Agoracom Blog

Property Transactions in Jan-Aug Period Surge on Rising Ownership, Easy Mortgage

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:56 PM on Friday, October 2nd, 2015

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS IN JAN-AUG PERIOD SURGE ON RISING OWNERSHIP, EASY MORTGAGE

  • Rising trend of property ownership and easy access to mortgage, the sultanate’s real-estate market is witnessing a robust growth this year despite persistent lower oil prices.
  • Total value of property transactions surged 53.2 per cent to RO2.94bn during the period from January–August this year from RO1.91bn in the corresponding period of 2014

By Gulam Ali Khan

September 30, 2015

MUSCAT –

With the rising trend of property ownership and easy access to mortgage, the sultanate’s real-estate market is witnessing a robust growth this year despite persistent lower oil prices.

The total value of property transactions surged 53.2 per cent to RO2.94bn during the period from January–August this year from RO1.91bn in the corresponding period of 2014.

The sharp rise in transactions comes on the back of robust growth in mortgage contracts. Traded value of mortgage contracts jumped 79.6 per cent to RO2.05bn from RO1.14bn a year ago, statistics released by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed.

“The growth is more due to a combination of factors including population growth leading to demand-based activity, desire of property ownership in more uncertain economic times and better availability and competitively priced mortgage options,” said Christopher Steel, managing partner at Savills Oman.

“We believe that property ownership is increasing in appeal as there have been a lack of other real investment opportunities for the Oman population at large. There have been no significant rights issues over the period and the stock market is showing signs of sensitivity, therefore property becomes a viable route for investment,” he said.

The number of mortgage contracts rose by 13.2 per cent to 15,001 in the first eight months this year from 13,249 a year earlier.
Steel said mortgages are now more accessible for the population at large with banks and finance houses having tailored their products to meet the requirements of end-borrowers.

“Islamic financing options have certainly appealed to a large segment of the market that previously was not comfortable with traditional mortgage solutions. Also, the financial logic of mortgaging property is now better understood by certain classes of investors.

With most mortgages costing below five per cent per annum and rental returns from most property higher than this, property become basically self financing when geared at circa 70-80 per cent.”

In addition to mortgage transactions, NCSI statistics shows that the traded value of property in sales contracts rose 13.3 per cent to RO867mn from 765mn. The number of sales contracts decreased by 2.3 per cent to 54,220 in first eight months of 2015 compared to 55,521 last year.

Unlike the UAE – where property transaction levels have been falling across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah – lower oil prices have not been negatively impacting Oman’s property market.

“There has been no discernable negative affect on the property market as a result of lower oil prices. Certainly, a slowdown in some larger infrastructure projects as a result of reduced government expenditure could negatively impact on some areas of secondary real estate but we believe this will be balanced by the push for diversification into other areas of the economy,” Steel said.

The number of properties issued for GCC states citizens dropped by 25 per cent to 1,670 from 2,233 in first eight months of 2014.

Read more:http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Business/Property-transactions-in-Jan-Aug-period-surge-on-rising-ownership-easy-mortgage-4bye#ixzz3nLZniGS8
Follow us:@muscat_daily on Twitter|muscatdaily on Facebook

INTERVIEW: Partnership with Pyrogenesis puts Uragold in Position to Turn Quartz Projects into Highest Purity, Lowest Cost Supplier to Solar Industry

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:37 AM on Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

  • Patent Filed
  • Worldwide Exclusive Rights Granted
  • Pilot Plant Already Funded
  • Technology Partner Takes First Royalty Payment In Stock
  • In Position To Become Vertically Integrated Producer Of Solar Grade Silicon Metal & Major Participant In Global Solar Industry

There is no other way to say it. This technology represents a potential quantum leap forward for the solar panel industry.” (URAGOLD CEO QUOTE)

Watch Interview Now!

Partnership with Pyrogenesis puts Uragold in Position to Turn Quartz Projects into Highest Purity, Lowest Cost Supplier to Solar Industry

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:38 AM on Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PUTS URAGOLD IN POSITION TO TURN QUARTZ PROJECTS INTO LOWEST COST SUPPLIER TO SOLAR INDUSTRY

  • Patent Filed
  • Worldwide Exclusive Rights Granted
  • Pilot Plant Already Funded
  • Technology Partner Takes First Royalty Payment In Stock
  • In Position To Become Vertically Integrated Producer Of Solar Grade Silicon Metal & Major Participant In Global Solar Industry

There is no other way to say it. This technology represents a potential quantum leap forward for the solar panel industry.” (URAGOLD CEO QUOTE)

Montreal, Quebec / September 30, 2015 – Uragold (TSX Venture: UBR), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with, PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR), a TSX Venture 50(R) clean-tech company (“PyroGenesis”) that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma torch products. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), PyroGenesis has granted Uragold a worldwide exclusive right to the usage of the PUREVAP (TM) Quartz Vaporization Reactor technology, in return for 10% of sales, with set minimums, as royalty payments. The exclusivity is limited to the transformation of quartz covered by the provisional patent.

PyroGenesis has filed a provisional patent for a new and novel process for the One Step Production of Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal (mg Si), Solar Grade Silicon Metal (UMG Si) and Polysilicon from Quartz. The “PUREVAP (TM) Quartz Vaporization Reactor is a proprietary process that uses a plasma arc within a vacuum furnace. This unique technology should allow Uragold to convert its world-class Quartz Projects into the highest purity, lowest cost supplier of Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon to the solar industry.

Bernard Tourillon, Chairman and CEO of Uragold stated: “The “PUREVAP (TM) Quartz Vaporization Reactor is based on strong scientific basis. The literature is very clear; A Plasma arc base process can transform High Purity Quartz into Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal. In addition, the literature also validates the fact that Plasma arc base process can be used to purify Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal into higher value materials such as Solar Grade Silicon Metal. What is unique and ground breaking about the PyroGenesis approach is the combination of these two proven processes into one step.”

Metallurgical testing and validation, which has already been funded and scheduled, are expected to be completed by Q1 2016.

GLOBAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR URAGOLD, QUANTUM LEAP FOR SOLAR INDUSTRY

Bernard Tourillon, Chairman and CEO of Uragold further stated, “The filing of the provisional patent combined with our Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with PyroGenesis gives Uragold a unique competitive advantage versus all others quartz exploration ventures and will allow Uragold to go much higher in the High Purity Quartz value chain by becoming a vertically integrated silicon metal, solar grade silicon metal and polysilicon producer and becoming a major participant in the global solar industry. There is no other way to say it; this technology represents a potential quantum leap forward for the solar panel industry becoming a more competitive source of renewable energy.”

$USD 12 BILLION ANNUAL INDUSTRY, GROWING BY 6%+ PER YEAR

The Silicon Metal, Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon markets are a $USD 12 billion a year industry. Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal world consumption topped 2.25Mt in 2014, exceeding $US 6 billion in sales1. About 10% of 2014 global Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal production was further refined into Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon, worth another $US 6 billion. Propelled by increased demand for Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon for photovoltaic solar panels, global Silicon Metal demand is expected to grow by 6%+ per Annum.

A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY – FOR MAKING SILICON METAL

Quartz may well be the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, High Purity Quartz deposits that can be used to make Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal using the traditional arc furnace approach are rare, since in addition to being resistant to thermal shocks, the quartz must meet the following minimum SiO2 quality and maximum impurity levels:


Click Image To View Full Size

The PUREVAP (TM) quartz vaporization reactor should allow manufacturing of Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal using raw Quartz, from either Quartzsite and Quartz veins type deposits, with lower SiO2, higher impurity levels and lower resistance to thermal shock then the maximum threshold allowed by traditional manufacturing process, thereby allowing the transformation of material presently only good to manufacture either Frac sand, quartz counter tops or Ferrosilicium into Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal and, potentially, Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon.

Presently, Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal at 98.5% purity sells for $USD 2,750 per Mt2. However, costs to manufacture it range between $USD 1,750 – 2,250 per Mt due to intensive capital and energy costs3. After Q2 2016, Uragold will provide the marketplace with its cash costs estimates under our new process.

A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR SOLAR GRADE Si AND POLYSILICON MANUFACTURING

Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metals (98.5% purity) is the raw material used to make Solar Grade Silicon Metal (6N to 8N purity) and Polysilicon (9N Purity). Under current methods, refining Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal to Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon is a capital intensive, environmentally unfriendly and very energy demanding process, with best in class cash cost ranging between $USD 10,000 to 13,000 per Mt4.

The average Capital investment required to build a new 16,000 MT per year plant to make Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon is between $USD 900M and $USD 1B 5. After Q2 2016, Uragold will provide the marketplace with its capital costs estimates for our new process.

Solar Grade Silicon (6N to 8N purity) presently sells for $USD 12.81 per Kg ($USD 12,810 per Mt), while Polysilicon (9N Purity) sells for $USD 14.86 per Kg ($USD 14,860 per Mt)6. After Q2 2016, Uragold will provide the marketplace with its cash costs estimates under our new process.

The PUREVAP (TM) quartz vaporization reactor distributive potential advantages is its one step direct transformation of Quartz into Solar Grade Silicon and/or Polysilicon, thereby potentially allowing Uragold to manufacture high value material (Solar Grade Silicon and Polysilicon) for the same operating cost presently being paid by traditional producers to make Metallurgical Grade Silicon using the traditional arc furnace approach.

Patrick Levasseur, President and COO of Uragold concluded, “The interest we are receiving from global silicon metal producers for our quartz demonstrates the exceptional quality of the Roncevaux quartz and the lack of supply of High Purity Quartz. When combining our technology partnership and our properties portfolio, we are well positioned to determining the full potential of our industry leading quartz.”

MOU BETWEEN PYROGENESIS AND URAGOLD

Salient points of the MOU, Including final terms agreed on September 28, 2015 are:

  • -Uragold paid $207,000 to PyroGenesis for a series of metallurgical test of our quartz, including material not suitable to produce Silicon metal using the traditional approach.-PyroGenesis has granted Uragold a worldwide exclusive right to the usage of the PUREVAP (TM) Quartz Vaporization Reactor technology in return for 10% of sales royalty payments
    • -In order to maintain its Exclusive Global Right, Uragold will need to make the following minimal payments to PyroGenesis:
      • -For 2016, the greater of 10% of Uragold sales of Si or $50,000 CAD;-For 2017, the greater of 10% of Uragold sales of Si or $100,000 CAD;-For 2018, the greater of 10% of Uragold sales of Si or $150,000 CAD;-For 2019 and beyond, the greater of 10% of Uragold sales of Si or $200,000 CAD per annum;

      -The Parties have agreed that the 2016 payment will be made immediately through the issuance of 1,000,000 Unit of Uragold Capital. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant (“Warrant”) of Uragold. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the capital stock of Uragold at an exercise price of $ 0.07 during a period of 36 months from the date of the issuance of the Units. Each Unit issued pursuant to this agreement will have a mandatory four (4) month holding period from the date of the issuance of the Units. The Unit issuance is subject to standard regulatory approvals.

About Uragold

Uragold, with is world wide exclusive usage of the PUREVAP (TM) quartz vaporization reactor, is endeavouring to become a vertically integrated Silicon Metal, Solar Grade Silicon Metal and Polysilicon producer.

Uragold is also the largest holder of High Purity Quartz properties in Quebec, with over 3,500 Ha under claims. Despite the abundance of quartz, very few deposits are suitable for high purity applications. High Purity Quartz supplies are tightening, prices are rising, and exponential growth is forecasted. Quartz from the Roncevaux property successfully passed rigorous testing protocols of a major silicon metal producer confirming that our material is highly suited for their silicon metal production.

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis is a publicly traded Canadian company on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR). For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and CEO

Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, President and COO

Tel: (514) 262-9239
www.uragold.com

1 Roskill: Silicon and Ferrosilicon: Global Industry Markets & Outlook report (2014)

2 http://www.metalprices.com/p/SiliconFreeChart

3 Globe Specialty Metals Investor_Presentation_June_2012

4 Polysilicon 2012-2016: Supply, Demand & Implications for the Global PV Industry GTMResearch.com

5 http://fortune.com/2015/09/16/solar-startup-iceland-factory/

6 http://pvinsights.com/

BREAKING .. Partnership Puts Uragold In Position To Become Lowest Cost Supplier To Solar Industry

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:37 AM on Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

 

BREAKING NEWS …. BREAKING NEWS ….

EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PUTS URAGOLD IN POSITION TO TURN QUARTZ PROJECTS INTO LOWEST COST SUPPLIER TO SOLAR INDUSTRY

  • Patent Filed
  • Worldwide Exclusive Rights Granted
  • Pilot Plant Already Funded
  • Technology Partner Takes First Royalty Payment In Stock
  • In Position To Become Vertically Integrated Producer Of Solar Grade Silicon Metal & Major Participant In Global Solar Industry

There is no other way to say it. This technology represents a potential quantum leap forward for the solar panel industry.” (URAGOLD CEO QUOTE)

Read Full Press Release Here

CLIENT FEATURE: Durango Resources (DGO: TSX:V) Capitalizing on the Future of LNG

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:57 PM on Friday, September 25th, 2015

Recent Highlights

  • Acquired two limestone properties in north western British Columbia which have been strategically chosen in an effort to coincide with the LNG projects near Kitimat and Prince Rupert.
  • Both the Mayner’s Fortune property and the Smith Island property have historical occurrences of limestone which will fast track the exploration to production timeline since they are near term producing properties.
  • Mayner’s Fortune property is located 50km away via CN Rail line from the Kitimat Shell Consortium LNG proposed site and hosts a series of 6 north east striking limestone beds which have been reported to be grades as high as 96%.
  • Historical workings have indicated a preliminary 454,000 tonnes of limestone in the first limestone bed nearest to the rail road. The Company has been contacted by CN Rail and they look forward to working with Durango to help move the project forward.

PROJECTS

 

Decouverte (Discovery) property

  • Over 51km(2), is located 100km north of Chibougamau in the Frotet – Evans greenstone belt.
  • Company carried out a 439 line kilometer helicopter borne DIGHEM EM/magnetic airborne geophysical survey on the property in 2011 (NR Nov 24, 2011).
  • Property benefits from very favorable infrastructure including road accessibility (within 10km of Route du Nord and a myriad of logging roads), and a power line which bisects the property.
  • Mineralized target area is located to the east of Lac Pasquale and consists of two significant aero-magnetic anomalies, with some electromagnetic coincidence possibly associated with linear structural features, in the Frotet-Evans greenstone belt

Robert Creek Property

  • 1,222 hectares located near the Alberta / Saskatchewan border.
  • Company holds a 100% interest in a property in the emerging, southwest portion, of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan adjacent to NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX.V-NXE).
  • Athabasca Basin proving to the world to be a premier uranium district with average grades that are ten times greater than elsewhere in the world, highly skilled labour and infrastructure in place for milling and transport.
  • Historical GSC lake sediment values of 1.6 ppm, 1.2 ppm and 0.8 ppm uranium were reported with two samples only one kilometre apart. developing a major uranium deposit, was 3.5 ppm uranium as reported in the news release on April 12, 2010.

Trove, Quebec

  • 100% interest in a 1,500 hectare property located approximately 15km to the southwest of Eagle Hill’s (EAG – TSX.V) Windfall Lake Gold Property.
  • Eagle Hill has completed over 330 diamond drill holes with results as high as 52.3 oz/t over 4.8 metres.
  • 2010 summer drill program hit wide gold mineralization showing 14.51 g/t gold over 52.0 metres (hole EAG 10-196) and 3.35 g/t of gold over 24.6 metres (hole EAG 10-238).

Next Gen Enters into Letter of Intent to Acquire Market Leading Vaporizer E-Tailer Company

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:22 AM on Thursday, September 24th, 2015

  • Entered into a binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with Dollinger Enterprises Ltd., a market leader in the distribution and manufacturing of products including vaporizers, accessories and herbs with a presence in 25 countries
  • NamasteVapes has achieved an initial unaudited revenue of over US$3.3 million and positive net earnings of over US$180 thousand

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Sept. 24, 2015) – Next Gen Metals Inc. (“Next Gen“, the “Company“) (CSE:N)(OTC PINK:NXTTF)(FRANKFURT:M5BN) reports it has entered into a binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with Dollinger Enterprises Ltd., a market leader in the distribution and manufacturing of products including vaporizers, accessories and herbs with a presence in 25 countries (hereinafter referred to as “NamasteVapes“). In the first year of business ending August 31, 2015, NamasteVapes has achieved an initial unaudited revenue of over US$3.3 million and positive net earnings of over US$180 thousand, which demonstrates the market and growth potential for the company as it further expands into the production and distribution of high margin proprietary products, including the upcoming launch of the Guru, an enhanced vaporizer capable of seamlessly vaporizing liquids, concentrates and dry herbs from a single portable unit.

Consistent with Next Gen’s business model and subject to the closing of the Transaction (as defined herein), the resulting entity will represent the realization of Next Gen’s strategic objective to form an operating business with significant revenue growth and earnings potential, established brand and growing customer base, pipeline of expansion opportunities, and align with highly knowledgeable industry professionals that will leverage the decades of public markets experience provided by Next Gen.

Transaction Structure and Terms

Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, it is anticipated Next Gen will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Dollinger Enterprises USA Ltd from Dollinger Enterprises Ltd. and/or an entity designated to hold all of the issued and outstanding shares of Dollinger Enterprises USA Ltd. upon the closing date on or before December 15, 2015 (the “Transaction“), subject to the parties further considering all applicable tax, securities law and accounting efficiencies. The Transaction terms outlined in the LOI are binding on the parties and the LOI is expected to be superseded by a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement“) to be signed by the parties. The transaction is deemed to be a Fundamental Change as that term is defined in the CSE’s policies. The LOI was negotiated at arm’s length and is effective as of September 23, 2015.

Material terms of the Transaction include:

  • Issuance of 36,218,202 post consolidated shares by Next Gen in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of and/or existing assets of NamasteVapes (the “Acquisition Shares“);
  • Issuance of 8,692,368 post consolidated shares by Next Gen to be held in an escrow account for distribution to the post-Transaction management of Next Gen over a period of 3-years, subject to the attainment of certain performance milestones to be further defined in the Definitive Agreement and monitored by the post-Transaction Compensation Committee of Next Gen (the “Earn-out Shares“);
  • Assumption of a shareholder loan to the benefit of NamasteVapes in the amount of US$262,500 secured against an estimated inventory amount of US$420,000. The shareholder loan will be paid out over time and further defined in the Definitive Agreement;
  • Next Gen stock options being cancelled and reallocated at least 30 days after cancellation; and
  • Finder’s fee, equal to 4% of the Acquisition Shares from the Transaction, will also be paid in common shares of Next Gen.

As of the date hereof, Next Gen has 21,730,921 common shares issued and outstanding. There are also 4,340,417 warrants and 1,495,000 stock options to acquire common shares. 2,456,667 warrants expire September 26, 2015. Based on the foregoing, it is currently expected that the current shareholders of Next Gen common shares will hold approximately 16.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of Next Gen upon completion of the Transaction, calculated as the Acquisition Shares divided by the post-Transaction shares issued and outstanding, and subject to the amount any Earn-out Shares issued and the proceeds and terms of any capital raised. The Acquisition Shares are to be issued at a pre-consolidated deemed value of $0.02.

Transaction Conditions

The Transaction is subject to the approval of the shareholders and the CSE, including the approval of the Definitive Agreement by the directors of Next Gen and NamasteVapes and completion of due diligence investigations that satisfy Next Gen and NamasteVapes, as well as the conditions set forth below. 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. It is currently expected that the Company will seek shareholder approval of the Fundamental Change, name change, consolidation and proposed directors, by way of obtaining consents from shareholders holding 50% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares.

Conditions to completion of the Transaction include:

  • Receipt of all director, shareholder and requisite regulatory approvals relating to the Transaction, including, without limitation, CSE approval;
  • Preparation and filing of a Listing Statement outlining the definitive terms of the Transaction in accordance with the policies of the CSE;
  • Negotiation and execution of a Definitive Agreement in respect of the Transaction;
  • Receipt of acceptable audited and unaudited financial statement for NamasteVapes;
  • Election of up to five individuals to the post-Transaction board of Next Gen, as proposed and supported by Next Gen and NamasteVapes;
  • Execution of acceptable management contracts covering the required skillsets for the commercial and financial operations of Next Gen post-Transaction;
  • Completion of one or more private placements for total gross proceeds and terms mutually acceptable to Next Gen and NamasteVapes; and
  • Changing of the post-Transaction name of Next Gen, as mutually supported by Next Gen and NamasteVapes.

Management Commentary

Mr. Harry Barr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Next Gen, comments: “This proposed transaction with NamasteVapes represents a significant corporate milestone for the shareholders of Next Gen. In keeping with our company’s objective, the directors and management of Next Gen are pleased to have finalized the LOI with NamasteVapes and look forward to further positive negotiations with the objective of consummation a transaction that will combine the best of both teams. A completed transaction will allow the shareholders of Next Gen to participate in the equity of a global leader in aromatherapy and e-commerce, with a growing manufacturing platform for the production and distribution of proprietary products.”

Mr. Sean Dollinger, President of NamasteVapes, comments: “In the first year of commercial operations, our management team has achieved significant revenue growth and customer acquisition through best in class service, a global e-commerce approach and partnerships with leading manufacturers. Due to the rapid growth of the company and our strategy to expand into the production of high margin proprietary aromatherapy products, this transaction represents a logical step forward and the means for us to access the public markets for expansion capital. Next Gen’s management expertise in public companies when combined with NamasteVapes industry knowledge, provides the ideal combination of managerial, financial and industry expertise. We look forward to further positive negotiations with the management of Next Gen and concluding this transaction in due course.”

About Vapes

NamasteVapesâ„¢ is a global leader in aromatherapy product distribution and manufacturing. The company has over 30 e-commerce retail stores in 25 countries and aims to provide the best in class and most professional customer experience possible. This is supported by the leading independent consumer review authority, TrustPilot, which presently ranks NamasteVapesâ„¢ as #1 in Vaporizer category, scoring a 9.7/10. NamasteVapesâ„¢ also owns and operates a separate retail site called GreenVapes.co.uk which is presently expanding internationally as well. The company’s retail sites offer the largest range of brand name vaporizers products on the market, which includes distribution partnerships with over 30 manufacturers providing some of the latest and most innovative products in this fast-growing industry.

In addition to its e-commerce distribution business, NamasteVapesâ„¢ is actively manufacturing and launching multiple unique proprietary products for retail and wholesale distribution, including vaporizers, accessories and herbs. Recognized as a source of information and reviews on aromatherapy products, NamasteVapesâ„¢ has a unique market perspective and ability design and engineer products that align with the current direction of the market and customer needs. This business segment will be banded under the tradename GrizzlyOriginalsâ„¢ and will include the upcoming launch of the Guruâ„¢, an enhanced vaporizer capable of seamlessly vaporizing liquids, concentrates and dry herds from a single portable unit.

NamasteVapesâ„¢ is managed by a group of industry experts focused on continued global expansion and providing the best products and service available. Further information on the company and its products can be accessed through the links below:

www.namastevapes.co.uk

www.trustpilot.com/review/namastevapes.co.uk

About Next Gen

Next Gen is a Canadian public company, whose shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) (CSE:N), the OTC pink sheets (“NXTFF”) and the Frankfurt Exchange (FRANKFURT:M5BN), which focuses on investing in the Medical Marijuana, Industrial Hemp and Alternative Medicine sectors. Next Gen’s vision is to be the leading provider of venture capital, management expertise, education, and a facilitator for these explosive new industries.

Next Gen owns 100% of GreenRush Financial Conferences (“GreenRush”). GreenRush is Canadian conference company focused on business to business opportunities, investment and education for the Medical Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Alternative Medical Sectors. For further information on the company, visit our website at www.nextgenmetals.com.

To receive further information, please subscribe to our email list below:

www.nextgenmetalsinc.com/s/InfoRequest.asp

Further Information

Further details about the proposed Transaction and the combined entity will be provided in a comprehensive press release when the parties enter into a Definitive Agreement and in the Listing Statement to be prepared and filed in respect of the Transaction.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Listing Statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a CSE listed company should be considered highly speculative.

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Harry Barr, President & CEO

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. Statements about the closing of the Transaction, expected terms of the Transaction, the number of securities of Next Gen that may be issued in connection with the Transaction, the ownership ratio of Next Gen post closing, the requirement to obtain shareholder approval and the parties’ ability to satisfy closing conditions and receive necessary approvals are all forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the Transaction will occur or that, if the Transaction does occur, it will be completed on the terms described above. The terms described above are not binding unless and until a Definitive Agreement is signed. Next Gen assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents which can be found under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com.

This News Release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The CSE has neither reviewed nor approved the contents of this News Release

Next Gen Metals Inc.
+ 1 (604) 685.1870 or Toll Free: 1.800.667.1870
+ 1 (604) 685.8045
[email protected]
www.nextgenmetalsinc.com

Emerita Resources (EMO:TSXV) Vindicated As Tender For Past Producer Fraudulently Awarded To Competing Bidder

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:02 AM on Monday, September 21st, 2015

When Emerita Resources (EMO:TSXV) lost out on its bid to acquire the Aznall Collar mine in Spain this past February, the company suspected that something was wrong in Denmark … it turns out they were right.  In a press release issued Thursday, the company stated as follows:

“Court No. 3 Of Seville initiated an investigation into the tender process for the Aznalcollar mine has indicated that corruption may have occurred and seven government officials including the Director of Mines that have been imputed by the court in relation to prevarication charges…”

As a result, the 7 government officials will have to appear before the court in September to defend their decision.  However, this may turn out to be more of a formality, as it appears the bid definitely involved fraud and corruption according to the following excerpt:

“This investigation included the participation of the UDEF (Unidad de Delitos Economicos y Fiscales), which is the special police unit created to prosecute economic crimes such as corruption. ….. The conclusion of the UDEF’s report was that the Aznalcollar tender was fraudulently granted to Minorbis – Grupo México. The UDEF continues to investigate certain aspects of the tender process but the conclusions in its report are final.”

Following the issuance of judicial findings, there was a major outcry in the Spanish media and local social media from political opposition parties and others expressing concern about the lack of transparency of the tender process. Subsequently, the Junta de Andalusia relieved the Director of Mines of her duties.

Now here is the best part for those of you asking “What are the chances of Emerita Resources being awarded the mine?”.  According to company counsel, here is your answer:

“According to Ramon Escudero Espin, Spanish legal counsel for Emerita, “Spanish mining law states that as long as there is one bidder that has fulfilled all the requirements of the tender, the tender cannot be declared invalid and the tender must be awarded to the next qualified participant. In this case, the only remaining participant in the process is Emerita Resources.”

How big could this be for the company? You can find the details here – but here are some highlights of Aznallcollar:

  • The Aznalcóllar Project is a past producing property within the famous Iberian Pyrite Belt that
    hosted the Aznalcóllar and Los Frailes open pit zinc-lead-silver mines.
  • The focus of the project is re-development of the Los Frailes deposit which was developed in
    the mid 1990s. The historical open pit mineral resource as calculated by the previous operator
    of the mine was estimated to be 71 million tonnes grading 3.86% zinc, 2.18% lead, 0.34%
    copper and 60 ppm silver
  • Reports by the operation’s mine department and a review of the diamond drilling data for the
    mine indicate the existence of a higher grade portion of the resource that is estimated to
    contain 20 million tonnes grading 6.66% zinc, 3.87% lead, 0.29% copper and 84 ppm silver. The
    Aznalcollar and Los Frailes deposits are open for further expansion by drilling at depth, as
    historical drilling was primarily constrained to depths accessible by open pit mining
  • A qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 has not done sufficient work on behalf of
    Emerita to classify the historical estimate reported above as current mineral resources or
    mineral reserves and Emerita is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral
    resources or mineral reserves.

With a market cap of just $3.8 million, Emerita could be a massive winner if this tender concludes in the favor. We should know the answer very shortly.

Regards,

George

Canadian rare earth elements miners band together for survival in pricing downturn

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:48 PM on Thursday, September 17th, 2015

  • China is the world’s major supplier of rare earth elements, prized for their unique properties — including powerful magnetic fields — and used in high-tech goods such as smartphones, laptops and electric cars.
  • Ian London, who heads the Canadian Rare Earth Elements Network, said companies are instead working together to develop new methods for extracting and refining the 17 metals that make up the rare earth group.

TORONTO — Experts say government support for research and development of Canada’s rare earth elements has encouraged new co-operation in the usually dog-eat-dog world of junior mining companies.

China is the world’s major supplier of rare earth elements, prized for their unique properties — including powerful magnetic fields — and used in high-tech goods such as smartphones, laptops and electric cars.

Prices rose dramatically in 2011, and by 2013 there were at least 11 Canadian projects at the advanced exploration stage before a steep slide in value put a halt on development.

Ian London, who heads the Canadian Rare Earth Elements Network, said companies are instead working together to develop new methods for extracting and refining the 17 metals that make up the rare earth group.

“Now that there has been a lull that’s gone on for a little while, folks have become much more realistic and are looking to address those challenges,” he said.

In the 2015 budget, the federal government promised to allocate $23 million over the next five years on top of money it has already invested to help companies work together to address the technical challenges of mining rare earth elements.

London said the money and leadership from Natural Resources Canada has helped the companies work together.

“There are a number of challenges faced by each of the developing companies, and this funding has encouraged them to collaborate and solve them,” London said.

Rare earth elements mining projects have been proposed in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Labrador and the Northwest Territories.

The elements are called rare not because of scarcity but because they are not found in high concentrations, and are usually dispersed throughout an ore deposit.

Prices for the rare earth elements — the lanthanides, with atomic numbers 57 through 71, as well as scandium and yttrium — reached a peak in 2011 as demand for high-tech devices looked set to explode.

Control over rare-earth elements even became a plot point in the blockbuster video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

Yet headlines and heady prices led to oversupply, and prices have crashed. Europium saw some of the biggest swings of the rare earths, going from around US$600 per kilogram for much of 2010 to a peak above $4,200 in the second half of 2011 before falling back below $200 this year.

The downturn in rare earth prices has already resulted in the bankruptcy of Molycorp Inc., one of the largest producers outside of China, and Australian rare earths miner Lynas is struggling to stay afloat as its stock price has fallen more than 98 per cent since 2011.

Gareth Hatch, who founded Toronto-based processor Innovation Metals Corp. in 2011, said mining rare earth minerals has many challenges.

Many of the minerals that contain the elements in Canada have never been used for commercial production, he said, and separating the chemically similar elements from one another during the refining process can be costly in order for processors to avoid significant environmental impacts.

“There are different challenges along the way as you go from a rock to a high-purity valuable technology metal,” he said.

Government funding and co-ordination will be critical to turning the existing research into commercially viable products, Hatch said.

Boyd Davis, a principal at research laboratory Kingston Process Metallurgy, said that companies need to work together to identify the best practices for mining Canadian rare earth deposits because they differ significantly from those in other countries.

“For one group to do it on its own is difficult,” he said. “You end up needing a Canadian solution, not just because you’re patriotic but because you have a different situation.”

Davis said junior mining companies are usually very competitive, and the government’s work in the rare earths sector together was necessary to get them to work together.

“Animals only get together at an oasis, they don’t get together in the middle of the desert,” he said.

Source: http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/canadian-rare-earth-elements-miners-band-together-for-survival-in-pricing-downturn-1.2566604

Almost a Perfect Battery?

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:43 PM on Thursday, September 17th, 2015

I can’t attest to the headline “Almost a Perfect Battery” claimed by a team of researchers at MIT, but they reported that they have developed a solid-state electrolyte, which can greatly boost modern battery technology. The researchers claim that the new design will allow batteries to endure hundreds of thousands of recharges, pack more juice and be safe from combustion. The research was published in Nature Materials (published August 17, 2015).

Now researchers at MIT’s Advanced Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Korean consumer electronic producer Samsung have collaborated in developing a new approach to one of the three basic components of batteries: the electrolyte, which transports charged ions from one electrode to another during charging and discharging. Modern lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolyte, but the MIT group have developed a better all-round solid-state electrolyte. Their invention belongs to a class of materials known as superionic lithium-ion conductors, which are compounds of lithium, germanium, phosphorus and sulfur.

Sourced from Cdn.rt.com
Sourced from Cdn.rt.com

The new solid electrolyte can withstand hundreds of thousands of recharge cycles, meaning a battery made with it would last practically forever. It has superior energy density, packing 20 to 30 percent more energy for a given volume. It is also more stable than a liquid electrolyte, meaning the rare (but widely publicized) cases of battery combustion would no longer be possible. This solid-state electrolyte also has other, unexpected benefits: while conventional lithium-ion batteries do not perform well in extreme cold, and need to be preheated at temperatures below roughly minus 30 degrees Celsius, the solid-electrolyte versions can still function at those frigid temperatures.

The paper in Nature Materials describes a new approach to the development of solid-state electrolytes that simultaneously addresses the greatest challenges associated with improving lithium-ion batteries. The key to making this feasible was finding solid materials that could conduct ions fast enough to be useful in a battery. Apparently, there was a view that solids cannot conduct fast enough, however the research team has dispelled that paradigm. The research team was able to analyze the factors that make for efficient ion conduction in solids, and hone in on compounds that showed the right characteristics.

The team says the principles derived from their research could lead to even more effective materials. So again we see that Rare Metals – the likes of lithium and germanium – Matter.

Until soon… Ian

Source: http://raremetalsmatter.com/almost-a-perfect-battery/

AGORACOM Welcomes Durango Resources (DGO: TSX-V) Capitalizing on the Future of LNG

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:28 PM on Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

Recent Highlights

 

  • Acquired two limestone properties in north western British Columbia which have been strategically chosen in an effort to coincide with the LNG projects near Kitimat and Prince Rupert.
  • Both the Mayner’s Fortune property and the Smith Island property have historical occurrences of limestone which will fast track the exploration to production timeline since they are near term producing properties.
  • Mayner’s Fortune property is located 50km away via CN Rail line from the Kitimat Shell Consortium LNG proposed site and hosts a series of 6 north east striking limestone beds which have been reported to be grades as high as 96%.
  • Historical workings have indicated a preliminary 454,000 tonnes of limestone in the first limestone bed nearest to the rail road. The Company has been contacted by CN Rail and they look forward to working with Durango to help move the project forward.

PROJECTS

Decouverte (Discovery) property

  • Over 51km(2), is located 100km north of Chibougamau in the Frotet – Evans greenstone belt.
  • Company carried out a 439 line kilometer helicopter borne DIGHEM EM/magnetic airborne geophysical survey on the property in 2011 (NR Nov 24, 2011).
  • Property benefits from very favorable infrastructure including road accessibility (within 10km of Route du Nord and a myriad of logging roads), and a power line which bisects the property.
  • Mineralized target area is located to the east of Lac Pasquale and consists of two significant aero-magnetic anomalies, with some electromagnetic coincidence possibly associated with linear structural features, in the Frotet-Evans greenstone belt

Robert Creek Property

  • 1,222 hectares located near the Alberta / Saskatchewan border.
  • Company holds a 100% interest in a property in the emerging, southwest portion, of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan adjacent to NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX.V-NXE).
  • Athabasca Basin proving to the world to be a premier uranium district with average grades that are ten times greater than elsewhere in the world, highly skilled labour and infrastructure in place for milling and transport.
  • Historical GSC lake sediment values of 1.6 ppm, 1.2 ppm and 0.8 ppm uranium were reported with two samples only one kilometre apart. developing a major uranium deposit, was 3.5 ppm uranium as reported in the news release on April 12, 2010.

Trove, Quebec

  • 100% interest in a 1,500 hectare property located approximately 15km to the southwest of Eagle Hill’s (EAG – TSX.V) Windfall Lake Gold Property.
  • Eagle Hill has completed over 330 diamond drill holes with results as high as 52.3 oz/t over 4.8 metres.
  • 2010 summer drill program hit wide gold mineralization showing 14.51 g/t gold over 52.0 metres (hole EAG 10-196) and 3.35 g/t of gold over 24.6 metres (hole EAG 10-238).