Century Global Commodities Corporation (“Century” or the
“Corporation”) (TSX: CNT) and its 91.6% owned subsidiary Joyce
Direct Iron Inc. (“JDI”), or collectively (the “Company”), are
pleased to announce the Feasibility Study (“FS”) results for the
Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore (“DSO”) Project (the “Project”)
of the Attikamagen Property, Labrador. JDI is 100% owner of the
Joyce Lake DSO Project.
The FS was completed by BBA Inc. (“BBA”), with
input from Stantec Consulting Ltd., Goldminds Geoservices Inc.,
Pinchin Ltd., and LVM, a division of Englobe Corporation. The NI
43-101 Technical Report of the FS will be filed on SEDAR and
Century’s website within 45 days of this news release. The FS
results disclosed in this news release is in Canadian dollars
unless otherwise stated. Please note estimates of total values in
tables may differ slightly from total values in the text, due to
rounding.
Project Summary
The Joyce Lake DSO Project is located in the
province of Newfoundland and Labrador in proximity to
Schefferville, Quebec. The Project comprises the following main
sectors:
- Open pit mine
which delivers run of mine high iron grade material to the crushing
and screening plant, while stockpiling lower grade material for
crushing and screening at the end of the open pit mine life.
- Dry crushing
and screening of ore generating a split of 65% sinter fines and 35%
lump products with an average annual production of 2.5 million dmt
of DSO products at an average grade of 59.94% Fe.
- Approximately 7
years production including transporting to market fines products in
the summer and dried lump products in the winter.
- Transportation
of products over a 43km dedicated haul road from the mine site to a
new rail siding near Astray Lake, which connects to existing rail
infrastructure for product transport to the Port of Sept-Îles (POS)
Multi-User port at Pointe Noire, for shipment to China and other
world markets.
Economic Results
The economic results in Table 1 are based upon quotations
with an effective date of March 31, 2022, and commodity pricing
averaged over a three-year look-back from March 31, 2022.
Table 1: Key Project Economic
Results
|
Before Tax |
After Tax |
NPV at 8% discount rate |
$357.2 M |
$184.6 M |
IRR |
27.72 |
% |
20.01 |
% |
Years to Payback (from start of operations) |
3.2 |
|
3.7 |
|
Initial Capital Costs |
$270.4 M |
Pre-production capital |
$80.4 M |
Life of Mine Sustaining Capital |
$18.3 M |
Average Operating Costs (loaded rail car at site rail siding) |
$36.26/dot |
Average Rail Transportation Costs |
$25.06/dot |
Average FOB Sept-Iles operating cost |
$61.32/dot |
Average Ocean Shipping Costs |
$33.93/dmt |
Average Operating Cost Landed (China) |
$95.26/dmt |
Mineral Resources
The Mineral Resource reporting was completed in
GENESIS and the current pit constrained Mineral Resources (“Current
MRE”) were estimated in conformity with generally accepted CIM
Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practices
Guidelines of 2019.
The Current MRE was based on results from the
2011-2013 drilling program and are at a cut-off grade of 50%Fe
generating 23.97 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated
Mineral Resources at an average grade of 58.63% total Iron (Fe) and
0.83 million tonnes of Inferred Mineral Resources. The pit
constrained Mineral Resources at a 55% cut-off grade was also
calculated for sensitivity purposes and also shown in Table 2.
The Current MRE shown in Table 2 is constrained
within an optimized pit shell with a 50%Fe cut off grade applied as
per CIM 2019 guidelines. The cut-off grade was applied within an
optimized pit shell, selected to achieve an overall resource iron
content that would, in the author’s opinion, meet typical DSO grade
market specifications and have a reasonable prospect for economic
extraction.
Table 2: Summary of current pit
constrained MRE at Joyce Lake DSO Project, May 6, 2022
Joyce Lake (DSO) Mineral Resource Estimate (1) |
50% Fe Cut-off (2) |
Tonnes (3) |
% Fe |
% SiO2 |
%
Al2O3 |
% Mn |
Measured ("M") |
18,530,000 |
58.71 |
12.97 |
0.55 |
0.81 |
Indicated ("I") |
5,440,000 |
58.35 |
14.09 |
0.51 |
0.53 |
M+I |
23,970,000 |
58.63 |
13.22 |
0.54 |
0.75 |
Inferred |
830,000 |
62.10 |
8.30 |
0.43 |
0.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joyce Lake (DSO) Mineral Resource Estimate Sensitivity (1) |
55% Fe Cut-off (2) |
Tonnes (3) |
% Fe |
% SiO2 |
%
Al2O3 |
% Mn |
Measured ("M") |
12,870,000 |
61.45 |
9.01 |
0.54 |
0.85 |
Indicated ("I") |
3,590,000 |
61.55 |
9.36 |
0.49 |
0.64 |
M+I |
16,460,000 |
61.47 |
9.09 |
0.53 |
0.81 |
Inferred |
790,000 |
62.50 |
7.68 |
0.43 |
0.81 |
Notes:
- Pit optimized using
approximately $68.97/t operating costs and $157/t FOB Sept-Îles for
material over 55% Fe (equivalent to approximately US$150/t
benchmark price at 0.76 C$:US$ exchange rate).
- Within mineralized
envelope and optimized pit shell, % Fe Cut-off on individual
blocks.
- Variable Density
(equation derived from core measurements), tonnes rounded to
nearest 10,000.
|
Mineral Reserves
The mineral reserves are reported in accordance
with CIM definition standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral
Reserves and their Guidelines and are compliant with NI43-101. The
mineral reserves estimated for Joyce Lake DSO Project during the FS
are set below.
Table 3: Joyce Lake Mineral Reserves
at 52% Fe cut-off grade
Mineral Reserves |
Tonnage |
Grade |
Grade |
Grade |
Grade |
Mineral Category |
(Mt) |
(%Fe) |
(%SiO2) |
(%Al2O3) |
(%Mn) |
High-grade Proven (Above 55% Fe) |
11.32 |
61.65 |
8.72 |
0.55 |
0.84 |
Low-grade Proven (52% - 55% Fe) |
2.84 |
53.49 |
20.42 |
0.62 |
0.69 |
Total Proven (Above 52% Fe) |
14.16 |
60.01 |
11.07 |
0.56 |
0.81 |
High-grade Probable (Above 55% Fe) |
2.49 |
61.51 |
9.46 |
0.50 |
0.61 |
Low-grade Probable (52% - 55% Fe) |
0.72 |
53.27 |
21.68 |
0.59 |
0.29 |
Total Probable (Above 52% Fe) |
3.21 |
59.65 |
12.21 |
0.52 |
0.54 |
Total Reserve (Above 52% Fe) |
17.37 |
59.94 |
11.28 |
0.55 |
0.76 |
Table Notes:
-
Mineral Reserves are based on Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resources with an effective date of May 6, 2022.
-
Mineral Reserves are reported based on open pit mining within
designed pits and incorporate estimates for mining dilution and
mining losses. As a result of regularization of the block model, an
estimated 2.4% mining dilution and 2.4% mining loss were
incorporated into the model.
-
Joyce Lake high-grade Mineral Reserves are reported at a diluted
cut-off grade of 55% Fe. The cut-off grades and pit designs are
considered appropriate for an iron ore price of $117.53/dot for
high-grade, a process recovery of 98% for crushing & screening,
and estimated mining, processing, and G&A unit costs during pit
operation.
-
Joyce Lake low-grade Mineral Reserves are reported at a diluted
cut-off grade of 52% Fe and below the higher cut-off grades
identified in Note 3. It is planned that low-grade Mineral Reserves
within the designed pits will be stockpiled during pit operation
and processed during pit closure. The low-grade cut-off is
considered appropriate for an iron ore price of $61.14/dot for
low-grade, a process recovery of 98% and estimated ore rehandle,
processing, and G&A unit costs during pit closure.
-
Proven Reserves are all blocks inside the engineered pit design in
the Measured Resource category.
-
Probable Reserves are all blocks inside the engineered pit design
in the Indicated Resource category.
-
Mineral Reserves were developed in accordance with CIM Definition
Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014) and
the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best
Practice Guidelines (2019).
-
Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between
tonnes and grade.
-
Mineral Reserves are reported with an effective date of May 6,
2022.
Financial Analysis
Table 4: Summary of key financial
results
Mineral Category |
Before Tax |
After Tax |
IRR |
27.72 |
% |
20.01 |
% |
Payback Years |
3.2 |
|
3.7 |
|
NPV @ 0% Discount Rate |
$660.2 M |
$394.7 M |
NPV @ 4% Discount Rate |
$489.4 M |
$276.4 M |
NPV @ 8% Discount Rate |
$357.2 M |
$184.6 M |
Analysis Assumptions
- Long term price, CFR
China of US$124.95 dot 62% Fe fines.
- The average FOB
Sept-Iles operating cost is C$61.32/dot (US$47.10/dot) before
royalties. Ocean freight to China is assumed to be C$33.93/dot
(US$26.06/dot). Total landed (China) cost is C$95.26/dot
(US$73.16/dot).
- Royalty payments
average C$1.86/dot.
- Exchange rate of
US$0.77 per C$1.00.
- Ore production of
approximately 7 years.
- Initial capital cost
estimate accuracy of -10% / +15%.
Table 5: Summary of Capital Costs and
Other Expenditures
Initial Capital Costs |
$M |
Mining (Capitalized Pre-Stripping) |
20.7 |
|
Mining Equipment (Initial Owner Fleet) |
26.3 |
|
Infrastructure Direct Costs |
143.1 |
|
Infrastructure Indirect and Owners Costs |
42.8 |
|
Railcars Lease Down Payment |
9.2 |
|
Other Mobile Equipment Lease Down Payment |
10.0 |
|
Contingency |
18.4 |
|
Total Project CAPEX |
270.4 |
|
Sustaining Capital |
$M |
Mining Equipment Sustaining |
18.3 |
|
Total Sustaining Capital |
18.3 |
|
Pre-production Capital |
$M |
Pre-payments for rail and port capacity buy-ins |
58.4 |
|
Leasing payments incurred in pre-production |
22.0 |
|
Total Pre-production Capital |
80.4 |
|
Other Expenditures |
$M |
Production Leasing Payments |
87.9 |
|
Closure and Rehab Assurance Payment |
6.4 |
|
Royalties |
32.3 |
|
Salvage Value |
(31.8 |
) |
The initial capital cost estimate is $270.4M
which excludes investment of $58.4M to acquire pre-production
capability for product handling at rail and ship-loading
facilities. This investment is reclaimed through agreements which
provide a credit per tonne of product transported or by selling
acquired capacity at the end of mine life. Mobile equipment such as
railcars, loaders and haul trucks will be leased thus incurring
pre-production leasing payments of $22.0M. Major equipment and
rolling stock sold at the end of mine life generates $31.8M of
salvage value.
During operations, additional mining equipment
is required which incurs a sustaining capital of $18.3M. Additional
costs which are incurred during operations include: $32.3M in
royalty payments, leasing payments for mobile equipment such as
railcars, loaders and haul trucks which totals $87.9M and site
closure costs of $6.4M. These estimates are included in the FS
financial analysis.
Table 6: Site and Astray Lake Loading
Operating Cost Summary
Area |
($/dmt) |
Mining |
15.5 |
Perimeter Dewatering and Water Management |
0.7 |
Cushing and Screening and Product Handling |
3.0 |
Product Truck Haulage to Astray Lake Rail Loading |
6.7 |
Load-out and Rail Siding at Astray Lake |
1.8 |
Site Administration |
4.5 |
Site Services (Room & Board and FIFO Air Tickets) |
3.1 |
Lump Drying |
0.9 |
Total operating costs excluding Royalties |
36.3 |
Note: The project remains subject to permitting
and there is no assurance permitting will be obtained for the
project or that material modifications may not be required
Technical Report and Qualified Person
An NI 43-101 Technical Report (the “Report”) will be filed on
SEDAR and on Century’s website within 45 days of the date of this
news release. The Report will consist of a summary of the FS
prepared by BBA in respect of the FS. The technical information
contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
Mr. Derek Blais, P. Eng., of BBA with the exception of the Current
MRE’s which was reviewed and approved by Mr. Claude Duplessis,
P.Eng., of Goldmunds Ecoservices Inc. and the mine design and
mining plan which were prepared and approved by Ms. Joanne
Robinson, P. Eng. of BBA. These individuals are considered as
Qualified Persons (“QPs”) as defined by NI 43-101 and are
independent of the Corporation and Company. Additional FS QPs
include Guillaume Joyal, P.Eng., of Englobe Corp., Sheldon Smith,
P.Geo., of Stantec Consulting Ltd., and Byron O’Connor, P.Eng., of
Pinchin Ltd.
Comments by the Company
Sandy Chim, Century’s President and CEO added,
“I am pleased with the feasibility study results at an initial
capital cost of C$270.4M, generating after-tax
NPV8 of C$184.6M and after-tax IRR of 20.01%,
which provide the foundation for our further advancement of the
development of the Project.”
He went on to say, “The feasibility study adopted the
extraordinary innovation of transporting DSO fines in summer while
also drying and stockpiling DSO lump. The dried lump will be
transported in winter, avoiding the customary take-or-pay penalties
of a winter transportation shut-down. The transportation innovation
together with discrete equipment leasing and a reduction in
transportation equipment, has greatly enhanced the Projects
financial performance.”
He also said, “Supported by these excellent results, management
will work diligently to complete Indigenous Groups consultation and
environmental assessment and permitting to reach a production
decision as soon as possible.”
Peter Jones, Chair of Century’s Advisory Committee
said, “The cost of drying DSO lump product to 2% moisture
content, stockpiling and protecting it from additional moisture
gain before reclaiming and winter transport, is a fraction of the
cost of a normal winter transportation shutdown. Working with BBA
Inc. of Montreal, Century has developed this innovative concept,
which I believe is a first in Canada’s Labrador Trough iron ore
mines.”
ABOUT CENTURY
Century Global Commodities Corporation (TSX:CNT)
is primarily a resource exploration and development company with a
large portfolio of multi-billion tonne iron ore projects in Canada,
mostly discovered by its own exploration team. It has other
non-ferrous metals properties under exploration as well as a
well-established food distribution business (Century Food) in Hong
Kong.
The Joyce Lake DSO Iron Ore Project
Joyce Lake, our most advanced project, is a DSO project in
Newfoundland and Labrador, close to the town of Schefferville,
Québec which is serviced by a rail link directly to ocean shipping
iron ore ports at Sept-Îles. The Project has completed an updated
feasibility study in 2022 and is undergoing environmental
assessment. Joyce Lake is held in a special purpose vehicle, Joyce
Direct Iron Inc., to be spun out to be a separate listed
company.
Century Food
Century Food is a subsidiary operation of the Company which
started a few years ago and is a value-adding marketing and
distribution business of quality food products sourced from such
regions as Europe and Australia and sold in the Hong Kong and Macau
markets.
For further information please contact:
Sandy Chim, President &
CEOCentury Global Commodities
Corporation416-977-3188IR@centuryglobal.ca |
|
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION
THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS “FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION” WITHIN THE MEANING OF CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION.
THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE
REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF CENTURY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS
RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION INCLUDES INFORMATION THAT RELATES TO,
AMONG OTHER THINGS, CENTURY’S OWNERSHIP AND PLANS FOR THE SPIN-0UT,
INCLUDING LISTING, FINANCING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE JOYCE LAKE DSO
IRON ORE PROJECT, INCLUDING (I) ESTIMATES AS TO RESOURCES AND
RESERVES FOR THE PROJECT, (II) ESTIMATES AS TO THE CAPITAL COSTS,
OPERATING COSTS, PRODUCTION RATES, MINE LIFE, NET PRESENT VALUE AND
RATES OF RETURN FOR THE PROJECT, (III) PROJECTIONS AS TO THE TIME
FRAME FOR THE ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE
PROVINCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES; (IV) THE
ABILITY OF JDI TO CONCLUDE BENEFIT AGREEMENTS WITH FIRST NATIONS
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR; (V) THE TIMELINE
FOR COMPLETION OF THE EIS PROCESS BY JDI; (VI) THE ABILITY OF JDI
TO MEET ALL FEDERAL AND PROVISIONAL EIS REQUIREMENTS AND TO
ULTIMATELY SECURE THE REQUIRED ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING; AND (VII)
THE ABILITY OF JDI TO LIST ITS COMMON SHARES ON THE NEO AEQUITAS
STOCK EXCHANGE, OF WHICH THERE IS NO ASSURANCE. FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION IS BASED ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, OPINIONS, ASSUMPTIONS,
ESTIMATES AND ANALYSES THAT, WHILE CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY CENTURY
AT THE DATE THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED, ARE
INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES,
CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS AND
EVENTS TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
BY THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION. THE RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES,
CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO
DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
RISKS GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH CENTURY’S BUSINESS, AS DESCRIBED IN
CENTURY’S ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
2022. INVESTOR SHOULD ALSO REVIEW THE FS IN DETAIL UPON ITS
PUBLICATION IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE RISKS AFFECTING THE
PROJECT AND THE ESTIMATES INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT.
READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY
OTHER DATE. WHILE CENTURY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO
UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.
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