MFM's diverse properties offer much potenial.
The strategy of Marifil Mines Ltd. (TSX:V.MFM, Stock Forum) seems similar to that of Franco Nevada (TSX: T.FNV, Stock Forum): Prospect out a property with good potential, get in a larger joint venture partner to shoulder the development costs, and then collect royalties after production commences. MFM is focused solely in Argentina, where is has a variety of resources
In various Argentine provinces MFM is prospecting for Au, Ag, In (indium), Pb, Zn, Mo, Cu, cement-grade limestone, Ni, Co, PGM, U, and oil/natural gas. Activities are in 18 properties across seven provinces. This company is no one-trick pony.
Having thrown off the Peronist junta in 1983 in place of a democratic system and surviving the economic crises of the 1990s, Argentina has been stable politically and economically since 2002. Although Argentina is on good relations with other South American nations, it does not seem to have caught the socialist nationalization trend of so many of its neighbours, such as Venezuela, Ecuador, or Bolivia, that has put a halt to mineral exploration in those countries.
The current share price is hovering around 40 cents, but it had a recent pop to 89 cents a couple of months back due to results from one of its PGM projects that is a JV with Castillian Resources (TSX: V.CT, Stock Forum). The project centers on the historic Las Aguilas Mine and neighbouring areas that the layered ultramafic complex extends to. Values of 0.61 g/t to 2.10 g/t Pt+Pd were found over significant widths (7.0 to 14.68 m) and zones up to 5.66 g/t Pt were found in smaller zones (~1.0 m). In terms of base metals, grab samples on the property have returned values of up to 6.71% Cu, 2.21% Ni, and 0.21% Co. Following the company strategy, CT is earning an interest in the Las Aguilas Ni-Cu-PGM project from MFM.
Aside from PGM, the In deposits are of particular interest as the metal is used in LCD screens. Old-fashioned CRT monitors and TVs are longer being produced and the increase in LCD screen production has resulted in a rise in In prices (see image below).
Current In prices average between $800/kg and $900/kg. The demand caused by the LCD market for In is supplemented by other uses in the chemical and electronics industries. In commonly occurs in sphalerite ((Zn, Fe) S) by replacing iron or zinc. In grades of up to 0.5 kg/t over 4.5 m have been found in core from the San Roque property (epithermal Au-Ag-Zn-Pb-In breccia vein deposit).
MFM has another JV with ATW Venture Corp. (TSX: V.ATW, Stock Forum) on the Amarillo epithermal Au-Ag and Cu-Au porphyry deposit. Although sampling has recently started on this project, early grab samples have returned values of up to 2251 g/t Au (65.28 oz/t) from a 10 cm wide vein. This property is located in the same gold belt as Barrick’s (TSX: T.ABX, Stock Forum) Veladero and Pascua Llama deposits. The geology is also similar to that of the Newmont (NYSE: NEM, Stock Forum)–Buenaventura (NYSE: BVN, Stock Forum) Yanacocha Mine in Peru. ATW can earn up to 70% interest in the property over five years in return for investing resources in the project. What is interesting about this deposit is that in addition to the potential for high grade Au and Ag, there is also the potential for high tonnage as well, as most porphyry-type deposits are quite large in volume, being the leftover hydrothermal systems associated with volcanism at convergent oceanic-continental boundaries.
MFM has two non-metal projects: Mina El Carmen (oil/gas) and Punta Colorado (limestone). Although these commodities are not their specialty, the intent of the company as expressed to me by a company representative at last March’s PDAC is to sell them or enter into a JV in order to begin production and use the proceeds to fund their core metals exploration. Due to the nature of the deposit, MFM management believes that it will be much easier to exploit (particularly the limestone) or sell off one or both of these assets than any of the metal properties. They also believe that in the long run many of the metal assets will prove to be more lucrative than the non-metal ones.
MFM certainly has a diverse set of properties with much potential. Its main challenge right now is to better define the deposits that have returned such promising values: Amarillo, Las Aguilas, and San Roque. To do so, this means coming up with enough cash for the drills. This may be difficult as MFM (using 2007 annual financials) has only about $1,000,000 (CAD) in cash and equivalents in the bank, and about $380,000 in debt. Its burn rate for 2007 was about $500,000, so it should probably be good until the end of the year, even if it ramps up spending on drilling a little. Using its FNV-inspired plan, it should be able to mitigate these costs as JV partners take on a higher share as operators.
It seems that with its sound corporate strategy, diverse holdings, and liquid properties, MFM is poised to continue returning strong results from Argentina in spite of economic pressures on junior explorers.
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Disclaimer: The suthor holds 1,000 shares of Marifil Mines. This article is intended for entertainment purposes only and is based on the author’s personal opinion and experience. Investors are responsible for their own due diligence when investing.
