MINERAL RESERVES INCREASE BY 401,000 OUNCES OR
27%
MINE LIFE INCREASES TO 10+ YEARS
TOTAL MINERAL RESERVES OF 1.9 MILLION
OUNCES
COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF PRODUCTION OF
21%
COCHRANE HILL
PIT OPEN AT DEPTH AND TO THE EAST
FURTHER MINE LIFE POTENTIAL AT 149 AND OTHER
REGIONAL TARGETS
VANCOUVER, March 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Atlantic Gold
Corporation (TSX-V: AGB) ("Atlantic" or the
"Company") is pleased to announce an updated
mineral reserve statement and life of mine production plan for its
Moose River Consolidated ("MRC") Mine. Following successful
drilling campaigns at the Touquoy, Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane
Hill deposits and the updated resource statements issued on
March 13, 2019, Proven and Probable
Mineral Reserves have increased to approximately 1.9 million
ounces.
"Today's update marks another milestone in the continuation
of growing our Reserve base at MRC and represents a work in
progress. Testing the extension of the high grade shoots at
Cochrane Hill, establishing Mineral Resources at the 149 deposit,
and potentially extending the strike to the east, will be
priorities for 2019. We also remain very excited about leveraging
the value of the potential discovery of multiple additional
deposits from our ongoing Corridor Regional Exploration
Program." said Maryse BĂ©langer, President and
COO.
Highlights
- Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves increased by 401,000
ounces Au or 27% of the depleted Reserve base (as at December 31, 2018) as a result of additions to
Mineral Reserves at the Touquoy, Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane
Hill deposits which are now included in the Life of Mine (LoM) production schedule below;
- Mine life at the Moose River Consolidated Mine now exceeds 10
years;
- Total Mineral Reserves for all deposits are now approximately
1.9 million ounces Au;
- Compound annual growth in production at MRC is 21%;
- An increased percentage of Reserves are now in the highest
confidence Proven category as a result of the infill drilling
program;
- At Cochrane Hill, Mineral Reserves include only a small portion
of the newly defined easterly plunging higher grade shoots. These
recently identified zones require further testing through a
proposed extension drilling program in 2019;
- Further planned drilling as part of the Corridor Regional
Exploration Program including at the 149 deposit and other targets
along the 45 km strike length of the Corridor also have potential
to add to the MRC mine life.
Table 1: Current Mineral Reserve Statement
|
|
|
|
Classification
|
Ore
Tonnes
(Mt)
|
Diluted Gold
Grade (g/t)
|
Mined Gold
oz's ('000's)
|
|
|
|
|
Touquoy
|
|
|
|
Proven
Reserves
|
3.36
|
1.10
|
119
|
Probable
Reserves
|
7.14
|
1.28
|
295
|
Existing Stockpile
Reserves
|
2.41
|
0.57
|
44
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
12.91
|
1.10
|
458
|
|
|
|
|
Beaver
Dam
|
|
|
|
Proven
Reserves
|
3.81
|
1.54
|
188
|
Probable
Reserves
|
3.09
|
1.43
|
142
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
6.90
|
1.49
|
330
|
|
|
|
|
MRC Phase 1
(Touquoy and Beaver Dam)
|
|
|
|
Proven
Reserves
|
7.17
|
1.33
|
307
|
Probable
Reserves
|
10.23
|
1.33
|
437
|
Existing Stockpile
Reserves
|
2.41
|
0.57
|
44
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
19.81
|
1.24
|
788
|
|
|
|
|
Fifteen Mile
Stream
|
|
|
|
Proven
Reserves
|
5.58
|
1.09
|
196
|
Probable
Reserves
|
11.18
|
1.06
|
380
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
16.76
|
1.07
|
576
|
|
|
|
|
Cochrane
Hill
|
|
|
|
Proven
Reserves
|
10.25
|
1.08
|
355
|
Probable
Reserves
|
5.13
|
0.96
|
158
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
15.38
|
1.04
|
513
|
|
|
|
|
MRC, Phase 2
Expansion (Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane Hill)
|
Proven
Reserves
|
15.83
|
1.08
|
550
|
Probable
Reserves
|
16.32
|
1.03
|
539
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
32.14
|
1.05
|
1,089
|
|
|
|
|
Total Moose River
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
Proven
Reserves
|
22.99
|
1.16
|
857
|
Probable
Reserves
|
26.55
|
1.14
|
975
|
Existing Stockpile
Reserves
|
2.41
|
0.57
|
44
|
Total Proven and
Probable Reserves
|
51.95
|
1.12
|
1,877
|
|
|
Notes for the
Mineral Reserve Estimates;
|
|
1.
|
The Mineral
Reserve Estimates were prepared by Marc Schulte, P.Eng. (who is
also the independent Qualified Person for these Mineral Reserve
Estimates), in accordance to the 2014 Canadian Institute of
Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards for
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, with an effective date of
March 13, 2019.
|
|
|
2.
|
The Mineral
Reserve estimates are a subset of the February 15, 2019 Mineral
Resource estimates (see news release dated March 13,
2019).
|
|
|
3.
|
Touquoy Proven
Mineral Reserves include existing stockpiled ore of 2.41 Mt at 0.57
g/t gold grade. This material is not included in, and is additional
to, the Mineral Resource estimate.
|
|
|
4.
|
The Mineral
Reserves are based on an engineering and technical information
developed at a Pre-Feasibility level for each of the included four
deposits.
|
|
|
5.
|
Mineral Reserves
are mined tonnes and grade, the reference point is the mill
feed at the primary crusher.
|
|
|
6.
|
Mineral Reserves
are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t Au for
Touquoy, Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane Hill, and 0.5 g/t Au for
Beaver Dam.
|
|
|
7.
|
Cut-off grade
assumes US$1,300/oz. Au at a currency exchange rate of 0.77 C$
per US$; 99.9% payable gold; $5.00/oz. offsite costs (refining and
transport), a 2% royalty; and uses a 92% metallurgical
recovery. The cut off-grade covers processing costs of
$11.00/t at Touquoy, $8.22/t at Fifteen Mile Stream, $8.64/t at
Cochrane Hill, and $18.00/t at Beaver Dam and general and
administrative (G&A) costs of $2.50/t.
|
|
|
8.
|
Mining recovery of
98.4% and external mining dilution of 1.6% at 0.20 g/t Au
grade is applied in addition to the modelled in-block
dilution.
|
|
|
9.
|
As Touquoy is an
ongoing operation, a surveyed topographic surface dated December
31, 2018 is used as the basis for the Mineral
Reserves.
|
|
|
10.
|
Factors that may
affect the estimates include: metal price assumptions, changes in
interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of
mineralization zones, changes to kriging assumptions,
metallurgical recovery assumptions, operating cost assumptions,
confidence in the modifying factors, including assumptions that
surface rights to allow mining infrastructure to be constructed
will be forthcoming, delays or other issues in reaching agreements
with local or regulatory authorities and stakeholders, and changes
in land tenure requirements or in permitting requirement. Any
other known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that
could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral
Reserves are detailed below in the section entitled
"Forward-Looking Statements".
|
|
|
11.
|
Estimates have
been rounded and may result in summation
differences.
|
Table 2 – MRC Consolidated Operations Forecast Life of Mine
Production Table
TOTAL MINE
PRODUCTION - MRC
|
|
Year
|
LOM
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
|
2025
|
2026
|
2027
|
2028
|
2029
|
2030
|
TOTAL Ore
Milled
|
ktonnes
|
51,954
|
2,240
|
2,240
|
2,315
|
4,115
|
5,330
|
6,000
|
6,000
|
6,000
|
6,000
|
4,844
|
4,000
|
2,869
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.12
|
1.42
|
1.51
|
1.29
|
1.40
|
1.44
|
1.41
|
1.31
|
1.10
|
0.92
|
0.74
|
0.54
|
0.42
|
Mill Feed
Gold
|
koz.
|
1,877
|
103
|
109
|
96
|
186
|
247
|
272
|
252
|
213
|
178
|
116
|
69
|
38
|
PRODUCED
GOLD
|
koz.
|
1,736
|
97
|
103
|
91
|
174
|
231
|
254
|
234
|
195
|
161
|
103
|
59
|
32
|
TOTAL Ore
Mined
|
ktonnes
|
49,540
|
2,927
|
2,435
|
3,374
|
6,031
|
7,191
|
8,292
|
7,324
|
5,946
|
4,271
|
1,338
|
411
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.15
|
1.22
|
1.42
|
1.15
|
1.10
|
1.21
|
1.17
|
1.14
|
1.07
|
1.03
|
1.10
|
1.17
|
-
|
TOTAL Stockpile
Retrieval to Mill
|
ktonnes
|
15,207
|
30
|
-
|
75
|
300
|
50
|
-
|
650
|
1,158
|
2,706
|
3,744
|
3,624
|
2,869
|
AU
|
g/t
|
0.55
|
0.63
|
-
|
1.30
|
1.15
|
0.69
|
-
|
0.67
|
0.63
|
0.59
|
0.59
|
0.46
|
0.42
|
TOTAL Waste
Mined
|
ktonnes
|
150,508
|
3,859
|
4,365
|
11,454
|
26,247
|
31,920
|
28,879
|
23,637
|
15,207
|
4,310
|
580
|
51
|
-
|
TOUQUOY
|
Ore Milled from
Touquoy
|
ktonnes
|
12,914
|
2,240
|
2,240
|
2,240
|
1,979
|
352
|
-
|
343
|
1,000
|
1,674
|
845
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.10
|
1.42
|
1.51
|
1.29
|
1.17
|
1.11
|
-
|
0.62
|
0.62
|
0.53
|
0.42
|
-
|
-
|
Process
Recovery
|
%
|
93.1
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
94.5
|
94.5
|
-
|
89.0
|
89.0
|
89.0
|
89.0
|
-
|
-
|
Ore Mined from
Touquoy
|
ktonnes
|
10,500
|
2,927
|
2,435
|
2,492
|
2,280
|
365
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.23
|
1.22
|
1.42
|
1.20
|
1.08
|
1.08
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Stockpile Retrieval
to Mill from Touquoy
|
ktonnes
|
3,892
|
30
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
343
|
1,000
|
1,674
|
845
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
0.54
|
0.63
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.62
|
0.62
|
0.53
|
0.42
|
-
|
-
|
Waste Mined from
Touquoy
|
ktonnes
|
17,343
|
3,859
|
4,365
|
5,172
|
3,605
|
342
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
BEAVER
DAM
|
Ore Milled from
Beaver Dam
|
ktonnes
|
6,897
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
236
|
1,678
|
2,000
|
1,657
|
1,000
|
326
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.49
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.74
|
1.60
|
1.52
|
1.42
|
1.32
|
1.38
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Process
Recovery
|
%
|
95.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
95.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Ore Mined from Beaver
Dam
|
ktonnes
|
6,897
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
236
|
1,685
|
2,000
|
1,650
|
1,000
|
326
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.49
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.74
|
1.59
|
1.52
|
1.42
|
1.32
|
1.38
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Stockpile Retrieval
to Mill from Beaver Dam
|
ktonnes
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
0.62
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.62
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Waste Mined from
Beaver Dam
|
ktonnes
|
40,384
|
-
|
-
|
165
|
9,194
|
13,348
|
9,934
|
5,865
|
1,754
|
124
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
FIFTEEN MILE
STREAM
|
Ore Milled from
Fifteen Mile Stream
|
ktonnes
|
16,764
|
-
|
-
|
75
|
1,900
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
789
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.07
|
-
|
-
|
1.30
|
1.60
|
1.50
|
1.40
|
1.38
|
1.04
|
0.84
|
0.65
|
0.41
|
0.41
|
Process
Recovery
|
%
|
88.3
|
-
|
-
|
91.3
|
93.1
|
92.5
|
92.0
|
91.9
|
89.4
|
87.3
|
84.4
|
79.2
|
79.2
|
Ore Mined from
Fifteen Mile Stream
|
ktonnes
|
16,764
|
-
|
-
|
883
|
3,448
|
2,874
|
3,446
|
2,743
|
2,144
|
1,226
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.07
|
-
|
-
|
1.00
|
1.08
|
1.20
|
1.04
|
1.12
|
0.97
|
0.90
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Stockpile Retrieval
to Mill from Fifteen Mile Stream
|
ktonnes
|
6,554
|
-
|
-
|
75
|
300
|
-
|
-
|
300
|
158
|
932
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
789
|
AU
|
g/t
|
0.59
|
-
|
-
|
1.30
|
1.15
|
-
|
-
|
0.72
|
0.70
|
0.70
|
0.65
|
0.41
|
0.41
|
Waste Mined from
Fifteen Mile Stream
|
ktonnes
|
39,384
|
-
|
-
|
6,117
|
7,214
|
6,968
|
4,641
|
6,557
|
7,030
|
856
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
COCHRANE
HILL
|
Ore Milled from
Cochrane Hill
|
ktonnes
|
15,380
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,300
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,080
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.04
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.24
|
1.30
|
1.25
|
1.30
|
1.25
|
0.97
|
0.66
|
0.42
|
Process
Recovery
|
%
|
91.4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
92.7
|
93.0
|
92.7
|
92.9
|
92.8
|
91.6
|
89.6
|
86.6
|
Ore Mined from
Cochrane Hill
|
ktonnes
|
15,380
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
67
|
2,266
|
2,846
|
2,931
|
2,802
|
2,720
|
1,338
|
411
|
-
|
AU
|
g/t
|
1.04
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.65
|
0.96
|
1.07
|
1.01
|
1.05
|
1.04
|
1.10
|
1.17
|
-
|
Stockpile Retrieval
to Mill from Cochrane Hill
|
ktonnes
|
4,754
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
50
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
100
|
900
|
1,624
|
2,080
|
AU
|
g/t
|
0.50
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.69
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.64
|
0.63
|
0.53
|
0.42
|
Waste Mined from
Cochrane Hill
|
ktonnes
|
53,397
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,233
|
11,262
|
14,304
|
11,214
|
6,423
|
3,330
|
580
|
51
|
-
|
This production schedule may change over time due to various
factors including delays in permitting, balancing economics and
production scheduling, as well as the addition of new reserves from
further drilling at Touquoy, Fifteen Mile Stream, Cochrane Hill and
the Corridor Regional exploration program. Detailed
engineering will commence shortly for the expansion projects and at
this time Capital Costs and Operating costs are expected to be
similar to those contained in the Pre-Feasibility Study issued
March 2018.
It is anticipated that any reserve additions from Cochrane Hill,
the 149 deposit and the Corridor Regional Program will supplement
the lower grade production currently scheduled from 2026
onwards.
Report Filing
A technical report, based on a Pre-Feasibility Study, prepared
in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects in respect of the Reserve Update
will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website
(www.atlanticgoldcorporation.com) within 45 days of the date of
this news release.
Qualified Persons
Marc Schulte P.Eng., an
independent consultant to the Company, and a Qualified Person as
defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information contained in this news release.
Further updates will be provided in due course.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Steven Dean
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
About Atlantic:
Atlantic is a well-financed, growth-oriented gold development
group with a long-term strategy to build a mid-tier gold production
company focused on manageable, executable projects in
mining-friendly jurisdictions.
Atlantic is focused on growing gold production in
Nova Scotia beginning with its MRC
phase one open-pit gold mine which declared commercial production
in March 2018, and its phase two Life
of Mine Expansion at industry lowest decile cash and
all-in-sustaining-costs (as stated in the Company's news releases
dated January 16, 2019 and
January 29, 2018).
Atlantic is committed to the highest standards of
environmental and social responsibility and continually invests in
people and technology to manage risks, maximize outcomes and
returns to all stakeholders.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains certain "forward looking statements"
and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under
applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking
statements and information can generally be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect",
"intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans"
or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information
are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this press
release, and include, but are not limited to, statements and
discussion regarding the updated mineral reserve statement, future
increases in the mineral reserve estimate, the updated life of mine
production schedule, future changes to the life of mine production
schedule, future drilling, the Company's priorities for 2019,
discussions of future plans, guidance, projections, objectives,
estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's
expectations with respect to, among other things, the matters and
activities contemplated in this news release. These forward-looking
statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual
results may vary. Important factors that may cause actual results
to vary include, without limitation, the timing and receipt of
certain approvals and agreements, changes in commodity and power
prices, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, risks
inherent in exploration estimates and results, timing and success,
inaccurate geological and metallurgical assumptions (including with
respect to the size, grade and recoverability of mineral reserves
and resources), changes in development or mining plans due to
changes in logistical, technical or other factors, unanticipated
operational difficulties (including failure of plant, equipment or
processes to operate in accordance with specifications, cost
escalation, unavailability of materials, equipment and third party
contractors, delays in the receipt of government approvals,
industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated
events related to health, safety and environmental matters),
political risk, social unrest, and changes in general economic
conditions or conditions in the financial markets. In making the
forward-looking statements in this press release, the Company has
applied several material assumptions, including without limitation,
the assumptions that: (1) market fundamentals will result in
sustained gold demand and prices; (2) the receipt of any necessary
approvals, agreements and consents in connection with the
development of any properties; (3) the availability of financing on
suitable terms for the development, construction and continued
operation of any mineral properties; and (4) sustained commodity
prices such that any properties put into operation remain
economically viable. Information concerning mineral reserve and
mineral resource estimates also may be considered forward-looking
statements, as such information constitutes a prediction of what
mineralization might be found to be present. Certain of the risks
and assumptions are described in more detail in the Company's
audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended
December 31, 2018 on the Company's
SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The actual results or performance
by the Company could differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, any forward-looking statements relating to those
matters. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the
events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire
or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on
the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
Except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation, and
expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise
revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that
may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required
under applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Atlantic Gold Corporation