Announcement • Nov 03
Antioquia Gold Inc. Cisneros Mineral Resource Estimate Update
Antioquia Gold Inc. announced mineral resource estimate update for its Cisneros mining operation. Mine Technical Services (MTS) audited the Cisneros Mineral Resource estimate and completed an independent mineral resource estimate for validation purposes. Differences were generally less than 10% in tonnes, grade and contained metal. Mineral Resources for the project were classified under the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves by applying a cut-off grade that incorporated mining costs, process operating costs, metallurgical recovery parameters and commodity prices. The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource estimate is David G. Thomas, P.Geo of MTS. Mineral resources are reported using a long-term metal price of $1,800/troy oz USD. Variable marginal cut-off grades were applied depending on the anticipated mining method. Resources have an effective date of October 1, 2022. Domains were modelled in 3D to separate mineralized rock types from surrounding waste rock. The domains were modelled based on quartz veining and structural interpretations of the vein geometries. At Nus and the massive bodies at Guayabito, a probability assisted constrained kriging (PACK) method was used to further constrain block grade estimates. For the Nus shear, raw drill hole assays were composited to 2.0 m lengths broken at domain boundaries. In the Guaico and Guayabito vein models, assays were composited to a maximum length of 1 m with shorter length composites where the veins are less than 1 m in width. Indicator correlations and indicator variography were used to define high-grade outlier thresholds and distance restrictions to prevent over-projection of higher-grades into lower-grade areas. Block grades for gold were estimated from the composites using ordinary kriging interpolation into 1 x 2 x 2 m blocks at Guaico, into 2 x 2 x 2 m blocks at Nus and 1 x 1 x 2 m blocks at Guayabito. Blocks were coded by domain. Dry bulk density was estimated directly from SG measurements by inverse distance cubed where data were available. A dry bulk density of 2.75 g/cm3 was applied in unestimated areas and in veins with no SG measurements. MTS classified blocks to the Measured category using multiple levels of mine development generally spaced less than 15 m apart and in areas with grade continuity above the Mineral Resource cut-off grade. Indicated category blocks were classified in areas with multiple levels of mine development spaced more than 15 m apart or with drilling less than 25 m apart. Inferred mineral resources were classified in areas with a single mine development level and drilling spaced less than 50 m apart. The QP determined that the material has reasonable prospects of economic extraction by application of a cut-off grade which considers process/G&A, mining costs and by constraining the Mineral Resource estimate to areas in proximity to mine development, by removing isolated blocks and by assuming a 30 m crown pillar below surface topograhpy. In addition, Mineral Resources within veins are reported above a grade-thickness constraint to ensure that material is above cut-off over an assumed minimum mining width of 1 m. A metal price of $1,800/oz was used for gold. A metallurgical recovery of 94% for gold was applied together with a smelter payable of 97% and a 3.2% government royalty. Gold cut-off grades of 1.6 g/t (Nus shear), 2.29 g/t (Guaico veins) and 1.82 g/t (Guayabito veins) were estimated by MTS based on a total process and G&A operating cost of $33.0 /t of ore mined. Mining costs were $48/t (Nus shear), $84/t (Guaico veins) and $60/t (Guayabito veins). Antioquia Gold chose cut-off grades of 1.5 g/t (Nus shear), 2.3 g/t (Guaico veins) and 1.8 g/t (Guayabito veins). The contained gold figures shown are in situ. No assurance can be given that the estimated quantities will be produced. All figures have been rounded to reflect accuracy and to comply with securities regulatory requirements. Summations within the tables may not agree due to rounding. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred resources in this estimation are conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred resources as an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource. There is a reasonable expectation that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource can be upgraded to Indicated with continued exploration. The updated MRE for Cisneros has been completed according to CIM Definition Standards and will be supported by a NI 43-101 independent report which will be published and filed on the Company's website and SEDAR profile within 45 days of the publication of this press release. Readers should be cautioned that the Corporation's decision to move forward with the construction and production of the Cisneros Mine is not based on the results of any pre-feasibility study or feasibility study of mineral resources demonstrating economic or technical viability. Readers are referred to the Cisneros Report for details on independently verified mineral resources on the Cisneros Project. Since 2013, the Corporation has undertaken exploration and development activities; and after taking into consideration various factors, including but not limited to: the exploration and development results to date, technical information developed internally, the availability of funding, the low starting costs as estimated internally by the Corporation's management, the Corporation is of the view that the establishment of mineral reserves, the commissioning of a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study at this stage is not necessary, and that the most responsible utilization of the Corporation's resources is to proceed with the development and construction of the mine. Readers are cautioned that due to the lack of pre-feasibility study or feasibility study, there is increased uncertainty and higher risk of economic and technical failure associated with the Corporation's decision. In particular, there is additional risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected, the risk that construction or ongoing mining operations will be more difficult or more expensive than management expected. Production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis in accordance with NI 43-101. Project failure may materially adversely impact the Corporation's future profitability, its ability to repay existing loans, and its overall ability to continue as a going concern.