Monthly Archives: September 2021

As rural towns become the new mecca for remote high-tech workers, getaway destinations for city dwellers escaping Covid, and refuges for people fleeing fire-ravaged regions, Southern Oregons coastal communities are collaboratively exploring emerging blue economies to create local, living-wage jobs while combating threats of climate change.

Gary Burns, a city council member in Port Orford, Oregon, has seen what a homogenous economy in a small town can lead to. For decades after logging left, this town crippled along, he said. Houses started to decay. Tourism was the only thing to grab on to. When your community is so small, you just dont have the same dynamic of bigger towns to draw in different kinds of manufacturing or companies to come in.

With increasing fears of global warming and its impact on Oregons coastal waters, regional business and organizational leaders are exploring ways to promote economic growth, through blue markets that merge traditional ocean livelihoods with innovative enterprises focusing on stewardship of marine ecosystems along with social and cultural inclusion.

In 2018 the Food and Agriculture Organization reported that approximately 350 million jobs worldwide are tied to the ocean or coastal economic activities, including aquaculture (the farming of fish, crustaceans, algae, and other marine organisms), which will be providing 60% of fish for human consumption by 2030. Situated along the worlds most pristine waters, remote southern Oregon coastal towns are poised to be key stakeholders in these rapidly evolving, sea-based industries.

In June of 2020, the state of Oregon and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) committed to offshore wind energy planning. Three months later, The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) passed resolution 20 083, Supporting Research Into Developing Clean, Renewable, Floating Offshore Wind Energy (FOW). Led by Mark Petrie, a 33-year-old enrolled member of the Hanis Band of the Coos Tribe, the resolution stated the following reasons for The Confederated Tribes to pursue FOW research: To assert Tribal sovereignty by taking a lead in becoming more energy independent; bring maximum socio-economic benefits to the Tribes traditional territory in the form of long-term, sustainable family jobs; and ensure the new use of ocean energy be developed in such a way as to minimize potential effects on the cultural and natural resources of the Tribe, ocean environment and its other responsible ocean users.

It was further resolved that the Tribe will seek to collaborate with other coastal tribes and regional or national intertribal organizations.

These are all really big things for our small little coastal town of Coos Bay, Petrie said. Having a possible wind project off of our small area here could change this area dramatically, and could also possibly change it in a negative way for cultural resources, natural resources. I wanted to make sure nothing was done while we werent at the table. Our chief says often, If youre not at the table, then youre on the menu. For tribes that is true a lot. When different agencies are working and divvying out the resources and looking at things, theyve not had tribes at the table very often.

A growing number of scientists, fishers, port directors, and community leaders believe its long past time to make sure all voices are at the table. If were going to find a future through the economic and climate changes ahead of us, we need to do it together, said Tom Calvanese, Oregon State Universitys Port Orford Field Station manager.

Over the last eight years, Calvanese has consulted with CTCLUSI researchers as the Port of Port Orford forwarded its redevelopment initiative and began raising capital to construct its state-of-the-art facility. The site plan includes a live fish processing center, marine research labs, retail space for future sea-based enterprises, and expanded ecotour and recreational access. To have a sustainable blue economy we must have a healthy ocean. My goal is to foster greater awareness across all sectors, from researchers to adventurists, to safeguard our seas, said Dave Lacey, owner of South Coast Tours.

The centerpiece of the plan is a 500 gallons-per-minute seawater retrieval system, pumping water directly from the ocean. Aaron Ashdown, a second-generation commercial fisherman, and the Ports president, explained its importance: Having live tanks provides added value for our catch. A live rockfish might bring $7 a pound versus $1.50 a pound if its dead. With Port Orford being so far removed from large cities like the Bay Area, Seattle, and Portland, our products are more valuable if they can be sold live.

If we are to turn around the ravages of time in these coastal communities, its critical to create family-wage jobs, added Calvanese. The Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) reported the average for income tourist-based service sectors is $20,000 a year. In comparison, the fisheries sector and all its related industries is around $70,000. Through our redevelopment initiatives, we hope to create more opportunities for better paying, living-wage jobs.

In Bandon, thirty miles north, the ports partnership with a privately-owned dulse aquafarm originated from a joint effort with a grower in Port Orford. Its encouraging to see communities let go of the scarcity mindset and work together rather than competing for resources, said Jeff Griffin, the ports manager. There are endless opportunities to cultivate a thriving blue economy beyond the boundaries of our small towns, while also protecting our seas. In our water sampling project with the Coquille Indian Tribe, their resource management department gets the ease of access to monitor and collect vital scientific data. The Port gets a complete water analysis, ensuring we farm the highest quality marine-cultivated products that can be sold to restaurants, markets, and environmentally conscious industries locally as well as nationally.

Two thousand miles eastward, Kevin Bishop, a certified hemp grower in Marathon, Texas, population 380, depends on sea-based fertilizers and salmon/fish byproducts to farm organically. I buy many of my fertilizers from the Northwest. With all the refineries and contaminants in the Gulf of Mexico, the water here is too polluted, he said. The success of small, environmentally-conscious industries are interdependent, just like the environment. Whats happening in Southern Oregon can affect industries nationwide, for better or worse. With the mindfulness of the blue economy and sharing knowledge and resources, I think itll be for the better.

Forming value-centered partnerships within and across regions using a sustainable blue economy model can help fuel innovative industries within communities often left behind as infrastructure and resources get directed to more populated regions.

In a meeting along Bandons Port, Brenda Meade, Chairman of the Coquille Indian Tribe, addressed a multigenerational crowd, including community members, commissioners, business owners, sea industries, and representatives from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Weve come to seek Port of Bandons support. With the worst salmon returns in the entire state of Oregon, salmon on the Coquille River could be extinct in less than three years, she said. If we dont start being good stewards and start fixing the problems weve caused, our salmon will be gone forever. I will not let this happen. Not on my watch. I could scream to our representatives in D.C., but no one is listening. It will take all of us here right, left, businesses and organizations right here, right now, to save this vital resource.

After fifty minutes of discussion, the port passed a resolution to join the Coquille Tribe in its efforts to reclaim salmon.

These remote southern Oregon coastal communities are at the epicenter of a precipitously changing seascape. We all live under the same sky. We all share the same waters, Calvanese said. Its exciting to see us all think more as a community about how we coordinate our efforts in a way thats beneficial to everyone, whether its here or anywhere in the world. In these seemingly remote towns, we are at the center of making a huge difference.

Additional reporting by Jan Pytalski.

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From Extraction to Sustainability: Oregons Southern Coast and the Emerging Blue Economy - Daily Yonder

(All amounts referred to are in US$ currency)

PEA Summary Results

TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascendant Resources Inc. (TSX: ASND) (FRA: 2D9) ("Ascendant" or the "Company) is extremely pleased to announce robust economic results from its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at its Lagoa Salgada VMS project in Portugal. The PEA presents a low capex, low operating cost, high margin underground mining operation with strong economics and the opportunity for significant benefit to the Company, the local stakeholders, and will boost Portugals economy through exports, taxes and local employment.

The PEA was completed by QUADRANTE, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting company with more than 23 years of activity and projects completed in Europe, Africa and the Americas, and mine planning, design and engineering undertaken by IGAN INGENIERA, an independent consulting firm specializing in mine planning and engineering for open pit and underground mining projects and operations based in Spain.

The PEA is based upon the Companys current Mineral Resource Estimate completed by MICON International reported in a NI 43-101 report dated March 26, 2021, updated on June 10, 2021, and focuses on the mining and processing of ore from both the North Zone and the South Zones at the Venda Nova area. The PEA demonstrates robust economics for Lagoa Salgada based on the current defined resources, however, the company anticipates that future exploration work to define additional resources should extend the mine life or increase the scale of the outlined operation.

Mark Brennan, CEO & Chairman of Ascendant stated, We are extremely pleased with the results from this new PEA which highlights the strong potential of the Project to deliver significant value to all stakeholders going forward. This PEA is transformative and one of the most significant milestones for Ascendant to date, demonstrating a high-quality project with strong economics and a progressive environmentally conscious mine design. Our consulting engineers and management team have set the basis for a quality feasibility study which is planned to start in Q4 2021. We look forward to completion of the Feasibility Study by the end of 2022, which should provide a solid foundation for the start of the build phase.

He continued, While the PEA has demonstrated potential for a very robust project, it is extremely important to reiterate that Lagoa Salgada is still in its infancy from a geological understanding perspective and is still in the discovery stage of the total resource endowment we believe is present on the property. There has been less than 40,000 meters drilled to date on the property and geophysical studies indicate that our qualified resources are just the beginning of the resource potential on the property. We believe this highlights the world class potential of the Lagoa Salgada property.

The PEA for the Lagoa Salgada Project is being prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Company intends to file the final PEA on its profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) within 45 days of this news release.

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.

Project Overview

The Lagoa Salgada Project is located within the north-western section of the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) in Portugal, approximately 80 km southeast of Lisbon and is accessible by national highways and roads. The Project is comprised of a single exploration permit covering an area of approximately 10,700 hectares.

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IBP) is host to some of the worlds largest VMS deposits (80) and mines such as Neves-Corvo (Lundin Mining Corporation), Aguas Tenidas (Trafigura Mining Group) and Aljustrel (ALMINA). It represents the largest concentration of massive sulphide deposits in the world, forming an arch through Portugal and Spain about 250 km long and 30-50 km wide and has produced more than 1,750 million tonnes of massive sulfide ore and 2,500 million tonnes of mineralized stockwork over the past hundred years.

PEA Overview

The table below outlines the key project metrics on a 100% basis:

A financial model was completed based on the mine plan developed in addition to other inputs such as mining inventory and rates, processing throughputs and metallurgical recoveries, capital and operating costs, net smelter return (NSR) royalties, government royalty and taxation parameters.

Mineral Resource Estimates

The PEA is based upon the recently updated Mineral Resource Estimate summarized as of June 17, 2021, and has been estimated in alignment with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (CIM, 2019) and reported in accordance with NI 43-101 by MICON International. The PEA is based on the total combined resources of both the North and South zones at Lagoa Salgada as currently defined.

The details of the Mineral Resource Estimate are shown in the table below:

Mineral Resource Estimate for the North and South zones within the Lagoa Salgada Project - June 2021

LS Project North Deposit Resources Effective September 5, 2019, Reported at Cut-off Grades Shown in Table

LS Property South Deposit Updated Resources Effective June 10, 2021, Reported at 1.10% CuEq

Notes To Table1. Mineral resources unlike mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.2. The mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with the CIM Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and the CIM Definition Standards (2014).3. The resources for the South Zone are reported at a cut-off grade of 1.10 % CuEq; for the North zone, resources contained in the Gossan and Stringer domains are reported at a cut-off grade of 2.5 % ZnEq, and within the Massive Sulphide domain at 3.0 % ZnEq.4. Totals may not tally due to rounding5. CuEq% = ((Zn Grade*25.35)+(Pb Grade*23.15)+(Cu Grade * 67.24)+(Au Grade*40.19)+(Ag Grade*0.62))/67.246. ZnEq% = ((Zn Grade*25.35)+(Pb Grade*23.15)+(Cu Grade * 67.24)+(Au Grade*40.19)+(Ag Grade*0.62)+(Sn Grade*191.75))/25.357. Metal Prices: Cu $6,724/t, Zn $2,535/t, Pb $2,315/t, Au $1,250/oz, Ag $19.40/oz, Sn $19,175/t8. Densities: GO=3.12, MS=4.76, Str=2.88, Str/Fr=2.88 (north Zone) & 3.00 (South Zone)9. MMlb: Million Pounds.

Mining Design

The mine is designed using a single access ramp from surface and will target the extraction of ore from both the north and south zones at a rate of 2.0 million tonnes per annum. The initial years will focus more highly on the north zone due to the higher grade profile with additional ore delivered from the south zone.

The proposed underground mine design incorporates a main decline, starting from the surface portal located close to the processing plant, which will be used to access the mine. This main access then splits into two independent declines , one for each mine zone (i.e., North and South). The underground mine is planned to support the extraction of 2.0 million tonnes of ore per year (Mtpa) through a combination of transverse sublevel stoping and cut&fill. Paste backfill is used in both mining methods to maximize ore recovery and productivity.

The use of an independent decline for each orebody, instead of one decline serving both zones, was chosen to reduce the initial Capital Cost (CAPEX) considering that production starts earlier in the North zone.

A fleet of LHDs (Load-Haul-Dump) and trucks will be used for material loading and hauling from production areas to the orepass system. From the orepass collecting points, trucks will be hauling the ore to the surface. Waste is also transported to the surface by trucks.

A pre-production development program will be required to provide access to the initial stoping levels in the North zone during the first two years. Production will start in the second year, reaching the nominal plant feed in the fourth year.

Based upon the current resources available, the mine life is estimated at 14 years, however, this excludes any benefit of future exploration. We note the North and South deposits remain open to depth and along strike, with additional satellite targets also available for future exploration. Relative to other operations in the IPB Lagoa Salgada remains relatively shallow with significant room to grow over time.

Metallurgy and Processing

Metallurgical test work has been carried out by Grinding Solutions Ltd. (GSL) as outlined in the Press Release dated September 9, 2021. Studies were conducted on the massive sulphide material form the North zone, Stockwork material from the South zone and on blended ore as planned under the mine plan. Results support that a conventional polymetallic process flowsheet capable of recovering coper, lead, zinc, gold and silver. The flotation tailings will be leached for additional gold and silver values. The oxide ore can be leached to recover precious metals. Tin will be recovered from processing the tails material by flotation.

The projected recoveries and concentrate grades are presented in the table below are estimated for the project based on recent test results and the extensive experience working with polymetallic ores in the IPB. Additional testing is planned to as the project moves towards feasibility.

Operating Costs

The PEA contemplates an underground mine from which mineralized material will be trucked to a conventional IPB crushing, grinding and floatation concentration plant located close to the main portal.

The operating costs were estimated using external databases, refined with benchmark costs from operations on the IPB. These costs were scaled to the estimated production rates and to the labor costs in Portugal. LOM operating costs are summarized in the table below:

Operating Cost Estimate

Average unit mining costs of $19.13/tonne were estimated based on the proposed mine plan, local cost benchmarking and experience from similar operations in other operating mines in the IPB and local conditions. It is envisaged that the mining operations will be carried out by a contractor.

Average processing costs of $15.89/tonne were estimated based on the design process flowsheet and considered process labour requirements and rates, as well as calculated consumption rates of reagents, consumables, electricity, and maintenance.

Capital Costs

Up front capital costs are estimated at $132 million, inclusive of a 10% contingency and closure costs. Up front capital costs have been minimized via a staged build out of certain life of mine infrastructure such as the tailing dam, paste backfill and a ramp up in the mine fleet as needed by production. Sustaining capital over the life of mine is estimated at $102MM million.

The accuracy range for the capital costs is expected to be 35% which is consistent with industry standards for a PEA. All costs are expressed in 2021 US$ and uses an exchange rate EUR:US$ of 1.2 where applicable. A summary of the Lagoa Salgada capital cost estimates is shown in the table below:

Capital Cost Estimate

Site Infrastructure

Lagoa Salgada is well situated to benefit from the well-established regional infrastructure to support mine development with access to skilled labour, roads, ports and the national electrical grid. Lagoa Salgada is situated in southern Portugal about 100km south west of Lisbon, in close proximity to the town of Grndola, and is currently accessed via paved roads to Cilha do Pascoal, followed by 4 km of gravel roads to the mine site.

The site will require an office, changeroom, shop and warehouse as well as storage for fuel, laydown areas, site fencing, and a security building. An allowance for a total of 2,600 m2of building space has been included in the PEA.

The anticipated direct infrastructure for the Project includes an electrical substation, paste plant, equipment maintenance workshop, refueling facilities, assay laboratory, office administration facilities and changing rooms, among others.

The tailings and waste rock disposal concepts were developed in full compliance with the most current standards for sustainable tailings management, including consideration of Best Available Practices (BAT) and Technologies. The method considered in the PEA includes co-disposal of filtered tailings and mine waste rock, in addition to the novel implementation of Geotubes for additional risk reduction for the dry-stacked tailings.

Exploration and Geological Potential Update

Current geological understanding suggests that the original spatial breakdown of the Venda Nova deposit at Lagoa Salgada into the North, Central and South deposits was arbitrary. This segmentation is due to the drilling pattern. Ascendant believes that mineralization continuity gaps are probably related to varying strike, dip, and plunge along the system further systematic drilling may prove that the known sectors are likely to coalesce into a continuous zinc-lead-copper VMS system, displaying local variation of mineralization styles and tenors: from secondary gossan to primary massive sulphide ending with peripheral primary/secondary stringer/fissure type mineralization. This interpretation is backed by continuity of the geophysical footprint.

Notably the current northern edge of the southern zone, that shows a North-Northwest plunge shows a significant increase in gold tenors. This zone warrants systematic drilling as it could reflect deeper stringer levels that can carry high precious metal grades. Surface and Borehole 3D Models show that all three Venda Nova deposits lie on continuous, coincidental Resistivity (Low) and Chargeability (High) anomalies with an estimated geological strike length of 1.7 km. Anomalies extend in a SSE to NNW direction from the South deposit to beyond the North deposit and terminating against the Alpine fault. Combined drilling and geophysical results indicate that the mineralization remains open beyond the current limits of drilling, along strike in both directions and down plunge/dip.

The known footprint of the large continuous system is constrained vertically by the depth of penetration of the IP/Res system, ~ 350 m. A deep penetrating Electro Magnetic (DEPM) survey will be completed in Q4 2021 aiming to image the roots of the IP/Res anomalies and test the existence of high-grade massive sulphide lenses below the current threshold of the geophysical footprint (350 m below surface)

Ascendant firmly believes that the large proven footprint of the Lagoa Salgada VMS system suggests high potential exploration upside at the property. Given the size of the system it is probable that the exhalative system recognized at Lagoa Salgada is associated with fertile deep-rooted fractures that may be related to additional stacked or lateral mineralized lenses.

Qualified Persons

Technical work on the PEA was guided by Charley Murahwi, M.Sc., P.Geo., Pr. Sci. Nat., FAusIMM, Senior Economic Geologist, Micon International Limited, who was also responsible for the resource determination and metallurgical results validation, who will act as the QP for the NI 43-101 report. Work regarding the site infrastructure was undertaken by Joo Nunes, Mining Engineer, BSc (Mine Eng), director of Quadrante, SA QUADRANTE, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting company with more than 23 years of activity and projects completed in Europe, Africa and Americas. QUADRANTEs activity focuses across 7 main business Units Industry and Energy (including Mining Segment), Buildings, Transports, Airports, Environment, Water Utilities, and Construction Management and Supervision, QUADRANTE has been involved in recent years in several mining projects, mainly in Portugal, Spain, Chile, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe and has a staff of over 200 employees. The company has significant direct experience at numerous operations within the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

Mine planning, design and engineering it was the responsibility of PAblo Gancedo Minguez, Mining Engineer, BSc (Mine Eng), Director of IGAN Ingeniera, SL,IGAN INGENIERA, an independent consulting firm specializing in mine planning and engineering for open pit and underground mining projects and operations. Based in Spain, IGAN has completed projects across 8 countries and 3 continents for international mining companies (both private and publicly listed), equity firms and state-owned companies. The company has significant direct experience at numerous operations within the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

Metallurgical test work was carried out by Jon Rumbles, MCSM Project Metallurgist for Grinding Solutions Limited (GSL), a UK mineral processing services company with a strong technical knowledge on the mineral processing of the IBP ores and has been guided by Micon International, who was also responsible for the metallurgical results validation, resource determination and will act as the QP for the NI 43-101 preliminary economic assessment report.

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Joo Nunes, Mining Engineer, BSc (Mine Eng), director of Quadrante and by Dr. Sergio Gelcich, P.Geo., Vice President for Exploration for Ascendant Resources Ltd. Both are all Qualified Persons as defined in NI 43-101.The QPs have reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

About Ascendant Resources Inc.

Ascendant is a Toronto-based mining company focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. Through focused exploration and aggressive development plans, the Company aims to unlock the inherent potential of the project, maximizing value creation for shareholders.

Lagoa Salgada contains over 10.33 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated Resources @ 9.06 % ZnEq and 2.50 million tonnes of Inferred Resources @ 5.93 % ZnEq in the North Zone; and 4.42 million tones of Indicated Resources @ 1.50 % CuEq and 10.83 million tonnes of Inferred resources @ 1.35 % CuEq in the South Zone at Venda Nova. The deposit demonstrates typical mineralization characteristics of Iberian Pyrite Belt VMS deposits containing zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 10,700ha property concession. The project also demonstrates compelling economics with scalability for future resource growth in the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment. Located just 80km from Lisbon, Lagoa Salgada is easily accessible by road and surrounded by exceptional Infrastructure. Ascendant holds a 21.25% interest in the Lagoa Salgada project through its 25% position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda, ("Redcorp") and has an earn-in opportunity to increase its interest in the project to 80%. Mineral & Financial Investments Limited owns the additional 75% of Redcorp. The remaining 15% of the project is held by Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A., a Portuguese Government owned company supporting the strategic development of the country's mining sector. The Company's interest in the Lagoa Salgada project offers a low-cost entry to a potentially significant exploration and development opportunity, already demonstrating its mineable scale.

The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ASND". For more information on Ascendant, please visit our website atwww.ascendantresources.com.

Additional information relating to the Company, including the Preliminary Economic Assessment referenced in this news release, is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact:

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "guidance", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "strategy", "target", "intends", "objective", "goal", "understands", "anticipates" and "believes" (and variations of these or similar words) and statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" "occur" or "be achieved" or "will be taken" (and variations of these or similar expressions). Forward-looking information is also identifiable in statements of currently occurring matters which may continue in the future, such as "providing the Company with", "is currently", "allows/allowing for", "will advance" or "continues to" or other statements that may be stated in the present tense with future implications. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by this cautionary note.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the exploration activities and the results of such activities at the Lagoa Salgada Project, the ability of the Company to advance the Lagoa Salgada Project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment, and the ability of the Company to fund the exploration with funds from operations. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by Ascendant at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The material factors or assumptions that Ascendant identified and were applied by Ascendant in drawing conclusions or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the success of the exploration activities at Lagoa Salgada Project, the Company advancing the project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment, the ability of the Company to fund the exploration program at Lagoa Salgada with funds from operations , and other events that may affect Ascendant's ability to develop its project; and no significant and continuing adverse changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets.

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Ascendant Resources Announces After Tax NPV of $246 Million With an After Tax IRR of 55% From Its Preliminary Economic Assessment at Its Lagoa Salgada...

TitledThe future of onshore wind decommissioning in Scotland, the report finds that around 5,500 wind turbines will be decommissioned in Scotland by 2050 which, according to Zero Waste Scotland, represents a quantified opportunity to grow Scotlands remanufacturing sector in line with NetZero ambitions.

Todays report launch coincides with the opening of Renewable Parts Ltd.s new innovation centre, a Lochgilphead-based organisation supported by Zero Waste Scotlands Circular Economy Investment Fund, whose recent expansion signals positive domestic economic growth in Scotlands wind turbine refurbishment sector.

The ground-breaking report findings go on to identify a need for future reprocessing infrastructure and storage locations to support the demands of wind turbine decommissioning, as well as opportunities to increase skills and expertise in reuse and refurbishment in wind turbines in Scotland and creating green jobs.

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater said:There is a huge circular economy opportunity in Scotlands already thriving renewable energy sector. Scotlands renewable energy businesses have already helped to deliver significant reductions in our energy emissions and provided high quality green jobs. Now, with many of the first generation of turbines reaching the end of their working lifespan, we have an opportunity to repurpose those valuable materials into new energy infrastructure or for other high value use. By embracing the circular economy, Scotlands renewable sector can become even greener, while also delivering more high-skilled jobs in Scotland.

Wind turbine decommissioning presents an enormous opportunity for value retention within Scotland. End of life for the first generation of wind turbines is now upon us and we must invest boldly in the infrastructure and capabilities needed to reuse materials for on-going wind operations.

Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland CEO, said: Like anything else, wind turbines and their parts require maintenance, refurbishment and eventually reach an end-of-life. In forecasting the scale of materials set to be released through wind turbine decommissioning, this report presents Scotland with a fantastic opportunity to embed circular solutions into the resource management of these materials.

Decommissioning and refurbishment of wind turbines will release valuable metals like steel and iron and component parts like gear mechanisms into circulation, thereby unlocking potential for economic gain. However, as these materials are currently exported for recycling, the Scottish economy is losing the value of these resources. Based on this reports findings, we have quantified the scale of the opportunity and I hope we can act to seize the economic opportunities represented.

Onshore wind decommissioning is fast-becoming a practical problem for many European countries. To date, across Europe, 34,000 turbines are known to be 15 years or older. There will be a big market for decommissioning onshore wind farms over the next decade and, if we act now, Scotland is in a prime position to provide a circular solution and establish competitive advantage.

James Barry, CEO of Renewable Parts Ltd, added: Wind turbine decommissioning presents an enormous opportunity for value retention within Scotland. End of life for the first generation of wind turbines is now upon us and we must invest boldly in the infrastructure and capabilities needed to reuse materials for on-going wind operations.

Refurbishment of component parts has already been successfully demonstrated through our work with wind turbine operators; decommissioning is the next step in this journey requiring major scale up to manage entire turbines. Our strategy to lead in this important area, creating the high skilled jobs and economic benefits, requires joined up, cross industry action, with operators, government and educational institutions all playing their part. This timely report neatly sets out the opportunity we must realise within Scotland.

This report follows Zero Waste Scotlands recent publication of the first set of Material Flow Accounts for Scotland, whichquantifies Scotlands material footprint for the first time. It shows us the materials we are extracting from Scotlands natural environment every year, as well as those which are imported, exported, and wasted.

Zero Waste Scotland plans to continue its work in resource mapping across different sectors to unlock opportunities as part of Scotlands NetZero transition and its development of a sustainable circular economy, as an essential response to the Climate Emergency.

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Onshore wind turbine decommissioning presents economic opportunities for Scotland, says Zero Waste Scotland in first-of-its-kind report - Circular...

By its magnitude, its duration and the changes it has generated, the COVID-19 pandemic has very quickly proved to be a multidimensional crisis, affecting the health, social, economic and human spheres of our societies.

It has challenged our ability to adapt and to support the most vulnerable population groups. It has created new challenges and hindered, in Senegal as everywhere else, the progress that had been made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

I would like to commend the State of Senegal for its organizational resilience. With the help of its partners, the Government found the necessary resources to enable the country to withstand the traumas caused by the crisis, contain their impacts and move forward.

Reducing inequalities: An ambitious plan to promote resiliency

And yet, the task was far from easy. The crisis affected various social groups and most economic sectors. The challenges faced by the employment sector were exacerbated, with significant effects: lower incomes, reduced access to goods and services, and increased pressure on formal and informal social protection systems.

The consequences were unavoidable: increased vulnerabilities, especially amongst women, children, youth and people living with disabilities. At the height of the crisis, these groups struggled to access certain basic social services and essential goods and services.

To respond to this situation, particularly harsh on young people - who represent more than half of the population - the Head of State launched an ambitious three-year emergency programme to promote youth employment and socio-economic inclusion. I welcome this initiative, which will certainly contribute to reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience.

The organizational resilience demonstrated by the Government of Senegal was also reflected in its ability to reallocate budget lines to priority sectors and to boost recovery by investing in vital sectors.

On the health front, I am pleased that the Government made vaccines quickly available to the most vulnerable. The Senegalese authorities, like UN's Secretary General Antnio Guterres, have advocated and continue to advocate tirelessly for vaccine equity.

Seizing opportunities that help achieve the SDGs

Paradoxically, times of crisis bring their share of difficulties, but also come with opportunities. We must harness these opportunities to rebuild our societies on more robust foundations and prepare the people to better withstand future shocks.

It is undoubtedly because he shares the same belief that the UN Secretary General called on UN Member States to make 2021 an "annus possibilitatis", a year of possibility and hope.

During the crisis, for example, Senegal saw a rise in e-commerce, which helped the country counterbalance the suspension of "traditional" trade activities caused by the lockdown. This trend, which is expected to increase thanks to the Government's digitization strategy, should promote job creation and boost economic recovery.

The 2030 Agenda: Our common roadmap for a lasting recovery

Naturally, we must not lose sight of our common roadmap, established since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs, in 2015.

The pandemic certainly exacerbated structural fragilities and deepened preexisting inequalities. But we have an edge over this crisis, so to speak, and that is that all these fragilities have already been identified and factored in in the SDGs. The current crisis only reveals the urgency of stepping up efforts to achieve these Goals and to no longer leave anyone behind.

One could say, from this perspective, that the COVID-19 crisis gives us an unprecedented opportunity to resolutely and energetically embark on the path of sustainable development.

In this regard, I am very satisfied to see that in Senegal, all public policies, including those developed to address the pandemic, are built on the SDGs and, de facto, geared to reducing inequalities and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

What role should the international community play to help address such a crisis?

Acting in a multilateral framework is fundamental and coordinating the interventions of development partners is key to ensuring an effective response. The repositioning of the UN Resident Coordinator system decided by Member States in 2018 has shown the value of coordination in expanding the scope of the COVID-19 response and recovery interventions and in scaling up their impact.

Drawing on its experience and on the comparative advantages of its different entities, the UN Country Team in Senegal took action early on to help the Government and people of Senegal respond quickly to the crisis in the areas of health, logistics, security, economy, resource mobilization, communication, and advocacy, among others.

The UN country team has been fully committed alongside the Government and its partners to advancing the campaign for an equal access to vaccines for all, so that one day, this pandemic becomes no more than a distant memory.

The UN team has also supported the country's socio-economic recovery through the United Nations Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19 and has contributed to the implementation of the Government's emergency programme for youth employment and socio-economic inclusion. Furthermore, the team is currently supporting the development of an important youth strategy called "Emerging Senegal Plan - Priority Youth 2035" (in French: "Plan Sngal mergent - Priorit Jeunesse 2035").

Because together we are strong and able to overcome the most complex challenges, I remain convinced that, like we did with previous battles, we will triumph over the COVID-19 crisis. Let us keep in mind, however, that we can only achieve that by first taking care of the most vulnerable among us.

*Written by Siaka Coulibaly, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Senegal, based on an earlier version of a blog originally posted in French by the UN Country Team in Senegal. Translated to English by the Development Coordination Office (DCO). To learn more about UN's work in Senegal, please visit https://senegal.un.org/. *

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Post-COVID in Senegal: A reaffirmed commitment to sustainable, equitable and resilient development for all - Senegal - ReliefWeb

There will be a big market for decommissioning onshore wind farms, Zero Waste Scotland says.

More than 5000 wind turbines will be decommissioned in Scotland within the next 30 years opening up the prospect of a green jobs boost, according to a new report.

The country's first forecast into onshore wind decommissioning was published by Zero Waste Scotland, whose chief executive highlighted the economic opportunities that could be on offer.

The report entitled The Future of Onshore Wind Decommissioning in Scotland finds that around 5500 wind turbines will be decommissioned in Scotland by 2050. Zero Waste Scotland says this represents "a quantified opportunity to grow Scotlands remanufacturing sector in line with net-zero ambitions".

The findings identify a need for future reprocessing infrastructure and storage locations to support the demands of wind turbine decommissioning, as well as opportunities to increase skills and expertise in the reuse and refurbishment of wind turbines in Scotland.

Scotland's minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity, Lorna Slater, said: There is a huge circular economy opportunity in Scotlands already thriving renewable energy sector.

"Scotlands renewable energy businesses have already helped to deliver significant reductions in our energy emissions and provided high-quality green jobs. Now, with many of the first generation of turbines reaching the end of their working lifespan, we have an opportunity to repurpose those valuable materials into new energy infrastructure or for other high-value use.

"By embracing the circular economy, Scotlands renewable sector can become even greener, while also delivering more high-skilled jobs in Scotland.

Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: Like anything else, wind turbines and their parts require maintenance and refurbishment and eventually reach an end-of-life.

"In forecasting the scale of materials set to be released through wind turbine decommissioning, this report presents Scotland with a fantastic opportunity to embed circular solutions into the resource management of these materials.

Decommissioning and refurbishment of wind turbines will release valuable metals like steel and iron and component parts like gear mechanisms into circulation, thereby unlocking potential for economic gain.

"However, as these materials are currently exported for recycling, the Scottish economy is losing the value of these resources. Based on this reports findings, we have quantified the scale of the opportunity and I hope we can act to seize the economic opportunities represented.

Onshore wind decommissioning is fast becoming a practical problem for many European countries. To date, across Europe, 34,000 turbines are known to be 15 years or older.

"There will be a big market for decommissioning onshore wind farms over the next decade and, if we act now, Scotland is in a prime position to provide a circular solution and establish a competitive advantage.

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More than 5000 wind turbines to be decommissioned in Scotland within next 30 years - Northern Times