expanding the Toodoggone land position, our former leader and President, Scott W. Gifford, was posthumously awarded the AMEBC Special Tribute Award in 2024. It was accepted by his sons, Quinn and Brendan Gifford at the Awards Gala, January 24 2024.
The company's Dome mountain mineral claims adjacent to the proposed Dome Mine were explored in 2015. The Dome mine was not permitted by 2024, a significant time after anticipated permitting. In addition, Nicola Mining Ltd. has processed ore from the Dome mine at its Craigmont mill near Merritt BC. You are directed to the Nicola Sedar filings for further information. The NSR will apply to any ore that is produced from applicable mineral claims whether milled on site or at a custom mill site such as Nicola. Once milling operations commence at Dome mine and operations are mining the claims subject to the Company’s NSR, then the Company could benefit from an ongoing revenue stream, subject to all the normal risk factors.
The Company retains a 3% NSR on the subject claims now owned by Blind Creek Resources Ltd. peripheral to the Engineer mine site.
The Deer Horn claims are positioned for evaluation and potential exploitation pursuant to First Tellurium’s efforts (details of which are available on their web site and corporate disclosure documents).
In 2022 the Company entered into an agreement with Royal Gold which resulted in the sale of the 0.05% NSR we held on the Lawyers claims. Included in that agreement we provided Royal Gold with a right of first offer with respect to our 2% NSR on the Ranch claims. We were excited by the participation of a such a sophisticated company in its decision to take a position in the Toodoggone.