Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX:ERD | MSE:ERDN)
("Erdene" or the "Company") is pleased to provide results
from shallow drilling within the initial mining areas of the Bayan
Khundii orebody and to provide an update on mine development for
the Bayan Khundii Gold Project (“BK Project”) currently under
construction. The BK Project is being developed by Erdene Mongol
LLC (“EM”), a company jointly owned by Erdene and its partner,
Mongolian Mining Corporation (“MMC”).
Peter Akerley, Erdene’s President and CEO
stated, “Results from the first phase of the Bayan Khundii ore
control drilling program confirm the high-grade nature of the
deposit, consistent with the reserve model in near surface zones. A
13,500 metre reverse circulation (“RC”) drill program will begin in
the coming weeks to collect data to finalize the mine plan in
advance of the commencement of mining in Q1 2025.”
Mr. Akerley continued, “Additionally,
exploration drilling on the periphery of the Bayan Khundii economic
pit was recently completed to test expansion targets. Those
results, expected within the next couple of weeks, will be analyzed
in conjunction with current gold prices, to update the mine plan as
we work towards first gold from Bayan Khundii in mid-2025.”
Drill Results
During Q3 2024, EM completed an ore control
drill program consisting of 89 shallow diamond drill holes totaling
1,048 metres. This program focused on the high-grade domains,
within 15 metres of surface, scheduled to be developed in the first
3-4 months of mining. Additionally, 10 holes, totaling 456 metres,
were drilled to greater depth to assist with future mine planning.
The program utilized diamond core to gather detail on the
orientation and character of these ore zones. Results confirmed the
high-grade domains in the current block model with highlights
displayed in the following table. Full results are included as an
appendix to this release.
Drilling Highlights – Diamond Drilling
Program – Q3 2024
Hole ID |
Hole Depth |
From |
To |
Interval |
g/t Au |
Midfield SE |
|
|
|
30370 |
12 |
4 |
10 |
6 |
9.52 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
50.70 |
30811 |
12 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
4.70 |
Incl |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
12.90 |
31034 |
17 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
9.42 |
Incl |
|
8 |
9 |
1 |
20.10 |
31253 |
10 |
0.85 |
7 |
6.15 |
7.63 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
38.40 |
31254 |
15 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
21.70 |
Incl |
|
5 |
7 |
2 |
41.55 |
31474 |
10 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
21.87 |
Incl |
|
3 |
5 |
2 |
49.35 |
31475 |
16 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
19.16 |
Incl |
|
5 |
6 |
1 |
56.70 |
31476 |
18 |
8 |
11 |
3 |
33.29 |
Incl |
|
9 |
10 |
1 |
99.00 |
31695 |
11 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
70.61 |
Incl |
|
3 |
5 |
2 |
105.85 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
198.00 |
32580 |
20 |
10 |
14 |
4 |
3.71 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
11.50 |
And |
|
19 |
20 |
1 |
1.06 |
Striker |
|
|
|
|
26384 |
12 |
6 |
9 |
3 |
2.18 |
26385 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
4 |
9.26 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
30.80 |
26603 |
16 |
13 |
16 |
3 |
4.83 |
Incl |
|
14 |
15 |
1 |
14.10 |
26604 |
16 |
6 |
13 |
7 |
5.56 |
Incl |
|
9 |
10 |
1 |
11.80 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
12.30 |
27494 |
48 |
33 |
48 |
15 |
2.75 |
Incl |
|
34 |
36 |
2 |
16.45 |
27717 |
45 |
17 |
43 |
26 |
2.03 |
Incl |
|
24 |
41 |
17 |
2.91 |
Incl |
|
24 |
25 |
1 |
11.40 |
South Striker |
|
|
|
22168 |
20 |
2 |
14 |
12 |
2.96 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
18.40 |
22389 |
18 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
4.13 |
Incl |
|
5 |
6 |
1 |
16.50 |
23044 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
4.30 |
Incl |
|
0 |
1 |
1 |
15.50 |
23045 |
14 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
8.32 |
Incl |
|
0 |
6 |
6 |
12.20 |
Incl |
|
0 |
3 |
3 |
21.70 |
23046 |
15 |
0 |
12 |
12 |
6.61 |
Incl |
|
1 |
7 |
6 |
11.21 |
Incl |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
31.00 |
Incl |
|
5 |
6 |
1 |
11.60 |
23047 |
11 |
0 |
11 |
11 |
4.46 |
Incl |
|
4 |
8 |
4 |
10.72 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
16.70 |
Incl |
|
7 |
8 |
1 |
12.30 |
23266 |
14 |
1 |
14 |
13 |
3.68 |
Incl |
|
8 |
10 |
2 |
14.90 |
23267 |
12 |
0 |
12 |
12 |
4.66 |
Incl |
|
9 |
10 |
1 |
20.40 |
23927 |
6 |
0.3 |
6 |
5.7 |
14.82 |
Incl |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
68.20 |
Note: Reported intervals are apparent
thicknesses, i.e., downhole widths. The current Bayan Khundii drill
holes (reported in this release) are all vertical. True widths are
estimated to be between 60% and 90% of the downhole width. This
Highlights table includes all holes with a minimum of 1m with
>10 g/t gold. See Appendix of full results.
Grade Control Reverse Circulation (RC)
Program Q4 2024
A 13,500 metre grade control RC drilling
program, consisting of approximately 800 holes, will be completed
in Q4 2024. Drill holes at 5 metre spacing will be completed over
areas of high-grade wireframes (defined as >2 g/t Au), 10 metre
centres for areas of ore (>0.7 g/t Au) outside the high-grade
wireframes and 20 metres spaced holes in select areas of
lower-grade mineralization, that have the potential to host higher
grades and/or transition to ore at current gold prices. Grade
control holes will be approximately 20 metres deep, equal to four
5-metres benches. The grade control program has been developed in
accordance with typical methodologies for the style of deposit and
scale of mining equipment selected for the BK Project.
The final laboratory results for the grade
control program are expected by year-end allowing for an internal
ore control model and updated mine schedule to be prepared prior to
equipment arrival on site in mid Q1 2025.
Mining
Mining of the Bayan Khundii deposit is scheduled
to begin in late Q1 2025. EM will operate the mine using a leased
fleet. Mine technical services personnel and equipment operators
have been hired and trained for the mine operation, including
nearly 90 full-time equipment operators who are residents of BK’s
host province, Bayankhongor, who have been trained and are
currently working at MMC’s UHG mine. An equipment supply and
maintenance contract has been awarded for an initial 36-month term
and equipment will be mobilized to site in mid Q1 2025.
Mining will be concentrated at the Bayan Khundii
pit to a maximum depth of approximately 150 metres, with a
satellite pit developed at the Dark Horse Mane deposit, 2
kilometres north, in year 3. Following a three-month pre-production
and ramp-up period commencing in late Q1 2025, the mining rate will
increase to approximately 1 million tonnes ex-pit material movement
per month to maximize high-grade extraction, including from the
Dark Horse Mane deposit, then continuing with the Bayan Khundii
development through the end of year 6 when expansion and adjacent
prospects are planned to be advanced to allow for the continuation
of processing ore at Bayan Khundii.
To optimize the mine operation, the fleet has
been adjusted from that proposed in the Feasibility Study in 2023,
to increase reliability and reduce risk, including the addition of
more equipment during the pre-production period. The primary fleet
for pre-production and initial mining in 2025 will consist of the
following equipment:
Type |
Make |
Model |
Quantity |
Hydraulic Excavator |
Hyundai |
R1250-9 (118 tonne) |
2 |
Hydraulic Excavator |
Hyundai |
HX520L (54 tonne) |
1 |
Haul Truck |
Tonly |
TL875K (60 tonne) |
14 |
Bulldozer |
XCMG |
SD9N (13.5 m3 blade cap.) |
4 |
Wheel Loader |
XCMG |
LW900KN (5.0 m3) |
1 |
Additional support fleet includes autograders,
fuel truck, service vehicles and compactors.
Ore production has been scheduled to achieve a
production target of 650,000 tonnes per annum (1,950 tonnes per
day) with an average 4 g/t gold head grade over the life of mine.
Gold production is planned to ramp up over the initial 90 days of
production to reach an average annual gold production of 86,900
ounces during years 2 through 5 – at which time the Company aims to
have proven additional reserves to extend mine life.
Integrated Waste Facility
Mine waste rock will be hauled and deposited
along with process tailings into an integrated waste facility (IWF)
within one kilometre of the BK pit. Construction of the initial IWF
commenced in Q3 2024. Treated, dewatered dry “cake” tailings
(target moisture content of less than 15%) will be hauled and
deposited in cells within the mine waste rock, underlain by a
synthetic geomembrane liner with engineered leakage detection and
catchments.
Qualified Person and Sample
Protocol
Peter Dalton, P.Geo. (Nova Scotia), Senior
Geologist for Erdene, is the Qualified Person as that term is
defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved
the technical information contained in this news release. All
samples have been assayed at SGS Laboratory in Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia. In addition to internal checks by SGS Laboratory, the
Company incorporates a QA/QC sample protocol utilizing prepared
standards and blanks. All samples undergo standard fire assay
analysis for gold and ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical
Emission Spectroscopy) analysis for 33 additional elements.
Erdene’s drill core sampling protocol consisted
of collection of samples over 1 or 2 metre intervals (depending on
the lithology and style of mineralization) over the entire length
of the drill hole, excluding minor post-mineral lithologies and
un-mineralized granitoids. Sample intervals were based on meterage,
not geological controls, or mineralization. All drill core was cut
in half with a diamond saw, with half of the core placed in sample
bags and the remaining half securely retained in core boxes at
Erdene’s Bayan Khundii exploration camp. All samples were organized
into batches of 60 including a commercially prepared standard,
blank, a field duplicate, consisting of two quarter-core intervals,
and a laboratory duplicate. Sample batches were periodically
shipped directly to SGS in Ulaanbaatar via Erdene’s logistical
contractor, Monrud Co. Ltd.
Reported intervals are apparent thicknesses,
i.e., downhole widths. The current Bayan Khundii drill holes
(reported in this release) are all vertical. True widths are
estimated to be between 60% and 90% of the downhole width.
Reported grades for intervals are weighted averages based on length
of sampling intervals. No top cut has been applied; however,
all contiguous intervals greater than 10 g/t gold and
100 g/t gold are reported individually for clarity.
About Erdene
Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a
Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition,
exploration, and development of precious and base metals in
underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has
interests in three mining licenses and an exploration license in
Southwest Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the
discovery and definition of the Khundii Gold District. Erdene
Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the
Mongolian stock exchanges. Further information is available at
www.erdene.com. Important information may be disseminated
exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to
access this information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information regarding Erdene contained
herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may
include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts,
projections, guidance, or other statements that are not statements
of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a
number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that
future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene
currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include
the ability to obtain required third party approvals, market
prices, exploitation, and exploration results, continued
availability of capital and financing and general economic, market
or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are
expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
The information contained herein is stated as of the current date
and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not
assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking
statements, except as may be required under applicable securities
laws.
NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE
Erdene Contact Information
Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or Robert
Jenkins, CFO
Phone:Email:
Twitter:Facebook: LinkedIn: |
(902)
423-6419info@erdene.comhttps://twitter.com/ErdeneReshttps://www.facebook.com/ErdeneResourcehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/erdene-resource-development-corp-/ |
APPENDIX OF FULL DRILLING RESULTS
Hole ID |
Hole Depth |
From |
To |
Interval |
g/t Au |
Midfield SE |
|
|
|
|
|
28592 |
48 |
37 |
47 |
10 |
1.57 |
Incl |
|
37 |
42 |
5 |
2.00 |
28594 |
48 |
38 |
46 |
8 |
1.54 |
Incl |
|
39 |
43 |
4 |
2.62 |
28817 |
47 |
36 |
45 |
9 |
1.20 |
28819 |
47 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
0.70 |
And |
|
12 |
15 |
3 |
0.50 |
And |
|
41 |
47 |
6 |
0.57 |
28823 |
45 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
0.50 |
And |
|
38 |
42 |
4 |
0.72 |
29263 |
46 |
21 |
24 |
3 |
0.51 |
And |
|
33 |
45 |
12 |
2.04 |
29265 |
47 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
0.56 |
And |
|
27 |
37 |
10 |
0.79 |
29707 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0.82 |
29927 |
10 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
0.75 |
29928 |
10 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
2.15 |
30147 |
12 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
2.31 |
30148 |
12 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
2.20 |
30149 |
10 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
1.72 |
30369 |
12 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
3.27 |
And |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
3.86 |
30370 |
12 |
4 |
10 |
6 |
9.52 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
50.70 |
30371 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
1.12 |
30811 |
12 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
4.70 |
Incl |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
12.90 |
30812 |
15 |
5 |
12 |
7 |
1.79 |
30813 |
15 |
9 |
15 |
6 |
2.46 |
31032 |
12 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
2.51 |
31033 |
15 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
3.68 |
And |
|
10 |
13 |
3 |
2.51 |
31034 |
17 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
9.42 |
Incl |
|
8 |
9 |
1 |
20.10 |
31253 |
10 |
0.85 |
7 |
6.15 |
7.63 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
38.40 |
31254 |
15 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
21.70 |
Incl |
|
5 |
7 |
2 |
41.55 |
31255 |
15 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
3.91 |
31473 |
11 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
0.93 |
31474 |
10 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
21.87 |
Incl |
|
3 |
5 |
2 |
49.35 |
31475 |
16 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
19.16 |
Incl |
|
5 |
6 |
1 |
56.70 |
31476 |
18 |
8 |
11 |
3 |
33.29 |
Incl |
|
9 |
10 |
1 |
99.00 |
31694 |
11 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1.11 |
31695 |
11 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
70.61 |
Incl |
|
3 |
5 |
2 |
105.85 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
198.00 |
32357 |
11 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
1.54 |
32358 |
15 |
7 |
12 |
5 |
0.63 |
32577 |
11 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
3.38 |
32578 |
11 |
4.6 |
9 |
4.4 |
3.00 |
32579 |
11 |
6.7 |
10 |
3.3 |
2.68 |
32580 |
20 |
10 |
14 |
4 |
3.71 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
11.50 |
And |
|
19 |
20 |
1 |
1.06 |
Striker |
|
|
|
|
24630 |
16 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
0.49 |
And |
|
8 |
12 |
4 |
1.12 |
24631 |
11 |
3 |
10 |
7 |
0.86 |
24849 |
28 |
14 |
28 |
14 |
0.77 |
24850 |
17 |
11 |
17 |
6 |
0.96 |
24851 |
12 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
2.67 |
26384 |
12 |
6 |
9 |
3 |
2.18 |
26385 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
4 |
9.26 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
30.80 |
26386 |
9 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
1.10 |
26603 |
16 |
13 |
16 |
3 |
4.83 |
Incl |
|
14 |
15 |
1 |
14.10 |
26604 |
16 |
6 |
13 |
7 |
5.56 |
Incl |
|
9 |
10 |
1 |
11.80 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
12.30 |
26605 |
16 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
2.54 |
And |
|
8 |
11 |
3 |
1.43 |
26606 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
1.51 |
26607 |
16 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
2.08 |
26825 |
12 |
5 |
10 |
5 |
3.28 |
27494 |
48 |
33 |
48 |
15 |
2.75 |
Incl |
|
34 |
36 |
2 |
16.45 |
27717 |
45 |
17 |
43 |
26 |
2.03 |
Incl |
|
24 |
41 |
17 |
2.91 |
Incl |
|
24 |
25 |
1 |
11.40 |
27940 |
35 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
0.95 |
And |
|
24 |
29 |
5 |
0.88 |
South Striker |
|
|
|
|
21947 |
14 |
10 |
14 |
4 |
0.86 |
22168 |
20 |
2 |
14 |
12 |
2.96 |
Incl |
|
11 |
12 |
1 |
18.40 |
22169 |
18 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
1.42 |
22389 |
18 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
4.13 |
Incl |
|
5 |
6 |
1 |
16.50 |
22392 |
8 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
1.28 |
22612 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
2.77 |
22613 |
9 |
1 |
8 |
7 |
2.41 |
23044 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
4.30 |
Incl |
|
0 |
1 |
1 |
15.50 |
23045 |
14 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
8.32 |
Incl |
|
0 |
6 |
6 |
12.20 |
Incl |
|
0 |
3 |
3 |
21.70 |
23046 |
15 |
0 |
12 |
12 |
6.61 |
Incl |
|
1 |
7 |
6 |
11.21 |
Incl |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
31.00 |
Incl |
|
5 |
6 |
1 |
11.60 |
23047 |
11 |
0 |
11 |
11 |
4.46 |
Incl |
|
4 |
8 |
4 |
10.72 |
Incl |
|
4 |
5 |
1 |
16.70 |
Incl |
|
7 |
8 |
1 |
12.30 |
23264 |
14 |
9 |
14 |
5 |
4.79 |
23266 |
14 |
1 |
14 |
13 |
3.68 |
Incl |
|
8 |
10 |
2 |
14.90 |
23267 |
12 |
0 |
12 |
12 |
4.66 |
Incl |
|
9 |
10 |
1 |
20.40 |
23268 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
1.83 |
And |
|
7 |
10 |
3 |
1.07 |
23484 |
13 |
6 |
13 |
7 |
1.19 |
23486 |
10 |
2 |
8 |
6 |
1.01 |
23707 |
7 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
1.13 |
23927 |
6 |
0.3 |
6 |
5.7 |
14.82 |
Incl |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
68.20 |
Notes:
- Reported intervals are apparent
thicknesses, i.e., downhole widths. The current Bayan Khundii drill
holes (reported in this release) are all vertical. True widths are
estimated to be between 60-90% of the downhole width.
- Reported intervals are a minimum of
3m of 0.7g/t Au (Reserve cog)
- 14 holes intersected mineralization
between 0.4 g/t Au (Resource cog) and 0.7 g/t Au, including: 23049,
23269,23270, 23485, 23488, 23706,25070,25071, 26827*,26828*, 26824,
29926,30150 and 32359; (two holes with * did not reach target
depth)
- 8 holes did not return significant
mineralization (defined as >0.4 g/t Au over 1m), including:
23048, 23489, 23490, 23491, 23705, 26826, 31696 and 30592
- 3 holes intersected Monzonite in
known contact areas and were not sampled, including: 22825, 22826
and 22167
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffbc510e-0bbc-4de3-8492-0dd261557060
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