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MOEX: CLOSED
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Orford Mining - Explorer with Copper, Gold, Nickel & PGEs

  • Orford Mining is primarily a gold exploration company but also has significant nickel potential.
  • Their key gold projects are the Qiqavik Gold Project and the Joutel Project.
  • A partnership with Wyloo Metals allows them to earn into Orford's nickel project, with Wyloo having already invested almost C$5 million.
  • The West Raglan project, near the renowned Raglan Nickel Mine, has seen recent drilling activity, with results yet to be announced.
  • Despite current economic downturns and market challenges, ORM is well-financed and plans to continue its exploration efforts.

An Emerging Explorer with Upside Potential

Orford Mining is a Canada-based mineral exploration company focused on gold, copper, nickel and platinum group elements (PGEs). With multiple early-stage projects across northern Quebec, Orford offers investors exposure to potential new mineral discoveries and resource expansion of known deposits.

Despite current challenging market conditions, Orford appears financially stable with sufficient capital to continue advancing its projects in 2023. With major partner funding, geographic diversity and discoveries already made, Orford presents an opportunity for patient investors looking to gain leveraged upside from potential exploration successes.

Interview with President & CEO David Christie

Well-Capitalized in a Tough Market

Unlike many junior explorers facing financial uncertainty, Orford completed a financing earlier in 2022 at higher share prices. With those funds, plus ongoing contributions from partner Osisko Mining at the 25% level, Orford is fully financed for continued work programs next year.

The West Raglan earn-in agreement also provides Orford with management fees and funding from project partner Wallbridge Mining. This covers expenses and allows Orford to allocate more capital to its own gold exploration projects.

As President and CEO Dave Christie stated, “We’re not hibernating like a lot of companies out there are probably not moving forward on projects right now.” Orford appears positioned to continue advancing exploration across its portfolio, even if market weakness persists into 2023.

Leveraged to Exploration Success at Three Projects

Orford’s strategy involves maintaining exposure to potential discoveries across multiple assets:

West Raglan Nickel Project

  • 713 sq km property being advanced by Wallbridge Mining through earn-in agreement
  • Existing high-grade nickel-copper-PGM discoveries and geophysical anomalies
  • 2022 drilling intercepted sulfide mineralization with assays pending

Quevillon Gold Project

  • 395 sq km land package never explored for gold before Orford
  • Multiple high-grade surface samples over 3.7 km boulder train
  • 2022 drilling discovered large gold-bearing quartz vein system

Qiqavik Gold Project

  • 260 sq km covering past-producing high-grade Eagle West gold mine
  • New gold discovery in 2022 with 46m at 0.97 g/t and 28m at 1.28 g/t
  • Geophysics and 2,000-4,000m drill program planned for winter 2023

With three large, underexplored properties covering diverse commodities, Orford diversifies discovery risk across several opportunities. Investors are positioned to benefit from potential upside on any exploration successes.

Advancing Towards Discoveries

Despite no major discoveries yet, Orford has made significant progress advancing early-stage properties towards its first potential economic deposit.

At West Raglan, exploration is at an early stage but 2022 drilling intercepted promising nickel sulfide mineralization within a known fertile geological setting. Pending assay results will guide next steps for earn-in partner Wallbridge.

On the Qiqavik Gold Project, Orford discovered broad lower grade near surface gold zones plus extensions of high-grade veins. Focus now turns to demonstrating continuity and size potential ahead of an initial resource estimate. The project benefits from proximity to infrastructure within a proven gold district.

However, most excitement surrounds the Quevillon Gold Project where Orford is exploring a completely new gold district. The extensive 2022 drilling program discovered the source: a large gold-bearing quartz vein complex enriched in pathfinder minerals. Orford now knows it is in the right place to make a major new gold discovery.

Patient Capital Could Be Rewarded

In current market conditions, many investors are focused on capital preservation or income generation. However, patient capital invested in select exploration companies may be handsomely rewarded. The key is choosing opportunities where substantial upside potential exists if exploration efforts are successful.

In Orford Mining, investors have:

  • Financial staying power to continue advancing projects
  • Diversification across multiple assets and commodities
  • Backing of strong partners like Osisko Mining
  • Potential to make major new mineral discoveries

While risks are high, rewards could also be significant. Orford offers leveraged exposure to exploration upside in a diversified portfolio of projects. Discoveries at any of its properties would likely lead to strong share price performance.

For investors with appropriate risk tolerance, Orford may warrant a small portfolio allocation. The company appears poised to continue advancing its properties in 2023, with news flow expected from exploration activities across all three projects. While patience is required, Orford offers differentiated upside potential that could generate outsized returns if its exploration efforts ultimately prove successful.

The Investment Thesis for Orford Mining

Strong management team with track record of success - Orford's management, including CEO Dave Christie, have extensive mineral exploration expertise and experience finding and advancing projects. This provides credibility in their abilities to make new discoveries.

Potential to unlock substantial value - Orford's current $25M market cap reflects little intrinsic value despite having three promising early-stage exploration projects. Major discoveries could re-rate the stock significantly higher.

Exploration catalysts upcoming - With assays pending from West Raglan drilling, ongoing news flow from Qiqavik drilling, and multiple work programs planned, Orford has continuous near-term exploration catalysts to maintain investor interest.

Takeout potential if exploration is successful - Majors are always looking to replenish resources and fill project pipelines. Orford's projects could attract takeover interest if meaningful discoveries are made, providing additional upside.

Leverage to gold and battery metals - Exposure to gold provides leverage to monetary policy and inflation protection. Battery metal exposure capitalizes on growing EV demand. Diversity across metals provides broader commodity leverage.

Summary

While risks are high for any junior explorer, Orford provides differentiated leverage to potential exploration success across a variety of attractive mineral assets. For investors comfortable with the elevated risks, it offers exciting speculative upside potential.

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