The Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) is a pivotal non-profit organization dedicated to harmonizing global mining reporting practices. It comprises representatives from National Reporting Organizations (NROs) from various countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and South Africa. CRIRSCO provides the International Reporting Template (IRT), a framework that aligns national and regional standards into a globally recognized guideline, ensuring consistency and comparability in the reporting of mineral estimates, resources, and reserves worldwide.

Although CRIRSCO doesn’t have a central physical headquarters, it operates through its member organizations spread across these countries. This template aids in maintaining transparency and reliability in public reporting, which is crucial for investor trust and regulatory effectiveness in the mining sector. CRIRSCO’s international collaborations and its endorsement by global entities underline its significant role in shaping mining standards globally.

The roles of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM) in the context of National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) are distinct yet complementary:

1. Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA):

Regulatory Role: The CSA is responsible for regulating securities laws in Canada, including the enforcement of NI 43-101. Its primary function is to ensure compliance with the rules and standards set for the public disclosure of scientific and technical information on mineral projects.

Investor Protection: The CSA aims to protect investors by ensuring that the disclosures about mineral projects are truthful, complete, and comply with the regulations, thus helping investors make informed decisions.

2. Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM):

Standards Development: The CIM is instrumental in developing the definitions and standards that are incorporated into NI 43-101. They provide the framework and guidelines used to report on mineral resources and reserves.

Expertise and Guidance: CIM offers guidance based on the expertise of professionals in the mining industry. This includes best practices in documentation and reporting that companies must follow to align with NI 43-101 standards.Essentially, while the CIM provides the technical definitions and standards, the CSA enforces these standards within the legal framework of the Canadian securities market, ensuring that all public disclosures meet these established criteria. This system ensures that both the technical accuracy and regulatory compliance are maintained in the reporting of mineral projects.

The NatGold Bilateral Bridge is a pivotal technological infrastructure within the NatGold ecosystem, designed by OroEx Corp. to connect the private ledger of the NatGold Digital Vault with the NatGold NatGold Multichain where NatGold coins are actively stored, distributed, and traded globally. This bridge plays a critical role by facilitating the seamless and secure transfer of NatGold coins from their post-tokenization crediting in the Digital Vault to their respective public blockchain addresses.

Essential to both operational oversight and regulatory compliance, the NatGold Bilateral Bridge utilizes advanced technologies such as smart contracts, APIs, and cryptographic security measures. These tools ensure that the transfers and tracking of NatGold coins are conducted securely and efficiently, thereby preserving the integrity and trustworthiness of the digital asset management system. This infrastructure not only supports the smooth functioning of the NatGold ecosystem but also enhances its capacity for strategic decision-making and regulatory adherence.

“Qualified Persons” (QPs) are integral to the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) standards for mineral project reporting. These professionals must have a minimum of five years of experience in the area of mineral exploration, mining, or project evaluation related to the deposit type and activity being reported on. Importantly, QPs are required to be members in good standing of a recognized professional association, such as the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC), among others across Canada and internationally that uphold similar professional standards and ethical codes.

The independence of QPs is critical to maintaining the credibility of NI 43-101 reports. To ensure impartiality:

Professional Ethics and Standards: As members of reputable professional associations, QPs adhere to strict ethical codes that mandate integrity and objectivity in their assessments.

Regulatory Criteria for Independence: NI 43-101 defines clear criteria to prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring that QPs do not have a vested interest in the projects they report on, beyond their professional fees for services rendered.

Mandatory Disclosure: QPs must disclose any potential conflicts of interest in their reports, including financial interests or any relationships with the company that could be perceived as compromising their independence.These measures guarantee that mineral resource estimates and technical evaluations are conducted following the highest standards of professional conduct, offering a reliable and unbiased perspective to investors and the public.

Perpetual or perpetual-like title protection in NatGold legislation is vital to ensure that NatGold coins, which are backed by certified green gold resources, remain a reliable store of value. Traditional mining titles are generally issued by governments for fixed periods, such as 20 or 30 years, allowing companies to explore and exploit subsurface mineral rights. However, for a monetary asset like NatGold coins, the backing asset—certified gold resources—must not expire. Money, unlike perishable goods, should not have a shelf life.

Perpetual title protection ensures that the value represented by NatGold coins is enduring and stable, thereby upholding the monetary integrity of NatGold as a dependable and long-lasting store of value. This approach aligns with the foundational principles of sustainable and ethical finance, ensuring that NatGold remains a viable and attractive option for investors and stakeholders in the long term.