Patagonia Gold secures $40M for Argentina project

Patagonia Gold (TSXV: PGDC) said on Monday it has secured an investment of $40 million (C$55.5 million) to support the development of its main Calcatreu project in Rio Negro, central Argentina. Shares of the company jumped.

The investment is being led by Argentine businessman Carlos J. Miguens, a director and major shareholder of the company with a 43% equity stake, the Canadian junior said. 

Patagonia’s stock rose 43% to 5¢ apiece for a new 52-week high. The Argentina-focused explorer has a market capitalization of $23.2 million.

Calcatreu is estimated to hold more than 1 million oz. in gold-equivalent resources, including 746,000 measured and indicated ounces. The project is located 85 km south of the town of Ing Jacobacci, and about 1,575 km southwest of Buenos Aires.  

Under the investment agreement, Black River Mine — a newly created company controlled by Miguens — will acquire 40 million preferred shares of Patagonia’s subsidiary that holds the Calcatreu project. In exchange, Black River would have the right to a 40% interest in the project and cash distributions from the gold operation.

Patagonia acquired the project from Pan American Silver (TSX: PAAS) in 2018 for $15 million, and has since been working to bring the deposit towards production. Last November, the company secured all permits for the mine’s construction.

In addition to Calcatreu, Patagonia also holds a number of projects in Argentina’s Santa Cruz province, including three advanced-stage gold-silver assets.