Sponsor: Loncor is a Canadian gold exploration company that controls over 2,400,000 high grade ounces outside of a Barrick JV.. The Ngayu JV property is 200km southwest of the Kibali gold mine, operated by Barrick, which produced 800,000 ounces of gold in 2018. Barrick manages and funds exploration at the Ngayu project until the completion of a pre-feasibility study on any gold discovery meeting the investment criteria of Barrick. Click Here for More Info

The market is buzzing with speculation about Barrick Gold Corp. CEO Mark Bristow’s next move, with Freeport-McMoRan, owner of the giant Grasberg copper and gold mine in Indonesia, regarded as a potential takeover target.

A tough-talking South African on a mission to shake up the mining industry. For years the name that would have sprung to mind was Glencore boss Ivan Glasenberg, but not any more. The sector has another swashbuckling executive to watch: Mark Bristow, head of Barrick Gold.

Since the geologist took control of the world’s second-biggest gold miner just over a year ago he has been a whirlwind of activity. Highlights of the past 12 months include a hostile bid for its arch rival — now a partner in a joint venture — a buyout of struggling subsidiary Acacia Mining and more than US$1 billion of asset sales.

But this is just the beginning for 61-year-old Bristow, an adrenalin junkie who enjoys big game hunting and flying planes. “It has been an amazing year,” he said during a wide-ranging interview. “We now have a solid foundation to build on and probably the strongest balance sheet in the gold industry.”

The market is buzzing with speculation about Bristow’s next move, with Freeport-McMoRan, owner of the giant Grasberg copper and gold mine in Indonesia, regarded as a potential takeover target.

Bristow recently described copper as a “strategic metal” because of the role it would play in the shift to a greener economy. “The new, big gold mines are going to come out of the young geologies of the world,” he said. “And in young rocks, gold comes in association with copper or vice versa.”

Asked if he had discussed the merits of a deal with Freeport chief executive Richard Adkerson, Bristow said there had been “conversations” but these had been more theoretical.

“As the leader of the most valuable gold company in the world, I should be looking at the world’s best gold mines,” he said. “It makes sense for us to be interested in looking at Grasberg and asking ourselves whether Freeport is going to remain an independent company or not.”

A workaholic who maintains a punishing travel schedule, Bristow became chief of Barrick in early 2019 after the Toronto-listed company consummated a nil-premium merger with Randgold Resources, the Africa-focused miner he built into one of the world’s largest gold producers.

The idea behind the deal was to create a gold company focused around five “tier one assets,” mines capable producing more than 500,000oz of gold annually for at least a decade. The merged entity would be run the “Randgold Way” — the decentralised, hands-on management philosophy espoused by Bristow.

When the Randgold merger was announced in September 2018 there were worries about how Bristow would work alongside Barrick’s executive chairman John Thornton, a no-nonsense ex-Goldman Sachs banker.

However, Bristow and his close-knit team of executives have been given their head to run the company. One of his first moves on taking the helm was to cut almost 100 jobs at Barrick’s head office in Toronto in an effort to shape what he calls a “lean, mean machine at the top.” He has also changed the management teams across nearly all of the Barrick assets.

Analysts and investors say Bristow has delivered on the big promises he made at the time of the merger: balance sheet deleveraging, reducing head office costs and asset sales.

“If the gold price stays around US$1,500 an ounce and we generate the same sort of free cash flow as [2019 and] deliver on the rest of our promises as far as realizing the sale of non-core assets we will have zero net debt [by the end of 2020],” Bristow said.

Barrick and arch rival Newmont Corporation’s deal to combine their mines in Nevada into a joint venture, after Barrick dropped its hostile bid for the latter, has also won plaudits.
This has been reflected in Barrick’s share price, which has risen 76 per cent since the Randgold merger was announced — outperforming Newmont (46 per cent) and the gold price (31 per cent).

Barrick Gold Corp’s stock chart since the merger with Rangold was announced Sept. 24, 2018. Bloomberg

Still, some investors lament the passing of Randgold. One top-20 shareholder said it would have delivered a better share price performance had it remained independent — a view backed up by recent results, which show the Randgold side of the portfolio continuing to sparkle while the Barrick portion struggles.

Randgold also boasted a generous dividend policy, something Barrick has yet to match. Analysts estimate Barrick’s dividend would need to rise two to three times from where it is today to be comparable to Randgold’s payout. Bristow said Barrick would look at a long-term dividend policy once its 10-year strategic plan is put in place early this year.
Barrick also remains a very complex business with assets in the Americas, Africa and Asia, leaving Bristow and his management team stretched.

“There is a core of 10 Randgold executives who run the business. They used to fly around all the assets once a quarter,” said one analyst who used to follow Randgold but does not cover Barrick. “That is more difficult to do now given the size and scale of the business.”

A photo of Rangold’s open-pit gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014. Rangold Resources

James Bell, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, also said the integration of the two companies had become more complicated because some of the assets flagged as potentially noncore at the time of the Barrick deal were now seen as less disposable.

“A good example is Porgera [a mine in Papua New Guinea]. This was an asset initially flagged as noncore but that’s an asset the company is now very excited about because management have seen the geological potential,” he added.

Bristow said Barrick would continue to divest assets where it makes “good, commercial sense”, citing the recent sale of its stake in the Massawa gold project in Senegal for an upfront payment of US$380 million.

Bristow, who had open heart surgery in 2017 after a doctor spotted a problem during a routine medical to renew his pilot’s licence, said he did not know when he would step down.

“I don’t have a particular timeframe but I gave the market a [promise of at least a] full five years. I am certainly committed to that,” he said, adding that there was already a pool of executives that are qualified to lead the organization. “And you can imagine how much better they are going to be with a bit of coaching in the next couple of years.”

Source: https://business.financialpost.com/financial-times/barrick-is-up-76-under-mark-bristows-watch-that-even-beats-golds-meteroric-rise

• Significant upside potential identified at 1,675,000 oz (20.78 Mt @ 2.5 g/t Au) Imbo Concession since 2014 resource estimate

TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2020 — Loncor Resources Inc. (“Loncor” or the “Company“) (TSX: “LN”; OTCQB: “LONCF”) is pleased to provide an update on its activities within the Ngayu Greenstone Belt, where the Company has a dominant foot-print through its joint venture with Barrick Gold (Congo) SARL (“Barrick”) and on its own majority-owned prospecting licences and exploitation concessions.

The Ngayu Archean Greenstone Belt of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (the “DRC”) is geologically similar to the belts which host the world class gold mines of AngloGold Ashanti/Barrick’s Kibali mine in the DRC and AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita mine in Tanzania. Gold mineralization at Ngayu is spatially related to Banded Ironstone Formation (“BIF”), which is the case at both Kibali and Geita and is highlighted in Figures 1 and 2 below. The Ngayu belt is significantly larger in extent than the Geita belt.

Adumbi Deposit
Since the Company’s acquisition of 71.25% of the KGL-Somituri gold project from Kilo Goldmines Ltd. in September 2019, Loncor has focussed on the Imbo exploitation concession in the east of the Ngayu belt where an Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.675 million ounces of gold (20.78 million tonnes grading 2.5 g/t Au, with 71.25% of this Inferred Mineral Resource being attributable to Loncor via its 71.25% interest) was outlined in January 2014 by independent consultants Roscoe Postle Associates Inc (“RPA”) on three separate deposits, Adumbi, Kitenge and Manzako (see Figures 3 and 4 below).  In this study, RPA made a number of recommendations on Adumbi, which were subsequently undertaken during the period 2014-18. The Company’s geological consultants Minecon Resources and Services Limited (“Minecon”) has been assessing the implications of this additional exploration data on Adumbi, which are summarised below.

Additional Drilling
RPA recommended additional drilling at Adumbi to test the down dip/plunge extent of the mineralization. In 2017, four deeper core holes were drilled below the previously outlined RPA inferred resource over a strike length of 400 metres and to a maximum depth of 450 metres below surface. All four holes intersected significant gold mineralization in terms of widths and grade and are summarised below:

The above drilling results which are shown on the longtitudinal section (see Figure 5 below), indicate that the gold mineralization is open along strike and at depth. The drilling of an additional 12 core holes has the potential to significantly increase the Adumbi mineral resource as highlighted on the longitudinal section.

Survey and Georeferencing
The Adumbi drill hole collars, trenches, and accessible adits/portals have now been accurately surveyed and the data appropriately georeferenced. In addition, all accessible underground excavations and workings have been accurately surveyed. The new and improved quality of the exploration data will have positive implications on potential future classification of the mineral resources.

Re-logging of All Drill Holes
The re-logging of drill holes after the RPA study has defined the presence of five distinct geological domains in the central part of the Adumbi deposit where the BIF unit attains a thickness of up to 130 metres (see Figure 4 below). From northeast to southwest:

• Hanging wall schists: dominantly quartz carbonate schist, with interbedded carbonaceous schist.
• Upper BIF Sequence: an interbedded sequence of BIF and chlorite schist, 45 to 130 metres in thickness.
• Carbonaceous Marker: a distinctive 3 to 17 metre thick unit of black carbonaceous schist with pale argillaceous bands.
• Lower BIF Sequence: BIF interbedded with quartz carbonate, carbonaceous and/or chlorite schist in a zone 4 to 30 metres wide.
• Footwall Schists: similar to the hanging wall schist sequence.

In the central part of Adumbi, three main zones of gold mineralization are present. These include mineralisation:

• Within the Lower BIF Sequence.
• In the lower part of the Upper BIF Sequence.  Zones 1 and 2 are separated by the Carbonaceous Marker, which is essentially unmineralized.
• A weaker zone in the upper part of the Upper BIF Sequence.

The lack of a detailed geological model in the previous resource estimates resulted in wireframes being constructed using only assay values with little regard to geological domains. This has resulted in wireframes cross-cutting the geology which could have resulted in underestimating the previous resource estimate.

Relative Density (“RD”) Measurements
The increase in the sample population coupled with the application of a more rigid RD determination procedure based on recommendations from the RPA resource study, indicates that the new RD measurements from both mineralized and unmineralized material and from the various material types and lithologic units have improved the confidence in the relative RD determination to be applied to any future resource estimates. Relative to the 6 oxide RD measurements used for tonnage estimation in the RPA model, 297 oxide RD measurements within the mineralised domain were undertaken during the review work. For the transition and fresh material, equal number of determinations relative to the previous RD sample volumes were undertaken with the review process employing more rigid RD determination procedures. 

Table 1 below indicates significate positive variance between the previous model RD and the reviewed work for the oxide and transition materials.

Table 1: Summary of Previous and Reviewed Mineralised Average RD Measurements

Oxidation and Fresh Rock Surfaces
The re-logging of the core as per the RPA recommendations identified major differences between the depths of Base of Complete Oxidation (BOCO) and Top of Fresh Rock (TOFR), and the depths used by RPA in the 2014 model. In the RPA model, the BOCO was negligible and the TOFR corresponded approximately to the re-logged BOCO. The deeper levels of oxidation that were observed during the re-logging exercise should have positive implications for the Adumbi project with respect to ore type classification and associated metallurgical recoveries and mining and processing cost estimates.

Adit Sampling and Georeferencing
Following the accurate surveying of the 10 historical adits and appropriately georeferencing, the 796 adit samples (1,121 metres in total) when applied should have positive implications on the data spacing and classification of any future mineral resources.

In summary, most of the previous recommendations from the 2014 RPA mineral resource study on Adumbi have been undertaken. In addition, the previously recommended LIDAR survey by RPA was completed this month over Adumbi by Southern Mapping of South Africa.

The results of all the above tasks coupled with the higher current gold price compared with the previous study in 2014 indicate significant upside at Adumbi. Minecon is undertaking further studies to better quantify this significant upside. At present and subject to the Company securing the necessary financing, the Company is planning to drill the additional 12 deeper holes at Adumbi and then commence a preliminary economic assessment when an updated mineral resource study will be undertaken.

Ongoing studies are also continuing by Minecon on further assessing the data elsewhere on the Imbo exploitation concession including Kitenge and Manzako.

As announced in November 2019, joint venture partner and operator Barrick has identified a number of priority drill targets within the 1,894 square kilometre joint venture land package (the “JV Areas”) at Ngayu and that are planned to be drilled during the current dry season. Drill targets include Bakpau, Lybie-Salisa and Itali in the Imva area as well as Anguluku in the southwest of the Ngayu belt and Yambenda in the north. As per the joint venture agreement signed in January 2016, Barrick manages and funds exploration on the JV Areas at the Ngayu project until the completion of a pre-feasibility study on any gold discovery meeting the investment criteria of Barrick. Subject to the DRC’s free carried interest requirements, Barrick would earn 65% of any discovery with Loncor holding the balance of 35%. Loncor will be required, from that point forward, to fund its pro-rata share in respect of the discovery in order to maintain its 35% interest or be diluted.  

About Loncor Resources Inc.
Loncor is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on two projects in the DRC – the Ngayu and North Kivu projects. Both projects have historic gold production. Exploration at the Ngayu project is currently being undertaken by Loncor’s joint venture partner Barrick Gold Corporation through its DRC subsidiary Barrick Gold (Congo) SARL (“Barrick”). The Ngayu project is 200 kilometres southwest of the Kibali gold mine, which is operated by Barrick and in 2018 produced approximately 800,000 ounces of gold. As per the joint venture agreement signed in January 2016, Barrick manages and funds exploration at the Ngayu project until the completion of a pre-feasibility study on any gold discovery meeting the investment criteria of Barrick. Subject to the DRC’s free carried interest requirements, Barrick would earn 65% of any discovery with Loncor holding the balance of 35%. Loncor will be required, from that point forward, to fund its pro-rata share in respect of the discovery in order to maintain its 35% interest or be diluted. 

Certain parcels of land within the Ngayu project surrounding and including the Makapela and Yindi prospects have been retained by Loncor and do not form part of the joint venture with Barrick. Barrick has certain pre-emptive rights over these two areas. Loncor’s Makapela prospect has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 614,200 ounces of gold (2.20 million tonnes grading 8.66 g/t Au) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 549,600 ounces of gold (3.22 million tonnes grading 5.30 g/t Au). Loncor also recently acquired a 71.25% interest in the KGL-Somituri gold project in the Ngayu gold belt which has an Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.675 million ounces of gold (20.78 million tonnes grading 2.5 g/t Au), with 71.25% of this resource being attributable to Loncor via its 71.25% interest. 

Resolute Mining Limited (ASX/LSE: “RSG”) owns 27% of the outstanding shares of Loncor and holds a pre-emptive right to maintain its pro rata equity ownership interest in Loncor following the completion by Loncor of any proposed equity offering. Newmont Goldcorp Corporation (NYSE: “NEM”; TSX: “NGT”) owns 7.8% of Loncor’s outstanding shares

Additional information with respect to Loncor and its projects can be found on Loncor’s website at www.loncor.com. 

Qualified Person
Peter N. Cowley, who is President of Loncor and a “qualified person” as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. 

Technical Reports
Certain additional information with respect to the Company’s Ngayu project is contained in the technical report of Venmyn Rand (Pty) Ltd dated May 29, 2012 and entitled “Updated National Instrument 43-101 Independent Technical Report on the Ngayu Gold Project, Orientale Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo”. A copy of the said report can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. 

Certain additional information with respect to the Company’s recently acquired KGL-Somituri project is contained in the technical report of Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. dated February 28, 2014 and entitled “Technical Report on the Somituri Project Imbo Licence, Democratic Republic of the Congo”.  A copy of the said report, which was prepared for, and filed on SEDAR by, Kilo Goldmines Ltd., can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, information and belief, there is no new material scientific or technical information that would make the disclosure of the KGL-Somituri mineral resource set out in this press release inaccurate or misleading. 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Certain terms are used by the Company, such as “Indicated” and “Inferred” “Resources”, that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Company’s Form 20-F annual report, File No. 001- 35124, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

For further information, please visit our website at www.loncor.com, or contact: Arnold Kondrat, CEO, Toronto, Ontario, Tel: + 1 (416) 366 7300.

The 5 Figures referred to in this announcement are available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/4788cf7b-48be-4e3c-b9a1-d56bcb1b5ad2