Hudbay Minerals Inc. (“Hudbay” or the “company”)
(TSX, NYSE: HBM) releases positive
results from the company’s 2023 winter drill program near its Lalor
mine in Snow Lake, Manitoba, and announces the significant
consolidation of land in the Snow Lake region through several
strategic transactions. The agreements with multiple land holders
will increase Hudbay’s holdings in the Snow Lake region by more
than 250% to a total of 2,690 square-kilometres. The drilling
results and the regional land acquisitions provide the potential
for mine life extension at Hudbay’s Snow Lake operations beyond
2038.
Key Highlights:
- Step-out drilling
approximately 500 metres northwest of Lalor has intersected a
series of base metal and copper-gold zones, including a high-grade
copper-gold-silver zone.
- Recent borehole
electromagnetic surveys have identified multiple conductive
horizons with target generation and planning for future drilling
campaigns in progress.
- Down-plunge drilling from
Lalor indicates the alteration zone, hosting mineralization
currently being mined, continues for at least two kilometres to the
north.
- Acquisition of the Cook
Lake properties in Snow Lake provides additional potential for a
new discovery. The Cook Lake properties are untested by modern deep
geophysics. Historical drilling intersected base metal and gold
mineralization and the drill programs were limited to an average
depth of only 275 metres, which is a fraction of Lalor’s current
known depth of approximately 600 to 1,500 metres.
- Incorporating the recently
announced agreement to acquire Rockcliff Metals Corp.
(“Rockcliff”), Hudbay’s land position within trucking distance of
its Snow Lake processing facilities will expand by more than
250%.
- These positive exploration
results and land consolidation initiatives provide the potential to
deliver increases in near-term production, mine life extension and
substantial long-term value creation from Hudbay’s Snow Lake
operations.
Peter Kukielski, the company’s President and
Chief Executive Officer, comments, “Since the start-up of Lalor in
2014, much of our focus has been on in-mine resource conversion,
where we have had tremendous success adding over two million ounces
of additional high-grade gold reserves. In our first step-out and
down-plunge drill program since the initial discovery of the gold
and copper-gold lenses at Lalor more than a decade ago, the results
demonstrate the potential to replicate our exploration success
through the discovery of additional high-grade zones that could
enhance near-term production and further extend mine life. We are
also consolidating our land package in the prospective Snow Lake
Greenstone Belt, where we have more than tripled our land holdings
to provide further opportunity for the discovery of new deposits to
unlock meaningful long-term value at our Snow Lake operations.”
Lalor New Mineralized Zones – Near-term
Production Growth Potential
Hudbay’s 2023 winter drill program in Snow Lake
included exploration near the Lalor mine with one drill rig testing
a geophysical anomaly located northwest of Lalor, within 500 metres
of existing underground infrastructure (please refer to Figure 1 at
the end of this news release). The geophysical anomaly was
initially tested in 2022 with the intersection of significant
widths of silver mineralization, as seen in hole LX0188, which was
drilled from the closest underground platform at an unfavorable
angle, and hole CH2206. Silver is the most mobile metal in a
volcanogenic massive sulphide (“VMS”) system and can indicate the
immediate proximity of more significant base metal mineralization
when encountered in significant quantity in isolation from the
other metals. In 2023, four follow-up drill holes were completed
with all holes intersecting an alteration zone that is known to
host the Lalor mineralization. Holes CH2202, CH2302 and CH2303 also
intersected several sulphide horizons with both zinc and
copper-gold-silver mineralization. Full details on the assays
received to-date can be found in Table 1 located towards the end of
this news release and highlights include:
- Hole CH2302 intersected three
mineralized zones, including 7.0 metres of 3.06% zinc and 15.1
grams per tonne silver; 3.5 metres of 3.81% copper, 3.75 grams per
tonne gold and 104.5 grams per tonne silver; and 7.5 metres of
3.87% zinc and 7.5 grams per tonne silver
- Hole LX0188 intersected 13.0 metres
of 13.0 grams per tonne silver
- Hole CH2206 intersected 9.9 metres
of 18.9 grams per tonne silver and 1.49% zinc, and 3.8 metres of
9.7 grams per tonne silver and 4.30% zinc
- Hole CH2303 intersected 9.7 metres
of 106 grams per tonne silver and 6.4 metres of 11.7 grams per
tonne silver and 2.7% zinc
In addition, recent borehole electromagnetic
surveys have identified multiple conductive horizons and Hudbay is
in the process of generating targets and a plan for the next
drilling campaign. Given the close proximity of these intersections
to the existing Lalor underground infrastructure, the
mineralization in this area has the potential to further enhance
the near-term mine plan for Lalor pending additional drilling and
positive feasibility studies.
Lalor Down-plunge Drilling – Long-term
Mine Life Extension Potential
Hudbay’s 2023 winter drill program in Snow Lake
also included four drill rigs testing the down-plunge copper-gold
extensions of the Lalor deposit, in the first drilling in the
deeper zones at Lalor since the initial discovery of the
copper-gold zones in 2009 and 2010. This initial campaign consisted
of eight widely spaced drill holes over a distance of two
kilometres, as shown in Figure 2. Seven of the drill holes reached
their planned minimum depth of 1,500 metres prior to the spring
thaw that necessitated an early end of the program. All holes
intersected the zone of strong alteration known to host the Lalor
mineralization and have shown many occurrences of disseminated
copper sulfides indicating the potential close proximity of one or
more higher grade copper-gold feeder zones similar to Lens 27
currently in production at Lalor. Furthermore, two of the holes
have shown better mineral endowment with three intercepts of a
minimum of five metres of copper mineralization, as shown in Table
2. The lack of gold associated with the copper mineralization
suggests that drilling has yet to intersect the core of the
mineralized system. These initial results from widely spaced
drilling are a very encouraging indication that the rocks hosting
the rich copper-gold mineralization at Lalor continue down-plunge
as predicted by Hudbay’s geological models.
Cook Lake Properties – Potential for
Another Snow Lake Anchor Deposit
In late June 2023, Hudbay completed the
acquisition of the Cook Lake properties from an arms-length third
party. The Cook Lake properties are located within ten kilometres
and along the same regional trend as Hudbay’s Lalor mine, as shown
in Figure 3, and have the potential to host a new discovery at
depth. The properties include the Cook Lake North and South
properties, which are within 30 kilometres of Hudbay’s Stall and
New Britannia processing facilities.
Hudbay has received data regarding approximately
60,000 metres of historical drilling that was completed on the Cook
Lake properties between 1971 and 2012, with an average depth of
only 275 metres, which is a fraction of the depth of Lalor’s
current known mineralization of approximately 600 to 1,500 metres.
The historical drill holes appear to have intersected polymetallic
mineralization, as highlighted in Table 3, including a 3 metre
intersection of typical base metal mineralization of the Snow Lake
region at 5.1% copper, 3.7% zinc, 1.0 grams per tonne gold and 20.7
grams per tonne silver and a 3.3 metre intersection of typical
copper-gold feeder mineralization at 3.0% copper, 2.3 grams per
tonne gold, 8.9 grams per tonne silver and 0.8% zinc. Although the
historical data has not been validated by a qualified person, the
mineralization on the Cook Lake properties indicates that there is
the potential for new deposits on the same favourable mineralized
horizons as many known deposits in the area, including the Lalor,
1901 and Chisel deposits. The Cook Lake properties are untested by
modern deep geophysics, which was the discovery method for the
Lalor mine.
Rockcliff Acquisition – Regional Land
Consolidation with Satellite Potential
On June 19, 2023, as previously announced,
Hudbay entered into a definitive agreement with Rockcliff, pursuant
to which Hudbay agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Rockcliff that it does not already own pursuant to a
court-approved plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”). Rockcliff
is one of the largest landholders in the Snow Lake area with more
than 1,800 square kilometres across all its properties. The
completion of the Arrangement will consolidate Hudbay’s ownership
of the Talbot deposit and provide the company with additional
exploration properties in the vicinity of its Stall and New
Britannia mills, as shown in Figure 4. These additional properties
include the land adjacent to Hudbay’s Pen II deposit, which is a
low tonnage and high-grade zinc deposit that starts from surface
and is located approximately 12 kilometres by road from the Lalor
mine. Rockcliff intersected mineralization down-dip from Hudbay’s
Pen deposit and identified a deep geophysical conductive plate.
Completion of the Arrangement is contingent upon
court approval from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
(Commercial List), shareholder approval of at least two-thirds of
the votes cast by Rockcliff shareholders at a special meeting
scheduled to be held on August 31, 2023 and other customary
conditions and stock exchange approvals. The Arrangement is
expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.
Next Steps
Consolidating these properties in the Snow Lake
area will provide Hudbay with a significant land package within
trucking distance of the company’s existing processing
infrastructure. Figure 4 shows the increase in Hudbay’s land
position through the acquisition of the Cook Lake properties, the
proposed acquisition of the Rockcliff properties and other recent
land acquisitions, representing a more than 250% increase in
Hudbay’s Snow Lake land package. Hudbay intends to explore these
claims in hopes of finding a new anchor deposit to maximize and
extend the life of Hudbay’s Snow Lake operations beyond 2038.
The company’s 2024 exploration plans include regional
geophysical surveys to be conducted on the newly consolidated land
package in Snow Lake. The company also expects to refine targets
for its 2024 winter drilling campaign to the northwest and
down-plunge from Lalor using the results from geophysical borehole
surveys.
Table 1: Lalor Northwest 2023 Drill Program
Results
Hole ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Zn (%) |
Cu (%) |
LX0188 |
476.0 |
489.0 |
13.0 |
0.02 |
13.0 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
CH2206 |
972.0 |
975.8 |
3.8 |
0.15 |
9.7 |
4.30 |
0.10 |
CH2206 |
983.1 |
993.0 |
9.9 |
0.45 |
18.9 |
1.49 |
0.62 |
CH2302 |
1090.0 |
1097.0 |
7.0 |
0.53 |
15.1 |
3.06 |
0.85 |
CH2302 |
1121.0 |
1124.5 |
3.5 |
3.75 |
104.5 |
1.19 |
3.81 |
CH2302 |
1140.5 |
1148.0 |
7.5 |
0.04 |
7.5 |
3.87 |
0.08 |
CH2303 |
1031.4 |
1041.0 |
9.7 |
0.51 |
106.2 |
0.38 |
0.02 |
CH2303 |
1121.9 |
1128.3 |
6.4 |
0.22 |
11.7 |
2.65 |
0.22 |
Table 2: Lalor Down Plunge 2023 Drill
Program Results
Hole ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Zn (%) |
Cu (%) |
DUB307 |
1434.0 |
1439.8 |
5.8 |
0.181 |
2.105 |
0.026 |
0.483 |
DUB308 |
1336.5 |
1343.6 |
7.1 |
0.031 |
0.876 |
0.004 |
0.486 |
DUB308 |
1349.6 |
1363.6 |
14.1 |
0.047 |
1.026 |
0.005 |
0.647 |
Table 3: Cook Lake Selected Historical
Drill Results
Hole ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Zn (%) |
Cu (%) |
FB_C103 |
270.8 |
273.8 |
3.0 |
1.01 |
20.7 |
3.66 |
5.07 |
FB_C142 |
385.5 |
388.8 |
3.3 |
2.25 |
8.9 |
0.79 |
3.02 |
FB_C152 |
660.8 |
664.6 |
3.8 |
2.29 |
4.3 |
0.97 |
1.40 |
FB_C155 |
759.6 |
761.4 |
1.8 |
3.54 |
9.0 |
4.90 |
3.08 |
A qualified person has not independently
verified this historical data or the quality assurance and quality
control program that was applied during the execution of this drill
program and, as such, Hudbay cautions that this information should
not be relied upon by investors.
Qualified Person and NI
43-101
The technical and scientific information in this
news release related to the company’s Lalor mine has been approved
by Olivier Tavchandjian, P. Geo, Senior Vice President, Exploration
and Technical Services. Mr. Tavchandjian is a qualified person
pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
For a description of the key assumptions,
parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and
resources at Hudbay's material properties, as well as data
verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to
which the estimates of scientific and technical information may be
affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal title,
taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant factors,
please see the technical reports for the company’s material
properties as filed by Hudbay on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Supplemental Information for Lalor Drill
Holes
Hole ID |
Collar Coordinate |
Length (m) |
Azimuth |
Dip |
Location |
Core Size |
Easting |
Northing |
Elevation |
CH2206 |
426564 |
6081700 |
313 |
1220 |
320.09 |
-75 |
Surface |
NQ |
CH2301 |
426594 |
6081627 |
307 |
1190 |
319.84 |
-76.8 |
Surface |
NQ |
CH2302 |
426577 |
6081804 |
303 |
1298 |
319.19 |
-77 |
Surface |
NQ |
CH2303 |
426529 |
6081778 |
303 |
1247 |
319.94 |
-75 |
Surface |
NQ |
DUB307 |
427032 |
6082146 |
302 |
1970 |
0.09 |
-80 |
Surface |
NQ |
DUB308 |
426795 |
6082635 |
299 |
2003 |
359.87 |
-80 |
Surface |
NQ |
LX0188 |
426625.7 |
6081492 |
-541.8 |
557.2 |
304.03 |
-20 |
Underground |
NQ |
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United
States securities legislation. Forward-looking information
includes, but is not limited to, Hudbay’s plans for future drilling
programs, Hudbay’s expectations regarding the prospective nature of
the Cook Lake properties, exploration at Lalor, the potential for
exploration discoveries on Hudbay’s regional land claims, the
consummation and timing of the Arrangement, the satisfaction of the
conditions precedent to the Arrangement, and the strengths,
characteristics and potential of the Arrangement. Forward-looking
information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or
events. Forward-looking information is based on, among other
things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while
considered reasonable by the company at the date the
forward-looking information is provided, inherently are 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
the mining industry and the current geopolitical environment, such
as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency
fluctuations, energy prices and general cost escalation), risks
associated with the permitting process with respect to our
projects, uncertainties related to the development and operation of
our projects, risks related to the Arrangement, including business
integration risks and risks that the Arrangement is not
consummated, as well as the risks discussed under the heading “Risk
Factors” in Hudbay’s most recent Annual Information Form and under
the heading “Financial Risk Management” in Hudbay’s most recent
management’s discussion and analysis.
Should one or more risk, uncertainty,
contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or
assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information.
Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news
release or to explain any material difference between subsequent
actual events and any forward-looking information, except as
required by applicable law.
About Hudbay
Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused
mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class
pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly
jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.
Hudbay’s operating portfolio includes the
Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in
Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia
(Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company,
which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbay’s
growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona, the
Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La
Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities
near its existing operations.
The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has
is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people,
our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the
world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better
futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable
value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in
community relations, focused exploration, mine development and
efficient operations.
For further information, please contact:
Candace BrûléVice President, Investor
Relations (416) 814-4387 investor.relations@hudbay.com
Figure 1: New Zone Discovery Near Lalor
Recent drilling testing a geophysical anomaly
located within 500 metres northwest of Lalor intersected high-grade
mineralization, including a high-grade copper-gold-silver zone.
Blue plate denotes a horizon of conductive material associated with
some of the best mineralized intersections.
Figure 2: 2023 Down Plunge Drilling at
Lalor
Winter 2023 surface drilling to test the deeper
extensions of the Lalor deposit included eight widely-spaced drill
holes to explore a large footprint of approximately two kilometres
by one kilometre down dip of Lalor.
Figure 3: Acquisition of the Cook Lake
Property
In late June 2023, Hudbay completed the
acquisition of the Cook Lake North and South properties. The Cook
Lake North property is located within ten kilometres of the Lalor
deposit and has the potential to host a new discovery at depth.
Approximately 60,000 metres of historical drilling has been
competed across the Cook Lake properties with an average depth of
only 275 metres, a fraction of Lalor’s current known depth of
approximately 600 to 1,500 metres.
Figure 4: Newly Acquired Land Position in the Snow Lake
Camp
With the recently acquired Cook Lake mining
claims and upon completion of the pending acquisition of Rockcliff,
Hudbay will have consolidated a majority of the mining claims in
the vicinity of its Snow Lake operations. A significant portion of
this land package has had limited modern geophysics conducted on
the claims, providing additional potential for new regional
discoveries.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96ad2761-63ab-4cca-a015-92e4f4e62eaehttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6f4ecbc-8d11-4f20-bca8-02d4797f2dd4https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a16ab36b-6319-4a53-a233-9095886b9c22https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/165433f9-101c-4d25-b6de-280896bc857d
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