Prime Mining Corp. (“Prime” or the
“Company”) (TSX-V: PRYM, OTCQX: PRMNF, Frankfurt:
04V3) is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate
(“MRE”) for its Los Reyes gold-silver project, located in Sinaloa
State, Mexico.
Resource Highlights:
- The addition of 100,000 metres (“m”) of Prime drilling has
doubled the current MRE compared to the April 2020 resource, with a
discovery cost of approximately $US 25 per gold equivalent1
(“AuEq”) ounce (“oz”).
- At the resource gold cut-off grade of 0.22 gpt, Prime’s updated
open pit MRE contains:
- 1.47 million Indicated AuEq ounces at a 1.68 grams per tonne
(“gpt”) average grade. This represents a 73% increase in Measured
and Indicated AuEq ounces, and 26% increase in AuEq grade. This is
1.0 million ounces of gold at 1.16 gpt and 35 million ounces of
silver at 40.4 gpt.
- 0.73 million Inferred AuEq ounces at a 1.26 gpt average grade.
This represents a 175% increase in AuEq ounces and 8% increase in
AuEq grade. This is 0.5 million ounces of gold at 0.85 gpt and 18.4
million ounces of silver at 31.5 gpt.
- Using a higher 1.0 gpt gold cut-off grade, the MRE highlights a
robust, extremely high-grade open pit resource that contains in
excess of 1.0 million AuEq Indicated ounces at an average AuEq
grade of 3.70 gpt (see Table 2 for more details).
- The MRE has a high-grade open pit mill resource and a lower
grade heap leach portion.
- The MRE includes drilling completed before December 31, 2022
from only the three main zones at Los Reyes: Guadalupe, Z-T and
Central.
- This MRE does not include positive results from:
- Mariposa, Las Primas and Fresnillo;
- highly prospective exploration targets outlined in Prime’s
February 27th news release;
- over 20,000 m drilled to-date during 2023.
Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Kunz commented,
“Congratulations to our exploration team for doubling the known
gold-silver resource at Los Reyes while simultaneously increasing
the average grade and improving the quality and confidence in the
mineral resource estimate. Included in the open pit resource tonnes
and grade is a notable high-grade mill feed component. The key
elements of our on-going discoveries made over the past two years
are the size and scale of the high-grade mineralization. On-going
metallurgical testwork is confirming the relatively simple,
high-recovery nature of the resources. With the additional proceeds
from the early warrant exercise, we will have the flexibility to
increase the drill program as we maintain our ‘success-based’
approach to exploration.”
Scott Smith, Executive Vice President of Exploration, added: “We
remain hard at work drilling known extensions to the resource and
new generative exploration areas highlighted earlier this year. We
are targeting yet another doubling of our mineral resource. Since
the MRE year-end drilling cut-off, we have already drilled an
additional 20,000 metres at Los Reyes that are not included in
today’s mineral resource estimate. In the majority of the mineral
envelopes, our resource pits pull right to the extent of our
drilling - these represent immediate expansion opportunities with
our ongoing 2023 drilling. Prime has already increased its 2023
drill program to 45,000 m, and the team is already planning for an
expanded fall drill program.”
With ongoing drilling success, the Company believes there is
significant potential to expand the MRE.
Table 1 – 2023 Resource Estimate at 0.22
gpt Gold Cut-off Grade($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver
price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2
ProcessStream |
AssuranceCategory |
Ore Tonnes |
AverageGoldGrade |
ContainedGold |
AverageSilverGrade |
ContainedSilver |
Average AuEq |
ContainedAuEq |
|
|
(millions) |
(gpt) |
(k ozs) |
(gpt) |
(k ozs) |
Grade (gpt) |
(k ozs) |
Mill |
Measured (M) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Indicated (I) |
16.6 |
1.66 |
888 |
60.2 |
32,182 |
2.44 |
1,304 |
|
M+I |
16.6 |
1.66 |
888 |
60.2 |
32,182 |
2.44 |
1,304 |
|
Inferred |
10.8 |
1.18 |
411 |
47.2 |
16,390 |
1.79 |
623 |
Heap |
Measured (M) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Leach |
Indicated (I) |
10.5 |
0.37 |
125 |
9.1 |
3,081 |
0.49 |
165 |
|
M+I |
10.5 |
0.37 |
125 |
9.1 |
3,081 |
0.49 |
165 |
|
Inferred |
7.3 |
0.37 |
86 |
8.3 |
1,944 |
0.47 |
111 |
TOTAL |
Measured (M) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Indicated (I) |
27.2 |
1.16 |
1,013 |
40.4 |
35,263 |
1.68 |
1,470 |
|
M+I |
27.2 |
1.16 |
1,013 |
40.4 |
35,263 |
1.68 |
1,470 |
|
Inferred |
18.1 |
0.85 |
497 |
31.5 |
18,334 |
1.26 |
734 |
Resource Description
The Los Reyes resource is composed of three main
areas: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central (see Figure 1 – Resource Area
Map). Resources were estimated assuming a gold price of $1700 and
silver price of $22, and various processing, operating cost and
other economic parameters as described in Note 2 below. Resources
are reported from blocks within an economically constrained pit,
containing gold grades greater than 0.22 gpt. The resource areas
remain open along strike and at depth (see Figure 2 – Resource Area
3D view).
The majority of the Los Reyes resource is
contained within a high-grade envelope (see Figure 3 – Guadalupe
East cross-section). For example, at a 1.0 gpt gold cut-off, the
Los Reyes MRE contains in excess of 1 million gold equivalent
ounces at an average grade of 3.70 gpt AuEq in the Indicated
category and 374,000 ounces at a grade of 3.07 gpt AuEq in the
Inferred category (see Table 2).
Table 2 – 2023 Resource Sensitivity
Estimate at 1.0 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade($1700/oz gold
price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2
|
AssuranceCategory |
Ore Tonnes |
AverageGoldGrade |
ContainedGold |
AverageSilverGrade |
ContainedSilver |
Average AuEq |
ContainedAuEq |
|
|
(millions) |
(gpt) |
(k ozs) |
(gpt) |
(k ozs) |
Grade (gpt) |
(k ozs) |
1.00 g/T |
Measured (M) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Cutoff |
Indicated (I) |
8.8 |
2.59 |
731 |
85.6 |
24,212 |
3.70 |
1,045 |
|
M+I |
8.8 |
2.59 |
731 |
85.6 |
24,212 |
3.70 |
1,045 |
|
Inferred |
3.8 |
2.30 |
281 |
59.2 |
7,208 |
3.07 |
374 |
For the purposes of this MRE, all resources are
assumed to be mined using conventional open pit methods (see Note 2
for further assumptions).
The MRE was estimated using a drilling cut-off
date of December 31, 2022. It is based on a resource block model
developed from almost 50,000 metres (“m”) of drilling completed by
previous property owners, and over 100,000 m of drilling completed
by Prime, of which more than 90% is diamond drill core.
This MRE was completed under the supervision of
John Sims, a member of the American Institute of Professional
Geologists since 2004, an ‘Independent Qualified Person’ as defined
by NI 43-101 guidelines, with over 35 years of related experience.
Prime will file a NI 43-101 compliant updated Technical Report in
support of this resource update within 45 days of this release. The
following information is available on our website, including the
full drill hole table up to December 31, 2022:
Link 1 – PDF
FiguresLink 2 – PDF Drill Hole
Table
Figure 1 –Resource Area Pits, and
Generative Target Locations
Figure 2 –Northeast View of Resource Area
Indicating Expansion Potential
Figure 3 –Cross-section of Guadalupe East
Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope
Next Steps
With the resource areas remaining open along
strike and at depth, Prime will complete an increased 45,000m
exploration drilling program at Los Reyes in 2023. Overall, Prime’s
discovery cost over the past three years is less than $US25 per
AuEq ounce. Supported by a strong treasury bolstered by the
recently announced warrant acceleration (see Prime’s April 11, 2023
news release), Prime will continue to drill the highly prospective
Guadalupe, Z-T and Central Zones in order to expand known resources
and further explore newly developing resource areas. Work will also
continue on other technical areas including metallurgical test
work, geotechnical assessments, mine and processing stream
optimization and trade-offs, environmental studies and social
contributions.
Notes
- Gold equivalent
grades are calculated as in-situ contained grades, applying the
assumed ratio of gold to silver prices using the following formula:
AuEq grade (gpt) = Gold grade (gpt) + Silver grade (gpt) x ($22 /
$1700). Relative recoveries are not considered in the in-situ
contained grade estimate but are stated below and utilized in the
resource shell economic pit constraints. All dollar values are in
US dollars unless otherwise stated.
- Resource estimate
is based on economically constrained pits using the following
optimization parameters (all dollar values are in US dollars):
- $1700/ounce gold
price and $22/ounce silver price
- Mill recoveries of
93% and 83% for gold and silver, respectively
- Heap leach
recoveries of 73% and 25% for gold and silver, respectively
- 45-degree pit
slopes, with an assumed 5% ore loss and 5% dilution factor applied
to the 5x5x5m resource block model
- Mining costs of
$2.00 per tonne of waste mined and $2.50 per tonne of ore
mined
- Milling costs of
$15 per tonne processed and heap leaching costs of $4 per tonne
processed
- G&A of $1.60
per tonne processed
- 3% royalty costs
and 1% selling costs were also applied
- Unless otherwise
noted, an overall 0.22 g/T gold cut-off was applied to all ore
blocks
QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures
Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled
in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetre “mm”), reducing to NQ or
BQ size ranges (47.6 mm and 36.5 mm respectively) when required.
Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis
with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit
geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to
be sampled and split, and one half is submitted for assay. RC
drilling returns rock chips and fines from a 133.35 mm diameter
tricone bit. The returns are homogenized and split into two halves,
with one half submitted for analysis and the other half stored.
Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified
reference materials and blanks as well as preparation duplicates
are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8%
of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole.
Samples are picked up from the Project by the
laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango
or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is
carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay,
including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their
respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element
analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample
preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70%
passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter,
and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75
microns.
Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire
assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code
FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid
digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with
detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a
full suite of elements.
Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an
upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an
over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for
gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses
by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm,
respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed
by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.
Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC
accredited assay laboratories. Drill core assay results range from
below detection to 200.0 gpt gold and 4,955.0 gpt silver.
Qualified Person
Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of
Exploration, is a qualified person for the purposes of National
Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical
content in this news release.
Additional Notes
Prime’s mineral resource estimate as of May 2,
2023 are classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of
Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) “CIM Definition Standards
- For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves” adopted by the CIM
Council (as amended, the “CIM Definition Standards”) in accordance
with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“NI 43-101”).
About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver
Project
Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low
sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa
State, Mexico. Historic operating results indicate that an
estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver
were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between
1770 and 1990. Prior to Prime’s acquisition, recent operators of
Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration,
engineering, and prefeasibility studies. The Project remains
underexplored and holds potential for additional discovery and
resource expansion.
Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has
spent approximately US$30 million on direct exploration activities
and has completed two phases of comprehensive drilling totaling
over 100,000 metres. Results to date suggest the three known main
deposit areas, Guadalupe, Central and Z-T, are larger than
previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries
outside of the currently defined resource areas.
About Prime Mining
Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful
mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced
local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the
Los Reyes Project. The company has a well-planned capital structure
with a strong management team and insider ownership.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Daniel KunzChief Executive
Officer
For further information, please contact:
Daniel KunzChief Executive
Officer and DirectorPrime Mining Corp.1307 S. Colorado Ave.Boise,
Idaho 83706Telephone: +1 (208) 926-6379 officeemail:
daniel@primeminingcorp.ca
Scott HicksExecutive Vice
PresidentPrime Mining Corp.710 – 1030 West Georgia StreetVancouver,
BC, V6E 2Y3Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 officeemail:
scott.hicks@primeminingcorp.ca
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward Looking Information
This news release contains certain
“forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be
amended from time to time, including, without limitation,
statements regarding the perceived merit of the Company’s
properties, including additional exploration potential of Los
Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential
size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the
Company’s exploration and development plans in Mexico.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that
the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based
on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management
on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks
and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such
forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation,
assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the
accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no
material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties;
that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession
renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will
be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange
rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will
be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its
properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances 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 involve significant known
and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks
include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties
inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates,
including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions,
variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery
rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations,
failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability
of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license,
changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters,
delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of
local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including
concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations,
risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access
agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of
mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the
Company’s objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses,
as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most
recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its
annual information form dated April 22, 2022, available on
www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws
and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes
no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if
management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors,
should change.
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available
athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47c31c0c-f60d-4021-a00e-a06d5de93c93https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76f2d31a-8c45-426b-a34e-3aea34bad223https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf35ebb1-663c-4ff0-a0a7-66725eb43e18
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