China Gold International to increase gold production by 95% by 2014
at CSH mine to 260,000 ounces per year
Mine Expansion Feasibility Study Completed for 60
ktpd
VANCOUVER, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - China Gold
International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSX: CGG; HKEx: 2099) (the
"Company") is pleased to announce the results of a National
Instrument 43-101 compliant Technical Report Expansion Feasibility
Study for the Chang Shan Hao (CSH) Gold Project, located in Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region, People's
Republic of China. This report is prepared following the
2011 drilling campaign. The Expansion Feasibility Study (EFS)
supports a 60,000 tonne per day (tpd) expansion plan, under which
the open pit reserves at the CSH project stand at over 213 million
tonnes of ore containing about 4.08 million ounces of gold.
Highlights
- Gold production to increase by ~95% in 2014 to 260,000 ounces
per annum from the current +133,000 ounces per annum;
- Open pit reserves: 213 million tonnes averaging 0.59 g/t gold
totalling 4.08 million ounces of gold at 0.28 g/t cutoff gold
grade;
- Measured and Indicated Resources: 262 million tonnes, averaging
0.60 g/t gold totalling 5.05 million ounces of gold at 0.28 g/t
cutoff gold grade;
- Ore production to increase from 30,000 tpd to 60,000 tpd by
August 2013 (~20 million tonnes per
annum thereafter;
- Life Of Mine (LOM): 11 years;
- Estimated LOM capital expenditure: US$213 million;
- Operating cost: US$9.83/tonne
ore; or LOM US$713/oz of gold;
- Undiscounted total LOM cash flow: US$1,253 million;
- After-Tax Net Present Value (NPV): $642
million at discount rate of 9%;
- Internal Rate of Return (IRR) on expansion capital: 30.5%
Dr. Xin Song, CEO
of the Company, commented, "Compared with the last CSH technical
report released in 2010, this new expansion feasibility study
presents solid robust economics and strong cashflow for the
project. Mineable reserves increased by 61% from 2.53 million
ounces to 4.08 million ounces of gold. With mineralization
continuing further down depth, we see a bright future for the CSH
Operation".
Overview
The CSH gold deposit is a large bulk tonnage
low-grade style of gold mineralization hosted within a
ductile-brittle shear zone in Proterozoic sediments in the North
China Gold Belt along the north margin of China Craton. The CSH gold project is currently
operating at a 30,000 tpd capacity, producing over 133,000 ounces
of gold per annum. The EFS has demonstrated that additional value
can be added to the CSH Project when plant capacity is
expanded.
Mineral Resources Estimate
The 2011 drilling campaign added significant
tonnages above cutoff at a slightly lower grade, partly due to the
confirmation of grades and upgrade in resource classification
down-dip and laterally. The CSH deposit in the southwest (SW) area
is now well delineated, and still significant potential exists for
down-dip extensions to the mineralization. Mineralization at depth
in the northeast (NE) has been confirmed, with increases in both
tonnages and confidence.
The resources are reported within a "resource
pit", which was developed using a US$
1,800/oz Au price, and a 60% recovery. This resource pit
represents what it is reasonable to expect may be recoverable in
the near future from CSH.
The mineral resource estimate for the CSH mine
reported herein was prepared by independent consultant, Mario
Rossi,M.Sc., Min.Eng.,of GeoSystems International Inc. using a
"Resource Pit" generated by independent consultant, John Nilsson, M.Sc., P. Eng., of Nilsson Mine
Services Ltd. The estimate was completed using MineSight® software
using block modeling (12.5 meter by 12.5 meter by 6.0meter block
size). Interpolation parameters have been derived based on
geostatistical analysis conducted on 2 meter composited drillhole
data. Block grades have been estimated using an Indicator-modified
Ordinary Kriging (OK) method and the mineral resources have been
classified based on proximity to sample data and the continuity of
mineralization in accordance with CIM Guidelines and best
practices. The CSH resource has been estimated using a total of 108
new diamond drill holes plus all the previous drill holes, variably
spaced at 50 to 150 meter intervals and reconciled with the
existing mining blast hole assay data.
The resources are reported below the topography corresponding to
December 31st, 2011.
Table 1: CSH Project Statement of NI 43-101 Mineral Resources
Estimate
All CSH Resources
by category below pit surface to December 31st,
2011,
within Resource Pit, 2012 Resource Model. |
Cutoff
(g/t) |
Measured |
Indicated |
Measured+Indicated |
Inferred |
MTonnes |
Au Grade
(g/t) |
MTonnes |
Au Grade
(g/t) |
MTonnes |
Au Grade
(g/t) |
Million
Ounces
Au |
MTonnes |
Au Grade
(g/t) |
0.25 |
95.3 |
0.61 |
192.7 |
0.55 |
288.0 |
0.57 |
5.26 |
155.7 |
0.46 |
0.28 |
90.4 |
0.63 |
172.2 |
0.58 |
262.6 |
0.60 |
5.05 |
132.8 |
0.49 |
0.30 |
86.9 |
0.65 |
160.2 |
0.60 |
247.1 |
0.62 |
4.91 |
118.9 |
0.52 |
0.35 |
78.2 |
0.68 |
134.5 |
0.65 |
212.8 |
0.66 |
4.55 |
91.5 |
0.57 |
0.40 |
69.9 |
0.72 |
113.8 |
0.71 |
183.7 |
0.71 |
4.20 |
71.1 |
0.63 |
0.45 |
61.7 |
0.76 |
97.0 |
0.75 |
158.7 |
0.76 |
3.86 |
56.1 |
0.69 |
0.50 |
53.9 |
0.80 |
83.0 |
0.80 |
136.9 |
0.80 |
3.52 |
44.8 |
0.74 |
0.55 |
47.2 |
0.84 |
71.2 |
0.85 |
118.4 |
0.84 |
3.21 |
36.1 |
0.80 |
0.60 |
40.7 |
0.88 |
61.0 |
0.89 |
101.7 |
0.89 |
2.90 |
29.1 |
0.85 |
0.65 |
34.8 |
0.93 |
52.2 |
0.94 |
87.0 |
0.93 |
2.61 |
23.5 |
0.90 |
0.70 |
29.5 |
0.97 |
44.1 |
0.99 |
73.6 |
0.98 |
2.32 |
19.1 |
0.95 |
0.75 |
24.9 |
1.02 |
37.3 |
1.03 |
62.3 |
1.03 |
2.06 |
15.7 |
1.00 |
*Mineral resources that are not mineral
reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral
resource estimates do not fully account for mineability,
selectivity, mining loss and dilution. These mineral resource
estimates include inferred mineral resources that are normally
considered too speculative geologically to have economic
considerations applied to them that would enable them to be
categorized as mineral reserves. Even though current mining is
going smoothly at CSH with M&I class mineral resources, there
is no certainty that inferred mineral resources will be converted
to measured and indicated categories through further drilling, or
into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are
applied.
Mining and Mineral Reserves Estimate
The EFS for CSH, which outlines the mine
expansion from the current 30,000 tpd to 60,000 tpd capacity, has
been prepared by the Changchun
Gold Design Institute (CGDI). In support of this study, a new
mine development plan has been completed using the current resource
model and an increased long term gold price of US$1380/ounce of gold. Pit optimization and
design was undertaken by CGDI using Micromine software. The
pit limits and reserves were validated by Nilsson Mine Services
Ltd. ("NMS"). Mining is carried out by the contractor China Railway
19th Bureau.
Mineable reserves reported using the 2011 year
end topographic surface and the same current mining cutoff grade of
0.28 g/t have increased to 213.5 Mt with an average diluted grade
of 0.59 g/t Au. The strip ratio is 3.31 with a total of 707.4
Mt of waste mined. Total material moved from the pit will be
920.9 Mt. Mineral reserves are summarized in Table
2.
Table 2: CSH Project Statement of NI 43-101
Mineral Reserves Estimate
Class |
bcm x 1000 |
t x 1000 |
Insitu Au g/t |
Diluted Au g/t |
Proven |
32,018.0 |
89,086.0 |
0.64 |
0.62 |
Probable |
44,627.0 |
124,394.0 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
Total |
76,645.0 |
213,480.0 |
0.61 |
0.59 |
The pit optimization input parameters used by
NMS to validate the final design limits are summarized in
Table 3.
Table 3: CSH Project Pit Optimization
Parameters
Item |
Units |
Amount |
Ore Production Per Annum |
t x 1000 |
20,400 |
Operating Cost and Fee Estimate |
|
|
Mine Waste Contracting |
RMB/t waste |
9.50 |
Mine Engineering |
RMB/t ore |
0.59 |
Mine Ore Contracting |
RMB/t ore |
9.50 |
Mine Ore Subtotal |
RMB/t ore |
10.09 |
Processing Cost |
RMB/t ore |
15.98 |
Pad Construction |
RMB/t ore |
2.52 |
G&A Expense |
RMB/t ore |
4.07 |
Total Royalties and Compensation |
RMB/t ore |
5.60 |
Plant, Pad, G&A & Compensation |
RMB/t ore |
28.17 |
All Onsite Costs Excluding Waste |
RMB/t ore |
38.26 |
Operating Cost and Fee Estimate |
|
|
Mine Waste Contracting |
$US/t Waste |
1.505 |
Mine Engineering |
$US/t ore |
0.093 |
Mine Ore Contracting |
$US/t ore |
1.505 |
Mine Ore Subtotal |
$US/t ore |
1.599 |
Processing Cost |
$US/t ore |
2.532 |
Pad Construction |
$US/t ore |
0.399 |
G&A Expense |
$US/t ore |
0.645 |
Total Royalties and Compensation |
$US/t ore |
0.887 |
Plant, Pad, G&A & Compensation |
$US/t ore |
4.463 |
All Onsite Costs Excluding Waste |
$US/t ore |
6.062 |
Other Parameters |
|
|
Recovery |
% |
65.0% |
Gold Price |
RMB/gram |
280.03 |
Gold Price |
U.S. $/ounce |
1380.00 |
Refining/off-site costs |
U.S. $/ounce |
4.68 |
Net Gold Price |
U.S. $/ounce |
1375.32 |
Net Gold Price |
U.S. $/gram |
44.22 |
Optimization Cutoff Grade - Fixed Recovery |
Au g/t |
0.155 |
Optimization Cutoff Grade - Variable Recovery |
Au g/t |
0.175 |
Exchange |
RMB/$US |
6.3115 |
Processing and Production Schedule
The plan for expansion at CSH from 30,000 tpd to
60,000 tpd, focuses mainly on duplicating the existing
facilities. Certain areas of the flowsheet design and
equipment selections will be modified based on the performance of
the existing facilities
The main processes applied to the heap leaching
of ore at the CSH mine are consistent with typical heap leach
operations and consist of:
- Mining ore and waste
- 3 stages of crushing to 80%, -9mm
- Ore placement on CN leach pad
- Recovery of pregnant CN solution
- Carbon -in-column (CIC) Au
recovery from solution
- Stripping and electro-winning
- Gold smelting to recover doré bar
The expanded mine production schedule is
summarized in Table 4.
Table 4: CSH Project Expanded Mine Production
Schedule
Period |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
Ore Production |
t x 1000 |
10,217 |
13,582 |
20,396 |
20,433 |
20,377 |
20,380 |
20,378 |
20,430 |
Gold Grade |
g/t |
0.501 |
0.572 |
0.603 |
0.518 |
0.541 |
0.607 |
0.633 |
0.648 |
Gold Grade |
g/t |
0.501 |
0.572 |
0.603 |
0.518 |
0.541 |
0.607 |
0.633 |
0.648 |
Waste |
t x 1000 |
51,397 |
58,129 |
74,482 |
78,082 |
85,200 |
85,730 |
84,873 |
74,107 |
Total Material |
t x 1000 |
61,613.7 |
71,711.2 |
94,878.5 |
98,515.6 |
105,577.4 |
106,109.5 |
105,251.6 |
94,537.0 |
Strip Ratio |
|
5.03 |
4.28 |
3.65 |
3.82 |
4.18 |
4.21 |
4.16 |
3.63 |
Ounces to Process |
Ounces |
164,532 |
249,818 |
395,281 |
340,338 |
354,553 |
397,975 |
414,639 |
425,655 |
Ounces Recoverable |
Ounces |
115,172 |
174,873 |
276,697 |
238,237 |
248,187 |
278,583 |
290,247 |
297,958 |
Production from Existing Heap |
Ounces |
56,492 |
6,837 |
17,453 |
9,492 |
3,318 |
1,911 |
- |
- |
Ounces New Production |
Ounces |
91,480 |
153,871 |
247,939 |
235,088 |
245,290 |
271,221 |
285,812 |
294,478 |
Ounces Produced |
Ounces |
147,972 |
160,709 |
265,393 |
244,580 |
248,609 |
273,132 |
285,812 |
294,478 |
Period |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
Total |
TOTAL |
Ore Production |
t x 1000 |
20,380 |
20,453 |
20,446 |
6,776 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
214,249.5 |
Gold Grade |
g/t |
0.604 |
0.568 |
0.623 |
0.731 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.592 |
Gold Grade |
g/t |
0.604 |
0.568 |
0.623 |
0.731 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.592 |
Waste |
t x 1000 |
65,957 |
31,661 |
8,570 |
901 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
699,089.1 |
Total Material |
t x 1000 |
86,336.5 |
52,114.4 |
29,016.3 |
7,677.0 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
913,338.6 |
Strip Ratio |
|
3.24 |
1.55 |
0.42 |
0.13 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3.26 |
Ounces to Process |
Ounces |
395,866 |
373,619 |
409,363 |
159,284 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4,080,924 |
Ounces Recoverable |
Ounces |
277,107 |
261,533 |
286,554 |
111,499 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2,856,647 |
Production from Existing Heap |
Ounces |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
95,503.8 |
Ounces New Production |
Ounces |
280,045 |
265,929 |
283,072 |
146,359 |
35,699 |
13,086 |
5,686 |
1,593 |
2,856,647 |
Ounces Produced |
Ounces |
280,045 |
265,929 |
283,072 |
146,359 |
35,699 |
13,086 |
5,686 |
1,593 |
2,952,151 |
Life of Mine Capital
The capital cost for the expansion project was
completed by Changchun Gold Design
Institute in September 2012. The
Expansion Project is planned for completion by August 1, 2013, which will be executed on a
significant number of multiple work fronts. The expansion capital
and the LOM capital expenditures are summarized in Table
5, which include 20% contingency for the next two year
capital expenditures.
Table 5: CSH Project Life of Mine Capital
Expenditures
Period |
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Capital |
US$
(million) |
$18.4 |
$165.9 |
$0.0 |
$4.8 |
$10.5 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$6.2 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
2031 |
2032 |
Total |
Capital |
US$
(million) |
$0.0 |
$1.8 |
$1.8 |
$1.8 |
$1.8 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$212.9 |
Operating Costs
The predicted annual onsite operating costs by
major category per tonne processed, excluding royalties, taxes and
other fees, are shown in Table 6.
Table 6: CSH Project Operating Costs
Item |
RMB/tonne ore |
U.S. $/tonne ore |
Mining Ore |
¥9.60 |
$ 1.52 |
Mining Waste |
¥32.78 |
$ 5.19 |
Processing |
¥15.16 |
$ 2.40 |
General Administration |
¥4.52 |
$ 0.72 |
Total |
¥62.06 |
$ 9.83 |
Project Cashflow Summary
The economic analysis of the project is based on the LOM
cashflows commencing January 2012 for
proven and probable reserves that are included in the expansion
plan. The cashflow model was developed by the authors of the
report to compare the economic results of continuing with a 30,000
tpd plan versus a 60,000 tpd expansion plan. The CSH expansion
project is expected to generate additional value by accelerating
metal production and shortening the LOM from 21 years to 11 years.
The gold prices used in the cashflow model are in Table
7 and the undiscounted cashflow is shown in Table
8.
Table 7: Gold Prices used in Cashflow Model
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 & after |
Au US$/oz |
1600 |
1600 |
1585 |
1440 |
1380 |
Table 8: CSH Project 60,000 tpd Undiscounted
Cashflow
Period |
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Cashflow |
US$ x
million |
$54.0 |
($89.3) |
$154.0 |
$94.0 |
$70.1 |
$102.3 |
$108.8 |
$126.9 |
$120.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
Cashflow |
US$ x
million |
$152.1 |
$196.7 |
$122.3 |
$32.0 |
$7.8 |
$0.2 |
$1,253.8 |
Qualified Persons
The following Independent Qualified Persons as
defined by National Instrument 43-101 have reviewed and supervised
the preparation of the scientific and technical information and
verified the data supporting such scientific and technical
information contained in this news release.
John
Nilsson, P.Eng., of Nilsson Mine Services Ltd.,
Vancouver, Canada
Mario
Rossi, M.Sc., Min. Eng.,of GeoSystems International
Inc., Florida, USA
Ken Major,
P.Eng., of KWM Consulting Inc., Vancouver, Canada
William
McKenzie, P.Eng., of Global Project Management
Corporation, Vancouver, Canada
An NI 43-101 Technical Report Expansion
Feasibility Study is being prepared by the foregoing Qualified
Persons to support the disclosure herein and this will be available
on SEDAR and on the Company's website within the next 45 days.
About CSH Mine
The CSH Mine is an open-pit, heap leaching
gold mine located in Inner Mongolia, China, approximately 210km
northwest of the city of Baotou. Gold production has increased each
year since commercial production was reached in 2008. The total
commercial gold production was 33,671 ounces in 2008, 83,570 ounces
in 2009, 111,000 ounces in 2010 and 133,000 ounces in 2011.
About China Gold International
Resources
China Gold International Resources Corp Ltd
is based in Vancouver, BC,
Canada and operates both the CSH
Gold Mine in Inner Mongolia, and the Jiama Copper-Polymetallic Mine
in Tibet Autonomous Region of China. CGG's objective is to continue
to build shareholder value by growing production at its current
mining operations, expanding its resource base, and aggressively
acquiring and developing new projects internationally. The Company
is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGG) and the Main
Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong
Kong Limited (HKEx: 2099).
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements made herein, and other
statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and
statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about
developments, results and events which will or may occur in the
future, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning
of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information
and statements are typically identified by words such as
"anticipate", "could", "should", "expect", "seek", "may", "intend",
"likely", "plan", "estimate", "will", "believe" and similar
expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an
outlook. All such forward-looking information and statements are
based on certain assumptions and analysis made by China Gold
International Resources Corp. Ltd.'s management in light of their
experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions
and expected future developments, as well as other factors
management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These
statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or
results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking information or statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking
statements include those described under the heading "Risks and
Uncertainties" elsewhere in the Company's MD&A filed at
www.SEDAR.com. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance
on forward-looking information or statements. Except as required by
law the Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update
these forward looking statements after the date of this document or
to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future, unanticipated
events.
SOURCE China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd.