Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the “Company” or “Torex”) (TSX: TXG)
reports that in 2020, total Proven & Probable gold reserves for
the Company’s El Limón Guajes Complex (“ELG”) declined 15%
year-over-year primarily due to depletion, with ongoing exploration
success driving a 15% increase in underground reserves, and ore
processed resulting in a 20% decline in open pit reserves.
Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex,
stated:
“The year-over-year decline in gold reserves at
the Morelos property is consistent with the mine plan that has the
ELG open pits concluding at the end of 2023. The decline in
reserves at Morelos is expected to reverse when the Feasibility
Study for Media Luna brings Media Luna resources into reserves.
That study is expected to be published in Q1 of 2022.
“In term of this year’s update, the processing
of 487,000 ounces of gold contained in ore in 2020 was partially
offset by continued underground reserve growth of 53,000 ounces,
after mine depletion. Reserve growth in the ELG Underground can
mostly be attributed to the infill drill program adding 93,000
ounces, with the application of a lower underground cut-off grade
adding 26,000 ounces. The lower cut-off grade in the open pits
resulted in an additional 28,000 ounces of reserves. The lower
cut-off grades reflect a reserve gold price assumption of $1,400
per ounce versus the previous assumption of $1,200 per ounce.
“The ELG Underground is expected to remain a key
value driver for Torex and its shareholders over the coming years.
Since the initial Sub-Sill reserve of 180,000 ounces was published
in early 2018, the underground mine has delivered approximately
212,000 ounces of gold to the processing plant, with a further
413,000 ounces of reserves in place at year-end from both Sub-Sill
and El Limón Deep. With a sizeable resource base outside of
reserves, multi-year step-out and infill drilling programs
underway, and mineralization open at depth, we remain confident in
our ability to extend the life of the ELG Underground beyond the
4.5 years implied by reserves, which remains a key enabler to
delivering a smooth transition from ELG to Media Luna.”
Table 1: Year-over-year comparison of Mineral Reserves &
Resources for the El Limón Guajes Complex
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
Variance |
|
Tonnes |
Au |
Au |
Tonnes |
Au |
Au |
Tonnes |
Au |
Au |
|
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(Koz) |
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(Koz) |
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(Koz) |
Proven & Probable Reserves |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open Pit (including stockpiles) |
18.48 |
2.54 |
1,510 |
21.40 |
2.76 |
1,898 |
(14 |
%) |
(8 |
%) |
(20 |
%) |
Underground |
2.03 |
6.32 |
413 |
1.72 |
6.51 |
360 |
18 |
% |
(3 |
%) |
15 |
% |
Total |
20.51 |
2.92 |
1,923 |
23.12 |
3.04 |
2,258 |
(11 |
%) |
(4 |
%) |
(15 |
%) |
Measured & Indicated Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open Pit |
18.28 |
2.91 |
1,710 |
24.85 |
2.97 |
2,370 |
(26 |
%) |
(2 |
%) |
(28 |
%) |
Underground |
3.26 |
7.31 |
770 |
2.87 |
7.07 |
650 |
14 |
% |
3 |
% |
18 |
% |
Total |
21.55 |
3.57 |
2,480 |
27.73 |
3.39 |
3,030 |
(22 |
%) |
5 |
% |
(18 |
%) |
Inferred Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open Pit |
1.93 |
1.75 |
110 |
2.42 |
1.88 |
150 |
(20 |
%) |
(7 |
%) |
(27 |
%) |
Underground |
2.88 |
5.65 |
520 |
2.44 |
5.69 |
450 |
18 |
% |
(1 |
%) |
16 |
% |
Total |
4.81 |
4.08 |
630 |
4.86 |
3.79 |
590 |
(1 |
%) |
8 |
% |
7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to Mineral Reserve and Resource comparison
table:
1) The reader is cautioned not
to misconstrue this tabulation as a mineral resource statement.
Listed grades and tonnes are shown for comparison purposes
only.
2) The gold price used to
estimate Mineral Reserves at year-end 2020 was $1,400 per ounce
compared with $1,200 per ounce at the end of 2019. The gold price
used to estimate Mineral Resources was unchanged at $1,550 per
ounce.
3) Year-end mineral reserves
and resources as well as year-over-year variance subject to
rounding.
Mineral resources are classified in accordance
with the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves and the 2019 CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources
and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (collectively, the
“CIM Standards”).
ELG MINERAL RESERVESProven and
Probable reserves (contained gold) declined to 1,923 thousand
ounces (“Koz”) at an average grade of 2.92 grams per tonne (“g/t”)
from 2,258 Koz at 3.04 g/t at the end of 2019 (Table 2).
The 15% decrease in contained gold primarily
reflects mine depletion of 554 Koz at 2.94 g/t, including 487 Koz
at 3.64 g/t processed, with the remainder stockpiled. The impact of
processing higher than reserve grade ore in 2020 was a key
contributor to the 4% decline in the average gold reserve grade
year-over-year.
Ongoing success from the step-out and infill
exploration programs within the ELG Underground deposits resulted
in underground reserves increasing 53 Koz net of mine depletion of
86 Koz. Infill drilling resulted in growing underground gold
reserves by 93 Koz. Open pit reserves declined 388 Koz, primarily
reflecting approximately 400 Koz of open pit reserves processed
during the year.
The gold price used to estimate year-end
reserves increased to $1,400 per ounce from $1,200 per ounce in the
year prior, which led to a modestly lower open pit cut-off grade
for the ELG Low Grade portion of reserves (0.8 g/t Au versus 0.9
g/t prior) and lower underground cut-off grade (3.1 g/t Au versus
3.7 g/t prior). The application of lower cut-off grades resulted in
54 Koz increase in total gold reserves at an average grade of 1.3
g/t (28 Koz impact on ELG Low Grade reserves and 26 Koz impact on
underground reserves). The incremental open pit reserves attributed
to the lower cut-off grade will be mined, stockpiled, and processed
post depletion of open pit reserves and following processing of
higher-grade stockpiled material.
ELG MINERAL RESOURCESMeasured
and Indicated gold resources decreased 18% to 2,480 Koz at an
average grade of 3.57 g/t at year-end 2020 compared with 3,030 Koz
at 3.39 g/t at the end of 2019. Ongoing exploration success within
the ELG Underground (resource increased 18%) helped offset a
portion of depletion, which was the key driver of the
year-over-year decline in Measured and Indicated gold resources
(Table 3).
Inferred gold resources increased 7% to 630 Koz
at a grade of 4.08 g/t from 590 Koz at 3.79 g/t. The increase
primarily reflects updates to the open pit resource model and
continued exploration success within the ELG underground, with the
Inferred underground resource up 16% year-over-year.
The gold price used to estimate open pit and
underground Mineral resources was US$1,550 per ounce, consistent
with the gold price used to estimate Mineral resources at the end
of 2019.
QA/QC AND QUALIFIED
PERSONSTorex maintains an industry-standard analytical
quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and data verification
program to monitor laboratory performance and to ensure high
quality assay results. Results from this program confirm
reliability of the assay results. All sampling is conducted by
Torex Gold with analytical work for exploration programs at ELG
performed by SGS de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“SGS”) in Durango, and by
SGS in Nuevo Balsas, Mexico (each lab is independent of the
Company). Gold analyses comprise fire assays with atomic absorption
or gravimetric finish.
External check assays for QA/QC purposes are
performed by ALS Chemex de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (independent of the
Company). The analytical QA/QC program at ELG is currently overseen
by Carlo Nasi, Chief Mine Geologist for Minera Media Luna, S.A. de
C.V.
The scientific and technical data contained in
this news release pertaining to mineral resources have been
reviewed and approved by Lars Weiershäuser, PhD, PGeo. Dr.
Weiershäuser is a “Qualified Person” as defined by National
Instrument (“NI”) 43-101, and he is a member of the Association of
Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO#1504), has experience
relevant to the style of mineralization under consideration, and is
an employee of Torex. Dr. Weiershäuser has verified the data
disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying
the drill results, and he consents to the inclusion in this release
of said data in the form and context in which they appear.
The scientific and technical data contained in
this news release pertaining to mineral reserves have been reviewed
and approved by Mr. Clifford Lafleur, P.Eng who is a Qualified
Person as defined by NI 43-101 and an employee of the Company. Mr.
Lafleur is a registered member of the Professional Engineers of
Ontario, has worked the majority of his career in underground hard
rock mining in Canada and Mexico in progressively senior
engineering roles with relevant experience in mine design and
planning, mining economic viability assessments, and mining
studies.
Additional information on ELG, including but not
limited to, sampling and analyses, analytical labs, and methods
used for data verification is available in the Company’s most
recent annual information form and the technical report entitled
“Morelos Property, NI 43-101 Technical Report, ELG Mine Complex,
Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Preliminary Economic Assessment,
Guerrero State, Mexico” with an effective date of March 31, 2018
(filing date September 4, 2018) (the “Technical Report”) filed on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company’s website at
www.torexgold.com.
ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES
INC.Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in
Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of
its 100% owned Morelos Gold Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in
the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometers
southwest of Mexico City. The Company’s principal assets are the El
Limón Guajes mining complex (“ELG” or the “ELG Mine Complex”)
comprising the El Limón, Guajes and El Limón Sur open pits, the El
Limón Guajes underground mine including zones referred to as
Sub-Sill and El Limón Deep (“ELD”), and the processing plant and
related infrastructure, which commenced commercial production as of
April 1, 2016, and the Media Luna deposit, which is an advanced
stage development project, and for which the Company issued an
updated preliminary economic assessment in September 2018. The
property remains 75% unexplored.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE
CONTACT:
TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.
Jody Kuzenko President and CEODirect: (647)
725-9982jody.kuzenko@torexgold.com |
Dan RollinsVice President, Corporate Development &
Investor RelationsDirect: (647)
260-1503dan.rollins@torexgold.com |
CAUTIONARY NOTES
Forward Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking
statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable Canadian securities legislation. While the Company
intends to advance the Media Luna project to production in the
first quarter of 2024 and has taken the decision to commence the
early works program to maintain the schedule to first production,
the Company has not taken a production decision in advance of
completing the Feasibility Study for Media Luna. Forward-looking
information also includes, but is not limited to, statements that:
the decline in reserves at Morelos is expected to reverse when the
Feasibility Study for Media Luna brings Media Luna resources into
reserves; the Feasibility Study for Media Luna is expected to be
published in Q1 of 2022; the ELG Underground is expected to remain
a key value driver for Torex and its shareholders over the coming
years; a further 413,000 ounces of reserves is in place at year-end
from both Sub-Sill and El Limón Deep; with a sizeable resource base
outside of reserves, multi-year step-out and infill drilling
programs underway, and mineralization open at depth, the Company
remains confident in its ability to extend the life of the ELG
Underground beyond the 4.5 years implied by reserves, which remains
a key enabler to delivering a smooth transition from ELG to Media
Luna; the incremental open pit reserves attributed to the lower
cut-off grade will be mined, stockpiled, and processed post
depletion of open pit reserves and following processing of
higher-grade stockpiled material. Generally, forward-looking
information can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "expects", “implied” or variations of such
words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or
results “will”, “remains confident in its ability”, or “is expected
to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking information, including, without
limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: the ability to
upgrade mineral resources to mineral reserves; risks associated
with mineral reserve and mineral resource estimation; uncertainty
involving skarns deposits; the ability of the Company to obtain
permits for the Media Luna Project; the ability of the Company to
conclude a feasibility study of the Media Luna Project that
demonstrates within a reasonable confidence that the Media Luna
Project can be successfully constructed and operated in an
economically viable manner; the ability of the Company to fully
fund the Media Luna Project to production; the ability of the
Company’s mining and exploration operations to operate as intended
due to shortage of skilled employees or shortages in supply chains;
government or regulatory actions or inactions; and those risk
factors identified in the Technical Report and the Company’s annual
information form and management’s discussion and analysis or other
unknown but potentially significant impacts. Notwithstanding the
Company's efforts, there can be no guarantee that the Company’s
measures to protect employees and surrounding communities from
COVID-19 during this period will be effective. Forward-looking
information are based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical
Report and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis
and opinions of management made in light of its experience and
perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments,
and other factors that management believes are relevant and
reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are
made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be
other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There
can be no assurance that such information will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. The Company does not undertake to update any
forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information
or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by
applicable securities laws.
Table 2: Mineral Reserve Estimate – El Limón Guajes Mining
Complex
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2020 |
Tonnes |
Au |
Ag |
Au |
Ag |
|
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(g/t) |
(koz) |
(koz) |
Reserves - Open Pit |
|
|
|
|
|
El Limón (including El Limón Sur) |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
2.48 |
3.59 |
4.3 |
286 |
344 |
Probable |
5.84 |
2.90 |
4.2 |
545 |
787 |
Proven & Probable |
8.32 |
3.11 |
4.2 |
831 |
1,130 |
Guajes |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
1.88 |
3.87 |
3.4 |
234 |
205 |
Probable |
2.28 |
2.86 |
2.6 |
209 |
191 |
Proven & Probable |
4.16 |
3.31 |
3.0 |
443 |
396 |
Mined Stockpiles |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
4.10 |
1.38 |
3.3 |
182 |
433 |
El Limón Guajes Low Grade |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
0.50 |
0.88 |
1.9 |
14 |
31 |
Probable |
1.40 |
0.88 |
2.1 |
40 |
93 |
Proven & Probable |
1.91 |
0.88 |
2.0 |
54 |
124 |
Total Open Pit |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
8.96 |
2.49 |
3.5 |
716 |
1,013 |
Probable |
9.52 |
2.59 |
3.5 |
794 |
1,070 |
Proven & Probable |
18.48 |
2.54 |
3.5 |
1,510 |
2,085 |
Reserves - El Limón Guajes Underground |
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-Sill |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
0.20 |
7.16 |
11.3 |
45 |
71 |
Probable |
0.78 |
6.80 |
6.0 |
170 |
151 |
Proven & Probable |
0.97 |
6.87 |
7.1 |
215 |
222 |
ELD |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Probable |
1.06 |
5.80 |
5.6 |
198 |
189 |
Proven & Probable |
1.06 |
5.80 |
5.6 |
198 |
189 |
Total El Limón Guajes Underground |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
0.20 |
7.16 |
11.3 |
45 |
71 |
Probable |
1.84 |
6.23 |
5.8 |
368 |
340 |
Proven & Probable |
2.03 |
6.32 |
6.3 |
413 |
411 |
Reserves - Open Pit & Underground |
|
|
|
|
|
El Limón Guajes Complex |
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
9.16 |
2.59 |
3.7 |
761 |
1,084 |
Probable |
11.36 |
3.18 |
3.9 |
1,162 |
1,410 |
Proven & Probable |
20.51 |
2.92 |
3.8 |
1,923 |
2,496 |
Notes to
accompany reserve table: |
|
|
|
|
|
1) Mineral reserves are founded on Guajes, El Limón and El Limón
Sur measured and indicated mineral resources with an effective date
of December 31, 2020. |
2) Mineral reserves are based on open pit mining within designed
pits and underground cut and fill mining where appropriate and
include estimates of dilution and mining losses. |
3) El Limón and Guajes Open Pit mineral reserves are reported above
a diluted cut-off grade of 1.0 g/t Au within the designed pits
assuming estimates for dilution and ore losses. El Limón Guajes Low
Grade mineral reserves are reported above a diluted cut-off grade
of 0.8 g/t Au. |
4) El Limón Underground mineral reserves are reported above a
diluted incremental cut-off grade of 0.9 g/t Au and a diluted ore
cut-off grade of 3.1 g/t Au within designed mine shapes assuming
mechanized cut and fill mining method and estimates for dilution
and mining losses. |
5) Cut-off grades, designed pits and mining shapes are considered
appropriate for a metal price of $1,400/oz Au and metal recoveries
of 89% Au and 28% Ag. |
6) Mineral reserves were developed in accordance with CIM
guidelines. |
7) Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between
tonnes, grade, and contained metal content. |
8) The qualified person for the mineral reserve estimate is
Clifford Lafleur P.Eng the Director of Mineral Resources and Mine
Engineering for the Corporation. |
Table 3: Mineral Resource Estimate – El Limón
Guajes Mining Complex
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2020 |
Tonnes |
Au |
Ag |
Au |
Ag |
|
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(g/t) |
(koz) |
(koz) |
Resources - Open Pit |
|
|
|
|
|
El Limón (including El Limón Sur) |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
2.79 |
3.64 |
5.2 |
330 |
460 |
Indicated |
9.03 |
2.66 |
5.7 |
770 |
1,650 |
Measured & Indicated |
11.82 |
2.89 |
5.6 |
1,100 |
2,120 |
Inferred |
1.68 |
1.73 |
7.4 |
90 |
400 |
Guajes |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
2.32 |
3.62 |
3.3 |
270 |
250 |
Indicated |
4.15 |
2.55 |
2.4 |
340 |
330 |
Measured & Indicated |
6.47 |
2.93 |
2.8 |
610 |
570 |
Inferred |
0.26 |
1.88 |
2.2 |
20 |
20 |
Total Open Pit |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
5.10 |
3.63 |
4.3 |
600 |
710 |
Indicated |
13.18 |
2.63 |
4.7 |
1,110 |
1,980 |
Measured & Indicated |
18.28 |
2.91 |
4.6 |
1,710 |
2,690 |
Inferred |
1.93 |
1.75 |
6.7 |
110 |
420 |
Resources - El Limón Guajes Underground |
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-Sill |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
0.56 |
8.83 |
11.0 |
160 |
200 |
Indicated |
1.40 |
7.40 |
6.7 |
330 |
300 |
Measured & Indicated |
1.96 |
7.81 |
7.9 |
490 |
500 |
Inferred |
1.40 |
6.45 |
6.6 |
290 |
300 |
ELD |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Indicated |
1.30 |
6.57 |
6.5 |
270 |
270 |
Measured & Indicated |
1.30 |
6.57 |
6.5 |
270 |
270 |
Inferred |
1.48 |
4.90 |
8.3 |
230 |
400 |
Total El Limón Guajes Underground |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
0.56 |
8.83 |
11.0 |
160 |
200 |
Indicated |
2.70 |
7.00 |
6.6 |
610 |
570 |
Measured & Indicated |
3.26 |
7.31 |
7.3 |
770 |
770 |
Inferred |
2.88 |
5.65 |
7.5 |
520 |
690 |
Resources - Open Pit & Underground |
|
|
|
|
|
El Limón Guajes Complex |
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
5.66 |
4.14 |
5.0 |
750 |
910 |
Indicated |
15.88 |
3.37 |
5.0 |
1,720 |
2,550 |
Measured & Indicated |
21.55 |
3.57 |
5.0 |
2,480 |
3,460 |
Inferred |
4.81 |
4.08 |
7.2 |
630 |
1,110 |
Notes to accompany resource table: |
1) The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2020. |
2) The estimate was prepared by Dr. Lars Weiershäuser, P.Geo., an
employee of the Company, who is a “Qualified Person” under NI
43-101. |
3) Mineral resources are reported inclusive mineral reserves;
mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. |
4) Mineral resources amenable for open pit extraction: |
a) Resources have been reported
below a topography with mining progress as of December 31, 2020.
Stockpiled material is not considered in the mineral resource
tabulation. |
b) Resources are reported at a
cut-off grade of 0.8 g/t gold and are constraint within a
conceptual open pit shell. |
c) Assumed pit slopes range from 3
to 49 degrees. |
d) The assumed open pit mining costs
are US$2.18/tonne, processing costs US$25.00/tonne, general and
administrative costs of US$8.19/tonne processed. |
5) Mineral resources amenable for underground extraction: |
a) Resources are reported above a
2.5 g/t Au cut-off grade. |
b) Resources have been reported
considering mining progress as of December 1, 2020. |
c) Mineral resources for ELD have
been reported below the reserve pit of the El Limón deposit. |
6) El Limon open pit mineral resources have been reduced between
the final reserve pit and the resource pit to account for mineral
resources reported under ELD including a conceptual crown
pillar. |
7) Mineral resources are reported using a long-term metal prices of
US$1,550/oz Au and US$20/oz Ag. |
8) Metallurgical recoveries are assumed to be 89% for Au and 28%
for Ag. |
9) Mineral resources are classified in accordance with the CIM
Standards. |
10) Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in
apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade, and metal
content. |
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Torex Gold Resources (TSX:TXG)
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