Mammoth Minerals Sells 90% of Paterson Project to Advance Americas Gold Focus
Strategic Divestment Yields Major Stake in UK Mining Explorer
Mammoth Minerals (ASX: M79) has announced a strategic divestment of its Paterson Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia, securing a 17% stake in UK-listed Cloudbreak Discovery PLC (LSE: CDL) valued at approximately AUD $3.1 million. The transaction allows Mammoth to focus on its high-grade gold projects in the United States while maintaining exposure to the Paterson Project's future success.
Under the agreement, Mammoth will receive 300 million Cloudbreak shares while retaining a 10% free-carried interest in the Paterson Project until completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study with a positive NPV. The deal reinforces Mammoth's strategic vision of becoming a focused high-grade gold and copper explorer in the Americas.
"The divestment of Paterson into Cloudbreak is consistent with our vision of being a focused high-grade gold and copper explorer in the Americas, while also having the flexibility to monetise other projects within our portfolio through deals with selected strategic partners that can crystallise significant value for shareholders," commented Executive Chairman Rob Jewson.
Paterson Project: A Copper-Rich Exploration Opportunity
The 888km² Paterson Project sits in a prime location within Western Australia's mineral-rich East Pilbara region, approximately 40km south of the Telfer Gold-Copper Mine and 260km northeast of Newman. Previous drilling has already demonstrated the project's significant potential, with multiple high-grade copper-molybdenum intercepts, including:
Drill Hole | Intercept | Depth |
---|---|---|
87WDRC2 | 17m @ 1.6% Cu, 317ppm Mo | from 84m |
87WDRC6 | 9m @ 2.0% Cu, 272ppm Mo (including 5m @ 3.1% Cu, 430ppm Mo) | from 84m |
87WDRC8 | 11m @ 1.5% Cu, 181ppm Mo (including 7m @ 2.1% Cu, 250ppm Mo) | from 83m |
87WDRC14 | 13m @ 1.1% Cu | from 107m |
The mineral assemblage of copper, gold, and molybdenum within an iron-oxide rich alteration zone at the Wanderer Prospect suggests an intrusive-related fluid system, making it a compelling exploration target.
Understanding Free-Carried Interests: A Key Advantage for Mammoth
A "free-carried interest" represents one of the most advantageous positions for a junior mining company in a partnership arrangement. By retaining a 10% free-carried interest, Mammoth will not need to contribute financially to exploration and development costs until after a positive Definitive Feasibility Study is completed.
This structure allows Mammoth to maintain significant exposure to the Paterson Project's potential upside without allocating capital or management resources to its development. Instead, Cloudbreak will fund all exploration, drilling, and feasibility studies through the most capital-intensive phases of project development.
For investors, this represents a no-cost option on future discovery success at Paterson while allowing Mammoth to focus its resources entirely on its priority American gold assets.
How Free-Carried Interests Work in Mining
In mining partnerships, a free-carried interest means one partner (Cloudbreak) bears all financial responsibility for project development up to a predetermined milestone, while the non-contributing partner (Mammoth) retains partial ownership without financial obligation.
The advantages for the non-contributing partner include:
- No capital expenditure requirements during the highest-risk exploration phase
- Maintained exposure to discovery potential without diluting resources
- Zero operational responsibility while retaining significant upside
- Preserved focus on core business operations and priority assets
This arrangement proves particularly valuable for junior explorers with multiple projects who need to allocate limited capital efficiently while maintaining diversification across their portfolio.
Transaction Structure: Phased Share Release Provides Stability
Cloudbreak has paid a $20,000 cash option fee for a two-month exclusive assessment period. If Cloudbreak proceeds with the acquisition, it will issue 330 million shares to Mammoth, with 30 million of these shares designated for transaction facilitators.
The consideration shares will be released from voluntary escrow in a staged manner:
Timeframe | Percentage Released |
---|---|
Immediate | 25% |
6 months | 25% |
12 months | 25% |
18 months | 25% |
This phased approach helps prevent market disruption while providing Mammoth with a significant strategic investment in a London-listed exploration company.
Mammoth's Growing Americas-Focused Portfolio
While divesting the Paterson Project, Mammoth continues to advance multiple high-potential projects across the Americas, including:
- Excelsior Gold Project (option to earn 80%): Located in Nevada's world-class Walker Lane trend
- Bella Gold Project (100% owned): Located near the historic Homestake Gold Mine in South Dakota
- Skyline VMS Copper-Zinc-Silver Project (option to earn 80%): District-scale opportunity in Newfoundland, Canada, encompassing a historic mine with 25km strike of prospective VMS lithology
- Picha Copper-Silver Project (100% owned): 244km² greenfield copper exploration property in Peru, part of the BHP Xplor 2025 accelerator program
- Charaque Copper Project (100% owned): 60km² copper exploration project in Southern Peru
The company's strategic shift towards North and South American assets reflects a focused approach to building a portfolio in stable mining jurisdictions with established infrastructure and strong potential for high-grade resource development.
The Strategic Value of Portfolio Optimisation
Portfolio optimisation represents a crucial strategic initiative for junior explorers with diverse asset holdings. By divesting non-core assets, companies can:
- Increase focus on priority projects – Directing management attention and technical expertise to the most promising opportunities
- Improve capital allocation – Concentrating financial resources where they can generate maximum shareholder value
- Create immediate value – Monetising secondary assets through strategic partnerships or divestments
- Maintain diversified exposure – Retaining partial ownership or equity stakes to benefit from future success
- Reduce operational complexity – Simplifying management requirements and corporate structure
For Mammoth, this transaction exemplifies effective portfolio management by converting a non-core Australian asset into both immediate value (Cloudbreak shares) and retained long-term exposure (free-carried interest) while streamlining operations to focus on American gold assets.
Why Investors Should Watch Mammoth Minerals
This strategic divestment demonstrates Mammoth's ability to unlock value from non-core assets while maintaining a focused exploration strategy on its high-grade gold and copper projects in the Americas. The transaction provides several key benefits:
- Immediate value creation through a significant equity position in Cloudbreak Discovery
- Ongoing exposure to Paterson Project upside through retained 10% free-carried interest
- Enhanced focus on high-grade gold assets in Nevada and South Dakota
- Streamlined portfolio allowing efficient capital allocation to priority projects
For investors seeking exposure to both North American precious metals exploration and strategic investments in global resource development, Mammoth Minerals offers a compelling opportunity with multiple potential catalysts across its diverse project portfolio.
"With multiple work streams underway across these exciting high-grade gold assets, we are looking to secure deals that can streamline our portfolio while also crystallising value for shareholders," said Executive Chairman Rob Jewson.
Mammoth's strategy of maintaining core focus on high-grade American gold assets while leveraging partnerships to create value from its broader portfolio positions the company for potential growth across multiple fronts in the coming years.
Ready to Invest in Mammoth's Americas Gold Strategy?
Discover how Mammoth Minerals' strategic divestment is creating shareholder value while sharpening focus on high-grade gold projects across the Americas. With a significant stake in Cloudbreak Discovery, retained exposure to the Paterson Project, and multiple promising assets in Nevada, South Dakota, Canada and Peru, Mammoth offers investors a compelling opportunity with diverse catalysts. For detailed information on their portfolio optimisation strategy and upcoming exploration programmes, visit Mammoth Minerals' website today.