The near mine Exploration Target was
primarily based on extrapolation of known, previously mined
structures beyond the limits of the current South Crofty Mineral
Resource. The mineralisation around South Crofty remains open along
strike and down dip providing further potential beyond the near
mine Exploration Target. The Exploration Target does not consider
the wider opportunities within the South Crofty mining permission
area, which also shows significant potential and includes the Wide
Formation exploration project, or within the wider region in
Cornwall where Cornish Metals has extensive mineral rights
holdings.
Figure 1: Plan view of existing South Crofty
Mineral Resource envelopes (orange), near mine Exploration Targets
(light blue) and wider mineralised and mined structures with
exploration areas (dark blue, pink) identified within the South
Crofty underground permission boundary.
Historic production at South Crofty
demonstrates the consistent discovery of new mineralisation and
subsequent conversion to Reserves (Figure 2). Cornish Metals plans
to test the near mine Exploration Target systematically alongside
initial production at South Crofty, targeting an increase of the
Mineral Resource Estimate above that depleted by production each
year. This is expected to be carried out through targeted
development and exploration drilling programmes aimed at extending
the existing Mineral Resource both along strike and down dip during
approximately the first five years of operation.
Figure 2: South Crofty cumulative metal
mined, and metal added to Reserve - 1974 to 1997.
Note: Reserves estimated based on methodologies and
classifications used by South Crofty in the period.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALISATION
The geology of Cornwall is dominated
by granitic intrusions that are part of the Permian Cornubian
batholith, and Devonian metasedimentary and metavolcanics, known
locally as "Killas", that form the metamorphic aureole and host
rocks of the intrusions. The sedimentary and volcanic package was
deformed during the Variscan Orogeny where crustal thickening,
followed by subsequent lithospheric extension and crustal
subsidence, resulted in anatexis and formation of the Cornubian
batholith.
The South Crofty project area lies
on the north side of the Permian Carn Brea Granite. The project
area is underlain by a series of metasedimentary and metavolcanic
rocks and associated hornfels and skarns, that occur in close
proximity to the granite contact. At depth, the granite underlies
the whole project area dipping towards the north west.
Mineralisation occurs in steeply
dipping vein-type structures or "lodes" that generally strike
east-northeast, occurring in both the granite and the overlying
Killas. Within the granite, the principal mineral of economic
significance is cassiterite. The project is split by the Great
Crosscourse a late-stage fault which crosscuts and offsets the
mineralised structures. The Great Crosscourse transects the project
area dividing the mine into two areas, east and west.
The area is host to numerous
historic mines which initially exploited copper and subsequently
deeper tin. Numerous opportunities exist to test for the
continuation of tin below historic copper mines. This precedent is
evident both in the South Crofty workings and also at the Dolcoath
mine which was continuously mined through the copper mineralisation
and into tin mineralisation at depth, demonstrating the vertical
zonation.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The near mine Exploration Target has
been based primarily on extrapolation of known, previously mined
structures beyond the data limits of the current South Crofty
Mineral Resource. Several smaller structures identified within the
historical database that show potential for defining additional
mineralisation through further exploration have also been included.
An analogue for continuity of mineralised structures is the
Dolcoath mine, which sits directly to the south of South Crofty and
was mined continuously from surface to over 800m vertical depth
with a strike length that is traceable over 2.1km.
Where structures have been
extrapolated beyond known data points, they have been extended half
the known strike length of the defined Mineral Resource envelope
and extrapolated a further two mine levels (approximately 75m) down
dip (Figure 3).
Where structures have data which could be interpreted as belonging
to that structure (Figure
4), or where there is an analogy from an existing
structure (for example historical workings above), extrapolations
have been expanded to the same extent (Figure 5). In all cases nothing has
been extrapolated beyond the mining permission boundary. This
approach assumes the continuity of structures beyond the current
known data points.
Tonnage assumptions are based on the
projected areas of the extrapolated structures. The upper tonnage
target is based on the mean width of the known Mineral Resource
structure and the lower tonnage target is based on the lower tenth
percentile width of the structure. This method acknowledges that
although the mineralised structures at South Crofty are extremely
persistent, there is significant variability in the width. With the
potential volume defined, the mean density of mineralisation at
South Crofty of 2.77t/m3 was applied to give an
assessment of tonnage.
Average tin grade assumptions were
based on the current South Crofty Mineral Resource sample dataset.
A range was derived which represents the likely average grade of
the global near-mine Exploration Target and equates to the lower
40th and upper 75th percentiles of the
existing Mineral Resource sample set. This is believed to give the
best indication of expected average grade based on the existing
precedent.
Figure 3: Long section view looking north
showing the existing Dolcoath South Mineral Resource structure
(orange) and the Exploration Target extrapolation
(blue).
Figure 4: Long section view looking north
showing the existing No. 8a Mineral Resource structure (orange) and
the Exploration Target extrapolation (blue).
Figure 5: Long section view looking north
showing the existing Roskear B-D Mineral Resource (orange) and the
Exploration Target (blue), which has been extrapolated to the
length of the historic overlying North Roskear and South Roskear
mines.
This Exploration Target was reviewed
and approved by Mr. Nicholas Szebor (MCSM, BSc, MSc, CGeol,
EurGeol, FGS), Regional Manager and Principal Geologist at AMC
Consultants (UK) Limited, a Qualified Person under National
Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and AIM Rules
for Companies and a Competent Person as
defined under the JORC Code (2012). Mr. Szebor has reviewed the
technical content of this news release as it relates to the
Exploration Target and has approved its dissemination.
This news release has been reviewed
and approved by Mr. Owen Mihalop, MCSM, BSc (Hons), MSc, FGS,
MIMMM, CEng, Chief Operating Officer for Cornish Metals Inc. who is
the designated Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and the AIM Rules
for Companies and a Competent Person as defined under the JORC Code
(2012). Mr. Mihalop consents to the inclusion in this announcement
of the matters based on his information in the form and context in
which it appears.
ABOUT CORNISH METALS
Cornish Metals is a dual-listed
mineral exploration and development company (AIM and TSX-V: CUSN)
that is advancing the South Crofty tin project towards production.
South Crofty:
·
Is a historical, high-grade, underground tin mine
located in Cornwall, United Kingdom and benefits from existing mine
infrastructure including multiple shafts that can be used for
future operations;
·
Is fully permitted to commence underground mining
(valid to 2071), construct new processing facilities and for all
necessary site infrastructure;
·
Has a 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment that
validates the Project's potential (see news release dated
April
30, 2024 and the Technical
Report entitled "South
Crofty PEA"):
o US$201 million after-tax NPV8% and 29.8%
IRR
o 3-year after-tax payback
o 4,700 tonnes average annual tin production in years two
through six
o Life
of mine all-in sustaining cost of US$13,660 /tonne of payable
tin
o Total after-tax cash flow of US$626 million from start of
production
·
Would be the only primary producer of tin in
Europe or North America. Tin is a Critical Mineral as defined by
the UK, American, and Canadian governments as it is used in almost
all electronic devices and electrical infrastructure. Approximately
two-thirds of the tin mined today comes from China, Myanmar and
Indonesia;
·
Benefits from strong local community, regional and
national government support with a growing team of skilled people,
local to Cornwall, and could generate up to 320 direct
jobs.
The 2024 Preliminary Economic
Assessment for South Crofty 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 categorised as Mineral Reserves. There
is no certainty that the 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment will
be realised. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not
have demonstrated economic viability.
ON
BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Don Turvey"
Don Turvey
Engage with us directly at our
investor hub. Sign up at: https://investors.cornishmetals.com/link/lPdoKr
For additional information please
contact:
Cornish Metals
|
Fawzi Hanano
Irene Dorsman
|
investors@cornishmetals.com
info@cornishmetals.com
|
|
|
Tel: +1
(604) 200 6664
|
SP
Angel Corporate Finance LLP
(Nominated Adviser & Joint
Broker)
|
Richard Morrison
Charlie Bouverat
Grant Barker
|
Tel: +44 203 470 0470
|
|
|
|
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited
(Joint
Broker)
|
Derrick Lee
Neil McDonald
|
Tel: +44 131 220 6939
|
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners
(Financial
Adviser)
|
Matthew Hasson
Andrew Chubb
Jay Ashfield
|
cornish@hannam.partners
Tel: +44 207 907 8500
|
|
|
|
BlytheRay
(Financial PR)
|
Tim Blythe
Megan Ray
|
cornishmetals@blytheray.com
Tel: +44 207 138 3204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Caution regarding forward
looking statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking
information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively,
"forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include
predictions, projections, outlook, guidance, estimates and
forecasts and other statements regarding future plans and
operations, the realisation, cost, timing and extent of mineral
resource or mineral reserve estimates, estimation of commodity
prices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, estimated future
exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of
new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time
lines, requirements for additional capital and the Company's
ability to obtain financing when required and on terms acceptable
to the Company, future or estimated mine life and other
activities or achievements of Cornish Metals, including but not
limited to: the expected use of proceeds from the secured credit
facility with Vision Blue; the balance of the cash consideration
due to Cornish in respect of the sale of the Mactung and Cantung
royalty interests; mineralisation at South Crofty, mine dewatering
and construction requirements; the development, operational and
economic results of the preliminary economic assessment, including
cash flows, capital expenditures, development costs, extraction
rates, recovery rates, mining cost estimates and returns;
estimation of mineral resources; statements about the estimate of
mineral resources and production of minerals; magnitude or quality
of mineral deposits; anticipated advancement of the South Crofty
project mine plan; exploration potential and project growth
opportunities for the South Crofty tin project and other Cornwall
mineral properties, the Company's ability to evaluate and develop
the South Crofty tin project and other Cornwall mineral properties,
strategic vision of Cornish Metals and expectations regarding the
South Crofty mine, timing and results of projects mentioned.
Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by
the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan",
"estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target",
"schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or
result "may", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur
or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the
negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of
historical fact included in this news release, are forward-looking
statements that involve various risks and uncertainties and there
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate
and actual results and future events could differ materially from
those anticipated in such statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt
of regulatory approvals, risks related to general economic and
market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing;
the timing and content of upcoming work programmes; actual results
of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral
Resources or grade; outcome of any future studies; projected dates
to commence mining operations; failure of plant, equipment or
processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes,
title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and
other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local
government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and
regulations. The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may
affect Cornish's forward-looking statements.
Cornish Metals' forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current
expectations regarding future events and operating performance and
speak only as of the date such statements are made. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those
described in forward- looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ
materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and
accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals does
not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if
circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions
should change other than as required by applicable
law.
Caution regarding non-IFRS
measures
This news release contains certain terms or performance
measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined
under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"),
including "all-in sustaining costs". Non-IFRS measures do not have
any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they
may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other
companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional
information and should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
IFRS and should be read in conjunction with Cornish Metals'
consolidated financial statements and Management Discussion and
Analysis, available on its website and on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
Disclosure
The information contained within this announcement is deemed
by the Company to constitute inside information pursuant to Article
7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as
amended.
Appendix
"cassiterite" means a tin oxide mineral which is the principal
source for tin metal
"Exploration Target" is a statement or estimate of the
exploration potential of a mineral deposit in a defined geological
setting where the statement or estimate, quoted as a range of
tonnes and a range of grade (or quality) relates to mineralisation
for which there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a
Mineral Resource. Any such information must be expressed so that it
cannot be misrepresented or misconstrued as an estimate of a
Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve. There has been insufficient
exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and that it is uncertain
if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral
Resource.
"grade(s)" means the quantity of ore or metal in a specified
quantity of rock
"Indicated Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral
Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and
physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence
to allow the application of mining, processing, metallurgical,
infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social
and governmental factors to support mine planning and evaluation of
the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is
derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling
and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or
quality continuity between points of observation. An Indicated
Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying
to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a
probable mineral reserve.
"Inferred Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource
for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis
of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is
sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality
continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of
confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and
must not be converted to a mineral reserve. It is reasonably
expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be
upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
An Inferred Mineral Resource is based on limited information and
sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations
such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill
holes.
"JORC Code" means the 2012 edition of the Australasian
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian
Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia. The
JORC Code is an acceptable foreign code for purposes of NI
43-101.
"Lodes" means a vein of metal ore in the
earth
"MRE" means Mineral Resource Estimate
"km" means kilometres
"kt" means thousand tonnes
"m" means metres
"Mt" means million tonnes
"NI 43-101" means National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects issued by the Canadian Securities
Administrators, which provides standards of disclosure of
scientific and technical information regarding mineral
projects
"Sn" means Tin
"t" means tonnes
"t/m3" means tonnes per cubic
metre
"tourmaline" means the crystalline silicate mineral
group that occurs as prismatic crystals in granitic and
other rocks