Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSX: DPM) (“DPM” or
“the Company”) is pleased to announce the results of a preliminary
economic assessment (“PEA”) for its Čoka Rakita project in Serbia.
The PEA supports an underground mining operation with an 850,000
tonne per annum processing facility and an initial 10-year mine
life, and highlights Čoka Rakita’s potential to offer meaningful
production growth with attractive all-in sustaining costs and very
robust economics at a $1,700 per ounce gold price assumption. Based
on the positive results of the PEA, the Company is proceeding with
a pre-feasibility study (“PFS”) and project permitting activities.
PEA Highlights
(All dollar amounts in this news release are
expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. The reader is
advised that the PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred
Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically
to have the economic considerations applied to them that would
enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no
certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral Resources that are
not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability.)
Čoka Rakita project PEA highlights (Based on a
$1,700 per ounce gold price) |
Throughput capacity |
850,000 tonnes per annum |
Average annual gold production (life of mine) |
129,000 ounces of gold |
Average annual gold production (first five full years) |
164,000 ounces of gold |
Average cash cost1 (life of mine) |
$605 per ounce of gold |
Average all-in sustaining cost1 (life of mine) |
$715 per ounce of gold |
Initial capital expenditures |
$381 million |
Free cash flow1 (life of mine) |
$891 million |
NPV (after-tax, 5% discount)2 |
$588 million |
IRR (after tax)2 |
33% |
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- High margin production profile: Annual
production expected to average 164,000 ounces of gold (first five
full years) with all-in sustaining costs expected to be in the
lowest quartile, providing the potential for very strong
margins.
- Robust returns highlight an attractive project at a
$1,700 per ounce gold price assumption: After-tax NPV of
$588 million with an IRR of 33% and payback after 2.4 years. The
project’s economics are even more attractive in today’s gold price
environment (see page 5 for a sensitivity table).
- Attractive organic growth opportunity leveraging DPM’s
mining, processing, and regional expertise: Čoka Rakita
benefits from established infrastructure, including nearby existing
roads and power lines. The project is located in close regional
proximity to DPM’s existing operations in Bulgaria and the PEA
leverages the Company’s underground mining and processing expertise
in terms of mining methods and flowsheet. The Company has had a
local presence in Serbia since 2004 and has developed strong
relationships in the region and will continue to proactively engage
with all stakeholders as the project advances.
- Significant exploration potential across four
exploration licences: DPM is continuing its scout drilling
program focused on aggressively pursuing additional skarn targets
on the Čoka Rakita licence and the Company’s three additional
licences to the north and the south.
“The PEA confirms our view that Čoka Rakita is a
very robust project with the potential to add strong economic
returns and very high-margin gold production growth to our
portfolio,” said David Rae, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Dundee Precious Metals.
“The results of the PEA are a testament not only
to the quality of Čoka Rakita, but also our exploration and
technical teams who have accelerated the project from the initial
discovery we announced in 2023 to a PEA in under 16 months.
“As a stand-alone project offering a 33% IRR at
a gold price of $1,700 per ounce, Čoka Rakita is a very attractive
asset, and we also continue to be excited by the exploration
potential we are seeing at Čoka Rakita and the three adjacent
licences we hold. We are continuing to aggressively explore for
additional skarn targets in the area.”
Preliminary Economic Assessment
Overview
The PEA contemplates underground mining of the
Čoka Rakita project with a relatively standard comminution, gravity
and flotation flowsheet to treat 850,000 tonnes per annum of
material, producing saleable gravity and flotation
concentrates.
The project is located approximately 35
kilometres northwest of the city of Bor in Serbia, which is a
region of the country with a long mining history, is proximal to
existing roads and power lines and is approximately 320 kilometres
northwest of DPM’s Chelopech mine in Bulgaria, which will allow
easy access to existing technical support functions. The project is
also a strong fit with the Company’s underground mining and
processing expertise.
The PEA assumes start of construction in
mid-2026 with first production of concentrate targeted for the
first half of 2028.
Key Operating and Financial Assumptions and
Metrics |
Assumptions |
Gold price |
$ per ounce |
$1,700 |
Government royalty (NSR) |
% |
5.0 |
Production and costs |
Mineable Mineral Resource |
million tonnes |
7.9 |
Average grade mined (life of mine) |
grams per tonne |
5.68 |
Annual throughput |
tonnes per annum |
850,000 |
Average grade processed (life of mine) |
g/t |
5.68 |
Average metallurgical recovery |
% |
88.8 |
Mine life |
years |
10 |
Total gold produced (life of mine) |
million ounces |
1.3 |
Life of mine gold payable |
% |
98.4 |
Average annual gold production (life of mine) |
thousand ounces |
129 |
Average annual gold production (first five years) |
thousand ounces |
164 |
Life of mine operating unit costs |
|
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|
$ million |
$ per tonne processed |
Mining |
$295 |
$37 |
Processing |
$134 |
$17 |
Filtered tailings and paste fill |
$41 |
$5 |
General & administrative |
$99 |
$13 |
Total cash costs1 |
$569 |
$72 |
All-in sustaining cost1 |
$ per gold ounce |
$715 |
Capital estimates |
Initial capital |
$ millions |
$381 |
Sustaining capital (life of mine) |
$ millions |
$83 |
Closure costs 3 |
$ millions |
$31 |
Project economics |
Free cash flow (after tax)1,2 |
$ millions |
$891 |
NPV (after-tax, 5% discount)2 |
$ millions |
$588 |
IRR (after-tax)2 |
% |
33% |
Payback period |
years |
2.4 |
1 |
Cash costs, all-in sustaining cost and free cash flow are non-GAAP
measures. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on
page 10 of this news release for more information. |
2 |
Current legislation in Serbia allows for tax relief for large
investments for a maximum period of 10 years, subject to certain
conditions. The PEA assumes that the Čoka Rakita project is
eligible for this tax relief and the effective income tax rate
applied is 0% over the project’s 10-year mine life. |
3 |
Closure costs include a non-recoverable VAT of approximately $3
million. |
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The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes
Inferred Mineral Resource estimates that are considered too
speculative geologically to have the economic considerations
applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral
Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
Mining and Processing
The PEA mine plan assumes access from surface
through twin declines and a spiral ramp to truck the mined material
to surface. Leveraging DPM’s experience and expertise from its
underground Chelopech mine, the anticipated mining method is
conventional sublevel long-hole open stoping and paste
backfill.
The PEA is based on a process flowsheet
consisting of crushing and grinding to a P80 of 53 µm, followed by
gravity concentration and sulphide flotation. The gravity
concentrate will be marketable directly to gold refineries, and the
sulphide flotation concentrate will be suitable for processing by
smelters in the region. Average payability for the flotation
concentrate is expected to be 97.4%, and average payability for the
gravity concentrate is expected to be 99.8%, with a combined life
of mine weighted average of 98.4%.
The PEA demonstrates a mineable Mineral Resource
of 7.9 million tonnes above a cut-off grade of 2.5 g/t for an
initial mine life of 10 years, with two years of pre-production
mine development. Average life of mine gold production is expected
to be approximately 129,000 ounces per year from an average gold
head grade of 5.68 g/t. Production in the first five full years is
expected to average 164,000 ounces per year from an average gold
head grade of 6.70 g/t.
The production schedule as outlined in the PEA is
presented in the table below:
|
Unit |
Total / average |
Pre production |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Material mined |
Kt |
7,941 |
57 |
558 |
860 |
853 |
853 |
853 |
853 |
850 |
857 |
857 |
491 |
Gold grade |
g/t |
5.68 |
6.87 |
6.65 |
6.49 |
7.55 |
7.36 |
6.31 |
5.77 |
4.36 |
3.63 |
4.34 |
3.74 |
Material processed |
Kt |
7,941 |
- |
615 |
860 |
853 |
853 |
853 |
853 |
850 |
857 |
857 |
491 |
Gold grade |
g/t |
5.68 |
- |
6.67 |
6.49 |
7.55 |
7.36 |
6.31 |
5.77 |
4.36 |
3.63 |
4.34 |
3.74 |
Recoveries |
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Gravity |
% |
43.3 |
- |
44.4 |
44.2 |
45.2 |
45.0 |
44.0 |
43.5 |
41.8 |
40.8 |
41.8 |
40.9 |
Flotation |
% |
45.5 |
- |
44.5 |
44.7 |
43.9 |
44.0 |
44.8 |
45.2 |
46.6 |
47.4 |
46.6 |
47.3 |
Combined |
% |
88.8 |
- |
88.9 |
88.9 |
89.1 |
89.0 |
88.8 |
88.7 |
88.4 |
88.2 |
88.4 |
88.2 |
Gold production |
Koz. |
1,286 |
- |
117 |
159 |
184 |
180 |
154 |
140 |
105 |
88 |
106 |
52 |
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As part of the PFS, DPM will be evaluating
several opportunities to optimize the mine plan and flowsheet,
including optimizing the mine access development schedule to gain
earlier access to the high-grade core of mineralization.
Additionally, opportunities to enhance the mine plan include
optimizing the mine sequencing and mining method parameters to
enhance the grade and production profile.
Capital Expenditures
The initial project capital costs are expected
to be approximately $381 million, which includes development of the
underground mine, construction of an 850,000 tonne per annum
processing plant, a 5-million tonne Dry Mine Waste Facility, and
additional infrastructure, including haul and access roads, water
treatment, power supply and site services.
|
$ millions |
Initial capital estimates |
Mining |
$76 |
Processing |
$61 |
Infrastructure |
$97 |
Total direct costs |
$234 |
EPCM |
$27 |
Owners cost |
$25 |
Commissioning & inventory |
$9 |
Other |
$17 |
Total indirect cost |
$78 |
Contingency |
$69 |
Total initial capital expenditures |
$381 |
Sustaining and closure |
Sustaining capital expenditures (average per year) |
$8 |
Closure costs 3 |
$31 |
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DPM will explore the potential to utilize
existing processing infrastructure from the Company’s 850,000 tonne
per annum processing facility currently in use at the Ada Tepe
operation in Bulgaria, where mine life is expected to end in 2026.
While this is not currently expected to reduce initial capital
expenditures, DPM sees several potential benefits, including
de-risking the project timeline in terms of long-lead items and
supply chain risk, as well as the ability to leverage the Company’s
processing expertise and maintenance practices.
Čoka Rakita Gold Price Sensitivity
Estimates
The table below shows the gold price sensitivity
for the project, with the base case shaded in grey.
Gold price sensitivities |
Average gold price ($/oz.) |
$1,500 |
Base case $1,700 |
$1,900 |
$2,100 |
NPV (after-tax, 5% discount) |
$412 million |
$588 million |
$765 million |
$941 million |
IRR (after-tax) |
26% |
33% |
39% |
45% |
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3 Closure costs include a non-recoverable VAT of approximately $3
million. |
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Mineral Resource Estimate
The maiden Mineral Resource estimate (“MRE”) for
the Čoka Rakita project, with an effective date of November 16,
2023 (outlined in the table below) forms the basis of the mine
design and schedule for the PEA. The MRE is based on 81,000 metres
of drilling at 30-metre by 30-metre drill spacing in the core of
the deposit and up to 60-metre by 60-metre grid spacing on the
periphery. For more information on the Mineral Resource Estimate
for Čoka Rakita, refer to the Čoka Rakita technical report entitled
“Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate – Čoka Rakita Gold Project,
Serbia” with an effective date of November 16, 2023 (report date
January 24, 2024), available on our website at
www.dundeeprecious.com and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
The ongoing infill drilling program at Čoka
Rakita is designed to allow the conversion of the current Inferred
Mineral Resource estimate to the Indicated Mineral Resource
category, with approximately 12,000 metres drilled to date in 2024.
Results from infill drilling continue to confirm the continuity of
the mineralization and have returned high-grade intercepts. Refer
to the news release dated February 26, 2024 for more information
and for a review of recent results from infill drilling.
Čoka Rakita Mineral Resource Estimate (Effective
date November 16, 2023) |
Resource category |
Tonnes(Mt) |
Gold grade (g/t) |
Contained gold (K oz.) |
Silver grade (g/t) |
Contained silver(K oz.) |
Inferred |
9.79 |
5.67 |
1,783 |
1.21 |
382 |
Total |
9.79 |
5.67 |
1,783 |
1.21 |
382 |
1) |
Mineral Resources are reported within smoothed MSO underground
mining shapes generated at a 2 g/t Au cut-off and a minimum width
constraint of 5.0 m x 5.0 m x 2.5 m, to ensure
Mineral Resources meet reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction (“RPEEE”) criteria. The cut-off value of 2 g/t assumes
$1,700/oz. The smoothing process allows for blocks below the
cut-off to be included within the final shapes in order to emulate
the internal dilution that would be experienced during underground
mining as per CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves Best Practices Guidelines prepared by the CIM Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Committee and adopted by the CIM
Council on November 29, 2019. |
2) |
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. |
3) |
Figures have been rounded to reflect that this is an estimate and
totals may not match the sum of all components. |
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Next Steps
In parallel to its exploration and infill
drilling activities, DPM is advancing various activities to
accelerate the project development timeline, including geotechnical
and hydrogeological drilling programs, further metallurgical
variability and optimization testwork, as well as several mining,
processing and engineering trade-off studies. All of these
activities will form the basis of the PFS, which has been initiated
by DPM and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of
2025.
As a result of advancing Čoka Rakita to a PFS,
DPM now expects its 2024 evaluation expenses to be between $30
million to $35 million. This is an increase from the previous
guidance of between $10 million and $13 million, which was largely
related to the costs of completing the PEA, as well as costs
related to geotechnical and condemnation drilling and permitting
activities that are expected to occur over the course of 2024.
Permitting and Stakeholder
Engagement
Consistent with its approach across all
operations and projects, DPM seeks to build and maintain strong
partnerships with local communities and governments. The Company
has had a local presence in Serbia since 2004 and has developed
strong relationships in the region and will continue to proactively
engage with all stakeholders as the project advances.
Planning for the project will be focused on
ensuring responsible environmental management and social
development in-line with industry best practices. DPM is committed
to working closely with local communities around the Čoka Rakita
project to understand and support local development opportunities,
with a focus on maximizing benefits of the project for Serbia.
Permitting preparation activities are underway
with a detailed timeline in order to support commencement of
construction in mid-2026, with good support and engagement from key
regional and national authorities. The Company has initiated
preparations related to the environmental impact assessment
(“EIA”), including monitoring for baseline studies related to
surface water, ground water, air quality and biodiversity, and
plans to initiate soil monitoring and a social study over the
course of 2024. The EIA is expected to be submitted in the first
quarter of 2026.
Ongoing Scout Drilling Program to Further
Define Exploration Potential
The Company is aggressively pursuing additional
potential skarn targets through its scout drilling campaigns within
the Čoka Rakita licence, including a focus on the newly identified
copper-gold manto skarn mineralization at the Dumitru Potok and
Frasen targets. Following the initial positive results reported in
the Company’s news release dated February 26, 2024, several
additional holes have been completed which consistently exhibited
the presence of polymetallic skarn alteration and mineralization
within reactive lithological units, particularly at the boundary of
conglomerates and marbles, as well as fertile diorite
and monzodiorite dykes similar in appearance to the causative
intrusion at Čoka Rakita, confirming DPM’s conceptual targeting
model. Since the start of 2024, approximately 10,000 metres of
scout and condemnation drilling has been completed.
At Dumitru Potok, new holes DPDD012A and
DPDD014B both intercepted strata-bound copper-gold manto skarn
mineralization at locations 40 metres to the south and 500 metres
to the west, respectively, of previously drilled holes DPDD012.
Hole DPDD017, which was collared 700 metres northeast of Čoka
Rakita and is still being drilled down toward the deeper marble
target, has already encountered shallower sandstones with strong
skarn alteration exhibiting copper-gold mineralization. Five holes
at Dumitru Potok (DPDD016 through DPDD020) are currently in
progress.
At Frasen, a new hole, BIDD226, was collared
1,300 metres north of Čoka Rakita, also intercepted both the deeper
strata-bound copper-gold manto skarn mineralization at a depth of
approximately 600 metres, as well as the shallower sandstone skarn
copper-gold mineralization at a depth of about 150 metres. These
intercepts extend the footprint of the deeper copper-gold manto
skarn target 450 metres north from previously drilled BIDD223 and
550 metres northwest from the Dumitru Potok DPDD014B intercept and
highlight the potential for additional Čoka Rakita-like skarn
mineralization on the property. A follow-up hole (BIDD027) is
currently being drilled to test extensions to the south of this
target area.
On the Potaj Čuka and Pešter Jug exploration
licences the Company has defined numerous targets and aims to
complete a magneto-telluric survey prior to the start of an
aggressive drilling campaign in planned to commence late in the
second quarter of 2024.
Drilling recommenced on the Umka exploration
licence with one additional hole completed during April 2024. The
hole was collared on the western flank of the same large monzonite
batholith that controls the mineralization at Čoka Rakita and has
confirmed the presence of sandstones with moderate to strong skarn
alteration, as well as fertile diorite and monzodiorite dykes,
believed to be the causative intrusions. A second hole to test
extensions of this target at depth and laterally is currently being
drilled.
For 2024, DPM has budgeted between $20 million
and $22 million for exploration activities in Serbia and plans to
complete over 50,000 metres of exploration drilling on the property
as it aggressively explores for additional high-grade skarn
targets.
For more information, refer to the news related
dated February 26, 2024, and the Čoka Rakita technical report
entitled “Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate – Čoka Rakita Gold
Project, Serbia” with an effective date of November 16, 2023
(report date January 24, 2024), both of which are available on our
website at www.dundeeprecious.com and filed on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
Technical Information and Technical Report
Filing
The PEA and other scientific and technical
information contained in this news release were prepared in
accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in
National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects (“NI 43-101”), and has been reviewed and approved by:
- Maria O’Connor, Technical Director
Mineral Resources, of Environmental Resources Management Ltd.
(“ERM”) for mineral resource estimate;
- Daniel (Niel) Morrison, P. Eng.,
Principal Process Engineer with DRA Global Limited (“DRA") for
metallurgical testwork and recovery methods;
- Stephan Blaho, P.Eng. MBA, Senior
Principal Mining Engineer of WSP Global Inc. (“WSP”) for
underground mining methods and related mine
infrastructure;
- Ninoslav Pavlovic, M. Sc., P. Eng.,
Senior Process Engineer for Backfill, Responsible Mining Solutions
Corp for paste backfill;
- Marcello Locatelli, P. Eng.,
Project Manager with DRA for project infrastructure;
- Eric Sellars, P. Eng., Consultant
Geotechnical Engineer, SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. (“SLR”) for
tailings and waste rock management facilities;
- Luis Vasquez, M. Sc., P. Eng.,
Principal Hydrotechnical Engineer, SLR for site wide water
balance;
- Kevin Leahy, PhD, CGeol, SiLC, of
ERM for environmental studies, permitting, and social impact;
- Daniel Gagnon, P. Eng., Senior VP
Mining Geology & Met-Chem Operations with DRA for market
studies and economic analysis.
All are independent Qualified Persons (“QP”), as
defined under NI 43-101.
Ross Overall, Director, Corporate Technical
Services, of the Company, who is a QP, as defined under NI 43-101,
and Paul Ivascanu, General Manager, Exploration of the Company,
have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information
disclosed in this news release.
A technical report prepared in accordance with
NI 43-1001 for the Čoka Rakita project will be filed under the
Company’s profile on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this news release.
Readers are encouraged to read the technical report in its
entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions, exclusions and
risks that relate to the MRE and PEA.
The MRE discussed in this news release is
classified in accordance with the disclosure requirement of the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s (“CIM”)
Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
(May 19, 2024), incorporated by reference into NI 43-101. The MRE
and related information in this news release may not be comparable
to similar information made public by U.S. companies, subject to
the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States’
federal securities laws and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
About Dundee Precious Metals
Inc.
Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based
international gold mining company with operations and projects
located in Bulgaria, Namibia, Serbia and Ecuador. The Company’s
purpose is to unlock resources and generate value to thrive and
grow together. This overall purpose is supported by a foundation of
core values, which guides how the Company conducts its business and
informs a set of complementary strategic pillars and objectives
related to ESG, innovation, optimizing our existing portfolio, and
growth. The Company’s resources are allocated in-line with its
strategy to ensure that DPM delivers value for all of its
stakeholders. DPM’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(symbol: DPM).
For further information please contact:
David Rae President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (416) 365-5191 investor.info@dundeeprecious.com |
Jennifer Cameron Director, Investor Relations Tel:
(416) 219-6177 jcameron@dundeeprecious.com |
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Use of Non-GAAP Financial
Measures
Certain financial measures referred to in this
news release are not measures recognized under IFRS and are
referred to as non-GAAP financial measures or ratios. These
measures have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The
definitions established and calculations performed by DPM are based
on management’s reasonable judgement and are consistently applied.
These measures are intended to provide additional information and
should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The non-GAAP financial measures used in this
news release and common to the gold mining industry are defined
below:
- Cash cost and cash cost per ounce
of gold sold: Cash cost consists of all production related expenses
including mining, processing, services, filtered tailings and paste
fill, royalties and general and administrative. Cash cost per ounce
of gold sold is calculated as cash cost divided by payable gold
ounces.
- All-in sustaining cost and all-in
sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold: All-in sustaining cost
consists of cash cost, plus treatment charges, penalties,
transportation and other selling costs, cash outlays for sustaining
capital expenditures and leases, and rehabilitation-related
accretion and amortization expenses. All-in sustaining cost per
ounce of gold sold is calculated as all-in sustaining cost divided
by payable gold ounces. Cash cost and all-in sustaining cost
capture the important components of the Company’s production and
related costs and are used by the Company and investors to monitor
cost performance at the Company’s operations.
- Free cash flow: Free cash flow is
defined as cash provided from operating activities, before changes
in working capital, less cash outlays for sustaining capital, and
mandatory principal repayments and interest payments related to
debt and leases. This measure is used by the Company and investors
to measure the cash flow available to fund the Company’s growth
capital expenditures.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward looking
statements” or “forward looking information” (collectively,
“Forward Looking Statements”) that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Forward Looking Statements are statements that are
not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified
by the use of forward looking terminology such as “plans”,
“targets”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”,
“estimates”, “forecasts”, “outlook”, “intends”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or that state
that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”,
“might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative
of any of these terms or similar expressions. The Forward Looking
Statements in this news release relate to, among other things; the
estimation of Mineral Resources and the realization of such mineral
estimates; expectations with respect to updating the Inferred
Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources with infill
drilling; the statements under “PEA Highlights” and the other
results of the PEA discussed in this news release, including,
without limitation, project economics, financial and operational
parameters such as expected throughput, production, processing
methods, cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, other costs, capital
expenditures, free cash flow, NPV, IRR, payback period and life of
mine; the timing of the PFS; planned geotechnical, hydrogeological
drilling and metallurgical test work, and related costs; upside
potential, opportunities for growth and expected next steps in the
development of the project, including timing for potential
commencement of construction and first production of concentrate;
the potential to utilize existing processing infrastructure,
expertise and maintenance practices in connection with production
from the project, and the expected benefits thereof; expected life
of mine at Čoka Rakita; engagement with stakeholders; permitting
activities; availability and applicability of tax relief as
provided in existing legislation; potential gold recoveries; and
the price of gold, copper, and silver, and other commodities.
Forward Looking Statements are based on certain key assumptions and
the opinions and estimates of management and the QPs, as of the
date such statements are made, and they involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any other future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the Forward Looking
Statements. In addition to factors already discussed in this news
release, such factors include, among others, risks relating to the
Company’s business, including possible variations in mineralized
grade and recovery rates; uncertainties inherent to the conclusions
of economic evaluations and economic studies; changes in project
parameters, including schedule and budget, as plans continue to be
refined; uncertainties with respect to actual results of current
exploration activities; uncertainties inherent to the estimation of
Mineral Resources, which may not be fully realized; uncertainties
inherent with conducting business in foreign jurisdictions where
corruption, civil unrest, political instability and uncertainties
with the rule of law may impact the Company’s activities; the
impact of the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, including
resulting changes to the Company’s supply chain and costs of
supplies; product shortages; delivery and shipping issues; closures
and/or failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as
anticipated; labour force shortages; fluctuations in metal and acid
prices and foreign exchange rates; limitation on insurance
coverage; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining
industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing
or in the completion of development or construction activities;
actual results of current and planned reclamation activities;
opposition by social and non-government organizations to mining
projects and smelting operations; unanticipated title disputes;
claims or litigation; cyber attacks and other cybersecurity risks;
changes in current legislation providing tax relief for large
investments; as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to
in any other documents (including without limitation the Company’s
most recent Annual Information Form) filed from time to time with
the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and
territories of Canada and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
The reader has been cautioned that the foregoing list is not
exhaustive of all factors which may have been used. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from
those described in Forward Looking Statements, there may be other
factors that cause actions, events or results not to be
anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that
Forward Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. The Company’s Forward Looking
Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and
speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by securities
laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update Forward
Looking Statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or
opinions should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements.
___________________________ 1 Cash cost per
ounce of gold sold, all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold
and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures or ratios and
have no standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards
(“IFRS”) and may not be comparable to similar measures used by
other issuers. As the Čoka Rakita project is not in production, the
Company does not have historical non-GAAP financial measures nor
historical comparable measures under IFRS, and therefore the
foregoing prospective non-GAAP financial measures or ratios may not
be reconciled to the nearest comparable measures under IFRS. Refer
to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 9 of this news
release for more information, including a detailed description of
each of these measures. 2 Current legislation in Serbia allows for
tax relief for large investments for a maximum period of 10 years,
subject to certain conditions. The PEA assumes that the Čoka Rakita
project is eligible for this tax relief and the effective income
tax rate applied is 0% over the project’s 10-year mine life.
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