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Why Orford Mining Could Be a Smart Investment

  • Orford Mining Corp, led by President and CEO David Christie, focuses on gold and critical minerals exploration in Quebec, housing two gold projects and a large nickel project.
  • Wyloo Metals is partnering with Orford, earning 51% into the nickel project.
  • Orford has recently staked a new lithium project covering 455 square kilometers, arousing significant investor interest, given the rising global demand for lithium.
  • The company plans to intensively explore its lithium assets as part of its summer program, alongside ongoing gold exploration.
  • Quebec's supportive environment for mining, particularly for critical minerals, provides a favorable backdrop for ORM's diversified exploration activities.

Exploring for Lithium & Gold in Quebec

Orford Mining is an exploration company focused on lithium, gold, and nickel projects in the vastly underexplored Nunavik region of northern Quebec. With high commodity prices, strong government support, and promising early results, Orford presents an intriguing investment opportunity.

Interview with President & CEO David Christie

Favorable Location in Mining-Friendly Quebec

Quebec offers a supportive jurisdiction for mining companies to operate, with a government that actively promotes the industry through various incentives and assistance programs. Compared to other Canadian provinces, Quebec provides an advantageous environment for companies like Orford Mining.

Additionally, Orford's projects are all located in the relatively underexplored Nunavik region. This presents substantial upside potential, as major discoveries could still be made in this geologically prospective land. While remote, Nunavik benefits from existing infrastructure at nearby mines that Orford may be able to utilize.

Promising Lithium Assets

Orford's newly acquired lithium properties cover 455 sq km over a highly prospective area, including known lithium-bearing pegmatites. Grab samples from historical mapping on the claims returned significant lithium values. Furthermore, the properties encompass lake sediment anomalies that are interpreted to indicate lithium-rich bedrock sources nearby.

With lithium prices up over 700% in the past 2 years, now is the time to advance these assets. Orford plans systematic exploration including mapping, sampling, and geophysics this summer to delineate drill targets. The discovery of large-scale lithium mineralization could drive substantial shareholder value.

Advancing the High-Grade West Raglan Ni-Cu-PGM Project

Orford's West Raglan project is located just 80 km from Glencore's Raglan mine, one of the world's lowest cost nickel operations. Orford signed an earn-in agreement with Wyloo Metals in early 2021, under which Wyloo can earn up to 80% of the project by spending $25 million and completing a feasibility study.

Wyloo has already earned 51% interest in West Raglan by spending over $10 million. While exploration work this summer will be fairly limited, Wyloo's continued involvement demonstrates confidence in the project's potential. Drill programs are planned to resume in 2024.

Making New Gold Discoveries

In addition to lithium and nickel, Orford's projects offer exposure to gold. At the Qiqavik project in Nunavik, Orford is hunting the source of high-grade boulders over 640 g/t Au. The company has re-interpreted glacial till patterns and identified promising drill targets near the mineralized boulders. Extensive RAB drilling and IP geophysics will test these targets this summer.

Meanwhile at the Joutel-Eagle project in central Quebec, Orford has delineated a new gold zone that could be advanced to a maiden resource estimate in 2023 after another round of drilling. While early stage, making a new gold discovery would be impactful for a junior like Orford.

Seasoned Management to Unlock Potential

Orford Mining is led by an experienced exploration team that previously generated significant value at Fission Uranium. The technical team has a track record of discovery and hands-on experience in the region. This provides confidence that Orford's projects will be advanced efficiently and systematically.

With a tight capital structure and several promising assets that are actively being explored, Orford Mining presents a compelling speculation. The company offers leverage to surging commodity prices and the upside potential of new discoveries in an underexplored jurisdiction. Risk tolerant investors may want to take a closer look at this story.

Investment Thesis

Multiple Shots on Goal

Orford Mining has several projects across three different commodities - lithium, nickel, and gold. This provides multiple opportunities for a significant discoveries or advancements that could drive value. The diversified portfolio mitigates risk, as positive results in any one commodity could lift the share price.

Undervalued Based on Peers

Many lithium and gold exploration companies have seen huge share price gains recently based on the potential of their early-stage assets. Orford is still valued similarly to peers from 12 months ago, before the hype in these sectors took hold. Positive results could quickly close this valuation gap.

Tight Share Structure

Orford Mining has under 100 million shares outstanding and appears to be well-funded for its near-term exploration. This means that any discoveries or exploration success would be impactful on a per share basis without excessive dilution. The share registry has few weak hands.

Leading Edge of Critical Minerals Wave

Global electrification and decarbonization trends are dramatically increasing demand for critical minerals like lithium and nickel. Orford is positioned at the forefront of this wave. Additionally, securing domestic supplies of these strategic commodities is a policy priority for many governments.

Summary

Orford Mining offers substantial upside potential through several de-risked projects in sectors seeing surging demand. For risk-tolerant investors, it could be ideal speculation in the critical minerals and gold exploration space.

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