Thunder Mountain hires Ocean Partners for S. Mountain

Executive Summary

• Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. has entered an options review phase with Ocean Partners USA Inc. to evaluate near-term production pathways for its South Mountain mine in Idaho.
• The review is part of a small-scale mining initiative between Thunder Mountain and MFD Investment Holdings SA, coordinated by MFD.
• The objective is to determine the most executable and economic route for production, with a target commencement of operations in 2026, subject to metallurgical results, commercial terms, and permitting.

Key Details

• Parties Involved: Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. (Company), Ocean Partners USA Inc. (Trader specializing in base and precious metal ores/concentrates), MFD Investment Holdings SA (Coordinator/Partner).
• Asset: South Mountain mine, located in Owyhee County, Idaho (historic former Anaconda Mining development producing zinc, silver, gold, lead, and copper).
• Objective: Evaluate near-term production pathways including toll milling, direct shipping ore, and concentrate production.
• Timeline: Targeting potential commencement of operations in 2026. No production decision has been made yet.
• Work Streams:
  • Metallurgical Testwork: Sample selection and testing to evaluate recoveries across all metals, product specifications, and compatibility with toll processing.
  • Processing Pathways: Reviewing toll-milling and direct shipping/sales options with Ocean Partners and qualified processors, including production throughput and campaign scheduling.
  • Production Scenarios: Evaluation of concentrates versus direct ship, or toll milling and blending scenarios for silver, zinc, gold, and copper recovery.
  • Sequencing and Services: Assessment of production sequencing and possibilities for third-party services in execution of the preferred pathway.
  • Commercial/Economic Evaluation: Scoping-level cash flow and sensitivity work incorporating processing, transport, and indicative commercial terms.
  • Logistics and Compliance: High-level review of haulage, permitting interfaces, and product marketing considerations.
• Strategic Context: This work is undertaken under the small-scale mining initiative between Thunder Mountain and MFD Investment.

Notable Quotes

• "Engaging Ocean Partners at this stage allows MFD and Thunder Mountain Gold to evaluate pathways for near-term production from metallurgical compatibility to commercial terms," commented Eric T. Jones, president and chief executive officer of Thunder Mountain Gold. "The objective in this options review phase is to assemble decision quality data on toll milling and ore concentrate production so we can select the most executable and economic route forward."