ArcWest and Freeport-McMoRan Mineral
Properties Canada
 have signed an agreement to
advance the development of the
 former’s Todd
Creek copper-gold project in Canada.

Located in British Columbia (BC)’s Golden Triangle
, the Todd Creek project adjoins Newcrest Mining’s
Brucejack mine property. It is situated 40km
south-east of Seabridge Gold’s KSM-Iron Cap
porphyry copper/gold deposit and Tudor Gold’s
Treaty Creek gold/silver/copper project.

According to the earn-in deal, Freeport holds a
two-stage option to earn up to 80% in the Todd
Creek project over a period of up to ten years.

 

Freeport will initially have the option to earn an
initial 51% stake in the project by funding C$20m
of work expenditures over five years and paying
C$900,000 in cash to ArcWest.

Upon earning 51% in the project, Freeport can elect
to earn a further 29% in the Todd Creek project to
bring its total stake to 80%.

In exchange, Freeport will fund another C$30m
within the following five years, as well as pay
C$750,000 in cash to ArcWest.

Commenting on the move, ArcWest president and
CEO Tyler Ruks said: “ArcWest’s Todd Creek
project is host to one of the largest underexplored
copper-gold systems in BC’s Golden Triangle, and
Freeport’s endorsement of the project is a
testament to its potential for hosting a world-class
copper-gold deposit.

“ArcWest is in discussions with multiple mining
companies regarding potential earn-in agreements
for our additional copper-gold projects.”

 

In accordance with the agreement, ArcWest and Freeport will fund the project cost on pro rata share on a 51:49 or 80:20
basis, upon Freeport finalising earned stake at
either a 51% or 80% level.